Turtle Ear (4)
When an enormous amount of mana gathered in the turtle ear's mouth, everyone thought the same thing.
This is impossible to block.
The flow of mana was so massive that such a thought was inevitable. That's why, when they spotted Shin Yerim who hadn't managed to escape in time, the worst scenarios flashed through everyone's minds.
Some closed their eyes, while others screamed her name desperately.
Shin Yesung, watching from afar, felt his pupils shake violently. A shock and fear as if time had frozen gripped his entire body.
People were briefly surprised when Kim Jehyun stepped in front of her, but they soon cried out in horrified voices.
"Dodge—get out of there!"
But Kim Jehyun had no intention of dodging from in front of Shin Yerim. Instead, he was preparing to block the turtle ear's breath head-on.
When the turtle ear's breath finally poured down, everyone thought the same: They're both done for.
* * *
Hoo.
Kim Jehyun couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the turtle ear's breath surging toward him. Even he thought that blocking it head-on was a foolish move.
But...
He didn't want to let Shin Yerim die. In the original timeline, she might not have even been here—there had been no mention of her dying in this spot before his regression.
So, her current peril might be the butterfly effect from his actions, known or unknown.
"J-Jehyun-nim, just dodge! It's dangerous!"
"It's fine."
"B-But..."
Kim Jehyun turned back to Shin Yerim, who was trembling as she spoke, and flashed a reassuring smile. Her body shook like a leaf in the wind from the terror of death and worry for him.
Kim Jehyun drew up his mana with full power, and the breath laden with immense mana began pouring from the turtle ear's mouth.
Shield, shield, shield.
He layered countless shields. On top of that, he manifested his Dragon Horn and deployed his Dragon Scale to the maximum.
Shuuuaaa.
The sea split to both sides, and a tsunami surged up. The devastating beam of destruction hurtled toward Kim Jehyun with the force to annihilate everything.
Thud.
The countless layered shields shattered one by one. Eventually, they were all torn apart, and the beam engulfed Kim Jehyun's body.
"No!"
The onlookers screamed at the sight. Some couldn't bear to watch and turned away.
"Wha... what's that?!"
Then, someone pointed in bewilderment at the spot where Kim Jehyun had stood.
All eyes turned there.
The destructive beam was splitting around Kim Jehyun, forking to either side.
"Whoa!"
"He's... he's blocking it!"
"Oh, God!"
Everyone erupted in cheers at the electrifying scene. No one had imagined Kim Jehyun would actually block it.
"Just a bit more!"
"Please!"
They all prayed fervently for him to endure the turtle ear's breath.
—Almost blocked it all! Just hold on a little longer!
At Alkasha's words, Kim Jehyun gritted his teeth even harder. His Dragon Scale was already at its limit from absorbing the breath.
Conditions for using Dragon's Rage have been met.
At that moment, a system window appeared before his eyes. Instinctively, Kim Jehyun realized he could now use Dragon's Rage to its limit.
Dragon's Rage.
He immediately activated the Dragon Scale's authority, Dragon's Rage.
An immense ultra-high-temperature energy surged from his Dragon Scale.
Kwaaaang!
The superheated beam began pushing back the turtle ear's still-ongoing breath.
"...!"
"Wh-What's that?!"
The onlookers were stunned. Pushing back that breath? Was that even possible? For a mere 5th Circle mage like him?
They gaped speechlessly at the scene.
The turtle ear panicked at the sudden reversal—its own breath being repelled.
Swoosh.
It instinctively retracted its head, limbs, and tail into its shell. It had activated absolute defense mode.
Soon, Kim Jehyun's Dragon's Rage struck the turtle ear's body squarely.
Kwaaaaang!
A massive explosion rocked their ears. The ultra-high heat vaporized the surrounding seawater, filling the air with thick steam.
The sight sent chills down the spines of the watchers. Even from afar, they could feel the tremendous energy waves.
Th-Is this possible?
Han Bongjun muttered, rubbing the goosebumps on his arms. This level of power was beyond S-rank.
At that age, wielding such strength?
Watching the Dragon's Rage, he was overcome with awe. It was no power a 5th Circle mage should possess. This was off-the-charts.
He'd thought Kim Jehyun might one day succeed the Magic Tower Master if he played his cards right.
I was wrong.
This wasn't about succeeding the Tower Master. He had the potential to surpass him—maybe even break past the uncharted 9th Circle.
Insane.
Han Bongjun felt relief that Shin Yerim had been saved, but also realized Kim Jehyun was far more monstrous than he'd imagined.
Meanwhile, the steam that had obscured their vision began to clear.
The turtle ear, struck directly by Dragon's Rage, came into view.
"It... it endured?!"
Someone spoke in a voice laced with dread.
Incredibly, the turtle ear had blocked Kim Jehyun's devastating attack.
One hit wasn't enough, huh.
Kim Jehyun clicked his tongue.
—But look closely—it's not unscathed.
Indeed, the turtle ear had taken damage. The shell where Dragon's Rage hit was half-destroyed, with cracks spiderwebbing around it.
"Yerim-nim, leave the rest to me and get that man out of here."
"B-But Jehyun-nim..."
"I'll be fine."
Shin Yerim spoke with worry, but nodded upon seeing his eyes. There wasn't a trace of concern in them—only firm confidence in victory.
"Thank you, Jehyun-nim."
With the situation urgent, she gave a brief thanks and withdrew.
Kim Jehyun pulled out the High-Grade Mana Potions he'd prepared in his inventory and downed three in a row. His depleted mana recovered somewhat.
Grooooar.
The turtle ear, revealing its face again, let out an enraged roar. Its blazing eyes locked onto Kim Jehyun.
Meeting that gaze, he grinned.
"Alright, round two."
That marked the start.
Terrifying mana erupted from the turtle ear's body.
Kwaaaang!
A massive water pillar shot up from beneath Kim Jehyun's feet. It carried mana powerful enough to pulverize bones if it hit directly.
Sea God's Strike—the attack the turtle ear had just used.
Bam, bam, kwaaaang!
Dozens of water pillars erupted from the sea at once. Kim Jehyun dodged nimbly, but the assaults grew fiercer.
"Damn it, request backup from the clan right now!"
Han Bongjun shouted urgently. It seemed impossible for Kim Jehyun to win alone.
But appearances were deceiving—Kim Jehyun was still at ease.
Jumping, Sky Walker.
He activated the magic embedded in his robe. His body soared into the air, evading all the massive water pillars aimed at him.
Grooooar.
The turtle ear's gaze followed him into the sky.
—Now!
Alkasha's shout rang out. Kim Jehyun nodded and yelled.
"Wisp!"
Flash!
Wisp appeared in midair and burst into blinding white light.
Kraaa!
The turtle ear, temporarily blinded, screamed. The surprise attack via Wisp was effective—it lost its balance and flailed.
"Wh-What?! Is that the light spirit?!"
The Nature Clan members, except Shin Yerim, gaped. They instinctively knew it wasn't mere magic, but the light spirit no one had contracted.
"He really contracted the light spirit too?!"
Someone shouted in disbelief, voicing everyone's shock.
"Thunder Bird!"
In the meantime, Kim Jehyun summoned Thunder Bird. It scattered lightning as it charged the turtle ear.
Though not quite S-rank, Thunder Bird matched that level. And its lightning attribute countered the turtle ear's water perfectly.
It was more than capable of facing the beast. Indeed, the turtle ear was pushed back helplessly under Thunder Bird's onslaught.
Pzzt-zzt-crackle.
Thunder Bird unleashed a rain of lightning, zipping like a bolt to strike the turtle ear's body repeatedly.
"A straight fight... it's holding its own?"
Someone murmured in a trance. They'd sensed Thunder Bird's power at first sight, but never dreamed it could match the turtle ear head-on.
The thought that Kim Jehyun might actually win flickered through their minds.
Groooooaaar!
But the turtle ear wasn't done. Pushed to the brink, it bellowed and exploded its mana once more.
Sea God's Wrath.
A massive tsunami formed in concentric circles around it, sweeping everything.
Thunder Bird tried to dive skyward, but it was too late.
Splush.
It got caught in the Sea God's Wrath. The turtle ear's twisted face finally relaxed for the first time.
But it had overlooked something. Kim Jehyun was a mage, not a spirit user.
While Thunder Bird fought, he'd used Flight magic to hover and prepare his attack.
Flash.
Dazzling white light erupted from the sky—the magic completed with Wisp's aid.
Spirit Magic: Light Hammer (A+).
A massive hammer of light formed in his hand. It resembled the Light Hammer the Magic Tower Master favored.
The giant light hammer plummeted toward the exposed turtle ear.
Shiiiing.
With the sound of it cleaving the air, it struck precisely the cracked spot from Dragon's Rage.
Kwaaaang!
Light particles exploded, forming a colossal pillar of radiance shooting skyward, engulfing the turtle ear.
Thud.
The turtle ear finally collapsed under the attack, creating a huge splash.
"Woooah!"
"He really won!"
"Insane, Kim Jehyun!"
The tense onlookers cheered wildly. To them, it looked like he'd defeated the turtle ear.
But the battle wasn't over.
Shiiiiaaa.
A chilling, goosebump-inducing aura exploded from the turtle ear's body. Purple energy poured from its entire form.
The cheers froze. The ominous aura swirling around it was anything but ordinary.
—Now!
Alkasha shouted, but Kim Jehyun was already moving.
Thud.
He landed on the turtle ear's face and placed his hand on its forehead—the spot where the purple energy was most concentrated.
That's why he'd come here.
Alkasha!
At his call, Alkasha activated Absorption.
Alkasha greatly absorbs the Overmind's energy.
Overmind comprehension increases.
Overmind resistance increases.
As the system messages appeared, the turtle ear's madness-tainted eyes gradually returned to normal.
Soon, the ferocious mana surging from its body began to subside.
Shin Yerim and Han Bongjun's eyes shook like leaves at the sight.
Controlling that mana... what level is his mana control at...?
To them, it looked like Kim Jehyun was taming the mana. They couldn't even begin to gauge the limits of his power.
Grooo...
As the purple energy faded, the turtle ear let out a plaintive wail. Its eyes had returned to kindness, but the light of life was fading from them.
Its seemingly impenetrable shell was half-shattered, and the rampaging purple energy had thrown its innate vitality into chaos. What little life force remained was feeble.
—This thing's about to die.
Kim Jehyun nodded at Alkasha's words. It was beyond saving.
Grooo...
The turtle ear gazed at him and whimpered faintly. Though words didn't connect, its intent came through dimly: gratitude for the salvation.
Feels kinda pitiful.
—Yeah.
But this wouldn't be the end of its life. He could revive it with Soul Collect, preserving its ego.
How do I use Soul Collect?
—I'm not entirely sure. But actually... I didn't tell you earlier to avoid discouraging you, but the success rate isn't high. Especially for something of this caliber.
Just as Alkasha finished, a system message appeared.
Soul Collect can be used.
The turtle ear had fully breathed its last. Kim Jehyun took a short deep breath and activated the skill toward it.
Soul Collect.
Flash.
As he invoked the skill, a pure white light surged from the turtle ear's body.