As he neared the end of his life, the old man did not wish to pass away in silence.
That was why he had decided to reveal the secret of the Kurta Clan.
For years, he had carried this truth in his heart, a burden that weighed on him like an anchor. But now, at this moment, he finally had the chance to speak.
There was no longer any reason to worry about the consequences.
The Kurta Clan had been wiped out.
The old man doubted that anyone had survived that massacre.
And as for Kaizen and Sheila—they would never reveal it to the world.
"You said that the people of Meteor City and those outside of it are not the same kind," the old man began. "But in truth, we of the Kurta Clan were just like that."
His gaze locked onto Kaizen.
"Do you know why Scarlet Eyes are called one of the Seven Beauties of the World?"
"Are they truly that beautiful?"
"Is there no ruby in this world more dazzling than a Scarlet Eye?"
The old man's expression was unreadable as he asked these questions.
Kaizen met his gaze, listening carefully.
"Kaizen, has anyone in your family ever told you about the Seven Beauties of the World?"
Kaizen shook his head. "No, but I've come across Colored Eggs and Crystal Feather Bones before."
"Then, have you heard of the Dark Continent?"
"I have."
The old man's eyes gleamed slightly with interest. "And what about the Five Major Disasters of the Dark Continent?"
Kaizen nodded again.
The old man took a deep breath and began to speak slowly.
"In reality, the Human World is very small. In the vast expanse of this world, our so-called continent is nothing more than a tiny island in a vast lake. Beyond that lake lies something much greater."
"Because it is not an environment suited for human life, it is known as the Dark Continent."
"But the Dark Continent is far more 'fertile' than the world we inhabit."
"It is teeming with unimaginable dangers, but also brimming with treasures."
"Long ago, humans ventured into the Dark Continent."
"They paid a heavy price—countless lives lost. But in return, they also brought back something valuable."
"The Seven Beauties of the World."
"The highly toxic Crystal Feather Bones."
"The Colored Egg that enhances the body when consumed."
"The Liquid Ore that advanced technology."
"The Water Glass that induces hallucinations."
"The White Fire Fish, which, when eaten, strengthens one's aura."
"The Yellow Metal that unlocks hidden potential."
"And finally, the Scarlet Eyes."
"But in truth, the Scarlet Eyes were not a treasure gained. The real discovery was Sumas. The Scarlet Eyes were simply the price that came with it—a gift and a curse."
"On the Kurta Clan, the Scarlet Eyes displayed immense potential, making them seem like a valuable discovery. But in reality, they were never meant to be seen as a blessing."
Kaizen was taken aback by this revelation.
He had known about the Seven Beauties before, but he had never understood their origins.
Nor had he known that there was a seventh one—a Yellow Metal that could unlock human potential.
His thoughts raced as he tried to imagine its effects.
The old man continued.
"It's just like the Five Major Disasters of the Dark Continent."
"Back then, the threats surrounding these discoveries were also known as disasters."
"The current Five Major Disasters are the botanical weapon Brion, the gaseous lifeform Ai, the two-tailed snake Hellbell, the human-keeping beast Pap, and the immortality sickness Zobae Disease."
"In a way, the Scarlet Eyes share similarities with Zobae Disease."
He exhaled deeply. "You've seen my condition."
"The Scarlet Eyes I possess were not transplanted from other Kurta Clan members. They manifested naturally when I reached a certain threshold."
"These Scarlet Eyes have granted me many abilities."
"But they have also drained my vitality."
"My lifespan has been drastically shortened."
"Despite how I look, I am not even forty years old."
Kaizen and Sheila both reacted with shock.
The old man appeared to be at least seventy or eighty.
"The Dark Continent is filled with countless threats—not just the Five Major Disasters."
"The only reason these five were singled out is because each one guards something humans desperately desire."
"Beside Papp, the Human-Beast, lies the Endless Stone, which holds an immense energy source."
"Near Brion, there is an herb capable of curing all diseases."
"Zobae Disease is accompanied by rare alchemical plants."
"The Two-Tailed Snake is found near Nitraumi, which extends human lifespan."
"And close to Life Created from Gas, there is a miraculous substance that serves as the base for all liquid materials."
"Humans have identified these treasures, but they have never obtained them."
"The day they do, they will surely give them new names."
"Just as they did with the Seven Beauties of the World."
"And those afflicted with Zobae Disease—well, they will likely form a group of their own. Just like the Kurta Clan."
Kaizen processed this flood of information.
This was something that had never been revealed in the official records.
"If this is true, then humanity explored the Dark Continent far earlier than I thought."
"So why did Netero stop further exploration?"
"If the Human World already obtained the Seven Beauties, wouldn't it be beneficial to bring back the treasures associated with the Five Major Disasters?"
"Yet, after Netero's death, exploration resumed immediately."
"So what was Netero's real reason for preventing further expeditions?"
"Was it just because of the danger?"
"That doesn't seem likely."
Kaizen frowned, looking at the old man as a new thought crossed his mind.
"The Scarlet Eyes drain your vitality. But what if someone afflicted with Zobae Disease were to have them? Wouldn't they cancel each other out?"
The old man shook his head. "I've considered that possibility. But Zobae Disease merely keeps a person alive—it does not grant infinite vitality."
"I am not infected with Zobae Disease. I am a monster."
"Someone with Zobae Disease would simply be a weak monster."
"A crippled existence."
"Living like that would be worse than death."
A deep sigh escaped him.
"The Kurta Clan is gone. It's over."
"From the moment the Kurta Clan came into existence, this fate was inevitable."
"Let history forget us."
He turned to Sheila.
"Now, have you changed your mind?"
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