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Chapter 480: The Decayed Thing

A deep, dug pit.

Nahi, peering down, had to hold her breath.

It wasn’t just that the lake’s water had all drained away, but also that the being present there was the real problem.

‘No way, that can’t be him, right?’

Nahi’s brows knitted tightly.

The physical sensation felt different, and there were changes in appearance, but it didn’t take long for her to recognize it.

That person was none other than Gu Yangcheong, who had just thrown himself into the Poison Lake moments ago.

‘How?’

It was incomprehensible.

Not only was it strange that he was alive with no issues in that lake, but…

‘… Why does he look like that…?’

Gu Yangcheong’s appearance had transformed drastically from before.

Gone were the clothes, his height seemed even larger from afar, and his physique was much sturdier.

If he used to be sleek and somewhat slender…

Now he could easily be mistaken for a well-built young man.

‘And… he’s not alone.’

There was something next to him.

What was that? Nahi narrowed her eyes and concentrated her gaze.

Then, whatever was by Gu Yangcheong became clearer.

‘Demon… Beast?’

It was definitely not human in form, and no matter how she looked at it, it was a demon beast.

With blue scales, it must be a Blue Grade Demon Beast, right? Although, its color seemed a bit lighter.

It was closer to sky blue than deep blue.

As Nahi cautiously examined the demon beast…

Swish.

Its eyes turned towards her.

“…!”

Despite the distance, the demon beast seemed to sense her and stared directly at her.

Grrrrr—!

It snarled viciously, twisting its expression into a threatening grimace.

That growl sent shivers down Nahi’s spine without her even realizing it.

‘… What the hell?’

It was merely the threat of a Blue Grade Demon Beast.

There was no way an elite assassin like her would be afraid of something like this.

Yet she felt an unspeakable wariness and swallowed nervously.

What was going on with Gu Yangcheong, and what the heck was that thing next to him?

As Nahi was wrapped in bewilderment and confusion, watching the situation unfold…

“… Huh…!”

She had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle her reaction.

A sudden anomaly appeared that was anything but normal.

Crack—!

Changes began to manifest in Gu Yangcheong’s physical form.

His body was twitching slightly, and then…

‘Is he… getting smaller?’

His height decreased, and he shrank in stature.

To say he shrank might be a bit misleading, as he was simply reverting to the form he was in right before jumping into the lake.

Whether his expanded form was real or this diminished one was the real deal remained unclear.

Whatever the case, it was an event that shouldn’t happen so easily.

Realizing this, Nahi intended to turn away.

Something was off. That figure was definitely not right.

She had to run. Nahi’s instincts screamed at her.

But…

‘… Where to?’

Where should she go?

To the Poison King? Or to Tang Deok?

Either way posed a problem, but for now, Nahi decided to move.

Getting out of this place was her priority.

Just then…

“Where are you going?”

“–!!!”

Someone appeared in front of Nahi, speaking in a pleasantly surprised voice.

Was it because of her days as an assassin that Nahi barely managed to suppress a scream?

Standing in her way was none other than Gu Yangcheong, who had just been in the pit.

“What’s your rush?”

Gu Yangcheong looked at her, grinning widely as if something good had happened to him.

Nahi felt more frightened by that smile.

It wasn’t just because of his appearance.

‘Something… something is different.’

The atmosphere surrounding Gu Yangcheong felt so different from before.

It wasn’t easy to put into words.

How should she put it?

There was a sense of overwhelming intimidation that made her want to kneel unexpectedly.

“I can’t recall clearly, but…”

Step.

Gu Yangcheong took a step closer.

Nahi tried to step back, but she couldn’t even do that.

Her legs felt like they were petrified and wouldn’t move at all.

“Surely I warned you that it would be best not to think about running away, didn’t I?”

“…”

“I’m really asking because I don’t remember.”

He had said that running away was perfectly fine.

But the gaze and energy that had been directed at her at that time suggested otherwise.

It was as if he’d rip off her legs if she tried.

Gu Yangcheong’s gaze whispered those words to her, and it felt the same even now.

As if reading the expression on her face, Gu Yangcheong asked,

“But why did you run away?”

“… Y-you… W-what… is your identity?”

Crushed by fear, Nahi could hardly get the words out.

Having lived as an assassin, it was her first time feeling such overwhelming confusion.

Upon hearing Nahi’s question, Gu Yangcheong’s lips curled up.

“Identity, you say.”

At once…

“Ugh.”

Nahi’s vision wavered.

“Indeed.”

Gu Yangcheong seized her neck and lifted her up.

“Now I don’t even know. I’m just trying to slowly figure it out.”

“Gah…!”

Did he intend to kill her?

He likely did.

He didn’t seem like the type to let someone who had discovered his secret live.

‘Is this… how I’m going to die?’

Death was closing in.

As waves of fear surged within her, Nahi’s whole body began to tremble.

Death wasn’t terrifying to her.

It wasn’t the fear of dying that made her anxious.

What frightened her was the idea of leaving this world without having accomplished anything.

To say goodbye to this land hopelessly and uselessly… that was terrifying.

To just die without having done anything…

“Please… I-I want to live…!”

Her voice broke through the pressure she felt around her neck and the suffocating fear.

Hearing that, Gu Yangcheong tilted his head slightly.

“How fascinating. I didn’t think you’d be the type to beg for your life.”

“I… can’t… die… like this…”

“Shut up.”

“…!”

Woosh—!

A chilling aura pierced through Nahi’s body.

Was it killing intent? No, it felt somewhat different from that.

“Your whining is annoying. Keep your mouth shut, I’m not planning to kill you.”

But contrary to his words, his actions remained unwavering.

The pressure in the hand gripping her throat was still there.

The look in his eyes as he regarded her hadn’t changed either.

It was like looking at a bug.

Moreover, a dark gaze that seemed not to treat her as a living being at all.

“Why would I kill you?”

His voice seemed to hold a smile, yet it burrowed chillingly into Nahi’s ears.

“I was meaning to test whether this would work on you or not. You’re a perfect experimental subject.”

Experimental subject.

The mere mention of the word churned Nahi’s insides.

She felt a chill run down her spine.

What did he intend to do with her?

Nahi’s question didn’t linger long.

Suuuuuuu…

“… Ugh… gah….”

From the tips of the hand gripping her neck, an unknown energy began to invade Nahi’s body.

It was hot.

A heat that felt maddeningly intense.

Moreover, as the energy coursed through, it felt as if thorns were piercing through her blood essence.

With each pulse of energy, she felt wounds forming within her body.

“Gah… ha… Aaaah!!”

Having lived as an assassin, Nahi was accustomed to torture and pain, yet she couldn’t suppress her scream.

It was a clear sign of just how unbearable the pain was.

Gradually, the energy dug deeper into her Lower Dantian.

Kooook—!

As the energy coiled tightly within her…

Boom—!

Nahi felt something bind tightly around her heart.

Then, immense agony struck Nahi’s head like a thunderclap.

Kwang—!

With a strangled scream, Nahi rolled her eyes back and lost consciousness.

Swuuuuu…

With seemingly no strength left, Nahi crumpled to the floor.

“Mm.”

Gu Yangcheong observed her condition, inspecting her thoroughly.

“She’s not dead.”

Seeing the demonic energy properly tangled within Nahi, he nodded in satisfaction.

Fortunately, it seemed the demon energy was functioning as intended.

After confirming this,

Whoosh.

Thump—!

He casually tossed Nahi aside, discarding her like an afterthought.

The unconscious Nahi sprawled helplessly on the ground.

Thump thump.

Afterward, Gu Yangcheong wiped his hands off nonchalantly.

He felt as if he had touched something he shouldn’t have.

In that moment, Gu Yangcheong wasn’t thinking of the woman who lay there, name forgotten.

But rather, he contemplated the important individuals in his life.

The recipe for the Poison Heavenly Pill swirling in his mind.

And how to utilize it effectively.

That Nahi, transformed into a demon through his magic?

Such a thing hardly piqued his interest.

Not the slightest.

 

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