Chapter 23 - Rage

“Eh? A crow?”

When Han Byul saw the crow, she couldn’t help but express her surprise. The crow’s feathers were composed of a smoky substance, and it had three legs instead of the usual two. Most striking were its eyes, which radiated a golden light rather than the dark brown or black she associated with crows.

“Ahhh… It’s been tens of thousands of years since I’ve taken a material form…”

As Samjoko spoke, he extended his wings in a manner strangely reminiscent of a human stretching. The assailant, now in a defensive stance, began moving toward Han Byul, intent on finishing her off. Just as he was about to reach her, he began to shiver uncontrollably.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you…”

The assailant turned his gaze toward the source of the voice and was met with two golden eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul. He felt a deep despair. He had never been told that anyone besides the princess could materialize their elemental—and such a fearsome one at that!

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess Han Byul. I am Azrael’s elemental, Samjoko.”

Despite Samjoko’s polite introduction, Han Byul did not feel any inferiority. On the contrary, he exuded a regal and majestic air typically reserved for the most senior members of the royal family. She felt as if she were in the presence of a superior being.

“Unfortunately, our first meeting must end here. I have more pressing matters to attend to. Please enjoy your brief rest.”

“Eh?”

Confused by Samjoko’s words, Han Byul was suddenly overcome by a rush of fatigue. She looked at Samjoko in shock as her consciousness slowly faded away, and sleep took her. As she lay beside Azrael, her face peaceful in slumber, Samjoko’s eyes softened briefly before turning cold as he focused on the assailant.

“Even though your Lord has appeared, you dare not greet me?”

‘M-my Lord!!!’

A sharp cry echoed through the assailant’s mind as a smoky substance appeared beside him, solidifying into the form of a massive, ethereal anaconda. Rakkun, towering ten meters even in its coiled form, with black scales, was a menacing sight.

Yet, this fearsome anaconda bowed its head to the small crow while visibly shaking in fear.

‘This humble servant, Rakkun, greets the Lord!’

The assailant watched in disbelief. Rakkun, his elemental for the past thirty years, was a member of the upper tier darkness elemental races. Midnight Anacondas, known for their contempt and scorn for other races, were now bowing to a small crow. The assailant was astonished.

‘Hey, Rakkun… Why are you so respectful? Who is this crow?’

‘…Master, how dare you call such an esteemed being a mere crow?! This being is…”

“…You dare have a private conversation while in my presence?”

Even though Samjoko’s voice was barely a whisper, its coldness made every muscle in their bodies freeze. He regarded them as if they were mere ants before addressing the matter directly.

“Now speak. Whose life were you attempting to extinguish?”

“…”

“…You choose silence?”

Samjoko’s golden irises turned black. The area around him darkened, and an abyssal darkness filled the space, making the assailant flinch and retreat instinctively. Despite having faced many terrifying battles, nothing compared to the dismay he felt at the sight of the encroaching darkness.

‘My Lord! My master Sean was sent to assassinate the Princess!’

At Rakkun’s words, the darkness receded. Sean sighed in relief at the disappearance of the oppressive shadow and was no longer angry with his elemental.

Samjoko nodded upon hearing the reply. Although his master was a prodigy and would become an excellent mage in the future, he was still a child and vulnerable. Samjoko was relieved to hear that the target was the princess. Even though his master was very fond of her, Samjoko always prioritized his master’s life.

As Sean observed the three-legged crow, a small hope arose within him. He didn’t understand how it materialized while its master was conscious and at death’s door, but he knew this elemental could kill him instantly. He prayed for mercy.

Rakkun, aware of Samjoko’s strength, knew they were insignificant compared to him. All they could do was hope for mercy and await their fate.

Unfortunately, fate was not on their side.

Hundreds of shadows emerged from the trees, speeding along the forest floor to surround Sean and Rakkun. Panicked, Sean attempted to flee but was quickly blocked. Rakkun, having already resigned himself, silently awaited death.

“You dare attack my master and expect to live? Hmph, feel honored that I grant you a swift death…”

As the shadows enveloped Sean, his final view through a small opening was of Samjoko’s merciless, emotionless eyes. The shadows converged into a tiny ball, and then, as quickly as they had arrived, they unraveled and retreated. In the space where Sean and Rakkun had been, nothing remained.

‘Bonghwang, how are master’s wounds?’

‘They are no longer life-threatening.’

‘Good job.’

While Samjoko dealt with the attackers, Bonghwang had been attending to Azrael’s wounds. Using fire attribute healing spells, she closed his wounds and stopped the bleeding. Although it was only emergency treatment, it should last until they found proper help.

‘My work is done. Princess Han Byul, I pray that your fate and master’s lead to a happier outcome than in your previous life.’

As Samjoko’s smoke dissipated and was absorbed back into Azrael’s body, Han Byul began to stir. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked around in confusion.

“Eh? What just happened? I remember seeing that weird three-legged crow telling me to rest before I suddenly felt tired and laid down… Oh no, Azrael!”

Recalling Azrael’s severe injuries, she frantically checked him. Seeing that his wounds had closed and the bleeding had stopped, Han Byul let out a sigh of relief.

“Whew, he isn’t in a life-threatening condition now. If he had died while protecting me, I would have felt guilt for the rest of my life. I need to get him to the healing ward as soon as possible. Hm… I guess I’ll have to carry him…”

The thought of carrying him all the way to the healing ward was daunting. It would require many stops and all her strength. Despite her apprehension, Han Byul berated herself for complaining as she thought about Azrael’s sacrifice.

Carefully, she wrapped Azrael’s arms around her neck and, after taking a moment to catch her breath, lifted him up. She began the arduous trek toward the healing ward.

“Haa… Haa… This is nothing compared to what Azrael went through to save me. Han Byul! You can do this!”

----

“*snore*…..*snore*….”

“….Eh?”

Azrael slowly opened his eyes to see a goddess-like figure beside his bed. Han Byul had fallen asleep in a chair right next to him, her head resting on the pillow. The room, illuminated by candles, revealed her peaceful face. To Azrael, nothing in the world seemed more beautiful. The soft snoring sounds she made brought a smile to his face.

‘Master! Are you alright?’

‘Ah, Chunyong. What happened? The last thing I remember was Han Byul and I being attacked, and I sustained severe injuries before passing out. Now I wake up in what I assume is the Academy’s healing ward. Do you know what happened while I was unconscious?’

‘Master, when you fell unconscious, I took emergency measures and forced myself to materialize to ensure Princess Han Byul’s and your safety. I dealt with the threat, and Princess Han Byul brought you here.’

‘Eh? You can materialize yourself? I thought I had to reach a certain mana purity for you to materialize?’

‘Had it been Chunyong or Bonghwang, that would have been the case, master. I am a special case. With the mana I had stored from assimilating with you, I was able to forcefully materialize myself.’

‘Oh, why didn’t you tell me this before, Samjoko? It would have been useful to know.’

‘There is a consequence, master. I will not be able to cast darkness element spells for you until I have recovered enough mana.’

‘How long will it take for you to recover?’

‘It will take me one month to recover enough mana.’

‘…That is quite a consequence...’

Azrael’s face fell at the news. Although he had planned not to use darkness element spells in the tournament, it was reassuring to know he had a trump card. Now that he didn’t, he felt exposed.

As he discussed the matter with his elementals, Han Byul began to wake. Seeing her tired face, Azrael smiled.

“Good morning, Princess. I heard that you…”

“AZRAEL!”

At the sight of Azrael awake, Han Byul rushed to him, embracing him tightly.

“Thank the gods... *hic*... Thank the gods you’re awake, Azrael… I was so worried when you didn’t wake up... *hic*... I wasn’t sure what I’d do if you... if you... *hic*”

Caught off guard, Azrael was unsure how to react. Embarrassed by the sudden display of emotion, he let Han Byul release her tears and began to comfort her. Han Byul, not caring about anyone else in the ward, stayed in Azrael’s warm embrace, letting her fears and concerns flow out through her tears.