926 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

As I left the teahouse and walked down the street, a broad smile lit up my face. "Nice." I felt particularly cheerful. After a lot of thinking, a problem that had been weighing on my mind was finally resolved. "It was a matter of order, after all." I touched the animal ears attached to my head. The soft, squishy feeling suggested they were well-crafted. "This isn't bad at all." Although slightly less effective than when the turtle had initially applied them, this was satisfactory enough. The key was not the level of completion, but rather the absence of anxiety over when they might come undone. ‘The turtle said it would last three days.’ Active movement within that period could cause it to unravel. So I had immersed myself in research. ‘Seems like I’ll need to perform this trick frequently… It’d be annoying if it unraveled in the middle of something.’ To conclude matters swiftly, certain processes and situations were necessary. After finishing my conversation with Noya, I immediately deconstructed the spell cast on my body. In that process, several things became evident. The root of this spell lies in the heart, and its scope is the entire body. Though one might wonder how just a tail and ears affect the whole body, Amazingly, the energy was dispersed throughout the entire body. It wasn’t just about creating ears and tails—it felt like forming a kind of membrane. Not something for display, but for concealment. ‘It’s not just about eradicating one’s aura.’ What to say... While it overlays the body... ‘It overlays the soul?’ A sensation of casting a veil over the soul itself. The ears and tail are merely superficial additions. A deeper, more intricate process and technique were in play. ‘I wondered why they’d attach something like this, but now I understand.’ Digging into it made the necessity clear. Overlaying the soul essentially alters one’s very existence. It's on a different level from simply wearing a mask or using disguising techniques. It blurs the essence itself. Unraveling and experiencing it firsthand, I understood clearly. ‘...A terribly difficult spell.’ Indeed, it ranked among the most challenging things I’ve ever tried. It took me nearly an entire day to comprehend its difficulty. Almost an entire day. ‘Other spells took only hours.’ Working through the night was what it took to unravel this one. Such a challenging technique it was. The turtle, who effortlessly cast this spell on me, suddenly seemed rather remarkable. ‘Did he create this?’ If it was something he developed, rather than learned, that would be truly admirable. Moreover, ‘What exactly does he do?’ What’s a person with seemingly no connection to swords doing as an elder here? Not even a member of the sect, but running a teahouse in a village. It was beyond comprehension. ‘I should visit him again.’ I lack the knowledge. I desperately needed information on spells, and this was a good development. Though there’s no guarantee the turtle would share anything even if I visited. Still, it was something that had to be attempted. ‘I need to understand spells better.’ The more I learned, the clearer it became. Connecting the Nine Wheels Flame Technique with the Twin Star Sword Dance required the power of spells. So, this opportunity couldn’t be missed. I must corner the turtle and make inquiries. With that thought, I continued walking. “…Uh, benefactor?” “What?” Gu Bong addressed me. “…Where are we heading?” I glanced around at his question. It dawned on me that we were already outside. “Ah.” Where are we? Lost in thought, I forgot momentarily. “Oh? Where should we go?” I asked Gu Bong for directions, causing a change in his expression. “…Why are you asking me?” “Because you know the way, and I don’t.” “No, you should say where you want to go first.” “I’ve already said that.” From the beginning of our conversation. “We’re heading to Night Moon Palace.” Gu Bong's eyes widened at my words. “Ri... now?” “Yes, right now.” “Immediately?” “Immediately.” “...” Gu Bong’s expression remained twisted. Could he believe we’d return to Night Moon after just one day? Though he seemed in disbelief, I was sincere. Of course, I was sincere. If I weren’t, there’d be no reason to drag a companion I found personally inconvenient. It’d be far more efficient to travel alone, without the discomfort of an unwanted companion. I endure this company because it’s necessary. ‘Because it’s essential.’ I found this person important. Not just temporarily, but for what lay ahead. “Stop arguing and just lead the way.” I spoke with irritation, causing Gu Bong to bite his lip. I imagined he was about to voice a complaint, but instead, he simply started walking forward, taking the lead. “This way….” He began giving directions. Watching him, I chuckled and said, “Have you finished grumbling?” “...” In truth, it was unnecessary to ask. It would only create an unfavorable impression. I knew it could come off as a taunt. Even knowing that, I asked. “My dissatisfaction remains, yet if this is the sect leader’s command, I shall only follow.” “Hmm.” From his reply, I sensed something blindly fervent directed toward Shin Noya. I felt it before, but it seemed almost pathological. Should I point it out? Or perhaps take other actions? After pondering briefly, I’d already made my decision. “Alright then.” Ignore it. Engaging with that wouldn’t yield any meaningful results. Nor did I desire to engage with it. Whether he’d always been like this, or if my presence had intensified it, I didn’t care. Unless it caused me undue discomfort, whatever the case, it was irrelevant. I pointed forward as I spoke. “Lead the way.” With so much on my plate already, This was just one more thing on the list. We emerged outside. Exiting the volcano was easier than expected. Just like when we entered last time, sprinkling the powder allowed us to come and go. This essentially meant— 'I guess it was wrong to tear down the barrier so brutishly.' There was a proper way to handle it, and meddling with it itself was the mistake. '...Then for goodness' sake, just explain it next time.' Crazy old man. Why couldn’t he just talk before launching into action? Why skip the explanations all the time? It made no sense to me. "Ugh." I heaved a deep sigh and continued walking. The outside was just approaching noon. How long had we been walking? As I mentioned last time, running wasn’t an option, so we had to maintain a steady pace. It felt like we had walked a considerable distance. 'Honestly, I just want to fly straight over.' I held back, thinking there had to be a reason, and simply kept on walking. As for Gu Bong, there was not a word exchanged between us. I didn’t feel the need. Gu Bong kept his mouth shut, and only led the way while I followed, thinking about my plans. 'How long will this take?' How long would it take for everything I set out to do to resolve? And even if— 'Even if we succeed in this plan.' If we succeeded and were able to return to the Central Plains as planned— 'How much time would have passed by then?' Time here was different from in the Central Plains. It was evident, just from Noya spending a hundred years while I only experienced a few months. I was clinging to that hope. 'But sooner is better.' I needed to get things done swiftly. There was no time to linger here. Especially— 'Being with Heavenly Demon itself is a problem.' There was more than one sticking point. With mountains of matters to address, I had no intention to waste time here. Thus, I needed to prepare to flee as soon as possible. However. 'Before leaving, there are things to do.' I had to see through the requests I’d accepted. Even though it altered my plans slightly, it was possible. Particularly because it involved Noya. "...." I scratched my cheek. As I thought this over, one thing nagged at me. ‘So then…’ After helping Noya, when everything was done, when it was time to leave, 'Will Noya come with me?' A thought that suddenly occurred. Ever since Noya asked me last night, it had been on my mind. If Noya asked me, it meant he had deep connections with the Hwasan Sect. He mentioned spending a hundred and fifty years here. That was more time than he had spent with me. Perhaps even more than the time he spent in the Central Plains. When it was time for me to return, would Noya come with me to the Central Plains? Such an inquiry crossed my mind. ‘Tsk.’ Thinking it over made my tongue hurt. Because I could already predict Noya’s response. I gnawed at my increasingly aching tongue. Simultaneously, I tried to clear the thought from my mind. Just then— “We’ve arrived.” Gu Bong, who had been silent until now, spoke. I looked up. “Oh, indeed.” There it was, the Night Moon Palace I had seen before, visible in the distance. After a long wordless walk, we had returned to the Night Moon Palace we visited yesterday. *********** The atmosphere at the entrance was more subdued and calmer than before. The previously bustling crowd had disappeared, leaving behind a sense of alertness. And rightly so. 'The aftermath of yesterday’s attack must be lingering.' Given the chaos I caused, this was expected. The unexpected part was returning in just one day. “…Who goes there?” Approaching the gatekeepers as before, they pointed their spears at us. Last time, they seemed weary and indifferent. This time, they were on high alert. “We're from Hwasan.” “…Hwasan?” The gatekeeper's expression twisted at Gu Bong’s words. He visibly hesitated upon hearing this. It wasn’t simply because we were strangers. Something was different. Gu Bong seemed to notice this too and narrowed his eyes. “Is there a problem?” “Please wait here for a moment. Hey!” The gatekeeper’s demeanor changed drastically. He urgently waved his hand and signaled someone from afar. Seeing this, Gu Bong’s face showed signs of concern. Conversely, I smiled. This was undoubtedly— ‘Good.’ Fortunately, things seemed to be going according to plan. New 내 글 잠궜노 읽었으면 고치던지 해라 진짜 요즘 볼 게 없네 +12 11.11 아니.... 11.11 🧩🧩 +1 11.11 🥬🥬 수정이 안돼서 다시 온 상추 +7 11.11 님들 최근에 올린 파일들 읽기 힘든가요 11.11 언정 대제희- 희행 요청합니다 11.11 진짜 띄어쓰기 안 하고 쳐 올리는 사람 누구냐? +4 11.11 망상 실록 +12 11.11 모기 진짜 다 죽이고 싶다 +3 11.11 찾아주셔욤.. +40 11.11 뿡 천하제일인의 소꿉친구 926화 (926/1059)