Chapter 858: Ilcheonkyo.

Thump-!!

My heart is pounding. Of course, a heart pounds, but this felt different.

How should I put it? The moment I felt it, I knew I was screwed? Anyway, it wasn’t a good feeling.

‘This is crazy.’

I didn’t intend to eat it, so how did I swallow it?

At least, it wasn’t my will.

‘Damn it.’

What kind of bullshit is this now? Anyone could see it looked dangerous, so I had zero intention of eating it.

I immediately take a breath and check my body.

Vmmmm–!!

The energy that started from my heart began to pulse gradually.

It was dangerous.

I tried to calm it down somehow, but the energy wouldn’t listen.

Rumble rumble–!!

It’s coming.

Thump–!!

“Gk.”

A shock explodes inside my body. Big explosions were going off one after another.

I clutched my chest and sank to my knees.

Every single vein in my body stood out. It felt like a giant was squeezing me with one hand. My body felt like it was being compressed by the strong pressure.

“…Ngh…”

Just as I was about to swallow my groan in pain.

“…Rotten.”

Dragging my aching body, I had to move immediately. I forced strength into my legs and leaped briefly.

Clang-! A sword struck down right where I had been standing.

Frowning, I looked straight ahead. It was the work of the Gyecheon Sect Leader.

He was still exerting himself, breathing heavily.

‘That beggar-like old man.’

I thought so earlier too, he was quick-witted. As soon as something strange started happening to me, he attacked. He was quick to judge.

[To think you’d swallow the Wish-Granting Jewel too.]

His eyes were filled with rage.

[Rage is boiling up, but it seems like you’re having trouble with ‘Awakening’. Right?]

Awakening? That’s a subtle word. What is it blooming?

The meaningful words bother me, but.

‘Fuck.’

Now wasn’t the time to worry about that. I force my gradually stiffening body to move.

Barely dodging the incoming sword, I adopt a footwork technique.

My feet are heavy. My knees have stiffened rigidly, and my muscles scream.

I’ve become several times slower than my original speed. I try to force strength into myself, but even that is difficult.

This is fucking ridiculous.

Swish–!!

A flying sword attack comes. Simultaneously, the Gyecheon Sect Leader, emitting energy blasts, charged at me.

I’m fucked. I can’t avoid this.

‘If it’s like this, I guess I’ll have some holes poked in me.’

I’ll give some and block the rest. As I thought that and moved my body.

Clang-!

[Ngh!]

Something slipped into the gap between me and the Gyecheon Sect Leader. Two swords attacked the Gyecheon Sect Leader directly.

Crackle crackle–!!!

Lightning energy and a golden flash blocked the way.

It was Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

[These damn bitches…!]

The Gyecheon Sect Leader glared at the two, enraged. I felt the same way.

“You guys…. I definitely told you to get out of the way….”

“I’ll take the left side.”

“Okay.”

As if they didn’t hear me, they exchanged a word and nodded.

And then.

Swishhhhh—-!!!

Energy erupted from the two. The energy wrapped around Wi Seol-ah’s body began to change.

Seeing that, I shouted, my voice rising.

“You…! I told you not to do that!”

“Young Master-nim.”

Cutting off my shout, Wi Seol-ah looked this way.

Strangely, her eyes were smiling.

“I’ll get scolded later. I’m sorry.”

As she finished speaking, Wi Seol-ah’s hair turned white.

Simultaneously.

Crackle crackle—–!!! Lightning energy burst from Namgung Bi-ah.

In her hand, a lightning spear had appeared. Even her hair was permeated with lightning energy, stirring the air.

[Ha.]

Looking at the two, the Gyecheon Sect Leader gnashed his lips.

[Pathetic….]

His reaction seemed dismissive, but as he spoke, he glanced sideways at Wi Seol-ah. I felt the same way. It was like this from the first time I saw her, but Wi Seol-ah and the Gyecheon Sect Leader looked somewhat alike now. It wasn’t just their appearance, but especially the feeling. It bothers me strangely, but.

‘Get up.’

Right now, getting up was more important than that. I force myself into a stance. Even if my body isn’t cooperating, I can’t just stay still. I have to move, even if my body explodes. With that thought, I put strength into my body.

Suddenly.

Squeeze-!

Something grabbed my back. I looked back with startled eyes.

No one was there. No one was holding my back. Yet, I felt the sensation as if someone had grabbed my back. Just as I wondered, ‘What is this?’

[Move aside.]

With a familiar voice.

Whoosh-!

Something pulled my back, which had been held. My vision immediately went black.

---

I opened my eyes not long after. The moment I opened my closed eyes, I knew. Where this place was.

“Ha. This shitty bastard.”

I scowled as I spat out a curse. It was a place I’d become familiar with from visiting so often now. The black, dark floor and the familiar iron gate. It was the place where the guy who messed me up just recently was. However. The difference was, unlike the surroundings being completely dark before, it was strangely bright.

In the strange situation, I looked up.

“What is that?”

Something was floating in the sky. Something large and white. If you look closely, it looks like you could mistake it for the sun, but that’s not the sun. It was too close to be that. I guess that’s what’s illuminating the surroundings, but why did something like that suddenly appear?

Doubt crosses my mind. Just then.

Creak.

At the sound from behind, I immediately turned my head. Seeing the source of the sound, my expression hardened.

Sure enough, the bastard was there. Seeing him, I said.

“Hey, you son of a bitch.”

Killing intent naturally filled my voice.

“Aren’t you tired of seeing my face twice a day?”

The black idiot sitting on the chair was looking at me. No answer was heard. That idiot was just looking at me haughtily. What’s with that expression, unfitting for that bastard?

“Haa….”

A sigh escaped naturally. Even that breath was imbued with killing intent. I already know what he wants.

“…I don’t have time to be like this right now.”

Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fists.

“Let me out quickly. Before I really kill you.”

The killing intent I was holding back exploded and was unleashed. With the energy bursting from my toes, the guy finally reacted. His whites turning black and purple pupils focused directly on me.

And then.

He smiled as he felt my killing intent.

[Now this is more like it.]

Crushing the ground, I charged at him.

---

Screeeech—–!!! A rough sound echoed. It was the sound of swords clashing. Swords of different colors clashed wildly against each other. In a flash, dozens of sparks erupted in the air. The sky was filled with flying swords. The ground was a continuous stream of dizzying colors.

Clang-! Clang clang–!!

Nothing could be seen. Only sparks flashed momentarily, and the air was torn apart.

Crackle crackle—–!!! Lightning energy spread like a thunderbolt in an instant.

Seeing that, the Gyecheon Sect Leader swung his sword powerfully.

Kwagagak! The wind pressure formed by the clash shook the lightning energy. It was a tidal wave made of energy blasts.

Amidst the overflowing chaos, Wi Seol-ah quickly thrust her sword.

Wolseomgyeong (Moon Slice Technique).

A thin moon cut across the tidal wave. Through that gap, Namgung Bi-ah slashed across with a swift strike. Thunder descended from the tip of her sword.

Rumble–!! Light obscured vision entirely.

It was a barrage. The space was clearly vast, yet this area was filled with energy.

[Keeeeeeeeeaaaaa–!!!]

A monstrous roar erupted. The smoke created by the energy dissipated instantly. The enraged Gyecheon Sect Leader roared repeatedly.

[These damn women—!!!]

Seeing that, Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah gripped their swords tighter. The Gyecheon Sect Leader’s body was covered in wounds here and there. It was clear this was the aftermath of the battle. However.

Ssshh-. His regeneration was so high that the wounds were visibly closing. Conversely, the breathing of the two watching him showed signs of exhaustion.

“…Hoo….”

Wi Seol-ah exhaled, seeming tired. Sweat trickled down her cheeks and pooled at her chin. Her fatigue level had risen unbelievably. It was because she had never maintained this power for so long. Once, Gu Yangcheon saw this and said, ‘Never use it, even if the situation calls for it.’ ‘I’ll come rescue you, so run away if you must, but endure it.’ She had clearly heard those words, but Wi Seol-ah ignored them. She knew from the moment she decided to use it. That using this would deplete her innate energy. But she had to use it now.

Wiping the sweat from her chin, Wi Seol-ah looked sideways.

“…Unni.”

At Wi Seol-ah’s call, Namgung Bi-ah looked over.

“How much longer can you hold out?”

Namgung Bi-ah looked just as exhausted as Wi Seol-ah. Besides, she was already injured, and fighting while using energy to stop the bleeding, so it couldn’t be good. Hearing Wi Seol-ah’s question, Namgung Bi-ah thought for a moment and said.

“Not for long. But I’ll try to hold on.”

“Okay.”

Knowing how hard it was, neither of them told the other to run away instead. There was something they had to protect. For that, their lives meant nothing.

Swishhh.

The floating golden swords were recalled to Wi Seol-ah. There were six swords in total. Namgung Bi-ah put strength into the lightning spear she held.

Crackle crackle—–!!! The lightning energy emitted light more clearly. Though her body was tired, her mind was perfectly fine. It was to prove that.

[…Tsk….]

Seeing that, the Gyecheon Sect Leader bit his lip.

[So persistent.]

Suppressing his anger, the Gyecheon Sect Leader examined his arm. Visually, the wounds were healing quickly, but in reality, that wasn’t the case.

[I’ve slowed down….]

Something had slowed down. My body also felt a bit heavier. If judging purely by combat, fighting Star King alone was more painful, but this felt somehow stranger. What could be the problem? The Gyecheon Sect Leader stopped thinking and looked at one person. It was Wi Seol-ah.

[…]

That’s it. That strange energy. Ever since that touched my body, this anomaly has occurred. What on earth could that be? Not to mention the energy, but what is ‘that’ in the first place? The Gyecheon Sect Leader focused his gaze on Wi Seol-ah. Though he feigned doubt, he actually already knew what it was.

[For a vessel, you are truly insolent.]

“…What did you say?”

Realizing he was talking to her, Wi Seol-ah frowned. The Gyecheon Sect Leader didn’t utter another word. Maintaining silence, he gradually gathered strength in his body. He had to finish this quickly.

[Seeing that the other children aren’t coming…. Something must have happened.]

If reinforcements were coming, they should have arrived by now. The fact they haven’t come until now clearly means something exploded. He needed to go check immediately.

[Huuuuuuu-!]

The Gyecheon Sect Leader gathered all his strength and concentrated it at his toes. Seeing that, the two also took a defensive stance. They expected a fierce assault. They would block it somehow. With that thought, they braced themselves.

[Hup!!]

The Gyecheon Sect Leader shot forward like a drawn bowstring. Fast. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah moved their bodies. They had to attack and block. With that intention, two streaks of light shot out.

Thump thump-!!

“…!”

“Hut!”

The two widened their eyes at the scene that unfolded. The attack had landed. However, that wasn’t why they were surprised. The Gyecheon Sect Leader, having received the attack, seemed to have expected it, narrowly dodging the vital points as he rushed past them. Only then did they realize the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s objective. So, belatedly, Namgung Bi-ah wrapped herself in lightning energy and pursued the Gyecheon Sect Leader, but….

[Stop.]

The Gyecheon Sect Leader had already reached his destination. Something was held in his hand. It was Gu Yangcheon, who had lost consciousness.

[If you move, this guy loses his life.]

At his words, the two froze stiff. Confirming their reaction, a smile bloomed on the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s lips. As expected. Those women couldn’t fight properly because they were busy protecting him. If that’s the case, then all he needs to do is capture this one, right?

[Too dull for your skill level.]

Star King was no different. That guy also fought to protect the women, but from the start, he fought blocking all paths so this kind of tactic couldn’t even be employed. Those two lacked the experience and proficiency for that, which allowed them to succeed in positioning themselves.

[Put down your swords and kneel.]

Squeeze-! Since there was no answer, he applied pressure to his hand. Only after seeing that did they react. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah relaxed their stance. Seeing that, the Gyecheon Sect Leader raised the corners of his mouth. It seemed to be going according to plan. However.

[Now, hurry and kneel.]

“…”

“…”

For some reason, the two merely released their stance. They didn’t bend their knees as the Gyecheon Sect Leader commanded. They just stared at Gu Yangcheon, held in his hand, with strange eyes. At that sight, the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s brow furrowed.

[Can you not hear my voice? Only after I break this one’s neck will you listen….]

“Take your hand off. Maggot.”

Flinch.

The Gyecheon Sect Leader, who was speaking, shut his mouth. And looked at his own hand. He had definitely heard a voice. And it was from Gu Yangcheon. Upon checking, the guy was still unconscious, his eyes closed. Did I hear wrong? Just as the Gyecheon Sect Leader thought that.

Gu Yangcheon spoke and opened his eyes. The Gyecheon Sect Leader met his gaze.

At that moment.

Gu Yangcheon brought his hand to the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s face.

“Disgusting.”

WHOOSH—–!!!

Black flames poured onto the Gyecheon Sect Leader’s face.