"A treasure chest?" I murmured under my breath. "I hadn't encountered one in this world before, nor did I expect to. Ever since I killed my first monster, I'd been able to harvest them, but only received a few common items. But this…"
"Big sister?" Kim Seong-Hoon's voice broke through my thoughts, snapping me out of my stupor.
"Ah! Sorry..." I extended my hand to him, helping him to his feet. "How are you feeling?" I felt I should at least ask, even if it felt a bit awkward.
Kim Seong-Hoon accepted my hand, and I pulled him up. His body swayed slightly, so I quickly grabbed him to support his exhausted frame, still holding Malrang tightly with my other arm. "You look better than I expected… at least better than those three." I glanced over at Kang Eun-Woo who was still sitting on the ground inspecting his body, and Jieun, who was hiccupping softly.
"My big sister actually cares about me? I must be dead. If this is heaven, then I don't want to come back to life." He could barely stand, but he was already teasing me? Some people never change, I suppose.
"You fool!" I punched his shoulder lightly, causing him to sway. "Aaah, damn it... hold yourself up!" I panicked, reaching out to steady him. But what happened next made my whole world shift—a soft, warm embrace from Kim Seong-Hoon enveloped me.
"What are you doing!?" I gasped, still struggling to register what was happening.
"Thank you..." An unexpected cry escaped his lips. "Without you, all of us would be dead. So thank you, and I swear, I will never be so useless again. Next time, I will be the one protecting you. I'll grow strong, strong enough to kill anyone who stands in your way. Do you hear me, Lee Gaon? I will fight on the front as you watch me slay your enemies!" His entire body trembled uncontrollably, not from fear, but from determination, a testament to a powerful man who vowed never to fall again.
"I... I..." I froze, unable to speak. A hug from a friend was a completely unfamiliar feeling to me. I wasn't sure if I should stroke his hair and say it's okay not to be tough, that I could stand in front and protect them all, or if I should push him away and tell him to grow up and stop crying. But that's not me; I'm not good with human emotions.
"It's okay, big sis." He pushed himself off me and smiled warmly. "Forget that ever happened. I never cried, okay?" He patted the back of his head awkwardly. "No, seriously, never tell anyone. Please!"
"I still have some unfinished business with you, if I remember correctly. When I was in the air, where exactly were you looking?" I said in an angry tone, waiting for his response.
"I was... I was admiring a beauty! Not my fault!" He jumped back in an instant, just before my scythe slashed through the air where he had been standing.
"You got lucky!" I shouted, chasing after him, but he started darting behind the other two like a kid playing tag. "Come here, Kim Seong-Hoon, and meet your death!" I was furious, remembering the time he sneaked a glance under my dress.
"Big sister, I swear it wasn't my fault! It just happened because I was concerned for you. Blame the one who made you wear that, not me!" he cried out, squealing like a mouse.
"You shameless fool!" I shouted, careful not to hit Kang Eun-Woo or Jieun. "Malrang, help me catch him!"
"Woo!" Malrang relaxed slightly in my embrace, and with a poof, she teleported through the air, appearing on Kim Seong-Hoon's shoulder, looking at me teasingly.
"Even you? You're taking his side? Aaah! You are both…" I dismissed my scythe, and it disappeared back into me. "Fine, you're going to live, but only because of Malrang..." I felt betrayed—even the one I trusted most had decided to side with that idiot.
"Ha... ha... Hahaha... That was fun! Big bro and big sister, you're both so funny." Jieun finally snapped out of her hysterical state, laughing heartily, just like before.
"I see... so that's how it is! I admire you, Kim Seong-Hoon—you have a good eye." Kang Eun-Woo had also recovered and now looked better, nodding at Kim Seong-Hoon with approval. He gave a thumbs-up, as if to say, 'good job'. But for what?
I looked around me. People were laughing and having fun—the complete opposite of my last few years of solitude. I smiled, but why? I wasn't sure... My heart was a mess. Part of me wanted to run away, to leave everyone behind and be alone, yet something inside me craved company. Is that why I stayed? Is that why I chose to save them?
"Thank you, big sis Gaon!" Jieun rushed to me, hugging my legs tightly and sinking into my black and gold dress. "You know... ever since I was summoned to this world, I've felt lonely, and I miss my parents and siblings a lot. But… with you around, I feel happy. I want to be as strong as you, so I can train myself and not be in your way next time!"
The words escaping this little girl's lips didn't match her age at all. She had matured fast—perhaps too fast... I wondered if that was related to the world system and Soul Power. I couldn't help but entertain the thought.
Suddenly, Kang Eun-Woo wrapped his hands around Jieun's waist and lifted her, seating her on his shoulders. "Your big sister needs to rest; she fought hard for us. How about I give you a piggyback ride, hmm?" Jieun was ecstatic, gladly accepting the offer.
Kang Eun-Woo turned to me, eyes sparkling, and declared with a smile, "I, Kang Eun-Woo, will serve you as your knight from now on, Lee Gaon. I will stand at your front, shielding you till the day I die! I owe you my life!" His expression was serious, as if he were reporting to a commanding officer.
I sighed, unable to accept his words. "First of all, it's just Gaon—we're friends, right?" I said warmly. "And secondly, you were the first to save me, so you don't owe me anything. Let's travel together as a team. How about that?" I extended my hand to him.
His face beamed like the sun, and he quickly grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Of course! I'm so happy to have you as a friend. Please, call me Eun-Woo from now on, if you don't mind."
"Of course!" We shook hands, sealing our bond.
"Hey! I was the first one to meet you, yet I'm the only one you call by my full name..." Kim Seong-Hoon pouted from a distance, either observing the chest or just too afraid to get close to me. "That's so unfair! Call me Seong-Hoon too!"
"I'd rather die..." I spat, not caring about him in the slightest.
"Aaargh... my heart! You broke my heart!" He started acting like a fool again, clearly feeling better. Should I slice him up, or feed him to a beast someday? Suddenly, he shivered, as if he could sense what I was thinking.
"Enough playing around. I believe each of you gained nine levels, right?" I asked, curious if the party experience had truly been divided equally. Everyone nodded in agreement after checking their profiles.
"Wow! I gained so many stats and skills!" Eun-Woo exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
"Me too!" Jieun joined in his celebration. "Look, look! This skill sounds so pretty and mysterious—Celestial Guardian!" Suddenly, the entire hall shook as a ten-meter-long flood dragon, made of celestial light, swam through the space, dancing around us before disappearing into thin air. "So cool!" Jieun was practically screaming in excitement.
"I'm glad you're excited, but what if you make the ceiling crumble on us? Don't let your excitement take over—skills like that should be used outside, not indoors!" Eun-Woo scolded her, which only triggered a cute 'I didn't do it on purpose!' reaction from Jieun.
"You all need to come and check this out!" Kim Seong-Hoon lifted the lid of the golden chest, releasing a powerful aura that filled the entire space with a bright blaze of golden fire. However, the fire didn't burn us; instead, it felt warm, almost nourishing. In that moment, I felt something shift deep within— a small golden fire, unknown to me, took root in my soul, which one day would change our lives greatly.
"These flames... I can feel my soul growing stronger..." Kim Seong-Hoon spoke in amazement. After all, his soul power was second only to mine.
"What's inside the chest?" I was dying to know what secrets this treasure chest held.
"Woo!" Malrang barked from Kim Seong-Hoon's shoulder, indicating she had spotted something amazing.
"So much loot!" Eun-Woo added.
"I want that violet dress!" Jieun was already rushing forward, as if it were Christmas morning.
"Look at this armor! It looks just like the one that monster wore, but it's a perfect fit for me!" Eun-Woo grabbed an exact replica of the Fallen King's armor, which would make him look even more striking when wielding his shield and hammer.
"What is this pill?" Jieun asked, picking up a small round object. It was completely purple, with tiny violet flames engraved on its surface.
"Woo!!!" Malrang leapt from Kim Seong-Hoon's shoulder, snatching the core in an instant and eating it immediately. In the next moment, Malrang grew a few inches taller and sprouted a second tail.
"Malrang! So cute! Let me touch your tail!" Jieun quickly gave chase as the fox fled, disappearing into the hall.
"Is it just me, or is this chest filled with items that suit each of us perfectly?" Kim Seong-Hoon's words hit me like thunder as he pulled out a pure black warrior's hanbok, which looked incredibly sturdy and mysterious, as if not even fire could damage it.
"Then is there anything else inside?" I moved closer to the chest, peeking in, only to find a small black necklace adorned with pure gold. I reached for it, and as soon as my fingers made contact, I felt my soul power surge, as if it were being amplified. "What is this thing...?" Inspect!
-Necklace of the Demon Lord: A rare artifact that enhances the user's soul power by 10%.-
Again with the demon lord... it sounds cool, but... It deeply concerned me, why would I keep running into darkness and why am I drawn so close to it?
"What is that necklace, Gaon? I can't see past it with my Inspect skill." Eun-Woo's face was filled with concern; the item gave off an eerie aura, as if it were an artifact of evil.
"It's just an old necklace that boosts my soul power—nothing special." I had to hide my affinity for darkness and the powers I didn't yet understand myself.
He did not push the topic anymore, I believe he understood that everybody had their own secrets no matter how close we were.
For the next ten minutes, everyone but me took turns changing into their new outfits. Jieun now wore a cute violet dress that shimmered in deep hues, like a piece of the night sky, adorned with constellations woven in silver and gold. Celestial flames flickered along the flowing sleeves and hem, casting a soft, starlit glow around her as if she wore the heavens themselves.
Kim Seong-Hoon's pure black warrior Hanbok exuded strength and dignity, the silver embroidery and dark steel accents reflecting his pride. Light armor plates on his shoulders and chest added a formidable edge, as if he embodied the essence of a warrior's unyielding spirit. But he still looks like a fool.
Eun-Woo's armor shone with the brilliance of polished gold, encrusted with diamonds that sparkled like stars. The regal breastplate and shoulder guards framed him in light, while a crimson cape flowed from his shoulders, marking him as a warrior-king reborn.
"Are you all done?" I asked impatiently, absentmindedly playing with Malrang's new tail. "We need to move to the second trial area. I'm not sure if any of you heard, but this time, I won't be able to participate. However, if you succeed, you'll all become rulers alongside me!" I tried to lift their spirits, just as I used to in MMORPG games when leading a party.
"Hell yeah! Let's go! I can't wait to become a ruler!" Eun-Woo roared in excitement, while Kim Seong-Hoon and Jieun held hands, swinging them happily. I felt a soft paw tap my cheek as Malrang gave me an enthusiastic poke of agreement.
"Let's go!" I shouted, keeping the mood high. "We're ready to proceed to the next trial!" Suddenly, the left side of the wall crumbled, flooding the hall with daylight and making us squint. A new path had opened before us, leading to a brand-new challenge.