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A blazing sphere floating in the sky.

The secret martial art of the Gu Clan formed with my energy. I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the Flame Wheel Sun.

Then, I looked down at Yusa, who was rolling on the ground in the distance.

‘What the…?’

The power was different. Just a moment ago, I had felt that my attacks were somewhat ineffective and cumbersome.

The speed at which I extended my arm and the force contained within it had drastically changed.

Rustle.

My tail moved. I already had some sense of it, but it was now a clarity several times sharper than when it was created through sorcery.

‘…This.’

It was certain.

‘My body has suddenly changed.’

The body of the Moon Night Clan.

The blessing of the race that is received when the moon rises.

I felt an extremely strengthened physique and heightened senses.

‘What is going on?’

Suddenly, what happened? To fully utilize the characteristics of the Moon Night Clan, at least half a moment must pass now.

Strangely, my body was in a state that had awakened the Moon Night Clan’s traits.

‘Is this for real?’

I looked back at the Flame Wheel Sun.

If there was a point of change, it definitely was that. Soon after activating the Flame Wheel Sun, my body underwent this transformation.

‘…Why?’

What on earth could be the reason?

While a flood of questions filled my mind, this was not the time to ponder them.

“Grrr—!!”

Thud—!

Yusa, having flown away, began to rise, breathing heavily. Pain was clearly written on his face.

“This scoundrel… cough—!”

Had I hit his solar plexus properly? He was bleeding.

The blood flowing from his mouth stained the ground.

“Malicious fiend… luring me into carelessness…”

“……”

That wasn’t exactly the case. It could indeed appear that way given the circumstances.

It’s not like I was hiding my strength or anything.

However.

As I watched Yusa struggle to rise with great difficulty, a thought about the anomaly crossed my mind.

‘He hasn’t become stronger.’

While my body had awakened the traits of the Moon Night Clan.

It seemed that Yusa had not.

‘If he had changed, he wouldn’t have been hit so easily.’

The fact that he was knocked back after receiving a blow to his solar plexus.

And now, here he was, staggering to his feet.

His body presumably still hadn’t welcomed the night.

Then.

‘…It means I’m the only one who has changed.’

I looked at the Flame Wheel Sun, considering the situation.

‘…What is the reason?’

I had merely unleashed a technique.

Although it resembled the moon, the Flame Wheel Sun was different from the moon. If we were to nitpick, it was more accurate to see it as the sun, having gathered heat.

‘Hmm.’

Examining the situation, I rubbed my chin under the mask.

Though I didn’t fully understand the situation, there was only one conclusion it led to.

‘I can use it.’

And Yusa cannot.

That was crucial right now.

I moved my body. Taking a step forward, I appeared right in front of Yusa.

His eyes widened as he looked at me. He tried to move urgently.

Squeeze—!

My hand had already seized his wrist.

Restraining him so he couldn’t create distance, I struck his solar plexus with my other hand.

Bang—!!

“Ugh!”

The impact lifted his body. Unfortunately, he wasn’t going to fly away.

My grip on his arm prevented that.

I continued to strike him mercilessly.

Bam—! Bam bam—!!

As sounds resembling something breaking filled the air, the barrage began.

Unlike before when he managed to defend and evade, now he was completely disoriented.

“Cough!”

He could offer no resistance as I dismantled every one of his movements. The increased speed and grip strength enabled me to accomplish things he couldn’t counter.

This significantly contributed to pummeling Yusa.

After some time spent delivering the onslaught.

Hooow—!!

I gathered flames in the palm of my hand and formed the Flame Jade. I then shoved it directly into his solar plexus, causing an explosion as I released my hold.

“Gah—!”

Kuwaaaaaang—!!!

Yusa, engulfed in flames, was sent flying into the air from the impact.

Rumble rumble rumble—!!!

He soared backward, smashing into the ground below.

The speed at which he flew was so rapid that I heard a scream in passing.

He was sent off at breakneck speed.

‘Hmm.’

Should I get closer? As that thought crossed my mind.

“This brat…!”

The sound drew nearer.

Yusa, who had been sent flying, quickly reappeared.

It was quite remarkable that he returned so swiftly. However, the form he revealed wasn’t pretty at all.

‘It seems my attack was effective.’

The Flame Jade that I had embedded into his solar plexus. It seemed to have penetrated deeply as the area impacted had a deep gouge.

While it hadn’t pierced clean through, the aftermath was certainly severe.

His upper body was soaked in blood, with his bones visible through it.

If he had been human, he would have surely been dead by now.

“…You’re looking down on me?”

Yusa hadn’t died; instead, he was burning with anger.

What was grotesque was the fact that, responding to this, his wounded body was rapidly regenerating.

“I like your momentum, but…”

I spoke while hiding my astonishment at the sight.

“You’re still nothing but a clown, General. Is that all you’ve got?”

“Grrr…”

Yusa grimaced at my taunt.

At that moment, all the wounds on his body healed completely.

“You arrogant fool.”

Long claws sprouted from his outstretched hand. Simultaneously, a surge of Qi erupted.

“It seems like you’re the only one who hasn’t shown your strength?”

He pouted, seemingly suggesting that he hadn’t fought seriously himself.

I could tell at a glance. Given those claws and the Qi, it was clear he had been holding back.

‘This is ridiculous.’

How could he keep such power hidden when the moon hadn’t even risen yet?

If so.

‘What happens if he receives a blessing?’

If he were to receive blessings in that state, just how far would Yusa’s power escalate?

At this point, it was more terrifying than it was interesting.

‘How foolish I was to mess with someone like that.’

It was astonishing how I had been running around blindly, believing in the power of light without knowing better.

As I recalled this and caught my breath.

“Quack quack….”

Yusa suddenly burst into laughter. What’s this? Why suddenly laugh?

As I tilted my head in confusion.

“At first, I found it strange, but now I’m certain.”

His eyes bore the look of someone who had figured something out.

What was this? Could it be…

‘Has he recognized my identity?’

Wearing a mask and using an arcane translation technique, could he truly ascertain my identity?

I didn’t think it was possible, but his reaction was so distinct that a fleeting anxiety washed over me.

“You.”

Yusa pointed at me with his finger.

“You can’t use the light.”

“……Huh?”

At his sudden accusation, I found myself stiffening.

“It’s been odd from the start. I wondered why you weren’t using it… But you can’t use it, can you? Right?”

“……”

“If you had used it from the beginning, this would have ended swiftly. There must be some kind of condition involved, right? What could it be? Could it be… the night? Is it because the moon hasn’t risen yet? Am I correct?”

Yusa continued to speak to me, his tone exuberant.

His chattering voice was laden with an air of confidence that was unmistakable.

What now?

‘What should I do about this brat?’

I was quite thankful that I was wearing a mask. If I hadn’t, he would’ve caught me smiling.

I had been deliberately not using my strength. It seemed he had misinterpreted that.

He concluded that there must be some condition involved, hence my inability to use it.

“…It seems you’re quite perceptive. I’ll compliment you on that.”

I barely managed to suppress a smile as I replied. His grin only grew wider.

“Keheh… So that’s how it is…”

His laughter was grating to my ears.

“General, does knowing that change anything?”

I can only use the light after nightfall. What difference does it make if he realizes that?

“Nothing will change.”

Crack—!

I released my grip and reignited the flames.

As I observed Yusa’s reaction, preparing to charge at him again.

“Well, is that really true?”

Yusa spat those words and sharpened his claws that he had just withdrawn.

Thud—!

“…What?”

In one swift motion, he plunged the claw deep into his chest.

Precisely where his heart was located.

Is he trying to commit suicide all of a sudden?

“Puhah—!”

Blood erupted from his lips.

Naturally, blood also flowed from the claw embedded in his chest.

As I frowned and furrowed my brows beneath the mask while watching that.

“Grrr…”

Grrr.

With a low cry, Yusa’s body began to transform.

Especially, the writhing massive tail was strange.

I hadn’t noticed, but he now had two tails, and hair was sprouting from his skin.

That’s…

‘Just like Gu Bong.’

It was akin to when Gu Bong transformed into a Beast Human under the moonlight.

‘…Rougher than the White Chief.’

It felt far more rugged than the form shown by the White Chief at night.

Cold sweat broke out on my back at the sight of his transformation.

In terms of size, the White Chief was larger. However.

‘The presence is on a different level.’

It could not be gauged by mere size. The aura emanating from Yusa right now was not something one could judge by outward appearances.

I instinctively glanced down at my feet to check his shadow.

As I did, my eyes widened in surprise.

The enormous shadow that had belonged to Yusa had shrunk considerably.

‘He has changed.’

It resembled more of an appearance perhaps fitting for a human. It was as if the silhouette had flipped.

“Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!”

The growl that reverberated from the shadow now emanated directly from his form.

Slam—!

As he swung his two tails against the ground, I could see the floor crumbling beneath it.

A beast.

Among beasts… Hmm…

‘What should I even call that…?’

I had no idea. At a glance, it could resemble a bear.

Or maybe a lion or tiger.

It might also look like a dog or a wolf.

While the White Chief’s image could be clearly identified as a tiger, Yusa was far less distinguishable.

Just a beast.

Or perhaps a monster.

That’s all I could simplify it down to.

“How long has it been since I revealed my true form…?”

Yusa’s deep, rough voice filled the space.

“You called me a Heavenly Demon, huh? You’d do well to be grateful. There are very few who have seen me like this.”

Kughuk.

As he hunched down, the ground beneath him crumbled.

“I believe the last time was when a nauseating traitor fled. It should be about a hundred years now, right? Well, it must be around that time.”

A nauseating traitor. Those words perked my ears.

He seemed to be referencing Shin Noya.

“I’m getting hungry.”

His tail flicked for a moment.

At that moment.

“I shall satiate this hunger with you!”

Kuwaaah—!!

His enormous body charged at me, baring his fangs.

“Hmm.”

His gaping maw drew closer.

Watching that, I couldn’t help but let out a breath, feeling a bit disappointed.

It seemed that…

‘This won’t do.’

Looking at him, I realized it was impossible to overcome him in this state.

Deciding this, I began to channel power into my heart.

Flame Burst—!!!

A ring of flames formed behind me, and it began to revolve as if it were waiting for my command.

Blood Qi burst forth.

Heat enveloped my body.

I knew without experience.

“Extreme Gu Flame Mountain (Gu Yeomgeuk Taesan Oh-hyeong).”

Just as my father had demonstrated back in the North Sea.

“Extreme Gu Yeomtaeyarang.”

I too.

Let forth the calamity into the world through my fingertips.

Kuwaaaaaaaah—!!!!

A blue inferno wrapped around Yusa.

 

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