Toxin

“Continue.”

He bit down on my earlobe as he spoke.

“When I was eight years old… I became an orphan, and after that, I was raised as Chieftain’s adopted son. I was chosen as a spy in the process of those races, exterminated by His Majesty, plotting their schemes. There was no family to mourn for me if I died then. He barely knows me, and now… it seems he can’t even make sense of things anymore…”

“P-poor child…”

The old man blinked in confusion. His terrified red eyes were clear and transparent. The Black Martial Emperor’s fingers, buried deep inside my tunic, toyed with my damp, bare skin.

“So, what about the antidote? If there’s poison, there must be an antidote.”

“…Pardon?”

The old man replied in a dazed voice. Our eyes met. His red pupils alternated between being sharp and hazy, shifting constantly. He swallowed hard and looked up at the Black Martial Emperor.

“W-when will you give me the liver…? Ugh…!”

Unsa swiftly twisted the old man’s arm. The sound of muscles twisting and bones crunching filled the air.

“You better not try anything clever, or I’ll tear out your rotten liver and shove it back in.”

“Ugh…! I-I don’t know! I’ve never heard anything about that! P-poor child…! Didn’t your mother… kill your father?! And your father… Argh…!”

Unsa twisted the old man’s arm as if wringing out rusted memories. The Black Martial Emperor asked,

“So, it was because of Imae’s poison?”

“T-the limbs stiffen…! And they cough up blood before suddenly stopping breathing! It’s a terrifying poison that eats away at flesh and blood! A poison that takes lives…!”

Unsa released the old man’s arm.

“Your Majesty, surely you don’t believe this, do you? The idea that mixing bodies spreads poison—how could that make any sense?”

“It makes enough sense. Considering how abnormally addicted this body of mine has become, I’d say it’s possible.”

“Your Majesty… Please, don’t make jokes in such a serious situation.”

Unsa forced a smile, but the Black Martial Emperor’s reaction was odd. He wasn’t trying to confirm the existence of Imae’s poison, like Unsa, but had already skipped to asking about an antidote. This wasn’t like him at all. Could it be…? A dreadful suspicion crept in. Lies… Lies… My lost eyes finally managed to focus on him. Usa also looked at the Black Martial Emperor with an uneasy gaze and asked,

“Your Majesty… did you already know about Imae’s poison?”

My heart, tightly clenched, pounded in my chest. Without blinking, I stared at the side of the Black Martial Emperor’s face. Eventually, he looked down at me.

“Of course, it’s only natural to know the habits of the ones I’m fond of, isn’t it?”

“…!!”

The blood in my veins stopped circulating. His words hit me like a blow to the back of my head. Usa was speechless, stunned by the absurdity of it all.

“So… you knew? Then why…! No, since when did you know?”

“I’m not imaginative enough to believe such nonsense. But since they’re saying it so seriously, shouldn’t I play along?”

I couldn’t move a finger. I had always felt that the Black Martial Emperor knew every detail about the Imae Tribe when he mocked me. But I never imagined he also knew about Imae’s poison. Why… Why didn’t I ever consider it? Could it really be this thorough? Could it be this cruel…!!

In that moment, an arm reached around from behind and wrapped around my waist and shoulders. The sticky touch made my body tremble, like a spasm.

“Assuming that it’s not nonsense, there’s something I’m curious about.”

The Black Martial Emperor’s gaze bore straight into me, making it hard to breathe as if I had collided with a rock.

“Did this kid know about it too?”

Everyone’s eyes shot toward me like arrows. I felt like I was standing naked in the middle of a freezing storm.

“I asked if you knew or not. I went out of my way to give you a bath, and if you speak truthfully, I’ll make sure you have a good night’s rest.”

Cold sweat trickled down my spine. My legs wobbled, and I barely managed to keep my balance.

“I’ve never… heard of such a thing. Nothing like that…”

“So, am I mistaken to trust the words of this senile old man more than yours?”

“I swear I know nothing of…”

A nasty smile curved the lips of the Black Martial Emperor as he observed me.

“You’re still terrible at lying. Do you know what you’re like when you lie?”

“…”

“Your eyelashes tremble uncontrollably. Just like they are right now.”

He immediately grabbed my clothes and began dragging me somewhere.

***

I fell several times as I was dragged like a dog. My knees scraped, and my palms were torn because I couldn’t keep up with his pace. He kept his eyes forward, increasing his speed. After passing through a long corridor, we arrived at the Black Martial Emperor’s chambers. He swung open every layered door as if he were breaking them down. As soon as the last door closed, he flung me to the floor. His gaze, sharp with murderous intent, stabbed into me without filter.

“I’ll ask again. Did you know?”

“Ugh…!”

The Black Martial Emperor slammed me against the wall as I stubbornly kept my mouth shut. My head throbbed so much it felt like it was on fire. His voice, on the verge of exploding, rumbled low.

“Speak quickly. There’s no one else here to listen, and I’m in a very foul mood right now.”

It seemed he had already pieced everything together before coming into the room. He just wanted to hear it directly from my mouth. He knew. He had known everything, yet I pretended not to. Since when…! From when exactly…!! Countless questions flooded my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to voice them. I had to avoid admitting the truth about Imae’s poison.

“Y-Your Majesty… You’ve already made up your mind, so what more could I possibly say?”

I wanted to rip out my stuttering tongue. Unable to bear the piercing gaze, I shut my eyes. The Black Martial Emperor grabbed my hair and yanked my head back. It was a perfect position for him to either kiss me or slit my throat. His gaze, which seemed to pierce through everything, filled my vision.

“No. Set aside my thoughts for now. I’m only interested in the answer that comes out of that mouth of yours.”

My heart pounded uncontrollably. Even though the lie had already been exposed, I felt like a child stubbornly clinging to a lost cause. I was miserable, terrified, and clinging to the desperate hope that he might somehow be fooled. My jaw trembled involuntarily. I could only repeat what Chieftain had once told my mother.

“There is no such thing in this world. I’ve never even heard of Imae’s poison…”

He stared at me as if he wanted to burn me alive, his fiery gaze shaking slightly before sinking deeply. Suddenly, the hand gripping the back of my head tightened forcefully. With his eyes lowered, he smirked.

“Well, I guess that’s the answer. The idea that your body itself is a deadly poison is amusing. If today hadn’t happened, I would’ve dismissed it as nonsense for the rest of my life.”

His eyes, sharp once more, sliced across my throat.

“Poison and herbs often come from the same source. If the root is poisonous, the leaves might be the antidote, or vice versa.”

“…!”

His relentless pursuit made the back of my neck prickle with fear. His eyes quickly traveled down, grazing my feet, passing over my torso, and finally brushing against my arms and head. Everywhere his gaze landed, I felt like I was being torn apart. I couldn’t think of a way out of this situation. I wasn’t even sure if this was real. Sweat dripped down my spine. His voice came out harsh, dripping with menace.

“I figured that Jincheonroe wasn’t the only reason you approached me. Sometimes people use seduction as a method of assassination. Or is there another hidden motive? What exactly do you want? What are you after?”

My blood boiled with fury. I glared fiercely at the storm of a man in front of me.

“That…”

Figure it out yourself. Why I’m doing this, why I had no other choice, and what the antidote, my final hope, is. Figure it out if you can, since you’re such a cunning person. I slowly raised my gaze, careful not to let my eyelashes tremble.

“That… you already know, don’t you? I came to steal away Jincheonroe. Unless you’d prefer a lie that would satisfy you more.”

For a brief moment, a fiery blaze erupted in the Black Martial Emperor’s eyes. He immediately threw me against a corner of the wall. My limbs flailed helplessly, and my body collided so hard I felt like it would shatter. He grabbed the Jincheonroe hanging on the wall and aimed it at me.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang-bang…!

The Black Martial Emperor fired without a hint of hesitation, his murderous intent clear in his eyes. I barely managed to stay standing on shaking legs. The bullets missed me, but destroyed the wall, decorations, and furniture in their path. The bedding was ripped open, exposing its insides, and the lantern burst apart. The metallic monster roared with every shot, threatening to rupture my eardrums. His gaze, burning hotter than the bullets, ripped through me like a wild storm. I didn’t even breathe amidst the chaos. When the bullets stopped, he violently threw the gun aside and twisted my wrist as if he would break it. The wound on my palm was ruthlessly prodded by his sharp tongue, but I felt no pain. His eerie eyes licked over me like a snake’s tongue.

“Fine. I’ll figure it all out. The antidote, or whatever else, everything related to you.”

His voice, gnawing at my bones, etched every word into my palm.

“Look forward to that day.”

***

“No one can withstand His Majesty’s torture.”

The next day, in the early afternoon, Unsa came to visit. I couldn’t make sense of his words, so he elaborated.

“His Majesty is personally torturing the Imae elder right now. I guarantee he won’t last through the day. That man could make you remember what you saw while in the womb. Plus, there’s a hefty reward out there. The wolves will sniff out the antidote on their own.”

The one who had relentlessly cornered me at every opportunity was surprisingly absent today. Of course, finding the antidote was the most urgent matter, so it made sense. The old man wouldn’t survive the torture and would spill everything. Would he reveal everything about my mother, too…? Once the scattered pieces fall into place, the true nature of this revenge will be revealed. Even though I kept denying everything about Imae’s poison, he already believed I knew and suspected that the key to the antidote lay with me. And yet, I still remain in this unfitting place. I stared at the extravagant room, then at the lantern’s flame. The small flicker trembled precariously, as if it might go out at any moment.

“I, too, hope to find out as soon as possible what the antidote is, My Lord. But is it really necessary to torment an innocent old man like that?”

In response to my mechanical tone, Unsa curled his thick lips.

“Oh my, you still wish for the impossible. But do you really not know about Imae’s poison, or are you just feigning ignorance? It’s hard to read you since you’re so expressionless.”

Unsa still seemed doubtful about Imae’s poison. Judging by how casually he was interacting with me, it was clear he didn’t believe in it. As Usa’s presence could be heard outside, Unsa stood up from his seat.

“For a while, I won’t be able to keep an eye on you. I’ll be accompanying His Majesty to Imae Village for the next few days. Starting tomorrow, we have to take care of Hanaru Mountain. Engineers from various countries are coming for a major operation.”

“How can you destroy a mountain in just one day? Is that even possible?”

“His Majesty plans to use the masterpiece he has been working on. Just a few metal balls the size of a head can easily take down an entire castle.”

The thought of these machines sowing seeds that would create more machines, using the blood and flesh of sacrifices to continue the endless cycle, made me feel like I understood why the Black Martial Emperor was so obsessed with these weapons of destruction.

“Breeding descendants through weapons might be a better way. Perhaps… that’s the right choice.”

Iron machines, resembling the Black Martial Emperor, would probably be more humane than his actual offspring.

Unsa’s eyes gleamed.

“Breeding descendants through weapons? That’s quite an interesting idea.”

In two more nights, Hanaru Mountain would be gone forever, and I would be here quietly awaiting the Black Martial Emperor’s decision. Meanwhile, Pungbaek had yet to return.

“Why hasn’t the other one come back yet? This Pungbaek person…”

“You seem overly curious about us. Isn’t it natural he hasn’t returned, considering he hasn’t found what he’s searching for?”

Searching for something… I muttered it under my breath. Usa had returned, bringing with him an elderly man who knew about Imae’s poison. But Pungbaek, who had left to search for “someone,” had not returned yet.

I had known from the start that the Black Martial Emperor’s words were nonsense. I didn’t believe Raonhiljo was dead. He couldn’t have died so easily. From now on, my task would be to pray that Pungbaek never returned. The thought of the red bedspread made me bite my lip hard. Unsa frowned deeply as he looked at me.

“If His Majesty saw that expression of yours, he’d flip out again.”

***

Now, even holding a brush had become difficult. I let the brush fall and looked around at the wall painting of Hanaru Mountain. I had barely finished Raonhiljo’s home and garden. Gently, I traced my fingers over the humble thatched roof. Orumun had always said the same thing: I was a male concubine devouring others. That I would drag them down to the bottom… Sometimes, I wondered if that was true. While Raonhiljo had been a blessing to me, I had only brought misfortune to him.

I leaned my cheek against the still-damp wall. For now, Unsa’s words were enough. That was all I needed. If everything ended well, I didn’t care what happened to me. The coolness from the wall seeped into my cheek, and I closed my eyes, listening quietly.

The fresh scent of the forest settled deep within me.

“Yes…”

So, please don’t do anything reckless again and just go far, far away.

From now on, think only of yourself, my lord.

I would never receive a name from anyone again. That would be the only promise I could keep. I would be fine living the rest of my life without a name. I probably wouldn’t need one. Perhaps I was born with a fate that didn’t deserve a name. And maybe, I shouldn’t be waiting for someone like that either.

***

Rumors about the emperor being poisoned had spread, and Naragaon Fortress was as quiet as a mourning hall. That afternoon, my mind was exceptionally clear. It was the day Hanaru Mountain would be gone forever. All I did was sit in the room, staring at the door. I walked toward the door, the chain attached to my ankle pulling taut. I barely reached out and opened it. The maids and soldiers outside were visibly tense. Their cold gazes were now directed at me, the one who had put their beloved emperor in danger. I asked a maid to open the door. After a moment, the three layers of doors opened in succession, revealing the sky.

“Which direction is Hanaru Mountain?”

“That way. It’s hard to see today because of the clouds, but…”

A soldier pointed somewhere, and I stared at the cloud-covered sky for a long time. No matter how much I looked, nothing would change. I swallowed bitterly and closed the door. Lying face down on the bed, I thought about how many days it had been since I last ate or slept. I had probably become a haggard mess.

It had been two days since the Black Martial Emperor left for Imae Village. I had looked forward to seeing the fear in his arrogant face, but now I was filled with regret. Staring at the firmly shut door, I gnawed at my lips. As Unsa said, it was only a matter of time before they found out. Once they did, the emperor would probably take the antidote without hesitation. I felt like at any moment, the Black Martial Emperor would burst through that door, rip me apart, and mock me. It was a terrifyingly real scenario. Was this another form of torture? Slowly draining my life away… No, this wouldn’t break me. I wouldn’t fall apart from something like this. I quickly gulped down the medicinal tea the maids had brought earlier, but as soon as it went down, I vomited it all back up.

“Ha… ha…!”

Wiping my mouth, I stood up, my vision flashing, and I collapsed. I felt like I was going to die before I ever got to see the end of the Black Martial Emperor. By the bed, I saw the Black Martial Emperor’s pipe. He must have left it behind in his hurry to leave. Every time he smoked from it, his eyes would glaze over with hallucinations. Would it make me feel better…? Would it ease the pain…? I gently put the pipe in my mouth, tilted my head toward the lamp, and lit it. As I took a drag, smoke rose from the end of the pipe.

As soon as the acrid smoke surged through the narrow passage and filled my lungs, my head began to spin. The soft floor seemed to suck my body in and then lazily spit it out, leaving me in a daze. But it wasn’t so bad. I leaned back against the thick pillow, taking in the surroundings of the room. The bright platinum door looked like a gaping hole. I closed my eyes, savoring the thick blanket of peace that settled in. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck my solar plexus.

Faintly, I could hear footsteps approaching from beyond the door. I sat up, my heart racing faster than the footsteps. Shadows began to gather beyond the door, and what they were holding was unmistakably swords. Just as I anxiously watched the door, it burst open, shattering the quiet. It was Veronjubille and the Grand Chamberlain. They stormed in with about seven soldiers, all of them advancing toward me. A mixture of relief, strange emptiness, and a sense of impending doom washed over me. The Grand Chamberlain, visibly nervous, spoke to Veronjubille.

“Mama, without His Majesty’s approval… what if he had some plan in mind?”

“What if that old man can’t endure the torture and dies?”

“His Majesty would surely manage things well. He’s so meticulous and full of compassion—he’ll coax the antidote out. Besides, we’ve already sent word to other nations…”

“Stop with the nonsense! Didn’t you say he coughed up blood twice while handling state affairs just two days ago? You couldn’t stand it any longer and came running to me, didn’t you? He’ll be back tomorrow, so we have to get the antidote by any means before then! This is our only chance! Don’t regret it later—just do what I say!!”

“Y-you’re right! If we, his loyal subjects, don’t protect His Majesty, who will?!”

The Grand Chamberlain clenched his fist, wearing a determined expression. At that moment, Veronjubille’s attention shifted to me.

“You filthy creature. How long did you think you could deceive us?”

It seemed she had heard the rumors too. So, even the Black Martial Emperor hadn’t found the antidote yet? I glanced over at Veronjubille, the Grand Chamberlain, and the soldiers. They were no more than bugs, mesmerized by a dazzling flame. I laughed. Veronjubille’s eyes twitched with malice.

“You’re laughing? Laughing?!”

“Isn’t it funny? Why are you all so obsessed with the Black Martial Emperor—no, with that murderer?”

“Y-you insolent wretch! How dare you speak so disrespectfully about His Majesty…!!”

The Grand Chamberlain’s chin quivered, while Veronjubille snatched a sword from one of the soldiers, sneering.

“We’re the ones with questions for you. You know what the antidote is, don’t you? If you don’t confess, you’ll die today.”

I coldly locked eyes with her.

“Tell the Black Martial Emperor to come in person. If he does, I might even let him kill me.”

“What? Are you hoping to seduce His Majesty again with that disgusting body of yours? Not this time! He may be harsh, but he’s not foolish enough to dig his own grave! You should be grateful we’re dealing with this instead! What are you all waiting for?! Hold him down!”

At her command, the soldiers crushed me to the ground. Veronjubille stabbed her sword into my shoulder. Blood spurted from the open wound. Before I could even stop the bleeding, she struck me across the face.

“Talk! Tell me what the antidote is…!!”

“Let go! Let go of me…!!”

I struggled violently. I wouldn’t go down easily! I had to see the Black Martial Emperor’s end with my own eyes! When he met his demise, I would stomp on his arrogant face and laugh with glee, bringing him to his knees before my mother’s spirit. I had a reason to stand up, even when thrown to the ground and stripped of my skin. A reason to survive, no matter what. I fought back with all my might. Grabbing a dagger from a soldier’s waist, I stabbed wildly.

“Aaagh…!!!”

A soldier collapsed, clutching his chest. The sword I swung next slashed Veronjubille’s skin. I glared at them, seething with fury.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t you dare touch me. You leeches feeding off that murderer!”

They recoiled, startled by the sharp edge of my blade. Veronjubille wiped the blood from her cheek, her eyes blazing with fury.

“You… you dare….”

Summoning a surge of superhuman strength, I broke free and thrashed my legs desperately. As I flung open the door, I found the guards and maids all tied up and crumpled on the floor. My pulse quickened. I managed to pass through the set of doors and onto the porch, but I stumbled and fell, tripping on my shackles. At that moment, the soldiers grabbed my hair and pinned my limbs to the ground with their knees. Veronjubille’s sneering face came into view. She twisted my ankle with the help of the soldiers restraining me.

“Do you really think you can escape?! I’ve just had a brilliant idea! You, the runaway whore, in a fit of fear, cut off your own ankle and fled, only to choose death in the end! Isn’t that a much more believable story than you still being alive?!”

“Aaah…!!”

The raised dagger sliced deeply into my heel. This time, she cut clean through my wrist. The pain was vivid and overwhelming, blood spurting everywhere. Despite putting all my strength into resisting, I couldn’t overpower the soldiers.

“Your horns are your fatal weakness, aren’t they? Let’s see if you’ll die or not. Hold him down tighter!”

“……!!”

The soldiers tightened their grip on my limbs, sending a cold chill down my spine.

“M-Mama! This has gone too far! Please, calm down for a moment…!!”

“Once we get the antidote, His Majesty will understand everything! Get out of my way!!”

Veronjubille slapped the Grand Chamberlain and, without hesitation, swung her sword at my horn. Just as the blade sunk deeply into my horn—

“Haaah──!!”