Chapter 1232: Scorched World

‘Done.’

Coming down from the martial arts stage, I nodded. Repeating the motion of clenching and unclenching my fists, I recalled the current sensation.

‘It seems somewhat doable.’

Fighting Bum-dong, I had grasped a few things.

The current situation where I couldn’t use my energy. In such a situation, what could I do by going up to the martial arts stage?

I wanted to grasp this a bit more. Bum-dong was the right guy to test out such methods.

A moderate level. Simple attack methods.

He seemed to use Sword Manifestation, but since his proficiency was low, it was easy to watch.

Fighting against someone like that, I found a few things I could grasp.

‘Unfamiliar martial arts are a bit overwhelming.’

So-i’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique, or Namgung Jin’s Emperor Sword Form and Azure Dragon Boundless Sword.

Swordsmanship or martial arts I’d already faced and was familiar with could be dealt with. Since I hadn’t lost my physical abilities, I could fight based on that.

However.

‘It’s still not enough.’

Ultimately, my body without energy had clear limitations. To win against an opponent in this situation, there was only one way.

‘The opponent has to be weak.’

Or I had to look for his openings.

Those were the only methods.

‘Fortunately, there is something.’

I nodded. Even in a state of losing energy, there wasn’t no way. Surprisingly, my method was none other than…….

‘Things related to the mind can be used.’

Mind Strength.

Mind Sword, Mind Fist, martial arts based on the mind could be used to some extent. Of course, this also required using some energy in the end, so I couldn’t use it fully.

What I could use, at least.

‘Mind’s Eye.’

It was only the Mind’s Eye I received from Lord Pae. The eyes that allow me to see the opponent’s openings and various unseen things.

Using this made it somewhat okay.

It was hundreds of times better than having nothing. At the same time, it was convenient for exploiting the opponent’s energy and the openings within it.

‘Originally, I would have shattered openings and whatnot without needing to see them.’

There was no need to even look for openings. At my level, there was no way an opponent would leave openings in their energy flow during a fight.

This was something usable only in fights among late-stage disciples or those below them.

Which means…

‘It’s something I can use now.’

It meant it was a suitable method for the current time.

‘I knew after trying it on Bum-dong.’

It works.

Even if I was somewhat lacking in speed or physical strength. I could see openings. And if I created situations with other factors, it was roughly fightable.

Not bad. Feeling that it was worth trying, I descended from the martial arts stage. Looking at Tae Ho-an, who was sending glances my way, I thought.

‘That guy is the problem.’

The Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit.

And the one called Tae Ma-in, who would become the Heavenly Demon’s direct subordinate.

Looking at him, I had various thoughts. Why is that guy currently a righteous sect member…

‘How will he become a Ma-in?’

I recalled my confusion. There was another reason I was taking an interest in him like this.

‘It’s not like we’re close or anything.’

We weren’t close. I hadn’t even talked much with him. Despite that, there was one reason he remained in my memory.

‘I killed him.’

It was because I had killed him.

After becoming a Ma-in. He was the first Ma-in I killed after being given a position.

The reason was the execution of a traitor.

Despite being a Ma-in, that guy tried to betray the Demonic Cult.

What’s funny is that with the restriction in place, there was no way the Heavenly Demon wouldn’t know.

Knowing that, the Heavenly Demon ordered me to kill him rather than using the restriction to make his heart explode.

And so, I faced him. Ultimately, I had killed him.

That’s the relationship.

Just that kind of relationship, but…

‘He’s in my memory.’

Perhaps because I killed him with my own hands, he remained in my memory.

‘Someone like that…’

Was a former Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit?

Why didn’t I know this? Such a question arose.

‘For now…’

Rather than talking about Tae Ho-an, I had to think about how to proceed with the martial arts matches. Even if I could use the Mind’s Eye, I still needed to find more methods.

‘I need to conserve my strength.’

A body without energy quickly loses stamina. I had to conserve this and prepare for what’s ahead.

What’s fortunate here is.

‘That I can choose my opponents.’

I can choose opponents according to the situation and fight. Being the youngest had its advantages here.

‘Hmm.’

So, how should I fight next? Just as I was pondering that.

“Next martial artist, forward.”

My turn is called next. The moment I strained my ears to hear who it was.

“Azure Dragon Unit’s Gu Cheol-un.”

“…Hm?”

Surprisingly, my father was called.

I wasn’t the only one reacting.

“What? Why Azure Dragon?”

“…They said they’d pick by turn? Ah…”

After uttering the words, I realized the reason a moment later.

“That’s right. Azure Dragon unit also hasn’t been around long.”

“…I forgot for a moment because he’s the Vice Commander.”

The fact that Father was also a rookie who joined the Legion only a few years ago.

Everyone realized that belatedly.

‘That’s right.’

Because he was the Vice Commander and had such a heavy presence, I didn’t realize it.

Surprisingly, Father wasn’t many years older than me.

I heard he was a peer with So-i and Namgung Jin. I just hadn’t recognized it because of the Azure Dragon unit’s reputation.

At that call, Father naturally went up.

“Call your opponent.”

When told to call his opponent, Father looked around. Who would he choose? Everyone was focused on his selection.

‘Probably.’

I thought he might choose someone of similar rank, like another Vice Commander, or someone slightly weaker. That thought occurred to me. I didn’t know how many more matches I’d have, so there was no need to waste energy here.

Just as I thought that.

“You there.”

Father pointed somewhere with his hand.

“Come out.”

“Huh?”

The one called, looking surprised, pointed to himself. His face clearly showed disbelief, like, ‘Is it really me?’

“Eh?”

“What the…”

“Isn’t there someone behind me?”

The others seemed to be the same, busy looking around. However, there was truly no one else in the direction Father pointed except that individual. Only then did they confirm Father was serious.

“…Is it really that way?”

Even the referee asked again if he was sure.

“That’s right.”

Father was resolute.

“Hahahahahaha–!”

The person called burst out laughing loudly.

“Ah, this is amusing.”

The person called was none other than…

“You. You hold a grudge more than I thought?”

Tae Ho-an, the Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit.

Father had chosen him.

---

Tae Ho-an stepped onto the martial arts stage. No one would have expected the Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit to be standing here already.

Of course, neither did I.

‘…Why?’

Why did Father choose that particular person? I couldn’t understand it at all.

‘Couldn’t he just do it later?’

If he was going to fight, he could have done it later. It was strange that he chose the strongest person right from the start.

‘Could there be some plan?’

Did Father have some plan in mind? Just as that question arose.

“I have just one question.”

Tae Ho-an asked Father, holding back a smile.

“Why did you pick me?”

His expression showed he didn’t understand either. Of course. Who in their right mind would single out the Vice Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit in this situation?

To such a question, Father calmly replied.

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t choose you?”

“No, it’s not that… it’s just baffling.”

Kkri-rik.

He stretched his shoulders. A loud sound came from his muscles.

“Still, wouldn’t it be more fitting for you to choose someone you can win against? That’s what I thought.”

You cannot defeat me. Tae Ho-an’s words were filled with such confidence.

“I acknowledge the achievements and talent you’ve shown so far, but that and this are different.”

Killing intent emanated from his smiling face.

“Ugh!”

“Kkeu-euk…!”

The surroundings were crushed by the killing intent Tae Ho-an emitted. From my perspective, it felt like a slight itch on my shoulder.

“In other words, it’s recklessness.”

“…”

Father remained unchanged despite Tae Ho-an’s words. He stared intently at him. With a face that seemed completely unfazed by the killing intent.

After watching for a while, Father spoke.

“Recklessness, is it?”

“Hm?”

“My answer is contained within what the Azure Dragon Unit’s Vice Commander just said.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t I just say it?”

Hoo-ooo–!

Pushing away the killing intent that filled the surroundings, an aura began to rise from Father’s body.

‘Ah.’

I could feel it. The air was slowly growing hotter.

“You told me to choose an opponent I could win against.”

Dugeun.

My heart pounded at Father’s words. Father’s eyes, as he began to speak, started to glow crimson.

“To me, you are that opponent.”

“…Haha…”

Tae Ho-an’s expression changed at those words. His eyes were smiling, but his mouth no longer formed a grin.

“What an insolent fellow.”

“Insolent?”

Father laughed for the first time.

“That’s not something you say to the weak.”

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga–!!

“Kkwa-ah!”

“Hieek!”

Father’s and Tae Ho-an’s powerful energies clashed. The shockwave was released entirely.

‘Oof…’

Feeling that, I flinched. It was a distant feast of powerful energies. The collision between them was an immense shock. Everyone was surprised by the sight.

“Heo-heo-heo-heo-heo–!!”

Someone laughed roughly from within the energy surge.

“This is it!”

It was Cheol Hyeol-bu-seon. He got up, his large body rising, and glared this way.

“This is it!”

His gaze and voice were filled with satisfaction. Why is that guy suddenly acting like this? As I watched him with distaste.

“…Tae Ho-an of the Azure Dragon Unit. Gu Cheol-un of the Azure Dragon Unit.”

The referee shouted with difficulty, swallowing hard.

“Martial arts match… begin…!”

His hand points towards the ground.

Immediately.

Hwa-reu-reu-reu-reuk–!!!

A fierce crimson flame surged into the air. Just like that.

A red sky descended upon the world.