Chapter 1054: I Was Insane Too (Part 9)

Kaaaah!

A storm of black magic swept through. Violent gusts of wind tore through the rough terrain, lifting debris into the air, and trees were uprooted and tossed around in the storm. The storm, swallowing the remnants of shattered buildings and the pungent dust, expanded even more, sweeping in all directions.

Facing this astonishing sight, an inexplicable fear gripped Baek Cheon's eyes.

'This, this is....'

This was truly a storm. Not something a person could create... No, something a person shouldn't create!

Kaaaaaaaah!

A sinister black vortex was sweeping and twisting everything, tearing the world apart.

The magic pressed down on Baek Cheon's entire body, constricting his breath. It seemed to forbid even the slightest movement, not allowing him to take a single breath or twitch a finger.

In the face of this overwhelming force, the existence of Baek Cheon was too feeble.

'This is the real bishop....'

He understood. He had no choice but to understand. Why powerful individuals still respected the title of bishop, why they avoided mentioning it. Why wise men deeply buried the name of the cursed demonic sect and refused to think about it.

And he also understood why Chung Myung had referred to the bishop of the North Sea as nothing more than a clumsy imitation.

A true bishop tears the land apart with magic, making the heavens roar. It was a power unlike any martial arts realm one could imagine, simply described as destructive.

...It felt as if his heart would break.

Even Baek Cheon, who had overcome numerous crises with Chung Myung, felt the urge to let go of everything when facing the existence of a bishop.

Regardless of the situation, he had always believed that at least his spirit would not break. But now, he had to painfully realize how arrogant his thoughts were.

In front of the overwhelming power that seemed to cover the entire world, how powerless was the will of a human being?

"Ugh...."

"Ugh... Ughh...."

Even the Honggyeon were taking steps backward. The hunting dogs, known for laughing even as their bodies were torn to shreds if it was a command from Jang Ilso, were retreating in the presence of the bishop. No, it would be more accurate to say that they were fleeing. They lacked the courage to turn their backs on the bishop.

They did not fear death. But in this world, wasn't there something more terrifying than death?

Though Honggyeon's infamous reputation seemed feeble, Baek Cheon couldn't mock them. No, he couldn't mock them. He, too, was using up all his mental strength to keep his feet from constantly slipping away in front of the formidable power of the bishop.

Euddeuk.

His tightly clenched lower lip split, and blood flowed. The rushing wind gradually scattered his blood into the empty air.

"Ugh...."

Nevertheless, Baek Cheon endured.

He had already experienced it once. He knew to some extent how these bishops, as they called themselves, were monsters far from human.

But for those who encountered the existence of a bishop for the first time in their lives, the scene unfolding before their eyes was even more shocking. It was a disaster that could not be described with the single word 'despair.'

"Ah...."

Namgung Dowi unknowingly stepped back. His eyes trembled as if struck by lightning, unsure where to go.

'How...'

How could such a thing exist in the world?

He was the eldest son of the Namgung family and would become the head of the Namgung family. Therefore, the presence of powerful figures dominating the world was already familiar to him. However, this bishop was different from any powerful figure he had known so far.

'How...'

Different. Even from the heads of the Five Great Families who ruled the world. 

He had not felt such immense power even from the absolute masters of the martial world who possessed greater strength than them. That's how despairing this power was.

Naturally, a thought came to mind.

That's not something a person can deal with. That's...

"Ugh...."

Unconsciously, someone grabbed Namgung Dowi's shoulders from both sides as he continued to step back. Startled, he turned around and mumbled.

"Yoon Jong Dojang... Jo Gol Dojang..."

Jo Gol and Yoon Jong were gripping his shoulders painfully, preventing him from retreating further.

"Don't back down, Sogaju."

Yoon Jong, with blood-stained lips, spoke.

"Endure."

Namgung Dowi's eyes shook at the resolute words.

Endure? How? How could one say such words after witnessing that sight? If these two were truly seeing the same scene, how could they utter such words?

'Are they not afraid?'

Even after seeing that? Even now, Namgung Dowi felt like his mind would collapse before his body. The spirit was screaming out of control, and in this situation, how could one endure without falling apart?

Or was it a message to quietly endure and accept the impending death that would approach while standing firm?

'I can't do it!'

Namgung Dowi, who was about to scream with bloodshot eyes, suddenly closed his mouth. What calmed him was the small tremor he felt in Yoon Jong's hands gripping his shoulders.

Namgung Dowi looked at Yoon Jong in surprise.

'Is he trembling?'

His gaze slowly descended. Yoon Jong's legs were trembling as if they could break at any moment.

A suppressed groan escaped from Namgung Dowi's mouth.

'How...'

It's not that they weren't afraid. It wasn't that they were showing arrogance.

They were trembling.

Thinking about it, it was a natural thing. If they were human, how could they not be afraid? They, like Namgung Dowi. No, they might be feeling even more fear than Namgung Dowi.

Yet, even so, they were standing there, not stepping back, enduring the existence of a bishop.

"Retreating...."

Suddenly.

Yoon Jong, who was speaking, bit his lips.

"Do not leave memories of retreating... for your sake, Sogaju... even if it's for you!"

Namgung Dowi's jaw trembled.

Forcing his gaze away, he saw Chung Myung's back at the forefront.

Even Namgung Dowi, standing in the back, seemed like his determination might twist. In that case, how enormous a burden must Chung Myung be facing directly against the bishop?

'Dojang...'

As he clenched his fist, Namgung Dowi's fingernails dug into his palm.

Squelch.

As if it might break, he gritted his teeth and firmly planted his two feet on the ground.

The courage to fight back? Still none. If that devil were to rush at him, Namgung Dowi's will might collapse in an instant.

But...

'Even if I'm useless...'

With someone enduring in front of me, why would I turn around and run away? Gripping the sword in my hand, I clenched it as if it might break.

"Even if I can't help..."

A blood-stained voice leaked from Namgung Dowi's throat.

"At least I'll die with you."

Only then did the strength drain from the hand that held his shoulder. However, Namgung Dowi, without realizing that fact, stared through Chung Myung's back.

'Dojang, please!'

His gaze was filled with an indescribable earnestness, resembling the gaze someone from a distant past used to send to his back. That look pushed Chung Myung's back forward.

Kwaaaah!

Just by touching it, skin was torn, insides were shaken, and harsh demonic energy swept in all directions at an astonishing speed.

Facing the explosively spreading magic head-on, Chung Myung revealed his teeth.

"So...?"

For some reason, laughter burst out.

'I've been dealing with something like that?'

Every time his fingertips tingled as if itchy, bitter laughter escaped involuntarily.

"This is... fate."

Through the crooked lips of the distorted Chung Myung, a creaking voice leaked out.

"...I was insane too."

He had experienced this kind of demonic energy countless times already. But they say people see things differently depending on where they stand, right? The presence of the bishop, who he used to look down on from a high position in the past, and the bishop now, looking up from a much lower place, were like heaven and earth.

Overwhelming power was felt to the point of despair. At the same time, determination began to boil in Chung Myung's eyes.

'The difference in strength...'

He revealed his teeth like a beast growling.

"A mere bishop dares to talk nonsense."

The dense aura began to sharply clash with Chung Myung's momentum. At that moment, a voice muttering beside him was heard.

"...It's creepy."

In the wind that blew, Jang Ilso's robe fluttered as if crazy. However, Jang Ilso was receiving the approaching demonic energy head-on without a single movement.

He raised his hand calmly and wiped his face.

"As expected, the world is vast. I knew those guys would clearly exist."

Chung Myung chuckled.

"Why? Are you scared?"

"Fear?"

Jang Ilso turned his head to Chung Myung standing next to him. His long eyes formed two long arcs as if teasing.

"You're a naughty kid. You should fix the habit of saying things you don't mean."

"That's not something you should say, crazy bastard."

"Hehehe."

Jang Ilso laughed joyfully. Meanwhile, his eyes flashed with a new blue light. Even with the absolute enemy right in front of him, his mischievousness did not waver at all.

"It's definitely a deviation from my calculations. And I don't really like variables."

His bright smile was overflowing with charm.

"When an unusable variable appears, you have to get rid of it, no matter what it is."

"…I don't particularly want to agree with what you say."

Chung Myung, who turned the sword and held it in a reverse grip, smirked.

"But I agree with that opinion."

The shining eyes of Jang Ilso and the coldly boiling eyes of Chung Myung crossed in the air.

"Then let's check."

Jang Ilso slowly lowered his hand and said. And with both hands spread out, he casually took a step toward the terribly swirling magic.

"Let's see how sharp the handsome sword I prepared will be."

"Don't talk nonsense, you bastard."

Chung Myung, sword unfolded, also stepped forward.

The two, black and red, who kept their distance, moved forward. Toward the storm of black magic that seemed to swallow the world.

Two polar opposites, who could never walk the same path, were now focusing their gaze on the same place.

Kaga gaga!

Kkalalalak!

The sound of Chung Myung's sword scraping the ground and Jang Ilso's rings rubbing against each other rang out simultaneously.

Kwaaaaah!

As if they had made a promise, the two threw themselves into the storm of magic, plunging into the ground with all their might.

Chung Myung's sword, spewing out pure energy, emitted a crimson glow. And Jang Ilso's hands, pulling up the Murderous Azure Flame (蒼炎殺剛), were ablaze in blue.

The red and blue beams of light surged towards the darkest place in the world.