To the Great Bow's Nest
"Now it begins... Quite arrogant words from someone who hasn't even glimpsed his own limits."
Hien said coldly.
"And yet you think it was right to give the sacred treasure to Kargon instead of yourself?"
"Yes."
Adel answered Hien without the slightest hesitation.
"Why?"
"Because borrowing power from a sacred treasure isn't truly my own power in the end."
Hien sneered at his response.
"It sounds as if you're saying that using a god's blessing isn't your own power either. Not just hunters, but the continent's strongest all borrow the gods' blessings."
Woooong...
Hien slowly raised his hand. A green aura flowed from his palm.
High god of the earth, Mesha.
Adel thought as he gazed at the solid power emanating from him. As expected of the desert's conqueror, he wielded a high god's blessing that ordinary people wouldn't even dare challenge.
"I use blessings too. Are you saying even this isn't the fruit of my efforts?"
"No. Blessings and sacred treasures are entirely different. A sacred treasure simply lets you use a god's power engraved in an artifact. Anyone with the know-how can do it—even someone like me who knew nothing at first."
In truth, even those born with the blessing to wield divine power couldn't easily use the strength engraved in artifacts.
"But wielding a god's blessing directly—not one that's engraved—requires the god's recognition and a contract. Earning a god's recognition is something only the capable can achieve."
Adel knelt and bowed to Hien.
"Mesha's blessing is undoubtedly yours, Father."
"You speak well."
Though he said that, Hien smirked with evident satisfaction at Adel's answer.
"And I... I want to grow as strong as you, Father. That's why I don't want to take a shortcut by relying on a sacred treasure from the start."
Adel continued.
"I won't foolishly covet a sacred treasure while claiming I'm not yet complete. I intend to temper myself."
With that, he drove one final wedge between himself and Syrin and Yoran.
"Such arrogant words you spout."
Hien withdrew his blessing's power and looked down at Adel.
"You want to grow strong... Indeed, a hunter's true nature is to hunt. Growing stronger is the most primal—and essential—act."
He gazed at Adel.
"I saw you in the desert. When you slew the desert wolf that sought your life on your own, I saw potential in you and took you in. How far do you wish to grow?"
At his question, Adel glanced at his brothers.
He knew what answer Hien wanted to hear—that his children should compete among themselves.
What Father desires is one thing.
The Ulan tribe to fully dominate the desert and become its true kings.
Father's thinking isn't wrong.
To that end, he hoped the strongest among his children would inherit the throne.
It was natural for someone raised in the harsh desert to believe only strength ensured survival.
But I have seen.
Though it was a friend who tried to kill him, Adel had learned from Karon what it meant to rule subordinates and be revered by the people as a king.
He himself had been captivated by that vision.
Whether it was sincere or false doesn't matter. People see only what they wish to see.
Of course, he didn't intend to live a false life just to become king.
He simply sought to explore all paths and choose the one that suited him best—one that wasn't solitary strength above all.
But even the great White Ghost couldn't see his own thoughts as flawed.
Even if his views differ from mine, there's no need to change him. This era belongs to White Ghost Hien, after all.
The definition of power. Pursuing the truth of strength—that was Hien's life, and he wanted his children to prove themselves through rivalry.
Then I must give him the answer he truly seeks.
Even if Hien's children deemed themselves strong, none could surpass one person.
I was the same.
But after countless experiences, Adel knew: no mountain was too high to climb, no greatness surpassed his own as the god-slaying hunter.
"I want to become master of the desert."
"......!!!!"
"......!!!!"
Murmur—murmur—murmur— The tribespeople grew restless at Adel's bold declaration.
And how could they not? After his flashy entrance on the Day of the Hunt, passing the ritual, and now these audacious words—their eyes were inevitably drawn to the boy.
"It won't be easy. To succeed me, you must surpass them. From now on, you must outperform your brothers in every task I assign."
"There may be no need to bother competing with all seven brothers. There's only one throne, after all."
"Heh... kekeke..."
Hien's expression twisted oddly at Adel's words.
"Impressive."
As he laughed, Nazan and Muel, standing beside him, scowled in stark contrast.
"Now I see. You're not aiming at your brothers—you're targeting me."
A chilling air, sharp as blades, swept through the tent. Adel felt it as invisible knives born from Hien's gaze slicing into him.
It felt like being torn apart.
Yet Adel didn't avert his eyes from Hien's.
"I'm not targeting anyone. I simply strive to reach the top."
Hien's lips curved slightly upward.
Thud—
Surprisingly, he patted Adel's shoulder lightly and turned to leave.
"Did you hear that, all of you?"
His piercing gaze swept over Merka, Syrin, Yoran, and Bin.
"It seems you have much to learn from your little brother. With such naive hearts, you won't survive the desert. That boy will now be gunning for your throats."
Hien warned them deliberately. It almost seemed like a message to Adel, questioning if his own thinking was wrong.
Now all his brothers would be wary of Adel.
But on the other hand, Hien wondered if this child, so different from his obedient offspring, could survive such vigilance.
Indeed...
Hien watched him with a cryptic smile, as if he knew something about Adel.
"You've passed the ritual and become the true victor of the Day of the Hunt. A sacred treasure alone feels insufficient. Is there anything you desire?"
"I have one request."
"What is it?"
Adel spoke to Hien as if he'd been waiting.
"I want to go to the Nest."
"......!!!"
"......!!!"
The tribespeople stared at him in shock.
The Nest of the Great Bow. It was where the Ulan tribe's promising youths trained.
What? That kid wants to enter the Great Bow's Nest?
Yoran's face twisted.
What do I do?
He was anxious. Though this year marked his graduation from the Nest, unlike his other two brothers, he was still technically part of it.
Why now, of all times...
No adopted child of Hien's bloodline had ever challenged the Nest.
No matter their talent, they were all abandoned from their original homes for various reasons. They were young, in need of care.
Thus, the brothers avoided stepping forward rashly in their new home, lest they earn resentment.
Adel...
The sixth son, Bin, watched him with worried eyes.
But as if noticing, Adel flashed a subtle smile.
Then he looked at Yoran.
"Looking forward to it."
"......What?"
Yoran doubted his ears when Adel addressed him first.
This isn't just a greeting.
But Adel's smile turned that doubt to certainty.
A chill ran down Yoran's spine.
"Well then."
Adel turned away.
But Yoran could feel it from his retreating figure—a warning foretelling turmoil in the Nest.
* * *
Shhh—
"Adel."
Nazan entered the tent as dawn broke, ending the hectic day. Adel slowly opened his eyes at the sound of his name.
"Are you prepared?"
"No need for preparation. For a Ulan hunter, going to the Nest is only natural."
"Many of your brothers gave up on the Nest. Yet you speak of it so casually."
Nazan shook his head, as if he couldn't handle Adel's nonchalance about the Nest.
"Really... The more I see of you, the more mysterious you become."
He said admiringly.
"You're too kind."
Everyone was shocked by his entry into the Nest, but Adel's plans were different.
He didn't need the training there.
With memories of my past life, I don't need to learn the Nest's methods.
What he needed wasn't education, but a place.
A space to contract with an ancient god without interference, to train undisturbed.
"Let's go."
Adel followed Nazan.
The Nest's training lasts three years.
But he had no intention of wasting time on rote lessons.
There'll be an opportunity in a year.
Adel saw this as preparation for that moment.