Chapter 50: Bow Before the Moon

Even if a 7-star mana stone is rare, this was a life-or-death situation.

…He wasn’t concerned at all?

Realizing this, Parn gritted his teeth.

It was his own assumption that his life was at stake—Gaon clearly thought differently.

Judging by the satisfied smile Gaon wore while looking at the mana stone, he hadn’t been worried about his life at all.

…This isn’t the time.

Snapping out of it, Parn quickly turned to flee.

With Gaon distracted by the mana stone, now was his chance.

If he didn’t escape, it was over.

But then—

Crack!

A freezing sound rang out, and his legs wouldn’t move.

Parn instinctively looked down.

Damn it.

A curse slipped out as he saw the ground.

This was the Dark Zone—only darkness should exist.

Yet, there was ice, thick enough to reach his knees.

No need to guess who made it—Gaon, obviously.

Parn enveloped himself in heat, melting the ice and freeing his legs.

As he took his first step to flee—

He stopped.

Crack!

A massive ice wall sprang up, blocking his path.

It wasn’t unbreakable—he could destroy it.

But would it end there?

No, more would keep coming.

Parn turned back to face Gaon.

Gaon stood with a faint smile, surrounded by countless magical crystals.

I didn’t expect this.

Just ten minutes ago, Parn had been daydreaming happily—imagining the glory of killing Gaon, who had harmed the 3rd Division and enraged the 3rd Elder.

This situation hadn’t crossed his mind.

…Is there no way out?

Parn racked his brain for a solution.

No matter how he thought, no self-reliant escape came to mind.

Self-reliant escape was impossible.

Should I rely on why he didn’t kill me?

Gaon had aimed to subdue, not kill, for reasons unknown.

That was his only hope.

The magical crystals began flying toward him.

Parn didn’t resist—resistance wouldn’t change anything.

As the magic struck, he thought, As expected.

The magic’s power confirmed Gaon had no intent to kill.

But then—

The magic stopped.

Gaon asked, “Giving up?”

“No point in fighting. And it seems you want something from me.”

“Oh, sharp one, aren’t you?”

“What do you want?”

“First…”

Gaon trailed off, dominating the surrounding space.

He approached Parn, who didn’t move—not because he was suppressed, but because resistance was futile.

Step.

Gaon reached Parn, placing a hand on his shoulder and injecting Pacheongi.

Parn flinched, thinking, What’s this energy?

It was unlike anything he’d felt—no trace of mana or demonic energy.

How had Gaon cultivated such a unique energy?

As Parn pondered, Gaon swiftly dismantled the seals in his brain and heart.

…!

Parn, lost in thought, was stunned.

Gaon then dismantled the Painless Secret Art.

The pattern on Parn’s face vanished.

“Ugh!”

Parn screamed in pain.

“Heal.”

Gaon cast Heal, not to spare him, but to prepare for what came next—Bone-Severing Tendon-Twisting for information extraction.

But then—

Thud!

Parn collapsed, not from weakness, but in a respectful bow.

…?

Gaon was puzzled—why this sudden act?

It wasn’t gratitude for the healing.

Because of the pain? He couldn’t handle that?

As Gaon looked at Parn incredulously, Parn shouted, “Parn, 1st Branch Leader of the 2nd Division, greets the Eternal Moon, our Lord!”

Gaon’s confusion deepened.

An unexpected declaration.

The Lord? The Abyss’s Lord?

The Eternal Moon was the Abyss’s symbol, and Parn spoke as a branch leader.

As Bretan’s king, the only “Lord” Parn would acknowledge was the Abyss’s.

But why me…?

Why did Parn think Gaon was the Abyss’s Lord?

It doesn’t seem like he’s stalling.

Gaon erased his smile, adopting the stern demeanor and voice of his days as the Barta Empire’s emperor, exuding regal authority.

“How did you figure it out?”

“Tch…”

Parn flinched at Gaon’s changed aura, trailing off.

“I won’t punish you. Speak.”

“First, you possess the power of at least an 8th Circle mage. There are no 8th Circle mages in the human faction, so I assumed you’re from our side.”

“And the second?”

Being an 8th Circle mage wasn’t enough to assume he was the Lord.

Parn had said “first,” implying more reasons.

“You know information even division leaders struggle to access.”

“What information?”

“The 3rd Division sent details about your actions there. And now you’re here at our branch. You know details about both the 3rd and 2nd Divisions. Even division leaders don’t know much about other divisions or branches. So, I thought you’re above a division leader.”

Gaon stayed silent.

It’s understandable, but odd.

Parn’s misunderstanding made sense—Gaon appeared to act with knowledge of both divisions.

But to assume he was the Lord based on that alone?

It didn’t add up.

There had to be more.

“That’s all it took to guess my identity?”

Gaon pressed, and Parn cautiously continued.

“Above all, I heard only the Lord can dismantle seals.”

“Hmm…”

Gaon let out a groan.

Now it made sense.

The third reason—dismantling seals—was likely the biggest factor in Parn’s misunderstanding.

The others didn’t know.

Gaon had dismantled seals multiple times, but only Parn mentioned this.

Even Parn wasn’t certain—it was likely controlled information among high-ranking Abyss members or mere rumor.

Rumor seemed more likely, as even Brek, grandson of the 3rd Elder Lilith, didn’t know.

As Gaon stayed silent, Parn cautiously looked up, meeting his eyes, then slammed his head back to the ground.

“S-Sorry for my presumption…”

“Enough.”

Gaon cut him off, thinking, This could make extracting information easier.

Parn was fully convinced of his mistake.

This could yield information without resorting to Bone-Severing Tendon-Twisting.

“You must wonder why I’m here,” Gaon said.

Parn trembled, shouting, “If there’s anything I can do, I’ll serve with my life!”

Gaon smiled faintly and continued, “The 2nd Division Leader has been holding secret talks with the 3rd Elder. What do you know about it?”

It was a lie.

The talks might be real, but Gaon had no evidence.

He lied to sow confusion and gain trust.

Would a branch leader know about secret talks between the 2nd Division Leader and the 3rd Elder?

Even if real, Parn wouldn’t know—why would the division leader share that with him?

By raising it, Gaon made his claim as the Lord more believable.

“S-Sorry! I know nothing about the talks!”

“…I see,” Gaon replied, feigning disappointment.

He wasn’t actually disappointed—it was a fabricated question.

The disappointed act was to reinforce the lie’s authenticity.

Parn would now believe the talks were real.

But then—

Parn’s next shout startled Gaon.

“But there’s one thing I must report! The 3rd Elder’s guest has arrived at the division!”

“…What? The 3rd Elder’s guest? You mean Lilith’s subordinate?”

“Yes, I don’t know the details, but they’re here to kill you… I mean, Lord! S-Sorry!”

Thud!

Parn slammed his head again.

Gaon stayed silent, thinking quickly.

I know factional conflicts are intense.

The Abyss was rife with factions clashing for their interests.

The 2nd Division and 3rd Elder were no exception.

Yet, the 3rd Elder sent a subordinate to the 2nd Division’s territory—to kill Gaon.

Not an ordinary one.

They were likely far stronger than anyone Gaon had faced before.

“Where is this subordinate?”

“It’s not confirmed, but give me time, and I’ll find out!”

“One more thing.”

“Speak, my Lord.”

“The Ritual of Sacrifice at the Patrin Ducal House.”

“Yes, it’s installed there and in other high noble houses.”

“Why?”

“…What?”

Parn sounded puzzled.

It was a reported and approved matter by the holy land.

Why ask about the ritual?

Gaon continued, unfazed.

“I wasn’t informed about the ritual. What’s the 2nd Division Leader planning with the Source of Life?”

He expressed strong suspicion toward the 2nd Division.

“Tch…”

Parn stammered, thinking, Did the 2nd Division Leader betray us?

2nd Division Leader’s Reception Room, Abyss

Two people sat across from each other.

One was Batan, the 2nd Division Leader and room’s owner; the other was Luhan.

“It’s been a while, Luhan.”

“Likewise, Division Leader.”

“How’s the Elder?”

“Doing well. You seem to be too.”

“Haha, I was until you arrived,” Batan said, laughing heartily.

“Haha, so it’s not great now?”

“Your perception’s as sharp as ever.”

“You haven’t changed either,” Luhan replied, laughing.

Batan frowned slightly, then relaxed.

“You’re here to kill Gaon, right?”

“Yes. Could I borrow a city or village?”