[Hey, give me one more drink.]
The shamelessness of the Tiger Calamity demanding a refill made Baek Woo Jin’s blood pressure rise.
“You do realize this is the third time, right?”
[They say a ghost who dies from drinking looks good, right? Besides, people grant the wishes of the dead, so shouldn’t it be polite to grant a living tiger’s wish?]
“This…. tiger….”
Mumbling that it would be great if the beast just dropped dead already, Baek Woo Jin begrudgingly poured the third round of liquor into the dried-up pit, which the tiger had licked clean.
[Grr, this reminds me of the old days. Back when I used to come down the mountain and share drinks with the immortals, those were good times.]
“Seems like the immortals used to come down often back then.”
[They did more than now. The world was much purer back then.]
“Is the difference because of the demonic energy?”
[That’s right. The demonic energy is corrupting the world. If this keeps up, the whole world will turn into a barren wasteland where not even a single blade of grass will grow.]
As they continued their endless conversation in his mind, the tiger gulped down the liquor. Once the pit was emptied, it glanced at the dry hole and licked its lips in disappointment before speaking again.
Feeling a little softhearted, Baek Woo Jin raised the gourd.
“One more?”
Contrary to his expectation that the creature would eagerly accept, the Tiger Calamity shook its head.
[No. It’s when you’re left wanting more that you should stop. Besides, if I drink any more, the mind I just woke up will get sealed away again.]
“Hmm, that’s true.”
The tiger’s face had turned bright red even through the white fur.
If the Tiger Calamity kept drinking like that and lost control of its mind, letting its demonic instincts take over, it would cause more trouble than anything else.
[The moment you show hostility toward me, my body will start moving on its own again.]
“So, it has to end in a fight after all?”
[I’ll give you one chance. With the last bit of strength I have, I’ll stop myself briefly. Seize that moment.]
“Alright.”
[When you’re ready, release your killing intent toward me.]
“Sss…”
“Hoo.”
Taking a deep breath, Baek Woo Jin tightened his scattered focus once more.
He heated his body again and warmed it from its cold state. Then, as he glared at the Tiger Calamity with eyes full of killing intent—
– Keuheuuugh!
The suppressed bloodlust of the Tiger Calamity surged back to life.
[Urgh… it’s getting harder to stay in control!]
As if to prove those words, the Tiger Calamity’s left eye which had returned to blue flickered between red and blue.
Baek Woo Jin’s heated body began to deflect the incoming attacks from the Tiger Calamity, and the smell of liquor which had faded started to flow again.
[Oh, that’s better now.]
That scent helped the Tiger Calamity maintain its sanity.
Because it couldn’t fully move according to its instincts, the creature’s movements had noticeably slowed compared to before. Thanks to that, it became a little easier to evade.
[Get ready.]
The spirit of the White Tiger gave him a signal.
Baek Woo-jin pulled back significantly to widen the distance in preparation.
“Hoo…!”
With only one chance, he had to end it perfectly.
He raised his sword to head level and aimed his blade at the Tiger Calamity. He then lowered his stance further and shifted his entire weight forward.
At the moment he finished preparing, the Tiger Calamity which had been charging toward him to close the distance suddenly stiffened.
[Now!]
Gritting his teeth, he channeled the energy collision within his Bubbling Well blood point, using the force of that clash to propel himself forward with explosive speed.
Boom!
At the same time, he used a stabbing technique of the White Flash Sword Technique, the White Flash Light Gaze, to create a new move that only he could perform.
White Thunder Pierces the Sky
Fzzzzzzzzt!
The tip of his sword, which was now a streak of lightning, easily pierced through the rigid hide of the motionless Tiger Calamity.
The sword tore through it tough skin and resilient flesh to reach its target—the heart.
Pshhk!
– Kwoaaaah!
The creature’s agonized roar erupted right in front of him. Hot blood trickled from his ears.
He let go of the sword that pierced the creature’s heart.
[Urgh…! I’ve lived for hundreds of years, but this is the first time I’ve felt such pain.]
The Tiger Calamity, or rather the White Tiger, whose eyes had returned to blue, growled lowly. And Baek Woo-jin poured more liquor into the pit it had dug earlier.
“Drink this.”
Even his tone had changed now that the White Tiger was completely free from the demonic energy’s control.
[Hoho, thank you.]
The White Tige crouched down in front of the puddle and lapped at the liquor lightly. It was completely different from its previous self.
[Ten years ago, when I was on the brink of death, they came to find me.]
The tiger had lived for centuries and was preparing to return to nature’s embrace.
“The Demonic Cult?”
[Yes. They waved a ridiculous demonic stone in front of me, claiming they would turn me into a demonic beast.]
Recalling the incident, the White Tiger snorted loudly before continuing.
[I turned them into mush on the spot. There was no need to show mercy to those who could only bring ruin to the world.]
Even though death was near, there was no way the White Tiger would become a demon because of a mere demonic stone. Instead, it had crushed the heads of the demons who chanted for the Heavenly Demon right in front of it with its paws.
[A few years later, another uninvited guest came to find me.]
“Was it the Demonic Cult again?”
[Calling them that wouldn’t be quite right.]
Shaking its head slightly, the White Tiger’s eyes flickered with a hint of fear.
[This time, the one who came to me called themselves the Heavenly Demon.]
“…….!”
The Heavenly Demon!
The name, placed above both the Emperor and the Three Sovereigns was finally mentioned.
[When I asked why they had taken such heavy steps to come here, the Heavenly Demon said this.]
“They claimed that your existence was truly noble, and so they deemed it only fitting to come in person and take you under their command.”
[…That’s what they said.]
Baek Woo Jin stared at him with a look of disbelief.
“Are you sure that’s not a lie?”
[Not a single word was out of place!]
“So, what happened next?”
[The Heavenly Demon’s demonic energy was on a completely different level from that of mere demonic stones. Even though I was on the verge of death, I couldn’t resist at all and ended up becoming a demon.]
The huge body of the White Tiger shuddered as it recalled that moment. Its expression showed clear disgust, as if even thinking about it was unbearable.
[After that, as you already know, I used the tiger minion to manipulate the villagers who followed me into offering humans as sacrifices….]
A deep regret was visible in its eyes.
[I need to tell them I’m sorry… but I don’t have much time left.]
The White Tiger stared directly at Baek Woo Jin; its intentions were obvious.
“…I’ll tell them for you.”
[Hoho, thank you.]
Baek Woo Jin couldn’t understand why it was so easy to read the various expressions on that tiger’s face.
The vitality in the White Tiger was gradually fading. It seemed the time it had left was truly short.
Its weakening blue eyes looked up at Baek Woo Jin.
Even as it lay dying, the tiger seemed to hesitate about something. Then, as if making up its mind, it spoke directly into his thoughts.
[Can I ask you for one last favor?]
“What now?”
Despite the gruff reply, the warmth in his voice was unmistakable.
[My child is sleeping deep in that cave.]
“Your child?”
[The truth is, something precious has been slumbering here. I was like a guardian deity that existed solely to protect it.]
There was something in this mountain that the White Tiger had to protect. Along the way, it had saved a few people who were about to be devoured by evil men or wild beasts, and those grateful for the rescue came to worship the White Tiger as a mountain god. The village that now existed below this place was built by these people to honor the tiger and live under its protection.
“Something precious, you say…?”
[I don’t know exactly what it is either. I only know that from the moment I was born, my father told me it was my duty to protect it.]
“Was your child born for the same purpose?”
[That’s right. My child was originally meant to take over my role and guard this mountain. But circumstances have changed.]
Baek Woo Jin’s face twisted as he saw the White Tiger’s ears droop weakly. A foreboding thought flashed through his mind.
“Don’t tell me…”
[Just as you suspect, the Heavenly Demon took it. In fact, I wonder if the real reason the Heavenly Demon came all the way here wasn’t for me, but for that.]
“Then you must have seen what it was when they took it. What kind of item was it?”
The White Tiger shook its head.
[It was wrapped in a cloth that gave off a strange aura. All I remember is that it was about the size of a human fist.]
“Something the size of a fist…”
Baek Woo Jin had no idea what it could be. It was something that hadn’t even been mentioned in the novel.
However, if it was an item important enough for the Heavenly Demon to come all the way here to retrieve, it was undoubtedly of great importance.
As he was lost in thought, the White Tiger continued speaking.
[With my duty ending in my generation, my child is now free.]
Baek Woo Jin sensed what the tiger was about to ask.
“Are you asking me to take care of your child?”
[That’s my request.]
The tiger child had been wild and carefree from birth; it roamed wherever it pleased. Now that it had been granted freedom, the tiger worried that without proper care, it might wander recklessly and end up killed by humans. Even in its final moments, it couldn’t rest easy.
“How am I supposed to raise a big tiger among people?”
[You don’t need to worry about that. My child is still very small since it had only just been born.]
“…….”
There was no longer a reason to refuse.
[Though the child is weak now, it will become a great help to you one day. That much, I can promise.]
Baek Woo Jin’s mind began to waver. Indeed, if it was the offspring of the White Tiger, it could certainly prove useful in the challenges ahead.
“So, it’s really that small?”
[Like I said, the child is very young and small. Let me put it this way… Ah, it’s about the size of that small rock over there.]
The rock the tiger pointed to was about the size of two adult palms put together. At that size, taking care of it wouldn’t be too difficult.
“Alright. I’ll take care of it and raise it well.”
[Thank you… truly, thank you.]
Like a flame about to be extinguished, the life in the tiger flickered faintly. Like the last embers of a dying fire.
[When I die… cut open my belly. I don’t know if it will be of any use since it’s tainted by demonic energy… but there should be an inner core there.]
“Understood.”
[My end is near… Is there anything left you wish to ask me?]
Baek Woo Jin, who saw the tiger’s eyes flicker as if they were about to close, hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.
“By any chance…”
[Speak freely. I’m dying; what wouldn’t I answer now?]
“Then, allow me to ask more boldly.”
Ahem!
After clearing his throat, Baek Woo Jin looked at the White Tiger with a serious expression on his face and asked,
“Was the Heavenly Demon you saw… a man or a woman?”
[Hoho, what a crazy fellow.]
Who would have thought that in the face of a dying sacred beast, he would ask whether the Heavenly Demon was a man or a woman?
[What difference does it make if the Heavenly Demon is a woman or a man? Why ask that?]
“It’s very important to me.”
It might be an utterly meaningless question to some, but to Baek Woo Jin, it was the most crucial question of all.
His approach would change drastically depending on whether the Heavenly Demon was male or female.
[The Heavenly Demon I saw… was a woman.]
At last, the end came. The White Tiger slowly closed its eyes, feeling its soul gradually leaving its body.
“…….”
Finally, the White Tiger’s breathing ceased completely.
Baek Woo Jin, who had been silently watching, lowered his head as his clenched fists trembled.
“So, the Heavenly Demon… is a woman.”
He hadn’t expected much, especially given the strange creatures he had been dealing with.
But when Baek Woo Jin raised his head, his eyes blazed with renewed determination.
“Wait for me, Heavenly Demon!”
I’ll come to you as soon as I can.
“And if you don’t have pink hair…”
You better be ready.
With a new resolve set in his heart, Baek Woo Jin approached the White Tiger’s lifeless body. He sliced open its lower abdomen and reached inside.
“Is this it…?”
Feeling something that seemed to be the inner core at his fingertips, he grabbed hold and pulled it out.
“Ugh…”
The demonic energy emanating from the core which was about the size of a thumb… it was far more powerful than anything he had encountered before. It was even more potent than a demonic stone.
“For now, let’s wash this off.”
After pouring wine from the gourd to wash away the blood from the inner core, he tore a piece of his robe, carefully wrapped the core in it, and tucked it into his chest.
Suddenly, his heart felt more at ease.
Baek Woo Jin used the earthquake technique, the same one he had employed to break the formation, but on a smaller scale to dig a large pit. He then pushed the White Tiger’s corpse into it.
Its tough and durable hide would have many uses, but despite their brief time together, he didn’t wish to dismember someone with whom he had shared conversations and drinks.
“May you be reborn free next time.”
What must the weight of the mission it had carried for hundreds of years have been like? It was likely no less than the burden he had once held when the fate of the world rested on his shoulders.
“Rest in peace.”
Baek Woo-jin buried its corpse while hoping that it would be at peace from now on.
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