Chapter 631: Nine. And Three.

It was Woohyuk.

Woohyuk, who had been in the ice crystal until just moments ago, was holding my hand with his eyes open.

The only difference, however, was.

Woohyuk’s long, flowing hair had turned white.

And his eyes were also dyed a blue color.

As soon as I saw this, I could grasp the situation.

“You bastard…”

The one holding me right now wasn’t Woohyuk.

It was the third pureblood. Mang.

Seeing my flustered expression, Mang grinned wickedly.

“Your expression looks good.”

The face was clearly Woohyuk’s. But the way he smiled was quite different.

“Just a little bit more.”

His voice was full of regret.

“…If only I had a little more time, I could have obtained it perfectly.”

His voice was gradually sharpening.

“…To think you’d interfere in that crucial moment.”

I felt pressure on the hand that was caught.

“Enough. This much should suffice. As I’ve met a fellow kin after so long. I intended to show mercy, but…”

His lips curled upwards.

“Since it’s come to this. It wouldn’t hurt to correct the distortion beforehand. Now, let’s try bringing death through your friend’s body-“

KWAANG-!

“Gck!”

Mang’s head jerked from the blow of my remaining fist.

Seeing that, I kept swinging my fists.

KWANG-! KOONG-! KWANGKWANG-! KWAANG-!

I kept striking his face as if I was going to smash it.

The distance was close, so it was easy to hit him.

Just as I was continuing my assault, enough to shake the space with vibrations.

“You…! You damn bastard…!”

Mang, who was taking a beating, released the hand holding me and unleashed his power.

CHWAAARAK-!!

As a chilling aura burst forth targeting my body, I had to abandon my assault and create distance again.

Tuk-tuk.

After creating distance, I brushed off the frost covering my body.

“Ptooey…!”

Mang spat on the floor. Blood pooled heavily.

Then, he looked at me with an incredulous expression.

And said.

“Truly, you’re out of your mind. Can’t you recognize this body?”

“Do I look like I don’t have eyes? I see perfectly fine.”

It’s Woohyuk’s body. Why wouldn’t I know that? I couldn’t possibly not know.

Whether his hair turned white or his eyes turned blue.

Just by looking, that was Woohyuk’s body.

‘Mang just took it over.’

When I answered calmly about it, Mang’s expression crumpled further.

“Surely, you came here to save this body.”

“Yeah.”

That’s right. I definitely did.

Although I forgot for a moment.

“But to attack without hesitation the moment you saw me. Does it mean you don’t care what happens to this body?”

To that question, I tilted my head quizzically.

“What’s the problem with that?”

“What?”

I couldn’t understand.

It meant I couldn’t accurately grasp the intention behind the question.

“Why should I hesitate when hitting you?”

Just because he’s wearing Woohyuk’s guise.

What reason would I have to hesitate to hit it?

“You’re going to fight me, aren’t you.”

“…”

See? I can’t deny it.

“So what, fuck, am I supposed to just stand still and take the hits? You’re more selfish than I thought?”

“No, that’s not…”

“Or did you think I’d hesitate to hit you because you’re my friend? Are you my friend?”

“…Ha.”

“You’re not.”

I don’t know about the body, but that guy isn’t my friend, is he?

Moreover.

“I was already wanting to hit you anyway. That bastard stabbed me in the gut.”

Even if it wasn’t him, I was planning to beat him up after Woohyuk got his body back.

It’s better this way.

Might as well.

“Since I can take out my anger at the same time.”

After saying that, I increased my speed towards him.

KOONG-! The ground collapsed as my body shot forward.

HWARRUK.

Engulfed in flames, I charged straight at him.

I thrust my leg forward.

Gu-yeom-tae-a-rang (All-Flames Fang Wolf).

HWARRU-!

KWAAAAAAAH–!!

The flames erupting from my toes transformed their shape, engulfing him.

Although it was originally a martial art meant to be used with fists, once I got used to it, it didn’t matter where I used it.

HWAAAAAAA—-!!!

The rapidly bursting flames gradually changed form.

Its appearance resembled a dragon.

Seeing this, Mang frowned and raised his hand.

SAAAH-!

Cold energy burst from his fingertips, erecting a wall.

KWAARAK-! The flames were blocked by the wall, scattering. At that moment, I had reached Mang’s rear.

In the first place, the flames were a feint.

Around the time Mang erected the wall, I had already circled behind him.

Just like that.

‘Mind Fist.’

I channeled an image into my fist and thrust it forward.

DEUDUDEUDUDEUK–!! Formless energy erupted, churning the ground as it shot forward.

If it had been Woohyuk’s body, it would have been crushed upon impact, but…

“…You’re impatient.”

“…!”

Immediately after thrusting out the Mind Fist, I instinctively took a step back.

At that moment.

CHWAAK-!

Blood splashed.

My chest was lightly grazed.

Seeing this, I thought.

‘I almost got screwed.’

If I hadn’t stepped back, I would have been cut clean through.

Although injured, it wasn’t fatal.

I subtly circulated my energy and looked at Mang.

By then, he was holding a sword in his hand.

Seeing this, I had to be slightly surprised.

“That, was that your power?”

A sharp sword made of ice.

It was a martial art Yu-seon used.

That was definitely.

‘I thought it wasn’t a divine power?’

Why could he use it so casually?

To these questions, he gave a slight smile.

“What’s so strange about it? In the first place. The abilities used by the Northern Sea’s bloodline originated from me.”

“…Hmm?”

The Northern Sea’s ice techniques originated from Mang? Seeing me like this, he continued speaking.

“Didn’t you find it strange?”

Mang, wearing Woohyuk’s face, asked me.

“How that incompetent apostle tried to wield a sword so ineptly.”

The question I had pondered during the fight with Yu-seon.

I recall Yu-seon, who should clearly be a martial artist focused on hand-to-hand combat, insisting on fighting with a sword.

“It’s simple. The power was attuned to me.”

“…So you mean, because you use a sword, its form just happened to be a sword? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Ninth. You were originally a lowly species, yet. Haven’t you ever found it strange?”

“Hm?”

HWIRIK-!

Mang moved his sword a few times and continued speaking to me.

“Conjuring flames. Pouring down ice, or creating thunder. Do you truly believe these are things a human can accomplish alone?”

“What?”

At Mang’s words, my senses faltered for a moment.

Just then.

SHWIIK-!

“!”

Seeing Mang’s movement, I quickly ducked my head.

Then, a sharp force grazed past my head.

CHWAAARAAAK—!! Behind me, I heard a loud sound.

It was the sound of something being cut.

Frowning, I moved my hand.

Flames quickly gathered in my palm.

After creating the Flame Prison, I threw it at him with all my might, like throwing a ball.

HWAAK-! The Flame Prison shot rapidly towards him.

Just before the Flame Prison reached him and was about to explode.

SEOG-!

Mang swung his sword and sliced the Flame Prison.

The Flame Prison, split in half, flew towards the wall past Mang.

KWAAAAAAANG—!!

It hit the wall, detonated, and caused an explosion.

HWIRIK.

Mang, having made his move, swung his sword a few times then casually rested it on his shoulder.

His expression seemed full of dissatisfaction for some reason.

“…As expected, it seems that moment was insufficient. The body isn’t moving as I wish.”

His discomfort was evident. Looking at Mang like that, I asked.

“That thing you just said. What was it?”

“Hm?”

“The part about things humans couldn’t do.”

To my question, Mang laughed.

“It’s not exactly a surprising statement, is it?”

“It’s incredibly surprising!”

“Hmm, yes. For you, that might be the case. However.”

As he spoke, Mang aimed the sword resting on his shoulder at me.

“Why should I tell you about it?”

“…Haha.”

At his mocking words, I burst out in admiration.

“You’re really good at pissing people off.”

“It makes me happy that things are going as I wish.”

“Why did you take an intact person and turn him into that state? Did you even get the owner’s permission?”

“This body? Hmm, it was a body I liked. More than anything. The fact that it’s a fragment of Yong-je was what pleased me the most.”

“…Fragment?”

I had heard that before.

A fragment of Yong-je.

What could that mean?

“Don’t worry. Once I find my original body. I intend to let him go.”

“It must be hundreds of years old. Where would you find your body?”

“What is there that I cannot find?”

Tuk-tuk. Speaking, Mang nudged the debris scattered on the floor.

They were fragments of the shattered ice crystal.

“Inside these, you see. I stored my energy.”

“…!”

“Since my energy was depleted from the fight with Yong-je, it took quite some time to replenish it, you know.”

What the Northern Sea’s bloodline had poured their life force into, in order to fend off the harsh cold in the past.

Does that mean all of that went into him, into his energy?

‘Wait. If that’s the case…’

With the thought that surfaced, I immediately spoke to him.

“…If the energy was here, then the body…”

“Oh. As expected, you’re quick-witted.”

Mang reacted as if proud of my question.

“In the other ice crystals, my body is contained.”

“But I definitely didn’t see anything…?”

“Form isn’t important. What’s important is. The mere fact that it’s there.”

Whether those words were true or false.

The doubt about it wouldn’t last long.

Because I had already seen it myself.

‘The egg and the heart.’

Remembering that, I knew the ice crystals were imbued with immense energy.

Does that mean his body, no less, is inside them?

“Even this is unsatisfactory, nonetheless. It doesn’t reach the energy I originally possessed even slightly. But it’s fine.”

He said, looking at me.

“Once I regain my body too, I’ll be able to sufficiently fill this lacking part. Then.”

I could see killing intent emanating from the tip of the sword aimed at me.

“I’ll probably be able to devour the somewhat weakened Yong-je as well.”

It seemed his anger towards Yong-je, or perhaps Hyeol-ma, was genuine.