The frontline was a land that died because it couldn't properly resolve the Gate of Demons.

It was now a land filled with Demons, and also a land that continued to wither due to the endless opening of the Gate of Demons.

This raised an even bigger question.

How was there such a huge forest in a dry land like this?

It was a dead land where not a single drop of water remained, yet how could such a green forest be sustained?

Many people questioned this, but they didn't bother digging for an answer.

No one was allowed in the forest due to the rules made by the Murim Alliance, and approval from Gu Clan was mandatory in order to enter.

Isn't it funny?

For even the Murim Alliance to need the Gu Clan's permission when it comes to the frontline.

This basically meant that the Murim Alliance acknowledged the forest of the frontline as the Gu Clan's territory.

Because of that, I had to come here far too often.

Gu Clan's blood relatives were in charge of the forest.

Originally, Gu Huibi's Fifth Army was in charge of it, but it was passed on to me once I was given the position of Young Lord.

Was that going to change in this life?

I doubt it.

Unless I run away and hence don't become the Young Lord, this part wouldn't change.

For fucks sake.

Rustle.

I slowly made my way, stepping on tree branches.

It was a night fully illuminated by the moonlight.

It was around midnight time wise.

I hope to return by morning.

It wasn't a peaceful trip to go into the center of the forest.

To begin with, no pathways were made because it wasn't an easy place to enter.

[Grr…]

I started to hear a quiet growling sound.

It seemed to be cautious, as if it knew I was doing all this because of it.

I should seriously throw him away or something.

[Grr.]

The growl that I heard once more sounded as if it was telling me that it wasn't possible for me to do so.

Which was very annoying.

After putting that bastard aside, I let out a sigh.

Lately, it feels like my sighs have particularly increased.

Swoosh.

The Wind blew.

Summer was coming, but the wind at night was still as cold as ever, and I was bothered by the woman following me from behind.

“You…”

When I turned around as I started to speak, my eyes met with hers.

It seemed like she had already been staring at me.

“Yes.”

Moyong Hi-ah's cheeks were slightly reddened as she responded briefly.

Was she cold?

It wasn't cold enough for that, but given her condition, it was possible.

Because even looking at it now, Moyong Hi-ah was wearing a thick outfit which really didn't suit the current weather.

Seeing that, I frowned briefly and pulled her towards me by grabbing her wrist.

“Ah…!”

Moyong Hi-ah's eyes widened as if she was shocked due to the sudden contact, but I put heat into her without caring.

“Ahhh…”

Perhaps because the warmth entered her body, Moyong Hi-ah slightly twisted her body.

Seeing her like that, I asked,

“Why did you follow me?”

“…The Sword of Heroic Flame…”

“Don't use him as an excuse. Do you really think I'm that dumb?”

When I cut her off, Moyong Hi-ah turned her head away from me.

This time, her ears were red as well.

So she feels embarrassed too?

"It's strange enough that he didn't come and rested, but it's not like I asked you to be a substitute because there was no one else."

"...You're only quick-witted at times like this."

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Moyong Hi-ah's swordlike sharp aura felt like it was breaking down as time went on for some reason.

She was a girl that perfectly hid her personality when it came to tricking someone, so I wonder why she's like this recently.

“…I didn't do anything special. I only made a request.”

“A request?”

“I asked him 'politely' if I could go in his place, and the Sword of Heroic Flame let me.”

“That… doesn't really make sense? No matter how much I think about it.”

Does he not know what'll happen to him if I return?

I knew that Gu Jeolyub was dumb, but I didn't think he was that stupid.

As I kept staring at Moyong Hi-ah with suspecting eyes, Moyong Hi-ah who kept avoiding eye contact bit her lips lightly.

"...It would be nice if you just pretended not to know and went along."

“Now you are just being shameless.”

“Don't you feel more comfortable going with me instead anyways?”

What was she on about now?

Why does Moyong Hi-ah think that it'd be more comfortable for me to go with her?

Right as I was about to ask her, Moyong Hi-ah answered.

“With fewer people, and alone if possible.”

“…”

“Is this not what the Young Master wants?”

I became speechless for an instant upon hearing Moyong Hi-ah.

She seemed nervous earlier, but now she was looking at me with her sharp eyes again.

I really don't know how to deal with her.

I seriously couldn't let my guard down with her.

How did she know?

Checking the condition of the center of the forest wasn't really a hard task.

Due to how there were less demons as I approached the center of the forest, all I had to do was just a simple checkup.

Gu Huibi too, herself went there with a small group of people, as it was more comfortable that way.

Though her case is different from mine.

In my case, despite asking Gu Jeolyub and Muyeon to come, I had no intention of going inside the center together.

It was better to keep stuff unknown as I couldn't afford them to see it.

Plus, none other than the blood relatives could enter to begin with.

However, Moyong Hi-ah was a problem right now.

“What do you gain out of this?”

She took Gu Jeolyub's place which was bothersome, and I'm sure she did something in order to get Muyeon out of the picture which is why it was only the two of us here.

But what does Moyong Hi-ah get out of doing this?

“What do I gain?”

Moyong Hi-ah's sky-blue eyes gazed towards me and she answered while rubbing her slightly reddened cheeks.

“Time.”

“Time?”

It was an unexpected answer.

What does she mean by time?

While checking her wrist, still in my grasp, Moyong Hi-ah continued to speak once again.

“The time I get to spend with you.”

“…What?”

“Do you know what it is that I despised the most?”

What Moyong Hi-ah despised the most?

“Being pointlessly emotional, and yearning despite knowing that I won't get anything. I despised that.”

Her emotions were slightly mixed into her cold words.

“It's pointless, you know. It's a process that changes and destroys a person. Both my father and mother were destroyed because of that.”

I noticed Moyong Hi-ah's voice shaking a little when she said 'because' without hesitation.

Did she mean the princess of the North Sea when she referred to her mother?

I somewhat agreed with what Moyong Hi-ah said.

I knew better than anyone on how scary being swept by emotions could be.

“But funnily enough,”

Moyong Hi-ah's lips started to lift a little as she continued to speak.

A person that seemed to be made with ice itself, started to smile.

“I realized that I was doing that exact thing.”

Sss.

Her wrist escaped my grasp.

It was because Moyong Hi-ah, herself, moved away with force.

“But it didn't feel that bad after experiencing it.”

“You…”

“So this is rather important to me.”

What Moyong Hi-ah was saying to me, the weight of it sounded heavy.

…Why?

No matter how stupid I was, I knew that she was showing interest towards me.

But the problem was why she had such feelings towards me.

Was I too close to her?

I met her once every few weeks due to the contract of me being required to give her heat.

Or perhaps meeting her every few days was a problem?

As my head was storming with such thoughts, I heard a soft chuckle.

The origin of it was Moyong Hi-ah.

She seemed to be having a great time, because she continued to giggle while covering her mouth.

“I knew that the Young Master would make that expression upon hearing this.”

“…”

“I didn't say this while expecting an answer. I only said it so that you realize. Because you never did no matter how much I hinted at it.”

Moyong Hi-ah moved her feet and came in front of me.

I noticed her scent and Ice Qi.

“I know that it's hard on you.”

Each of her words poked my chest, making it impossible for me to run away.

“But for me, even that side of yours was needed.”

After finishing with that sentence, Moyong Hi-ah took another step forward.

As I stared at her back dumbfoundedly as if I was struck by lightning, she slightly turned around and spoke to me.

“Come now. We can't afford to be late after all.”

I was the one that became flustered after seeing her walk as if nothing happened.

This was probably the most confusing day that I've had this year.

****************

Without uttering a single word, we arrived at our destination in the forest.

I thought I would die of awkwardness, but Moyong Hi-ah seemed perfectly fine.

How could she seriously be like this?

I felt like I might pass out from the headache, but Moyong Hi-ah was more peaceful than ever.

…I'll just ignore it for now.

There's something I need to do right now, so I can't focus on Moyong Hi-ah.

Honestly, I can't completely ignore what just happened, but what else can I do?

Upon reaching the entrance, Moyong Hi-ah stopped in her tracks.

“Have a safe trip.”

“…Uh, Y-Yeah.”

She stayed there in front of the entrance like she was expecting it.

I already planned to tell her to stay here, but it seemed like she knew what I was gonna say.

I wondered if I could leave her in the forest filled with Demons, especially at night time, but there were less Demons in the center of the forest.

I could honestly say that there were none here and I wouldn't be wrong.

I didn't know the reason why.

I just knew that it had been like this ever since.

Leaving Moyong Hi-ah behind, I slowly moved towards the entrance.

Then,

Ring-

A faint ringing sound reached my ears as I entered.

It was the reaction felt when passing through a formation.

This was similar to Gu Clan's basement.

It's fascinating every time I see it.

A formation that only allowed blood relatives of noble clans to enter couldn't be seen anywhere else.

I heard if one's not a blood relative, they're bounced off with a thump!

I knew that because I saw someone being bounced off myself.

I wonder if Gu Jeolyub could also enter.

That thought suddenly passed by my mind.

Considering how Gu Jeolyub also had the blood of Gu despite being from a collateral line, wouldn't he technically be allowed to enter as well?

There's no way they would check if the person is a direct child of a Lord.

A formation isn't some living creature, so I believed that such a thing was too difficult to achieve.

The center was exactly how it sounded, as it was the center of the forest.

As I walked further in, I started to see a small pool in the middle of a small circular plain filled with trees and grass.

Despite it sounding unfitting, the forest of frontlines was very beautiful.

It had great sceneries that made people wonder if this was made naturally.

When I focused my sights, I noticed something on top of the small pool from far away.

Something resembling a Black Gate of Demons that wasn't there last time, was floating on top of it.

I can't believe this formed here out of all places.

Would I call this lucky or unlucky?

Why am I even questioning this? It's extremely unlucky.

Me being disgustingly unlucky did not change despite a long time passing.

[Grrr…]

The bastard inside my body reacted as soon as I found it.

Its roars sounded as if it was telling me to go devour it instantly, and it felt like my whole body was echoing because of that.

I'm going to give it to you regardless, so shut your mouth.

[Grr…]

Splash.

I slowly put my foot in the pool and moved closer to the opening.

A giant marble in the center of the pool caught the attention of my eyes as I went closer.

That was one of the reasons why Gu Clan managed the center of the forest.

They had to check if the marble didn't fall off the pillar or if there was any crack.

The marble was perfectly fine even if a storm came, so I didn't know why it needed to be checked constantly, even if it was an order from the clan.

I didn't know what this marble did or what its purpose was, but it's something that the ancestors of the clan brought here, and father called this a seed.

It didn't look like a seed no matter how much I looked at it.

Moreover, how could there be a seed as big as that?

There doesn't seem to be any problems.

I checked the marble since I came here with the excuse to check it, and there thankfully didn't seem to be any problems.

It was a very important thing, but the reason for leaving it in the frontlines and only doing checkups was simple.

The barrier set up near it was way too strong, and you would need someone like the Heavenly Demon of the past to break through such a barrier.

…The bastard did actually rip through it too.

Judging by how it took all of Heavenly Demon's strength to break through, it wasn't some ordinary barrier.

I wonder why that bastard tried to come here.

The Heavenly Demon tried to come to the center in my past life.

Not only this, but the Heavenly Demon went to various places while having interests in treasures of the world.

I didn't know why the Heavenly Demon had interests in such things though.

Moreover, while the Heavenly Demon succeeded in entering this place, it failed to take the marble.

Or should I say it failed?

No, it would be more accurate to say it didn't take it.

After all the effort to tear through the barrier, it lost interest as soon as it saw the marble.

-It is pointless to me.

That's all it said.

After making me go through all that trouble.

“…Tsk.”

After erasing my thoughts about the marble, I slowly extended my hand and placed it into the opening.

Just like last time, as my hand entered the opening, the air crack began to close gradually.

The opening then disappeared and nothing was left in the air.

[Grr.]

The bastard let out a burp as if it was satisfied.

“You full?”

[Grr.]

“Sigh…”

To think I went through all this in the dead of night, and only this bastard is satisfied.

It really felt like I was raising a beast.

Even though I wasn't the type to enjoy raising pets.

I closed my eyes after clicking my tongue.

I wonder if anything has changed.

I tried to see if there was a change in my body by repeatedly closing and opening my hand, but I still felt no difference.

It would be better to say that there was no difference I suppose.

Anyway, since I achieved what I came for, I turned to leave the pond when,

“…Hmm?”

The marble I had seen earlier caught my attention again.

The marble was still the same shape, and there shouldn't have been any difference since it has only been a few seconds, but the marble clearly caught my attention for some reason.

What the…

It felt strange.

How do I say this, my fingertips felt extremely ticklish.

It felt like a sensation where I shouldn't touch the marble… no matter what.

By the way, there isn't any problem in touching the marble, because I've touched it a few times in the past.

“…”

I didn't know why I felt this way, but I reached my hand out after staring at the marble for a while.

It was so that I could erase this strange sensation and to cure my curiosity.

But then.

[…N…o.]

Pause.

My hand froze in mid-air, just before touching the marble.

It was because the bastard spoke to me suddenly.

The bastard that curled itself after being full opened its eyes again when I tried to touch the marble.

No?

[That… is…danger…]

I had to think hard upon hearing the bastard.

It had never shown such a reaction like this.

Are you telling me it's dangerous for me, or for you?

[...Bo…th.]

The bastard shut its mouth and stayed silent every time I asked a question, but now it sounded like it was panicking because it was worried about me touching the marble.

Would you look at this bastard?

[…Not… yet… Not yet…]

After hearing the bastard barely putting words out, a frown automatically formed on my face.

What did it mean for me to touch the marble?

I didn't really have to touch the marble, but because of the bastard's words, I started to feel tempted.

What is this?

Was this some type of feeling that little kids get when they are told not to do it but they want to?

It felt a little different than that.

It felt as if I was thirsty.

I felt like I couldn't leave without touching it.

It wasn't a pleasing feeling.

Press.

Unable to control my emotions, I suppressed them with my Qi.

I felt very shitty because it felt like I was listening to the bastard's command, but I too felt like this was dangerous.

[If… eat now… explode.]

What was going to explode?

My body?

Or was it the marble?

“Sigh…”

I didn't know what it was, but I turned away at the bastard's repeated warning.

“Explain.”

But I couldn't just go back like this.

[Grr….]

“If you don't have a convincing enough explanation, I'm just going to touch it and explode.”

Do I really have to not touch it just because it told me not to?

I didn't really have a good enough personality for me to listen to everyone's commands.

So I'll hear it.

A reason for me to not do such a thing.

After hearing my firm words, I felt my Dantian storm gradually.

Was the bastard that was originally curled up going wild right now?

Slam! Slam!

I felt huge vibrations, but I thankfully didn't feel any pain like last time.

After standing still while feeling the vibrations, my storming Dantian slowly started to calm itself down.

Then.

[Seed…]

It seemed to have realized it had no choice, because the bastard gave me a short answer.

[Giant Tree's seed…]

The seed of the Giant Tree huh.

…Huh?

It was a very simple name.

Its words only meant that it was a seed from a giant tree, but I remembered something after hearing the bastard.

No way. Perhaps...

On the day the young prodigies of my past life fell into the Abyss, and right before I was about to be devoured by Demons after being thrown as a bait, a tree so tall that it covered the sky, formed right in front of my eyes.

For some reason, upon hearing 'Giant Tree,' that very tree came to mind.