19.The Sword’s Will and Do-Hyun’s Conversation

The night was still, the only sound being the gentle rustling of wind through the trees. Lee Do-Hyun sat alone, his body drained and his mind weighed down by exhaustion and doubt. The battle earlier had pushed him to the edge—once again, he had relied on the sword's power to survive.

The Ego Blade lay quietly beside him, yet its aura pulsed faintly, as if aware of his turmoil. Then, the voice—cold, steady, and ever-watchful—echoed in his mind.

 "Doubting me again? Without my power, you would've been dead before nightfall."

Do-Hyun lifted his gaze toward the sword, his eyes narrowed with frustration.

 "You're right. But isn't this relationship mutual? You're using me as much as I'm using you. So, what's your real purpose?"

The voice let out a low, mocking chuckle.

 "Using you? You're barely capable of wielding me properly, yet you question my intent? The arrogance of a weakling never ceases to amuse me."

His fingers tightened around the hilt, the sword's cool metal biting into his palm.

 "Then why me? Why choose someone like me if I'm so weak? There has to be more to this than just curiosity."

The blade trembled faintly, its crimson glow pulsing with new intensity. The pressure of the energy radiating from it felt heavier than ever—like the blade was reacting to his challenge, acknowledging his defiance.

 "You are not of this world, Lee Do-Hyun."

The voice was sharper now, colder.

"You are an anomaly in Kangho—an outsider unbound by its laws or limits. That difference intrigued me. You are a blank slate, and I… I want to see what you will become."

Do-Hyun's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening.

 "So, it's because I don't belong here? That's just part of it. The real question is: why do you keep lending me your power? What's in it for you?"

For a long, tense moment, the voice remained silent. Then, instead of words, the sword's glow surged, sending a wave of heat through his arm. It was no longer a mere response—it felt like an emotion, raw and unfamiliar.

Do-Hyun stared at the blade, his voice low but steady.

 "You're hiding something from me. This power isn't just for my benefit—you need something from me too, don't you?"

The voice returned, quieter this time—almost like a warning.

 "Tread carefully, Do-Hyun. Seek answers, and you might lose yourself along the way. There will come a moment when trusting me will be your only chance at survival."

A humorless chuckle escaped Do-Hyun's lips.

 "Trust? You speak of trust as if you've earned it. I may not be able to banish you yet, but don't think for a second that you'll control me."

The crimson glow faded, leaving the sword dormant once again. The forest grew quiet, save for the wind's soft murmur. Do-Hyun set the sword aside and let out a long breath.

 "I need you to survive, but I'll never let myself become your puppet."

The voice lingered in his mind for a final moment, its tone colder than before.

 "You'll use me, and I'll use you. For now, our paths align—but remember, I will never fully trust you. And neither should you fully trust me."

Do-Hyun stared at the blade, determination solidifying in his heart.

 "If you plan to use me… then I'll master you first. This isn't your story—it's mine. And I'll find a way to control you completely."

The night remained silent, but in the darkness, a fragile truce was forged—an understanding between man and blade, built on mutual defiance and the unspoken promise of betrayal yet to come.

 ***************

The Mysterious Woman

As Lee Do-Hyun and Han So-Yeon continued their journey toward the next destination, they stumbled upon a peculiar sight in a small village. Standing quietly in the middle of a bustling road was a woman whose presence seemed to command attention without effort.

Her appearance was striking—long, dark hair that shimmered faintly in the sunlight and eyes that held a depth that didn't belong to an ordinary traveler. Yet, her posture was oddly passive, as if the chaos of the world around her was something entirely foreign.

Do-Hyun noticed her first.

She stood motionless, gazing up at the sky, lost in thought. Then, as if sensing his presence, she turned her head slowly and fixed him with a curious stare.

 "Why are there so many people here? Why do they all rush around so quickly?"

Her voice was soft, almost ethereal, but her words carried an unsettling innocence.

Do-Hyun blinked, caught off guard by her question.

 "People move because they have things to do. They work, survive—it's just life. Isn't that obvious?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, her eyes widening as though hearing this for the first time.

 "I see… So that's how people live. I've never witnessed this before."

That response immediately set off alarms in Do-Hyun's mind.

 'Is she like me? Another outsider from a different world? But… she doesn't even seem familiar with basic human behavior.'

He took a step forward, lowering his voice cautiously.

 "Where are you from? You don't seem like you're from around here."

The woman smiled faintly, though her eyes betrayed nothing.

 "I've been wandering. I left my home to see the world… and somehow, I ended up here."

Her answer, vague and evasive, did little to ease his suspicions. There was something undeniably off about her demeanor—an elegance that didn't match her apparent lack of understanding.

Han So-Yeon, who had been observing silently, finally spoke. Her voice was firm, laced with subtle irritation.

 "Captain, are we really going to ignore how strange this is? Who just walks up and starts talking like that?"

Do-Hyun shrugged, keeping his tone calm.

 "I don't know yet. But she doesn't seem dangerous. Just… lost."

So-Yeon's frown deepened.

 'Why is he so quick to trust her? Something about this doesn't sit right with me.'

Against So-Yeon's clear discomfort, Do-Hyun allowed the woman to travel with them temporarily. As they continued their journey, her peculiarities became more apparent.

At their first shared meal, she stared at the chopsticks with furrowed brows, poking at her food awkwardly.

 "How do these work? The food keeps slipping away…"

Do-Hyun watched her struggle with growing curiosity.

 'She doesn't even know how to use chopsticks? There's no way she's from Kangho—or any familiar land, for that matter.'

So-Yeon, on the other hand, couldn't help but smirk in amusement.

 'So much for being mysterious. She's completely helpless. There's no way she'll be useful.'

Suddenly, as if reading So-Yeon's thoughts, the woman turned toward her with startling clarity.

 "Am I making you uncomfortable? I didn't mean to intrude. I'm… still learning how to live here."

Caught off guard, So-Yeon hesitated before shaking her head.

 "No. I just don't understand what you want from us."

The woman's expression softened, her voice sincere.

 "I want to learn. You both seem to know this world better than I ever could. Traveling with you… maybe it'll help me understand."

For the first time, So-Yeon's defensiveness wavered. Despite her suspicions, there was something genuine in the woman's voice.

 "If you're serious about that, then be prepared. Kangho isn't forgiving. Weakness here is a death sentence."

Do-Hyun observed the exchange silently, noting how the tension between the two women seemed to shift ever so slightly.

 'Another companion? This wasn't what I planned for… but maybe there's a reason she crossed our path.'

Yet deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the woman's appearance was no coincidence. Her presence felt too deliberate, her ignorance too rehearsed.

As they continued their journey, the woman followed quietly behind them—an enigma cloaked in politeness, her true nature hidden beneath every carefully chosen word and gesture.

And as Do-Hyun walked on, one question lingered in his mind:

 'Who is she really—and what does she want from us?'