Chapter 148. A Dreamy Night (3)

Flone flew for a long time even after leaving the villa and only stopped when Seol Jihu told her to.

After throwing Phi Sora down and landing on the ground, he got on his fours and panted.

Perhaps because he ran away as if to bake beans on lightning1, he didnt even remember how he managed to escape.

Only the darkness that dyed the entire fourth floor black remained in his mind, and the goosebumps on his back still had not subsided.

What if he wasnt lucky enough to meet Flones grandfather? What if the spirits of the massacred expedition team didnt throw themselves forward to stop the darkness?

No, if he didnt choose to bring Phi Sora out, would they have helped him so desperately?

Several thoughts brushed past his mind, giving him goosebumps once again.

Damned Nine Eyes. If there was something so terrifying, shouldnt the villa have looked black?

Seol Jihu cursed his Innate Ability without knowing his position.

Of course, he had experienced something similar a couple of times before, and guessed that the villa had something that went beyond Escape Immediately in importance. But since he almost died, he couldnt help but resent the Nine Eyes a little bit.

Flone was looking in the direction of the villa. Seeing her staring endlessly made Seol Jihu feel sad and a little bitter, but he didnt have the slightest desire of going back inside.

He would rather throw the camouflage helmet on his head and hide behind a nearby rock.

Seol Jihu opened his mouth.

What do you think was that?

Flone slowly turned around, then shook her head.

[I dont know. Grandpa was really startled too.]

Really?

[Yeah. I heard him muttering, Theres no way it should be awake. It normally doesnt leave the emperors bedroom]

In other words, opening the wrong door on the fourth floor might have ended his life.

[Anyways, are you okay?]

Seol Jihu wanted to say, No, Im not fine at all. Why did you insist on entering? But when he saw Flones eyes heading down, he also moved his gaze down.

Phi Sora, who was having trouble breathing when he threw her down on the ground, was now sleeping peacefully as if such a thing had never happened.

She looks peaceful.

[People are normally at peace before entering eternal sleep. I know that because I experienced it.]

Chet, she sure has it nice. Sleeping when I almost died. Wait. Eternal sleep?

[Yep.]

Flone nodded her head. When Seol Jihu stared at her fixedly, she leisurely pointed at Phi Sora.

[Her spirit is ready to leave her body.]

Huh? No way.

Seol Jihu put his finger under Phi Soras nose.

Ah.

She wasnt breathing. Before he even noticed, her ripe, peach-colored complexion had withered and turned pale.

Mi, Miss Phi Sora?

Even when he shook her and slapped her cheeks with a little bit of his true feelings behind it, her response was null.

Even when he poured a healing potion down her throat, she didnt move.

Having thought that just cutting the rope was enough, it was only now that he began to give her emergency treatment. Recalling his past experience of learning how to perform CPR, he interlocked his fingers and diligently put pressure on Phi Soras chest.

But as she showed no signs of breathing again, he pressed down harder and tried mouth-to-mouth.

[!?]

Seol Jihu put his mouth against Phi Soras cold lips and blew air into it.

[Eek!]

He could feel Flone tacitly pulling on his hair, but he ignored her and focused on giving CPR.

He knew Phi Sora would die if left alone. She wasnt someone evil like Kang Seok nor was she someone who invited much danger in being saved. Just ignoring her felt wrong.

Plus, it didnt sit right with him to laugh and leave her be, just because she had been a bit temperamental earlier.

In a way, I had a slip of the tongue too.

At the very least, he felt like he needed to do what he could, to not feel guilty if Phi Sora died.

He knew killing her painlessly might be easier, but he didnt want to be that numb to killing yet.

How much time went by?

After repeatedly performing mouth-to-mouth dozens of times while sweating profusely.

Heuk!

A burst of breath finally broke out. A flash of light flickered in Seol Jihus eyes. When he pressed down on Phi Soras chest harder, she coughed.

When he blew air into her mouth one more time, Seol Jihu could feel her hot breath gently touch his mouth.

Hnng.

Her thin, long eyelashes quivered and her eyes shot open.

.

.

Confirming that she had revived, Seol Jihu took his mouth off. As he raised his body, he fell on his butt. He spat on the ground before tilting his head and looking up at the sky.

Haaaa

Phi Sora blinked and blankly rolled her eyes. She was clearly confused.

I know exactly what that feels like.

As Seol Jihu had narrowly escaped from death many times, he fully understood what Phi Sora was going through.

After staring absent-mindedly for several minutes, Phi Sora wiped her lips with the back of her hand and gently raised her upper body. With a trembling hand, she rubbed her neck, which still had a clear rope mark around it. Her eyebrows perked up.

What happened?

Her voice wasnt clear like it used to be, but hoarse.

A rescue.

Rather than explaining himself in a roundabout way, Seol Jihu decided to be commanding. Of course, he couldnt tell her everything truthfully, so he mixed in the right amount of lies.

Rescue?

Phi Sora furrowed her brows.

Theres no way that old man would form a rescue team.

Judging by her murmurings, it seemed Phi Sora knew Bok Jungsik was looking for the opportunity to kick her out.

Seol Jihu decided to use this to his advantage.

I didnt come to rescue White Rose.

?

Mm theres someone who doesnt wish for you to die. I came here to fulfill this request.

Seol Jihu thought about selling Jang Maldongs name if she asked who specifically.

Got it.

Huh?

I got it. I think I know who it is. Anyways, you mean you came here without White Rose knowing?

Uh.

What do you mean, Uh. If you said you were going to save me, that Bok bastard would have surely thrown a fit about the ruin to try and stop you.

Phi Sora clicked her tongue before glancing at Seol Jihu.

Well, I understand what youre saying, so dont worry. You saved my life Im not such a bitch that I wouldnt understand your position.

Seol Jihu was glad she was misunderstanding things on her own, but what was more surprising was that his words got through her.

Seol Jihu stared at Phi Sora with a look of surprise.

Jang Maldong had told him that Phi Sora had a black and white mentality. That she separated people into friend or foe.

Let me ask you something.

Seol Jihu abruptly asked.

Did you not receive White Roses message?

Message?

Phi Sora asked back.

What do you mean? Forget about receiving a message. We contacted Bok Jungsik more than a dozen times, but he never responded.

What? He never messaged you? Not even once?

We didnt receive a single message ever since we left White Rose. Not from Bok Jungsik or anyone else.

The moment they left White Rose?

That meant Bok Jungsik had not contacted her even before they entered the villa. Of course, Bok Jungsik could always find an excuse for this.

Seol Jihus eyes narrowed to a slit.

Anyways, did you come to the rescue alone?

Phi Sora asked with a quizzical look before suddenly looking around the area frantically.

When she realized Seol Jihu was the only one there, her jaw dropped.

Wheres everyone else?

The expected question finally came. Rather than responding immediately, Seol Jihu silently shook his head.

No way.

Phi Sora clenched her teeth before standing up. When she staggered past Seol Jihu, his hand snatched the back of her neck.

Hear me out before you leave.

Phi Sora came to a sudden halt, turning around and glaring sharply at Seol Jihu.

Theyre all dead. Ive seen at least ten corpses, though Im not sure if there were more.

Seol Jihu said while roughly estimating the number of corpses stopping the darkness.

I barely, barely escaped from that place alive. If you go back, I guarantee you will die. But if you still want to go, I wont stop you.

Phi Sora gave him a strong glare before quickly taking out a communication crystal. When she clutched it tightly, the crystal emitted a pure light.

Please please.

She murmured to herself while staring at the crystal restlessly. However, the intensity of crystals light remained the same. But as she was repeating the same procedure several times without giving up, light suddenly burst out.

Sohyun!

Phi Sora shouted happily.

Sohyun, Sohyun! Are you okay? Where are you? Are you alive? Say something!

Seol Jihu furrowed his brows. The call had gone through, but only darkness was reflected in the crystal.

Huuuuuauuuuu.

Sohyun!

When an indescribably dreadful sound rang out, the frantically screaming Phi Sora flinched.

Wheeeere aaarre yooouuu coooomee baackk.

So.

Saaavvveee meeee Unnnniii.

.

Yoooou raannn aaawwaayyy allooonnee.

It was an unpleasant sound of something scratching a metal plate.

Seol Jihu sighed as he looked at Phi Sora who had become speechless and was standing in a daze.

The eerie voice was decipherable, but even Phi Sora knew that it was a trap.

Seol Jihu carefully spoke up.

You already know it.

Tk. The crystal ball fell on the sand and flickered off. Phi Soras legs went limp and she fell on her knees.

I dont know.

She muttered in a weak voice.

Im sure there were four people left we ran away and I said I would be the bait.

.

We barely managed to escape but it was suddenly too silent I told them to leave while I was attracting its attention but I didnt hear them running away.

.

It was too quiet and strange so I went back in a hurry and everyone was.

Gulp, gulp. Seol Jihu could hear the sound of her swallowing.

I just dont know I couldnt think from that point I went crazy, wanting to find it and kill it and suddenly, everything turned black.

Phi Sora muttered as though she was entranced before suddenly burying her face in the sand.

Seol Jihu bent down and quietly stared at the woman clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.

If she were to be blamed, it would be because she made the decision to enter that villa.

Wait, now that I think about it.

Seol Jihu still had a question left unsolved.

Why did that villa appear colorless?

Hoping to see the villas change in color from a distance, Seol Jihu activated his Nine Eyes and was shocked speechless.

The villa wasnt the problem. The whole shore had changed its color.

From yellow to orange. From Attention Required to Do Not Approach.

Fucking hell.

The situation had developed in the worst possible way.

Now wasnt the time to just sit around like this.

Seol Jihu glanced at Flone who had canceled her materialization before he noticed. Her lower lip was protruding out in a pout, but she obediently approached him and got ready to fly.

Miss Phi Sora! Come here.

Huh?

Come into my arms. Hurry.

Seol Jihu opened his arms. Phi Sora blinked several times before spitting out with a stunned expression.

A-Are you crazy?

What?

I didnt think you were someone like this I mean, Im thankful that you saved me, but this is just wrong! You could have at least started off with consoling me a bit.

Cut the crap.

Seol Jihu spat out angrily. He was already in a rush, and wasnt in the mood for Phi Soras nonsense.

It wasnt as if he didnt realize that his words could have been misinterpreted. But the fact that the color of danger had increased by a level meant that it was possible for it to increase again.

He had to escape when he still could.

This is the Parasites territory. We have to leave as soon as possible.

Realizing this, Phi Sora went Ah and got up.

But how are we going to

God! I have a good method! So hurry!

When Seol Jihu shouted, Phi Sora shrunk back a bit in a startle. But Seol Jihu was only acting this way in fear of the color becoming red Immediate Retreat Recommended.

Then you should have said so first!

Not knowing the situation, Phi Sora shouted back.

Why are you shouting after saying something that can easily be misinterpreted!? Im sad enough already.

While shouting with a sobbing voice, tears began to well up around her large eyes.

I got it, so hurry!

Seol Jihu swallowed his anger and softened his voice. Thankfully, Phi Sora was experienced and didnt have her head stuck up her ass. She obediently grabbed Seol Jihus arm.

Although she was startled when Seol Jihu sighed and suddenly pulled her in his embrace, but when they started flying up in the next moment, she could only make a confused face.

Seol Jihu took the initiative.

Its a flying artifact.

Really?

Yes, I found it in a ruin by chance. Its bound to its user and has limited use. Anyways, dont ask about it further.

W-Who asked you about it?

Im telling you not to go around spreading rumors.

Then you should have said so. Geez.

Phi Sora pouted.

[No!]

However, the silently listening Flone seemed aggrieved.

[Im not a flying artifact! I dont have limited use!]

.

[Why did you lie!]

Because of Flones endless protest, Seol Jihu nodded his head and apologized secretly.

*

The male and female duo no, the trio didnt say a word as they crossed the quiet morning ocean.

When the Nine Eyes returned to green color, Seol Jihu was finally able to relax.

Phi Sora was docilely holding onto his body. Seol Jihu couldnt help but feel a bit sorry when he saw her looking down at the ocean blankly and meekly.

She had lost seventeen of her comrades, some of whom she had been together with since the Tutorial. It wasnt surprising for her to be a bit out of her mind.

Seol Jihu smacked his lips and finally said something.

At the villa.

.

Many, no, more than many remained.

Huh?

Seol Jihu felt a strange gaze piercing his chin, but he kept his eyes out front.

Your comrades, I mean. They remained at the villa after they died. Because they were worried about you.

What do you mean? Didnt they die?

I both saw and heard them. A young Priest guided me to the room you were in and asked me to save you. She helped me escape as well

Phi Soras eyes widened when she heard the words young Priest, but Seol Jihu couldnt see her.

She stopped that thing desperately. It was thanks to her that we were able to escape with you.

Dont lie.

You can believe it or not. Its your choice.

Well, I guess its better than soulless comforting words like Cheer up.

With that, the conversation ended. But soon, Seol Jihu felt his arm shaking faintly. When he looked, he saw Phi Sora crying. Although she had turned and was facing the ocean, Phi Sora was crying soundlessly.

Seeing her teardrops fall onto the ocean, Seol Jihu couldnt help but think how disciplined she was.

I.

Was it when he confirmed Dylans death?

To be frank, he felt he would go berserk if he lost even a single member of Carpe Diem.

Seol Jihu didnt say anything and went back to looking straight ahead. Only, he slightly loosened the grip of his arm and carried Phi Sora more comfortably, like carrying a princess.

Just like that, time passed. As the sun began to rise over the horizon

A harbor began to appear in the distance.

It was the port of Nur.