After Seven Years
Seven years was no small amount of time.
It was more than enough for a child to become an adult, for a frail sapling of a self to grow into a mighty tree.
Just like Demian, who now stood before Zeon.
The tender boy from seven years ago was gone.
His stubbornly pursed lips, his unwavering resolute gaze, his rigidly straight posture—all proclaimed that Demian was no longer a fragile-hearted youth, but a man with ironclad convictions.
The problem was that no one could know what those convictions were.
Unless Zeon were a god, he couldn't peer into Demian's heart and divine exactly why he'd come here.
Demian, who had been smiling at Zeon, opened his mouth.
"Hyung! Can I ask you one thing?"
"Sure."
"Did Dayton-nim achieve what he wanted?"
"He did."
"Then Hai Elton doesn't exist in this world anymore, right?"
"Yeah."
"What about Dayton-nim?"
Instead of answering, Zeon looked up at the sky.
Demian wore a regretful expression.
"So that's how it ended. Still, he fulfilled his lifelong wish, so he must've gone peacefully."
"Probably."
"How've you been, hyung?"
"Just wandering here and there."
"Looking at you makes me think the world's so damn unfair."
"What is?"
"Some people bust their asses to find a path, but you just stroll through the desert like it's your backyard?"
"Your abilities are plenty cheat-like too. You know that."
"I do! That's why I'm saying the gap's too big."
Demian pouted his lips.
"Don't make that face—it doesn't suit you."
"It looked bad?"
"Pretty much!"
"Guess I'm still lacking a lot. I thought it was pretty natural, though."
"Let me ask you one thing too."
"What?"
"Elharon!"
"……."
In an instant, Demian's face hardened.
His smile vanished as if it had been a lie.
"Did you find it?"
"You first?"
"I asked first."
"Not yet. But soon."
"Yeah?"
"You?"
"Haven't found it yet."
"Figured as much. It's not hidden in some half-assed spot."
Demian flashed a cold smile.
Zeon peered intently into Demian's expression and asked,
"Will you tell me if you find it?"
"Of course I'd tell you, hyung. I made a promise to Dayton-nim."
"Can I trust that?"
"Hyung, I always keep my promises, at least."
"I'll believe you, then."
This time, Zeon smiled.
Demian gazed at him with an odd look in his eyes.
When Zeon and Demian returned to the White Bear Caravan, Briel had already finished shopping.
Zeon asked her,
"Find anything you liked?"
"Yeah! But they were so expensive, I couldn't buy everything."
Briel made a sullen face.
The goods brought by the White Bear Caravan were things hard to find in Neo Seoul.
Naturally, their prices were outrageously high.
Because of that, even Briel couldn't buy everything she wanted and had only gotten a few items.
"Still, with this much, I can try out some alchemy I've always wanted to."
"That's something, at least."
"Yeah! Did you finish talking with Demian okay?"
"Yeah, all good."
"Good."
"Yep!"
Zeon nodded firmly.
In his view, he saw Demian deep in serious conversation with Aleksandr.
Aleksandr was the leader of the White Bear Caravan on paper, but he listened intently to Demian.
That alone made it clear.
Who the real power behind the White Bear Caravan was.
'He's grown a lot.'
The problem was he'd grown too much.
His appearance hadn't changed much from back then, but inside, it felt like a dozen sly foxes were lurking.
Zeon shook his head slightly and said to Briel,
"Let's head back now."
"Okay!"
The two left the White Bear Caravan's fortress.
Once they were some distance from the fortress, Briel cautiously asked,
"What kind of guy's Demian?"
"Why?"
"No, it's just... he had so many things elves and dwarves would love. All rare stuff that's hard to get."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, even back in our village, I'd never seen most of it. Especially the blue laurel leaves—they're a treasure I've never laid eyes on before."
"Blue laurel leaves are treasure?"
"Useless to other races, but to elves, they're incredible. Just carrying them boosts your vitality. Nothing better for enduring the desert's harsh climate."
"Guess they pair well with elves."
Sometimes, items like that existed.
Things with no effect on other races but huge impact on specific ones.
The blue laurel leaves seemed to be one such item.
They'd been common in Kurayan originally. But on desertified Earth, they were rare treasures.
To the point even a high elf village like Briel's couldn't obtain them.
"How'd he get blue laurel leaves? I'd kidnap him just to ask if I could."
"If you're this worked up, other elves must be worse?"
"Probably. They'd go nuts."
"Hm."
Zeon turned to look back at the fortress.
At the highest point, Demian was watching him.
"It's rare to see you so hung up on someone."
"He's a man worth it."
"Yeah?"
Aleksandr's eyes gleamed at Demian's response.
He'd known Demian for a full seven years.
So he knew.
How exceptional Demian's abilities and mind were.
Navigator.
A true pathfinder.
There were countless Awakeners in the world, but those who awakened as pathfinders were exceedingly rare.
And among them, none rivaled Demian's skill.
Interactions with other colonies had confirmed it.
Demian was on another level as a pathfinder.
Because of him, they could trade with other colonies with minimal losses, allowing the White Bear Caravan to grow this much.
No matter how strong Awakeners from Akutsuk Colony or elsewhere were, Demian paid them no mind.
Today was the first time Aleksandr had seen him care about another Awakener.
At least since he'd known Demian.
"A magic-type Awakener?"
"Eh, how to put it... Ah, I won't say."
"Why? Swore to keep a secret or something?"
"I owe him one. So I want to show at least that much loyalty."
"Hm."
"More than that, I don't wanna piss him off."
"He's that scary?"
"Honestly... yeah! I'm scared of him. At least on this desert, no one can take him."
"Hm."
Aleksandr let out a low hum.
'If Demian's this serious, he's someone to watch.'
Suddenly, a hot emotion surged from deep in his chest.
Aleksandr knew exactly what it was.
It was the thrill of the fight.
The desire to clash with the strong and crush them.
Though he was now the White Bear Caravan's leader, he was still an elite Awakener and warrior.
Strong foes made him itch to fight and dominate.
'Someday we'll cross paths. For now, Demian's business comes first.'
He suppressed his battle lust with effort.
That was when he spotted another group approaching from distant Neo Seoul.
Their clothing and gear made it obvious.
Awakener group.
Not just from Dongdaemun or Shinchon—rumors had drawn others too.
Aleksandr shouted to his men,
"Guests incoming. Prepare to receive them."
"Yes!"
A vigorous response came from below.
As Aleksandr started descending, he glanced back at Demian.
"Demian!"
"Yes!"
"When do we open the fifth floor?"
"After we've drawn enough interest."
"Got it. We'll do that."
Aleksandr left, leaving Demian alone atop the fortress.
Demian watched until Zeon entered the slums.
The moment they returned to the slums, Briel bolted home.
She was dying to experiment with alchemy using her White Bear Caravan purchases.
Zeon headed straight for Clexy's street stall district.
The sun was still high, but Clexy was already open for business.
As Zeon approached, Clexy acknowledged him.
"What brings you out in broad daylight? Thought you only stirred after sunset—what wind blew you here so early?"
"And why're you open this early, old man? It's not even ten yet."
"Business is booming, so I opened up."
"Booming?"
"The caravan from outside's got all of Neo Seoul buzzing. Even the daytime hermits are out since morning. A merchant who misses this ain't fit to sell."
"I got up early to check out the White Bear Caravan too."
"Ho! Already been?"
Zeon didn't miss the sharp glint in Clexy's eyes.
No group in Neo Seoul was more tuned into the White Bear Caravan's movements than Clexy.
He'd probably already mobilized all of Argos's Eye to gather intel.
"So, what'd you see inside with your own eyes?"
"A perfect fortress in itself."
"Fortress?"
"Their defenses are so solid, even Dongdaemun's schemes got them humiliated."
"Tch! Those fanatic bastards pulling stunts ain't surprising."
Clexy clicked his tongue.
He'd expected as much.
Just the speed of it—and getting caught so fast—was a bit shocking.
"They won't give up easy. Fanatics latch on and never let go."
"White Bear Caravan won't go down without a fight."
"Ho! That high an evaluation?"
"Saw their forces firsthand."
"Then it's credible. Your eye for this stuff is top-notch, after all."
It was an acknowledgment of Zeon.
And truly, Clexy held him in high regard.
"But you don't look like you're just here to eat. What's the real deal?"
"If you detect any odd moves from the White Bear Caravan, let me know."
"Odd moves? Got a hunch?"
"Just a bad feeling."
"Hmmm."
Clexy narrowed his eyes.
First time Zeon had looked this grave since they'd met.
That alone felt ominous.
"Got it. If anything fishy pops up, you'll hear from me first."