1220——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I was confused by Seo Mun-hye’s words, but soon I was able to face reality. I calmly said,

“…Are you saying I have no choice but to convey everything with words to recruit allies?”

“It won’t be easy. Even if you share all those countless experiences you’ve had, it’s still…”

Seo Mun-hye’s expression momentarily clouded.

“Isn’t it a tale that no storyteller in this world could even dare to imagine…? No human could accept it. Even if you provide evidence, you might convince them a little, but you can never truly make them your comrades.”

“……”

“Perhaps if it were experts like Zhuge Sa or the Master of the White Lotus Sect, they might come to understand, but if they can’t accept your ‘experiences’ for what they are, then their advice will be of limited value.”

That’s true. How could humans easily believe what I’ve gone through?

In the past, I managed to persuade my allies just with words when I didn’t have Obsidian, but the trust and growth rates were drastically different compared to using Obsidian. Without it, most human allies would just be satisfied with not being my enemies rather than being of real help.

I paused for a moment before speaking to Seo Mun-hye.

“I can’t afford to let them lose their minds. I need to meet them only after more plans are in place. So what should I do now?”

While Zhuge Sa and the Master of the White Lotus Sect might endure the absorption of Obsidian, there’s still a significant risk they might go insane. And since I’ve recognized them as my reborn allies, I can’t take that gamble. If I think it’s all because of me, I won’t be able to hold up.

Moreover, if I were to convince them just with words, it’s impossible to predict how they might act. They wouldn’t be swayed by a few words from a randomly appearing teenage boy to change their views or obediently follow me, and they could end up betraying me instead. Having had similar experiences in the past, I knew that a half-hearted contact with them would only be detrimental to me.

Seo Mun-hye quietly suggested,

“Visiting a prophet would be the best direction.”

“A prophet…?”

“If that’s the case, they might provide you with answers, Baek Woong. But first, there’s something you need to do.”

Ku-gu-gu-gu

Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu…!!

At that moment, the entire Pirate Island shook, and from across the sea came a sound resembling a gigantic conch. Simultaneously, the sea began to turn dark, waves started to swell, and I could vaguely see something floating in the distance. I was able to recognize that small figure.

‘Sea God Clan.’

Even though they had been here for three moments, did they arrive noticing the anomaly among their comrades, the pirates? Even so, a mere group from the Sea God Clan shouldn’t be able to cause such a cataclysm, which made me realize another fact.

“A high-level existence with considerable magical power is coming to this island.”

“Yes. Perhaps it’s an executive from the Sea God Clan, or even higher…”

Seo Mun-hye didn’t finish her thought, but I could guess what she meant. After observing me for a moment, she said,

“Engaging those beings is entirely your choice, Baek Woong. I will follow your decision.”

“Hmm….”

I pondered.

‘Even if a thousand from the Sea God Clan came, it wouldn’t be a major issue. The real problem is the enormous being that may come with them.’

If ‘that’ is coming to this Pirate Island along with the Sea God Clan, then engaging in a fight right now would not be wise. Even if my powers have become stronger than before, I can’t guarantee I would win in a one-on-one.

However, since Seo Mun-hye left an opening in her words, it seemed she thought I might have a chance to win. Her saying I could fight or not hints at this underlying meaning. I let it sink in before saying to Seo Mun-hye,

“I don’t want to complicate things right from the start. Leaving this place is the right choice, regardless of victory or defeat.”

“That’s right.”

“But… I have something I want to test. And those beings would be perfect practice partners.”

“……”

“Don’t worry. If things go south, I’ll run away.”

With my determination set for battle, I took a step towards the coastline.

“I don’t feel like waiting until they land. Shall I strike first?”

Wooooo….

I summoned the Immortal Sword and gathered my energy. As soon as I filled my power, I hurled a multitude of slashes towards the sea surface.

Application of Infinite Slash

Sea Ridge Slash!

Chwaaaak!!

[Kiiaak!]

[Kaaak!!]

In an instant, the heads of the Sea God Clan members floating within a radius of this range were severed. The enormous wave of Thunder Sword glimmered as it swept across the sea, subsequently causing massive splashes where it passed.

Pa-zzzzzzzzz

[Kak….]

Thanks to the powerful thunder strike from the Thunder Sword, the area close to where the sword glided was completely electrocuted as well! I thought I’d mimic Musashi’s Supreme Slash, but the results were vastly different, leaving me agape.

‘Is it because it’s a hastily made technique? Its range is narrower than Supreme Slash, and its power is more about the auxiliary effect…’

Of course, Supreme Slash wasn’t made overnight; Musashi refined it through years of real-life battles, so I couldn’t catch up to it immediately. After executing the Sea Ridge Slash a few more times, I realized I had taken down about five hundred or so men of the Sea God Clan that were approaching the coastline.

Dooon

Yet the Sea God Clan was still steadily surfacing to show their heads above the water as they approached with increasing numbers. Realizing the figures were not in the hundreds, I frowned.

“Hmm, are thousands coming? This never ends.”

Boringly cutting down nameless minor enemies, I was deep in thought about what to do next.

Chuwak!!

Suddenly, several gigantic whirlpools arose, and something began to unveil its head from within the dark sea. As if there were an invisible summoning circle beneath the ocean, that massive being was revealing a form so large, it surpassed human imagination. I stared, mesmerized, at this being that had already grown larger than an average mountain.

I know that’s not its full size.

Ku-gu-gu-gu

Wooooooooo—

Eventually, as its shoulders surpassed the clouds, its grand upper body engulfed my entire visual horizon – seeing it now, this titanic being was bigger than Mount Tai, and I muttered to myself.

“The Sea God.”

Kuwa-kwakwa

As if kicking off the ground, it rose, and the world was engulfed in an illusion of complete darkness. In reality, it was revealing a size beyond human capacity to comprehend, exposing not just its upper body but its lower body as well.

I want to test this.

How well can I fight the Sea God right now?

I leapt skyward with all my might and unleashed the Infinite Slash.

Kwahwa-kwang!!

The Infinite Slash significantly cleaved a part of the Sea God’s body, yet it seemed it had not inflicted a considerable amount of damage. In fact, the part that was cut began regenerating visibly, causing me to curse lowly.

“Hmm….”

Before, the joint attack from Yeodong-bin and Fire Dragon Incarnate pushed him back a bit, but now my Infinite Slash seemed to fall short of that level of power.

Then, suddenly, I thought differently.

‘The power of the Divine Sword, combined with my ultimate technique, isn’t matched by just the Infinite Slash.’

If that’s the case, then if I had a corresponding technique equal to Fire Dragon Sword, perhaps I could replicate what Yeodong-bin achieved. Just as this crossed my mind, I felt a flash from where the Sea God’s head was gently illuminated by glimmering brilliant rays.

Kwooooooo!!

“Woooh.”

It’s the beam from the Sea God I’ve experienced before! Just one sweep of this light could part the sea and ignite the ocean floor with heat! Factoring in the beam’s massive range, I barely managed to evade its intensity using the Soul Removal Technique, causing cold sweat to break out.

The moment I dodged, I suddenly felt an itchy sensation on my right arm and left shoulder blade, glancing back to see barnacles clinging to me?! Not only that but they were digging into my skin, and I could even see moss forming right next to them! I knew the same bizarre phenomena were happening on my shoulder blade, making me jump back in shock.

‘What the hell…?’

In that moment, I recalled the words of Fire Dragon Incarnate when I fought the Sea God before.

[Leave the divine slashes and magic to me. Yeodong-bin, you take care of it with Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.]

Those weren’t just empty words from Fire Dragon Incarnate meant to boost morale; he was likely indicating that brute force alone wouldn’t suffice against the Sea God, wasn’t he? It dawned on me at that moment what I was lacking in facing the Sea God alone.

‘The Sea God was casting a divine curse just by watching me!!’

Is this truly the might of gods?

In previous fights against the Sea God, I’d always had a divine weapon or an ally sorcerer to protect me, so I hadn’t noticed, but surely I needed to prepare for curses or techniques like this too! I could feel the blood and stamina leaving my body due to the barnacle’s curse and gritted my teeth.

‘Damn! I never thought curses would be this bothersome.’

It was as if Fire Dragon Incarnate or Mangnyang were providing protection against curses; I’d been ignorant of their effects. An ordinary martial artist would probably have to sever their own limbs to escape these barnacle infestations. I wracked my brain for solutions, quickly pulling out the Wooden Armor from my storage.

Wooooo

A subtle divine power flowed from the Wooden Armor, reducing the barnacle’s agony slightly, but it didn’t seem to improve much. The progress of the curse merely slowed down. I frowned.

‘As expected, even unfreed Wooden Armor can’t keep up with Fire Dragon Sword!’

In an unfreed state, it was merely an ancient famed weapon rarely showing its potential. I briefly considered forcibly releasing the Wooden Armor, but without an idea on how, I gave up.

‘Then…’

Should I check whether the power of Jade Emperor was still active this life, like it was in the previous one?

I shot up into the sky and threw my body back considerably, then focused my mind to chant the command.

“Hunwonji-chun!!”

……

Huh? Why isn’t it activating? I was bewildered as the shield technique Hunwonji-chun, which would activate just by saying the incantation last time, failed to trigger, but something clicked.

‘Is it because Jade Emperor isn’t here this time?!’

Jade Emperor was managing my technique control in place of Baek Woong. Thanks to him, I could directly transform my inner divine energy into techniques, but now that neither Jade Emperor nor Baek Woong was around, I couldn’t utilize techniques with just the incantation. That meant I realistically only had a few basic techniques available.

‘Damn, how can I confirm whether the power of the Jade Emperor persists before going to the Celestial Realm…’

Thinking quickly, I arrived at another idea.

“Alright… Come forth, Book of Life and Death!!”

Pa-at!

Immediately, the Book of Life and Death was summoned. It seemed the power of the Wheel King was still intact, so I quickly held the Book and inscribed its name.

Sea God – Death!

……

I waited a while, but the Sea God stood still with no noticeable changes. After a moment, I felt a gigantic voice rumbling in my mind.

[What kind of joke is this…? To dare deliver death upon a god like me by invoking a nonexistent phantom’s name!]

Kuwaaak!!

With a rare roar filled with fury from the Sea God, suddenly five colossal beams shot down from the sky, obliterating the very earth. In the chaos, countless Sea God Clan members were swept away, but it seemed the Sea God didn’t care about his minions burning to death.

“Ugh!”

I frantically used the Soul Removal Technique, dodging through the air while thinking.

‘What the hell! Did I just fail to kill the Sea God with the Book of Life and Death?’

I had taken down the gods of Venus, yet right now the Sea God’s reaction felt like a mere scratch!

‘The power of the Wheel King… It’s not fully inherited. There’s some kind of issue.’

If so, does that mean the power of immortality might not be guaranteed either?!

It felt like there were complicated techniques or cause-and-effect relationships involving gods, but I couldn’t grasp that right now. What was clear was that although the Book of Life and Death had been inherited, it couldn’t exert the same strength as before. I promptly considered it temporarily sealed and quickly dispelled the summon, pondering.

‘Well… I’ve done about all I can test. If I were to unleash the Great Destruction now, I’d probably win, but…’

Without anyone to share my life force with, I’d just end up dying too. There’s no point in going through such lengths just to win against the Sea God. Even if I fought the Sea God and won, it would only mean starting my 30th life.

‘If I gather some more Seven Luminaries or prepare a bit more, I feel like I’d be able to catch him.’

It isn’t exactly an achievement I need to chase. This was merely a battle to test the powers of what I had inherited. I’d already faced the Sea God a few times, so I thought I didn’t need to cling to this and shouted at the Sea God.

“Sea God!! Can you hear me?!!”

[…….]

It seemed the Sea God reacted to my words, as I sensed his gaze shifting my way from a distance, momentarily freezing in movement.

“Sorry for baring my fangs! I just wanted to see what you were made of!”

The Sea God’s voice echoed in my brain.

[And so…?]

I nodded vigorously and shouted back.

“I thought I could handle this solo, but you’re pretty tough! What do you say we call it a day?”

[Arrogant fool, die!!]

Kuwah-o-o-o-o!!

With a colossal roar, the most powerful beam yet unleashed by the Sea God surged forth, cloaking heaven and earth in its path. The beam spread so wide that I felt as if the entire sky was being engulfed in light.

“Shit!!”

There’s no other choice!

Wooooo

In the blink of an eye, I concentrated all my strength in my eyes. As I sensed that this power had indeed been fully inherited, I screamed.

“Light – Beam!!!”

Kwahwa-kwang!!

As a sharp pain shot through my eyes, a brilliant white beam shot forth from my eyes to clash with the Sea God’s beam. My beam appeared exceedingly narrow at first, but gradually its range began to expand overwhelmingly. Soon enough, it began sparking against the Sea God’s beam, establishing a contest of strength.

Pa-zzzzzzzzzz! Pa-zzzzzz!

“Woooo-oo!!”

I will not lose!

As I focused so intensely that blood started to trickle from my eyes into my vision, I sensed my beam pushing the Sea God’s beam back. And just when I felt my eyes ache from exertion, a distinct voice suddenly echoed in my mind.

[Incredible! But it seems like this might actually be interesting?]

This voice… where have I heard this before?

A moment later, a massive apparition of the Five-Color Bird appeared behind me, and I felt the sparkling resonant energy radiating from my eyes’ beam.

[Since we’re doing this, give it your best shot!]

I could feel the tide shifting in my favor. The beam erupting from my eyes, previously reliant merely on brute strength, began to amplify at the moment the five-color light spiraled around it, increasing in intensity. And when my beam pushed against the Sea God’s beam to 80% of its full power, ultimately the Sea God seemed unable to withstand the pressure and loosened his grip.

Thwack!

Kuwa-kwakwa-kwang!!

In the next moment, I felt that the beam I unleashed from my eyes had struck the Sea God’s head. Though it was hard to see from below, I sensed that a third of the Sea God’s form was annihilated by the beam.

[Ohho… This brat… How outlandish….]

Having seemingly lost one eye, the Sea God stumbled, eventually landing flat on its back.

Guwung –

Chwa-pwa-pwa-pwa-pwa!!

The massive form collapsed into the sea, sending terrifying whirlpools and tsunamis rippling all around. I watched from a distance as this massive figure fell, taking a deep breath.

“Hah… Hah…”

Damn… The stamina consumption is far greater than when I used the beam at the Divine Temple. I thought I had infinite stamina, but now I’m at risk of passing out from fatigue.

As I shook my head vigorously, the Sea God’s voice echoed in my mind, still furious.

[Based on your appearance, I had my doubts… but indeed, you are not human… this crafty little fiend… You’ve been sent by the Three Sovereigns to keep me in check!]

What?

[I’ll withdraw for now… but how infuriating! One day, I will settle this score! Reveal your name!]

Not a chance.

You really think I’m going to tell you?

As I snickered inwardly, the Sea God made a surprising proclamation.

[This is a challenge to duel… My name is %&^@%&*@…!! I swear upon the honor of the gods; I will defeat you!]

“……?!”

[I risk existence’s obliteration, so you are now obligated to unveil your name! Accept the duel!]

W-What is this?

Experiencing something I never had before, I stood there stunned. But my instinct told me that the Sea God wasn’t just babbling.

‘When a god calls out their name, it’s something serious…’

While I didn’t understand completely, there was likely some truth to this obligation.

So, reluctantly, I opened my mouth.

“I am Baek Woong. I will not accept your challenge.”

[Keheh… That won’t go as you wish… Soon, the great Father will descend upon us to determine the duel! I merely hope that the duel is accepted!]

“……”

[Until then, don’t get yourself killed by anyone else!]

Chwa-pwa-pwa!!

In the next moment, the whirlpool calmed, and the gigantic form of the Sea God sank beneath the waves. He probably used some kind of magic to leave this space.

“……”

What the heck…?

As I stood there dazed, suddenly a radiant, five-colored apparition manifested before my eyes.

Pa-at!

The apparition of the Five-Color Bird conveyed to me.

[I am the Empress of the Five-Color Bird. Now that the battle is over, I shall guide you to the great monarch.]

“Wait… what…?”

[Know this as glory!]

Pa-at!!

As the Five-Color Bird’s aura sparked, I realized I had arrived at a palace I’d never been to before.

The atmosphere was laden with a foreboding presence.

I recognized the majestic voice echoing from the throne across the room.

[Are you the one who recklessly wielded my powers?]

It was Shao Hao Jin Tian, one of the Three Sovereigns and the noble King of Birds.

“`

 

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