Chapter 603: Heart Fist
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 603: Heart Fist
Thud—! Thud, thud—!
‘What is that?’
My eyes snapped open at the sound. For some reason, my hearing felt muffled.
Thud—!
I felt a heavy vibration. Clutching my throbbing forehead, I surveyed my surroundings.
“Hm?”
I was bewildered. The scene that greeted my barely conscious mind was utterly baffling.
“What is this?”
White. It was a world bleached entirely white. At first, I thought it might be a field of snow.
‘But this isn’t snow.’
The world itself was simply white. I touched the ground. The sensation beneath my fingertips was bizarre.
‘What is this?’
It was too soft to be stone, but calling it mere soil felt wrong, too. It was something unknowable. That seemed to be the most accurate assessment.
I frowned and looked around.
‘Where the hell am I?’
Why was I suddenly in a place like this? What was I doing before I woke up here? I tried my best to recall the moments just before.
“Ugh…!”
A sudden wave of pain made me clutch my head. I tried to remember, but the agony came first. Goddammit, what the hell is this now?
“Shit…”
Shaking my head against the pain, I pushed myself to my feet. Standing up, the world looked even whiter. It made the place feel all the more alien, and for some reason, it sent a chill down my spine. It felt as if I were standing in a space that shouldn't exist.
As I stood there, searching the horizon…
“Huh?”
I saw something in the distance. In the center of this white-washed world, someone was standing.
Is it a person? The shape resembled a human, but it was hard to be certain. Because…
‘…Flames?’
Only its form was human. The being was completely wreathed in fire. And it was a familiar blue fire at that.
‘That’s…’
Yes, it had to be familiar. I knew instinctively. Those were my flames.
“What the?”
The words escaped my lips unconsciously as I stared. Just then—
“…!”
The being, which had been staring at the sky, turned its gaze toward me. And that wasn't all.
“How is it?”
The human-shaped flame not only looked at me but spoke.
“What?”
“I am asking what it is like to live among such insignificant creatures.”
I frowned at its words.
“What are you?”
What was its deal, appearing out of nowhere and spouting such bullshit? It was absurd. Is this a dream? If so, what kind of fucked-up dream is this? I stared at the being with a look of disbelief.
“It is shameful and utterly disgusting.”
The flame ignored my question and continued speaking its mind.
“You have shattered your vessel and soared to the heavens, so why do you seek to dwell with the insects on the ground?”
Its question was filled with genuine bewilderment. Hearing its words, I felt a strange sensation stir inside me.
‘I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before.’
For some reason, it felt familiar. The fact that the flames were my own was one thing, but I was sure I had heard that kind of arrogant, world-despising tone somewhere before.
As I pondered for a moment…
“Ah.”
I finally realized what this thing was. I’d been wondering.
“You… don’t tell me you’re the Blood Qi?”
“...”
The being fell silent at my words. It seemed I was right. This was the bastard that tried to devour my body years ago when I went to the other world. Back then, it had the form of a monster, like Ttolddoli, but this time, for some reason, it was made of flames.
“I thought you were dead. You were alive?”
I thought I’d completely devoured it back then. How could it still be alive? Does that mean this place is inside my head or my body?
Then—
Thud—! Thud—!
‘What is that sound?’
A deafening roar echoed, as if the world were about to shatter. More than the Blood Qi in front of me, that sound was getting on my nerves. I didn't know why; it just grated on me.
“You ignorant fool.”
At the Blood Qi’s words, I turned my gaze back to it.
“If you were going to live in oblivion, forgetting what you must do, it would have been better to hand your body over to me.”
“What are you talking about? Why show up now and start this shit again?”
If it got eaten, it should have just stayed quietly digested. Why appear out of the blue like this?
“What, you want to go another round?”
Does it covet my body again? I asked with that implication.
“Ha.”
The being let out a condescending laugh.
“The vessel has already passed to you. There was only one chance. I am merely a spectator now.”
“Then just watch. Why are you doing this?”
If it survived without dying, it should have just said ‘thank you’ and stayed hidden in a corner. There had to be another reason for it to appear so needlessly.
“You are engaging in utterly trivial acts, so I have come to warn you.”
“Warn me?”
“Think carefully.”
The flickering of the flames grew larger.
“Think carefully about what your existence is.”
“What the hell are you talking about? What am I?”
When I asked back, dumbfounded, the flame spoke firmly.
“Do you believe the insignificant creatures around you can understand you?”
I froze. The flame’s words left me speechless for a moment. It had just prodded at a question I had been pondering for a long time.
I was no longer human. But the people around me were. I had been comforting myself, thinking that only my body was no longer human, that my mind was still the same. But the difference in our positions that stemmed from that fact had always been a problem for me.
And the flame had just dug right into it.
“They cannot understand you. And you, too, will gradually become unable to understand them.”
Bullshit. I thought so internally, but the words wouldn't come out easily. Did it notice my reaction?
“You suppress your instincts, unbefitting of your station. But you already know, don't you?”
A smile formed on the flame’s lips.
“How great a species you are. And how insignificant the mongrels around you are.”
“What kind of crap is that?”
“That is the difference between species.”
The flame rested its chin on its hand. It looked like it was mimicking me, which pissed me off.
“As long as you fail to properly acknowledge that, no path will open for you.”
“Cut the crap. If you have something to say, say it straight.”
I gritted my teeth. What was the essence of its words? Was it telling me to admit that humans are insignificant and I belong to a superior species?
‘I’ve heard some real bullshit in my time.’
How was I supposed to acknowledge such arrogant, fucked-up words? And even if I did, a path would open?
“I was never blocked in the first place, you bastard.”
“That is what you wish to believe.”
This was infuriating. I swung my hand, filled with emotion.
Grab—!
I seized the thing by its neck. Even though I gripped it tightly, the smile on its face didn't vanish.
“Why? Do you resort to force when words fail? Excellent. That is just like ‘us’.”
“…If you’re going to keep spouting bullshit, then just piss off. I don’t want to hear it.”
Vwooom—!
I poured all my strength into my grip. I felt a recoil in my heart. Simultaneously, the flame began to be sucked into my hand. It was the Demonic Absorption. The being didn't resist one bit as it was pulled into my body. In fact, it almost seemed to want it.
Just then.
“I do not acknowledge you.”
As it was being absorbed, the Blood Qi spoke to me.
“You are nothing more than a fool sitting in a position you do not deserve.”
“So, what about it? You want it back or something?”
“However.”
Squeeze—!
“…!”
It grabbed my wrist—the one holding its neck.
“This time, I shall help you.”
“What the—!”
The moment the Blood Qi spoke, a reaction shot through my body from my captured wrist.
Fwhoosh—!
“Guhk…!?”
An immense heat flared up inside me. It was so hot that even I felt an agonizing pain.
“You bastard… what are you doing…”
“If you hadn't gotten involved in such troublesome matters, I would have had no reason to help you like this.”
I tried to let go and put some distance between us because of the pain, but for some reason, my body wouldn't move properly.
Fwhooooosh—!
The heat generated within me engulfed my entire body. And from within it…
“Remember.”
I heard the Blood Qi’s voice.
“Devour the kin who trespass upon your territory.”
Its voice was etched somewhere inside my body, like a tattoo.
“Prove that you are the ruler.”
The heat continued to surge, soon reaching my head. It was a sensation of burning and burning until only ashes remained. Is this death? It was a reasonable assumption.
But for some reason, I wasn't afraid. Instead of fear of death, I felt something else. What is this feeling? I wondered for a moment, then it came to me.
“Do not forget.”
Yes, this was definitely not fear.
“We are not human. We are ‘Dragons’.”
It was closer to ecstasy.
Thud—!
‘Ah.’
The heat that had been surging through my body cooled down.
Thump—! Thud—!
As the heat subsided, the muffled feeling that had been clouding my senses cleared away. What was that just now? What in the world just happened? It felt like a dream—hazy and distant, yet the memory was vivid.
What the hell kind of…
Thump—!
“Keuk!”
As the thought crossed my mind, a sudden pain shot through me, making my body stagger. I barely managed to regain my balance and steady my stance. Any less and I would have fallen over.
“What… Guuuh…”
Just as I was wondering what this situation was, pain flared up all over my body. It was different from the heat I felt before. The pain was not just inside me; it clung to my skin. And my bones? Even the slightest movement made them ache.
What? Was I beaten up all day or some—
BAM—!
“Gak!?”
I instinctively raised my arm to block my left side. A dull thud exploded along with the pain, and my body was sent flying back. Something had hit me.
Moreover.
‘This sound.’
This harsh sound I heard as I was hit. It was the same vibration I’d been hearing in that white world.
‘Shit, could it be.’
I was wondering what that sound was… was it the sound of my own body being beaten? Damn it, I had a bad feeling when I heard it. I thought something was breaking, and it turned out to be my own body.
I turned my head. I had to see who was beating me like this.
“Huh?”
I saw a familiar face. A young man was standing with his hands behind his back, looking this way. A handsome young master with black hair and a deceptively gentle appearance.
It was the Dishonored Venerable.
“Elder…?”
“Oh.”
He reacted when I called his name.
“Your form of address has changed. It seems the discipline is starting to show its effects.”
“Pardon?”
“Just a moment ago, you were calling me an insignificant creature, a mongrel, an insect, trash—all sorts of things. Heh heh.”
“What does that…?”
I said that to the Dishonored Venerable?
‘…Me?’
I couldn't remember. Why was I getting beaten up by him in the first place? The question flashed through my mind. Then, a memory surfaced.
“Ah…”
The accessory belonging to Namgung Bi-ah that I had picked up in the snow. My memory cut off from the moment I saw it. Did I lose my senses and go berserk?
So…
‘…So I said that to the Dishonored Venerable?’
Insect, trash… did I really say those things to him? And that’s why I’m in this state? Just imagining it made my head spin.
The surroundings were already a complete mess. The ground was pockmarked with craters, and flames flickered atop the cold snow. Anyone could tell those were my flames.
Drip.
Something trickled past my lips. I wiped it away and saw it was blood from my nose. It seemed I had taken quite a beating.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly at the chilling situation. The Dishonored Venerable saw me and said with a smile.
“I told you, didn’t I? In times like these, you’ll remember if you get hit enough.”
“…Just a moment, Elder.”
“See, experience is never wrong. Right?”
“I’m sorry. It seems I lost my memory for a moment—!”
Whoosh—!
I twisted my head. The Dishonored Venerable’s fist passed right where it had been.
BOOM—!!
The air exploded in its wake. How could a punch that only hit empty air make a sound like that? A cold sweat ran down my back.
“I’m telling you, I’ve come to my senses!”
“No, my disciple. You have not yet come to your senses.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
Looking into the Dishonored Venerable’s eyes, I realized. This old man was pissed. I don't know what he heard, but he seemed incredibly angry.
“Indeed, hearing such coarse language proves you still haven't come to your senses.”
“I really have come to my senses! Just listen to me for a…!”
BAM—!
I couldn't block it this time. A fist slammed into my side. It hurt like hell, but this was no time to feel pain. I had to twist my body before the full impact set in.
Whip—! I tried to rotate my body to disperse the shock. At that moment, the Dishonored Venerable pressed on my joints, shattering my balance.
My vision slowly lowered. I could already see his fist approaching before my eyes. In this posture, defense was impossible. When I activated my Mind’s Eye, I saw countless threads of intent extending from him. Finding a path through that was also impossible.
I’m fucked. If I’m not careful, I’m going to die, aren't I?
The thought flashed through my mind.
‘I can’t block it, and I can’t dodge it.’
Then what should I do? Thinking was pointless. That left only one option. If I couldn't run or defend, I had to attack. The priority was to somehow attack, push him back, and create distance.
Vwoom—!
With that thought, I tried to draw up my Qi.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me…!!’
There was not a single drop of Qi left in my heart. I must have used up so much that my vast reserves were completely empty. At best, there was only a handful left—an amount that would normally be useless.
But right now, I was desperate, so I had to use even this.
Vwoooom—!
I gathered the pittance of Qi into my fist. Whether it worked or not, I swung it.
Just then.
“…!?”
The Dishonored Venerable, having noticed something, retracted his attack and quickly turned his head. I wondered why he suddenly did that.
As I had that thought—
Fwhoosh—!
Something shot out from my fist.
Shhhhrrrrrriiiiiiiieeeeeek---!!!
The air tore apart with a bloodcurdling screech. And then—
KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA---!!!!
It pierced straight through the peak of the iceberg behind me.
“…Huh…?”
Holy shit. What the fuck was that?
A space where darkness had settled. A quiet, silent place, devoid of any light. In that place stood a massive throne. It was originally the seat of the Lord of the North Sea, the ruler of the Ice Palace.
And upon it… someone other than the Palace Lord was seated.
Ssssss.
A cold air filled the great hall. As always, it was the biting wind of the North Sea. Amidst that wind—
Rumble, rumble—!
A faint vibration began. A subtle warmth mixed with the wind, flowing through the air. It was an energy completely alien to the surrounding cold. The scattered warmth mingled with the chill, drifting past the throne.
At that moment.
“…Hmm…”
The figure sitting on the throne slowly opened their eyes. In the darkness, a pale blue light shone from their pupils.
“This energy is…”
Had they sensed something? The corners of the figure’s eyes slowly began to curve upwards.
“My, my… an unexpected guest has arrived.”
The voice was filled with amusement.
Heh, heh, heh.
With every chuckle, cold air flowed from their mouth. The figure slowly rose.
Tap.
They stepped down from the throne and walked across the great hall. A faint look of pleasure was on their face.
“Yes, I was just thinking it would be no fun if it were too easy.”
They had thought it was too easy. This wasn't something they had intended to obtain so simply. Their interest had just been starting to wane.
The figure continued to walk. And beyond them, someone else was there. In the center of the great hall, facing the throne, someone was kneeling on one knee, their head bowed.
The figure looked at them and smiled, a wider smile than before.
“There should be a festival like this. Don’t you agree?”
“...”
“I suppose you wouldn't understand even if I explained. But that doesn't matter.”
After all, things were already in motion. And the figure had no intention of turning back.
“Biwegun.”
At the figure’s call, the kneeling person raised their head. Meeting their gaze, the figure asked.
“Did you finish the task I assigned you?”
“…Yes. I have completed all that you commanded.”
“Good.”
Hearing the young man’s reply, the figure nodded.
“Since it’s your word, I won’t bother to confirm. However, just in case.”
As they were about to speak… the figure’s pupils slit vertically, like those of a reptile. The young man had to bite his lip as he looked into those eyes.
“I do hope there were no falsehoods. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the collateral you hold so dear, now would we?”
“…Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
At the figure’s words, the young man bowed his head once more.
“You may go. You have other tasks I’ve assigned you, don’t you?”
“...”
Once the order was given, the young man rose to his feet. The Wudang sword at his waist made a clattering sound. Seeing it, the figure let out a small, amused smile.
Originally, it was a task they should have undertaken themselves. But the figure decided against it.
A precious gift is best opened later. After all, that was the greatest pleasure of all.