Toxin Chapter 4

The common name is Garon, the Black Immortal King. He earned the title Black Immortal King because wherever he passes, nothing remains but darkness and ruins. Ascending to the throne at a young age, he created the elite unit Guya, achieving his first victory on the battlefield. Since then, until reaching the current age of 27, he has maintained an undefeated legend with 29 consecutive victories in battles. Recently, he crushed the Ime tribe, marking his 30th triumph with dazzling military achievements.

Due to his unbelievable winning streak, speculations abound in society that he is a monster with both inhuman and supernatural qualities. Clad in full armor, he can summon lightning with his gaze, split the ground in half with his thick tail like a pillar, and even the mere eye contact is rumored to cause heart failure or turn the onlooker into ashes. Rumors also spread about the hundreds of concubines he possesses, with women used as prey during nightly escapades reportedly meeting gruesome ends. However, even these bizarre rumors are glorified as heroic tales among the admirers of the Black Immortal King.

He is currently ruthlessly absorbing and unifying large and small neighboring countries to transform them into a colossal dominion. All territories have sworn allegiance to him, and resistance is synonymous with death. He is the ruler of the continent and the god of war. All of this is the splendid epithet and boisterous rumor attached to the name of the Black Immortal King.

The plan was simple. The defeated leader of the Ime tribe would offer valuable tribute to the Black Immortal King, pledging eternal allegiance. As a pretext, he would send me to draw the portrait of the Black Immortal King. Although there was a possibility of getting beheaded by the Black Immortal King, I decided to give it a try. The Ime tribe leader, in response to my demand to meet the Black Immortal King, set one condition: to steal the secret weapon known as the “Scream of the Demon” for him. Without hesitation, I accepted the condition. The day before descending from Harusan, Orumun tried to force his way into the hut where I was staying. I paid him no mind and crushed his genitals.

On the way, I also visited the place where my mother was supposed to be.

***

A majestic fortress surrounded the area near the capital city established under the divine altar, Shinsi. The natural terrain was utilized to create walls that followed the mountain ridges, enclosing the capital like a fortress protecting the dragon’s spine. The enormous kingdom served as an impregnable stronghold for battles and, at the same time, symbolized the absolute power of the ruler as a residential area. From the hill overlooking the city, we observed the kingdom displaying its grandeur. The tribe leader and I were overwhelmed by the magnificence of the kingdom.

“They’re overthrowing all the neighboring countries around Nara Fortress to build their own castle. They said they’ll soon build a new castle in Ime Village too. We’ve been under pressure to surrender the land, but I never expected it to turn out like this. I was completely caught off guard.”

Even on his face, marked by years of experience, tension was evident. The tribe leader also mentioned that this would be his first time meeting the Black Immortal King in person. He had requested permission to travel to the Nara Fortress a few days ago, expressing his willingness to surrender and seek peace. It took several days for the messenger to arrive and guide him on the journey to Nara Fortress. The tribe leader didn’t bring Orumun along on the journey, whether out of consideration for me or for the safety of his only son, I couldn’t say for sure.

“The first meeting is in two weeks. Come back to the stone tomb we passed earlier. It doesn’t matter if you don’t obtain the Scream of the Demon. First, we need to know whether you’re alive or not so that we can plan our next move.”

“Yes.”

Two weeks should be enough time to assess the situation. Gathering information about the atmosphere within the castle will also be valuable. If I manage to survive until then, that is.

“The fate of both the Grand Empire and the remaining Ime tribe is at stake. Despite pretending otherwise, deep down, everyone is likely counting on you. Once this is successfully completed, you will officially become a member of our tribe. So please, make it a success.”

“I am not a savior. You shouldn’t expect such things from me, right?”

My tone, devoid of any intonation, deepened the wrinkles on the tribe leader’s face. I coldly continued, flipping the hat attached to my robe.

“A tribe? Who said anything about you all becoming my tribe?”

Eliminating the Black Immortal King was solely for my mother’s sake. If our mutual goals were achieved, there would be no need to see each other again. It would be better for them not to say such things in front of me. It made me nauseous.

As we entered the city, people bustled around the market. For someone who had never left Ime Village in my entire life, the scene was no different from a whirlwind.

“In honor of the 30th triumph of the Black Immortal King, we’re offering a special price! Thirty well-ripened apples for only ten coins!”

“Oh! That’s cheap. Cheap! Give me one here!”

“I want one too!”

As a man shouted while holding fruits, the crowd flocked. Another man, competing, raised his voice.

“Here! In celebration of the 30th triumph, we’re offering this silk robe with the number 30 embroidered at a special price of twenty coins!”

“Twenty coins?! Is that really silk?!”

“Oh yes! Would I dare deceive anyone with someone’s reputation on the line? Come on! This opportunity doesn’t come every day!”

“Give me one here!”

“I’ll take one too!”

People proudly reminisced about the invincible king they admired. While they enjoyed their pride, someone else might be clutching a hungry stomach, vomiting blood in despair. We watched them in disappointment before being engulfed by the dust and the crowd.

Entering the Nara Fortress took longer than expected, even reaching the main palace. Finally, when the colossal castle gate came into view, our group came to a halt. The multi-layered gate soared arrogantly, as if piercing the sky, representing the appearance of its inhabitant within. Though a simple stone structure, the imposing presence of the castle made the tribe leader and members visibly disgusted.

Approaching the gatekeeper, the tribe leader presented a paper with the emblem of the delivery service. The gatekeeper, after glancing at us over the tribe leader’s shoulder, gestured to wait and disappeared somewhere. Time passed relentlessly under the scorching sun as we waited, and the tribe member carrying the tribute grew increasingly weary. The tribe leader, sweating, struggled to contain his anger. The deliberate delay was evident, carrying a deliberate scent of intention. I remained strangely indifferent. Even the resilient tribe leader, on the verge of collapse, permitted entry when a man in official attire arrived.

After a thorough search and inspection of the tribute, we entered. Inside, we found a well-maintained pond and a spacious courtyard adorned with various plants. The opulent interior of the castle, in contrast, exuded a cold and rigid atmosphere. Perhaps it was my gaze that made it feel chilly. Passing through maze-like halls, we reached a large audience chamber. Upon turning my eyes to survey the interior, I couldn’t help but be amazed. Various races were lined up, standing shoulder to shoulder without a gap.

“If you wait here, he will arrive soon.”

The guide spoke briefly and then left. The tribe leader by my side remarked, “It seems these are representatives from the countries gathered to pledge allegiance to the Black Immortal King. They’ve postponed promises for a while to handle everything at once.”

Having lost their people overnight and having become sacrificial lambs to the whirlwind, the faces of those present were filled with despair and resentment. Even the Ime tribe leader shared a similar expression. Spotting the leaders of the Supia and Nati tribes, the Ime tribe leader approached. Without exchanging glances, the Supia tribe leader spoke.

“We set off together; why did you arrive only now? We were worried that something might have happened along the way.”

“I waited outside the castle gate all this time. They finally allowed us in just now.”

“Hmm… We’ve been waiting here for hours as well. It seems intentional, as if they purposely wanted to tame us. Still, to treat the leader of a nation like this wholesale…”

“It’s time to endure for now.”

The Supia tribe leader shook his fist, then glanced at me. It was a signal. It contained blatant disregard for the current situation and a subtle hope for revenge. I didn’t respond to either. I averted my gaze, surveying the lavish interior. Conflicting emotions of wanting to see the Black Immortal King soon and not wanting to see him at all tangled within me. I realized I was quite tense; my hands were noticeably sweaty. Yet, the empty feeling I had sensed earlier finally dawned on me. There were no armed soldiers here to control us. Before I could fathom the reason, someone entered and cleared their throat.

“Hail to the Black Immortal King! Everyone, remain silent!”

“…!!”

A powerful tremor shook my entire body as if the castle were collapsing. Just hearing that name made my blood boil violently. Automatically, my gaze went to the entrance. Those inside all kneeled, bowing their heads to the ground. But I stood firm in my place. At that moment, a thunderous sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor, and the incident evaporated into thin air. My heart raced as if it would burst, and I couldn’t distinguish whether the ringing in my ears was from those footsteps or the sound within my own chest. The moment a black shadow entered my field of vision from the entrance, I was abruptly pulled by an immense force and fell to my knees. Simultaneously, the furious face of the tribe leader bore into me.

“You fool! Shaking like this at just a name? If you’re unsure, quit now!”

Like a splash of cold water, my senses instantly cleared. He was right. I couldn’t waver at just a name. I needed to remain calm. Closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and exhaling was a fleeting moment.

The very air seemed to change. As soon as the legs appeared at the entrance, the hall fell into a palpable stillness. The first place my eyes went was toward the legs. Despite the loud footsteps, only three figures had entered. Ah… ah… the sounds echoed through my lips like whispers, creating a cacophony. With each step, the black cape wrapped around the man’s legs showcased well-defined muscles, almost like an artist sculpting clay.

“No way… is that him…?”

The tribe leader’s narrowed eyes were fixed on something. Desperately, I lifted my gaze. The energy emanating from his body reached my sight. The first thing I saw was the tall man. Though his features were not clear from a distance, the large cape draped across his body was disheveled, resembling someone just emerging from a bed. And a woman hanging from his chest was leisurely fanning herself. He gazed leisurely at the people below his feet.

“Why are there so many people? What day is it?”

I wondered if he was intoxicated. Disheveled hair. Slightly sluggish speech. Body movements that could only be described as languid. It seemed more fitting for him to be holding a bottle of alcohol rather than a knife in his hand. I even doubted whether this person was the Black Immortal King, the one who had destroyed neighboring countries. Maybe he hasn’t arrived yet…? I rolled my eyes to find the Black Immortal King. At that moment, the woman’s voice cleanly washed away all doubts.

“Ahem~ Have you forgotten? Everyone has come to pledge allegiance to His Majesty.”

“You speak the truth! It seems everyone has gathered here to pledge allegiance to the Great Black Immortal King! Haha…!”

As the woman playfully tapped his chest, a servant by his side also began bowing and scraping. I was once again stunned by the sight. While he might not be a monstrous half-beast, I had expected a fierce, gruesome face of a killer. However, to see him in such a carefree and playful manner was beyond unexpected. Only now did I understand the tribe leader’s expression a while ago. The tribe leader also seemed incredulous as he narrowed his eyes while gazing at the Black Immortal King. Even the nearby Sufia tribe leader, caught in a moment of confusion, lowered his voice.

“Is that woman Beronjuville? I heard she is the most beloved concubine of the Black Immortal King, but to bring her to such an occasion…”

Although they pretended to wear masks, it was clear that everyone here harbored resentment towards the Black Immortal King. It felt like a moment of life or death, where someone might suddenly rush in and thrust a knife into his heart. To bring a woman without any guards, and without weapons, clearly indicated one of two possibilities: he was intentionally displaying his confidence or he was genuinely indifferent.

The Black Immortal King, still playing with the hair of the woman clinging to him, suddenly turned his head.

“What’s that smell since earlier?”

“What? What smell…”

“A disgusting smell.”

Perplexed by the Black Immortal King’s words, the woman raised her arm and began sniffing.

“Your Majesty, I don’t have such a smell…”

“Me.”

A servant who had been searching for the source of the smell from behind suddenly clapped his hands with an exaggerated motion.

“Oh! I understand now! It must be the scent of Baronjuville Mama! Even if Your Majesty dislikes perfumes, it’s too much, too… Where are you going, Your Majesty?”

The Black Immortal King released the arm of the woman and abruptly took a step forward. The ground vibrated beneath his heavy footsteps during the tedious moment. Passing through the silence, he slowly approached and stopped in front of the tribe leader of Ime. I quickly lowered my head. When strange patterns engraved on leather shoes came into view, his overwhelming presence pressed down on my body.

After a while, the long cape fell to the ground, and the Black Immortal King’s body settled in front of the tribe leader. He crouched down with both knees raised, rested his elbows on them, placed his chin on his palms, and… it was a bizarre posture, reminiscent of something you might see in a stable. The Black Immortal King mumbled while staring intently at the Ime tribe leader.

“Look. I told you so. That disgusting smell.”

I forcibly lifted my gaze from the floor, mustering all my strength to open my eyes wide. His side profile facing the tribe leader came into view. A piercing pain, as if bones were being sawed off by a blade, accompanied the surge of life. He was right in front of me. The one who made my mother like that, trampling over my dreams… I wanted to kill him instantly. The thought of wanting to kill him was all-consuming. However, giving a clean death to a ruthless murderer like him was out of the question. I couldn’t tolerate anything other than a brutal and ruthless death, where bones and flesh would be gnawed away. I would laugh heartily and trample him when his life was extinguished, just as my mother had suffered. No, even more wretchedly and cruelly. My blood boiled at the thought of life being ruthlessly extinguished. I resisted with unwavering determination so that my body and consciousness would not be overtaken.

At that moment, the woman named Beronjuville extended her pointed mouth and waved the fan.

“Oh… Ime, isn’t it? They say using Ime’s horns for beauty is so effective on the skin. I’ve asked so earnestly before, but you never brought me any. That was too much, Your Majesty.”

The Black Immortal King stared at the tribe leader’s white hair.

“I thought they were completely wiped out, but there are still survivors. The lifeline is tougher than I heard. Like a stubborn weed.”

There was no effort to hide the hatred for the Ime tribe or any consideration for the lost leader. Although they were clearly at a similar eye level, the Black Immortal King thoroughly crushed the tribe leader. The tribe leader lowered his forehead to the ground.

“I hope you have been well. Great Black Immortal King. I, as the leader of the Ime tribe, offer my greetings to Your Majesty for the first time.”

The Black Immortal King stared at the tribe leader as if waiting for something. The face of the leader, now reduced to a mere young lad with nothing left but his tribe’s lives to beg for, was stained with despair.

“The Ime tribe… swears allegiance to the Great Black Immortal King and promises to follow your orders faithfully. Please accept us.”

The Black Immortal King brushed his messy hair aside with his fingers, still scrutinizing the tribe leader. The face of the leader, a mere young lad, begging for the lives of the remaining tribe members, was tainted with a resigned pallor.

“I will accept, but it seems there are still some useless remnants. Such remnants of sentimental emotions are bothersome. Both for me and for the cattle trying to enter my fence.”

His tone was arrogant to the point that my teeth rattled. Despite the tribe leader’s eyes brimming with extreme anger, he skillfully concealed it.

“Well… There’s nothing disrespectful in my heart. If there were, I wouldn’t have come here. I’ve prepared a small token of sincerity to present to Your Majesty. Please…”

When the leader gave a signal, the Ime tribe members who had been kneeling began to move busily.

“And as a special gift, we’ve prepared to draw a portrait of Your Majesty’s generosity…”

“My portrait? Does the old man have such talent?”

“Oh, no… It’s not me… This child will be the one to draw it.”

The tribe leader glanced at me and spoke forcefully.

“My father was quite renowned in his lifetime, inheriting the skill not inferior to my father’s.”

The Black Immortal King glanced at me indifferently and stood up.

“Not necessary. Such creatures are scattered throughout the castle.”

Both the tribe leader and I looked up in confusion.

“Of course, that may be the case, but… I guarantee this child’s skill is outstanding.”

“No. Not needed.”

“But, Your Majesty, this is a sincere gift to commemorate your bravery…”

“Not needed.”

The Black Immortal King interrupted the tribe leader and glanced at the leaders who were prostrated beneath his feet. Then, turning around, he added casually,

“But if the old man draws it, I might consider it seriously.”

It was clearly a mocking tone. Before I could think of another plan, he walked away without hesitation. Our gazes collided for a moment. I had anticipated this situation, but when all plans were abruptly blocked, my head turned white.

No…! No…!! Whether we had conducted a body search or hidden a knife in the stomach, we should have done something. I wanted to stab him in the back, but not a single fingertip moved as if trapped in a jar. It was a moment of despair as he gradually moved away. The moment I closed my eyes in despair, a voice unexpectedly emerged.

“Your words just now… are they true?”

The Black Immortal King stopped in his tracks at my suppressed voice. In an instant, everyone’s attention turned to me. At that moment, one of the Bone Fragments’ followers burst out with a shout,

“Hey, you insolent fool! How dare you open your mouth without permission?!”

I struggled to push my voice through my lips.

“I meant to say… if the tribe leader draws the portrait.”

“W-Well, I’ve never drawn a picture before!”

The tribe leader by my side widened his eyes as if they were about to pop out. Without hesitation, I continued,

“If the tribe leader draws Your Majesty’s generosity, please reconsider.”

The Black Immortal King’s head slowly turned, and his eyes slid towards me.

“A mongrel?”

My hand, supported by the ground, trembled uncontrollably. I forced my voice through my lips.

“Yes.”