Chapter 449

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The subspace that was cut by the Bradamante burst like a dam.

Zephyrin attempted to return the subspace to its original state, but blue flames clinging to the torn part of the subspace did not allow that.

The cracks mended and tore open again, burning fiercely.

The subspace was reacting to the blue flames as if it were a living entity. The subspace emitted sharp cries with every crack and purple demonic energy showered like rain.

Zephyrin's appearance was constantly changing as the subspace writhed.

Her body was shrinking and contorting, taking on a grotesque form.

It was clear evidence that her transformation only applied within the 'undamaged subspace.'

[Phahaha, haha!]

Murakan burst into laughter after seeing her transformation. Despite his labored breathing, it was clear that he found the situation so amusing that he could barely contain his joy.

[Oh-ho-ho, you, you rascal! You were nothing when you were outside of your domain! No wonder you were so strong. I've never seen or heard of someone like you before!]

[Ugh...!]

Zephyrin let out a short whimper. She seemingly exerted significant effort to maintain her contorted form.

'Dammit! Blue flames, I had a bad feeling as soon as I saw that cursed power!'

Zephyrin expected Jin to be able to cut through her subspace as he is Soldelet's contractor. 

However, she hadn't anticipated the profound impact this would have on her transformation and her control over space and demonic energy.

The problem was that she did not include blue flames' power in her calculations.

The initial rupture of the subspace was due to the power of shadow force but it was blue flames that prevented the crack from closing.

Zephyrin was also aware of Jin's contract with Tess.

More precisely, she was aware that Jin was Tess's contractor.

However, she believed that Jin's ability to control blue flames' power was severely limited.

'By the way, how on earth is he using such dense blue flames without even summoning Tess?...'

At first, when Jin first summoned blue flames, Zephyrin hadn't considered this possibility. She was overwhelmed by instinctive fear and aversion.

However, the blue flames now tearing apart and incinerating the subspace were far more intense and profound than any other "Tess's human contractor" that Zephyrin had encountered in the past.

It was as if the master of the Flame World hadn't just "lent" a meager amount of power but had handed over a substantial portion of themselves.

'Could it be...!'

Zephyrin's eyes widened when her thoughts reached this point.

-[Originally, I couldn't have improved the attack side any further, but thanks to Tess's flames, a new power has been added before I knew it. They call it heavy pressure, probably.]

These were the words spoken by Picon Minche, who had manifested through Vin Branche during the strengthening of Bradamante.

On that day, Tess had permanently infused a part of its own power into the contractor's sword.

In other words, Tess wanted Jin to use the mighty power of blue flame's pressure regardless of her presence or absence of mana even when fighting a formidable enemy under any circumstances.

Tess was also intended to warn if Jin met a strong enemy who had 'encountered' Tess.

Those who harm this child will become my enemies.

The blue flame imprinted in Bradamante was the seal and emblem of the Flame World's master.

Only those who had personally met Tess could recognize it.

The cruel master of the Flame World giving their power to a mere human contractor was something Zephyrin couldn't even begin to imagine.

As far as Zephyrin knew, human contractors were just tools of amusement and surveillance to Tess.

While there were some contractors who had pleased them from time to time, what Tess had done was undoubtedly a first.

Tess is an absolute being that can eliminate at least a mid-rank god of the human world in one breath...!

Zephyrin realized it and gritted her teeth.

'This is cheating! The power that they couldn't give to my master, bestowed upon a mere human!'

Her anger flared up so quickly that she wanted to tear everything she could see apart immediately.

It would have been entirely possible if the subspace wasn't crumbling. However, Tess's real flames showed no sign of extinguishing.

Roar, crack, boom…! 

She couldn't even breathe freely due to her distorted body.

Murakan, who didn't stop laughing, shouted.

[Haha! Hey, what are you waiting for? Go beat her to a pulp!]

Murakan exhaled a black breath and beckoned Valkas and Shaku to leap forward. Shaku dropped lightning bolts and Valkas released his aura. Jin protected the Black Knight in place of Valkas.

Zephyrin regained her form using her immense regenerative power, and everyone actually felt a sense of despair.

However, if Zephyrin remained in this unstable state, it seemed worth it to try escaping now. They might engage in a life-or-death battle, but they still can escape.

[Kyaaah!]

Zephyrin screamed as the group began their assault. The difference now was that the attacks of Jin's companions were hitting her accurately.

Even though she had lost her full combat capabilities, she was not entirely powerless. Every move she made was still a threatening attack to those approaching her.

The vortexes of demonic energy pouring out of Zephyrin's body were also dangerous. The fact that the fight was still ongoing was because the group originally possessed exceptional combat power.

Murakan's teasing becomes more persistent with each passing second. It would be difficult to distinguish who the villain was just by observing that sight.

[Die!]

"For brother Jin!"

However, the lively and rhythmic battle cries that continued like ripe sesame seeds being sprinkled, could be seen as a sign of the anxiety that the group harbored.

Right now, they can't do that because of the burning subspace, but they still have an ominous feeling that Zephyrin will eventually regain her strength and find a way.

Too many cracks had opened up.

The subspace was no longer a complete and independent structure. Through the opened cracks, they could see the scenery of the reception room, and Black King mercenaries standing with stern faces.

Until Jin slashed the subspace, the members had no idea what was happening inside the demonic energy-filled reception room.

Some of the members who sensed the commotion opened the door to the reception room, but all they saw was a purple demonic energy. The rest of the captains immediately declared a state of emergency.

"It's the leader! The leader is fighting!"

"We've confirmed the leader and the guests' well-being!"

Urgent voices of the members could be heard.

Almost all the personnel from the Black King Mountain Hideout appeared to be in the reception room or nearby, preparing to join the fight. They seemed eager to come into the subspace and appeared to be shocked by the sight of their leader fighting desperately.

The tide of battle might shift in favor of the Jin and his group once again if the 1st Division of the Black King Mountain Hideout joined in.

However, Jin still firmly believed that the objective of this battle was not victory but escape. He had no idea what might happen, and for now, he was just focusing on burning the subspace with blue flames.

The subspace was clearly the most advantageous area for the enemy.

"No, don't come in! Retreat immediately!"

"What are you talking about?"

The members had no intention of listening to Jin's words, of course.

However, when Valkas, who had noticed his subordinates too late, shouted the same thing as Jin, the Black King mercenaries immediately halted their entry.

"Black King mercenaries! As of this moment, follow the orders of the 12th flagbearer until further notice!"

Before Jin started slashing the subspace, Murakan told Valkas that he would take care of Zephyrin and instructed him to escape with Jin and the subordinates.

Although the opportunity was there, Valkas decided that he could not escape leaving Murakan behind. As the leader of Black King mercenaries, it was unthinkable to rely on others to protect his subordinates.

"My lord!"

"Understood!"

The members did not question Valkas's orders. This was a testament to how trusted a leader he was.

[You, uh…!]

Kaaah!

Zephyrin suddenly released explosive demonic energy with an ear-piercing roar. She then transformed back into her human form, giving up her true form. 

It was more efficient to maintain a human form in the unstable state of the subspace during combat.

Zephyrin was now fighting for her life. Sharp demonic energy poured from her nails as she began to rampage.

And that wasn't all.

'The blue flame is slowly weakening...!'

Even if it is completely extinguished, she won't be the same as before because she has already suffered too much shock.

By then, Jin and his group were also exhausted, so the fight became even more dangerous than before. Therefore, they needed to evacuate the members of the Black King Mountain Hideout as quickly as possible.

[I will tear you all to pieces, you insects!]

This absurd situation would not have happened if only the master had been fine.

Zephyrin felt her chest tighten while thinking that.

Although not comparable to Murakan, Zephyrin, too, had weakened because of her master's poor condition.

'Of course, both of you play a big role in why my master's condition has deteriorated recently.'

Murakan snorted again when Zephyrin used curse words instead of her formal speech.

[Hah, it seems people like you are bound to show your true colors sooner or later. Hey, kid, don't worry and escape with the others.]

"12th flagbearer, I entrust my subordinates to you!"

"Go now, brother Jin!"

Jin nodded and replied, "I'll get everyone to safety and join you again!"

[Uh, there's no need for that, so we will meet at home.]

Whoa!

[Meow!]

The ruby glowed and Shuri was summoned.

Shuri immediately took the fallen black knight in her mouth, as if she knew what the situation was even if Jin didn't say anything.

[Mya!]

Shuri, with Jin on her back, dashed across the subspace, crossing over its cracks. The air of the human world tick Jin's nose.

The Black King Mountain Hideout members who were waiting in front of the subspace greeted Jin's arrival.

"Give your orders, 12th flagbearer!"

"We will evacuate all members. 3rd division, prioritize securing supplies, 2nd division, assist in evacuating the wounded and non-combatants. The 1st division will cover everyone's escape. Detailed instructions will be given by each captain and their subordinates."

"Understood!"

As Jin issued his orders, the members quickly dispersed. The subspace's cracks and flames visibly diminished behind them.