Chapter 45 (1/2)
Chapter 45 – Rumination (3)
(Hwarin Gu)
Skills and movements like that…it was worse than even the weakest of the Yaksha here. I had some expectations hearing that he had pa.s.sed the Ritual of Ascension, but it was mere rumours after all.
'The story about him being a Black Yaksha must be exaggerated too.'
I was certain, that the fearful stories of ancient times pa.s.sed down regarding the 'Black Yaksha' were in fact a fabrication to raise the vigilance of other Yaksha. Instead, I poured all of my attention to a certain woman.
Graaaaaar-!!
A gigantic beast roared. The Monkey King, who solely held the t.i.tle of 'king' among all the other white monkeys in the sparring hall. The earth shook up and down and everyone held their breaths. Before the beast quietly stood a woman with beautiful indigo hair.
“As expected of the junior head of the Heaven Bound clan. Unaffected even before the monkey king.”
“The generations of the Heaven Bound clan has declined much compared to the old days, but she not called the 'last pride of Heaven Bound' for nothing.”
“How beautiful. Beautiful!”
The majority of Yaksha within the sparring hall had stopped their actions and focused their attention on her. Yuseol. She was among the Yaksha counted on one hand who had just finished the Warrior's Ritual and could face off with the monkey king. Her Divine Spirit True Fist was, how to put it, restrained yet beautiful. Her movements themselves contained dignity; extremely fast and powerful, and appearing hard yet soft.
Groaar!
The monkey king launched a fist as if to pay back his grievances until now. It was a wild and crude fist. Simply stretching it out caused a huge wind-pressure. It wouldn't be strange to get pulverized if struck by that fist. Yuseol parried that fist at an angle. She naturally averted the overwhelming difference in strength, and then spun her body on the spot to strike the monkey king's arm. The monkey king's gigantic arm was bent in an instant. She had accurately targeted the joint.
Graaaaargh!
The screaming monkey king spread his arms and attempted to size Yuseol. But Yuseol's movements were like flowing water; a quietly flowing wave that couldn't be caught, pa.s.sing through the openings.
“Growing stronger by the day. Her s.h.i.+fting Blossom is at a high level.”
“Would they be called for show? Even among them the Dark Dragon is number one!”
“Nah, not as good as Mubaek no matter how you look at it. In front of War Dragon, even Dark Dragon will have to think twice!”
“Well, in any case the winner of this time's tournament should be one of them. I hear sir Daerasun will be giving a reward personally. There are wide-spread rumours that he will give a dragon and a soul s.h.i.+eld.”
They argued back and forth, while in the meantime, Yuseol's fist once again made contact with the monkey king's chest.
Thump!
A short powerful sound. Unlike the other day, the monkey king didn't roll over the floor or get blown away. Instead…
Ssssrk!
He fell over, appearing to have fainted. The small white monkeys swarmed over, slapping his cheeks or pulling up his closed eyelids, and then fifteen or so of the white monkeys lifted him up using both hands and began moving somewhere.
“That's settled then.”
“It'll have to be at least a monkey emperor, not a monkey king, in order to face the Five Dragons.”
“Really now, no matter how you look at it a monkey emperor is…”
Yuseol dusted off her fist once and began to move leisurely, and then several small white monkeys carried over a long large umbrella, with an indigo dragon drawn on it, to cover her. Yuseol left the sparring hall with long steps, and Hwarin Gu, who was watching her, narrowed her eyes.
“Look at her acting proud.”
“Even though Hwarin-aga.s.si is stronger.”
“Hmph, the Sanguinary Demon Sword is way stronger than the Divine Spirit True Fist. Making such a fuss about beating the monkey king!”
When the sparring ended, the Yaks.h.i.+ near me began chattering. But my expression didn't change. Though I didn't want to admit it, it couldn't be helped that all the Yaksha paid close attention the Yuseol's movements, as if entranced. Even I was no exception. I knew as well that what they said to me were empty words. While I did make myself known as the 'Crimson Dragon', one of the 'Five Dragon's, I knew that the credit was all due to my oppa Hwarang Gu, chief of the Flame Lotus Division. My strength was at the lowest even among the Five Dragons, and I wasn't capable of taking down the monkey king is such a cool way.
'When the Stigma Tournament begins…at that time for sure.'
My eyes were lit with flames. It's merely the beginning. I was strong when it came to actual action. I was confident that I wouldn't lose in a showdown with my life on the line. Slightly turning my head, I saw the Yaksha, who had nothing but rumours going for him, getting beaten up by a rank 3 white monkey as usual.
“Haha! Still with the slapstick routine as usual.”
“He won't even be able to land a hit at that rate.”
“Is that really the Hundred-step Ghost Fist?
It would be a lie if I said I had no expectations for him. But having seen him in real life, it was nothing but pathetic. I was considering whether to recruit him into my own group, if he had shown a pretty good performance, however…
'Weaking!'
Reality was the total opposite; failing to meet expectations. I completely pushed him out of my mind. A Yaksha like that entering my group would do nothing but drag me down.
'It's difficult.'
Hundred-step Ghost Fist. It wasn't about striking with the fist. It was about stretching out the fist and exploding the mana. Only then, being capable of instantly destroying rock from a hundred steps away, could it be called Hundred-step Ghost Fist. There was no other reason for me choosing the Hundred-step Ghost Fist. It was because I was rather confident when it came to the fine control of mana. The infinitely circulating helical mana enabled a fine control incomparable to any other. But theory and actual practise was different.
'I'll end up dying if it's like this every day.'
The last time I got struck on the chin and fainted. My brain shook for an instant from the accurate blow. I was in the treatment room when I opened my eyes again.
'I can't be daunted at the first step.'
I had only taken the first of steps, however. There was no need to be disappointed so early. Leaving the treatment room, I headed toward the room I was allocated. It was the room which a white monkey had guided me to after Hwarang Gu had went off. It was quite s.p.a.cious, about 1780 square feet wide. The interior was bare-bones, but it was fine as long as I could lie down with comfort.
'There are still many superfluous parts in my movements.'
My body was stiff. Its reaction was slow too. I was feeling the severity of it.
“Etaqua.”
As I took out the Jewel of s.p.a.ce and called Etaqua's name, he appeared before with a small flash of light. The room was closed on all four sides, and the only entry was the door in the front. It was built in a way hard to spy in on, so I could unhesitantly take out Etaqua.
Growl!
He was healthy. Vigorous to the point it was unthinkable that he had collapsed after climbed 500,000 stairs. I had obtained the 'Ascendant's Cape' from that place, but after Etaqua climbed those stairs he had broken through his limits and received a reward as well.
'He obtained an elixir, and ate it.'
Even I didn't know what an elixir was. I had thought it was something similar to miracle elixirs, but it was only after confirming his status with Mind's Eye did I know.
Name: Etaqua (Value – 264,300)
Race: White Dragon
t.i.tles:
? Cry of the Storm (Lv9, Agi +15)