Chapter 1028: The Divine Tree and the Master.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr–!!!

The beast’s roar echoed through the space.

Crack–!! Crack–!!

Cracks repeatedly formed in the empty air, and fragments fell. Moreover, the number wasn’t just one or two. Black energy emanated from the numerous cracks that appeared in the empty air. It was extremely ominous.

The energy alone was enough to crush the space.

Kiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaah–!!

Grrrrrrrk.

All sorts of beastly cries flowed out, pressing down on the surrounding atmosphere.

Grrrrrrrr…….

The Leader also looked up at the sky, letting out a rough cry.

What is that? What could be this ominous?

The cracks, gradually increasing in size.

Watching them, the Leader firmly gripped his beloved weapon.

“You mongrel.”

“……!”

A voice was heard.

“You seem to be scared.”

The Leader’s gaze left the sky and turned forward.

There stood an arrogant being who called himself the sky.

“Are you afraid?”

He wore a mask, so his expression couldn’t be seen. Only a clear violet light shimmered in the eyes visible from it.

Afraid? Me?

“Ridiculous.”

Bang-!

The Leader swung the axe he was holding and slammed it onto the ground.

At that moment.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr–!!!

Something tumbled down from the crack that had opened near the Leader.

Thump-!! Thump-thump-!!

Crushing the ground made of rock, numerous things landed. Looking closely, they were beasts with massive physiques.

They stood on two legs.

Clutching shields and swords in both hands.

Something resembling humans, yet not quite.

Seeing them, the Heavenly Demon, Gu Yangcheon, nodded.

‘Look at this?’

An alien presence surrounds me. A sense of déjà vu pierced my eyes.

‘They aren’t living beings?’

I didn’t know when I first saw them, but now that I examine them, I understand.

‘Those… are not living beings.’

What’s filling the floor right now isn’t a living being. An alien sensation related to this filled my entire body.

‘I can see them breathing. But?’

They look plausible. Their shoulders and chests seemed to rise and fall subtly, as if taking breaths.

Even though I could hear the sound of them exhaling with a ‘whoosh’.

‘They have no soul.’

I couldn’t feel the unique sensation that living beings possess from them.

It could be called warmth.

Or perhaps something that could be described as vitality.

‘Hmm.’

What could that be?

I couldn’t know.

Furthermore.

‘It seems the one who used this isn’t the Leader.’

The being who caused the current situation didn’t seem to be the Leader. His expression told me so.

Extreme caution. An incomprehensible dissatisfaction nested within it.

That dissatisfaction wasn’t directed at me. Even the words he shouted earlier were like that.

“Crow-!!”

It was the name shouted as soon as the Demonic Mirror Gate opened.

‘Crow, huh.’

Who could that refer to?

I couldn’t know this either. Even when I spread my senses, I couldn’t catch that guy.

Was it because he was so strong that he couldn’t be detected by my senses?

Or perhaps.

‘Is it because it’s night?’

I glanced up at the sky. The rising moon was dazzling.

Seeing this brought forth a question.

Unlike during the day, I couldn’t feel the presence of those in Mareong Village.

As soon as night fell, they vanished like ghosts.

That means.

‘Is it simply because it’s night?’

Or is it a problem with Mareong Mountain itself?

Whatever it is, the problem is clear. What’s important is the order.

‘Is it that I can’t feel the presence of Mareong Mountain, or is it that being in Mareong Mountain causes problems with my senses?’

I had to see the difference in that aspect.

‘Hmm.’

What could be the reason my senses became unusable?

A question arises. That’s why caution arises. Something undetectable by my senses caused those cracks.

‘Because it might still be nearby.’

It’s possible it’s targeting me like last time.

So, I can’t easily let my guard down.

‘Unfortunately, I’ll leave that matter aside.’

I had already made a request regarding that.

For now, I must focus on the enemies in front of me.

Kyaaaaaaah.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr–!!!

The bipedal beasts that appeared on the ground radiated hostility around the Leader.

Even if they lacked vitality, the killing intent and ferocity they emitted were real.

Saliva dripped from between their parted fangs.

Sizzle–!!!

As the saliva hit the ground, I saw the ground melt with a sound like something cooking.

Their numbers were also considerable. Just a rough count seemed to easily exceed a hundred.

Seeing them, I let out a small laugh.

“Not bad.”

An attitude that showed no fear despite the numbers.

Showing that, I spoke to the creature.

“If you intend to capture me, shouldn’t it at least be this many?”

“……Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….”

The Leader let out a dissatisfied cry, but that was all. He seemed unwilling to refuse, despite expressing his displeasure.

It was unusual for him, who had been angry about his fight being interrupted.

Did he abandon his pride?

That doesn’t seem to be the case.

‘Does he have some ulterior motive?’

He must have some intention.

He certainly would, but.

Swoosh.

Knowing that, I still raised my hand.

“……?”

At that action, doubt sprouted in the Leader’s eyes.

Over a hundred in number.

There was one reason not to fear them, despite their numbers.

‘Beings that exist only with killing intent, devoid of vitality.’

Even if the gathered number was that large.

‘It’s the same for my side.’

Coincidentally.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr–!!!

The ones I controlled were no different.

Crack-crack-crack–!!!

Violet light erupted from the growing cracks.

And at the same time, figures emerged from within.

Kyaaaaaaaaah–!!!

The beasts that had radiated hostility towards me charged forward as the change began.

It was a swift speed.

Just as the beast’s claws were about to fly towards my neck.

“Bite.”

I whispered calmly.

Crunch–!!!

The beings that emerged from the disaster I created bit into the beasts’ necks.

---

Kyaaaaaaah–!!!

Kruaaaaaah–!!!!

The vast area of Mareong Mountain was filled with rough cries. Moreover, the sounds of something breaking and something being torn apart echoed simultaneously.

It was undeniably a brutal and chilling sight.

A fierce clash driven by sheer numbers pouring in like waves. The intensely rising heat mixed with killing intent was enough to raise the air temperature.

It was truly a chaotic battlefield.

There wasn’t a single gap in that vast space.

Fierce combat was raging in the densely packed area.

Watching that, a man in the air frowned.

‘What… is this…’

Flap.

The one observing the situation while flapping black wings looked down at the ground with trembling eyes.

What on earth is this situation?

It was unexpected.

Even if I didn’t like it, I couldn’t just let that brutish fellow get defeated, so I intended to offer some help.

I even interfered with space that couldn’t be opened without the master’s command to send troops, but…

‘Who is that guy?’

That unknown fellow called Heavenly Demon.

He was someone who had been causing trouble throughout the myriad realms recently. When I first heard the news, I thought it was just a minor anomaly, but…

Surprisingly, that guy even went so far as to harm Yu Sa, one of the generals.

This part wasn’t definitively confirmed, but in the man’s view, it was certain.

It was the death of a general, the first in several hundred years.

That alone was enough reason to be wary of him, yet…

‘The idiots don’t even pay attention to this.’

The Leader could be like that. He was a brutish fellow who, in the first place, cared about nothing other than Mareong Mountain and fighting, so it was understandable.

That girl named Ya Rang isn’t much different.

She was a wanderer who didn’t even possess a Sacred Tree, and no matter how much affection she received from the Master to become a general, her position was ambiguous.

Yu Sa was the one who at least thought properly about matters.

‘And that guy died first.’

Whether this was his plan or something else, it was clear the situation was not good.

It wasn’t just that the two generals were of little use.

‘The Master’s condition is also strange.’

The subtle change that has occurred in the Master now is also a problem.

Right after the Master of the Bottomless Pit disappeared without fulfilling their duty.

The Master of the Myriad Realms urgently moved their main body to block the gap of the Bottomless Pit.

Their feet became bound, leaving only a shell with consciousness remaining seated at the Master’s side.

Given that, it’s understandable that her condition is somewhat strange, but…

‘Is it really only that?’

In the man’s view, if it were just that, it would be quite strange.

‘If it has come to this. She should have shown some movement.’

Since a problem arose within the Myriad Realms with the death of a general. It would be right for the Master to move personally.

The Masters were beings who would not tolerate anomalies in their worlds. And she was in charge of the Myriad Realms, considered top-tier among them.

And yet.

‘Why isn’t she moving?’

She must be fully aware of the situation.

The Master was strangely slow to act regarding matters like this.

‘I cannot understand.’

The man couldn’t comprehend it.

If it comes to this.

‘…Should I report this to the Master?’

My Master.

Should I convey this to my true Master, not the Master of the Myriad Realms?

Such a thought arises.

‘It’s not time yet.’

Even if not much time is left, it’s not yet time.

I am waiting for the perfect moment. Moving at such an ambiguous time would not be good.

‘Therefore, I cannot let that Leader fellow die yet.’

If the time hasn’t come, I must save the Leader too.

I don’t know how strong that Heavenly Demon fellow is or what his intentions are, but…

‘I must intervene.’

The power he uses is extraordinary.

How can he…

‘Use something similar to the power of the Bottomless Pit?’

Pulling out his troops through the cracks.

That was similar to the power of the Bottomless Pit, used with the Master’s permission.

Of course.

‘It’s not exactly the same.’

It’s a power with a feel I’ve never encountered before. So it must be somewhat different from that, but…

‘I don’t think I should leave it like that.’

My instincts tell me. That I shouldn’t leave it as it is.

As if to prove it, the black monsters summoned by Heavenly Demon were relentlessly pushing back the troops sent to the Leader.

‘Tsk.’

Was this not enough?

Thinking thus, the man moved his fingertips.

If I send more troops like this, I might put myself in danger. Because the Master of the Myriad Realms, if nothing else, extremely disliked the use of power without their permission.

I knew that, but…

‘I can’t help it.’

For my plan’s sake, the Leader couldn’t die.

So, just as the man was about to strain himself and pour out more troops.

“Found you.”

A pleasant voice was heard nearby.

As the man quickly turned his head.

Whack-!!

“Gah!”

A white palm stretched out and grabbed the man’s face.

“You.”

Just like that.

“This way.”

The man’s body rapidly plummeted towards the ground.