Chapter: 637
The guy’s appearance is somewhat similar to that of Tottoli.
In particular, the shape of the head is quite similar, but the body is different.
If Tottoli resembles a snake, this creature’s body resembles that of fierce beasts like a tiger or a lion.
Its tail, meanwhile, is a hybrid reminiscent of a snake.
Looking at such a strange creature, I think of something.
White.
The last color in the classification of monsters, separating them into green, blue, red, and white.
It is an entity that hasn’t shown up with red monsters for a long time.
Even in my past life, I had never met this creature even once.
“Crazy, what is that?”
As soon as I see it, swearing just spills out.
–Krrr–!!! Aaah–!
The rough roar sends tingles throughout my entire body.
Covered in white scales, its size is as massive as several red monsters gathered together.
Just the red monsters alone are bigger than a single dwelling.
If that’s what a gathering looks like, how large should calling it monstrous be?
Frowning, I scrutinize the creature.
Crackle-!
Even the slightest movement from its colossal body sends ripples in all directions.
Thud-!
Icebergs shatter and the forest becomes a chaos.
Historically, it’s said that even just breathing near a white monster could bring disaster.
That tale seems to be spot on.
‘If a guy like that moves, then that’s a disaster.’
The mountain stirs—not quite Tai Shan, but it certainly feels that way.
‘What the heck.’
Where did this thing come from?
Crackle-!
The creature continues to rampage amidst the frigid winds.
“Craaack-!”
Thud-!
Its tail lashes out, crushing people beneath it.
In its wake, only shattered corpses remain.
I expand my senses and shift my gaze.
‘What about the Magic Gate?’
I can’t be sure if this creature is a white-level monster.
However, if it did appear, there should be remnants of the Magic Gate.
But there are no signs of an open gateway.
This means—
‘It means it was here from the get-go.’
Where did it even come from?
That enormous body is not something you can just hide.
‘Is it really a white monster?’
Nothing else comes to mind to deny it.
This was a level I had never seen before, not just in my past life, but throughout all of history, it had appeared only a few times.
Yet, even though there were few of them, the aftermath they left was immense.
A representative example being the volcanic sword, Shincheol.
The white monster, Muryong (霧龍), which Shin Noya dealt with covered an entire area in fog upon its death, converting it into an impenetrable forest for humans.
The water dragon captured by Dangjemun spewed water upon dying, turning the area leading to Sacheon into a great river teeming with monsters.
Not to mention, the burning cliffs on the route to Xinjiang arose when King Yeonilcheon hunted the Taehwaryong (Great Fire Dragon).
The aftermath they left behind was so grand it altered whole landscapes.
That is what the strength of a white monster signifies.
Seeing it up close, I understand even more.
‘How did he even catch that thing?’
I didn’t realize how absurd it was when I only heard that he caught a white-level monster by himself.
Now that I think about it, it’s unbelievable.
He caught that all alone?
Suddenly, Noya seems impressive again.
The problem is—
‘Tsk.’
I don’t have time to dwell on this for long.
–Khaaa—!!
The beast screeches and makes a beeline somewhere.
Amidst the chaos, I find myself wondering who it’s targeting.
“Damn.”
I spot the target and launch myself straight toward it.
I can tell from afar. How could I miss it?
Among the crowd, I see Namgung Bi-ah. It looks like Dang Soyeol is carrying her.
That’s precisely the direction the creature is headed.
–Krrrr–!!!
I quickly close the distance and swing my fist with all my might.
Boom-!
–Krrr?
My fist connects directly to the creature’s head.
A loud noise erupts, causing its head to jolt, but—
‘Damn it.’
Even I, the one who threw the punch, have to grimace.
‘That didn’t land properly.’
I sense the impact of the punch and I’m convinced.
The attack fell short.
Like the red monsters, it seems to have some sort of magical barrier enveloping its body.
Thus, my attack didn’t penetrate.
At that moment—
Whoosh-!
“…!”
Something approaches me.
It was the massive creature’s tail.
Comparatively, its tail alone seems like a typical red monster given its size.
‘It’s fast.’
And shockingly, it’s swift for its bulk.
There’s no chance to dodge now.
Gah!
I hastily gather my energy and try to erect a barrier with my strength.
Hiss-! Bang!
A blast of energy from afar strikes its tail, sending it flying back.
Seizing the opportunity, I dive quickly to the ground.
As I land, the one who had deflected the tail approaches me.
“The return was a bit rough.”
It was Pajeon.
He saved me using his strength.
“…What’s happening?”
Without even thanking him, I dive straight into the situation.
That earns a chuckle from Pajeon. It’s as though he expected my reaction.
“What is that?”
“Right? I was sleeping well when some strange fellow interrupted me.”
“Interrupted you?”
Being disturbed while sleeping means that guy must have raided the hideout.
A hundred-level monster attacking a hideout out of the blue?
As doubts about this strange incidence swirl in my mind, I can’t shake the ominous energy creeping in.
No, I already know the answer.
‘Destruction.’
I feel the aura of devastation radiating from the hundred-level monster.
And it’s quite dense.
The reason I flew here, leaving Woohyuk behind, is because of this.
While the destruction vanished, the monster’s energy still felt overwhelming.
I don’t know what’s happening here.
‘If I’m going down, couldn’t I at least go down quietly?’
I get the feeling this is turning annoying.
–Khaaaa—!!!
The creature begins moving again, roaring.
The loud noise reverberates throughout the area.
‘What a fucking mess.’
Suppressing my swearing, I observe my surroundings. Countless people are trembling in fear, seemingly overwhelmed by the monster’s roar.
In the midst of that chaos—
“Confucius!”
I turn upon hearing a gentle voice and see Dang Soyeol approaching.
Namgung Bi-ah is slumped on her back.
With her eyes closed, she looks unconscious, and her condition doesn’t seem good at all.
Frowning at the sight, Dang Soyeol meets my gaze, voice trembling as she speaks.
“My sister…!”
“What’s wrong?”
“…I was protecting the temple.”
“…”
Hearing this, I raise my hand to stop her.
“That’s for later.”
I turn to face the monster.
Now is not the time for trivial chit-chat.
“How’s her condition?”
“…!”
“What’s her condition?”
Dang Soyeol pauses for a moment at my words that come out without looking back.
After a beat, she gathers herself and answers.
“…She didn’t get hurt in any vital areas. It seems like she was just injured further when crushed by debris.”
“Got it.”
I suppress my rising emotions.
Cooler and colder. Now is the time for that.
At that moment—
“Ah, Father—!!”
A shriek pierces the air not far away.
“Father…!!”
“Your Majesty…! First…!”
Yuri is being held captive by the warriors.
Yuri shouts while looking at the monster.
This sight prompts me to question Pajeon immediately.
“Has the princess been harmed?”
Did the princess fall victim to the monster? Is that why she’s howling?
To my question—
“Hmm.”
Pajeon ponders for a moment before murmuring.
“I don’t know.”
Then he offers an ambiguous response.
“I haven’t grasped the situation fully. But from what I’ve heard… it seems more like that thing itself is the princess.”
“Eh?”
I look at the monster after hearing him.
What did Pajeon just say?
‘The monster is the princess?’
I wonder what idiotic nonsense this is.
‘Huh.’
Upon hearing those words, things that had been hidden from view begin to come into focus.
–Khaaaa–!!
The aura of the shouting monster.
That’s the energy that the destruction possessed.
Moreover—
‘…I recall someone mentioning something about the body.’
I remembered the energy that I had lent to Woohyuk.
It was mentioned that his own body had originally integrated into another ice crystal.
Thinking back to when I first felt that energy — it coincided with the moment of destruction fading away.
“Ugh.”
Does that mean the body belongs to the destruction?
So, if here it’s claiming to be the princess, what does that imply?
I don’t know. It’s utterly puzzling.
Taking a breath, I slightly loosen my muscles and take a step forward.
“Are you planning to catch it?”
“Yes.”
I nod in response to Pajeon’s remark, but as I speak, a flicker of doubt arises.
Considering I’m somewhat exhausted, simply fleeing seems most prudent.
‘…But it feels off.’
I’ve never encountered a hundred-level monster in my previous life.
Although the North Sea may be distant.
With a disturbance of this magnitude, it’s impossible not to be aware, even if I were successful in evading any damage. I would’ve definitely heard some vague information.
But if I didn’t hear anything at all—
‘That means this chaos is a result of me causing problems.’
As destruction fell, this created issues within the ice cap here and erupted into this event.
If that’s the case, doesn’t it feel like this burden rests on my shoulders?
Kwaaaaah—!!
The monster now approaches.
Thud-!!
It opens its massive maw wide, preparing to—
Zzzz—!
“Huh?”
I catch sight of energy swirling in its mouth.
The moment I notice it, chills run down my spine.
It’s dangerous.
Instinctively, I perceive this just as—
Whoosh-!
I’m seized by the collar and launched skyward.
I couldn’t even react properly.
As my feet leave the ground—
Kwaaaaah—!!!
An unrecognizable energy bursts forth from the creature’s mouth, sweeping fiercely across the ground.
Shshhshh-!!!
A vast, rapid energy gust sweeps through, instantly freezing the earth.
Hovering in mid-air, I can only widen my eyes at this spectacle.
“That creature is insane.”
“That’s something I ought to say to you, brat.”
Pajeon, who had approached quietly, lets out a sigh as he catches my eye.
“You need to dodge immediately. What good is staying there watching all of this?”
“I did react pretty quickly…”
I merely fell a bit behind him.
As I assessed the energy gathering, Pajeon grabs me by the collar and flings me into the air.
Whether I owe my survival to that action is up for debate.
It was at a speed that could have been dodged.
Hah…
In response to my not-so-compelling excuse, Pajeon exhales deeply once more.
“Anyway, I can tell you’re intent on capturing it.”
He nods and starts to loosen up his posture.
Observing him, I ask, “Will you be joining me?”
“Heh heh.”
Pajeon chuckles as if taken aback by the question.
“…It’s my misfortune for having a careless disciple at my age. What more can I do if you’re insistent on heading into danger?”
Death ground.
That’s quite a rare term to hear from Pajeon.
Surely, it hints that this is no easy feat even in his perspective.
“Then why not advise against it?”
If he’s so interested in preventing me from going, why not just say that? I ask him.
Pajeon clicks his tongue loudly as if annoyed.
“It’s obvious you wouldn’t listen even if I did. Why bother?”
Pajeon’s irritation is clear, yet he softens his expression with a slight smile.
“I’ve never taught you how to run away, and probably never will.”
“…”
It sounds like a rather profound statement.
Yet, looking at Pajeon’s expression, I find it hard to catch that sentiment.
‘…Based on his appearance, he enjoys this sort of thing the most.’
His face radiates pure joy before a fight. I could tell because it mirrors the look he had when he went after me.
Such vivid emotions are downright terrifying.
“Oh, right. And, disciple.”
“Yes?”
“Make sure to explain what happened with that body later.”
Pop-!
With his words hanging in the air, Pajeon’s form vanishes.
“…Haha.”
I’m left alone, chuckling helplessly.
It’s disheartening to think I might have overlooked something.
Pajeon seemingly sensed at once that I had improved.
‘What an uncanny old man…’
Spoiling is not an easy task with him.
In that moment of thought, as I was on the verge of launching myself at the monster—
Thud-!
Something clatters to the ground.
“Hmm?”
I glance down and spot a red jade bead.
It must have spilled from my clothes. I must’ve moved too energetically, causing my pouch to burst.
Without bending down, I lift the bead into the air using my energy.
Whoosh-!
I take a moment to examine the floating bead.
I find myself pondering what it is.
‘What was this… ah.’
Suddenly, it hits me.
This is something my wife gave me before heading to the North Sea.
‘She told me to use it in case of danger.’
An item given to me without any instruction on how to use it.
Though it simply looks like a red jade bead, it’s likely some kind of treasure.
Wooosh!
The bead hovering in mid-air seems to emit a faint glow.
‘Does it react when I’m in danger?’
After scrutinizing it briefly, I grasp the bead and tuck it into my bosom, then leap towards the monster following Pajeon.
I had no intention of using this treasure.
Even though it’s a perilous situation, using this signifies conceding there’s a real threat.
There’s a nagging worry of what Mrs. Mi would think if she learned about this later—what if she discovers I was in danger?
For reasons I can’t articulate, it grates on me.
So I tried to avoid using it.
While I intended to avoid it…
I could never have anticipated that the ‘how to use’ a jade bead would be so simple.
Or what, exactly, the effects of this treasure might be.
I understood none of it.
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