Chapter 12

Chapter 12. Oppa, Can You Really Do It?

Minjun and Sia were incapable of taking in Rokan’s proclamation.

Their long-awaited reunion had only just happened, yet they were instantly confronted with an order forbidding them from remaining by each other’s side.

The entire notion was irrational. How could their mere presence together genuinely lead to Minjun’s demise?

Was the elder intentionally fabricating an excuse just to pull Sia away from him?

Regardless of the fact that the speaker was a mighty dragon and Sia’s maternal elder, Minjun felt compelled to speak his mind.

“Elder, this makes very little sense to me. If you harbor any disapproval toward me, please speak plainly about what troubles you. If you point it out, I will gladly acknowledge it, alter my conduct, or exert every ounce of effort to rectify it.”

Sia did not attempt to restrain Minjun’s words. On the contrary, she directed a bitter, sullen gaze toward her grandfather, finding his statement just as utterly incomprehensible.

“Grandpa, stop talking such sheer nonsense! Come on, Oppa, we’re leaving. I’ll deal with Grandpa later.”

Spinning around abruptly, Sia took Minjun by the hand and started walking toward the lair’s exit.

“A choice like that will only bring sorrow.”

Despite hearing that warning, Sia merely cast a furious glance over her shoulder before facing forward again, tightening her hold on Minjun’s fingers.

Whether he empathized with her pain or not, Rokan maintained an unruffled composure as he spoke.

“Departing like this will only cause your companion to collapse again before long. I might manage to intervene on the first or second occasion, but past that point, his physical state will plunge beyond the reach of any remedy.”

Sia’s step wavered slightly upon hearing that Minjun’s health would spiral past any hope of restoration.

‘No. That simply cannot be true.’

Repeating that silent denial to herself, she continued toward the cave’s opening, yet Rokan’s voice pressed onward.

“And when your partner’s life is on the verge of fading entirely, when even his breath can no longer be assured… Shasha, you will return carrying his lifeless weight across your back to plead with me. Can that truly be the tomorrow you seek?”

The elder’s phrasing sounded so severe and piercing that it felt more like an impending curse than a grandfatherly advisory.

It was hardly the kind of declaration an elder should ever hurl at his granddaughter and the person she cherished.

Yet Rokan’s demeanor remained intensely grave. He took no pleasure in wishing ill upon his beloved granddaughter or the young man she treasured.

His harsh words were meant solely as a jarring shock, hoping to make her heed the reality of the danger.

The sharp measure proved effective, as Sia froze in her tracks upon absorbing that grim imagery.

With rims red from unshed tears, she glanced back at her elder.

“Grandpa, be honest with me. You simply hold a grudge against Minjun oppa, don’t you? That’s the real reason… you’re saying all of this just for that, right?”

Unwilling to accept what was happening, her hands shuddered uncontrollably.

She clung desperately to the hope that Rokan’s stance was rooted merely in personal dislike.

If it were merely a matter of his displeasure, she felt confident she could do whatever it took to win over his approval.

Yet if his explanation was grounded in truth, she could hardly fathom the dreadful reality ahead.

‘If that is so… what path is left for us?’

Even imagining the thought sent a wave of nausea through her.

Noticing the torment reflecting in his granddaughter’s eyes—a sight that brought a sharp ache to his own heart—Rokan continued in a quiet tone.

“Shasha, your grandfather stands firmly beside you regardless of who captures your heart. You understand that, do you not? However…”

Rokan paused to gather his breath before explaining with calm precision.

“The essence residing within the two of you is in utter conflict.”

“…Our energies are fundamentally opposed?”

As a sudden realization struck her, Sia’s eyes trembled slightly, and a foreboding dread swept down her spine.

“A comprehensive explanation would be quite lengthy right now, so I will outline the core issue. Shasha, as you are well aware, the power you carry within yourself is far more unique and overwhelming than that of ordinary dragons. You recognize this truth, don’t you?”

“D-Does that create an issue? For what reason?”

Instead of giving a prompt response, Rokan reached out and took Sia’s hand with deep sympathy.

Yet she struggled to grasp how that could possibly be a fault. Other dragons had consistently looked upon her inherent strength with admiration, praising it as a miraculous gift.

They had insisted that her unique vigor would eventually secure her an eternal place in the chronicles of dragonkind.

Some had even asserted that, following in her grandfather’s footsteps, she might one day attain the supreme glory of occupying the Throne of the Dragon Lord.

Every kin member had shared that same perspective, leading her to believe it was a celestial gift from above.

Why, then, did it have to emerge as a cruel obstacle now, at this very moment?

“How could that… No, wait. Are you claiming that my power happens to clash specifically with Minjun oppa? Why would…?”

Her gaze drifted aimlessly across the room, and her tone grew shaky.

“Does that mean because of my power… if Minjun oppa and I remain together, it will end his life…?”

Sia bit down on her lip. She felt an overwhelming urge to cry out that it was a lie, that such a cruel destiny could never be true.

Rokan cradled Sia’s trembling hand between his own weathered palms.

“It is natural that you refuse to understand, and accepting it may seem impossible right now. Yet the truth cannot be altered.”

Recognizing how agonizing this truth was for her, Rokan shook his head with an expression weighed down by sadness.

“…Is there no remedy? Can nothing be done? Whether through mastering my own power more strictly or another approach! Tell me there is a way for me to stay by Oppa’s side!”

“A method does exist. Yet practically speaking, it lies so close to impossible that it might as well be.”

“Even if that’s true, explain it to me.”

Rokan hesitated briefly before resolving to share the solitary path with his granddaughter.

“Your companion must master the full extent of a dragon’s might and wield it completely as his own.”

“…?”

“…What did you say?”

Both Minjun and Sia stared in sheer bewilderment, prompting a wry, sorrowful smile from Rokan.

“As things stand, that remains the solitary solution.”

Even Sia, who had lived through the impossible miracle of being reborn, viewed such a condition not as ‘near impossible,‘ but as an absolute fantasy.

Given that Minjun had managed to awaken the resonance of the Dragon Bone Sword, he might eventually achieve the capacity to tap into a fragment of draconic power.

Yet that would perpetually remain merely ‘a fragment.‘ Throughout the vast expanse of recorded history across the land, no mortal had ever possessed the capacity to command the complete, unbridled might of a dragon.

‘I must discover a different path.’

She had no inkling of what that alternate path could be, but whatever it was, it had to be far more feasible than this unattainable requirement.

Sia steeled herself to find another answer no matter the cost.

When she had once declared her intent to master and finalize Dimensional Travel Magic, everyone around her had mocked the endeavor as an impossible dream.

Yet in defiance of all doubt, had she not realized that very miracle with her own hands?

Surely, an answer could be forged this time as well.

‘Indeed. A path must exist.’

Her gaze flickered with quiet resolution as that conviction set in.

Nearby, Minjun observed Sia carrying that burden in silence, a pang of sorrow twisting within his chest.

Though she kept her worries to herself, the lingering panic in her eyes made her thoughts clear as day to him.

‘She’s attempting to bear this burden all on her own.’

Because the likelihood of succeeding appeared so slim, she had clearly chosen to shoulder the entire ordeal herself.

The moment Minjun grasped her intention, a surge of burning emotion welled up inside him.

‘Why does it have to be this way?’

Why was she stepping forward to endure such hardship once again?

Sia had already borne an unfathomable weight for his sake. Knowing the depth of his mourning, she had offered up two thousand five hundred years of arduous pursuit simply to cross boundaries and reunite with him.

He had promised himself that moving forward, he would be the one to shelter her, granting her a tranquil life stripped of anxiety and anguish.

Yet contrary to his vows and deepest intentions, Sia was preparing to offer herself up to misery once again on his behalf.

‘I cannot stand by and watch Sia endure such pain.’

The realization struck him with profound clarity, causing an ache in his chest.

He did not care if the trail before him was carpeted in cruel brambles. As long as a peaceful tomorrow for Sia and himself lay at the journey’s end, Minjun was prepared to tread that rough ground without second thoughts.

“Elder, you referred to it earlier as ‘nearly’ impossible.”

If rebirth was an authentic reality and crossing dimensions through magic could truly be achieved, then perhaps the intrinsic restrictions of mortal existence were not entirely unbreakable.

Initially, Minjun had required a moment to comprehend the elder’s words due to a momentary misconception.

However, after weighing Rokan’s exact wording, Minjun deduced that commanding a dragon’s complete power was not completely unachievable in the absolute sense.

Rokan had deliberately framed it as ‘nearly impossible,’ not outright unattainable.

Just as Sia had stubbornly pursued and unlocked Dimensional Travel Magic, Minjun felt that even if only a minuscule glimmer of hope remained, it was an endeavor worth embracing.

Sia had already discarded everything she held dear to sacrifice herself on his behalf.

Now, it was undeniably his duty to prove the depth of his devotion to her.

“If this is not mere delusion and simply demands an effort so immense that it borders on the unreachable… then please show me the path.”

An unshakable conviction resonated in Minjun’s tone as he declared his stance.

However, Sia caught his hand, her voice filled with desperate objection.

“Oppa. This… makes no sense. Anyone would recognize that this cannot be done. Allow me to discover another path instead, so—”

She wanted to remind him that she had already navigated such treacherous paths before and could endure it again, asking only that he remain safely near her as an observer.

Yet Minjun cut short her protests before she could finish.

“Sia.”

Reaching out, he pulled her securely against his chest.

“Do you remember what you shared with me? You endured over two millennia of study simply to find your way back to my side. So place your trust in me now. I will uncover the answer.”

The earnest sincerity behind Minjun’s words must have reached her soul, for fresh moisture began welling up within Sia’s eyes.

Rokan, who had quietly observed the pair, closed his eyes momentarily as he contemplated the situation.

“…Very well. Since your determination burns that fiercely, I shall impart the method to you shortly.”

Reaching beneath his robes, Rokan retrieved a metallic ring and extended it toward Minjun.

“This band is inscribed with Teleport magic and is tuned directly to this sanctuary’s spatial coordinates. Make your way back here three days from now. We shall delve further into the matter at that time.”

“I am grateful, Elder.”

Minjun had no idea what wisdom would be revealed in three days’ time, yet holding even a thread of hope was immensely superior to having none at all.

As Minjun slid the band onto his finger, Sia shifted her gaze between Minjun and the accessory, seemingly troubled by a lingering thought.

“Grandpa. Hand one to me as well. A ring identical to that one.”

“Providing an extra is trivial, Shasha, but you have no practical use for such a trinket, do you?”

A piece of jewelry etched with Teleport magic might represent a priceless treasure to common mortals, but in the eyes of an ancient dragon, it was hardly better than scrap.

Rokan had no hesitation in granting her an identical band, but he wished to understand her sudden desire for it.

“Must I genuinely… explain it with my own lips?”

A vivid blush abruptly washed over Sia’s cheeks.

“Th-The, well…”

She hesitated, torn over whether to voice the matter, before bowing her head in bashful defeat and mumbling in a barely audible whisper.

“…A couple ring.”

“What did you say?”

“A couple ring! A couple ring! Grandpa, have you truly never heard of matching rings for couples? We are partners, so having only Oppa wear one would look entirely unbalanced! If Oppa puts one on, I insist on having the very same band on my finger too! Understood?”

Her embarrassment finally spilled over, prompting her to speak out while hiding her thoroughly flushed face behind both palms.

Turning her back to her grandfather, she pouted as though reprimanding him for forcing her to explain something so sentimental aloud.

“I really dislike you, Grandpa. You were teasing me and knew the whole time.”

Her words carried a hint of endearing resentment.

“Truly, I was unaware. Forgive me.”

Rokan reached into his subspace, drawing out a twin ring and offering it to his granddaughter.

While he offered an apology, an amused chuckle was struggling to stay suppressed within him at this charming, unanticipated facet of his granddaughter’s nature.

Regardless, the moment the band touched Sia’s hands, she immediately pushed it onto her ring finger.

After sliding it on, she admired the ornament on her hand with profound contentment.

“Oppa. Are you not planning to wear yours as well?”

“Ah, of course.”

Things had unfolded with such speed that even after taking the gift, Minjun had failed to slide it on straight away.

He quickly pushed the ring onto his own finger.

“Promise me you will never take it off, Oppa. Understood?”

“I promise.”

“I won’t ever remove mine either. We agree?”

“Rest easy. I wouldn’t take it off even if you demanded it.”

Pleased with the reassurance she sought, Sia wrapped her arms around Minjun, though a shade of melancholy quickly swept back across her features.

“When will we be permitted to see each other next?”

“A fair concern. Judging by what your elder stated, it seems we still have a small window left to share, though the exact duration remains unclear.”

A considerable amount of time had elapsed, yet Minjun had not suffered another sudden blackout as he had earlier.

“I have applied a temporary stabilizing enchantment, so let us see… You have precisely six hours remaining.”

It was hardly an abundant span of time.

Minjun promptly activated a timer so as not to forfeit even a fleeting second of the remaining hours he had alongside Sia.

“Grandpa, once those six hours expire… does that signify we can never be near each other again until we unravel this dilemma?”

Sia looked to her grandfather, her tone tinged with sorrow.

After enduring endless struggles to reunite, nothing could have felt more crushing than being restricted to a mere six-hour window.

“It seems my wording led you toward a false impression.”

At the mention of an ‘impression,’ a glimmer of relief washed back over both of their faces.

“It is not that encounters are entirely forbidden. If my calculations prove accurate, you should still be permitted to meet for roughly three hours each week.”

“!!!”

They had feared they would be completely barred from seeing one another until the dilemma was resolved, but reality proved more forgiving.

A mere three hours across seven days was painfully sparse, yet it was vastly superior to being separated entirely.

“Grandpa, then could you…”

“I cannot.”

“You have not even heard what I intended to ask.”

“How could I fail to anticipate your thought? Why do you think I characterized my intervention as merely temporary? Even for someone of my standing, sustaining such a ward demands an immense expenditure of strength. You likely assumed I could endlessly prolong your shared moments through this means, but regrettably, that cannot be done.”

Even her grandfather, an ancient dragon and previous occupier of the Dragon Lord’s Throne who was revered as the absolute zenith of mystical arts, acknowledged that the spell demanded a tremendous toll.

Sia’s posture drooped once more as she cast her gaze downward.

This day would serve as their sole opportunity to indulge in an uninterrupted six-hour sanctuary together.

“Depending on the degree of your effort, that duration could expand. And as I noted earlier, should you prove willing to dedicate yourself to the point of risking your life, the boundaries constraining your time together may eventually dissolve altogether.”

Rokan locked eyes with Minjun, examining him closely.

A mere mortal seeking to freely wield the legacy of a dragon—a majestic race vastly transcendent over humanity—what caliber of determination would one need to chase such a near-impossible zenith?

Minjun’s gaze burned with steadfast resolve.

“I shall throw myself into it as though my very survival hinges upon it.”

“Very well. That conviction will suffice.”

Rokan nodded, visibly pleased by Minjun’s declaration.

“We shall defer the remainder of our discourse until the next meeting.”

At present, every single minute and second carried immense weight for the young couple.

Detailing the full nuances of their dilemma and the proposed path would consume several hours, so Rokan chose to halt the heavy conversation for the moment.

He wished to grant this faithful pair—who had braved separate realms and transcended a lifetime to stand beside each other—a private span of tranquility.

For the two of them, every single second was truly beyond price.

“I shall depart and leave you two in peace. Shasha, seek me out once your allotted time elapses.”

“Understood!”

Leaving those parting instructions behind, Rokan invoked Teleport and faded from view.

Only Sia and Minjun remained inside the cavernous lair.

Both of them harbored countless thoughts regarding how they would conquer this newly emerged hurdle and the shared future they still intended to build together.

Had they chosen to address every solemn and weighty concern weighing on their minds, even several full days would have proven insufficient, let alone six fleeting hours.

Yet neither held any intention of dwelling on heavy conversations right now.

“Oppa. Is there a place you would like us to visit?”

For the six hours that remained to them, they resolved to spend every moment on a date like any ordinary lovers.