Chapter 756: Hero Appears.

-Evacuate!

Kuaaa-!

-Kyaaaaa-!!

The streets of Hanam, which must have been beautiful once.

As the most developed region in the current Central Plains, it had shown a vibrant activity day and night without regard.

However, Hanam was being reduced to ruins, with buildings collapsing and streets becoming chaotic due to a sudden attack.

The street stalls that had been neatly laid out along the road had collapsed long ago.

The merchant guilds and inns built in the center of Hanam began to be destroyed by the attack.

-Destroy them-!

-Push them back! Don’t delay!

Those dressed in black are destroying indiscriminately, whether buildings or people.

Where on earth did these people come from? Why is the sky like that, and why are we caught in such a crisis?

People harbored questions, but there was nothing they could do.

Disasters are inherently like that.

“Ah, Daddy….”

“Shh-!”

His young daughter sobbed, held in his arms.

Afraid she might be heard, he held her tighter.

Hiding behind the collapsed wall, they held their breath.

“…Hic…hic….”

The terrified child’s breathing was ragged.

The father, his entire body drenched in sweat, glanced back.

Those in black martial uniforms scanned the surroundings.

Were they checking if there were any more survivors?

‘Please….’

Seeing that, the father squeezed his eyes shut.

If things continued like this, they might be discovered.

They had to survive.

Even if he couldn’t, he had to save at least his daughter.

Just as he was thinking this.

Crackle.

“…!”

A presence was detected from behind the wall.

‘God.’

His body trembled.

If this continued, they would be discovered soon.

Should he grab his daughter and run, even now?

If he ran, could he succeed?

His opponents were martial artists. They would easily catch up to his slow feet.

Perhaps it would be better to beg for their lives.

Wasn’t appealing to their emotions the only way to save his daughter?

The man’s worries deepened.

Thump. Thump.

The closer the footsteps came, the stronger the presence grew.

“…”

With trembling hands, there was ultimately only one thing the man could do.

He prayed.

Please, let someone save them.

When they first found themselves in this situation, the man had told his daughter.

Not to worry.

“The Wulin Alliance protects this land, so nothing will happen to us.”

He had definitely said that, but…

‘Seriously….’

When on earth are they coming?

-Save us!

Screams erupted from all directions. What were the Alliance members doing?

As the man was gradually blinded by fear.

-Found you…! I think they’re here!

A glimmer of hope appeared in the distance.

Because people dressed in light blue martial uniforms appeared nearby.

Those clothes were the symbol of the Wulin Alliance that protected Hanam.

The Alliance members were pulling someone out from under a collapsed building.

It seemed to be the innkeeper, the owner of the building.

It wasn’t that far.

‘…Please…!’

I hope they find this place.

I hope they find us and save us.

As the man wished so earnestly.

“…!”

Their eyes really met.

He had made eye contact with the Alliance warriors who were supporting the old man.

We’re saved.

That was the first thought that crossed the man’s mind.

Now, the Wulin Alliance would save them, save his daughter.

He firmly believed it, thinking of a miracle, but…

‘Huh…?’

The man’s hope soon turned into despair.

They would save them.

These were the Wulin Alliance warriors he had believed in.

‘…Why…?’

Despite making eye contact, they were pretending not to see him, looking away.

Perhaps they were too busy tending to the rescued elder, not even glancing their way.

They had definitely made eye contact.

This was something he had desperately wished for, so why was the Alliance abandoning them?

‘Why, really…?’

Despair spread like a swamp.

Deep and deeper still, it tightened around the man’s throat.

But.

“Save us, please!”

He couldn’t despair; he had his daughter.

Perhaps they hadn’t heard him?

Wasn’t it possible that the eye contact was just a hallucination?

His mind knew better, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.

“Please! Save us…!”

The man cried out desperately.

At his cry, movement was heard from behind.

The attackers had noticed the man too.

“Even if not me…. Please, save my young, young daughter…! Great Hero!”

The man shouted, filled with desperation.

He was willing to be stabbed in the back right now; he pleaded for his daughter’s life.

He shouted with such feelings, but…

-Damn it….

The Alliance members looked back and forth between the elder they were supporting and the man, appearing troubled.

-Squad Leader…

It was as if the man’s cry had caused them trouble.

However, if they would just look their way, even like this, it wouldn’t matter.

That’s what the man hoped, but…

-…The terrain is not suitable for combat.

-For now, escorting the innkeeper is the priority.

-…But…!

-It’s an order.

-…

The Alliance members exchanged a few words amongst themselves before quickly moving away.

“Great Hero…? Great Hero!”

At that sight, the man screamed.

Are they really abandoning us?

How could the Wulin Alliance abandon them?

It was an unbelievable sight.

It was almost as if it were a dream.

He was instantly engulfed in despair at the sight.

Just then.

“Heh heh.”

A clear sound of mockery came from behind.

At the sound, the man stiffly turned his head, and the attackers were close, staring at him.

“Looks like you’ve been abandoned.”

At the voice, the man hugged his daughter tightly.

He had to escape, even now.

He thought so, but his legs gave out, and he couldn’t move properly.

“…My…my child is very…young…. She’s young. S-so….”

He stammered, his voice trembling.

At his words, the attacker’s eyes turned to his daughter.

For a moment, longing filled the attacker’s eyes.

“Yes, my daughter was just that age.”

Could sympathy work?

Such a thought flashed through his mind, however briefly, but…

“She was murdered by those orthodox sect bastards at that age.”

The longing quickly turned into resentment.

“She was a precious and lovely child.

I still remember when she used to chatter and whisper to me.”

A deep malice emanated from his voice.

It felt so overwhelming, hearing it made one want to vomit.

“Did you trust the Wulin Alliance?”

A face contorted like a demon’s.

Only then could he see.

That one side of the attacker’s face was distorted as if branded by a hot iron.

“If you did. That will be the reason you die.”

“P-please… please! I can die. I’ll do anything…! Just, my daughter…!”

“Appa…!!”

Death approached.

The moment the attacker raised his sword high, as if showing no intention of sparing them.

“Hieek!”

The man squeezed his eyes shut and embraced his daughter protectively.

Just then.

Fwoosh–!!

Suddenly, he felt a light.

Kuaaaaaa–!!

The sensation of his closed eyes briefly brightening.

There was no pain he expected, only a strange warmth.

Had he perhaps reached death?

Was this the sensation that came with it?

Anxiously, the man slowly opened his eyes.

“…Hup!”

The sight made him gasp in disbelief.

Tadak-! Tadak-!

Flames were burning brightly all around the man.

Blue, surging flames.

The fire, burning intensely as if alive, enveloped the man.

“W-what… what is this…..”

What could have happened?

As the man was utterly bewildered.

“Daddy. This is warm.”

“What? Huh…! Hye-yeon-ah!”

He quickly grabbed his daughter.

It was because the child was casually touching the flames.

But.

‘Huh?’

Something was strange.

As the flames moved and brushed against his body, they weren’t hot at all, just as his daughter said.

How could this be?

And also.

‘…And the attacker…?’

What happened to the attacker?

As questions filled his mind.

“Hey. You shouldn’t just touch that.”

“You’ll peel the skin off your hands if you do.”

Hwaaak-!

At the same time, the flames that had been enveloping them subsided.

The hidden scene came into view.

“…!”

The sight made the man gasp.

Unlike how it had been damaged, but only to that extent.

Now, it was blackened and scorched.

Blue flames were burning through here and there.

The walls seemed to have melted, sizzling and boiling.

Furthermore, the original attacker could be seen….

“Daddy?”

At his daughter’s voice calling him, the man moved his hand.

It was too brutal a sight for the child to see.

Just as he was about to cover her eyes.

“I can’t see anything. What’s happening?”

His daughter’s eyes were already covered.

The blue flames that had flared up earlier were momentarily covering the child’s eyes.

Seeing that, the man immediately turned his gaze.

Towards the one who had saved him, the owner of these flames.

“Th-thank you, Great H…ero.”

He started to greet them but paused for a moment.

Because he was much younger than the man expected.

A figure with black hair and blue eyes.

From boy to youth. Barely reaching young adulthood.

He was a young man who seemed barely half his age.

Moreover.

‘…I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.’

More precisely, his appearance was familiar rather than having seen him directly.

If a martial artist used such fiery techniques at that age… could it be?

“S-So-Yeomra…?”

“Mm.”

As the man uttered the nickname, the young man, Gu Yangcheon, frowned slightly.

It was a nickname he never seemed to get used to, no matter how often he heard it.

‘Can’t be helped.’

But he had to get used to it.

“Since you seem to recognize me, there’s no need for introductions.”

“…I… I truly… thank you so much…. Thank you…”

The man bowed repeatedly, his voice choked with emotion.

Gu Yangcheon had to watch him with a somewhat indifferent expression.

“Save the thanks…. Just remember me.”

“Yes…? Remember… you mean….”

“Because I’ll need to brag about it later. I just want you to remember.”

“Ah… Ah, yes…”

He didn’t quite understand what he meant, but he nodded anyway.

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon chuckled.

At the same time, he looked at the daughter in his arms and continued speaking.

“Hey.”

Perhaps because the voice was somewhat sharp, the child flinched.

“Listen to your Daddy and live.”

“…Yes… Yes… Thank you.”

Perhaps still frightened, the child answered hesitantly.

Her tongue seemed to have twisted as she spoke, her pronunciation messy.

At least her eyes were covered, so she didn’t cry.

It was a little cute, making him consider stroking her head, but…

‘Tsk.’

He had just dirtied his hands, after all.

It was too much to touch her with these hands.

So, hiding his hands with regret, he spoke to the man.

“If you go north from here, people from the Hwangbo family will be waiting.

Go there and ask for protection.”

“The Hwangbo family… you mean?”

“Yes. They’d probably be better than the Alliance.”

“…”

The man’s eyes trembled at his words.

Normally, wouldn’t the Wulin Alliance be better?

Something he might have thought, but…

The man’s lips remained closed.

The man’s eyes were filled only with distrust.

Gu Yangcheon watched him quietly for a moment before adding.

“Anyway, you should head that way.”

“…Ah… Great H, Hero, perhaps….”

The man hesitated, trying to say something.

“Sorry, but I can’t. I’m busy.”

Gu Yangcheon refused firmly.

He had already figured out the intention.

It seemed they were asking for protection due to the distance, but he couldn’t allow it.

“There are still many places that need saving.”

“…”

Hearing the reason, the man stopped trying to say more and bowed his head deeply.

“…Thank you. Great Hero. Thank you so much.”

“My, my. Instead of thanking me, just go.”

He waved his hand dismissively, urging them to leave, and the man soon embraced his daughter and hurried away.

And so, the two figures finally disappeared.

“…”

Gu Yangcheon frowned as he watched the two.

‘Thanks.’

Hearing their thanks actually felt heavy.

He had intended to hear it, but he didn’t feel worthy of such words.

‘Tsk.’

He looked around.

The surroundings, burnt black.

He had burned it too much to even clean up.

‘…Control is difficult.’

It wasn’t easy.

The very act of fighting to save someone is the problem.

‘I wouldn’t know unless I’d tried saving someone.’

He had killed everyone by burning them completely, but…

He had rarely fought with the objective of rescue.

Because of that, Gu Yangcheon had to feel troubled.

‘…Ugh.’

It would have been easier if he had just thought of eliminating them all.

Trying to move with control was incredibly difficult.

He wanted to quit everything right away, but…

-Thank you.

The words that flashed by strangely enveloped his body.

‘Snap out of it.’

He immediately cooled his head.

‘Do I look like a real hero?’

Let’s not delude ourselves.

Rather, the more it’s like this, the more he reminds himself.

He had created this situation.

This is not a rescue, but a cleanup.

Don’t think you’ve become a hero.

You haven’t become a hero. You’re just pretending to be one.

With that resolve, he bit his lip and moved forward.

Fwoosh-! Flames wrapped around him, and his body floated up.

Time is tight, but there’s much to do.

He had to move faster.

---

Rumble–!! Buildings crumbled, debris falling.

“Hwaaak…!”

Just as those below screamed and crouched down.

Fwaaa-!!

A massive flame swept over the falling debris.

“Hieek…!”

Everyone flinched at the vast flames, but fortunately, the debris burned away, preventing casualties.

However.

Kuuung-!

Other debris fell.

But this time, no flames erupted.

“Heeup!”

Kung!

Burly figures appeared and cleared the debris here and there.

Those wearing yellow martial uniforms.

They were all warriors of the Hwangbo clan.

Confirming this, he waved his hand.

Fwaaa—!!!

Following the command, flames surged upwards.

The erupted flames spread in all directions instantly.

There was so much of it, it was like a sea of fire.

A situation where they might all burn to death.

But such a cruel event did not occur.

“…N-not… not hot.”

“Mother! Are you alright!”

The flames spread past the people.

And.

“Kuaaak!”

“Ugh… Ugh-aaaaaaa!!!”

The flames passed the civilians and began selectively burning and killing only those who attacked Hanam.

‘Two in front. Three beyond them. One to the upper right.’

His eyes moved quickly, expanding his senses simultaneously.

Cold sweat trickled down.

‘Fuck.’

It was really damn hard.

Burning people selectively was difficult, and…

It was also difficult to distinguish enemies and control the flames.

So this is how difficult this job is.

War would have been easier.

‘Hoo.’

He took deep breaths, steadying himself, and waved the flames.

The rapidly emitted flames headed towards another attacker, but this time they passed him by.

The reason being.

‘Blue armband. Confirmed.’

Dark purple martial uniform with purple embroidery. But a blue armband tied to the left arm.

This was an operative from the Vigilant Assassins Guild, who had infiltrated under orders.

It passed him by, killing only the others.

After doing so a few times.

Only after the flames had swept through the entire area did he stop.

“Hoo….”

It seemed short, but it took longer than expected.

This could be seen just by the amount of energy he had used.

Catching his breath, he bent over as if exhausted.

Pasasasak–!!

Buildings crumbled one by one.

It was because he couldn’t pay attention to the buildings while distinguishing people.

Buildings built over a long time collapsed.

People should have been shocked by this, but…

“…Th… Thank you!!”

“Thank you so much…!”

Everyone was busy offering thanks just for having their lives saved.

“This is not the time! Hurry and evacuate. I will guide you.”

Before the people could calm down, a warrior from the Hwangbo clan stepped forward to lead the civilians.

“Great Hero…! Thank you so much! I won’t forget this kindness…!”

“Great Hero So-Yeomra…!”

“…”

To the bothersome voices, he casually waved his hand.

‘I thought having such a conspicuous power was undesirable.

But it’s helpful in times like these.’

My fire techniques are already quite visible.

And now that they’ve turned blue, they’re impossible to miss.

Thanks to that, my constant dashing around to save people must have been quite visible.

It’s quite fitting as an advertisement.

Anyway.

I casually wiped the sweat running down my face and asked.

“…Give me a situation report….”

Perhaps I was a little tired.

My voice was mixed with heavy breathing.

To my question, the person with the blue armband I had spared earlier landed and knelt before me.

“The number of casualties has not been fully determined, but all survivors in this area have been evacuated.”

It was a steady, clear voice.

Thanks to that, it was easy to ask questions.

“…What about the movements of other factions?”

“Twelve from the Mount Hua Sect, and the Shaolin side, though the number is undetermined, their participation has been confirmed.

Additionally, the number of Alliance members who intervened in the battle is slightly over thirty.

Besides them, several individuals from families and sects also participated.”

“…”

Hearing the report, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘All together, maybe two to three hundred at most.’

This is the number of people currently moving to stop the attack.

Although the attack started not long ago.

Only this many participated?

‘This is absurd.’

There were so many martial artists who attended for the Martial Arts Festival, yet less than half are active.

‘Even if they were held back.’

The tents spread out in front of the pavilion.

What was prepared to tie down the experts there.

Wasn’t actually installed only in the pavilion.

For what purpose did I identify the clans that came to Hanam in the past and scout their locations?

It was to tie down some of the strong forces among them.

It’s certainly partly due to the success of that plan, resulting in fewer numbers, but…

‘Even if that’s not the case. This is something that had been festering and finally burst.’

Something that had stagnated for a long time.

There are probably countless causes if we look into it, but…

The biggest cause was separate.

‘The Divine Dragon Pavilion Attack Incident.’

The incident from the past when the Black Dragon Sword appeared and a storm of blood raged.

That must have been the problem.

At the time, the number of late-stage cultivators who died was so high.

The future of prominent families and prestigious lineages of that era also existed significantly.

Therefore, they even held a meeting of orthodox sects to try and manage the situation, but…

‘That didn’t quell the distrust, though.’

It must have started from back then.

The distrust regarding the Alliance’s handling of affairs.

No matter how much they changed the Alliance Leader or made changes, it couldn’t be helped.

So when an incident like this occurred, many likely chose to avoid involvement rather than offer help.

Someone will step up.

I don’t want to be harmed.

Thinking like that, everyone either withdrew or hesitated.

It overlapped with what the Alliance had done so far, making the incident even bigger.

‘…It’s truly astonishing.’

Honestly, I expected suppressing the attack wouldn’t take long.

That’s what was planned from the start, but…

‘It’s taking twice as long.’

It took twice the time I had anticipated.

‘Thanks to that, it was a close call.’

I turned my head and surveyed the surroundings.

It was quiet.

The place called the center of Hanam was this quiet.

Other places were likely still under attack, but at least this land maintained its quiet.

Wooong—!!

I expanded my senses widely and checked again.

Fortunately, there were no signs detected.

‘For now, success.’

Up to this point is fine.

“Hooouu….”

Exhaling, I glanced sideways.

“There are no issues with the work, so please relay that we proceed as planned.”

“…Understood.”

Hearing my words, the hidden operative left, and I narrowed my eyes, staring into the void.

It was night now, so it was fine to look.

Meaning it was that dark.

So dark, yet a distinct crimson line was visible.

“…”

Confirming this, I slightly loosened my neck.

Wooong-!

The continuing lines had reached their endpoints.

Those lines seemed as if they had been waiting for all personnel in this area to be cleared….

Woong.

Now, they finally touched completely.

Upon confirming that, my eyes naturally narrowed.

The completed strands resembled some kind of pattern.

A massive pattern floating in the sky.

It was an alien sight.

I never dreamed I’d see something like that in my life.

However, there was a bigger problem than that strange pattern.

‘This…?’

I could intuitively tell.

The lines that lost their light upon completion.

The wind that stopped silently.

The ground that suppressed its vibrations.

Even the sky that ceased its movement.

That bizarre appearance was a sign.

A precursor that something would happen soon.

Just as I judged so and became fully alert.

Woong.

The pattern that had stopped emitting light soon uttered a sound.

‘It’s coming.’

Kuaaaaaa–!!

A powerful beam of light shot towards the ground.

The emitted crimson pillar instantly began to burrow into the ground.