Chapter 10: The Ice Flower That Wasn’t a Flower

“Wolf-nim, you really are amazing.”

Myeong hid behind I-gyeol’s back and watched as the ice covering the lake shattered. He was truly so different from his own powerless self. He was tall, huge, and incredibly strong.

‘Maybe he’s even stronger than Lord Giju. Perhaps he really is a servant who stays close to the Winter Wolf. He’s a wolf, too, after all.’

Myeong gazed up at I-gyeol’s broad back with admiration.

“Now that the ice is broken, go down into the lake. The ice flower should be there.”

I-gyeol ordered Myeong in an indifferent tone. Myeong hesitated for a moment, having nothing to give the wolf who had broken the ice for his sake.

“Thank you, but…”

“What.”

“What if the Winter King scolds you for helping me like this? What if he punishes you, Wolf-nim?”

Myeong bit his lip, his brows furrowing with genuine worry.

‘They say it’s the Winter King’s treasure. Is it really all right to take it with the help of a winter servant like Wolf-nim? What if my greed gets him into trouble? I can’t hurt someone else just to make things easier for myself.’

Myeong gave a small nod.

“Tell me honestly. You’re doing this because you’re scared, aren’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“You’re afraid to go into the lake, so you’re pretending to worry about me just to stall for time.”

“No. I’m not scared.”

Back in the Land of Spring, Myeong had often been thrown into the river by the immortals. He had been the one responsible for the terrifying Vermilion Bird and Heavenly Horse, and he had also crossed the snowy mountains alone in the pitch-black night to reach this place.

He had already come prepared to risk his life.

Besides, Myeong could do anything for the God of Spring.

“I’m only reluctant because I’m worried something might happen to you, Wolf-nim.”

“Go in.”

Instead of answering, I-gyeol pointed toward the lake.

Myeong squeezed his eyes shut.

‘How can he be so kind?’

Touched by I-gyeol’s willingness to help without asking for anything in return, Myeong bowed deeply.

“Then I’ll go. I’m sorry. I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”

“Do whatever you want.”

I-gyeol yawned and went to sit beneath a dead tree. Myeong placed his belongings at I-gyeol’s feet, then obediently took off his shoes. He began pulling off the clothes he was wearing.

“…What are you doing?”

I-gyeol looked startled and spoke to Myeong.

“Hm? If I go in, my clothes will get wet, so I have to take them off.”

Myeong had brought only two sets of clothes, so he had to conserve them. Even though he was trembling from the cold, he chose to enter the lake naked.

His pale shoulders and soft backside were exposed beneath the sunlight.

“I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have.”

I-gyeol clicked his tongue, clearly displeased by Myeong’s sudden nakedness.

Myeong looked at him in confusion.

‘What does he mean? Why does he suddenly look upset?’

Then he simply said he would be back and walked away.

The fragments of snow crunching beneath his pale feet felt soft yet freezing cold.

When Myeong reached the edge of the lake, he cautiously dipped one foot into the water. Even that slight contact sent a sharp pain through his entire body.

It was so cold that his bones seemed to freeze.

Myeong gritted his teeth and placed his other foot into the lake.

‘What if my heart freezes, too?’

Fear rose within him, but Myeong did not stop. He continued walking forward.

The freezing water soaked his thighs, then rose to his chest. Myeong lifted his head and looked toward the wolf sitting beneath the tree with his eyes closed.

‘The wolf helped me this much. I can’t let all his effort be for nothing.’

The lake was so deep that he could not see the bottom. Terrified by the sheer depth beneath him, Myeong held his breath for a moment before pushing forward through the water.

Eventually, even when he stretched onto his tiptoes, his feet could no longer touch the bottom. Myeong grabbed onto a large floating chunk of ice and let out a groan.

“Uuugh…”

‘I’m really going to die.’

Even so, Myeong gathered his courage, took a deep breath, and attempted to dive beneath the surface.

But he soon surfaced again, gasping for breath.

The cold water seemed to freeze even the air in his lungs, making it nearly impossible to endure. Worse, the delicate skin of his body had been scraped by the ice, and blood trickled along the fresh scratches.

‘I can’t give up. Is there anything in this world that can be obtained without suffering?’

Myeong gritted his teeth and began swimming again.

He could not venture into the areas where the sunlight did not reach. Fear and his clumsy paddling held him back. He circled around the surface and surrounding area of the lake until he spotted something glittering.

‘The ice flower. I’m sorry. I’ll take it carefully.’

Even while gasping desperately for air, Myeong carefully pulled the plant out by its roots. Its swaying green leaves were just as lush and vibrant as anything that grew in spring.

“Haah… Wolf-nim!”

Myeong dog-paddled his way out of the lake and called loudly for the wolf.

When he pulled it out of the water, ice crystals clung to the plant, making it shine even more brightly. Myeong hurried toward the wolf, who still had his eyes closed.

His body burned as though he had been scorched by fire after emerging from the freezing water, so even the frigid winter wind no longer felt cold.

“Wolf-nim!”

“What.”

“I brought the ice flower!”

Myeong collapsed exhaustedly near I-gyeol and raised the aquatic plant in his hand to show him.

“…”

I-gyeol was too dumbfounded to speak.

Myeong pushed himself back up and carefully examined I-gyeol’s expression. Then he waved the plant gently.

“Look at this…”

“Wh… Haa…”

“What is this…?”

I-gyeol rubbed a hand down his face before closing his eyes again and steadying his breathing.

Myeong was a little disappointed by the wolf’s lack of reaction.

‘I risked my life to get it… No. Maybe he regrets giving up the ice flower now that it’s actually time to hand it over.’

“Achoo!”

“Put your clothes on.”

Myeong’s overheated body was rapidly cooling down. He carefully set the ice flower down on the snow before gathering up his clothes and putting them back on.

His heart felt damp and heavy, just like his clothes.

“Do you not like it?”

Myeong cautiously asked I-gyeol.

He was disappointed that the ice flower he had worked so hard to obtain was not wanted, but if the wolf truly disliked it, he was willing to give it up. He could take something else precious instead.

“How is that an ice flower?”

I-gyeol spoke as though he were accusing Myeong of something.

He seemed strangely angry, so Myeong picked up the aquatic plant and examined it carefully again.

“It was sparkling. Really brightly…”

But now it did not seem to sparkle very much, so Myeong’s voice gradually grew quieter.

I-gyeol looked down at Myeong and rubbed his temple. The plant must have had ice crystals clinging to its leaves, and since it was an aquatic plant that grew in shallow areas, the sunlight could easily have reflected off it.

“Are you sure your eyes work properly?”

The sudden question made Myeong deliberately widen his eyes, proudly showing off his round eyes.

They were precious eyes that could even see well while traveling at night.

I-gyeol placed his palm over Myeong’s eyes and gently pushed them closed.

“Yes! Is this not an ice flower?”

“…Who knows.”

I-gyeol had been about to say no, but after thinking for a moment, he continued.

“What are you going to use it for?”

“I’m going to give it to the God of Spring!”

Myeong smiled brightly and answered that he would personally present it with both hands.

‘I’m a servant of spring. Of course, anything good should be offered to my god.’

Sensing Myeong’s sincere devotion, I-gyeol tilted his head and continued thinking.

Then, as though he were about to reveal a great secret, he lowered his voice and shared a piece of confidential information with Myeong.

“Ahem. The ice flower isn’t actually a flower. It’s a soul. It isn’t something you can grasp with your hands.”

“What? Then is this not an ice flower?”

Myeong asked again, unable to understand what I-gyeol meant.

“That depends on you. If you believe this aquatic plant is an ice flower and treasure it as such, then surely a soul will dwell within it.”

I-gyeol explained it with complete seriousness.

Myeong was terrible at distinguishing lies from the truth, so he earnestly nodded along, listening to every word.

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