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Chapter 7: The Chaos Unleashed

Kwah-gah-gahk—!!

A gigantic entity invades Spirit Mountain. It was a monster with massive size and black skin enveloped in demon energy.

It referred to itself as Mang, a White Grade Demon Beast that originally hid beneath the North Sea, and it was once a dragon.

This was also the first White Grade Demon Beast I hunted after awakening Tam.

Such a creature, transformed into a demon beast by a summoning, charges at Duryeong.

While there were certainly other large demon beasts around, none could compare to its size.

One gesture, and a hill could vanish—that was to be expected.

Kraaah—!!!

The roar shakes the mountains. Mang howls and swings its mighty arm down at Duryeong.

“Huuh—!”

Kuwung—!

Duryeong emits a grunt, bracing himself to block the arm.

Kwaddu-ddak—!!!

The ground beneath Duryeong cracks, unable to withstand the weight. If we’re just comparing sizes, it’s logical to say Duryeong should lose this fight.

“How ridiculous—!”

Duryeong, as if unfazed, seizes the monster’s arm. Then—

Kwack—!

Mang’s body is lifted off the ground. Duryeong had actually picked it up with ease!

The sight was utterly unbelievable. He lifted that enormous body without a care.

“Huuh-!”

With a snort, he slams Mang back down onto the ground.

Kwaaaaah—!!!

The ground quakes. The huge tremor disrupts the formation of the battling demon beasts and monsters.

‘As expected.’

Even while witnessing it, I remained calm. I never truly believed Mang could win against Duryeong.

I simply wanted to check how much help it could be.

‘It’s confirmed.’

Both the entity with wings and Mang—

‘They’re definitely weaker compared to their original forms.’

The difference was clear. This version of Mang didn’t move quickly—it’s slower and appears weaker than before.

If that’s the case—

‘Does that mean it can’t tap into its original power?’

With the current state of the White Grade Demon Beasts, it seems unlikely they could stand alone after reaching transcendence.

‘Maybe summoning them isn’t necessary right now.’

That thought crossed my mind.

Grururu…!

Mang rises again, charging towards Duryeong. Just as Duryeong prepared to move his arm again—

Kwaduk—!

“……!!”

Suddenly, something bites down on Duryeong’s neck. It was the demon beast from earlier that had been rolling on the ground.

It had healed and charged at Duryeong once more.

Taking advantage of Duryeong’s brief pause, Mang swings its arm.

Kwaduk—!

Its gigantic fist plunges down onto Duryeong. Duryeong hastily blocks it with his axe, but his body still gets knocked up into the air.

As he rises towards the sky, Mang opens its mouth wide and lunges at him to swallow him whole.

Kwaduk—!!

Duryeong gets devoured alongside the demon beast.

Gulp.

I saw Mang’s neck move heavily.

‘Huh?’

Could it be? Is it really over? As I squinted in confusion—

Grururu…!

Mang lets out a crying sound.

At that moment.

Wuuuuuug—!!!

I felt vibrations from its belly. Seeing that, it wasn’t surprising.

There’s no way it would end like this.

I didn’t expect Duryeong to get swallowed so easily in such a fight, but of course it didn’t.

Wuuuuung—!!!!

Vibrations and immense heat radiate from Mang’s abdomen.

Just a short while later—

Woong—!

A red light glimmered from its belly.

Kwaaaah—!!!

Mang’s body exploded, scattering its flesh like fragments across the ground, which soon dissipated into energy, vanishing into the wind.

The dissipated energy returned to my body, and I felt it. That’s why the demon beast couldn’t hold on any longer.

Realizing Mang’s defeat, I looked at Duryeong.

“Kirrurru….”

He held the demon beast’s neck in one hand, gasping for breath.

“Khuh… Huh…,” he exhaled tiredly, and I could still see heat radiating from his shoulders.

Seeing that, I understood what had occurred.

‘He self-destructed.’

He concentrated the energy within himself and exploded as a medium.

Thanks to that, Mang’s body was shattered, but it also meant tremendous strain on his own body.

Even when being immortal, Duryeong looked exhausted now.

“Huh-Whew….”

As I observed the panting form, I snapped my fingers.

Snap-!

With that sound, the demon beast in his hand faded away.

Energy surged into my heart. I retracted it without needing to sustain it any longer.

This was enough.

Thanks to Duryeong, I could gauge the efficiency of the summoning and how to utilize it.

So—

“Now, it’s time to finish things.”

There was nothing more I was curious about.

With that thought, I leaped slightly.

Thunk.

I approached right in front of Duryeong. He seemed to anticipate my move, trying to swing the axe he was holding again.

“Stop.”

“…….!!”

His body froze in place.

Just before he moved, I employed my command with minimal rebound.

Confirming he was stiff, I opened my palm.

Ki-i-iing.

A ring spun within me.

Black heavens unfurled, blocking the sky. I executed Changcheon, heating up my body.

My loosened muscles tensed, increasing in intensity.

Ki-i-i-iing—!!!!

Friction commenced.

Chaos erupted as I raised my energy. Blood Qi expanded, accompanied by pain.

I concentrated the energy that coursed through my tingling body into my palm.

It resembled Flame Jade in appearance.

Within the neat black sphere, a flickering blue light danced.

A small cloud formed around the sphere that looked ready to burst with brilliant light.

“Kuhk—!”

Duryeong, sensing something amiss, forced his body to move. With his mouth being so powerful, I couldn’t hold him for long.

Thunk-!

A sensation of something breaking brushed past, and Duryeong’s restraints released.

He attempted to attack me, but—

“Explode.”

I was already prepared.

“Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade.”

Woong—!

Kyaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!

The energy screamed as it exploded. An astonishing destructive force erupted, the surroundings collapsing as energy soared into the sky.

A gigantic mushroom cloud engulfed Spirit Mountain.

*

Tut-dak.

Tut-dak.

Fragmented pieces fell amidst the swirling smoke. The wind blew, gradually clearing the obscuring haze.

A wide, deep crater had formed in the rocky ground.

The sizzling sound was the earth melting. The lingering heat had melted the rocks, resembling flowing lava.

Thick, murky lava surged into the crater, oozing out.

Amidst that grotesque scene, I stood at the center.

I stepped forward, trampling the slushy lava.

Chiik-.

As I stepped with my toes, I heard a melting sound. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Even with the energy wrapped around me, this is how it looks.’

It melted not my shoes, but the protective gear encircling me.

Considering it was created with my energy—

‘Does that mean this little fellow can’t even recognize its master?’

Was it due to the chaos in the name? That mad creature couldn’t even recognize its master.

Such absurd energy.

‘If mishandled, it could lead to disaster.’

While its destructive power is tremendous, it also indicates a high possibility of losing control and being swept away if I’m not careful.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and walked forward.

As I advanced, I noticed a particularly melted area, completely filled with lava.

The place where the Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade properly detonated.

There—

“The lifeline is long. You’re still clinging to life.”

“Kuheuhe….”

Duryeong knelt there, half of his upper body blown away, the bones exposed.

I couldn’t help but admire that. It’s impressive that only half of his upper body was destroyed.

‘This means he dodged somewhat amidst all that.’

It meant he focused on defending and evading even in such a crisis.

As I was marveling at that sight—

“You….”

Duryeong looked at his melting body, questioning me.

“What the hell… did you do?”

His powerless voice brimmed with bewilderment. It was only natural.

“Why….”

“Why aren’t you regenerating?”

His body wasn’t healing.

It was melting away, making his immortality seem futile.

The excruciating pain must be coursing through Duryeong’s body, yet he was filled more with confusion than pain.

In that case, I should answer his question.

“Of course.”

Walking towards him, I approached. Despite kneeling, his size still towered over me.

“I never permitted you to live.”

“……What?!”

“That means, without my permission, you cannot do anything. It’s the simple truth.”

As I said that with a smile, the expression on Duryeong’s face was something to behold.

Who knew a cow could make such a face?

Fascinated by it, I manipulated the energy.

The reason he couldn’t recover? It was undoubtedly thanks to Tam’s influence.

The Heavenly Demon Chaos Jade I used on him. I mixed in Tam’s powers during that summons.

‘So, this is how it can be used.’

It’s not merely released through abilities; it can also be used intertwined with martial arts.

It was a pleasant surprise, given that I had only attempted it out of curiosity.

Of course, I’d need to maintain it right after use, leading to a bit of fatigue, but—

The ability to use it is still significant.

“Grururu….”

With his body progressively burning due to the lack of regeneration, I heard a thud behind me.

Turning back, I saw the Heavenly Demon.

I questioned her.

“Is it over?”

“Yes.”

Examining her, there wasn’t a single wound on her body.

Her clothing was slightly torn and dusted, but other than that, she seemed perfectly fine.

‘Was my opponent that weak?’

Or was the Heavenly Demon just exceptionally strong?

Hiding my curiosity, I asked, “What about him?”

“Ah.”

Responding to my inquiry, the Heavenly Demon answered.

“I lost track of him.”

“…….”

“He was fast….”

Such a confident reply.

 

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