There was nothing. There really was nothing.
Never before had both allies and enemies been left silent and stunned like at this moment.
Cale, Lock, and the Dragon Ryan. The three of them looked at each other with astonished faces. To be exact, Ryan and Cale were looking at Lock, and Lock was looking at Cale.
Until just recently, the exchange of attacks and defenses had been so rapid that even a second seemed precious. But now, the three were motionless for a few seconds.
Meanwhile, the beautiful golden lightning continued striking the black swamp without extinguishing. From afar, spectators could only see the beauty of the golden lightning, unaware of what was happening.
"......"
The One-Star Dragon, Ryan. The Dragon who aspired to be a God, stared fixedly at the Sacred Object.
A blackened statue. He was sure that the Sacred Object was contaminated. That was obvious.
'Even the Gods are not absolute. They have weaknesses. Do you know why they suppress Demons?'
That’s what a Demon he had made a deal with had told him.
'Because we know their weaknesses.'
The Demon had told him.
'The Gods who are objects of worship, like the God of the Beast People or the God of the Dwarves, weaken if they are despised or cursed by their followers. If that happens with the Gods, imagine how easy it is to break a Sacred Object.'
That’s why Ryan had created the black swamp and killed the Beast People. He killed them in the name of the ritual or execution, telling them they were dying to contaminate the Sacred Object of the Blue Wolf God.
'Even so-'
That black statue, the Sacred Object.
'Is it not contaminated?'
How could that be possible? Ryan didn’t understand the situation. The Sacred Object was not contaminated. When he broke the statue, what emerged was a blue light, clearly not his own. Normally, the black light should have pervaded his heart. But the blue light that came out of the statue entered the mouth of that damned wolf-
'Yes, it entered his mouth.'
Ryan’s face began to contort. His mind went blank.
'And that Human said, didn’t he?'
Certainly, that Human had said:
'Wow, what a pity. It seems it’s not contaminated. That’s why what matters is the inside, not the outside. Understood?'
The meaning was simple.
'Those two knew that the Sacred Object was not contaminated.'
Ryan tried to stay calm and think, but his mind grew blacker and blacker. He couldn’t help it.
'Have those inferior beings mocked me?'
No matter how he looked at it, what had just happened with the Sacred Object seemed like a mockery towards him. Although it seemed they were also surprised that the blue light had entered the mouth of that wolf.
'Yes.'
That was even more irritating.
'Damned wolf-'
Ryan’s breathing began to quicken.
If the power of the Sacred Object had been transferred to the Ancient Dragon or the White Snake, or to the powerful beings he felt in the distance, like the Whale or the Tiger, it would have been understandable.
'But to this brat?'
Moreover, it’s the young wolf who had put an obstacle before him.
Ryan had been born to dominate. That’s why he had ruled the beasts and, after the Catastrophe Era, he tried to rule Humans and Beast People. And he wanted to become a God before the Dragon Lord.
Dominion.
What a beautiful name. He was the only being who had received that noble name. That’s why it was natural for him to aspire to a corresponding position. He wanted to be the first Dragon to become a God.
'Yes, but-'
Ryan felt the last chains within him breaking.
Crack.
Yes, the chains broke.
"Ha."
He let out a bitter laugh. The result was clear.
'Now I can’t be a God.'
Of course, if he prepared meticulously in the future, he could have another chance to become a God.
'But the Lord will return soon.'
When the Lord returns, he will die. The Lord would not allow anyone to stand in his way. Especially another Dragon who was above him.
'A being obsessed with paranoia.'
To be the great Dragon Lord, he was a madman.
"Keh-keh-keh-"
A laugh escaped him.
"Everything is over."
His smile began to twist.
"Damn."
His voice grew louder.
"Damn it! Damn!"
The chains had completely broken.
Buzz----
A resonant sound reverberated in Ryan’s mind.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
And his heart, his Dragon heart, began to pound fiercely.
'Yes.'
With an expression that seemed a mix of laughter, crying, and anger, Ryan’s face contorted, and his expression was visible to no one.
Whoosh----
A massive amount of blue mana enveloped his body. Like a forest fire, the blue mana rose high, as if it were going to reach the sky. Ryan extended his hand.
Boom!
A roar resounded. He saw the red-haired human who was shooting lightning at him, but beyond him-
"Ha!"
He saw another blue flame.
A silver wolf.
The blue light began to grow in that being.
'Because he swallowed the Sacred Object.'
Yes. That wolf had acquired the power of the Sacred Object. Ryan’s heart pounded even harder. His thoughts focused on one point.
He could no longer become a God. He was destined to die soon.
'But could that wolf become a God?'
No. Even if he didn’t become a God, having absorbed the power of the Sacred Object, all Beast People would worship him. Even if he didn’t become a God, he would live as one. And all Beast People would bow to him. Yes.
'He will dominate everything.'
Precisely him, whose divine name was Blue Wolf, and being himself a wolf. Everything, everything he had done felt vain and mocked.
'...I will kill him.'
So, definitely he will kill him.
'If I can’t be a God.'
That damned wolf must not be either. Ryan’s mouth opened. His lips trembled.
"I am the only one with the right!"
Dominion. The great name given to the greatest race on earth. That was me!
Ryan launched himself at Lock. Like an immense flame that seemed to engulf the small blue flame.
Boom!
But Cale stood in the way.
"Human, I will help too!"
Raon also approached Cale.
"Me too. I can use magic."
The daughter of the Dragon Letao, Maren, was also with them. But Cale had no time to say anything to the two young Dragons who came to help him. Raon didn’t expect it either.
"Human, that guy is out of control!"
Through the blue flames, he could see Ryan. His body was completely covered in scales, and his muscles bulged like a rigid armor, adopting a strange form that was neither Human nor Dragon.
'This is...'
Even as he faced Ryan, Cale was worried.
-Cale. You will need more power to purify him.
Even as he used the Indestructible Shield, Cheapskate spoke carefully. The black swamp. It was still not purified.
'Damn it!'
They said that with 4 or 5 times more, it would be enough to purify it.
-It’s lacking. This is something strange. It doesn’t seem like it’s only using Dead Mana. I can only eliminate the Dead Mana, and that’s also difficult.
Damn it! Yes. It couldn’t be easy. After all, he was the one who had created the black mage who so easily destroyed the magic of Raon and Eruhaben. Although there had been some interference from the God of Chaos in the process.
'First, we must establish priorities.'
Cale opened his mouth.
"What happens if a Dragon goes out of control?"
To his question, Maren replied.
"If we don’t stop it, the Dragon’s heart will explode."
A massive concentration of mana.
"It will be a self-destruction. And then, not only this forest, but even the desert could be swept away."
That meant everyone would die.
"We could teleport to escape."
But most people couldn’t do that.
"And it would be more than you could imagine. Ryan has absorbed a large amount of the Source of the World. Probably more than any Dragon. If such a Dragon self-destructs, the Dragon’s heart will explode along with a part of the Source of the World."
Upon hearing that, Cale reached a conclusion.
'First, eliminate the black swamp.'
If that out-of-control Dragon self-destructed along with the black liquid, everyone would die. Even if they managed to save Apitoyu, this entire area would become a dead land.
'And then-'
For some reason, that black liquid didn’t seem to be good for the Source of the World. Here there is an entrance connected to the Source of the World.
'Eliminate the swamp and stop Ryan.'
Leave Apitoyu and the black mage to the companions. If I can't do it alone—
'I’ll bring more companions to stop Ryan.'
I'll think about the rest later.
Of course, he was also prepared for the worst.
"Raon. Get ready to cast a teleportation spell."
If that didn’t work, he would at least send Raon and the others away.
-Cale. So should I strike once more?
Cheapskate asked.
‘Yes. I’m still okay, so keep going!’
Cale responded immediately.
Rumble--
The sky rumbled once more. This was the last purification attempt. Meanwhile, Ryan, who had lost his sanity, rushed toward Lock.
“Die!”
“It won’t be as you wish!”
Raon shouted and cast his magic. Maren also helped.
Whoosh---
A thick mana shield formed. From the sky, the last burst of fire descended. At that moment, Cale raised his shield once more and stood in front of Ryan.
Boom!
Crash!
Boom!
It wasn’t clear whether the sound came from the lightning or Ryan’s fists hitting the shield. The deafening roar surrounded Cale from all directions. Amid this, Super Rock murmured softly.
-Don’t worry, Cale. You’ll be okay for now.
At that moment, Cale felt a chill down his neck.
-Didn’t I make your body more resilient?
True. Super Rock had strengthened Cale’s body.
-You’ll be okay for now.
Cale’s mouth opened.
“Damn it-!”
He was about to faint again. Cale, irritated, shouted but stopped abruptly.
“Aaaah!”
A heart-wrenching scream was heard from behind.
“Lock, what’s wrong with you?!”
Raon’s bewildered voice was heard, and Cale felt a chill down his back.
Crash, crash! Boom!
Ryan was relentlessly hitting the shield with his magic and fists. Raon kept reinforcing the shield. While Cale held it from the inside, he turned around due to the chill he felt.
“Human, Lock seems like he did during his first Berserk Transformation!”
And he saw it.
“Lock has also lost his mind!”
Lock was out of control, though not exactly like Ryan.
“Human, it seems he’s only partially out of control!”
Lock seemed to be struggling to maintain control. And this was true. When the blue light first entered him.
‘Why?’
Why did the power of the Sacred Object enter me? And I absorbed it? The Sacred Object was meant to save the Beast People, to be their hope. And now it was inside me?
Lock was confused. At that moment, he had a vision. Everything turned black. In the center, he saw a small blue flame, tiny like a dot. A voice was heard. A voice he couldn’t distinguish whether it was from a man or a woman, an elder or a child. But it was a voice that taught, stern and kind like that of a master to a disciple.
-Whether I am human or beast. No matter what appearance I have, I am myself.
Lock looked at the blue light. A small burning flame.
-I can see your true essence.
The Sacred Object spoke.
-The image of a giant wolf.
Lock recognized it. He was big. Huge. Now he could easily surpass the Tigers. And the voice of the Sacred Object continued.
-A cowardly coward.
Lock shuddered. Coward. Yes, that was true. Yes, that was his essence. He had tried so hard to hide it. Even with a great appearance, his essence was still that of a coward.
‘Yes, I’m a coward.’
Lock bit his lips unconsciously.
‘Yes, I’m nothing but a coward.’
The Sacred Object couldn’t be wrong, right? Yes. The words of the God were true. Lock thought that as he looked at the blue flame. But strangely.
‘Good thing you came.’
He remembered Cale’s words. He didn’t like being called a coward. He wanted to refute it.
‘No.’
But Lock shook his head. He was a coward and was working hard to overcome it. Lock knew himself well. That’s why he always needed courage. Though he controlled his emotions, the unease grew, and he bit his lips harder.
Unconsciously, he let out a question.
“How long do I have to be a coward?”
Couldn’t it stop already? When his true feeling came out of his mouth, Lock stopped.
The small flame grew larger. No, the light approached.
Lock realized it wasn’t small; it only seemed so from afar. And the voice was heard.
-The image of a giant wolf. A cowardly coward.
When his eyes trembled.
-You are hiding your true essence.
Lock’s eyes widened.
-I can see your true self.
The blue light came closer. He saw a small blue flame. And he saw a figure wrapped in that flame. A small wolf.
-What kind of being do you want to be?
Hearing those words, the first thing that came to Lock’s mind was Cale. He remembered his back. And the wolf spoke.
-You are a protector.
Protector. Unconsciously, Lock reached out to the wolf wrapped in blue flames. The small wolf approached Lock. And at the moment Lock and the wolf touched—
“Ugh!”
Lock inhaled deeply. The darkness disappeared.
“Aaaah---!”
And he felt pain all over his body. Moreover, he felt he was losing control over his body. Was it like this the first time he went out of control? When that thought crossed his mind, a voice was heard.
You have already become what you wanted to be.
You have become a protector. The moment he heard those words, Lock’s vision cleared. And he began to emit a blue energy from his body. That energy was incredibly powerful. But Lock saw the worried looks of Cale and Raon watching him. And he saw the fury in Ryan’s eyes as he tried to destroy the shield and barrier they had created to protect him.
Lock clenched his fists tightly. His mouth opened. This power…
“Young Master, like in my first Berserk Transformation—”
It was hard for him to speak. But Cale understood immediately.
“Do you want to fight to your heart’s content?”
A smile appeared on his lips.
“Alongside me?”
Lock shook his head quickly. But even that wasn’t easy. His flame grew, and his body couldn’t contain the overflowing power. So he felt pain.
“Go ahead.”
Cale stepped aside without hesitation. Lock passed by him. And then he heard Cale’s voice.
“I’ll support you from behind.”
At that moment, Lock wasn’t afraid anymore. He had always thought about what he should do in Cale’s team. He wasn’t as good a fighter as Choi Han, nor could he attack from a distance like Mary or Rosalyn. So, if he had to do something…
‘Defense…’
With his large size.
Couldn’t he be the one to defend?
Looking at Cale, he understood. Sometimes defending could be the greatest attack.
‘I can do it.’
And now he felt he could. Whether it was due to the overflowing energy or because his mind was clouded like in his first Berserk Transformation. He didn’t know.
‘I’m not afraid.’
That out-of-control Dragon didn’t scare him at all. That blue mana… It wouldn’t hurt him even if he touched it.
I’ll help you for a moment.
The voice of the Sacred Object was heard again. Lock opened his mouth.
“Pant, pant.”
As he exhaled, his body, released by the flame, rose. The magnitude of his power wasn’t inferior to Ryan’s. He didn’t hold back the force overflowing from him.
“Aaaaaah-----!”
A great roar that shook the sky echoed. The silver wolf was wrapped in a blue flame. That blue glow made the silver wolf look like…
“The Blue Wolf…”
Like the Blue Wolf. Seeing all this, the White Snake felt a chill throughout her body.
Auuu--
Grrr----
The beasts roared and attacked. The moment Lock screamed and his blue flame rose, the beasts stopped roaring. And they looked at the blue flame.
“Ah.”
The beasts, especially the predators, bowed their heads toward the wolf. In Lock’s direction. And they fell silent.
People say. That the forest is scarier when it’s silent at night. That at that moment, when neither birds nor beasts make a sound, someone might be lurking for your life.
The quiet of the night had arrived.
Amid that silence, the reddish glow disappeared. Instead, gray ashes began to scatter in the wind. Soon, with the ashes, the laments mixed with the wind.
Sad laments from many.
The black liquid was purified as the Beast People emerged from it. Their final cries, finally escaping the swamp, rose into the sky like snowflakes, passing over Lock’s blue flame, ascending from the ground to the sky.
“I’ll kill you!”
The crazed Ryan lunged at Lock.
Boom!
Amid the crash, Lock caught Ryan’s fist. With great ease. And he smiled. That smile was different from the usual Lock. It looked more like the smile of a wolf that had found prey while he couldn’t contain his overflowing power.
