Please Let Me Follow!
I sent my disciples down the mountain the moment they were ready. The reason? No matter how much I taught them, nothing could compare to real combat. Sparring with me could elevate them to a certain realm, but the opponents they would face weren't human—or even anything close to it. Their journey would begin with monsters, then demons, and ultimately the Fragments of the Demon God. Did those things use weapons? Of course not. They fought not to win, but to devour. I needed to save the world from creatures that truly deserved the name "monsters." That was why it was crucial for them to grow familiar with those repulsive beasts as quickly as possible.
There's no weapon as threatening yet effective as adaptation.
So why had I stayed holed up on the mountain raising only my disciples all this time? Some might wonder if I was just a power-obsessed recluse. But let me say it again: only Heroes can face the Fragments of the Demon God. Which means neither I nor my master could defeat them. If I went out there recklessly and got captured as a hostage, it would only weigh down my disciples. That was why I had sent them down one by one—the Heroes I had raised—so that the "malice" filling the world would recognize them as its mortal enemies. Only then would I descend to fight the demons and Demon God worshippers alongside them, giving my disciples the freedom to focus entirely on smashing the Fragments of the Demon God.
"When you say you're going to meet your disciples... does that mean you'll finally be stepping out into the world, Master?"
"For now. The demons have been appearing far too frequently. It will be too much for all of you to handle alone."
"If they hear you're coming down, everyone will work even harder! Ah! I need to share this wonderful news with the other disciples right—"
"No."
I trusted my disciples—the Heroes I had raised—without question. But I didn't trust the rabble that swarmed around them. More precisely, I didn't trust the so-called followers who badmouthed us behind our backs. If I revealed myself and my disciples got overly excited and gathered in one place, no matter how hard we tried to keep it secret, word would inevitably leak. And through the spies hiding among those hangers-on, the "Enemy's Will" that hated this world might finally turn its gaze toward me.
Hundreds of demons or thousands of Demon God worshippers wouldn't be a problem. I had reached a realm second only to my master, after all. I could handle that much as easily as post-meal exercise. But if the Fragments of the Demon God turned their attention to me, things would get extremely troublesome. No matter what I did, those entities were simply beyond me. It wasn't a matter of strength or weakness—it was an absolute incompatibility. They could not be allowed to focus on me. Not just for my own survival, but for the battles that would follow. Their attention had to remain fixed on my disciples.
"We'll keep it secret. Only you will know that I'm descending the mountain, and I won't even tell you where I'm heading afterward."
"W-what? You can't do that! I won't accept it!!"
Whoosh! Garam's fox tail shot straight out, every hair standing on end. She seemed incredibly worked up. Was it because I wasn't going to announce my departure, or because I wouldn't even tell her my destination? Whatever the reason, it didn't matter. I was going to do things my way regardless.
Stretch!
"Kyaaah!"
I lightly grabbed one of Garam's perked fox ears and gave it a gentle tug. She immediately began flailing, completely flustered. Ears were an extremely sensitive and important organ for beastkin. Capturing one meant instant submission.
"M-Master! Not the ear! Please stop pulling!"
She eventually waved both arms in surrender. Only then did I release her ear.
"Garam."
"...Yes, Master."
"I'm only telling you this much because it's you. Because you're my first disciple."
"...If you're going to give me special treatment as the first disciple, couldn't you give me just a little more?"
"They say it's best to keep sensitive information to as few people as possible."
"Is you stepping forward such a sensitive matter? You're stronger than me, stronger than all the other disciples. I don't understand why you keep trying to stay in the background."
Garam still didn't know about the predetermined rules of this world. Come to think of it, it was only natural that she wouldn't. Explaining those rules—something only I knew—was incredibly difficult. If I told her the truth, she might notice something strange. I had to remain their master. I couldn't be an outsider who had fallen into this game-like world. That wouldn't be good for me or anyone else.
"I told you once before. Your master possesses a special talent."
"Yes, I remember. You said you can see things others cannot."
"That's right. So right now, I'm seeing a light emanating from you and the other disciples. A light that no one else in the world could see even if they died and came back to life. The light that will illuminate the path through the malice that will cover the world."
"..."
"Sometimes there are things you want to say but cannot. Garam, I hope you'll understand. I'll tell you one day, but not now. For now, the world needs you."
Garam was a clever one. Her actions might be fox-like, but her mind was every bit as sharp as a fox's. She would understand what I was trying to convey.
"In the end, I can't change your mind, Master."
"Have I ever lost to any of you? I don't think so."
"That's true, too."
Garam smiled faintly and took a step back. She brought her hands together at her chest and gave a small bow.
"I understand your will, Master. I won't mention it again."
"Thank you, Garam. As expected, you—"
"Instead."
...Why did "instead" have to come out? Couldn't we just end this on a good note? Why did all my disciples try to negotiate with me the moment they saw an opening?
"I have a condition, Master."
"What condition? Just so you know, if you try anything funny, there will be consequences."
"It's nothing much. Just close your eyes."
"...Is that really all?"
"Well, if I add one more thing—no moving. That should be it."
"You didn't already forget what I said about not trying anything funny, did you?"
"Of course not. Now, I'll be generous and understanding, so please hurry up, Master."
"..."
The fact that Garam was a fox beastkin made me quite uneasy. Back when I was teaching her, she had once actually tried to pounce on me. Her eyes had been half-glazed over as she charged with "Kaeng! Kyaeng!!" I seriously considered knocking her out with a club that day. But as time passed, she had matured and gained better self-control. She no longer acted without restraint, so I couldn't just suspect her blindly.
I pondered for a moment, but the conclusion had already been made.
"You know you can't peek through squinted eyes, right?"
"I won't open them, so don't make me want to."
"Of course."
I stood where Garam wanted and closed my eyes. Moments later, I felt something press against my chest. The frantic rubbing felt like Garam's face, and the soft sensation below it was definitely her chest... I'd gloss over that part. In short, Garam was vigorously rubbing her face and body all over me.
Recalling Garam's character profile, she liked to mark those she felt close to with her scent. This wasn't just marking—it was practically plastering it everywhere. After rubbing against me enthusiastically for several minutes, she finally seemed satisfied and pulled away.
"...What was that?"
"I left my scent on you, of course?"
"..."
I sniffed lightly and caught a faint, sweet fragrance. It might seem faint to a human, but for a beastkin like Garam, it would be more than enough. Wasn't this basically like stamping "mine" all over me?
"Are you trying to pick another fight with Jenia?"
"I have zero intention of fighting. Jenia keeps coming at me, and I simply don't avoid her."
"Because you keep provoking her."
"That doesn't matter right now, does it? Jenia isn't here, and I'm the only one by your side, Master."
Garam fastened her sword to her waist and declared, "Ready!" All I could do was let out a deep sigh. Then I went to see my master to inform her that I would be descending the mountain.
My master was still sitting blankly by the stream. Iris sat beside her. I acknowledged that the relationship between those two had become rather ambiguous. Still, seeing them sitting together like that felt incredibly awkward.
"Master?"
"You've come. So, you've finished your conversation?"
"Yes. There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"It seems I'll have to descend the mountain soon."
It was somewhat sudden, yet my master showed no strong reaction. It was as if she had expected it.
"I thought the time had come."
"You did?"
"Those monster bastards have started appearing even in this remote place. You're not the type to stay hidden forever, and since you care so deeply for your disciples, you couldn't just sit back and watch."
"I'm grateful you understand."
"Then where do you plan to go?"
"I haven't decided on a specific destination yet."
It was a lie. I already had a destination in mind—the place where my fifth disciple had last been seen. I planned to start there. I simply wasn't telling my master because there were ears listening.
"Master. I have one request."
"A request? What is it?"
"While I'm away, I'd like you to look after Iris for me."
I no longer knew how the situation was unfolding. It was possible something had truly happened to my fifth disciple. In that case, taking Iris along would only burden me. To put it harshly, she'd be nothing more than baggage. It would be much safer to leave her with my master. After I confirmed the whereabouts of my fifth disciple, Iris, and returned, I would take her with me and help fill in what she lacked.
"No!"
At least until Iris shot to her feet, eyes wide as she shouted.
"Iris!"
"You can't, Master! Take me too! You have to take me with you!"
"Don't be stubborn. This isn't a game or a test."
"I know that! That's why I have to go with you! I must! I—"
When Iris's voice grew too loud, Garam frowned. Before I could say anything, she grabbed Iris by the collar.
"Youngest. This is in front of Master and the Grandmaster. What kind of rudeness is this in front of them?"
"Ugh...! M-Master! Please take me too! Please!!"
"This girl, even now..."
Garam, my master, and I all stared at Iris with strange expressions. Her sudden desperation was completely unlike her. If she had acted in her usual playful way—"Please let me follow! Please!! Hng!"—it would have been one thing. But seeing her like this made me wonder if this was really the Iris I knew. It felt unfamiliar.
"Garam. Enough."
I stopped Garam first, then approached Iris. I needed to understand why she was reacting this way all of a sudden.
"Iris?"
"Master. I want to be helpful to you too. Not just a disciple who only causes trouble. I want to become a disciple you truly need."
"That's why I'm leaving you with my master."
"I want to learn more by your side, not the Grandmaster's. Please let me. You've always let me until now. I'll do better, so please don't leave me here alone. I'll do well. So..."
Faced with Iris's desperate plea, I eventually nodded. Garam looked like she couldn't understand, and my master furrowed her brow, but in the end, I allowed her to accompany me.
There's something going on.
Yes, there was definitely something. She was clearly hiding something. But she wouldn't reveal it here. It seemed I would have to travel with her and find out what it was.