Chapter 189 : Chapter 189

Chapter 189 : Phantom Demon, Morosra (2)

Before Bihen stabbed the Heavenly Demon into Rosaria's chest at the altar on the coastal cliff.

At that time, the abandoned port was teeming with crowds.

It was the day the duel between the Ruler of the Port, Alkabang, and Rookie Ellen would take place. Almost all the people of Brakenport had flocked there.

“Alkabang! Alkabang! Alkabang!”

“O Ruler of the Port, may you be eternal!”

People chanted his name like crazy.

Alkabang was popular.

In this place, just the fact that he didn't kill people recklessly was reason enough to be respected.

“Ellen, that bastard is violent despite being young.”

“I heard he grabbed a knife before he even lifted a fork?”

“If by any chance that guy becomes the Ruler of the Port, he won't be able to control his temper and will butt heads with Dayron. Then imagine what will happen.”

“A real bloodbath will blow.”

People even made up rumors to badmouth Ellen.

It wasn't that they hated Ellen himself.

It was just that they were afraid of the changes that would follow if the ruler changed.

Swaaaaaa―

The duel to determine the Ruler of the Port was held on a massive sailing ship that had been docked for a long time.

The ship used to belong to a legendary pirate of Brakenport, and it was a long-standing tradition to hold the duel to decide the Ruler of the Port there.

“It is Alkabang―!”

“Uooooo!”

From one side, Alkabang revealed himself first.

The onlookers went wild.

Cheok―

When Alkabang raised his hand, the noisy commotion stopped abruptly at once.

On the deck of the sailing ship, only the sound of his black coat flapping could be heard.

“Today is a sad day, you maggots.”

In an instant, the crowd murmured.

Someone swallowed their breath, and someone else trembled minutely.

“Because it is the day Brakenport's promising Rookie becomes fish food.”

“……Uoaaaaa!”

In a flash, the port boiled with frenzied heat again.

Alkabang knew how to make the crowd go wild with just a few words.

Then, Ellen appeared from the opposite side.

“Uuuuu―!”

Boos poured out.

Rotten lumps of fruits and vegetables flew in.

“…….”

Ellen didn't say anything.

He moved his steps quietly onto the deck.

Creaking sounds echoed every time he stepped on the old wood.

“E, Ellen! You can win! You are, fuck, an incredibly strong guy.”

Tiaro said urgently. His voice trembled.

Then, McRay, who was next to him, grabbed Ellen's hand abruptly.

“Ellen! If you think you are going to die, surrender unconditionally! If it is you, Alkabang might spare your li……”

“What are you saying, you idiot! Surrender, what kind of fucked up nonsense are you spouting!”

“Then are you okay with Ellen dying?!”

“Why would Ellen die!”

Ellen quietly passed by Tiaro and McRay, who were grabbing each other by the collar and raising their voices.

When he suddenly turned his head, his eyes met with Noser, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

“…….”

Noser tapped his temple with his finger wordlessly.

It meant to empty his thoughts.

Ellen nodded as if he understood.

Waaaaaa―!

When the two people finally stood facing each other on the deck where the duel would take place, cheers close to screams burst out from all directions.

It was to the point where ears were numb.

Ellen and Alkabang stared at each other expressionlessly.

·

·

·

A few days ago, night.

Ellen was lying on the ground with his upper body bare.

His whole body was wet with sweat.

He looked up at the night sky where starlight spread.

His body was heavy as a thousand pounds after finishing special training, but his mind alone was clear like that sky.

“That thing called responsibility―”

Ellen muttered quietly.

Noser looked back indifferently.

“The more I think about it, there is nothing good about it.”

Soon Noser turned around completely.

He had an expression that he would listen to what nonsense he was spouting for now.

“It is just arduous. There isn't really anything to gain either.”

“Responsibility is not a reward. Rather, it is the opposite.”

“……It sucks.”

“Try recalling what you truly want in your heart once. Since you probably won't be able to say it out loud because you are embarrassed anyway.”

At those words, Ellen closed his eyes obediently even though he wasn't ordered to.

The dark sight suddenly brightened up.

A marching song rang out from somewhere.

Spirited strings and drum sounds pulsated.

Shouts were also together.

Inside that, he himself―

I shall lead the world with light!

Was reciting the rules of the Sharon Faction.

‘Heh.’

A faint smile spread on Ellen's lips.

He returned home to Brakenport in glory wearing flashing plate armor.

Splendid flags fluttered in the wind, and cruise ships were floating on the sea in front.

Delicious food smells vibrated in the clean alleys, and children played while laughing.

Merchants were counting gold coins next to them.

Alkabang who became the first Lord, Tiaro and McRay who became wealthy men, even Luke enjoying the rest of his life…….

He watched over them happily.

As a knight of Brakenport.

“The thing called responsibility is, ultimately―”

“…….”

“The price for the imagination you are recalling right now.”

Ellen answered with the corners of his mouth raised.

“Not bad.”

·

·

·

He opened his eyes.

Kiing―!

Ellen drew his sword and rushed in at once. His body sprang up like an arrow.

Flames grazed his pupils.

Chaeng!

Alkabang raised his sword reflexively and blocked.

Sparks flew as the two swords crossed.

Soon the two figures crossed each other rapidly.

Ouuuuu―!

The area shook.

Those who saw their movements properly were rare.

“That Ellen guy, somehow feels like he got stronger in that short time?”

“Does that make sense in a few days? It is just your feeling.”

Ellen drove him without hesitation. Alkabang was busy blocking.

“Ellen―!”

“Is winning―!”

All of Ellen's Gang clenched their fists tightly.

Ellen was pushing him back.

It was a sight hard to believe even while watching.

Tiaro turned his head slightly and looked at Noser.

Noser yawned lazily as if he had no interest in the duel.

‘……That eccentric old man's special training really had an effect?’

These past few days, Ellen rolled literally like a dog under Noser.

It was to the point of being pitiful to watch.

‘Just what did they do…….’

It was then.

Uoooo―!

The crowd's shout refracted as if fluctuating.

Tiaro's head turned sharply again.

Before anyone knew it, Ellen and Alkabang were engaging in a contest of strength with their swords locked.

“You Ellen bastard, you wandered outside so much, but it seems there were results nonetheless.”

Alkabang twisted the corners of his mouth.

“Did you get some elixir from somewhere and suck on it?”

“…….”

“Because it is impossible to become strong suddenly like this!”

Tung!

Alkabang stomped his pivoting foot powerfully.

As he pushed with his whole body, Ellen's balance collapsed and a gap opened in an instant.

“Hueup!”

Alkabang didn't miss the gap.

He raised his sword high above his head.

Kwagak!

The sword struck down and fell right next to Ellen's face.

The deck split from the strike carried with superhuman strength.

Fragments flew noisily.

“Tch!”

Ellen rolled his body to the side quickly and then stood up.

Alkabang hung his sword on his shoulder and laughed leisurely.

“Now there is no next time, Ellen. You know it too. Even if they all look like open-eyed blind people, there are always sharp-witted guys among them.”

Alkabang looked around implicitly.

The surrounding onlookers were all going crazy together as if possessed by something.

“Ellen, if you are also a man of Brakenport―”

Alkabang smiled bitterly.

“Don't resent me too much.”

“Of course.”

“…….”

“Boss did his best.”

Ellen twisted his wrist.

The sword hilt turned half a circle in his grip.

―This is exactly the secret technique of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Kiing!

―Reverse Blade Sword.

The special training began like that. It was bone-carving pain.

Ellen realized for the first time.

That subduing an opponent without taking their life in a duel holding swords is incomparably more difficult than just killing.

Still, he didn't give up.

Because perfectly mastering the Reverse Blade Sword is exactly―

The only way to win without killing Alkabang.

“Bear it a little, Alkabang. Because rather than dying―”

Eyes filled with resolve, not killing intent, burned hot.

“Having your pride hurt once briefly is much better!”

Ellen kicked off the ground.

As the guilt and hesitation that bound him like shackles disappeared, his body was light as if it would fly.

Alkabang set out to respond no differently from before.

Chaeng―!

Two swords collided.

In an instant, Ellen's blade rode down Alkabang's sword tip as if sliding. Sparks scattered dizzyingly.

‘……!’

-Alkabang's eyes opened wide. He realized something was wrong too late.

Peoeok―!

The back of the blade dug deep into Alkabang's abdomen.

A heavy impact sound rang on the deck of the sailing ship.

“Keueup……!”

Alkabang retreated half a step.

Blood didn't come out.

Instead, his breath was blocked.

Clear saliva drooled and his vision spun.

“Don't try to endure it for nothing. I tried it too, and it is more painful the more you do that.”

“Yo, youuu……!”

“Just relax and lie down. When you wake up, everything will be taken care of on its own.”

Alkabang used his sword as a cane to support himself.

He leaned his staggering body.

Ellen's voice and the crowd's shouts became distant gradually.

But why is it?

His body was painful as if it would break right now, but his mind was rather comfortable.

Kung―

Soon Alkabang collapsed.

The area was quiet as if frozen.

Everyone's shocked gazes focused on Ellen.

“Haa―”

Only Ellen's breathing sound rang in the silence.

“Ellen won?”

“Is this real?”

“Wow.”

“Crazy.”

Tiaro and McRay stared at each other blankly.

After something flashed by, Alkabang collapsed.

When everyone couldn't accept reality easily.

Jeobeok― jeobeok―

Footsteps were heard.

It was from the outside of the crowd, from the alleyway where darkness cast over.

People who were nearby turned their heads inadvertently to look, and among them, the faces of a few turned pale white in an instant.

Someone swallowed a scream and walked backward, then fell over just like that.

Jeobeok― jeobeok―

The footsteps kept approaching.

The crowd parted to the left and right.

It seemed like ominous ripples were spreading.

That presence reached even Ellen who was catching his breath in front of Alkabang.

His eyes, which were turning his head slowly, grew larger gradually.

“……!”

Long hair disheveled wildly fluttered dizzyingly in the sea breeze.

He was gaunt as if skin was stuck to bones, but only his belly protruded bulgingly.

Rather than a living person, it looked like a corpse that had endured a long time was walking staggeringly.

In his hand, he was holding a rusty sword loosely.

Ellen's eyes shook.

“……Da, Dayron?”

It was then.

“Uaaaaak!”

A scream burst from one side.

Everyone's gaze moved there.

There was another Dayron.

“Wha, what the……!”

The area murmured greatly.

Below the deck, the dock, alleys, and even on the roofs of buildings, there were Dayrons.

It wasn't one.

They kept appearing from somewhere.

Peogeok!

A short and dull sound of flesh tearing rang.

A man's neck in the crowd was cut halfway and bent to the side.

Blood soaring long into the air fell heavily like raindrops.

Someone let out a short scream.

“Kyaaaak!”

It was an instant.

Shock spread like wildfire.

People pushed each other and fell, running around in confusion.

“…….”

The Dayrons were expressionless.

Only they were silent like the eye of a typhoon.

Red dots stamped on pitch-black pupils headed to one place.

It was on the deck.

“Ru, run away!”

Screams came from all directions.

Even desperate screams were useless.

All sides were already blocked.

Dayrons, and other Dayrons revealed themselves from alleys, roofs, and inside the crowd.

“D, doesn't make sense……, what is, this―”

Ellen muttered.

Dayrons climbed up onto the deck one by one as well.

Black hair was stuck like wet seaweed.

They also looked like bugs the size of humans.

“Protect the Boss!”

Executives of the Alkabang Gang surrounded Alkabang and Ellen.

It was the moment they drew their weapons.

Seogeok!

Johnana's head spun round and round in the air.

Blood and pieces of flesh splattered on Ellen's face.

Ellen froze just like that.

His breath was blocked.

It was a series of incomprehensible events.

[Arrogant and impudent.]

Ellen raised his head abruptly.

A voice was heard, but he couldn't know whose it was.

Even the Dayron right in front didn't move his lips.

Nevertheless, the voice rang from all directions simultaneously.

[I am your master.]

Voices of a man and a woman were being heard as one.

It wasn't human.