Ch.103Ice Dragon Sword

Even the Blue Wing didn’t know about all the reincarnators’ births. Reincarnators were often born in remote corners where they failed to notice.

Most mercenaries and adventurers who suddenly rose to fame after coming from the countryside were such people. The majority were those who had conquered a world, or nearly conquered one. What would such people fear? Reincarnators would do anything to become stronger.

To regain their former heights, to make a name for themselves in this world.

It was natural for reincarnators to hear rumors about the Dragon Heart. Countless reincarnators gathered at the great mountain range. Those who had survived for a long time learned how to avoid the Blue Wing’s eyes. They blended in among people, not revealing themselves.

They silently watched as other dimensional outsiders were hunted down by the Blue Wing.

A man approached one such reincarnator. He didn’t sense the presence until the man was right in front of him. The reincarnator immediately realized the man before him was from the Blue Wing.

“Let me ask you one question. Did you cross over from another dimension?”

“What are you talking about…”

As the reincarnator tried to back away cautiously, he discovered a blade already positioned just below his neck. He hadn’t even seen it being drawn. This meant the man was far beyond his current capabilities.

“Yes or no. Answer with only one of those.”

“Come on… is the Blue Wing allowed to do this?”

“I’m not particularly known for my patience.”

*Gulp*

The reincarnator swallowed hard at the stinging pain beneath his throat. The blade had moved slightly, cutting his skin. A small trickle of blood seeped out, wetting the blade.

“N-no… I see you suspect me of being a reincarnator…”

“Hmm.”

Karnok silently smiled. He had just realized the other’s identity through that answer. There was no reason to hesitate. With a flex of his hand, the reincarnator’s head was cleanly severed and fell to the ground.

[Lie.]

Karnok’s blessing. The Scale of Balance could distinguish truth from lies in the other’s answer. Identifying reincarnators was extremely easy for him. He would approach a suspicious target, ask a question, and that was it.

“I wonder how the kids are doing…”

Karnok’s gaze turned toward the mountain peak. Starting at a specific time, the presences of widely scattered people began converging toward one location. Large and small energy waves erupted from various directions. The shockwaves were so intense that landslides occurred in some areas.

“Does it really exist? The Dragon Heart…”

His muttered words slowly dispersed. Karnok immediately turned around. Among the presences he sensed from all directions, several felt strangely familiar.

‘Two martial artists, one wizard, and this one… I’m not sure.’

Karnok’s form disappeared with the wind.

***

No matter how powerful the fur-clad man was, he couldn’t block everyone rushing in from all directions like waves. When the experts who had been waiting quietly stepped forward, a path opened up.

While the fur-clad man was dealing with them, he couldn’t prevent others from entering.

“S-stop! You mustn’t go any further!”

No one turned at the urgent voice. People consumed by desire ran forward. Toward the summit of the towering mountain.

“Shall we go too?”

“Yes.”

“That man won’t follow us, right…?”

The young group also ran. The Ashen that she had been using detected a massive presence approaching from afar, heading toward the mountain peak. It was a familiar presence she had felt before. It was definitely the reincarnator from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

“If those guys from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are coming, it seems the Dragon Heart is real, right?”

“Well…”

“I’m more worried about the Sword Emperor. We can’t handle him if he appears.”

Theo frowned at Seo-rin’s answer. Being a man like the Sword Emperor, he understood. The feelings that man harbored for his friend. If Seo-rin asked with her cute voice, he would surely back down. Theo wasn’t too worried.

‘She’d get angry if I said that.’

Of course, he didn’t voice his thoughts.

As they approached their destination, the frequency of fights increased dramatically. People drew weapons first whenever someone blocked their path. Even small arguments escalated into major conflicts.

Regular knights and soldiers carrying a nation’s flag were caught in the fighting and were cut down in an instant.

At that moment, a massive energy wave erupted from near the mountain peak. It was a rough, domineering energy release that made everyone turn to look.

*BOOM!*

Explosions continued to ring out. The entire mountain shook, and white snow shot high into the sky. An avalanche came crashing down, as if the whole world was turning white.

“This is crazy…!”

Harsh curses burst from Theo and Flora’s lips. But Seo-rin maintained a calm demeanor as she looked at the white wave of snow rushing toward her.

She spoke.

“Get on.”

As Theo and Flora were about to question her, a gleaming sword approached each of them. After those words, Seo-rin jumped up. Her snow-white hair and black cloak fluttered in the wind.

When her small feet gently stepped on the blade of the White Dragon Sword, her form soared high into the sky.

Theo and Flora hurriedly got on their swords as well. Though it was their first time, their excellent sense of balance allowed them to assume a fairly decent posture. Seo-rin looked down at her friends from the air, hands behind her back.

*CRASH!*

The massive white wave engulfed the world. Those who couldn’t escape in time were swept away with screams. Their cries were buried beneath the shattering snow.

This was no ordinary avalanche. Dark energy was infused within the white snow. The snow crystals absorbed the energy and gained sharp edges. People caught in the avalanche were cut as if by blades and buried, their bodies torn apart.

The avalanche completely stopped about five minutes later. Silence descended upon the previously noisy mountainside. Not everyone had died. Some of the surviving strong ones stepped down onto the snow and gazed at the mountain peak.

Through the hazy snow dust, the summit’s appearance was faintly revealed. A sparkling black light spread in all directions. The gentle waves of light looked like stars.

What appeared was a small girl. Her hair, dyed black, swayed slowly with the starlight.

“Handel…”

The reincarnator who had escaped that day appeared again. As Seo-rin gritted her teeth and was about to place her hand on her sword, the gazes of the two girls met in midair.

Handel smiled. Brightly and cutely. A slight affection was evident in that smile.

‘The distance is too far.’

She wanted to draw her sword, but the distance was too great. It was clear that even using formless flying sword techniques wouldn’t reach.

This was someone who created thousands of casualties without feeling the slightest guilt. Seo-rin descended onto the snow with her friends. At that moment, Handel’s form disappeared. Her presence faded and instantly moved away.

She was clearly running toward the mountain peak. At the same time, the surviving people also began frantically running toward the summit.

“Theo, Flora. We must catch her no matter what.”

“Yes.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Theo and Flora nodded. They shared the same thoughts as Seo-rin. All three shared similar pain. All due to incidents caused by reincarnators.

The three landed on the snow and sprinted at incredible speed. Hazy snow dust rose behind them.

As they approached their destination, familiar faces greeted them. They all wore the same attire. They were Blue Wing members who had separated before the official mission began.

“Seo-rin! Are you alright!”

Someone approached, calling Seo-rin loudly. A one-armed swordsman. It was Reynard. He came toward Seo-rin’s group, his loose sleeves fluttering.

“You’re safe, Mr. Reynard.”

They were now members of the same rank. She didn’t use the term “senior.” Reynard didn’t mind much either.

“This avalanche, was it a reincarnator’s doing? That black starlight that appeared earlier.”

Short conversations continued as the four people reached the mountain peak. The view, previously obscured by the steep slope, opened up. The snow-covered summit was extremely wide. It felt as if space itself was distorted.

The snow, which had been purely white, sparkled with various colors. Icicles protruding from various places were twisted as if someone had artificially manipulated them.

“What is this place…”

“The mana flow is distorted?”

“It’s probably best not to touch anything.”

Seo-rin’s gaze raced across the vast snowfield. At the far end, she caught a glimpse of Handel running away with her back turned. She quickly disappeared, darting between the ice structures rising from the white snowfield.

“What kind of ice…”

“It looks like a castle made of ice?”

Those who arrived afterward also expressed bewilderment at the strange space before them. But that moment was very brief. After glancing at the dazed Blue Wing members, they glided toward the large ice castle.

Blue Wing members who arrived later joined Seo-rin’s group as they ran. The last to arrive was Karnok. Falling from the sky, he was covered in blood.

With a slight smile, Karnok spoke.

“What are you all doing? They’re all inside already.”