LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 43
Kuwung! Kuuung!
Each step of the rock spirit shook the earth with a thunderous roar.
With every single step, it felt as if arrows were exploding.
The landscape where the rock spirit passed looked as if dozens of meteors had fallen.
Crater after crater, some dozens of meters deep, lined up from the center of Gwanak Mountain to the entrance of Jangsan Cave.
Nothing could survive under its kicks.
Not just the small creatures, but even the towering trees and solid rocks crumbled into dust, leaving no trace behind.
In less than thirty minutes of the rock spirit’s rampage, the terrain of Gwanak Mountain had completely changed.
We would need to redraw the map of the area.
“Guuuuuh!!!”
After stepping back to secure some distance, the rock spirit suddenly let out a bellow. It was a warning of the next attack.
The gate, battered from two previous strikes, would not withstand the next onslaught.
The reason it was targeting Jangsan Cave wasn’t due to anger towards the dwarves.
Though it had been somewhat bothersome during its confinement, it had long forgotten about that.
However, the location of Jangsan Cave was perfect for the rock spirit.
That was a place where the energy of the mountain ranges converged, a perfect resting spot for one just released from a seal.
Whatever was originally there could easily be chased away, following the rock spirit’s previous ways of living.
If the gate fell and anyone remained to confront it, that would provide quite the entertaining diversion.
Such a selfish and brutal nature was second nature to it, and it hadn’t changed at all since being released.
“Guuuh…?”
But at that moment, a human stood atop the gate, holding a sword in one hand.
An unusual dark energy centered around the black sword.
Even for the rock spirit, who had existed for thousands of years, this was something it had never seen before.
Soon, the explosive dark strike cut through the blue sky like a brushstroke.
The slashing attack darkened the air as it surged onward, spreading an ominous aura.
Kuwung!
However, the rock spirit did not stop its advance. An attack like that posed no threat to it.
The dwarves’ combined assault that had stopped it twice before had been futile, so there was no reason to retreat against such a puny human.
Even if that strike held unimaginable power, it didn’t matter.
After all, this body was close to being a disposable item that could regenerate no matter how much it broke.
Kwagak.
But at that moment, a horrific pain surged through the rock spirit’s body, causing it to stagger.
It felt a deep wound etched into its very soul.
Before it could comprehend what was happening, its body crumbled down.
With one of its supporting legs completely severed, it collapsed helplessly.
Kwadukuduk…
Its head hit the ground, leaving deep tracks in the earth, yet the gate did not crumble.
Right after, the rock spirit caught sight of a human leaping down with killing intent.
That was more than enough to awaken its dormant anxieties.
*
A week spent within the distorted hourglass in the mental realm.
During this time, Kim Il-shin focused solely on swinging his sword.
Literally, he never stopped for a moment, and his communion with the Moonlight Sword never ceased either.
For him, that week in the mental realm was a period of forging immense inspiration.
He unraveled the entangled threads made of high-strength wire, seamlessly integrating them into his mind, ultimately creating a new martial art.
Hyeonwol Divine Art (玄月神功).
The Moonlight Sword was imbued with tremendous life force.
That life force was the source of the power contained within the Moonlight Sword, and naturally, it didn’t vanish even after the stabilization process.
Kim Il-shin learned through his communion with the Moonlight Sword how to manipulate life force.
He reached a realm where he could mix his mana with the life force, giving clear substance to abstract properties.
The power of the Hyeonwol Divine Art, which replicated the cycle from absorption to emission, even sliced through the soul of the spirit.
Kwaduk.
“Guhhhhh!!”
As he leaped down, propelling the sword, the rock spirit let out a pained scream.
In comparison to its overall size, it was a wound that could barely be called a scratch, but up until now, it had never known pain.
So, it had no choice but to exhibit such extreme reactions to this minor injury.
“Guhh!!!”
With a low scream that threatened to burst its eardrums, the ground beneath it lifted.
It was a thrashing attempt by the rock spirit to shake off Kim Il-shin.
However, Kim Il-shin did not fall easily.
Holding onto the embedded Moonlight Sword, he climbed up to the very top of the rock spirit’s head.
‘Now.’
Gripping the Moonlight Sword with both hands, he unleashed a severing energy beneath him.
Controlling his vertically plunging body with the embedded sword, he rapidly descended.
Kagagagak!
The swiftly following scars were drawn long along the rock spirit’s arm.
“Guhhh!”
Reading the movements of the glowing rock spirit, he timed his jump perfectly.
He lightly landed right atop the rock spirit’s head.
In human terms, that would be a vital point, but for the spirit under normal circumstances, it held no significance.
However, the Hyeonwol Divine Art Kim Il-shin currently wielded could directly strike at the spirit’s essence, making this place a critical weak point for the rock spirit.
Hooong!
Sensing danger, the rock spirit slammed its palm down towards its head.
The palm descending upon him darkened the area around Kim Il-shin, but it was too late.
Fwaaaah!
Dark energy erupted from the Moonlight Sword held in reverse.
Overwhelming energy surged forth from the downward strike, resonating and breaking apart the air.
Chirik. Chirik.
The mana infused into the Hyeonwol Divine Art created cracks within the rock spirit’s interior.
“Guhh…”
The descending palm of the rock spirit lost its strength and fell downward.
Its once robust exterior began to crumble, and large shards tumbled.
Kwaaang!
The explosive strike that followed drove a wedge in deeper.
The small crack gradually expanded downwards, ultimately splitting the rock spirit in two.
Kugugugugu…
Amidst the collapsing rock spirit, Kim Il-shin gripped the Moonlight Sword tightly.
*
“H-What just happened…?”
Hwang Deok-soo, who had been hiding behind the gate, muttered quietly.
Just moments ago, the continuous cries and vibrations had abruptly ceased.
It was certain something had happened, but what exactly, was unclear.
He couldn’t even determine whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
“Is there no way to see outside?”
“Yes… All the cameras set up outside were disabled due to the earlier attack. Power supply is also on the brink. We’re trying to fix it quickly, but it might take a little more time.”
“Hoo…”
Hwang Deok-soo let out a worried sigh. There was no way to know what was happening outside from here, leaving him feeling frustrated.
It was fortunate that the gate had not collapsed, but as long as the rock spirit remained, the danger was far from over.
He was also concerned about the existence of Kim Il-shin, who was foolishly proclaiming to face the rock spirit atop the gate.
Interestingly, as soon as he climbed up there, the rock spirit’s attacks had ceased, yet it was hard to believe that Kim Il-shin had caused that.
“What are you doing up there! Get down quickly! It’s dangerous!”
At that moment, an urgent shout came from the side.
Startled, he looked up and saw Hanarin climbing atop the gate.
“Hanarin! Get down fast!”
He had no idea when the rock spirit’s attack might come next and collapse the gate.
It was incredibly dangerous to be climbing up there.
“It’s dangerous! Come down!”
Despite Hwang Deok-soo’s cries, Hanarin did not stop. She had to check outside as quickly as possible.
“Hoo, huuu…”
Breathing heavily as she climbed the gate, she felt short of breath and her legs felt weak.
Her head spun, and sweat blurred her vision, but Hanarin pushed her head through the gate to see ahead.
‘…I did it.’
Finally, what caught her eye was Kim Il-shin standing atop the remains of the rock spirit.