Chapter 1651 - 985: King of Black Wood, Gwyn (2)

The Initial Firestove map discards all previous underworld designs. As for the physical sensations, it just feels like I’m climbing up the path, winding towards the core of the firestove, without encountering any trap obstructions along the way.

It’s almost as if I’m experiencing the route Gwyn took when he came to transmit fire years ago.

Leon feels a tinge of literary sentimentality stirring in his heart. Suddenly, a thought occurs to him.

When Gwyn transmitted fire back then, did he also walk on iron frameworks like I am?

As soon as this thought emerges from his mind, the budding feelings of epic destiny and legendary awe vanish without a trace, leaving him regretting enough to slap himself.

Filled with resentment toward his own self-mocking ability, Leon finally arrives at the location of the firestove core.

There, just like upon the first encounter, the white fog gate stands tall.

Behind the fog gate, the sound of flames crackling becomes more pronounced.

The drifting white mist in Leon’s eyes seems to morph into Gwyn’s visage, reminding him of the majesty he once witnessed—the figure wielding the thunder spear with an imposing aura.

Even now, he’s not sure he’d dare to say he could withstand a full-power sunlight spear.

What lies behind the fog gate? Roaring flames and the Sunlight King who cloaks himself in fire? Or perhaps a grand palace entirely different from its exterior? Maybe it’s simply a pure white space?

The one who battled Gwyn earlier was the Demon King, now finally it’s my turn to step onto the stage.

"It’s time."

I shall battle Gwyn!

Leon slaps the fog gate and rushes instantly to its far side.

"Come on, Gwyn, I’m ready!"

As soon as he charges through the fog gate, he raises the Black Knight Shield. This shield, exceptionally resistant to fire, will become his strongest safeguard, his eyes fiercely scanning the surroundings.

However, what meets his gaze is neither a grand palace nor roaring flames.

It’s a space heaped with burnt-out ash, even seeming somewhat dim, which is no different from the scenery outside the fog gate, only the temperature is slightly higher.

Wait, where’s Gwyn?

No time to ponder why this place looks as it does, Leon eagerly starts to search for Gwyn’s figure.

Though the scenery is unexpected, it remains imbued with an unusual sense of fate. Experiencing a fight with the Sunlight King in this setting would surely be wonderful. The only downside is that the scene is somewhat too small, making it harder to dodge the opponent’s wide-range attacks...

A chaotic string of thoughts flashes through Leon’s mind. This is when something in the darkness catches his eye.

"Hoo—"

The firelight, the familiar glow, ignites, suddenly dispelling the nearby darkness, lending a bit of brightness to the firestove core.

But it doesn’t illuminate the area as bright as daylight. The firelight’s scale is unexpectedly... small?

I get it, this must be just Gwyn’s prelude! Soon, more and more firelights will ignite and converge, followed by Gwyn’s dazzling entrance!

Leon grips the sword hilt tightly, yet the burning firelight draws nearer.

Nearing?

Upon closer inspection, that’s when he discerns the firelight’s true form amid the ominous, oppressive surroundings.

It’s a great sword, burning with flames.

And it’s being held, approaching his position.

Holding his breath, he slowly trails his gaze up along the flaming great sword. He sees the familiar armor worn by Gwyn during his legendary battle with the Demon King!

Looking further up, he can almost see that majestic and solemn face!

"Hmm?"

Yet at this moment, Leon suddenly emits an untimely sound of doubt, and his movement halts, as if he’s seen something unnerving.

Despite being well-seasoned from long-term adventures in accepting shocking events, Leon still inevitably experiences a brief moment of daze.

Because the person appearing before him, starkly contrasts his memories.

The memory of the robust and dignified Gwyn surfaces before him.

Then gradually, gradually...

It overlaps with the frail elder scorched by fire standing before him.

"Ting, ting, tong—"

Three crisp piano notes suddenly play at this time.

Distinctively abrupt.

The piano sounds suddenly resonate amid the backdrop of burning flames, clear and audible, and this time, the background music is no longer the typical grandiose and dramatic, only a solo piano performance.

The music, played exclusively on white keys, sounds bleak and mournful, even just standing here listening evokes an uncontrollable rising sense of desolation.

The brief notes do not compose a majestic epic, but more akin to an alternative... epitaph?

Perhaps.

Quite fitting to the scene.

In the melody, the elder who has withered to resemble an animated corpse approaches Leon.

Leon hasn’t fully processed what’s happening until the magic rune appears for the first time during the boss battle.

[King of Black Wood, Gwyn]

King... of Black Wood?

For a moment, images of the Fran Undead Team and other Ember Kings flash in his mind.

Not the Sunlight King?

Wait, wait, why is it like this? This is completely different from what I imagined.

Is that charred old man truly Gwyn? His state looks even worse than Ember King Rudes, has he already lost all his sanity?

What happened, is it because the flames have depleted him?

Leon suddenly regains consciousness, but not because his mind returns to normal thinking, rather his body reacts independently in the face of danger.