Chapter 154

“…It’s not changing direction anymore. It seems to have stopped moving.”

Seo Jian relayed the information in a quiet voice, but honestly, it wasn’t of much significance now.

Even with my current Spiritual Sense, I could clearly tell that something was lurking not far ahead.

Our movement speed naturally began to slow, and after about five minutes, we finally came face to face with it.

A monster, coiled and slumbering within a massive cave.

‘…Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Taniwa】

▶Level 57

▶Stats

【Stamina : A+】

【Monstrous Power : A-】

【Art Formula : B】

【Mental Strength : B+】

▶Traits (7/10)

【Dragon Scale (A+)】

【Conduction (A+)】

【Predator (A)】

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Spiritual Power Amplification (B)】

【Aquatic Maneuver (C+)】

【Sensory Expansion (C+)】

It looked like a giant eel at times, or felt like a shark of a somewhat peculiar form.

The distinctive feature was the massive, forked claws on its torso.

They reminded one of the wings of a dragon from Western mythology.

However, setting aside observations about its appearance, the most astonishing point was…

‘…Level 57?’

As if my ominous premonition had come true, its Level was at a point where we could hardly even approach it.

Considering the basic difference in specs, even if two 1st-Rank Exorcists of the same Level rushed it, victory couldn’t be guaranteed.

Its stats were outstanding without any major weaknesses, and each of its Traits was powerful enough to directly influence combat.

And among them, there was one particularly eye-catching part.

It was the A+-Rank Dragon Scale Trait.

‘…It’s certain this guy ate the Yeoijoo.’

And it must have carried it within its body for quite some time, not just a day or two.

The fact that its Stamina and Monstrous Power stats were especially high was understandable under that assumption.

‘By the way, this is…’

Difficult. It would be a considerably difficult fight.

Just by checking its information, I could be sure of that fact.

Fundamentally, its weight class was different from ours, and it could move freely underwater.

Seo Jian and Cheong Joohwa, perhaps sharing the same thought, were looking at me with stiff expressions, gauging my reaction.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to retreat for now?”

At Cheong Joohwa’s whispered words, I sank into serious contemplation.

It was frustrating, but indeed, at this level, it might be better to turn back, prepare another plan, or call for reinforcements.

We had already pinpointed its location, and it was unlikely this place would be discovered by anyone else.

However, that thought was brief. As I stared at Taniwa, I could sense something strange.

‘Why is there no reaction?’

Of course, it’s currently in a deep slumber, and we are maintaining some distance while using a Concealment Art.

But even so, with its specs, it should have vaguely sensed our presence.

Even if it judged we posed no threat, being this unresponsive was odd.

Continuously following my train of thought, I suddenly realized that a thin membrane, which hadn’t been there just moments ago, had begun to form on its body.

And the meaning of that fact was clear.

“It’s molting.”

“Huh?”

“Look around its body. It’s already begun. Once that’s all over, it’ll become even stronger than before.”

With the added power of the Yeoijoo, it might even cross the A-Rank threshold and reach S-Rank.

That, no matter what, had to be prevented.

Finishing my brief deliberation, I instructed the party to prepare for combat and immediately deployed an Intermediate-Rank Art Formula, firing it at the creature.

My immediate plan was to draw its attention and interrupt its molting.

However.

Screech!

Crunch!

Even though the Art Formula hit precisely, crushing part of its scales, there was no particular movement.

Only then did I realize the true reason it hadn’t responded to our approach until now.

‘It’s not that it didn’t move, but that it can’t move?’

Simultaneously, Cheong Joohwa, likely reaching the same conclusion, urgently spoke up.

“That thing… it seems like it can’t move while molting?”

It wasn’t a strange deduction. In fact, it was established theory that Specters of this type find a safe hiding place to undergo molting.

And it had judged this inner area as a safe location to proceed.

“…Well, no one has entered here for a while, so it must have been the most reassuring hiding place above all.”

As Seo Jian said, the circumstances before and after were clear. And we, incredibly, had discovered it at that very timing.

‘…No time to delay.’

This was a perfect, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now that it was defenseless, we had to decisively drive in the finishing blow and seize the flow of the battle in one go.

“Everyone, prepare your most powerful attack. Don’t worry about defense.”

At the same time, I immediately requested Cheong Joohwa to summon the Azure Dragon.

Since she still couldn’t maintain the Summoning for long, if there was an optimal timing to utilize it, it was right now.

Whoosh.

Swoosh!

[…Unbelievable. To think the Yeoijoo is truly before my eyes.]

The Azure Dragon seemed somehow moved, yet also appeared lost in regret.

Despite a powerful Specter that had swallowed the Yeoijoo being right before its eyes, it didn’t even seem to care about that fact.

And that attitude was truly reassuring.

“By any chance, could you interfere with the power of the Yeoijoo?”

[Of course. An object that has been part of this body since the beginning of time is not something a lowly creature like that can handle recklessly.]

Then there was no need to hesitate. I began gathering all the Spiritual Power from my Soul Combustion Trait and the Bari Jade Bracelet, preparing the most powerful Curse I could currently cast.

And I spoke to the Azure Dragon.

“While it’s trying to evolve now, please make the energy of the Yeoijoo inside it run wild.”

[Indeed, I understand what you mean.]

There’s a term often called ‘qi deviation’ in martial arts novels and such.

It refers to the phenomenon where one loses control of the energy circulating within the body, causing internal energy to backflow or run rampant.

And I intended to make Taniwa experience something similar starting now.

Whoosh.

[Pathetic thing. You embraced an object beyond your station. Now it’s time to take it back.]

Crunch.

Crackle.

As the Azure Dragon, its body having instantly grown massive, exerted its power, an immediate reaction occurred.

A blue light bloomed from one part of Taniwa’s body, wrapped in a thin membrane, and soon began to run wild in all directions.

Thud.

Rumble.

Crackle.

Taniwa’s body began to contort under the chaotic clash of energy flows, and the membrane enveloping it also gradually began to split.

Before long, we witnessed Taniwa, having ultimately failed to molt, forcing its way out through an incomplete shed, letting out a painful shriek.

“Kieeeeeeeek—!”

A shriek that made one’s body tingle just hearing it.

It was consistent with the statement that it contained that much Spiritual Power.

However, no matter how you looked at it, its condition was not normal, and we weren’t about to miss that opportunity.

I rapidly uttered the prepared Incantation and deployed the Art Formula.

Whoosh.

“The bitter poison of the Azure Mountain, the delusion curse of the Death Realm.”

It was none other than the Advanced Curse Art, the specialty of Hectail, the Forbidden Arts Master of the Night School.

“Clear Death Fragrant Poison.”

Screeeech!

Fsssssh!

I couldn’t use it right after learning the Advanced Art, but given the continuous battles since then, it was possible now.

And simultaneously, Seo Jian and Cheong Joohwa also fired their attacks with all their might, unleashing the maximum power they could currently muster.

“Seven Generation Strike!”

“Huwoop.”

Screech—!

Splash!

Cheong Joohwa deployed the Advanced Art she had seen in the previous Cheong Family battle, and Seo Jian gathered the surrounding water, creating several massive spiral whirlpools.

And all those attacks struck Taniwa, who, having failed to molt, couldn’t regain its senses.

Crunch!

Crackle!

Craaaack—!

“Kieeeeeeeek—!”

Taniwa let out a scream far more painful than before, writhing violently, and soon lost its strength, falling to the ground.

A glance showed its once-boasted Dragon Scales were completely shattered and scattered about, with large wounds carved all over its body, bleeding profusely.

We had succeeded in inflicting a completely fatal wound with a single coordinated assault.

‘…This seems already decided?’

Frankly, it’s a result beyond expectations.

Perhaps because the molting was incompletely interrupted during the process of shedding its scales once, its defensive power had dropped far more than usual.

‘And our firepower was beyond expectations.’

Cheong Joohwa, who had learned such an Advanced Art in that time, was also surprising, but what caught my eye this time was Seo Jian’s skill, which had changed to the point of being almost revolutionary.

‘Even considering the sea is full of water everywhere, to already be capable of an attack of that level…?’

In fact, the attack that dealt the most damage to Taniwa was also Seo Jian’s.

Although she was breathing heavily as if she had overexerted herself, the very fact that it was possible was extremely astonishing.

‘Everyone is growing.’

Without me noticing, certainly some individuals were becoming stronger much faster than in the original story’s timeline.

And that, in a way, was also triggered by my actions up to now.

Feeling an inexplicable sense of fulfillment, I headed towards the spot where Taniwa had fallen, leading the party with the Azure Dragon at the forefront.

“Keek….”

I thought there might be some final struggle, but Taniwa seemed to have no strength left even to move, just lying on the ground with dead eyes.

Confirming this, the Azure Dragon glanced at me and offered its thanks.

[…I express my gratitude. You kept your promise. I, too, shall keep my pledge and henceforth devote all my power to become this child’s strength.]

Having said that, the Azure Dragon soon surged forward with a splash, rushing at Taniwa and tearing into a part of its torso.

Crunch!

Crackle!

Swoosh!

What burst forth from there was red flesh and a spherical orb emitting a radiant light.

It was the Azure Dragon’s own other half, the Yeoijoo it had been so desperately searching for until now.

“That is…”

“…It’s certainly amazing. Just looking at it, I can feel a powerful energy.”

The Azure Dragon, about to swallow it without hesitation, soon seemed to ponder something, hesitated briefly, then approached me holding it in its mouth.

[You keep this for the time being.]

“…Why is that?”

[It is not yet time. Even if I regain my original form now, that child would not be able to handle it. I shall wait until then.]

It was truly astonishing consideration, something one couldn’t imagine coming from that arrogant Azure Dragon.

I nodded in response and showed my respect to the Azure Dragon.

And so, our short yet long journey of two days finally came to an end.