Chapter 1085: Scorched World.

Also, the atmosphere changed drastically when the Demon King disappeared. It seemed like it wasn’t meant to be a long banquet in the first place.

Really, everyone just roughly took care of their own meals, and then they dispersed due to the words of the Azure Flame Sword Master.

Unlike how everyone was told to come, not many people gathered.

For starters, including my father, the personnel I saw earlier, who hadn’t reached ten, didn’t come.

They said it was okay not to come if they had missions. Did they go on missions?

That could be the case. If it was a mission from the Azure Dragon Brigade, it was famous for having many even in the days I knew.

Footsteps.

After the banquet ended, I slowly moved my feet.

It was the time when the sun had completely set and the moon had risen in the center.

“…….”

I came outside and quietly looked at the moon while checking my body.

‘I had already checked a few times, but.’

Kkuuk.

Clenching my fist, I confirmed it once more.

‘Can I not use the power of the Moonlit Tribe?’

Maybe it’s because the region is the world of the Central Plains. Or maybe it’s because it’s not simply the Myriad Realms, I don’t know.

Even though the moon was out, I couldn’t use the power of the Moonlit Tribe.

It’s a shame. If I could use it, I could have utilized it much more easily.

‘Still, it’s okay.’

Yes, it’s better not to use it. If it were a situation where I had to use it somehow, it probably wouldn’t be a very good condition.

‘Hmm.’

I lightly stretched my wrist.

It wasn’t that late, so should I perhaps train for the first time in a while? I pondered that.

The reason is none other than this.

‘After reaching transcendence, I haven’t been able to train at all.’

Right after my level increased and my capacity grew. I haven’t done anything resembling training since then.

Because too many things kept popping up, it wasn’t a situation where I could settle down and train.

‘So, if I had my way, I’d want to do some.’

I wondered if training here would even be meaningful. After all, this place is no different from another world.

‘Since I can’t use a few of my powers.’

I can’t use the power of the Moonlit Tribe, and I can’t use a few other things either.

The fortunate thing, at least, is that my Authority still remains intact.

‘So I’m relieved.’

If I didn’t even have this, things would have gotten troublesome. The Authority of the Net gave me various kinds of help.

I looked up at the sky.

The moon was high in the sky. What should I do now? Should I really try to train, whether it works or not? Just as I was having such thoughts.

‘It seems I won’t be able to do that.’

Unfortunately, there were eyes watching, so training seemed impossible.

I turned my gaze. It was time when everyone had scattered after the banquet ended. Although there might still be quite a few people inside the Azure Dragon Brigade.

“Do you need something from me?”

Someone lingering around me like this must surely have other intentions.

As I spoke looking behind me, someone hiding by the trees appeared and showed themselves.

I already knew who the opponent was. How could I not know? They had been glaring at me as if they wanted to kill me since the banquet.

“Senior Namgung-nim.”

“Ha.”

The person who appeared at my call let out a hollow laugh.

Blue eyes and bluish-white hair.

And a young man wearing the Azure Dragon Brigade’s martial attire.

It was Namgung Jin, the Sword Dragon, who would later become the Sword King and the head of the Namgung family.

“You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you.”

“I suppose I am.”

From the moment the banquet ended, Namgung Jin had been following me. It seemed like he was using stealth from afar, but even so, it wasn’t like I couldn’t feel him. And besides, he wasn’t exactly hiding thoroughly.

‘See if you can figure it out.’ It was a tailing with such intentions clearly felt.

So if I noticed, I should show it. Because Namgung Jin probably wanted that too.

“Do you know me?”

To Namgung Jin’s question, I smiled awkwardly.

“How could I not know? You’re the famous Sword Dragon.”

“No, not that. Don’t you remember me?”

The guy asked, frowning. Ah, this isn’t good.

“……Were we people who had just met or anything? I don’t really…….”

I tried to make an excuse, pretending not to know.

“Judging by your expression, you seem to remember.”

Namgung Jin said, as if it was completely impossible.

“…….”

Damn it. I wanted to put on a mask. Does it really show that much? What Old Man Shin told me, that I should never act, came to mind every time like this.

“If I bumped into your shoulder, Senior, shouldn’t I apologize?”

“Didn’t I apologize back then?”

Did I not? I don’t remember well. I think I probably did…

“Hmm? Did I? I don’t really know.”

I dismissed the thought at his answer. Seeing his reaction, it seemed like it didn’t matter anyway. It meant that whether I apologized or not wasn’t important in the first place.

“Hmm.”

I ran my hand through my hair. Ah, what should I do.

‘Why are all the men in that family like that?’

They really make me want to beat them up. I wanted to fold them into the shape of a crane and throw them into the pond right now.

However, I forced a smile and said.

“Well then, shall I apologize now?”

“Fine.”

That was a reaction that showed he liked it.

Good. If it could be settled with one apology, I could do that much.

“Back then, I was sorry-“

“Kneel.”

“……What?”

I narrowed my eyes.

……What did he just say?

I wondered if I misheard, but as if that wasn’t the case, Namgung Jin spoke to me.

“I said kneel. If you’re going to apologize, shouldn’t you do it properly?”

“…….”

Wow.

‘This territoriality is insane.’

I never thought I’d experience something like this. Let alone in my past life, it was something I had never experienced or done in this life either.

There was no need to try it, after all. If I didn’t like it, instead of making them kneel, I could just rip their knees off.

But he wants me to kneel? It was incredibly novel.

‘This guy, in a way, seems worse than his son?’

I thought he’d be better than that perverted guy. But the father felt even worse.

Is this the power of genetics?

But considering that, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem like it.

“What? You don’t want to?”

As I couldn’t answer, Namgung Jin asked again.

To those words, I said with a slight smile.

“For bumping shoulders just a little, I think kneeling is a bit too expensive.”

“Haha. Expensive?”

Namgung Jin, who had chuckled, quickly turned serious and approached.

“If a senior tells you to kneel, you should kneel. Why are you talking so much? Sword Phoenix. Did that woman not teach you properly? Or.”

“…….”

“Or are you just incredibly arrogant? That’s what I’m curious about?”

He came right up close and looked down at me. Namgung Jin was slightly taller than me.

His blue eyes shone, reflecting the moonlight. Do you know what’s funny amidst all this?

‘Still, his eyes are pretty.’

Out of Namgung Jin’s handsome face, I thought his eyes were the best part. Both his pupils and the shape of his eyes.

Because.

‘They’re similar.’

Unlike Namgung Cheon-jun, his eyes, at least, bore a striking resemblance to Namgung Bi-ah’s. Although there was the difference that they were sharp and gleaming, not dull. If you only looked at their eyes, it was clear the two were father and daughter.

Annoyingly so.

Just then.

“They’re similar.”

“……!”

At Namgung Jin’s sudden words, my eyes widened.

I was startled. Because he had said exactly what I was thinking.

What the? I wondered if he could read minds, just as I was freaking out.

“As expected, they’re similar.”

Namgung Jin said to me, his face contorted.

“His eyes are exactly like that annoying guy’s. He said he wasn’t the White Dragon, but no matter how I look at it, it seems so.”

“…….”

“I really don’t like him. I truly hate him to the point of madness. Why does the Demon King care about someone like him?”

Anger was clearly felt. No, perhaps inferiority complex and jealousy rather than anger? It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time either.

I thought expressing it so vividly was also a skill.

‘Hmm.’

What should I do, really? I don’t know what to do or how to do it.

“What’s with that expression? Why? Do you think my words are crap?”

“No, it’s not exactly like that…….”

“That can happen. It can be shitty. But what can you do? If you were annoyed, you should have come in sooner.”

“…….”

“I truly don’t like you. And I probably will continue to.”

So, what does he want me to do? I didn’t answer and just looked at Namgung Jin.

Then the guy said to me, putting power into his blue eyes.

“So, things will be fun from now on. Look forward to it.”

Tuk tuk.

He tapped my shoulder a few times with his hand, like last time. Then he overtook me and walked away.

“…….”

Only when Namgung Jin’s figure had completely disappeared did I touch my neck with my hand.

‘That was close.’

“I almost ripped his tongue out without realizing it.”

Normally, a tongue spouting such bullshit would be unnecessary, so I would have just ripped it out.

Just because my level increased a bit, I’m tolerating even that kind of talk.

It’s truly commendable. It’s growth I can be pleased with.

However, the problem is.

‘Now, twice.’

This is the second time I’ve tolerated it. What should I do the third time?

“…….”

I decided not to worry about it beforehand.

If it happens, I’ll know.

And.

Although I desperately hoped it wouldn’t happen if possible.

Contrary to my wishes.

“Come out, junior. This senior needs to properly teach you what the Azure Dragon Brigade is.”

Damned things always come faster than I expect.