Chapter 1282: Scorched World

I came outside after passing the Poison Pavilion. My head wasn’t working properly because of Hyun So-yeon’s words.

‘Where could she be?’

She threw Nae-a to Namgung Jin and then where did she disappear to? I couldn’t gauge it.

I glanced back. The Poison Phoenix’s expression when I passed by had suddenly caught my attention, but… that was it.

‘Anyway.’

It wasn’t like we had a connection that would continue in this world. She was someone from the old past. I was only bothered because she resembled Tang Soyeol. That means our connection was only about that much.

‘I’m just a little curious.’

Even to me, the existence of Poison Phoenix felt strange. Compared to her age or reputation, she possessed far superior and high talent. To put it a bit exaggeratedly. No, even without exaggeration, she had overwhelming talent compared to Tang Cheon-gi, the current Poison Dragon and future Poison King.

‘Why don’t I know?’

Why would she be a character who doesn’t exist in the future? Since I hadn’t even heard of her from Tang Soyeol, it means she died within a few years.

‘Hmm.’

For someone like that to die… was it war, after all? Perhaps so. Even though it was a short war, it was definitely a major event.

‘What a shame.’

If Poison Phoenix had survived and existed in the Central Plains like that… ‘Perhaps.’ The Tang Clan might have been a little more intact. That thought flashed through my mind.

‘…Or not.’

Of course. From the perspective of knowing the schemes and inner workings the Tang Clan was plotting, even if Poison Phoenix had lived, she might have become a sacrifice in place of Tang Soyeol…

‘Ah.’

My eyes widened.

‘Could it be?’

No way.

‘A sacrifice for the Heavenly Martial Body Creation Plan?’

The experiment the Tang Clan was secretly continuing. Wasn’t Poison Phoenix sacrificed for it? Such a premonition struck me. Because if so, there was a possibility.

‘Maybe so.’

The Poison Lord. If the person in charge of the experiment living in this era is the Poison Lord, perhaps sacrificing his own bloodline is possible. After all, it’s possible Tang Soyeol might have ended up that way too.

‘Of course, this is just speculation.’

It was ambiguous whether the Tang Clan was that much of trash, so I was just thinking about it. I wouldn’t think about this any further.

‘The Poison Phoenix or the Tang Clan’s past isn’t important right now.’

Namgung Bi-ah. All that mattered was how she was doing.

“Dark King.”

As I muttered in a place where no one was, a person appeared beside me.

“Did you know?”

To his question of whether I knew he was there, I shrugged.

“No. I just thought the Dark King would likely be there.”

If I maximized my Ki sense, I could faintly feel the Dark King’s presence, but… this literally required maximizing it. I couldn’t afford to do something so costly when I couldn’t even replenish my energy.

The Dark King looked at me with a somewhat dumbfounded expression.

“…Why did you call me?”

“I’m going to finish what we were doing last time.”

“If you mean what we were doing last time?”

It’s a simple matter.

“Hunting Apostles.”

Since I emptied my stomach. Now I had to fill it again.

---

Kugugugung–!!!

“Kkeu-ak!”

Kwadeudeuk!!

Screams echoed.

Kwajik-! Kwajijik-!!

A devouring sound was layered over the screams mixed with pain. The sound of chewing and swallowing spread out long. Ujeok-ujeok.

“G… Heu-euk…”

Only after the screams subsided and the struggling ceased did the noise expressing gluttony also die down.

“Hmm.”

Like plucking a bird’s feathers, I threw the torn-off wings.

Tung.

As I waved my hand at the wings that hit the tree and disappeared, hwaleureuk! they caught fire and vanished without a trace.

“How annoying.”

Tsk.

Clicking my tongue, I looked at the Apostle I just dealt with. It was a guy with a pair of wings. Moreover, they weren’t just for show, as it kept flying around during the fight, making it a bit annoying to catch.

“Wouldn’t it be great if it just behaved quietly?”

It acted so confidently, but ended up like this.

I slapped my bent knees and stood up.

For about an hour. During that time, I devoured three more Apostles. I replenished my lost energy and filled my greedy stomach.

“It’s finished.”

“…”

The Dark King, who had been watching, looked at me with a strange expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Why was he looking at me with those eyes? I asked, tilting my head.

“Is it because you’re a dragon?”

“Huh?”

“Or is something broken inside you?”

The Dark King’s voice sounded genuinely questioning.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do you mean?”

“You, something’s broken inside you. Did you know that?”

“Ah.”

Hearing that, I scratched the back of my head.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Considering the life I’ve lived, there’s no way I’d be alright. I chuckled. It wasn’t important anymore.

“Does being broken matter?”

Whether I was broken from the start. Or started breaking even more now. It’s been a long time since I stopped caring about such things. If I had lived caring about such things, I wouldn’t have made it this far. No, there were times I did care.

‘It’s too late now.’

Too much time has passed. Just as I was trying to act nonchalant thinking that.

“It should matter.”

“Huh?”

The Dark King said to me.

“I want to end this deep curse as a human.”

“…What the heck.”

“My end as a half-dragon must be mine. I will be the last one to clear away this long, dark night. It’s a decision made because my cursed life, and its end, must be human.”

“…”

What was that suddenly? It was uncharacteristic speech for the Dark King. I had never heard him say such things. Nor had I ever asked about his thoughts. What was the reason he suddenly brought this up to me? I felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“There’s regret in your eyes. Like mine. So, fix it before it’s too late.”

“Fix it?”

At those irresponsible words, my face hardened.

“What if I’m told to fix it?”

Fix it?

“This path is not wrong.”

The path I’m taking is not wrong. I absolutely must go this way.

“Human dignity? You should protect yours well, Dark King. Actually, it’s a bit paradoxical that the one who protected it is the supreme master of the Dark Path.”

“…”

Was it because my heart was stabbed? My words didn’t come out nicely. And there was no need for them to.

“I went through hell because I couldn’t let go of such things. But after letting go, it became comfortable. You just have to admit it.”

That I am no longer human.

‘Monster.’

Or disaster.

Something that will destroy the world. I had to accept that was me. If only I could accept it objectively.

‘Then I could at least deal with it.’

Because I could at least try not to become that. In the midst of that.

‘The Dark King tried to protect his human dignity.’

I couldn’t help but find it laughable.

‘Such a human became the Dark King who killed countless humans.’

The one who tried to end his own life because he hated being a half-dragon. Seemed to have wished to be human in the end.

But.

“If you’re advising me because you think I’m like you, a dragon, you’re mistaken.”

The Dark King’s kindness is simply unwelcome to me.

“Because I don’t have the luxury to live while protecting such things.”

“…”

“Let’s just do what we need to do for each other. That’s the rule we set, isn’t it?”

I will give the Dark King what he wants. And the Dark King will do what I wish for that purpose. That was our relationship right now.

But.

“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

It didn’t make sense that the Dark King, of all people, would say such things to me.

To my question, the Dark King replied.

“There’s regret in your eyes.”

“…”

“Your actions are sharp beyond compare, but… You carry so much in your eyes. Yet, there is no hesitation. That must be proof you’re thoroughly broken.”

“…So does it bother you?”

“Well…”

The Dark King lightly shook his head.

“It doesn’t bother me much. I just felt like I had to say this.”

“…”

That’s a funny thing to say. Felt like he had to say it? As if he received orders from someone…

“…”

I narrowed my eyes, stopping my thoughts. Because a nagging feeling brushed past me. It couldn’t be. I shook my head vigorously.

“Let’s stop talking, Dark King. Is there nowhere else you know of?”

The Apostles that might be around here. I asked the Dark King if he knew anything more, but…

“There are no more around here. Do you want to go further?”

“No. If it’s not around here, I don’t need it.”

“I see.”

The Dark King nodded as if convinced.

“You deliberately dealt with the Apostles around here. Were the ones in the cave bothering you?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

I moved, clicking my tongue. It seemed my intention was somewhat revealed. How embarrassing.

“Let’s go back.”

“…”

I said, cutting off the conversation. The Dark King, without any further words, used his power and took me away.

The surrounding Apostles were dealt with.

‘Now.’

I had to prepare to leave. I had to find Hyun So-yeon.

‘…I need to find Mu-ah.’

To end this world quickly, it seemed I needed to find the World Tree that might be on this land.

---

Chya-reureuk.

Right after the black energy took the Dark King and Gu Yangcheon.

Paseuseuseuk.

As the bodies of what seemed to be Apostles and burnt monsters were slowly disappearing.

Tak.

Someone appeared in the space. The figure, wrapped in a cloak, looked around. Then, seeing the faint remnants of flames, they took off the cloak.

That person was.

“Looks like someone was here.”

Surprisingly, it was Hyun So-yeon, whom Gu Yangcheon had been searching for so desperately. She muttered to herself nonchalantly.

“If I had come just a little earlier, I could have seen them. What a shame. Ah, no? Saying things you don’t mean.”

Her tone was as if she were conversing with someone.

“…Well, if not, then not, why get angry? Anyway… let’s move quickly. It’s annoying to move when it gets late.”

Pajijik.

Lightning wrapped around her body, and she vanished in an instant. Strangely enough. At that moment, one of Hyun So-yeon’s eyes was dyed a vibrant blue. Just like Namgung Jin’s blue eyes.