As I opened my eyes, a familiar ceiling ca into view.
It was the bedroom of my private quarters on the 5th floor of the waiting room.
There was no trace of the bomb explosion that had completely consud it. When I returned from the dinsional city, the damaged facilities had been fully restored, as if nothing had ever happened.
Anytng had imposed no sanctions on .
It had simply filled the newly built display cases with statues. Although nearly a million gold coins had vanished as a result, Anytng hadn’t hesitated—despite the Lucette being half-destroyed and my promotion mission failing.
Of course, so things had changed.
I changed into my casual clothes and looked at my left hand.
The black ring that had always been on my finger was now gone without a trace. It was the mark of a fallen being, a symbol of being a master, Loki, handcrafted and gifted to
by Yurnet. With the power of that ring, I had communicated with her.
“...”
In the early morning, the master was not logged in.
After drinking so water, I headed down to the backyard training grounds.
The mont I opened the yard door—thunk!
The sound of an arrow striking a scarecrow echoed.
“You’re a bit late today!”
Jenna, dressed in training clothes, was practicing her archery.
“What are you doing?”
“This place is perfect for practice. The air feels... right.”
Ping!
An arrow embedded itself in the left chest of the scarecrow.
I sat down on a wooden chair.
“If you have sothing to say, just say it. I don’t like beating around the bush.”
“No, I just wanted to co...”
“Is it about yesterday? Curious about my identity? I won’t bother with small talk. It’s exactly what you think it is. Though I guess you probably already knew.”
Ping!
The arrow Jenna shot pierced straight through the center of the one already lodged in the scarecrow.
Without a word, she prepared for her next shot.
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
Jenna didn’t seem particularly surprised. It made sense. We hadn’t just spent a day or two together. There had been enough incidents for her to suspect my true identity long ago, but she must have been pretending not to notice, so as not to make
uncomfortable.
“Master...” Jenna muttered.
“You were once a master. The people we saw back then were your heroes, right?”
“That’s right. I raised them to be the best.”
“So, that’s why you knew everything—the ways to clear missions, the ways to beco stronger. I thought it was incredible... because you never seed to not know.”
“What? Are you disappointed?”
“No, not really.”
Jenna folded her bow and walked over to sit across from .
“You weren’t originally from Townia. You had another hotown. Was it Earth?”
“Yeah. Not from Townia.”
Jenna stood up and, turning away, continued speaking.
“That sister... she went too far. Threatening you like that. She’s disqualified as a subordinate. If it had been , I would have done a really, really better job. I should have been the one summoned there.”
“We’ll see.”
“I won’t ask anymore. I know it must be stressful for you. But one thing!”
Jenna turned back and pointed a finger at .
“I’m going to get back at that arrogant woman sohow! I can’t just let her walk all over you. Is that okay?”
“Get back at her?”
“She seems really strong, but... if I push myself, can’t I surpass her?”
“You really don’t know her, do you?”
Jenna wiggled her finger.
“I know. I heard stories about her in Niflheimr. ‘Invincible Seris.’ But she’s still just like , so if I work hard, I think I can surpass her. Just wait and see. I’ll show her what a genius can do!”
“...”
“Anyway, I’m off to continue training! Take it easy today, Oppa. And don’t stray off. No matter what choice you make, don’t forget I’m always on your side!”
Jenna leaped lightly over the backyard wall and disappeared.
I chuckled. Was it a difference that could be overco by effort? I certainly didn’t rember training Seris half-heartedly.
That I used to be a master. That I was summoned from sowhere other than Townia. Jenna didn’t pry beyond that.
‘Is she being considerate on purpose, or does she just hate complicated things?’
I smiled.
It’s hard to tell.
But one thing was certain.
‘Get back at her, huh.’
It was absurd.
No matter how extraordinary Jenna’s talent was, it was incomparable to Seris.
I had seen it firsthand. Jenna must know that too. There was no way she didn’t.
Bragging had its limits.
Seris was the culmination of all my efforts and research. She wasn’t soone who could be surpassed through talent or luck alone.
‘And yet she says that.’
Surpassing Seris would an surpassing my forr self.
“...”
I drove Bifrost into the ground.
“Who’s watching ?”
In the empty backyard, I stood and murmured.
“Don’t just hide. Co out. I know you’re there. It’s not Seris or Yurnet. It doesn’t fit Ridigion or Nihaku either. That leaves only one.”
I turned around.
A shadow rustled in the corner of the backyard bushes, and a small boy erged.
He looked no older than mid-teens, wearing a cap pulled low over his face. Under the brim, violet eyes glistened at .
Myuden Naidelk.
“You caught .”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
Naturally, I wasn’t strong enough to detect his presence.
It was a logical deduction. For sothing as significant as surveillance, there ★ ?????????????????? ★ was no way they wouldn’t send soone.
“What’s your role?”
“Guard and surveillance.”
Myuden answered bluntly.
“You and Seris didn’t get along well.”
“Hah, I hate this job too. Should’ve replaced the sub-master earlier. The kid’s special move was almost ready.”
Was he talking about Aaron?
Seems he’s doing well.
“You seem to know what’s in the first server too.”
“I do. I heard it from Seris. I don’t really care, but she insisted. Had no choice but to co along.”
Myuden let out a dry laugh.
“Don’t expect my help, Master. I don’t particularly like you. Got used as cannon fodder more tis than I can count, saying I had no talent. You really put
through the wringer.”
This guy was fundantally stoic and detached.
Even during the first battle, when teammates were dying around him, he hadn’t panicked. Seris must have picked him for the surveillance job because of that. The other three would have been too unpredictable.
“Just follow what Seris says. Clear the mission and go back to Earth. We’ll take care of the external distractions. With your ability, you can handle that. I an, you broke records—clearing up to the 60th floor in less than half a year.”
Myuden smirked.
“Thanks to you guys.”
“Maybe.”
“Are the others listening in on this too?”
I pressed on, wondering if he was hiding it or genuinely clueless.
“First, I want to say thank you.”
“...?”
“I would’ve struggled a lot more without you all. Thanks to you, I got here comfortably. That’s the truth. I quickly dealt with nuisances and beca stronger. If it weren’t for your help, it would have been a much longer road. It felt great having such powerful support. Didn’t know having a powerful backer was this nice.”
I lifted Bifrost from the ground.
“But I wasn’t your king.”
It was an illusion.
The unexpected hospitality, the overwhelming support. They treated
like royalty and showered
with privileges. They treated soone who saw them as re data as a king. If I said I hadn’t indulged in it, it would be a lie.
‘I was lacking.’
I knew them as ga characters, but not as people.
That was the difference between
and El Cid.
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