TBNFD 29

Chapter 29

After tidying up, Sayeol reported to the villagers the next morning that the Gui had been dealt with. The villagers, moved to tears, expressed their gratitude. Neither Sayeol nor Dowi were naturally warm or friendly people, so Dowi found himself in the awkward position of receiving thanks from everyone. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant situation for him either—after all, he had done nothing to help the village that night.

“I’ll be heading back now.”
“You should at least accept some reward…”
said one of the villagers.

“I didn’t come for a reward. Nangong’s land must be protected by Nangong.”

“Master Daehyeop, thank you so much.”

Dowi’s mouth tasted bitter as he spoke. Last night, it wasn’t Dowi who had protected the land—it had been Sayeol. After bidding farewell to the guests who had come as far as Nangong Academy, Sayeol, Dowi, and Wol boarded a carriage to return to the academy. This time, Dowi sat alone in the driver’s seat, likely lost in thought.

“Can we leave it as is?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your elder brother.”
“What can I do?”

Sayeol didn’t respond. It was natural for someone facing a Gui for the first time not to react much. He had been injured, but at least he hadn’t died. Confronting a Gui wasn’t determined solely by skill levels like ‘Jeoljeong’ or ‘Chojeoljeong.’

“Gui numbers will only increase from now on. You’ll get used to it gradually.”
“Do you really think he can endure it?”
“He won’t die. He’s not that inexperienced.”
“If you say so, then I’ll take your word for it.”

“You’re not surprised.”
“By what?”
“That the Gui will increase.”
“……”
“Like before, do you have a bad connection with Mawolhu?”
“……a remarkable one, indeed.”
“I see.”

Sayeol didn’t ask about the bad connection. He wasn’t curious, and it didn’t seem like Wol would reveal it anyway. Sayeol and Wol remained silent in the carriage until they reached the academy.

They traveled for a full day and a half before arriving at the academy.

“Senior!”
“Nangong senior!”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”

As Sayeol, Wol, and Dowi returned, the academy students swarmed them. Rumors had already spread throughout the village, shouting about the appearance of a Gui even before help was requested. Even the academy head, Wonjong, couldn’t undo the rumor once it had spread.

“Was it really a Gui?”
“I thought they had disappeared long ago. Are you saying one has reappeared?”
“How was it? You must have blown it away in one strike, right?”

“Alright, everyone, ask one thing at a time.”

Seeing Dowi surrounded by the students, Sayeol and Wol quietly slipped back to their rooms in the guest quarters. Even as they left, Dowi didn’t stop them. He felt it was his responsibility to handle such trivial matters, given how exhausted they must be.

“What kind of Gui was it?”

The children of this generation, who had never seen a Gui, eagerly awaited Dowi’s answer. Dowi smiled wryly. If he brought these children before the Gui now, they would be defenseless and surely die.

“…According to Sayeol, it was an Agwi. It eats people.”
“Agwi?”
“Sayeol, are you referring to your sister?”
“Does she know a lot about Gui?”
“Like the head of the academy?”
“Seems so, for now.”

Dowi answered each question patiently. Not only was he naturally kind, but he also wanted the students to understand just how dangerous a Gui could be.

“I could hardly do anything.”
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“…It’s completely different from dealing with humans.”
“But senior, you didn’t even hit it? Didn’t you even cross the wall this time?”
“…That’s really different.”

Dowi smiled wryly, and the students didn’t ask further questions. After a brief silence, he spoke again.

“If you encounter a Gui, run as far as you can.”
“Huh?”
“But we train to protect Nangong’s land.”
“You have almost no chance of surviving if you face a Gui. It’s better to ask the academy for help.”
“…You really mean that?”

Just then, someone emerged from the headmaster’s room. It was one of Nangong’s relatives.

“The headmaster is calling you.”
“Ah, I’ll go right away.”

The students could no longer stop him. Dowi exchanged brief greetings and headed to the headmaster’s room. His steps felt heavy; surely the summons was to ask how things had gone, and he had done nothing to report.

Rrrr.

“You’re here.”
“Yes, uncle.”

Dowi entered and saw Wonjong reading a book. Judging by the cover, it was clearly about Gui. Dowi sat beside him. Wonjong read silently, his expression serious.

“So, what Gui appeared in the village this time?”

After a long pause, Wonjong spoke.

“According to Sayeol, it was an Agwi.”
“Agwi, huh.”

Wonjong closed the book and placed it on the table.

“If you’re curious, read it.”
“Ah, may I?”
“Yes, it’s not exactly a secret manual. Even if it were, as the direct heir, you’d be allowed to see it.”
“Ah, but wait… direct heir?”
“Oh, I haven’t told you yet. Your father has finally become the head of the family.”
“What about grandfather?”

Dowi asked, surprised. In this peaceful martial world, succession had been delayed, and his grandfather stubbornly held the position of head with high-level martial skills. Wonjong stroked his beard and carefully chose his words.

“He lost the ability to use his Danjeon.”
“Pardon?”

Dowi jumped up in shock.

“Sit down and listen. He secretly consumed a medicinal elixir, but it caused Juhoipma. That same day, he ran into Jegal Hwangho, and Jegal Hwangho also became half-paralyzed.”
“…I see.”
“Thanks to Jegal Hwangho collapsing, Sayeol was able to come here. Otherwise, she would have married off. You wouldn’t want that either, right?”
“…Indeed.”
“I’ve long lost interest in family affairs. This is all I know.”
“Understood. Thank you for telling me.”
“Now, read this book.”

Dowi took the book and began reading the information about Gui. His expression was serious as he flipped through the pages. He had done nothing this time, but if he understood more about Gui, he wouldn’t be a burden next time.

“Isn’t it strange?”
“Huh?”
“Have you read the whole book?”
“Yes, completely.”
“Do you notice nothing unusual?”
“I’m not lacking in perception. What is it?”

“Nangong Sayeol. That child.”

Wonjong looked at the book.

“There are many Gui that eat people. But Sayeol, as soon as she heard about it, immediately instructed me to prepare food.”
“That’s…”
“Immediately recognized it as an Agwi.”
“Ah…”
“It means she has more knowledge than I do. I’ve spent my whole life researching Gui.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It shouldn’t be. Which is why it’s a question—whether the Sayeol you know is really the same Sayeol.”
“….”

Wonjong observed Dowi’s troubled expression.

“You, who were close to her, probably understand. I hardly know her, so I can’t compare, but you can. What do you think?”
“…She’s changed a lot.”
“Completely different?”
“…Are you saying Sayeol might have been possessed by a Gui?”