CHAPTER 148

The Child of Prophecy.

The descendant chosen by the Progenitor over a thousand years ago was none other than himself.

Elric felt as if his eyes had suddenly been opened.

And the first thought that came to him was:

'This is messed up.'

It wasn't joy or excitement at all.

Some might have felt honored or special, knowing they were chosen by a Progenitor who had achieved godhood. But Elric felt as if he had been unknowingly trapped in an invisible cage.

It wasn't that the path ahead seemed difficult.

If that were the case, he wouldn't have chosen the path of a magician or accepted the role of family head. He could have left the responsibility to his dutiful sister and lived a carefree life.

But Elric had made a promise to himself from a young age.

That one day, he would personally revive his family.

What Elric had always wanted was to carve out his own destiny, not to have someone else impose fate upon him.

"I see you're not exactly thrilled," Otto Han said, noticing Elric's expression. But instead of being angry, he burst into laughter, as if he had expected this reaction.

Over time, he had come to understand the personality of this irreverent yet impossible-to-dislike descendant.

Elric pouted and grumbled, "How could I be happy? It was decided before I was even born, without me knowing anything about it. I just want to stand on my own two feet."

"Prophecies don't always come true, you know."

"…What do you mean?"

"A prophecy is just that—a prophecy. There's no such thing as omniscience across space and time. Even the greatest gods can't do that. The world is shaped by countless choices, splitting and changing as it goes."

Elric was about to ask him to explain more simply, but then—

"You've already experienced some of those changes yourself, haven't you?"

Elric froze in place as memories of the events surrounding the Tiger King, Yul, flashed through his mind.

"So that was really…!"

"One of the 'new choices' made. Because of that, changes have already begun, and the course of fate has adjusted accordingly."

Elric pressed his lips together, understanding the implications.

"Don't ask how we were able to alter the past through something called the 'arrangement.' I was merely carrying out one of the arrangements the Progenitor left for the child of prophecy. And Usdun saw something along the way and improved what was lacking."

"…."

He saw something.

What had his grandfather seen in the future of his grandson?

Moreover, without any direct intervention, how had he known the fate of his grandson?

"I don't know the full extent of the Progenitor's intentions or what exact foresight he had. I'm sure the other three vassals don't know either. We can't comprehend the will of the Progenitor, who could have become a god but chose to remain human. But there is one thing I know for sure."

Otto Han's smile deepened.

"No matter what the prophecy says, it is ultimately up to you to decide how you respond to it. Whether you forge your own destiny or accept fate—it's all your choice. Honestly, even if you reject it all and stop seeking the arrangements, there's nothing we can do to stop you, is there?"

Elric said nothing because Otto Han was right.

Still, something about it continued to bother him.

"Whatever the case, I'll handle things my own way."

"Do as you please."

"And the decisions I make about what to do will be mine alone."

"That's up to you."

"…It's no fun when you agree so easily."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Otto Han laughed heartily, then his eyes twinkled.

"But I suppose you don't mind the 'arrangements,' do you?"

"Why would I? They're the fastest way to get stronger."

"Good attitude. In the end, you're still walking the path of both destiny and fate according to your own will."

"Damn it."

Elric couldn't shake the feeling that even his decisions had been predicted, and the arrangements made accordingly.

But he decided not to dwell on it any longer.

He would walk his own path.

As long as he held onto that belief, his journey would never feel meaningless.

'Even if not, there is a way to completely break free from the shackles the Progenitor placed.'

Elric's eyes gleamed for a moment.

'I'll surpass the Progenitor.'

The light in his eyes was so intense that even Otto Han smiled proudly as he watched.

'If you can do that, you'll escape all prophecies, destinies, and restraints.'

To achieve that, Elric knew he needed to seize every opportunity and take everything he could.

Looking at Otto Han, he asked, "So, what will you give me?"

"What do you mean?"

"You called me to your residence, didn't you? You're planning to give me something to complete the final chapter of 'Winter,' aren't you?"

"You ruin the fun by acting like you know everything."

"So, what is it?"

It was as if Elric was asking for something that was rightfully his.

Otto Han chuckled mischievously.

"What if I decide not to tell you, after all?"

"Then it'll just take me longer to break that prophecy or whatever."

Elric shrugged as if it didn't matter. His confidence was clear—he believed he'd figure it out on his own eventually.

Otto Han couldn't deny that, so he could only laugh.

Perhaps the reason he had never disliked this descendant was because of that very confidence.

"Very well. I'll teach you."

In an instant, Elric's eyes sharpened.

The secret to fully utilizing the Seal of Winter—it was undoubtedly something that would surpass everything he had learned so far.

It had to be the lost secret technique of the family's magic.

"The Seal of Winter, originally, is my true name, crafted to capture beings like Warlords, and even Demon Kings and Great Demon Kings."

Otto Han waved his hand in the air.

The background changed again.

There, Otto Han was walking alone through the Black Snowfield, bringing with him the force of 'Winter.'

There were two aspects to it.

"The Seal of Winter stems from awakening two divine powers."

One word struck deeply in Elric's heart.

Divine Power.

If magic is about following the laws and truths of the world and recreating them, then Divine Power refers to bending those laws and truths through sheer force of will.

It may not appear dramatically different on the surface, but the content within is vastly superior.

The boundaries are so distinct that while it may seem like a small difference initially, it allows for immense growth potential.

There's a reason divine power is called the "strength of the gods."

And to be taught such a divine power?

Of course, Elric couldn't help but feel excited.

"These divine powers are called 'Norther Wind' and 'Winter blizzard.'"

Northern Wind.

The wind from the northern lands was always dry and accompanied by snowstorms. Wherever it blew, it left desolation in its wake.

For farmers, it symbolized drought and poor harvests. For herders, it meant starvation and death.

Winter blizzard.

The cold, howling wind and endless snow brought death to all living things, robbing the world of its vitality.

In this silent death, life slipped away quietly, bringing peaceful rest but also instilling fear in the unknown, for it came without warning.

"If you master both, you will be able to fully unleash the power of 'Winter.' At that time, the Seal of Winter will shed its form and evolve once again."

This meant there was a higher grade of the Seal of Winter.

And the key to unlocking it lay in these two divine powers.

Elric nodded, understanding.

"As you've learned, the key elements are related to how you've been handling brutal cold and winter wind."

Elric listened intently to Otto Han's teachings.

This would be his final lesson from him.

***

"What… what is that?"

"What's happening…?"

Sophia's group, trying to cross the chamber, had to stop midway.

From the depths of the room where Elric had gone, a fierce snowstorm suddenly erupted.

It was a whirlwind far stronger than any magic Elric had previously used to defeat the dungeon guardians.

Whoosh!

Swoosh!

"Is that…?"

"That bastard! He must've awakened some real treasure!"

"Damn it!"

Sophia's group had convinced themselves that since they discovered Otto Han's residence, all its treasures belonged to them.

Now, seeing Elric awakening what they believed to be the most important treasure of the dungeon, they assumed he intended to steal it.

Already resentful of how they had been using Elric and planning to get rid of him, their anger boiled over.

If Elric gained even more power from the treasure, he would become much harder to eliminate.

They believed now was the best moment to strike. Distracted by the treasure, Elric would be at his most vulnerable!

"Wait, hold on!" Sophia tried to stop them, sensing danger.

It wasn't just the snowstorm; the ten ghost knights were still present. What would happen if they attacked?

"Get lost if you're not going to help!"

But the two men, already blinded by greed, ignored Sophia's warnings and stepped forward.

Though the snowstorm was intense, it didn't hinder their movement, and the ghost knights, for some reason, remained kneeling, showing no signs of getting up.

Even as they approached Elric, the knights didn't move.

Elric himself appeared mesmerized, staring into the air, seemingly defenseless.

It looked like all they had to do was swing their swords, and Elric would be dead.

The two exchanged glances and nodded. They silently agreed to kill Elric, take the treasure, and then deal with Sophia afterward.

One of them slowly drew his sword.

"Don't blame us for your pointless death. We'll put everything you have to good use."

They firmly believed Elric had valuable artifacts in his possession.

How else could someone so young be so powerful? It seemed likely that he, a noble scion, had been sent to the frontier with considerable resources.

But the man who drew his sword couldn't take another step.

A dagger had already been buried deep in the back of his head.

Thud!

He collapsed forward, and the remaining man quickly pulled out another dagger, preparing to throw it at Elric's forehead.

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