Chapter 216 –
Chamber of the Transcendent: Canales (4)
‘Fuck… This is really too much.’
This is really ridiculous.
Even though I extinguished so much fire, it appeared again.
This time, the fire that came back was even stronger and larger.
As if to prove the word ‘trial’…
The transcendent’s fire attack didn’t get tired and welcomed us.
When will this end?
Until now, it seems I’ve held out for at least 15 minutes, but this damned trial showed no signs of ending.
‘Act of Weapon Exchange.’
But there was no time to whine.
Nothing changes just by complaining.
It will only put us in danger.
I quickly put away the sword and took out the shield.
Since the [True Flowing Sword] is blocked, there is no reason to keep the sword.
‘…I really didn’t want to do this.’
It was an option I excluded because I thought it was too reckless.
The last defense measure I kept as a last resort.
It was to… Use my body and shield to ‘directly block’ that fire.
“Juyeon, don’t move.”
“No…!!”
Ignoring the shouting Kang Juyeon, who seemed to have realized something, I tightly embraced her in my arms.
And I turned my back to the fire.
Woosh- Fwoosh-!!
Normally, the right way is to face the fire and raise the shield.
But if I do that, Kang Juyeon behind me will be in danger.
The fire that flows through the sides of the shield will only go towards the back.
So I turn my body in the opposite direction, wrap her in the shield, and fully receive the fire with my own body.
Defending this way increases the burden of the attack on me, but I can carry out a slightly more perfect defense.
‘…All the remaining skills.’
[Iron Wall Defense], and [Hardenning].
I utilize all the remaining defensive skills I have left.
I’ve done everything I can.
What’s left is to hope that the power of that fire is within my predictions, and that this attack will be the last.
There was no choice but to fervently wish for that.
And….
Boom, Booooooom-!!
Fwoooosh-!!
For the first time in my life, I felt… The terrifying flames and pain that began to engulf me.
***
Ippotranslation
***
‘No….’
Kang Juyeon looked at the dark front with a shocked expression.
Because Do Jae-hyun was tightly embracing her to keep her from moving, the surroundings were blocked and she couldn’t do anything.
However, she tried to summon her energy.
‘No… no.’
This can’t be.
If it continues like this, Do Jae-hyun will be in real danger.
The danger of that fire…
Even Kang Juyeon, who handles fire, couldn’t gauge it.
A fire she had never felt before.
A fire her father couldn’t even feel.
A disaster that seemed to swallow everything.
Do Jae-hyun stood in front of that fire with his bare body.
A reckless action to protect Kang Juyeon by using the shield behind him.
She couldn’t just watch that.
‘One more Defensive Flame Skill…!!’
Although the skill was already blocked once, Kang Juyeon somehow used it again.
A shield of flames rising around Do Jae-hyun.
But as seen before, [Defensive Flame Skill] was easily devoured by the huge fire.
Boom, Booooooom-!!
Fwoooosh-!!
And the terrible fire attack finally engulfed them.
A deafening explosion sound is heard.
Successive bursts of huge flames.
An overwhelming amount of magic that can be felt by its presence alone.
“Ah, ah…”
Kang Juyeon looked ahead with a desperate face.
The man who single handedly blocked this unbelievable attack.
Do Jae-hyun was silent, not even letting out a small groan…
Lying still without moving his body.
Kang Juyeon could feel his state through the hands grasping him.
That’s why she was more afraid.
Some pains sometimes come…
So agonizingly that one can’t even make a sound.
That’s how Do Jae-hyun is now.
The impact must have been extremely severe, as he was directly hit by the massive fire, far beyond an ordinary attack.
No matter how high his fire resistance and toughness stats are.
That fire was at a level he absolutely couldn’t handle.
Kang Juyeon couldn’t even imagine how much pain he was in.
‘No, no…’
Kang Juyeon inwardly cried out.
Deep regret pierced her heart.
If she hadn’t followed him.
If he had gone through this trial alone…
Perhaps he wouldn’t have suffered like this.
Wasn’t it all because of her own greed?
In this extreme crisis situation, she felt like everything was her fault.
Kang Juyeon, who had no physical enhancement runes, and Do Jae-hyun who endured the trial alone while carrying her.
Unnecessary thoughts kept hitting her head.
Fwoo- Fwoooosh-!!
And as if scolding her for that,
The fire flared up again.
Too spiteful and merciless an attack.
But she had to block it.
There were no more defensive skills left.
If she took this one, it would really be the end.
‘Please… Something…’
In the endless despair,
Kang Juyeon desperately tried to summon her energy.
But there was nothing she could do.
[Defensive Flame Skill] was devoured by the flames no matter how many times she used it, and she didn’t have any other defensive skills to use.
Even though she had newly awakened and obtained the legendary rune [Eternal Flame of Protection], she couldn’t properly utilize the rune.
Whenever she tried to use her abilities, she was somehow blocked and restricted, and she had difficulty drawing out the true defensive power that the ‘protection’ name implied.
She vaguely realized that in addition to just obtaining the rune, there were other awakening conditions required, but she couldn’t figure out what those conditions were.
That was the reason for Kang Juyeon’s current helplessness.
‘Jae-hyun…’
She was resentful of her own self.
What does it matter that she’s the top prospect in the country, or an A-grade Holder?
She has been praised and expected a lot throughout her career, but when the most important moment came, she couldn’t do anything.
The person she loves and cherishes the most.
The one who made her most honest with her own feelings.
The person she fell in love with for the first time in her life.
She couldn’t even protect that precious person.
What meaning do all those honorifics have?
‘I’m sorry…’
Despair turned to frustration, and frustration to resignation.
Sinking deep into regret and self-deprecation, Kang Juyeon’s heart fell into an endless abyss.
Like this…
Accepting everything like this.
She only thought it would end miserably.
But then.
“…Kang, Juyeon…”
A voice came from the motionless man.
Full of a metallic sound, and hoarsely cracked, but definitely Do Jae-hyun’s voice.
“Jae, Jae-hyun…!”
Kang Juyeon called him in surprise.
She thought he had fallen into a critical state, but fortunately he was able to speak.
He slowly loosened the embrace around his body.
And grabbing her shoulder with a trembling hand, he managed to let out his voice.
“…Keep, fighting… *cough*.”
“What…Did you say?” Kang Juyeon asked again, not clearly hearing the words.
What did he want to say?
In a crisis situation where the flames could strike at any moment…
What did he want to say?
With that question, Do Jae-hyun responded with a faint smile.
And he delivered one sentence.
“…Can you keep fighting? I… need your strength.”
“……!”
At those few words,
Kang Juyeon’s body instantly became as stiff as a stone statue.
That was…
an unforgettable sentence.
-Kang Juyeon. Can you keep fighting? I need your strength.
<Forest Covered by Snakes>.
Together with him, they hunted the boss of that dungeon.
At the time when she thought everything was over, in that desperate situation.
Do Jae-hyun, showcasing his amazing abilities, single-handedly opened a way out.
He had said the exact same thing then.
The exact same…
He had reached out his hand to her.
-Let’s go.
Looking at him, the moment her heart started racing for the first time.
The moment she might have fallen for him.
Even then, he had believed in Kang Juyeon.
Without hesitation, he had asked her for help.
Despite his own innate power and abilities being overwhelmingly superior…
He didn’t doubt that a comrade would help him overcome the ‘trial’.
“…Cough!”
And it is the same now.
Even after fighting his body to shreds…
And the result was despair, yet she was about to give up.
When the one and only comrade, the Holder who was her lover, couldn’t do anything…
And she was blaming herself, about to surrender.
He did not give up.
He was still reaching out his hand to Kang Juyeon.
She didn’t believe in herself, but…
Do Jae-hyun had always believed in her.
“…….”
Kang Juyeon blankly looked at his figure.
The man smiling at her like a fool.
His appearance was as wretched as the ashes left by the fire, but…
In that moment,
He shone more brilliantly than anyone else.
The man she loved was such a wonderful person.
So Kang Juyeon swallowed the falling tears and…
Smiled at him.
“…Okay!”
That was undoubtedly…
The brightest and most beautiful smile Kang Juyeon had ever had in her life.
[Your unwavering determination and the earnest request of the Knight resonate like a wish. Fragments of forgotten memories flow in, tracing the circle of recurrence. The sacred covenant that had long remained as an ancient trace now shines with light once more!]
[Obtained the new rune ‘Trace of the Dragon Clan’.]
[Gained 6 points each in magic and Willpower from the rune’s affinity.]
[All limitations on the legendary rune ‘Eternal Flame of Protection’ have been unlocked, as all special conditions were met. You are newly awakened to the true power of this rune.]
[‘Eternal Flame of Protection’ rune level has increased. … …]
[Understanding of all existing ‘fire’ increases dramatically. Gained 10 points each in magic and fire resistance.]
Numerous information windows popping up suddenly.
Booooooom-
Fwoooosh- Fwoooosh-!!
And as if keeping a promise.
The approaching flames.
Kang Juyeon briefly closed her eyes to hold back those flames, then gently embraced her boyfriend.
And.
When she opened her eyes again,
“Blaze endlessly.”
The gaze of Kang Juyeon towards the incoming fire attack was coldly hardened.
