Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Shadow Shepherd King (4)
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- Hm.
Having heard the extraterrestrial being's proposal, the Shadow Shepherd King let out a low groan.
"A game where we both win, huh..."
In truth.
The being before his eyes looked utterly unimpressive.
From what he could roughly sense, it was about on the level of one of his underlings?
No, it might not even reach that.
However.
The reason he had no choice but to hold his subordinate position was clear.
"Because of the aura reminiscent of my old master, the Light..."
His body shuddered.
Just that sensation alone made the fur all over his body stand on end.
Even though it was a master he resented enough to want to devour.
He knew.
How powerful his master was.
In this vast universe, how many beings could live in defiance of that master?
Unless they were another god-level existence, it was practically impossible, wasn't it?
The throne of the gods, the origin of all things.
That was precisely.
The position his master held in this universe.
"That aura is definitely present in two... Since I've served the master, I can tell for sure. Another god? Or some other unknown entity?"
The universe was vast and mysterious.
So, there could easily be beings capable of emitting power similar to a god's.
Even the master hadn't fully grasped this universe yet.
"Hm, I can't quite pinpoint the exact nature."
The Shadow Shepherd King shook his head.
The aura he sensed was so profoundly distant that he couldn't even comprehend it.
It was like an ant on an elephant's foot trying to see the elephant's front.
"That's why."
The ashen hound had no choice but to bow his head.
If that existence revealed even 0.001% of its power—no, even the grime under its claw—
He and his pups wouldn't stand a chance.
Was there any reason to make enemies of such beings?
"Why on earth..."
Suddenly, the Shadow Shepherd King grew curious.
Why were such existences lingering around that one?
He supposedly obtained them through the game, but that made no sense.
How much ridiculous plausibility would it take to move beings of that caliber through a mere game?
"Anyway."
One thing was certain.
- Fine. I accept.
He instinctively knew.
- I'll impart my techniques to you, and in exchange, I'll help fill your plausibility using my shepherds. However, in the end, you must allow yourself to be caught by me.
That the moment he captured the being before him, he would gain immense plausibility.
And at the same time, he could return to the sunny realms he'd longed for in his dreams.
For that, he would do anything.
Even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
The ashen hound extended his paws, rising to his full height.
Black shadows rippled in all directions.
* * *
Sss!
- Use my pups as your practice partners.
The shepherds began circling from all sides.
- My pups will face you with their full power, but they won't truly harm you.
Sss! Sss!
Faint sounds, almost inaudible, echoed from every direction.
The shadow-covered zone.
The hounds' movements were smooth and light.
- Now, you try moving as well.
I moved too.
But how?
I figured I had to mimic those shepherds' movements, but I'm not a shadow race.
No, before that, they're dogs and I'm human.
I've only got two legs to begin with.
Did that mean I had to go on all fours or something?
"You mad bastard..."
The old man seemed to read my thoughts, wearing a look of pity.
"Did I tell you to learn that hound's realm? Who said you had to become a dog?"
"...No, elder."
I grumbled.
"It was just a passing thought, obviously. Do you take me for some idiot?"
"I've always thought you were an idiot. Hah, just thinking back to your early days still..."
"No, and why do you keep reading my mind without permission? Isn't that rude?"
"Rude my ass! Hmph, so if my disciple is spinning nonsense in his head, I should just sit idly by? If it bothers you that much, just unsummon me."
"Unsummon you?"
"Ahem, I mean hypothetically. Not that I'm telling you to actually do it, you fool."
"Yes, yes. Sigh, anyway. I'll move on two legs."
Step.
I took a step.
Recalling the Supreme Invincible Footwork the old man had taught me, I melted smoothly into the space.
- Impressive movement.
The Shadow Shepherd King nodded.
- However, it's far from the direction I intend to impart.
Of course it was.
I couldn't use shadows like that.
- Your movement is fine. Now, evade the attacks my pups unleash using that same movement. They'll adjust to your level. But.
The ashen hound added a condition.
- Close your eyes and dodge.
"My eyes?"
- Yes. Use any means necessary. But you must close your eyes, erase the notion of 'seeing,' and evade. In other words, even when something approaches, you must not visualize how it approaches.
His voice resounded.
- That is the fastest path to my realm: soundlessness.
"......"
He wanted me to erase the very concept of seeing?
This was pretty intense.
It didn't feel like something I could master in one go.
Well, it was the realm of a world's supreme being, after all. No way it'd be easy.
I closed my eyes.
- Imagine you were born in the shadows.
The Shadow Shepherd King murmured.
- Think that there has never been light since the beginning, no such thing as vision. Use touch, smell, taste, hearing—anything but sight. No, you must use them. You can crawl like a newborn infant if you must.
"......"
- To fully comprehend soundlessness, you must first understand the shadow race.
I raised my arms.
Alright, let's just do as instructed for now.
Hadn't the old man said it himself?
I'd reached the genius realm in physical mastery.
Sss!
Wind brushed the tips of my arms from all directions.
- Grrr! Woof woof!
The howling of shepherds reached my ears, and scents of saliva and earth filled my nose.
"Hmm, the shepherds' appearances keep coming to mind naturally."
- Forget it.
The ashen hound said calmly.
- Being able to see the world is great fortune, but my true realm is born from misfortune.
There is light.
But born where light does not reach.
All creatures perceive through light's wavelengths.
- Seeing is relative. Because each has different sensory organs, the same thing can be seen differently. Hmm, this might be easier than explaining in words.
"Ung?"
Information from the Shadow Shepherd King began seeping into my brain.
Specialized, novel knowledge.
Imparted as pure 'understanding' without 'explanation.'
In rough terms, it boiled down to this.
Humans perceive visible light wavelengths with their eyes.
I recognize things within that range.
But what if another lifeform perceives a different range?
Say, one that senses X-rays—when it looks at me, I'd appear like the sun or Eldrin.
Just bones visible, in other words.
X-rays pass through soft skin but not hard bone.
And for one sensing gamma rays?
With wavelengths short enough to pass even through bone, it might not perceive us at all.
The light that should bounce back would slip through like minnows in a vast net.
"So that's what relative means."
If you obsess over 'seeing.'
You'll forever fail to perceive things beyond your sensory limits.
"Hah, what a novel concept."
The old man murmured in admiration.
"Seeing isn't everything. Right, no need to cling to preconceptions."
"It's a bit tricky."
"Of course it is. Breaking the molds ingrained over a lifetime— you know how hard that is without me saying."
"True."
I clenched my fist tight.
The Shadow Shepherd King chuckled.
- It's difficult, but feel it. Beyond soundlessness, this is essential for understanding this vast universe.
"Fun."
A smell wafted in.
Not from too long ago, but nostalgic all the same.
Memories from the back mountain clearing.
Training with the old man—those fresh recollections sprouted vividly.
The sensation of learning something after so long.
"Hm."
The old man quirked his lips.
Pleased to see my progress, perhaps?
"You fool, why are you peeking with your eyes open at my mouth again?"
"Huh?"
"Focus and close your eyes."
"Yes."
I closed my eyes again.
Then raised my spear and swung vigorously.
The training began.
* * *
The training was ruthless.
Ruthless and downright infuriating.
Why infuriating?
- Grrr! Woof!
Just look at those shepherds' antics.
- Woof woof woof!
Shepherds with all sorts of auras charged energetically, tapping my occiput lightly!
Whoosh!
Furious, I'd swing my spear that way.
And they'd flee like lightning, taunting me.
- Kyruk! King!
Occasional weird noises too.
Those bastards.
Were definitely enjoying this.
Daring to toy with me.
"These crazy..."
I wanted to open my eyes and spear their throats right then...
- You are a newborn of the shadow race. How can a newborn try to run before it can even walk? Be patient if you wish to learn.
But with the Shadow Shepherd King watching, I couldn't.
"Even so, this is too much."
It wasn't hide-and-seek.
Guys hard to catch even with eyes open were now deliberately tormenting me—focus shattered.
Grit!
As I ground my teeth and swung my spear.
"You fool! Concentrate properly!"
The old man shouted.
"Haste makes waste. Do you think the master of all arts falters over such trifles?"
"It's frustrating because it won't go as my heart desires."
"You dolt! Don't you know impure thoughts mustn't fill you during training?"
The old man yelled in frustration.
"What if your energy backflows into qi deviation? Human meridians are far more sensitive than you imagine. When controlling energy, always maintain a righteous mind."
"Yes, elder."
- Kyirik! King king!
Even as the old man spoke, the shepherds kept taunting without respite.
How many times had they thwacked my head? At this rate, I'd go bald!
And at that moment.
"Hm?"
The world's feel shifted.
A subtle sense of incongruity.
Not quite 'seeing.'
But certainty that someone existed beside me.
"Here?"
My body moved on its own.
Sss!
With a sound.
"Oh?"
- Hm?
Voices from the old man and ashen hound.
"Did it work?"
I'd just moved instinctively?
Moved toward this spot...
Puk!
A sensation at my spear tip.
The feeling of the blade piercing someone's throat.
- Yap!
With the dog-catching yelp, it vanished.
"Yes!"
I shouted.
"Finally... took one down?"
My heart blazed.
Pride and accomplishment surged from my toes upward.
Yes, I'd caught it.
Something I couldn't have even with eyes open—I'd countered and struck!
"You fool?"
The old man called in an excited voice.
"Something like a shadow came from your body just now! You moved just like those mutts!"
"Really?"
"Yes, you fool!"
Seeing the old man's joy made my heart race too.
Fulfilling someone's expectations wasn't half bad.
The old man wasn't the only surprised one.
- Faster progress than expected.
When I opened my eyes, the ashen hound nodded in agreement.
- To grasp the shadow race so soon... Good, we can move to the next stage.
"Next stage?"
- Come forth. Shadow Shepherd Lord. My child.
"...Lord?"
That title.
Felt similar to paths I'd walked—was it just imagination?
- I heed the King's call.
Sss!
Something appeared before me.
A massive shepherd with a ferocious look, a cross scar over its left eye.
- This child is the strongest among those born never having seen anything. From now, face this one.
What was this.
Not even chain-sickle Jenny.
Stages, one after another?
Fine, let's clash.
"Bring it."
I raised my spear.