Turning-Chapter 838

“It was thanks to you that I realized my power could be applied even to things I couldn’t see. If not for that, I’d probably still be using it only on things I could touch or perceive.”

Yuder remembered clearly the first time Kishiar had applied his power to something invisible. It was during the experiment where Yuder had embedded a part of his Awakener ability inside Kishiar’s body.

“How is that thanks to me? You were the one who made the attempt and succeeded.”

“That’s not true. Do you know what I found to be the most important thing as I developed this power?”

“...No, I don’t.”

“Whether the target is visible or tangible... that didn’t really matter. What did matter was whether I believed I could do it or not. That, in fact, was the hardest part for me.”

Believing in oneself—truly and completely—was never easy. Especially for someone who had grown up being taught to constantly question his own strength, body, and path.

Yuder recalled how many times Kishiar had said something like that.

"—What I needed then was to remember that there was someone who believed in me more clearly than I could believe in myself. So yes, it’s all thanks to you.”

Yuder said nothing. From experience, he knew that anything he said now would just prompt Kishiar to double down and praise him even more.

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‘Still... it really is remarkable. Back then, he could barely pull in the smallest flow of intangible power.’

When they healed Emperor Keillusa, Yuder had sensed that Kishiar’s power had made a huge leap forward. But even so, not to this extent. If his ability was now so refined that he could block Naham’s illusions completely, then where could Kishiar possibly go from here?

It was possible that a whole new method of countering mental-type powers could emerge—one that only Kishiar could wield. And if he could influence other intangible things beyond that...

‘He might go even further than the Kishiar from my past life...’

As Yuder followed this train of thought, a familiar voice suddenly surfaced in his memory, freezing him in place.

‘...It’ll be over soon. I’ll push it all away until every connection is forcibly severed... and then...’

...Had Kishiar in his past life truly never used his power on something without form?

At least, in the memories Yuder clearly retained, he believed so. But now, he remembered—during that dream in the West, Kishiar had muttered something like that in the final moments.

‘Yes... I remember it now.’

Why had he half-forgotten it again? He’d had similar experiences before, but this time it felt like he couldn’t breathe. Maybe because now he could finally understand the meaning behind those words.

To push it all away, until every connection was forcibly severed.

Push it away.

If that pushing meant using his power, then the “connection” he severed must have been something like ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) that golden thread between them.

Even the strongest string will eventually snap if both ends are pulled to their limit.

But then, what happens after that?

Did Kishiar really use his power back then?

Was the connection—the thread—severed?

What happened? What happened next?...

From deep inside his chest, an empty void threatened to open its mouth and swallow him whole.

“...Yuder?”

Yuder flinched at the hand resting on his shoulder and lifted his head.

“You suddenly stopped walking and didn’t say anything. I thought you might have been caught in another illusion. Are you alright?”

“Ah...”

Only then did Yuder realize he had stopped walking. His blurred focus finally began to clear.

“I’m fine. Where were we?”

“I was just saying that we nearly caught Naham—when Hosanra appeared.”

Only with the mention of Hosanra’s name did his dazed thoughts start to return.

“Ah... Yes, I saw Hosanra arrive as well.”

“...I see.”

The man watching him resumed his explanation little by little. But despite the importance of what he was saying, Yuder couldn’t shake the thought still lingering in his mind like a cold shiver. Even knowing it would only hinder the tasks ahead, the voice from that shadowy memory...

“...”

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Yuder suddenly lifted his head again. He had expected Kishiar to still be speaking, but instead, he found the man silently watching him.

Those calm crimson eyes, submerged in the quiet, blinked once, then returned to him.

“There’s clearly something keeping you from focusing. Is it something you can’t tell me right now?”

Yuder hesitated, then opened his mouth.

“You might think it’s a ridiculous question... but may I ask something?”

“I wouldn’t call any question from you ridiculous. What is it?”

“Your power... Do you think it could be applied to the... the threadlike thing between us? That intangible connection, whatever it is.”

From Kishiar’s perspective, it must have been a sudden, strange question. Yet he didn’t ask why Yuder was suddenly bringing it up. Tilting his head thoughtfully, he pondered for a moment before responding from a completely different angle.

“Well... I’m not sure. Is it something that needs to be tested right now? If so, I’ll try immediately.”

“No. That’s not it.”

Yuder quickly shook his head. Just hearing the words “try it now” sent a cold chill through his chest.

“I was just curious. You were able to block Naham’s power, after all. I only need an answer.”

Kishiar, arms folded, let a faint smirk rise to his lips before making a soft sound of contemplation.

“I was able to resist Naham’s power because I had been affected by it once before, and I spent a long time coming up with countermeasures and training. But as for this... I’m not sure. Since I can sometimes see the thread in a tangible form, it might not be entirely impossible if I tried...”

“...”

“But let’s say this—there’s no guarantee it would succeed if I were to try right now.”

Of course.

If the current Kishiar believed it wasn’t impossible, then his past life’s Kishiar might have reached that point as well. What happened after trying it, Yuder didn’t know. But just having an answer now made his mind settle a little. He exhaled deeply and nodded.

“I see. That’s enough.”

“Are you satisfied?”

“For now... I think so.”

“Good, then.”

Despite Yuder’s uncharacteristically vague answer, Kishiar smoothly moved on with a warm tone.

“Then let’s pick up from where we left off—with Hosanra’s arrival. Alright?”

Kishiar’s usual gift for redirecting the conversation always brought comfort exactly when it was needed. Even now, surrounded by darkness, it was no different.

Yuder nodded, quietly accepting the man’s silent consideration.

“Yes.”

“None of us expected Hosanra to show up there. I didn’t either. He showed up just as we were about to catch Naham, and in the moment’s delay, they almost escaped.”

If Hosanra had been in full condition, they might have succeeded.

But Hosanra was in no better state than Naham, who had coughed up blood until it soaked his chest.

Though Hosanra did manage to grab Naham and use his ability before anyone could react, the place they reappeared was only a few trees’ distance away from where they had been.

‘There they are!’

Gakein shouted sharply. At the same time, Hosanra activated his power again—but even then, they only flickered into view a short distance away.

The Awakeners loyal to Naham rushed after them. Kishiar, Gakein, and Kurga gave chase as well.

The sleet thickened and the sky darkened. Even knowing Hosanra couldn’t use his ability properly, it wasn’t easy to pinpoint them.

Still, Kishiar sharpened his heightened Swordmaster senses, focusing on sound. Behind the darkened temple, near the edge of the forest, he caught a faint voice.

‘...Young master. Please come to your senses. It’s me. I came...’

‘......’