SOML – Chapter 36: Grandfather’s reason

 Chapter 36 – Grandfather’s reason

…

Like a single ripple, one step turned into many steps.

A lone figure strode with conviction as he faced densely spread presences. He didn’t appear strong as his tiny frame braved the fierce river winds. Accompanied him were just two blades, with nicks and chips on its edges.

Nonetheless, the boy’s eyes remained fiery. No hint of fear was visible in his face. No trembling of muscles. Just an ice-cold visage.

Yet contrary to his appearance, something different brewed in his heart.

Anger bubbled in Jed’s chest as he kept repeating the scene of the fire, scorching everything in his vision. Those shadows of anguish, crying for salvation, were tearing his mind apart.

Next, the sight of the depressing back yet somehow hurling himself straight at the scariest being Jed had seen in his life.

Weak, it was just because fate robbed him of his everything.

Traitorous, but then he redeemed himself by proving he was more than a human!

Thus… this was Jed’s anger!

Anger for those weak and the robbed! Anger for his friends!

His speed gradually became faster. And faster! His strides went from one pace into a full gallop!

He raced like a shooting star, leaving only blurry figures in everyone’s sight!

He left dust in his trails and they didn’t even settle yet when Jed already came beside a demon!

Pshk! The boy’s entire hand pierced through the demon’s body, dragging the latter in his wild run!

Jed turned around and blood flew like rain behind him. The blades in his hand left a beautiful curve. Yet it claimed another life just like that!

His instincts kicked in, pursuing that miraculous phenomenon earlier. The Room of Death, the torture he got from those balls. They pointed at him just like the claws of these demons in front of him.

Dance! Feel the wind, every motion of the objects shooting, the surrounding space.

His heart pounded. Everywhere around him would endanger him.

And so he danced. Completely forgetting himself. Only the very simple subconscious actions. That ephemeral feeling of accomplishing anything. The act of easily claiming lives!

No one noticed his eyes were already gleaming. Nary of hesitation, he used his strongest trump card. He erased in his mind the terrifying consequence of using it, that everyone would chase him to the ends of the world!

But so what? The boy would remain steadfast even if someone would dig his conscience. He would use this Transcendent Seed as many times as he could! Never mind if blindness would be temporary or permanent. As long as he could save a friend!

And in his subconscious state, the miraculous phenomenon, this determination of his only became solidified!

Sarah’s gaze bored at the figure fighting for his life. His back resembled a lone boat amidst stormy sea. He was Turtle and also Scaredy Cat, her friend. And now, someone she could fully trust!

This moved her a lot. At least someone would have her back now. Especially that someone would rather have the world going after him than escape right now.

Yes, escape. Sarah knew Jed could escape if he wanted. That was why she felt happiness at the bottom of her heart.

“I’m unruly, frivolous, bully, arrogant, vicious and destructive person. But despite that, you still treated me as a friend. Today onwards, I, Sarah, will forever get your back.”

Sarah turned her neck. Behind her was Marakur, who caught up with her.

Her face steeled. In her heart, she was roaring! She had already gambled! And even including a friend’s life who would sacrifice himself for her!

Thus, this was no longer about her alone!

She would fight to death! Not just for her, but also for Jed!

The girl crouched down, her knees almost touching the ground. She copied the form of the gorilla-looking animal back in Von’s Illusory Realm.

Marakur squinted his eyes. He didn’t think the already drained girl could make a comeback. Even if she recovered an amount strength from the hours of their chase, it still won’t make a change.

Yet Sarah proved him wrong.

Crack.

Marakur’s eyes constricted. His face became ugly as a newfound pain channeled from his chest to his brain.

Convulsing, he witnessed everything when Sarah shot towards him head first. Maybe a few ribs got broken just from this attack, he guessed. His blood churned, wanting to come out of his mouth.

The large demon fell back. Then his face changed as he saw Sarah once again crouching in the same form. Marakur pumped his legs, trying to get away from the range of her attack.

Zip!

Wind got ripped and blood fell. Marakur ignored the long cut on his arm, however. He hurriedly counter attack. He had long noticed the transition of the girl’s attack. And the latter was at weakest when she just crouching.

Sarah’s face crumpled. Being punch in the face, it was certain she didn’t feel good. But she was, after all, a clever girl. Even though the crouching time was the weakness of her move, it was also a bait at the same time!

ROAR! Sarah at once unleashed all the pent-up anger in her heart. Her feet bulged so much it resembled a tomato! Then it hit Marakur below his waist!

The demon let out a mournful cry.

…

Ryan felt ants crawling through his skin from anxiousness. Only now he discovered from Old Man Pendragon that his daughter wasn’t dead yet. He quickly departed without waiting for Pendragons to open a portal.

Every clan had vast resources that could help them open a portal from anywhere in the world. They weren’t like East Venerable Cloud Rider who could travel across such a distance. Although convenient, portal would take time to open. Because of this, Ryan’s choice would be to find her with his own feet.

Zooming along the ground, Ryan fast checked where Sarah would be. It was impossible for her to be in the county anymore because people would only target her if she did so. Thus, the only place she would go was the entrance to the Enderian Journey!

Although he knew the day would come when Sarah will set off to this location, Ryan still didn’t know when. As such, even he got fooled when he saw his supposed ‘daughter’ dying on her birthday. He wanted to see the real her and at least gave her goodbye.

But he didn’t expect that just before he could arrived in his destination, he would see someone he wanted to meet the most.

That loathsome face. Visible air gushed out from his nose. A body brimming with unadulterated savagery and strength. Horns pierced towards the heavens. One of the most terrifying being of the Mortal Lands.

“IJAAAAAAAAAAA!”

The air split. Squalls formed and followed Ryan behind as he rushed towards the huge being. Both of his arms transformed, forming into golden and ash-colored draconic arms.

Ting. The cringe noise of metals clashing sounded. A layer of ground got excavated from the strength of Ryan’s punch. Yet his opponent continued to standstill with cross arms.

Then. There was no then. Ryan only realized he got sent flying, accompanied by tumultuous winds and shock waves.

Ija stared at the pest who was flying to the outer space. Only then he put down his raised foot on the ground. He maintained his position, seemingly waiting for someone. Of course, aside from the pesky uninvited guest.

But out of nowhere, Ija frowned. He gazed at sky and saw a brilliant meteor-like object shooting towards him. As it came nearer, he could finally see the outline of the object. It was a dragon.

No. It was the World’s Energy, formed into the shape of a dragon.

Ija harrumphed. As if he could hear his Senior Baidu explaining him, he roughly recited at the same time. “Dragon Dive. Legends said that in the Preying Era, no one dared to question the sovereignty of the sky. And the creature on top of that food chain are dragons.”

“Using that as basis, the Pendragons created a Soldier Formation that incorporates defense, offense, and movement technique. And its uniqueness is one man could formed this formation.”

The Demon Emperor cleared his throat. He had hard time talking, but it didn’t mean he would have a hard time beating someone.

“Sky no longer govern! Land is strongest! You as a human should know better!” Ija’s raspy, booming voice echoed as his enormous fist punched the space before him!

Bang! Clouds parted and hundreds of trees collapsed. He ripped the air apart and huge cyclone of World’s Energy streaked towards the diving dragon!

Wong!

“Damn it!” Ryan flew away once again. Blood seeped into the corner of his mouth as he gritted his teeth in anger. His face turned ugly after seeing such a difference between him and his mortal enemy.

Even though Ryan knew his opponent was strong as the latter was already a Supreme, he still couldn’t help but wanted to try. At the same, he vaguely blamed himself that he didn’t bring other clan members. Using Dragon Dive single-handedly might be strong, but its true core was its ability of combining the strength of every individual inside the formation! Then to explode into a fountain shower, leaving no stone unpaved.

The recovery of a Venerable would always be fast. Thus, only been a mere moment when he was already upon Ija’s side.

“Die!”

Ija felt irritated. He blocked the attack of the annoying fly before bashing the latter to the ground!

The ground cracked as Ryan turned disoriented. Thus, he didn’t see the next thing that hit him right after the last attack.

Like a rag ball, Ryan rolled hundreds of meters away. Ryan quickly stood up, though. He once again dashed like a vengeful tiger.

Ija mooed, his eyes had reddened from anger. He dragged his feet across the ground like a bull readying itself.

The ability of every Venerable to instant regenerate could really give headaches. Ija had been waiting for someone for who knows when and now someone giving him this headache. Thus, he felt angrier and angrier with each passing time.

“You, accursed child of Pendragons. You’re not invited here! Scram!”

But what met Ija’s words was the relentless charge of Ryan!

Bang! Another super collision occurred, creating an immense shock wave affecting the surrounding!

Yet only one figure got thrown away!

…

Kind Mother landed on the ground. She didn’t break a sweat even though she ran several million miles from West Region to East. This occurrence had been usual for her. Though her speed wasn’t particularly fast, so she took a few months to get here.

The old woman surveyed the surrounding place, County of Hopes and Dreams. She went here to meet an old acquaintance.

“What are you doing?” But Kind Mother didn’t expect Old Man Pendragon to be merry, sitting on a futon while sipping tea. The former was asking about the vestiges of Power of Space in the surroundings.

“Oh. I seem to close a portal, that’s all.”

Kind Mother only raised her brow as she wasn’t interested in this, actually. It was Old Man’s business and she won’t give a damn about it.

“Where’s that lass? Hehehe. Last time I wasn’t able to introduce myself to her.”

“Why would you need to see her?”

Kind Mother snorted, didn’t want to beat around the bush. “I’ve taken a liking to her. I wanted to take her as my disciple.”

Old Man Pendragon’s eyes narrowed. Then he chuckled, “Too bad. She is not here.”

“Not here? Old fool! Don’t you know that the entire human race is after her? You really spoiled that brat ah!”

“Spoil?” Old Man shook his head. The elderly’s still handsome face remained placid. “Why don’t you keep accompany this old man?”

If Kind Mother still didn’t understand the situation, she would fail her years of experience. “What’s the meaning of this, Pendràgon Pendragon?”

That’s right. Old Man Pendragon’s real name was Pendràgon Pendragon. Old Man had always been his title as a Venerable.

He had Pendràgon as name, given by his parents to show how lofty their dream of attaining five dragon bloodlines. And Pendràgon didn’t disappoint.

“I really don’t understand why you have a title of Kind Mother when you are just too hot-headed.” Old Man Pendragon chuckled before lifting himself. “I wanted to exert this old bone. Mind if we spar?”

“Damn. You have the same idea as Pure Man? But you are more extreme than he is!”

“Extreme, you say? What is extreme than making my granddaughter as public enemy number one?” With a flash, a handsome spear emerged from Old Man’s hand. “I can’t keep destroying and repairing the county anymore. Let’s go out.”

Kind Mother jumped, easily leaving the county while Old Man followed after her. Then the latter waved his hand and the whole county disappeared!

The head of Coin Clan went outside to see what happened. Around him, people were also wondering. The former discovered they were already in another world.

“That old fool! He is too stingy that he only used his world right now! Did he think I have deep pockets to keep rebuilding the county? During that Evil Life incident, I could still somewhat understand his intention to sweep all traitors in the county. But what about the Miracle Kingdom’s army? Damn! You let them vent on us! Fuck you!!!”

The entire surrounding became desolate, none of the usual bustle. Kind Mother understood that this wasn’t a normal sparring. The old fool had the intention to keep her here for enough time.

The elder lady somersaulted. But while in the air, her body enlarged to the point her head touched the clouds in the sky!

Then her voice boomed.

“Concept of Body—Gigantification!”

The land quacked, and a titanic being emerged like a deity. Before Old Man’s very eyes was someone only appeared in the legends.

The sovereign of the very first era, the Era of Ancient, the godly beings called Ancients who roamed the world!

If not for them being extinct, dragons won’t have their own era!

Although these beings already faced extinction, there was still someone who held their bloodline.

And right now, the scene of a primordial event between a godly being versus dragon repeated itself.

“Thou shall bow, foolish one!”

To her, this was only a slap. But anyone who saw it would feel the quivering of their boots. All they could do was to stare foolishly as a mountain-like palm crushed them into smithereens!

Bang!

The land got overturned!

When everything subsided, the giant saw her target’s unharmed and lackadaisical attitude.

The latter twirled his spear before pointing it at the gigantic being before him.

“Every time you used this move, your ego has also gotten larger.” Brandishing his spear, five colors enveloped Old Man. Like a super armor, it cladded him with an unbelievable amount of World’s Energy!

“Concept of Dragon—Devour.”

Crunch. The entire arm of the giant went missing. Looking at its wound, as if a vast mouth gnawed at it!

Although that was the case, the missing limb regenerated into a new arm.

This time, the giant brought something out. A rosary. It had a pendant, and inside it had an image of a woman sleeping in a fetal position. The rosary had hundred beads in it, each as large as a hill. Moreover, each bead was actually a world just like Von’s Illusory Realm.

But unlike the latter’s half-illusory form, these worlds became completed and real!

Kind Mother held on to her humongous beads like it was nothing.

Truth be told, Demon Emperor Ija could destroy a world if given time. However, he would feel hard pressed to lift a world. Von couldn’t. Old Man Pendragon couldn’t either. Only with a definite preparation they could lift it.

Preparation ranged from using engineers and a suitable medium.

Most people used orbs as a medium, just like Von’s. Then they would use spatial technology to transfer the world into the medium.

Yet, Kind Mother didn’t use any of that. So what Old Man could see right now were hundreds of actual worlds!

She bended the rules of Mortal Lands and shrank it into a size of a hill. Although that was the case, there was still no man could lift it. Because without spatial technology and medium to contain it, its actual weight was still of the weight of an entire world!

But to Kind Mother, it won’t be a problem. Just bend the rules once again!

That was right. Bend the rules. Ancients had that power, the reason they had been so overpowered, claiming an entire era of their own!

And right now, these ultra-heavy beads were being used like a baseball by Kind Mother!

Boom! Boom!

Out of ammo, she picked up the beads on the ground. She resembled a baby throwing her toys in a tantrum.

Boom! Boom!

The quasi-Supreme-Grade Treasure, World Sealing Dragon Spear was already a powerful weapon.

Yet, it always bent in ninety degrees every time Old Man blocked the super-fast beads.

After all, compared to a true Supreme-Grade Treasure, it was still lacking!

Kind Mother won’t be one of the strongest for nothing.

Her intuitive idea of making a Treasure by using her worlds as components earned everyone’s praises.

Hence, her rosary wasn’t only a group of worlds but also a Supreme-Grade Treasure!

Bang!

The earth shook. Every time a bead hit a ground, it created a large crater. Yet even though Kind Mother suppressed Old Man, she still couldn’t help but feel uneasy for some reason.

“Mortal! Thou shall–shit!” Kind Mother suddenly stepped back.

Out of nowhere, millions of rays of lights stabbed at her gigantic body. Her body trembled as chunks of flesh fell. She resembled a beehive for how many holes bored in her body.

In hot pursuit, Old Man didn’t want to waste this opportunity. He stabbed his spear, creating a visual beam of light and mercilessly punctured Kind Mother’s head!

Kind Mother crouched. All of her wounds wriggled at the moment. The last strike finally brought her back out of her inflated ego, clearing her mind in an instant. “I understand. That lass is in danger!”

“Fool! You know your relative is in danger yet this is what you are doing?!” Kind Mother screamed, its sound clearing all the clouds in the sky. She questioned him, “You really believed it, don’t you?”

Old Man Pendragon continued to be quiet, but his steps were unfaltering.

“AH.”

He felt an invisible hand slapped him on the face. Furthermore, the word AH rang repeatedly inside Old Man’s ears like a curse.

From a crouching position, the old woman jumped into the sky. It was so high that she was the only one under the sky. She hugged her knee, resembling a person diving into a swimming pool. 

Then her body touched the ground.

“Concept of Body—Ultra Smash!!!”

The same event occurred between Ija and Cloud Rider happened again.

The stars that survived before exploded this time.

A terrifying phenomenon of all sounds being erased as only the space’s scream governed.

An apocalyptic explosion spread in all surroundings, followed by miniature black holes!

Emergency procedures of each close county instantly activated. Brilliant lights appeared and shielded their county with indestructible formation!

From the Mountains of Hope, a majestic slit-eyed presence emerged. Then, with a boundless roar, a white and black striped polyhedron came forth.

In the formation's corner, an imperceivable radiance sprung and three silhouettes used that moment to enter the Tiger World!

Fortunately, this powers of Venerable wouldn’t be a problem to Mortal Lands. It had a power to restore itself. Like a pimple, painful, but it would soon be gone.

When everything finally subsided, Kind Mother glared at the wrecked figure in front of her. Five colored radiance shone on the figure’s body, quickly regenerating him.

Old Man Pendragon maybe old, but his body was still outstanding, even better than other younger ones. He would be fully naked right now if not for five color armor, however.

“Heh. Feisty as ever. I don’t really understand why Mother Ani gave you that title. Yours should be Vicious Mother or Frivolous Old Hag.”

“Shut up!”

“You won’t believe me when I say it was all part of the plan?”

“Never!!!” The old lady strode into action.

Old Man smiled wryly. He blocked his friend’s attack while also stabbing her neck. “Old Pure did this. Why are you blaming me instead?”

“Because no lion will eat its own cub!”

“But lions pushed their cubs on the cliff, didn’t they?” The elderly man retorted. “If she survived this, she will soar in the sky.”

“And despite knowing that, you didn’t lend her a hand.” It had thoroughly incensed Kind Mother. She trampled the despicable fellow under her foot.

“I need to make things clear between us.”

“Shit! You really believed it!!!”

“Yes. I even protected her for all these years, didn’t I? You can say, I’ve been merciful to her.”

Kind Mother snorted. “Is this not because you still hate the woman your son married? Just because she made your son struggle to reach the Venerable Level?”

The two of them continued to engage in their rampage. Dragon’s roar and giant’s booming voice interchanged as their fists and spear locked onto each other.

“Are you implying this is my revenge? Heh. Patricia, Patricia. You are still naïve as ever.”

“You are still as hateful as ever!”

Old Man’s face became solemn. “When Old Pure recited his prophecy about gold and black dragon, I knew immediately which is which. Only that old gullible would be hesitant to face this information.” This made Kind Mother’s brows twitch.

“You probably understand. But me, who had interacted with that woman, knew better. She is not one of us, Patricia. She is not of us.”

“She is an Outsider.”

“W-What?” Kind Mother’s angry face crumpled. Her punches faltering. “Then why you didn’t tell us?!! You, out of all traditional people, actually compromised with this?”

“Because I love my son.” The face of the elderly man became peaceful. “Of course, I didn’t know it at the start. I even like that woman. The only problem of hers was her penchant for trouble!”

“Thinking about it, Sarah inherited that trait from her.” Saying this, the old man actually smiled. It was an affectionate smile, full of parental love.

“T-this… this!”

“Then, I discovered her secret.” Pendràgon let out an ugly face. “So, when Ija tried to kill both Ryan and that woman, I only become a bystander. Of course, I’ll save my son if it calls it. But towards the woman… I’m heartless.”

“You!” Kind Mother trembled. She subconsciously undid her gigantification. She had known Pendràgon for as long as she could remember. And this guy might look tough on the outside, but inwardly, he was very affectionate.

Thinking about this, it was impossible for him not to care for that woman. And also most impossible to be this heartless with Sarah, who he saw grew up from a little baby.

“Th-then, why are you doing this?” Stuttered by the old woman. “Didn’t you think that by doing this, you will only push Sarah into becoming the black dragon? The calamity?!!”

“I know that. If she really died, then that’s it. We will free the Mortal Lands of danger. But if survived, she will become the greatest Pendragon of all time!!!”

She could see a manic expression on the aged Pendragon’s face. “I’m not afraid of dying. Actually, I think… I have enough of giving so much for the Mortal Lands!”

“And I believed with her destiny, she will survive! She had to survive!!!”

“With that case, I don’t mind dying with her hands in the future! I deserved it anyway!”

“Even if she became heartless and kill all the Pendragons, it’s alright because I knew she won’t kill her own father!”

“Ryan might have neglected her, but he wasn’t an evil father. So even if the Mortal Lands ended up being destroyed by her, with her strength, she will survive the universe destruction whilst also sheltering her father!”

“Patricia. In the future, people will either call me a vicious conservative.”

“Or a terrifying visionary!”

…

Chapter 35 | Chapter 37