The one who opened the door and waved his hand.
As I looked at Mongmong, my expression didn’t change.
His light green hair, bright and cheerful deanor, and slightly flushed eyes were exactly the sa as when I had seen him earlier in the day.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it?”
“It hasn’t been that long, really.”
“Hahaha, is that so? Well, if you say so, then that’s how it is.”
He still had that air of being completely out of his mind. He seed ridiculously excited for so reason, as though everything was perfect in his world.
How had he appeared so suddenly? That thought didn’t even cross my mind.
‘I knew he’d be nearby anyway.’
I hadn’t tried to sense his presence, but I was sure he’d been watching from sowhere.
‘He’s definitely been keeping an eye on .’
Ever since I started suspecting him, I knew he wouldn’t stay far. Even if he had briefly left to check sothing, he would’ve returned to confirm more.
And, as I thought:
‘I was right.’
It seed my assumption had been spot on. He had indeed been watching .
Acknowledging that, I spoke to him.
“You don’t seem like soone from around here. Are you sure it’s okay for you to waltz into a prison like this?”
“Huh?”
Mongmong tilted his head in response to my words. His innocent mannerisms matched his appearance, making him seem almost too naive.
However.
“Co on, there’s nowhere in this place I can’t go.”
Despite his harmless deanor, I couldn’t even begin to fathom what was hidden within that small fra of his.
“You already know, don’t you?”
“...”
Mongmong smiled as he spoke to . His words made pause briefly.
“You heard it from the Black family’s kid, didn’t you? Who I am.”
“…Yes, I heard.”
“Hahaha. Fascinating.”
Mongmong stepped closer to the bars, looking directly at .
“Yet, even knowing who I am, you still keep your head held high. How is that possible?”
His light green pupils narrowed vertically.
The mont I saw that, every hair on my body stood on end.
A chill ran down my spine. If I hadn’t controlled myself, I might have shattered the shackles and assud a defensive stance on instinct.
Sothing stirred within my chest.
It didn’t like his deanor, as if it were ready to burst forth and demand that I crush him, force him to bow, and make him lower his head.
I gritted my teeth and suppressed it with effort.
‘Why does this guy keep doing this?’
He was inciting sothing within , sothing that scread to dominate him.
Still, I managed to keep myself under control and prepared to bow my head in deference.
But before I could act—
“Ah, don’t do that. I was just joking.”
Mongmong cut off before I could move.
“Hey, I don’t like that kind of thing. Relax, okay?”
“...”
What a strange guy.
He didn’t stop until I actually tried to act.
‘He was testing .’
If I hadn’t moved, what would’ve happened?
I had a feeling the result wouldn’t have been favorable.
“Anyway, Cheol Ji-seon.”
“…?”
“Cheol Ji-seon?”
“Oh, yes.”
I responded belatedly, rembering the alias I was using. I had almost forgotten.
“Hmm.”
Mongmong gave a peculiar look.
He didn’t seem suspicious, exactly.
Rather, it felt like he was silently saying:
‘If you’re going to use a fake na, at least commit to it properly.’
‘This guy isn’t easy.’
I nearly let out a bitter laugh. He might act cheerful and foolish, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that couldn’t be ignored.
He was observing , analyzing every move and word. His deanor and even his breaths suggested he wasn’t here just for a casual visit.
Eventually, Mongmong chuckled.
“Well, whatever.”
He acted as though it wasn’t important, but I wasn’t fooled.
‘Like hell it’s “whatever.”’
I could tell he was still trying to figure sothing out about , so I didn’t let my guard down.
“Ah, it’s nothing much. I just made a bit of a mistake earlier, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“…Ah… yeah, I did.”
My nonchalant agreent caught him off guard, making him hesitate montarily.
“Well, because of that, I was wondering if you needed any help. I could lend you a hand.”
“Help …?”
Feigning interest, I looked at him and spoke.
“How would you help ?”
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Would you let out of here if I asked?”
“Oh, sure. That’s no problem at all.”
“Do you think the leader of this place would approve of that?”
“Huh?”
Mongmong tilted his head in genuine confusion at my question.
“Why would I need their approval?”
He spoke as though the idea was utterly incomprehensible.
“This land is mine anyway. There’s no need for such formalities.”
“…I see.”
I nodded, sensing the sheer weight of his confidence in that simple statent.
‘I’m starting to get a clearer picture.’
I was beginning to understand what kind of person he was.
Still, the details were too thin for to draw any solid conclusions.
‘He’s still wearing a thick mask.’
Peeling it off would require a carefully executed plan—not sothing to rush into just yet.
“So, what do you want to do?”
His deanor made it seem like he was genuinely willing to grant any request.
His overly pure and almost unsettlingly earnest expression only added to the unease.
“Hmm.”
I pretended to consider his offer for a mont before speaking.
“I’m fine.”
“Huh?”
Mongmong’s eyes widened in surprise at my refusal. It was clear he hadn’t expected it.
“Why? Why are you refusing? I said I’d help.”
“I don’t really need anything, and I don’t want to impose.”
“Co on, it’s not an imposition. I’m offering because I want to.”
“Even so...”
“Don’t worry about it. Just tell what you want!”
“…Hmm.”
He seed almost desperate for to ask for his help. It made wonder why.
“…In that case.”
I carefully adjusted my tone and spoke, watching his reaction closely.
“Could you arrange a eting with this place’s leader?”
“Huh? The leader?”
Mongmong tilted his head again, clearly puzzled by the request.
“Yes, the leader.”
“Why?”
“If I’m going to ask to be let out, I’d rather make the request directly. I also have so things I want to discuss.”
“Things you want to discuss...”
Mongmong narrowed his eyes slightly at my words. I observed him carefully.
Asking to et the leader out of the blue would naturally raise suspicion.
I knew Mongmong was watching closely, but I had chosen this approach deliberately.
‘What will you do?’
I wanted to see how he would react.
“…Hmm.”
After a long pause, Mongmong finally spoke.
“Fine, I’ll arrange it.”
“...”
Mongmong nodded lightly, accepting the request. Seeing that, I clicked my tongue internally.
‘I can’t read him.’
He acted so innocently that it suited him perfectly.
Yet, I had no idea what he was really thinking deep down.
He was, without a doubt, a difficult opponent to face.
And beyond that:
‘...His presence is growing stronger.’
Perhaps it was because it was nightti, but I could feel Mongmong’s aura gradually becoming more pronounced.
I recalled what Noya had told :
“The Moonlit Night Tribe grows stronger at night, and each general possesses their own authority.”
If that were true, then this Mongmong—no, Yusa—was not only growing stronger at night but also had so unique power of his own.
If so...
‘Would I stand a chance against him in a fight at night?’
It was a fundantal question.
I had felt sothing similar when I saw the leader of this place. Could I defeat these people of the night?
That question remained unanswered.
So, as I looked at Mongmong in front of , I pondered once more.
‘Could I kill him?’
I studied him closely, thinking about that possibility.
‘Tsk...’
The more I looked, the more frustrated I beca.
I couldn’t get a clear read on him. Not being able to grasp his true strength was proof that he was formidable.
‘I guess it’s too early to tell.’
Even if I were in perfect condition, I wasn’t sure.
At least for now, it didn’t seem like the right ti.
“Alright, should I go fetch them now?”
“…Yes, please.”
“Great! Just wait here for a bit!”
Mongmong finished speaking and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
His presence vanished almost imdiately.
Sensing that, I focused a little harder.
Had he truly left? Or was he hiding sowhere nearby?
I waited a little longer, and once I was confident, I activated my energy.
Whirr!
Power surged from my heart, and I used it to shatter the shackles on my arms.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the restraints broke apart.
My hands and body were free, and the suppression on my energy disappeared.
I clenched my fists to confirm it.
Hisssss.
It wasn’t so much lighting a fire as it was concentrating heat.
I focused that heat into my palms until they were scorching hot.
Then—
Ssssss---!!!!
I lightly gripped the bars, and they began to lt.
Using that, I tore off the ends.
Creak!
After squeezing through the opening, I grabbed the detached bars and reattached them.
Since they had been lted off, welding them back in place was simple.
With careful control of the heat, I ensured the repair left no trace.
“All done.”
After securing the bars, I turned to Cheonma, who sat quietly watching .
Looking at her, I said:
“Rember what I told you earlier?”
Cheonma nodded.
“Just stay put, and if anything happens, follow what I said.”
“…When will they co?”
“Probably not too long.”
“What if they don’t co? Can I go find them?”
“...”
Finding them, in her mind, likely ant ripping the bars apart and breaking out.
That was a problem.
“If I say no, will you hold back?”
“...”
No response.
I sighed at her silence.
“Do your best to stay put.”
With that, I reached into my sleeve.
[It really won’t take long.]
I pulled out a black martial robe and a cracked white mask, placing the mask over my face.
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