Chapter 293: The True Absolute Crown
Chapter 293: The True Absolute Crown
Seated upon the massive throne within the Umbra Citadel, Sung Jin-Woo felt a ripple in the fabric of existence. His divine senses, now heightened by the recent addition of the second divine jewel on his forehead, alerted him to a revelation that had been concealed from even his omniscient awareness.
"A fragment of the Absolute Crown... still hidden?" Jin-Woo mused aloud, his dark silver armor gleaming under the otherworldly light of the Citadel.
The Absolute Crown, thought to be whole after he had forged its three parts—one for himself, one for his son Sung Su-Ho, and one for Ashborn—now seemed incomplete. This fragment, lost to time and space, was rumored to hold power far surpassing the divine might of any known god. If it were to fall into the hands of a malevolent force, the consequences would be catastrophic.
---
The Revelation
The revelation had come to Jin-Woo through the Void Records, a mysterious archive only accessible by those with dominion over the Void. While reviewing these ancient records, his twelfth clone uncovered an encrypted message buried deep within the chaotic currents of the Void. The message, left by the Absolute Being himself, spoke of the True Absolute Crown, a hidden fragment that could elevate its wielder to a state of power beyond even the gods.
The fragment, according to the records, was not destroyed when the Absolute Being fell. Instead, it had been hidden within a Nexus Realm, a plane of existence existing between all dimensions. This realm was a labyrinth of shifting realities, guarded by ancient constructs and powerful entities sworn to protect the fragment.
"The Nexus Realm... a place where even gods hesitate to tread," Jin-Woo muttered. His gaze turned steely. "Then I will claim what belongs to me."
---
The Journey to the Nexus Realm
Jin-Woo rose from his throne, his towering 30-meter form radiating power. His twelve wings, a blend of shadow and celestial light, unfurled behind him. With a single command, a portal to the Nexus Realm began to form.
"Umbra Legion, remain vigilant," he ordered his legions of shadow soldiers. "I will retrieve what is mine."
Before stepping through the portal, Jin-Woo summoned his Divine Pegasus, an awe-inspiring creature gifted to him by Ashborn. Its shimmering black coat and silver wings glistened with divine energy.
"To the Nexus Realm," Jin-Woo commanded, mounting the Pegasus. Together, they soared through the portal, entering a dimension unlike any he had ever encountered.
---
The Nexus Realm
The Nexus Realm was a paradoxical place, a chaotic blend of realities folding and unfolding upon themselves. Landscapes shifted unpredictably: forests of crystal gave way to oceans of fire, and cities of light dissolved into endless voids.
Jin-Woo's divine senses picked up on the fragment's presence. It pulsed faintly, a beacon of incomprehensible power, but it was guarded. As he moved closer, he encountered the first of the Nexus Realm's protectors.
The Sentinels of the Crown
A trio of Chronal Guardians appeared before him, their forms resembling towering humanoid constructs made of shifting time and space. Their voices echoed with authority:
"Turn back, trespasser. The fragment is not yours to claim."
Jin-Woo smirked beneath his seven-horned golden mask-helmet. "It's not yours to deny, either."
The Guardians attacked, unleashing torrents of temporal energy that froze and distorted the very fabric of reality. But Jin-Woo's divine jewel glowed dark purple, signaling his peak combat state.
"Breath of Death."
The wave of annihilation surged forward, obliterating two of the Guardians instantly. The third, resistant but not immune, fell after a second blow. Jin-Woo absorbed their essence and moved forward.
---
The Trial of the Nexus
Beyond the Guardians lay the Labyrinth of Eternity, a constantly shifting maze designed to trap even the most powerful beings for eternity. As Jin-Woo ventured deeper, he encountered numerous trials:
1. Temporal Illusions: Projections of his past failures and losses sought to weaken his resolve. Jin-Woo crushed them with his indomitable will.
2. Reality Reapers: Ethereal beings that attacked his very existence were banished with waves of shadow energy.
3. The Abyssal Hydra: A colossal, multi-headed beast blocked his path. Each head emitted a different destructive element. Jin-Woo fought it in a titanic battle, unleashing his sword and scepter to decapitate it one by one.
At last, after what felt like eons, he reached the heart of the Nexus Realm.
---
The Hidden Fragment
The fragment rested upon a pedestal of glowing light, encased in a sphere of pure, impenetrable energy. It shimmered with an aura that shifted colors like his divine jewel—white, blue, purple, and dark purple.
"The True Absolute Crown," Jin-Woo whispered.
As he reached for it, a voice echoed through the chamber.
"You are unworthy."
The room darkened, and a towering figure materialized before him—a Primordial Sentinel, an avatar of the Absolute Being. Its form was a swirling mass of energy and light, radiating power equal to Jin-Woo's own.
"Prove your worth, Shadow King," it challenged.
---
The Final Battle
The clash between Jin-Woo and the Primordial Sentinel shook the Nexus Realm. Their strikes tore through dimensions, each attack creating rifts that bled chaos into the labyrinth.
The Sentinel unleashed waves of primordial energy, attempting to overwhelm Jin-Woo. But the Shadow King countered with the Breath of Death, its dark purple rays cutting through the Sentinel's defenses.
Their battle raged for what seemed like an eternity, but Jin-Woo's adaptability and unyielding determination proved superior. With one final strike, a concentrated beam from his divine jewel, Jin-Woo shattered the Sentinel's form.
"You have proven your worth, Shadow King," the Sentinel's voice echoed as it faded.
---
Claiming the Fragment
Jin-Woo stepped forward and grasped the fragment. The moment his hand touched it, a surge of unimaginable power coursed through him. His second divine jewel blazed with light as the fragment merged with his crown.
He felt his power expand exponentially, transcending even his previous godhood. His connection to the Absolute Crown was now complete, and the True Absolute Crown was restored.
"Now, nothing can stand in my way," Jin-Woo declared, his voice reverberating across dimensions.
---
Returning to the Umbra Citadel
Sung Jin-Woo returned to the Umbra Citadel, where his shadow legions and the other Divine Beings awaited. His aura was more potent than ever, a beacon of power that radiated across the Absolute Realm.
The True Absolute Crown rested upon his head, its light shifting in tandem with his divine state. He had claimed what was rightfully his, ensuring that no force could challenge his dominion.
"Let those who dare oppose me know: I am the True Absolute."