Only I Am A Reader
chapter-300-30041322

'Alright, this needs to be handled well.'

Unlike how easy Leo made it seem to be by confidently coming up to this point, the Devouring Centaur was by no means a simple opponent. Let alone its quirky nature and its magical abilities, just the fact that it was on the level of a Transcendent Martial Artist was enough to make things hard for them.

Just like the large number of troupes that 'Murim Supremacy' didn't follow, the power levels in this murim weren't just ladder steps that could be skipped if one jumped high enough. Things were understandably close under the Peak Stage, but the ceiling only grew higher from that point on.

With the concentrated effort of two talented geniuses like Leo and Yeon, they were barely able to kill an opponent on the Peak Stage as 1st rate Martial Artists. However, even though they had already reached that stage, the two of them couldn't repeat the same feat against an opponent at the Transcendent Stage!

As walls between every stage grew thicker, not just being a difference in Internal Energy accumulation and understanding, any further breakthrough was like an elevation in the level of life itself. Both humans and beasts shed away their basic forms as they stretched upwards towards a whole new state of existence.

While the Devouring Centaur wasn't something that followed Murim's rules, being judged as capable of beating Transcendents was even scarier than Transcendent Martial Artists themselves. Most importantly, the True Beast that it swallowed made it ultimately closer to an inhabitant of murim rather than just being an otherworldly monster…

"Baekho orabeoni, do you have a plan in mind or…"

Considering Cheon Yong's affinity for fire as the Phoenix of the Four Heavenly Beasts, he was already edging to go up for a fight, unafraid of the fire raging everywhere. However, he held himself back under Cheon Sohee's watchful gaze. They were now four against an opponent of a higher level, but it was a stretch to fight without a plan against it and expect to win in the end.

Neighhhhh!

The Devouring Centaur didn't seem like it had any plans of waiting for them either, the threats of the powerhouses that retreated into the distance similarly put it on edge. If it couldn't drive them off, then it would eliminate or threaten the weaker link in the chain and escape once they poured their attention into saving it.

"Bing Baek, I would like to request your help as agreed upon."

The source of Leo's confidence was none other than the 'useless' princess that had been pushed at them by the elders with the intent to find fault in her work. He had only hinted at it back when he first discussed his proposal with the reluctant Bing Baek, but he blatantly stated his request now!

"Just why… Are you so confident that I would be able to provide help?"

Having been standing calmly by their side, the ice princess looked at Leo with lost eyes. The youth definitely knew too many unexplainable things, but even her instinct couldn't pinpoint the source.

"I already explained it roughly before, right? I don't know how, but I can just tell… Just like when I first met you, I can tell that you are someone who can decisively change the situation."

'This guy is too dangerous, but…'

The method he claimed to discern things with was quite similar to her own, but that same method somehow told her not to believe him. However…

'This feeling is not too bad either.'

Things had already developed beyond her expectations just by following his first suggestion. Her family was still fragmented under the elders' control, but at least both she and her brothers wouldn't suffer the life of puppets as long as the Heavenly Strength Society continued supporting them. Most importantly…

Someone having genuine expectations for her was a fresh experience for the oppressed Bing Baek! Rather than being stoned with impossible tasks, this was a situation where she could actually perform her capabilities!

"Fine. Just stay still for a second then."

The collapsing mountain had already settled down after being turned into pieces by Cheon Jeong who cleared the battlefield for them, so they didn't have to be constantly on the move just yet. Having replied with affirmation, Bing Baek stood in front of Leo before stretching her palm forward.

<This is necessary.>

Even in the midst of everything, Yeon's eyes flared at the sight of Bing Baek coming into contact with Leo. However, Leo stressed the necessity of this as he calmed Yeon down using Sound Transmissions. Under everyone's collective gaze, cold blue mist flowed out of her palm as it proceeded to spread all over Leo's body. In just one second, a hazy barrier of Cold Qi completely covered him!

"Excuse me."

Moving on to Yeon, Bing Baek repeated the process without explaining anything. Having sensed Yeon's hostility, she tried to quickly move on to the next person.

"This is…"

After both Cheon Yong and Cheon Sohee received the same cover in turn, they hurriedly observed their arms, trying to find out what had just happened, but…

Neighhhhh!

The horse-bird that got ignored during the process opened its long beak as it let out another storm or fire before they could confirm anything. Just as all three aside from Leo tried to move and dodge, their eyes widened in surprise as they sensed the astonishing difference!

"It's… Not hot?"

During the second that it took them to move, all three experienced what felt like absolute immunity against heat! It wasn't truly all ignored, but the horrifying aspect of a Phoenix's eternal flame was completely reduced to nothingness!

"If it's like this…"

The most dangerous aspect of the battle that they were just about to engage in was suddenly shelved away! While not enough to drive them careless, the team's confidence suddenly soared as they looked at Bing Baek in a new light. As it turned out to be, the silent little princess was not really as weak as useless as she looked!