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Chapter 603: Heart’s Authority

Boom-! Boom-boom-!

“What the…?”

I opened my eyes to the sounds echoing around me.

My ears felt strangely heavy.

Boom-!

A vibrating sound resonated.

Rubbing my aching forehead, I looked around.

“Hmm?”

I was bewildered.

Struggling to regain my senses, the scene before me was shockingly strange.

“What is this?”

Everything was white.

The world was entirely coated in white.

At first, I thought it was a snowfield.

‘But it’s not snow?’

It was simply a world that was white.

I touched the ground.

The sensation that brushed my fingertips was peculiar.

‘What is this?’

It felt too soft to be stone.

But calling it dirt also seemed off.

It was something unknown. That seemed like the most accurate judgment.

Furrowing my brow, I glanced around.

‘Where on earth is this?’

Why was I suddenly in such a place?

What was I doing before I opened my eyes here?

I tried hard to remember the previous situation, but—

“Ugh…!”

Sudden pain shot through my head as I clutched it.

I was trying to recall something, but the pain took precedence.

What the hell is going on?

“Damn….”

Shaking my head in annoyance, I got up.

Standing revealed an even whiter world.

It was all the more alien and strangely sent shivers down my spine.

I felt as if I were in a space that shouldn’t exist.

After scanning the area for a while.

“Huh?”

In the distance, something caught my eye.

At the center of this white-coated world.

Someone stood atop it.

A person?

The figure looked human, but I couldn’t be sure.

Because…

‘…Flame?’

The shape was only human.

That person was engulfed in flames.

And it was an all-too-familiar blue flame.

‘That…’

Of course, it was familiar.

I instinctively knew. That fire belonged to me.

“What the heck?”

I blurted out as I stared at it.

At that moment.

“…!”

The being who had been gazing at the sky turned its gaze towards me.

That wasn’t all.

“How is it?”

The humanoid flame not only looked at me but even spoke.

“What?”

“I was asking how it felt to live among these insignificant beings.”

I furrowed my brow at those words.

“What are you?”

Why was it suddenly causing such a ruckus? It was absurd.

Is this a dream? If so, what kind of bizarre dream is this?

Staring at it with a baffled expression.

“It’s utterly shameful and disgustingly pathetic.”

Ignoring my question, the flame started expounding its own thoughts.

“Having smashed the vessel and soared into the sky, why are you trying to live among the insects on the ground?”

With a question teeming with doubt.

I had to feel a strange sensation from those words.

‘I’ve seen this somewhere before.’

It felt familiar for some reason.

The fact that the flame was my flame, along with the use of such absurd language and tone, seemed eerily recognizable.

As I pondered that for a moment.

“Ah.”

I finally managed to piece together what this was.

“What are you, Blood Qi?”

“…”

The being fell silent at my words.

It seemed I was correct.

That entity had tried to consume my body years ago when it passed away.

Back then, it had taken the form of a demon beast, but this time it had become a flame for some reason.

“I thought you were dead, but you’re still alive?”

I had assumed it had consumed everything back then.

How is it still alive?

Then this must be my mind or body space, right?

In that case.

Boom-! Boom-!

‘What could that sound be?’

A deafening noise resonated as if the world was about to shatter.

Before Blood Qi, that sound worried me even more.

I didn’t know why.

I was just suffused with anxiety.

“You foolish creature.”

I redirected my gaze back to Blood Qi’s words.

“Living in forgetfulness while forgetting your own tasks would lead you to hand your body over to me.”

“What are you talking about? Why are you throwing a fit out of nowhere?”

If it had been consumed, it should’ve just quietly digested!

What was the purpose of appearing out of nowhere like this?

“Do you want to go another round?”

Is it coveting my body again?

Asking that with concealed intent.

“Hah.”

It let out a laugh, as if I was worthless.

“Your vessel has already slipped away. You only had one chance, and now, I’m nothing more than a spectator.”

“Then just watch, why are you bothering me?”

If it had survived, it could simply express gratitude and stay cooped up in a corner.

There had to be another reason for its sudden appearance.

“Because you’re doing something utterly meaningless, I’ve come to give you a warning.”

“A warning?”

“Think clearly.”

The flickering of the flame grew larger.

“Identify what your existence truly is.”

“What on earth are you talking about? What am I?”

When I asked in disbelief, the flame replied firmly.

“Do you think those insignificant creatures around you can understand you?”

I paused.

The flame’s words momentarily left me speechless.

It had struck at an inquiry I had long pondered over.

I had ceased to be human.

Yet, these others were still human.

Physically, I was no longer human. But mentally, I had been comforting myself that I was still human.

However, that discrepancy had been a problem for me.

That’s what the flame targeted.

“They cannot understand you, and gradually, you will not understand them either.”

Nonsense.

I thought that inwardly, yet those words did not roll off my tongue.

Did it read my reaction?

“Despite your mismatched status, you are blocking your instincts. Surely you already know?”

The flame wore a smile.

“How great a species you are. And how insignificant those around you are.”

“What a load of crap.”

“The difference in species is just that.”

The flame placed its chin on its hand.

It was irritating as it mimicked my posture.

“As long as you cannot acknowledge that plainly, there will be no path opened for you.”

“Stop with the nonsense. If you have something to say, just come out with it.”

My teeth gritted.

What was the essence of its words?

Was it demanding I acknowledge that humans are insignificant and I am an extraordinary species?

‘What nonsense is this?’

How could I ever acknowledge such arrogant and ludicrous words?

Furthermore, would acknowledging it really unlock a path for me?

“I’ve never been blocked off in the first place, you bastard.”

“You’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you?”

I felt irritation.

At the same time, the flame gradually began to be drawn into my hand.

It was Demonic Absorption Technique.

The entity offered no resistance as it was pulled into my body.

For some reason, it felt like it expected that to happen.

At that moment.

“I do not acknowledge you.”

As it was drawn in, Blood Qi spoke to me.

“You’re merely in a position unfit for you.”

“So what? You want me back?”

“One.”

Grip-!

“…!”

It seized my wrist, clutching it tightly.

“This time, I will help you.”

“What—!”

As Blood Qi spoke, a reaction coursed through my body in response to my seized wrist.

Flame Burst-!

“Ugggh!?”

I felt a tremendous heat generated within me.

It was so intense that I could barely withstand the pain.

“You bastard… what are you…?”

“If you hadn’t involved yourself in this troublesome situation, there would have been no need to help you.”

In agony, I tried to loosen its grip and create distance.

But my body just wouldn’t cooperate.

Flame Burst-!

The generated heat engulfed my entire body.

Within that heat.

“Remember.”

Blood Qi’s voice echoed.

“Devour any kindred who trespasses into your domain.”

That voice etched itself somewhere in my body like a tattoo.

“Prove that you are the ruler.”

The heat surged, luridly creeping up and penetrating my head.

Burning and igniting until only ash remained.

Was this death?

It felt like it could be, yet I somehow felt fearless.

Rather than fear of death, I felt something else.

What emotion could this be?

I pondered that question for a moment before recalling.

“Don’t forget.”

Yes, this was definitely not fear.

“We are not human; we are ‘Dragons’.”

It was close to ecstasy.

Boom-!

‘Ah.’

The rising heat began to dissipate.

Kaboom-! Boom-!

As the heat receded, the heavy sensation that had enveloped me lifted.

What just happened?

What on earth transpired?

It felt like a dream.

Blurry and distant, yet the memories were vivid.

What kind of twisted situation is…

Kaboom-!

“Gah!”

Lost in thought, I stumbled from the sudden pain that pierced through me.

Barely regaining my balance and steadiness.

Otherwise, I would have toppled over.

“What… ugh…”

At that instance, I felt pain coursing through my body.

This was nothing like the heat I had felt before.

There was pain not only within but on my skin too.

What about my bones? Even a slight movement felt like my bones were aching.

What is this? Have I been knocked around all day—?

Crash-!

“Gah!?”

Instinctively, I raised my hand to shield myself on the left.

A dull thud accompanied by pain jolted through as my body was pushed back.

Something had struck me.

Moreover.

‘That sound.’

That harsh noise I heard while getting hit.

Was it the vibrating sound from before in the white world?

‘Damn, is this…’

What on earth is making that sound? Was that the sound of my body getting hit?

Shit, no wonder I felt uneasy hearing that.

I thought something was breaking, and it turned out it was my body.

I turned my gaze.

I wanted to check who was hitting me.

“Hmm?”

A familiar figure came into view.

A young man with black hair, looking quite gentle.

Pejon.

“Elder…?”

“Oh.”

When I called out to Pejon, he responded.

“The titles have changed. It seems the effects of your training are starting to show.”

“Really?”

“You used to call me things like insect, trash, and worthless. Tsk tsk.”

“What did I…?”

Did I say that to Pejon?

‘…Me?’

I couldn’t recall any of it.

Why on earth was I getting beaten by Pejon?

A question flickered through my mind.

Then the memory began to surface.

“Ah…”

The decoration I picked up from Nangong Bi-ah in the snowfield.

I didn’t recall anything after seeing that.

Had my rationality snapped, and I went on a rampage or something?

So.

‘…And that’s why I spoke to Pejon like that?’

Did I really say I’d treat them like insects or trash to Pejon?

Is that how I ended up in this state?

Just imagining it left a pitiful feeling.

The surroundings had turned into chaos.

The ground was scarred, with countless craters, while flames flickered atop the cold snow.

That was clearly my flame.

Drip.

Something brushed against my lips.

As I wiped my mouth, I found it was a nosebleed.

I must have taken quite a beating.

Swallowing nervously as I faced the chilly situation, Pejon chuckled and spoke.

“I told you. In moments like this, getting beaten will help trigger your memory.”

“…Wait a minute, Elder.”

“Indeed, experience never lies. Right?”

“I’m sorry. It seems I momentarily lost my memory—!”

Whoosh-!

I turned my head.

At that moment, Pejon’s fist whizzed past where I was standing.

Bam-!!

Moments later, the air burst.

How could hitting thin air make such a sound?

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“I—I’m saying I’m back to my senses!”

“No, disciple. You have not yet regained your senses.”

“What the hell.”

Looking into Pejon’s eyes made me realize.

This guy was furious.

I had no idea what I did, but he seemed incredibly angry.

“Indeed, seeing you speak so crudely means you still haven’t regained your senses.”

“I really have! Just listen to me…!”

Bam-!

This time, I couldn’t block it.

A punch struck my side. It hurt like hell. But this wasn’t the time to feel pain.

I needed to twist my body before the impact fully reached me.

Swish-! I rotated my body, trying to disperse the incoming shock.

At that very moment, Pejon pressed down on my joints, breaking my balance.

My vision began to lower.

In front of me, Pejon’s fist was coiling closer.

With this stance, defense was impossible.

I needed to somehow attack and push Pejon back to create some distance.

Boom-!

With that thought in mind, I tried to channel my energy.

‘Damn it…!!’

There wasn’t a shred of energy left in my heart.

Having exhausted myself, all the energy that had once brimmed within was gone.

I barely had a handful left.

Under normal circumstances, it would be laughable.

But in this critical moment, I had to make the most of even this.

Fwoosh-!

Drawing a minuscule amount of energy into my fist.

Whether it worked or not, I swung it as is.

At that moment.

“…!?”

Pejon, realizing something, hurriedly withdrew his attack, turning away.

I wondered why he suddenly acted that way.

Then, the moment that thought crossed my mind—

Whoosh-!

From my punch, something exploded forth.

Swoosh—!!!

The air was torn apart with a chilling sound.

And then.

Boom———!!!!

It pierced straight through the head of the iceberg behind me.

“…Uh…?”

What the hell is this shit?

 

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