Chapter 401
Bang Hyu's death was treated lightly.
The news that he had died from a chronic illness and a hemorrhage from old age came and went.
Many people passed over the news without much suspicion.
However, there were also those who remained silent despite knowing the truth.
Everyone was waiting for the Dragon Ascension Ceremony, working behind the scenes at the same time.
And finally, the day dawned.
The day when three humans would become Dragons.
The day of the Dragon Ascension Ceremony had arrived.
Puuu…
Puuu…
Doom…
Dudoom…
The grand sound of wind instruments filled the air. Accompanied by the majestic beating of drums.
Since it was an important event, no one wanted to displease the new Dragons, so they all hid behind the grand instruments and remained silent.
It was a traditional, formal event.
However, this wasn't all that Khan was.
Creak…
Clank…
Creak…
Clank…
"Th-That…"
"It seems they're planning to showcase the new Large Soldiers."
The newly developed Large Soldier—Earth Soldier 4.
Even one of them was capable of unleashing tremendous might, but now, as many as eight had been mobilized for the event.
If these eight moved simultaneously, they could annihilate any nearby small nation in a single day.
"The scale is impressive…"
"Indeed…"
Khan was an empire where tradition and civilization coexisted simultaneously.
Even though there were Large Soldiers stationed in a line in the palace, no one felt it was out of place.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The Empire’s troops lined up in perfect formation beneath the Large Soldiers.
Among them was the Great General, who had temporarily stepped back from the frontlines to participate in the Dragon Ascension Ceremony.
Not only was he someone huge, but the energy that someone who had spent a lifetime on the battlefield exuded was even more impressive.
A vast number of people attended the Dragon Ascension Ceremony, filling the Dragon Palace. Khan displayed overwhelming power, and everything was perfect.
Except for one thing…
WHOOM…
The ominous weather still clouded the sky.
Now, it was time for the main characters of the event to appear.
Puuu…
Along with the singing of wind instruments, three figures walked forward simultaneously, wearing Dragon Robes and crowns.
They were the Dragons who would lead Khan into a new era.
Tae Yul, who was standing in the center, was slightly ahead of those beside him.
Normally, the citizens of the Empire would have cheered upon seeing this.
But since it was a solemn occasion for the royal family. No cheers were heard. Only the melody of the wind instruments echoed.
They walked slowly and then stopped midway.
They had no intention of going any further, and the event proceeded accordingly.
"His Majesty, the Dragon Emperor has arrived!"
Hong Cheon walked toward the three on his own.
He, who had been moving only while riding in a palanquin for a while, somehow seemed to have regained his health significantly.
He, who was covered from the sunlight through a curtain, took a seat.
Whoosh…
"Long live his majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
The chant praising the Dragon Emperor started with someone's lead.
The Dragon's Flowers, as always, echoed the chant praising the Dragon Emperor.
"Long live his majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
"Long live his majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
However, there were definitely those who didn't open their mouths.
They were those who knew that behind the curtain wasn't the Dragon Emperor but a monster shamelessly wearing his shell.
They were beings who had been recruited by Seol Hong, Tae Yul, and Shin Yo.
While others trembled at the scale and grandeur of the Dragon Ascension Ceremony, they saved their trembling for the moment that was about to come.
Today, many things would be overturned.
Whoosh…
As the one wearing Hong Cheon's shell gestured, the event continued.
Someone read out a tedious speech that no one knew from whose mind it had come, and others pretended to be moved by it…
To those who knew the truth, it was nothing but an act, like puppets dancing on a splendid stage.
"Prepare the celebratory cannons!"
Creak…
Clank…
Creak…
Clank…
The eight Large Soldiers raised one arm toward the sky.
They were weapons loaded with enormous amounts of gunpower—the Large Soldiers were walking artillery.
"Wait!"
Tae Yul raised his hand.
For a moment, silence hovered over the ceremony.
All of the music stopped.
The being behind the curtain rested his chin, looking intrigued.
"Before the cannons are fired, I dare to say a few words."
The being behind the curtain waved its hand, telling Tae Yul to go ahead.
Tae Yul shouted on behalf of the new Dragons.
"Khan, the Empire of fire and flowers! A history built with the blood of Dragons, its glorious path will continue!"
Suddenly, something strange happened.
Clang…
Clang…
The Large Soldiers' arms turned toward the platform.
"KYAA!"
"KYAAAA!"
The pre-informed servants hurriedly retreated, leaving only the one wearing Hong Cheon's shell behind.
"What?!"
"Treason!"
"What's going on?!"
Tae Yul, Seol Hong, and Shin Yo shouted.
"An individual cannot overcome the united strength of a group. Disappear with Khan's history, Hwagmu!"
"Shoot!"
Whoosh…
BOOM—!
Simultaneously, the sound of explosions filled the air.
The Large Soldiers weren't equipped with celebratory cannons for the Dragon Ascension Ceremony but weapons designed for slaughter.
BOOM—!
Their attack might have been enough to blow away the palace.
"Ugh…"
"The wind…"
A huge gale swept through.
Some were bleeding from their ears.
Why had the Dragon Ascension Ceremony come to this?
The Dragon's Flowers, who hadn't heard the truth, were confused.
Tss…
Not even the foundation stone could be seen—just a pit filled with black soil and the boiling liquid inside.
It was liquid formed from melted rock at a temperature beyond what could be described as hot.
The general of Khan, who had been informed in advance, looked down at the pit and muttered.
"Farewell, evil Dragon…"
The general turned his back.
And the Dragon Flowers suddenly became horrified.
"General!"
Paf…
The General's head turned.
He did it to look back, but it ended up spinning around and falling to the ground.
"Well, you've prepared quite splendidly, my descendants. However, even after hundreds of years, you didn't progress at all."
Crunch…
He appeared without a single scratch.
Hong Cheon… No, Hwagmu.
He glanced at the boiling lava with indifferent eyes. Not even a single thread of his clothing had been burned.
Kiinngg…
Kiiiinnnnggg…
All of the Large Soldiers turned toward Hwagmu.
Whoosh…
As Hwagmu reached out his hand, a giant spear came flying from somewhere.
Thud…
"It's been a while."
Whoosh—
Creak…
Creeaakk…
As Hong Cheon waved his hand through the air, the legs of the Large Soldiers collapsed like straw.
BOOM!
BOOOM—!
"D-Dragon Emperor…"
"Dragon Emperor! What is…"
Tae Yul shouted at those who still hadn't grasped the situation.
"That's not Hong Cheon! It's Hwagmu! The evil Dragon has taken over Hong Cheon's body!"
At those words, the Dragon Flowers' eyes widened as if struck by lightning.
"Haha…"
Whoom…
Swoosh…
Lightning struck, and rain began to fall.
[Hwagmu used Power: Intended Sky.]
[Hwagmu controls the weather.]
[The current weather is Thunderstorm.]
[The stormy weather enhances Hwagmu's power.]
[Hwagmu's close combat proficiency greatly increases, and his close combat weapons gain elemental power.]
"You've prepared quite splendidly. However… You've made one miscalculation. I'm not an individual."
Whoosh…
Whooosh…
The giant spear spun wildly.
"No… I'm not a human."
Sizzle…
Scales enveloped Hwagmu's body.
BZZ…
A Dragon-human with red eyes stood before them.
Seol Hong, Tae Yul, and the Dragon's Flowers—now aware of the situation—exchanged glances.
Hwagmu's resurrection was incomplete.
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The fact that he hadn't fully resurrected meant that he could still be defeated.
"As expected… You haven't regained your body!"
"Defeat him! Make sure Hwagmu never rises again!"
"WOAAAH!"
Countless troops, generals, and Dragon's Flowers charged at Hwagmu.
BOOM—!
As Hwagmu stomped heavily, the ground crumbled.
He incapacitated half of the charging troops with a single step.
But that wasn't all.
"My body? Ah… You're talking about that. Fine, I'll show you."
Whoosh…
A terrifying red energy surged from Hwagmu's hand.
"Now, it's time to reclaim what I gifted you. I've waited all these years to make sure the fruit within you flourishes."
Hwagmu raised his hand high.
"Cough…"
"Ugh…"
All the Dragon's Flowers clutched their hearts simultaneously.
[Hwagmu used Blood Purification.]
[The Dragon’s blood is being collected.]
[If all the Dragon's blood is collected, you will be resurrected with 40% of your Health.]
Thud…
Tae Yul fell to one knee.
Hwagmu had no doubt that he would be able to fully resurrect.
But then…
Ding…
The situation was reversed by a very small sound.
Ding…
It was the sound of a bell.
The sound of the bell disrupted everything.
[Luminous Bell activates.]
[All evil energy dissipates.]
…
Seol Hong held a bell in her hand.
[Blood Purification has been halted.]
Hwagmu glared at Seol Hong.
"How dare you…!"
At that moment, all of the Dragon's Flowers who had regained their freedom formed a defensive formation around Seol Hong.
"Protect Seol Hong!"
"Make sure Hwagmu can't get close!"
"Now is the time! Surround him!"
Ding…
Ding…
The Dragon's Flowers, who had regained their freedom with the sound of the bell, instantly realized that they had to protect the sound.
But this also applied to Hwagmu.
He realized that if he could subdue Seol Hong, he could end everything, and the world would once again fall into the hands of the Evil Dragon.
The spiderweb woven by humans seemed so strong that there was no room for even a needle to pass through.
But the opponent was a Dragon.
"Uub—!"
Crack…
BOOM—!
"AGH!"
"Cough…"
The defensive formation was shattered in a single strike.
"Seol Hong! Run!"
Ding…
Seol Hong and Hwagmu's gazes met.
At that moment, Seol Hong's body stiffened.
Paf—!
However, someone grabbed Seol Hong and ran.
It was Chi Woo.
"Seol Hong, don't stop ringing that bell."
"Okay!"
Ding…
Diinng…
"I won't let you escape!"
Numerous obstacles were set up to block Hwagmu.
Pfwoosh—!
"Cough…"
WHOOM!
"AGH!"
They held their ground, even while the lighting scorched their bodies and the giant spear slashed through their ranks. Despite that, their resistance wasn't enough.
Chi Woo fell into despair upon realizing that he might not be able to save Seol Hong.
Just then, he noticed someone looking down from the upper floor of a distant pavilion.
And after exchanging glances with that person, Chi Woo said.
"Seol Hong, please stay alive."
"Chi Woo!"
"Go! If you stop now, Khan's done!"
Whoosh—!
Chi Woo threw Seol Hong over the wall and turned around.
The path he was taking was the one of death.
"No, Chi Woo!"
"Don't let him take the Luminous Bell! Don't stop!"
Crack…
With hair standing all across his body, Chi Woo joined others and charged toward Hwagmu.
CLANG—!
"Oh…"
Chi Woo was the only one who managed to block Hwagmu's strike.
Thud…!
"Ugh…"
However, there was no miracle.
The giant spear pierced through Chi Woo's stomach and pulled out.
Paf…
Chi Woo collapsed as his energy was drained away.
Thud…
Hwagmu shook off the blood from the spear and chased after Seol Hong.
Tap…
Chi Woo crawled on the ground and grabbed Hwagmu's foot.
Paaf—!
But Hwagmu delivered a kick that quickly made him let go.
Even as he was losing consciousness, he kept muttering.
"Seol Hong… you must live… No matter what…"
* * *
"Oof… Oof…"
Ding…
Ding…
The Luminous Bell continued to ring, and Hwagmu chased after Seol Hong at full speed.
Hwagmu was slowly closing in on Seol Hong.
Before long, the distance between them had narrowed enough for Hwagmu to see Seol Hong.
Whoosh…
"Give me the bell…"
At that moment, Seol Hong felt her body lift off the ground.
Someone had grabbed her body and pulled her away from Hwagmu.
The one who had grabbed Seol Hong's body was none other than Jin Ryeo.
"DAMN IT!"
She shouted as she ran.
She was really, really fast.
She had no interest in the Dragon Ascension Ceremony and had been sleeping on the outskirts of the Dragon Palace when the explosion woke her up. However, when she saw Seol Hong and Chi Woo running away, she jumped in to help.
She was also the one who exchanged glances with Chi Woo from the pavilion.
"Jin Ryeo!"
Ding…
Ding!
"We just need to run, right?"
Seol Hong nodded vigorously.
"Yes…!"
They needed to escape from the Dragon and devise the next plan. This was possible only because the Dragon's Flowers—the pillars of the Empire—were alive.
It was also too late for Hwagmu to retreat. If he left the Luminous Bell bell alone, it could cause him problems later on.
He needed to capture Seol Hong as quickly as possible.
Paaf—!
Paaaf—!
They moved through the palace.
"Kunna! Make me faster!"
- Your body will suffer.
"It's okay!"
Ding…
As she threw a money pouch into the air, it disappeared.
Crack…
Jin Ryeo's thighs swelled up, propelling herself forward much faster than before.
Crack…
BOOM—!
The giant spear struck the spot where she had been.
"Oof… Oof…"
She felt a great burden on her body.
At that moment, Chi Woo's words came to mind.
- Effort is a habit. If you're lazy, you won't know what to do when the time of having to work hard comes. So I'll teach you how.
Crack…
Chi Woo died, right? He was probably dead.
There was no need to listen to the words of the dead.
"AAAHHH!"
- I think I'm saving my effort for something important later on. Yeah, that must be it!
She needed to prove it.
She would prove it!
Tears welled up in her eyes. The rain and tears blurred her vision.
She was caught up again.
'Kunna… let me fly far away.'
- The price?
She didn't have any money—no, this was something impossible with money.
'Take my arm. My left arm.'
Whoosh—!
"Jin Ryeo!"
The distance between them widened again.
However, they could only run so far.
Ding…
Diinng…
"Oof… Oof… Please, don't stop. No matter what."
"…"
"I, Jin Ryeo, have made an effort for the first time in my life… Oof… So, don't stop… this was expensive."
Ding…
Diinng…
As expected.
She was caught up in an instant.
At that moment, Jin Ryeo made a decision.
'Now I see… Oh, Dragon.'
- Though you appear to be indifferent, I know you are a courageous one.
Jin Ryeo, someone courageous…
- There will be a time when you must do something only you can do.
Jin Ryeo shouted in her heart as she jumped between rooftops.
'Kunna, take my life.'
- …
'Keep Seol Hong safe.'
- Is this a deal?
'It's a request…'
- I refuse… I have nothing to give you.
Her desperate last attempt was rejected.
At that moment, Jin Ryeo lost her strength and fell through the roof, crashing to the ground.
Crash…
Craassh…
"Damn it… Damn it…"
Someone jumped down through the hole in the roof—it was Hwagmu.
BOOM—!
Jin Ryeo once again ran out of the building.
BOOOOM—!
The building exploded in an instant.
She would probably lose her life in less than two seconds.
'One…'
And.
'Two.'
It was strange.
For some reason, she hadn't died.
Ding…
Seol Hong's hands opened.
The Luminous Bell was an important item.
The Dragon had told her.
- Time it well. When the time it's needed comes, it should be in your hand.
There could be no more accurate timing than now. Right now, the hand holding such an item was opening.
- What did you just give him?
The one who took the Luminous Bell from her wasn't Hwagmu.
- Haha… The time for a salmon to swim upstream will come.
Jin Ryeo muttered.
"Hihi… I see… Kunna… You'd already…"
The reason Kunna refused Jin Ryeo's request… was because Seol Hong had already escaped from the Dragon.
Ding…
The Luminous Bell was tied to the hilt of a sword.
The sword spoke.
【Oh! This tickles.】
"Just bear with it a bit."
Seol Hong muttered as if she were in a trance.
"Why…"
"It will be troublesome if you get caught in the rain."
- It will be troublesome… if you’re in the rain for too long.
"How did you come back…?"
"Because…"
It had been three years. And when the image of each other's existence was about to fade.
"I promised."
WHOOM—!
Seol had returned.
He stood before Hwagmu and said.
"So you ended up waking up."
"Who are you…?"
Seol grinned.
He brought out a legend from the East. One that would make even Hwagmu feel fear.
"Dragon… I have come."