1 “I cannot help you.” Ank was shocked after hearing this.
His voice came out shaking.
“Why?” “You sensed my power,” the old man said calmly.
“You already know.
I am cursed.
My strength is falling every day.
I have only limited time left.
Each second, my power is decreasing.
In the remaining time, I wish to stay by my granddaughter’s side.
Not train another disciple.
I am retired.
Ank, you must find another master.” Ank’s face paled instantly.
Find another master?
When he heard the word “master,” a memory surfaced in Ank’s mind.
A memory buried deep within the endless years of his existence.
A being whom even Ank could not disobey.
His Master.
No.
Not only his Master.
The Master of all his friends.
The same friends who possessed enough power to move the universe at will.
The same beings who were feared by gods, feared by cosmic entities, feared by existence itself.
Yet all of them feared one person.
Their Master.
No one had ever seen his face, no one knew what race he belonged to, and no one could even say with certainty whether he was truly alive or merely a legend that refused to disappear.
Only a cold and merciless voice remained in their memories.
A voice capable of silencing even the strongest beings in existence.
And then Ank remembered.
The warning his Master had once given him.
This was long before his downfall, long before he lost everything, long before he gained everything, and long before he became the Waestor – First Emperor of the Universe.
His Master had already sensed the obsession hidden within Ank’s heart.
The obsession with power.
The endless desire to stand above everything.
“Ank.” The Master’s cold voice echoed through the memory.
“You have become so powerful that sometimes I wonder whether you still need my guidance.” “Master, no.” Ank immediately shook his head.
“I still need your guidance.” His reply came without hesitation.
The Master remained silent for a moment.
Then he laughed.
A rare laugh.
One that made even Ank nervous.
“Are you making fun of me, Ank?” His voice carried amusement.
But also danger.
“No, Master.” “I am speaking the truth.” The Master sighed.
“You foolish boy.” “You know the difference between us better than anyone.” “You can already shake universes with a single step.” “And yet you still claim you need my help.” “Yes.” Ank nodded immediately.
“Master, I still need your guidance.” Silence ,No one speak .
Finally, the Master spoke.
“Very well.” “Then let’s fight.” Ank’s eyes widened.
“If you manage to land even a single hit on me…” “Your training will be over.” “And if you lose…” “You will remain by my side for the next one hundred years.” “No excuses.” “No complaints.” “And no running away.” “Do you agree?” Ank’s face lit up.
“Yes, Master!” “I agree!” Ank’s excitement was impossible to hide.
The Master merely shook his head.
He already knew why Ank was happy.
Yet he allowed it anyway.
One year passed.
Ank and his Master were still fighting.
But at last, it finally ended.
And Ank had not landed a single hit.
Not even once.
Eventually, his friends joined as well.
Each receiving the same condition.
Land a single hit.
Only one.
And their training would end.
But none succeeded.
Not a single one.
The Master looked at the exhausted group before him.
His voice carried hesitation and sadness.
“Ank.” “I know none of you truly wished to win.” “But one day…” “One day, I will leave you all…” Before he could finish, four terrifying auras erupted simultaneously.
The pressure alone was enough to make reality tremble.
“Master!” The first to speak was Immortality.
Orange energy covered his entire body.
“We will never leave you.” The others nodded immediately.
Their answers were identical.
Fear filled their eyes, and their voices trembled.
“Enough.” The Master’s voice echoed.
Instantly every aura vanished.
The entire universe became silent.
“All of you, leave.” The Master’s voice echoed across the void.
Without hesitation, the others obeyed.
Within moments, only Ank remained.
Then the Master slowly walked toward him.
“Ank.” His voice was quieter now.
“Remember something.” “One day, when you become powerful enough…” “Ask others for help.” Ank frowned.
“Master, you’re joking.” “You know who I am.” The Master interrupted him.
“No, Ank.” “For your entire life, your identity will not protect you.” The words struck Ank’s mind, but he did not pay much attention.
He knew no one in the universe could harm him.
He had the most protective mother in the entire universe.
One who would do anything for him.
“When the day comes that you must learn something new…” “You must acknowledge another person as your teacher.” Ank immediately shook his head.
“No.” “My Master is only you.” “And there will never be another.” The Master sighed.
A rare sigh.
One filled with helplessness.
“No, Ank.” “I will always remain your Master.” “But there will come a time when another person will teach you something I cannot.” “When that day arrives…” “You must acknowledge them.” “Only then can you continue moving forward.” Ank lowered his head.
Unable to accept those words.
But before he could reply…
“Ank.” “Ank.” “ANK!” The memory shattered.
The old man’s voice pulled him back to reality.
The Master’s voice faded.
The old man’s words took its place.
Find another master.
The old man’s words echoed in his ears Ank lowered his head.
He now found himself seriously considering it.
Now Ank had a question.
Would he accept this old man as his master or not?
**Author’s Note** Thank you for reading Chapter 10!
From this point onward, the story will continue to grow in scale, and many of the mysteries introduced so far will slowly begin to connect.
Some answers may take time to arrive, but every scene has a purpose.
See you in the next chapter!