Chapter 99


    The snow copsed in front of the mountain.


    A massive hole undted in green.


    Its a gap in space.


    Asilia quietly opened her mouth.


    It seems simr to what we saw when we were absorbed.


    The rest except for Yerina was bewildered by Asilias words.


    I lost my mind, nyah.


    Me too Did you see it, Ian?


    Dont forget were just students.


    Whether they saw it or not, they could make judgments.


    They might be able to return to their original world through that gap.


    When everyone reached that thought, they nced at Asilia and Ian.


    Clearly, the two who seemed intimate here.


    One of them seemed unable to leave.


    Asilia spoke.


    Ah, it feels refreshing. I wanted to see this sight so much. Thank you all for your hard work. And Im really grateful.


    Her smile seemed incredibly happy.


    Thank you for enduring hardships under such a mediocre master.


    <em>Sigh-.</em>


    As ifmemorating thest moment, Asilia embraced Ian.


    But Ian pushed his master away.


    Disciple. Yeah, you dont like the embrace of an olddy like this?


    Ignoring Asilia pretending to be teary-eyed, Ian turned to Danya.


    Ill be back.


    Danya nodded.


    This time, he asked Yerina.


    The gap will close soon, right?


    It should be about an hour.


    Yes.


    Ian turned away immediately.


    And knelt in front of the bewildered Asilia and showed his back.


    Master, please get on.


    Um, it seems my disciple misunderstood, I cant pass there, right? Theres not much time left


    Ian straightened his head immediately.


    Were not going together. Ive prepared a ce for Master to stay for a while.


    A ce to stay for a while? I was going to see off my disciple going, but where are you nning to leave me


    Just kidding. Im serious, Master. Please get on. We dont have time.


    Disciple, instead of unnecessary troubles, lets go back quickly. I really dont have any hope, any way left.


    Ian firmly replied to Asilia, who awkwardly smiled.


    I wont go either. Ill live here with my master. Please ride for now.


    Really.


    Reluctantly, Asilia rode on Ians back.


    Where are we going?


    Where Master will close her eyes for a moment.


    As they rode back the way they came, Ian spoke.


    No matter how skilled Richard is, he cant create a world like this on his own.


    If we specte on his style, hell probably use all sorts of magic, like boundaries, to link his prison to some real space in the north.


    Thats


    In other words, if Richard dies or he undoes the strange magic hes done, this space will reveal itself again in the real world.


    A shiver ran down the masters spine.


    It was impossible not to notice that slight change.


    Master, you knew about it too.


    Its spatial distortion magic.


    You were trying to hide it.


    Thats just in case


    Ian spoke instead of Asilia, who was blurring her words.


    In case I had to figure out a way to save you.


    Silence descended.


    Ian ran without saying a word.


    Thats how they returned to the cave where Ian first met his master. The other side had copsed, but the cave remained.


    <em> Trot, trot.</em>


    The ce where they first rested. The ce where they met his master. Passing by the ce where there was a hot spring she introduced, Ian stepped into a small, sturdy space.


    Asilia, who had been silently watching only her disciples back, twitched her nose.


    A strong scent of flowers filled the air.


    T-this is


    Beyond Ians shoulder, Asilia blinked nkly.


    The cave was filled with white flowers.


    A bedspread spread among hundreds of flowers.


    There, Ian carefullyid down his master.


    I-Is this could it be, Snowke Flowers?


    Danya made it happen.


    Why would she go to such lengths


    Because one alone couldnt replenish his masters mana.


    <em> Then, even if its just a few, as long as it can sustain her mana even a little!</em>


    So, Danya made it happen.


    Why would she do this for me?


    Ian asked.


    <em> W-Well? Just because? I felt a bitcking in my abilities, so I made it!</em>


    Though Danya replied like that, Ian seemed to understand her true intentions.


    One day, he would have to thank Danya separately.


    But for now, his master came first.


    When you see those masters, there are always people like them. Now that Ive reached the pinnacle, theres no one in the world who can rival me! Since Ive be invincible, Ill just go into hibernation until the next master appears! People like that.


    The Master doesnt understand what the disciple is talking about.


    Ian grinned at the master, who seemed bewildered.


    Master, please stay here.


    What?


    Please go into hibernation.


    In fact, Asilia understood what her disciple meant.


    If she hibernated here, it meant that someday her disciple woulde to save her.


    But it shouldnt be like that.


    If she carried the burden in her heart, she couldnt focus on the fight.


    Above all, she didnt want to see her disciple wandering around trying to find this ce.


    But.


    If you cant fall asleep within thirty minutes, Ill just live here with you, Master.


    What did you say?


    It seems like Master wants to live together with the disciple. Because Master is a bit absent-minded, the disciple will have a bit of a hard time, but it cant be helped. Isnt that what a master-disciple rtionship is like? Later, when Master gets old, the disciple will take care of her, right? Anyway, Ill set up my sleeping ce first. Since were living together, should Iy it next to Master?


    Hesitantly.


    As Ian began toy out his bedding, Asilia grabbed his sleeve.


    Really how did I end up with such a disciple?


    Ian quietly epted the weak gesture of Asilias hand, which was almost fading away with her waning vitality.


    Asilias smile faltered.


    A disciple who doesnt listen to the masters words, with such stubbornness


    Ian quietly met her eyes, filled with sadness.


    A master who takes advantage of the fact that she cant beat her disciple.


    <em>Tap, tap. </em>


    As if she wanted to hit him if she could, Asilias hand rose to Ians chest.


    Ian gently held her hand, hoping to warm her icy hands a bit.


    Asilias lips opened with infinite sadness.


    The most precious disciple in the world, why did youe now?


    <em>Cough</em>. Asilia, who coughed dryly, spoke with difficulty.


    While being here, surely you closed off all your emotions. Youre hoping, arent you?


    Tears formed in Asilias eyes and trickled down her cheeks.


    Ian carefully wiped away his masters tears.


    You have to hope, master. Who am I to you?


    Who are you?


    The disciple of Sasha Asilia, the Snowke Swordmaster.


    Really


    <em>Smoothly. </em>


    Asilias lips rose heavily.


    This would only be a burden in such a situation. Im a master just taking up space without any usefulness.


    Its not a burden, its a treasure. Something you cant throw away no matter how heavy it is. Of course, right now, youre too light. Later, well have to fatten you up a bit to make you more valuable.


    <em>Smoothly. </em>


    Asilias lips twitched upward with great effort.


    Even her breathing seemed faint and indistinct.


    Even in this situation, jokes


    It was sincere, but thank you for smiling.


    Thank you.


    As if she wanted to firmly store it in her memory, Asilias gaze scrutinized every corner of Ians face.


    My disciple.


    <em>Smoothly.</em>


    Asilias eyes closed.


    Her upper body fell and leaned against Ian.


    Asilias breathing in Ians ear was calm.


    Carefully, Ianid his master down among the flowers blooming profusely.


    Well then, good night. Master.


    Did everything finish well?


    Ian returned to the gap in space.


    Yerina asked him.


    The real ending will be when we see the end of Richard.


    Those are the right words.


    Yerina was worried about Ians mental state.


    He and Asilia had a short but deep master-disciple rtionship.


    But Ians face was calm, and even his determination was felt.


    Facing the imminent battle with Richard.


    Ian seemed to have no shortage of determination.


    Yerina nodded satisfactorily.


    If we pass through this gap, theres a very high chance welle face to face with Richard. No. Well definitely do. Theres a high chance hell try to fight us straight away.


    The location and external circumstances are significant variables. However, theres a possibility that Richard might be fighting someone else. If the assumption that the eyes here are Richards mana is correct.


    Watching the increasingly fierce snowstorm, Ian spoke.


    The problem is how severe Richards injuries will be.


    This ce is Richards prison.


    Using the mark left by Asilia, Ian destroyed more than half of the snowfield.


    In other words, it was no different from destroying the prison from the inside.


    However, since this form of prison was not ordinary, it was difficult to gauge Richards condition.


    The virtual prison has been shattered. Its not just ordinary injuries. Its safe to assume that about 90% of it has been destroyed.


    In that case


    Yeah, the current Richard wont even be able to wield a fraction of his power. Of course, his power at its fraction is probably stronger than mine.


    Richard Pierce, the Grand Duke of the North, and the final boss of Act 2.


    And one of the high-ranking members of the Bloodstone Cult.


    Originally, this scenario was supposed to be about him gathering evidence of being part of the Bloodstone Cult, but


    Its an opportunity. We can capture him.


    This time, a situation had arisen where they could outright hunt him down.


    Yerina spoke with a voice full of determination.


    Everyone, stay alert. Ill take the vanguard.


    Yerina stepped into the gap in space and disappeared.


    Ian followed her lead and threw himself into it.


    In an instant, the scenery changedpletely.