Chapter 777
Chapter 777
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 777
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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A pigeon soared into the sky.
Then an arrow streaked in from the distance, piercing its body. Blood sprayed as it plummeted to the ground. An irritated voice leaked from the pigeon's beak.
"Damn it... intruders..."
Gray energy seeped from the pigeon's body and dissipated into the air.
Shin Jong-woo approached the pigeon and inspected the corpse. More precisely, he was eyeing the arrow that had pierced it.
"No trace of any sorcery on the pigeon... The arrow's completely ordinary. Nothing distinctive about it."
"...Young Master Shin. Could it be them?"
"Who else would interfere this blatantly? The pigeon must've given away our position when it flew off. We need to move."
Shin Jong-woo and Namgung Rin reacted with calm efficiency. It seemed like they'd been through this a few times before.
At this point in the story, the ones chasing Shin Jong-woo would have to be the Black Dragon Fortress. They're after Dullwood Pavilion's destruction and his martial arts.
If the original plot hadn't deviated too much, my guess about the enemies' identity was spot on. Still, I played dumb and asked Shin Jong-woo.
"What the hell's going on? Who are these attackers that came out of nowhere?"
Shin Jong-woo fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"I was going to keep quiet to avoid dragging you in, but since you've come this far, I suppose I have no choice. They're from the Black Dragon Fortress. They're targeting me and Elder Dullwood. You, Lady Rin, and Sung Yu-jin got caught up in it. I'm sorry."
"Young Master Shin, don't apologize. You haven't done anything wrong."
"...Black Dragon Fortress. I've heard the name. They're infamous for their brutality... How'd you end up tangled with scum like that?"
"They're after my martial arts. Mine are unique, which caught their interest. As for Elder Dullwood's circumstances... that's not my story to tell."
I glanced at Namgung Rin. She had no idea Dullwood Pavilion specialized in Shadowless Divine Throw.
"What now? You planning to keep running forever?"
"There won't be just one or two of them. Even if I don't know the exact numbers, three of us couldn't handle them. Best to avoid if we can."
"This path doesn't lead out of the forest."
"We need the Silver Sorcerer. He's not like other sorcerers. He knows something... he has to."
"You know where the Silver Sorcerer is and that's why you're heading this way?"
"...No. I'm going on instinct."
It was absurd, but I let it slide. This guy was the protagonist, after all. In a crisis like this, his gut was more reliable than any intel. Though he clearly hadn't figured out my connection to Namgung Rin.
Fwump, flap!
A flock of birds shot across the sky. Pigeons, hawks, sparrows—all sorts of birds swarming chaotically, putting on quite the show.
It had to be the Silver Sorcerer's sorcery. He was famous for commanding birds.
"That way!"
"Direction's right on. But the vibe's off. Looks like he's fighting the Black Dragon Fortress."
"We have to go. I need answers from the Silver Sorcerer."
"We're in this to help, so we'll see it through."
"I agree with Young Master Sung."
"...Thank you."
We veered toward the chaos of birds.
Sure enough, a battle was underway. But it wasn't what we'd expected. The Silver Sorcerer, cloaked in a feathered mantle, was overwhelming more than twenty Black Dragon Fortress warriors. Over half of them were already dead.
"Damn it. A mere sorcerer...!"
A warrior in black armor gnashed his teeth. Each swing of his spear sent birds diving suicidally at him, only to splatter blood and drop.
"Mere sorcerer? In my eyes, you're just fodder warriors."
The Silver Sorcerer, shrouded in his feathered mantle, was a man with a short beard and an X-shaped scar on his left cheek. His eyes were so deep they barely seemed human.
"We had no intel you were this strong! A nobody sorcerer hiding in some backwoods forest... What the hell are you?!"
"Don't lump me in with those worldly hack sorcerers. There's one reason I settled in this forest and never left: to advance my cultivation. Comparing me to them is an insult."
I paused, puzzled. The warrior was facing ordinary birds—no spirit beasts, nothing special. The guy in black armor seemed about my level. Numbers alone shouldn't faze him.
...No. Those birds... they've been enhanced by sorcery?
Once I noticed, it was shocking. There had to be over 5,000 of them. Turning that many into Entry Form realm creatures? The Silver Sorcerer was a monster beyond imagination.
"Gaaahhh!"
"Aaaagh!"
Black Dragon Fortress warriors screamed. Birds pecked out eyes, gnawed flesh. The metallic tang of blood reached us even from here.
They had no chance.
"This can't be real... The Silver Sorcerer is this strong? If he was, my family never would've left him alone."
Namgung Rin muttered in disbelief. Her words snapped me alert. She was right. No clan would ignore a powerhouse like this nearby. They'd subjugate, recruit, or extort tribute.
It was also odd that the Namgung family hadn't warned her about him.
"It's a bluff. He's using sorcery to look stronger than he is."
Shin Jong-woo said it coolly. Unlike our surprise, he'd seen through it from the start.
"Urgh... Silver Sorcerer! Let's make a deal!"
The lone surviving black-armored warrior shouted. He was drenched in blood—mostly from the birds he'd slain.
"Resorting to bargaining now that you're losing? Fine, I'll hear you out. Speak."
"I'm Baek Chong-mu-yo, third squad leader of the Black Dragon Fortress Assassination Squad!"
The Silver Sorcerer's eyes grew icier.
"And? Should I care about some nobody's name?"
"You think Black Dragon Fortress will let you be if you kill me? We show no mercy to enemies. Kill me, and their other elites will come for you to uphold our honor!"
It wasn't impossible. Even in this merciless world, Black Dragon Fortress had a brutal reputation.
"If you think I'm scared of Black Dragon Fortress, you're dead wrong."
The Silver Sorcerer raised his hand. The thousands of birds blotting the sky scattered far away. In their place, a massive hawk over 5 meters wide soared in from the horizon.
That's a spirit beast.
No doubt. No normal hawk grew that big. It lacked yokai aura, though.
Low grade, but still a spirit beast. Must have an inner core.
Greed stirred faintly.
The giant hawk lunged at the black-armored warrior, talons extended. He desperately parried with his blade.
"S-Silver Sorcerer! I haven't finished!"
"I'm done. Ramble all you want."
"Spare me! We won't touch this place again! I'll vouch for you with Black Dragon Fortress! I swear!"
"Your oaths are worthless. Lighter than chick feathers."
"I'll pay! This armor! It's made from imugi scales!"
"That's it? An artifact should have special properties, right?"
Despite his prickly tone, the Silver Sorcerer seemed intrigued. He waved, and the hawk veered skyward.
"Wearing the Irin Black Armor boosts stamina."
"Surely that's not all?"
"Of course not! If I take a fatal blow while wearing it, the armor absorbs the damage instead."
"Ho. Impressive. That's it?"
His tone stayed flat despite the praise. Anxious, the warrior pressed on.
"It lets me command snakes!"
"...Even spirit snakes?"
"N-No. Just regular ones."
"Figures. Someone like you couldn't handle anything better."
"The Irin Black Armor alone makes it legendary! It's like having an extra life!"
"I'll grant you that. Limits, of course... But why trade with you? Kill you, and it's mine anyway."
"Th-The Irin Black Armor requires proper transfer of ownership to wear!"
"Heh... Even a dog wouldn't buy that lie..."
The giant hawk dove again.
Then the Silver Sorcerer's voice rang in our ears—a transmission meant only for us, hidden from the warrior.
-You lot. Quit watching and ambush him! Fail, and you're enemies too!
His bluff was confirmed. If he were truly overwhelming, he wouldn't need us. Stopping the bird swarm must've drained him.
Namgung Rin, Shin Jong-woo, and I exchanged glances and charged the Black Dragon Fortress warrior. He had to die anyway.
"Gah?! Y-You bastards! Sneaking up like cowards!"
"Pot, kettle."
I smirked, claiming his back first and swinging my Flame Lotus Sword. He rolled away in panic—a flashy evasion.
"Silver Sorcerer! You idiot? The armor takes fatal hits first—kill me, and you get nothing! It'll shatter before I do!"
"No issue. I already cast a spell. That Irin Black Armor you're wearing? Just fancy plating now."
"Wh-When?!"
A single feather was lodged in the armor's side. Probably suppressing its effects.
Namgung Rin's sword flashed. It sliced his left arm, but not deeply. Shame.
"I-I can't die here! Outta my way, you brats!"
He flailed wildly with his blade. Or seemed to. There was a pattern— a sword form.
Invisible blade aura... Sword wind.
Namgung Rin and I dodged sideways in sync. The sword wind sliced through where we'd stood. His face twisted.
"You little...!"
"It's over."
Shin Jong-woo declared. Demonic energy gathered in his hands rocketed toward the warrior. Fresh off a big move, he couldn't evade. The black blast erased his head. The headless body crumpled.
"Perfect timing. Well done."
The Silver Sorcerer sauntered over leisurely. He complimented us, then headed straight for the corpse to claim the armor.
"This black armor's mine now. No complaints, right?"
"Take it."
"Thought so."
The Silver Sorcerer clumsily stripped the armor off the body—brains and blood caked on—and donned it under his feathered mantle. He didn't bat an eye. Weirdo didn't even begin to cover it.
"Not bad at all."
He nodded, then brushed past us.
"Talking here's awkward. Follow me. I'll brew some tea."
We trailed him. Shin Jong-woo, dead serious, asked.
"Silver Sorcerer. I want information on the other world."
"Calm face, impatient soul. Quietly follow. Weighty talks deserve a proper setting."
"......Understood. My apologies."
Shin Jong-woo bowed. He had the most to gain—he desperately wanted back to Earth.
Me? No real interest or need to impress the Silver Sorcerer, so I asked what bugged me.
"All the other intruders dead?"
"Yep. Except you three."
"...Planning to kill us too?"
"I deem you guests. Why else would I guide you myself? Use your head."
"......"
This guy's rubbing me the wrong way.