120
120 ― Whichever Path You Choose
The thicket became quiet again. Although there was no response, it gave Jin-woo the impression that it was pondering.
Since there was no need to rush, he waited calmly, and a white and ash-colored wolf appeared, wandering leisurely.
[ …Since when? ]
Since when? Well, from the very beginning. The black flames flickering within the wolf's body looked like a castle with a magnificent fortress. And the aura emanating from it reminded him of the God of Sky or Rondar.
A Sovereign is a being that possesses the Seed of Erosion. It emanates a completely different aura from beings that have merely been eroded. He knew this from the moment he first saw the wolf, which is why he tried to avoid getting involved as much as possible.
Nevertheless, since it kept circling around him, he inevitably became entangled like this.
"I was just taking a stab in the dark, but it seems to be true."
[ ……. ]
He didn't tell the truth to the creature. There was no need to say that he had known from the beginning.
Belkarim didn't seem to believe that he was just taking a stab in the dark. However, the fact that it didn't press further seemed to convey his intention that he had no plans to elaborate.
[ How delightful. Are you that mortal Rondar spoke of? Recently, you beheaded Silvern, I hear. ]
"Are you acquainted with Rondar?"
[ He and I have some common ground, so we share information to some extent. ]
A woman's voice that rumbled low across the ground. That tone was exactly the same as what he had heard in the 2nd floor before. It really was the God of Ice Valley herself.
'By the way, what does she mean by having common ground with Rondar?'
Does that mean they have the same purpose, or if not a purpose, something they similarly desire?
When he asked what that was, sure enough, she chuckled and didn't tell him.
[ Why don't you ask Rondar later? He seems to be keeping quite a close eye on you. ]
"On me?"
[ I share similar sentiments. I saw Silvern's head fall, and it was quite satisfying. He was a predator who relied only on his own power and caused trouble for those around him. ]
It seemed she didn't have a good impression of Silvern.
Considering that Silvern's forest and the snowy mountain domain were adjacent to each other, it wouldn't have been strange if they had been engaged in territorial disputes for a long time.
Even if that weren't the case, there would be more than enough reasons to dislike a neighbor.
[ But I saw you handling Erosion... Are you using a divine artifact obtained from the 3rd floor? ]
"…Yes."
He thought it was a bit different, but it was true that he was using a divine artifact.
[ How about this? Since we've met like this, it's also a kind of fate, so why don't you learn how to use that power from me? ]
"The usage of Erosion?"
[ It's a terrifying power that devours all things, but that's precisely what makes it such a wonderful power. I hope you can handle this excellent power well. ]
It was a sudden proposal. She was saying she would teach him how to use the power of Erosion, meaning she would become his teacher, wasn't it?
Since becoming a Hunter, Jin-woo had only learned from someone once. Learning swordsmanship from Rona. Except for that time, he had grown and learned entirely on his own.
He had no intention of taking on a teacher at this point...
'Almost nothing is known about Erosion. So if I learn from a Lord herself, I might learn various things.'
Other studies could somehow be managed by finding materials and practicing on his own. But humanity knew very little about Erosion. It could be said there was almost nothing.
If he could learn that, it might be a good opportunity.
"Why are you offering to teach me? There would be nothing in it for you."
He was curious about the motive for volunteering to teach first. It could be said he was being suspicious.
Especially when he remembered the time Rondar was causing chaos in the 3rd floor. At that time, he had tried to ask someone for help and had pondered between the God of Ice Valley and the God of Light.
At that time, the World Tree had absolutely opposed the God of Ice Valley, somehow objecting to it.
Seeing Jin-woo filled with wariness while recalling the World Tree's reaction, Belkarim chuckled softly.
[ Beings of the Spirit Realm consider fate very important. Whether it be good or evil. ]
"Fate?"
[ You once treated me to delicious ice treats, after all. ]
…So she did remember. At that time, they had only exchanged voices, so he thought she might not remember.
'Are there any shaved ice or ice cream left in the inventory?'
With such thoughts, Jin-woo accepted Belkarim's proposal.
***
The place Belkarim took Jin-woo to was the back side of the snowy mountain. Jin-woo, who had arrived here through Silvern's forest, saw a scene he hadn't witnessed before spread out there.
Half of the mountain, its entirety, was carved in the shape of a castle. Carved, built up, and refined, it stood towering as if to pierce the sky.
A sculpture using this enormous mountain as material.
However, since it wasn't completed yet, workers could be seen in various places under construction. They were slaves devoured by Belkarim, similar to Johan.
[ Don't mind them. It's nothing important. ]
Belkarim said so, but there was no way not to mind it. She led Jin-woo toward the castle's garden, which was also an artificial garden created by carving the mountain.
[ I said I would teach you, but it's actually a bit different. It would be more accurate to say I'll try to help you recall. ]
"Help me recall?"
What? Past life memories?
In the garden, there were veiled handmaids tending to this place with delicate touches. They were different from Johan or the slaves carving the castle. All the handmaids here possessed black flames.
'Are they all direct subordinates of the Lord?'
Each one possessed power similar to Grisella or Bertus that he had seen before. They were completely different beings from the slaves used for menial tasks.
They noticed Jin-woo and Belkarim and lined up to show proper respect. Belkarim looked around swiftly and gestured with her chin toward the handmaid on the far right.
[ Everyone except that one, withdraw. ]
The other handmaids bowed politely and scattered like smoke. Only Jin-woo, Belkarim, and the designated handmaid remained in the garden.
[ With this child's help, try tending the garden. If you're lucky, something might come to mind. ]
It was completely different from the teaching method he had imagined, making Jin-woo frown. He thought they would deploy Erosion barriers or fight with crossed swords.
[ This garden, you see, is not an ordinary garden. It's not an artificial place I created either. ]
"Is that so?"
She was someone who commanded slaves to pile up mountains and carve them into castle sculptures. Naturally, he thought this garden was also created that way.
But Belkarim shook her head, saying it wasn't so.
[ I want you to recall it yourself, but let me tell you one thing in advance. This is where the Seed of Erosion was first discovered. ]
***
—What? You made contact with a Lord?
After Belkarim left, the first thing Jin-woo did was contact Kalesian.
Although he couldn't use magic, he had a small orb he had received from Kalesian that made contact possible.
He briefly relayed the circumstances of meeting Belkarim and exchanged opinions. After hearing Jin-woo's words, Kalesian also went to look at the back side of the snowy mountain.
—Hmm... I can't see that castle sculpture.
'You can't see it?'
—It seems those who aren't invited can't see it.
According to what he heard, to Kalesian, the back of the mountain still appeared as the same snowy mountain. There was something that rejected intruders.
—But the fact that contact is possible means magical influence reaches there. If anything happens, contact me immediately.
As Kalesian said, the fact that such contact magic reached meant magical support was possible. So if it seemed like it might develop into a dangerous situation, he should speak up immediately—such was the advice that came back.
"This way, please."
The veiled handmaid guided Jin-woo around various parts of the garden.
At first glance, it looked like a neat garden with no more places to tend, but looking closely, there were still many places that needed attention here and there.
"Life never stops growing and extending its branches for even a moment. The work of caring for it is also work that cannot rest."
As she said, the more he looked for work, the more it emerged.
Jin-woo, together with her, trimmed protruding grass, pruned flower branches, tilled the soil, and planted seeds.
'How is this supposed to help me handle Erosion...'
Jin-woo had been tending the garden without complaint for a while, but he couldn't help but have doubts. To him, the handmaid quietly answered.
"Please don't doubt. My master has no intention of harming you, and conversely desires that you completely regain your past power and glory."
"Are you saying she wants me to perfectly recall my past life?"
"That's correct."
When he asked why, the handmaid shook her head. It meant she didn't know the reason either.
'...The remnant thoughts of Rondar that remained in the 3rd floor also handed over a sword to me and disappeared.'
Rondar had handed over a sword filled with the power of Erosion and disappeared. And Belkarim said she would teach him how to use Erosion and told him to tend the garden.
He didn't know what connection tending a garden had with that, but regardless, their intentions somewhat aligned. They wanted him to acquire the power of Erosion.
Even knowing this fact, Jin-woo couldn't let down his guard and suspicion toward the two.
Because Jin-woo himself still had questions about Erosion.
"What's this?"
A few days later, while leveling the ground as usual, Jin-woo discovered something strange. There was soil tainted black in that spot.
It was the power of Erosion. But very, very small.
"Did Belkarim set this up?"
"Probably... It wasn't there until yesterday."
Neither the handmaid nor Jin-woo himself was someone who would be surprised by such small Erosion.
Jin-woo had already been stained by far too great Erosion to be surprised by something like this, barely the size of a single seed.
"Is the task to eliminate this?"
"I'm not sure."
"If not eliminate it, then control or nurture it?"
"No particular instructions have come down from my master. Whatever you do will be your freedom."
Whichever path you choose, your soul will guide you to the right way. The handmaid said such words were conveyed.
Hearing the word freedom, Jin-woo observed it. He wanted to know what would happen to this small Erosion that had grown from this pile of soil.
It wasn't much different from the Erosion that covered Earth. Only smaller in scale, it would taint the surroundings and turn them into dead land. If left alone like this, even this beautiful garden would die forever.
The black aura that grew little by little covered the soil and tainted the surrounding grass and trees. The first target was naturally a large tree nearby.
The aura that wrapped around the tree roots and tainted them black. At that moment, Jin-woo's heart stirred.
[ Fragments of past life come to mind. ]
He drew his sword and thrust it into the black ground and roots.
The flow was cut off, and the aura gradually lost its power. What had been devouring anything and everything in the world without discrimination couldn't swallow Jin-woo's sword and staggered.
Eventually, it was absorbed through the sword and became Jin-woo's power.
He gained power and protected the garden. By anyone's standards, it was the best result, but... He didn't think it was the right answer.
As if representing the stirring of his heart, wind blew. The wind partially lifted the veil of the masked handmaid. The corner of her mouth revealed underneath was smiling, wrapped in ecstasy.
At the same time, the tree branches swaying in the wind were letting out mournful cries.