I Became the Youngest Disciple of the Martial God Chapter 517

Episode 517

I heard somewhere that the speed at which forest fires spread is beyond imagination.

The moment you feel the flames rising from afar, they may have already reached right in front of you, or the flames that were clearly behind you may have blocked your path ahead and surrounded you on all sides… … .

In fact, assuming there is enough firewood, it is true that the speed at which the fire spreads is lightning fast.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I have to feel fear of fire all over again. Of course, this is also thanks to the first salt extinguisher.

In the present day, it is possible to endure for three days and nights even in a disaster that burns down an entire mountain, and even use that environment to increase one’s internal energy.

Of course, if you actually tried to do something that crazy, you would probably suffocate to death.

But now, for the first time in a long time, I was running through the forest, fearing the flames.

If this Luan Badnikker is afraid of fire, then the situation is much more serious than we think.

I glanced back and saw Red with swaying flames spread out like wings.

‘Damn red hair. It’s so uselessly cool.’

The flames that spread out from my back and burned in dozens of branches looked dozens of times more magnificent and awesome than the flame wings that formed when I activated Crowtaker’s power.

I even felt as if an absolute being representing the will of the sun had descended into this forest.

Even with all that hot fire surrounding it, the winter forest didn’t burn at all, and that’s magic.

Just as the puddle of water in the underground library could not wet the books, it was clear that the fire Red wielded was a power that could only burn what he wanted.

Even though it looks like that, if you concentrate your firepower, you can probably melt metal and even rocks.

Red pursued me without hiding his characteristically strong presence at all, but surprisingly, I was able to keep my distance and continue to run away.

It was thanks to the inspiration I got from seeing the sight of the dark elf galloping ahead.

Is there really no such thing as practice that is as good as actual practice?

As I was running through the forest in a half-conscious state, the clues to the new method I had felt at that time, the salty run, and the thunderous roar all came together naturally.

Of course, it will be easier to unfold since the premise of having to hide one’s presence has disappeared.

Anyway, now I don’t feel like the numerous obstacles lurking in the forest are bothersome to me, and I can actually use them.

If it weren’t for that damn old red mage chasing me, I would’ve gotten rid of him a long time ago.

‘The distance isn’t wide?’

Rather, as time passed, it gradually narrowed down, and Red’s presence gradually grew stronger.

In fact, if that man had wanted to, he could have captured me a long time ago, regardless of whether I had attained enlightenment about the Divine Law or not.

There are probably two reasons why we are pursuing it relatively leisurely…

First, to avoid causing as little damage to this forest as possible.

Secondly, as Kuset requested, isn’t it to capture me without a single scratch?

‘Those senile old men… … .’

The true identity of the mastermind behind Badniker and his general purpose have finally been revealed.

In fact, the goal of destroying the Demon King itself was not that surprising, but what shocked me was their means.

Is there any situation where the saying that one does not care about the means and methods fits so well?

I often said, half-jokingly, that we were a crazy family, a family with a bad taste, but it really was like that.

‘To this extent, aren’t the previous heads of households actually that great?’

Even though such a crazy old man was lurking in the dark, he somehow managed to lead his family.

Once again, the position of Sogaju became uncomfortable, and I felt my thighs getting hot and my breathing becoming difficult.

‘First of all, how do I get to my parents’ house?’

Of course, if I return with such a loud appearance, Assad will naturally find out about my unauthorized departure. I might even be punished.

Whatever it was, it was better than being caught alive by Kuset.

Assad is aware of Kuset’s existence, but he does not appear to be submitting to it at all.

If that were the case, you would have boiled me and offered me to Kuset a long time ago.

And since we’re both archmages, I guess we can stop that crazy redhead somehow.

So the problem is something else.

‘…Where on earth is this?’

Of course, as I went deep into the forest, I kept an eye on the surrounding scenery so that I could return to my home at any time… … .

Strangely, I couldn’t see at all the distinctive shapes of trees, rocks, or terrain that I had engraved in my head back then.

Is it because you’re impatient because of Red’s pursuit?

That’s not it either.

As scary as that Red Mage is, I’ve come face to face with far more terrifying and fearsome beings.

It means that although you are confused, it is not to the point of panicking.

in other words…….

‘That’s what Assad said.’

Kuset said that if he had his mind set on it, even the Badniker’s blood relatives would have no choice but to wander in the forest.

I wondered how that was possible, but the answer was simple.

It was subtle, but the forest seemed to be moving as if it were alive.

Of course, since it wasn’t a hallucination or the entire forest changing its appearance, if you looked around calmly, you could find the right direction.

I don’t have the luxury of that right now.

First of all, because the surroundings were so dark, it would have to be at least daylight to properly observe the surroundings.

‘What time is it now?’

As soon as it was ten o’clock, I left the cycad hall, taking turns with Arjan…

After coming out, I went back to the Socheoldang, spied on the black fairy who was watching my room, and moved carefully under the shade, so it took me about 30 minutes just to leave the main house.

After that, I chased after the sprinting black elves for an hour or two, and watched the disgusting ritual, or the spectacle of monster birth, for another hour or so.

In summary, it means the time between midnight and one in the morning, but I’m not sure about this because it’s a sensory thing.

What is clear is that there is still a long way to go before the sun rises.

“… … .”

If that’s the case, then this escape will inevitably lead to catching up with you someday, and wasting energy on continuing to run away is not the right response.

As soon as I made up my mind, I stopped running and looked back.

Red, who was slowly closing the distance between us while floating in the air, tilted his head and asked.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to run away anymore?”

“It’s not in my nature to run away.”

Red laughed with a look of incredulity on his face.

“He who ran for an hour can talk well.”

I briefly saw the forest on fire. The forest of butterflies, which had been surrounded by darkness, was now illuminated by the flames of a single human being, and looked as if a forest fire had broken out.

With such monsters chasing you like this, it’s no wonder you get tired quicker than usual.

You must have been under constant mental pressure, knowingly or unknowingly.

I said with a sigh.

“Can’t you just let it go? You’re an outsider. Even if you’re the Imperial Grand Wizard, there are laws you must follow.”

“That’s true. But there’s nothing I can do.”

“There’s nothing I can do.”

“It’s not the first time in my long life that I’ve crossed a line. And it won’t be the last.”

“… … .”

You annoying little kid.

It’s a talent to say something like “committing a crime” in such an old-fashioned way.

“What on earth is a pledge?”

“You don’t know.”

“Don’t you feel guilty about taking a young man with a bright future ahead of him and handing him over to an old man?”

“Not really. If the empire falls, what good is the bright future of the youth? If you die so that hundreds or thousands of the empire’s people can survive, then that’s better. Just quietly become the cornerstone.”

As we talked, I realized that I couldn’t get to the bottom of it with words.

That’s natural, since he’s a character who’s lived for at least a thousand years.

Beings who have lived this long usually have values ​​that they have refined over the years they have lived, so attacking them with different logic rather than just wasting their time has no effect.

It’s not for nothing that they say that you become more stubborn as you get older.

But I couldn’t just sit there and let my body be taken away, so I continued speaking as the words came to mind.

“If something happens to my body, won’t the master just sit still?”

It’s a lie, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

Even if you buy time in this way, your odds of winning will increase, however faintly.

“… … .”

But Red was silent for the first time at the words thrown out without much thought.

The absolute master of detection looked as if he was thinking about something, then shook his head.

“Even so, there’s nothing I can do. I have no choice but to deal with that.”

“Can you handle it? If Father really sets his mind to it and starts causing trouble, who in the empire can dare to stop him?”

“Well. If I were the Iron Blood Lord that I judged, I might be angry at your death, but I wouldn’t be a man who would side with the Demon King or become an enemy of humanity. I think I could handle that.”

“… … .”

That’s true.

Red looked at me and said.

“And even if we buy time, Assad will never detect this commotion.”

“Was that so? But still, we’re both Archmages.”

“Even though they are both archmages, their lives have been different and their levels are different. Above all, isn’t the forest not under his jurisdiction?”

“That’s true. Then what should I do?”

“Just surrender to it. Imagine yourself falling into a deep sleep. It will be over soon.”

“What if you don’t like that either?”

“Then there will be more noise.”

The moment I said that, hundreds of flames shot out from Red’s back and poured down toward me.

It was as if magma from a volcano was pouring down towards me.

I immediately used the first salvage technique and thrust my twin forward. The tension made of salvage erupted fiercely and met the red flames.

Flames of different natures interlocked and mixed in the air, and stretched out in a straight line toward the pitch-black forest sky as if they were a tornado.

Amidst the swirling whirlpools of large and small flames swirling in all directions.

I quickly deployed my salt wings and closed the distance with Red, who was hovering in the air.

I deliberately flew loudly and at high speed to confuse the opponent’s eyes so that they wouldn’t be able to detect my movements, but strangely, I didn’t feel like I had lost sight of them.

“──.”

And the moment I felt Red’s lips tremble, my body stiffened.

‘What is this…?’

Even my tongue couldn’t roll properly.

It was as if my entire body was paralyzed.

Immediately afterwards, I felt an enormous pressure on my back and my body was crushed downwards.

I fell down like a fly hit by a pole and hit the ground.

Red’s voice was heard beyond the flames, amidst the swirling dust.

“Its resistance to fire is extraordinary. It’s like rock.”

“My ultimate skill is… to become stronger… … .”

“Really? Then let’s experiment to see what the melting point is… … .”

“Well, I don’t think you have to do that─.”

But Red extended his hand without even listening to what I said, and immediately afterwards, a tremendous amount of firepower exploded.

“… … !”

How long has it been since a fever felt like pain?

I realized anew that the most difficult pain for humans to endure is burning pain.

This crazy bastard was pouring his firepower into me with the intention of roasting me, but his face through the flames showed no emotion.

‘ah…….’

At this rate, my head is starting to get hot.

I couldn’t tell if it was because I was getting hot from anger or if the burning pain was spreading to my head, but either way, it was clear that I was starting to feel feverish.

Putting aside my status as an Imperial Archmage or something, it doesn’t suit my personality to be beaten unilaterally.

I put my hand into the subspace pocket I had brought just in case.

Because the weapon that would be most effective in the current situation came to mind.

Of course, if I bring this up, I can’t avoid a bit of a fuss, but I’m not in a position to be picky right now.

At least for the current situation, it would be much more effective than the Seven Sins Sword or the Yin-Yang Sword.

And then I took out the weapon I got from the desert, Myungryong-ah… … .

“…ah.”

The condition of Myungryong-ah, whom we finally took out, was dire.

It had a rough appearance to begin with, but now only the handle remains… … .

Come to think of it, Myungryong-ah was destroyed once while fighting against the Wretched King in the final battle that took place in the desert.

This is the process in which Vulcanus manifests based on this famous dragon.

‘Is this the Seven Sins Sword?’

But the moment I tried to put Myungryong-ah back in, something strange happened.

Immediately after I pulled out the sword, the burning pain began to slowly fade away, and it felt like the flames Red was pouring out had disappeared.

Could this be…?

‘Is there any will of Vulcan left in this broken weapon?’

As expected, it’s amazing.

A treasure made from the teeth of the Fire Dragon God.

The moment I looked at Myungryong-ah with trembling eyes, Red said.

“you…….”

“… … .”

As it turned out, Red had simply stopped spewing out flames.

Red was looking at my weapon with somewhat complicated eyes.

“That’s a bright dragon. What’s his relationship with Vulcan?”

“… … !”

Do you know Vulcan?

No. As a great wizard of the empire, it is impossible for him not to know the 13 Dragon Kings of the South.

Somehow the emotion in his voice was unusual.

At that moment, the images of the 13 Dragon Kings, who had the greatest influence in the South, and Vulcan, the Fire Dragon God who was one of them, flashed through my mind… … .

The abnormal level of magic Red had shown, the fact that he had lived for over a thousand years, and finally the strange nickname Kusset had given him came to mind in sequence.

Blood scale child.

The child of bloody scales.

“…Could it be that you were a dragon?”

“… … .”

Instead of responding, Red slowly put out the flames.

The flames that had been flooding all around were instantly sucked into Red’s back, and the surroundings were plunged into darkness as if it had always been that way.

“Yeah… So you were Vulcan. I thought your behavior was strange.”

“… … .”

While I was guessing the other side’s identity, Red also seemed to have guessed my identity.

The man who usually only spoke cynically and showed little emotion now seemed quite agitated.

Judging by its name and hair color, it’s probably a red dragon… … What is its relationship with the fire dragon god Vulcanus?

While I was thinking about this and that, Red declared in a calm voice.

“If you are Vulcan, I will not harm you.”

“Really? What’s the reason?”

“Well, let’s just call it a petty old relationship.”

“… … .”

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll help you. I’ll leave now, but you’ll have to survive in this forest until morning. Who knows, Assad might come to rescue you when the sun rises.”

Red’s voice seemed to grow faint, and then flames began to appear at the end of his clothes.

I instinctively shouted because it looked like it would be engulfed in flames and disappear in an instant if left alone.

“Just a moment!”

“what?”

“I can’t help you, but I can at least talk to you. Can I ask you a few questions? There are a lot of things I’m curious about… … .”

“… In a situation like this, would you like to grab the person who was threatening your life just now and say, ‘Let’s have a talk?’”

“No way?”

Red said, laughing as if it was absurd.

“I guess it can’t be helped. It’s interesting. What are you curious about?”

I overheard Kusette’s conversation and asked the thing I was most curious about.

“What on earth is a ‘Guardian’?”