Chapter 637: White Night (White Night)

The guy’s appearance somewhat resembled Ttolttori.

Especially, the shape of its head was quite similar, but its body was different.

If Ttolttori had a form resembling a snake.

This bastard’s body resembled the bodies of fierce beasts like tigers or lions.

Meanwhile, its tail was a hybrid that brought snakes to mind.

Looking at such a bizarre fellow, I recall.

White (白).

The final color among green, cyan, red, and white used to classify monsters.

It was a being that hadn’t appeared alongside red monsters for a long time.

Even I had never encountered this guy once in my previous life.

“Holy crap, what is that?”

-Kurreureureureu–!!! Aaaaaaaa–!!!

My whole body tingled from the rough roaring sound.

Its body was covered in white scales.

Its size was enormous, like several red monsters clumped together.

Even a single red monster was larger than a dwelling, yet…

If that’s how many were gathered, just how enormous should I even describe it as?

I observed the creature with furrowed brows.

Kwaddeudeuk-!

Even the slightest movement of its massive body sent ripples in all directions.

Kung-!

Icebergs were crushed, and the forest was thrown into chaos.

History says that white monsters are like disasters just by breathing.

That saying seemed perfectly fitting.

‘If a guy like that moves, isn’t that a disaster?’

A mountain is moving. Even if it wasn’t Mount Tai, it felt like that.

‘Just where…’

Did a guy like that pop out from?

Kaddeudeuk-!

Amidst the raging cold air, the creature continued its rampage.

“Kkwaaak-!”

Kung-!

Its tail moved, crushing people.

Only crushed corpses remained where it brushed past.

I expanded my senses and shifted my gaze.

‘What about the Demonic Mirror Gate?’

I wasn’t sure if that guy was a white-grade monster or not.

However, since it’s a monster, if it appeared, the Demonic Mirror Gate should have remained.

But I couldn’t see any trace of the gate having opened.

This means…

‘It was here from the start.’

Where did it appear from?

A size like that couldn’t be hidden.

‘Is it really white?’

I couldn’t think of anything else to call it.

I hadn’t seen it even in my past life, and it was a grade that had appeared only a few times throughout all of history.

However, though their numbers were few, the aftermath they left behind was never small.

For example, Hwasan Sword Saint Shin Cheol.

The white monster Mu-ryong (Misty Dragon, 霧龍) that Elder Shin dealt with, upon dying, covered an entire region in mist, turning it into a forest impenetrable to humans.

The water dragon Su-ryong (Water Dragon, 水龍) that Dangjemun captured, by dying, spewed out water currents, turning the area leading to Sichuan into a large river inhabited by monsters.

Not only that, the burning cliff on the way to Shingang was formed when the greatest expert in the world at the time, Kwonwang Yeon Il-cheon, hunted the Taehwa-ryong (Great Fire Dragon, 太火龍).

The impact they left behind was grand enough to reshape an entire region.

That was the meaning of the strength possessed by white monsters.

Facing it directly, I understood even better.

‘How did they even catch something like that?’

I didn’t realize it when I only heard that they hunted a white-grade monster solo.

Seeing it now, it’s absurd.

They caught that alone?

I started to see Elder No-ya as truly amazing.

The problem is.

‘Tsk.’

I don’t have time to dwell on this.

-Kuaaaaaa–!!!

The creature let out a roar and headed somewhere.

Amidst the chaotic situation, I wondered where it was looking with such intensity.

“Bullshit.”

Seeing who the creature was targeting, I immediately lunged.

I could tell from afar. How could I not?

Among the crowd of people, I saw Namgung Bi-ah. It looked like Tang Soyeol was carrying her on her back.

And the direction the creature was heading was precisely there.

-Kurreureureu–!!!

I quickly closed the distance and swung my fist with all my might.

Kwaang-!

-Kureureuk!?

My fist struck the creature’s head directly.

A loud sound erupted, and its head swayed, but…

‘Damn it.’

I myself, who landed the punch, had to frown.

‘It didn’t land properly.’

Feeling the impact on my fist, I was certain.

It seemed the attack didn’t properly connect.

Just like the red monsters, it too seemed to have some kind of aura layered over its body.

That’s why the attack didn’t land properly.

Just then.

Hwik-!

“…!”

Something approached me.

It was its tail.

Fitting its massive physique, its tail alone looked comparable to a common red monster.

‘Fast.’

Moreover, it was fast relative to its size.

It was too late to dodge.

Kkuuk.

I quickly raised my energy, trying to erect a wall with my martial power.

Swik-! Kwaaang-!

An energy that flew from a distance struck its tail, pushing it away.

Taking advantage of the opening, I quickly descended to the ground.

As I landed, the one who had struck the tail approached me.

“Your return is rather rough.”

It was Paejon.

He had saved me using his Kwon-gang.

“…What’s going on?”

Without even thanking him, I asked about the situation first.

Paejon chuckled at my behavior. It looked like he expected it.

“What is that thing?”

“I know, right? I was sleeping soundly… when some bizarre creature disturbed me.”

“Disturbed?”

Being disturbed while sleeping…

‘Does that mean this thing attacked my hideout?’

A white-grade monster suddenly attacking my hideout?

Questions arose in the inexplicable situation, but a bothersome energy kept drawing my attention.

No, I already knew the answer.

‘Mang.’

I could feel Mang’s energy from that white-grade monster’s body.

And it was very strong.

The reason I flew here, leaving Woo-hyeok behind, was ultimately…

Mang had disappeared, yet his energy was strongly felt.

I don’t know how this happened, but…

‘If you’re gonna die, just die decently.’

I knew I was getting slightly annoyed.

-Kuaaaaaa–!!!

The creature began to move again, letting out a roar.

The loud sound caused vibrations around.

‘What a mess.’

I suppressed my curses and looked around. Numerous people were trembling in fear, seemingly overwhelmed by the monster’s roar.

Amidst them.

“Young Master-nim!”

At the faint voice, I turned my head. I saw Tang Soyeol approaching me.

Namgung Bi-ah was carried on her back. She seemed unconscious, eyes closed, and her condition looked quite bad.

Frowning at the sight, Tang Soyeol spoke to me in a trembling voice.

“My sister…!”

“What happened.”

“…While protecting me.”

“…”

Listening, I raised my hand to stop her.

“That can wait.”

I turned my head back to look at the monster.

This wasn’t the time for trivial talk.

“Her condition?”

“…!”

“How is she?”

Tang Soyeol hesitated for a moment at my blunt question, but…

She soon gave an answer.

“…She didn’t injure any vital spots. It seems like the wound she got from being buried under debris got worse.”

“I see.”

I suppressed the rising emotions.

Colder, and colder still. Now was the time for that.

Just then.

“Ah, Father–!!”

A scream echoed from not far away.

“Father…!!”

“Princess…! First…!”

It was Yuri, held back by warriors. Yuri was shouting while looking at the monster.

Seeing this, I immediately asked Paejon.

“Was the Palace Lord attacked?”

Was the Palace Lord harmed by the monster? Is that why she’s wailing like that?

To my question…

“Hmm.”

Paejon pondered for a moment.

“I don’t know.”

He then gave an ambiguous answer.

“I couldn’t grasp the situation properly. However, I heard… rather than the Palace Lord being attacked.”

Ssk.

Paejon pointed forward with his hand.

“They say that thing itself is the Palace Lord.”

“What?”

Hearing that, I looked at the monster.

What did Paejon just say?

‘The monster is the Palace Lord?’

I thought, ‘What kind of dog-sh*t nonsense is this?’, but…

‘Huh.’

Only after hearing that, things I hadn’t noticed before started to creep into view.

Kuaaaa–!!

The monster’s energy, letting out a full-throated roar.

That was the energy Mang possessed, and…

Also…

‘…He mentioned something about a body.’

The energy was put into Woo-hyeok.

I recalled that his original body had seeped into another ice crystal.

Considering that the energy started being felt at the same time Mang perished…

“Tsk.”

Does that mean this is Mang’s body?

Then, what does it mean that this is the Palace Lord here?

I don’t know. But…

Udeuk.

I slightly loosened up and took a step forward.

“Are you thinking of catching it?”

“Yes.”

I nodded at Paejon’s words, but…

I was slightly hesitant even as I spoke.

Given that I’m quite tired, running away seems like the best option, but…

‘…It feels unsettling.’

In my previous life, I had never seen a white-grade monster.

No matter how far the Northern Sea was.

With this much impact, it would be impossible not to know; even if they succeeded in hunting it without casualties, they would have vaguely heard the information.

But if even that information is missing…

‘It means this situation got complicated because I caused trouble.’

Mang died, causing problems with the ice crystal here, leading to this incident.

If that’s the case, doesn’t it feel like it’s partly my fault?

Kuaaaa-!

The creature approached this way.

Kung-!!

Then, it opened its massive maw wide.

Pajik-!

“Huh?”

I saw energy gathering in its mouth.

The moment I saw it, chills ran down my spine.

Dangerous.

The moment I instinctively sensed it.

Hwik-!

My collar was grabbed, and I was rapidly sent soaring upwards.

I couldn’t even react properly.

Just like that, as soon as my feet left the ground.

Kwaaaaaa—!!!

An unknown energy spewed from the creature’s mouth, sweeping across the ground.

Jjeojeojeok—!!!

As the wide, fast energy grazed the surface, the ground instantly froze over.

Floating in mid-air, I had to widen my eyes watching this.

“That thing’s crazy.”

“That’s what I was about to say, you punk.”

Paejon, who had appeared beside me, sighed as he looked at me.

“You should run immediately; what are you doing just watching that?”

“I reacted pretty quickly, you know…”

Just a little slower than Paejon.

The moment I confirmed the energy, Paejon grabbed me by the collar and threw me into the air.

Whether I survived thanks to that is a bit ambiguous.

Because it was a speed I could have dodged if I’d tried.

“Haa…”

At my less-than-convincing excuse, Paejon sighed once more, deeply, then…

“Anyway, I understand you intend to catch it.”

He nodded and started stretching.

Watching him, I asked.

“Are you joining me?”

“Hoho.”

Paejon laughed as if the question was absurd.

“…It’s the sin of having a disciple I shouldn’t have taken in my old age. What can I do when you insist on going into a death trap (死地)?”

Death trap (死地).

It was a rare word to hear from Paejon’s lips.

Perhaps, even in Paejon’s eyes, it wasn’t going to be easy.

“Then you could just stop me.”

Why go together when you could just prevent me from going? I asked.

Paejon clicked his tongue loudly, audible to everyone, then…

“It’s obvious you wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop you. Moreover.”

Paejon spoke as if reprimanding me while looking at me, then relaxed his expression and smiled slightly.

“I have never taught you how to run away, and I probably never intend to teach you in the future.”

“…”

It sounded like a really cool thing to say.

But looking at Paejon’s expression, I didn’t feel that way at all.

‘…Looking at his face, this guy seems to be enjoying this the most.’

His face was filled with exhilaration before the fight. It was the same face he made when beating me, so I couldn’t mistake it.

Such clear emotion… it was truly terrifying.

“Ah, right. And, disciple.”

“Yes.”

“Explain later what happened with that body of yours.”

Pat-!

After saying that, Paejon’s figure vanished.

“…Haha.”

Left alone, I could only laugh emptily.

I thought he hadn’t noticed since he didn’t bring it up, but…

It seemed Paejon had immediately noticed my increased cultivation level.

‘That ghostly old man….’

Seriously, it’s not easy to fool him.

Thinking that, just as I was about to charge at the monster myself.

Tuk-!

Something fell to the ground.

“Hm?”

I looked down to see a red jade bead. It must have fallen from my clothes; perhaps my pouch burst from moving violently.

Without bending down, I used my energy to levitate the bead into the air.

Uung-!

I examined the bead floating in the air for a moment.

Thinking about what it could be…

‘What was this… Ah.’

I remembered.

It was something Madam Mi gave me before I headed to the Northern Sea.

‘She definitely told me to use it in dangerous situations.’

I received it without being told how to use it, just that I should use it.

It looked like just a red jade bead, but it was likely a precious item.

Uuung.

The jade bead floating in the air seemed to be emitting a faint light.

‘Does it react when energy touches it?’

After observing it briefly, I grabbed the bead with my hand, put it in my pocket, and then leaped towards the monster, following Paejon.

I had no intention of using the precious item.

Although the situation was dangerous, using it would mean admitting…

What if Madam Mi found out later? What if she realized I was in danger?

For some reason, I cared about that.

So I tried not to use it.

I definitely tried not to use it…

I didn’t know.

That the ‘usage’ of the jade bead would be so simple.

Nor did I know what the precious item’s effect was.

I knew nothing at all.