Chapter 140:
Chapter 140:
Chapter 140
-Splash!
The instant the clown threw himself towards the Gwangcheon pond the color of the water changed. Until just a moment ago, it still retained its original shimmer, but now, it was simply red. A color as if the entire pond was filled with blood.
[The Gwangcheon pond is being contaminated!]
[Contamination level: 100%!]
[Contamination level exceeds the limit!]
As the contamination level rose instantly, a chilling stench began to emanate from the pond. However, that wasn't the crucial part. The conduit rapidly absorbed the heavenly water.
[The water attribute of '??? Egg' significantly increases!]
[Growth status: 100%]
['??? Egg' is hatching!]
-Kwagwang!
Simultaneously with the thin eggshell tearing apart, shockwaves spread in all directions. Even Seo Gangrim was swept back by the gust.
"Wooong!"
"Kyaaah!"
Yorn and Linnie screamed, carried away by the wind.
Seo Gangrim, lips bleeding from the force, struggled to stand his ground, glaring at the enemy.
'It's already too late...!'
The atmosphere seemed to change entirely due to the shockwave. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, covering the sky as if night had fallen. And amidst the shattered egg, something was crawling out. It emitted a very foul stench, so foul it would make anyone vomit.
[Name] Blood Fiend
[Rank] Dragon First-class
[Description] Born from consuming spiritual energy and grudges. This spirit beast, created from thousands of lives, longs for what it used to eat when it was still an egg.
-Squelch, squelch...
The writhing spirit beast on the floor, drenched in both water and blood, seemed to embody all the grotesqueness of the world. Bones, flesh, and blood jumbled together in a mass without rule or form.
Every time the Blood Fiend moved its massive body, something emerged from the fallen blood.
-Grrrrrr...
Tiny magical beasts were being born from the blood. They, too, seemed like spawns crafted by combining numerous creatures. Even the byproducts born this way were individually powerful.
[Name] Blood Fiend Seed
[Rank] Dragon Third-class
[Description] Seeds born from the blood of the Blood Fiend. They protect the host until the Blood Fiend fully awakens.
Countless seeds spawned in front of the Blood Fiend. Although the Blood Fiend had recently been born and seemed disoriented, the magical power emanating from its body was overwhelming. Even Yorn and Linnie trembled in fear.
"Kyaang..."
"Wo, woong...!"
Seo Gangrim also felt a chilling sensation all over his body. Moreover, each of the seeds protecting the Blood Fiend was powerful, and there were a lot of them. Could he defeat them?
After engaging in battles against the demons earlier, his stamina was on the edge. Even if he had been fully prepared, Seo Gangrim would still find himself in a disadvantageous situation.
'I have a return item; if I use this...'
If he broke the bead given by the rat, he could escape from the Seocheon Flower Garden. However, instead of retrieving an item from his pouch, he tightened his grip on his weapon.
'If I return like this, I won't be able to obtain the recovery items.'
Once the Blood Fiend regained its senses, it would undoubtedly head towards the Seocheon Flower Garden. Even if the destruction of the garden wasn't its main concern, there was a high probability that the three flowers would be lost in the process. If that happened, there would be no way to treat Shin Sooah.
'I have to defeat that beast.'
Even if he were to defeat all of the seeds, the probability of defeating the Blood Fiend was low. However, it wasn't impossible to bring down the Blood Fiend.
Seo Gangrim turned his gaze towards the Gwangcheon pond. The clown disappeared into the pond, leaving no trace. However, torn pieces of clothing and a bag floated on the surface of the pond.
'The Devastation Flower inside that bag can kill the Blood Fiend…'
No matter how powerful the Blood Fiend was, it wouldn't be able to withstand the Devastation Flower.
Seo Gangrim turned his body towards the Gwangcheon pond and said, "Linnie, Yorn, please protect me."
-Kiik!
The Blood Fiend seeds blocked his way.
The seeds, with jagged teeth like shattered glass, rushed towards Seo Gangrim. To avoid the irregular attacks of the magical beasts, Seo Gangrim leaped up.
-Sugeok!
He was running while attacking the Blood Fiend seeds, but his attacks weren't landing properly. Although they were freshly born, they were still powerful beings. With each swipe of the seeds' claws and teeth, Seo Gangrim's blood splattered.
-Kyaaaah!
Seo Gangrim endured all the attacks and continued to run forward. He paid no attention to the pain rushing through his body and only moved forward until a giant figure appeared in front of him.
-Kwaaaaah!
The tree giant swung its fist toward him. The tree giant laughed hysterically at the sensation of its fist landing, and just as the seeds rushed in to finish the job, Seo Gangrim's eyes flashed with a sharp golden light as he blocked the attack.
[The ability 'Fighting Instinct' is activated!]
He burned his entire magical power. He rose from the ground in front of the tree giant and the Blood Fiend seeds. With a speed incomparable to before, he began to cut through the magical beasts. Seo Gangrim's entire body seemed to transform into blades, emitting an overwhelming aura.
-Kwagagak!
One Blood Fiend seed screamed and tumbled to the ground. Seo Gangrim then rushed to retrieve the Devastation Flower as it was the only thing he needed to do since he couldn't defeat all of the Blood Fiend seeds.
-Greooh!
However, the tree giant didn't seem inclined to let Seo Gangrim off easily. Even with the activation of 'Fighting Instinct,' the opponent was still a formidable adversary.
'Should I activate the Roar of the Rat?'
The Roar of the Rat was a last-ditch effort. While it could bring down the tree giant, using it in a situation where many enemies were present posed a dangerous risk.
The tree giant swung its arm towards Seo Gangrim.
-Kwagak!
A flash of sword light severed the tree giant's arm. However, it wasn't just one flash of the sword. Two sharp lights left marks on the body of the demon beast. Seo Gangrim looked in surprise at the person standing before him.
"Gangrim-ssi!"
A familiar voice, a face that shouldn't be here. Seo Gangrim stared at the person in front of him. Amidst the hellish scenery, Shin Sooah was standing there.
"Shin Sooah? How did you...!"
"I'll explain later!"
Although one of the tree giant's arms had just been cut off by the recent strike, it hadn't fallen yet and still rushed towards them. Seo Gangrim and Shin Sooah simultaneously activated their abilities.
[The ability 'Way of the Forest' is activated!]
[The ability 'Radiant Flame' is activated!]
While Shin Sooah's cultivated vines entwined one of the giant's legs, the flames shot up rapidly from where Seo Gangrim had ignited them. The flames were burning with the intensity to scorch the sky itself.
[The fate of 'Shin Sooah' intertwined with the fate of 'Seo Gangrim'!]
[Confirmation of the strong entwining of the fates of 'Shin Sooah' and 'Seo Gangrim'!]
[The effect of the ability 'Radiant Flame' greatly increases!]
-Greooh!
The body of the tree giant was cut away, and sparks flew in the air. The tree giant, with its ankle severed, slowly collapsed, eventually making a loud noise as it twisted and fell. In the meantime, the Blood Fiend seeds rushed towards Shin Sooah, but Seo Gangrim blocked their path.
[Confirmation of the strong entwining of the fates of 'Shin Sooah' and 'Seo Gangrim'!]
['Shin Sooah' is confirmed as the 'guardian' of 'Seo Gangrim'!]
[Significant enhancement in the abilities of 'Seo Gangrim'!]
As the dying flames were reignited by Seo Gangrim's attacks, his body was pulsating with energy unlike moments ago. Crimson lines appeared on the bodies of the magical beasts.
-Kiieeek!
Seo Gangrim was overwhelming the demon beasts. Meanwhile the seeds targeted him from behind. In response to this, countless thorny vines sprouted from the ground.
-Kwagwag!
The thorny vines pierced through the bodies of the demon beasts. Shin Sooah's eyes were burning with lively emerald light. Even when the demon beasts tried to escape the thorny vines, Shin Sooah's sword swiftly chased them. Despite the overwhelming number of the enemies, there was no hesitation or fear in their attacks.
Knowing that their fates were intertwined, the sensation of their backs against each other was unbelievable.
Shin Sooah quickly surveyed the surroundings and spoke, "What on earth is that spirit beast over there? It seems like they're trying to protect it."
Shin Sooah looked at the Blood Fiend. It was still dormant, so its countless seeds were protecting it. The problem was that it wasn't possible to defeat all the endlessly spawned seeds.
"The situation isn't favorable, Gangrim-ssi. I'll cover you, so run away immediately."
"No, I can't run away."
"What?"
Shin Sooah asked as if she didn't know what he meant. It was no wonder since Seo Gangrim's body was currently a mess. Covered in blood, his bones and organs had taken a severe blow from the recent fights.
"To fight in your state? We might somehow manage with these magical beasts right now, but..."
Shin Sooah trailed off and glanced towards the Gwangcheon pond.
Even just looking at the Blood Fiend drained the color from her face, and even without consulting the Destiny window, Seo Gangrim still felt instinctual fear.
"Why on earth aren't you running away?"
Seo Gangrim remained silent. Instead, he brought up another topic.
"Do you see the bag near the pond over there? There's a black flower inside it."
Shin Sooah's gaze turned in that direction.
While keeping an eye on the demon beasts, Seo Gangrim continued, "That flower is called the Devastation Flower. It's an item that instantly kills anything it touches, regardless of how strong the demon or human is."
"..."
"With that, we can handle that spirit beast."
Even as the tree giant continued to smolder, it showed slight movements. Additionally, the seeds of the Blood Fiend, as if determined not to let them slip through, blocked their path.
Shin Sooah alternated her gaze between the demon beasts and Seo Gangrim, biting her lip.
"...Alright. I don't know the reason, but seeing you go to such lengths must mean it's important."
She stepped forward with the sword in hand. Shin Sooah's eyes gleamed sharper than any sword.
"Go. I'll somehow cover behind you, Gangrim-ssi."
Seo Gangrim nodded appreciatively and turned his attention back to the approaching demon beasts.
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