Chapter 241
Episode 76: The Empty Pot and the Lone Burden (6)

Flare—

As Tess returned to the flame realm, Jin regained consciousness. But the overwhelming exhaustion made it difficult even to hold himself upright.

“You’re awake, kid.”

“…What a mess. Did Tess do this?”

Jin reactivated Multa’s rune and scanned the surroundings.

In the few minutes he’d been unconscious, not only the mysterious elephant-like golem but hundreds of humans, beastmen, and bio-golems had all been reduced to ash.

Even though Tess had vanished, blue flames still flickered here and there, radiating heat.

The three nine-star mages stood there, utterly demoralized, their faces blank with disbelief.

“Well, you could say it was you. After all, that guy fundamentally borrowed your power. He just used it more explosively, based on divine insight and experience… No, that’s not the point right now. Look at that.”

Jin lifted his head and gazed up at the outer city wall.

A human-shaped figure was slowly descending to the ground.

“What the hell is that?”

Jin tilted his head, and the three nine-star mages followed his gaze.

The moment they saw the blurry figure, they quickly bowed their heads, relief washing over their faces.

“Greetings, Commander!”

“Greetings, Commander!”

Simultaneously, they dropped to one knee and shouted.

Jin and Murakan couldn’t help but be taken aback.

‘Is that… the commander of Kinzello?’

They had never imagined the appearance of this mysterious giant before, but it didn’t quite fit the image of a terrorist group leader like Kinzello.

Because he was glowing.

Like a god descending to earth, the commander’s hazy form radiated a brilliant light.

“What’s with that blurry glow? Feels like looking at a giant firefly.”

Murakan remarked dismissively, and Jin shrugged.

“Yeah, kind of.”

Despite their words, both were tense. If this was the leader of a faction that avoided all-out war, he must be formidable.

“I didn’t sense him approaching at all. Hmm, definitely dangerous… but somehow, he doesn’t seem solid. Like a spirit or a ghost—no weight at all.”

The commander landed right in the center of their standoff and remained still for a moment. Without even glancing at the mages, he turned his head toward Jin.

The distance between Jin, Murakan, and the commander was about thirty paces—close enough for a skilled fighter to close in and strike in the blink of an eye.

Whoosh—

Murakan stepped in front of Jin, raising his spiritual energy, ready to counterattack if the commander struck.

[A famous person sought after by Ziphl and Bimant, meeting like this. How delightful, Barmel.]

The voice was deep and resonant.

[And Murakan, it’s been a while. I heard you’d awakened… Ah, seeing you protect him, Barmel, you must be one of the Runkandel. No wonder such an outstanding figure appeared so suddenly.]

“What? You know me?”

[Of course. I’m the one who saved your life.]

“Hahaha, that’s a new one. ‘Saved my life’? Who do you think you are? Some kind of clown? I’ve heard it all now.”

[When Temar went berserk and tried to kill you, I was the one who stopped him. Murakan, don’t you remember me?]

Temar Runkandel.

At the mention of that name, Murakan’s eyes instantly darkened with deadly intent.

He gathered his spiritual energy fiercely, ready to charge, but then let out a bitter laugh.

“Who the hell do you think you’re using that name for? You look like some old demon, but Temar would never have associated with the likes of you. And ‘berserk’? Sounds like you’ve heard some rumors. The one who went berserk that day was…”

[You want to say it wasn’t you but Temar?]

The commander smiled calmly.

Or rather, his mouth curved into a crescent shape on his hazy face.

[Not recognizing me is one thing, but blaming Temar for that fight… I can’t even imagine how unfair that must feel to the friend who died.]

“…Say Temar’s name one more time. I’ll kill you on the spot and send you and your Kinzello scum straight to hell.”

Murakan held back from attacking immediately, thinking of Jin. If Jin were fully conscious, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

[That would have been impossible even for you at your peak. But I’m curious—did you really lose your memory? Do you truly believe Temar was the one who went berserk?]

“You’re tempting death.”

[Or did you reconstruct your memories to suit yourself?]

“Shut up…!”

[Judging by your reaction, it seems the latter.]

Just as Murakan was about to transform into his true form—

“Murakan.”

Jin grabbed his shoulder.

Listening to the conversation, Jin was certain the commander knew Murakan well.

‘He’s completely exposed Murakan’s greatest weakness.’

Murakan’s breath was rough with anger.

Jin felt the trembling through his hand on Murakan’s shoulder and realized Murakan was already caught in the commander’s trap.

“It’s just a provocation. Don’t fall for it.”

“That bastard dares… What is he saying…”

Murakan’s eyes glazed over, as if under a spell.

“Calm down. He’s the commander of Kinzello. If we fight unprepared, we’re likely to lose—especially with you this worked up.”

Murakan was never exactly rational or calm, but Jin had never seen him crumble so easily from just a few words.

[I understand. Everyone has truths they don’t want to admit. Even if you reconstructed your memories, the grief of losing Temar is real, so I can’t help but feel a bit sorry.]

“Graaah!”

“Murakan!”

Smack!

Jin struck Murakan hard on the back of the head. Though nearly drained of strength, it was still enough to feel like a hammer blow.

Murakan flinched and turned to Jin.

“Kid? Why’d you hit me? Are you crazy?”

“Snap out of it.”

“What? What the—ah!”

Murakan shook his head.

“Damn it, I was briefly hypnotized by that snake. I showed a disgraceful side.”

The commander hadn’t used hypnosis or mind magic, but messing with Murakan’s unstable memories was even more effective.

[Oh, if only it had been this easy to stop the berserk back then.]

Before Murakan could flare up again, Jin spoke first.

“Look, I don’t like how you came in here jabbering nonstop. Me and Murakan killed all your subordinates. If you’re the leader of Kinzello, shouldn’t you be asking about that first? Don’t just think about Temar—consider your burned-to-ashes followers too.”

[So, you really are of royal blood. Fine, you’re right. I acted too lightly, caught up in meeting an old friend.]

“Now that you realize that, why don’t you come at us and avenge your followers? Stop wasting your breath.”

“Kid, didn’t you just say not to fight me recklessly?”

Murakan shot Jin a warning look, but Jin ignored it and spat at the commander.

He even made a rude gesture, beckoning him to attack.

“Not going to attack? What’s the matter? If you could stop Temar, the first Runkandel patriarch, you must be incredible. If you’re not lying, you could wipe us out in one strike, right?”

[Interesting fellow.]

“The only one staying still and ‘interesting’ here is you. Like Murakan said, you seem like you came from some comedy troupe. Have you even met Temar? I have. You’re not the type who could stop him. All talk and no guts, huh?”

Jin’s childish taunts were a gamble.

‘Absolute powers don’t talk much. When they want to negotiate, it’s after they’ve subdued their opponent.’

That was true of every transcendent being Jin had ever met—Shiron, Thalaris, Luna, Owl, Misha. Their conversations came only after half-killing or completely overwhelming the other.

‘Provocations are for those without that kind of power or who need tricks.’

In that sense, the commander’s approach was not that of an absolute power.

He was acting as if Murakan had to strike first, like someone setting a trap.

“Judging by how you arbitrarily judged Murakan’s memories earlier, this feels like a cheap psychology session. Now, let me read you. You came here to save those three and set a trap. But you’re getting anxious because it looks like we won’t fall for it.”

[Heh heh…]

“What’s so funny, you worm? Am I wrong? What are you trying to pull? Answer me.”

Even after all this—

The commander didn’t launch an attack. He simply stood still, staring at Jin. Naturally, Jin could feel the momentum slowly shifting in his favor.

His face was shadowed, making it impossible to read his expression. At times, he seemed deeply humiliated; at others, almost amused.

[That was quite a hit. Just as you said, Jin Runkandel. You’ve pinpointed almost everything perfectly. Right now, I’m not in a state to properly face you all. As you can see, I’m nothing but a body without bones.]

“Then wait a few more minutes. Once I figure out the trap you’ve set, I’ll break it myself.”

[Didn’t I just say ‘almost’?]

Kiri-rik!

Suddenly, shards of metal swirled rapidly right in front of the commander. Where they came from, no one knew, but those fragments quickly coalesced into a single sword.

‘Not just an aura—he actually formed a real sword…?’

Squeak!

The commander’s blade swung toward the group of mages.

“Co-Commander… ugh!”

Shyaaak!

In an instant, the commander closed the distance, and Susan Lilista’s head was severed.

Her head fell to the ground, unable to utter another word, her eyes filled with bitter resentment as they stared up at the commander.

Next, the blade pierced and twisted through Chukon’s chest. Even a master of defense would find it difficult to block a blade aimed at their lord in such a situation.

[Sorry, but I can’t save you all.]

As Chukon collapsed forward, meeting his death, metal erupted from somewhere once again, swiftly forming a ‘gate.’

When the gate opened, it revealed a pitch-black space. The commander intended to escape through it with Jo.

Jo was someone the commander couldn’t afford to lose yet. Jo knew this too, believing that as long as he survived, the commander would come to save him.

[Let’s hope our next meeting is a bit more pleasant for both of us.]

As the commander stepped through, the gate closed behind him, and the metal that had formed it vanished like smoke in an instant.