Chapter 453: The Forgotten Heroes.
Chapter 453: The Forgotten Heroes.
Fwoosh!
For a moment, I had the illusion that light was washing over the entire world.
The Dead seemed to resist at first, but they slowly began to accept the light that warmly enveloped them. Then, I could see a white light slowly seeping into and spreading across their bodies, which had been shrouded in a dark aura.
Suddenly, a rough wind began to blow from all directions toward the central plaza. Brushing away my wildly fluttering hair, I quietly looked around.
The light that had colored the bodies of the Dead was now flowing from the outside in. No. Would it be more accurate to say it was being sucked in? It was as if they were desperately drinking in the light to quench a thirst, like a parched man drinking water.
And then, at a certain moment, a change began.
The sinister energy that had flowed from the skeletal Dead had long since vanished. As they accepted the light, their skeletal forms also began to fade.
New flesh formed over what had been only bone, and atop it, their old, rusted equipment regained its original, pristine appearance.
Even their skulls were restored to how they looked in life, with faces and even hair growing back. The Dead, who had been mere skeletons just moments before, had miraculously transformed into humans. It was as if time itself was being reversed.
A short while later, the angel and the light faded simultaneously. Where the light had subsided, there now stood the Dead—no, humans—who emanated a faint, lingering glow from their entire bodies.
Of course, I didn't think these people were truly living humans. They were clearly souls. But they now exuded an incomparably clean and sacred energy, as if their darkened, curse-tainted souls had been perfectly purified.
“What... What in the world just happened?”
Heo Junyoung muttered in a daze. But no one could answer. It wasn't just us; the souls all around us looked just as stunned. They looked back and forth between each other and themselves, seemingly just as surprised by the current situation.
I calmly turned to look at Ahn Sol. Since she had manifested this miracle by activating her unique ability, I figured she would know the full story.
It was then.
“Orabeoni! Help me!”
Grrrrrraaaaaawwwwww!
Along with Ahn Sol's urgent cry, a blood-curdling roar echoed from the sky. I reflexively looked up and saw the Bone Dragon, which had now completely recovered.
It's not over yet?
A question flashed through my mind, but I soon realized it was possible.
Ahn Sol's miracle had only targeted the Dead. And the horn on the Bone Dragon's skull... if my eyes weren't deceiving me, that was clearly a Demonkin horn.
I didn't know why a Demonkin horn was attached to its head. However, even if Ahn Sol's miracle had affected it, that horn had no connection to this place, so it might have been excluded from the ability's targets.
Nothing is certain, but...
I saw the sky gradually turning black. At the same time, an unidentifiable anxiety washed over me. A ferocious and unusual energy was coalescing in ominous clouds.
I quietly closed my eyes to feel this energy.
It was endlessly ominous and sinister. There was no other way to describe it.
But this energy, which felt both unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar...
Right. It felt similar to a curse. I didn't know the details, but it seemed the beast was preparing another kind of attack, deeply displeased with the situation.
I slowly opened my eyes. Looking at the frantic Ahn Sol, I spoke calmly.
“Alright... What do you need me to do?”
The moment I spoke, a flicker of surprise crossed Ahn Sol's flustered face. It wasn't just her; I could hear the other clan members letting out sharp breaths.
Of all the criticisms leveled against the Mercenary Clan, the only one I ever acknowledged was the article pointing out the limits of a centralized clan structure.
In other words, all authority and power were concentrated solely in me. The clan itself revolved entirely around me, making it a house of cards that would collapse if I were absent. I had denied it outwardly, but since a similar incident had just occurred, I had nothing to say.
But now, for the first time, I had delegated that authority. This wasn't just asking for advice; I was giving her the right to choose and telling her I would follow her decision.
Ahn Sol seemed to feel the weight of the situation for a moment, but she soon bit her lip resolutely. Her eyes shining fiercely, she pointed at the sky.
“That... Please stop that! They can't stop that curse because of the Great Hero's wish!”
The coalescing black energy had now covered the sky, casting a dark shadow. The occasional ripple that ran through it made it look like a wave about to crash down, but it was also spitting out sparks from time to time. It was like watching a surging wave of flames.
The Great Hero's wish, huh.
Come to think of it, the souls' reactions were certainly strange. After regaining their living appearances, their expressions were clearly visible. Just a moment ago, they were fighting the dragon as if their lives depended on it, but now they were showing signs of anxiety and fear.
As I suspected, Ahn Sol knew something I didn't, but I immediately pushed the thought aside. The situation was far too urgent to ask questions.
So, I spoke softly.
“And then?”
“...Pardon?”
“I stop that. And then?”
“C-Can you really stop it?”
Her voice was filled with astonishment.
If that energy was mixed with fire, it was possible. As I calmly nodded, Ahn Sol's throat bobbed.
“I-I'd like you to help them. Please, join forces with them and defeat that evil dragon.”
“Understood.”
After replying immediately, I quickly turned to the clan members.
“You all heard Ahn Sol. Once I block that attack—that curse—you will join forces with the souls here and attack the dragon.”
“Clan Lord. By any chance, the method you're planning to use to block it...”
Did he have an inkling? Shin Jaeryong asked in a worried tone, and I threw him a glance.
“It's fine. By the way, how many elixirs did we bring in total?”
“Two vials.”
That was enough. I had already saved Hangyul. So even if I used one vial in a worst-case scenario, there would still be one left for Ahn Hyun.
Krrrrrumble!
Just then, a massive roar, like thunder, echoed from the sky, making the surroundings tremble.
I quickly spoke to Eternal Flame. Can you do it?
—I can... but it might be a little tough.
Eternal Flame answered instantly. But her words were somewhat vague.
Is that dragon's power too much even for you to handle?
—No, you idiot! It's a curse vast enough to cover this entire area. If I try to embrace it all, your body might not be able to withstand it!
So, that meant she could do it. I calmly sheathed my sword. I moved both arms, raising my hands toward the sky.
And, as I looked up one last time...
Grrrrrraaaaaawwwwww!
With the dragon's roar, I could see a massive curtain falling from the sky. It was just as Eternal Flame had warned. As if a curtain were being dropped from above, a blazing veil covered the sky and streamed down.
Just as a greater wave of panic spread through the souls, I calmly steadied my breathing.
I command this with primordial authority.
After calming my mind, I didn't hesitate to unleash the power latent in my heart all at once.
“Domain Declaration!”
Fwoosh! Fwoooosh!
The moment I declared the domain, a hemispherical barrier spread out from the air and descended upon the area, covering me, my clan members, and all the souls.
Thwump!
The barrier, flowing with a clear flame that looked like an overturned glass bowl, cleanly split the ground as it settled perfectly into place. At the same time, the curtain streaming down from the sky passed right through Eternal Flame's domain without any resistance.
“O-Orabeoni!”
“Clan Lord!”
Screams filled with despair struck my ears. They must have thought I had failed to block it since the attack passed right through the domain.
I wanted to give them a brief explanation, but I couldn't.
To be honest, I was a little taken aback myself, but that thing had properties that couldn't be defined by ordinary magic. It wasn't just meant to harm its target; its purpose was to affect and bind the entire area. In other words, it was no different from a cataclysm.
Nngh, ughhh!
I screamed inwardly against the pressure crushing my entire body.
Not only had I never declared a domain of this scale before, but more importantly, the power and sheer volume of the energy passing through were no joke. It felt like trying to catch a collapsing skyscraper with my bare hands. It was truly a terrifying power.
Of course, Eternal Flame's authority was greater. She was steadily consuming the descending curtain, but the speed at which it poured in was much faster.
At this rate...!
Although its speed had slowed considerably, if this continued, the curse's energy would reach the souls before I could consume it all.
If that happened, the situation would revert to how it was before. The souls would be tainted by the curse once more and wander these mountains, and Ahn Sol's miracle would be for naught.
I won't let that happen!
It was the moment I had that thought.
...Huh?
Suddenly, the range of the declared domain began to shrink. As I wondered what was happening, I heard Eternal Flame's voice in my mind.
—I shrank it. The souls have realized you're protecting them and are gathering toward you. As the area to protect shrinks, it should give you a bit of breathing room.
Is that so? I could certainly feel the presence of others slowly approaching. I managed to lower my gaze and look around.
The presences were, just as Eternal Flame said, the souls.
Only then did I realize that hundreds, thousands of eyes were fixed on me from all directions. And in every one of those gazes, there was a desperate plea.
With the domain shrinking from all sides, I gained a little leeway.
But the black energy had already descended to just above my head. The moment a searing heat settled around my neck, I once again made Eternal Flame's power explode.
Thump!
And in that instant, miraculously, the energy stopped.
It was just before it reached the very end, but I had finally succeeded in stopping it.
But it wasn't over. It had only been stopped. Ahn Sol had asked me to block it, but I intended to make the most of this opportunity.
I clenched my teeth. After taking a moment to catch my breath, I unleashed all my remaining latent power and roared with all my might.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
FWOOOOOOOOOOSH!
Like grabbing the edge of a carpet and forcefully unfurling it, I powerfully unleashed Eternal Flame's power.
Then, as if a red carpet were being rolled out, Eternal Flame began to surge upward in an instant.
If the Bone Dragon had dropped a curtain from the sky to the ground, I was now using Eternal Flame's power to consume that energy and send it back from the ground to the sky.
A dazzlingly clear flame colored the heavens. The endlessly falling sky began to rise again.
When I blinked, I saw the sky, which had turned completely black, was now shimmering with clear flames. A strange, gentle rhythm seemed to emanate from the ripples spreading in all directions.
With this, the energy that had entered my domain was now completely under my control.
I took a deep breath and shouted inwardly at the Bone Dragon floating far away.
Return, and engulf it!
The curtain of fire, which had been suspended in mid-air, shot up fiercely toward the Bone Dragon without hesitation.
FWOOOOOOOOOOSH!
The searing heat that had seeped around my neck gradually receded. The refreshing coolness one feels after stepping out of a hot bath took its place.
And soon, I could see the Bone Dragon hastily soaring into the sky, with the flames chasing after it like a tempest.
It was then.
“Ah...”
The moment I thought I had succeeded, I felt my body slowly giving way. The sky seemed to tilt suddenly, and then it began to fall away behind me.
“———!”
In that instant, I felt someone supporting the back of my neck.
And at the same time.
Krrrrraaaaaawwwwww!
Through my fading vision, I could just make out the sight of the surging flames devouring the Bone Dragon.