Only I Am A Reader

"Is that why you fed these so-called temptations to humanity's enemy while leaving only one for your pickings?"

It was only when the Sword Sage spoke up that everyone suddenly remembered the existence of the fifth Sky Fruit. Although the Azure Tree's crown had mostly collapsed on itself under the effect of the Calamity Dragon's potent poison, the last fruit had been withdrawn under the branches and leaves' cover as if it was being intentionally protected by the dying tree.

"It's really there…"

Conflict ensued within the onlookers' minds. Were they supposed to stand together to take down the horrifying monster? To run away so they could survive for another day? Or did they have to follow their desire and compete for the very last fruit regardless of the large threat falling into their midst…?

"Of course! If I don't go to hell then who will? To feed up the threat that can bring unity to our race and rid us of our conflicts, to personally obtain power so I can control that threat… Doesn't everything just fall into place?"

'Shameless.'

The Shaolin Temple's master shamelessly started spouting nonsense, making Leo almost roll his eyes even in a dangerous situation like this. Whether it was novels or reality, most people always found all kinds of justifications for their actions. It didn't matter if it was ridiculous or not, they just had to believe in it and they would suddenly find the drive to do everything.

Swish!

"It seems that sunlight has gotten through your bald head and fried your brain. Can you use the same words to justify what you did at my Mount Hua? To drive the young saplings to their deaths before they got their chance to fight back?"

The Sword Sage had only grown more infuriated at the Head abbot's words, slashing the air with his sword in preparation to cut the shameless monk's head off.

"Any mission always has its sacrifices! If I can rid this Murim from obstinate geezers like you, then sacrificing a whole generation is more than worth it!"

"Have you forgotten that you are one of these geezers yourself?"

Tap! Tap!

Pung Chungwon could no longer hold back, using the Azure Tree as footing to climb up to the Head abbot. Even as it could no longer defy the laws of gravity, the Poison Dragon was using its wings to greatly slow its fall, allowing it to remain in the air for this long!

"Humph, you think someone like you would be able to compete against me after losing your supporting arm? Just this injury was worth ratting you out that day!"

The Head Abbot smiled devilishly, taking out a staff that seemed to be made of diamond in preparation to receive the raging Sword Sage. Everyone held their breath once more as the two top powerhouses grew closer, no one knew what the odds would be now, but it was well known the two had previously matched each other in strength.

'Geochin is definitely doing his job well as a detective.'

During the years that Leo had mostly spent as a Monster Hunter alongside his team, Geochin's story hadn't completely stopped, only getting a few occasional time-skips. Amid his struggle to grow stronger and start his forces by relying on the Monster Hunter Association, he still found time to investigate the monsters' invasion with the Murim Lord's help.

Although he didn't know the whole story, the Murim Lord was one of the very first few to come into contact with the monsters. In fact, the state he had been forced into was caused by something that a crack had also spat. Counting the number of secrets he heard from the hunters chasing people to their death at the spot he was bound to, Namgung Geom was a very good Doctor Watson.

"You claim to be saving these from conflict, but you are the one that called everyone here, to begin with!"

With a few hints from here and there as well as some plot armor on the side, finding out that the Shaolin Temple was the virus in the link wasn't too hard. All that Geochin had to do was use the connections that he still managed to make at the Mount Hua Sword Conference to direct a sword stronger than his at their enemy!

"You dare slander me? I'm not ashamed of the necessary sins that I had to commit for the sake of the great good. However, this is one thing that I didn't act upon!"

The Head abbot's smile twisted at the wrongful accusation. Naturally, Geochin didn't forget to use the opportunity of having all of that conclusive evidence to sneakily pin one of his wrongdoings on the other side. Since they already did enough crimes to deserve death, wouldn't they at least prove useful for cleaning his slate?

"Rubbish, as if your words have any meaning after spouting out this nonsense! Just lay your head for me to liberate you from your toxic insanity!"

Klang!

The Sword Sage's Violet Bloom finally made contact with the Head Abbot's staff as the two met after marching from opposite ends. However, they didn't stay engaged for long as there was too much air turbulence for an aerial battle.

"Heh, even someone as old as you still manages to progress forward… This unfair world really needs to perish. No matter what, none of you stand a chance against us both!"

Roaaaaar!

The Poison Dragon that was almost on the ground screamed to announce its presence as the Head Abbot's backing. For some reason, getting crippled seemed to positively influence the Sword Sage's sword path, but even that paled in comparison to the gigantic beast in front of him…

"Don't get too full of yourself when you are just a coward who chose to stand on the safer side!"

Pung Chungwon disregarded the Poison Dragon's existence, directing all of his attention on the repulsive traitor. Unfortunately, the crowd of Martial Artists couldn't do the same as they had to run away to avoid being crushed by the Calamity's descent!

The incredible stress was slowly crushing their troubled mind as the two sides' conversation mixed in with their thoughts… Couldn't the Head Abbot be considered lucky for being offered the chance to stand on the monsters that possessed creatures on the Poison Dragon's level?

Would they accept the offer if it was presented to them? If even one of the top 'Righteous' Martial Artists succumbed to the fear of dying to the monsters from the very beginning, was there even any hope for them to push forward? Despair was quickly pervading their weary souls…

However, not everyone was frozen in fear just like that!

Swish!

A jet black spear broke the sound barrier as it embedded itself into the same spot it had attacked earlier, the Black Dragon that Cheon Chang had retrieved through Internal Energy Telekinesis was back for revenge!

Kra!

The Emerald Dragon held its scream as it stared angrily at Cheon Chang, but the Sword Sage naturally had no plan to wait for it to vent its anger. Following up on his earlier attack, Pung Chungwon stomped at its head to slash the Head Abbot in two.

The two angry old men started quarreling as the Poison Dragon tried to shrug them off its body, the spear in his wing started vibrating as Cheon Chang stretched his hand forward.

However, before he pressed forward with his next action, Cheon Chang turned to look at his group. The urge to fight was already present within him the moment he had laid his eyes on the Calamity, but he only acted from afar for a reason. Once everything started, he couldn't guarantee continuing his mission of protecting the Society's core seeds.

Unlike Cheon Jeong, the Absolute Spear hadn't necessarily grown closer to the rest, but Leo was simply different. He was the crystallization of his master's will, and his personal wish to make it come true. Most importantly, he truly viewed him as his junior brother.

Although it could be said that fighting the number one threat on the scene was the same as fulfilling his duty, no one could tell what would happen in such a volatile atmosphere. If the crowd decided to suddenly crowd on the Heavenly Strength Society's group, then even the Blade Spirit might not be able to guarantee their safety!

"What are you waiting for? I personally want to join the fight against something this special, but I will leave it to you since I care about the kids more. Doesn't this drooling lizard look like a dragon of sorts? Go and earn the title of a Dragon Slayer!"

Cheon Jeong could naturally read Cheon Chang's mind. His hesitation was understandable but getting rid of the threat before it was too late was still the priority. Since she acknowledged him to be the stronger between them, she would handle the burden of protecting the little ones who had lost their treat even if she had to put her life on the line!

<Go, senior brother. Just… make sure to come back.>

Even Leo who dreaded the death of one of his closest anchors in this world didn't discourage Cheon Chang from going forward. No matter what changed, the Absolute Spear's participation was necessary to match up to the First Calamity, that was just how strong he was.

<You have to.>

He could only hope that the change brought by his influence was strong enough to change this solid plot point that broke the scales of the Murim's forces, only that way would he stand a chance of successfully surviving this book!