Book 1 Chapter 925
926.
Whoosh-!
Leo sped across the desert under the night sky at an incredible speed, holding Chen Sia in his arms.
Embraced in Leo's cloak, Chen Sia kept her eyes open and surveyed her surroundings.
Then, she looked up at the desert night sky stretching before her.
A beautiful night sky, as if stars would pour down at any moment.
Chen Sia, who had been silently gazing at the spectacle, turned her gaze towards Leo.
Leo's face, illuminated by the moonlight.
Chen Sia, who had been admiring the sight for a moment, noticed Elsi sitting on Leo's shoulder.
Chen Sia, looking at Elsi, asked.
“Elsi-nim. Is something wrong?”
-Huh? No. Not really.
Elsi, tilting her head, looked at Chen Sia.
Chen Sia's black eyes reflected in Elsi's black pupils.
It was a moment when the Hero and the Spirit gazed at each other in silence.
Leo stopped in the middle of the desert.
A large rock crevice.
Traces of camping remained in this spot, which had an environment suitable for camping.
Activating his extrasensory perception, Leo easily discerned that Perena had stayed here.
“There were two people, right?”
Chen Sia asked, examining the traces of the campsite.
“That's right.”
“But… the other person didn't even leave a trace.”
Chen Sia also found Perena's traces.
But no matter how much she searched, she couldn't find any trace of the dwarf who was with Perena.
“Leo Doryeong, have you found anything?”
“No, I can't find anything other than Perena's traces either.”
‘What is this guy?’
He completely erased his traces.
‘I don't even know where he went.’
The wind blowing in the desert erased the footprints left by people.
‘But just because the footprints are gone doesn't mean the movement traces have completely vanished.’
Leo possessed the ability to track down traces invisible to others.
But this time, he couldn't find any such traces anywhere.
‘He's someone who knows a lot about shadows.’
It wasn't intentionally erased.
‘He's someone for whom erasing movement traces is ingrained in his body.’
Leo clicked his tongue, sensing that this pursuit would not be easy.
‘Moreover, there are no signs of any resistance.’
Leo, inferring the situation from the traces found here, felt something strange.
Even if she mistook the opponent for Damian, Perena is a shadow candidate.
Shadows leave traces that other shadows can find in preparation for contingencies.
But no such traces could be found.
‘Either those traces were perfectly erased, or Perena completely trusts and follows the opponent.’
“If it's the latter, he might be using mind manipulation abilities.”
“Mind manipulation?”
“Let's split up. I'll search this side, Sia, you search the opposite side.”
“Okay.”
“Elsi, help Sia.”
-Yes.
Elsi got up from Leo's shoulder and settled on top of Chen Sia's head.
“If you sense anything suspicious, call immediately.”
“Okay.”
-Understood.
At Leo's words, Chen Sia and Elsi nodded.
Soon after parting with Leo, the two walked through the desert.
Chen Sia maximized her sense of touch and hearing with extrasensory perception.
‘I hope nothing goes wrong.’
Worried about Perena, Chen Sia asked Elsi.
“Elsi-nim. There are still no suspicious presences around, right?”
-…
“Elsi-nim?”
-Oh, yes. There's no one suspicious.
Elsi, who had been sitting on Chen Sia's head, staring blankly at the sky, was startled and replied.
“Is something wrong since earlier?”
Chen Sia, realizing Elsi was different from usual, asked.
-It made me think of old times. This place is Arion's hometown, but it's also my hometown.
“Ah…”
-And it's also where my family lost their lives.
“Family…?”
-Yes, Arion's family too.
The current Elsi is a reward for conquering Hero Record.
The real Elsi lost her life long ago during the Age of Calamity.
And she also suffered a great wound from her family disappearing.
The current Elsi didn't experience that pain.
But even so, the fact that the children from the orphanage, who were like family, had died horribly remained unchanged.
It was a fact she had tried to forget as much as possible, but indeed, returning to this land inevitably brought her family to mind.
-They lost their lives by traitors. My family and Arion's.
“…”
It was when Elsi smiled bitterly, looking up at the night sky.
“…Chen Sia Sunbae-nim?”
Chen Sia was startled by the sudden voice.
Perena was closer than she had thought.
“Perena-yang?”
“What brings you here?”
“You went missing alone, so we came to find you.”
“Huh? I was moving with Damian-student, though?”
Perena tilted her head.
“The person moving with you isn't Damian-student.”
“What? That can't be.”
Perena shook her head.
It felt like she completely trusted the opponent.
Chen Sia felt something strange at her demeanor.
Perena is also a shadow candidate.
A shadow's virtue is suspicion.
Yet, despite her school senior's words, Perena didn't suspect the dwarf at all.
‘Mind manipulation ability.’
It was when Chen Sia became wary, recalling Leo's words.
“Are you a shadow too?”
Chen Sia flinched at the beautiful voice from behind her.
Unknowingly, as if enchanted, she turned her head.
“Ah…”
Upon discovering the beautiful boy standing before her, Chen Sia involuntarily gasped.
Beauty that mesmerized.
Chen Sia felt her guard melt away like snow.
And a belief in the opponent emerged.
‘Who was it? Someone who gave this feeling?’
With a puzzled expression, Chen Sia approached the dwarf.
‘Right.’
Chen Sia recalled another person who exuded such charm.
‘Elena Sunbae.’
Of course, the charm the boy exuded far surpassed the charm Elena, whom Chen Sia knew, possessed.
Whoosh-!
Grab-!
“Hmm?”
Damian, who had snatched Chen Sia's hand targeting his neck, tilted his head.
“The charm doesn't work?”
“Why did you take Perena?”
“I merely had her with me for a moment because I had some questions.”
“And why did you enchant her mind with charm?”
“Because there was a lot I wanted to hear. There won't be much of a problem once it wears off. If you wish, I can even erase the memory of being enchanted.”
Damian, who had been answering indifferently, stared at Chen Sia's face for a moment, then nodded.
“I see. So you're Chen Sia?”
A gentle smile formed on Damian's face.
“To rise to the position of a Hero as a shadow, that's splendid.”
“…?”
It was when Chen Sia was flustered, seeing Damian suddenly showing favor to her.
Clang-
A sword appeared from behind Damian and touched his neck.
“For a dwarf, you're quite pretty-faced, aren't you?”
Leo warned in a cold voice.
“Let go of that hand while I'm being nice, alright?”
At his words, Damian released Chen Sia's hand.
Rumble-!
Gray mana writhed from Leo's body.
Chen Sia quickly retreated from Leo's range, taking the flustered Perena with her.
By the time the two were out of sight.
“Are you Kyle-nim?”
At Damian's question, Leo's momentum faltered.
“You know me?”
“So, Rodia's, Seirun's, and Lumerne's words were true.”
At those words, Leo, realizing the opponent's identity, sheathed his sword.
“…Damian?”
“Yes, though I am lacking, I am Damian, successor to Dwenno-nim.”
Damian, turning around, bowed respectfully.
It was when Leo, looking at Damian, was about to ask why he was in the outside world.
A massive mana wave was felt.
Leo turned his head towards the campsite.
Damian also twisted his face fiercely and glared in the direction from which the mana wave was felt.
“That damn mad dog…! Even though she must have realized she's outside, to rampage like that…!”
“Mad dog?”
At Damian's words, Leo showed a puzzled expression.
“Yes. Azonia must have also come out of the Hero's world by now.”
“She seems to have quite a belligerent personality. That's where our kids are, you know.”
Hearing Leo's words, Damian realized that Azonia was fighting with the students.
“If we don't stop her, the students might get hurt. That damn mad dog loves to fight and has no moderation when excited.”
Nodding at his words, Leo lowered his stance.
Wham-!
And then he rushed towards the campsite at an invisible speed.
***
“What… what kind of monster is this…”
Lunia gritted her teeth.
Eiran and Driana desperately defended Lunia and Elena, falling into an incapacitated state.
Only Ar could somewhat cope with Azonia's formidable speed.
Therefore, Ar was the one who was concentratedly hit by Azonia's attacks.
He became a mess, more than anyone else in the party.
Elena used Sacrifice multiple times to heal Ar's wounds.
Thanks to that, her physical condition was the worst among the party members.
Nevertheless, she was observing the situation with an expressionless face.
Her mind felt like it would fly away from mana exhaustion and pain, but she was enduring it.
“Tough, aren't you?”
As Azonia approached Elena, genuinely impressed.
Ar stumbled and stood in Azonia's way.
Azonia scoffed, looking at Ar.
“Why don't you just give up? You have no chance, do you?”
“They say courage is not giving up when you feel like you're about to break.”
Ar gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and asked.
“Don't you know that well too, Azonia-nim?”
“Now… what did you say?”
At Ar's words, Lunia's jaw dropped.
Elena also opened her eyes wide.
Azonia looked at Ar with a surprised expression, then smiled faintly.
“When did you notice?”
“Just now.”
“How?”
“Because of the extrasensory perception you're using, Azonia-nim.”
“Hoh?”
“The only person I know who can use extrasensory perception comparable to the Black Rabbit's… is Azonia-nim.”
“You're quicker-witted than I thought. So? You'll still fight even knowing my identity?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I am a descendant of the Hero Arion and also a descendant of a great warrior.”
Ar revealed his fighting spirit.
“A fight that has begun must be seen through to the end.”
“Mm. Splendid. But, you know. Everything's fine, but.”
“…?”
“Could you please not associate me with that damn coward?”
Azonia's atmosphere, which had been smiling sweetly, turned chilling.
“Because it's annoying.”
“What…?”
“If you insist on fighting, I'll truly face you.”
Whoosh-!
Without warning, Azonia's fist reached right in front of Ar's nose.
At that moment-!
Thud-!
A palm that shot out from the side blocked Azonia's fist.
The sand on the ground instantly shot into the sky.
The force from Azonia's fist had flowed into the ground.
Azonia looked at the one who blocked her fist.
Soon, Azonia retracted her fist and took off her hood.
Brown hair cascaded down.
With golden eyes cast downwards, Azonia respectfully bowed.
“It is an infinite honor to meet you. Hero of Beginnings, Kyle. Though I am lacking, I am Azonia, successor to the Hero.”
“Pleased to meet you. But…”
Leo's red eyes turned towards Ar.
“For a test, it seems a bit harsh?”
“As a senior, I was curious about my juniors' capabilities, but I suppose I overdid it a bit.”
Leo said, looking at Azonia who was covering her mouth and giving a charming smile.
“Ar, in particular, is a mess, isn't he?”
“In a way, since he's my direct junior, I think I put more effort into it.”
At that reply, Leo, who had been staring intently at Azonia, let out a small laugh.
“Not that you bullied him because you disliked him, right?”
A voice so low that only Azonia and Ar could hear it.
At Leo's words, Ar showed a slightly flustered expression.
“What does that mean…?”
But Azonia merely looked at Leo without any answer.
“It's not right to bully a junior who conquered Arion's world just because you couldn't conquer it yourself.”
“What? Black Rabbit, what did you just say…?”
Ar wore a dumbfounded expression.
Azonia was still just smiling.
“As expected, Kyle-nim, you are sharp. But.”
“…”
“I recall you not being the type to kindly look out for others like this?”
At those words, Leo let out a small laugh.
“Apparently, personality changes when you die.”