Chapter 378 – Conquest of Cornus (6)

-Kiririk, Kirik.

Intermittent screeching sounds echo from the wheels scraping the floor. A single-axis manual bed reaches the end of the laboratory.

Following the trail of bloodstains formed by the blood pooled on the edge of the support and falling to the floor, a researcher and a woman holding a knife come into view.

“Cornus.”
“…”
“This is the last time. Lie down.”

Sansuyu’s face, awakened from the drug-induced stupor, is pale and unblemished, yet there’s an aspect of her that’s difficult to describe as a vibrant human being.

Her head lolls weakly. Her pupils are unfocused, so no one’s face is reflected in them. An unresponsive iris, even when exposed to light.

Researchers wearing gloves swarm towards her. As Sansuyu’s face shifts to the right on the trembling bed, Sanhyeokwon comes into her field of view.

Ah.

Sansuyu’s dry lips, previously closed, slowly part.

“Dad… Why did Jiho die?”
“Sansuyu, our goal is near. Don’t concern yourself with trivial matters.”

As the blade pierces her abdomen, a clear and straight incision is revealed.

Tears stream from Sansuyu’s eyes, perhaps due to the pain.

“It’s not trivial. Why… It’s not trivial at all.”
“Sansuyu.”
“Liar… You promised, didn’t you?”

Tears continue to flow, dampening the floor beyond the bed. Her eyes, responding to her broken spirit, lose their light. Her heart is shattered beyond repair, and she can no longer make any decisions, overcome by her emotions.

Her abdomen opens, blood seeping into the green cloth. Sansuyu murmurs weakly,

“Mom, too. Dad-“

Her skin and eyes darken, as if splattered with ink.

Rough, calloused skin sprouts from both of her hands. Sharp branches, like thorns, break the blades that the researchers were holding.

“Ugh!”
“My lord…”

“Administer the sedative.”

San Hyuk-won responded softly to the researchers’ voices. If the drug were given while already surpassing the limit, the outcome would be predictably dire.

Either it would do more harm than good, or her body would melt and die. In either case, the Cornus they knew would effectively vanish.

However, none of the researchers present sought to hinder San Hyuk-won’s actions. Now that the family’s ruin loomed near, dying would be inconsequential as long as their secret desire was fulfilled.

At San Hyuk-won’s gesture, Cornus’s outer skin began to slowly dissolve. And not just that, but her very flesh as well.

– Bang!!!!

It was then that a piercing tinnitus rang out.

Cloth clung to a limping man as he approached. Fluttering ashes and petals adhered to his body, concealing his wounds.

His arms, once bent outward, returned to their original position.

The right ear, devoid of any visible flesh as though its rim had been sliced away, quickly regenerated and regained its original form.

-Shuaaaaaa!

From behind him, black petals poured down like a torrential downpour.

As if possessing a single consciousness, the scattered petals infiltrated the space between the computers and chairs, transforming the surroundings into a muddy quagmire.

The lights flickered and died out. Lee Si-heon’s body, refracted by the light, was split into three pieces.

“…Found you.”

No sooner had one of the researchers charged towards him with a sword, Lee Si-heon’s neck snapped in the attacker’s direction.

“Kuh, guh! Aaaaagh!”

Lee Si-heon’s hand forcefully pressed the man’s face.

“J- just a moment… Aaaagh!”

At the horrifying moans that followed, several researchers dropped the blades they were holding.

-Teng, dengurur.

The object that had fallen to the floor was either the sword of the person Lee Si-heon had just killed, or the scalpel that had been tormenting Sansuyu.

The researcher’s limbs quivered as they tried to break free from the embrace, but their movement ceased. The man’s body, enveloped in lush petals, vanished as if devoured by rats.

*Thump, thump.*

Dark spots traced the viscous, black liquid, reminiscent of oil.

“You…”
“…”

Gray eyes fleetingly swept over Cornus’s complexion. Lee Si-heon readied himself to move without revealing a hint of emotion.

“Step aside and disembowel yourself.”
“But, my lord.”
“Do it immediately.”

The researchers bowed their heads in silence at the command from their superior. Lee Si-heon’s muscles twitched at the sight of Cornus being pulled away.

“Ha.”

Lee Si-heon’s breath, white as snow, clung to his frigid skin.

“Pointless interference in family affairs.”
“…”
“Did you come to kill me?”
“I have no interest in your neck.”
“Hmm… So you’re the one Seong Ji-ho contacted. You’re even more insignificant than I thought.”

Anxious. The opponent is even more uneasy than anticipated.

Sanhyeokwon’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

– Thud!

The floor, designed to withstand shocks from even the strongest of hunters, crumbled in an instant, and Lee Si-heon’s new form vanished.

An icy sensation crept up from directly behind.

Sanhyeokwon’s body tilted, deflecting Lee Si-heon’s strike.

【 Black Spade · Modified 】

– Crack!

The skin on the wrist connected to the palm split open, and the shattered bone pierced the muscle.

Dark spots spread throughout one entire arm.

A power that prevents the opponent from wielding their magic.

‘This. That human’s-‘

Heavenly Demon. White Peach.

It was the power utilized by the members of Murim.

He knew he was a disciple of White Peach, but had he already attained this level?

【 Black Spade · Modified · Waterwheel 】

One rotation.

The long black flowers of the peach tree formed a distinct band, swirling in a circle as they followed his movements.

The grotesquely bent heel struck Sanhyeokwon’s arm, and the petals clung to his body. His pushed-back form slammed into the distant door.

– Kwadang!

The wall cracked, and debris flew out. Sanhyeokwon, who immediately shook off the rising dust, transformed his arms into those of trees and faced the approaching Lee Si-heon.

Footsteps approaching the face directly.

Two turns.

Sanhyeokwon’s head slammed into the wall. Spots on the body began to grow with each use of martial arts. The more it happened, the more the speed and power multiplied.

Just as the fallen petals flowed slowly in the current, basking in the moonlight on the lakeshore. Lee Si-heon attacked Sanhyeokwon with a creaking body, like a rusty wooden wheel.

Three turns.

Sanhyeokwon caught the leg.

“…!”

There was no time to react.

【 Black Spade · Sphere 】

Sanhyeokwon had no choice but to release the leg he had grasped, the one opposite to the one struck by the side swipe.

The fierce battle subsided momentarily.
Blood spurted from the corner of Lee Si-heon’s mouth as he stood in place, leaving a trail along the axis.

“…….”

The spots all over Sanhyeokwon’s body gradually vanished as they melded into his flesh.
A power akin to Cornus, capable of absorbing mana.

His muscles abruptly swelled, and an immense force burst forth from beneath his skin.
From long branches to small ones, bright yellow flowers bloomed symmetrically along the branches that sprouted from his shoulders.

The Hunter Association. Rankings from 10 years ago. Provisional 34th place.
Cornus Family’s Sanhyeokwon.

The irises of his eyes widened, and his sclera were tinged with red.

“The will of the eternal lineage… continues through this.”
“…….”
“For a lifetime-“
A long branch in his hand took the shape of a sword.

Sanhyeokwon’s body leaned forward, cascading down towards Lee Si-heon.

From Seokjo(石棗) and Chokjo(蜀棗) to Choksanjo(蜀山棗).
From Yukjo(肉棗) to the skin of Hongjo(紅棗).

At times long, at others shallow.
Deep and shallow wounds were inflicted by the consecutive sword techniques.
An illusory shock wave pierced Lee Si-heon’s arm, leaving a hole.

【 Liberation 】

The surrounding air plummeted to the ground in an instant.

【 Mountain Herb Yellow (山菜黃) · Spring Yellow Golden Flower (春黃金花) 】

The ground sank like the surface of a lake. With the space-transforming as if boiling up like the green of a marsh, the black peach blossoms gradually withered.

Yellow pigment marked each step.
Dark green and yellow merged, creating an unsettling color that seemed to break through the pain.
Despite being surrounded, a whirlwind of cold wind swirled.
All substances in the vicinity gradually lost their light.

A strained voice escaped from Sanhyeokwon’s lips.

“Don’t look back, Lee Si-heon. Do you think you can extract Cornus without dealing with me?”
“……”

Initially, space magic couldn’t be activated.
This was because the artifact had blurred the coordinates.

However, just moments ago, the coordinates had been temporarily released when the flow of electricity and the artifact’s magic was disrupted, allowing only Lee Si-heon, who was inside, to use space magic. A mix of intense emotions crossed Si-heon’s face, who was eagerly waiting for an opportunity.

“The heart is extracted and transplanted.”
“……”

Lee Si-heon’s eyelids twitched in response to the provocative taunt from Sanhyeokwon.

“It’s fortunate. The experiment almost failed.”
Astoundingly, Cornus had endured remarkably well.
The experiment was halfway successful within her body. The only remaining task was the transplant.
With that alone, the family’s raison d’être would be fulfilled.

Only that.

Even if all the wealth and blood ties accumulated so far were to vanish, it was Cornus’ inescapable fate that had to be fulfilled.

“Immortality is achieved.”

Astoundingly, San Hyukwon, who had undergone the stage of liberation, appeared almost human. Bark was draped in places like armor, but the figure itself was that of a proud swordsman.

San Hyukwon, too, had entered the stage of semi-immortality. His reddened eyes were filled with madness.

“Beyond the boundary. To the presence of the King and the Heavenly Demon… those two beings.”

As pressure filled his eager voice, Lee Si-heon’s head lowered.

– Kwajijijik!

A fragment of stone rose from the floor. As if gravity had disappeared, all objects floated in the air, with only Lee Si-heon and San Hyukwon staring each other down above the wetlands.

“Sup.”

Lee Si-heon, holding his breath, reached out with both hands. The number of black spots on his face gradually increased as he entered a state of utmost readiness.

It was a matter of life and death.

* * * * * * *

Sansuyu’s face flashed by.

I was determined not to be shocked.
It was hard to see Sansuyu’s body, which was mysteriously tangled.

Why did she try to achieve the family’s secret intention to such an extent?
Did the members of this family really have such orders engraved on their bodies?

-Squeak!

His arms flinched in response to the speed that was hard to keep up with.
The cut flesh fell to the floor, and a chaotic blood clot formed according to the movement of San Hyukwon.

Three turns.

The petals of Heukdo, which had been suppressed by the swamp once, revived and began to rotate constantly.

The five meanings of Chunma Shingu are a basic form.
Just as Baekdo did. I, too, had to apply it in a way that suited me.

The movement of the lamp flows like water.

Like a transparent stream pressing down on a wooden wheel, Sanhyeokwon’s body tilted along the slowly turning rusty wheel.

An opponent to be subdued. His swaying body, the trigger.

Sanhyeokwon, suspended in midair before descending, crashed onto the ground.

‘Four wheels.’

He tenaciously read the movements. A rival capable of surpassing me in both physical prowess and judgment. He anticipated the movements of the muscles visible beneath the fabric and relentlessly targeted those areas.

– Paang!

Sanhyeokwon’s face was engulfed by the shockwave. Although his dislodged eyeballs rolled on the floor, not a single wrinkle marred his visage.

– Seogeuk!

A body sliced apart by a single sword stroke, regardless of bone or muscle. Blood gushed from the bisected lips at the center.

‘Five-‘

Employing increasingly more powerful and rapid force. A technique that reached the pinnacle of mastery.

– Bbajik!

An unpleasant sound grazed the sword.

The skull cracked and shifted out of place.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to regenerate and thrust his fist forward.

“-Wheel.”

The green swamp turned crimson.
With each step, ripples spread across the water’s surface.

– Crash!

The two figures collapsed to the ground simultaneously.
As soon as he regenerated, he rose and clung to his opponent.

A vibrant red streak flashed across his vision.

“Persistent.”

If his opponent was stronger, he’d rely on his physical strength.

The body of Sanhyeokwon, which absorbed the adversary’s magic, showed no sign of fatigue.
Even when he neutralized the emitted magical energy, his grip weakened in the face of unexpected despair.

But he was confident in his physical strength. He didn’t hesitate to clash.

“Ughh…”

He steeled himself against the grin blooming on Hyukwon’s lips.

“Read the situation.”

Once engaged in battle, his nimble body would respond accordingly.
He had trained for this. He had honed his instincts.

From the deltoid muscle extends the pectoralis major, followed by the scapular muscle.
The annular pronator muscle and wrist, even the subtle movements of the fingers.

If one cannot see, use magic to grasp and read the opponent’s movements in advance.

If strength is insufficient, rely on stamina.
If stamina is insufficient, resort to any means necessary.

A body stretched to its limit and a spirit on the verge of shattering.
A bright yellow light seeped from Sanhyeokwon’s sword.

It approaches.
I burned my body’s magical energy to an unimaginable extent. Upon applying the power of firmness, something dark red bloomed like viscous mire.
The black spots, running rampant, cause the skin to rot and crumble.

‘Six cycles.’

The water rippled. The following footsteps forcefully thrust Sanhyeokwon’s body away.

“Kahak, ha… Inhale!”

My mental technique has reached its limit. The opponent’s lips parted before me and whispered.

“…Jujube Tree”

An unseen sword strike advances toward this place.

I slowly unfurled the martial arts technique I had been memorizing for a long time.

The entire body swiftly deteriorating, unable to cope with even the power of healing.

“Seven”


【 Heavenly Demon Divine Technique · Black 】

I momentarily broke free.

【 Seven’s Form: Heavenly Peach 】

The resulting reverberation blocked my hearing.
A cluster of flashing lights stole my sight, and a resolute spirit made me forget the pain originating from my twisted limbs.

In an instant, following the brilliant burst of sound, an explosion oxidized the room’s interior.
I didn’t even glance back at the place I had been. As soon as my body returned, I retreated.

Coughing up blood continues, but I can still move.

Hold on.
Mending my severed ankle, I stumbled while trying to stand and then raised myself once more.

My vision hasn’t yet returned, but a small remnant of magical power substitutes for my sight.
From the beginning, I never intended to witness the entire ordeal.

A fleeting moment. Just before Sanhyeokwon absorbed my mana and began to move again.
With the magic energy wrung from my body, I kicked the door open and burst into the laboratory.

The spell conjured with one hand swept through the surroundings.

– What the…!

An enraged voice echoed.
I paid it no heed and continued to move.

Once I took Cornus with me, my mission would be complete.

Sanhyeokwon and I, both in a state akin to lifeless corpses. It was a battle where the first to act after pouring out everything emerged victorious.