Chapter: 975
Blackened hair. A white mask being worn. Dark-colored clothing that resembles the hair.
A man of considerable height, with muscles that seem ready to burst.
Plus, a dangerous atmosphere wafting up from him.
“…”
Black couldn’t find the words to say as he looked at the man in his room.
‘What the heck.’
The more he looked, the stranger it became.
It felt as if he was being sucked into those purple eyes staring at him.
‘… It’s as if it’s absorbing light…’
As if devouring the surrounding light and exhaling darkness.
Only the area around the author looked particularly dim.
What should he call this feeling?
A sense of alienation. A sense of disconnection. The words just wouldn’t come to mind.
Thus, Black strained to break through the confusion and grasp at some words.
‘Ah.’
Not long after, one word wedged itself in his head.
‘Unpleasant.’
It was unpleasant.
Just being in front of that being was enough to feel utterly discomforted. And also.
‘Ominous.’
It was ominous.
Just looking at him stirred that feeling.
Struggling to suppress those emotions, Black spoke up.
“…How long have you been here?”
[Not long, so don’t worry.]
As he spoke, the man casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
Someone else sat in the leader’s seat without a care, but Black said nothing.
That was partly because the man seemed far too casual about it.
And also because Black’s mouth strangely wouldn’t move.
Afterward, the man sat quietly in the chair.
[So.]
Suddenly, he looked at Black and spoke.
[How was it?]
“…”
His voice was soft.
Black scowled at the tone.
Does he not even realize where he is? This is his own territory, after all.
A place that even other leaders would hesitate to visit.
There was a reason they didn’t wander outside their own territories.
‘So bold.’
He’s incredibly bold.
‘Is he confident?’
Does that mean he believes he could win no matter what, even in his own space?
Black squinted as he stared at the man.
Dead eyes that betrayed no meaning.
Nothing was felt, yet an unusual brilliance gleamed.
As if swallowing darkness to emit light.
Those eyes were strangely hefty.
What could be the reason for such confidence? Black racked his brain to figure it out.
‘Right, the place where Blue was struck was also my territory.’
The place where Blue had fallen was indeed his territory.
When he recalled that, even if it was within his territory now.
‘That must prove he is confident.’
That man could kill him at will. Perhaps that’s why he’s so sure of himself.
Moreover.
‘It’s a sensation I’ve never felt with the general.’
Even General Yusa, one of the four rulers and a powerful figure, didn’t invoke such sensations.
It felt distant.
Perhaps it felt indifferent. This was a feeling hard to articulate.
Compared to Yusa, who exuded ferocity and a lurking fear of being devoured.
The man gave off nothing. It felt as if something was there yet simultaneously absent.
The discomfort that arose from that peculiar feeling tightened around Black’s neck.
‘…What on earth.’
What is his identity? What is this author’s true nature?
How could such things happen? A continuous chain of incomprehensible events.
As Black pondered that, he furrowed his brows.
[Can you not hear what I’m saying?]
“…!”
The man asked.
[I wonder how it was for you?]
Upon hearing that, Black stiffened slightly. There was an undertone of anger in the man’s voice.
The moment he sensed it, his body reacted on instinct.
It’s dangerous.
The presence in front is dangerous.
His instincts kept warning him incessantly.
[Hmm.]
The man tilted his head after receiving no response.
At that moment, as Black slowly tried to lift himself up.
“…I did as you said.”
He spoke to the man.
Upon hearing that, the man settled back into the chair.
[You followed my orders?]
“Yes. Just as you instructed….”
After a brief silence, Black chose his words carefully and spoke to him.
“…I mentioned to the general at the banquet. You have a purpose. To achieve that purpose, you intend to go find another chieftain…”
[You said to use that?]
“Precisely.”
The man chuckled softly after hearing Black’s words.
What’s so amusing? Black frowned again at the sight.
[I see.]
The man quickly wiped the smile off his face.
Tap tap. The tips of his fingers drummed on the table. Black’s gaze was briefly captured by the action.
[So you followed my words. Is that right?]
“…”
In response to the man’s words, Black could only bite his lips in silence.
[So, can I take it to mean that you want to join me?]
Black’s brows furrowed deeper at the tone laced with laughter.
“…That’s…”
[It’s too late to deny it. You know that, right?]
Crack.
His interjection cut through, sparking anger, but Black couldn’t think of anything to retort with.
[So, how are you? Feeling a bit more awake?]
“…What is your purpose?”
[Hmm?]
Finally, Black asked.
“What are you? What do you intend to do?”
He recalled the moment before attending the banquet when this man had visited him.
Quietly. So nobody would notice.
As he observed the man slip into the room, Black could scarcely react.
There wasn’t even time to react. His back was seized before he even knew it.
What was even more shocking was…
[Well, to explain all that.]
The man’s gaze settled back on Black.
[First, take a seat.]
“…!”
Clunk! Black’s body, which had been in motion, plopped down in the chair as if by command.
Recognizing this, an exclamation of surprise escaped Black.
It felt exactly like before.
‘…A command…!’
An absolute power that only those at the general level or higher can wield.
A power that can touch one’s soul and make it listen.
‘This guy…!’
Back then, too, he utilized his commands with such ease.
It was awe-inspiring that he could do so. But…
‘This being must be at least of general caliber.’
Even if he were just a general, that spoke volumes. Moreover.
‘…What if he’s more than that?’
Is there a chance this being might exceed a general’s status?
Such absurd thoughts left Black speechless.
Above the general is only the great and noble Lord of Heaven.
Nothing else exists beyond Him.
Thus, claiming that this being stands above a general is unfathomable.
So, ultimately, it breaks down to being on the same level as a general.
‘…Indeed.’
A question surfaced in Black’s mind.
What, then, would Yusa’s odd reaction during the banquet indicate?
‘Why.’
Why did he react that way?
Black couldn’t grasp Yusa’s response.
It seemed too simplistic to rationalize it as mere surprise upon encountering a fellow general. The look in his eyes had felt uniquely different.
While mulling this over, Black found himself growing increasingly perplexed.
[I understand what you want.]
The man directed his gaze at Black.
[As I mentioned before, the reason I sought you out remains unchanged. I will grant your wish.]
“…What are you talking about?”
Black queried, constrained by a shudder at those words.
“I don’t want anything.”
[Nonsense. You’re claiming to want nothing? Then why did you listen to me?]
“Because…”
[Admit it. You know the truth if it’s the being before you.]
Squeak.
The man leaned forward, locking eyes with Black.
[It’s possible I could help fulfill your wish. Something like that.]
“…”
Black quietly clenched his fist.
[If you keep dodging, are you expecting me to just drop it?]
Chuckle. With that laugh, the man continued.
[You want to be a general, don’t you?]
“…!”
At that proclamation, Black’s eyes widened.
[You want it so fiercely. You probably couldn’t contain your excitement when the opportunity presented itself.]
He needed to refute what the man just stated. Moreover, he needed to cut him off to prevent him from continuing.
Yet despite these thoughts, Black found himself speechless.
[You likely are not fond of the similarities.]
He began to belittle the general specifically.
That too must be intercepted.
[Of course, you wouldn’t like it. That guy hasn’t shown up for decades. He pops in only occasionally, acting like he’s royalty. It must infuriate you, wouldn’t it?]
“…I am…”
[You’re also dissatisfied with the other leaders. They’re all dimwitted, so you wouldn’t want to share a pedestal with them. You wouldn’t want to be treated the same, right?]
“…”
The words kept flowing.
Black couldn’t deny what he had just heard.
It felt true, yes, but the conviction in the man’s voice and the intensity of his gaze kept him utterly tongue-tied.
[It’s right.]
The man’s eyes sparkled even more.
[It’s right.]
His eyes kept drawing Black’s attention.
[You are special. You’re different from the others.]
As he said this, the man pointed a finger at Black.
[That’s why I have chosen you.]
Creek.
The man stood tall.
In terms of stature, his purple eyes now looked down upon Black.
As Black realized this, he attempted to shift his legs again.
[Stay still.]
—!!!
Once more, his legs felt as heavy as stone.
[You still hear me, right?]
He reached out and lightly gripped Black’s neck.
As if he could snap it anytime.
[What did I ask you earlier? Oh, right.]
Yet, his gaze remained unwavering.
Black wanted to evade those eyes.
His instincts screamed at him to look away, yet his stiffened body wouldn’t comply.
[What was the purpose behind this?]
He could hear laughter.
[My dream is to transform this world into a perfect paradise.]
Hearing those words, Black’s pupils trembled.
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