Chapter 443: Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint (1)

In the center of a serene, oriental-style room, Hugo—Ha Seung-hoon—sat with his eyes closed, his breathing even, quietly immersed in meditation. Within his mind, a whirlwind of martial arts concepts clashed, deconstructing and reconstructing the martial arts he had accumulated so far.

'This is incredible.'

After the process reached a certain point, he slowly caught his breath and let out an involuntary exclamation of admiration.

'In a way, this is the perfect prescription for me right now.'

He slowly opened his eyes, roughly organizing the swirling knowledge. He wanted to grasp it all and make it his own immediately, but the sheer volume of martial arts swirling in his mind made it impossible. Furthermore, his understanding of martial arts was currently limited to what he knew as "Ha Seung-hoon." No matter how impatient he was, a few days wouldn't be nearly enough to unravel this complex knowledge.

"Black Dragon Secret Manual…"

It was a testament to the loyalty that Heinz II had… received from the Black Dragon Lord, the leader of the Black Dragon Society. And the name of the secret manual that boasted of containing the essence of all martial arts from all martial arts dimensions.

Of course, despite being called a manual, it wasn't in the form of a book. No, it wasn't even something with a physical form. It was simply the entirety of the Black Dragon Lord's "all known martial arts," transferred directly through a skill that allowed him to record and manage that information.

'That man is certainly not ordinary. Well, achieving a feat on Earth and obtaining a perk speaks for itself.'

Even his title was 「Heaven-Defying Sage」! A being that defied the will of heaven. It wasn't a title that could be approached lightly.

'A former branch manager of the Heavenly Change Society, teeming with hidden experts. There's no way the Lord would have placed a nobody in such an important position. Since the Heavenly Change Society's top priority in its early days was conquering China, the position overseeing that area must have been one of the highest.'

This 'Black Dragon Secret Manual' was essentially the Black Dragon Lord's personal notes, which he had begun compiling from the moment he returned to Earth, continuously revising and improving them for over two decades. It was proof that even after obtaining the 「Heaven-Defying Sage」 perk through relentless study, and even after using it to escape the Heavenly Change Society and thoroughly conceal his existence, he hadn't neglected his martial arts research.

'It's not just a description of martial arts from a few dimensions. It's a kind of research journal, detailing his thoughts and efforts to reach the Profound Realm, and what he believed was necessary to reach the Divine Realm. It makes me wonder how he gathered so much information while avoiding the Heavenly Change Society.'

He had heard bits and pieces. About how the Black Dragon Lord had interacted and shared knowledge with masters who had returned from various martial arts dimensions.

The Black Dragon Lord didn't care if the person possessing a new element was far below him in skill. And he used all means to obtain it. He accepted most demands, whether it was a vast fortune, a dangerous request, or a portion of the accumulated martial arts knowledge, and he didn't hesitate to use force against those who wouldn't listen to reason.

'He consistently recruited talented individuals into the Black Dragon Society in the process. Besides, as someone still yearning for growth, it was inevitable for him to crave new martial arts knowledge.'

No matter how great he was, he couldn't surpass thousands of years of history with his own strength alone. In the martial world, martial arts were the pinnacle of mysticism, passed down and developed by countless geniuses over the ages. What he had done was merely adjust and combine those brilliant legacies to suit his needs; he hadn't created something entirely new from scratch.

'Of course, that alone is enough to be called a Grandmaster.'

Naturally, the results of his research weren't something anyone could fully comprehend. Except for the initial stages, most of the research results were designed with the premise of the existence of the 「Heaven-Defying Sage」, which defied the laws of the world. Since the principles, each with subtly different properties, were intricately intertwined, an ordinary martial artist would be crippled, if not driven mad, by trying to follow them directly.

'If it weren't for me…'

He chuckled softly and slowly rose from his seat. He felt a dull ache in his meridians, but he didn't mind.

If the Black Dragon Lord had the 「Heaven-Defying Sage」 that twisted the laws of the world…

…he had the 「Savior」 that ignored all restrictions of other dimensions.

Hum—

The internal energy raging within him gradually stabilized. Along with it, a part of the martial arts principles that didn't conform to the laws of this world, Ganghwan, slowly settled within his body.

'It's still incomplete and lacking, but…'

Now that he had found the path and the method, the rest was just a matter of time.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped outside.

'Now that I've seen the wall, all that's left is to climb over it.'

The dazzling sunlight pierced his eyelids. He had been immersed in meditation since early dawn, and the sun had already risen high in the sky, scattering bright light across the world. A clear, blue sky without a single cloud, unlike the perpetually gloomy atmosphere of before.

"Ah! Brother! You're out?"

Then, Namgung So-ran, who had been squatting in the courtyard in front of the door, turned her head and smiled brightly. She was holding a long blade of foxtail grass and waving it gently.

While she was momentarily distracted…

-Meow!

-Mew!

"Ah! Got it."

Two small animals, crouching in front of her and watching the swaying tip of the grass, pounced and snatched it. Then, as if proud of their victory, they purred happily and chewed on the grass with their small mouths. They looked like ordinary kittens at first glance.

But they were no ordinary cats.

It was impossible for ordinary cats to be entirely made of flames or shadows.

"Miss Namgung, did you have a good rest?"

"Hey, you're doing it again. Just speak comfortably, brother. I'm younger than you."

"Hahaha, I'll change that gradually. But where is Miss Jegal…?"

"She went outside earlier, saying she had something to ask the Taoist masters. She looked very excited."

"Ah, right. This place, like the Jegal Clan, is called one of the two great pillars of Taoism."

Namgung So-ran tossed the completely charred foxtail grass aside and pulled out a new one, waving it gently. The two yokai cats rose again, assuming a hunting stance. Of course, the cats weren't the only yokai here.

"By the way, this place is truly… It's like a paradise. Even calling it a fairy tale doesn't do it justice."

Namgung So-ran clicked her tongue and looked around. Various yokai roamed freely beyond the guest area where they were staying. From beast-headed humanoids to completely non-human forms, various beings were chatting and walking around without a care in the world.

"Well, this place is like an entrance to the outside world or a buffer zone for them. It's best for those who haven't experienced the outside world to gradually learn about it from here."

This was Mount Mo, located in Jiangsu Province in the eastern part of the continent. It was the first destination on his journey, and the home of the yokai who had begun to appear in the world after the final battle with the Demonic Cult.

"Sigh, yokai. I haven't even imagined them since I was a child, so it's fascinating."

"As you know, you have to be careful when dealing with them. Any friction at a time like this could disrupt the hard-won peace."

"Of course! I was just a little curious, so don't worry."

Of course, minor mistakes wouldn't matter much. Since they were being treated as guests thanks to his fame as the Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint, earned through his contributions in the war, it was clear that they held goodwill towards him.

'Still, it's best to minimize any animosity. Considering the reason I came here.'

The Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint Ha Seung-hoon's journey had two main objectives.

First, to stabilize the world by eliminating those who were still causing trouble, unaware of the changes.

And second, to find clues to overcome the wall of the Profound Realm by improving his own skills…

His visit to Mount Mo was related to the second objective.

'The yokai's martial arts that I encountered through Mok In-gwang before… it might help me overcome the wall of the Profound Realm.'

Although he had unexpectedly obtained the Black Dragon Secret Manual as a guidebook, the more possibilities, the better. That way, he could choose the best method among several and even combine their advantages for even better results.

'Since I'm a hero known even in Geumo Island, if I request a friendly match under the pretext of exchange…'

But things didn't go as he planned. A figure running at high speed collapsed in front of him. A woman with a pale face and blood trickling from her lips. One of the secret warriors assigned to protect Jegal Hye-mi.

"H-Hero! Something terrible has happened! The young lady…!"

To be more precise…

He had overlooked the fact that troublemakers weren't limited to one side.

A figure over 5 meters tall, a bipedal tiger-like body with a long tail, sharp teeth bared due to lack of lips, a pair of boar-like tusks protruding from between them, and eyes filled with burning will-o'-the-wisps.

"Lord Dool! She's a guest of Mount Mo! If you do this… Cough!"

"Grrr—Silence! How dare you speak back to me!"

Dool, exuding a tremendous aura befitting his ferocious appearance, casually waved his hand and sent the last remaining Taoist flying, a satisfied smirk on his face. He grabbed Jegal Hye-mi, who was frozen in place, staring up at him, with his large hand.

'I'm lucky! To think I'd see a Dragon's Child in a place like this! And one of the highest rank, at that!'

Dool.

He was once a great yokai of the anti-Geumo Island faction, but after losing his brothers, who were called the "Four Perils" along with him, in the rise of the Demonic Cult, he had fled to the shadow of Geumo Island as a defeated soldier.

Of course, even in his reduced circumstances, there weren't many who could treat him carelessly, as he was a great yokai. Geumo Island had also suffered heavy losses in the war, so they welcomed the addition of such a powerful force.

As expected, he made significant contributions against the Demonic Cult and established his position.

But that was only until peace returned. After the final battle, Dool had become a useless nuisance. He, whose nature stood at the extreme end of evil, was nothing more than a troublemaker in times of peace. During the chaotic era, the use of his power had been clear, and he hadn't suffered from frustration, but now he was just a troublemaker who caused problems without contributing anything.

The leaders of Geumo Island were seriously considering whether they should seal him away.

And Dool, who had survived this long with his uncanny intuition even in times of turmoil, couldn't have missed such an atmosphere.

'Do you think I'll go down easily?!'

But he didn't think he could escape with his own strength. Even though he had the power to crush most masters of the Profound Realm, there was strength in numbers. In such a situation, encountering the Dragon's Child, an apostle of the Dragon God and a key figure in the world's salvation, was a great opportunity for him.

'The Dragon's Child is the key to saving this world. If I offer such a creature with great karma as a burnt offering!'

It wasn't strange that his train of thought flowed similarly to the Demonic Cult members. Dool, his eyes mirroring those of the countless enemies he had slain, grabbed Jegal Hye-mi with his large hand and leaped. He wanted to devour her right there and then, but he needed to follow at least a simplified procedure for a proper ritual.

"Kekeke—! I'm free now! Try and chase me!"

Befitting a great yokai, he traversed the forest at an incredible speed for his size. Yet, like a skilled hunter, he left no trace behind. Like a tiger silently approaching and seizing its prey.

'I hope I can catch a dragon this time. To wash away my humiliation, I need to get revenge on them…'

Perhaps because he was filled with such arrogance…

Whoosh—

He was a beat too slow to notice the black shadow approaching him.

'Oh? Not bad!'

Of course, it wasn't a big problem. Even a moment late, he was still several steps ahead of the attacker, the gap between them vast.

Flash!

The problem was that split second. A golden flash erupted from the hand that had been holding the Dragon's Child. He tore apart the Shadow Dragon, which had been approaching silently like a snake, blending into the shadows of the forest, and at the same time, felt a sense of emptiness in the hand that had been holding the girl.

"Huh?"

Dool stared blankly at his empty hand. Then, he slowly looked around. She was nowhere to be found. As if she had evaporated.

"How dare you!"

But he was a great yokai who had reached the realm of transcendence. His senses, expanding to cover the entire forest in an instant, quickly located his escaping prey. Along with the presence of the one who had ambushed him and distracted him.

"[Roooooar——!]"

A furious roar filled with rage, creating a storm and triggering an earthquake across the mountain. Stealth was no longer an option. All that was left was to finish the job quickly and leave before Geumo Island dispatched their divine beasts to deal with him.

The moment he decided…

Boom!

Everything in a straight line towards his target was instantly destroyed as the 5-meter tall behemoth moved at supersonic speed.

'Damn it, the cooldown at a time like this…'

Ha Seung-hoon, holding Jegal Hye-mi in his arms as he ran, frowned. Who would have thought this would happen while they were at Mount Mo, which he had thought was safe?

He stopped running, turned around, and drew his sword. Running was pointless.

Boom!

"[I'll kill you! You insects!]"

The monster, having carved a large path through the forest, was right behind him, reaching out its hand.

Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint (2)

Ha Seung-hoon frowned as he saw the familiar yokai right in front of him. He had picked a fight with Harley during his visit to Geumo Island, and now he was causing trouble openly in Mount Mo's territory! This was unacceptable, especially with the current emphasis on unity for the world's reconstruction.

'I'd love to call Harley right now and have him crush this guy, but…'

He imbued Jegal Hye-mi with internal energy and tossed her backwards. At the same time, he tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, and a hot aura surged from his hand. The aura, taking the form of a fire dragon, coiled around the blade, rapidly growing in size.

Whoosh—! Boom!

The fiery aura, imbued with tremendous power through 「Empty Spirit Body」. It engulfed the great yokai charging at him.

"[You bastard! How dare a lowly insect like you—!]"

Even with the difference in their levels, an attack using 「Heavenly Dragon Divine Art」 couldn't be underestimated. After all, it was a martial art learned through the Dragon God's blessing, one of the best in all of Ganghwan. Thanks to it, he had even managed to cut off an arm of the Demonic Sword Demon Lord, a master of the Profound Realm, even though it was during a fight with the Sword Saint.

"[You think you're all that because of a little praise? This level of skill is nothing to me!]"

But that was all it was. Such an attack could momentarily stop Dool's advance, but it couldn't inflict fatal damage on a great yokai like him.

"[Roooooar——!]"

A deafening roar, like thunder, unleashed a torrent of energy, tearing apart the fiery aura that was burning his massive body. Ha Seung-hoon's lips twisted as he glanced at the embers scattering and disappearing.

'Incredible aura resistance, and regenerative abilities that instantly heal any damage… This guy's like a lesser version of Harley.'

Dool was a combat-type great yokai who had also been active during the final battle. Although he had been crushed by Harley, who was superior to him in every aspect, his pure combat power wasn't something to be scoffed at. He was even more troublesome than human masters of the Profound Realm due to his overwhelming resilience and size.

'He's not an opponent I can handle at my current level, still in the Transcendental Realm. If we clash head-on, I won't last long. But…'

He tightened his grip on his sword and glared ahead. Hadn't he just realized it recently? It was foolish to seek comfort while desiring true strength.

'Especially if I want to overcome the wall through martial arts.'

This was a challenge for him. Not to bypass the wall using the characteristics of 「Avatar」 and avoid the side effects, but to truly reach transcendence by refining himself through cultivation. Considering that most of his enormously increased mental strength stat was being consumed in maintaining the levels of his avatars, this was a necessity, not a choice.

Whoosh—

As if to encourage his resolve…

…he felt the energy he had sensed once before permeate his body. The power that only one being in this world could properly wield.

'The Dragon God's divine power?'

He glanced back and smirked. In this desperate situation, his body was invigorated. In contrast, his mind calmed down, and he became acutely aware of his surroundings. His condition was perfect. The verses of the 'Black Dragon Secret Manual,' still unrefined and dormant deep within him, began to stir, asserting their presence.

"Sigh, good. With this much…"

He didn't have time to catch his breath. A ferocious hand, tearing through the air, swiped at him. Swift, Illusory, Mutable. His body, like a flower petal in the wind, soared upwards, using Dool's arm as a stepping stone. The wind dragon swirling at his feet concentrated at the tip of his sword.

Slash—

But his sharp sword strike only left a long scratch on the great yokai's neck. Even that completely regenerated in an instant. Only a small amount of blood oozing from the cut indicated that an attack had landed.

"[You insect!]"

But that was enough to enrage Dool. A lowly human, whom he had disregarded, had dared to injure him! How could he let this go?

"[I will kill you!]"

His pride wounded, he no longer cared about the Dragon's Child. He forgot his original plan to quickly achieve his objective and escape, unleashing his rage. Solely to tear this insignificant human to shreds.

Boom!

"Cough!"

Ha Seung-hoon's body crashed into the ground, creating a deep crater, grazed by Dool's lightning-fast fingers. If he hadn't surrounded himself with an earth dragon to disperse the impact, it wouldn't have ended like this.

But there was no time to breathe.

Rumble—

Dool stomped on the spot he had just barely evaded. The cracked ground crumbled, triggering a massive landslide that swept through the surroundings.

Amidst the deafening roar of the collapsing mountain, a series of explosions echoed.

"Young Master Ha…!"

Jegal Hye-mi, who had escaped using magic, bit her lip and looked towards the source of the tremors as the aftershocks of the clashing auras relentlessly bombarded her.

'Should I have just stayed put? Young Master Ha is in danger because I asked for help…'

It was all thanks to her Dragon's Magic that Ha Seung-hoon was able to reach her in time. Using her experience of being kidnapped and imprisoned by the Demonic Cult, she had calmly completed the Telepathic Communication spell and relayed her location in real time.

'If only I were more capable. Then I could have escaped on my own without asking for help!'

But even though Dool was a combat-type, he was still a great yokai. Secret communication was one thing, but a high-level spell like teleportation wouldn't work so easily, would it? Even earlier, if it weren't for the timely surprise attack that distracted Dool, she wouldn't have been able to escape his grasp.

Rumble—!

Another powerful aftershock surged from the epicenter of the landslide. Various colored dragons soared from the center, illuminating the surroundings. Each one possessed enough destructive power to obliterate a mountain peak, but unfortunately, they were being destroyed and scattered as soon as they appeared.

'What I can do now is…'

Jegal Hye-mi closed her eyes tightly, clasping her hands together. She, who had no other skills besides magic, would only be a hindrance in that fight. The best she could do now was to pray and support him with blessings.

'Geumo Island won't stay still with a yokai causing such a commotion. If he can just hold out until the dragons I saw before arrive!'

Then, her eyes widened as she felt a sudden drain on her power through her connection with Ha Seung-hoon. He had been hit, his body embedded in the cliff, debris raining down.

'No!'

The blessing had absorbed a significant portion of the impact, so he wasn't completely incapacitated. She knew that, but she couldn't help but feel her heart clench as she watched him.

"If I just… surrendered to that yokai…"

He couldn't defeat the great yokai in his current state. He wouldn't last long at this rate. So, rather than losing his life resisting, it would be better for her to follow the yokai and wait for Geumo Island to rescue them…

"Heh, I wouldn't recommend that."

Then, a stranger's voice cut through her thoughts.

"That guy would rather devour you immediately than risk losing his offering again."

"Huh?!"

Startled, she turned around with a wary gaze. A middle-aged man stood a few steps away, arms crossed, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. He was calmly watching the epicenter of the battle, even as her gaze fell upon him.

'I didn't sense his presence. Who is he?'

Despite the situation, she didn't let down her guard. She should have been able to sense even the slightest presence of anyone approaching, even a master of the Transcendental Realm.

"…Impressive. The Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint, was it? I heard he's still in his twenties, yet he's already facing the wall."

He muttered softly. Although his voice was calm, Jegal Hye-mi could sense the clear jealousy beneath it. Her wariness intensified.

"Tsk, tsk—this guy still hasn't overcome his worldly desires."

"Ugh!"

As another voice echoed, the man who had appeared earlier clutched his head.

"This damned old man…!"

"Oh dear, judging by the way you speak to your master, you still have a long way to go."

"Ugh—!"

Jegal Hye-mi looked at the newly arrived figure with bewildered eyes. An old man with a long beard, dressed in worn-out robes, exuding an otherworldly aura. He merely smiled kindly and stroked his beard, yet the man continued to writhe in pain, gritting his teeth.

"Don't worry, child. That young man won't fall so easily."

Noticing her gaze, the old man smiled gently and nodded slowly.

"By the way, that's truly remarkable. How is that even possible? He's completely defying the laws of this world."

Then, he looked back at the battle and exclaimed in admiration. Wonder and curiosity flickered in his wrinkled eyes.

"Ugh, what are you talking about? It's impressive that he's at that level at his age, but…"

"Hahaha, this foolish disciple can't see even with his eyes open."

The man clutching his head and frowning replied curtly, but the old man continued to exclaim, his gaze fixed on the fight. He could clearly see it. The various martial principles, not of this world, intertwined and forming a single system, emanating from the young Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have been able to last this long against a great yokai.

Although the old man was clearly of a higher realm, he couldn't grasp the principles behind it even as he watched. Attacks that should have been unstoppable were being subtly deflected, and counterattacks that should have been ineffective were piercing the thick hide. The movements enveloped in dragon aura far surpassed common sense, and the swordsmanship was beyond his comprehension.

'And his growth is abnormally fast. It's not something that can be dismissed as mere talent. Is he using life-or-death battles as nourishment?'

He was being pushed back only because he was overwhelmingly outnumbered in terms of absolute power. In fact, considering the difference in their capabilities, it was a miracle he was even holding out. And the one who felt this most acutely wasn't the old man watching from the sidelines, but Dool himself, who was facing him directly.

"That's why he's so fixated on that young man."

The old man clicked his tongue and looked at Dool, his expression ferocious. At first glance, he seemed filled with rage, but he could sense a faint fear in his eyes. Something incomprehensible, despite having exchanged blows several times, and still continuing to do so. Moreover, it was growing stronger with time, so it was natural for him to be frantic, trying to crush it before it fully bloomed. He knew what would happen if that incomprehensible power fully blossomed.

"I'd like to wait a bit longer for the young man's sake, but I think this is my limit."

The old man looked at Ha Seung-hoon, who was in a precarious situation. No matter how he endured and sought growth through unknown methods, there was a limit. Dool was a great yokai infamous even in Geumo Island. If more time passed, that talent would be crushed before it could fully bloom, just as Dool intended.

"Disciple, go and assist him. It wouldn't be right for a senior like you to stand by while that young man is working so hard, would it? A life-or-death battle with a great yokai isn't an opportunity that comes often."

"…Are you crazy, old man? You want me to fight Dool when I haven't even overcome the wall yet? Are you trying to kill me?"

"Oh dear! This boy again!"

"Ugh! Fine! Fine! Damn it! I must be crazy to go to that old man myself!"

In the end, the middle-aged man had no choice but to head towards the battlefield. Jegal Hye-mi, who had been quietly observing the situation, followed him with gleaming eyes. It was clear that these people were also hostile towards the great yokai. That meant…

'They're from Mount Mo… no, from above.'

Catching her breath, she cautiously addressed the old man still standing beside her.

"Greetings, elder. I am Jegal Hye-mi of the Hubei Jegal Clan. Are you perhaps from Geumo Island?"

"Oh?"

Mount Mo was practically the main gate of Geumo Island. It wasn't strange for pursuers to arrive so quickly after the incident in their territory.

"Haha, you're a sharp child. It's true that I'm from Geumo Island. I happened to be nearby because of my disciple and grasped the situation."

However, he wasn't going to stand by after witnessing the problem, he said, his eyes gleaming as he slowly stroked his beard. As she swallowed hard at the pressure emanating from him, he continued,

"It's been a while since I've used my name, so I don't have a title to give you. Well, if I were to introduce myself using the title Geumo Island calls me…"

Jegal Hye-mi blinked her wide eyes. As the daughter of the Jegal Clan, who, besides Mount Mo, had the most detailed information on yokai, she knew what the title he uttered signified.

Rakshasa King.

One of the leaders of Geumo Island, on par with the Five Dragons, smiled gently at the Dragon's Child.

"Damn it! What the hell is going on?!"

Ha Seung-hoon's eyes flashed as he saw the man suddenly join the fight. He had been about to call for backup, thinking he was reaching his limit, when the man joined the fray.

'Mok In-gwang?'

A welcome face he had forgotten about since Harley left Ganghwan. Of course, the situation didn't change drastically just because he joined. Mok In-gwang, now called the Nine Lights Demon, was still a martial artist at the peak of the Transcendental Realm, not having overcome the wall of the Profound Realm yet. But it was true that his arrival gave him some breathing room. It gave him a chance to compose himself.

"Argh! This damned old man! I'm dying! I'm really dying!"

Moreover, judging by his words, his master seemed to be nearby as well.

'The yokai who taught him the Light Emperor's Heart Technique?'

The yokai who had taught Mok In-gwang, an orphan suffering from uncontrollable madness, a mental cultivation technique to control his frenzy. It seemed he had finally found him and formed a master-disciple relationship after the increased interaction with Geumo Island following the war.

'I'd forgotten about him, but he seems to be doing well.'

He hadn't been able to pay much attention to him due to being busy, but he couldn't help but feel glad to see his former subordinate doing well.

"Damn it! Damn! That old man, I'll kill him someday!"

Although it seemed his madness, which had subsided after Harley's special physical therapy, had relapsed…

At the same time, in the illusory realm.

The Yellow Dragon—Horus—who had been ready to cross dimensions at any moment, curled up again.

Heavenly Dragon Sword Saint (3)

The fight continued for a short while after Mok In-gwang joined. Thanks to this, Ha Seung-hoon gained more experience in actual combat against a strong opponent, but unfortunately, it didn't last long.

"Ugh! This damned old geezer…"

"Tsk, tsk, I told you to always maintain your breathing. You're in this state because you didn't listen and were swayed by your madness again. With your frail body and dull mind, when will you ever become useful?"

"How can you compare my human body to a yokai's… No, wait, is that something to say to your disciple who's been beaten to a pulp… Cough!"

"Oh dear—your breathing is faltering again? If you just listened to your master, you'd be able to shake off such injuries. Although it's become quite diluted over generations, yokai blood clearly flows through your veins."

"Grit, you damn…!"

"Hahaha! See? You can do it. With this level of regenerative ability, you'll be up and about in no time."

Mok In-gwang lay sprawled on the ground, writhing, his limbs twisted in various directions, blood flowing from his nose and mouth as if his internal organs were damaged, his appearance so ragged that the word "tattered" perfectly described him.

Ha Seung-hoon, watching the old man standing in front of him with one hand behind his back, stroking his beard, his eyes gleamed.

'Rakshasa King, one of the leaders of Geumo Island. A key figure in the faction composed of yokai other than dragon species, right? Someone Horus knows… '

However, since Horus's connections were mainly focused on dragons, he hadn't had any personal conversations with him. Since he bore the title of Yellow Dragon, even if only nominally, he couldn't help but be at the center of the dragon-led faction. Of course, since they had overcome difficult times together, there wasn't any animosity between the factions, but even within the same class, there were always closer and more distant groups. Moreover, hadn't Rakshasa King been absent from the final battle to protect the vacant Geumo Island?

"Grrr—Growl! Damn it, why…!"

Then, his gaze turned towards the rough breathing coming from beside him. There lay a massive creature, writhing in a state no better than Mok In-gwang, its previously ferocious, natural-disaster-like appearance gone.

"Rakshasa King! Why are you here when you should be in the illusory realm? How did you get here so fast?!"

"Haha, just think of it as bad luck. Well, even if I hadn't shown up, it would have been difficult for you to escape Geumo Island's grasp."

"Don't make me laugh! If I had just a little more power, a little more time to devour the Dragon's Child and grow stronger…!"

"Think what you will. You'll have plenty of time to think alone, sealed in the Penitence Cave for the next thousand years."

"Ugh, no! This can't be the end!"

Dool struggled violently, trying to escape. Twisting his regenerating body. But his resistance vanished the moment the old man opened the lid of a small gourd he had pulled from his waist.

"U-Uwaaaaah——! No——!"

His massive body stretched out like a rubber band, being sucked into the gourd as if swallowed by a black hole. The bizarre scream, stretching out along with his body, finally ended when the lid was closed again.

'…Amazing.'

Ha Seung-hoon clicked his tongue inwardly, staring at the Rakshasa King, who calmly secured the gourd containing Dool at his waist. He had intervened at the moment Ha Seung-hoon thought was his limit and completely reversed the situation. Even though his opponent was clearly another great yokai, the difference in their levels was stark.

'Well, he's one of the leaders, so he can't be weak. Did he send Mok In-gwang first as part of his training?'

His gaze shifted to the man still writhing on the ground, cursing. He could tell at a glance. The madness that had been circulating relentlessly within his near-death body wasn't just restoring his damaged flesh, but forging it anew, stronger than before.

'Similar to Harley's method. Of course, the efficiency is incomparable due to the difference in their foundations.'

Moreover, the fact that he, with a small amount of yokai blood, had survived a direct confrontation with a clearly superior great yokai would have been greatly beneficial in training his mind, which was usually difficult to control due to his madness. And that would become a necessary foundation for him to overcome the wall of the Profound Realm.

'Of course, I've also grown from this fight.'

He took a deep breath and observed his inner self.

-Individual Name: Ha Seung-hoon

-Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Great Spirit」, 「Insight」, 「Xenoglossy」, 「Subspace Storage」, 「Limit Break」, 「Mimicry」

-Individual Traits: 「Empty Spirit Body」, 「Heavenly Dragon Divine Art」, 「Convergence of All Things」, 「Wuji」, 「Versatile」, 「General Medical Knowledge」, 「Field Cooking」, 「Formation Theory」, 「Gathering」

-Special Notes: Due to long-term cognitive changes, the individual name has been changed from "Hugo" to "Ha Seung-hoon." 「Wuji」 allows for more natural harmonization of different martial principles. Due to the influence of 『Elixir of Growth』 and the Dragon God's blessing, additional growth bonuses are applied to all actions.

A new skill, 「Wuji」, stood out among the various traits he had acquired through his journey.

He instinctively knew.

That the moment he mastered this would be the moment he overcame the wall of transcendence.

'It's a shame I couldn't overcome the wall right away, but it can't be helped.'

His gains from this battle weren't insignificant. At