Chapter 43: Kring’s Awakening

Sixty years ago, Gaon found a 5th-grade spirit beast, small enough to fit in his palm.

Its condition was dire—left alone, it would’ve died.

He saved it, not just out of pity but curiosity about its kind.

After healing, the beast regained its spirit, revealing an affectionate nature.

Gaon decided to keep it, naming it Kring.

They spent five years together.

The reason it was only five years was a change in Kring.

After four years, its sleeping periods grew longer—first a day, then two, four, and eventually ten.

By the fifth year, Kring fell into a deep slumber, not waking after a month or two, its energy fading.

Gaon had to accept that Kring had entered eternal rest.

He created a sanctuary no one could invade and buried Kring in his heart.

Now, the spirit beast’s energy felt strikingly similar to Kring’s.

Though only the nature was similar—the current beast’s energy was at the peak of 7th grade, nearly 8th, far beyond Kring’s 5th-grade strength.

…A kin?

It couldn’t be Kring due to the power difference, so it had to be the same species, explaining the similar energy.

As Gaon approached, he saw the barrier.

Roar!!!!

The beast appeared inside, roaring.

Seeing its form and hearing its cry, Gaon was certain.

Kring!

It wasn’t another of its kind—it was Kring itself.

He grinned widely.

How Kring awoke from eternal rest or grew from 5th to top-tier 7th grade was a mystery, but reuniting with it filled him with joy.

He could feel Kring shared the sentiment.

Kring swung its front paw.

Crack!

The barrier fractured.

Another swing—

Crash!

A massive hole formed, and Kring leaped out, charging at Gaon.

Memories flashed—Kring always leapt into his arms.

It seemed to be doing the same now.

Uh-oh.

Gaon flinched.

Kring was no longer tiny, larger than most ogres.

If it jumped into his arms now, it wouldn’t be a hug—it’d be a body slam.

…It’ll be fine, right?

His body, tempered by the Pacheon technique, rivaled a Swordmaster’s.

A body slam shouldn’t be an issue.

At that moment—

“The beast!” Rotes began chanting urgently.

“Stop chanting. It’s fine,” Gaon said, halting him.

Swish!

Light enveloped Kring, and it shrank to its former palm-sized form.

It leapt into Gaon’s arms.

Supporting Kring with his left hand, Gaon stroked it with his right, smiling at its soft fur and warmth.

Kr!

Kring purred happily, nuzzling his chest.

“Long time no see.”

Krung!

“How’d you wake up?”

Kr?

They couldn’t truly converse—Kring understood Gaon, but Gaon couldn’t decipher Kring’s responses.

Yet, he could feel its emotions, and that was enough.

…?

Rotes was baffled, unable to grasp the situation.

He wanted to ask but couldn’t—Gaon’s joyful expression stopped him.

Then—

Gaon turned as the group from the barrier approached.

…Staren folks, huh?

Not all, but many had the mana signature of the Staren technique.

Looking at the elderly man leading them, Gaon wondered, Do I know him?

His exact age was unclear, but he looked around sixty.

Swordmasters aged slowly, so he could be older—possibly someone Gaon knew.

“Uh?”

Gaon turned at Rotes’s gasp, seeing his shocked expression.

“You know them?”

“Yes, from the Staren Ducal House…” Rotes began.

“Elder Baren! Long time no see!” the elderly man called.

“Yes, it’s been a while! How’ve you been?” Rotes replied.

“I’ve been well. But what’s this…?”

The man trailed off, eyeing Kring in Gaon’s arms, puzzled.

“Who’s he?” Gaon asked Rotes.

“Sir Carlin,” Rotes answered cautiously.

“Carlin?” Gaon echoed.

The Staren knights and Mild frowned at Gaon’s casual tone, but said nothing as Carlin remained silent.

“May I know who you are…?” Carlin began.

“Ah! I remember!” Gaon exclaimed.

“You’re Rakid’s second grandson, right?”

…!

Carlin was stunned.

Rakid, the 12th head of the Staren Ducal House, was a legendary Swordmaster and his grandfather.

To hear his name spoken so casually was shocking—normally, it’d be an insult, but something held his anger back.

The beast, difficult even for him, was cuddling in this man’s arms, and Rotes treated him with deference.

He wasn’t ordinary.

Carlin looked to Rotes for answers.

Swish!

A barrier enclosed just Gaon, Carlin, and Rotes.

Carlin flinched but realized it was for private conversation and calmed down.

“Been a while,” Gaon said.

“You were a cute kid sixty-three years ago. Time flies.”

…!

Carlin was shocked.

Sixty-three years ago was special—he’d met a legendary figure with his grandfather, Rakid.

“No way…”

He looked at Rotes, seeking confirmation.

Rotes smiled.

“It’s Lord Gaon.”

…!

Carlin was floored.

Everything pointed to Gaon, but to confirm it?

Snapping out of it, he knelt and exclaimed, “I greet Lord Gaon!”

“Haha, good to see you,” Gaon laughed, using Pacheongi to lift him up.

Carlin rose without resistance, his face full of curiosity.

Noticing, Gaon explained, “Fifty years ago, a demonic invasion hit during a magic circle experiment. It went wrong, and when I came to, fifty years had passed.”

“Ah.”

Carlin understood, letting out a soft exclamation.

“I’m glad you’re back!” he said earnestly.

The continent’s situation was dire, with the demonic faction gaining ground in the coexistence zone.

Without change, humanity’s territory would shrink, consumed by demonic energy.

Gaon’s return meant things could improve.

“I have some questions. Mind if I ask?”

“Of course!”

“Is Rakid alive?”

Gaon had assumed most of his old allies were dead—fifty years was long, even for those who crossed the wall.

But learning Kerhen was alive gave him hope.

“Thirty years ago, he entered eternal rest,” Carlin said.

…I see.

Gaon felt a pang of regret.

“What about Blop?”

Blop, Rakid’s eldest son and the 13th head, was a Swordmaster.

Despite the years, he might still be alive.

“Twenty years ago, he died from wounds sustained killing a demonic earl,” Carlin said bitterly.

…!

Gaon was shocked.

He knew Spelten Staren was the current head, assuming Blop had retired, not died.

…I’m sorry.

“No, Father passed with a content look. It was the family’s nemesis.”

Carlin smiled, then, to change the topic and sate his curiosity, asked about Kring.

“That spirit beast…?”

“My pet,” Gaon said, scratching Kring’s forehead.

Krung~

“I’m sorry! If I’d known it was yours, I’d never—”

“No need to apologize. I haven’t seen it in a while either.”

“We’ll meet again soon,” Gaon said.

“If I’m delayed, I’ll contact you.”

“Please do!”

Carlin bowed deeply.

The Staren knights, Mild, the mage, and the shaman were stunned.

Carlin, who only nodded slightly to the Rios Empire’s emperor, was bowing so respectfully?

He’d even knelt earlier.

“I’ll head out,” Gaon said.

Kr!

Kring, perched on his shoulder, roared.

Gaon tickled its head and left with Rotes and Taylor.

Carlin turned to his group.

“Let’s head back.”

Mild followed, hesitating before asking, “Uncle, may I ask something?”

“About that man?”

“Yes, who is he…?”

Mild, the knights, mage, and shaman were all curious.

“I’ll tell you later,” Carlin said.

Then—

BOOM!

A massive explosion echoed from Gaon’s direction.

Carlin leapt onto a tree, then into the air, looking toward the sound.

…?

The area was obliterated—not a blade of grass remained.

Did Lord Gaon do this?

Gaon was nearby, atop Kring, now in its full form, stroking its head.

Then—

BOOM!

Another explosion.

Carlin realized it wasn’t Gaon—it was Kring’s doing.