Chapter 226

‘Truthfully, this isn’t a guaranteed method either.’

The trials of the Cheonghongyeong varied greatly in their content, and the rewards one could obtain from them also differed significantly from person to person.

While some only gained the ability to handle slightly higher-level Art Formulas, others acquired truly immense power, as if their meridians had been forcibly opened.

In essence, it all depended on the individual undergoing the trial.

‘That’s obvious. The Cheonghongyeong only bestows trials; it doesn’t create nonexistent rewards to hand out.’

Therefore, I too cannot predict what I will gain from it.

I only hope it will be of some help in the battles to come.

‘I’m mentally prepared.’

I immediately went to Cheong Soha’s residence and, just as during the previous Jinmyeong Daesa incident, borrowed the power of the Azure-White Sword to flow into the interior of the Cheonghongyeong.

Whoosh!

Rumble rumble rumble!

The trial space began to unfold accordingly.

Although I had roughly anticipated it from the last incident, the location was indeed the Arena of the Parthenon Temple, the duel map from the latest installment of the Exorcism Academy Series.

‘This must be the place where I am to undergo my trial.’

And naturally, from the opposite side of the arena, a humanoid figure slowly began to appear, revealing itself to me.

‘So it appeared after all.’

My past self, who had told me last time that it wasn’t yet the right moment—my form as the 7th-ranked PVP world player.

That version of me, who had reigned as one of the arena’s strongest, was now the opponent for my trial.

[You were faster than I expected.]

“……”

[Now, you are sufficiently qualified.]

As my past self across the arena waved a hand, the peerless Shikigami considered the best of that era began to appear one by one.

An Earth Dragon clad in black scales.

A giant venomous serpent coiled up, emanating all sorts of sinister energies.

An unidentified avian creature that seemed like an appropriate mix of a Western dragon, an eagle, and a chicken, among others.

Though they were like distant memories now, each of them was an exceedingly familiar presence to me.

‘Hidden Dragon, Thousand Poison Serpent, and Jabberwock.’

The Shikigami that had contributed to my achievements and fame during that era.

Of course, back then, I possessed hundreds, even thousands of Shikigami and utilized them according to the situation, but even considering that, those three were the Shikigami I spent the most time with.

Observing me, who was slightly lost in sentiment, my opponent spoke.

[I will not intervene directly and will only use these three.]

In other words, the task the Cheonghongyeong’s trial had given me was to surpass those three Shikigami utilizing all the abilities I currently possessed.

‘……’

After seeing my past self appear here last time, I had roughly anticipated a similar task.

In fact, this was a far better outcome than the worst-case scenario I had imagined.

However, even so, this was truly no easy obstacle.

‘Those three… each one is a Specter capable of shaking the world.’

To give a clear example, among these three, not a single one is weaker than Wigwalt, the Guardian who ruled the village of Blind Mountain.

The most powerful Shikigami I currently possess is Keuseundae, but even if I had three Keuseundaes, I wouldn’t know if I could defeat even one of them.

Frankly, it meant the fight was on a different level.

‘Appraisal.’

【Hidden Dragon】

▶Level 72

【Thousand Poison Serpent】

▶Level 68

【Jabberwock】

▶Level 69

Thankfully, the specs of the Shikigami confirmed through the Appraisal function were considerably weakened.

Even if it is the Cheong Family’s treasure, the Cheonghongyeong, it likely couldn’t fully replicate everything, even if it were an illusion.

‘…Even so, it’s an extremely high-difficulty trial.’

Of course, the potential rewards might be commensurate, but that too is only possible if I pass the trial.

Considering all three Shikigami have reached a complete S-Rank, it’s hard to estimate my chances.

‘I’m not yet at a level where I can face multiple S-Ranks…’

It might feel unreasonable, but that’s how the Cheonghongyeong’s trials are.

Presenting the Challenger with an obstacle to advance to a higher place is the Cheonghongyeong’s sole role. There is no adjustment of difficulty or consideration of circumstances.

In other words, if one were truly unlucky, they might receive a trial bordering on the impossible.

‘Shall I start by probing?’

The one saving grace was that the opportunities themselves were infinite.

Even if one fails the Cheonghongyeong’s trial, they can always return and challenge it again.

Of course, it’s uncertain how it works here, but at the very least, a single defeat shouldn’t mean the end of everything.

Swoosh.

Whoosh!

“All of you, come out.”

Thus, I summoned all the Shikigami currently with me and confronted the three Shikigami utilizing every possible method.

And, unable to last even ten minutes, I was defeated and expelled from the trial space.

“This isn’t going to work.”

Having left the house Cheong Soha prepared to cool my head for a while, I wandered the nearby mountains, replaying the recent battle in my mind.

But doing so wouldn’t change anything.

I clearly did my best and employed every possible tactic.

Since they were my Shikigami, I knew every detail of their powers and combat styles.

Yet, I couldn’t see any chance of victory.

‘Should I challenge it after gaining a bit more strength?’

Honestly, the current issue largely stemmed from my specs.

If I raised my Level a bit more and acquired powerful Shikigami, I might be able to defeat them and pass the trial.

But then, it would be meaningless.

‘I need growth right now.’

Moreover, like Shin Noeul in the past, I too had been feeling an inexplicable intuition since leaving the labyrinth.

That the inherent limits of my physical body were gradually approaching their end.

‘Perhaps, I…’

I likely cannot grow significantly beyond this. The limit would probably come around Level 60, let alone 70.

To resolve that, the only way was to pass the Cheonghongyeong’s trial and aim for its reward.

‘I’m completely stuck.’

To pass the Cheonghongyeong’s trial, I need greater power, but to accumulate power beyond this, I need to pass the Cheonghongyeong’s trial.

In other words, all paths are tangled, leaving me unable to proceed either way.

Frustrated, I sighed and wandered aimlessly.

I shouldn’t be doing this; I needed to pass the trial as soon as possible, but returning there immediately wouldn’t change anything.

I had clearly realized that from the recent battle.

‘It’s impossible through ordinary means.’

I had to admit what needed admitting. With my current power, I simply cannot handle those three simultaneously.

Then, I must change my approach from the start.

‘What if I don’t face all three at once?’

An impregnable obstacle transforms into a fight worth attempting.

And before I knew it, methods for achieving that were being formulated one by one in my mind.

‘There will be many trials and errors… but it’s worth challenging.’

Having organized my thoughts and established a plan for a while, I once again headed to the trial space within the Cheonghongyeong with Cheong Soha’s help.

And this time, I spoke to Witch Verdi within the bracelet and requested something from her in advance.

[Yes. That much should be sufficiently possible even within this space.]

Towards us, my past self and its Shikigami reappeared, casting sharp glances.

Thus, the battle began.

• Hiss!

• Screeeech─!

The first to bare their fangs were Thousand Poison Serpent and Jabberwock.

However, that became useless as I soared into the sky through the Flight Art deployed by Verdi.

‘Follow me.’

As if my wish was conveyed, Jabberwock and Hidden Dragon, who hesitated for a brief moment, began flying through the sky to chase after me.

Since there was no particular ceiling within this Cheonghongyeong space, I flew past the center of the arena to a considerably high altitude and then halted my movement.

Gazing at the two Shikigami that caught up to me in an instant, I quietly drew upon my Spiritual Power.

“I was quite pitiful just a moment ago.”

• Screech!

However, this time will be different.

Whoosh!

Swoosh!

“Soul Rending Slash.”

Starting with my Offensive Art, a tense exchange of attacks and defenses ensued.

Hidden Dragon continuously spewing boulders, and Jabberwock emitting a cry that shakes the mind.

And the moment my attention was diverted, a fatal attack would come flying.

But.

‘It’s not to the point where I can’t dodge it at all.’

Whoosh!

Screeeech!

Elegantly evading the dizzying attacks, I fired off several Art Formulas, once again drawing their attention.

It was an acrobatic feat bordering on the impossible, but for me, their original master, it was entirely possible.

Crash crash crash!

Thus, several exchanges continued, each side relentlessly tormenting the other without letting up.

Unlike me, wounded by the remnants of attacks I failed to block, Hidden Dragon and Jabberwock seemed to have suffered no significant damage.

However, even in that situation, my expression was not dark.

‘The signal has come.’

Simultaneously, as if sensing something, Hidden Dragon flinched in surprise and shifted its gaze to the arena below.

It had realized that while we were engaged in an aerial battle, all of my Shikigami had united and defeated Thousand Poison Serpent.

‘Thousand Poison Serpent is the only one among those three that cannot fly.’

Moreover, given that their specs are weakened, it’s not an impossible level to handle if I concentrate my full force, especially since my Shikigami have resistance to Forbidden Arts and Curses.

‘Two remain.’

And while Hidden Dragon’s gaze was diverted downward, I seized that opening and charged at Jabberwock with all my might.

From my grasp, something shot forth emitting a dazzling light, startling Jabberwock.

It was the Vorpal Sword, passed down in legend as its weakness.

Screech!

Thud─!

• Screeeech!*

Jabberwock, with a sword plunged into a part of its torso, began to stagger and plummet toward the arena, and I quickly pursued it.

‘The time I can incapacitate it won’t be long.’

Naturally, it’s impossible for me to possess something like a Vorpal Sword now.

That was merely an imitation created through Verdi’s Art Formula; its effects are naturally limited, and it will soon revert to its original form.

And this precise moment was the situation I had pondered the most.

‘Facing Hidden Dragon in the sky is too disadvantageous.’

This time, I gained an advantage by luring it into the sky, but I too don’t have many Shikigami I can utilize in that situation.

Therefore, somehow dragging it to the ground would be more favorable.

‘Let’s see how it unfolds.’

To protect Jabberwock, Hidden Dragon must also chase after me and re-enter the arena.

At the crossroads of choice, its eyes began to gleam sharply.