Chapter 308

In the distant past, there was a human.

A time when specters did not exist, and concepts of nations or societies were not yet clearly established—a single human who lived in such an era.

“Her name was Doyo, a girl born with immense divine abilities.”

Humans of that time were quite different from those of today; it was common for them to be born with powerful physiques and special abilities.

And among them, Doyo was even more exceptional.

“Her power was immense. And where there is yang, yin always follows. She would attract immense negativity proportionate to her unique, formidable strength.”

As she grew older from birth, an inexplicable fear burrowed into her heart, and simultaneously, it seemed the negative emotions and malice harbored by the people of the world also flowed into her.

“…Is that the origin of specters?”

“Yes. Doyo endured it steadfastly, but in the process, she could not prevent fragments of her power from being tainted by negative thoughts and taking form. Those were the first specters.”

Yet, even so, an unresolved question remains. Even in modern times, new specters are born, and the origins of most of them are impossible to guess.

Having thought that far, I somehow felt I could guess the conclusion Doyo met.

Polar Night, noticing this, nodded.

“That’s right. Doyo eventually reached her limit and abandoned her own flesh, scattering her energy throughout the world. After that, the birth of specters became a kind of continuous law.”

Then everything fits. The only remaining secret was one thing: the circumstances of Polar Night’s own birth.

And as if she had no obligation to reveal even that, Polar Night subtly withdrew her gaze from the ground and began to face us all head-on.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

Simultaneously, I and the rest of our party suddenly felt an intense and bizarre energy piercing our minds.

It was degrading our cognitive abilities while corrupting our spirits, and it was so subtle and fast that we couldn’t even observe the symptoms before they manifested.

‘Is it one of the abilities of the specters she absorbed?’

It was no time for leisurely contemplation, so I hastily tried to use a purification art to escape its influence.

But it wasn’t easy, and even if my condition improved, it wasn’t by any significant degree.

At the same time, I felt the need to change my approach.

Whoosh!

A quickly completed advanced purification art still managed to pierce Cheong Joohwa’s body.

Simultaneously, a few among the party who noticed my intent attempted the same action, and Cheong Joohwa, having regained some composure, swiftly deployed the wings of Clear Soul.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz—!

The second art contained within the Azure-White Sword, a Grand Art exceptionally effective for mental protection.

Having regained freedom of movement with it, we each distanced ourselves and began to watch Polar Night from our respective positions.

“I have already recovered most of my power. You will become the starting point of a long endeavor.”

“It won’t be that easy!”

Sophia, who first drew up her Spiritual Power, immediately deployed the Grand Art Heavenly Thousand Rotation Wave.

Ssssssssssssh!

An offensive art infused with maximum power, far beyond what we had seen before.

Yet, amidst that majestic force, Polar Night remained unshaken by even an inch. Not only that, she casually swung her hand to leisurely counterattack.

“Ugh!”

Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash!

Blades of wind containing all sorts of Natural Qi swept over us, and within them were even seeds possessing vicious curse and binding abilities.

As I barely managed to block them by joining forces with nearby party members, Sophia, who had also hastily dodged, exclaimed in shock.

“Ugh, just how many arts are you using at once?!”

That single exchange made us truly feel the might of Polar Night standing before us.

The very perspective of combat was different. Within our opponent lay the dormant powers of countless, unfathomable specters, and she even seemed to wield them as if they were originally her own.

As Polar Night swung her hand once more, the ground split open and an earth dragon eroded by plant roots burst forth, while simultaneously, a barrier unfolded to block our retreat, revealing all sorts of illusions before our eyes.

Since the effect of Clear Soul’s wings still remained, the influence was minimal, but the successive attacks made it incredibly difficult to regain our bearings.

Whoosh!

Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash!

Watching the whirlpool of water and wind summoned by Seo Jian shatter the earth dragon, I signaled to Arietta and quickly pressed forward.

Staying still would only mean suffering under the opponent’s myriad abilities. So, even if it meant taking risks, it was better to apply pressure.

“Art of the Eight Trigrams Star Sky, Three Trigrams. Raging Downpour.”

Boom.

Crackle.

Crash! Crash! Crash—!

Having deployed the art of Raging Downpour to fire countless fragments of Spiritual Power, I used that diversion to bestow a concealment effect on Arietta with the power of the Four Trigrams.

And Arietta, who immediately dove behind Polar Night, pierced her shadow with her right arm.

“I can lock her movements for ten seconds, attack!”

But at the very moment everyone was about to close in, Polar Night formed a faint smile and raised her hand toward the sky.

Rumble rumble rumble—!

As thunder imbued with curses struck all around, Arietta used her mistification ability to create distance, and we too, rendered our offensive meaningless, had no choice but to focus on defense again.

“…Sorry, junior. It seems petty tricks don’t work.”

“It’s fine. She’s that kind of opponent.”

Her abilities were such that we couldn’t figure out how to deal with them at all. Moreover, I somehow intuited that Polar Night hadn’t even brought out half of her true strength.

“You have an easy-to-read expression.”

“……”

“To put it simply, it’s a process of organizing and rearranging the fragments of absorbed power.”

Leisurely, Polar Night was saying that the recent exchange was merely a warm-up, which was also proof that she didn’t feel threatened by us.

At that, Cheong Joohwa twisted her lips and began to concentrate, as if to use her Primordial Cursed Technique, and Yoo Haon also seriously unleashed the aura of Demon Breaker, enveloping the surroundings in a chilling azure light.

Yet, despite that, there was no change at all in Polar Night’s attitude, which held a faint smile.

“Hochoong was remarkable. If he had existed in that distant past, perhaps even Doyo might not have met such an end.”

“……”

“But unfortunately, I don’t sense that level of capability from you. Isn’t that right?”

Her question wasn’t directed at us. Turning my gaze accordingly, I could see a beautiful woman revealing herself beyond my field of vision.

“Yeon Jaki, was it? Yes. You are certainly memorable. You must have crossed eras with Hochoong’s help and inherited his will.”

“…Talking as if you know everything. For someone who’s been trapped all this time.”

Simultaneously, Yeon Jaki emitted a terrifying aura and shot numerous thorny vines at her opponent, but Polar Night also blocked all of her attacks in the same manner.

It was proof that she too had already had her power taken.

“Unfortunately, it seems I won’t be able to control you. It must mean your very essence has already been tainted by many things.”

“……”

It would have been understandable to be disheartened by having her attack easily blocked, but Yeon Jaki, unshaken, spoke with a calm expression.

“Stopping you isn’t my task anyway. I’ve already handed everything over……”

That was true.

Stopping and defeating Polar Night was our duty, and Yeon Jaki was showing unwavering trust in us even in this situation.

And I too had already prepared a trump card for that purpose.

“It seems I’m a bit late. May I intervene?”

“…Of course.”

Zzzzzzzzzzzz—!

An intense wave of Spiritual Power blanketed the surroundings, shattering the illusory barrier Polar Night had deployed to block our retreat.

Perhaps unable to ignore that overwhelming aura, Polar Night also, for the first time, withdrew her smile and hardened her expression slightly.

“It’s the first time meeting face to face.”

Black hair tied back, and eyes of unfathomable depth.

Cheongil’s appearance, now revealed, was quite handsome.

However, from his tone and attitude, one could guess he was of no small age.

Tap!

“…Brother, are you okay?”

“For now.”

Han Seoa and Cheongil, having cleared all the Eternal Labyrinths and finally arrived in Seoul—thanks to that, I could face Verdi once more within the Sun-Moon Stone I received.

[Long time no see. Have you been well?]

“…I’m sorry, but it doesn’t seem like a situation where we can leisurely exchange greetings.”

[It does look that way. Even at a glance, that is no ordinary being.]

Verdi had also faced Polar Night in the World of Forbidden Techniques, but I could tell she was even more tense now than she was then.

It seemed Cheongil felt the same, as he spoke with a bewildered reaction.

“I had a rough idea from the explanation, but I never imagined such a formidable opponent would be standing here. There’s no doubt she is an existence that could upset the world’s balance.”

“Can you help us?”

“No need to worry. As a gentleman, once I’ve stepped in, I cannot retreat.”

【Cheongil】

▶Level 91

Indeed, Cheongil was a powerful individual who, fitting for a hero of a secretive past, had achieved unbelievable feats in a human body.

With his help, confronting Polar Night head-on might not be entirely impossible.

Having gained some confidence and hope, I nodded and prepared once more to face Polar Night.

“You are an extraordinary individual. However, even so, nothing will change.”

A fierce wind struck us, and simultaneously, it gradually gained momentum and began to overturn the ground.

Rumble rumble rumble—!

As thunder began to strike within it, the scene was nothing short of apocalyptic.

But Cheongil, unflustered, quickly deployed an art and merely spread its power in a peculiar manner throughout the surroundings.

“Seal of the Six Realms of Public Void.”

Whoosh!

The fierce wind that had been shaking the surroundings had already lost its form, and the thunder that seemed about to cleave the earth was reduced to mere static electricity, causing small sparks here and there.

The power of the barrier he deployed was truly formidable, maintaining its form without collapsing even as Polar Night swung her hand once more.

At that, Cheong Joohwa, beaming, cautiously asked a question.

“Do you think we can win?”

“…No, it seems it will be difficult.”

For someone who had just displayed outstanding ability, it was an answer lacking too much confidence, causing everyone present to turn their heads and look at Cheongil.

However, as his attitude was more serious than imagined, no one could voice any particular objection.

Under those gazes, Cheongil opened his mouth with a complex look in his eyes.