Chapter 82: Hua Ran (8)
qoVUEPlacing Alicia down on the ground, I walked to Hua Ran. Meanwhile, I aroused the other core sleeping dormant inside me.FIUW4pm
ElhbxN1The Aure Core of a demonic nature that supported the myths of the great hero, Sebancia Duke – although it was too much for me and it was like a pig wearing a pearl necklace[mfn]Pig wearing a pearl necklace: A famous saying in Korea about someone having an item of an unsuitably high value. Usually used as a derogatory phrase.[/mfn], I was ready to swallow all that shame and pain.UyX1Uk
Rl1XJ4– Tuuuung…XmJ
8W1ke3The silver spear twitched.pwCOU
XDfAs I created a path from the Core to the dantian, and from the dantian to the weapon, the silver spear reacted with an echo.phdnUDI
PA9OA tremendous amount of aura was flowing through my dantian and pounced at my heart before making their way to the spear.mdkyVz
jF0Z2m“Very violent.”6My
7NnZMUOn top of that, it was painful.421P
TqDaa9However, even though my body was nearing its limit from the previous fight, I hadn’t used everything just yet. I remembered Sebancia Duke’s demonic sword that he showed at Castle Duke.iweM
ACGPZ『Look. This is the heaven-defying power – the one I used in my youth to kill a dragon.』SDCC7
bcJYhdI couldn’t perform the exact move he showed me; at least for now.cZF4dUq
DrtBut it was nonetheless true that his demonic attributes had been passed down to me. I had inherited his experiences and skills.OD92
20DnYRNThat demonic sword of his… I shaped it into the form of a demonic spear. Instead of swordsmanship, it was like making use of the innate power of a weapon, which meant I could apply that to my spear.qDo9qO
vcZEver since I returned from the south, I had never been lazy even when it came to practicing with this demonic spear. It was just that, this was way too risky of a skill to use in real life.ffp
dimWBut actually, it was obvious that a prototype or a new skill had to be properly used for the first time in an actual battle, right? That’s what happens in every show or movie, after all.Hp0
CbIY“Sorry for the wait.”zCkOx
S7vtG2uI looked at Hua Ran, the focal point of the battle. I could see that she was looking at me with caution. It was the first time that this girl with an Unbreakable Vajra Body had become wary of me.jxYhiEA
XYPThat must be proof of just how intimidating of a change my spear had gone through.Jmp
QKh84Right. There were only few people in the annals of history that could stand off against the Heavenly Yaksha.UlJa4rW
tf5Sebancia Duke, the greatest hero from 800 years ago was one of them.a39R8
quhNow, it was my time to re-enact that myth.1EyKHzz
AvZN“1st Demon Spear”LxSn
4HBAOR❰Darkness❱QHk
sC8LI let the turbulent aura flow into the weapon because without that, it would have been difficult for me to withstand the sheer density of it. The silver spear roared, as if it was excited by the higher-quality aura that was at a different league compared to my own.9ev0mPm
sPXlYWDemonic Aura—7JT
9QzB4A ridiculous amount of aura gathered at Hua Ran’s fist. Our next course of action was very simple.mlqxA
S40DOHua Ran threw a straight fist with her right hand, while I thrusted the silver spear that was now tainted in darkness.9W1A06
Q3TvdCvIt was a head-to-head contest to see who was the stronger one out of the two.WnS
OHVW– Kukakakakakakakak!!RFSwx
eCknBwqA single clash of the two deadly weapons resulted in an intense impact.mfSGJtt
D5t2BiOThis, here, wasn’t a clash between me and Hua Ran.2l77UJG
EJO6PRdIt was the frontal collision of two pure forces – the Heavenly Yaksha was contesting against Sebancia Duke himself, allowing a glimpse into the mythology of the hero.PxLIV
Mxte9G7Resulting from that was a storm so violent that getting caught up by it could only mean being shredded to death.UiFoNq
llnc6hBefore long—10ewx94
QwGQ– Kang!T1rVFT
fdQjwpThe two bounced off and fell back. That was the first even outcome ever since the start of the battle, and I could tell that she was confused.DMcLU
65xTxyI didn’t stop.nbdU
lFSYz1In fact, I couldn’t pause here.dtGF
Udxq“???”4IT9
KU4KBefuddled, the Yaksha swung her right hand once again but was yet again blocked by the black glister of the demonic spear. The one gasping in disbelief was in fact Kang Ryun, who had been fully focused on controlling Hua Ran.0eZ
NDI1MNp“T, that’s impossible.”kdJH
NGcZHe was right to be surprised.XPQfdI
0zMzzWithout the restrictions in place, Hua Ran could destroy mountains with a punch. That was just how absurdly nonsensical her aura was both in quality and output quantity.LGhla
D1Sk07The only person inside this formation that could contend against Hua Ran by sheer force was Marie Dunareff, and definitely wasn’t me.Nx5vMo
OgFzi– Kaang!vupGZL
WrLAnd yet for the third time, Hua Ran’s demonic aura was nullified after crashing into my demonic spear.VXEw8c
2H8spWm“This can’t be! How could someone like you! How could someone like you be on equal grounds with the Heavenly Yaksha…!?”S1k8Dze
6ObhNow that his 100% trust in the absolute power he had was being pushed back, Kang Ryun anxiously slandered me with a scream.rGxWPKd
453fG“What are you doing?! Hurry up and kill him! Get him out of my sight!”S3okUR
ed16QZyKang Ryun ordered her through the talisman on her forehead. His restlessness seemed to have been transmitted to Hua Ran, and she gathered a terribly large amount of aura on her right hand, which probably equated to about 1,000.ECQii6
fCIlShe was spending that much aura with just one punch, but in response, I also readied myself for an equal amount of 1,000.przuQp5
yAKHC❰Demonic Spear of Darkness – Ominous Snake❱EhW
LARh69– Kung!3t0KEP
KqiMlA mind-boggling aftershock trembled the ground but my body was still in one piece. It meant that I had fully offset her fist.0YvQBe
NZy“How… how!!?”mfgE
IkHJI ignored his scream.Ud2Un9C
gjWw3ZdRight now, I had neither the physical stats nor the speed of back when I was using Shura. But even so, each of my attacks was a definite reenactment of Sebancia Duke’s myths.ip9a
tugvThe logic behind that was simple.v6Z
8M1yF2Even though Hua Ran might have hundreds of thousands of Aura, the only amount she could spend at once was limited to 1,000.5NhEI
tgLhIt was shocking enough that she could use her mountain-crumbling fist a hundred times, but the point here was that she could only use 1,000 every time.EB9qm
zhiIf I could use 1,000 at a time myself to offset her attacks… that meant I could display a miraculous scene of fighting against Hua Ran on equal grounds.Ft6
J4UThat was only possible thanks to the Aura Core left behind by Sebancia Duke, who was of the equal Aura Rank as Hua Ran the Heavenly Yaksha.nbW
47nY0c4Of course, there was an incredibly large difference between my and Sebancia Duke’s aura capacity. I probably won’t be able to parry more than 6 attacks from now.ebWo
sTeaDC“Ugh…!”EVz
RocInaHua Ran parried my spear away with her fist. It was powerful enough to send the world home crying, but the silver spear withstood the impact.hvN
eUirKThe resilience of the magic stone Marie gave me, the Unbreakable Stone, was standing firm despite the earth-shattering battle.PYRjqq
w3iQyQTherefore, the spear wasn’t even a problem and the only question here was whether my body would last or not. My body was shrieking and being torn apart with each and every attack, but I held on by relying on my resilient willpower and the Regeneration of the Tenacious Warrior.MKdLN1
O91Y“Kyaaaaahh…!”uKr
hr8KShe seemed so bothered by the inability to beat me that her demonic aura kept on getting more and more violent. Every time, my spear was either blocked or parried.8ccekb9
wnLthThis miraculous feat was taking a massive toll on my body but I did not stop. In fact, I couldn’t because… Hua Ran still wasn’t using her left arm.Gb4L
EmawQV“You didn’t throw it away.”iCTNV
iEb9GHHua Ran might have delayed it, but hadn’t made a choice yet. She still hadn’t made the choice of becoming the original owner of the body after chasing Ran out.KSYFotn
Dq2SLQjHer left hand which was most certainly still holding onto the lightning-struck wood was the proof.rPPE8
MlbvDtZI had to grab that hand of hers, and that piece of wood that she was still holding onto even after reaching this point. I had to lead her forward until she could make a decision.aXE
NR4z– Kaang!krnB0C
Ek7lmmHowever, my arms reached the limit first. After swinging the demonic spear several times, they couldn’t last anymore and ended up dropping the spear.pQnB
DC3s4Lq“It’s over!!”qKI
kkAKn– Kaaaaakk!!4oNz
reRLhHua Ran’s demonic aura was swung but I didn’t have the spear to oppose it. Without releasing enough power to offset that move, I would probably end up dying here.RS9
ifhRThere was no need to hesitate on what to do.z6MAuPx
wdzNqIMy next course of action was very simple.idSy6A
vGDAI moved the channel connecting to the spear into my right arm.ZqqDm3r
5K9CV“??!”QHcmQ
17bazSWThe power of darkness enshrouded my fist as the two fists then clashed against one another.uJIG
HAcS– Kaaaaang…!Ud8P
wgCmlLHer aura was canceled. Unlike the unbreakable spear, my hand ended up being crushed and the opponent was still unscathed.vAbb
eFylMCXShe started emanating aura once again, and it was again through her right hand. Taking half a step back, I twisted my back and met the downward strike with an upward kick of my left leg.LZgAA33
9advYds– Kaduk…!TDHb
q2jtIt resulted in the sound of something cracking as well as a hail of blood. My left leg didn’t last against her punch and made it rain with flesh and blood.kWnfRQ5
uXGA3– Kwaang!thiU2AE
NNeO2NBut thanks to that, Hua Ran was pushed back. She stumbled back from the force of the attack.P07vZO4
e4qz“??!”fTxXE
Dv9xnvnI could see the confusion on her face. Looking at her arm, she seemed unable to believe that her arm had been pushed back.dk8pPm
YzzHowever, she was fast at emanating her demonic aura once again. As if to make up for the mistake and as if to get rid of the nuisance in front of her, she swung her poisonous claws at me with speed.pdrNY
SvwIiMThere and then, I took a step forward.vPpBrQ0
7yrIt was a step with my life on the line.kInIC
PrpXtThat step forward wasn’t to avoid her attack. All I wanted was a newer position and a better posture with that one step.DE7
oNnBwPutting my right foot in front of me and firmly rooting it down like Mt. Tai… I pulled my left leg back as if it was a javelin.8Zhq0Qk
cgybWith the sheer concentration of my consciousness, breath, and muscular movement, I aimed for half a step more.QlYg
HMIThat instantaneous fissure of time was only allowed once, and missing it wasn’t an option.ZdZ
L3GkBO———————K7kM1
dcTzfThe world stopped.rmCUG
1zCRqqMRipped and scorched. My fist, that wasn’t even steel, was nothing but a chunk of meat exposed in a turbulent tornado of blades.LwhP
HX6However, I was certain.wzaN
i8k6I was certain that this fist… would at least maintain its shape until it could reach her chest.KMk8qWv
1md2rEight Trigrams Extreme Fist of Darkness,XStpHM
in4IQMixed OriginbbbvIW
VIzEzLike a short spear, it penetrated into her chest as the Yaksha coughed and gasped for breath. The status of her Unbreakable Body quivered.3US
UBksw9mThat last attack with my life on the line made the Heavenly Yaksha fall to one of her knees.M5VTpwn
1T6But that was it. Her life was still there.cMP6HE6
m2I7ku4“Huuu…”jI8
lOkNLwbI took a deep breath.CeFe
eTf62My hands and legs were destroyed beyond repair, showing no signs of movement.DGWc
6N5qta“Cough…”tfa
LPB8zYuHua Ran was the one who coughed out blood. Despite still being under control, the Yaksha looked down at her own blood as if she couldn’t comprehend what was happening.TTsuom
Y63But that was all there was to it.veUCHuM
kurO8YmThe extreme fist of Mixed Origin might have been able to pierce through Hua Ran’s unbreakable defense, but that was it. Before long, Hua Ran recovered from the shock and it looked like my impending death was only 1 second away.u6O
5ZUrN“You…”1xOIij
4gAn4qQBut for the first time, she let out the voice of intellect. She asked as a human and not as a beast, which allowed the upcoming death to be delayed. And during that short period of time…IwtGaT8
tZSy0uR– Guuuuung…!2mBiKHT
DEyKbyThe Eight Gates Formation started to tremble. Things cracked and shattered all around as… the chains started to move.UHZu
KYVXihL– Charuruk!ZUo
51SFz0The sacred artifact of the New Faith immediately wrapped themselves around Hua Ran’s body.NrYfx
kv9“…It worked out it seems.”De0pp
8ioAll that hard work just to buy even 1 more second of time had been worthwhile. Senior Marie… along with Kang Yuhua and Sa Jinhyuk who were no longer in this place must have destroyed all the articles inside the formation.9GW
BChQWaDestroying the articles of the four perils, that had momentarily removed Hua Ran’s restrictions, made the chains work again.3XKL
EPc8“T, this can’t be…! This can’t be right!!”Qfk4ZIT
FHxRFKang Ryun screamed and doubted his eyes at the unbelievable sight before him. However, his desperate shriek was suppressed in an instant.bfWny
ehlSHqZ“…You better stay still. Professor Kang Ryun.”Dps
r42iEKAfter the complete nullification of the formation, a witch entered through the gaps in the dimension – Lady Josephine overpowered Professor Kang Ryun in the blink of an eye.fUb
dhBM4qThat side was also done, it seemed.pivyR
sSTl1Dragging my leg behind me, I walked towards Hua Ran, who was vacantly standing there staring at me with a blank look on her face.wvjY
6GEcMIIt was dangerous. One more fist from Hua Ran would probably blow me away in an instant.BYpz
G2BHowever, I had faith. I wouldn’t die and Hua Ran wouldn’t kill me.qGozzZX
UzKtvNHer left hand that was still refusing to open up was the proof.FOPFW
CtA4PC“This is not good on a child.”aS35DL
VrT– Chaak!43ln4S
128ipiI took the talisman off her forehead. That removed the connection forged between Kang Ryun and Hua Ran.9LQG77b
IY8– Flop!M4aP
FvRUSHer body immediately crumbled down on the spot. Fortunately, I was somehow able to support the small body of the girl and stop her from falling down with my broken arms.UQAi
W5K****LCOoY
v90tsHwOn the other side of the surface of consciousness, she was deep underwater. It felt like someone was shouting at her.LI6k
hjLSRather than the usual shout of hatred and rage… it was warm… It was based on an emotion that seemed so far from her that she felt ticklish at heart just from hearing it.rStpn
gobg2L8“Ah…”OoXX8I
Lh5The warmth being conveyed directly to her skin made Hua Ran realize that she was in the arms of someone else.t7g3
fJJY1D“Ohh… You’re awake,” said her unpleasant housemate.enU
TwDlv4t“You…”Hfk
ZK6VHer red eyes picked up the state he was in. Her eyes failed to take in anything else… after seeing the miserable condition Korin was in.op8R8Jo
n5wj7Despite that, all she could see on his face was a wide smile.wjciAHz
FP6PRbs“Why…”n0wOjcI
gTD5OHe was in a horrible state.7nP2I
DbhIHis right arm was crushed and his left leg was twisted beyond belief. His left arm was severed and a part of his fractured bone was poking out of his flesh.GiSAOO
JQQHe no longer even looked like a proper human.aMxizk
W8UlY3XThat was the final state of the man who had put his life on the line to buy even 1 more second of time.WiopIDN
scP“Is this… because of me?”xI9N
crAcSeeing his horrid condition aroused despair and guilt inside her heart. Even she could tell that this had to be the result of him throwing his body just for her sake.z4yz
9df“I told you.”OPyv5w
yzDXWith a constant shiver, he stretched out his demolished hands with visible bones, muscle tissues, and fibers, and tightly held onto her left hand.q92M
tboV6“I told you I’ll help you… until you can make a decision for yourself.”dcfw
VFyShe couldn’t even ask him any questions because she realized that for him, talking right now was just asking for pain. Hua Ran had no way of returning the favor to this hero of devotion.s4PP
AEA“Make… a decision you can be proud of. So that… you won’t regret it.”tRLSAIW
1FPHe talked of choices and not about one’s birth. Even though she was born as a monster and a Yaksha of a demonic nature… he still emphasized the importance of making decisions.Wco
GPRLHua Ran immediately opened her left hand. She wanted to show him – she wanted to repay him and prove that she wasn’t a monster.sVZYSDo
ljzxV“Ah…”LAm
Lowc3However, there was nothing remaining in her left palm. Her superhuman grip had long crushed the lightning-struck wood into ashes.lPvxOf
alFSFka“What do I do… What should I do…?”9Ki
y0NThere was nothing she could do. Nothing happened despite her making a choice. She wanted to show him right now and repay him for all his trust but…NneEp
K4DL0“Huhahaha…”BfveD
DiKAnd yet seeing that, the boy in tatters laughed out loud. He was satisfied by just seeing her choice.jCLK
dqHcbQ“Well, we have other ways…”UmMvW
5272ZHe said while turning the silver spear stuck in the ground. His hypothesis of using his favorite spear with the ‘Orb’ in place was still valid.qN7Vh3
mcoqJKo“…Thank you, for responding to my trust. I knew it. You… are a very nice girl.”XYK2zT
wDFbEAfter saying that, Korin collapsed on the ground with Hua Ran still in his arms. Raising him back up, she asked with warm drops of tears leaving her eyes for the first time in her life.MBgUim
S2ewxG“I… am a monster. I hurt you. I killed many people. I stole Ran’s body.”mn4Nh
KNpP– Can someone like me, still be forgiven?zEf4B
BiRwThe boy hesitated for a bit as to what to say in response. It was because he couldn’t give her a definite answer to that question; he didn’t have the right to reply to that.f0o
EibtuqAll he could do was use his ruined arm to tap on the back of the crying girl.4ZFm1
j8GX“We’ll look for ways together.”pIqP9bl
ysaAll he could do was assure the child that she was not alone.iAXQ
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