Chapter 28: Path (1)
The dragonkin Hike was Adjak’s closest companion.
Without her, it would have been difficult for Adjak, a mere half-human, half-dragon, to garner the full support of the dragonkin.
Hike was also one of the last five who stood by Adjak’s side when he struck down the Demon King.
Now, with Adjak unable to return from Myeolji, she was a living hero in this world and an elder of the Adjak family.
This ancient dragon had invited me to a strange, isolated space in the blink of an eye from a banquet hall filled with people.
It was likely a space created by dragon speech.
But more than the mystery imbued in this place, the question she had just asked me startled me even more.
Was I Adjak?
Adjak was the character I had raised, the one I cherished most.
But I couldn’t be certain that I was truly Adjak.
As I hesitated, unable to respond, Hike, who had been waiting for an answer, posed another question.
“Or, are you Adjak’s reincarnation?”
This time, at least, it was a question I could answer.
I wasn’t Adjak’s reincarnation.
But instead of answering immediately, I met Hike’s languid gaze.
It didn’t feel like she was pressing me or demanding the truth.
“I’m not sure myself. Whether I’m Adjak, his reincarnation, or merely his descendant.”
I could have lied to Hike, but I chose to be honest.
To Adjak, Hike was special.
To Hike, Adjak was special.
“Confusing,” Hike said.
Her voice and expression remained unchanged, making it hard to gauge her thoughts.
“If you’re not Adjak, you know too much for someone unknown.”
Her calm, even voice stirred my heart instead.
I had just met the first person in this world connected to Adjak.
Hike wasn’t just someone who knew him—she was his confidant.
I desperately wanted to ask what Adjak was like in her memories.
But for now, answering her questions was more important.
“I know a lot about Adjak. Perhaps even more than you, Lady Hike.”
“……”
“If you ask how I know, it’s hard to explain. It’s a kind of mystery.”
Hike listened quietly to my words.
“Do you know what happened to Adjak, trapped in the Dome?”
“I don’t know that much.”
“He’s probably dead.”
I, too, believed Adjak was dead, but saying it in front of his friend wasn’t easy.
Instead, I shared the resolve I had made.
“I intend to follow in Adjak’s footsteps. From the life he lived to what he experienced in the Dome, I’ll find out.”
At that moment, Hike’s eyes changed.
Her pupils, which had seemed empty despite staring at me, flickered with a faint light.
“When I find out, I’ll be sure to tell you, Lady Hike.”
The corners of Hike’s lips twitched upward slightly.
That was enough for me.
To spark even a small hope in an ancient dragon whose emotions had worn thin from centuries of life was enough and as if in response, Hike spoke.
“Your heart—it’s like ours.”
“Yes, I possess a Dragon Heart.”
“The sword you hold was once given by me to Adjak’s descendant.”
I looked down at the Branch of World Tree I still held.
To think the Branch of World Tree, a gift from Tayon, was originally from Hike.
“I didn’t know it was a sword you gifted, Lady Hike.”
“It’s fine. It’s no longer mine.”
Hike’s feelings were hard to decipher.
But I could sense she held a small curiosity about me.
“If you learn anything while following Adjak’s life, tell me. My memories of him are fading.”
“Yes, I understand.”
With that, Hike extended her palm toward me.
It wasn’t for a handshake, so I placed the Branch of World Tree in her hand.
She examined the sword closely before speaking.
“It’s been well-worn by your hands. You’ve achieved shape transformation, but it hasn’t fully bloomed yet.”
“Yes, it hasn’t responded to my call since I defeated Ainsitel.”
The Branch of World Tree had given no response since I struck down Ainsitel.
Hike gazed at it for a moment before returning it to me.
“You’ll find the way yourself.”
“Yes, I will.”
My answer seemed to satisfy her, as a faint smile crossed her lips.
Then, in an instant, Hike vanished like smoke.
…And I found myself back in the bustling banquet hall.
I looked around, but there was no trace of Hike.
As I stood bewildered, a man approached me.
“Polarin, congratulations on taking first place in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. I’ve had my eye on you since you received Tayon’s Special Recommendation. Can we talk for a moment?”
It was Tibou Adjak, the chief supervisor of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
* * *
Tibou proposed that I join the White Dragon Knights.
“The White Dragon Knights are the sword of the Adjak family. Only those with exceptional talent can join. With your abilities, you’d quickly earn recognition within the Knights.”
The White Dragon Knights called the sword of the Adjak family, they stood at the forefront whenever the family faced a crisis.
Joining them would mean professional military training and the chance to learn aura.
The White Dragon Knights were undoubtedly the finest organization within the Adjak family.
I had vaguely considered joining them, building my standing in the family, and seeking their aid for a Myeolji expedition.
But I didn’t give a definitive answer.
“Thank you for the offer. I’ll think it over and decide.”
The reason was simple.
Behind Tibou, others were already lining up to speak with me.
After Tibou shook my hand firmly and left, a flood of recruitment offers followed.
“Greetings, Polarin! We’re the Lower Autonomous Regions Alliance. For someone from District 18 like you, we offer the best support…”
“Hello! We’re Tello, the intelligence division of the Adjak family. As for us…”
I listened carefully to each proposal.
Was this what it felt like to be scouted by top companies after achieving great results?
It was a warm reception I’d never experienced on Earth.
I was both bewildered and delighted.
But my response to all was the same as to Tibou: I’d think it over.
Some didn’t back off easily, eagerly promoting their organizations, but I didn’t budge.
The Adjak family was united, but its bonds weren’t strong, which likely led to this frenzy.
Every organization was eager to recruit those who excelled in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
After a long string of conversations, I was finally free.
I wanted to find Tayon and ask about Hike, but he was nowhere to be seen.
* * *
“…Ugh, another event?”
“Yeah, this time an elder is attending.”
“What? I’ve never even seen an elder!”
“Most of us haven’t, right?”
The endless string of events was wearing out the Coming-of-Age Ceremony participants.
The long-awaited ceremony had ended, and the congratulations were joyful, no doubt.
But this year marked 300 years since Adjak’s disappearance.
The family placed special significance on this ceremony.
Moreover, this year’s participants were noted for their exceptional abilities.
“There are too many events. But this one feels different.”
It was the final official event, and an elder would attend.
The elders, who even when summoning me for questions at Chilgong Fortress tried to hide their identities, were elusive.
Would they really show themselves before so many people? I had my doubts.
Just then, a middle-aged man in fine clothes rushed over, shouting.
“Polarin, take the front center! Soler and Keldric, stand on either side of the row behind him! No, no, Soler on the left!”
The mere fact of an elder’s attendance made the preparations thorough and hectic.
The man directing our formation was someone I’d been introduced to at another event.
Even he was now anxiously preparing, wary of the yet-to-arrive elder.
Guards were heavily deployed, their auras menacing.
Through these repeated events, I’d met many of the family’s prominent figures.
But some of these guards gave off an impression stronger than most organization leaders.
I stood alone in the front row.
Behind me, the 2nd to 10th-ranked participants lined up.
Soler and Keldric, used to such events, seemed relaxed, but Siriel and Kiyot, from lower autonomous regions, were pale with nerves.
“Tayon still isn’t here.”
After the preparations were complete, I stood in the front row, awaiting the elder.
Then, a deep voice called out.
“The elder is entering. Welcome them with resounding applause.”
Though I felt it was a bit of a formality, I clapped as hard as I could.
Every small action of mine was under scrutiny.
As I clapped until my hands turned red, staring at the platform—
“Eek!”
Someone gasped in surprise.
And no wonder—a hunched old man had suddenly appeared in the center of the empty platform.
The elder, soaking in the applause, straightened his back and waved.
“How did he appear on the platform like that? No tricks, just raw power? Or a Tune? Whatever it is, it’s impressive.”
I stared at the kind-faced old man.
After the prolonged applause finally died down, the elder began to speak.
“This year marks the 300th year since Adjak’s disappearance.”
I listened closely to the elder’s voice.
Though soft, each word rang clear in my ears.
“This year, several Tunes known to have been held by Adjak were discovered.”
Excitement flickered across the faces of some participants.
“Is he going to gift us Adjak’s Tunes?”
“Shh!”
The solemn atmosphere lightened slightly.
Some whispered among themselves, but the elder on the platform continued, unfazed.
“The Tune reset phenomenon. Do you know what it means?”
The elder paused, scanning the crowd.
Then, locking eyes with me, he asked.
“Champion, you answer.”
Though sudden, I knew the answer.
I responded without hesitation.
“It means Adjak passed away. 300 years ago.”
My words caused an immediate uproar.
“…What?”
“Is it okay to say that?”
The hall buzzed.
Adjak’s death—something most knew but hushed up—had been spoken aloud before an elder.
Some, unaware of Adjak’s death, screamed or collapsed.
Most participants couldn’t hide their shock.
The elder raised a wrinkled brow, his half-closed eyes glinting.
“You’re correct.”
The elder drove the point home.
The crowd stirred again.
Some must have clung to the hope that Adjak wasn’t dead.
But the elder’s words carried weight.
As the atmosphere grew cold, the elder continued.
“The era of heroes is over. So—”
Was it because he was an elder?
His ability to captivate was remarkable.
“You will become the new heroes.”