1026 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A Fragment of a Crimson Jewel. It was said to be used to maintain an enchantment over the current Marlboro Cave. Once, it was supposedly used to communicate with the Master of Myriad Worlds. 'I felt it when I first saw it.' The energy within that shard was intensely strong, to the point where it was impossible to gauge how much power it contained. I heard they used that power to cast spells around here. 'Judging by the energy, it's clear how that enchantment was formed.' If that much energy was utilized, it wouldn't be impossible. The energy was profound and immense enough to inspire such thoughts. Yet. "Are you thinking of giving that to me?" "......" The spirit's hand trembled at my words. "This is all we can offer to the great being from another world." "What will happen to you if you give this to me?" They won't be able to maintain the barrier surrounding this place. Is it really alright to just hand it over? As I asked that question, the spirit responded hesitantly. "……If you save us, there will be no need to maintain this space anymore. So it's not really a problem……" "No, that's not what I meant." I interrupted the spirit's explanation. That wasn't what I wanted to know. "If you give this to me, you'll lose the means to communicate with the Master of Myriad Worlds. Is that really okay with you?" "……" The spirit paused upon hearing my words. Without that shard, they won't be able to communicate with their master anymore. Would that truly be acceptable for a servant? When I pressed further, the spirit fell silent before finally replying. "It's fine……" "Really?" The trembling answer brought a nod from me. "If that's the case, then alright." I reached out slowly. Just as my fingertips nearly touched the shard the spirit was offering me... Swish-! Snap-! "Wha-!?" My hand bypassed the shard and instead clasped around the spirit's neck. The small figure was lifted off the ground, floating in midair. "Priestess!" The beast-like warriors arrayed around us rushed forward at the sudden turn of events. "Stop." "!!!!" At my softly spoken word, they all froze in place. The power of my command anchored them where they stood. "Don't move needlessly. Even if you all rush at once, nothing will change. Before I break the neck of what you hold dear, stay quietly still. Understand?" "……." "If you understand, nod your head." The lead warrior cautiously nodded in response. Seeing that, a slight smile crossed my face as I released the spell of binding. "Uh… ugh…" Suspended in the air, the spirit gasped painfully as I gripped her neck. "I tried to let things go as much as possible, but time is short. I'm in no mood for nonsense, so I'll ask bluntly." "Ugh…." "What are you hiding from me? What is it that you really want from me?" "……!" The spirit's body quivered at the question. Seeing the reaction, I was more certain than ever. "Isn't it true? You have some other intention with me." There's something unsaid. They had already admitted it through their reaction. "That's……not it… not at all…." "Don't play me for a fool." Grasp—! "Ugh……!!" "I can tolerate many things, but I can't stand being toyed with when it's obvious. I'm already on edge, so it's maddening." Returning empty-handed with nothing but deepened suspicions had left me extremely frustrated. In such a state, when something I've never seen pretends to be reverent while plotting deceit behind my back—How can I endure it? "I'm really sorry, but I'm too busy. I don't have the time to engage with such trickery." "Ugh……." "So, just talk. Before I gather everything and set it ablaze." Rumble----!!! From my feet, an oppressive killing intent spread out, engulfing the surroundings. "Guuuh--!!" "Grgh……!!!" The pressure of it caused those around to froth at the mouth and collapse one by one. Though I tried to control it, the killing intent of someone who's transcended comes naturally potent. There's a limit to how much I can restrain it. Thus, I specifically adjusted it so it wouldn't affect the spirit. "Erk……." Even feeling just the shockwave from the surroundings, the spirit's body trembled uncontrollably. "I'll count to three. If you don't speak by then, everyone dies." To emphasize my seriousness, I intensified the malice. "One." I began to count. "Two." Swirling energy coiled around my empty left hand. I'd incinerate everything and just finish what I needed to do at the Divine Tree. With such resolve, I reached the final number. "Three-." "Sa, sacrifice……." The spirit spoke. With a raised corner of my mouth, I inquired further. "What did you just say?" "It…… required…… a sacrifice……." Hearing it, I loosened my grip slightly, signaling to speak slowly. "Sacrifice?" "Yes……" "A sacrifice, huh……." Certainly not a pleasant-sounding word. "Be specific." "……." "Don't make me say it twice." Whoosh. As I conjured flames, terror filled the spirit's response. Not a fear of personal death, but more that I might indeed kill her comrades. "We needed…… a sacrifice to escape from our duty……." "Duty meaning?" "Our duty to protect the Divine Tree……." The spirit averted her gaze, looking at the black Divine Tree towering above the altar. "Because…… of protecting the Divine Tree, we can never leave this place. It's our duty." "But didn't you say this place was created to escape the gaze of your superior?" And yet, it requires leaving it behind? "What's the truth?" What is the reality? I asked with a furrowed brow. The spirit maintained her quivering stance as she spoke to me. "Both are true..." "What do you mean by that?" "We created this place to sustain our lives and at the same time, we wish to escape from here." "That's contradictory. Go on." "The day when the General appeared and began taking our kin, it was indeed by our Master's grace that we managed to hide here. However, it is both a blessing and a curse." As I listened to her explanation, I gradually lowered my arm. The spirit had no means of escape anyway. "……Being bound by the Divine Tree means we cannot leave this harsh and desolate place until our Master permits it." "So, being bound to Marlboro Mountain is said in that context?" "Yes." "Then tell me." I looked sharply at the spirit as I spoke. "This 'sacrifice' you mentioned, what is it?" It was undoubtedly a reference to me. "Is it that by having it, your burden is alleviated or something?" "……." "If you hesitate again without answering, I’ll kill you." "……Yes." "Hmm." The idea that their burden could be lifted with a sacrifice. "How?" "The task set by the Master is that the priestess must remain in this place and guard here until the time comes." "So, the time has come. Why attempt to flee?" If what the spirit said was true, there was no need to resort to any scheme. "Wasn't it supposed to be resolved if I dealt with that guy for you?" "……That is." The spirit seemed reluctant to answer, but felt compelled to speak due to what I had just said. "We can no longer… trust our Master." "What?" This time, my eyes widened at her words. They no longer trust their Master? What on earth does that mean? "……It has been centuries since our Master disappeared. During that time, unable to take a single step outside, time passed until it was too overwhelming to endure." "So, you're saying you were exploring a way to escape since you're unsure if it would really turn out as the Master foretold, right?" "……." "Answer." "Yes……." "And so, you found a sacrifice, and it turns out to be me. What exactly is this sacrifice?" "It is a being that can take on our burden……." "And that's supposed to be me?" "……Yes." "And if the burden is to be passed, how is it transferred?" The spirit glanced somewhere, toward her hand. In that hand was the shard she had almost given me earlier. No way? "……If something is done with that, does it transfer?" "……Yes-." "Ha." "……!" The spirit flinched again at my laughter. 'I said I wouldn't work without recompense, and she planned to make me a priestess by giving me that thing?' I wasn't sure what would change by holding that, but if the spirit intended it, there must have been a method. "Bold of you to attempt handing it over." "I'm… I'm sorry. Please……." In desperation, the spirit knelt and lowered her head. Bending down to meet her gaze, I asked, "What should I do about this?" Everything was a mess. The plan I was told, everything seemed distorted. 'There's no way this is going according to some plan.' The idea that holding that shard would make me the Master made no sense. And the thought of suddenly passing it onto me also made no sense. None of it added up. 'If phrased differently.' Could it be that they were cornered? Cornered to the point where rational thought was no longer possible. Is that how I should understand it? 'I wonder.' It's easy to say, but understanding it is different. "……." I looked at the trembling spirit, my head tilting slightly. They lost faith in their master. That statement lingered in my mind. The Master left a message that I would appear and eliminate the General. Yet hundreds of years passed with no change. The Master vanished, leaving no means of contact. In such a confined place, bound by enchantments, unable to leave, they spent their days. 'Was it inevitable they ended up like this?' I silently observed the spirit. Should I attribute this to myself? Or is it my mother's doing? 'Regardless, I'm not inclined to overlook their intentions toward me.' I merely felt a sense of pity. "Hmph." I stood up. "Normally, I'd have just killed you." The atmosphere instantly froze with my chilling words. "……I suppose there's the slightest potential that it's my fault……." I turned my head. "Wait for me." "Yes……?" "Don't expect me to let it slide, so don't get your hopes up." I slightly bent my knees. "Just, I think I'll have something to do, so wait around." With that, I enveloped myself in flames and moved back toward the entrance. The surrounding scenery shifted rapidly. As before, I emerged outside and ascended into the sky. "……." Feeling the high altitude, I looked up at the sky. 'How long until nightfall?' It shouldn't be too long. Yet, not too short either. 'I'll have to prepare during this time.' I closed my eyes and circulated my energy. It was time to prepare for guests. In a rather unruly manner. **Comments Section** 1. **가라튀** (2024.10.06 22:06) - "The protagonist always seems to lack luck." - **0 Upvotes** 2. **연우** (2024.10.31 02:46) - "He's smart though." - **0 Upvotes** **Only logged-in members can post comments.** --- **Weekly Bestsellers** 1. How to Live as a Wizard in a Magic School 2. Abandoned 6★ Heroes Become Obsessed 3. Freed Slaves Become Obsessed 4. Medicine-Taking Genius Wizard 5. The Apocalypse Is Too Easy Only for Me 6. Double Agent in the Heavenly Demon Sect 7. Only My Skill Tooltips Are Weird 8. 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