[ TWATF 2 ]

Chapter 192: A lone world (1)

"Since when did you know?"

"Since when you began following me."

Karlton nodded. He was just lucky that he found Jaehwan quietly moving out of the meeting room. He snuck away without letting anyone notice. If Karlton hadn't kept looking at Jaehwan, he too would not have noticed. Jaehwan couldn't let others know as he had to follow Jaehwan quickly. It took him hours of running to not fall behind Jaehwan. Finally, he looked back.

"...Why did you not stop then?"

"Because I had no reason to then."

"Which means you have reason to now?"

"Yeah."

"Why..."

"It's dangerous from here onward."

Karlton then glanced over at the fog beyond Hatchnold. He knew what lied between their current location and the end of that fog. For the first time, the word 'danger' came so clearly to him. There was that much terrifying world power.

<Highseeker>, the headquarters of Rupture.

The most powerful beings who were on the precipice of uniting <Depth> was in there. Just looking at it from afar was enough to feel its power. Karlton knew. If he went closer to it, he would be crushed instantly.

"You are no help. I know that you don't even have a unique world right now," Jaehwan answered. Karlton couldn't object or deny it.

"Did you know?"

"How would I not know?"

Karlton had achieved the 4th step Awakening, but he still did not have his unique world. Of course, not having a unique world was the point here. It was impossible for an Awakener to reach the 3rd step without a unique world. So, Karlton probably had a unique world, but he just couldn't realize that he had one. He probably had a powerful world within him, which he was drawing his power from, but he wasn't sure what it was.

If he put in the effort and looked carefully within him, he would become a powerful 4th step Awakener. But that was in the future, not now. Karlton couldn't even handle a high-ranking God's Vicegerent right now, let alone the Master of Rupture.

"I know I am of no help."

"You do? You don't seem to know that based on what you are doing."

"Yes, I do," Karlton answered and Jaehwan frowned.

"Let me rephrase it. You will be getting in the way."

"I know."

"..."

"But what will you do if I still will follow you?"

Karlton's determination shook Jaehwan's eyes. He closed his eyes to hide it. He thought about it. This was why he tried to come alone.

It was the same in the Tower of Nightmares, in <Chaos>, and in <Depth>.

Jaehwan always lost something. He knew this very well and refused to make friends if possible. The only thing promised that stood in his way was a loss. He'd have to pay the price of something he valued for something else. He even wished for someone to walk the path together with him. Honestly, he was so lonely and tired that he felt weak.

After he realized Ouroboros and acquired the [Eye of Geshtalt], Jaehwan realized that he had to walk this path alone. No one was allowed to walk together or behind him. The one who walked this path will...

"You will die."

Jaehwan opened his eyes and spoke coldly. He knew this would hurt Karlton, but he still did it anyway. Karlton just smiled.

"Yes, I will die. I will not be able to protect myself, Master."

Karlton did not back down and Jaehwan frowned.

"Why are you still calling me Master?"

"Because you are the Master."

"We aren't at <Chaos>."

"I know, sir."

"You don't need to serve me anymore."

"I know."

"And why are you following me?"

Karlton smiled, "Master, do you remember the first day we met?"

"Yeah."

Of course, he remembered. How could he forget the first day he entered Gorgon Fortress? Karlton the Stubborn was the one who memorized all laws of Gorgon and scanned for any illegal entries.

"I told you then that our justice might have a chance to fight against each other."

He remembered when Karlton accepted Jaehwan to come in. The day when no one was hurt, no one's justice was ruined. When Jaehwan asked Karlton for the change of mind, Karlton spoke then.

"And this is the moment."

And Karlton was now continuing on with those words.

"You want to go alone, but I can't let you go alone. So, the day has come at last. The day our justice clashes."