Hwagmu?! What the hell are you saying right now?!

B-But I definitely heard it! I definitely heard something say that!

At the mention of Hwagmu, even Chi Woo, who had shown absolutely no interest so far, began paying attention.

Really? asked Chi Woo. You really heard that?

Ah Yes

Hm Someone stronger than we expected might be behind this incident

Seol also agreed with that statement.

If its claiming Hwagmu revived them, then

Seol began mentally going through the figurative guidebook in his head.

There were a number of individuals who helped Hwagmu. While some were humans, there were also members of other races.

Dont tell me

A certain individual crossed Seol's mind as he pondered who it could be.

"Argh, damn it! Is that even important right now? Were in danger regardless, what does it matter?"

Thats true

The miners began to squabble among themselves.

However, they werent wrong.

Even just a few moments ago, their only futures seemed to be either starving to death or succumbing to madness.

There was no way anyone could think about the future when their next decisions were already a matter of life or death.

One of the miners suddenly asked Seol and the others a question.

Food! Do you perhaps have any food?

Our supply box disappeared when the Large Soldier fell, so

Seol nodded in response.

Maybe that was why they were so on edge?

Not only had the miners gone without food for several days, but they were also facing death at every moment. It made sense why they didnt have any manners or welcome Seol and the others properly. Additionally, Seol Hong had repaired the Large Soldier, their sole hope, in a way the miners hadnt even heard of before.

Kang Seol is an excellent cook, said Seol Hong. Please wait a second.

Everyone, including Chi Woo, immediately turned to her.

Hes going to cook? In a hole like this?

What is she

In an instant, an unbelievable sight unfolded in front of them.

Out of nowhere, Seol pulled out a wok and a burner and immediately poured oil into them.

Ssssssss

Just the smell of the oil was enough to stimulate the miners' senses.

In fact, a few miners might have even tried to lick the hot oil from the wok if Seol Hong hadnt stopped them.

Sizzle

After frying rice noodles in the oil, Seol immediately tossed in some shredded vegetables as well.

Gulp

Seol then pushed everything in the wok to one side before cracking multiple eggs into it.

After that, he mixed everything into the eggs.

Haha I never thought Id see something like this

Hes cooking a fresh meal in the mines

Unlike in ordinary mines, dust explosions and excess dust were extremely rare in the Sodoong Mine, because the Large Soldiers they rode had the ability to purify the air around them.

In fact, If it werent for the ghost energy, they could eat and sleep here normally.

Regardless, Seol began handing out the food, and everyone began eating their meals.

Haah H-Hot

Careful not to eat too quickly.

The miners quickly began wolfing down their food.

For the first time since Seol and the others met them, the miners were silent.

Burp

Thanks for the meal! I feel a bit better now that Ive eaten some food.

I feel more sleepy now than anything, though

Right? This is why its dangerous to eat too quickly, haha!

Then why dont you guys get some sleep? said Seol Hong. Well keep watch while we discuss what to do next.

A miner, who seemed to be the leader, began shaking his head.

How could we possibly sleep in front of a Dragons Flower

Do I look like a Dragons Flower to you now? joked Seol Hong.

I-I apologize for my bad manners

Smirk

You can even do more if you wish. After all, your friends are doing so already.

...Huh?

The miner turned around to see all of the other survivors taking a nap.

Th-those bastards

"Its fine. Everyone recovering their energy is much more important for the future anyway."

...Thank you.

And like that, the miners went to sleep.

Chi Woo joined them as well, sleeping alongside the miners.

After the two shot the wolf boy an incredulous look, they quickly began discussing things.

What do you think? asked Seol Hong.

The situation is definitely not good.

I agree. We also used too much fuel on our way here.

"That too, but our circumstances also dont allow us to operate two Large Soldiers.

Ive checked that as well, answered Seol Hong. There isnt much upside to operating both. In fact, wed probably run out of fuel before reaching the surface if we tried using them simultaneously.

In the end, our only option is to all get into the Earth King Unit 1.

It is, but unless we have some ground-breaking way to greatly reduce fuel consumption, it isnt a guarantee either.

Seol then gave her a look before asking her a question.

You thought of something, didnt you?

We could try one thing. But even if you leave that part to me, the bigger issue is the entity crawling beneath us.

I agree, responded Seol. I believe that will truly determine whether this rescue mission is a success or not.

In this dark, pitch-black mine loomed a dangerous threat.

Who do you think it could be?

Powerful enough to collapse a mine this big and if you include the dense ghost energy only one entity comes to mind.

You as well?

Yes.

Seol Hong then closed her eyes for a short second.

If its this strong its likely Phantom.

I agree as well.

Phantom.

One of the three Ghost Generals that commanded Hwagmus ghost army.

The legends said that the Dragon Emperor sealed Phantom before he sealed Hwagmu.

But theres one thing that doesnt make sense to me

That this wasnt where he was sealed, right?

Yes. I was told he was sealed in the Creepy Mountain, a place quite far from Tumaku.

"The Dragon Emperor is not someone who would be careless with Phantom's ensnarement. This means that either they arent Phantom, or... due to his own efforts or with someones help, he was able to be unsealed here."

Regardless, it is a problem. Even if it isnt Phantom, an enemy this strong is concerning. If Phantom were unsealed, then it would be an even bigger problem.

He hasnt been unsealed for long, though. From what Ive been told, waking up after being sealed for so long only restores you to half of your original power.

A legendary monster is still a legendary monster, though

Do you think he would get in our way?

It already seems like hes doing whatever he can.

HaahSaving them is more than enough of a headache. Why do we have to deal with him as well

Seol remained silent after that.

It would have been nice if Jamad or Ur was here right now.

He was unfortunate to be in a situation where the two experienced individuals in magic and shamanism were missing. As a result, he had to start thinking of additional plans.

By the way began Seol. What was your plan to reduce fuel consumption?

Its

Hummm.

Crackle

Crackle

The protective umbrella had been maintained for a few days now. As it was important to conserve fuel, Seol Hong had shifted to using the Large Soldiers battery to maintain the protective area.

However, that, too, will soon reach its limits.

The miners continued to watch Seol Hong, who was moving around the Earth King Unit 1 while fiddling with things.

What is she doing right now? one of the miners asked the technicians.

Just watch. Were learning, too.

...What? Seriously?

Not only were the technicians now close to Seol Hong, but so were the miners. There was no need to comment on their relationship with Seol, especially when considering how he had been cooking for them.

Ah Im so bored.

Chi Woo was beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of excitement.

Though there had been some fun moments, he had leaped into the mines expecting much more action. However, after arriving here, nothing interesting had happened at all.

They ate together at the designated time, Seol Hong continued her work during the designated times, and they even all slept at the designated times.

Chi Woo then turned to look at Seol Hong.

She, especially her face, was covered in grease. The stains were beginning to accumulate to the point where soon she would have more grime on her face than even the miners.

Seeing that, Chi Woo asked himself a question.

Why is she working so hard?

He then looked at the other survivors.

It wasnt just Chi Woo looking at her, but all of them.

Cho Yeon, Chi Woos mother and a descendent of the Lang Tribe, left these words for him before her death.

- Chi Woo, you have inherited the Lang Tribes blood. It is a noble, powerful blood. And through the Dragon Emperors blood, you have also received incredible status.

- Mom

- Unlike the other members of the Lang Tribe You have the ability to choose your own future.

Beastmen werent treated well in the Khan Empire.

With the Lang Tribe also enduring a long civil war that shook their core, Cho Yeon constantly worried about the tribes future.

And now, moments from death, it was time for her to pass on her worries to her child. This was her only chance.

But... she didnt.

- Be happy, Chi Woo. Live your own life

-

With her death, Chi Woo also lost his connection to the Lang Tribe.

Now, alone in the world, he did not know how to live his life.

And after losing his mother, the people who could influence him the most were his brothers.

- The people? Everyone under the Dragon Emperors rule owes something to the Dragon Emperor. And as we are of his blood, the Dragons Flowers have the right to rule them too! Theyre nothing more than dirt compared to us!

Chi Woo was from both noble and powerful blood.

And despite being in the same circumstances as them, for some reason he hated those words.

So he beat them, a lot.

With the martial arts that he was so good at.

- Ahhhhh! Th-this bastard

- Im stronger than you. Therefore, you are beneath me.

- What?

- Now Im going to do whatever I want to you!

Chi Woo bullied the Dragons Flowers he didnt like, using training as an excuse. In the end, he managed to make them surrender.

- Youre right so stop

But for some reason, it wasnt fun anymore. Chi Woo stopped bullying them after that.

How was I supposed to live?

Though Cho Yeon had given him the option to do so, she did not leave him with any teachings.

You could break your opponents will through violence.

In fact, you could even break them without violence, if you could scare them enough.

Chi Woo lost interest in the world after learning such things.

Everyone seemed like children pretending to be strong. Especially the Dragons Flowers, they were nothing more than empty shells.

Or at least, that was what he thought until he met Seol Hong.

Thats interesting

Why was Seol Hong so desperate?

For herself? The miners?

One of the miners then opened their mouth.

Maybe we can just give up on that?

What?

Y-You know what Im trying to say, right? We could last a few more weeks here if we just save fuel Then maybe theyll form another res

"Shut your fucking mouth! The sounds are getting closer! We dont know what could happen at any moment!"

The past couple of nights, everyone heard the whispers of a ghost.

- Youre scared of me

- Feel the fear Close your eyes, truly feel it

Though it could have initially been dismissed as a nightmare, everyone had heard the same sounds. The voice definitely belonged to whatever had escaped the door.

Its as Lady Seol Hong said! If we want to escape now, this is the only method!

B-But

Clang

Its done. Everyone, come over here, said Seol Hong.

After soldering one metal plate to another, Seol Hong created a massive box. Well, to be more accurate, she had simply remodeled a container that was already inside the Large Soldier.

Whats that?

A coffin?

A box?

Seol Hong then began to explain.

Do you see the connected part there?

Taking a closer look, the miners noticed a hole and a hose attached to it.

Yes, we do.

We will be using fuel to create a protective field within it.

Which would essentially protect the box from the ghost energy, right?

It will. You can think of it as a massive protective suit.

What about oxygen

Oxygen will also be poured into it, after being purified.

Coffin was a suitable word for the crudely made box.

Are you really trying to stuff us into there?

...I am.

The miners began to murmur with cold expressions.

Do you really know what youre saying right now?

I do.

The box was enclosed on all sides.

If the miners were going to escape placed inside the box, they would have to sit in there for multiple days, completely unaware of the outside.

One of the technicians then asked a question.

Why are you using this method

Because this is the only method. We dont have much fuel, and the batteries we are using to maintain the protective umbrella will run out soon. We have to save fuel while also trying to reach the surface.

But

I know, Im sure youre terrified. However, if you place your faith in me

It was then

How the hell could we trust you?! Youre a Dragons Flower!

Watch your words! shouted another miner.

What the hell happened to all of you?! yelled the first miner. Did all of you forget? Did everyone really forget what that Dragons Flower did to us?

......

"Because that bastard prohibited us from mining because of some stupid ruin, my dad lost his job! In just a day, he ended up on the streets, begging! And after that, he even ended his own life!"

......

"All of the Dragons Flowers Ive met were like that! Theyre all hypocrites, they dont care who ends up dying just because they cant stop trampling over everything around them!"

Seol Hong then asked a question.

Do you remember his name?

...Zhe Gak. It was Zhe Gak, Im sure of it.

......

Disappointment consumed Seol Hongs face.

The unsavory rumors about Zhe Gak seemed to hold some truth.