Salvation Through Delusion C147

Chapter 147

“Congratulations, Grand Duke. You’ve advanced another step.”

“Not yet.”

Tyroc denied it shortly and looked down at his hand, murmuring to himself.

“It’s divine power… so why isn’t it Koon’s?”

Rick didn’t catch the last word clearly, but the important part — divine power and Koon — landed loud and clear. The man who normally turned icy at the mention of divine beasts was talking about their power so seriously. W-wait… could it be?!

“Grand Duke! Has Koon’s divine beast returned—”

“No.”

“Ah… right…”

Rick awkwardly stepped back.

“If the divine beast still exists like Hoiga said, it’ll probably take time to return.”

He braced for irritation, but Tyroc only shifted his gaze, expression blank. Rick gathered courage and kept talking.

“Everyone gave up because they believed it vanished — except my mother. She was convinced Koon’s divine beast would return. When I asked how something gone could come back, do you know what she said?”

Tyroc still looked uninterested — until Rick continued.

“She said it would be reborn. Like how a tree looks dead, but drops seeds and rises again. She believed the divine beast would do the same. Ha… why are you staring like that?”

Rick retreated a step. Tyroc, however, stared at his hand again, face grave. He stood there like a statue until Rick cleared his throat.

“Well… I’ll leave you to your training.”

Rick had only taken a few steps when Tyroc’s quiet murmur followed.

“…Reborn?”

A lot had happened since coming to Tuvine, but today felt like genuine progress.

On the surface, Tyroc reconciled with the divine beast, Black Bear began training, and Tyroc agreed to accept its power.

That meant my task remained — the most important one: bringing the divine beast. Whether Borhumi’s or Koon’s, Tyroc just needed that power to close the Eye of Hell.

Yet instead of saving Earth, my mind replayed the way Tyroc looked at me in the field.

For you.

Was he serious? No — what would Mo know about human emotions? Even if it were true…

I couldn’t find an answer and pushed myself upright.

“Ha…”

I exhaled and shook my head.

Focus. Keep it simple. One goal.

Summoning the divine beast came first. I didn’t know how — but I hadn’t stayed up late for nothing. There was someone to ask.

Clatter.

The window rattled in the wind. I glanced over — and locked eyes with something pressed against the glass.

“—!”

I froze.

Black Bear’s huge face was mashed against the window, eyes glowing eerily in the dark.

Clatter, clatter.

Not wind. The beast was shaking it.

Of course it was.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming…”

Grumbling, I opened the window.

“So you meant tonight…”

“Come in—”

I stopped. The beast was way too big.

“I’ll just step outside— huh?”

The massive figure suddenly shrank.

…It could change size?!

Before I could react, it resized perfectly to the window and fluttered inside. It could’ve phased through the wall — divine beast and all — but no. It insisted on theatrics.

It landed on my bed, wings buzzing.

You could’ve just done that from the start!

The glowing eyes met mine.

Right. Still insane.

Fine. Stay calm. Maybe smaller meant faster—

Hope flared.

I sat in front of it casually.

“You have something to say to me?”

Creeeeeak… lift…

It took ages just to raise its tiny body.

Seriously?

Then the arm slowly rose. Painfully slow.

An “ㅇ.”

[…Motion speed adjusted to maintain the same 30-second timing.]

Mo confirmed it.

I closed my eyes.

Was this assassination by frustration?

Next letter:

“ㄴ.”

[It’s answering “no.”]

So not here to talk — but because I had something to say.

“Then you came because I do.”

Slow nod.

Finally.

I chose my question carefully.

“What is Borhumi’s divine beast doing right now?”

The beast spread its limbs, bowed.

“ㅈ.”

…Dick?

[Likely: sleep.]

“…Sleeping? Until when? When are they coming back to Tuvine?”

After the long wait:

[When the time comes.]

I couldn’t help it.

“When is that? Days? Months? Years?”

The beast pointed at me.

“…Me?”

The motions came.

[You decide the time.]

…How?!

Did I have to wake it myself? Travel to its homeland? I didn’t even know how to reach the Crimson Tide Forest.

I had the key Borhumi gave me — but no door.

“Do I find a door in Borhumi’s underground tomb?”

[There is no door there.]

Then where?

The beast stared.

Like I should know.

It pointed at me again.

“…You want me to find it?”

Wrong answer.

Its eyes radiated disappointment.

Honestly, if I could physically grab it, divine beast or not, I’d shake it.

“Then what?! I’m not the door!”

The beast just… stared.

…Wait.

 

Black Bear communication style:

rue: “Please just say the answer.”

Black Bear(the divine beast): 30 seconds per letter

Also Black Bear:

“I will inconvenience you personally for dramatic effect.”