DEB 125

[The assigned administrator has returned. Backlogged rewards will now be distributed.]

It wasn’t a personal message, but a general system notification, clearly indicating the administrator’s return. 

Along with it, the rewards for the previous quest in the Black Swamp, “Lend Me Your Aid! System Special Quest,” were issued, but to Huiyun, who was currently in an unawakened state, the rewards were practically useless.

[As a reward for completing the “Lend Me Your Aid! System Special Quest,” you gain the cooperation of the system for the sake of balance. The system’s affection toward you has increased.]

[As a reward for completing the “Lend Me Your Aid! System Special Quest,” you may level up one designated skill. Unawakened state detected. Reward distribution delayed until after Awakening.]

What kind of rewards were these, really?

After all the dedication he’d shown in the Black Swamp, the best he got was increased affection from the system?

Disgusted, Huiyun made no effort to hide it, and the golden system window whined that even though it was him, it still hurt to see that kind of expression right to its face.

Face? What face?

The stray thought made the golden system window erupt indignantly.

[That’s rude! And need I remind you, you increased your Dominion power thanks to the ability I provided, which I had to write an incident report and suffer disciplinary action to grant! Don’t pretend like you got nothing from me! My hard work is etched into your entire being!]

If it hadn’t provided that ability, Huiyun wouldn’t have been able to stop the Black Swamp from going berserk, yet here he was, grumbling.

Who asked for help first again?

Huiyun squinted at the whining system and casually dismissed the window. 

Then came the rewards for clearing the Gate of Roham’s Underground Dungeon. 

But just like the earlier quest, they were delayed because he was still unawakened.

In the end, all that came of it was confirmation that the administrator had returned. 

Clicking his tongue, Huiyun watched as the system popped up a new window.

[Even if I wanted to, I can’t change the reward for Roham’s Dungeon, because that wasn’t a system-issued quest! But, if you awaken right now, you’ll instantly receive all delayed rewards with 100% certainty!]

Yeah, yeah, you’re back. Got it.

Even after such a long absence, the way the system kept trying to push him toward Awakening hadn’t changed a bit. 

Honestly, Huiyun felt the system could stand to be disciplined a few more times.

“Yasha? What’ve you been staring at this whole time?”

“Oh, a system notification popped up.”

“A new quest or something?”

“Not quite.”

His disciples knew—if only vaguely—that Huiyun was able to communicate with his system administrator, unlike other Awakener.

Feeling no need to explain in detail, Huiyun just gave a brief nod. 

That alone was enough for Vina, quick as always, to pick up on the hint and change the subject.

“So going to see the Bird Without Eyes is confirmed?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

Vina’s expression darkened. 

The same went for the other disciples. 

Though they held back from voicing their discomfort outright, it was clear they all felt uneasy about the Bird Without Eyes.

Huiyun understood why. 

He gently patted Vina’s head, who was closest to him. 

The man’s blue eyes widened in surprise, then slowly settled.

“I understand why you fear the Bird Without Eyes. After hearing such grim prophecies from it… it’s no wonder you don’t want to return.”

Even if Huiyun had decided to walk headlong into fate with his disciples, that didn’t mean the Bird’s prophecy—or the will of the gods it conveyed—had vanished. 

Huiyun wasn’t eager to visit a place where no good words would be spoken, but there was no choice.

“But we must go. Because he’s the only one who knows where the Fountain of Souls is.”

The Fountain of Souls.

Over the past five days, as Huiyun pondered how to win the upcoming war with minimal sacrifice and keep his disciples safe, this was the conclusion he reached.

He’d kept it secret until the timing was right, but now that the schedule was decided, he finally brought it up. 

His disciples blinked at the mention of something new.

“The Fountain of Souls? What’s that?”

“We’ve heard of the Black Swamp, but not this fountain…”

“It’s an ancient legend. You probably have heard of it—just under a different name.”

“Ah… now that you mention it, I vaguely remember something like that. A spring of wisdom at the highest mountain, said to answer all questions.”

Never one to miss a hint, Vina rubbed his brow and closed his eyes. 

A blue aura rose over his shoulders like mist, quickly enveloping his entire body.

Soon, as if entranced, Vina spoke.

“Those burdened with questions, climb the tallest mountain. There you will find a god who reveals all. Drink from the spring after overcoming the trial, and you shall reach the end of the world.”

His voice rang with solemnity, as if he were reciting another’s words. 

When he opened his eyes again, the strange atmosphere surrounding him dissipated, and his usual presence returned. 

Ash murmured, saying it’d been a while since he’d seen that. Huiyun nodded and smiled at Vina.

The authority Huiyun had bestowed upon Vina was “Memory.”

The power to remember everything and forget nothing. 

Even after ten thousand years, it hadn’t faded. 

Seeing that it was still alive and well in Vina brought a warm smile to his face.

Caught off guard by his master’s affectionate gaze, Vina coughed and looked away, clearly embarrassed.

“…I vaguely remember hearing that story. You told us when you were still Yasha, so it’s been a while. So the spring in that story is the Fountain of Souls?”

“Yes. Though I’ve never been there myself, I’ve heard that it’s not a fountain of wisdom, but one that enhances the power of one’s soul. Those who visit the spring can awaken their full potential and emerge with their strongest soul. If you go, you might be able to reclaim the strength you had in your dragon days.”

“So basically… an Awakening spring?”

“Exactly.”

Ash had a talent for simplifying things.

Huiyun ruffled his hair approvingly, and Ash grinned as a gray system window popped up. 

It had been a while, Ash’s Heart Window.

[Feeling great. Please praise more.]

…This felt like seeing a pet’s inner thoughts.

If there were a system that let you see what your dog or cat was thinking, it would probably look just like this.

“Yasha.”

“Ah.”

Distracted by the sudden window, Huiyun lost track of the conversation. 

Moot’s voice brought him back, and Huiyun summarized the situation for the group.

“It’s a legend, yes, but the spring does exist. I just don’t know its location, so I’ll ask the Bird Without Eyes. I know it’s uncomfortable, but I’d like all of you to come along this once.”

With the reason made clear, the disciples’ faces grew even more troubled.

“Does it have to be that spring? If it’s just about getting our old strength back, we can train our butts off—”

“Vita, please mind your language.”

Zenith sighed as she echoed the sentiment more politely. 

Huiyun was about to explain that he didn’t doubt their abilities, but that time was of the essence…

[Oh! Now that I think about it, I think I know where the spring is!]

The system, almost never useful, actually proved its worth for once. 

Huiyun narrowed his eyes with a smile and playfully scolded it for not saying so earlier.

“Looks like things are going to go well after all. No need to visit the Bird Without Eyes.”

“Huh?”

“My system administrator seems to know the way to the Fountain of Souls.”

At the good news, the disciples perked up.

“That’s great! So when do we leave?”

“Why, now, of course.”

“…What?”

“When good news arrives, you act on it quickly. That’s how you keep the momentum.”

Not wanting to delay and risk things getting complicated, Huiyun began gathering his coat. 

Watching him bustle around, Ash clicked his tongue.

“Our Yasha… I thought you’d changed. So why am I not happy about this?”

Ignoring the lament that the past five days felt like a past life, Huiyun packed up and gestured at his disciples.

Coming or not?

With that unspoken question in his eyes, the disciples had no choice but to gather their things.

“Yasha, I just have to ask, this isn’t because I flipped your cards earlier, right?”

Though asked as a question, Ash clearly believed it was true. 

Huiyun didn’t respond. 

Something about this journey felt more promising than usual. 

Maybe it would be a good one.