Chapter 414 – The Sovereign’s ‘Element’ (2)

I find myself in a quandary.

“Hey.”
“I refuse.”

Somehow, I keep encountering these children at each pivotal juncture.

Even the daughter of an unnamed World Tree that I met before entering this world, our angelic Shiba who is as harmless as a feather, and Mary who is crippled by her loathing for humanity.
In another sense, Sansuyu too is no different from a child.

“…….”

The ‘Element’, perhaps bruised in ego from being stripped of his power, stood there, arms crossed, grinding his teeth.

If I were just a vessel, there would be no reason for us to clash. He’s sulking, hardly engaging in conversation.

“Shortly, the minions from the dungeon will retrieve your corpse. When that time comes, the existence of Lee Si-heon, an unimpressive and worthless vessel, will cease.”

He quickly reads my thoughts and retorts. He pretends to disregard me, but he’s clearly reading everything.

“…….”

So, he read that as well. A blush tints his cheeks. It appears he knows shame.

Regardless, the emergence of the crown marks the completion of my proof as a vessel.
It’s just that I fail to gain recognition from the one who maintains that power.

I did my best to shatter him, and yet I am caught off guard by such an odd reason.

“So, why do you behave so?”
“…….”

Is it because I’ve mentally reprimanded him a few times?
He seems to have stopped reading my thoughts.

I stood before the ‘Element’ and was the first to kneel.

“……?”

The ‘Element’, surprised at my sudden action, slightly lifts his eyes that had been tightly shut.
Inevitably, I am a slave to destiny.
If I am to survive, I must become a king, and for the king to realize his dream, he must guide me.

There was no reason to uphold my pride. I must rescue my master.

However.

【 A king should never kneel. 】

Did my actions strike a nerve?
A bizarre voice, one I had heard before, flowed from the ‘Element’s mouth.

Upon closer observation, the female form showed signs of inflating back into that mound of flesh.

“What will you do to spare me?”
“…….”

Even so, did my demeanor manage to alleviate his mood?
The ‘Element’, arms unfolded, looked down on me with scorn.

“You pathetic creature.”
“…….”
“That’s why I can’t acknowledge you. Risking your life to save a woman, being led around by a woman. Can such a man become a king and preserve his destiny? It’s laughable.”

The words did not end there.

“Look at yourself now. You’re willing to reveal yourself without any disguise just to save a woman referred to as your master?”
“Just? What?”
“…… Well, maybe it’s not just. Don’t reply to a mere vessel.”
“Vessel?”
“……Oh, anyway, I won’t grant you any power.”

The ‘Element’ continued to make his vow.
I looked at her and nodded.

If he denies me so vehemently, there is one last resort.
This body is mine. Perhaps it is time to exert some force.

“……”

The countenance of the man observing me abruptly stiffened.
If there is no other avenue, immediate action is the sole recourse. Time was an ever-declining luxury.

“…Just one.”
“What?”

The ‘Kind One’s’ complexion turned ashen, a single digit lifting.

“Follow my instructions, and I can grant you a single opportunity. After all, you were chosen by the Crown.”
“Is the Crown’s selection separate from your will?”
“……”

He assented with a nod. I had suspected as much.

The ‘Kind One’, while gnawing at his lower lip in thought, slowly voiced his opinion.

“…To become a man worthy of a king, heed my words.”
“Pardon?”
“From the start, my role has been to guide the king, a spirit devoid of physical form.”

He does have a physical form. This woman with dark hair stands before me, visible to my eyes.
She would be referred to as an adult, were it not for her lingering baby fat. She resembles a freshman at a university.

“Because of that woman, I was sown into your vessel with no say in the matter, and was manipulated.”
“Who is this woman?”
“…The King’s adversary. She may have lost her power now… but she was once an entity akin to the King’s nemesis. I can’t fathom why she chose to plant this power within you. Hence, I am not fond of you.”

The moment when something about me was finally revealed.

I would have preferred to sit still and probe deeper, but that was not an option.

“So,”
“…Demonstrate your resolve and confidence to ascend as a king, and to fulfill your duties as one.”
“It seems that has just been settled.”

I discarded what was to be discarded.
I executed what was to be executed.

My choices were dwindling.
After dealing with death. Losing much of my power and watching in silence, as if dead, while my lovers teeter on the brink of death under the watch of my master and other lovers.
Or, I could ascend as the king myself, eliminating all threats that endanger my life.

“……The Crown has recognized you, but I still remain uncertain of your resolve.”
“Is there any way to prove it?”

I straightened my knees and stood up.
The size difference was considerable, the figure of the ‘Kind One’ completely shrouded by my shadow.

A way to prove it.
In this barren landscape, is there anything that could serve such a purpose?
I can’t conjure any monsters, all I can do is utter a few words.

“…Get pierced.”

The ‘Kind One’, after a moment of contemplation, unsheathed a blade of unknown origin with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“By that sword?”
“Yes. It is imbued with a myriad of curses. Your nerves are far more-“
“Alright.”

Now, to endure the pain.
Does he not know of the training I underwent with the old man in the past?
He should, if he was inside me.
In the past, there was a possibility that even the King’s power couldn’t catch up with me.

Only this man would know the specifics.

“Alright.”
“…The sword shall pierce you. As I said, I will cut and pierce again. I’ve not set a specific time.”
“Pierce me.”
“If your body even twitches, I will not acknowledge it.”

There’s no time to spare. I furrow my brows, word by word, at the faltering one before me.

Suddenly, there’s a surge – a thrust! Brandishing my sword, I pierce, and my body is lightly punctured.

-A sear!

It’s a familiar sensation. Those moments when my nerves spring back to life, when I scream until exhaustion claims me, only to awaken once more. That feeling.

Memories of a night I defied my rising anger, fists raised, only to receive blows several times harder than usual, flood back.

‘Still the same.’

Those blows I took back then have proved useful.

-Thunk!

An ‘antagonist’ is ruthlessly stabbing and slashing at my body. My innards are sliced open, and iron blades extend to my abdomen and back.

“……???”

Receiving no response, they look up at me, their face filled with confusion.

Hmm, something’s off here. Their expression seems to say.

It’s not just me. Even a Class A Hunter wouldn’t bother with minor injuries such as these. After all, being a hunter requires substantial mental fortitude.

The numbing effect of potion treatments has also played a part in desensitizing human nerves.

“…….”

Realizing this approach isn’t working, the ‘antagonist’ sheathes their sword. Beads of sweat appear on their face.

“So.”

The wounds beneath the crimson-stained clothes heal rapidly. Perhaps due to the numerous nerve endings in my abdomen being pricked, I find myself somewhat startled by my own appearance as I speak, while something dangles from me.

“We’re going to keep seeing each other anyway, no need to blush.”
“…….”

The time for understanding has come. The ‘antagonist’, silent upon hearing my words, contemplates for a while, their face contorted as they groan.

“Ugh… It’s difficult to give it directly.”
“Why.”
“…You’ve absorbed too much life force. If you accept it now, you’ll be overpowered and become a monster.”

I’m already aware of the changes within my body. Even now, with a slight focus, I can perceive where I’m wandering and who I’m striking.

Ent. No, it’s closer to the wooden spirit.

“So, is there a solution?”
“…….”

In response to my question, the ‘antagonist’ sighs heavily.

“If that were possible… The one to be king would certainly be the right person.”

Murmuring something to themselves, they dismiss me.

“……The realm.”

A domain that I couldn’t reach even at the brink of death.

“…There are two ways to transcend the realm. Whether the body or mind can withstand it, I don’t know.”

My current state is far from ideal. Even though I’ve recovered my energy, my state remains fragmented.

I can execute the beginnings of martial arts, and my operational abilities have significantly increased, but even the dark blade, let alone the magic, struggles to reach its full output. The martial arts I employ exert considerable strain on my body.

“You’ll find it challenging to manage.”
“Tell me.”
“……One is self-realization. The second is, literally, to utilize the power of the crown.”

As if to demonstrate, the ‘Inferior’ stretched out his hand towards the thorn crown he was wearing.

Suddenly, his skin took on the texture of tree bark and his entire body swelled.

-Kwa-du-du-du-duk!

The immense tree, sprouting below, could not contain its rapid growth and its bark ruptured. It was akin to the skin of a pupa splitting open before the butterfly within had a chance to emerge. The chunks of meat I observed earlier made their reappearance.

【 ……. 】

The mask had been his earlier.
Now, I too possessed one.

“How does one use it?”
【Align with the wavelength of the crown. However, each usage will expose your location to the dungeon’s minions. And your power will significantly diminish for a considerable duration. 】

It was essentially a blind gamble. I understood it immediately.

【Should you fail, your body will explode. 】

Could death possibly frighten me now?
Without a moment’s hesitation, I focused my consciousness on the mask.

An ethereal cluster of white light manifested before my closed eyes.
A coarse male voice resonated in my ears.

【Have you accepted your destiny? 】

For the first time, a word imbued with a clear will was returned, not merely a mundane phrase.

‘You know.’
【 ……. 】

Whether as a slave or otherwise.
My defeat of the ‘Inferior’ was primarily due to the crown’s response.
It seemed that the power of the ‘Inferior’ was also reliant on the crown.

The crown conveyed its message to me.

【Foster the king’s power continuously, but do not become dependent on it. 】

【Embrace the woman. 】

【Crush the trees, and assume the stance of a king. 】

【Place all your subjects beneath you. Let a rebellious subject witness the blood on the king’s hand. 】

【Furthermore, do not assume that those who receive this power will lead a tranquil life. 】

My life was already far from tranquil.
The thorn crown resonated, causing my body to shudder in unison.

“…how can the wavelength in a single room-“

Ignoring the ‘Inferior’s words, I wrested out my power.
It was less about the crown granting me power,
And more about my forceful consumption of the crown.

As the thorn crown came into contact with my hand, I felt a searing pain.
This was no trivial pain.
I gritted my teeth and pulled as if to snap the thorn crown. My hand’s flesh was torn away, and the bone was scraped.

【No one stands above you. 】

I immediately grasped the meaning of those words.
I tore off the crown.

Could a mere crown determine a king?
Becoming a king had to be a personal endeavor.

【…an exemplary mindset. 】

-Thud!

The red energy flowing from the crown entered my heart.
I could feel vitality gradually returning to my body.

“Hoo…”

The method might be difficult, but it seems feasible.
It seemed like most of King Mokryeong’s power had been returned to my physical state.

No… even more than that.
The previously incomplete human life force nexus was now fortified, holding an abundance of my magical power, and then some.

I’ve not altered my kind, I remain human.

I flexed my hand, opening and closing it.

‘Has the trial bestowed by the crown ended… with the conflict against the Benefactor?’

I am unsure.
In contrast to the Benefactor, the Crown might have observed my entire journey.

I wagered my entire existence.
‘Devoted’ would be the apt description.

“……”

The Benefactor, who had once again assumed a female form, was at a loss for words.

It appears… she was oblivious even to the Crown’s favor, acting in unreasoning defiance.
I addressed the woman who would become my strength.

“Unveil it. Swiftly.”

No one stands above me.

With the deepening tone of my voice, the ‘Benefactor’ rose hastily.
It was now my turn to rescue our Master.