941——————==

True Martial Home

Shuuk

Moments later, the Divine Thief’s figure vanished. I felt a strange sensation watching it disappear.

‘What on earth was that divine technique…?’

Was it really martial arts?

I knew that the Divine Thief had his own special technique.

Its name was Shadowless Escape. Originally a form from the Divine Thief’s secret teachings, it evolved from the Scholar’s Escape into an incredibly fast technique. However, during the year I trained under the Divine Thief, I only mastered techniques like the Heavenly Essence but didn’t delve deeply into Shadowless Escape.

Because, although fast, it couldn’t compare to the supreme technique of the Thunder God Lineage, the Soul Removal Technique, or the Heavenly Destruction Step. Naturally, considering the various nuances of evasive techniques, I couldn’t say which was superior, but at this point, I lacked both talent and time to go all out learning another unparalleled divine technique.

However – witnessing the Divine Thief’s technique now, which also resembled Shadowless Escape, as it sporadically vanished completely, sent chills down my spine. I hadn’t heard of such a phenomenon from the Divine Thief. No matter how far one mastered Shadowless Escape, how could they move as if erased from space itself? It felt completely different from how sorcerers or magic users employ special techniques to use spatial movement; it was truly an Unknown Identity.

A technique that both was and was not Shadowless Escape. If it wasn’t…

Flash!

As I pondered, a sudden flash of light made the figure of the Old Ruler, Tezcatlipoca, vanish from sight.

“Ugh!”

Had the Divine Thief just exchanged spaces using the Peerless Technique? I thought so, until I realized I was wrong. No way would the Old Ruler, a being of such stature, fall for the same trick twice.

Crack!

Again, the lightning flickered, and it was as if waves surged from the void, causing the Old Ruler’s figure to reappear. But something felt off; he seemed to just float in the distant sky, emitting no tremendous magical energy unique to a ruler.

‘What is this?’

As I tilted my head in confusion, the Divine Thief suddenly appeared beside me.

“Haah, haah.”

He seemed out of breath as he spoke.

“I wish I could just use Divine Skill…”

Whoosh—

As soon as his words ended, the Divine Thief’s form twisted as if sucked into an intangible whirlwind, vanishing. At that moment, I witnessed the surrounding space distort entirely, chaos bubbling up in my view. Amidst that boiling chaos, like molten lava, a dark mask began to rise and shine alone.

Kiyiiing

[The offering has been made. Thus, the Constellation is summoned; its name, the Celestial Mask.]

A stern, sacred voice echoed, and a gigantic monstrous form suddenly appeared before me. The mask floated gently above the monster’s head before slowly sinking into its brow, revealing a hideous creature resembling a giant demon dog, which roared and lunged forward.

[Roar!!]

Crash!

With a clash of thunder, the Demon Dog leaped in to attack Tezcatlipoca!

Crunch!

The winged serpent Tezcatlipoca agilely bit the Demon Dog’s neck, but the Demon Dog seemed unfazed as it clamped down on Tezcatlipoca in return. As both grasped each other, Tezcatlipoca began to coil his long body around the Demon Dog. Meanwhile, a barrier of magical power swirled around them, exuding terrifying strength.

As the brutal struggle of the monsters unfolded before my eyes, I found it hard to comprehend the situation.

‘What is happening right now?’

Where did the Divine Thief go, and how was this Demon Dog summoned to fight the Old Ruler?

As I pondered with confusion, a resonance of magical power vibrated through my arm, and I heard Dharmā’s voice.

[Baek Woong. You’re holding your ground well. You should join the Divine Thief now.]

I answered Dharmā in my mind.

[Dharmā!! What’s happening right now? How can that Demon Dog fight the Old Ruler?]

[Hmm… It’s natural, being the same [Old Ruler]. Seems pretty normal…]

[……?]

What? What does that even mean?

I stood there, dumbfounded, as Dharmā continued.

[Though I don’t know how, that ruler is the master of a distant Constellation… I have read about that being in a grimoire; he’s one of the most renowned entities… Did you not summon him?]

[No! I never summoned anyone! The Divine Thief…]

[Hmm… You’ve offered an offering, haven’t you? Perhaps I should take a look…]

After a moment of silence, Dharmā spoke.

[At this rate, the Demon Dog will lose… Because that’s merely a projected shell… Just a borrowed power for a moment…]

[……]

[Baek Woong, you need to assist.]

[I want to help, but at this rate, I lack the internal power to fight over there.]

I had consumed much of my internal energy from the earlier fight, making it impossible for me to use techniques that communicated with the Divine. I could engage using my intent, but without sufficient internal power, I would have to draw upon my life force itself, shortening my lifespan drastically, leading to potential collapse in the middle of battle. When I expressed my skepticism, a black arm suddenly radiated light.

Whooo—

[I will keep supplying strength. You are my apostle. Naturally, our powers are shared, so use that magical energy to recover your strength…]

[…Got it!]

Bang!

I immediately soared toward the battlefield, caught in the realm of the Soul Removal Technique’s ultimate state. As I drew energy from the magical arm, my entire well-being rapidly rejuvenated, and my internal power surged.

‘Is it like the Heavenly Spirit Pill?’

It seemed that the magical energy absorbed the Qi naturally circulating in the atmosphere. As soon as I reached the arena, I landed atop the head of the Demon Dog, and its voice echoed.

[Junior, you’re slow to assess the situation. Or are you scared again?]

It had a mocking tone. Realizing that the Demon Dog was the Divine Thief, I spoke up.

“How did you summon the Old Ruler?”

[Hehe… Does this look like a summoning? You fool… It’s mysterious how a thief who has reached the realm of the Divine could be so dim-witted.]

“……”

Crunch!

The Demon Dog turned around, biting the serpent’s neck harder.

[By sacrificing your Constellation, I borrowed the Old Ruler’s mask to use it. Through the mask, I temporarily projected the god of that Constellation into this world.]

“Ah…!!”

[It’s like I successfully ‘stole’ the god’s form using the Technique of All Things. Though the mask is the medium, who else could accomplish such a feat if not me? Hehe.]

I could understand the situation thanks to the Divine Thief’s explanation.

Then I cried out in shock.

“This, this jerk…!! The two Constellations I had…!!”

[All offered as sacrifice. I had no need for them, after all.]

“You bastard… Ugh…”

[Don’t cling to the past and focus on what’s in front of you, Junior. Although using the Old Ruler’s power through trickery, you won’t last long. If you lose the fight, it’ll all be over, so use every bit of what you have to survive—it’s the way of a thief.]

“……”

I regained my composure at the Divine Thief’s words. As he said, there was no way to change what had happened. And to survive, it was reasonable to utilize everything at my disposal.

‘But you, the perpetrator, shouldn’t be saying this…’

Yet my irritation didn’t dissipate, and I could only grit my teeth internally. I calmed my head and said,

“What should I do?”

[I already mentioned. Defeating a god with human martial arts is foolishness. You know this, don’t you?]

“I know.”

With countless past lives, I was painfully aware. Figures like Yeodong-bin, Master of the White Lotus Sect, and Miyamoto Musashi, who could be deemed the strongest among humans, had fought against gods and avatars but ultimately succumbed. Human martial arts could defeat demonic underlings, but how could one challenge true divinity? The Divine Thief continued.

[If you can’t defeat your opponent, you must endure or create a draw. Running away is ideal, but in this case, it’s better to hold out. Enduring is less complicated than you think.]

“Hold out…?”

[Yes. Now that I’ve said this, I trust you understand. Just avoid doing anything foolish like before.]

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot.”

Not particularly confident, but with no other choice. Standing atop the Demon Dog’s brow, I focused my mind as the Divine Thief’s voice carried on.

[That’s right, but merely holding out won’t suffice. You need to contain them.]

“How?”

[While I hold this beast, aim for the god’s brow. That point is the spiritual apex of all beings, so targeting it would be wise.]

“Understood.”

Ta-daht!

I jumped forward. Just as I leaped into the gap between the Demon Dog and Tezcatlipoca, an intense barrier of magical power and waves surged towards me.

“……!!”

Crackle!!

I extended a magical arm to nullify the waves and curses, but unlike before, I couldn’t penetrate properly. My previous attack worked because my opponent had underestimated me, but now, embroiled in battle, the intensity of magical power thickened.

‘Damn! No way.’

I performed a backflip and landed again. It seemed that the Divine Thief was right; the brow was indeed a critical point, a location where the most focus and defense were gathered. While contemplating my next move, I realized time was tight, and gritted my teeth.

‘It’s now or never.’

With that thought in mind, I prepared to push through!

Accepting the possibility of death, I had to achieve success.

“I’m going…”

Stepping forward with one arm outstretched, I entered the pose of the Soul Removal Technique. Once I gathered all my internal power and focused on my intent, I summoned the Immortal Sword into one hand. The moment my concentration peaked, I opened my eyes wide.

Heavenly Destruction Step.

Shhh!

Space was erased. The sound of a great bell resonated in my mind as the world shrank. The moment I took a step, I felt an axis revolving around my toes; an inexplicable emotion washed over me as my mind and body ascended to another dimension temporarily… Felt like I was placing this world beneath my feet.

This was the true ultimate state of the Soul Removal Technique… Heavenly Destruction Step!!

Crang!!

With a thunderous sound, I found myself, enwrapped in flames, atop the living serpent’s brow. The flaming energy transformed into lightning, crackling and firing off thunder, and I felt myself gradually returning to reality.

‘I did it!!’

Though uncertain, employing Heavenly Destruction Step allowed me to temporarily break through the opponent’s magical barrier! It seemed the principle was that I was ‘so fast that curses couldn’t even touch me.’ I risked my life just to close the distance of a few dozen steps, but I felt no regret.

As I took a moment to catch my breath, Tezcatlipoca’s voice echoed in my head.

[Now, this is interesting… What power is that? It’s a supernatural ability I’ve never witnessed before.]

His tone radiated confidence. It seemed like he had already figured out that the power the Divine Thief obtained through the mask wasn’t going to last much longer. Without a doubt, I was headed for death as I cautiously spoke.

“…Great God, Tezcatlipoca, please withdraw.”

I spoke through clenched teeth.

“We are only trying to seize the Sea God; leave us be. What does his death matter to you?”

[Hehehe… That may be so. However, since the Sea God was inadequately protected by the Evil God, who has come to offer a tribute, it’s merely following the terms of our contract.]

What?

The Sea God’s protection by the Evil God is insufficient?

It seemed strange, but at the moment, that wasn’t the main issue, so I shouted again.

“Please retreat!! If you do, I will offer you a grand tribute.”

[Hmm… I’ll consider it. However.]

Tezcatlipoca’s voice had an amused tone.

[Apostle, I’m curious about your strange ability… Let’s see how long you can endure.]

“……”

[If I find your ability appealing, I may agree to your demands and withdraw…]

Crackle!

In that moment, the space around me twisted violently, and hundreds of magic circles sprung into existence simultaneously. Each one carried curses, commands, and powerful spells. It was a scale that could easily obliterate even a Demon King.

No way. I’m gonna die.

If I were to take that hit… There was no way out.

‘Just like the Old Ruler…’

I realized there was only one way I could endure this situation with the power I currently possessed. However, I couldn’t guarantee how far I could go, my palms felt cold and my spine shuddered.

That divine status I had only witnessed once in all my lives.

Yet my skills were nowhere near the level of its caster. To even catch up, several hundred years of training would be necessary. Still, if I wished to emulate that divine status, my mind, technique, and body would need to unify, achieving the utmost focus with no margin for error.

Could I even do it?

Could I continue to manifest, that which warriors could only dream of as a legend?

Suddenly, I realized what I feared the most.

‘Oh, I get it now.’

What I feared most wasn’t the Old Ruler’s power, nor was it dying from that power. It was solely the prospect of not giving my all and ending up losing, resenting myself for it. I despised the thought of dying at low talent as I had done so many times.

If I give it my all and die, there’s no regret – but if it merely ends as a self-satisfaction thing, then I’d never reach the peak of martial arts.

‘… Then I shall win.’

I can’t win.

Yet I have to.

To survive, I must win—it is myself I need to defeat.

I conquer myself.

That too is the principle of martial arts.

Ssssss—

With the Immortal Sword raised, I matched my magical power with balance. The power of immortality would amplify my abilities as Yin and Yang played their roles. For now, this was my only option.

Peerless Technique.

And in the next moment, I executed the Peerless Technique, pouring out all curses and spells like a flood. Thus began a fight that promised no victory in this endless assault, uniting my mind and body.

I will endure.

Just like Jang Sam-bong, who faced a divine manifestation!