신의 힘, huh?

Two Jin So-cheongs strolled right up. Changhil stood still like a ghost, while Hang-a trembled behind him.

[This can’t be happening…]

The sorceress Jin So-cheong whispered, “I’ve given you a chance. Don’t beg for mercy anymore.”

[……]

“Break!”

Pa-at!

As Jin So-cheong thrust out her fingers again, a translucent barrier appeared in front of Changhil, blocking her incantation.

Wobble…

When the spell failed to hit Changhil, this time, the Jin So-cheong who just took down Yu Shun lunged with a fist aimed straight at him.

‘Is that the Thunder God Fist?’

Boom!

Jin So-cheong’s strike pierced right through Changhil’s barrier, landing squarely on his chest. Was it the unimaginable potential she possessed? Watching Changhil drop dead without even trying to defend himself left everyone speechless.

“……!!”

“Hmm?”

But Jin So-cheong’s expression was far from triumphant. He quickly pulled his fist back and raised a spear. Pulling back his fist and raising a spear was a clear sign he was serious now.

Thunderous Roar!

Vrrrroooom!!!

It felt like the universe was being sucked into a black hole as Jin So-cheong channeled an even greater force into his spear.

Yeah, it was all about power.

I could only describe it as [power]. Witnessing how the force of intent could be so simple yet incredibly beautiful and strong filled me with awe. A silver spiral danced on the tip of Jin So-cheong’s spear, and as it coalesced into a silver sphere, he activated his divine skill.

Surprise!

An advanced application of the Thunder God Lineage spear technique!

Jin So-cheong’s spear shot out like a thrust, but then it twisted awkwardly due to some invisible force. However, he managed to maintain the flow and directed the tip downwards, striking precisely at Changhil’s forehead, piercing it cleanly as if threading a needle.

Thwack!

“Gah!”

I thought the fight was over when I saw him puncture a heart, but now I was perplexed as to why Jin So-cheong was still using advanced techniques to attack. However, once I saw the scene unfolding in front of me, everything clicked.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

A sound like dozens of mirrors shattering echoed as the very space that Changhil occupied shattered like glass. Jin So-cheong’s attack, executed with devastating speed, pierced Changhil’s forehead.

Changhil’s space-time distortion!

But Jin So-cheong caught onto that!

He instantly saw the weakness in that godly power that only divine beings could utilize, and with a precise martial art, he took him down in one strike.

‘Incredible!’

Despite the overwhelming power he displayed when he took down Yu Shun moments ago, it was clear he had reached a mastery of martial arts in the realm of the gods. The divine power was something that no mere human senses could comprehend, and to even counter it with martial arts is almost impossible, yet he was able to pinpoint and penetrate the divine energy with perfect intent.

Truly divine technique!

Huff… huff…

Thud!

Jin So-cheong withdrew his spear from Changhil’s forehead and stepped back three paces. Then he spoke to the sorceress Jin So-cheong.

“Changhil is particularly strong.”

It seemed that Jin So-cheong didn’t deliver a fatal blow, so he decided to retreat for a moment. Changhil, even with a spear driving into his forehead, still appeared to be a formidable opponent.

“That power was sealed until it reached its peak.”

That’s when it happened. From the depths of Changhil’s face, filled with infinite chaos, something viscous and living began to bubble up, and with that grotesque change, Changhil howled.

[Oooooo!]

Shoo-oo-oo!

Sickening tentacles erupted from Changhil’s body! The horrific sight was enough to make me recoil instinctively, while Hang-a behind him looked utterly bewildered.

[Why? Listen to me! You’re already an extinct existence…]

Shoo-oo-eeek!

[Argh!]

The next moment was even more horrifying. Tentacles shooting out from Changhil’s body snatched Hang-a up, lifting her into the air, and when she struggled, it paused as if relishing her panic. Then, the disgusting mass that had covered Changhil began to extend toward Hang-a, consuming her whole.

Gobble!

Thud!

Like she was being swallowed whole, Hang-a disappeared, unable to even scream. It was a terrifying sight, but the sorceress Jin So-cheong remained impassive.

“Changhil has regained his consciousness.”

“What do you mean? Is that even possible?”

“…Hang-a paid the price for her reckless summoning.”

Hrrghh…

Moments later, the Changhil that once appeared grotesque began absorbing the horrid tentacles back into himself, and a gray halo formed behind his head. Glowing ominously, this halo began to reshape Changhil’s face into a human one, finally revealing the face of an adult man, filled with vitality. That was probably the face Changhil had in his past life.

Changhil opened his mouth.

[Good to meet you… I am Changhil, who succeeded the position of Heavenly Secret.]

“……”

Unbelievable. Is this really happening?

Just moments ago, we were fighting for our lives against each other, and now out of nowhere, the creature that Hang-a summoned has eaten her and revived, claiming he is now in charge!

While I struggled to comprehend the situation, the sorceress Jin So-cheong spoke.

“The power of the [First Character] Hang-a used is indeed yours, Changhil.”

First Character?

‘…Oh!!’

That strange attack that had torn my arm off!

That was the [First Character]?!

Changhil replied calmly, “The end of one who gambled everything to defeat a reborn person. Because I risked everything, as the summoned creature, I could reverse the contract and consume Hang-a.”

“Are you looking to push this to the end?”

[No. I’m no fool to fight against the disciple of Master of the Borderlands at the Boundary. Though it’s regrettable to inherit someone else’s battle, I admit my defeat.]

Flinch!

“Who decided the fight was over?”

Jin So-cheong, spear in hand, stepped forward. Changhil flinched, backing away, clearly unable to shake off his fear.

[W-Wait! You monster, the rebellion of Hang-a is already over. What do you gain by taking me down?]

“That’s just funny.”

With a glint of daggers in his eyes, Jin So-cheong replied, “I can’t just leave a wretched snake scuttling around when you could do something worse than Hang-a.”

[Hrghh! How dare you…! You think you can match me, who took down the Three Sovereigns?!]

Changhil’s fury erupted, unleashing unprecedented levels of power.

ROAAAR!!

“……!!”

He was way stronger than when he was Hang-a’s puppet! Realizing the sheer magnitude of his power made me freeze in fear.

‘…This is definitely the Changhil that stole my body in my 24th incarnation. That monster can take on both Jeon Wook and Jeogok and still win!’

I thought I had just taken down Hang-a when Changhil, having awakened and regained his original power, suddenly appeared as an even bigger threat. I turned to Jin So-cheong, who was beside me, and cautiously asked.

“Do we really have to fight…?”

“It’s a foregone conclusion. I agree with my own opinion on this matter.”

“Eh?!”

“This is all the doing of the Heavenly Secret. Even a mere celestial maid like Hang-a could throw you into an endless trap if she put her mind to it. Imagine what Changhil would do if he hatched some schemes?”

Gahh!

As I grasped the situation, feeling a chill creep down my spine, Jin So-cheong boldly stepped forward, saying, “There’s no escaping this battle. We must eliminate him right here!”

Rumble…

The two Jin So-cheongs gathered their energy, standing against Changhil. He tried to withstand their pressure, but soon Jin So-cheong, spear in hand, stepped forward dramatically.

Thunderous Roar!

WHAM!

A blazing strike! Jin So-cheong took a single step, and Changhil’s stance and dignity faltered.

Stumble…!!

[Ugh… have you really grown that much?!]

Changhil exclaimed in disbelief. It was a sign that Jin So-cheong had advanced in strength, gaining the upper hand in their contest. Without further ado, Jin So-cheong extended his spear toward Changhil, preparing to target his throat, making Changhil step back in shock.

[Are you still getting stronger…!!]

As Changhil floundered, Jin So-cheong’s eyes sparkled, about to unleash his technique.

“Wuwei’s Anchor!”

Swish!

A swirling strand of pitch-black energy enveloped all three of us. I instantly recognized the spell.

‘That’s the protection spell Cheon Woo-jin cast on Sagong Lin back in the Antarctic Campaign!’

I believed it was a technique specifically passed down by Master Mangnyang, and I was astounded to see that Jin So-cheong, who had trained for 500 years, was also familiar with it! Just then, Changhil thrust his hands forward, gathering the Power of Chaos, and displayed the [First Character] in the air, causing it to explode and begin to collapse space-time.

[Die!!]

Boom!

Even while space collapsed and the universe twisted, thanks to Wuwei’s Anchor, we remained unscathed. Experiencing complete immunity to Changhil’s full-force attack made me realize just how incredible Wuwei’s Anchor was, and as he created an opening after attacking, Jin So-cheong swooped in like a butterfly.

Thunderous Roar!

Stab!

A single thrust.

Thock!

But this thrust precisely pierced Changhil’s throat, and unlike before, Jin So-cheong didn’t retreat with his spear. Even after Changhil was pierced through the throat, he tried to retaliate, but an overwhelming aura surrounded Jin So-cheong’s entire being.

RIP!

The spear, still embedded, pushed down, slicing through Changhil’s chest.

CRACK!

[Ugh…!]

It felt as if his divine body was fracturing, and Changhil couldn’t even scream as he trembled, spilling divine blood. I had a strong hunch about the final technique Jin So-cheong was about to unleash and couldn’t tear my eyes away.

“Lan…”

Rumble…

The spiral-shaped arc of the spear began to widen outwards. As Jin So-cheong’s wrist spun half a turn, an overwhelming force of destruction erupted from that center, and an illusion of a shooting star surged forth.

Changhil screamed at the top of his lungs.

“AHHHHHHH!”

That marked the end of the Demon King Changhil. The one who had just resurrected couldn’t withstand Jin So-cheong’s three swift techniques, disintegrating before our eyes in a way that was nothing short of tragic. It was a sudden conclusion, especially since I thought we might negotiate or converse with him.

As Changhil’s body disintegrated into shreds and scattered into the void, his dying voice echoed out.

[It’s meaningless!! In the end, you cannot return to reality… Under the name of Changhil… you all shall go to a meaningless space-time of despair…!!]

Just as his final words faded away…

Rumble…

An explosion erupted, causing the mixed colors of despair to collide as if waves of color and darkness were being stirred together.

Creak…

“…No! Why is this happening all of a sudden?!”

Unexpectedly, Jin So-cheong’s spear began to flicker with lightning before it dissipated into a mist. As panic gripped me, the spear-wielding Jin So-cheong casually stated, “I’ve shattered the boundary not once but twice. There’s no way the space at the Boundary remains intact. With this space collapsing, the boundary itself will vanish.”

“Um… so what happens next?”

“Well, I’m not really sure since I haven’t learned any spells to that extent.”

But why the casual tone toward me…

While I was lost in thought, the sorceress Jin So-cheong said, “Thank you for your help. Now, beyond the Great Cycle.”

“Beyond the Great Cycle.”

Shwish…

As Jin So-cheong began to completely disappear, I suddenly shouted.

“Wait!! Did you gain the Divine Skill?!”

Jin So-cheong glanced back at me and replied, “I had hoped you wouldn’t ask such trivial questions. Many years spent in the Wudang Sect have not changed your habit of asking everything.”

“……”

Huh?

What does that mean?

“Since we’ve met like this, should I give you even a single clue?”

“A clue?”

Jin So-cheong, having trained for 500 years, wore a playful smile.

“There is indeed a Martial Soul, Priest.”

In that moment, I felt déjà vu for some reason.

I recognized that smile.

That was the Jin So-cheong I had encountered before. I involuntarily checked that his arm was still there and exclaimed, “…Older Brother?”

Boom!

The next moment, Jin So-cheong completely vanished. As I stood there, dazed, staring at the spot he had disappeared from, the sorceress Jin So-cheong came up to me and said, “This isn’t the time! If this continues, the singularity will explode, causing a dissolution of the universe. Too many entities stronger than the Three Sovereigns have collided, turning the boundary into tatters.”

“Eh?! What then? Are we returning to reality?”

“That’s a naive thought. If the boundary’s universe explodes, everyone inside will not return no matter how far we travel throughout the cosmos. It would mean becoming lost in the Great Universe.”

“……!!”

“The chance of ending up in an unknown multiverse is extremely high.”

Gasp!!

This can’t happen!

As my complexion drained of color, Jin So-cheong remained silent.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“…Do you realize? That all trials you faced after figuring out Hang-a’s scheme were desperately severe. And all of that was something you couldn’t have navigated alone had I not come to assist you.”

“I’m grateful.”

But it seemed that Jin So-cheong wasn’t looking for praise, as he continued, “No. This was all planned. From the moment your Master accepted me as a disciple, he foresaw this very moment. It was observed from the beginning.”

“……?! No way?!”

“I became the piece that fit perfectly into the future. Therefore, this was all I was meant to do in this life…”

I felt a sense of unease in his tone and said, “Wait! If you’re coming back to life, let’s go together! If you’re a god now, you can surely manage that!”

“…You’ve got quick wit in the crucial moments. Heh.”

Jin So-cheong smiled wryly as he formed a seal with his hands.

“I now open the [Boundary], oh great Master of mine. Please allow the karmic results of my achievements to pass on to the Older Brother…”

ZAP!

I felt my vision turn white, and my body began to float upward toward the sky. As Jin So-cheong’s form faded further away, I realized that my bad premonition had come true. I shouted toward the retreating figure of Jin So-cheong.

“Wait!! Don’t do this!!”

Diminishing to a mere speck, Jin So-cheong spoke to me in a last whisper.

[Baek Woong. The Heavenly Secret has begun to intervene. My role is to ensure you safely return to the path of reincarnation.]

Puff…

Rumble…

Within the shattered space-time, unknown darkness was swirling and forming into some shape. Realizing that this was the will of the Heavenly Secret, my face hardened as Jin So-cheong spoke.

[When you return to reality, you will have to choose between life and death. Whatever choice you make, do not regret it…]

“Wait…!!”

Wham!

Crash!

“AHHHHHHH!”

In that moment, I was propelled forward with tremendous force, like I had just shattered a window with my back. I had already experienced something like this with Hang-a, and it was incredibly maddening. I felt glass shards embedding in my back, a wave of intense pain coursing through my body.

Better dead than feeling like this, I thought as it all became too much.

Crash!

Thud…

With the feeling of shattering the last pane of glass, I collapsed and rolled on the ground.

“Aaaaargh…”

So painful.

Is this what happens when you break through the boundary without any defenses?

At the same time, I felt that I had returned to [reality], and suddenly realized the current situation.

‘Right before the [Knot] is formed. This is precisely when I was about to die after facing Xiang Yu’s trials, isn’t it?!’

Looking on the bright side, it was the moment I had secured a point against the Eternal Spirit, but on the dark side, it was right before death from Xiang Yu. Thinking about how Hang-a had betrayed me made it seem less likely to be a favorable outcome.

Desperately clinging to any hope, I slowly raised my head to survey my surroundings.

And moments later, as the scene before me came into focus, I muttered blankly.

“…Huh?”

Thud!

What lay before me was not the Celestial Realm.

It was merely a ruined and devastated world.

The sky, which felt as if a nightmare had passed over it, rained despair, and within that sky, a hideous demon, appearing like an [Old Ruler], flew amongst the clouds.

The sea was darkened by dark power, devoid of any sign of life, and hordes of chaotic monsters wandered about.

“……”

My companions were nowhere to be seen. I was entirely alone in the wilderness.

What in the world happened?

As I glanced around in confusion, nothing I could think of matched the scenario at hand.

Whooosh!

‘Someone is coming!’

Thud!

And moments later, a figure adorned with Sword Flying Technique appeared before me.

“I sensed immense power and came to see only to find it was you. So, you’re not dead after all.”

Upon recognizing who owned that familiar voice, I was taken aback.

“…Yeodong-bin.”

The Sword Master Yeodong-bin stood alongside the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

I barely had time to be happy to see Yeodong-bin after such a long time when panic surged through me, and I asked, “What’s going on? What has happened to the trials in the Celestial Realm? What’s the situation here? Is this reality?”

“You speak as if we’ve suddenly crossed into some far-away land. Everyone was worried about your disappearance.”

Worried, huh…?

Why was that in the past tense?

A sense of foreboding washed over me as I spoke to Yeodong-bin.

“What’s happened to the world?”

“Up until yesterday, everything was fine. However, the celestial bodies went out of sync, casting despair over everything. Just as everyone foresaw…”

“Uh…?”

“Your companions set off toward the celestial calamity to resolve the crisis, but their whereabouts are now mysterious.”

“……”

My face hardened as foreboding consumed me.

Moments later, Yeodong-bin delivered the critical line that I dreaded the most.

“The [End] has begun.”