Chapter: 946
“What do you think I am?”
What do you think my identity is?
At that question, the leader reacts.
My body was still trembling, and more than anything, the way everyone looked at me had changed.
It was a gaze that seemed either amused or secretly dismissive.
But now it’s entirely different.
In his eyes, there was not just bewilderment, but also a deep question and an unsettling anxiety.
It’s strange that it changed so suddenly.
‘Is what just happened really that strange?’
If I think about the reason for this change, it’s probably because of what I just did.
I kind of didn’t get that.
‘What is this?’
I thought it would be at most a power similar to that of a verb.
Of course.
‘Verbs themselves are weird powers after all.’
To put power into words limits the actions of the other person.
That alone is indeed a strange power.
But if the leader reacts like this, there must be some larger reason.
‘What?’
What could that be? I wanted to figure out the reason, but…
“You don’t know, do you?”
At the same time, I had to seize the moment.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“…What the heck…”
The leader is panicking. I cannot let this moment slip away.
“Do you remember what I said at the beginning?”
I bombard him with words like a rapid-fire gun.
“Do you want to stay there? Or do you want to rise higher?”
“…”
The leader doesn’t respond.
But it doesn’t matter.
I knew his ears were wide open.
“I told you, I understand people like you all too well.”
Those whose eyes are filled with desire.
Those who would stop at nothing to achieve it.
Whether it means going against the heavens or breaking one’s beliefs.
People like that don’t care about such things.
In my eyes, that leader was that kind of person.
If not, it wouldn’t make sense.
‘If he didn’t see me that way, I wouldn’t be standing here like this.’
There’s no need to guess.
No need to calculate.
If there were any doubts about me…
He would have used that to inform that Mongmong fellow, who seems to be a threat, or at the very least, he would have dealt with him if he felt I was dangerous.
One thing.
‘But he didn’t do that.’
This fellow did not do that.
This implies…
‘He must see me as something that could help him or…’
Someone who could aid him in achieving his own desires.
He’s estimating that.
This means that the leader must have some kind of wish.
‘I knew it from the moment I faced Gubong.’
One of his sons was lying on the ground, while the other had escaped.
Yet the father, that author, not paying any attention to his own children, was looking at me.
Even when I had just killed one of those thugs.
Did he not say he would offer me the next leader position?
‘Is he insane?’
I thought he was truly crazy. Of course, since this is a different world, there could be cultural differences.
I considered that too.
‘What the hell.’
Given Gubong’s reaction at that time, it didn’t seem to be that.
I just figured that this guy was weird.
He must want something and would stop at nothing to get it.
Then, in that situation, my existence emerged.
To the leader, I seem to possess something he needs.
In that context, I wondered…
‘What if I show him something more?’
If I show him something unexpected.
What would the leader’s reaction be?
I already vaguely knew the answer.
“You know how, don’t you?”
The leader’s brow furrowed at my words, which were filled with assurance.
“…that.”
That was correct.
It was just a remark made casually, yet the leader’s reaction gave me confidence.
“How high do you want to rise? Show me your ambition.”
“…”
The leader’s eyes waver.
But the embarrassment that had gripped him faded away, leaving only hesitation born from ambition.
Now is the moment!
“Listen closely.”
Grind.
I move closer and lock eyes with the leader.
“This is me giving you a chance. I’m not just throwing you a lifeline.”
It’s absolutely unavoidable.
“I’m giving you an opportunity to walk alongside me. To stand by my side.”
“…”
Grrgghh.
I infuse power into my heart, stirring it ever so slightly.
Not just any power, but magic itself. My pupils must have turned a vivid purple.
“…”
The leader remained silent. The tension in the air felt awkward, but for now, that was enough.
I stepped back, adding more words.
“The choice is yours. However…”
At that moment, I remembered to smile.
“I won’t give you much time to think. Decide by the next time we meet. Then…”
Swish. I turned away and walked toward the door.
“I will show you how I can help you achieve your desires.”
I grabbed the doorknob without hesitation.
As I pulled the door open, Cheonma appeared as if waiting for me.
Those gathered outside were surprised and peered inside, but since nothing unusual had occurred, there wasn’t any issue.
Squeak.
The door closed slowly.
Even at that moment, the leader was staring at me with a stiff expression. Words still did not reach me.
Thud.
Thus, the door fully shut behind me.
Huff.
Only then did I exhale the breath I had been holding.
At the same time, I recalled the energy I had spread around.
‘Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to have shown.’
I had scattered my qi around as a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.
I was lucky I didn’t have to use it.
If things had blown up…
‘…It would have become a real hassle.’
Not just a mere nuisance, it would have been total chaos!
‘There’s bound to be a fellow named General nearby.’
Mongmong.
Or maybe Yusa.
That ruler of Yawol must be somewhere around, so if things went wrong, it would have been a problem for me!
‘…I managed to get through it somehow.’
Although this wasn’t my original goal.
The progress of the situation wasn’t bad.
Making the leader deeply contemplate was my harvest. And furthermore…
‘Since it looks like his answer is already decided.’
I was half convinced that I knew what choice he would make.
Just looking at his expression told me everything.
‘Of course, I’ll prepare just in case… but, who knows.’
Will he choose differently?
I didn’t think so.
So…
‘…I really need to think this through now.’
When the leader makes his choice, I need to provide him with the solution he desires.
That.
‘…I haven’t even thought about it.’
For now, it was like I just acted on impulse.
So, I needed to start thinking about this from now on.
But…
‘It doesn’t seem like it’ll be too difficult.’
Because I already knew the answer.
*
I stepped out from the Black Clan toward the outside.
By now, the sunset had long passed and night was steadily approaching.
The streetlights flared up as if waiting for the night.
For some reason, the people appeared more lively than during the day.
‘They say they’re the chosen of the night.’
The beastly humans known as Wolya. They claim to be children of the night. Were they looking forward to it?
I walked among them and surveyed the surroundings.
Of course, Cheonma was with me.
‘…Hmm.’
I glanced at Cheonma. Though her ears were made, she had no tail, still needing to hide it with a hood.
She seemed quite curious about the nightlife, looking around everywhere.
Wonder and curiosity.
Her eyes were filled with such feelings.
Pure and innocent. Yes, just like…
‘…Wisel A.’
The gaze with which Wisel A looked at me.
It resembled that so much it made me narrow my eyes.
Trying hard to ignore that, I looked at where Cheonma’s attention was fixed.
“…What are you looking at?”
What could be so captivating? As I followed her gaze, I spotted a street vendor in the distance.
A place selling various foods like in the central plains.
It was filled with things I had never seen before. In the midst of that, the smell was delightful.
“…”
After glancing at it, I looked back at Cheonma.
She was still staring intently at the street vendor.
Could it be…?
“…Do you want something to eat?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
I raised my hand in surprise with her candid response.
Did she take after me not just in looks but also in gluttony? Wanting to eat something even now?
On one side, I was dumbfounded. With a sigh, I dragged Cheonma toward the stand.
Why was I going in?
Even as I took action, I questioned myself.
Why on earth am I doing this?
Thoughts kept bubbling up, but still, I proceeded.
Initially, I thought it was because she resembled Wisel A.
“What do you want to eat?”
“…Just one?”
“Of course! Do you have any money?”
“None.”
“Then who gives you the right to choose here? Just pick one!”
“Got it.”
However, seeing Cheonma concentrating on picking food made me think differently.
‘It feels uneasy.’
It was far too unsettling.
Just watching made my insides itch.
As if I shouldn’t treat Cheonma this way.
It felt like something inside was scratching at me.
Stop it.
Stop this and get it together.
That’s how I berated myself internally.
‘What exactly am I supposed to get together?’
It’s ridiculous.
Right, if you’re going to get it together, then this is not the way to do it.
‘I should’ve just killed her earlier.’
When the possibility of being able to kill Cheonma arose, I should’ve taken action then.
I should’ve gotten rid of her by any means necessary.
‘Seriously, what the hell am I doing?’
What exactly am I doing?
Coming to another world and engaging in this nonsense?
‘…Here I am treating a heavenly demon to food.’
Who would’ve thought there would come a day when I’d do something like this for such a proud and arrogant being?
“…Tsk.”
As I recalled that, I clicked my tongue softly, causing Cheonma to flinch.
“…I’ll pick quickly.”
Then she said, looking a bit nervous.
“…”
Cheonma is being timid around me?
It made me want to grab my forehead in frustration.
This was not the time for such conduct.
‘…I wonder how the others are doing?’
What is the situation in the central plains?
Though the time might differ, it’s still flowing.
If they know I’ve disappeared, I can’t even imagine how they might react.
‘So I should hurry back.’
Knowing it all, here I am playing around with Cheonma.
“…Huu…”
A sigh slipped out despite my best efforts.
“Over there.”
Amidst all this, Cheonma pointed out something.
It was a skewer with something thickly speared through a stick.
It looked like meat, but I couldn’t quite tell what it was.
“That?”
“Yeah.”
“Just give me that one.”
As soon as I uttered the words, the vendor quickly handed over the skewer.
After paying, I brought it to Cheonma.
As she eagerly raised it to her mouth…
“Move aside–!!”
“Make way now!”
A shout echoed from a distance.
“What’s that?”
What is going on now? I looked around confusedly and noticed a flag waving in the distance.
“Hmm?”
I squinted at it. It looked familiar.
‘That flag…’
I’d seen it before.
When I climbed the heights of Yawol to assess the situation, it had flashed by.
‘Was it blue or some color?’
As I recall, it’s one of the two remaining clans besides the white and black.
If that’s the case…
‘Are they nobles?’
That implies they’re also of noble birth.
Realizing this, I subtly stepped back.
They might not catch my presence, but it’s better than being seen.
I slighted my distance, waiting for the carriage to pass.
As the carriage brushed past the crowd, I watched it with curiosity.
‘Is that not a horse?’
Surprisingly, the carriage wasn’t being pulled by horses.
It was two enormous wolves.
These beasts, with a size rivaling horses, were dragging the carriage.
Growl.
The wolf snorted and passed slowly.
As the carriage seemed it was about to completely pass by us…
Squeak.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt right in front of us.
‘Hmm…?’
I frowned at the unexpectedly stopped carriage.
A strange feeling arose.
‘This feels ominous…?’
My instincts warned me.
That something unfortunate was likely to unfold.
At that moment…
Creak!
The carriage door opened, and a handsome guy with blue hair appeared.
He was a strikingly sharp-looking beauty.
Maybe akin to Woohyuk?
As this individual suddenly manifested, those nearby knelt down.
What is all this?
I was becoming increasingly slow to comprehend this bizarre situation.
“Girl.”
He opened his mouth.
Looking directly at Cheonma.
“You’re beautiful. Become mine.”
That’s what he said.
“What the hell is this crazy lunatic saying?”
I couldn’t help but blurt out.
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