1327 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

“Not bad at all.” Paejon raised himself up. The same Paejon who had been lying motionless as if dead just moments before. However, I had to contort my face into a grimace as I looked into his blood-red eyes. “Blood Demon…!” “Keukeke…” It was Paejon’s voice, yet it wasn’t him. I realized it the moment I saw him. “You bastard…” Could this be the reason they had tied Paejon to the tree? I ground my teeth together. My body trembled violently. Murderous intent filled the air as my energy flowed out. “Stop. You wouldn’t dare to harm your precious master’s body—.” Whoosh---!!! There was no hesitation. I moved my hand as if I were about to crush his face. Blood Demon watched and marveled at my resolve. “You’re serious. No hesitation at all.” “You son of a—. How dare you use someone else’s body.” “Kekeke…” Crunch-! I stomped down, shattering the ground beneath my feet, my fists cloaked in white flames. Thud-! Paejon’s body moved, deflecting my punch. My eyes narrowed at his movement. ‘This is…’ It was Paejon’s movement. The bastard was mimicking Paejon’s martial arts perfectly. As I momentarily paused, taken aback. Whoosh-! “…Damn!” He had charged at me. That stance, could it be? Two-Heavenly Ascension. Two-Heavenly Fist. A bone-chilling, violent energy hit me with a powerful punch. Crack-!!!! An overwhelming storm erupted from a point-blank range. My body was flung back, crashing violently into the wall. Bang-!!! Debris fell. “Gah.” Blood spurted forth. Even though my protective armor was up, my body wouldn’t listen. “A fine body indeed. It seems you've honed it over many years. It’s more than sufficient for temporary use.” “…You bastard…” “I should have taken more time to prepare properly, I’m afraid…” As he said that, Blood Demon moved his hand. And he was targeting Sword Queen, who was slumped to the ground. Then. Sssss-!! “…Ugh!” Sword Queen’s body twisted. The energy within her began to seep out slowly. “I was well aware that you were harboring foolish thoughts.” “…Hnng… Ugh.” “Yet, I left it as it was, for it held no significant meaning.” Blood Demon’s ominous red eyes flickered continuously. To a menacing degree. “An anomaly is by nature existent, and while it was beyond my expectations…” The red gaze settled on me. “Ultimately, it does not alter the predetermined course.” “…What the hell are you blabbering about, you lunatic.” “Oh shadow, it matters not from whence you came. What you possess within is peculiar, but that too is of no concern. This is merely another opportunity.” Snap. I quickly reattached my slightly dislocated shoulder and with keen eyes, charged at Blood Demon once more. “Even knowing this demonic realm is false, you still dare to step forth?” “Screw you.” Thud-! Our fists collided. The impact resonated through the air. “Knowing it’s a fake, yet you go through all this. You must have something to gain too, right?” “Indeed. It was a fine opportunity. Though, if circumstances were different, I wouldn’t have employed such tactics…” The Blood Demon, wearing Paejon’s face, squinted his eyes. “It was because of you that I had no other choice.” “What about me?” Boom-!!! Endless explosions ensued. As if pouring all my energy into him over and over. Paejon’s body took it all, unfazed. “An anomaly.” “An anomaly?” “The anomaly so long sought after. The timing of this deviation the world has offered was unexpected, even for me.” “This damn bastard.” Flame Jewel Spear. “You explain things in such a convoluted way. It’s impossible to understand.” I launched the spear, flames swirling around it. Blood Demon looked on, laughing. Energy pooled in his hand. Two-Heavenly Ascension? No, it was a red energy. Blood Demon clenched it and punched towards the spear. Boom--!! The spear exploded in mid-air. The effect of the spear was minimal. Watching this, I grit my teeth. “Disappointing.” Blood Demon muttered. “It seems more time was needed to transfer.” “…What the…” “It’s over.” What was over? It wasn’t a statement for me. As a result, I turned my gaze away. It was Sword Queen. Different energies were pouring from her, mingling with the red energy. That was… ‘My mother’s…?’ It was the energy of the master. All of it was being absorbed by Blood Demon. Instinct told me. That could not be left unchecked. “Tam…” A shadow swelled. My true power was unleashed upon Blood Demon. The beast pounced to devour him, but— Crash-! Something erupted from his toes, blocking Tam. What was that? “A curious thing indeed. To think there was still pure dragon blood remaining. Moreover, it echoes my power. What exactly are you?” “…What does it matter to you.” Crash--!! Tam gnawed at the opponent. Ultimately, it was true power versus Tam; Tam would win. With relentless gnawing, it closed in on Blood Demon, but— “It’s too late.” Blood Demon disappeared in that moment. When he appeared again, it was in front of me. A finger touched my forehead. Thud-! “…!!” With intense pain, my vision scattered. My forehead was pushed backward. “Do not be mistaken. This power was not contained within her; I acquired it long before.” Not something in Sword Queen’s body, but originally his? That’s hilarious. “With the rightful owner standing here, why would it be yours?” Finding strength again, I steadied my waist to stop myself from falling completely. “…Hmph.” Blood Demon let out a small sound, his face darkening. I couldn’t stay like this. Whoosh-!!! I gathered my strength. Power surged in my heart. A fierce heat began to fill my blood vessels. Sssss-!!! My vision expanded. Much wider. “I’ve seen it before. That form—it reminds me of someone.” Blood Demon spoke with his hands behind his back. Hair turned stark white; a tail emerged. Time was limited. Before all my energy faded, I moved to end Blood Demon. As I charged, I thrust my fist at Blood Demon. His movements changed, too. Crash-!!! Engulfed in a storm of attacks, my speed reached its peak. I unleashed explosive fire. Violet flames relentlessly assaulted Blood Demon. The red aura blocked this. My eyes narrowed. Something was different from before. “You’re still inexperienced. It seems you haven’t been there long.” There was no time to respond. I unleashed intense flames to obscure Blood Demon’s view. Using the brief cover, I spread my hand open. Flame Jewel Spear. Longer and thinner. I increased the rotation as I extended it, then launched it. Whizz-! With a sharp sound, it struck Blood Demon. Boom-!!! An explosion erupted. He wouldn’t be dead. I immediately prepared the next attack. As expected, Blood Demon was unharmed. His robes were slightly torn, with parts of his skin stripped and loose, yet he remained unscathed. “…Hm.” Despite his burnt and melted body, Blood Demon seemed to feel no pain. “Is that enough?” Blood Demon moved his hand. Even then, I was preparing the next attack. Or, at least, I tried to. “I too have something to gain by observing further.” As if refusing to listen any longer, just as I was about to raise the flames. “Stop.” “…!!” My body froze. A power word. But… ‘…Madness.’ This pressure was different. It wasn’t on the same level as those I’d experienced before. Was it because he had absorbed my mother’s strength? In that state, Blood Demon suddenly had something in his grasp. A sword. “It was enjoyable while it lasted as an anomaly.” My frozen body wouldn’t budge. I tried as hard as I could to move, but it was no use. It’s dangerous. The moment I thought that, Swish. The sword flew toward me. It’s cutting. Slash-!!! “…What?” Someone appeared in front of me. Blood splattered. Who was it? Thud. I identified the one who took the sword strike for me. “…Ah?” As soon as I saw, my eyes widened. “Father…?” It was my father. “Wh… why?” My mind went blank. How did he get here while fighting Cheolhyun Buseon? I looked at the wall and saw Cheolhyun Buseon gasping, bleeding. Did he abandon the fight and rush here? “……” “No……” No words came out. “Why……” Why did he come? I held my fallen father. His bent form rapidly losing life. Frantically, I reached out a hand. I poured energy into his chest, trying to induce regeneration, but it wouldn’t work. Something was blocking it. “Astonishing.” Blood Demon spoke as if genuinely impressed. “Even after taking that, he’s still breathing. Indeed, a cursed lineage is different.” “……” His comments made my blood boil. “Please, snap out of it.” “…Hoo.” His breath was uneven. My father looked at me with shallow breaths. He moved his lips as if he wanted to say something. “…Take care of her.” “……” With those words, my father closed his eyes. “…Ah.” He died. Just like before. Just like that time when he burned and died in my arms. Father. Once again, he died in my arms. “No need to worry, I suppose?” Blood Demon’s voice reached my ears. “You do know, right? This demonic realm is all a falsehood. Dying here doesn’t mean—” “Shut up.” “……” I glared at Blood Demon. His red eyes narrowed under my gaze. “This won’t do.” It was clear it wouldn’t work. “That’s why you need to act swiftly, without hesitation.” Every time, because I hesitated, I lost something important, repeating the same mistakes. Hence, lived foolishly. “I needed to do what must be done.” Only after losing something crucial. “Right?” I would realize important things. “Tolly.” “Grrrr--!!!” Boom-!! As if waiting for my call, Tolly appeared. Blood Demon began to summon energy. “Come here.” Tolly leaped towards me, transforming into a human form midair. He landed directly in my embrace. “Dad.” “I’m sorry.” At my apology, Tolly smiled. “It’s alright.” With those words, Thump-! I discarded the lingering regrets embedded deeply in my heart.