Chapter 761: Hero Appears.

It’s pitch black.

In the darkness where nothing could be seen.

As I was blankly staring into it.

-…Young Master-nim-!

-Young Master-nim…!

I hear voices.

Hearing them, I opened my eyes.

“…Gasp….”

My vision, previously pitch black, brightened, snapping my mind awake.

I immediately turned my head, surveying my surroundings.

It was truly an immense light. Were there any dead?

That was to confirm.

My ki-sense quickly scanned the surroundings and returned.

‘…That’s a relief.’

After confirming the situation, I could feel relieved.

There were no diminished presences.

Our people didn’t seem injured, and the warriors behind us appeared unharmed as well.

Although the ground was shattered, and everything around had collapsed into a mess.

Considering how quickly things moved, the situation was good.

At least there were no deaths, weren’t there?

‘…It was fortunate it was Divine Power.’

The power spat out by the monster was definitely Divine Power.

I instinctively caught it, and was able to block it using T’am before it was too late.

It would have been a dangerous moment if I hadn’t.

‘Ah. It’s not time to relax.’

Shaking my head, I gathered my senses. It wasn’t time to celebrate.

Beside me was Tang Soyeol. Looking at her, I began to ask:

“…Since I think I can block that power, let’s move on to the next course of action….”

“Ah…No, Young Master-nim…! Don’t move…!”

“Huh?”

Something about Tang Soyeol’s expression was odd.

Her face looked like she was about to cry.

Why was that? Even the expressions of the others were similar.

Namgung Bi-ah was looking at me with hardened eyes. Wi Seol-ah, perhaps shocked, had let go of her sword and was covering her mouth.

What on earth was going on?

“What? Why are you…”

Stagger

“…Gak?”

Thump-

Dizziness washed over me, my knees buckled, and blood gushed from my mouth.

What in the world happened?

I covered my bleeding mouth and checked my physical condition.

Only then could I understand.

‘Ah, crap.’

It seemed I hadn’t managed to block it all.

Looking now, my entire body was covered in blood.

A significant number of my bones were broken, and my internal organs were also damaged.

“Hoo… Huk…”

Was it because I used T’am so suddenly? Even though I blocked most of it, it seemed the remainder was taken directly by my body.

Amidst the growing pain, I looked at the monster.

[Kiiik… Kiii….]

Its condition wasn’t exactly great either.

I wondered why it hadn’t used this kind of Divine Power sooner. It seemed to have recoil.

I could see the monster collapsing, looking utterly exhausted.

Seeing that, I tried to get up.

“Young Master-nim…!”

Tang Soyeol was startled when I tried to get up in this state.

“Please sit down…! You need treatment first…!”

“There’s no time for that.”

Ptooey.

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, I circulated energy through my body.

It hurts.

My meridians seemed somewhat damaged too, as my internal energy wasn’t flowing well.

Still, it moved.

Since I could move, it was right to move.

My limbs are intact.

I can walk, and I can breathe.

Then I can still do something.

“If we delay any longer, it’s the end.”

I extended my hand with my creaking body.

This is the chance. The creature is down, so if I’m going to eliminate it, it has to be now.

To do this, I drew out flames.

[Kii… Kiiik….]

The monster suddenly made a sound.

For some reason, it sounded like it was laughing.

Just then.

Dong-!

“…Damn.”

Wind blew.

My gaze drifted upward. The sky came into view, reflecting the scene.

Inside the filled Magic Mirror Gate, the pattern was complete.

“Fuck.”

I spat out a curse. Was it too late?

[Grrrrrrrrr.]

[Shieeeek,]

Before the question could even form, cries echoed from within the Magic Mirror Gate.

‘It’s too late.’

While my eyes were fixed on the Divine Power, it seemed the creature had finally completed it.

If this happens, dozens of enemy-class monsters will appear.

I turned my head.

“Run away.”

“…Run…? Why would we run?”

I could feel it from the warriors’ gazes.

Their expressions clearly asked how they could possibly run away leaving that behind.

They were truly ignorant people.

“Are you going to fight that thing? You can’t win. We need to head towards where the people are gathered first.”

I shouted as if angry, but…

“Even if we do that, those things won’t stop chasing us. It’s better to buy time so the people can escape…”

The warrior was adamant that they couldn’t leave. To his words, I stated firmly:

“I’ll handle that.”

“…!”

The warrior faltered upon hearing my words.

“So Yeom-ra… What… what are you saying?”

“I’ll buy that time myself, so go help with the evacuation.”

I declared I would stay behind and deal with them alone.

Everyone wore expressions of shock at my words.

“So Yeom-ra! Everyone here knows you are strong. But to try and block this alone with that body? Does that even make sense?”

“I have a way. So please don’t worry.”

I understood.

Anyone could see it was a crazy act.

However.

‘There really is a way.’

It wasn’t a joke; there really was a method.

It was a method to be used as a last resort when plans went wrong, and wrong again.

To use it, I needed to be alone, without prying eyes.

It would actually be helpful if these people just left.

That’s why I told them I’d handle it and urged them all to leave.

“By the time I arrived here. And when I saw that monster. I had already resolved to die.”

An unknown warrior said to me, their eyes reddened.

“If you intend to sacrifice yourself, I shall do it instead. I cannot let a person like you end your life here.”

“…No, it’s not a sacrifice, there really is a way…”

“You alone are not enough. I, Ucheon Myung of the Ucheon Family, will join your cause.”

“These people. They don’t seem to be listening to me.”

“So Yeom-ra. Thank you for saving my life earlier. You… are truly the hope for young warriors and destined to lead the righteous factions in the future. Do not bear everything alone.”

“…Fuck, just listen to me.”

What strange thoughts are they having?

There’s really no time, so please just get lost.

“Get lost, all of you! Saying there’s a real way… Ggguh…!”

As I shouted, I clutched my ribs.

Ah, this one hurt quite badly.

“…Young Master-nim.”

Just as I was about to die from the pain, I turned my gaze.

I saw the tearful Tang Soyeol.

“Young Master-nim is a liar.”

“What are you suddenly saying… What…”

“You said nothing would happen… that was a lie.”

“…”

Well, I had nothing to say.

This was a level I hadn’t expected for myself.

“It’s fortunate. That I didn’t listen to you and came here. Otherwise, I might not have seen you.”

“…That wouldn’t have happened?”

“Please rest. Now, we will protect you, Young Master-nim.”

They seemed to have been protecting me all along.

Seeing how hard they were beating up the monster earlier, it was clear I hadn’t been the one protecting them.

“No… I mean… that.”

My head throbbed.

I couldn’t get through to them.

It was baffling why no one believed my words.

‘What should I do?’

How could I overcome this situation?

As I was racking my brain.

Fzzt.

I heard the sound of lightning striking somewhere.

It was from Namgung Bi-ah’s direction.

“…Huh…?”

Just as the warriors were getting fired up.

The two of them. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah had already started walking forward.

Crazy. Are they heading that way?

“Hey! We need to stop them first…!”

[Krrrreung!!]

Just then, monsters began bursting out of the Magic Mirror Gate.

These were behemoths with overwhelming size compared to the blue monster.

Beasts of various shapes and species appeared, piercing through the dimensions.

Seeing that, I tried even harder to pull the two back.

Fzzt-

Whooosh—!!

“Oof…!”

For a moment, a gale surged, shaking my body.

It was immense wind pressure.

Narrowing my eyes against the gale-like pressure, I sent my gaze forward.

Surprisingly, the source was Namgung Bi-ah.

However.

Her condition was peculiar.

The noe-gi felt emanating from her hair and the thick killing intent being spewed forth.

I couldn’t see her expression, but judging by her aura, she seemed quite furious.

And.

‘She drew Noe-ah?’

Even Noe-ah, grasped tightly in her right hand, emitting noe-gi.

The form, as if her entire body was wrapped in noe-gi…

‘…Noehu Gangrim?’

It was the exact same form as when the Sword Demon King used Noe-ah’s power.

An aura and presence that felt capable of slicing through everything.

Contrary to her words about not drawing Noe-ah, Namgung Bi-ah was now holding Noe-ah for some reason.

What about Wi Seol-ah, moreover?

The supposedly injured person’s momentum was fiercer than when fighting the Divine Dragon.

A golden aura, which didn’t yield even to Noe-ah’s noe-gi, made her condition even more radiant.

Within the emanating aura, I detected an anomaly.

“…That…”

I felt a different sensation within the golden aura.

I could see it.

A white energy mixing into Wi Seol-ah’s aura.

The moment I saw it, I tensed my body.

‘…That’s not allowed.’

Putting aside how she could possibly use that already.

That was power Wi Seol-ah shouldn’t be using.

‘Fuck.’

This wouldn’t do.

Seeing their true states, they seemed intent on fighting the onslaught of monsters.

They shouldn’t.

Using it would bring nothing good to Wi Seol-ah.

Even knowing that clearly, the two walked towards the monsters.

The warriors nearby also seemed determined, bracing themselves.

‘Damn it.’

Shit.

If it comes to this, whether people are watching or not, there’s no other way.

There’s no other way.

I immediately focused my mind to use my power.

The ring within my heart. Not the ring of Gu-yeom-hwa-ryun-gong, but the ring formed by incantations.

The rings, now numbering four, would hold significantly more rotational power, and the method I was about to use was a final resort based upon them.

Tak.

I moved my hand, forming a shape.

“Young Master-nim? Why all of a sudden-“

Then, the sound stopped instantly.

‘…Focus.’

Giiiiing-!

The rings began to rotate.

As I steadied my breath, about to slowly attempt the method.

“Young Master.”

The sound pierced the silence I had created.

It was a voice that carried the weight of years.

“I apologize.”

I stopped the power I was gathering and opened my eyes immediately.

It was because I recognized who it was instantly.

“This old man is very late.”

It was an old man. The very person I had been waiting for so long.

An old man clad in the martial attire of the Gu family appeared before me.

Tang Soyeol’s startled expression was also visible.

Judging by her reaction, she hadn’t noticed his arrival.

There was no need for conversation or greetings.

“I’ll finish this up quickly.”

The old man lightly waved his hand.

Kuru-ru-ru-ru-reung—!!!

“Please rest for a moment.”

Along with a deafening roar, a massive divine punishment poured down upon the monsters.