[The Black Knight has entered the 1st Stage of Soaring Moonlight, Crescent Moon.]
Glooow…
The blue energy that enveloped the Black Knight’s body was similar to Karuna’s.
As the Black Knight glowed, so did Karuna.
[Karuna has entered the 1st Stage of Soaring Moonlight, Crescent Moon.]
Karen, who had been holding her tongue the entire time, finally broke her silence.
“Oh my god…” she gasped.
Seeing the Black Knight use Soaring Moonlight, Karuna asked him a weighty question.
“Who… are you?” he asked.
Though no one anticipated it, the Black Knight actually responded to him.“All of you… really are the same.”
“...What?”
"Every reflection I've met has asked me that same question.”
Raise…
Agony began to cry out.
"You shall soon join them as well.”
Seol revised his assessment of the Black Knight.
‘He’s dangerous.’
While the Black Knight's incredible strength was indeed dangerous, it paled in comparison to his thoughts and very existence.
The first thing apparent to Seol was his appearance. He and Karuna were clearly related.
And it was probably for a bad reason too. If they had a good relationship, the Black Knight would have no reason to raise his sword against him.
Glooow…
Flash!
Blue light poured out from Karuna’s eyes.
Two brilliant blue lights illuminated the area for a brief moment before transforming it into a nightmarish landscape.
Claaang!
Clang!
The two knights moved swiftly, appearing as two stars battling each other to the onlookers.
Seol, while paying attention to the fight as well, noticed Karen in confusion as well.
“Why…”
Glooow!
[Karuna has entered the 2nd Stage of Moonlight Surge, Half Moon.]
Glooow!
The Black Knight mocked Karuna.
“...It’s pointless.”
The Black Knight began to gather more energy, so much so that Seol began to doubt that he was only in the Crescent Moon stage.
Glooow…
The two clashed once more.
Claaaaaaang!
The two knights faced each other with their swords.
“I doubt you can accept it,” said the Black Knight.
“...What are you talking about?”
“That you are a fake.”
“A… fake?”
“Farewell and goodbye.”
[The Black Knight has entered the 2nd Stage of Moonlight Surge, Half Moon.]
Boooooom!
A storm of power, stronger than even Karuna in his Full Moon stage, emanated from the Black Knight.
Rumbleeee!
The Black Knight pushed down with his sword, drawing Karuna’s sword closer and closer to his own neck.
[Karuna has entered the 3rd Stage of Moonlight Surge, Full Moon.]
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Karuna, with the strength of the Full Moon Stage, began to slowly repel Agony.
"Ah... You appear to be quite the capable fragment. I hadn't anticipated you making it this far. Nevertheless..."
Another wave of energy exploded from the Black Knight.
Craaaaaackle!
[The Black Knight has entered the 3rd Stage of Moonlight Surge, Full Moon.]
Overwhelming strength.
Moments before Karuna was engulfed by the massive blue energy, another sword entered the fray with a resounding scream.
“No!”
Fwoooosh!
Claaang!
Karen swung her sword at the Black Knight.
“How annoying…”
Scraaape!
The Black Knight deflected her sword with his left hand before pushing her away.
Fwooosh!
As the Black Knight directed his attention toward Karen, Seol emerged from behind Karuna.
He unleashed a swift, high kick with his entire weight.
Seol aimed perfectly for the Black Knight’s head.
Baaaaam!
Thuuuud!
The Black Knight, unable to redirect the attack, was sent flying and rolled on the ground by the force of the blow.
However, he stood up once more, unfazed.
As expected, there wasn't much damage.
However, this was all just a setup for the next attack.
[Karuna used Moonlight Slash.]
Fwoooosh!
SLAAAAAAAAAASH!
Karuna's Moonlight Slash traced a graceful arc through the air.
Even though Karuna’s attack was as fast as light, the Black Knight scoffed and simply gripped Agony tighter.
[The Black Knight used Moonlight Slash.]
Ruuuumble…
It was a tremendous strength that shook the earth.
RUUUUUUUMBLE!
The Black Knight's ominous Moonlight Slash clashed with Karuna's blue assault.
However, the moment the two attacks collided, something strange occurred as the very fabric of space distorted.
[Two mirrors face one another.]
“Guaaaaargh!”
“Krgh…”
Both Karuna and the Black Knight screamed in pain.
A strange voice began filling the entire space around them.
- Of course, our target just had to end up in Jin’s hands…
- That was the reason why it took so long, wasn’t it? Also, what should we do about her?
- We can worry about that later, and even if she dies… We would only need to recover the seed.
“Aaaaaargh!”
BOOOOOOM!
The space between them twisted and contorted before erupting. The explosion from that knocked away not only the Black Knight and Karuna, but also Seol and Karen.
Thuuud…
Strange echoes filled the air once more.
- We can’t restrain the seed’s powers! We need to separate them!
- Run! It’s falling apart!
- Th-they escaped! They escaped the temple!
The Black Knight was the first to stand, his knees buckling as he did.
“Haah… Haah… I will… recover them all. I will… I will get my revenge.”
The Black Knight raised his sword once more toward Seol and Karuna. Agony gave a maddening laugh.
[Hahahaha! I’ll hit them this time! I’ll stab them!]
[The Black Knight’s Agony used Meteor Point.]
[The Black Knight’s Agony pierces through a designated path.]
[All enemies in Agony’s path are dealt 170% of the weapon’s damage.]
[Those struck by Agony are afflicted with the Corrupted Wounds status.]
Hummmm…
Fwoooosh!
Agony surged toward the fallen Karuna.
Seol swiftly attempted to block it, but he was too far. Instead, someone else stepped into harm's way.
Flaaare…
Screeeeech!
Karen's Flare skillfully redirected Agony's trajectory, successfully shielding Karuna from harm.
“Urgh…”
[Hahahaha! They blocked me! They blocked me again!]
Fwirl…
Agony returned to the Black Knight’s grip.
“Stop it!” shouted Karen.
“You’ve been getting in my way for a while… Hold on… This voice…”
The Black Knight paused.
Chameli and the pilgrims, sensing his strange reaction, also paused for a moment.
“Karen? Karen, is that… Is that really you?”
“......”
“No way…”
Karen took off her helmet.
Her face remained unchanged, exactly like her appearance during her life.
The Black Knight cried out.
“Karen! I can’t… I can’t believe you’re still alive… It’s me! I’m Karuna!”
“...You?”
“He’s a fake! He’s nothing more than just a piece of me! I… I’m your real brother!”
“A piece of you… a fake…”
“Exactly! I… I’ve never stopped looking for you. I’ve searched for you as I’ve searched for my pieces.”
“...Searched for me? Why?”
“Obviously, it’s to…”
A fire blazed in the Black Knight’s eyes once more, turning it a deeper shade of red.
“Get revenge. We will be getting our revenge against them! For splitting us apart… For destroying Montra… For turning me into this…”
“...No.”
“With their blood, we’ll… what?”
A teary-eyed Karen looked at the Black Knight.
“You’re… not the Karuna that I know. Karuna is kind and warm. You’re… You’re just a monster.”
“Karen!”
Patter…
Karuna and Seol slowly arose.
“I… remember a bit of it now,” said Karuna.
“Karuna,” comforted Karen.
“So I… was shattered into pieces. That’s why… That’s why I had no memories.”
“I’m the real one! You’re just a–”
Throb!
“Urgh…”
“Krgh…”
Karuna and the Black Knight reached for their heads at the same time.
[Karuna is unstable.]
Seol braced himself as an ominous message appeared in his vision.
‘Shit!’
Karuna was in danger.
A similar situation occurred when they met Karen as well.
‘For now, I need to separate Karuna from the Black Knight…’
But then, at that exact same moment, the Black Knight abruptly let out a scream.
“Guaaaaaaaargh!”
It sounded like the cry of an animal.
Seol readied himself for the subsequent attacks. However, the Black Knight did something completely unexpected.
“Guaaaaargh!”
Daaaash!
Fwip!
He dashed through the rain-soaked mountains with such speed that attempting to chase after him would prove futile.
Seol then saw options in front of him.
[[The Black Knight has chosen to run. What do you do?]
1. [Dangers: Mud, Dangerous Paths, Ambush] Chase after him.
2. [Required: Tracking Skills] Track him.
3. Give up on chasing after him.
4. Head to a different location.
……]
Filia carefully approached Seol.
“...Chasing after him might be dangerous.”
“......”
Seol turned back and looked at the collapsed Karuna.
Pour…
The craters and debris strewn around them were the only proof of the ridiculous events that had transpired here.
* * *
Luckily, Karuna recovered swiftly after the Black Knight retreated. It was clear their battle was the reason behind Karuna becoming unstable.
“Fu…”
Seol couldn’t believe the current situation.
‘There was another Karuna?’
The Black Knight’s true identity was another Karuna.
Since Seol was curious about their relationship as well, he waited for Karuna to wake up.
“He’s up! Master, he’s awake!”
“Ah, okay!”
Karen made a fuss while urging Seol.
Her hands were shaking even now.
‘She’s worried.’
Seol caught a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. It almost seemed like she didn't know what to do with Karuna. She was clearly feigning brightness.
Seol, knowing that these were the moments where he had to be their foundation, approached Karuna, who had just woken up.
“Karuna.”
“...Master.”
“How did all of this… What happened?”
Karuna closed his eyes and carefully opened his mouth.
“A portion of my memories… came back.”
“Could you tell us about them?”
Karuna then opened his eyes, glancing at Karen.
“Okay.”
Karuna's story began a long, long time ago.
"On my way to Montra, I was ambushed and fell into a stream. And I forgot everything after that.”
“Yes, I remember you telling us that before.”
“I… I didn’t die then. Someone saved me. And I think the people who saved me… were the same people who made me like this.”
“...What else do you remember?”
“I only have bits and pieces of my memory, so I might be wrong, but I do remember them giving me strange medicines and performing strange ceremonies every day to control me. It seemed like they were trying to make me follow their every word, to never go against them.”
Karuna then looked at the ceiling.
“But that probably reached a limit. I felt something bubbling inside of me before my entire existence was split.”
“Your existence… was split?”
"My personality and strength fragmented into countless pieces, and they slaughtered everyone in the temple."
“And then the fragments began absorbing each other after that, right?”
“I don’t know for sure, but… that’s probably what happened.”
It all somewhat made sense.
However, as Seol was in a rush, the details weren't something to worry about at the moment. He left the room, leaving the twins alone.
Karen gave Karuna a worried look.
“There’s probably… no way around this, right?”
“Are you not going to ask me if I’m a fake?”
“Do you want me to? What would you even say if I did?”
“I don’t know… I’m probably a fake, sorry?”
“Hahaha! Yeah, that’s exactly how he would have responded.”
Karen’s face grew stiffer.
“The… real Karuna would have said that.”
“Karen, that’s not what’s important right now. At least to me, it’s not.”
“...Then what is important?”
“That we go visit the sea together in this life. I want to show you the waves and how the sun looks when it reflects against the water.”
“Is that really all you need?”
“It is.”
Karuna’s face remained the same, but Karen’s expression shifted.
“He’s… Karuna too, right?”
“...Yeah, he’s me.”
“H-He’s not like you at all!”
“I think he took all of my negative emotions. My desire for revenge, hatred, despair, and other emotions like that.”
“...He must be in pain, right?”
"It must hurt, tremendously."
“Then is there a way we can save—”
Karuna shook his head.
Karen then asked Karuna a question.
“You’re going to fight him, aren’t you?”
“I’m not going to avoid him.”
“In other words, you are.”
“If it comes to it.”
Karen's expression turned solemn.
“Then… I’ll join you too.”
“Karen, you don’t need to come to a decision. Later when…”
“So the person who wins becomes the real Karuna? That’s even stranger, don’t you think?! It’s so weird! So I… What I’m trying to say is just…”
“......”
Karen gave Karuna a big smile.
“I want to go see the sea.”
“......”
“This time for sure, alright?! I want to go see the sea. You’re going to take me, right?”
Karuna then smiled before petting her head.
* * *
The town’s smithy was in an uproar.
But an hour before that, Seol, Filia, and Chameli were having a conversation.
“Our opponent was too strong.”
“It isn’t your fault, brother. We simply underestimated the Black Knight. That… wasn’t something a single individual could handle. We need to notify Varanoa right awa—”
Seol butted in, asking a question.
“Even if we were to deliver this information to Varanoa, reinforcements would take months to arrive, would it not?”
“...You are correct.”
“Not only that, we’ve lost track of the Black Knight again. Can we even chase after him right now?”
“It isn’t possible, now, with it raining so much.”
“Hm…”
Seol pondered while grabbing his chin.
As he did, Filia said a word.
"Still, I might be able to track him once the rain stops. I'm sure he left some traces behind during the battle."
"Even if we do manage to find him… would we even be able to do anything?" asked Chameli.
Everyone’s expression changed.
At first, it was Seol and Filia, but Chameli's changed soon after too.
“There is one thing I can still try…” said Seol.
“The same for me as well…”
Chameli laughed after hearing the details.
“Then we should swiftly prepare for the next battle.”
Seol finally finished organizing his thoughts.
It was still raining, and Seol had no idea how much time he had left until he would encounter the Black Knight again.
‘It’s moments like these where I need to get a grip.’
A dangerous situation for his summons was also a dangerous situation for him.
He had to overcome this trial well.
Buuuurn…
Seol, with the help of the town’s blacksmith, melted down metal into a liquid.
Seol turned around, gazing at Jamad's Mountain Fists atop a sturdy frame. Although Jamad would have ordinarily been furious with Seol for meddling with a divine relic, he simply watched, understanding the dire situation.
Although Seol planned to use the Biometal Ingots later, when he felt a wall in his growth, he pulled out every last ingot after the fight with the Black Knight.
‘I’m not the type to gamble, but…’
Pour…
Seol poured the hot metal onto the Mountain Fists.
Anyone who witnessed this would have been in an uproar.
[Biometal shows interest in ‘Mountain Fists’.]
[Biometal explores ‘Mountain Fists’.]
‘This time… I have no other option.’
The biometal began to explore every crevice of the Mountain Fists, seeping into every corner.
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