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Chapter 238: Front Line (7)

After notifying the campsite in advance.

I entered deep into the forest filled with demon beasts.

Even just counting the number of demon beasts I had killed over the past year, it would be enough to fill this forest to the brim.

But today, I was not here for hunting.

“…Found it.”

After a while of walking, slaying the passing demon beasts, I finally discovered what I was looking for.

A small crack, as if the void had been torn apart.

‘This makes six.’

To anyone else, this would simply be recognized as a Demonic Gate, but the color was different.

A very dark and murky black.

It was entirely unlike the Demonic Gates I had seen before, and the atmosphere it emitted was far more overwhelming.

Moreover, this crack did not spew out demon beasts.

It just floated in the air.

As I gazed at such a crack, I reached out slowly.

As my fingertips drew closer, they effortlessly penetrated the crack.

It was as if the crack was eagerly welcoming my hand.

I recalled the first time I had seen this crack.

When I first discovered it, it was just after arriving at the front line.

Gu Huibi had brought me here, saying there was something to show me.

This crack did not emit demon beasts.

It didn’t expand or grow in size.

It simply hovered in the void, but I could tell.

This was not a crack; it was a fragment.

[Grumble…!]

As I inserted my hand into the crack, the thing inside responded as if it had been waiting.

Though invisible, I could sense a sensation, like a tail wagging with excitement.

‘Calm down, I’ll feed you, you don’t need to act all excited.’

Before I could finish my thought—

Crackle-!

The crack began to unravel and twist.

Drawing my hand in, it spun around it like a spiral.

I could feel it.

The energy flowing into my dantian, deeper still.

Crunch munch.

The being inside was chewing up the energy that came in.

‘You sure eat well, considering you just dined yesterday.’

As it gulped down the energy, I felt another piece filling up my lower dantian.

« * »

…Uh—

It was just a tiny fragment.

It couldn’t even be used as energy.

I had tried all sorts of things, but the results were always the same.

Yet, the reason I was rummaging through the frontline seeking cracks like this was—

‘Because it wanted it.’

The being within was continuously informing me of the location of such cracks, craving to swallow them.

‘What this is all for, I don’t know.’

I had no clue why these cracks were appearing on the front line.

What these cracks represented was still a mystery to me.

Did such things exist in my previous life?

I pondered, but nothing came to mind.

I had never heard of black cracks before.

Perhaps it was something that came into existence because of my return.

Or, was it a dangerous situation? I felt a reluctance to engage, but—

I couldn’t help it.

[Covenant…]

‘I know.’

That was the promise I made with the being.

“I know, and that’s why I’m diligently feeding you. Don’t rush me.”

[Grumble….]

“And hurry up and release Noya. Time is running out.”

[Grumble…?]

“You damn beast. You only play dumb at times like this.”

I wanted to say more, but perhaps it knew I would give it a lecture, so it ignored me and hid away.

It was obvious that it wouldn’t show up for a while again.

« +1 »

…Ah.

I skipped my meal just to feed this thing.

How miserable my treatment felt!

“Just make sure to come out later.”

I spoke even though I knew there wouldn’t be any answer and turned my steps toward the barracks.

I would have to meet Mo Yong-hee upon my return.

I had to find Gu Huibi along with Nangong Bi-ah.

Soon, it would be our turn to head to the center together.

Just as I was about to leap toward the barracks—

—Kreeeak… Aaaaah!

“What?”

A scream echoed from somewhere.

Crash!

At the starting point where the plain transitioned into the forest, someone was being savagely beaten.

“How dare you scream?!”

From the dark yellow martial robe he wore and his massive stature, they were martial artists from the Huangbo Clan.

“Glurk…”

The figure on the ground, barely able to move from the beating, also appeared to be a martial artist of the Huangbo Clan, but unlike those surrounding him, he looked frail and thin.

The man bullying that young man laughed as he spoke.

“You dare scream without Master’s permission? Do you think anyone will come to your aid?”

“I-I’m sorry….”

“No, it’s not your fault. It’s my fault for not educating you properly.”

Thud!

Gah!

The young man who got kicked in the stomach couldn’t contain his screams, letting another one escape.

“I just told you to keep quiet, but you’re still screaming.”

“…H-gh.”

“Or do you think just because we share the Huangbo name, you and I are equals?”

“N-No… I could never….”

“If not, then why don’t you heed my words….”

Heh, heh!

The man chuckled while the expression of another young man watching in the back was clearly displeased.

‘…I need to intervene.’

The young man, who was standing on the sidelines and witnessing the bullying, was none other than Huangbo Cheolwi.

And the one perpetrating the violence was his brother, Huangbo Cheok.

Unlike Huangbo Cheolwi, who just started to make a name for himself in the martial world, Huangbo Cheok was quite a renowned martial artist in the Central Plains.

Kicking the fallen victim, Huangbo Cheok then turned his head towards his younger brother, Huangbo Cheolwi.

“Hey.”

“…Yes, brother.”

“I did enough; are you going to join in?”

At Huangbo Cheok’s words, Huangbo Cheolwi cast a glance at the beaten young man.

The groaning figure was from the branch of the Huangbo Clan, one who inherited the least bloodline and was a rather weak young man.

Huangbo Seon.

The name of the young man was Huangbo Seon.

“…I’m fine.”

“Hm?”

“It would cause trouble if others notice. I’ll handle this branch clan kid myself…”

“Hey.”

Huangbo Cheok’s thick hand clamped down on Huangbo Cheolwi’s shoulder.

“Brother…?”

Huangbo Cheolwi trembled slightly as he met his brother’s gaze.

“You’ve been acting strange lately. It’s as if you care about that branch clan brat.”

“What do you mean by that? Why would I care about that guy?”

“Then speak plainly. What’s going on?”

Perhaps starting from two years ago.

When Huangbo Cheolwi returned to his clan after finishing the Dragon Meeting.

For some reason, Huangbo Cheolwi had stopped belittling and bullying the branch clan members.

He also ceased the hollow prideful behavior towards his clan.

That had somehow made Huangbo Cheok uneasy, although he couldn’t articulate why.

Even though he was born from the glorious main family.

His younger brother had become so weak.

“Hey.”

“Yes, brother….”

“I need to set this straight.”

“Huh?”

“The way you bear yourself doesn’t suit our Huangbo Clan at all; I find it deeply troubling.”

“W-What do you mean….”

“Break that bastard’s leg.”

“…!”

Huangbo Cheolwi’s eyes widened at his brother’s command.

He had never expected Huangbo Cheok to utter such a thing.

“Brother…. This is in the domain of the Mage.”

“I know that. Do you think I’m unaware of that?”

“Then why….”

“Ha.”

Huangbo Cheok chuckled at Huangbo Cheolwi’s words.

He found his younger brother’s worry trivial and pointless.

“You think causing just that branch brat’s leg to crumble would draw the Mage’s attention?”

“One…!”

“The only reason I haven’t laid a finger on him is because of the clan leader’s watchful eye. But now, that’s no longer a concern, is it?”

“Brother…. You can’t be serious….”

The clan leader of the Huangbo Clan had seen better days.

It’s quite possible that Huangbo Cheok would soon ascend to the position of Lesser Clan Leader, so he wouldn’t have to mind such petty matters anymore.

“Such a useless brat, it would be just right to use him for your mental health.”

“”

At Huangbo Cheok’s words, Huangbo Cheolwi had to swallow his anger.

His brother’s eyes were flooded with madness.

‘…What the hell happened?’

While still grappling with those thoughts, Huangbo Cheolwi bit his lip.

This wouldn’t be a sudden feeling.

He must have known but simply hadn’t felt it.

He was likely no different than his brother.

“…Brother, even so, this is…”

“What? Why is that kid here?”

Just as he was about to voice his concerns, Huangbo Cheolwi suddenly paled.

A voice he didn’t recognize intruded into the conversation.

Both he and the martial artists surrounding them had failed to sense anyone’s presence until moments ago.

In the split second of the sudden situation, Huangbo Cheok raised his energy and inquired.

“Who the hell are you….”

Though Huangbo Cheok asked in disbelief, the intruding young man didn’t pay him any mind and approached Huangbo Seon, examining his body.

The surrounding martial artists appeared completely unconcerned.

“You’ve been beaten pretty badly, but you truly are an idiot for getting caught like this. It’s going to be hard to clean this mess up….”

“Hey you…! Who the hell do you think you are?!”

Huangbo Cheok seized the young man’s shoulder.

He seemed intent on lifting him up but—

“…I”

To his surprise, the young man’s voice didn’t come through.

As if glued to the ground, the young man didn’t budge at all.

‘…What the hell is this guy?’

A being famous for his combat skills, and part of the formidable Huangbo lineage.

Yet despite putting forth so much effort, he wouldn’t budge an inch.

As Huangbo Cheok hid his surprise and prepared to unleash his energy—

The young man turned his head towards Huangbo Cheok.

“Hey.”

“…What?!”

As the young man turned, Huangbo Cheolwi’s heart sank as he recognized that face.

There wouldn’t be too many similarly fierce-looking faces in this world.

Yet Huangbo Cheok seemed oblivious to it, his countenance twisting frighteningly.

“Ha, you crazy bastard. You don’t know who I am, huh?”

Did he think the young man was simply an ignorant lowlife?

Huangbo Cheok struggled to contemplate how to deal with this situation.

However, before anything else, the young man opened his mouth.

“Five.”

“What?”

“You’d better let go within five seconds. I’m not in a good mood today, so I can’t promise I’ll be nice.”

As the young man spoke, a smirk crept across Huangbo Cheok’s face.

What a ridiculous statement.

“If you don’t let go, what are you planning to do?”

“One.”

“You really think you can do anything to Huangbo Cheok just because you threatened me?”

“Two.”

“Whatever demonic techniques you may have used, do you really think it’s possible for a nobody like you to even graze the hem of my coat? How pathetic… too bad you’re going to die here today….”

“Three.”

Crack!

“What the?!”

With the sound of something shattering—

Huangbo Cheok’s arm, which was gripping the young man’s shoulder, twisted as if it were merely clay.

Despite charging up his energy instinctively—

“Huh?!”

In an instant, he found himself on his knees, his massive frame crumbling as he gazed up at the young man.

…What just happened?

Huangbo Cheok had no comprehension of what had transpired.

In a mere instant.

When he finally sensed it, he was already on both knees.

The young man, facing the trembling Huangbo Cheok, spoke bluntly.

“You shouldn’t mix with beasts like this. Approaching them often leads to misfortune. There are better ways to communicate than brute force. It’s just disgusting.”

A dull voice laced with killing intent radiated an overwhelming presence.

Moreover, Huangbo Cheolwi, watching from behind, felt his heart tremble with fear.

Jin Ryong.

The young man’s identity flashed in his mind.

Jin Ryong.

One of the Six Dragons and rumored disciple of the Pejon.

Not to mention, he was the monster who had defeated him in one blow to seize victory at the Martial Arts Tournament.

What on earth was he doing here?

But even more so, there was one question lingering.

‘Why…?’

More than the fact that his brother was now kneeling, it was the existence of Jin Ryong here that left him bewildered.

‘…He said five seconds, but he only counted three?’

That part puzzled Huangbo Cheolwi the most.

 

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