Episode 232. Awakening (6)
The abomination raised its head to look up at Jin.
The light wrapped around Jin was forming a backlight, making it look like a black figure was standing there. It seemed as if the shadow itself had stood up.
"Disappear...? Me?"
Although it responded in such a manner, the abomination's body was already slowly losing its form.
Like an opal with intricate patterns, the flesh's color was randomly changing, with parts turning transparent and then becoming solid again. It looked like the beginning of a collapse meant for self-destruction.
"I will not disappear. Traces of me will remain everywhere in the world. I will become a plague and a curse, forever devouring you all."
"Don't worry. In the end, nothing will go as you wish."
Jin wasn't addressing the abomination. He was speaking to Paelrito Belgasium, who was probably still inside it.
Jin reached out over the abomination's head. Now, the abomination was bubbling as if it was about to explode, having become a grotesque lump of flesh.
"Kid, I'm going to get out of here with these guys. I need to check the situation elsewhere," Murakan said, lifting Talaris and Runtia onto his back.
"Alright, see you later. Both of you have worked hard."
Talaris and Runtia did not congratulate Jin on his accomplished feat.
Too many people had died. The spirits of those who had died in today's battle were likely wailing all over the kingdom.
They thought that Jin, more than being overjoyed by reaching the top, would be more attuned to the cries of those he couldn't protect.
"Even after becoming the head of the Barmel alliance, the grandmaster of the Sword Clan, and reaching the top, in my eyes, you're still just a boy trying to save the people of Hong-In, people with no connection to you."
This war and death are not your responsibility, you have done your best.
Talaris didn't add those words. Instead, he looked at Jin and said, "And that boy still shines brightly. Let's see each other after this ends, Jin."
Murakan pierced the aura barrier and flew outside.
Shortly after, the abomination's spirit shrank to a single point. The explosion was about to start, and Jin concentrated energy on his outstretched hand. Golden energy wrapped around the spirit like a protective shield.
Kwaaaah...!
With the explosion, the abomination met its end.
The last spirit of the abomination that exploded within the golden energy would have evaporated the entire area of Sung Wang Seong in the blink of an eye, if it was left to its own.
And it would have moved in all directions at the speed of light, swallowing the entire kingdom, and the nearby ocean would have turned black as if soaked in rotten oil within minutes.
Just as the monster's dying words suggested, the explosion of energy should have continued to spread, causing devastation all around the world, just like Gleac's past.
Unless Jin was there to stop the monster's self-destruction.
'Even in its incomplete state, the monster is indeed a monster. It could have been dangerous if I wasn't properly prepared...'
Creak, crackle, whoosh-!
Cracks spread through the shield that enveloped the energy.
The trapped energy was gushing out like crazy. But even if it broke through the shield and tried to get out, it was met by the energy barrier formed by Murakan.
And the golden energy swirling in response to Jin's will. That energy had already filled the barrier and was covering the energy trying to get out.
It was like thousands of giant snakes were fighting. Jin's golden energy and the energy tangled together like a belt.
The energy never gained the upper hand in that struggle. On the other hand, Jin gradually amplified his power, and the explosion slowly began to subside.
An hour later.
Finally, the energy completely disappeared under the energy barrier and golden energy. It was only then that Jin was able to catch his breath and wipe his sweat.
Dizziness hit him.
Although it seemed to be much less powerful compared to the monster that manifested from Rosa in the past, it was still a monster.
It was only because he fought at its most vulnerable moment right after its awakening that he was able to end it like this. If he had fought after it had fully formed, Jin wouldn't have been able to win without any damage.
Whoosh...!
The remaining golden energy and spirits nearby were gathering back towards Jin. Jin felt his energy filling up again and took a moment to gather his strength with his eyes closed.
When he opened his eyes again, Jin was able to see a single person lying where the energy had exploded.
Paelrito Belkasium, the sword demon of the demon realm who turned into a monster. He seemed to be in a peaceful sleep, unscathed.
"Paelrito Belkasium."
Jin looked down at Paelrito.
"...Jin Lun Kandel."
Paelrito spoke without opening his eyes.
"The monster didn't kill anyone."
"I got a lot of consideration from my enemy... So, am I the only one who killed innocent people today?"
"Right. But maybe, I've also been killing the demonkin who were used without sin. Of course, all the demonkin were brainwashed by Jito and committed all kinds of evil deeds from the world, but there was no way for them to prevent Jito's brainwashing. Even you, a Changseong, were ultimately corrupted, and you didn't even know you were brainwashed."
"What you do by killing them is natural. You and I are in different positions. You fought to protect humans, and I, being brainwashed, did everything Jito told me to. Not only did I kill humans, but I also killed the demonkin of the demon world without hesitation."
"I understand. That's why I don't feel guilty about them. I still, haven't lost my anger at you either. It's just that knowing the truth makes me feel a little regretful."
"Yes, I also still feel deep hatred for you. But I also realize the truth and regret it. But no matter how much I regret it, the things I've done won't disappear. Moreover, I threatened the world while indulging in hatred until the end. That's... not what Sakiel would have wanted."
"It seems like your mind is finally working. That orb, who gave it to you?"
"I got it from Keliak Ziphel."
"I suspected. Keliak Ziphel... So he secured a place in Hell?"
"He came to Hell through a deal with a witch. Therefore, Jito couldn't touch him carelessly. So he could have hatched some dirty scheme in Hell. And I knew that the orb was also a witch's item... But the moment it broke, I saw that fire. It was the power of an immortal named Shinu. It seemed like he became one with Keliak Ziphel."
"He made his chaos, caused by being exposed to Glyeok by some means, into that orb. If Jito didn't know that Keliak gave you the orb, he must have planned to deal with you and Jito together. I guess he wants to swallow the demon world and put it under his command."
Jin immediately read Keliak's intentions. The fact that he stubbornly survived and was preparing to return from Hell was sharp.
"If Keliak Ziphel succeeds in that, the demon world will only be used by monsters like Jito...."
"You could have stopped it."
Hiss...
Particles like dust started coming out from Paelleto.
He was already dead. The will of the once Changseong temporarily postponed the destruction of the flesh, but it was about to disappear without a trace.
"But now that task has become mine. I have to punish Jito anyway, and Keliak Ziphel was originally one of my biggest enemies."
The task that he, once the guardian of the demon world, had to accomplish, was stolen by a human he met for the first time today.
There was no saying that gave Paelleto a greater sense of defeat.
But there was also no saying that gave him a greater sense of relief. Paelleto felt both despair and consolation at the fact that a giant who would fight for the demon world even after he disappeared, a person who was more radiant and stronger than himself, remained.
Only about half of Paelleto's flesh remained.
"Do you have any last words to leave, Paelleto?"
"Don't... Don't forgive me. Tell the people of the demon world. And."
I'm sorry.
Paelrito added with a heavy voice. Tears were falling from his closed eyes.
If he hadn't been brainwashed by Jito, he wouldn't have come to the human world and slaughtered people.
"Thanks to you stopping me. Now, I can meet Sakiel...."
And so, Paelrito faced the end, becoming dust of the world. Jin stood guard for a moment where he disappeared.
As the curtain of the spirit lifted, sunlight descended.
Below it, the ruined lands were visible. The territory of a kingdom on the brink of destruction, the souls of those who had run, fought, prayed and died still seemed unable to leave this land.
Jin thought of the dead.
Especially, he thought of the comrades who had fought Paelrito together.
'Dante... Sir Hed...'
Paelrito had said they were definitely dead.
Indeed, Jin couldn't feel the energy of the two anywhere on this land. He hadn't felt it at all, even while the battle was ongoing.
They should be dead. But for some reason, Jin felt that they were still alive.
It might just be wishful thinking. Unable to accept the death of his comrades, he might just be avoiding the truth.
However, it was certain that Queen Lani Salome had not yet perished. Because he left that light for her the moment he ascended to the angelhood.
Soon, Jin started moving towards the place where that light was.
And shortly after, as he got closer to the light, he could feel a familiar energy coming from there.
His heart pounded. He ran like an excited child, and after a while, Jin could see it.
The light he had left for Lani, and the comrades gathered near it. The comrades who he thought were dead were lying on the ground, groaning.
And the goddess of peace, Ayura, was surrounding them with her ten pairs of wings.
"Ugh, Jin, you're here? I can't get up because of this condition."
"Me too. I really thought I was going to die this time...."
"Dante, Sir Hed!"
Seeing Jin rush over and hug them, Ayura smiled.
[Jin, thanks to you, I could save my most faithful children.]