Thump-thumpâ!!
My heart was pounding. Of course, it should be beating, but this felt different. How should I put it? It was as if I instantly knew I was screwed the moment I felt it. In any case, it wasnât a good feeling.
"Damn it."
I hadnât intended to swallow it, so how did it end up inside me? It certainly wasnât of my own volition.
"Shit."
What kind of nonsense was this? Anyone could see it was dangerous, and I had no intention of eating it.
I immediately regulated my breathing and checked my body.
Buzzâ!!
The energy that had started from my heart began reverberating outward.
This was bad.
I tried to calm it down somehow, but the energy refused to listen.
Rumbleâ!!
It was coming.
Boomâ!!
"Urgh."
Shockwaves erupted inside me. It felt as though consecutive explosions were going off. I clutched my chest and fell to my knees.
Every vein in my body bulged. It felt like a giant had grabbed me with one hand, squeezing me with such force that my body seemed on the verge of imploding.
"...Ugh..."
Just as I was about to swallow a groan from the painâ
"...Damn it."
Dragging my aching body, I forced myself to move. I pushed strength into my legs and managed a short leap.
Clang! A sword struck the spot where I had been moments ago.
Frowning, I looked straight ahead. It was the Celestial Stream Sect Leader's doing. Despite his ragged breathing, his body remained tensed and ready.
âThat bastard of an old man.â
As I had suspected earlier, he was sharp. The moment he sensed something strange happening to me, he launched an attack. His quick judgment was commendable.
["I never expected you to swallow the Dragon Pearl."]
His eyes were filled with fury.
["You must be enraged, but judging by your state, there seems to be an issue with your Awakening, doesnât there?"]