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Chapter 7: The Startling Transformation

“Kwaaa—!!!”

A massive blue light bursts forth like a colossal pillar.

Its size dwarfs the pit I had created.

“Kugugugung–!!!”

The ground violently shakes. The vibrations are so intense I can barely stand without using my energy.

“Ugh.”

I barely manage to land after being bounced by the shock.

Still, the pressure is pushing me back.

Crack.

My foot slides, leaving marks on the floor.

I grimace and focus my energy into my body.

Bam-!!!

Finally, I can stop moving as the ground cracks under my weight.

I reach out.

Whoosh-!!

Energy erupts from my fingertips, wrapping around Yarang beside me.

I hold her firmly.

Yarang, captured in my grip, looks over at me.

Even with the mask on, her gaze is clear.

Though her expression is hidden as if she were a treasure, her eyes shine through.

I can’t tell what emotion she’s feeling, but at least it’s not hostility.

That’s a relief.

As that thought crosses my mind, I push it away.

It wasn’t something I needed to dwell on right now.

‘What should I do about this situation?’

Before me stands the insane pillar. I can’t help but gasp in disbelief.

‘What on earth is that?’

It’s clear something is amiss just by looking at it, and my instincts scream the same.

The problem is—

‘The feeling is even worse.’

What is this vast energy?

It’s not just a large energy.

‘It’s pure vitality.’

The column of energy is entirely composed of life force. The innate vitality that living beings possess.

It’s a form that has been distilled and condensed.

It’s overwhelmingly terrifying. I’ve never encountered such raw vitality before. What kind of energy is that?

In truth, there’s no need to think too hard about it. Haven’t I already seen where such vitality comes from?

‘Crystals.’

The vitality escaping from the crystals. It accumulated in the void and then poured into that being.

‘Those crystals….’

The life forces I sensed since arriving.

They were the crystals stacked throughout this mysterious ash-gray space. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on them.

‘The ones inside were alive.’

They were made of crystal, but the living beings inside were still breathing.

They must have been trapped, unable to die, right inside those crystals.

It’s horrific.

How could they survive in such a state?

‘Did that creature do this?’

The last general, known as a crow.

It seems like he has been trying to do something without my mother knowing. Unexpected consequences forced him to act quickly.

‘What on earth is that?’

Was that pillar the result of his actions?

What kind of nonsensical statement is that?

Siiiiiiiiii—!!!!

The relentless energy pours forth. It’s filled with vitality, sacred though I know how it was formed, it feels ominous.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

I can’t afford to dwell on such feelings. If I feel it, I must act.

If I leave it be, it will spell my doom.

I instinctively understand that.

Craack.

I push my energy through the crushing wind.

I launch a fist forward, sending flames shooting out.

Flap-!!

To my amusement, the flames are repelled by the energy.

“Huh?”

What the hell? Why did it bounce off?

It’s absurd. As I stare at it in disbelief.

Pull.

Someone grabs my collar. Looking over, it’s naturally Yarang.

She points to her sword with her hand.

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

In that moment.

Fwooosh-!

Pama’s energy envelops her sword.

“…!”

I realize what she’s indicating. Am I supposed to use Pama?

At the same time, questions flood my mind.

“How do you know I can use Pama?”

I want to ask her, but the situation doesn’t allow it.

Putting my questions aside, I focus my strength into my heart.

Whirr-!!!

Immediately, flames engulf my body. I grasp the flames that lick at my shoulders.

Then, I resonate deeply within my heart.

Then.

Whack-!

The color of the flames changes. No, it’s more like the shell I was wearing is shedding, with blue fading away, leaving only white behind.

Pama (破魔).

The peculiar energy that destroys evil. Pama’s flames twist around my hand.

I grasp the White Flame and directly channel my energy.

Whoooosh-!

The ring floating behind me has long since changed color as well.

Keeeyiiing–!!

I pour energy into the now altered ring, and it starts to spin wildly. The ashes erupt as the White Flame swirls around.

Thus, I reshaped the form of the fire.

From Flame Jade to Sacred Spear.

Though it was my first time trying it with White Flame, it wasn’t that hard. I only felt a slight discomfort in my heart. Other than that, I was fine.

Grasping the newly formed Flame Jade Sacred Spear.

Kwaaa—!!!

Yarang also seems ready, gathering light around her sword.

Seeing this, I twist my waist. Yarang, as if waiting for me, moves her sword.

A blinding white flash slices through the air.

The sword strike and Sacred Spear rush toward the pillar.

Though the pressure diminished slightly, it was still fierce. The energy poured out unrestrained, barely holding back.

With that, the energy surged toward the light.

Then.

Boom-!

With a small noise.

Kuuuuuuuuuuung—!!!!!

An explosion erupts. The pillar shatters and disperses. The downward energy breaks apart and soars back into the air.

Mushroom clouds rise.

A mushroom cloud of vitality and white energy intermingles. I squint, observing it.

Not yet.

‘What about him?’

Pama is consumed. The energy has been cut off, but still, I can sense it.

‘He’s still there.’

Although the energy erupted and impacted, I can tell.

‘He’s not dead.’

That wretch hasn’t died. Instead.

‘What is this feeling?’

The ominousness intensifies. Hairs on my arms stand on end. An inexplicable discomfort rises.

Hooof.

The smoke dissipates. This was my doing.

I waved my hand, conjuring wind to clear it away. I needed to see ahead.

No matter how much I strained my eyes, I couldn’t see through the smoke.

As the smoke cleared, I gazed upon what lay there.

“…What is that?”

Something was there.

Thud.

A being breaks through its shell and rises.

It has the form of a human, but its skin is unnaturally white, and it possesses three pairs of wings upon its back.

Is that a crow?

Is that truly a crow? It looks far different from the first time I saw it.

What is that?

‘Is it a living being?’

Does it breathe and exist? I’m left utterly baffled.

Its long hair cascades, swirling on the ground.

The creature rises gradually.

Whack-!

Three pairs of wings reveal an enormous body.

It tilts its head and from beneath its hair, those eyes meet mine.

Blue.

Bright, bright blue eyes.

The sky is reflected in them.

Chill-!

“…!”

I feel the shivers. The moment our eyes lock, my whole body trembles.

What is that presence? It feels like I’m gazing at the sky.

An unfathomable being gazes at me, something beyond the limits of understanding.

And then.

“How repulsive.”

The creature speaks. It’s strange. Though it’s speaking, its voice seems to descend from above.

“How can you penetrate the blessings of the gods? That’s puzzling.”

Swoosh.

Its feet shift.

Stepping backward.

The instincts of what was once human scream at me. To run away immediately.

The dragon’s instincts urge me. To devour it whole.

Facing an incomprehensible being inspires fear, and as the dragon commands, I’m torn between both reactions.

Whatever this is, both experiences of face-to-face encounters remain equally absurd.

“You’ve obtained not even half. What a pity. But……”

The entity fades from view. The moment I notice it, my body moves.

“This alone is sufficient. How does it feel?”

It appears right before me.

“How does it feel to face a truly great being?”

“……”

Those blue eyes speak to me. I bite my lips. I am certain.

‘I cannot win.’

This cannot be won.

I can’t even sense energy or its presence. What little I do feel is simply shallow vitality.

I grip my arms tight. The instincts of a dragon drive me into a frenzy. It urging me to sink my fangs into its neck.

‘Damn it. Just hold still.’

I force myself to stop.

“What are you?”

I challenge it to answer.

“Hah.”

Upon my words, it lets out a derisive chuckle.

“You dare approach me, yet don’t cower. Now that deserves praise.”

It wears a thick smirk.

“Who am I, you ask?”

To my question, it responds.

“I am, indeed. The new master of Mankye sent by the heavens.”

“What kind of insane nonsense is this?”

The new master of Mankye? What a phrase I have never heard before.

Suddenly the new master? What a nonsensical statement.

As I look at it in confusion, it continues.

“It matters not if you do not understand.”

Its eyes curve into a crescent shape.

“It’s something you need not know.”

Hearing this, a wound stirs unexpectedly. While it was an instinctual reaction to the chill.

Swoosh.

Before I know it, its fingertips have already pierced through my shoulder.

It’s too late. I can’t keep up with the speed.

If this continues, my upper body will be torn apart. Instincts of crisis widen my eyes, and then something rushes toward me.

Fwoosh-!

The body that intervenes pushes me back.

Swoosh-!!

It absorbs the blow meant for me.

It was Yarang.

“Ugh?”

Yarang collapses.

Thud.

The black mask that had covered her face falls.

It rolls on the ground, revealing her face to the world once more.

A familiar face.

One I had longed to see.

“……”

Such a face lies helplessly crumpled on the ground.

Lying there, she remains still.

“Ah.”

Ah.

A gasp escapes my lips.

And from that moment, something in my mind snaps.

 

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