Chapter 796
Episode 196: The Great Serpent, Ameris (5)
[So you are… right, I had forgotten. You are the Myungwang clan I sealed just before falling asleep. Did your seals break the moment I awoke?]
Jin gazed curiously at the ancient Myungwang clan members who resembled his brothers but radiated a completely different aura. The only apparent difference between them and his brothers seemed to be the color of their radiant hearts and their spiritual energy.
‘Five of them… and their spiritual energy is red. That’s unusual.’
The ancient Myungwang clan was also aware of Jin. It was because a similar energy flowed from him, even though he appeared human.
“Well, that’s how it is. I waited for you to create your clones, but I didn’t expect you to have already made friends.”
Ameris was certain that as soon as the ancient Myungwang clan awoke, Jin would create clones. She knew well that his true body couldn’t leave this place. After all this time, it was only natural he’d send out clones to scout the outside world.
“Besides, that human carries the same scent as us. It’s quite unpleasant… What is this? Some arrangement left behind by those Cheongmyeong clan bastards? Their spiritual energy is blue, so they must be Cheongmyeong.”
The term ‘Cheongmyeong clan’ referred to the ancient Myungwang clan’s kin who had opposed them in the past. The Red Myungwang and Blue Myungwang clans had been rivals, clashing over the death and resurrection of the Sun God and the sole right to the title ‘Myungwang.’
“You think I’m someone’s pawn, do you?”
“Well, even if the Cheongmyeong were inferior, they weren’t fools to leave behind a mere human as a contingency. Then tell me, insignificant human, how did you come by that power…?”
Suddenly, five streaks of blue lightning crashed down upon the ancient Myungwang clan. They immediately reacted, deflecting the bolts, blinking in stunned disbelief.
They were shocked that a human dared to attack first without fear—something unheard of in the world before their sealing.
More than that—
The Red Myungwang felt as if their entire arm had been shattered by the force of the lightning.
“I’ll ask again—do I still look like a mere human to you?”
The ancient Myungwang who had been sneering fell silent, struggling to hide his embarrassment.
“Apparently not. The current Myungwang clan consists of thirteen Fighting Kings and one Fighting God.”
“So the system centered around the Fighting God and Fighting Kings has persisted. Are those numbers based on the Cheongmyeong?”
The one standing at the center of the Red Myungwang spoke. Calm and composed, he was their leader. As he spoke, the tense atmosphere among the others eased.
To Jin, he seemed the only one among the five who faced reality.
“They’re not Cheongmyeong, but Myungwang. There are no longer any Myungwang who wield red spiritual energy. Not even records remain. It seems they once opposed my brothers’ ancestors, but as you can see, we are the only true Myungwang, and the Sun God you seek to resurrect remains unchanged. In other words, you are nothing but defeated phantoms.”
“We’re not dead yet, so we’re not phantoms. So, human Cheongmyeong, what is your rank?”
“Thirteenth Fighting King, successor to the Fighting God.”
“Impressive. Including Ameris, many in our era tried to glorify the insignificant human race. Their civilization was primitive, weak, and foolish as insects, yet they claimed humans had infinite potential. Seems those words were true. As you said, we were defeated, and you survived.”
“Considering your defeat, it’s fortunate you’re not completely arrogant.”
“But now that we’ve awakened, the war begins anew. From this moment, we will gather our kin and reclaim our lost honor. Who will be the final victor remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”
“You have spirit. Worth remembering your name before we fight.”
“Simat. A clanless one. First-class Fighting King of the Red Myungwang.”
Simat’s clear recognition of Jin as a challenger made the others glance nervously between the two.
But soon, the Red Myungwang had no choice but to introduce themselves as well, since Simat acknowledged Jin as a worthy opponent.
“Makiram Yung. Warrior of the Yung clan, second-class Fighting King of the Red Myungwang.”
“Manta Hon. Warrior of the Hon clan, second-class Fighting King.”
“Andolin Hon. Warrior of the Hon clan, second-class Fighting King.”
“Ojen Kam. Warrior of the Kam clan, second-class Fighting King!”
“Remember this name: I am Jin Runkandel, as I said, the Thirteenth Fighting King of the Myungwang clan and the head of the Runkandel branch. From now on, attack as you please. Use Ameris if you must, target my comrades if you want. But know this—each time you do, my mercy will fade.”
Jin gave a subtle nod to Hedo, signaling him to protect Ameris and their allies.
“I’ll wait outside, Jin.”
“Darling, kill them all.”
“Don’t get hurt.”
While Hedo and the others prepared to climb the cliff of the pit, not a single exchange of blows occurred between Jin and the Red Myungwang.
This was due to Simat’s caution. He had read Jin’s energy during their conversation and judged that they were far beyond what they could handle.
‘Even when my four comrades and I were at full strength before the sealing, it was tough… No, we might not have been able to face him alone.’
Jin smiled, seeing through their thoughts.
Then, in an instant, he vanished from their sight and struck down with Sigmund like a whip.
“Ugh!”
“You can’t just stand still after giving the first move, claiming the gap is too wide to calculate. If these were my brothers, even the weakest foot soldier would think strategically. If the opponent is stronger, it’s most honorable to fight until you break.”
Each time Sigmund struck the Red Myungwang, thunder echoed across the sky. They frantically blocked Jin’s powerful blows with their weapons.
‘He summoned his sword not from a sheath, but from a bracelet?’
Looking closer, all of them wore golden bracelets from which their weapons emerged.
Testing this, Jin shattered Andolin’s sword with the Fighting God’s Nine Sword Annihilation technique. Andolin immediately retreated under cover, drawing a new sword from his bracelet.
‘Artifacts, huh? I should get one.’
Despite their weakened state from the sealing, the Red Myungwang moved with remarkable agility. Their coordination was flawless, as if they had always fought together, and each individual’s skill was exceptional. Their radiant hearts glowed blood-red, constantly emitting sharp, fierce spiritual energy.
“In your prime, the name Myungwang was well deserved. But your spirit differs from my brothers’. Your swordsmanship… is calculated.”
“Calculated or not, only the strong have value. When the Red Myungwang’s battle cries once again fill the world, you’ll have no choice but to calculate as well, Thirteenth Fighting King of Cheongmyeong.”
Swish!
The first to lose a limb was Makiram. Before he could retreat under cover, Jin unleashed the Nine Sword Annihilation of the Fighting God, cutting off his breath.
“Makiram!”
Manta, losing his mind, lunged at Makiram’s corpse.
‘You should be fighting more coldly, not doing this.’
Though it felt off, Jin took advantage of the opening and slashed Manta.
“Ugh…!”
Though weakened, the Red Myungwang were far from weak. It only seemed so because Jin was exerting his full strength.
‘Since Makiram and Manta died, Simat’s moves have become overly simple. He seems to be setting a trap. Manta’s behavior was unnatural, as if he expected to be next. Using his comrades’ lives as tools…’
Most likely, a suicide attack or retreat.
Jin narrowed his eyes at Simat.
“Simat. What are you preparing that you’d abandon Makiram and Manta? You call each other kin, not brothers, so is your bond weak? Or is the class gap too great? Those two threw their lives away as if it was their turn.”
Jin’s voice was sharp with anger.
Though their roots were Myungwang, such behavior was unimaginable among Laprarosa’s brothers.
“Whatever it is, I hope your despicable actions are worth it. The fact that you share roots with me is already disgusting enough.”
Simat’s eyes widened. He hadn’t realized that Makiram and Manta’s deaths were intentional. They hadn’t even exchanged a single glance to coordinate.
Their sacrifice had been prearranged since ancient times when they fought side by side on the battlefield.
Zaaang!
Jin unleashed the Fighting King’s Punishment technique, shattering the Red Myungwang’s shields and closing the distance. The shields failed to recover under the technique’s power and kept breaking.
“Gah…!”
Ojen, the weakest among the remaining Red Myungwang, couldn’t withstand the shockwave and bled from every orifice on his face. Simat and Andolin stepped forward to block Jin’s path.
“Thirteenth Fighting King of Cheongmyeong, you said earlier that facing a stronger opponent, it’s honorable to fight until you break. But true honor is surviving by any means and claiming victory.”
The moment he heard those words, Jin furrowed his brow in irritation.
‘So it was a retreat all along. They must have spared a few to gather intel, which is why they didn’t press the attack fully. Can they even teleport or something?’
The fact that the enemy said that meant they were already prepared to flee.
Without overthinking, Jin unleashed a burst of psychic energy, aiming to reduce them to ashes in an instant. Even if he couldn’t get any information, it was better than letting them escape.
But just as Jin expected, Simat was ready. He had sacrificed Makiram and Manta to make it so.
Sigmund slashed at the remaining enemy soldiers.
But it was like cutting through a mirage—there was no resistance of flesh or bone against the blade. The enemies’ forms rapidly turned transparent, fading away like afterimages.
“Tell your kin that the enemy has returned. This time, Ameris’s fate will be sealed.”
Even as he vanished, Simat’s eyes burned with bitter hatred as he issued a warning to Jin.
Looking toward the bodies of Makiram and Manta, Jin saw their crimson core hearts blazing like fire. The remaining enemies had used their core hearts as sacrifices, as if invoking dark magic.
“You showed your cowardice and lost my mercy. Next time we meet, you’ll regret not dying today. So hide well and live—for now.”
Jin said this before Simat and the others completely disappeared into thin air.