Chapter 861: Ilcheonkyo.

Now that I realized the identity of that bastard, it made sense belatedly.

Why this bastard suddenly appeared.

And why I couldn’t use fire techniques after meeting this bastard.

‘It was you.’

Gu Yeom Hwa Ryun Gong. The Gu family’s ultimate heart technique that allows me to use flames.

That was this bastard.

I don’t know why this bastard is wearing my past life’s appearance, or why it’s suddenly pulling this shit on me, but the important thing is that I’ve figured out its identity.

“…Kkkh…”

I gripped the arm of the guy holding my neck.

Even though I fired vast amounts of energy several times, I didn’t feel the slightest sign of exhaustion.

Of course. If it’s energy itself, it’s not something that would wear out.

“…You were fine normally, so why are you acting like this now.”

I said, trying to find a breakthrough somehow.

“Did I do something wrong? I treated you well.”

Even if it wasn’t doted on and cherished, I treated it like something indispensable, yet it tries to stab me in the back belatedly. I can’t help but be pissed off.

To my irritated protest, the bastard said.

[I told you.]

Kku-ook.

“Kk…”

The force applied to my neck grew stronger.

[This is proof of qualification.]

Proof of what? Qualification for what, exactly?

And.

“…If I can’t prove it, you’ll take my body?”

As I said, puckering my lips, the bastard made the same expression.

[If you lack qualification, it’s only natural that I should take it.]

“This guy’s a total robber.”

How have I lived up until now, and you’re just going to take it? I felt incredibly wronged.

[If you don’t like that, then prove it. Prove whether you have the right to ignite fire.]

What should I do? I rolled my eyes as I listened. My strength was already completely drained.

With my neck gripped, I couldn’t muster any strength.

Proof of qualification. It was too unfair a situation to accomplish that unknown thing.

‘You won’t even let me use flames, and you want proof.’

If you’re going to do this, do it on equal footing. You’re telling me to prove if I can ignite flames, while preventing me from using them?

It was absurd.

Hwa-reureu-reuk–!! I felt heat from in front of me.

The bastard had flames wrapped around its hand.

Just like last time. My heart was pierced by that hand.

Back then, I came to my senses simultaneously with death and almost fell into qi deviation.

I wonder what it will be like this time.

The bastard said it. That there wouldn’t be a second time.

Does that mean I’ll really lose my body this time?

The possibility is high. I could feel it in my body too. That this might be the last chance,

‘I need to find a way.’

I have to escape somehow. Qualifications, proof, none of that matters when I’m tied up like this.

Brute force won’t work. This means I have to use my wits.

‘…I don’t see any way?’

No matter how I tried, I couldn’t see a way. If this continues, I’m truly in danger.

Hwa-reureuk! The heat in its hand intensified, and although I had energy left, I knew I couldn’t block it even if I unleashed my qi.

‘Fuck.’

My brow furrowed naturally. Even so, as I continued to rack my brain without giving up.

[…]

The bastard, who had been watching me silently, continued speaking.

[In the end, your capacity was only this much. I had some expectations, but as expected, you are insignificant.]

I didn’t answer. I stealthily drew energy up from my heart.

I’ll aim for an opening when it attacks. That was the only way right now.

Just as I was focusing all my attention for that one moment.

[Blame your own inadequacy and fade away.]

Sseuk. Its shoulder moved. I narrowed my eyes. Is this it? I focused my senses on one point.

But.

[If I obtain your body, I will deal with the useless women around you first.]

Ttuk.

The words I heard made my senses blur.

“…What did you say?”

There was no way I misheard, but I asked again. My head had gone cold.

“What did you just say?”

The pain in my neck stopped. My stiffening joints returned to normal. Kkwaak-! I put force into my grip, as if to tear off the hand holding my arm.

“What did you just say? You bastard.”

Paa-aaa-!! Killing intent unleashed from my heart spread in all directions. Amidst the killing intent bursting like mist, the bastard looked at me and said.

[Do you not understand, or do you refuse to acknowledge it?]

As my killing intent grew stronger, the bastard’s purple eyes also became clearer.

[The women around you have no meaning to keep. They are only kept to resolve your pointless guilt. It’s merely meaningless atonement. You know this, don’t you?]

“…So? You’ll kill them all if you take my body?”

[Hahaha.]

The bastard laughed. And quite cheerfully, too.

[There’s no need to do that.]

“What?”

[Because it’s already in progress.]

“…!”

My eyes widened at the words. Already in progress?

A chilling feeling made my breathing hasten.

Woo-woo-oong—!!! The giant white orb floating in the air began to vibrate.

The thing that had only glowed motionlessly was now moving, but I didn’t pay attention to that.

[Now, die.]

The flames moved. They flew towards me, aiming to pierce my heart.

Kwakk-! Before its fingertips touched my chest. I grabbed the bastard’s arm.

[Hm?]

At this anomaly, the bastard tilted its head.

It was the same for me.

I caught it. The flames were hot enough to burn my hand, but I could endure it. And stopping it wasn’t that difficult either.

What was happening all of a sudden? I couldn’t understand, but.

Rather than figuring it out, I just applied force.

Udeu-deuk–!!! I grabbed and twisted the arm wrapped in flames.

It twisted and flew off. Simultaneously, I grabbed and completely tore off the arm holding my neck.

Jjijik. Its strength was considerable, but I could tear it off without strain.

[…]

One hand twisted, the other was torn off.

Seeing this, the bastard examined me with a strange expression, then.

[…A useless act.]

It whispered quietly, looking somewhere other than at me.

Where was it looking? It bothered me, but I ignored it.

“Hooo…”

A strange power surged within me.

Where was the source? It felt like the middle danjeon, or maybe the lower danjeon.

Or perhaps, even higher?

My perception was hazy.

The pain had subsided long ago.

What was happening?

Woo-woo-oong—-!!! At the sound of vibration, I looked up at the air. I saw the orb that had been floating earlier vibrating much faster.

And, the more intense that trembling became.

Hoo-ooo-!! I felt the power rising within my body grow stronger.

‘That’s it.’

That’s it. The source of this unknown power right now. It must be flowing in from there.

So, what on earth is that?

What is it that’s suddenly giving me strength? Not just that, but the entire situation is a question.

It’s full of unknowns, but what I can know here is at least this.

“I promise.”

I said to the bastard, bowing my upper body.

“I will definitely kill you.”

Rather than finding the source of this power, using it is the priority.

Kkung-! I burst forward, shattering the ground.

I charged quickly. I reached it in an instant, right before my eyes.

I twisted my waist. I put strong force into every single joint.

Since both arms were broken, it wouldn’t be able to defend properly. Thinking so, I aimed straight for its chest, but.

Hwa-reuk-! Flames erupted from both of the bastard’s arms, and its broken arms were instantly restored.

The bastard raised its arms and blocked the attack.

Kuu-oong–!!! My qi erupted. The impact sent the bastard staggering backward.

It was different from before. The bastard that never budged was pushed back this time.

So I thought.

‘Is that an act? Or is it genuine?’

I didn’t rule out the possibility of it being a feint. But.

‘Even if it is, the answer is still one.’

Even if that was a feint, retreating wasn’t an option. I continued to close the distance.

My strength had definitely increased. My speed had doubled, and my physical strength wasn’t lacking either.

Kuu-oooo-!! Flames were visible. While flying back, the bastard was gathering flames by bringing its hands together in a circle.

Seeing that, I closed in even faster.

I threw a punch, forming a Flame Prison. It was a Heart Strike.

Jjeok-! Impact struck the incomplete Flame Prison. At that moment.

Kwa-aaaa-!!! Causing a massive explosion, flames soared in all directions. It was hot. The heat was as intense as before, but not unbearably so.

[Ha.]

At the rather crude method, the bastard let out a surprised breath.

[You’re using that disgusting energy like it’s a good thing. Aren’t you ashamed?]

Disgusting energy. It seemed the bastard knew what this current power of mine was.

I lifted the corners of my mouth.

“You saw everything, didn’t you?”

[What?]

“If you’ve seen everything I’ve been through, you should know.”

I twisted my waist and powerfully thrust out my leg.

The bastard crossed its arms defensively.

“I don’t care about things like that.”

Filthy power or whatever. I don’t care about that.

What’s important is whether it helps me right now. That’s all.

The ones fighting to the death over orthodox or unorthodox paths were all the same to me in the end.

‘If it helps me, that’s justice.’

Is there any other justice? That’s the justice I believe in.

Kwa-aaa–!! Black flames erupted. Rather than dodging into the air, I evaded sideways, though it was difficult.

Aerial combat is dangerous. I had to fight on the ground if possible.

The problem is, that bastard probably knows it too.

Hwa-ah-!! As expected, the bastard soared into the air.

Its appearance, rising while scattering black flames, was still pathetic.

Should I strike with a Heart Strike? If you think about it, that’s the most efficient, but.

‘Even though my strength increased, it didn’t become a solution.’

This unknown power can’t solve everything.

My own strength seemed enhanced, but the rate of energy recovery wasn’t that great either.

‘If it comes to this.’

As always, I reach the same conclusion.

‘I need flames.’

If only I had that, I wouldn’t have these worries.

‘Tsk.’

I can’t ignite flames. I didn’t realize it would be this troublesome just from that.

‘What should I do?’

It wasn’t something I could ignite just by wanting to. If that bastard truly was the fire art within my body, then without its permission, the flames…

“…Huh?”

I stopped thinking and widened my eyes.

A strange feeling flashed through my mind.

It felt like lightning struck me from head to toe.

[…Detestable.]

The bastard spoke.

[Your actions, using atonement as an excuse. Your struggling, unable to forget that time. It’s all detestable.]

Listening to its voice, I looked into its eyes. I can’t use flames right now. Why can’t I use them? Because that bastard doesn’t permit it?

Dugeun-! The more I thought about it, the faster my heart beat.

Hwa-reureu-reuk–!! Giant flames spread from the bastard’s body. It felt much more intense and larger than when creating dozens of Flame Prisons.

[You, who want to collapse immediately yet force yourself to endure. You, who think only of others before yourself with that intention. All of it is detestable.]

The endlessly heating black flames. Watching them, I took a breath.

Right. Why didn’t I think of it?

[Hand it over. If you’re going to use it like that, hand over that body. I will burn the world in your stead.]

Finishing its words, the bastard lowered its hand.

Then.

Kwa-aaaa-!!! The flames filling the sky poured down on me.

“…”

It looked like the sky was falling.

It was intense. And vast.

At first glance, it was a sight to fear, but strangely, I wasn’t scared.

Why could that be?

Thinking about it, it’s natural.

How could I fear my own flames?

“…”

Sseuk. I reached out towards the falling flames.

There was no change.

The flames continued to pour down, swallowing me whole.

Chii-iik-! My body ignited.

The flames seemed determined to leave nothing but bone, chewing and swallowing my body inch by inch, but.

I didn’t think this was purely pain.

My skin was burning. Aware of this, I still touched the flames.

[…What are you doing?]

The bastard frowned, as if unable to comprehend my actions.

However, I didn’t stop.

‘This is also energy, in the end.’

The flames the bastard shot out were, if you think about it, also energy.

Moreover, it was the fire art I originally used.

Which means.

‘I just need to take it back.’

As it was originally mine, it meant it was incredibly easy to handle.

Hwa-aaaa-!!! Why did I assume there were no flames?

This right now is also flames.

Hwa-reureu-reureu-reuk—!!! As I touched the energy, they struggled as if unwilling to be tamed.

It doesn’t matter.

Kkwaak-! I clenched the energy and pulled it straight towards me.

“…If you don’t want to die.”

There’s an old saying. Those who don’t listen need a beating.

“Stop resisting and listen.”

Woo-oong.

I uttered softly, gradually gathering the energy.

Even amidst that, my body was already a mess due to the heat.

I ignored the creeping pain.

Kyaa-aaa–!! Thus, I captured all the flames, even their final struggles.

At that moment.

Kuu-oooo-!!! The black flames that had been surging to devour me suddenly changed direction.

Shwii-ii-ii-!!!! Following my will, they gathered at my fingertips.

I compressed and rotated them again. In that moment, the shape was completed.

It was a Flame Prison Star Spear.

Although created from black flames, what was completed was actually crimson flames.

It changed to blue flames, a color I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Moreover.

‘I didn’t even overlay a mental image.’

I didn’t even need the power that should have been used to maintain the shape.

The flames truly moved according to my will.

Right, this was how my original flames felt.

Should I say it feels nostalgic? No, that’s not it.

It was just warm.

[…]

The Star Spear created by stealing all of its flames.

The bastard’s expression watching it was strangely indifferent. What kind of expression was that? I couldn’t understand.

I threw the Star Spear at the motionless bastard.

The Star Spear pierced straight through its chest.