Emperor! Can You See Stats!?

Chapter 152: Black Tortoise

[Prey.]

[Don’t let it go.]

[Shoot.]

One of the three-headed dragon’s mouths opened wide again.

Shoooot!

Crack!

A powerful jet of water shot straight at Eurius. 

It pierced through the small rocks and corals in the water and aimed precisely at him. 

It seemed that its power was not diminished at all despite being underwater.

“…!?”

Eurius was startled and quickly dived down. 

The jet of water barely grazed his head and passed by.

‘Why is that snake following me?’

No matter how fast he swam, he couldn’t escape from the water dragon for long underwater. 

And he didn’t want to fight it without his sword either.

Eurius swam desperately after the Yellow Dragon Sword, which was still emitting a faint golden light and heading somewhere.

Meanwhile, the Bingyeom Sword Master, who had jumped into the sea after the three-headed dragon, was chasing them with a terrifying speed.

He swung his sword behind him like an oar and then exploded heat and cold.

Boom!

The recoil from the collision of the two energies pushed the Bingyeom Sword Master’s body. 

He used that force to shoot forward like an arrow.

Eurius chasing the Yellow Dragon Sword! 

And the three-headed dragon chasing him madly! 

And finally, the Bingyeom Sword Master chasing them both!

The sea was turned into a battlefield by these unexpected intruders.

The three-headed dragon smashed through the rocks and corals with its body as it passed by, and the Bingyeom Sword Master also fired his martial arts to gain momentum, so the water was not calm at all.

Especially, the three-headed dragon was almost kicking as it chased them, and the reason was as follows.

[It’s heading to the Sea of Death.]

[No!]

[If we go there, we won’t be safe either.]

Coincidentally, the place where Eurius was heading was a place that the sea rulers of this area never approached tacitly. Even the fishing boats that humans rode never passed by this area.

The reason was because of the huge whirlpool that existed in this sea, which had an enormous suction power.

The so-called ‘Spiral of Death!’

It was a disaster of the sea that once you fell into it, you could never get out. The whirlpool’s surroundings were rich in energy that the rulers could absorb, but because of this reason, the three-headed dragon, who was the ruler of this sea, also avoided approaching it.

But that prey somehow knew and was going to the place he hated most.

Swoosh.

The three-headed dragon’s speed slowed down as it sprinted through the water. The survival instinct of an old ruler suppressed its greed.

[It’s dangerous if we go any further.]

[Let’s wait and see.]

[Agreed!]

The three heads nodded and stopped. But at that moment!

Bang!

A dull sound rang out from behind and a black shadow flew past the three-headed dragon and shot towards Eurius.

The Bingyeom Sword Master, who had caught up with them at a great risk, was grinding his teeth.

‘Damn it… They’re both too fast!’

Coincidentally, Eurius had a body that wouldn’t run out of energy even if he swam for three days and nights because of the elixir he had eaten and various fortunes he had gained.

The three-headed dragon was also good at swimming since it was originally a sea ruler. But the Bingyeom Sword Master had wasted his inner power like water as he chased them, so he had to be exhausted.

‘But I can’t give up now.’

The Bingyeom Sword Master bit his lip. He had something he had to get from Bidong.

***

‘They’re not chasing me anymore?’

Meanwhile, Eurius felt a bit relieved when the three-headed dragon stopped moving. 

The Yellow Dragon Sword also slowed down and seemed to be within his reach soon.

But did he know that another disaster would strike him?

“…!?”

Boom!

As soon as the Yellow Dragon Sword slowed down, the current around it became extremely strong. 

Soon, his body began to be sucked into somewhere with a tremendous force.

‘What?’

The center of the whirlpool had a very low pressure and sucked in everything around it. 

It was hard enough to control his body in the water, but there was no answer to being caught in such a giant whirlpool.

‘Damn it!’

Bubbles.

Bubbles came out of Eurius’s mouth.

He cursed inwardly and tried to get out somehow, but he couldn’t. 

It was just when he was having trouble breathing.

A great warrior could hold his breath for tens of minutes in the water with one sip of air, but that also had a limit.

His body was sucked into the center of the whirlpool with the Yellow Dragon Sword and began to fall into the deep sea.

‘Did that sword go crazy after changing color?’

“…”

That was Eurius’s last thought. 

He lost consciousness as he fell to the bottom of the sea.

And the Bingyeom Sword Master, who followed him closely, couldn’t avoid the same fate.

‘What?’

He was exhausted and didn’t notice the whirlpool that came in an instant. He flew to the center of the whirlpool in a moment.

“…!?”

Bubbles!

That’s how a sword and two people were swept away by the whirlpool and sucked into the bottom of the sea.

***

“…”

Eurius felt a faint light hitting his eyelids. 

At the same time, he heard a voice he had never heard before.

[Wake up.]

“…”

[Wake up, I said!]

“Huh?”

He was startled by the thunderous voice in his ears. 

He quickly raised his upper body and heard another grumbling voice.

[You’re so slow to react. How did such a guy get chosen… Tsk!]

The voice was heavy and dignified, but it had a knack for scratching people’s nerves subtly.

‘Where have I heard this voice before?’

Eurius looked around as he got up. Surprisingly, the place where he arrived after being swept away by the whirlpool was not underwater. 

It was a huge space like a cave that looked like hundreds of square meters.

The cave was made of solid rocks, and in the center there was a large lake-like place, which was obviously connected to the sea and came in here.

“Where is this?”

[This is the center where Hyunmu’s water flag is sealed. The whirlpool was the entrance.]

“Ah!”

Eurius, who was shaking his head, suddenly noticed a mysterious voice.

‘Where is this voice coming from?’

Woong woong!

The answer came from his waist. The Yellow Dragon Sword was vibrating its body slightly and quietly stuck to his waist.

“…”

He was so dumbfounded that he snapped at it. Shouldn’t it have told him beforehand if it was going to guide him to such a place?

[Was there any other way in that situation? You can’t even catch a single snake, you talk too much.]

“…”

Eurius had no choice but to shut his mouth again. 

Surely, if he had defeated the Three-headed Dragon in that place, he could have received the guidance of the Yellow Dragon Sword slowly.

“Then let’s bury this matter. But…”

Eurius suddenly thought of the Yellow Dragon Sword.

‘Did it know how to talk?’

Until then, this damned sword had only expressed its will through the stat window, and it had never spoken to him. But now it was talking to him in a clear voice.

[Since I came to this continent and absorbed energy continuously, the seal has loosened a bit.]

“Seal?”

[Yellow Dragon Sword (2nd stage)]

Classification: Intelligence Weapon (The weapon has a self)

Trait: The 2nd stage seal has been released. The ability as a divine artifact returns slightly. To release the final seal, you need to collect all four divine artifacts.

[Four Divine Artifacts – Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise. They are divine objects that contain the power of the Four Guardian Beasts. The help of the divine artifacts is essential to exert the power of the Four Guardian Weapons.]

Eurius looked at the Yellow Dragon Sword with an astonished expression.

“So this cave is where the Black Tortoise’s divine artifact is sealed? Is that why you brought me here?”

The Yellow Dragon Sword boasted with a proud voice.

[That’s right. I had no choice but to do so because you were so stupid that you couldn’t find it even after a million years.]

Snap.

A vein popped up on Eurius’s forehead, but he couldn’t blame it since it was done with good intentions.

“Then where is the divine artifact?”

[Soon that bastard Black Tortoise will start.]

“Black Tortoise?”

Whooosh!

Suddenly, a huge creature sprang up from the lake in front of Eurius’s eyes. The first thing that came in was a giant shell that resembled a turtle.

But it wasn’t a turtle. 

A long neck that looked like a snake! 

And its tail was so long that it wrapped around the shell several times and still had some length left. 

And at the end of its tail, there was a snake’s head.

It looked remarkably similar to the Black Tortoise in the legends of the East. 

This was the divine beast Black Tortoise that governed water and cold!

“Huh…”

Eurius felt slightly intimidated by its overwhelming presence. 

The cave was tens of meters high, but when the Black Tortoise raised its head, it almost touched the ceiling.

Soon, the Black Tortoise’s deep voice echoed in the cave.

[Are you the one who qualified this time?]

‘What qualification?’

Before Eurius could ask, another voice cut off the Black Tortoise’s words.

[Who are you to keep your head up in front of me? Huh? Bow your head!]

“…!?”

Eurius was startled by the yellow snake that came between him and the Black Tortoise. 

It looked somewhat extraordinary upon closer inspection.

Two horns rising majestically to the sky! 

Flames spewing from its nose! 

And finally, a long body shining with a faint golden light!

Seeing its appearance, Eurius muttered with an incredulous expression.

“You… are you the Yellow Dragon?”

[Hmph! Don’t you know when you see?]

The yellow snake, whose length was not even a meter from head to tail, snorted. But right after hearing that, something amazing happened.

[I see that you are here, Yellow Dragon. I apologize for my rudeness.]

Koong!

The overwhelming creature of the Black Tortoise tucked its neck carefully into its shell and laid its head on the ground.

“…”

It was quite funny to see the monster that would make anyone’s guts ache just by looking at it bowing to a yellow snake, no, a Yellow Dragon that was only as long as a human body.

Snicker.

Eurius held back his laughter and was also surprised at the same time. 

Judging by the situation, it seemed that the Yellow Dragon was higher in rank than the Black Tortoise.

[Help – Viewing Yellow Dragon.]

[Yellow Dragon – A noble golden dragon that symbolizes the emperor’s authority. According to records, it also commands the four guardian beasts.]

‘So does that mean the Yellow Dragon is the superior of the divine beasts, including that Black Tortoise?’

[Have you forgotten the order because you’ve been sealed for so long? You’re so slow like a turtle…]

[…]

“…”

The Yellow Dragon, who had sold its solemn voice somewhere, was spewing all kinds of complaints at the Black Tortoise. But seeing that it was listening patiently, it was certain that the order was above.

Eurius looked at the Yellow Dragon with a contemptuous expression, and the Black Tortoise, who was tired of listening, turned its gaze to Eurius.

[Anyway, since you came here, it means you are the chosen one. Then I will give you the divine artifact right away.]

“Hooh…”

Eurius was not interested in this ridiculous conversation, but he was very curious about the power of the divine artifact. What kind of power did it have to have such a grand name?

But the Yellow Dragon made a fuss again.

[Wait!]

[Why is that?]

[You can’t give him power right away. He’s not ready yet.]

[Hmm…]

The Black Tortoise rolled its large eyes and observed Eurius. 

Then it said with a surprised face.

[He’s small.]

[Ha! He’s less than an ant.]

Without a word, Eurius reached out his hand at the Yellow Dragon’s rant.

Crack!

[Crack!]

His hand grasped the Yellow Dragon’s neck. 

As expected, it was weak for its size. 

After a while, the freed Yellow Dragon flew around in the air and whined.

[You stupid bastard!]

“Huh?”

Eurius tried to reach out his hand again. But at that moment.

[Ahem!]

Flinch.

He tensed up and pulled back his hand at the Black Tortoise’s light cough. 

A tremendous pressure pressed down on his whole body.

‘Well, this is what a divine beast should be like. How did I get stuck with that yellow snake?’

Eurius grumbled inwardly as the Black Tortoise spoke to him gently.

[I apologize for being rude to the chosen one. Please forgive me.]

Surprisingly, the Black Tortoise was also polite to Eurius.

“No, it’s fine.”

[First of all, the Yellow Dragon told me the situation through telepathy. If you are not ready yet, it is unfortunate that you cannot accept my divine artifact.]

“Huh…”

What could he do if he couldn’t? 

Eurius made a disappointed face and the Black Tortoise’s turtle-like mouth seemed to smile slightly.

[But it’s a different story if it’s ‘part’. And you can use the rest of the power naturally as you grow your vessel.]

“Part?”

Eurius raised a question. 

It said it couldn’t give it before, but what did it mean now?

[First of all, let me tell you about my divine artifact. The divine artifact is made by collecting the water vapor that covers this island and nearby waters.]

“Water vapor?”

[Yes. Water vapor means the power of water and cold that I have as a divine beast.]

The Black Tortoise was very kind unlike the Yellow Dragon. 

It explained everything he was curious about.

[But unfortunately, you are still lacking in your vessel and cannot accept all of my power. Your body won’t be able to handle it.]

Eurius nodded his head.

‘After all…’

According to the Black Tortoise, the storm and clouds around here were all the power of water vapor. 

It was absurd for a human to accept the power that could cover an island and nearby waters.

[So the Yellow Dragon suggested this method.]

“Method?”

[That’s right!]

The Yellow Dragon started to speak again with a recovered mood.

[I’ll put in only about 10% of the power that you can accept and keep the rest!]

Eurius looked suspicious.

“You’re not going to eat it and not give it back, are you?”

[What do you take me for!]

As they were about to bicker again, the Black Tortoise opened its mouth again.

[Then we don’t have time, so let’s start the work right away.]

Snap!

Suddenly, the Black Tortoise opened its huge mouth. 

And as they saw its mouth coming closer, they stared at it dumbfoundedly.

“…!?”

[…!?]

Chomp!

And they were swallowed by the Black Tortoise’s mouth while bickering.

***

Whoosh!

Clang!

Meanwhile, outside the cave, there was still a storm and a downpour.

Rumble!

“Eek!”

The occasional thunder also chilled people’s hearts.

“The rain and storm are getting worse. I wonder how those who went down first are doing, well…”

One of his subordinates complained and Jegal Unhyeon laughed.

“Ha ha! The lord went there, so there won’t be any problem.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, yes.”

Jegal Unhyeon, one of the four great masters of Jeongdo Alliance, assured his subordinate who couldn’t complain anymore.

“But it’s not even rainy season and this rain is really strange.”

Jegal Unhyeon also thought it was strange and nodded his head.

“Well, I’m worried about going back. It’ll be hard to sail a boat like this.”

“Gasp!”

“…!?”

His subordinate gasped suddenly. 

Jegal Unhyeon felt something wrong and drew out his spear.

“What’s wrong?”

“The sun…”

“The sun?”

Whoosh…

Amazingly, the rain that had been falling for three days stopped. 

That wasn’t all. 

A sudden updraft pushed away the clouds to the other side of the sky.

Behind the pushed clouds, dazzling sunlight began to shine on the ground again.

“…!?”

Jegal Unhyeon also couldn’t speak for a moment in surprise. 

Did rain ever stop like this suddenly? 

And it wasn’t just rain.

“…”

Whoosh…

The waves calmed down and the storm stopped. 

Before they could even drink a cup of tea, all the bad weather had cleared up.

Jegal Unhyeon and the rest of the Jeongdo Alliance people looked at the hot sunlight with astonished expressions.

“What the hell is going on?”