〈 Chapter 626 〉 Authority (權能).
A room with not a single light on.
In the silent atmosphere, Yuseon sat upon the throne.
Eyes closed, chin resting on her own hand.
Beyond her closed eyes, there was only darkness. Though the atmosphere in the room remained still and silent…
Yuseon’s mind was chaotic, unlike the world around her.
[…Yeora….]
A voice rang out.
[Kill.]
[Devour.]
[Devour the fragment.]
At the ceaseless voice, Yuseon moved the hand that had been supporting her chin to her forehead.
“…It’s noisy.”
How long had it been since she was last able to sleep? Probably ever since being chosen by the Ice Spirit.
Because she now possessed a body that had transcended its mortal frame and transformed.
Even without sleeping, it did not affect her stamina.
Yet she still felt somewhat exhausted.
Not physically.
But mentally.
Recalling this, Yuseon allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.
“Weak… Truly weak.”
To think that after finally transcending humanity, she would tire over something so trivial. It was laughable.
She had become a great existence, chosen by the Ice Spirit.
She ought not to behave so miserably over such matters.
“Hmm….”
With that judgment, Yuseon flicked her hand.
Hum—
Each time her fingertips grazed the void, ripples spread.
Feeling the faint sensation, Yuseon repeated the motion.
[Chew and devour.]
[And thus….]
“I understand, so please be quiet.”
At the repeated words, Yuseon frowned and spoke.
“I shall do so even without your urging.”
There was no need to keep saying it; it was something she had to do regardless.
Because that was the ‘contract’ forged for that purpose.
At Yuseon’s words—
[But.]
[Why aren’t you eating?]
The Ice Spirit asked, as if puzzled.
Why did she not devour the fragment? At that, Yuseon thought of a certain young man.
[Lady Yuseon.]
One who still did not move as she wished.
A young man who displeased her to no end.
And yet.
The person she had desired more than any other.
“…I am merely waiting for the right time.”
Yuseon spoke in a voice that sounded slightly weary.
“So please, be quiet. I simply wish to remain still for now.”
She spat it out, lacing her tone with irritation.
[…]
Then, the noisy voice fell silent for a moment.
The space grew somewhat tranquil.
Yuseon tilted her head with a strange expression.
Could it be that it had understood her words?
“That shouldn’t be possible.”
She knew such things did not work on the Ice Spirit.
Then what was this?
The moment Yuseon entertained that doubt—
Oong—!
“Oh my?”
Reacting to the sensation, she responded.
“…Oh my?”
Something had entered her senses.
As she felt it and opened her eyes wide—
Tuk—!
“…!”
A sound came from outside the window.
Thud-thud—! Thud-thud-thud—!
Shhhhhh—!
Rain. Rain was pouring outside the window. Rough and fast.
“…What in the world…?”
The snow that had been falling just moments ago was nowhere to be seen, and now rain was suddenly falling?
Not to mention.
‘…Why?’
Yuseon was forced to harbor shock at the fact that she had only just noticed this.
If it was happening within her ‘Domain,’ there was no way Yuseon should not know.
And yet she had only noticed such an anomaly now?
“How can….”
While Yuseon was briefly expressing her astonishment at the bewildering situation—
Thud—.
“…!”
Her head turned quickly at the distinctly felt sensation.
From the window, toward the door.
Thud—.
The sound grew louder.
The leisurely sound of footsteps from the hallway.
They were gradually drawing closer to where Yuseon was.
Thud—.
A pause.
The footsteps that had been approaching soon stopped before the door.
[Hm.]
Yuseon furrowed her brows at the voice that reached her ears.
Click.
Someone grasped the doorknob.
Click—! Click—!
After trying to open it a few times—
[…What, why won’t this open? Is this not how you open it?]
Pausing for a moment as it seemed not to work well.
Screeeech—!
A rough sound burst from the door, and right then, the door panel was ripped clean off.
One of the doors was destroyed. The one who had done this looked at the torn-off door with a slightly flustered expression.
“…Ah, dammit, why is this so weak?”
“…”
Their eyes met.
Pupils, slit similarly to Yuseon’s yet distinctly different, were visible.
At the absurd situation, as Yuseon stared at the other without a word, the young man holding the door spoke with an awkward expression.
“Sorry, I still can’t control my strength.”
“…You.”
Swish.
Bang-clang—!
The young man roughly threw the door panel aside.
The sound of it falling in the hallway echoed loudly.
“…”
“…”
They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
Just as the awkward atmosphere continued in this messy situation—
“Long time no see.”
The other side spoke to Yuseon first.
“…”
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say long time no see, though. It’s only been about two days, hasn’t it?”
At the young man’s words, Yuseon looked him over.
It hadn't been that long, as he said.
His outward appearance was much the same. He did not look drastically different from before, but—
“…Oh my.”
Yuseon could perceive what had changed as she observed him.
It was not that his outward appearance was unchanged.
Many things about him had changed.
Thump—!
Thump—!
Yuseon’s pounding heart was proof of that.
“It seems you’ve made your decision.”
He had been someone unable to find his bearings, diminishing his own worth.
Now he was different.
Not only was his center anchored.
The impatience and hesitation befitting a human had vanished.
A composure that great existences ought to possess now dwelled within him.
“So showing you mercy was worthwhile.”
“Should I thank you?”
“If you would, I shall accept it with joy.”
Yuseon spoke with a smile.
At that, the young man also smiled and answered.
“Fuck off.”
As he raised his middle finger, Yuseon clicked her tongue in clear displeasure.
“I’m sorry, but I have no grounds to stoop to that, so I’m afraid that’s impossible.”
“You actually retorted to that? You’re rougher than I thought.”
“You’re mistaken. I was raised most delicately.”
“Hmm.”
After exchanging such banter, Yuseon asked him,
“How did you get here?”
It was a question laden with many meanings.
Including why he had come. It also held the question of how he had reached this place.
It couldn’t be helped.
That he had arrived here so peacefully made no sense whatsoever.
If there had been even the slightest clash with the warriors guarding outside, she should have noticed first.
Before he reached this place.
The very moment he set foot inside the palace, he should have already been within Yuseon’s field of vision.
Yuseon had noticed him only when he was walking down the hallway.
“Take a guess.”
To the question, Gu Yangtian smirked and answered as such.
It meant he had no intention of telling her.
Hearing that, Yuseon tried to ask something more, but—
“Is that your true form right now?”
This time, Gu Yangtian asked Yuseon.
It was a tone of wonder.
At that time, Yuseon had possessed the appearance of a man.
And now, Yuseon had taken the form of a woman.
“Who knows.”
Yuseon answered the question vaguely.
“This is how I looked when I was human, though it is not particularly important.”
“Hmm.”
“Gender is not an important matter for us.”
The division between male and female is a matter for beasts, including humans.
“What matters is that we are Dragons (龍). Gender is beside the point.”
“Are you saying you can choose at will?”
At the young man’s words, Yuseon smirked.
Srrrr.
She began to gradually transform her body. Into the appearance she had when they first met.
Into the flesh of a man with white hair and a cold air.
“Oh.”
At the completely changed appearance, the young man exclaimed in admiration.
At the same time, he also looked as though he had realized something.
“That’s not martial arts, is it?”
Yuseon’s expression subtly changed at the words he uttered with certainty.
“You have keen eyes.”
She had tried to show it off while feigning ignorance.
The young man had seemed to notice the moment he saw it.
Not fun.
Yuseon suddenly thought as much.
Srr.
Yuseon slowly rose from the throne.
Simultaneously, the male form returned to that of a female.
Thud.
She descended the stairs and slowly approached the young man.
“So, our Pureblood, what reason have you come to find me?”
The distance narrowed.
“Our meeting was not particularly pleasant, was it not?”
“Right. Since I had my arm ripped off right away.”
“That was because you tore away the precious door of our palace, so I hope we can let bygones be bygones.”
Ha.
Hearing those words, the young man—Gu Yangtian—laughed aloud.
“You’re comparing tearing off a person’s arm to a door panel? That’s absurd.”
“Besides. I even gave you a gift, did I not?”
I fixed your body, which had been nearly covered in wounds.
And even regenerated your lost flesh. Was that not enough?
When Yuseon spoke with such intent, Gu Yangtian wiped away his smile.
“The former is right, the latter is wrong.”
A slight flinch.
“…”
Yuseon’s steps halted briefly at the words he casually spat out.
“I still don’t know how you healed my internal injuries. But the latter isn’t true, is it?”
Her expression gradually crumpled at his continuing words.
It seemed he had caught on after all.
He had finally resolved his hesitation and properly established his identity, so she had thought it wouldn’t take him long to notice, but—
‘To realize so quickly.’
His arriving this quickly was unexpected as well.
But this was even more surprising.
“It seems you are quite quick-witted.”
“That’s not a compliment I hear often. Not bad.”
Even as they conversed, Yuseon thought.
Just how much had he figured out?
She was curious about that.
‘Even if he has noticed.’
She was also certain that nothing would change.
Even if he was a Pureblood who might one day covet the seat of the Dragon Lord.
He would not be able to escape her ‘Authority.’
That was her conviction.
“So, what is the reason you sought me out?”
Because she was convinced, Yuseon could smile.
“I showed you such precious mercy… Could it be you have come to die again?”
“You sure know how to talk scary. Who’s dying?”
“If not, then I simply cannot understand.”
She truly could not fathom why.
Continuing her words while displaying that emotion through exaggerated gestures.
And with that, she erased the smile she had been wearing.
“Had I given you time, you would have fled pathetically. Why ever did you come here?”
I will come find you again.
Yuseon had clearly said that to Gu Yangtian.
And she had fully intended to.
Because the time was not yet ripe, she was merely enjoying the wait.
And yet. To think Gu Yangtian would come himself.
Could this mean—
“Did you think you could defeat me simply because you’ve barely gained power? Then I am a bit disappointed.”
As Yuseon spoke, she flicked her fingertips.
Then—
Crack—!
“…?”
A strange sound rang out.
Gu Yangtian wondered what it was and checked the direction of the sound.
Puaaang—!
A bursting sound came from his left shoulder, and his arm flew off.
Thud-thud—!
Blood flowing from his shoulder soaked the floor.
A sudden situation.
Seeing that, Yuseon spoke.
“Know your place. Even among Dragons, not all are equals.”
She spoke with a thoroughly arrogant expression.
At that, Gu Yangtian looked at Yuseon.
It must surely be painful.
Yet Gu Yangtian merely stared at Yuseon with an expressionless face.
As if he could not care less about his missing shoulder.
Drip.
Perhaps not without aftereffects, blood trickled from Gu Yangtian’s mouth.
Even so, he did not wipe it away.
“It feels real. The pain too. That’s why I couldn’t notice it.”
“…What did you say?”
Yuseon’s brows moved at Gu Yangtian’s words.
“Back then, and now too. Tremendous power. Is this what they call Authority?”
“…”
At those words, Yuseon bit the inside of her cheek.
It seemed her guess was correct.
That one.
Had clearly caught on to what she had done.
“Right now, this space itself. Is it your Authority?”
“…”
Yuseon did not answer.
Even now, it did not matter if Gu Yangtian had realized.
After all.
‘He has entered my Domain.’
As Gu Yangtian had brought himself into her ‘Nest,’
the probability of him winning was nonexistent.
Recalling this, Yuseon spoke.
“Why don’t you take a guess?”
She threw back the words Gu Yangtian had said to her earlier.
At that, Gu Yangtian chuckled.
The sight of him laughing with his arm blown off and blood spilling from his mouth was somehow horrifying.
“It’s fine. I’m not particularly curious.”
“…You.”
“Did you ask why I came earlier?”
Oong.
Gu Yangtian’s eyes gleamed.
Was it an illusion? Yuseon felt a sense of alienation, as if the air had been overturned.
“First, there’s something I wanted to try out. And there was no place to use it except on you.”
“What do you…”
“Second, I remembered what you said.”
“What I said?”
Wondering what he meant, she asked.
“You said it, didn’t you?”
Gu Yangtian spoke to Yuseon.
“A Dragon cannot tolerate having what is theirs stolen.”
“And so?”
“What do you mean, and so?”
With his remaining arm, Gu Yangtian swept back his hair.
The eyes hidden by his hair became all the more visible.
“I came to reclaim what was stolen.”
“…”
“Hand it over.”
What could he be asking for? Yuseon briefly pondered.
Before long, she could recall.
Because there was only one thing he could ask of her right now.
“…Biwoegun?”
“Right.”
Gu Yangtian smiled as if it were the correct answer.
Conversely, Yuseon’s face contorted viciously.
Seeing that, Gu Yangtian clapped his hands as if surprised.
However, with only one hand, it was like clapping in thin air.
“Wow, look at that face. It’s terrifying…?”
“How dare you….”
Kuuuung—!
As if reacting to Yuseon’s emotions,
the surrounding space vibrated.
And then.
“Hm?”
Float—!
Gu Yangtian’s body rose into the air, then was pulled straight into Yuseon’s hand.
Kwak—!
Yuseon grabbed the neck of the flying Gu Yangtian.
Drruduk—!
Strength entered her gripping hand.
With her contorted expression, Yuseon spoke to Gu Yangtian.
“There is a limit to delusions…! You dare covet what is mine?”
Yuseon had maintained some semblance of calm until now.
But this was a rather intense reaction.
“Caught again. This is a bit unpleasant.”
Even amidst this, Gu Yangtian was composed.
“…Don’t be mistaken. I did not steal what is yours.”
Oooooong—! Oooooong—!!
The vibrations intensified.
“He was originally mine. I merely took back what was mine.”
“Hm.”
“He was never yours.”
Kkeudeudeudeuk—!
A feeling of something being crushed.
Where would it be this time?
Gu Yangtian focused his senses on his body. He realized this pressure was on his heart.
Was she going to burst his heart? Feeling that, he nodded.
“Yeah, then he’s yours.”
“…What?”
Yuseon was momentarily taken aback by the nonchalant words.
Just take him.
Too light a remark for one who had invaded enemy territory to claim something.
It was an excessively casual tone.
“I said make him yours. That bastard.”
Words as if such things were not important in the slightest.
In truth, it was not very important to him either.
“Even if you say he’s yours, I don’t care.”
Whether it was Uhyeok or Biwoegun, even if he truly were Yuseon’s,
Gu Yangtian truly did not care.
“Why would that matter?”
If it were Yuseon’s, so what?
“It’s not that I came to retrieve what’s mine; just treat it as me coming to steal what’s yours.”
“What…?”
Nothing would change either way.
The moment Yuseon retorted to that absurd wordplay—
Kkwak—!
Gu Yangtian grabbed Yuseon’s wrist, which was holding his neck, with his remaining arm.
It was the same situation as before.
The problem was that Yuseon still did not budge an inch.
Kkuuuk.
He continued to exert strength, but escaping Yuseon’s hand was difficult.
His energy had increased and his attained realm had risen, yet the result was the same.
However, Gu Yangtian did not care about that either.
Gu Yangtian looked at Yuseon and spoke.
“You know what? Turns out I’m very greedy.”
It was something he had recently realized.
He did not want to lose anything.
He had to achieve everything he desired.
If that did not happen, he would seize it even if he had to grab and crush it.
“So. Even if it’s yours, I don’t care. I’ll just steal it.”
If it belongs to someone else, you simply take it.
You obtain what you want.
He followed his primal emotions.
Now that hesitation had vanished, it seemed he had always been this kind of human.
“I don’t know if I became arrogant and selfish because I’m a Dragon, or if I was always this kind of bastard.”
Could that be why such ‘power’ was born?
Having realized his own Authority, Gu Yangtian had to think such thoughts, funny enough.
“I have to take what I want. All the more so if it’s yours.”
“…”
Hearing those words, Yuseon remained silent for a moment.
Then, she gradually erased her expression.
She grew coldly composed.
She found herself laughable for having been heated up just moments ago.
“You are right.”
Yuseon nodded at Gu Yangtian’s words.
What did words matter?
This one had come to steal what was hers.
What was there to oppose in such simple logic?
She merely had to ensure she was not robbed.
Puuk—!
Yuseon’s remaining hand dug into Gu Yangtian’s flesh.
It was the side where his heart was.
It pierced straight through, impaling his heart.
Like that.
Chuk—.
Gu Yangtian’s head drooped deeply, and his body went limp.
This was the predetermined outcome from the very beginning.
It had been decided from the moment he entered her Domain.
It had merely come to pass.
It was a rather hollow ending, but that was the truth.
‘…How laughable that I lost my temper.’
An absurd ending, laughable enough to make her heated reaction embarrassing.
Feeling this, Yuseon let out a sigh and tried to withdraw her hand.
Kkuk.
“…?”
For some reason, her hand would not pull free.
The hand that had pierced Gu Yangtian’s heart would not move, as if bound.
Kkwak—!
“…!”
The hand gripping his neck was the same.
“What is this…!”
The moment Yuseon spat out those words in panic—
“Caught you.”
A voice came from the slumped Gu Yangtian.
Yuseon tried to exert her strength in shock, but—
“Devour.”
Gu Yangtian was faster.
“Greed (貪).”
An azure darkness swallowed the space.