< Child of the Dragon (3) >
[Hoo – Tam? I didn’t expect that monster to be here. Already killed, no less.]
[No matter how much he was injured and escaped from the Ganghwan Realm, I didn’t think he was the type to die so easily. He caused significant damage to Gonmudo with the info he leaked during the Blood Death event over twenty years ago.]
The deep voice of the White Dragon was followed by the clear voice of the Blue Dragon ringing in my head.
The five dragons kept a close watch on the fierce battle below, doing their best to suppress the deadly energy spreading in all directions.
To aid the humans and to hinder the Heavenly Demon.
Given their nature, it was difficult for them to join forces with the martial artists, and they were already pouring a significant amount of power into stabilizing the battlefield, so there was nothing they could do about it.
[Isn’t it rather a relief? We were always on guard, not knowing when that guy would spring into action, but now there’s no need for that, right? The current situation is the same as this.]
As the Red Dragon said, they had wasted substantial resources preparing for whatever schemes Tam might initiate.
Given his nature, it was something that had to be done, but in such a difficult situation, every little thing felt like a loss.
However, confirming that death like this was certainly good news.
The only issue was that the circumstances of that death were quite suspicious.
Who on earth killed him, and why was his remains buried here?
And why hadn’t anyone noticed it until now?
[…It must be the Heavenly Demon, right?]
[Well, I can acknowledge that the Heavenly Demon is formidable, but I can’t see him taking on Tam alone.]
[If the masters from the Demon Cult join forces, it could be different.]
[Or perhaps it’s something the ‘he’ did before leaving this world…]
[From a long time ago? But…]
While the three dragons fervently exchanged opinions.
The Black Dragon was much more interested in Horus, who had approached them.
[You were amazing earlier! How did you do that? Is that the ability of the dragons from your world? How often can you use it?]
Her sleek black scales glistened like obsidian as she swam gracefully through the night sky.
Her gem-like shining clear eyes were just as enchanting.
It was no wonder those who faced dragons developed a sense of faith.
‘Of course, I have no chance.’
But knowing her temperament, Horus couldn’t view her favorably.
After all, as someone who hoped for harmony between humans and monsters, she, as a hardliner, could not help but feel uncomfortable.
[Wait a moment, I have something to say first.]
[Oh? Alright, then.]
On top of that, maybe because of the earlier strain, using the “Heart of the Elder Dragon” for transformation was becoming burdensome.
So, it was crucial to hurry up with their plan.
[Everyone, please pay attention for a moment!]
[Huh? Horus?]
[What is it?]
The eyes of the other dragons, who were busy exchanging opinions more than ever, turned toward him.
Horus stood at the center like when he first appeared in the battlefield.
[Looking at the Heavenly Demon, I just thought of a good method.]
With that, he confidently declared.
[A way to recover the Dragon Heart without sacrificing the children of the dragon.]
A plan, disguised as if just discovered, that had been prepared beforehand.
[Huh?]
[Is that possible…?]
Horus’s gaze turned to where the Heavenly Demon was slowly crumbling under the fierce assaults.
Boom—!
Crash!
Despite still displaying immense power, it was evident to anyone that his momentum had shifted.
Without any further variables, it would be tough to turn the tide.
The final struggle that had lasted nearly all day from the afternoon was finally nearing its end.
‘Is this finally the conclusion?’
Only the finishing touches were left to be painted.
The scenario was entering its final stages.
*
After rescuing Je Gal Hye-mi, Hugo retreated for a while and no longer intervened in the battle with the Heavenly Demon.
Other masters and dragons had joined the fray, and someone needed to be close to protect her just in case.
Of course, that also applied to the other dragon children nearby.
“…Hmm.”
“Are you alright, Soja?”
As a groan escaped Je Gal Hye-mi, Hugo turned to her with concern while watching the battle reaching its conclusion.
His gaze fell on her pure white neck, marred by the dark marks left by the Heavenly Demon.
Even if it was only for an extremely brief period, there was no way a high-level undead could extract the life of another gently.
His expression turned uneasy as he looked at the mark.
“…I’m fine. By the way, once again, I have received help from you, Lord. How can I repay this kindness?”
Understanding how her expression changed, and feeling guilty as if his conscience, long thought extinguished, was pricked.
“…Don’t mention it. There will surely be times in the future when we need each other’s help. It’s better to offer assistance like this when we can rather than exchanging favors every time.”
“In the future… you say.”
At his words, Je Gal Hye-mi smiled bittersweetly.
She already knew.
As this battle was nearing its end, her life was running out as well.
Even if Ha Seung-hoon and the Zhuge Family tried to protect her, it would be futile.
What hung over her life was the safety of this world.
No matter how extraordinary they were, they could not fight against the entire world of both humans and monsters, could they?
This was a burden she had been carrying since the day she was born.
She was born with the calamity that caused her mother to die, and since then, she had only brought suffering to many; the only path left to her.
“Hye-mi!”
At that moment, a group hurriedly approached the place where they were.
Covered in blood and dirt, and bearing wounds, members of the Zhuge Family led by Zhuge Ho-won.
Bright smiles adorned their faces upon seeing Je Gal Hye-mi.
“Father… And everyone else…”
As she looked at them, her heart became even more resolute.
Indeed, sacrifice was a necessary affair.
Rather than waiting endlessly for a predetermined destruction, if a bright future could be brought to the world through the dedication of some, it would be a deal far more beneficial.
“Soja.”
As her thoughts were cut short, a heavy voice entered her ears.
The reliable man who had saved her life multiple times and had supported her to overcome despair in difficult times.
“I understand what you’re thinking, but please don’t give up so easily.”
He looked down at her seriously and continued speaking.
“Uh? Ahaha… What am I…”
Before she could respond with wide eyes, he continued.
“I’ve gone through a lot of things during my lifetime. You might think that having many experiences at my age means I’ve had a lot, but events don’t come proportionally with age.”
Actually, using multiple bodies to experience events was more accurate, but that wasn’t what mattered now.
What’s truly important was that all the events he experienced were significant enough to shake the world.
“What I learned through that is that the world doesn’t necessarily flow in a predetermined way. Even if you carefully plan, small variables can derail things, and unexpected opportunities may arise from events you never saw coming. Well, sometimes luck aligns, and things work out as planned, though.”
Countless events passed rapidly through his mind.
From when he first obtained the “Avatar” skill, to Hans becoming an Undead King, to realizing the existence of the Buncheon Society after an unexpected incident and deciding to eradicate them, and now, up to this very moment.
“I don’t believe that there is a destiny set in stone for people. There are only continuous choices amid countless crossroads. Even if it seems like a one-way street… even if it seems like a dead end, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s only one choice available at that moment.”
You could break through the wall in front of you, step over something, find a hole in the wall to crawl through.
Or perhaps…
Someone standing on top of the wall could reach down and pull you up.
“Oh, I might be sounding a bit arrogant. Of course, what I say isn’t necessarily all correct. There are certainly those who find themselves in dire situations with no choice at all.”
Realizing his words might come off as boastful, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, causing Je Gal Hye-mi to smile faintly.
Her heart raced and warmed.
How could she not realize that his words were born from concern for her?
‘But…’
She understood what he intended to convey.
However, she viewed herself as someone who essentially had no room for choice.
“Thank you, Lord Ha. Hearing that brings me a bit of comfort.”
“Hmm, I’m glad to hear that. Oh, it seems the battle over there has ended.”
Where she stood was not simply a dead end.
It was a narrow space of less than a square meter atop a sheer cliff.
That was the position she found herself in.
“Hey, Hye-mi, are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, Father. Thank you for your concern.”
There was no way out of this place.
Only to wither away or throw herself off the cliff were the options left.
Unless a miracle occurred, like a golden rope descending from the sky as in a fairy tale.
‘Still… Just for a moment, even a brief moment…’
She wanted to dream a little longer in this world.
Even if it couldn’t last long.
She tightly closed her eyes.
[Ah, is it over now?]
At that moment.
[Then could you lend me your ear for a moment?]
A peculiar resonance echoed in her mind.
Hoo— hoo—
Along with it came the sound of powerful wings flapping, accompanied by a fierce wind.
A heavy presence pressed upon the area.
As the light of dawn illuminated the darkness of dawn, a bright golden radiance slowly began to shine down on the ground.
[It’s fortunate that the Dragon Children are also here.]
Thus, a miracle descended from the sky.
*
Days had passed since the final battle.
The Martial Alliance had wrapped up the battlefield and was now away from Beijing, and the dragons who had returned to the Ganghwan Realm were hurrying to prepare the ritual with the monsters of Gonmudo.
Deep within the underbelly of Beijing, which had been vacated.
[…The preparations are perfect.]
From within the re-sealed remains of Tam, an eerie voice echoed as the dragons departed.
An entity hiding behind the curtain, blending in with Tam’s essence, orchestrating the stage.
[Now it’s time to finish this stunt.]
With Hans’s one line—.
The day of the ceremony that would alter the flow of the Ganghwan Realm was dawning.
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