Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

Chapter 144: Sekhmet (1)

YuWon found their reasoning for hating humans quite hilarious. But he wasn't a great example either. After all, he could feel his humanity slipping away with each trial. But for now, his focus was on the centaurs and their ritual.

"Lilith, are you here?" he whispered.

"Invisible like you ordered, master."

"Do you know anything about what this ritual might be?"

"...I'm sorry, master."

YuWon clicked his tongue. But it wasn't surprising. After all, she was reborn as someone new. The knowledge and abilities she had as an angel were long gone.

More importantly, he wondered what happened to Soo-Ah and Min-Joon for them to act so hostile. They went as far as locking him up in a separate cage from the others.

They are wary of me. That's good.

Fortunately, they didn't seem to know about Lilith. Which wasn't all that surprising, considering she was the reward for killing the mole. She would work to his advantage later.

"When the time is right, unlock all cages," YuWon instructed Lilith.

"As you wish!"

With that, she flew away, positioning herself between the cages. As for him, he had already tested the strength of the cages. They were sturdy, but not enough to hold him back.

As painful as it is to absorb the Disaster Hearts, they are worth it.

YuWon thought as his eyes drifted to Yeji. As they tied her unconscious self to the altar, he wondered what the ritual would accomplish. Despite the claims from the centaurs, he didn't think a human could dispel their curse.

From how Soo-Ah and Min-Joon had been acting, it wasn't far-fetched to think they had ulterior motives. YuWon hoped it was something that could help Yeji control over her rabid self.

"Let's begin," Soo-Ah informed the elderly centaur. "We need to get this over with before dawn."

"Very well..." the elder nodded.

Upon his signal, countless young centaurs appeared around the altar. They were all wearing clothes made of leaves and dead rodents.

For the species known for protecting the forest, it didn't seem the centaurs cared much about its residents. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone against their creed and killed other beasts.

They are desperate, that's for sure.

The children kneeled before the altar, their heads bowed as if praying. YuWon couldn't make out from his cage, but it felt ceremonial, like they were begging for redemption.

Behind the young centaurs stood the older ones. They weren't wearing clothes like the rest, but were wearing masks, holding a blade in their hands.

YuWon felt a deep unease rising in his chest. If they dared go anywhere close to Yeji with those daggers, he would kill them all with no hesitation.

The young centaurs finished their prayer. Then, without warning, the older centaurs grabbed their heads and sliced their necks with the blades.

The young centaurs gasped as they fell to the ground. Their bodies crumpled like rag dolls.

"What the hell...?" YuWon mumbled.

It wasn't because the centaurs had killed their kin. But because of their blood. It flowed unnaturally, creeping towards the altar like something was pulling them.

The blood snaked through the designs carved into the ancient stone, climbing higher and higher until it reached the top. The altar seemed to glow faintly as the blood reached the top.

Soo-Ah stood before the altar, her eyes wide with a crazed smile. She couldn't take her eyes off the altar, looking like a total fanatic.

Yeji was tied down at the top of the altar. She had been unconscious moments before, but as the blood touched her, her eyes shot open, and she began to convulse violently.

Her body arched as if she was about to float, only to be held back by the restraints.

"Alright, that's it!" YuWon exclaimed.

He knew he couldn't wait any longer. Whatever was happening, it was too dangerous to let it continue.

He clenched his fists and shattered the bars of his cage with a powerful punch. He jumped out, charging towards the altar.

At the same time, Lilith forced open the remaining cages, releasing the other prisoners.

Chaos erupted as everyone rushed to fight the centaurs. But YuWon kept his eyes on the altar. He was almost there, just a few more steps. Unfortunately, he never got close to the altar.

A sudden cackling sound stopped him in his tracks. A moment later, a bolt of lightning struck the top of the altar, causing an explosion.

The force of the blast sent YuWon flying backward. Dust and debris covered the altar and everything in sight. YuWon groaned, shaking his head as he struggled to get back to his feet.

As the dust settled, YuWon stared at the smoking remains of the altar. Where Yeji had been moments ago, there was nothing but a charred slab of stone and shattered restraints.

"Yeji..." YuWon mumbled, walking towards the altar.

However, Min-Joon stopped him.

"Get back bastard," he warned, pointing the blade towards YuWon. "You'll never lay your hands on our goddess--!"

"Get lost."

YuWon raised his blade, aiming for his neck. But then he heard a laugh and turned around to see werewolves... hundreds of them. They had already surrounded the village.

One of them, twice as large as the others and white-furred, walked in front. YuWon assumed he was their leader. However, the beast wasn't looking at them, but the dead centaurs.

"It seems..." Lycaon smirked. "You've prepared a feast for your king."

Lycaon wasn't here to negotiate or talk. He was there for blood. But Fortunately, it wasn't human blood.

"Kill them all!"

Lycaon's signal was holding the hungry werewolves back. Now, with his permission, they charged into the crowd. The centaurs scrambled to defend themselves, but they were no match for the overwhelming force of the werewolves.

"Everyone, get back!" Yuna yelled.

Since the werewolves weren't attacking them, it was the right time to make their escape. YuWon and Min-Joon turned back to each other, fidgeting with their weapons.

"Truce!"

They yelled simultaneously.