Chapter 1093: Scorched World.

Ku-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah—–!!!!!

Hot. And hot again.

A fierce heat pours down, instantly scorching the autumn day’s weather.

Kwareureureuk-!!!

As if to prove the sheer volume of heat, the pillar of flame was busy melting away every surface it touched.

Kueo-eo-eo-eong-!!!

The monster taking the full brunt of that flame cries out in pain, again and again. Yes, pain.

‘I am feeling pain.’

Screaming amidst the scorching heat means a blow is definitely landing.

‘What is it?’

I found that situation unexpected. The barrier hadn’t changed. A barrier was still deployed around the monster, blocking all the flames.

‘Even so, it feels pain.’

Even in that situation, the monster was feeling pain. How is that possible? I have no idea.

‘The firepower isn’t that strong.’

Although the flames were emitting tremendous heat, it wasn’t enough to pierce the barrier.

“Unit Leader-nim…!”

Soi smiles brightly, looking at Father. The others reacted similarly.

“Unit Leader…!”

“The Divine Dragon has arrived.”

The members of the Azure Dragon Unit cheered as if they’d seen a savior. The members of the Iron Dragon Unit looked somewhat reluctant, but the relief of being alive was shared.

Relief.

Such emotions were clearly visible in the gazes directed at Father.

‘…Hmm.’

Seeing that, Father clearly recognized the position he had gained within the current Alliance.

It meant he was a being capable of providing relief simply by showing up. And that included…

‘Seeing this, I guess I could be seen that way too.’

Just looking at the firepower he emitted, it was enough to inspire such feelings.

It was truly an uncanny flame. The ceaseless flash was like a pillar.

However.

Kueo-eo-eo-eo—–!!!

Ultimately, it still couldn’t pierce the barrier. Because of that, the Red Stone Bear began to thrash about more and more.

In that state, it would break free before long.

What are they planning to do if this happens?

As I watched with interest.

“Hmm.”

Father, perhaps sensing something was amiss, suddenly cut off the flames he was pouring out.

Kueo-eo-eo-eo—–!!!

The moment the attack stopped and the force binding the creature was released.

Ku-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah—–!!!

As if unleashing pent-up rage, the Red Stone Bear roared-

Kwa-ang–!!!

Kueok!!

…but a follow-up blow slammed its body into the ground.

Its massive frame crashed down.

Father flew in and struck its nape.

‘Huh.’

Sparks flew as a shockwave erupted.

‘…the Nine Flame Child Art.’

It’s a Gu family martial art. It was originally a martial art that shot flames from afar, but Father didn’t fire it; he detonated it at close range.

Its destructive power surged as a result. However, he must have experienced recoil himself, given how much he’d unleashed earlier.

Kwang-! Kwang-kwang-!!

As if unbothered by such things, Father continuously wrapped his body in flames and began pummeling it.

Embers flickered in his burning eyes.

The swirling flames continued to strike the monster.

Kwang-! Kwadeudeuk-!! Kwang-kwang-!!

Sounds erupted. A fierce fighting spirit ill-suited to his expressionless face.

And even the scorching flames that seemed capable of reversing the seasons.

Father’s attacks were truly bizarre.

‘Extreme compression.’

While the flames I use are a dispersal specialized for mass destruction, Father endlessly compressed his flames, raising their density.

That’s likely why he can exhibit such potent forms in a one-on-one fight.

‘But.’

This time, it was the same as before.

Ku-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah—–!!!

It couldn’t pierce the barrier, and the monster reacted, thrashing wildly.

Its large claws sliced through the air. Father saw it and raised his hand to defend.

Kung-!!!

His protective energy blocked the attack, but it bounced off Father’s relatively small body.

Kwadeudeuk.

Bracing himself against the ground, he slowed his momentum.

Father, sent flying back, adjusted his angle and headed toward us.

Flutter.

The robe symbolizing the Unit Leader fluttered as Father flicked his hand.

Tuk-tuk.

Each time he flicked, embers mixed with his energy burst forth.

“Soi.”

A deep voice called out to Soi.

“Yes, Unit Leader-nim.”

“Report.”

Father said without looking.

“…During the joint training, there was friction. While the Azure Dragon Unit and Iron Dragon Unit were engaged in battle, a demonic gate erupted. We were in a standoff until reinforcements arrived.”

Soi quickly summarized the situation and reported. Father nodded upon hearing it.

“So the one that appeared was this guy?”

“That’s correct.”

“…The Red one.”

Kueo-eo-eo-eo-.

The Red Stone Bear stared at Father with murderous eyes. Its gaze conveyed a desperate desire to execute the one who had tormented it so.

“Hmm.”

Seeing that, Father clenched his fist.

Hwa-reureureureureureuk—–!!!

Fierce flames wrapped around his body once more. They were still rough and crude, even upon second glance. But.

“What characteristics did you discover?”

Contrary to the flames surrounding him, his voice was calmer and colder than anyone’s.

“…Martial arts don’t work. It seems something is blocking them.”

Soi had perfectly grasped the Red Monster’s key characteristic. “Martial arts don’t work.” At those words, the others were horrified.

“They don’t work…?”

“Then how are we supposed to catch a monster like that?”

“Damn it… What is this.”

“Quiet.”

As the atmosphere threatened to turn chaotic, Father quietly uttered.

“Be quiet. You need to concentrate, so shut your mouths.”

‘Oh….’

So he could say such harsh words too? I looked at him with surprise. I’d seen Father get angry a few times, but never like this.

At that chilling warning, silence instantly fell.

“Martial arts don’t work, huh.”

Recalling those words, Father calmly gazed at the monster.

Ku-ah-ah-ah—–!!!

However, the monster, showing no intention of staying still, roared and charged at Father again.

At that moment.

“Dokryong. Soi.”

Father called Sword Phoenix and Dokryong.

“Assist me. I will observe the creature. And.”

Then he turned his back and looked towards me.

“Baek Yangcheon. You too.”

“…Hmm?”

Kung-!

After uttering those sudden words, Father became flames and charged at the monster.

‘You want me to assist too?’

Though I wore a stunned expression at the surprising words, Soi and Dokryong were already charging at the monster, following Father.

They had already charged.

‘Ah.’

If it’s like this, there’s no other way.

As if accepting the inevitable, I too threw myself forward.

Ku-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah—–!!!

The monster’s attacks repeated. Even with the barrier up, the attacks didn’t land, but bouncing them off was possible.

“I’ll handle the upper body. Bind its legs.”

While blocking the Red Stone Bear’s arms, Father instructed. Soi and Dokryong received the order and headed for its lower body.

They bound the feet of its crude body.

Seeing that, I swung my arm too. Feigning a narrow dodge of the claws, I deflected them slightly.

‘Tsk.’

That wasn’t easy either. My energy, after all, was Gu family’s.

If I’d put in more strength, fire techniques would manifest, and Father would surely know that. So I did my best to control it.

Because of that, I couldn’t easily block the Red Monster’s attacks either.

I evaded, rolling my eyes.

Since the monster’s gaze was solely focused on Father, it was relatively easy to dodge.

Tung-! Kung-kung-!!

We repeated the standoff.

Even at that moment, Father struck the creature several times.

Kwadeuk-! Kwang-kwang-!!

His flame-wrapped fists continued to pound the creature’s barrier, and each time his fist met the barrier, its energy seemed to fade.

Though he failed repeatedly, Father did not stop.

No matter how much the barrier blocked, he relentlessly struck it again and again.

When the count surpassed twenty.

Kwadeuk.

‘…!’

A crack appeared in the barrier. It was fleeting, but undeniable.

The crack soon regenerated and disappeared, but.

It was definitely a crack.

“I see.”

Seeing this, Father immediately nodded.

Then he created distance.

“Hold it for a moment. I’ve found it.”

“Yes.”

Block this? Soi answered and was already busy blocking the monster.

What was he planning? While avoiding the attacks, I focused my attention on Father.

Hwa-reureureureureureuk—–!!!!!!

Tremendous heat poured out from Father’s body.

Chi-i-i-ik—!!!

The burning heat soared into the sky and immediately enveloped the air.

‘Ah.’

Jeokcheon (Red Heaven).

A secret technique of the Gu family, Jeokcheon (Red Heaven), created a domain.

‘Could it be?’

Seeing this, my eyes widened. I thought I understood what Father was trying to do.

The emitted heat. The flames wrapped around his body.

With the flames released like that, Father spread his palm.

Hwa-reureureureureureureuk—–!!!!!

The flames gathered in his palm.

‘…Yeom Ok.’

They clumped together, forming a sphere. It was a Gu family secret technique, and a martial art I often used.

Hwa-reureuk. Hwa-reureureuk.

Immense density.

A slight difference was noticeable compared to the Yeom Ok I use.

Father’s power might not be greater, but I could gauge how much outstanding power that Yeom Ok possessed in its finer details.

‘…This is absurd.’

Father was now trying to pierce that barrier.

Through several blows, he’d noticed that the barrier suffered damage from impacts above a certain level.

He prepared that Yeom Ok to pierce it all at once.

‘He confirmed that in that brief moment?’

How much had we even fought for him to notice that secret?

Just as Father’s talent seemed absurd.

“Move aside.”

At the blunt command, I, Soi, and Dokryong moved back.

Father was about to throw the Yeom Ok at the Red Stone Bear.

He paused.

Father stopped his throwing motion and froze stiff.

‘What?’

Why did he stop? I was puzzled. I couldn’t understand. Was someone coming? To resolve my curiosity, I slightly raised my sealed ki.

Doing so.

‘Ah.’

I could immediately understand why Father had done that.

‘Someone is coming.’

Someone was coming.

And it was someone very strong.

Ku-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah—–!!!

The Red Monster charged at Father, who had suddenly stopped.

Coming right up close, it swung its hand, but even then, Father just stood still.

Just as its claws were about to crush Father’s head.

Seogeok.

A sharp sound was heard.

Kueo…?

Along with a cry, the Red Stone Bear’s neck was severed.

Ku-ung–!!!

Its massive head fell to the ground.

Even though the monster’s head fell to the side, Father’s eyes remained fixed straight ahead.

Father, gazing forward, assumed a pose and spoke.

“I greet the Alliance Leader-nim.”

At those words, everyone looked forward.

There, gripping a golden sword, a small old man was walking.

Geomjon (Sword Master).

The current Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance and the symbol of peace.

A monster leading the Murim Alliance’s golden age.

He, with flashing golden eyes, was glaring at the Red Monster.