Chapter 857
The king of Gyecheonmun falls backward after being hit in the knee.
Then he clenches his fist, intending to land another strike.
Tsk.
Goyangcheon, who was about to continue his attack, suddenly takes a step back.
A sword brushes past the side of his face.
Even during the hit, he was attempting a counterattack.
‘That’s really solid.’
Even after being hit like that, a return strike came. What remarkable regenerative abilities!
‘At this point, I should tear off an arm or something.’
But will it regenerate? I don’t think so. If it does, then I might as well just take out the whole body.
But.
Shhh.
The incoming attacks were gradually becoming more intense.
‘Look at this, huh?’
Even though I’m continuing to inflict damage, the Gyecheonmunju isn’t going down. Observing this, Goyangcheon thought.
Is it his strong will? Or is his body gradually adapting?
If not that.
‘Am I getting tired?’
I begin to sense my body’s exhaustion.
Since I’m pouring excessive energy into my swollen blood vessels, the fatigue is mounting rapidly.
‘Hmm.’
Not good. It didn’t seem like this fight was going to be a long one.
‘It’ll be hard to overpower him.’
It would have made a difference if I could use flames, but that’s impossible right now.
I just had to take him down somehow.
Krrrr.
The Gyecheonmunju starts to exert strength. His movements are becoming increasingly frantic.
I can sense his will to endure.
It seems like the other side is also pushing their limits. Watching that, Goyangcheon takes a moment to catch his breath.
‘Looks like they’re waiting for reinforcements.’
He seemed to be waiting for someone else.
Well, I wonder if there aren’t other people in this vast underground space.
‘I killed everything I laid my eyes on, but…’
There must be more. That was obvious. What if reinforcements arrived right now?
‘That might be a bit dangerous.’
Objectively speaking, yes.
Namgung Bi-ah needed to rest. While Wi Seol-ah could be of help, the battle would turn unfavorable.
Yet, even though Goyangcheon was aware of this, he didn’t seem too worried.
‘Reinforcements? Let them come if they can.’
If there’s anyone who can show up.
They’ve already played their hand.
So right now, I just need to concentrate on the fight in front of me.
Sss…
Taking a deep breath, I twisted my torso.
Thump! The energy that was inside my heart begins to spread throughout my body. The pain causes my brows to crease.
Two-armed sniper strike.
A powerful blow pierces directly into the Gyecheonmunju. The bastard hurriedly raises both hands to block it.
Kugugugugugugu—!!!
My fist explodes upon contact with his hands, forcing him backward.
Ugh-!!
Gyecheonmunju barely manages to steady himself, absorbing the shock with his toes.
Seeing this, Goyangcheon tilted his head.
‘What the—?’
It was weaker than I imagined.
Even though I clearly channeled energy into it, the impact was lighter than expected.
It’s true that I’m exhausted, but that wasn’t entirely the issue.
‘Could this be…?’
What could possibly be wrong? After pondering for a moment, Goyangcheon narrowed his eyes.
‘Is using energy the problem?’
Not magic, but this energy.
I just toned down my magic temporarily to execute the Toua Pa Chunmoo. Could that be it?
‘Hmm.’
I wasn’t certain. A little more testing was in order.
Stepping onto the ground, I charged at the Gyecheonmunju…
Bam—!
‘Hmm?’
But this time, the issue lay with the ground.
‘What the hell?’
The ground felt peculiar. I had expected it to give way, so I made my move, but it didn’t budge at all!
That’s different from before.
Fortunately, my movements weren’t disrupted, but it was still unsettling.
As I got closer, a sword flew toward me. I ducked, narrowly avoiding it.
With that, I drove my fist into his gut.
Ugh!
It landed perfectly. The Gyecheonmunju’s body soared in the air from the punch.
But…
Shhhh—!!!
This time, he counterattacked. Strands of hair that were severed by the sword floated in the air.
‘… I see.’
Seeing that, Goyangcheon became convinced. It seemed to be the case.
‘Is my energy not working on him?’
The very concept of the energy felt problematic. Realizing this, I infused my magic into the mix.
I struck hard at his left shoulder.
Ugh!
This time it felt different from before.
The pain-twisted face and the impact were completely at odds.
Just as I expected.
‘Magic works, but my energy doesn’t hit the same.’
It’s not that it doesn’t work at all, but it seems to take on a considerably diminished effect.
‘And…’
Crunch.
I stomped down onto the ground.
This time, unlike last, it shattered.
‘Is this space affecting my energy too?’
I may not understand the principles behind it, but it seems the energy is indeed the problem.
Tsk.
What a frustrating space this was. Still, at least I have a clue now.
Goyangcheon immediately released all of his energy and filled himself with magic energy.
Brawling resumed. Even though it was termed ‘brawling,’ the situation remained unchanged.
It’s sheer violence.
Bang!
I dodged the swing of the sword and struck at the openings.
Whenever I tried to create distance, he pursued and pounded me. When I attempted to counter, he blocked and hit me back.
I was breaking him down. Increased strength would be required to shatter his very being.
Boom! Boom bang! Boom!
The weight of the blows sounded anything but light.
It signifies it’s a terrifyingly strong, brutal assault.
As expected, I’m on the offensive.
‘What a shit show.’
What’s truly unpleasant is the expression on Goyangcheon’s face while he swings his fists.
To be honest, it’s burdening.
‘The speed is starting to catch up.’
Even as I continue attacking and smashing him, he’s noticeably quickening.
With only simple strikes at my disposal, there’s not much I can do.
At this stage, I’d ideally need to employ considerable firepower, but since I can’t use flame arts, I’m only left with Toua Pa Chunmoo.
‘But that’s not enough.’
The magic can integrate into any martial art if I want to blend it.
Yet, Toua Pa Chunmoo alone is insufficient. The recoil is intense, and it’s uncertain whether my blood vessels can withstand it.
At this rate, all I could realistically do is endure while continuing my attacks.
[Ugh… Hehe.]
Suddenly, laughter erupted from in front of me.
At that moment, Goyangcheon paused mid-punch and asked,
“What’s so funny? You itching to get taken down?”
[Kuhahaha… It’s hilarious.]
Swish! The sword moves,
Goyangcheon quickly dodges backward. The blade narrowly grazes his face.
[I had a feeling something wasn’t right… But now I get it.]
Goyangcheon vaults high into the air, creating distance between himself and the Gyecheonmunju.
[You. You’re tired, aren’t you?]
“…”
The words of Gyecheonmunju prompted Goyangcheon to silently catch his breath.
[Your punches are getting weaker and weaker. You still hit with the force of thunder, but it’s utterly different from that comet-like power from before.]
Ah, he caught on. Goyangcheon couldn’t help but let out a weak grin.
[And the fact that you’re not even using your primary flame arts suggests that… something is amiss.]
The old geezer is sharp. Goyangcheon loosened his shoulders slightly and bit down on his lip.
Yeah, it was about time he started piecing things together.
[Indeed… Heaven is on my side.]
“Old man. If you keep rambling, it won’t end pretty for you.”
I was hiding my ragged breath.
How much energy is left in my reserves? I estimate there’s about ten or so left.
Is it because my main flame arts are restrained? I’ve squandered too much unnecessary strength.
It’s an awfully precarious situation.
Despite being aware of this, Goyangcheon didn’t let it show.
“What’s that? So what do you propose I do?”
I can’t produce any sparks.
The bastard’s strength is continuously mounting; if this fight drags on, I might just get pushed back.
But.
So what?
“Just because of that, you can’t expect to win.”
[Are you attempting a desperate gamble? Neither you nor those women should have trespassed here.]
“Shit.”
I’ve accounted for all potential threats lurking here.
The trouble is that by the time I stabilize my breathing, that jerk might have recuperated further.
I think I could potentially replenish my fading vitality… What should I do? Goyangcheon’s thoughts raced.
“I can sense you plotting something, but there’s a limit to how much I can overlook it.”
[Hah.]
The Gyecheonmunju lets out an exasperated laugh.
[You were already aware?]
“Well, not the whole picture. I do detect a rancid odor coming from your side. The stench clinging to your desires is evident.*
[Don’t insult me…!]
Gyecheonmunju snapped, his anger boiling.
[How dare you, knowing nothing—! This is all for the sake of heaven!]
“It’s always those fools caught up in some ridiculous cult that throw around phrases like that.”
What exactly do they want, and what do they think they know?
It’s utterly baffling.
‘Just looking at that physique, it doesn’t seem all that appealing.’
The Gyecheonmunju has transformed completely. I don’t know what kind of methods were employed, but if things have reached this state, I can’t disregard it.
Despite Goyangcheon’s reaction, Gyecheonmunju only spews out his rage.
[You don’t understand. The paradise we dream of! And the treasures we’ve prepared for it!]
“Of course, I wouldn’t know that…”
As I was about to brush him off, not wanting to hear another word from him.
“Paradise?”
Goyangcheon caught a rather curious term from the Gyecheonmunju’s mouth.
‘Paradise?’
Paradise. At face value, it’s just a beautiful word, but within Goyangcheon’s mind, it twisted into something thorny.
It intersected with something the Blood Demon had once mentioned.
‘I think he too dreamed of a paradise.’
Could this be mere coincidence? I felt an unsettling sense of foreboding.
[Soon the elders will arrive. If they do, it’ll be the end for you. They’ll not let you leave.]
Having caught sight of hope, the Gyecheonmunju swelled with confidence once again. Goyangcheon regarded him and asked.
“… Is that body, which resembles a withered snail, truly a gift from the great heavens?”
It was meant as a playful jab, yet Gyecheonmunju took the bait instantly.
[Hah… To say that even after witnessing the greatness of Yeouiju. Have you not yet grasped reality?]
‘Yeouiju?’
Yeouiju… a pearl, perhaps?
Goyangcheon frowned at the words spoken by Moonju. For some reason, he felt he was on the verge of understanding something.
He then pulled something from his pocket and displayed it before Gyecheonmunju.
[What are you doing… Ah?]
What he revealed was none other than a bead—a white one of a size comparable to a small black ball.
As Goyangcheon held it aloft, Gyecheonmunju’s eyes widened in astonishment.
[You… where did you obtain that?]
“This is what you referred to as Yeouiju?”
I believe I obtained that when I first arrived here and took down the large old man.
I figured showing it off would elicit a strong reaction, and the eyes of the Gyecheonmunju gleamed with fiery intensity.
[You! Did I not ask you where you got that?!]
Fury evidently simmered within him, causing Gyecheonmunju to lunge at Goyangcheon.
The sight was terrifying in its sheer madness.
“Hmph…”
Even in the midst of this, Goyangcheon continued to fixate on the bead.
Despite gazing at it now, he felt nothing.
‘Eating it seems dicey, doesn’t it?’
What he said might hold merit, but it was still an item he didn’t fully comprehend.
Consuming such a perilous thing was nothing short of a gamble.
For the moment, I should just stash it away and focus on resolving this fight first. That’s the conclusion I reached.
Stop!
The Gyecheonmunju shouted urgently as if he saw something.
“What should I stop—gulp…?”
At his command, Goyangcheon found his throat inexplicably locking up.
“Huh?”
He rolled his eyes and glanced at his hand.
The bead he had been holding just moments ago was gone.
He rubbed his chest, feeling oddly empty.
Then it dawned on him.
“… This is insane.”
He felt something slip inside him.
He unintentionally swallowed the bead. It wasn’t by his will.
In the utter bewilderment of the situation, Goyangcheon was left dumbfounded.
Thump—!
The change began with the rhythmic thumping of his heart.
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