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 stepped onto the damp stone stairs to climb the mountainside, a pinecone fell from above. When I turned my head to avoid it, a second one flew, aimed precisely at the crown of my head.

After catching it in 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 clothes, but his sleeves were torn. A sword was strapped to his back, and he held an unknown blade of grass in his mouth.

For a disciple of an Orthodox sect, his 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 ground, he made almost no sound.

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

◇ “If you had thrown a third, 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 with a look of disappointment.

◆ “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 region. Their swordsmanship was fast and efficient, earning them a good reputation among the younger generation. There were rumors 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 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. Although the pattern was half-hidden by your collar, he seemed to have already recognized it.

◆ “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 leaned his head down to examine the wooden plaque closely. The corners of his eyes curved whenever he smiled. It was a face completely devoid of wariness.

You tucked 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 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 over 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 it because you seem like an even bigger idiot than that.”

◆ “I’m Kang Jinhwi.”

He gave a name you hadn't even asked for.

The third disciple of the Changmyeong Sword Sect. The protagonist of the rumor that he beat a tiger to death with his bare hands. However, he himself went around correcting people, saying it wasn't a tiger but a leopard cat. Even though the rumor grew excessively large for just catching a leopard cat, he didn't seem particularly bothered by it.

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 robes.”

◆ “Then what about a shovel?”

◇ “I dig with my hands.”

◆ “Your fingernails are clean, though.”

As you glared, Kang Jinhwi laughed joyfully.

He was more observant than he looked. Unlike his dazed 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 up the mountain, right?”

He asked.

◆ “Three people died there. Two were stabbed by spears, and one’s body melted. Spears are White Serpent Alliance, poison is 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 grinned.

◆ “I saw you kill a man 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, he adjusted his scabbard over his shoulder.

◆ “That guy was from the White Serpent Alliance.”

◇ “And?”

◆ “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 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 look displeased at all. If anything, he looked even more intrigued.

You left him behind and started up the mountain first.

Kang Jinhwi naturally followed. Even when the stone stairs ended and the path narrowed, or when the fog thickened and obscured the view, the distance remained constant. He even stepped in the same order as you. When you intentionally stepped elsewhere, he followed suit.

◇ “Stop following me.”

◆ “No.”

◇ “Is an Orthodox disciple allowed to tag along behind someone from an Unorthodox sect?”

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

◇ “I’ve already seen you.”

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

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

After passing the mountainside, the smell of blood filled the air.

A flag engraved with the mark of the White Serpent Alliance was planted in front of the abandoned temple. Seven corpses were scattered in the yard, and no living souls were in sight. The sound of something being dragged came from the innermost prayer hall.

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 cap—”

Kang Jinhwi threw the bottle into the prayer hall.

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

His swordsmanship was different from the rumors.

They said the Changmyeong Sword Sect's style was fast and precise. Kang Jinhwi's sword was indeed fast. The problem was that he intentionally missed the spots where he should have been precise.

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

◆ “Take it.”

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

◆ “Again.”

The man's face wore the same smile as when you 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 left 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 person will die soon.”

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

Kang Jinhwi stopped.

You expected his face to stiffen. However, 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 how your poison spreads.”

◇ “You... 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.

His face was light and personable, just as it had been at the foot of the mountain. However, this time, every time you backed away, he followed exactly.

◆ “Tell me your name first.”

◇ “And 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 Serpent Alliance.

He followed you after seeing you kill a person.

Because he was curious about the poison he had never seen before.

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

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

◆ “Why that face?”

Kang Jinhwi asked.

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

◇ “Does anyone in the Orthodox sects know your condition?”

◆ “Yes. My Master.”

◇ “What did he say?”

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

◇ “But you came down anyway.”

◆ “So I’m going to get in trouble.”

He laughed nonchalantly and reached his bleeding hand toward you.

◆ “Detoxify me.”

◇ “No.”

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

◇ “Do you even know where the antidote is?”

Kang Jinhwi's gaze slowly scanned your body. The medicine pouch at your waist, inside your sleeves, inside your robes.

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

There was no hint of lewdness in his words.

Which made it even worse.

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

◆ “You can run.”

Kang Jinhwi said kindly.

◆ “I prefer being the one who chases.”

The bleeding bastard smiled brightly.

Looking at that smile, one thing became crystal clear.

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

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