HIF 41

Because That Spot Looked Lonely

The flickering Status Window vanished instantly from before my eyes. Darkness.

Simultaneously, a blue light flashed in a circle a short distance away to the left. The light, which had swelled and grown taut, soon scattered and disappeared as if popping.

‘Right. That’s the hint.’

After taking a dozen or so large strides, I arrived at a grassy area where the weeds grew knee-high. I pushed through the dry grass. What appeared before my eyes was a mound, about the size of two fists…

“A grave?”

No, that wasn’t it. It was too small to be called a grave in the first place.

Yet, that was my first thought upon seeing it. A thin branch was loosely tied in the shape of a cross and stuck in front of it. Perhaps that was why.

Beside it lay a small wooden box. Its surface looked faded, bearing traces of time. I brushed my hand over the exterior. Dried-out soil crumbled and scattered in clumps.

Click.

Inside was a flat, golden key.

The key was shiny and not rusted at all. In the center of the grip was a small white gem. And a blue light enveloped the key. It was faint, almost invisible.

‘…This is also a hint.’

It certainly wasn’t an ordinary key. But that voice earlier didn’t give any more information about where to use it. Throwing out questions but giving no answers. Life is full of such mysteries.

I cut off my thoughts and stood up. It was time to go back. If I delayed any longer, Park Yul and Raen might notice. I took a step and paused.

‘A place no one would see.’

The protruding mound of earth somehow stuck in my mind. If I hadn’t looked carefully, even I wouldn’t have noticed it. That spot somehow looked lonely.

I plucked a single, low-growing small flower and placed it in front. Although it was among the more intact flowers, like all plants here, it was slightly withered.

The night air was cold. Since it was always night here, perhaps the weather was chilly for a lifetime. It was a piercingly cold place. Maybe that’s why even insignificant things felt lonely.

I moved my feet. The small grasses crushed underfoot shattered like thin ice.

◇

Returning was quick. The flickering light of a campfire appeared in the distance.

I carefully moved towards where Park Yul and Raen were sitting. I was fairly confident in moving this quietly, enough that no one would notice…

“Oh, Yi-han-ah.”

…Surprise. Park Yul swiftly turned his head precisely towards where I was. His pale green eyes shone quietly in the darkness.

Raen also turned his body towards me and looked at me. A round flask was in Raen’s hand.

Inside the flask, a transparent pink liquid was swirling around as if in a whirlpool. I felt like I’d seen the same thing somewhere before…

As I kept my gaze on it, Raen made the flask disappear in an instant.

“Yi-han? When did you wake up?”

I moved and sat down beside them.

“I just woke up. What were you guys talking about?”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Huh… What?”

“Yi-han-ah.”

Park Yul slowly reached his hand towards me. I couldn’t read his expression, so I flinched involuntarily. Had he sensed what I was about to bring up?

“Your cheek is red from the cold. Are you very cold?”

The back of Park Yul’s hand lightly touched and then left my cheek. My tension felt pointless. A bright smile was drawn on Park Yul’s face. The temperature that had briefly touched my skin remained vividly, as if etched.

I was planning to show the key to everyone and discuss it together. Since they all probably knew more than me, they might figure out where to use the key.

‘But it would probably look suspicious anyway.’

It was obvious how awkward it would sound to say I found the key by chance.

Especially Park Yul… Since he’s the Leader, as Raen calls him, he still seemed to be somewhat wary of me. He would be particularly so about something like this.

Still, it was better than hiding it. I took the wooden box from my pocket and opened my mouth, trying to sound as natural as possible.

“Maybe because I went for a short walk. I’m not cold.”

“It’s winter, so it’s cold. Come sit closer. But what’s that?”

“…I found it while walking. In a corner of the grassy area.”

Click. The wooden box opened in Park Yul’s hand.

“A key? It’s not worn at all.”

Park Yul took out the key, held it in his hand, and examined it from all angles. Suddenly, Raen spoke up quickly.

“Leader, did you see it just now?”

“Huh? See what?”

“A blue light… I think it shimmered around it for a moment…”

Raen took the key. Then, against the dark sky as a backdrop, he examined it.

Raen was said to be good at sensing Mana, but maybe it wasn’t that, perhaps he just had sharp senses. Except when healing, it seemed no one could perceive the System’s light.

“Maybe not… I’m not sure now.”

Raen continued in an uncertain tone. Park Yul, who had been thinking for a moment, turned his head towards me.

“This, you found it by chance while walking…”

How should I answer? Park Yul’s gaze, directed straight at me, somehow felt prickly. While I hesitated to answer, Park Yul spoke again. And just as he was about to continue,

Whoosh.

Wind blew from right beside us. Song Ha-gyun and Min Joo-hyuk were standing there.

“We’re back!”

“Now, it’s almost sorted.”

Park Yul shifted his gaze towards them. Then he continued in a soft voice.

“Alright, good work.”

I needed to quickly think of an excuse at a time like this. I racked my brain hard.

But no suitable answer came to mind. Couldn’t they just believe it was a chance discovery? In this world, there are far more things that can’t be explained than those that can.

As I was thinking that, Min Joo-hyuk’s voice was heard.

“Raen, hyungnim. What’s that?”

“Ju-hyeok. See this?”

“Isn’t it a key?”

“Doesn’t it look like anything else special?”

“Where in the world is there anything that isn’t special?”

“……”

His voice was as bright as usual, making it impossible to tell if he was serious or joking. Raen looked at Min Joo-hyuk, who had lightly lifted the corner of his mouth, with a calm expression in contrast. He seemed familiar with it.

Raen continued in a gentle voice.

“No, besides that.”

“…? It’s shiny.”

Min Joo-hyuk’s expression looked puzzled. Song Ha-gyun also seemed unable to see the light. As Raen explained the situation, Song Ha-gyun opened his mouth.

“…Interesting.”

Of course, due to his slow speech, it didn’t look like he found it that interesting. Min Joo-hyuk’s voice followed.

“The storage box is worn, but the key isn’t. It seems like some magic has been cast on it.”

“Right, Ju-hyeok-ah. And it seems like quite intricate magic. I can’t analyze it.”

Min Joo-hyeok, looking at me, brought it up as if asking about something trivial.

“Hey, Seon Yi-han. Where’d you find this?”

“It was just lying there…”

I finished hesitantly, glancing at Park Yul. Park Yul ruffled my hair and continued with a voice tinged with laughter.

“Is that so. More importantly, there seems to be only one place where this key could be used.”

Is he just letting it slide like this? It was a relief, but it bothered me a little. Earlier, he definitely seemed like he was going to ask something more.

Song Ha-gyun projected a map made of light into the air. Then he pointed to one part.

“…Here. Eastern Sector 3.”

“Hmm, since it’s on the way out, we can probably walk there.”

“Right. Then let’s rest a bit more and set off.”

“Ah, I’m fine even now.”

“…Me too.”

Gazes converged on me. Huh, was my opinion needed too? I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“I’m fine too.”

“Really? You can rest more if you want, Yi-han. No need to rush.”

“Yeah, Seon Yi-han. But aren’t you cold?”

Min Joo-hyuk created a thick scarf in the air and loosely wrapped it around my neck. I’ve thought this before, but Min Joo-hyuk seems to like wrapping things around me.

“I’m not cold. But thanks.”

Min Joo-hyuk grinned and lightly tucked in the scarf, tying a knot. It was shaped like a ribbon with only one side curled into a circle.

It’s the first time I’ve seen it tied like this. Maybe Min Joo-hyuk is just good with his hands. Touching the scarf around my neck, I opened my mouth.

“I’m fine, we can leave right away without worrying about me.”

“I can’t help but worry, Yi-han-ah. Let’s see.”

Park Yul swept up my hair and met my eyes. His gaze scanned me slowly, as if checking my complexion.

I really was perfectly fine. I looked at Park Yul with sincerity. Soon, Park Yul narrowed his eyes, smiled, and continued.

“Then let’s pack up and move.”

Song Ha-gyun, who nodded at Park Yul’s words, turned his gaze to me. Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“…It’s to a mansion.”

It was unexpected. I never thought Song Ha-gyun would explain first like this.

“There’s something like that here?”

“…Yeah.”

And Song Ha-gyun’s voice didn’t continue further. …I see. Right. This much was enough.

Beside me, Raen continued.

“We found it while exploring. It seems like an old mansion, but the door was firmly locked.”

“Then this key might open it, hyung.”

“Right. Wait a moment. I’ll pack up and be right back.”

Raen lightly brushed my hair and moved away.

Park Yul, standing in front of the tent, gently flicked his hand. The tent crumpled as if being sucked in from the inside and vanished in an instant.

Song Ha-gyun sent the log he had dragged back to its place. Raen and Min Joo-hyuk also dispelled the Defense magic they had set up around the area and approached again.

“Wrapping up.”

Min Joo-hyuk lightly flicked his hand with a snap.

The campfire went out in an instant. The crackling sound of burning wood stopped. Slender smoke, as if about to break, gradually faded into the pitch-black darkness.

Whoosh.

And the surroundings grew faintly bright. Song Ha-gyun was floating a white box in the air. A pale light slowly spread. It was the same as when we first arrived here.

“Let’s go now.”

All that remained here was the smell of burnt wood and deep darkness. I took a step.

◇

After walking for a while, a large gate connected by pitch-black bars appeared before my eyes.

“Here. We’ve arrived.”

It was a massive mansion. Dark-colored bricks filling the walls were cracked here and there in small places. Vines had burrowed into the cracks and climbed up.

Windows, blurred as if covered in dust, were visible. The peaks of the roofs on both sides were sharp, as if piercing the sky. A distinct darkness spread right above.

Min Joo-hyuk’s hand tapped my shoulder. Min Joo-hyuk’s gaze was lifted high. Looking up at the mansion, Min Joo-hyuk continued.

“Doesn’t it seem like time has stopped here?”