Ch. 208 - An Old Story (5)

Chapter 208: An Old Story (5)

After the disappearance of Melian, countless mages tried to detect the flow of mana or track his soul to find his whereabouts.

Their methods were not wrong.

However, the problem was that they couldn't keep up with the ancient technology of Karmenset.

Thus, the dungeon backtracking proposed by Baek Yu-Seol wasn't particularly creative, but... it could be considered quite groundbreaking. 

Because this technique was supposed to be developed five years in the future.

"How is this even possible...?"

No trace was left of Melian’s location.

Not even the traces of magic or Melian's soul. 

But, it was common sense that if a great will like a 'wish' was involved, there should be some trace left. They just couldn't detect it.

'I feel a bit sorry for stealing the technology, but it couldn't be helped.'

Baek Yu-Seol calmly directed the Dark Team of the Full Moon Tower. To be precise, it was more of a request than command.

"From now on, we won't need the spirit rate. If it's alright, could we switch to the beta version? We need to adjust the waves."

Even though he had the command authority, he was still a student, and the authority was temporarily given, so he tried to be as polite as possible.

The Dark Team did not refuse his request. At first, they didn't believe Baek Yu-Seol’s words, but at this point, he was the only mage showing results.

They might have followed even if it was a command rather than a request.

"... It seems to be progressing smoothly."

Hae Seong-Wol, the Master of the Full Moon Tower, was watching the site from a distance without missing a moment.

'An unusual child.'

Stella cadet Baek Yu-Seol.

Stories about him had been circulating continuously since the beginning of this year.

Even excluding the trivial stories within the school, his actions so far had been extremely strange.

His footsteps resembled those of great mages who had left a mark in history. As a fellow mage, it even evoked a slight sense of respect.

In the near future, the existence of Baek Yu-Seol would undoubtedly rise to the ranks of great mages like himself.

But…

Apart from that.

'He's too extraordinary.'

It was bizarre. In every incident, Baek Yu-Seol always came up with the right answer. Hae Seong-Wol had a fast information network so he knew well about the recent incident at the Levian Coast.

'The one who struck down the Pirate King Black Belize in one blow... was actually Baek Yu-Seol.'

Indeed, it was true that legendary mages in history left great marks and then disappeared.

But none showed a path as exceptional as Baek Yu-Seol.

'That child. It’s as if...'

Amid the whirlwind of countless thoughts swirling in his mind, Hae Seong-Wol subconsciously thought of a certain possibility, then snapped out of it.

‘... What am I thinking?’

Maybe it was because he read too many fantasy magic novels when he was young. He always came up with impossible possibilities when faced with something improbable.

Thanks to that, he’d made numerous discoveries and reached his current position, but no matter how he looked at it, this wasn’t it. While Hae Seong-Wol was shaking his head, trying to erase the absurd possibility from his mind, he heard someone's scream.

"Waaaaaah!!"

It wasn't a scream, but a shout of joy.

"What? Really?"

"Did they find it already?"

At the place where Melian had disappeared, the mages of the Full Moon Tower and mages from other affiliations were gathered. All their eyes were now focused on one point.

'What?'

The news was surprising and even chilling to Hae Seong-Wol. He thought he should ask about it and started to move slowly, but someone passed by him first.

It was Jelliel.

"Ah...!"

She ran over in a hurry, looked at the strange machine operated by Baek Yu-Seol, and then collapsed on the spot.

Watching some of the Starcloud bodyguards quickly approach and support her, Hae Seong-Wol decided to step back for a moment.

He could leave the task of figuring out the constant, inexplicable discomfort he felt around him for a bit later.

Loss.

The experience of losing something familiar is unpleasant for anyone. Whether it be a lover or family member who has always been there, or the ability to walk freely, or the arms that make daily life convenient.

Loss is woven into the fabric of our daily lives, always waiting to be felt.

Thus, the pleasure of rediscovering something lost is indescribably thrilling.

"Haa..."

——-

On a certain mountainside. Above a certain cloud.

Silver Autumn Moon took a deep breath and opened his eyes. A silver light flashed in his gaze.

"... This is nice."

The sense of fulfillment from regaining a part of time after so long was indescribable in the clumsy language created by humans.

"Now I can see a bit..."

If one had to describe this feeling in human terms, it would be like regaining lost sight.

The countless branching futures now became clearly visible. He wouldn’t miss even the smallest variable.

And then.

“… Huh?"

Something strange was detected in the ‘future,’ causing Silver Autumn Moon’s expression to turn icy.

"This is... Ugh!"

Had he glimpsed too many futures when he hadn't yet regained the power of the past? A tremendous headache surged. Without the balance of past, present, and future, it was still difficult to fully utilize his abilities.

He hurriedly got up and headed toward the cabin built on the cloud. Inside the cabin, the scent of wood lingered. He found and wore an old magnifying glass from the drawer. He tried to look into the future again, but...

"... Who’s out there?"

He couldn't do it because he sensed an unpleasant presence outside the cabin. Silver Autumn Moon slowly came out of the cabin with his hands behind his back.

There, a human woman and a dwarf youth knelt and bowed their heads toward Silver Autumn Moon. They might seem like ordinary humans and dwarfs at first glance, but they couldn't deceive Silver Autumn Moon’s eyes. They were dark mages, and not just any but the top tier of dark mages.

"Last bearer of Kostalin bloodline and a filthy cannibal."

Their names were Azmik Kostalin and Kalaban. They were known for swearing loyalty to the legendary dark mage Dark King, who single-handedly destroyed the Valkamic Royal Family. It was not a common sight for them to kneel to anyone else.

However, it was only natural for the Twelve Divine Moons to be respected even by dark mages. In fact, dark mages respected the Twelve Divine Moons even more than regular mages, believing them to be their saviors.

"How did you find this place?" Silver Autumn Moon addressed the dark mages before him in the same manner he would address Baek Yu-Seol.

Azmik of the Kostalin clan slightly lifted her head and spoke. "While passing by, we sensed your presence and came."

Usually, Silver Autumn Moon hid his presence meticulously, but when absorbing the power of the sacred artifact, he couldn't prevent it from leaking. It couldn't be helped. He had anticipated someone might come. Fortunately, it wasn't New Moon Tower’s Master Rudrick.

"I see. The reason you were passing by... is because of Baek Yu-Seol, isn't it?"

"..."

Azmik and Kalaban had once been tasked with hunting Baek Yu-Seol and failed. Did they hold a grudge? No, it wasn't that. Rather... It was a curiosity. 

Everyone, including the Master of the New Moon Tower and Stella's principal, was paying attention to that boy who was merely a first-year student of no particular note at Stella. Even the Dark King was interested. 

And now, it was clear. Even the Silver Autumn Moon was watching that boy.

"I want to ask you something."

"Speak."

"That boy... What’s his true identity?"

Silver Autumn Moon burst into laughter. "I can't answer that."

Azmik bowed her head. She thought there must be some secret she shouldn't know, which was why the question wasn't answered.

But the truth was the opposite.

"I don't know either."

Silver Autumn Moon closed his eyes and briefly glimpsed the future. Events to come stretched out like a panorama. 

And in every moment of that future...

Baek Yu-Seol existed. It was an unbelievable story. In the future… countless things would happen. 

When a great disaster threatens the safety of the world.

When a demon sealed in hell awakens and brings chaos to an entire continent.

And even when the disappeared celestial realm reappears in the world, or when the legendary ruins submerged under the sea are discovered.

In all the significant incidents and accidents in the world, Baek Yu-Seol was inevitably involved.

‘Why does he go to such lengths?’

He was self-sacrificial to an incomprehensible degree. Having lived for countless times, one would think he would have learned to give up by now.

Like him.

But Baek Yu-Seol never learned to give up. Perhaps even if he had learned, he might have forgotten it as soon as he started his next life.

“Divine Moon.”

“Speak.”

“… The request from that time is still valid. We are still waiting for you.”

“Hmm.”

The request from that time.

It had been over 50 years, and Silver Autumn Moon’s memory of it was hazy. Besides, he’d never paid it any mind.

“Are you referring to the request made by your leader?”

“Not leader. But an emperor.”

“Alright. The Dark King.”

Who else would dare to refer to the Dark King with such a vulgar term? Even though their king was insulted, the two dark mages kept their heads low.

“Convey this: stop with the nonsense. Your 'paradise' is a lie. I have no intention of aiding in a misguided choice.”

Then.

“No.”

In a drastically different voice… Azmik spoke, exuding a chilly aura.

“You are wrong, and we are right. The 'paradise' that will save all life in this world was there! You were the closest to paradise, yet why didn’t you notice it?"

“Heh.”

Feeling like watching a child’s antics, Silver Autumn Moon just laughed. He knew it was useless to explain. There was nothing more foolish than arguing with a fool. “Go back.”

“… You will regret this. When the time comes, it will be too late.”

As Azmik and Kalaban disappeared, Silver Autumn Moon trudged over to sit in front of the Go board.

The Go game that had been in progress with someone just moments ago… was left unfinished.

He picked up the stone.

Tap!

He placed a white stone and then a black stone.

There is no Go game that never ends. There are only Go games that remain unfinished. Then, he looked up and stared into the void.

“This is…!”

He suddenly sensed the aura of 'time reversal' which could only be felt by him in this entire universe.

He quickly realized what was happening and who was causing it.

Derived from him, it acquired consciousness, and lived hidden somewhere in the world… The ‘relic of the past’ had started to act again.

The rewound clock… Was it about 10 years? It wasn't that long ago.

“... That damn woman is playing tricks again."

Tap!

He placed a white stone.

Once again, he felt someone slowly taking a step to face their sorrowful fate.

Unfortunately… There was nothing an old man, powerless to interfere with time, could do. 

All he could do was wait silently.

Tap!

The old man continued to play Go.

In the pavilion high above the clouds, where only silence reigned supreme, the sound of colliding Go stones echoed.

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