Crack—!!

Black flames spread across the field, igniting as though they were scattering like a wildfire. A series of heavy, thunderous sounds followed in quick succession.

Boom—! Kuung—!!!

Due to the pressure in the air, sparks flew outwards, and through the gaps, the massive figure of Du Ryeong swung his axe wildly.

Flames wrapped around the axe’s blade, shaping it into a rough, deadly form. The fire’s expansion only made the blade stronger and larger, increasing its reach.

Du Ryeong continued swinging with all his might, as if intending to shatter everything in his path.

Yet the man standing before him easily deflected each attack, unaffected.

The man deftly dodged the axe, then spoke.

“Du Ryeong.”

He called the giant’s name, but Du Ryeong was too busy moving to respond.

“Answer me, Du Ryeong.”

“Shut up—!”

“......”

Ignoring the words, Du Ryeong stomped the ground with all his strength.

Kuooong—!!

The ground cracked and caved in beneath his foot, proving the immense pressure he exerted. Using that force, Du Ryeong swung his axe again.

Kuaaaah—!!!!

“Hmph.”

The black flames twisted, taking the shape of a bison’s face, charging toward the man.

The man sighed and unfurled his wings. Feathers fell from the spread wings.

Thwack.

Grabbing a white feather, he transformed it into a spear.

“A pointless effort.”

With a powerful swing, the trident cut through the air, sending a white flash of lightning toward the black flames.

It wasn’t just a collision—it was a one-sided annihilation.

Kwa-ga-ga-k—!!

The white energy sliced through the black flames with ease.

“......”

Du Ryeong’s eyes widened as the black flames vanished without a trace. In that moment, the man lunged forward, closing the distance to Du Ryeong.

The man’s slender fingers reached for Du Ryeong’s thick neck.

Then—Kuung—!!!!

With a single, crushing motion, the man forced Du Ryeong’s body to the ground.

“Guhhkk...!!”

The impact forced Du Ryeong’s body flat against the earth, his limbs stretched «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» out.

“Du Ryeong. What is the meaning of this form?”

Pinning Du Ryeong in place, the man demanded an answer.

“What is this pitiful state you’re in?”

Despite his question, Du Ryeong only let out a low growl and didn’t respond.

“Grrrgh......”

Was he refusing to answer? The man tilted his head slightly, then asked again, his voice colder.

“Answer me.”

Wuuuung—!!

A vibration spread through the air.

It was the effect of Command (Myeong)—his words infused with power and authority.

Chains formed from the command wrapped around Du Ryeong’s body.

If Du Ryeong wouldn’t answer, the command would force him to.

“Grrrkkk......”

“Hm?”

But Du Ryeong somehow resisted.

The man’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

His command, which should have overridden all resistance, was being defied.

“How...?”

Du Ryeong was enduring the command. This was unthinkable.

“Impossible. You’re enduring it?”

This wasn’t something that could be withstood.

“Is this possible...?”

The man examined Du Ryeong closely, his gaze becoming sharper.

Then, after a moment—

“Hah.”

Realization struck.

The energy from the command wasn’t fully penetrating Du Ryeong.

“What...?”

A dark energy was leaking from Du Ryeong, interfering with the command.

That black aura—what was it? It was a vile presence that made the air around it feel repulsive.

The energy was blocking the command.

This could only mean one thing.

The black energy had a level of strength that could counteract the command.

It wasn’t Du Ryeong’s energy.

No—it was...

“Ah, I see.”

The man finally understood. He had seen this energy before.

“It’s that bastard’s.”

The one who had fought him in his own domain.

The young dragon had been the source of this energy.

For Du Ryeong to be carrying it meant—

“You fool. Did you betray me?”

Du Ryeong had aligned himself with the dragon.

“Kh...!”

Du Ryeong tensed at those words but remained silent.

“So, you’ve abandoned all reason to follow that creature?”

The man scorned Du Ryeong with a bitter look.

“He really fooled you, didn’t he? To betray the Master of the Abyss, for a mere dragon?”

“Pathetic.”

A wave of disappointment washed over the man’s face. He had once believed that Du Ryeong had some pride and strength.

But this?

He raised his trident.

“There’s no need to see more.”

White energy pulsed through the spear’s tip—

—and he thrust it downward, aiming for Du Ryeong’s skull.

Shiiiik—!!

But before the spear reached its target—

Tang—!

“Hm?”

The spear faltered, unable to reach its destination.

Something, an invisible barrier, seemed to be blocking it. It was as if the spear had been tethered by some force.

“Who dares?”

The man’s gaze shot upward, sensing the disturbance.

His sharp, azure eyes met the figure above him.

A calm, aged voice came from the figure.

“There was so much noise... I came out to see what was happening. Seems like a foolish situation is unfolding.”

A turtle-like face, a heavy shell, and a beard that did not belong to his kind.

Dressed in white silk embroidered with crimson thread, the figure floated down from the sky toward the man.

“Hmm.”

The man’s lips curled into a smirk.

“To see you here... this is unexpected.”

Recognition flashed in his eyes.

“I see now. No wonder. I was wondering who could craft such a marvelous barrier. So it was you.”

“Hmph. I appreciate the compliment, though it hardly sounds sincere.”

The Turtle Elder of Mount Hua Sect.

Descending from the sky, the ancient figure slowly approached the man.

“......Hmm.”

The Turtle let out a soft sigh as he observed the man’s appearance.

“How repulsive. It seems you’ve crossed the line. Is that right?”

“Repulsive? That’s not correct.”

The man laughed.

“This is the most noble and grand appearance. Moreover, isn’t this something you once possessed as well?”

Well, maybe others wouldn't understand, but for that being, denying this appearance was out of the question.

“Nonsense.”

The Turtle shook his head, clearly irritated.

“If you reached this state by your own efforts or were chosen, then perhaps I could understand. But how can you call it glorious when you inherited it like a puppet? You know this, don’t you?”

Sshing.

The Turtle’s staff pointed toward the man, the tip shimmering as the surroundings began to shift.

“That is fake. Do not comfort yourself with false prestige.”

“......”

The man fell silent for a moment, taken aback by the Turtle’s firm words.

But after a short pause—

Clack.

With a sharp sound of teeth grinding, three pairs of wings spread out wide.

Chwaaak—!!!

“Bullshit.”

As the massive wings unfurled, a violent gust of wind blasted through the air, distorting the space around them.

“False prestige? Why do you think you have the right to decide such a thing?”

A twisted expression appeared on the man’s face.

“This is an opportunity given to me by the heavens. It is a stepping stone I’ve earned myself.”

Creak.

The trident that had emerged from nowhere was seized by the man, and he shouted at the Turtle.

“You seem to be comparing me to something you’ve lost. Don’t make such a mistake.”

“......”

“I am different from you, Du Ryeong. The master of the lost world.”

The Turtle narrowed his eyes.

“Ghosts should stay as ghosts and vanish into the abyss.”

As those words left his mouth,

Whoooo—!!!

The Turtle’s staff began to hum softly as it vibrated in the air.

**********

Meanwhile—

Shiiing-!!!

The golden space tore open as the man moved like a madman.

He didn’t know how long he had been inside the Magyeong Gate.

It felt like a couple of hours had passed, but he still seemed to be in the same place.

As he flew on, he glanced back and asked.

“How much farther do we need to go?”

He asked urgently, and Yarang showed two fingers.

He wasn’t sure what it meant, but it seemed like they were getting close. At least, he hoped so.

With a deep breath, he increased his speed.

‘Was it a mistake to just trust what I was told?’

He wasn’t sure, but there was no turning back now.

No matter how urgent it was, this felt like a reckless gamble.

How long would this take? Was this really the right choice?

Doubts raged within him, but it was already too late.

‘I can’t go back now.’

He had already moved too far forward. There was no turning back.

‘Or was it better to demand to be let out and run immediately?’

Logically, that seemed like the right choice, but he hesitated, unsure.

Was it right to trust Yarang? He had no reason to doubt, but it still made him uneasy.

That single thought kept him going, pushing him to fly like a madman.

‘Cheonma.’

She was flying behind him with an unreadable expression. Was it that the speed in this space was somehow slower? Or perhaps Yarang and Cheonma were just faster than he expected, keeping up without much effort?

In his state of urgency, he didn’t have time to think about that.

‘What is happening?’

What in the world was going on in Mount Hua Sect?

Why had the Turtle spoken so cryptically?

‘Please.’

I hope it’s nothing serious. But even if something did happen, I hope we can stop it.

With that hope in mind, he flew onward.

After a while, a bright light appeared ahead.

That must be—

‘The exit?’

It seemed like he was reaching the end. With the last of his strength, he made his way toward the light.

Thump—!

The sensation of breaking through the energy felt the same as when he first entered the Magyeong Gate.

The background shifted, and the world came into view.

“This... is...”

His eyes widened at the changed scenery.

He recognized it.

‘It’s Mount Hua Sect.’

This was the entrance to the Mount Hua Sect, the very same place they had used to travel between Yahwol.

“What is this...?”

He couldn’t speak as he took in the drastically altered scene.

It was unrecognizable compared to what he knew.