The Phoenix's Final Flame
A... Phoenix?
A Phoenix.
Many players thought of it as one of the Four Sacred Beasts, commonly referred to as the Fenghuang or Zhuque.
But this was a clear misconception.
Unlike the Fenghuang, the Phoenix was enveloped in crimson-orange flames and possessed one unique trait.
Immortality.
A trait that no other being in the Tower possessed.
It was the absolute condition of never dying within the space of the 'Tower.'
[The Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth] looks at his rival.]
[The Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth] hands down a new divine message.]
Divine Message
📍 Goal: With the help of [Kaelion], help [the Phoenix Egg] absorb the Phoenix's final strength.
🎁 Reward: Item [???]
[A special condition is added to the divine message handed down by the Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth].]
[*[Ruler of the Hearth] bears the penalty imposed on him to restore your physical condition to its peak.]
[All abnormal statuses disappear, and your mind clears.]
This is...?
In an instant, Kaelion's physical condition was restored to its peak.
[The Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth] glares at the actions of [the Banished Constellation].]
[Ruler of the Hearth]: You pushed yourself too hard. I've already intervened to block the [system penalty] anyway.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: Under the current circumstances, that was probably the best you could do.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: Did you want to protect him that much? That human?
Perhaps because a significant price had been paid, the hearth-shaped constellation in the sky was visible even from here.
Blue sparks were crackling around it.
“...Thank you.”
Kaelion knew.
She knew that the Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth] did not particularly like her.
But it was certain that she cherished Lee Jin-hyuk deeply.
And it was also true that she had given her the help she desperately needed right now.
In a situation like this, she couldn't help but be truly grateful.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: Right now, the Phoenix is trying to meet its death.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: There is only one case where the immortal Phoenix dies—when it burns everything it has.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: That's how desperately it wants to escape this situation. How much suffering must it have endured to choose death over capture?
“...”
[Ruler of the Hearth]: At this rate, that young Phoenix's life will only be wasted in vain.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: Fortunately, you possess a special power. Use it to escape this situation.
The clever Kaelion knew exactly what she had to do right now.
[Ruler of the Hearth]: Using my apostle like this. How insolent.
[Constellation]: Ridiculous. Who are you calling insolent?
Putting the Constellations' bickering aside for a moment, Kaelion picked up her twin swords.
“—*Graaaah! Arghhh!*”
“—*Aaaaargh! Aaah!*”
The Dragon Flow Sword Technique was completed in an instant, dominating the flow of the spirits.
Not only that, but the Wailing Ghosts present here were actually being absorbed by Kaelion.
However, it wasn't just the Wailing Ghosts that were being absorbed.
Whoosh!
The mythical divine beast, the Phoenix, exhaled its final breath.
Its final flames flickered as if begging to be released, unable to endure any more pain.
Ugh...!
Having unleashed the first through fourth forms, Kaelion was absorbing the crimson-orange flames.
Fwoosh!
A sun so massive it couldn't even be compared to the one from her spar with Lee Jin-hyuk appeared.
No, this was not a sun. It was a massive void in the center.
Surtr's crimson lava and the Phoenix's orange flames swirled around it.
“—...!”
“—...”
With such a massive amount of energy, the Wailing Ghosts caught in it were literally melting away.
Kaelion's power was currently swallowing everything.
Normally, just maintaining the Dragon Flow Sword Technique would have been overwhelming, but she had grown somewhat accustomed to it.
It was all thanks to her spar with Lee Jin-hyuk.
Now.
Swinging her swords relentlessly against the Wailing Ghosts, Kaelion took the egg from Lee Jin-hyuk's arms.
[Currently performing a divine message under special conditions.]
[Temporarily sharing ownership of the item, [Phoenix Egg].]
Now. If it's now...
Watching the witches trying to flee by any means necessary even at this moment, Kaelion's eyes gleamed.
A new sword technique...!
7th Form, Void Attraction.
A form that dragged distant opponents into a massive void of fire.
“...!”
“W-what is this?”
Feeling a force that felt like a powerful gravitational pull, the panicked witches began to scatter on their brooms.
But it was impossible.
The witches already within the domain of the fiery void were helplessly dragged in by the powerful gravitational pull.
Rumble!
They tried to escape by casting magic and deploying magic circles, but it was futile.
[The Constellation [Ruler of the Hearth] takes an interest in your power.]
Whoosh!
Amidst the roaring flames where everything melted, only the [Phoenix Egg] maintained its perfect shape.
[The item [Phoenix Egg] absorbs a massive amount of energy.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] shares the life energy it absorbs with its owner.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] consumes and stores the absorbed energy.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] has grown.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] has grown.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] has grown.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] has grown.]
[The item [Phoenix Egg] has grown.]
The power of the baby Phoenix, the Wailing Ghosts, the witches, and the nearby warlocks poured into it.
The [Phoenix Egg] devoured all of this, using it as an energy source to hatch.
Furthermore, a portion of it was returned to Kaelion, who had temporarily become its owner.
As a result, Kaelion was in a state where she could draw upon and use nearly infinite energy without limit.
But I don't know how long my body can hold out.
Although she was doing everything she could, including using the Dragon Flow Sword Technique and potions, Kaelion's body began to tremble.
Please. Just until we overcome this situation. Please.
As she gritted her teeth and endured, her muscles tore on their own, and her bones snapped and broke.
Her current physical vessel could not handle the sheer scale of her power.
Just a little... more!
“R-run!”
“Kyaaaah!”
“She's a monster! A monster!”
Unlike when they had arrived riding their brooms with leisurely smiles, the witches were now screaming and fleeing.
The witches on this 9th floor were the lowest of their kind. They could not use the spells of the Banished Constellation.
Even so, witches were fundamentally capable of using curses and possessed insane magical talent.
Considering there were dozens of them, it was clear just how powerful the energy Kaelion was currently wielding, absorbing, and fusing was.
It's warm.
A completely different feeling from when her entire body had melted during Surtr's trial.
They said I shouldn't lose consciousness when it feels this warm. Not yet...
Slip...
I haven't... fully protected Jin-hyuk yet...
Just as her eyes were closing against her will and she was about to collapse.
—*What is this... My child...*
Fwoosh!
A Phoenix, incomparably larger than the baby Phoenix, spread its wings before her eyes.
“Ha... Hahaha...”
Seeing this, Kaelion laughed hollowly.
“Lord... Phoenix...”
She forced herself to endure with all her might and looked at the creature.
“Please save us... and the divine beasts.”
—*I do not know what transpired here, but I will promise you one thing.*
Flap!
—*You and your companion shall be safe. Thank you. For bringing back my lost child.*
“Ha! Passed out again, this bastard.”
“Wake up, you bastard! Is this any time to be sleeping?”
“Oh? Oh? If you block, it's gonna hurt even more.”
Flash!
A rather unpleasant memory.
With the kicks of men in military uniforms whose faces he could barely remember now, Lee Jin-hyuk opened his eyes.
Damn it. This is no time to be sleeping so peacefully.
Sigh.
Whether it was due to his training or his past experiences, he regained his composure in an instant.
According to his last memories, he had blocked Baal's attack, protected the divine beasts and Kaelion, and then passed out.
Knowing Kaelion's riding skills, he figured she would have been able to reach where the Phoenix was.
I'm still so weak.
Clench.
To gamble my own fate on someone else's help and abilities.
Lee Jin-hyuk was a regressor.
The only one who possessed knowledge of the future, and the one who had stolen the vessel of a Constellation.
Even Jin-hyuk was human and couldn't be flawless, but at the very least, he shouldn't leave his fate in the hands of others.
Because the only one who could save the Tower was Jin-hyuk himself.
I have a long way to go. Still a long way.
It was true that he had grown incomparably stronger and faster than his past self at the same point in time before his regression.
But it was still far from enough.
Even if it was a Myth-grade Constellation, to be knocked out like this by a mere fraction of their power.
Damn it. This won't do.
An inexplicable anxiety wrapped around his entire body.
Even if I can't change my relationships with others or the grand flow of events...
Clench.
...becoming stronger is entirely up to my own will. Somehow, I must get stronger.
Only when his thoughts reached this point did he finally notice his surroundings.
Right. First, let's assess the situation.
First of all, almost his entire body was wrapped in bandages, and empty bottles of potions and holy water were rolling around.
Beneath him was a pile of twigs and feathers, resembling a bird's nest.
Crackle...
Most decisively, the spherical [Phoenix Egg] next to him was faintly resonating.
“You made it.”
Lee Jin-hyuk let out a sigh of relief.
“Seeing how it resonates with my holy fire.”
The Fenghuang and the Phoenix were clearly different.
But they weren't completely unrelated either.
Strictly speaking, they were like cousins sharing similar powers.
We made it to the Phoenix's nest.
Just as Jin-hyuk muttered that and tried to sit up.
Crack.
The sound of something snapping echoed.
“Ugh...”
Having been injured so heavily when fighting the [Banished] Constellation and its minions, Jin-hyuk was well-accustomed to pain.
Yet, the pain was so severe that even he couldn't move his body rashly.
“Damn it.”
Muttering a soft curse, he gave up trying to stand.
Lick.
And then, something approached and began to lick Jin-hyuk's cheek.
“Huh?”
“Kku!”
“Hey. Are you alright?”
Looking closely, it was the Haetae he had seen earlier at the divine beast ranch.
He recalled how it had sacrificed its own body to give him a bit of divine power during that critical moment.
“Thanks.”
“Kku? Kku-kku!”
The Haetae bowed its head as if it was the one who should be more grateful.
Then, it continued to lick Jin-hyuk's face.
“Kku-kku!”
“Kkyu!”
Did it realize Jin-hyuk was awake?
The Bulgasari he had saved also came over and licked the other side of his face.
Since they were divine beasts, it wasn't saliva but pure water coating his face, making it feel much wetter.
Snort...!
“...”
Meanwhile, the unicorn even turned its head away with a snort, as if displeased by something.
It was a series of chaotic events.
—*Oh. You're finally awake.*
While he lay there unable to move, watching the situation unfold, a woman walked in.
She had crimson-orange hair and wore clothes that resembled stylized feathers.
Truth-Seeking Eye
Just in case, he activated his skill, and sure enough, he felt an incredibly powerful aura of life radiating from her.
“Hello.”
Seeing the faint wrinkles around her eyes that suggested a significant age, Jin-hyuk greeted her.
—*Keep lying down, child.*
Her age and wisdom were felt naturally.
—*I am glad you have awakened.*
“What about Kaelion? The High Elf who was with me?”
—*Do not worry. She is safe and alive as well.*
“Whew...”
The Phoenix's nest. A place so overflowing with life that it was hard to believe it was on the 9th floor [Divine Beast Ranch].
If Kaelion had made it here, there shouldn't be any major issues.
—*She is currently with the egg you had. Yes, it would be faster for you to see it yourself.*
“Did something happen?”
—*It will be faster to see for yourself. Do not worry, her life is not in danger. And this place is not easily peered into, even by the beings of the stars.*