Chapter 809

Chapter 809

Could Leeha say that he had now merged into nature? Could he say that he did not exist?

‘That’s impossible. There are people who know me and contact me. They even know my location. I completely exist and am exposed.’

First, he had to erase himself.

Ha Leeha turned his location to private in the friends’ window. He also blocked all whispers from permitted users.

He had to become perfect nature.

‘I am not even a human. I am not someone hiding under the snow... I am just the snow.’

Ha Leeha closed his eyes and steadied his breath.

The mind and heart, which had been cluttered with all sorts of whispers, began to regain calm.

How close had Shimo approached? Was he already pressing the muzzle to his forehead with a smile?

Or, was he shooting paintballs just avoiding the spot where Ha Leeha was hiding, enjoying the look of confusion?

‘These are distractions, just distractions. Nature doesn’t have thoughts.’

Ha Leeha made an effort to forget the rising wild thoughts.

He even tried to forget the effort of forgetting.

Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist─......

The wind blew.

Ha Leeha opened his eyes again only after the quest completion alarm went off.

『White Death: Non-Existent Being―2』

You have completed the quest.

“... What? Already?”

Ha Leeha couldn’t believe that 14 hours had passed.

Shimo was nowhere to be seen. It was a dark night.

* * *

Shimo greeted Ha Leeha, who entered with a bewildered face, warmly.

『Honestly, I didn’t expect much. Did I give too many hints?』

“Um... well... What exactly happened again―”

It was a new experience for Ha Leeha as well.

During Sergeant Kim’s training, enduring for several hours lying down was basic, and he even endured for 2 nights and 3 days, suppressing the need for all bodily functions.

‘But back then... somehow, it was different.’

A sense of reality.

Simply gritting one’s teeth and enduring because one was told to, versus clearing all distractions to avoid being caught and achieve a desired purpose, were clearly different actions.

“Oh, but about the hint―” for new novels

『When you used the messenger magic, I approached you too obviously.』

“Ha, ha. That’s right. Because of that, I noticed....”

Become one with nature completely.

It was possible to have the experience of literally making his body seem like it had melted away because he could completely block out noise.

‘By turning off whispers, hiding my location, and making my existence faint in all the systems of Middle Earth.’

Recalling the strange experience, Ha Leeha nodded.

When he turned off the mute function and started apologizing to those who had worried about him, including Kijung, Shimo spoke again.

『If you can become one with nature, there will be no need to hide. I believe you can now erase your own existence.』

“Ah, yes.”

『Could you close your eyes?』

Ha Leeha lightly closed his eyes. He wasn’t scared as he had experienced this before.

『To the White Reaper... to the White Reaper...』

Haaaa...

Ha Leeha could feel the refreshing air entering through his nose and mouth.

─────────......!

『You have learned the skill “Melting Breath”.』

‘Yes!’

Last time it was the eyes. This time, it was the breath.

Suddenly, Ha Leeha felt a strange sensation.

‘It’s like... the White Reaper’s body? Flesh? No, that’s already gone― um, essence? It feels like receiving something like that directly.’

Considering the name of the quest and the skill, as well as everything the White Reaper had said, Ha Leeha believed his guess was correct.

He could have felt anxious but instead, Leeha felt joy.

What could the records held by the Pandril people be?

What records must be seen to complete the Ritual?

‘It must be a book left behind by one of the past 《Matan’s Shooter》. So, the quest for the Ritual... and the content derived from that quest—’

Likely had a strong connection to the “White Death.”

Realizing this made Leeha feel a bit regretful.

He had thought he could learn a few more skills to become the White Reaper, but had he already reached the end?

‘Of course, skills like “Distorted Vision” and “Melting Breath” are totally overpowered, but... well, let’s think positively. Having two overpowered skills is better than ten useless ones.’

Were there any useless skills among the second job advancement jobs?

“Uh— Shimo, about those wing-like things on your back... is there no way I could get those?”

『Hmm? What do you mean by no way?』

Leeha coveted those wings.

Did it pass through the wall because it was a spirit form, or did it pass through because of those wings?

Did it float around because it was a spirit form, or did it float because of those wings?

“No, just. That... I am also a White Reaper. If I had just one of those, it would look good and enhance my presence. I think it would be great.”

『I’m not sure what you mean by ‘presence’, but this has nothing to do with being a White Reaper.』

“Then what is it?”

『I acquired it personally.』

“... Oh, I see. Could you perhaps give me a hint on where you obtained it?”

Ha Leeha chuckled softly, rubbing both hands together.

If it wasn’t a skill but an item, wouldn’t it be even better?

‘Three days until I meet Aner. Hehe. If I do this well... 〈Bargain〉!’

He felt a surge of anticipation, thinking he might be able to show the Pandril tribe a ‘complete form’ White Reaper.

* * *

Although it was deep into the night outside, the interior of the cave dazzled brilliantly.

The splendor, resembling a section taken from a grand banquet hall, contrasted unrealistically with the raw stone walls.

“Welcome, Kaztor! It has been a while, indeed.”

“... Le.”

With his arms wide open, Bluebeard greeted Kaztor.

Back in the form of Rotzak, Kaztor glanced around.

As soon as Chiyou met his eyes, she lifted her dress slightly in greeting.

“Even though we’ve met before, I should greet you properly. I am Chiyou, Kaztor.”

“... You were the envoy from Minis, weren’t you? Ha, I see.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Kaztor chuckled incredulously, but Chiyou accepted his laughter with a warm smile.

‘It really was Kaztor. I suspected, but...’

Seeing Le’s elaborate preparations, Chiyou felt slightly bewildered.

It was clear that Bluebeard had been expecting someone, and as someone who knew nearly all the current happenings in Middle Earth, Chiyou could narrow down the candidates.

At the top of the list was Kaztor.

A dark elf causing trouble in the Old Continent with nowhere to go would naturally seek refuge here.

‘So I thought he would be overbearing.’

She expected Le to absorb Kaztor seamlessly.

But, this?

Le had hurriedly prepared not only decorations but also food, and Chiyou had found herself in an unexpected situation, having to don a dress.

“Come, come. Have a seat. Your life on the run must have been tough, huh? First, have some food—”

“You expect me to eat food that might be laced with something?”

“Why would you say such hurtful things! Tsk, tsk, what would I gain by poisoning you? Don’t you agree?”

Le began devouring the food from the head seat, as if to assure Kaztor it was safe.

Kaztor hesitatingly took a seat, seemingly reassured by Le’s actions.

Chiyou quickly poured wine into his glass.

Kaztor gave Chiyou a sidelong glance in Rotzak’s face but remained silent.