Dancing on the golden ashes

I had no time to lose. The massive, tentacle-like black whips lashed out at me in an instant. One grazed my left leg, and I gasped as a searing pain shot through me. The energy was corrosive, potent enough to melt steel if given the chance. I knew that if it fully wrapped around me, it would be game over.

I split into four in an instant. After my level-up, my Shadow Parade had reached level 8, granting me an additional clone. Not only that, but now each clone could wield 50% of my total power. If they could ever reach 100% one day... how unstoppable would that make me? But even at 50%, it was already a game-changer.

I sent my clones charging at him, weaving through the lashing tentacles with beautiful, almost effortless athleticism. Each time he tried to strike one of them, they soared gracefully through the air, their wings radiating intense heat and power.

When they closed the distance, all four clones activated Soul Shackle, completely sealing his movements. The moment was mine—I had my opening.

"What the hell is this power?" His body struggled to move, finally, his face held a tinge of fear.

I moved as quickly as lightning, streaking down from the sky. My scythe danced, bluish runes igniting, sending a refreshing wave of healing energy through me, which was only extremely minor, as sharp jet-like water swirled around the blade, rotating in circles along its edge. The energy coursed through my veins, revitalizing my strength, and I could feel my confidence growing.

CLANG!

A mocking smirk burst to life on his lips. My blade met his neck with a metallic sound, and to my disappointment, an impenetrable darkness enveloped where I struck making my arms tremble as if I had struck steel. It didn't budge at all, sending shivers through me. It was as if I had hit an unyielding wall, and I felt the despair creeping in.

"You're strong, but you've met your match, Gaon... Hahaha!" He laughed, and the shackles that bound him suddenly were forcefully broken apart by a black energy, it had completely corroded my skill.

He burst into maniacal laughter, filled with malice and arrogance. "After I kill you Gaon, I will have enough kills to become a king, I've already slayed one, and you're just my stepping stone to greatness! The tentacles were quickly rushing back from the sky to attack me, his staff shone even brighter in darkness as if directing everything.

That staff of his... I don't like how it's constantly emitting that black light. If I had to guess, that's the source of his power.

"Aren't you confident..." I said coldly, pushing myself away and distancing myself by at least ten meters. I needed space to plan my next move, to figure out how to break through his defenses. My heart pounded, but I couldn't let him see my hesitation.

"Tell me, why do you struggle to survive?" He licked his lips as he stood up, brushing the dirt off himself. His voice was full of coldness and apathy.

"Just give up. You've suffered enough. I can end your pain here and now. Just accept..." The souls on his staff screamed louder than before, flying into the sky and creating a massive illusory demon. Its sharp fangs and disturbing face gave me chills, as if my soul would instantly be stripped away if it hit me. The air around us grew colder, and I could feel the weight of those souls pressing down on me. It cast a dark veil over Kim Ha-Joon, as if to protect him.

Don't be afraid... my soul is stronger than anybody's. I will not lose. The fire burned inside me, and I dashed again, circling around the demon in the sky. Each attack I launched was filled with different elements as I pushed my Elemental Slash to the limits, testing what worked best on that thing. I wanted to find its weak spot, but no matter what I tried, nothing could seriously hurt it. It was as if the demon's entire body was incorporeal, all of my attacks just passed through.

"Give up and let me take your soul. It will decorate this beautiful staff, embedding you forever in my memory." Kim Ha-Joon's words were dripping with twisted delight, and I could see the hunger in his eyes. If nothing else works then...

Your journey continues with empire

The illusory demon moved, its movements quick, almost unnoticeable. The only reason I barely dodged the first claw attack was because of my future sight, which Kim Ha-Joon finally noticed. His face revealed a wild, untamed smile that was up to no good. His eyes glinted with a dangerous curiosity, as if he had just discovered something new to exploit.

"Nice! Dance for me more! Even if you can see into the future, it will all be futile in the end!" he taunted, his laughter dripping with mockery.

But his mirth was short-lived. His laughter faltered as spheres of darkness materialized, creeping toward him with sinister intent and slipping effortlessly through the black veil he had conjured.

"What's thi—?!"

His words were cut short, the realization dawning too late.

BOOM!

The spheres detonated with a sudden burst, finally breaking through his defenses and inflicting a slight injury beneath his tunic. The illusory demon froze in place for just a moment—a fleeting hesitation, but enough to make him falter.

Let's see how strong this thing is. I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. I pressed forward, pouring every ounce of my soul power into my next attack.

Soul bite!

Massive illusory teeth materialized above me, descending with terrifying speed to engulf the demon entirely. The air quaked under their looming presence, and for a heartbeat, time itself seemed to freeze as the jaws closed in.

This is killing me! Fuck! My head!!!

In that instant, a massive headache hit me, a flood of memories rushing through me—people that Kim Ha-Joon had killed, each of them thanking me for freeing them from endless torture while also promising not to hurt me.

Stay yourself! Stay yourself Gaon!

It was an experience like no other, a feeling of taking in so many souls instantly and using them as nourishment. It was both pleasant and disturbing, but I guess sometimes life has ups and downs and it was the moment of pure luck crashing on me. My soul energy suddenly skyrocketed and I felt something inside my soul cracking as if the old rusty lock was unlocked.

CRACK

Power surged through me, igniting every nerve in my body. My senses sharpened, my vision crystal clear as the world around me seemed to slow to a crawl.

And then it happened—I could feel the world itself. It was indescribable, a sensation that defied words. My skin tingled, each pore alive with awareness. It was as if the very air pulsed with energy, flowing in invisible currents around me, brushing against my being like a whisper from another realm.

Each breath I took felt invigorating, a rush of vitality coursing through me. I could feel my body growing slightly stronger with every inhale. The fire under my command surged in intensity, its power doubling in an instant.

Then, like a spark igniting in my mind, a new technique revealed itself: "Five Paths of Fire; Path 1: Birth." The knowledge flowed into me effortlessly, embedding itself as if I had always known it. Instinctively, I understood how to wield it, the potential of its power burning brightly within me.

In a spark, everything around me ignited with golden flames, painting the dark sky in gold. My flame was no longer dark, as my fire energy supremely overpowered the darkness inside my soul. It burned in a golden color, bringing the feeling of life, but also a great destruction. The flames danced around me, radiant and full of warmth, instantly destroying the veil around the Kim Ha-Joon.

"First step... Spark," I said calmly, my voice steady as I raised my left hand, aiming directly at the spot where he stood.

In that instant, the flames burst to life around Kim Ha-Joon, burning him with intense heat.

"Ggghhhhaaaa!" His screams tore through the air, raw and primal, as if the very demon within him was being consumed by the flames alongside his flesh.

His voice echoed through the battlefield, a mixture of rage and pain. The golden flames engulfed him, their light reflecting in his eyes, which now held a glimmer of fear. For the first time, I saw uncertainty in him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He staggered back, raising his staff in a desperate attempt to shield himself from the flames. Black light pulsed from its tip, flickering as if struggling against the inferno. I didn't relent. The fire roared louder, each wave more powerful than the last, devouring everything in its path.

I felt my soul energy draining fast, each second pulling me closer to the edge of exhaustion. But it didn't matter—I was closing in on my goal. His defenses were crumbling, and soon, he'd be dead.

My heart thundered with determination—this was my chance. For everything he had done, for every humiliation I had endured, I wouldn't let him recover. The golden flames surged, unyielding, devouring the darkness around him.

Kim Ha-Joon's screams grew fainter, his body trembling as the force of my attack consumed him. The golden flames raged on, relentless, until the shadows were obliterated, leaving behind only ash and dust. I stood motionless, my breath ragged, my eyes fixed on the spot where he had been moments ago.

The silence that followed was deafening, an oppressive void filled only by the acrid scent of scorched earth and the faint crackle of dying embers.

I lowered my hand, the flames gradually dying down. But suddenly, a demonic laughter echoed from where the ashes were resting.

FOOM!

With a burst of dark flames, he reappeared, as if nothing had happened to him. He rolled his shoulders as if shaking off an inconvenience, looking at me with a playful smile.

"How..."

"What happened? Are you scared now? You'll never be able to kill me, you foolish slut!" At that moment, I remembered Soo-Ah's words when she said he was immortal... The realization weighed heavily on me, but it only fueled my determination further.

"Then let me kill you until you forget how to resurrect!" I said calmly, but my battle spirit blazed like wildfire, more intense than ever before.