CHAPTER 792

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Originally, Jin had intended to bring Valeria to conduct an investigation if something special emerged while excavating. However, the voice that echoed from below seemed to suggest that Jin didn't have time for that.

Clang, rumble...!

As the owner of the scales began to move, a powerful vibration shook the pit as if it were sinking. The ground writhed as if it were a part of their body.

The size of that body was immeasurable. Jin and Hedo wielded their swords to clear away the debris falling like a waterfall and leaped towards the surface first.

"Jin, have you ever heard of dragons living under the ground?"

"No, I haven't. Don't earth dragons usually dwell on the surface? I wonder if this is indeed a dragon."

"It does feel too enormous to be called a dragon."

Who has awakened me, I asked!

The voice reverberated once again, shaking the heavens and earth. If it were ordinary or slightly exceptional humans, they would have likely been overwhelmed just by hearing that voice up close.

"I am Jin Runcandel."

Jin, who had emerged to the surface, replied with a calm voice filled with energy. Although the question was sharp, he was the one who awakened the figure, so it was necessary to respond favorably.

"Hedo of the Vamel Alliance, with no surname."

The scene outside the pit was truly desolate. The ground had turned into a crater-like formation due to the traces of excavation, undoubtedly the work of the two individuals. However, the swirling vortex that absorbed all the remnants on the surface was not natural. It was a phenomenon created by the movement of the owner of the scales.

The vortex was rapidly swallowing the surface at an alarming speed. The entire ground had already sunk, and Jin and Hedo checked the direction of Shuri first.

Fortunately, a green flare signaling their safety was shining high in the sky. Jin and Hedo exchanged glances, waiting for the owner of the scales to reveal themselves.

Sssss-!

Finally, a part of their face and neck emerged from the ground.

'A dragon? No... it seems closer to a serpent.'

The owner of the scales was a gigantic black serpent. Like the snakes seen in the wild, it had a forked tongue.

And for Jin and Hedo, seeing them brought to mind a certain dragon.

Zephyrin, it resembles that Demon Dragon. There's no comparison; this one is much larger.'

As the serpent glanced around, the swirling vortex that had been tearing through the surface subsided. Jin sensed a certain power imbued in that gaze.

[Jin Runcandel, Hedo... This is the first time I have heard these names. Moreover... aren't you humans?"

The serpent seemed greatly intrigued by the fact that Jin and Hedo were human.

[To dig the earth and reach the place where I reside! It seems the world has changed greatly while I slumbered. Hehe, indeed, the potential of mortals knows no bounds.]

"First of all, I apologize for awakening you. While digging to find the gate of the Demon world, we happened to come across one of your scales."

[Oh, I see. Well, well. In that case, it seems we are not on the best of terms. Although I'm not in my right mind immediately after awakening, I am undoubtedly the guardian of the boundaries of the world. Ameris, that is my name.]

Naturally, Jin and Hedo had never heard of the name Ameris before.

"Does that mean we have to defeat you in order to go further down?"

[Well, it's hard to say for sure whether my head still remains below. But even if there were no heads, you wouldn't be able to go down.]

"...More heads?"

[Hehe, now that I've awakened, I want to enjoy a fight. Even though you're human, you've come this far, so it should be enough of a diversion.]

As Ameris finished speaking, the ground began to sink.

The entire area suddenly collapsed, just as deep as the pit the two had been digging. Jin and Hedo fell back to the ground and assumed their stances.

As they looked up, the sky seemed infinitely distant. The battlefield of the pit had transformed into a massive arena in an instant.

The head of Ameris, which had cast a gigantic shadow just moments ago, disappeared as if it were a lie. There was no sign of Ameris' head or body within the pit.

Instead, the two could see a woman standing amidst the pit, holding a single sword. It was Ameris, transformed into a form resembling a human.

[Even if you end up dying, do not hold resentment. Arrogance and ignorance usually come with heavy consequences.]

"Isn't there any chance for further dialogue before we fight?"

[Unlike mortals, immortals are bound by fate. That's the weight of immortality. And the fate of this body is to obstruct those who seek the netherworld. If you possess enough power to defy my fate, then we might have more to discuss.]

"Well, if it's inevitable, then so be it."

Ameris' power was unpredictable.

However, Jin didn't feel like he would lose. The intuition he had gained from fighting countless transcendent beings and powerful individuals guided him.

'I mustn't kill her.'

There was too much information to gather after subduing Ameris. Though she was like an annoying gatekeeper hindering their digging process, she was closer to a treasure they discovered while digging. Therefore, Jin ruled out the use of eternal flame.

Jin made the first move.

With Runcandel's 5th secret move, the light-speed thrust infused with the power of the Plutonian, it struck Ameris head-on.

[...Isn't this the power of the Plutonians?]

Ameris easily deflected the light-speed thrust and closed the distance between herself and Jin in an instant.

"Do you know the Plutonians?"

Kraang!

As Jin's and Ameris' swords clashed, Hedo swung his sword towards Ameris' back. She swiftly rotated her body to evade the attack and took her position between the two.

[They have killed many of my heads.You possess the Illuminating Heart, I see.]

"That wasn't the story I was expecting."

[There is no way you know the Plutonians of that time, so I won't hold a grudge against you.]

The fight began, and despite knowing that Jin had a connection to the descendants of her enemies, Ameris showed no signs of hostility.

Perhaps due to that attitude, Jin strangely felt a liking towards Ameris. He even felt like he engaged in a dignified battle with a being befitting an immortal.

For a while, the three swords intertwined.

Although they weren't exerting their full power, Ameris skillfully parried their swords without showing any signs of being overwhelmed. She, too, refrained from using her full strength.

Jin, Hedo, and Ameris were all silently impressed by each other's swordsmanship.

'But why does Ameris' swordsmanship feel so familiar?'

Hedo didn't experience that sensation at all, but as the battle prolonged, Jin found himself engulfed in a strange premonition.

"Ameris, did you learn your swordsmanship from someone?"

[I received instruction.]

"From whom?"

Ameris didn't answer and fiercely clashed swords with Jin. Over time, her body was covered in countless wounds, yet she didn't possess the common power of rapid regeneration seen in transcendent beings.

It was as if she fought like a human swordsman. She engaged in battle purely with her swordsmanship, excluding the abilities that allowed her to shake the earth and bring it down with a mere glance.

This was her way of maintaining dignity befitting an immortal.

She believed that, as an immortal, it was beneath her to unleash her full power when mortals were controlling theirs.

Above all, Ameris exhibited insight during the fight, discerning the fundamental attributes of the two individuals. She sought to deduce why they were searching for the gate of the Demon world.

'They don't seem to possess impure and dangerous inner natures like typical mortals. However, they didn't awaken me by mere coincidence. They surely mentioned seeking the gate of the Demon world.'

Thus, Ameris had no reason to employ every means to kill the two.

'In any case, it's been a while since I've truly enjoyed the art of swordsmanship. Mortals, especially humans, how is it possible for them to reach such a level with a lifespan of merely a hundred years? And Jin Runcandel, isn't he too young even among humans?'

Swoosh...!

[Ugh!]

As Ameris blocked Hedo's sword with her forehead, the droplets of blood spurted out.

'And this human, Hedo, has formidable power... This is undoubtedly an ability infused with the remnants of the broken sun. He must have possessed it since birth, but how has he managed to withstand corruption? Is it because it hasn't fully awakened yet?'

Gradually, Ameris became more intrigued by the two individuals.

The momentum clearly favored Jin and Hedo. Initially, Ameris had put up an equal fight, but the two-on-one scenario was gradually pushing her to her limits.

If it were a one-on-one battle, she would have lasted about three hours against Jin and five hours against Hedo. Of course, this would have been different if she were at full strength.

[I admit my defeat in this sword duel. There is no point in continuing to fight, as it will only degrade me. I have paid the price for my arrogance and ignorance.]

Stepping back, Ameris sheathed her sword and spoke.

"It was a good match."

[And as we clashed our swords, I can sense that you possess the qualifications to defy my fate.]

"Are you willing to talk with us and give us directions?"

[I can promise the former, but the latter is impossible. If you continue to approach the gate of the Demon world, you must sincerely confront me. Why are you seeking that place? Do not attempt to deceive me with fabrications. You cannot fool me.]

Jin pondered for a moment, unsure if it was appropriate to reveal information about the altar of the Sun God to this sudden encounter with the massive serpent.

"Before answering, I want to hear one thing as a reward for winning the sword duel."

[Hmm, I have no choice but to listen to the defeated party. Ask.]

"Ameris, you mentioned that you are a being who guards the boundaries of the world. If that's the case, then you must also be well aware of the gate to the Demon world beneath us and what lies in the depth of this world."

[I know.]

"In that case, were you sleeping in this place to prevent the resurrection of the Sun God?"

[That's correct.]

"Really?"

[I have said so.]

"Swear it once."

[Are you for real? Very well, I, Ameris, swear upon my name. Satisfied? Mortal, your words are disrespectful! Such audacity!]

With a sly smile, Jin reached out his hand towards Ameris.

"In that case, from now on, I will conduct myself with more courtesy. It seems that Ms. Ameris and I share the same goals."

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