CHAPTER 58: NEW THREATS
The Forbidden One-Demon began to move at an incredible speed. He wasn't using any ability; this was his natural speed. In the blink of an eye, he flew over rocks and barren lands.
Saliva dripped from his mouth, his single eye gleaming with wild pleasure: "HMMMPPP! There it is!!! Come to me! Finally, after a thousand years, I can fight!"
AT SEA – THE HOLY KNIGHTS' SHIP
The Holy Knights, along with their holy soldiers and hunters, had boarded the ships and set sail. The wind filled the sails as the ships cut through the waves.
Bay X called out to Sabo, who was standing at the ship's bow: "Hey Sabo, which Sovereign will you be dealing with?"
Sabo answered without taking his eyes off the horizon: "Aimp."
Bay X burst out laughing: "HAHAHAHA! Aimp, huh? Be careful you don't end up dead, you hear?"
Sabo's face remained expressionless: "Don't try to make me laugh, Bay X. No one can defeat me, you know that."
Bay X's laughter grew even louder: "HAHAHAHAH! Were you serious when you said that, Sabo? Do you see yourself as stronger than me?"
Sabo slowly turned his head toward Bay X. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes: "I hope you encounter Impernos, Bay X. Let's see if you can survive."
The smile on Bay X's face instantly disappeared. It was replaced by an icy seriousness. Seeing this change, Sabo involuntarily shuddered.
Bay X spoke slowly: "You know that when I get serious, no one can stand before me, right Sabo?"
Sabo composed himself: "We'll see about that, Bay X. When you meet him, you'll understand what I mean." He paused for a moment, then added: "And here's a warning from me: I couldn't damage him at all. Face him knowing that."
Bay X's brow furrowed: "You couldn't damage him?"
A shadow of past pain crossed Sabo's face: "Exactly. And that's not all... I almost died."
Bay X's eyes widened: "How is that possible? We Holy Knights are immortal."
Suddenly, a sword of fire appeared in Sabo's hand. In one motion, he swung the sword at Bay X's neck. Bay X's head separated from his body and rolled to the ground.
But Bay X didn't die.
Within seconds, a new head grew from his neck, the old one disappearing. Bay X spoke as if nothing had happened: "What was that about, Sabo?"
Sabo extinguished the fire sword in his hand: "Tsk. So you didn't understand." He fixed his eyes on Bay X: "What I did can heal. But the technique he uses... that technique prevents healing itself."
Bay X asked curiously: "Which technique?"
Sabo's voice lowered: "His ultimate technique. An absolute erasure technique. " He paused for a moment: "And know this too, Bay X: I only saw half of his power."
A glint appeared in Bay X's eyes: "Half? And you still almost died?"
Sabo nodded: "Exactly."
Bay X took a deep breath. The mocking expression on his face had completely disappeared: "I guess I need to be extremely serious this time."
Sabo repeated his warning: "If you're not serious, you won't survive even a second in this battle."
Bay X fixed his eyes on the horizon: "Impernos... I've always heard your name. Let's see how powerful you really are."
Sabo asked: "Where do you plan to find him?"
Bay X pointed to the two hunters beside him: "There's an old castle. I'm going there with these two hunters. If we find him, we'll kill him there."
Sabo looked at the hunters suspiciously: "Two hunters? They'll just be dead weight, Bay X."
Hunter Andre immediately interjected: "Sabo, you underestimate us!"
The other hunter, Agony Jinn, added: "I agree with Andre. We didn't become hunters for nothing."
Sabo replied with a cold smile: "Is that so? Well then, when you encounter Impernos, you'll understand very well what I mean."
Bay X waved his hand, wanting to end the conversation: "Enough of this. Andre, Jinn, we've arrived. We're getting off here."
Andre and Jinn nodded.
Bay X walked to the ship's edge. Just as he was about to jump, Sabo called out: "Hey Bay X."
Bay X turned around: "What is it, Sabo?"
Sabo's face held an unreadable expression: "Just be careful. And don't underestimate him." He paused for a moment, then added: "And if you meet him, give him my regards. Tell him; Sabo sends his regards and says we will meet again one day."
Bay X smiled faintly: "I'll give him your regards, Sabo. But I'm sorry, you won't be meeting again."
At this response, Sabo just laughed. It was a laugh that came from within, but was unfathomable.
Bay X thought to himself before jumping: Why did he laugh? Anyway, let's get going. Then he turned to the hunters: "Let's go."
NEXAN – BARREN LANDS – NEAR THE CAVE
Kai and Captain Terex had emerged from the cave and were about to part ways. Behind them lay the ruins of a destroyed kingdom, before them an uncertain future.
Captain Terex turned to Kai: "Kai, it's time to set out."
Kai asked curiously: "Where will you go, Captain?"
Terex pointed south: "I'm returning to Ielian. I have two more crew members there. I'll take them and continue on my way." He fixed his eyes on Kai: "And remember, if you need my help, let me know. I'll come gladly. Especially if it's about the Ice Kingdom."
Kai nodded: "As you wish, Captain. Likewise, if anything happens, let me know."
For a moment, they looked at each other. Everything they'd been through, the losses, the sacrifices... All of it was in that look. Then, they embraced tightly.
Captain Terex, taking Yisun and Gusion with him, headed toward the southern passage. Kai watched them for a long time.
Then, he began to think to himself: Where should I go? Should I return to Ielian and see my master again? He paused, his eyes widening: Come to think of it... Why did my master not have an arm? And why haven't I asked him all this time? He shook his head: I guess I was too focused on training. I definitely need to see him again sometime.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the cave.
Kai was instantly on alert. "Hey! Who's there?"
There was no answer. Only the sound of footsteps approaching.
Then the footsteps stopped.
Kai immediately took a combat stance. He gathered his energy, his eyes locked on the cave entrance.
At the cave entrance, a man dressed in worn-out clothes appeared.
Kai narrowed his eyes: "Who are you?"
The man raised his hands to show he was calm: "Don't worry Kai, I'm not your enemy." He bowed slightly: "My name is Kair. "
Kai's eyes remained alert: "Kair? Who are you? I don't know you."
Kair straightened with pride: "I am the first commander of the Ielian Kingdom. And I received a direct order from King Tsur to bring you to Ielian."
Kai's brow furrowed: "Is that so? And how am I supposed to trust you?"
Kair took an emblem from his pocket and showed it to Kai.
Kai's eyes widened: "That emblem... The Ielian commander's emblem."
Kair was slightly surprised: "I didn't expect you to know that, honestly."
Kai said proudly: "I'm from Ielian myself. So it's only natural I know."
A smile appeared on Kair's face: "Wow! You're from Ielian? Then we'll get along just fine."
Kai was still cautious: "I still don't fully trust you." He asked a question: "And how did you get here from Ielian so quickly?"
Kair answered calmly: "Through the passage."
Kai's eyes narrowed: "Inter-kingdom passages can only be used with permission. Your coming here by passage doesn't make sense."
Kair smiled faintly: "You're smart, Kai. But there's something you don't know."
Kai: "What's that?"
Kair spoke meaningfully: "When a kingdom is destroyed, there's no need for permission, is there?"
Kai thought for a moment. Then he nodded: "You have an answer for everything. That shows you're not lying." He made his decision: "Alright then, I'll come with you to Ielian. But if I sense any suspicious movement, I won't hesitate to fight."
Kair nodded with satisfaction: "Fine by me." He added meaningfully: "And in Ielian, you'll find the answers to the questions you seek."
Kai asked curiously: "The answers I seek?"
Kair winked: "You were just asking yourself, 'what should I do now?'"
Kai's face darkened: "So you were listening to me." He asked another question: "Then you must have seen Captain Terex and the others. Why didn't you attack him? After all, he's a pirate and you're Ielian's commander."
Kair shrugged: "My mission is to bring you to Ielian. I can't deal with him right now."
Kai gave one final warning: "Alright then, let's go. But don't forget what I said: if I see any suspicious movement, I won't hesitate to fight."
Kair said calmly: "Like I said, fine by me."
And so, Commander Kair and Kai set out toward the Ielian Kingdom.
NEXAN – BARREN LANDS – ANOTHER CAVE
The Forbidden One-Demon had reached the location of the living being he sensed. He was sniffing around, his single eye scanning everywhere.
"Hmmmppp... I sense it, around here," he murmured, his voice echoing in the cave. "Come out and let's playyyyy!"
After a while, a figure appeared at the cave entrance. Commander Amper.
Amper recoiled when he saw the being before him. "HA? Who are you?" He felt the energy emanating from him, his hair standing on end: "This energy... it's so demonic!"
The Forbidden One-Demon's single eye gleamed like a predator finding its prey: "HMMMPPP! So you're the living being I sensed." Saliva dripped from his mouth. "Immm... How about we play a little? What do you say?"
Before he even finished speaking, he vanished.
A second later, he appeared right before Amper's nose.
Amper's eyes widened like saucers: "This speed-"
BAM!
The Forbidden One-Demon threw a light punch at Amper. But this "light" punch was enough to send the massive Amper flying.
Amper flew backward, tearing through the cave walls one after another, sending rock fragments flying through the air. Finally, he crashed into the open area behind the cave.
He struggled to stand, coughing up blood. The moment he straightened up, the Forbidden One-Demon was right before him again.
Amper shouted breathlessly: "What the hell are you? What kind of power is this?" He paused, trying to recognize the energy he felt: "This power... is even darker than Akashan inside King Swain!"
A momentary glint of recognition appeared in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye: "Akashan? Hmmmppp... Sounds familiar." Then he shrugged: "Anyway, my target is you for now."
Amper gritted his teeth: "Don't underestimate me, bastard!"
He gathered all his strength. His right fist instantly grew, thickened, transforming into a giant hammer.
"TITAN FIST! "
He swung it at the Forbidden One-Demon with all his might.
The Forbidden One-Demon simply countered with a normal punch.
The two fists collided in the center.
BOOOMMMM!!!
A massive dust cloud rose. The ground shook. Rocks tumbled.
When the dust settled, Amper had been pushed back ten meters. The Forbidden One-Demon hadn't moved an inch from his spot.
Amper's eyes couldn't believe it: "How is this possible? He countered my Titan Fist... with just a normal punch and sent me flying ten meters back? How can this be?"
There was disappointment in the Forbidden One-Demon's voice: "You're too weak. I didn't get what I wanted." A wild glint appeared in his eye: "I came here for nothing. I should just kill you now and continue on my way."
Amper wasn't going to give up. "No! This isn't over! It's not finished yet!"
"TITAN BODY! "
Amper's body instantly began to transform. His muscles swelled, his height grew. He reached five meters. His body was covered in a thick, crystal-like armor. This armor was nearly indestructible.
A faint spark of interest appeared in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye: "Interesting... But not enough."
He joined his thumb and middle finger. Between his two fingers, a pitch-black energy began to concentrate. It took the shape of a cannonball.
"FORBIDDEN TECHNIQUE THREE – FORBIDDEN CANNONBALL. "
NARRATOR: What is the Forbidden Cannonball? The Forbidden Cannonball is a projectile that erases reality when fired. Everything it touches is erased from existence. Neither body remains, nor soul, nor memory. Just... nothingness.
The moment the cannonball formed, the Forbidden One-Demon flicked his middle finger. The pitch-black energy sphere advanced toward Amper, erasing reality as it went.
Amper's eyes were wide, staring in shock. He could feel the annihilating energy emanating from that cannonball, but he couldn't find the strength to flee.
"This... this is too much!"
BOOOOMMMM!!!!
The cannonball struck Amper.
FISSS...
A momentary dark flash. Then, the truth was laid bare.
There was a massive hole in Amper's chest. There was no blood. There was nothing. Just a hole.
Amper's soul emptied instantly. His eyes looked at the Forbidden One-Demon one last time. His lips whispered his final words:
"I... I know the one who will... defeat you..."
He couldn't finish his sentence. He collapsed to the ground.
He couldn't last even a second against the Forbidden Cannonball.
The Forbidden One-Demon looked at the lifeless body. There wasn't the slightest trace of regret or emotion in his eye. Only curiosity.
"Someone who can defeat me?" he murmured. "Is there such a person?"
OLD CASTLE – RUINS
Bay X, Andre, and Agony Jinn had reached the old castle they'd mentioned. The castle bore the weariness of centuries, its walls covered in ivy.
Bay X whispered: "We're going in. Be careful."
Andre nodded: "Yes, sir."
Jinn added: "Don't worry sir, we're fully focused."
Bay X: "Good."
The three entered the castle slowly and cautiously. Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridors. They advanced a bit, but encountered no threats. This relaxed them somewhat.
Andre looked around: "Sir, I think this place is empty."
Jinn added: "Yes sir, we've almost reached the main hall but haven't encountered anyone."
Bay X shook his head: "No. I sense an energy." His eyes locked on the massive door at the end of the corridor: "Behind that door."
All three approached the door simultaneously. Bay X placed his hands on the door and pushed. The door creaked open.
When they entered, there was a throne at the end of the hall. And someone was sitting on it.
Impernos.
Bay X's eyes locked onto the figure on the throne: "Impernos... It's you, isn't it?"
Impernos slowly raised his head. His eyes scanned the three uninvited guests. An unfathomable smile appeared on his lips.
"So you've come, Bay X."
Bay X was surprised: "You know me?"
Impernos's smile widened: "Of course." He paused, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light: "And now, have you come here to die?"
Bay X's eyes narrowed: "We'll see who dies."
Impernos looked at the two hunters beside Bay X. There was a hint of disappointment on his face: "Why did you bring these two weaklings? To be dead weight?"
Andre couldn't tolerate these words. "How dare you look down on us!"
He acted without thinking. He quickly ran toward Impernos. A yellow energy sphere formed in his hand.
Bay X shouted a warning: "No Andre, stop! That's exactly what he wants!"
But it was too late.
Just as Andre was about to launch his attack, Impernos whispered a single word:
"Despair. "
And with incredible speed, he touched Andre's stomach.
Nothing happened.
Andre looked down in confusion: "What kind of technique is that? Are you mocking me?"
Impernos just smiled.
And at that moment, something happened.
Andre suddenly collapsed to the ground. "Huh? What's this?" he murmured, his eyes looking around blankly. "Why am I here? What am I doing?"
Then, slowly, he stood up. He was holding his head, writhing in pain: "What are you doing here? Ahh, my head is splitting! What is this feeling? What did you do to me?"
At that moment, Impernos stood up. He threw a hook punch. But it wasn't an ordinary hook.
Andre's head separated from his body and rolled to Bay X's feet.
Agony Jinn shouted in horror: "H-He took him out in one hit?"
Bay X froze for a moment. Then, slowly, he spoke: "Now I understand why Sabo was so afraid of you."
He slowly drew the spear from his back.
NARRATOR: WHO IS BAY X?
Bay X is rumored to be the strongest Holy Knight. He has a bald head, with only a small ponytail right in the center. That small ponytail hangs slightly backward. His clothing resembles a brown robe.
Bay X aimed his spear. There was a seriousness in his eyes that had never been seen before.
"Know this, Impernos. I will fight you with all my strength. You'd better be prepared."
Impernos rose from his throne. His eyes were fixed on Bay X.
"I've fought one of you before." On his lips was the shadow of a memory he took pleasure in recalling: "Come then."
Bay X raised his spear into the air. The spear instantly began to glow. Patterns resembling dragon scales appeared on it.
"DRAGON SPEAR! "