CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 55 : FINAL BLOW

The once-pristine marble floor was a graveyard of shattered tiles, glass, and blood.

I staggered back, talons scraping across broken ceramic, my wings hanging in tatters. My chest heaved, each breath shallow and ragged. Warm blood dripped from my beak to the floor.

"Still... standing?" Cheng-min’s — no, the Raven King’s— voice came out low, guttural, the edges roughened by something inhuman.

I spat blood, forcing a smirk. "Sorry... not in the mood to die today."

He tilted his head toward the ruin-strewn corner. "All your friends and sister have fallen."

Ye-Rin lay crumpled beside her axe, its blade chipped. Seo-yeon was facedown near a half-collapsed kiosk, one arm twitching faintly. In-Ji slumped against the wall, her rifle bent in two.

"And that lizard friend of yours?" The Raven King’s grin widened. "Probably buried under a thousand of my pets."

I took a step forward, talons curling. "You’re a masochist. Instant regeneration, but you’re not healing. Or..." My grin sharpened. "...you can’t."

His eyes narrowed. Bull’s-eye.

Our next clash exploded like a thunderclap. Blade met talon, mana shrieking between us in a shockwave that rattled the second floor’s steel beams. Dust rained from above.

But my movements were slowing. Every dodge came half a second too late. Every counter landed weaker than it should have. His shadow plating drank the worst of my hits, and each trade left me bleeding just a little more.

Then he lunged for the kill—

—and froze mid-stride.

A tremor ran through his whole body. His head jerked as if yanked by invisible chains. His breathing turned ragged, almost human.

"Husband!"

The voice cut through the haze — Hana Lee’s voice, desperate, raw.

I turned my head, and there she was, stumbling through the shattered glass doors at the side of the mall. She was pale, hair clinging to her face, but her eyes were locked on Cheng-min.

"Please... remember me!" she cried. "You’re not this thing — you’re my husband! You promised" Her voice cracked, her hand outstretched.

[A few moments prior]

In the second floor of the shopping mall,the storage room was dim and cramped, the stale air thick with the scent of cardboard and dust.

Hana lee sat slouched against the wall with the twins curled up beside her, their little hands clutching at his sleeves.

Mother paced in the narrow aisle between shelves, her boots clicking against the tiled floor. Each echoing footstep was chased by the muffled roar from outside — steel clashing, monstrous shrieks, the dull thud of something massive slamming into concrete.

"I can’t just sit here," Hana muttered, her voice low. "What will happen toy husband?" She unconsciously gripped her child a little too hard, causing him to cry out in pain.

Mother smoothly took the child from her hands. "What is the little one’s name?"

She knew that it wasn’t the time to ask about these things but seeing Hana right now. She wanted to divert her mind somewhere or she wanted her mind to drive away as well.

Hana Lee’s voice cut through like a blade. "I have to go."

Her eyes were wild, ringed with red from tears she hadn’t even noticed shedding. Her hair clung to her face, damp with sweat.

Mother’s fingers twitched. She wanted—no, needed—to be down there. She could feel the rhythm of the battle in her chest.

"If the monsters from outside break through the entrance... they’ll slaughter everyone here," mother muttered, half to herself.

"My husband’s out there!" Hana’s voice broke. "He’s—he’s not himself. But maybe if I see him, maybe if I talk to him—" She grabbed Mother’s sleeve, nails digging in. "Please. He’s still there somewhere. I know it."

Mother turned sharply. "No." she continued, "My son and my daughter are out there fighting for their lives. Do you think I as a mother don’t want to go out and help them."

Then the mother’s gaze shifted to the child in her arms. "I’m staying behind, so that ....." But before she completes her sentence Hana interrupted her.

Hana whirled on mother, words shaking. "And if I stay here, he might not survive either." Her voice cracked on the last syllable.

"My husband... I can hear him." Her eyes were glassy, "He’s out there. He’s fighting, and I—" Her voice faltered, twisting into a sob that made the twins flinch. "I have to go to him. Please... I can’t lose him."

Mother’s eyes flickered. She knew that she can’t stop Hana. It’s her own choice.

But before Mother could agree to her, a sudden realization hit her.

Where is Hyun-tae?

[Back To present]

The Raven King’s claws hovered inches from her chest... and faltered. The shadows roiling off him thinned, flickering. For a heartbeat, his breathing slowed. The black drained from his eyes.

"...Hana?"

Her sob shook the air. "Yes! It’s me—"

But the voice that came out next was not Cheng-min’s.

"No..." The Raven King’s tone was venom. "Mana reservoir’s tapped... for now. But Ye-jun—" His grin twitched. "To complete this mission... one of you has to die."

Hana didn’t flinch. She cupped Cheng-min’s face, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Our son, Min-Jae, is waiting for us."

Something in his gaze cracked. The inky sheen drained away, replaced by warmth — and grief.

He managed to choke out, "...Hana?"

Her tears fell freely now, spattering on his cheek. "Yes. It’s me. You’re here with me."

For an instant, it was like the battle stopped. The air went still.

Then his knees buckled.

"No—!" Hana tried to catch him, but he was too heavy. Cheng-min collapsed to the floor with a sound that echoed far too final in the wrecked mall.

I stood there, chest heaving, my talons digging into the broken tile, staring at the fallen man who’d been my enemy — and our ally — all in the same breath.

And behind Hana’s sobs, in the distance,I could hear the noises outside getting dimmer and dimmer.

The familiar chime of the system cut through the quiet like a blade through silk.

[Mission 4 Complete.]

[Winner: Owl Faction Champion — Shin Ye-jun.]

[Result: Raven and Owl combatants are withdrawing from Buk-gu, Ulsan.]

Reward: All Owl Faction members gain +3 Levels.]

[Special: The Owl King may now claim one Wish.]

I blinked at the glowing text hanging in midair.

"Winner, huh?" I muttered.

Then a voice rang through a walkie talkie, near Seo-yeon.

It was Hyun-tae.

"Hey! Is anyone there? I have killed Mr.kang and destroyed the heart alongside."