Chapter 203: Hasn't This Been Enough? (4)
Chapter 203: Hasn't This Been Enough? (4)
A heavy, suffocating silence.
Within it, the disciple looked down at his hands and spoke.
“Jincheon, the Radiant Dragon Hero.”
He clenched one hand into a fist.
“Patrick Schneider, the Double Dragon.”
He clenched the other hand as well.
Holding his fists tight, as if grasping something precious, he continued.
“I have grown attached to both lives. Yet, I am told I can only choose one.”
“……”
“I do not know. I do not know which one I must choose. This disciple truly does not know.”
“……”
“So, Master. Please, tell me. Lead this foolish and lacking disciple toward the right path.”
He knew.
The Master standing before him was not the real one. He was merely an illusion, a mirage born of this place.
Yet, he sought an answer with a desperate voice.
Finally, the Master broke the heavy silence.
“Do you believe I can give you the answer?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you have always given the right answer, Master.”
It was true. The Master he knew was a man who was always right.
It wasn't that the Master was exceptionally talented. Nor was he particularly brilliant or wise. But the answers he provided were always right.
Yes, they were simply the right answers.
Even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects, the heads of the Five Great Families, and the renowned figures of the Martial World would close their eyes and plug their ears for the sake of profit, making the wrong decisions.
But his Master was different.
He never yielded to threats, never wavered before temptation, and pursued only what was right. Even if one searched the entire Jianghu, there was no one as righteous as his Master.
That righteousness had served as the milestone for his life.
So, this time as well…
Please…
To the desperate disciple, the Master spoke.
“There is only one choice you must make.”
“……”
“Return to being Patrick Schneider.”
At those words, he squeezed his eyes shut.
Yes. If his Master said so, then it must be right. But he had to ask.
“Why? Why must I discard my life as the Radiant Dragon Hero?”
“……”
“Why do you tell me to go back?”
“……”
“Please, tell your disciple the reason.”
As he pleaded for an explanation, the Master gave him a benevolent smile.
“Both lives have already become precious to you. I would not dare to judge which of the two is more 'correct.'”
“Then why…”
“But, Cheon-ah.”
“……”
The Master spoke in a gentle tone. His voice carried a nuance that seemed to ask, Don't you already know?
“Is this truly a fork in the road? A situation where you must choose between Jincheon, the Radiant Dragon Hero, and Patrick Schneider, the Double Dragon?”
“……”
“No. It is not. You know this, don't you?”
“……”
“The choice is whether you will collapse, intoxicated by the past, or whether you will stand up and move toward the future.”
“……”
“It is one of those two.”
He squeezed his eyes shut again. The Master in the illusion had pointed out the truth he had been trying to ignore.
The Master continued.
“My disciple, the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon, is not one to collapse and give up.”
“Master…”
“Hasn't this rest been enough?”
“Mas…ter…”
“Go. Do not yield. Even if you fall, rise again. Show me that you are a man who keeps moving forward.”
“……”
“That is the disciple I was always most proud of.”
He straightened his posture.
And then, with the utmost respect…
He bowed deeply to the figure before him.
After offering that profound bow, he finally raised his head. There was no longer any agony on his face. Instead, a cheerful smile played on his lips.
He spoke.
“It was good to see you after all this time, Master.”
“As it was for me.”
“Farewell. This unworthy disciple shall take his leave now.”
“Stay healthy, my boy.”
He smiled.
Then, he drew his sword and took a stance.
The time for A Fleeting Spring Dream was over.
It was time to wake up.
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles.
First Form.
Black and White Twin Dragon Dance.
A black dragon from his left hand and a white dragon from his right began to dance, spreading in all directions.
The black and white dragons swept away the illusion wherever they touched.
A sword that erased falsehoods to reveal the truth.
Patrick’s will firmly rejected the happy illusion of this moment.
The instant his sword dominated the entire domain…
Clang!
With a clear, ringing sound, the false world shattered.
The beloved Twin Dragon Sect…
The people he missed so dearly…
Everything began to fade away.
“……”
In the void where everything had vanished, Patrick extended his sword and pointed it at a single spot.
“Come out.”
Then, from the other side of the void, someone revealed themselves.
Blonde hair and pale green eyes.
Skin so fair it put white jade to shame.
Even Patrick, who had seen many beauties in his lives, had never seen such loveliness. She was so beautiful she felt holy just to look at.
She wore clothes made of leaves, a belt made of branches, and a vibrant crown of flowers on her head.
Her pointed ears made her look like an Elf, but the faintly glowing wings on her back were those of a Fairy.
Patrick knew her identity immediately. The aura she radiated told him exactly who she was.
“Are you the World Tree?”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Patrick Schneider.”
She was a woman of such enchanting beauty that anyone would be captivated. Yet, facing her, Patrick’s expression didn't show even a hint of agitation.
If anything, he looked displeased.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
A grown woman wearing that? The skirt is so short you can see her whole thighs. Her chest is more than half-exposed, too. Tsk, tsk. The world is coming to an end.
Having spent a lifetime in the Central Plains, Patrick’s "grumpy old man" energy had reached new heights.
Regardless, Patrick spoke to the World Tree.
“Why did you test me?”
“You knew it was a test?”
“I didn't feel any malice like a trap, so I had to assume it was a test. But…”
Patrick bared his teeth as he spoke.
“I happen to hate shitty tests like that even more than traps.”
“You are making things difficult for me.”
“Give me a reason. If I don't get a proper answer, you’re going to regret it.”
At Patrick’s words, the World Tree let out a small sigh.
“It couldn't be helped. For a mortal like you to encounter me, a trial befitting that meeting was necessary.”
“A trial?”
“You and I are of different status. To meet me, you needed to prove your worth. That is why the trial was given.”
“……”
“Even those who overcome pain and suffering with a strong will often succumb to the happiness they truly desire. But you overcame it magnificently.”
“……”
“So, now you have earned the right to face me—”
“Hey, lady!”
“La… lady…?”
The great World Tree was taken aback.
Patrick, with the face of a very disgruntled thug, continued.
“Listen. Do you think being pretty and having a good body is everything?”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you think if you dress provocatively and talk like you’re something special, people will just nod along? Huh?”
“……”
The World Tree’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
Subconsciously, she pulled her short skirt down slightly and covered her chest with her arms.
Patrick’s eyes flashed with anger.
“You thought you could win me over with a honey trap? I’m an egalitarian, you hear me? If someone messes with me, I don't care about their age, gender, status, looks, or race. Everyone gets a beating. Got it?”
Was that what egalitarianism meant?
Probably not.
Patrick continued, looking like he was about to breathe fire.
“I never asked for a trial. You drag me in here without a word and then what? A triiiial? Woooorthiness?”
“I understand why you are angry. However…”
“However my foot. You clearly don't know my temper, lady…”
Patrick began to surge with power.
“I’ll show you right now exactly what kind of guy I am.”
Seeing Patrick seriously drawing his sword, the World Tree moved urgently.
“I’m sorry!”
She bowed her head deeply in apology.
“……”
The God of the Elves.
The Primordial Tree.
A pillar of the creation myth.
Such a great being was bowing her head in a flat-out apology.
Patrick watched the scene with a grumpy face, and the World Tree spoke hurriedly.
“It was truly necessary. To discern whether you were the 'real' one or not, I had to look into the deepest landscapes of your mind.”
“……”
“Please understand. If I have offended you, I will surely repay this debt.”
Patrick continued to stare at her with a sour expression.
However, despite his disgruntled face, the fighting spirit he had raised to start a brawl had vanished. It was hard to strike someone who lowered themselves so sincerely.
“Tsk, you’re making this awkward.”
Patrick clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.
“Just answer my questions honestly. Let’s start with that.”
“I understand.”
The atmosphere finally allowed for conversation. Patrick asked calmly.
“Why did you pull me in here?”
“I needed help.”
“Then you should have just asked instead of giving me some trial.”
“As I said before, I had to know if you were the real one.”
Patrick frowned.
“You said you had to discern if I was 'real' or not, right?”
“Yes?”
“What does 'real' mean in this context?”
“I’m sorry. I cannot tell you that yet.”
Patrick’s brow furrowed deeper. Looking at the World Tree, who seemed determined not to tell him anything important, his hand crept back toward his sword.
The World Tree quickly bowed again.
“Please. It’s not that I won't tell you. I cannot tell you. So please…”
“……”
Patrick let out a long sigh.
If the Elves saw this, they would probably faint. The being they worshipped as a god was repeatedly bowing and pleading with a mere human. If he went outside and told them, would they even believe him?
Patrick squinted, looking confused.
“This is strange.”
“What is?”
“Why are you being so humble?”
“……”
“You’re the God of the Elves, aren't you? So why are you bowing and scraping to a plain human like me?”
“A plain human…”
The World Tree’s expression became complicated. Her face clearly screamed, What part of you is a plain human?
She let out a sigh and spoke.
“First of all, I am not a god.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I am merely the First Tree. Though I was created in the age of myths, I am but a creature created by Him. I am by no means immortal.”
“……”
“It is my children who serve me that consider me a god. But I am not. I have never called myself a god.”
“Hmm, well, you do lack a bit of gravitas for a god.”
“……”
The World Tree looked at Patrick with a wounded expression. She sighed and continued.
“The reason I bow to you is…”
She hesitated for a moment before deciding to be blunt.
“Because you are the one in charge.”
“Huh?”
“And we are the ones who need you.”
“……”
As Patrick stared at her in confusion, the World Tree gave a bitter smile.
“I will tell you everything one day. But that day is not today.”
“And when is 'one day'?”
“It will be after you have defeated all the Apostles of Kalaron.”
“The Apostles of Kalaron? Me? Why?”
“That is your destiny.”
The World Tree spoke with a straight face. Patrick’s brow furrowed.
If he continued his plan to pioneer the Great Forest, he would likely run into those Apostles.
But the truth was…
I wasn't planning on fighting them.
If he hadn't known, it would be one thing. But he had already confirmed the existence of the "Living Calamity" at the Tower of Truth.
To be honest… well, how should he put it?
He hated to admit it, but if he analyzed it objectively…
They might be a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit stronger than me.
Look at this guy who got his ass kicked making excuses.
He had clashed with all his might in the virtual world. He had used his strongest techniques—ones that he couldn't even guarantee his own life if he used them in reality.
Even then, he hadn't gained the upper hand.
What would happen if they met in the real world?
After confirming such existences, Patrick had secretly revised his plans. Instead of a total conquest of the Great Forest, he planned to pioneer only parts of it, making sure not to provoke those monsters.
Quite sneakily, in fact.
But now, the World Tree was telling him he had to hunt all those monsters down.
“Why me?”
“That is your destiny.”
“Fortune-tellers' nonsense is the twenty-fourth thing I hate most in this world…”
“Why on earth do you have so many things you hate?”
“Ahem!”
“……”
The World Tree looked at Patrick, feeling drained.
Why is a man like this our only hope?
She felt like she had sighed more in this one meeting than she had in the past several thousand years. Knowing that cursing destiny was futile, she spoke calmly.
“There is a reason you must defeat the Apostles of Kalaron.”
“And I’m asking what that reason is.”
“I cannot tell you the reason.”
“That excuse is about to be registered as the seventy-sixth thing I hate…”
“……”
I really hate this guy.
The World Tree struggled to compose herself.
“What is certain is that I can be of help to you.”
“Now you’re finally saying something I like.”
“I will give all my children to you. I hope that my children will be of help in achieving your goals.”
“……”
This was an extraordinary offer.
Even the great Patrick was momentarily speechless.