Chapter 346. Trusting Heart (5)
After Dalgil handed Chi-Woo Mamiya’s token, Chi-Woo fell into deep thought. Dalgil had asked Chi-Woo if he remembered the time when they first went to Narsha Haram. Of course he remembered, and it was going to be the same as that time. After they went to the place of Mamiya’s choice, they needed to set up an altar. The location wasn’t close to the Shalyh City or within the Ca.s.siubia League’s territory, but in the Demon Empire. Fortunately, it was on the outskirts rather than right at its center.
“That’s still hundreds of thousands of times better than going to the Sernitas though. It’s much closer too,” Yunael said, and Chi-Woo agreed. The fact that they now needed to go to the Demon Empire instead of the Sernitas significantly lowered the task’s difficulty. And though they had to go in the completely opposite directions from Ru Amuh’s team before, their travel paths overlapped with theirs now; furthermore, the distance they needed to travel decreased dramatically. As a result, they could consider getting extra support from the other team—of course, on the condition that one side finished their work first.
“I hope that we will be able to pay the price the G.o.d demands,” Chi-Woo said.
Thus, their routes were decided.
***
“This is too much,” Ru Hiana said after the first team’s meeting ended, and everyone had already left their seats.
Ru Amuh asked, “What is?”
“I’m talking about Senior.”
Ru Amuh stopped what he was doing and looked at her in surprise. “Are you talking about Teacher? Why?”
“Uh, it’s just…a bit.”
Ru Amuh looked greatly taken aback. The reason he always called Chi-Woo ‘Teacher’ was simple. There was the fact that he was greatly indebted to Chi-Woo for saving his life, but he also thought Chi-Woo was an admirable hero who he had a lot to learn from. Ru Hiana thought the same. As someone who valued the same traits as he did, she admired Chi-Woo as much as him, if not more. Thus, it really was surprising that Ru Hiana would express even a little bit of displeasure about Teacher.
“What happened? Did something happen between you and Teacher?” Ru Amuh asked.
“No, that’s not it. I’m talking about this expedition,” Ru Hiana answered like she had been waiting for him to ask the question. “Our team was disbanded.”
Ru Amuh’s face hardened at the mention of team adjustments.
“We went out and accepted every request that could bring us money without resting, but what is this?”
“Ru Hiana. How could you speak that way?” Ru Amuh said sternly. “Teams can easily change whenever. Besides, Teacher’s team has to go to the Sernitas’ territory this time, while we will have the Ca.s.siubia League’s support.” With only his teammates on his side, Chi-Woo would have to trespa.s.s into the enemy’s base and come back.
“I know that at least, and it’s not like I don’t understand the reasoning.” She knew Ru Amuh was explaining why key players of their team had to leave to join Chi-Woo’s, but she still appeared disgruntled.
“Then, what’s the problem?” Ru Amuh asked. He looked like he couldn’t understand, and Ru Hiana turned around with her lips tightly pursed. After a moment of silence, she said, “…It’s been a while since we traveled with Senior.”
“That’s cause—”
“Ru Amuh, haven’t you been moving separately from Senior since the Hala Forest incident? There’s Emmanuel, and now Yunael. These days, he only moves around with those two.” Ru Hiana wanted to add, ‘Just like we used to be’, but forcefully kept those words down.
“I know it’s childish of me to complain about this…but…anyways…” Ru Hiana trailed off with a conflicted expression before burying her face into the table. Ru Amuh was about to say something, but ended up keeping quiet. Was it anxiety or fear? He didn’t know exactly, but he saw such emotions on her face and decided against saying anything. He simply finished his work and went outside. He needed to report the results of the meeting and thus, went to look for Chi-Woo.
But when Ru Amuh spotted Chi-Woo, Ru Amuh didn’t move further. It was because Chi-Woo looked very busy. He was conversing with the others, too busy to even clean up the plates on the dining table. He was talking intently as if he was pouring all his mind and energy into the matter. And in that place…there was no spot for him to sit.
“…” As soon as he realized this fact, Ru Amuh was able to understand a bit of what Ru Hiana had just told him. Though he understood the situation with his head, he was. .h.i.t with a strange feeling in his heart. Ru Amuh stared at Yunael, who sat next to Chi-Woo; she was nodding and inputting her thoughts from time to time. Then, he quietly turned on his heels.
***
Finally, the D-Day came. Seven Stars finished all their preparations and left Shalyh together–not in separate teams. Of course, since their destinations differed, they couldn’t travel together till the end. And the day before they had to part ways, Ru Amuh was on night-watch duty. He was the last one to fulfill this duty, which was rare considering his sacrificial personality, but this time, Chi-Woo had asked Ru Amuh to be on night-watch duty on the last day with him before they separated.
Ru Amuh was wondering why Chi-Woo had done that when he felt another presence.
“You came out so early…” Ru Amuh heard a yawn along with a sleepy voice.
“h.e.l.lo, sir,” Ru Amuh bowed and greeted Chi-Woo. Chi-Woo slumped down near the bonfire and tapped his lips. Ru Amuh stood with his back straight with a slightly tensed face, but Chi-Woo didn’t look like he was going to talk no matter how long he waited. Chi-Woo simply stretched his neck sideways and continued tapping his lips. In the end, curiosity won out, and Ru Amuh broke the silence.
“Teacher…for what reason did you ask to be on night-watch duty with me…?”
“Sorry? Ah well…just because.”
Ru Amuh was taken aback by Chi-Woo’s simple answer. And seeing how wide his eyes got, Chi-Woo m.u.f.fled his laughter and patted the floor next to him.
“I’m just joking. Why don’t you sit down first? I don’t really have anything to ask you. I just wanted to talk to you face-to-face since it’s been a while since we did that.”
“Ah…” Ru Amuh cautiously sat down. A slightly awkward silence pa.s.sed through the area, and Chi-Woo looked up at the night sky. “This makes me think of the old times. Don’t you think so?”
A faint smile formed on Ru Amuh’s lips. Yes, that was how it had been before. They wandered from place to place like nomads and slept out in the open daily.
“I remember what we talked about all together at the border fortress,” Chi-Woo said and smiled. It hadn’t been that long since then, but it felt like an old story now.
“Can’t believe we came all this way since then,” Chi-Woo said. Compared to the time when he had nothing and couldn’t do anything as people sacrificed their lives one after the other, they had made great progress. They couldn’t say that humanity was on equal grounds with the four main factions on Liber yet, but they were almost there. And after thinking about all that, Chi-Woo let out a long sigh.
“The problem is that there’s still a long way to go…” Things were better now, but there was still so much to do. The Demon Empire still had the potential to make a comeback, there was no need to go on about the Abyss, and they hadn’t even confronted the Sernitas head-on yet. The future where he would save Liber and return to Earth with his brother suddenly felt like a distant dream.
“I’m sure we will quickly get there,” Ru Amuh said.
“You really think so?” Chi-Woo asked, and Ru Amuh turned away. Then Chi-Woo continued while looking at the dancing bonfire, “To tell you the truth, I haven’t been having a good feeling these days. Of course, I’m not scared enough to shake in fear, but…ah, how should I say this?”
Humanity was currently progressing. If they continued at this pace, they would gain quite the influence and establish themselves as one of the main factions of Liber. There were just a couple of more steps left, yet they were tough to make because it appeared that those around them wouldn’t let them be. Chi-Woo felt that only once they overcame a very formidable hurdle would they be able to reach that position.
Ru Amuh saw hints of uneasiness on Chi-Woo’s face. He simply chewed on his lip not knowing what to say. Then Chi-Woo smiled brightly and stretched his arms.
“Thank goodness I have Mr. Ru Amuh with me,” Chi-Woo said.
Ru Amuh stopped still. It felt like his head was instantly cleansed after being a mess for quite a while.
“If you weren’t here…it wouldn’t have been enough even if there were several of me. The same goes for this mission,” Chi-Woo said.
The more Chi-Woo spoke, the more speechless Ru Amuh found himself. It was like he was struck hard in the head. He realized that Teacher must have had his own concerns, and that he was someone who saw the world from a completely different perspective than him. The fact that he didn’t think about lessening the burden that Teacher had and instead empathized with Ru Hiana’s complaints before made him incredibly ashamed.
“And…I’m sorry,” Chi-Woo apologized. Ru Amuh instantly got up from his seat.
“No, it’s fine, sir. I’m fine. There’s absolutely no need for you—” Ru Amuh said, shaking his head and swinging his hands while feeling fl.u.s.tered. He stopped when he saw Chi-Woo’s face.
“No.” Chi-Woo cleared his throat and got to his feet. “I thought about it hard. I realized I should have looked after you first, Mr. Ru Amuh.”
Ru Amuh was still stunned. He didn’t exactly understand what Chi-Woo was saying, but there was no need to put it into exact terms.
[Ru Amuh – Page (1/1)]
1. ‘7 Ways to Become a Great and Respected Parent’: Reach at least 80% trust (Complete)
2. Use at least 5 and at most 7 points of ‘Blessed Luck’ (Incomplete)
Chi-Woo smiled after checking Ru Amuh’s growth conditions. In the first place, there was no need to fulfill any conditions for Ru Amuh because he was already a perfect hero. Thus, Chi-Woo slowly raised his left hand. Clank! The metallic chains on his arms shone inside the darkness, and soon after, they flew and wrapped around Ru Amuh’s body like a living creature.
[The Power to Rule the World has been used.]
[Innate ability [Blessed Luck] consumed (73->66).]
Light burst out.
[The Power to Rule the World has ‘repaired’ Ru Amuh’s innate ability, ‘New Sword Union’, into ‘Perfection Beyond Repair’]
1. Name & Rank: Ru Amuh (★★☆☆☆)
1. [Synesthesia S]
2. [Perfection Beyond Repair S]—The user reaches a state so perfect that there’s nothing left to fix, and the ability erases any minor shortcomings. The user’s near-flawless senses rose to complete perfection upon achieving new enlightenment. His new state is like a paradox—his attack is like a spear that can pierce anything, while his defense is like a s.h.i.+eld that can block anything. He’s at a level that can’t be reached without receiving power from the heavens.
Chi-Woo clenched his fist tightly after confirming Ru Amuh’s user information. He had considered the possibility, but finally, a five-star hero! He nodded in approval seeing what Ru Amuh’s New Sword Union ability had evolved into.
—Look at him. Seems like he deeply contemplated the teachings I gave him. You have to acknowledge my contribution to this too.
Philip also looked satisfied and swiped his nose. Meanwhile, Ru Amuh appeared beyond shocked and dazed by what happened.
“…Teacher?”
“Congratulations.”
“No, but is this…”
“It’s the Power to Rule the World,” Chi-Woo said while looking at Ru Amuh. Then, once he calmed Ru Amuh down, he whispered the explanation, “After gaining reliquia from the Narsha Haram’s first floor…”
Ru Amuh still looked like he was in a state of shock and quickly looked around him. Fortunately, n.o.body seemed to be eavesdropping on them, and everyone appeared fast asleep.
“I should’ve used it on you way before. I’m sorry for being late,” Chi-Woo said.
“Teacher! Why—!” Ru Amuh was about to ask why Chi-Woo would use such an important item on him and even share its information with him.
“It’s fine,” Chi-Woo shook his head and said, “It’s fine if it is you.”
Hearing this, Ru Amuh became overwhelmed by a powerful feeling and closed his eyes. Soon, his face was filled with an emotion he couldn’t put into words. It was because Chi-Woo’s every word was imbued with great trust and faith in him.
“You were always a huge support to me. You might feel burdened by this gift, but I always believe in you.” Chi-Woo offered his hand. Ru Amuh didn’t even dare open his mouth. He simply raised his shaking hand and carefully clutched Chi-Woo’s, more tightly than ever before.
***
The next day, Seven Stars resumed their march early in the morning, and the two teams separated. Ru Amuh’s feet felt much lighter than before as he headed to the Ca.s.siubia League’s main base. And his heart was just as cheery. It was because he had felt Chi-Woo’s sincerity last night. Emmanuel? Yunael? They were fine. He was sure they must have their a.s.sets to catch his teacher’s eye, but his teacher didn’t trust them 100% yet. And because he didn’t trust them fully, he needed to follow them like a parent and look after them. Ru Amuh, on the other hand, was different from them.
Perhaps he had gone through a similar period, but that wasn’t the case anymore. He was the one Chi-Woo trusted the most, and the only one Chi-Woo could rely on for special tasks. It was as Teacher had said before. He didn’t just want a sword to wield, but a sword that could swing on its own. And on his way to his destination, Ru Amuh thought about the meaning behind Seven Stars and engraved it into his mind many times. Then, he made a firm decision in his heart.
[I have—a goal now.]
[I heard that you were Teacher’s first star.]
[Of course, I have no intention to change the order that Teacher set, but Teacher’s evaluations are dependent on individual achievements.]
[In the first place, stars that s.h.i.+ne brighter tend to stand out more, right?]
It didn’t matter what Emmanuel blabbered about and what that inexperienced, clueless Yunael did. The one s.h.i.+ning brightest among the jewels his teacher possessed weren’t those two, or the heroes who would come after them. It was him and him alone. And for that to continue to be so, he needed to meet expectations and let this fact be known to everyone.
‘I will make it so.’
He would show everyone that he was the first star among the seven stars.
‘I will do it.’
Ru Amuh’s eyes shone radiantly as he looked toward the Ca.s.siubia League’s main base.