Chapter 637: White Night
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 637: White Night
The creature bore a striking resemblance to Ttolddoli.
Its head, in particular, was shaped almost identically, but the rest of its body was a different story. If Ttolddoli’s form was akin to a serpent, this thing’s torso was that of a ferocious beast—a tiger or a lion. Its tail, however, remained reminiscent of a snake. It was a true chimera.
Looking at the bizarre creature, a single word surfaced in my mind.
White.
The final tier in the monster classification system: Green, Blue, Red, and finally, White.
It was a being that, much like the Red-Grade demons, had not been seen for an incredibly long time. It was a creature I had never once encountered, even in my past life.
“What the hell is that thing?”
The curse slipped out the moment I laid eyes on it.
Grrrrrr—!!! Kuaaaaah—!!!
Its savage roar sent a shudder through my entire body. Its massive frame was covered in shimmering white scales, its size so immense it looked as if several Red-Grade demons had been fused together.
A single Red-Grade demon was already larger than a manor. If this thing was the size of several combined, there were no words to describe its scale.
I studied it, my brow furrowed deep.
Crack—!
The slightest movement of its colossal body sent shockwaves rippling in every direction.
CRASH—!
Icebergs were pulverized, and the surrounding forest was thrown into utter disarray. History recorded that a White-Grade demon was a walking disaster—a calamity by its very existence. That description felt perfectly fitting.
If a monster of that scale moves, what else could it be but a disaster?
It was as if a mountain were moving. It wasn't Mount Tai, but the weight of its presence felt every bit as heavy.
How in the world…?
Where did something like that even come from?
Crrrack—!
Amidst the raging blizzard, the creature continued its rampage.
“Aaargh!”
THUD—!
Its tail swung like a falling pillar, crushing people beneath its weight. Only mangled corpses remained in its wake.
I expanded my senses and shifted my gaze.
The Gate of Demons?
I wasn't entirely certain if this thing was truly a White-Grade demon, but if it were, a Gate of Demons should have been left behind after its emergence. Yet, there was no trace of a gate having opened.
Which meant…
It was here from the start.
But where could it have been hiding? A body that large couldn't simply be tucked away.
Is it really a White-Grade?
If not, I couldn't imagine what else it could be. It was a grade I’d never seen in my past life, one that had only appeared a handful of times throughout history. However, while their numbers were few, the scars they left behind were anything but small.
A prime example was Shincheol, the Divine Sword of Mount Hua. The White-Grade demon Elder Shin had slain, the Mist Dragon, had shrouded an entire region in eternal fog upon its death, creating a forest no human could ever enter again.
The Water Dragon that Tang Jaemoon had hunted had unleashed a localized deluge in its final moments, turning the path to Sichuan into a great river where demons now dwelled.
Even the burning cliffs on the way to Xinjiang were created when the Zenith Under the Heavens of that era—Yeon Il-Cheon, the Lord of the Fist—hunted the Great Fire Dragon.
The aftermath of their deaths was grand enough to reshape the very geography of the land. That was the true meaning of a White-Grade demon’s power. Facing one directly, I understood it even better.
How the hell did they hunt something like that?
I hadn't understood it when I’d only heard the legends of them slaying White-Grade demons single-handedly. Seeing it now, it just seemed absurd.
They killed this thing alone?
Suddenly, Elder Shin seemed even more like a monster than he already did.
The problem was…
Tsk.
I didn't have time to dwell on the past.
Kuaaaaaah—!!
The creature let out a monstrous shriek and began lunging toward something. In the midst of the chaos, I wondered what it had targeted.
“Fucking hell.”
The moment I saw its target, I launched myself forward. I could tell even from a distance. How could I not?
Amidst the fleeing crowd, I saw Namgung Bi-ah. Tang Soyeol was carrying her on her back. And that was precisely where the creature was heading.
Grrrrr—!!!
I closed the distance in an instant and swung my fist with everything I had.
BOOM—!
Grrrk?!
My fist struck the creature’s head directly. A thunderous explosion erupted, and its head reeled back, but…
Damn it.
I was the one who had to grit my teeth.
It didn't connect properly.
I knew it from the sensation in my knuckles. The impact hadn't penetrated. Just like the Red-Grade demons, this creature was cloaked in a dense protective barrier of Qi. That was why my attack had been so ineffective.
Just then—
WHOOSH—!
“…!”
Something whipped toward me. It was the creature’s tail. Befitting its massive frame, the tail alone was the size of a typical Red-Grade demon.
It’s fast.
Despite its size, it moved with terrifying speed. It was too late to dodge.
Gulp.
I hurriedly circulated my Qi, attempting to manifest a wall of Combat Qi.
Shiiik—! KABOOM—!
A wave of energy flew in from the side, striking the tail and knocking it off course. Seizing the opening, I quickly descended to the ground.
As I landed, the one who had deflected the tail approached me.
“Quite the tumultuous homecoming.”
It was the Dishonored Venerable. He had used his Fist Aura to save me.
“…What happened?” I asked, skipping the thanks entirely.
The Dishonored Venerable chuckled, as if he’d expected nothing less from me.
“What is that thing?” I pressed.
“That’s what I’d like to know. I was sleeping soundly… when some bizarre creature decided to interrupt my rest.”
“Interrupt?”
He was sleeping and got interrupted?
Does that mean this thing attacked the hideout?
A White-Grade demon suddenly attacking our base? The situation was baffling, but a nagging energy kept distracting me. No, I already knew the answer.
Mang.
I could feel Mang’s energy emanating from the White-Grade demon’s body. And it was incredibly dense. The reason I had left Woo Hyuk and flown all the way here was because even though Mang had vanished, I could still feel his presence so strongly.
I didn't know how this was possible, but…
If you’re going to die, just die quietly.
I could tell this was about to become a massive pain in the ass.
Kuaaaaaah—!!!
With another monstrous roar, the creature began to move again. The sheer volume caused the very air to vibrate.
What a shitshow.
Swallowing a curse, I looked around. Countless people were trembling in fear, paralyzed by the demon’s roar.
Amidst them…
“Young Master!”
I turned my head at the soft voice. Tang Soyeol was approaching, Namgung Bi-ah still on her back. Bi-ah’s eyes were closed as if she’d lost consciousness, and she looked to be in terrible shape.
I frowned at the sight, and Tang Soyeol spoke in a trembling voice.
“Sister Bi-ah…!”
“What happened?”
“…She was… protecting me.”
“…”
I raised a hand to cut her off. “Later.”
I turned my head back to the demon. This was no time for explanations.
“Her condition.”
“…!”
“What is her condition?”
Tang Soyeol flinched at my clipped tone, but she answered quickly.
“…She wasn’t hit in any vital spots. I think… the wounds she sustained from being buried under the debris reopened.”
“I see.”
I suppressed the emotions threatening to boil over. Colder, and colder still. Now was the time for focus.
Just then—
“F-Father—!!”
A scream of despair echoed from nearby.
“Father…!!”
“Young Lady…! For now, stay back…!”
It was Yuri, being held back by the palace warriors. She was screaming at the demon.
Seeing this, I immediately turned to the Dishonored Venerable.
“Was the Palace Lord taken down?”
Did the demon kill the Palace Lord? Is that why she’s wailing?
At my question, the Dishonored Venerable paused. “Hmm.”
He gave an ambiguous answer. “I haven’t fully grasped the situation. However, from what I’ve heard… it’s not so much that the Palace Lord was defeated.”
Ssk.
The Dishonored Venerable pointed straight at the monster.
“They say that thing is the Palace Lord.”
“Pardon?”
I stared at the demon. What did the Dishonored Venerable just say?
The demon is the Palace Lord?
What kind of bullshit was that? But then…
Heh.
Now that he’d said it, things I hadn't noticed before slowly started to come into focus.
Kuaaaah—!!
The energy of the demon roaring its lungs out—that was the energy Mang possessed. And also…
…He did say something about a body.
Mang had put his energy into Woo Hyuk, but I recalled him saying his original body had been infused into another ice crystal. Considering the energy started to manifest the moment Mang was annihilated…
Tsk.
Does that mean this is Mang’s original body? Then what does it mean that it’s also the Palace Lord?
I didn't know. I had no idea, but…
Crack.
I loosened my muscles and took a step forward.
“Do you intend to fight it?”
“Yes.”
I nodded in response to the Dishonored Venerable’s question. But even as I said it, I hesitated. Given my exhausted state, running away was objectively the best option.
…But this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I had never seen a White-Grade demon in my past life. No matter how remote the North was, an incident of this magnitude would have been impossible to miss. Even if it had been hunted without casualties, I would have heard the rumors.
But if there was nothing at all in the records…
It means I caused this by twisting the timeline.
Mang died, which caused a problem with the ice crystal, and now this happened. If that was the case, didn't that mean this was, to some extent, my fault?
Kuaaaah—!
The creature was closing in on us.
THUD—!!
It opened its massive maw wide.
Crackle—!
“Huh?”
I could see energy condensing in its throat. The moment I saw it, a chill ran down my spine.
Danger.
The instant my instincts screamed at me—
WHOOSH—!
A hand grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, and my body shot upwards. I couldn't even react. And as soon as my feet left the ground…
KWAAAAAAAH—!!!
A beam of unknown energy blasted from the creature’s mouth, sweeping across the earth.
Crrraaaack—!!!
The wide, swift wave of energy passed, and the ground froze solid in an instant. Floating in the air, my eyes widened at the sight.
“That thing is insane.”
“I should be the one saying that, you brat.”
The Dishonored Venerable, who had appeared beside me, sighed as he looked at me. “You should have run immediately. What were you thinking, just standing there watching?”
“I was reacting as fast as I could…”
I was only a fraction slower than him. The moment I registered the energy, the Dishonored Venerable had grabbed me and thrown me into the air. Whether that actually saved my life was debatable—I could have dodged if I had to.
“Haaah…”
At my weak excuse, the Dishonored Venerable let out another, deeper sigh. “In any case, I understand you intend to fight that thing.”
He cracked his neck and loosened his shoulders. Watching him, I asked, “Are you joining me?”
“Hoho.” The Dishonored Venerable laughed as if the question were absurd. “…This is my punishment for taking on a foolish disciple in my old age. What can I do when you insist on walking into the jaws of death?”
The jaws of death. It was a rare phrase to hear from his lips. It meant that even in his eyes, this wouldn't be easy.
“Then you could just stop me.”
If you don't want me to go, just stop me. Why go with me?
The Dishonored Venerable clicked his tongue loudly. “Tsk!”
“It’s obvious you wouldn’t listen even if I tried. Besides,” he shot me a chiding look before his expression softened into a slight smile, “I have never taught you how to run away. And I likely have no intention of ever teaching you.”
“…”
It sounded like a legendary line. But looking at the Dishonored Venerable’s expression, I didn't feel inspired at all.
…Looking at his face, this old man is the one enjoying this the most.
His eyes were filled with the thrill of impending battle. It was the exact same face he made when he was beating me during training, so there was no mistaking it. Such a vivid emotion was truly terrifying.
“Ah, right. And, disciple.”
“Yes.”
“Later, you will explain what happened to that body of yours.”
Fwip—!
With those words, the Dishonored Venerable’s form vanished.
“…Haha.”
Left alone, all I could do was let out a hollow laugh. He hadn't brought it up, so I thought maybe he hadn't noticed. But it seemed the Dishonored Venerable had immediately realized my realm had risen.
That perceptive old bastard…
He really wasn't easy to fool.
As I thought that, I was about to charge toward the demon as well, when—
Tuk—!
Something fell to the ground.
“Hm?”
I looked down to see a red jade marble. It had fallen from my clothes; my lucky pouch must have torn during the frantic movements earlier. Without bending down, I used my Qi to levitate the marble into the air.
Woooong—!
I examined the floating marble for a moment. I wondered what it was, then…
What was this… Ah.
I remembered. It was the item Lady Mi had given me before I left for the North.
‘She definitely told me to use it in a dangerous situation.’
I hadn't even been told how to use it; she had just pressed it into my hand and told me to use it when the time came. It looked like a simple red jade marble, but it was most likely a high-level treasure.
Woooong.
The marble floating in the air seemed to be glowing faintly.
Does it react to Qi?
I studied it for a moment before grabbing it and tucking it away. I then followed the Dishonored Venerable and leaped toward the demon.
I had no intention of using the treasure. The situation was dangerous, yes, but using it would be an admission of that fact. I was afraid Lady Mi would find out later. Afraid she would know I had been in over my head. For some reason, that bothered me.
So I wasn't going to use it. I was definitely not going to use it…
But I didn't know. I didn't know that the 'method of use' for the jade marble was so simple. Nor did I know what effect the treasure actually had.
I had no idea at all.