Chapter 375
Chapter 375
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 375
Chapter Title: Child of the Dragon (3)
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[Whoa— To think Tam, that monster, was here of all places. And already dead, no less.]
[Even if it fled to the Reverse Realm after taking heavy wounds, I didn't think it would go down that easily. Back during the Blood Massacre twenty years ago, it leaked info that caused massive damage to Geumoh Island, after all.]
The thick voice of the white dragon was followed by the clear tone of the blue dragon, echoing through their minds.
The Five Dragons closely watched the fierce battle unfolding below while doing their utmost to suppress the deathly energy spreading in all directions.
To aid the humans' movements and put the brakes on the Heavenly Demon.
Given their nature, it wasn't ideal for them to directly join forces with the martial artists, and they were already pouring considerable power into stabilizing the Demonic Realm's environment. It was unavoidable.
[Isn't it actually a good thing? We'd always been on guard, never knowing what that thing might pull next, but now we don't have to worry. This incident proves it.]
As the red dragon said, they'd been wasting significant resources preparing for whatever schemes Tam might hatch.
It was necessary given its temperament, but in their current dire straits, every little bit counted.
Confirming its death like this was undoubtedly good news.
The only issue was how suspicious that death seemed.
Who the hell could have killed it, leaving its remains buried here?
And why hadn't they noticed until now?
[...The Heavenly Demon, probably?]
[I doubt it. He's incredible, sure, but taking on Tam solo? Doesn't seem likely.]
[If the Demonic Cult's elites teamed up, maybe.]
[Or it could be something 'that guy' did before leaving this world...]
[That long ago? But...]
While the three dragons busily exchanged opinions,
the black dragon showed more interest in Horus, who had approached nearby, than in that topic.
[You were impressive back there. How'd you do it? Some ability from your world's dragons? How often can you use it?]
Its obsidian-like glossy black scales rustled as it swam through the night sky, a sight both mysterious and beautiful.
Its gemstone-clear eyes sparkled just the same.
No wonder those who encountered dragons often developed faith in them.
'Not for me, though.'
But Horus, knowing her disposition, couldn't view her with pure favor.
As someone hoping for harmony between humans and yokai, he naturally found her—a prime hardliner—uncomfortable.
[Hold on. There's something I need to say first.]
[Oh? Sure, go ahead.]
Moreover, after overexerting earlier, even his adult form via the Elder Dragon’s Heart was starting to feel burdensome.
Better to hurry with the plan, just in case.
[Everyone, listen up for a moment!]
[Hm? Horus?]
[What's this?]
The other dragons, deep in their lively debate, turned their attention to him at his unusually firm call.
Horus stood at the center among the other dragons, just like when he first appeared in the Demonic Realm.
[Watching the Heavenly Demon gave me a great idea.]
From that position, he boldly declared,
[A way to restore the Dragon Core without sacrificing the Children of the Dragon.]
A plan he'd prepared well in advance, disguised as a sudden discovery.
[Huh?]
[Is that even possible...?]
Horus's gaze drifted downward.
There, the Heavenly Demon was crumbling bit by bit under the relentless assault.
Boom—!
Thud!
He still displayed overwhelming might, but anyone could see defeat was clear.
Without some drastic twist, turning the tide seemed impossible.
The final battle, raging from midday into the dead of night—nearly a full day—was finally nearing its end.
'The finale at last.'
Now, all that remained was to wrap things up gracefully.
The scenario had entered its closing phase.
***
After rescuing Zhuge Hye-mi and retreating far back, Hugo no longer intervened in the fight against the Heavenly Demon.
Other experts and dragons had joined in, and someone needed to stay close to protect her in case of emergencies.
The other Children of the Dragon nearby were in the same boat.
"...Ugh."
"Are you alright, Miss?"
When a groan escaped Zhuge Hye-mi, whom he was supporting, Hugo—watching the battle enter its final stages—turned to her with concern.
Her porcelain-white neck bore dark handprints from the Heavenly Demon.
Even in that brief moment, the process of an ultra-high undead stripping a living being's karma couldn't be gentle. It was only natural.
His expression soured at the sight.
"...I'm fine. More importantly, you've helped me again, Young Master Ha. Really, how can I ever repay this debt?"
Whether sensing his mood or not, she covered her neck with one hand, offering a faint smile despite the cold sweat.
Her attitude poked at his long-eroded conscience.
"...Don't worry about it. We'll need each other's help plenty as we go on. Better to lend a hand when we can than haggle over payments every time."
"As we go on... you say."
Zhuge Hye-mi gave a bitter smile at his words.
She already knew.
As this battle ended, so too would her life.
Even if Ha Seung-hoon and the Zhuge family tried to protect her, it would be futile.
Her life was tied to the world's safety.
No matter how great they were, they couldn't fight the entire world—humans and yokai alike.
It was the inescapable fate she'd borne since birth.
Born amid the calamity that killed her mother, and burdening many others since—the only path left for her.
"Hye-mi!"
Just then, a group rushed toward them.
Battered, bloodied, and wounded: the Zhuge family, led by Patriarch Zhuge Ho-won.
Bright smiles lit their faces upon seeing her.
"Father... and everyone else..."
The more she saw them, the firmer her resolve grew.
Sacrifice was truly necessary.
Better some devote themselves to bring a bright future than everyone await inevitable doom together. A far better deal.
"Miss."
A heavy voice cut through her thoughts from right beside her.
The reliable man who'd saved her life multiple times and supported her through despair.
"I know what you're thinking, but please don't give up so easily."
He gazed down at her sternly and continued.
"Eh? Ahaha... What do you..."
Before her wide-eyed response, he pressed on.
"I've been through a lot in my time. You might think 'not that much for your age,' but events don't always scale with years."
More precisely, using multiple bodies to chase incidents—but that wasn't important now.
What mattered was the world-shaking scale of those events.
"One thing I learned... the world doesn't always follow the script. Even the best plans derail on tiny variables, or unexpected breakthroughs appear out of nowhere. Sometimes luck aligns and it all goes perfectly, of course."
Memories of his past flashed by.
From acquiring the Avatar skill, Hans becoming undead and rising as the Immortal King, realizing the Reverse Heaven Society's existence and vowing their destruction, to his ten avatars shining in their roles...
Up to this very moment.
"I believe no one has a fixed fate. Just endless crossroads of choices. Even if it seems one-way... or a dead end, options aren't always singular."
Smash the wall, climb over something, crawl through a hole.
Or...
Someone atop the wall reaches down to pull you up.
"Ah, that sounded arrogant. Not everything I say is gospel. Some are cornered with no choice but to wither away."
Realizing his words might come off cocky, he awkwardly scratched his head, flustered.
Zhuge Hye-mi smiled faintly at the sight.
Her heart fluttered warmly.
How could she not know he said it out of worry for her?
'But...'
She grasped his intent.
Yet she saw herself as the no-options case.
"Thank you, Young Master Ha. It comforts me to hear that."
"Ahem, glad to hear it. Ah, looks like the fight over there is wrapping up too."
This wasn't just a dead end.
It was a cramped space under sheer thousand-foot cliffs.
Less than a ping in size.
That was her spot.
"Hye-mi, you holding up okay?"
"Yes, Father. Thank you for worrying."
No escape from here.
Wither away or leap off—those two alone.
Unless a golden rope descended like a fairy tale.
'Still... just for a moment, even briefly...'
She wanted to dream a bit longer in this world.
Even if an impossible dream.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
[Ah, is it finally over?]
Then.
[Then, would you hear me out for a sec?]
A strange resonance echoed through minds everywhere.
Whoosh— Whoosh—
Fierce wingbeats carried on roaring winds.
A heavy presence crushed the surroundings.
Like dawn's light piercing predawn dark, a brilliant golden glow slowly illuminated the ground.
[Perfect timing—with the Children of the Dragon here too.]
And so, the miracle descended from the skies.
***
The war, raging nearly a full day with heavy losses on both sides, ended.
The Martial Alliance tried capturing Demonic Cult remnants alive to root out their bases, but the crazed fanatics—ignorant of surrender—foiled it.
As if under some curse, they rampaged harder once defeat loomed, causing extra headaches.
"Sort alignments later—tend to survivors first!"
"Whew, what a pain. Hey, Moonlight Spear. Drinks on me when we get back. Saved my skin, so I'll crack open that vintage Hundred Flower Brew I've been saving."
"Deal. I'll snag a whole roast pig then. Thanks to you, I kept all my limbs."
[Grrr— Hey, human. You good? Snap out of it.]
"Ow! I'm fine, stop shaking me! My head's ringing!"
With great sacrifices came bonds forged in life-and-death, uniting humans, yokai, factions, and alignments alike.
Not everyone opened up, but exhaustion left even the wary without energy to glare.
Plus, grudges shifted mostly to the Demonic Cultists amid the dead.
As the battlefield cleanup bustled,
serious talks unfolded among the leaders.
"Hey, New Mad Demon. You sure you're...?"
"Watch it, old timer. Call me that weird nickname one more time, and I'll yank every whisker. New or old, I'm the one true Mad Demon. We already settled it!"
"...What a temper. Fine, Mad Demon. Really okay lugging that ominous thing? You fought up front—your body's no doubt messed up."
"Kahahaha! This is nothing—a spit polish fixes it! You're the one with brittle old bones— they knit right if broken?"
Harley's booming boast furrowed Breaking Heaven Emperor Kwak Cheol's brow, who'd only voiced concern.
Ten years younger, and it'd be a deathmatch—but he'd mellowed.
Of course, Mad Demon's timely aid prevented worse than a broken arm, and fighting together confirmed his power.
Even in prime condition, victory wasn't guaranteed.
He acknowledged a worthy rival.
"Amitabha. Mad Demon layman—if it gets tough, say the word. Buddhist energies counter demons. Could help plenty."
"Jeez, I'm fine."
The Divine Monk followed suit, addressing Harley again after the Emperor.
All because of the coffin strapped to his back.
Black wood etched with incantations, plastered talismans, wrapped in golden cords.
True to its sinister design, the contents were no joke.
"Hmm. Sealing the Heavenly Demon... Could backfire. Better disintegrate it now, no?"
Jeongcheon Grand General, bloody bandage over one eye, voiced displeasure.
He favored pulverizing and discarding over whatever plans.
Various reasons, but...
"It's decided, General. Ignoring a way to avert needless sacrifice is unjust. Or do you have other motives?"
"Ahem."
The goal—to save a Child of the Dragon—played a big part.
Sword Saint's heavy jab made the General cough and avert his eyes.
His Northern Army centered on Prince Chu Liang, imperial collateral.
Chu Kang-in's survival—a last emperor's direct descendant and Child of the Dragon—was a huge issue.
'Once the Dragon Core reforms and the continent stabilizes, it'll spell trouble. Especially as a key to world restoration...'
Immense legitimacy alone.
Hitherto, only might mattered—life or death irrelevant.
But ahead? Obviously different.
'...No choice. Prep countermeasures back home.'
Nothing he could do now.
Yokai leaders—the Five Dragons—plus this side's reps: Divine Monk, Sword Saint, Mad Demon, and indebted Breaking Heaven Emperor all agreed.
Asura Blood Lord didn't care either way.
"Oh! Sunrise!"
Just then, Asura Blood Lord shouted, pointing to the rising sun.
Dawn chased away the prolonged battle's gloom.
A scene blessing the world's future.
***
Days passed since the final battle.
The Martial Alliance finished cleanup and left Peking; the Five Dragons returned to the Reverse Realm with Geumoh Island yokai, hastening ritual prep.
Deep underground in now-empty Peking.
[...Preparations are perfect.]
A阴森 voice echoed from Tam's remains, resealed by the Five Dragons before leaving.
The presence blended with Tam's, manipulating the stage unseen by actors.
[Time to end this farce.]
With Hans's words—
the day of the ritual to reshape the Strong Reverse Realm dawned.