RKP 721-730

      ----------------------------

Part 2, Episode 137


'It's a clone.'


I can tell because of the lingering magic energy it exudes.


Martial artists wouldn't know, but anyone who has faced the Great Lord would never miss this difference.


'Even as a clone, it easily surpasses the level of transcendence.'


The original destination was the Blood Demon Church's base.


At Dang Se-hwa's speed, it would take four more days to reach it.


But a clone of Igmun popped out in the mountains, not even in the Blood Demon Church's territory.


"Did you come to greet me?"


"You speak amusingly."


A martial artist of the Blood Demon Church.


The man possessed by Igmun's thoughts replied in a dry voice.


"Hmm."


Taehyun, with his arms crossed, tilted his head.


He was imitating the appearance of a pondering human.


'Combat, or a proposal.'


Two choices that the current Igmun might present to him came to mind.


The thought didn't last long.


'It's a proposal.'


He reinforced the density of his magic energy, just in case.


"You must have dealt with the scouting party that was loitering around."


"If you're talking about the pawns of the Righteous Alliance, they've become nourishment for the original body."


Igmun said casually.


"I see."


To them, martial artists were insignificant creatures.


Taehyun also showed an indifferent reaction.


Not everyone was like that.


"How dare you...!"


Dang Se-hwa, using a tree as support, raised her body and burst into anger.


Taehyun and Igmun watched her for a moment.


Hwaaa.


Dang Se-hwa emitted killing intent.


"..."


"..."


Igmun raised a finger.


Red energy gathered at his fingertip.


'Is that Blood Demon Divine Art?'


It's an attack at the level of transcendence.


With Dang Se-hwa's skills as a top-tier expert, she can neither avoid nor block it.


"How pathetic. She can't even grasp my teachings."


One step.


The moment Taehyun clicked his tongue and lifted his foot to move.


Bang.


A tingling shock was transmitted through his hand.


A bullet made of qi.


The deflected energy knocked down a nearby tree and vanished.


"The Blood Demon Divine Art is nothing special. Is he conserving magic energy? Or is there a limit to the magic energy he can use?"


"Testing the waters is more direct than Kim Taehyun. Did that guy go 'outside'?"


"I am Kim Taehyun."


"A fake desperate to become real, arranged by the fiend."


"Such provocation doesn't work on me. You're the one who seems to have an inferiority complex towards him."


"..."


"Even with the power of a constellation, you only reached the 6th floor. And you were betrayed by Lucifer and Gilfer, whom you tried to use."


"What are you trying to say?"


"You are vermin."


Taehyun repeated the words he had said to the pillars of the Righteous Alliance not long ago.


They rushed at him with that one word and engaged in a bloody battle.


Igmun was different.


"..."


He showed no movement.


"A clumsy provocation. That's also something Kim Taehyun used to do often."


"And you always fell for that provocation."


Kilkilkik.


Taehyun let out a frivolous laugh.


"You must have a proposal. No need to waste time. Tell me."


"To... converse... with such a being...! Are you... sane...!"


Dang Se-hwa, who had been suppressed by the aura of the two, shouted with difficulty.


Thwack.


Taehyun struck her abdomen with his fist.


Not some fancy ancient martial art.


Not a vital point attack, just a simple punch.


With just that, Dang Se-hwa knelt down and vomited blood.


"Is that head just for decoration?"


"Cough..."


"How many times do I have to say, if you don't have the skills, at least have some sense."


Crack. He kicked Dang Se-hwa's face with his casually raised foot.


Blood splattered.


"Ka... cough... ma... devil... bastard..."


Seeing that she wouldn't close her mouth, Taehyun continued to kick her several times.


Before long, Dang Se-hwa's unconscious body slumped.


"It's hard to even deal with her moderately."


"You could have just killed her."


"I'm usually lenient with my subordinates. Oh, didn't you know? I've become the new leader of the Righteous Alliance."


"I see. So it ended up like that."


Not much of a surprised reaction.


"The Righteous-Demonic War. A grandiose name for a fight between small fries. But that's not the important thing."


Tuk tuk.


Taehyun kicked the unconscious Dang Se-hwa and continued to speak.


"What happened to Typhon? I have a feeling your appearance here is related."


"Giant King. He is dead."


"How brazen. It seems like I need a plausible explanation before hearing your proposal."


"The rift between dimensions."


Igmun told him about the fierce battle he had with Typhon.


The intermediate realm where the Great Lord's presence cannot be fully revealed.


'But if it's a rift between dimensions...'


If he can just endure, he can reveal his full power without the world collapsing.


That wasn't impossible for the current Typhon.


"You expect me to believe that?"


Igmun's clone took out a fragment from his chest.


A fragment of a magic crystal.


Typhon's divine demonic power could be felt from the fragmented magic crystal.


"You might think I'm playing around by absorbing Typhon's divine demonic power. Believe it or not, it's your choice."


"Your choice."


"The original body possesses divine power. With this power, I can seize all the possibilities of the Tower."


"You're suggesting we climb the Tower together?"


"I heard the goal is to seize the possibility of becoming a constellation. It seems like our interests align now."


"..."


The labyrinth residing in the consciousness.


If he uses the power of a constellation, he can gather the possibilities scattered throughout the Tower more quickly.


'At first glance, he's not wrong.'


Taehyun met Igmun's clone's eyes.


"If it were the old me, I would have devoured you without a second thought."


"You're bluffing. I know you can't use Devour."


It's already bad enough that his original power was sealed, but it seems the rumors have spread far and wide.


At this point, he doesn't even feel like hiding it.


"I've become more thoughtful after obtaining a physical body. There are so many differences compared to before."


"There's nothing to lose. Divine power is nothing like divine demonic power..."


"First. You are lying to me."


"..."


"Gilfer and Lucifer. You must have said the same to Typhon. Spouting enticing words and making a contract. And now it's my turn. You bat-like bastard."


"..."


"You have no intention of sharing the possibilities of the Three Thousand Worlds. You killed Typhon?"


Heuk.


Taehyun raised the corners of his mouth and glared at Igmun's red eyes.


"I know better than anyone that he's not someone who would die that easily."


If Igmun's main body used divine power, Typhon's defeat would be certain even if he revealed his full power.


But.


"The Blood Demon Church was defeated by the Heavenly Demon Church."


That means Igmun's main body was also affected by something.


In other words.


"You also have restrictions. That's why you can't use divine power freely."


He can't imagine Igmun, who can't use divine power, defeating Typhon.


"Not even a bat, but a rat-like bastard. You're still using tricks."


Kwack.


Taehyun closed the distance and grabbed the clone's neck.


As it tried to show some movement.


Crack!!


He tore off the left arm.


Tsszzzz.


He mimicked Igmun's authority.


He used the magic crystal to quickly absorb the magic power residing in the clone.


"Wait patiently. I will come to you soon."


"You... know nothing."


"I will find out myself."


Kwaduk!


The body, having all its power absorbed, withered like a mummy.


Fortunately, a message saying that his authority was sealed didn't appear with just this much.


'I need to save time.'


Typhon and Igmun fought.


His current state must not be normal either.


"It was worth moving. Hey, wake up."


He was frowning as he looked at the unconscious guide when.


Swish.


A trivial energy was detected not far away.


Had a minute passed?


A number of figures emerged from the bushes and surrounded Taehyun.


"Kekeke!"


"This is a jackpot!"


"Look at the beauty of that woman who collapsed!"


"It looks like that guy already killed one of them?"


Roughly twenty at a glance.


They were men who surrounded him, not even in a formation.


A middle-aged man, who seemed to be the leader of the group, stepped forward with a hearty laugh.


Thick black beard, a sword slung over one shoulder.


"An interesting guy has appeared."


He was reminded of the Green Forest bandits that Zhuge Seon had mentioned before.


"Khahaha! We are the heroic figures residing in Hobong Mountain Fortress!"


'Bandits... other than the leader, they're nothing special.'


"Leave the woman and take off everything you're wearing. If you do that, I'll spare your life..."


The man couldn't finish his sentence.


"Flesh. What are you going to do to me?"


"..."


A red haze rippling from his body.


The man's face, who had met Taehyun's eyes, began to turn pale.


"P-please, spare me..."


Taehyun, sitting on a rock, looked down at the man who had just called himself a heroic figure.


Not only that, but over two hundred bandits belonging to Hobong Mountain Fortress were trembling and bowing their heads.


Around them, the heads of the chief and vice-chief, and those who had followed him, were rolling on the ground.


"I don't spare those who provoke me first. But I will make an exception this time."


"T-thank you...!"


"Long live, Lord...!!"


"Long live the Righteous Alliance!!"


Embarrassing compliments followed.


The fifth in command of Hobong Mountain Fortress.


Commonly known as 'Black Beard', he begged to be taken as a subordinate, banging his head on the ground.


"Quick change of attitude."


Black Beard's ability, even if you give him credit, is only a third-rate martial artist.


The rest are not even qualified to be called martial artists.


The ones who rushed at him with the chief were at least second-rate.


In reality, they are useless trash that Taehyun doesn's need for his grand plan.


However, that doesn't mean they are completely useless.


"Alright. I'll accept all of you as my subordinates."


"Thank you!!"


Thump. Thump. Thump.


The newly appointed chief, Black Beard, banged his head on the ground, swearing allegiance.


"I don't need such barbaric greetings. First, I need to send someone to the Righteous Alliance."


"T-the Righteous Alliance...?"


"You have a displeased look."


"N-no way, how could I!!"


"Don't make me say it twice. I don't have much patience."


He ordered him to tell the chief manager, Zhuge Seon, that he was passing through here.


"I'll go!!"


At Black Beard's signal, one of the men jumped up and ran down the mountain.


"And you."


Taehyun gestured to the man bowing behind Black Beard.


Around his late thirties, with a face that had nothing special about it except for his curly beard.


"You're hiding your strength?"


"..."


At Taehyun's words, the man's face hardened.


"At least first-rate, even if you're not good at hiding it. You could probably replace the chief."


Those who were bowing their heads began to stir.


It seems they didn't know.


Taehyun looked at Black Beard with a gaze that demanded an explanation.


"T-this guy, we accepted him two days ago... W-we didn't know he was hiding that much skill..."


"I see. If you're hiding your identity, there must be a reason."


The man bowed his head even deeper at the attention focused on him.


"I had no other intentions... I just needed a place to rely on..."


An uncharacteristic and servile appearance for a first-rate expert.


But that's not the important thing.


"I sense a familiar presence from you."


"What..."


"Have you ever heard the name Lucifer?"


The man's face, which had been frozen, turned pale.


"I've come to the right place."


"Huk... huff... h... how..."


The man suddenly had trouble breathing.


Taehyun wrapped his body in magic energy, just in case.


"With this, you can't die easily. Tell me everything you know."


It's a more predictable story than I thought.


Lucifer attacked the Heavenly Demon Church.


He only escaped from the scene.


The man struggled to tell the truth.


'Lucifer fell into the territory of the Heavenly Demon Church?'


Typhon fell into the territory of the Blood Demon Church and fought Igmun.


The Heavenly Demon, who obtained Lucifer's power, achieved the great task of unifying the Demonic Cults.


"I see."


Taehyun released the magic energy that had surrounded the man.


"Your beard is impressive. I'll call you 'Curly Beard'."


Lucifer or the Heavenly Demon.


If he comes into contact with them, he might be able to grasp the secrets of this place a little.


"From now on, you are the new guide."


"Y-yes, I understand..."


He glanced at Dang Se-hwa, who was lying in a state of disrepair in the distance.


The man, Curly Beard, bowed his head.


Part 2, Episode 138


The place I told the man to guide me to.


The territory of the Blood Demon Church, now the Heavenly Demon Church.


'Since my initial destination was the Blood Demon Church anyway, it would be good to get some information before facing the Heavenly Demon.'


Tae-hyun maintained his speed and followed behind the curly-bearded man.


Dang Se-hwa, whom he had left at the mountain fortress, came to mind.


'Je-gal Seon. Attaching a useless person.'


Using the power of regeneration would heal her quickly, but he felt it was a waste of mana.


In any case, she had played her part until he met the curly-bearded man.


It would be better to send her back later through the people Je-gal Seon sent.


Originally, the Green Forest was supposed to be subdued from the perspective of the Orthodox Martial Alliance.


Even if they were accepted, he had to keep in mind the clash between the Green Forest and the Orthodox Martial Alliance.


'It's all up to that guy to handle.'


The important thing was the Demonic Cult in front of him.


The curly-bearded man was from the Heavenly Demon Church.


Although a runaway, he was useful in his own way.


"This is it."


He stopped at the trembling voice.


"Arrived sooner than I thought."


He muttered, taking in the huge castle.


Behind the castle, numerous pavilions and structures of foreign architecture lined up.


As if protected by nature.


If the subject wasn't a pseudo-religion, it might have felt sacred.


"……."


He looked at the flags fluttering everywhere in the castle.


Unification of the Demonic Cults. Heavenly Demon Church. Hegemonic Domination.


Words showing off the new owner of the territory were scattered everywhere.


Be it humans or demons.


'I guess even gods don't act that differently.'


The further one gets from the mortal level, the fainter the emotions become.


However, that doesn't mean emotions disappear completely.


It's just that they go through the process of solidifying into entities that they themselves don't recognize.


In other words, the difference between mortals and absolutes only depends on the level they are born with from the start.


That was the conclusion he came to after inheriting the memories of the original and possessing a physical body.


"In that sense, the new Heavenly Demon has a cute side."


"……."


The curly-bearded man's body trembled at the mutter.


In the cult he belonged to, the Heavenly Demon was the sky itself.


Judging such a person's actions was a serious crime.


Especially if the target was the leader of the Orthodox Martial Alliance, symbolizing the orthodox martial world?


"Aren't you curious?"


Tae-hyun looked at the curly-bearded man and smiled.


"Which will come first? The one who turned his back on the cult and ran away, or the reaction to the leader of the opposing force?"


"Th-that kind of..."


Unlike the smiling Tae-hyun, the curly-bearded man's face turned pale.


Then.


The cult members who had been hiding began to reveal themselves one by one.


Roughly hundreds.


"It was both."


"Dangerous..."


"Nonsense."


Tae-hyun waved his hand as if telling the curly-bearded man to step back.


"Let's see what you've got."


Baek Se-hee stopped walking.


The new territory she had recently expanded.


The headquarters of the Blood Demon Church.


"To think I'd find it again so soon."


Once a force that shared the Demonic Cult world with the Heavenly Demon Church, and the unification of the Demonic Cults, like a long-cherished wish of her ancestors.


Since the two Demonic Cults were one from the beginning, it was natural that they would be unified someday.


It didn't make sense that the Heavenly Demon, considered the sky of the cult, would be weaker than the Blood Demon, a branch.


In the past, when she was chosen as the young sect leader.


She was sure.


If she could master the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, she could achieve the unification of the Demonic Cults in her generation.


It wasn't.


Lee Geun-moon, who became the Blood Demon around the same time as her.


She had met him once, and she felt a different kind of pressure from him than from the heads of the orthodox martial families or the leaders of the Nine Great Sects.


The world saw her realm as a clear advantage over the Blood Demon, but.


'No.'


She knew better than anyone.


'That guy had already stabilized his realm of Hwa-gyeong for a long time.'


The unknown strongest person in the Central Plains martial world was Lee Geun-moon.


Hwa-gyeong.


She had mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and reached that realm, albeit incompletely, and yet... the Demonic Cult War.


That's why she didn't push for the unification of the Demonic Cults.


She needed time until she felt ready to walk the path of hegemony herself.


That time had finally come.


By contacting the existence who she thought was a disaster come to end the cult, she became the true sky.


"Lucifer. It's thanks to you."


Not only did she stabilize the realm of Hwa-gyeong.


"Hyeon-gyeong."


She had reached a realm that no one before her had reached, a realm that no martial artist had ever reached.


She became a master who was not burdened by the title of the strongest in the world.


That's why she moved immediately when she received a report of the disaster that had struck the Blood Demon Church.


The Blood Demon Church collapsed so easily, without even a chance to properly use its power.


She broke the necks of all the proud masters and the secretly raised super-masters.


Lee Geun-moon never appeared.


The Demonic Cults were unified, but she knew that wasn't all.


"Lucifer."


She called the name of the god she had made a contract with once more.


There was no response.


The god she had contracted with was preserving his power within her.


He would awaken again when the time came.


It was no different from the purpose she had come here for today.


"...Amazing."


She muttered, looking at the scene before her.


The castle of the Blood Demon Church, where Lee Geun-moon had stayed.


It looked the same on the outside, but her senses were telling her.


"……."


She could smell a lingering scent of something.


The power of another world.


"Mana."


The reason she came here alone was because of a report from a runaway not long ago.


A first-class master of the Heavenly Demon Church, who had escaped from the church during Lucifer's advent and survived. The runaway said that he had met a person in Hobeong Mountain Fortress, and that he had taken Lee Geun-moon's life.


Also, that he had become the leader of the Orthodox Martial Alliance after Namgoong-cheon, and that he knew about Lucifer.


That such an existence was asking to meet alone in the place that used to be Lee Geun-moon's castle.


She tore the traitor of the cult apart and killed him on the spot.


And now.


She had set foot alone in the territory that used to belong to the Blood Demon Church.


The moment to confirm the natural disaster that had struck the Blood Demon Church and the facts related to Lee Geun-moon's disappearance was near.


She passed through a place that had been destroyed and lost its function as a gate.


"……."


She didn't feel any presence.


All she could see were the Heavenly Demon Church members who had been guarding this place, turned into mummies.


"Blood Demon Divine Art?"


She reached the end of the castle, looking at hundreds of corpses.


A building supported by red pillars.


Made and used by the artisans of the cult for hundreds of years.


The space where the Blood Demon, the leader of the cult, resided, and the Blood Demon Hall, which had only allowed one intruder for a long time.


Without hesitation, she entered and saw a huge altar.


Similar to the altar where the Heavenly Demon Church offered sacrifices to the sky, but the altar of the Blood Demon Church smelled of human blood.


The difference from what she had confirmed when she occupied this place before.


A man was standing with his back to the altar.


He wasn't wearing the attire of the Blood Demon Church or the Heavenly Demon Church.


"Are you Kim Tae-hyun?"


At Baek Se-hee's words, the man turned around.


"You came quickly."


"……."


Baek Se-hee scanned the man's appearance.


The neat robes typical of orthodox martial artists.


He had a subtle, musty smell as if he had been buried in books.


She had already grasped the events that had occurred in the Je-gal family and the Orthodox Martial Alliance.


Even so.


"To come alone into the territory of this Heavenly Demon and do such a thing. Don't you value your life?"


"Wasn't it Lee Geun-moon's territory until recently?"


Tae-hyun asked back in a friendly tone.


"The Demonic Cults have been unified by this Heavenly Demon. The information of the so-called Orthodox Martial Alliance leader is slow."


"Isn't that why I came here directly, knowing that? It must be the same for you."


Tae-hyun's gaze scanned the path she had come through.


He could tell she had come alone. Also.


"You made a contract with Lucifer?"


"……."


Baek Se-hee was silent at the question.


"You must be completely controlling the mana."


Tae-hyun tilted his head playfully.


"You have a face that seems to be saying, 'How do you know?'"


"……."


Baek Se-hee's eyebrows twitched slightly.


'This Heavenly Demon. A title Lucifer started using to show that he himself was the sky.'


A mortal was using that word.


'He survived meeting Lucifer. Besides, just having traces of that guy on him is enough to suspect a contractor. No... I have to keep in mind the possibility that he used her as a host.'


Tae-hyun's eyes narrowed as he tore into Baek Se-hee's body.


They tore into each other's bodies for about a minute.


Baek Se-hee's fighting spirit soared.


"Not only are you stealing glances at the sky, but the thoughts in your gaze are also insolent."


"Oh."


Tae-hyun's lips twitched at the energy he felt from Baek Se-hee's body.


'The strongest person I've met so far was Namgoong-cheon.'


But Baek Se-hee in front of him was several levels ahead of Namgoong-cheon.


"Did you cross the wall after meeting Lucifer?"


That must have been achieved because of the potential of her vessel.


"This body is the new leader of the Orthodox Martial Alliance. That alone is enough reason to fight you."


Tsuzzzz.


Crimson mana surged from Tae-hyun's body.


The power that filled the lacking parts through Lee Geun-moon's clone.


He confirmed that it was the least burdensome of the mana he could use through the battle here.


Kugugugu.


The momentum of Baek Se-hee facing him reached its peak.


"Are you going to destroy the entire area?"


Without answering, she took a step forward.


"Heavenly Demon Forest Step."


Kung.


The moment Tae-hyun felt the overbearing force pressing down on his whole body.


He checked Baek Se-hee's fist, blocked by his hand.


"Not bad."


At the same time as the short comment.


Kwang!


Tae-hyun's figure flew backward and crashed into the altar.


'Close to the limits of a mortal.'


That was Tae-hyun's short evaluation of the Heavenly Demon's skills.


The amazing thing was that she wasn't using Lucifer's power.


Even without using it, she was overwhelming him, who was covered in crimson mana.


By the standards of martial artists, she had surpassed Hwa-gyeong.


'Is that what they call Hyeon-gyeong... In Kim Tae-hyun's world, it's even higher than an SSS-rank player.'


He suddenly understood why Lee Geun-moon had spared her.


'He must have been planning to get a complete body someday and use her as a host.'


As his thoughts reached that point, he felt a sense of deja vu.


Typhon was dropped into the territory of the Blood Demon Church, driving his power base, the Blood Demon Church, to the brink of ruin.


Lucifer, who had already betrayed him, dropped him in a place where there was a human who might become his host.


And he was dropped into one of the power spheres of the Orthodox Martial Alliance, the Je-gal family.


As a result, Lee Geun-moon's main body was damaged in the battle with Typhon, and the Heavenly Demon, whom he had left as a host, came into contact with Lucifer.


"Hmm..."


Now.


He had entered their Demonic Cult sphere of influence.


All alone.


"If she doesn't completely understand my personality, it's a very suspicious situation."


He prided himself on having more human aspects than when he was called a doppelganger in the past.


He judged that he was an existence that was lacking in being called a doppelganger, and also in being called an original.


To predict such actions of his?


'Was she observing me?'


Considering the constellation 'Labyrinth Dwelling in Consciousness', it wouldn't be strange if anything happened.


Kwang!


Tae-hyun rolled on the floor again from the impact.


His hand that had blocked it was tingling.


He seemed to have confirmed Baek Se-hee's skills enough by now.


Two levels above his current self.


Whether it was Shinhan Korean Ancient Martial Arts.


Or Chinese Ancient Martial Arts.


'I can't deal with her with the physical skills the original had learned.'


If so.


"From now on, it's a battle of mana."


The surging crimson mana spread in all directions.


Tsuzzzzzz.


Blood Field.


Baek Se-hee's eyes narrowed as she confirmed the territory that symbolized Lee Geun-moon.


"Blood Demon Divine Art...!!"


"It seems that's how it's known."


There was no need to correct the misunderstanding on purpose.


"If you stay silent, a precious host will become this body's nourishment."


Click.


As Tae-hyun flicked his finger, the Blood Cross bound Baek Se-hee.


He didn't need any grand footwork.


Just.


"Eat this."


He raised the Blood Sword he was holding toward the prey.


Poo-uk.


As if cutting through soft flesh.


Crimson mana pierced Baek Se-hee's chest.


Part 2, Episode 139


The original's home world.


Earth.


There, humans experienced awakening and gained several skills.


They developed a system called a 'status window' for their convenience, assigning ranks and issuing licenses.


A world where those called 'players' travel the lower realm.


'Devourer of the Three Thousand Worlds.'


'The place where the original was born.'


The middle realm is connected to both the lower and upper realms, but finding a passage is not easy.


Even if one is found, the laws impose restrictions on existence.


'Only twice in countless time has an entity from the middle realm become the king of the lower realm.'


The fiend (妖魔) who possessed a fragment of the unique god.


The Predator (捕食者) who inherited the fiend's arrangements.


Those who became kings of the lower realm naturally learned that.


All power existing in the middle realm is, in fact, related to either the lower or upper realm.


'The guy's middle realm was the former.'


Awakened skills were like inferior versions of the powers existing in the lower realm, at the end of which was the Duke of Hell.


Kim Taehyun was the victor of the domain wars fought against the Dukes.


When he became the King of the Lower Realm, he made contracts with all the Dukes, allowing him to use their powers.


Which means.


"By controlling mana, I can mimic almost any power existing in the lower realm."


If Kim Taehyun, who came from the middle realm, could do this.


"There's no way I can't handle the power I once held in my body."


Taehyun said mockingly, looking at Baek Sehee, who was spilling blood.


Even before coveting Igmun's clone, using the power of absorption was not difficult.


It was just that he didn't feel like using absorption, which he considered inferior to predation, and which was not efficient due to the lack of a contract.


'Looking back now, I think Igmun's calculation was behind revealing the clone.'


Revealing the clone despite knowing his identity.


Moreover, not even the body that could be called the main body that fought Typhon, but an existence with the power of a mortal.


"I'll play along for now."


Thwack.


Taehyun stabbed another blood sword into Baek Sehee's right arm.


"......!!"


Baek Sehee tried to pull out her arm, manipulating her energy, but the arm fixed to the cross did not allow it.


This was because her existence was being drained by the cross connected to the crimson magic.


If she hadn't controlled it with the Demonic Art of the Celestial Demon, she would have withered away long ago.


"Hwagyeong or Hyeonyeong.


In the end, the limits are clear."


It's only great by the standards of the middle realm; in the end, it doesn't surpass the realm of the Dukes.


'To find potential in a place like this.


Isn't it a damn friendly worldview?'


Thwack.


A brief comment on the middle realm called Murim.


Taehyun unhesitatingly stabbed in a new blood sword.


Both arms and both legs.


Abdomen.


And finally.


Crack.


He stabbed a sharply honed blood sword into her neck.


Baek Sehee's body, which had been resisting endlessly, trembled slightly.


Soon, her movement stopped.


Tsszzz.


The blood sword and blood cross coveted the power of the Celestial Demon who had stopped resisting.


"Are you planning to lose your host like this?"


Tsszzz.


Confirming the power being absorbed, he watched her quietly.


Swish.


Her drooping head lifted.


Her eyes opened, revealing crimson eyes.


Swish.


One of the crimson eyes turned blue, and Taehyun raised one hand with a pleased smile.


"Lucifer."


"To awaken this humble one in such a way."


A voice that was clearly different from before.


He knew because he had a contract.


The existence before his eyes was certainly a Duke who had crossed the gate with him.


"So you were there."


Tsszzz.


A new blood sword was held in Taehyun's hand.


"A new contractor. You're adapting to the middle realm quickly."


"Your violent nature is still..."


Before Lucifer could finish speaking.


Swish.


The lightly swung blood sword cut off Baek Sehee's neck.


Lucifer's power is 'Regeneration.'


The one-dimensional use of the ability is to recover wounds.


'The essence is closer to turning back time.'


Since the one who was the master of the upper realm fell to the Duke of the lower realm, it could be said to be a truly fitting power.


Since it was a body possessed by such a person, the host could not possibly die just by having their neck cut off.


As expected.


Whoosh.


As gray magic overflowed, Baek Sehee's head, which had not yet touched the floor, was seen moving back into place.


"What are you doing?"


The voice asking was cold.


Taehyun shrugged nonchalantly.


"Isn't it possible that Igmun was up to something?"


"......"


"So I checked once. Fortunately, there seems to be no problem with the power itself. It seems like the consciousness is being maintained as well."


"......"


Taehyun smiled brightly at the sight of Lucifer quietly staring at him.


"No matter who you are... I'll only tolerate it once. I hope you'll refrain from doing that in the future."


Swish.


One of the eyes that had been maintaining a blue color returned to crimson.


"There are many restrictions to using power in this world, you see."


"Understood."


Unlike the words, the attitude was nonchalant.


Taehyun quietly flicked his fingers.


Tsszzzzz.


The cross and chains that had been binding Baek Sehee's body.


The blood sword flickered in the form of magic and then scattered.


It had not completely disappeared but was sucked into the unfolding Blood Field.


If he wanted to, he could reproduce the same situation as before at any time.


Lucifer's crimson eyes, not unaware of that fact, stared at Taehyun.


"You're thorough."


"This isn't the lower realm, is it?"


"Igmun's power does not receive any particular restrictions here. Was this humble one's thinking wrong?"


"I don't like putting uncertainty into words, but."


Taehyun nodded.


"It seems like that's the case. That rat-like guy. He's pulled off an interesting trick."


Before even escaping the Jegal Clan, 'mind control' and 'ferocity' were sealed.


On the other hand, even if he used a similar output of 'absorption,' no message appeared.


He wouldn't be able to wield Duke-level magic without prior preparation, but that alone puts him on a different starting line from the other Dukes.


"There's a secret."


He spoke of several processes he had experimented with.


"I think you'd know, but. Or not?"


"It's time for a conversation."


Lucifer, with arms hanging down, leaned against a half-destroyed tree.


Taehyun sat on a half-cut rock.


He cocked his head while maintaining a magical tension so that he could start bombarding at any time.


"This body is suspecting that everything that is happening is Igmun's scheme."


The fact that the Dukes who were with him scattered.


The fact that Typhon made contact with Igmun's main body, and that Lucifer made contact with an existence that would have been more than enough to become Igmun's host.


The fact that he encountered Igmun's clone before meeting the morons of Hobong Mountain Fortress.


He had been having a sense of déjà vu since entering Murim, which corresponded to the 6th floor of the tower, and he was making a rational suspicion.


"Is it wrong?"


"No, it's accurate."


Lucifer affirmed.


"As you think, we have fallen into Igmun's trap."


"Is your taking a host also related?"


Celestial Demon Baek Sehee.


An intermediate being that Igmun was expected to be raising as a host.


It is safe to say that it would be difficult to find a host better than this woman in Murim.


Lucifer, who possessed Baek Sehee's body, shook his head.


"Half of that is wrong. This humble one did not intend to take this woman as a host."


"......?"


Lucifer, as if expecting the reaction, sighed and continued.


"I was sealed."


"Sealed?"


"It was an involuntary event."


"......"


"......"


Two pairs of crimson eyes collided in the air to grasp each other's true intentions.


Countless assumptions came to mind in his head.


The body is the Murim's number one, the Celestial Demon.


The one moving that body is Lucifer.


'Lucifer awoke because this body inflicted a shock that exceeded the limits of the body.'


He took the action because he was sure that she would not die using her power.


As expected, Lucifer appeared with the power of regeneration.


'But sealed... was handing over this level of host intentional?'


"It seems like you don't understand. I suppose it can't be helped."


"To avoid the restrictions imposed in Murim, taking a host is not a bad choice. This humble one, who has collided with it directly, is certain. That body is the best body that can be obtained in Murim."


Existence that has achieved the great success of the Demonic Art of the Celestial Demon and reached the end of the Murim.


The power of the Duke can be manifested without any particular adaptation.


It is not easy to obtain a body like this even in the middle realm.


Even so.


"What if all of this was Igmun's plan?"


"......"


"You, who have stayed in the mental world for a long time, should know."


Looking at Taehyun, who was narrowing his eyes.


"This humble one can no longer oppose Igmun."


Not simply making a contract and sharing power, but being able to stay in the mind, like himself, who was a doppelganger.


That is the relationship between the current Lucifer and Baek Sehee.


Lucifer continued the explanation indifferently.


"Absurd."


Taehyun, who let out a hollow laugh, quietly shook his head.


He fell into the domain of the Celestial Demon Sect and met the Murim people.


He faced their leader, the Celestial Demon.


"I did think it was a pretty interesting body, but I had no intention of taking it as a host."


The current Lucifer is a complete being who can play the role of the King of the Lower Realm and the King of the Upper Realm.


Or, the United King.


Even the movement to this middle realm was entered safely with the power of Elven and Rosaria.


He could adapt to the middle realm at any time by dealing with his existence.


There was no need to find a host.


For that reason, he did not hide his identity while managing his existence.


The first meeting.


[This humble one is an existence with a different level than you.]


All the members of the Celestial Demon Sect except Baek Sehee knelt at Lucifer's voice echoing in their heads.


They brought their heads to the ground, unable to control their trembling bodies, and poured out rough breaths.


Baek Sehee was different.


She resisted Lucifer's existence.


The energy manifested by the Demonic Art of the Celestial Demon pushed back the noble power.


There is bound to be a gap for an absolute being who has discovered an interesting existence.


Lucifer narrowed the distance with Baek Sehee.


"Heaven above and earth below, I alone am supreme. The path I walk is the path of tyranny."


The moment Baek Sehee emphasized that she herself was the only heaven.


The atmosphere in the area changed.


Déjà vu.


A sensation that Taehyun had felt several times.


When Lucifer faced that unfamiliar sensation.


The work had already begun.


The first change that occurred was that time had stopped.


In the stopped time, Baek Sehee glistened her eyes, which had turned crimson.


Slowly extending hand.


Grab.


The moment her hand touched Lucifer, who had polymorphed into a human form.


Tsszzzz.


Igmun's power was manifested.


Slash.


The aura of the fallen angel cut off Baek Sehee's hand.


He spread his wings and widened the distance.


Thud.


The already unfolding Blood Field restricted his movement.


[Igmun.]


Lucifer took out the Decameron while looking at the Celestial Demon, whose crimson magic was overflowing.


Despite implementing a divine artifact that exuded a tremendous existence, no changes occurred around it.


[Extreme Micro Time Zone.]


Baek Sehee put the language of the lower realm into her mouth as if sneering.


[To borrow the expression of Murim, it can be said that way.]


She is controlling the flow of time.


It is impossible unless you have the ability to handle dimensions.


How?


He couldn't feel the slightest sense of incongruity until the current realm was unfolded.


Why?


The moment he had such questions.


Everything became clear.


[Lucifer. You have never been able to abandon the arrogance that you always know everything.]


Immediately after, Decameron divided the space.


Plop.


At the end of Decameron's trajectory was Baek Sehee's hand.


Despite holding a sharp weapon, her lips were twisted as if nothing was wrong.


Tsszzzzzz.


The divine magic that made up Decameron was sucked into Baek Sehee's hand.


[Divine Artifact Decameron. There is nothing better as a medium to seal God.]


[……!!]


It was an instantaneous event.


In an instant, about the time it takes to blink and open your eyes once.


[I have nothing more to do with you. Once the adversary.]


At the same time as Igmun's voice echoed in his head.


Lucifer realized that he was fixed in Baek Sehee's mind.


Part 2, Episode 140


"We need to retrace our steps."


Lucifer fell into the domain of the Heavenly Demon Sect and met Baek Sehee. The moment they touched, Igmun, who had been dormant within her, awoke.


"And he was sealed within Baek Sehee's body, using the Decameron as a medium."


"No need to explain further. I understand perfectly."


"This is quite something."


Taehyun stroked his chin, slowly shaking his head.


"You gained freedom from the restrictions of the Murim world in exchange for becoming a host, but because you're fixed in the mental world, you can't freely possess the body?"


"That's right."


To think that a being who mastered Divine Demonic Power couldn't control a mere human body.


Anyone else would laugh it off, but...


'It's a similar kind of spell to when this body was imprinted on the original's mental image.'


The method used by the Youma who possessed countless powers on himself.


And also the method he used on Gilfer.


"It's beyond laughable."


"I agree."


Lucifer also sighed, shaking his head in agreement.


Acquiring a host like Baek Sehee isn't a bad thing, but not being able to maintain consciousness in the current situation is no small matter.


"We'll have to redraw the map."


Lucifer and Typhon are beings worthy of being called the upper echelon of the Great Dukes.


Among them, Typhon's fate is unknown, and Lucifer can't exert his full power because he's residing in a human body.


'And this body is already sealed with two powers.'


He's entered the 6th floor and hasn't gained anything yet, but already about half of his power has been削 off.


"Igmun, you're showing unexpected moves."


Heavenly Demon Baek Sehee.


Even if her influence is set aside, her body, having reached the level of Hwagyeong on her own, is highly valuable in the Middle World in many ways.


Instead of using such a body for himself, he used it as a vessel to seal Lucifer.


"He probably didn't intend to do that from the start."


"Our thoughts align.


Something must have changed."


"Yes. It's highly likely Baek Sehee was kept alive to be used as a spare someday."


A vessel that could even avoid the restrictions of the Lower World, depending on how it's used.


'Sealing someone like Lucifer is a good harvest. But it's not enough.'


There must be a more fundamental reason why Baek Sehee was sacrificed now.


'Did we reach the 6th floor earlier than expected? Could it be that he didn't anticipate the Great Dukes bringing their main bodies to Murim?'


And what's with the "ultra-short time zone"?


Controlling time and space is related to existence or power.


'It's not just illusion or mental domination. Controlling time and space without harming lesser beings means it's at least the level of an Integrated King…'


His head becomes complicated with hypotheses popping up simultaneously.


It's when the number of possibilities exceeds twenty.


"Damn it."


A curse slipped from Taehyun's mouth.


"……."


Lucifer stared at Taehyun silently.


He seemed surprised that Taehyun would express his emotions in such a way.


"Damn it all."


Taehyun continued to curse, unconcerned.


One of the annoying things about gaining a physical body is that he has to constantly use his brain.


And now.


His brain is working faster than ever.


As quickly as the number of possibilities rose, they dwindled to an impossible probability.


The thought wasn't long.


"Igmun has found another vessel."


"It wouldn't be a Murim person."


Lucifer quietly responded.


If he has someone to brainstorm with like this, his thoughts flow faster.


"Just because the 6th floor is in the Middle World doesn't mean the 7th floor has to be in the Middle World too. If that's the case, there's no need to make a Middle World person a host."


"He knows information about the 7th floor?"


"Don't expect certainty from me. All assumptions start from uncertainty."


"……."


"I don't appreciate that look. I can handle the power of someone who resides in a 'Maze of Consciousness,' so I just thought it would be faster to move under the assumption that he knows about the 7th floor."


What if the 7th floor isn't in the Middle World? For that reason, if there's no need to make a Middle World person's body a host?


"We have to include Lower World demons or Upper World absolutes in the category."


"All the Great Dukes of the Lower World have a pact with you."


Demons excluding the Great Dukes. Among them, there are definitely beings stronger than Baek Sehee.


'But that wouldn't be enough to catch Igmun's eye.'


If he were given a choice, he would choose Baek Sehee, who has great potential for development.


The level she's reached now is similar to the time when the original was called a player.


The absolutes of the Upper World. He recalls the owners of the ten Celestial Realms and those who made quite a name for themselves.


They would be helpful if they joined hands, but they are also deities whose existence is restricted, just like the Great Dukes.


He doesn't think they're cards that can replace Baek Sehee.


'Excluding those guys…'


Taehyun eliminates choices by comparing the abilities and personalities of the Celestial Realm owners in his memory.


"Asmodeus."


Lucifer muttered quietly.


"Isn't he the one who holds all the possibilities of the Upper and Lower Worlds?"


"……."


Taehyun's gaze met Lucifer's.


'Why didn't I think of that?'


The Great Demon Asmodeus.


The one who marked the culmination of the original's regression and was chosen by Baal's Key to ascend to the Upper World King.


He was defeated in a battle with the original in the past and was annihilated, but it was confirmed that he was granted a new life due to the second regression.


"He can already use the power of the Demon Dragon. It wouldn't be strange for him to have memories from other timelines as well."


The current timeline is the best timeline in the Three Thousand Worlds, a place where countless possibilities are concentrated.


Typhon has already remembered the experiences of countless timelines, Lucifer has regressed with his power from his previous life preserved, and Rosaria and Hazard are showing different growth trends from their previous lives.


"If Igmun has joined hands with Asmodeus… Elven and Rosaria are in danger."


Elven and Rosaria haven't yet recovered their power to the level of their previous lives.


Even if they've synchronized with the Divine Beast, they can't guarantee a complete victory with their own strength alone.


No.


"They will definitely lose."


Taehyun, who has faced them directly, belatedly confirmed.


The Tower of Possibilities consists of 100 floors.


He assumed the 6th floor would be in the Upper World, but he was neatly wrong.


If the 7th floor is a place advantageous to Asmodeus.


"It makes sense to use a vessel like Baek Sehee as a disposable item."


"It would be advantageous to eliminate us here and seize the 5th floor. If he joins hands with Asmodeus, seizing the 5th floor would be a matter of time."


The Demon Kings of the Demon World and the two Great Dukes in the Fairy Forest.


It's no illusion that that level of power feels insufficient.


"Did Typhon really lose?"


"We can't know from Baek Sehee's memory alone. What's certain is that if Typhon had unleashed his full power, the area wouldn't have remained intact."


Considering the clash between such beings, the surrounding buildings are relatively intact.


"Did they fight in the rift of dimensions?"


"That would minimize restrictions and allow them to reveal their power. Of course, it's a method one wouldn't want to attempt unless they were crazy… but he's someone who's capable of doing it."


"He's reckless but not stupid. I don't want to assume defeat… but even if he did lose, Igmun would have paid a considerable price."


"It would be meaningless to waste any more time."


Swish.


Taehyun waved his hand, and the Blood Field that had been maintained was released.


"We must gather the Great Dukes."


Before crossing the gate, he cast a spell using Taehyun, the covenantor, as a medium.


When the Great Dukes gather around him, the gate back to the 5th floor will open.


"We don't know how many clones of Igmun are left. We don't know the whereabouts of the main body either, so reckless actions are not advisable."


"Did you think I would look for Igmun alone?"


"……."


Lucifer affirmed with silence.


"Being trapped in a human body has made your insight narrow."


"Haa… Stop insulting this Celestial Being. I know very well that I made a mistake."


"So narrow-minded. This isn't the Lower World. Since we're in the Middle World, we should utilize the laws of the Middle World."


"Laws…?"


Lucifer's eyes narrowed.


He still looked confused.


Taehyun grinned and pointed at himself with his index finger.


"This body is the Righteous Alliance Lord, who can be called the head of the Righteous Murim."


The direction of the index finger turned towards Lucifer.


"You are the leader of the unified Demonic Cult."


"……."


"Doesn't that paint a pretty picture?"


"……."


"Well, it doesn't matter if you don't understand. I'll be directing everything anyway. More than that, we need to hope Hazard is safe."


She, who uses the power of the Demon Dragon, is comparable to Typhon or Lucifer.


It's no illusion that that level of power feels insufficient.


"I'll explain the plan now. If you feel like you're about to lose control of your body, use Radiance."


Knowing that time is short, Taehyun quickly verbalized the plan.


The Righteous Alliance Lord's reception room.


"You're going to form an alliance with the Heavenly Demon Sect?!"


"Yes."


"Are you out of your mind?!"


Taehyun shook his head at Jegal Seon's shouting.


The reaction is more intense than expected.


"I think I've explained it enough."


The identity of Blood Demon Lee Geunmun is the Lower World Great Duke Igmun.


He has hidden himself in Murim for some reason, and the Great Dukes, including Taehyun, have entered Murim to capture Igmun.


"Lucifer, an existence named Lucifer, has inhabited the body of Heavenly Demon Baek Sehee due to Lee Geunmun's scheme. And Lee Geunmun seems to have joined hands with a demonic figure named Asmodeus while hiding his body."


"You understand well. And it's Igmun, not Lee Geunmun."


"It's not a matter of understanding or not! The Righteous Alliance and the Demonic Cult are in the same boat! It will shake the foundations of the Righteous Murim to the core! How many times…"


"When did you care about unnecessary inauguration ceremonies? Now you're pursuing reputation instead of practical benefits?"


"Reputation is…"


"Is that kind of reputation more precious than death? If you want to say something like that, I'll pretend I didn't hear it."


Taehyun yawned and stretched.


The dice have already been cast.


Jegal Seon's permission is not needed to proceed with future tasks.


He simply conveyed his thoughts for smoother progress.


"It doesn't matter whether you agree or not."


"……!!"


The moment Jegal Seon tried to open his mouth,


The outside began to become noisy.


"They've come, I see."


"What…"


"Didn't I say


I don't like wasting time."


Taehyun grinned and stood up.


"If you don't want unnecessary sacrifices, withdraw the guards."


"Surely… the Heavenly Demon Sect has attacked this place…?"


"It's not an attack, it's an invitation. The Alliance Lord has personally invited them, so we must show appropriate courtesy."


"What is…"


"The leader of the Demonic Cult has come personally."


"……!!"


"Stop unnecessary resistance. She has reached the level of Hyeonkyung by your standards."


"……!!"


"Even if the entire Righteous Alliance rushes at her, they won't be able to handle it. Ah, don't say things like 'Why are you saying that now?'"


Leaving Jegal Seon, who was frozen with a pale face, without saying anything, Taehyun stood up from his seat.


"Open your eyes and focus on what you have to do. An event that will never happen again in the history of Murim will occur today."


Part 2, Episode 141


Confused.


The Heavenly Demon who united the Demonic Cult.


This was the emotion Baek Sehee was feeling.


She had stabilized her Transformation Realm and reached the Profound Realm.


She had become an existence worthy of being called the strongest under heaven.


If she wished, she could start the Great Demonic War to proclaim the value of the Divine Cult, or reduce everything to ashes and rebuild it anew.


Before meeting the Righteous Martial Alliance Leader, Kim Taehyun.


There was a moment when she was so sure.


Not anymore.


The old base of the Blood Demon Divine Cult.


She dueled Kim Taehyun there and lost.


When she regained consciousness, her body was completely healed.


All that came to mind was Kim Taehyun telling her, with his characteristic arrogance, to come and find him.


How many sleepless nights had passed?


Against the opposition of those around her, she had finally stepped into the territory of the Righteous Martial Alliance.


"Lower your weapons."


The brief command carried an irresistible pressure.


The Black Guard escorting her quickly sheathed their swords, and the martial artists of the Alliance, who had been wary of the sudden intruder, also pointed their blades towards the ground.


"I am the Heavenly Demon, Baek Sehee. I have come to meet your Alliance Leader."


Heavenly Demon, Baek Sehee.


Just revealing her name was enough to prevent them from rushing in recklessly.


The ones blocking her path changed from second-rate experts to first-rate experts.


From elders of the Nine Great Sects, who were top-tier experts, to the few remaining supreme experts in the Alliance.


But her pace did not slow down.


How long had she walked like that?


The person she had been waiting for appeared before her.


The Righteous Martial Alliance Leader.


"Kim Taehyun."


"You've been making quite a ruckus in my territory."


"Wouldn't you say that's no different from what you did?"


"Well, I'll commend you for not taking any lives."


Taehyun scanned the martial artists who had fallen around him.


Each had suffered an attack that could be considered a serious injury.


Yet, none of them were dead.


This was only possible if he had deliberately been mindful of it.


"I have come for a conversation, not a war. May I assume that's how you see it?"


"Lead the way."


Baek Sehee replied in a frosty tone.


Taehyun shrugged his shoulders.


"That's going to be difficult. I haven't received permission from our Chief yet."


It was the man beside him who reacted to his sly behavior.


"How dare you...!!"


"To speak of permission in front of the Sect Leader...!!"


Hwaaa.


The aura the men emitted caused the martial artists of the Righteous Martial Alliance, who had been knocked down, to groan.


Unlike Baek Sehee, they did not care about taking lives and prioritized their lord's honor above all else.


"Idiots."


Click.


Taehyun snapped his fingers, and the nine members of the Black Guard kneeled.


This was because he had minimized his demonic energy to the point where it was invisible and struck their vital points.


Baek Sehee silently watched the scene.


Just.


"This is a conversation between leaders. Do not interfere recklessly."


She coldly warned her subordinates, who had presumptuously stepped forward.


Her gaze was fixed on Taehyun.


"Are you going to keep your guest standing here like this?"


"Of course not."


For a moment, a crimson demonic energy began to rise from Taehyun's body.


"......"


Baek Sehee confirmed the change in the space surrounding her.


A pure white space with nothing in it.


"It's called a Personal Space. It's an isolated area that no one can look into without my permission."


"Lucifer's origin. Is that demonic energy?"


"It's complicated to explain everything, but let's just say it's something like that. You've come to what could be called enemy territory with a small group, not a large army. That must be because of the 'incantation' floating in your head, right?"


"So, it was your doing after all."


Emotion flickered in Baek Sehee's eyes.


"It's a spell. Or, as you would call it, black magic. In other intermediate worlds, it's also expressed as magic, a kind of covenant."


"The price for daring to pull such a trick..."


"You're talking a lot for someone who lost. It seems you haven't heard any explanation from Lucifer himself. Shouldn't you listen to the reason why I had to use the spell in the first place?"


Before she could answer.


"As you know, I and Lucifer are from the same hometown."


A story that had nothing to do with the Murim world.


A story he had once told Zhuge Seon.


A story that was condensed to about five times that amount was told.


Baek Sehee's eyes began to tremble little by little as she faced the truth of the world.


"My life... has been preserved until now to become a host for Igmun...?"


"It's just a speculation that's close to certainty. Anyway, things went wrong when Lucifer was sealed in your body. You know what a pointless sacrifice means, right?"


"......"


Baek Sehee let out a hollow laugh.


The Murim world is just one of countless intermediate worlds in the Three Thousand Worlds.


She says that she is just the leader of a force engaged in ideological strife in such a place.


It would be strange not to feel a sense of futility.


"I'd like to cut off your head several times to awaken Lucifer... but if I did, the realm I've worked so hard to achieve would be damaged. That's also why you and Lucifer can't fully communicate."


Baek Sehee, who had managed to calm herself, glared at Taehyun.


"I don't believe you."


"I thought you'd say that. Murim people like you seem to think that justification is important."


Taehyun, recalling Zhuge Seon, sneered.


Tsuzzzzz.


Crimson blood energy rose.


"You'd better go all out from the start this time. If you're going to kneel anyway, it'll be easier to admit it that way."


"Nonsense."


Kwaaaa.


An imposing aura leaked from Baek Sehee's body.


A handful of gray demonic energy.


Mixed with the power of a fallen angel, the fist of someone who had reached the Profound Realm was unleashed.


Bang!


Taehyun showed an ability to catch it more easily than before.


And.


Kwaang!


He headbutted her.


The forehead covered in protective energy was torn, and blood splattered.


'Lucifer must be finding it hard to watch.'


Peoeok.


Kicking Baek Sehee, who couldn't react properly because of her reddened vision.


Tsuzzzz.


Taehyun, who had materialized the Blood Sword, took a step forward.


"From today onwards."


Tsuzzzzzz.


The Blood Cross fell, and the Blood Field was formed.


"The Demonic Cult will become a subsidiary of the Righteous Martial Alliance."


The Righteous Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult had formed an alliance.


The news spread quickly throughout the Central Plains Murim world.


News that was relatively simple at first was bound to be distorted into rumors as time passed.


Among the rumors, there were also stories that the two leaders had become romantically involved.


Some said that the Righteous Martial Alliance Leader had corrected the Demonic Cult Leader's wrong ideas and rehabilitated her.


There were also rumors that the Righteous Martial Alliance Leader had actually inherited the will of the Blood Cult.


But the only ones who knew the proper truth were the parties involved.


One thing was certain: an era of unprecedented peace had arrived in the Central Plains Murim, where war and battles were commonplace.


Although disputes occurred periodically among their subordinates, who did not fully understand each other's ideologies, and although there were minor rebellions in the process.


The Alliance's Chief, Zhuge Seon, had prevented them in advance, and the merging of the two organizations seemed to be passing through the transition period stably.


This was also possible because the Alliance Leader, Kim Taehyun, and the Cult Leader, Baek Sehee, were martial artists with overwhelming power.


In the Righteous Martial Alliance Leader's private reception room.


Taehyun, who was tilting his teacup, received Baek Sehee's report.


"A person suspected of being Jormungandr..."


"I have sent people to the Wind Forest Water Color. We will soon know the truth."


"Certainly, the Demonic Cult's intelligence network is quite substantial."


Taehyun emptied his teacup and grinned.


Only two days had passed since Baek Sehee came to the Righteous Martial Alliance and made a deal.


The Righteous Martial Alliance's half-baked intelligence network and the Demonic Cult's intelligence network had combined, creating considerable synergy.


"Good. Hurry up with the search for Hazard and Orgal as well. I hope we can confirm the whereabouts of all the Archdukes before the end of this month."


"You're openly using us as your limbs. Don't forget your promise."


"Ah... you don't have to worry about that. We've already made a contract, haven't we?"


"......"


Baek Sehee nodded at Taehyun's mention.


She knew very well how important promises were to those called gods.


"How is the search for the person named Typhon going?"


She asked, drinking her half-cooled tea.


Unlike the other Archdukes, the giant king, who was presumed to be in the rift of dimensions.


The search for him was entirely on Taehyun.


"No. Unfortunately, there have been no gains."


Taehyun frowned as if he was annoyed.


The rift of dimensions is a place that even the current Taehyun does not want to enter easily.


If he opens it wrong, he doesn't know how his authority will be limited again to clean up the mess.


That was why the search for Typhon was bound to be the slowest.


'If he had heard my news, he would have come looking for me... What is he doing?'


Hazard. Orgal. Jormungandr.


If it were them, the Central Plains Murim wouldn't be a problem, no matter how wide it was.


But there was still no proper news.


While he was sharing a few more stories with Baek Sehee.


Zhuge Seon, with a hardened face, visited with a woman.


A woman with her black hair tied up.


An ordinary woman who could be anywhere.


The moment Taehyun saw her, the corners of his mouth twitched.


The woman was the first to speak.


"We finally meet."


"Hazard. Where have you been all this time?"


"That looks like good tea."


"Zhuge Seon. This is a guest of the Alliance."


"...I understand. I'll prepare some new tea."


Zhuge Seon, realizing that this was not his place, quickly left the room.


"I didn't know it would be so difficult for three Archdukes to gather in one place. It's been quite a while since we crossed the gate."


At Taehyun's words, Hazard let out a shallow breath.


"Do you still not know?"


"Hmm?"


"Demonic Cult Leader Baek Sehee. This child was indeed a host of Lucifer."


Her gaze, which had briefly been directed at Baek Sehee, was soon fixed on Taehyun.


"The flow of time is accelerating."


"What...?"


"The reason we were scattered was not only because of physical distance. The Dragon of Origin also learned relatively recently that we were torn into different timelines."


"......!!"


A part that Lucifer had not considered even after putting his head together.


Hazard continued, unconcerned.


"The Dragon of Origin reversed several timelines to find you. As a price, I had to lose a significant portion of my existence... but fortunately, I was able to face you like this."


"If my guess is correct... you are Hazard."


Baek Sehee drew Hazard's attention instead of Taehyun, who was lost in thought.


"You have enough audacity to become a host for Lucifer. I fully understand what you have been doing."


As if to say that there was no need for the two of them to explain.


Hazard takes the lead in the conversation.


"I met Typhon while arriving here. He seemed to be seriously injured in the rift of dimensions."


He told them that if he had come out of the dimensional rift in his current state, the intermediate world would not have been able to handle it.


He also told them that the reason why the Blood Demon Divine Cult's territory had been devastated was because Typhon had suppressed the leakage of his existence as much as possible.


"That bat-like bastard. He was lying after all."


"It seemed like it would take a long time for him to recover on his own."


"That means we have to gather the other two Archdukes and move to the rift of dimensions to open the gate. I was pathetically... failing."


"There's no need to say that. We can't know why the tower is arranged in this way. Is the current conversation being transmitted to Lucifer?"


At Hazard's question, Baek Sehee nodded.


"Even so... it seems easier to say it directly."


"If you cut off his head, his powers will be activated. It's not a recommended method, but it's certain that Lucifer can control it for a short time."


"Oh, really?"


Hazard raised her hand with a look of delight.


"Wait..."


Before Baek Sehee could say anything.


Seogeok.


As if cut by something sharp, a line of blood was drawn on Baek Sehee's neck.


While the neck that was slowly twisting was being separated from the body.


Hwaaaaa.


The severed neck was attached together with gray demonic energy.


"How far are you going to humiliate me...?"


Lucifer, who had opened his crimson eyes, spoke in a dry voice.


"It doesn't seem like you're in a position to say that, so let's just ignore it."


"Hazard... you've changed too."


"It must be because I brought my main body to the intermediate world and stayed here for too long. And you've changed too. The former nobility has faded a lot, and there's no denying that your personality has become weak because you've stayed in the human body for too long. It's the opposite of the Contractor's situation in many ways."


"......"


"Let's stop with the trivial conversations. Hazard. It seems like there's a way to overcome the current situation?"


At the question, Hazard nodded.


"To overcome the current situation, Lucifer's power is essential."


The essence of regeneration is the ability to turn back time and take its original form.


"Maximize that power and return to just before we arrived in the Murim world. The rift of dimensions."


There.


"We'll catch Igmun."


A plan that could be called a small regression followed.


Part 2, Episode 142


[Found you after a struggle.]


Igmun murmured as he wandered through the rift in dimensions.


Before his eyes was the one who had been the 'Dragon's' key, taking a rest.


[More talented than you look.]


Asmodeus replied in a dry tone.


He was located between the 5th and 6th floors of the Tower.


To divide the area more precisely, it would be around the 5.9th floor.


[Wandering the dimensional rifts isn't easy even for the original me.]


Contrary to his words, Igmun waved his hand dismissively.


Tzzzzz.


Following his gesture, a throne made of divine and demonic power materialized.


Asmodeus stared silently.


Perched on the throne, he met the pair of crimson eyes.


[You've obtained power equivalent to an Integrated King. Even so, traversing the dimensional rifts incurs a significant expenditure of existence.]


At Asmodeus' words, Igmun cocked his chin as if to say, 'Go on.'


[You can use the power of the Constellation 'Labyrinth Dwelling in Consciousness.' With that power, you've minimized your vulnerability to the dimensional rifts.]


'Accurate.'


He was absorbing not only memories of countless timelines but also various other information.


'The 6th floor is a good place to experiment for the future of the Tower.'


The reason Typhon, despite being in a similar situation, was not equal to him was also because of this.


[The current Three Thousand Worlds is dominated by those who wield divine power.]


[The runaway has gained excessive talent.]


[Isn't that the same for a loser who has been granted a new opportunity?]


[Keuk.]


Asmodeus sneered at the brazenly defiant attitude.


[Runaway and loser. Not wrong.]


He knew his own situation better than anyone.


Chosen by Baal, he became the Upper Realm King, and was defeated by Kim Taehyun.


And.


[I'm also quite familiar with the current stage.]


The second chance he had been given was also planned by 'Baal.'


More precisely, it was a plan prepared by the 'Dragon,' who had gone outside and become a Constellation.


He, who was a lower-ranking Constellation, returned to the Three Thousand Worlds with the authority of the 'Twelve Zodiacs Walking Through Timelines,' and held countless possibilities. One of the devices he had set up back then.


'In the Regression of the Yokai, I didn't possess the same memories as now.'


In countless timelines, the strongest was the Upper Realm King Asmodeus.


The reason he possessed those memories and could regain his power quickly was the 'Predator.'


It was the influence of Kim Taehyun's Regression.


'Baal... I don't think the 'Dragon' couldn't have foreseen even this situation.'


Whether intentional or not.


A second chance had been given.


He intended to struggle desperately to not miss this chance.


[You failed to recruit Hazard and the Demon Kings. Currently, you're taking a break in the dimensional rift as a consequence of that failure.]


You're not the only one who's grasped the situation.


Igmun continued, as if he understood.


[Judging by your appearance, your wounds seem to have healed.]


[......]


[Yet you're hiding your presence, which means you're waiting for the next opportunity.]


Smirk.


Igmun wore a bitter smile on his lips.


[Your tongue is long.]


[I think you're no slouch when it comes to tongue length either.]


[Considering that we both possess the power of a Constellation, you don't seem foolish enough to want a battle? Or has the continuous failure driven you to the point where you can't maintain your reason?]


Asmodeus retorted, as if displeased.


Just as he had tried to exploit his origin, the Demon race, and Baal's origin, the Dragon race, to seek new opportunities.


He knew that Igmun was seeking opportunities through powerhouses such as Lucifer, Gilfer, and Typhon.


[They've all made new contracts with Kim Taehyun. Did you think I wouldn't know you're hiding in the 6th floor, which you preemptively secured?]


He knew that Kim Taehyun and the Archdukes had opened a gate to the 6th floor.


Originally, the gate from the 5th floor to the 6th floor should have been easily accessible using the Divine Beasts.


[But you preemptively secured it and eliminated the passage. To buy time to monopolize the potential of the Tower.]


[You were also trying to monopolize the potential.]


[There's no need to keep repeating statements that aren't wrong.]


Acknowledging defeat and seeking a new opportunity.


That was the only thing he was focusing on.


He drew a firm line.


[You're spouting delusions that are impossible on your own.]


[On my own... So you're indirectly expressing your desire to join hands with me. Could it be that you've even been deprived of the 6th floor?]


Asmodeus reacted with disdain.


Igmun had been touched by the power of the Constellations and had moved faster than anyone else in this Regression.


The result was his current form.


[You've had everything taken from you by Kim Taehyun, the latecomer, and have ended up coming all the way here. There's no need to rack your brains now that you've come this far.]


The fact that his plan was going awry was largely due to Igmun's failure to properly restrain Kim Taehyun.


Incompetent fool.


[If I had been granted the power of 'Labyrinth,' the result would have been different.]


Asmodeus voiced the scenario he had been constantly contemplating.


Igmun shrugged his shoulders.


[Don't be mistaken. None of my plans have failed yet.]


[......]


Asmodeus stared with a face that seemed to say, 'What nonsense are you spouting?'


He knew that Igmun's doppelganger had visited the Fairy Forest and fought, and that the powers of the Constellations had clashed, causing him to hide.


After that, Kim Taehyun had reorganized his forces and begun the ascent of the 6th floor.


[The appearance you're showing now must be your main body. You wouldn't have any reason to reach out now unless you were at a disadvantage?]


[As you said, I tried to monopolize all the possibilities of the Three Thousand Worlds.]


Dragon, Yokai, Predator.


Igmun had aimed to become a Constellation like them.


He thought that it was possible in the current timeline, where all possibilities were compressed, and if he, who had been chosen by 'Labyrinth,' was the one to do it.


[It wasn't.]


What was located on the 6th floor of the Tower was Murim (Martial Arts World).


A trivial world where the ideologies of the Intermediates clashed.


A world of insignificant humans that he had experienced several times even before the Tower was established.


He had spent a considerable amount of time there as the Blood Demon, and had even discovered a useful vessel called the Heavenly Demon.


[But it wasn't at a level that would help me become a Constellation.]


That's why he had spent a significant amount of time even after preemptively securing the opportunity.


He should have used his main body to directly organize the Lower World and conquer the 6th floor.


[However, it wasn't a useless act.]


Even though he couldn't prevent Kim Taehyun from regaining his past powers and recruiting all the Archdukes.


[I was able to trap him on the 6th floor.]


[......]


Asmodeus' crimson eyes twitched.


Kim Taehyun was his nemesis.


Not only had he been touched by the power of the 'Yokai,' but he himself had become a Constellation.


If it were true that he had trapped him.


'It's also an opportunity for me.'


The perfect opportunity he had been waiting for.


For the first time, Asmodeus' face relaxed.


[An explanation seems necessary.]


[Looks like you're finally interested.]


Igmun conveyed the events on the 6th floor with a pleased expression.


The gate that had been closed by the power of Elven and Rozaria had been opened, and through his intervention, he had scattered them all to other timelines, and Typhon and Lucifer, who could be considered the biggest obstacles, had been neutralized.


[Typhon is damaged to the point where he can't escape on his own and trapped in the dimensional rift... And Lucifer is sealed in a human vessel and can't exert his full power?]


[That's right. Kim Taehyun's authority will be sealed the more time passes. If he relies on my power like he is now, the day he pays the price will come.]


[Orgal and Jormungandr?]


[Those guys aren't a threat. Hazard is annoying, but... there's not much she can do in the Intermediate World with the blood of the Dragon.]


At best, she could dominate a few timelines.


Even if she crossed timelines, her existence would be greatly damaged.


[Someday they might regain their power. That will also be after a considerable amount of time.]


[And that time will be even slower if Rozaria and Elven can't open the gate.]


Asmodeus' eyes turned ominous.


Typhon and Lucifer.


They were beings that even the current him would find difficult to face.


[If you're going to seize an opportunity, it's now, but something doesn't quite add up. You're not revealing your true intentions.]


[Do you really think I didn't prepare anything?]


Swish.


Igmun's blond hair was dyed crimson.


Asmodeus' crimson eyes narrowed.


[The main body... It's not?]


[The being who used to be Igmun. The Vampire Lord who gained the power of the Integrated King by being touched by divine power is recovering while fighting Typhon.]


[......]


[What's in front of you now is a doppelganger parasitized on the human body of the one who was once called the Blood Demon. It's the second vessel I've obtained.]


He was now going back and forth between the 5th and 6th floors with an existence that was hard to call a mere doppelganger.


Igmun readily informed him.


[The human who sealed Lucifer was also destined to become like this. The Blood Demon Divine Art and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art are a good match.]


Tzzzzzz.


Crimson demonic power surged over Igmun's body.


He had succeeded in containing Integrated King-level existence in a human body.


Just like the two Lower Realm Kings from the Intermediate World in the past.


He had also succeeded in raising a body from the Intermediate World to the Integrated King level.


It wasn't impossible for a Lower Realm native to become the strongest, but the current timeline was the result of the two Constellations who had originated from the Intermediate World.


[To steal the measures prepared by the Yokai for the Predator, I had to make corresponding preparations.]


[Keuk... Keukeuk.... Constant defeats have created a monster.]


Two bodies forged with Integrated King-level existence.


Moreover, he could even wield the power of divine power to an unknown extent.


If Typhon or Lucifer had fallen into his hands?


He could have possessed three main bodies, including the human Baek Sehee.


'No, he might have prepared more vessels in other timelines.'


The statement that he hadn't been defeated was no lie.


'This guy... is definitely different from the Igmun of other timelines.'


Asmodeus voiced the last remaining question.


[All that's left on the 5th floor are two Archdukes. Did you come to strike them together?]


[That's something I can handle on my own. You should dominate the Demon World and earn the title of Demon King first.]


[......]


Asmodeus' head tilted.


He was also thinking of subduing the Demon Kings if he couldn't persuade them.


[There's no need for you to set the stage for me, is there?]


It was enough to deal with both the Fairy Forest and the Demon World with the second main body in front of him until those trapped on the 6th floor found a clue to escape.


But he was deliberately coming to him and giving him the Demon World as bait.


[I've learned after dominating the 6th floor. The current timeline exists only to create one Constellation.]


Igmun, licking his lips, continued.


[No matter how sweetly you whisper, it will become clearer as you climb the Tower. The current Tower is a contingency plan prepared by the Yokai for the Predator.]


A timeline where the 'Yokai,' who had given up on becoming a High-Rank Constellation himself, gambled on the future for the 'Predator.'


Unlike the 'Dragon,' who had to be content with becoming a High-Rank Constellation.


[You're saying it's a timeline where you've put in a lot of effort to create a Great Constellation.]


[......!!]


Igmun stared at Asmodeus, who was stirring, with gleaming crimson eyes.


[But what if Kim Taehyun were to die? What would happen to those possibilities?]


If someone else climbed the Tower, would they be able to fully seize those possibilities?


[No.]


If the possibilities were split, a Great Constellation could not be born.


No matter how much Igmun monopolized the possibilities of the Tower by using the body of an Intermediate,


[At best, he would have to be content with becoming a Mid-Rank Constellation.]


But.


[The situation has changed.]


Kim Taehyun has returned to the Outside.


[The one who possesses his body now is the guy called the Doppelganger.]


The essence of the 'Yokai.'


The origin of the 'Predator.'


[......]


Asmodeus' crimson eyes flickered in succession.


[A body whose ownership has already been transferred once.]


[Don't tell me...]


[Wouldn't it be strange if I were to handle it?]


[You...]


[Yes. I'll obtain Kim Taehyun's body to reduce the variables.]


And.


[I'll use you, the 'Dragon's' contingency, to maximize the potential of the Tower.]


He knew because he had obtained the power of 'Labyrinth.'


If the 'Dragon,' who had existed as the mastermind of the Three Thousand Worlds until now, was to target the potential prepared by the 'Yokai,' there was a high possibility that he would also aim for it.


[You're going to use me until the very end?]


[Is there any reason not to?]


[......]


A being who was not his opponent in the previous life stared with firm eyes.


How much time had passed?


[Kekekyuk.... An alliance with guaranteed betrayal, huh....]


Asmodeus burst into wild laughter.


It was not until a considerable amount of time had passed that he stopped laughing.


He glared at Igmun with narrowed eyes.


[Fine, I'll play along.]


[Now you're talking.]


Past and present.


The two adversaries who stood in Kim Taehyun's way joined hands.


Part 2, Episode 143


The Chief of the Justice Alliance's private training grounds.


Hajard and Taehyun stood facing each other, five steps apart.


"Not yet?"


"You lack patience. You may begin now."


Hajard replied to the question with a curt voice, using the language of the Murim.


"Alright."


Tzzzzzzzz.


Crimson mana emanated from Taehyun's body.


And then.


Thud.


Through their clasped hands.


Tzzz. Tzzzzzzz.


Hajard's essence began to be drawn in.


Mana was infused into the Stone of Domination.


Kigigi- Kigigigi-.


The sealed Stone of Domination began to slowly rotate.


In proportion, Hajard's essence rapidly diminished.


Ting.


[Black mana awakens.]


A short but significant message.


"Indeed."


The corners of Taehyun's lips quirked up.


Even after meeting the original owner of the authority, 'Domination' was still unusable.


What about Igmun's authority?


The test began with that hypothesis.


The result was as expected.


He used the authority of 'Absorption' to seize Hajard's essence.


And the restrictions on the black mana were lifted.


"Igmun. You've prepared an interesting trick."


Hajard muttered, clenching and unclenching his fist.


Having lost a considerable amount of power, he couldn't muster proper strength.


Murim(武林).


In the Murim of this timeline, only Igmun's authority can be used freely.


"It's certain that he has reached a level where he can tamper with the world's restrictions."


"Yes. It would have been difficult to guarantee victory even if we had faced him head-on."


Their own authorities are treated as impurities in the world, but Igmun's authority seems to be recognized as a martial art.


One could tell how much time he had invested in the Murim.


"Even so, he hid himself. His intention to trap us and waste our time becomes clear."


"It now depends on the Contractor. What will you do?"


"Is there any reason to hesitate now? We proceed as planned."


The matter had already been discussed with Baek Sehee and Jegal Seon.


Taehyun rotated the Stones of 'Rampage' and 'Reinforcement' as if there was no more waiting.


Kiii- Kiiiiii-.


The two Stones of Domination roared and added power to the black mana.


"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"


"Hmm."


Taehyun met the gaze of Hajard, who had become gaunt in a short time.


"You said you crossed several timelines to find this body, didn't you?"


"Five."


"Neither few nor many."


Originally, it would be impossible for an existence with the power of a Grand Duke to cross timelines.


Variables such as the Tower of Possibilities and the Interdimensional Realm.


'If not for Igmun's scheme, creating an environment where movement across timelines was faint from the beginning, even that would have been impossible.'


All those variables mixed together, allowing even an existence like Hajard to cross timelines.


Of course, he had to lose a considerable amount of essence as a price, and even that had been mostly absorbed just now.


Not permanently, but.


'For the time being, he won't be able to use power comparable to a Grand Duke.'


A drop to the level of Hwagyeong in terms of Murim standards.


From Hajard's perspective, he would have to experience the feeling of losing all his power.


"Have your favorite tea ready."


"You speak as if you'll be back soon."


"This body doesn't get lost like you."


Hajard spent over 1000 years in Interdimensional time to meet Taehyun again.


'This body is different.'


He possesses not only Igmun's authority, but also Stones of Domination containing the authorities of other Grand Dukes.


It was the perfect condition to find the two Grand Dukes scattered across different timelines.


"Thanks to you, I saved time."


"I never thought I would hear those words from you."


Hajard replied with a faint smile.


"If by any chance a problem arises, wake up Lucifer. If it's you, Baek Sehee would gladly offer her neck."


Baek Sehee still hasn't made proper contact with Lucifer.


In the meantime, Hajard appeared, and she is slowly learning how to use her power through him.


Even Jegal Seon knew that she admired this enigmatic woman.


"You wouldn't abandon this body and make a new contract, would you?"


She opened her mouth, replacing her answer with a smile.


"Be careful. Traveling across timelines is an exhausting task."


"Once is enough with treating me like a child."


Tzzzzzzzz.


Taehyun deployed Blood Field.


He slashed the void using the Blood Sword in his hand.


Crack.


He put his body, wrapped in mana, into the gap in the split space to prevent it from closing.


"……!!"


A huge pressure was applied to his whole body.


'Typhon bastard. Did he fight in a place like this?'


No matter how special his inherent toughness, the thought that he was out of his mind came to mind first.


'Finding him will be the last.'


He strengthened the mana of Reinforcement and Rampage.


Brown and blue mana surged and spread throughout the gaps in the dimension.


From now on, it is necessary to be careful with control.


Even a small mistake could lead to falling into a strange timeline.


'Even Hajard, whom this body recognizes, only succeeded after five attempts, so it's not an easy task….'


An unfamiliar sensation caught in the blue mana.


Taehyun's crimson eyes narrowed at the déjà vu he would have missed if he hadn't sharpened his senses.


He immediately used the authority of Anti-Magic and Space Leap.


A gate suitable for one person to enter and exit is created before his eyes.


Without hesitation, he crossed the gate.


A nauseating feeling.


Messages that his essence was being shaved off came in succession.


How much time had passed like that?


"……."


Opening his eyes, Taehyun realized that he was on a huge ship.


Thousands of humans around him were staring at him.


However, their attire was different from that of the Murim people.


"Did I make a mistake?"


The moment he muttered that.


"Sea Fiend!!"


One of the humans nearby shouted.


"According to the prophecy, the Sea Fiend has appeared!!"


"Everyone, form an attack formation!!"


'Sea Fiend?'


While Taehyun was tilting his head.


The humans shouted and began to attack.


They were holding clumsy swords and spears.


No matter how generous you are, they are not things that can be threatening.


Taehyun checked his body condition.


The essence used to cross the timeline was about 10%.


The consumption of essence is considerable for only one movement.


'No, it's more efficient than Hajard.'


Tzzz.


Taehyun wrapped his body in crimson mana.


The bodies of the humans touched by the crimson mana withered.


He screamed and checked the condition.


The consumed 10% of essence is not being recovered.


"Tsk."


Taehyun clicked his tongue and withdrew the mana.


The humans, who had already lost their will to fight, looked at him with terrified eyes, unable to dare approach.


"I need to confirm."


The moment Taehyun was about to use another authority this time.


Kwaaaaaaa.


A whirlwind blew from the sea in front of him.


A tornado.


At the sudden disaster, the humans crouched down and bowed their heads.


"The Sea God is angry!"


"Sea God, please have mercy…!!"


"Punish the Sea Fiend!!"


Unlike the wind, the surging tidal wave sank several ships.


And then.


The tornado subsided and a familiar face was revealed.


An Imoogi with huge mismatched eyes.


"Jormungandr."


Taehyun grinned as he looked up at the Sea Demon King in front of him.


[Kim Taehyun.]


"Were you playing God here or something?"


At the question, the mismatched eyes flashed.


The humans who were trembling in fear.


Their eyes dyed crimson, they raised their bodies one by one.


And then.


[Kill this guy.]


At Jormungandr's command, they all began to rush at him.


Tzzzzzzzz.


Humans touched by the Blood Field deployed by Taehyun withered away.


Thousands of lives are taken in the blink of an eye.


"As expected, this body can't make a mistake."


Taehyun, holding the Blood Sword, spread mana so that he could fight at any time.


The crimson mana colliding with the tornado sparked.


[You're intact for someone who crossed a timeline.]


"The welcome is lame."


Laughing, Taehyun was happier about the fact that he had found him properly than about Jormungandr's attitude of hostile towards him.


The surroundings are the sea.


That sea is all the Demonic Sea of the Lower Realm.


'If he made the Interdimensional Realm like this, several hundred years wouldn't be enough.'


Taehyun instantly realized that Jormungandr had spent a considerable amount of time here.


As Taehyun expected, Jormungandr spent 1200 years here.


During that time, he completely controlled the Murim and destroyed human civilization by causing tidal waves.


He took the time to develop maritime trade and filled most of it, except for a few mountainous areas, with the Demonic Sea.


[It's been about 700 years since I dominated the world called the Western Regions.]


"Oh."


Taehyun was slightly impressed by the scale he hadn't expected.


It was the destruction and creation that the past himself would have done.


"If you knew the timeline was different, you should have come to find this body."


[I am a Grand Duke. I am not a fool who voluntarily puts on a leash.]


"Did you suddenly get puberty late?"


Pointless conversation continues.


Taehyun estimated the essence he felt from Jormungandr and checked the odds of winning.


'It would be impossible with Igmun's authority alone. If I sacrifice about three authorities… it's not impossible to subdue him.'


That would restrict him from moving to where Hajard and Lucifer are.


Jormungandr also seemed to know that fact.


[There are even greater restrictions when returning to a timeline you've crossed once.]


"How kind. Your taunting has increased a lot."


[I'm making a suggestion.]


"Suggestion?"


[I am going to summon the Upper Realm here.]


"……."


[It's about creating a new game board centering on the current timeline. If that happens….]


"Rejected."


[…….]


"It might have been worth considering if the guy saying that was Hajard."


[You fool. Even if you win against me, you won't have the essence to return….]


"I know Orgal is here."


At the word he threw out casually, the mismatched eyes wriggled.


"I know how much power you've gained here, and your essence is indeed strong."


He spent a long time making the environment of the Interdimensional Realm similar to that of the Lower Realm.


He made the humans worship him, scattering the restrictions of existence.


All those premises were possible because the Grand Duke's main body fully reached the 6th floor and spent time alone without anyone's interference.


The result was reached by sacrificing the potential of humans.


"If it's growth, it's worth calling it growth."


Jormungandr's essence has increased slightly compared to when he crossed the gate.


"But you know."


Taehyun completely turned off the blue mana he had been emitting to explore the timeline.


Kiiiiiiiii-.


Kaaaaaaa-.


Crimson and brown mana surged and mixed.


"Did you think this body wouldn't be able to sense Orgal if you were spreading mana so openly?"


The mixed mana spread throughout the Demonic Sea.


The Demonic Sea formed a barrier to prevent the spread, but that action only served to give him more confidence.


'I have to bet on the possibility that Orgal hasn't changed.'


From the beginning, detection was just bait.


He is in a relationship with the Grand Dukes through a contract.


He shouted, emitting brown mana to the limit and putting mana into his voice.


"Orgal!!!"


As if echoing, Taehyun's voice reverberated through the Demonic Sea.


"It's time to sort out the hierarchy!!!"


[……!!]


Quarrrrr. Quarrrrrrr.


The Demonic Sea swirled and began to block the surrounding space.


The intention is to create a barrier based on the deployed area.


[Did you think I wouldn't have made any preparations!!]


Just as he was about to click his tongue to mock Jormungandr for strengthening the barrier.


Bang!!!


One side of the completed barrier.


A huge impact was applied on top of it.


At the source of the impact.


There was a magical beast about 3 meters in size.


The five horns that could not be hidden by the white fur that grew all over the body were impressive.


The magical beast that tore apart the cracked barrier strode across the Demonic Sea.


Thud.


Orgal, prostrating himself in front of Taehyun, made eye contact.


A firm look in his eyes that made it difficult to recall the appearance of being trapped in Simma.


[Master.]


"You've grown."


[It's thanks to you, Master.]


'Thanks to this body?'


Such questions were quickly pushed aside.


He just nodded with a satisfied face, fulfilling the expectations of Orgal, who had eyes full of respect.


"There's no time."


[If you order?]


Taehyun's index finger pointed at the Sea Demon King who was glaring at them.


"Catch Jormungandr."


Part 2, Episode 144


For the Grand Duke, the time in the Interdimensional Realm flowed like an unyielding current.


The same went for Jormungandr, who had crossed over to the 6th Floor.


Like other Grand Dukes, he was a noticeable outsider in the Murim of the Central Plains.


No matter how hard he tried to hide, the footsteps of a massive being left their mark.


Before long, he came to be known as a demonic figure with the moniker "Sea King."


In less than a decade, he had twisted the neck of the Righteous Alliance Leader and torn apart the limbs of the Heavenly Demon woman.


After that, he quietly wandered the Murim of the Central Plains.


Except for Orgall, who had secluded himself in the mountains, he did not meet any of the other Grand Dukes who had crossed the gate with him.


About 30 years after settling in Murim,


the world revered him as an enlightened master from the Western Regions, calling him the greatest under Heaven.


From his perspective, all of this was useless.


Around that time, the Blood Demon, Lee Geun-mun, the avatar of the Vampire Lord, who had been hiding his presence, came to find him.


[Take my hand.]


He warned that this place was one of the many timelines existing on the 6th Floor, and it would take quite some time for Kim Tae-hyun and the other Grand Dukes to find their way here.


[If you take my hand, I will reveal the secrets of the world.]


[......]


Instead of answering, Jormungandr twisted the limbs of the avatar.


He thoroughly crushed them so they could not regenerate and showed a thoroughness in imprisoning them within a barrier.


'Lee Geun-mun must be hiding something.'


It was not difficult to guess that it was related to growth.


He mingled among humans and roamed the world called Murim.


From then on, the frequency of using magic power decreased.


This was because the restrictions of the world had begun to apply.


Unable to use magic power, it took him over a hundred years to figure out what Lee Geun-mun's scheme was.


He confirmed that Lee Geun-mun's main body existed in another timeline, and that he had tampered with the 'laws' within the world called Murim.


First, he blocked the movement between timelines.


This was in anticipation of Lee Geun-mun's main body and others crossing over to this place someday.


The gate to return to the Lower World would only open when all the Grand Dukes gathered.


It was obvious that returning would only mean being played around in the stage controlled by Kim Tae-hyun.


Jormungandr quickly organized his thoughts.


He recognized that the current situation was a new opportunity.


He was an existence born from experiments.


When it came to experiments, he was second to none.


He instilled confidence in himself.


[I will deal with the other bastards who come looking for this place someday.]


When he climbed the tower again, everything would return to normal.


He took his time to gradually change the world.


What he could do, lacking the existence value of an Integrated King, was to reconstruct Murim to erase Lee Geun-mun's influence.


About 300 years after reaching the 6th Floor,


he barely managed to polymorph into his true form and cause a tsunami.


He covered 80% of the world with water, destroying the civilization of the Central Plains.


Even then, Orgall still did not emerge from the remaining land.


It was fortunate.


Provoking him, who had submitted to Kim Tae-hyun, would have messed up his plans.


He placed a barrier around the mountain range to prevent him from recklessly leaving the sea.


After 600 years had passed, he succeeded in transforming most of the area, except for the Western Regions, into a Demon Sea.


Using the domain effect, he managed to break free from some of the world's restrictions.


After 800 years, he was able to lift the restrictions on divine power.


He created the Sea God Church to encourage the faith of humans.


Blind faith further engraved his existence into the world.


The humans doubted each other and became his followers.


He reached the realm of handling Divine-Demonic Power.


It could be said that he had grown compared to before crossing the gate.


About 1200 years after reaching the 6th Floor,


the Grand Duke of the Demon Sea had entered a full-fledged growth stage.


And now,


Kim Tae-hyun appeared alone before his eyes.


It was the moment to pour out everything he had prepared so far.


It was time to covet the existence value he possessed.


[I will have everything.]


The opponent was under the restrictions of the world.


He could not defeat him by only using Lee Geun-mun's authority.


But then.


Bang!!!


Orgall, who had been in hiding for 1200 years, revealed himself.


And Jormungandr's massive body shook greatly from his punch.


After Jormungandr left for the Central Plains, Orgall, who was left alone, secluded himself in the mountains and devoted himself to training for a long time.


For the first 100 years, he repeatedly did only basic physical training while blocking his magic power.


When he was hungry, he hunted animals in the mountains to fill his stomach, and once he had a meal, he didn't need to wander the mountains for 100 years.


After 300 years had passed, he strengthened his basic physical training by surrounding his entire body with magic power.


Around that time, he sensed that Jormungandr was making changes to the world.


He lost interest.


He just poured his energy into figuring out how to escape the restrictions in order to move his main body in the Interdimensional Realm.


After 600 years had passed,


he had time to contemplate his own authority for the first time.


'What is "Enhancement"?'


Is it just about enhancing the body?


Is this much authority enough to be called a Grand Duke? Unlike him, he racked his brains and focused on the origin of his authority.


800 years.


900 years.


1000 years.


[A demon beast is a species that possesses the strong body of a giant and the mobility of a human.]


As the years passed, Orgall began to answer many questions about himself.


After about 1200 years had passed,


Orgall experienced an awakening.


Bang!!!


Jormungandr's massive body shook greatly from Orgall's punch.


He supported the Demon Sea so that it would not collapse, but it did not hold great significance.


"Orgall, that guy has grown."


Tae-hyun watched the bloody battle between the two Grand Dukes and gave a satisfied smile.


Divine-Demonic Power was being emitted from Jormungandr's body.


In comparison, Orgall was still continuing the fight while only surrounding himself with magic power.


'The authority using magic power has grown once... but it seems difficult to handle Divine-Demonic Power.'


The current battle was not the same as the previous ranking.


Kiiiing-.


He used 'Presence' to overload Orgall's existence value.


And.


Tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu.


He focused on breaking through Jormungandr's domain by pouring blood-red magic power into the Demon Sea.


Countless blood swords rained down from the sky, striking the massive body of the Demon Sea King.


A 2-on-1 fight that did not consider honor or pride.


It did not take long for Jormungandr to be defeated.


"Is it a sealing ceremony?"


Tae-hyun muttered as he looked at Lee Geun-mun's avatar, which was wrecked and tattered.


The Blood Demon Lee Geun-mun sealed by the authority of 'Presence'.


It was a guy whom Jormungandr had captured and kept alive in the past.


"You managed not to end your life?"


[I don't know what restrictions will be imposed if you kill this guy.]


Jormungandr, who stood next to Tae-hyun, answered as if grumbling.


Unlike his polymorphed appearance, where the wounds had disappeared, his existence value was unstable.


This was because he had been seriously injured by Orgall and had more than 80% of his existence value absorbed by Tae-hyun.


"It's an avatar deployed in the current timeline... Lee Geun-mun, just how many timelines are you dominating?"


The more he knew, the more Tae-hyun admired his thorough preparation.


Tsu-tsu-tsu.


He reached out his hand to the avatar, which showed no movement, and coveted the remaining existence value.


He felt that the blood-red magic power, which had been lost while fighting Jormungandr, had become even more abundant.


[I kept my promise. I guess the promise not to take my life will also be kept?]


"Of course."


Jormungandr had been absorbed of a considerable amount of existence value and was barely able to maintain a human form.


"Things ended earlier than I thought. It was lackluster for something you prepared for 1200 years."


[......]


Jormungandr sighed at the harsh evaluation.


"You should have focused on developing your authority like Orgall."


[Hmph.


Not everyone can live like that fool.


I'm sure you know that the growth of authority is not achieved through training alone?]


"Well, that's true. I'm also making efforts in various ways to awaken 'Absorption'."


The blood-red magic power that Tae-hyun used was only being used in a one-dimensional way of absorption.


Unless he formed a complete covenant with Lee Geun-mun.


'It would be a long way to reach the awakening of authority with just this.'


It was also one-sided to use the authority of a Grand Duke, with whom he had not even made a contract, to this extent.


'Devourer' Tae-hyun was also a fact that was disappointing.


[Honestly, if you were alone, it wouldn't have ended with just one or two authorities being sealed.]


"You fool. That's why I used my head."


Combat in a situation where power was limited.


It was unfamiliar when he existed in the original's mind in the past, but he was gradually getting used to it now.


[I was expecting a tyrant because the contents had changed. But you're following a path that's no different from Kim Tae-hyun.]


"Perhaps it's because we've spent a long time together and have become alike."


How long has it been since he possessed a body?


He was also feeling the reason why the original tried to create companions...


"......"


Tae-hyun flinched as the thoughts that naturally came to mind.


'This body has such weak thoughts...'


It seemed that the aftereffects of having 'Devouring' sealed were significant.


Tae-hyun shook his head, ignoring Jormungandr's gaze, who was staring blankly.


"Orgall."


At Tae-hyun's call, the Beast King, who was meditating far away in a lotus position, rushed over and bowed down.


[Did you call for me, Master?]


"How did you awaken your authority?"


[Huh...? Why are you asking that so suddenly...]


"Don't think too hard. Just tell this moron here the routine you trained in while he was reconstructing the world."


[Understood.]


1200 years.


Orgall shyly put into words the harsh training process of his mind and body.


'Hmm... Even if I spent that time in the Lower World, I can't guarantee that I could have grown this much.'


Insight into authority and species.


Practical physical training using magic power appropriately.


He succeeded in peeling off a layer of authority as a price for being in a restricted situation in the Interdimensional Realm.


The awakening of authority.


That was a realm different from the size or density of power.


It could be said to be a similar growth to Rosaria in her previous life, who had bloomed the technique of Dream Consumption.


'It would be interesting to see what happens when Rosaria awakens Spatial Leap too.'


He thought again about the way he had used 'Devouring'.


He devoured them with overwhelming power and digested the devoured authority to make it his own.


'Yoma' and 'Predator'.


The power that gave birth to the two constellations was possible because it was an authority that could be discussed at the pinnacle in the Three Thousand Worlds.


'There were times when I struggled because my power was incomplete, but in the end, there was no power that I couldn't put in my mouth.'


But for the first time in his life, he faced a wall he couldn't cross.


Star Power (星力).


The power wielded by the constellations outside the Three Thousand Worlds.


An overwhelming energy that would make even Divine-Demonic Power, a mixture of magic power and divine power, look ridiculous.


'Even the original, who wielded Star Power, was just one of the many lower-ranked constellations outside.'


Recalling the memories he had received, he imagined the awakening of Devouring.


'Perhaps what I need to obtain in the Tower process is not just regaining Devouring.'


It was an unexpected shift in thinking.


"Orgall. I'm proud of you."


[Ma, Master...]


Orgall trembled as if immersed in emotion at Tae-hyun's praise.


Jormungandr, who was watching the scene, snorted.


[I still can't believe that I was defeated by these kinds of guys.]


[The youngest needs to be careful with his words.]


Orgall touched Jormungandr's forehead with his index finger.


[Get out of here, you beast who doesn't know pride.]


[I think we need to start training again when we return to the 5th Floor.]


[How about we fight again properly this time?]


[Hehehe. There's no reason not to. You're no match for this one now.]


Jormungandr's remaining divine power collided with Orgall's magic power.


Crack. Crack.


"Stop."


At Tae-hyun's command, Orgall gathered his magic power first.


"Jormungandr. You're showing an overly dignified appearance as a defeated guy. What other tricks are you plotting?"


Even if he was plotting tricks, he didn't think he would be defeated.


The reason he was giving him the floor was just out of curiosity.


"Regardless of the fact that you opposed me, I respect the experiments you were conducting here."


[The treatment isn't very good for that. Since you promised not to kill me, there's no need to open my mouth.]


"Just because I don't kill you doesn't mean I can't cause you pain."


[I've already tasted enough pain to be sick of it.]


"No, you haven't experienced true pain yet."


[......]


"Jormungandr. Do you know the word 'battery'?"


[......!!]


[......]


At the unexpected words,


Jormungandr and Orgall's bodies twitched.


Tae-hyun continued, as if he was satisfied.


"I will devour your existence value forever. Even if you beg me to kill you then, it will be useless."


Part 2, Episode 145


The heart possessed by a dragon.


This, otherwise known as a Dragon Heart, displays higher efficiency than common magic stones.


It can contain a large amount of magic, and it's generally accepted that bodies powered by such hearts rival even the strong bodies of giants.


Few in number and uninterested in expanding their territory, the Lords prefer to seclude themselves and enjoy their own company.


Nevertheless, the reason they've become the largest force in the Lower World is because their progenitor was 'Baal,' as every Grand Duke knows.


"You know what happened to those dragons, right?"


[...]


Unlike Taehyun, who asked casually, Jormungandr's body twitched once more.


Batteries.


A term used in Kim Taehyun's birthplace, Earth.


In the first regression, the dragons, once considered a blessed race, became Kim Taehyun's batteries, expendable in the domain wars.


"Since you're a Grand Duke, your efficiency will be even better."


[Wait...]


"Hajard will be thrilled to hear this."


[No, first listen to what I...]


"Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't die and regulate you well."


[...!!]


"I have a reputation to uphold, so I have to keep my promises."


[...]


Jormungandr stuttered severely.


Orgal looked at the Sea King of Calamity with a pitiful expression.


Smirk.


The corners of Taehyun's lips twitched.


"It seems we no longer need to doubt the promise to spare your life. A good atmosphere has been created for further conversation."


[Speak...]


"Are you willing to climb the tower with me?"


[Of course.]


Taehyun shook his head at Jormungandr's immediate response.


"I don't think so."


[...]


"It wouldn't be bad to keep you alive and use you as a subordinate, like Orgal."


But it seems that you are not possible.


[...]


Jormungandr is different from Orgal.


The current Orgal does not have the dignity of the past.


This was because his status was lower than in the past and the situation had gone that way.


If.


'If the original encounter had started with a domain war, like in the beginning.'


If Orgal's capabilities were not significantly lacking compared to other Grand Dukes.


Lucifer and Typhon.


Elven and Rosaria, who had regained their memories.


If other Grand Dukes had not shown overwhelming power?


'As in the first regression, it is likely that Orgal would still not have reached the awakening of his authority.'


He would have ended up just getting stronger in a one-dimensional way, maintaining a heavy presence like before.


Even if he came to handle Shinma power, he would not have had time to reflect on his own identity.


"Jormungandr. You are different."


[...]


"For someone who plays tricks, you're quick to grasp the situation."


He had been defeated countless times by the being known as Kim Taehyun.


According to the logic of the survival of the fittest, they had made a contract, and considerable time had been spent to subjugate him.


"Is it thanks to your origin as a test subject? You don't seem to fear death, degradation, or pain."


He had once incited Orgal to overthrow Typhon.


"In my opinion, you have a greater ambition for domination than strength."


One example might be the way you've transformed and now rule the Middle World, Murim.


Taehyun continued quietly.


"If you awaken 'Rage' during the Tower ascent, it would be quite helpful. To do that, it seems most efficient to continue dominating several dimensions as you do now... But then we can't rule out the risk of being backstabbed."


[Hey, I'm not like...]


"Don't bother talking. You just need to assimilate with the divine beast and prove your worth. You wouldn't have started this without that much resolve, would you?"


[...]


Jormungandr fell silent.


Kim Taehyun was right.


There is a price to pay for failed rebellion.


In the worst case, annihilation.


Even if not annihilated, you may experience pain equivalent to that.


'It's not that I didn't expect it.'


But not like this.


Disposal. Or resetting the purpose.


Kim Taehyun was trying to give hell in his own way.


'Batteries... I have to prevent being used like that.'


You have to prove your value.


You need to change your mind so that you can set a more useful usage.


[There is more information I found in the current timeline. That...]


"Stop."


[...]


"It's Rosaria's role to make you open your mouth. If she assimilates with the divine beast, it won't be difficult for her to read the information you obtained here."


Of course, her status would be somewhat damaged and her mind would be destroyed.


It would be better than expecting something from a guy who betrayed us now.


Taehyun drove the wedge in.


[If you do that, you will miss many opportunities! Awakening as a constellation through the possibility of the tower. You will need my power for your goal, right?]


"Missing opportunities? You're the last person I want to hear that from."


[No, it's true!]


Jormungandr's voice rose.


[You will be too busy returning to the 5th floor to stop Igmun. You won't have enough time to check the possibilities scattered on the 6th floor.]


"Are you saying to trust you and collect the possibilities scattered on the 6th floor? It's not easy to restore trust once it's been broken."


[I'm not telling you to believe me. Use me.]


Igmun's legacy scattered across numerous timelines on the 6th floor.


The possibilities of the Middle World that he stayed and analyzed for 1200 years.


[It is a fully feasible plan if my authority is awakened.]


Conceal the presence using the presence.


Strengthen the presence using the presence.


In the former case, the impact of crossing the timeline can be minimized, and in the latter case, it helps to redefine the laws of that timeline.


"Sounds plausible."


[I'm not lying. You can use 'Mind Control' on me to check.]


"I'm sorry, but."


[...]


"I can't use 'Mind Control' right now."


[What...?]


"It was sealed in the process of arriving in Murim and finding out information."


Jormungandr's odd eyes shook greatly, asking back as if he hadn't expected it.


"It won't recover unless you contact Rosaria. Then wouldn't it be a priority to return to the 5th floor? There's no need to trust your words."


Jormungandr's face contorted.


"The appearance of desperately trying to be recognized for your usefulness was impressive. How nice it would have been if you had come out like that from the beginning."


Grab.


Taehyun grabbed Jormungandr's neck.


Tsujujujuju.


Crimson magic began to absorb the Sea King of Calamity's existence.


[...!!]


Jormungandr shouted to resist.


Squeeze.


It's just a meaningless struggle in a state where the gap has already widened significantly.


A moment later, a lizard-sized Imugi wriggled its tongue on Taehyun's hand.


[You have absorbed most of my existence.]


"I didn't kill you as promised."


I didn't kill you.


I just degraded it to a state without intelligence.


'Is there no burden on the use of authority?'


[I am simply amazed by the master's benevolence.]


"You've become more eloquent after hanging out with Jormungandr?"


[...]


"I'll open the way, so follow me closely."


[Yes.]


I threw Jormungandr at Orgal, who was bowing in a way that didn't suit his size.


The lizard that landed on his thick hand hid in the hairy chest hair of the Beast King.


Kieee-.


The blood field unfolds using the rotated magic stone as a medium.


The unfolded domain is compressed to create a single blood sword.


Swish.


A part of the space is split like paper by the swung blood sword.


'That Jormungandr guy. It's twice as difficult to return, he said.'


This time, I have to take Orgal and Jormungandr with me.


Reducing the time spent in the crack in the dimension will be more profitable than saving the existence.


Kieee- Kieee-.


I surrounded the authority of 'Reinforcement' and 'Rage' with the two Grand Dukes as a medium.


"Let's go."


Following Taehyun, Orgal pushed his body into the gap in the dimension.


It was the Murim of the Central Plains ruled by Igmun, but it was a timeline that had new possibilities thanks to Jormungandr.


'It will be nearly impossible to come back.'


Black and gray magic spread throughout the cracks in the dimension.


It was five minutes after the presence of the two Grand Dukes, who were weaker than Orgal, was detected.


Kwaaa. Kwaaa.


The authority of 'Great Magic' and 'Space Leap' was used, and Taehyun and Orgal once again threw their bodies into the created medium-sized gate.


Slurp.


Slurrrp.


The sound of drinking tea continued in the room of the Jeongmu Alliance Leader.


Jeongmu Alliance Leader Kim Taehyun, who returned beyond the timeline.


And it was Hazard who came to find Taehyun beyond the timeline.


"The flow of time in the Middle World doesn't mean much to the Grand Duke... But that determination to prepare the plan for 1200 years is commendable."


It was Hazard's evaluation after hearing about Jormungandr's actions.


"Are you going to keep him in lizard form for the time being?"


"I'll have to before returning to the 5th floor. I don't know what tricks he'll play again."


"That doesn't mean the substance is changing... With this, all the Grand Dukes except Typhon have gathered."


"If we contact Typhon in the crack in the dimension, we can open a gate to return to the 5th floor at any time."


Slurrrp.


Slurp.


Taehyun and Hazard quietly emptied their teacups.


It took Jormungandr about 1200 years to turn one timeline into his own.


"A difficult choice has been given."


Even if the flow of time is different, we don't know how many timelines exist.


"I also confirmed that it is nearly impossible to return to a timeline that has already passed. Unlike the True Dragon, I gained a lot from one trip."


"Yes. I almost got trapped in the crack in the dimension if I made a mistake."


A whopping 50%.


It is the existence that Taehyun consumed to bring Orgal and Jormungandr.


I had to pay more attention to bring Jormungandr and Orgal, but I confirmed that something new was acting on the second time I went against the timeline.


"If this is the level of my existence, it won't be different even if it's other Grand Dukes."


"This was the possibility of the 6th floor."


Pour.


Hazard murmured as he refilled his glass.


Divided timelines.


Even if it is the Middle World, if you put in effort, it is not know what help it will be for growth.


An example is Orgal, who led to the awakening of authority.


One floor. What I gained was not small considering that I experienced only a part of it.


"The 5th floor is more urgent than the 6th floor. How much power has been restored?"


"About 10% of the force."


"That's not good. Should I try to take out Typhon with Orgal?"


Typhon will not be hostile, but it is better to prepare enough power in case of an emergency.


"It won't be that difficult to find Typhon... The problem is how to bring the damaged him here."


Lucifer sealed in Baek Sehee's body.


Hazard, who exhausted his existence while crossing the timeline.


Jormungandr, who had most of his existence absorbed due to guilt.


Taehyun, who consumed 50% of his existence while walking through the timeline.


Except for Orgal, no one was in a state to be called full strength.


However, if we wait for the recovery of existence, we don't know how long it will take.


I don't know what is happening on the 5th floor at this moment.


"We'll have to take the risk."


"You know what it means to be trapped in a crack in the dimension if it's not Typhon, right?"


Hazard smiled and drank his tea.


"......"


Taehyun quietly looked at her.


"Is there anything you want to say to the True Dragon?"


"No."


Unlike the short answer.


'Something has changed.'


Taehyun did not say his thoughts out loud.


Slurrrp. Slurp.


The sound of drinking tea continued quietly.


Part 2, Episode 146


"So, recovery of Existence is impossible after all..."


Taehyun muttered, lowering the Mana Stone he had been rotating.


Ten days had passed since returning from the timeline.


He had only eaten things that were good for the body and rested in the Murim world.


His Existence remained in a depleted state.


"In the end, I'll have to take risks again."


Becoming weaker.


He was constantly experiencing that unfamiliar feeling.


Just obtaining a physical body and having one Devourer sealed.


Even though he hadn't even ascended a proper floor, Taehyun was feeling a lot.


'Do humans live buried in these emotions their whole lives?'


It was a strange feeling, even as he tried to get used to it.


Floor 6.


The Murim of the Central Plains.


He hadn't encountered Igmun, the one he needed to catch, but he was gathering clues about the divergence of timelines.


Now it was time to finish his journey as Floor 6 and return to Floor 5.


Typhon was battling Igmun's main body and recovering from damage in the rift of dimensions.


'I was going to drag that guy out and open a gate to Floor 5, but...'


None of them except Orgal were in normal condition.


For that reason, the plan was changed so that they would move into the rift of dimensions and activate the magic.


Before that, Taehyun was going to meet Typhon first and coordinate.


As he headed to the training ground, Hazard and Baek Sehee were waiting.


"The Chieftain's acquaintance and the leader of the Demonic Cult seem quite close. Anyone would think you were master and disciple."


"..."


Baek Sehee affirmed by silently avoiding eye contact.


Their relationship, on the surface, was that of the Heavenly Demon and the leader of the Righteous Alliance, so they couldn't mix.


'I should see that new possibilities have opened up for Baek Sehee as well.'


Lucifer and Kim Taehyun.


And from the moment she met Hazard, her potential skyrocketed.


Like a 'Yokai' or a 'Devourer'.


Someday, she might advance to the Lower World and compete for the throne.


'Devourer, huh... Saying it like that, this body is already separating the original and Kim Taehyun.'


It wasn't his imagination that his emotional lines were fading the more he was in the Interdimensional Realm.


"Orgal, begin."


[Yes, Master.]


Kwaaaaaa.


Brown magic surged from Orgal's body.


Consuming Existence and Orgal's training.


To gain both benefits, they had agreed this time to directly create a rift leading to the rift of dimensions.


Kwaduk. Kwaduk.


The sound of Orgal strengthening his muscle fibers and outer muscles echoed throughout the area.


A one-dimensional application of the authority of strengthening.


And.


[......]


The moment the red eyes seemed to go still.


Ddddddddd.


Existence was greatly 'strengthened'.


It wasn't just that Existence had grown larger.


"It's become tougher."


Strengthening Existence.


An approach that had advanced one step from the existing strengthening.


'Orgal has been exploring his own Existence and identity for 1200 years, scanning the source of his authority.'


The state he had awakened to was his current form.


His pure martial power was comparable to Yormungandr in his perfect state, who wielded Divine Demonic Power.


If he continued to build on his current state and his Existence grew?


'I might have to rearrange the ranks of the Archdukes.'


While Taehyun was satisfied, Orgal punched the air.


Jjeojjeok.


Spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the air.


Kwajik. Kwajijik.


He forcibly shoved his hands into the cracked area, widening it.


Taehyun, Hazard, and Lucifer, who had regained ownership of his body, quietly watched the scene, which could be called a destructive act.


'It will be a good stimulus for Hazard and Lucifer as well.'


Lucifer aside, Hazard had not yet reached the stage of awakening his authority.


"Strengthening Existence, huh..."


"Was it possible to bring about the awakening of authority with such a simple method..."


Even without using the power of awakened authority, they were several levels above the current Orgal.


If they were in perfect condition, that is.


[Hahaha. Hyung-nim and Noona can do it too.]


"......"


"......"


The two Archdukes were silent at the cheerful encouragement.


"To think that even a guy like this is failing to do it, you have the same expression."


"There's no need to explain it, is there, Oath-taker?"


"It's not often that you see a guy like the Dragon Lord making that face. Orgal, concentrate."


Taehyun split the rift of dimensions that was about to close with his Blood Sword once more, adding:


[Ah. Sorry.]


Kkwaaak. Kkwak.


Orgal widened the rift of dimensions with his strengthened hands and crammed his body through it.


He seemed to feel a tremendous pressure even though he hadn't entered the rift of dimensions.


Kiiiiiiiii-.


Taehyun rotated the Mana Stone, adding the authority of strengthening.


"I'm off."


Without waiting for a reply, he threw himself into the rift of dimensions.


The silent space, which now sounded like a blank sheet of white paper being torn to shreds, greeted him, as he had become accustomed to it.


He immediately spread out five-colored magic to search for Typhon's location.


Hazard had only encountered Typhon once in five timelines.


'He said that although they only talked for a short time, it wouldn't be difficult to detect his Existence.'


Rather, Typhon had approached her first as she was crossing timelines, and he had said that detecting Existence in the rift of dimensions wouldn't be as difficult as crossing timelines.


As expected.


"......!!"


The moment he thought he had detected Typhon's Existence not long after.


[You've finally come.]


A familiar voice echoed in his mind.


'Typhon? Where are you?'


[Kheuhehehe.]


The hearty laughter of the Giant King echoed in his mind.


[Are you flustered because you can't see this body?]


Taehyun looked around at the timelines that had diverged into countless branches.


'How much did you shrink your bulk?'


[I didn't shrink it.]


'......?'


[This body is fused with the dimension.]


Fused with the dimension.


Words that were difficult to understand swirled in his mind.


'Is that even possible?'


The rift of dimensions to cross timelines.


Just staying there for a moment collapses one's Existence.


The level of an Integrated King.


'No.'


Even Taehyun, who was not as good as that because he lacked Devouring, had his Existence consumed just by crossing a timeline for a moment.


'The rift of dimensions does not acknowledge the Existence of living beings.'


And yet, Typhon was saying that he had fused with it.


Even in a conscious state.


Hahahahaha.


The laughter echoed.


[I think I know what my brother is thinking.]


'Is my mind being read?'


[That's right. It would be strange if I couldn't read it after fusing.]


'This is no joke, then.'


[If I had fused with the entire dimension, I wouldn't have been able to maintain consciousness as this body.]


'That sounds like you're only fused with Floor 6.'


[My brother is right. This also wouldn't have been possible if I wasn't bound by the Tower of Possibilities.]


'Ha... you wouldn't have suddenly fused like that. It must be because of the battle with Igmun.'


[Ahem... Does my brother think I lost?]


'Didn't you?'


[It was a draw.]


'......'


[I never expected that guy to raise his level that much.]


'Sounds like you lost.'


[Even if my brother had faced him, he wouldn't have been able to win easily.]


'There's no need to deny it.'


I know.


That he, in his current state where he cannot use Devouring, is not enough to discuss being the strongest.


Recently, he has been swayed by emotions and has not been able to achieve a state of perfect mental clarity.


'It would be difficult to guarantee victory even if I competed with Lucifer or Typhon.'


Additionally, on Floor 6, even the authority he had managed to make a contract with was restricted.


If Typhon was pushed back to that extent, there was no way he would have had a special plan.


['New' brother is quick to judge the situation.]


Typhon once again emphasized the fact that his essence had changed.


'So. Did you lose? I heard from Hazard that you couldn't control your Existence. It seems serious, since you can't even show your face.'


[My Mana Stone was attacked. If I had headed to the Interdimensional Realm in that state, Murim would not have been able to handle it.]


If Typhon's Existence had been released into Murim, it would have immediately entered the stage of destruction.


Not a problem of realm, but the result of one timeline disappearing.


'This body would also have been suddenly dragged into the rift of dimensions.'


Before meeting Lucifer.


Before Hazard came to find me.


Before leaving to find Yormungandr or Orgal, the situation would have gone awry.


'I thank you for your wise choice.'


[You don't seem very grateful.]


'That's not what I want to hear from a guy who's hiding his face out of embarrassment. What happened to Igmun? You must have a basis for claiming a draw?'


[Of course. That guy also suffered considerable damage. He escaped to somewhere in the timeline of Floor 6.]


Since the Mana Stone was cracked, it would take time to regain the power of the Integrated King.


[That level of Existence cannot be fully recovered even by sacrificing the potential of one world.]


Typhon said with certainty.


'If his main body was also damaged, the situation isn't bad. His clones alone won't be able to shake Floor 5...'


[No. His main body is not one. To be precise, there is one more clone that is at the level of the main body.]


'......?'


He raised his head at the unexpected words.


All that was visible was still the torn white space.


[I guess you didn't know that either. I only realized it after becoming like this, so it's not because my brother's capabilities are lacking.]


The very first Heavenly Demon who existed on Floor 6's timeline.


The timeline of Murim where that guy existed.


That Heavenly Demon was not Baek Sehee, but he was a person with just as much potential.


[Igmun used that being as a host and destroyed the world.]


After several experiments, he moved timelines and later succeeded in randomly dispatching clones to diverging timelines.


[The one I fought was Igmun. But he didn't use the divine power that would overwhelm Divine Demonic Power.]


'It's becoming more and more absurd.'


He organized his thoughts as he accepted the new information.


'Baek Sehee, who was taken as a host by Lucifer, was also destined to become the third vessel over time.'


What if Igmun, at the level of the Integrated King, became more than two, five, or ten?


'That vampire guy. He really would have become the ruler of the Three Thousand Worlds.'


[Khehaha. It's not that easy to have the power of the Integrated King.]


In order to overcome various hardships, one also needs an appropriate enemy.


It is difficult to expect such an enemy in the Interdimensional Realm.


In other words.


'At most, three will be born.'


The main body that uses divine power.


Two clones with Integrated King-level power.


That alone is enough to shake the current Taehyun's power.


'It's fortunate that the plan went wrong. One vessel was used to seal Lucifer.'


That leaves two.


The one Typhon fought is presumed to be the main body, but he did not use divine power.


'The other one is damaged from the battle with Typhon. I'll return to Floor 5 and start hunting.'


[You seem to have a better grasp of the situation than the previous brother.]


'I'll take that as a compliment.'


[It seems like your personality has changed a lot while staying on Floor 6.]


'Isn't it the same for you? There's no time. There's a high possibility that Igmun will join hands with Asmodeus.'


[You have to go to Floor 5 and prevent Rozaria and Elven from being attacked?]


'It's easy to communicate opinions since you can read my mind. Orgal is maintaining the rift of dimensions. I will be the center and activate the magic.'


To be exact, Taehyun will rotate all of the Archdukes' Mana Stones to send a signal to the two Archdukes on Floor 5.


That alone will activate the magic engraved on their bodies and send the coordinates to the Sacred Tree.


[Originally, you were planning to use Lucifer's authority to go back to the past? Not a bad plan.]


Typhon's voice, which had been echoing in his mind from a while ago, had subsided.


'Typhon?'


[You would surely be able to do that.]


'......'


Taehyun raised his head at the strange sense of deja vu.


The rift of dimensions.


In the space that was like torn white paper.


A huge mouth was being realized.


'When did this happen?'


[I'm sorry.]


The mouth moved.


[This body cannot let my brother go back.]


Existence began to be sucked into the opened mouth.

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