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Stars rise above the pitch-black sky.

Countless stars emerge in lines, illuminating the dark places.

And above them, the scarlet hue that once filled the sky transforms into extreme light.

The massive presence of two moons suddenly reveals themselves, confirming the night.

The world proudly displays that it has embraced the darkness.

And at that moment, there was an existence who finally opened their closed eyes.

“Kuheuheuheu…”

With a low breath, suddenly from beneath the rocky ground—

Crack–!!!

A huge hand burst forth. The arm jutted out as if wriggling, pulling itself from the rigid cracks of the rock.

“Kuheuheuheuheu…”

The figure that emerged, covered in chunks of stone, was the Duryeong.

Calmly rising to the surface, it carried the pieces of rock on its body.

“Grrrrrrrrr—”

The low growl was filled with fury.

“Crow bastard…!!”

It recalled the fight that was left unfinished before falling asleep.

Realizing this, the Duryeong was about to express its anger once more when—

“…Hmm?”

The Duryeong tilted its thick head in a direction.

“What are you doing?”

It murmured toward that place, but astonishingly, it was not just a murmur.

Since the moment the Duryeong appeared, someone had been looking down at it.

“I felt it from the last time, but it’s truly fascinating.”

The figure replied with a voice blending laughter.

“By what means do you sense my presence so well?”

“I told you. There is no way anyone can escape my gaze on this land.”

“Ha? Really?”

Thud.

A man lightly descended from the rocky mountain, his feet connecting with the ground, making the Duryeong’s expression twist.

“Why, it’s brave of you to reappear after running away last time. Did you want me to commend you for your courage?”

“Keuk keuk.”

At the Duryeong’s taunt, the man laughed.

“You’re mistaken. I showed up out of consideration because I could see you longed for my presence.”

“What did you say…?”

“Were you not feeling it? General. You must have felt regret, right? With that useless obstacle around.”

“……”

The man. The one who called himself the Heavenly Demon, and his words were not denied by the Duryeong.

He was merely a tad surprised. Such words indicated that they knew the Crow had been hiding.

“To avoid any regret, I personally waited.”

“Kuhehehehe.”

Breathing heavily, the Duryeong extended its hand. As it did—

Crack-crack-crack—!!!

Just like when it emerged from the ground, a gigantic axe shot forth, finding purchase in its hand.

“I’ll commend your trivial intentions. Charging forward without knowing the future is reckless, and I commend that as well.”

Crack.

“However, if you wished to keep your life, you should have fled.”

“Me?”

“That’s right, just as always.”

Hooom.

The axe sliced through the air once before turning progressively red.

“Those who do not know their place tend to die quickly!”

Crack–!!!

With its massive form, the Duryeong lunged at the Heavenly Demon.

*

Bang-! Crack-crack-crack–!!!

Kwaaaaa—-!!!

The harsh and roaring explosions burst forth one after another. In the pitch-black night, what could be seen were the violently swung axe and the sparks exploding in between.

Occasionally, shockwaves flickered, sending bits of stone soaring into the air.

The noise didn’t cease. Every time the Duryeong swung the axe, it seemed as if Mount Tai would be cleaved apart.

Deep cracks formed on the ground, and with the slicing of the air, storms erupted.

‘Wow.’

I’ve seen it before, but the strength alone is astonishing. This isn’t even pressure from energy, merely pure strength generating such destructive capability.

Just getting hit once would surely send me flying. I concentrated as much as I could, evading each attack.

Gradually closing the distance. As much as I wanted to use my technique to halt it and strike back—

‘This bastard.’

It did not move an inch. If I used my technique in that state, all the backlash would come crashing down on me, so I had to endure.

‘Just a bit more.’

I dodged the axe and pushed deeper into its range, waiting for the right opportunity.

After back and forth exchanges for quite a while—

Crack-!

‘Got it.’

I had entered the designated range.

Chaos erupted within me. The Heavenly Demon Technique entwined with my body as I clenched my fist.

‘Using Tam.’

I activated my technique while blocking its power and delivered a strike.

Just as I concentrated my strength, in that moment—

“—!”

Suddenly, the Duryeong leaped back.

“Hm?”

I had to squint from behind the mask at its abrupt retreat.

It had distanced itself from me by about a dozen steps, holding its axe defensively.

‘Ha. Look at that bastard.’

Swallowing my silence at that sight.

‘On guard.’

It was wary of me. Despite possessing immortality, it somehow sensed a threat and increased the distance.

‘Does it know?’

That my Tam could nullify its immortality.

‘No way.’

There’s no way it could. The reason I hadn’t revealed my Tam was for surprise.

‘So where did it catch on?’

It should not have been aware of anything; such awareness was unusual. This thing was distancing itself while keeping its guard on me.

“What’s the matter with you?”

So I casually inquired.

“Kuheuh.”

It did not respond to my question, merely exhaling sharply. It then gripped the axe once more.

Hoooom—-!!!

With a fierce swing, it began launching attacks mixed with strong energy toward me.

Given its innate strength, that energy was dangerous, but it was still avoidable.

Trying to understand its intentions, I observed it closely.

‘Did I show too much?’

During our first encounter, I revealed my technique and the Heavenly Demon Technique.

It wouldn’t be strange for it to be on guard because of that alone.

‘It’s strange for someone with immortality.’

At first, it charged recklessly, but now—

‘Wonder where it sensed something off.’

It’s sharp, so it might have caught on to something.

‘That would be troublesome.’

It became increasingly difficult to engage with the Duryeong.

‘If even the immortal is on high alert…’

Could anything be tougher to deal with than that?

As I continued to dodge the incoming energy, I bit my lip.

This wouldn’t do.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed my feet firmly into the ground.

Kuuuuuuuu—-!!!!

With the shock, the ground trembled, rocks soaring into the air.

My vision was momentarily obscured.

The Duryeong swung its axe desperately, trying to smash the rising rocks, but in that moment, I was able to re-enter its range.

I got closer. Just as I was about to unleash my Tam—

“Welcome!”

The Duryeong let out a chilling remark.

Chiiiiiiiiii–!!!!

Its skin turned heated, much like before, now flushed crimson.

‘The speed is different.’

It had changed much faster than before.

And then—

Whoosh.

“……!!”

Just as it changed, its axe blade came flying toward me.

‘Fast.’

It had drastically accelerated.

There was no dodging this.

Bang-!!

Crack-crack-crack–!!!!

Struck by the axe, I was sent tumbling across the rocky mountain.

My body could not withstand the shock, tearing through the ground repeatedly.

Barely managing to land on the ground, I assessed my left arm.

‘Damn.’

Using the Gui Jeong, I barely blocked the axe’s onslaught.

If I had hesitated for even a moment, I would have been severed.

‘What a situation.’

While I tried to catch my breath and gather my thoughts—

“Huuh—!”

There was no time for that.

The Duryeong had already appeared right in front of me.

Once more, the axe sliced through the air.

Dodging just barely, I thought.

‘Speed and strength have increased.’

In that state, does skin turning change both speed and power?

Meanwhile, why does its presence seem diminished?

As questions arose, I drew up my energy.

Changcheon.

The Changcheon of Tua Pacheonmu wrapped around me.

My physical capabilities ascended dramatically.

Simultaneously unleashing demon energy into the air filled the space around me.

Only then did I catch up to its speed.

“Huuhh!”

Was it surprised that I matched its speed? The Duryeong’s reaction changed.

The exchange began anew.

It swung its axe, and I evaded, looking for openings.

Like a madman swinging around a giant axe, it was unpredictable.

Finding a gap in that was like plucking stars from the sky.

‘This is unavoidable.’

In the end, I had to come to terms with myself.

“Stop—.”

“……!!!”

Gulp-!

I couldn’t hold back and spat blood from my mask due to the backlash.

It didn’t matter.

There wasn’t even time to register that feeling.

In the blink of an eye, I couldn’t hold it for long.

Fwaaaaa—!!!!

Instantly, I created a ring of flames that began to spin.

With it, I carefully shaped the flames that bloomed in my hand.

I infused enlightenment onto it.

Extreme Gu Flame Mountain.

The Gu Clan’s secret technique radiated from my fingertips.

Extreme Gu Yeomtaeyarang.

Kraaaaaaaaaah—-!!!

The furious flames’ beast engulfed the Duryeong.

Kwaaaaaa—!!!

Remarkable heat enveloped the air and surged skyward.

With a sizzling noise, the ground melted beneath it.

Drip-! Drip-!

Chiiiiiiiiig.

The sparks dropping from the Duryeong melted the ground beneath, producing ominous sounds.

“Grrrrrrrr……”

The Duryeong was a mess, utterly disheveled.

Seeing that, I clenched my fist tightly.

“Quite the sight, isn’t it?”

“Grrrrahhhh—!!”

As I sneered, it gritted its teeth. In that moment, I could see its shattered body regenerating.

Ordering Tam immediately, I commanded.

“Swallow it whole.”

Shiiiiiyaaaaa——!!!

The Tam that extended from the shadows rushed to coil around it. The Duryeong widened its eyes as it saw the approaching Tam.

Wooooooonnnnn-!!!

Suddenly the air split open, creating cracks.

“What the…?”

Countless cracks opened above the Duryeong, all leading to the Demonic Gate.

Which means…?

Grrrrrrrrr—!!!

As expected, roars of beasts emerged from the Demonic Gate, and then swarms of demon beasts began pouring out.

Watching it, I said to the Duryeong.

“Is this what you hid away?”

It seemed there was something more than just immortality. I spoke as if I found it fascinating.

“Crow—!!!!!”

The Duryeong, gazing at the cracks, immediately burst forth in rage.

“I told you not to interfere—!!!!”

Kwahhh-!!!!

It screamed with that furious voice toward the sky.

Simultaneously, the ground it stomped cracked savagely.

“Your Kind—!!!”

‘…Looks like this is also the doing of another, huh?’

Once again, I couldn’t sense it. I didn’t realize that another wasn’t hiding there.

“Tch.”

I barely suppressed the unsettling feeling.

I looked up at the sky. Numerous cracks continued to open and demon beasts spilled forth.

No, they couldn’t strictly be called demon beasts. They closely resembled those I saw when I first came to Mankye.

Or perhaps they were akin to the beasts residing within the Spirit’s Den, like the Moon Night Clan.

“I will surely kill you, Crow—!!!”

The Duryeong seemed less concerned about reinforcements, hastily searching for the one who interrupted its battle.

Grrrrrrrrr—!!!

Yet there was a noticeable surge in the Duryeong’s forces.

Sighing, I breathed out.

“Haa.”

“To cause such interference…!”

“Be quiet, you’re being distracting.”

While watching the Duryeong’s flailing, I raised one hand.

“No need to be surprised by such antics. There’s no need to fuss over it.”

And I powered my heart to unleash my power.

Not Tam.

This was something different.

Zing-!

As I poured power into my heart, I felt a sharp sensation, and soon—

Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuu——!!!

The sky above began to tear open.

“What…?”

Seeing this, the Duryeong stared at me with disbelief.

“Please don’t take offense. This is merely to align the game.”

With a chuckle in response to its reaction, I spoke.

This was the power I had gained from defeating the White Grade Demon Beast in Hanam.

Grrrrrrrrr—!!!

Kraaa—!!!

The power to open the Demonic Gate above me.

And from within, the power to unleash demon beasts.

I could summon countless demon beasts that I had killed and absorbed.

And I named this ability.

“Hundred Ghosts Night March (百鬼夜行).”

 

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