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“Kuuuu!”

After Antares perished, some time passed, and a dimensional hole appeared far across from us. The ominous and grotesque black energy emanating from that hole was undoubtedly the passage to the next gate. As we watched the hole, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

“Baek Woong. Did you notice?”

“Huh? Notice what?”

“There are three things you need to realize here.”

Zhuge Sa continued speaking in a calm voice.

“First, this space we are in has extremely heightened characteristics of an otherworldly realm where external laws do not apply. This can be inferred from the fact we could resurrect the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“What do you mean? What’s the connection between that and the resurrection?”

“It seems you didn’t think that far. The Master of the White Lotus Sect, upon dying, was supposed to go to the throne as a guardian because of the contract with the Sea God. Isn’t that right?”

“……Ah!”

“However, you successfully recovered the Master’s soul and succeeded in the resurrection. While it’s partly due to the fact that the Master is your apostle and you hold significant privilege due to that, it’s still not enough. This World Tree upper level itself must be completely disconnected from external laws for this to happen.”

While pondering Zhuge Sa’s words, I replied.

“Let me guess, the second and third points… are about the Evil God?”

“Correct. You’ve grown quite a bit.” Zhuge Sa said with a satisfied grin.

“Second, this space was created intentionally by the Evil God. A separated space can’t exist without someone’s intent. In this context, the only ones capable of creating such a dimensional rift against the infinite magical power of the World Tree are the Evil God.”

“……And the third?”

“The Evil God is currently watching the entirety of this situation. They must have seen the battle with Antares. If they are controlling this space, that’s the only conclusion you can come to.”

“Kugh…”

My teeth gritted at Zhuge Sa’s words. The meaning behind them was painfully clear.

We were essentially caught in the Evil God’s trap!

‘Now I understand why Zhuge Sa spoke so seriously.’

The power difference with the enemy being over a hundredfold was not an exaggeration or untruth. There could indeed be such a power disparity, and most importantly, the very space we were in was controlled and monitored by the Evil God. It was like sticking our heads into a tiger’s mouth, leaving us in a huge disadvantage physically. If the odds were this bad, continuing to push forward would be akin to suicide.

I glared at the hole in front of me and said.

“The reason you brought this up now is… you want to say that if we can go back, it’s now or never?”

“That’s also correct. You’ve learned a lot.”

“……”

“We can’t predict what monster will await at the second gate. If you’re prepared for sacrifice, then proceed; if not, just give up.”

“There’s no such thing as giving up!”

I declared firmly, pointing my finger forward.

“If real sacrifice is needed… I will sacrifice myself! There’s no need for any more talk!”

“Hmph, I find that trustworthy.” Zhuge Sa replied with a wry smile before continuing.

“Advance into the Yi Seong-gye.”

Ku-gugu…

Finally, we began to enter the dimensional hole of the Yi Seong-gye. Not long after, we stepped into another dimension, where the first thing before us was a starfish.

‘A starfish, but… it’s enormous.’

The body shaped like a pentagon, sharply rising, resembled a starfish I’d often seen at the beach. The only difference was how ludicrously huge its body was, complete with a gigantic eye lodged in the center. Moreover, several round orbs were revolving around the body of this starfish, and I was bewildered, not knowing what they were.

“What are those orbiting?”

“They’re planets.”

“……”

Is this for real?!

That means this starfish has an utterly absurd size, raising questions about perspective at this distance!

When I looked at Zhuge Sa in disbelief, he chuckled.

“I understand what you want to say. But you saw how Antares’ original size was over dozens of times larger than the sun. Yet, it didn’t reach our previous distance with its explosion. Absurd, I know.”

“Hmm… don’t tell me…?”

“This is a dimension of chaos. Conventional distances and laws of the material world do not apply here. Depending on how we use this fact, it might entirely change the advantage or disadvantage of combat…”

While I was having this conversation with Zhuge Sa, the massive starfish suddenly yelled at us with divine words.

[Challengers! You thought to pass the previous gate easily through a shallow canal, huh? I, the Demon God and Demon General Ptolemaios, will never allow such tricks!]

The colossal starfish, identifying itself as Ptolemaios, began to emit light from its eyes.

Chijijijik!

In that moment, an incorporeal veil seemed to overlay the entire dimension. Ptolemaios was performing some strange technique and confidently declared.

[That trick from earlier won’t work on me!]

……What did he just do?

I was flabbergasted when Zhuge Sa explained.

“That demon god Ptolemaios has adhered its entire soul to this space and time.”

“Huh? Adhered? What does that have to do with the Four Great Spirit Deities Vayu?”

“It has a lot to do with it. If we use the same technique, every being present in this space-time will be swept away by Vayu’s wind. Since the demon god is stuck in this space-time, everyone bound to it will be carried along with the demon god.”

“……!”

“Sending us into the future means we won’t be able to rescue Seo Mun-hye in time. We won’t be able to pass the trial of the external realm either.”

I felt like I’d been struck in the head.

‘Damn! That’s some clever thinking…’

I never imagined Ptolemaios could seal Vayu like this!

As I was flustered, Zhuge Sa said.

“What needs to be done hasn’t changed. The other side has started summoning subordinates.”

Gururuk… Gururuk…

Surrounding the massive starfish Ptolemaios were grotesque movements as clusters of cells appeared, slowly giving birth to other starfish. Surely, these were creations of the Demonic Path, and they would possess immense power. The number was easily in the thousands or more.

I let out a low groan.

“So this time, instead of a direct confrontation, they’re sending minions to crush us with numbers?”

“Who knows when the main body will reveal itself? From now on, we’ll need to employ some strategy.”

“Hmm…”

“Form a squad to intercept the starfish minions. We cannot let them approach the Yi Seong-gye.”

“Can’t we just let everyone fight together?”

“……Are you serious? They have numerical superiority; why would we expose ourselves to a frontal engagement in the field? We need to use minimal strength to intercept and devise a plan to take down the main body with a single blow.”

“Ah…”

“Hmmm. It appears that you mostly act independently, so your command experience is lacking. This opportunity will be a chance to improve that.”

Zhuge Sa muttered and said.

“You decide the captain of the interception squad. The others will remain on the ship with you and keep an eye on the situation, waiting for a gap to strike down the demon god Ptolemaios in one hit.”

“Hmm…”

I scanned my comrades in the hall. After contemplating for a while, I stated.

“Asura! You go!”

Upon being pointed out, Asura smiled and shouted.

“Good choice! I’ll take care of everything!”

“Choose people to accompany you for the interception.”

“Four is enough.”

Pa-at!

Shortly after, Asura and four other experts set off together. I couldn’t help but think it was surprising.

“Three Dharma Guardians, and Miyamoto Musashi… I picked decently, but didn’t Musashi have a bad relationship with you?”

“That’s exactly why I chose him.”

“Huh?”

“Making someone you dislike a subordinate and ordering them around feels really good, doesn’t it?”

“……”

Though I was bewildered by Zhuge Sa’s cynical analysis, somehow it felt like it was indeed true. At the same time, I felt that the road ahead was long.

‘Asura… it seems even more difficult to navigate through confusion and arrogance than I thought. Conversely, is that why the enlightened Asura became such a powerful expert?’

While I was lost in thought, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke up.

[God. That demon god’s weakness is likely its eye. The surrounding defensive spells and formations are most concentrated near its eye.]

“Hmmm… it looks that way, but… the stronger the defense, the harder it is to target, that’s the issue.”

[The author is the powerful master of the [Old Ruler] who adeptly utilizes the magical path. The more time we give, the more disadvantages we will face, so I recommend a short-term decisive battle.]

The Master of the White Lotus Sect’s advice made sense.

‘If I dive in and attack personally, I might be the most powerful option, but… that thing adheres dimensions to itself. It’s cunning enough to evade direct attacks, and if it tries to drag out time, I won’t be able to find a way to kill it in a heartbeat. That means time will drag on, and my comrades will be annihilated.’

Therefore, I must strike its weak point before it notices. Avoiding any alertness is paramount.

I thought carefully, then suddenly got a good idea.

‘This operation seems possible.’

I shared my thoughts with Zhuge Sa telepathically. Zhuge Sa smirked.

“Do as you wish.”

“Got it. Then…”

Zhuge Sa spoke as if he was listening intently.

“An operation to spatially move and ambush, that’s splendid.”

As expected of Zhuge Sa.

I quickly began crafting several dolls meticulously using Trimurti.

Kwa-kuang!

While I was planning the operation, the starfish minions approached the Yi Seong-gye, and our apostle interception squad began to engage in battle. The trio of Dharma Guardians, being seasoned veterans of large-scale battles, handled their areas well, while Asura and Musashi were bickering but still managing to fend off the attacks.

“You idiot! I told you to go help over there!”

“I’m the Sword Demon! I don’t listen to your orders!”

“You bastard! Die!”

Kwa-kuang!

As Asura attacked Musashi, Musashi, as if he was waiting for this moment, bravely deflected Asura’s strike while shouting.

“Honestly, I wanted to cut down the starfish, but you’ll do too!”

“Bring it on!”

Kwa-kuang!

The ferocious clash created sword waves that wiped out the surrounding starfish.

….

Although it was chaotic, each of them was fighting well against the formidable starfish, likely due to their powers being significantly enhanced after awakening as apostles.

‘Good. I can feel the enemy is becoming careless.’

Feeling it was the right moment to execute the operation, I surveyed the area and announced.

“We’ll go with a spatial move at once. If it seems bad, just retreat.”

Pa-at!

In the next moment, I used divine power to summon near the starfish’s eye. As something appeared in front of its eye, the starfish demon god, Ptolemaios, erupted in laughter.

[Kuhahaha! I knew it!]

Zap!

Suddenly, numerous magic circles floated around, all emitting light, and everything summoned in front of it turned to stone! Ptolemaios declared triumphantly.

[You think I’ve never encountered a trick like yours before? Yes, it’s true that my eye is my weakness, but as long as I set traps to guard, no one can ambush me!]

“……”

[I was hoping your main body would come and take it directly, but how regrettable. Regardless, your pitiful subordinates have all turned into rocks. Watch from there as they break apart!]

Kwa-dak!

Moments later, Ptolemaios grabbed the petrified stones with its tentacles and crushed them.

It seemed to have sadistic tendencies, trying to inflict mental damage by making me witness the loss of my comrades and subordinates.

‘Well, if it’s a demon god under the Evil God, it would be like that.’

However, there was no point in being surprised by such wicked behavior now.

Watching the shocking scene unfold, I smirked.

“Gotcha.”

Zap!

At the moment the stones shattered, countless beams of light erupted from the cracks, each piercing through the demon god Ptolemaios’s entire body. Though they were small compared to its massive form, they penetrated every single magical barrier, inflicting severe wounds and causing it to bleed profusely.

Poo-qua-quack!

[Kuaaaa?!]

The demon god Ptolemaios had been unexpectedly ambushed and trembled, momentarily stunned. At the same time, the numerous starfish rushing towards the Yi Seong-gye abruptly halted, and the deafening alarm ringing throughout the ship fell silent for a moment.

The demon’s wailing could be heard.

[B-but those were my subordinates enveloped with your divine power?! Did you just sacrifice your minions as suicide bombs?!]

I used divine words to mock it.

[Look closely. They aren’t even living creatures.]

[……?]

Ptolemaios gazed at the petrified figures trapped in its tentacles and then shouted as if it understood something.

[Th-this is a [Mask]…?]

While the demon was stunned, I quickly used divine power to detonate all remaining statues.

Kwa-quack!

[Kuaaaa!]

I watched as it writhed in great pain, then glanced at Zhuge Sa, who was chuckling.

“The demon god Ptolemaios’s soul and this space-time have been dislodged from that technique.”

“Alright. Can we finish it off now?”

“Kekekek! It seems you did all sorts of things in that 30th round.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled with his shoulders shaking.

“I never thought you would combine the [Deception] mask and destructive rays of Shao Hao Jin Tian, then stuff them into a doll made with Trimurti… how fitting.”

Indeed.

What I had done was create a humanoid doll using Trimurti, infusing it with all the powers of Shao Hao Jin Tian’s [Deception Mask] and destructive rays! The Deception Mask could mimic any divine power perfectly, meaning that the apostles who gained my divine power could replicate it as well. Furthermore, it was designed to explode and unleash Shao Hao Jin Tian’s destructive rays in every direction, making it akin to poking a hornet’s nest.

I scratched my head sheepishly.

“You praise me too much today; it’s a bit embarrassing. I just thought of this while trying various ideas.”

“The more you compliment you, the angrier Ptolemaios will get.”

With that said, Zhuge Sa smiled wickedly and addressed the air.

“To the esteemed Ptolemaios, who’s eavesdropping on the ship’s situation from afar: you must’ve thought we would move your minions, but thankfully, you were misled by false information… Kekek!”

As Zhuge Sa spoke, Ptolemaios, located a distance away, seemed furiously enraged.

[Kuaaaa!]

He was certainly right. It was expected that Ptolemaios, being a divine entity, would have some way of eavesdropping or perceiving the internal situation of the Yi Seong-gye. Fortunately, it wasn’t able to see why Zhuge Sa purposely leaked false information to help my ambush succeed.

Chwah-chwah!

As Ptolemaios suffered from an unexpected, substantial wound, it began to weaken, and more blood flowed from its body. While watching that situation with delight, Zhuge Sa issued commands in my stead.

“Master of the White Lotus Sect. Join forces with the intercepting squad outside and launch all Four Great Spirit Deities at once. We can’t use Vaju, but use the remaining three.”

[Understood.]

“If it doesn’t die, keep attacking from a safe distance.”

Following Zhuge Sa’s orders, the Master of the White Lotus Sect joined up with Asura, Miyamoto Musashi, and the others outside, then flew near to Ptolemaios. They each summoned one of the Four Great Spirit Deities and unleashed their respective attacks, dealing damage to Ptolemaios.

Fhuaaaar!

Pshhhh!

Hooosh!

As the Four Great Spirit Deities unleashed attacks tailored to their attributes, Ptolemaios’s wounds gaped wider. Whenever it launched tentacle strikes or magic at our allies, our defenses utilizing Baruna’s shield or Vayu’s winds would easily nullify those attacks.

Pervurbuk!

[Kuaaaak…]

Ptolemaios continued to endure in agony but visibly weakened. Zhuge Sa, enjoying the sight, spoke out.

“That’s like pouring salt water on a body full of bee stings. No matter how strong it is, even a deity can’t stay sane while slowly perishing.”

“…”

“What are you staring at? Baek Woong, you should absorb the divine power that’s flowing out of that thing.”

“What? Is that possible?”

“The efficiency may be poor, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Moreover, since the strength of the Four Great Spirit Deities wielded by your apostles is minimal, this is the best way to conserve your divine power while taking out that creature.”

I began to sense and absorb the divine power emanating through the space-time continuum. To my surprise, I indeed felt the divine power being absorbed as Zhuge Sa said.

‘Hmm…! Though it’s a minuscule amount, I can clearly feel the divine power leaking from Ptolemaios’s body! If I absorb this, I can replenish what I’ve spent.’

Oooooh!

How much time passed? After repeating thousands of exchanges while continually striking with the Four Great Spirit Deities from a distance, the moment arrived when Ptolemaios suddenly opened its eyes wide and its eyes turned crimson.

Kuwaaaa!

Ptolemaios let out a loud roar, only to petrify completely, as if it had turned to stone.

Seeing this, Zhuge Sa grinned.

“It couldn’t withstand the excessive consumption of divine power, resulting in its divine body meeting its end. Kekek.”

“……”

I stared at Zhuge Sa with wide eyes.

“No matter how much of an enemy, that feels like torturing it to death too much…”

Zhuge Sa’s expression was not exaggerated in the slightest. If you were to consider a person, it was equivalent to inflicting thousands of lacerations and then pouring saltwater over the wounds, only to whip them again until they suffered a heart attack. Zhuge Sa then coldly smiled.

“Didn’t you see how Ptolemaios indiscriminately crushed those petrified figures he thought were your comrades? A demon god possesses the most extreme demonic nature in existence, so there’s no reason to show pity.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Just as I was trying to comprehend, Zhuge Sa suddenly said as if he forgot something.

“Since there’s no reason to show pity, let’s dismantle this dead body and convert its powers to money for profit. It could turn out to be quite a decent income.”

“……”

“Also, check if Ptolemaios’s soul still exists in this space-time. If it hasn’t returned to the Evil God, let’s feast on that too.”

No, I hadn’t thought of that… Zhuge Sa…

I was at a loss for words, standing there with my mouth agape, until I suddenly regained my senses.

“Ah, got it.”

Always pondering, but what if Zhuge Sa had rebirth abilities? What would come of that? One thing was for sure: no matter the foe, his enemies must have suffered nightmares endlessly.

 

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