Ferris slowed down to a walk, stopping right in front of the museum.

Well, at least where the museum should've been.

In place of the historical architecture, which stood the test of time and villains, there was now a gaping valley that stretched out to even the hills that surrounded the museum.

Other than the pillar of dust and debris floating to the sky, there was nothing else important to see when Ferris looked over the cliff, only the bedrock and some remnants of the broken museum.

I came here as fast as I could. Guess I missed the show.

A cave-in maybe?

Maybe it was exactly that. He didn't think much further than it. However, there was something he was most definitely thinking about.

Licking his lips, Ferris once again took another peek toward the valley's floor.

The underground storage for artifacts was definitely destroyed alongside the museum.

Which means.

Ferris was now free from the guilt of having destroyed the countless precious artifacts during his duel with Artemis.

I'm so glad.

Shaking off his last bit of worry, the next course of action was to simply continue waiting.

For something...

. . .

Now what?

While observing the pillar of dust silently, he saw a faint red glow hidden underneath all the smoke.

Obviously, it was the dragon egg; he didn't even need to think that hard to arrive at that conclusion.

But the answer to why it was rising from under the valley and into the sky was unknown.

Ferris could only gawk as it rose further and further, but it eventually stopped, just close enough for it to touch the crimson barrier.

I can't reach that high, Ferris exclaimed inwardly. He couldn't destroy the egg as easily as he'd thought.

Of course, staring at it would achieve absolutely nothing. But what could he do?

He could throw something, yes, but what comes up must come down, and besides, a 9th-layer knight could only throw so hard.

While trying to come up with different ways to reach that egg, a large essence wave hit him once more.

Turning his attention away, he saw a fog-like filament between the egg and the barrier, its reason for appearing unknown, though it was obvious that it was to maintain a strange connection.

Whatever it was, the egg was somehow interfacing with the crimson barrier, causing the surrounding crimson clouds to glow a much more vibrant red.

Not to mention, it was spreading at a steady pace.

I'm pretty sure dragon eggs don't do that kind of thing... Ferris gaped his mouth, thinking of any reason why it was doing that but failing in the process.

If only I could tell what the actual time is... Surely, Prodigy Prince will be punctual?

Whatever he'll send in, it better do some miracles, Ferris thought, placing his hope on the mystery.

What will it be?

The suspense was great enough to affect Ferris mentally.

Is this what it feels like to receive a birthday gift? Ferris crossed his arms as he looked over his memories.

His childhood background didn't allow his impoverished family to throw celebrations for him, and even as he moved up the knightly order, his comrades only threw massive drinking gatherings under the guise of:

'This is Felix's birthday!'

I never attended them though. Was that a mistake on my part?

Was that why nobody gifted me anything?

I never gifted anyone though... even some of my close friends.

Am I a horrible person?

. . .

Noticing that his mind had drifted off course, Ferris returned himself to the present.

But regardless of how pointless his thoughts were, he wouldn't dismiss them so easily.

I'll destroy the egg.

And give the people the gift of victory, no matter the obstacle.

When he thought of that however, Something gnawed on Ferris at that moment. Since coming here, he hadn't shouldered anyone but himself and a few people.

But now, it really felt like it was all up to him to save the day, though such burdens were expected to weigh down on him.

However, as a knight of prophecy, this burden he was experiencing was a far cry from his past shackles.

What a load of nonsense, Ferris shook his head. Gifts are meant to be given to important companions.

Not strangers.

So after this, I'll definitely get my appropriate compensation.

The gift of victory was a great gift indeed, but now, Ferris was thinking along the lines of an equal exchange.

Rank, prestige? He wouldn't mind those; in fact, he'd love them.

This way, he wouldn't be breaking his creed.

Ferris wouldn't be considered a greedy rat if he was risking his life for a couple of bucks and a title.

If Yaromech was there, he'd definitely give Ferris the stamp of approval.

Ferris closed his eyes in deep thought.

I wish all of you were with me right now...

Tell me, are you all here in this world too?

Are you safe like I am?

Do you still remember me, in this new life?

Ferris shot questions in blind hope, but nobody answered him... except this.

"!!!"

Suddenly, his body felt a rainstorm of red-hot needles piercing his skin, which almost caused him to jerk, but due to it lasting so briefly, it quickly felt like a simple droplet of cold water had just landed on his forehead.

That was definitely an essence wave, but it came from behind?

I can't...

F

For some reason, Ferris couldn't move. It felt like a paralyzing essence gaze, but instead of forcing resonance with his essence, it was something entirely different.

It was a rougher version of an essence gaze—less refined, but far more powerful.

In simple terms, it was like being knocked out by a heavy uppercut.

Except this time, it wasn't his body that went down, it was his very essence, completely stunned by the wave that hit him.

Luckily, the effect didn't last long. Ferris soon regained control of his body with no lasting damage.

Still, like someone waking from a knockout, his body felt disoriented, unsure of what had just happened, even though he'd been conscious the entire time.

Taking a deep breath, Ferris put on his most convincing poker face yet. Even though there was a monster behind him, with a presence strong enough to even snuff out the dragon egg's own essence wave.

He turned around and saw his next obstacle to overcome. To his surprise...

Ferris saw Artemis pushing a certain figure on a wheelchair.

That old man I saw... He's with Artemis? Ferris thought, remembering the elder swordsman bound to a chair.

But there was a detail he didn't remember.

Was he always this strong?

According to Ferris's senses, that old man felt at least three times as powerful as he had when he first saw him.

Although, he did see him from far away, and with an unmaximized 9th layer, that would explain the inaccurate measurements.

But that still wasn't enough to explain such a difference in power. Or perhaps... there was another reason why this old man appeared stronger than he first saw him.

The old swordsman definitely had a relationship with Artemis, and considering that Ferris did quite a beating on her...

I pissed this guy off, didn't I... Ferris worried.

"That's him, Dad!" Artemis pointed out.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes!"

. . .

"Are you sure?"

I can hear both of you, you know... He lampooned.

The old man looked genuinely surprised at the sight of Ferris, but not in the kind of way that represented awe in power.

He sighed and slumped down with a dark expression. "Dear... the mall visit can wait. I'll have to double your training if you lost to this troglodyte."

Troglodyte?

Ferris sighed inwardly, still trying to act unfazed in front of this demon of a villain.

Looks like he's the parent? he thought, assuming Artemis to be adopted due to their difference in looks. But knowing the nature of blessings, the blood relation was still up in the air.

Should I tell that man that his daughter still lost when she had a teammate?

But I got a feeling he'll murder me if I insult her like that.

Ferris swallowed his dry throat. It's about time now... Hurry up, Prodigy Prince...

Each second that passed was a blessing for Ferris as he watched the parent and child bicker back and forth.

But in the end, Artemis resorted to her final technique to get her way.

By throwing a tantrum.

"Waaaaah! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

Oh my god... Ferris breathed out a sense of relief, for Artemis was now his saving grace.

I'm sure that swordsman is a responsible parent, Ferris thought.

Knowing that Artemis was stubborn, it was likely that the two would just go back and forth with each other—

"Dear, I'm so sorry!" the old man shouted in grief.

Goddammit...

In a 180 switch, their once murderous expressions turned mellow along with their essence.

But to Ferris's relief, the two consoled each other for much longer than anticipated.

Waiting for the father and daughter to make up, Ferris patiently tapped his feet in anticipation of what was coming next.

After what felt like a short span of time, the old man turned his attention back to the main character of interest.

"I may have forgiven Artemis, but I will not forgive you.

She told me that you chopped her limbs off, no? Then I don't see why I shouldn't do the same thing to you."

As a matter of fact, I spared her! "Try, good sir," Ferris replied back in a snarky way—

Slice.

Before he knew it, a large cleave upon the earth appeared to his left side.

Although he couldn't see it, Ferris felt the cut from that man's sword travel farther beyond, hearing the destruction it left behind echo over the great canyon.

Whatever was behind Ferris was definitely now gone.

Even still, he didn't budge. He spared me, he actually spared me?

After the display of power, the old man rested his blade but did not sheath it.

Ferris stood still and thought about what to do next...

Screw it. "That was a great effort, unfortunate that you missed."

The man froze, even his daughter who had the face of, is this guy for real?

Whatever the reaction was, the old man sighed and asked a question.

"Young man, have you heard of the great, heaven-defying demon?"

I have no clue, sir. "No."

The man held his breath. "So you don't know? How about the name that mortal men know—

Tianqin the Impaler."

Ferris momentarily paused at the strange question.

The demon, or that Impaler, must be the same figure, but he didn't recognize those titles, even in this life and his past life.

But I assume he's... referring to himself here.

Clearly, this old man thought highly of himself.

"Strange feeling," the man muttered. "It's pleasant not being looked upon as a figure of worship.

"My travel here has really been worth it after all."

Travel.

Wherever he came from, he could move between there and here.

That meant Ferris could assume the old man was not a transmigrator—from his world or perhaps another record entirely.

Suddenly, the old man's expression brightened. "However! Being worshiped as a god is also a pleasant feeling."

He pointed his sword at Ferris.

Even without intending to attack, the fact that the blade was aimed straight at Ferris's head was nerve-wracking.

"Give me your name," Tianqin ordered.

"...Ferris."

"The foolish Ferris, have you heard the pirate's saying?

Dead men tell no tales.

But I don't want you dead—not yet—

so you can tell my tale, that the heaven-defying demon is the strongest swordsman, and that all malls should allow me and my daughter to enter whenever and wherever we want," Tianqin said as he rummaged through his garments.

While he did, Artemis leaned closer and whispered something into his ear.

. . .

The swordsman gasped. "And allow us to shop without spending anything!"

How am I supposed to do that?! Ferris tried his best not to lampoon so quickly.

I don't care where they come from, but they really don't understand the societal customs here!

Toss.

Without warning, Tianqin threw his phone toward Ferris.

"Use the internet, or whatever your people call it."

...Ferris stared blankly at the black screen, puzzled by what was even happening at that point.

It took him a while to eventually understand what was happening.

Ferris breathed out a sigh that removed his worries away as he switched to a sweeter smile.

Turning on the man's phone brought him even greater joy.

11:59.

"I'll do exactly as you say," Ferris said with a sweetened tone.

They probably don't know how the internet even works. It feels like I'm a swindler, swindling fools.

There's not even a password, and special apps.

They're all the default ones that come with buying a new phone.

"?" Ferris stopped his fingers from swiping across the screen.

His gaze caught an out-of-place icon with a broken sword that resembled the villain clan's insignia.

Quickly, he hovered his thumb directly on top of that icon.

Wait... Ferris hesitated and moved his thumb away.

The villain clan must've given this phone to this Tianqin, and who knows what they might've done to it.

Perhaps it was wiretapped, or the phone's front camera was secretly active.

It was best not to get the villain clan's greater attention just yet, no matter how minor his actions were.

After that deliberation, Ferris opened the most popular social application that was installed on most devices.

No account. Looks like I have to make one using this phone's number.

With blazing accuracy, Ferris quickly made an account with the name downbaddemon101.

A relatively simple name to remember, so he'd have Prodigy Prince track this specific account if possible.

Since there's no internet, the account doesn't exist yet unless this phone connects to one.

For now, Ferris could only make a draft set to be published at a certain date.

Next week will do.

"What's with the long wait?"

"Almost done, sir, but I'm not sure what to say to the internet. I'm having some trouble forming words that suit your stature," Ferris almost had a voice crack as he said that.

This was one of the rare times he had to sugarcoat his words to this degree—it was unbearable.

The knight's creed ×2:

A knight should be steadfast.

A knight should not be a bootlicker.

Tianqin thought for a moment and spoke with reverence toward himself.

With a bit of reluctance, Ferris typed away the man's words into a draft post. However, he got tired of it quickly and only pretended to type after a hundred or so words.

Despite such sugar on Tianqin's tongue, he did not divulge too many personal details about himself and only said things that could be assumed as is or simply self-glorifying.

Blah blah blah... Ferris moved his thumbs in a circular motion.

"That'll be all. I believe my poetic performance rivals that of a royal palace," the swordsman ended.

All you did was list ridiculous battles and achievements... Ferris thought in suspicion.

But this was a unique person Ferris was facing.

There was a possibility that what Tianqin said was indeed true.

It was also obvious that Tianqin wasn't in as serious a state as compared to a minute ago, but even still, he was emitting essence that rivaled that of a 4th-layer knight.

Who knows how deeper this man could go—or wish to go.

Ferris nodded and smiled. "It should post itself to the internet the moment you get a connection," he said before gracefully tossing the phone back.

"Good job, troglodyte. Your reward is...

Living for a few more seconds, which you already exhausted by doing my bidding."

Gee... what a surprise. Ferris lampooned, for the man in front of him had quite the ego, and it pained Ferris that the man's ego might actually be deserved.

"I'll acknowledge your victory against my daughter. This proves you have the potential to become strong.

It's unfortunate that this place also follows the rule of life.

The strong always win,

in this case, me—

"I disagree," Ferris cut off, though deep inside, he did agree with Tianqin's words.

But as a knight, he had his priorities straight, and he had to correct Tianqin.

"Hope wins," Ferris said. After all, he himself was the best example.

The hope to win against a Serpent God—that was the driving force that led the alliance and himself to victory, albeit at great cost.

But to be honest, Ferris' intention was to buy more time by saying half-baked words.

Tianqin went utterly silent. He looked down as the essence around him grew cold and dense before returning to normal as if nothing had happened. "You're right, that's also a good one.

But how will hope allow you to live in the next minute?"

The old man gripped his sword ever so slightly, as if waiting for what Ferris would say next.

However, Ferris only muttered words in a set interval, stopping after a few seconds before smiling.

"Because I was hoping for that to happen." He pointed to the sky.

Time.

Midnight.

12:00 a.m.

There, behind Ferris, appeared a shooting star that descended toward the bottom of the valley.

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