Chapter 80

Everything was collapsing.

Taewoon and Yerin stood powerlessly in the middle of the ruined plains, unable to do anything more.

Not a single martial artist who had attempted to escape this Realm of Death had succeeded.

The enemy was relentless, and their mysterious weapons never failed to seize the napes of their foes.

In the plains where even screams had vanished, only the roar of blazing flames and the merciless beams pouring down from the sky echoed endlessly.

“…….”

Taewoon let out a hollow laugh as he stared at the scene with a vacant expression.

He had passed through numerous Theaters, but he had never stood before such an overwhelming force.

In reality, there was no way left to survive. They were simply waiting for death.

Just then, a faint breeze drifted in from somewhere.

“Have you given up?”

The owner of the voice was Biryeong.

She stood before the two of them, her expression as emotionless as ever. Her face showed no agitation, and her gaze remained unwavering.

It seemed as if she were the only one indifferent to the crumbling world.

“…Someone like you might have had a chance of escaping. Why did you stay here?”

Taewoon asked in a weary voice. Instead of answering, Biryeong looked up at the sky.

The images of soldiers descending endlessly from the void and the twisted clouds were faintly reflected in her pupils.

“Is there a reason to run? Nothing will change anyway.”

Having finished her sentence, she slowly raised her hand.

The soldiers sensed her movement and immediately began to aim. Cold metal shifted, emitting mechanical noises.

At that moment, black inner energy flowed from Biryeong’s fingertips, spreading through the wind like a fragrance.

The atmosphere vibrated. A black aura swirled around her, enveloping her. Everything it touched began to crumble and vanish bit by bit.

Soon, following a signal from the starship, the soldiers began to unleash a merciless barrage of fire.

In that instant, Biryeong’s body vanished into the air.

Before the soldiers could track her, Biryeong was already positioned right in their center.

With a single swing of her hand to execute a technique, dozens of soldiers were shattered like mannequins.

Yerin, approaching Taewoon while keeping a wary eye on the soldiers who were showing slight agitation, spoke in a low voice.

“Can we… actually win…?”

“No, probably not.”

Of course, it was marvelous.

He had encountered many experts, but not a single person had ever shown such overwhelming power.

Every time Biryeong swung her hand, the soldiers’ bodies were futilely torn apart, and silver metal fragments and sparks filled the sky.

However, the soldiers swarmed endlessly, and eventually, cracks began to appear in Biryeong’s movements.

Finally, her defense collapsed, and a sharp beam pierced straight through her shoulder.

Red blood flowed down her white cheek, but Biryeong’s expression did not change.

As if she were a being who had lost even the sense of pain, she continued to swing her hand, tearing the soldiers apart once more.

“…….”

Fear did not exist for her. Rather, it almost seemed as if she felt a slight sense of pleasure.

As Biryeong executed another technique, Weapon Aura that had become as thin as a thread swept through the surroundings, destroying a warship and wiping out all the soldiers nearby.

But individual strength alone could no longer withstand the overwhelming numbers and technology that surpassed the era.

Countless attacks pierced Biryeong’s body in succession. Her arm was severed and her flank was pierced, but until the very last moment, she maintained a calm expression, continuously executing techniques to sweep away the warships and soldiers.

Only after such exchanges were repeated several times did Biryeong’s body finally collapse to the ground.

Even in that moment, without her expression faltering, she cast a final glance toward the two of them.

“…This is the end.”

Taewoon and Yerin watched the scene with bated breath.

Even while in the form of a corpse that no longer looked alive, she remained composed.

“If I had known in advance, perhaps life would have been a little more enjoyable.”

Before Biryeong could finish those final words, she was swept away by the rain of beams pouring from the sky.

Biryeong’s physical body vanished without a trace, leaving only the corpses of dead soldiers and the wreckage of destroyed warships scattered about.

“…Now it really is just us.”

Yerin said in a trembling voice. To this, Taewoon nodded and slowly moved his feet.

Because he had already been aware of the conclusion that would follow.

“Honestly, I’m confused. Will we be able to reach the conclusion next time?”

“Maybe.”

Though he had suffered numerous failures in the 1st Cycle, it wasn’t as if he had gained nothing.

In particular, Taewoon was able to obtain many clues and gains through these final few days.

Probably more than Yerin imagined.

Exhaling a sigh as if to shake off her fear, Yerin lightly grabbed Taewoon’s hand.

Then, she summoned and pulled out Galleg’s Staff.

“Still… since we’re at it, shall we try to land at least one last hit?”

“…….”

He thought it was quite an eccentric thing to do, but he understood the sentiment.

Taewoon also decided to fill his Miracle stacks one last time, summoning the Wax Mask and putting it over his face.

“Hodgepodge Magic, activate!”

【Condition Met! Galleg’s Staff activates Extra-Large Magic!】

As a flash burst and the ground collapsed in the final moment, Taewoon clearly saw it.

The bundle, blown away by the impact, unfolded, and the Metal Plate contained within was thrown into the air.

And he saw the scene of the iron soldiers, upon confirming it, unable to hide their extreme agitation and panic.

‘…….’

When he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he saw the interior of a stylishly decorated viewing room and Yerin shaking her head with a vacant expression.

And a single message remaining in his memory brazenly revealed itself, welcoming the two back.

【Died.】

【Please reset your Starting Point!】

▶【Wudang Sect Secular Disciple】

▶【Sun Moon Divine Cult Low-rank Assassin】

▶【Wandering Third-rate Rogue】

▶【Medical Office Low-rank Constable】

▶【One Shadow Escort Agency Low-rank Escort】

“Phew… this time it feels like it’s been a very long time since we returned.”

“We actually stayed inside for about half a year, so it’s not strange.”

After moving their bodies for a moment to wake their senses, the two began to slowly organize the core information obtained in the 1st Cycle for their 2nd Cycle attempt.

“First, that space fleet we encountered at the last moment… obviously, they weren’t put there for us to fight and win, right?”

“At least for now, it’s impossible. I think it’s fine to perceive it as a practical deadline.”

Even martial artists stronger than Taewoon, like Jo Munyak, Hwang Gae, and Ma Jeong, had perished without even being able to resist.

It might be different if Taewoon obtained power comparable to Biryeong’s, but separately, a victory through force seemed to be an option far from the correct answer from the start.

This meant that finding a way to avoid such an ending through means other than force was the path to getting closer to the Conclusion of the Theater.

“The core clues are, as expected, the three items that fell from the sky.”

They had checked the locations of the Metal Plate and the steel cylinder; the only item they hadn’t seen with their own eyes was the final treasure taken by the Spear Ghost.

First and foremost, obtaining that would likely be the top priority for the 2nd Cycle.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?”

“Not nothing.”

Since it had become a given that they needed to obtain all three items, they had to think carefully about when to secure the other two.

“For the Metal Plate, I think we can just visit the Divine Physician whenever… the steel cylinder is the problem, if there is one.”

Based on suspicion, it was almost certain to be in Biryeong’s possession, but there was always a slim possibility, and ultimately, the key was how to retrieve it.

At least through force, it was impossible. To get her to yield the cylinder, they had to prepare another method.

“You said you’ve become quite close. Couldn’t you try to coax her with words?”

“I don’t think so. She has a much more troublesome personality than she looks.”

If Taewoon strongly expressed that he needed the cylinder, Biryeong would likely never give it up.

Having traveled together, he could be certain of that much.

“Well… I’ll handle that part. If worst comes to worst, there’s always the option of joining the Evil Path Alliance.”

After that, Taewoon and Yerin adjusted the detailed plans and completed all preparations. Then, they closely observed the options before them.

“What should we do this time? Honestly, I don’t think either of us gained a huge advantage from the Starting Point.”

Yerin could catch the eye of the Wudang Elders and be taught outstanding martial arts, but even so, it didn’t hold much meaning in the Heavenly Secret Manual Theater, which was overflowing with all sorts of experts.

Taewoon, likewise, didn’t feel any absolute merit from his life at the Escort Agency.

“Let’s split the roles. You meet Hwang Gae immediately at the start. Can you meet the Divine Physician in exchange for the location of the Black Whip Staff?”

“Yes. Just in case, I heard a detailed explanation from Grandpa Hwang Gae, so there’s no problem.”

“Conversely, I’ll search for the Spear Ghost’s whereabouts. It’ll be great if it’s resolved early; if not, let’s join up quickly and prioritize securing the item the Spear Ghost has.”

Since they already knew the material and purpose of the cylinder, it didn’t matter much if they postponed it for now.

“Then shall I just go back to the Wudang Sect? Anyway, it seems Grandpa Hwang Gae stayed in Hubei for a while, and I can just stay at Wudang for a bit and then run away.”

“That would be better. Then I’ll go as… a Wandering Rogue.”

There were limits to the information that could be obtained from an Escort Agency or the government office; in that case, he thought it would be better to have no affiliation at all.

【Starting Point – Wudang Sect Secular Disciple selected!】

【Starting Point – Wandering Third-rate Rogue selected!】

Their vision blurred, their minds swirled, and they were sucked into an unknown place.

A moment later, Taewoon was in a lush forest filled with the sounds of insects and birds.

And before Taewoon’s eyes was the familiar face of an old man, fluttering a fan made of woven leaves and looking at him with a dissatisfied expression.

“Who the hell are you?”

“…….”