Dragon (龍).
In the past, it was a creature spoken of only in legends. But after the Blood Demon War several centuries ago, the term took on a different meaning.
At that time, all white-ranked demonic beasts were collectively called "dragons." Historical records show this.
For instance, the Mist Dragon (霧龍) that Shin Noya defeated, as well as the white-ranked demonic beast that Tang Jemoon subdued. They were called dragons because of their appearance.
But now, judging by what this thing was saying…
“…So, if I undergo this ‘transcendence,’ I’ll turn into a dragon?”
[A noble and exalted transformation.]
The creature responded without masking its labored breathing.
[A lowly being offered the chance to become a divine seed—a privilege you should accept with gratitude.]
“What the hell are you on about, you crazy bastard?”
[Yet despite all the Qi you amassed within your vessel, you clung to your humanity. You lack the qualifications.]
“I just wanted to live as I am. I’m only doing this because it’s do-or-die. Who’s toying with me here?”
Did it think I wanted to become some unknown creature? If it were up to me, I’d live as a human. The problem was that this damned world wouldn’t let me.
“I don’t want this either.”
[Then give yourself to me.]
“That’s even worse, you bastard.”
Was this thing really mocking me right now?
“If you’re so upset, take it by force. Stop asking for it like a coward.”
[…]
Mocking it seemed to have an effect. The creature’s body began to tremble.
[Pathetic thing. Do you truly think you can withstand this with your human mind?]
“Oh, and you can?”
[Of course. I am the seed of the Dragon Emperor. You are nothing compared to me.]
[So…]
Rumble!
[Just give up your body—!]
The Blood Qi surged toward him again, fully charged. Thud!
Using all the Qi he’d gathered, he twisted his body to dodge.
Crunch!
But he didn’t completely evade it this time, and the creature clamped down on the same arm it had bitten before.
Its fangs dug in, shredding his arm to pieces.
“Ugh…”
A groan escaped from the pain, but he held on.
It worked.
Biting his lip, he glanced at his injured arm. He’d managed to pull it off.
Letting it bite his already injured arm was better, so he’d put a bit of effort into making that happen. Thankfully, it worked out.
The pain was excruciating, but compared to the agony from using the Tua Pacheonmu technique, this was almost bearable.
Just as the creature prepared to make its next move, he acted.
Whirr—!
Sensing the creature’s movements, he immediately activated the Demonic Sky Absorption Art.
[…Grrr!?]
Realizing something was wrong with the arm in its mouth, the creature hesitated, trying to throw him off. He intensified his grip.
Whooosh!
Energy began to flow into his body.
Just as I thought.
It was exactly as he’d anticipated. Earlier, he’d noticed something as his fingertips brushed against it.
I can absorb it.
Perhaps because it was a manifestation of Blood Qi, the Demonic Sky Absorption Art activated upon contact.
Though he didn’t know how it was possible to absorb the Qi it had within him, the important thing was…
[You… wretched… thing…!!]
The situation was clearly not in the creature’s favor. As he continued to drain its energy, the creature struggled more violently.
Crunch.
He held on with all his might, refusing to let go despite its thrashing.
The absorbed Qi circulating in his body made it possible.
[Release me! Do you think this will end in your favor?!]
The tone in its voice became more desperate, likely due to the Qi being drained.
[You won’t last. You’ll collapse mentally and die—you’ll never withstand it!]
The creature’s claws tried to tear him away. He didn’t flinch.
Even if its nails punctured him, he held firm.
Whoosh!
The Qi continued to pour into him.
The amount of Blood Qi he absorbed was beyond what he’d originally possessed. The difference was staggering, but he had no time to dwell on it.
Simply handling the rush of energy was overwhelming enough.
There’s so much.
It felt as though the energy was pouring into every corner of his body, filling it past capacity.
Could he really withstand all of this?
But then he thought—
What’s the alternative if I can’t?
There was no other option.
He could see it: the more Qi he absorbed, the smaller the creature became.
He didn’t care what effect all this Qi might have on his body.
For now, his only goal was to consume this damned creature entirely.
[Rel… release… me…! I am… the great…!]
“Shut up. You can’t just squat here without paying rent and expect to take over.”
It had barged in uninvited and now wanted to claim his body? Not a chance. As the creature shrank, his Qi grew stronger.
Though only seconds had passed, he’d now reached a point where the creature’s thrashing did nothing to faze him.
Continuing to absorb without hesitation—
Grrr…!
The creature emitted a low groan, then finally disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
“…”
A silence fell over the space.
“…Phew…”
He exhaled, brushing his hand over his body.
Was it over? Feeling the energy flowing through him, he nodded slightly.
“Seems pretty unimpressive, honestly.”
With all the warnings Shin Noya had given, he expected it to be a much tougher ordeal.
But for all that, he felt surprisingly fine. His body was wrecked, but since this was a mental space, he figured he’d be fine once he returned to reality.
“And the Qi….”
His body was overflowing with energy, to the point of feeling nauseated, but he could handle it.
“So… is it over?”
This “transcendence” and everything else had been hyped up, but it all seemed anticlimactic. There wasn’t much change he could feel.
The vessel didn’t return, either…
The emptiness in his body remained, and on top of that—
How do I get out of here?
As he pondered how to escape…
Whrrr.
Another vibration rippled through him.
“Hmm?”
His gaze dropped.
The sensation was coming from where his heart would be. He could feel it clearly now.
“What…?”
Just as he was about to investigate further—
Crack.
A cracking sound echoed.
Craaaaash—!
“Gah…!?”
Suddenly, a tremendous pain radiated from his heart.
Doubling over from the piercing pain, he let out a muffled groan. Whirr—! The surrounding water began to shift.
The currents wrapped around his body.
They soon began to seep inward.
Amid the pain in his heart, he sensed it clearly: it was energy.
As the surrounding water entered his body, it transformed into Qi, churning violently inside him.
He regretted it.
It had felt too easy, and of course, it was about to come back to bite him.
His body was already at its limit from absorbing the Blood Qi. He was barely maintaining his sanity, and now, more Qi was flooding in?
Ha, you’ve got to be kidding me…
It was as if something were testing how far it could push his body before it broke.
Crack.
He clenched his teeth. The energy surging through him made his entire body tremble.
Now he understood why Shin Noya, and that Blood Qi in dragon’s form, had warned him he’d never survive.
A human could never withstand this.
His instincts warned him. If he let go, even for a moment…
I’ll die.
If he lost control, he’d burst apart from within.
And then…
The Blood Qi creature would take over my body?
Or perhaps something else would take his place. Whatever it was, he knew that something other than himself would occupy his body.
That’s not happening.
Crunch.
He heard the sound of his own teeth cracking from the strain.
He clenched his fist tightly.
Even if he couldn’t endure it, he would.
If he was going to give up, he should have done it long ago.
He’d come too far to let go now.
I’ll endure this somehow…
For the sole purpose of going back and rubbing it in Shin Noya’s face about Tang Jemoon’s feat.
Perhaps it was that trivial goal that helped him keep his mind tethered.
******************
Whrr…
“…”
A faint sensation arose within his body.
In response, Shin Cheol, who had been quietly keeping his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
“Hmm…”
It seemed something was happening. A powerful reverberation was constantly resonating inside him.
Whrr—Whrr—!
The sound was subtle, but to Shin Cheol, it felt as though something was forcefully pounding from within, as if trying to break down a wall to get out.
This was a sensation Shin Cheol had never experienced before.
Feeling this vibration, he looked straight ahead.
Nothing was there. The place where Cheonjon should have been seated was now empty—Cheonjon was nowhere to be seen.
“…Hmph.”
Shin Cheol let out a short, irritated breath. He’d sensed that Cheonjon would leave, even without looking.
But Shin Cheol hadn’t bothered to stop him.
He was already dead as a warrior. There was no point in interfering any further.
Even if Cheonjon were someone who should die, it wasn’t his responsibility to bring that end.
Shin Cheol lowered his gaze and examined his hand. More precisely, Gu Yangcheon’s hand.
The body was still dark, as if it had been swallowed by shadows.
“Ugh, tsk tsk.”
Because of this troublesome brat, even in death, he was facing hardships, feeling as though his once-straightened back was starting to bend under the weight.
A disciple of Mount Hua would have been one thing, but to be stuck with this ill-tempered, persistent brat? It was enough to drive Shin Cheol mad.
“And to make it worse, he’s even mocking me?”
He recalled Gu Yangcheon’s last words.
“I think we’ll have things to discuss regarding Lady Tang Jemoon.”
“Hmmm.”
Thinking of it made him angry, but it also raised questions. No matter how much he thought about it, Shin Cheol couldn’t understand that statement.
“…Hmm.”
Although he’d been inside Gu Yangcheon’s body, he had been busy trying to prevent the vessel from shattering, so he hadn’t been able to monitor everything that happened.
He knew they had encountered Tang Jemoon, but he hadn’t been able to discern the details of their conversation.
And that was what puzzled him.
What could they have talked about…
That wretched brat was referring to Jemoon as “Lady.” It was a perplexing situation, and Shin Cheol couldn’t help but keep tilting his head in confusion.
And no wonder.
Because, to Shin Cheol’s knowledge, Tang Jemoon wasn’t a woman at all—but a man.