Chapter 641: PAID

Ssshhh…

After the sudden situation ended, only cold air lingered above the ground.

Left alone, I stood there with a blank expression, murmuring quietly to myself.

"Was it a dream?"

Perhaps it had been just a dream? It was such a bewildering thought that I couldn't help but entertain it.

"..."

But as I looked at the scene before me, I knew—this was no dream.

The land, shattered and reduced to ashes, bore testament to the aftermath of some overwhelming force that had swept through.

Feeling the lingering heat in the area, cold sweat dripped down my back.

‘I didn’t see it clearly.’

I should have witnessed what kind of power had unleashed such devastation.

But the light had been so blinding that I instinctively shut my eyes.

That was my eternal regret.

‘I should have seen it.’

I should have observed it all and imprinted it in my mind.

But instead, I foolishly closed my eyes.

Damn it.

Grinding my teeth in frustration, I surveyed my surroundings.

The chaotic mess was one thing, but understanding what had just transpired took priority.

Especially the sudden appearance of my father, his brief conversation with me, and his abrupt disappearance—it was all a mystery.

‘And…’

It felt like he had been about to tell me something about Mother.

Of all times, why did he disappear just then?

“What the hell…”

He had left me curious and vanished—where had he gone?

More importantly, how had he even arrived here?

As I pondered over my father, who had come and gone like the wind, an unexpected sound broke my thoughts.

Crunch!

"Huh?"

Feeling a sensation in my chest, I reached inside and pulled something out.

“What…?”

Seeing what I held in my hand, my eyes widened.

It was a bead.

Specifically, the red jade bead Lady Mi had given me earlier—the one I had examined not long ago.

Although it wasn’t unusual to see it again, there was a problem with it.

“It’s broken.”

For some reason, the bead was shattered.

Not only that, but it had lost its color and become transparent.

The first thought that came to mind upon seeing this was none other than:

“…I’m screwed.”