Chapter 53
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 053
Chapter Title: The Blind Man Vikram (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Vikram read the passage on the Divine Eye several times. Its description was utterly captivating.
The mind's eye that pierced through essence. The moment one mastered it, not only would blind spots in their vision vanish, but they could foresee every enemy attack.
'If I learn this, I can defeat Radin.'
Strength, speed, technique—everything was superior. With the Divine Eye added to the mix, he could crush Radin like a helpless infant.
With that thought, Vikram searched for a way to master the Divine Eye. But no matter how he scoured the library, nothing stood out.
'It's too hard to find on my own.'
Sifting through all these books was no small task. So Vikram sought help from the elder in charge of the library.
The elder expressed his concerns.
"I can't lend out manuals on the Divine Eye. It's a problematic technique, so it's kept separately in the forbidden section."
"I just want to skim it once."
Vikram pleaded politely several times.
The elder pondered for a long while before finally handing over the book. It had been placed in the forbidden section due to side effects, but it wasn't truly forbidden.
"Read it carefully. You've received Bow's teachings, so you should have the prudence for it, right?"
"Yes. I'll be cautious."
He had obtained the book he sought.
Vikram secretly read the manual multiple times. Once he had memorized its contents fully, he returned it to the elder. Right after, he sat alone in the training grounds and began his training to awaken the Divine Eye.
'To open the third eye... close both eyes.'
The monk who first awakened the Divine Eye had been a blind man. Even after losing his sight, he persisted in his training without giving up, and at some point, he began to feel as if he could see despite having no eyes.
That enlightenment was faithfully recorded in the manual and passed down through generations. But few had mastered it. Awakening the Divine Eye was a dangerous endeavor.
'...If luck is bad, it could cause problems in the body.'
The Divine Eye was a technique that opened a spiritual eye.
It was essentially a power that transcended the limits of living beings. Techniques of this nature often brought various aftereffects during the learning process. Though the possibility made Vikram uneasy, he steeled his resolve.
Cases of such aftereffects were exceedingly rare. And Vikram had talent.
'I can do this.'
From the moment he set his goal, vitality filled his life. To awaken the Divine Eye, Vikram relentlessly repeated training and meditation.
His efforts gradually bore fruit. Even with his eyes closed, he could sense the objects around him. The mind's eye in his heart was slowly making its presence known.
But he couldn't simply rejoice.
'...My eyes are stinging.'
To open the third eye, close both eyes.
This was no mere metaphor. Vikram could no longer keep his eyes open for long, and whenever he tried to focus on something, pain throbbed inside his eyeballs.
A rare aftereffect mentioned in the manual. Unfortunately, it had manifested in Vikram. The moment he realized it, fear bloomed in his chest.
'If I push further here, I'll lose my sight.'
Awakening the Divine Eye at the cost of both eyes might be worthwhile, but failure would leave him a half-crippled invalid.
Vikram halted his Divine Eye training. But it was already too late. For some reason, the pain in his eyes seemed to worsen each day.
'What should I do?'
He needed advice. Terrified, Vikram sought out his master for counsel. He expected a scolding, but...
Bow praised him instead.
"Impressive. The emergence of such aftereffects means your training is yielding results. Keep pressing on without rest, and you'll attain extraordinary enlightenment."
The aftereffects were a stroke of bad luck, but they arose precisely because progress had been made. It meant the training itself was going smoothly.
Vikram cautiously replied.
"But... if this continues, I could lose my eyes. Isn't there a cure?"
"Aftereffects from awakening the Divine Eye can't be cured. You knew that and accepted the risks before you began training, didn't you?"
That was true. The Vikram of the past had steeled himself against such aftereffects before starting.
But now that the possibility he had braced for had become reality, his resolve shattered like fragile glass. His past determination felt like childish impulsiveness.
"If... even after sacrificing my eyes, I fail to awaken the Divine Eye. What happens to me then?"
"You must accept the trial given to you. Even if you don't master the Divine Eye, the trial born from that loss will make you stronger."
The monks of Britra must not fear loss. To gain great enlightenment, one must confront even greater trials.
Bow smiled, encouraging his disciple.
"You're progressing well. I'm proud of you."
At those words...
Vikram suddenly felt the man before him was a stranger. He had known his master nearly his entire life. He thought he understood Bow's thoughts, philosophy, and mindset well.
He had been mistaken.
'...I can't understand him.'
The man before him was a madman obsessed with enlightenment.
He continued his training, but the situation only worsened. His eyes lost their light day by day, and there was no sign of the Divine Eye awakening.
'...I have to leave.'
Dejected, Vikram headed for Yurgis. He wanted to leave the temple for a while, to forget his fear of going blind.
'Vikram... why did you hesitate back then?'
Even now, his master's voice seemed to echo in his ears. Vikram wanted to retort.
"Why doesn't anyone ever stop?!"
He had endured harsh training for over ten years. His master called it a lack of effort, but honestly, he couldn't comprehend it.
'Isn't this enough?'
Objectively, training until collapse from exhaustion was the abnormal thing. How could they treat it as natural?
It felt like a race with no finish line. Vikram had held the lead for over ten years, and now he wanted his reward.
'...I'll enjoy it before I lose my sight.'
He had amassed a fair amount of gold from outside activities. In the city, Vikram drank fine liquor, ate lavish meals, and spent nights with multiple women.
But his anxiety didn't subside. It was only natural. Even at this moment, the pain in his eyes was intensifying.
Desperate people are easily swayed.
"Lord Vikram. There's someone who can heal your eyes... Would you like to meet them?"
The merchant Alfred made the suggestion. Vikram had low expectations but nodded, grasping at straws.
The next day, a person arrived. Vikram eyed their appearance in surprise.
'What is this guy?'
They wore a pitch-black robe. Gender was impossible to discern. The loose robe hid their figure, and the hood cast an unnaturally deep shadow.
A strange voice leaked from the shadows.
"You harbor an eye in your heart... If you wish, I can help it open."
"...Give it a try."
Vikram readily agreed. The mysterious figure glided forward and extended a hand.
Tap.
Their fingertip touched Vikram's forehead. A sudden intense headache. As Vikram grimaced...
'...My sight is back.'
His vision was clearer than ever. The scenery burst with vivid life, like a freshly painted masterpiece. Overwhelmed with emotion, Vikram spoke.
"Thank you! How can I ever repay you..."
"No need to be so grateful. That was just a temporary fix. In ten days, the Divine Eye will close again."
The Divine Eye had merely peeked open briefly. It would soon lose its light once more. Those words chilled his surging emotions.
Vikram grew frantic. He couldn't lose this sight no matter what.
"How can I cure my eyes for good?"
"It's not easy. To receive my help, you'll have to pay a steep price."
The figure turned the question back on him.
"What can you offer for my aid?"
After agonizing, Vikram bowed his head.
"...Anything."
"Good."
Thus, the deal was struck.
Deep into the night.
Vikram dashed through the shadowed forest. His breath came ragged from the frantic run. In his hand was a worn leather glove.
'Grandmaster Solas's glove.'
It was one of the holy relics symbolizing Britra's order. Vikram had barely managed to steal it and was now fleeing the monks' eyes.
This was possible thanks to the Divine Eye, the artifacts from his new master, and the monks' trust in him. Having spent long years together, they never suspected his betrayal.
...Except for one.
"Vikram!!"
A thunderous shout struck his ears. Startled, Vikram glanced back instinctively.
His old master, Bow, was approaching.
"What possessed you to do this?!"
Bow demanded fiercely. His voice rumbled like a enraged beast. Vikram had never seen him this furious.
Fear gnawed at Vikram inwardly, but he masked it and spoke.
"Can't you just let me go? I don't want to fight you, Lord Bow."
"Enough nonsense—tell me why... Why pull this stunt? If you want to leave in one piece, explain yourself."
Vikram grinned and replied.
"Because there's nothing left for me to learn here. You're no match for me anymore, Lord Bow."
"Foolishness has blinded you!"
Bow roared, clenching his fists. Golden light enveloped his body. In response, Vikram donned the stolen glove.
Disciple and master clashed. Their movements mirrored each other like shadows.
'Divine Eye and holy relic.'
Predict enemy moves with the Divine Eye, bolster power with the relic. With these two weapons, he could subdue any foe.
...But plans and reality often diverged. The seemingly even balance soon crumbled.
Thwack, thwack-thwack-thwack—
Bow's barrage pummeled his disciple mercilessly. The limits of relying on tricks were clear. Vikram took a nonstop beating before collapsing face-down.
Bow addressed his fallen disciple.
"That's why you still lack enlightenment. We'll go back and retrain your mind first."
"...Please, just let me go? I need this relic to heal my eyes."
Vikram begged, clutching the glove. Bow scoffed in disbelief.
"Are your eyes that precious? Precious enough to abandon everything you've done and run?"
"Don't speak so lightly—it's not your problem!!"
Vikram bellowed. His bloodshot eyes glared at his master.
"Sacrifice this, endure that... Bow! If your eyes were at stake, could you stay so calm?!"
"......"
Bow fell silent for the first time.
Yes, that was the answer he should give... but the words wouldn't come. He had never imagined a life without sight himself.
"You're a hypocrite!"
Vikram staggered to his feet and shouted at the top of his lungs. At the same moment, daggers wreathed in dark light shot toward Bow.
Bow hastily retreated, batting away the flying daggers. Figures in black robes emerged from the shadows. Among them was one gripping a staff adorned with multiple bells.
Seeing this, Vikram quickly bowed his head.
"Master. You came yourself."
"I figured that tiger of a man would be too much for you. You've done well."
The being who had guided Vikram's Divine Eye to open. He personally helped his disciple to his feet.
"My disciple... let us go to our sanctuary."
"Yes, Master."
Vikram followed his new master.
Bow tried to block their path. He charged to seize his departing disciple, but the black-robed men obstructed the way.
All he could do was shout after his old disciple.
"Vikram! Come back—!"
"That's not where you belong!!"
...The traitor never looked back.