1147——————==

Soul of the Evil God

After I took down Tai Gong-mang, I returned to the Eight Trigrams Pavilion. Ready for the challenge, I headed to the 96th floor, only to be greeted by an unexpected presence upon arrival.

“Natahta!”

Natahta, equipped with a fire tip spear and Gun (literally ‘sky’, a martial arts technique), shouted at my opponent.

[Come at me!]

As predictable as ever, I thought. The aggressive and powerful treasure-holding Natahta had shown up at the Trial Tower of the 96th floor, but I wasn’t overly tense.

‘Even Natahta wouldn’t defeat the current successor.’

If left to fight on its own, the successor could easily pass this trial. Though, I briefly considered if I could learn something from Natahta.

Boom!

But as soon as the successor and Natahta collided, it struck me: all I had to do was watch. Getting involved would just be in the way, especially since I could see that Natahta couldn’t keep up with the successor’s movements.

‘Hmm. Should I wait and see…?’

Rumbling noises filled the air.

Boom!!

The fight held more complexity than I anticipated. Natahta was countering with his Spear and Gun, dodging the successor’s Red Bow attacks, and the agility Natahta displayed was perhaps better than I expected, making it hard for the successor to find an opening.

‘Fast!’

I realized Natahta’s average movements easily surpassed human limits. Under normal circumstances, it would be nearly impossible to even draw a sword against someone at the Absolute Realm level. Sure, someone in close proximity could counter or defend in a split second, but Natahta’s mobility exceeded that of any living creature.

Boom!

And Natahta seemed to excel in ranged situations too, effortlessly countering with his fire tip spear. The small wheels attached to Natahta’s feet, the Feng Hwa Wheel, appeared to grant temporary acceleration. With attacks from the Gun and spear coming together and the successor entangled in a storm of assaults from Natahta, it all felt like a natural disaster.

At that moment, I grasped the true strength of Natahta—the effectiveness of a battle treasure user fully maximizing their abilities. Regular humans struggle to even master one treasure, yet Natahta harnessed its power to the fullest. Plus, what with receiving the powers of Nüwa, it must be undeniably stronger than usual.

‘If humans were to face Natahta, he would be a formidable opponent…’

About a hundred or so seconds later, Dokgo Seong, who had come with me to watch, suddenly spoke.

“He’s aiming to settle this.”

Cha-cha-cha!

Just as his words left his mouth, the successor unleashed a flurry of intangible arrows, filling the world.

Natahta seemed to grow his Gun larger to absorb all the arrows, but the spectacle was mind-boggling—almost divine.

Swish-shush!

“……!!”

To my amazement, the multitude of intangible arrows transformed into beams of light, moving as if they had a life of their own, gliding through the water of the valley. Watching the arrows dodge the area surrounded by Natahta’s Gun made me question whether such a thing was even possible. Natahta, in a panic, accelerated using the Feng Hwa Wheel to dodge, but it was too late; one arrow struck his shoulder.

That was truly divine archery!

Thud!

With the arrow’s impact, Natahta’s arm was sent flying into the air. It was a clear critical injury, yet Natahta seemed unbothered, continuing to move at high speeds with the Feng Hwa Wheel. Astonishingly, amidst the high-speed movement, Natahta’s lost arm regenerated.

I stood there flabbergasted.

“What the heck?! Is that cheating…?”

“Seems like that’s the power Nüwa granted him.”

“Sword Demon.”

“Unlimited life force and rapid regeneration. If Natahta possesses such abilities against a formidable successor, it could only be a nightmare for us.”

“…….”

Poof!

Even now, the successor’s deadly storm of arrows relentlessly assaulted Natahta’s body. However, every wound healed perfectly in a matter of breaths.

“Ugh damn….”

Imagining how many times I’d need to press the Mind Control Technique to take down such a foe made me dizzy. Unlike the beasts from floor 80 that simply let hits through, Natahta had mobility far above average and was a treasure user with strategic prowess. A being with great overall capabilities nearing infinite stamina and defense was a disaster in itself.

‘If I managed to nail the Great Liberation Seven Luminaries, perhaps… No, brute force will never work…’

I had underestimated Natahta, thinking he’d be a relatively easy target on the 96th floor; suddenly, I realized the gravity of the situation. While I was absentmindedly watching, Natahta suspended himself in mid-air as if catching his breath and said,

[Successor! Whatever weakness you think you have against me, give it up! I’ve never heard of the Tower assisting with trials!]

The successor replied bluntly.

[That’s not an option. If I can’t pass the trial, then I must eliminate you, Natahta.]

[Hmph! Then shall we determine our strengths?]

[So, you have a competitive streak too?]

Bang! Bang!

Natahta clashed his Gun and spear together, laughing heartily.

[Ha ha! There’s nothing I can’t face. I let my guard down earlier, took a few hits, but now I have a grasp on your archery.]

[…….]

The successor frowned, looking offended.

[Because of Jeogok, I’ve been tormented, now even everyone wants to fight me…. I can’t believe I’m being treated like this.]

[What did you say?]

[It’s thanks to me that you’re still alive. Now, as you said, let’s do this properly.]

[Stop the bravado…].

Thwack!

As soon as he finished speaking, an arrow shot from the successor, embedding itself squarely in the center of Natahta’s Gun. Staring at his now-impaled Gun, as though he couldn’t believe it, Natahta hurriedly tried to pull the arrow out, but something ridiculous happened next.

Crack!

[No?!]

The Gun developed spiderweb-like cracks! Originally, this treasured Gun had the property of being indestructible due to its mythological origins, yet to everyone’s surprise, the successor had shattered the unwritten rule of treasures being unbreakable.

Natahta shouted in shock.

[This is unbelievable!! How could you break a treasure…?]

[It’s entirely possible if you focus your destructive power.]

[There’s no way an arrow could have that kind of destructive power!]

[You’re like a frog in a well. Considering you’re just an artificial human, do you think you can judge my archery?]

The successor aimed his cold gaze at Natahta.

Fwoosh!

For the next hundred or so seconds, Natahta fought vigorously. Swinging his treasure, he tried to parry, block, and dodge the successor’s attacks to the best of his ability. Yet, despite this, he found himself on the receiving end of one-sided strikes, forcing Natahta to retreat entirely, relying solely on the Feng Hwa Wheel for evasion, until finally, the end came.

Boom!

The sound of the fire tip spear and Gun shattering echoed. The successor had used the Red Bow’s power to destroy them.

Thud!

As Natahta’s consciousness faded, pierced through by arrows, his gaze went completely dark. Impaled by dozens of arrows in what looked almost like a display case, Natahta appeared pitifully defeated.

With an overwhelming victory secured, the successor flew towards me and said,

[I won.]

“…….”

[Why do you look like that?]

“Well, it’s all good… but did you really have to break his treasures?”

Indeed, nearly all of Natahta’s treasures—an absolute treasure troop—had been shattered in the battle; now, only the Feng Hwa Wheel remained. While that wasn’t a bad prize, losing high-grade treasures like the Gun or the celestial technique Was frustrating.

The successor huffed.

[You’re too pampered. You expect me to take him down without breaking his treasures, when that’s the source of his strength?]

“Oh, well, if there was no other way, I get it….”

[Finish it up.]

“Sure thing.”

Swish!

As I approached and finished off the severely weakened Natahta with the Great Liberation Seven Luminaries, the door to the next floor opened. Before heading to the 97th floor, Dokgo Seong said with an upbeat tone,

“Is this what it feels like to hitch a free ride? Not bad at all!”

“Isn’t it a martial artist’s pride to take down your opponents yourself?”

“That’s only when it’s my fight. If someone else is willing to take them down, there’s no reason to refuse.”

“…….”

I had nothing to say since I agreed completely with Dokgo Seong.

Boom!

As soon as we reached the 97th floor, I felt something was off. The atmosphere was thick with darkness, and it felt like we had entered a river filled with dark, swampy reeds. I was on alert due to the peculiar landscape when suddenly—

Sssssss!

A moment later, the Trial Tower of the 97th floor came into view, and as I laid eyes on it, I was utterly astonished.

“Huh?! Wait a second! What are you doing here…?”

Why was he here of all places?!

I couldn’t believe my eyes as an unexpectedly familiar figure stood before me.

A young man with gray hair and cloudy eyes.

He was someone I had encountered before, and my companions seemed puzzled, unable to recall him. The successor also glanced at me and said,

[Do you know him?]

The gray-haired young man said,

“Quite impressive, indeed…. Even though this is our first meeting, you seem to recognize me.”

“…….”

Struggling, I replied to him.

“Guiyeong. You’re not part of the Celestial Realm, so why are you here in the Tower’s trials?”

In response to my words, only Sword Demon seemed to have figured out the stranger’s identity, his expression hardening.

“Could it be….?”

And the young man, known as Guiyeong, slightly nodded and spoke.

“It appears you already know my identity…. O Emperor Baek Woong.”

“…There’s no reason for you to listen to Nüwa’s words, so why are you in a place like this? You’re not one who has to be here.”

“There’s only one reason.”

Guiyeong locked eyes with me, saying,

“Originally, Natahta was supposed to participate in these trials directly, but I persuaded him to stay behind and came instead. The Qilin is fiercely intent on killing you….”

“…Damn!”

I couldn’t help but get frustrated.

“What grudge does that Qilin have against me to go as far as sealing or trying to kill me from the past?! Why!!”

“I’m not entirely sure…. But he is a sacred being, and all things happen as a result of the Law of Cause and Effect.”

At that moment, the successor, who had been listening quietly, interjected.

[I think I’ve figured out your identity too. Your appearance is completely different from when you approached me.]

Guiyeong’s gaze shifted to the successor, who continued.

[However, you don’t seem like someone who should be here, as Baek Woong suggested…. Seems like you’ve picked the wrong place to come.]

“Indeed, great hero successor. We’ve crossed paths before, haven’t we? Before Ten Yang fell, didn’t you have me look into your future?”

[That prediction was spot on. Thanks to it, I managed to take down Ten Yang without a scratch, so I’m grateful.]

“No need for thanks.”

[But, I hoped to get another reading from you for what’s next. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find you anywhere, so I had to look for the elixir through someone else….]

The successor seemed a bit disappointed. I realized that he must have encountered Guiyeong back in the Mythological Age.

‘He must have given him a reading, just like he did for me….’

Now it was clear that everyone knew Guiyeong’s identity.

Seeing the attention on him, Guiyeong continued.

“I sensed that the Law of Cause and Effect connected to your doom was falling upon Baek Woong. So, I came here to check your fate.”

Once again, was Master Mangnyang right?

I contemplated this carefully before speaking.

“Is this truly acceptable? Isn’t Nüwa seeking a trial?”

“Of course, if you desperately wish to fight me, there are alternatives.”

Guiyeong spoke slowly.

“If you wish to fight me, I can transform into the Four Divine Beasts Qilin and engage in a light spar. You and the Qilin are destined to fight, so this experience will mean something.”

Damn it….

Looks like I’ll have to fight that Qilin after all.

“If I don’t fight?”

“I’ll read your fate regarding the end of the world and take my leave…. That’s my main purpose.”

“…….”

I could tell I had to choose.

Guiyeong, or rather, the true identity of the Four Divine Beasts, Eungui, had brought me two options to consider.