Fallen Lightbringers' Return

Chapter 63: Evolving

Lee Dojin blocked the hands and destroyed their core. "This is getting a little repetitive, don't you think?" He grabbed one of the fingers and threw it over his head, hitting another hand and crushing them both. "Well, with this pace, we should be able to finish it soon. Hope you don't mind."

The face looked rather frustrated, though it could not do anything. "Just.. . you. wait!"

Lee Dojin landed on the ground. "Did it just reply to me?"

Hassan observed the face with scrutiny. "I've been thinking this for a while now, but don't you feel that thing has slowly gotten smarter?"

".. .Maybe." He shrugged his shoulder. "Though it doesn't matter if we beat it first. We still have plenty of time." He looked at Hassan. "By the way, how are you feeling?"

"I think I am getting used to it." The man looked at his hands. It wasn't shaking anymore.

"See? The shadows aren't the only one evolving." He stopped a giant hand with his palm. "We are too." A light beam flew down, destroying its core.

Ji-ah held her nose. "I think I need a little break though." Blood kept seeping out, a few drops sullying her dress.

"Don't overwork yourself. how about you two take a break? I got this from here?"

"Aren't you tired," Hassan asked him.

Lee Dojin turned around, his expression full of vigor. "Do I look tired?" He phased away, appearing right next to the face again.

Hassan could not do anything but observe. "Is he really the same species as me?"

Ji-ah held her head high, preventing the blood from rushing out. "He's full of vigor, isn't he? Don't know where he gets all that power from."

"Tell me if you ever find out," the man laughed.

Lee Dojin watched the face with curiosity. It had a vigilant expression, while it kept backing away. He asked it, "Say, do you understand me?"

The face's brows furrowed. It did not answer. Or maybe it did not understand. It was hard to tell. The whole darkness shook, though it was unknown why. Was it trying to communicate?

Lee Dojin shook his head. "If you have anything to say, I'd recommend you doing it fast." With his hand, he pierced through the face. "I don't know how much time you have left, after all." It crumbled away, its expression full of agony.

The shadows within started to tremble, and the three of them felt as if they were embroiled in an earthquake. Dojin looked into the distance. "What now? Will it be feet this time? Would be interesting."

Hassan squinted his eyes. As his Affinity foretold, his sight was the greatest of them all. His face froze up, and he shouted, "No! This time it's different!"

A whirlwind appeared in front of Lee Dojin, He felt the air twist around him, with the shadows following the flow. It collected everything, compressing it, shaping it, molding it, creating a monstrosity the size of a building. It had arms and legs, looking just like a human, though it held no facial features.

Baek Ji-ah looked up. "Now what the hell is that thing?"

The shadows screeched out, its voice resounding through the sky. The monster swung its arms, creating a breeze that enveloped the three. Lee Dojin quickly turned his head, the attack missing, but the quakes of the fist reverberated in the air.

"Di.. .e Die.. D e. Die!" A ring of chants surrounded Lee Dojin. It was the shadow.

Lee Dojin cracked his neck. he watched the great monstrosity, in the shape of a humanoid. He licked his teeth. "I think I understand now." He readied himself for battle. "You are trying to become human, right? That's why you keep transforming. Every time you change, you are more complete. Interesting."

The monster kicked out, hitting Lee Dojin square at his chest. A dull sound echoing into everyone's ears. He felt the wind knocked out of him, as he coughed. The monster, seeing its opportunity, threw several more punches, all falling upon Lee Dojin.

Hassan watched in awe. "Holy shit, that's crazy."

"Is it fine for you to use the Lord's name in vain?" Ji-ah glanced at him. "No, in the first place, are you even religious?"

The man turned his head. "Is that all you have to say? The Inherit- no, Lee Dojin, he will die if he keeps this on, you know?"

"You think so? It's not that easy for a human to die, Hassan," Ji-ah said, watching on. "Also, I have complete faith in him."

The Saudi Prince turned silent. "How are you able to stay this calm? I don't understand you two. Look at him. He is a lone human, fighting against a neverending monstrosity. The size difference alone is enough to overwhelm any sane person." He clenched his fist, seemingly lost in a hard decision. "Fuck it, I will go. I don't care what happens, I have to save him."

Baek Ji-ah pulled at his robe. "Why? You've only known him for one day. What's the point of risking your life for a stranger?"

Hassan did not know how to answer. The woman was right. He didn't really know that Lee Dojin. True, if he wanted to be strong, that man was the fastest way, yet, was it worth risking his life, when there are many comparable people within this world. His mind swirled. He put his hands into his pocket. The cold sapphire ring brought him to his senses. "I think you guys are fun."

"What?"

"I don't know. I've met the two of you only a few hours ago, and I wasn't expecting anything to come out of it," he paused, "but being with you people, I learned more than I did staying with my family and those close to me. Inexplicably, Lee Dojin, and you, being together, it makes me feel free. As if all problems have an answer. And my worries were only small." He scratched his cheek a little embarrassed by what he said. Still, he continued. "I don't want people I like to die alone. That's all." The man rolled his sleeves up, preparing for a fight.

Ji-ah waited for him to end his sentence. "That's a fine answer," she said. "He does have that effect. I know that. Truthfully speaking, I too, only know him for around 2 weeks."

Hassan's brows shot up high. "What? but you are talking as if you've been together your whole life." He rubbed his neck. "To be honest, I thought you were dating."

Ji-ah promptly hit the back of his head. "Cease these thoughts, I'm his teacher." She coughed twice. "But anyways. I guess he has a knack for finding people that feel confined. Or maybe it is us who finds him." She laughed. "Still, for people cowering from the society that rejected their living, he appears like the beacon of light-which almost seems ironic, seeing what my Affinity is." A smile appeared on his face. "He embodies freedom. Thus, we are drawn to him."

The monster stopped punching. It wanted to admire the work it had created. However, what he saw was beyond its expectation.

"That fucking hurt." Lee Dojin stood his ground, his hands in an X-Formation. Wings spurted out his back, illuminating the darkness. He stabilized his breath, in and out.

Hassan touched his lip. He winced, feeling the pain. When had it burst? Even though he always applied chapstick, it still became dry. How intriguing. Baek Ji-ah started coughing. She felt her lungs burning up.

"If I kill you, how much volume will you lose? I can't wait to find out." He faced Ji-ah. "Sorry, Ji-ah this might not be good for your body."

"Don't worry about it," she said, "Just end it swiftly."

Lee Dojin smiled. "I was thinking of it anyways. Otherwise, Seoul itself will be destroyed by the heat." His sight locked on the shadow. For the first time, it had a fearful expression. Did it now feel dread for its existence? Yet, it was far too late. He voiced out, "Day of Judgement, First Trumpet: Scorched Earth."

The heat quickly dissipated, focused all at one point-his finger. He activated his Cosmic Steps, phasing in front of the giant shadow, and with a single touch, eradicated the monster from the face of the earth. The fires were strong enough to burn even the world to nothingness. A mere shadow stood no chance. Not only did it disappear, the surrounding itself lightened up as if there never had been the darkness. For a brief period, the place looked like daytime.

Hassan could not keep his eyes off of it. He stared at the winged Lee Dojin, enthralled, with his eyes glimmering. This was it. This was what he searched for all these years. This was strength and freedom. A great shiver ran down him, and his heart beat wildly. Were these the angels he had learned about when he was a kid? He instinctively bowed down, praying.

"So you were religious. You should have said so in the beginning," Ji-ah joked. She too was amazed by the sight of Lee Dojin. He was enveloped in fire, though it did not hurt him. His hair floated in the wind, giving him an ethereal look. It was as if he had descended from heaven.

The shadow slowly reformed itself, though there remained a giant hole in the sky, unable to be closed. It had gotten a significant amount of damage. And the face did not reform itself this time. This was the result of the greatest martial art, only bestowed upon humanity. It was divine and with no equal.

The shadowy voice continued ringing out. "No! No! Th.. . is cannot be it!" It voiced its frustration. "More! M.. ore! More!" Lee Dojin remained calm. What did it have planned? The face reappeared, tattered. Its next words shocked him to the core. "Purga.. . tory. Soul Symbiosis."