by Feng Yue
Hearing this, everyone became alert. After a short break, they began to walk north. However, Sam stood still. He sat on the ground, looking at Baro’s back.
“Where did Baro go?” Sam’s voice was hoarse but the words stirred in the crowd.
Baro looked back at him, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
Sam’s expression was unchanged. He asked, “I said, where’s Baro?” In the silence, only the sound of distant flames and collapsing buildings could be heard.
Sam looked at Baro coldly. After a long while, Baro chuckled. His eyes were no longer bloodshot. “I thought I was perfect.” He sighed. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You are playing well.” Sam coughed violently and spat out bloody phlegm. His voice was still hoarse.
“Baro likes to bully others and hold grudges. He’s narrow-minded and neurotic. He despises those who are weaker than him. He is a paranoid b*stard. So, never once did I hear the word ‘let’s’ from his mouth, not to mention helping so many people along the way. He’d never be as ‘kind’ as you.”
When saying the word ‘kind’, Sam’s eyes became harsh like the scorching sun. Among the charred cracks on the face, blood lit up like lava. “Let me ask again. Where is Baro?”
“Is he such a man in your mind?” ‘Baro’ sighed. “If he heard that, he must be very sad. His last words before dying were, ‘Sam you finally woke up. Great…’ When I killed him, he thought he was dreaming.”
“Grandmaster… What about the master?” Someone in the crowd was about to break down. “Where is the grandmaster?”
Miller finally processed everything. The former friend beside him had been replaced by a demon. A wisp of redness emerged on his ashen face like boiling blood.
Master? There was no master at all. This was only a well-prepared trap! What could be easier than letting the prey come voluntarily?
362 Opponen
“Where’s the grandmaster?”
‘Baro’ just smiled cynically at this in reply.
“What did you prepare at the northern inn? A trap? Or an ambush?” Sam stared at him. “Tell me. I’m interested.”
“There’s nothing interesting there, just a transformation ritual.“‘Baro’ pursed his lips and chuckled. “After all, you’re all stars of the next generation. My lord thirsts for talents. He would never do something like shedding blood. The perishing praise are just bandits that only know how to kill. I’d love to have more companions, especially elites like Mr. Sam…” Before he finished, a cry sounded in the distance. Dozens of wild aether waves appeared. A bloody head was tossed over.
‘Baro’ looked at Sam as if he could see the subtle hand movement. He chuckled meaningfully. “Do you still have more questions? I will answer everything I can.”
Sam’s expression darkened. Those who wanted to escape froze, their eyes filling with despair.
“I admit I had other intentions but I was still the one that protected you all along the way, right? How can you leave without a word of thanks? I’m so sad.” He reached out and picked up the head. He flicked the dead lips mischievously. Looking at the people gently, he said, “Come, say it with me—thank you.”
No one replied.
In the silence, someone finally set his determination. He jumped up, calling, “I’ll stop them! Everyone split up and leave—” But before he could finish, his body split in two. His body was cut apart, and blood splattered onto everyone’s pale faces.
“Leave?“‘Baro’ smiled tightly. “We’re already here. Where else do you want to go?”
Blood fell endlessly like rain. Washed by the blood, the hallucination fell apart. The burning city and broken walls all disappeared. Finally, all that remained was the bloody hall. The northern inn that had transformed into a demon’s lair was covered in bodies.
Sixteen dark musicians stood around the vast alchemy array and played an eerie music score. They performed the ritual and praise. The ‘sacrifices’ that had escaped here were standing within the array. The solid black aura constrained and immobilized them.
Those who had ‘died’ along the way had already been tossed onto the altar. They were being slowly transformed into the dark race. Soon, the ‘newborns’ crawled out of the puddle of blood one by one. The dark musicians waiting beside them called out their names and helped them put on black robes.
“The transformation ritual has been prepared for a long time.” The faceless actor finally revealed its true nature. The empty face smiled at them and opened its arms to the panicking musicians. “Now, what do you all think?”
The musicians’ faces turned ghastly white as they stared at the menacing demons around them, unable to move. Then some familiar faces walked out of the group of demons.
“Asa?! How can it be you? And Lorenzo…” Someone was stunned. “Aren’t you guys dead?”
In the crowd, a girl whose face had been burned yelped as she looked at a familiar face in the back. “Benny! How—why are you still alive…”
Those who had reappeared were all musicians who had died during the attack. Some had even died before their friends and were buried. But now, they were all here, looking the same as before.
“Illusion!” someone roared. “It’s an illusion!”
Miller finally reacted. He glanced subconsciously at his companion who was an Illusion musician. However, the musician’s face was colorless and decadent. Forcefully shattering an aether ball, his expression slacked. After a while, he shook his head. “It’s…real?!” It was real…
“Anna.” Amongst the dark musicians, the man known as Benny gazed gently at his lover. “We finally meet again. This is God’s blessing. Please don’t doubt me. Do you still remember when we first met? We…” The more he spoke, the more incredulous Anna grew. Finally, tears sprang from her eyes. Stumbling back, she covered her burnt face and choked with sobs. “Don’t look at me, my dear. I’m…I couldn’t save you, I’m sorry!”
“Ailments are just the surface. Don’t mind it. My dear, we’ve reunited.” Benny opened his arms and waved at her with gentle eyes. “Come here, my love. Come to my side.”
Hesitating, Anna walked over cautiously. She embraced Benny and they kissed. The love in Benny’s eyes was genuine. Finally sure that he was not an illusion, Anna broke down sobbing.
Benny murmured something to her. She quickly made her decision. Taking off her clothes, she stepped onto the altar. The other musicians were enraged, but she walked into the center of the transformation ritual. One by one, the musicians were convinced by their resurrected friends and walked toward the altar willingly. The faceless musician hugged each one, welcoming them.
Finally, he looked to Sam. “Mr. Sam, you were personally requested by leader Crowley. I’m sure you’ve witnessed our lord’s ability to turn back death. Why are you unwilling to face reality?” The faceless musician stood before him and looked down.
“Is it humiliating to bow down before the truth? And what about you, Mr. Miller? The School of Choir has always been the cradle of dark musicians. Aren’t you interested in the transformation between life and death? All you have to do is bow down and you’ll see the treasures given to you by our lord.”
Miller’s lips were pale and trembling. He stood in front of Sam and stared at the faceless musician. He rasped out, “Your god is not my god.”
“How can the clay idols you worship be compared to the majestic existence?” The faceless musician’s expression hardened and he raised his hand. “I’m sorry. You only had one chance.”
Miller closed his eyes, waiting for death. However, the hand was caught by someone else.
“Wait, Will.” The newcomer stopped his comrade and said lightly, “Let me talk to them.”
“Then…I’ll hand it to you.” Will glanced at the man and stepped back with a vague smile. The man turned around and took off his mask, revealing a familiar face.
“Baro!” Miller was dumbfounded. Even Sam’s dark eyes flashed with confusion.
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“It’s me.” Baro chuckled but his expression was extremely peaceful and calm. His eyes were not bloodshot, nor was there any mania. He looked like a gentle and quiet youth, undisturbed by his beastly nature.
“Our time apart felt like years. How have you all been?” he asked quietly.
Miller’s expression changed and he stumbled back. He wanted to say something but he shut his mouth.
Sam glared at Baro as if looking at an abomination. “Baro, you’re already dead,” he said. “The dead should not crawl out of the grave.”
“You’re worried I’m fake?” Baro walked up. “Don’t worry, Sam. I’m great now. I didn’t actually die. It’s just that Will helped me see my true strength. Do you still remember how we met three years ago? At that time—”
“At that time, you looked more normal.”
“That’s because I’m normal now.” Baro laughed. “I’m no longer troubled by anger and mania. Calmness feels so nice. I’ve defeated the beastly nature within me. It was a gift from His Highness. Now, I’ve recovered—”
Snick! Blood spewed out, flowing from Baro’s heart. A dagger had appeared in Sam’s hand as if he had practiced it thousands of times. He was clearly too weak to move but he was still incredibly fast.
He had yanked the dagger from his boot, flipped his wrist, and sent it forward. The blade had swum through the air like a fish and disappeared into Baro’s chest. It had pierced into the heart, creating a ripple of red.
Blood spewed onto Sam’s face.
“I—I…I’m…agh—ah—” Baro gaped at Sam. He tried to say something but blood had poured into his lungs. He could no longer speak and fell onto his knees.
Sam pulled out the dagger and wiped it against Baro’s neck. He fell to the ground. In the last moment, he gaped at Sam. His dull eyes reflected the bloodied face.
“Sorry, Baro.” Sam sat on the ground and lowered his eyes. “Since you couldn’t die bravely in battle, I hope you can die in shame. That way, you’ll still be like before…”
“Sam!” Will could not process this. He roared, “What the f*ck did you do?! That’s your friend! He had come back to life just to see you!”
“He’s not my friend.” Sam looked up with cold eyes. “He never was.”
“You—”
“Friend? How could he have friends?” Sam raised his hand and closed Baro’s eyes. He said gently, “People as paranoid as him only see wins and losses, strengths and weaknesses. Something like friendship probably never existed to him. He’s an opponent that I acknowledge, and an enemy that I must kill with my own hands. That’s what I thought when I first met him three years ago. He thought the same.
“Even without you, he would have challenged me before the trial ended, justly like a true musician. Dying would have been okay. But he chose this crazy path to challenge me. Now I feel sad seeing how weak he had become. I feel…disgusted!”
“Reckless b*stard!” Will laughed in anger. “If that’s the case, there’s no point in keeping you.”
Pop! He flashed like a hallucination and reached out. His sharp finger bones ripped Sam’s chest apart, breaking through the back. He squeezed the heart as if it was clay and fresh blood spurted out.
Sam was lifted up and moved around like a burnt and ragged doll. Blood flowed down his face like tears. As if he was crying.
He closed his eyes, letting the blood or tears roll down his cheeks. Finally, his breathing cut off. However, fire crackled within his shattered chest.
“Did you know? I’ve been waiting for him to challenge me…” His dead eyes opened again. Now, they were red as lava. There was no fear, uncertainty, anger, or sadness in those eyes. It just burned like fire. It was terrifying just by burning.
“I’ve waited three years for this day!”
The Copper Mountain rumbled!
363 The Last Mazeppa
Faceless musician Will screamed because the blood that splattered onto him had turned into burning melted metal! The shattered heart in his hand turned into a furious sun, burning his hand to charcoal. He convulsed in pain and tried to escape, but Sam grasped him as if embracing the dead Baro.
“Aether? Aether…” The faceless musician cried out as he burned. “How can you—no! No—”
“Idiot.” Sam hugged him and said hoarsely, “I can’t but Agni can. He’s so much more generous than your lord!” As he spoke, flames seeped out of his every pore. His flesh burned into a rosy crystal. He sublimated in the fire into something that the average person could not speculate… He had become a beast more terrifying than any demon!
Since you killed Baro, then witness it for him! Witness this last Holy Spirit Transformation! This was the ultimate resonance, sacrifice, and offering.
For years, musicians had used pure Modifications music theory to create Agni, the holy spirit that represented fire and destruction. It only responded to the most aggressive thirst for strength—those who reached into the fire even if it meant burning themselves.
It was the strictest holy spirit. Only musicians who sacrificed everything for Modifications could receive its acknowledgement. At the same time, it was also the most generous spirit. As long as you were determined, it would give you unlimited strength and transform you into the physical incarnate of destruction. You would become this flame until you were burnt to nothing!
At that moment, the alchemy array under Sam’s feet lit up. The melody from the darkness thundered. Aether from the deep abyss burst forth from all directions and entered coherence. It integrated music theory changes from the abyss and fused with the dark atrium. Transforming into an invisible shackle, it pushed the fire down.
However, the illusion of the Copper Mountain appeared in the flames. It was the dazzling harp amidst the roaring of the fire. He used fire as his body and thunder as his instrument. Blazing Foehn wind blew and swept in all directions. Countless thunder and lightning appeared. They collided against each other, playing the majestic music notes. Thus, the sleeping hero of legends woke. He attached onto Sam, making him invincible. Heavy armor appeared out of thin air. Countless music notes sang of destruction and miracles.
Fire turned to water, water turned to wind, wind turned to earth, and fire burned within the earth. The original sin could transform into salvation! This was the music score that Saint Liszt had written based off a legendary hero. It contained the ultimate desire of transforming death to life, allowing the immortal hero to appear in the world. It was Mazeppa!
“The state after the Distortion level…” Besieged by dozens of dark musicians, Sam opened his eyes in the fire and murmured, “I see.”
The earth cracked apart. Scalding lava swept up from the ground like a reversed waterfall and soared into the air. The extreme modifications path appeared in his hands and descended into the world. The world shook in anger and the red pillar that represented disaster rose. It would reduce everything to nothing.
Shrouded by flames, the alchemy array instantly turned to ash. Firelight permeated and swallowed the dark musicians, turning them into a mass of redness. The moment the fire and destruction descended, Anna and Benny embraced. They turned to ash, the dark musicians followed, and then everything else…
For an instant, practically everyone in Auschwitz could feel the scarlet glow pour out of the Earth’s crust.
It was fire. Fire seemed to transform into a red pillar that continued to rise, extending inch by inch to the sky, crashing against the dark atrium of the abyss. Then the skies and earth shattered.
-
“Sam?” Ye Qingxuan looked up at the pillar of destruction. His face paled. With no time for hesitation, he bolted. But when he finally arrived, everything was over.
At the center of Auschwitz, there was a tragic patch of black burnt dirt. There were no more traces of demons there. There was only a figure on the ground that seemed to be burning like a candle in the wind. The half-burnt Miller knelt on the ground, healing him in panic. But it was useless.
Ye Qingxuan could b
arely recognize Sam’s face. The broken face looked like dying ashes. It was inexplicably ugly and menacing. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he seemed to see Ye Qingxuan’s arrival and he smiled in regret. “Ye Qingxuan, you’re late.”
“The holy spirit’s incarnate?” Ye Qingxuan finally understood what happened. He looked down blankly. His mouth opened but he did not know what to say.
“I accidentally killed people I shouldn’t have killed,” Sam murmured. “Sorry. People like me, we only know how to set fires. We try to do the right thing but we can’t… If only you were here. There must’ve been…a better solution…”
Miller gritted his teeth. He choked with sobs. The burnt dirt cracked apart and a bloody dark musician crawled out. However, he abruptly screamed. In Sam’s hand, the Copper Mountain glowed with blinding light. It burned him completely like fire.
Far away, roars sounded one after another. A mournful melody played in the sky. The dark atrium fell inch by inch, bringing with it a mighty pressure.
In the bed of flames, Sam stared up at the sky. He chuckled weakly and closed his eyes. The Copper Mountain harp descended slowly into Ye Qingxuan’s hand, bathing him in warm firelight. As if returning to land from the deep sea, the terrifying pressure and shackles disappeared. The sense of aether was clear again.
“They’re coming soon. Go,” Sam said quietly. “Take the Copper Mountain with you. Remains of Agni’s symphony of predestination are still there. It can help you… If you can leave this place alive, bring it to my teacher. The School of Destruction will repay you.” As he spoke, the firelight in his eyes lit up again. He seemed to be totally fine. He had revived his spirit and stood up again. No hardships could knock him down. But that was just a reflection of the light. The darkness in the sky thickened. Pressure of thousands of tons fell quickly, about to completely seal everything off.