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Chapter 447: Desire Return (4)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Kureeeeeee.
The black-haired beauty frowned at the sight of the elevator.
'… what shitty timing.'
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Huge numbers of Adventurers poured out of the elevator like cockroaches.
No, cockroaches were hard to ignore since if they were, they wouldn't be wearing such shiny armor nor would they be walking out with such confident expressions.
The reason why they ran over to the elevator in surprise were not due to them, but it was to inspect the large trembles made by the Desire Return.
However, it became quite an unfortunate situation seeing the elevator nearby open.
'We had to crush them the moment they ascended… what damned timing.'
However, doing so was also somewhat burdensome.
They had already expended much of their forces and attention to subjugate the beast species.
So, in order to repress this mass, she had to do it alone, but when she first saw them, there were countless 3 and 4-star Transcendents rushing out amongst the mass.
It may be somewhat embarrassing, she was better at controlling than fighting.
The Contract and Monarch.
There were two characteristics.
Thanks to her, the ones that possessed the Seven Soul Shards were able to control a very large number of Adventurers, and because of that, she was able to watch over Clementine's side as they ascended.
It was true that she was somewhat envious of Magnus's fighting potential when it came to these kind of situations.
If she was MAgnus, regardless of 4-Star Transcendents, she would go down and kill everyone, ripping apart all of the people in her way.
However, since she did not possess such ability, she couldn't jump in. As a result, she could only allow them to set up camp and organize their army while waiting for her subordinates to bring over the beasts.
'Did they catch some sort of dragon below? What did they catch and eat to have gathered that many crystals.'
Though both Clementine and Agnes both admonished her to cut down on swearing, she couldn't since she was like this.
Why did matters so simple not work out?
However, things had become like this and it had to be resolved somehow.
It was the mission assigned to both Magnus and Agnus to sweep them out of the way.
'What's important is right now.'
There were now two possible factors that could interfere with Clementine's work: the Desire Return that was currently being handled by Magnus and the Adventurers huddled before her eyes.
However, what was more urgent were the Adventurers in front of her, not just because she was assigned to this task.
Though Desire Return was a guy that had already awakened, these Adventurers were now starting.
Their troops and enormous pressure was constantly multiplying from the continuous troops that were being supplemented from before.
However, that was only the start.
They were able to keep the whole region under control in large part to the Soul Shards. However, if they were able to squeeze out all of their forces from below, they would become formidable. If all of them are currently armed like that and marched forward, it would become a truly tiring matter.
She had to cut the bud before it bloomed right now.
Fortunately, Magnus was doing his mission well and was coping well with the large Desire Return.
This meant that Magnus himself will have some leeway.
Agnus attempted to talk to Magnus through the Soul Shards.
The answer was simple.
Magnus would come here and break the enemy's main line with herself.
Then, they would unite their beast army and repel them away so that they could crush them without much risk.
They would be able to overwhelm the opponent without needing to concern themselves with any possible variables that could appear.
Unfortunately, Magnus had betrayed her expectations.
Hearing MAgnus's rugent voice, Agnus couldn't help but give an incomprehensible look.
—
Booooooooom!
The huge sickle held by Magnus radiated with a violet aura as he whirled it.
Chiiiiiiik!
The skills shot over by the Transcendents were instantly cut down, and the violet energy did not stop there as it sped towards Dell Marcus and the other Transcendents.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhk! Dammit!"
Hosang screamed seeing the blade with violet energy shoot towards him first.
'Why leave the strong guys behind and go after me?! I… can't block that!'
There was an absolute gap that existed between a 5-Star Transcendent and a 4-Star.
However, it wasn't so disparate that a 4-Star wasn't able to block the strike of a 5-Star. However, Hosang had no confidence to stop that violet aura coming towards him.
Jiiiiiiiiiiik!
It was a magnetic blade that neutralized and sliced through all energy.
There was no way such power could come from a simple skill. There was definitely a special effect that was activated. However, what was the point of knowing if there was no way of counteracting to begin with.
'This damned world. If I'm reborn… please give me some useful characteristics!'
The moment Hosang closed his eyes cursing the unfair injustices of the world…
Booooooooooooom!
"Open your eyes. How dare you close them in a fight!"
"…?"
Hosang was startled from the voice in front of him and opened his eyes.
Hansoo was seen standing firm with a shield in front of him. Although the violet aura had smashed all the objects in its path, it could not touch Hansoo's shield or Hosang himself.
Hosang wore a weary expression seeing such a scene.
'You stopped that?'
It seemed that his arm was aching as it was wielding the shield, but it had definitely blocked that attack regardless.
It wasn't only Hosang that was surprised as the rest of the 4-Star Transcendents in the vicinity couldn't believe what they had seen.
"You… that's not a normal shield."
Magnus frowned looking at Hansoo who had blocked his attack.
If he was an ordinary 5-Star Transcendent, it would make sense since it wouldn't be difficult to block his attack once.
However, he was different.
He was someone that boasted of his extraordinary combat prowess.
It gave him the authority to shake off and exclude the attacks of anything in its path. However, it could not pierce. It could only produce an attack with the capabilities of cutting its enemy.
After understanding his own unique characteristic, his weapon was determined to be a sickle.
All the other weapons such as swords, knives, spears lacked in fully maximizing the potential of his unique characteristic.
It was a simple restriction with a simple effect.
However, that effect was absolute and all of those that boasted that they could block that attack had all their throats cut off for the attack was equal to several times of what they had imagined.
Even Agnus, a 5-Star Transcendent would shake her head and avoid his attack.
But, a 4-Star Transcendent had blocked his attack?
This was a scene beyond his ability.
Hansoo smiled seeing Magnus.
"I mean, think about it. If my body was this good, then it's natural that the items that I possess would be at the same standards. Don't you agree?"
The moment he finished his words…
Booooooom!
Hansoo raised his hammer on his right hand and swung it across the air to cut through the air.
However, it failed.
Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik!
Though the violent energy of his sickle was able to cut through all of the skills and weapons of Dell Marcus and the other Transcendents, it wasn't able to cut through the attack of the hammer which fiercely cut through the air aiming towards its head.
'What the fuck… why is that thing so firm?!'
Magnus was startled and swung his sickle.
Booooooooooooooom!
Magnus sickle and Mjolnir let out a roaring sound.
The victor was the sickle.
Asides from the solindness of the hammer, Hansoo throwing it made it difficult for Magnus himself to overcome the power it possessed.
However, the hammer that was about to be deflected away didn't and accelerated once more toward Magnus.
It wasn't like Mjolnir had a targeting ability.
Rather, it was Hansoo that grabbed the hammer that was deflected and powered his attack towards Magnus once more.
'This reckless bastard!'
Soon…
Ruuuuuuuumble!
A huge rumbling sound roared out from the clash between Magnus's sickle and Hansoo's Mjolnir.
The red clouds and black-gold energy bursted out of Hansoo's body and rushed in to destroy Magnus's body.
In response, hundreds of razor-like blades appeared from the corners of Magnus's cape and rushed out in order to block the attacks of Pandemic Blade and Dragon Essence Blade.
It was a cape that had Magnus had crafted specialized for its defensive capabilities.
Whenever the cape shook, hundreds of small razors made tremors, and from those tremors, Magnus was able to receive those vibrations to his advantage with his unique ability and create a sea of sharp blades.
Roaaaaaaaaaaaar!
The black-and-gold energy, converged with black and violet energy emanated large roars.
The result once again favored Magnus.
Ruuuuuuuumble!
As if to display the difference of one stage, the violet aura cut off the energy from Hansoo's body and rushed towards him without hesitation.
Pipipipik!
There was a limitation to the shield.
As if Magnus was determined not to make the same mistake again, Magnus kept the shield in check with his own sickle while attacking Hansoo from all sides through his cloak, successfully dismembering HAnsoo's blue armor and injuring him.
However, despite his whole body being a mess, Hansoo smiled coldly.
"Aren't you too focused on me? I have so many friends that like you."
At the same time…
Ruuuuuuuuuumble!
Ruuuuuumble!
"Ahhhhhhhhhhk! These bug-like bastards!"
Magnus gnashed his teeth at the relentless attacks poured onto his back.
If he could, he would go and destroy all of the guys in front of him that were attacking him. In reality, he was weakening their attacks with the purple blades from his cape.
The greatest defense is offense.
Magnus was someone that practiced that maxim.
However, he could not do what he thought since he had something he had to protect.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeek! Eeeeeeek!"
The Queen in his left hand screamed whenever an attack came from a direction.
In fact, the Queen herself was sufficiently strong, but she was overwhelmed by his own hands.
This Queen was rather becoming a burden to him, but he couldn't give her up. If so, who would deal with that giant Desire Return then?
'… How frustrating."
Magnus's expression began to become colder.
Chapter 448: Desire Return (5)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Booooooooooooom!
'Ah damn… what the hell is this the moment I came up?!'
Ruuuuuumble!
John Stone, who crushed something the form of an insect that rushed towards him, gnashed his teeth while looking around. It was sheer hell.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhk! Die!"
"These damned bastards! Hold your formations! Don't let your armor power get the best of you!"
Bobooooooooom!
Ruruuuuumble!
There were literally bodies, debris, the sound of chaos, and explosions all around. The unidentifiable beast army was crazily attacking them. Species of all varieties came at them.
There was a beast whose body was covered in tentacles of 20m tall rushing towards them as well, and another giant over 100m tall who was holding a huge rugged club.
Some of them flew in the sky and relentlessly fired acidic fluids which melted the bodies of Transcendents.
There was a constant battle ongoing between these guys and the Adventurers.
John Stone and Kiriel who had come up first continued to maintain their position and solidify their formations.
Therefore, they were able to barely hold the beasts off to a standstill.
While the Adventurers that already ascended were withstanding the attack, countless more Adventurers continued to flood out of the elevator.
Downstairs, from the World Tree Zone to the zone that Mihee had controlled, they had done everything in their power to arm the Adventurers and send them up.
Despite that, both John Stone and Kiriel were unable to repel the beast army.
No, it could be said that there were signs of them being pushed back at the rate of their troops being replenished for their army was also being supplemented at an alarming rate.
Booooooooooooooooooom!
Something shot up from beneath the ground and devoured dozens of Adventurers.
The monster looked like a giant worm with dozens of sharp teeth in its mouth.
The Adventurers who saw the beast that was more than 20 meters in diameter gritted their teeth and shouted, "What the hell… it's another new species!"
"Everyone, be cautious of the ground!"
The moment the man finished speaking…
Boooooooooom!
Boooom!
A new breed of the species shot out from beneath the ground and began to destroy their formation.
Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik!
John Stone swung his ax down on to their heads while gnashing his teeth. There were enemies in all directions, including the sky and the ground.
Their forces were being added at a rate beyond the speed of their troops being supplemented from the elevator.
Not only that, they had received a sudden attack so they were being swept away by the momentum of the battle, not giving them time to regain their formation.
This was truly complicated.
What was the purpose of them sending the scouts to begin with?
It was because they were trying to determine the more secure time to bring the troops up. Of course, the scouts must have judged based on their own rationale as well, but if it was John Stone himself, he would not have brought themselves into such a mess for he at least thought of their own lives.
"Sangjin! Sangjin this bastard, what the hell happened!"
Seeing the countless Adventurers die off, John Stone screamed furiously.
—
"Ahem… this should be good enough"
Boooooooooooom!
Boooom!
Agnus let out a sigh seeing the armies of various races rush at them. The beast army was doing much better than she had imagined. They had released a total of 263 species to begin within the southern jungle. Eleven of them were destroyed while fighting amongst themselves, while nine were discarded while watching them grow since they were deemed too dangerous. There was a total of 243 species left, and her men had captured 211 of them.
Though she had brought over around 50 of the species immediately, there will continue to be more reinforcements.
'They're quite useful.'
Agnus nodded her head seeing the Jarokunan species that were breaking the formations from the ground up. They were a species that grew from eating minerals.
Although all of them were weaker than the species led by the Queen, they were showing the might of 200 species at the moment along with their versatility. More than 50 species were pushing relentlessly. However, this was just the start.
By using these 50 species as the core, she will bring the rest of the 200 or so species and show them the true might of the army. Once they capture the remaining 40 or so species, it would be perfect.
They would be able to eliminate the rest of the Adventurers that came from the sudden ascension with ease. No, she was going to make sure they won't even think about sending anymore up by killing the ones currently alive as torturous as possible.
If they were to value the life of a human being, they wouldn't even think of attempting to send up anymore.
After satisfying thinking of the situation, Agnus smiled before rising from her seat.
'Now… I should go.'
It was alright for her to not be here. So, she will go help Magnus.
Though it was quite refreshing thinking of Magnus who always moved alone without his men since he was so capable struggling, it didn't mean that she could let him die. No, if he were to die, it would be truly problematic.
Agnus quickly loosened her body as she closed her thoughts.
'You better bow to me later, Magnus.'
Though Magnus may be struggling, he would definitely be holding out somehow alone. The moment she arrived there, the tide of the battle would shift in a split moment.
Though she was not specialized in battle, she too was a 5-Star Transcendent.
She was one of the top predators that reigned in the food chain.
'Kang Hansoo. How unfortunate. Checkmate.'
The moment Agnus smiled and was about to fly off…
Jijiiiiiiiiiik!
An urgent voice rang in Agnus's head. It was an urgent message from one of her subordinates via the Monarch's authority. She had a questionable look hearing this message.
'… These are the guys that went after the Desaneros.'
The number of men from her Monarch's authority was close to a thousand, yet she knew all of the unique traits, personalities, and duties that each one possessed.
If he was unable to do this job properly, he would no longer be in this position. It was the guy that had departed for the southern jungle to tame and capture the Salamander-type species, Desanero.
No, in simpler terms, he was the one that had succeeded in capturing them.
The troops that he brings over would become a truly admirable contribution to their current army to pressure the Adventurer army.
But, for him to have such an urgent voice when she was about to leave, she had an ominous feeling. So, in a somewhat bad mood, she asked in a heavy tone.
From those words, her subordinate, Alcanta Dell, shook his head.
The moment she asked, she could hear Alcanta Dell's scream in her head.
Corpse.
The moment she heard that Agnus's expression hardened.
She immediately knew who was the one that was interrupted in her operation.
'… Sangjin. So you've come.'
It was impossible for her not to know since he was in charge of the Indigo Zone. IT was the same guy that she had endlessly clashed against in the elevator and on the ground.
Though she had left him and ascended, she couldn't speak of the level of defeat that she felt then.
Of course, it didn't mean that she had lost, but it was true that she was basically forced out.
After momentarily looking towards the distance where Magnus was, Agnus mumbled internally.
'Magnus. Work a bit more.'
It was unfortunate, but she could not go to where Magnus was currently.
If Sangjin were to continue to attack from behind and cut off her men who were supposed to join her, the situation would become totally reversed.
Then the cultivation of these species would be halted, and those who flock up from below will regain their stability and begin to push forward taking advantage of the weakened offense.
If that were to happen, it would truly make things tiring.
Agnus who finished her thoughts quickly flew to the South where Sangjin was last seen.
'… it was quite a boiling battle on the lower floor. However, will it be the same now?'
While he was fooling around on the lower floor, she was able to successfully overcome the barrier and move on to the next stage.
Agnus coldly smiled recollecting Sangjin before beginning to run furiously towards the South.
—
'… Agnus. It seems she won't be coming.'
Boooooooooom!
Magnus muttered quietly seeing the Transcendents continue to relent against him.
He really didn't have much to think about meaning that he was quite busy himself.
As if to confirm his thoughts, the Soul Shard trembled before receiving her message.
Magnus coldly laughed at the remark.
From the beginning, this was a mission that was entrusted to him. It was natural that he should be the one to settle what was given to him.
Ruuuuuuuuuuumble!
Magnus looked at one of the Transcendents who hit his back harshly.
These guys who normally wouldn't even be able to make eye contact with him were now attacking him.
He had initially thought that they were fiercely attacking with the intention of opening up a path of escape, but they were attacking him relentlessly with no considerations of escaping.
It was too short a time for Hansoo to impress them to the point where they would sacrifice their lives.
In other words, it meant that there was something that forced them.
If that was so, his mission would be impossible to carry out without killing all of the people here.
'I was trying to take an easier road… it can't be helped.'
Booooooom!
Finishing his thoughts, he grabbed his cloak with his right hand.
Jiiiiiiiiiiik
With a small sound, the cape began to quickly unravel. His cape was an object woven from tens of thousands of special threads from the monsters of the Abyss.
Each strand was extremely sharp and strong.
After he unravelled the strand of thread long, he began to wrap it around the Queen's neck.
Chiiiiiiiiing
It was so sharp that it even caused the Queen's neck to slightly bleed.
However, as if he was not satisfied with the result, he began to inject his unique trait and mana.
In a split second due to his unique trait, he shot out his violet aura.
Feeling pleased about the dog collar he had made for the Queen, he whispered in her ear.
"I didn't go this far since you might die, but it can't be helped. Make sure to do whatever you can to survive until I clean everything up."
At the same time…
Booooooooooooom!
Having both hands free, Magnus was able to shoot out attacks incomparable to his previous ones.
Seeing the baggage being gone, he began to build up his energy as if he was determined to rip every one of them that had attacked him earlier.
However, Hansoo smile grew.
Boooooooooooom!
Every time his arm got numb from receiving the attack of Magnus, the Thirteen Shadows inside his body burned as if to resist that pressure, to welcome the opportunity to reveal a different side of his.
Simultaneously…
Jjiiiiiiiiiiiik!
Something similar to a shell began to break open within Hansoo's chest.
Chapter 449: Desire Return (6)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Ruuuuuumble!
The moves from Magnus were different from what it used to be when Queen was in his hand.
Booooooom!
Everytime he moved both his hands swiftly, the purple sharp winds swept through the vicinity.
Nothing remained intact on the spots where the purple energy had swept through, including the weapon that Dell Marcus had produced with all his heart and soul as well as the Baren Tree Roots of Hosang.
Whichever skill or skill there was, they were cut down.
The Transcendents seeing this were shocked.
'… damn I'm going to go crazy. Where the hell did such a guy come from?'
Even Hansoo would admit his power since he was only 4-Star.
It was a stage that could be somewhat transcended in the lower zones.
However, the guy in front was a 5-Star Transcendent.
Considering the exponential increase in the amount of crystals needed to jump over that wall was substantial, and it was quite difficult to jump over two stages worth of Transcendence.
In other words, the guy in front of them was more than likely to have had hit 5 Stars in the Violet Zone than he did in the lower zones, which was the main cause of what drove them crazy.
They didn't know that he had crazily gathered the crystals to overcome that stage. It was truly shocking from the perspective of the Transcendents who had reached far and wide in this zone. Others such as Eres, Taehee and Kangtae were within their range of predictions, but they had never imagined that such a 5-Star Transcendent like him would emerge.
Boooooom!
"Ahhhhhhk!"
"Damn! I told you to maintain your formation!"
"Then you stand in front! Everyone's going to be cut at this rate!"
As the threat grew, there was naturally disorder that arose among the Transcendents.
The bigger problem was the guy that was running rampant.
Holding the sickle as if he was a grim reaper, they had initially thought that his weakness was the scorpion-tailed woman.
To be honest, it was true that they had also attacked the female as well.
But, they didn't know what was going on now.
The moment she was out of his palm, she had become so strong that they had become some invincible monster.
Whenever she shook her tail, the armed warriors were flung away, and every time she punched, all of their skills were crushed by the wind pressure.
She rushed in so aggressively, and the power and speed was astounding. It was as if they were facing the rhinoceros that they had opposed previously.
It was unbelievable that such power could be produced from such a small body.
But, the most threatening part was its special ability.
Booooooooooom!
There was a gap that appeared after Hansoo was blocking Magnus's attack. In that timespan, the Queen's tail swung and struck down one of the Transcendents.
Although the Transcendent used its full power to try and avoid the range of her attack, the speed that came from the Queen's tail was too fast, causing his skin to be grazed by the tip of her tail which had poison.
Then…
Ruuuuuuuuumble!
Central to the left arm that was grazed, the dark energy exploded on the left arm of the Adventurer.
"What the hell!"
The poison itself was spreading with intense force.
It was absurd that his left arm which was dominated was starting to attack the owner of the body.
Dell Carlos couldn't help but feel perplexed as he avoided the left hand that was trying to cut him down.
'What the hell… infection? Poison? Control?'
No other talent or ability could be as cheat-like as this current one.
Booooooooooom!
He clenched his teeth while using his right hand to block the left hand of his own body.
At this rate, he would become nothing more than butchered meat.
A decision had to be made.
'Damn… left hand. Thanks for everything.'
In order to make sure that the infection won't spread anymore, Dell Carlos gathered all of his mana to try and strike down on his arm.
Then…
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!
The red-colored bacteria that settled in his body began to explode with force.
The bacteria that had settled near the heart and brain began to attack the illegal intruders.
In a split second, the bacteria ran through the veins and collided violently with the black- liquid.
Boooooooooom!
The black liquid in his left arm was none other than the dominating bacteria of the Queen.
It injected into other people's bodies and quickly mutated to strengthen the cell structure of other lifeforms, designed for the service of the Queen.
Normally, once the infection had started to spread, it should not be able to be prevented. Unfortunately, it met the wrong opponent.
Ruuuuumble!
Ruumble!
The red bacteria of the fungus which were forcefully sucking Dell Carlos's mana began to devour all of the black cells that were currently trying to infect.
The few black cels were quickly destroyed by the Pandemic Sword that had already controlled Dell Carlos's body, which caused him to look at his left arm in a daze.
He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable of how powerful Hansoo was once again though he didn't have to cut his arm.
But, he quickly shook his head.
'Well, this is better than nothing.'
Boooooooooooom!
Seeing Hansoo fight bloodily in the front lines, Dell Carlos muttered.
It was a skill that was powerful enough to destroy the black poison that was more than capable of controlling his own left arm.
Compared to that, it was really no big deal to fight like puppets.
There was no need to stand in the vanguard with a hammer and shield and fight immediately. As long as they contributed and acted like meat shields, they would be able to reap the benefits more easily.
Thinking of the power and strength of that guy, that was a much better profit.
No, he thought this was definitely the right choice than fighting a 5-Star Transcendent out of his league.
Therefore, before entering the fight, they were all stricken in fear since it was reality that they would be miserably thrown away after being used.
However, after engaging in battle, their situations had become different.
He was the one that was fighting headfirst in battle against the wind blades that were too scary to go near against.
'… this is better.'
Dell Carlos muttered as he regained his composure and began to fight the Queen once more at a more vigorous pace.
—
Ruuuuuuuuumble!
Magnus clenched his teeth seeing Hansoo who continued to stand in his way.
'This… damned bastard!'
Boooooooom!
There was a difference of one stage.
No matter how tired he was fighting the Queen before or dealing with the crazy ones around him, it was normal that he should already have been destroyed in his hands. However, he had no intentions of falling down.
Was it the armor, the shield, or even the hammer? Or, was it the aura that radiated around his body, where did he gain all of these insane skills?
That didn't explain the difference between himself and Hansoo.
It was impossible to explain.
Who the hell was he?
"You son of a bitch… just go die!"
Boooooooooooom!
Unable to hold himself back, Magnus began to extract every thread of his cloak. The cloak and his sickle were two of his most prized treasures. He couldn't' help but recollect how joyous he was when he had received these gifts made by Clementine. These weren't some items that could be reassembled. They had already dried the seeds of the core of that particular species, so no more could be made.
But Magnus was so enraged that he didn't care about that.
Ruuuuuuuumble!
Rumble!
A storm of unparallel proportions of power began to blow as the cape was fully unravelled, much different from the thousand blades.
The threads that boasted thousands of blades had created a net which could cover the whole area was formed with a mixture of mana, skill and his unique ability.
The mana net which was so tightly knot began to sweep all around Magnus.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhk!"
"Back! Back!"
The Transcendents were trying to fly back.
Booooooooooooom!
The blast of air that emerged from the center of Hansoo's body counced their bodies dozens of meters back.
AT the same time…
Whoooooooosh!
Whooooosh!
The threads that shot out in all directions drove towards Hansoo with full force as if was a spider trying to web its prey before killing it.
Magnus couldn't help but smile from the ends of his threads
It was the feeling of something being crushed and ripped off.
It didn't feel like it was cut, but he was satisfied.
Then…
Within the spider web-like threads, a quick ripple-like sound came out.
In that gap, what appeared was a shining shield.
Soon…
Booooooooom!
Using the widened gap, a hammer flew out and attacked the head of Magnus.
"Ahhhk! You fucking bastard!"
He tried to hurriedly raise his sickle to block the attack, but the blow unavoidable.
It was when he was at his weakened state due to the precise control of his threads.
Booooooooom!
Hansoo who viciously ripped apart the spider web began to attack Magnus.
'Unbelievable! You're telling me you endured that?'
Magnus who regained his focus couldn't help be flabbergasted.
There was a reason why he was caught off guard.
His body should be in a complete mess, but for him to counterattack.
He soon realized that the reason why his attack didn't work was due to a different reason.
No, to be precise, he realized that he was only half-correct.
His prediction was precise since he knew that what was trapped inside the threads was completely crushed.
The armor was cut in pieces and the blood flowed out from the body of the guy inside.
His muscles should have been ripped along with his bones,.
However, his estimation was wrong.
He hadn't realized that his opponent would rush at him in such a state.
Magnus finally realized why he was unable to finish him off.
It was the difference in mentality.
He was trying to reduce as much damages to himself as possible before proceeding to the next stage. On the other hand, he was wholly focused on one objective. He was going to use all of his power and strength to attack him until his heart remained. It was a mentality that he would kill him even if he died. Magnus's expression hardened seeing the bloodied guy rush at him.
'I admit my mistake.'
Hansoo had jumped at him from the start because he saw the opportunity to win.
He tried to oppose him while trying to not let himself be injured by such a fellow.
But, he realized this wasn't enough.
He realized he needed to use everything in his power as if he was risking his arms and legs.
If he did so, his eyes would already be closed and the rest of the guys in the vicinity would all be cut down already from the wind blades.
'However… it's not too late now.'
He did realize that he was a bit late, but if he were to use his full force and power, he would be able to complete his mission.
It wasn't like it'd be a problem losing an arm or a leg.
Then…
Hansoo laughed.
"You, can it be… you're thinking that it's not too late?"
"What?"
Hansoo in a bloodied state coldly laughed towards Magnus.
"Idiot. There are times when you realize too late. Do you truly think the world is so kind?"
The seeds in Hansoo's body began to sprout out.
No, rather the whole shell began to crack apart as the stem shot out.
Something inside came out and blossomed brilliantly.
At the same time…
Ruuuuumble!
Rough changes began to take place in Hansoo's whole body.
Chapter 450: To Noah (1)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
"What?"
'What nonsense is he blabbering…'
The frowning Magnus soon wrapped the threads around with a cold expression.
Thousands of purple threads that looked as if they would snap any second were thrown around Hansoo's body.
It was an attack that would be difficult for Hansoo's bloodied body to endure.
However, Magnus did not stop with just that.
'I will make sure to crush you.'
With a cold expression, he raised the sickle tightly. He had preserved his body thinking that he was able to before. However, now he knew that if he were to continue like this, he would continue to revive like a cockroach and look for an opening.
No, it will be different.
Jiiiiiiiiiiik!
The threads were split again once more as something was beginning to pop out.
At the same time…
"You damned bastard! Just die!"
Booooooooom!
Hundreds and thousands of other attacks from the Transcendents flew towards his back full of determination. It couldn't be helped since if Hansoo were to die, the rest of them would be butchered up as well.
Even now, Hansoo was standing in front of him while preventing the mysterious infection of the scorpion with his red bacteria, but if he were to disappear, the remaining people would either be infected or mutilated.
They were causing such a ruckus but seeing them put forth such determination and forth, Magnus couldn't help but clench his teeth.
Normally, it was right for him to pay attention to his behind by using his threads to attack the most threatening skills. However, Magnus was fixated to finish the battle once and for all in this next move.
Roaaaaaar!
Some of the threads released and cut everything around it. Like a purple storm, it cut through the attacks in the air and rushed in. However, it wasn't enough to block all the attacks.
Roooooar!
Boooom!
Though its momentum had fallen, it still was able to push forward with force allowing Magnus to take in a deep breath.
With this much, his body would be able to endure and survive.
'To limit me to these options… you will bear the responsibility.'
Magnus, who was anticipating the pain stared at Hansoo full of rage.
Then, he raised his sickle and jumped.
Booooooooooom!
There were no more blades on his cape so there was no way for him to block the attacks.
The skills that collided on Magnus with various skills began to burn Magnus's body.
It ominously burned its mana, and even the poisonable liquids exploded as it melted the armor. Though he may be near-invincible in his attack, he was relatively weak on defense so pain transmitted throughout his whole body.
However, Magnus coldly smiled amidst the pain.
It was time for this prolonged fight to end.
Giving up defense and not dodging attacks, he gathered all of his remaining mana onto the tip of his sickle.
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
Different threads of blades that were of a different realm compared to the previous blades of the cape appeared as Magnus rushed in to envelop Hansoo with it.
A moment later…
The transparent purple blades shot straight towards Hansoo and enveloped him.
The moment they saw this, sighs could be heard from the mouths of the Transcendents.
"What the hell…"
"Sick bastard."
They didn't expect that he would ignore all of their attacks and rush at Hansoo. The power of the purple blade that was shot towards Hansoo was much different from the previous ones, which was at least ten to a hundred times more powerful. No matter how well Hansoo had endured so far with his armor and shield, there was a limit.
'Damn… do I need to run?'
Hosang clenched his teeth seeing this scene.
Though the guy may have permitted them to assail his back, that didn't mean that their gap would narrow much. Now, it was basically determined that the rest of them would be slaughtered. The grim reaper-like man over there knew that which was why he had gone on a full-offensive to crush Hansoo.
When Hosang was contemplating whether to turn away or not, it was then…
'… huh?'
Hosang gave a puzzled look.
It was the face of a man with a deeply distorted look. It wasn't an expression of relief or elation. At the same time…
Ruuuuuuumble!
Something began to roughly come out of the threads.
———-
Booooooom!
"Ahhhhhhhhhk!"
Magnus who was suddenly struck by something from inside the threads was flown away in anguish to the location where the Queen was struggling and fighting.
Kureeeeeeeeung.
Within the dust storm that was created from where he landed, Hansoo walked over with a grin.
"I'm not sure if I waited too long."
Magnus seeing this gnashed his teeth. His appearance looked similar. He was still in a bloodied state with cracked armor. His shield was worn-out and his hammer dirt-stained. In short, he was a total wreck.
However, one crucial aspect was different.
"It can't be… It makes no sense! How are you a 5-Star?"
It was truly unbelievable. To achieve the stage of 5-Star, you needed crystals, and a substantial amount of that. Just in case he might gather crystals to ascend to the next stage, he didn't even call over the Queen or his subordinates and continued to fight him.
What scheme did he pull off to break over that wall in such a short time?
Hansoo laughed from his words.
"There are people like this and people like that. Why are you trying to understand everything?"
Thump!
Thump!
Hansoo walked over as his feet hit the ground.
'Yes… this si it.'
The feeling of overcoming that large wall.
It was a strong emotion that made you feel like you've become a different person, or a different creature.
He had said that there wasn't a single joy to be found in this damned world, but he was wrong since there was one good aspect.
Transcendence.
While growing with effort and time, ascending to the next stage was like rewarding all of his hard efforts with an enormous burst of strength.
The strength in the Hongma Door seed broke through the shell at the end of its growth and burst out.
The power and energy that came out of the seed did not stop supplying to the Hongma Door seed, but sent it to every nook and cranny of the other seeds that laid in the body, regenerating his broken veins and nerves, and even replenishing strength to the Dragon Essence Blade.
It wasn't just the seeds that coveted this new source of power.
The blue armor that surrounded Hansoo's body munched down on this energy as it began to restore to its original state.
'Yes. Eat a lot. It's not over yet.'
Hansoo smiled as he looked at the banquet that had opened inside his body.
It didn't seem that he was the only one that knew this fight wasn't over.
Ruuuuumble!
"Eeeeeek! Eeeeeeeek!"
Magnus who stepped on the collapsed Queen as he rose from the ground coldly muttered.
"… if I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have received those attacks from before."
He had overreached to try and finish Hansoo with one blow. As a result, the wounds that he sustained still throbbed. If it wasn't for this wound, even if that guy had ascended to the realm of 5-Star, the odds would be in his favor.
If he excluded the wound on his back and his depleted mana, he was fine, but that guy was in a mess opposing him.
Even if he was recovering thanks to the new energy provided from the realm of 5-Star, the wounds that he sustained from his unique ability would not disappear easily. However, the result was like this.
'This bastard. He purposefully bought time to lure me to attack him recklessly."
Magnus grasped his sickle as he muttered. Now, he was scared. What he did just previously was close to a gamble of his own life. If he was a bit quicker to realize the situation, he would have turned his body to block the attacks, and if he was a bit late, HAnsoo would have been cut into two pieces by his own sickle.
A rational man would never take on such a gamble.
Even if the man engaged in battle knowing he was at a disadvantage, normally he would try and reach 5-Star as quickly as possible before fighting him. However, the conclusion became like this.
The overwhelming advantageous situation had disappeared. It could be said that he was at a disadvantage now. No, he still had an advantage. Hansoo had just reached 5-Star Transcendence, and he had much more stamina than him.
Even if he admitted that the guy was truly strong at the same stage, and knowing that his subordinates were still there behind him, he was better off.
However, Magnus's thoughts were contrary to his beliefs.
'Am I… truly at an advantage?'
Closing his thoughts, Magnus raised his sickle and put strength into his grip.
It had been a long time since he had such an unfamiliar feeling.
Feelings that he had never experienced after joining with Clementine began to rise from within his chest.
'Unbelievable… unbelievable! Am I scared?'
Hansoo laughed seeing Magnus.
"How is it? It seems you've always fought at an advantage. First time fighting a crazy bastard?"
He was able to approximate at first sight.
Seeing how he utilized his strength, he was well-trained. There was definitely a teacher that pointed out his errors and flaws, and an opponent that allowed him to show off abilities. This was the standard.
If he had a disciple who was dear to him, he would also raise him likewise.
However, that was not the current case.
Someone who was able to properly use his strength could never beat someone who knew how to use all his strength. A man needed to know all of the hidden cards of his enemy to win. Magnus gnashed his teeth seeing the staring Hansoo.
Defeat.
What kind of bullshit was this…
"You… bastard! It's not over!"
Simultaneously…
Boooooom!
A large aura exploded from Magnus's body. Hansoo laughed seeing this.
"That's what you think."
Then…
Booooooom!
Thirteen shadows began to dye in blood-like color around Hansoo's body.
———
Crack!
It was the feeling of her heart becoming numb, the feeling of something significant disappearing. At the same time…
'… what the hell? Magnus?'
Agnus who was speeding merrily subconsciously turned towards the North.
Chapter 451: To Noah (2)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Ruuuuumble!
"Huhuk… Kak!"
Seeing the fist that had destroyed his heart, Magnus coughed out blood.
'I've… truly lost. Damn it.'
Magnus gave a despondent look as he continued to cough up blood.
He had no regrets since he had fought with all his heart. His sickle was broken, and his cape was gone. He had utilized all of his techniques, experience, martial arts, and skills in his power; everything that he had accumulated over the 20 years that he had fought throughout.
Even if he were to go back in time and fight again, he didn't think he could fight any better. He wasn't at fault. It was just that his opponent was stronger than him.
"Good for you… You bastard."
Magnus looked at the guy that killed him. The one that might be in a more bloodied state than him.
His armor was close to splitting, and there were various holes in his sturdy shield. His right arm was dangling as if it was almost cut off, and it was hard to find a place on his body that didn't have a wound. If one combined the blood that spilled from his body, one would be able to fill a few buckets. It was his superhuman stamina that was keeping him alive.
Seeing the guy like this, Magnus laid back down.
'Yeah, fucker. I did what I could.'
Magnus smiled.
From now on, that guy would become stronger going forth. He would probably soar to a place where he wouldn't be able to catch up or look at. If that happened, who else would put him in such a state then?
'Ah. That's not it. Come to think of it, there are quite a few.'
Not only that, he had somehow kept her alive, so he had completed his mission.
"Eeeeeeeeek! Eeeeek!"
Magnus had a weary expression after seeing the Queen elope in shock after seeing him collapse.
Since he had kept her alive, the plan would continue to progress.
The Queen would continue to live and suppress the Desire Return, while Agnus would gather her army and come up from below to try and constantly keep it in check. For that, he had succeeded in cleanly finishing his mission.
Thump.
Seeing Hansoo walk toward him, Magnus internally sent a message.
After finishing his sentence, Magnus grinned as he looked at the one before his eyes.
"… Hey, baby. This isn't the end. Clementine will take care of you in my stead. If you don't want to die, then go somewhere else and put yourself in bed. The plan is almost finished.
'I feel like my ending is similar to a third-rate villain.'
However, he knew he had to do this. He needed to provoke the guy to march toward where Noah was. There were only two locations for this guy to head to. It was Agnus or Noah. Unfortunately, it would be impossible for Agnus to beat him. She wasn't specialized in combat, and her subordinates were currently struggling to deal with the army that was coming up from below.
Therefore, he had to go to where Noah was and oppose Clementine. If it was Agnus, it would be difficult. If it was Clementine, he would definitely win.
'Avenge me…'
Soon…
Crack!
The Soul Shard within Magnus broke as he closed his eyes.
—
"Woah. What a nasty guy. Suicide, huh."
Hosang looked at the man closing his eyes with an uncomfortable expression. The ending especially made him more uncomfortable. Though he wanted to chase after the Queen and capture her, it was too much after seeing that she was already surrounded by a swarm of troops.
As if they were wary that she had attacked them previously first, she was not sending her troops against them. However, if they were to make a preemptive strike, it was certain that she would concentrate all of her forces here.
For the Queen and her army, what was most important was her survival.
Indeed, as soon as the man's Monarch rule was lifted, the Queen slowly pulled her forces out against the Desire Return since there was no reason for her to fight it to begin with. It was because the Desire Return was still enraged from being attacked and continued to assail the Queen's army. However, with some time, that would also settle down.
The Desire Return would be exhausted and go on his own way, and the Queen's army would also be faithful and loyal to the Queen in maintaining and reproducing their race.
'When that time comes… We will never catch her. Damn. That would be hell.'
She was already strong enough to oppose that large beast in the Desire Return. She was indeed worthy of the simple title, Queen. However, to let her accumulate her strength and army over time caused Hosang to be very uncomfortable.
'I should go and capture her right now.'
However, what made him uneasy was what Magnus had said before he died—the plan was coming to an end. Didn't that mean that a significant event would happen onto them if that plan was to end?
"Clementine… Was it you?"
Hosang muttered. It was impossible not to know. He was a comrade that appeared out of nowhere. He wasn't someone that had the leadership and quality to gather people toward her like Eres, nor was he analyzing and providing strategies on the situations at hand like Keldian, or Kangtae who was always charging first in battle. However, there were many by his side.
At first, he didn't know why there were so many by his side, but after watching him, he was able to realize that those around him were able to feel at ease.
No matter what predicament came their way, he was someone that was able to calm the situation and someone that never stopped smiling despite the circumstances. Even when enemies harbor hatred toward him, he didn't break his composure. He took on his opponents while taking his time and proceeding step-by-step.
The mere sight of him gave others a sense of ease; a belief that they would be able to overcome anything as long as they were by his side. In addition, he actually proved that his composure wasn't a lie on the way. However, that kind of guy was scheming up a grandiose plan to kill all of them. It was quite unbelievable. If he was ordered by Clementine, then why did he say that sentence before he passed away?
'This bastard… Did he say that just to anger us?'
Hosang looked over at Hansoo and asked, "Hey! Shouldn't… we help those over at the elevator?"
It was a battlefield of kill or be killed. Although the number of troops on their side was said to be increasing, it was unlikely that the battle would end anytime soon considering how the opposite side was also replenishing its troops. At this rate, it was certain that casualties would continue to rise. The best option was already decided.
They would go and help those by the elevator and clean up the mess before gathering and uprooting the Queen. This was the best that he could come up with, and the most convenient one at that.
"Whew. What's with all of this trouble?" Hosang stretched his tense muscles as he muttered.
A small elite. That was nice, but what was better than a small elite army? It was a small elite army with a meat shield that would allow them to operate comfortably by clearing the path. If not, why did Transcendents like themselves make subordinates and carry them around? Not only that, this was not a bad proposal at all to Hansoo. No, he was definitely someone that needed this suggestion.
'Crazy bastard. Whew.'
Hosang gave a pitiful look at Hansoo whose body was devastated with injuries. Even though he was recovering at a quick rate, it was still obvious that he was not in good condition. If he were to continue fighting at this rate, even ten lives would prove to be too little for him. However, Hansoo sadly rejected his offer.
"Let's go to Noah."
"Huh? Wait, you're telling me that you believe what that guy said? It's obviously nonsense. In case the guy might go toward the Queen or the elevator, Magnus had spat out those words. However, Hansoo had no thoughts of going there to begin with. The priority was obvious. Once things were resolved in Noah, the other two armies would naturally be resolved as well."
If he were to fail in Noah, then it didn't mean much even if the other armies had failed in their missions.
It wasn't like Clementine had purposefully dragged out time here without a reason. It was because he knew that what needed to be done in Noah was most important which was why he had gone there.
Thump.
Hansoo raised his body. He had to move and enter Noah.
'Well… At least we're almost there.'
It wasn't that far from where Noah was at. Then, the answer was simple. Along the way to Noah, he would destroy anyone in his way and take Noah for himself. It would become a truly worthwhile reward for his hard efforts then, more than enough.
'How tiring is it to have to continue to fight.'
Hansoo smiled.
It would be complicated if he were in one space with a guy with a nasty personality. Even if he weren't trying to fight, he was someone that wouldn't hesitate to kill everyone that didn't follow him. He didn't want to follow him, nor did he wish to die. Well, he didn't want to be alive that much either, but that sensation he felt before intrigued him once more. It was the feeling of overcoming a wall. It was truly a marvelous sensation. Perhaps, God had purposefully planted desires in humans to achieve in his own fickle manner.
'If I do well… I should be able to overcome one more wall.'
He had become somewhat stronger after fighting Magnus. At this stage, he felt it was possible. Though he didn't have a skill, it was something he could attain along the way even if it wasn't a level of a Transcendent skill.
If it was a Zero Numbering skill, he could do some work with it and attempt to overcome it.
'Ah. But it's not like it would fall along the path for me to pick up.'
Hansoo shrugged his shoulders.
'It'd be nice if I could pick one up along that way… If not, then that's that.'
Hansoo, closing his thoughts, rose up from his seat and began to start running without hesitation toward the North where Noah was at.
—
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhk! Magnus!"
Boooooooooom!
Sangjin hid after seeing the rampaging woman in the distance.
Now, he had done what he could. No, to be honest, he had done his job here. Now, he needed to go and prepare for the next stage.
Tremble.
'Whew…'
Sangjin who felt the tremble of the Soul Shard that settled within his heart caused him to clench his teeth as he rose.
He had something to give.
'I'm going.'
Sangjin took a deep breath in after seeing a skill that had settled in his arms.
Soon…
Bam!
Sangjin's new self began to jump furiously northward.
Chapter 452: To Noah (3)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
<… Magnus has died.>
Clementine, who was walking forward without hesitation, paused for a moment at Taehee's remark.
'… How many are left?'
Clementine fell in thought with a heavy look on his face.
'You're faster than I thought, Kang Hansoo…'
His growth was faster than he had expected. All he had left was Agnus. However, since Agnus had her feet tied up, it was easy to assume that he would be heading directly for him.
'Well, I had bought enough time.'
Far away, he could start to see the end of the hallway.
A glimmer of light was creeping in as if to claim that the end of the blackened corridor was over there.
Kangtae, who suddenly regained his energy, walked forward and beckoned Clementine.
"Hey! Come quickly! I think we're almost there!"
Clementine replied with a smile, "I'll be right there. Wait."
Clementine, who muttered quietly, slightly gestured toward Taehee.
—
Boooooooom!
"You… cockroaches!"
Dell Marcus saw the alien species rush toward him and that caused him to have an annoyed expression. They had been repeating the same thing on their way to the north. Though they were beasts that couldn't even put up a punch against them headfirst, they continued to make sudden attacks. In comparison to their weak stamina, they had such strong attacks as well.
Just a while ago, one of them had appeared from the shadows and left a deep wound on his ankle with its weapon. Though its defense was so weak that it would be cut in one blow, its attacks were emphasized as if their attacks were something to be feared.
Dell Marcus gave a quick remark to Hansoo, seeing his ankle slowly heal.
"This is evidence that we're doing well."
"This… must be Agnus," Hansoo muttered as he looked at the various species blocking their way. Though they were weak head-to-head, they were quite efficient at holding and slowing them down. What was common for all these species was that they were controlled by a single entity. There was only Agnus that could deploy all of these guys on his way. The species that were strong in direct confrontation were holding down the army at the elevator while those who were weak enough to be swept away by the remnants of war were deployed here.
'I knew that she'd interrupt me… But she's quite aggressive,' Hansoo, who muttered internally, plucked one of the shadows from beneath his feet.
He had gathered enough stamina to use his skill.
Soon…
Jiiiiiiiiiiiik!
The drawn-out shadow exploded like a black cloud instantly, covering the air. The moment the Adventures stopped momentarily…
Booooooom!
The shadow that exploded in the air began to split into tens of thousands of pieces instantly.
The Transcendents, who saw this, was alarmed. It was not easy to break the shadow-like fragments.
"Ughh! Disgusting"
"Oh my God! Keep that away from me!"
Hundreds of millions of fly-like insects began to sweep all over the place where the shadow had split. It wasn't a regular fly. They were parasitic flies that were full of red bacteria and fungi all over their body. It was a skill that was available once he reached 5-Star. Now, it was possible for him to successfully mix the skills of the two seeds proficiently and use it. The flies swept through the vicinity like a large black cloud. No, to be exact, it was everywhere.
It went into the ground, into the stones, into the water, and even the brushes. He was the owner of a legion.
Mormart.
Mormart's authority along with Hansoo's allowed the black cloud to sweep all over the place and cause a reaction.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaakk!
Kyaaaaaaak!
The various species that were hiding started to scream and jump while some even use their limbs to penetrate through their skin to kick out the flies from their bodies.
Of course, all of this was meaningless.
Then, at some point…
Ssssssssss!
The flies began to quickly crawl inside into the flesh and skin of the species as they began to melt.
If the defense and health of the alien species here were a bit higher, they wouldn't have melted in vain, but they had come here to slow them down, it was too much for them to withstand the attack of Mormart and Hansoo.
As stated, the screams rose out from all directions. While the Adventurers watched with uncomfortable expressions at the screaming species, Hansoo gave a brief remark.
"Let's go."
At the same time, the black clouds that melted the surrounding area began to fly toward the front as if it was to clear the path.
Hearing the constant screams and the sounds of the melting flesh occur within the black cloud, Hosang couldn't help but shiver and have goosebumps as he gulped.
"Ugh… The visuals are not that great."
"It can't be helped. It'll be the same as what opponents think as well."
The more he could instill fear into his enemies, the more effective this was.
It might not work on the truly strong alien species, but for the mentally weak ones, having them hesitate and flinch was itself a success.
Hosang sighed after seeing Hansoo.
'This guy really thinks of nothing else than killing and fighting.'
Seeing how he had never heard of him before, it was certain that he had climbed from below before him, and yet it felt like he was someone that had spent decades on the battlefield, and a more fierce, harsh environment at that.
Dell Marcus, who didn't really care, ran next to him and spoke briefly, "Well… Now we can go forward more comfortably."
Their speed went up much faster since they didn't have to worry about sudden attacks. At this rate, it seemed that they would reach Noah in no time.
At that moment, Hosang spoke to Hansoo who had a somewhat pale expression, "Hey, get on my back."
Come to think of it, if he could use that, he would've done it already.
The fact that he used it now meant that he had gathered enough energy without much room to spare.
Hansoo nodded after seeing Hosang.
"Hope you don't mind."
He had already spent too much of his remaining mana.
'It's better to at least preserve my strength.'
Recovering on the way would be a bit better.
Hansoo got on his back as he wholly focused on recovering his body. He could feel the Immortal Soul work furiously to recover his whole body.
Bang!
Bang!
Hosang asked with a curious expression while running through the open path, "Hey! Is there anything you want to do? You think everything will be fine if you just destroy and proceed?"
In the first place, a man was not a creature that was suitable for battle. They just had the instincts to fight and survive.
From those words, Hansoo contemplated in detail before letting out a quick reply, "Well, I didn't give it too much thought."
"Even if it's a woman or alcohol or even treasure. Won't you feel better having one of those at least?"
Hansoo shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'll have to think about it once the fight's over."
"What?"
Booooooooom!
The Flies of Mormart, who were pushing without resistance, were suddenly all melted down in a huge fire. In the first place, Mormat's power did not have much durability or defense, to begin with.
'What wasteful mana.'
He recovered the rest of Mormat's authority to regenerate his mana before jumping down on Hosang's back and scouring the place.
'So you're saying that you're done with the warmup?'
Kyaaaaaaaaaak!
Kwoooooooooooo!
Crazy amounts of beasts burst out from all directions as they laid waste to their surroundings.
Some of them were huge enough to be counted in kilometers even though they were independent while others had horns that burnt everything in its path to a crisp. The beasts were either too dangerous or too violent. They were not particularly living creatures that would live in groups in unison under the Queen. These were the guys that Magnus and Agnus had released without much thought on how to subjugate them. Such species were currently rampaging all over the place, trampling and crushing whatever was in their paths.
Boooooooooooooom!
Seeing how they were all released, it had been quite some time since all of the species in the white rooms were released.
Though it looked like she had a lot of power on the inside, it shockingly seemed that it was weaker than he thought as they were mangled up by the escaping species.
"Well, that's probably why… they had succeeded in releasing them," Hansoo muttered after seeing the few corpses far away. They were probably the subordinates of Agnus.
They were ordered to destroy Noah's outer walls and free the creatures inside but had died while trying to run away. Some of the 4-Star Transcendents weren't able to escape death it seemed. That meant the alien species over there possessed such boastful strength.
"… You don't mean to go in there?" Hosang muttered while pointing at the ragged monster that was taking place before them.
It looked more settling to go capture the Queen than to go inside there. At least there was hope for them to resolve the situation. While Hosang drooled after seeing the monsters cause a ruckus and bite at everything, Hansoo smiled.
It was not the time to hesitate.
If the beasts over there had enough time, they would sweep away the outer walls of Noah that laid dormant
That was also the reason why Clementine had not already released those beasts.
The reason why they had released these beasts this time was simple.
It was because they had determined that they would soon be able to awaken Noah, and if Noah were to awaken from its dormant state, then these things were truly nonproblematic in comparison.
Of course, he would be included as well in being swept away.
He had to prevent this before then.
"Let's hurry. If we breach through there, you will probably get stronger as well."
Hansoo took a deep breath as he gave strength to his whole body.
Soon…
Boooooooooom!
Three shadows shot up from the floor as they revolve around Hansoo's body, who was running furiously toward Noah.
—
Ruuuuuumble!
Very small tremors came from the hallway, but all the Adventurers including Kangtae inside Noah had no time to pay attention to it.
They were too busy looking around.
"This is…"
"Woah."
The Adventurers were looking around and proclaiming. Through the long, dark hallway, they had arrived at this location.
There were full of strange devices in the large, blue room.
Eres walked toward Clementine.
"Good work. But… isn't it time you tell me?"
Clementine slightly smiled and asked back, "What?"
"Don't play innocent."
After a short pause, Eres looked at Clementine.
"You… How did you know all of this?"
This was not a place that one could find by luck alone. Eres asked, looking into Clementine's eyes.
Chapter 453: To Noah (4)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
However, it was Kangtae that answered Eres's question.
"Why are you so curious? Isn't he just a genius?"
"… I'm glad to see you're so relaxed. Truly."
Eres sighed after seeing Kangtae.
To be honest, she had to admit to some extent if she were to fit the pieces that he showed to her.
Clementine always preferred to be prepared for any variables and cases and was also excellent at properly distributing and executing with the information he had.
He had also unleashed and distributed below to gather information and prepare for any contingencies. Keldian had complaints regarding inefficiency, while Eres herself was worried that it gave too much pressure to the people and Kangtae not really giving it much thought. However, she knew now that if he prepared 10 things, 5 of them had become useless, 3 being significantly useful while the other 2 were to spare their lives. Perhaps, without Clementine, it would be right to say that their numbers would have decreased more than half while they ascended. It could be true that they could have all been annihilated.
'However… This isn't it.'
Meticulous preparation and information gathering along with reasoning and assumptions, these were enough to explain everything so far up to now. However, there was no explanation that could be made regarding this location, Noah.
He had said it was north, but it was well over hundreds of thousands of kilometers that they had traversed to reach this place. This huge white structure was mysterious and was not detectable with their skills or abilities.
Such a guy was able to discover such a thing buried beneath the ground. Not only that, there were a few unsettling aspects as they arrived there.
'Strange.'
Clementine smiled and asked, "I have something I want to ask. If you answer my question… I'll answer yours."
"What is it?"
Eres narrowed her expression and asked back, causing Clementine to smile and reply, "Eres, you said you've wanted to save as many people and join up with them. You said that everyone had unlimited possibilities."
Eres subconsciously nodded. She truly thought like that and believed that only people could be believed in this damned world. Humans were permitted to become infinitely stronger and were the only way to fight back against the species.
As each Adventurer became stronger, all of them would become stronger when grouped up. The only question in hand was how to unite and lead them.
Furthermore, Eres had used all her power to practice her beliefs and so far had not been proven that her practices were wrong. From the nod of Eres, Clementine smiled and asked another question, "I'm really curious… If you had the authority to enter the New World with those you pick, would you truly choose everyone by just looking at their possibilities alone?"
Clementine who had finished speaking looked toward the South.
——————
Booooooooooooom!
John Stone breathed in as the slime-like creatures attacked. Though they looked easy, it was resistant to all kinds of attacks and was able to melt one's skin with just touch alone. It would digest the melted bodies of its opponents to recover its health and even enlarge in size.
'Damn… This slime is basically a level one dragon! What the hell is this?!'
It was meaningless to freeze or burn it. Even if he used poison, it would simply devour it and replenish its health. When he first saw it, he had wondered what he could do to capture it. John Stone soon raised his right arm.
In that instant…
Baaaaaaaaang!
A tremendous tremor surged on John Stone's fingertips as he used those vibrations to attack the outer layer of its skin.
Chiiiiiiiiing.
He could clearly hear its skin melting. However, John Stone also heard another sound.
The sound of millions of cores that made up its body being thrown into chaos and confusion by the vibrations.
As soon as he heard that sound, he raised his ax with his left hand and swung it down.
With a large roar…
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
A red-colored ax cut through the slime. Normally, even when cut, it would stick its body back and attack, but this time, it was different.
As if its body was like shattered ice, the hardened slime broke into pieces and was shattered.
Seeing this, John Stone raised his voice and shouted, "Raise your vibrations and prioritize paralyzing the core before smashing it! Let me know if you find a better way!"
"Okay… Kyahaha!"
Boooooom!
Soon…
Skills roared out from all directions as the warriors that had survived up to the 7th Zone gradually pushed out the Slimes in formation. There were no warriors who couldn't do what John Stone said. As long as they had the solution, there was no reason for them to be pushed back.
John Stone, who hadn't relaxed even with an advantage in the battlefield, let out a sigh of relief.
He was hoping that another new species wouldn't pop out apart from the Slimes.
'It's done. It's a bit better.'
Normally, another species should have popped out with a different appearance and specialty or even devil-like beasts.
The reason why they were pushed back so far until now was because of that.
It was difficult to fight these alien species that were entirely different in form and appearances with varied qualities. They were easy to deal with once one knew their weaknesses, but since they were new species, they couldn't possibly know how to start.
However, at some point, the new reinforcements of other species began to slow down. Though the numbers didn't decline, it was the same monsters that came rushing in. This was why he couldn't help but relax.
Then, after a while…
Ruuuuuuumble!
After destroying the last monster, one of the Adventurers let out a large cry.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It's over!"
They had finally finished killing the large monster with the horn and had cleaned up.
'Whew.'
John Stone, who was finally able to sigh with ease, closed his thoughts.
'We need to catch up.'
From what he heard, those that had already come up had already moved up north. Though this location was important, they had to make sure to gain control using whatever method.
'Alright… Though the rest may be tired, we can recover as we travel north.'
John Stone loudly shouted, "Wait! Don't rest! Let's work just a bit longer! We need to go up!"
John Stone's cry resonated throughout the place. Everyone who heard that voice had already heeded his advice when they were fighting the Slimes, so they had no need to doubt his words. Unfortunately, there were some that had different reactions from before.
'… Why are they like this?'
Seeing the silent ones, John Stone frowned.
——-
Booooooooooooooom!
"Ahhhhh! Really! Hey! Why are we the only ones working!"
Hosang shouted after crushing the monsters that rushed at them. There were literally enemies everywhere. Since he had helped Hansoo before, he thought that he would receive some help if he looked like he was struggling, but he had to fix his mentality since he might be thrown into the front and possibly die.
He thought that Hansoo might have become a tad softer from their talk, but there were no exceptions when he was needed.
Booooooom!
Hansoo, who crushed one of the beasts in front of him, quietly muttered, "We don't need guys that can't be controlled."
There was no disappointment since he didn't have expectations, to begin with. If he had some expectations, he wouldn't have come up here alone, to begin with. He would have ascended up and ordered them around to his liking. However, Hansoo had no confidence that he could control them all. He wondered how he could control millions and hundreds of millions of people under his command. It was a number that was beyond the limit of his Pandemic Blade.
To compare, he was a warrior that fought in the vanguard, not a general or even a king. He felt it was easier to resolve a situation by swinging his hammer once then investing the time to command them.
Hosang asked with a flabbergasted face, "What? Us?"
Hansoo shrugged his shoulders.
There was no need to explain.
From Hansoo's attitude, Hosang and the rest gnashed their teeth. The guy was right.
They had let them do as they would in the first place, but the difference in their positions was clear. He was the owner, and they were the slaves.
It was just that he put himself forward and didn't rest so that was a little better. No, he was always focused on crushing the enemy by fighting the hardest in the very front.
'By the way…'
'Is he getting stronger? Or is he just recovering?'
Hosang fought with a blank look on his face.
It should be normal for one to be tired when fighting. However, he continued to use his skills with more force as the battle progressed.
Like the time before, a huge swarm of insects similar to the ones that roared previously with deafening buzzing sounds.
They were similar, but it was clearly different from the previous swarm of insects.
This time, they weren't his subordinates, but beasts that held enmity toward them. They even looked different. Each bee was as big as a human palm, and there were literally millions of them. Even if one were to use a skill, it was basically the same as cupping water out of a lake.
At that moment…
Booooooom!
He put his foot down, and yellow clouds shot out into all directions. The moment the black cloud and the yellow cloud mixed, an unexpected event occurred.
Kaaaaaaaaaaak!
Kyaaaaaaaaaak!
The insects that were flying toward them in a straight line began to look and bite each others' bodies, including their wings and legs.
This was the authority of Melcassaris.
'Before… He wasn't able to utilize it at such a wide range.'
While Hosang was drooling after seeing the yellow smoke cause the beasts to fight each other, Hansoo spoke briefly, "We're almost there."
"Huh? When…"
Wriiiiiiiiiiing!
Once the black clouds began to fade while fighting amongst one another, a scene appeared before them.
It was a clear passage through a white surface.
However, they began to see something different.
Wooooooooooooooong!
'Is… that power restoring?'
Though his description was sloppy, Hosang spoke exactly how he felt.
Literally, a large hull was slowly lighting up and was radiating with a blue light. Seeing this, Hansoo mumbled, "Choose one or the other."
Destruction or manipulation.
What Clementine had chosen in his previous life was the large ship, Noah's destruction.
Though he didn't know how to control it, or if he had another reason, Clementine was actively rushing in to try and destroy it while he and his comrades fought desperately to stop him from doing so.
However, he didn't know this time as well.
"What will you do?" Hansoo muttered as he saw the ship light up.
Chapter 454: Solitude (1)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
"We have to move!"
"No, let's wait and see! We don't know what kind of world this is!"
"That doesn't mean we should stay still!"
Seeing the mess unfolding before his eyes, John Stone shook his head.
'What a mess.'
There was one word that could describe this situation. Disunion.
Since they were controlled in the lower zone, they worked together under one body, but they realized that this zone was not yet controlled. If there was, they would have already put them under control and not be pushed back. They were remaining quiet and breathless since they were being overwhelmed, but they were all individuals that grew with desires and ambitions. After given new strength, it wasn't strange for them to have ambition. Since the reins were released, the desires that were shut within now erupted out immediately after.
Since there was a strong enemy before them, they didn't keep fighting, but that didn't mean the situation was for the better since they were some in the middle of trying to gain control over one another.
'So there are bastards doing politics as well…'
John Stone clicked his tongue after seeing people form factions attacking others simply to gain control.
Ruuuuuuuuuuumble!
A slight tremor swept through the place where they were standing.
'What's that?'
Far to the north, there was a bluish light that illuminated.
John Stone and the rest frowned, seeing that.
————–
Blue light began to radiate around Noah as the large roar caused it to stir as if it was trying to jump out of the ground. Seeing this, people had uneasy expressions.
'What's that? Is it trying to move?'
Until now, they had thought it was a huge structure or some research institute. It was too big for anything else. The surface that could be seen on the soil reached a few kilometers already.
Based on the curvature of the surface, the overall size of the structure would be incomparably large. However, that kind of thing was trying to move.
Then…
An unexpected event occurred.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaak!
Kuoooooooooo!
The beasts were shaking in fear as they screamed.
The alien species, who seemingly roamed around with fear, was so disturbed that they began to run around in circles doing nothing productive.
'What is that?'
People became more anxious at the sight.
They knew the strength of the beasts, but for them to be shaking in pure fear, it caused the people that were momentarily thinking to raise their weapons.
'Well, it's a good thing in a way.'
Until now, they were deemed as dangerous targets worth avoiding since they were so vicious, but in another, they were like treasure chests that poured out crystals giving the elite more.
In fact, some of them had become so strong that they had transcended in the middle of a battle and the lead representative of that was Dell Marcus. He was already quite strong among the 4-Stars, but he was the one that fought most bravely in the front, and also the same that had harvested the most amount of crystals. It was a great opportunity while the beasts were stricken in fear. In those conditions, he could quickly eliminate them and attain more crystals.
'Yes. Well, they were enemies to be eliminated anyway.'
In addition, it was a situation where they were unaware of what kind of guys there were inside. He needed to be as strong as possible.
Though their reactions were abnormal, it couldn't be helped. Nothing in the world was normal anyway.
Soon…
Booooooooooooooooooom!
Hosang, Dell Marcus and the rest of the Transcendents used skills and began to devastate the field from all sides.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak!
Those that were shaking in fear came to their senses and began to pour out their attacks in rage. They were more angry at the bugs that were threatening their survival than being captured and dominated once more.
However, that was all.
The situation was different from before when the various alien species attacked to kill. Most were terrified and were at a loss of what to do, and only a few of them struck back.
One simple sentence was enough to explain this situation. It was to defeat them one by one.
Literally, they began to attack the weakest ones and became stronger through their crystals. This lit a fire in the Adventurers to hunt.
"Ahahaha! Amazing! You hurry and do it as well!"
Hosang shouted loudly as he spread his own skills with the Baren Tree Roots all over the place, entangling the various races.
Grip!
Grip!
Kyaaaaaaaaaaak!
Due to the roots, their bones were broken and the collapsed beasts fell down and became corpses.
Those dead bodies were absorbed by the Baren Tree Roots as nourishment, and the absorbed crystals provided more strength to Hosang.
Having his skill enhanced, he began to hunt for other prey.
If they looked too strong, he avoided them for a while and hunted the weaker ones first.
As a result, a game of survival became just a regular game.
For the Transcendents that were fighting with their lives on the line not long ago, this was the work of God basically.
However, it was only Hansoo that didn't have a good expression.
'Tch. I don't like this.'
Booooooooom!
Hansoo muttered as he struck the monster in front with a hammer.
It didn't refer to their judgment to hunt. To be honest, they made a good decision. Since they didn't know what was inside, it was normal and natural for them to raise their strength in preparation since the difficulty became suddenly lighter. What he didn't like was the sudden lowered difficulty. Normally, he fought with his life on the line and had become stronger facing tougher opponents. In short, the previous situation was the best scenario possible for him.
It was a scenario where he had to use all his skills possible to fight. Therefore, he wasn't fond of this current circumstance.
'Well, the world never revolved like how I wanted. We should compromise at this rate.'
Booooooooom!
Hansoo fought the strongest alien race while destroying one of the rushing beasts. He was looking for ones that could truly threaten his life individually.
Soon…
Hansoo was able to find such guys.
It had the appearance of a dragon as it was about 1km in size. It was the same guys that were coldly monitoring the situation with heavy eyes while the others were causing a rampage.
If it was them, they were capable of giving him quite a great deal of challenge.
"Since there's no chance of winning even if I enter… I'll raise my strength before going in," Hansoo mumbled while gripping his hammer.
Though he was in a hurry, he wasn't a fool.
What was inside was essentially a tiger's den.
He wasn't sure how much Clementine had control over Noah. If he was unlucky, he could have already operated the inner defense system. Then, he would truly be burnt alive along the way.
Even if that wasn't so, what if he met against Eres or Kangtae. Though he was strong for a 5-Star Transcendent, they weren't easy opponents by any means.
If all of them rushed at him, it would be truly troublesome.
The moment he was about to explode from the ground and fly to the dragon-like species far away…
Woooooooooooooong!
The blue light that surrounded Noah became stronger.
At the same time, the white hull that was covering Noah began to change color as it rose.
It was the outer walls of the hull that were torn apart by the angry alien species.
All of a sudden, those outer walls that were torn apart began to grow while the debris on the floor melted like water as soon as the blue light touched it before turning them into white liquid. The liquid that had changed, as if it had a will of its own, adhered onto the wall again, resulting in quicker regeneration of the walls.
Instantly, the ship covered in blue light began to reconstruct its walls into a clean white surface as if it was reversing the time of broken pottery.
"Damn it… What the hell is happening?" Hosang mumbled as he swept aside the monsters.
He would have continued to focus on hunting if the change was minimal. Something the size of a mountain was restoring time to its original state as if it was fully prepared to utilize its functions.
So, how could he concentrate when this was all happening?
'Should I go in? Or should I continue hunting?'
However, Hosang's worries were short. It was the beasts that helped him reach a decision.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!
Kwoooooooooooooo!
The guys in the vicinity were shaking in fear and began to cry out in fear before furiously beginning to escape somewhere.
That was also temporary.
Kuooooooooooong!
The dragon species that Hansoo aimed for made their decisions first and began to elope.
They were running to the largest space that had the most damages full of holes in the white room. The moment they saw that…
Kyaaaaaaaaaaak!
The other alien species that were deep in thought also began to move inside the ship that they had so much wanted to escape.
Boooom!
The other locations had already been restored to their former state and had their entrances closed. Naturally, thousands to tens of thousands of alien species began to rush in. The Transcendents, seeing this, had weary expressions as they fell back.
Though they were madly trying to rush in, it didn't feel like they would be able to follow them in.
'Ugh…'
Hosang shook his head after seeing all of the species flooding in and piling up. The interior space was quite spacious. At first, it looked like it had a width of at least a few miles. The number and size of these beasts were in the kilometers. To enter and hunt, it was basically the same as begging to be killed.
'Now that I think about it… It looks like a solitary pot.'
Inside a pot, dozens to hundreds of nasty beasts were stuffed in. Once that happened, those who were startled or were starved would become angry, bite, and eat each other. As time passed, when one opened the lid of the pot, only one species would come out victorious. This was done to increase the ferociousness and killing intent of that beast and prove itself to be the strongest.
"I'm not sure if they will do that… No, they wouldn't do that," Hosang looked inside and mumbled.
Even if they fought and ate each other, there wasn't much to eat, to begin with. No, fighting would rather cause a loss than letting them become stronger.
If it were them, then it might be different, but as if they had realized this, they were wary and cautious of each other and were not attacking.
At that moment…
'Wait…'
Someone entered Hosang's sight.
As if he was intrigued by the large solitude that was being made inside, the person that was the most vicious in his eyes stared inside with much interest.
'Don't tell me this crazy bastard…?'
Hosang looked at Hansoo with a look of doubt.
Chapter 455: Solitude (2)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Caron Belphegor, who had just recently transcended into a 4-Star, looked delighted as he felt an overwhelming power stream throughout his body.
'So this is it.'
His body was radiating an aura that made him feel like he could do anything.
However, it wasn't that one particular aspect of why he was feeling this way. He had overcome walls from below, but there was something different this time around. There was no presence that was suppressing him. It was quite frustrating downstairs since no matter how much he got stronger, there was always someone above him.
In zones 1,2, and 3, the World Tree, unmanned robots and huge mechanical battleships dominated them. In Zone 4, there were Transcendents who had already built their own factions, so they could not even dare to look at their eyes, and in zones 5 and 6, they were oppressed by the enormous power of the star.
To start, what could one do against a Transcendent who controlled the power of the stars. However, it was different now. There was no overwhelming presence to stifle him, and although John Stone and the others might be all strong presences, it would be quite difficult to control them since, unlike downstairs, this zone was not fully organized. The recent battle proved that theory. He clearly saw them fighting in the front since they couldn't afford to order and command them.
'If that's so… It's possible.'
There were no more beings to control him. Then, there was no reason for him to follow their words. Of course, he could not openly express his intent. First, he just needed to incite a small rebellion. Concluding his thoughts, he added his voice to the already boisterous crowd.
"So! Let's split up! Some will go north and investigate the blue light while others will cover this place!"
The group that headed north must be them.
It was a blue light as clear as day that could be seen from him. If a normal person were to see this, they would be captivated by the light. That was how beautiful that light was, shining as it enveloped the sky.
He didn't know what was there; however, he had realized something as he had ascended. Authority was given to those that move.
If one wanted to occupy something and go further in standing above others, one had to move even if it was dangerous.
'We came up here first and fought bloodily, so shouldn't we have some say?'
This wasn't a bad situation.
With all the clamoring in the vicinity, Belphegor smiled after seeing John Stone shake his head as if he had a headache.
————–
Kureeeeeeung!
Hosang was dazed after seeing the monsters far away march inside.
"Hey… Don't tell me you're going in there?"
Why was he trying to discourage him from going in there alone? The problem was there was a risk of them being dragged in as well. If that were to happen, it would be manslaughter.
For now, there was at least an opening for them to escape from that option.
However, if they were trapped inside that quarantine-like zone, only one conclusion remained. They would either all die or kill all of them. It was one or the other. By all means, it seemed that the former to occur was much higher in his eyes. That was how dangerous it looked inside.
Grrrrrrrrr….
Kuoooo…
Not sure what resentment and bitterness grew within them, they continued to growl and groan endlessly while entering.
It wasn't like their anger had reduced, but it was rather the opposite. Rage had reached the tip of their heads but was forcefully suppressed. If they were to enter such an area, it was certain that they would be the target of their anger and rage.
Hansoo chuckled from Hosang's words.
"Don't worry. I'm not going in."
"Whew… Are you serious about that?"
Hosang let out a sigh of relief, seeing Hansoo nod. Of course, it was a pretty nice opportunity to go in there. If lucky, he might even overcome that wall. However, he was lacking one definite factor.
"Seed," Hansoo mumbled while looking inside his body.
That was right.
He still lacked one seed.
Though his body was recovering right now and he was getting stronger as he fought via the growth of his other seeds, he needed to sprout a whole new seed to get over that wall.
However, what remained was the Spirit Exploding Seed.
In order to completely germinate this seed, he had to die, and he had no intention of wasting his life in such a solitary pot.
Hansoo clicked his tongue.
If he were to die using the Spirit Exploding Seed in such a pot, he would be dying meaninglessly.
What that meant was as long as there was nothing major to die for, it truly wasn't worth using it.
This wasn't the reason why he had traversed so far in his journey.
He spun away from the entrance of the ship that was about half-closed and briefly spoke, "Let's enter. It seems like the entrance hadn't closed yet."
The moment Hansoo tried to lead the Transcendents, who let out a sigh of relief, toward the entrance…
Rumble!
A large crevice appeared in front of Hansoo.
"Huh?"
"What the hell is happening again?!"
The Transcendents stepped back in worriedness at the hidden attack that they couldn't sense. They instinctively knew that it wasn't an attack that could be made by a person that was slightly stronger than them. It was the remnant of an attack created by someone that was a stage above them.
'Damn… There's no end to those bastards!'
However, unlike the others, Hansoo leisurely looked back. They were airwaves that were quite familiar to him.
"We meet again?"
"…"
At the remark, Sangjin, who was standing far away on the hill, looked down and nodded silently.
————–
"You must have had a hard time from when we last met," Hansoo mumbled as he looked at Sangjin's body. It was covered in wounds. Not only that, seeing the airwaves that were rumbling out of his body, it was clear that he had been engaged in a fierce battle not long ago. Of course, he had made sure to reap the cost.
"You've already crossed the wall," Hansoo mumbled once more after seeing Sangjin.
Well, it would have been stranger if he had not transcended after being engaged in such an intense battle prior since he was a 4-Star Transcendent for quite a long time unlike him.
The evidence was the difference in the level of fighting power he displayed compared to the others. Although it was a short period of time, it would not be strange to transcend if he had fought so fiercely and absorbed some crystals.
However, that wasn't important.
"We meet again. What's going on?"
Sangjin threw something at Hansoo from those words.
'Hmm.'
Hansoo frowned after seeing what was thrown to him.
Seed.
It wasn't a normal seed at that.
'It was at least the level of the Immortal Soul.'
Feeling the aura, he could sense that it might be above that.
In other words, if he used this properly, he might be able to overcome the wall.
This was a very valuable item. If Sangjin had used this item, he would have been much stronger than him. It probably required blood, sweat, and tears of effort to acquire this; however, the reason why he had safeguarded this until now was for one reason—to hand it over.
"The reason why you're giving me this… is to tell me to enter over there I think."
Sangjin nodded at Hansoo who was glaring at the pot over there that was nearing its completion.
"If you go in like that, you'll die."
The place he was referring to was not the solitary pot but rather Noah itself.
Hansoo could also vaguely feel it as well.
'That probability… is quite high.'
Unfortunately for him, things were more favorable for the ones inside. They had good comrades, and since they were moving quickly, they were able to take Noah first and occupy an advantageous position.
Not only that, they held good skills and talent.
He had done everything he could do to catch up to those that had come here 20 years before him, but now he had to face the harsh reality that such words were ineffective in this kind of scenario. What was important was that he needed to win.
At this rate, it was obvious that he was inferior. However, if he used the seed and were to use Solitude, then the story would differ.
'Hmm.'
Staring at the seed in his hand, he looked at Sangjin and spoke, "Even if you give me this, it could be in vain. I'm a little different from who you used to know."
He had already heard the reason as to why he was going to this extent.
He was following him since he believed that he could see a better hope by serving him.
Before he lost his memories, he had clearly shown results to him of what would happen if he were to help him.
"However… I can't guarantee that it'll happen in the end as well," Hansoo mumbled.
The result had come out better than expected after a myriad of events below.
However, that was not due to his will but rather a combination of the circumstances and luck. The picture could be quite different from what he was anticipating, but he was helping him to this extent.
Sangjin strangely smiled.
"That's if you're still alive. I do not want to see you die."
Hansoo chuckled.
'I don't know.'
He had no thought of refusing since he couldn't lose this opportunity. Making a decision, he raised the seed and devoured it, hoping that it would become a new skill.
"Hey! Heyyyy! Don't tell me…!"
Seeing the Transcendents shout in urgency, Hansoo chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'm going in alone."
"No matter what… It'll be perfect if I go in alone," Hansoo muttered, feeling the new seed that took root in his body and energized him.
With this much, it was more than sufficient to oppose those guys inside to transcend to the next stage.
'Well… I could die as well.'
However, whichever road he took, there was always a possibility for that.
The key was taking a path with a higher probability.
"Until I come out… Be well!"
"Huh? Hey! Hey!"
Whoooooooooooooooosh!
Looking at the gap of the outer wall of Noah shrinking rapidly as it recovered, Hansoo immediately jumped inside sparing no time for the people in the vicinity to speak.