[…]
The atmosphere became frozen as the smile fell from the Lightning God’s face.
Yang In-hyun, who was just watching from the side, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Despite being near death, the Lightning God’s aura was still uniquely intimidating.
Was it because the Lightning God’s body was still mostly uninjured?
It wasn’t something that was possible simply because of his inherent power. Instead, it was the presence, experience, and sheer existence that the beings known as Rulers had accumulated over the years. It was these elements that caused them to naturally exude such an atmosphere.
As a result, they had the ability to dominate the atmosphere of an area simply by changing their expression.
‘This guy is dangerous.’
This thought kept popping up. Yang In-hyun had to constantly resist the urge to chop the Lightning God’s neck. For him, a promise took precedence over his urges.
[You overestimate yourself, Lukas Trowman… I can see what you’re thinking. The current me can withstand the Lightning God’s mental control. And even if I can’t, it would still be possible to drive him out of my head. So first, I’ll take the Lightning God out of Lee Jong-hak’s body…]
“…”
[It’s a clumsy idea.]
At the cold voice, the smile on Lukas’ face disappeared. Did he read his mind accurately? He couldn’t tell. That was why Yang In-hyun couldn’t help but feel interested.
These two seemed to be intertwined in a very complicated relationship, and now, they were locked in a battle of wits that he couldn’t grasp.
Rather, the mysterious Wizard, Lukas, was provoking the other to enter his body.
And the Thunderous Lightning God was showing a ridiculous reaction to his attitude.
But one thing was clear. In this battle, the winner and loser would clearly be divided. And neither side seemed to believe that they would be the loser.
‘I’m curious.’
Which of these two would gain the upper hand?
“Your tongue seems to be uncharacteristically long right now. Are you uncertain? Are you afraid that you wouldn’t be able to rule me?”
[That’s a clumsy provocation but, right. I’ll respond to it. Because that is the dignity of the strong.]
Lukas smiled at those words, but his palms were slick with sweat.
Now.
The bait had been cast. Everything up to this point was within his calculations. This was because he knew a Ruler would never be able to ignore provocations under any circumstances.
However, everything going forward was uncertain. Not even Lukas, who was setting the trap, was certain of the outcome.
Lukas turned to Yang In-hyun. He might not have understood the entire situation, but he continued to maintain a contemplative attitude without making any further comments,
“I will now allow the Lightning God to enter my body.”
“That seems to be the case.”
“If it looks like he is going to control me, kill me.”
Yang In-hyun nodded.
“I thought so.”
It was Yang In-hyun’s job to eliminate every threat towards Flower Mountain.
And Yang In-hyun knew.
Just how terrible of a being the Lightning God would become if he were to gain control of Lukas.
It couldn’t be compared to giving wings to a tiger. It would probably take three of the Twelve Void Lords working together to fight him on equal footing. He had absolutely no intention of letting such a being roam free.
If there was even the slightest hint of it, Yang In-hyun would cut off Lukas’ head without a moment’s hesitation.
[You’re talking right in front of me.]
“It was an obvious conversation. It wasn’t worth hiding. Or is it more polite to not have secret conversations in front of a Ruler?”
[…you’ve changed.]
The Lightning God murmured.
[You are a very versatile being, Lukas Trowman… It is amazing, I have never seen a being change as violently as you, especially after becoming an Absolute.]
“…”
[Even Sedi Glaston, no, Sedi Trowman. Even after she fell from her position, her consciousness still remained that of an Absolute. And yet, she began to change after becoming involved with you.]
“Perhaps.”
Lukas spoke quietly.
“You will change too.”
[…]
“From now on, you will be involved with me.”
[…ku… kuhahaha.]
The Lightning God let out a laugh.
[Indeed… Then I will fix you. I will preserve you in the most perfect form I can think of. Now, then.]
The Lightning God spoke.
[Prepare yourself.]
Huu… Lukas took a deep breath. Then, he let down the barriers around his mind. This was to make it easier for anyone trying to break in.
Crackle!
Something like a bolt of lightning shot out of Lee Jong-hak’s body. The blue lightning took on a spear-like shape before piercing into Lukas’ body.
“…!”
It felt like his entire body had been pierced by lightning, but it was actually just his mind. As he had this thought, Lukas’ consciousness sank.
* * *
Opening his eyes, Lukas looked around. He found himself in the middle of a meadow. Blades of grass that grew up to his ankles swayed pleasantly. It was nighttime, and there were countless stars in the sky above.
“…indeed.”
This was the imaginary world. Lukas nodded before looking directly ahead of him.
There stood another being. He stood there with a bewildered expression on his face before asking.
“What kind of trick is this, Lukas Trowman?”
Was he confused? It was nice to be able to figure it out from his expression unlike the usual. It felt like they were on the same level now.
Smiling, Lukas said.
“You’re at eye level now, Lightning God.”
At those words, the Lightning, who had been given a body, fell silent. In fact, he looked more like a god of lightning or thunder than a human. His body was three times larger than a normal human, and his eyes were ferocious. His hair arced like lightning, and he was holding an axe in one hand.
“This is my imaginary world. It is a place where I can exert my will even more than in a personal space. So I changed your appearance, too. I think it’s going to be a long fight, so I thought it would be better if you looked good, too.”
“…”
“Mm. I guess that is roughly the image I imagine when I think of the ‘Lightning God’.”
“…indeed.”
The Lightning God looked down at himself with a blank expression before a grin stretched across his face.
“This is certainly a unique experience.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Kukuku…”
At that moment, the Lightning God stretched out his hand and reached towards the sky. Krrrr, dark clouds began to gather in the sky. It was a change that could be seen even in the dark night.
Lukas’ expression hardened. Seeing this, the Lightning God laughed even more.
“Are you surprised at how much influence I have on your world?”
“…”
“You seem to have misunderstood that you are the one in control. You think you trapped me in this vessel of flesh. —You’re wrong about everything.”
Woong… A lightning bolt wriggled in the dark clouds above. It sounded as if the lightning was growling. Lukas looked up subconsciously.
“This little body, I can rip it apart and leave right now. It wouldn’t even be hard.”
“…”
“However, I won’t. I don’t really like the gift you gave me. I think it’ll be more effective to crush you with the form you gave me. Now, Lukas Trowman. What fighting style did you imagine I have?”
Just as Lukas had a thought, the Lightning God chuckled.
“Ten Thousand Thunder Claps. Your imagination is poor. However, I’ll accept it.”
Kuok. The Lightning God held out his hand.
Then, ten thousand bolts of lightning struck.
Boom boom boom!
It wasn’t on a scale to be called an explosion. He felt like it could have probably been heard on the other side of the world.
The meadow, which had been engulfed by darkness, instantly lit up.
“Kuk…”
Lukas realised that his corneas had been burned. He hadn’t been hit by it directly, but just looking at it had been enough to make him like this. He willed his eyes to regenerate. This was possible because it was the imaginary world.
Then, he shot countless spells towards where the Lightning God was.
“That won’t even buy you time. Isn’t it time you used a different tactic?”
Just as he felt his presence disappear, he heard a voice behind him.
He didn’t panic. He already knew the Lightning God could travel at extremely high speeds, and that there was a high chance that he would try to go behind him. Paak! The Lightning God’s head snapped upwards to the sky. In an instant, Lukas had crouched down and launched a kick behind him. Of course, since his body was three metres tall, he had no choice but to go in the air to kick him.
When the Lightning God tried to stretch out his arm, he turned his body before kicking him in the side. Chaaak, the Lightning God’s body was sent sliding across the half burnt meadow.
“How does it feel to spit blood?”
“…kuku.”
Without even bothering to wipe his bleeding nose, the Lightning God narrowed the distance.
Rumble*, he moved at a high speed once again. (*: The sound of thunder, I can’t think of a better onomatopoeia)
Bang!
The Lightning God’s axe collided with Lukas’ sword. The Lightning God looked down at the Lukas’ sword curiously, then to the sheath hanging from his waist.
“You transform your body into a wave of lightning. Is the afterimage of a bolt of lightning the trace that couldn’t be erased?”
“It’s a service. Without that sign, you wouldn’t be able to read my movements.”
“It seems you’re still relaxed, Lightning God.”
Lukas smiled faintly.
“The difference in power is obvious. However, keep in mind. Latching on and clinging is a characteristic of Lukas.” (TL: So Lukas is clingy?)
“What?”
The conversation didn’t continue.
Lukas simply hardened his expression and started the full fledged fight.
* * *
Lukas’ declaration had been true.
He was persistent. Much more persistent than he’d imagined. His victory had been clear from start to finish. And yet, he didn’t give up. He stuck to him as if his only goal was to cling to him.
But in the end, that was all.
Lukas’ struggles had only delayed the result slightly.
“You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”
The Lightning God murmured.
“You didn’t really believe you could defeat me, Lukas Trowman.”
He looked at the burning Lukas.
In all honesty, he’d put up more of a fight than he expected, but that was all.
In the end, Lukas hadn’t posed a threat to the Lightning God.
Lukas’ body scattered into ashes. A completely shattered mind was unable to regenerate. This scene meant that the Lightning God had completely crushed his will.
Nevertheless, there was something he didn’t expect. The Lightning God had been unable to spare Lukas. This was because he fought desperately, making it impossible to subdue him as he rushed towards death.
Since his mind had shattered, it would be impossible for him to replicate what he’d done with Lee Jong-hak. And it would be impossible for him to hide his presence as a Ruler.
Perhaps the four Knights would be able to sense him, or perhaps another of the Twelve Void Lords would come to bother him. But that didn’t matter.
After all, this vessel wasn’t a mortal like Lee Jong-hak, but none other than Lukas Trowman. This body would be able to handle his power to a considerable extent.
In other words, the limit to the power he had available had increased drastically. According to his calculations, it wouldn’t be difficult to prevent Yang In-hyun from cutting his head off immediately after he regained consciousness.
Whoosh-
The wind blew and the ashes, which had once been Lukas, disappeared completely.
This imaginary world would now begin to collapse. And the Lightning God’s consciousness would settle into the deepest parts that composed Lukas.
…Just as he had this thought, the Lightning God had a strange feeling.
Wind?
Why was wind blowing?
This world was an embodiment of Lukas’ imagination. Naturally, since Lukas’ consciousness, which could be called the main component, had disappeared, this place should collapse.
The Lightning God looked around. This world showed no signs of collapsing.
Instead, just like a moment ago, a calm wind blew.
[You won.]
It was at that moment that he heard a voice that he shouldn’t have been able to hear.
“Lukas Trowman?”
[At least the 1st round.]
“You’re still conscious? How?”
[Prepare yourself for the next round, Lightning God. You don’t need to take a break, right?]
“Next round?”
Just as the Lightning God asked this question.
Boom!
A spell crashed into his side.
“…mm.”
He hadn’t been prepared for the sudden attack. Shocked, the Lightning God stumbled.
Someone walked towards him.
“I told you. This is going to be a long fight.”
Lukas walked towards him with a smile.
“Do you know what tiredness feels like? If you don’t then you’d better get used to it. Now, then.”
He made a small gesture.
As a result of this, dozens of spells manifested.
“Let’s begin the second round.”
(TL: Swaaaaarm!)
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