933 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A daughter? Noya's words were so unexpected that Shin Noya had to pause for a moment, dazed. 'A daughter, really?' Shin Noya was certain that this Yarang was his mother's daughter. "... What... is this?" His mouth refused to function, almost as if it was broken, despite trying to form words. Was the shock that overwhelming? Was it because his mother had another child? It was too immature and petty to be shocked by just that realization. It was probably just sheer surprise. As he stood there floundering with eyes wide open, Noya, who had been calmly cutting grass, spoke up again. "That's what your mother said. I don't know the details." Noya put down the sickle he was holding as he spoke. "The important thing is that this Yarang acts as your mother's eyes and ears." "... Eyes and ears?" "Yes." Noya casually threw the sickle aside and started gathering clothes from a nearby rock to put them on. "In this world, there isn't anything that Yarang cannot see or hear. That is the power she possesses." "That... seems like an incredible power to wield..." To see and hear everything—it transcended simply widening one's sensory perception with energy. "Of course, not everything is as it seems. After all, it's all within the realm of her authority." While speaking, Shin Noya pointed his finger towards a spot filled with blossoming plum trees. "Where the divine trees exist, her power cannot be used, so she cannot see there." "... Really? Is that true?" He hadn't known this. Or rather, it hadn't been mentioned before, so naturally, he wouldn't know. 'A place where the divine trees exist cannot use powers...' Was such a thing possible? "Therefore, typically within the Night Moon Palace or other places, she cannot use her powers." His brow furrowed at the words. There were aspects that didn’t quite make sense. "Noya." "Yes." "You said areas with divine trees can't use powers." "Yes, that's what I said." "But if other places also can't use powers... are there divine trees there too?" He questioned, implying whether the Night Moon Palace and other places also had divine trees. "Most likely, yes." "... Did they embed such large trees?" He didn’t recall seeing such trees when visiting the Night Moon Palace. Even if the interior was vast, if such a thing was present, it would have been noticeable at first glance. Noya looked at him with a slightly exasperated expression and said, "Do you think all divine trees are that large?" "... Aren't they all that big?" Having never seen one before, how was he supposed to know? Someone should have explained it to him. "Not all divine trees are large. Some are small and inconspicuous, or hidden entirely." Not all divine trees are large, and some are hidden. Indeed, if all divine trees were such sizes, he wouldn’t have missed them. However, "Are there more divine trees of that size in this world?" "If you look for them, yes. There should be three more aside from that one." "Three more?" "Yes. In total, there are four divine trees. Equal to the number of Generals." Equal to the number of Generals. That phrase caught his attention. "Does that mean there are divine trees corresponding to the number of Generals?" "More accurately, it means there are different regions associated with each, except one." "Why?" "Why, indeed." Just as he had pointed before, Shin Noya gestured towards the plum divine tree. "Because it was stolen and planted there." "..." Hearing this, he instinctively rubbed his face dry. What kind of brazen confession was this? He'd heard it before. That the seed of a divine tree was stolen and caused a lot of trouble. "So, while it might not be visible from here, it could be different outside." Noya gathered the harvest into his arms as he collected them one by one. Watching him, he asked, "... Why did you steal it in the first place?" Why had Noya felt the need to steal that divine tree? Unable to understand, he asked straightforwardly, and Noya responded plainly. "It was necessary." "The divine tree?" "Yes. But since there was no other way to acquire it, what else could I do?" "So you stole it?" "Indeed." It was an incredibly straightforward statement. Even to the point of audacity. "Perhaps that's why Yarang is after it." "Why Yarang?" "Because that divine tree originally belonged to Yarang." The plum divine tree did? He eyed the divine tree with curiosity. "You mean it was Yarang's..." "When a General establishes their own territory, they use the divine tree for it. That's the divine tree Yarang obtained upon becoming a General." "And Noya stole it?" "Ah, yes. It wasn't easy." He bore an expression of pride, as if he had accomplished something truly remarkable. So essentially, "... That divine tree belongs to this woman named Yarang, and you stole it and planted it here?" "Precisely." "And now Yarang is trying to find it?" "Probably?" "... Why aren't you certain about the last part?" His skepticism showed, and Noya replied, somewhat sheepishly. "Because it might not be the case." Could that really be true? Given Yarang had shown up once before, and now this situation arose. He was told the Heavenly Demon came to see him, but it seemed strange for a General to come just to see him. He remembered them attempting to capture a dragon last time. If so, they should have engaged in battle immediately upon meeting. 'If they are more cautious than expected?' If that was the reason for not approaching, then it might make sense. But he didn't think that was the case. 'Could someone like Yarang be strong enough to wound the Heavenly Demon?’ The Heavenly Demon who had survived battles against three masters alone. Of course, the Heavenly Demon from his previous life differed significantly in feel from the current one. Nevertheless, it still seemed unlikely. He recalled the Heavenly Demon bleeding from the chest. 'Are Generals on a whole different level?' Yarang, who was said to be his mother's daughter. For some reason, a sense of discomfort rose within him. Was it because of having a sibling he didn't know about? Or was it due to the fact that the Heavenly Demon had come back injured? He wasn't certain, but one thing was clear: 'Without seeing it clearly, I have no assurance.' The Generals might be stronger than I anticipated. 'Especially that leader of theirs.' I couldn't even gauge their level, which was vexing. 'It's tricky to make any rash moves.' To wrap things up quickly, I needed to know more about them. Trying to contact their General seemed necessary too. *Sigh.* Though I'm not entirely lost, there's an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. It felt stifling and somehow constraining. Amidst these increasingly discordant thoughts, "Hey there, youngster." Noya called out to me. Hearing him, I shifted my gaze. Noya was already dressed in a new set of clothes. "If you're finished, it's time to head out." "Pardon? Where to?" Where were we going all of a sudden? Surprised by the unexpected comment, I asked, and Shin Noya responded with a wry smile. "It's been a while since we've last seen each other. Shouldn't I check how much you've grown?" "...Excuse me?" "Follow me." As soon as he spoke, Noya leaped away. A swirl of petals exploded and vanished. I stood there dumbfounded before regaining my senses. Noya left a trail of petals in the air, guiding the way. "Huh..." I couldn't help but observe with a sense of disbelief. What was going on? But. "..." I watched in silence, then gathered strength in my legs. I might have been smiling at that moment. ******* Following the petals, I arrived at a clearing not too far away. It resembled the place where I had once practiced against Kubeong. I arrived late to find Noya standing alone in the center of the field with his hands behind his back. His eyes were closed, and he was quietly savoring the breeze. Watching him, I couldn't help but click my tongue. 'As much as I hate to admit it.' He looked impressive. Tall, with a sharp and dignified air, Noya appeared as a well-put-together elderly man. I approached him cautiously. Even then, Noya kept his eyes closed. "Why did you go through the trouble of bringing me here?" At my words, Noya's lips curved slightly. "Haven't I told you already?" The fabric of his clothes fluttered lightly. "I wanted to see how much you've grown." I exhaled a breath, conceding. "Why now of all times?" In the midst of our conversation. After tending to the fields, suddenly this? It was quite peculiar. What was this about? "Do you dislike it? You seemed restless, so I brought you here myself." "It's not that. It just feels so abrupt." "For being abrupt." Swish. Noya unfolded the hands he had behind his back. "It seems as if there's something inside you that needs to be released. Was I mistaken?" "..." I didn't respond. Because he wasn’t wrong. Indeed, that was the case. Recently, I’d been feeling an unshakable sense of both mental and physical constraint. "So come over here. I can at least entertain your antics." "Antics, you say? Don't you think that's a bit of an understatement?" "Haha." Noya laughed heartily at my comment. "You’re overestimating yourself, youngster." With those words, Noya opened his eyes. In that instant, Whoooosh---!!! "...!!" Every hair on my body stood on end. A wave of tension swept through me, making my hands tremble. My instincts roared within me. Upon meeting Noya's reddish eyes, I involuntarily took a step back. "No matter what you do, it'll only amount to a trifle for me." "…" "So give it your all." It felt as if the entire world was warping before my eyes. "That's the only way this could be fun for me." Noya's voice rendered my hearing momentarily numb. It wasn't that he was loud. The energy enveloping his voice was simply too much for my ears to handle. Realizing this, I acknowledged the truth. ‘...He really was holding back back then.' The Shin Noya I encountered within Youngpung's visions. Facing him, I never experienced anything like this sensation before. It was the feeling prey has when facing a predator. I trembled uncontrollably. And yet, I found myself smiling. Was it madness? Feeling fear, yet smiling through it all? Clench. I tightened my fist. Thump. My heart pounded fiercely, spreading warmth throughout my body. Ziiiiing--!! The rings of the Guyeom Hwararyeong exploded. Now, all ten rings spun frantically, fully charged. "Hoo." Noya watched with an intrigued expression. "Haaaa..." Even my breaths carried heat. I compressed the power within me, ready to burst at any moment. Methodically, I charged my body as I from head to toe. "Noya." "Yes." I addressed him directly. "Aren't you going to draw your sword?" "Sword?" Noya chuckled softly at my words. It was a clear taunt. "Perhaps. If I find it necessary, I might consider it." "…Aha." Facing an unarmed opponent, as if I wasn’t worthy of the trouble. It didn't just step on my pride—it crushed it. In any other scenario, I would have let loose a stream of curses, furious at the insult. "So then, shall we?" This time, I wasn’t angry. I understood Noya well enough to know he had the right to speak such words. Crunch. I lowered my upper body. Pushing off with my feet. Crack---!!! The ground sunk under my strength. Swish-! Covered in blue flames from top to bottom. "Let me show you what I can do." Boom-! I charged with all my might. Crash---!!! A sea of fire surged towards Noya like a torrential wave.