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Chapter 637: White Night

That guy’s appearance resembles Tolly in some way.

Especially the shape of the head is quite similar, but the body is different.

While Tolly has a snake-like form, this creature’s body resembles that of fierce beasts like tigers or lions.

And its tail is a hybrid that evokes a snake.

Seeing such a bizarre creature reminds me of something.

White.

The last color in the spectrum of demon beast grades that divides them into green, red, and white.

An existence that hasn’t appeared alongside the Red Demon Beasts for a long time.

In fact, I had never encountered it even once in my previous life.

“What the hell, what is that?”

I can’t help but curse upon seeing it.

–Grrr—!!! Aaaaaaa–!!!

The rough roar sends shivers through my entire body.

Its massive frame is covered in white scales.

It’s as enormous as several Red Demon Beasts combined.

Even the Red Demon Beasts are bigger than a residence.

If they are gathered, how can I even describe how colossal this one is?

I squint and observe the creature.

Crack!

Even a slight movement of its gigantic body sends ripples in all directions.

Thud!

Icebergs shatter, and the forest is thrown into disarray.

Historically, they say the White Demon Beast is like a calamity merely by breathing.

That saying couldn’t be more accurate right now.

‘If something like that moves, it’s a disaster, no doubt.’

The mountain seems to shake. It feels as though it rivals Mount Tai.

‘Where on earth did such a thing come from?’

Crackle!

Amidst the rushing chill, the creature continues to rampage.

“Aaaargh–!”

Boom!

Its tail slams down, crushing people in its wake, leaving only broken corpses behind.

I extend my Qi perception and shift my gaze.

‘What about the Demonic Gate?’

I’m not sure if that thing is a White Grade Demon Beast or not.

But being a demon beast, if it appeared, there should have been a Demonic Gate left behind.

However, I see no traces of a door having opened.

This means.

‘It’s implying that it was here all along.’

Where could it have shown up from?

That bulk couldn’t be hidden if it tried.

‘Is it really white?’

Nothing else comes to mind to deem it otherwise.

It’s an existence I’ve never encountered in my previous life or even once throughout history.

While they might be rare, the aftermath they leave behind is anything but small.

For instance, the Hwasan Sword God, Shin Cheol.

The White Demon Beast, the Fog Dragon, which Shin Noya dealt with, died and enveloped an entire terrain in fog, transforming it into a forest that humans couldn’t approach.

The Water Dragon, captured by Tang Je-mun, spouted water, creating a large river in Sichuan where demon beasts roam after its death.

Moreover, on the way to the Divine Stronghold, the burning cliffs were a result of the legendary prince, Yeon Ilcheon, hunting the Flame Dragon.

The aftermath they left was impressive enough to change an entire terrain.

That’s the kind of strength White Demon Beasts possess.

Facing one directly puts it all into perspective.

‘How the hell did he catch something like that?’

When I only heard he caught a White Grade Demon Beast alone, I had no idea.

Now that I see it up close, it’s absurd.

Did he really capture something like that by himself?

Suddenly, Noya seems incredible.

The problem is.

Tsk.

There’s no time to think about it.

–Aaaaargh—!!

That thing is howling and heading somewhere.

In the chaos, I can’t help but wonder where it’s looking.

“Damn it.”

As it locks onto its target, it leaps straight toward them.

From a distance, I can see it clearly.

Among the crowd, I spot Nangong Bi-ah, seemingly being carried by Tang Soyeol.

And of all places, it’s headed straight for them.

–Grrr—!!!

It quickly closes the distance and swings its fist with all its might.

Crash!

–Cr-rack?!

Its punch connects squarely against the creature’s head.

A loud sound erupts, and its head sways unsteadily.

‘Damn it.’

I, too, find my expression contorting from the impact.

‘It didn’t hit properly.’

I can confirm it by the feel of the punch.

The attack didn’t land as it should have.

Just like the Red Demon Beast, it seems to have some sort of energy barrier covering its body.

Just then…

Whoosh!

“…!”

Something approaches me.

Its tail.

Compared to its massive size, the tail looks like a common Red Demon Beast’s, but…

‘It’s fast.’

It’s even faster than a creature of its size should be.

I’m too late to evade.

Tight!

In a hurry, I gather my energy to erect a barrier with Qi.

Whoosh! Crash!

An energy blast from afar strikes its tail, knocking it away.

Seizing the moment, I quickly drop to the ground.

Upon landing, the one who deflected the tail approaches me.

“Your return is a bit rough.”

It’s Pejon.

He saved me using his energy manipulation.

“…What’s going on?”

I skip the formalities and jump straight to questioning the situation.

Pejon chuckles, as if he expected that reaction.

“What is that?”

“Indeed. I was having a good sleep… What a bizarre creature decided to interrupt me.”

“Interrupt?”

Are you telling me that thing breached a hideout while it was sleeping?

A White Grade Demon Beast suddenly attacking a hideout?

Amidst the confusion, I can’t help but be bothered by the unsettling energy.

No, deep down, I already knew the answer.

‘Damn.’

I can feel the aura of death emanating from that White Grade Demon Beast.

And it’s thick.

The reason I flew here with Woo Hyeok was ultimately because the aura of death was palpable.

I don’t know how this happened.

‘If it’s going to die, just die quietly.’

I can sense a hint of annoyance creeping in.

Aaaargh!!!

The creature resumes its rampage, letting out a hideous cry.

The loud sound creates tremors in the surroundings.

‘This is a mess.’

I suppress the urge to curse and look around.

People are shaking with fear, trembling in place, as if crushed under the roar of the demon beast.

In that moment.

“Prince!”

Turning my head to the gentle voice, I see Tang Soyeol approaching me.

Behind her, Nangong Bi-ah is slung over her shoulder.

She appears unconscious, her eyes closed, looking in a terrible state.

Frowning at the sight, Tang Soyeol speaks with a trembling voice.

“Bi-ah…!”

“What happened?”

“…She was trying to protect me.”

“…”

As she speaks, I raise my hand to stop her.

“That can wait.”

Turning my head, I fix my gaze on the demon beast.

Now isn’t the time for small talk.

“How’s her condition?”

“…!”

“How’s her condition?!”

Pausing for a moment at my question, Tang Soyeol eventually answers.

“…She didn’t get hit in a vital spot. Maybe she was injured from debris falling on her.”

“Good.”

I suppress the rising emotions that threaten to boil over.

I need to remain calm and cold. Now is not the time for anything else.

I immediately question Pejon.

“Did the Demon Lord suffer?”

Has the demon beast targeted the Demon Lord? Is that why it’s howling like that?

At my question, Pejon hesitates for a moment before replying.

“Hmm.”

He considers for a moment before giving a vague answer.

“I haven’t properly assessed the situation. But from what I hear… it’s not that the Demon Lord was targeted.”

Swipe!

Pejon points straight ahead.

“They say that thing itself is the Demon Lord.”

“Eh?”

At his words, I look back at the demon beast.

Did Pejon just say the demon beast is the Demon Lord?

What sort of nonsensical claim is that?

But then I realize,

Aaaargh–!!!

The energy coming off the howling beast.

That’s the aura of death it possesses.

Also…

‘…It was said that the energy was within Woo Hyeok.’

I recall being told that his original bodily form was intermingled with another Ice Spirit.

The timing when that energy started to surface coincided with the demise of Woo Hyeok.

“Tsk.”

Does this mean that this creature is the body of death?

Then what exactly does it mean for it to be the Demon Lord in this place?

I can’t make sense of it. I’m lost in confusion.

Step.

I take a slight shift forward.

“Are you thinking of apprehending it?”

“Yeah.”

I nod at Pejon’s words but, as I say this, I can’t help but feel uneasy.

Given the current situation, fleeing seems to be the most sensible action.

‘…But it feels unsettling.’

I’ve never come across a White Grade Demon Beast in my previous life.

No matter how far North Sea is, such a commotion should be impossible to ignore. Even if they successfully hunted it without incidents, I should have heard whispers about it.

Yet if even that’s not the case…

‘It means that I’ve stirred things up.’

The troubles began because of my reckless actions, which led to this situation.

Thus, I can’t help but feel partially responsible.

Aaaargh!

The creature approaches me.

Thud!

It opens its massive maw wide.

Snap!

“Eh?”

I see energy gathering in its mouth.

The moment I realize it, a chill runs down my spine.

It’s dangerous.

Instinctively sensing it, I prepare to escape.

Whoosh!

My collar gets grabbed, and my body is swiftly yanked upward.

I barely react in time.

Just as my feet leave the ground.

Boom!

The unknown energy spews from its mouth, sweeping across the ground.

Crash–!!!

The wide, rapid current freezes the ground instantly.

I find myself floating in the air, watching in shock.

“What the hell…”

“That’s what I was about to say, you fool.”

Pejon, who had come up beside me, lets out a deep sigh.

“Shouldn’t we be running away rather than watching this?”

“I was trying to react quickly…”

I was only slightly slower than him.

The moment I confirmed the energy, he yanked me into the air.

Though I can’t say for certain if it saved my life.

It was just barely within the range where I could dodge.

“Haah…”

Pejon lets out another deep sigh at my not-so-great explanation.

“Well, I understand that you’re planning to capture it.”

He nods and gets ready.

Observing him, I ask, “Are you joining me?”

“Ha ha.”

Pejon laughs as if my question amused him.

“…It’s a crime to have such a poor disciple like you in my old age. What else can I say while you willingly head to the jaws of death?”

The jaws of death.

It’s a phrase that rarely escapes Pejon’s mouth.

It must mean that he views this encounter as quite difficult.

“Then you could just stop me.”

If he doesn’t want to go, he should try and prevent me from doing so.

At that question,

Pejon clicks his tongue loudly enough for me to hear.

“It’s clear you won’t listen anyway.”

As he glares at me with a scolding look, he breaks into a slight smile.

“I’ve never taught you how to flee, nor do I plan to teach you in the future.”

“…”

It sounds like a cool line, but looking at Pejon’s expression, I can’t feel any admiration.

‘…Seeing his face, it looks like he enjoys this the most.’

His expression before a fight is filled with excitement. I could tell without a doubt that it mirrors the glee he has when striking me.

Such vivid emotions are downright terrifying.

“Oh, right. And, disciple.”

“Yeah?”

“Do explain what happened to that body later.”

Thud!

Once he says that, Pejon disappears.

“…Ha ha.”

I’m left alone, laughing helplessly.

I thought he might not have noticed, but it must have been clear to him that my level had risen.

‘What a perceptive old man…’

It seems like it won’t be easy to deceive him.

As I think that, I prepare to charge at the demon beast.

Thud!

Something falls to the ground.

“Hmm?”

Looking down, I see a red orb.

It must have dropped from my clothes. Perhaps my pouch broke from all the movement.

Without bending down, I lift the orb using energy.

Whirr—!

I gaze at the orb floating in the air for a moment.

Having spent a moment absorbed in thought…

‘What was this… Ah.’

I remember.

Before heading towards the North Sea, Lady Mi had prepared this for me.

‘She specifically said to use it in a dangerous situation.’

I had received it without knowing how to use it, just told to use it.

It looks like a plain red orb, but it must be a treasure.

Whirr whirr.

The orb glowing faintly as it floats in the air intrigues me.

‘Could it be something that reacts when energy touches it?’

As I investigate the orb, I grab it and tuck it into my chest before leaping toward the demon beast.

I had no intention of using the treasure.

Even though the situation was dangerous, carrying it would mean acknowledging that I was in danger.

I was worried that Lady Mi might find out about this in the future; that I had stumbled into a perilous situation.

For some reason, that thought bothered me.

Thus, I tried not to use it.

Even though I was certain I would avoid using it…

I had no idea.

The ‘usage’ of the orb would be so straightforward.

Or what effect the treasure might have.

I was completely unaware.

 

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