Chapter 118
“Excuse me… but who are you?”
I wondered if my voice would sound hoarse, but fortunately, it came out clear. The mysterious beings widened their eyes at my cautious question. I couldn’t tell if they didn’t understand what I was saying or if they were just amazed that I spoke to them. Their intense stares made me a bit uncomfortable, as though they wanted me to continue talking.
When I remained silent, they began to tap on my hand as if urging me to speak more. When I instinctively pulled my hand away, they stretched their arms to reach it again. Even when I moved my hand in different directions, their focused eyes followed closely. They seemed to have lost track of their original purpose, fixated instead on the sudden movement.
‘They’re just like kittens.’
They were cute, for sure, but their identity remained unclear.
“Um… Are you humans?”
“??”
“Where are your guardians… No, never mind. That was a needless question.”
It was clear that they didn’t understand what I was saying. I didn’t know what was going on, but surely someone outside might speak the same language as me. As I sighed and began to get off the bed…
“Heh heh—.”
Suddenly, I heard a laugh from somewhere. When I looked up, I saw someone standing in front of the entrance. She seemed a bit older than me, perhaps. She was an incredibly beautiful woman, rare even in the palace where many women were known for their beauty.
Ivory-like white skin. Her crimson hair was decorated with flowers of the same color, and her ornate and unusual attire matched her appearance perfectly. It was easy to understand why poets and singers often compared women to flowers. If a flower could take human form, she would look exactly like this.
‘Wait a minute… a flower?’
My mind, which had briefly paused, finally started working again. Looking closely, like the children around her, I could see that flowers were blooming on her body too. The human-like appearance made it less jarring, but it was still an odd sight. Now that I’d realized this, a thought crossed my mind.
“Are you, by chance, a Hwa-in?”
A Clone woman with grass-like characteristics. Closer to plants than to Mokins, if I remember correctly. That was the only plausible answer that came to mind.
The woman who received my question silently smiled. I wondered if she couldn’t communicate either, but my concern didn’t last long.
“That’s right. You figured it out faster than I expected.”
Her melodious reply brought a sigh of relief. At least the most awkward situation was avoided.
But I still didn’t understand why the Hwa-in were here in front of me. Weren’t they supposed to be in Dongryeong? …Does that mean this place is Dongryeong? The sudden realization left me stunned, as the woman turned to the children around us with a slightly stern expression.
“You little troublemakers. You’ve come here again, haven’t you? I told you not to make a fuss and to let him sleep. Do you want to get scolded?”
The children scattered in a rush. Judging by their smiles, it seemed like they were playing rather than being afraid. The woman’s expression also softened quickly, indicating that her scolding wasn’t serious.
“Sorry about that. These little grasslings are very curious. Despite repeatedly telling them not to disturb your sleep, they must have been too curious about you.”
“I’m fine. They didn’t really bother me. I woke up because it was time, so please don’t worry about it.”
“That’s a relief. By the way, I’m sorry for the late introduction. My name is Heona.”
“I am Sei.”
As she approached to shake hands, I quickly got up and took her hand. The moment I touched her, the lingering headache disappeared completely. Seeing my widened eyes, Heona smiled gently.
“You seemed to have a headache. Did that help?”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Does she have healing abilities? I had never heard of a healing power that could work through mere contact without spells or prayers. I expressed my gratitude, still in a daze, and Heona chuckled softly again.
“You’re welcome. It’s probably because you’ve been asleep for so long that your energy was depleted. Are you hungry? I can arrange for some food.”
“Um, before that, I have a question. Am I in Dongryeong right now?”
At my question, Heona, who had been about to turn away, looked back at me.
“Yes, that’s right. This is Dongryeong. Specifically, inside the Erdet Mountains, which lies between the Nasaran Empire and the Ulen Empire. This has been the homeland we’ve cultivated ever since the first Clonne Awakening.”
All the place names were unfamiliar to me. Even though I had noticed the unusual architecture and clothing, the reality had not hit me until now. The realization that I was in an entirely new land dawned on me.
“…Why am I here?”
“Oh, about that. It was quite a spectacle. Suddenly, the sky flashed, and people appeared out of nowhere.”
“…?”
“We were all so surprised. You managed to cover that vast distance in an instant, and with dozens of people no less. Your guardian is truly remarkable.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“Yes, of course. It was your guardian who accomplished it.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
At that moment, the memories I had forgotten suddenly flooded back.
The dark, musty place. The people who had collapsed, and were unable to move. The firm grip on my hand. The cries of those trying so desperately to protect me…
“I hope you have pleasant dreams for a while.”
Even the gaze of someone looking down at me.
So that final voice wasn’t just a hallucination. I felt restless and rubbed my chin. I had expected a summoning, but it felt strange that it actually happened. Given how confident he had been, it seemed he truly did help. Bringing everyone to Dongryeong from that situation was no small feat.
“Are the people who came with me… are they all safe?”
“Yes, they are safe. They were in critical condition upon arrival, but after receiving treatment, they are all better now. They are still recovering, but improving.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear they are doing well.”
“It’s all thanks to you. They’ve been eagerly waiting for you to wake up. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. I should go inform them right away. Please rest for now. I’ll make sure to prepare a meal for you.”
Heona smiled brightly and disappeared before I could respond. Left alone in the quiet space, my eyes took in the unfamiliar surroundings again. I understood the situation, but I still felt dazed. It didn’t seem real that I had summoned a guardian and that everyone was safe.
As I absentmindedly touched my shoulder, I felt something strange with my fingertips. Bringing it forward, I found a white strand, like silk thread. At first, I thought something was covering me, but as I tugged on it and felt the pull, I realized it was something else.
‘Is this… my hair?’
The texture and feel were unmistakably hair, but the length was not what I remembered. I had always kept it short, but now it seemed to completely cover my neck. The change in color was one thing, but had it really grown this much?
Moreover, my clothing was quite thin. The warmth of the space, despite lacking any heating devices, suddenly felt noticeable. The sunlight streaming through the window was too bright to be winter light. There was even a subtle floral scent in the air.
‘What month is it now?’
Just as I was about to look out the window in confusion, a voice came from behind.
“If you’re wondering about the season, it’s just the beginning of summer.”
“…!”
Startled by the unexpected voice, I turned quickly and stumbled, but a strong hand immediately supported me. When I looked up, I saw a smiling unfamiliar face.
“Hello, Master. Nice to meet you.”
“…”
The moment I saw him, I knew he was my guardian.
He was a tall man with jet-black hair, so dark it was almost like ink. Although I had a vague memory of his face, seeing him in person was still surprising.
Aren’t guardians usually in the form of animals or insects? Is he currently in a human form? He looked too much like a perfectly handsome human male for me to guess his true form. I needed to say something, but my mind was completely blank. As I opened and closed my mouth without a word, he chuckled.
“I figured you’d be waking up soon. But you opened your eyes while I was briefly away. I was hoping to be the first thing you’d see when you woke up, but someone beat me to it. What a shame.”
“You’re…”
“That’s right, your Guardian. It’d be nice if you called me by my name. Referring to me as ‘you’ feels a bit cold, don’t you think?”
…I’d sensed it in the dream, but he seemed to have a rather cheeky personality. Thanks to that, my head cleared, and I could take a calmer look at him. Both his appearance and his voice were unfamiliar, as if I was encountering him for the first time. Yet, there was one thing about him that felt familiar.
‘His eyes…’
They were a blend of colors, like starlight shimmering in myriad hues—a radiant Milky Way stretching across the deep night sky. They resembled gems meticulously crafted by a master artisan, a color impossible to find in any human.
Caught up in the strange sensation, I found myself staring at him without realizing it. The moment I noticed, I hurriedly turned my gaze away, embarrassed. He let out a soft chuckle.