Chapter 20 - Blue Misty Fores (2/2)

There was one detail that had caught his attention. A Sword he had spotted at his waist. It was one he had never seen before.

Simply based on his feelings, he could guess that it was a Magic sword.

He didn’t know how he had obtained it, but he was sure it was some butterfly effect of his own actions.

‘Something has changed.’

Just what had occurred in Paradise Lost while he had been exploring the underwater ruins. Without taking any attention off these underlying questions racing through his mind, Woohyuk cut any disturbance that appeared in front of him at the waist.

Chaaak

Blood splatter everywhere, stained the nearby plants. At the same time, a Growth Ring that had accompanied Woohyuk this whole time turned to dust.

It had reached the end of its durability and since it wasn’t repairable, there wasn’t anything he could do. His six other rings would soon follow suit.

Woohyuk raised Grandia once more as he was approached by a woman with light blue hair and her eyes closed

‘It isn’t a big deal.’

Although the new sword was intriguing, it wasn’t that urgent.

Puk

“Wuuuk…”

The excited expression on a pink haired woman disappeared as she crumpled to the ground in pain. Grandia had pierced through her armor and stabbed her in the heart.

“Why have you forsaken me, Master? To this very day I’ve followed you faithfully, always believing…”

Woohyuk simply turned his back on it, not deigning a response. Dark shadows were beginning to emerge in greater numbers.

“Stay here, I will take care of them all.”

“What? Then what about us?”

“I alone am enough.”

As a Silver Crown leader, he had a way to easily differentiate allies from enemies.

Barrier.

It was a skill that only his party members could cross. Woohyuk activated the skill around his party, and a semi-circular transparent barrier was erected around them.

“What about me?”

Song Anna asked as she raised her flute.

She was able to help even from within the barrier.

“Just watch from back there for now.”

It might be difficult if Isaac heard her playing the flute and headed over, not to mention that it might disturb nearby spirits.

“Oppa, what are you doing over here?” 1

“Woohyuk, is that you? So you’re still alive.”

The surrounding Doppelgangers had taken the form of several of their loved ones. There were those that only existed in his memory. It was impossible for them to meet currently and some had even died in past battles.

Still, Woohyuk didn’t hesitate to cut them down.

Ahhh!

Blood continued to spurt as he cut them down one after another.

As his onslaught continued, new Doppelgangers would appear.

“I will always believe in Master, I’m sure you will come to my rescue…”

“It was all a lie, you were just a power hungry tyrant sitting on your throne.”

“We were nothing more than trash in your eyes, to be discarded after you achieved vainglory…”

“You heartless murderer! Someone please save my daughter!”

All instances that could possibly be used to traumatize a player were attempted. Nonetheless, Woohyuk continued to press forward, not once slowing down. If anything, he was picking up speed.

Eyes wide open, he would cut down any Doppelganger that stood in his path.

‘My burden is heavy.’

He had to live up to the expectations of those that had fallen, and achieve their dreams in their place. For those reasons he had to continue moving forward.

Such was the fate of one who wished to sit on the Iron Throne, let alone the Divine one.

After having thought about it for quite some time he realized that he was the only one that could put an end to this game.

He carried the burden of the living, as well as of those that had already passed on.

The weight of the emotions and dreams that his sword carried wasn’t something that could be understood or mimicked by these soulless Doppelgangers.

“That’s just your cowardly excuse.”

“You’re just trying to justify all the bloodshed you’ve caused.”

“That uncontrollable rage boiling inside of you shall be the end of you!”

“You said that you’d protect her and make her happy! My daughter believed you!”

Hui aaaang!

Grandia which was soaked in blood was being wielded like a fierce tempest. All those that had pointed out his sins or shortcomings, were now scattered across the ground, like lifeless puppets. The smell of blood permeated the area as the nearby vegetation was no longer green. The eerie sound of death was carried in the win. When suddenly the surroundings calmed down.

Tok Tok

The sound of footsteps preceded the appearance of a dark silhouette approaching the party.

The whole group stared at the presence with a tense expression.

A man that had been entirely bathed in blood. It was none other than Woohyuk.

“We need to hurry, get in formation.”

The smell of blood was sure to attract any nearby monsters.

The party quickly set off without saying a word. It was all out of consideration for Woohyuk.

Although they weren’t able to see the battle first hand, the Doppelgangers’ scream told them everything they needed to know.

However, contrary to their concerns, Woohyuk was completely unfazed.

He had experienced those kinds of situations countless times while facing demons.

“In the future, don’t hesitate.”

Woohyuk said as he helped Song Anna on her Jabber Wok.

He then further elaborated.

“In this world there is no such thing as a paradise which you can escape to. If you want to survive you can’t avert your gaze from reality.”

It was some cold words, but she could feel the warmth they carried as they touched hands.

Just then

[...Give me.]

She heard a whisper from out of nowhere.

“...!?”

“What’s going on?”

Woohyuk asked as he saw Song Anna looking around nervously.

“Clearly someone just spoke…”

It had no idea what she had just heard.

“Could it be that there are still some left out there?”

“It must be because you are too nervous.”

The party quickly dismissed it, but Woohyuk’s thoughts were different.

‘She can already interact with spirits.’

The source of the Blue Mist in the forest was the existence of spirits. Of course it wouldn’t be long before others learned of this, but to connect with them this early was certainly unusual.

‘A young prodigy.’

Perhaps her potential was even higher than Yoo Kayoung.

As he wrapped up his thoughts, Woohyuk contacted Lee Jaesung.

[Take good care of Song Anna, she has some potential.]

[Sure thing Boss.]

Woohyuk climbed onto his Jabber Wok and continued forward. Due to the heavy mist he could only see a few contours, but that alone was enough for him.

If there had been landmarks, anyone could easily make there way through without needed his knowledge.

Such was his current situation. Although some things had changed compared to the last time, his willpower and goal were the same.