Yuta said nothing, listening intently to the Wisdom Gu's report while feeling a deep sense of unease. There were individuals among them who were far from foolish—Beatrice, Seok, Tom, Seol, Haoran, Tao, Shang Jie, and Aaron.
Even the likes of Grey, Ruichi, Lucy, Armin, Previka, Hinataku, and Jian Yi were not so naive as to trust him blindly; while they might be considered friends, there was always an undercurrent of caution in their dealings with him.
"It seems the System's missions are going to be incredibly difficult," Yuta mused, a flicker of annoyance crossing his mind. "I'm only in my first year, yet there are already setbacks and problems that could spiral into complex issues down the line. Sometimes, I envy the protagonists in other stories—though, in those cases, the supporting characters are often fools who just run to the hero to solve all their problems. It would actually be much easier if they weren't so hell-bent on trying to resolve their own troubles independently."
He shifted his gaze toward the Wisdom Gu, which sat on a nearby chair. The look in its eyes boded ill for Yuta; the Wisdom Gu was inherently treacherous, possessing a nature that refused to be contained—even when the terms of its confinement were not strictly restrictive.
After all, it was this very Gu—along with Zhao Li, Alessandra, and Man—that had brought about the deaths of the Plum Blossom Emperor (Zhao Huamei), the Rising Sun Emperor (Zhao Yong), and the Inverted Heaven Emperor (Zhao Bingying). It had also betrayed the Innovation Gu, ultimately transforming Jeju Island into what it is today: one of the most dangerous places in the world. Gu of Innovation intervened to prevent Zhao Li and Alessandra from utilizing the "Gu of the Tree of Origin"—the very catalyst for the creation of the human race—which ultimately led to Alessandra's death that day.
This rendered the notion of trusting the "Gu of Wisdom" utterly foolish—especially given that Tom viewed it as his arch-nemesis. Should the Gu of Wisdom choose to side with someone other than Tom, it would inevitably become Tom's adversary, a development that could lead to a perilous turning point in the future.
Yuta rubbed his face, striving to clear his mind of extraneous thoughts—matters for which the time was not yet ripe. He needed to focus on his immediate objective: the city of Yusaki.
The fact that the venerable "Blessing of the Heavens," Izlabeth, had advised him to head there suggested that something of significance—likely linked to those side quests—awaited him.
He had no inkling as to which of the two remaining quests he might encounter.
Yet, he was confident that he would recognize it upon arrival—provided the individual involved was one of the companions of Zhao Li and Alessandra who had fought in the Second Ragnarok War, a conflict whose original trajectory Yuta had already altered.
He pressed on toward the city of Yusaki, pushing his vehicle to its absolute maximum speed. This left the Gu of Wisdom—an entity that, as the embodiment of wisdom and absolute knowledge within this fantasy realm, possessed extensive information about automobiles—thoroughly astonished. After all, such vehicles did exist in ordinary worlds; Seok's own former world was the prime example. He cast his gaze toward Yuta—who was driving with astonishing skill and at a terrifying speed—his eyes filled with a measure of caution and distrust. Yuta was an ally of Tom, his greatest enemy; to trust him would be sheer folly.
He mused to himself, his inner voice laced with doubt and suspicion: "Information about him is completely obscured. I cannot uncover anything regarding his life before we met. He is like a mountain shrouded in thick fog—no matter how hard I try to peer through it, I see absolutely nothing."
He let out a deep sigh, turning his attention toward the forest and ignoring the subtle, mocking glint in Yuta's eyes as the latter glanced over from the driver's seat.
He spoke to himself once more, recalling his first encounter with Yuta at the Tree of Origin: "May 27th, 675—three months and several days have passed since then. He is truly a hybrid—part human, demon, angel, and dragon—yet the demonic genes run deepest within him." He sighed again, remembering that day—a day he loathed. He had never imagined that a bond would be forged with anyone, let alone a human.
Flashback:
Meanwhile, nestled within a hollow of the Tree of Origin, there existed a beautiful fairy—no larger than the palm of an adult man's hand. With white hair and wide, golden eyes that radiated a blend of innocence, wisdom, and profound dignity, this was the 'Wisdom Fairy.' The Wisdom Gu opened its eyes, stirred by the loud, piercing cries. It emerged, its expression etched with annoyance and anger—only for that look to shift into one of pure shock. Before it lay Yuta, closing the lid of a cauldron containing a group of humans—individuals who, as it turned out, were scions of exceptionally powerful clans and sects.
Driven by intense curiosity, the Wisdom Gu drew closer to observe him.
It remained silent for a long while, fearing that any sound might alert Yuta. Furthermore, it was so keen to discover what Yuta intended to do that it dared not speak, lest it break his concentration.
Yuta glanced toward the creature for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the cauldron, checking the state of the concoction within.
The Wisdom Gu continued to watch, consumed by curiosity as it struggled to fathom Yuta's objective. As it realized that Yuta seemed entirely indifferent to its presence, its expression soured, shifting from mere annoyance to clear indignation.
After a few more moments of silent observation, Yuta finally broke the stillness, his tone calm and composed: "Wisdom Gu, what are you doing here? Didn't you once claim that no one would ever be able to capture you? Why, then, have you come to me?"
"...."
The Wisdom Gu stared at Yuta, saying nothing; it was completely bewildered by his words.
*How could he possibly know I said that?* the Wisdom Gu wondered, its mind reeling with confusion. *No one was eavesdropping back then—and even if someone had been, that was an eternity ago! Most of the Gu from that era have long since gone extinct or perished; only a handful remain.* It watched Yuta, who—as before—seemed utterly unconcerned by its very existence. He was contemplating what to do regarding that "Venerable"—the Star-Catching Venerable, Zendaya—and the possibility that other Venerables might also be concealing their existence.
Even a system as powerful as this one cannot detect entities that have reached the level of a "four-winged" being, should they choose to remain hidden.
Wisdom Gu turned its attention back to Yuta: "Yes, I did say that, but I did not come here to establish a connection. It was something else that roused me from my slumber."
Wisdom Gu was astonished that Yuta was still alive; in fact, time was accelerating—and its pace was quickening further—because the Origin Tree Gu had sensed a living entity, other than a Gu, within itself.
Consequently, time at the heart of the Origin Tree Gu was compounding at a terrifying rate with every passing second.The fact that Yuta was still alive at the age of 1,491 was, to the Wisdom Gu, a bizarre anomaly; even for those who reached the rank of Sovereign Ruler, the human lifespan rarely exceeded a thousand years.
Furthermore, witnessing Yuta casually expend such rare resources—three "1,000-Year Longevity Gu," five "500-Year Longevity Gu," and two "10-Hour Gu" (a treasure every being would covet)—left the Wisdom Gu both shocked and deeply unsettled, unable to fathom Yuta's motives.
Yet, he dared not say anything that might provoke Yuta. After all, the Wisdom Gu was not a combat-oriented entity—it was intellectual, perhaps even ethereal in nature—and engaging in direct conflict would be tantamount to suicide.
"Are you curious about how I'm still alive, and why I use such rare resources with such indifference?"
"That seems to be the case. Now, get out of my sight before I kill you; I'm in no mood to entertain anyone's questions," Yuta said, his tone cold and detached, his focus entirely fixed on the mixture he was preparing.
For a few moments, the Wisdom Gu was stunned—Yuta had read his thoughts as if he were an open book.
This only fueled the Wisdom Gu's rage and indignation. He glared at Yuta, who remained utterly indifferent—seemingly unconcerned by the fact that the Wisdom Gu was, in truth, a cunning, ancient fox of a creature.
This very entity had been the indirect cause of many tragedies: the demise of the "Creativity Gu" (which was subsequently replaced by the "Innovation Gu"), the death of Beatrice, and the downfalls of Emperor Plum Blossom (Zhao Huami), Emperor Rising Sun (Zhao Yong), and Emperor Inverted Heaven (Zhao Bingying). He was an indirect cause for the existence of regions devoid of mana, ki, or chi—and the reason for the emergence of dungeons across other, ordinary worlds where mana still permeated the atmosphere.
This was why Yuta had no desire to engage with him; the "Gu of Wisdom" was a double-edged sword—it would destroy anything it failed to comprehend and hold in contempt anything it deemed inferior to itself.
The Gu of Wisdom narrowed its eyes, observing Yuta, who sat in a relaxed posture with his hands clasped shut. It realized that should those hands open, the entire evolution process would collapse completely.
Yet, it had no intention of forcing Yuta to open them; when Yuta told it, "Get out of my sight before I kill you," the Gu of Wisdom felt the chilling proximity of death.
Yuta's tone had been deadly serious, carrying with it a palpable, genuine intent to kill.
Nevertheless, the Gu of Wisdom was loath to leave; it was consumed by an insatiable curiosity, desperate to see what would unfold at the conclusion of this evolution process.
Meanwhile, Yuta was in no position to engage in any discussion with the Gu of Wisdom—it would have been an entirely futile endeavor.
...
The Gu of Wisdom was deeply perplexed, for such eyes did not exist within this world.
It possessed no knowledge regarding them; after all, every fictional world exists in absolute isolation from all others.
In other words, any entity—even one that is omniscient or all-knowing—would only be aware of events occurring within the specific fictional world it inhabits; nothing more, and nothing less. «.......»
Wisdom Gu felt annoyed by Yuta's disregard for him, yet he realized that the abilities once held by the "Fate-Manipulating Eye" and the "Soul-Devouring Eye" not only persisted but had grown even more powerful than before.
Yuta had consumed resources equivalent to 200 times the total wealth of all human empires—as if it were nothing at all.
Yuta continued to wander within the "Origin Tree Gu," ignoring the gaze of Wisdom Gu, who was meticulously analyzing his every step.
"Nearly 2,548 years have passed in the blink of an eye inside the Origin Tree Gu. It seems my other half is currently unconscious, under Kuzin's protection."
"Regardless, I have become stronger than I once was; I have ascended to the rank of 'Sovereign Master'." Yuta's tone remained calm as he headed toward the exit of the Origin Tree Gu.
"It appears he has finished what he set out to do. But what does he intend to do next? He seemed quite agitated when he mentioned the 'Star-Hunting Matriarch,' Zendaya. Is she an enemy he intends to kill?"
"Interesting. She might prove useful to me—a shield to protect myself, and a way to prevent Tom from trying to claim me as his own... assuming, of course, that Tom even survives his first failure—if he manages to find me at all." Wisdom Gu mused to himself, watching Yuta's retreating figure. He decided that forming an alliance with Yuta was the best course of action.
He quickened his pace, moving toward Yuta, who was already heading beyond the boundaries of the Origin Tree Gu. He stepped into his path, unleashing a powerful aura that easily challenged—and perhaps even surpassed—Gowther's own. Yuta, watching him, felt a flicker of annoyance.
Yet, he decided to hear what the "Sage Gow" had to say; the expression on the other's face revealed a profound sense of determination and an unyielding resolve to achieve his goal.
"Master Yuta Casiral, I wish to forge a spiritual bond with you. Do you consent?" The Sage's tone was resolute—stubborn, even—making it clear he had no intention of backing down.
Yuta studied him for several seconds before speaking. "Didn't you once claim you would never form a bond with any human? Why, then, do you suddenly seek to be 'refined' by me?"
"......"
A look of utter astonishment crossed the Sage's face at Yuta's words.
The Sage was unaccustomed to being refused—or questioned. Throughout his existence, he had been relentlessly pursued by the inhabitants of this mundane world, all desperate to possess him by any means necessary. Wars had erupted, claiming millions of lives and driving entire races to extinction, all fueled by the insatiable greed to claim him.
How, then, could this young man dare to question him? And yet, the Sage showed no sign of irritation. To him, Yuta was a truly terrifying entity; despite having lived for over two thousand years, Yuta's life force had not waned—on the contrary, it had only grown stronger.
It was then that the Sage realized he was dealing with someone who was, in every sense, not to be underestimated. "The reason I established a link—or allowed you to refine me—is to gain knowledge. You are a unique individual, and I wish to study you. In return, I shall assist you; after all, no one knows this fantasy world better than the Wisdom Gu. Am I not correct?"
Yuta's eyes narrowed as he listened to the Wisdom Gu. Yet, he found himself in agreement—especially given that his current, still-developing, and fragile body allowed him to wield the 'Ruler's Eye' for only two seconds at a time.
Furthermore, the ability to perceive everything across the entire spectrum of an existential path...
...was simply more than this body could withstand, even if it possessed a power that was—Final.
Furthermore, Yuta's true power is far too great for this body to contain; his strength and abilities have been heavily sealed and suppressed to accommodate it.
That is why a deal with the Wisdom Gu would resolve many of his current problems.
The Wisdom Gu hovered around Yuta for several minutes, watching him with a distracted air, showing no intention of giving in.
"Very well, Wisdom Gu—I accept your offer. But first, we must sign a soul contract. To be blunt, you aren't exactly the most trustworthy individual."
A look of annoyance crossed the Wisdom Gu's face as it watched Yuta produce a soul contract from his personal dimensional space.
"You actually carry soul contracts with you?" The Wisdom Gu's irritation grew. A soul contract binds the soul, heart, and mind; should any of its terms be violated, the host's mind, soul, and heart would detonate, resulting in a gruesome death.
"Yes, I always keep them on hand. You never know when or where a deal might come up."
The Wisdom Gu narrowed its eyes at Yuta, as if to ask, "What kind of madman have I gotten myself involved with?"
It took the contract from Yuta, and upon seeing the various clauses, it was stunned for a few moments before beginning to read through them with extreme care and close attention:
[Clause 1: The Wisdom Gu is free to travel wherever and whenever it chooses. Clause 2: It must steer clear of anyone within Yuta Caseral's social circle and refrain from harming them in any way.] "Clause 3: Provide and relay information regarding this fantasy world as it becomes available. Clause 4: Offer a resting place for the Wisdom Gu within Yuta Caseral's spiritual realm. Clause 5: Both parties are strictly prohibited from harming one another, whether directly or indirectly."
The Wisdom Gu glanced back and forth between Yuta and the contract—lingering particularly on Clause 2. It was certain that Yuta was the type of person who would do anything to serve his own interests.
How, then, did he view others? Were there things he desired from them? Were they merely pawns in his grand design—or had he stumbled into a game far larger than himself?
These questions swirled through the Wisdom Gu's mind as it looked at the contract and signed it, without uttering a single word.
Yuta signed as well, and the contract split in two, merging into both of their bodies—binding the Wisdom Gu's soul, mind, and heart in chains.
"Well, shall we establish the link now?"
"Yes, let's proceed."
The Wisdom Gu stood between Yuta's palms, and a powerful energy—a strange blend of warmth and cold—began to permeate the creature's small form.
A mark appeared on the Wisdom Gu's forehead, while intricate, complex tattoos manifested across Yuta's face and body.
"The pact has been successfully sealed," the Wisdom Gu remarked with a sense of relief, watching as Yuta—the face that had once appeared on his body now vanished—clasped his hands behind his back and continued on his way. Wisdom Gu was seething as he watched Yuta, who consistently ignored him. Yuta simply walked on, while Wisdom Gu muttered to himself, "That wretched scoundrel—how dare he ignore me?"
A few minutes later, Yuta emerged from the Origin Tree Gu. Night had fallen; the moon illuminated the entire landscape, and stars adorned the sky like a masterpiece by a renowned painter.
Yuta checked his phone—it was 3:34 AM, marking the beginning of the final day of the midterm examination.
An amused smile played on Yuta's lips as he savored the breeze, which caressed his face and stirred his stark white hair.
Gazing up at the sky with a calm expression, he remarked, "Two days have already passed. On Monday, May 25th, 675, some rather unique visitors will arrive—students from the Verselkin Academy. Meanwhile, the professors secretly observing the students are destined to perish at the hands of the Scorpion Organization. Isn't that fascinating, Wisdom Gu?"
Wisdom Gu remained silent, staring at Yuta in bewilderment. He had never imagined that a day would come when he would witness an entity that surpassed even demons in malice and wickedness.
Yuta moved on, paying no mind to Wisdom Gu's silence—he had never cared whether the creature responded or not.
With numerous enemies lying in wait to strike while he was at his most vulnerable, dwelling on trivial matters would have been a waste of his precious time.
Regaining his composure, Wisdom Gu followed after him, leaving a faint, gray, ethereal trail in his wake. End of Flashback
Go the Wise let out a deep sigh, glancing toward Yuta. He wasn't sure if this choice had been a sound decision or a foolish mistake—but what was done, was done, and could not be undone.
He settled into the car seat, closing his eyes for a few moments before speaking in a calm, measured tone: "Since you are heading to the city of Yusaki, you should be wary of those behind the 'Crimson Cat's Eye' auction—it's set to take place there in five days."
Yuta studied Go the Wise for a few seconds before replying, "I'm well aware. In fact, I suspect the Crimson Cat's Eye auction might just lead me to my objective there."
Go the Wise said nothing; instead, he opened a portal to Yuta's personal spirit realm—a way to get some rest while putting as much distance as possible between himself and Yuta.
Yuta, for his part, felt a sense of relief as Go the Wise departed; the man was cunning, and Yuta knew he might find a loophole in their agreement at any given moment.