Chapter 449
Episode 128. Zephyrin (5)
The rift in the pocket dimension, sliced open by Bradamante, was like a broken dam bursting forth.
Zephyrin tried to restore it to its original state by sheer will, but the Azure Flame clinging to the torn edges refused to allow it.
The fissure sealed, then tore open again, blazing fiercely.
The pocket dimension reacted to Jin’s blue flames as if it were a living creature. Each time the space was ripped, it screamed sharply, spewing violet magical energy like blood.
Zephyrin’s appearance shifted relentlessly with the dimension’s convulsions.
Her form shrank, twisted, and morphed into a grotesque shape.
This was clear proof that her transformation only worked within an intact pocket dimension.
[“Kukukukakak, kuhuhukekek!”]
Murakan burst into laughter, clearly thrilled by the sight. Even though he was still catching his breath, he couldn’t hide his wicked delight.
[“Oh ho, you bastard. So you’re nothing once you leave your domain! No wonder your power felt off. I’ve never seen or heard of a guy like you before.”]
[“Ugh…!”]
Zephyrin let out a short groan. She seemed to be exerting tremendous effort just to keep her twisted body somewhat stable.
‘Damn it! The moment I saw that Azure Flame, I had a bad feeling!’
As the contractor of Solderet, Zephyrin had naturally expected Jin to be able to slice through her pocket dimension.
But she never imagined it would have such a huge impact on her transformation and spiritual power. After all, her magical energy far surpassed the spiritual energy Jin and Murakan possessed.
The problem was that she hadn’t accounted for the power of the Azure Flame.
It was the Azure Flame that first tore the pocket dimension and suppressed the cracks from healing.
To be precise, she was aware that Jin was the contractor of Tess.
But she was confident that Jin’s control over the Azure Flame would be extremely limited.
‘Come to think of it, Jin Runkandel… how are you using such a dense Azure Flame without even summoning Tess…?’
When Jin first unleashed the Azure Flame, Zephyrin hadn’t considered this. She was overwhelmed by instinctive fear and revulsion.
But now, the blue flames tearing and burning the pocket dimension carried a much deeper, richer energy than any other ‘human contractor of Tess’ Zephyrin had encountered before.
It felt less like the Lord of Flames lending a tiny fragment of power, and more like he had handed over a part of himself entirely…
‘No way…!’
At that thought, Zephyrin’s eyes widened in shock.
—“I couldn’t improve your offense any further, Phoenix, but thanks to Tess’s flames, an unknown new power has taken root inside me. It’s called the Burden, I think.”
Those were the words spoken by Picon Minche, who had manifested through Blanche during Bradamante’s enhancement.
On that day, Tess had permanently infused a portion of his true power from the Flame Realm into the contractor’s sword.
No matter the situation. In other words, even when facing formidable foes like this, the contractor could wield the mighty power of the Burden regardless of residual magic.
Also, if Jin ever faced a strong enemy who had met Tess himself, it was meant as a warning.
Anyone who harms this child
Becomes my enemy
The Azure Flame within Bradamante was the seal and symbol of the Lord of Flames.
Only those who had met Tess in person could recognize it.
For the ruthless Lord of Flames to entrust a portion of his true power to a mere human contractor was something Zephyrin could hardly imagine.
To Tess, human contractors were merely tools for amusement and boundaries. At least, that was what Zephyrin knew.
She had heard that sometimes a contractor pleased him, but this was the first time Tess had granted his true power.
An absolute being capable of wiping out mid-level gods of Inse in a single breath—what could he possibly lack…?
Gritting her teeth, Zephyrin seethed.
‘This is cheating. The power he wouldn’t even give my master, he’s handing over to some human!’
Her anger surged so fiercely she wanted to tear everything in sight apart.
If the pocket dimension weren’t collapsing, she could have done it. But Tess’s true flame showed no sign of extinguishing.
Crackling, rumbling, screeching…
Her twisted body made even breathing difficult.
To make matters worse, Murakan shouted without stopping his laughter.
[“Kahaha! Hey, what are you waiting for? Tear her apart! Let’s have some fun pounding her!”]
Murakan exhaled black breath, and Valkas and Shaku leapt forward, unleashing aura and lightning. Jin protected the Black Knight in Valkas’s place.
When Zephyrin showed signs of fully recovering thanks to her incredible regeneration, everyone felt despair.
But as long as she remained unstable like this, it was worth fighting. Even if it was a life-or-death battle, escaping seemed achievable.
[“Kyaaah!”]
As the group launched their attack, Zephyrin screamed. Unlike before, their strikes were clearly effective.
Still, she hadn’t lost all combat ability.
Every thrash of her body was a dangerous attack for those fighting up close.
The magical energy pouring from her like an avalanche was also a threat. The fight was ongoing only because the group possessed exceptional combat skills.
Murakan’s favorite word lately—‘pounding’—became more relentless with each passing moment. Just watching it, it was hard to tell who the real villain was.
[“Die!”]
“Haaah!”
“For Jin’s sake!”
Yet the rhythmic, lively pounding was also a sign of the group’s anxiety.
They couldn’t act freely due to the burning pocket dimension, but they feared Zephyrin would recover and devise new tactics.
Too many cracks had formed.
The pocket dimension no longer maintained a complete, independent structure. Through the fissures, the lounge’s interior was visible, along with the grim faces of the Black King’s squad members standing there.
Before Jin sliced the pocket dimension, the squad had no idea what was happening inside the magic-shrouded lounge.
When some members, sensing the commotion, opened the lounge door, all they saw was violet darkness. The other captains immediately declared a state of emergency.
“The commander! The commander is fighting!”
“We’ve confirmed the lives of the commander and the guests!”
Urgent voices echoed.
Almost everyone in the Black King’s stronghold was waiting near the lounge.
They intended to enter the pocket dimension and join the fight, shocked by the commander’s desperate battle.
If the Black King’s first army joined the fight, the tide could turn in the group’s favor once more.
But Jin remained certain the goal was escape, not victory. Though the Azure Flame was burning her, who knew what else might happen.
The pocket dimension was clearly the enemy’s most advantageous territory.
“No! Don’t come in! Fall back immediately!”
“What are you saying?”
Naturally, the squad refused to listen to Jin.
But when Valkas, seeing his subordinates late, shouted the same, the Black King’s squad halted their advance.
“Black King’s squad! From now until further orders, follow the lead of the 12th company!”
Before slicing the pocket dimension, Murakan had told Valkas to take the subordinates and escape with Jin, while he would handle Zephyrin.
The opportunity had come, but Valkas judged that abandoning Murakan was unacceptable. As leader, protecting his subordinates without relying on others was non-negotiable.
“Understood!”
The squad showed no hesitation at Valkas’s command, a testament to their trust in their captain.
[“Where do you think you’re going…!”]
A piercing roar tore through the air as Zephyrin suddenly unleashed an explosive surge of magical energy.
She transformed back into human form but abandoned her true form. She judged it more efficient to fight in human shape while the pocket dimension remained unstable.
Now Zephyrin was desperate. Sharp magical energy poured from her claws as she rampaged again.
And that wasn’t all.
‘The Azure Flame is gradually fading…!’
Even if it extinguished completely, the damage was already too great for her to return to her previous state.
By then, the group would be exhausted, making the fight even more dangerous.
They had to get the Black King’s squad out as quickly as possible.
[“I’ll tear you all apart… kill you, you vermin!”]
If only her master were well, none of this would have happened.
That thought tightened Zephyrin’s chest painfully.
Though not to Murakan’s level, Zephyrin’s master was also unwell, weakening her power.
‘And the reason my master’s condition has worsened recently is largely because of these guys.’
With a growl, Zephyrin switched from polite speech to a rough tone, prompting another snort of laughter from Murakan.
[“Hmph, it’s always the ones like you who show their true colors when cornered. Hey, kid! Don’t worry, get your people out of here fast.”]
“12th company, take care of the subordinates!”
“Hurry, brothers!”
Jin nodded in response.
“I’ll get the squad out and rejoin you!”
[“No need for that. See you at home.”]
Whoosh!
[“Mya!”]
The jade glowed, and Shuri was summoned.
Without a word from Jin, Shuri immediately bit down on the fallen Black Knight’s body, as if understanding the situation perfectly.
“Mya-mya.”
With Jin mounted, Shuri dashed like an arrow, crossing through the rift in the pocket dimension. The faint, light air of Inse stung their noses.
The Black King’s squad members waiting by the rift stood ready for Jin’s return.
“Orders, Twelve Riders!”
“We’re all evacuating. Third squad will prioritize securing critical supplies. Second squad will assist the wounded and non-combatants in escaping. First squad will oversee the entire operation and withdraw last. Detailed orders will be handled by each captain and their subordinates.”
“Understood!”
As Jin gave the command, the squad quickly dispersed. Behind them, the rift in the pocket dimension and the flames had noticeably shrunk.