Chapter 1002: The Divine Tree and the Master.

Grrrrrrrrr—-!!!

A low groan resonates in all directions. Despite not being a loud sound, it felt strangely immense.

Is that its groan? No. It had its mouth shut.

Then, where is this groan coming from?

After searching for the source, I realized not long after.

This was indeed its groan. It’s just that it wasn’t a sound made with its mouth.

To be precise.

‘It is made with a mouth, yes. But not that mouth.’

It wasn’t a voice coming from its lips. That sound was from further back.

Its widely spread shadow. It’s more accurate to say the groan came from there.

In fact, I can see its shadow wavering along with the groan.

This is absurd.

‘To think I couldn’t see that until now.’

It’s utterly ridiculous that something so rough and vast is only visible after my level has risen.

‘No.’

Even that was wrong.

Strictly speaking, it means the gap was so large that I couldn’t see something so big and vast. The fact that I can see it now means my skill has reached a point where I can see what it hid. Because before this, the difference was so great that I couldn’t even reach that point.

‘Hmm.’

Grrrrrrrrr-.

The resonating sound makes my body tremble.

The fighting spirit infused there is incredibly potent.

“What did you just say?”

Yusa’s eyes are sharp. From its slit pupils and swaying tail, the pressure of a powerful being emanates.

Predator.

I’ve felt it since I first saw it, but its hungry eyes keep making my body stiffen. However, I cannot remain stiffened like this. In the first place, I shouldn’t have even shown a hint of stiffness.

“Didn’t you hear? Your ears are so large, it’s rather disappointing you couldn’t hear this.”

I nod slightly. It was partly to show an arrogant attitude, and partly a move to loosen my stiffened body.

“I spoke about the location of Yawal’s Sacred Tree.”

“…….”

As I spoke again, as if confirming it hadn’t misheard, its face contorted like an evil spirit’s.

KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA—-!!!

Grrrrrrrrr—-!!!

The aura and groan grew denser. My body trembles from the overwhelming aura.

Wow.

‘Did my level rising make me more sensitive?’

Or is this the first time I’m feeling it emit this kind of aura? Whatever the reason, this is a level I’m feeling for the first time.

The hair on my entire body attempts an immediate reaction. That the enemy in front is targeting me. That I might get eaten if I slip up. It urges me to flee, making such rough sounds.

I laughed, feeling that.

‘Bullshit.’

My instinct tells me to run, but I knew it was fake.

‘It’s not honest, just like me.’

It doesn’t actually want me to run away. Inwardly, it’s pushing me to fight it quickly, but it pretends to be pathetically scared.

‘Bastard. Do you think I wouldn’t know this?’

A battle with a strong opponent. My heart pounds at the thought. It’s even more so than the fight with Noya. Back then, it was hard to call it a real battle. But now?

‘A fight where I might die if I mess up.’

I want to confirm my increased level. I wanted to see with my own body how much stronger I’ve become. Even though I came with a purpose, that purpose keeps getting pushed back. No, it’s not being pushed back.

‘It’s something I have to do anyway, isn’t it?’

This is a process for my goal. Thinking that eased my mind.

“Why are you asking that?”

Yusa asks, exuding killing intent.

“Of course, I have business here. I do.”

I take a step forward. My body pushed through the killing intent.

“I have a purpose regarding the Sacred Tree that the Master left behind.”

“……The Sacred Tree? Why?”

“Well. Shall we say it’s connected to the goal I’m aiming for? And to what you wish to reach?”

“…….”

My goal. Mentioning that causes Yusa’s expression to twist.

“Your goal requires the Sacred Tree?”

“Yes. The Sacred Tree. I want it.”

“Hah.”

At my words, Yusa lets out a scoff. At that moment.

KWA-DEUK…!

The rising fighting spirit and killing intent subsided in an instant. It seemed like it withdrew its aura. But that wasn’t the case. This was the calm before the storm.

“Two of my precious children perished by your hands.”

“You should speak correctly. It was one.”

I did kill White, but Blue didn’t die. Actually, killing White was also an unexpected situation. Of all times, it was when my mind was distracted from breaking through my level. So I burned it up unintentionally. What a waste.

‘I should have tested my demonic energy.’

Whether my demonic energy worked on White like it did on Black, and if so, how its speed or other aspects compared. I should have found that out, but…

‘……Tsk.’

I killed it before I could even grasp such things. That was quite regrettable. Not only regrettable. The situation also became somewhat awkward.

‘I shouldn’t have killed the leader back then.’

Killing the leader causes many things to happen. Yusa was especially the problem. For me to use it, it needed to be swayed towards me. ‘Since I killed its subordinate.’ I casually stormed its base, killed its subordinate, and left. What kind of reaction would Yusa have in this process? I don’t know for sure, but it won’t be good. Whether it’s okay to trust this guy. If it trusts me, it might end up like that too, so it won’t be able to trust me easily.

‘The bigger problem is.’

I’m also the problem myself. The issue regarding the Master that Yusa would accept was also a problem. After causing that incident, the Master didn’t intervene. Yusa knows the Master is somewhere in Yawal. Perhaps it even knows the exact location. In such a situation, the Master didn’t even intervene.

‘I also wonder why that happened.’

Really, why didn’t it intervene? I caused the incident partly to see the reaction at the time. And I came now partly to find that out.

“One was gotten rid of. Another was erased. And the last one… you discarded to use a trick. Do you think I wouldn’t know?”

“…….”

The one gotten rid of was Blue. The one erased was White. The one abandoned was Red. I knew well that Yusa had used Red. Though I don’t know what happened to Red afterward.

“Considering you cherish them, doesn’t that contradict your words?”

KKEU-DEUK.

A rough sound comes from it.

“……Why do you need the Sacred Tree?”

Ignoring my point, it asks. Why do I need the Sacred Tree? Hearing that, I asked with a slight smile.

“Why? If the reason is valid, will you tell me?”

“…….”

It remains silent. Silence was always affirmative. Then I must tell you.

“Now, to change the landscape of the Myriad Realms, the Sacred Tree is needed. For the paradise I will create. And for the position you must hold.”

I answered vaguely. At the answer, which was far from clear, its brow furrowed again.

“Explain properly. What is this paradise, and how can obtaining it allow me to get what I want?”

“Hmm.”

I brush my hair upwards with my hand. My much longer and fuller black hair swishes. It seemed like it was mistaken about something.

“General. If you want a proper answer, shouldn’t you also give me a proper answer?”

“……What?”

“Whether you’ll get on board, or back down like vermin.”

Will you join hands with me? Or will you stay out of it? It had to decide that clearly. Only then could I give my answer accordingly.

“……Hah, you’ll tell me if I make a choice?”

“Naturally. There’s no point in telling you if you’re not my person.”

“…….”

“What will you do? I believe I’ve given you enough time to answer.”

I wonder what answer Yusa will give. In a situation where even the Sacred Tree has been mentioned, what choice will it make? Will it really grasp my hand as it said at first? If it does, I would have to explain why the Sacred Tree is needed. How should I explain?

To meet my mother and return to my original world. And for the arrangements my mother spoke of. Beyond that, it’s needed to save God Noya, whom you hate. Should I explain it like that?

‘Nonsense.’

There’s no way that would work. It would only provoke anger. Then, it means I need an excuse in the end. Unfortunately, I hadn’t prepared an excuse. If it grasped my hand, I wouldn’t have much to say to Yusa. Then, should I think of something now?

‘Not really.’

It’s not necessary. I was convinced of that. I wondered if it would be okay even without any excuses to bring out. It will probably be okay. After all.

‘It won’t grasp my hand.’

Yusa will not grasp my hand. That’s what I predicted. No sooner had I predicted it.

“How annoying.”

Yusa spoke with a sigh. As it spoke thus.

KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA—-!!!

More than double the fighting spirit burst forth compared to before.

“……Now it’s fine. I don’t like all this fussing around.”

Yusa bares its fangs, its pupils tearing open.

“Was it Cheonma? Quit it. I don’t know what your intentions are, but I’m someone who extremely dislikes complications.”

The shadow visible behind it writhes.

“To avoid any unsettling business, I’ll just chew you up right here.”

Yusa growls, emitting its aura. I laughed seeing that.

“Ah.”

I relaxed my shoulders. As I moved them with force, a cracking sound is heard.

“You’re making a choice you’ll regret. Unfortunately.”

Unlike my words, it wasn’t regrettable at all. Because this was actually what I wanted.