Toxin

“Is this what I look like?”

The sudden voice caught me off guard. When I looked up, Raonhiljo was standing there, looking at the portrait. Today, he was dressed in comfortable silk robes, but despite the scholarly appearance, his build suggested he was much stronger.

“Please sit down. If you keep shifting, it will take much longer.”

“Let’s take a short break. You must be tired too.”

He wasn’t wrong. After sitting in the same position for hours, my whole body ached.

“Doing something this embarrassing…”

At his unexpected comment, I glanced over at him, noticing a strange expression on his face.

“I’m talking about asking you to draw my face. It feels like I’m under some sort of spell.”

“Most people feel awkward at first, but you’ll get used to it soon.”

“It’s been three days already, and I still haven’t gotten used to it.”

I fiddled with my paintbrush, wondering if he had changed his mind.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can stop.”

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable—it’s just… embarrassing.”

It was understandable, considering how unsettling it can be to have someone stare at your face for hours. I stretched my back and tapped my aching legs when he suddenly spoke again.

“So, you don’t have a name yet?”

His abrupt question made my hand pause. The word “yet” hung in the air, sounding as if he already knew I’d lived my life without a name. I realized that since I arrived, he hadn’t asked anything about me—not my name, where I lived, or why I looked different from the other members of the Imae Tribe.

“No, I don’t.”

“I see. The Imae have a unique naming ritual, don’t they? I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard names are carved into the eyes. That’s quite unusual—mysterious even.”

“Yes.”

With nothing more to say, I fiddled with the brush, and then I heard a deep sigh from above.

“You really don’t talk much. Your silence makes things quite awkward for others.”

Aside from insults and jeers, no one had ever given me such a straightforward assessment, and I impulsively responded.

“You’re the same, my lord.”

Raonhiljo’s face showed surprise.

“I didn’t realize you saw me that way. No, I’m surprised you thought of me like that.”

Then, after the initial shock, there was… yes, if I wasn’t mistaken, a flicker of joy crossed his face. But the real surprise was mine. He had no idea how much his small proposal had changed our lives—how much hope it had given us. If I thanked him for the work he provided, how would he react? And what would he say if I told him that today I might finally receive a name?

“Well then, let’s get back to the portrait. Please take your seat…”

“Alright, alright…”

He sighed, mumbling under his breath. I opened my sketchbook to resume the drawing. Just as I assumed Raonhiljo had returned to his seat, he suddenly reached out and gently brushed away the hair that had fallen over my eyes.

“You don’t need to hide when you’re with me.”

“…!”

The unexpected action left me frozen in place. His fingers lightly touched my forehead as he pushed my hair back, and the sensation felt unfamiliar. It was different from the repulsion and sliminess I felt from Orumun. Could it really be different? Perhaps. If it weren’t, how could such a clean, fresh scent of grass come from him? Still feeling the lingering tickle, I unknowingly bit down on my lips. The smile that had been playing on Raonhiljo’s lips slowly faded away.

“Today is the Black Martial Emperor’s birthday, so I have to return to Naragaon Fortress.”

“Yes.”

I already knew. I never expected him to stay here forever.

“We’ll finish the rest next time.”

“Yes.”

I almost impulsively asked when “next time” would be, but instead, I added some meaningless strokes to Raonhiljo’s eyes on the canvas. My hands moved much slower than before. He turned away.

As I finished my work and left, Raonhiljo bid me farewell and departed the village with his group. The miracle my mother had hoped for didn’t happen, and today marked the end of my brief respite.

By the time the pale moon hung over the mountain ridge, I was walking home through the damp grass. The unfinished painting in my hands suddenly felt heavy. Should I pretend to work for a while? The thought of my mother’s expression made my heart feel heavy. Wandering aimlessly through the alleys, I passed by the Chieftain’s house. Through the gap in the door, I saw a young couple holding a newborn wrapped in a blanket. In front of them stood the gray-bearded Chieftain.

“As soon as the baby reached its 21st day, we brought her here. It would be our greatest honor if you could name her, Chieftain.”

“Shouldn’t the parents who gave birth to her be the ones to name her?”

“No, Chieftain! If it weren’t for you when Baedal Kingdom took us, I would’ve been as good as dead. If you give our daughter a name, I’ll make sure she carries it proudly for the rest of her life!”

“What if your only daughter’s fate becomes tied to an old man like me?”

“That would be our greatest honor! Please treat her as your own granddaughter! Hahaha!”

The Chieftain chuckled at the man’s flattery, stroking his beard. Naming a newborn is an important ceremony that grants the child a sense of belonging within the tribe. Unlike his son, the Imae Chieftain was respected for his gentle nature, and people often asked him for such favors.

“Whether that’s true or not, I suppose it doesn’t matter to me. Very well. Let me think of a name.”

Looking down at the peacefully sleeping baby, the Chieftain placed his hand on her forehead and spoke.

“I will give you a name. May you become a light that brightens the world like a candle. I will name you Choa.”

At that moment, a radiant, multicolored light enveloped the child’s body and sank into her red eyes. Whether it was from pain or fear of the glowing light, the baby burst into loud wails. After briefly watching their ceremony, I continued on my way.

I sometimes wondered what it would feel like to have a name. As a child, I was envious of my peers who had their names engraved in their eyes. I had often begged my mother to give me a name too. Each time, she would playfully write on my eyelids with a brush, teasing me, only to cry quietly by herself later. After that, I stopped asking her for a name.

But today, I too would finally have a name. A name… What would it be? My mother had kept it a secret, but I couldn’t help feeling excited. My pace quickened.

As I was about to leave the village and enter the pitch-black forest, I suddenly sensed someone nearby. I instinctively hid behind a tree. I was frustrated with myself for sneaking around like this and was about to step forward when I saw something unexpected. It wasn’t an Imae; it was a completely different tribe. I quickly hid myself deeper. Though it was dark, I could make out about four figures. Behind them, about nine more soldiers, clad in strange armor, stood in formation. A sense of unease crept over me. Why were they here at this hour? Then, a stranger’s voice broke the silence.

“There are about 14,000 of them. It’s a larger tribe than expected, but we can handle it by tonight.”

I could only hear them clearly because the surrounding noise had faded. I strained my ears to listen more closely.

“Unsa Hyung-nim, didn’t you say something similar during the Battle of Golnaru? And it ended up taking two full days.”

“Well, I may not know everything, but I think I could knock you down before the night is over. Wanna keep running your mouth and find out?”

“Well, I may not know much, but I’m sure knocking you down will only take tonight. Go ahead, keep running your mouth.”

The man across from him snorted, then shifted his gaze to the man standing at the center of the group.

“Your Majesty, the war just ended, so you must be exhausted. Shouldn’t you be resting in the palace? Besides, a birthday banquet without its main guest must be quite dull, don’t you think?”

In the pale night air, the figure who had been standing silently slowly raised his head, as if savoring the essence of the moon. The cold moonlight touched his features, but the deep darkness concealed everything.

“On a night like this, tasting blood is more enjoyable.”

His voice echoed deeply like water, but it was chillingly low and shrouded in menace. Another man standing nearby shrugged his shoulders.

“If you say so, Your Majesty. Unsa Hyung-nim might be exaggerating, but with this size, we and the Guhya warriors should be more than enough.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate them just because they’re a small tribe. Their unity is impressive. They might become a nuisance to us later.”

His voice, tinged with a strange sense of danger, briefly faded before returning.

“But what bothers me the most are their red eyes and horns. And that smell… it’s sickening to the point of twisting my insides.”

My hearing sharpened instinctively. Red eyes and horns… Could they be talking about the Imae? My heart pounded violently.

“I was thinking I’d like to test their power tonight.”

The man held something silver in his hand. It was a long, sleek object shaped like a cylinder, something I’d never seen before, but it radiated danger. However, the most dangerous thing there was the man himself. Even without hearing more, it was clear that sinister plans were being hatched. I quietly retreated, muffling my footsteps.

I had to warn someone. Even though all this place had ever taught me was defiance and anger, it was still the only home I had. The village was unusually silent tonight, not even a single rat in sight. I was about to run toward the Chieftain’s house when suddenly someone leapt out and blocked my way. A long, snake-like arm wrapped tightly around my torso from behind.

“Where are you rushing off to, darling?”

It was a voice that made my skin crawl every time. Greasy eyes glistened in the darkness. Orumun dragged me forcefully into a secluded spot.

“Let me go! This isn’t the time—ugh…!”

“Shut up, you filthy half-breed…!”

A thick hand slapped me hard across the face. My body was thrown to the ground, and a sharp pain exploded in the back of my head and along my spine. Rough hands grabbed my hair, yanking me up, and blazing red eyes glared into mine.

“So, you’ve been sneaking in and out of Raonhiljo’s house, huh? What, are you offering yourself to him now? Filthy half-breed!”

“What nonsense are you talking about? No, listen—at the edge of the village…! Ugh!”

“You think you can seduce every man around here, huh? If you want to get away from me, you’d better be ready to become a mindless fool!”

Orumun’s kicks began. He stomped viciously on my back and spine. The taste of blood filled my mouth as his slimy tongue pushed inside. With disgusting breath, he tore at my pants, his hands brutal and unforgiving.

“Filthy half-breed…! How does it feel? Is Raonhiljo crazy about this tight little hole of yours? Does he shake you up like a ravenous beast?”

“Let… go… you idiot…! At the edge of the forest…!”

“Shut up!”

I fought back wildly, punching him in the face and kicking at his shoulder. He spread my legs wide, landing crushing blows with his fists. I could barely breathe, feeling like my insides would burst. My limbs dangled like a rag doll before I lost consciousness completely.

When I came to, the sun was high in the sky, and Orumun was nowhere to be seen. I had been unconscious all night. I found myself naked in the forest, far from the village. My body was damp, stained with milky fluids, and my exposed skin felt sticky. The foul stench of semen lingered in my mouth as well.

“Haah… Damn it…”

As I clutched my head, feeling like it was about to split, the memory of what had happened earlier flashed through my mind. Forgetting that I was completely naked, I bolted like lightning.

I ran for a long time, my thoughts in a blur, until I finally saw the village in the distance. As I quickened my pace, the smell of blood grew stronger, carried by the wind. It was too quiet. An ominous silence. As I rounded the bend and entered the outskirts of the village, I froze. Every house was ablaze, spewing flames into the air, and thick black smoke rose so high I could barely see my feet. The walls and ground were littered with grotesque corpses, their limbs severed, their innards spilling out. There were so many bodies, intestines, and rivers of blood that it felt like an ocean. The eerie silence, without even a single groan, was like the aftermath of a colossal storm. The Imae village had been completely annihilated.

How…! How could something like this happen in just one night? In just a few hours, an entire village…! Is this even possible? Is this really happening? I questioned myself, unable to believe the horrific scene in front of me. But the gruesome sight remained unchanged. The most bizarre thing was that every one of them had their horns and eyes cut out—symbols of the Imae.

It was like an implicit warning, showing their hatred so openly.

Like a cruel child’s play.

“Ugh… cough…! Cough…!”

My shoulders convulsed as I vomited everything out. In the midst of my dizzy thoughts, the first thing that came to mind was my mother in the thatched house.

Thud thud thud…!!

Even though it was broad daylight, it felt as dark as night. The corpses scattered in the choking smoke whipped at my heels.

Please… Please…!! Please…!!

All I could think of as I ran was one desperate wish. The cold wind scratched at my skin, and my feet bled profusely, scraped by the scattered rocks and debris. Every step I took, my wet, dangling genitals swung uncomfortably, but I had no sense of shame, no thought to cover myself.

Through the seemingly endless smoke, I saw the thatched house. As soon as I reached the yard, I scanned the surroundings. There were no signs of fire, and the place looked untouched. It was so isolated that it must have escaped notice. For once, I felt grateful for the cursed life of being an outcast. I rushed to open my mother’s door.

“Mother…!”

Flap… As soon as I opened the door, a white butterfly fluttered gently past me, just like one I had seen before. The butterfly landed on something just as white as itself.

A horn… cleanly cut off, as if it were trembling.

The stark white horn, now severed, stood in stark contrast to the red blood splattered across the wall and pooling on the uneven floor. I gathered all my strength to focus my eyes. Following the trail of blood, I found something small and round.

A perfectly carved-out red eyeball…

My fingers began to tremble as if they would break. With great difficulty, I moved my gaze to where my mother always lay.

And there she was, soaked in blood…

My mother, her horns and eyes brutally carved out…

I couldn’t tell if the ragged breathing was coming from me or from my mother, as if we were both lifeless bodies with only a breath left.

Suddenly, someone with blue hair appeared and wrapped my mother in a dirty cloth. A voice echoed dizzily in my head.

The sound of rain soaked my cheeks. Like a madman, I clung to them. Don’t touch her! Don’t touch her! Don’t touch her! This must be a dream, it has to be a dream, I kept denying it, even as the burning pain in my feet told me otherwise. The hand that stuck out from the filthy cloth seared itself into my vision. Whenever I came home beaten up by the village boys, my mother would cradle me and stroke my hair. Her hands were so soft and tender that it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t hold her fragile hands too tightly, fearing they might break…

Her beautiful white horns had been cruelly severed. Her once-clear, innocent eyes had been gouged out. My mother’s end was wretched. Mother… Mother…

Someone’s piercing scream split the sky. Demon-like insects gnawed away at my small tree. The world, pale and desolate, spun around me as my consciousness was sucked into an endless darkness.

***

Water flowed into my parched mouth. Without thinking, I lapped it up like a starving animal. In the deathlike state where all my senses had abandoned me, only my sense of smell remained. A hand brushed the sweat-soaked hair from my forehead. A familiar yet unfamiliar scent of grass lingered. The fragrance that always cleared my mind. When I managed to pry open my heavy eyelids, I unexpectedly heard a woman’s voice.

“You can sleep a little more.”

As I struggled to sit up, she supported my back. The room was unfamiliar, and so was her face. She was a beautiful woman with long, green hair flowing down to her waist. I wanted to ask how long I had slept and what had happened to the village. But my throat was so dry and scratchy, like I had swallowed sand, that no words came out.

“You were unconscious for two whole days. Are you feeling any better?”

“…”

“I came down when I heard that the Imae Tribe had been wiped out, thinking I could help. We were also attacked by the Black Martial Emperor not long ago, and less than half of us survived. We’ll be leaving this mountain in a few days. It’s not safe here either…”

It wasn’t until later that I learned they were the Sufia, the masters of the forest. By the time they heard the news and arrived, the Imae Village had already been annihilated, with only a dozen or so survivors. They told me they had buried the remains of the massacred Imae Tribe and my mother on Hanaru Mountain.

***

Since that day, I spent my time idly in the makeshift shelter they had provided. It felt as if I was just sitting there, as though I had never possessed a soul to begin with. My consciousness floated like it was adrift in water, unable to anchor itself to my body.

It’s so hot, so hot…

The flames that had consumed the peaceful village blazed up to the sky. The unbearable heat surged, and I was engulfed in fire for what felt like an eternity. Like a newborn, I let out a blood-curdling scream. I clawed at my chest, gasping for air, and woke up shivering. I found myself standing naked in the forest, just like that day…

I couldn’t remember how I had gotten there. Sufia, blushing as she handed me clothes, told me I had been visited by a sleep demon.

“They say sleep demons possess people wandering in the afterlife. If one gets you, you wander around without remembering a thing… and you said something strange.”

“What…?”

“You kept saying you were cold… so cold. Then you suddenly hugged a tree and started talking about bugs eating it? Something like that. Do you really not remember any of it?”

“…No.”

“And if you were so cold, why’d you throw off your clothes? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry. I keep causing you unnecessary trouble…”

“It’s no trouble at all… I’m the one who’s grateful.”

She waved her hand dismissively and smiled. Running naked through the woods… ever since my mother died, I had been doing the very thing she had always told me not to do. Had I really been possessed by a sleep demon…? As I sat there in a daze, I realized I had been forgetting something. But no matter how much I tried to recall, it kept slipping away, like mist. Since then, I had been found several times in the forest where my mother’s remains lay, always naked.

***

That day, an unprecedented heatwave had sapped the energy from all the forest’s inhabitants. When I regained consciousness from the suffocating tropical night, dawn had yet to break. My jacket was soaked with sweat, but I didn’t feel like changing. I rose and dusted myself off. When I opened the thick wooden door, I was greeted by the dense trees and damp air. Dark shadows hung over everything like hair, and the eerie silence felt like a graveyard.

Sufia had mentioned they would be leaving soon, and it seemed they had all gone. I didn’t feel any sadness, but I wanted to at least thank her for taking care of me.

I began walking aimlessly. Pushing through the overgrown trees, I eventually heard voices from somewhere nearby. In a clearing hidden deep in the forest, I saw not only humans but also members of the Sufia tribe, the Arya tribe, the Nati tribe… many different species gathered together, speaking urgently. Among them were a few survivors from the Imae Tribe, including Orumun, whose face was grim. The first to break the silence with outrage was the leader of the Sufia.

Someone’s piercing scream split the sky. Demon-like insects gnawed away at my small tree. The world, pale and desolate, spun around me as my consciousness was sucked into an endless darkness.

***

Water flowed into my parched mouth. Without thinking, I lapped it up like a starving animal. In the deathlike state where all my senses had abandoned me, only my sense of smell remained. A hand brushed the sweat-soaked hair from my forehead. A familiar yet unfamiliar scent of grass lingered. The fragrance that always cleared my mind. When I managed to pry open my heavy eyelids, I unexpectedly heard a woman’s voice.

“You can sleep a little more.”

As I struggled to sit up, she supported my back. The room was unfamiliar, and so was her face. She was a beautiful woman with long, green hair flowing down to her waist. I wanted to ask how long I had slept and what had happened to the village. But my throat was so dry and scratchy, like I had swallowed sand, that no words came out.

“You were unconscious for two whole days. Are you feeling any better?”

“…”

“I came down when I heard that the Imae Tribe had been wiped out, thinking I could help. We were also attacked by the Black Martial Emperor not long ago, and less than half of us survived. We’ll be leaving this mountain in a few days. It’s not safe here either…”

It wasn’t until later that I learned they were the Sufia, the masters of the forest. By the time they heard the news and arrived, the Imae Village had already been annihilated, with only a dozen or so survivors. They told me they had buried the remains of the massacred Imae Tribe and my mother on Hanaru Mountain.

***

Since that day, I spent my time idly in the makeshift shelter they had provided. It felt as if I was just sitting there, as though I had never possessed a soul to begin with. My consciousness floated like it was adrift in water, unable to anchor itself to my body.

It’s so hot, so hot…

The flames that had consumed the peaceful village blazed up to the sky. The unbearable heat surged, and I was engulfed in fire for what felt like an eternity. Like a newborn, I let out a blood-curdling scream. I clawed at my chest, gasping for air, and woke up shivering. I found myself standing naked in the forest, just like that day…

I couldn’t remember how I had gotten there. Sufia, blushing as she handed me clothes, told me I had been visited by a sleep demon.

“They say sleep demons possess people wandering in the afterlife. If one gets you, you wander around without remembering a thing… and you said something strange.”

“What…?”

“You kept saying you were cold… so cold. Then you suddenly hugged a tree and started talking about bugs eating it? Something like that. Do you really not remember any of it?”

“…No.”

“And if you were so cold, why’d you throw off your clothes? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry. I keep causing you unnecessary trouble…”

“It’s no trouble at all… I’m the one who’s grateful.”

She waved her hand dismissively and smiled. Running naked through the woods… ever since my mother died, I had been doing the very thing she had always told me not to do. Had I really been possessed by a sleep demon…? As I sat there in a daze, I realized I had been forgetting something. But no matter how much I tried to recall, it kept slipping away, like mist. Since then, I had been found several times in the forest where my mother’s remains lay, always naked.

***

That day, an unprecedented heatwave had sapped the energy from all the forest’s inhabitants. When I regained consciousness from the suffocating tropical night, dawn had yet to break. My jacket was soaked with sweat, but I didn’t feel like changing. I rose and dusted myself off. When I opened the thick wooden door, I was greeted by the dense trees and damp air. Dark shadows hung over everything like hair, and the eerie silence felt like a graveyard.

Sufia had mentioned they would be leaving soon, and it seemed they had all gone. I didn’t feel any sadness, but I wanted to at least thank her for taking care of me.

I began walking aimlessly. Pushing through the overgrown trees, I eventually heard voices from somewhere nearby. In a clearing hidden deep in the forest, I saw not only humans but also members of the Sufia tribe, the Arya tribe, the Nati tribe… many different species gathered together, speaking urgently. Among them were a few survivors from the Imae Tribe, including Orumun, whose face was grim. The first to break the silence with outrage was the leader of the Sufia.

“We’ve paid tribute to Baedal Kingdom every year, thinking we were safe, but we let our guard down completely! Isn’t this a complete betrayal?! How could we be defeated by an army of only thirteen soldiers…! Does that even make sense?!”

“They call him the god of war, and this time, we felt it painfully. If we don’t cut him down at the root, he’ll keep growing stronger.”

“That’s right…! How long will we keep suffering at his hands without doing anything?!”

Even though the various groups were usually cautious of one another, in this moment of shared grief, the mood was different. I had thought everyone had left, so I was surprised to see them still gathered. Without any other thoughts, I observed the rare scene indifferently and was about to return to the shelter.

“So what do you propose we do about the Black Martial Emperor?!”

“……!!”

As soon as I heard that name, my blood drained from my body. In that moment, I finally remembered what I had been desperately trying to recall. The name that had brutally taken my mother from me and robbed me of the very reason I had to endure. That name that haunted me, chilling my bones. The stagnant water in my mind began to swirl.

“It’s impossible to stand against Baedal Kingdom with the power they hold right now. The elite forces of the Gwuya unit are formidable, but the biggest problem is the Black Martial Emperor himself.”

“I’ve heard that the strange metal armor worn by the Baedal Kingdom soldiers is impenetrable by swords or spears. It’s nothing like our crude leather armor, which is why we keep losing wars. On top of that, I’ve also heard rumors that the Black Martial Emperor is developing terrifying new weapons. It’s not a sword, but it spits fire and shoots small stones. If you’re hit by one of those stones, your bones shatter, and your insides are torn apart.”

The Golnaru Tribe leader ground his teeth in frustration.

“They call it the ‘

.’ We were slaughtered by it in the last battle. If we don’t surrender to Baedal Kingdom, it’s only a matter of time before we face complete extermination. What does the Imae Tribe plan to do?”

The Imae Chieftain, who had been silently listening up until now, finally spoke.

“Yes, they have immense military power, but we can’t live our lives constantly running away like this.”

Orumun, who had been reduced to a fugitive overnight, erupted in anger.

“Why are you all hesitating? Why don’t we just attack and cut off his throat?!”

The eyes of the leaders widened in shock.

“What? Are you suggesting we assassinate the Black Martial Emperor? But… that’s…”

I inhaled sharply, feeling my chest tighten. Assassination… The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and chaos erupted among the leaders. The Imae Chieftain stroked his beard and shook his head.

“The chances of success are slim. There have been many attempts to assassinate the Black Martial Emperor, but they have all ended in failure.”

“That’s right. We can’t act recklessly. They say the Black Martial Emperor is a monster. He can tear the ground apart with his breath and summon lightning with just a glance.”

“Have you seen the Black Martial Emperor, Chieftain of the Sufia?”

“Ah, no, I haven’t seen him myself, but I’ve heard countless stories. They say if he sets his mind to it, winning a war is nothing to him.”

“That’s not all! He has the lower body of a beast with a tail, the face of a buffalo with horns, and the tongue of a snake! He uses magic to steal people’s souls and then tears their limbs apart!”

“So, Arya Chieftain, have you seen him yourself?”

“Well, I’ve only heard the rumors…”

The Nati Tribe Chieftain, who had the features of an animal, let out a deep sigh.

“In any case, a frontal attack has little chance of success. There have been countless assassins who died trying. Surely you’re aware that the Golnaru Tribe recently sent assassins who were all killed by the Black Martial Emperor?”

“Then what are we supposed to do? Sit here and wait to be slaughtered? There’s no guarantee that hiding like this will keep us safe!”

“But who would volunteer to take on such a task?!”

When Arya Chieftain vented his anger, they fell silent, just as promised. Although the matter at hand concerned the survival of their race, there were neither viable alternatives nor anyone willing to step forward. If what they had listed was true, the one called the Black Martial Emperor was a monster they couldn’t even touch. My focus, fixed deep in space, wavered. Assassination. It was the best way to pay back what had been done to my mother. A forgotten fact suddenly flashed across my mind.

The reason my father died… the thing that took his life…

It felt like my feet were on the edge of a cliff, unable to move. But my lips were already parting.

“I… will go.”

Their gazes turned toward me. The Imae Tribe’s eyes widened, and Orumun’s face twisted in disbelief at my appearance—someone they hadn’t even considered. It seemed they doubted the voice had really come from me.

“What? Did you just say that?”

“Yes, I will do it. I will take his life. Just let me meet the Black Martial Emperor.”

The toxins in the Imae’s body, when mixed with other races, gradually poison the other party, slowly eating away at their life. Without even realizing they’re dying, the victim’s cells and blood vessels are consumed by the venom in an instant. Only a few know this fact.

They looked up and down at my noticeably thin figure and scoffed.

“You must be out of your mind! You can barely wield a sword, and you think you can kill that monster, the Black Martial Emperor? And looking like that…! It’s not something you can train for in a day or two! We don’t have time to deal with someone like you. Get lost! Drag him out!”

“Now, now! Let’s return to the main topic. Everyone, please share your ideas on how we might carry out the assassination.”

The men, following orders, began dragging me away.

“I’ll go! Just let me meet him!”

I screamed in desperation, but they ignored me, resuming their serious discussion. In this moment, all I could think of was my determination to meet the murderer. A quick death wasn’t enough. His muscles and nerves had to be slowly poisoned, leading to a miserable end. And in his final moments, I would return what he did to my mother. But despite my resolve, my worn-out body was dragged away by the men.

“Are you really confident?”

The voice that suddenly spoke belonged to the Imae Chieftain. Everyone’s eyes turned toward him. The face of the chieftain, who had lost his kin and homeland overnight, looked noticeably aged, but his eyes still radiated wisdom and experience. The chieftain looked at me and spoke.

“Your father didn’t believe in that. But in the end, it was as if he had proven it himself.”

As I remained silent, the chieftain spoke again, as if confirming something.

“Isn’t that what you had in mind? Or am I mistaken?”

Haa… Haa… The heat that had been boiling in my head spread throughout my body, and I gasped for breath. I steadied my ragged breathing and answered.

“Yes, that’s right.”

I didn’t ask how the chieftain could see through my thoughts so clearly. His features were identical to his son Orumun’s, yet subtly different. Perhaps the chieftain even knew what his son had done to me.

“I heard all the Black Martial Emperor’s discarded concubines were women. Are you still confident?”

“Whether I am or not is my problem. You just need to let me meet him.”

The chieftain’s eyes darkened at my cold reply. The others were confused, not understanding what the chieftain and I were talking about.

“What nonsense are you all speaking of! Chieftain, there’s no need to deal with someone like him! Drag him away now!”

The men hurried, but this time, I didn’t go quietly.

“Either way, you’ve got nothing to lose. You can either submit to the Black Martial Emperor, or keep hiding like this forever. But when you’re found, you’ll all be wiped out.”

Their faces twisted with vague fear. As expected, they were cowards who only spoke boldly while hiding behind someone else’s skirt. The Imae Chieftain quickly raised his hand to stop them.

“The boy is right. Things can’t get any worse than they are now.”

“But Chieftain! Are you really going to trust what that brat says?! If we try and get caught, it’ll be the end of us all!”

“Ha! Has he really lost his mind…?”

“What I’m saying is, I won’t do it clumsily.”

I drove the final nail with eyes full of venom.

“I’ll do the thing you all are so afraid of, so just take me to him.”

Even I couldn’t predict how the Black Martial Emperor, who loathed the Imae, would reveal his cruel madness. He might behead me in an instant, or perhaps I’d lose my eyes or horns. Either way, it didn’t matter. I had already given up my body and soul to the wandering spirits.

I thought it was raining. My face was completely wet from the moisture that had been flowing down since earlier… Through my blurred vision, I saw Orumun. He once said, “Your mouth is so hot and wet it drives me insane. One taste of your hole and anyone would be addicted, unable to quit. You’re a filthy hybrid that devours men.”

Then shouldn’t I let him taste me just once more, so he can never quit?

…Isn’t that right?

Orumun’s face twitched in a pale spasm as he glared at me, then turned away. For the first time, I wanted to believe his words.

I might fail. But I had nothing left to fear. I would return all that I had received. The poison festering deep in my veins was raging, driven by a single purpose.

He is called the Garon, Black Martial Emperor. They say that wherever he passes, only darkness and ruins remain, hence his name: Black Martial Emperor, the Emperor of Darkness. He ascended to the throne at a young age, created the elite Gwuya Nine Masters unit, and won his first victory on the battlefield. Since then, until now at age 27, he has maintained an undefeated record of 29 victories, with the recent conquest of the Imae Tribe marking his 30th triumph.

Because of this unbelievable streak of victories, rumors abounded that he was a half-human, half-beast monster. They said he was clad head-to-toe in iron armor, could summon lightning with his gaze, and split the earth with a tail as thick as a pillar. Some even claimed that just meeting his eyes could cause heart failure or turn you to ashes on the spot, and that few who saw him survived. It was also said he had over hundreds of concubines, and that he would bed dozens of women at once, leaving them dead from torn lower bodies. Yet, even these grotesque tales were told as hero stories by those who worshipped him.

Now, with terrifying momentum, he was swallowing smaller states, unifying them into his vast Baedal Kingdom. The entire world had sworn fealty to him, and opposing him meant certain death. He was the ruler of the continent and the god of war. These were the extravagant titles and wild rumors attached to the name of the Black Martial Emperor.

The plan was simple. The defeated Imae Chieftain would offer tribute to the Black Martial Emperor and pledge eternal submission. Under the pretense of painting the Black Martial Emperor’s portrait, I would be sent to him. Since the Black Martial Emperor despised the Imae Tribe, he might execute me immediately, but I decided to confront him anyway. When I demanded to meet the Black Martial Emperor, the chieftain made one condition: I had to steal a secret weapon called the “

” I accepted without hesitation. The day before descending from Hanaru Mountain, Orumun stormed into my hut and tried to force himself on me. I didn’t hold back and crushed his genitals.

Before leaving, I made one last visit to where my mother rested.

***

The grand fortress of Sinsi, said to be built under the sacred divine tree, was surrounded by majestic walls. The natural terrain was used to form the fortifications, making it look as if a dragon coiled around the mountainside. This massive kingdom was not only an impregnable fortress ideal for battle but also a symbol of absolute power, designed for habitation. From a hill overlooking the city, we observed in silence. The chieftain and I were overwhelmed by the imposing kingdom.

“He’s tearing apart all the neighboring countries starting from Naragaon Fortress, building his own castles. I hear he plans to build a new fortress in Imae Village soon. They’ve been pressuring us to give up land for a while, but I never thought it would come to this. We were completely caught off guard.”

Even the chieftain, with his many years of experience, showed signs of tension. He said this was his first time meeting the Black Martial Emperor in person. Recently, he had expressed his intent to surrender and requested an audience, which took several days to be granted. We were now on our way to Naragaon Fortress. The chieftain hadn’t brought Orumun along, though it was unclear whether it was out of concern for my safety or for the safety of his only son.

“The first meeting is in fifteen days. Come to the stone tomb we passed earlier. It doesn’t matter if you fail to retrieve the

. We need to know if you survive so we can plan our next move.”