ALL NOVEL Chapter 155
Haewolhwa revived her memory.
Just recently, there was an attack on Jinryeong by the Rebel Army.
Outwardly, it was portrayed as a victory for the newcomers of the Cradle who had come to the South for a request, preventing them. Jinryeong was reported to have narrowly avoided complete destruction.
But the reality was a bit different.
The unknown large-scale dark magic that was summoned at that time completely twisted the atmosphere and soil composition of Jinryeong.
It resembled more closely a landscape from some alien world, like the Heavenly Basin where the first practical training for this year’s newcomers took place.
Moreover, it was akin to the same kind of erosion that appeared in various places during the chaos 15 years ago.
With this suspicion, Haewolhwa accompanied the Southern Expeditionary Force and confirmed that the captured rebels repeatedly mentioned a being called ‘the Divine.’
And only now, facing this reality, she could be certain.
The woman before her was indeed the entity that imparted forbidden knowledge to them.
Also, that the nightmare from 15 years ago had not truly ended.
“You’ve done something amusing. A new paradise, a new paradise, huh…”
Haewolhwa said dryly while staring at a woman named Sadalmelik.
“Quite a convincing idea, isn’t it? It perfectly aligns with the rebel scums’ wish to end the age of wizards. With such nonsensical talk, it seems reasonable that they could infiltrate their core in such a short time.”
“…”
The woman continued to gaze at Haewolhwa with a faint smile.
“Seems even mere parasites possess learning capabilities. Certainly more astute than just recklessly smashing things up and instead infiltrating human society.”
“Hmph…”
“However, it’s unfortunate. Before the backdoor work could shine, it was discovered like this.”
Haewolhwa lightly flicked her finger as if to release it.
“If they barely survived, they’d be hiding like a dead rat to survive, but unable to wait, they crawl out again. A bug is just a bug, I suppose.”
“…”
“You do know that even with what you call powerful forces outside the specification, you cannot stand against us, right? Especially not some mere remnants…”
Puhuhuhu…
As Haewolhwa continued her speech, a sudden laugh echoed through the square ruins, as if unable to hold it back any longer.
Unlike her previous tears, this laugh felt quite genuine and solid.
“Well…”
Finally stopping her laughter, the witch opened her mouth as if to tear it apart.
“Haewolhwa. First, there’s something you’re mistaken about.”
Do you…know me?
Haewolhwa frowned.
“We are not the remnants from 15 years ago. We are newly hatched second-generation beings. Sisters are no longer in this world. They’ve all perished at the hands of the Opponent.”
“Remnants…you say…”
Second generation? Sisters?
The monster’s words struck Haewolhwa quite shockingly, but she did not show it and continued the conversation.
At least, they were not stingy with their answers.
“…Sisters. So even mere parasites hold some familial affection?”
“Well, not particularly. It’s merely the most suitable and refined term to refer to prototypes as second-generation…Oops.”
Sadalmelik snatched a passing dragonfly with terrifying eyesight.
She then held its wings and looked around, her eyes sparkling with interest as if seeing a marvelous toy for the first time.
Taking this opportunity, Haewolhwa considered smashing her head but soon dismissed it.
It didn’t seem like she was a target that such a surprise would work on.
Nom nom…Ahem…
The woman chewed on the dragonfly, soon grimacing and spitting it out.
Then, staring at the remains, she continued.
“Second. Unlike sisters who had no information, we’ve already inherited memories and completed our learning. Using their failures as a mirror.”
“…”
“Moreover, we’ve become stronger. The atmosphere of this planet is increasingly transforming to suit us better.”
In the next moment, the witch turned her head to stare at Haewolhwa.
With the gaze of a predator overlooking its prey.
With a mocking smile curled at the corners of her lips.
“Haewolhwa. Commonly known as ‘Haewolhwa of Sloth.’ Born with an unprecedented genius talent that cannot be traced back, yet is called such due to her unique indifference to everything in the world and a lazy attitude that makes her unwilling to step up…”
Continuing to regurgitate words as if she had just shoved a gossip column entirely into her speech.
“Fifteen years ago. Had you not been holed up in the capital, we would have suffered greatly. Without any time to even teach the second generation anything.”
For the first time, emotion flickered across Haewolhwa’s face.
The wicked witch was deliberately picking at her painfully deep mistakes.
It was something she regretted intensely herself.
Due to her indecisive nature, her cherished former disciple lost their beloved in the most horrifying way.
“Indeed. And to avoid repeating that mistake, I’ve come to kill you. Just like this, right now.”
Gradually, a hint of her inner anger began to seep into Haewolhwa’s once flat voice.
Puhuh…Fihihi…Puhuhihihi…
The witch seemed to feel it clearly. However, instead of fear or agitation, the monster was exuding sticky laughter as if reveling in joy.
“And…third.”
Finally ceasing her laughter, Sadalmelik fixed her gaze directly on Haewolhwa.
“Perhaps you think you sought me out on your own. You must have concluded your path of steps to arrive here. You wouldn’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past, just as you’ve mentioned.”
“…”
“But there’s something you need to understand.”
And as the witch spoke, a clear light of turmoil appeared on Haewolhwa’s face.
“You did not find me. I…called for you.”
*
“What…?”
“I deliberately left traces here and there. I had no intention to hide. In fact, I was eagerly waiting for you to discover it.”
The witch’s voice was filled with delight.
“We classified you as the highest-risk category. The top priority for elimination, along with that man, ‘the Opponent.'”
At the witch’s words, Haewolhwa recalled the recent actions of Sa Jaehyeok.
The Magician’s Pact that forbade the clans from fighting among each other.
Sa Jaehyeok had received a heavy penalty, including record annihilation, for breaking it, but the punishment placed upon him had long since concluded.
Yet Sa Jaehyeok continued to wander the outskirts with his companions for over a decade, mercilessly slaughtering demons and warlock criminals as if to release the pent-up frustrations within him.
People assumed the ‘fallen chairperson’ had rediscovered his wild nature, but Haewolhwa was among the few who knew the real reason.
He was seeking the witch’s traces alone.
However, even if she regretted it now, Haewolhwa had indeed placed little significance on his actions.
She thought everything was over. Assuming it was merely the pathological behavior of a man who had lost his cherished lover, she felt nothing but pity for him.
But he, who had been holed up on the northeastern front, had suddenly departed for the eastern ruins, as if he had unexpectedly undergone a change of heart.
As if he had discovered the trace of something desperately sought after.
Just like how she had…come down to the South.
“Don’t tell me…”
Haewolhwa’s eyes shook violently, having utterly fallen into a trap.
Moreover, the circumstances were different now compared to 15 years ago.
The most powerful male magician in history.
Sa Jaehyeok, renowned as the first male magician classified as Category 1, was no longer present.
He no longer possessed the explosive might he once had.
He was no longer a being capable of independently slaughtering witches as he did before, even with his veteran companions by his side.
A tangible touch of death was reaching out toward him.
“Seems you’ve grasped the situation. I’m so glad. I never expected you to enjoy my gift this much.”
Sadalmelik taunted her, maintaining a mocking smirk.
Then, with arms spread wide, she bowed dramatically like a stage performer.
“Welcome. You’ve stepped into your own grave…”
In that moment.
A peculiar sensation swept through Haewolhwa’s body like a ripple of water. It soon spread far and wide.
Dududud…
Haewolhwa looked down at her feet. The broken fragments of asphalt vibrated violently, creating a jarring noise, as if playing the prelude to destruction.
…!
Soon, an uproar arose from the edge of the city. Screams, gunfire, explosions, the sound of metal.
Before long, a crow urgently flew in from the direction of the outpost.
Upon seeing Haewolhwa, the crow began to spill out the voice of the commander with whom she had just spoken.
“Haewolhwa! Urgently requesting support…! Corpses are rising up from all directions to attack our forces! Even our own corpses…Stop them, stop them!”
“Could it be the Authority…?”
Haewolhwa murmured in panic.
That’s impossible. The outpost must be more than a kilometer away from here…
The power they displayed 15 years ago.
A mysterious force that felt like the providence of another world, something that could not be explained by magic.
It was undoubtedly an astonishing power, but it could not be compared to what was happening now. Not in scale or distance.
Is it really true that they’ve become stronger…?
“Wait…what on earth is that…Gaaah…!”
The commander’s words cut off suddenly, as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.
The crow fell to the ground, lifeless, as though it had choked out its last breath.
This meant that the connected owner had died.
The commotion from the direction of the outpost faded almost instantly. An unusual silence enveloped the surrounding atmosphere for a moment.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Then, a massive vibration began to echo from beyond the horizon, akin to a giant drum. Haewolhwa’s face filled with astonishment as she turned toward its source.
The master of the southwestern plains. A variant of Dartigas, designated as a special-grade named monster due to its enormous size.
This was definitely the monster they had confirmed as dead from natural causes that was now moving here, its towering form resembling a mountain.
With half of its skull exposed, it clearly looked like it had perished long ago.
“The power to command corpses…how delightfully gruesome.”
Haewolhwa grimaced slightly. The situation had long since spiraled out of control, yet for some reason, she had regained her composure.
A giant four-legged monstrosity, the size of a building, stared at her with half-rotted eyes. Soon, hundreds of presences emerged, but they were not of the living.
Giant rats, gardeners, Humberts, alligators. The criminals she had disposed of clearly were now shambling about in strange forms.
With skulls exposed, they pressed their feet against the ground, or if that proved too difficult, squirmed like maggots.
Haewolhwa could confirm familiar faces among the corpses surrounding her. The commander of this expedition, the officers, and young soldiers.
Those who had been looking at her with admiration moments ago now wore only cold, expressionless faces.
Puhuh…This is quite a spectacle.
The wicked witch, grinning maliciously, leaped high over the monster’s head.
“Haewolhwa. You’re the impudent traitor trying to obstruct the execution of justice. According to the decree, I, Sadalmelik, solemnly sentence you to death.”
With that, she glared down at Haewolhwa and delivered her death sentence.
“Well then, farewell.”
Her tone was closer to that of mocking clown than a solemn judge.
Seeing this, Haewolhwa let out a light sigh.
“Well…I’m not quite ready to die yet.”
What came to her mind now was something her former disciple had mischievously thrown aside.
“I’m still in my prime.”
Though slightly scratched, it was more tempting than ever, a piece of art.
The kind that could burst like a bubble with just a flick of the tongue, certainly the most exquisite delicacy in the world.
“I haven’t even had a proper taste yet…”
Haewolhwa muttered impassively.
Then, with a flick of her finger, she added.
“If you truly wish to kill me…you’ll have to give it your all.”