Chapter 54

Amemory from long ago came flooding into his mind. What he remembered most clearly was a woman. Before he was sealed,she was the first and final person he made a contract with. However, she wasnt just someone heformeda contract with. She was thefirst beinghe met right after his birth,his precious friend,andsomeone whoshowed Nowem a whole new world.

Yet, their ending was tragic.

Inhis desire to protect andforma more special relationship with her, he unconsciouslyformed a contract with her. However, a magical beasts special manawas the sameas poison to a normal person. Succumbingtothe immense power of the earth, she began to grow ill like cracked, dry soil; and becauseher body rejected hismana, she began to lose her mind and went out of control from time to time.

Soon, she became a symbol of fear among humans. However, it was impossible to break the contract. It was an absolute contract, decided from his birth, and it could only end if one of them died. Still, she didnt resent him.

On the other hand, Nowem tried to kill himself many times. He thought heshouldbe the one to die if one of them had to die, but she stopped him. She threatened himand said thatif hedied,she wouldkill herself right after.Thus, the two traveled all around the world to find a way to break the contract.

Afterthey went through all kinds ofsuffering and trials, they finally found a method: it was a seal; an immensely strong one that could cancel the contract that bound them together. Although sealing himself meanttheirseparation was unavoidable, that was the only method they could find. Moreover,they didnt have enough timeher skinwas likean old, oak tree,her hairwasbrittle,and her eyesweremuddy. There was no trace of thevibrant and bright energyshe used to carry herself with. The only thing that was the same was her smile while shepatted him.

[Its time forus to separate.]

She didnt have much time left. She was against the sealing, but Nowem insisted. He wanted her to enjoy a peaceful time, even if it was for a short period. While she shed her tears, the smile on her lips didnt disappear.

[You will definitely meet your soulmate in the future.]Shewhispered tohim.[You wont meet someonewho lacksskills like me.Aperson whowill be able toaccept all your powers will definitely appear in front of you. So dont give up. Pleasefindyour happiness.]

Her sincere feelings touched Nowems heart. She hugged Nowem and felt his soft fur, small body, and temperature that was slightly higher than a humans as if she was trying to imprintthese senseson her body. Then she sang a soothing song. They didnt know when it began, but there was a song spreading across the world. The song denounced Nowem and the lyricswere filled with fear and resentment towards him.

[If we solve this issue, lets travel around the world. We can do a lot of good deeds and change the lyrics of the song.]

After listening to the song, she said this to him. However,theyfailed. Justlike it was before, she and Nowemremainedsymbols of fear. It wasnt a long one so the song soonended, butshe spoke again with a mischievous tone.

[Although I couldnt change the song about you, I am going to let people know that youarent just a scary being. Since a song about your horror is spreading, I will alsousea song totell people about you.]

Then, she made an oath with her hoarse voice.

[Even if people dont believe me or the song doesnt spread, I will continue to try. If I get a family and have children, I will teach them this song. So, even if theres only one person left to sing this song, I will make surethat thereisa song that invokes love and hopein yourname. Andthis songwill ring all over the world!]

Thenshe began singing again.Her songwas theoppositeof the song that talkedofhis horrors.Itwas so dreamlikethat its lyricsseemed to capture all of his emotions and hope, and with her smiling face, the songembeddeditself into a deep corner of Nowems heart. Like that, Nowem was sealed.

While he was asleep, hedreamedthe same dreams. It was abittersweetdream thatpictured whatwould happen if he wasnt sealed and continued to live a peaceful life with her; and while he was dreaming, he was fully aware that he was in a dream and knew that it was a future thatwould nevercome. That was probably why

[You wont meet someonewho lacksskills like me.Aperson who can accept all your powers will definitely appear in front of you. So dont give up. Pleasefindyour happiness.]

These words echoed inside his mind.

* * *

The redness in Nowems eyes began to disappear. His sharp teeth and toenails sucked back in, and he stopped his constantgrowling. Nowem just stared at Snoc who was helplessly singing a song on and on.

Although many partshad changedover theyears,Snocs songwas definitely what Nowemhadheard before his sealing. The beginning part of the song was the same as what people had sung in their resentment and fear at Nowem.

It was a song he couldnt ever get used to. Thus, even while helost his senses,he felt a familiar sense of loathing and growled. However,the amplification of hisloathing stopped as the song continued. The song wasnt like he remembered; the lyrics and melodies of the songhad beenaltered. Yet, it was like the song she sang before his sealing: the general melody, lyrics, and the sense of attachment towards him were the same.

[Didnt I promise you?]

Even though it had been a long time since her death, it was as if she was still talking to him.Like amischievouschild who succeededwithher prank, she seemed to smile upon him. However, that smile would soon change into a soft onejust like the one shespecially reserved for him.

[I told you that I would spreaditeven if I have to use my children.]

The violent energy that poured out all over his body soon began to wane. His mad eyes soon began toreflectthefigurein front of him:Snoc. He was the human Nowem met after he broke out of hisseal andthe person whopossessed the same energy as him.Fromhis blurry vision, Nowem saw Snocoverlap with the images he had of her.

* * *

The day was bright. As if the fierce battle thattook place last night had all been a lie, birds chirped, and the sky was bright blue and filled with clouds. However, in contrast to nature that began its morningroutine like usual, the humans were noisy andchaotic. It was because of themysteriousroaring sounds from last night.

Basically, noone in Suolhad a pleasant sleep last night. A support teamwasquickly established and sent to investigate the mine. Several government employees, experts, and troops went up, and those with strong nerves and curiosity followed them from behind. Of course, the investigation team blocked the mines surroundings, so outsiders couldnt go inside the scene of the incident and stroll around the area.

The mine was blocked for the time being. Even if mining was the citys most important business, they couldnt push aheadwith minework while the remains of an intense battlewere still present. Considering the citys position, they couldnt block it for long, and the city mobilized a great number of resources and manpower intoinvestigating lastnights incident.

If they knew Zich and Snoc were involved in thecase last night, things would getextremelybothersome for both of them. People could evenrally againstNowemandtreathimasathreattothe citys safety. Thus, Zichmade his decisionwithout any hesitationtoact like they didnt know anything.

Sir, we came back!

Wecameback.

The entrance opened and Sam and Hanscameinside. As if theyspenta lot of their energy, they lookedweary, but both of their expressions lookedrelieved.

How was it?

I just kept saying that I didnt know anything about what happened last night,Sam answered. Hans nodded his head strongly as if he justcompleteda mission.

Will this really be all right?

The investigation team had requestedfortheir cooperation. Unlike Zich or the assassins, Sam and Hans had gotten permission from the gatekeeper last nighttogo past thefortresss gates, so there was even evidence that they were at the mine during the time of the incident. This was the reason whythe investigation teamrequestedSam and Hans help aspossible witnesses.

And althoughtheyrequested help, it wasnta requestthat they could refuseespecially for Sam who had to continue living in the city. Therefore, both of themcooperated with the investigation but didnt tell the truthas they alreadypromised Zich that they would keep their mouthsshut.

Did you tell themwhat I taught you?

Yeah. I told them that I heard a loud noise while climbing, so I stopped walking in the middle of the mine. I also told them that I hid in a bush until the noise stopped because I was scared.

Thats good.Out of hope, they asked you guys just in caseanyway. I dont know about Hans, but why would they suspect someone with a definite identity like a miner? And Hans went to guard you anyways. I cleaned up after us well too.

He might have beenable to erase all traces of battle, but it was an easy task for Zich to tamper withhissurroundings.He had a lot of experience with thisbefore his regression.

I guess so.

I scattered the corpses of the guys who caused this incident. And I also used Drews corpse that I found by accident to create a plausible scenario. They cant follow uponus.

After Zich explained his work in detail, Sam felt relieved. However,he wasnt completely relieved andtook out a chair and sat on it with his shakinglegs.

I dont want to do something like this ever again.

Its fun if you get used to it.

The investigation team would probably also come to Zich. Since he left Drews corpse sprawled outatthe scene of the incident, they would probably find out about the trouble with Drew,Zich, Snoc, and Sam. Yet, even if they did that, Snoc and Sam had been the victims and were ordinary miners.They would probably be only suspicious of Zich.

Dont think I am like you. I am going to live a normal life where I justhave to digmines.

Peasant bastard.

Thats the perfect life I want.

As they shared this useless conversation, Sams anxiety began to fade away completely. He began to laugh more and stopped shaking his legs. Seeing that Sam calmed down, Zich went onto the next topic.

Okay then, lets talk about those guys.

Zichs eyes landed on Snoc who was sitting with a slight hunch with Nowem in his arms. Nowems eyes rolled around andfeltthe surrounding atmosphere. His sensitive senses, which were the characteristics of magical beasts,decipheredthe mood of his surroundings, andhe could sensethat a conversation that would be very important to him would soon take place.

Koo.

While letting out a low cry, he looked up at Snoc who was hugging him. He saw Snocs determined face as if Snoc had firmly decided on something.

First of all, it doesnt seem like Nowem will get out of control anymore. Whats left is the bitter feelings between you two, andyour plans with Nowem.

I already told you before that I forgave him.Sam spoke without any hesitation in his response. As ifhe finishedorganizingall his thoughts perfectly, there wasnt even a slight tremblein his tone.

Yes, I am impressed by yourresponse, but the problem is both of your emotions.

True toZichs words, Snocs face wasnt bright. Guilt waswrittenall over hisface like it would rub off ifsomeonewiped it with a white cloth.

I am really grateful for Sams words of forgiveness, but its true that Nowem caused our fathers deaths. So, I also dont think we can get over it with just our words.

Snocs voice was so soft and tinyit soundedlike a mouse crawling on the floor. However, everyone understood what he meant. Sam looked awkward, and although he didnt feel any regret for saying that he forgave Nowem,he could alsounderstand Snocs feelings.Human emotions were extremely complex.

It was at that pointZich intervened,Then, how about doing kind acts from now on?