Chapter 60: Lost in the Depths

The path deeper in the cave was damp and gloomy. It felt like the mountain’s moist air had been condensed into this place.

Discomfort pulsed through me.

At least there were no bats, thankfully.

Splash. I stepped into a shallow puddle, unable to see the ground clearly. The sudden sound made Hondon jump.

Then, after a long silence, Deokbong called me.

“Your Highness.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, but… it feels like we’re back where we started…”

Deokbong said. At first, I denied it, but by the second time he said it, I had to admit he was right. It was the third time we’d come to this spot.

Splash. I stepped into a puddle again. It felt exactly like the one before.

Damn it.

Deokbong was probably right.

It was the same path.

After walking for a while, we realized we were lost.

No strength left, no food, no place to rest—just wasting energy.

Suddenly, everything went dark.

Hondon’s flame, our only light, had gone out.

And Hondon said.

“We’re going to die.”

What?

“…Wrong. We’re all dead. It’s over.”

What’s with this guy? Is he crazy?

“What kind of talk is that? Why is it over? Who’s dead?”

My voice, hitting the cave walls, echoed in the dark, creating an eerie atmosphere.

“We’re all going to die.”

“Who’s dying? You? Me?”

“Everyone.”

He even forgot honorifics. The guy called Hondon, scared? What a joke.

I snorted.

“We’re not dying.”

“We will.”

I argued with Hondon for a while. Repeating the same words got annoying. Even kind words get tiresome, but death predictions? Infuriating.

I’m better off than him, but worrying about what’s ahead isn’t much different for me.

If one of Bukgye’s supposed four strongest is like this, how weak are the others? I asked irritably.

“Why do you keep saying we’ll die?”

“Everyone’s dead, all…”

“Who’s dead?”

Hondon didn’t answer. Instead, he relit his flame.

Thinking over his last words, I recalled something a comrade from Hyeolyunseong said. He’d lost his family to bandits near the border as a kid. He’d go wild seeing similar bandit groups.

Is Hondon like that? I don’t know him well, but it’s possible.

Even so, there’s no need to be that scared.

First… the monster that laid so many eggs in this cave wasn’t alone.

Dozens of eggs? No way one monster did that.

If it’s not one, they didn’t just stumble here. They made this cave their nest.

There must be a proper entrance somewhere. The problem is we don’t know where.

Knowing there’s an exit is enough. We just need to find the path.

And I had a way to find it.

I was calmer than Hondon or Deokbong because I had a method.

What was my ability? Senses so sharp they nearly drove me mad.

That’s why I took Jongmeoki Flower.

I tried reducing the dose, but it didn’t work. The amount barely decreased. Especially since leaving the capital, I couldn’t cut back at all.

But yesterday, I didn’t take any.

Obviously. No attendant to prepare it, and I didn’t bring any. How could I take it around others?

I confirmed its effects last this long. That cycle might be useful later.

“We’re going to die…”

Hondon kept muttering. It’s over, we’re done, we’ll die.

I couldn’t hold back.

“Are you crazy?”

“Ugh.”

Pfft.

“Crazy, completely crazy…”

I should’ve known when he stole my sword at night.

“Not some beggar from the streets, but the moment he pickpocketed a stranger…”

Sighing heavily, I grabbed Deokbong.

“Let’s rest here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

We left our supplies outside, so we had no food. Exhaustion grew. Hunger and fatigue teamed up.

At this rate, we might actually die.

“Your Highness.”

Hondon spoke.

“What?”

“What will you do?”

“Well.”

Hondon turned to me sharply. His face looked like the sky was falling.

It was so funny I couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“I’m looking.”

“What if we die looking?”

He sniffled again.

This guy, why does he cry so easily?

No real combat experience, as expected. No doubt.

“Even if we die, better to die trying.”

Even pushing hard, we wouldn’t last ten days. Hondon’s fear was exaggerated but not wrong.

“Let me ask one thing.”

Hondon didn’t answer. Speak, he seemed to say.

“You—no, you.”

Would he answer honestly?

“No combat experience, right?”

Not exactly good, but he seemed naive. Thinking this was the end, Hondon answered truthfully.

“I’ve never been to the front.”

He couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

Who’d believe one of Wolhanseong’s top four fighters never fought?

The court and royal family paid little attention to Wolhanseong’s forces. Their use was fixed. But I was different.

Wolhanseong was too valuable to just fight monsters.

A northern wall that bows to no one.

A cold fortress even the king can’t easily sway.

That makes it a stronger symbol than any card.

Winning the north’s heart, unconquered by any king.

“Are the other three like you?”

Hondon hesitated, then shook his head. He seemed younger than his appearance.

So, it’s all the same.

“The others have some combat experience?”

“…That’s confidential.”

“Confidential over that?”

“It’s confidential.”

“Who says?”

“The Lord of Wolhanseong ordered it.”

“Unbelievable. Who’s higher, the Lord of Wolhanseong or me?”

Hondon answered without hesitation.

“Of course, the Lord of Wolhanseong.”

Speechless.

No one in Mokryeo would answer like that.

Only in Bukgye, only in Wolhanseong.

So very Wolhanseong. Bukgye isn’t easy to conquer.

“…Been a while since I felt this driven.”

“What?”

“Someday, you’ll take that back.”

Hondon lowered his head.

“Someday? We might die here.”

“No one said we’re dying.”

“There’s no way out.”

“How do you know there’s no way?”

“I believe what I see.”

“You see me. Why not believe me?”

Hondon looked hopeful.

“Is there a way?”

Growl.

My hungry stomach rumbled. As Jongmeoki Flower’s effects faded, chills hit.

My body wasn’t truly ill. This damn body was so sensitive it took cold as chills.

Not even that cold.

Times like this, it’s a wonder this mad prince wasn’t just a Jongmeoki Flower addict.

Not much time left.

I shut my mouth.

“Let’s go.”

I walked again.

Growl.

The second time my stomach rumbled, Hondon and Deokbong’s footsteps felt like they were right beside me.

“Your Highness…”

Deokbong spoke cautiously, but seemed to regret it, having nothing to offer.

I waved him off. Even the energy to speak was precious now.

Chills seeped into my bones. I tried desperately to calm myself to stop shaking.

Not just my heartbeat, but Hondon and Deokbong’s echoed in my ears.

Growl.

The third time my stomach rumbled, the rustle of clothes on skin felt gratingly sharp.

I couldn’t calm my shivering body. My shoulders trembled occasionally. Thankfully, the darkness hid it from Hondon and Deokbong.

If I survive, I’ll demand a feast to break my legs. Two bowls—no, three. Meat side dishes, obviously.

No dignity, just eat. I’ll make the Lord of Wolhanseong empty his pantry.

If it’s embarrassing to order, I’ll send an attendant.

Random thoughts eased the pain slightly.

After more time, my stomach stopped rumbling. Hunger forgotten, only extreme senses remained.

I felt moisture pooling, the faint airflow in the cave.

Cold sweat ran down my face.

Drip.

Drip.

Sweat rolled off my chin, hitting the ground.

Ugh.

Stumbling, I nearly lost balance.

Without Jongmeoki Flower, I can’t last a moment. This was my limit without it. Truly, my limit was near.

If I rely on the drug, what happens during a war?

Will I have the luxury to get it then?

The wars I’ve seen were fields of corpses, chaos. Worry crept in.

But that’s not the issue now.

Dragging my tired, pained body, stumbling along, a different air brushed my nose.

“…This way.”

With conviction, I moved forward.