〈 Dragon’s Child (3) 〉
[Whoa – Tam, I didn’t know that monster was here. And he was already killed.]
[No matter how injured he was and how he escaped from the world, he didn’t seem like he would die that easily. During the Blood Death that took place twenty years ago, Geumo Island suffered great damage due to the information he passed on.]
The clear words of the Blue Dragon followed by the deep voice of the White Dragon resonated in my mind.
The five dragons kept a close eye on the fierce battle taking place below and did their best to suppress the energy of death spreading in all directions.
To help humans move and put a brake on the Heavenly Demon.
Due to their characteristics, it was not easy for them to directly step forward and join forces with warriors, and it was unavoidable because they were putting a lot of effort into fixing the environment of the Demonic World.
[Isn’t it better? I was always on guard because I didn’t know when he would do something, but now there’s no need to be like that, right? The same goes for this one as well.]
As Jeokryong said, they had been wasting a considerable amount of resources in preparation for Tam’s plan.
Considering the guy’s temperament, it was a natural thing to do, but in a difficult situation like now, even the smallest thing is regrettable.
However, since the death was confirmed in this way, it could definitely be said to have been a disaster.
The only problem is that the death is quite suspicious.
Who on earth was he murdered by so his remains were buried here?
And why haven’t I noticed it until now?
[…I guess it’s the Heavenly Demon, right?]
[Well, I admit that the Heavenly Demon is great, but I don’t think he can take on Tam alone.]
[You never know if the Demonic Cult’s masters join forces.]
[Or ‘he’ is this person. Maybe it was something he did before he passed away…]
[Not that long ago? But…]
While the three dragons were diligently sharing their opinions.
The black dragon was showing more interest in Horus, who was approaching, than in the topic.
[You said you were amazing earlier? How did you do it? Is it the ability of the dragons of that world? How often can you use that?]
The sight of it swimming in the night sky, its black scales as shiny as obsidian moving, was certainly mysterious and beautiful.
The same goes for the clear eyes that shine like jewels.
It is not for nothing that people who encounter a dragon become religious.
‘Of course, it’s beyond me.’
However, Horus, who knew her tendencies, could not look at her favorably.
As someone who wanted harmony between humans and monsters, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed by her, the representative of the hardliners.
[Wait a minute, I have to say something first.]
[Huh? Okay then.]
In addition, perhaps because I had overdone it earlier, the transformation using the “Heart of the Elder Dragon” was slowly becoming difficult.
I needed to proceed with my plan quickly, just in case.
[Everyone, please pay attention for a moment!]
[Hmm? Horus?]
[What is it?]
The eyes of the other dragons, who were busily exchanging opinions with Horus’s firmer intentions than ever, turned to him.
Horus stands at the center of other dragons, just as he did when he first appeared in the Demonic Classics.
[After looking at the Heavenly Demon, a good method came to mind.]
In that state, he confidently declared.
[This is a way to restore the dragon’s heart without sacrificing the dragon’s children.]
A plan that was prepared before and disguised as if it had just been discovered.
[Huh?]
[That’s possible….]
The place where Horus’s gaze fell.
There was Cheonma, which was gradually collapsing due to the strong offensive.
Kwaaaang—!
Coo!
Although it still shows great majesty, its defeat is evident to anyone who sees it.
It would probably be difficult to turn the game around without any significant variables.
The final battle, which lasted almost all day from daylight until midnight, is finally coming to an end.
‘Is it finally the end?’
Now the only thing left to do is to reap the beauty of the end.
The scenario has entered the final stage.
***
After saving Zhuge Huomi and retreating for a while, Hugo no longer got involved in the fight with the Heavenly Demon.
Other experts and dragons had just joined in, and someone needed to keep close by to guard her just in case.
Of course, the same was true for other dragon children nearby.
“…Hmm.”
“Are you okay Soger?”
As a groan escaped from Zhuge Hyemi, who was supporting her, Hugo, who had been watching the battle slowly approaching its end, turned his head and looked at her with concern.
When his eyes caught her, there was a handprint of the Heavenly Demon that had turned black on her jade-white neck.
Even if it was only for an extremely short period of time, the process of a high-level undead extorting the karma of the living cannot be kind, so it is natural.
His expression became uncomfortable as he looked at the marks.
“…are you okay. By the way, I received help from Confucius this time too. “I really don’t know how to repay this favor.”
She, who was sweating coldly as she took in his expression, carefully covered her neck with one hand and smiled faintly.
That attitude pricked my conscience, which I thought was already worn out and gone.
“…Never mind. Will there be one or two things in your life where you will need help? “It is better to help when you can, rather than exchanging compensation each time.”
“From now on…?”
Zhuge Hyemi smiled bitterly at his words.
She already knew.
As this fight is coming to an end, there is not much time left in his life.
Even if Ha Seung-hun and Jegal Sega tried to protect her, it was useless.
What depended on her life was the safety of this world.
No matter how great they are, isn’t it possible for them to fight the entire world, both humans and monsters?
It was an inevitable fate she had been carrying since birth.
Born at the beginning of the tribulation, it was the only path left for him, who caused his mother’s death and made many people suffer ever since.
“Hyemi!”
At that time, a group of people rushed to where they were.
The members of the Jegal family, including the head of the family, Zhuge Howon, were covered in blood and dust and covered with wounds.
Bright smiles appeared on their faces when they saw Zhuge Hyemi.
“Father…and the others…”
And the more she saw them, the more her heart became firmer.
After all, sacrifice is necessary.
Wouldn’t it be a much better business if we could bring a bright future to this world through the dedication of a few people, rather than waiting for the inevitable destruction all together?
“Sozer.”
As if to interrupt her thoughts, a heavy voice came from right next to her.
A trustworthy man who had already saved her life several times and supported her to overcome despair even in difficult situations.
“I know what you’re thinking right now, but please don’t give up so easily.”
The man looked down at her with a stern expression and continued speaking.
“yes? Ahaha… What am I….”
Before she could answer with her eyes wide open, he continued speaking.
“I’ve been through a lot during that time. “You might think that I have a lot of experience at my age, but incidents don’t necessarily come in proportion to age.”
To be exact, it was closer to using multiple bodies to find the case, but that wasn’t that important right now.
What was really important was that the scale of everything he experienced was enough to shake the world.
“At the same time, I felt something… that things in the world don’t always go as planned. No matter how thoroughly you plan, it can go astray due to minor variables, and unexpected events can lead to completely unexpected breakthroughs. “Well, thanks to some luck, sometimes things work out as planned.”
Many things he had experienced so far quickly passed through his mind.
Starting from when he first acquired the “Avatar” skill, Hans, who had become undead, became the Immortal King, unexpectedly realized the existence of the Buncheonhoe and decided to annihilate them, and the number of avatars increased to ten, each standing out in their own position. From what began to be revealed…
to this moment.
“I don’t think there is such a thing as a certain fate for people. There are just a series of choices at countless crossroads. Even if it seems like a one-way street…even if it seems like a dead end, there isn’t necessarily only one choice.”
Whether you break the wall blocking your path, step on something, or find a hole and crawl through it.
Either that… or
someone standing on the wall reaches out and pulls me up.
“Ah, you said this so condescendingly. Of course, what I say is not necessarily correct. “There are people who are forced into situations where they have no choice and end up giving up.”
Zhuge Hyemi smiled vaguely at the sight of him scratching the back of his head awkwardly, trying to put together his embarrassed expression, perhaps realizing that his words could sound arrogant.
My heart was pounding and my chest felt warm.
Why doesn’t she know that the reason he said those things was because he was worried about her?
‘But…’
I roughly understand what he is trying to say.
But she thought she was the one who had no choice.
“Thank you, Master Ha. “It gives me some comfort to hear you say that.”
“Hmm, that’s a good thing. Ah, I guess the battle is over over there too.”
The place where he was standing now was not a simple dead end.
A narrow space of less than one pyeong on the steep cliffs of Manjangdan Mountain on all sides.
That was where she stood.
“Hyemi, are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, father. Thank you for your concern.”
There is no way out of this place.
You can either wither to death or throw yourself off a cliff.
Wouldn’t it be great if a miracle occurred, like a golden string falling from the sky like in a fairy tale?
‘But… it’s okay if it’s just for a little while…’
I want to dream a little more in this world.
Even if it is a dream that may not come true for a long time.
She closed her eyes tightly.
[Oh, is it over now?]
At that time.
[Then, why don’t you listen to me for a moment?]
A strange sound echoed in my head and spread out in all directions.
Whoosh— whoosh—
The sound of wings flapping accompanied by a strong wind.
A heavy presence weighs down on the son-in-law.
Just as the light of dawn illuminates the darkness of dawn, a bright golden glow slowly began to illuminate the ground.
[It’s good that the dragon children are here too.]
Just like that, a miracle came down from the sky.
***
The war, which lasted almost an entire day and involved many sacrifices on both sides, is over.
The Murim Alliance tried to completely eradicate the Demon Cult by capturing the remnants alive and trying to find out their base, but the attempt ended in failure because the Demon Cult went on a rampage as if they knew nothing about surrender.
It was an added bonus that they had to suffer because they ran rampant as the war situation completely declined, probably due to some kind of ban.
“Separate the camps later, and take care of the survivors first!”
“Whoa, I’m dying. Hey, porthole window. Let’s have a drink when we get back. “Since you saved my life, let me take out the Baekhwaju that I’ve been saving.”
“It’s good. Then, should I just slaughter a whole pig? “Thanks to you, I avoided being crippled.”
[Crumbling— Hey human. Are you okay? Come to your senses.]
“Ugh! It’s okay, don’t shake it! “The goal rings!”
As there were many sacrifices, they literally became comrades who shared life and death together, regardless of human and monster factions and tendencies.
Of course, not everyone was that open-minded, but even those who were so exhausted did not even have the energy to stay sharp and alert, so it was not a problem.
Since there were more than one person who died, most of the grudges that existed were overwritten by the demonic cultists.
In the midst of clearing up the battlefield.
Where the leaders of each force gathered, a serious conversation was taking place.
“Look at you Shin Gwang-ma. “You’re really good….”
“You old man. If you call me by that strange nickname one more time, I will rip out your beard. Regardless of whether it is new or old, I am the only true Gwangma? “We’ve already reached an agreement!”
“…That guy has a really bad temper. Come on, you bastard. Is it really okay to wear something so ominous? “You guys who fought at the forefront probably aren’t in good shape either.”
“Hahaha! This is the level that can be cured with just a little bit of acupuncture! “If you break a bone, it won’t stick together well. Are you okay?”
Kwak Cheol, the Emperor of Paecheon, who had only said one word out of concern at Harley’s loud outburst, frowned.
If I had been ten years younger, I would have made a life-or-death decision, but I thought that my temper had died a lot.
Of course, the fact that he would not have ended up with one of his arms broken without the help of Gwangma, who came at the right time at the time of crisis, and the fact that he clearly felt the power of his opponent while fighting played a big role.
It is an acknowledgment that he is an opponent whose victory cannot be guaranteed even if a match is fought in the right conditions.
“Amitabha Buddha’s light horse offering. If you feel like it’s too much for you, please let me know at any time. The energy of Buddha is the opposite of demon. “It could be of great help.”
“I heard it’s really okay.”
Shinseung speaks to Harley again following the defeat of Emperor Paecheon.
The reason they came out like that was because of the coffin hanging on his back.
A mantra engraved on a black wooden board, an amulet attached tightly, and a gold string surrounding the entire piece.
As the design seemed ominous at first glance, the contents inside were also unusual.
“Hmm, no matter what, you’re sealing the Heavenly Demon. “It could come back later, so wouldn’t it be better to just destroy it now?”
General Jeongcheon, with a bloody bandage wrapped around one eye, opened his mouth in a disapproving voice.
His position was that rather than trying to do anything with the Cheonma, it should be completely pulverized and discarded immediately.
Of course, there were many reasons…
“Isn’t it already decided, General? It would be unjust to ignore him even though there are ways to prevent unnecessary sacrifices. Or do you have some other intention?”
“Keuhumhum.”
A significant part of it was that the purpose was to save the ‘dragon child’.
At the swordsman’s heavy command, the general cleared his throat and glanced away.
The Northern Army to which he belongs is a group led by Choryang Wangya, a collateral branch of the imperial family.
The survival of Zhu Gangyin, one of the dragon children and the last emperor’s ancestor, was a matter of great concern.
‘Once the Dragon Heart is rebuilt and the situation on the continent begins to recover, problems are bound to arise in the future. Moreover, the fact that one of the dragon children, who are the key to restoring the world, is the last imperial grandson…’
That in itself has tremendous legitimacy.
Until now, when strength was the only justice, I didn’t care whether Joo Kang-in was alive or dead, but wouldn’t it be obvious that that situation would change in the future?
‘…There’s nothing we can do. I’ll have to prepare countermeasures when I get back.’
But there was nothing he could do right now.
Not only the dragons, the leaders of the monster side, but also the representative figures of this side, the divine monk and sword saint Gwangma, and even Emperor Paecheon, who received help from him, were in agreement with him.
Surahyeolzon’s position was that it was good no matter what.
“oh! “The sun is rising over there!”
At that moment, the Sura Hyeoljon raised his voice as he looked at the sun rising in the sky.
Dawn slowly dispels the darkness that had formed as the fight dragged on.
It was a scenery that seemed to bless the future of this world.
***
Several days have passed since the last fight.
The Murim Alliance had finished the battlefield and had left Beijing, and the Five Dragons, who had returned to the Hwan Realm with the monsters of Geumo Island, hastened to prepare for the ceremony.
Deep underground in Beijing, where everyone has retreated.
[…Preparations are perfect.]
A gloomy voice echoed from inside Tam’s remains, which were resealed before the five dragons left.
The being behind the curtain who assimilated Tam’s presence and adjusted the stage to avoid the actors’ gaze.
[Now I can finally put an end to this.]
With one word from Hans—.
The day of consciousness that will change the flow of the Ganghwan world has dawned.