Chapter 321. The War of Dragons (3)
*Srrk!*
A sharp slicing sound echoed through the air.
It was as if…
…the world had been cut in half.
“Ugh!”
“Keeek…”
The bodies of the small dragons began to collapse.
Five of them fell, unable to even react to the swift sword strikes.
“Looks like that’s the end of the worms.”
Jinhyuk flicked the blood off his Balmung.
The tip of his sword now pointed at Sama-ja.
“Now, you’re the only one left.”
Finally, it was a one-on-one situation.
“…I suppose it was a mistake to leave it to the others.”
*Srrng!*
Sama-ja unsheathed his sword.
The blade, made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, was coated with the Deadly Poison of the Tang Clan.
“Wow. That looks like an expensive sword. My personal blacksmith would love to get his hands on that.”
Old Man Orun would be over the moon if he saw it. Though, given his habit of trying to reinforce everything, the sword might end up destroyed.
“You’re saying… you’ll take my sword? You?”
“Why not?”
“It seems I’ve underestimated you. I suppose it’s understandable, considering you’ve only seen me scheming from the shadows.”
*Whoosh!*
A dark aura rose from the tip of Sama-ja’s sword.
[Sama-ja activates ‘Heavenly Demon Divine Art’!]
Only those recognized by the heavens can wield this demonic power.
“Who do you think inherited the title after the Heavenly Demon stepped down?”
The perfected Heavenly Demon Divine Art unfolded.
—
Among offensive abilities, if one were to name the strongest…
This technique would inevitably be mentioned.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was a martial art that instilled fear in everyone just by its mention.
But…
*Bang! Crash! Bang!*
The more their swords clashed, the more Sama-ja’s face twisted with fury.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art, said to have no equal under the heavens.
Even if the opponent had learned hastily from the Heavenly Demon, there was no way they could compare to someone who had honed their skills through bone-grinding training.
The quality of the training, the experience accumulated over time, everything was different.
“Kuh!”
*Bang!*
He barely managed to block the greatsword flying at him diagonally.
The large, seemingly heavy sword should naturally be slower, even if it was powerful.
That should have been the case…
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The problem was…
His opponent wielded that massive sword as if it were a windmill, moving it with ease.
‘What the hell is this…?’
Sama-ja’s body staggered.
With each attack, his arms felt heavier and heavier.
“Didn’t you boast about mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art? If you struggle like this, you’ll die with your eyes wide open from embarrassment.”
Jinhyuk taunted him again.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I haven’t even started properly yet.”
Despite his words, anyone could see the tide of the battle was rapidly turning.
It wasn’t just the difference in weapons…
‘I, too, possess a weapon so formidable that it would be a shame to call it second to any in the entire martial world.’
Or was it the change in scenery?
This eerie place where the giant skeleton of a dragon lay.
Ever since they moved to this new location, he could feel his energy depleting more quickly.
He wasn’t sure exactly why.
‘What’s certain is that I’m being overwhelmed.’
If this dragged on any longer, he would undoubtedly lose his head to that greatsword.
*Grit!*
Sama-ja ground his teeth so hard it felt like they might break.
He didn’t want to admit it, but his opponent was stronger.
In that case…
*Krrrr…!*
He abandoned defense and even gave up speed.
The aura surrounding his sword grew even more intense.
This was a strike aimed at killing with a single blow.
By stacking aura upon aura, he had invested everything into the sword’s cutting power.
“If you keep beating around the bush, this could take all day. If you’re a man, face me head-on and end this. You wouldn’t stoop so low as to drag this out for a victory, would you?”
Sama-ja provoked Jinhyuk.
It was a cheap taunt, not worth responding to.
But…
Why?
Jinhyuk, who had been moving at high speed, suddenly came to a halt.
…He took the bait.
Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Jinhyuk was also running out of time.
[Myth’s Reenactment]
[Time remaining: 0h:0m:27s]
27 seconds.
After that, he would have to fight Sama-ja while squeezing out every last bit of his depleted stamina and mana.
‘It worked. I’ve driven him into a mental corner.’
Even though Jinhyuk was the one short on time, he had adopted a strategy of dragging things out, and it had worked perfectly.
Jinhyuk smiled slightly.
‘Just a little longer.’
The mana he had used to manifest Goguma’s true form and the energy drained from his battle with the Azure Dragon were pushing him to the brink of collapse.
But it didn’t matter.
This fight was nearing its end.
*Ssszzzt!*
Balmung was dyed in a deep purple hue.
Jinhyuk was focusing all his energy to unleash his maximum explosive power.
“This time, I’ll end it!”
Sama-ja moved half a beat faster.
A horizontal slash.
From left to right, a blue sword strike was unleashed.
“Sorry, but that’s too much for you.”
A vertical slash.
From above, a black sword strike came crashing down.
*BOOM!*
Light clashed with light.
“Rrraaagh!”
A thick vein bulged on Sama-ja’s forehead.
“Hmph!”
A thin trickle of blood ran down from Jinhyuk’s nose.
His entire body screamed in agony as his mana went berserk.
*Szzzt…*
Sparks flew.
The flames flickered wildly.
The balance that had been maintained broke just a few seconds later.
[The duration for skill use has ended.]
[Myth’s Reenactment has been canceled.]
The notification signaling the end appeared.
At the same time, the power of Siegfried and the recreated location vanished.
In that brief moment…
Fortunes reversed.
“Damn it! Of all times… now…?”
“Kuk… Kuhahaha! It seems your energy is depleted!”
Sama-ja burst into wild laughter.
Now that the familiar martial world had reappeared, his confidence surged.
Knowing that Jinhyuk’s strength was spent, the battle was effectively over.
Sama-ja’s arm trembled slightly.
Just a little more, and he could sever Jinhyuk’s head.
However, Sama-ja was also drained of energy, leaving him unable to finish the job.
To ensure victory…
“Azure Dragon!”
He called out to the divine beast engaged in battle.
“Kraaaaa!”
The Azure Dragon, locked in a fierce struggle with Goguma, roared.
It instinctively realized that turning its back now would mean death.
However…
Sama-ja used his forbidden technique to suppress the Azure Dragon’s instincts.
‘It’s a bit of a waste, but it doesn’t matter.’
Even if he lost the Azure Dragon, as long as he killed Jinhyuk here and wiped out the rest, it would still be a profitable trade.
Moreover, with the ‘White Flame Dragon Orb,’ he could eventually nurture more small dragons.
Finally…
“Kraaaa!”
The Azure Dragon launched itself toward Jinhyuk’s location.
It intended to end things with a full-body tackle.
“This is…”
A sinister smile spread across Sama-ja’s lips.
“The end!”
The Azure Dragon closed in on Jinhyuk.
It was so close he could feel its breath.
And at that moment…
“Kroo?”
“What…!?”
As if by magic, the Azure Dragon’s body froze in midair.
It was as if it were tightly bound by invisible threads.
“What the… What’s happening? Azure Dragon! Devour that bastard immediately! Tear him to shreds with your fangs!”
Sama-ja’s voice strained as he shouted.
He couldn’t afford to be anything but desperate.
He needed the Azure Dragon to finish its role before the ancient dragon killed it.
“Azure Dragon… what are you doing…!”
“Don’t rush it. It’s doing its best, isn’t it?”
Jinhyuk grinned.
His demeanor was far too relaxed for someone facing the jaws of a massive dragon.
“Did you… pull another trick?”
“It’s nothing major, just a little prank.”
[The 10-star Barrier ‘Divine Beast Trap’ has been activated.]
When Jinhyuk snapped his fingers, blue runes began to appear all around.
It was a high-level barrier corresponding to 10 stars.
A binding spell crafted through an ‘Ancient Barrier.’
“When… did you set up such a spell?”
“How long have I been here? Did you really think I wouldn’t prepare anything?”
Jinhyuk had known for a long time that Sama-ja had the Azure Dragon.
He also knew that, given Sama-ja’s nature, he would use the Azure Dragon as a sacrificial pawn when things got dangerous.
Therefore, setting the stage was not difficult.
“For a spell to activate… you would have needed time to focus. There shouldn’t have been any opportunity for that.”
“Of course, I didn’t do it myself. It’s no wonder you didn’t notice.”
There were plenty of things that could do the job without his direct involvement.
“Master! Did we do well?”
“We worked really hard not to get caught. You know that, right?”
“Hehe. I did exactly what you asked without any mistakes!”
“Everyone, be quiet. My head hurts.”
The spirit beasts stationed at the four cardinal points of the barrier waved their hands cheerfully. Especially Undine, who was bouncing on her feet, eager for praise.
“You certainly… used your head well. But the fact remains that your energy is depleted. If we fight again now, I have the advantage.”
“No, there’s no need to fight anymore. I don’t even have to lift a finger. It’s already over.”
The ‘Divine Beast Trap’ didn’t just serve to bind its target.
It also purged the harmful spells and skills that afflicted the divine beast, restoring its lost sanity. This was another function the ‘Divine Beast Trap’ possessed.
*Uuuuuuuung!*
The crimson gleam that had tainted the Azure Dragon’s eyes faded, replaced by a clear, sharp gaze.
Its body, which had been thrashing wildly, quickly calmed.
“Human…”
The first emotion the dragon expressed was anger.
There was no way the Azure Dragon, a divine beast that sought harmony between life and nature while roaming the mountains, could ever have a favorable opinion of Sama-ja, who had forcibly enslaved it.
Good. This should be enough.
Jinhyuk disarmed the ‘Divine Beast Trap’ at just the right moment.
*Rumble!*
The Azure Dragon’s head turned toward Sama-ja.
“Th-This can’t be. My… forbidden technique… why? Ugh! How dare a beast bare its fangs at its master? Kill that bastard now! Tear him apart!”
“You still use that filthy mouth of yours to pile up sins, wretch. I expected at least a hint of regret or guilt at the final moment…”
“There’s no way I’ll die here. I won’t die in such a futile manner!”
Sama-ja swung his sword, but it was deflected off the Azure Dragon’s scales.
Having exhausted all his strength, Sama-ja no longer had the power to escape.
“Turn to dust and disappear.”
A gust of wind began to gather in the Azure Dragon’s mouth.
“Arrghhh!”
And with that, it was over.
*BOOM!*
The wind-formed blades ripped Sama-ja’s entire body to shreds.
He probably didn’t even have time to feel the pain.
The Azure Dragon’s overwhelming power crushed him so quickly and thoroughly that it left no room for suffering.
—
With Sama-ja’s death, the pillar that had supported the Heavenly Demon Cult collapsed.
The main forces that had gone to Luoyang were utterly destroyed by the combined forces of the Empire’s army, led by Abraham, and the Martial Alliance.
Only a few experts from the Heavenly Demon Cult, including Chae Hongah, barely escaped with their lives, fleeing beyond the city walls.
And now…
In a secluded mountain, a little distance from Luoyang.
“Thank you, human. It was you who saved me from the darkness.”
The Azure Dragon expressed its gratitude.
Repaying kindness was both a duty and a belief for divine beasts.
[The Divine Beast ‘Azure Dragon’ wishes to repay its debt.]
[Please state the reward you desire.]
Finally, the moment had arrived.
The reason Jinhyuk had allowed the Azure Dragon the chance to repay its grudge, even at the cost of losing the significant experience that came from Sama-ja.
‘I may have been recognized for my contribution, but missing out on the final blow wasn’t worth it.’
Naturally, he had to be compensated appropriately.
No, he needed to receive a reward so absurdly disproportionate that it would seem entirely unreasonable.
Something that the other party would find incredibly unfair and impossible to refuse.
“What I want is…”
Jinhyuk slowly opened his mouth.