C381
The Kingdom of Lan, one of the Three Great Powers of New World, along with the Eastern and Western Empires.
In this place, called the land of martial artists, the most important place was the sanctuary located in the royal palace.
The sanctuary of the Kingdom of Lan.
Only the king and his family could freely enter and exit, and other people could only enter and exit with the king’s permission.
The current Queen, Tamahi. And her husband, the king consort, Hinpa Gong.
Cale glanced at the semi-transparent screen.
[Skill: Fear of Chaos (Inactive)]
[*To deactivate the deactivation, you must go to the sanctuary of the god of chaos. -More information-]
Sub-mission 1. [Steal the power of chaos]
‘Hinpa Gong had appeared in Serisa’s memories.’
Serisa, who had been famous as a bishop in the Order of the God of Sun.
She was a devotee of the god of chaos.
Cale had met her at the Western Empire’s capital academy, and had obtained a clue about the sanctuary in her memories.
‘Hinpa Gong has a map that leads to the sanctuary.’
Serisa had surely received a mission in the sanctuary, and Hinpa Gong had guided her there.
Swoosh-
The sound of water was heard.
Cale turned his head and looked around.
“This is the lake, right?”
The center of the Lan royal palace. There was a lake there, and there was a small island in the center. The king’s close relatives lived on that island.
“It’s fascinating.”
Alberu looked at the lake, as if he was quite interested.
Swoosh-
Though it’s a lake, the water flows. A huge lake, the size of several combat arenas combined.
Swoosh-
The surface of the lake wasn’t calm. Rather, many currents were flowing, colliding with each other and enveloping each other. Cale, looking at that, jokingly said.
“Would you drown if you fell in?”
And Queen Tamahi responded calmly.
“Yes, you would drown.”
Hmm.
Cale shuddered.
No matter that, Tamahi approached the lake without hesitation.
“Lake of Tranquility.”
That was the name of the sanctuary.
“The surface of the lake, which cannot be seen, flows ceaselessly, according to the will of each.”
“Sometimes, they collide and fight each other.”
“Sometimes, they embrace and merge.”
“They never become one, and the water doesn’t stop.”
The words describing the Lake of Tranquility came from her mouth.
“Like the sea.”
The surface is like the sea.
“And it becomes a swamp.”
The lake attracts those who are swept away by that current, like a swamp.
“Those who fall here, will obtain tranquility, through the water that ceaselessly struggles in the depths.”
Tranquility.
Alberu muttered that word, as if he was repeating it in his mouth, and said.
“Tranquility is death.”
“That’s right.”
There was an island in the center of the lake, but there wasn’t any boat to take them there.
Queen Tamahi glanced at the guards standing in the distance, and then, looking at Alberu and Cale, who were by her side, and Charun, the Sword Master, the only minister who had come with her, she took a step towards the lake.
“But there is a way to avoid death.”
Splash.
The moment the shoes touched the surface of the lake.
Swoosh-
Amidst the sound of the water.
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of water droplets falling was heard.
-Oh.
Cale heard the Sky Eating Water’s voice of admiration, the Ancient Power, and looked up.
Suddenly, water droplets appeared in the air.
Tap, tap, tap.
Water droplets that only created a line. Those water droplets fell on the surface of the lake.
Tap, tap, plop-
And they created a path in front of Tamahi.
Not fighting, nor embracing.
The water droplets, which had fallen silently, had become a tranquil path.
A path where two people can walk side by side.
“Come.”
Tamahi extended her hand, and Charun, followed by Alberu and Cale, followed her.
Splash.
Cale, who was on the only tranquil path, in the middle of the lake that constantly emitted sound, stepped on the ground.
‘Hmm.’
At that moment, he felt a strange sensation.
[You have arrived at a sealed area.]
The status window kindly informed him in letters.
[In this area (Lake of Tranquility, excluding the island), no type of magic or aura can be used.]
[Only authorized people can enter.]
Ah.
I thought you couldn’t fly over the lake, using magic, to reach the island, but it seems like that was the meaning.
Splash, splash.
It was like walking on a dirt path, slightly wet from the rain.
Cale walked, breathing the fresh air.
‘Hmm?’
Then, he stopped upon seeing Crown Prince Alberu, who was in front of him.
‘What’s wrong?’
The sword that Alberu was wearing on his waist.
That sword, which was hidden by the scabbard, was the Sword of the Sun, the Sacred Object of the sun god, which only a hero could use.
Sparkle.
A faint light emanated from the opening of the scabbard.
‘No, wait.’
Isn’t it absorbing the light?
It seemed like the surrounding light was heading towards that sword.
“Oh.”
Cale marveled.
“Why?”
Alberu, who had reacted to his voice, turned around, and then stopped.
“…Why?”
Why is your expression like that?
Cale grinned mischievously at Alberu, who couldn’t say everything he was thinking.
“It’s nothing.”
I’ll tell you later.
Cale thought that, and smiled kindly.
“…Haah.”
Alberu let out a deep sigh, and then quickly turned his head.
‘Why is he like that?’
Cale frowned, as if he had been suddenly insulted. But soon, he had to relax his face.
‘Hinpa Gong.’
There were several magnificent buildings on the island.
As they approached, a space that wasn’t luxurious, but conveyed a sense of tranquility and dignity, could be seen.
Every blade of grass, every flower.
Nothing was out of place, and no jewels or gold could be seen, but.
“Ah-”
Even Crown Prince Alberu let out a gasp of astonishment, at the harmony and beauty.
“Your Majesty.”
Hinpa Gong, the king consort, was there to greet them.
‘It’s said that he’s quite dedicated.’
Hinpa, who came from a fairly powerful noble family, had given up all his power after becoming Tamahi’s husband, and had been recognized for faithfully fulfilling his role as king consort.
‘But he’s a devotee of the God of Chaos.’
Also, he’s someone who cooperates with the Wanderers of the Five-Colored Family, and watches over the king.
“Your Majesty, are these the heroes who have stopped the Justice Alliance?”
Hinpa Gong seemed more suited to be a scholar than a martial artist.
Unlike Queen Tamahi, who seemed strong, he had a slightly pale face, reminiscent of flower petals scattering.
“That’s right.”
The queen smiled, and stepped on the ground.
Charun, the Sword Master, greeted Hinpa with respect. Alberu followed.
And Cale, who was behind, and was hidden, gradually revealed himself.
Hinpa.
He was smiling kindly.
Smile~.
And Cale also smiled, like a painting.
“?”
But an expression of doubt appeared on Hinpa’s face. Because Cale hadn’t greeted him. Alberu hadn’t either.
Two civilians who don’t greet the king consort.
He paused for a moment, but maintained that expression, and turned his gaze towards the queen.
“Your Majesty, could you introduce these two to me?”
His voice, which was spoken softly, was clear and calm.
“Hmm.”
When Queen Tamahi opened her mouth, an expression of doubt appeared on her face for a moment.
Because she had said that Cale would take care of everything, after meeting the king consort in this place.
‘I didn’t expect him to come to greet us.’
It was unexpected that the king consort, with such kindness, besides leaving his guards behind, would come alone to greet them. That meant he was curious about those two, who had defeated Sohyi.
“They-”
When Queen Tamahi was about to continue.
“You are the Guide.”
One word came from Cale’s mouth.
“!”
And Tamahi saw it for the first time.
“!”
It was the first time she had seen Hinpa Gong, the king consort, so shocked.
Like the surface of this sanctuary.
An intense emotion was reflected on his face.
“Guide?”
The moment the queen repeated that word, Cale took a step forward.
“Or perhaps the Messenger?”
Guide or Messenger.
That meant that Hinpa had a position in the Order of the God of Chaos, he wasn’t just a devotee.
Cale, looking at Hinpa, who was stunned, opened his mouth.
“The Primordial Night.”
At that moment, Hinpa’s expression changed.
Wooong-
A gray aura emanated from his body.
“How dare you mention that name-!”
The Primordial Night. That was the name of the god of chaos’ sanctuary.
“Who are you?”
A weapon, containing gray aura, was forming in Hinpa’s hand. Unlike Bishop Serisa, this time it was a long spear.
“¡Huu!”
Charun was surprised, and stood in front of the queen.
Hinpa Gong.
It was said that he didn’t know anything about martial arts.
“Me?”
But Cale walked towards Hinpa. Alberu followed, as if he was protecting him, but Cale didn’t pay any attention to him. He was waiting for something.
[You have encountered the Guide of Chaos (Hinpa Gong)!]
The mission alarm appeared.
‘I’m not surprised anymore.’
Cale looked again at the sentence he had seen before.
[‘Skill: Fear of Chaos (Legendary)’ is being used.]
The sentence that had appeared when he had faced Bishop Serisa.
[*Wide-area skill, but this time, it will only be applied to the target ‘Hinpa’, for the mission’s progress.]
Legendary skill, temporarily unlocked for the mission’s progress.
Wooong-Wooong-
The gray aura bloomed, along with a strange moan.
“!”
It was definitely different from Serisa’s time.
“H, how is it possible that you have this strength-”
Hinpa recognized that strength.
[If the target using the Fear of Chaos is a devotee of the god of chaos, there is a certain probability (30%) that the target will be hypnotized and controlled.]
[The probability varies depending on the mastery of the skill.]
[Current mastery of the skill: F (but it is temporarily being applied as A, for the mission’s progress)]
And he wasn’t immediately hypnotized.
[The opponent has successfully resisted!]
The skill failed once.
As a result-
¡Kwaaang!
Cale could see the gray spear heading towards him.
Cale took a step back, with a roar.
“It’s an incredible strength.”
Alberu, who was already standing in front of Cale, blocked the spear.
The white spear, his main weapon, was cracked.
Crackle-
“How dare you use such a great power!”
Hinpa Gong wielded the spear again.
Wooong-
The gray aura enveloping him, one thing was certain.
‘It’s stronger than me!’
Queen Tamahi felt Hinpa’s true strength.
A devotee of the god of chaos, facing a Wanderer of the Five-Colored Family.
He couldn’t afford to be weak.
‘It wasn’t just the Wanderers who were aiming for this kingdom!’
Tamahi realized that the Order of the God of Chaos, who was watching from among the Wanderers and her, was the one who truly wanted to take over this kingdom.
“Your Majesty!”
“Protect Your Majesty!”
The relatives and the guards were about to approach.
“Stop!”
Tamahi stopped them, and drew her sword.
“Sword Master, retreat!”
“Understood!”
The Sword Master, Charun, quickly retreated, knowing that his strength wouldn’t be of any help, and Tamahi lunged towards where Alberu and Hinpa were fighting.
Kung, kung, kung.
Her heart pounded.
‘It’s scary!’
She was feeling fear now.
Wooong-Wooong-
Hinpa’s spear technique was incredibly powerful, but what emanated from that gray aura filled her with fear.
“Hmm.”
Alberu let out a sound.
Spear technique.
Aura.
Strength.
Everything was more powerful than Alberu’s spear technique.
Alberu intended to resist as much as he could, instead of revealing his full potential. He didn’t take the Sword of the Sun into account.
He moved the spear with an expressionless face.
“I’ll help you!”
At that moment, Queen Tamahi wielded her sword, trying to join the fight.
“It’s not necessary.”
But Alberu refused.
“What?”
Tamahi felt confused.
“You’re arrogant! You’ll have to confess everything with your own mouth!”
Hinpa wielded the spear with more force.
He was restless.
‘Sohyi, the Wanderer, has been captured.’
The fact that she had been suddenly captured, meant that something had gone wrong with their plan. Also, he had heard that Bishop Serisa had been imprisoned in the Order of the God of Sun.
‘This situation-’
It’s definitely those guys’ fault.
Alberu and Cale.
Hinpa’s eyes sank deeply, as he looked at the two.
The Guide.
Someone who knows the path to the sanctuary.
Cale, who had mentioned his position and the name of the sanctuary.
Hinpa couldn’t escape, even though he had to flee quickly, because he had to find out Cale’s identity.
‘He even imitated the saint’s power.’
No.
It’s not an imitation.
‘It’s like the saint at the beginning.’
The genius saint, who had no equal in the Order of the God of Chaos.
Immediately after awakening, he was able to use the power of chaos at a fairly high level.
But that guy was using it at that level.
‘What is his true identity?’
There’s only one saint in the world.
Then-
‘Who is that guy?’
Is he a devotee of the god of chaos?
Is he an ally?
‘No.’
That can’t be.
Isn’t it true that the power of chaos wouldn’t be used against an ally?
Also, he’s the Guide, not just anyone.
‘Maybe-’
Maybe the god has done something?
Is there something I don’t know?
What’s going on?
‘Truly, what’s going on?’
Hinpa couldn’t escape, and he couldn’t fight with all his strength either, and he sank into confusion.
It was at that moment.
“If we attack together now, we can catch him!”
The moment Queen Tamahi, not missing the opportunity, said to Alberu again.
“It seems like it’s not our turn.”
Alberu said that, and stepped back.
“!”
Hinpa, who was confused, wondered what was going on.
Alberu stepped back, and made eye contact with Cale again.
“!”
And Queen Tamahi was finally able to remember what true fear was.
Hinpa.
The fear emanating from him, was definitely primitive, like the fear she felt as a child, and made her shiver.
‘Therefore, you can ignore it.’
You can overcome it as you grow.
But-
‘True fear is-’
No.
To be exact, it’s not fear.
The feeling of being dominated.
As if you have to ask permission to do something as simple as breathing-
However, the primitive fear that is felt in that.
Like a herbivore, who vaguely feels fear of a beast, and as it grows, it fears the beast more.
It’s a fear that, the more you know, the more you want to ignore.
Because, the moment you sink into that swamp, you’ll want to be dominated.
“Ah.”
Tamahi, who felt a greater fear and domination, relaxed the strength of her hand, which was holding the sword.
And Alberu, with his arms crossed, shook his head.
“…T, this is-”
The Dominating Aura, which had subdued Sohyi, the Wanderer.
That force was concentrating on Hinpa.
What Alberu and Queen Tamahi were feeling was just a little of the aura that had overflowed.
“T, this isn’t the chaos I know-”
That force also contained chaos. And he could also feel that it was dominating him.
‘What’s going on?’
His confusion intensified, and finally turned into fear.
Cale approached Hinpa, and used the skill again.
[‘Skill: Fear of Chaos (Legendary)’ is being used.]
[If the target is terrified, you can read some of their memories by looking into their eyes.]
The skill succeeded.
Because Hinpa was already terrified.
[Skill: Dominating Aura (Rank: EX. Indeterminate)]
The Fear of Chaos skill was Legendary rank.
But the Dominating Aura was off-rank. Though the Dominating Aura’s rank can’t be known.
It surely won’t be lower than the Legendary skill.
And-
[This skill is of the growth type.]
Despite the fact that it can’t be determined, it has growth potential.
[Reading memories.]
[*As it’s a sample, only the memories related to the mission will be shown.]
[A devotee who is completely dominated by the Fear of Chaos, acts according to their ultimate goal or their mission.]
“Ugh!”
Hinpa screamed.
Meanwhile, Cale was reading his memories.
The Guide.
Someone who knows the map that leads to the sanctuary, the Primordial Night.
And, of course, the real map doesn't exist.
It only exists in his mind, as a memory.
And the mission had revealed that memory to Cale, so that the mission could continue.
[Map acquired]
Of course, he had shown the status window for convenience, but Cale didn't need to.
Because he had already recorded it in his mind.
Drizzle.
[A side effect of the skill has been detected!]
[Side effect: Vomiting blood]
[*The side effect can be alleviated by increasing mastery.]
[Current mastery: 0]
[*Attention: Even if you increase mastery, there is a high probability of a side effect occurring, depending on the degree of force used.]
Because I've used the force twice-
Cale opened his mouth unconsciously.
“Ugh-”
He actually vomited blood.
“Ha, I’m crazy.”
Alberu sighed, and supported Cale.
“Ugh, ugh!”
Alberu said indifferently to Cale, who was vomiting blood non-stop.
“That guy is going to explode.”
Cale, with difficulty, extended his trembling body and looked forward.
The Guide.
Someone who knows the way to the sanctuary.
‘Damn-’
His final mission was to die, in case his information was discovered.
-Cale, the explosion is not normal!
As the Super Rock had said, that explosion seems to be quite large, for some reason.
Hinpa has two final missions.
His own death, after his information has been discovered. And also the death of the person who has discovered his information.
Cale didn't know it, but he could guess it, seeing the gray aura boiling, enveloping Hinpa’s body.
It seems like-
-I, do I have to put in effort?
The Indestructible Shield, the Glutton Priestess, asked calmly. It seems like, as when I was with Bishop Serisa, I have to use the shield again.
“U, ugh, damn…!”
Cale, who was violently vomiting blood, couldn’t help but say what he wanted to say.
