Chapter 138 - The Birth of the Legion – 6 (1/2)
The Birth of the Legion – 6
It started with my skin. My illusion burst away, as if it couldn’t keep up with my strength, and revealed my dark skin for a moment as it began to split.
‘It’s dangerous.’ It thought it would be as simple as the evolution from Belkena to Belkena Predator, but that was a mistake. The changes that were taking place with me weren’t about to end with just adding one more name to my race. If the evolution ended quickly, you would be able to use that against an enemy. But when it was happening slowly like now, it would just expose your weaknesses. The reaction of the elves and Reraje, who were floating in the air, was intense.
[I have to kill him now!]
The previous arrow fired off was blown away by the mana of Jinma that Solas and I were emanating during our evolution, but the second arrow was able to pierce through it to stick into my shoulder. The evolution continued without heeding it.
[We’ve arrived.]
[We can’t hold on.]
[Don’t let him break free of his bonds!]
Three more angels appeared, pure-white wings extending out from their backs. It appeared that they had decided to kill me today, appearing all at once on the battlefield. Instead of going after me, however, they went after Rain, who was still binding the dragon.
‘That must be the demon who secured them passage to the underground.’ It wasn’t the time to be considering that, however. A let the shield drop, jumping up into the air to intercept the demons.
“Their names!”
“Raum, Balaam, Purkas!” I barely forced the names out while my skin, muscles, and bone were torn asunder. Just as with Barbatos and Reraje, their white wings became tattered and dirty. Rain let out a laugh at the sight.
“Please, break your ugly wings!”
[You…! The Devil won’t forgive you!]
“Don’t put that name in your mouth!” A collided with one of them, crushing their arm without a trace with the mana surrounding him.
[Ahhhhhh!]
[This damn power…!]
They exchanged blows with A, but he wasn’t fazed. His power and skill were enough to manage all three of them at once. If he had been going all out from the beginning, everything would’ve gone a lot better. However, the fort was no longer protected now that he was on the frontlines. The fortress was like my true body on this night, so we would all be slaughtered if it collapsed.
“Quickly!” A shouted in annoyance while holding back the angels. I tried to speed along the changes that were taking place inside of me, mana pulsing around my heart.
[Your life shall end here!]
An arrow hit me dead in the forehead; my head split in half, centered on the arrow.
[Have you done it?!]
Having been frightened by Barbatos’s death, Reraje wouldn’t approach me properly and stuck to firing arrows from a distance. I couldn’t help but laugh at such a funny sight. As he tried to confirm if I was dead, the battlefield below me began to warp. A memory hidden inside me was imposing itself on my vision, revealing to me a castle much larger and more beautiful than the one I was currently guarding. It shone dimly under the black moonlight, and I was facing a handsome man on the balcony of the very top floor.
[Is today the last one we’ll face each other?]
[Stop talking like we were close.]
[Hahaha, you’re still cute.]
[Disgusting.]
The man spoke to me with his hands wide open toward the moon.
[But we share purposes now! We are comrades. Comrades.]
[I can hardly consider you a comrade.]
[Don’t worry. There is no man as trustworthy as me.]
[Do I have to call your name and prove your lie?]
The man turned his head towards me. He was smiling brightly, but a fire burned in his eyes.
[This is an unfunny joke for you. You must’ve wanted to get me out.]
[I don’t want to be disturbed in my last night. Leave the moon and get out.]
[Ha.]
Twelve brilliant wings rose out from his back, so dazzling that didn’t fit the underground.
[I always thought it funny how you always looked up—stuck at the edge of the underground, always desiring more. I’m different. There’s nothing above me, so I’m forced to look down.]
[Go away.]
[It starts now. I look forward to seeing you again. For now, I’ll take my bride.]
The man vanished from sight. I clicked my tongue and turned around. A vague shape stood before me. It was formless, but I knew that it was me. It couldn’t be anyone other than me. Slowly, my lips twisted, and I began to laugh.
“…Hoo!” I unconsciously reached out my arms, my consciousness restored with a violent start. My body was torn apart as pain wracked inside me. I let go of my destroyed parts, letting my mana reconstitute my body.
[Belkatina]
[The Belkatina is the race reached by an evolved Belkena. A Belkena’s evolution is based on their individuality and potential, so no individual can be said to be the same.]