Chapter 78

With a deafening roar that tore through the eardrums, a blue thermal beam streaked across the battlefield in every direction, swallowing everything in its path.

The areas the blue beam passed through instantly became a living hell, and countless martial artists vanished along with their screams.

“W-what in the world is this…”

“To think such a demonic path existed in this world…”

In the midst of the carnage, a single charred corpse, burnt so black that its form was barely recognizable, remained as proof that this was neither an illusion nor a hallucination.

Even Dang Yeop-myeong, a transcendent expert on the verge of reaching the Mystic Realm, had failed to survive, leaving behind nothing more than a mangled corpse.

“H-how can such an object exist…”

The entire Orthodox Alliance was struck with horror, and the martial artists of the Evil Path Alliance could not hide their profound shock.

Amidst the chaotic confusion, Taewoon swallowed hard, his eyes trembling slightly.

‘This power is absurd… It’s a weapon on a level I’ve never seen before!’

He had encountered a similar sight in the Theater of ‘Who Opened It,’ but unlike that time when the source of the curse went berserk, this was merely a single weapon.

One thing was certain: he had to retrieve that object from this place, no matter what.

“…Ma Widong, you immature brat. Did you really just leave a thing like that lying around?”

“H-how was I to know it was this dangerous? What kind of Strange Object is that even…!”

Though he spoke to mask his tension, both Hwang Gae and Ma Widong seemed utterly appalled by the power that defied all common sense.

After a moment of silence, Ma Widong spoke.

“…I’m bowing out. That is an object that should not exist in this world.”

“What? Is the world-renowned Strange Machine Person actually tucking his tail in such a pathetic manner?”

“Stop talking nonsense. I was uncertain for a moment, but the man holding that is the Cult Leader of the Worshiping Fire Sect, Chu Inpyeong. Seeing as he looks younger, he must have achieved an increase in his realm. If a man like that can handle a weapon of that caliber, do we even have a chance of winning?”

Ma Widong’s judgment was cold and rational. Indeed, the balance of power had already collapsed.

However, the problem was that Taewoon had no other choice.

‘If I miss this moment… there will be nothing more I can do in this Cycle.’

To begin with, there were three items in the chest that had fallen from the sky, and the one before him was only one of them.

To make matters worse, he had yet to obtain the core Clue needed to see the Conclusion of the Theater.

‘There is no future in retreating. I have to bet everything.’

Having made his decision, Taewoon stepped forward, and Yerin, sensing his intent, joined him.

Watching this, Ma Widong spoke in disbelief.

“Have you truly gone mad? You’ve achieved a decent realm for your young age, but compared to the experts above the heavens, you are utterly insignificant.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but I have no other choice.”

“What?”

“Because if the facts I know are correct, this is merely the starting point of the chaos.”

Ma Widong frowned at the words, whose true meaning was impossible to discern.

Regardless, Taewoon and Yerin had already returned to being viewers of the Theater rather than martial artists of the Central Plains, simply doing what needed to be done.

“What should we do?”

“We have to try something. It seems certain that this is one of the core Clues of the Theater.”

As he watched the two begin to agonize over a plan, Hwang Gae, having cast aside his hesitation, shifted his footing and spoke.

“I will lend you my strength. Do you have a strategy?”

“…I can’t guarantee it, but a weapon with that kind of power might be impossible to use consecutively.”

In other words, if there was an opportunity, it would be immediately after the next shot.

The problem, however, was that the martial artists of the Orthodox side had already lost half of their aura and will.

The battlefield, entwined with blood and screams, was rapidly falling into chaos.

Their morale broken by the gruesome death of Dang Yeop-myeong, the Orthodox martial artists remained silent, unable to hide their hesitation.

“Ugh… just how many martial artists were lost in that one strike…”

“Is there truly a way to oppose an Evil Art that even the Elder could not withstand…!”

Faced with collapsing morale, the allied forces showed signs of rapid disintegration.

But at that moment, in the center of the battlefield, Jo Munyak, the Sect Leader of the Cheongseong Sect, let out a shout, his eyes gleaming with a blue light as he raised his sword high.

“Do not waver! If we retreat here, the entire Central Plains will fall into their hands!”

Jo Munyak’s voice carried resolute will and Internal Energy, and the blue Sword Light extending from the tip of his blade sliced through the turbulent air.

Dan Soaok, the greatest sword of the Ami Sect, also raised her silver sword beside Jo Munyak and shouted.

“I shall offer this life for the righteousness of the Central Plains! All who hold swords, strike down the demons of the Evil Sect!”

As if the desperate cries of the two experts were a welcome rain to withered vegetation, the Orthodox martial artists steeled themselves once more and raised their weapons.

The halted battle resumed, and Cult Leader Chu Inpyeong watched the scene with an indifferent expression.

“…When the time comes, he will use the weapon again.”

“We must settle this immediately after that.”

Soon, an ominous energy surged once more from the Cylinder held in Chu Inpyeong’s hand.

Emitting a bluish light as if it were alive, the Cylinder floated into the air and began to produce a strange noise.

“That light! Everyone, scatter and avoid it!”

“Retreating only makes us sacrificial lambs! Blend into the enemy lines and hide!”

Naturally, it was impossible for everyone to move in time, and eventually, someone had to become the target.

“…Truly pathetic.”

Shortly after, along with Chu Inpyeong’s gloomy voice, the Cylinder began to vomit an intense light.

A blinding flash unfolded, and a blue thermal beam swept across the battlefield.

The Weapon Aura of the martial artists who attempted to defend themselves scattered like a handful of dust, and the body of Dan Soaok, who had swung her sword until the very end, vanished in an instant.

At this inevitable tragedy, Taewoon grit his teeth and muttered.

“Now!”

Immediately after the beam was fired, the three who had been waiting for the brief gap of opportunity began to sprint across the battlefield.

“Ha!”

Hwang Gae’s Black Whip Staff struck the earth, creating a massive vibration, and Taewoon, Yerin, and Leo followed behind, rapidly closing the distance.

Having reached the vicinity of Chu Inpyeong in an instant, Hwang Gae swung the Black Whip Staff with terrifying Internal Energy.

“Chu Inpyeong! I shall take your head!”

Chu Inpyeong waved his hand as if it were a joke, and a powerful collision occurred, sending the Black Whip Staff flying back.

However, Hwang Gae did not retreat, employing the Strike Nine Staff Technique to launch a relentless barrage of attacks like a surging tide.

Taking advantage of that opening, Taewoon, wearing a red Mask over his face, took a position behind Chu Inpyeong and swung his spear.

【Condition Fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

Chu Inpyeong lightly extended one hand, releasing a massive palm force to push Taewoon’s body away.

Feeling that it wasn’t a significant threat, he didn’t seem to be particularly wary of Taewoon.

‘…As expected, I have no choice but to use it.’

He would be questioned by Hwang Gae later, but now was not the time to worry about such things.

A strange suction force emanated from Taewoon’s Barata once more. Chu Inpyeong, his expression twisting, stepped back a few paces and muttered in disbelief.

“Star Absorption Great Technique? Where on earth did you…”

“You! Do you have the luxury to be distracted?!”

Taking advantage of the lapse in concentration, Hwang Gae’s Black Whip Staff drove the opponent back fiercely, and Chu Inpyeong frowned, barely managing to respond.

“Grrrr—!”

Following that, Leo, who had expanded his size and transformed into a giant wolf, aimed for Chu Inpyeong’s rear.

Simultaneously, Yerin used Fenrir’s Claw to fire Sword Qi wrapped in wind, and after a slight delay, uttered the activation words of a spell.

“Jumbled Sorcery, activate!”

Thunder poured down, and tree vines sprouted from nowhere, attempting to grab his feet at every turn.

Individually, none of these were a threat to Chu Inpyeong, but there were simply too many of them.

Faced with an imaginative offensive he had never experienced, Chu Inpyeong lost his composure and stomped the ground powerfully.

“…Ugh, what a bizarre sight this is!”

For a very brief moment, the opponent’s focus wavered.

Taewoon did not miss the opportunity, igniting a blue flame on the Barata and charging forward.

At the same time, Leo swung his claws, and by canceling the Summon before Chu Inpyeong could counter, he succeeded in creating another wave of confusion.

‘Star Absorption Great Technique!’

As a strange suction force gathered in Taewoon’s spear once again, Chu Inpyeong clicked his tongue and released Internal Energy to leap into the air.

However, Taewoon, pulling out the Remegethon, instantaneously absorbed the Internal Energy Chu Inpyeong had released, causing Chu Inpyeong’s posture to crumble.

“Ugh! You brat…”

“Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!”

K-boom—!

Even with his posture broken, Chu Inpyeong managed to withstand Hwang Gae’s strike, but he could not avoid sustaining slight Internal Injury.

However, Chu Inpyeong instead allowed the hit to dive into Hwang Gae’s embrace, extending his arm toward the chest and releasing sharp Internal Energy as if aiming for the heart.

“First, I’ll clean you up!”

“Tsk…”

At the critical moment.

Yerin raised Galleg’s staff, but there was someone who moved even faster than the release of the Internal Energy Taewoon had absorbed.

Ma Widong, who had clearly left the battlefield earlier, appeared behind Chu Inpyeong as silently as the wind.

“Y-you are…”

Chu Inpyeong turned around in shock, but it was already too late.

Dozens of steel spheres fired from Ma Widong’s sleeve scattered brilliant light, ruthlessly battering Chu Inpyeong’s back.

“Gah!”

From the massive impact, Chu Inpyeong’s body tilted forward and collapsed onto the ground.

Not missing the chance, Taewoon, using the power of The Red Man, appeared instantly behind him and pierced Chu Inpyeong’s heart.

“H-how dare you… people like you…”

Chu Inpyeong grabbed Taewoon’s shoulder with a face like a demon, but his head exploded from a strike delivered by Ma Widong, and he slammed face-first into the ground.

While Hwang Gae kept the surrounding Evil Path Alliance martial artists in check, Taewoon quickly lunged forward and retrieved the metallic Cylinder.

“You bastards, how dare you!”

Ma Jeong and Yuk Mugwang rushed over and raised their weapons, but it was already too late.

Just as they were about to leave the area, a sudden spray of fresh blood erupted, followed by Ma Widong’s suffocating death rattle.

“Kehk… cough…”

“What!”

A slender hand and arm had burst through Ma Widong’s chest, and a woman wearing a veil had positioned herself behind him without anyone noticing.

“You are…”

“Yes. It’s been a long time.”

The woman, who had an aura that felt strangely familiar, greeted Taewoon in a voice that had not changed one bit.