Chapter 25 – Dugyeon Nakhwa (8)

“Do you recognize this?”
“From the beginning, you had no intention of joining us.”

That much was obvious.

As if he had taken a hit, Lee Seong-Han brushed his forehead and drew the sword from his waist.

“But you won’t be able to run away. Teleportation cannot be activated inside the basement.”

With a sense of certainty in his words, I pulled out the last Mana Stone from my embrace. Teleportation, set to the Academy as the destination. Yet, there was not even a hint of it activating. My plan to flee after merely receiving the location had gone slightly awry.

“Damn it.”

…I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

-Koo-goo-goo!

A commotion echoed from outside. Since finding the location would be quick, I expected everything to be over within an hour.

“Brother, I still believe in you.”
“Are you still saying that? They say the cultists have lost their minds.”
“The prophecy has never failed. You are destined to help us one day.”

Even in the darkness, Seong-Han’s sword shimmered as if it had captured the moonlight. My body was already in tatters. I had fought fiercely with the cultists so that the trainees could escape, leaving me devoid of any remaining magical power or energy.

However, I wasn’t completely powerless.

How long could I possibly endure here? Honestly, the odds seemed nonexistent.

“Who is the god you all believe in?”
“It’s a predictable question, but I’ll answer it.”

Seong-Han, with magic coursing throughout his entire body, continued speaking with an eerie expression.

“His sacred relic resides within here. If you were to see it, you might become enlightened. Shall we take a look?”

Heh, heh, heh.
Stone dust cascaded from the ceiling. Desperate cries echoed amidst the sounds of crumbling walls.

Despite the pressing situation, Lee Seong-Han merely chuckled. Where did such composure come from? He flung open the inner door of the basement.

– Ssssss.

A white mist seeped from within the door.

The floor was covered in vibrant red soil. A towering tree loomed above it, capturing one’s attention.

Its name remained unknown. It didn’t evoke the same striking sensation within the mind like Lee Se-Young, Cornus, or Gu-Seul.

The diminutive tree stood unprotected, exposing its apricot-hued nakedness without even a coarse bark to shield it. Not a single leaf adorned its body. A smooth, curved surface caught the eye, and a tightly sealed crevice was visible along the middle of the trunk.

“What do you think, brother?”

I frowned at his triumphant grin.

“Does this look like a god to you? Isn’t this a World Tree?”
“Don’t dare compare it to the World Tree.”

His sword pulsed with magical energy. I was taken aback by Lee Seong-Han’s sudden outburst.

I knew he had entered the realm of madness, but this was a whole new level of insanity.

*Paang!*

Waves of mana-infused air surged towards me. I quickly lowered my center of gravity to evade the attack, drawing mana from the depths of my body.

“Was I wrong? You’re worshipping the same World Tree while losing your mind!”
“… … !!!!!”

With a contorted expression, Lee Seong-Han lunged at me with incredible force.

The swords they each wielded intertwined.

Wood Carving Sword Technique, Type 3: Pruning.

– Jjaeng!

Magical power erupted and blood splattered. A sharp pain coursed through both shoulders. They had merely crossed swords, yet the agony of shattering bones returned.

“Divine one, grant this young lamb a mace.”

Lee Seong-Han’s necklace glowed red. The jewel embedded within seemed familiar.

It was the same jewel he had shown me before.

He said it granted control over wood. Had he concealed such power all along?

My trembling arms screamed in pain. My left arm refused to move, as if the tendons had been severed.

“…Damn it.”

In a hushed tone, I cursed and transitioned to a one-handed sword stance.

I had known all along, but the realization that a single misstep could be fatal loomed over me. Sweat trickled down my back.

“Let the enlightenment begin, brother.”

My skin grows cold. Focus. I mentally repeat this dozens of times, drawing on my magical power.

The core of the heart, the essence of the vessel.
Lacking magic, I gather more from my surroundings. My body, having accepted the impure energy, begins to reject it.

– Gurgling.

Overheating. Blood trickles from my nose.
To resist the unknown force, I strain myself to amass more magical power.

Truthfully, it is not yet a fully harnessed force.
No outcome would have been surprising.

The pinnacle of speculation.

Dark, burning magic seethes from the heart, spilling outwards.

Lee Seong-Han’s body reaches towards me. In response, I move my own.

– Swish!

My field of vision expands vastly. The movement of the sword, the path of magic. The magical blade extending towards my entire body, previously unseen, now fills my pupils.

I see where I need to strike. I bend and leap forward like an arrow.

– Furrrr.

A dark shadow gradually emerged over his forearm.
The form of the magical power rippling through the haze was neither a beautiful flower nor a vibrant blue leaf.
Solely a monotonous weapon meant for slaughter.
It exuded a sinister force, advancing forward.

– Koo-goo-goo!

As he took a step, the ground beneath him cracked. His entire body’s muscles swelled due to the sudden increase in physical ability.

He saw his target approaching, certain of where to strike.

– Kwajik!

The blade, straight and swift—too fast for him to see—pierced Lee Seong-Han’s cheek.

– Ke-ru-ru-ruk

The blade penetrated his skull, crushing his brain.
The surging magical power burst the wound open.
The sensation of the hand passing through the head was repulsive. The suspended man’s body slumped.

He kicked the corpse with his foot. A sound of crushed flesh emanated from the deeply embedded sword.
His head felt dizzy.
The face of the deceased Lee Seong-Han was damaged beyond recognition.

I collapsed on the spot and gasped for breath.

“…Huff, huff.”

Sweat streamed down relentlessly.
In the end, I killed Lee Seong-Han by myself.

I felt certain of my own powerlessness, but this was not a situation where I could experience a sense of accomplishment.

Damn it. I feel like I’m going to die.

Hallucinations flickered before my eyes. My stomach churned as if I had eaten poisonous mushrooms, and my entire body itched.

“Th-the jewel.”

Even then, I unconsciously removed the jewel from the corpse’s neck and held it up to my eyes.

▶ Mass-produced Pink Dawn (B)
[Category: Equipment]
– Effect 1: Instills unwavering faith in the user through intimate relations or conversation.
– Effect 2: Temporarily creates a transparent blade.

Tucking the jewel into my bosom, I pressed my trembling right arm to my forehead.

– Koo-goo-goo!

Is it still not over outside?
When will it finally end?

The unbearable stench of stale blood urged me to crawl towards the trees.

The cool breeze feels pleasant.
Leaning my back against the trunk and closing my eyes, a shadow formed above my head.

I closed my eyes.

* * * * *

The rigid bark of the tree began to peel away.

Viscous sap stretched out, revealing the pale white flesh beneath. Azalea, grimacing at the stinging, alien sensation and with weakened legs, collapsed onto her knees.

How could someone do that?

Azalea’s eyes stared into the empty sky.
Nothing remained where he had been.

Her hands trembled.

“Pinchaeng, wake up now. We must go to the auditorium.”
“Y-yes, Miss Cornus.”
“Why?”
“Lee Si-heon. That, that person. There won’t be any problems, right?”

Si-heon’s voice quivered violently as he questioned Su-yu. Sansuyu’s face remained expressionless, appearing devoid of emotion.

Sansuyu silently stared at the floor, then slowly opened her mouth.

“Si-eon is fine.”
“…”
“Everything is going according to Si-woo’s plan.”

He wanted to believe that too. Lee Si-heon wanted to live.

As he became aware of his own emotions, regret surged from deep within his heart. If only he had trusted him from the beginning, none of this would have happened.

‘Why did you go to such lengths…’

Why did he have to make such a sacrifice for him? He needed to hear the reason. It felt like he would go mad if he didn’t listen.

“Dallae!”

Jung Si-woo, gasping for breath and covered in wounds, rushed towards her.

“Are you okay? What just happened?”
“Jang Si-woo, that’s not what’s important.”
“…Sansuyu?”
“Quickly, to the auditorium.”

Sansuyu resolutely helped Azalea to her feet. Jeong Si-woo, though flustered, followed Sansuyu’s lead. Azalea’s body sagged, as if drained of all strength while being supported.

– Thump. Thump.

She felt disoriented.

A flood of regret, agony, and self-contempt for her own inadequacy surged within her.

It’ll be alright. It has to be alright.

She could almost see the carefree man, flashing his dazzling smile out of the corner of her eye.

Azalea loathed herself for failing to hold onto their bond.

All the way to the auditorium.

Sansuyu kept reassuring her that everything would be fine.

– Take care.

Siheon’s final words seemed to carry the weight of a farewell.

Azalea could only utter those words over and over, her voice heavy with guilt.

“…I’m sorry.”