After walking for a while…
Jin and that man arrived at a place far from the population.
It was an area beneath the foot of a hill, with a few scattered trees.
Jin began the conversation:
"Can we talk now?"
The man stared at Jin's face.
He looked tense, as if he knew him very well, then said:
"What is your name, young man?"
"Jin."
The man grew even more tense and thought to himself:
No… this can't be a coincidence… but I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
He asked him:
"Jin, what do you think about killing humans?
And what do you think of those who commit massacres?"
Jin replied without hesitation:
"Everyone has the right to live, no matter their mistakes,
as long as they haven't crossed the line of killing innocents.
Innocents must never be killed, no matter the reason.
But… why are you asking?"
The man relaxed a little and said:
"Most powerful people your age… find killing an easy thing."
Then he continued:
"Anyway… why were you asking about matters related to the ban on climbing the Tower?
And why are you searching for criminals?"
Jin looked at him, suspicion clear in his eyes:
"Those who commit crimes deserve death.
As for the Tower, I have no reason to tell you my goal."
The man asked:
"It seems you're growing stronger for a specific purpose.
Are you trying to protect someone… or are you searching for someone?"
Jin thought to himself:
Haa… searching for someone?
It seems you know quite a lot about me.
Jin replied:
"To be honest, yes, I'm searching for someone.
But when I saw what's happening, I couldn't accept being strong and not helping those in need."
Then he asked calmly:
"Have you ever heard of the Regressors?"
The man looked at him.
Tension was burning his mind, yet none of it showed on his face.
He replied:
"You want to protect people with your power? That's truly admirable.
But… why ask about something imaginary like Regressors?
There's no such thing.
Do you like those stories or something?"
Jin said:
"I've heard some things… and I started to suspect that it might be real.
Hahaha."
The man looked at him and asked:
"Boy… who are you searching for?"
Jin looked as if he had been waiting for that question and said:
"I have someone from my family.
I don't know how to reach them.
Well, that probably doesn't concern you… but I wanted to tell someone."
The man narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious:
"Don't you know where they are now?
Aren't they in this land?"
Jin began to feel certain that this man knew him and said:
"Hahaha… imagine that I was on another continent,
then got trapped in another gate,
and ended up here without even knowing how I came to this world.
Hahaha.
A funny story, isn't it?"
"Sorry, I just wanted to joke a little."
The man thought to himself:
So… does he truly know nothing?
Should I tell him?
Then he asked:
"What is the name of your continent?"
Jin replied:
"Hmmm… I was young, so I don't remember much…
Maybe… Westeron?"
The man fell silent for a moment, then said:
"I hope you succeed in your journey.
Alright… I'll be leaving now."
Jin chuckled lightly and said:
"I'm sorry, I know my story sounds extremely unrealistic."
Then his tone suddenly changed, filled with anger.
"You…
You were watching me at the tavern,
then you came to me and talked as if you were just worried about people my age?"
"No Regressors?
What kind of nonsense is that?"
Anger began to surge within him.
"You'd better tell me everything you know about me
and how you know it."
The man replied calmly:
"Boy, it's better to end our conversation here."
"Good luck finding your sister."
Jin was shocked, and his anger exploded.
"You!
How do you know I'm searching for my sister?
How do you know me in the first place?!"
"Who are you, by the heavens?!"
Jin unleashed his aura.
Behind him appeared the dark dragon,
but this time it was far larger than before,
and its pressure was several times more overwhelming.
The man was horrified by the sight and thought to himself:
This… this…
It's the same form… the same terrifying feeling…
It's him for sure.
No… I can't let him go now.
The man stood still and released his own aura.
A crushing, terrifying aura.
The pressure was so immense that animals around them died instantly,
and fish floated lifelessly on the surface of the nearby pond.
Jin was shocked and became certain.
This man…
was the strongest person he had ever met in his life.
Far stronger than the elder before.
Even his energy…
far surpassed Jin's.
Jin couldn't measure his level of danger.
He was certain of only one thing…
If he fought him now…
he would die without a doubt.
The man said angrily:
"Boy… do you truly not know where your homeland is?
And you don't know the truth about the Regressors?"
"Do you expect me to believe you?
What are you trying to achieve?"
"Listen.
Regressors do exist."
"I am a Regressor myself.
And it would be better for you to stop this foolishness
and speak seriously now."
Jin calmed down.
Sadness appeared on his face as he spoke:
"Why… why would I lie to you?
I'm already certain that you know me."
"I told you the truth.
If you don't want to reveal anything…
then why did you come to me in the first place?"
"And since you exist, why don't you help the world?
If you know me and know about my sister,
what harm would it do to speak?"
The man sensed Jin's sincerity and thought to himself:
He truly is… completely different.
The man calmed down and fell silent for a moment…
then spoke:
"Boy, a Regressor must never spread knowledge of the future.
That would only bring ruin."
"It's better for you not to search into this matter again.
That's all I can say."
Jin fell to one knee and spoke with a broken voice:
"Please…"
"If…"
Then he cried.
Tears streamed from his eyes.
"Please…
If you know anything about me…"
"Please, tell me."
He kept speaking while crying, unable to stop.
"You already know my goal…
Please, tell me what you know."
The man looked at him with eyes full of pity.
"Boy…
Are you truly so foolish that you haven't realized anything?"
"Didn't Cheonma tell you anything?"
Jin looked up while crying, shocked by the question, and asked:
"What do you mean by that?"
"And why would I have anything to do with the Heavenly Demon?"
The man looked at Jin for a moment.
All he could feel was pity.
"The Heavenly Demon's arts…
Their traces are clearly etched into your soul."
"I thought he was the one who taught you."
"There's nothing else I have to say."
Before the man left, Jin screamed from the depths of his heart:
"Please!"
"Just… please…"
"Tell me how to find her!"
The man replied:
"I'm sorry.
When the time comes, you will find her."
"Blame your foolishness and ignorance
for not realizing it sooner."
The man paused for a moment, then said in a sorrowful voice:
"Don't worry…
Until that time comes…
I'll make sure she won't be harmed."
Jin was even more shocked and asked:
"Wait!
How do I get there?
How do you know where she is?"
Before the boy could ask again…
The man vanished instantly before his eyes.
Leaving behind dozens of unanswered questions
inside the mind of a boy
who felt helpless for the first time in his life.
And so…
A single coincidence…
was enough
to make the boy continue crying.
Without answers.
Without explanations.
There was nothing he could do but cry,
and curse himself for his ignorance.
He cried and cried,
like a small child,
until the sun of the next day finally rose.
**End of Chapter**