A chilling sensation brushed across my cheek, sharp and instinctive.
My lips curled into a smirk as my senses identified the hostility emanating toward me.
âWell, look at this guy.â
The intent was unmistakable. I met his golden eyes past his furrowed brows and tilted my head slightly.
âSo, you knew?â
ââ¦â
âHow did you find out?â
I asked, but Shinryong only bit his lip, refusing to answer.
If he wasnât going to say anything, why even bring it up?
I stared at him for a moment before asking something else.
âWhy, exactly, should I have denied it?â
The claim that the youngest Hwagyeong title was just a rumorâwhy should I feel the need to refute that? I didnât see the point.
âThatâs becauseâ¦.â
Finally, Shinryong opened his mouth and spoke slowly.
ââ¦Because that rumor is false.â
The youngest Hwagyeong officially recognized by the Martial Alliance was none other than Shinryong himself.
But, of course, that was just the official story.
Then who was the real youngest Hwagyeong?
Was it me?
Perhaps. Reaching the Hwagyeong level before even reaching adulthood was certainly extraordinary.
But could I say that with certainty?
âWho knows.â
I didnât know.
Unofficial records were, by definition, unacknowledged information.
Even if I truly were the youngest Hwagyeong, it didnât matter.
âI donât really care.â
Such trivial titles didnât concern me, nor did they hold any real meaning.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWhat significance does something gained this way even have?â
The level Iâd reached now was nothing more than the result of relying on my regression.
The title of youngest Hwagyeong? It was utterly meaningless to me.
What use would it serve? It wasnât important at all.
âIf you want it, take it. Iâm leaving.â
He could have that title if he wanted.
I had my eyes set on something far greater.
Even if Shinryong knew something, it didnât matter to me.
He could spread that rumor all he wanted if it pleased him.
I turned to leave, butâ
ââ¦Benefactor.â
Shinryongâs frown deepened as he spoke again.
âAre you pitying me?â
Hmm.
I looked back at him, focusing on his eyes.
The emotion swirling in his golden gaze was unmistakableâ