990 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Carefully, I continued my steps. There wasn't much I could do beyond the confines of Mount Hua; even if I left, there would be no significant actions I could take. So, instead of wallowing in solitude, I took those steps. "You're here." The destination was predictable, and the person waiting for me greeted me with a stern expression. "I was somewhat worried. It's fortunate you weren't wandering alone." Shin Noya glanced at me and then at the Heavenly Demon beside him. "Have you finished thinking?" "......" Thinking. Those words made me pause to catch my breath. If asked whether I've finished thinking ― not at all. Rather, my mind was plagued by complexity, suffocation, and a whirlwind of speculations. "Noya." "Yes." "Do you remember what you once said to me?" Even if I circle around and around, I understand that what needs to be done remains unchanged. The time spent was to come to that realization. Am I destined to become a calamity? Will the distorted fate that I once deviated from risk reverting as my soul aligns once again? Truly suffocating words, but they don't change the situation. It just makes me feel absolutely terrible. Profoundly so. However. '...Even if it makes me feel terrible.' What needed to be done had not changed. So what if I am a calamity? Clenching my fists and biting down on my tongue, I spoke to Noya. "No matter my circumstances, if I don't believe it's true, then it isn't. Isn't that what you told me?" That was something Noya once said to me. It was the same when Yeon Ilcheon labeled me a calamity, and I almost collapsed under the weight of it. Noya guided me back on track with those very words. "...Yes." Noya, as if recalling those words, nodded calmly. "Does the meaning of those words from back then remain unchanged for you now?" "......" The words that brought me back to my feet. Have they remained unchanged until now? I asked, and Noya's gaze met mine. What kind of expression was he making? The meaning wasn't discernible from Noya's face. But. "Yangcheon." "Yes, Noya." "I'm going to ask you, who is asking me right now." "Yes." "Is my intention really that important to you?" "......" "At this moment, it probably isn't my intention that's of significance, is it?" I fell silent. "I don't think you came to me seeking an answer, nor do I believe you came for confirmation." Calming my breath in the gentle crimson gaze. His fierce eyes were sharp but harbored a soothing power to console one's soul. "What do you see?" Regardless of his own thoughts. What is your own perspective? With that question, I clenched my hands. Creak-! A cracking sound came from my fingers. I hadn't broken them. It was merely a slight discomfort. With that tingling sensation, I spoke. "...I might be a calamity." "......" "From the looks and the words spoken, it sure seems that way." I forced a smile on lips that didn't wish to curve upward. "...Can't I just not do it?" If there was a mask, I'd wear that. I wanted something to hide my expression, but since I couldn't, I merely uttered the words. "If I'm considered a calamity, then... can't I just not do it?" If what Noya or the situation proposed ever threatens to make me a calamity. 'Because I find it disgusting, I won't do it.' If I insist on not doing it, that's that. I won't do it. If I think I'm not, then I'm not, wasn't it? Then that's how I'll think. 'By any means necessary.' Just as I've always done. 'I'll make it happen.' Nothing is impossible, so this time will be no different. No matter the circumstances, I'm resolute not to harm those important to me. "...Hmm." Noya, having heard my words, rested his chin on his hand. Then. "For the first time in a while." He faintly smiled. "You've given an answer that pleases me." "......" "If you've decided that, then proceed accordingly." With those words, Noya stood up. "As I said before, there will surely be a way." "...Why are you so certain about that?" "Even you must be aware that the arrangements made by your mother are quite peculiar." "......" Could this even be called an arrangement? Frankly, I couldn't comprehend it. If my mother interfered with my soul, why would she bother to restore it? 'I have no idea what she wants from me.' I can't fathom what my mother, who vanished abruptly, wants from me now. Does she wish for me to become a calamity? If she's truly a herald of the world's will. That could be a possibility. 'If that were the case, she wouldn't have tampered with my soul.' There definitely seemed to be an intention. As Noya suggested, it could be an arrangement. Or not. Simply put, it's hard to trust solely in my mother. Even though I truly yearned for her. 'It's unknown.' Regardless of the longing, the situation is uncertain. Thus, all possibilities must be considered. Even if destined to be a calamity, if there's a way out, one must plan accordingly. 'Of course, even if it's a plan...' Ultimately, there won't be drastic changes. It's merely gaining awareness of something previously unknown. The actions remain unchanged. 'Whether Yarang's movement aligns with my mother's wishes or not.' Right now, there's one priority task at hand. "Noya." "Yes." "......I will search for the Divine Tree of Yawol." I must find the Divine Tree. Once I've searched and found the Divine Tree, I will have to face my mother. Even if she turns out to not be my mother but my master. 'Even if I'm meant to be a calamity.' I must return. By any means necessary, there are obligations awaiting me. "......Are you thinking of leaving right away?" Noya's widened eyes hinted at surprise. Hearing such shocking news and leaving immediately without resting? As Noya questions me with his gaze. "I won't leave immediately." I had no intention of departing right away. After all... "I need to wait for the night." With the advantages I've gained, it was time to put them to use. * * * A moon sat suspended in the sky. Not just one, but two. This was the same moon I first encountered upon arriving at Yawol. The vibrant aurora stretched across the sky beautifully, just as it had back then. Gently, I descended. My feet touched down on the city wall surrounding me. There were guards stationed along the wall, keeping watch. Yet, none noticed me. The moment I landed, I launched my body once more. Winds roared around me, instantly altering my surroundings. Despite the aggressive speed, my descent was as light as a feather. There was little to no recoil; in fact, it meant that my body had grown strong enough to counteract the force perfectly. ‘Ha ha.’ I marveled at my own body. So this is possible, too. Cloaked in the shadows, I gradually loosened up my body. Caution was necessary. My body, exhilarated by the rising moon, kept straying beyond my control. Rustle. My tail moved, the sensation of newly-formed ears slightly bothering me. I maintained these sensations, familiarizing myself with them as I moved. As night fell, my form was altered once more. The body of the Night Wolf. Transformed into a hybrid of beast and human, my strength and energy, along with my heightened senses, enhanced exponentially. As a result, managing my body became quite a challenge. Initially, an unexpected surge of strength burst forth, causing destruction around me. Through several attempts, I managed to adapt to this extent. A rapid transformation in skill level. It was akin to that. ‘No, it's even more.’ It's not just a change in skill level. The overall enhancement of my state felt even more surreal. Moreover, some changes seemed to incite passion within me. To feel this kind of enthusiasm right after being told about being a calamity. ‘Is this also due to my body's transformation?’ Perhaps these were things I should've attained long ago. If this transformation was what resulted when my soul returned to its original state upon absorbing the Divine Pill, then... ‘Why do I revert to being a dragon during the day?’ Why do I only assume this form at night and revert to my former self during the day? ‘No, calling it a reversion might not be right.’ If I was meant to be the Night Wolf all along due to my mother, saying I revert during the day would be incorrect. Instead, it's more accurate to say I return to being the Night Wolf at night. Anyway... "There..." "Over there..." My expanded senses picked up information from all directions. My sense of smell identified what it previously couldn't. The range and precision of my hearing improved significantly. With these overwhelming amounts of information, I moved forward. Whether the mask was on properly, how my attire was. Whether I was utilizing the Cloaking Technique properly. I checked everything. I was slightly concerned there might be an issue using the Cloaking Technique with my altered body. ‘Ironically, it became easier.’ The body of the Night Wolf allowed for smoother use of the Cloaking Technique. Maybe it was due to the flexibility of my muscles, or perhaps the enhanced resilience of my physique. The level of precision and detailed alteration became achievable. Thanks to that, as long as it was nighttime, engaging in battle while utilizing the Cloaking Technique seemed feasible. ‘Not that it wouldn't be advantageous otherwise.’ At this capability... ‘I might not even lose against the Trinity Gods?’ I've never faced them directly, but I guessed I could take them on. Meaning... ‘It implies fighting someone of General caliber is likely within reach.’ Being capable of battling someone on par with the Trinity Gods or slightly below indicated confidence against Generals. ‘Splendid.’ Soon enough, I might have to engage in battle anyway. If I leveraged the night, I could steer battles favorably toward my advantage. As I conjured those thoughts, I pulled on the door ahead. There were no guards. As I discovered in my previous visit, they didn't seem to maintain guard in this area. A curious decision, but it made approach easy for me. Creak—! Just as the door was gradually opening for me to enter. “If it's not rude, may I speak?” "......" I froze with my hand on the doorknob. A voice had spoken. From directly behind. Now, one could question why that's an issue. “May I go in first?” "......" First, I hadn't sensed any presence as it approached until it spoke. The second was... "I have something rather urgent." The voice speaking to me with a gentle smile was unmistakably my mother's. **New Chapter Alert** I'll be taking some time to check the comments today due to a visit from a guest. 😊 **All's good +11** +1 11.11 Why the sudden curiosity before bed... suddenly thinking about certain aspects... +26 11.11 How many of you received the pages incorrectly?? +3 11.11 Please, just read it. +8 11.11 Kimchi!!! +2 11.11 The lettuce is much smaller~~ +12 11.11 A classic short from the culinary corner +17 11.11 It's been a while +7 11.11 Ha... Chapter 990: The Friend of the World's Best (990/1059)