Chapter 896: You’re still ugly.

[Kuru-aaaaaaaah—-!!!]

It was an immense roaring sound.

Even though the distance was clearly quite far, it felt like it was hitting my ears directly.

Moreover, it wasn’t just a roar; it felt like something was contained within the sound.

My skin tingled, of course. Beyond that….

‘My insides are vibrating.’

The sensation vibrated through the inside of my body. More precisely, it vibrated down to my very soul.

‘What is this?’

While frowning at this unfamiliar sensation, I felt a strange familiarity looking at the creature.

Amidst the reason telling me to run because it was dangerous, instinct surged, urging me to approach.

‘That creature.’

A huge, distant being I was seeing for the first time.

But I had seen it before.

No, saying I had seen it might be a bit vague. It would be more accurate to say I had felt it.

‘Kkureungi…?’

The strange beast that had lived with me, inside my body, for years.

There was this strange fellow who whined every day, saying it was hungry.

It was usually quiet as long as I kept feeding it demonic energy, but it wasn’t by my side right now.

The reason was simple.

‘It said it had to go.’

On a day like any other, while I was training.

The creature, which always just made ‘kkureung-kkureung’ sounds without saying anything, said it had to go somewhere for a while.

I wondered where it could possibly go, being attached to my body, but…

It actually disappeared after that day.

What’s more.

‘…Noya went with it.’

That’s also the reason why Shin Noya isn’t in my body right now.

Noya disappeared along with Kkureungi.

This was also something I had asked for because I needed it.

But then.

‘I thought it was taking too long to come back.’

I think it was scheduled to return within half a year to a year, but even after that time had long passed, Noya didn’t return. So, I had been subconsciously worried.

‘Why is that creature…?’

Why is Kkureungi here? First of all, is it really Kkureungi?

I knew it had some sort of physical form, but since I had never seen it directly, I wasn’t sure.

‘How should I describe it?’

A massive blob.

An unknown entity made of smoke.

Just looking at it felt like being sucked in, and my pounding heart kept signaling danger.

[Aaaaaaaaah—-!!!]

“…”

Whether that creature is Kkureungi or not, seeing that, running away is the right thing to do…

‘…The problem is.’

If that creature really is Kkureungi.

‘You said Kkureungi was related to Mother.’

Since I heard it had a close relationship with Mother, I might be able to ask where this place is.

And perhaps other things as well.

‘Will it be okay?’

If it’s not Kkureungi, it’s a big problem.

It’s obviously not a docile creature, not to mention that.

‘Kkureungi wasn’t exactly the most trustworthy fellow either.’

The chances of that Kkureungi being friendly towards me are slim.

In this situation, wouldn’t running away be the right move?

Just as reason was gradually overcoming instinct.

Kkuuk.

Someone grabbed my wrist.

It was Cheonma, who was beside me.

“Let’s go.”

‘…What?’

“There.”

Cheonma pointed towards the roaring creature with her hand.

“Are you crazy? It looks dangerous just by looking at it. Where are we going?”

“You want to go.”

“…”

I had nothing to say.

How did she know?

Was it that obvious from my expression?

“Let’s go.”

Cheonma casually pointed and continued speaking.

“Sseup….”

I tried to hesitate for a moment, but my body was honest.

I was already gathering energy to leap.

“…Right, we’ll only know if we go.”

It’s better to go than not go.

With that resolve, I ignited a flame and leaped.

---

Closing the distance wasn’t particularly difficult.

Even though my body had moved, my strength itself hadn’t disappeared.

Furthermore.

‘I’m light.’

My body felt incredibly light.

I didn’t realize it when climbing the tree earlier, but I definitely felt it when I leaped and moved.

If I had to say, it felt about half as heavy.

‘My cultivation level hasn’t increased, though.’

Why would such a difference occur?

I thought the cause was the air in this world.

‘The high ratio of internal energy in the air.’

That seemed like the reason.

As the internal energy permeating the air was high, my body’s activity level increased significantly, which must be why my movements felt different.

‘…What kind of place is this, really?’

Where on earth is this place that such phenomena occur?

Also.

‘Who is the one who sent me here?’

Who is the one who threw me into this place?

Moreover….

‘With her.’

The one who sent me and Cheonma here together.

Who is that person, and what are their intentions?

[Kureureureureu—-!!!]

No sooner had those questions surfaced than I heard the roar again.

It was much closer than before.

Hearing the sound, I stopped dead in my tracks.

‘Ha.’

A wry laugh escaped me.

‘…It’s this big?’

I couldn’t grasp the scale when it was far away earlier, but now that I’m closer, it’s undeniable.

‘Insane.’

It’s overwhelmingly huge.

Its size made the surrounding Taesan mountains look small.

[Ueoreoreoreoreore—-!!!]

The cry it let out involuntarily furrowed my brow.

The ground trembled.

The sound of it howling at the sky shook everything around.

I descended to the surrounding terrain and looked up at it.

“…Is it?”

Could it really be Kkureungi?

Even though I’m closer, I still lack certainty.

What if it is?

‘Should I pretend to know it?’

Should I even say hello?

I pondered for a moment.

I came here to confirm, but what should I do now?

‘Hmm.’

What should I really do?

Just as I was having those thoughts.

Osak!

“…!”

Goosebumps suddenly erupted all over my body.

I tilted my head back.

‘Crazy.’

My body froze instantly.

The creature’s gaze, which had been directed at the sky moments ago, was now fixed on me.

Its gaze, a deep violet hue, was clearly focused on me.

Even though its form wasn’t distinct, its eyes were clearer than anything else.

It was certain.

The creature was looking at me.

Instantly, my heart felt an immense power.

Hu-uuuuuk—!!!

Its presence pierced through me.

It felt vast and overwhelming.

My body trembled as if I had encountered something I shouldn’t have.

Meeting its eyes, I instinctively knew.

‘I’m going to die.’

The moment it harbored hostility towards me, this fight would be a lost cause without even needing to be fought.

Should I run away right now?

No, this isn’t the time to hesitate.

Just as I was about to increase my speed and escape this place.

Shiaaaaaa—-!!!

“…Damn it!”

Suddenly, black smoke erupted from the ground.

By the time I noticed, it had already formed a circle around me and Cheonma.

‘Damn it.’

Is this an attack?

I didn’t expect it to be this fast.

‘So, coming here was the wrong choice after all.’

I should have just stayed put and kept my distance; coming here was a mistake that led to trouble.

I tensed my body.

Hwa-reureureuk—!!!

I ignited flames and struck the barrier.

Kwaaaaaaaa—-!!!!

The Azure Flame exploded, spreading shockwaves.

I was surprised.

‘My firepower has increased too.’

Not only was my body lighter, but the power I emitted also seemed to have been enhanced.

However.

‘It’s still impossible.’

I knew it the moment I struck the barrier.

It wouldn’t even leave a scratch.

Damn it.

My mind raced.

There was no time to hesitate.

I immediately turned my focus to using the White Flame, spinning my heart.

Giiiiiiiiiiing—-!!!

The rings of the Nine Flame Wheel Formation spun rapidly.

At the same time, the color of the Azure Flame began to fade.

Hwa-reuk-

It instantly changed into the White Flame.

As I prepared to strike the barrier again using it.

“No.”

Cheonma grabbed my wrist again.

Then.

Chiiik—-!!!

“…Ugh!”

Cheonma, who had touched the White Flame, let out a groan.

“What are you doing!”

Seeing that, I extinguished the flame in surprise.

I pulled Cheonma’s hand towards me.

I could see the flesh where the White Flame had touched was scorched.

“Are you crazy!? Why are you grabbing me while I’m trying to use fire?”

As I yelled in anger, Cheonma’s eyes widened.

Seeing her wide eyes, I realized my mistake.

I flung away the hand she was holding.

“Don’t touch my body without permission.”

“Okay.”

It was an answer that sounded strangely pleased.

It was absurd.

Was she happy even after being scorched by fire just now?

“But. Still, no.”

Cheonma tried to dissuade me again.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.

“What do you mean ‘no’? If we stay like this, are we just supposed to die?”

“We won’t die.”

“Don’t give me that crap… Saying that after seeing this.”

“There’s no killing intent.”

“…”

Hearing that, I paused for a moment.

‘Come to think of it.’

I raised my gaze to look at the creature.

The barrier was semi-transparent, allowing me to see it.

‘There’s no killing intent.’

It’s just looking this way.

Although there was a barrier, nothing specific was happening.

‘What is it?’

What could it mean?

It’s true there’s no killing intent, but.

‘That creature isn’t human.’

Let alone a demonic beast.

It’s an infinitely distant being.

It’s questionable if it can even be called a living being, so I can’t let my guard down just because there’s no killing intent.

However.

‘…’

Glancing briefly at Cheonma, I extinguished the flame for now.

It was to see what would happen.

[Gu-eu-eu-eu….]

The creature let out a low cry.

What is it?

It seems to be crying while looking at me, but is that a mistake?

As I narrowed my eyes, wondering why it was acting like that.

[Geu… ga….]

“Huh?”

The cry changed.

It seemed like it was trying to say something.

I perked up my ears and focused my senses.

[Ga… ya…. ]

[Eo… ga… ya…. ]

“What are you saying? Speak properly.”

As I impatiently added something, the sound became slightly clearer.

[…Yeogin…. ]

I could hear the pronunciation clearly.

So, that creature really is Kkureungi?

If so, can I consider this goodwill?

Just as I was thinking that.

Kkiiiiiiiiing—-!!!

Suddenly, a tearing sound echoed through the air.

[Kureureureureu—!!!]

The Kkureungi creature, which had been looking at me, lifted its head.

As its massive form moved, the surroundings trembled once more.

I shifted my gaze.

‘What the hell is that now.’

The air where the dizzying sound originated.

A crack was gradually forming there.

‘Magic Gate?’

It looked similar to a Magic Gate, but the size was different.

‘Why is it so damn big?’

The crack was almost as large as Taesan mountain.

Furthermore, its color was different.

‘It’s not a color I know.’

It wasn’t any of the four characteristic colors like green or blue.

A purplish-red hue.

The color of the crack was purplish-red.

It was a light, strikingly beautiful shade, and it smelled faintly of flowers…

‘…Wait, a floral scent?’

As I recalled, it felt familiar.

This…

‘I’ve smelled this before!’

And just a short while ago.

Right before I fell into this damn place.

It was the floral scent I had sensed when the Blood Demon attacked.

This means, could it be…

“Oh my….”

Kwaaaaaaaa—-!!!!

“Huh?”

Light poured out from the crack.

An immense beam of light pierced through Kkureungi.

[Kuaaaaaaaa—-!!!]

The creature let out a cry of pain.

I had to widen my eyes at the sudden situation.

What is it?

What happened?

No sooner had the question arisen than a voice echoed from somewhere.

[How curious.]

At the voice, my body froze instantly.

[For someone who tried so hard to hide their body, to be standing so boldly.]

My gaze was drawn to the beautiful, gentle voice.

It was the same voice that had stroked my head and embraced me.

[It wouldn’t be wrong to assume you were waiting for me, would it?]

Someone emerged from the crack emitting light.

They had bare feet, without shoes.

The being walked lightly, treading on the air, looking at Kkureungi with a relaxed expression.

The difference in size was clear.

Compared to Kkureungi, who was twice the size of Taesan mountain, the woman had a body no different from a human’s.

However.

Dugeun-! Dugeun-!

Just like when I saw Kkureungi, I felt something infinitely distant.

With the woman’s slender, relaxed eyes, she looked at Kkureungi writhing in pain.

[Isn’t that right.]

Surprisingly, that woman was.

[Mujeogaeng.]

My mother.