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“I frowned at the words of the phantom.”

“Rumors? So you already knew about me.”

[……]

Jiiing!

The rocky phantom raised his palm upward, and a translucent hologram of the Earth appeared above his hand. Gazing at it, the phantom spoke.

[We are always watching the earth. With a hope that one day this chaotic age will come to an end… ]

“We? You mean Lemuria?”

Swoosh.

The phantom made a motion as if to grasp the Earth, dissolving the hologram.

[Let me reintroduce myself. I am Emperor Lemuria I of the Lemuria Empire. Please tell me the purpose of your visit.]

“……!!”

Did he say I? So this guy is the founder of the Lemuria Empire?

As I stared at the phantom in shock, Lee Hwan-woong, standing next to me, spoke up.

“It’s Emperor Lemuria I. We’ve come here to learn how to unseal an artifact sealed by an ancient god.”

[Artifact?]

As Lee Hwan-woong glanced at me, I took the Navel of the Sun God out of my wooden armor. The phantom fixated on the artifact, and I asked him.

“Do you know how to unseal this? If you help us, I promise to return the favor.”

[Hmm……]

Emperor Lemuria I hummed for a moment before speaking.

[It cannot be unsealed by normal means. However, it is not impossible if you use forbidden techniques.]

“Forbidden techniques?”

Creek, creak!

A strange mechanical sound emanated from Emperor Lemuria I, and his eyes glimmered.

[It seems like it can be unsealed. Then what will you give me in return for unsealing it?]

“What…?”

Hearing this, I found myself confused about what price to offer. While I was contemplating, Lee Hwan-woong spoke on my behalf.

“We’ll give you a share of our corporation. How does that sound?”

[Shares?]

“Well, that…”

Lee Hwan-woong explained the details. After hearing the entire story, Emperor Lemuria I spoke without a moment’s hesitation.

[Not needed!]

“……?!”

“Huh?!”

What did he just say?! Not needed?!

The Old Rulers were practically drooling over the chance to participate!

As I stared at Emperor Lemuria I with wide eyes, he said,

[You and I are not equals. We cannot be recognized as gods, so accepting your shares would only make us targets for other gods. Make a proposal suitable for mortals.]

“So you’re saying that other investors will try to take your Lemuria by force?”

[Isn’t that obvious? Your proposal is something gods alone can handle.]

“Ugh……”

Emperor Lemuria I had a point. I began to realize just how sharp his mind was.

‘If it were me, I would have confidently accepted the offer…’

After contemplating for a moment, I said,

“Then I’ll protect you guys. What do you think?”

[……!!]

“It seems you’re afraid of the Old Rulers. I don’t think there’s a better deal than me protecting you.”

At my words, Emperor Lemuria I looked somewhat surprised and his eyes dimmed. It wasn’t just him, as Lee Hwan-woong also exclaimed in shock.

“Baek Woong!! Don’t promise that recklessly—things will get complicated!”

I replied brusquely.

“So what? If I really could revive Quetzalcoatl, I could manage that much. Didn’t you say my power is comparable to the upper-tier gods?”

“But ‘protection’ is much more troublesome than you think… Ugh.”

Lee Hwan-woong groaned, and after a moment, Emperor Lemuria I’s voice felt warmer.

[Fine! If you promise to protect our Lemuria, I will gladly accept your request.]

“Okay……”

Just as I was about to agree, Lee Hwan-woong rushed in.

“The duration is until Baek Woong feels like it!! If Baek Woong wishes, he can cancel the protection of your family at any time! Accept this condition.”

[…… Understood.]

After a slight pause, Emperor Lemuria I continued,

[Even with forbidden techniques, unsealing this artifact is straightforward. We will plead to the Constellation.]

“Constellation? Aren’t they just a notch below the Old Rulers?”

When I asked Emperor Lemuria I, it seemed he chuckled.

[There are ranks even among the Constellations. Follow me.]

Thud, thud, thud!

Soon, the body of Emperor Lemuria I crumbled, and the rocky phantom fell apart. From the shattered remnants, a ball of light floated upwards like starlight, beginning to fly toward a corner of the palace.

I was left dumbfounded at the sight.

“Lee Hwan-woong. Is that really a mortal? He doesn’t look human at all…”

“As you said, Lemuria is a civilization based on the Constellation. Unlike Atlantis, where humans advanced demon engineering… It’s not strange for them to lose their human form if they embrace the powers of the Constellation.”

As Lee Hwan-woong replied, he seemed to glance at his wrist. Then he spoke.

“Probability fluctuation check complete. You may proceed.”

“What’s up with that ‘probability fluctuation’? Why are you doing that?”

As I asked, Lee Hwan-woong walked ahead of me.

“According to the Lemuria Codex, this Lemurian civilization summoned something called Astral Weed by fluctuating probability. And the Astral Weed serves as a medium to summon the powers of the Constellation anytime, anywhere.”

“And?”

“It means the Constellation can suddenly appear in empty spaces and manipulate reality to trick us. Humans have never dared to explore this imperial palace out of fear.”

“……!!”

“Though you may have divine power, if I fall into Lemuria’s time and space traps, I wouldn’t be able to return!”

Is this place really that dangerous?

From the surface, it seems ordinary enough?

I glanced at Heuk Woong by my side, who nodded in agreement.

[Lee Hwan-woong is right. Although it’s not visible, the power of the constellation is strongly present here, so we mustn’t let our guard down.]

“Is that so……”

[Also, there seems to be some ominous force buried deep within… A terrifying master I never want to meet……]

“Ominous force?”

[No. Perhaps it’s just my imagination.]

What’s with Heuk Woong now?

I didn’t want to think too deeply and spoke up.

“Enough chatter, let’s just go. We can’t afford to waste time.”

I headed toward the passage where Emperor Lemuria I had vanished. Soon, I was able to reach a large room.

Ziiing.

Emperor Lemuria I transformed from the starlight into a white, featureless figure, gesturing toward the massive and complex machinery in the center of the room.

[Do you see? This is the altar of Lemuria that will unseal the Navel of the Sun God that you possess.]

“An altar?”

[Yes. We will borrow the powers of the thirteen nearby constellations.]

“Thirteen constellations…? That sounds like a lot, but are they really more exceptional than the hundreds of ancient gods in Memphis?”

It sounded ridiculous to rely on thirteen constellations to unseal what hundreds of ancient gods couldn’t. When I questioned him with skepticism, Emperor Lemuria I silently pressed what appeared to be buttons on the machine.

Woosh……

As the intricate machinery interlocked and distinctly stretched, it seemed as if I were witnessing something beyond description, and the complex form moved in four-dimensional space, pleasing to the eye. Mesmerized by the machine, I watched as starlight slowly emerged above it, eventually revealing thirteen glimmers that adorned the sky.

Lee Hwan-woong, watching the starlight, murmured.

“……The Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor!!”

[So you know about them.]

“Of course I do. It’s the beginning and end of the zodiac….”

I was taken aback by Lee Hwan-woong’s words.

“The Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Emperor? Wasn’t that the forbidden measure used by Dharma…?”

Without a doubt, during the Trials of the Reborn, Dharma had undergone the merging of ten thousand forms, linking the power of the constellations to his magical core. At that moment, with the power of the thirteenth ram, he almost killed me, making it unforgettable.

Lee Hwan-woong said.

“I don’t know the details of that battle. But the Twelve Palaces can be said to be the constellations themselves, with each palace representing a constellation. Innumerable constellations can be correlated within each palace.”

“Hmm.”

At the same time, Lee Hwan-woong tilted his head in confusion.

“But it’s unusual to serve the constellations like this. While it’s acceptable to serve each constellation belonging to a palace, doing this leaves no purpose for receiving a blessing…?”

“Why is that?”

“To put it simply, while it’s fine for commoners to serve their nation’s king or a king from another nation, what’s the use of serving an alliance of many kings at once? The greater the body, the more convoluted it becomes without any substantial power.”

“Ah.”

With Lee Hwan-woong’s explanation, I understood the Twelve Palaces a bit better. Then Emperor Lemuria I spoke.

[As you’ve said, typically such service does not occur. But do you know something?]

Chiing.

Emperor Lemuria I pointed at the empty void, at the end of the thirteenth constellation in the Zodiac.

[Here lies… a thirteenth constellation unknown to the world.]

“Does such a thing really exist? That’s madness.”

Lee Hwan-woong spoke with a voice full of disbelief, but upon hearing Emperor Lemuria I’s words, a thought suddenly struck me, and I muttered,

“Was it the Dark Sun……?”

[……!!]

Emperor Lemuria I turned to me in surprise.

Using my experience from the battle with Dharma as a basis, I casually continued,

“That Dark Sun is the true master of the Twelve Palaces, isn’t it?”

[Um… how did you know that?!]

Seems I was right!

While I celebrated inside, Lee Hwan-woong looked equally confused.

“……How do you even know such a thing?”

“I just happened to find out.”

“……”

Lee Hwan-woong seemed speechless. But perhaps more surprising to Emperor Lemuria I, he halted his operation of the machine and fixed his gaze on me. As everyone’s attention turned toward me, I felt embarrassed and spoke up.

“So, you’re saying you want to borrow the power of that Dark Sun to unseal the artifact?”

[…… Indeed.]

“But can a mere constellation unseal something that hundreds of ancient gods couldn’t? You seemed way too confident earlier.”

When I questioned Emperor Lemuria I with slight skepticism, he retorted.

[Why do you ask such questions when you know that the Dark Sun is the true master of the Twelve Palaces? Its existence is on a whole different level. It’s not worth debating.]

“Huh?”

[Hmm…?]

“……”

[……]

An awkward silence fell. Then, as if he sensed something, Lee Hwan-woong chimed in.

“It seems our Baek Woong doesn’t fully grasp the significance of knowing that the Dark Sun is the true master of the Twelve Palaces. You should explain it a bit.”

[…… Ah… I see… That makes it all the more impressive…]

Afterward, Emperor Lemuria I seemed flustered but let out a small chuckle as he fiddled with the machine.

[In this universe, the existence that governs when constellations are born is ‘that being.’ ‘That being’ breathes the materials of the vast universe, dictates the movement of stars, and allows the flow of all things to intertwine with mortals. However, it is such a colossal entity that no one’s faith is given to it, and almost no one recognizes its presence. Only our Lemuria Empire serendipitously connected with it while studying the science of the star realm.]

“That being must be the true master of the Twelve Palaces. But what’s its name?”

[I can’t say. The moment I mention it, everything will be erased.]

“……Even though Baek Woong has powers equal to or greater than Emperor Gong Sun or Fuxi?”

[It means nothing. That being exists on that level.]

Emperor Lemuria I’s tone was resolute, and it only left Lee Hwan-woong in stunned silence. He cautiously addressed me, unaware of why I felt so confused.

“Baek Woong. It seems the Dark Sun might be able to unseal it, but it feels like an overwhelmingly higher existence.”

“Who is it?”

“At minimum, it’s one of the very few beings of the entire universe.”

“……!!”

You’re not suggesting…!!

As I too caught on, my face stiffened in fear, and Lee Hwan-woong voiced his concern.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“……I need to think this through.”

As we pondered, Emperor Lemuria I listened in and interjected.

[Do not worry. This is merely a petition, so there’s no need to worry about angering that being.]

“What do you mean?”

[Instead of formally contracting with that being and establishing a causal relationship, our Lemuria Empire can petition that being once every ten thousand years to request what we desire. Naturally, since it’s a petition, he wouldn’t take it seriously; he would just respond mechanically. Of course, he doesn’t have to fulfill the request.]

“Whoa… such a relationship could exist.”

Lee Hwan-woong remarked, sounding surprised. Then he frowned.

“But since it’s just a petition, if the request doesn’t necessitate being granted, we might be ignored, right?”

[Of course.]

“But to ardently negotiate with us despite that? That sounds like a trade…?”

[There have been two occurrences in the history of Lemuria where petitions were made. Both times, our requests were fulfilled. So there’s been no instance of denial thus far, so surely, this time, it will be the same.]

“……Heh.”

Lee Hwan-woong burst out laughing, stunned. I too, scratching my head, couldn’t help but feel amused.

“Huh… this doesn’t seem right.”

If what he said was true, then the request for unsealing the artifact might end up being ignored. Just because they succeeded twice before doesn’t guarantee a perfect success rate. Then Emperor Lemuria I stopped manipulating the machine and turned toward us.

[If you don’t want this, feel free to cancel right now. You seem to know the score, and it would not matter if we canceled the trade here.]

“Hmm.”

I pondered over that statement.

‘Well, I could always just ask the girl to unseal it with her infinite power…’

But it felt uncomfortable, like I was falling into a trap described by Lee Hwan-woong. Would it be okay to continue owing a favor to someone with unclear intentions? Moreover, I began to think this very trade might be part of some future causality, so I shook my head.

“No. Just proceed.”

[Understood.]

Ki-gi-ging! Ki-gi-ging!!

Moments later, a bright surge of thunder began to pulse from the machine. Emperor Lemuria I showed no concern for getting electrocuted, continuing to plunge his hands into the machine as if he were reaching in. After a considerable duration, a peculiar reaction arose from the machine.

Ku-gu-gugu……!!

The twelve constellations began to move vigorously, and from their former vacant place, the hidden Dark Sun finally revealed itself.

As the Dark Sun emerged, Emperor Lemuria I seemed to exhale with a sigh of relief, pulling his hands away from the machine.

[It’s done. Now, within 13 days, that being will respond to the petition.]

“Why does it take so long?”

[Is 13 days a long time? It’s exceedingly quick for a universal being to directly respond to a petition.]

“Well, when you put it that way…”

Since it wouldn’t be resolved instantly, I felt somewhat unsatisfied and began to smack my lips.

Then Lee Hwan-woong spoke up beside me.

“Unlike Memphis, Kalpa, and Babylon, you don’t seem like a mythical civilization, do you? Emperor Lemuria I, are you a being descended from the constellations?”

[……]

Emperor Lemuria I gazed at Lee Hwan-woong silently for a moment before responding.

[No. I am human. I merely escaped the clutches of the Old Race with the humans that followed me, seeking powers to resist them by connecting with the constellations.]

“So you mean you’ve connected with the constellations, indicating that you’re a magician?”

[I do have knowledge of magic, but fundamentally, I am a practitioner of magical engineering. I gained knowledge directly from the Old Race.]

“……!!”

[In opposing the Old Race, I believed the best way was to connect with civilizations of extraterrestrials equal to or above them to gain their technology and knowledge. Directly wielding the power of the Old Rulers was extremely perilous. That led me to develop a technique that opened pathways directly using magical engineering, which allowed the establishment of the Lemuria Empire.]

After explaining, Emperor Lemuria I gestured.

[Will you follow me? Allow me to show you our Lemuria Empire.]

“Alright then.”

Woosh.

Shortly after, Emperor Lemuria I summoned a disc of light below our feet, giving us the ability to move rapidly without walking. I felt an odd sense of familiarity with this disk.

‘This is certainly the same thing I saw at the base of the Master of the Twelve Joules…’

Swish!

As we sped through subspace, Emperor Lemuria I spoke.

[You all seem to look human, yet you possess overwhelming power… Moreover, since you promised to protect our empire, I wish to tell you more about it.]

“Just so you know, only until I feel like it. Don’t try to take advantage of us.”

[Heh heh… In such times, the promise of even that is deeply cherished.]

Pa-at!

After exiting subspace, we hovered above a vast city of civilization.

“Whoa!”

A city no different from the outside world! It was a huge metropolis sprawling beyond the horizon with super tall buildings and floating cars. What astounded me more than anything was the strange inventions I couldn’t fathom.

“……There are far more aliens than humans?! “

Indeed. Looking at the thriving inhabitants filling the city, humans were but a minority, while various extraterrestrials roamed the streets! Purely human occupants were barely ten percent!

Startled, I exclaimed, and Emperor Lemuria I replied.

[Our Lemuria Empire decided not to obsess over creating an empire solely for humans. Most of those extraterrestrials are pacifists who loathe war, some are even those who fled their destroyed planets to escape to Earth. We embraced all wandering citizens to develop our Lemurian civilization.]

……!!

[Additionally, we have formed an alliance with the Galactic Tribe Alliance. Should the need arise, we plan to migrate to other planets with their aid.]

“W-wow, that’s impressive!”

What’s more, to think that such an empire existed on Earth from at least several millennia before I was born?!

I gaped in genuine amazement, but Lee Hwan-woong muttered.

“It is impressive, but perhaps they have abandoned their human identity?”

At those words, both Emperor Lemuria I and I turned to Lee Hwan-woong. He muttered, seemingly dissatisfied.

“In this state, there’s really no need to cling to pure human flesh and mind, they could easily modify their bodies. So how are they any different from aliens?”

[A sharp observation.]

Emperor Lemuria I seemed to enjoy the sharpness of the critique as he chuckled.

[Indeed. We remain human, but we don’t obsess over it. Many humans have been enhanced with alien gene engineering, so they are stronger and superior. But this is also freedom, as we do not forcibly invade individual liberty.]

“Dang… is that really fine?”

[However, we do not force those who wish to remain human to change their bodies. Everything is free.]

“……”

[The identity of the human race is determined by oneself. And many still remain human, thus focusing solely on the body may not be the right approach.]

As Emperor Lemuria I spoke, memories of the past flooded my mind.

‘Empress Wu Zetian… and the people of Empress Wu…’

Empress Wu Zetian had sought to save her people from their doomed fate, transforming them post-death into otherworldly beings and bringing them to Dark Heaven Village. However, those humans, having taken on the otherworldly forms, eventually became indistinct to their humanity. Having seen Empress Wu suffer over that truth made it hard for me to comment on the current Lemuria Empire.

What defines a human as human?

Is it the body? The mind?

As I pondered for a moment, Emperor Lemuria I said.

[Anyway, we have 13 days until the twelve constellations revolve back to reach the Dark Sun. If you’re okay with it, how about exploring our empire?]

“Hmm. Is that alright?”

[I would like you to experience what you would be protecting in Lemuria.]

Emperor Lemuria I’s demeanor was very cordial. I subtly glanced at Lee Hwan-woong, who shrugged his shoulders in acquiescence.

“Taking 13 days to explore isn’t going to change much. It’s not urgent to persuade the Old Rulers, and you’ve already subcontracted to the Chulu Dragon God, right? Do as you wish.”

“……Alright, let’s have some fun!!”

I decided to tour the Lemuria Empire.

Considering how tightly I’d lived after dying and reviving, I felt a strong desire to let my guard down and relax for a while.

[I shall assign you a guide.]

Then Emperor Lemuria I conjured something with magic and summoned a pair of wing-like entities with five floating lights beside me. He also summoned one for Lee Hwan-woong.

[Should you have any questions, feel free to ask those apparitions, and they will answer you. They will also guide you to various places, opening dimensional doors for rapid movement.]

“……Incredible! Is this magic or science?”

[Both. It is the direct technology of the Old Race.]

As Emperor Lemuria I’s form gradually began to fade away.

[Then please return to the imperial palace in 13 days…]

Pa-at!

I promptly asked my guide.

“Hey, do you have a place specialized in martial arts or sword fighting?”

“……”

As I asked, Lee Hwan-woong looked aghast.

“Wait a minute… We’re here to tour, why look for a sword fighting venue, especially in the heart of the Lemuria Empire, the epicenter of magical engineering?”

“What’s the big deal? That sounds the most fun to me.”

“……Crazy. Why on Earth would you want to fight swords among all these aliens?”

Just then, the wings offered an unexpected reply.

[Would you like to move to the largest arena in the Lemuria Empire, Demigorgos Reden?]

“……!!”

I reacted excitedly.

“Oh, does that mean there will be martial artists there?”

[Yes, indeed. The number of warriors registered at Demigorgos Reden totals 127,835, with tournaments held per rank. Warriors from all realms participate.]

I clenched my fists, exhilarated.

“That’s awesome!! Let’s go!”

[Shall I open the dimensional door?]

“Yeah!”

I felt my heart race at the thought of seeing martial artists in a place like this. Lee Hwan-woong appeared incredulous beside me.

“Wait a minute, do you really think these aliens would be fighting martial arts?”

“Lee Hwan-woong, drop the prejudice. The strongest martial artist I met here was a giant race.”

“True enough.”

Pa-at!

Shortly after, we opened a dimensional door and arrived at Demigorgos Reden. We found ourselves in a vast, glass-domed structure. There were cozy seats in the observation area, and outside, a massive circular arena loomed.

As I saw the scene, Lee Hwan-woong commented.

“It’s like the ancient Roman Colosseum. Or is it that the knowledge of the Lemuria Empire was carried through to the Roman era?”

The wings fluttered around us, speaking in a soft tone.

[Welcome to the special observation area of Demigorgos Reden. Please enjoy!]

But sitting and watching didn’t sit well with me. I frowned and said to the wings.

“I don’t want to just sit and watch; I want to fight!”

[If you wish to do so, you must register as a warrior…]

Then, a roaring cheer erupted from the stands.

Whoa-a-a-a!

I looked back to see what was happening in the arena, and sure enough, it was packed with countless aliens. Two warriors were facing each other.

The wings explained in the background.

[You’ve arrived just on time. Today is the day of the Champion Defense, where the reigning champion faces a challenger.]

“Champion?”

[In this arena, the strongest warrior is referred to as the champion, and today, the second-ranked warrior challenges him.]

“……”

I gazed down at the arena.

The two combatants appeared strikingly different from one another.

On one side stood a colossal figure reminiscent of the giant race, clad in heavy iron armor, with a total of eight powerful arms, each wielding a different weapon, like something out of an Asura tale. With a single eye, he truly resembled the legendary one-eyed giant.

On the opposite side stood a smaller opponent. Rather than small, he seemed to be of average height, simply dwarfed by the giant. Wearing a black cloak and a blue mask, he brandished five massive swords.

Lee Hwan-woong, watching intently, commented.

“He’s quite massive. Is that the champion?”

“……”

I muttered as I peered into the arena.

“No, that small guy is the champion.”

“Huh?”

“The champion will take down the giant in one blow.”

As I asserted that conviction, the match began.

Swoosh……!!

The one-eyed giant charged towards the smaller opponent at an incredibly fast speed, unleashing a frenzy of attacks with his weapons. Lee Hwan-woong gasped in awe.

“……Qi!!”

Indeed. The giant infused each of his weapons with powerful Qi, attacking vigorously. Furthermore, the opponent exhibited remarkable breathing patterns and evasive movements, suggesting they had achieved an extraordinary level in martial arts.

Bang, bang, bang!

The eight strands of Qi cleaved through the battlefield. The speed at which he swung his weapons was so swift that human eyes could scarcely perceive them. Nonetheless, the paths of the weapons did not interfere with each other, making clear the giant’s remarkable prowess as a warrior.

I observed the giant’s assault and asked Lee Hwan-woong.

“What do you think would happen if you were to fight that giant?”

“……It would be a bit tough. He’s incredibly fast. I could probably draw it to a stalemate, but…”

“Then, just watch. It will be good practice.”

I declared as I fixed my gaze on the arena.

“The champion will bring down that giant in one swift strike.”

No sooner had I spoken than the champion effortlessly dodged the giant’s attacks. With a subtle shrug of his shoulder, he flicked two of his massive swords into the air. One sword landed in his hand while the second blade hovered in mid-air.

Then the champion’s eyes sparkled, and the levitating sword struck the giant’s shoulder with incredible speed.

Thump!

[……!!]

The one-eyed giant, trained as he was, let out no scream but appeared startled because there was no way for him to dodge or block that sword, which transcended the bounds of space and time with its striking technique.

The level of martial arts was on a completely different scale.

It was like comparing heaven and earth!

‘Given their level, that probably could have ended the match in one blow, and yet he is being cautious.’

I internally muttered, and Lee Hwan-woong exclaimed in amazement.

“The Invincible Sword! The Eye’s Control Sword Technique!!”

This was among the highest realms of managing Qi and Sword, second only to Hand’s Control Sword Technique!

He’d never expected an alien to use such a technique, and Lee Hwan-woong was taken aback. Soon the champion leapt high, clutching his sword in one hand as he dove towards the one-eyed giant.

Cling –

Argeld’s Sword Emperor, the Unyielding Outside!

The 241st Style: The Dragon Sword One Roars!

The aura of a dragon, resembling the form of a dragon, coiled around the entire champion, who suddenly seemed to transform into a celestial dragon charging at the giant with astonishing velocity.

Bang-!!

With a tremendous shockwave, the one-eyed giant fainted and lost consciousness. After some time, the arena erupted with cheers.

Whoa-a! – !!

Wooo – !!!

The wings explained amidst the cheering.

[The champion emerges victorious once again. This marks the 259th victory in the annual champion defense.]

“…Wait, does this mean the champion has been in Lemuria for 259 years?”

[That’s correct.]

“Interesting.”

I smiled wryly at those words, then drew my sword and shattered a window in the observations area.

Bang!

“Ba-Baek Woong!!”

As Lee Hwan-woong exclaimed in shock from behind, I leaped into the arena and made a silent landing.

Stop.

As the champion was about to depart, he halted abruptly, swirling his black cloak.

Turning slowly, he regarded me through his blue mask and said,

[You are a master of martial arts. Who are you?]

“I am Baek Woong.”

I pointed my sword at him, grinning.

“I want to fight one of the Masters of the Divine Realm’s White Seat, Argeld’s Sword Emperor.”

Without a doubt, this was the legendary blue-masked swordsman from the 28th champion match, who, alongside Yeodong-bin and the Divine Thief, battled Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen!

 

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