The Moon's Wailing Scripture
Boom! Boom-boom! Every time the Rock Spirit took a step, a roar that shook the very foundations of the earth echoed out. Each stride felt as if a barrage of arrows were detonating. The landscape where the spirit passed looked as though dozens of meteors had struck the ground. Craters, digging dozens of meters into the earth, stretched in a line from the center of Mt. Gwanak all the way to the entrance of the Jangsan-gul.
Nothing could survive its path. Not only the small creatures, but even the towering trees and solid boulders were pulverized, leaving not a single trace behind. In the span of just a few minutes, the movement of the Rock Spirit had completely altered the topography of Mt. Gwanak. It was enough to warrant redrawing the local maps.
"Gwoooooooh!!"
The Rock Spirit, having retreated to gain some distance, suddenly let out a thunderous roar. It was a warning of the next attack. The gate, already tattered from the previous two strikes, would surely collapse under the next blow.
The reason it was attacking Jangsan-gul wasn't out of anger toward the dwarves. They had been annoying while it was sealed, but that was a distant memory now. However, the location of Jangsan-gul was perfect for a Rock Spirit. That place, where the essence of the mountain range converged, would serve as a fine resting place for one just freed from its seal. It would simply drive out the existing inhabitants, just as it had lived its life until now. If they didn't run away and chose to fight back even after the gate fell, that would just be an entertaining diversion.
Such selfish and violent temperament was its nature, and it hadn't changed at all since its release.
"Gwoooooooh!"
It had shown enough mercy. All that remained was to swat away the rest of the flies and claim that coveted spot.
Kwagwagwagwang—!!
Immediately after, the Rock Spirit began to charge toward the gate of Jangsan-gul. The four-legged stone mountain, carrying immense mass, closed the distance to the gate rapidly.
"This is… run! Everyone get down!"
"Move, quickly!"
"Where did such a monster come from…!"
"What about the request for reinforcements!"
"They said it would take more time!"
"Damn it… damn it!"
Those atop the gate began to evacuate in a hurry. Since several counterattacks had done absolutely nothing to the Rock Spirit, they had no way to stop that charge. Staying here meant certain death. Although the gate had managed to withstand two attacks, it seemed impossible to avoid collapse this time.
The Rock Spirit sneered at the sight of them scurrying away. The logic of the strong preying on the weak was a truth that never changed with time.
"Gwo…?"
But then, a human stood atop the gate. He held a sword in one hand. A strange, black energy gathered around the black blade. Even for a Rock Spirit that had existed for thousands of years, it was a sight it had never seen before.
Soon, a black slash erupted, looking as if a single stroke of a brush had been drawn across the blue sky. The slash, dyeing the air black as it surged forward, scattered a thick, ominous aura.
Kwoong!
However, the Rock Spirit did not stop. An attack of that level posed no threat to it. Since the dwarves' all-out offensive to block the previous two attacks hadn't done anything, there was no reason to back down against such a tiny human. It didn't matter if that slash contained power beyond imagination. In any case, this body was like a consumable that could be regenerated as much as needed, no matter how much it was destroyed.
Kwagagak.
But at that moment, a terrible pain caused the Rock Spirit's body to tilt. It felt a deep wound carved into its very soul. Before it could even understand what had happened, its body began to crumble. With one of the legs supporting its massive frame completely severed, it had no choice but to collapse helplessly.
Kwadudududuk……
Its head hit the gate, leaving a deep mark on the earth, but the gate did not collapse. Immediately after, the sight of the human leaping down, filled with killing intent, entered the Rock Spirit's eyes. It was enough to awaken the anxiety that had been dormant within it.
Hyeonwol Sin-gong (Dark Moon Divine Art).
Hyeonwol had been imbued with immense life force. That life force was the source of the sword's power, and naturally, it did not disappear even after the stabilization process. Through his communion with the sword, Kim Ilshin had awakened the method of manipulating that life force. He had reached a realm where he could mix his own mana with that life force, granting a clear substance to abstract properties. The power of Hyeonwol Sin-gong, which reproduced the principle of circulation from absorption to release, could even sever the soul of a spirit.
Kwaduk.
"Gwooooooooh!!"
As he plunged the sword down with the momentum of his leap, the Rock Spirit let out a scream of agony. Compared to its overall size, it was a small wound that couldn't even be called a scratch, but the creature had likely never felt any pain until now. Thus, it had no choice but to react violently to such a small injury.
"Gwoooooooh!"
With a low scream that threatened to burst his eardrums, the ground beneath his feet surged upward. It was the Rock Spirit's struggle to shake off Kim Ilshin. However, Kim Ilshin did not fall easily. Holding onto the embedded Hyeonwol, he steadied himself and climbed up to the very crown of the Rock Spirit.
'Now.'
Grasping Hyeonwol with both hands, he unleashed a disruptive wave of energy beneath his feet. Controlling his vertically plummeting body with the embedded sword, he descended rapidly.
Kagagagak!
Rapid, successive scars were drawn long down the Rock Spirit's arm.
"Gwoooo-ack!"
Reading the movements of the rampaging Rock Spirit, he leaped at the perfect moment. He landed lightly on the very top of the Rock Spirit's head. In terms of a human body, it was a vital point, but in normal circumstances, it would have meant nothing to a spirit. However, since the Hyeonwol Sin-gong Kim Ilshin was wielding could strike the essence of a spirit directly, this spot was a fatal weak point even for the Rock Spirit.
Hwoong!
Sensing danger, the Rock Spirit slammed its palm toward its own crown. The palm, crushing the air as it descended, darkened the area around Kim Ilshin, but it was already too late.
Hwa-ak!
Black energy surged from the Hyeonwol held in a reverse grip. Along with a resonating, shattering wave, overwhelming energy erupted from the downward strike.
Crackle. Crackle-crack.
The Moon Curve Echo, imbued with the mana of Hyeonwol Sin-gong, created cracks within the Rock Spirit.
"Gwoooo……."
The Rock Spirit's descending palm lost its strength and fell downward. Its sturdy exterior gradually crumbled, and large fragments rolled about.
Kwang!
The strike that followed drove the wedge in. The small cracks gradually connected and expanded, eventually splitting the Rock Spirit in two.
Kugugugu……
Standing atop the collapsing Rock Spirit, Kim Ilshin gripped Hyeonwol tightly.
***
"W-what happened…?"
Hwang Deok-soo, the merchant hiding behind the gate, muttered softly. The monstrous roars and vibrations that had been echoing until just a moment ago had stopped in an instant. It was certain that something had happened, but he couldn't tell exactly what. He didn't even know if it was a good thing or a bad thing for them.
"Can't you find out what's happening outside?"
"Yes… The cameras installed outside were all disabled by the previous attacks. Power supply is also hanging by a thread. We are trying to take measures quickly, but we need more time."
"Hoo…."
Hwang Deok-soo let out an anxious sigh. It was frustrating because there was no way to know the situation outside. It was fortunate that the gate hadn't collapsed, contrary to his worries, but the danger wasn't over as long as the Rock Spirit remained outside. He was worried not only about the safety of Jangsan-gul but also about Kim Ilshin, who had climbed onto the gate while spouting absurd nonsense about facing the Rock Spirit. Strangely, the Rock Spirit's attacks had stopped as soon as he climbed up, but it was hard to believe that Kim Ilshin had accomplished it.
"What are you doing there! Come down quickly! It's dangerous!"
Just then, an urgent shout was heard from the side. Startled, he looked up and saw Hana Lin climbing onto the gate.
"Narin! Come down quickly!"
He didn't know when the Rock Spirit's attack would come and collapse the gate. Climbing up now was an extremely dangerous act.
"It's dangerous! Come down!"
Despite Hwang Deok-soo's shouting, Hana Lin did not stop. She had to check the outside as soon as possible.
"Hoo, hwoooo…."
As she climbed the gate with all her might, her breath reached her throat, and her legs felt like they were giving out. Her head was dizzy, and sweat blinded her, but Hana Lin leaned over the gate to look ahead.
'…You did it.'
Soon, what entered her eyes was the sight of Kim Ilshin standing on the remains of the Rock Spirit.