When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 129
Chapter 129
A pure white spiritual power pierced through the darkness created by the Corrupt Dragon and soared upwards.
The Corrupt Dragon gritted its teeth and raised its chin, unleashing a dark red spiritual power like a bolt of lightning.
The dark red spiritual power, so dense it appeared black, instantly seized the streak of light, which was dispelling the darkness like the dawn.
“—!!”
The two spiritual powers intertwined, spiraling around each other.
At the same time, a wave of spiritual power, like a scream, spread out with terrifying force.
Rumble—!
Boom!
The darkness-covered sky trembled, and the earth shook as if a thunderstorm was brewing.
“Kyaaa!”
“W-What is that?!”
As if time had stopped and then started again, those who had been standing silently below the altar screamed.
Some froze, unable to move, wetting themselves, while others ran without looking back, or collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling.
Amidst the chaos, King Ik-gwon stood tall, his gaze fixed on the two forces tearing at the sky.
It was terrifying to face the immense despair that had brought him to his knees.
Just looking at it made his breath catch in his throat, his body trembling.
But he couldn't avoid it, he had to watch. Because the one facing that despair was his only hope.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let this continue.”
The first clash seemed evenly matched, but the pure white light surrounding the woman was tiny compared to the vast darkness.
Like a small candle flame flickering precariously in the face of an overwhelming darkness.
Victory seemed impossible.
But why…
“If they want a drought, bring the rain. And when they want rain, bring the sun.”
Like those who had been told that sprouts would emerge from the parched grains in two days…
A strange hope bloomed within King Ik-gwon’s heart.
‘…Please… please…’
The King clasped his hands together, his face desperate.
He prayed fervently to his only hope.
Just as King Ik-gwon was watching the battle between the giant beasts, holding his breath…
The Corrupt Dragon glanced down and sneered,
—Did you think it would be advantageous to dispel the darkness?
“......”
—You thought wrong.
The Corrupt Dragon raised a single finger.
A deafening roar ripped through the sky.
Countless red lightning bolts appeared, flashing in the clear sky.
They hurtled down towards those watching the battle below.
There was no time to weigh her life against theirs.
Sehwa’s gaze met the hawk’s, which was flying through the air, blocking the shockwaves.
“Screee!”
The hawk cried out, unleashing a wave of spiritual power similar to Sehwa’s.
Boom!! Crash!! Bang—!!
A hazy, hemispherical barrier of spiritual power shielded the people, but the hawk, having exhausted its energy, faltered.
Its wings trembled as it tried to fly towards Sehwa, then plummeted to the ground.
Sehwa, having shared her spiritual power with the hawk, was in a similar state.
The Corrupt Dragon chuckled, as if expecting this.
—Yes, young ones who have just transformed often make this mistake.
The massive, ominous, red spiritual power surrounding the Corrupt Dragon swelled like the flames of purgatory.
—With their increased spiritual power and transformed forms, they get carried away and want to play hero, forgetting their place.
Unaware that they were digging their own graves.
The young one before him would undoubtedly try to protect those humans as well, so the outcome was already decided.
It was like carrying a heavy weight on her back.
The Corrupt Dragon sneered and flicked its finger again.
Even more lightning bolts appeared, just from that simple gesture.
They ripped through the sky and rained down on the people below.
“…Heavens…”
Staring at the hopeless scene, unable to even think of escaping…
The people finally understood why King Ik-gwon had been so distraught during the rain ritual.
There was no escape. Since the heavens had decided to kill them, they could only offer their lives to appease its wrath.
It was at that moment.
Even though the hawk that had been protecting them had already fallen… a transparent hemisphere, similar to the one the hawk had created, enveloped them once more.
Red lightning struck the hemisphere, and a tremendous force resonated.
—!!
The earth shook, and dust billowed everywhere.
Those standing on the ground collapsed from the impact.
“Ugh…!”
Sehwa also stumbled and fell to one knee. Blood trickled down her trembling lips.
As her small shoulders shook, the Corrupt Dragon laughed.
While she was weakened, its spiritual power began to seep into everything within sight.
The world turned crimson, then the power converged.
Sharp, blade-like spiritual power rained down on Sehwa.
Thud. Sehwa’s body slammed against the altar.
Momentarily losing consciousness, Sehwa curled up and coughed violently.
“Cough, cough.”
Drops of blood splattered on the ground.
Her face paled from the excruciating pain.
She hadn’t expected it to be easy, but the situation was even more dire than she had anticipated.
It was an overwhelming power, absolute in its might, far beyond that of the Mystic Ruler.
Just enduring it made her mind spin, and she clenched her fists until they bled.
No matter how hard she tried, her vision wouldn’t clear.
Thump, thump.
Her heart began to race.
She recognized this sensation.
It was similar to when she had consumed the Fatal Fragment Poison, the feeling of approaching death.
—You’ve endured this long… if you had survived, you would have grown into something quite useful… it’s a shame. You chose the wrong opponent. If you hadn’t tried to protect those vermin, you could have held on a little longer.
The Corrupt Dragon, descending lightly onto the altar, spoke to Sehwa in an almost affectionate tone.
—Don’t worry, Myoungyoon’s daughter. You won’t be lonely. After I kill you, I’ll send all your relatives, friends, family, and everyone you love to follow you.
The Corrupt Dragon approached Sehwa and grabbed her arm.
Just as it was about to snap the young, would-be Divine Beast’s neck, its hand paused.
It sensed Sehwa’s spiritual power within its scaled hand.
The young one’s spiritual power was in disarray, weakened from protecting the humans.
‘She can’t defeat me in this state. Then…’
Its eyes gleamed coldly.
Wouldn't the despair this girl felt provide him with far more concentrated power than killing a million of those human vermin?
‘Then I… I can…’
The Corrupt Dragon’s red eyes shone brightly as it licked its dry lips.
—I’ll make sure to send that Baek Clan bastard along with you.
Thump, thump.
Sehwa’s heart pounded.
Baek Giha’s gentle face appeared in her blurry vision.
Was she dying?
If she died here, what kind of expression would he make?
Would he look like he did on the day she left for the Ju Clan?
Baek Giha.
The Corrupt Dragon laughed at her whispered name.
—I’ll throw that Baek Clan bastard into the Ju Clan’s hidden chamber, cut off his limbs, and carve out his flesh piece by piece.
Its lips were stretched into a wide grin, but its eyes weren't smiling.
—I’ll rip out his tongue, peel off his scalp, and after tormenting him with excruciating pain, I’ll send him to you. I promise.
The Corrupt Dragon pushed its malevolent energy into Sehwa.
“…!”
Sehwa moaned, her body convulsing in pain.
The image of Baek Giha smiling at her transformed into him imprisoned.
He was lying on the dirty floor of a hidden chamber, just like she had been in the past.
Baek Giha, trapped in the prison, raised his head.
His empty eyes moved, mouthing words silently.
Sehwa could read them.
“Ju Sehwa.”
No.
She bit her lip hard.
She couldn't let that happen to him.
She would never let him set foot in the prison she had been in.
He might endure unimaginable torture at the hands of the Corrupt Dragon, but he wouldn’t be able to bear the pain of losing her.
“No.”
Baek Giha might not be captured.
He might survive and take his revenge, or he might live a long life.
‘But… but if I die here, he’ll never be happy…’
“…I can’t let that happen.”
—Are you regretting it now?
“Yes.”
Sehwa raised her trembling hand and grabbed the Corrupt Dragon’s large wrist.
“I said I could do anything…”
Her crimson eyes flashed.
“I faltered for a moment. Like a fool.”
—What?!
Sehwa gritted her teeth, pouring all her power into the Corrupt Dragon.
She couldn’t give up, she couldn’t accept death.
Even if she lost her limbs and ended up in a miserable state…
Even if her skin was peeled off and she was left in a horrifying condition, as the Corrupt Dragon had threatened…
She had to survive. That was her greatest duty.
She had to protect them, and she had to protect herself.
And with that small shift in her thoughts, something changed.
‘Oh…’
The spiritual power within her began to burn.
And it was at that moment.
A radiant waterfall of light, connecting the heavens and the earth, descended upon the Corrupt Dragon.
Kwaaang—!
—Kyaaaargh!
The Corrupt Dragon screamed in agony, trying to shake off Sehwa's grip.
As the white light spread, cracks appeared on the Corrupt Dragon’s skin, and then it began to peel off.
‘This is impossible! This can’t be happening!’
The Corrupt Dragon, in disbelief, tried to fly away and shake Sehwa off, but she tightened her grip on its wrist and slammed it back down to the ground.
Crash! Bang!
The Corrupt Dragon, crashing onto the altar and tumbling down the stairs, hurriedly got up and glared at Sehwa.
A massive spiritual power surged from behind Sehwa, reaching towards the sky.
The energy of the Spirit Stones surrounding the altar resonated with her five-colored aura, amplifying it.
Blue and red spiritual power, golden light as radiant as the sun, and a pure white whirlwind of spiritual power.
All of it resonated with the countless Spirit Stones.
The blinding light converged into a single point.
The swirling energy transformed, as if to protect her, rising from behind her.
Sehwa knew.
This was exuviation.
Comments
Post a Comment