Salvation Through Delusion C138

Chapter 138

It felt unfair, but I had to accept the consequences of failing to secure the contract. I sighed instead. If I were truly a savior, none of this would be happening.

If I could lift Koon’s curse in an instant, there would be no need for Tyroc to fight Sarne in the first place. My frustration must have shown.

“Just as you hope, Rue, His Grace will defeat Baiyan and return in perfect health.”

“Rick. Be honest. You’re worried.”

Rick coughed and looked away. Please. I wasn’t that oblivious. When he realized I’d seen through him, he let out a long sigh.

“I always wish we had divine beast power… but even if Koon’s divine beast existed…”

“The Duke might refuse it.”

“That’s true. His Grace hates divine— wait, how did you know that?!”

“I didn’t. I guessed. Your face confirmed it.”

Rick’s eyes flickered like a candle flame. I’d been curious ever since Tyroc firmly refused Borhumi’s power at Crystal Lake.

“Why does he hate it?”

“I don’t—”

“You do.”

Rick physically betrayed the truth. Suddenly I understood why he was kept so close: betrayal would be impossible to hide.

“…I’m not certain. But it may be tied to the previous divine beast contractor.”

“The one who died sealing the monster rift?”

“Yes. He was the Duke’s master. His Grace seems to blame himself.”

“That was the former emperor’s order.”

“The contractor could’ve refused… but stepped in to protect the Duke. The emperor intended to send the newly awakened Tyroc instead.”

What trash.

“Then the divine beast was a victim too. Why hate the power?”

“I don’t—”

“You do.”

Rick stepped back, defeated.

“…This is speculation. But His Grace once said divine beasts blindly support their contractors — until someone more appealing appears. Then they discard the old one without hesitation.”

…What?

“He sounded ice-cold when he said it.”

I didn’t need more explanation. Had Koon’s beast abandoned its contractor for Tyroc… leading to the master’s fatal overreach?

“So even if the beast returns, he might reject it.”

Rick nodded.

But I knew the future: Tyroc would eventually accept that power.

Because of Hoiga?

The thought chilled me.

I hated the image of Tyroc loving Hoiga.

Rick sighed.

“His Grace is trying to grow his own strength instead. Sometimes… I wonder if he throws himself into danger deliberately. To break his limits.”

—

“Koon Tyroc.”

Baiyan’s eyes gleamed with pure killing intent — honed to eliminate everything but the enemy. Most would recoil. Tyroc’s golden gaze remained calm.

Had they not been enemies, she might’ve admired that composure.

“So the rat stalking me walks into its own filthy nest.”

Still seated, Baiyan scanned the area.

“Where are the rest of your vermin?”

“I alone am enough to crush insects.”

A short laugh escaped her — but suspicion sharpened her gaze. A trap?

Normally she wouldn’t care. Even a Swordmaster couldn’t defeat her and four disciples.

But Black Bear was the priority.

“Two of you. Handle him.”

She rose and signaled her disciples, planning to slip away while they stalled.

They charged.

What should’ve followed was steel clashing steel.

Instead—

Shiiik.

A slicing sound cut the air.

Instinct hurled Baiyan sideways.

Her disciples stood hunched, swords dropped.

On the ground beside them lay severed hands.

Her anger crystallized.

I underestimated him.

Shk.

Her blade drew free, white aura spilling outward.

“Impudent rat.”

—

Tyroc’s aunt and master, Koon Sornyhil, once told him:

“Tyroc… you possess an enormous vessel.”

After testing him further, she added:

“There’s nothing left to teach you.”

Her voice was calm — her eyes conflicted.

He hadn’t understood. Divine beast power was dangerous. Children were trained for years to wield it.

Tyroc, hated by the emperor, received no such training.

“You carry no divine presence,” a priest once declared — pleasing the emperor, who still believed himself chosen.

When Tyroc first felt the divine power, it didn’t feel grand. It felt… natural.

Perhaps weak?

Sornyhil disagreed.

“If others hold bowls… yours holds oceans.”

He assumed exaggeration — until she ordered:

“Release everything you have.”

He gathered the power into his palm.

Surely it would produce only a breeze.

Instead—

A storm tore across the earth.