Chapter 441
Chapter 441
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 441
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Board
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Shurajin showed surprise at the hostility Kang Seol exuded, while also sneering at his bravado.
“Is it that infuriating to hear Mirei called a half-breed? What, some deep bond between man and woman?”
“…You’ve got a filthy mouth.”
“Why not call it honesty? Trying to stop people from calling a half-breed what she is—that’s a massive violation of free speech. More importantly, didn’t Mirei come with you?”
“…….”
Shurajin caught the flicker of sorrow on Kang Seol’s face and grinned.
“She’s dead, then. After gnawing at Master’s heart, she breathed her last in some foreign land.”
“She fulfilled her calling and left her strength for the world.”
“Strength? She could’ve had all the strength she wanted. She was too stupid and stubborn to take it.”
Shurajin truly believed every word she spat was unvarnished truth.
“You must’ve been influenced by that foolish woman’s ideals too, so I can guess how weak you are without even seeing. Everyone, fall back. Don’t get in the way.”
“Y-Yes… Yes!”
Zzaaaak—!
“Come out, my performers.”
[Shurajin uses Shadow: Mimicry.]
[The shadow mimics a specific entity.]
[It partially imitates the power of the targeted entity.]
[Stats are determined by the shadow’s possessed power.]
Bwooooong…
The familiar shadow slipped out from her sleeve.
Uzizik…
It split into about thirty entities and stood in formation.
Each one looked different.
Some shadows took the form of novice mages, others that of battle-hardened knights.
“How about it? A talent you couldn’t even dream of, right?”
Kang Seol tilted his head upon witnessing Shurajin’s power.
“Not ordinary shadows, huh.”
“Impressive. Your eyes are sharp enough. Now, get ready, or…”
Zzaaaak—!
Whoosh…
Pitch-black darkness began to creep up from Kang Seol’s body.
“…That’s not a shadow, is it?”
“Your eyes are sharp.”
The power rising from Kang Seol’s body was the darkness he had devoured in the Pitch-Black Labyrinth. Blacker than any shadow.
In this fight, he wanted to test the summoning arts he had honed since leaving the East.
‘Perfect opponent for it.’
His first time facing another shadow summoner, complete with taunts about Mirei’s death.
[Raven Festival is activated.]
[Accumulated familiars are summoned.]
[The ravens fly at nearby enemies, crashing into them with raven projectiles.]
[The maximum number of maintainable ravens is fixed; they are replenished with mana when suppressed or dispersed.]
[The duration of Raven Festival extends each time an enemy is eliminated.]
Fwooodududuk—!
The familiars he had shaped began flying out from Kang Seol’s body.
“…Ravens? Shadows I’ve never seen before.”
“Same to you.”
“We’ve got something in common after all? Then let’s see what you’ve got.”
As the number of rising ravens grew, Shurajin launched her attack before it was too late.
[Shurajin’s mimicked shadow uses Ice Arrow.]
[Shurajin’s mimicked shadow uses Valiant Clash.]
[Shurajin’s mimicked shadow uses Icy Roar.]
……
Dozens of entities unleashed their powers simultaneously, charging toward Kang Seol. With so many, precise control was impossible—their large-scale attacks were sloppy compared to their capabilities.
Fwooodudududuk—!
The ravens spun ferociously around Kang Seol’s body.
Puuuuk—!
Puuuuk—!
The ravens’ beaks pierced through the shadow horde’s bodies.
“…Tch.”
Kang Seol’s Raven Festival had impressive range, but its rotation speed was monstrous—like a storm. Anything entering the radius got riddled with holes bigger than the beaks themselves.
Crackle—!
Boom—!
Another reason Shurajin’s forces couldn’t keep up: the ravens’ rotation blocked all external threats targeting Kang Seol.
“Still, you didn’t study for nothing.”
Shurajin said leisurely. Kang Seol’s Raven Festival was efficient, but its range had limits.
If she stayed outside that range, there was no way for him to hit her.
But then, a voice whispered in Shurajin’s ear.
“Are you talking about me?”
Kang Seol was clearly far away—why did the voice sound right beside her?
Flick—!
Shurajin whipped her head toward the sound.
Stab—!
“…What the—.”
Kang Seol’s finger touched Shurajin’s cheek. It was unmistakably him who had jabbed it.
A playful act, but his expression held not a trace of playfulness.
Blank-faced, he poked her cheek.
Pop—!
Shurajin leaped back and fired magic at Kang Seol at the center of the Raven Festival.
[Shurajin uses Shadow Arrow.]
[If it hits, damage from shadows increases by 20%.]
Puuuk—!
The arrow slipped past the ravens and slammed into Kang Seol’s face, crumbling part of it.
“…A shadow, huh. When did you move?”
“When I took off the robe.”
Kang Seol had created a shadow mimicking his main body while tossing aside the robe.
Inspired by perfect duplicates, this ability proved immensely useful in specific situations.
“…You half-breed!”
Pak—!
Shurajin withdrew her horde.
More precisely, as she shook off her hand, the horde crumbled like sand soldiers, gathering into a massive orb.
Bwooooong…
“…Mayflies?”
“Should I praise you for finally noticing?”
Not ordinary mayflies.
Tiny lives smaller than gnats harbored shadows. They dispersed and reformed, mimicking other shadows.
Zzaaaak—!
[Shurajin summons the Thousand-Wounds Ajumut.]
[The shadow of Thousand-Wounds Ajumut devours the insect orb.]
……
Ajumut was a bear-shaped shadow. Grotesque, with arrows in its back and an axe in its head.
Craaaack—!
It swallowed the insect orb whole.
Bwooooong…
Ajumut’s size swelled gradually.
“Evacuate! It’s dangerous!”
“Uwaaaak!”
Uzik…
Uzizizik…
As Ajumut grew enormous, nearby council grunts got crushed under its bulk.
Zzaaaak—!
Before Ajumut could rampage, Kang Seol summoned a suppressor.
Whoosh…
Whirlic—!
Two massive black wolves appeared before Ajumut.
Grrrrr…
Grrrr…
Smaller than Ajumut, yet their aura was suspiciously overwhelming.
“Bite.”
“Ajumut! Crush them—!”
Groooar—!
As Ajumut slammed its forepaw down, Coco and Kukuru scattered to the sides.
These giant wolves usually lurked in the void, feasting freely on strong foes—their claws and fangs showed no sign of rust.
Kwaaaaaang—!
Ajumut’s strike shook the hall floor, sending massive shockwaves.
Groooar—!
Sindio screamed upon seeing Ajumut’s power.
“We have to help! How’s he supposed to handle that monster alone….”
“Hmm….”
As Jian hesitated, Tansia shook her head.
“It’s fine.”
“Fine? Why?”
“Yeah! Daddy’s way stronger.”
Jian asked Tansia.
“Little one… really?”
“Yeah!”
When the dust settled, the battlefield was far from Shurajin’s expectations.
Graaaar—!
Kwuduk…
Kwududuk…
The giant wolves tore into Ajumut’s body.
Kwajijik—!
Chunks of bear flesh ripped away.
Shadows overflowed from within.
“Ajumut!”
Kwajiiik—!
Kwajijik!
Ajumut was plenty threatening, but its massive size made it slow.
Coco and Kukuru exploited the gaps, biting where its paws couldn’t reach.
Their fangs were hard enough to crush Ajumut’s bones.
“Don’t screw with me… Don’t you dare!”
Shurajin screamed—not quite a scream, but close.
Paaat—!
In that instant, Coco—which had just shattered one of Ajumut’s arms—heard her and leaped toward her.
“What….”
Shurajin panicked and tried to cast a spell, but couldn’t match Coco’s speed.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Pok—!
The touch of a finger on her cheek.
Again—Kang Seol.
Coco and Kukuru had reduced Ajumut to an irreparable wreck before vanishing.
“Got anything else? It’s rare, so I’d like to see your other powers.”
“…You’ll regret this.”
Kang Seol intended to observe Shurajin’s powers calmly. It was revenge for calling Mirei a half-breed, but also preparation for the inevitable clash with Gregory—gauging another shadow summoner’s strength.
“What are you doing! Kill him!”
“Huh? Oh….”
“Hurry! His mana isn’t infinite! Now!”
At Shurajin’s shout, the council grunts charged Kang Seol en masse.
“Kill himmm!”
“Now’s the chance!”
The ravens were gone, the wolves vanished. They took it as a sign his mana was spent.
As the council forces swarmed Kang Seol, his companions stayed back, not intervening.
Swish—!
Kwaaaaang—!
[Summoner’s Distance activates.]
[Opponents in the shockwave range are strongly repelled.]
Kang Seol’s footprint marked the hall floor, unleashing a massive shockwave around it.
“Kuk….”
“Careful! He still has mana!”
“Push! Don’t give him time!”
“Lady Shurajin! Now!”
Then, screams erupted from the rear.
“Uwaaaak!”
“Save me!”
“Don’t!”
Before Kang Seol could even act, the formation crumbled from behind.
The cause: Shurajin herself.
Bwooooong…
[Shurajin uses Pestilence.]
[Inflicts shadow damage over a wide area; forcibly absorbs the shadows of targets killed by this ability.]
Black insects swept through, shredding the council forces like a grinder.
“Shurajin! You can’t… You can’t do this!”
“Shut up! Useless trash… At least be useful like this.”
“The Great One….”
“That guy wouldn’t even notice trash like you.”
Chiiiik…
The last soldier, resisting the bugs fiercely, glared at Shurajin with bloodshot eyes.
“…See you in hell, Shurajin.”
Kikikik…
A massive insect orb formed from their lives. Ecstatic sight, yet horrifying.
“Gruesome.”
“Worry about yourself—you’ll join Mirei soon.”
Zzaaaak—!
[Shurajin uses Shadow Spear of Collapse.]
[The Shadow Spear of Collapse injects shadow venom into the target.]
[Shadow venom strengthens with consumed shadows, leading to death by poisoning; forcibly subjugates upon death.]
Pachijijijik—!
Shadow spears materialized in the air.
Whoooong…
As the spears targeted Kang Seol, Shurajin declared.
“…Obey!”
Paaaaang—!
The shadow spears plunged toward Kang Seol.
“Kang Seol!”
“Danger!”
Jian and Sindio’s screams.
Tak—!
Then, a massive shadow rippled behind Kang Seol.
[Secret Art: Darkdweller is used.]
[Darkdweller is summoned.]
Too late?
The spear struck before Darkdweller fully formed.
“Got you!”
As Shurajin clenched her fist, the spear halted, blocked by something.
“…What?”
Kagagagagak—!
Kang Seol tried to grab the shadow spear with both arms.
“Useless! With that weak power….”
Kang Seol had summoned Darkdweller for another reason.
Whoosh…
Darkdweller’s shadow enveloped Kang Seol’s body.
[Takes the form of Night Raven.]
[Physical abilities surge dramatically.]
[Absorbs all of Darkdweller’s power.]
Sindio and Jian gaped at the pitch-black Kang Seol for the first time.
Kikikik…
Meanwhile, Shurajin desperately wished the spear would pierce him.
Uzik…
The ground under Kang Seol’s feet crumpled as the spear advanced a step.
Shurajin poured all her mana into it. If this failed, defeat was certain.
And things looked favorable.
Kwajik…
Kang Seol stepped back.
“I’ll turn you into a shadow and drag you to Master! You’ll bear Mirei’s sins in her place!”
Shurajin mocked him venomously.
That instant.
Whoosh…
Kang Seol blazed with black light.
“…Huh?”
[Secret Art: Midnight is used.]
[You are a shadow.]
[You are in origin state.]
[All abilities greatly increase.]
Crackle…
Crackle…
Atromile circuits blazing.
Veins bulging on Kang Seol’s face drew blue lines against the shadow.
Kwajijijijik—!
The shadow spear shattered.
“You….”
Paaak—!
Kang Seol closed the distance in an instant, seizing Shurajin’s throat and effortlessly lifting her.
“Gek… Keok….”
“Told you already. You won’t even become a shadow.”
“Kihehe… This power… You’ve become a perfect shadow… Even Master said it was impossible….”
“…….”
“Did Mirei… make you?”
Kang Seol, blue lines reaching his eyes, exuded a mystical aura.
“Partly.”
“Not… a half-breed after all. She was insane…. Shame… Such a shame… I won’t see Master kill you….”
Puhwaaaak—!
Kang Seol clenched his hand, exploding Shurajin’s head.
Hudududuk…
Thud…
He tossed her corpse aside and released Midnight.
Srrrrk…
In the ensuing silence, Sindio and Jian approached.
“How do you have such power… And those blue veins earlier….”
“Me first, me first.”
“What!”
“It’s important. Very important.”
“…….”
Jian met Kang Seol’s impassive gaze.
“Fine, one of the guys I hid is Gregory. That ruthless bastard’s cooperating with the council. How’s it feel, peeking at my secrets?”
“Not much.”
“Even hearing Gregory’s name… You won’t back down? He’s… No, what was I saying? Ah! Kang Seol, just answer this. It’s important!”
Jian asked.
A crucial secret that would decide much of this fight.
“Can you beat Gregory? Really… Can you stop him?”
Kang Seol pondered the weight of Gregory’s name.
Back then, unaware Mirei was Chowa, he’d hoped to inherit even a fragment of Gregory’s power.
Gregory had been a legendary figure so distant, Kang Seol couldn’t fathom reaching him.
Much time had passed since.
Mirei died in a far-off land, leaving one thing behind.
- The 300th… no, final record of the universe’s greatest genius, Mirei. I’ve proven it, Gregory. This is my last footprint on the world.
Anyone would hesitate against Gregory. But Kang Seol answered Jian without pause.
“We’ll see when we fight.”
“You plan to fight. You’re going to fight….”
Flames ignited in Jian’s eyes.
Hope or madness, unclear.
“You’re going to fight.”
Kang Seol’s message window spilled the inevitable.
[Faction: Gregory and Disciples vs. Faction: Veil—Total War begins.]
[The victorious faction absorbs all Era Force from the defeated.]
[Divine Struggle: King of Shadows begins.]
[Ongoing Adventure connects to Epic Journey: Flames of the Old Era.]
……