Chapter 127.2

Woo-jin regained consciousness and groaned in pain.

*Beep.*

A ringing sound filled his ears, but he had no time to care.

His hands were empty.

He had no idea where the Iron Dragon Staff and the Lightning Rod had gone.

Standing up was the first priority.

With his exhausted body at its limit, Woo-jin placed his hands on the ground, staggering as he slowly rose.

“Huff… Huff…”

The penalty?

The sensation of the penalty still lingered in his body.

It seemed to have passed while he was unconscious.

Woo-jin looked toward the source of the presence he felt with tired eyes.

There he saw Goliath.

Still standing, despite having been knocked out.

His upper body, riddled with severe injuries, was still covered in the remnants of Se-Ah’s magic.

“Hmph…!”

Goliath’s eyes regained their vigor.

He had regained consciousness.

Pulling his foot from the ground, Goliath moved and walked toward Woo-jin.

Threatening, imposing.

Smiling boldly with his prominent teeth, he looked like an immortal gladiator.

Woo-jin found himself laughing silently.

The man was incredibly tenacious.

His muscles, bones, and internal organs screamed in agony.

He wanted to collapse right there.

But more than anything, the desire to take down the man before him burned stronger than ever.

Goliath’s determination to burn his last moments fueled Woo-jin to do the same.

He stood up.

In his tattered shirt, Woo-jin tore off the bothersome sleeves, exposing his muscular arms. He clenched his fists, assuming the stance of a boxer in the ring.

To send Goliath off in his final moments.

Goliath, seeing Woo-jin’s stance, widened his eyes before chuckling and clenching his fist.

His right arm was completely ruined, moving only with jerky, robotic twitches.

His right leg could no longer move after those last steps.

Goliath knew that half of his body was completely wrecked due to Se-Ah’s magic.

But his left arm still moved.

His left leg still functioned.

He could still fight.

And that made Goliath happy.

Both of their magic reserves were empty.

They were at a level where they couldn’t even strengthen their bodies, but having reached the 8th tier, their physical abilities alone were already within the realm of the strong.

*Fwoosh!*

Woo-jin charged without a word.

Goliath left his now uncontrollable right leg behind, launching himself forward with his left.

*Thwack!!*

Woo-jin and Goliath’s fists landed on each other’s torsos. They both let out pained cries, then exchanged grins.

*Thwack!!*

Punches to the face.

*Smack!!*

Desperately blocking attacks.

*Crash!!*

Kicks to the body.

A straightforward, brutal melee ensued.

Woo-jin’s mind was slipping. He swung his fists purely to end his opponent.

But Goliath, whose life force had already reached its limit, gradually lost strength, pushed back by Woo-jin.

As Woo-jin raised his fist to strike once more.

*Thud.*

Goliath couldn’t complete his punch, staggering as all strength drained from his body. He collapsed backward.

Soft breaths escaped between Goliath’s teeth, along with wheezing gasps.

As Woo-jin realized it was finally over, his body involuntarily relaxed.

*Thud.*

“Huff, huff…!”

Woo-jin sank to the ground, panting heavily as he looked at Goliath.

Goliath, battered and broken, gazed blankly at the sky.

Though polluted by the magical beasts’ power, the outside world’s sky looked incredibly mystical and beautiful. As the sky filled his vision, Goliath couldn’t help but smile.

And then.

“…I won.”

Woo-jin’s calm words settled in the air.

“Kuhaha… Hahaha!! HAHAHA!!”

Goliath burst into laughter.

“Yes, it’s my loss…! Thanks to you, I fought until the very end…! I am grateful…!”

Se-Ah’s magic lingered on Goliath’s body, slowly filling all his wounds.

Goliath could feel his life slipping away.

But his voice carried a vibrant strength unlike any other.

“I did everything I wanted…! I fought to my heart’s content against the powerful…! What a romantic life I’ve led! In the end, I have no regrets…!”

Goliath’s golden eyes clouded, turning white as if stricken by cataracts. He could no longer see the beautiful sky.

Using his last remaining strength, Goliath smiled brightly and shouted.

“It was a joyful life…!”

Goliath’s voice echoed.

And then, silence.

The remnants of Se-Ah’s magic that had filled Goliath’s body finally dissipated.

Goliath’s face, showing a wide smile with his big teeth, lost its vitality.

There was not the slightest hint of regret left on his face.

“…Farewell.”

Quietly, Woo-jin bid Goliath a final farewell.