Chapter 523: Star, Determination (3)

Chapter 523: Star, Determination (3)

Chang-Sun and Cadmus sat on a hill overlooking the River Styx. Just like Thanatos had said, people were running around due to the chaos, but... the river was as quiet as always.

“From what I heard, you’ve gone through a lot,” Cadmus said. “I told you over and over again to control your temper and let your hair down once in a while. Tsk, tsk. See? Living according to your temper only brings trouble.”

Dumbfounded, Chang-Sun turned to Cadmus. “I don’t think you can say that to me, considering you’re the one who left me with a bunch of work.”

“Hmm? You sound like you didn’t like the work I left you.”

“Well, it did mean I had to work....”

“Lady Ithaca will be sad if she hears that.”

“...”

Feigning innocence, Cadmus tilted his head. “I do remember asking you to protect her, but did I ask you to date her?”

Chang-Sun closed his mouth. He knew very well that no matter what he said, it would just give Cadmus more opportunities to make fun of him. Of course, Cadmus didn’t stop just because Chang-Sun did.

“Before you and I said our goodbyes, you were a loser who had never dated anyone. You even freaked out whenever a woman so much as brushed her hand against yours.”

“...”

“Yet you managed to seduce your Guardian. My, my. I didn’t know you had other talents than fighting.” With Chang-Sun choosing to remain silent, Cadmus continued, “Well, Lady Ithaca did like seeing your pretty face. As you know, she cares a lot about men’s looks.”

“... You sound like you’re indirectly badmouthing her.”

“She’s not my Guardian anymore. In other words, she’s my former boss.”

Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes.

“Ha! I’m joking. Joking. The only god I serve with sincerity is Lady Ithaca, and my faith remained the same even after my death.” Cadmus giggled. “Considering you still answer when it comes to your lover, it seems you’d hit me too if I keep this up, huh?”

“...”

“Oh, you clenched your fists.”

“...”

Cadmus smiled mischievously. “Are you really going to hit me?”

“...”

“Oh, no. I should run away.” Cadmus dramatically moved up and down as if to stand up.

Chang-Sun let out a long sigh. “Can you stop it? I’m sorry.”

Cadmus faintly smiled. “Well, you look like you turned out to be a decent person, at least. You used to be very cocky.”

Remembering the past, which he could barely recall, Chang-Sun felt as if Cadmus was... right. Back then, he had called Cadmus very casually and snapped at him at every chance he got.

Cadmus had often nagged Chang-Sun to show other people some respect, but he never listened. Having been alone in a different world, he had immaturely thought that he would be underestimated if he showed other people respect.

‘I was really immature,’ Chang-Sun thought. He only started becoming more mature after he and Ithaca had been left alone in Arcadia.

After looking at Chang-Sun, who was silently reminiscing, Cadmus quietly smiled and changed the topic. “I heard you’ve also gotten revenge.”

“... That’s right,” Chang-Sun replied with a nod.

“That’s incredible. <Horoscope> and <Purple Star Astrology> must not have been easy opponents, yet you managed to take them down all on your own. Well done.”

Feeling consoled, Chang-Sun choked up a little.

“You brought back Lady Ithaca too.”

“Yes... one thing led to another.”

“You also found a way to undo her curse, didn’t you?”

Thanatos seemed to have told Cadmus many stories while Chang-Sun was away.

When Chang-Sun nodded again, Cadmus asked, “So what’s the problem?”

“Quit it and follow us! I won’t stop you from going, but you should say goodbye to Father and the others!”

Chang-Sun smiled. He could detect sincerity in the sibling’s annoyed voice.

***

Everyone was in the room of the Emperor's Seat, but he was still asleep.

“You’re leaving?” Qi Gong asked. When Chang-Sun nodded, he added, “Yeah, I guess you have to go since you have a lot of work to do. Although I want to tell you to go after Father regains consciousness, it’s not like we won’t see each other forever. Don’t worry. We’ll protect Father.”

“I trust you with him,” Chang-Sun said.

After glancing at Qi Gong and the others, who nodded, Chang-Sun turned back and walked forward.

“Be careful,” Qi Gong mumbled.

With a faint smile on his face, Chang-Sun began to teleport.

Woooosh!

[Teleporting to <Heaven>.]

[The destination is the Celestial ‘Kali’ at the Society <Niflheim>.]

A pool of light enveloped Chang-Sun. When he opened his eyes again...

Roaaaaar―!

... a thunderous roar echoed.

[Dragon Fear of the Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ dominates the world!]

“Oh, no...” Chang-Sun clenched his teeth.

It seemed that the situation had worsened a lot more than he had expected while he was away.

[The Celestial ‘Lie-Whispering Giant’ has sensed your presence!]

[The Celestial ‘Lie-Whispering Giant’ tells you to come quickly, adding that it is an emergency!]

...

[The Celestial ‘Wrath Incarnation’ clenches her teeth as she contains the rampage of the Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’!]

[The Celestial ‘Wrath Incarnation’ asks everyone to come to a decision because it seems too late!]

...

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ pleads you to save her mother through the restored Channeling!]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ sheds tears as she tells you that her mother will be in real danger at this rate!]

...

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ explains that the severity of the rampage is so high that even two of the Nine Heavens are having difficulty stopping it.]

...

After a series of messages, Kali quickly sent a telepathic message. 『Come quickly! The situation has become a lot more serious than we originally expected!』

At that moment, through his [Foretelling Eye], Chang-Sun saw an enormous, bizarre tree howling in the sky of ‘Nastrond.’ Numerous ghosts clung to the blood-colored tree, and black, impure energy quickly circled around it. The mere sight of the tree made him frown. He was very familiar with the stench that it emitted, too.

[‘Gaia's Curse’ is spreading!]

[Someone’s strong resolve has found you!]

Find. You. Interrupt. My. Sleep.

Having understood the information coming from the energy, Chang-Sun’s expression darkened.

‘No way...’ His jaw dropped. ‘The Mother Terra Celestial?’