---

Chapter 7: The Flaming Dance of Chaos

“Kwaaaaaaaah–!!!”

A sea of flames swept across the ground. It was a staggering amount of Blue Flame.

“Kwadek–!!”

The power within the flames was so strong that it left craters in its wake.

There was no attempt at control whatsoever.

I poured every ounce of strength I had into it.

I knew. The opponent was not someone I could afford to hold back against.

With all my might, I unleashed flames that could scorch both trees and earth alike.

This was something I reserved only for attempts at massacre in my previous life.

Not caring about what happened to the surroundings.

In this life, I tried not to resort to such measures if I could help it.

But this time, I hesitated not.

As I said before, my opponent didn’t leave me the luxury of hesitation.

Also.

‘I believe that even without me doing this…’

There would be no harm to the surroundings.

To prove that point.

“Whoaahhh-!”

Petals floated up at the ends of my flames.

Like fishing nets reeling in fish, the spread-out petals gathered the entire conflagration.

They looked so thin and light, as if they would burn at any moment.

How was it managing to contain this immense energy?

Just watching brought a smirk to my face involuntarily.

“Geeeeeey-!”

The ring entwined around my heart spun even faster.

Roughly, fiercely. And destructively.

I paid no mind to compression or rotation.

I unleashed everything to the maximum extent I could.

“Tsk.”

A short click of the tongue echoed in front of me.

“I’m making this so easy for you.”

“Whoooaaaah–!!”

As the words fell, the plum blossoms bloomed magnificently.

In an instant, a gust whipped through, sending petals soaring into the sky. The pressure formed a complete vortex.

The swirling leaves seemed to draw in all of my flames, lifting them skyward.

It happened in an instant.

All those abundant flames shot upwards, scattering across the sky.

Once all the flames had died down, my field of vision cleared, revealing that my body had reached the desired destination.

The flames were nothing more than hostages to slow me down.

I had already slipped behind Shin Noya, the master of flames, blending in among them.

‘I have my position.’

Two things were crucial.

Firstly, that Shin Noya, who deemed this place important, would prevent my flames from causing harm.

He must have believed I was weak for a reason.

And secondly.

‘Drawing attention while simultaneously erasing my presence.’

I concealed my presence as much as possible and made my move among the flames.

The priority was to ensure Noya didn’t notice me.

This was the moment I had crafted precisely for that.

‘Now.’

“Guooooo-!”

The flames I had condensed in my hand began to take shape.

Flame Jade Sacred Spear.

The spear’s tip, formed from extreme heat, stood tall.

I threw it with all the energy compressed within it.

At this distance, an explosion could injure me considerably, but I knew sacrifices had to be made.

As the spear left my hand, Shin Noya reacted.

He casually glanced over his shoulder.

It was already too late.

Or so I thought.

“Whoooooosh-!”

“…!”

To my astonishment, the spear did not explode.

Instead of detonating, it simply passed through Shin Noya.

It was a complete penetration.

What in the world just happened? I froze momentarily, then narrowed my eyes at the ensuing chaos.

Shin Noya’s body was becoming strange.

Inside the punctured chest, something stirred.

Petals.

Plum blossom petals were gathering there.

That wasn’t all.

“Whooaaa-.”

From the hole, petals began to flutter slowly, spreading outward.

His very body seemed to fade into leaves.

For a moment, I was stunned by the situation.

“It’s slow.”

The voice came from behind, prompting my body to move.

I twisted my waist and gathered strength into my hands.

Attempting to swing, but—

“Thud-!”

“What the!”

My wrist was caught. It was a large, bony hand.

That was all I could see.

By the time I realized it, my vision was directed toward the sky.

I felt weightlessness.

Shin Noya had caught me and tossed me.

What angle was I at? In which direction was I flying?

“Squeeeak-!” I drew up my energy.

Preparing for my landing.

At least I had to be ready for whatever came next.

“Do you think a young one’s reflexes can keep up?”

“Bang-!”

“Ugh-!”

A punch landed square on my face.

My airborne body crashed into the ground with the impact.

“Crackle-!”

I bounced once off the ground.

A wheeze escaped my lips. It was the ache I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Clenching my teeth against the pain, I ignited flames in my hand.

“Whoosh-!!!”

The flames burst forth, lifting my body slightly.

I barely adjusted my angle.

At that moment.

“Kwaaaaah–!!”

Another punch dug into the spot I’d just occupied.

Fragments of rock scattered towards my cheek.

I barely dodged.

If I had been a moment late, my skull would have been shattered.

Lifting myself up, I quickly looked ahead.

Shin Noya was dusting off his hands after pulling his punch from the utterly destroyed ground.

Tap tap.

The way he casually brushed his hands off sent chills down my spine.

‘…When exactly…?’

When did he create an illusion with the petals?

I had clearly sensed the aura!

I couldn’t comprehend it. Not to mention.

‘His speed…’

Even reading his movements was beyond my capabilities.

He was definitely different from the Shin Noya I had faced before.

Whether he was the same person or just a facade posed by that elder before me, I had no idea.

I never expected to get this wrecked by someone who hadn’t even drawn their sword.

Dazed, I stared at Shin Noya.

“Hmm.”

Shin Noya tilted his head and spoke to me.

“It’s not very entertaining for such a performance, is it?”

“…”

“Is this all you have? That’s quite disappointing…”

His smirk was infuriating.

“Hah…”

As I let out a sigh, I pondered how I could land even one blow on that old man.

I thought quietly.

Using conventional methods was futile.

Then.

‘…How about trying something unconventional?’

My contemplation was brief.

“…”

“You little brat. Is this the end—?”

Shin Noya halted mid-sentence.

More precisely, he had paused upon seeing my posture.

I was now slowly closing my eyes, interlocking my fingers.

“You… What are you trying to—”

“…Suuuuuh…”

Ignoring whatever Shin Noya tried to say, I focused.

Flare.

The fire ignited within my heart.

Thump-!

Inside it, the pain of Tua Pacheonmu mingled strongly.

And then.

“Szzzzzzz.”

The four rings entwined around my heart shot out, connecting both sensations.

At that moment.

“Krkkkkiikiik—!!!!”

A violent upheaval transpired in my Lower Dantian.

 

---