Chapter 121: Black and White

A strange, oppressive sensation emanated from the sky nearby, drawing everyone’s attention. Although the pursuers behind Mulan were still hot on his heels, the pressure on him had clearly eased, and even the crimson-clad man was distracted.

However, it was unrealistic for Mulan to seize this opportunity to gain distance, as the pursuers from the Twilight Brigade, even while mindful of the distance, would never let him go.

The main area of engagement was not confined to the rooftops; the parties leaped rapidly across the nearby streets. Meanwhile, the Twilight Brigade’s slaughter of the Sorrens security forces continued unabated. Yet, the attention of those on the periphery had shifted entirely to the heavens.

In mere moments, dark clouds blanketed the sky over the entire city of Sorrens, creating the illusion that night had fallen prematurely. In the city center, not far from the square tower, a mass of shadow stood out even against the overcast sky. It writhed incessantly, dark elements coalescing and expanding.

Mulan, naturally, kept his eyes on the shadow, his expression stern.

"Is this your doing as well, Twilight Brigade? What exactly are you planning?"

Mulan asked as he dodged and wove, shouting at the members of the Twilight Brigade who were relentlessly hounding him. Their reactions varied, but all kept their gaze fixed on the sky.

"It seems this isn't your handiwork."

Despite the intense pain in his right arm, Mulan managed to stay calm.

The next moment, the shadow in the sky extended outward. A pair of pitch-black wings unfurled. Simultaneously, the shadow elongated vertically, forming an upper torso. The wings then wrapped around the figure, enveloping it until it solidified into a person draped in black robes.

The figure’s face remained hidden in the deep darkness beneath the hood. Black flames seemed to flicker and burn across its body. Its mere appearance instilled a peculiar feeling in everyone present—not necessarily one of oppressive force, but a presence so profound it could not be ignored.

With the arrival of this shadowed figure, both sides of the conflict ceased fighting, turning their attention to the newcomer. It was clear this person was no ordinary entity.

Mulan had also stopped. He experienced a strange sensation; strictly speaking, this figure in the shadows was an extension of his own power—a being of the same essence as the First Apostle from his dream, projected into reality through the dark elements. Thus, Mulan felt as though he were sharing the senses of two people simultaneously. The information he received was far broader and more complex than before, and it was truly miraculous.

Mulan’s physical body remained still, but the shadow-figure reflected his mental state, tilting its head at a strange angle and scanning its surroundings.

"Oh? A battle? What a peculiar sensation..."

The presence in the shadows spoke in a low, raspy voice that carried far. These words mirrored Mulan’s own internal state; through his dual perception, he could detect subtle shifts in energy and was more sensitive to the lingering emotions of those around him.

"I can see the traces of death, the wailing of souls, your fear, your excitement... and you lot, you possess a rather unique mental state."

Mulan was referring to the members of the Twilight Brigade. Their mental state was far more manic than the others—bordering on madness, yet not entirely lost, as if the flames of their psyche burned with unnatural intensity.

"Who are you?"
"Are you a Dielga?"

Someone from the Twilight Brigade called out. The stranger’s appearance was too bizarre, and the fact that the entire city was covered in clouds because of him meant he was not someone to be taken lightly.

In the distance, the alchemist Matt stared wide-eyed at the shadow. He knew the weather change was his own doing, but could this strange newcomer be related to Mulan Jonster? Matt looked toward Mulan and saw him watching the shadow with equal caution. This raised doubts in Matt’s mind, but he kept his questions to himself.

The figure in the shadows ignored the question and looked directly at Mulan.

"Heh heh heh, I knew you would be here!"

Mulan, holding his sword with his left hand, cradled his right arm, his expression one of surprise, followed by a furrowed brow.

"Who are you? You don't seem to be with the Twilight Brigade, yet your intentions seem far from benevolent."

The shadowed figure, which had been floating since its arrival, slowly descended onto the roof. The black flames continued to burn, licking at the air as it shook its head. Those with magical sensitivity could feel the matter around them being slowly drawn toward that patch of darkness.

"No, no. I am not a creature of evil. I came here for one person, and it appears that person is you."

"Me?" Mulan looked surprised.

"Indeed. I can sense the light within you. I can sense your spirit, your will, your emotions, and your talent... Strictly speaking, we are the same kind of people. But you are going to die today..."

Truth be told, even the Twilight Brigade and the other non-Dielga outsiders instinctively associated the stranger’s entrance with "evil," and his words did not sound particularly righteous either.

Mulan sneered.

"Although I don't know you, it seems you have come to kill me?"

"No, I do not wish to kill you. I simply know that you are likely to die today—perhaps from your wounds and the poison, or perhaps at the hands of these pathetic clowns. I do not wish for you to die, which is why I am here."

Mulan jammed his blade into the roof tiles, grabbed his right arm with his left hand, and yanked it downward with a sudden, forceful motion.

*Crack.*

Mulan set his dislocated arm, letting out only a slight hiss of cold air.

"You, too, know these people are just clowns. They cannot kill me."

"And if I were to intervene? Even with your talent and your hidden cards, you could never withstand me while suffering from such grave injuries."

The figure in the shadows spoke with a raspy, amused tone. This was Mulan’s own inner self adding to the stakes. As the physical Mulan, he stood straight, tightened his grip on his blade, and reloaded his pistol.

"When it comes down to it, you are still here to kill me."

The shadow-figure fell silent, then spoke again after a moment.

"Fate told me of your existence. Fate told me of your future. You and I are both seeds of light, but fate also told me that our paths are not the same. If possible, I wish for us to walk together, even if fate says we are destined to be enemies. That is why I came."

As the figure spoke, the sky darkened further. A strange, oppressive darkness began to spread from him, like concentrated dark elements burning outward like flames. Nearby people instinctively backed away; no one wanted to touch it.

The darkness spread rapidly, like a fire racing along a trail of gasoline. The Twilight Brigade members fled, abandoning their assault on Mulan, fearing what might happen if they touched the void.

Mulan looked up at the shadow with a haughty expression. He did not respond, merely watching. Concentrated light elements extended from him, forming a barrier that, though limited in range, held the darkness at bay. To an outsider, the ten-meter radius around Mulan looked like a beacon of light surrounded by an ocean of shadow.

"Seeds of light? That term hardly fits me, for I am not great. But surely, it is even less appropriate for you?"

The members of the Twilight Brigade felt awkward. With the entire battlefield at a standstill, they didn't know how to proceed, watching the standoff between light and shadow with mounting tension. The situation had clearly spiraled beyond everyone’s expectations.