Chapter 25 – 2-Star Awakening

Lee Hanseong delved into the concept of formations he had grasped from Admiral Yi Sunsin’s naval battle formations.

Tracing the origins of Eastern formations leads to the Eight Trigrams Formation.

The four cardinal directions of Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Cloud, and the four flanking directions of Dragon, Tiger, Bird, and Snake.

‘Cardinal means confronting the enemy, establishing positions, and engaging in direct combat; flanking means using deception such as ambushes or surprise attacks.’

The eight formations of the Eight Trigrams correspond to the eight trigrams.

The Heaven Formation corresponds to the Qian trigram and is the Opening Gate.

The Earth Formation corresponds to the Kun trigram and is the Death Gate.

The Wind Formation corresponds to the Xun trigram and is the Restriction Gate.

The Cloud Formation corresponds to the Kan trigram and is the Resting Gate.

The Flying Dragon corresponds to the Zhen trigram and is the Injury Gate.

The Tiger Wing corresponds to the Dui trigram and is the Fright Gate.

The Soaring Bird corresponds to the Li trigram and is the Scenery Gate.

The Coiled Snake corresponds to the Gen trigram and is the Life Gate.

Thus, the Eight Trigrams become the Eight Gates, and the changes of these Eight Gates are called the Eight Gates Evasion.

By dividing the Starlight flowing within the body according to the eight trigrams and designating the Eight Gates according to the principles of the Eight Gates Evasion, opening them could draw out the latent power contained within the inner microcosm.

Creak— Clank! Grrrr!

Along with the sound of iron chains unlocking from eight conceptually existing gates somewhere within the body.

[<Formation> controls the Starlight within the body.]

[The principles of the Eight Gates Evasion unlock Pheidippides’ Eight Gates Golden Lock.]

[Synchronization Rate increases.]

[101%… 112%… 153%… 200%]

“Eightfold Annihilation.”

Whoosh!

A torrent of intense Starlight surged forth, as if the Constellation’s Blessing was acting at the moment of Awakening.

A Synchronization Rate exceeding the limit of 100%.

The Starlight flowing from the four stars contained within Pheidippides doubled in an instant, settling into eight shining gates.

An arrogant flow that filled the vessel of the flesh entirely with Starlight and forcibly expanded its Grade.

‘Ugh.’

Naturally, the body couldn’t help but be strained.

The burdened body screamed as if a Synchronization Rate Overload had occurred.

No, it was close to an actual Synchronization Rate Overload.

It was different from the temporary Promotion through Transcendence.

‘…The body is breaking!’

Temporary Promotion through Transcendence meant both the vessel and the Starlight filling it were promoted by one stage.

In contrast, the Eight Gates Evasion amplified only the Starlight while leaving the vessel unchanged, inevitably causing the vessel to shatter.

By constantly shifting the positions of the Eight Gates and barely controlling the overflowing Starlight, he was just managing to hold on.

‘If I lose control even a little, my body will explode.’

A life-or-death tightrope walk continued, but there was no turning back.

His understanding of the Eight Gates Evasion was still insufficient to close the already opened Eight Gates again.

To stop on his own, he had no choice but to increase his Proficiency in the Eight Gates Evasion like this.

‘Can I really avoid making a mistake?’

The answer was no.

So he deployed No Retreat in Battle to ensure that even if he made a mistake, it wouldn’t end there.

Uuuung!

[Due to 《No Retreat in Battle》, as long as the will to fight remains, the body will continue fighting in any condition.]

At least until this battle ended, the vessel wouldn’t break further.

Even if his entire body exploded and lost its form, like the Vocation Awakening Skill 《Vanguard-Class God-Spirit-Word-Guard-Command》, he would be able to endure in a Primal Spirit God state until the battle ended.

Lee Hanseong devoted most of his attention to controlling the Starlight while searching for what he could do.

‘Admiral Yi Sunsin already dominates the battlefield, and all I can do is save our allies.’

With over a thousand Persian fleet ships, every time the Blood Dragon revealed itself, five or six ships were crushed, and now over a hundred ships had disappeared.

“…….”

Faced with that overwhelming spectacle, the allies could only stare blankly at Admiral Yi Sunsin floating in the sky.

Even those who had prepared for death forgot about death because Admiral Yi Sunsin’s might was unreal.

To the allies whose fighting spirit had waned, the Blessing of “Seek Death and Live, Seek Life and Die” was no longer granted.

Splash! Splash!

Each time the Blood Dragon fell, huge waves swept them away, causing them to fall into the sea or rescuing allies who had already fallen and were dying.

Pheidippides’ will desired this.

Pabababababababat!

As if pouring out the overflowing Starlight, he deployed Shrinking Earth dozens of times in an instant, moving to the side of allies who would die if left alone.

He repeated the process of sending them back to safety.

Originally, others could not be the target of Shrinking Earth, but fortunately, under Admiral Yi Sunsin’s Command and in a state of One Heart One Body, it was possible to Transition allies as well.

Moreover, the more Starlight he consumed, the easier control became, so Lee Hanseong did not stop rescuing.

“Th-thank you. Lord Pheidippides.”

“Thanks to you, I’m alive.”

While Lee Hanseong saved allies and Admiral Yi Sunsin killed enemies for a while.

“Uwaaah!”

“We’re all going to die….”

“Oh god. Please forgive us!”

The enemies, finally realizing this situation was reality, began showing reactions of terror.

Some laid down their weapons and bowed their heads.

Some lost strength in their legs and collapsed.

Some jumped from their ships and fled into the sea.

The enemies had long lost their will to fight before this Inevitable Force disaster.

Even those who had denied reality and tried to muster their will to fight accepted defeat.

‘No matter how brave one is, unless insane, one wouldn’t think of fighting natural disasters like typhoons or earthquakes.’

And, as the duration of Transcendence neared its end.

Admiral Yi Sunsin’s gaze shifted from the enemies to the allies.

The allies stirred at attracting the attention of an incomprehensible being, but Admiral Yi Sunsin wasn’t planning to attack them.

Lee Hanseong had saved all who could be saved, but there were many wounded who would not be surprised to die once the Three-Foot Sword’s buff was removed.

Admiral Yi Sunsin’s gaze fell upon those wounded.

“Only now do you understand that at the end of death lies life.”

Uuuung!

The blood-red Three-Foot Sword that had slaughtered thousands of Persian soldiers by pouring out countless Blood Dragons now turned transparent.

The energy contained within the sword seemed to have reversed to the exact opposite.

“Polarity Reversal, 《One Swing Revives, Wind and Rivers Flow》.”

Swish— Whiiing!

From the end of the transparent Three-Foot Sword swung toward the allies, a breath of life poured forth.

A Wind Dragon, instead of a Blood Dragon, swirled around all the allies, healing their wounds.

Even those who had died regained a handful of breath and were seen awakening again.

‘That is… Polarity Reversal.’

The ultimate skill of a High-Rank Spirit that replaces the position of Awakening Skills, which disappear from Seven-Star onward.

It is the technique activated when the Proficiency of an Awakening Skill, mastered as a Legendary Skill, is pushed to its limit and then reversed.

What was just used was the reversal of One Swing Sweeps, Blood and Flames Flow.

Of course, as its activation process is more complex than a General Awakening Skill, the Starlight consumption was at least double or more.

Zzizz—.

Due to the extreme consumption of Starlight, maintaining the Primal Spirit God seemed difficult, and Admiral Yi Sunsin’s form blurred.

But it was not a futile consumption.

“Ooh! My wounds!”

“I was sure I died…?”

“That person saved us!”

“It’s Athena’s Avatar!”

“No, that must be Ares’s Avatar!”

Admiral Yi Sunsin’s image, which had been focused as a terrifying calamity slaughtering enemies, changed to that of a War God by saving allies.

The soldiers of Athens and Sparta cheered, each shouting the Divine Name of the god they believed in.

That was the final piece for Admiral Yi Sunsin’s Seven-Star Promotion.

The enemies’ fear and the allies’ respect combined to form reverence.

[Feat, ‘War God of Salamis’ achieved.]

[Sufficient Achievement for Awakening acquired. Six-Star Spirit Admiral Yi Sunsin awakens to Seven-Star.]

[The Sun Constellation records Admiral Yi Sunsin’s Feat and altered history.]

A message confirming Admiral Yi Sunsin’s Seven-Star Promotion appeared.

Perhaps because tension eased due to that.

Poof.

Finally, a mistake occurred.

Pheidippides’ body exploded from the uncontrolled Starlight, leaving only the Primal Spirit God made of Starlight.

But as the battle was also ending, No Retreat in Battle was nearing its end.

Psssss.

As the Primal Spirit God scattered, the familiar sensation of death arrived immediately after, and the Blessing of Seek Death and Live, still remaining on the battlefield, revived Pheidippides.

It was then that messages related to Pheidippides appeared.

[Feat, ‘Eight Gates Opened, Eightfold Annihilation’ achieved.]

[The Sun Constellation records your Feat and altered history.]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Eight Gates Evasion》 Blooms.]

[Pheidippides’ Four-star promotion completes.]

[Historical Alteration will end shortly.]

An Achievement completed through one death and resurrection.

A message announcing the end of the long second Historical Alteration.

His eyes closed.

* * *

When he opened his eyes again, he was at the midpoint of the Dungeon.

The moment time, which had stopped, gradually began to flow again.

While time had not yet fully regained its flow, he quickly checked the newly appeared message before him.

[Feat, ‘Joint historical alteration’ achieved.]

[Feat, ‘First Consecutive Spirit Promotion’ achieved.]

Perhaps because Pheidippides, who was 2-Star (★☆) in an instant in real-world time, rose to 4-Star (★★★★).

The Feat of achieving consecutive Spirit Promotions was accomplished.

Moreover, even though some Feats were consumed to continue the Historical Alteration, that First Feat was sufficient to awaken to 2-Star.

[Sufficient Achievement for Awakening acquired. Awakens to 2-Star.]

[The supreme Twelve Constellations of the Heavenly Palace bless your Feat!]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Transcendence》 changes to a General Awakening Skill.]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Consecutive Transcendence》 Blooms!]

A new Awakening Skill that allows performing Second Stage Transcendence, overlapping with the First Awakening Skill Transcendence, had Bloomed.

Although it is a Vocation Awakening Skill, there was no need to risk one’s life.

Because if temporarily promoted to 3-Star through Transcendence, Consecutive Transcendence also becomes a General Awakening Skill.

Just like Pheidippides, it allows a two-stage Promotion from 2-Star to 4-Star in one go.

‘Moreover, since Colonization is still ongoing.’

He could also promote the other party members, who were still 1-Star, up to 3-Star.

The moment he confirmed up to that point, time regained its proper flow.

Simultaneously, the duration of Transcendence, which had been nearing its end, concluded.

Srrrrr.

The shadows of Jin Yuseong and Yu Sehee, who had boosted their specs through Transcendence, disappeared.

As soon as the obstacles vanished, Kang Min’s Seven-Star Spirit sent out a trajectory of blue Gang Qi aiming to behead both Park Seongcheol and Lee Hanseong, who had weakened.

Swaaak— Thung!

However, the opponent’s attack did not achieve its purpose.

Because Admiral Yi Sunsin, who had appeared before Park Seongcheol, deflected the Gang Qi with his Three-Foot Sword.

“What?!”

Kang Min couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the summoned Admiral Yi Sunsin’s appearance.

“Admiral Yi Sunsin should be a 6-Star Spirit, how can you summon a Spirit?!”

“Hmm. I don’t think I need to tell the enemy that.”

Seizing the moment when the opponent was surprised and paused their attack, he activated Transcendence again.

Whoosh!

Then, after temporarily promoting to 3-Star, he activated Consecutive Transcendence, which had changed to a General Awakening Skill.

Whoosh!

Lee Hanseong, who had reached 4-Star, confirmed that the other three party members had risen to 3-Star and adjusted their Synchronization Rates via Overmind.

When he raised them to the 3-Star limit of 40%, Jin Yuseong and Yu Sehee unlocked up to their 4th Awakening Skills, excluding Vocation Awakening Skills.

And Park Seongcheol, a Seven-Star Contractor, unlocked all up to his 6th Awakening Skill.

“Ahh…, you’re truly the best, Hanseong-ah.”

The moment Admiral Yi Sunsin became a 7-Star Spirit, his existing 1st and 2nd Awakening Skills became Legendary Skills.

Thus, the 3rd Awakening Skill unlocked at 10%, 4th at 20%, 5th at 30%, and 6th at 40%.

But something else was more important.

-Nya nya nya nya!

[The presence of the Nameless Constellation becomes clearer.]

[Stigma 《Myriad Fire Transformations》 Blooms.]

Because he, a Devotee, and Park Seongcheol were promoted by two stages each, and in this Historical Alteration, the Constellation’s influence shone upon Pheidippides’ three stars and Admiral Yi Sunsin’s one star.

And the stars of Jin Yuseong and Yu Sehee, connected through Colonization and treated as temporary Devotees.

Proportionate to the Constellation’s rapidly increased influence, the Nameless Constellation also regained its Grade and Bloomed a new Stigma.

Wobble wobble!

The Projection, which had been in the form of a cat, reappeared before his eyes and then distorted like kneaded clay, soon transforming into a different form.

A girl wearing an antique dress with cat ears.

Hair like black lacquer painting the night sky and mystical eyes mixing a child’s purity, youth’s passion, and an elder’s wisdom drew attention even amidst the fight.

The regrettable part was its size.

Perhaps because the Projection, originally the size of an ordinary cat, transformed, the humanoid Projection of the Constellation was only about the size of a doll fitting in one’s palm.

“……?”

Park Seongcheol, who had also become a Devotee, seemed able to see the Constellation’s Projection, looking puzzled at the suddenly appearing girl’s identity.

Srrrrt.

The Constellation, floating in the air, landed on Lee Hanseong’s shoulder, crossed its legs with a haughty expression, and spoke.

• Make those who dared touch this one’s Steward pay the price.

“As the Lord of the Throne wishes.”

Hearing the Constellation’s will in clear language, not like a cat’s meow as before, his heart swelled.

He felt a desire to fulfill that will without fail.

This was a holy war.

Smear smear!

As if responding to his and the Constellation’s will, the clones of Jin Yuseong and Yu Sehee, who could use Black Shadow Clone again, reappeared here.

Although all the party’s combat power had gathered, Lee Hanseong still felt that not all members of the holy war had assembled.

‘A Devotee cannot be missing from a holy war for the Constellation.’

Since the Spirits within Lee Hanseong were also all promoted by two stages due to the effect of Consecutive Transcendence, he could use all their Vocation Awakening Skills without Life Consumption.

“Lycan. You fight with me too.”

Zzeok.

Activating 《Subspace》 to open a Rift, the Dire Wolf Lycan, waiting inside, leaped out.

Perhaps because he was the second Devotee who had entered before Park Seongcheol.

Chiii!

On Lycan’s forehead, a Stigma not seen before was engraved.

The newly Bloomed 《Myriad Fire Transformations》 Stigma.

Wobble!

The wolf’s form transformed into a bipedal werewolf.

Only then were preparations for battle complete.

It was time to begin the holy war.