Chapter: 932
I returned to the Volcano Sect first, dragging Gubong and Cheonma along with me.
There was nowhere else to go for now, and things had turned out better than expected, so there was no need to linger any longer.
Anyway, I could always return later.
Click.
I felt the ticking of the item in my arms.
It was something given to me by the leader of a place called the Black House or something.
He said that with this alone, it would be much easier to travel to and from the Yawol Palace.
This much alone was quite a significant gain. It also meant that they were willing to hear my story.
‘What’s important is that I’ve fastened the first button well.’
I used Gubong to create a framework. I thought there might be some connection between that guy and the nobles.
As expected, Gubong was indeed a guy with a story.
‘Let’s set this aside for now.’
If there’s something unexpected here…
‘That gentleman is the head of that place.’
The guy from the White Family.
Compared to the owner of that place, a guy named Baekwol or something, it was like night and day.
‘Strong.’
The way he concealed his presence and the power to obscure vision and create illusions was notable too.
The man I broke through and faced directly was much stronger than I anticipated.
‘I couldn’t see it well.’
Just how strong he really was.
I couldn’t quite gauge how much power he was hiding.
That meant he was an extremely powerful being.
The eyes that had been silently staring, along with the energy he was radiating, were both unusual.
What would have happened if we had fought to the death on the spot?
“Hmm….”
Even imagining it makes it difficult to gauge.
It meant I wasn’t sure whether I would win or lose.
‘Clearly different from the Baek something.’
I thought it would be difficult for him by night.
This one felt dangerous even with the sun still shining.
That means…
‘When night falls?’
If he becomes stronger at night, does that imply a higher chance of losing?
‘Hmm….’
I furrowed my brow.
I’d need to think for a moment about what to do.
Just as I started to worry like that…
“…Why are you just sitting there? I told you to get out!”
The turtle that suddenly appeared in front of me frowned and spoke.
Hearing that, I clicked my tongue and replied.
“I came as a guest, so why are you trying to kick me out again? I haven’t even had a drink yet.”
“I put up a sign outside clearly stating ‘no guests allowed,’ but you barged in anyway. What’s that about?”
The turtle grabbed its cane as if in disbelief.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
Right on the head! I rubbed my head due to the sharp sting.
“You’re not doing business, kid. Just get out.”
“Then why did you give me the tea?”
I gestured towards the steaming tea in front of me. He tells me to leave, but still offers me tea.
The turtle looked at me as if my words threw him for a loop.
“Who was it that said he’d cause a ruckus if I didn’t give him tea?”
“You gave it to me anyway. Last time, you just kicked me out.”
I remember getting swatted out of the shop with just a few quick whips of that cane.
If you didn’t like it, why not just do that again this time? As I thought that, I could see the turtle scowling.
“That’s—”
It stopped speaking.
Wondering why, I looked at the turtle, but the old man just made a face of displeasure and said nothing more.
What gives?
‘Is it really okay to have it?’
Maybe he operates like a god who nods and begrudgingly cares.
‘I don’t know. He doesn’t seem like that from what I can tell.’
It didn’t seem like it, but that was the situation after all.
Besides, there was no reason to be like this.
“Phew.”
The turtle sighed, a deep and weary breath.
“…If you have no business, just drink that and leave.”
“No way.”
I smiled and replied immediately to those words.
“If you don’t have any business, why did I come here? I’m not particularly fond of drinking tea.”
“…”
The turtle frowned deeper, his brow furrowing.
“Then why are you here?”
When asked what my business was, I gulped down the tea in one go and said,
“Elder, there’s something I need to do. I, uh, need to ask you something.”
“I don’t like it.”
“…I haven’t finished speaking yet.”
“I have nothing to tell you.”
“…”
I hesitated at the quick rejection.
The turtle was sharp.
He had a face that immediately indicated he understood what I was trying to say.
‘Oh boy.’
I awkwardly laughed and continued.
“Oh, come on… please don’t reject me right away.”
“I don’t know about others, but not you.”
“No, why not?”
“It’s just how I feel.”
I tried to learn some magic, but the turtle waved his nearly fingerless hand dismissively as if he absolutely detested the idea.
“Hey, Elder.”
“Don’t act cute with that ugly face. It just makes me feel worse.”
“…”
That’s a bit too harsh, don’t you think?
This one really stung.
As I held my silence, the turtle glanced my way.
And then…
“You must not set foot here.”
Is this place referring to the use of witchcraft?
Should I avoid stepping into matters of witchcraft?
“Why not?”
I asked, confused and the turtle slammed a hand on the table.
“Though this world might be immensely gracious to you, I cannot bear the calamities that arise from it.”
“What does that even mean?”
Can you explain that to me a bit better? I shot him a glare filled with curiosity, and in response, the turtle suddenly tilted his head.
“I’ve sensed it from last time, but this is odd.”
“What’s odd?”
“It can’t be that you’re this dumb, so why are you acting so foolish?”
“…What do you mean?”
Is this old man seriously insulting me to my face?
“Calling someone dumb right to their face!”
“Not that… Just wondering…? With your level of understanding, this shouldn’t be…”
The turtle stared at me, clearly bewildered as if he couldn’t figure me out.
At that moment…
Woosh.
I saw the light shining from behind the turtle’s eyebrows.
And then…
Swoosh—!!
“…!”
Suddenly, an unexplainable sensation swept through my body.
Thump! My heart raced as energy surged up uncontrollably.
It wrapped around my entire body like it was trying to fend off this strange discomfort.
Only then did that sensation finally fade away.
“Hmm.”
“What did you just do?”
I could tell the turtle had done something.
But what exactly did he do?
So I asked, and the turtle made a still-frowning expression as he replied.
“Interesting.”
He looked like he caught on to something.
“So that was it.”
“What’s with the self-revelation? Why should I figure it out for myself?”
“It’s not just containment; maybe it’s concealment too?”
“No…”
What on earth is he talking about? If we’re going to figure something out, wouldn’t it be better to gather our insights together?
Just as I was wondering what the heck was going on…
“I’ll ask you one thing.”
“…What is it?”
The turtle directed a serious look toward me.
“Are you connected to the master of this place?”
“…”
Out of nowhere?
It was an unexpected question that made me squint my eyes.
Why is he bringing up my mother out of the blue? I was quite flustered, to say the least.
“…Yes, well, it’s not entirely unrelated.”
I answered for now.
Then the turtle nodded, as if he had already expected that.
“…Is that so.”
“What exactly is—”
“What do you want to know?”
“Excuse me?”
“Aren’t there things you wish to ask?”
“…Will you tell me?”
“Yes.”
He had just seemed like he would never tell me anything, but suddenly?
Why the abrupt change of heart?
As I pondered suspiciously, the turtle raised one finger.
Is that a finger? I’m not even sure.
“There’s one condition.”
My ears perked up at the mention of conditions.
As he looked at me, the turtle stated.
“Excuse me?”
Hearing that, I had to wear a rather puzzled expression.
*
“So, the turtle accepted it, huh?”
After finishing my conversation with the turtle, I went to find Shin Noya.
Shin Noya was uncharacteristically out back in the fields, farming for reasons unknown to me.
He even looked like a farmer, as if he had taken the role quite seriously.
“…What are you doing?”
As I inquired, Nan Noya glanced at me.
In his hands was not a sword, but a sickle.
“Can’t you tell?”
“I asked because I knew too well.”
Come on, it’s clear as day he’s farming. So what’s with the timing?
In response to my question, Shin Noya straightened up and replied.
“I need to prepare for the coming season, so I’m doing this. It turned out to be more fun than I thought. How about it? Do you want to give it a try?”
“…No thanks.”
I didn’t have time for leisurely activities like that. I carefully walked over the field and approached Noya.
“In any case… I was considering learning something if possible.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Upon hearing my words, Noya let out a small laugh.
Seeing that, I asked.
“Is it alright with you?”
“Hmm?”
Noya tilted his head, puzzled by my question.
“Why do you ask me?”
“Well, that turtle old-timer seemed quite hesitant about it.”
He definitely had a vibe that he didn’t want to share anything on witchcraft matters, especially with a loathing look directed at me.
In light of such a situation…
“He accepted when I mentioned my mother.”
“…About your mother?”
“Yes. While he didn’t say it explicitly… he asked if there was a connection. I told him it wasn’t nonexistent.”
“And then he accepted? With such a strange condition?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Noya nodded as if he was coming to a realization.
He had a look that suggested he understood something.
“So, you accepted, huh, rookie?”
“It wasn’t even an odd condition, and given the situation, I couldn’t just reject it.”
I had to seize the opportunity when I could to learn.
Chances to grasp this field were extremely rare.
‘The more I observe, the more I’m convinced.’
As I come to feel what witchcraft truly is, and the more I sense that peculiar power, I became absolute in my belief that this was the right call.
It was evident.
‘Witchcraft is a must.’
To create the connections I’m seeking with my martial arts, witchcraft is essential.
And it needed to be a power significantly higher and more refined than my own.
For that reason…
‘I need the turtle’s help.’
I guess he must know. The direction of the path I wish to walk.
Knowing that, I desperately wished to learn.
“Well then, what are you worried about? Just go for it.”
Noya said as if to say, “If you know, just do it!”
That made sense. It really did.
“…But it feels like there’s some problem lurking around.”
“There’s not nothing to worry about.”
Noya said this nonchalantly.
“Well then.”
“But do you think this is the wrong path?”
“…”
I couldn’t answer him.
“The path is yours to choose; whatever lies at the end is up to you. If you want to pursue it, go for it.”
Noya said this while chuckling as if he found it amusing.
“I’ve always told you, haven’t I? To believe in yourself.”
“…If it were as easy as saying, I wouldn’t have lived like this.”
“It’s not easy. But.”
Noya set the sickle down and gave my shoulder a light pat.
“Kid, if it’s you, I believe you can do it.”
“…”
That seemingly inexplicable trust washed over me vividly.
So I let out a sheepish smile.
It felt like I’d asked something utterly pointless.
Or perhaps hearing Noya’s answer offered some reassurance.
I find I had been placing much faith in this old man without realizing it, and that thought brought some embarrassment creeping over me.
Just as I was trying to force it back…
“Oh, by the way, I heard the girl got hurt. Is she alright?”
“…Are you talking about Cheonma?”
I frowned at the mention of Cheonma.
She was currently receiving treatment from my first disciple, Seol Yeong.
I hadn’t realized it, but she was also managing the treatment issues.
“Yes, I heard she fought with that person who was watching us.”
“Hmm….”
I deliberately expressed “we” instead of “I” this time around.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s probably nothing serious.”
How injured could Cheonma be, really?
If left alone, she’d recover quickly.
As I said this with that intent, Nan Noya let out a soft chuckle.
“It’s funny hearing it from someone who’s more worried than any of us.”
“Who’s worried?”
“Not you?”
“Absolutely not.”
What kind of nonsense is this? Wishing she’d just drop dead or something?
As I frowned heavily while saying that, Noya casually nodded in a strange way.
“Sure, if you say so.”
“…Setting Cheonma aside, there’s something about the one who keeps staring at us that’s getting annoying. Do you know anything about it?”
Previously, Noya had a degree of awareness about it.
“I know. There are very few beings capable of doing such a thing.”
As expected, Noya seemed to know. That was a relief. Some information is available.
“Besides, if he’s been watching you, that would have to be Yarung.”
“Yarung?”
That was a name I’d heard before.
Is that the name of the being who’s been keeping an eye on us?
I leaned in closer, concentrating to catch what Noya was about to say next.
“Right, Yarung. One of the generals your mother kept close to her.”
Noya swung the sickle again.
Swish. The sound of grass being cut tickled my ears.
And at the same time, Noya’s words struck home.
“Your mother is the one who openly declared that Yarung is her daughter.”
“…What?”
Upon hearing that, my body went rigid.
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