A Monster...?Was that directed at me?Hearing the turtle's words, I couldn't help but look dumbfounded."Who's calling who a monster here?"From my perspective, the other guy looked way more like a monster, yet he had the nerve to call me one. It was absurd."Hmmm."The turtle looked at me, its gaze peculiar."Master. Where on earth did you pick up something like this?""Hey, that's a bit much to say right in front of someone."Finally, unable to tolerate the constant rudeness, Shin Noya spoke up to the turtle."No matter how monstrous this kid may look—""Noya?""Calling someone a monster, that's incredibly rude! Even if they look like one—""Hey.""After looking closely, you've gone too far. If that's the case, perhaps I should cut your plum tea quota to three months—""Don’t try that, Master.""Tsk.""You damned bastards..."Grinding my teeth, I clenched my fists."Right in front of someone, you dare—!""Be quiet when the elders are talking."The turtle pointed its staff at my forehead.At that moment—"...Huh?"Before I realized it, I was already outside the building."What the..."What just happened?As I stood there, stunned by the strangeness of it all,Thump!"...!"Suddenly, my heart began pounding erratically, and I clutched my chest.Thump! Thump, thump, thump!"...Hah..."Was it a reaction from my energy?It felt like it, though it wasn’t the Nine Flames Firewheel technique.Nor was it demonic energy. Which meant—"...The chain of the spell?"The binding spell I'd learned, tied around my heart, was reacting violently to what just happened.Which meant—"…So that just now was…"It had been a spell.

   *****************   "Why'd you just send the kid out like that?"Watching Gu Yangcheon vanish, Shin Noya clicked his tongue briefly before speaking.The turtle, still seated, took a slow sip of tea."Master, wasn’t that exactly what you wanted too?""As perceptive as always."Shin Noya chuckled lightly.He had indeed wanted it, as the turtle had guessed. He just hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly."Every time I see it, it’s fascinating. Just what kind of principle is at work here?""No point being curious. It’s unrelated to you.""Now, that’s just harsh. Haven’t I tried my hand at everything by now?""No."The turtle’s aged eyes turned cold."This is a fixed matter. Even in death, it cannot be altered."Shin Noya rested his chin on his hand, looking a little regretful at those words."How resolute of you.Is it like how I cannot possess the same power as you?""Are you talking about talent?""No."With a faint trickle, the turtle refilled its empty cup."It’s not talent; it’s the realm of choice.""I’ve heard that plenty, yet it still doesn’t make sense.""It means you weren’t chosen for this side.""Is that so?"Shin Noya chuckled again, his earlier regret vanishing completely."So, was that why you sent out that brat?""..."The turtle paused at Shin Noya’s pointed remark."If you were going to send him out, you should’ve sent her along too."Shin Noya’s gaze shifted toward the corner.There sat a woman with black hair, her violet eyes watching them quietly.Her expression was unreadable, exuding a sense of foreboding.The young brat had said it, hadn’t he?That she was the Cheonma.Certainly—"She feels… unnatural."Her presence was undeniably unsettling."That one’s not an option.""Hmm?"Shin Noya glanced back at the turtle in surprise."She’s already layered. You can’t touch her.""Do you always have to speak so cryptically? It’s impossible to understand a damn thing you say.""It’s because I can’t speak certain parts aloud. Anyway, why is someone like her even here?""I didn’t bring her. She came attached to the brat. Tsk. That kid has a strange knack for attracting women."Especially peculiar ones, it seemed."So, what do you think of the brat that you dislike so much?"At the mention of Gu Yangcheon, the turtle’s white eyebrows twitched."That monster?"A monster.The term felt oddly grating."As I said earlier, no matter how monstrous he may look—""That is a monster.""…Turtle."Shin Noya frowned, but the turtle’s stance didn’t waver."In this realm," the turtle said, drawing out the words in its distinct, deliberate tone."Such beings are called monsters.""What do you mean?""Those who are loved by the great.""Explain further."Shin Noya’s tone grew serious, the humor fading from his face."Can’t you see it? The countless things layered upon that boy? To me, they’re all too clear.""The brat does seem to be popular with strange figures. Not just one or two, either."It was amusing to watch, as it changed every time.But the turtle shook its head."What I’m speaking of and what you’re referring to are different matters."The turtle’s voice trembled slightly as it continued."Everything that happens to that boy bears the touch of someone’s hand."Even the turtle, someone praised as extraordinary, had to admit—Gu Yangcheon possessed something entirely different."Fortunately, that monster didn’t choose this side."The turtle pointed its staff at Shin Noya."Rather, he chose your side.""Hmm."At those words, Shin Noya finally began to understand what the turtle was saying."Can you truly call that a choice?"Gu Yangcheon hadn’t chosen."Born in Zhongyuan, he didn’t exactly have much of a say in the matter, did he?""Heh heh heh."The turtle laughed, finding Shin Noya’s words amusing."Why are you laughing? You’re making me want to smash that shell of yours.""Master, you’re mistaken about something.""Hmm?""Monsters, as the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) world calls them, are usually predetermined beings.""What do you mean?""It means the place they are born is fixed. Only then does the blessing they carry have meaning.""...""And the fact that this monster didn’t choose this side but yours…"Thud.The staff lightly struck the ground."That’s undoubtedly someone’s intention."The turtle’s black pupils reflected Shin Noya."As promised, I’ll help with the task. But I won’t get involved with that monster."The turtle stood.Until then, Shin Noya said nothing further.

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