Beyond the Eternity

[A few constellations are interested by your story.]

[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is smiling at your cunning nature.]

The constellation messages were heard but I ignored them.

Without stopping my tremendous sprint, I reflexively glanced behind my shoulders. A cloud of smoke and dust was coming out from the shopping mall.

While I was fighting against Song Jaewon, Lee Dokho had gone through the entire floor and set up that explosives I purchased from the Exclusive Shop. But that was a really close call.

If I hadn't used the Fool card to create the illusion of afterimages and escape during the fight, Byakko's power would have blown me apart.

It was a good that the plan worked out smoothly in the end. But I didn't like the fact that I had to spread more coins that I originally planned.

... Somehow, I always find myself spreading money nowadays. I thought I would save those coins for future use, but my luck has never been good. Perhaps I have developed a good habit.

While thinking the whole scenario was ridiculous, a long sigh escaped my lips. Was it okay to start feeling depressed?

Lee Dokho, who was running besides me, glanced back at the burning shopping mall and muttered.

"Are you sure that would be enough? I don't think that would take him out."

"Naturally, that explosion wouldn't be enough to kill him. The explosion itself occurred in the west region and Song Jaewon was holding Byakko. Considering Byakko is the guardian of the West, the deity will protect Song Jaewon as long as he remains in the West."

"So you're saying the explosion was meaningless from the get-go?"

"Haven't you been listening to what I have been saying? A direct confrontation with that guy is out of the question, so we have to buy as much time as possible even if it's a little."

"Deputy-nim, when you say buy time? What exactly do you mean?"

"....."

I didn't answer and continued running. The reason I didn't answer was because I didn't know how to explain the situation to Lee Dokho.

The truth was, Song Jaewon was much stronger than I thought and his connection with Byakko was already at a dangerous level. In fact, fighting him head on almost cost me my life.

[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Wall has activated.]

The Four Gods, including 'Byakko' are made-up from star constellations, but in Heian-kyou they merely originated from Feng Shui based geographical features--- from the land. But it's certainly true that 'Byakko', as the guardian of the west, has to watch out the most for invasions from the east.

The Azure Dragon, who was known as the guardian of the East, was able to protect its land from drought using its power over water and make it rain.

For Byakko, the guardian spirit protected its land with a power different from the power over water. A power that was not only against an eastern enemy, but also against the sky—

「 The power to blow away rainy clouds and the storm 」

Therefore, the [Blue Dragon Sword] in my possession, which represents the Azure Dragon of the East, would be completely useless against the [White Spirit Lance] wielded by Song Jaewon.

"Tch."

I found my situation somewhat distasteful. If only Soo Jinyoung was here... For that matter, where was she anyways?

[The character 'Song Jaewon' has activated Black Wind Control.]

"Look out!"

I dragged Lee Dokho and jumped forward. In the next instant, something brushed past us and pierced into the ground with great force like a bomb explosion.

Kwang!

The ground trembled under the force of the impact and a cloud of dust kicked up around us.

The object produced no sound as it flew my way.

If It wasn't for the notification, I would have probably been killed without knowing what hit me.

"...?"

Soon, a black silhouette suddenly appeared where that 'something' had struck the ground and pulled it out from the floor.

Naturally, the identity of the sudden attacker was already known.

"Damnit, how did he get here already?!"

Lee Dokho cursed as the dust cleared and Song Jaewon approached with [White Spirit Lance).

I was also shocked. I thought that explosion will be able to hold him off for a while.

Surprisingly, Song Jaewon began to speak, while resting 'Byakko' on his shoulders, as he looked at where the explosion had occurred.

"I must say, I was indeed surprised. If I wasn't at the West side of that shopping mall, that explosion would have most likely taken me out. I didn't think you'll prepare that kind of strategy in such a short moment. I guess that's my fault for underestimating you to begin with."

Then he shifted his gaze towards us and pointed the blade of the [White Spirit Lance] this way.

"But what now? Obviously, such a strategy won't work on me twice. And no matter you run and hide, this 'spear' will always find you. So what are you going to do? No, what can you even do?"

"...."

He was right. There wasn't much I could when my opponent was the Regressor and the White Tiger Lance.

No place to hide and nowhere to run. Simply put, we were concerned.

Lee Dokho glanced at me. I could sense his fear and anxiety. It was truly a scenario where the prey was cornered by the predator. Even so....

Grin—

I smiled. Even if I was a cornered by the regressor, It doesn't necessarily I don't have options. How should I explain it to this foolish regressor?

As the regressor, Song Jaewon got closer and closer, I opened my mouth.

"What can I do, you say? Well, I don't need to run or hide to begin with."

"Is that so? Does that mean you have accepted your fate?"

"Not quite."

I continued speaking confidently as if I wasn't bothered.

"Coincidentally, we just happened to be facing the West which happens to be the enemy of the Azure Dragon. The Azure Dragon protects its land from drought using its power over water and make it rain. It also used that power to drive away invaders from the West.

Naturally, the White Tiger was able to do the same using its power over the wind to blow away rainy clouds and drive away invaders from the East. But was Azure Dragon only able to use water?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"You don't know. The Four Gods--- are one of the most oldest constellations so I thought you would already know. In the past, they were called the Four Symbols---because they represent the fundamental forces that govern the natural world—balance, protection, and the harmony between the elements of wood, fire, metal, and water, each tied to a cardinal direction and season.

The Black Tortoise (Genbu) represents water and winter, the Vermillion Bird (Suzaku) represents fire and summer, and then the White Tiger (Byakko) represents metal and autumn. But tell me, what exactly does the Azure Dragon (Seiryuu) represent?"

"....!"

Song Jaewon's eyes widened.

The Azure Dragon protected its land from invaders from the West, but the power of water was not what it used. Since the Azure Dragon represented wood and spring, it made sense for the guardian spirit to protect its land using the element of wood and nature, which was the power of wind and storms.

Coincidentally, we just happened to be facing the West with our backs facing the East.

"You...."

Song Jaewon realised the reality of the situation and rushed towards me at once. Too bad, he realised too late. I opened my mouth for the last time.

"Song Jae-won, you're too arrogant. I'll make sure to hit you gently."

I poured all my magic power into the sword and stabbed it into the ground. Then I shouted.

"...Roar, Seiryuu!"

[You have fulfilled a hidden condition.]

[The Blue Dragon Sword is regaining its status.]

[The power of an ancient constellation is filling the Blue Dragon Sword.]

Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwa!

A deafening roar erupted from the sword as a massive wave of energy surged toward Song Jaewon and transformed into a flash of lightning, splitting apart the ground as it moved as if it was made of paper.

Song Jaewon tried to use the power of 'Byakko' and Black Wind to protect himself, but the lightning strike reached him in an instant and struck his body.

Crack!

His defences were penetrated rather so easily, and the regressor was thrown across the air like a ragdoll and crashed into the ground with a tremendous noise.

Unfortunately for Song Jaewon, his misfortune didn't stop there. His body rolled across the floor and bounced before crashing into a building wall.

... Surely, he wasn't dead, right?

"Hah... Hah..."

Panting, I pulled the Blue Dragon Sword from the ground which cracked with residual energy. There was a terrible backslash that was felt on my arms.

As I thought, It was too early to unleash the power of one of the Four Gods. But it's not like I had any other choice.

"Did you kill him?"

"I don't know. Hopefully, that's not the case."

Both of us approached the body of the regressor, and I examined his condition. He received a major hit from the lightning strike but he was still alive. In fact, Song Jaewon was staring at me with wide eyes.

... He was conscious after being hit by one of the Four Gods? He must have used Byakko to reduce the impact of the blow but still...

"Oi! Oi! Can you hear me?"

"..."

"Hey, hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

"..."

Song Jaewon did not answer. He just looked at me without moving. He seemed he would lose consciousness at any moment. Even so, why was he glaring at me like that?

"Tch! This bastard, do you know what I went through because of you? I even thought I was going to die, you son of a bitch."

I would have hit his punchable face but I was afraid of getting shocked by the lingering electricity in his body.

So I could only curse him from the bottom of my heart.

Perhaps It was because of the misfortunes I had faced since the start of the Fables, I continued to curse the regressor and poke his cheek with a stick I found nearby.

Song Jaewon continued to glare at me wordlessly. He was in a situation where body was paralyzed so he couldn't move even if he wanted to.

But I couldn't stay like this for long.

[Black Emperor Song Jaewon is out of combat.]

[All the King Candidates on the battlefield has been defeated.]

[Congratulations! You have passed all the tests of the Holy Grail.]

Slowly, the barrier covering Gwanghwamun disappeared. It was time to reach the closing act.