Chapter 190: Chapter 190 - Demons' Forest (5)
Chapter 190 – Demons’ Forest (5)
Incarnation .
It was different from an embodiment or an alter ego .
An alter ego was bound to disappear sometime, and an embodiment was something completely separate from the body because it had its own personality .
That was why an apostle was sometimes called an embodiment of the god they served .
Because they experienced the power of the god, their identity could sometimes be mixed with the god’s . However, that didn’t mean that their identity was completely lost .
However, an incarnation was a much more complex concept than embodiments and alter egos .
It was when a god put themself into the prison of a physical body .
It was a bit different from the Three Norns on the 16th floor . They couldn’t use their power outside of their holy territory .
But an incarnation could freely come and go .
However, because it was limited to their physical body, there were constraints on their power, and it was likely that the soul would be damaged as well . It might experience true destruction .
So the gods and demons preferred using apostles; they never made incarnations . If something went wrong, they could die . And no one would put themselves in a position where they couldn’t use their full power .
But the god Brahma was different .
He hated being related to the gods and demons on the 98th floor, so he descended to the lower floors .
This was also the reason why he left the Elohim . From what he saw, their ideology wasn’t too different from that of the 98th floor .
However, from the Elohim’s standpoint, they couldn’t face off against an actual god, so they just watched him .
Meanwhile, Brahm continued to chase after the legacies and myths that he wanted .
The domain of the god Brahma was creation and knowledge .
Learning new things through experiments with alchemy was enough for Brahm .
Of course, the fact Brahm was the incarnation of the god Brahma was thoroughly kept under wraps .
Nothing good would come from a lot of people knowing .
Brahm’s ideals were very simple .
He wouldn’t accept or interfere with anything that wasn’t related to him .
The Elohim tried to hide things about him so they wouldn’t have anything they were embarrassed about come to light .
The reason his brother knew about Brahm’s identity was because of an incident a while back .
He had promised not to tell anyone, so he didn’t .
He only told the diary .
Of course, Yeon-woo didn’t say anything about this either .
Making the Philosopher’s Stone had nothing to do with the fact that Brahm was an incarnation . Like Brahm, he also didn’t feel the need to interfere with things that weren’t related to him .
However .
He was a bit annoyed that he knew his hidden powers .
For a moment, Yeon-woo didn’t say anything and looked at Brahm and the little girl .
There were a lot of things going on inside of his head .
How was he supposed to respond to this? He thought that it would be better to pretend not to know what they were talking about .
However .
“… . . Is it because of the Draconic Eyes?”
Yeon-woo decided to spill a part of the secrets .
Since the other person was sure of himself, it wouldn’t be easy for Yeon-woo to pretend not to know . And to learn Brahm’s skills, he had to build trust .
Actually, he was even planning on telling him about the Philosopher’s Stone when they got started .
However, he didn’t worry about it spreading anywhere .
‘Since he’s someone who follows his standards so closely that he didn’t help Jeong-woo as he was dying . ’
It would be a lie if he said that he didn’t despise him .
His brother had thought they were friends, but he didn’t come even at the very end . Of course, Brahm didn’t help the other side either . He was just a bystander, through and through .
However, he was definitely someone able to be trusted for a deal .
“Right . To be exact, it’s because this child’s eyes and my skill worked together . ”
Brahm stroked the head of the little girl . The little girl gripped his clothes even tighter .
Yeon-woo nodded his head .
If the Summer Queen had used her Draconic Eyes and looked at him, he might’ve been caught . The reason he wasn’t caught might’ve been because of her broken Dragon Heart as well .
But if the girl’s Draconic Eyes and Brahm’s power were combined, it would be effective . Although Brahm probably contributed 90% while the girl contributed 10% .
Of course, Yeon-woo pretended not to know this either .
Instead, he asked a question observing the little girl . She stepped back even more .
“Is she a child of Ananta?”
Brahm’s eyes shined .
“Do you know her?”
“I only heard of her . The Summer Queen hated her own species, so she refuses to have an offspring, and Heaven Wing, who was Kalatus’s successor, died . Then only Ananta is left . That child… . must be at least a Quarter . ”
After all, there wasn’t anyone to mate with Ananta, who was a Half . And when he checked with his Extrasensory Perception, she was a lot weaker than Ananta .
“Aren’t you bringing me in while you’re on the run from the Elohim because you want to make a deal with me regarding that child?”
Brahm curved his lips . It might have looked like a smile full of joy, but it also looked like a cynical smile .
It was always satisfactory to find someone who understood what you were saying .
“Why? Is that bad?”
“Of course not . Actually, it’s a relief, because I was wondering how I should make a deal with you . ”
He had definitely thought of it . But if Brahm proposed the deal, everything changed . The deal would progress smoothly .
Brahm’s conditions were extremely simple .
‘He’s probably trying to help her learn the powers of a dragon that she hasn’t learned yet . ’
It seemed like the child couldn’t use the power of the Draconic species even though she was a Dragon Human . Where was Ananta, her mother?
“Fine . Then I’ll have to check if you’re qualified to become someone to make a deal with . Who are you?”
He wasn’t asking for a name . He was asking how there was a new dragon’s successor when it was known that they were all gone .
“I don’t necessarily see a reason why I have to answer that . Instead, don’t I just have to show that I’m qualified?”
Yeon-woo clearly expressed his opinion, and attempted to awaken his Dragon Body .
Scales grew on his skin . It was a color that was closer to navy blue than sky blue . As his Draconic Eyes opened, his eyes grew horizontally .
“… . . Ah!”
The child dropped her mouth open and made a sound for the first time . She hid behind Brahm again, face red, but she peeked out to look at Yeon-woo .
She looked relieved after finding someone that was the same species as her .
Yeon-woo looked at Brahm again and asked .
“Is this enough?”
“More than enough . ”
“Then let’s talk about the details . ”
Yeon-woo followed Brahm into the cottage .
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The cottage was organized into different sections with potions and ingredients, fitting of an alchemist, and there were a lot of chests filled with rare materials .
Galliard left, saying he would be back after checking if Aether followed them .
Thanks to that, Yeon-woo and Brahm were able to discuss many things .
“Actually, if Galliard didn’t talk about you, I wouldn’t have felt the dragon’s energy from you . You were the first person that he spoke about that much . Of course, it was a bit unpleasant since my name was used . ”
“I’ll apologize for that . ”
There was only one person who Brahm had opened his mind to . It was Galliard .
The relationship that began when he was looking for Undine’s Goblet turned into the closest of friends .
Yeon-woo internally thanked Galliard and began to get to the point .
“I heard that you don’t care about others’ businesses . But how did you come to take care of Ananta’s child?”
“Like how you won’t tell me about the reason why you’re a Dragon Human, I don’t need to tell you . However, I’ll tell you that it was a deal with Ananta . ”
Brahm narrowed his eyes .
“Isn’t it more important to give each other what we need?”
Brahm made things clear and spoke about the conditions .
“I’m asking for one thing . Teach the child knowledge about dragons while you’re staying here . ”
Yeon-woo turned to look towards the little girl .
She had been peeking out from Brahm’s back, and quickly hid herself when she met Yeon-woo’s eyes .
“Is there anything I shouldn’t tell her?”
“No . Tell her everything . Powers, knowledge, family . Their locations . And even their history . ”
To tell her the history meant to tell her about the extinction of the species as well . At first glance, he seemed to treat her like a daughter, but he seemed to be clear on things like this .
“What is the child’s name?”
“Sesha . ”
Sesha . In the language of the Draconic species, it meant ‘remainder . ’
It might’ve been a name that fit the little girl well, but it was a bit sad .
“And at times, I hope you act as her guardian . Even though we’ll take care of security as much as possible . But you never know . And you seem to be skilled enough to protect the child . ”
“Understood . I will . ”
Brahm widened his eyes in surprise as Yeon-woo easily accepted his conditions . What he was asking for could get Yeon-woo involved in what was going on with him . But it seemed like he accepted it too easily .
However, Yeon-woo had to be prepared for that . Since he was planning on asking for something that could be too much .
“Then I’ll tell you my conditions . ”
“Speak . ”
“I want to learn the ‘Book of Mercury’ that you wrote . ”
Brahm’s eyes hardened . A threatening energy began to swirl around Yeon-woo .
The illusionary world that had always been bright suddenly became dark and heavy .
What Yeon-woo said was a dangerous statement .
The Book of Mercury was a book of magic that Brahm had made with all his memories and knowledge from when he was a god on the lower floors .
Since Yeon-woo was basically asking Brahm for everything he learned, it was expected that he would be sensitive .
This place was Brahm’s territory . Yeon-woo could be in danger with a single misstep .
However, Yeon-woo was calm .
“Sesha is scared . Is that still okay?”
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Brahm slightly bit his lower lip and took back his energy . It was the first emotion that he showed . Yeon-woo didn’t miss it . He seemed to care about Sesha more than it seemed . He might actually consider Sesha as his real daughter .
“How do you know about the Book of Mercury?”
“Didn’t you hear when I spoke with Galliard? I heard from a returner . ”
“No one knows that . ”
“It’s not a complete secret . Since a few people saw it themselves . ”
Brahm narrowed his eyes and glared at Yeon-woo . There was nothing ruder than asking to give one’s weakness away . He was probably thinking of whether to leave Yeon-woo alone, or to deal with him .
Yeon-woo knew that he needed to take a step back here .
“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll learn all of it . ”
“Then?”
“Just the sections about alchemy . ”
“Alchemy?”
“Yes . ”
Brahm’s eyes slightly settled .
“What about the level?”
“Everything that’s possible . ”
“I see you’re trying to use your Dragon’s Knowledge to fill in the rest . ”
“I won’t deny that . ”
Brahm was deep in thought for a moment . He was calculating different scenarios-whether it was disadvantageous to him or not .
“What about your knowledge of alchemy?”
“I think I know the basics . Even though it’s basic, I did learn metallurgy from Henova and rune magic from Victoria . ’
Brahm looked surprised . He was one of the top five artisans as well . If he learned the ‘basics’ from the others, Yeon-woo was advanced compared to others .
“That’s a relief . I don’t like teaching someone from the beginning . And I have things I have to do, so I can’t teach you a lot . ”
“That’s fine . ”
“Good . This can be the end of our deal . ”
After the two pledged on the pledge of mana, they were in the same boat .
[Geez . He’s a scary guy . Why is his tone so cold? I literally almost hit him . ]
[But I heard he’s quite reasonable . Is it because of that child?]
It was Shanon and Hanryeong’s review of Brahm .
After that, Yeon-woo received lessons for 2 hours every day from Brahm .
The knowledge he learned from Henova was a big help . Henova said that what he knew wasn’t that much, but because it was knowledge he learned about being a blacksmith for a long time, his level of understanding was extremely deep .
In some areas, it was Brahm doing the learning .
And in the day, Yeon-woo had to look after Sesha . It was something Brahm used to do, but he said he had something else to do .
[You’re a babysitter now . You’ll struggle for a bit, huh? Hehehe . ]
Shanon giggled inside him like this was hilarious . He was doubting that Yeon-woo would be able to look after the child . Not making the child cry would be a feat in itself .
Sesha seemed interested in Yeon-woo because they were the same species, but she didn’t approach him first . She just peeked at him from far away . She didn’t even talk .
[Look She’s totally on her guard! What are you gonna do, master? She looks like she’s gonna cry if you try to teach her something . Ahem . don’t worry . I actually… . . ]
‘Who said I couldn’t babysit?’
[Huh? That’s… . . !’
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At Yeon-woo’s confident answer, Shanon thought that things weren’t going as he expected .
Yeon-woo ignored Shanon and suddenly headed towards the kitchen to look for something . Although they were only men here, they seemed to have everything needed .
He began to prepare for something . He pulled our flour, eggs, white sugar, milk, oil, strawberries, bananas, and chocolate syrup .
He searched through his memory for the recipe and began to cook .
[Hm? What’s this?]
[It looks like he’s trying to cook . He looks familiar with it . ]
[What? This wall, cooking?]
Regardless of Shanon’s teasing, Yeon-woo combined flour, baking powder, butter, and white sugar to make the dough, and began to mix the whites of the eggs to make the meringue .
Sesha became curious at what Yeon-woo was doing and came over to look .
Yeon-woo felt Sesha’s gaze but pretended not to notice . At times like this, he had to make the other person come over . He knew that forcing her over would make her run away .
He poured the dough on the frying pan and heated it up until it was brown around the edges .
As a delicious aroma wafted in the air, Sesha slowly approached him . It had been some time since their last meal, so she was feeling a bit hungry .
“What’s… . . this?”
Not being able to resist the curiosity, she asked Yeon-woo a question, pulling his clothes .
“Snack . ”
“A snack?”
Sesha’s eyes sparkled .
She looked so cute doing that that Yeon-woo subconsciously grinned . She reminded him of someone . A memory that he was keeping hidden popped up .
After the cooking was finished, he got the pancake ready on the plate and put strawberries and bananas on top . He placed it on the table after adding chocolate syrup as the final touch .
“Eat . ”
Sesha used her short legs to get on the chair and started to devour the food . Her mouth was covered in chocolate syrup .
Next to her, Yeon-woo quietly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief . He didn’t say much, but he looked generous in this moment .
[Goodness… . . ! The world is going to end! The Tower is going to fall down!]
[He had that kind of side to him as well I see . ]
Shanon began to jump around and Hanryeong reminisced about his past, since he too had raised a child once . Rebecca appeared above Yeon-woo’s head and smiled as well .
The smile didn’t leave Yeon-woo’s face as he watched Sesha adorably eat the food .
Looking at her, his forgotten memories started to pop up .
When he was in Africa, he had a short but ‘happy’ dating life . His girlfriend at the time had a daughter of this age, and he frequently made pancakes for her .
They broke up, but it was one of the only precious memories that Yeon-woo had .
“Is it good?”
“Yeah!”
Sesha licked the chocolate syrup that was left on the plate and held it out .
“Please give me more!”
Yeon-woo smiled as he looked at the beaming Sesha .
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