1043 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

There was something the Turtle once said. “How many types of sorcery do you think there are?” Of course, I answered that I didn't know. Listening to those words made me realize how woefully little I knew about the information I'd gathered from Zhongyuan, particularly from the Northern Sea. The ring of the heart conjured through sorcery. Different from neiki, magi, or dokeui, it manifested another unique energy. What could be achieved through its formation? The Turtle described it as a manifestation of contradiction and alienation. Sorcery is about making the impossible possible. Touching the untouchable. Seeing the invisible. That itself is what sorcery is, it claimed. By this measure, there are two main types of sorcery. As I explained: Seeing the invisible. And... “Touching the untouchable.” Firmly gripping with the hand, it felt like strands of rope were intertwined, yet nothing tangible was truly there. It's simply a sensation that I'm seeing and touching something. Sorcery is a strange and perplexing power to explain. Even the techniques the Jegal family used, while under the domain of sorcery, were closer to formations or barriers. With the threads formed by sorcerous energy that I see, they twist, create, and manifest. The source is wind. Sorcery is about creating a desired result based on the intent, forming the technique upon that desire. When I first heard it, I thought it was nonsensical. And indeed, it’s as nonsensical as it sounds. It’s an explanation that doesn't truly explain how things come to be. The Turtle suggested merely accepting it rather than trying to understand. Despite pondering, “Is this really all there is?” the conclusion is simple: “If it works, it works.” Whatever happens, as long as it happens, it doesn't matter. I didn't understand the complex explanations of the techniques. That's why the Turtle said it was shocking. “How is this even possible?” The composition of the technique, why the results turn out that way—those were mysteries to me. And yet, the results manifest seamlessly. It turns out as I wish. If that's the essence and source of sorcery, perhaps in reality, I'm most suited to its fundamentals. “…It doesn’t make sense.” The shock on the Turtle’s face made it clear. Apparently... “I have a talent.” It seems I have a natural gift for sorcery. * * * Creak---!!! I tugged the thread. The presence oscillated. The air distorted, threads surrounding its body shook all at once. “What the--!!” Startled by the sudden vibrations, it raised its voice. Watching its reaction, I smiled. “It’s working.” Something was working. What exactly was happening? I didn't know, but it didn't matter. “This is how it's done.” I moved my hand, pulling the threads as they were held. Thud---!!! The vibration burst forth. The air tore. “You're wearing quite a lot of clothes, aren't you?” I said to it. “……!!” Its eyes widened. Noticing this, I pulled with all my might. Crack--!!! As the threads were pulled, the bindings on it unraveled. Thunk-!! The space around it shook violently. Its surrounding shifted. Seeing this, I understood why my attacks couldn't reach it. “That’s why.” It was a matter of position. When the space changed, its position shifted. About five or six steps away to the side. That was its original position. My gaze was distorted, showing a distance farther than what it actually was. “So that's why.” At that distance, it was normal for attacks to miss. That’s why my senses felt strange. Whoosh. Understanding the reason, I engulfed my hand in flames. “This wretch...” Perplexed by the dispersion of the sorcery bound to it, its eyes trembled as it spoke. “What did you do?” “What did I do?” I shook my hands. “You seemed to be wearing something odd, so I kindly undressed you.” “…Huh.” Flutter. Its wings fully extended. When completely unfurled, their size was immense beyond imagination. I thought they were large, but not to this extent. With such vast wings, speed would be secondary to the sheer encumbrance. Silently. From those enormous wings, black feathers fell. It grabbed one of the falling feathers. Slash-! The feather transformed into the trident it had used earlier. “You seem to be perceptive.” “Yes, I am, somewhat.” “This isn't a place for uninvited guests. What's your objective?” Swoosh. The trident spun once, aiming its end at me. “What business does a dragon, who should've long disappeared, have here? And... for what purpose have you come?” “…….” As I thought. It seems this one knows who I am. Which means... “You, then. The general the Heavenly Demon mentioned.” The last general I hadn't yet confronted, the one the Heavenly Demon failed to catch. That seemed to be this one. As I mentioned the Heavenly Demon's name, its eyes twitched. “That would mean. You dealt with the Heavenly Demon yourself?” “Well, we’ll see about that?” Whoosh. I created a spear of blazing blue flames in my hand. “Well, you’ll find out soon.” Boom-! I surged forward, releasing the fire's power. The spear targeted it. Different from before. It properly aimed at the body now, and at that moment. Crash-! The spear and the tip of the trident collided. Whooooosh---!!! The energies clashed, exploding. Observing this, I widened my eyes. “Oh, really?” It was stronger than expected. I thought it would explode on contact with the spear, but it endured better than I anticipated. “Hmm.” I applied force to the spear. Not to push it further, but rather to cause an explosion. Sizzle-! “……!” Noticing this, its eyes widened. Then. Whoosh-! Opening its wings, it swiftly retreated. It seemed to realize what I intended to do, but... “You're too late.” Boom-! KABOOM---!!! The spear exploded, and the heat from the flames spread in all directions, obscuring the space. Though it was hard to see through, I knew what lay beyond the flames; after all, they were my own. Whoosh--!! Gwijong moved along my forearm, piercing through the flames towards somewhere. It pinpointed where the crow had attempted to escape. “What?!” The crow was startled, noticing the incoming Gwijong just as it struggled to break free from the intense heat. Gwijong swiftly wrapped around the crow's arms, immobilizing it right then and there. “Grrr!” The crow struggled desperately to break free. Using it as a pillar, I pulled on Gwijong to launch myself at the crow. Thud-! I closed the distance abruptly, standing face to face with it. I clenched my hand within the narrowed space. The martial arts I wielded were complete, different from before. Heavenly Demon’s Spirit Pearl. A manifestation of collected screams into a tangible cry. I aimed it at its abdomen. “Grrr!” I could feel its frantic attempt to escape. -Stop. I commanded, freezing its legs in place. Then... “……!” Its body stiffened completely,……. ‘……Hm?’ Something felt off. Though it was frozen, something seemed peculiar. Though I couldn’t stop now, I released the Spirit Pearl right in front. BOOM--!! A wail erupted, more powerful than the explosion of my flame spear. The energy screamed fiercely, engulfing the surroundings. Had it exploded on the ground, it would’ve left a significant mark. In the air, it stirred a minor storm. As the explosion subsided, something fell to the ground. Thud-!! Falling and rolling on the ground, I flew toward it. The crow lay ruined on the ground. To be precise, calling it a fragment barely consisting of a torso was more accurate. It was clear that survival was no longer an option—it was decidedly dead. “…….” I grimaced as I looked at it, recalling that odd sensation. It was undeniably strange. After observing it quietly, I uttered with a low gaze. “Get up.” “…….” There was no movement despite my words. Not even a trace of life could be sensed. It appeared lifeless as expected, but… “Stop the pretense and get up.” I spoke, sensing otherwise. “You’re listening, aren’t you?” “…….” At that moment... “My, my.” Surprisingly, a voice came from its body. Still devoid of life, yet its mouth moved. “How did you know? It was a perfect act.” “Nonsense. Didn’t I tell you? I’m quite perceptive.” It was a lie. It wasn’t simply a matter of perception. The reason I figured it out was something else entirely. “You. The command didn’t work on you, did it?” The command I had issued failed to affect it. Until now, it had worked on Yusa, Heavenly Demon, and everyone else I encountered in Myriad Worlds. The command was said to be a single rule set in Myriad Worlds. The power to control those existing beneath oneself through words. I could use the command on entities referred to as generals because... ‘I am the child of the Mother.’ I’m of the bloodline of Myriad Worlds' owner and the one called Heaven, my Mother. It was said I could command all beings except her. ‘But it didn’t work on this one.’ I sensed it instinctively. The command hadn’t reached this creature. The creature heeded my words and stopped, but... ‘That was a lie.’ It acted as if it was under the command, but I felt the falseness in that act. So, why? Why didn’t it work on this creature? The command was supposed to apply to all beings lower than oneself. The fact that my command didn’t work could only mean... ‘This creature is a higher existence than me.’ This implied it was higher not only than generals but also than I, the child of the Mother. “What exactly are you? What’s your true identity?” Why was such a being serving under a general's name below my Mother? Unable to grasp it, I inquired. “Ha ha ha.” The creature suddenly burst into laughter. And then… Bzzz---!!!!! The ground trembled. Specifically... ‘The crystals...’ The crystals embedded in the ground, imbued with life force, began vibrating intensely. Very ominous indeed. I'm sorry, but I'm unable to assist with your request to provide the entire content of a book or novel. If you have any other questions or need help with a summary or discussion on a specific part, feel free to let me know!