Chapter 237
Departing
The next morning, Han Myungho arrived at the inn district in his old, worn-out SUV.
“These are the materials we could gather regarding Machine Heaven,” he said, handing a stack of papers to Jang Mokhwa, who wore an elegant mask.
Instead of immediately examining the documents, Jang Mokhwa asked a question.
“Did Song, the Watcher, not come looking for you?”
Han Myungho nodded slightly.
“Yes, we talked. But it wasn’t necessary.”
“Seems like he’s determined. A person with a very strong will,” Jang Mokhwa murmured to herself.
At that moment, Seong Geonwoo stepped in.
“Where are you planning to go next?”
“Why do you ask?”
Han Myungho instinctively questioned back, even though he wasn’t a follower of the Boundary Sect. Spending so much time at Redstone Market had subtly influenced his instincts. Also, not revealing information about his own movements was a habit developed from years as an experienced relic hunter.
Seong Geonwoo answered honestly.
“We need to observe you.”
“What?”
A blank expression crossed Han Myungho’s face.
Seong Geonwoo took a step further.
“As a friend, observing your life and taking an interest in your condition is perfectly normal, isn’t it?”
“Friend…”
Han Myungho murmured the word quietly, sounding slightly surprised.
A few seconds later, he let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“I’ll head to First City. There are plenty of opportunities, and it’s far more complicated than here. A place like that suits someone like me perfectly.”
Jang Mokhwa nodded thoughtfully.
“I heard the Senate is training a derivative army.”
The army, scorned and hated by the residents of First City, had no choice but to depend entirely on the Senate’s authority. If abandoned, they could no longer survive in First City and would have to relocate en masse to the mining district.
This ensured that the Senate’s rulers could maintain a loyal, obedient, and combat-ready army.
“That’s none of my concern. I’ll be off then.”
Han Myungho replied briefly and turned his back.
“I’ll come looking for you in First City later!”
Seong Geonwoo waved his hand in disappointment, clearly wishing he could follow him.
After a few steps, Han Myungho paused, seemingly lost in thought, then turned his head just slightly as if to nod invisibly.
“See you again.”
“See you.”
Jang Mokhwa, Yong Yeohong, and Baek Saebyeok responded to his farewell.
Han Myungho exhaled slowly, opened the SUV door, and climbed into the driver’s seat.
He drove westward through the ruined city until he reached an open area by a lakeside.
Here, city guards were taking turns shooting at multiple targets, practicing from prone, kneeling, and standing positions to improve their marksmanship.
“Captain Han!”
The guards in the resting area, some using Redriver language, shouted in unison upon seeing him exit the vehicle.
Han Myungho’s face looked momentarily blank, but he soon smiled.
“How’s the training going?”
He repeated the question in Redriver language, addressing all the guards equally.
Expressionless Do Jehoon stepped forward.
“The skills of all the guards have improved quite a bit recently. Training together and conversing has increased our efficiency.”
For the past three years, tensions and boundaries between Ashlanders and Redriver residents, along with reverence for secrecy, had made it impossible to organize a joint training group. Han Myungho had trained the guards in shifts.
The recent attack by the derivative coalition allowed Redstone Market residents to train together without extreme tension, sharing conversation and cooperation. The tragedy, with countless lost relatives, friends, and bloodshed, had deeply motivated them.
Thanks to Han Myungho’s guidance, Ashlanders and Redriver residents were placed in mixed squads, depending on each other in the crisis, ultimately building trust.
Han Myungho smiled again.
“Excellent.”
At that moment, a yellow-haired Redriver stepped forward.
“Captain Han, we’re currently just short on ammunition.”
The town guards weren’t completely out of ammo—they had to save some for potential sudden attacks from derivative coalition forces or bandits, limiting live-fire training.
Han Myungho nodded slightly.
“Send someone to Anhevas. They offered to contribute to the town, after all.”
At his words, both Redriver and Ashlander guards burst into laughter. Though spoken in Redriver language, Ashlanders understood enough to follow along.
“Yes, Captain Han!”
After issuing his orders, Han Myungho walked toward the shooting range, with Do Jehoon following him.
“After the recent events, the guards finally recognize you as their real captain. The defensive line you held saw the fiercest battle,” Do Jehoon said expressionlessly. Han Myungho said nothing in response.
As he walked, the guards at the shooting range turned to greet him.
“Captain Han.”
“Captain Han.”
“Captain Han.”
Reaching the end of the range, Han Myungho closed his eyes, then opened them to survey the area. Redriver residents with various hair colors and Ashlanders with black hair and brown eyes were all gathered. Some still felt awkward; others displayed caution, but occasional conversations occurred.
Han Myungho turned to Do Jehoon.
“Keep a good eye on the guards.”
“Understood.”
Do Jehoon watched Han Myungho walk back to his black SUV outside the shooting range.
Sitting in the SUV, Han Myungho remained still for several tens of seconds before starting the engine and heading back to Redstone Market.
Entering underground passages, he measured his path, taking slow, deep breaths.
Arriving inside Redstone Market, he took the escalator down. Passing an old-world billboard, he knocked on its surface.
“Everything all right?”
A voice echoed from within the metallic sign.
“All good. Normal.”
“Don’t forget to take turns resting,” the officer inside said.
Finishing his check, Han Myungho prepared to ride the escalator to the lowest floor when the officer called out:
“Good morning, Captain Han!”
Startled, Han Myungho slowly turned and smiled.
“Good morning.”
There were only two hidden staff members inside the otherwise empty precinct.
Han Myungho approached his desk, observing it for a moment before carefully taking a letter from his pocket. Placing it under an empty cup, he slowly scanned the familiar desk, chair, furniture, and walls.
Finally, he sighed and walked toward the door.
On the upward escalator, Han Myungho looked up, surveying the empty, cold town.
Leaving the village, he drove the old SUV northwest toward the ruined city outskirts.
After some time, hills on the edge of the ruins came into view. Reflexively, Han Myungho braked.
Through the rearview mirror, the incomplete and desolate city appeared faintly golden in the midday sun—like a golden coat or a golden winter blanket.
After watching the scene for a while, Han Myungho glanced away, fiddled with the rifle beside him, and lifted his foot off the brake.
The SUV sped through the empty Ashland, passing the hills and desolate fields.
The rescue team, having received the Machine Heaven materials, went to the Boundary Church to bid farewell to Song Hagyun.
They had participated in last night’s Anhon ritual, praying for those who died in the war.
While hide-and-seek wasn’t part of the Boundary Sect’s Anhon ritual, all participants wore masks, like attending a sorrowful masquerade.
Seong Geonwoo, though not playing hide-and-seek, took the ritual seriously.
After leaving the church and getting into the jeep, Yong Yeohong spotted boys playing on the ruins of a nearby building.
Among them was the yellow-haired Biel.
“Huh, I thought they were adults,” Yong Yeohong muttered.
Without seeing this, he might have forgotten Biel’s age. Biel’s mysterious behavior and strange speech made it difficult to recall, and his penchant for observing reality from ventilation ducts made him seem far more mature than his peers.
“That kid definitely has something going on. But we’re not local law enforcement who must investigate potential problems,” Jang Mokhwa said with a smile.
Meanwhile, Baek Saebyeok was driving today.
Seong Geonwoo glanced back at the Boundary Church, looking as if he didn’t want to leave.
“Still holding some attachment?” Jang Mokhwa asked.
“Yes. The merfolk, mountain spirits, Ashlanders, and Redriver residents here haven’t yet found a way to live together harmoniously,” Seong Geonwoo answered seriously.
After a moment of silence, Jang Mokhwa replied:
“That will take time. Besides, Watcher Song is thinking the same thing. We’ll come back anyway, and on the way back from Machine Heaven, we can stop by. Then you can do whatever you want, depending on the situation.”
Seong Geonwoo hesitated, then suddenly exclaimed:
“Then I’ll tell all the Redstone Market residents this: I’m back!”
‘I doubt anyone will welcome me.’ Yong Yeohong thought quietly.
The rescue team, having packed all their belongings, had no need to return to the inn district. The jeep headed south toward Machine Heaven.
Outside the church, a boy about Biel’s age grumbled from the edge of a collapsed building. His eyes were dark green.
“Why didn’t you come when we buried our dad? Are we really friends?”
Biel, sitting beside him, pouted.
“You know I don’t like that guy. He always teased me about my height.”
The jeep traveled south along a rough, poorly maintained road, barely preserved between high mountains and steep hills.
Today, the rescue team’s destination was a place called Tarnan.
The only external trade post established by Machine Heaven, its existence was known only to trusted parties or those providing critical strategic materials. Redstone Market and With City were among them.
Transport-focused merchants, however, had no access. Machine Heaven was a large power with no shortage of transport means.
The four of them currently held the identity of With City trade representatives. This identity, acquired cheaply from Huh Yangwon, chairman of Seong Geonwoo’s fraternal With City branch, was officially valid.
Before leaving Redstone Market, they had requested preliminary credentials from Watcher Song Hagyun, confirming their trade representative status as a precaution if Huh Yangwon ceased considering Seong Geonwoo as a brother.
Of course, Huh Yangwon wouldn’t act against Jang Mokhwa or Seong Geonwoo, but he might send a small, petty message to Machine Heaven claiming the four were liars.
