Chapter 141: Brother... Live On!!
Chapter 141: Brother... Live On!!
In the beginning of "Flame Fist," the setting is quite simple. The narrator informs the readers that the world of this manga is shrouded in ice, hunger, and madness due to a "Blessed One" known as the "Ice Witch."
Among this world, special humans with unique abilities, called "Blessed Ones," have emerged. The protagonist, Agni, and his sister, Luna, are two of them. They are seen fleeing through the snow, but are eventually rescued and taken in by the elderly inhabitants of a small village.
However, what follows is startling.
The opening scene shows Luna holding an axe above her brother Agni's arm.
"Luna, chop it off in one go, make it clean!"
"But don't use too much force, brother!"
Luna then forcefully brings the axe down on Agni's arm.
"Ahhhh, it hurts so much!"
Agni screams in pain.
The reader is stunned. Did the protagonist just lose an arm at the start?
And voluntarily?
Soon, their conversation reveals the truth. Both Agni and Luna are Regeneration Blessed Ones, possessing immense regenerative abilities. Agni's regeneration is the strongest, while Luna's is slightly weaker. This is why Agni voluntarily had his arm severed—Luna's regeneration takes longer for a limb to regrow.
Moments later, a new, fully-grown arm regenerates where Agni's was severed.
The reader is taken aback by this unexpected twist. The purpose behind Agni's self-mutilation is surprisingly simple: to save lives.
It's quite noble, almost akin to figures like Christ or Buddha.
This self-sacrifice makes Agni appear even more heroic. Yet it remains highly surprising...
Something unimaginable for ordinary people.
Is this a form of cyber insanity?
Despite this, some elderly villagers maintain their dignity and refuse to accept Agni's sacrifice. As food runs out, cold and hunger ultimately claim their lives.
Agni and Luna are deeply saddened.
The remaining villagers in the village, though, are inspired by the elderly's courage and resolve.
"Everyone, we must not bow to death!"
"Even if we must endure all other suffering, we must never lose to death!"
This is truly... the highest form of human courage, facing the fear of death head-on!
The reader cannot help but be moved by this bravery. Such courage gives rise to the great heroes of human history and sustains civilizations, nations, and peoples!
At the same time, the profound bond between Agni and Luna is depicted in a straightforward manner.
They go hunting in the forest outside the village. However, just then...
The sound of an engine roars from the sky.
"Is that... a plane?"
Agni panics and rushes back towards the village, "It's coming from the direction of the village."
Armed soldiers descend from the plane.
The soldiers behave rudely, but their leader is quite polite.
Agni and Luna quickly return to the village and, in response to Agni's questions, the leader introduces himself as "Dema."
"We're not here to cause trouble. Our homes were burned down by nearby conflicts. We saw this village and came to borrow some gasoline and food."
Agni, however, is uninterested, "We have no extra resources to give you. Leave immediately! And get your hands off!"
But Dema is unfazed and says, "Sorry, we will fetch our own supplies."
"As a token of gratitude, I can offer you citizenship in Beisim Druke."
"Beisim Druke?!"
"Beisim Druke is a free nation created by our king. We are currently recruiting young people like you."
"With the right skills, anyone can rise to prominence, and even own slaves."
"We'll defeat the Ice Witch and restore the world to its former state!"
...
From this, the reader realizes the protagonist is likely to join this powerful faction and embark on a journey to defeat the villainous Ice Witch and her followers. This plot direction seems very "traditional."
However, it is curious that a "free nation" like Beisim Druke still speaks of "owning slaves."
It sounds very much like the old-fashioned approach of the Amerians.
Yet, the plot takes an abrupt turn.
The soldiers from Beisim Druke find Agni's severed arm that he had given to the villagers.
"...!!!!"
Upon the soldier's outcry, Dema seems to "misunderstand" and orders a retreat, "We're pulling back. This village has nothing!"
"These villagers are no longer human!"
Even as Agni tries to explain, Dema remains unyielding.
"What do you intend to do?"
Agni sees Dema on the plane, extending his hand, and is filled with fear.
"My flames will not disappear until everything is burned to ashes."
In an instant, terrifying flames engulf the entire village, turning it into a sea of fire and purgatory!
Everyone is doomed to be burned alive by Dema's flames.
Agni and Luna suffer the most, as Regeneration Blessed Ones. Their bodies are burned to ashes only to regenerate repeatedly, making this a cruel and endless punishment.
It reminds the reader of the mythological "Eighteen Hells" where one is burned alive in a volcanic hell, constantly enduring the pain of being consumed by flames.
Agni and Luna are now trapped in such a hell.
In this moment, Agni continuously prays to the gods, "Please protect Luna from the flames, keep her safe!"
Amid the extreme pain of his regenerating flesh being burned, Agni eventually discovers:
"When the brain refuses to regenerate the arm, it turns to ash and will not regrow."
"I have found a way to escape this torment."
"Death will bring relief..."
Just as Agni is about to embrace death...
Luna, barely recognizable and nearly consumed by flames, struggles to crawl to him.
[Translator: sauron]
"Brother... Brother!!"
Luna, whose regeneration is weaker than Agni's, is almost turned to ash.
"It's so cruel, but at least we will be reunited."
Agni envisions the beautiful moments of reunion.
Just then, the nearly burned-to-ash form of Luna manages to reach Agni. She touches his fist and, in a raspy voice, says...
"Live on!"
Then, Agni watches as Luna turns to complete ash and disappears into the snow!
Even as the reader witnesses this, the pain in their heart is intense.
The words "Live on" resonate deeply!
For the first time, the reader feels how heavy the phrase "Live on" can be!
Yet... the reader also hopes that Agni will survive and seek revenge on the damned Dema and the damned Beisim Druke!
But... Luna's words "Live on" make Agni abandon the idea of escaping death.
His body begins to be covered by vengeful flames and gradually adapts to Dema's flames.
After eight years, Agni finally masters the use of his regenerative abilities, shifting the flames from his face to his body.
Agni resolves to find Dema and burn him to ashes in the most brutal manner!
"With this fist, I will turn him to ashes!"
With this thought, Agni continues to advance through the snow.
He eventually finds the soldiers of Beisim Druke.
These soldiers have captured many innocent people, seemingly as slaves, and are humiliating and cruelly torturing them.
At this point, the reader is certain that Beisim Druke is not a virtuous nation!
It is just like the Amerians—outwardly pious, but ruthless and brutal!
Among the innocent people, a young "girl" named Sang prays to the gods as she faces the soldiers' guns.
Just then...
Agni appears!
He is engulfed in flames and swiftly knocks down the vile Beisim Druke soldiers with a single punch!
**End of Chapter**
The reader continues without pause, as it is a single volume, moving on to the next chapter and beyond.
The story of Agni and Luna's past, the rescue of Sang and other innocents, the repeated attacks by Beisim Druke soldiers, and Agni being revered as a deity by the people...
These stories deeply captivate the reader, compelling them to continue reading eagerly.
Thank you to the reader who donated 5,000 starting coins!
I felt it necessary to detail the first chapter of "Flame Fist," as it marks the beginning of everything. The three words that made Agni live on until the end of the world required more elaboration.
Future chapters will follow this pattern: important plot points will be detailed, while less critical content will be summarized!
If any readers find this unsatisfactory, feel free to skip this chapter. I'm prepared for that.
Lastly, please continue to vote for the monthly ticket!!!