Each passing second grew more awkward as everyone stared at , their eyes wide, almost popping out of their sockets, and their jaws nearly hitting the ground.
"Big sis!"
Kim Seong-Hoon's voice cracked with emotion, his tear-filled eyes shimring as he rushed toward with the speed of lightning. But his enthusiasm was t with a thud as he collided with an iron-hard tree—I had easily sidestepped his charge.
"Give up, won't ya..." I muttered, my voice tinged with irritation, though the words didn't quite match the storm brewing in my chest.
I wanted to say, 'I missed you all.'
But those words stayed locked deep inside my heart, trapped behind a door I knew would never open.
"You're awake!"
Malrang's voice rang gently in my mind just as a massive four-ter-tall fox leapt into the air. My eyes widened in alarm as I realized she was aiming directly for . Your next chapter awaits on empire
"Big sis, please wait! We're sorry for before—we never doubted you!"
Kim Seong-Hoon's desperate voice trailed behind as he tried to hug from behind. But before he could reach , I dodged effortlessly, reappearing next to Park Jieun.
anwhile, the so-called idiot lord himself was unceremoniously crushed under Malrang's massive body.
"Big sister Gaon..."
Jieun's voice trembled as she looked up at , her eyes watery but soft. "Will you please let us co back? I missed you so much."
They missed ... Why?
The thought stung. Weren't they afraid of ? Afraid of what my mood shifts could do?
I shifted my gaze to Kang Eun-Woo, who stood beside her. His armor glead so brightly it almost hurt to look at, making him stand out like a beacon in the dim forest.
"Ga—Lee Gaon..." he began, his voice firm. "Back then, we had a lot to think about. But I promise you, we were never afraid of you—of whatever caused you to lose control. We were worried about you, and only you. I swear it, with my pride as a man."
He struck his chest with his fist, standing straight, his posture brimming with honesty and conviction.
"I—"
"You know these people?"
Soo-Ah's voice cut through the mont. Her expression was a mix of puzzlent and worry, but there was sothing deeper in her eyes—sothing I couldn't quite place.
"They're my... acquaintances," I said hesitantly. I couldn't bring myself to call them friends. I didn't trust them enough for that.
But the mont the word left my lips, I saw their faces fall. Their sadness was palpable, hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
The mood turned heavy, almost suffocating, until Kim Seong-Hoon, the idiot lord himself, managed to wriggle free from under Malrang. He stood his ground, his wild eyes locking onto mine.
I could read him clearly. His expression scread, I will not accept this.
"Should I deal with these people for you?" Ravokar growled, his voice low and protective as his frenzied eyes glared at the unfamiliar group.
"No, it's okay," I growled back, eting his gaze. "They aren't a threat."
My old group's faces darkened, their brows furrowing in confusion as I growled back at Ravokar.
They didn't know.
Of course, they had no idea I could speak the beast language. Watching them exchange bewildered looks, as if silently asking, "Has she gone mad or sothing?" was slightly amusing.
"It's a long story..."
There was no way to explain to them now what had happened in the massive Blazelia Tree, and truthfully, I didn't want to bother.
Kim Seong-Hoon stepped forward, his powerful fra looming closer. This ti, he didn't try to hug . Instead, he stood tall, eting my gaze with unwavering determination.
"We are friends, big sis. Whether you like it or not. We're not leaving. That's it! Enough running away. If you want to leave, you'll have to kill !"
His words struck like a hamr against my chest, and for a mont, it felt as though my blood had stopped flowing. Then, with a sudden rush, it surged again, leaving my heart trembling.
What is this?
It was a feeling I'd never experienced before. I'd never had anyone so desperately try to stay by my side.
The emotions swelled as Kang Eun-Woo and Park Jieun moved behind , their arms outstretched, blocking any escape route I might have taken.
"What are you all doing!?"
I gasped, unable to hide the shock in my voice. I had never expected this—never thought I'd see any of their faces again.
I didn't want to deal with humans anymore.
The thought pressed heavily against my mind. It was too painful. Each ti I let soone in, it hurt when they left—or when I pushed them away.
"Kill us if you want to pass! We will not let our friend leave like this again!" Kang Eun-Woo roared, his voice booming with conviction.
I stared at them, and for a brief mont, I couldn't decide if I should be annoyed or amused. They looked like a group of kids putting on a dramatic play, each trying to outshine the other.
Was this Jieun's idea? I wondered. Or maybe it was Kim Seong-Hoon—the complete man-child himself.
A dark swirl danced on my palm, and my scythe materialized in my hand. It had changed significantly since the last ti I saw it—its blade now adorned with even more intricate golden ornants, and the shaft slightly thicker. Despite its new appearance, it felt incredibly light, as though it were an extension of my arm.
It radiated a powerful, domineering aura, one that threatened to slay anything that dared stand in its path.
"Move..." I tried to sound cold, but in truth, I wanted them to stay—desperately. Even I, the cold-hearted killer I had beco in this world, sotis craved that warmth, that connection.
anwhile, Soo-Ah stood to the side, observing the situation with a slight, warm smile tugging at her lips.
"Gaon, put your weapon away. You don't need to put on this act. I know you better than anyone."
Wow... I can't believe my best friend said that to .
I looked at the faces around , all their eyes glued to , waiting. I suddenly felt exhausted—tired of resisting. They would most likely follow anyway, especially Kim Seong-Hoon. He had literally stalked before; I doubted he wouldn't do it again.
And for so reason, I couldn't bring myself to harm these people. Ever since our fight, there had been a sour feeling lodged deep in my chest, as if I had done sothing I shouldn't have. But now... that feeling was gone, along with the rage that used to consu .
Weird...
Since my resurrection, my emotions felt different sohow. But what exactly had changed? I was still . Even the eerie voice within had gone dormant, no longer trying to push these people away.
"Fine..." I muttered, my voice laced with reluctance.
The mont my scythe disappeared, and before I could react, three different bodies wrapped around in an embrace. Each one felt distinct, but they all shared the sa undeniable warmth.
"What the hell!? Get off!" I tried to push them away, but it was useless—they wouldn't budge.
"You guys are so embarrassing! I get it, okay?" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "I'll rejoin the party, alright? Now let go before I turn this place into hell!"
"Hehe, I told you she'd lt if we did that."
A mischievous laugh ca from below, and I looked down to see Jieun grinning sheepishly, still clinging to my waist.
"Let gooooo!"
I struggled for what felt like five minutes before they finally released . We all exchanged glances, a mix of relief and awkwardness hanging in the air.
They explained that after our separation, they had tried to catch up to , but I had moved too quickly, and they lost track of . Word had spread that the person Kim Ha-Joon was hunting had perished in battle, and that my body was being kept in the Forest of Beginning—or at least, that's what people were calling it now.
I told them the story of how I ended up learning the beast language. Of course, I kept the part about the fire goddess a secret, as well as the details of why I hadn't actually died, which left everyone speechless.
"Your class is so strange," Eun-Woo said, his voice filled with concern. "But the effect... it leaves you so vulnerable. Nine days is more than enough for your enemies to find you. If word spreads, people will wait to kill you during your transformation."
I reassured him, shrugging it off, "As long as I find a good hiding spot next ti and don't consu souls recklessly, it'll be fine."
Eun-Woo nodded, but I could still see the worry in his eyes.
"Also, I noticed sothing else—your eye color..." Kim Seong-Hoon said, pausing for a mont as if trying to find the right words. "They're neon green now. They shine just as brightly as before, but the feeling they give is... chilling. Completely different from when we first t."
"Again?!" I exclaid.
I don't get it. Why does it keep changing? First purple, now green... What's next? Pink? So annoying.
It was one of the mysteries of my class that I still couldn't understand. Was it because of my transformation? Or because of my new eye ability that I hadn't yet tested?
"It looks great on you," Kim Seong-Hoon added, his tone almost teasing.
I felt my face flush slightly. "Shut up, you idiot," I snapped at him.
Everyone laughed, the tension lting away as we shared a genuine mont. But the laughter didn't last long. Suddenly, the mood shifted, and I could see a heaviness settle over Jieun's expression.
"Big sister Gaon..." Jieun's voice, which had been so cheerful just monts before, now sounded pained. She reached out to , her eyes filled with sorrow.
"It's okay, little sis, I'll tell her," Kim Seong-Hoon said, gently patting her head. The young girl burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.
He took a deep breath, his voice cracking slightly as he continued. "We visited the goblin village again, hoping to et Kim Ju-Ho and the others... but when we got there, we found only a pile of burned bodies inside the bloody hut. They're all dead, Gaon... I'm so sorry."
Even Kim Seong-Hoon, trying to keep a brave face, let out a small tear. He then continued, "There was a ssage left for you. It was written in blood on the walls. It said: 'I'll be waiting for you east from where this village stands. When you see a massive castle that my lackeys built for , know that I'm there, waiting to take your head.—Kim Ha-Joon.'"
He paused, his fists trembling. "I rember that bastard. He's the one responsible for you being frad. I will kill him for you!"
His roar echoed through the clearing, his irises shifting, taking on a reptilian slit like a lizard's—fiercely draconic—as his aura surged to unimaginable heights.
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