Episode 4, Chapter 6: Desolate Green Forest, Spreading Darkness

Halt.

That red hand... She's a dokkaebi.

Yes, that's right.

Dokkaebi are not allowed in.

This girl is a patient. She's hurt.

Oh, the poor thing... Just let her die, then.

Ahem, what's going on here?

Oh, Constable Sanhae! These people brought a dying dokkaebi...

Hm? You're...

Ahem, let them pass.

Excuse me, sir? But that's a dokkaebi?

Do you take me for a fool? I can see that too!

I'll take full responsibility, so let them through.

Have you had a change of heart?

That dokkaebi saved my men, just like she promised.

I hate dokkaebi, but...

I don't plan on becoming an ungrateful scoundrel.

...Thank you.

It will cause a disturbance if she's seen, so leave quietly once she's recovered.

That was... unexpected.

Honestly, I'm surprised as well.

I'm sure it was Gabi's sincerity that touched his heart.

I really hope that's true...

Well, well... if it isn't Headmistress Jiwon.

I hope you've been well, Doctor. My friend here is in rough shape.

So this is the dokkaebi who's had everyone chattering today.

Well, I never thought I'd ever check a dokkaebi's vitals.

Her pulse is steady... and there aren't any serious wounds... We'll have to watch her progress.

Thank you.

Duoxini?! Oh no... That's really bad.

They'll open the doors to the Dokkaebi Shrine. You must rally the guild as soon as possible.

I'll notify the city government.

Will they trust us and cooperate?

They dislike us for being an organization from the west.

It'll have to be different this time. I'll talk to them.

And the two of you...

We're prepared to fight!

No... It's dangerous. You should turn around and go home.

What do you mean? You're going to rally guild members anyway.

And how do you expect us to leave when there people in need of help?

But you have nothing to do with this...

As long as Rin and the Void Priest are involved, it's hard to say we don't.

Thank you. I will return this favor.

Doctor? What brings you here...?

Is your dokkaebi friend not here?

No... What happened?

She disappeared while I was preparing to treat her wounds.

That fool. What is she thinking...?

Do you think she's gone off to fight alone?

No, she's not foolish enough to go fighting in that state.

Where should we look?

Let's ask around the marketplace. Maybe she went through there.

Hey, kids.

Have you seen a girl with red hands?

What? Red hands?

Grandma said dokkaebi have red hands.

Why would there be any dokkaebi here?!

Okay, thank you.

Excuse me, have you seen a young woman about this tall, with a scar on her forehead?

Huh? Nope. I would remember seeing a girl like that.

Everyone's on edge because we heard there were dokkaebi spotted in Beomgol.

My advice? You should pack up and leave before anything happens here, too.

I'll keep that in mind.

All that's left is the Forest of Fireflies...

Are you sure she didn't go off alone to fight?

There is one last place we could look. Let's go check it out.

You all...

Have you seen the dokkaebi we brought in earlier?

I did. I called out to her, but she completely ignored me and headed into the forest.

You said she was injured, but she looked fine to me.

She's just pretending to be fine, that fool...

I know where to find her.

I'll lead the way. Let's go together.

Wow... It's a beautiful lake.

Gabi comes here often when she has a lot on her mind.

I knew you'd be here. How are you feeling? Are you better now?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Are you here because you want to avenge Gubby?

No, I was just scared... I wanted to be alone.

Really? I didn't know you could be scared of anything.

When Gubby died... I just wanted to destroy everything.

My desire to kill Duoxini was greater than my grief.

And even now, I only feel hatred.

I suppose... I'm just a dokkaebi, too...

I pretended to be different, but I'm just like that bastard.

Why do you think that?

I've actually always been afraid...

Even a bit of anger would make my blood boil over...

I didn't like that, so I always held back. Stopped myself from becoming angry.

I try so hard, but when push comes to shove, I resort to violence and go off raging.

His filthy blood runs through my veins...

You're afraid of being Duoxini's child?

That doesn't scare you?

I'm not afraid.

I know you, I know your kindness.

You're not filthy, and you're definitely not like Duoxini.

What if I go crazy again?!

But you were angry and worried for your friends. You were fighting for them.

Next time... I might kill you!

If I'm to be killed by someone sacrificing everything for their friends...

I swear, I would have no regrets.

Jiwon...

Whether you're a dokkaebi or a human, it doesn't matter.

You're my friend, and you have a good heart.

So there's no need to run from me, Gabi.

You're really... fearless. So much braver than I thought.

Haha, yes. You have nothing to worry about. Let's head back together, Gabi.

...Okay.

Oh, you're all here! Finally!

What's going on?

Yuna is looking for you all.

I'm not exactly sure why, but it seems urgent.

...It doesn't seem like pleasant news.

Let's hurry back to Red Lotus.

Where were you?!

Did something happen?

Duoxini appeared!

And the Dokkaebi Shrine's doors are open!

As expected.

Uh... What happens if the Dokkaebi Shrine is opened? Is it bad?

It's the place imprisoning the dokkaebi who fought in Duoxini's last war.

If it's open, they'll cause another war between humans and dokkaebi.

Let's do something, then!

It's too late. The doors are already open.

The dokkaebi are probably already swarming out.

Th-then what do we do?

I'll stop them.

Are you sure?

It'll be difficult, but I can't just stand by and watch.

I won't stop you.

But, don't try to do everything alone. Got it?

Uh-huh, got it.

That leaves us with taking care of the freed dokkaebi and youkai...

Continue gathering more adventurers for us, Yuna.

I'll head to the government office.

Would their officers be willing to help us?

Normally, no, but I don't believe they'll be so stubborn during a crisis like this.

I told you to leave quietly once you were well...

How dare you come in here?! Get out!

The situation is dire. Please, listen to what we have to say.

I suppose you're here about Duoxini. We're already aware.

Our soldiers are prepared to deploy. This matter doesn't concern you.

Wait! Listen to me!

Dokkaebi aren't worth listening to!

Stop, Yeowool. We should hear what they have to say.

My Lord! But why?!

Look at her red hands! She's a dokkaebi! A creature you despise!

I know. I can recognize the appearance of a loathsome dokkaebi.

However, dokkaebi or not, the enemy of my enemy is my ally.

I can defeat Duoxini. Just help us get to the Dokkaebi Shrine.

You can stop Duoxini?

Yes, I'm confident I can.

Alright. We'll leave the forest path open for you.

Are you really trusting the deceitful words of a dokkaebi, sir?

This isn't the time to be picky, so I'm making an exception.

If you insist, sir... I understand.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hmph! Don't get the wrong idea! I'm only making what I see as the most rational decision!

I expect you to keep your word about eliminating Duoxini!

Did it go well?

Indeed. The soldiers will clear a path through the forest for us.

Oh wow. It's not often the government gives in.

They know this isn't the time for trivial fighting.

Let's go now. There's no time to waste.