[ TWATF ]

Chapter 92: Path of the Depth (1)

Episode 12.
Path of the Depth (1)

The War of Revival was over. It ended with <Chaos> freed from the <Great Lands>. However, that was only the beginning.

Jaehwan spoke to the pale-faced patient in the healer room of Gorgon Keep.

"You were alive."

It was Jagel Meng.

"I thought you were dead."

"...I'm the leader of a Ten-Clan. I won't die so easily."

He smiled, but his injuries were severe. It was a miracle that he even survived.

"It's all thanks to the Doctor of Despair."

When he was injured, Chunghuh had just returned to Gorgon and quickly tended to Jagel Meng. If not, he would've died.

"...I heard you defeated Sameng Garam."

Jaehwan knew it was Sameng Garam who caused Jagel Meng to be in this state. So, in some sense, Jaehwan had taken revenge for him.

"He was a Great General."

Jaehwan knew Jagel Meng meant something deeper.

"Did you know him?"

"Every member of the Jagel family knows the Sameng family."

The Sameng family was one of the Renowned Familyiesof the <Great Lands>.

"You might be aware, but 'they' will now have their eyes on us too."

"They?"

"The Renowned families. Sameng already has, for sure."

The Palace belonged to the Lords and the Renowned families. <Chaos> also killed a member of the Renowned families. Jaehwan shook his head.

"It's okay. They won't come here anymore."

Jagel Meng opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Did.... Did you acquire the [Narrow Door]?"

Jaehwan nodded and Jagel Meng heaved a sigh of relief.

"That's good... but it's too early to be relieved."

"I know."

Jaehwan understood what he was talking about. He had warned the other leaders of this in a previous meeting. There was another, normal, way of coming into <Chaos>.

"I'll just kill them again."

Jagel Meng sighed. He could now believe those words to be true.

"If they are here to kill me, even at the cost of their lives, they may be worth fighting against."

"...I see."

Jagel Meng smiled, then turned to face the window. It seemed like there was finally a short peace in <Chaos>.

He also realized that this peace was possible because of one person.

Someone called out to Jaehwan, and he stood up from his seat.

"Take care of yourselves."

Jagel Meng stared at Jaehwan. Where was he going now? What lay beyond the path that he would be taking? Was it a path that they could follow? Or... Was it his fate, to walk alone on that treacherous path?

"Master."

Jaehwan stopped, not looking back.

"....It's nothing."