It was the winter of two years ago, when Sung-Ha was on the cusp of entering Babel. 0

The valley had been painted a stark white by a sheet of snow, and from the wooden platform[1]in the workshop’s yard, the view of the snowy landscape was fully visible. 0

Watching a small, lonely figure silently gazing at that very sight, Sung-Ha unwittingly spilled the words he was thinking, “Why do you leave Sun Shooter out there, Master?”0

Sun Shooter was his master’s spear that pierced through numerous monsters and demons during the chaotic times of the past when Danger Zones weren’t contained and the Pilgrim’s Path wasn’t blocking the Abyss of Demons. Sung-Ha couldn’t understand why his master let such a spear, which his master handled as if it were his own body, rot away in this remote valley. 0

“Hmm…”0

Thinking about Sung-Ha’s question, his master slightly tilted the teacup he was holding and then slowly replied, “Because it has already passed.”1

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”0

“I mean that both the strength and time to wield the spear have already passed by. Its power and golden hours have passed in my hands.”0

Despite having quenched his thirst, his master’s voice when he continued was still dry, “So I sent it back here. Better to melt it down and forge something new out of it than to let it rot quietly.”1

“Melt down Sun Shooter… that’s impossible.”0

“Ha ha ha! Jin-Hwan also said something along those lines and then had it stuffed like that. It’s truly pitiful… cough, cough!”0

“Master!”0

At the sight of his master coughing due to a small laugh, Sung-Ha hurried to his side...0