Ch. 194 - Everything is Frozen (8)

Chapter 194: Everything is Frozen (8)

Fire.

Energy that produces light and heat.

It’s the most crucial element, the source of everything in this world, yet it couldn't be properly controlled even with magic.

It could only be used to ignite and explode, attack enemies, illuminate surroundings, or forcibly drive other mechanisms.

But now, it was different.

"This is the true flame..."

Hong Bi-Yeon felt she could understand the true definition of fire that no one in history had ever grasped.

The flame danced along the path of her moving palm, and when she gently touched it with her index finger, a butterfly of flames fluttered.

Something no one had ever done before.

Therefore. It was an even greater feat.

"I can do this."

‘I am the flame, and the flame is me.’

She immersed herself into the core of the world, became one with the fire, and manipulated it as if it were her own extension. It felt entirely natural.

It was rather a joyful and fantastic experience. Who else could have such a mystical experience?

Only she could do this.

‘Just a little more…’

‘If I embrace this mystical sensation a bit more, I feel I can completely understand the true essence of fire.’

… That was the plan.

-No! Stop!

"Ugh!"

Zap!

At the sharp voice ringing in her head, Hong Bi-Yeon snapped out of her thoughts and opened her eyes.

The sensation of the flame embracing her body evaporated into thin air.

'... What are you doing?'

-You can't go any further.

The voice of Fire Incarnation spoke in a calm tone for the first time.

-You are still too young and weak to grasp that enlightenment. If you, at your current level, attain the 'truth'... you will become fire and be extinguished.

‘Now... What do you mean by that? Before, you told me to go wild.’

-That was because I wanted you to be annihilated. I deeply loathe Adolevit to my very bones. Ha, even though I don't have bones!

Hong Bi-Yeon tightly closed her eyes. She wanted to grasp that truth from a moment ago again, but it had already fled far away and showed no intention of returning.

Though it was unbearably painful and agonizing, there was now no way to get it back.

-Just bear with it a little longer. It won't be long. You will be able to grasp it again. I assure you. Even 'Adolevit,' the disciple of the Progenitor Mage, couldn't do it... But you can.

'... Why?'

-Because I am a fragment of Scarlet Summer Moon and the Fire Incarnation. Thus, I can assure you. You will... find me again someday.

At those words, Hong Bi-Yeon was momentarily dumbfounded.

-It would be such a waste for you to disappear here. Ha... Damn. I never thought the day would come when I'd save a human.

It seemed to grumble a few more times, then spoke directly to Hong Bi-Yeon in a calm voice.

-Listen well, little Adolevit. The flame that slumbers within you will soon burn you painfully. You can't endure it as you are now. Therefore, you must expel it all outside immediately. Can you do it?

'That is...'

-It's perfect timing. There's a huge piece of kindling right in front of you. Let's burn that!!

Hong Bi-Yeon slowly turned her gaze to the Pirate King, Black Belize.

Behind his towering figure, taller than a mountain, a massive spike of ice was growing.

Although she did not know of it, she instinctively understood.

When that spike touched the sky... this entire vicinity would be covered in ice.

It must be stopped before then.

"...Can I do it?"

Hong Bi-Yeon gradually ignited the flames. Although the sensation of becoming one with the fire was mostly gone, thanks to the help of the Fire Incarnation, she felt a surge of explosive energy coursing through her body's meridians for the first time in her life.

-The best thing to do is to gouge out that guy's eyes with this flame and then run. With your current strength, you can't defeat him.

'...'

-Damn, it's such a pity. If you were just a bit stronger, I could share more of my flame with you.

'It doesn't matter.'

Whoosh!

With flames ignited in both hands, Hong Bi-Yeon soared high into the sky. Though she had never formally learned flight magic, she understood its principles.

Using the wings of flame unfurled by the Flower of the Fire Spirit, flying freely was a piece of cake.

The Pirate King slowly followed Hong Bi-Yeon’s movements with his gaze and then spoke in a deep, resonant voice.

-Do not resist.

"... My life has always been all about resistance."

Having lived her whole life resisting, how could she stop now just because someone told her to?

Hong Bi-Yeon’s eyes gleamed sharply as she launched the flames with all her might.

… Immediately afterward,

Boom! Boom! Boom!

An enormous explosion—one she could hardly believe she caused—shook the Pirate King's skull violently.

"This, this is...!"

-Ha-ha! How is it? Amazing, right? That's just a small part of my power!!

She gulped. If this level was just a small part, it was hard to believe.

-But handle it carefully. The flames I can provide you are limited. If it looks like your body can't endure it, I'll extinguish the flames immediately. I... don't want you to die.

Hong Bi-Yeon didn't reply and flew even higher. Then, bringing her hands together, she gathered the flames and compressed them into one.

At first, it was about the size of a large cabin, but it gradually shrank to the size of a carriage, then finally reduced to the size of a full-length mirror, emitting an intense light like a small sun.

'Using small spells multiple times is useless.'

As it was the case with her, Inside the Pirate King, the 'Ice Incarnate' was dormant.

The difference was that he could fully control the spirit's power, while she could not.

So, her plan was to land a maximum effective blow to incapacitate him temporarily, then destroy the spike behind him.

The Pirate King simply watched Hong Bi-Yeon as she used her magic.

-You... resemble that woman.

Then, he muttered those enigmatic words and raised his palm to create an ice barrier.

"Too late!"

Hong Bi-Yeon hurled the small sun at the ice barrier with all her might, and immediately, an explosion sent out a tremendous shockwave in all directions.

Boom!

Hmph.

For the first time, the Pirate King, Black Belize, who any attack had never shaken, took a step back.

Watching this scene... people felt hope for the first time.

"Is the princess fighting the Pirate King...?"

“This is incredible…”

Hong Bi-Yeon did not hold a significant position within the royal family.

Although it was known that she was a genius, compared to the numerous achievements of Hong Si-hwa, she fell far short, and her cold and detached personality made her difficult to approach.

Moreover, she grew up being inherently disliked by the Queen, making it difficult for anyone to get close to her even if they liked her easily.

The Third Princess was firmly hated by the Queen.

Was there anyone within the palace who didn’t know this fact?

Thus, following the Queen’s orders and the palace’s atmosphere, people despised and loathed Hong Bi-Yeon. It became such a norm that no one questioned it.

However, upon reflection, despite all that, Hong Bi-Yeon lived on. She did not give up, and by fully displaying and utilizing her talents, she finally stood in that position.

She was fighting against the vengeful spirit of the Pirate King, whom even the Queen couldn’t supress.

Boom!!

The magic of Hong Bi-Yeon and the Pirate King was each at least of the Class 8 level, so the shockwaves created each time they collided were beyond what any ordinary mage could withstand.

In some ways, it might look like they were evenly matched, but unfortunately, Hong Bi-Yeon soon reached her limit.

-Hey, be more careful, the flames you have been granted aren’t unlimited.

‘… I know.’

She couldn’t help it.

Those flames weren’t hers.

Since they were borrowed from the Fire Incarnation, she had to use them sparingly and cautiously, but to find an opening against the stronger Pirate King, there was no other choice.

'There's no time...'

Even if the Pirate King fell here, once that spike touched the sky, it would be irreversible.

She tightly closed her eyes, repeatedly contemplating. However, no matter how much she thought, the only way was…

While flying in the sky and avoiding the Pirate King’s attacks as much as possible, Hong Bi-Yeon suddenly changed direction.

Towards the Pirate King.

-What, what? Hey, you crazy kid! What are you doing now! Keep your distance! You can't win in close combat!!

The Fire Incarnation urgently tried to stop her, but Hong Bi-Yeon did not halt her charge.

Drawing the trajectory of flames and flying through the air, Hong Bi-Yeon flew to the territory of the Pirate King, where an immense cold wave and ice storm swept over her.

"Ugh...!"

She struggled to attack and endured the dreadful cold, but it was impossible to completely erase the pain.

However, she persevered and endured, and advanced towards the Pirate King.

-You, could it be ....

Only then did the Fire Incarnation realize something and spoke in a bewildered voice.

-Are you thinking of detonating all the flames you have left...?

'...’

Hong Bi-Yeon did not answer.

She had no obligation to praise her for guessing the right answer.

-No, fine. Then you can definitely blow up the 'roots of ice’.......

Some magic required to be attacked from a distance to show its true power, and some magic required to be attacked up close to be more effective.

However, the flames conjured by Hong Bi-Yeon were not exactly magic.

It was just that the flames embedded within her body were taking shape and being emitted according to her knowledge and theories.

However... She had glimpsed a bit of the 'truth' about the flames and knew well.

She knew that the act of forcibly shaping the flames was just a framework created by mages who couldn't properly control the flames.

To show the true power of the flames, it must be burned without any restraint or control.

So she decided not to control it.

She released all the flames of the Flower of the Fire Spirit that were dormant inside her at once.

Then... It would be possible, even for a fleeting moment, to mimic the great magic of a Class 9 mage.

However.

That’s all good.

-… What are you planning to do next?

The Fire Incarnation asked, but Hong Bi-Yeon did not answer.

-Don't tell me you're thinking of doing something as stupid as sacrificing yourself for the country?

-If so, stop it immediately. You are worth more than all the people of this country combined!

‘… Don't talk nonsense.’

Finally. As she reached the nose of the Pirate King, Hong Bi-Yeon stared straight at it.

Despite the sharp blizzard and whirlwind oppressing her, she didn't flinch.

Slowly... But not cautiously, she summoned all the flames within her body.

Even the faint flames she possessed were included.

Fwoosh!

A tiny flame emerged from the massive blizzard. It might seem insignificant, but the fact that a flame blossomed within such a huge storm was extraordinary in itself.

The flame gradually grew in size.

Like an avalanche.

At first, it was only the size of a pebble, but after some time, it expanded to the size of a house, then, in the blink of an eye, to the extent that a whole city could fit within sight... It became a colossal sun.

“Hellfire.”

The ultimate magic of the flame attribute. It would burn until the enemy was annihilated.

-This is...!

Because it wasn't magic, it erupted without casting or preparation, catching even the Pirate King off guard.

-That’s sheer madness!!

Unable to anticipate that a weak human could rush here and unleash flames, the Pirate King was greatly shocked and attempted to cover Hong Bi-Yeon with ice.

However, before the ice could touch her, it all melted away.

Kwoong!!

The obsidian bones protecting the Pirate King's heart melted in the fire, flames engulfed his jaw, and his lower body was so numb that he couldn't maintain his balance.

Still... The Pirate King didn’t fall. It was unimaginable that such a level of explosion'd bring him down.

Having stolen the artifact of the Blue Winter Moon, and completely assimilating with the ice spirit within, he now possessed the power equal to or greater than a Class 9 mage after a thousand years.

He spoke to Hong Bi-Yeon with glowing eyes.

-Foolish deeds indeed. Even in that aspect, you resemble that woman.

Although he suffered great damage, the Pirate King didn’t fall.

In contrast, the frail human mage would perish by the flames she unleashed herself.

Even if not, there was no way the Pirate King would let go of her. She was already within his grasp.

However, from the beginning, Hong Bi-Yeon’s aim wasn't the Pirate King.

It was the source of calamity.

The roots of that ice desired to cage the world in eternal frost.

'...'

Hong Bi-Yeon closed her eyes.

She controlled the direction of the Flower of the Fire Spirit’s flame for the last time.

… And in an instant, an explosion reverberated.

Then silence.

No noise could be heard anymore.

-What have you done...!

The bewildered voice of Pirate King Black Belize resonated thunderously. The spear of Hellfire she created successfully pierced through his defenses, completely severing the roots of ice that were growing behind him.

-... But now, it's over.

The faint voice of the Flower of the Fire Spirit brushed past Hong Bi-Yeon’s ear.

By severing the roots of ice, the calamity could be stopped. There would no longer be the impending eternal winter upon the world, but...

The Pirate King still lived. And he was genuinely furious at Hong Bi-Yeon.

For the Flower of the Fire Spirit, the fact that she couldn't do anything in this desperate situation was extremely painful.

For the first time in her life, she met a human she wanted to save.

Someone who, beyond Adolevit, could truly understand the essence of 'fire'.

-There's nothing I can do...

The roar of the Pirate King echoed throughout the world. Such was the impact that the clouds transformed into a donut shape, and all the floating stars in the sky retreated.

Hong Bi-Yeon knelt amidst the catastrophe and looked up at it.

The sky was blue.

It was a night when the constellations were exceptionally beautiful.

-You've exhausted all your flames, and there's no way you can oppose him anymore. It's a pity. If only I had met you when you had grown even a little more...

The Pirate King was enraged as he raised both hands.

What was he trying to do?

She wasn’t sure, but even if she did know, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

-Let’s hold on to the spirit of sacrifice for the country. It was a brief but enjoyable time, descendant of Adolevit.

The Fire Incarnation seemed to bid a bitter farewell, but whether it was her misunderstanding or not, Hong Bi-Yeon chuckled and shook her head.

"Why do you keep saying such things? I still don't want to die."

-What?

She has a clear goal. She had a reason to live.

Because she had to be happy in the future.

Self-sacrifice?

Would she do such a stupid thing?

Hong Bi-Yeon was just a independent girl traveling her whole life to find her own happiness.

-Then why... did you do such a reckless thing if you don't want to die?

The Flower of the Fire Spirit was about to ask in astonishment.

Suddenly...

Auroras spread across the sky. Clouds above where Pirate King Black Belize stood parted, and columns of mysterious light struck down.

And there.

A boy appeared.

Tattered and torn, but unmistakably wearing the Stella uniform. Though he was just a dot from this distance, Hong Bi-yeon recognized him faster than anyone else.

"...You’ve finally arrived."

Holding a long, blue spear in one hand, he was desperately falling toward them.

The mysterious spear left a trail of blue light wherever it moved, making his descent look like lightning striking very slowly. Even in the midst of this tense moment, the sight was so beautiful that it left one in awe.

'Yes... I knew you'd come like this.'

She had no intention of dying. Even if she did something reckless, she knew he would come if she succeeded.

Flash!

The blue beam falling from the sky pierced through the Pirate King's heart in an instant, and a sudden flash burst, painting the whole world white.

Amidst that world, Hong Bi-Yeon could finally smile.

"I... am still alive."

There was only one piece of evidence which assured her that she was alive.

At this moment, she truly felt happy.

The waves of happiness flooded her chest intensely.

She was alive.

And she would live tomorrow as well.

Because tomorrow would be happier than today.

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