Chapter 629: Nine. And Three.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 629: Nine. And Three.
Whoosh—!
A chilling frost permeated the corridor.
Thud! Thud!
The sounds of the palace collapsing under the weight of the fierce battle echoed through the air.
The silence was absolute, save for a single, faint sound echoing through the void.
Drip.
Then, even that stopped.
Stillness arrived.
All sound suddenly ceased. Even the biting cold vanished, but I wasn't fazed. I simply stood there, staring at the woman in my grasp.
Black blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were rolled back, showing only the whites. She was clearly unconscious.
[How did you know?]
And yet, she was speaking to me.
The strange thing was, it wasn't the woman's once-melodic voice, but the deep, resonant baritone of a man. Hearing it, I grinned.
"Yeah, hey. Good to see you too."
[...]
The entity fell silent at my greeting. Her expression was frozen, making it impossible to read its thoughts. Not that I cared.
A few seconds passed.
[I shall ask again.]
The entity repeated its question.
[Ninth Pureblood.]
[How did you know I was in this apostle's body?]
‘Hmm.’
I narrowed my eyes slightly. Those few words already contained two crucial pieces of information.
Apostle.
Ninth Pureblood.
I had to fight the urge to smirk. Then, I addressed the thing.
"An apostle... So this wench is your apostle?"
[Haha.]
It let out a short, dry laugh.
[I know you are not surprised. Do you intend to continue this ridiculous charade?]
Damn, it saw right through me.
He was right. Just as it said, I wasn't particularly surprised. I'd been through too much in my life to be shocked by something like this. Besides, it was something I had partially expected.
‘Though I didn't know about the apostle or the "Ninth" part.’
All I had predicted was that there was something inside Yuseon's body. I had noticed it was related to the Ice Crystal, but I knew nothing beyond that.
[Do you not intend to answer my question?]
I tilted my head. What a short temper.
"It wasn't some great mystery."
Even calling it a prediction was a stretch; it wasn't hard to figure out. The reason was quite simple.
Because...
"This wench."
Yuseon.
"She didn't have what it takes."
She was far too weak to be a Dragon.
[What it takes?]
"Yeah. She wasn't worthy."
It wasn't my place to judge, but Yuseon lacked too much to be called a Dragon. That was my first suspicion. I wouldn't have known before, but after clashing with her a few times, it became obvious.
I didn't know the principles or the source of her power, but Yuseon was strong when she used it. It’s just that, compared to when she wasn't using it, the difference in her level was too vast.
‘...She's not terrible.’
But she wasn't that strong either. Of course, considering her age, she was at an incredible level—but only when compared to 'me.'
She had indeed reached the Fusion Realm. But for a Dragon, a non-human entity, that was a paltry level. Without her borrowed power, she was no different from an ordinary martial artist. Treating someone in the Fusion Realm as an 'ordinary martial artist' felt a bit strange, but that was the reality of it.
She was too frail to be called a Dragon. The recent battle had confirmed it.
‘She's not cut out to be a Dragon.’
Yuseon was a talented human, yes. But she didn't possess the qualifications to become a Dragon on her own. So I wondered: what had allowed Yuseon to become a Dragon? How did she overcome the wall?
And why was I called a Pureblood, while Yuseon was not?
I wanted to know.
Wriggle.
When my Avarice briefly swallowed her power, I finally noticed it.
‘There's something inside.’
Yuseon was harboring something. Just like me.
What was it? What was she truly hiding? What was this presence that felt so subtle, yet so distinct?
The one thing I was sure of was this: ‘That is what allowed her to become a Dragon.’
With that conviction, I didn't have to think for long. Thanks to my Avarice, I had already detected a familiar energy. It wasn't just any energy; I couldn't possibly fail to recognize something I had just felt.
The Ice Crystal.
I could feel the energy of the Ice Crystal radiating from Yuseon. This in itself wasn't strange. The bloodline of the Ice Palace used Ice Arts, so it was natural for them to have an energy similar to the Ice Crystal. As the Palace Lord said, ‘As long as the bloodline carries the curse of the Ice Crystal, that energy is to be expected.’
But the sensation I got from Yuseon was different. It was far more twisted. Far more concentrated.
What was it? I had been so curious.
"Meeting you like this is a new experience."
[...Hah.]
After pushing a little, I was fortunate enough to finally meet it.
"What should I call you? Ice Crystal? Is that okay?"
[...A title matters not. That is not the point.]
Crack!
"...!"
Kwwaaaaa—!!
An ice spike erupted from the ground. I quickly retreated, barely managing to dodge it.
Stab, stab, stab!
The spikes shot up, pierced the ceiling, and formed a crystalline barrier between us.
"What's this now?"
[I felt the distance was too close for a conversation.]
Crrrack.
As it spoke, Yuseon's body began to change. Her twisted limbs were forcibly regenerating. Torn skin knit back together. Broken bones mended. It was a truly gruesome sight.
[It is a pleasure, Ninth. I am the Third Pureblood.]
Crrunch.
Even her caved-in chest was perfectly restored.
[I am called Mang.]
‘Mang.’
Hearing the name, I recalled when Yuseon used her power.
—Mang...!
She had definitely muttered something when unleashing her strength. That must have been its name. And...
‘The Third Pureblood.’
Calling me the Ninth and numbering itself meant...
"Does that mean there are seven others besides you?"
Even excluding Yuseon, who it said wasn't a Pureblood, it meant there were more beings like us. To that question, the thing called Mang replied.
[There were. In the distant past.]
An affirmative, but past-tense answer. The distant past.
"Meaning they're gone now?"
[Haha.]
Mang let out a short laugh.
[They are gone. All but one... No, I suppose there are two now.]
The number increasing to two must mean one of them was me. Who could the other one be?
And... ‘So there were eight Purebloods. Seven disappeared, leaving only one.’ That seemed to be the gist of it.
Never mind ancient history. That wasn't what was important right now. This thing calling itself Mang, facing me now...
‘It's not the Blood Demon.’
It wasn't the Blood Demon. I knew because I had faced the Blood Demon, however briefly. Their energies were vaguely similar, but something was fundamentally different.
The problem with that was... ‘They said the Blood Demon left the Ice Crystal here.’
The one they called the Dragon Emperor seemed to be the Blood Demon, and they said the harsh winter began when he left the Ice Crystal in the North Sea. But if this thing wasn't actually the Blood Demon...
‘What is this now?’
It was a bizarre situation.
"What are you? What the hell are you doing in her body? And what's a Pureblood?"
The Ninth Pureblood. I barely understood what a Dragon was, so what could a Pureblood be?
‘The Palace Lord said it was a Dragon that shattered its own vessel to ascend.’
Such a vague description. It meant that besides me, only eight others had ever gone through this process.
To my question, Mang replied.
[How strange, Ninth. You are mistaken about something.]
[Why would you think I would answer you?]
In other words, it had no intention of talking. Hearing that, I couldn't help but scoff.
"You've got a prickly personality. You could just tell me."
[Do you see me as being favorable to you?]
"You said you're a Pureblood too. Can't we in the same boat help each other out?"
As I spoke, I examined the ice wall. Could I break it? I was debating whether to give it a try.
Just then.
[The same? What nonsense.]
Mang continued, its voice filled with an unreadable chill.
[You are a distortion. An extraneous being that should never have existed in the first place.]
I frowned. A being that shouldn't exist?
"What's that supposed to mean?"
[From the beginning, we were meant to be eight. That was the rule set by the world.]
There were only supposed to be eight. That was a rule? It was incomprehensible.
"You say that, but you also said seven are already dead. I guess I'm just a replacement."
[Hah.]
Mang laughed as if my answer was absurd.
[The very fact that you do not understand this is proof that you are a distortion.]
I didn't answer this time. Instead of talking, I took a stance and threw a punch. My fist, filled with Combat Qi, slammed into the barrier.
BOOM! Craaaack—!!
As my fist struck the ice, cracks spiderwebbed across it and shards flew. At this rate, it would shatter in four or five more hits.
[…Truly violent.]
"Keep talking. I'm going to do what I have to do."
It wasn't a threat. I really thought it was something I had to do.
"So, what about it?" I asked, clenching my fist again. "If you're not going to tell me what I am, then shut up."
I wasn't frustrated or annoyed like I used to be, wondering why they wouldn't tell me. If you won't talk, then don't.
"I'll find out on my own."
Even if it meant being a little cruel and violent. I was more than willing.
Kuuuung—!!
The barrier shook violently. My fist sank deep, and the cracks widened. One more time. Let's hit it a little harder.
As I made that decision and gathered my energy more densely...
[Stop.]
I held my position and looked at it.
"Why? Got something to say?"
Had it finally decided to talk? I tilted my head and watched it.
[…Cease this pointless action. We have no need for this.]
"That's still not an answer."
At its trivial words, I swung my fist.
Kuuuaaang—!!!
A vibration even larger than before spread through the corridor. Watching the flying debris, I glanced sideways. ‘It’s not fighting back.’
Even after all this, there was no counterattack. What did that mean? Did it think I wasn't worth the effort? Or...
‘Is it in a situation where it can't fight back?’
That was possible, but... ‘Whatever.’ I'd find out if I kept hitting it. This time, I touched my soul to use the Heart Fist.
Swoosh!
As I felt an uncomfortable vibration from my soul and was about to strike the barrier again...
[…We have the same enemy.]
Flinch.
Only then, at Mang's words, did I stop.
"Keep talking. I'm listening."
[...]
Of course, I kept my energy gathered. I had to be ready to break through at any moment.
[…Are you not planning to face the Dragon Emperor?]
An interesting statement. It implied that it wasn't the Dragon Emperor, that it knew I intended to face the Blood Demon instead of the Heavenly Demon, and it was also subtly hinting that its enemy was the Blood Demon as well.
That is, if the Dragon Emperor was truly the Blood Demon.
I carefully hid my thoughts and asked, "The Dragon Emperor? I heard he left you here. What's your relationship?"
[...]
Silence. Seeing that, I subtly moved my elbow.
[The reason the Purebloods went from eight to one is because of him.]
"Oh."
Finally, a valuable piece of information. The reason the number of Dragons called Purebloods decreased was because of the Blood Demon?
"Explain. What do you mean?"
[He devoured the other Purebloods for his own greed.]
I frowned. This meant...
‘The Blood Demon is also one of the Purebloods.’
The being who appeared as the first calamity in the Central Plains. The one who was still plotting something while hiding in the Murim Alliance after centuries. The other Dragon who had planted Blood Qi in me was the Blood Demon.
He...
‘Devoured the other Purebloods and eliminated them?’
And he had sealed this thing called Mang's will here. Why?
"Then why did he leave you here?"
After devouring all the others, why leave this one? That was the important part. It had to be.
"The Ice Crystal... it's your heart, isn't it?"
[...]
Mang fell silent. The Palace Lord had described it as an egg left by the Dragon Emperor, or his heart. I had said that was half-right.
This was the reason.
‘That's not the Dragon Emperor's heart.’
An immense energy permeated it, and I could feel a power so great I couldn't tell what was inside, but it was fundamentally different from the Blood Demon's power.
Then whose energy was it? The question I had when I touched the Ice Crystal was answered now that I saw Mang.
‘It was all this thing's power.’
What was inside the Ice Crystal was the energy of the being called Mang. I didn't know why the Blood Demon threw it here, but I was certain it wasn't his energy.
With that understanding, I asked, "Why did you think we have the same enemy?"
[It is a simple matter….] it said. [The Dragon Emperor intends to devour all Purebloods. Therefore, he will come for you as well. The Dragon Emperor is your enemy, too.]
As it said, a simple reason. But it was one that vaguely caught my attention.
"Why? Why is he devouring the other Purebloods?"
Dragons were arrogant beings. They said hostility arose when they saw their own kind. So it might be natural for them to fight each other. But the fact that this thing specifically mentioned only 'Purebloods' meant there was another reason.
[To increase his power. To achieve what he desires... he will need power.]
"What is it that he desires?"
[…I cannot say.]
Kwwaaang!
[…!!]
The barrier crumbled under my punch. Now, one more hit. Just one more hit and the barrier would be completely destroyed.
"Then keep your mouth shut."
[Truly, you are without refinement.]
"The life I've lived wasn't exactly gentle. I'm a little impatient."
[I told you clearly that we have no need to fight like this...!]
"If you want to act like an ally, you should at least give me proper information. This is just asking for a fight."
I was sick and tired of people stopping halfway through their explanations. If it wasn't going to talk, it was best to just get rid of it.
‘Besides,’ I thought, looking at Mang. ‘This thing doesn't feel very trustworthy either.’
That was why I listened to the information it gave, but didn't cling to it. Hearing about the Blood Demon wasn't bad. Hearing bits about the Ninth, the Third, and the Purebloods wasn't bad either.
But...
‘Something feels off.’
If it were truly desperate, it would have said something more. But it wasn't like that. It felt like it was trying to persuade me, but not very strongly. It felt like it had some ulterior motive. Realizing that, my interest quickly faded.
‘It's a pain.’
I'm sick of it. Repeating these pointless questions. So I decided to keep it simple. Yes, the simplest method.
"If I beat it enough, it'll start talking properly."
Torment it until it talks. That usually solved most problems.
Fwoosh!
I wrapped my fist in Combat Qi, preparing to deliver the final blow.
[You truly are a disobedient one.]
Kwa-dududuk—!!
"...!"
I quickly leaped back from the sudden gust of wind. It was an immense cold, incomparable to what Yuseon had been emitting. After putting some distance between us, I looked at it.
[Just as you are, I too am interested in you.]
Mang, in Yuseon's body, continued to speak as it looked at me.
[A Pureblood born in defiance of the rules. And on top of that, a power that devours other powers. How could I not be interested?]
"I guess I am pretty special, huh?"
[You are beyond special. It is a power that far deviates from reason. It is as if….]
Mang, in Yuseon's form, pointed a fingertip at me.
[...as if you were chosen to stop the Dragon Emperor.]
A power meant to face another Dragon, not a human. The meaning behind it was so clear it was almost laughable. If it was truly as the thing said...
‘What does it want?’
What does this world want from me? The Blood Demon was a calamity brought down by the world. If he survived and was trying to enact his will again, the world should be on his side.
[I. I will grab that bastard's neck, tear it out, and swallow it whole.]
[It wasn't enough for him to devour me. He trampled my heart and abandoned it in this land. I will catch him and punish him, no matter what.]
I could feel the raw rage in Mang's words.
[Therefore, I can join forces with you. We can help each other achieve our goals.]
"You called me a being that defies the rules. And you still want to work together?"
[Be that as it may, it does not change the fact that you are a Pureblood.]
It changed its gesture from pointing at me. It now looked as if it were extending a hand.
[Ninth. Take my hand. And together, we shall overcome the Dragon Emperor.]
"Hmm."
I put on a thoughtful expression. Work together?
"You're sealed in an Ice Crystal. How do you propose we work together?"
I asked, feigning curiosity. Then...
[The Dragon Emperor made one mistake when he left me behind.]
Mang spoke as if to tell me not to worry.
"What was it?"
[He sealed fragments of my body and energy in the Ice Crystal. But he would not have known.]
[That there would be ample opportunity to recover my energy.]
I frowned. Its body and energy were divided and sealed. Hearing that, I realized something.
‘So that's why.’ Was that why I felt such immense energy from the Ice Crystal?
Furthermore, I'd heard this somewhere before. From a hero of the past I once met—Cheolyoung of Shaolin.
‘He said they tore the Blood Demon's five senses and sealed his body and energy separately.’ This felt very similar. Could this be a coincidence?
‘Maybe, maybe not.’
It could be a simple similarity. Or it could be connected somehow. But right now, something else was bothering me. Something big.
I looked at Mang and asked, "They said the Ice Crystal in the palace prevents the harsh winter. And that the other half causes it."
That's what the Palace Lord told me. The two separated parts of the Ice Crystal had opposite roles, and the Palace Lord was sacrificing her life force to maintain the balance. And now... its words about recovering its energy over time... sounded extremely grating.
"That... by any chance... did you cause that intentionally?"
[Hmm?]
Mang tilted its head at my question.
[A strange question.]
It looked as if I'd asked something bizarre.
[But of course. It was necessary to recover my energy.]
"..."
Hearing the answer, I wiped all expression from my face.
That meant the harsh winter caused by the Ice Crystal... and the fact that the Ice Palace's bloodline had been having their life force drained for ages to fend it off... were all part of its plan.
[That was his greatest mistake.]
Mang laughed.
[He likely intended to take it back to devour once my energy was fully restored. But he would not have known he himself would be sealed. Thanks to that, I was able to buy time to recover.]
[There is not much time left. I will be resurrected. So, take my hand and let us face him...]
"Enough."
[Hmm?]
I shook my head. I'd heard enough.
[Ninth…]
"I've heard it all, so that's enough. I didn't really plan on working with you anyway."
Hearing the situation made my decision even firmer.
"Maybe it's because you're such a fucking bastard. I hate you even more now. Piss off."
[Hah.]
Mang let out a dry laugh.
[Truly, must you be this...!]
Mang, about to speak, froze.
[You… what are you doing now?]
It must have seen what I was doing.
Fwoooosh—!!
Heat gathered all around me. I was forming a Flaming Sphere above my hand, rotating it toward my target. However, the direction I was looking wasn't at Mang in Yuseon's body.
It was at the empty ground.
No, it wasn't empty. Far, far below the ground, I could feel an immense energy. That must be the place. Where the Ice Crystal was.
[Don't tell me—!]
Mang reacted violently, as if it had realized something. Hearing that, I looked at it with a slight smile.
"I'm coming to see you now."
I threw the heat-wreathed Flaming Sphere straight at the ground.
KUUUAAAAAAA—!!!
An explosion erupted, creating a massive hole in the floor.