Chapter 308:

Chapter 308:

Thud.

Frechen's massive body seemed to lift slightly before collapsing backward.

Caught off guard by the blow to his chin, Frechen didn’t faint, but he appeared utterly bewildered.

"Gasp!"

"Insane!"

People's eyes widened, not expecting Yu-hyun to punch Frechen's chin with his fist.

Even Leán, who had remained still like a doll, opened his tightly shut mouth in surprise at Yu-hyun's actions.

It wasn't just Frechen who was shocked; his subordinates were equally stunned.

"You witch!"

"How dare you lay a hand on His Majesty's body!"

Frechen's soldiers drew their swords and directed their killing intent toward Yu-hyun. Furious at the insult to their lord, their eyes turned upside down.

Simultaneously, those behind Leán also drew their swords. No matter what, they couldn't let Yu-hyun be killed so easily.

The tension between the two groups reached its peak.

"Stop!!!"

Frechen, who had collapsed, stood up and shouted.

His booming voice echoed through the ice mountain's inner cavity, washing away all the killing intent.

Yu-hyun was quietly impressed by the shout. Whether intentional or not, his voice contained what people often called power.

As the situation around them settled, Frechen stood up, rubbing his aching chin.

"Hmm. That was quite a hit."

"I hit you so you'd feel it."

"Haha. Yes, I suppose you did."

Despite saying that, Frechen couldn’t help but think highly of Yu-hyun.

It was clear that Yu-hyun had provoked him. Typically, Tellers disguised as Keira couldn't control their anger and only shouted or made clumsy gestures.

People who had never fought before. Only boasting with words.

Frechen inwardly mocked and despised such Tellers.

But what was this?

"In an instant, I couldn't react."

When Yu-hyun's fist struck his chin, Frechen realized too late that he had been hit.

Even if caught off guard, he was someone who could sense an ambush from behind. He had the strongest bloodline among the Gardians and had never let his efforts to become stronger go to waste.

Yet, he couldn’t avoid Yu-hyun's punch.

And it wasn't just a hit. The moment his chin was struck, his brain shook, and a rough impact flowed through his skull.

"Strong. He knows how to use his body."

The impact wasn’t severe, allowing him to recover quickly, but Frechen had to reevaluate Yu-hyun disguised as Keira before him.

"Yes. I knew you were different, but feeling it firsthand, you really are."

"I'm glad you understand."

"But even so, this place is still not a comfortable one for you."

Leaving those words, Frechen led his soldiers away. Their departure was so swift and orderly that he was like a storm.

As Frechen's group disappeared, Leán's side also hesitated on what to do next.

"Let's go."

With just that one word, Leán also left. His followers, unable to decide what to do, scattered as he withdrew.

As the situation quickly resolved, the gathered people began to disperse one by one.

Yu-hyun observed their reactions. In most survival groups, it was natural to feel uneasy when factions split, but the people's expressions were already light as if they were used to it.

"Has this happened more than once?"

Yu-hyun had guessed there was something when Frechen provoked him earlier.

"Auntie, let's go too."

"Oh, yes, let's."

Yu-hyun returned to the inn with Aunt Bella. At the inn, Bella, recalling what had just happened, burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Thinking about it, that was no ordinary incident!"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what? You punching Frechen's chin! Doing such a thing in front of everyone, Frechen must have had his pride hurt!"

Bella, who seemed to have built up resentment toward Frechen, laughed until she almost couldn't breathe.

Yu-hyun, on the other hand, couldn’t share her sentiment.

"It didn’t seem that way to me."

"We can’t stay locked up here forever. Seekers explore the outside world, braving harsh environments and dangers, to find new places to migrate or to see if there are other survivor groups. And..."

Bella started to say something but then waved it off as unimportant.

"Never mind that. Seekers do very dangerous work. It's a very brave and honorable job."

"Is Frechen also a Seeker?"

"Yes. Those who oppose Frechen are also Seekers. Basically, those who can fight are mostly Seekers. Among them, factions like Frechen's and Leán's form."

Yu-hyun didn’t ask why they needed to fight. Considering the frost giants outside, being a Seeker without substantial skills would mean certain death.

In fact, some Seekers never returned after venturing out.

If they didn't return, there was only one reason.

Encountering frost giants.

"It's awkward to say this, but there have been children like you, Keira, before you arrived."

"I can tell from the reactions."

"Yes. But children who look like Keira have been appearing since the curse of the frozen land."

"I see."

Yu-hyun began to understand why people regarded him with suspicion and negativity.

Even without a direct cause, such coincidence would make it seem like

they brought the curse of the frozen land.

At first, the survivors in Gardian tried to welcome them.

They even thought of them as divine apostles who might end the curse.

However, the Tellers couldn't accomplish anything, leading to their current situation.

"It's impressive that you've managed to survive in such a place. How do you get food?"

Gardian, unlike the terrible cold outside, was warm like early spring.

The sun didn’t shine here, but the city itself emitted light and warmth.

"When we first arrived, wizards, shamans, and the Five Great Sisters created a barrier."

"That barrier regulates the temperature and helps plants grow here."

"Yes. It also keeps those terrifying frost giants from entering. Actually, it prevents them from finding us."

"Who are the Five Great Sisters?"

"Oh, well..."

Bella looked troubled but decided to explain, seeing no reason to hide it.

"The Five Great Sisters were apostles sent by God."

"Apostles of God?"

"Yes. They were meant to train and strengthen candidates to choose the next God."

Were meant to.

The past tense indicated the Five Great Sisters no longer existed.

"Keira, your appearance. She was also one of the Five Great Sisters."

"What?"

"Keira was the eldest sister among them. When I was a young girl, I saw her from afar. She looked just like you. So beautiful and radiant, it felt like you could be drawn in just by looking at her."

However, no one welcomed Keira's appearance now.

Yu-hyun suddenly recalled Leán's subtle gaze.

"About Leán."

"Leán? What about him?"

"Who is he? No, let me ask differently. Leán... what was his relationship with the original owner of this body?"

"Oh, that's..."

Bella looked uncomfortable at Yu-hyun's question.

"Is it difficult to answer?"

"She doesn't know well herself."

The answer came not from Bella but from behind Yu-hyun.

Leán, just entering the inn, still looked at Yu-hyun with his usual cold and indifferent gaze.

"And it’s rude to inquire about someone else's business in private."

"Maybe it is. I apologize."

Facing Leán's gaze, Yu-hyun didn’t shrink back but smiled boldly.

"Then I'll ask directly. What was your relationship with the owner of this body?"

Bella, who had been quietly listening, gasped in shock.