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Chapter 7: The Calamity of Flames

<Swoosh—and BOOM!>

The sound of explosions thundered!

The searing heat engulfed the surroundings, suffocating me.

<Whoosh!>

Blue flames surged high, creating a fiery vortex.

With all my strength, I propelled the Sacred Spear forward, launching it fiercely.

“Huff!”

One more throw.

<Swoosh!>

The spear soared through the air, striking its target—immediately, I released my mind power, causing it to explode.

<Whoosh—!>

The deafening roar sent shockwaves in every direction.

“…Gah…!”

“Ugh!”

Those with lower mastery couldn’t stand against it, getting swept away.

It was an overwhelming force, and the ground below was utterly devastated.

But.

‘Do I need to use another two?’

My expression remained grim.

That was already my sixth spear throw.

Even having reached my limit, I still needed to fire a few more.

That thought naturally crossed my mind.

Gulp.

I bit down on another Poison Heavenly Pill.

My stomach churned at using these precious few, but I had no choice.

‘The Poison King will manage it.’

They said they’d nearly perfected the concoction of the Poison Heavenly Pill, so I’d let this be an investment.

Otherwise, I feared I’d pass out from the stomach pain first.

‘…Damn, how much would this sell for?’

Probably a bit more than the Evergreen Iron?

It could buy a decent residence right in the heart of Hanam.

‘Crap….’

Doing the math made my stomach hurt even more.

I was already irritable from just having eaten one earlier, and now I was on my second.

‘Huff….’

I narrowed my eyes to calm my irritation.

Even if I regretted it, I needed to think rationally for now.

Yeah, what’s the use of money if you’re dead?

‘First, I need to survive.’

Recalling my target, I threw another spear.

The smoke from the consecutive explosions thickened, obscuring my view.

Still, I could tell: nothing was happening as I wished.

<Whoosh—!>

I whipped up the wind, clearing the smoke before me.

Suddenly, the scene brightened, and my target came into focus.

Drip, drip.

A white mass I had seen before.

It was still spewing threads of white, something that caught my eye.

Though it showed signs of cracking from the Sacred Spear’s impact, it hadn’t shattered completely.

‘…Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue.

I had hoped a bit but alas, my expectations were dashed.

‘It may look like that, but it’s confirmed to be White Grade?’

A White Grade Demon Beast.

Commonly referred to as a Dragon.

A remnant sealed in Hanam’s depths. That must be it.

It must be true.

‘So that’s why the mental impact was so strong.’

I was convinced as I looked at the cracked surface.

Having mixed my mind power must have caused that level of damage.

The issue was.

‘Is that really all it is?’

It was also shocking how little damage it had taken.

The cracks were clear, but that was it.

To call it a definite impact would be too vague.

‘I poured in all my strength.’

Unlike in the Martial Arts Sparring, this was a full-force Sacred Spear.

After all, I had only used it twice lightly against Shin Ryong during the Martial Arts Tournament, so that was incomparable.

Look at this.

“…Is this So Yeomra…?”

“Dare I say, this is more outrageous than the rumors….”

Martial Artists from renowned sects appeared as they gazed in astonishment at the power of the Sacred Spear.

Looking at their clothing, they were from famous martial clans.

‘The Hwasan Sect is here too. Are they from the Kunlun Clan?’

I also saw a few from the Gu Sect and some Shaolin.

The presence of great houses could be spotted amidst them, but there were definitely more from the martial clans.

Dozens of them.

With signs of battle surrounding them, they must have been defending against an ambush moments ago.

Had they come over sensing my energy?

‘Quite gutsy.’

Instead of staying low-key, they leaped right into the chaos.

I reluctantly recognized their tenacity.

I quickly memorized their faces.

If I were to kill them later, I’d try to spare them if I could.

Then, from here on.

“Listen closely.”

“What?”

“…Huh!”

As I projected my voice filled with intent, it resonated all around.

I amplified it as much as I could so everyone could hear.

“From now on, anyone who cannot handle their mind power, step back.”

A brief warning exploded forth.

There were intense reactions to my words.

“Mental power?”

“Does that mean something like Divine Sword Unity?”

For the sects, it might be the level of Elder at the very least; perhaps only a Sect Leader could barely reach it.

To embed one’s mental power within martial arts.

Only through the peak enlightenment of a lifetime, combined with exalted realms, could one even attempt it.

“If you can’t handle it, step back… That means….”

“You can handle it, can’t you…?”

Did So Yeomra have this capability?

Shockwaves of surprise bounced through the crowd. It seemed to matter more why I mentioned mind power than what had occurred.

“That’s not the main issue right now. If you can’t use it, there’s no point in being here, so step back if you can’t.”

The current situation was more critical than their reactions.

This was a trait discovered by the Pejon.

A White Grade Demon Beast cannot be harmed without the power of the mind.

How absurdly ridiculous is that trait?

‘Elder-level from renowned houses or martial clans. At least that’s the requirement.’

It was going too far.

Despite it all, I knew the conditions seemed absurd.

‘What can I do?’

If I’m told to do it, I guess I have to.

Arguing won’t change the situation.

‘Huff.’

I let out a sigh and loosened my body.

At the same time, glancing to the side, I spoke.

“You leave too.”

“…”

“Honestly, you never listen. What in the world are you doing here?”

As I frowned and spoke, Nangong Bi-ah flinched slightly.

By the way, why was she still wearing my clothes?

“I clearly told you this morning. Just stay put. Why don’t you listen?”

“…”

There was no reply.

She merely stared at me with her usual blank expression.

The emotions in her eyes were a mix of worry and a hint of anger.

Feelings she probably wouldn’t have recognized years ago but had started to show now.

“You know what that is, don’t you?”

“…What is that…?”

“…Huh?”

“…I don’t know what it is….”

Nangong Bi-ah’s eyes barely flickered.

At a glance, she seemed to frown.

“But… why do you know and I don’t…?”

“…”

Asking why she was the only one who didn’t know something most didn’t.

The question caught me off guard for a moment.

Her eyes trembled. Did she notice? Perhaps she had caught on.

“That’s….”

“…”

I momentarily stuttered as I searched for words.

“…You don’t have to say it… Just….”

Snatch!

Nangong Bi-ah had already drawn her sword.

“…Don’t say anything unnecessary….”

“…”

I wouldn’t pry, so she shouldn’t nag either.

That was a solid strategy.

‘Damn it.’

When did she get so clever?

I wondered if she had always been this articulate.

As I lost my words, struggling to find a reply, she interjected.

“Your niece is right. Yes, she’s completely right.”

A middle-aged man’s laughter echoed as he appeared from somewhere.

A handsome man with blue and white hair.

“…Gwaeseon.”

Master of Wudang, Nangong Hyeong.

He was Woo Hyeok’s master.

As I turned to face him, Nangong Hyeong waved his hand anxiously.

“I’ll say it in advance, but I’m just here to stop her. But my niece is quite stubborn, you see. Heh heh heh.”

What a pathetic excuse.

‘This guy couldn’t stop her.’

I had anticipated he wouldn’t come at all.

‘Woo Hyeok was easy to stop.’

Woo Hyeok was currently holed up in his residence.

Being a demon, I could dictate orders to keep him in place.

It’s not that I issued commands; rather, it was an amplified sense that he should remain in his residence to guard the Young Princess.

Just like that, one by one.

I attempted to prevent those around me from coming here.

I was sure of it.

“Just because you say that doesn’t mean it’ll actually work.”

The pressure around Nangong Bi-ah grew.

“You know the Prince is quite the villain, right?”

Tang Soyeol, visibly furious, chimed in. And.

“I anticipated this moment, so asking us to stay put is unreasonable.”

Wi Seol-Ah, bandaged around her chest, joined in too.

I had to have a serious talk when it came to Wi Seol-Ah.

“Others are one thing, but you shouldn’t be here.”

Wi Seol-Ah, bedridden after the duel with Shin Ryong.

She was said to have serious external and internal injuries and was meant to rest.

Though I spoke angrily.

“…How could I just lie here?”

Wi Seol-Ah looked at me and smiled.

“I can’t just do nothing, can I?”

‘This is maddening.’

I wanted to scream at them all to leave. To just go away and not interfere.

I yearned to yell and curse at them to leave.

But as I felt the winds howling.

“…Damn it.”

I didn’t even have the luxury for that kind of persuasion.

I immediately turned my head and focused myself.

Swoosh…

“What’s that, what’s that?!”

“…Is that a thread…!?”

Everyone around widened their eyes.

A white mass.

Somewhere resembling a cocoon started to emit threads, eventually taking shape.

Layer by layer it stacked up, intertwining and enhancing itself.

What was manifesting looked akin to….

‘Butterfly wings…?’

The appearance easily reminded one of butterfly wings.

It wasn’t huge. But, in proportion to the egg’s size, it was quite significant.

As I noted its emergence, I pondered.

‘Was catching it at first thought a failure?’

Seeing how far it had progressed, it seemed to lean that way.

Yet, I wasn’t disappointed.

‘It was expected anyway.’

I never believed it would be resolved so simply.

Thud.

The ring of the Technique of the Flame Wheel spun rapidly, heating up to extreme levels as my body began to come alive.

‘I need more time to understand it.’

What exactly is that thing?

I didn’t have enough time to confirm but.

‘For now, I’ll understand it while fighting.’

Now was my time to leap into action.

Whoosh-!

<Flame Burst—!!>

Draped in blue flames, just before I leapt.

I glanced back at the women watching me.

What should I say?

Tell them to stay back because it’s dangerous? No, that wouldn’t work.

They wouldn’t listen anyway.

Should I warn them to be careful or not to die? They’d just shove it aside.

How about saying to run if it gets dangerous while fighting? No, they wouldn’t heed that either.

In that case.

“I’ll say it once, so listen well.”

Only one conclusion remained.

“If you think you won’t be any help, step back. That’ll be the most helpful thing you can do.”

“…!”

“….”

“…Ugh.”

At the moment they heard my words, the expressions of the three women twisted simultaneously.

They understood it could be hurtful.

One, it was indeed the proper method.

As soon as I spat it out.

Thud-!!

I stamped my foot down, pressing against the ground, to accelerate.

‘If I can’t do it from a distance, I’ll try up close.’

In an instant, I closed the gap.

Feeling the rush, I created a Sacred Spear in my hand.

Though it was meant for throwing, this was undoubtedly more destructive.

Gripping the fully formed Sacred Spear with both hands, I thrust it forward with all my might.

Just before the spearhead met the mass.

Crack-!

“…Huh!?”

The mass moved, and a hand reached out to grasp my Sacred Spear.

That had to be a hand.

More resembling a beast’s paw than a human hand.

And that hand reached out to block my spear.

Seeing that, I released my strength.

Quickly judging the situation.

As I let go of the spear, I yanked back my body.

And exploded the Sacred Spear right where it was.

Boom—!!!

An explosion erupted, sending a shockwave throughout.

‘What the hell?’

I stepped back, watching the spectacle unfold.

Drip, drip.

Whether the explosion had taken effect, bits of debris began to rain from the hand that caught the spear.

That was fine.

But.

‘What the hell is that?’

Swish…

My gaze drifted from the hand back to the mass.

Tap.

Tap, tap.

Leaving the hand aside, the mass itself began to change.

Starting with the arm that first extended, arms were soon formed.

Through the torso, legs and then the tail.

Finally, a head appeared.

What that formed was something I had no idea how to describe.

As it walked on two legs, it made me think it might be human, yet the shape of its limbs and tail said otherwise.

Moreover, adorning its back were butterfly wings, and the face was….

‘…A goat’s face.’

It had the head of a goat or a mountain goat.

Its size was somewhat larger than before, as mentioned—still substantial, but compared to a dragon, it was far too small.

‘It’s nothing like the dragons I’ve seen.’

The dragons I encountered before had towered like hills, monumental in size.

What was this creature?

I didn’t know.

However.

Drenched in sweat, I wiped my brow.

One thing was definitive.

‘…This is dangerous.’

This creature was a significantly dangerous existence.

Eyes full of caution, I scrutinized it closely.

[…]

The newly awakened creature turned its head, scanning its surroundings.

It glanced at its hands, then began observing each individual around it.

After seeing everyone, before long, its gaze met mine.

“…”

[…]

The brief encounter lasted mere moments.

In terms of time, it was less than a shout.

That was enough.

“Everyone.”

The creature knew what it would do with that brief moment.

“…Prepare for combat.”

As I released a shout filled with intent.

[Ah.]

It let out a short sound.

[Ahhhhhhh—!!!!]

Then erupted into a thunderous roar.

The sound was filled with malevolence.

“AAARGH….”

“My ears…!”

Everyone instinctively covered their ears at the sudden burst.

Just the sound alone stirred the intent within me.

Surely the others realized it.

That this creature was no friendly being.

That it was the enemy we had to fight.

‘…This is bad.’

A smile crept up my lips. Just sensing that aura was enough to tell.

The odds did not look good.

It was reminiscent of the time I faced the emotionally devoid White Grade Demon Beast.

With the way things stood now, hunting it seemed impossible.

As I began to heighten the tension, I recalled my target.

‘It’s fine.’

It should be okay.

It might be a risk to try to hunt it.

But right now, my job wasn’t to hunt.

‘All I need to do is endure.’

If I couldn’t catch it initially, I could enact Plan B.

Endure against this creature as long as possible.

That was my second plan, and the one who would hunt it would not be me.

 

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