< Chapter 95: The Four Divine Beasts (5) >
“Does that mean you, Mr. Seo-yul, caused that rampage?”
Yu Hwa asked with a surprised expression.
“No, only the Blue Dragon.”
Maiden looked at the hologram inside the transport with a serious face. The severe situation all over Australia was being broadcasted in real-time.
“So what about the rampage of the White Tiger and the other monsters?”
“I don’t know for sure since the kid won’t answer the phone.”
Maiden looked at her smartphone. She had tried to contact Kang Seo-yul dozens of times, but the connection was never made, perhaps due to the urgent situation on his end.
“Looking at the little White Tiger that rampaged at the airport and the White Tiger that appeared afterward, I think the rampaging might be contagious.”
Maiden reached the same conclusion as Kang Seo-yul.
“A resonant phenomenon. Is it the same thing?”
“Probably.”
The two looked at the hologram with even more serious faces.
“The damage isn’t that bad yet, thanks to Jin Ho moving quickly to stop the White Tiger.”
“But that’s just a matter of time.”
The Blue Dragon was being held back by the Australian government’s superhumans, and the White Tiger was being suppressed by Korean and Australian superhuman academy instructors.
“The Australian government has no way to stop the rampaging monsters that are growing in number.”
The problem was the lack of manpower to deal with the ordinary monsters that had started to rampage around those two entities.
“If the first-year cadets hadn’t intervened to handle the evacuation of ordinary citizens and deal with rampaging monsters, it would have been a bloodbath long ago.”
It was a stroke of luck for the Australian government that the first-year cadets of the Korean Superhuman Academy were in Australia at this time.
“Australia is not a superhuman powerhouse. They’re doing well just to stop the Blue Dragon.”
Maiden clicked her tongue.
“Unnie. How much longer until we arrive?”
“We’re about 10 minutes out. The other transports, at least 20 minutes.”
The transport they were in was Maiden’s private vehicle, filled with cutting-edge technology thanks to her skills. Its speed was incomparable to standard transport.
“It’s going to be close.”
Yu Hwa analyzed the increasing rampage of the monsters and the current situation. It seemed they could hold out for about 10 minutes.
“No. It’s dangerous.”
But Maiden’s expression grew even colder.
“Analyzing the intervals and distances between the Blue Dragon’s and White Tiger’s rampages, and the locations of the four laboratories…”
Maiden’s hand gestures changed the hologram’s display.
“There’s a high possibility that the Black Tortoise will appear before we arrive.”
“The Black Tortoise…”
Yu Hwa’s expression grew serious again. They had foolishly forgotten about the other two of the Four Divine Beasts.
“If the Black Tortoise appears, Vermilion Bird will appear within 5 minutes. If that happens…”
“It will be a catastrophe.”
The resonant phenomenon of the four entities rampaging would spread throughout Australia, leading to a bloody incident all over the country.
“What is that kid doing after causing all this!”
Maiden fretted, shaking her legs in anxiety. It was then that her smartphone rang.
—Your appearance is~ like violet~
A calm song that did not fit the current situation at all rang out as the ringtone inside the transport.
“He’s no gentleman.”
Maiden smirked after seeing the caller’s name.
[Kang Seo-yul]
Maiden answered the call.
“Kid! Where are you now!”
—Maiden, please listen carefully to what I have to say from now on.
* * *
“Alright then. We’ll talk about how you knew about MK-3 later. For now, I’ll do as you say.”
As I run at high speed, the landscape changes rapidly.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Never overdo it. If it’s dangerous, run away immediately. Got it?”
“Understood. I’ll hang up now.”
“Alright. See you later.”
With those words, I ended the call.
My preparations are complete.
All that remains is the real deal.
I kept running.
Fortunately, thanks to the ‘Boiling Pure Blood,’ my stamina recovery is beyond human level.
So I can endure a full sprint.
At this rate, I’ll be able to reach the third laboratory within 5 minutes.
It seems neither the Black Tortoise has appeared yet, nor Vermilion Bird. I think I’ll get there before either of them.
If I arrive first, I can target the most vulnerable spot right after the outbreak and inflict a fatal wound on Vermilion Bird’s wing.
A Vermilion Bird without wings is like Choi Ji-hoon without armor, a harbinger of truth without the unknown.
My plan is perfect.
Swoosh!
At that moment, a fierce storm of magic energy burst forth from a considerable distance.
“It has appeared.”
It was a storm of magic energy that signaled the appearance of the black tortoise, the Black Tortoise.
One of the Black Tortoise’s characteristics is the ability to interfere with signals within a certain range.
Looking at my disabled phone, I was sure of it.
Now there’s only one left, the vermilion bird.
Roughly estimating the interval, it will appear within 7 to 10 minutes.
There’s plenty of time.
I thought so.
Whooooosh!
“What?”
At that moment, a ferocious pillar of flame rose in the distance, and at the same time.
“Screeeeech!”
A bird’s cry shook the heavens and earth.
“Why?”
It was a cry of despair that announced the total appearance of the four mythical creatures of the cardinal directions.
* * *
“Can I really do this?” he asked, trembling.
Inside the shelter of Laboratory 3, a researcher’s face was overcome with anxiety as his lips quivered.
“To intentionally make the Vermilion Bird go berserk…”
“Would you rather rot in prison for the rest of your life?” Beast Master’s eyes narrowed.
“But…”
The quick appearance of the Vermilion Bird was not a natural phenomenon; it was the doing of the Beast Master. He made things more chaotic to buy time for escape.
“But there’s no need to enhance the rampage factor to this extent…!”
Only for that purpose, he strengthened the Vermilion Bird further and released it into the world.
“There’s no other way. The current Four Divine Beasts are too weak. We can’t escape unless we do this,” Beast Master’s eyes glinted maliciously.
“Let’s prepare to flee before the Vermilion Bird turns its beak this way.”
The complete state of the incomplete Four Divine Beasts being suppressed was only a matter of time. Once the other superhumans abroad arrived, they’d be subdued without even lifting a finger. They had to escape before that.
“Director, look at this!”
A researcher pointed to the screen with a panicked face.
“What’s going on?”
Beast Master looked at the screen. It was a scene captured near Laboratory 1 on CCTV. Other CCTVs were all disabled by the Black Tortoise’s interference, but this one, designed to monitor the Black Tortoise, was resistant to the jamming and was functioning properly.
“What is that…?”
Beast Master’s pupils trembled in horror as he stared at the screen.
The Black Tortoise was rampaging, roaring, and destroying everything. So far, so good.
“Who the hell is that?”
The problem was a black silhouette standing alone against the Black Tortoise.
A man, entirely dressed in black, his face hidden by a hood and masked, making it impossible to identify.
―Screeeeech!
Each time the mysterious man swung his abnormally sized single-edged swords, the Black Tortoise’s screams echoed.
“How… how is he piercing the Black Tortoise’s defenses!”
The Black Tortoise’s strength lay in its defense. Its ‘carapace’ that absorbed 99% of physical and magical damage was its identity.
Even in its incomplete state, its impressive defense remained somewhat intact.
But the man’s black swords were slashing through the Black Tortoise’s solid carapace effortlessly.
“Is he one of the top 10 ranked superhumans!”
Even among the S-ranked superhumans, called the pinnacle, there were those referred to as another level in the top 10.
Had they moved?
‘No, I don’t remember a superhuman with that fighting style.’
He knew all the superhumans within the top 100 ranks, but none fought in that style.
“Impossible!”
‘Maybe he’s an unknown subordinate of Outer Black!’
Yes, that was the only explanation. Otherwise, there was no way to describe that person.
‘A killer sent to deal with me by him!’
While Beast Master was in a panic, the man continued to slaughter the Black Tortoise mercilessly.
“At this rate, the Black Tortoise will die within 5 minutes!”
He was at a loss for words. Blue Dragon, who appeared first, and White Tiger, who followed, were still intact. But the Black Tortoise, who appeared third, was on the brink of death.
“…Damn it!”
Beast Master gritted his teeth. If the Black Tortoise was extinguished, it would jeopardize the plan to escape amidst the chaos.
But there was no way to save the Black Tortoise. So there was only one way.
“…We have no choice. We will execute the escape plan.”
He intended to start moving right after the Vermilion Bird entered the city, but it seemed there was no time for that.
“Destroy all the data and take only the samples with you!”
“Yes, yes!”
As the researchers began to move simultaneously, a shockwave shook the earth from outside the shelter.
“What’s going on now…!”
―Screaaaaam!
The tearing scream of the Vermilion Bird followed.
“Screen! put the Vermilion Bird on the screen!”
Beast Master yelled.
“I’ll put it on right away!”
A researcher tapped the keyboard at lightning speed, and in 3 seconds, the Vermilion Bird’s body appeared on the main screen of the shelter.
“…What?”
The Vermilion Bird was on the ground, trembling.
“What is that?”
Someone was standing on top of the Vermilion Bird.
A man dressed in black, just like the man fighting the Black Tortoise.
Black full-plate armor. A mysterious colored armor that evoked beauty while being sharp, as if darkness had been forged into the metal.
―Kyahahaha!
The man laughed maniacally, thrusting a black spear into the Vermilion Bird’s wing.
Swallow.
Someone gulped dryly. Even through the camera, the man’s imposing presence was as overwhelming as the Vermilion Bird’s.
―Blood. Flesh. Organs. Blood!!
With a cold laugh like the sound of iron, magical power exploded around the man.
―Squaaaaaak!
Enveloped in rage, the Vermilion Bird shoots out flames.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
A man charging as if the Vermilion Bird’s flames mean nothing.
Undoubtedly, it was the man who was overwhelming.
“…Monster.”
To the Beast Master’s eyes, the man appeared more monstrous than the Vermilion Bird.
“…What is that guy? Again! Again! What is he?!”
The Beast Master screamed.
From one to ten, nothing goes as planned.
It feels as if the world is moving to kill him.
‘I’ve dedicated myself so much to the world! Is the world trying to cast me aside?’
“Arghhh!”
Bang!
The Beast Master slammed the table.
“So, director, what shall we do?”
“If the Vermilion Bird is extinguished like this, an escape plan is absolutely impossible…”
At that moment, the Beast Master’s trembling stopped.
“That’s right…”
If the world has abandoned him,
He will abandon the world too.
“I will change the plan.”
The Beast Master’s dark feelings grew darker.
“Bring sample number 7 and 9.”
* * *
Lucifer’s Lance is an S-rank ancient relic, boasting seven unique abilities.
Including stat adjustments, battle modifiers, rapid regeneration, endless magical energy, and an ability similar to Choi Ji-hoon’s magic armor called [Knight of Evil].
There’s also an outrageous ability called ‘Intruder of Space-Time’ that slows down the surrounding time and even allows teleportation within reach of its magic.
The only drawback might be a [Murderous Impulse].
Because the weapon’s owner is the crazy demon ‘Lucifer’, I was overly wary of the [Murderous Impulse] debuff.
After all, a great power requires a great price.
However, upon using it, it wasn’t a significant penalty.
“Blow them to pieces! Ha ha ha!”
No wonder it felt so good.
It’s like flying through the sky.
Swoosh-!
With each swing of the spear, the subsequent slashing sound makes one dizzy.
The red paint coloring the sky intoxicates the mind.
Red, so red.
“Ah.”
It feels good.
The sensation of cutting through flesh.
Ah. I wonder what it would feel like to cut through a monster.
What would it feel like to cut through a person instead?
Surely it’s much softer compared to the tough skin of a monster.
Slowly slicing through that soft skin with the tip of the spear.
“Sigh.”
It must feel great.
To experience that sensation, first, I need to kill this useless oversized flaming chicken in front of me.
A smile forms at the corners of my mouth.
“Death Parade.”
Whoosh!
Darkness explodes from the full plate armor surrounding me, shooting up into the sky.
Thump, thump, thump.
Like the beating of a heart, the rhythmically exploding darkness,
Soon, it lingers at the tip of my spear.
For the first time, ‘fear’ appeared in the Vermilion Bird’s eyes.
The fact that the emotion was directed at me sent shivers down my spine again.
I smiled brightly.
Enjoying it to the very end.
“Farewell.”
Lucifer’s spear targeted the Vermilion Bird’s heart and charged.
Death Parade.
A technique derived from Lucifer’s power to destroy the soul itself.
Whoosh!
With the sound of the spear piercing the Vermilion Bird,
Sizzle…
The Vermilion Bird’s body began to disintegrate like dust.
“Kyaahhhhhhh!”
There was no way the Vermilion Bird, whose soul itself was incomplete, could maintain its form after receiving the Death Parade.
“Ah…”
It’s intoxicating.
How beautiful the moment of life’s demise is.
Then, it happened.
Crackle!
Sparks began to fly from Lucifer’s spear.
[Error! Error!]
Time limit.
A minute had passed since I had taken hold of Lucifer’s spear.
“Stop!”
I resisted desperately.
I didn’t want to let go of the spear now.
Now that I know my true nature!
Now that I’ve found happiness!
I couldn’t just let go.
“Craaack!”
However, the recoil grew stronger.
Broken error messages overlapped before my eyes.
Finally, I reached my limit.
Snap!
I had no choice but to release Lucifer’s spear from my hand.
“Gasping, gasping.”
I looked down at Lucifer’s spear, rolling on the floor, catching my breath.
“….”
My head was getting colder.
I was beginning to return to my sane mind, free from the [Murderous Impulse] debuff.
With a clear mind, I recalled what I had been thinking just before.
“…Damn?”
My face turned beet red at that moment.
“Wow. Crazy. Wow…”
What nonsense had I been spouting?
I was so embarrassed that my hands and feet were trembling.
I wanted to hide if there was a hole to crawl into.
“…Sigh.”
I desperately pulled myself together.
Yes, I defeated the Vermilion Bird with just this much of a price, so it’s fine. Yeah, that’s it.
I convinced myself with this mental victory.
“!”
It was then that alarm bells rang in my head.
A malicious presence felt from afar.
A thick killing intent could be felt as a tangible energy.
It was a sensation I had never felt before.
Could it be a trait of the newly acquired demon race? There was definitely a trait with this effect.
It must have been [Detection of Malice].
“Ugh!”
I came to my senses.
Now was not the time to think about that!
I threw myself desperately.
Kwaaaang!
Something landed where I had been standing by a hair’s breadth.
I rolled once and got up, looking back.
“You damn things!”
“…Beast Master?”
A madman.
The Beast Master was laughing crazily, drooling.
“…Vermilion Bird?”
Flapping red, abnormal wings on his back.
< Chapter 95 – Four Divine Beasts (5) > End
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