I picked up a person in the mountains.

To be precise, the person picked a fight first.

It was just after the rain had stopped. As I climbed the mountainside, stepping on the damp stone stairs, a pinecone fell from above my head. When I turned my head to avoid it, a second one flew, aimed precisely at the crown of my head.

After catching it with my hand and looking up, I saw a man sitting on a pine branch.

His long black hair was tied high, with the rest falling nearly to his waist. He wore a white outer robe loosely over black martial attire, but his sleeves were torn. A sword was slung across his back, and he held an unknown blade of grass in his mouth.

For a disciple of an Orthodox sect, his sitting posture was terrible.

◆ “You caught the second one too.”

The man smiled and jumped down from the branch. Even as he landed on the wet dirt floor, there was almost no sound of footsteps.

◆ “Usually, people look up at the first one and get hit in the forehead by the second.”

◇ “If you had thrown a third one, I would have embedded it in your forehead.”

◆ “I’m curious about that too.”

He actually started rummaging through his pockets.

Only after you placed your hand on your sword hilt did the man show his empty hands, looking disappointed.

◆ “I’m out. I ran out of pinecones.”

◇ “You’ll be out of life soon, too.”

◆ “That’s a bit harsh. I just wanted to ask for directions.”

◇ “Which sect starts by throwing pinecones at someone’s head when asking for directions?”

◆ “Changmyeong Sword Sect.”

The man held up a silver plaque hanging near his chest. It was a famous Orthodox sect in the Shandong area. Their swordsmanship was fast and efficient, earning them a good reputation among the younger generation. There was a rumor that the current Sect Leader’s third disciple was particularly outstanding.

You looked back and forth between the plaque and the man’s face.

◇ “The forgery is quite convincing.”

◆ “It’s real.”

◇ “A disciple of the Changmyeong Sword Sect is lost and wandering in the mountains?”

◆ “I know the way.”

◇ “Then why ask?”

◆ “I wanted to know where you were going.”

The man answered so confidently that you were momentarily speechless.

He looked down at the small wooden plaque hanging from your waist. The pattern was half-hidden by your collar, but he seemed to have recognized it already.

◆ “Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons?”

◇ “You asked even though you knew.”

◆ “It’s my first time seeing one in person. I heard that even the grass dies when people from the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons get close.”

◇ “Want to find out?”

◆ “Yes.”

The answer was too fast.

The man took a step closer. When you didn’t back down, he lowered his head to look closely at the wooden plaque. His eyes crinkled whenever he smiled. It was a face completely devoid of wariness.

You slipped a poison needle hidden in your sleeve between your fingers.

◇ “Come any closer and you die.”

◆ “How many steps are okay?”

◇ “Not even one.”

◆ “I’ve already taken three steps and I’m fine.”

◇ “You were just lucky.”

◆ “Then I should test the fourth one too.”

The moment he stepped forward, the poison needle flew.

The man twisted his head to avoid the needle. He didn’t even draw his sword. The needle embedded itself in the pine tree behind him, and the bark turned black from the point of contact.

Only then did the man’s eyes widen.

◆ “It’s real poison.”

◇ “Did you think it was a joke?”

◆ “A little.”

He went to inspect the black, rotting tree.

When he tried to touch it with his finger, you asked if he was crazy, and the man withdrew his hand with a laugh.

◆ “I won’t touch it. I’m not that much of an idiot.”

◇ “I’m saying this because you seem like an even bigger idiot than that.”

◆ “I’m Kang Jinhwi.”

He gave a name you hadn’t asked for.

The third disciple of the Changmyeong Sword Sect. He was the subject of a rumor that he had beaten a tiger to death with his bare hands. However, he went around correcting people, saying it wasn’t a tiger but a leopard cat. Despite the rumor growing excessively large for just catching a leopard cat, he didn’t seem particularly aggrieved.

When you didn’t reveal your name, Kang Jinhwi arbitrarily started calling you ‘Poisoner.’

◆ “Why did the Poisoner come to this mountain?”

◇ “To pick herbs.”

◆ “Liar.”

◇ “Your reasoning?”

◆ “For someone picking herbs, you don’t have a basket.”

◇ “I can put them in my robe.”

◆ “Then what about a shovel?”

◇ “I dig with my hands.”

◆ “Your fingernails are clean, though.”

When you glared at him, Kang Jinhwi laughed joyfully.

He was more observant than expected. Unlike his vacant expression, he was examining everything—your hands, the dirt on your shoes, and even the weight of your sleeves.

◆ “You’re going to the abandoned temple at the top of the mountain, right?”

He asked.

◆ “Three people died there. Two were stabbed by spears, and one’s body melted. Spears are the White Sand Union, poison is the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons. It’s strange for two sects that hate each other to be in the same place.”

◇ “Is that why you followed me?”

◆ “No.”

Kang Jinhwi gave a wide grin.

◆ “I saw you kill someone at the foot of the mountain.”

Your hand went back into your sleeve.

He was still smiling. He didn't seem to have any intention of reporting you or discussing justice. Instead, as if he had been waiting for this, he adjusted his scabbard over his shoulder.

◆ “That guy was from the White Sand Union.”

◇ “So?”

◆ “How did you kill him?”

◇ “…….”

◆ “You didn’t use a needle, and there was no blood. You didn’t even press his throat, but he suddenly knelt down and died. His tongue was blue and his fingertips were red. It’s a poison I’ve never seen before.”

He seemed to have examined the corpse quite closely.

◆ “I followed you because I was curious.”

◇ “Do you always tail people so loudly?”

◆ “I thought I was caught halfway through.”

◇ “I knew from the start.”

◆ “That’s a bit of a blow to my pride.”

Even as he said that, he didn't seem displeased at all. If anything, he looked like he liked you even more.

You left him behind and started climbing the mountain first.

Kang Jinhwi naturally followed. Even when the stone stairs ended and the path narrowed, or when the fog grew thick and obscured the view, the distance remained constant. He even matched the order of the stones you stepped on. When you deliberately moved your foot to a different side, he moved his too.

◇ “Stop following me.”

◆ “No.”

◇ “Is an Orthodox disciple allowed to follow someone from an Unorthodox sect around like a puppy?”

◆ “It’s fine as long as I don’t get caught.”

◇ “I’ve already seen you.”

◆ “Poisoner, you’re not the type to tell others.”

Kang Jinhwi was right. That made it even more annoying.

As we passed the middle of the mountain, the smell of blood wafted through the air.

In front of the abandoned temple, a flag engraved with the mark of the White Sand Union was planted. Seven corpses were scattered in the yard, and no living souls were in sight. From the innermost prayer hall, the sound of something being dragged could be heard.

Before you could even take out your poison, Kang Jinhwi stepped forward.

◆ “I’ll borrow this for a second.”

He snatched a small medicine bottle from your waist.

◇ “Don’t open that.”

◆ “Will I die if I drink it?”

◇ “Even if you just open the lid—”

Kang Jinhwi threw the bottle into the prayer hall.

As the blue powder spread, screams erupted from inside. Those who had been hiding came rushing out, coughing. Only then did Kang Jinhwi draw his sword.

His swordsmanship was different from the rumors.

They said the swords of the Changmyeong Sword Sect were fast and precise. Kang Jinhwi’s sword was also fast. The problem was that he deliberately missed the spots where he should have been precise.

He could have cut a throat in one stroke, but he cut a shoulder. He could have pierced a heart, but he skewered a thigh. If an opponent dropped their sword, he picked it up and gave it back to them.

◆ “Grab it.”

He kicked the sword toward the man who had collapsed, bleeding.

◆ “Again.”

The man had the same smile on his face as when we first met on the mountain path. His breathing wasn't even labored. Only his eyes were different. They were bright, like a child who had discovered a fascinating toy.

When the opponent tried to flee, Kang Jinhwi slashed his ankle.

◆ “Where are you going?”

His voice was low and gentle.

◆ “You’re still alive.”

By the time you finished off the last one, Kang Jinhwi was looking down at the person remaining on his side. The opponent didn't even have the strength to hold a sword anymore.

“Spare me….”

◆ “Why?”

He asked, as if he were truly curious.

◆ “What will you do if you live?”

When no answer came, Kang Jinhwi thought for a moment. Then he sheathed his sword.

◆ “Tell me when you think of an answer.”

He left the man alive and returned to you. Even though blood had splattered on his cheek, he didn't seem to have any intention of wiping it off.

◆ “Poisoner.”

He shook the empty medicine bottle.

◆ “Is there an antidote for this?”

◇ “No.”

◆ “Then that man will die soon.”

◇ “You inhaled it too, so you’ll die soon as well.”

Kang Jinhwi stopped.

You expected his face to stiffen. But he blinked for a moment and then began to laugh out loud.

◆ “I see.”

It wasn't the reaction of someone who had just heard of their own death.

◆ “How much time is left?”

◇ “Half an hour.”

◆ “Can it be detoxified?”

◇ “I can do it.”

◆ “Then it’s fine.”

He flicked the blood off his sword and sheathed it.

◆ “I just have to make sure I don’t lose you until you detoxify me.”

A chill ran down your spine.

Kang Jinhwi smiled and slashed his own wrist with his sword. He held out the bleeding wound as if to show it off.

◆ “I was curious about how your poison spreads.”

◇ “You… inhaled it on purpose?”

◆ “Yes.”

◇ “Even though there’s no guarantee I’ll detoxify you?”

◆ “That’s why I have to get it out of you starting now.”

He took a step closer.

He had the same light, good-natured face as he did at the foot of the mountain. However, this time, every time you backed away, he followed you exactly.

◆ “First, tell me your name.”

◇ “What if I refuse?”

◆ “Then let’s keep fighting until the poison spreads.”

◇ “Do you want to die?”

◆ “No.”

Kang Jinhwi laughed.

◆ “I want to go right to the brink of death.”

He didn't draw his sword. Instead, he waited patiently for you to take out your poison needles. As if he were looking forward to the next move.

Only then did you realize.

The reason Kang Jinhwi followed you from the foot of the mountain wasn't the incident, nor the White Sand Union.

He followed you after seeing you kill a person.

Because he was curious about the unfamiliar poison.

Because he wanted to know how far he could be broken by that poison.

And perhaps, if he survived, to demand something even more toxic next time.

◆ “Why that face?”

Kang Jinhwi asked.

◆ “Is this your first time seeing a crazy person?”

◇ “Is there anyone in your sect who knows your condition?”

◆ “Yes. My master.”

◇ “What did he say?”

◆ “He told me never to fight people if I go down the mountain.”

◇ “And yet you came down.”

◆ “So I’m going to get in trouble.”

He laughed as if it were nothing and reached his bleeding hand toward you.

◆ “Detoxify me.”

◇ “No.”

◆ “Then I’ll have to take it from you.”

◇ “How do you even know where the antidote is?”

Kang Jinhwi’s gaze slowly swept over your body. From the medicine pouch at your waist to the inside of your sleeves and your chest.

◆ “I’ll find it if I search you one by one.”

There was no hint of lewdness in those words.

That made it even worse.

To him, you were neither man nor woman, Orthodox nor Unorthodox. You were simply the person who could kill him in a way he had never seen before. For now, that was all.

◆ “You can run away.”

Kang Jinhwi said kindly.

◆ “I prefer being the one who chases.”

The bleeding man gave a bright smile.

Seeing that smile, one thing was certain.

The reason the Sect Leader of the Changmyeong Sword Sect didn't let his third disciple leave the mountain wasn't because he cherished him.

It was because he was something that should never be let loose, and now, someone had accidentally unleashed him.