Dancing on the golden ashes

Each passing second grew more awkward as everyone stared at me, their eyes wide, almost popping out of their sockets, and their jaws nearly hitting the ground.

"Big sis!"

Kim Seong-Hoon's voice cracked with emotion, his tear-filled eyes shimmering as he rushed toward me with the speed of lightning. But his enthusiasm was met with a thud as he collided with an iron-hard tree—I had easily sidestepped his charge.

"Give up, won't ya..." I muttered, my voice tinged with irritation, though the words didn't quite match the storm brewing in my chest.

I wanted to say, 'I missed you all.'

But those words stayed locked deep inside my heart, trapped behind a door I knew would never open.

"You're awake!"

Malrang's voice rang gently in my mind just as a massive four-meter-tall fox leapt into the air. My eyes widened in alarm as I realized she was aiming directly for me. Your next chapter awaits on empire

"Big sis, please wait! We're sorry for before—we never doubted you!"

Kim Seong-Hoon's desperate voice trailed behind me as he tried to hug me from behind. But before he could reach me, I dodged effortlessly, reappearing next to Park Jieun.

Meanwhile, the so-called idiot lord himself was unceremoniously crushed under Malrang's massive body.

"Big sister Gaon..."

Jieun's voice trembled as she looked up at me, her eyes watery but soft. "Will you please let us come back? I missed you so much."

They missed me... Why?

The thought stung. Weren't they afraid of me? Afraid of what my mood shifts could do?

I shifted my gaze to Kang Eun-Woo, who stood beside her. His armor gleamed so brightly it almost hurt to look at, making him stand out like a beacon in the dim forest.

"Ga—Lee Gaon..." he began, his voice firm. "Back then, we had a lot to think about. But I promise you, we were never afraid of you—of whatever caused you to lose control. We were worried about you, and only you. I swear it, with my pride as a man."

He struck his chest with his fist, standing straight, his posture brimming with honesty and conviction.

"I—"

"You know these people?"

Soo-Ah's voice cut through the moment. Her expression was a mix of puzzlement and worry, but there was something deeper in her eyes—something I couldn't quite place.

"They're my... acquaintances," I said hesitantly. I couldn't bring myself to call them friends. I didn't trust them enough for that.

But the moment the word left my lips, I saw their faces fall. Their sadness was palpable, hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

The mood turned heavy, almost suffocating, until Kim Seong-Hoon, the idiot lord himself, managed to wriggle free from under Malrang. He stood his ground, his wild eyes locking onto mine.

I could read him clearly. His expression screamed, I will not accept this.

"Should I deal with these people for you?" Ravokar growled, his voice low and protective as his frenzied eyes glared at the unfamiliar group.

"No, it's okay," I growled back, meeting his gaze. "They aren't a threat."

My old group's faces darkened, their brows furrowing in confusion as I growled back at Ravokar.

They didn't know.

Of course, they had no idea I could speak the beast language. Watching them exchange bewildered looks, as if silently asking, "Has she gone mad or something?" was slightly amusing.

"It's a long story..."

There was no way to explain to them now what had happened in the massive Blazelia Tree, and truthfully, I didn't want to bother.

Kim Seong-Hoon stepped forward, his powerful frame looming closer. This time, he didn't try to hug me. Instead, he stood tall, meeting my gaze with unwavering determination.

"We are friends, big sis. Whether you like it or not. We're not leaving. That's it! Enough running away. If you want to leave, you'll have to kill me!"

His words struck like a hammer against my chest, and for a moment, it felt as though my blood had stopped flowing. Then, with a sudden rush, it surged again, leaving my heart trembling.

What is this?

It was a feeling I'd never experienced before. I'd never had anyone so desperately try to stay by my side.

The emotions swelled as Kang Eun-Woo and Park Jieun moved behind me, their arms outstretched, blocking any escape route I might have taken.

"What are you all doing!?"

I gasped, unable to hide the shock in my voice. I had never expected this—never thought I'd see any of their faces again.

I didn't want to deal with humans anymore.

The thought pressed heavily against my mind. It was too painful. Each time I let someone in, it hurt when they left—or when I pushed them away.

"Kill us if you want to pass! We will not let our friend leave like this again!" Kang Eun-Woo roared, his voice booming with conviction.

I stared at them, and for a brief moment, I couldn't decide if I should be annoyed or amused. They looked like a group of kids putting on a dramatic play, each trying to outshine the other.

Was this Jieun's idea? I wondered. Or maybe it was Kim Seong-Hoon—the complete man-child himself.

A dark swirl danced on my palm, and my scythe materialized in my hand. It had changed significantly since the last time I saw it—its blade now adorned with even more intricate golden ornaments, and the shaft slightly thicker. Despite its new appearance, it felt incredibly light, as though it were an extension of my arm.

It radiated a powerful, domineering aura, one that threatened to slay anything that dared stand in its path.

"Move..." I tried to sound cold, but in truth, I wanted them to stay—desperately. Even I, the cold-hearted killer I had become in this world, sometimes craved that warmth, that connection.

Meanwhile, Soo-Ah stood to the side, observing the situation with a slight, warm smile tugging at her lips.

"Gaon, put your weapon away. You don't need to put on this act. I know you better than anyone."

Wow... I can't believe my best friend said that to me.

I looked at the faces around me, all their eyes glued to me, waiting. I suddenly felt exhausted—tired of resisting. They would most likely follow me anyway, especially Kim Seong-Hoon. He had literally stalked me before; I doubted he wouldn't do it again.

And for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to harm these people. Ever since our fight, there had been a sour feeling lodged deep in my chest, as if I had done something I shouldn't have. But now... that feeling was gone, along with the rage that used to consume me.

Weird...

Since my resurrection, my emotions felt different somehow. But what exactly had changed? I was still me. Even the eerie voice within me had gone dormant, no longer trying to push these people away.

"Fine..." I muttered, my voice laced with reluctance.

The moment my scythe disappeared, and before I could react, three different bodies wrapped around me in an embrace. Each one felt distinct, but they all shared the same undeniable warmth.

"What the hell!? Get off!" I tried to push them away, but it was useless—they wouldn't budge.

"You guys are so embarrassing! I get it, okay?" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "I'll rejoin the party, alright? Now let me go before I turn this place into hell!"

"Hehe, I told you she'd melt if we did that."

A mischievous laugh came from below, and I looked down to see Jieun grinning sheepishly, still clinging to my waist.

"Let gooooo!"

I struggled for what felt like five minutes before they finally released me. We all exchanged glances, a mix of relief and awkwardness hanging in the air.

They explained that after our separation, they had tried to catch up to me, but I had moved too quickly, and they lost track of me. Word had spread that the person Kim Ha-Joon was hunting had perished in battle, and that my body was being kept in the Forest of Beginning—or at least, that's what people were calling it now.

I told them the story of how I ended up learning the beast language. Of course, I kept the part about the fire goddess a secret, as well as the details of why I hadn't actually died, which left everyone speechless.

"Your class is so strange," Eun-Woo said, his voice filled with concern. "But the effect... it leaves you so vulnerable. Nine days is more than enough for your enemies to find you. If word spreads, people will wait to kill you during your transformation."

I reassured him, shrugging it off, "As long as I find a good hiding spot next time and don't consume souls recklessly, it'll be fine."

Eun-Woo nodded, but I could still see the worry in his eyes.

"Also, I noticed something else—your eye color..." Kim Seong-Hoon said, pausing for a moment as if trying to find the right words. "They're neon green now. They shine just as brightly as before, but the feeling they give is... chilling. Completely different from when we first met."

"Again?!" I exclaimed.

I don't get it. Why does it keep changing? First purple, now green... What's next? Pink? So annoying.

It was one of the mysteries of my class that I still couldn't understand. Was it because of my transformation? Or because of my new eye ability that I hadn't yet tested?

"It looks great on you," Kim Seong-Hoon added, his tone almost teasing.

I felt my face flush slightly. "Shut up, you idiot," I snapped at him.

Everyone laughed, the tension melting away as we shared a genuine moment. But the laughter didn't last long. Suddenly, the mood shifted, and I could see a heaviness settle over Jieun's expression.

"Big sister Gaon..." Jieun's voice, which had been so cheerful just moments before, now sounded pained. She reached out to me, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"It's okay, little sis, I'll tell her," Kim Seong-Hoon said, gently patting her head. The young girl burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.

He took a deep breath, his voice cracking slightly as he continued. "We visited the goblin village again, hoping to meet Kim Ju-Ho and the others... but when we got there, we found only a pile of burned bodies inside the bloody hut. They're all dead, Gaon... I'm so sorry."

Even Kim Seong-Hoon, trying to keep a brave face, let out a small tear. He then continued, "There was a message left for you. It was written in blood on the walls. It said: 'I'll be waiting for you east from where this village stands. When you see a massive castle that my lackeys built for me, know that I'm there, waiting to take your head.—Kim Ha-Joon.'"

He paused, his fists trembling. "I remember that bastard. He's the one responsible for you being framed. I will kill him for you!"

His roar echoed through the clearing, his irises shifting, taking on a reptilian slit like a lizard's—fiercely draconic—as his aura surged to unimaginable heights.