Only I Am A Reader

With less and less time to enjoy, Leo made sure to treasure the supposedly boring carriage journey, experiencing many things that he could have never expected to happen for someone like him.

Letting Yeon use his lap pillow while using hers, caressing each other's hair, leaning on each other to sleep… Those with more experience would find that to be very light interactions, but for the introverted Leo, they were once things that stayed within the boundaries of fantasy.

The extra fascination didn't last for long once Leo started getting used to this level of intimacy, but he could still remember how he was before everything started. Once again, a part of him had grown, changed by another life that had fallen into his grasp.

Neighhh!

Despite the bumpy road and the occasional monsters, it still only took five days for them to return. The horses possessing the bloodline of True Beasts were more resilient to the dire situation.

"Seems like something big is happening this time…"

Disembarking from the carriage, Cheon Sohee gaze sharpened as she saw Mount Heaven's current state.

The first time they were urgently called back, it was for a task that specifically revolved around them, but it didn't seem to be the case this time. The main gates were wide open… Mount Heaven was in a state of emergency!

Even as they walked in, there were people going in and out of the Mountain. Like a busy beehive, this could be said to be the most active form of Mount Heaven that Leo had witnessed so far. This was a total recall.

Their Scarlet Sky Warrior robes and their method of transportation caught a few eyes, but not too much attention was placed on the four among the numerical chaos. At least, that was until Cheon Jeong noticed them.

"Yeon!"

It had only been half a year since they last left Mount Heaven, but their 'mother' seemed to have missed her kids greatly, calling out to them before flashing in their direction.

The Blade Spirit had been standing from a higher position, overseeing the influx of members into the mountain. However, since she wasn't standing next to the other pillars, Leo could tell that they were slightly early.

"You really took your time outside."

Cheon Jeong was half-complaining, half-praising the four who had almost become adults. At one point, she was worried that they had grown too timid, but it turned out that they became too outgoing instead.

"The information feed was getting stronger with time, so we took the chance to exterminate more enemies in preparation. More importantly…"

Leo gave a standard answer, being more interested in the current situation. 'Murim Supremacy' wasn't a date-fixed book, so he could only guess the time of an event by correlating it to other events. It wasn't hard to tell what an event of this scale was, but Leo wanted to know the details that they knew of on this side.

"Yeah, it's approaching. The battle to decide the fate of Murim isn't that far off."

Discussing something like that might have made him look suspicious before, but after Leo and the other three's information clearance increased, they go to know more about the relationship between the otherworldly monsters and the Heavenly Strength Society.

The Scarlet Sky Breathing Technique itself was derived from the abilities of the nemesis of these dimensional invaders! Not everyone who learned it could be said to be the monsters' enemy, but…

"The recall deadline had been extended by one more day since not everyone had returned yet. I don't know the exact details just yet, but the Leader will be explaining the situation to everyone tomorrow."

The epitome of the Scarlet Sky, the Heavenly Demon himself was something else! It was different when the invasion was just at its start, but now that it had progressed to this degree, the Heavenly Demon's abilities could be said to be at full throttle!

"Let's go get something to eat, Spearhead is still yet to return."

Noticing that Leo was scanning the crowds in search of his senior brother, Cheon Jeong explained the situation. It seemed like the Absolute Spear was still out conducting some mission…

Although a day could last forever from a certain perspective, the stress brought by the constant movement in Mount Heaven which was usually silent and empty made the time pass by quickly. In no time, Leo found himself waking up after a night of light sleep. The atmosphere was even more crowded now that another day had passed. In particular, Yeon didn't look okay for someone who had just woken up.

"Ho… Something doesn't feel right."

Unlike Leo's fake uneasiness, Yeon was expressing visible signs of worry, enough for her Internal Energy Flow to go unstable. She was…

"It's alright, Yeon. Someone else is there to carry the burden for you."

The future Heavenly Demon's awakening wasn't there just yet, but she was already sensing the situation! Without any hesitation, Leo strongly gripped her hands to calm her down as they left their little building.

"Yes…"

Strongly holding onto Leo's hand, Yeon was already starting to calm down. She was no longer the child who needed Leo's help to get through any sort of trouble, but she still didn't let go. The unfamiliar annoying sensation strongly affected her mood, only Leo's grasp could turn her emotional state for the better! This was her privilege as his one and only Yeon!

"Everyone to the main hall! A major meeting will be held soon!"

A few minutes later, a miscellaneous member was running through the crowds, spreading even more urgency in the air. Rather than being an enclosed room, the main hall was none other than the whole internal space within Mount Heaven, so this was more of a notice than a roll call.

There were no seats or pedestals. Everyone was joined towards the center in front of the gate, quietly whispering as they awaited the big reveal…

Thud!

'Right on time.'

The grand gate was suddenly brought to a close, granting silence within the bounds of Mount Heaven. The one who started the whole thing was finally here!