After splitting with Min-chan, Tae-geon's group traveled for a long time.
The path down the mountain was more treacherous than they had anticipated. The overgrown grassy slope was slippery, and some tree roots jutted out from the ground like snakes.
"Be careful not to fall. And break off some branches over there to mark the trail."
[SNAP!]
When Tae-geon said this, breaking a branch at chest height, Young-ho grumbled from behind.
"I feel like I'm sweating all day, but I haven't heard the sound of water at all."
A little farther back, Do-yoon and Pungpyo continued their quiet conversation.
"Are you sure there's a waterway here?"
"Valleys usually flow down the mountain. Ancient Joseon also built villages near the foothills. I'm a Seowundae student, you know."
"...Hah, you keep saying Seowundae. What is that?"
Tae-geon didn't turn his head to look at them, but the corners of his mouth subtly lifted. Do-yoon's chatter was a strange comfort in the silent forest.
But soon, the sunlight that had been filtering through the leaves began to diminish. The group walked in silence for a long time on the windless forest path.
Then Tae-geon stopped. He quietly held his breath and carefully scanned his surroundings.
'The grass is standing upright, but a thick tree is broken? The bark is torn as if someone scratched it with their claws... there's even fur mixed in with the droppings... a bear?'
He narrowed his eyes and scanned the ground once more.
"Hold for a moment."
It was a short command, but everyone in the group stopped instantly at his words.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
Do-yoon asked in a hushed voice. Pungpyo instinctively drew his bow, and Young-ho raised his head to look around.
Tae-geon spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed.
"Something... passed through here. It doesn't seem to be human."
At his words, Do-yoon's expression stiffened.
"Is it a bear...?"
"If it's a bear, that's great. We might be able to get some bear gall."
Young-ho muttered, smacking his lips. But despite his relaxed tone, his eyes were rapidly scanning in every direction.
Tae-geon frowned and continued.
"The tree broke at waist height, a strong smell... droppings with fur. The creature is quite large. Even if it's a bear—the bears of this world might not be what we know."
Just then, Pungpyo squatted down next to a fallen tree and spoke.
"It might be... an Owlbear."
Tae-geon turned his head.
"Owlbear?"
"Yes. A beast with the face of an owl and the body of a bear. They have excellent eyesight and are skilled at night hunting. Their claws are said to be tough enough to pierce trees, and they're known to possess a certain level of intelligence."
Pungpyo pointed to the tree bark with his hand.
"There are not just scratches here... but also deep gouges like holes. It feels like something was rammed in and twisted, rather than a simple scratch."
Young-ho tilted his head and asked.
"Then... a bird-brained bear doesn't have any bear gall?"
Just as Do-yoon sighed and was about to say something, a metallic scent of blood was carried on the wind.
Tae-geon raised his fist. Everyone's movement stopped.
He quietly gestured. Pungpyo crouched down and approached cautiously, and Young-ho and Do-yoon also exchanged signals with their eyes and moved closer.
"It's possible it could be an Owl...bear or an Orc." Tae-geon said in a low voice.
Do-yoon's eyes widened and he whispered.
"If it's Orcs, they live in groups. What if they're living in the valley we're looking for?"
"We can't be sure yet. For now, let's follow the smell of blood."
They cautiously moved, following the scent on the wind. They were walking, suppressing even the sound of their footsteps on the fallen leaves.
"It's here!"
Pungpyo exclaimed softly. He pointed to the space under a collapsed rock—there was a faint trace of a small fire, as if someone had made it.
Tae-geon approached it. The ashes were not yet completely cool, and next to them... a dark bloodstain was spreading.
"...It's fresh. The fire was lit no more than two hours ago."
He knelt on the ground and touched the soil with his fingertip. Moist blood smeared on his finger. It was warm, not yet congealed.
Pungpyo scanned the surroundings and frowned.
"Was something hunted here, or did a hidden creature just leave?"
Tae-geon didn't answer and stood still for a moment. He pursed his lips and scanned the traces in the rock crevice again. After a short breath, he spoke in a low voice.
"...We keep going."
Immediately, everyone's gaze was on him.
"Whether it's a person or a beast—the fact that something stayed here means there's water. Without water, there's no hiding place or prey."
He looked around and continued.
"As soon as we hear the sound of the valley water, we return to the village immediately. The goal is one thing: to get back alive. Not to fight."
It was a few minutes later when they heard it.
'WHOOOOSH—'
A low, long echo of water came from somewhere beyond the forest, a sound that stimulated their thirst. It was the hope mixed into the dry air.
"Did you hear that?!"
Do-yoon exclaimed, inhaling.
"Shh."
Tae-geon raised his hand. Everyone stopped instantly.
They fell silent, holding their breath and listening intently. The sound of water grew closer. And—through the dense trees, the reflected sunlight painted a rainbow over the mist.
Below a huge rock cliff, a silver stream of water was cascading like a waterfall from the sky.
"Wow... that's amazing."
Do-yoon gasped in admiration. The scene they encountered after a long period of tension felt surreal, like another world.
Then Young-ho wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and said.
"Hyung-nim, can we... go down and wash up a bit before we go back? The smell of our sweat is so bad, we're almost friends with the Orcs."
Pungpyo wrinkled his nose and moved slightly away from Do-yoon. The group's hopeful eyes were now all on Tae-geon.
Tae-geon closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and said with a sigh.
"...Fine. Do-yoon, send a signal to Min-chan with the bell first. Tell him we've completed the reconnaissance and secured water."
"YES!"
"Alright!"
Young-ho and Do-yoon shouted in unison, and Pungpyo smiled and was the first to move towards the slope. As they followed the narrow and rough path, a wide valley with not-too-strong currents unfolded before their eyes.
Tae-geon stood on a rock beside the valley. He said quietly.
"This is the place."
Young-ho looked around.
"Isn't this a good spot, Hyung-nim? With a cliff and a waterfall, it's easy to set up a defensive line and we have a water source..."
Do-yoon took out charcoal and busily took notes.
"Southeast slope... facing the morning sun. The wind tunnel is stable, and the drainage should be good."
Pungpyo broke off a branch and marked the path.
"Retreat route is also secured. The plant life is abundant, and I see wild fruit trees too."
Tae-geon said briefly.
"I don't know about Min-chan's side, but... enough people can live here."
A little while later, the sound of Young-ho's laughter, splashing in the valley water, spread out.
"Kyah—This is the best! I'm not even jealous of the immortals!"
Pungpyo smiled and took out his canteen to fill it, while Do-yoon took off his wet clothes, lay on his stomach on a rock, and enjoyed the sunlight.
Now all that was left was to return.
"Let's go. We've wasted too much time."
At Tae-geon's words, everyone reluctantly got up. The group quickly packed their belongings and finished their preparations for the return journey. The sun was already hanging on the mountain ridge, painting the sky red.
That's when it happened.
As if drawn by something, Tae-geon turned around. And, he muttered in a low voice.
"...It's strange that no one else is here in such a good spot."
That was the moment.
—SWISH.
The wind permeated from behind. Mixed within it was a thick, sticky scent of blood. The metallic smell of blood wafted to his nose.
"Ah! Hot!"
Do-yoon recoiled, arching his back. On his back, the talisman was burning with a blue light.
[CRACKLE.]
The other members' talismans also began to burn in succession. In a short time, the air in the forest felt different.
[FLICK.]
Tae-geon instinctively turned his body. And by instinct, he glared into the darkness of the forest.
There—someone was standing.
[RUSTLE... RUSTLE...]
Stepping on fallen leaves, she slowly revealed herself.
The light brown leather armor wrapped around her body, yet it made her curves stand out even more.
Her skin was dark and smooth, and her hair was a deeper black than the night.
Her red eyes scanned the group one by one, as if choosing her prey.
And—long, pointed ears. A jet-black sword that seemed to swallow even light.
She was similar to a human, but a distinctly different being.
Do-yoon held his breath and whispered.
"...An Elf?"
But no.
That was a Dark Elf.
She took something she was holding in her hand and casually tossed it.
[THUD.]
It was the blood-soaked head of an Owlbear.
Its beak was torn horizontally, and blood was still dripping from its severed neck.
She smiled. Her red eyes curved slightly.
"An interesting hunt. But for humans to be here... what's the occasion?"
At her words, Tae-geon stepped forward and said.
"I was about to ask you that."
His voice was low and firm.
"Seeing you throw a head at us out of nowhere, I doubt you're asking on good terms."
The Dark Elf with the red eyes smiled.
The smile was beautiful, but for some reason, it felt ominous.
"You're more composed than I expected, human.
Trespassing into Dark Elf territory without permission."
[SLASH!]
She let out a cold laugh, shaking the blood off her blade.
And with a flick of her sword, she took one step, then another, approaching them.
That's when it happened.
"Tae-geon hyung, shouldn't we retreat first?"
Do-yoon swallowed hard, feeling the tension.
"Hyung-nim, comrade! Isn't a preemptive strike the best? You should strike first!"
Young-ho's body was twitching, ready to charge.
Tae-geon cut off their conversation with a single word.
"Prepare to break through."
[CRUNCH.]
That one word was the signal.
Pungpyo pulled his bowstring taut, and as if they had practiced it, the group formed a triangular formation with Tae-geon at the front and Pungpyo at the center.
The Dark Elf narrowed her eyes and said, with an air of intrigue.
"Humans who know the Elven language... how fascinating."
Her red eyes slowly moved, scanning the group.
And then, she muttered as if whispering to someone.
"I should take them to the village."
The corners of her mouth slowly rose.
Facing that chilling smile, a cold sweat ran down his spine.
[CLICK!]
She took out another sword from behind her waist.
And, she crouched down low, as if to spring forward.
[TWANG.]
That was the moment.
Just as Tae-geon was about to give the signal to break through, the sound of a bowstring being released echoed from the forest.
[SWIIISH!]
Something tore through the air of the dark forest and struck the ground.
[CRACKLE.]
Between the formation of the gym members, a jet-black arrow was embedded in the ground just a step in front of Pungpyo.
Black smoke rose from the arrowhead, and the ground was stained as if with ink.
"What is that...?"
Pungpyo's face went pale as he looked down at the arrow.
If he had taken one more step, that arrow would have pierced his chest.
"How foolish, to think you can challenge Dark Elves in their own forest."
Her voice was quiet, but a deep mockery was in it.
"An ambush! Don't move!"
Tae-geon gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.
He felt it. The opponent could have hit them but deliberately shot the arrow in front of them.
"What are you doing?"
"Let's just call it a capture out of curiosity."
And before she even finished her sentence—
[WHOOSH!]
A black shadow shot towards Tae-geon.
Before anyone could even react, her twin swords grazed Tae-geon's chest, and drops of blood scattered into the air.
"Tae-geon hyung!"
"Hyung-nim, comrade!"
Young-ho and Do-yoon shouted in unison, and Pungpyo instinctively aimed his bow again.
But she had already put a distance between them and was standing with a relaxed posture.
"Hmm... Not bad. I was aiming for the chest."
The Dark Elf said with an enchanting smile, sweeping her black hair back.
"I would like to avoid any more useless conflict."
Tae-geon raised a hand to the group as if to say he was okay.
A clear sword wound was etched on his forearm, and crimson blood slowly dripped down.
The Dark Elf savored the smell of the blood, flaring her nostrils.
"So, how about this? We take one person's arm or leg, and maybe you'll be willing to negotiate?
Or... how about we take it all from one person?"
At her words, Tae-geon's eyes slowly narrowed.
"..."
"You never intended to let us go from the start."
He made a quick decision.
"Pungpyo, the enemy's numbers are uncertain. Go back to the village right now."
"I'll fight too!"
"Have you forgotten? Getting back alive is the priority.
Trust us—we'll hold them off."
"But..."
"Go! We'll cover you."
Pungpyo hesitated, then gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Urgh... I understand. Until I bring back Min-chan, you all must stay safe!"
Young-ho laughed, as if to say not to worry.
"Don't worry. When you get back, I'll give you a special training session that'll make you cry."
"I'll... definitely come back."
Pungpyo forced a smile, then drew a knife and cut his palm.
As blood flowed, he dipped his other hand in it and drew a pattern on his face.
At that moment—his eyes split vertically and horizontally, shining like a beast's.
Then, without another word, he turned and started running.
"So you had a hidden trick. One person is enough to survive—chase him!"
Three Dark Elves leaped from the trees simultaneously.
They were hunters specialized in assassination.
They tore through the forest at high speed, flying towards the retreating Pungpyo.
"Block them!"
Tae-geon's shout echoed in the darkness.
[WHOOSH!]
At that moment, Young-ho and Do-yoon split up, pushing off the ground in opposite directions.
"Young-ho! Do-yoon! Take one each!"
Simultaneously with Tae-geon's shout, they scattered in three directions.
One of the three Dark Elves who had come down to pursue Pungpyo chased him,
while the other two landed in front of Young-ho and Do-yoon respectively.
"Where do you think you're going?"
That's when it happened.
A female Dark Elf blocked Tae-geon, who was about to rush forward to stop the one chasing Pungpyo.
[SLASH!]
Her twin swords tore through the air like lightning, striking vertically downwards.
Tae-geon twisted his body and narrowly dodged the blades.
The tips of the swords brought a gust of wind with them, leaving a red line on his shoulder.
"Damn it..."
Tae-geon gritted his teeth and muttered.
In his eyes, Pungpyo and the shadow chasing him were getting farther and farther away.