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One Hundred and Fifty Years

One hundred and fifty years.

That staggering number made my head spin for a moment.

One hundred and fifty years…? Not just a few months?

“…What in the world does that even mean?”

Noya had only disappeared from my body for just a few months. How could that possibly equate to over a hundred years?

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, yet Noya’s expression was serious.

“There are more days that I didn’t bother counting. It’s likely just a bit more than that.”

“What…?”

“This place was originally nothing but barren land. There was nothing here. With no living beings present, I planted a single tree.”

Shifting my gaze to the mention of planting, I spotted a gigantic tree that could obscure the sky.

“Is that it?”

“Yeah. It grew quite a bit, right?”

“Quite a bit too much, I’d say.”

Even considering time, the tree was awfully peculiar. Even if Noya was right and one hundred and fifty years had passed, it was bizarre for a tree to grow to such a size.

“I… don’t quite get it. So, you’re saying…?”

“It’s fine. Your head being slow isn’t new; it’s been like that for quite some time.”

“Could you at least let me get a word in edgewise…?”

“Oh, it’s just habit; it slips out without me noticing.”

I was really getting annoyed, but I held back and added another thought.

“So, Noya has been here for one hundred and fifty years… and during that time, created the Hwasan Sect. But the place I was in only saw a few months pass, is that right?”

“Oh, you’ve understood it accurately.”

“No, not at all. I still don’t understand.”

Time is different.

Even if over a hundred years have passed here, only a few months have gone by in the Central Plains?

If that’s the case…

“…Why didn’t you come back sooner?”

If you said you’d return in a couple of months, then why on earth did you stay away for that long?

In response, Noya offered a slightly awkward expression.

“Because I couldn’t return, of course.”

“Couldn’t return?”

I frowned upon hearing that.

“You mentioned there’d be a way.”

“That was advice from that guy. But did I know it would end up like this?”

Noya frowned and added.

“And if you think about it, it was to grant your wish that I ended up like this, so why the fuss?”

“…”

He was right, and I found myself at a loss for words.

“…I’m sorry.”

When I sincerely apologized, Noya looked at me with a peculiar expression.

“Surprisingly humble. I thought you would’ve been a brat all the way to the end.”

“I’m not that bad, am I?”

“Actually…?”

“…”

His confident tone really annoyed me. Was I really that much of a scoundrel?

‘Still, one hundred and fifty years is pushing it, don’t you think?’

How could one possibly endure that long? That part was what was bugging me the most.

Did Noya possibly lie about the duration?

‘No way.’

That’s impossible. Knowing Noya, he wouldn’t be that kind of person. I was certain of that much.

So, if we’re to accept that he truly spent one hundred and fifty years languishing away in this place, creating the Hwasan Sect according to his whims…

Suddenly, I realized the most significant issue.

“…But Noya.”

“Speak.”

“…How are you still alive?”

“…Are you cursing me?”

“I’m asking sincerely.”

Alright, let’s say I could take one hundred and fifty years. The tree is a mystery, sure, but let’s set that aside for now.

But the fundamental problem remained unresolved.

“…You’ve been alive for far too long.”

“So? Are you really cursing me?”

“No, it’s not that…”

No matter how I framed the question, it sounded weird. But this was sincere.

‘Has Noya lived for one hundred and fifty years in that body?’

I had thought he was over eighty.

While martial artists are known to age slowly and live longer, could he have lasted that long?

Furthermore…

‘He looks exactly the same as when I saw him in my Realm of the Heart.’

Noya had not changed in the slightest from the appearance I encountered inside my heart.

What on earth could explain this?

“What’s going on with your physical form? How have you remained unaged until now?”

As I described my confusion, Noya stared silently at me.

“Hmm.”

Was it difficult to answer? He tilted his head for a moment.

“When I first came to this place, that guy said something to me.”

He continued, explaining.

“He offered to let me borrow his body for a while.”

“…Borrow?”

“Yeah.”

“Who exactly is ‘that guy’?”

“You know, the one that used to growl at you every day inside you.”

“Kkurung…?”

“Oh. Yeah, great name you’ve given it. Quite fitting.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

“…”

Though it seemed like the Heavenly Demon was staring at us with a strange look, I ignored it and kept talking to Noya.

“So, are you saying that guy lent you his body?”

“Exactly. Thanks to that, I haven’t aged and can still put it to good use.”

“…”

I didn’t get it.

How did Kkurung manage to lend his body to Noya?

‘…That enormous creature was Kkurung?’

The colossal being that roared when confronted by my mother.

It had to be as large as the tree now, which meant it was undoubtedly Kkurung.

Then…

‘What is he?’

What exactly is he?

What made him not only lend his body to Noya, but also become a being dwelling within mine?

And besides…

‘Mother mentioned he attached to me. So why were they fighting?’

I was left with more than a few questions.

Just then.

“Sect Leader!”

I suddenly heard a voice from over there.

“Hmm.”

Noya nodded toward the voice’s owner. It was a small boy who appeared before us.

Not just any ordinary child; he looked genuinely young.

The problem was.

‘…He’s not a human.’

His ears were animal-like, and a tail was attached—just like my mother.

“Did you come back?”

“Yeah. Did you do well?”

“Yes!”

The boy answered with a bright smile, his face radiating innocence.

Next, the boy looked over at us.

Meeting his gaze, the boy nodded slightly.

“Who are you? Another new disciple?”

“No, this kid is way too dumb to use as a disciple.”

“Oh, I see.”

“…What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of people?”

“You’re not human, after all.”

“That’s pretty hurtful!”

I felt genuinely wounded by his indifference.

“Then, I’ll see you later. Bye, dumb big brother!”

“Dumb…?”

“Do your best!”

“Yes!”

The boy waved goodbye and dashed off.

Watching his retreating figure in disbelief, I said,

“Ha! Look at that, he swings hands and words around, then takes off without a care. Isn’t he a little brat? Is that guy really a master? Just a neighborhood ruffian.”

“Try to keep some of those thoughts to yourself…”

“Why should I keep them in when they’re true?”

“…”

Noya spun around suddenly. I readied myself for a hit, but…

“Me being me aside, you’re truly a piece of work. Can’t you keep quiet even when you’re getting hit?”

“If I don’t voice my thoughts, how will I feel at ease?”

“That’s a fair point.”

Noya nodded as if he understood.

Maybe I could avoid getting hit here.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, my head suddenly hit the ground with a hard thud.

A strong impact was felt at the top of my head.

“Still, you have to take your hits as they come.”

“…Damn it.”

I cursed while rubbing my sore head.

I had been expecting it but still couldn’t dodge it.

“Cluck cluck.”

Nursing my wound, I surveyed the surroundings.

The child from earlier had integrated with another group and was now holding a sword.

Each of them looked different, yet their swordsmanship was the same.

I asked the one question that had been nagging me.

“That thing you were mentioning earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“The kid who was about to become a demon beast—what’s that all about?”

I pointed to the indistinct beings in the distance.

“Were they all the same kind of beings?”

“…”

Noya fell silent for a moment after my question.

Fortunately, his silence didn’t last long.

“Correct.”

“But how is it that they didn’t become demon beasts and ended up gathering here?”

The old folks, the children with animal features—they did not look like demon beasts to me.

“Is it that their world hasn’t been destroyed?”

I wondered if they hadn’t become demon beasts because their world didn’t perish.

“No, all of them were destroyed.”

Noya’s reply was decisive.

“…Then how come they’ve not become demon beasts?”

“…”

Noya stroked his long beard as if pondering over my question.

His scarlet eyes reflected a vague emotion.

It was undoubtedly pity.

“Child.”

“Yes?”

As we walked, a dwelling came into view ahead.

It was the simplest and most ordinary-looking house I had seen so far.

Could it be Noya’s residence?

“You asked earlier what this place is.”

“Yeah.”

Noya walked towards the dwelling and replied.

“Some call it a world of consideration.”

“…Consideration?”

“Yeah, consideration. Among the beings that faded away as their masters vanished, a select few were able to come here. They live in a different world without becoming demon beasts.”

Hearing that widened my eyes.

That meant…

“Countless beings from worlds we’ve never seen before gather here every day. Thus, this land is called Mankye (萬界).”

Mankye (萬界).

This meant a multitude of worlds merging together.

“Those who were supposed to be obliterated have been fortunate enough to reach this place. That’s why some dub it the world of consideration, and also…”

Noya paused for a moment, looking at me.

“Some call it paradise (樂園).”

That word felt oddly familiar.

“Haha, isn’t that quite ironic?”

Paradise (樂園).

That was a concept that echoed the beliefs of the Blood Demon.

In a tranquil space, a woman sat with her eyes half-open, resembling the sky and stars of this land with her scarlet eyes and the long tails lined behind her.

The woman, taking languid breaths, repeatedly frowned as if something was bothering her.

Her delicate fingers—like finely wrought jade—lightly touched her brow.

‘Something feels off.’

She felt unpleasant and irritated.

With a heavy heart, the woman’s beautiful brow furrowed even further.

‘Why is that?’

What could be prompting her continued sense of discomfort?

It was due to a face she had seen not long ago.

‘Why does it keep resurfacing?’

Could it be because it had been so long since she had encountered beings of that race?

Or was it particularly memorable because she thought she had long forgotten it?

She thought so, yet it didn’t seem to be just that.

‘I can’t understand.’

That was undoubtedly a dragon.

Already having sinned and broken karma, they had perished as a race. Furthermore, they had been exiled from Mankye due to their punishment.

Yet,

‘They reappeared.’

How could such a race show its face again in this land?

It was incomprehensible.

‘The Dragon Emperor should still be punished, right?’

That arrogant and revolting being had long since vanished from view.

How could such a thing occur now?

And,

“…I’m irritated.”

Among the two hatchlings, one face continued to rise in her mind, making the woman feel uneasy.

It had blue eyes.

With black fur and fierce eyes.

‘Why is that?’

For reasons unbeknownst to her, that dragon’s face twisted the woman’s mind into knots.

As she pondered over this perplexity,

[My Lady.]

A man appeared in the space, kneeling before the woman.

[The Duryeong has returned.]

“…”

At his words, the woman slightly lifted her body.

Returning meant the mission had succeeded, right?

Had they successfully slain the dragon?

The mere thought sent a jolt to her heart.

[However, due to an unexpected intervention, the Lady’s will could not be fulfilled.]

“…I see.”

The corners of the woman’s eyes twitched.

“A failure? I expected the child to manage it.”

[An outsider intervened and spoiled the plan.]

“Hmm…”

An outsider.

The term made the woman’s expression wrinkle slightly.

It had been a presence that had been somewhat bothersome lately.

“I had shown him kindness… Why would he make such a choice?”

It puzzled her.

Though they had each helped the other, why had he chosen this route?

Especially if he had succeeded?

He should not dare to break the pact; how did he manage it?

As the woman was lost in thought,

[What should we do?]

The man asked her.

“Hmm, I’ll have to consider it a bit.”

[…Understood.]

Though questions arose, she chose not to voice more.

Her word was always the ultimate answer, and once again it would be so.

The man firmly believed that to be true.

 

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