novelraw Chapter 26 : Chapter 26
Chapter 26 : Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Terror (2)
The form of the grotesque being was fully revealed.
The being that was once a man now had a form that could no longer be called human.
A massive body as if it were swollen and a jet-black cuirass enveloping it.
The metallic texture fused with Magi squirmed like a living shield.
It was a complete grotesque being.
The grotesque being slowly turned its head.
Though its pure white eyes were blank without pupils, for some reason, a gaze was felt.
That gaze was directed straight at Seol Hayun.
In an instant, the grotesque being's body broke the ground and soared up roughly.
Kwa-gwa-gwang—!
The moment he landed, the ground overturned, creating a huge crater.
The place where the grotesque being landed was unexpected.
Not Seol Hayun, but behind her, the T-Rex taxidermy.
It had leaped exactly to that spot.
As the massive body landed from above, the T-Rex’s giant skeleton shattered into pieces.
Fragments flew and broken bones scattered in the air.
The next moment.
The grotesque being picked up those bones, put them in its mouth, and began to chew.
“……It’s absorbing it.”
Seol Hayun muttered as if she couldn't believe it.
As if devouring its prey, the grotesque being was crushing the taxidermy’s bone fragments and swallowing them.
At the same time, the black energy enveloping its body surged even more strongly.
The armor looked even denser and harder.
The grotesque being, having swallowed enough bone fragments, turned its head again.
This time, it was toward Ryu Jinwoo.
He threw one of the T-Rex’s vertebrae far away as if tossing it, and then immediately lowered his posture.
Like a short-distance track athlete at the starting line.
The next moment.
Thwump—!
The grotesque being kicked off the ground and shot out.
An unbelievably fast charge.
Ryu Jinwoo twisted his body by a hair’s breadth, and the grotesque being flew straight into the opposite wall.
Kwang!
The wall broke and the ground shook.
It was like a scene of a tens-of-ton bull charging at full speed.
No, it was more than that.
‘Dangerous.’
Seol Hayun assessed the situation.
Ryu Jinwoo had dodged it, but if someone had been behind him, they would have been swept away.
The grotesque being shook itself off from the collapsed wall and stood up.
While scratching its head.
It seemed to have not understood Ryu Jinwoo’s evasion just now.
The moment he was about to lower his body again, Seol Hayun rolled up both her hands.
She put her palms together and then spread them as if blooming a flower.
That movement reacted with the flow of magic power.
[Flower of Flames: Proliferation]
The wall and floor that the grotesque being had shattered.
Flames grew from the cracks.
Vines that bloomed, burning fiercely.
The stems made of red flames quickly wrapped around the grotesque being’s limbs.
They wrapped around its waist, tightened around its elbows, and coiled around its legs, pushing it against the wall.
Thud—!
The grotesque being’s body was restrained against the wall by the flame vines.
But that was also brief.
The grotesque being looked down at the stems with a strange look in its eyes.
An expression as if it were tilting its head slightly and feeling interested.
“Ugh-.”
Gradually, Seol Hayun’s shoulders began to shake.
The magic power consumption to maintain the restraint was exceeding her expectations.
The grotesque being moved its arm.
It began to slowly apply force while pulling one arm.
Soon, the taut stem snapped.
The subsequent movement was decisive.
Tup-tup-tup-!
The opposite arm, and the legs, lightly tore off the restraint of the flames.
And then he leaped up again.
Like a long jumper, his two feet moved as if walking on air.
And just like that, his whole body drew a parabola like an arrow and came crashing down on Seol Hayun.
Kwang!
He brought his fist down without hesitation.
Seol Hayun created a recoil by exploding the flames by a hair’s breadth.
Her body was pushed back as if bouncing and dodged the fist, but the grotesque being’s movement didn’t end there.
An unbelievably agile movement.
The grotesque being caught up with Seol Hayun in mid-air and threw another punch.
In that brief moment, Seol Hayun waved her hand to create a vine stem made of flames and wrapped the stem around the grotesque being’s arm, rotating her body.
A dizzying moment, Seol Hayun did not miss that brief counterattack.
Seol Hayun’s arms crossed in an X-shape.
[Flower of Flames: Fire Horse]
The space in front of her eyes shimmered as if being torn, and a red light exploded.
Soon, magic power soared up as if exploding with a huge flame.
The form of a giant horse revealed within the flames.
The Fire Horse’s massive body pushed against the grotesque being’s chest and slammed it to the floor.
However, the grotesque being didn't even blink an eye.
The armor resisted the flames as if absorbing them.
Furthermore, the grotesque being grabbed the Fire Horse’s neck and crushed it.
Poof-!
Seol Hayun inhaled and exhaled, her fingertips trembling.
She had tried to break the armor with the Fire Horse, but the result was nil.
If the grotesque being charged at her again now that she was out of strength, would she be able to react?
The moment that anxiety raised its head.
“Over here!”
A low, clear shout.
Ryu Jinwoo charged at the grotesque being from the side.
The grotesque being immediately turned its gaze toward Ryu Jinwoo.
Kwaang—!
The ground split at his fist.
Ryu Jinwoo dodged by jumping.
The grotesque being followed, swinging its hand.
It rampaged violently, cutting through the air and slamming the ground, creating cracks.
However, Ryu Jinwoo dodged all of those movements.
Like an acrobatic bullfighter.
At that moment.
Swish—!
The sword drew a light in the air.
A heavy upward slash trajectory.
It accurately cut the flesh exposed in the gap of the grotesque being’s armor.
The tough skin split, and dark red blood splattered.
But it was shallow. Even its skin was tough.
Nevertheless, Seol Hayun did not miss that opening.
[Flower of Flames: Kingfisher]
Kingfishers made of flames soared up.
The flames, which flew in like a stab, tried to dig into the wound.
Kwang!
The grotesque being blocked the attack by swinging its other arm.
A reaction of covering the wound, as if wary of the fire touching it.
‘It’s wary of fire.’
The wound soon regenerated.
There was only one way to stop the regeneration right now.
To cut and then feed the flames to the spot.
While the grotesque being paused its movements for a moment, Seol Hayun and Ryu Jinwoo’s gazes crossed.
“Can you cauterize the spot I cut with fire?”
“To be honest, it’s not easy.”
Seol Hayun caught her breath.
“In the case of the taxidermies, their movements stopped the moment they were cut. I could aim for the opening. But it’s different now. It’s reacting agilely.”
“Then how about this?”
Ryu Jinwoo said, pointing to his sword.
“Set my sword on fire. Then we can burn it as soon as I cut it.”
Seol Hayun’s eyes wavered.
“That’s impossible. It’s dangerous. The flames will burn you instead.”
It was a reckless suggestion.
It wasn't difficult to coat a sword with fire.
But it was a different story if it was a flame strong enough to burn an undead.
It was that hot, fierce, and difficult to control.
If a sword were to be coated with such a fire? Ryu Jinwoo, who would be holding that sword, would be in more danger.
That was the nature of the fire attribute.
It burns everything and doesn't discriminate between friend and foe.
‘If it were grandmother…….’
It would have been possible.
The legend Seol Hayun had watched and grown up with, Ju Yeonhwa.
Because she could perfectly control fire.
But Seol Hayun wasn't her.
She was still far from reaching that level.
Seol Hayun bit her lip.
Ryu Jinwoo's idea itself was appropriate.
If the fire could be stably coated on the sword, it would be the best way to deal with the armored undead.
That was why Seol Hayun couldn't help but feel her own immaturity even more.
“We won't know until we try. I have an idea.”
He lowered his body, smoothly dodging the fist of the grotesque being, which had regained its aggression.
And with one hand, he pointed to a water bottle lying on the floor.
A faint smile lingered on his expression.
Don't tell me he thinks he can just wet it with water?
“It's not something that can be solved by just wetting it with water.”
“I know that much.”
He answered with a chuckle.
At the same time, he turned his body.
“Hold this thing for a moment. I'll get ready myself.”
She couldn't tell what his plan was.
But Seol Hayun nodded.
At that moment, Seol Hayun realized that she was subconsciously trusting Ryu Jinwoo.
Seol Hayun raised her hands again.
She drew the undead’s attention and raised her magic power.
Ryu Jinwoo, who had already grabbed the water bottle, was running somewhere.
***
I immediately looked around.
The answer is always at the scene.
The things I can use in this hellish battlefield.
What stood out were the broken display glass, the shattered walls, and the smashed demonic beast taxidermies.
That’s right. ‘Taxidermy’.
I ran towards the taxidermy fragments.
And I began to collect the bone powder from among the already shattered pieces.
Taxidermied bone. Its surface is coated with a fireproof component.
In fact, the taxidermy dinosaurs had resistance to Seol Hayun's fire.
Then what if I mixed the bone fragments of the taxidermies with water?
A great fireproof coating would be complete.
I crushed the bone fragments into powder and collected it.
And then I poured water over it.
I pressed it down with my palm and kneaded it like dough.
The roughly crushed bone powder turned into a grayish-white clay-like substance.
After confirming its viscous consistency with my fingers, I immediately applied it meticulously to my forearms, the back of my hands, and even the handle.
All the parts that would get hot when the sword caught fire.
And finally, I drew lines on my cheeks like camouflage cream. Skin is precious, after all.
A cool sensation was felt in various places.
“I'm ready!”
I shouted, raising my head.
My eyes met Seol Hayun's, and after catching her breath, she firmly crossed her hands.
Red magic power bloomed from her fingertips.
Along the blade of my sword, two snakes of fire coiled around it.
Fwoosh—
It literally caught fire.
Flames flowing along the sword blade.
It was a temperature that could surely melt the enemy's skin with one swing.
“It has to be that strong to burn it.”
Seol Hayun said firmly.
“Good to be sure.”
It's better to burn it for sure than to adjust the firepower out of some half-baked concern for me.
I also think so, but.
The heat seeping under my skin was no joke.
Even though I had a fireproof coating, the fiercely burning flames were beginning to stimulate my nerves.
It doesn't seem like I have much time.
Around 30 seconds, I feel. I'll finish it within that time.
I took a deep breath.
And I lowered my body and charged at the enemy.
Kwa-ga-gak!
The grotesque being’s arm roughly smashed the floor.
Fragments flew everywhere.
A ferocious resistance.
It was a momentum no different from a rampaging demonic beast.
I dodged by rolling on the floor.
A deep crush mark was left where the fist had passed.
One more step.
I ran through the gap in the floor that the beast had trampled.
The undead brought its fist down.
This is the timing. I kicked off the ground and jumped.
I leaped backwards and landed lightly on the grotesque being's shoulder with both feet.
Then, I rolled my body and got on its neck.
And in the brief moment the beast lowered its head.
I saw a gap between the armor on its back, where the flesh was exposed.
I twisted my sword.
And at that point, without delay.
[Crimson Wolf: Blood Fang]
I shoved Hojin’s technique into it.
Thwuck—!
The blade digs into the flesh.
Fwoosh—!
Flames that bloomed immediately.
Tenacious flames clung to the spot where the sword had passed.
Flames shot up from the grotesque being's back and chest, from the gaps in its armor.
I pulled out my sword and took a step back.
Kuuuwooo-
Soon, a cry erupted from the grotesque being’s mouth.
As if in response to the scream, the flames began to burn even more fiercely.
***
Seol Hayun looked at the burning grotesque being.
The grotesque being screamed in the flames.
But for some reason, the sound was reminiscent of a normal human's scream.
“Daddy?”
A small hand reached out into the air.
“……”
Seol Hayun couldn't bear to look at the scene.
Soon, the sound of the child's crying was heard.
A fact forgotten while being threatened with death until just now.
That grotesque being was originally a hero and a father.
The child's crying grew louder.
Someone stopped the child who was trying to approach the flames.
Then the child twisted his body and shouted.
“Let go! That’s my daddy……”
It was at that moment.
A faint sound was heard from beyond the burning flames.
“Hyeon…… Hyeon-a……. Daddy will protect……”
A voice that came from the grotesque being’s mouth.
It was calling the child’s name.
The eyes of the people watching the scene wavered.
The sound of sniffling began to be heard from here and there.
The child's struggling became more intense.
“Daddy! Daddy……!”
The child eventually shook off the people around him and ran to his father, who had turned into a monster.
“Daddy! You said we were going to see the dinosaurs. What's wrong……. Why are you like this……”
Seol Hayun looked at the child.
She clenched her fists without realizing it.
Will the child be able to accept this scene?
At the memory of a brief childhood memory, Seol Hayun squeezed her eyes shut.
“What will happen to my daddy?”
The child’s wet eyes turned to Seol Hayun.
Seol Hayun lowered her head heavily.
Because she herself had created that fire.
“……I’m sorry.”
The child, whose eyes had widened, bowed his head, then fell to his knees and his shoulders shook.
As if trying to say something, Seol Hayun slowly approached the child, extending a trembling hand.
And at that moment.
Thwack—!
The child's body was roughly sent flying to the side.
Someone had kicked the child.
Seol Hayun quickly turned her head and looked at the culprit who had kicked the child.
“Ryu Jinwoo? What are you doing now?”
Seol Hayun shouted.
But Ryu Jinwoo’s eyes were coldly calm.
He then drew his sword and pointed the tip at the child.
“What in the world are you doing……!”
Ryu Jinwoo didn't answer Seol Hayun's shout.
Only the blade of the sword touched the child's shoulder.
Successively, a red line began to be drawn along the child’s skin.
“Ryu Jinwoo! Stop……!”
The moment Seol Hayun was about to take a step forward to stop Ryu Jinwoo.
“Tsk, it was almost done.”
Those words came from the child's mouth.
A sticky, low voice, different from the previous one, flowed from the child's mouth.
“Damn it.”
The child’s form began to gradually distort.