Chapter 792
Originally, Jin intended to take Valeria to conduct research if anything special emerged during the excavation.
However, the voice that resonated from below seemed to suggest that Jin had no time for that.
Clang, rumble...!
As the owner of the scales began to move, a powerful vibration shook the pit as if it were sinking.
The ground twisted as if it were part of its body.
The size of that body was immeasurable.
Jin and Hedo swung their swords to clear the debris falling like a waterfall and jumped towards the surface first.
"Jin, have you ever heard of dragons living underground?"
"No, I haven't. Don't terrestrial dragons usually inhabit the surface? I wonder if this is really a dragon.""It feels too enormous to be called a dragon."
Who woke me, I asked!
The voice resonated once again, shaking the heavens and earth. If they were ordinary or slightly exceptional humans, they would probably have been overwhelmed just by hearing that voice up close.
"I am Jin Runcandel."
Jin, who had emerged on the surface, replied with a calm voice filled with energy.
Although the question was sharp, he was the one who woke the figure, so it was necessary to respond favorably.
"Hedo of the Vamel Alliance, no surname."
The scene outside the pit was truly desolate.
The ground had become a crater-like formation due to the traces of excavation, undoubtedly the work of the two individuals.
However, the swirling vortex that was absorbing all the debris on the surface was not natural. It was a phenomenon created by the movement of the owner of the scales.
The vortex was quickly swallowing the surface at an alarming rate.
The entire land had already sunk, and Jin and Hedo first checked the direction of Shuri.
Fortunately, a green flare signaling her safety shone high in the sky. Jin and Hedo exchanged glances, waiting for the owner of the scales to reveal himself.
Sssss-!
Finally, part of his face and neck emerged from the ground.
‘A dragon? No... it seems closer to a serpent.’
The owner of the scales was a gigantic black serpent. Like the snakes seen in nature, it had a forked tongue.
And for Jin and Hedo, seeing them brought to mind a certain dragon.
Zephyrin, it resembles that Demon Dragon.
No comparison; this one is much bigger.’
As the serpent looked around, the swirling vortex that had been tearing apart the surface calmed down. Jin felt a certain power imbued in that gaze.
[Jin Runcandel, Hedo... This is the first time I've heard those names. Moreover... aren't you humans?]
The serpent seemed very intrigued by the fact that Jin and Hedo were humans.
[You dig the earth and reach the place where I reside! It seems the world has changed a lot while I slept. Hehe, indeed, the potential of mortals knows no bounds.]
"First of all, I apologize for waking you. While we were digging to find the gate of the Demon World, we came across one of your scales."
[Oh, I see. Well, well. In that case, it seems we are not on the best of terms. Although I am not in my right mind immediately after waking up, I am undoubtedly the guardian of the world's boundaries. Ameris, that is my name.]
Naturally, Jin and Hedo had never heard of the name Ameris before.
"Does that mean we have to defeat you to be able to go further down?"
[Well, it's hard to say for sure if my head still remains below. But even if there were no heads, you wouldn't be able to go down.]
"...More heads?"
[Hehe, now that I've woken up, I want to enjoy a fight. Although you are human, you have come this far, so it should be enough fun.]
When Ameris finished speaking, the ground began to sink.
The entire area collapsed suddenly, as deep as the pit the two had been digging.
Jin and Hedo stepped back to the ground and assumed their stances.
Looking up, the sky seemed infinitely distant.
The battlefield of the pit had transformed into a massive arena in an instant.
Ameris's head, which had cast a gigantic shadow just moments ago, disappeared as if it were a lie.
There was no sign of Ameris's head or body inside the pit.
Instead, the two could see a woman standing in the middle of the pit, holding a single sword.
It was Ameris, transformed into a form that resembled a human.
[Even if you end up dying, don't hold a grudge. Arrogance and ignorance often have grave consequences.]
"Isn't there any chance for a deeper dialogue before fighting?"
[Unlike mortals, immortals are bound by destiny. That is the weight of immortality. And the destiny of this body is to obstruct those who seek the underworld. If you possess enough power to challenge my destiny, then we might have more to discuss.]
"Well, if it's inevitable, then so be it."
Ameris's power was unpredictable.
However, Jin didn't feel like he was going to lose.
The intuition he had gained from fighting countless transcendental beings and powerful individuals guided him.
'I shouldn't kill her.'
There was too much information to gather after subduing Ameris.
Although she was like an annoying guardian hindering his excavation process, she was closer to a treasure they discovered while digging.
Therefore, Jin ruled out using the eternal flame.
Jin made the first move.
With the Fifth Secret Movement of Runcandel, the Light Speed Thrust infused with the power of Legends, he struck Ameris head-on.
[... Isn't this the power of Legends?]
Ameris easily deflected the Light Speed Thrust and closed the distance between her and Jin in an instant.
"Do you know the Legends?"
Kraang!
As Jin and Ameris's swords clashed, Hedo swung his sword towards Ameris's back.
She quickly spun her body to evade the attack and took her position between the two.
[They have killed many of my heads. I see you possess the Light Heart]
"That wasn't the story I was expecting."
[There's no way you would know the Legends of that era, so I won't hold a grudge.]
The fight began, and despite knowing that Jin had a connection with the descendants of her enemies, Ameris showed no signs of hostility.
Perhaps due to that attitude, Jin strangely felt fondness for Ameris.
Even he felt that he was engaged in a worthy battle with a being worthy of an immortal.
For a while, the three swords intertwined.
Although they weren't exerting all their power, Ameris skillfully dodged their swords without showing any signs of being overwhelmed.
She also refrained from using all her strength.
Jin, Hedo, and Ameris were all silently impressed by each other's swordsmanship.
‘But why does Ameris's swordsmanship feel so familiar?’
Hedo didn't experience that sensation at all, but as the battle dragged on, Jin found himself caught in a strange premonition.
"Ameris, did you learn your swordsmanship from someone?"
[I received instruction.]
"From whom?"
Ameris didn't answer and fiercely clashed swords with Jin.
Over time, her body became covered in countless wounds, but she didn't possess the common rapid regeneration power seen in transcendental beings.
It was as if she was fighting like a human swordsman.
She engaged in the battle purely with her swordsmanship, excluding the abilities that allowed her to shake the earth and bring it down with a simple glance.
This was her way of maintaining the dignity befitting an immortal. She believed that, as an immortal, it was beneath her to unleash all her power when mortals were controlling theirs.
Above all, Ameris exhibited insight during the fight, discerning the fundamental attributes of the two individuals.
She tried to deduce why they were searching for the gate of the Demon World.
‘They don't seem to possess impure and dangerous inner natures like typical mortals. However, they didn't wake me up out of mere coincidence. They surely mentioned seeking the gate of the Demon World.’
Therefore, Ameris had no reason to employ all means to kill the two.
‘In any case, it's been a while since I truly enjoyed the art of swordsmanship. Mortals, especially humans, how is it possible for them to reach such a level with a lifespan of only a hundred years? And Jin Runcandel, isn't he too young even among humans?’
Swoosh...!
[Ugh!]
As Ameris blocked Hedo's sword with her forehead, drops of blood sprouted.
‘And this human, Hedo, has formidable power... This is undoubtedly a skill infused with the remnants of the broken Sun. He must have possessed it since birth, but how has he managed to resist corruption? Is it because he hasn't fully awakened yet?’
Gradually, Ameris became more intrigued by the two individuals.
The momentum was clearly favoring Jin and Hedo.
Initially, Ameris had maintained an even fight, but the two-on-one scenario was gradually pushing her to her limits.
If it were a one-on-one battle, she would have lasted about three hours against Jin and five hours against Hedo.
Of course, this would have been different if she were in peak condition.
[I admit my defeat in this sword duel. There's no point in continuing to fight, as it will only degrade me. I have paid the price for my arrogance and ignorance.]
Taking a step back, Ameris sheathed her sword and spoke.
"It was a good fight."
[And as we clashed our swords, I can feel that you possess the qualifications to challenge my destiny.]
"Are you willing to talk to us and give us directions?"
[I can promise the first, but the second is impossible. If you continue approaching the gate of the demon world, you must face me sincerely. Why are you seeking that place? Don't try to deceive me with nonsense. You can't fool me]
Jin pondered for a moment, unsure if it was appropriate to reveal information about the altar of the Sun God in this sudden encounter with the massive serpent.
"Before I answer, I want to hear one thing as a reward for winning the sword duel."
[Hmm, I have no choice but to listen to the defeated party. Ask.]
"Ameris, you mentioned that you are a being who guards the boundaries of the world. If that's the case, then you must also be aware of the gate to the Demon World beneath us and what lies in the depths of this world."
[I know.]
"In that case, were you sleeping in this place to prevent the resurrection of the Sun God?"
[That is correct.]
"Really?"
[I have already said so.]
"Swear it once."
[Seriously? Alright, I, Ameris, swear by my name. Satisfied? Mortal, your words are disrespectful! Such audacity!]
With a cunning smile, Jin extended his hand towards Ameris.
"In that case, I will behave with more courtesy from now on. It seems Mrs. Ameris and I share the same goals."
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