Dancing on the golden ashes

I lay there on the cold ground, unsure if anyone else was alive. One thing was clear to me—I was too injured, to the point where even the system messages were completely ignored by my mind. When I woke up, it was nighttime. The stars in the sky shone brightly, a sight you would never witness in a brightly lit city. It was mesmerizing, yet the beauty felt useless, no matter what I did. It only left me more awestruck. This world was beautiful, yet I had no power to protect myself or those who had finally become dear to me. What a pity...

I tried to move my head, but my body felt completely weightless. Huh? Didn't I just receive a fatal injury? I pushed myself off the ground and looked at my hands. They gave off a faint golden glow, as if an otherworldly aura surrounded me.

It was then that the system's words finally registered—I had become partly immortal. But why? Why would the system try to kill me at one moment, only to reward me so generously the next? This game of chess was pissing me off. What is the Creator planning? The thought boiled in my mind. I want to kill him so badly.

I looked around. The battlefield was strewn with bodies—all of them my allies. As for the enemies, they were gone. Not a single one remained.

What the hell? Did he collect them and leave? What is this...?

"I hope you're all still alive..." I whispered, my voice trembling. A cold shiver ran down my spine, an unfamiliar fear gripping me. Wrapping my arms around myself, I slowly approached the body of Kim Seong-Hoon. He was lying face down, his body utterly still.

I knelt beside him, my hands shaking as I checked for a pulse. The warm touch of his skin flooded me with relief.

He's okay. Thank god...

"What about the others?!" I frantically checked my beast count. One was down. One of them was dead, while the others had survived.

"Who...?" My heart sank as I realized the connection to Ravokar was gone. The proud Thunder Tempest had shielded Malrang until the bitter end. The weight of his injuries had finally claimed him.

"Why you... of all those who had to die... fuck!" I choked on my words, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, my boy. I failed to protect you. I'm so pathetic..."

I knelt before his bloody, lifeless body. It was cold to the touch. The one who had been the hardest to tame had also been the most loyal. Ravokar had only been with me for a short time, but in those moments, we'd shared so much. So much laughter. So much joy.

"Rest in peace, my guardian angel. One day, I promise to avenge your soul. For this body that served us so faithfully, I will make the world burn if that's what it takes. Thank you for being with me. Thank you for being my friend."

Tears streamed down my cheeks, heavy with guilt and despair. I had sworn to myself I would never lose anyone again, yet I had failed once more.

"Woo?" A weak, trembling howl reached my ears.

It was Malrang. She was in her small form now, her body battered and bloodied. One of her tails was missing, likely torn off during the battle.

"Malrang!" I jumped to her side, my body moving faster than my mind, tears still streaming down my face, anger and grief warring inside me. I gently pulled her into my arms, holding her fragile, battered form close.

"I'm so glad you're alive," I choked out, my voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry for disappearing for so long! I swear, I'll never leave you again!" My words came out in a near scream, laced with the overwhelming relief and pain flooding my heart.

"Gaon... I..." Malrang's weak voice broke through the haze of my despair. "I'm glad you're okay. I was so worried. All of us were... Ravokar... he... he saved my life. How is he?" She tried to lift her tiny head, searching for him.

I tightened my embrace, pressing her closer to me as fresh tears streamed down my cheeks. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my sorrow. My tears fell harder, each one carrying the agony of my failure.

Her body tensed, a low, mournful howl escaping her lips as she averted her gaze, refusing to look at him. Only small tears trickled down her face.

I'm such a failure. I can't even protect the ones I care about from crying...

Moments passed, and one by one, everyone began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness. It was as if Nam Ji-Ho had chosen not to kill anyone, only knock them out. But why? We had killed all of his allies, yet he didn't seem to care. What was his plan? None of it made sense...

The wolves began to gather around their fallen comrade, their movements slow and deliberate, as if paying their respects.

AWOOOOOOO!

A collective howl of pain and sorrow erupted, echoing through the battlefield and beyond. It carried with it a message to the world—that one of them had departed for the unknown.

How are these creatures not real? I thought, watching their mournful vigil. They bleed, they cry, just as I do... How did the Creator make them? Is he truly a god...?

The words of the Goddess of Fire lingered in my mind, a haunting reminder: these creatures were his creations, nothing more. Yet, seeing their grief, I couldn't believe it.

I stood silently by his body, unable to move, lost in the weight of my grief. Then, a hand rested gently on my shoulder. It was Seong-Hoon. Another hand followed, and then another. Slowly, Eun-Woo and Jieun stood beside me, their legs trembling but holding steady, supporting me once again in this moment of loss.

"He was a good wolf. I'll miss him," Eun-Woo said softly. With deliberate care, he stepped forward, lifting Ravokar's lifeless body and placing it over his broad shoulders. "We can't bury him in this desolate place. His soul will never rest here. It's a cursed land—souls are trapped here. Let's move. He deserves a proper burial."

I nodded wordlessly and followed. My heart clenched at the thought of saying goodbye. How could I? At first, he was just a monster I had tamed, but now... now he was a friend.

It took us hours of slow, heavy walking to leave the barren, desolate land behind. Finally, we arrived at the place where we laid Jeong Soo-Ah to rest.

"I hope he will rest well here..." I murmured, my voice heavy with grief. After burying Ravokar and taking some time to rest, we decided to head to the ruins of Kim Ha-Joon's former city. What had once been a thriving stronghold was now a settlement for a small group of survivors.

"Who goes there?!" A young man in his early twenties called out as we approached the now-repaired gate. He clutched a wooden spear, his hands trembling slightly. Judging by his aura, he was barely level 15—a bug in this world, hardly worth noticing.

"Kindly move, and I won't kill you," I said coldly, my voice devoid of warmth. This morning had been a nightmare, and I needed to vent my frustration. I didn't intend to kill him—just intimidate him. My King's Aura swept over him, and his body obeyed without question. The terror in his wide eyes said it all; he looked as though he might wet himself.

"Who dares to intrude on my kingdom?!"

Suddenly, the air shifted, taking on an emerald hue. A young woman, likely around my age, emerged from the ground in a brilliant flourish of vines, her very being seeming to merge with nature itself.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

[Choi Min-Jeong]

[Level 23]

...

Just a level 23 ruler... I see... Her hands are far from clean. That's all the excuse I need to kill her if needed.

Her eyes widened in shock as if she recognized me. My eyes met hers, and my King's Aura immediately took hold. She trembled violently before collapsing to her knees.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know a mighty king had come to see me. I'm so sorry! Take anything you want from us—just please, don't kill us!"

"Oh?" I tilted my head, surprised by her quick submission. I see. She's likely encountered stronger foes before. Is this how she always reacts? How pathetic...

"What should we do with them, big sis?" Seong-Hoon interrupted, stepping forward boldly. Without hesitation, he shoved the gates open, the wood creaking loudly in protest.

"We'll keep them," I replied, my voice cold but resolute. My gaze swept over the trembling crowd. "It's time to change this world. Starting today, on the very ground where I slayed Kim Ha-Joon, we will build an empire. An empire of people who feel protected. We will grow so strong that no one will dare provoke us again!"

The people began to gather, their faces etched with fear and confusion. They trembled in my presence, their weak bodies barely able to stand under the weight of my aura.

I'm too weak right now, I thought, my jaw tightening. But I'll build an empire, piece by piece, to fight against those who stand in our way. I won't let anyone I care for die again. I was naive to think I could do everything alone...

I raised my voice, letting it carry over the crowd. "Listen well! From this moment forward, you are all citizens of the Empire of the Undying Flame! And I, Lee Gaon, am your Demon Empress! I will lead this empire to a place where we all feel safe, where no one will dare threaten us. Those who submit to me will find protection under my flame. Those who defy me will perish!"

My words echoed like thunder. One by one, the people dropped to their knees. Even my friends knelt, and behind them, over a hundred of my demon beasts bowed their heads in unison. I, Lee Gaon, am now an Empress.

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"For the glory of the Empire of the Undying Flame!" I roared, raising my fist high. My friends joined in, their voices fierce and unwavering. The people hesitated, fear flashing in their eyes, but soon their voices joined the chorus.

Just you wait, Nam Ji-Ho. I'm coming for you!

The words reverberated through my entire being, every fiber of me screaming for revenge. But then, as my darkness surged within my soul, an all-too-familiar voice echoed in my mind.

"I've missed you, Gaon," it whispered, cold and eerie, like a phantom. Now, it sounded exactly like mine, the only difference was its pure coldness.