Murim Login - Chapter 475

The Mutated Water Dragon.

When you think about it, this thing is still technically a dragon.

Though it can’t roam the heavens, nor does it have a Yeouiju, so it’s closer to an Imoogi than a true dragon.

The problem, however, is that this identity-confused creature knows how to use Breath.

And not just any Breath—a ridiculously powerful one.

‘KWA-AAAAAH!’

I stood there, slack-jawed, as a massive sphere of water engulfed an area spanning dozens of jang.

I also saw the terrain, accumulated over countless years by the Yangtze River, crumble in half in an instant.

‘This is insane.’

A force far beyond any normal water pressure.

This wasn’t just about unleashing a massive amount of water at once.

With the immense energy imbued in the water sphere by the Mutated Water Dragon, it deserved the name ‘Water Breath’.

‘A Water Breath… in the martial world.’

Honestly, a crazed undead monster claiming to be from Atlanta, Georgia, would make more sense.

I watched in shock as the Water Breath unleashed by the dragon turned everything it touched into dust.

At the same time, I spotted three figures darting away from the devastation.

“Mimi, unleash the water attack!”

“…He’s completely insane. For a moment, I almost wanted to kill him.”

“That’s normal. Even I’ve wanted to kill him about five times now.”

A lunatic provoking a horned serpent, a rejuvenated old man, and another elder who couldn’t possibly look any older.

Seeing the three of them safe brought a sigh of relief.

‘Good. They dodged it.’

Taking a direct hit from a Breath of this magnitude would leave even the greatest martial masters dead.

The Water Breath unleashed by the Mutated Water Dragon was that powerful—far stronger than the one I had faced when I personally ended the Black Wyvern.

‘What’s going on? It was strong before, but not to this extent…’

Is this the effect of its berserk state? Or has it finally drawn upon its full latent power?

Whatever the cause, it’s undoubtedly connected to its now pitch-black eyes.

And no matter what, my goal right now is to bring this thing down.

– “Grrrrrrk.”

Its fully blackened eye gleamed ominously as it let out a low growl, focusing on the humans who had narrowly avoided its attack.

It opened its jaws again, emitting a deep resonance.

‘Whoooooooong.’

With a massive flow of energy, the surrounding whirlwinds surged toward its gaping maw as if sucked in.

‘Already…!’

This was the second Water Breath.

Even modern dragon monsters like Wyverns couldn’t use their Breath this frequently. But this dragon was on another level.

Before the Breath could fully form, I struck its snout with all my might.

“You wide-gaping bastard!”

‘BOOM!’

A thunderous impact shook the dragon’s massive head.

Its sudden movement caused the water sphere, nearly complete, to falter slightly. But my face hardened as I realized something.

‘It’s different.’

I had thrown my entire strength into that strike.

But the resistance I felt from its snout was incomparable to before.

The berserk state hadn’t just enhanced its Breath—it had also strengthened its body.

It felt like a punch meant to break ten wooden boards stopping at five.

‘Damn it.’

I needed to adapt my approach, but my thinking had been too complacent. Gripping the White Flame still lodged between its scales, I focused.

‘Inventory. Store. Open. Summon.’

‘Swish!’

In an instant, the White Flame disappeared into thin air, only to reappear in my hand through the inventory system.

Minimizing all unnecessary movements, I used a technique I had only recently mastered—a maneuver made possible by the system.

With the White Flame back in my grasp, I was already prepared to strike.

‘Fwoosh!’

The translucent spearhead ignited with blue-white flames, burning the air and evaporating the moisture around it.

Cutting through the mist-like vapor, the flame surged toward the dragon’s snout, covered in its blackened scales.

“Close your damn mouth.”

‘Heavenly Strike.’

‘KWA-AAAAAH, Slash!’

The powerful flames, fueled by my energy, tore through its scales, burning flesh and breaking bones.

Even its formidable scales, tougher than steel, couldn’t withstand the fusion of fire and concentrated energy.

Behind the split scales lay the partially formed water sphere.

‘I’ll cut it.’

The centuries-old Water Breath of the Mutated Water Dragon collided with the descending claws of a blazing fire dragon.

No, they clashed.

‘Whoooooooong—’

A deafening roar accompanied a blinding flash of crimson and azure light.

That day, the thunderous sound wasn’t only heard by those present.

Everyone near Dongting Lake could hear it.

‘Rumble!’

A massive sound, beyond the realm of normal thunder, shook the land.

Peasants hiding from the ominous atmosphere cowered in fear, some dropping to their knees.

Government soldiers investigating the lake fled in panic, abandoning their weapons.

Elderly villagers comforted their crying grandchildren, looking to the sky with anxious faces.

“A divine spirit… The spirit is angry and delivering heavenly punishment. What will become of this world…”

Half of that was true, and half was false.

For generations, tales of divine spirits had been passed down.

The sacred creature worshiped as a divine spirit was real.

But that revered being had fallen, corrupted into a wicked beast.

And the so-called “heavenly punishment” unleashed by the enraged Mutated Water Dragon was stopped—by a single human.

Deep within Dongting Lake, where no one ventured, the battle between man and a wicked beast raged on.

‘- KROAAAAAH!’

The monster let out an earth-shaking, pain-filled roar as its torn maw thrashed violently, throwing its massive body into the waters of Dongting Lake.

‘BOOOOOM!’

Dark blue blood mixed with the lake water as it surged to incredible heights.

Massive waves, akin to those seen only on the vast oceans, crashed in every direction. Against the monster’s enormous body, the figures of three humans, no more than specks in comparison, moved just ahead of the torrent.

‘Swoosh!’

Three figures shot forward like arrows.

But one diverged, moving in the opposite direction from the other two.

As Jeok Cheon-Gang charged alone toward the monster instead of retreating, Moon Kyung sent a mental transmission.

– “Fire King!”

Jeok Cheon-Gang did not reply. Instead, he extended a palm toward the surging wave rushing to engulf him.

‘BOOM!’

With a resounding impact, the wave that was about to swallow his short and aged frame evaporated into steam, leaving a hollow in its center.

The second and third waves, driven by the monster’s relentless thrashing, soon followed. But the next instant, they were sliced cleanly apart.

‘Slash!’

It was a bright, white beam of light that severed the waves.

As Cheongpung’s scattered sword energy shredded the incoming spray of debris into dust, Moon Kyung wiped the water off his small sword and addressed Jeok Cheon-Gang.

“There are a few things I’d like to ask. Did you learn water techniques while I wasn’t looking?”

Jeok Cheon-Gang glanced briefly at him and replied bluntly.

“Do you know what I hate most in this world?”

“…What?”

“First, getting wet. Second, burning mountains. Third, watching a mountain burn while I’m wet. Those three things.”

“What does that even—?”

“About fifty years ago, I was forced to bathe in a valley nearby. When I came out, Guwha Mountain was burning. In the end, I killed every single one of those bastards who started the fire.”

It was a tale every martial artist knew.

Since that day, the old man who had trained in seclusion deep within Guwha Mountain became known as the Fire King.

“Well, things turned out alright. People started calling me Fire King and praising me, but a few lunatics whispered behind my back, calling me a murderous demon who killed a thousand people without batting an eye.”

Moon Kyung furrowed his brows at Jeok Cheon-Gang, who continued to speak without even looking at him.

“I have no idea what you’re going on about. Is this nonsense supposed to—?”

“It’s nothing. To sum it up, I liked Guwha Mountain. It was my first home, so I cherished it. Through the Great Martial War, I made sure to imprint upon the world that anyone who dared touch what was mine would be crushed. But…”

Jeok Cheon-Gang, his blazing eyes fixed on the thrashing monster, began to walk forward.

“That damned creature doesn’t seem to understand. Then again, how could it? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have dared to touch my disciple.”

“Utterly unreasonable. So you’re saying you haven’t learned any water techniques.”

“Damn it. I’ll figure it out.”

“We may not have friendship between us, but I’d advise you to be careful.”

“How hard could it be to deal with one oversized eel? I’ll kill it no matter what it takes.”

Cheongpung interjected with an innocent voice.

“Wow, do eels really grow that big? Is each one really about fifty jang?”

“Murderous thoughts are rising.”

“If you’re going to kill me, make sure you get the Sword Master’s permission and do it discreetly. But before that, lend me a hand.”

As Moon Kyung adjusted his grip on his small sword, he suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, did Jin Taekyung learn water techniques?”

“I remember training him in the deep valleys of Guwha Mountain. Never in my life have I seen someone swim so poorly.”

“…We need to drag that monster onto land immediately.”

“Agreed. I don’t want to lose another disciple.”

In underwater combat, the Water Dragon held a clear advantage.

But there was no other choice.

If they didn’t intervene, Jin Taekyung would drown.

Just as Jeok Cheon-Gang and Moon Kyung exchanged determined glances, Cheongpung suddenly spoke up.

“Huh? That’s not true. He’s a great swimmer.”

“…What?”

“Really. On the way here, he said to call him Aquaman.”

What nonsense was this?

The two masters hesitated, confusion flickering in their eyes. At that exact moment—

‘- GROAAAWR!’

‘SPLASH!’

With a monstrous roar echoing from the lake’s depths, a figure burst out from the water.

As the spray scattered in all directions, Jeok Cheon-Gang’s jaw dropped when he saw the familiar face.

“You, you—!”

“Pffft, form up!”

“What… what did you just say?”

There was no time to resolve their confusion.

Before they could even process his words, a massive shadow loomed over the churning surface of the lake.

At the same moment, Jin Taekyung, now standing on solid ground, bellowed with a thunderous voice.

“Form up for attack!”

The fire blazing in his eyes was not that of a martial artist—it was the sharp focus of a seasoned hunter.