Salvation Through Delusion C139

Chapter 139

His eyes widened in surprise — but the thrill that followed drowned everything else out.

He poured out power again and again, and each time the gale roared stronger. Yet something was missing. No matter how much force he released, the thirst remained. He kept drawing deeper until he hit an invisible wall.

Why?

He stopped, planning to ask his master. But Sornyhil was kneeling, one hand braced against the ground, breathing hard.

“I’m fine.”

She smiled, but her trembling gaze betrayed her. He only understood much later that she’d been shaken by the sheer size of his vessel — by then it was far too late.

“Creating a spatial rift with divine power is my task.”

“You’re doing it instead of me. If you fail, the emperor—”

“This isn’t for you. It’s what the divine beast wants.”

“How do you know that?”

She smiled faintly.

“The power inside me always whispers. Higher… further… beyond its limits.”

He couldn’t believe it — yet the feeling mirrored his own. He too had sensed that barrier and longed to break it.

“This is my final gift to the divine beast.”

He misunderstood. He thought it meant her power would pass fully to him.

He didn’t realize it meant her life.

If he had known, he would have stopped her no matter what.

But he didn’t — and she died.

Young Tyroc lost the pillar he depended on. His grief needed a target: the emperor, corrupt nobles… even the divine beast itself.

Hatred took root and grew with him. Just hearing its name stirred reflexive fury.

He didn’t want divine power. Even if it meant survival.

That’s why he rejected Borhumi’s power — until a sharp voice cut through his resolve.

“So you’d rather die like a stray dog? Want your name buried in Borhumi’s grave?”

Normally he would’ve chosen death.

But for some reason… he didn’t want to disappoint that furious, wide-eyed person.

So he accepted the power.

It felt alien — weak — yet it awakened the thirst sleeping inside him. He poured it out in a trance, chasing that same limit.

You want to break free, don’t you?

The urge surged — but deep-rooted hatred smothered it. The thirst remained.

Then opportunity returned.

At Crystal Lake, when he faced Dorgo, the divine power inside him was nearly gone. No aura. No weapon. No hesitation.

Rage squeezed strength from his core.

When his blade fell, something cracked.

Power burst forth — not aura, but lightning itself.

Dorgo lost an arm and understood immediately.

“How… real lightning…?”

The strike ended the fight — and never appeared again.

He tried endlessly to reproduce it. Failed.

He needed another moment on the edge.

And Baiyan… was perfect.

—

As Baiyan stepped forward, her disciples retreated. Swordmaster battles were decided in the opening clash.

Aura bloomed from both blades.

They lunged.

Her aura split and split again, dozens of ribbon-like strands engulfing him — but lightning-shaped aura whipped from Tyroc’s sword, shredding through them.

KRAAAM!

No flames. No explosion.

Only a dust shockwave ripping outward.

Even Baiyan staggered.

She retaliated, slashing crescent-shaped blades into the air — but Tyroc vaulted effortlessly past them.

A smile flickered in her eyes.

One crescent curved back.

It slipped behind him silently.

He was landing — no room to dodge.

He should turn and block.

That was her victory.

But Tyroc didn’t stop.

He accelerated.

Is he insane?!

He had to sense it — yet he ignored the risk, eyes locked on her with chilling resolve.

Why?

No time to think.

Steel met steel.

CLANG! CLANG!

Their blades screeched and sparked. Baiyan was forced back — Tyroc gave no opening.

CLANG!

He smirked.

“Try harder. This is boring.”

Bastard.

Her anger flared. No hatred filled his eyes — only exhilaration.

Like a man delighted to gamble his life.

“Boring?”

Their blades collided again and they sprang apart.

“You won’t have time for fun when you’re dead.”

Her gaze sharpened — predatory.

His grin widened.

They lunged —

—and both suddenly veered away.

CRASH!

BOOM!

Where they’d stood, violent aura smashed into the earth — trees shattered, ground split.

Both turned sharply.

Who would dare interrupt a Swordmaster duel?

Tyroc scanned the clearing.

Baiyan already knew.

“…You.”

Leaves rustled.

A woman stepped out — silver-haired, steady.

Black Bear.

She surveyed the field calmly.

“Pity. Could’ve wiped out an entire divine house.”

She dropped something.

Baiyan charged.

“BLACK BEAR!!!”

But heat shimmered — and Black Bear vanished.

A short-range portal.

“Spread out!” Baiyan roared. “She can’t have gone far!”

The forest swallowed their pursuit.

Silence returned.

Tyroc’s gaze never left the crater where Black Bear’s strike had landed.

Through settling dust, he noticed something others missed:

The attack had deliberately avoided him.

His eyes cooled.

Who… dared try to help me?