Chapter 294

“…….”

Polar Night gave no response.

Yet within that serene expression, I could discern a certain reaction different from before.

“You are not a Specter. More precisely, you are not a being imbued with life.”

Frankly, I cannot perfectly define why I arrived at that judgment either.

It was simply that the information gathered so far, and the impressions received from actually meeting Polar Night, had led to such an answer.

“…Junior, what do you mean by that?”

“I consistently felt that many pieces didn’t fit together. At least based on what I’ve heard until now, Polar Night was not an existence that could be easily defined in a single word.”

And now, I think I understand.

No, by voicing these thoughts aloud, it became a little more certain.

“Your true identity… is it not a Cursed Technique itself, imbued with someone’s Strong Desire, rather than a Specter, a human, or anything else?”

In other words, Polar Night is not a living individual.

I concluded it was a phenomenon—a Cursed Technique cast by an unknown someone, possessing clear rules and purpose.

At those unbelievable words, the entire group was shocked but began internally examining the possibility, while Polar Night still showed no reaction.

“It seems that is the correct answer, after all.”

Polar Night, who had remained silent for a long while, opened their mouth again after a little more time had passed, smiling faintly.

“…Well. I’m not quite sure how to answer that.”

“Is what I said wrong?”

“No. I think it’s close to the correct answer. Though, as you said, whether my existence can be defined by such a single phrase remains questionable.”

When I pressed with a questioning tone, Polar Night readily acknowledged it instead.

At those words, Yoo Haon and Han Seoa drew in sharp breaths, and I could see the expressions of the group changing moment by moment.

The true identity of Polar Night, completely shrouded in mystery—we had finally uncovered one of its core aspects.

“However, does that change anything?”

“…….”

“The conclusion of this world is already decided. I sense neither the power nor the justification in you all to stop it.”

That’s right.

We had uncovered one of the most important facts, but that alone did not provide a clear solution.

For some reason, Polar Night seemed to have no intention of fighting us, but we also had no particular strategy to present.

It’s a somewhat embarrassing thing to say, but I can be certain.

Even if we were to engage in a desperate battle with Polar Night right here and now, it would be extremely difficult for us to claim victory.

Seo Cheonye, who seemed to have sensed that, let out a sigh and stepped forward once more.

“It seems your role here is over. If you have no intention to act, step aside. Now… it’s time for the original resolution.”

“Master…”

If we fight, we will definitely lose.

Seo Cheonye must be aware of that much as well.

However, I could also understand that she had no other choice.

I considered retreating at this point, but thinking I might still be able to gain something more, I shook my head.

“Who is the being that gave birth to you, this phenomenon, as a Cursed Technique?”

“…….”

“Why do you not intend to use our souls and bodies to venture outside?”

I tried asking several key questions, but Polar Night did not answer a single one.

Yet amidst that, there was one fact I could be certain of.

“You seem to have absolutely no intention of harming us.”

There are two possibilities.

Either you cannot do so, or you must not do so.

This time too, Polar Night did not answer, but realizing my speculation was correct, I turned on my heel.

“…We will return to the outside world.”

As Seo Cheonye said, there is nothing more we can do here.

The group hesitated, unable to rashly take a step, but I was certain now was the time to withdraw.

Just as everyone turned their backs to escape the black mist, only one person remained there, offering us a final farewell.

“It seems… I too have reached my limit here.”

“…Do you intend to stay here?”

“Yes. Supporting my master’s back is the duty of a disciple.”

Shin Pyoeul is also a person of this world; she can no longer accompany us.

As we could easily guess her final fate, we met her gaze without being able to utter a word.

“Please don’t worry about me. I am merely fulfilling the responsibility I must bear as a member of this failed history.”

“…You’ve been through a lot all this time.”

“Yes. It was an honor to be together, even for a brief moment.”

Just as I was about to turn my gaze, unable to hide the bitterness, Cheong Joohwa stepped forward, took something from her bosom, and placed it directly around Shin Pyoeul’s neck.

“It’s my mother’s keepsake, given to me by my grandmother when I was young. Even if we part, please know we are together.”

A repayment for the necklace Shin Pyoeul had given us after we realized the truth of this world.

Receiving it, Shin Pyoeul smiled brighter than ever, completely turned her back, and moved to Seo Cheonye’s side.

“…Let us also go to fulfill our respective responsibilities.”

Though reluctance remained, there was no hesitation.

We immediately left the black mist and returned to the battlefield of Specters and Taoist Masters, where we encountered Hochoong, who had been leading everyone in the fierce battle.

“Patrons! What happened?”

“Polar Night’s true identity was a Cursed Technique itself, given birth to in this world by someone. Also, for some reason, they showed no intention of attacking us or heading to the outside world.”

“That is… understood. Did Taoist Master Seo Cheonye remain inside?”

As if already guessing the entire conclusion, Hochoong muttered with a bitter smile.

“Then I too must face a final moment without regrets. I shall open the path for you once more from my side!”

Immediately, Hochoong, showing no sign of fatigue, displayed the same Grand Art as before; a golden Barrier soared to the very edge of the Specter horde, indicating our retreat route.

At the final moment, I firmly grasped Hochoong’s shoulders and conveyed my final resolve to him.

“We will definitely defeat Polar Night. I will not forget the will of both the original history’s Hochoong and the Hochoong of this place.”

“Thank you, Patron. Though it was a false bond, I am glad to have met you patrons. Now… it is time for each to return to where they belong.”

Hochoong gave a final farewell, patting my shoulder, and we were finally able to leave the battlefield through the opened path.

“What do we do now, Oppa?”

“We must return. If we don’t hurry, the Mountain Sky horn will soon lose its efficacy too.”

I took out the Mountain Sky horn, broken into several pieces from the Formless Pouch, and gathered the group in one place.

“Though we cannot be certain of victory, we have obtained a clue. From now on, it will be the true final battle.”

“Yeah. Since the will of many people is at stake, we must definitely succeed.”

“…If it’s you, Junior, you can do it. I’ll lend my strength as much as I can.”

Sophia and Arietta affirmed their resolve, and the rest of the group also nodded with determined eyes.

Just as we were preparing to trace the traces of the Secret Art to return to the original world, sensing a strange energy, I swiftly turned my head to look at its owner.

“…What brings you here?”

“If you return like this, it seems things might become a bit troublesome, you see.”

The leader of the Sadoopae, Hongrim—the identity of the Uninvited Guest who had abruptly intervened was none other than her.

Also, Yeon Jaki, who had returned to Jirikok to avoid Polar Night’s domination ability, had somehow joined her, heightening an inexplicable tension.

‘…….’

Within the Mindscape of the Boundary, at the final moment, the Soul Enchantress had said.

Not to trust Hongrim too much, that she was originally someone whose true intentions even she herself could not easily guess.

And above all, the fact that she appeared before us at this crucial moment inevitably aroused suspicion.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

“Hoho, don’t be so wary. I merely came to offer you one more choice.”

Finishing her words, Hongrim slightly lifted the hem of her clothes, revealing her bare leg; strangely, its form was dissipating, and even the Spectral Energy she possessed was gradually vanishing.

“We have already decided on our own final moments. This is better than being dominated by that thing and used as they please.”

“…….”

“More than that, I wish to return to the main body before it’s too late, but you must not head to the outside world as you are now.”

That was an utterly incomprehensible statement. However, it seemed Hongrim was certain of something.

“I had no intention of eavesdropping, but I happened to learn of it. You judged Polar Night’s identity to be a Cursed Technique itself, correct?”

“…That’s right. However, we could not uncover anything beyond that.”

Towards us, Hongrim presented her opinion with a resolute expression.

“Can you guess why Polar Night gave up on the path to the outside world, and why they do not try to harm you?”

“…….”

“I think those actions violate the rules that Polar Night, as a Cursed Technique itself, possesses. Though we cannot know the exact details without being the party involved, observing that thing’s actions makes it certain.”

It certainly makes sense. But that alone offered us no way to create a variable.

And as if negating such thoughts, Hongrim then presented one method.

“Sacrifice one of you to send this world’s Polar Night outside. That is the correct answer I have conceived.”

“What on earth is that….”

It was an absurd statement, but Hongrim seemed to possess a strange certainty. However, the group fiercely pressed Hongrim first.

“Do you think that makes any sense? Surely you’re not suggesting that since Polar Night shows no desire to go outside, doing the opposite might reveal some path?”

“…It certainly doesn’t seem necessary to take such a risk by sacrificing someone.”

As if expecting such a reaction, she smiled bitterly and continued.

“It may sound strange, but it’s not a statement made recklessly. If my prediction is correct, perhaps…”

The single sentence Hongrim uttered next delivered a truly fierce shock to us.

“The two Polar Nights that have encountered each other will surely try to eliminate one another.”