Editors: Ytho, LaidBackGuy
December was coming to an end. After the fight against b.l.o.o.d.y Heavenly Demon, there was nothing of note that happened in the north. For two months, Lee Sungmin received martial arts guidance from Crazy Heavenly Demon in the northern region of Travia, and succeeded in achieving some progress.
When this year was over, there would no longer be any reason for him to stay in the north. He needed to head to the big city of Rubes, where he had promised to meet with Wijihoyeon before March, and frankly, his itinerary was packed. So, even though the year had not ended yet, he had to slowly prepare to go to the south.
“Let"s get going!”
Lee Sungmin was puzzled by Rubia"s joyful att.i.tude, but he did not ask. When he first came to the north, it was with Rubia and Heoju, but when going to the south, Crazy Heavenly Demon had also joined them to form a group of four. Among them, Heoju was hidden in Lee Sungmin"s armor, so he was not visible.
“Domaksaramu, Domaksaramu… ”
The sound of Crazy Heavenly Demon chanting the mantra mixed in with the wild north wind. Although he had a packed schedule, he had started off with plenty of buffer time, and he didn"t have to rush since the year was not over yet.
A b.l.o.o.d.y scent floated over, mixed in with the wind.
Lee Sungmin stopped walking. He was not the only one to detect the b.l.o.o.d.y smell. Crazy Heavenly Demon, who was chanting mantras just a moment ago, stopped all of a sudden. Rubia also stopped walking and looked ahead.
Beyond the snowstorm, Baek Museon stood waiting. He threw the bottle he was drinking from into the snowfield and glared at Lee Sungmin. Baek Museon"s eyes, which were staring at him from across the strong winds, were dyed red.
“… Is that Baek Museon?”
Crazy Heavenly Demon called out in surprise. Lee Sungmin looked back at Baek Museon. Baek Museon"s presence was sinister enough to make him feel like vomiting, and the evil energy in his pupils caused chills to go down his back. Inside Lee Sungmin"s mind, Heoju clucked his tongue.
[He became a monster.]
Crazy Heavenly Demon didn"t know that Baek Museon had become a vampire. He stood next to Lee Sungmin and looked blankly at Baek Museon, who remained silent. Baek Museon becoming a vampire was too different from the result that Crazy Heavenly Demon had intended. If Geniella hadn"t been by Baek Museon"s side, seducing him, he might not have become a vampire. As Crazy Heavenly Demon expected, he might have overcome his despair as a martial artist and overcome it.
However, Baek Museon"s choice was not that of martial arts. He turned to walk on the path of the non-human races. Crazy Heavenly Demon opened his mouth blankly as he looked at Baek Museon"s newly regenerated left arm.
“Vampire.”
Lee Sungmin muttered under his breath. Crazy Heavenly Demon was astounded by his utterance. Crazy Heavenly Demon was not ignorant about vampires. He pursed his lips as he looked at Baek Museon, standing in front of him with blood dripping from his body.
“Idiot… !”
Crazy Heavenly Demon said with a distorted expression. Baek Museon wiped the blood near his lips with the back of his hands and opened his mouth.
“Elder.”
Baek Museon called out to Crazy Heavenly Demon.
“If you have any respect for me, don"t get involved in the fight between that guy and me.”
Baek Museon"s eyes turned towards Crazy Heavenly Demon.
“I"m asking you sincerely. Do not get involved.”
Crazy Heavenly Demon was silent, his shoulders trembling slightly. Lee Sungmin glanced at him. He didn"t say anything, but it seemed clear that he would not intervene in this matter going by his att.i.tude. Lee Sungmin muttered with a sigh.
“You"ve got a new arm.”
Baek Museon did not answer.
“What did you become a vampire for? To kill me?”
“There was that too.”
Baek Museon opened his mouth. Then, he opened his mouth as if to add something, but then he laughed and shut his mouth without saying any more.
“I don"t think that the reason matters now. I want to kill you and Wijihoyeon. I want to kill that b.i.t.c.h too.”
“So, is that why you came here?”
“No.”
Baek Museon began to stride ahead. Every time he took a step, a red mist rose up from behind him. The mist was incomparably dense, giving off an indescribably ominous aura, compared to the one he saw two months ago.
“It is what my Queen wants.”
Queen.
[So it"s Geniella.]
Heoju murmured.
“The Queen wants you to despair.”
Baek Museon said in an emotionless tone. He had been broken. For Baek Museon, who had been turned into a vampire by Geniella, her commands were absolute to him. The approaching Baek Museon made Lee Sungmin think about a lot of things. He thought about the kind of despair Geniella wanted and decided that he would not become a vampire no matter what.
“… I- ”
Crazy Heavenly Demon opened his mouth. However, Lee Sungmin did not hear him out.
“Please protect Rubia.”
His armor unfolded and covered Lee Sungmin"s body. He pulled out the spear that slid off his back and grabbed it. He never thought he would be fighting Baek Museon again in this way. Two months ago, Lee Sungmin won an easy victory against him.
Baek Museon was an easy opponent that he could win against without using magic.
But not now. The wickedness emanating from his aura was far too intense.
[It looks like Geniella has given him quite the boost.]
Heoju murmured. Ghost Blade had also gained a large strength boost after he became a vampire, but he was not comparable to the Baek Museon standing in front of him. Besides, it was a full moon night at that time. Right now, there was no full moon, but Baek Museon"s ominous aura was still realms above that of Ghost Blade. It was only natural. Before becoming a vampire, Baek Museon was a martial artist who had surpa.s.sed Ghost Blade by leaps and bounds, and he had also received more power from Geniella after becoming a vampire. Now he was a monster with more power than he had when he was in his prime years ago.
[Be careful.]
Heoju warned.
[Don"t be conceited because you won against him two months ago. Don"t take it lightly. Unless you want to die.]
At those words, Lee Sungmin laughed. Conceited? It was ridiculous. Was he someone who deserved to have such kind of pride? Lee Sungmin lowered his posture with a grave feeling. Strength, Haste. Lee Sungmin murmured a spell.
The power inside his Dantian was replaced by magical powers and unfolded magic. Lee Sungmin could feel his whole body getting lighter and like he was getting more power.
Pu-hwak!
The snowfield exploded. Baek Museon sprinted forth, swinging both his arms toward Lee Sungmin. The red mist of his Blood Mist of the Night scattered everywhere, and his eyes flashed a bright red. Lee Sungmin swung his spear quickly.
Kkwaaang!
The red force and purple aura collided. Lee Sungmin opened his eyes wide because of the sheer pressure on his body. He was right to use Strength and Haste in advance. Had he not been a.s.sisted by both, he would have suffered a loss in this blow.
Baek Museon was faster and more fierce than before. The b.l.o.o.d.y Heavenly Demon Blood Ring"s mist painted the surroundings red as if to announce Baek Museon"s presence. Lee Sungmin used the Nine Dragons Spirit move immediately. It wasn"t just that. Along with his own martial arts, he also used the Blood Ring martial arts. Purple and red inner force intertwined. His spear force became like a rotating ring, covering the entire spear held by Lee Sungmin.
b.l.o.o.d.y Heavenly Demon martial art"s, Blood Ring Smithereens (血環破碎).
Nine Heavenly Spears techniques", Nine Dragons Annihilation ( 九龍殺生).
The two martial arts unfolded simultaneously. Nine dragons were fired out with the addition of red spikes. Nine Dragons Annihilation, together with Blood Ring Smithereens, exploded with unparalleled power. However, Baek Museon did not step back. Subdued under Geniella"s orders, Baek Museon was insensitive to death. No, apart from Geniella"s orders, Baek Museon cared for nothing as he attacked Lee Sungmin. Baek Museon raised his outstretched foot forward and slammed it onto the ground.
Kwaaaa!
The thick snow evaporated, and a red haze rose up from it. The Nine Dragons Annihilation, shrouded among the blood rings, was unable to penetrate through the red haze and was blocked. Beyond that, Baek Museon swallowed his breath and placed his clenched fist near his waist.
Kuguguung! Ominous magical powers wrapped around his fists. When he released the powers, the nature of the Nine Dragons Annihilation"s force changed and was dyed red. Kkwaaang! With the sound of lightning, Baek Museon"s powers penetrated the entire s.p.a.ce.
[Dodge!]
Heoju yelled in astonishment. Lee Sungmin hurriedly performed the Two-step Gentle Ripples.
Quaaaah!
Baek Museon"s power made deep burrows in the snow. If the Two-step Gentle Ripples was timed badly, he would have received the blow head-on. However, it was too early to be relieved. He could feel a gruesome gaze directed at him from beyond the red mist that colored the surroundings. Lee Sungmin moved faithfully, in response to his sixth sense. He twisted his waist and lifted up the spear, which collided with Baek Museon"s palm.
“Keuk… !”
A groan escaped Lee Sungmin"s mouth as Baek Museon burst out into loud laughter that bellowed across the fog. Hahahahaha! After pursuing Baek Museon, who disappeared into the fog again, Lee Sungmin stepped forward one step. Spirit-stealing steps created numerous afterimages. Not only that, but Lee Sungmin also unleashed Two-step Calamitous End as well. After two steps in succession, the strength exploded.
Predatory Blood River (血流追殺) of the b.l.o.o.d.y Heavenly Demon martial arts. The strength of Two-step Gentle Ripples and the Predatory Blood River tangled up and swept everywhere. However, the red mist was only scattered a little and did not disappear completely.
[Geniella, that crazy b.i.t.c.h!]
Heoju shouted in frustration. Baek Museon"s power after he had become a vampire was to such an extent that Heoju was astonished. It was beyond belief. Geniella"s powers, added to an already outstanding martial artist like Baek Museon gave birth to a colossal monster. Heoju was not the only one who was astonished. Even Crazy Heavenly Demon was amazed by his power. The power that he obtained by giving up his humanity was too powerful.
[Front!]
Heoju yelled. Lee Sungmin raised his spear and drew a circle with it. Kwadudeuk! Lee Sungmin"s feet buried into the ground. He gritted his teeth at the shock that rattled his internal organs. Ran technique was aimed to parry an attack, but he was unable to avoid the force completely. Lee Sungmin panted as he continued to move the spear, feeling the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
Pavavavak!
Baek Museon"s palm force and Lee Sungmin"s spear force collided, with snow clouding the air. Lee Sungmin held his breath and opened his eyes. Heoju continued to talk inside his mind, but there was no time to listen to him. All he could hear was Baek Museon"s loud laughter.
“Take a good look!”
Baek Museon shouted with joy. The attack that used both of his arms had no opening in it. Lee Sungmin"s spear had the advantage of distance, but it had no effect on Baek Museon. He was leading in every way. Martial arts? It wasn"t that important in the current situation. After becoming a vampire, Baek Museon was faster and stronger than Lee Sungmin with heightened senses and reaction speed. Unlike Lee Sungmin, who had to predict his moves and responded according to it because he could not see him, Baek Museon was watching and responding.
“Hahaha!”
An opening in Lee Sungmin"s spear appeared, and Baek Museon"s fist swung in rapidly, hitting Lee Sungmin"s body. Even though he mobilized the armor and defense aura, to strengthen his outer body, blood spewed out of Lee Sungmin"s mouth upon impact.
“I can"t kill. I can"t… !”
Madness flowed out of Baek Museon"s eyes. His hatred against Lee Sungmin, which had been suppressed by Geniella, raised its head again. If it weren"t for him, he wouldn"t have become a vampire. He shouldn"t have been defeated by him. Baek Museon spat out such words.
“What are you talking about!”
Lee Sungmin, who was pushed back greatly, snapped. He ran towards Baek Museon, overlapping Strength and Haste again. His heart pounded, and his senses grew sharper.
[Use my powers.]
Heoju shouted. He didn"t want to. Baek Museon"s existence taught Lee Sungmin how terrible the power of a non-human could be. He didn"t know if he had the means to control the powers in the south. He also didn"t know what might happen if he tried to handle such powers with his human body.
Lee Sungmin kicked the ground, pus.h.i.+ng strength into his faltering legs. Baek Museon spread his hands wide towards Lee Sungmin. The red fog that flowed around began to exert a strong force. Lee Sungmin knew what it was.
“Blood Mist Explosion.”
Baek Museon muttered through twisted lips. Lee Sungmin hurriedly moved his feet before the mist came in. He performed Two-step Gentle Ripples, which he used to destroy the move before.
[It"s not enough.]
Heoju murmured. When the mist exploded, Two-step Gentle Ripples was no longer able to be maintained.
“Hahaha!”
Baek Museon burst into laughter.
Lee Sungmin collapsed in the middle of the blood fog with bloodstains all over his body.