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Chapter 7: The Ruins of Chaos

Psssss!

Debris is falling.

Fragments were continuously dropping from the sky, and the dust in the air seemed to be doubly thick compared to usual.

The once bright sky had turned gloomy, with clouds gathering to cover even the little light that remained.

Krrrrng-! Krrrrng!!

Thunder Qi was seeping through the gathered clouds.

The unsettling sky captured my attention first.

The once lush green fields were engulfed in flames, a suffocating smell of smoke filling the air.

The once vibrant forest, a symbol of vitality, had vanished entirely from sight.

What could have possibly happened?

I couldn’t understand.

Psssss!

Amidst the severely burned debris, someone staggered to their feet. A figure, buried in the dirt, was barely managing to rise.

“Grrr…”

The one rising, shedding blood, was none other than a turtle.

“Cough… cough…”

As the exhausted turtle struggled to stand up, something suddenly flew through the air and struck it.

Thwomp-!!

“……!!”

The turtle couldn’t even scream and got pinned to the ground once more.

“How repulsive.”

The owner of the spear hurled at the turtle unfolded his wings and approached.

“Is this what it means to meet the end of a master who has lost their name? Such futility.”

Despite the tone laced with pity, there was a sneer on his lips.

“I have always wondered how the Master of Mankye could accept another world’s master. Now I finally understand.”

“Grrr… urgh.”

“So now that you’re so insignificant, it seems there’s no need to concern myself with you anymore. Isn’t that right?”

At the man’s words, the turtle bled in pain. Even so, the staff began to emit a radiant light.

Krrrrng-!!

A bolt of lightning descended from the sky onto the man.

Krrrllrrrng–!!!

A tremendous bolt of lightning struck the man, yet—

“Tch.”

The man clicked his tongue, unharmed in the slightest.

“Such a pointless struggle. You surely know that without divine status, you cannot close the distance of power.”

The man spoke while extending his hand, pulling out the spear that was lodged in the turtle.

“Cough!”

He gripped the blood-soaked spear and chuckled as he looked at the turtle.

“Did you call me a fool? So what has changed?”

Even if he had risen to a higher tier, it didn’t change his situation. After all, no one had the power to touch him.

“Grrr… groan…”

The turtle, exhausted and bleeding, looked up at the man.

It gazed into the man’s blue eyes, silently asking,

“What is your… purpose?”

“Isn’t your question a bit too late? It’s quite a tardy inquiry.”

Kukuk.

The man stifled a laugh as he continued.

“The heavens are looking upon Mankye. That is the purpose.”

“Heavens… ha…”

Upon hearing the response, the turtle finally understood.

“It’s Taechon.”

Kugung.

At those words, an aura burst forth from the man’s body.

“Do not speak carelessly. You are in no position to mention such a being.”

“……That wretched one is finally bringing forth their concealed fangs.”

Hehe.

This time, the turtle laughed.

“What a pitiful child. Do you genuinely believe you are serving Taechon’s will? You are mistaken.”

Staggering, the turtle lifted its body, using its staff as a lever.

“You are merely a pawn as well.”

“Perhaps.”

Swish—!

Feathers burst forth, floating around the man. The white feathers danced gracefully before transforming into spears in no time.

“As I mentioned before— what changes will this bring? I have grown so great by listening to that person’s words.”

“……Do you see that as greatness? You know not what it means to become a master.”

“That is something I will gradually come to understand. How amusing it is that someone who has lost their status is advising me.”

“……”

“All I’m curious about is what resides in that place called Hwasan, what could possibly be contained within that the heavens have commanded me to acquire.”

It was through observing the nameless master before him that he gained this realization.

Though he did not know what lay within,

“Looks like something exists there. After all, you’re guarding it, right?”

“……”

Wrecked beyond recognition, barely clinging to life by the grace of Mankye, the man was using his meager strength for something to protect.

That simple fact was sufficient for him.

“Impressive.”

I’ll give credit where it’s due.

“To exhibit this level of power even after losing your name.”

Not even the eyes granted by the heavens could penetrate this.

What on earth could be so significant that it would elicit such effort from him?

“I can’t resist my curiosity.”

I must discover it, resolved the man as he reached out his hand.

In that instant.

Kiiing.

Countless spear tips soared forward.

“Grrr…”

Seeing this, the turtle tried to lift its staff again but, exhausted, it ultimately couldn’t raise its arm.

“Shower down!”

Schwaaaaaa—!!!!!

Spears rained down like a deluge.

Kugugugugu—!!!!

Countless spears were fired forth at once, creating a collision as if a wall existed where only the fields had once been.

Kwagagagaga—!!!

The continuous impacts kept rolling on. Time was scant to alleviate it, and the man still had strength left.

He tore through it all. With that thought alone, he kept unleashing the barrage of spear tips.

When he reached that point—

Chik—!

A sound of something tearing rang out.

Schwaaaaa—!!!

The barrier that maintained its form peeled away in an instant.

Seeing it, the man finally raised his hand. The ongoing barrage of spears ceased.

Where the barrier had vanished, an entirely different world lay within.

“Oh, I see.”

The man grasped the situation upon witnessing it.

“It wasn’t hidden. It was created.”

It wasn’t merely a cover to mislead the eyes. It was fundamentally different from the ashen space bestowed by Taechon.

This was the creation of a complete space.

Or perhaps it had borrowed a space that might exist somewhere.

Though he didn’t know how it was connected to this place, given who had created it, the man could grasp it.

“The master of sorcery.”

Or perhaps the king of sorcery.

Known by the name of Juyoung (注嶺).

A being that existed in the heavens of one world, having experienced a series of events which led to losing all, even their name.

He had heard that they had come to Mankye and were residing somewhere, but as the master of Mankye had cautioned against seeking it out, he was left unaware of their existence.

“So they were playing house in this place.”

How amusing to think that such a being had taken refuge in Hwasan.

He couldn’t suppress a smile.

Ssssss……

As the barrier completely vanished, the interior became visible.

Though it connected to another space, the scene inside was wholly intact.

Indicators of presence were abundant, with distant decorated villages. And then—

“Hahaha. So that’s what you were hiding.”

In the distance, easy to spot despite the long distance, was an enormous tree.

A divine tree, spreading scarlet leaves, possibly bearing some unknown seed.

That’s it.

That’s what it is.

“How can it be so vast?”

The size of the divine tree stemmed from the presence of its possessor. As his status had risen, the surrounding trees would have likely grown considerably larger too.

Hence, it became noticeably prominent. But it didn’t matter. After all, he had absorbed all the energy radiating from the tree.

The Master of Mankye might have sensed it, but—

“Who knows.”

The master would be unable to move. It was clear he was using all his strength to seal the crack of the Abyss.

Knowing this, the man moved for action.

“Heavenly one.”

His own tree was large too, yet—

What on earth could that tree be? What kind of divine tree could be so enormous?

While confusion bubbled within, he felt his mouth watering.

“If I can obtain that.”

If he could embrace that divine tree, he could finally fill the void in his capacity and reach new heights.

With that thought in mind, the man ultimately raised his hand toward the void.

“……So, you intend to cross the line.”

The turtle’s voice rang out. The man spoke without looking at the turtle.

“Line? There was never such a thing.”

If he had considered such things, he should never have embarked on this journey in the first place.

In response to that, the turtle, in a tired voice, asked,

“……So you’re not afraid.”

“Afraid?”

What could possibly instill fear? The man glanced briefly at the turtle.

“Are you referring to the Master of Mankye? If so, do not worry. She cannot come here…”

“That’s not it.”

“What?”

The turtle interrupted the man.

Not the master? Then what was he supposed to fear?

As he looked at the turtle with a perplexed expression,

“The one who is likely having a good sleep right now… probably woke up due to what just happened.”

“What on earth…?”

Words he had no way to comprehend. Was he trying to stall for time?

But stretching it wouldn’t change anything.

“What are you trying to say…!”

Ignoring that, as he was about to attempt his purpose again, the man suddenly turned his head in shock.

“What…?”

With trembling eyes, he stared ahead.

From afar, the colossal divine tree. Something was approaching from that unimaginable size.

At first, it seemed like the presence of the tree itself, but as it drew nearer, it became clear that wasn’t the case.

Startled by the sight, another figure emerged.

Step by step.

Using the air like a pathway, someone was walking toward him.

“You…”

He recognized who it was.

A being he had seen several times, basked in the grace of Mankye. Once labeled a general, he had vanished, having taken with him the seed of the divine tree, and was the one who had established the ridiculous Hwasan Sect.

An elder, donned in white martial robes with flower petal embroidery on the chest.

Neither the Illusion of Moonlight nor someone banished from another world.

Thus, a stranger.

One who was not welcomed anywhere, hence the title.

“You…”

The man broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of the elder.

Something felt off.

“What on earth.”

Why did he seem so strong? It was clear to him now, things he hadn’t realized before were evident now that his status had risen.

That couldn’t be. It made no sense for a stranger who hadn’t risen in status to appear so formidable.

As doubts rippled through his mind, the elder spoke up.

“What a surprise.”

The elder smiled as if he were merely tired.

“I was just trying to take a nap, and yet it’s so noisy…”

In that instant.

“How annoying.”

Chwaak!

“What?”

With a sharp sound, the man looked down.

His body had been severed in half.

Without him even realizing it.

 

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