For the second day, the Emissaries remained in the small village near the southeastern coast. The paths, overgrown with weeds and debris, led to crumbling houses, some bearing the scars of fire. It was less a village than a ghost of one. The Emissaries chose the houses with the sturdiest doors, chasing away the wild animals that lurked within and clearing the debris. As darkness fell, a handful of soldiers stood guard while the Emissaries rested their weary bodies on the cold, hard floors.

The search proceeded more smoothly than before. They still hadn't found what they were looking for, but thanks to the support Sobi had secured from Ryang, the Emissaries were less exhausted. Most of their manpower was concentrated near the southeastern coast, while a few were scattered throughout Birahng, gathering rumors from the villages. The rumors gathered near the southeastern coast all spoke of the sea, and the farther they ventured from the shore, the stranger the tales became. Sobi didn't report the most outlandish rumors to Norahn.

Norahn and Sobi shared a house in the village, while Cheongro's lodgings were separate. With the workload eased, Cheongro found himself with enough energy to spare after his duties, enough to indulge in idle chatter before sleep. He left his lodgings and headed towards the house where Sobi and Norahn were staying. He entered the small yard and glanced at the two doors. Norahn's room, not his intended destination, was dark, but a faint candlelight flickered from Sobi's room. Cautious not to wake Norahn, Cheongro crept towards the door and called out softly.

"Sobi."

There was no answer.

"Sobi!" he called a bit louder.

Still no response. Cheongro hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open. The smell of dust and mildew wafted from within. Sobi's eyes, narrowed in annoyance, met his.

"I didn't invite you in," she said coldly.

"We're all in this together," Cheongro replied, forcing a smile. "Let's not be so hostile."

Sobi was hunched over a battered, paint-chipped desk, the flickering candlelight barely illuminating the page as she meticulously filled her journal. Cheongro entered the room and settled across from her, his eyes scanning the page. The tiny, tightly packed characters left no space between the lines, and Cheongro couldn't help but marvel at her dedication.

"How's it coming?" he asked casually.

"Why do you care?" Sobi said, her gaze fixed on her work. She was still irritated with Cheongro for his disruptive behavior at the recent meeting.

Cheongro leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I noticed you only brought your favorites along on the ship," he remarked. "What's your game?"

"There's no game," Sobi replied curtly.

"Oh, I think there is," Cheongro said. "This is no ordinary mission. We're searching for the Guardian Crimson."

"Exactly," Sobi countered. "We're searching for the Guardian Crimson. And since anything could happen out there, I can't just bring anyone along. They're trustworthy. I favor them because they've earned my trust."

"If that's the case, why didn't you go yourself?" Cheongro asked.

"If it weren't for my duties to the High Emissary, I would have," Sobi replied. "I'm curious to see what we'll find in the depths of the sea."

"Hopefully not a waterlogged corpse," Cheongro quipped.

Sobi glared at him. "Must you be so crass?"

Cheongro chuckled. "My tongue is the ruby of the Ministry," he said. "Don't try to silence it. Besides, my theatrics have made things easier for everyone, haven't they?"

"More like a child's candy," Sobi scoffed. "And one that dissolves quickly at that. You might be able to charm naive children with your sweet talk, but it won't work on the Guardian, the High Emissary, or the High Councilor. So do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut."

Cheongro merely chuckled in response to Sobi's harsh words. Sobi muttered under her breath and returned her focus to the document before her. An unsettling silence filled the room, and Sobi felt a prickling sensation on her skin. She looked up, her eyes meeting Cheongro's half-lidded gaze.

"Didn't you say your silver tongue was the ruby of the Ministry?" he purred.

Sobi frowned. "What are you implying?"

"How did you manage to charm the High Councilor into providing us with another ship?" Cheongro asked. "What did you do?"

"Was I the only one who heard him say he would provide us with whatever we needed?" Sobi asked back.

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Cheongro laughed. "That were just empty words."

"Empty words are empty words," Sobi countered sharply.

She paused, recalling Ryang's surprisingly gentle demeanor. Though she hadn't disliked him personally, his well-known animosity towards the Ministry made it difficult to accept his kindness. Yet, despite her reservations, she couldn't help but feel that his motives, whatever they may be, were genuine. Ryang's assessment of the Ministry, though critical, had resonated with her.

"He's not a bad person," she admitted quietly.

Cheongro's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. He brought a fist to his lips, his eyes narrowed as he studied Sobi's face.

"It seems the High Councilor has charmed you, not the other way around," he said. "My dear, what did you and your new friend talk about?"

Sobi's eyes widened in surprise. "Excuse me?"

Cheongro, undeterred, pressed on. "What did you and the High Councilor talk about?"

"If you're so curious," Sobi retorted, her eyes blazing, "go ask him yourself."

"I'd rather not lay eyes on that unpleasant face," Cheongro sneered. "Just tell me, my dear."

Sobi straightened, her back rigid with anger. "Call me 'dear' one more time," she hissed, "and I'll rip your tongue out. Now get out."

The chill seeping through the cracks in the walls roused Norahn from his sleep. Though his eyes were closed, he couldn't ignore the incessant bickering coming from the next room. He turned away from the noise, burrowing deeper under the thin blankets. The cold air seeped through the layers, chilling his bare shoulders and making sleep impossible. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, images of countless eyes watching him flickered behind his eyelids. Each time the Emissaries looked up at him with those expectant gazes, he wished he could disappear. He wasn't living his life, merely fulfilling his duty. Born into the lineage of the High Emissary Divine, there was no escaping his responsibilities. The weight of the white robes he wore grew heavier with each passing day. Only when he shed those robes and slept with bare shoulders did he find a moment of peace.

Just as sleep finally began to take hold, a familiar heat spread behind his eyelids. Norahn's eyes flew open, his heart pounding. He wasn't greeted by the familiar darkness of his room, but by a blinding vision. His pupils flickered with a blue light, its intensity growing with each frantic beat of his heart. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he stumbled, his hands grasping for support. He squeezed his eyes shut, but the vision only intensified. The night of the falling star, Sahngseon Coast, flashed before his eyes. He saw the crimson star blazing across the sky, showering the earth with its fiery light. The sea burned, the water turning to flames under the star's power. Norahn shook his head violently, trying to dispel the terrifying image. The vision shifted, the fiery sea replaced by the calm waters of the night. He turned towards the wall, his voice hoarse.

"Sobi! Cheongro!"

The sounds of their scuffle ceased abruptly. Norahn rarely raised his voice, and his sudden outburst startled Cheongro and Sobi. They rushed to his room, their clothes half-fastened. Their eyes widened in shock as they saw the blue light emanating from Norahn's pupils. Sobi reached out.

"Your Sanctity, the light... it's back!"

Norahn, however, was in no mood for pleasantries. "We must go to Sahngseon Coast immediately," he commanded urgently. "Wake the Emissaries!"

Cheongro, speechless, sprinted back towards the village. Norahn, his vision blurred, turned to Sobi. "Sobi," he said, "I cannot see clearly. Guide me."

"Yes, Your Sanctity," Sobi replied, her voice steady and reassuring. Her lips brushed against Norahn's hand as she helped him to his feet.

The Emissaries and a handful of soldiers quickly gathered, their faces etched with concern. They set off towards Sahngseon Coast, Norahn and Sobi sharing a horse. As they drew nearer to the coast, the blue light in Norahn's eyes intensified, and his vision gradually returned, just as it had on that fateful night. When their horse grew weary, they dismounted and continued on foot. The Emissaries and soldiers who had arrived earlier were scattered across the beach, searching for any sign of the disturbance.

"There!" Cheongro shouted, pointing towards a dark shape huddled amongst the rocks.

Squinting, they could just make out the silhouette of a ship in the dim moonlight.

"There's something out there," Norahn murmured, his voice barely audible.

With Norahn leading the way, the Emissaries cautiously approached the vessel. Sobi's voice trembled as she recognized the ship. "That's... our ship," she whispered.

There was no sign of movement on board. The Emissaries exchanged uneasy glances. As they drew closer, a thick, metallic stench reached their nostrils, mingling with the salty tang of the sea. They covered their noses and pressed on. Cheongro, recognizing the source of the smell, pushed past the others, his face pale. He reached the railing and peered inside.

"No fucking way," he choked out, unable to speak.

The rest of the Emissaries rushed towards the ship, their hearts sinking as they took in the gruesome scene. Norahn, his heightened senses giving him a clearer view, saw it all before Sobi. The Emissaries lay scattered across the deck, their lifeless bodies bathed in blood. The air was thick with the stench of death, the sharp tang of iron heavy in their nostrils. Gaping wounds revealed bone and sinew, the carnage a testament to the brutal efficiency of the attack. Screams and gasps filled the air.

Sobi, her stomach churning, felt an urgent need to see for herself, to confirm the horrifying reality. But as she took a hesitant step forward, Norahn blocked her path.

"Please, Your Sanctity," she pleaded, "step aside."

Norahn reached out, his hands gripping her arms. "You don't need to see this."

"Please," Sobi insisted.

"Turn back," Norahn commanded. "There's no need for this."

He tried to steer her away, but Sobi stood firm, her body rigid with determination. She wrenched her arms free and stumbled towards the ship. Cheongro reached out to stop her, but his hesitant fingers grasped only air. Sobi's eyes, wide with horror, took in the scene. She clambered over the railing and onto the deck, her gaze sweeping across the carnage. She moved among the bodies, her hands trembling as she checked each face. Some were barely recognizable, their heads nearly severed from their bodies.

Amidst the overwhelming despair, a desperate hope flickered within her. She searched frantically for any sign of life, her eyes scanning the shadows. Then, she saw it - a figure huddled in the corner, drenched in blood, yet strangely untouched. Even in the darkness, its features were striking, its gaze unwavering. A sudden realization struck Sobi.

"The Guardian Crimson," she whispered. "She's here... on the ship."