Chapter 67 - 67: He Who Walks Beneath the Starless Sky
"Actually, there isn't just one place where I found these petals. The first time, I found a few of them in one place—inside the academy, in my research lab. Then, a few weeks later, I found many more in my room where I live."
Ibaan's brows furrowed.
After a moment of thought, a single question formed in his mind: why did the Morrveil petals appear only in the places where she was usually present?
He couldn't find any clear reason behind it. It felt too absurd.
And above all else—why did they appear from the Dead Eye of the Fallens' realm?
Every question he had until now turned into a quest he had to complete.
For now, he simply listened to Charlie's sister, Selphina, and asked another question.
"Tell me. What did you get from your research on the petals?"
She let out a small sigh and replied calmly, "Not much. But from what I've hypothesised, they come from an unknown being. They're alive. Their genes are unknown to the human world and to beasts—but they are familiar to the genes of unknown beings."
Ibaan's face darkened as he listened carefully and understood.
A single thought formed in his mind.
She is truly dangerous.
And she really was. Just by sitting in one place for hours—maybe days—studying the smallest details of something from the world of unknown beings, she had already traced the origin of these petals. And of course, it led to the realm of unknown beings.
So she was already close to the truth—though she didn't know it yet.
And if that was the case, wouldn't her 200 Rups go to waste?
Back in the Royal City, lying on the bed and pretending to sleep peacefully, his heart ached.
He was faced with two choices.
Either take the 200 Rups and finish the job after a day—or take no money and tell her that her hypothesis might already be true.
Choosing the first would make him greedy.
Choosing the second would mean being true to himself.
He was human, after all. He had something no one else had—uniqueness. So why become greedy like the world and turn into nothing more than a commoner? Why not be generous and stand apart among billions?
Yes. That was right.
After all, he was a disciple of the Nemesis of Angels.
Controlling the body of his puppet, Bain De Light, he asked Selphina, "If you already know the origin, why are you still trying to find it?"
"I want the name of the specific unknown being that belongs to its species," she answered at once.
'Huh? She wants to dig even deeper.'
He sighed loudly.
And just like that, he made his choice.
The first one.
200 Rups are worth it.
"Alright," he said. "Give me your contact. I'll inform you once it's done."
She nodded and handed him her phone number along with the 200 Rups.
---
A day later, back in the City above the Heavens, Ibaan stood under the shower in the small house assigned to him and Selpe.
Warm water hit his shoulders again and again. Steam rose around his body, blurring the mirror embedded in the wall ahead.
The red Sky Vein Ring glowed in his hand.
Lost in thought, he wondered how—and why—the Morrveil petals had crossed from the realm of the Dead Eye of the Fallens into the mortal world. And why they appeared only in the exact places where Selphina stayed every day.
He guessed they had entered his body through his eyes.
That was the pathway—the link between the realm of the Dead Eye of the Fallens and the mortal world.
There had to be a reason.
As if some unknown being from that realm was planning something.
Or so he thought.
'I need to know this as soon as possible.'
He knew one thing clearly—nothing would be revealed unless he worked for it. A man cannot understand a philosopher's words unless he digs deep into them.
And so, Ibaan had to dig deeper as well.
He turned off the shower, wiped the mirror with a towel, and looked at his reflection.
A clean face. Wet hair falling over his forehead. A body stronger than before.
He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back.
His crimson-red eye burned as he stared at himself. The corner of his mouth moved, whispering three words.
"Cut your path."
Cut your path?
His brows furrowed as he dried his body and hair, confused by the meaning.
Perhaps it meant shortening his journey back to his real world—taking risks no matter how dangerous.
But for that, he needed information about Imvish.
And he believed he could get it from the Bastard gathering.
Which was today.
He had already requested access.
His thoughts drifted back to the first Sunday after he was invited into the organisation—remembering what had happened over a month ago.
…
A month ago
It had been three days since he arrived in the City above the Heavens.
The Sky Vein Ring glowed faintly on his finger.
He brought his hands together, closing his eyed he began praying to the Great Lord, Bastard— the one whe had given his faith to.
"He Who Walks Beneath the Starless Sky
The One Who Was, Who Is, and Who Will Be
Great Lord of the Cosmos — Holis"
And just as he did he felt a bit change in his presence but without wasting anymore of his time, he sank intobthe the luxurious bed, eyes closed. Fake sleeping.
He had told Selpe he would rest for a few hours and not to disturb him.
Today was Sunday—the day the arcane people gathered.
The Bastards.
Just as excitement began to rise—Darkness enveloped him.
He shot his eyes open and found himself in a strange place. An endless sky stretched before him, countless stars shimmering in the dark. Constellations filled the heavens, nebulae decorating the vast expanse above—and among them was one lone star, white in color, glowing as if a merciless rage burned within it.