Dancing on the golden ashes

I stood silently, gazing at the sky for what felt like an eternity. But I knew it was time to move. I had to check the situation in the palace, and my friends were most likely growing worried. It had been too long.

It's time for me to go back.

Still, I appreciated their restraint. They hadn't come to interfere, and for that, I felt a flicker of gratitude. Perhaps they were finally beginning to truly understand me.

It took only a moment. I used Space Shatter, stepping through the void and reappearing in the smoldering remains of the palace. Everything was in ruins.

The ground was littered with corpses, carefully lined up in neat rows. Cloths covered their faces, but I could no longer sense their souls lingering within. Soul Harvest was no longer an option.

For some reason, that realization unsettled me. It shouldn't have mattered, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I'd wasted a valuable opportunity to grow stronger.

"Big sis! You're back!" Kim Seong-Hoon called out as he rushed to meet me. His arm, now reattached, looked as good as new, as if the gruesome injury had never happened. Several hours had passed, and all their wounds seemed to have healed.

"Are you all okay?" I asked hesitantly, my voice faltering. I knew this massacre would leave scars—not just on their bodies, but on their minds. For some reason, I couldn't help but blame myself for that.

"We're fine..." Eun-Woo replied, his voice heavy with sadness. But I knew that wasn't true.

His clenched fists trembled at his sides, and his eyes burned with internal conflict, betraying the truth he couldn't say aloud.

I walked past Kim Seong-Hoon, stopping in front of Eun-Woo. Gently, I placed my fist against his chest, looking him directly in the eyes.

"What you did today may feel unnatural—it may feel wrong," I said in an assuring tone. "But sometimes, that's the only answer. You don't have to blame yourself for it. If you hadn't drawn your blade, they would have killed you—or worse, what if they had killed one of us?"

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "That would only have damaged your soul even more. When it comes to protecting the people who are important to you, it's okay to take a life. You don't do it for yourself—you do it for the sake of others."

"Gaon..." His eyes glistened, slightly watery, but within them burned a newfound determination. It was as if a dormant beast had awakened—a protector ready to shield those he held dear and crush anyone who threatened their safety.

"Thank you," he said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I feel much better now. It still feels wrong, and maybe I'll never be able to fully live with it. But, as you said, I'll follow those words."

"Good." I smiled warmly at him, a rare softness surfacing. Despite everything, some part of me truly enjoyed being with this group.

"Big sister Gaon, are you okay?" Jieun asked softly, her voice filled with concern. Yet her face betrayed no regret for the life she had taken. She was growing too fast—too mature for her age. It made me proud, but it also scared me. What would this child become someday?

"I'm good," I replied, my voice steady but distant. "I took my revenge, but there are many more to come. I wonder... will you stand by my side on this journey? I hope my friends will stay with me..."

I turned away from them, my gaze drifting to the empty air as the words hung in the space between us. It felt strange—almost embarrassing—to admit it aloud.

"Hahaha! I can't believe big sis said those words! Of course, we'll stay by your side—where else would we go?" Kim Seong-Hoon's booming voice echoed across the sky.

"So... does that mean I'm your friend now too?" he teased, a wide grin spreading across his face as he leapt toward me, arms outstretched for a hug.

I instinctively moved to dodge, but that mischievous fox, Malrang, darted to my side and blocked my escape. Before I could react, that bastard wrapped his arms around me in a triumphant hug.

"Malrang!" I shouted, my voice sharp with irritation.

"Oops... That was an accident. I had nothing to do with this. Hehe," she replied, her tail swishing innocently.

Hehe? This little... Fine, just you wait, Malrang. Let's see how you feel when I 'accidentally' steal your chicken the next time you're not looking.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

I wanted to cry, but no tears came out. I tried to push him away, but his grip was unyielding, as if his life depended on it. The warmth I had never asked for crashed over me, leaving me flustered and unsure of where to hide my reddening face.

"Big sis's body is truly the best—so warm and soft to hug," he blurted out, his voice full of unfiltered enthusiasm.

My face burned hotter, but this time with rage. "Kim Seong-Hoon!" I roared, my temper exploding like a firestorm.

Air Shatter!

Kim Seong-Hoon's body was launched through the air, crashing hard into the ground and obliterating part of the stone wall in the process.

"Don't you dare cross the boundaries, you bastard!" I screamed, my voice echoing with fury.

I was so annoyed with him. Maybe it had been a mistake to let him join. I should've just kept Eun-Woo and Jieun—they at least knew how to respect personal space.

My heart was pounding as if I'd been running at full speed, and my face felt impossibly hot. All I wanted was to crawl under the thickest blanket and disappear.

"That was a really strong attack—you almost took my life! But it's okay," Kim Seong-Hoon groaned, slowly emerging from the rubble of the shattered stone wall. His body trembled, clearly battered, but his teasing grin never faltered. "Since you're my big sis, I'll forgive and forget."

He was like a relentless child, always pushing boundaries, never knowing when to stop.

"Anyway, let's forget about him and leave this place," I said calmly, brushing off the moment as if nothing had happened.

Kim Seong-Hoon's teasing faded into a sad expression, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"Thunder Tempests, to me!" I growled, and the pack quickly gathered around me, their presence both comforting and foreboding.

"What about the bodies of the fallen?" Eun-Woo asked softly as I approached Soo-Ah's lifeless form.

"I'll handle it," I replied, my voice tight. "Let them rest here. But Soo-Ah... we're taking her with us. I want to give her a proper burial."

The ache in my chest surged again, and I felt tears threatening to spill. The pain of losing her hadn't lessened—it refused to recede, clawing at me relentlessly.

I blamed myself for her death, for my own incapability. No matter what, I vowed to never let my friends take my place again. Never.

"Let's move!" I said firmly, placing Soo-Ah's body gently on Lykaon before mounting Ravokar myself. Slowly, we began leaving through the main gate.

"Hey, wait for me!" Kim Seong-Hoon's voice rang out from behind. He scrambled to catch up, mounting Vargrin, who had been waiting patiently for him.

As we moved forward, I cast one last glance at the palace grounds.

"Let the flames consume those who cross my path... Step Three: Death."

Golden flames erupted, spreading rapidly and engulfing the entire palace grounds. The fire roared, merciless and absolute, turning everything into ashes. The once-imposing structure was reduced to nothing, the golden flames bringing death and rest to the countless fallen souls.

We walked slowly as the palace burned behind us, its golden flames marking the end of the fight. It took us about an hour to find the perfect resting place for Soo-Ah—a serene spot beside a tiny spring that gently flowed through the forest.

Your adventure continues at empire

The place was beautiful, untouched, and peaceful. It felt so much like Earth, a fitting place for someone like her to rest.

"Do you want me to do that?" Eun-Woo asked softly, placing a steady hand on my trembling shoulder.

"Ah? No... it's fine..." I replied, though my voice wavered.

"Don't say that," he said gently. "We understand your pain. You don't have to hide it today. Just let it out—and let us take care of this for you."

I sat in the corner with Jieun and Malrang by my side, their presence close and comforting, as if they could somehow console me. Meanwhile, Eun-Woo and Kim Seong-Hoon worked tirelessly, digging a grave with hastily crafted wooden shovels.

It took time—longer than I wanted to bear—but eventually, the hole was deep and dignified.

The wolves, who had disappeared into the forest earlier, returned after ten minutes. In their jaws, they carried delicate white flowers. One by one, they gently placed them beside the grave, their silent tribute adding a touch of purity to the moment.

At last, everything was ready. It was time to give Soo-Ah her final farewell.