Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As the girl clasped her fingers, the black gloves pulled tight. Instantly, deafening drum beats burst in the air like frantic thunder. The explosion tugged at everyone’s hearts, turning into an irresistible rhythm. The bells on Bai Xi’s wrists shook, the broken yet crisp sounds joined together into the whistle of furious winds.
In an instant, there was thunder and wind, transforming into a melody with the rhythm. There was no overture, no buildup, and it surged from all directions without any warning. It was powerful like a thousand war stallions charging forward, majestic like a royal procession. The mousy girl seemed to have suddenly stepped before the throne. Her eyes were arrogant yet stern. Her expression was no longer playful but…pompous! School of Modifications: Pomp and Circumstance March, Movement One!
The preparations and guidance of countless musicians were needed to reach the climax. But without warning, the climax came, along with the brute strength known as ‘Zhaodang.’ Like a coronation, it was grave yet majestic, and destroyed all attempts at resistance!
For a second, terrifying light shone from the girl’s eyes. This piece composed by Saint Elgar symbolized the coronation of King Arthur when he first established the kingdom. Working as the messenger of God, the Pope placed a halo over Arthur’s head, representing that he had become an apostle and controlled divine power to rid the world of all evil. All musicians who performed this piece would receive the halo, temporarily having this divine power.
This symbol was the halo above the girl’s head. It radiated thunder and electricity, feeding her with unimaginable strength. Even if it was a rushed performance, she possessed an inhuman strength by using her talent to forcefully perform this melody from another level.
"K-kill her!" the Pyramid King screamed, but it was too late. Bai Xi disappeared in the blink of an eye. There was a footprint carved into the stone where she had stood, terrifying cracks snaked forward. Amidst the majestic performance, the girl rushed forward with electric light and furious winds, instantly upending the Pyramid King’s guards. Their bodies were lost in the storm, burnt to crisp by the lightning, becoming a bloody mess. The halo flashed, dimming a bit. Bai Xi charged again.
Just as the Pyramid King yelped, Medusa shrieked. She appeared out of thin air, gnashing her teeth at the girl. Her snake hair danced, bloody light exuded from the snakes’ eyes, illuminating Bai Xi’s face. The glow of the Stone Curse dissipated when it came in contact with the halo around Bai Xi. Divine power was able to evaporate any demonic curse. But it was clear that the halo dimmed, and it began to burn up faster—there was not much time left.
When Medusa opened her mouth, Bai Xi snapped, "Move!" Clenching her right fist, thundering chimes sounded. A faint vortex appeared above her fist. The air constricted and it sounded like glass shattering.
Boom! The virtual reflection of Medusa flew back from her punch. Her body shimmered and the snakes expanded, then exploded and spewed blood. The blood that had been sucked from the corpse a moment ago was forced out!
The drum beats and chiming jangled messily. The halo above Bai Xi’s head flickered like a candle in the wind, but the girl did not care. She used this chance to raise her hand and reach out toward the Pyramid King. He collapsed in an instant, cradling his head and screaming in fear. But the hand did not burn him to crisp. Instead, it grasped the mirror in his hands.
The music of Zhaodang resounding in Bai Xi’s body surged into the mirror like a tidal wave. The halo exploded into blinding light as if reflected tenfold. The Pomp and Circumstance March had finally reached the true climax. The runes on the mirror flashed and flickered. As if meeting a natural predator, they began extinguishing one by one. It was not because of outside pressure, but rather because the aether structure changed wildly due to having been enveloped by Zhaodang. It became extremely unstable. The last surge of aether extinguished more than half of the runes on the mirror. In the air, Medusa, who had been grasping for the girl, suddenly shimmered. She could only growl angrily before vanishing.
With the mirror in hand, Bai Xi walked forward again. Clenching her fist, she brought it down on the Pyramid King, but her fist trembled in midair. The halo above her head burst and extinguished. The divine power aiding her disappeared. She went from the apostle of divine power to a little girl, weak and powerless. Her fist landed and she yelped in pain. Her punch had hit the raised groove of the bow. A wound opened, and blood flowed from the back of her hand.
Sam gaped, not having processed everything. But he subconsciously raised the bow again, aiming at the girl before him, "Don’t move!"
Bai Xi’s face was pale, and she pouted and raised her arms helplessly, "I surrender. I’ll surrender half, alright?"
The Pyramid King studied how weak she looked with his small eyes. His fearful expression had not even disappeared fully before it was replaced by a sinister smile. It looked comical, "Hehe, so you’re…his accomplice?" Seeming to understand something, he climbed up. Pulling on the girl’s hair, he pushed her to the ground. Cackling, he aimed the bow at her forehead. "He couldn’t deal with Medusa, so he sent you to die? What other tricks do you have? Reveal them to me!"
The already fearful thugs had run when Pomp and Circumstance had played. The new members did not have any loyalty to the Pyramid Scheme. All that remained was his best men. Seeing Bai Xi weakened, they unsheathed their swords and approached.
"I didn’t expect him to need help. Seems like he isn’t as strong as I thought." The Pyramid King had recovered from his fear. Looking around, he roared at the darkness, "I’m going to say this one last time. Come out! Or else I’ll kill her!"
"Just give up," Bai Xi sighed. "I’m just a passerby. I don’t know that guy."
"It doesn’t matter. With you here, he’d be scared to kill the wrong person. He can’t attack me anymore." The Pyramid King grabbed the girl’s hair, pinching at her cheeks, leering at her, "What a good little girl. It’ll be a pity if you die. I can’t promise what will happen if he doesn’t come out."
"I wouldn’t do that if I were you," a hoarse voice rang from the darkness.
"Shut up and show yourself!" Sam swept his sharp gaze around.
A sigh came from the writhing darkness, "Then, as you wish…"
--
Deathly pale moonlight shone suddenly, lighting up the cemetery full of grief and darkness. The light fell on the broken gravestones, as if they were lit with light from Hell. In the suffocating stillness, creaks sounded, like the gate of Hell had opened slowly. Rotting dirt turned, as if the dead buried six feet under were awakening, pushing at their tomb so they could bathe in the moonlight.
As the dirt turned, a coffin slowly opened, and a thin figure rose from the rotting earth. Welcomed by everyone’s fearful eyes and weapons, the figure walked out casually. He had just walked out of a coffin, but he was dressed finely in a beastly robe. The scales on his shoulder reflected the white moonlight. Holding a black cane and wearing a rotting hat from the coffin, he looked as if he were attending a banquet—a banquet for demons! His silhouette was thin yet sharp like the contour made of steel wires. The face hidden in the shadows of the hat was unclear, but a vague smile was visible. It was all so odd.
Everyone was taken aback. No one had expected for the terrifying thing to be hidden beneath their feet. It was impossible to discern…whether this figure was alive or dead. Even a musician was a human. Unless he had mutated himself, how could he live for so long in a rotting coffin?
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Pyramid King," the polite voice sounded from under the hat. The voice carried the grace that all elites strived for. It was full of dignity and made him seem unapproachable, separate from the others. But no one noticed as he sneakily threw an underground respirator into the darkness. If not for that, he really would have suffocated.
He had planned on hiding in the coffin and waiting until the Pyramid King had completely broken before interrogating him, but he did not expect the man to have such powerful alchemy equipment. Nor did he think that Bai Xi would be here because she cared for him. Plans never accounted for all possibilities. He was used to this. The best solution was to keep his image as a dark musician and terrify them.
Seeing him, fear flashed through the Pyramid King’s eyes, but quickly, it was replaced by ferocity, "You dare to come out?"
"Why not?" Ye Qingxuan laughed lightly, "Didn’t I come tonight to fulfill my promise? But sadly, our game went astray and the entertainment disappeared early on." He emphasized ‘entertainment,’ revealing his regret.
The hoarse voice did not seem to fit the youth, and felt like the low voice of the dead. The thugs trembled with fear. This figure that seemed like a gentleman had the aura of something monstrous.
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As the girl clasped her fingers, the black gloves pulled tight. Instantly, deafening drum beats burst in the air like frantic thunder. The explosion tugged at everyone’s hearts, turning into an irresistible rhythm. The bells on Bai Xi’s wrists shook, the broken yet crisp sounds joined together into the whistle of furious winds.
In an instant, there was thunder and wind, transforming into a melody with the rhythm. There was no overture, no buildup, and it surged from all directions without any warning. It was powerful like a thousand war stallions charging forward, majestic like a royal procession. The mousy girl seemed to have suddenly stepped before the throne. Her eyes were arrogant yet stern. Her expression was no longer playful but…pompous! School of Modifications: Pomp and Circumstance March, Movement One!
The preparations and guidance of countless musicians were needed to reach the climax. But without warning, the climax came, along with the brute strength known as ‘Zhaodang.’ Like a coronation, it was grave yet majestic, and destroyed all attempts at resistance!
For a second, terrifying light shone from the girl’s eyes. This piece composed by Saint Elgar symbolized the coronation of King Arthur when he first established the kingdom. Working as the messenger of God, the Pope placed a halo over Arthur’s head, representing that he had become an apostle and controlled divine power to rid the world of all evil. All musicians who performed this piece would receive the halo, temporarily having this divine power.
This symbol was the halo above the girl’s head. It radiated thunder and electricity, feeding her with unimaginable strength. Even if it was a rushed performance, she possessed an inhuman strength by using her talent to forcefully perform this melody from another level.
"K-kill her!" the Pyramid King screamed, but it was too late. Bai Xi disappeared in the blink of an eye. There was a footprint carved into the stone where she had stood, terrifying cracks snaked forward. Amidst the majestic performance, the girl rushed forward with electric light and furious winds, instantly upending the Pyramid King’s guards. Their bodies were lost in the storm, burnt to crisp by the lightning, becoming a bloody mess. The halo flashed, dimming a bit. Bai Xi charged again.
Just as the Pyramid King yelped, Medusa shrieked. She appeared out of thin air, gnashing her teeth at the girl. Her snake hair danced, bloody light exuded from the snakes’ eyes, illuminating Bai Xi’s face. The glow of the Stone Curse dissipated when it came in contact with the halo around Bai Xi. Divine power was able to evaporate any demonic curse. But it was clear that the halo dimmed, and it began to burn up faster—there was not much time left.
When Medusa opened her mouth, Bai Xi snapped, "Move!" Clenching her right fist, thundering chimes sounded. A faint vortex appeared above her fist. The air constricted and it sounded like glass shattering.
Boom! The virtual reflection of Medusa flew back from her punch. Her body shimmered and the snakes expanded, then exploded and spewed blood. The blood that had been sucked from the corpse a moment ago was forced out!
The drum beats and chiming jangled messily. The halo above Bai Xi’s head flickered like a candle in the wind, but the girl did not care. She used this chance to raise her hand and reach out toward the Pyramid King. He collapsed in an instant, cradling his head and screaming in fear. But the hand did not burn him to crisp. Instead, it grasped the mirror in his hands.
The music of Zhaodang resounding in Bai Xi’s body surged into the mirror like a tidal wave. The halo exploded into blinding light as if reflected tenfold. The Pomp and Circumstance March had finally reached the true climax. The runes on the mirror flashed and flickered. As if meeting a natural predator, they began extinguishing one by one. It was not because of outside pressure, but rather because the aether structure changed wildly due to having been enveloped by Zhaodang. It became extremely unstable. The last surge of aether extinguished more than half of the runes on the mirror. In the air, Medusa, who had been grasping for the girl, suddenly shimmered. She could only growl angrily before vanishing.
With the mirror in hand, Bai Xi walked forward again. Clenching her fist, she brought it down on the Pyramid King, but her fist trembled in midair. The halo above her head burst and extinguished. The divine power aiding her disappeared. She went from the apostle of divine power to a little girl, weak and powerless. Her fist landed and she yelped in pain. Her punch had hit the raised groove of the bow. A wound opened, and blood flowed from the back of her hand.
Sam gaped, not having processed everything. But he subconsciously raised the bow again, aiming at the girl before him, "Don’t move!"
Bai Xi’s face was pale, and she pouted and raised her arms helplessly, "I surrender. I’ll surrender half, alright?"
The Pyramid King studied how weak she looked with his small eyes. His fearful expression had not even disappeared fully before it was replaced by a sinister smile. It looked comical, "Hehe, so you’re…his accomplice?" Seeming to understand something, he climbed up. Pulling on the girl’s hair, he pushed her to the ground. Cackling, he aimed the bow at her forehead. "He couldn’t deal with Medusa, so he sent you to die? What other tricks do you have? Reveal them to me!"
The already fearful thugs had run when Pomp and Circumstance had played. The new members did not have any loyalty to the Pyramid Scheme. All that remained was his best men. Seeing Bai Xi weakened, they unsheathed their swords and approached.
"I didn’t expect him to need help. Seems like he isn’t as strong as I thought." The Pyramid King had recovered from his fear. Looking around, he roared at the darkness, "I’m going to say this one last time. Come out! Or else I’ll kill her!"
"Just give up," Bai Xi sighed. "I’m just a passerby. I don’t know that guy."
"It doesn’t matter. With you here, he’d be scared to kill the wrong person. He can’t attack me anymore." The Pyramid King grabbed the girl’s hair, pinching at her cheeks, leering at her, "What a good little girl. It’ll be a pity if you die. I can’t promise what will happen if he doesn’t come out."
"I wouldn’t do that if I were you," a hoarse voice rang from the darkness.
"Shut up and show yourself!" Sam swept his sharp gaze around.
A sigh came from the writhing darkness, "Then, as you wish…"
--
Deathly pale moonlight shone suddenly, lighting up the cemetery full of grief and darkness. The light fell on the broken gravestones, as if they were lit with light from Hell. In the suffocating stillness, creaks sounded, like the gate of Hell had opened slowly. Rotting dirt turned, as if the dead buried six feet under were awakening, pushing at their tomb so they could bathe in the moonlight.
As the dirt turned, a coffin slowly opened, and a thin figure rose from the rotting earth. Welcomed by everyone’s fearful eyes and weapons, the figure walked out casually. He had just walked out of a coffin, but he was dressed finely in a beastly robe. The scales on his shoulder reflected the white moonlight. Holding a black cane and wearing a rotting hat from the coffin, he looked as if he were attending a banquet—a banquet for demons! His silhouette was thin yet sharp like the contour made of steel wires. The face hidden in the shadows of the hat was unclear, but a vague smile was visible. It was all so odd.
Everyone was taken aback. No one had expected for the terrifying thing to be hidden beneath their feet. It was impossible to discern…whether this figure was alive or dead. Even a musician was a human. Unless he had mutated himself, how could he live for so long in a rotting coffin?
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Pyramid King," the polite voice sounded from under the hat. The voice carried the grace that all elites strived for. It was full of dignity and made him seem unapproachable, separate from the others. But no one noticed as he sneakily threw an underground respirator into the darkness. If not for that, he really would have suffocated.
He had planned on hiding in the coffin and waiting until the Pyramid King had completely broken before interrogating him, but he did not expect the man to have such powerful alchemy equipment. Nor did he think that Bai Xi would be here because she cared for him. Plans never accounted for all possibilities. He was used to this. The best solution was to keep his image as a dark musician and terrify them.
Seeing him, fear flashed through the Pyramid King’s eyes, but quickly, it was replaced by ferocity, "You dare to come out?"
"Why not?" Ye Qingxuan laughed lightly, "Didn’t I come tonight to fulfill my promise? But sadly, our game went astray and the entertainment disappeared early on." He emphasized ‘entertainment,’ revealing his regret.
The hoarse voice did not seem to fit the youth, and felt like the low voice of the dead. The thugs trembled with fear. This figure that seemed like a gentleman had the aura of something monstrous.
