Chapter 38:

Chapter 38:

Chapter 38

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"Huh, it's been days since we've seen him..."

Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul, who were searching the forest, sat down on a nearby rock, seeming tired. Winds as sharp as knives was once again swept the Blade Forest, or perhaps they were even stronger than usual.

"Unni, do you think the murderer is really inside here?"

"I don't know. We've searched all around, but haven't seen anything..."

Yoon Bom let out a deep sigh. Then, spotting someone across from them, she suddenly stood up.

"Sooah-unni!"

Shin Sooah was approaching with several others. Dokgo Jun was with her.

"Unni, have you met the people from Zone Four? Did you find Nam Yoojun?"

"We did meet them, but... Nam Yoojun hasn't returned."

Three days had passed since Seo Gangrim was attacked by Nam Yoojun. Following Seo Gangrim's instructions, Dokgo Jun had waited for Nam Yoojun near the entrance of Zone Four, but couldn't find him. Seo Gangrim himself had also failed to locate Nam Yoojun.

"If he hasn't returned to the training facility, is he still inside this place?"

When Yoon Bom asked this, Dokgo Jun responded, "Well, he might be hiding him in Zone Four. Some say Nam Yoojun can't be the culprit even though there were two witnesses."

Zone Four didn't trust Dokgo Jun's words. They seemed more suspicious of him instead. Shin Sooah, meanwhile, fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

"If he's not in the training facility or in the Demon World, he might have escaped. It might be safer for him to run away."

"Well, what Shin Sooah-ssi is saying is a possibility too."

Dokgo Jun seemed to be thinking about something else. Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul looked at the two of them, feeling uneasy for some reason. Whether the murderer had escaped, or Zone Four was harboring Nam Yoojun, or he was hiding somewhere in the Demon World–all these situations were uncomfortable.

"For now, let's stop searching for him and focus on our tasks, Bom and Geoul," Shin Sooah said.

Due to their early entry into the forest, Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul's mission time was running out. At this rate, they would be forced to leave before they could catch Nam Yoojun.

Yoon Bom nodded at Shin Sooah's suggestion. "Unni, you're done with the mission, right? Dokgo Jun, have you also finished everything?"

"I'm done with my mission, so I'll continue to search. Good luck, everyone."

Dokgo Jun waved his hand lightly and bid them farewell, heading deeper into the forest with an odd glint in his eyes.

"Could Nam Yoojun have escaped or be hiding here?"

The possibility seemed high, but Dokgo Jun didn't believe it. There was no way the story would end so easily. A while later, someone familiar appeared from behind the bushes.

"Ah, Seo Gangrim!"

Seo Gangrim was holding a mantis. The blue fluid of the mantis' body was oozing from his store-provided sword. Even when he saw Dokgo Jun, he turned his head away without acknowledging him.

Dokgo Jun, accustomed to such treatment, casually spoke, "Aren't you searching for Nam Yoojun?"

"I need to finish my mission first."

Saying so, Seo Gangrim picked up a pearl dropped by the fallen monster. Then, unexpectedly, Dokgo Jun leaned in closer, studying Seo Gangrim's face.

"A necklace I haven't seen before. Where did you get it?"

"I received it from the gods."

"Hmm, really?"

Dokgo Jun was still squatting, looking at Seo Gangrim. His demeanor was like someone observing something, as if he knew everything and was looking at Seo Gangrim from above.

"While I was guarding Zone Four's entrance, did you go searching for Nam Yoojun? You ended up not finding him, huh?"

"Yeah."

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7. The Fifth Stage

It had been almost two months since the trainees arrived at this training facility. For various reasons, several people already left the facility. The number of people decreased, and the facility grew quieter. Amid this tranquility, Yoon Bom's voice spread.

"Master Gangrim! Please accept me as your disciple! Yes?"

"No."

"Master, Master! I'll do really well. I'll work hard! I'll do whatever you say! Yes? Yes?"

In a corner of the lobby, a resting area was set up. There, Yoon Bom and Seo Gangrim were seated. People passing by smiled at Yoon Bom and moved on.

"Bom is still trying to become Gangrim's disciple today?"

"Stay strong, Bom!"

"Yes! Work hard and you'll definitely become his disciple!"

People seemed to find Yoon Bom's behavior amusing as they laughed and walked by. Seo Gangrim, however, didn't seem very inclined. 'Why does she keep trying to become my disciple? I want to maintain a certain distance and relationship.'

Misfortune finds those close to himself. Thus, Seo Gangrim was trying not to form deep relationships with people, including Shin Sooah. 'But she keeps approaching me.'

Seo Gangrim glanced briefly at Yoon Bom, who was grinning. As much as he wanted to go back to his room, or go to the Demon World, he was waiting for someone. While Seo Gangrim remained silent, he heard the sound of someone running nearby.

"Whoa!"

"Oh, thanks! You're finally here!"

Yoon Bom approached happily as she saw the running Tou. Apparently, Tou had delivered something. A pleasant coffee aroma wafted from a large cup.

"Master, you like coffee, right? I ordered it from Tou!"

"Ot!"

It definitely looked like a bribe-like coffee. Seo Gangrim glanced at the coffee and said, "I only drink Colombian coffee."

It was a dismissive remark he threw out intending to refuse, but Yoon Bom and Tou appeared visibly flustered. Yoon Bom jumped up from her seat.

"I, I'll go to the restaurant and get Colombian coffee! Tou, do you have Colombian coffee?"

"Oh..."

"If not... If not, I'll find a way to get it!"

"...It's fine. I'll just drink it."

For some reason, he felt like he was being pampered by a coffee servant. With that feeling, Seo Gangrim took the coffee and seeing this, Yoon Bom's face brightened considerably. Seo Gangrim let out a quiet sigh.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of being your master, nor do I have the qualifications. With your skill, there's probably no one here who can teach you."

Yoon Bom was a national representative in marksmanship. Who could possibly teach her? It might even be that she would end up teaching Seo Gangrim. Nevertheless, Yoon Bom's face was all smiles.

"By being with you, Master, I can learn a lot! Not only marksmanship, but also how to fight!"

"Ask your god more than me."

"Eeeeeh..."

Yoon Bom's expression turned sullen. Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she asked Seo Gangrim a question, "Speaking of which, Master. What kind of god is your patron?"

"I haven't received a god's Divine Blessing yet."

"Why?"

At that question, Seo Gangrim's expression, which had been calm up until now, changed in an instant. It was only for a moment, but Yoon Bom had clearly seen it: the flames of hatred and disdain burning in his eyes.