Chapter: 860
Black stars rose above the brightened sky. Their number reached dozens.
Each one was a compression of flame, carrying an enormous bet.
It could easily be called a star.
I couldn’t help but lift the corners of my mouth as I gazed at the thick clouds of comets.
“… That crazy bastard…”
It’s so noisy. He looks perfectly fine even after making such a reckless wager.
No, it seemed perfectly fine, but it was far from being fine.
“You must be having a hard time like that. Is there really a need to be this proud?”
It was none other than myself. I couldn’t have been unaware.
“Stop pretending you’re okay. It’s just foolishness.”
I caught my breath. The recoil was still stinging.
Damn it. How infuriating to fight so sneakily.
‘Smart move.’
Anyway, he sure knows how to use that brain of his. I just didn’t expect to be the one on the receiving end.
Crack.
I twisted my shoulder slightly to align the bone. It felt like it dislocated when I dodged earlier.
‘Looks like my arms and ribs might be messed up too.’
There were quite a few cracks in the bones. It wasn’t a fatal injury, but it meant that moving wouldn’t be that easy.
Hmm.
What could be the state of the bet?
Since he cast that much, it must have taken a toll…
‘No matter what, since the chemical attack is blocked, the disadvantage is on my side.’
Even if it ends quickly, I wonder if it can truly be finished completely in the first place.
His level is high, and he hasn’t even touched the realm of imagination.
That’s only natural.
A filthy bug like him can’t awaken the mind. He probably lacks an ounce of qualification or confidence to do so.
‘Why am I still getting pushed back even in this situation?’
Does it make sense to be pushed back this much just because we lack chemical arts?
Let alone, I’m not even human anymore.
What could be causing this setback?
—You’ve really become dull.
I recalled what he said back then. Dull, huh… Is that really the reason?
When I think about it that way, it’s a bit amusing.
‘So what? Should I have just continued living like that?’
If I’m dull, then is that sharp? If so, I can’t accept that.
That’s not sharp at all.
‘He just hid the fact he was breaking down while pretending to be sharp.’
Even knowing that if he struck with a sword, the blade he held would break, he chose to push harder and keep living.
So…
“Do you want me to go back to that life?”
With a frown, I asked, and the guy looked down at me and replied.
[Wrong.]
“What then?”
[You hiding from reality is the most disgusting thing. I want to burn you right now.]
Whoosh.
Power filled the stars. It was starting to gather.
“So, you’re saying you don’t like it, and want to take it away? Who do you think you are?”
What on earth gives you the right to do this to me? I never considered him just a mere memory from a past life.
It’s just for show. It’s merely that the feeling was too subtle to say it was purely that way.
“What are you talking about?”
No matter how many times I ask, his expression remains unchanged.
Just like the first time. He looks down at me and moves his fingertips.
[The answer is.]
The tip of his thumb points downward.
[You figure it out yourself.]
Dozens of stars descended upon me.
Kaboom!
A meteor shower. Hundreds of flames surged toward me in an instant. I increased my strength in my toes and burst them.
Boom boom boom! The tremendous firepower surged behind me.
I didn’t look back.
It was tough just to keep moving forward.
There were so many that it was impossible to dodge them all.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
I took a hit in the shoulder. And then…
Ka-boom! I was engulfed in an explosion. I barely managed to maintain my posture by spinning my body.
I mustn’t slow down. I kept moving my feet, kicking the air.
Boom! Boom boom!
The heart burst and shattered several jade stones. I only struck nearby ones to make it easier to dodge.
If I cleared everything away, I would collapse from exhaustion first.
‘Empty ahead, danger to the left and up.’
Should I charge straight through?
‘No.’
That space is intentionally left empty. Then…
‘Up it is.’
I crouched my body while running forward and leaped upward.
There were still many flames above. But I chose this route for a reason.
As I leaped, I released the energy from my body, it was the Tuapa Cheonmu’s Changcheon.
My body became lighter, and my mind opened simultaneously.
I confirmed my path.
‘It’s a close call.’
But that’s okay. If I take a few hits, it’ll be alright.
Kaboom! The jade flames exploded in mid-air. My body shook from the explosion, but I didn’t change my path.
I confirmed the original spot I was aiming for through my senses.
As expected, dozens of fireballs dropped right in front of me now.
Thank goodness.
‘I guess they can’t change the path of the jade flames yet.’
Though it’s possible to predict and shoot in advance, it seems changing the direction once shot isn’t within their capabilities.
‘It must be due to the lack of compression and rotation, you fool.’
If I could engage now, I could definitely show them. What a shame it is.
Not being able to beat that fool because I can’t even use a single flame art.
I glanced around. The number of flames around me had drastically decreased.
From the beginning, this was a bombing base built for mass slaughter; it wasn’t meant to take down a single opponent.
‘Where are you?’
I looked for the guy hiding. The aura was broad, so locating him wasn’t difficult.
He didn’t even bother hiding in the first place.
Rumbling—!!!
How could something that large remain hidden?
“Phew.”
I floated in the air, evading the hellfire, while the guy stood firmly on the ground.
And then…
Roar—!!!
The guy was surrounded by intense black flames.
It seemed to take on the shape of a wolf.
The aura was growing more intense. I already knew what that meant.
I clenched my fist.
‘This air is somewhat dangerous.’
Getting into position was tricky, but I had to give it a go.
The guy moved his shoulders as though he was controlling the black flames.
He wasn’t a skilled martial artist. Just a simple Guyun Taia Rang wolf.
There wasn’t even a transformation. It was merely a strike with the exact intention.
The quantity of his stakes is so mind-boggling it possesses enormous power.
WHOOSH.
A wolf made of flames dashed toward me, mouth wide open.
It looks challenging to dodge since it’s in mid-air, but confronting it head-on would be even more difficult.
Then…
I will pierce through it.
If I can’t block or dodge it, I must break through.
I infused the Toua Pa Chun Mu into my clenched fist.
And compressed it.
‘Think of it as drilling a thin hole rather than erasing everything.’
I focused intently. Just as the wolf approached me.
“HAH!”
I launched my fist with all my might.
BAM! The wolf was obliterated, fire scattering. But the problem was…
Before the flames even extinguished, the guy lunged at me.
I see his fist. The moment I catch a glimpse, I swing my own fist.
BOOM!
The fists collided, creating an immense blast of pressure. My defense was solid. Since I had compressed my energy, I wasn’t too hurt.
“What the?!”
Being in mid-air put me at a disadvantage.
Without a foothold, my center of gravity was unsteady. I was the only one pushed back by the force.
My body plummeted quickly to the ground.
BANG! I crashed heavily to the floor. There was no way I could endure the pain. I immediately stood up.
I needed to prepare again.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Before I could even get up properly, my neck was grasped.
I was lifted up as is.
“Gah…”
The sensation on my neck was uncomfortably hot. Gritting my teeth, I lowered my gaze.
It was the same as last time. Just like when my heart had been pierced.
The guy held me by the neck and lifted me. I looked down at him.
A tactic I often used to outsmart my opponents, but now I felt the need for restraint.
Experiencing it is truly a disgusting feeling.
“…You… bastard…”
As I gazed at him, a laugh escaped. I had been feeling something odd. But now that I got this close, I could no longer be oblivious.
“Are you… seriously not feeling any effects?”
By this point, I should’ve been worn out, even if my energy wasn’t fully depleted. Yet, that bastard didn’t even break a sweat.
It became clear to me.
“…So, you’re not my past life after all.”
What I had suspected solidified. This guy was not just a black flame demon.
No matter how overflowing with energy I had been back then,
Considering my current state, which was indeed unbalanced, this made no sense at all.
“…What the heck are you?”
Something is definitely different about him. What the hell drives him to wear such a pathetic mask and try to beat me to a pulp?
I genuinely couldn’t comprehend and sought clarity through words.
[You probably already know?]
He gazes at me with that distinct, irritating look.
“…You punk. Don’t ask since you don’t know. If you knew, why would you ask?”
[That’s certainly plausible. You are that type of person.]
“…What are you rambling about?”
[You’re already aware of the answer, yet you’re too busy pretending not to know and evading. This moment isn’t any different; you must know who I am by now.]
Just feigning ignorance.
He whispered that condescendingly.
[For quite a long time. Ever since you were born until now; I have been watching you. Even if you don’t recognize it, you can’t fool me.]
“What?”
Those words made my eyes widen.
You’ve been watching me since birth? My gaze trembled with what felt like a distorted revelation.
As my eyes shone, he continued speaking.
[Finally, it appears I have met you; I didn’t expect you to be so inconsequential.]
His eyes held contempt just as they had when I first met him.
[Listen closely, little goblin.]
The change in title made my eyes twitch.
[Right now, you are not worthy of embracing me.]
It was then that I grasped his true identity.
[This proves the point.]
‘…Gu Yeon Hwa Ryun Gong?’
The art of flame that burned the magic held within my body.
It was the essence of that itself.
Crack! Crackle!
Sounds of something shattering and splintering echoed.
Crunch! Crack!
Bones were torn apart. Flesh brushed against the ground, and blood filled the vacant spots.
[Gah… Ah… Uh…]
Now even the screams that had once echoed were silenced.
Only the fading breaths remained.
The eerie sounds that had been persistent for so long ceased abruptly.
[Hu… Uh…]
It ended the moment the strength left the gaze of the Moon Master.
The surroundings had transformed into chaos. The Moon Master’s body bore little resemblance to before.
It was in a horrific condition that was too grim to describe.
What’s even more alarming was that, despite that state, he was still alive and showing signs of gradual regeneration.
A state where he lost consciousness but clung to life.
To think he hadn’t died even in that condition was bizarre to say the least.
“…Phew… Haah…”
Wi Seol-ah gazed at the being that had brought Gyecheon Moon Master to such a state, trembling.
He seemed to have accomplished his goal as he straightened up, now gazing at the Moon Master.
His hands were stained with blood. It was hard to discern his expression clearly.
At that moment.
“…!”
As he turned his gaze toward us, Wi Seol-ah hastily raised her sword.
Swish! The sword gleamed sharply, a gesture filled with the intent to protect Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Bi-ah had already reached her limits with barely enough strength to hang on.
Wi Seol-ah bit her lip.
Why?
Why had she raised her sword?
She couldn’t comprehend. The person standing before her was none other than her most precious being.
“Your Majesty…”
He was everything that mattered to her.
Despite not understanding her current actions, Wi Seol-ah did not lower her sword.
This was instinct.
“…Gu Yu…”
Tentatively, she attempted to call out his name once more but halted. Wi Seol-ah narrowed her eyes.
“…Who are you?”
He stared silently at Wi Seol-ah with his violet eyes.
Not a word.
And no emotion to be felt whatsoever.
They stood there, locked in eye contact for several seconds.
“You… are needed.”
Gu Yangcheon blurted out something utterly unexpected.
Upon hearing this, Wi Seol-ah began to question the meaning behind his words.
The moment she was about to ask what he meant…
“Indeed, you must be here for what’s to come.”
His gaze shifted to the back of Wi Seol-ah. It was directed at Namgung Bi-ah.
“You… no matter how I think about it…”
Wi Seol-ah, having understood the meaning behind his gaze, murmured:
“It’s an obstruction.”
Without hesitation, she swung the sword she held.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
Wi Seol-ah’s sword ricocheted off Gu Yangcheon’s fist. Her hand trembled.
“…!”
Clutching her own wrist, with that single blow, Wi Seol-ah became convinced.
Whatever had taken the form of Gu Yangcheon was truly trying to kill Namgung Bi-ah.
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