Chapter 317: Seasooooon Twooooo (2)
Chapter 317: Seasooooon Twooooo (2)
“He betrayed us?”
—I have… no excuse.
Receiving the Blue Dragon’s apology, Petrick wore an expression of pure disbelief.
What kind of mess is this?
Weren’t the Four Symbols supposed to be sacred divine beasts? He never could have imagined this. To be backstabbed so blatantly.
Stay calm. Let’s stay calm and think about the first thing that needs to be done.
Having been backstabbed plenty of times in his past life, Petrick Schneider knew that staying calm was paramount in situations like this. The first priority was…
“Where is the Black Tortoise?”
He had to stop him. Right now, the Black Tortoise was on his way to the Outer God after stealing seven Constellations. If he joined forces with the Heavenly Demon, dealing with them would become significantly more difficult. He had to be taken out before that happened.
—Petrick, if you kill the Black Tortoise now, all seven Constellations will be lost forever.
“Better that than giving them to an Outer God, isn’t it?”
—That is…
“We need to put out the fire right in front of us. Is this really the time to hesitate?”
—…….
The Blue Dragon fell silent. Petrick was right. It was a shame, but the Constellations stolen by the Black Tortoise couldn’t be recovered anyway. In that case…
—Petrick Schneider. At the very least, take this.
“Take what…? Hm?”
Petrick’s eyes widened. He felt an unfamiliar energy—no, an entire presence—transferring into him. It was different from internal energy. It was a heavy presence that seemed to dwell in his soul rather than his physical body. This was…
—It is my Constellation. The Horn, the Neck, the Root, and the Heart—four Constellations in total.
Gathering all the Constellations to pass them on would take a long time, but transferring only the ones he currently possessed was a simple task. As the power of the four Constellations merged within him, Petrick felt a thrill run through his entire body.
Is this what they call Divine Power?
He felt like he finally understood why they were so desperate to increase their Divine Rank and obtain greater power. This feeling of fulfillment was incredible. The sensation of his very existence ascending to a higher dimension was irresistibly alluring. However…
“How do I use this?”
Petrick shook off the temptation and maintained his composure.
—Impressive…
The Blue Dragon was once again struck with admiration. For a mortal who possessed no divinity to suddenly hold a divine status was an immense temptation. They would surely feel an impulse far stronger than the Five Desires. Yet, Petrick Schneider remained unshaken, maintaining his reason.
Indeed, that must be why you were chosen.
Finding a glimmer of hope, the Blue Dragon spoke.
—He shouldn’t be far yet. I leave the rest to you.
Petrick nodded and leaped swiftly out through the crater.
“Master, are you alright?”
Persona was waiting outside the crater, looking at him with concern. Petrick spoke to her.
“I’m going after that traitorous turtle. You stay here, protect the three inside, and guard Pabera.”
“I’ll go with—”
Whoosh!
Persona tried to follow, but Petrick’s body had already become a streak of light, racing into the distance. Seeing this, Persona sighed and decided to do her best with the task she had been given. In truth, she would only be a hindrance if she went.
I have to trust Master.
*
—Oh… Ohhhhh…
The Black Tortoise was in a state of agitation, feeling a sense of satisfaction he hadn’t felt in a very long time. How long had it been? Seven Constellations were filling him with overflowing power. This was the strength of his prime, back when he was called the Black Tortoise of the Four Symbols, not a Living Calamity.
I can do it.
He had simply made a mistake in the past. Yuppinel and Kalaron had also exhausted their strength in that war. If he, resurrected with the power of his prime, joined forces with the Outer God, they had a good chance of winning…
“You…!”
It was then. Along with a voice that radiated deep, seething irritation, something charged toward him at a terrifying speed.
“You son of a bitch!”
K-Boom!
A flash of light exploded against the massive body of the Black Tortoise. It was a strike so powerful that it momentarily made the Black Tortoise’s frame stagger.
—Ugh…
The Black Tortoise turned his head toward the heavy impact and looked at Petrick.
—Petrick Schneider?
“Yeah, it’s me. You backstabbing piece of shit.”
—Betrayal, you say…
The Black Tortoise slowly turned his head toward Petrick and spoke.
—Since you’ve heard the whole story, you should know. We came to this world in the first place seeking a higher Divine Rank.
“Why are you repeating stuff I already know?”
—I am saying that we were invaders who came to this world to be faithful to our own desires from the very beginning.
“……”
—And yet, you expect loyalty from me?
“……”
—The four of us are accomplices anyway. The only difference is that those three became dogs wagging their tails after their defeat, while I never gave up until the end.
At the Black Tortoise’s words, Petrick gave a hollow laugh.
“That’s classic Unorthodox Faction logic.”
—What?
“Their logic is exactly like yours. ‘Everyone is bad anyway, so it’s okay for me to do bad things. That’s just how the world works,’ blah blah blah…”
—…….
Seeing the silent Black Tortoise, Petrick smirked. And then…
Boom!
Stomping hard on the ground, Petrick gripped the Black Dragon and White Dragon in both hands.
“I’ll tell you just one thing, you Unorthodox, backstabbing, traitorous turtle bastard.”
—…….
“Do you know what happens when an Unorthodox prick wags his tongue so shamelessly in front of the Radiant Dragon Hero?”
—I wonder. What happens?
“Your head comes off… right now!”
The moment he finished speaking, Petrick turned into a streak of light and lunged at the Black Tortoise.
—Hmph.
The Black Tortoise coated his body in a barrier filled with Divine Power, preparing for Petrick’s attack. He had been caught off guard by the first strike, but he could easily block an attack coming head-on. Among the Four Calamities, he boasted the most solid defense…
K-BOOOOOOM!
—Gah…!
A single strike. Petrick’s blow pierced through the barrier of Divine Power and slammed into the Black Tortoise’s hard shell. The impact was so intense that it caused the Black Tortoise’s mountain-like body to tilt.
“Tsk, didn’t flip over.”
Petrick clicked his tongue as if dissatisfied. But unlike the disappointed Petrick, the Black Tortoise was horrified.
Crack. Crackle.
—My… my dorsal armor?
His shell, the sturdiest thing in the world, was cracking and peeling off. This wasn’t something that could be achieved simply through raw power. How could a being without divinity wound him in his prime? The Seed of the World Tree? No, that wasn't enough. There was only one possible explanation.
—Did the Blue Dragon pass his Constellations to you?
“Oh, you’re quick on the uptake.”
—Heh… I see. So that’s how it is.
Upon hearing this, the Black Tortoise actually sneered.
—In the end, he has given up as well.
“Huh? What? What are you talking about now?”
—As a human, you can only accept the grace of the Constellations once.
“…So?”
—Even if I were to change my mind and try to give you my Constellations now, I couldn’t. In other words, you can never accumulate enough divinity to face the Outer God.
“……”
—Hehehe… To pour the Water of Life on your feet just because they’re burning… He’s truly finished.
“……”
—Human. I shall make you an offer.
“……”
—At this very moment, your chance of defeating the Outer God has completely vanished. So, surrender quietly and hand your Constellations over to me. If you do, I will at least keep this world peaceful for as long as you are alive.
“……”
—It is an exceptional offer. Your life won't last more than two hundred years at most. During that time, you will be able to enjoy all the wealth and glory you desire among humans.
“……”
—Why do you hesitate? You don’t seem like the type of fool who would throw his life away for justice or a grand cause.
“……”
—…….
“……”
—Hey. Answer me…
“Great. I’ve gathered it all.”
Just as the Black Tortoise was about to press for an answer, Petrick spoke. He gave a bright smile.
“Ah, sorry. Could you say that again? I stopped listening halfway through because I figured you were just talking shit anyway.”
—How dare you…
“If you don’t like it, how about you eat this?”
Suddenly, an immense surge of Intent-form Aura exploded from Petrick’s sword.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Eleventh Form.
Rampaging Dragon Torrent.
Petrick’s Rampaging Dragon Torrent, fueled by a massive accumulation of Qi, swept over the Black Tortoise with devastating power. Countless black and white sword-dragons poured out, swallowing the Black Tortoise whole.
—Youuuuuu!
Caught in the violent torrent of Intent-form Aura, the Black Tortoise let out a roar. Since his defense had already been lowered by his broken shell, Petrick’s attack dealt significant damage. However…
—I will kill you!
For the Black Tortoise, who had recovered his prime strength, this was not a fatal blow. He began to radiate Divine Power from his entire body, emitting a terrifying chill and a dark energy.
I get the ice, but what’s that murky energy? It feels a bit different from Demonic Energy.
Petrick kept his guard up and widened the distance. He was soon able to identify what that black energy was.
Ssssss… Crumble!
The moment the black energy touched the ground, the earth parched and the plants withered. It was as if life itself was being drained away.
Is that the Aura of Death?
Originally, the Black Tortoise was the guardian of the North who presided over death. The pure Aura of Death he emitted was lethal to any living being.
—There is nowhere to run.
The Black Tortoise spread his energy even wider, turning the entire area into a domain of death. Petrick was completely surrounded by that domain, but…
“Mmm…”
He didn’t die immediately. The energy of the Constellations the Blue Dragon had entrusted to him was pushing back the Black Tortoise’s Authority.
I don’t think I can hold out for long, though.
Perhaps it was because of the difference in Divine Power. Realizing that he couldn't afford a battle of attrition, Petrick moved his sword without hesitation. His opponent was the Black Tortoise, who had regained his peak skills. Probing with minor techniques was meaningless. He had to give it his all from the start.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Twelfth Form. Ultimate Secret Art.
Radiant Dragon’s Reign.
A dragon of light soared high into the sky, surrounding Petrick. It shone uniquely and loftily even within the domain of death emitted by the Black Tortoise. From within the light, Petrick glanced to the side.
I have to hurry.
The domain of death the Black Tortoise was emitting was growing wider and wider. In a few minutes, this domain would reach Pabera. Even if they were Kalaron’s familiars, as long as there were people living earnestly in their home…
I will do what I must.
The Radiant Dragon Hero never abandons chivalry. That was how he had been raised, after all.
“Here I coooome!”
—Come!
The massive dragon of light collided head-on with the demonic beast of death.
K-BOOOOOM!
Their momentums were evenly matched. The Black Tortoise’s energy was larger, but the dragon of light continued to strike without hesitation. Fragments of light fell every time it was pushed back by the Black Tortoise’s immense strength, but the dragon of light did not retreat.
“Hyaaaaaaaa!”
Inside the Radiant Dragon, Petrick poured all of his Qi and Intent into the collision with the Black Tortoise.
Boom! Crash! K-Boom!
The clash between the two was like a scene out of mythology, and the spectacle was visible even to those living in distant Pabera.
“What on earth is that…?”
“Isn’t that the Living Calamity?”
“Why is he attacking us?”
The residents of Pabera, who had lived worshiping the Four Calamities like living gods, were thrown into confusion. Even as they saw and felt the approaching Aura of Death, they failed to grasp the situation. It was then…
“Everyone, calm down.”
Edward, the representative of Pabera and the lord of the vampires, stepped forward and spoke.
“The Prophesied Human is fighting for us.”
“What? The Prophesied Human?”
“What does that mean…?”
As the residents panicked, the other representatives spoke up.
“The Living Calamity has betrayed us. He is no longer our god.”
Luna, the dark elf, appeared and spoke. Since she was a direct familiar of the Black Tortoise, her words carried exceptional weight. And…
“I, too, shall guarantee it.”
Beside her, Daji also voiced her agreement. Then…
“Prioritize the children and the elderly! Quickly, evacuate the residents and protect Pabera!”
Storm Spear, the familiar of the Vermilion Bird, appeared with a large group of subordinates, began placing residents on their backs, and started the evacuation.
“Everyone, get away! You must get as far as possible!”
Only then did the residents of Pabera grasp the situation and move hurriedly according to the orders.
“Get the children and the elderly on the backs first!”
“Those who can run and fly on their own, move now! There is nothing in this city more important than people!”
They moved quickly to take cover. However, the four representatives thought to themselves as they organized the evacuation.
Lord Petrick, please hurry.
You must win.
They would try to get as far away from that domain of death as possible, but eventually, if they ran out of places to flee, they would be swallowed by it. Their only way to survive was for Petrick to defeat the Living Calamity before that happened.