Chapter 120

The man’s question left a deep ripple in Yuwon’s mind.

Only then did he understand.

Yuwon, and the unidentified man standing before him, were conversing in words neither of them had ever heard in their lives.

“This is… what in the world…!”

“So you truly had been writing without even knowing what the words meant.”

Yuwon focused less on the naturally comprehensible meaning and more on the sounds leaving the unidentified man’s mouth.

Shwik shwik— tzuzuz—

How could a person make such sounds? The unidentified man whispered lowly in a strange voice, like a serpent hissing.

“You stepped into the most dangerous part of the Southern Great Jungle on your own, so I assumed you were not an ordinary human. Yet to think you understand and use our language without even realizing it….”

The man’s voice slowly approached, filling Yuwon’s ears as slowly—ever so slowly—as the tightening movements of a constricting serpent.

Beneath that emotionless voice and tone, a colossal and unprecedented force pressed heavily down on Yuwon.

‘This man… it’s him…! The reason the Orc and the River Serpent withdrew… it was because of this man…!’

Yuwon instinctively knew.

The reason Orc Chieftain Mukwiam and the River Serpent retreated—this very reason stood right before his eyes.

The two arrogant apex predators of the Southern Great Jungle’s ecosystem had fled at this man’s appearance.

The moment he realized this, Yuwon felt chills race down his spine, his hair standing on end.

The intuition that always warned him a beat before any threat arrived was today shaking violently—too late.

‘This man…! He’s dangerous!’

And then the man’s voice echoed once more.

“I shall ask. You… who are you, and from where?”

The strange power embedded within that voice surged over Yuwon like a massive tidal wave.

Huuuk—!

Fear—an emotion Yuwon had long forgotten.

A fear he believed gone forever seized him in an instant.

Yuwon saw something he should not have been able to see.

Behind the silhouette of the man—barely outlined—there flickered a gloomy, sticky, threatening aura that defied description, wavering like mist.

His ears rang, and Yuwon’s sensitive sense of smell caught a scent he had never once smelled before—dangerous and foreign.

‘…This smell! It’s different from the two I met before.’

It was not the scent of predators like Mukwiam and the River Serpent. It was a strange scent, like the smell from the deep, dark well of his childhood memories.

At the same time, the metallic taste of blood spread in Yuwon’s mouth, and the jungle’s hot, humid air wrapped around him like a tightening net.

Every sense Yuwon possessed screamed at him to flee at once with all his strength.

Without him even realizing it, his legs were already prepared to sprint, waiting only for the order to move. However, Yuwon did not obey.

‘This man is certainly dangerous. Strong enough that even if I poured out all my power, I couldn’t defeat him. But even so, I cannot run here… If he truly saved my life, then he must have had a reason. Until I hear it, I will not take even a single step back.’

Forcing reason to suppress instinct, Yuwon circulated his internal energy through his body, clearing his mind.

The fear that had slowly and steadily tightened around him dissipated, and with sharpened eyes, Yuwon spoke confidently.

The trembling fear from a moment before was nowhere to be seen.

“I am… the son of the late Emperor Yulaios Aphahiel, and the rightful heir chosen by him….”

As though waiting for those very words, a breeze swept through the jungle, pushing aside the dense foliage.

A single beam of moonlight pierced down from the sky, illuminating Yuwon.

On nights long ago when the moon rose, there was once a hero who vowed to guard Aphahiel in place of the sun.

That oath descended once more upon this place.

In the deep night of the Southern Great Jungle, under the falling moonlight, only Yuwon shone proudly and alone.

“The Emperor of the Empire. Yurion Aphahiel.”

Upon hearing Yuwon introduce himself as Emperor, the unidentified man asked back with an ambiguous expression.

“What business brings His Majesty of Aphahiel to such a humble place?”

“Well. I don’t see any reason to explain that to someone whose identity I don’t even know.”

“I wished to have a worthwhile conversation—since it’s been long since I met someone who didn’t flee upon seeing me and could actually talk. But it seems His Majesty does not desire such a thing.”

The unidentified man spoke as though already knowing exactly what Yuwon was thinking.

“Very well, then what will you do now? Emperor of Aphahiel. Will you go to rescue your companions?”

It seemed the man had already sensed the existence of Yuwon’s group.

“How did you know that?”

“There are ways of knowing everything. By now you should understand. I am no ordinary person. Think carefully. Do you believe meeting your companions will somehow give you a solution?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I’m asking whether, with your current strength, you can protect your companions even if you go back.”

“That is….”

Yuwon could not answer confidently. Between the Orcs, the serpent, and now this unidentified man—who knew how many such beings existed in the Southern Great Jungle?

And frankly, Yuwon’s companions were burdens more than help right now.

“Emperor of the Empire. You are strong. The fact you can stand before me with your head held high proves it. But it is far beyond your ability to protect helpless companions in this jungle. You know this too.”

“…So what are you suggesting?”

“I will help you.”

“You’ll help me? I don’t know how you intend to do that, but I certainly don’t know why you would show such goodwill.”

“A long time ago, my tribe owed a debt to Aphahiel. I only intend to repay that debt. Whether you believe me or not is your choice.”

The man’s sudden story tangled Yuwon’s thoughts.

‘This person. I cannot trust him, but he’s undeniably strong. Could he be helpful?’

“Is it because you’re worried about your companions? Don’t worry. All of them are safe. Two of them are with the Natives of the Southern Great Jungle, and the other was taken by Kahaad.”

“…What? How do you know all that…?”

Yuwon’s interest sharpened at the mention of his companions.

“As I said earlier, there are ways to know everything. If you accept my help… you too will soon be able to do at least this much. You aren’t weak. You simply misunderstand how to use your power.”

But none of that reached Yuwon. His only concern was the safety of his companions.

“Are you absolutely sure my companions are safe?”

“Yes, I’m certain. The two with the Natives should be fine. The Natives are at least reasonable compared to other beings in this jungle. Kahaad’s reaction is strange though… unexpectedly so….”

“What do you mean by a strange reaction?”

The man smirked at Yuwon’s intense response.

‘He didn’t react even when I offered to teach him… but he panics like this over his companions. To think he values his people so much—he may not become a saintly ruler, but he certainly won’t be a tyrant.’

After the faint smile, the man continued.

“It seems one of your companions caught Kahaad’s interest. I don’t know why.”

“What is that supposed to…”

“Don’t pry too deeply. Even for me, this is the limit of what I know.”

The man knew much information Yuwon needed right now. His goodwill was something Yuwon could not easily refuse.

‘For now… pretend to trust him and get information on my companions’ locations first. That comes first. Then I’ll observe him and decide whether to trust him or not.’

After organizing his thoughts, Yuwon accepted the man’s offer.

“Fine. I’ll trust you. Before that, we should introduce ourselves. You already know my name. Who are you?”

“A name? A name… I have never had such a thing….”

“…?”

At the claim he had no name, Yuwon’s eyes widened. Seeing that, the man seemed to think for a moment, then spoke.

“Ah, not a name, but something similar does exist. Everyone calls me this.”

“And what is that?”

***

“Run.”

Flap flap—

“Then I leave it to you.”

Two days later, three small guide birds left Yuwon’s hand and flew toward their destinations.

One flew toward the two companions together. Another flew toward the one left alone among the shamans.

‘As for the last one… I don’t know if it will reach safely.’

And the final bird flew toward the Valaris County.

Watching the birds fly farther and shrink into the distance, Yuwon wore a faint smile.

“To think I would end up using messenger birds again despite having convenient magical communication… it has really been a long time.”

Though Yuwon had plenty of Magic Mirrors prepared in his Subspace Bag, things had gone too chaotically after reaching the South, and he hadn’t had time to distribute them to his companions.

“If I tried communicating by Magic Mirror in the South…”

If he did, he would fail to avoid the eyes of the rebels.

Count Valaris and the South were practically the core of the Fifth Prince’s faction—so it was only natural.

“Of course, a messenger bird won’t deliver easily either. It won’t be difficult to reach the companions inside the jungle. The problem is Valaris… whether he can intercept this first….”

Yuwon actually hoped the rebel Gion Tindal would steal the letter mid-way. The letter contained no correct information. Yuwon intended to buy time with it.

“If things go well, they’ll waste time flipping the North upside down. That will give me time to grow. And even if things go poorly and they become suspicious of the jungle…”

Yuwon already knew the Southern Great Jungle well.

It was a world of natural selection and survival of the fittest.

“With ordinary preparations, they cannot possibly find me here. The continent vastly underestimates the jungle’s true power. Even if they enter based on what they know, they won’t get anywhere near me.”

If the enemy wanted to find Yuwon in the jungle, they would need the preparation to face an entire nation’s worth of force. And then a voice called from behind Yuwon.

“Then are you finished preparing?”

“Yes. It’s done.”

“Then I shall teach you. The power of the Southern Great Jungle.”

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