---

The wind in the world had still not begun to blow.

Slowly, the sun was rising, and the magnificent extreme light and the rosy waves floating in the sky were enveloping in brilliance, disappearing from sight.

As I watched the gradually brightening sky, I pondered.

“Can that truly be called vanished?”

The night had certainly ended, and the stars that lingered had left their places.

Nonetheless, aside from that, this world felt absurdly bright.

It wasn’t that the extreme light and stars had disappeared. Rather, they had seeped into the sky.

If we were to measure time, it seemed to be heading from dawn toward noon, yet the heaven here was unlike the Central Plains at night.

“I can’t believe the sky is also rosy…”

At first glance, it appeared like a sunset, but it was fundamentally a different color.

This was the first sky I had ever seen.

I stared at it for a moment before lowering my gaze.

I had immediately realized that something was strange about this place upon arrival, and even though the sky was weird, I had no energy to care about it.

Because there was something even stranger right in front of me.

Looking at the broad back, I spoke.

“Noya.”

“Hmm?”

The figure walking ahead turned back.

It was an elderly man with slightly tinted yeonhong eyes, sharp gaze, and wrinkled skin.

The most revered hero of Hwasan. Hwasan Sword God Shin Cheol.

Since my reincarnation, he had forcefully entered my body and continually nagged me.

Back then, I could only hear him as a spirit. Now, he stood before me in complete human form.

“…Where are you going right now?”

We had already been walking aimlessly for what felt like a moment.

I felt irritated following just his back and decided to ask, and Shin Noya made a face like he had eaten something sour before responding.

“Didn’t I tell you to fix that hasty personality? Why are you whining after just a little walking? Your temper is just filthy.”

“Isn’t it because you aren’t telling me the destination? If it were Noya, you would have already cursed me out by now—”

Bang-!

“Ugh!”

I instinctively covered my head upon feeling the shock to my crown.

“Cursed? Cuuuursed?”

“Grrr….!”

I thought my skull might shatter—

Boom-!!

“Ugh!”

I got hit again.

Stumbling, I nearly collapsed. The overwhelming pain twisted my breath. I glared at Shin Noya with trembling eyes.

“Why two hits…!”

“Who said I would only hit you once? Why, if you didn’t like it, should I hit you again? ”

Damn.

Not only did he have a form, but he could even touch me.

“Violence is bad…”

“Cursed.”

Noya, who spat that out, laughed.

“Ah, that feels so good.”

His voice sounded thoroughly satisfying. What a troublesome guy.

“I always wanted to hit you at least once. I can’t express how glad I am it turned out this way.”

“…Who are you calling filthy… Just a joke.”

As his hand lifted once more, I hurriedly continued speaking. I didn’t know what kind of twisted ancient man would instantly lift his hands.

‘If you’ve aged, at least age gracefully.’

I could imagine how horrible his temper must have been when he was young. I swore I wouldn’t age like that.

“Your eyes look weird.”

“My eyes have always been like this.”

“True, I suppose.”

“…What the hell?”

“What do you mean, you brat?”

Oh come on, I hunched down under his glare.

Unbelievable. At the same time, I couldn’t help but admire him.

‘I couldn’t dodge.’

When he threw a nut at me, I couldn’t dodge. I did see his arm lifting, but by the time I realized it, I was already bowing my head in pain.

‘…What a monstrous old man.’

Dealing with the calf not long ago and the quality of the heart sword in the sky, I couldn’t help but question if he was truly human.

‘This is very different from when I last faced him.’

The heart sword of Yeongpung. The Shin Noya from a different world within it.

When I fought that man, there seemed to be hope. I might have even used tricks to win then.

‘Now, I see no answer.’

Even if I were weaker than that time, facing Shin Noya now felt like staring into endless darkness.

Could I reach him? That wasn’t even the question.

I couldn’t reach him.

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

At that moment.

“Tsk tsk.”

Shin Noya clicked his tongue as he looked at me.

“It seems you haven’t only grown worse in looks since I’ve last seen you?”

“…!”

It felt like he had figured out what I was thinking.

Embarrassment flushed over me. I bit down on my teeth and stood up.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hmph.”

Noya, snorting, began to walk again. I followed along and turned the conversation back to ask.

“So, really, you’re not going to tell me?”

“Ah, why don’t you just follow along quietly, like I said.”

“If you’re not going to tell me the destination, at least say something else.”

While I had countless questions since arriving—like where this was, how did he end up here, what was that calf we just faced, and how did that one know Noya.

I asked those things countless times, but every time, Noya’s response remained the same.

“I’ll tell you when we reach our destination.”

Another identical answer made me sigh.

“Is this a joke or something…?”

“It can’t be helped.”

Noya replied as if he was exhausted.

“There might be eyes and ears everywhere. In this place.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it bothers you that much, you can leave. I won’t force you to stay.”

“Excuse me?”

He wouldn’t try to stop me if I left? My eyes widened at Noya’s words.

“If I leave now, where would I go?”

“Who knows? You’re not a kid; it’s not like I need to care about that.”

In other words, he was saying that if I wanted to, I could just shut up and follow him.

“What shall I do?”

Noya slightly turned back, asking.

“…”

In my position, I could respond with only one thing.

After that, we continued walking for a considerable time.

Neither of us uttered a word beyond that.

There was nothing I could ask since I couldn’t get a response, and neither of us had the personality to discuss trivial matters.

I wondered how much longer we would walk.

“We’re almost there.”

Shin Noya suddenly spoke.

I looked ahead with wide eyes but saw nothing.

“…What are we almost at?”

Before me was nothing at all. Just the same barren land as before.

What could be here? Just as that thought emerged.

“Was it around here?”

Noya began to look around. What was it…?

‘What is he looking for?’

His actions suggested he was searching for something, so I focused my gaze.

Still, I saw nothing. He kept circling as if he was looking for something.

‘Hmm…?’

I could see something barely visible.

I couldn’t tell what it was, but it was indeed there.

‘Could that be…’

Thinking that, I took a step forward and reached out.

Whoosh-!

As if on cue, I felt a sensation at my fingertips.

“Noya, is this it?”

“Hmm?”

Noya looked at my fingertips, then frowned.

It appeared I was on the right track.

“Hmm…? How did you…?”

“It just appeared to me.”

“…You saw it? You shouldn’t have been able to see it. How could a rookie like you see this?”

“Hmm.”

He was asking intently, his eyes grave. From his reaction, it seemed seeing this was indeed not an easy feat.

So, I responded.

“I’ll let you know once we arrive.”

“…Huh.”

Firing back his earlier comment, Shin Noya scoffed.

Was he mad? I thought I could handle a hit or two.

Feeling mentally prepared, but instead of hitting me, Noya only chuckled softly.

Then, he raised his thin, bony hand out towards the space. As he did, plum blossom leaves began to flow from his fingertips.

Swoosh.

Gracefully, the leaves danced through the air and, upon making contact with the peculiar sensation I felt, dropped gently.

Splish.

With the sound of droplets falling from somewhere, the space began to warp.

Whoa…

“…Are you crazy?”

I cursed at the bizarre scene unfolding before me.

Suddenly, the space rippled and began to tear apart, creating an entrance just the right size for Shin Noya.

A sudden hole opened with a dazed expression.

“Let’s go in.”

Shin Noya said nonchalantly, stepping inside.

I hesitated for a moment. The Heavenly Demon, who had silently followed me, entered before I could.

Seeing him do that, I followed him into the strange space.

Swish-!

As soon as I entered, the entrance that appeared like a hole disappeared.

“This is…?”

The moment I confirmed the interior.

“What is this?”

I was taken aback by the unfolding world. It was an entirely different realm. Just moments ago, I had been standing in a barren area littered with the occasional weeds, but now I stood in a forest.

The place I first arrived had also been a forest, but it was different now.

Everything felt far more familiar.

The sky was blue, and the air itself felt comforting.

The problem was.

‘It’s heavy.’

As soon as the space changed, my body felt heavy.

Should I say it was like returning to its original state?

‘The outside was too light.’

Because of the energy floating in the air, my body had felt quite light and pleasant, but here, it felt similar to that of the Central Plains.

Tweet-! Tweet! Chirp!

The sounds of birds and insects tickled my ears.

If the previous place had felt so foreign, this one felt incredibly natural.

“Noya… This place.”

“It seems to be alright.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nhm.”

Noya took a deep breath, looking relieved before gazing at me.

“Follow me.”

He instructed, beginning to walk along the path once more.

Since it was the same as before, I walked alongside him, but.

“What was I asking about first…? Ah, right. Was it about that creature from earlier?”

“…!”

After a long silence, it seemed Noya was finally ready to explain.

Had he been planning to tell me as soon as we arrived here?

It was sudden, but I focused intently, ready to listen.

“That guy is a Duryeong. As you might have guessed, he’s a foolish and violent creature.”

“…Yes.”

That was my impression the moment I saw him. Foolish and rough.

That fit exactly with the vibe I felt from him.

‘What a strange guy.’

I was so surprised when he even spoke. While I was turning those thoughts over in my head.

“Kid.”

Shin Noya turned towards me.

“Yes, Noya.”

“I’ll ask you, how did you perceive that creature?”

“What did I see it as? Of course…”

I was about to blurt out the word demon beast.

However, without realizing it, I had to shut my mouth.

Demon beast.

Could I really call it that? Countless thoughts flooded my mind.

Seeing my confusion, Noya turned his head and continued speaking.

His steps continued without a hitch.

“That’s not wrong for you. And for me, calling it a demon beast makes no difference.”

“Does that mean… it could also be seen as not a demon beast?”

“Oh.”

He seemed slightly impressed by my response.

“You’ve gotten a bit smarter since I’ve last seen you.”

“…”

I’d rather you just curse at me, you old man.

I bit my tongue in silence, seething inwardly.

“While one might argue it could be seen that way, that again is not an answer.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

Whether it was correct or not, saying it can also be seen that way felt too ambiguous.

“Ah, alright. I should explain it this way.”

Listening to him, I frowned.

I caught a glimpse of something ahead.

“These are beings that nearly became demon beasts.”

“Nearly became?”

“Yes, beings that nearly became demon beasts. That Duryeong is an exceptionally strong specimen among them; it must be really strong since it caught her eye and received powers.”

I paused.

Upon hearing his words, I halted my steps. The ‘power’ was a term that particularly grated on my ears.

“Powers…?”

“Yes, that being possesses what is deemed a power. It boasts immortality, or so it claims… but from my perspective, it’s merely an annoyance at best.”

“…”

“Anyway, that’s not what’s important. I can tell from your expression that you wish to hear something other than this, yes?”

“…Yes.”

In this place where the Heavenly Demon and I found ourselves, what was it they intended to do?

I found myself hoping he would finally tell me, but.

“It’s essential for you to focus on this to explain that matter.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“As I said earlier, that Duryeong is a being that nearly became a demon beast.”

“…Yes.”

“You see, then what do you consider a demon beast?”

“Well, of course, they’re the monsters that come through the Demonic Gate.”

“Exactly right.”

“…”

Should I be happy for guessing right? Either way, it felt somewhat off-putting.

‘Why would he ask such a basic question…?’

Leaning with a frown, I watched Noya, who immediately continued speaking.

“Then, where do those demons come from?”

“…Of course, they come from beyond the Demonic Gate, right?”

“That’s also correct. But dig a bit deeper, and the conversation will differ.”

“Different?”

“What does the Demonic Gate truly signify? What is in there that causes the emergence of demon beasts? That’s what we’re discussing now.”

“…”

My eyes narrowed.

The Demonic Gate and the demon beasts.

That was something I had never deeply considered. Since the day I was born, the Demonic Gate existed, and hunting the demons that emerged from there was just common sense.

But how does that connect…?

‘No idea.’

I just had never thought about it much.

Just as I was narrowing my eyes, Noya spoke.

“Demon beasts.”

He said, “They are beings that have already perished in a world that has crumbled.”

“…!”

“Beings that lose their masters and are obliterated by a new master. Those are called demon beasts.”

“That’s…”

“When the world loses its master, it erases all living beings that once existed. So, where do these erased beings go?”

I gazed into his eyes.

“The answer is that they end up like this.”

The coldness and bitterness in Noya’s eyes as he spoke pierced through me austere and sharp.

 

---