Chapter 152 – Socheonma, Dowon (1)

“Are you prepared to leave soon?”

Early morning. As always, I climbed the mountain and the old man spoke before I even had the chance.

“Yes.”

Perhaps tomorrow, or even sooner, the attack will commence.

“Time truly flies. What’s with the obsession to kill a young man?”

Now that our opponent had made their move, there wasn’t much left for us to do. It was only natural for those at a disadvantage, like us, to lose when systematically cornered. Victory seemed impossible. According to the old man, there was a skilled individual whose abilities were on par with Heavenly Demon.

‘I can’t win, so I’ll buy time by facing death.’

In the end, the enemy’s target is me.

As long as I die, this situation will be resolved. So, I’ll rampage like a madman, and when my strength is depleted, I’ll pretend to be dead.

As is, I return to the present day, becoming a dead man without any parting words.

“But isn’t this outcome quite unfavorable?”
“What do you mean?”
“To achieve something in death only amounts to delaying our extinction. It’s not even preventing it.”
“Well, it’s not like you’re actually dying.”
“…”

[Did that hit a nerve?]

“Quiet.”

The World Tree of Time sporadically appears and converses with me.
After more than two months, we no longer hold back our aggressive words and actions towards each other.

“You probably think you’re making a great sacrifice.”

The old man mocks my endeavors with a sneer.

“From the very beginning, I intended to accept my end on my own terms. It was you who decided to delay it.”
“Don’t be so self-centered. The children are too young to lose their father.”
“Heh, should you really be the one saying that? You still don’t know who you are.”

The old man emphasized each word as he spoke.

“King Mokryeong, Heavenly Demon. You’ve selected the worst among evildoers and continued their legacy.”

I know.
No matter where or how I act, I can’t escape being a villain.
It’s something I’ve long since acknowledged and accepted.

“The children are too young to lose their father? It’s absurd to hear such words from the epitome of evil. Ridiculous. It’s a futile effort.”

The old man sat on a rock, his back turned.
The World Tree of Time observed him and spoke.

[You’re not being honest.]

I concede, and concede again.

‘That person does have that side to him.’

Should I call it tsundere?
Despite hurling insults, he takes care of me from behind, and when discussing his daughter, he pretends not to be interested while still listening intently.
After spending two months together, I’ve managed to get a feel for the old man.

Deep down, he must be grateful, even as he spews such harsh words.

“…So, what am I supposed to do?”

“Waiting for the opponent to arrive.”

Is it a standby?

Time would pass somewhat slowly, but it was an inevitable situation. As soon as any movement was detected, I had to go and offer my neck.

“Then I won’t be able to see the children now.”
“I will speak to them. I’ll tell Hong-Yeon as well.”

Hong-Yeon. Hearing that name brought a wry smile to my lips.

She was one of the people I wouldn’t be able to meet upon my return. It was different with Heaven; even if I returned, Heaven would still be alive. But I didn’t even get the chance to exchange proper farewells with Hong-Yeon.

‘I deliberately didn’t show affection.’

It’s something that no one can completely ignore. I thought it was best not to go and offer a greeting, leaving any room for sentiment.

It’s a problem even if you recognize it with blunt words.

If I were to go right away and make a cryptic statement hinting at my impending death, what would happen afterward? It’s not like we are gnawing on each other’s emotions.

It’s better for me to make a clean exit.

“Cheondo… Ah, I don’t know.”

I know from experience.

The one I thought I could meet even tomorrow might die.

Although it might sound like a joke now, it wasn’t at the time.

Cheondo will also face difficult experiences that cannot be easily overcome.

Still, I believe.

He’s my master, and he will overcome this on his own.

There was nothing that could be done about the heartache.

“Understood. From now on, I will wait here continuously. Master, please speak kindly to those who know me.”

As soon as I gave my answer, the old man rose from his seat and set foot on the path down the mountain.

His retreating figure, appearing more disheartened than usual, left quite an impression.

Though said to have declined, he is the Heavenly Demon.

Unable to shake off those who cornered him, he might be feeling powerless for the first time in his life.

The expression boasting a momentum that could pierce the sky has now become an old saying.

Perhaps I merely made a brief appearance at the tail end of someone’s autobiography.

I earnestly began spending time atop the rock where the old man once sat. The rising sun was quite beautiful.

‘It’s truly over.’

At last, I can return to the present. Though not excited, I know that fact lies ahead.

[You cannot only live in the past.]

‘My thoughts differ. Didn’t you say there’s a future anyway? Isn’t it just that we live in different time periods?’

Fatalism. A term I dislike.

Such a notion mocks everyone’s endeavors. Despite your arduous efforts leading to success, you were destined for this outcome. You acted wisely, yet you were doomed regardless.

It’s a wretched sentiment for both the failed and the successful to hear. However, having come directly to the past, I had no choice but to believe in the existence of that destiny.

[It’s a bit different. My ability is unique, but time clearly flows in a straight line.]

‘Do you realize your words are the most contradictory?’

[It’s evident that your actions can change the future. However, you can’t change the present. It’s a fact that has already been determined.]

‘Every time I hear that, I want to ask… are you saying my actions can have an impact, or not?’

At first, they said it couldn’t be changed.
No matter what nonsense I spouted, I couldn’t change the present, so I should just do whatever I wanted.

But as I lived here, I found that my actions were often connected to the present.
My status, my home. Perhaps even the kindness my master showed me was due to that.

[It has already happened… That’s all I can say for now.]

‘It’s complicated.’

Heaven, White Peach, Zodiac – I really don’t understand those three.

Assuming my actions can have an impact.

If the house and status I had established when I came to this world were indeed prepared by me, then my actions can have an impact on the present.

“Then, my image must remain in my master’s memory.”

Certainly not. The three of them never showed any signs of recognizing me.

‘Perhaps they lost their memory for some reason. In that case… I roughly understand.’

I sit still and reflect on the past. Luckily, I have plenty of time, allowing me to thoroughly organize my thoughts.

“No, the present will not change.”

He had said that he couldn’t change the present. The issue is too complex to explain, as the World Tree of Time had mentioned.

‘And I was told that before.’

“My power can interfere with the past. However, it’s extremely faint… only traces remain. Just as I would have thought to beg you for mercy without any basis.”

While I cannot change the present, I can still interfere.

It’s an inescapable contradiction, like the dirty feet of a beggar.

‘No matter how I think about it, it sounds like this can have an impact. Is that correct?’

[…]

I cannot speak of it now.
The World Tree of Time maintained that stance consistently.
Thus, I merely drew conclusions internally.

‘In the end, it means everything will fall apart. Do-won as well. Even the Heavenly Demon will die.’

Though it’s disheartening to believe that all our efforts thus far might be in vain,
it doesn’t seem that way when viewed from a broader perspective.

[There were no unnecessary parts in your actions.]

The causal relationships are far too complex to properly analyze.

Honestly, I believe that by helping Do-won grow, I managed to gain the trust of the Heavenly Demon.
Despite knowing that Do-won was ultimately doomed, I diligently put in the work.

‘But perhaps that’s overthinking it.’

The World Tree of Time was right.
There are no lingering regrets for the impromptu actions taken back then, for everything done in the heat of the moment.

‘In the end, is the reason I came here to die?’

It is to prolong the lives of Do-won and the Heavenly Demon.
Initially, I came here as a favor, but upon realizing the gravity of the situation, the stakes became higher.

[It’s not just that… I’ll explain later.]

‘So be it.’

In due time, the truth will reveal itself.
What I’ve gained from being here is abundant and invaluable.

It doesn’t merely concern the fall of Do-won. I’ve discovered how those under the World Tree operate, and who the adversaries of the Heavenly Demon are.

There’s no need to even mention the improvement in my abilities.
Even if I were to return, I would still yearn for another encounter with the World Tree of Time.

With a flourish, I raised my hand and stretched.

“Ah!”

A cracking sound emanates from my back.
It feels much more refreshing to hear the sound.

“Slowly, it’s time to go!”

I shouted exuberantly down the cliff.
Now, all that remains is to demonstrate the fruits of my past training to my opponent.

And so, she waited here until the time was right.

* * * * * *

Dressed in a vivid red undergarment, Hong-Yeon adorned herself.
The beautiful body reflected in the mirror.
Smooth white skin, unblemished by scars.

Although there were no scars on her hands, the hardened calluses on her fingers from years of wielding a quill pen made them appear less than perfect to her own eyes. To others, such imperfections might be called the jade’s flaws.

Voluptuous breasts, muscles strengthened by long training.
However, she had been handling a lot of work lately, and it seemed she had gained some weight.

“…Have I grown too fat?”

Looking at her excessively swollen thighs, Hong-Yeon voiced her dissatisfaction.
Her flawless face scrunched up adorably.

– Swish!

In that moment, the door opened.

“Eek, what a surprise… Ahem. Who’s there?”
“Hong-Yeon unni?”

The one who opened the door was the zodiac with scarlet hair, Hwangdo.

The girl, maturing precociously for her age, gaped at Hong-Yeon.

“Were you putting on makeup? Oh my.”

The unsolicited adornment. Hong-Yeon swiftly shoved the cosmetics from the table into a drawer.

“…Why? What? Why? Am I not allowed to put on makeup?”

A natural outburst of discontent. Young children don’t know their own grievances. She had just turned twenty, but it was time to start paying attention to wrinkles.

“Your words just now sounded like an older brother.”
“Older brother? Ah… Are you talking about Heavenly Demon?”

Hearing the profanity so often, it had stuck to her own lips. When she reprimanded her subordinates, the person’s speech habits would slip out.

“So, why are you here?”
“I came to say that my allowance is a bit short~ but now, rather than that, I’m curious as to why you’re trying to put on makeup, Hong-Yeon.”

Running out of allowance? Zodiac wasn’t particularly wasteful. Surely, White Peach must have told her to get some allowance.

“If you fetch it, I’ll do the cleaning for you.”
“Really? Truly?”
“Mhm.”

Having said that, the image of Baekdo, who later would feign ignorance, arose in Hong-Yeon’s mind. Hong-Yeon sighed.

“Do you really need a reason to dress up?”
“Well, it’s not that~ It’s just that I have more energy than usual!”

Zodiac approached with a cunning smile. Her youthful yet greatly swollen breasts swayed with each step. She was a child with a daunting future.

“Could it be, you have someone you like?”
“Someone I like?”

Upon hearing this, the face of a frivolous man instantly came to mind. Hong-Yeon sternly shook her head.

“What’s good about that? I just want to look good.”
“…There was one more kid like Heaven.”

As if she had enough of it, Zodiac stuck out her tongue. Hong-Yeon changed her clothes while looking at Zodiac as if she couldn’t comprehend her actions.

“Even so, the red undergarments are sexy, sister. You might receive compliments tonight.”
“Quiet! Take your allowance on your own. I have to go immediately, as the Heavenly Demon has summoned me.”
“Yess~”

Such a sassy little one.
Hong-Yeon gazed at Zodiac and let out a deep sigh.

There’s nobody to praise her, yet she still spouts such nonsense.
With lips pursed, Hong-Yeon arrived at the Heavenly Demon’s room.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

She stood at the door, politely knocking and kneeling down.
It was a gesture she always had to perform when meeting with the Heavenly Demon’s presence.

“Who is it?”
“…It’s Hong-Yeon, the religious leader.”
“Enter.”

*Creak* – the door opened.
Hong-Yeon kept her head bowed for a long while.

Normally, she would have been told to raise her head by now. For some reason, the command didn’t come.
A lengthy silence filled the room.

“Lift your head.”

Finally, as the words were spoken, Hong-Yeon raised her face, harboring a sense of bewilderment within her thoughts.

The face of the Heavenly Demon, who was also my adoptive father, appeared somewhat haggard.

“Heavenly Demon?”
“Today, I have something to tell you. Close the door and come in. If you don’t want to fall behind.”

Judging by the fact that he added a curse to the end, could it be something serious?

Nevertheless, the atmosphere was quite different from usual.

-Thud.

I closed the door and knelt in the center.

“Do you know Do-won?”
“If you mean the person, are you referring to the Lesser Heavenly Demon? Yes, we’ve always worked together, so I know him.”
“Yes, that’s the one you vehemently opposed. I originally intended to tell you after everything was over, but I felt like I needed to let you know, considering your significance.”

Thinking back to that time, I felt ashamed. It had been undeniably risky to increase the number of Lesser Heavenly Demons, but… now it had turned into a blessing in disguise, and the situation was thriving. Everyone respected him.

“What do you think?”

If that’s what he was asking, then of course.
Hong-Yeon responded without hesitation.

“He is a remarkable talent. Perhaps in my lifetime, such a person will never emerge again.”

It was Hong-Yeon who opposed such talent.
No matter what her reasons were, ultimately, she was the one at fault.
She didn’t trust the Heavenly Demon.
Under normal circumstances, she would be sentenced to death.

Since she was, in effect, a foster daughter, she knew it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

“I see.”

The Heavenly Demon spoke with a somber expression.

“…My daughter seems to have chosen a fine disciple.”

A bittersweet yet somewhat satisfied voice.
Hong-Yeon couldn’t understand the meaning, so she just widened her eyes.

“Hong-Yeon.”
“Yes.”

‘But what is the story about that man?’

Hong-Yeon bowed her head deeply, pondering inwardly.
Do-won.
She sometimes thought about that man.

‘If only I had accepted him from the beginning.’

At the very least, their relationship was warmer than it is now.
Such a thing is impossible at present.
Chuckling to herself, Hong-Yeon waited for the Heavenly Demon to speak.

Eventually, the elder spoke.

“He will die in a few days.”

The words struck like a bolt from the blue.