Only I Am A Reader

'It happened again…'

Before he even managed to open his eyes, scattered thoughts emerged in Leo's mind. Things had undeniably gone a bit out of control. His hunger for battle, his urge to show everything, these emotions flowed out too intensely this time.

Looking at it from another angle, why was it that the 'calming' effect that cooled down most of his over-excited moments always failed to take action when he needed it the most? Perhaps… Did he want it that strongly?

'It wasn't that bad.'

Just like the first time when he survived thanks to his overflowing killing intent, these emotions were mostly a reflection of what he wanted to display. Although they were amplified by the unavoidable side-effect, fighting someone abnormal like Yeon probably needed that help now that he started to remember bits of their battle.

'Ah.'

As soon as his eyes opened up, he was met with a pair of deep black pupils carrying a hint of red. He was caught off guard as he had barely recovered from passing out, but he soon shrugged the surprise off.

'Of course, you would wake up faster than me.'

That was just how things worked for those who had a higher affinity with Internal Energy, recovery, strengthening, channeling, advantages in all sorts of aspects would quickly emerge as soon as they embarked on the path of Martial Artists.

Leo wasn't surprised to see Yeon lying next to him as this wasn't the first time. Ever since she had made it to the second phase, there were countless times when she would sneak to his side. Most importantly, this was something very familiar to him through Baekho's memory, this was the only way either of them could truly sleep peacefully.

He didn't realize it from the very start as his mind found it to be nothing but an old routine. Naturally, once he kept his vigilance, he easily noticed, but he didn't deny Yeon her only innocent escape.

'I'm not sure what to feel about this.'

Usually, Yeon would wake up before him and leave before he did, which she didn't do this time. Something had obviously changed after this battle. Although Leo wasn't a sociable person, that didn't mean he was an idiot.

Sleeping next to each other wasn't exactly much considering how their relationship started, but it was apparent that Yeon was serious about being closer. His and her emotions no longer felt ambiguous at this moment.

However, Leo wasn't sure what to think of that. Being emotionally closer to the future Heavenly Demon would definitely be of help to the completion of his quest, but would it be alright considering that this was merely one of his stops? Although it was still too early to say anything, he wasn't that heartless to do whatever would end in his favor.

'I'm not entirely against it though…'

With a part of him that was tightly bound to Yeon, it wasn't strange for Leo to develop some feelings. He had shrugged all of that off by using his loner mentality and the age difference as a shield, but he wasn't sure for how long that would last…

"Yeon."

"Yes?"

"Aren't we going to get up?"

"...Yeah."

Removing her arms, Yeon left the bed as if he had forgotten to. Though once Leo got up as well, she didn't forget to stick next to him.

Rather than something new, this was just Yeon behaving like she did before they entered the Heavenly Furnace. Accepting it for now, Leo looked around to check where they were.

'Was this here as well?'

The place looked like a medical room of some sorts considering the tools and pills organized around the few beds. Leo walked towards the curtain that hid the only opening, but he was surprised to see himself back in the dining room. It seemed like the other walls similarly hid other facilities like the training room.

"You finally woke up!"

The first face to greet them was Cheon Jeong's knowing smile that contradicted her supposedly worried voice. Being the easiest character to read for Leo, he couldn't tell if he should be thankful or angry for the fact that she sped up things.

Compared to her, the worry shown by Cheon Sohee who stood behind her seemed more sincere. For one, Leo didn't understand how she thought.

"You sure like to mess things up."

Leo also noticed Cheon Chang who sat alone at the end of the table, but he quickly turned to Iyeolhan once he heard his sighing. This was something that he couldn't refute, they had definitely overdone it.

"I'm sorry."

"Forget it, let's go."

'Right!'

Leo was confused about what the head instructor had meant at first. However, he soon remembered the meaning of the battle they had just had, it was time to receive the fruit of their labor!

Without further delay, Leo followed Iyeolhan as they exited the dining room, walking beyond the waterfall. Cheon Sohee parted with them once they passed by her cave, but Cheon Jeong and Cheon Chang silently walked behind them.

Naturally, Yeon was still stuck to Leo's side to this moment. Though their bodies didn't look like that of 13 year olds, Yeon being slightly shorter created a certain image. Their matching dark ink-like hair, pupils, and clothes made them seem like a pair of close siblings.

"This was supposed to happen right after the meeting if you hadn't passed out for over a day, but…"

Surprisingly enough, Iyeolhan's foot only stopped when they stepped into the battle hall that they had grown extremely familiar with during the first stage. As always, Iyeolhan's Internal Energy flowed into the wall behind the weapon rack, revealing another one of the Heavenly Furnace's endless hidden locations!

"You have still earned the right to do so. Go in and pick something that suits you."

Another dilapidated hall similar to the Heavenly Demon's Library appeared before Leo and Yeon's eyes as a faint resplendent glow spread all over.