Only I Am A Reader

'That's one painful relief…'

Once Zhuge Gun realized that he had an actual chance at making the difference he was going to attempt regardless of being broke, his stoic and calm personality broke into a complaining uncle.

Just like most people, one always blamed his inability on the lack of something essential. They always tell themselves that as long as they had 'that' they would be able to make it work, but once they actually obtain it, they would realize that everything was now up to them.

Seeing someone who at least claimed to understand him, the Head of the Murim Alliance couldn't help letting his heart out about how much of a burden he was left with.

Everything was already in shambles thanks to the invasion, and Geochin just had to use this moment of weakness to make things worse with the Murim League that was practically raised by the Murim Alliance's resources!

"Truly, does he have no sense of shame?!"

There was a lot to complain about when one ended up cleaning someone else's mess. However, it all boiled down to one thing.

"I accept your conditions."

[ Plot Change Confirmed. Epic Event Occurrence has been detected. ]

[ The Reader has managed to greatly influence the direction of this world's future development. ]

When push came to shove, Zhuge Gun had the guts to take responsibility for the sake of his goal.

His greedy counterparts would have folded even under the promise of riches since they knew that they wouldn't be able to swindle the money under the Heavenly Strength Society's watch, but personal wealth was never Zhuge Gun's target.

[ You have received 999 Reader Points. ]

'This should be the last benefit that I could obtain from this novel.'

A different Epilogue had already started with Geochin's death and the reward that Leo obtained from that already included all the different possibilities that would stem from that change.

Aside from aiding a governmental structure that was heading for ruin, Leo couldn't think of anything else that could net him any rewards.

'Or not.'

Due to rushing through to get everything done in the least time possible, Leo almost forgot one last reward…

[ Side Quest Accomplished: Prevented the Heavenly Strength Society's alliance with the Just Faction! ]

[ You have received a free-range 'Skill Reading Page' as a reward! ]

It was the most surprising reward that Leo had received up to this point!

Considering how the Main Quest's reward was basically being able to go back to Earth while points could only be obtained from the triggered events, Leo had no expectations when it came to Side Quest, especially since it was a by-product of other events that he did.

However, against all his predictions, not only was there a reward but it was also the first of its kind!

[ Skill Reading Page: Can be used by the Reader to read a chosen Skill from a Character of his choice. ]

Originally, the explanation wasn't readily present, but once Leo wondered about the use of this 'item', his Personal Book faithfully wrote it out for him.

At first glance, it didn't seem that much different from the regular bonus that was handed out to Leo on special occasions or Legendary Events. However, the ability to choose the target was far too powerful!

Rather than being forcibly assigned, Leo could now fully prepare himself for a full-on immersion. In fact, he could also use it to read a part of someone's memories or gain enlightenment as he did with Cheon Chang.

'Should I… No, I will have to make a choice later after thinking carefully about it.'

Thud.

Just when Leo's eyes darted in Yeon's direction, the carriage suddenly stopped. Despite his newly elevated status, the Absolute Spear had insisted on finishing his duties as a driver.

Out of the ten days that Leo had left, two days had been spent on this round trip. It would only take about one more hour to go back to Mount Heaven, but Cheon Chang seemed to have something else in mind.

"Baekho, come out."

The Absolute Spear called out Leo by his first name for the first time after they became brothers under the same Master!

"I would appreciate it if the Leader waits inside."

Yeon was intent on following Leo out once he left my seat, but Cheon Chang's sincere request came through before she could do so.

"It's okay."

The situation strangely felt very serious with the sudden change of address. Still, Leo believed that there was no need to involve Yeon in this matter since his Senior Brother required privacy.

'The rest of my time is specially reserved for you, so let us have this moment.'

The second closest person to Leo after Yeon was naturally Cheon Chang, so Leo wanted to carefully hear him out. Besides, he was curious about the Absolute Spear's sudden strange behavior.

"...Senior Brother."

"Just call me directly for this one last chat."

"Chang… Brother Chang."

'Last time?'

"There is no need to hide anything from me. I'm not sure of the details, but I'm aware that you will be leaving soon."

'It wasn't only Yeon?'

No matter how prepared he was, Leo couldn't help strongly reacting to Cheon Chang's words. He was aware of how generally suspicious he was, but how could his Senior Brother guess that his time here was up?!

"It's truly mysterious how Martial Art Ascendance works. At first, it was just our body that got strong, but once you reach a high enough stage, your whole being starts to break common sense."

'The Profound Stage is rather terrifying.'

Having lived long enough in this world, he didn't need to wonder any further to find an answer to his question. Starting from the Peak Stage, Physique wasn't the only statistic that increased, Mind also experienced a certain increase.

Although it might have looked pitiful in comparison, the effect was far more exponential when it came to Mind. At Cheon Chang's stage, perhaps even a feat closer to Mind Reading could be achieved.

'The departed Heavenly Demon must have been especially good at playing dumb.'

"That's not wrong, Brother Chang. I wanted to properly say goodbye, but…"

"There is no need to explain, everyone has their own special circumstances. If one doesn't have some understanding of the situation, convincing them of the truth could only make it worse. However, I understand… To some extent. So I wanted to give you a proper farewell."

Saying this, Cheon Chang extended his hand to his back before taking something out and presenting it to Leo.

"Brother Chang?"

"As the true successor to Master's Style, you should have it. The Black Dragon is more befitting in your hands next to the White Tiger."

The Absolute Spear's farewell gift was actually none other than his treasured spear, their Master's inheritance!

"I'm delighted to hear such praise from Brother Chang. However, what will you use if you give this away to me?"

Although Leo was thrilled at the aspect of taking the Black Dragon home with him, he doubted Cheon Chang's decision. A Profound Powerhouse could only use their true strength with a worthy weapon, and nothing was more worthy of the Absolute Spear but the Black Dragon.

The Heavenly Strength Society had just gotten a Profound Martial Artist back into their ranks, Leo's leaving not couldn't possibly be crippling his combat strength.

"I'm not the one you should be worried about, you have far more on your plate. Besides, I already had my eyes on a malevolent Black Dragon that I wanted to hunt and make my very own Spear. It was just that my strength was far too lacking for now, but now it's the perfect time to make that trip."

"Then, do you need to take this instead?"

Finding nothing else on his body worth offering to the Absolute Spear, Leo took out the Silver Dragon. It wasn't much either, but it would serve as a perfectly good spare.

Cheon Chang hesitated as his eyes turned towards the carriage before shaking his head.

"No, you should save your souvenir for someone else. I will just pick up something from the treasury on my way there."

Seeing his Senior Brother looking awkwardly at him as he held his previous spear, Leo hurriedly stored it away, only to be suddenly hugged by Cheon Chang.

"Your path is a very tough one, a burden that will likely stiffen your shoulders. Even then I want you to live well, not only for your share, but also for mine and Master's share."

It was also the first time that the Absolute Spear had shown such intimacy to Leo, but it didn't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, rather, it was very heartwarming.

"Ahem. Now, what are you waiting for? Be on your way. Or are you planning to keep our leader waiting further than that?"

With a slight cough to restrain his unfamiliar emotions, Cheon nodded at the carriage before jumping high into the air, performing an act no different than flying as he drifted away.

"Farewell, troublesome Junior Brother of mine…"