episode_0272

Chapter 272 – Awakening

For an instant, everything stopped.

Even the rampaging Demonic Sword Calisto was startled by Hersculer’s death and remained still.

In that stillness, Cain, who had been the focus of all eyes, slowly landed on the ground.

He clenched and unclenched his fist, measuring something, then spoke with a hint of regret.

“I missed him.”

At the same time, Cain collapsed backward.

“Cain!!”

I immediately ran over and checked his condition.

As expected, because he had overtaxed his upper dantian, his inner world was as fragile as pottery about to shatter.

No, it felt as though it was crumbling in real-time even now.

Without hesitation, I took out a semen potion.

“Cain! Drink this!”

As I brought it to his lips, Cain, even in his state of being unable to move a single finger, resolutely refused the potion.

“Isn’t that your semen? Am I crazy? Drink another man’s semen?”

“Then you’re just going to die? We have to try something!”

“Don’t say useless things. This can’t be fixed with that.”

His voice was filled with certainty.

As the one suffering, he must have known how serious his condition was.

Even so, I thought that if it was semen comparable to an elixir, there might be a chance, but I decided to respect Cain’s wishes.

From Cain at this moment, there wasn’t much will to live.

“Then what about Hersculer? You said you missed him just now.”

“I missed him, yes. I couldn’t completely destroy his soul. But he’s not entirely unscathed, so it’ll take him a long time to reappear. In the meantime, grow stronger and take my revenge for me. Understand?”

“Are you joking? You said you had to do it yourself, didn’t you?”

I once said something like this. That it was fortunate Hersculer was an undying Arch-Lich. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about him suddenly dying at the hands of some unknown person.

To think that the person who said that was now passing it on to me was absurd.

Cain simply replied to my point.

“Aren’t you my disciple? Even if I can’t entrust it to others, I can to my disciple. Won’t you do it?”

“…I will. I will. I’ll definitely grow stronger and kill that Arch-Lich for you. I swear it.”

“Of course, you will. Now, I’ll take a nap. I moved too much, and I’m so sleepy. I think I’ll have a good dream today.”

“Yes. Sleep soundly.”

Cain closed his eyes with a smile.

With that, all the vitality that had been confined in his body vanished.

I collected the body and raised my head.

*Boom! Crash crash crash! Roar!*

The battle, which had momentarily paused, resumed.

Even though the Demonic Sword Calisto was left alone, it continued its frantic assault as if it had no qualms whatsoever.

Roxana defended by diverting everything into a false world, but given the nature of illusion magic, a counterattack seemed difficult.

From the start, the Demonic Sword Calisto wasn’t an ordinary living creature, so its resistance to illusions was high.

There was an immediate need to join the fray.

But regrettably, I was currently in a state where I couldn’t even wield a single bit of mana.

“Ruan! We’re going to join! Stay here!”

“Wait for us!”

“Don’t worry! We’ll be back soon after winning!”

In the end, I could only watch as my loved ones went off to fight.

I bit my lip tightly.

“Damn it.”

I don’t think I’ve ever felt such helplessness except when I was suppressed in court.

*Thud! Crash!*

As the battle grew even fiercer, I stared at the battlefield, then slumped to the ground.

This couldn’t go on.

‘I can do it.’

It was still just a hypothesis, but I had thought of a way to normalize my body while simultaneously growing stronger.

Watching Cain’s battle just now, that idea became even more detailed.

The problem was that no proper experiment had been conducted yet, making it precarious, but it was much better to take a gamble than to simply watch my loved ones face threats.

I immediately entered a state of contemplation.

In the middle dantian, three different energies were fiercely clashing.

The Flame of Destruction, aiming to destroy everything; the Flame of Purity, rejecting everything; and even the Demonic Energy, trying to swallow everything.

These forces, each with their distinct identities, did not acknowledge each other’s existence.

Even the Taegeuk surrounding the middle dantian wasn’t functioning at this moment.

The Taegeuk Harmony Divine Art was originally created to handle the two flames.

It was natural that it couldn’t counter Demonic Energy.

Therefore, this time, I had to create a divine art that could harmonize all three powers simultaneously.

‘Utilize the characteristics of Demonic Energy.’

Using this power that desires to consume and assimilate everything, I would suppress the repulsion between the Flame of Destruction and the Flame of Purity, and make them coexist.

The Demonic Energy, having permeated through, forcibly mingled and bound the two unmixable flames.

Simultaneously, the power of the flames acted as a restraint, preventing the Demonic Energy from running wild.

The three energies achieved a precarious harmony.

‘It’s not perfect, but it’s enough.’

Three Extremes Harmonization Art.

With the birth of a new divine art, my enlightenment led me to an even higher realm.

[Level: 199 -> 200]

*Sizzle!*

Force energy settled in my two fists.

Destruction, Purity, Assimilation. The three distinct energies glowed intensely, maintaining a peculiar balance.

The level of that power was so immense and profound that it was difficult to wield even with my newly advanced realm.

Although the amount of controllable mana increased with my realm’s ascent, the absorption of the Demonic Spirit had added Demonic Energy to the mix, making precise control still impossible.

I opened my eyes and stood up.

“Shall I test it out?”

Just how far would this newfound power go?

I became a streak of light and surged towards the Demonic Sword Calisto.

*

*Boom! Crash!*

The demonic sword and the Valkyrie’s spear clashed fiercely.

Isis felt as though her wrist would break from the immense power, but she gritted her teeth and endured.

If she retreated here, her companions would be in danger.

Unlike her, who was protected by the War God’s blessing, others would be in mortal danger the moment they were even lightly grazed by Calisto.

Even the Demonic Energy scattered whenever Calisto moved was akin to a deadly poison.

[Cackle cackle cackle! Try to stop this too!]

The Demonic Energy that surged around Calisto formed into sword shapes and flew forward.

Four of them formed a pair, attacking in unison, complementing each other’s weaknesses like intricate gears.

*Clang! Clanging! Crash!*

The power of each individual strike was weaker than Calisto’s main attack, but they still held a force that couldn’t be underestimated.

Her hands became increasingly numb, and her defense began to crumble.

*Clang clang clang!*

Finally, after parrying the swords that assailed her all at once, a perfect opening was exposed.

At that moment, Calisto moved.

[Cackle cackle cackle! Die!]

*Whoosh!*

The demonic sword surged forward, emitting Demonic Energy denser than ever before.

Its destination was her heart.

Even with the War God’s blessing, she couldn’t withstand that single blow. The moment it pierced her heart, the Demonic Energy would spread throughout her body, destroying her from within.

Knowing this, Isis could do nothing but watch.

“Ah….”

She sensed her impending death.

At the very edge of life, only one person came to mind.

‘Ruan….’

To die now, just when she had finally confirmed her feelings with her younger brother—the happy future she had vaguely envisioned was about to turn into scraps of paper.

It was incredibly regrettable.

However, regardless of her emotions, time was very cold.

Before she knew it, Calisto was within reach.

Now, in less than an instant, her heart would be pierced by that sword.

‘I’m sorry.’

Isis apologized to Ruan.

More than the pain that was about to engulf her, more than the fear of death, she was saddened by the thought of dying in front of Ruan.

What if the situation were reversed?

If she were kidnapped by the Dark Cult, and Ruan, who came to rescue her, died in her place. And if she were left alone, what emotions would she feel?

She would certainly blame herself for failing to protect him for the rest of her life.

And she would live a life solely for revenge, and after achieving it, she would end her own life without hesitation.

Still, one fortunate thing was that Ruan had other precious people besides her.

If they were by his side, it wouldn’t lead to the worst possible outcome she imagined.

At the moment she offered a bitter smile.

*Flash!*

In the blink of an eye, a familiar back appeared in front of her.

*Crash!*

Immediately after, a deafening roar came from beyond.

Isis realized that the intervener had blocked Calisto.

However, it seemed he hadn’t blocked it perfectly, as crimson blood trickled down his sturdy forearm.

[Cackle cackle cackle! What are you?!]

*Crash!*

Calisto exploded with Demonic Energy, shaking off the hand and retreating backward.

Only then did the intervener look at her.

“Noona. Are you okay?”

“R-Ruan? How did you… More importantly, are *you* okay? Your injury….”

“I’m fine. I think I’ve gotten much stronger than I expected.”

“What?”

“Just kidding. Get some rest.”

*Flash!*

Leaving those final words, Ruan vanished again like a streak of light.

*Boom! Crash crash crash!*

Afterwards, he began to exchange blows with Calisto so rapidly that it was hard to follow with the eyes.

Strictly speaking, Ruan was being pushed back, but he continued the fight, regenerating endlessly as if unaffected by the Demonic Energy.

With Leona and Roxana’s support added, Calisto was at a disadvantage.

[Using Demonic Energy and a Divine Beast’s power simultaneously, just what are you?!]

Calisto continuously questioned Ruan’s identity.

As he said, Ruan currently exuded the sacred power of a Divine Beast, the fierce power of a dragon, and even chilling Demonic Energy.

It was a sight Calisto, who had lived for tens of thousands of years, had never seen before; it was undeniably astonishing.

However, Ruan did not answer him.

*Hum!*

He merely gathered and condensed the three powers in his hand, then unleashed them straight ahead.

Three Extremes Ring.

*Boom boom boom!*

The moment the attack collided with Calisto, it caused a massive explosion.

The three energies, harmonized by wondrous principles, simultaneously reacted in repulsion, unleashing power far greater than expected.

Ruan, who already had a large amount of mana, had further amplified his mana by absorbing Demonic Energy, so the attack’s power far surpassed his realm.

For the first time, Calisto was flung back.

[Heh heh heh! How absurd. You push me back with just that level of cultivation? Interesting. Very interesting! I’d like to fight more, but unfortunately, time’s up. Well then, I’ll see you next time. Grow stronger by then!]

Leaving those words, Calisto soared high into the sky and vanished.

The long battle had finally ended.

Ruan deactivated his Avatar transformation and descended to the ground.

““Ruan!””

Simultaneously, Deborah, Alisa, and Isis rushed over and embraced him.

Soft skin pressed against his entire body.

A life surrounded by the world’s top beauties was indeed a very happy one. Ruan instantly beamed, pulling all three into a hug.

As they shared their reunion, Abel approached hesitantly.

Ruan gently pushed the three away.

“Ruan. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Yes, you too. Thank you for coming to rescue me.”

Uni must have already explained everything, but still, coming to save the man who had harassed the woman he loved wasn’t easy.

And there was certainly no need for him to feel guilty.

“…I’m sorry. For the misunderstanding.”

“That’s natural. If it were me, I would have killed you without hesitation, wouldn’t I? Thank you for sparing me.”

“Thank you for thinking that way. Will you continue to be my friend?”

“Of course. I look forward to our friendship.”

Ruan and Abel clasped hands.