Chapter: 636
Hwaruk—!
It rose into the air, surrounded by flames.
The cold air brushed against my cheek as I scanned the gradually darkening sky.
“Looks like the snow has stopped.”
It had indeed turned from snow to rain.
Anyway, what had been falling from the sky was no longer falling.
“Thanks to that, my view is clearer now.”
The visibility obscured by the snowstorm was improving, and I felt a bit more at ease.
Though…
“The cold has deepened.”
It felt like the chilly air blowing in from the North Sea had intensified.
The reason was probably…
Glimpse.
I glanced down to inspect the spot that had just stood out.
“Destruction of the iceberg…”
The iceberg that was supposed to ward off the bitter cold had shattered.
That was probably the cause.
“Honestly, the very reason for that is pretty filthy.”
To provide an excuse to force life force from relatives.
To suck away their life force. That’s why the iceberg existed in the first place.
I thought it might’ve been better if it had just shattered.
“It’s shattered, and now immediate effects are happening.”
With the disappearance of the North Sea ice sheet, it was already affecting the North Sea.
However, it seemed like the role it played was genuinely real, as the coldness began to rise steadily in the North Sea.
Moreover, the speed was quite fast.
“If I can feel it this strongly already…”
In just a little while, the entire North Sea might freeze over.
“Tsk.”
Damn it.
Nothing ever goes smoothly.
Well, that’s true enough.
“That’s just how my life is.”
Now, it’s no longer life; it’s dragon life.
Haha.
I tried to chuckle at the annoying situation with these wild thoughts.
“This isn’t the time to be thinking about that.”
I know this is merely escapism.
“What on earth is going on—!”
“It’s an enemy attack!”
“Report to the General immediately—!”
Because I had caused so much damage, it seems the powers within the palace finally grasped the situation.
A loud commotion erupted from below.
“No, they’ve just realized it now.”
It was seriously a delayed realization.
While the palace was being wrecked, no reinforcements arrived. Now, they finally noticed.
“This must have arisen when the power shifted to this side.”
This is a problem that emerged when the authority surrounding the palace disappeared.
“…Hmm.”
I frowned, sensing the new imprint etched upon my soul.
There were two powers flowing from that guy.
Right now, I only had one.
This was due to me passing the regeneration part over to Woohyuk.
“…”
I grimaced at the thought.
Am I bothered because of that? Of course, there’s that too. How could I not feel a pang of regret?
It’s not just anything; it’s the power of regeneration.
It’s the power to bounce back while taking a few hits, so naturally, it’s distressing.
But that’s not the only reason.
What I’ve learned in the meantime is the problem.
That I can hand over power to that guy.
That’s the biggest issue. It’s none other than that.
“…That’s something Cheonma used to do.”
In the past, what Cheonma did to the demons was similar.
A baptism bestowed upon a few under the guise of abilities.
Notably, my Demonic Absorption technique was one of them, just like the early demons’ abilities.
“Now that I think about it, it’s strange.”
Not only does it turn you into a demon, but also grants you unknown powers under the name of baptism.
Up until now, I had simply skirted around the bizarre existence known as Cheonma.
It couldn’t be more odd.
What on earth is Cheonma, and how could such a thing be possible?
The things that Cheonma did under the name of baptism were possibly…
“I wonder if it felt like I was transferring power to someone.”
If that were true, Cheonma must have had a plethora of powers at his disposal.
Aside from that, the biggest question is…
“…How did he pass it on?”
If that was power, then how on earth did he pass it?
Power can only be obtained by being a dragon or a demon.
But this ability was what Cheonma transferred to the demons through baptism.
“Can we consider power and ability as different things?”
They just have similar sensations.
I wonder if it can be classified as something completely different.
“Then, what allowed me to transfer my power?”
I encountered another problem.
When I handed over my power to save Woohyuk, I figured out a few things.
First.
“Transferring power requires the use of magic.”
Only by giving back the power of regeneration can Woohyuk be saved.
I thought about it and tried to inject it back somehow.
This part was based on my memories of when Cheonma performed baptism.
Right after I became able to convert others into demons.
It’s something I’ve always contemplated in the back of my mind.
Perhaps I’m gradually gaining the ability to do what she could do.
If that’s true, then this isn’t a coincidence.
It’s a fact I had known for quite a while.
The current flow feels like it’s pushing me to take the place of Cheonma.
“…Setting aside the connection between such power and ability.”
The second piece of information I gained.
“Dragons can also turn into demons.”
Perhaps due to the net devouring him and embedding him with energy, Woohyuk’s body had undeniably become that of a dragon.
It looked like it would persist even if the net vanished.
With that body of Woohyuk…
“I turned him into a demon.”
I corrupted him by putting magic energy into his body.
And then, I infused it with power.
Fortunately, it ended up being a success, but the lingering discomfort remains.
The reason is…
“I have to use magical energy to infuse power, and corruption is unavoidable during the process.”
And…
The reason I can transfer power is precisely…
“…because of Demonic Absorption.”
The magical energy contained within my body, the supernatural ability of Cheonma.
Demonic Absorption.
That was the reason I could corrupt my opponent and transfer power.
Taking away power is the role of greed.
But transferring it to someone else is leveraging the power of Demonic Absorption.
“How did this happen?”
I’m not just snagging energy from a magical stone like in my previous life.
Not only can I transform my opponent into a demon, but this is also the reason I can pass on power.
“…This is real.”
Isn’t that the very power Cheonma exhibited?
It’s an incomprehensible situation.
If it had originally been possible, then that’s a different matter; these were things I couldn’t do in my past life.
So I formulate a hypothesis.
“Using Demonic Absorption to transfer power seems plausible.”
Was it possible because the opponent was a dragon?
Or perhaps, he was able to pass on power because he turned into a demon before becoming a dragon.
And…
“…the relationship between Demonic Absorption and my power.”
Greed and Demonic Absorption are somewhat alike, and it certainly seems like they’re connected.
“Could this be linked to Cheonma?”
I posed it as a question, yet it was actually a certainty.
How could it not be?
If events have unfolded this way, I can’t possibly be unaware.
The being that made me regress was Cheonma, and the Demonic Absorption originated from her.
I could discern that she was intertwined with the entire process.
What I’m experiencing is inevitably relative to her.
Urgh—!
I grit my teeth.
“…Even though I knew it so well.”
I encountered Cheonma in a back alley in Hanam.
Thinking about that meeting makes my head throb.
“Knowing that there was a Cheonma in Hanam, why did I come here?”
What was the reason?
At this point, it feels questionable.
The entity I resented so much.
After my regression, she was the next person I was on guard against, and yet I ended up in the North Sea.
What’s the reason behind that?
Is it simply because something significant happened to Namgungbia?
This is indeed a grave matter that can’t be dismissed.
If I truly had to ask if that one issue was sufficient to redirect me to the North Sea, I’d say…
“That’s ambiguous.”
Even though I knew there was a Cheonma, I was still caught up in the events happening in Hanam itself.
Recalling how I made my way to the North Sea under the guise of the Namgungbia incident brings forth a lot of dubious aspects.
No matter how many excuses and justifications are crafted, the truth doesn’t change.
I simply…
“I wanted to run away from Cheonma.”
Or perhaps…
“These encounters must be avoided.”
Even thinking about her brought up feelings I couldn’t explain. It felt like I ought not to meet her at all.
So, I fled to the North Sea as though on the run.
“Why?”
I asked myself.
“Why did I run away?”
I understand the fear.
She surely embodies that presence.
But the act of fleeing is incomprehensible.
It’s not a strategic retreat.
I merely hesitated and bolted.
That’s why I can’t grasp it.
Why did I have to do that? And why…
“Why am I only starting to notice the strangeness now?”
An unidentifiable thick feeling arose.
To alleviate this heaviness, there’s only one way.
“I have to meet her.”
I will meet Cheonma.
That was the conclusion.
Perhaps this was how it should’ve been from the get-go.
“Hah.”
I exhaled.
A white mist appeared, mingled with my breath and the cold air.
Now that I’ve reached a decision, I feel a bit clearer.
I focused and felt energy swirling around my body.
Whoosh—!!
A ring of flames wrapped around my waist.
With that warmth, I surged forward.
Bang—!
A thunderous noise erupted in the air, propelling my body forward.
I accelerated further.
The faster I went, the tighter my heart felt.
I scrunched my face, feeling the fatigue creeping in.
“I don’t have much energy left.”
It was undoubtedly due to the intense battle.
Not only did I barely manage to control my martial arts, but I had also unleashed them in quick succession, so my energy was draining steadily.
On top of that, my body was injured.
“If I had known this would happen, I should’ve used it myself.”
Before I passed the power to Woohyuk, I should’ve utilized it too.
Now I felt a wave of regret wash over me.
“Should I try to take it back?”
I managed to receive some treatment after all.
Could I reclaim it? Such thoughts stirred, but I quickly brushed them aside.
After all, if I took away the power…
“Woohyuk would die.”
Dragons who lose their powers die. That was part of the conditions and effects of greed’s theft.
It was impossible to reclaim what I had given to Woohyuk.
“Still, this power is strangely useful.”
It proved extremely effective against dragons.
Since it can block that unreasonable power called authority, I can resort to good old physical combat and martial arts to fight.
But…
“There’s nothing else to it.”
The problem with this power is that if I am weak, it becomes utterly meaningless.
You have to win to take it.
You need to win to kill.
At a glance, it seems like a shiny bait.
I feel that way nonetheless.
“Yet it’s better than having nothing.”
Ultimately, I’ve come to recognize that the being I need to kill is a dragon, and greed is precisely what I need the most.
Even so, I wish I could return to the Central Plains immediately.
“Tsk.”
What frustrates me is being unable to do that.
“…I’ve done all that I could.”
I’ve already found Namgungbia.
Since Woohyuk is mostly finished, I should just leave.
Since Binggungju said he wouldn’t accept treatment, now there’s no more justification for sticking around.
“Anyway.”
I had to scowl at the energy I sensed up ahead.
Right now, it doesn’t matter if it’s Tamgi, Demonic Absorption, or Cheonma; the most pressing issue is whatever that is.
“Nothing is easily resolved.”
That’s what I think as I sense the energy.
When was that?
It was probably since I first passed the power to Woohyuk.
Swish—!!
As I increased my speed, a cold wind swept past me.
Within that wind, something was indeed surging.
Energy.
The aura I felt from afar was sweeping over me with the wind.
“This is insane.”
The intensity was simply unbelievable.
It was far more intense than when I encountered Yu-seon or the net disguised as Woohyuk.
What on earth is this overwhelming aura?
I even questioned why I suddenly sensed this energy.
The location of that energy was also a concern.
Of all places…
“It’s a hideout.”
Namgungbia, Dang Soyeol.
And the aura emanated from the hideout where those, among others, were supposed to be.
“Damn it.”
Instinctively, I understood.
This is a problem that arose when the net met its end, and clearly, that figure had done something.
“What on earth did you do?”
After moving at top speed for a few minutes, I began to grasp something slowly.
“What is this?”
I felt and reflected upon something I had never felt before.
Could it be that I misinterpreted? Unbeknownst to me, I wondered about that.
No, what I felt was right.
Only, it was an overwhelming presence, making me question if it was an illusion.
“…Is this right?”
The sheer size I felt was entirely different.
This wasn’t a matter of the quantity of energy alone.
It was literally massive.
A sense of vastness for the first time.
An innate alienation, as if questioning whether this is truly the size a living being can possess.
There’s something about it that induces such thought.
Hwaruk—!
Arriving as if I were soaring, I looked down.
At that moment…
“Huh.”
My eyes widened in shock at the unfolding scene.
—Kuaaaaaaah—!
—Retreat!
—Protect the princess—!!
A huge gaping hole had formed in the ground where a cave should have existed.
Above that…
—Kyaaaaaaaahh…!!
A monstrous creature of tremendous size was violently wreaking havoc all around.
“…crazy.”
It’s a monster.
Yet, it’s not an ordinary monster.
If the red monsters had the size of a typical dwelling, this one was several, even dozens of times larger.
I could see that it was draped in glistening scales.
But the most crucial point here is…
“…white?”
The very being plastered with scales was painted in pure white.
“No way.”
What that means is…
This creature is the leader of the monsters that vanished centuries ago, and is the mightiest beast that was originally titled a dragon.
A calamitous existence capable of altering the continent’s very terrain just by appearing.
It meant a white demon.
At that moment, Gu Yangcheon was engaged with the demon.
“…Hmm.”
Woohyuk, left alone, was rising, cradling his throbbing head.
“…What a mess.”
He chuckled softly as he gazed at his chaotic surroundings.
“What on earth happened?”
What transpired to cause this part of the palace to end up in ruins?
He mused over it, but even as he voiced his疑念, he was already aware of the culprit.
Hiss.
Between the damaged walls, traces of something melting could be seen.
He also recognized the faint heat hanging in the air.
So who would be the culprit?
It was obvious.
“…Heh heh.”
This must have been orchestrated by my mad friend.
Woohyuk was firmly convinced.
The reason likely being…
“Is it because of me?”
It must have been due to my spontaneous disappearance.
Lost in thought, Woohyuk couldn’t help but wear a bitter expression.
“He compelled me to engage in reckless behavior.”
Because of my ineptitude, he ended up doing something unnecessary.
A sense of guilt washed over him.
Surprisingly, the welcoming aspect here was…
“What’s the reason for going this far?”
He found it perplexing that Gu Yangcheon felt the need to act out this way.
It shouldn’t make sense for him, especially since he had no close relationship with Gu Yangcheon since childhood.
It wasn’t as if they had done anything to spur on a friendship.
In reality, it was more him unilaterally claiming, “You’re my friend,” making Gu Yangcheon seem to accept it without any qualms.
It was definitely that sort of dynamic.
“For what purpose?”
Why did Gu Yangcheon go to such lengths for him?
This was something Woohyuk simply couldn’t comprehend.
Even…
“Just do it however you want.”
As if something desperate was going on, Gu Yangcheon had simply left him behind and disappeared.
Something significant appeared to have taken place, yet he remained clueless.
He glanced around, letting out a deep sigh.
The palace was in shambles.
He hadn’t heard a word from Gu Yangcheon about what had transpired.
Woohyuk felt intuitively that something had altered within himself.
His hair turning stark white was a clear sign, as was the overwhelming energy coursing through him.
How did it end up like this?
For a moment, deep questions swirled within him.
“Regardless, I need to move.”
There was nothing I would learn simply by staying here.
Woohyuk also needed to check on Yu-seon.
As he resolved to take a step forward to find out…
Somewhere…
“The seal has been lifted.”
Stop!
A voice reverberated.
Woohyuk turned his head toward the unfamiliar sound.
“Where?”
Where on earth was that voice coming from?
With a watchful eye, he surveyed the surroundings.
“That’s odd. This is possibly not the right timing yet.”
An enigmatic voice echoed repeatedly in Woohyuk’s ears.
“…Who are you?”
Soon after, tension laced his tone as he inquired.
“Hmm?”
Only then did the other side react.
“Can you hear my voice?”
“…Yes.”
It was ringing loud and clear.
“Really? Fascinating.”
The tone felt casual yet infinitely cold.
Even engaging in conversation evoked an unsettling sensation, as if something undesirable was about to occur.
“Not only are you not from my clan, but a shaman’s offspring as well, and yet you can hear me.”
Woohyuk’s eyes widened at the realization of that voice.
How did this being know he was a shaman?
However,
“It’s done. Now isn’t the time for such discussions.”
The other party seemed unconcerned about such matters.
Swish—!!
“…!”
Suddenly, cold air began to converge before Woohyuk’s eyes.
Watching, he instinctively reached for his waist.
“This…”
Unfortunately, he had no sword.
Crackle—!
For some reason, a dizzying chill coursed through him.
As the energy steadily coalesced, it slowly took shape.
“…Huh?”
With a wary watch, Woohyuk’s expression froze in surprise.
There was no other reason for his reaction.
The shape that materialized from the energy was a human body, and the visage crafted by this energy was…
“Master…?”
His own master.
Because it looked exactly like Namgung Hyung, the shaman and ghost.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.