Chapter 406 – The Final Battle (1)

The dismembered child spoke.

“…Aori, I have a request.”

Forgive me with my own life. Please don’t go to the king.

I could never forget the words of the young girl from the Cornus family, who had blocked my path. The girl who had been crawling on the floor suddenly began to giggle, her face seemingly relieved.

“…She’s gone.”

Gone?

Upon further thought, I understood the meaning. This child had been trying to protect something, and now there was no need to do so. Perhaps she had just left this bunker.

“Heh, hehehe.”

Aori suddenly began to laugh, as if amused. The girl who had been laughing wildly spat blood from her mouth, as if she had gone mad.

“…Kim Soo-yeon.”

The name of the granddaughter sprang from Aori’s lips. The pitiful expression from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

I endeavored to spare his life, as much as I empathized with him. Yet, he did not hesitate to provoke me.

“Our king… your granddaughter. He will defile her like a dog.”

A taunt that anticipated death.

The dying scoundrel dared to mock me. Was it an attempt to aggravate me, or was there some hidden motive? I couldn’t tell if he meant to speak his mind before embracing his end.

“Do you wish to close your eyes so swiftly? If you desire it, I shall grant your wish.”
“Heh, heh. In any case, the king—”

—Swiftly!

There was no response from the wretch. Mugung’s sword had already leapt forth.

A heart severed with a single stroke. A gaping hole pierced his chest, and the light vanished from Aori’s eyes.

“If it was meant to incite my anger, it worked well.”

Aori’s head drooped, her breath ceasing. The vital energy center shattered, and now, death was inescapable.

That tenacious regenerative ability would be of no use anymore.

“……”

Only the whistling sound of the wind could be heard around Ah-hae’s mouth, who was unable to speak.

Although they managed to handle it safely, the opponent was Samjae.

‘I’ve become quite rusty. Before long, I might really die.’

The wounds on the body were not deep, but the situation with their inner energy was far from good.

In the past, an indelible scar remained on their left chest from the fierce battle with the Heavenly Demon. And now, one more from the recent fight with Ah-hae. It couldn’t be called fatal, but the irreparable scar on the right shoulder was irritating enough.

In addition to that, there were many marks on the body, similar to curses, left by numerous formidable opponents. They could feel death drawing nearer, yet they could not lay down their sword.

The world was changing. They had to quell the chaos, at least until the land was handed over to the next generation.

No matter whose side they took.

By any means necessary.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Leaning against the wall, I gazed at my frail, old body, which was close to a critical condition. I couldn’t help but wonder how I had become so weak.

‘…Could it be?’

I never would have guessed that the successor to the throne was that small Heavenly Demon from back then. The irritation I had felt long ago had reappeared as a formidable foe.

A throbbing pain emanated from deep within my heart. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, staining my white beard.

‘Of all places, it had to be here.’

I had taken a direct hit from the Heavenly Demon, nearly shattering my energy center, and now it was undeniably cracked.

‘To think I would see that moon once more.’

It was only natural for me to falter, a man who had not yet surpassed his own limits, attempting to wield such power.

Hadn’t even the Heavenly Demon, who had once dominated the era, ultimately failed to control his own strength, running amok?

What was astonishing was that the man seemed to be ahead in terms of his ability to manipulate magical energy.

Given enough time, he might have ascended to a god-like level.

“Huff… Haa…”

But the victory was cemented.

What does it matter who is evil and who is good?
There are many countries and people to protect, even for oneself.

“Do you have anything to say?”
“……”

Lee Si-heon’s eyes, having lost focus, wandered.
His limbs, buried in mud, convulsed.
The muscles throughout his body had melted, rendering him immobile; the battle was all but finished.

‘If the Danjeon is cracked… there is still a chance for rehabilitation.’

Victory or defeat had already been determined. Lee Si-heon’s strategy was to draw the heart of the war to Korea from the outset.

Just as the woman of the Three Disasters had done. If the aim was to vex their nerves, it had succeeded.
Lee Si-heon’s actions would inevitably lead to more than tens of thousands of casualties in Korea.

“It’s over. The rebellion was commendable. It’s just…”

He picked up his sword and slowly advanced.
His body didn’t move well, but once he adapted, he would return to his former state.

“You simply didn’t have enough time.”

The moment I attempted to raise my sword, Lee Si-heon’s gaze met mine.

“Farewell.”

My body stiffened as a chilling touch grazed my spine.

“…Why?”

Has the momentum not subsided yet?
Could there be more cards left to play?
Sweat trickled down my forehead, pooled on my chin, and dropped. The corners of Lee Si-heon’s mouth subtly lifted.

A proposition emerged in my mind after the question:
The fact that Lee Si-heon was the successor of King Mokryeong.

I had forgotten this fact, as I had been solely focused on the Heavenly Demon’s power while confronting him. Left with no choice, I channeled my magic and swung my sword.

Just as I was about to sever Lee Si-heon’s neck along a clean trajectory—

-Whoomph!

Someone intervened, striking my abdomen with a straight punch.

The ceiling seemed to flip, and black spots seeped into my body. A surge of energy similar to the power Lee Si-heon wielded. The present-day Heavenly Demon. The eldest of the three daughters under Taejin’s care.

You dared to come here, facing grave danger. A formidable opponent has emerged, one worth risking life and limb against.

As the sword he held shattered into pieces, he swiftly moved his hand to his waist to draw another.

“Halt.”

The moment he drew the sword, a foot struck the hilt, effectively blocking the weapon. Then, with a swift motion, a powerful right leg struck his head.

Such immense strength and speed that the ground beneath quivered, fissures forming all around. Caught off guard, he had no choice but to endure the assault, as his body’s magical energy was suppressed by the overwhelming force, unable to break free.

*Paang!*

A dense black mist enveloped the surroundings, obstructing his vision. The technique was so intricate that it rendered even his magical senses useless.

‘…They wield bizarre sorcery.’

He lifted his sword and slashed at the encroaching mist. As the technique dissipated without resistance, the black fog vanished. Surveying the area, he found that the two adversaries had disappeared.

Blood trickled from his nose. It seemed that not only Lee Si-heon had managed to ruffle his composure.

“…Should I consider myself fortunate? Now I don’t even know what will happen.”

If he had been determined to kill, no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t have been able to avoid the life-or-death struggle. Lee Si-heon’s life was as good as over. Was he really that precious?

As he attempted to take a step forward, his body crumbled to the ground.

– Thud!

His vision wavered, but the Hunter Association couldn’t survive without him. Even if it killed him, he had to keep moving.

* * * * * * * *

It was quicker for the master to find me than for Mugung’s sword to slash my throat.

How astonished the face that saw me was. That pained expression seemed like it would never fade from memory.

At a speed beyond my comprehension, Mugung was subdued, and a spell was cast. It seemed that my master still had countless unknown techniques.

*Pffft!*

Enveloped in Cheondo’s embrace, we soared through the air before plummeting to the ground.

In the wake of the disaster, the activation of the national treasure artifact interfered with spatial magic, rendering it useless. As my body descended onto a suitable mountain, Cheondo quickly enveloped me in her arms.

“Are you… all right?”

I interrupted her.

“What are you doing?”

Truth be told, I had tried to resist before being brought along in this near-abduction, but my neck lacked the strength.

My words contorted Cheondo’s face. As my body felt slightly more at ease, I cried out with an agitated voice.

“Wasn’t this an opportunity to kill that person?”

It had been quite some time since I had resolved to show a more unseemly side.

Even though I was well aware that this wasn’t what Cheondo desired, I did not cease speaking.

Even now, my skin was decaying.

“I desire you-“
“Regardless, I’m going to die. Why? Why did you bring me here?”

I had resolved to die if I couldn’t find a way to win while fighting Mugung.

No one could know what effects the remnants of time, one of many variables, might have. I never believed in it from the beginning.
Death didn’t bother me.
As long as there was one less enemy for Cheondo, that was enough.

“Why don’t you understand my disciple’s feelings? Huh?”

Selfish, I think so too.
Cheondo’s face twisted in pain.

“Master, you’re not that kind of person. You’re perceptive.”

Although not devoid of affection, Cheondo is an extreme realist.
There’s no hesitation in killing someone, and always prepared to strike without mercy if something deviates from the plan.

Perhaps, if it were Baekdo.
Even if stubborn, they wouldn’t agree to abandon me.
As for Hwangdo, there was no question.

“You told me to be cruel.”

Decayed skin. Eyes reddened and caked with dirt.
Though tear-streaked and unfocused, they still conveyed emotion.

“But why, Master?”

My entire body slashed open, black blood oozing from between the exposed muscles.
Cheondo, staring at my gore-streaked form, squeezed her eyes shut.

“A disciple’s funeral… You can hold it later.”

As a word hinting at death fell, a ringing echoed in my ears.

A slap across my cheek. My head spun, and I felt as though my life was being pulled forward.

“…Say no more.”

Tears welling from her deep wounds, Cheondo drew me into the embrace of the expansive Black Dragon.

“Why do you keep trying to leave me? You didn’t even have to die. If we had taken a bit more time… Made a plan—”

The sensation of my heart ready to burst was absent.
It might sound ridiculous, but it felt so unfair.

When will I ever find myself in the embrace of someone like this again? My barely remaining life force hastened my demise.

It might be problematic that I haven’t killed Mugung yet… But then again, perhaps it’s already too late.

My master values me more. I didn’t resent that.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

I’m going to die anyway. I spoke candidly and with ease.

“No matter how much I think about it, it seems like it won’t end unless I die.”

It’s not just a fleeting thought. After taking command of the white termites, extracting knowledge from the sage’s library, and roughly understanding the structure of the world, I arrived at this conclusion after careful consideration.

“There would be a way if I were to live alone, but to save everyone, this was the only method. It’s not odd, is it? I have a daughter, after all.”

It’s a one-sided sacrifice. If I were to die… everyone might not regain their senses completely.

But my lovers are not that weak.

I believe that even in difficult times, they are the people who will dust themselves off and rise again.

“… Master, you know, right? You’re smarter than me.”

I thought that if it was Heaven, she would understand. In a way, it might seem like passing the burden, but I simply did what I had to do.

“It’s because it’s a war. It’s certain that Flower and the World Tree will continue to fight… Without Mugung, that person, Master could live well while fleeing. I just couldn’t do that… so I said some things I didn’t like.”

“Why me…”

There are many truths left untold.

However, there isn’t much time left. I thought it would be better to simply express my feelings rather than laying out various arguments.

“Do you know how scared I was when I first came to this world?”

“…I don’t know. It’s not an emotion I can understand.”

“I didn’t know anyone, and my life was threatened. Wasn’t I suddenly expected to make friends? Also, sometimes people are kidnapped and used as sex slaves.”

Setting aside the situation I found myself in.

“And I had no answer either. He only knew how to reveal a woman in me. Acting like a child, getting scolded by the master.”
“…Lee Si-heon.”
“There is purgatory, right? You risked your life for me.”

Back then, I still couldn’t quite understand.
I never expected you to go that far on the first day we met.

Now, because of the bond from the past, I think my body acted on my behalf rather than my head. But at that time, I knew nothing.

“But that… you have no idea how grateful I was to you. I had never experienced that level of affection in my life.”
“……”

Heaven’s breath trembled. I gently embraced her.
Her hair color suddenly changed to white, then to orange, and then back to its original state.

She must have been holding back her surging emotions, keeping her sisters at bay.
I couldn’t help but smile.

“Whenever there was an opportunity, I quarreled with Baekdo… and our Sister Hwangdo as well. To be honest, I loved them all. Yes. I know it shouldn’t be like this, but I’m dying, so why hold back my words?”
“……”
“Thanks to you, I was able to endure and I was happy.”

Heaven remained silent. No, it might be more accurate to think that she couldn’t speak.

It still takes time to close one’s eyes, especially when Cornus lingers… Se-Young, for one, is bound to be disheartened for quite some time.

I murmured, accepting my eyes that kept closing involuntarily.

“Master, you mentioned something in the Netherworld.”

There was always something I had been curious about.

“You said you had a dream, last time. I hope that dream comes true as well.”

And then again,

“I hope you find someone you love too.”

Among the things Heaven had said, there was such a statement: “Have confidence. You are my disciple.” In truth, many of her words had been of great help.

“Not yet… isn’t it time to die?”
“…The World Trees are approaching. You must go now.”

Cheondo’s complexion was dark. Her voice trembled at the end of her words, even more agitated than when she had recklessly apologized to me. Sensing the melancholy in her expression, I gently embraced my teacher’s face.

Even if it hadn’t been my destiny, I would have wanted to give her everything. The most respectable person in the world.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be a proud disciple.”

Cheondo’s large eyes narrowed into small circles. Her face turned pale, contrasting with my breathless, smiling visage.

*Thud!*

A grotesque monster’s voice echoed from afar, as if making Gu-seul tremble. As I saw the priests flocking from the sky, I released Cheondo.

Though she was not crying, her expression was one of sorrow. I murmured to myself, “Sargenti.”

At that moment, a magic circle enveloped my entire body.

[Are you ready?]

As a flustered Cheondo attempted to extend her hand toward the magic circle, I gently grasped her wrist. The farewells had come to an end.

‘Yes. Proceed as planned.’

Sargenti, whose silence had lingered for a moment, replied in a slightly somber tone.

[…Understood.]

That was when it happened. Cheondo, wearing a seemingly devastated expression, suddenly moved her hand. As she did, the magic circle shattered, sending fragments flying onto my face.

– *Clink.*

Huh? This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Cheondo, grinding her teeth, stood in my way. My eyes widened as the magical energy began to forcefully invade my body.

“…Master?”

Cheondo, murmuring softly, clenched her eyes shut and headbutted me. She had understood my words and even urged me to live for my sisters rather than myself.

– *Ppaak-*

My vision flickered.

A spatial spell to be activated by piercing the artifact meticulously crafted over several months. The interference of Heaven distorted the coordinates, and my body was transported to a location other than what I had anticipated.

I realized it when I caught a glimpse of her eyes just before she vanished. Ah. Even if I were to become a vegetative being, she intended to save my life.

A resolute will, difficult to discern, flickered in Heaven’s eyes.