As the dragon glided across the sky,
Swen's trembling voice echoed through the air:
> "That's a Yang creature… they're considered sacred on many planets.
They're wise — they don't attack without reason. Stay calm."
But before he could finish, the heavens roared once more.
The dragon spread its wings and inhaled deeply — then descended, spewing flames toward Shinju.
Shinju reacted instantly, forming a Yin shield — but the sheer power of the flames shattered it.
He was thrown backward, his body crashing against the rocks.
He coughed blood and struggled to stand, only to see the dragon land before him.
The dragon narrowed its eyes and spoke:
> "I was right… that vile resonance in your aura — it carries the same stench as the curse.
How can a dragon be so corrupted?"
Shinju clenched his teeth.
> "I'm not a dragon."
The dragon's eyes gleamed.
> "Don't lie. I can smell dragon blood all over you!"
It roared and lunged, slashing with its claws.
Shinju raised his shield again, but the impact sent him flying once more, leaving a deep scar across the ground.
The dragon bellowed furiously:
> "You are a disgrace to our kind!
A dragon that surrenders to evil is no dragon at all!"
Energy gathered in its jaws — a blazing sphere of fire.
As it hurled the fireball toward Shinju, he forced himself to his knees and rebuilt his Yin shield.
The explosion lit up half the valley.
Koharu covered her mouth in horror.
> "Shinju!"
When the smoke cleared, Shinju was still standing, a glowing wound across his chest.
The dragon's eyes widened.
> "You're healing… so, you've even gained immortality."
"Let's see what other demonic tricks you possess."
Shinju replied hoarsely:
> "I'm not your enemy. Just listen to me—"
> "Listening to one tainted by darkness is madness!"
the dragon roared and attacked again.
Its claws and tail struck Shinju in relentless succession.
Then, with a sudden motion, the dragon's fangs closed around him, lifting him off the ground.
Swen shouted in terror:
> "It's going to swallow him!"
Inside the dragon's jaws, Shinju could barely breathe.
He gathered the Yin energy in his hand, forging it into a blade — his only chance.
With all his strength, he drove it deep into the roots of the dragon's fangs.
The dragon screamed in pain and released him.
Shinju plummeted to the ground, barely conscious.
Meanwhile, Swen ripped the venom sac from the slain serpent in his bag.
> "Koharu! I'm making a poison bomb.
When it explodes, raise your barrier — or we're both dead!"
> "What about Shinju?!"
> "Did you forget? He's immortal!
And the only way to kill a Yang beast… is poison."
Swen extracted the venom, mixed it with a black powder, and sealed it in a flask.
A faint green vapor swirled inside.
The dragon descended again, wings beating, dispersing the smoke.
Just as it approached Shinju, Swen hurled the flask.
> "Now!"
The flask exploded before the dragon's face.
Green poison mist spread through the air —
but then Shinju leapt in front of it, spreading his arms wide, channeling Yin energy.
> "Stop!" he shouted.
Waves of Yin energy rippled outward, dispersing the toxin.
The mist vanished, the air grew clear again.
Swen yelled in disbelief:
> "What are you doing?!"
Shinju turned slowly, eyes firm and steady.
> "He's innocent. He thinks we're the enemy — but I sense no Void within him.
I've never seen a being survive this long in this world without being touched by the Void."