1192——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I ran to the battlefield alongside the Sword Demon and asked him during our sprint.

“Are you not freaked out by my sudden appearance?”

The Sword Demon replied.

“Isn’t that just a regular occurrence? Focus on the present!”

“Got it!”

“Incoming!”

Rumble rumble…

Lightning and thunder crashed at the same time. Then, from the sky, a massive wave that looked like a wave of lightning surged towards us. It seemed like it would cover all the immortals in the arena.

Zing

Suddenly, bright starlight appeared from the skies. A fierce outcry erupted, and hundreds of arrows were shot into the air.

[I, shall pierce through!]

WHOOSH

The starlight arrows pierced right through the wave of lightning, creating a massive void. As the power of the wave diminished, the immortals gathered their treasures to create a protective barrier, and the colossal wave that could’ve engulfed even the Sea God faded away helplessly.

I quickly checked from a distance who had blocked the wave and gasped.

“…Yea?”

In Yea’s hands was the Red Bow. Around Yea, hundreds of enemies were laying siege, and a fierce battle raged on. Seeing that scene, I instantly felt the gravity of the situation.

‘The level of combat is on a whole different plane! This is genuine dimensional warfare…!!’

It’s impressive that Yea blocked that attack, but the sorcery just unleashed by the enemies was definitely god-tier magic. This meant that besides the Destruction God, there were sorcerers capable of taking down a Demon King on the enemy side. The general level of power was incredibly high.

I had seen battles between gods before, but witnessing a full-scale life-and-death struggle involving all factions was nearly a first for me. Just as I started to feel anxious, the Sword Demon said,

“Baek Woong! Just to check, did you gain any new powers while you were missing?”

Caught off guard, I nodded.

“…Yes, I did.”

“Good. Then use your abilities to support us. We can’t reach the Destruction God on our own.”

“We…?”

WHOOSH

Suddenly appearing at a close distance were the Master of Shadowless Sword and Jin Guk-jun. The Master of Shadowless Sword drew his longsword and declared cheerfully,

“Long time no see, Your Majesty! Let’s go!”

“…We will go, but!”

I hesitated before adding,

“To be honest, I’m not confident! I can’t guarantee we can protect against the Destruction God.”

I could temporarily boost my defense using my divine power to overlay the Harmonious Body Technique, but even then, that Destruction God was on an entirely different level. I honestly didn’t want to fight him head-on based on the sheer power I could feel from afar. The chances of getting squashed like flies were way too high.

Jin Guk-jun laughed softly and said,

“When fighting the gods, that’s a risk you naturally take. Besides, in these troubled times, dying in battle is an honorable death, isn’t it?”

“……!!”

“I won’t have any complaints about dying! Let’s go!”

I could see that the three in front of me were true warriors. They were not mindless; they understood everything and remained composed in the face of death. I decided I could no longer hesitate and nodded.

“Alright!!”

At the same time, I steeled myself.

Even if I can’t see the end of this apocalypse, I will definitely land a hit on that Destruction God before I die!

ZING

I cast the Harmonious Body Technique over everyone, including myself. At the same time, a curious thought entered my mind.

‘Look at that. Even though there’s no Jade Emperor’s protection, the energy I used to channel remains intact….’

In other words, the power I gained from within the [Knot] was preserved. Even if that was just a dream. It was similar to the Land and Earth Diagram.

But why did I come back to life the moment I used the Book of Life and Death against that Leopard Demon earlier?

‘Is there an issue with the Book of Life and Death? If not….’

If my power was indeed passed down, it should work in my favor. But I felt an ominous itch in my gut.

Feeling the situation growing complicated, I frowned, and the Sword Demon spoke.

“Baek Woong. Don’t force your way in while we attack. It’ll only make things riskier.”

“Understood.”

WHOOSH!!

We flew together toward the battlefield of the Destruction God and Xiang Yu, with Queen Mother of the West. While flying, various minions of the Destruction God tried to attack us, but the spells they shot mostly couldn’t do much against the overlay of my Harmonious Body Technique. Occasionally, powerful attacks cracked that technique, but Jin Guk-jun responded with a shiny-eyed kick.

WHAM

BOOM

With that single kick, a six-meter-tall beast that looked like a cow was torn apart into chunks. It was an astonishing display of strength, and I was startled to feel that the intent behind that kick seemed even stronger than before.

‘At that strength, even I couldn’t stop it head-on… Surely. He must have trained hard in the meantime….’

In a way, it was absurd for the strongest of the Absolute Realm to go fight the Destruction God, but I felt a strange confidence from both the Sword Demon and my comrades. I decided to stake everything on that confidence and continued to advance.

A moment later, I could see Xiang Yu and the Queen Mother of the West in front of me. They radiated immense power as they swept through the clouds of the heavens and engaged ferociously against the demon spirits with incredible speed. I didn’t think I could jump into that fight, so I hesitated, but the Sword Demon bellowed next to me in a Lion’s Roar.

[Xiang Yu!! We’ll create an opening! Don’t miss it!]

I sensed Xiang Yu glance back this way. It was unclear if he understood, but the Sword Demon raised his sword aimed at the huge hand of the demon spirit without caring.

WHOOSH

Flanking the Sword Demon were the Master of Shadowless Sword and Jin Guk-jun. Watching them position themselves in the Three Talents formation while concentrating their intent gave me a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘Huh? I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere….’

As I stood puzzled, the Sword Demon said to me,

“If we survive this battle, go find Cheon Woo-jin. We can no longer rely on Fuxi or Nüwa. Don’t trust anyone else.”

“Sword Demon, that’s an ominous thing to say….”

“HAAA!!”

The three of them surged forth, their intent bursting forth. They all charged towards a point in the sky, not toward the hand of the demon spirit, but to an empty space that seemed totally irrelevant. And as the Sword Demon’s blade began to radiate golden light, it started to spin.

Three Talents Piercing the Sky!

ZOOM –

It felt like a vortex was unleashed as the Sword Demon’s intent became the center. The Master of Shadowless Sword and Jin Guk-jun’s intent spun around the Sword Demon’s sword spirit as if they were living beings. Finally, as they pierced through the heavens and shot into the universe, the Sword Demon transformed into golden light, tearing the sky apart.

‘A fusion technique!!’

Had they been honing the fusion technique of the Absolute Realm all this time?

CRACK

BOOM!!

“……!!”

What, what is that?!

At the moment Three Talents Piercing the Sky pierced through a point in the air, it was as if the dimension itself shattered like glass, revealing a colossal dark universe beyond. And beyond that universe, something unimaginably massive was visible, reminiscent of Fuxi’s true form!

But it didn’t feel like the Giant Race; it more strongly resembled a divine being sitting on a lotus blooming in the center of the cosmos. The giant being seated on the lotus throne colored the gemstone on its forehead red and chuckled softly.

[You weaklings! How far do you think you can resist?]

“DIE!!”

CRACK BOOM!!

In that moment, not willing to waste the chance of the true body’s revelation, Xiang Yu surged with blood light and charged at the entity seated on the lotus. Oddly enough, Xiang Yu’s strike seemed to be taken seriously, as this gigantic being finally lifted its hand to block the incoming attack.

The entity seated on the lotus spoke with a tone of displeasure.

[So it seems I originally intended to let a few of you live, but my mind has changed! I will wipe out everything in the Celestial Realm.]

“Don’t make me laugh!! Who do you think you are?”

The Master of Shadowless Sword shouted fiercely, prompting the being to calmly introduce itself.

[I am Shiva, the Law of Destruction. Consider dying by my hands at the end times an honor!]

Shiva began to stand up from the lotus throne.

Suddenly, his garment-like attire vanished, revealing ten arms sprouting from his body and four faces transforming. Simultaneously, the red gemstone embedded in his forehead morphed into eyes, forming a trinity of eyes, while a prayer bead was summoned to his left hand.

WHOOSH

As the true form of the divine body manifested, a sinister wave spread throughout the world. The Sword Demon spoke with a grim expression.

“Never thought such a creature existed in this world….”

WHOOSH

At that moment, black waves radiated from Shiva’s body.

All signs of life around us vanished. I felt an overwhelming force washing over me and found myself bouncing off into the void endlessly.

BOOM

“URGH!”

I realized my Harmonious Body Technique was utterly shattered and my bones were breaking. The wave of destruction was simply too powerful to withstand. I was knocked unconscious from that light blow, giving me a clear understanding of Shiva’s true power.

A being on par with the Three Sovereigns!!

Could it be that other than the Celestial King Gong Sun Xuanwen, there were others so powerful in the Divine Temple??

‘Damn it…. We haven’t even begun to fight, and I already feel like I’m doomed!’

I grit my teeth, gathering every ounce of energy for healing. After a moment, my broken body started to revert to its original state, but as soon as I hit the ground, it felt like I was falling apart again.

KER-BOOM….

“Cough! Cough! Cough….”

I spat out blood. However, somehow I managed to recover enough to stay conscious.

“Gah… I feel like… I’m going to die….”

Fighting against the gods seemed to make my durability only increase, which was incredibly frustrating. I wasted no time and summoned the Book of Life and Death.

“Book of Life and Death!! Write down Shiva’s name!!”

WHOOSH

Even the divine beings of the Gold Star couldn’t escape the Book of Life and Death. No matter how powerful Shiva was, if he faced this, he’d have to take damage!

As Shiva’s name was inscribed, the Book shone bright. And while it glittered, Shiva’s voice echoed in my ear.

[Hmph… How dare you… attempt to extinguish my name with your twisted Law of Cause and Effect? Do you think I am so easily dealt with? Such folly!!]

BOOM!

The Book of Life and Death exploded. The pages scattered, and debris fluttered down in its place.

“……!!”

What the hell?!

Why did the Book explode?!

‘From the agonized voice, it seems like he took damage….’

I couldn’t fathom why the Book of Life and Death would burst. In a daze, I suddenly regained my senses and looked up at the sky.

“Damn it!! But I’ll still fight!!”

Didn’t I gamble my life here? If I were to hesitate and seek more information, it would only yield worse outcomes! I had to land a hit on Shiva and die in this place somehow!

“Earth Immortal, flight sorcery!”

WHOOSH

I flew again into the sky and arrived at the battlefield. The sight that greeted me darkened my heart.

BAM!! BAM!!

[HA HA HA HA!!]

“……!!”

Xiang Yu and Shiva were engaged in a wild brawl. They both disregarded defense and pummeled each other in the face! During the brawl, Shiva unleashed wild laughter, blasting away at Xiang Yu, who silently endured the beating, but his face was already bruised.

‘At this rate, Xiang Yu is going to die!’

It was clear to anyone that Xiang Yu was getting creamed.

[Stop!!]

At that moment, the Queen Mother of the West intervened, trying to trap Shiva with powerful sorcery. However, Shiva barely paused from the spell and flicked away the snake in his hand right at her.

SPLAT

[URRGH.]

Severely bitten by Shiva’s snake, the Queen Mother of the West staggered in pain. Shiva, now free, swung his prayer beads and mocked her while shaking off Xiang Yu.

[So it seems you have indeed lost all your strength from your prime, Nüwa. And since that avatar was drawn back once, it seems you can barely utilize half your original abilities. Who would have thought the goddess of the underworld had fallen so low.]

[Shut up, you mutt of the Divine Temple!]

[Heh. Now I see why Vishnu wanted to come here personally….]

Shiva, still laughing, turned to Xiang Yu.

[Just because you’re close to being a ruler doesn’t make you a ruler. Allow me to show you the gap between us; come at me!]

“I’ll kill you…!!”

SMASH

As Xiang Yu once again launched a punch at Shiva, this time, Shiva didn’t retaliate but instead took the punch directly. But not even a scratch appeared on Shiva’s face!

“……!!”

[HA HA HA…. I once tussled with the Three Sovereigns in the ancient times. Few can overcome my power across the universe. Did you enjoy playing with me?]

“You scoundrel…!!”

[You have abundant talent befitting a ruler, but you lacked the time.]

CRUNCH!!

In the next moment, Shiva’s palm struck right into the middle of Xiang Yu’s chest. Xiang Yu bled profusely as he seemed ready to return the favor, but Shiva’s attack ruptured his body.

[I’ll give you credit; you were formidable.]

THUD

With Shiva’s casual pronouncement, Xiang Yu’s body was cleaved in half and fell backward. Shiva then turned to the Queen Mother of the West, swinging his prayer beads once more.

CRACK!!

The Queen Mother of the West disintegrated without a trace with that attack, leaving me utterly speechless as I witnessed the entire scene unfold in mere seconds.

“…….”

To think he would crush the strongest ones in the Celestial Realm so effortlessly.

Could it be that such a powerful mythical being existed besides the Three Sovereigns…?

‘No… Even that monster… was just a pawn in the hands of Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen!’

I finally realized.

The Emperor’s victory was already predetermined, and the Celestial Temple’s forces were the strongest in history.

Just Shiva and Guang Chengzi alone were overwhelming. Combine that with the likes of Shenglong and others, and they already rivaled the Three Sovereigns at their peak. Meanwhile, the Three Sovereigns were almost entirely extinguished and couldn’t even mount a counter-offensive.

This was indeed the end times.

An endless despair…

Shiva spotted me and approached with a grin.

[My minions told me an amusing tale. You claim to be the Jade Emperor…. What are you up to?]

“…….”

It seemed he still hadn’t discovered my identity. But no matter how I approached this, I knew I couldn’t escape death or abduction. As the worst outcome I feared approached, I gritted my teeth.

‘Damn it. I’m in it till the end….’

Just as I was about to respond to Shiva, an eerie sound echoed.

BEEP—

[…Hmm?]

A strange cry.

As the sound spread, I felt Shiva tense up slightly.

Then, moments later, something appeared right in front of me.

Ssssssss…

The being enshrouded in mist crackled with lightning and bore horns. Still partially concealed, this mysterious being spoke to Shiva.

[Back off.]

[Hehehe…. What is this about, appearing out of nowhere? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.]

[This one, I shall take.]

[You dare to negotiate with the Destruction God? Do you think that will go over well?]

[You must also be aiming for divinity; do you wish to engage in a showdown while groveling in defeat behind me?]

[…….]

Shiva seemed to contemplate something, visibly troubled. He clenched his prayer beads tightly and declared.

[Then I’ll just kill both of you here.]

WHOOSH!!

Shiva lunged forward, attacking. But the being blocking my path burst with lightning, and when Shiva touched it, he recoiled as if burned.

[Ugh!! This is….]

The so-called realm of obliteration!

I felt like I had witnessed that technique before.

FLAME

[W-What the…?]

One of Shiva’s hands had completely disintegrated from the lightning. While Shiva staggered, a sword flew in from someplace and attacked him.

WHAM!!

It seemed this overbearing strike shocked Shiva into trembling. He looked on incredulously and said,

[I thought you were inconsequential, but you dare to attack me?]

The ones launching the sword attack were the Sword Demon, the Master of Shadowless Sword, and Jin Guk-jun. They all wore expressions that suggested they had resolved themselves, falling into position within the Three Talents formation once more. At that moment, I grasped what that déjà vu was.

‘That… that’s….’

I recalled!

The trials of the Seven Luminaries.

Those who had perished during the wood element trial….

“Our role ends here.”

Suddenly, the Sword Demon looked at me and smiled.

“Take care of Hyea for me….”

Sub-Divine Realm

Ultimate Technique

Primordial Fusion Formation

A dazzling flash erupted. And within that moment, time seemed to shrink infinitely—I could feel something incredibly tiny. As everything smaller than small continuously followed in succession, I realized that by the end, a thread-like form flickered in my vision.

The Three Talents crumbled.

The Sword Demon, the Master of Shadowless Sword, and Jin Guk-jun completely vanished.

Disintegrating into the smallest units.

…This was something I hadn’t witnessed during previous events… the gradual demise of the experts from the Absolute Realm.

[AH…. Ohhhhh…. Did the chaotic power I gained from the Emperor harm me…. How can such a technique exist….]

Crack

With Shiva’s cry echoing, his skin split open. Divine blood flowed from the fissures, and he seemed to be spiraling into madness, moving in a frenzy. It seemed he felt unimaginable pain, and Shiva went berserk.

[AAAAHHH!! You humans!!!]

BOOM!!

Shiva’s body exploded violently, bouncing remnants of flesh everywhere. Even though I was human, this was no minor wound, and Shiva stood frozen, momentarily unable to move.

SWISH…

Shiva soon turned to dust and disappeared.

“…Did I… defeat him?”

As I stammered in disbelief, the being blocking my path glanced at me and remarked.

[What an irritating power…. I didn’t think you could expel me… such is the power of the Primordial Realm….]

“…….”

I felt the being eyeing me with an intimidating aura.

[You vile harbinger of doom…. Remember this…. I will return to claim you once more….]

WHOOSH!

The mysterious horned being too vanished from the spot.

‘What was that thing?’

I couldn’t tell if it was an ally or an enemy.

I was still reeling from the sudden developments. What in the world just happened in such an instant?

But what needed to be done was clear.

I clenched my fist, murmuring.

“I must go.”

I need to find Cheon Woo-jin.

That’s the Sword Demon’s last wish.