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Chapter 144 — The Beast Awakens
The market exploded into chaos.
People screamed and ran in every direction as stalls were crushed under heavy footsteps. Soldiers surrounded the area, their weapons glowing with arcane energy.
"Run! Run!"
In the center of it all stood Shen Karguro—silent, unmoving.
Across from him, the Arcane General stepped forward, his aura burning violently.
"So this is where you hide, Shen," the general snarled.
"I will end you here."
Shen slowly lifted his head.
The news echoed in his mind.
Kenya… Ruke… dead.
Eliz… escaped.
His hands clenched.
The air around him twisted.
Lare felt it instantly.
"Shen… your emotions—!"
Too late.
A monstrous aura erupted from Shen's body.
Pure white energy burst from his core, while deep black darkness coiled around it like a living beast. The two powers didn't reject each other—
They roared together.
The ground shattered.
Buildings cracked.
The Arcane General stepped back, eyes wide.
"That aura…!"
Shen vanished.
BOOM!
The general was slammed through the market street, crashing into stone pillars. Shen followed instantly, his fist striking like a wild beast's claw.
Punch.
Kick.
Elbow.
Each hit distorted the air.
The Arcane General countered, releasing arcane blades that tore through the ground.
Shen didn't dodge.
The blades shattered on his skin.
Blood dripped from his mouth—but his eyes burned brighter.
"You killed them," Shen growled.
"So I'll erase you."
The general roared and charged, covering himself in arcane armor.
They collided.
The shockwave erased the market completely.
---
Southern Mountain Palace
Far away, Saen suddenly collapsed mid-training.
Dark mana surged violently around him.
His breathing turned wild.
Hatred.
Pain.
Betrayal.
Everything he buried erupted.
"No—this power—!"
Cracks formed in the air.
Dark symbols burned into his body.
His incomplete darkness was forced to evolve.
Sael screamed his name.
Saen stood up slowly.
His eyes glowed deep purple.
The darkness around him deepened—heavier, purer.
Dark Mage — Form Two.
"So this… is my true power," Saen whispered.
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Back to the Market Ruins
The Arcane General was breathing heavily.
Shen stood before him—
no longer human.
His rage was like a beast, formed from pure light and endless darkness, devouring everything around it.
The general attacked with everything he had.
Shen caught the strike with one hand.
Crushed it.
With a roar, Shen drove his fist straight into the general's chest.
The armor shattered.
The Arcane General froze, coughing blood.
Shen leaned closer.
"This is for them."
One final blow.
The Arcane General collapsed—dead.
The battlefield fell silent.
Shen stood alone among the ruins, his aura still raging, eyes burning with fury.
Far away, Saen felt it.
He clenched his fist.
"Master… I'll catch up."
The war had only begun.
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