Chapter 860: Ilcheonkyo.

Black stars rose into the brightening sky. Their number reached several tens.

Each one was a compression of flames containing an immense wager.

It was truly enough to be called stars.

Watching the densely spread comets, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

“…That crazy bastard….”

It’s sickening. That his face looks perfectly fine even after pouring out wagers like that.

No, that’s not right. It only looks fine, it wouldn’t actually be fine.

“Even you would struggle with that much. Is there a need to be so prideful?”

It was none other than myself. I couldn’t help but know.

“Don’t force yourself to act okay. It’s pathetic.”

I took a breath. The damage from the recoil still hurt.

Son of a bitch. To fight so unfairly.

‘Smart.’

Anyway, he really uses his head well for things like this. It’s just that I didn’t expect to be on the receiving end of it.

Uddeuk.

I twisted my shoulder slightly to set my bone. It felt like my bone had popped out when I dodged earlier.

‘My arm too, and it feels like my ribs are out as well.’

There were quite a few places where my bones were cracked. It wasn’t a fatal injury, but it meant I wasn’t in a good condition to move.

‘Sseup.’

What happened to the amount of the wager? Since he used that much, it must have depleted a bit…

‘Whatever the case, with Hwagong blocked, the disadvantage is on my side.’

Finishing quickly aside, I doubt if I can even finish this properly in the first place. His level is high, and that bastard couldn’t even enter the realm of Simsang.

That’s only natural.

There’s no way that bug-like creature could awaken the Simsang. Even with his damn inferiority complex, he wouldn’t be able to awaken Simkwon.

‘Even in that situation, why do I keep getting pushed back?’

Does it make sense to be pushed back this much just because I don’t have Hwagong? Moreover, I’m not even human anymore.

What could be the cause of being pushed back?

-You’ve truly become dull.

The bastard’s words from back then came to mind. Dull… Could it really be because of that?

Thinking about it that way makes me chuckle a little.

‘So what? Should I have continued living like that?’

If I’ve become dull, is that thing sharp? If so, I absolutely cannot accept it.

That’s not sharp.

‘He was just hiding the fact that he was breaking himself while pretending to be sharp.’

If it were a sword, it would be like continuing to apply more force even while knowing the blade he possessed was shattering.

Then.

“Are you hoping I’ll return to that kind of life?”

As I said with a frown, the bastard looked down at me and answered.

[Incorrect.]

“Then?”

[Your appearance, indulging in reality and running away. That sight is so disgusting. Enough to make me want to burn you away immediately.]

Hwareureuk.

Power gathers in the stars. It was about time.

“So. You don’t like it, so you’ll take it away? Who the hell are you?”

What on earth are you that you’re doing this to me? I didn’t think of the bastard as simply memories from a past life. It only seemed that way. It was because the feeling was too subtle to attribute it purely to that.

“What are you?”

No matter how many times I asked, the bastard’s expression remained the same. Just like the first time. Looking down at me, he moved his fingertips.

[That answer.]

The tip of his thumb pointed downwards.

[Find it yourself.]

Tens of stars plunged towards me.

Kugugugugung—-!!!

A bloom of meteors. Hundreds of Yeomok (Flame Prisons) headed towards me at once. I put strength into my toes and detonated them.

Kwagagagagaga—-!!!

I felt immense firepower behind me. I didn’t look back. It was overwhelming just to look forward and go. Moreover, there were too many to possibly dodge them all.

Kung-!

“Keuk-!”

I took one to the shoulder. And then.

Kwaaaaaa—-!!!

I was swept up in the explosion. I twisted my body to maintain my posture and barely endured it. I couldn’t slow down. My feet kept moving as I continuously struck the air.

Kung-! Kung-kung-!

Simkwon erupted, destroying a few Yeomok. I only struck the ones nearby to make dodging easier. If I tried to strike them all, I’d run out of energy and collapse before that.

‘The front is clear, the left and above are dangerous.’

Should I break through the front then?

‘No.’

That was intentionally left open. So.

‘Going up.’

I crouched my body, which was running forward, and leaped straight up. There were still many Yeomok above. Despite that, I chose this move for a reason. As I leaped, I released the energy within my body. It was the Changcheon (Skyward Strike) of Tuapacheonmu (Heavenly Dance of the Invincible Spear/Blade). My body activated, and my Simsang (Mind’s Eye) opened simultaneously. I checked the path.

‘It’s tight.’

Still, that should be fine. I can take a few hits.

Kugugugung—!!!

The Yeomok exploded in mid-air. My body shook from the explosions, but I didn’t change my path. I confirmed the intended location with my Ki sense. As expected, by the time I reached this point, dozens of Yeomok fell directly in front of me. That’s a relief.

‘It seems they still can’t change the trajectory of the Yeomok.’

It seems they can predict and launch them beforehand, but can’t change the direction once launched.

‘That’s because they can’t utilize compression and rotation. You idiot.’

If I could use it now, I could definitely show them. It’s truly a shame. To think I can’t defeat that moron because I can’t use Hwagong.

Hilkkeum.

I scanned my surroundings. The number of Yeomok nearby had significantly decreased. Originally, this was bombardment for mass destruction, not power meant to capture a single opponent.

‘Where is it.’

I searched for the bastard who was hiding. Since my Ki sense covered a wide area, it wasn’t difficult to find. In the first place, the bastard wasn’t even hiding.

Keureureureureureu—!!!

How could it hide something that big?

“Hoo.”

I was floating in the air to avoid the Yeomok, while the bastard was standing on the ground this time. And then.

Keureureureureureu—!!!

The bastard was surrounded by intense black flames. Its form seemed like that of a wolf. The aura was growing larger and larger. I already knew what that meant.

I clenched my fist.

‘The air is a bit dangerous.’

It’s hard to get into a stable stance. Still, I had to try. The bastard moved its shoulder as if wielding the black flames. It wasn’t a special martial art. It was simply Gu-yeom-tae-a-rang (All-Flames-Form-Fanged-Wolf). It wasn’t even modified. It was a strike that embodied its meaning directly, but the amount of wager contained within was beyond imagination, making its power immense.

Keuaaaaaaa—-!!!

The wolf made of flames lunged at me with its mouth wide open. Since it was mid-air, it seemed difficult to dodge completely. Nor could I simply counter it head-on.

Then.

‘Break through.’

If I couldn’t block or dodge, I had to break through. I infused Tuapacheonmu into my clenched fist. And then compressed it.

‘Rather than erasing it completely, think of it as punching a thin hole.’

I focused, and focused again. Just as the wolf came right before my face.

“Hooop!”

I threw my fist with all my might.

Paaaaaa—-!!!

I pierced the wolf and shattered the flames. The problem was. That the bastard flew at me before the flames even subsided. I saw the fist. As soon as I saw it, I swung my fist again.

Kwaaaaaa—-!!!

The surfaces of our fists collided, releasing tremendous air pressure. I blocked it well. Because I had compressed my Ki, there wasn’t much damage, but.

“Damn it!”

Being in mid-air put me at a disadvantage. Without footing, my balance was weak. Only I was pushed back by the impact. My body rapidly fell towards the ground.

Kwaaang-!

I rolled hard on the ground. I couldn’t endure the pain. I immediately got up. I had to prepare myself again.

Kwak-!

“Keuk!”

Before I could even properly get up, my neck was grabbed. I was lifted up just like that.

“Keu…”

The sensation on my neck was quite hot. Enduring the pain, I lowered my gaze. It’s the same as last time. It’s the same scene as when my heart was pierced. The bastard grabbed my neck and lifted me. In that state, I looked down at the bastard. It’s a method I often use to mess with opponents, but I felt the need to restrain myself a bit. Experiencing it myself, it felt damn shitty.

“…You… bastard…”

Looking at him made me laugh. I had been feeling something strange continuously. Now that it came to this, I couldn’t help but know.

“You… honestly tell me. Your energy isn’t depleted at all, is it?”

By this point, even if his energy wasn’t bottomed out, he should have been tired. This bastard wasn’t even breaking a sweat. I became certain.

“…As expected. You’re not my past life.”

What I had been expecting became a certainty. This guy isn’t just the Black Flame Demon God. No matter how overflowing with energy I was back then. Even though my current state is a body that doesn’t match its cost-effectiveness, this just didn’t make sense.

“…You… what the hell are you?”

This guy is something different. What on earth is he that he’s wearing such a crappy mask and beating me to death? Unable to truly comprehend, I asked him.

[You should already know?]

The bastard gave me his characteristic shitty look and said.

“…Bastard. I’m asking because I don’t know. If I knew, why would I ask?”

[That’s entirely possible. Because you are that kind of person.]

“…What are you talking about.”

[You’re busy pretending not to know and escaping even though you already know the answer. This time is no different. You must have known what I am long ago.]

You’re just pretending not to know. The bastard whispered those trailing words.

[For a very long time. From the moment you were born until now. I have watched over you. Even if you don’t know it yourself, you cannot deceive me.]

“What?”

My eyes widened at those words. Watched me since birth? My pupils trembled with the feeling that I might understand something. Seeing my eyes like that, the bastard continued speaking.

[Finally, the time has come for me to face you. To think you would be this insignificant.]

The bastard’s eyes were filled with contempt, just like the first time I saw him.

[Listen well. Little goblin.]

My eye corners twitched at the changed title.

[The current you. Is not worthy of containing me.]

Only then did I think I understood. This bastard’s identity.

[This is the time to prove it.]

‘…Gu-yeom-hwa-ryun-gong?’

The Hwagong that resided within my body, burning away demonic energy. It was that itself.

---

Uddeuk-! Jjeojeok.

The sound of something breaking and splitting echoed.

Kwajik-! Kwadeudeuk-!

Bones were torn apart. Skin scraped the floor, and blood filled the empty spaces.

[Kkeu… Ah…. Eo…. ]

Now, even the screams that echoed in the space could no longer be heard. Only fading breaths remained in that place. The chilling sounds that had been heard for a long time.

[Heo… Eu…. ]

It ended the moment the Gyecheonmunju’s (Sect Leader of Gyecheon) eyes lost focus. The surroundings were already a mess. The Sect Leader’s body was vastly different from before. A horrific form, terrifying to describe. What was even more frightening was that despite such a body, he hadn’t lost his life. And it could be seen that it was gradually regenerating. Even unconscious, his life was not lost. To not die even after becoming like that. That was even more baffling.

“…Hoo… Hook.”

Wi Seol-ah looked at the being who had done that to the Gyecheonmunju with trembling eyes. Perhaps having finished his objective, he stood up and looked at the Gyecheonmunju. His hands were stained with blood. It wasn’t clear what expression he was wearing.

Just then.

“…!”

As he turned his gaze towards them, Wi Seol-ah hastily drew his sword.

Seureung-!

A sharp, swirling fighting spirit. It was an action taken as if to protect Namgung Bi-ah. Namgung Bi-ah had already reached her limit from the recoil. She looked like she was struggling just to barely hold onto consciousness. Wi Seol-ah bit his lip.

Why?

Why did I raise my sword? I can’t understand. The opponent was none other than.

“Young Master Gu…”

Even though he was the person most precious to me. Wi Seol-ah did not lower his sword, even though he couldn’t understand his current actions. It was instinct.

“…Young Master Gu…”

He tried to call out to Gu Yangcheon once more carefully, but Wi Seol-ah narrowed his eyes.

“…Who are you?”

He had violet eyes and was calmly staring at Wi Seol-ah. There were no words. And no emotion could be felt. After staring into each other’s eyes like that for a few seconds.

“You. Are needed.”

Gu Yangcheon uttered a sudden remark. Hearing this, Wi Seol-ah pondered. The moment before he could ask what he meant.

“Yes, you should be here for this moment.”

His gaze turned towards Wi Seol-ah’s back. It was directed at Namgung Bi-ah.

“You… no matter how I think about it…”

Wi Seol-ah, having confirmed the meaning in that gaze and eyes.

“Are a hindrance.”

He swung the sword he was holding.

Kkang-!

“Eugh!”

Wi Seol-ah’s sword was deflected by Gu Yangcheon’s fist. His hand trembled.

“…!”

Gripping his wrist, Wi Seol-ah was certain from that blow. Whatever was wearing Gu Yangcheon’s mask right now was genuinely trying to kill Namgung Bi-ah.