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Fragment of a Scarlet Gemstone.

That is being used to maintain the current sorcery of Spirit’s Den.

Once, it was said to have been used to communicate with the Master of Mankye.

“I felt it the first time I saw it.”

The energy contained within that fragment is incredibly intense. I couldn’t fathom just how much power was contained within it.

I heard it could be used to cast sorcery around here.

“Considering the energy, it’s enough to resolve any doubts about how that sorcery was unleashed.”

If that much energy is utilized, it wouldn’t be impossible. It held a height and depth of energy that hinted as much.

But—

“Are you planning to give that to me?”

“……”

At my words, the spirit’s hand trembles.

“It is all we can offer to the great being known as the Master of Another World…”

“If you give this to me, what will you do?”

You won’t be able to maintain the barrier that surrounds you. Can you really hand this over like that?

In response to my question, the spirit said.

“…If you would save us, then we will no longer need to maintain this space. That shouldn’t be a significant problem…”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking.”

I interrupted the spirit’s words. That was not what I was inquiring about.

“If you give this to me, it means you’ll lose your means of communicating with the Master of Mankye. Is that still alright?”

“……”

Hearing my words, the spirit hesitates.

Without the fragment, you wouldn’t be able to communicate with the Master anymore. Is a shaman allowed to do that?

When I asked about it, the spirit took a brief moment of silence before replying.

“It’s fine…”

“Really?”

Upon hearing the trembling answer, I nodded.

“Then, let’s proceed.”

Slowly extending my hand, just as my fingertips were about to touch the fragment the spirit was about to offer—

Whoosh—! Crunch—!

“Ugh!?”

My hand didn’t reach for the fragment but instead grasped the spirit’s neck.

The small form lifted off the ground and floated in midair.

“Shaman!”

At the sudden turn of events, the beast-like soldiers surrounding us rushed in.

“Stop.”

“!!!!”

At my whispered command, they all froze in place.

The Dragon Word erupted and bound their feet.

“Don’t move, it won’t change anything even if you all rush in. Just remain still until I break the neck of that which you hold dear. Understand?”

“……”

“If you understand, nod your head.”

The soldier at the front nodded cautiously in response.

Seeing this, I smirked and released the Dragon Word.

“Ugh… ugh…”

The spirit, lifted by my grasp, struggled painfully.

Watching this, I spoke.

“I was going to let it slide if possible, but time is tight and I’m not in the mood for nonsense, so I’ll just ask outright.”

“Cough…”

“What are you hiding from me? What is it that you truly desire?”

“……!”

Hearing my words, the spirit trembled intensely.

From that reaction, I was once more convinced.

“Isn’t it true? You had other intentions towards me.”

There was something unspoken that it was admitting through its reaction.

“Th-that’s not… no…”

“Not what? Do you think I’m a fool?”

Crack—!

“Ghuuuu…!!”

“I can endure just about anything, but I won’t tolerate being played with, especially when I can see everything. I’m already in a sensitive state, as you can imagine.”

Having come out empty-handed and now only deepening the questioning, I was frustrated.

In such a situation, seeing things I hadn’t before pretending to support me, yet plotting behind my back, how could I remain calm?

“I’m really sorry, but I’m extremely busy. I don’t have time to entertain every trick.”

“Cough…”

“So just tell me, before I burn you all to a crisp.”

Kugugugugugu—!!!

Killing intent erupted from my feet and began to envelop the surroundings.

“Guhhh–!!”

“Grrr…!!!”

The increasing pressure from the killing intent caused those nearby to start foaming at the mouth and collapse one by one. I tried to control it, but the intense nature of my current state made it difficult to contain.

I made sure to regulate it so that it wouldn’t affect the spirit, but that part alone was enough.

“Cough…”

Even just feeling the aftermath, the spirit’s body trembled violently.

“I’m going to count to three. If you don’t speak up by then, I’ll kill everyone.”

To emphasize my seriousness, I intensified the killing intent.

“One.”

I began counting.

“Two.”

I wrapped energy around my empty left hand. I’d burn everyone and take care of my business with the Divine Tree before leaving.

Just as I prepared to call out the final number.

“Three—.”

“W-we need a sacrifice…”

The spirit spoke.

Hearing that, I grinned.

“What did you say?”

“A sacrifice… we… we need a sacrifice…”

The moment I heard those words, I loosened my grip slightly. Just as a sign for it to speak slowly.

“A sacrifice?”

“Yes…”

“A sacrifice is…”

It certainly wasn’t a good term to hear.

“Give me details.”

“……”

“Don’t make me ask more than twice.”

Fwoosh!

As I conjured flames, the fear etched on the spirit’s face became apparent.

It wasn’t exactly a fear of its own death, but rather the fear that I might kill those around it.

“To escape this place… I needed a sacrifice… to break free from karma.”

“Karma?”

“To protect the Divine Tree…”

The spirit turned its gaze toward the black Divine Tree towering above the altar.

“To keep that Divine Tree safe, I cannot leave this place. That is our karma.”

“But isn’t this place meant to be a place to escape from the eyes of the Duryeong?”

Yet it required something to escape.

“What’s the truth?”

What is the truth? I asked, furrowing my brow.

The spirit maintained its trembling form as it spoke.

“Both are true…”

“What does that mean?”

“We… created this place to prolong our lives, yet at the same time, we seek to escape from it.”

“A contradictory statement. Go on.”

“From the day the general appeared and began taking our kin, we’ve managed to hide here through the Master’s grace, and while it was truly a grace, it’s also a curse.”

Listening to the explanation, I slowly lowered my arm.

After all, the spirit could not escape.

“…Tethered to the Divine Tree, we cannot leave this pitiful place until the Master allows it…”

“Does being bound to Spirit Mountain mean that?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me.”

I said, narrowing my eyes at the spirit.

“The sacrifice you just mentioned…”

It clearly referred to me.

“If you have it, will your karma be nullified or something?”

“……”

“If you hesitate to answer again, I will kill you.”

“…That’s correct.”

“Hmm.”

If a sacrifice exists, karma can be nullified.

“How?”

“The karma decreed by the Master… means that the shaman must stay in this place and guard it until the time comes.”

“So the time has come. But why do you wish to escape?”

If the spirit’s words were true, there should be no need to resort to trickery.

“If I eliminate that fellow, wouldn’t that solve everything?”

“…That is…”

The spirit seemed reluctant to answer, but given what I had previously stated, it had no choice but to speak.

“We no longer… trust the Master.”

“What?”

This time, my eyes widened in surprise.

Not trusting the Master? What did that mean?

“…It has been hundreds of years since the Master disappeared. We have not moved an inch from this place as time has passed, and now we cannot bear it.”

“So you’re saying you sought to find a way to escape because you’re not sure if the Master will return?”

“……”

“Answer me.”

“That is… correct…”

“Thus, the sacrifice you found is me. But what is that sacrifice?”

“A being who can take on the karma…”

“That being is me?”

“…Yes.”

“How would you transfer the karma?”

When I asked, the spirit gazed at its hands.

There, lay the fragment it almost gave to me moments ago.

Could it be?

“…Will that be enough to transfer it?”

“…It would…”

“Ha.”

At my laughter, the spirit shrank back again.

“So you thought by giving me that, I would become the shaman, huh?”

I didn’t know what would change if I held that, but if the spirit was intent on doing so, it seemed to believe it had a way.

“I can’t believe you were willing to hand that over so easily.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry. Please…”

The spirit quickly knelt and bowed its head.

I knelt down to meet its gaze and asked.

“What should I do with this?”

It was a mess.

What I had heard was strange in every way.

‘This couldn’t possibly have gone according to plan.’

It was odd that holding that fragment would make me the Master.

The idea of it being thrown upon me right away felt strange too.

None of it made sense, but—

‘If I put it another way—’

Could it be seen that it had gotten so cornered?

In a situation so overwhelming that rational thought couldn’t even exist.

Should I understand it that way?

‘Well.’

Saying it was easy. Understanding it was a different matter.

“……”

I nodded slowly at the trembling spirit.

It was concerning that the Master could no longer be trusted.

Though the Master had claimed I would appear to eliminate the Duryeong, no changes had occurred over those hundreds of years. The Master had vanished, leaving behind a void in communication.

In a situation where time passed without respite, trapped in a narrow space filled with sorcery, was it any wonder?

I stared quietly at the spirit.

Should I blame myself for this, or my mother?

‘Regardless of whose fault it is, I won’t overlook the fact that you attempted something against me.’

I merely felt pity.

“Hmm.”

I rose to my feet.

“If it were up to me, I would have just killed you.”

Whoosh!

At my chilling words, the atmosphere turned icy.

“…I really feel like a dust particle is responsible for this…”

I turned my head.

“Just wait.”

“Yes…?”

“Don’t expect me to let it slide lightly.”

I slightly bent my knees.

“It seems I have something to do, so just wait for a moment.”

With that, I engulfed myself in flames and moved towards the entrance once more.

The surroundings shifted in an instant.

I emerged from the door and soared into the sky.

“……”

Feeling the high air, I gazed at the sky.

‘How long until nightfall?’

It probably wasn’t that long, but it certainly wouldn’t be short either.

‘During that time, I should prepare to welcome a guest.’

In a very rough manner.

 

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