Weeks had passed since Ha-jin and Mirae's intense battle in the abandoned supermarket. The scars of their fight had long faded, replaced by an unspoken bond forged through struggle and mutual respect. Together, they trained relentlessly, honing their abilities, each pushing the other to their limits.
Mirae had become an extension of her power, mastering the art of controlling the serpentine force within her. Her White Snake Heads now responded to her will with frightening precision, lashing out like lightning and retracting with the grace of a dancer. She had even learned to extend her snake forms further, grappling through the air or striking targets from afar with deadly accuracy. Ha-jin watched her evolve with a quiet respect, recognizing her as a formidable ally.
But Ha-jin's growth had been even more transformative. His control over Noticed had reached an unparalleled level, allowing him to fade from sight in the blink of an eye, avoiding detection at will. Absolute Silence had become a weapon he wielded with expert timing, summoning his doppelganger to absorb blows in battle, only to release the stored energy in devastating counterattacks. His Rotating Palm Technique had grown more precise, able to strike at a person's very core, leaving them writhing in pain before they even realized they'd been hit.
And yet, amid the progress, a mystery had begun to unravel itself, one that Ha-jin couldn't ignore.
The strange constellation that had gifted him with the stigmas of The Man Who Slayed a Constellation, The Being Who is Feared, and **The Man Who Killed a King had remained an enigma, a presence lurking in the shadows of his mind. It had given him power, but he could feel there was more to it something hidden, something dangerous. Over time, Ha-jin had noticed that this constellation's influence was growing stronger, its voice whispering to him during moments of weakness, urging him to seek more power.
One night, as they rested near the remnants of a once-thriving city, Ha-jin felt a sudden pull—a call from deep within his consciousness. He closed his eyes, letting the sensation guide him, and found himself standing in a void, face to face with the source of his power.
A figure loomed before him, obscured in shadows, its outline flickering like a distant star. But as Ha-jin focused, its form grew clearer—massive, with scaled skin and a monstrous presence that exuded an ancient, overwhelming power. The constellation had revealed itself at last.
Its name echoed through Ha-jin's mind: Samehada.
"You've been wondering who I am," the creature's voice rumbled, deep and unsettling. "I am Samehada, the one who slayed gods, the one feared by all who walk this universe. You carry my power now, Ha-jin."
Ha-jin stood, unflinching, though a shiver crept up his spine. He had suspected that the constellation's identity was tied to something sinister, but he hadn't expected this. "Samehada," he repeated the name, the weight of it settling in his chest. "Why me?"
Samehada's laugh was low and dark. "Because you seek strength without fear, boy. You walk the path of survival, and I've chosen you as my vessel. You have the potential to do what others cannot. To slay, to conquer, to be feared."
The revelation hit Ha-jin like a punch. The man who slayed a constellation, the being who was feared, the man who killed a king—these weren't just titles. They were parts of Samehada's legend, a being who had destroyed those who stood in his way, leaving a trail of blood and terror in his wake.
But Ha-jin wasn't sure if this was a blessing or a curse.
"You have the power to change everything," Samehada continued, "but power comes with a cost. The question is, are you willing to pay it?"
Ha-jin stared into the constellation's eyes—cold, ancient, filled with malice. The weight of his decision pressed down on him. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about control, about how far he was willing to go to achieve his goals.
As Ha-jin returned to the waking world, the lingering presence of Samehada faded, but the weight of the encounter stayed with him. Mirae, sensing something had shifted in him, glanced over but said nothing. She could feel the tension, the dark realization that had come with the truth about his constellation.
Ha-jin stood in silence, his thoughts racing. Samehada, the destroyer of worlds, had chosen him. But would he remain the constellation's puppet, or would he master the power he had been given? He clenched his fists, determination surging through him. Whatever came next, he would be ready.
And he would decide his own fate.
Chapter 11 loomed, filled with uncertainty. Would Ha-jin embrace the dark path Samehada had set before him, or would he forge his own way, defying the will of the monstrous constellation that now called him its vessel? The answers lay ahead, and only time would reveal what kind of warrior Ha-jin would become.