Chapter 603: Heart Fist (Heart Fist)

Kung-! Kung-kung-!

‘What is this.’

I opened my eyes to the sound.

For some reason, my ears felt muffled.

Kung-!

I heard the sound of vibration.

For some reason, I covered my throbbing forehead and looked around.

“Hmm?”

I was flustered.

The sight I saw as I barely regained my senses was incredibly bewildering.

“What is this?”

It was white.

It was a world painted over entirely in white.

At first, I thought it was a snowfield.

‘It’s not snow?’

The world was simply white.

I touched the floor.

The sensation brushing against my fingertips was peculiar.

‘What is this?’

It was too soft to be stone.

And too peculiar to be just dirt.

It was something unknown. I figured that was the right judgment.

Frowning, I looked around.

‘Where am I now.’

Why was I suddenly in a place like this?

What was I doing before I woke up here?

I tried hard to recall the situation just before, but…

“Ugh…!”

I clutched my head from the sudden pain.

I tried to recall something, but the pain came first.

Damn it, what kind of bullshit is this now?

“Fuck…”

Shaking my head in pain, I got up.

Standing up, the world was even whiter.

Which made it feel more alien and somehow gave me chills.

It felt like standing in a place that shouldn’t exist.

As I looked around for a while like that.

“Huh?”

I saw something far away.

The center of the world painted white.

Someone was standing above it.

Is it a person?

The form looked human, but it was hard to be sure.

Because.

‘…Flames?’

Only the form was human.

The guy was covered head to toe in flames.

And familiar blue flames at that.

‘That…’

Yeah, it couldn’t be helped that it was familiar.

I knew it instinctively. Those were my flames.

“What the hell?”

Seeing that, I blurted out without thinking.

Just then.

“…!”

The guy’s gaze, which had been looking at the sky, turned towards me.

That wasn’t all.

“How is it.”

The human-shaped flame didn’t just look at me; it even spoke to me.

“What?”

“It’s a question of how it is to live among insignificant vermin.”

Hearing that, I frowned.

“Who are you.”

Why is this guy acting up after suddenly appearing? I was dumbfounded.

Is this a dream? If it is, what kind of dog dream is this?

As I stared at the guy with such a bewildered expression.

“It is utterly shameful and disgusting.”

The flame ignored my question and started talking only about itself.

“You shattered the vessel and soared into the sky, yet why do you intend to live with the bugs on the ground?”

Along with the question full of doubt.

Hearing that, I felt a strange sensation inwardly.

‘I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before.’

It was because it felt somehow familiar.

The fact that the flames were my flames.

I was sure I had heard that kind of world-damning word choice and tone somewhere before.

As I was thinking for a moment like that.

“Ah.”

I finally figured out what this guy was.

What was I wondering about.

“You… aren’t by any chance Heulgi?”

“…”

At my words, the guy fell silent.

It seemed correct.

That guy was the one who tried to devour my body a few years ago when I went to the other world.

Back then, he had the form of a monster like a little brat, but this time, for some reason, he was flames.

“I thought you were dead, but you were alive?”

I thought I had completely swallowed him back then.

How could he be alive?

Then, is this place inside my head or my body again?

Then.

Kung-! Kung-!

‘What is that sound.’

The deafening roar that sounded like the world was breaking.

More than Heulgi in front of me, that bothers me like hell.

I don’t know why.

It was just bothering me immensely.

“Ignorant fellow.”

At Heulgi’s words, I turned my gaze back to him.

“If you were going to live in oblivion, forgetting what you must do, you should have handed your body over to me instead.”

“What are you talking about? Why are you acting up again after suddenly appearing?”

If you had been eaten, you should have just been digested quietly.

Why is he acting like this, appearing out of nowhere?

“What, do you want to have another round?”

Does he want my body again?

Asking with that meaning.

“Ha.”

The guy let out a laugh as if I were insignificant.

“The vessel has already passed to you. There was only one chance, and I am merely an onlooker.”

“Then you should just watch, so why are you acting like this?”

If he hadn’t died and was alive, he should have just stayed hidden in a corner saying ‘Thank you.’

There must be another reason for him appearing here uselessly.

“Because you were doing utterly trivial things, I came to warn you.”

“A warning?”

“Think carefully.”

The flames’ flickering grew larger.

“Clarify what your existence is.”

“What are you talking about now? What am I?”

As I asked back, dumbfounded, the flame spoke firmly.

“Do you think the vermin around you can understand you?”

Freeze.

I was momentarily speechless at the flame’s words.

Because it dug into a question I had been pondering for a long time in the past.

I had become no longer human.

But the people around me were human.

My body had just ceased to be human. I had been comforting myself that my mind was still human.

The difference in perspective that came from that still caused problems for me.

The flame had exploited that.

“They cannot understand you, and you will gradually be unable to understand them either.”

Nonsense.

I thought so inwardly, but it didn’t easily come out of my mouth.

Perhaps noticing my reaction.

“You’re suppressing your instincts inappropriately, but don’t you already know?”

The flame smirked.

“How great a species you are. And also, how insignificant the surrounding riff-raff is.”

“What kind of bullshit is that.”

“That’s the difference between species.”

The flame rested its chin on its hand.

It annoyed me because it seemed like it was mimicking my posture.

“As long as you don’t properly acknowledge that, the path will not open for you.”

“Stop talking crap. If you have something to say, say it properly.”

My teeth ground together.

What is the essence of its words?

Is it asking me to acknowledge that humans are insignificant and I am a superior species?

‘I’m hearing all sorts of bullshit.’

How could I possibly acknowledge such arrogant and fucked-up words?

Moreover, would acknowledging it open the path?

“I’ve never been blocked in the first place, you bastard.”

“You probably just want to believe that.”

Annoying.

I swung my hand, pouring my emotions into it.

Kwak-!

I grabbed the guy’s neck.

Even though I grabbed it tightly, the guy’s smile didn’t disappear.

“Why? You think words aren’t getting through, so you’re trying to suppress me with force? Wonderful. Just like ‘us’.”

“…If you’re going to keep talking bullshit, just get lost. I don’t want to hear it.”

Woong-!

I put all my strength into it.

I felt a recoil in my chest.

At the same time, the flames began to be sucked into my hand.

It was Madocheonheupgong (Magic Heaven Absorption Technique).

The guy didn’t resist at all and was sucked into my body.

It felt like he might have wanted it that way.

Just then.

“I do not acknowledge you.”

While being sucked in, Heulgi spoke to me.

“You are no different from someone who sits in a position unbefitting their station.”

“So, what about it? Are you asking for it back or what?”

“One.”

Kwak-!

“…!”

He grabbed my wrist that was holding his neck.

“This time, I will help you.”

“What–!”

As soon as Heulgi spoke, a reaction occurred in my body through the grabbed wrist.

Hwareureuk-!

“Kk…!? “

An immense heat was felt from within my body.

It was hot enough for even me to feel pain.

“This bastard… What is he doing…”

“If you hadn’t gotten involved in troublesome matters, I wouldn’t have had to help you like this.”

Due to the pain, I tried to let go and create distance, but…

For some reason, my body wouldn’t move properly.

Hwareureuk-!

The heat generated inside my body engulfed my entire being.

Within it.

“Remember.”

Heulgi’s voice was heard.

“Devour kin who invade your territory.”

That voice was engraved somewhere inside my body like a tattoo.

“Prove that you are the ruler.”

The heat continued to rise, eventually penetrating my head.

It was a sensation of burning and burning again until only ashes remained.

Is this death?

I could have mistaken it for that, but…

For some reason, I wasn’t afraid.

I felt something other than fear of death.

What kind of emotion is this?

After pondering for a moment, I recalled.

“Don’t forget.”

Yes, this was definitely more than fear.

“We are not human, but ‘Dragons’.”

It was close to ecstasy.

---

Kung-!

‘Ah.’

The heat that had been surging through my body cooled down.

Kuung-! Kung-!

As the heat cooled, the muffled sensation blocking my vision cleared.

What was that just now?

What on earth happened?

It was like a dream.

It was blurry and distant, yet the memory was clear.

What the hell is this spirit…

Kuung-!

“Gasp!”

I barely managed to regain my balance and strike a pose.

Otherwise, I would have fallen.

“What… Kkeuueu…”

Just as I wondered what situation this was.

I felt pain all over my body.

It was different from when I felt the heat earlier.

The pain wasn’t just inside my body but also on my skin.

What about my joints? Even the slightest movement made my bones ache.

What is it? Did I get beaten up all day–.

Kwang-!

“Kk!?”

Instinctively, I raised my hand to block my left side.

Along with the pain, a dull sound erupted, and my body was pushed back.

Something had hit me.

Moreover.

‘This sound.’

This rough sound heard while being hit.

It was the vibration sound that had been heard in the white world until just before.

‘Fuck, could this be…’

I wondered what that sound was, but was it the sound of my body being beaten?

Shit, I felt uneasy listening to it.

I thought something was breaking, and it turned out to be my body.

I turned my gaze.

It was to check who was beating me like this.

“Huh?”

I saw a familiar face.

A young man was looking this way with his hands clasped behind his back.

Black hair and a rather gentle-looking handsome face.

It was Paejon.

“Elder…?”

“Oh.”

As I called out to Paejon, he reacted.

“Your title has changed. It seems the discipline is finally showing its effects.”

“Yes?”

“Until just before, you were calling me trash, vermin, bugs, garbage, all sorts of things. Khkh.”

“What does that mean…?”

I said that to Paejon?

‘…Me?’

I couldn’t remember.

Why was I even being beaten by Paejon in the first place?

A question flashed through my mind.

Then, the memory returned.

“Ah…”

Namgung Bi-ah’s ornament that I picked up in the snowfield.

I hadn’t remembered anything since seeing that.

Did my reason snap, and did I go berserk?

So.

‘…Is that why I said that to Paejon?’

Vermin, garbage… Did I say that to Paejon?

And is this the result?

Just imagining it made me feel dizzy.

The surroundings were already a mess.

The ground had several deep craters, though I didn’t know who made them.

Flames were burning on the cold snow.

Anyone could tell those were my flames.

Jureureuk.

Something brushed past my lips.

I wiped it away casually; it was a nosebleed.

It seemed I had taken quite a beating.

Kkulkk.

As I swallowed dryly in the chilling situation, Paejon looked at me and said with a smile.

“Didn’t I tell you? When things like this happen, you’ll remember if you get beaten.”

“…Just a moment, Elder.”

“As expected, experience never fails. Right?”

“I apologize. It seems I briefly lost my memory–!”

Hwiik-!

I turned my head.

Paejon’s fist passed through that spot.

Kwang-!!

The air exploded right after.

He punched the air, so how could it make that sound?

Cold sweat trickled down.

“I, I’ve regained my senses!”

“No, disciple. You have not yet regained your senses.”

“This damn it.”

Seeing the look in Paejon’s eyes, I could realize it.

This guy was angry.

I don’t know what he heard.

But he seemed incredibly furious.

“As expected, hearing you speak such rough words means you haven’t regained your senses yet.”

“I really regained my senses! Just listen to me…!”

Kwang-!

I couldn’t block this time.

A fist landed in my side. It hurt like hell. But this wasn’t the time to feel pain.

I had to twist my body before the impact fully landed.

Hwiik-! As I tried to deflect the impact by rotating my body.

At that moment, Paejon pressed my joints, destabilizing me.

My vision slowly lowered.

I could already see Paejon’s fist approaching before my eyes.

Defense was impossible in this posture.

In the world I saw with my Inner Eye, countless tendrils were extending from Paejon.

Finding a path within them was also impossible.

Shit.

If this goes wrong, I might die?

Such a thought crossed my mind.

‘I can’t block or dodge.’

What should I do then? Thinking about it is meaningless.

If that’s the case, there’s only one method.

If I can’t flee or defend, I must attack.

The priority is to somehow attack, push Paejon away, and create distance.

Woong-!

With that thought, I tried to gather my energy, but…

‘Bullshit…!’

There was no energy felt in my core.

How much had I used? All that abundant energy was depleted.

At best, it was a handful.

Normally, it wouldn’t be nearly enough.

But it was urgent, so I had to use even this.

Woooong-!

Putting the minuscule amount of energy into my fist.

Whether it worked or not, I swung it as is.

Just then.

“…!?”

Paejon, having confirmed something, retracted his attack and quickly turned his head.

I wondered why he was suddenly acting like that.

As I thought that.

Hwak-!

Something shot out from my fist.

Chwaaaaaaaak—-!!!

The air tore apart, spreading a chilling sound.

And then.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—-!!!

It pierced the head of the iceberg behind us.

“…Huh…?”

Crazy.

What the fuck is that.

---

A space where darkness had settled.

A quiet and silent place, devoid of any light.

There was a large throne set up there.

It was the place where the Palace Lord, the master of the Northern Sea and the king of the Ice Palace, originally sat.

Upon it.

Someone other than the Palace Lord was sitting.

Seueueu.

Cold air filled the great hall.

It was the chilling wind of the Northern Sea, as always.

Amidst such wind.

Gugugugu-!

A faint vibration arrived.

A faint heat mixed and flowed through the wind.

It was a very foreign energy amidst the cold air.

The heat, which came scattering and mixing, flowed intertwined with the cold air, brushing past the throne.

Then.

“…Hmm…”

The figure sitting on the throne slowly opened their eyes.

Pale blue eyes shone in the darkness.

“This energy…”

Perhaps sensing something.

The figure’s eyes slowly began to curve.

“My, my… An unexpected guest has arrived.”

It was a voice full of laughter.

Kkukkukkukk.

Every time they made a sound, cold air flowed from their mouth.

The figure slowly rose.

Ttubeok.

They stepped down from the throne and walked into the great hall.

A faint amusement was etched on their face.

“Yes, I thought it might not be fun if it were too easy.”

I thought it was too easy.

This wasn’t something I intended to obtain so easily. My interest was just starting to wane.

The figure continued to walk.

Beyond them, someone was there.

The center of the great hall.

Someone was kneeling halfway, head bowed before the throne.

The figure looked at him, a deeper smile forming than before.

“There should be festivals like this, shouldn’t there?”

“…”

“Even if I say this, you probably won’t understand. But it doesn’t matter.”

The matter had already begun anyway.

The figure had no intention of reversing it.

“Biwegun (費外君).”

At the figure’s call, the one kneeling raised their head.

Making eye contact, the figure asked.

“Did you finish the task I entrusted to you?”

“…Yes. I have completed everything you commanded.”

“Good.”

Hearing the young man’s reply, the figure nodded.

“Since it’s your word, I won’t bother confirming. However, just in case.”

Just as they were about to speak.

The figure’s pupils split vertically like a reptile’s eyes.

The young man had to bite his lip upon seeing those eyes.

“I hope there is no falsehood. It wouldn’t do for there to be a problem with the collateral you hold dear, would it?”

“…Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

At the figure’s words, the young man bowed his head once more.

“Go. You have more tasks entrusted to you, don’t you?”

“…”

As the command was given, the young man stood up.

The shaman’s sword hanging at his waist made a ‘cheolgyeok’ sound.

Seeing that, the figure smirked.

Originally, it was a task that they themselves should have gone for, but…

The figure decided not to bother.

Opening a precious gift later.

That was the greatest joy.