Chapter 466: How pleasant.

Dragon.

In the past, it was a creature passed down only in legends.

However, after the Blood Demon War that occurred centuries ago, the term’s meaning had changed somewhat.

Back then, all types of white monsters were collectively called Dragons.

That’s according to the records written in history.

Not to mention the Mist Dragon (霧龍) that Old Man Shin caught.

Even the White Scale Monster that Tang Jemun caught.

They were called Dragons, modeled after their appearances.

But now, what that guy is saying is…

“…Are you saying that if I undergo this ‘Shedding’ process, I’ll turn into a Dragon?”

[It is a noble deed. And a glorious one, too.]

In response to my question, the creature answers without hiding its ragged breaths.

[To think that a lowly creature like you can become a seed of divinity. It’s something you should gratefully accept.]

“What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic.”

[However, you, who accumulated so much energy and contained it within your vessel, yet still wished to remain human, are unworthy.]

“I just wanted to live like this too. But they say I’ll die if I don’t. Who are you kidding?”

Do you think anyone wants to become something they don’t even understand?

If it were up to me, I’d want to live as a human. The problem is this shitty world won’t let me.

“I don’t want to do it either.”

[Then give it up.]

“I hate that even more, you bastard.”

Seriously, who do you think you’re messing with?

“If you don’t like it, take it. Stop just begging for it.”

[…]

As I spoke mockingly, a ‘dududug’ sound came from its body.

[Insignificant creature. You don’t know your place. Do you truly believe the human mind can withstand this?]

“Can you withstand it?”

[That’s an obvious question. I am a seed of the Dragon Emperor (龍帝). I am different from you.]

[Therefore.]

Kuuuuuung-!

[Just obediently give up your body–!]

The Blood Energy, filled with power, rushes towards me again.

Kuuung-!

Pouring in all the small amount of energy I had, I twisted my body and dodged.

Udeuk-!

However, this time too, I couldn’t completely dodge, and one of my arms was bitten again.

Of all things, it was the same arm that was bitten earlier.

Its fangs dug in, chewing the arm into tiny pieces.

“Kkeu…”

A groan escaped involuntarily from the pain, but it was okay.

‘It went in well.’

Looking at the bitten arm, I bit my lip slightly.

I barely succeeded.

It was better to let it bite the relatively damaged arm, so I exerted a little effort.

Fortunately, it worked properly.

The pain was sickeningly intense, but compared to the agony caused by the Two-Winged Sky-Breaking Dance (투아파천무), this was mere child’s play.

While my arm was caught, just as the creature was about to move again.

Uuung-!

Sensing the creature’s movement, I immediately activated the Demonic Absorption Technique (마도천흡공).

[…Krrrk!?]

Sensing something strange in the arm caught in its mouth, the creature flinched and tried to throw me off again.

Sensing that, I increased my power even faster.

Huuuuuk-!

Energy flows into my body.

‘Just as I thought.’

Fortunately, it was as expected.

There was something I grasped when it brushed my fingertip earlier.

‘This guy, I can absorb it.’

Perhaps because it was in the form of Blood Energy, but since it was touching my flesh, the Demonic Absorption Technique activated.

To absorb energy that was already inside my body once more… I don’t know how this is even possible, but…

What’s important right now is…

[Th…is…guy…!!]

…that this situation is not good for the creature.

As I tried to draw in more energy, its struggles intensified.

Kkwaak.

I held on with all my might, ensuring I wouldn’t let go despite its thrashing.

This was possible thanks to the absorbed energy starting to circulate in my body.

[Let go! Do you think your will shall be accomplished by doing this!]

Perhaps because the energy was being stolen by me…

Impatience seeped into the Blood Energy’s voice.

[You won’t be able to endure it in the end. It’s obvious you’ll break mentally and die without withstanding anything!]

The creature’s arm dug deeper, trying to pry me off.

I didn’t dodge.

Even if my body was pierced by its claws, I held on.

Huuuuuk-!

The energy continued to pour into my body.

It was far greater than the amount of Blood Energy it originally possessed.

What could be the difference? A question flashed through my mind, but there was no time to think about such things.

I was struggling just to handle the overwhelming surge of energy.

‘There’s a shitload of it.’

It felt like it was entering my entire body, exceeding the capacity of its original vessel.

Can it even get this full?

Such worries surfaced, but…

‘What if it doesn’t work?’

But there’s no other way.

I can see it.

As I absorbed the energy, its body was shrinking.

I didn’t consider what effect this much energy would have on my body.

For now, my goal had to be devouring this damn creature completely.

[Le…let go…. I… am… a great…!]

“Shut up. You freeloading bastard, how dare you crawl your way up here.”

You barge in uninvited and then try to covet my body too?

Not a chance. As the creature shrank, the energy within my body grew.

It was only a moment, but things had changed to the point where the creature’s thrashing didn’t even bother me anymore.

Even in this situation, I continued to absorb without stopping.

[Kkeureuk…!]

The creature finally let out a short groan and disappeared into my body without a trace.

“…”

Immediately after, the space became silent in an instant.

“…Hoo….”

I let out a quiet sigh, running a hand down my body.

Did it work?

Feeling the energy flowing within me, I nodded slightly.

“Seems like it wasn’t as big a deal as I expected?”

Old Man Shin warned me so much, I thought it would be incredibly difficult.

Considering that, I feel alright.

My body being a mess is a problem, but since this is a mental space anyway, it should be fine once I return to reality.

“The energy too…”

My whole body was filled with energy, giving me a sense of fullness like I could vomit any second, but…

Even this was bearable.

“So, is it over now…?”

For all the talk about ‘Shedding’ and such, it felt rather anticlimactic.

I didn’t feel much change either.

‘My vessel didn’t return or anything….’

The sense of emptiness remaining in my body persisted, and furthermore…

‘How do I get out?’

Just as I was wondering how to leave this place…

Ung.

Another vibration was felt.

“Hm?”

My gaze shifted downwards.

The location was where my heart used to be.

I definitely felt the vibration coming from there.

“What the…”

Just as I was about to take a closer look, wondering what that was…

Kkadeudeuk-.

A sound like something breaking was heard, and then…

Kwaaaaaaaaah-!

“Gack…!?”

Intense pain began to surge around my heart.

I groaned, curling up my throbbing body.

Uuuung-! Suddenly, something strange happened to the surrounding water.

The currents began to wrap around my body.

Kuuuuu.

The currents that wrapped around my body soon dug their way inside.

Separate from the pain in my heart, I could clearly feel it.

This is energy.

As the surrounding water burrowed into my body, it transformed into energy and began to wreak havoc inside.

Feeling that, I regretted it.

Yeah, I thought it was a bit too easy.

As expected, it’s screwing me over.

My body was already at its limit from consuming the Blood Energy.

It was barely enough to maintain my sanity, and now even more energy is pouring in?

‘Heh, oh shit….’

It felt like they were testing to see when my body would explode.

Kkeudeuk.

I clenched my teeth.

My body trembled from the sensation of the surging energy.

I finally understood why Old Man Shin, as well as the Blood Energy disguised as a Dragon, said I wouldn’t be able to endure it.

This was absolutely not a situation a human could endure.

My instincts told me.

If I let go even a little in this situation…

‘I’ll die.’

I, as myself, would explode and die from within.

If that happens…

‘Will that Blood Energy bastard take over my body?’

Or maybe someone else will appear?

Whatever the case, I knew something other than myself would fill my body.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

Padeudeuk-!

The sound of my teeth grinding together was heard.

I clenched my fists tightly.

I endure even when I can’t.

If I was going to give up, I should have done it earlier.

I’ve come this far; it’s too much of a waste to let go now.

‘I have to endure somehow…’

Because of the Tang Jemun incident, Old Man Shin… I’ll mess with that old geezer and get him back.

Perhaps thanks to that trivial goal.

I was barely able to hold onto my sanity, which was about to slip away.

---

Ung….

“…”

A faint sensation felt within the body.

With that, Shin Cheol’s eyelids, which had been closed quietly, lifted.

“Hm…”

It seems something has happened.

A strong resonance is continuously felt inside my body.

Ung-ung-!

Though it sounded like small vibrations, to Shin Cheol, it felt like being forcefully struck from the inside with a blunt weapon.

Should I say it’s trying to break down the walls wanting to get out?

This is a sensation even Shin Cheol is experiencing for the first time.

Feeling such vibrations, I look straight ahead.

Nothing could be seen ahead.

It was the position where the Heavenly Venerate (천존) should have been seated, but the Heavenly Venerate was nowhere to be seen.

“…Hmph.”

Seeing that, Shin Cheol snorts softly.

I knew the Heavenly Venerate was moving even with my eyes closed, but…

Shin Cheol didn’t bother stopping him.

He is already a dead man as a warrior.

There was nothing more to provoke or interfere with.

Even if the Heavenly Venerate were someone who needed to die.

Finishing him off was not his role.

Shin Cheol lowered his gaze to check his own hands.

More precisely, they were Gu Yangcheon’s hands.

His body was still stained black, as if consumed by shadows.

“Aish, tsk tsk.”

What a pain this damned guy is causing even after death; my back, which was straighter than most for my age, felt like it was hunching over.

To think I’m in this state because of a scumbag with a foul temper, let alone someone from the descendants of Mount Hua; Shin Cheol felt utterly infuriated.

“And on top of that. He’s mocking me too?”

I recall what Gu Yangcheon said at the end.

-I believe we have something to discuss regarding Madam Tang Jemun.

“Hmm.”

Recalling that makes me angry, but it also raises questions.

No matter how much Shin Cheol thought about it, he couldn’t understand what was said then.

“…Um.”

Shin Cheol remained inside Gu Yangcheon’s body, but he couldn’t continuously monitor the situation because he was busy preventing the vessel from shattering.

This means that while he knew Gu Yangcheon met Tang Jemun, he couldn’t grasp what the two discussed.

That’s why he was puzzled.

‘What on earth could they have talked about’

That damned bastard called Jemun ‘Madam’?

Shin Cheol couldn’t help but keep tilting his head in confusion.

After all.

The Tang Jemun that Shin Cheol knew was a man, not a woman.