Chapter 90 – Kim Jinsu

Lee Hanseong felt a sense of déjà vu as he looked at his opponent, who was in a state of Divine Possession by a Yaksha.

“Hmm? Are you perhaps someone I know?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, the opponent merely stared at the Evil Spirit Mask, as if urging him to hurry up and begin.

However, Lee Hanseong’s persistent gaze eventually discovered traces of Giparang within the opponent, and through that, he realized the opponent’s identity was Kim Jinsu.

After all, among Mid-Rank Awakeners, there was no one but Kim Jinsu who had simultaneously contracted a Spirit from the Wheel Constellation and a Spirit from the Heavenly Slaughter Constellation.

“Kim Jinsu? Weren’t you supposed to have left for the Heavenly Demon Divine Nation? Where did you leave Choi Sangguk, and why are you here?”

“…You’ve become quite sharp. And to think you’ve already become a Mid-Rank Awakener. It seems I came just in time, so that’s fortunate.”

“Are you planning to avenge your brother, or something?”

“You could say that’s one of the reasons.”

“Do you have the confidence to do so?”

Having repeatedly achieved victory in Life-and-Death Duels, Lee Hanseong was confident he could win even if his opponent was a Contractor of an 8-Star Spirit. If Kim Jinsu had come thinking of him as he was during the Association Head’s sparring session, Lee Hanseong intended to show him how mistaken he was.

“You’re quite arrogant for someone born with a Great Vessel, Hanseong. You’ve become quite, no, significantly stronger, but you’re still no match for me.”

Whoosh!

As Kim Jinsu finished speaking, his aura fiercely blazed, and black flame-like Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi bloomed around the form of the Divine Possession Yaksha.

“…The Blessing of the Heaven-Slaying Star?”

“That’s right. You have a good eye.”

The form of the Yaksha, now even more ferocious. With the Constellation’s Blessing added, the Yaksha’s Grade had risen to 9-Star. Moreover, the environment of the Black Market itself, the boundary between this world and the Underworld, harmonized with the attributes of the Yaksha, a jailer of hell, providing an additional buff.

Indeed, an opponent of that level was dangerous.

“For the Demon Lord… you must die.”

Pat!

As soon as the words ended, the Divine Form of the Yaksha shot toward Lee Hanseong.

Screetch!

But Lee Hanseong was not slow either, shooting out the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword with Sword Levitation Technique.

The Yaksha extended its palm toward the onrushing Devouring Heaven Demon Sword.

Crreeeaaak!

A loud roar echoed along with the collision of Gang Qi. Although it was wrapped in Gang Qi, the Yaksha’s hand showed not a single scratch even after clashing with the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword barehanded. Moreover, from its palm, a strange suction force resisting Devouring Heaven could be felt.

‘Is that the Yaksha’s variable Treasure Vessel, <Demon Hand>?’

Tensing up as he read the opponent’s ability with his Mind’s Eye. An intangible Treasure Vessel that changes form depending on the absorbed energy. Its true value did not lie in its ability to change into multiple forms. Normally, having one’s ability sealed while touching the Demon Hand was almost a given. If the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword did not possess Devouring Heaven, which combined Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi and Gluttony, it would have been pointlessly snatched away.

“That Demon Sword… it harbors an ability similar to Demon Hand.”

Kim Jinsu, having discerned the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword’s ability from a single clash, trembled his fingertips slightly. Even though it looked fine, it seemed the impact wasn’t completely absent.

“Clashing with Demon Hand in its basic state would be disadvantageous.”

Clack, clack.

Two new Treasure Vessels appeared in the momentarily hesitant Yaksha’s hands. They were the Spirit Treasures of the 7-Star Spirits Giparang and Hong Gildong, whom Kim Jinsu had contracted.

In its right hand was a Wave Sword, from which Wave Gang Qi flowed. In its left hand was a Blue Dragon Jewel, imbued with a bluish Taoist energy.

In that state, the effect of Demon Hand activated. The Wave Gang Qi of the Wave Sword was absorbed by the right Demon Hand, merging with the Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi.

“Heaven-Slaying Wave.”

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!

A wave of black flames poured from the Yaksha’s right hand.

Conversely, the left Demon Hand absorbed the Blue Dragon’s Wish-Fulfilling Pearl, which summoned wind, and the wind mixed with the Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi.

“Heaven-Slaying Gale.”

Whoooosh!

A storm of black flames began to rage from the sky.

Swoooosh!

And the widely spread Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi was compressed again, drawn by the suction force of Demon Hand. The Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi, compressed to the level of Gang Hwan, was loaded onto Demon Hand.

Thud—Bang!

The next moment, a heavy palm struck the side of Lee Hanseong’s Demon Armor.

“…Kuh-huk!”

An attack that pierced through without even a chance to block with Hanna’s shield. The moment he felt the impact, he accelerated his thoughts by layering Samadhi State with Yang Will Divine Art. Only then could he barely keep up with the Yaksha’s movements.

‘Dangerous…!’

A series of consecutive strikes followed the first attack. His vision swam as the palm approached at a speed that remained normal even in the slowed world.

Pat.

He created distance with Shrinking Earth, but the created distance was immediately closed again.

Pa-ba-ba-bat!

As he repeatedly evaded with Shrinking Earth by a hair’s breadth, the Yaksha unfolded a new ability. Right after a hwa-man (ornamental headpiece used to adorn Buddhist temples) decoration, never seen before, appeared on the Yaksha’s head.

Pat.

‘……?!’

His body, which had tried to create distance with Shrinking Earth, was pulled back right in front of the Yaksha by a strange attractive force. The opponent’s Demon Hand had already closed to an unavoidable distance. Responding with his body would be too late.

‘Flow!’

Zzzing.

Using Spirit Particle Manipulation, he barely flowed with Flowing Sword Art.

Puhwak— Thud!

Even though a subtle twist acting from the source of the Heaven-Slaying Gang Qi dispersed most of the impact loaded on Demon Hand, about half of the Regeneration power contained in the Vampire’s True Blood evaporated. Reflexively, he tried to create distance again with Shrinking Earth due to the sense of crisis, but remembering the previous situation, he stopped.

Lee Hanseong’s gaze fell on the Yaksha’s hwa-man decoration.

‘Is that <Slow>?’

The Yaksha’s third Legendary Skill, which manifests a head ornament that draws in Fortune. That was the cause of Shrinking Earth malfunctioning. Unless he dealt with the asymmetry of Fortune, no matter how many times he used Shrinking Earth, he would only return near the Yaksha.

‘Causal disturbance.’

Thus, he first disrupted the causality around him and activated Shrinking Earth.

Pat.

Only then could he create distance from the Yaksha. But he couldn’t keep evading like this every time. First, he unleashed an Awakening Skill combo utilizing the Connection Points previously created on the Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword, including Single Flash, Heavenly Thunderflame, Causal disturbance, Law Revision, and Path Revelation, on the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword.

Screeeech!

The Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, which couldn’t keep up with the Yaksha’s speed and couldn’t properly join the fight, finally entered the same time frame as the two.

Clash-clash-clash-clash!

Thanks to it clashing with the Wave Sword and taking on the Yaksha’s right hand, he got a moment to catch his breath. In that moment, he recognized the Legendary Equipment stored in the Reverse World and took them out one by one, Synchronizing them with Spirit Treasures using Primordial Chaos Gang Qi.

First, Duren’s Single-Heaven Sword was imbued with the Extreme Seal of Yato, becoming a Banner Spear with a sword attached to the spearhead.

“Cut and cut again. Infinite Single-Heaven Sword Art.”

Swa—swa-swa-swa-swa-swa-swa-swa!

With a single swing of the sword-spear, cross-shaped sword marks initially formed near the Yaksha’s left arm, and then, as if contaminating, crosses continued to spread until finally, dense grid-patterned sword marks were engraved over the Yaksha’s entire left arm.

“……!”

It was the result of Clay Earth’s Contamination added to Single Flash, to which Cross Gang Qi was applied. The Yaksha, suppressing the endlessly multiplying wounds, let its left arm hang limp. Since its right arm was still bound by the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, now was the opportunity.

“Repay twofold. Retribution Aurora Shield.”

The Epicenter’s Jewel was imbued in the center of Hanna’s Divine power shield, adding an amplification property to the Divine power forming the shield. Not only did he pour out all the power accumulated through Embrace in one go, but he also amplified it several times over with Epicenter’s Wave and unleashed the strike.

Craaaack!!!!

The unprecedented destructive force emitted from the shield engulfed the Yaksha. At that moment, the Yaksha’s new two arms blocked the force emitted from the shield. Its head, which had been only one, had also doubled.

‘Earth Yaksha!’

The moment he saw the two-headed, four-armed form, he immediately knew what Skill had been used. It was the second Legendary Skill <Earth Yaksha>, which doubled the head and arms, strengthening Demon Hand and Slow twofold as well.

“That was close.”

The moment Kim Jinsu’s voice was heard, a sense of crisis surged. As he had felt when finishing off Giparang’s Contractor before, the moment an attack fails leads to crisis. Coincidentally, luckily, the Yaksha, having completely shaken off the multiplying sword marks from its left arm, bypassed the shield and aimed for Lee Hanseong’s side again.

‘Simple Shrinking Earth won’t work.’

Even Shrinking Earth with added Causal disturbance was insufficient. Since Slow’s Fortune had doubled, Causal disturbance also had a high chance of failure.

At that moment, the third Divine Artifact activated as the Throne of the Dharma Wheel was imbued into Pheidippides’s shoes.

“Blinking Jade Throne.”

Pat.

Through the Wheel’s Law, it prohibited the Fortune of Slow that interfered with Shrinking Earth, and he escaped the crisis by unfolding Shrinking Earth. Pheidippides’s shoes now had added decorations that fixed the ankles like chair backrests and armrests. Originally, when the Throne of the Dharma Wheel was active, it was an immobile installation-type equipment restriction, but even that disappeared as it merged with Pheidippides’s shoes.

Pat-pat-pat-pat!

As in the beginning, a chase ensued where if he evaded with Shrinking Earth, the Yaksha immediately followed. Although the Yaksha’s Fortune couldn’t interfere with him, it still aided the Yaksha, making it difficult to create distance.

“You’re good at running away, at least.”

He swung the Infinite Single-Heaven Sword Art again to strike away one Demon Hand that came close. The second Demon Hand was blocked with the Retribution Aurora Shield. While the third Demon Hand was blocked by the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, the fourth Demon Hand was evaded again with the Blinking Jade Throne. The four Divine Artifacts and the Yaksha’s four Demon Hands interlocked, maintaining a precarious balance.

“Where on earth did you get so many Legendary Equipment… If you have more to take out, it would be better to take them out quickly.”

From Kim Jinsu’s words, Lee Hanseong realized why he wasn’t going all out from the beginning. That guy was aiming not only for Lee Hanseong’s life but also for the Legendary Equipment he possessed.

Paaat!

And once again, a change occurred in the Yaksha’s appearance. The Yaksha’s second head, which had increased upon becoming an Earth Yaksha, transformed into Giparang’s face.

Swoooosh!

The types of Gang Qi pouring from the Wave Sword facing the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword increased. In addition to Wave Gang Qi, Bright Moon Gang Qi, Flowing Cloud Gang Qi, Clear Sky Gang Qi, and even Giparang’s Awakening Skills were pouring out.

‘Multiple Heroic Spirit Synchronization?’

A sight rarely seen among ordinary Awakeners, who typically synchronize with only one Spirit. Usually, an Awakener synchronizes only with their strongest Spirit, and during that time, their Synchronization Rate with other Spirits decreases, so they cannot use their Awakening Skills, even if they know their Skills. That’s why Spirits of 7-Star and above, who move on their own even if not synchronized, are highly valued. But Kim Jinsu was using Giparang’s Awakening Skills while synchronized with the Yaksha. At first, he thought he had mastered the knack for Multiple Heroic Spirit Synchronization, but that wasn’t it.

‘That’s closer to Spirit Fusion than Multiple Heroic Spirit Synchronization.’

To be precise, it could be seen that the Yaksha had absorbed Giparang.

Sluuurp!

Had he unfolded Mirror Flower Water Moon and Life Is Impermanent? The black flame storm and black flame waves that had filled the surroundings vanished as if washed away. Of course, they had only disappeared from Lee Hanseong’s field of vision; in reality, they still existed. A sense of incongruity, as if he had entered another’s Domain, was felt.

‘The Impermanent Moonlit Night has been deployed.’

The considerations when using Shrinking Earth increased a bit more. Because a place he thought was safe to move to could now be a dangerous place filled with black flames. As the process of seeing through illusions was added, the precarious balance that had been maintained began to break.

“Alright, I’ll show you everything you want.”

He took out the North Star Crown, put it on his head, and linked it with the Dark Heart dwelling in his heart. The Dark Hole that absorbs starlight and the North Star Guidance that attracts favor. Though different in type, the two Legendary Skills, both possessing attractive force, linked to create a massive illusory attractive force.

Click.

He then linked it to the Devouring Heaven of the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword.

Craaaaack—

A massive intangible maw opened and swallowed the Impermanent Moonlit Night along with its Domain. Namely, Domain Devouring. Because it swallowed too much power at once, a kind of indigestion state occurred, making it difficult to do twice, but with this, the balance would return to equilibrium.

“As expected, there were more?”

Even though the Domain had disappeared, the Yaksha, seeing the new Legendary Equipment, instead showed a pleased expression. Then, it gathered the black flames revealed after the Impermanent Moonlit Night was swallowed behind its back.

Whoooosh!

Like a fairy’s winged garment, flames formed a band and settled behind the Yaksha’s back.

Whoom.

A flight ability was granted, and the Yaksha’s feet slightly lifted off the ground.

Paaat!

Immediately after, the Yaksha’s Divine Form disappeared from sight. The fourth Legendary Skill <Heavenly Yaksha>, following Earth Yaksha, activated, making its speed even faster. It was a speed that could absolutely not be outrun with just Shrinking Earth. So, he unleashed an ability only possible now, with the Domain devoured and starlight overflowing.

‘Polarity Reversal. Footstep Heaven’s Edge.’

Wooong—!

The Divine Form of the Heavenly Yaksha, which had approached right before his eyes, stopped a hair’s breadth away, unable to come any closer. As it advanced, the space in front of it also expanded, preventing the distance from closing. Due to the massive starlight consumption of Polarity Reversal, it was a technique he hadn’t been able to use until now—the moment Pheidippides’s first Polarity Reversal was unfolded in reality for the first time.