Yong sat on the edge of his seat and waited. Whether the news coming in would be good news or bad news — he could not know until it entered his ears directly.

In truth everything depended on Yongrin. The only thing he could do was trust in Yongrin — but the fact that it was not possible to believe in him was quite stifling and vexing. To him, Yongrin was the uniquely meaningful opportunity.

'Yongrin General Yujungju. He is keeping watch on Inchinhwang on the sacred image's command too.'

The first time this thought had come to him, Yong had felt suspicious but confirming this fact was something he would rather not do. Even more so if Geumsan would not acknowledge him — lowering himself to be subjected to this matter was somehow unpleasant, but Hwi's response was something he could only be suspicious of.

But then Jungju directly had penetrated Yong's inside, and Yong was cleverly pretending not to know. And while reading Jungju's intentions, surprisingly he was operating independently beyond Hwi's territory.

Jungju had revealed the reason he sought him. He wanted to free the flower spirits who did not want this country's lives — a shockingly large ambition, too large a purpose for it had been.

Jungju was truly moved but that degree of clarity was not being followed. Moreover the Yongrin below his eyes was overcome with grief to the point of staggering characteristically — could track the planned scheme accordingly without fail he had no schedule and had only said that if an opportunity came he would help however he could, and made a promise.

Why Jungju had come to find him — the reason itself was understandable. Having come of age on this country's ship Yong had had the ambition to take the helm in his arms. He had come of age with an outstanding character, strength, intelligence, courage — lacking nothing qualified, and everything in this world was his.

But coming to a place and it being only a cute thing — awo had come to his senses and had kicked the ground and the land had turned completely the other way around.

This was not it. This was a misfortune. Why on earth that thing that knows nothing — that child — being given such a choice without being able to accept it at all.

Always having been first himself, always the person who had been standing first was being pushed back by the process and he was just watching it happen without being able to capture it. In the midst of which the child was himself crushed by his own strength to the point of wanting to die — under pressure and only being pitiful and suffering — disappointingly.

Rather dying would be better?

Looking over the young brother Yong's head a subtle flesh-crawling feeling flowed. Rather dying — then the child would also be at peace, and the situation that had gone into disarray would at last be led to the correct world, wouldn't it.

Only from Yongsin's generation could a single Yongsin emerge — but if Yongsin were to die before having an heir? If so what would happen nobody knew. From the gracious Yongsin repenting and re-selecting or from himself making amends to halt — could it not be.

Even without having strength it would not be a problem. Yongsin was friendly enough so even without Yongrin putting in effort if they poured strength Hell could be sufficiently blocked.

Not being pulled to Geumju often and the signal fire three rising now came slowly. Even so the law 'the signal fire three must require Yongsin's strength' was doubtful as to whether it was a means created to strengthen the Emperor's legitimacy and dominance rather than being truly necessary.

Being difficult to harm Yongrin was something of course. They were on their surface not dying and not getting sick and not easily giving their body. However in this young age coming of age was a precedent without example — given that the existing truth had already been overturned, what could be justified?

'It's a hunt. Having become a pair he said and I should go together, and before my eyes I will not be warm.'

Yong recommended to Hwi to hang out and came down from the horse. He had one hand tied in place and then slowly walked. Yong's gaze toward Hwi's waist was turned toward the bookmark.

He put the flower scent to soak the bookmark there. The beast's reaction was a scent of lure and when often used it was a frequent thing. Going this deeply into the forest he had carried the flower scent as well, so the beast was bound to appear.

Yong waited for the timing to come secretly. The beast cutting this child's life at a single stroke was the heavens' will, and if not being able to do so then he would apply the finishing stroke himself. Even if an unfortunate fate came it did not matter. Hwi was not there in the large expanse and resources were at hand from the first.

'Now to that side……'

Just as the beast was about to change direction toward its main exit Hwi stopped and turned his small head sideways.

Only filling the tree in nothing lacking empty space — Hwi thrust out his hand and somehow a sound popped up. Something fresh in a sudden premonition — a stiff finger was caught and stretching out, the moment a sharp sound came with the hand and the beast's neck blood vessel was pressed.

Even myself seeing a huge beast like that for the first time. Instinctive fear filling him white, Yong was in his instinct retreating backward. On one side an ominous delight was rising too. That it was toward Hwi — the belief that complete fire being given over was coming up because of it.

The beast's head was only at the child's four times as wide. Meaty thick legs and large sharp claws were moving threateningly and immediately it seemed like it would scatter the child in pieces. The beast was not resting a little and was aiming for Hwi.

Yong hurriedly returned his gaze to Hwi to confirm. And then beyond that shapeless shock Yong's head touched.

Hwi was going into it without even the smallest trace of fear and just with that expressionless face going along toward the beast — then keeping his eye on it, he had taken out the short sword from the scabbard and put it in. In the blink of an eye the beast coming in to bite — Hwi's nape, the small hand catching the beast's snout and using it as a stepping stone leaping — and to the beast's nape a short sword was driven home.

As if raising its paw the beast was collapsing but Hwi had one hand pressing down the beast's head controlling it and his body spinning flipping backward, then to the nape that had the short sword embedded — pulling it downward, downward and drawing it out.

Slicing it open and the bone being grazed — even until just a moment ago the terrifyingly vicious beast's life was dimming away quietly. The beast's snout and claw tips were going cold and unable to tremble fell limp.

Hwi slowly lifted his head. His face more than surprised was oddly more strange and eerie. His dark-rooted eyes containing thousands upon thousands of killing-or-be-killed born-and-raised encounters — they contained the legitimate and ample right to kill. And through that the not-yet-dead living gaze reached Yong's eyes.

'Elder brother.'

'……'

'I find hunting enjoyable.'

A dry matter-of-fact voice. A strangely fixed responding gaze — before him the feeling of becoming a prey solidified.

At that time Hwi's age was only nine.