Only I Am A Reader

'Some things you just need to accept…'

From the very beginning, Leo almost had no desire for the Sky Fruit. Although something like that would elevate either his or Yeon's combat ability to the roof, he didn't designate the 'Hot Potato' as a target in fear that all of the change that he administered would go to waste.

However, even if he didn't aim for it, he at least thought that the protagonist wouldn't come to have the last laugh. It was okay if someone among the other powerhouses got it, and it was even okay if the Sword King got it and gave it to Geochin himself, but why did the final act have to conclude in such a manner that blatantly screamed plot device?

After succeeding in stealing the spotlight once, Leo believed that a protagonist's destiny wasn't that strong in a realistic world like this, but it seemed like the true cornerstone events could never truly change, at least not the part where the main character received the benefits… Or so Leo thought.

The sight of Geochin's breakthrough wasn't something that he enjoyed watching considering he had to kill him at one point, but Leo's spirit wasn't down thanks to the figure of Cheon Chang standing tall next to him. He simply decided to be happy with achieving his final target, scanning through the scenery created by the earlier magnificent battle.

'The level creep isn't really constant in this novel.'

While he had no chance to participate in the earlier battle, Leo knew just how strong he and the other three were. The fame gained by the 'Four Heavenly Beasts' wasn't just for show, Peak Martial Artists are basically the true fighting force of organizations. Unfortunately, the author had directly skipped straight to the ceiling of power in this particular event, making the main characters of the novel seem like cannon fodder.

'It does feel like a retcon to kill off someone as strong as the Absolute Spear… Wait!'

Leo quickly paused recalling his thoughts in regard to the event that had just passed as he caught sight of a small glacial hemisphere that stood out in the middle of the rubble!

"Wow, this is definitely something special. It shouldn't be something created using normal Internal Energy…"

Adding to his surprise, Leo turned to see the Flame Emperor exclaiming by his side. Just like him, he was observing the peculiarly small iceberg that looked like a glitch in the setting rather than the breakthrough of the promising protagonist.

'Of course, Murong Gang.'

As one of the families occupying one of the grand nine names, the Murong Martial Family just happened to be another family that specialized in the sword. Although none of their young ones participated in the last Sword Conference that turned into a disaster, the title of the Sword Sage was once held by Murong Chan, one of their grand elders that succumbed to death under the passing of time.

Being a member of that renowned force, not only did Murong Gang choose to use the spear, he even dabbled in the extreme application of 'natural elements' by using Internal Energy. Before he became the powerhouse that most of the murim respected now, he was often shunned and ridiculed… He was the very definition of a normie main character template.

'He sure knows his stuff.'

Regardless of his past that the author had shown for the sake of showing the protagonist's admiration for him. Murong Gang's application of fire was very different from how Leo or Cheon Yong used martial arts to stimulate forces of nature. He was someone that transformed the very essence of his Internal Energy to be no different than fire, using that to drive his spearmanship and not the other way around.

Thanks to his profound knowledge in that field, he could tell that the glacial hemisphere wasn't created using standard cold martial arts. Anyone would have used this opportunity to ask for a further explanation and get enlightened as to make use of their senior's protection, but…

'More importantly, I need to secure this catch while Geochin is distracted!'

Leo didn't require someone's explanation as he knew everything that a reader needed to know! With this surprising find in his, the event that was about to conclude on a disappointing end had changed directions once more!

"Hah… Is it over, sister?"

By the time Leo's Heavenly Reign Steps delivered him in front of the ice structure, the top layer strangely evaporated at a fast pace as a pale face rose from within, accompanied by a floating question.

"I think it is… Eh?"

The cold face full of frigid charm shook as it met Leo's gaze. For some reason, his friendly eyes seemed to contain the hunger of a predator who had just found its prey…

'Who is…'

"Don't worry, the catastrophic monster has been vanquished with the efforts of my 'master' and the heroic Sword Sage. Both of you can come out now."

'What is this?'

The dashing youth's words sounded like any other, but Bing Baek felt like she was completely seen through. It was as if he grasped her situation in a mere second!

Regardless, having indeed managed to confirm that the threat of the Poison Dragon's explosion had subsided, the perceptive girl helped her brother out before looking back at the unnerving youth.

Thanks to the Sword Sage's accurate Dantain Detonation, the Violet Dawn Internal Energy had neutralized most of the poison spread by the explosion. Although it was slightly late when considering the ones who died from the poison rain, at the very least, the plain wouldn't retain its hazardous nature for a few years as it normally would have.

"I know it seems weird, but I couldn't help checking up on this unique defense since I found it peculiar to see it here. If it isn't rude of me to ask, would it be possible for you to share what are the people of the Northern Ice Palace doing here on the borders of Zhongyang?"

'I knew it…'

"Perhaps… We can provide some help?"

Baek Bing's legs suddenly felt stuck. Just as her senses warned her, she had fallen into the spider's web…