Chapter 467

Chapter 467
“Take this, it is chocolate.”
“…I appreciate it.”
Hoon offered the hot beverage to Ramyu, who was restlessly shifting around on the couch, before taking a place directly across from her.
He took a slow sip of his own freshly prepared coffee, giving her a moment to collect herself.
‘The victim of these events must be experiencing the greatest shock.’
Right up until her arrival on Earth, she had been a young girl scraping by day by day alongside her sibling in a collapsing realm.
Her condition had significantly improved following medical attention from Heinrich’s holy power, yet she remained somewhat delicate compared to other youngsters her age.
‘She has barely accustomed herself to Earth, and now she is abruptly tossed into an entirely different realm…’
Furthermore, an unfamiliar entity—specifically, a hostile Black Dragon—had openly displayed aggression and released a frightening presence.
It would be completely understandable if the experience left her deeply traumatized.
It was a relief that Hwiryong had remained by her side to safeguard her; otherwise, she undoubtedly would have taken a physical and emotional toll that would be incredibly difficult to recover from.
‘…Or is that not entirely the case?’
Hoon stole a glance at her.
By all appearances, she seemed like nothing more than a vulnerable, young child.
Yet beneath that innocent exterior, this young girl was far from ordinary.
‘The ultimate protector prepared by the chief deity of a dying universe.’
Even though that universe collapsed before her destiny could fully manifest, rendering the efforts seemingly futile, the cosmic karma granted to her did not simply disappear.
Had there been just a bit more time, she bound to serve as the cornerstone for rescuing her world in some capacity.
‘Resembling a youngster destined to become a savior.’
He could not fathom how the capacity to freely cross dimensions connected to the salvation of a world.
Nevertheless, a chief deity possessing nearly limitless insight must have harbored a specific purpose.
It was highly probable that, with her initial objective lost, the developmental trajectory of her latent talent had shifted slightly.
“Ouch, that’s hot!”
…Though at this very moment, she appeared to be just a typical child.
Hoon let out a gentle sigh as he observed Ramyu poking out her tongue with a grimace of pain.
Adopting a serious demeanor, he focused his attention on her to address the core issue.
“Ramyu, there is an important matter we must discuss first.”
“What is it?”
“I intended to wait a while longer before bringing this up… however.”
The circumstances had shifted.
The dark premonitions he had perceived, the visions, and Ramyu’s sudden manifestation of her talent left no room for hesitation.
Given this unpredictable future, he could no longer afford to gently shield a critical asset who might serve as a pivotal power, simply for the sake of her comfort.
“This concerns the realm you used to call home… the ruin of the Kosias Dimension.”
It was simultaneously the narrative of how her mother, father, and brother perished.
Every single one of those catastrophes originated from a solitary source.
“The reason behind the downfall of that realm. And the adversary I have been battling this entire time.”
Hearing this, Ramyu’s features grew rigid.
Her knuckles turned white as her grip tightened on the cup.
Though he felt deep sympathy for her, Hoon pressed on without pausing.
She possessed both the right and the obligation to know.
“I intend to disclose everything to you.”
With the sole exception of his personal mysteries.
The lengthy explanation commenced.
Ramyu paid close attention, occasionally interjecting with inquiries.
Even though the subject matter was deeply painful for her, she managed to keep her composure throughout the conversation.
This was likely due to Hwiryong, who showed up midway through and settled down on her lap.
Her hands continuously stroked its smooth skin, her concentration never wavering for an instant.
“…Consequently, I require your assistance. We have managed to hold our ground up to this point by launching counterattacks whenever our adversaries blunder, but I cannot say how long such a strategy will remain viable.”
Concluding his explanation, Hoon exhaled softly and finished the remainder of his cooled coffee in a single gulp.
The Pantheon Society, which had been hiding in the global underworld for decades, had already seized control of multiple countries.
Even though he had demolished numerous outposts and moved forward successfully, their collective might remained incomprehensibly vast.
‘Had I not concealed my true persona flawlessly, engaging in this conflict would have been an impossibility from the very beginning.’
The sole reason the enemy had remained entirely on the defensive was their inability to identify the avatars… his actual persona.
Restrained by specific limitations that barred them from operating openly, assassinating targets without leaving a trace was their most effective approach—and yet they were unable to pinpoint the exact individual. It must be incredibly exasperating for them.
Deceptions had their boundaries, and since he had systematically demolished several of their operations, they were undoubtedly burning with fury.
‘Should their commander, the Pantheon Lord, choose to intervene directly…’
He had to strike a decisive blow before such an event occurred.
The primary objective was to break apart the Pantheon Society, which formed their very bedrock.
To wage war against an enemy so deeply embedded, he needed to gather as many skilled allies as possible to collaborate with him.
As Hoon fell into silent contemplation following his summary.
“…In truth.”
A soft murmur drifted from Ramyu, who pulled Hwiryong closer to her chest and lowered her gaze.
“When I understood earlier that my newly awakened talent could reach people I want to see.”
Caressing the head of the juvenile imperial dragon that was drifting off to sleep as if completely detached from the somber conversation, a gentle smile graced her lips.
“…That matter.”
Hoon cut his own response short.
Her demeanor revealed precisely how that endeavor had turned out.
“However, it was unsuccessful…”
Just as he suspected, she verified his thoughts with a forced, bittersweet smile.
It made perfect sense.
While her talent permitted her to bypass physical boundaries to transition between realms, it was completely incapable of reaching into the realm of the deceased.
‘Furthermore, considering the current condition of the Kosias Dimension…
It was highly improbable that whatever mechanism governed the afterlife there remained functional.
In all likelihood, it had quietly dissolved alongside the destruction of that universe.
Ramyu squeezed Hwiryong a bit tighter.
-“Regardless of what anyone claims, you will always be my sister.”
She still failed to comprehend the true significance behind those words.
Nonetheless, she could feel the profound warmth and love radiating from them deep within her soul.
[Kkyuing.]
Shifting uncomfortably within her embrace, its smooth body twitched a few times like a creature dreaming—yet she maintained her hold, unwilling to part with that comfort.
The minor struggle ceased only when Hwiryong relented, completely relaxing its form and surrendering to her grip.
Upon discovering an ideal resting spot, the juvenile imperial dragon began to emit soft, rhythmic snores.
Observing the creature in silence, Ramyu smiled gently before turning her gaze back to Hoon with a look of fierce determination.
Splatter.
A solitary tear cascaded downward.
Yet she chose to hide her distress, and he deliberately chose not to draw attention to it.
They merely communicated the necessary points.
“Therefore, what is required of me?”
“For starters, your talent is undeniably magnificent, but its absolute capabilities have not fully manifested. For the time being, let us determine the precise boundaries of what you can accomplish.”
Every talent advanced through consistent practice.
Rather than concentrating solely on what was already established, they had to explore a multitude of possibilities.
“In that case, to begin with…”
His words drifted off as a smile formed on his face.
“To optimize our schedule, what do you say to leaping into an alternate realm?”
The progression of time between Earth and the supernatural realm stood at a ratio of roughly 10:1.
Whether for practice or development, the alternate realm offered a far higher level of productivity.
‘I had been debating the best method to bring her along, and this scenario provides the perfect opportunity.’
Furthermore, their target location was already settled.
“…Understood. So those individuals possess ties to the realm of Horus?”
“Hehe.”
Horus offered a playful, self-conscious grin while showing his tongue.
The Azure Dragon, observing his behavior with an expression of irritation, shifted her gaze backward.
“Mmph! Mmmph-! Mrrrgh!”
“Be quiet and remain still, Black Dragon. We are in the middle of a discussion.”
“Mmmph!”
“Yes, yes. I comprehend your grievances, so lower your voice. Unless you wish to receive another blow?”
The Black Dragon was entirely restrained—not merely bound in place but with her speech entirely blocked—while the Crimson Dragon held onto her, delivering a menacing look as a warning.
Meanwhile, the White Dragon paid absolutely no attention to their antics, focusing her gaze entirely on Hwiryong and the visitors.
The explanation for this chaotic scene was straightforward.
The mortal female who had previously thrown the Dragon Shrine into utter chaos before vanishing into thin air had made her return.
This time she was accompanied by an additional male, bringing their group to three.
“…Permitting their residence on Golden Turtle Island does not pose a major dilemma. Given the recent welcoming posture displayed toward mortals, numerous individuals already arrive and depart. However, granting them unrestricted access to the Dragon Shrine moving forward… that crosses a line.”
The Azure Dragon let out a brief sigh as she rested a hand against her chest.
Especially considering they originated from an entirely different realm.
“Is it truly that problematic? Hwiryong is incredibly fond of them, so my only desire was to allow them to spend time together.”
Horus offered an uneasy grin.
A precedent had already been established, and they were not requesting a permanent residency—merely the ability to drop by when circumstances permitted. Should that not be acceptable?
Evidently, from the perspective of the hosts, it was not.
‘This situation will make it challenging for Ramyu and Hwiryong to interact. That presents a true obstacle.’
This was vital for more than just her emotional well-being.
The proximity of Hwiryong offered substantial assistance to the advancement of her talent.
‘After all, her initial breakthrough was brought about by her intense yearning to see Hwiryong.’
As an imperial dragon renowned for bringing incredible fortune, simply being near the creature provided a benefit akin to receiving divine favor.
Taking those elements into account, he had selected the Kanghwan Realm as their primary destination…
‘Yet I cannot simply transport the cherished Hwiryong away from this place either. What is the path forward?’
However, Horus’s uncertainty did not persist for long.
As if sensing his distress, the creature under discussion provided an immediate resolution.
[Kyuing?]
Horus locked eyes with Hwiryong, who was peering back at him with wide, inquisitive eyes.
The Azure Dragon mirrored his astonished reaction.
‘There was absolutely no trace of its aura until it materialized. Exactly when did it arrive?’
Both of them snapped their heads toward the spot where Hwiryong had been resting just moments prior.
“What could this be…?”
Incredible as it was, the creature remained there.
An identical juvenile imperial dragon lay curled up, sound asleep.
It was a phenomenon they were beginning to recognize.
‘Is it deploying a manifestation in this location?’
He was under the impression that such a power could only be utilized to dispatch an entity to Earth.
It appeared Hwiryong had been working diligently on its development.
‘…The creature has progressed.’
Regardless of the mechanics, their dilemma was resolved.
Just as it operated on Earth: the true form remains stationary while the manifestation ventures abroad.
“My goodness, Hwiryong is an absolute prodigy! Mastering advanced magic without receiving a single lesson!”
“Oh? Magnificent. It is high time to introduce actual martial arts instruction.”
“Mmph-! Paha! Release me this instant, Crimson Dragon! I promise to cooperate!”
“A highly encouraging path lies ahead. Extremely intelligent—perhaps we should initiate structured schooling immediately? An early start could yield great results…”
The remaining dragons continued to fuss over the newly displayed talent, but such behavior was commonplace and of little consequence.
On account of this development, Ramyu adjusted rapidly to the environment of the Kanghwan Realm… or more precisely, Golden Turtle Island.
With Hwiryong keeping her company nearly constantly, the girl who used to spend her days isolated on Earth gazing blankly at the heavens was now dynamically traversing her surroundings, immersing herself in this unfamiliar realm.
Refining her newly manifested talent and maturing emotionally through her various encounters made for a highly productive and rewarding period.
The benefit of having more than ten times the standard progression of time allowed her to evolve at an astonishing pace.
‘She appears quite adept at managing her talent at this stage.’
Hoon, acting as her exclusive guardian who had journeyed to the Kanghwan Realm to oversee her welfare, thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
‘Is it time to deploy that particular asset?’
Though the plan had been delayed slightly by the awakening of her unique authority, this had been his intended strategy from the very beginning.
He had intentionally bided his time to prevent himself from dividing his focus poorly between two separate tasks; there existed an infallible advancement strategy available.
‘To implement it, must we return to Earth first? I am curious to see the impact it will have on Ramyu.’
Hoon’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Karma Shop Ver.3 has unlocked, introducing the ‘VIP Market’.
A specific object has been identified as a new addition to the VIP Market, remaining unpurchased until now: 『Invitation (1,000,000)』
An extraordinary commodity designed to trigger a forced awakening within individuals who do not possess powers.
The moment to utilize it had finally arrived.