Chapter 35 : Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Tello Intelligence Agency (3)

Compared to before I left for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, the village had changed significantly.

Not only had the appearance transformed with repairs to worn-out places through construction here and there, but the overall atmosphere of the village felt noticeably brighter.

Thanks to everyone praising me as the hero of the autonomous region, I spent a hectic time touring nearly the entire village before I could finally return to the house where I lived.

“You’re back?”

“Yes, Father.”

In the cramped living room, I faced Gerd for the first time in a while.

This was the space where I had grown up for 15 years.

The household items had barely increased over time.

They had merely grown old.

My relationship with Gerd wasn’t much different from this aging house.

The distant father and son neither grew closer nor drifted further apart, simply passing time.

But today, something felt different.

Gerd was staring intently at my face with slightly reddened eyes.

“You’ve got a lot more scars. You must have been through a lot.”

“N-No, it was fun.”

Even as I said I was fine, Gerd touched various parts of my body, applying ointment even to the small scars I hadn’t even noticed.

‘A father is a father, after all…’

To be honest, I had rarely thought of Gerd as my father.

It made sense, since I had parents on Earth.

They weren’t particularly harmonious, but I knew they had done their best for me, so I held some affection for them.

Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t easily give my heart to this new father.

At least, not until I learned he had joined the dangerous beast hunt for my sake.

The air in the living room felt awkward.

Gerd’s touch felt unfamiliar.

I spoke to him, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Would you like to hear about what happened during the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?”

“Hm… No, hearing about your hardships would only make my heart ache.”

Gerd’s eyes grew misty.

Had he been crying in the square earlier?

Was he always this emotional?

If not about the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, what should we talk about?

As I struggled with the stalled conversation, Gerd broke the silence.

“Forget about what’s happened so far. I’m curious about how you’ll live from now on.”

It seemed Gerd was worried about what kind of future his son, suddenly burdened with great responsibility, would face.

I recalled the excited faces of the villagers, thrilled about the appearance of a hero in the village.

Perhaps I had made a decision that would betray their expectations.

“Father, I… I joined Tello. The Intelligence Agency.”

The people of the 18th Autonomous Region, slow to receive news, didn’t know I had joined Tello.

They didn’t ask me directly, perhaps out of consideration, but they likely assumed I had joined the White Dragon Knights.

But I told Gerd the truth.

He deserved to know.

“The Intelligence Agency?”

Gerd’s eyes widened in surprise.

It must have felt like a bolt from the blue.

Most winners of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony joined the White Dragon Knights.

The White Dragon Knights offered a decent salary and were considered an honor for the Adjak family.

Despite being able to join them, I chose Tello.

Gerd might feel as though I’d betrayed him.

Milias had said even the Council of Elders was very interested in Tello, but most people probably didn’t even know what kind of organization it was.

Yet Gerd showed no particular reaction to my words.

“Well done. You’ve worked hard.”

Gerd patted my shoulder.

‘He’s calmer than I expected.’

Surprised by his unexpected reaction, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Father… Aren’t you disappointed that I didn’t join the White Dragon Knights?”

“Not at all. You must have thought it through before deciding. Why would I be disappointed?”

Gerd still held my hand tightly, not letting go. His hand felt oddly warm.

I explained to him about the Intelligence Agency, the tasks I’d been assigned, and my mentor, Nofen.

He listened attentively, sometimes laughing, sometimes worrying, for quite a while.

“I understand you’ve joined the Intelligence Agency. You’ll have to carry out various missions there. But what do you truly want to do?”

“I…”

I want to slay the Demon King and return to Earth.

‘Saying that would be too much.’

“I want to live like Lord Adjak. Become strong, gather comrades… and ultimately go on an expedition to Myeolji.”

Gerd looked briefly surprised, as if my plan was bolder than he expected.

But he quickly composed himself and muttered softly to himself.

“Well, as long as you have a clear goal, that’s enough.”

With those quiet words, Gerd fully expressed his support for my decision.

“Thank you, Father.”

“Hm? For what?”

“Haha, just… everything.”

Gerd looked at me, puzzled, but I genuinely felt grateful to him.

Thud—!

On my way back to my hometown, I had briefly stopped by the 9th Autonomous Region.

I placed the leather pouch Ims had given me on the table.

It was bulky and heavy, a nuisance to carry the whole way.

Out of the 110,000 pel, I handed over 80,000 pel and kept 30,000 pel aside.

“What’s all this? Money?”

“Yes, it’s money. Use it, Father. Share some with the villagers too.”

“No, no! You’ll need money for yourself in the future. Keep it.”

“I have plenty of money now and I’ll have more in the future.”

“…”

“Someone told me the more money, the better. Please use this well, Father.”

To stop Gerd from refusing further, I pushed the pouch toward him.

“Is there anything else you need? Should I go take down a Shaber habitat? I’m strong now, you know.”

“That’s already been handled by Lord Tayon…”

“Hahaha. Then lie down for now. I’ll give you a massage.”

“Alright, shall I get a massage from my son after so long?”

“Have I ever given you a massage?”

Ugh, Gerd lay down awkwardly without answering.

A single massage wouldn’t make our distant father-son relationship close.

But as I kneaded Gerd’s thin frame, I believed our relationship could gradually improve.

* * *

With the villagers of the 18th Autonomous Region seeing me off, I headed toward the village entrance.

“You’ll come back, right?”

“Yes, and I’ll stay longer next time. For sure.”

“Good! You’re the hero of our autonomous region!”

Sniff. “We’ll have a proper welcome ready for you next time! Pretend you didn’t see this one!”

“Take care of yourself!”

Though the 18th Autonomous Region was my hometown, I hadn’t been treated as lavishly as in the other regions I passed through on my way from Gullok.

But knowing these people were truly on my side warmed my heart.

“I’ll be back.”

After waving to the villagers, I vigorously activated my Dragon Heart.

Blue, tangible Mana enveloped my body from my heart.

Whoosh—!

I kicked off the ground with force.

Once I gained enough speed, I spread my wings.

I had already decided what to do after leaving Gullok.

Thanks to Nofen’s consideration, I had spent meaningful time here.

Now, it was time to carry out my mission.

From the 3rd to the 18th Autonomous Region.

I retraced the path I had walked with Tayon to guide the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

No new beasts appeared along the way.

From now on, I would have to search unfamiliar paths, tracking the traces of beasts.

Normally, I might have aimlessly roamed the continent, but I had information from Milias.

In Habisa, high in the sky, flying-type beasts had set up their territory.

The village chief had also cautiously mentioned it last night.

- Polarin, are you by any chance going to the 19th Autonomous Region?

- Yes, I was planning to head there tomorrow. Is there something you need me to do?

- Gasp, can’t you reconsider? It’s not a request, but I was hoping you wouldn’t go that way.

- Is it because of the flying-type beasts that appeared in Habisa?

- …You already knew. Yes, please keep it a secret from the villagers for now. It could cause panic. The Lower Autonomous Regions’ Coalition says they’ll investigate within a month.

- Waiting a month could lead to trouble. I’ll check it out first.

- Goodness. Flying-type beasts in Habisa, of all places… Be careful! You’re now Gullok’s hope!

Even the village chief couldn’t sway my stubbornness.

It was not just a mission but also necessary for the safety of the 19th Autonomous Region’s residents and those of Gullok.

Carrying the worries and expectations of many, I left Gullok.

I didn’t know when I’d return to this small village.

But I vowed to be a much better person by then.

As I ran, I glanced back. Gullok, filled with both bitter and sweet memories, looked as small as a dot.

* * *

In the game, I had passed through this path countless times.

I knew quite a bit about the terrain and surroundings.

But the ground I was stepping on now was new to my feet—the 19th Autonomous Region, Habisa.

Even so, I felt no hesitation.

Like the Gullok Mountains, Habisa had a spiritual vein with a dense Mana concentration.

Tracking beasts was similar to searching for the High Dragon’s Nest.

Beasts, too, were drawn to dense Mana.

I spared no Mana and kicked off the ground with all my strength.

The scenery sped by.

The appearance of flying-type beasts near Habisa was unprecedented.

There was a high chance it was connected to the Demon Clan.

If so, tracking the flying-type beasts might reveal the Demon Clan’s schemes.

According to Nofen, there were quite a few members of the Demon Clan on the continent.

Since the Dome was created, the Demon Clan couldn’t enter it either and lived scattered across the continent.

I didn’t know why the Demon Clan remaining on the continent didn’t confront the Adjak Expedition and stayed outside the Dome.

Perhaps they had their own missions, or maybe they fled to avoid the Adjak Expedition.

I planned to find clues to the Demon Clan’s goals while dealing with the flying-type beasts.

A mountain filled with different tree species than those in Gullok.

The coniferous forest, Habisa’s most distinctive feature, came into view.

I ran toward the area where the Mana felt denser.

That’s where the beasts I was searching for would be.

Sure enough, I soon sensed the presence of beasts.

Looking up toward the direction of the demonic energy, I saw beasts flapping their wings in the sky.

Despite the distance, I could feel strong demonic energy emanating from them.

‘This won’t be easy.’

I spread [Wings of Ainsitel] and flapped my wings.

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