His personality hadn't changed. His memories remained intact, and he still spoke the same way.
One elder stepped forward carefully.
"Sect Master... do you still feel human?"
The courtyard became silent. Everyone waited for the answer.
Huan Tero thought about it seriously.
Then he answered honestly.
"I don't know."
His disciples froze slightly.
The former sect master looked toward his own hand.
"The hunger, exhaustion, weakness, and pain of aging are gone."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"But my thoughts are still my own."
He looked back toward them calmly.
"I still remember my master's teachings."
"I still remember the years we struggled to survive."
His voice remained steady.
"So if you're asking whether I've become some mindless monster..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"The answer is no."
The disciples visibly relaxed.
Then Huan Tero suddenly spoke again.
"Prepare yourselves."
Everyone blinked.
One elder frowned.
"...For what?"
