Chapter 1253. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (22)

It was early for the climax, but the atmosphere on the battlefield was nothing short of perfect. Behind Professor Traore, who was now cackling maniacally, six black lights flared to life. Each one marked the exact points of a hexagram, an unmistakable sign of a demonic summoning. Of course, no actual demon would appear, but even a fool could tell that something terrible was about to happen.

Everyone believed that the continent was about to be annihilated once more.

Boom!

A black pillar tore through the sky before our eyes. A gloomy, dark wave of mana ripped in every direction, and the immense pressure of the wind made it nearly impossible to keep our eyes open.

It felt as if some overwhelming force was pushing us back, and everyone clung to each other for support.

Like a classic apocalyptic scene, the backdrop was a dull gray.

The kids’ faces were naturally stained with despair.

After surviving multiple deadly encounters, we finally reached Professor Traore, but we were powerless to stop the impending destruction.

The helplessness of being able to do nothing, the crushing despair, and primal fear—those feelings overwhelmed the kids.

Kim Myung-Won, the bearer of the Blue Guild’s DNA, the confident Felis Hanest, and the bold Republic trio all stood frozen. Everyone else was frozen as well and could only helplessly watch as the world was changing right before their eyes.

“It’s... over now.”

“It’s really... over.”

“

Heuk... heuuuk...

”

The faint-hearted burst into tears, and everyone muttered in despair.

“What... do we do...”

Everyone was giving up. Now, it was truly out of their hands. Their role was done here. They had tried their best, but in the end, they couldn’t stop the continent’s destruction.

Everyone gave up, except for one.

When everyone gave up, someone remained unyielding.

‘And that's me, god damn it.’

I[1] had never learned how to give up. I didn't give up even when I lost my mother as a child, and even when I had been consistently failing to obtain my father’s approval. I also didn't give up when I realized that I was cursed.

My character had learned how to write the word "surrender."

While everyone else was down on their knees, I stood tall alone. While everyone else stepped back, burdened by a cruel fate, he was the only one who stepped forward.

Of course, he wasn’t without his bitter words.

“How long are you idiots planning on just sitting there?” I questioned.

“...”

“You look like a scared puppy with its tail between its legs,” I said.

“...”

Important characters had to say something to the main and supporting cast before dying.

“...”

“...”

“Victor Galia, I thought you were determined to lay down your life for me? What happened to that determination?" I asked.

Victor Galia looked up slowly.

“Baby Fox Slava. How come you've allowed your mind to freeze? If the Republic’s Fox were here, they’d be disappointed. Isn't it your family’s law to never stop thinking, no matter the situation?” I questioned.

Slava looked at me cautiously.

“Xiaolan, stand up. Giving in to despair isn’t like you. If your mother were here, she would charge in with a smile,” I said.

Xiaolan clenched her fists.

“One of the sixty-six children blessed by the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival, and you're from the great twenty-four families of the Democratic Country as well. The Hanest name must be weeping, foolish Felis Hanest,” I said.

“Wh-Who are you calling foolish?” Felis stuttered.

“Don’t give up. Stand up and prove your worth. Show that you’re worthy even without the name Hanest,” I told him.

Felis Hanest looked angry.

“How long are you planning on sitting there, Kim Myung-Won? I really can’t tell what you’ve learned from the Blue Guild,” I said.

“Jin Young... you...”

“Foolish loser. I thought you had some guts... but seeing you like this, maybe I misjudged you,” I added.

Kim Myung-Won was worried about me.

“Rina, I’m leaving the rest to you,” I told her.

“Y-Young master.”

Miss Kim Mi-Young’s acting wasn’t all that impressive, and no one was denying that the timing felt absurd. Neither Kim Myung-Won nor Felis Hanest had built up enough narrative or time with me so that I could say those dramatic lines. Of course, the trio from the Republic were exceptions.

Unfortunately, this was all because a bunch of planned events were skipped.

I wasn’t even that close with Kim Myung-Won. At least, not by my standards.

In the world of kids, however, fighting together would make someone their friend by default.

Trading a few words and knowing each other’s back story was all it would take to become friends with a kid. Even after the day they fought, they'd feel this weird sense of rivalry and mutual respect.

We hadn’t known each other for even a full month, but at this very moment, those guys and I were best friends.

It only took a few provoking lines, and just like that, they acted as if they devoured the essence of a

Shounen

story. They tried to fight past their fear. I saw some of them slapping their trembling legs. They were trying to move and move forward with me.

However,

I

was the protagonist.

‘How dare you...’

Naturally, I moved slowly. It was as reckless as stepping into a raging storm, yet my expression was unwavering. The kids had no idea what I was planning or what I was actually going to do.

However, one thing they knew was that there was nothing dumber than walking straight into

that

.

“What... are you trying to do?” Felis questioned.

“Jin Young!” Kim Myung-Won shouted.

“Mr. Jin Young! We’ll fight with you.”

“Mr. Jin Young!”

“

Hmph.

”

As expected, I heard shouting from every direction.

Before long, the black light of the six stars assumed the form of a demon.

Based on the lore, the summoning wasn't complete yet, but who among these children could fight even just a fragment of a transcendent being?

Those who shouted that they would help and stand together with me had to have realized that this was far beyond what mortal strength could handle.

Those unconvinced quickly changed their minds upon witnessing massive black flames bursting out of me to assume the figure of a dragon.

As soon as that happened, they realized that, without a doubt, things were now out of their hands.

The stage had changed.

This was no longer a battle between the others and Traore. It was a fight between me and the legion commander on the brink of being summoned.

It was no longer a fight between mortals, but of beings that existed beyond them. The Black Ember Dragon clashed with the fragment of the legion commander.

A being untouchable by any mortal was wounded, and it let out a powerful roar.

[How foolish...]

“...”

[Child cursed by magic. Why are you standing in my way? You and I... our powers are of the same origin...]

“Ridiculous...” I mumbled.

[Open the path, and I will make all of your wishes come true. Do you want revenge, or do you want to be recognized by your father? Interesting. So many emotions are swirling within your heart...]

“That's so ridiculous that it’s not even worth answering,” I said.

[You already know that your power is tearing you apart. Cursed child... surely you’ve realized how this ends.]

“...”

[To abandon yourself to protect something worthless... how utterly foolish.]

I didn't say any clichéd lines about protecting my friends. There was no need for that, as they already knew it.

They already knew that the young genius of the Republic—the arrogant and irritating guy—was facing off against that transcendent monster to protect them.

When they first saw the Black Ember Dragon, the kids clenched their fists in excitement, but now, their eyes were full of worry. They realized that this wasn’t a typical

Shounen

story.

It was something more sinister and painful.

As soon as the Black Ember Dragon was summoned, the skin on one of my arms started peeling away. Not only was the Black Ember Dragon burning me from within, causing excruciating pain, but it was also influencing me.

My body wasn’t falling apart fast enough, but one thing was certain—my body was deteriorating.

[How much longer do you think you can hold on, cursed child?]

“Until you go back to hell,” I answered.

[You’ve got spirit. It’s a shame... truly a shame. If the summoning were just a bit more complete, I would’ve personally taken you in...]

“Don’t... make me laugh...” I muttered.

[Resistance is futile. The power to wield cursed magic at such a young age is truly astonishing, but...]

Just then, the black dragon bit off the legion commander's arm.

“What was that? I... didn’t hear you,” I said.

[Do you truly intend to drink the wine of punishment?]

‘I can’t drink alcohol because I’m still underage. And what’s with the martial arts drama vibe?’

“I’m going to throw you back into the very bottom of hell, you idiot...” I said.

It was a brutal and intense fight, and there was no better way to describe it.

It wasn’t a bloody fight, and there weren't any severed limbs. There weren't any guts strewn all over the place as well, but the clash between the Black Ember Dragon and the legion commander’s fragment was enough to make anyone's jaw drop to the floor.

This was definitely one of the best scenes from this director.

The special effects had improved compared to the previous scenes, and I really couldn't believe the massive improvement. All I had to do was stand there, wave my arms around a bit, and pretend to be hurt.

The continent’s magic augmented reality technology could truly do far more than anyone could imagine.

The legion commander’s fragment no longer looked humanoid. It now looked like a monster as it grabbed the Black Ember Dragon’s wing and tore it off.

The dragon bit off the fragment’s remaining arm and tumbled through the air. Then, it stabilized and unleashed a powerful breath attack.

The legion commander’s fragment was engulfed by black flames.

[How dare you!]

“...”

[How dare you! You don’t even know your place, and you dare interfere with what I’m doing?!]

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m going to throw you down to the very bottom of hell,” I said.

[You arrogant mortal! I’ll be the one to cast you into the very depths of hell!]

“Don’t make me laugh. I’m stronger than you,” I said.

‘That was a cool line.’

As expected, the dragon was starting to overpower the fragment.

Naturally, a being like that wouldn’t hesitate to resort to foul play. It reached its twisted hand toward the children, but it was stopped dead in its tracks by the Black Ember Dragon.

However, I ended up suffering a backlash. Black blood gushed out from my mouth. Blood was supposed to be red, of course, but... due to “adult circumstances,” it had to be black.

Still, even that much was enough to make my young fans lose their minds.

“M-Mr. Jin Young!”

“Jin Young... Jin Young!”

“Stop overreacting.”

Even in the middle of all this, Felis Hanest made sure to get some screen time.

“Don’t die here. If you do, I’ll never forgive you.”

‘So cliched.’

“I’m going to be the one to take you down, so don’t die! You hear me? You hear me?! Jin Youuung!

Heuk

...

kgh...

” Felis screamed and sniffled.

It was a typical reaction from a rival, except for the crying part.

“Damn it... move... move! Move! My leg... Hey! Please...”

On one side, Kim Myung-Won was hitting his own leg with all his strength, but it wouldn’t be enough to make it move.

He probably thought he was frozen because of the pressure emanating from the legion commander’s fragment, but the truth was that he was simply paralyzed by fear.

Even if he tried to help, deep down, he knew there was nothing he could do.

However, just watching... was really hard. No one wanted to just stand by and watch their friend fight by himself. Unfortunately, this was the end of their part in the story.

Growing pains were important, sure, but at an age where they ought to be dreaming of hope and light, being dragged into something this grim would break them.

The black flames covered everything in front of them, and loud explosions battered their eardrums.

Just then...

— Y-You bastard! Stop that right now!

“...”

“...”

“Papa?” I muttered.

1. Lee Ki-Young’s POV ☜