Chapter 946: Do you know who my mom is?

“What do you think?”

What do you think my identity is.

The leader reacts to the question.

His body was still trembling, and more than anything, the way he looked at me had changed.

It had been a gaze that seemed dismissive or subtly contemptuous, but.

Now, it was completely different.

His eyes held not only bewilderment but also great questions and an unknown anxiety.

It was strange that he changed so suddenly.

‘Was what just happened that strange?’

Thinking about the reason for his change, it was likely due to what I had just done.

I couldn’t quite understand it.

‘What is this?’

I thought it might be a power similar to ‘Yong-eon’ at best.

Of course.

‘Yong-eon is a strange power, though.’

Just uttering words imbued with power restricts the opponent’s actions.

It was indeed a bizarre power just for that, but.

If the leader was reacting like this, there must be a bigger reason.

‘What is it.’

What could it be? I wanted to figure out the reason, but.

“You don’t know, do you?”

At the same time, I had to use the present moment.

“You wouldn’t know.”

“…Just what…”

The leader was flustered. I couldn’t miss this chance.

“Do you remember what I told you at first?”

I poured words onto him like a barrage.

“Do you want to stay in that place forever? Or do you want to climb higher?”

“…”

The leader didn’t answer.

It didn’t matter, though.

I knew his ears were wide open.

“I told you. I know people like you very well.”

Those whose eyes held desire.

Bastards who wouldn’t shy away from any means or methods to achieve it.

Whether it was defying natural laws or shattering their own beliefs.

People like that don’t care about such things.

From my perspective, that leader was exactly that kind of person.

If not, it wouldn’t make sense.

‘If he weren’t like that, there’s no way he would have left me standing here unharmed.’

There was no need to gauge him.

No need to calculate.

If there was any suspicion about me.

He would have used it to report me to that bastard Mongmong, or Yu-sa, or at the very least, thought I was dangerous and tried to deal with me long ago.

However.

‘He didn’t.’

This guy didn’t do that.

Which means.

‘He wants something from me, or.’

He’s considering whether I’m someone who could help him achieve what he desires.

That’s what he’s gauging.

Which means, ultimately, the leader has something he wants.

‘I knew it from the moment I dealt with Gu-bong.’

One of his so-called sons was lying on the floor, and the other had escaped.

Yet the father figure wasn’t paying any attention to his own children and was looking at me.

Even after I had kicked the crap out of one of those children.

He looked at me and said he’d give me the next leader position?

‘Is he crazy.’

I really thought he was a madman.

Of course, since this was another world, I thought maybe there was some cultural difference.

I considered that possibility, but.

‘Bullshit.’

Judging by Gu-bong’s reaction back then, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

It just seemed like this guy was weird.

He wants something, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.

And then, I, my existence, popped up.

From the leader’s perspective, I seemed to possess something he needed.

In that situation.

‘What if I show him something more?’

If I were to show him something he didn’t expect.

I wondered what the leader’s reaction would be.

I vaguely already knew the answer.

“You know the way, don’t you?”

The leader’s brow furrowed at my confident words.

“…That’s…”

It was the answer.

I had just thrown it out there as a guess, but the leader’s reaction gave me certainty.

“How high do you want to climb? Show me your ambition.”

“…”

The leader’s eyes wavered.

However, the bewilderment that had held him captive subsided, replaced only by hesitation born from ambition.

Now is the chance.

“Listen carefully.”

Kkiiik.

I moved closer and met the leader’s eyes.

“This is me giving you an opportunity. Not just throwing down a lifeline.”

So that you can never avoid it.

“It’s a chance to walk together. To be by your side.”

“…”

Kkeugeugeuk.

I focused strength into my heart, causing my aura to ripple slightly.

It wasn’t just any aura; I had moved my demonic energy, so my eyes had probably just turned purple.

“…”

The leader remained silent. The silence was uncomfortable, but this was enough for now.

I pulled back the body that had moved closer and added,

“The choice is yours. But.”

I didn’t forget to smile then.

“I won’t give you much time to think. Decide by the next time we meet. Then.”

Seureuk. Turning my back, I walked towards the door.

“I’ll also tell you how I can help you achieve what you desire.”

I grabbed the doorknob without hesitation.

Pulling it open, Cheonma stepped out as if she had been waiting.

Those waiting outside the door looked inside with surprise, but.

Since nothing particular had happened inside, it wasn’t a problem.

Kkiiik.

The door slowly closed.

Until then, the leader just kept looking at me with a stiff expression. His words still hadn’t come.

Tak.

And so, the door closed completely.

‘Hoo.’

Only then did I exhale the breath I had been holding.

At the same time, I recalled the energy I had scattered.

‘Fortunately, it seems like it wasn’t noticeable.’

I had scattered energy all around just in case of unforeseen situations.

It was fortunate that I didn’t need to use it.

If things had gone wrong.

‘It would have gotten troublesome, alright.’

Not just troublesome, it would have been a total mess.

‘Because there would be generals around.’

Mongmong.

Or Yu-sa.

The ruler of this Night Moon, whoever he might be, would surely be somewhere. If things had kicked off, I would be the one in trouble.

‘…I managed to get through it somehow.’

This wasn’t my original objective, though.

The progression of events itself wasn’t bad.

Making the leader fall deep into thought was the harvest of the day. And furthermore.

‘Since the answer is already decided anyway, looking at him.’

I was half-certain about what he would choose.

I could tell just by his expression.

‘Of course, I’ll prepare just in case… but well.’

Would he really choose something else?

I didn’t think so.

Therefore.

‘…I should diligently think about it now.’

When the leader makes his choice. The solution he wants that I can provide.

That.

‘…I haven’t thought of it.’

Right now, it was closer to just blurting things out without thinking.

So, I had to find it starting now.

But.

‘It doesn’t seem like it will be that difficult.’

This too.

Anyway, I already knew the answer.

---

I left the Black family’s residence and headed outside.

By then, the sunset had long passed, and it was evident that night was gradually approaching.

Streetlights were lit as if waiting for the night.

For some reason, the people seemed more active than during the day.

‘They said they were chosen by the night.’

The beast-humans called the Night Moon dwellers. They say they are all children of the night. Were they perhaps anticipating the night?

I walked among them, observing my surroundings.

Of course, Cheonma was with me.

‘…Hmm.’

I glanced at Cheonma.

She had ears, but no tail, so she still had to hide it with her cloak.

She seemed quite fascinated by the night street, constantly looking around.

Interest and wonder.

Cheonma’s eyes were full of such things.

Pure and clear. Yes, just like…

‘…Wi Seol-ah.’

The way Wi Seol-ah used to look at me.

It resembled it so much that it made me narrow my eyes.

Trying hard to ignore it, I looked at what Cheonma’s gaze was fixed upon.

“…What are you looking at?”

What was she concentrating on so intently? Curious, I looked, and in the distance, I saw a street vendor.

A place selling various foods, much like the street vendors in Joong-won.

At first glance, it was full of things I’d never seen before, and the smell was good, too.

“…”

I glanced at it, then looked back at Cheonma.

She was still staring intently at the street vendor.

Could it be…

“…Do you want to eat something?”

“Yes.”

“…”

I ran a hand through my hair at her confident reply.

Did she inherit not only looks but also a gluttonous appetite? To think she wanted to eat that even now.

While I found it absurd, I sighed and pulled Cheonma along towards it.

Why was I going in?

Even as I acted, I asked myself the question.

What the hell am I doing?

The questions kept coming, but ultimately, the action proceeded.

So, at first, I thought it was because she resembled Wi Seol-ah.

“What do you want to eat?”

“…Just pick one?”

“Of course. Do you have money?”

“No.”

“Then, as someone getting a free meal, where do you get the right to choose? Just pick one.”

“Okay.”

However, seeing Cheonma carefully choosing food made me think differently.

‘I feel uneasy.’

I feel so uneasy.

Just looking at her made my insides itch.

As if telling me I shouldn’t treat Cheonma like this.

It felt like something inside was scratching at me.

Stop it.

Stop it and do the right thing.

My insides cried out like that.

‘What the hell am I supposed to do right?’

This is ridiculous.

Right. If I were to do the right thing, this isn’t how I’d be acting.

‘I should have killed her sooner.’

The moment the possibility of killing Cheonma arose, I should have disposed of her.

I should have captured and eliminated her by any means necessary.

‘What am I really doing?’

What am I doing?

Coming all the way to another world, what is this act?

‘…In all my life, I never thought I’d be buying food for a Heavenly Demon.’

Who would have thought a day would come when I’d do this for such a lofty and arrogant being.

“…Tsk.”

As I recalled that, I clicked my tongue briefly, and Cheonma flinched.

“…I’ll pick quickly.”

Then, glancing nervously, she said that.

“…”

Cheonma, looking at me nervously?

It was so frustrating and stifling, I wanted to grab my forehead right then.

This really isn’t the time.

‘…What are the kids up to.’

What about the state of Joong-won?

Although time might be different, it was still undeniably flowing.

If they knew I had disappeared, I couldn’t imagine how the kids would react.

‘So I need to go back as soon as possible.’

Knowing all that, yet here I am playing house with Cheonma.

“…Hoo…”

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“That one.”

Meanwhile, Cheonma pointed at something.

It was a skewer with something thick stuck on a stick.

It looked like meat, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

“That one?”

“Yes.”

“Just give me one of those.”

As soon as she spoke, the vendor quickly handed over the skewer.

I paid the price, took it, and gave it to Cheonma.

Cheonma, with expectant eyes, was about to put it straight into her mouth, but.

“Get out of the way–!”

“Make way!”

The shouts came from far down the street.

“What is it?”

What now? I looked with curiosity, and saw a flag in the distance.

“Hm?”

Looking at it, my eyes widened. It was a familiar flag.

‘That.’

I had seen it before.

I had glimpsed it briefly when I went to a high place in Night Moon to assess the situation.

‘Was it blue or some other color.’

As far as I knew, it was one of the remaining two families, excluding White and Black.

That means.

‘Nobles?’

It meant those guys were nobles too.

Realizing that, I subtly stepped back.

Even if I didn’t know them, it was better to be out of sight than in sight.

I kept a slight distance and waited for the carriage to pass.

The carriage passed through the crowd and brushed past us.

I watched it, looking quite intrigued.

‘It’s not horses?’

Surprisingly, it wasn’t horses pulling the carriage.

Two giant wolves.

Beasts with a size comparable to horses were pulling the carriage.

Kureureung.

The wolves snorted and slowly passed by.

And just as the carriage was about to completely pass us.

Kkiiik.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped right in front of us.

‘Hm…?’

I frowned at the carriage that had stopped so abruptly in front of us.

I had a feeling.

‘This feels ominous…?’

My instincts were telling me.

That something bad was about to happen.

At that moment.

Kkiiik-!

The carriage door opened, and a handsome guy with blue hair revealed himself.

He was a strikingly sharp-featured handsome man.

Perhaps similar to that Woo Hyuk fellow?

As the person suddenly appeared, the surrounding people knelt down.

What is this?

I was slow to grasp the bizarre situation.

“Woman.”

The guy spoke.

And he was looking at Cheonma.

“You are beautiful. Become mine.”

That’s what the guy said.

“What the hell is this crazy bastard saying?”

The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them.