[Ho, Lord Chaos!]

The newcomer flailed their sleeves in a panic.

[I’ll try to buy time by talking, with words!]

“Move back, rabbit.”

[Why are you suddenly doing this!]

“I’ve always been like this.”

The end of the blade pointed toward the air. The wind was born as the atmosphere shook, sweeping the snowflakes into a dance. As the newcomer followed orders and hid behind young Chaos with a squeal, they shrieked.

[You said you wouldn’t attack first, Lord Chaos!]

“Who said anything about attacking. It’s a greeting.”

No one would die from this, not even get hurt. With a light exhale, the blade infused with blue light moved from top to bottom. The tilted blade of Sunset Sky. Just as its name, the space was cleaved in two and began to fall at an angle. The wound, initially only a few meters, endlessly extended as it devoured the surrounding domains like it was sucking them in.

The sea tilted and poured out, the land scattered in pieces. An area once filled with light was instantly buried in darkness. The precisely crafted domains collapsed one after another like dominoes, and the newcomer stomped their feet in silent horror.

[You said you’d only flip the board! Why are you destroying everything!]

“You talk too much.”

[It’s easy to destroy, but do you know how hard it is to build!]

“Easy, huh?”

The newcomer winced and shook their head with a teary expression.

[N-No, I mean, it just looked easy…]

“It is for me.”

Young Chaos was clueless when it came to so-called construction or support skills. But when it came to destruction, no transcendent could match him. The reason was simple. He had destroyed a lot. Facing countless equals who built and defended their own creations, he instinctively learned through experience.

Despite knowing so little, he could perceive the essence of power more accurately than anyone.

Meanwhile, the twisted rift continued invading the domains of other transcendents. Some glared at the destroyer in rage. Others remained indifferent, and a few quietly withdrew. And some moved to block the rift that young Chaos had created.

Eventually, the rift disappeared, and countless eyes turned toward the snowfield—the only domain left intact, belonging to the newcomer. Young Chaos raised one hand and waved lightly.

“Hello.”

The rock that had lost its forest asked who he was. The mouse in the half-ruined flower field stomped aggressively.

“Doesn’t seem like a welcoming mood.”

[Obviously not! /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ You wrecked everything!]

“Hardly recognize anyone. Even Crescent Moon didn’t show up. The Wellstone… right, I killed that one. Half the ones I used to know, I beat to death. The rest got absorbed into the system, and the few left, I can’t even see anymore. Time’s cruel.”

Clicking his tongue, Chaos smiled brightly.

“Introduce yourselves, youngsters.”

His tone, looking down at the transcendents gathered before him, sparked growling sounds of displeasure here and there. The snowfield quaked, shaking snow off the trees. Many who knew anything about young Chaos quietly vanished. Between those who were angry and those watching with disinterest, a massive whale with lace-like fins fluttered across.

[Over half have vacated, so the session is adjourned. Young Chaos cannot attend the next negotiation table. It is estimated that 317 system hours will be needed to recalibrate the system for arranging a new session.]

With that announcement, the curtain fell. The newcomer quickly fled with young Chaos into a temporarily constructed space. As they entered the empty area, light poured down and soft grass grew. A table, chairs, a brook circling the table. A sky-blue willow tree sprouted, and tea was poured into cups. The wind rustled pleasantly.

Young Chaos sat in a chair and picked up a teacup.

“Comfy, it is comfy.”

“I wasn’t supposed to go with you!”

“How many days would 317 system hours be in the foals’ world?”

“It depends each time. That’s why we use system standard time. At shortest, about a week, at longest a month, but since interference is ongoing for system linking right now, it’s likely to be closer to a week.”

The newcomer grumbled as they spoke. Their ears twitched every time they frowned.

“We’ve bought time, but can Honey return to his country in that span? Chatterbox seems to be considering full descent if nothing else works. Even a prophecy would be a problem. Honey’s world isn’t particularly strong in belief toward divine beings, but it’s not like there’s none.”

“I don’t get what you’re saying.”

“In some worlds, they frame it as a divine reward. Like a hero cultivation project. If the world has faith in various gods and that influence is strong, acting as a god has less resistance and system operation becomes more efficient too. Usually starts with simultaneous divine oracles across the world, declaring it must be saved and…”

The newcomer who had been chattering suddenly fell silent. They wrinkled their nose as if tense.

Knock knock.

A knocking sound came from the door. Young Chaos took a sip of tea. The newcomer rolled their eyes toward him.

“…What should we do?”

“Who is it.”

“It’s Chatterbox.”

Knock knock knock. The knocking came again, followed by banging and tremors shaking the ground. Young Chaos reached out and caught the teapot that was about to fall.

“Let him in.”

“Come in!”

The newcomer’s permission was given, and under the willow tree appeared a man dressed in black mourning clothes. A pitch-black veil several meters long covered him, revealing only his lips. The lone visible lips moved slowly.

“I don’t understand why you insist on interfering.”

“Then why are you trying to mess with a kid, huh. If you’re a transcendent, act like one and leave the people living in the world alone.”

Chaos replied indifferently. The red lips curved into a crescent-like smile.

“Because I love. I have no interest in the Origin or the world. I simply wish to commemorate my love.”

Young Chaos placed his teacup down and looked at Chatterbox. His brows furrowed slightly.

‘By kidnapping a kid and killing him?’

“I won’t just kill him. Above all, many are interested in the Nurturer. So I’ll check the memories, and if it’s true the Nurturer killed my love, I’ll make him take the lives of those precious to the Nurturer with his own hands. Then I’ll hand him over to those who seek compensation for cooperation.”

The mere fact that even the King of Harmless had risked his life to covet him stirred the curiosity of a few transcendents toward the Nurturer. Young Chaos lifted the teacup again.

“This isn’t a conversation that’s going anywhere. Why’d you come?”

“You’re not involved.”

“What if I am?”

“I only hope we don’t clash. That the oldest sword won’t break.”

Leaving behind those warning words, Chatterbox vanished. The newcomer, who had been stiff while watching, perked up their ears.

“Honey, what do we do, Honey!”

“What do you mean, you idiot. Maybe it’s for the better that Chatterbox got involved. Once the two sides finish their negotiation, they won’t be able to charge in recklessly.”

If there were no restrictions, some might band together to barge in and capture the Nurturer by force. There were plenty of curious transcendents like the King of Harmless. At Chaos’s words, the newcomer drooped their shoulders, and their ears followed.

“How did it come to this? I thought Honey’s world could easily block the power of Origin. There are even several innate S-Ranks, and Chain and Honey’s brother unusually tried hard to protect the world.”

Even among innate S-Ranks, personalities varied by trait, but few sincerely tried to save the world. But with not just one, but two of them, the world was initially classified as one requiring little intervention.

“But Honey’s brother died trying to protect him… That alone doesn’t make sense! And then because Honey was F-Rank, the Wish Stone appeared. Time was turned back, and Honey gained a title no one had seen before. Two transcendents died. Seriously.”

In one of the more common worlds, a string of unprecedented events had unfolded.

“Crescent Moon and White Bird.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t tell me even the Gardener is involved.”

Young Chaos emptied his teacup. From the very start, the request to borrow his sword wasn’t an ordinary one. But by now, he couldn’t even guess where it began or how it would end.

“That kid’s fate is seriously harsh. When will interference with the dungeon be possible?”

“If it’s outside Honey’s country, soon. But if Chatterbox finds out, he won’t sit still. The negotiation’s still ongoing, and he jumped the gun.”

“I got kicked out, didn’t I.”

To the comment of what did it matter then, the newcomer nodded anxiously, saying they would prepare it.

— Kyaaaoo!

Blue’s toes skimmed the surface of the water. The water split, shooting upward like spread wings. Maybe because she had always been restricted to a certain distance unless entering a dungeon, she seemed overjoyed on this longer-than-usual outing. It’s good that at least you’re happy, Blue. Still, let’s tone it down a little. You’re gonna make me seasick.

“Don’t chase the dolphin. That’s not a monster.”

He’d taught her not to touch humans or livestock, but maybe because it was the first time seeing a dolphin, she tried to catch it. He soothed Blue and raised their altitude again.

“Park Hayul, why do you know so little.”

All throughout crossing the West Sea, he tried to discreetly gather info, but didn’t get much. It was hard to tell if he was skillfully hiding the important parts or genuinely didn’t know. Park Hayul grinned sheepishly.

“I told you, I can’t talk, hyung.”

“For someone who says that, you’re awfully clueless. So we’re undercover in China now, right? That part’s true?”

“It’s a long story. It wasn’t undercover at first, but it kind of turned into it? I awakened in Korea, actually.”

“In Korea?”

“Yeah. I was trying to meet you, hyung. I got dragged away and beaten up for being a nuisance!”

Even made the news for suspicious behavior… Maybe an annoyed high-rank Hunter had taken a swing.

“If you were still unawakened, I’d have reported it. It’s a major crime for an awakened to touch an unawakened.”

“Aw, hyung. Splash a potion and all the evidence disappears. You can’t say anything, normally.”

“…That’s true.”

I’ve experienced that myself. And high-rank Hunters can easily afford mid or low-grade potions, so people even joked the cost of damages was just potion money.

“I awakened while getting beat up by the Hunters guarding the breeding facility and the building. But then they saw my face and suddenly felt a bit guilty and let me go. I only had two skills back then, but they had a little effect.”

So it wasn’t an Optimized Awakening. Still, he must have obtained an Optimized Skill. I thought meeting the conditions would be difficult, but maybe he awakened properly because he felt threatened by people, not monsters.

“I did awaken, but the rank’s still low, so meeting you is hard either way. I was considering whether to register as a Hunter, but then I got caught by some weirdos and ended up sold to China~”

Park Hayul said brightly. As if that was something to be proud of.

“Hey, you nearly died and still did it again?”

“Humans are supposed to repeat the same mistakes, right?”

You shouldn’t say this kind of thing about others, but honestly, Park Hayul’s head seemed full of flowers. And I was thinking that even while under the effect of a skill that made him friendly, so in reality, it might be even worse.

“You’re the type who’s probably lived a comfy life, huh.”

“Of course it was comfy. I’m handsome.”

“…Sure.”

“My first life hardship began the day I met you, hyung.”

“Should I be sorry about that? I mean, I did save you at least.”

“Of course not! Things are more fun nowadays anyway.”

Yeah, there really was something off about this kid. He was still young, sure, but it still felt like he had no real grasp on reality.

“Hey, when things get dangerous, just back out early and live easy using your face. What about your family? Aren’t they worried about you?”

“They’re overseas. My noona says she’ll protect them well.”

Who even is this noona? What’s her goal? What does she want with a kid like this? But when it came to what he’d been tasked with, Park Hayul kept his mouth shut tight. We’d be arriving in China soon anyway.

“Hayul.”

Twisting my upper body, I looked back at Park Hayul.

“I had no idea you tried so hard to meet me because you were that worried.”

People with the Nurturer keyword weren’t affected properly by Park Hayul’s mental skills. So what would happen if I applied the keyword to Park Hayul instead? I had intended to be cautious when using it on people, but he’d lived a cushy life, so it shouldn’t be an issue. At most, he’d start calling me Mom again or something.

“What do you mean? You were trapped too, hyung.”

I told you, I wasn’t. The fact that he kept pissing me off even while under a skill was its own kind of talent.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you for a while. But even so, thank you for keeping my secret.”

“…I really did keep quiet. Barely told anyone.”

“Right, and you didn’t spill anything publicly on broadcast, at least. So, Hayul.”

If it’s this kid, even a vague explanation should let the keyword land perfectly. He didn’t seem very sharp, so no pressure.

“Even if I did something like, well, kidnapping you—not that I actually did, since I did everything myself—but anyway, even with all that, I still love you. It might be because of your skill, but still, I don’t think you’re a bad kid at heart.”

Alright, then the keyword should—

[The target is under the influence of another similar skill! Keyword application is not possible.]

…What?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep