Episode 229
Chapter 74: The Power of the Black Dragon (2)
Quikantel had started to say more about Murakan but stopped himself.
Seeing how casually Misha spoke about him, he began to think Murakan might not be as dangerous as he’d imagined.
“This feels more like ancient history than recent news, Misha. It’s been over five hundred years since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?”
“Didn’t we meet once in the Kingdom of Mila, about two hundred years ago?”
“That sounds about right. Either way, it’s been a long time. As you can see, I’m doing well. Thanks to that guy, I’ve settled here with Oltar’s contractor.”
Quikantel nodded toward Jin, and Misha’s gaze followed.
“Smart and tough kid. I watched him take the trial in the Mitra Desert. When he finally reached Temar and swung his sword, it was quite impressive.”
Tikan’s companions already knew about Jin from what they’d heard.
Misha smiled faintly, recalling that moment. But beneath that seemingly indifferent smile lay a deep, lingering sorrow.
Temar Runkandel.
“I’ve felt it before, but there’s something about him—something reminiscent of Temar.”
The first head of the Runkandel family and the only person Misha ever loved.
After losing Temar, Misha’s life was left with nothing but duty and mission.
As Solderet’s proxy, her role was to handle what needed to be done, prevent what must be stopped, and care for those indebted to Solderet and their descendants.
“I didn’t realize you were watching me back then. The trial was rough, and I’m sure I looked terrible at times. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“It’s fine. You were impressive. Especially the way you bit through that scorpion—it left a strong impression.”
“There’s something I want to ask.”
“How did you find us here?”
“Murakan. That idiot never left my palm. When he was young, I placed a tracking spell on him, and he still doesn’t know about it. Stupid as he is…”
“Tracking… magic?”
“Exactly. So I didn’t have to search Inse every day. I knew your every move.”
If Murakan’s childhood was marked by a tracking spell that had lasted thousands of years, a chill ran down Jin’s spine. Just then, Quikantel chuckled softly.
“You’re as sharp as ever, Misha. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that guy fooled by anyone.”
“Anyway, whoever I talk to, even if it sounds like nonsense, they tend to believe me at face value.”
“Haha, well, there’s no way such a ridiculous tracking spell could exist.”
Jin gave an awkward smile and shrugged.
“Murakan only knows how to fight with spirit energy, but I can do a bit more. Like this.”
Misha gently traced the shadow of her left hand reflected on the table with her right hand. The next moment, Jin’s eyes widened as if he were a child seeing magic for the first time.
‘What on earth is that?’
She was ‘lifting’ her left hand’s shadow with her right, as if scooping pudding with a spoon.
The shadow didn’t fade or disappear as she lifted it. Instead, all eyes focused on the shadow gathered in a round shape in Misha’s right hand.
Only Quikantel seemed to recognize this after a long time.
“Wow!”
Yuria gasped in awe, reaching out to touch it like a child. Misha found the gesture endearing for a moment, then exhaled gently onto the shadow in her hand.
The shadow scattered into thousands of tiny points, flying toward Jin.
‘It’s like a galaxy flowing across the palm of a hand.’
Jin didn’t dodge the shadow as it approached. The moment it touched him, it seeped in and vanished.
There was no visible change in Jin, except that Misha’s left arm’s shadow seemed slightly lighter.
“See? You’re right—such magic doesn’t exist. But divine power? That’s possible. Anyone marked by my shadow can always be located by me. I left a shadow on Murakan when he was young, and I’ve been tracking him to find you.”
Misha gently set Yuria down and then dispersed her form into spirit energy, floating above the group’s heads.
[And that’s how I entered the mansion without anyone noticing.]
It was a mysterious sight. The particles that made up Misha could gather or scatter at will, and when fully dispersed, it looked like little black dust floating in the air.
A hum filled the space as the spirit energy coalesced, settling between Jin and Quikantel. In an instant, it took human shape, color returning to reveal Misha once more.
“Well, does that explain things?”
Just as Jin nodded, a voice identical to Misha’s spoke from right behind him.
“You shouldn’t show your back so easily, warrior.”
He spun around in surprise—and there she was. Another Misha stood there. And not just one—there were Misha’s standing beside, behind, and even sitting in the original spot, cradling Yuria again.
Quikantel was used to Misha’s abilities, but the others were left speechless, mouths agape. They all wore the same expression: What on earth are we seeing?
Especially Latri, who had long harbored a vague childhood fear of this presence, seemed on the verge of fainting after witnessing such power firsthand.
“Your guardian dragon is a coward, Yuria.”
“But she’s kind and cute.”
“Seems that way. And she bakes good cookies, too.”
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Three Mishas simultaneously grabbed cookies and ate them. They weren’t illusions—each one was real.
‘Clearly, Misha’s way of manipulating spirit energy differs from Murakan’s or mine. I wonder if I could do the same?’
But the most astonishing sight was yet to come.
“Ah!?”
“Oh my…! Jin Gongja!?”
“Master!?”
Yulian, Kashimir, and Gilly all looked toward the same spot, covering their mouths in shock. Jin followed their gaze and, for once, was utterly stunned.
There, standing before them, was another ‘Jin Runkandel.’
Same face, same clothes, same piercing eyes. Even Quikantel, seeing this for the first time, alternated his gaze between Misha and the new Jin.
A sly smile appeared.
The new Jin approached the real Jin, holding a plate.
“Want to try one?”
His tone and mannerisms were indistinguishable from the real Jin’s, leaving everyone who had just witnessed this spectacle utterly confused. Who was the real Jin?
“It’s a rare experience, I suppose. Facing yourself without a mirror.”
Misha, who had created this new Jin, seemed unfazed. That only made it creepier.
‘This is insane… This isn’t just a contractor or a dragon born from one—it’s like a god itself.’
If Misha were an enemy…
The thought sent a cold sweat down Jin’s spine.
Slowly, the two extra Mishas and the Jin holding the plate dispersed into spirit energy, leaving only the Misha holding Yuria.
Jin and his companions struggled to recover from the shock.
‘Does Joshua have someone with abilities like this attached to him, too?’
He recalled anew how terrifying ‘body duplication’ could be.
“That idiot probably never told you that spirit energy could do this, right?”
“No, he didn’t.”
Misha let out a sigh of relief for some reason.
“Good. If he had, I would’ve smashed his head to bits. You’d have been tortured by me until you forgot everything.”
“Excuse me?”
“How do you feel after witnessing phenomena so far beyond natural law?”
Jin studied Misha’s serious gaze and answered honestly.
“…It was terrifying. If that Jin Runkandel who gave me cookies earlier is out there somewhere, fully functional, then I’m just a nobody. And I can’t even imagine how long it’ll take to prove I’m the real one.”
No one in the world wants to be surpassed by another version of themselves—especially not by a ‘self’ who doesn’t obey their control.
Jin spoke from the heart, not calculation.
Misha’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
She had deliberately shown him this power to shock him—to prevent him from falling into temptation in the many battles ahead.
In Misha’s eyes, ‘spirit energy’ was a dangerous force, too risky for mortals—humans, dragons, beastmen, demons, even gods—to wield.
A thousand-year contractor. And undoubtedly the last hope of the shadows.
‘I won’t let you meet the same fate as Temar. Fortunately, Murakan seems to be guiding you well so far…’
Don’t pay attention to such powers in the future. I will always be watching you…
Just as Misha was about to say more, Yuria grabbed her sleeve.
“Uncle isn’t like that.”
Neither Jin nor the others understood why Yuria said that.
Jin chuckled softly at Yuria’s serious expression, finding it endearing.
“It’s been a while since you called me ‘uncle,’ Yuria. What do you mean he’s not like that?”
“Anyway, he’s not.”
Only Misha’s face darkened at that exchange.
‘“Uncle,” huh? And she even sees through my thoughts. I expected it, but this child was never meant to be by Jin’s side by chance.’
“Uncle.”
That single word sent a flood of questions racing through Misha’s mind.
Solderet wondered why their god had remained silent all this time—why there had been no communication with the contractors, no voice reaching out to them.
‘Maybe Jin is the reincarnation of Temar! That would explain why Yuria briefly saw Temar’s form… No, wait—’
Perhaps it was Jin who had appeared to Solderet.
Az Mil, the contractor of the eyes. And among them, someone as exceptional as Yuria could very well have made such a connection.
It was a matter that couldn’t be decided hastily.
Misha concealed her expression and gently stroked Yuria’s head.
“Well, sometimes it’s not so bad to come outside and talk with people like this. Hmm, you—your name is Gili, right?”
“Yes, Lady Misha.”
“It’ll take a few days to fix my little brother. In the meantime, I’d like you to pick out a room I can use.”
“I’ll choose the best room available. If you need anything, just write it down and give it to me.”
“Thank you. Once I’m settled, I want to have a drink with Quicantel after a long time. Bring a few bottles of good liquor—preferably from Mila Mountain, aged over a hundred years.”
“Understood.”
“Jin, we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
As Misha turned away, something seemed to occur to her, and she looked back at Gili.
“And you… be careful.”
“Huh?”
“You’re way too fond of that guy. If he tries any tricks, cut him off without hesitation.”
Gili could only manage a nervous cough, unable to respond.