Dancing on the golden ashes-Chapter 243: Master and Her Disciple

This world had a distinct scent, one that lingered in the air like eternal dew mixed with the fragrance of lotuses. It drifted through the mind, soothing yet strangely intoxicating, as if it could carry you away in a trance. At least, that’s how I felt when I returned here once again.

The city lay close, so I decided not to waste any time. But before I could take a step forward, a familiar figure appeared above me — the same guard who had stopped us before.

"State your purpose here, demon!" His weapon was drawn, pointed straight at me with deep hatred burning in his eyes. I guess people here didn’t take kindly to demons, but I couldn’t sense any real danger from him.

I smiled warmly, though I knew the truth behind it. Everything must have been reset to the same point as when we first arrived here. After all, the people here were trapped in an endless cycle — suffering for eternity, forced to repeat the same lives and deaths without retaining their memories. I had to break this curse for them.

"I’m here to meet the Goddess of Fire," I said calmly. "Tell her that Lee Gaon is here to see her. She will know who I am. I can wait here for your return; I won’t go anywhere."

I raised my hands slightly to show I meant no harm. Even if I could kill him with a single slap, I had no reason or desire to do so.

"You?! And what gives you the right to request an audience with our—"

I released my aura before he could finish. The overwhelming pressure of my Soul Fuse stage power crashed down on him, forcing him to his knees as if his body no longer belonged to him.

"Is this enough proof?" I asked with a faint smile. His expression betrayed his fear. If he had the chance, I knew he would flee without a second thought.

"Y-y-yes!" he stammered, scrambling to pick himself up. His once-proud golden armor was now nothing more than a symbol of might that meant nothing before me. His spectral wings flapped weakly as he rushed back toward the citadel in the distance.

It didn’t take long — just a few minutes — before he returned, this time with over fifty guards surrounding me from all directions.

"What does an expert of your level want with our Goddess of Fire?" a new voice asked. This one was stronger, his presence more commanding. Judging by his power, he had reached the Heavenly Soul stage at best.

"You’re wasting my time," I said coldly. If they wouldn’t give me face, why should I give them any? With a single flap of my wings, I vanished from their sight. I could feel them scrambling to chase after me, but by the time they realized where I had gone, I was already standing before the massive crystal gate.

"Move aside," I said coldly.

The guards stationed at the gate dropped to their knees, trembling under the weight of my aura. They couldn’t even lift their heads, let alone attempt to stop me.

I reached out and pushed against the massive crystal doors. They gave way easily, as if I were simply opening my apartment door.

The moment the doors swung open, I was met with the sight of a woman whose beauty seemed to defy the natural world. Her presence radiated power — fierce, yet elegant. Her dress flickered like living fire, each fold swirling with bright flames that danced across her figure.

"Goddess, this intruder—!" one of the guards behind me shouted, but a delicate hand rose in the air, silencing them.

"My dear disciple," she purred, her voice soft yet commanding. "How nice to see you again after so many years. Come, come… Master has much to discuss with you."

Her words left the guards speechless, their jaws practically hanging open as they stared at me in disbelief.

"Yeah… it’s been a while," I said with a strange feeling tightening in my chest. It was her. She was the reason I had found a path out of the system, the reason I didn’t end up like the other me — the one who became nothing more than an eerie entity, a twisted fragment of what I once was. And now, even she was gone forever.

Somehow, I felt grateful to the woman standing before me — truly grateful.

She extended her hand this time, and I didn’t hesitate to take it. Her fingers were warm against my own as she led me deeper into the citadel, to the very room that Jieun and I had once explored.

The citadel was just as grand as I remembered. Crystal walls gleamed with light, their flawless surfaces reflecting golden designs that spiraled like vines across the ceilings and floors. Everything about this place seemed rich and majestic, yet somehow cold at the same time — like a lifeless painting frozen in time.

When we reached her room, the heavy doors shot closed behind me with a resounding thud. Agnia sat down on her bed, her sharp gaze flickering with something mischievous as she shot me a look.

"You know my answer already," I muttered, rolling my eyes before she could even speak. "No matter how many years pass, I’m not interested in women."

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I heard her click her tongue in disappointment.

"So," she said with a cunning smile, "what brings you here again? I’m amazed you’re not afraid the Creator will come and kick you out again."

I moved closer to the window, overlooking the city below. The streets glittered under the sky, and for a moment, memories rushed back — memories of the battles, the losses, and the pain that never seemed to fade.

"You know…" I started softly, my voice carrying the weight of exhaustion. "I’ve finally achieved it. I broke the system that was binding me."

The words tasted bitter as they left my mouth, carrying the loneliness that had followed me ever since.

"I see…" Her voice shifted slightly, the teasing edge fading away. "And what did it cost?"

"Everything…" My hand clenched into a fist as sharp pain shot through my chest. The faces of those I had lost flashed before me — Seong-hoon, Eun-woo, Jieun… all of them, gone.

Agnia’s expression softened, and for a moment, she looked as though she wanted to say something more. Instead, her voice carried a new warmth, something I had rarely heard from her — a trace of care, almost maternal in its gentleness.

"You came to ask something of me," she said quietly. "Otherwise, why else would you willingly break into this place?"

"Yeah…" I exhaled, turning away from the window to face her directly. "I came to ask how to revive my friends... and how to reach the Eternity stage."

The air between us grew heavier, the weight of my words hanging like a blade suspended above us. I didn’t know what answer I expected, but whatever it was, I knew it wouldn’t come easily.