RKP 441-450
----------------------------
441화
Ring.
[Skill Memorize(???) has been activated.]
[Traces of memory are being replayed.]
It was as if I could hear the playful voice of No Name.
As expected.
With a burst of light, my vision cleared.
And for the umpteenth time, a past Race War unfolded before my eyes.
Beneath the red sky symbolizing the Lower Realm.
The Celestial Race of the Upper Realm advanced with a massive army.
The creatures of unknown species that blocked their path were briefly met before being effortlessly swept away by the radiance of the Celestial Race.
If they hadn't possessed numbers dozens of times greater than the Celestial Race, they wouldn't have bought even a moment of time.
It was a clash of quality versus quantity.
Despite the overwhelming numbers, it was a one-sided battle.
And soon.
Those among the Celestial Race with exceptional power stepped forward, further unbalancing the war.
With each wave of their hands, dozens, even hundreds of high-ranking creatures were swept away.
'Absolutes.'
Beings each possessing power comparable to a Duke of the Lower Realm.
Taehyun recognized their identities at once.
However, the one who blocked the path of one of these all-powerful beings was unexpected.
A Beast Race warrior with a towering 3-meter frame, radiating ominous brown magic.
From a time before he had risen to become the Beast King.
'Orgal.'
Taehyun called out his name, but.
Of course, he didn't recognize the presence of his contractor.
A woman with a mummy-like appearance scanned Orgal.
[You. You don't seem to be a Duke?]
[Hehehe. I don't think I need to hear that from a mummy.]
[You insignificant creature.]
Ending their short exchange, Orgal clashed with the Absolute.
Surprisingly, Orgal was holding back the Absolute of the Upper Realm, and the balance of the battle was being restored.
'Is this Orgal before the Lower Realm King's magic took effect?'
Even though he didn't yet possess the complete presence of a Duke, at least his status seemed to be on par with one.
Just as Orgal was holding back the Absolute.
Similar situations were unfolding in various places.
Taehyun's vision caught sight of familiar, deep blue magic.
There, Gilfer, having unleashed his three horns, was confronting the Valkyrie Legion Commander.
It seemed he had not yet lost the Authority of Desire.
Not only was he engaging in high-speed combat by deploying a pair of wings, but he was also enhancing his deep blue magic to push back the Valkyrie clad in golden armor.
The Lance of Longinus created by the Valkyrie cut through Gilfer's thorns, tearing one of her wings.
Another Great Demon targeted the Legion Commander from behind.
Such exchanges were repeated countless times in various places.
While those who had reached a certain level were engaged in a balanced battle.
Countless Celestial Race members and creatures were dying.
Then, in that moment, familiar magic was unleashed from various locations.
The purple magic symbolizing the Queen of the Succubi.
The crimson magic symbolizing the Vampire Lord.
The black magic symbolizing the Dragon Lord.
The multicolored magic symbolizing the Giant King.
The violet magic symbolizing the Demon King.
The unleashed immense magic instantly overturned the balance of the battlefield.
In that brief moment, a considerable number of Absolutes were annihilated, and the Lower Realm's advance began.
[Dukes!!]
[The Lords of the Celestial Realms will handle the Dukes!!]
[Absolutes, clear the surroundings!!]
No sooner had those words been spoken than five immense energies moved in the red sky.
Ten Celestial Realms.
From five of those Celestial Realms, those called Lords were moving to hunt down the Dukes.
'There are only five Dukes at this time, then?'
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Taehyun's senses were sweeping through most of the deepest layers.
Orgal, Gilfer, and others like the ancient Great Demons were emitting existences similar to Absolutes, but there were still five more Lords of the Celestial Realms who were considered superior to the Dukes.
'They're protecting the Upper Realm?'
It was then.
Rumble.
Suddenly, a Sea of Magic formed in the most densely populated area of the Celestial Race.
From the center of the Sea of Magic, which was rapidly engulfing the surroundings, a creature that must have been a Duke, a creature never seen before, revealed its massive form.
[It's Uroboros!!]
[A new Duke!!]
[The Sea of Magic King!!]
It's a trap.
The Absolutes in the area rushed in belatedly, but countless top-tier species of the Sea Current Race, who had manifested their true forms, blocked them.
Among them was a being with a massive form no less than that of the Duke Uroboros.
'Jormungandr.'
Taehyun watched the top-tier creature, who was driving the creatures of the area into a frenzy using his Authority, with shining odd eyes.
Despite being a top-tier species, he had achieved the status of a Duke using his Authority, and he instantly tore apart an Absolute.
In that gap, Uroboros, flapping wings comparable to those of the Dragon Race, ascended into the red sky and unleashed his Authority.
The Celestial Race members who densely filled the red sky.
Were affected by an unknown power and their bodies solidified as they were.
With Uroboros' wingbeats, the bodies of the Celestial Race members were torn apart.
[Block him!!]
[It's only one!!]
[We'll take down a Duke here!!]
In the moment when a large number of Absolutes surrounded Uroboros after a holy sacrifice.
[Krrrr.]
Uroboros, howling, opened his maw.
From there, an unexpected presence.
The Lower Realm King appeared.
Before the Absolutes of the Celestial Race could do anything.
Crack.
As the dark red magic from the Lower Realm King's body was unleashed.
Rip.
The maw of predation devoured them all.
It was an instant event.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Uroboros."
[I will carry out my Lord's command.]
Watching the Lower Realm King, who was spreading the wings of a Great Demon and heading towards the Upper Realm, Uroboros strengthened his Authority.
Drawing attention to prevent other Absolutes from approaching him.
Uroboros' rampage was stopped by the Lord of the Celestial Realm who arrived belatedly.
[For a Duke to be bait. You're playing a pathetic trick.]
The being enveloped in radiance spoke as if bestowing grace.
[Kekeke. If you're the Lord of the Fifth Celestial Realm, you're not a match for me!!]
Uroboros unleashed his Authority towards Brahma, the Lord of the Fifth Celestial Realm.
[How long did you think such insignificant power would work?]
[We are only opening the way for the King.]
Kwaaa!!!
"……!!"
Taehyun strained his eyesight at the immense power that collided right before his eyes.
It was because he felt like he would have to close his eyes if he didn't.
However, regardless of such effort.
Hwaaa.
The consecutive bursts of radiance replayed another memory.
The red sky symbolizing the Lower Realm.
And.
The Upper Realm that existed above that red sky.
Beneath the blue sky symbolizing that place were the Lower Realm King and Lucifer.
Surrounding them were dozens of Absolutes summoned from each Celestial Realm, as if to encircle them.
Lucifer cleaved one of the rushing Celestial Race members with his sword.
The Celestial Race member was unable to regenerate and was annihilated.
On one side, the Lower Realm King was using the Authority of other Dukes to eliminate the Absolutes one by one.
Despite facing only two opponents.
The overwhelming momentum was causing the Absolutes of the Upper Realm to gradually retreat.
How much longer would they rampage like that?
From afar, reinforcements from the Celestial Race arrived.
Bound to the chains of radiance they held were all sorts of creatures.
These were creatures captured by the Celestial Race and tamed as pets.
"Seriously, such bad taste."
The Lower Realm King said that and raised purple magic.
He was planning to unleash the power that was binding them with the Authority of Mind Control.
Seeing that, Lucifer retorted.
[Don't waste your strength on useless things.]
Those who wouldn't even be a contribution to the war effort anyway, it was a blatant plan to exhaust his power.
Now was the time to conserve strength for the battle against the Upper Realm King.
Even so, the Lower Realm King did not withdraw his magic.
He used the Authority of 'Pathos' to suppress the Celestial Race members, and the Authority of 'Mind Control' to release the brainwashed creatures.
[Tsk.]
Lucifer clicked his tongue and looked at him with displeasure.
He grumbled that he was here, wielding his sword, not to have him waste his strength on such trivial matters.
"All of those guys are species that are now extinct in the Lower Realm."
[…….]
"For the victory of the Race War, it's better to have even one more species."
[You…. You're talking as if you're assuming we'll lose this war.]
"……."
[If we fail this time, I will kill you.]
At Lucifer's chilling threat, the Lower Realm King gave a faint smile.
"How scary."
The king then created a gate and sent the released creatures down to the Lower Realm.
[To the end….]
"Don't worry. I can replenish the lacking magic with Igmun's Authority. With such a fearsome face, I have to worry that even you might be aiming for my back."
He was about to sneer that even if you possessed magic like a great ocean, it would be difficult to recover your strength in the Upper Realm, but he stopped himself.
There was no way that man didn't know that fact.
The Lower Realm King joked that he shouldn't make such a scary face, but Lucifer responded by raising gray magic.
Just then, three immense presences were approaching from afar.
The Lords of the three Celestial Realms had appeared.
It was as if a giant mountain was approaching.
"They took the bait faster than I thought this time."
[The leader of the enemy charging into the main camp in a state that's almost solitary, it has to be this much.]
Lucifer said that and unleashed his magic with all his might.
That power was incomparable to that of the Dukes fighting in the Lower Realm.
[Lucifer. So you've finally aimed your sword at the Upper Realm.]
[To think that the Lord of the Upper Realm has fallen from grace. As one who once possessed the same status, I can only feel pity.]
[Hand over the Lower Realm King. I'm giving you one last chance, thinking of old times.]
Lucifer's body trembled at the three pairs of blue eyes looking down at him.
His red eyes sparkled and his gray magic blazed like a volcano, but it was still far short of the power shown by the Lords of the Celestial Realms.
At that time, the Lower Realm King unleashed his magic, which he had been saving all along.
Kwaaa!!!
For a moment, dark red magic covered the blue sky.
Crack.
A giant maw, baring its teeth, formed a barrier.
[…A calamity.]
[We'd have to have the Lord of the First Celestial Realm to even have a chance.]
[Why did God give such a guy….]
Its origin was human.
But now it had transcended species and reached the position of the King of the Lower Realm.
The Lords of the three Celestial Realms, unlike when they were facing Lucifer, stiffened with tension.
The Lower Realm King's eyes sparkled red as he opened his mouth.
"Right now, he's my partner."
The Lower Realm King's magic, which they had thought was cutting off their retreat, was directed towards Lucifer.
Tzzz.
Pazzz.
Kwaaa.
The Authorities that the Lower Realm King had obtained.
Among them, those that could be said to belong to Dukes, were imbued into Lucifer's body.
[Even without such power, there would be no problem in stopping those guys.]
Lucifer, having fully accepted the three Authorities, said without hiding his arrogance.
"Don't bluff, Lucifer. You need to hold out a little longer so that at least a minimal stage can be set up."
[Shut up and get lost.]
"I'm counting on you."
Just as the Lord of the Celestial Realm was about to block the Lower Realm King who was trying to move at high speed.
Ggggg.
Lucifer stopped the three Lords' movements by clashing the two gray swords in his hands against each other.
[Where are you going? Brethren of the past.]
The eyes of Lucifer, who said that.
Had already turned blue.
442
'It's massive.'
That was the first emotion that came to Taehyun's mind as he sensed the aura of the giants before him.
Like the rulers of the three Celestial Realms, he had never met Grand Duke Lucifer.
The aura they emitted, embodying the status and presence of a Grand Duke, made Taehyun's chest feel constricted.
It was known that a Grand Duke couldn't face a Celestial Realm ruler outside their own domain, yet.
Lucifer, empowered by the King of the Lower Realm, defied even that common knowledge.
[Impressive. To think your power could amplify to this extent in such a short time.]
[As expected, the King of the Lower Realm is a being that should never have been left alive.]
[...The Upper Realm King will deal with him. For now, subduing Lucifer before us takes priority.]
The rulers of the three Celestial Realms gauged the power Lucifer was emitting.
Though still weaker than when he was known as the ruler of the 1st Celestial Realm, his presence had amplified to a degree that was hard to believe, even in such a short time.
[Gandharva, we will handle Lucifer, so you follow after the King of the Lower Realm...]
Stop him.
Before the ruler of the 3rd Celestial Realm could finish his sentence.
Crack. Crackle.
Two pairs of wings sprouted anew from Lucifer's body.
[So much chatter.]
[What...]
[Just because you opened the Azure Eyes, do you still think of yourself as a Celestial?]
The rulers of the 3rd and 4th Celestial Realms frowned at the increasingly potent ashen magic.
They hated to admit it, but if left unchecked, Lucifer would likely regain the power he possessed as the ruler of the 1st Celestial Realm.
What if they were to lose Lucifer here?
Unlike the King of the Lower Realm, who aimed to challenge the Upper Realm King.
Lucifer, harboring a grudge against the Celestials, would undoubtedly wreak havoc on the Celestial Realms as he saw fit.
Knowing the structure of the Upper Realm well, it wouldn't take him long to reach his place of origin, the 1st Celestial Realm.
[Focusing all our efforts on capturing Lucifer here in the 'Outskirts' seems to be the priority.]
The other rulers agreed with the words of the 2nd Celestial Realm ruler.
In that short time, Lucifer had unfurled the enormous wings symbolizing the absolute ruler of the 1st Celestial Realm.
Though they may have lost their unique radiance, the power burning with ashen magic far surpassed that of the absolute being.
Clang. Clang. Clang, clang, clang.
Lucifer flapped his four pairs of wings, scraping them against two swords.
Each time, the resulting shockwaves grated on the nerves of the three Celestial Realm rulers.
[No good can come from antagonizing a human chosen by the gods, one with the power of reincarnation.]
So, he declared, do not interfere with the one who has already departed, and focus solely on him.
[You have chosen to become a dog of the King of the Lower Realm after all. Considering your origins, it's a ridiculously laughable act.]
Lucifer remained unfazed by the mockery of the 2nd Celestial Realm ruler.
He realized once again that there was little difference between the rulers of the Upper Realm and the Grand Dukes of the Lower Realm.
The Celestials of the Upper Realm and the demons of the Lower Realm.
Those who were so eager to devour each other were, in truth, not so different.
[Didn't that guy say it? That we're partners.]
Lucifer smiled coldly as his wings fluttered.
[As a Grand Duke of the Lower Realm, I am here.]
The power of 'Regeneration' surrounded the three Celestial Realm rulers.
[Do your best to face a Grand Duke. You failures of the gods.]
Lucifer's sword was drawn.
콰과과과과.
The azure sky split apart.
'Crazy.'
Taehyun cursed as he watched the massive battle.
And then, suddenly.
Whoosh.
Once again, the radiance began to stir.
'No... just a little more...'
He wanted to witness this massive battle, just a little longer.
To know the process and the end of this battle.
Even as Taehyun yearned to see what would happen to the beings who surpassed him.
The light of radiance showed no signs of dimming.
Ting.
[The trace of memory is terminated.]
[Skill Memorize(???) has been released.]
Whoosh.
Along with a light that blinded both eyes.
[...It's still... too early... a stage for... you...]
Only Noname's voice, as if saying those words, echoed in his mind.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a blue sky.
Unlike Earth, where white clouds floated sparsely, it was simply blue without anything else.
Only contrasting in color, it looked similar to the red sky of the Abyss.
'Here... is the Upper Realm...?'
Since the last scene in his memory was right below the blue sky.
Taehyun's suspicion was more than reasonable.
'......'
The confusion didn't last long.
He recalled how he had ended up in his current situation.
As Elven had instructed, he had merged with the Sacred Tree to make contact with the Void Records, and at that moment, the magic power of Rosaria, Typhon, and Gilfer had surged.
Thus, he had been sucked into one of the gates before him.
'This is a disaster.'
He had intended to spend more time preparing before attempting to connect to the Void Records, as the risks were not insignificant.
But now, he had been suddenly transported without any preparation.
'What do I need to do to go back...'
As he pondered this, looking around the barren surroundings.
Ting.
[Quest 'Traces of the Lower Realm(???)' has been created.]
[Reward - '???']
[Time Limit - 1 hour 1 minute 59 seconds.... 58 seconds.... 57 seconds...]
Surprised that the status window was working even in the Upper Realm, Taehyun didn't have much time to dwell on it.
[‘Great Power’ is infiltrating. Partially resisted with ‘Mysterious Power.’]
[Skill use is restricted.]
[Magic power use is restricted.]
'What...?'
Taehyun showed signs of dismay at the series of messages.
'Magic manipulation is not natural in the Upper Realm.'
Elven's words belatedly came to mind.
Without even having the time to examine the status window in this sudden situation.
'......!!'
He felt a massive presence.
A foreign yet familiar aura.
Like the Valkyries Gunnr, Eir, and Skal who had died at the hands of Igmun.
'Celestials!!'
Taehyun hurriedly looked around for cover, but there was no way to hide in a place that was practically a barren field.
Even though there was still a considerable distance left.
[Oh. A Gula here. An unexpected. Slave has been discovered.]
The voice of the Celestial who had recognized Taehyun rang vividly in his ears.
One disaster after another.
Just as Taehyun thought so, the Celestial in question strode closer.
'He's big.'
Like the presence he felt, his physique itself was nearly 3 meters tall, making him seem like another version of Orgal.
Of course, his emaciated appearance was the complete opposite.
The peculiar appearance wasn't just that.
Burn-like marks were visible in places on his bone-skinned body.
Patches of unidentified cloth sparsely covered his body.
He was far from the Celestials that Taehyun had seen in his memories.
'He's not an absolute being, is he?'
[Hmm. Judging by his attire. He's not a common slave. More like an absolute being's 'pet'?]
The creature tilted his head, looking Taehyun up and down with a halting voice.
He muttered to himself, wondering why a pet would be wandering around in such a place, without showing any wariness.
'Attacking rashly is dangerous.'
He still didn't know exactly where in the Upper Realm he was.
He hadn't yet fully grasped the meaning of the message that had appeared earlier.
Taehyun looked behind the creature, who was muttering to himself.
"......!!"
There, a human-shaped demon with a small body and a thick beard was bound.
Although they looked different, there were more than just one or two of them.
'Demons...? Is this guy capturing demons...?'
The moment Taehyun had that thought.
[Gula. Has. Decided.]
The creature who had been muttering to himself came to a conclusion and turned to Taehyun.
A sinister look settled in the creature's azure eyes.
[A runaway pet. No problem. Recapturing it. No problem. Selling it again.]
"......"
[Come. Here. You're a slave hunter. Gula-nim will take you in. Himself.]
As he said that, radiance began to gather in his hand, and the same chains that had bound the demons behind him were created.
[Don't even. Think about escaping. No slave has angered. Gula-nim and. Lived to tell the tale.]
More than his halting speech, which was different from his appearance.
More than him referring to himself in the third person.
'A mere slave hunter has this much presence...?'
The aura that the gaunt creature was emitting surprised Taehyun.
'No, that's not it.'
Taehyun shook his head.
It wasn't that the creature before him was amazing, but that his own power had been drastically reduced.
He realized anew just how limited the power the Valkyries of the Lower Realm had been using.
[I'll hear. Your origins. History. Later. First. This...]
Gula, who had come right up to him, bent over and held up the chain he had made into a circle.
It meant for him to put his head in there.
'......'
He knew that the moment he put his head in there, he would become the same as the demons captured behind him.
If that happened, he would truly be in an irreversible situation.
'In that case...'
I'll try it out.
The thought of being careful had disappeared.
Taehyun unleashed his magic power.
A meager amount of magic power flowed out, incomparable to what he had expected.
[Rating is being reassessed.]
[The rating of all skills has been measured as F.]
'What...?'
Just as he was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected message.
He barely avoided Gula's hand that was trying to forcibly put the chain on him.
Although his magic power itself was limited, it was possible because his physical stats themselves were intact.
He immediately used a skill.
Ting.
[Skill Knight King's Aura (F) has been activated.]
Thud.
A faint gravity pressed down on Gula's body, but.
[Hmm...? You. Runaway slave. Pet. What. Did you. Do to Gula.]
The creature, who hadn't received any impact, could only tilt his head in confusion.
Ting.
[Skill Dragon's Wrath (F) has been activated.]
[Activation of Skill Dragon's Wrath (F) has been canceled.]
'There's no answer.'
Only then did he realize the situation he was in.
Taehyun quickly moved his feet.
[You... you stupid jerk!!]
Rosaria shouted in front of the Sacred Tree.
The target of her words was, of course, Typhon.
Having heard the situation from Elven, Rosaria was scolding Typhon along with Gilfer.
[Ho, However, I didn't expect the contractor to be merged with the Sacred Tree...]
[Don't make cowardly excuses!!]
When Rosaria shrilly shouted, Typhon drooped his shoulders.
He could easily withstand even the tentacles that Rosaria swung with determination, but her harsh words inflicted unusually large emotional wounds.
[Who knew the Giant King had this side to him...]
[What a damn idiot...]
Gilfer and Elven looked at him with disdain.
But that was only for a moment.
They put their heads together and devised a plan.
It was fortunate that Orgal and Hazard had left to take care of their respective forces.
[He's already practically a Grand Duke, the contractor. Wouldn't he come back on his own?]
Typhon mentioned Taehyun's power and expressed his opinion.
Rosaria, who had heard Elven's words, shook her head.
[The Fairy King says that if you go to the Upper Realm with the power of the Sacred Tree, you won't be able to use magic power for a while.]
Because the power of the Upper Realm suppresses the power of the Lower Realm.
Even Elven himself had said that at first, all he could do was move while suppressing his presence.
She told them that the reason the beings of the Lower Realm were able to exert power in the Upper Realm during the Race War was because the King of the Lower Realm had offset the magic of the Upper Realm King.
[Elven, is there no way for the contractor to return?]
Rosaria asked Elven in her mind.
[There's nothing we can do here. At best, we can only protect the Sacred Tree.]
[......]
[Depending on his presence, there will be a time limit for how long he can stay there. With the contractor's presence... probably an hour. It will be around that much.]
One hour.
Rosaria nodded with an anxious face as she conveyed it to Gilfer and Typhon.
[Let's pray that nothing goes wrong until then.]
Surely he wouldn't do something reckless like fighting Celestials in an unstable state.
Rosaria muttered to herself, unable to hide her anxious heart.
443
Ting.
[The skill Lord's Aura (F) has been activated.]
Thud.
The slight gravity did not hinder Gula's movements in the slightest.
[Interesting technique. What are you?]
Gula tilted his head, puzzled by the aura that briefly pressed down on him and then disappeared.
Yet, he did not slow down his pursuit of Taehyun.
Thump.
Taehyun twisted his body to avoid the chain aimed at him.
'His objective speed is at the level of a top-tier demon.'
Taehyun's physical abilities alone were already comparable to those of a top-tier demon.
Normally, he wouldn't have had any problems dealing with him even without magic, but the problem was the strange energy affecting the Upper Realm.
From the moment he opened his eyes, an unidentified sense of pressure continued to weigh him down.
'Could it be that some kind of spell is also at work in the Upper Realm?'
In the Lower Realm, there is the 'Law of the Abyss,' a spell cast by the Lower Realm King.
There was no reason why such a law couldn't be applied to the Upper Realm as well.
Whoosh.
Taehyun dodged the chain that Gula wielded with a speed that belied his massive size.
At the same time, he did not stop using his skills.
'I need to confirm.'
Which skills he could use right now, and which skills he couldn't.
That was why he kept using skills, even though they couldn't harm the guy.
[Such things on Gula's body. Don't even tickle. Mouse-like movements. The more you run, the longer the pain.]
Ting.
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) has been activated.]
[The skill is partially unlocked.]
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) is maintained unstably.]
Hwaaa.
Taehyun's eyes turned crimson red.
Originally, he should have opened one crimson eye and one blue eye, but because the skill was activated unstably, both eyes turned crimson.
'I see.'
Taehyun heightened his perception, ignoring the disjointed words.
He was able to grasp the situation only after hitting him with more than ten skills and failing with more than ten skills.
'I can't use skills related to Great Duke-level authority.'
On the other hand, skills like 'Knight King's Aura,' 'Stone Skin,' and 'Stealth,' which he obtained when Taehyun's presence was relatively weak, were usable.
'Watcher's Eye' was the same.
It was a skill that grew with Taehyun, and its original form was 'Demon's Eye.'
That was probably why only the crimson eyes were opened.
Although the problem was that its power was not at all fatal to Gula, that alone was a great achievement for Taehyun.
'In other words, I have to endure the remaining time somehow with only this skill.'
Even as Taehyun moved his feet busily, he opened the status window to check the quest's time limit.
He thought quite a bit of time had passed, but only 5 minutes had passed.
To make matters worse, he couldn't completely avoid Gula's eyes with F-grade 'Stealth.'
Thud.
"Hoo."
He avoided the chain slamming into the ground and took a breath.
[Hmm?]
Gula tilted his head, puzzled by the fact that he wasn't keeping his distance like before, but only for a moment.
[Peculiar fellow. Finally. Gula-nim's sincerity. Understood.]
Hehehe.
Gula reached out to put a chain on Taehyun, who was quietly catching his breath.
He thought the prey that had been running away had finally accepted its fate.
He underestimated him so much that he was practically defenseless.
At that moment, Taehyun's figure, who had taken a stance, leaped up.
First Form of Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts, Taebaek.
Swish.
'It works…!!'
He felt a jolt in the hand strike that struck Gula's neck.
It was different from the skills that had been degraded to F-grade.
[Uh…huh?]
Gula also groped his neck with his hand, taken aback by the unexpected shock.
It was an ancient martial art used with over 600 Strength.
It wasn't enough to be a killing move because he didn't receive buffs from skills, but it was encouraging enough for Taehyun to know that he could give him a meaningful shock.
He kept his distance and observed Gula's reaction.
As expected.
A light of wariness appeared in Gula's blue eyes.
'Too late.'
Third Form of Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts, Geumgang.
In addition to his Strength stat exceeding 600, the density of his muscles had become even thicker.
Following that.
Second Form of Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts, Sangyeong.
Fourth Form, Palgwae.
Fifth Form, Goryeo.
Sixth Form, Sipjin.
Ancient martial arts that made the most of his Strength stat exceeding 600 struck from all directions.
[Keu…ha…?]
Gula's face was dazed by the series of unexpected pains.
He had captured many demons so far, but this was the first time a slave had resisted in this way in the Upper Realm.
Before he knew it, Taehyun's figure had leaped up to Gula's abdomen.
Seventh Form of Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts, Pyeongwon.
Jjeoeeong!!
[Kack…!!]
Although he couldn't maximize his physical abilities through 'Demonization'.
Thud.
It was powerful enough to make Gula kneel on one knee.
Following Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts Baekrang, Chinese Ancient Martial Arts Sansha was mixed in.
Attacks that had reached a state of perfection, both physically and technically, were gradually accumulating damage.
But at some point, Gula's expression began to reveal a different emotion than pain.
[Oh… High-grade product. Runaway slave. A high-grade product!!]
Gula shouted with joy, saying it was an unexpected harvest.
It was also the first time for him to see a human using ancient martial arts.
[Pet. I won't hurt you. So. Don't resist.]
Sssseuuuupp.
The appearance of being skin and bones was nowhere to be seen, and a solid, muscular body was revealed just by taking a breath.
'What kind of body is that?'
Taehyun, who had been circling around, started up again.
Fifth Form of Chinese Ancient Martial Arts, Penetrating Force.
Bang!!
"……!!"
The attack aimed at his blue eyes was easily blocked by the guy's arm.
Smash!!
Gula struck with another arm, and Taehyun's body flew away helplessly.
[You're making Gula-nim angry after all.]
Not only had his stuttering habit disappeared, but it seemed like he had a completely different personality.
"Are you a multiple personality or something?"
He spoke mockingly at the sudden change, but.
Gula couldn't understand human words.
[A slave who doesn't listen. I'll take you back half-dead.]
Hwooong.
Gula raised his hand, which had become even thicker.
A huge energy gathered in that hand.
'Divine power…!!'
Unlike the magic used by demons in the Lower Realm.
A power that only the celestials of the Upper Realm can use.
A huge power was imbued in Gula's fist.
It was a burdensome power for Taehyun, who had to rely solely on his physical abilities because he couldn't use magic.
'I have to avoid it.'
Ting.
[The skill Demon's Eye (F) has been enhanced.]
Taehyun's eyes turned into a slightly darker shade of crimson.
But it seemed impossible to keep up with the movements of Gula, who had opened up that much power.
Kwaang!!
'Stone Skin,' 'Geumgang,' and the slightly applied magic were of no help, and the shoulder that he couldn't avoid was blown away.
His body regenerated very slowly.
Taehyun groaned and watched Gula's next move.
At that time, he sensed the energy of other celestials with a faint sense of touch.
'If I continue to fight like this, I might attract the attention of other guys.'
If there was an absolute being among them, he would be defeated without being able to do anything.
Taehyun's goal was not to connect to the Empty Records, but to safely escape from the Upper Realm.
'There's not much point in fighting any more than this.'
The situation was very different from when he first started fighting Gula.
Even if he somehow managed to win against him, he wouldn't be able to defeat all the other celestials.
In that case, it would be safer to spend time near Gula, whom he had somewhat figured out.
'Since he doesn't seem to have any intention of harming me, I'll look for a good opportunity.'
His crimson eyes scanned Gula's body.
His exposed belly looked appetizing as a target.
Kkudeudeuk. Kkudeudeudeuk.
The muscles in his body were concentrated.
And.
Ultimate of Shinhanguk Ancient Martial Arts.
Kkwang!!!
The pinnacle of Baekrang, reinterpreted by Taehyun, struck.
[Kack…!!]
Gula screamed like never before and fell backward.
It was an instinctive judgment caused by the long-awaited pain.
[High-grade product…!! I won't let you get away!!]
If he traded this high-grade product with an absolute being, he might be able to obtain immeasurable wealth and fame.
Gula roared as he forcibly raised his body, which was reversing.
Kahaack!!
It was the moment when he unleashed his power that he had not revealed for a long time with all his might.
Thud.
Taehyun's body collapsed forward with just that.
[……!!]
Gula stared at Taehyun, who had fallen and remained motionless for a while.
And.
Pooshieeeeee.
He let out a breath and returned to his original form.
The traces of the attack that Taehyun had left on his shrunken body were clear.
[Suddenly, where did this slave come from….]
He was panting from the vivid pain for a moment.
Gula's expression brightened.
[High-grade product. No, top-grade product.]
Just in case he might get hurt.
Gula carefully tied up Taehyun's body.
Thud.
Gula, who had put his prey in an iron cage, hummed a song and left the place.
[Amazing. He must have been attacked by Gula quite a bit.]
Taehyun opened his eyes at the words he heard from the side.
The dwarf who had been caught by Gula before was looking at him.
[I knew you weren't fainted.]
'Dwarf.'
Taehyun recognized that he was a demon who had become extinct in the Lower Realm just by his appearance.
[From what I can see, you seem to have a strong body…. If you rely on that here, your body won't be able to withstand it.]
Gula was in a good mood, so it ended like this, but next time, one of your limbs would be torn off.
He said that you should avoid that as much as possible since you don't have super-speed regeneration.
Taehyun, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth in the demons' language.
[Are you a dwarf?]
The dwarf with a thick beard nodded.
[Yes. There are still people left who remember our race. I was once a proud Meister of the race.]
'Meister?'
There were many things he wanted to ask, but there were also many things he needed to check first.
[Where is this?]
[It's Gula's slave storage.]
[Slave?]
[You really have a clueless face.]
"……."
The dwarf, observing Taehyun who replaced his answer with silence, explained as if it were nothing.
This place was called the 10th Celestial Realm of the Upper Realm, and Gula was a famous slave hunter.
[He's notorious for capturing countless runaway slaves, oh, beings from the Lower Realm like us, and handing them over to his clients.]
The power he possessed in itself was only about the level of a top-tier species in the Lower Realm.
In the Celestial Realm where the Upper Realm King's spell was in effect, it was an opponent that demons from the Lower Realm could not overcome.
[Why are only the two of us locked up separately?]
[That's because we fall under the category of high-grade products according to their standards. If he hadn't discovered marketability in you, Gula would have killed you without hesitation.]
The dwarf told Taehyun how reckless his actions had been.
Considering that most runaway slave hunters were about the level of upper-tier species, Gula's status was famous even within the 10th Celestial Realm.
'Slave.'
The civilization of the Upper Realm was more developed than he had expected.
[You must not have been here long.]
The dwarf, who had been observing Taehyun's reaction, nodded to himself as if he now understood.
In addition to that, he told him a past story that he had not even asked, as if he was bored.
[The Fairies of Melody and the Dwarves of Weapons were famous even in the Lower Realm.]
However, they failed to win in the continuous tribal wars and were dragged away by the hunters of the Upper Realm who invaded during the chaotic gap caused by the territorial war.
He was surprised by his more intact memory than he had thought for a moment.
[Hehehe. The Upper Realm is not affected by the Lower Realm King's spell.]
He said that the Upper Realm never really lost, so they don't lose their memories or powers in exchange for reincarnation.
It was an unexpected piece of information.
[So, who are we being sold to?]
[You and I have been judged as high-grade products. Oh, it seems they recognized you as a top-grade product… Anyway, a slave hunter of Gula's level must be connected to customers of an absolute being's level.]
Absolute being.
Taehyun frowned at the appearance of the word he didn't want to hear.
There were still 40 minutes left on the quest's time limit.
'It would be dangerous to just spend time here.'
There was no guarantee that he would be automatically moved to the Lower Realm just because the quest's time limit was up.
So, it would be best to pull himself out and wait for the end of the quest in a safe zone.
That's what he thought.
Ting.
[The quest 'Traces of the Lower Realm (???)' has been accepted.]
[Success reward - 'Restoration of the Species']
[Time limit - 40 minutes 59 seconds…. 58 seconds…. 57 seconds….]
'…….'
From the quest message without even a progress rate.
Taehyun glimpsed a new possibility.
444
Taehyun looked back and forth between the message that popped up and the dwarf looking at him.
Based on what Taehyun had learned about his status window so far.
'It's highly likely that it has determined that the quest can be achieved.'
All the quests that had occurred so far had been like that, and the fact that he had never failed a quest despite the crises proved it.
Taehyun scanned the dwarf in front of him.
A survivor of a species extinct in the Lower Realm.
'Restoration of the species, huh...'
The reward for the quest was truly attractive.
He had already fully realized the effects of species restoration through the Elven.
Although she was only one fairy, as she had not yet regained all her power, Taehyun's power had grown tremendously just from that.
What if the dwarf race was added to that?
What if Taehyun's forces were armed with the weapons of those called the blacksmiths of the Lower Realm?
'I can get stronger.'
All the archdukes flaunt their power so much that they don't attach much meaning to weapons.
Of course, before that, he had to check whether the dwarf in front of him was worth risking danger to save.
Taehyun, who was about to take out the Dragonslayer Sword, belatedly realized that his body was bound.
[Don't overdo it. If you try to break the 'Chains of Binding' carelessly, your body will explode.]
[Chains of Binding?]
Taehyun let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected name.
The dwarf seemed to understand the meaning of the laugh as resignation.
[At first, I also had a hard time accepting reality like you. But you'll gradually adapt.]
He said that as if he understood.
He also said that he was confused at first by the collision between the Lower Realm King's magic and the Upper Realm King's magic.
He said that it took him a long time to come to his senses and understand his position in the Upper Realm.
[You may not know, but the Meisters are all very proud of the weapons they create. Therefore, it is natural that they have a strong sense of self-esteem.]
[What's so special about a Meister?]
Taehyun asked about the question that first came to his mind when he faced the dwarf.
[Huh... Could it be that we've been forgotten in the Lower Realm...?]
[Looks like it.]
[...Well, it's not surprising.]
[Meister is a title given to only a few artisans in the clan.]
[You must have good craftsmanship?]
[Craftsmanship?!! I can confidently say that in the Lower Realm, even the archdukes would bow their heads if you said the name Tolkien. Yes!!]
[......]
Taehyun shook his head at the statement that even the archdukes would bow their heads.
The archdukes he knew were not weak enough in character to bow their heads just because a dwarf had some skill.
But Tolkien's pride in the title of Meister seemed genuine.
'He's got some bluffing, but it doesn't seem like a complete lie...'
[If even the archdukes bow their heads, you shouldn't have been caught by those slave hunters from before.]
If he was a real archduke, he would have just torn Gula apart, regardless of whether he used magic or not.
Taehyun said that as if he was sure.
He didn't think that even he, whose combat power varied greatly depending on the skills activated by magic, couldn't beat him.
If they were archdukes, they would have definitely subdued Gula somehow.
[You... you don't believe me? Well, anyone would think so if they saw this wretched body, which doesn't even have one of the clan's prized weapons.]
Tolkien, realizing his situation, became gloomy.
Taehyun raised the corners of his mouth and watched him.
'There's no need to kill his spirit.'
Just the fact that he was a Lower Realm monster who survived in the Upper Realm made Tolkien a valuable source of information.
So, it wasn't a good thing for Tolkien to fall into depression and shut his mouth.
'Shall I appease him and get him to open his mouth a little more?'
[I apologize for my rudeness. I never thought I would see the dwarf race, which was only spoken of in legends, here.]
Then, when he asked about the whereabouts of the others, Tolkien gnashed his teeth unlike before.
The chain wrapped around his body trembled, making the words he had said to Taehyun pale.
Veins popped out on his lumpy body, which had no muscles.
Clench. Clench.
If the luminous chain hadn't been pressing down on Tolkien's body, he would have certainly gone berserk.
[Hoo...]
Tolkien was already used to this kind of slave life.
He suppressed his anger on his own without Taehyun stopping him.
[All my brothers were either killed or taken away.]
He said that many had taken their own lives because of their high self-esteem.
He said that a small number of survivors had scattered throughout the Heavenly Realm.
[Among them, a guy named Hephaestus from the 2nd Heavenly Realm took most of the surviving Meister brothers. He must have thought they would be useful to boss around.]
[And you?]
When asked how he had avoided Hephaestus' eyes, Tolkien chuckled and lifted his head.
A scar that looked like it had been sewn up with something, which had been hidden by his thick beard until now, was revealed.
[It's a wound I suffered from a Valkyrie in the last race war. Damn bastards... They're nothing without Odin's rune...]
He said that he was stabbed by a strange weapon called the Spear of Longinus and damaged the tendons in his neck, thus losing his value as a Meister.
In other words, he was able to avoid the disaster of being dragged away by Hephaestus thanks to his demotion.
'Even so, he's being evaluated as a high-quality product according to the standards of the Celestials.'
It was ironic that the clan, which was extinct in the Lower Realm, was a slave traded at a high price in the Upper Realm.
[So? It seems like you avoided Hephaestus well, but how did you end up trapped in this state?]
With Tolkien's current skills, it would be difficult to survive in the Upper Realm.
Judging from Gula's talk about escaping, it was highly likely that he was a slave or pet of the Celestials and ran away.
As expected.
[The absolute being of the 10th Heavenly Realm, Horus. I was caught while running away from that guy. Damn it, if I had gone just a little further, it would have been the temple!!]
[......]
He felt like his head was throbbing at the unexpected words.
Because if you know one thing, a new one appears.
'Horus aside, what's with the temple?'
[You don't know the absolute being Horus?]
[No.]
[...It's better not to know.]
[Why?]
At Taehyun's question, Tolkien reluctantly opened his mouth.
[Now that Gula has caught me, he'll report to Horus. He's probably planning to sell me for a lot of money.]
[So?]
Tolkien glanced at Taehyun's expression and sighed.
[That guy... has very bad taste.]
[Bad taste?]
[He likes men.]
[......]
[......]
[Did you like it?]
[I was mainly in charge of chores. But there were quite a few cute-looking humanoid monsters in Horus' castle.]
Beastmen, Dragons, Vampires, and so on.
He said that he couldn't get enough of Lower Realm monsters that looked plausible.
Gula, who knew Horus' personality, would definitely show him the top-quality Taehyun.
He said that if Horus confirmed Taehyun's appearance, he would definitely pay the price and take him away.
Tolkien shook his head as if there was nothing he could do.
[I thought it was a problem, but it was the worst.]
[It's the worst.]
Only the absolute beings in the Heavenly Realm could handle the top-quality, so Gula would definitely make contact.
'I was going to spend my time quietly.'
[I must get out of here.]
[It's impossible. Even if this slave storage is close to the temple... there's no way for a Lower Realm monster to escape as long as the Chains of Binding are on.]
Taehyun checked the luminous chain that was wrapped around his body once again.
He lightly gave it some strength.
Clench.
Just that made the chain, which had been moderately loose, tighten around his entire body.
'It's definitely not a light chain.'
It seemed difficult to cut it off with simple physical strength alone without magic.
[Don't bother. The Chains of Binding are something that can't be undone without divine power.]
[Divine power?]
[It's natural since it's a tool made to control Lower Realm monsters. It's difficult to even think about it with magic unless you're an archduke, but with divine power, even a kid can undo it.]
So he showed a resigned look, telling him not to waste his energy.
[You give up faster than I thought.]
[I didn't say I was giving up, I said there's no way.]
[What if there was a way?]
Tolkien clicked his tongue at the continued questioning.
He seemed to regard Taehyun's reaction as the resistance of someone who hadn't yet adapted to reality.
Taehyun proposed to such Tolkien.
[I'll help you return to the Lower Realm if you want.]
[...I wish you wouldn't joke like that.]
[I'm not joking. I'll help you get out of here.]
[How many people like you do you think I've seen here? I don't know if you flexed your muscles a bit in the Lower Realm as a top-tier species, but this is the Upper Realm. Even that paltry power will gradually become unusable with the Upper Realm King's magic.]
[Defeatism has seeped into your bones. The name of Meister will cry.]
Tolkien became angry at Taehyun's sarcasm.
[What do you want me to do!! Okay, go ahead and try if you can!! If I can just undo this damn chain, I'll risk my life, which I'm going to die anyway, on you!! No, I'll even serve you as a new master!! Damn it!!!]
Taehyun looked pleased at Tolkien's excited words.
[It's a shame I can't make a contract of desire.]
That appearance stimulated Tolkien.
[Humph!! Anyone can just spout words...]
That's what he was about to say.
Ding.
[Skill Energy Drain (F) has been activated. Targeting the target.]
The luminous chain, at the faint magic that bloomed from Taehyun's body, tightened its grip even more.
He had already confirmed that he could absorb divine power with Energy Drain through his battles with the Valkyries.
The variable was Taehyun's demoted rank, but there was nothing to worry about.
Taehyun's body wasn't so poorly trained that it would be crushed by this level of chain.
'Is this not enough?'
Ding.
[Skill Energy Drain (F) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerating.]
[A huge power has been detected.]
The power struggle between magic and divine power began.
Tzzzzzzz.
Very faintly.
The power of the chain that was tightening around his body began to weaken.
Taehyun took advantage of that gap and used the next skill.
Ding.
[Skill Eye of the Monster (F) has been activated.]
Because it was activated incompletely, only one eye turned red.
He absorbed a little more of the divine power that made up the luminous chain with 'Energy Drain'.
[Skill Eye of the Higher Species (F) has been activated.]
Both eyes turned red.
The power of the luminous chain tightening around his body became even stronger.
[Skill Eye of the Highest Species (F) has been activated.]
The magic residing in the red eyes became even stronger.
The luminous chain made a final struggle as if it would not allow any more.
Crack.
He gritted his teeth at the sensation of both shoulders breaking.
[Hey!! Stop it!! If you go any further, you'll be crushed!!]
Tolkien belatedly tried to stop Taehyun's actions.
But Taehyun ignored him and strengthened 'Energy Drain' once again.
And.
He used the last skill to drive in the wedge.
Ding.
[Skill Eye of the Watcher (F) has been activated.]
[The skill is partially解除.]
[Skill Eye of the Watcher (F) is maintained unstably.]
[Skill Eye of the Watcher (F) has been enhanced. It has collided with a huge force.]
[Overcomes the collision. The skill is fully activated.]
Taehyun's lips momentarily curled up at the series of messages.
Swish.
One eye began to change from red to blue.
There was no need to give it strength.
Swish.
The luminous chain that was tightening around his body disappeared the moment he opened his blue eye.
[Th, this is...]
Taehyun, who had regained freedom of his body, looked at Tolkien.
[The words you said a little while ago.]
There's no going back.
Taehyun's red and blue eyes shone brightly as he said that.
445
Gula was in a good mood.
He had obtained Taehyun, who could be considered a top-tier prize, following the pet who escaped from Horus, the absolute being of the Ten Thousand Heavens.
Catching the dwarf who had fled from Horus and run near the temple was also a great achievement.
But what pleased him the most was the top-tier prize he had captured after much hardship.
[Heh heh heh. To think the slave Gula-nim caught is... like the king of the lower world. A planetary slave.]
Gula, drunk from drinking Marzen, chuckled, shaking his massive body.
None of the passing Celestials stopped Gula.
They knew how violent he could become when upset.
[Gula must have caught some useful slaves this time.]
[I heard he caught the pet who escaped from Horus-nim.]
[Typical Gula. He deserves to be drunk like that.]
[Is that all? I heard he also caught a human from a planet called Earth?]
[Oh. That's quite valuable. We can't open the gate to Earth anymore, right?]
[That's right. I don't know how someone who can only be seen in the lower world ended up in Gula's hands.]
[I heard a divine beast bloomed in the lower world. Maybe they accidentally lost it there...]
[Shh. Watch your mouth. The absolute beings guard the divine beast.]
[I'm sorry, please forget my blasphemous words.]
The Celestials' whispers reached Gula's ears.
Heh heh heh.
Gula couldn't hide his laughter.
Their words were all but acknowledging the value of the slaves he had captured.
He had already sent word to Horus' castle.
Horus, who was fanatically obsessed with lower-world pets, would surely pay a fortune to take the dwarf back.
[If he comes in person... Gula-nim should... at least greet him.]
And that's not all.
What if he showed the newly captured human, the top-tier prize, to Horus, who had come in person?
Given Horus' personality, he would surely pay a fortune.
He might even make him a direct vassal of the absolute being.
Heh heh heh heh.
[Gula-nim... is back.]
Gula shouted and entered the auction house where his slaves were held.
However, the atmosphere in the auction house was unusual.
[What... is going on?]
Gula grabbed one of the Celestials passing by him and asked in a drunken voice.
[......!!]
The Celestial's expression, startled at seeing him, was strange.
Gula's expression soured at the unusual atmosphere.
He had a bad feeling.
As expected.
His premonition was correct.
[Gu, Gula... all the slaves in the auction house have escaped...]
[What...?]
[Don't worry. Our auction house's reputation is at stake, so we will track them down quickly, cough...!!]
The Celestial, grabbed and lifted by Gula, struggled.
[Gula-nim's... upper-tier. Top-tier. If they're gone... I'll kill you. Answer me.]
The Celestial, pale with fear, answered incoherently.
Crack.
Gula snapped the Celestial's neck.
'It's a mess.'
Taehyun thought, sensing the commotion outside.
[I never thought he would do such a reckless thing...]
Tolkin, clinging to one of Taehyun's legs, muttered in a trembling voice.
That's because he knew that the current chaos was due to them.
No, to be precise, it was the chaos that started when Taehyun released all the chains of the upper-tier slaves in the auction house.
The lower-world monsters classified as upper-tier were all violent.
Some of the impatient monsters forgot their situation and started rampaging, and while those monsters were drawing attention, Taehyun took Tolkin and escaped from the auction house.
His footwork was so fast, and his mysterious hiding technique was so perfect.
Before they knew it, they were able to enter the barren field where Gula and Taehyun had fought.
[Th, there he is!!]
Tolkin, clinging to Taehyun and hiding with 'Stealth', shouted and pointed ahead.
Indeed, in the distance, they could see a huge castle built with something yellowish-brown.
'That's the temple.'
According to Tolkin, the temple was the only non-combat zone in the Ten Thousand Heavens.
Just entering that place would guarantee safety.
Combat was not allowed for any of the Celestials in the Ten Thousand Heavens.
Taehyun checked the quest's time limit.
'20 minutes.'
Long if it's long, short if it's short.
What was certain was that it didn't seem bad to kill the remaining time.
The completion condition of the quest, which was approved arbitrarily, was not clear.
Just judging from the fact that it was a trace of the lower world, could he return to the lower world in the form of reverse summoning when the quest's time limit was up?
That's all he could think of.
[What are the forces guarding the temple?]
[I, I don't know.]
[What?]
Tolkin made excuses, saying that he had only heard that it was the only non-combat zone in the Ten Thousand Heavens and had escaped.
'This, is the word Meister a lie too?'
Taehyun's trust in Tolkin seemed to plummet.
He clicked his tongue at the dwarf who was gripping his leg tightly.
But he couldn't help it now that he had come this far.
He hoped that there were no Celestials inside the temple who could detect 'Stealth' and quickened his pace.
He could already feel a considerable presence from behind.
Some of the monsters who had escaped from the auction house were running towards the temple with similar thoughts to Tolkin.
It was only natural that the Celestials from the auction house were chasing after them.
In the past.
He remembered the moment when he and Cody Cruise escaped from Orgal's castle and were chased by monsters.
'I wonder if that guy is still alive.'
He had no time to waste in the Upper World, where he couldn't access the Void Records.
While reminding himself of the fact that he had to return to the Lower World as soon as possible and finish the domain war, he arrived at the entrance of the temple.
'Is it more like the design of an altar than a castle?'
Taehyun pulled up his Ki-sense and rushed inside.
There was no one guarding it, and only huge stone tablets were erected in various places.
For some reason, he felt an unusual energy from each of those stone tablets.
At that time, a message popped up.
Ting.
[Recognizes traces of a great being.]
[Recognizes the aura of a great being.]
'...There's something there.'
Thinking that, Taehyun glared at the stone tablet while keeping his distance.
[Wh, what are you doing? Hurry inside!!]
Tolkin couldn't hide his trembling voice, afraid of being caught by the Celestials.
It wasn't wrong.
Taehyun couldn't shake off the ominous feeling and entered the temple as it was.
Unlike the shabby exterior, the interior was neat.
It was said to be a non-combat zone, and there was no one guarding it.
Swish.
The deepest part of the temple.
Taehyun, who had released 'Stealth' there, sat cross-legged.
[Wh, what are you doing?]
It was highly likely that he would become a target if he not only released stealth but also sat there openly like that.
Tolkin fussed anxiously.
[Isn't this a non-combat zone anyway?]
[Th, that's still...]
[Don't make a fuss. It's disturbing my magic recovery.]
Taehyun said that and closed his eyes and focused.
Tolkin was still fidgeting next to him, but once Taehyun started to focus, that didn't matter to him.
'Magic is unstable.'
The pure and fiercely swirling magic was shaking weakly.
It was a weak and bizarre flow that was too embarrassing to be called backflow.
'This is the Upper World King's spell.'
To be able to seal his magic, which had reached the realm of the Archduke, to this extent.
He couldn't help but admire the truly amazing repression.
On the one hand, he also sympathized with the Archdukes who could not unleash their full power with the Lower World King's magic.
'I will regain my magic.'
Tolkin called this place a non-combat zone.
From the beginning, Taehyun didn't come to the temple to avoid fighting.
'It's impossible to escape from the Celestials in the Upper World anyway.'
So he had to regain his sealed magic as quickly as possible and prepare for a proper battle.
'It's enough to be treated as a commodity by a guy like Gula once.'
Ting.
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) has been enhanced.]
Swish.
Unstable magic in the red eye.
Weak divine power in the blue eye.
Two opposing forces were struggling to burn.
Taehyun recalled the background of the skill 'Watcher's Eye'.
The Valkyrie commanders of the 7th Heavenly Realm, Gunne, Eir, and Skal.
He couldn't ignore the fact that he made a contract with Igmun and Jormungandr in the middle.
'The most suspicious thing is the contract with them.'
After the faint trace of the rune acquired by fulfilling the contract, the 'Eye of the Highest Species' changed to 'Watcher's Eye'.
Rosaria said that Odd Eye was ominous.
Anyway, for Taehyun right now, it was the only hint to survive in the Upper World.
Taehyun forcibly collided the two forces that couldn't fully accept his magic.
He recalled the moment when the Archdukes peeled off the Lower World King's spell.
A limit with even the degradation of existence in mind.
Only by breaking through that limit.
'You can escape the spell.'
Ting.
[Unstable magic backflows.]
[Recognizes an incomprehensible aura.]
Magic and divine power.
All sorts of messages popped up as the two contrasting forces collided.
How much time had passed like that.
Ting.
[New stat 'Divinity' has been registered.]
[The proficiency of the skill 'Watcher's Eye' has increased.]
[The skill 'Watcher's Eye' has completely awakened.]
'......!!'
Taehyun checked the status window.
Strength: 640 Stamina: 640 Speed: 645 Magic: 835 Divinity: 50 Charisma: 650
Watcher's Eye (F) - Opens the eyes of the Celestial race. Requires Divinity: 40
The newly created stat 'Divinity' and the changed skill 'Watcher's Eye' caught his eye.
He immediately used the skill.
Ting.
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) has been activated.]
A newly felt amount of divine power.
He could feel that the energy symbolizing the Celestial race was being consumed.
At the same time.
Swish.
Both eyes were dyed blue.
Following the complete red eye, he had opened the complete blue eye.
'This is the eye that the Celestials have.'
Everything in his vision looked blue.
Tolkin, who had been watching from the side, screamed.
[Y, your eyes...!!]
He was so surprised when one eye turned blue before.
His gaze towards Taehyun, who had the eyes that only Celestials could have, changed.
[Don't make a fuss and sit down.]
Taehyun said in a much lighter voice.
He felt that the repressive force that had been weighing on his body had weakened from the moment he opened the blue eyes.
He didn't think long.
'I will regain the skills one by one.'
Ting.
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) has been enhanced. Divinity consumption is accelerated.]
The previously blue vision suddenly turned red.
That's because the blue eye was released and returned to the red eye.
[The skill Watcher's Eye (F) has been deactivated. Divinity is insufficient.]
The message told him that the divinity that maintained the skill had run out.
He had finally found a way to unlock the seal of the skill, but he didn't have enough divinity to maintain the blue eyes.
Unlike the overflowing magic, the divinity, which was only 50, was holding him back.
'This is a mess.'
That's when Taehyun was thinking that.
The entrance to the temple became noisy.
Soon after, the Celestials who were chasing them rushed in.
[D, did I not say so!!]
Unlike Tolkin, who hastily hid in the corner of the temple.
Taehyun, who saw the Celestials in front of him, was delighted.
"Nutrients have come to find me on their own."
It was when there were less than 15 minutes left in the quest's time limit.
Episode 446
The celestials from the auction house.
They were currently experiencing the emotion of ‘bewilderment.’
They had existed for a length of time that they couldn’t even remember.
During that time, they had killed, captured, and sold countless monsters.
Some of them couldn't accept their circumstances and attempted to escape.
High-ranking and top-ranking species from the lower realm.
However, in the upper realm, their value was no more than their sturdy bodies.
No more, no less. Even the celestials affiliated with the auction house could easily kill them.
No matter how famous a top-ranking species was in the lower realm.
If they were caught by a named slave hunter like Gula, they became gentle lambs.
Unlike his dull appearance, Gula was more ferocious than anyone else when he revealed his true nature.
Therefore, the celestials usually avoided him, but the celestials inside the temple were quietly waiting for Gula.
Because the top-quality slave he had captured violated the temple's rule of being a non-combat zone by baring its fangs.
Moreover, it had opened its Azure Eyes and exuded a fierce killing intent.
[Why does a slave have Azure Eyes?]
[That's definitely strange. I've never heard Gula mention this before?]
[I understand why Gula went to see the Absolute with a top-quality item.]
[Yeah, a slave who has opened Azure Eyes… I've never even heard of such a thing.]
[Let's just wait for Gula to arrive. If we rashly interfere in a non-combat zone and damage the merchandise, we'll have to take all the blame.]
[Agreed.]
Five celestials affiliated with the auction house were whispering in front of Taehyun.
[I, I have to escape…!!]
Tolkin, hidden in the corner, shouted in the language of the monsters.
[Escape to where from here?]
[Any, anywhere! Gula is coming, isn't he!!]
Unlike Taehyun, Tolkin was still under the influence of the upper realm’s magic.
It was understandable why he would say that.
‘Well, it’s getting to its limit.’
Taehyun's magic manipulation was only smooth when he was using the fully awakened 'Watcher's Eye.'
Fortunately, there was good food in front of him.
One of the celestials, displeased that Taehyun, who was nothing more than merchandise, had the same Azure Eyes as them, shouted.
[Can't you lower your gaze!! You insignificant slave.]
Taehyun smirked and loosened up his body.
The celestials, understanding the meaning, clicked their tongues.
[Have you forgotten that combat is prohibited here?]
[What would a foolish slave know?]
[If he attacks us, let’s just block him appropriately.]
They looked down on Taehyun's fighting spirit and retreated.
Declaring that they had no intention of fighting, they took a defensive formation.
'It seems that the prohibition of combat is true.’
But such rules were.
“None of my business.”
Taehyun, having roughly assessed their strength, dashed out.
It didn’t take long to subdue the celestials.
There was no need to use skills.
Ancient martial arts Baek-Rang and San-Sha.
Those two martial arts, manifested through Taehyun's Unbreakable Body, were enough to subdue the five celestials.
‘I guess Gula was particularly strong.’
They weren't particularly strong compared to the monsters of the lower realm.
If the top-ranking monsters of the lower realm could use their full power, they could definitely subdue them.
It was a moment that showed how threatening the magic of the upper realm was to the monsters of the lower realm.
If such power was applied to the lower realm?
‘It would be annihilation without even fighting a war.’
He was almost grateful for the 'Law of the Abyss.'
[B, brother…. How can you… defeat the celestials….]
Tolkin had a blank expression, as if he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
[I'd be disappointed if you were surprised by this much.]
As soon as Taehyun said that, a faint magic power emanated from his body.
Swish. Swish.
Chains were created and bound the five celestials.
And as their bodies gradually shrank, Taehyun's lips curled up into a smile.
Because of the message that appeared before his eyes.
[You have refined a great power. Divinity has increased by 1.]
[You have refined a great power. Divinity has increased by 1.]
He had only used 'Energy Drain,' but his Divinity stat had permanently increased.
He thought they weren't a big deal, but they seemed to have a decent amount of existence value.
Just as he had extracted a considerable amount of Divinity from the five celestials.
[The grade is being reassessed.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as E.]
“Well, this isn’t surprising.”
Taehyun was satisfied with his strengthened magic power.
He had definitely realized how to break free from the Upper Realm King's magic and regain his sealed skills.
[Save me….]
One of the five celestials.
The one from whom Taehyun had deliberately extracted only a moderate amount of Divinity begged for his life.
The arrogant look from before was nowhere to be found.
'I can't use Ataraxia yet.'
Since there wasn't a skill as good as that for reading information, he had to go through the trouble of interrogating them directly.
“Alright, I'll spare your life.”
[Th, tha….]
Thwack.
Taehyun's slap turned the celestial's head.
Because it had already been beaten to its limit, he could hear the sound of something breaking.
“Answer only the questions.”
The celestial nodded with absolute affirmation.
Tolkin, the proud Meister of the dwarf clan, who was watching the scene.
[Hoo….]
He let out a groan as if he couldn't believe it.
Horus, the Absolute of the 10th Heavenly Realm.
He frowned at the situation before him, his eyes burning with azure flames.
[Explain.]
[Th, that is… the slaves escaped….]
Poof.
The celestial who was explaining the situation to Horus burst into flames and vanished.
The other celestials watching swallowed hard.
[Oops, I failed to control my power. You, speak.]
Horus pointed at another celestial in front of him.
[Of, of the slaves Gula brought… the top quality one….]
[The top quality one?]
[Made the other slaves escape….]
[Made them escape?]
[Taking advantage of the confusion… along with a high-quality slave… headed towards the temple….]
Poof.
The body of the celestial who had finished speaking burst into flames.
[I made the effort to come here myself after receiving Gula's report.]
Horus scanned the celestials in the auction house with his gleaming azure eyes.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
With just that, the area was filled with blue flames.
[The temple, you say.]
Horus recalled the ancient building built for the Absolutes of the 10th Heavenly Realm.
A non-combat zone.
Perhaps they had gone there believing in that rule.
[How pathetic.]
There was no need for the Absolute to be bound by the rules in a place prepared to serve the Absolutes.
Horus spread his enormous wings.
Then, he moved to catch his escaped pet and a new pet.
Thud.
The celestial, whose life had been exhausted by Taehyun's enhanced 'Energy Drain', collapsed.
He had already heard everything he wanted to ask.
[You have refined a great power. Divinity has increased by 1.]
“There's nothing more ridiculous than a promise that's just words.”
He said that, satisfied with the final increase in Divinity.
Absorbing the five celestials had raised his total Divinity by 10.
Was that all?
He had also learned that the 10th Heavenly Realm’s Absolute, Horus, was behind this auction house.
'It's a non-combat zone… but in front of the Absolute, the temple doesn't mean much.'
He had to keep in mind the possibility that Horus might come here himself.
He checked the remaining time of the quest.
12 minutes.
It would be ideal if nothing happened until the time ran out.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The ground shook.
‘Of course not.’
Had it been even a minute?
The slave hunter of the 10th Heavenly Realm appeared.
[Lord Gula has arrived.]
Not in a gaunt appearance, but filled with muscles.
The net in his hand was filled with monsters.
They were all the ones that Taehyun had released from the auction house.
[So you were hiding here.]
Gula looked at Taehyun and Tolkin, who was trembling behind him.
Seeing the five celestials dried up like mummies, Gula chuckled.
[As expected of a top-quality item.]
He wouldn't be able to save face if he were easily captured by those guys.
Gula scanned Taehyun with pride, but a question arose on his face.
[Hmm?]
His eyes, which were clearly red when he captured him, had Azure Eyes that were no different from his own.
If he were a normal celestial, he would have been surprised, saying that it was impossible.
[Ooh… As expected of a top-quality item…. I'll have to call a new price for this…!!]
Gula was simply pleased at the thought that he could get a higher price.
Taehyun looked at him with a strange expression.
Even though the situation was what it was.
He was ashamed of himself for being caught by such a guy.
Taehyun quietly watched Gula, who was rejoicing to himself.
The remaining time for the quest was 11 minutes.
"Perfect."
[Yes. I'll have to ask Lord Horus to make you his subordinate. If I offer you as a condition, he'll have no choice but to accept this Gula's offer.]
As soon as Gula said that, a brilliance settled in his hand.
The chain from before was created.
[Don't resist. Gula has no intention of harming you.]
Taehyun looked at Gula, who was trying to put on the chain.
[Gula.]
[That's right. Yes, this Gula is your master.]
Gula said, not understanding the situation.
[Don't make me look up.]
[Hmm?]
[The skill Knight King's Aura (E) has been activated. The target is specified.]
[The skill Monarch's Aura (E) has been activated. The target is specified.]
Kugugung.
The two overlapping skills pressed down on Gula's body.
Gula was briefly impressed by the different power than before.
[The skill Apocalypse (E) has been activated.]
Hwaaa.
Darkness descended on the area.
The power was insignificant compared to the original skill, but it was a satisfactory situation compared to before when it wasn't activated.
[Ooh….]
Gula was simply impressed by Taehyun's skills, which were different from before.
If it was this much, Horus wouldn't be able to take Taehyun without making him a subordinate.
He was even convinced of it.
But.
The moment the chain wrapped around his body.
He sensed that something was wrong.
[The skill Chain of Restraint (E) has been enhanced. The target is specified.]
[The skill Energy Drain (E) has been activated. The target is specified.]
Swish.
[Is that shabby thing what you call Chain of Restraint?]
Taehyun sneered as he looked at the chain of brilliance that Gula was holding.
[You're a famous slave hunter from the 10th Heavenly Realm?]
He mocked Gula, who was struggling to release the Chain of Restraint.
[Release… A slave dares… to my master….]
Gula's face turned red as he unleashed his power with all his might.
The power was greater than expected, and the Chain of Restraint showed signs of breaking.
It was a moment that would have been considered a crisis if it were normal.
[Struggle more. It'll be more rewarding to take it away that way.]
[The skill Apocalypse (E) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[The skill Energy Drain (E) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[You have refined a great power. Divinity has increased by 1.]
Taehyun smacked his lips at the rising message.
His eyes watching the prey's resistance were even arrogant.
[Ah….]
That appearance overlapped with Horus, and Tolkin unknowingly let out a groan.
And.
[What do you want me to do!! Yeah, try it if you can!! If I can just break this damn chain, I'll bet my life on you, even if I die anyway!! No, I'll even serve you as my new master!! Damn it!!!]
As he recalled the words he had spoken.
[Aah… Aaaaaah….]
Once started, the groan didn't stop.
447
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
The sturdy body that had crushed countless monsters until now trembled.
Gula looked down at his shaking body as if he couldn't believe it.
He raised his head and looked around.
Darkness made of Lower World mana had descended.
It wasn't just a trick.
Just being in this space was causing Gula's perception to diminish.
And that wasn't all.
The more he resisted, the stronger the chains binding him became, and his divine power was draining away in chunks.
In proportion to that,
The blue eyes of his prey in front of him were shining more fiercely.
He was absorbing it.
Gula, a famous slave hunter of the Ten Heavens, who would become a member of the great war as a vassal of the Absolute.
[To steal this Gula's power!!]
Crack. Crackle.
"He's a tough one."
Taehyun watched Gula forcefully break the chains of restraint, unable to hide his admiration.
But he had already absorbed enough divine power.
[You have refined a great power. Divine power has increased by 1.]
Such messages appeared more than ten times.
Ting.
[Rank will be reassessed.]
[All skill ranks have been measured as D.]
'Bingo.'
Taehyun smiled faintly at the expected situation.
When his divine power in the status window reached 75, the seal blocking the skills was unlocked one more step.
'I guess he wasn't a pushover after all.'
The higher the magic stat, the more difficult it becomes to raise.
Divine power would be no different.
Just a moment ago, the Celestial Being was able to achieve an increase from 50 to 60 only after absorbing the power of five people.
On the other hand, Gula alone raised Taehyun's divine power from 60 to 75.
Even at this moment, his divine power continued to rise, and each time, Taehyun's blue eyes shone more brightly.
There's nothing as pleasing as growth, so as he savored that sweet power,
Crack!!!
Gula finally broke the 'Chains of Restraint' completely.
[Krarara!!]
With a roar, he took out a straight sword, a weapon he had not shown until now, from his chest.
It was only the length of a dagger in Gula's hand, but from Taehyun's perspective, it was no different from a longsword.
The huge divine power wrapped around the straight sword was noticeable.
It had a value of at least Unique grade or higher.
'Could it be... Legendary grade?'
Even if he drew the Dragonslaying Sword to block it, with his current condition,
'It's dangerous.'
Taehyun avoided Gula's strong swing.
It definitely should have cut through the air, but
Swish.
"......!!"
Just that alone split 'Apocalypse' in two.
[Dare you try to eat this Gula!! A mere slave!!]
Gula roared from under the vanished darkness.
Just that alone caused a gust of wind in the area.
'He's more than I thought.'
Just his muscular body was enough to surpass the mid-tier of the highest species.
But now.
He was starting a new change.
The body that had been filled with muscles was expanding once again.
'The power to break the Chains of Restraint.'
'And the strength to cut through even Apocalypse.'
It looked as if he had used the authority of reinforcement.
The presence of the enhanced creature reflected in his blue eyes was tempting.
If the 'Devour' skill had been unlocked, he wouldn't have held back.
Taehyun looked at the status window.
As his rank rose to D, the number of skills he could use increased.
Without hesitation, he used one of the great skills that had been released from the seal.
Ting.
[Skill True Blood (D) has been activated.]
Kiiiiii-.
He could feel a vampire's magic stone being created within his body.
A skill containing the authority of 'Absorption,' which could create the best synergy with 'Energy Drain.'
He used the Chains of Restraint again.
Each time Gula swung his straight sword, the chains were cut, and long, thin sword auras were fired.
'Don't overdo it.'
Taehyun drew his Dragonslaying Sword and circled around him.
Crackle. Crack.
The unique aura of the Blue Clan awakened, causing sparks to fly.
The 'Origin Element' was not activated, so there was no buff effect, but at least in his current state, it seemed better than taking that sword with his bare body.
'End it in one shot.'
Ting.
[Skill Knight King's Aura (D) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Monarch's Aura (D) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
Kooong. Koogoong.
The two auras slightly slowed down his movements.
Charrreuk. Charrreureuk.
He disturbed his nerves with 'Chains of Restraint' and 'Energy Drain.'
Having experienced a considerable loss of divine power a moment ago, Gula was thrashing about, swinging his straight sword wildly.
Each time Taehyun, his target, dodged around, the ferocious sword aura slashed through various parts of the temple.
The opportunity came unexpectedly.
Suddenly, Gula's attack stopped.
In a very unnatural posture.
The massive Gula was struggling, holding up his straight sword.
'......?'
Taehyun stepped back and watched Gula's actions.
It was too obvious of a movement to be a trap.
Something seemed to be wrong, as the divine power flowing around his body had become unstable.
'Suddenly?'
[Kahak...!!]
Gula even screamed as he tried to swing his arm.
But the raised arm did not move as if it had become one with space.
[It, it's because of the rules of the temple!!]
It was Tolkien who shouted, having been silently watching the battle.
As a price for drawing his sword in a non-combat zone, it must be the magic of the Upper Realm King or the master of the Ten Heavens that was at work.
He poured out his own thoughts.
'Then, what about me?'
He wanted to ask, but there was no more time to waste.
Whether it was the magic of the Upper Realm King or the master of the Ten Heavens.
Clench.
Taehyun put strength into the hand holding the Dragonslaying Sword.
In that brief gap, the Chains of Restraint had completely wrapped around Gula's body.
By the time the message that his divine power stat was increasing had appeared more than five times,
It was visible that his presence was noticeably weakened.
'Now's the time.'
Clack!!
Taehyun, who had jumped in, stabbed the Dragonslaying Sword into Gula's chest in an unguarded state.
He enhanced 'Energy Drain' and 'True Blood.'
Pazzzzzz!!
He consumed a large amount of mana to pour out a large amount of electricity, but soon a considerable amount of divine power rushed into Taehyun's body.
[You have refined a great power. Divine power has increased by 1.]
Kiiiiiiiii-.
The magic stone, which had been downgraded to rank D, rotated fiercely, refining the incoming divine power.
10 seconds passed like that… 30 seconds… 1 minute passed.
At the same time as his divine power stat reached 80,
Kooong.
Gula's body, having lost most of his divine power, fell forward.
Ting.
[Rank will be reassessed.]
[All skill ranks have been measured as C.]
Another seal was broken.
'There's no better tonic than this.'
Taehyun raised the corners of his lips as he looked at the battered Gula.
[Ooh….]
Tolkien shed tears of emotion, unbecoming of his position as a Meister.
"Ah…."
Taehyun unconsciously groaned at the new power filling his body.
'It's a completely different power from mana.'
If mana exists only for the amplification and destruction of power,
'Divine power is closer to authority.'
The concentration of power itself is at least similar to that handled by the Great Demons.
'I should explore it when I return to the Lower World.'
The remaining time limit for the quest was 8 minutes.
There was a little time left before returning to the Lower World.
Taehyun had no intention of wasting that time.
As he reached rank C, three more skills were unlocked.
'Shall I use them?'
Ting.
[Skill Ataraxia (C) has been activated. Target is specified.]
[‘Mysterious Power’ resists.]
[Activation of Skill Ataraxia (C) has been canceled.]
“…….”
Taehyun was speechless at the skill that had been bounced back as if it were natural.
Whether it was because of the skill's rank or the special environment of the temple,
There was not enough time to figure out why Rozaria's skill was not working.
[W, well done... To catch Gula... .]
Tolkien, mindful of what he had said at the auction house, belatedly approached and praised Taehyun.
He was the proud Meister of the clan, but
His appearance reminded him of a young child.
[In front of Gula-nim…. Don't… be presumptuous….]
Gula, who had most of his divine power taken away by Energy Drain, spoke as if vomiting.
[Not only were you careless, but you can't even admit defeat. Pathetic, Gula.]
Taehyun mocked the slave hunter who had once overwhelmed him.
[Kulkulkul…. The Absolute is coming….]
[To the very end, you thrash about….]
Unlike Taehyun, who calmly accepted the situation,
[Ah, no…!!]
Tolkien shouted in surprise.
From Gula's point of view, it was a truly satisfying reaction.
[Kilkil…. Horus…. Because that person is coming…. You will not be able to escape the shackles of slavery….]
Gula cursed as if he were prophesying.
[W, we have to escape…!!]
The Absolute is a completely different being.
Tolkien babbled, recalling the past nightmare.
'The Absolute of the Ten Heavens... Horus...'
They are beings like the Archdukes of the Celestial Realm.
If he were in perfect condition, he would like to face them at least once, but
'I must never meet them now.'
Even if he obtained the divine power stat, he knew that there was an absolute gap.
[Tolkien, hide inside the temple and wait for the time….]
Passes.
He was about to say that, when.
Kooong.
Suddenly, he felt as if the temple was shaking.
And belatedly.
Ooooh.
A huge presence enveloped the temple.
It wasn't bloodlust or fighting spirit.
Just the momentum that was emitted by simply existing.
'This is… the Absolute's presence.'
Taehyun clicked his tongue at the enormity of it.
This was not a difference that could be dealt with in his current state.
He checked the skills in the status window and the time limit of the quest.
'The remaining time is 5 minutes. I'll buy time somehow.'
Pook.
Taehyun pierced Gula's chest with the Dragonslaying Sword.
This was to absorb all the remaining divine power he had left to sustain his life.
[Cough…. Kool… cough…. K…heu….]
Gula uttered words that were so garbled that he couldn't understand them.
The meaning was clear.
You guys can't escape from here.
As all the divine power was taken away, his body withered on the floor of the temple.
[It's… all wrong….]
Tolkien muttered with a blank expression.
Even as he did so, the distance from the great being was rapidly shrinking.
[Don't worry, Tolkien.]
[You're saying that because you don't know Horus….]
Taehyun bent down and put his hand on the dwarf's shoulder.
[I will take you to the Lower World no matter what happens.]
[…….]
There are many things you need to do in the Lower World, so don't forget the promise you made at the auction house.
Taehyun's expression as he said that was so full of confidence.
Tolkien nodded his head without realizing it.
[Insignificant beings have used power in the temple.]
Horus clicked his tongue as he sensed the divine power flowing from inside the temple.
Not only divine power, but also
Mana.
A miscellaneous power that only the demons of the Lower World can use.
Judging from the mixed two powers, he could guess that there had been an engagement to capture slaves.
Only the Absolute can use power in the temple.
If those who are not do so, the magic of the master of the Ten Heavens is applied, and they are hunted by the Absolutes who are dispatched later.
[Even if they are lowly slave hunters, they should know.]
Horus quickened his pace towards the inside of the temple as if he couldn't understand.
Before long, he reached the innermost part of the temple, where he could feel a dense concentration of mana and chaotic divine power.
Beyond the passage.
He could feel the aura of the high-quality and top-quality goods that Horus was aiming for.
[Insignificant beings have made quite a big deal of i….]
Before he could finish his words.
Hwaaaak.
Darkness descended around him.
And.
[Welcome, Horus.]
A pair of red eyes shining in the darkness welcomed him.
Chapter 448
Magic composed of darkness.
Within that darkness, countless evils surged forth, seeking to claim Horus's body.
[A paltry trick you possess.]
The range might be useful, but there was nothing remarkable about it.
These were the creatures referred to as the highest-ranking species or the Dukes' subordinates in the Lower Realm.
The reason being that the absolute ruler of the Upper Realm kept them as pets.
[I must admit, displaying this much resistance in the Upper Realm deserves recognition.]
As he spoke, one of Horus's eyes flashed.
The surrounding darkness erupted into flames.
Taehyun's power, though stronger than when he faced Gulla, was still like dust compared to the presence Horus exuded.
[Welcome? These insignificant beings don't know their place.]
Horus gazed down at the red-eyed figure cowering in the shadows.
A slave who denied being his pet and had escaped.
A hamstringed dwarf.
A Meister of the dwarf race.
A species renowned in the Lower Realm, so much so that Hephaestus would covet them, it was said.
[Injured and useless.]
Indeed, the dwarf before Horus was a worthless piece of trash, not living up to his name.
[Dwarf, why did you try to flee from your god?]
The absolute ruler of the Tenth Heaven, with eyes representing the moon and the sun.
Horus, the direct descendant of Osiris, the newly crowned master of the Tenth Heaven.
He fixed his burning eye upon Tolkien.
[Ah... Aaa...]
Tolkien cried out in horror, a moan escaping his lips.
His red eyes struggled to meet the blue eye containing the vast sun.
[The sun... Ra's... eye...]
As the sharp-eyed Meister of the dwarf race, he was certain that Horus had gained complete control over the eye of 'Ra,' the former master of the Tenth Heaven.
[Indeed... Even as a failure, I kept you by my side for that useful perception of yours.]
To tremble before this immense presence.
If Horus hadn't needed time to adapt to Ra's eye, he wouldn't have made the mistake of losing a pet he had once acquired.
[Aaa... No...]
Tolkien despaired as he grasped the situation.
Their last remaining possibility.
Exploiting Horus's imperfections.
Even that was now impossible, making any further resistance futile.
Horus found Tolkien's reaction deeply satisfying.
[Where is the other one hiding?]
Divine power swirled around Horus.
Temples scattered throughout the vast Tenth Heaven lay almost abandoned.
They existed to display the majesty of the Tenth Heaven's absolute rulers.
They called themselves celestials and deemed the Lower Realm's creatures slaves, but the absolute rulers themselves looked down upon most of the celestials.
If the Lower Realm was a harsh world of survival of the fittest, the Upper Realm was a rigid class society.
From Horus's perspective, who looked down even on ordinary celestials, it was absurd for creatures of the Lower Realm to dare bare their fangs at him.
[How amusing.]
He stated that if they didn't come out willingly, he would have no choice but to torment the poor dwarf.
[Kk... Aah...]
Tolkien's skin began to burn under Horus's gaze.
Simultaneously, a bluish moonlight shone upon his burning skin.
Horus's other blue eye, the 'Eye of the Moon.'
The power that allowed him to control the 'Eye of the Sun,' taken from Ra, symbolizing the great absolute ruler, Horus.
The divine power flowing from the Eye of the Moon prevented Tolkien's bones from burning after his skin.
[Heuha... Eueo... Kkuaaa...!!]
Tolkien screamed in unbearable agony.
[I do not wish to kill a pet I have once taken in. Nor do I wish to trouble myself with destroying the temple.]
He demanded that they reveal where the top-grade item was hiding.
If they did, he would withdraw the power of the sun.
[Of course, I will slowly extract the price for your escape.]
Tolkien's screams echoed for quite some time.
Huaaaak.
Suddenly, darkness descended around him.
The same darkness that the Eye of the Sun had just vaporized.
[Saving me the trouble.]
He wasn't foolish enough to be fooled twice by a slave's petty tricks.
His gleaming blue eye instantly located the source of the magical power.
[There you are.]
Step. Step.
He walked towards the location of the top-grade item.
Even in the darkness, a pair of blue eyes shone brightly.
Putting aside this shoddy technique, how could a mere creature possess two blue eyes?
Such audacity, daring to provoke an absolute ruler.
[Indeed, the title of top-grade is not an overstatement.]
Chains and other miscellaneous energies tried to slow his advance.
But they all vanished before even touching him.
And then.
Grasp.
The moment he thought he had finally touched the slave who had forced him to come all the way here.
[......?]
Horus wore a puzzled expression at the slimy sensation.
Huaaaak.
The darkness melted away under the enhanced blue eye.
The true nature of the object he held was revealed.
Celestials.
A mass of flesh made by piecing together the corpses of celestials belonging to the auction house.
The magical power forcibly holding the body together dripped away.
The same went for the two blue eyes.
[......]
He turned around.
The dwarf's screams, which should have been heard the moment he fell for this ridiculous bait, were absent.
[......]
The dwarf who should have been there was nowhere to be seen.
His brow furrowed involuntarily.
Traces of shoddy magic remained.
Judging by the form, it seemed they had opened a gate and escaped.
[Ha... Haha... Hahaha...]
Horus burst into laughter at the unexpected situation.
A game of hide-and-seek in a temple dedicated to an absolute ruler.
Since he had come all the way here, it was impossible to escape the temple easily.
He could search and incinerate every living being in the temple in the blink of an eye.
The futility of their resistance was so pathetic that he couldn't help but laugh.
[You should have at least tried to fight me directly.]
If they had, he would have given them a generous score for their struggle.
He would have slightly reduced the price for touching his belongings.
Just as he was about to spread his radiant wings, speaking those words to himself.
Huaaaak.
Once again, darkness descended around him.
[Tsk tsk.]
Horus clicked his tongue at the repetition of a technique that was only meant to buy time.
The magic forming the darkness contained an element of illusion, unlike before, but that was its limit.
Horus blinked his 'Eye of the Sun,' and the surrounding darkness melted away.
However.
An unfamiliar gate was created before his eyes.
It must be the same trick that allowed the dwarf to escape earlier.
Horus blinked his 'Eye of the Moon.'
With just that, he traced where the gate's magic led.
Surprisingly.
[Hiding there, were you?]
Swish. Swish.
Taehyun's body, swollen to a massive size, appeared directly behind Horus.
At the same time.
The ultimate technique of ancient Korean martial arts.
Kwaang!!!
The explosive power emanating from the demonic beast's body detonated upon Horus.
Ting.
[Skill Greater Demonification (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Frenzy of the Deep Sea (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill True Blood (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Demonic Beast Heart (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
['Giant Strength' awakens. Physical stats sharply increase.]
Kwaang!! Kwaang!!
Taehyun relentlessly battered Horus's body.
'An absurd amount of presence.'
The moment Horus stepped into the Apocalypse.
Simply absorbing a tiny bit of the divine power he exuded greatly increased his own divine power.
Before he knew it, his divine power had reached 100.
That alone unlocked all skills except for 'Devour.'
Kwaang!!!
Taehyun's fist shook the temple.
Although its power was nothing compared to before.
Most of his skills had been unlocked, so he determined that he could withstand a Duke-class opponent for about three minutes without any problems and stepped forward.
He glanced at the quest's time limit.
'Three minutes.'
If he could endure that time, the probability of escaping the Upper Realm was high.
Since the opponent's eyes seemed capable of tracking magic, he thought it was more advantageous to buy time from the front like this than to be chased down and caught from behind.
Ting.
[Skill Watcher's Eye (B) has been enhanced. Divine power consumption is accelerated.]
Thanks to the increase in divine power, the sustainability of the skills he could use in the Upper Realm also increased.
Ancient martial arts from South Korea and China.
The pinnacle of the techniques unleashed with the body of a greater demonic beast battered Horus's body as if it were an extension of his own.
That's how he battered him for another minute.
[Are you done?]
'......!!'
[Don't you ask?]
Horus raised his hand to grasp Taehyun's neck.
Ting.
[Skill Greater Demon Transformation (B) has been activated. Specifies transformation location.]
[Skill Great Demon's Heart (B) has been activated.]
[Skill Demon King's Saliva (B) has been activated.]
Kieeeing-.
Cheeeik!!!
Taehyun, creating wings of a greater demon, scattered venomous magic power and pulled back his body.
Horus belatedly raised his body.
Belzebub's authority, reborn through Gilfel.
It wasn't affecting him at all.
Hwareureuk!!!
The moment his eye flashed, the surrounding poison burned away and disappeared.
'Overwhelming.'
Even if Taehyun of the Upper Realm was in a degraded state.
The gap in power was greater than he thought.
'Is it because of those eyes?'
Blue eyes.
The two eyes, seemingly the same but exuding different energies, felt like they contained absolute power.
[Top-grade item. I heard you share a birthplace with the Lower Realm King, and you live up to that name.]
One of Horus's blue eyes flashed.
Cheeeeeeik.
"Heup...!!"
He felt like he was facing the sun.
Smoke rose from the demonic beast's body due to the rising heat of the temple.
[Attacking an absolute ruler in a temple dedicated to an absolute ruler.]
The price would not be light.
At Horus's words, Taehyun instinctively took action.
Ting.
[Skill Dragon's Wrath (B) has been activated. Specifies target.]
Keureureu!!!
Immediately after using Hazar's aura, he busily flapped his wings.
A little over two minutes left.
He intended to avoid the opponent's attacks with high-speed movement and buy the remaining time.
'Maintain a moderate distance so that he doesn't pay attention to Tolkien...'
Taehyun's thoughts were cut short.
[You have quite useful wings.]
'......!!'
Right next to him.
Horus was flying at the same speed.
[But slow.]
Hwareuk!!
Both wings burst into flames without any chance to resist.
Ting.
[Skill Demon King's Saliva (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Primal Element (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Dragon's Wrath (B) has been enhanced. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
The three skills he instinctively enhanced pressed down on Horus.
Puuk!!
"Kahak...."
Taehyun clutched his eyes in scorching pain.
[Now you show the appearance of a slave.]
Horus swallowed Taehyun's blue eye that he had plucked out.
Red eye and blue eye.
The eye, possessing two qualities and containing a vast amount of presence, was digested inside his stomach.
[...Indeed!! A delicacy!!]
Horus exclaimed in admiration, saying it was an unexpected presence.
He wondered for a moment how a mere human, not even a Duke, could possess such a presence.
[Shall I take the other eye as well?]
The absolute ruler's blue eye was stained with greed.
449
Damage to the body is not a big deal for monsters above the highest species.
With enough energy, they can regenerate at super speed without a breakdown.
It was no different for the celestials of the upper realm.
If the one who damaged his body had not been Horus, who is specially treated among the absolute beings of the Ten Celestial Realms, losing one eye would not have been a problem for Tae-hyun.
"Kuh..."
Tae-hyun clutched the eye that had been torn out as if a fuse had blown in his head.
He realized that he had lost more than just one blue eye.
'My presence... is collapsing...'
The 'prestige' he had built up by regressing was being shaken by Horus's one attack.
As his presence rapidly decreased, the skills he had been maintaining began to be released one by one.
Crunch. Crunch.
A chilling sound was heard in front of him.
Horus was chewing and savoring the presence dwelling in the blue eye.
Calling it a delicacy.
Wondering how a mere human could contain such a vast presence.
Just like the Archdukes he had encountered at first.
Horus also belatedly recognized Tae-hyun's true value and his eyes lit up.
The only difference was that unlike the Archdukes who tried to dominate his body and mind to make him their own.
Horus was trying to permanently take away Tae-hyun's other blue eye.
[Destined to receive the grace of God anyway.]
Saying he couldn't entrust such a valuable item to him.
Greed settled in Horus's blue eyes.
[Shall I take the other eye too?]
The absolute being's hand, dripping with greed, reached out to take the remaining eye.
Tae-hyun drew his Dragonslaying Sword and scattered lightning, but it was not a meaningful attack.
[Don't resist. You'll only damage your presence.]
Horus lowered his power, lest the presence of the delicacy be damaged by his aura.
[This time, I will find out the true nature of that presence. I will chew and chew it over and over again, and slowly digest it. I'm really looking forward to the taste.]
At that time.
Clang!!!
[...]
Horus looked down at his legs, feeling a sensation.
Tolkin was trembling, holding up a sword that was bigger than his own body.
To save Tae-hyun, even though he knew that his attacks were useless.
He had wielded Gula's straight sword.
[Your tendons have become quite strong. To handle such a sword.]
[L-let go...]
Tolkin spat out in a trembling voice.
Unlike his trembling voice, the hand holding the straight sword was firm.
[Are you ordering a god?]
Normally, he would have cut off all the dwarf's tendons for rebelling.
[I'm in a good mood for a rare delicacy. I'll let it go this once.]
So he ordered him to quietly watch the god's meal.
[Let go!!!]
Tolkin screamed and swung his straight sword again.
Clang!!!
The meaningless attack was not just once.
[I said let go!!!]
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
[...]
Horus stared at the dwarf who was persistently aiming at his legs without any defense.
Before he knew it, bulging tendons were standing out all over Tolkin's body.
It was the figure Horus had wanted to see so much, or the figure Tolkin had been hiding so much.
To reveal such a figure for doing such meaningless attacks.
[I'm getting angry.]
It was just a matter of educating a dwarf who didn't know his place.
There was no need to take action.
Swish. Swish.
Blue flames wrapped around Tolkin's arms.
He mixed the power of the 'Eye of the Sun' and the 'Eye of the Moon'.
He declared infinite pain, burning but not blazing.
He was sure that he would beg for his life.
But Tolkin's actions exceeded Horus's expectations.
[Kua... You...!! Get off...!! Quickly!!]
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
Even though the pain of his arms burning had been repeated several times.
Even though he was screaming in pain.
Tolkin did not stop his meaningless attacks.
[...It's unpleasant.]
Even though he was his master.
To risk his life for a guy he had only seen at the auction house less than a day ago.
Horus withdrew the divine power that had been blocking him with the 'Eye of the Moon'.
Before long.
Clang.
Gula's straight sword fell to the ground.
This was because the divine power that acted as the 'Eye of the Sun' had completely burned away his arms.
The fact that the flames did not engulf his body was purely Horus's will.
[Wait. I will gradually ask you about your sins.]
Saying he would tear apart his completely regenerated tendons and muscles one by one.
Horus made a chilling warning without any care.
But at that moment.
Thwack.
A stinging pain was felt.
[Hmm?]
It was a different feeling from when Tolkin was wielding the straight sword.
Horus checked the miscellaneous thorns that were embedded in his skin.
At the end of the thorns was Tae-hyun, who had lost one eye.
He had scratched Horus's skin with the body of a Great Demon that had not yet been completely released.
[Amazing. It should be pain that makes you tremble.]
"Doesn't even tickle..."
As Tae-hyun said that, crimson magic power rose from his body.
Crack.
A red eye was regenerated from the empty wound.
[A monster uses super-speed regeneration in the Upper Realm. And...]
Tzzzzzz.
Horus stared at the thorns that were sucking divine power from his body.
Tae-hyun's one and only blue eye was gradually emitting a vivid light and becoming darker.
It was proof that he was absorbing the sucked divine power as his own.
[I'm curious as to what the hell you are... Are you perhaps an Archduke from the Lower Realm?]
Swish.
Just by grabbing the thorns, blue flames flared up.
"......!!"
The flames that spread instantly moved to Tae-hyun's body.
[Sun God Ra. The power of the one who was the master of the Ten Celestial Realms until recently.]
Horus looked at Tae-hyun, who was resisting the power of the Sun God.
He was a guy who continued to impress him.
[Top quality.]
He even hoped that Tae-hyun would use some unexpected trick.
However.
[Was it a pointless feeling?]
Even though he was desperately spewing out magic power and resisting.
The flames were only burning more fiercely.
At that time.
Tae-hyun suddenly withdrew the magic power he was spewing out.
"...Finally."
He spouted human language that Horus could not understand.
Understanding it as a meaning of resignation.
[If that's all you've got, I might as well eat the remaining eye.]
Horus couldn't hide his disappointment, and the moment he reached out to the remaining blue eye.
Rumble!!!
[......!!]
A huge maw was created beneath Horus's feet.
A technique that the absolute being himself could not recognize?
It was when the hand reaching for the blue eye stopped at the unexpected technique.
"Die."
Crunch!!
The huge maw swallowed Horus.
The red eye that was regenerated after losing the blue eye played the role of sight, but that was all.
He felt a sense of deprivation that his presence had already been significantly reduced, and as evidence of this, the grade of his skill had fallen from B to D.
The skills that he could no longer maintain began to be released one by one.
If Tolkin hadn't drawn attention to him.
And if he hadn't succeeded in 'Energy Drain' just before all the skills were released, he would have had his remaining blue eye taken away as it was.
'Thank you, Meister.'
Ting.
[Grade will be re-measured.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as C.]
[Grade will be re-measured.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as B.]
[Grade will be re-measured.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as A.]
The presence that had been reduced by directly sucking in magic power quickly filled up.
Horus watched Tae-hyun's resistance as if he was impressed for a moment.
Swish.
The blue flames that had stuck to the thorns wrapped around his entire body.
Even though the resistance of magic power had become stronger as it became A-grade.
The blue flames melted his body every moment as if even that was ridiculous.
'Without Gluttony...'
He can't win.
Tae-hyun gritted his teeth as he looked at the skills in the status window that were still not released.
The time limit for the quest is 1 minute.
He had recovered enough magic power by sucking in Horus's divine power a little while ago.
If he couldn't do anything about the flames that wrapped around his body, he would become ashes in less than 10 seconds.
And it wouldn't take even 5 seconds to have his remaining blue eye plucked out.
If he returned to the Lower Realm in a state of having lost everything.
'The only future is one where both the domain war and the race war fail.'
So.
He must not run away.
Here.
'I'll take a chance.'
Ting.
[The omen of skill evolution (A) has been activated. Specifies the target.]
Dark blue magic power seethed under the blue flames.
It wasn't enough to put out the flames, but it was enough to recover some of the presence that Tae-hyun had lost.
[Grade will be re-measured.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as S.]
[Grade will be re-measured.]
[The grade of all skills has been measured as SS.]
[The unique skill 'Gluttony' can be used.]
There was no need to worry or hesitate.
Ting.
[Unique skill Gluttony (SS) has been activated. Specifies the target.]
Rumble!!!
A huge maw was created beneath Horus's feet, who had reached out to pluck out the blue eye.
Perhaps surprised by the unexpected technique, Horus's movements stopped.
It was when Gluttony's maw, which had completed the perfect encirclement, growled.
"Die."
Crunch!!
The huge maw swallowed Horus.
Crunch. Crunch.
Along with the chilling sound, Gluttony played with the huge maw.
Thud.
Tae-hyun knelt down on one knee as if collapsing.
Hiss.
It was difficult to find the previous appearance from the body that was revealed after the blue flames were extinguished.
Because of the lack of magic power, even super-speed regeneration was not possible.
If he didn't recover his magic power as soon as possible, it seemed that he couldn't avoid death.
He straightened his trembling knees and forced himself to get up.
Then, he staggered toward Tolkin, whose arms had evaporated.
There were still 45 seconds left on the quest's time limit.
It was necessary to stay with Tolkin until just before the quest ended in case of an emergency.
It was when he had moved about two steps.
Whoosh!!!
Suddenly, Gluttony's maw burst into flames.
"......!!"
Tae-hyun's steps stopped as he knew what it meant.
Whoosh!!!
Horus, engulfed in flames, revealed himself from inside Gluttony's maw, which had disappeared in an instant.
[It was an amazing talent!!]
If it weren't for the power of the Sun God, he would have given up one of his wings.
Horus sincerely said so.
To Tae-hyun, however, that praise only sounded terribly awful.
[Do you have anything else to show?]
Before he knew it, the temperature around him had dropped.
Horus, who had used the 'Eye of the Moon', had controlled the power of the Sun God.
If he had any hidden talents, he told him to show them to him as much as he wanted.
If he did, he said he would take out both eyes and still cherish him.
[If not, I will take out the other eyes and use them as test subjects for the Celestial Realm.]
Horus's hand aimed at Tae-hyun.
Ting.
['Great Power' restricts movement.]
['Great Will' penetrates.]
[The ongoing quest is temporarily paused.]
'What...!!'
He was surprised by the unexpected message for a moment.
[Shall I help you?]
An existence he had forgotten for a while.
The Doppelganger's voice echoed in his head.
The mental world.
The victory he had obtained by summoning the past Archdukes and getting it from him.
And he whispered to use the price he had not yet used, the debt he had imposed on himself, now.
If he did.
[I'll chew up a little bird like that in front of me over and over again.]
'If you're thinking of betraying me...'
[Don't worry.]
Didn't the contract of desire connect them?
The Doppelganger whispered sweetly.
"......"
The worry wasn't long.
After a while.
Ting.
['Mysterious Power' awakens.]
Along with the message that appeared, Tae-hyun's two eyes were stained with red.
450
The authority of evolution obtained through the contract with Gilfer.
Even after using that power, I couldn't find my presence in the Lower World, so it could be seen as a failed gamble.
However, the connection with the Doppelganger, which had been almost completely cut off, was revived, so it could be said to be a move for a chance to recover.
[Ho-oh.]
Horus smiled at the sudden increase in presence.
He thought his prey was ripe.
He only took a little of his divine power and recovered from being degraded.
Just a moment ago, the body of Taehyun, who seemed to have given up, was now emitting a presence incomparable to before.
[Red eyes, huh. Did you think that would make the god not covet you?]
Horus flashed his 'Moon Eye'.
A huge divine power enveloped the temple.
It was to prevent other Absolutes from interfering if they noticed the existence of this tempting prey.
Horus has already taken one of 'Ra's Eyes'.
Even with just that, the 10 Upper World Absolutes envied Horus, saying that he was under the protection of Osiris.
[There's nothing uglier than an Absolute's jealousy.]
It would be troublesome to interfere with Osiris, who had risen to be the new owner of the Celestial Realm, just to enjoy his games.
The divine power emitted from the Moon Eye completely enveloped the temple.
No matter how high and mighty the Absolutes are, they won't be able to notice what's happening from now on.
Such effort just to get a runaway slave and a new slave.
[How considerate is this god.]
Horus, pleased with his thoroughness, let out a chilling laugh.
Until then, Taehyun was quietly controlling the magic power that was beginning to amplify.
The dark red magic power was filled with fighting spirit and ambition.
[A pretty decent momentum, but I must take it now.]
It's troublesome to waste any more time.
Horus reached out to Taehyun, who was emitting a fierce killing intent.
When the radiant claws reached one of the two red eyes.
The eye hiding the power of the blue eye.
Thwack.
[......?]
Horus questioned the hand that grabbed his arm.
It wasn't that he expected Taehyun not to resist.
It's just that the power was much stronger than he thought.
Red eyes and blue eyes.
The gazes of the two beings met in the air.
It didn't take Horus long to figure out the situation.
[Indeed. It's an eye that's hard to think of as a trivial species.]
What kind of trick did you pull in that short time?
How did you achieve this amplification, he asked.
[You speak as if it's yours.]
You bird-brained thing.
The Doppelganger who said that.
He grinned.
He raised the corner of his mouth.
Absolute.
Osiris' direct descendant, who became the new owner of the 10 Upper Worlds.
'Moon Eye' and 'Sun Eye'.
To dare such arrogance to him, who controls two opposing powers allowed to only a few even within the 10 Celestial Realms.
[…Absurd.]
Horus didn't hide his feelings.
Kugugugu.
The huge divine power surrounding the temple seethed.
Tzzzz.
Taehyun's hand, which had been holding Horus' arm, instantly burst into flames and evaporated.
It didn't just burn the flesh.
It burned away the presence that made up the arm, so there was no way it could regenerate even with divine power.
[.......]
The Doppelganger, sensing something was wrong, retreated without overdoing it.
[Where do you think you're going?]
Since a trivial being has touched the body of a god, the price will not be light.
The moment a huge divine power was about to burn the Doppelganger's remaining arm.
Crack!!
A dark red maw appeared from under the Doppelganger's feet.
And.
Crunch!!!
It devoured the Doppelganger's body before the divine power could even touch it.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
'Devouring' worked its maw more fiercely than ever.
[.......]
Horus was quietly watching the unexpected situation.
The maw, which had been moving its mouth, began to writhe.
While it continued to swell and shrink for a while.
Tzzzzzzzz.
The huge maw gradually transformed into a human form.
The time it took for two red eyes to open in that form was only 30 seconds.
Tzzt.
A line was drawn under the red eyes.
The Doppelganger opened his mouth.
[I've been waiting a long time.]
It took time to reconstruct the Original's body to his liking.
He said thank you for waiting.
[.......]
Horus stared at Taehyun's completely regenerated hand.
The divine power used was from 'Ra'.
Even if the opponent is an Absolute of the 10 Upper Worlds, it shouldn't be easy to regenerate.
[How can a trivial being.]
So quickly.
So perfectly.
Has it succeeded in regeneration?
Once again, red eyes and blue eyes met.
I want to taste it.
I want to eat it.
I want to covet it.
I want to chew it up and swallow it.
I want to dominate it.
I want to steal it.
Numerous desires arose and disappeared for a brief moment.
[That body. I'm getting more and more interested.]
[Those eyes. They look delicious.]
He grinned.
Horus and the Doppelganger didn't hide their respective greed.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Every time magic power and divine power collided, the huge temple shook.
If Horus hadn't been concerned about protecting the temple, the battle would have ended long ago.
[An Absolute-level monster that has taken human form.]
While countering the techniques used by the Doppelganger, Horus analyzed its identity.
It's not just that it took human form.
Just a moment ago, when he was about to extract the blue eye, the guy in front of him was just a human using the power of a monster.
It's natural that that power didn't reach the Absolute.
That was the case, but the moment his presence increased, he completely transformed into a different being.
It was as if two souls that had reached the pinnacle of their species, a human and a monster, were dwelling in one body.
[Good!!]
Horus rarely shouted and flapped his radiant wings.
Kugugugung.
At the same time as he flew up, the usual huge ambition pressed down.
The Dragon race of the Lower World.
It's similar to what the gold race uses, but the power was incomparable.
With this much power, it's a power that can't be handled unless you're an Absolute.
[He wasn't just a guy to be treated as a slave!!]
It's an unexpected game.
Horus, who burst into laughter, flapped his radiant wings.
That alone erased most of the ambition that had been pressing down.
Hwaaaak.
Following the ambition, the darkness of 'Apocalypse' descended.
At the same time.
Hwareureureuk.
A huge divine power burned away the darkness.
Tzzzz. Tzzzzzz.
Dozens of blood swords were waiting in the darkness-cleared temple.
Each one contains the authority of Igmun, 'Absorption'.
It's a technique that can absorb a considerable amount of divine power just by grazing it.
Hwareureuk. Hwareureuk.
All the moves prepared by the Doppelganger burned and disappeared just by Horus looking at them.
[Excellent.]
Horus praised the potential of his prey, who was drawing out this much of his power.
On the other hand.
[Tsk.]
The Doppelganger's expression, who clicked his tongue, wasn't bright.
[I don't like it.]
He complained that the techniques he was using weren't being properly used.
He complained that the unpleasant sorcery of the Upper World was interfering with his techniques.
[If it was the Lower World.]
Even the Archdukes wouldn't be able to block it so easily.
Horus shook his body at the Doppelganger's assertion.
[Many slaves uttered those words at the last moment. Surely that's not the end, is it?]
Bang!!!
The Doppelganger's body was thrown out by the wind that Horus suddenly created.
[What a weak body.]
If it were the world of consciousness, attacks like this wouldn't even touch his body.
Now their positions have been reversed.
[Why don't you use the technique from earlier? Judging from the looks of it, that seems to be your best move.]
Horus, who judged that he had already seen all his cards, mentioned Devouring.
[Tsk tsk tsk.]
The Doppelganger clicked his tongue again at that sight.
Devouring is a power that symbolizes the King of the Lower World.
Seeing that and not being able to think of the King of the Lower World.
[You. You're a rookie who hasn't been an Absolute for long.]
He's also a rookie among rookies who has never experienced a race war.
[.......]
Horus was silent at the unexpected words.
[A bird-brain who would have died a long time ago if it weren't for the sorcery of the Upper World is acting up because it believes in its eyes. I know one of those guys in the Lower World too.]
The Doppelganger chuckled and mentioned Jormungandr.
[.......]
Obvious ridicule.
Obvious provocation.
Horus wasn't simple enough to fall for such things.
What's bothering him is that the slave, who he thought just had a slightly unique talent, was hiding an Archduke-level presence.
And that he knows that he hasn't been an Absolute for long.
Even if it hasn't been long in Upper World time, an immeasurably long time has already passed in Lower World time.
How does a mere creature of the Lower World know that fact?
[What are you?]
Horus asked, flashing his Moon Eye.
It's difficult to use authority by focusing on protecting the temple.
However, he thought that using the Moon Eye would be more useful for discerning the identity than the 'Sun Eye', which he couldn't fully control.
Swish swish swish.
The Doppelganger's body.
The magic power dwelling in the body.
Another world formed beyond the magic power.
And another species residing in that world was visible.
It was clear that it was the guy he had been pushing back until just now, the one who had taken the blue eye.
Two minds in one body.
[Mental domination must be the Succubus Queen's... You, are you related to that bitch?]
Horus made a plausible deduction.
The Doppelganger chuckled and shook his head.
It's not wrong.
[But it's not the answer either.]
[You're playing pointless word games.]
Hwareureureuk.
A huge sun blazed in front of the Doppelganger's eyes.
[Why do you know the news of the Upper World?]
Cheeee. Cheeeee.
The Doppelganger's body began to burn in the heat of the sun.
[Not good.]
He calmly assessed the reality.
The amount was too much for his body to handle with the authority of Absorption, and if he used Devouring, the next one would be the last.
[It's really a body with a lot of restrictions.]
He had finally gained ownership of the body, but the environment wasn't good.
Just as Horus had grasped his strength.
The Doppelganger had also finished grasping the guy.
He needed to lure the guy to a place where the sorcery of the Upper World didn't apply.
If he did that, there was no guy he couldn't handle.
Above all, if he doesn't regain the presence he lost to the guy here, there's a high possibility that he'll be degraded even if he returns to the Lower World.
He had to recover at least as much presence as one eye he had lost no matter what.
He had to throw out bait.
A bait that was so attractive that he would walk into it even knowing it was a trap.
[Now that I see it, it's not that you didn't use it, it's that you couldn't use it.]
Horus evaluated the Doppelganger's strength that way, who wasn't using Devouring even though his body was burning.
He ridiculed him, saying that his power was too trivial compared to the confidence he had shown.
The Doppelganger endured the unfamiliar ridicule and concentrated the remaining magic power into his red eyes.
Tzzzzzzzz!!
Purple magic power scattered.
[Oho.]
He thought he was already at his limit.
Horus was impressed by the rising presence once again.
[To think you'd be able to use that bitch's technique with this body.]
The Doppelganger twitched his lips.
How long has it been since he got his hands on the body?
He didn't like the idea of going into the world of consciousness himself.
Horus also knew about that thought.
It's an obvious trap.
However, the reward for breaking that trap was too sweet.
If he could defeat them in the world of consciousness.
Doppelganger and Original.
The remaining one blue eye and two red eyes no less than that.
That's because he can get all three eyes.
[Good. I will allow you to escape.]
The purple magic power formed dozens of tentacles.
Drizzle. Drizzle.
Thwack.
Horus didn't refuse the tentacles that wrapped around his body.
Hwaaaak!!
The vision was reversed by the purple magic power that enveloped the temple.
Horus looked around.
A desert under a red sky.
And.
In the middle of the desert, a huge throne was located.
[Welcome to my world.]
The Doppelganger welcomed the guest who had set foot on his land with a satisfied face.
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