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“Are you seriously asking for a duel without ranks?”

I flinched at that line and said, “You little punk, are you finally rebelling against me…?”

Heuk Woong sighed as if the life was draining out of him.

[Hah, what nonsense are you spouting? If that were the case, I would have ambushed you when you were distracted and knocked your head off.]

“Ah.”

[Besides, I’m the shadow of my master. Killing my master would also mean my own death, so that’s not happening. Of course, if my master turns out to be a real piece of work, I might just stab him together, but that’s not the case yet.]

“……”

“Not yet,” huh? Nice way of putting it……

I scratched my head and replied, “If it’s not rebellion to suddenly challenge me without ranks, then what are you up to?”

[Can’t you understand? Ananda will be an unprecedented super master. If you can’t measure that guy, then fighting a strong opponent and going through life and death challenges is the only way to prepare for future battles.]

Swish

[I can definitely be such an opponent.]

“……”

Looking at Heuk Woong aiming the hidden weapon at me, I pondered deeply. Then I too raised my sword and replied.

“You’re right.”

Heuk Woong’s abilities were recognized even by the higher divine beings ruling heaven and earth. In some ways, he might even be stronger than me, so taking on Heuk Woong would be like facing the toughest opponent at my level. At the same time, I realized one thing.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never considered fighting Heuk Woong…’

He had always been on my side, so there was no reason to turn him into an enemy. Yet standing before him now, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of tension throughout my body.

Heuk Woong is strong.

Maybe even stronger than I think.

‘Damn…… That oppressive feeling from his divine power is intense…’

As I thought this, I felt a twinge of fear creeping up on me, and so I spoke cautiously.

“…Heuk Woong, just so you know, tomorrow’s the day I fight Ajidahaka, right? If I end up getting hurt or killed while fighting you, it’d be a huge loss…”

[What the heck? Why’s the reborn person being so cautious? Even if you die, you can summon me back in your 31st life, right?]

Hearing that, a chill ran down my spine as I realized he was serious.

‘This punk really intends to kill me!’

Heuk Woong was definitely not the type for idle threats. He probably thought that by treating it like a real battle, there might be something to gain, regardless of whether it meant risking my life. And I had no confidence in winning against Heuk Woong, so I retorted.

“But what about everything that’s gone down in my 30th life? Why would you tell me to die? Didn’t you just say earlier that if you kill me, you’d die too?”

[You’re talking nonsense typical of someone who’s reborn. It’s only when you accept death that the real advantages of being reborn arise… ]

Heuk Woong clicked his tongue before suddenly grabbing the stance of Thunder God Spear Technique.

[Stop spouting nonsense! Master, how can you plan to face Jin So-cheong, who has reached the Divine Realm, with that kind of mindset?!]

“……!!”

Jin So-cheong!

Hearing that name snapped me back to reality. As I looked at Heuk Woong, he continued in a fierce tone.

[Is the idea of me accidentally killing you during training really important? What’s crucial is that you overcome death and rise to the True State of Martial Arts! How can you confront Jin So-cheong, the strongest martial arts genius in the universe, without that kind of resolve?!]

“……”

A dark light flickered from Heuk Woong’s eyes.

[Master… surpass your limits! That’s the shortcut! What’s important to you right now isn’t Ajidahaka or Ananda! Sooner or later, you will have to face Jin So-cheong.]

“Heuk Woong…”

[That’s all I can say. If you want to back off from the fight now, I will allow it.]

I shook my head at Heuk Woong’s words.

“No! If you’re going that far, then I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got.”

As Heuk Woong said, how can I expect to grapple with the likes of Ananda or Jin So-cheong if I always stick to the safe path? By fearing death, I had walked into countless traps, and here I was, nearly falling into another one.

‘Alright… Let’s see what you’ve got, Heuk Woong!’

I no longer cared about the fate of the universe!

Thwack

Heuk Woong and I faced each other from a distance of three steps. Heuk Woong held the stance of Thunder God Spear Technique, while I matched it with the posture of Thunder God Swordplay. Heuk Woong looked at me and said.

[I’ll attack first.]

Whoosh!!

In the next moment, Heuk Woong’s lightning-fast thrust came soaring towards me. I realized that this piercing attack was simple yet imbued with tremendous power and speed, adhering closely to the fundamentals of spear techniques.

It was an unnamed basic thrust but was powerful. I understood that to counter this thrust, I couldn’t simply deflect it; I had to narrow my defensive range while observing it carefully to avoid a fatal injury, so I took half a step back and monitored its approach.

Zip!

Heuk Woong’s hidden weapon trembled as it seemed to create a splitting shadow illusion in an instant, causing the final thrust position to become confusing. I realized that this demonstrated he had reached a level equivalent to the Sixth Limit in spear techniques, which made me gasp inwardly.

‘Impressive!’

The results of the technique I temporarily dubbed Six Heaven Unity Spear were something Heuk Woong also shared, and it felt like he had internalized the essence on his own since I last blinked. As I detected the hidden weapon’s targeting, I positioned my sword to deflect the trajectory aimed at my solar plexus.

Clang!

Shhhh!

Heuk Woong didn’t slow down and instead ramped up the intensity, chaining an onslaught of Heaven Thunder Infinite Spear techniques against me. I grimaced as Heuk Woong advanced with Heaven Thunder Infinite Spear.

‘What? That’s a familiar technique I’ve memorized…’

After over a hundred years of training, I had even memorized the variation techniques, so I was confident that no matter how skillfully he attempted to transform it, it could not exceed my ability. I felt displeased, thinking Heuk Woong must have been looking down on me, but just as he executed about five techniques in succession, an unbelievable change occurred.

Swish!

Suddenly, the tip of the hidden weapon morphed into a liquid, scattering in the air before piercing through my defensive techniques, only to reassemble! I widened my eyes in shock at this unexpected transformation.

Boom!

In that split second, I detected the change and managed to deflect the recomposing attack. I couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

“Soul of the Four Gods?! How is this even possible…?”

He definitely transformed the spear’s nature into water using Water Spirit Transformation! But, is it truly feasible to induce such a partial change when the Soul of the Four Gods is supposed to alter the overall nature of the body?!

As I was stunned, Heuk Woong briefly withdrew his spear and stepped back, saying.

[You didn’t catch that, did you?]

“Catch what?”

[You know that the accomplishments of the Fire Spirit Techniques’ ancient master, Shim Su-ryeok, surpassed yours after decades of training. However, you didn’t know how Shim Su-ryeok developed the Soul of the Four Gods. I will speculate that Shim Su-ryeok developed it this way.]

“……!!”

[It’s not a total transformation, but a partial transformation! Just that alone significantly boosts the practicality.]

Indeed, Heuk Woong was right.

‘Right now, using Water Spirit Transformation, I showed a glimpse, but depending on how it’s used, partial changes of the Soul of the Four Gods can showcase immense power.’

This was undoubtedly unexpected information. While I was lost in thought about the partial transformation of the Soul of the Four Gods, Heuk Woong enhanced his hidden weapon to Thunder Soul Transformation, instantly turning it into a flickering lightning spear. Heuk Woong wielded the lightning spear and continued.

[Now, if you take this, you will understand what I mean.]

Thud!

In the blink of an eye, Heuk Woong’s lightning spear vanished from his hand and attacked me with the essence of the power of Qi. The Qi spear was so fast that no ordinary martial artist could even react in time, yet I had risen above the Absolute Realm, so I sensed its approach and effortlessly dodged it. But as I evaded, a sudden flash of lightning erupted, and in a heartbeat, thousands of bolts of lightning scattered like a thunderstorm.

Bang!

Even in that split second, I managed to evade even the lethal strikes of that scythe-like attack using Thunder Spirit. However, despite the lightning-quick movements, three lethal strikes targeted me directly, and realizing I couldn’t avoid this one, I counterattacked with my Thunder Sword.

Clang!

‘Ugh?!’

Even though I had deployed my full power in the Thunder Sword, I felt myself being pushed back, and confusion washed over me. Eventually, as the three strikes merged, their strength overwhelmed me, and I was sent flying. When I finally landed, I could hear Heuk Woong chuckling lightly.

[How’s that?]

“How can you produce such power? No matter how skilled you are with your hidden weapon…!”

[It’s the fusion of Darkness and Lightning attributes. It’s a compound attribute.]

“……?!”

Compound attributes?

I was astonished by a story I never saw coming, and Heuk Woong continued to explain slowly.

[The Soul of the Four Gods can not only change its attributes but also incorporate others. Although I haven’t fully trained this, I surmise Shim Su-ryeok has likely deepened this compound attribute to temporarily amplify its power, even beyond what I’ve shown!]

“……!!”

[It might be impossible for a talentless master like you to comprehend the techniques in such a short time, but I hope at least you can grasp the new possibilities of the Soul of the Four Gods through this battle.]

On that day, suddenly, black flames surrounded Heuk Woong’s left arm, while his right emitted black lightning, both glowing crimson and azure. Just looking at it made me feel overwhelmed, and I couldn’t help but blurt out.

“No f*cking way!! Where did this even come from?!”

[Where did this come from?]

“Heuk Woong, you’re my clone, right? Then shouldn’t our abilities be similar? How come you’re so much smarter and more capable than I am?”

[…… And now you want to complain?]

Heuk Woong chuckled and said.

[Although I am your clone, the immense divine power of the Great Sovereign Jeon Wook was my foundation. What you amassed the most over your rebirth was the divine power spilling from Jeon Wook’s statue… and your bond with him is the strongest.]

“Hmm.”

[In some sense, I am a reincarnation of Jeon Wook. Therefore, the talents I possess are not yours but that of a divine being!]

“……”

[Do you want to test me in a mock battle with Jeon Wook? If that’s what you wish, I will comply.]

Grrr!

Heuk Woong summoned a dark weapon infused with lightning. In his other hand, he clutched the black iron club, which radiated fiery energy, indicating that it had a compound attribute of dark flames. Seeing that, I suddenly felt the immense gap between Heuk Woong’s and my abilities.

‘Damn it! Even though the power might be comparable, his attacks utilizing compound attributes amplify the power multiple times more than those of a single attribute!’

Until now, I had always relied on Heuk Woong’s assistance in battles against others, so I hadn’t fully realized just how strong he truly was. Yet now, standing right before him, I began to understand how he could dominate so many divine beings during the Takrok Era. Heuk Woong might actually be a divine being, rivalling Jeon Wook himself.

But merely considering the enemy as formidable wouldn’t get me anywhere. I needed to find a way to defeat the Heuk Woong who had now become an opponent.

In that case, I had to remember what advantages I possessed compared to Heuk Woong.

‘What do I have over Heuk Woong…? Hmm…’

After a brief moment, I reached my conclusion.

‘…Trimurti… and Dark Night Slash!!’

These two techniques were something even Heuk Woong hadn’t received training in yet! Perhaps because they were in entirely different dimensions, it felt like he couldn’t grasp my insights about those two. However, outside of those two, I felt weak in nearly every aspect of skills, abilities, and stats compared to Heuk Woong. I realized I needed to devise a clever strategy.

‘Let’s give it a shot.’

I decided I would respond with Trimurti, marking out three realms in my heart. As the powers of the three attributes began to combine within me, Heuk Woong quickly caught on.

[Divine Skill Trimurti, huh? Quite the choice since that’s a technique I cannot use.]

“Let’s see how this goes.”

[Sure, let’s see how far you can go!]

Thud!

In the next moment, with an overwhelming aura, Heuk Woong barreled forward, swinging both weapons like a gale. The hidden weapon and the iron club alternated strikes aiming to rend me apart, while I united my hands and invoked Trimurti.

Trimurti!

Three Ring Barrier!

Bang!

Three rotating rings formed a barrier of divine power around me, protecting me and preventing Heuk Woong’s attacks from inflicting any damage as they burst outward. Even though the Soul of the Four Gods enhanced the power of single attacks, Heuk Woong’s skills weren’t high enough to break through the barrier I constructed with Trimurti. Heuk Woong refused to give up and threw the black iron club to distract me. As I focused all my strength to block it, Heuk Woong began his next move.

Star Network Returning Heaven!

Reincarnation Reveal!

Heuk Woong’s helmet emitted blue light as he unleashed his unique technique, Star Network Returning Heaven.

Unlike Trimurti, this technique materialized the blessings I had garnered over my past lives, and upon noticing the sign of what he was about to do, I was shocked.

Oh no, that technique is…

Great Luck Overlap!

“You bastard… this is so low!”

Wham!

Before I could finish my curse, Heuk Woong’s thrown hidden weapon pierced through my shoulder. The barrier created by Trimurti had been effortlessly breached, and as Heuk Woong retained his throwing posture, he said,

[Thanks for the compliment, master.]

“Cough!!”

Heuk Woong’s strategy was straightforward. Since Heuk Woong and I possessed similar divine powers, my full defense with the Trimurti barrier couldn’t be broken via standard attacks by Heuk Woong. However, by utilizing Great Luck Overlap, he dramatically increased his fortune and absurdly penetrated my barrier!

‘Damn! I didn’t see that strategy coming!’

I quickly pulled out the hidden weapon embedded in my shoulder, yet the wound did not heal. Normally, I could instantly recover from physical injuries using divine power, but Heuk Woong’s hidden weapon carried an inherent curse that prevented me from healing, even as a god. Heuk Woong once again summoned his hidden weapon, assuming the stance of the Thunder God Spear Technique, and said.

[No matter how great Trimurti may be, you can never surpass me in the application of divine power. I can manipulate divine power within me just like the countless divine beings that have existed for eons.]

“……”

[If you have nothing left to show, let’s end this here.]

Gathering power into Heuk Woong’s hidden weapon made me feel the weight of tension increase sharply. He might be matching my power, but the level of his application was entirely different. Right now, that attack utilizing Star Network Returning Heaven could be reshaped in any number of ways if combined with the Soul of the Four Gods, the scopes of transformation were limitless! Even as Heuk Woong’s master, knowing nearly all his techniques, I found it difficult to counter him, so those facing Heuk Woong must have truly felt like they were confronting the Grim Reaper.

‘There’s no way I can challenge him in terms of divine power application… then… does this mean I can’t defeat Heuk Woong even using Trimurti? I can only rely on it to defend myself!’

I gritted my teeth in desperation, enduring the pain in my shoulder. Then I finally realized the sole way I could win.

‘Can I do this?’

I had no choice, but I was filled with doubt. Although I probably wouldn’t have an issue against an ordinary opponent, facing Heuk Woong, who shared nearly all my skills, had me worried he might catch on mid-fight. Yet, without much choice, I seized my sword and set up my fighting stance again.

…

In the moment of silence, Heuk Woong this time didn’t throw his hidden weapon but charged straight at me. It felt like he had resolved to finish this clash without any tricks, and his confidence radiated that he could respond to anything I threw at him. Normally, I’d want to defend myself using my Peerless Technique, however, I decided against using it this time.

‘Using Peerless Technique would result in a draw… but there’s no way I can actually win!’

It would only give my opponent endless chances to attack—like a punching bag, it would be a disaster, especially considering I was facing Heuk Woong. Thus, I resisted the temptation to use Peerless Technique and instead, I put all my focus into a single sword strike aimed straight ahead.

Bang!

My full-powered Thunder Sword collided with the hidden weapon, but as expected, Heuk Woong, already adopting the Soul of the Four Gods technique, was revolving and had the upper hand against me with nothing but his simple spear techniques. The trajectory of my sword deflected as I found myself cornered, and I instinctively sensed that the worst-case scenario was unfolding where swordsmanship faced spear techniques.

‘Swordfighters… should never give spear fighters any opening to stab!’

But due to the flaw in my swordplay, my chest was exposed!

Crash!

Just as I expected, Heuk Woong wouldn’t let the chance slip and unleashed concentrated assaults with the Heaven Thunder Infinite Spear technique intended to pierce my chest. I felt my insight flare up as I faced that overwhelmingly fierce offensive.

‘So you’re revealing your weaknesses on purpose!!’

Only by triggering automatic attacks should I have a chance to win!

In the next instant, I invoked the Three Treasure Technique and read the [flow]. It was distressing to think that I could discern the flow amidst such an opening, but ultimately, I discovered that there existed a single lifeline that could save me even in this dire situation.

I surrendered to the [flow].

Simultaneously, I stepped hedging for the next two steps from Person into Ground. As soon as I secured my position, I flung away my sword, prompting Heuk Woong to take a moment to blink.

Even Heuk Woong seems to have never anticipated I’d discard my weapon.

And that brief opening from Heuk Woong granted me the chance to convert my arm, making it slash like a sword.

Dark Night Slash!

Swish!

Was this unexpected stratagem of reversals successful? My Dark Night Slash made it rather easy to slash across Heuk Woong’s chest. He staggered back, flabbergasted.

[Cough…!!]

“Ha, ha…”

I too gasped for air as if I had drained every ounce of my strength and spirit. I was so exhausted that in a blink, my breath hitched at my throat, beads of sweat forming on my forehead and nose, dripping down. How could this be, considering the immense stamina I usually possessed? Eventually, I came to understand why that was the case.

‘… I never noticed during my mechanical body phase… this Dark Night Slash… or rather, reading the [flow] just sucked up all my energy!!’

When I was in a machine-like state, I felt no strain since I had zero energy to drain, but now, being filled with energy meant I was experiencing an overwhelming loss. Was it possible that the discomfort I felt earlier was due to this?

Heuk Woong seemed momentarily lost for words before he marveled.

[… Well done…!! Is this what it means for you to realize Dark Night Slash?! I shouldn’t be able to use it at all.]

“Ha… ha… hey… why can’t you use it?”

[No matter how hard I think, I can’t understand the principles behind the technique you just executed. I guess this difference reflects the gap between those who have stepped into the Divine Realm and those who haven’t.]

After saying that, Heuk Woong conjured his hidden weapon again and proclaimed.

[But if you don’t come at me, it’s meaningless. It’s time for you to die.]

“Uh…?”

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

Suddenly, hundreds of hidden weapons surfaced in midair, pelting towards me continuously. I dodged desperately, rolling and leaping around. I managed to cope thanks to my energy filling up, but I was astounded and shouted.

“Hey, what the hell?! Wasn’t this supposed to end with a warm exchange?!”

[You think I’m joking? I told you from the start, this is a life and death decision.]

Heuk Woong’s eyes shone intensely.

[Try going beyond your limits! I’m determined to kill you today!]

“……!!”

Crash!

Boom!

‘Hah, huh… uagh.’

Thus, I battled fiercely with Heuk Woong, exchanging blows like a madman for several techniques. It felt like a world apart compared to when I fought Lee Hwan-woong, and with every clash against Heuk Woong, I couldn’t help but feel acutely aware of my shortcomings. Even when I tried to finish things with another Dark Night Slash, Heuk Woong never permitted me space, and the consumption of my divine power was viciously gnawing at me with every exchange.

This was overwhelming.

Was the gap between Heuk Woong’s and my abilities this vast?

‘Ugh… damn it!!’

If only I could actively use divine skill… I wouldn’t have felt cornered like this!

Dark Night Slash could only be used after reading the [flow] like a counterattack, which limited my strategies too much!

“Oh.”

Was the thing I lacked…?

Just as I was on the verge of realizing something, while defending against Heuk Woong’s assault, I fumbled and mistakenly tried to invoke Trimurti, slipping up. Heuk Woong seized the moment and unleashed hundreds of black flame fists, turning me into a mess.

Crack!

As I transformed into pulp, tossed into the air, I could faintly hear Heuk Woong’s voice.

[Now go meet the Wheel King.]

*

…

When I regained consciousness, the Wheel King stood before me.

He looked down at me, noticing my appearance, and remarked.

“You really are a unique one. To end up killed by your own spirit… how amusing…”

“……”

Have I truly died and come to the underworld?

However, seeing as the Wheel King was looking down upon me, if I had truly died, I wouldn’t begin my next lifetime yet. It dawned on me that I had forgotten a truth: since I was chosen as the Wheel King’s successor, I had become free from death itself.

Ugh!

‘Ouch!’

No matter how you slice it, isn’t this overkill? Did Heuk Woong have some residual grudge against me?!

While I struggled to gather my senses from the agony of death, the Wheel King addressed me.

“Baek Woong. So what did you learn?”

“Ugh… well…”

I wobbled up from my seat and sighed.

“…Heuk Woong sent me to you.”

Finally, I understood that Heuk Woong’s intention behind wanting to kill me during our match was to ensure I would meet the Wheel King and gain newfound power.

 

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