Chapter 220: My Name Is… (5)

Amazing.

The difference between the first time he encountered Yoru and now was whether he could use mana or not. Shiron’s demeanor was as calm as flipping a palm.

It was simply that the heart of the Fervent Dragon responded to Shiron’s desire to win. This did not mean that Yoru was an easy opponent.

She belonged to the Silleya tribe, who had lived in the harsh mountains since ancient times, demanding strength. Although no one lived on the slopes of the Makal Mountains now, the blood that had been tempered for thousands or tens of thousands of years did not dilute just by moving their home.

In terms of pure blood superiority, it was hard to determine the difference between the Silleya and a martial family that underwent systematic training and consumed potions. In terms of their warlike nature, which didn’t avoid impending crises, they were not inferior to demons.

Yoru was a standout even among the Silleya. Despite being a woman, she was born with an extreme yang body and overflowing fiery energy. When she was born, the celestial star (天罡星) shone, engraving the blessing of the star.

‘She seemed like a prodigy.’

Shiron knew the importance of talent. Not because of his past filled with inferiority complexes, but because he had experienced the world several times and could confidently say his opinion was unbiased.

The physique that could accept extremely pure energy and potions was not something achieved through effort alone. The fact that he created four flows in just a little over a year after transplanting a dragon’s heart was certainly not ordinary.

That’s why he saved Yoru.

Because one genius could save ten thousand lives in the future, more people would be saved by her hand than those she might kill.

Even if Yoru participated in terrorism in the future and even if Berta were killed by Yoru, Shiron was ready and determined to welcome her as a comrade in the future.

He had made sure that Berta was not sought after, fearing she might become entangled in an incident beyond her capacity. He told Yoru to live kindly, patted her butt, and carved a cute little piece of advice on her thigh. He did not think this alone would change her fate, but he hoped it would make her realize how important life was.

‘Was it useless?’

Shiron closed his mind without regret.

After a significant incident of terrorism, he gave up the idea of welcoming Yoru as a comrade. Innocent civilians died because of her, and Siriel sat down in a daze as the wedding hall was blown away.

‘I gave her a chance, and this is what happens.’

“Hey.”

Yoru tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? If you call me a barbarian one more time, I’ll kill you.”

“But I’m still alive.”

Shiron strode towards Yoru. There was nothing in the hand that had held the dagger. Knowing he couldn’t win with a rare dagger, he had discarded that hopeless path without regret.

Thud- Thud-

Yoru saw the shape of a hunting dog with eyes accustomed to the darkness.

Yoru stepped forward as if shielding Minette. Feeling the crisis of her kind, she ran hurriedly, but her excited head cooled down upon seeing an unexpected face.

“I’m still alive, even after coming this close.”

Shiron shrugged and laughed.

“Do barbarians have a habit of enjoying lying? Or are you putting on a false front out of fear… Should I report this new finding to the academy?”

“Shiron Prient.”

Yoru erased her smile and licked her lips.

“Even though you’re a grand noble of the empire, I’ve heard you’re a gentleman who doesn’t look down on other races… I didn’t expect it was you who not only killed my kind but also insulted them.”

“Have we met before? You speak as if you know me.”

They had met in the Black Flame Dragon Gorge, but Shiron pretended not to know.

“When saving my kin, I saw you from afar.”

Yoru recalled not-so-distant memories. When rescuing Natalia, a man who looked far from strong was staring blankly at the sky…

‘It’s different now.’

Yoru grasped her sword hilt.

The Shiron Prient she met again had a different aura.

Despite what she had just said, the man had grown so strong that she couldn’t easily kill him.

Crack—The holy sword grated against the bone inside.

“Barbarian without honor.”

Slash—Flesh was carved away.

“Can’t even block such a slow attack?”

This, too, was a move born of his caution towards Yoru. Anger made one lose their reason, and an irrational body created gaps.

“Pathetic, pathetic.”

Shiron swung his sword while keeping a close eye on the situation.

“Apologize. Apologize to the innocent imperial citizens who died because of you.”

He never let his guard down.

“Your swordsmanship is garbage. You haven’t landed a single scratch on me.”

Conscious of the slippery ground beneath him, he continually reminded himself that the woman in front of him was one of the strongest on the continent.

“A sewer is too good a grave for a pathetic barbarian like you.”

However, perhaps because she was called a prodigy, Yoru, despite her fiery temper, did not show much agitation from the continuous provocations.

Despite dozens of killing strikes, Yoru had not fallen. Even in this situation, she was avoiding critical hits from the unavoidable attacks.

“Barbarian slut.”

Knowing her well, Shiron raised the level of his taunts.

“Give birth to as many as you killed.”

Yoru’s face showed signs of disturbance. There was no reason to hold back a provocation that worked well. Shiron spoke again in a tone contrasting his cautious sword strikes.

“Give birth to as many as you killed.”

“Sh-shut up!”

The shrill shout didn’t come from Yoru. It was Minette, still not having run away, bleeding all over.

Shiron spared a very brief glance at Minette.

Clang.

She held a black, heavy-looking metal object. Yoru couldn’t guess what it was, but she knew it wasn’t a weapon meant for swinging.

However, Shiron knew exactly what it was.

A revolver. A self-defense tool for low-ranking officers who couldn’t emit sword energy. It couldn’t kill Shiron, but the 2-on-1 situation wasn’t what he desired.

Minette, aware of this, hadn’t run away. She had lost too much blood to swing a sword, but with this weapon, even she, unable to use magic, could create an opening against the human butcher.

Steadying her trembling hand, Minette aimed at Shiron’s head.

“Die.”

Bang!

The bullet hit Shiron’s head.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

She emptied the entire chamber without stopping. Although not every shot hit his head due to the rapid firing, she confirmed by the muzzle flash that several lead pieces had lodged into his skull.

The sword strikes pouring onto Yoru ceased, and the mouth that had been continuously spewing taunts fell silent.

“…Did we get him?”

Yoru, who had been barely parrying the attacks, muttered. She was also dizzy from the blood loss. That’s when she noticed the sound of a fiercely beating heart.

“…”

In the darkness, their eyes met.

A grotesque chill ran down the spines of both women.