Chapter 936

## Chapter 936

***

The True Demon World’s Venomous Demon Castle.

“It seems the fire of hatred has been ignited.”

Kelliark Zippel said, setting his teacup down on the table.

Normally, this was a time when he should have smiled, as Paellito had, as planned, used the sphere of chaotic energy filled with the fire of hatred.

Now Paellito would begin to transform into the evil god, and in the process, devour Zito’s eye and merge with him. Everything was unfolding as Kelliark had planned.

They would take care of Paellito in one fell swoop, and in the process, weaken Zito.

However, the problem is that an unexpected variable has emerged.

[“It seems everything is going according to plan, Sir. But you seem somewhat disappointed… Don’t you, Sir Kelliark?”]

said Kimalos Zippel.

He was the fortieth patriarch of Zippel and had received a new body thanks to Kelliark.

Sitting next to Kimalos were other resurrected Magicians and Kidard Hall. They all watched Kelliark intently.

“It seems you haven’t fully recovered your senses from back then, Sir Kimalos. Haven’t you felt it?”

“Felt what…?”

“Jin Runcandel. He has become the Genesis Knight.”

The listeners’ eyes widened. In particular, Kidard Hall couldn’t contain his anger and trembled. The fact that Jin had become the Genesis Knight meant that his revenge was now definitively out of reach.

[“Wow, the young patriarch of the sword clan has risen to the Genesis Knight!?”]

“That’s right. So, we can’t just rejoice… No, you could say the situation has worsened. Instead of using Paellito, I should have orchestrated a decisive battle between Zito and Jin Runcandel before the latter ascended to Genesis Knight.”

For Kelliark, Jin’s ascension to Genesis Knight was more than unsettling. Jin had always been a variable for him even before becoming the Genesis Knight.

[“The only thing we can hope for now is that he suffers irreparable damage while dealing with the evil god Paellito or Zito… I guess.”]

Kelliark rose from his seat, and the others followed, looking at him.

“I’m going to meet with the members of Ganesto. It seems it’s time to rethink our strategies.”

***

Zippel, Drakka.

Elona had also been observing the change in Jin.

“…Lord Patriarch, the young patriarch of the sword clan has reached the Genesis Knight.”

Veradin felt joy before anything else upon hearing those words. The fact that Jin became a Genesis Knight meant that he wouldn’t die in this battle.

Veradin hid his emotions and made eye contact with Elona. She had keenly noticed the changes that were occurring in Veradin.

“Also, as I suspected, a colossal and ominous power has also awakened. If Jin Runcandel hadn’t reached the Genesis Knight, it’s likely that the Holy Kingdom would have already perished. After that, they would have set their sights on other regions of the human world. I would have had to leave you behind, you and your cursed body, to prevent it… We would undoubtedly have received a significant blow.”

Elona vividly remembered all those scenarios, as if they had actually happened, just like the precognitive dreams that Az-Mil contractors often have.

In that case, Veradin thought that he might have fallen into despair and become a monster after immersing himself in the inner demon. It would have been necessary to end that Veradin to stop him.

‘…I would have also fallen into terrible sadness again. Driven by the pain of having killed the patriarch, I might have become a monster like before and destroyed everything senselessly in my path, just like in the past.’

All that unhappy future had been changed by a person who had just reached the Genesis Knight.

Internally, Elona praised Jin. He had erased another source of despair from the world by transcending his destiny, both for Zippel and for the world.

“Then, Lady Elona, do you now believe that the ominous entity will be defeated by Jin Runcandel, who has become a Genesis Knight?”

“Yes, Patriarch. That ominous entity is undoubtedly formidable to the point that even I would find it difficult to face, but it is not yet complete. It will take time for it to reach its full strength, while Jin Runcandel is already at his peak.”

Veradin smiled unconsciously. That smile mixed feelings of frustration, concern, and a strange sense of relief.

“I’ll need time to catch up… No, will I even be able to catch up?”

“Please don’t get impatient while I’m here, Patriarch. From my experience, strength is just a tool. No matter how strong you are, if you don’t know how to use it, it’s as good as nothing.”

“But I think Jin Runcandel won’t remain ignorant. I’ve never seen anyone who knows what they want better than him.”

“The power of the Genesis Knight is always accompanied by a demonic nature, and that power may not be suitable for your current condition, Patriarch. Let’s focus for now on dispelling the curse.”

“Whether it’s a feeling of defeat or something else… I haven’t felt this peculiar sensation in a long time.”

Veradin and Elona continued to discuss the situation, taking into account the circumstances changed by Jin’s ascension to Genesis Knight.

“Don’t you dislike it?” Elona asked, and Veradin pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

“Not entirely.”

He didn’t express the longing he felt. Veradin remembered those times when he competed in terms with Jin and Dante during his adolescence.

***

“You are definitely strong.”

Human World, confined subspace.

A woman looked down and spoke. The battlefield was littered with the corpses of fallen dragons from the prolonged struggle, and in the midst of them stood a man bathed in their blood.

Lucy Runcandel and Joshua Ganesto.

Both showed no signs of fatigue. Lucy couldn’t directly participate in the battle, and Joshua had faced Lucy’s dragons alone.

“You’ve probably awakened the power of Ganesto’s blood… That power doesn’t suit you. No matter how strong you become, it can never truly be yours.”

“You’ve been talking nonsense for a while now. How many more dragons will I have to kill for you to show your true form? Are you going to keep hiding, even after witnessing the death of so many dragons who consider you their mother? Lucy Runcandel.”

As Joshua spoke, Lucy wasn’t physically in that place. The translucent body floating in the sky was merely a projection, not her real body.

“I had no choice but to temporarily leave this place because of your insistent pursuit. I couldn’t protect my children from the pain they were suffering. However, thanks to the Human World, I’ve understood something.”

“What have you understood?”

“Right now, your younger brother and the distant descendant of me and Runcandel from those times, has finally set foot in the domain that Temar had reached.”

“…What did you say?”

Joshua’s eyes sharpened.

He hadn’t perceived the moment when Jin ascended to Genesis Knight.

“You wouldn’t have even noticed that fact if this place wasn’t a confined subspace. So, that power isn’t yours.”

Joshua raised his head once again, regaining his serene countenance.

“You’re wrong. From the beginning, whether this power is entirely mine or not, it doesn’t matter. That power belongs to all Ganesto. What matters is that all the dragons here today will find their end. Run, if you’re afraid, Lucy Runcandel. Run until there’s not a single dragon left to protect you.”

The instant Joshua responded in that way, light appeared in Lucy’s eyes.

Every time that gaze filled with light touched the fallen dragons, they rose again. Dragon shadows quickly enveloped Joshua.

“If you really want to end my dragons, go and tell Lokia. It’s impossible unless she herself appears. Don’t think I fear someone like you, a descendant who has gained power thanks to the awakening of Ganesto’s blood.”

***

The Black Sea.

Cyron suddenly stopped walking. The members of the expedition team also stopped dead in their tracks upon perceiving the change in Cyron’s behavior.

“Jo, jo…”

Cyron let out a smile, as if he had just thought of something funny.

Ozdock and the members of the expedition team were no longer surprised by Cyron’s smiles. Having overcome his demonic nature, he frequently displayed an amiable character, telling jokes and smiling during his journey through this dark land.

[“Should I prepare a meal, Old Man? Or maybe Ozdock’s signature full-body massage to relieve your fatigue? Ozdock’s entertainment contest? Please, just give me any orders.”]

“I was sure the elder would arrive first, but that boy again gave me a refreshing jolt.”

[“Excuse me? Old Man, what are you talking about?”]

“A great occasion has arrived for the clan.”

[“Great occasion?”]

“Patriarch, it can’t be… has the Young Patriarch reached the Genesis Knight?”

“Yes, indeed. I always thought it would happen someday, but I never imagined that he would surpass his elder sister.”

The members of the expedition team blinked in disbelief.

They couldn’t perceive the birth of a new Genesis Knight like Cyron could. Moreover, the fact that a clan had two Genesis Knights in the same generation was almost inconceivable.

What’s more, according to what Cyron said, it didn’t seem like it would stop at just two. Cyron was sure that Luna would also become a Genesis Knight.

If that happened, the Runcandel clan would have a total of three Genesis Knights.

It was a power that no other faction in history had ever possessed. Even in the golden age of the Legend Tribe led by Vahn, there was only one Genesis Knight.

[“Oh, heavens, Old Man! Congratulations…! Gen, Genesis Knight! This means that Runcandel is getting closer to conquering the world. Kya. Just thinking about it makes me cry.”]

“Ha, ha, ha!”

[“Ha, ha, ha!”]

“Ha, ha, ha!”

[“Kyahahaha!”]

“Hmm.”

Cyron suddenly stopped laughing, and his expression changed. Ozdock tensed and swallowed hard.

“Reaching the Genesis Knight has become commonplace in this era.”

[“Old Man? What do you mean?”]

“It’s probably because I, my children, and Runcandel have to achieve something that no one, not even any faction, has been able to achieve so far.”

It was true that he was happy. His younger son, now grown, had finally ascended to Genesis Knight and would protect the clan, and there was nothing more blissful than that.

However, with that joy came concern. What his younger son would have to endure in the future would be the same as what he had endured so far.

Perhaps even something more burdensome.

“Ozdock.”

[“Yes, Old Man.”]

“I need to send a letter to the clan. Prepare it. This may be the last chance I have to communicate with the clan, probably until we have taken care of all the Kings of Battle of the Black Sea.”

—