Chapter 551

Jinseong quietly gazed at the pillar of fire.

A pillar of fire that started from the first floor and rose all the way to this level.

The top of the pillar touched the ceiling, and like water pouring upward, the fire spread in all directions through the ceiling. The writhing flames engulfed the ground, shaping the earth into pathways and forming a pond, while the flames created a pool of fire that flowed along the walls.

Right now, this place was a sea of fire, the belly of fire.

And the starting point.

Wood was burning in the pillar.

The firewood continuously added, aiding the flames in growing larger.

And it wasn’t even fed by someone else; it voluntarily jumped in to fuel the fire.

Ah, how could one not admire such bravery?

Truly admirable and astonishing.

And now, another piece of firewood entered.

Of course, this piece was slightly different from the earlier ones…

But it was certain that it had willingly thrown itself into the pillar of fire.

This too must be a good thing.

However, the answer remained unheard.

Well, it probably didn’t matter.

Just as the charred ship lost its value, what worth could there be for one who had evaporated without leaving anything behind?

*

[ Crackle— Crackle— Crackle— ]

Pop.

Crisp pop.

Lucas watched.

Despite the overwhelming noise that could tear one’s ears, and the scorching heat and blinding light…

He saw it clearly.

[ Crackle— Crackle— ]

Another being had ambushed him.

It was a presence that resembled a killer robot from a sci-fi movie, now dead.

He pressed the walkie-talkie, buzzing with noise, against his ear like a phone, and moved as if he understood the loud, nerve-wracking crackling and high-pitched sound as commands.

He closed his eyes.

With a figure so striking that one shouldn’t dare take their eyes off, he shut them.

Then, like a boar that couldn’t contain its rage, he charged at the wall, changed direction, and dashed…

He repeated that over and over.

…Then he jumped into the pillar of fire.

Ah.

What a ridiculous and horrifying sight it was.

Even more so than when the fanatics had thrown themselves into the flames.

The fanatics were quickly engulfed in flames.

Who knows what temperature that pillar of fire reached, but it consumed their bodies and turned them to ash.

Or did they even become ash? It’s questionable as they vanished without a trace, like evaporation.

But the man was different.

Was it the machine inside him?

The man slowly burned, just like a robot melting in a movie’s molten lava scene.

The flesh and muscle that formed the person burned immediately, while the metallic machine part melted away. Unlike the fanatics who had disappeared in an instant—this was clear enough for Lucas to witness.

It felt surreal, yet the sweet smell and the scent of burning flesh brought him back to reality.

That feeling was truly disgusting.

It felt like a nightmare suddenly turning real.

Furthermore, what was more terrifying was the expression the man had while burning.

Relief.

Relief blossomed on that man’s face.

Like someone who had escaped from a dangerous place.

As if, after enduring all hardships, he returned home.

Like someone smiling as the rain finally cleared and the sun shone through.

That man was surely smiling.

That smile wasn’t about giving up something or welcoming death calmly.

It was the expression of one who dreams of a future.

An expression of one who knows the joys of everyday life.

An expression made by those who want to engage in hobbies that can enhance their lives.

That was the expression…

To smile while being consumed by flames.

To have that expression while burning alive.

Instead of howling in pain, to have such an expression…

The sight that would never be forgotten, even in dreams… it was truly hard to describe.

And this sentiment wasn’t unique to Lucas alone.

“…Damn.”

There was another who hadn’t thrown himself into the fire.

A warrior.

The warrior had a look of horror on his face as he stared at the pillar of fire.

Yet, he rolled his eyes, glancing back at Lucas, tilting his head slightly.

No, correction.

He was glaring.

With a clear sense of hatred.

With a gaze that seemed ready to tear into Lucas’s throat at any moment.

But the man couldn’t charge at Lucas.

His body was not in a state to do so.

He hadn’t been captivated by the flames nor thrown himself into the fire.

But how pitiful that was.

He had no interest in the fire, yet the fire held great interest in him.

The fire spread all around, engulfing the man, leaving him with terrible burns.

Whatever nature the flames possessed, and whatever temperature they reached, they incapacitated him in an instant.

His hands and gloves melted together, preventing his fingers from opening.

Muscles burned or melted away, leaving him unable to move his legs properly.

Moreover, the weapons he had brought were also engulfed, melting away or merging with other items, turning into trash, and rendered utterly unusable.

Thus, the warrior was rendered powerless.

So utterly, trivial even.

As if to declare that the time he spent sharpening the blade of revenge held no value at all.

As if to shout that his life was utterly worthless…

But.

“Somehow, he didn’t get captivated. Though his physical state wasn’t high, his spirit far surpassed him. If his body could follow his spirit, he could have achieved greatness.”

There was one who approached, as if understanding his worth.

He spoke as if saying the warrior’s life held value, praising his spirit.

Bearing an expression that respected the warrior, with no hint of mockery or ridicule on his face.

Only praise for the one with outstanding spirit.

That was all that existed.

But ironically, that existence that respected the warrior was…

“A shaman…”

The very one who had turned the warrior into this state, the one who had obstructed his rightful actions.

The details—were unclear.

Those who had thrown themselves into the flames earlier might know, but the warrior didn’t know the shaman well.

He only knew that Lucas had hired a shaman.

“Did you come to protect Lucas…?”

It was absurd.

Having heard tales of the shaman wielding strange powers, he had waited until he left to avoid unforeseen variables. Disguised as a homeless person, he observed the building constantly and dashed in as soon as he realized he had disappeared.

And yet, this was the outcome.

Wasn’t this like a rat jumping into a trap?

So utterly ridiculous… ah.

It felt hollow.

How hollow it was.

To dig such a perfect trap to sift out those targeting Lucas. Was it Lucas’s scheme? Or the shaman’s? Damn it.

The warrior glared at the shaman.

A youthful face stood before him.

If it weren’t for Lucas, would he have never encountered such a grandson whose life was ruined?

With that kind of appearance, he would surely be a Junior High student.

“Yeah. It’s regrettable that I can’t take revenge, but damn it. After being so completely played, what can I do?”

The warrior closed his eyes.

If only he could move his hands, if only he could move his legs.

If only that tightly blocked path could miraculously clear up, and he could slice Lucas apart.

If that were possible, he would have fought back…

But his body was utterly incapable of doing so.

What could he accomplish in such a body?

There was only one thing he could do.

Simply accept defeat quietly.

“Damn, I used to cringe every time I heard about the warrior’s demeanor. And now I die like this.”

He waited for Jinseong’s touch with his eyes closed.

For the flames to burn him away.

For him to use the incomprehensible shaman magic to take his life.

Yet no matter how long he waited, Jinseong would not take his life.

Instead, he moved his fingers to lift his eyelids, making him look up, smiling as he asked.

“You have a wish.”

That smile resembled that of an evil being.

“What do you desire by visiting this place?”

It felt as though he was witnessing the wicked genie that appears when rubbing a lamp.

Thus, the warrior had no choice but to answer the shaman’s question.

“…Revenge against Lucas.”

And the one who heard that wish laughed.

As if saying that was not a difficult request at all.

And then he stood up and began to walk towards Lucas.

Ah, about that figure, the warrior couldn’t help but follow with his gaze.

He moved his eyes, tilted his head.

Enduring the approaching pain and the cracking sensation from his stiff joints, he watched Jinseong as he approached Lucas…

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