Chapter 93 – The Eve of the Storm

As the Hundred-Man Slaughter was temporarily halted, the Mid-Rank Awakeners who had been eyeing the Heavenly Demon Medallion turned their gaze toward Lee Hanseong for a moment.

Their eyes held the thought that perhaps they could join forces to seize the Heavenly Demon Medallion in this opening.

Lee Hanseong, who saw right through their intentions, chuckled softly and spoke.

“You had no confidence to face me one-on-one, but now that the rules are gone, you suddenly feel greedy, I see?”

“…….”

At Lee Hanseong’s blatant mockery, the Mid-Rank Awakeners seemed to bristle, but none actually stepped forward.

Even if they joined forces, the current Lee Hanseong was no easy opponent.

Whoever moved first would undoubtedly suffer losses.

While they remained still, locked in a standoff, the Evil Spirit Mask interjected and added.

“By the way, for those of you who didn’t challenge the Hundred-Man Slaughter, you’ve essentially forfeited your right to participate in the Heavenly Demon Medallion contest. It’d be wise to abandon any pointless greed.”

“What do you mean…!”

“Do you have a complaint?”

“…….”

The Mid-Rank Awakener who was about to protest closed his mouth upon seeing the Evil Spirit Masks collectively staring at them.

Considering the notorious reputation of the fanatical Heavenly Demon Divine Cult devotees, raising an objection here could lead to a life-or-death fight.

If they truly wanted the Heavenly Demon Medallion, they should have stepped forward as Lee Hanseong’s opponent, prepared to die.

At the Evil Spirit Mask’s declaration, the remaining dozen or so Mid-Rank Awakeners distorted the faces of the ghost masks they wore and left the area.

‘It seems they have no intention of giving up.’

Thanks to their ghostly appearances in the Black Market, their identities remained hidden, so their attitude of planning for the next opportunity was plain to see.

Anyway, there was now some leeway until the Hundred-Man Slaughter resumed.

Swoosh.

Lee Hanseong unfolded the Prayer of the Phoenix, concealing his form and pretending to move into the Black Market before—

Pat.

—returning to the Reverse World.

Whether it was true or false, if Kim Jinsu’s final warning about Choi Sangguk coming was accurate, preparations were necessary.

‘I can manage to defeat even High-Rank Awakeners somehow… but defeating a Highest-Rank Awakener is still beyond me.’

At least there was still time left.

As a member of the Heaven-Slaying Guild, Choi Sangguk couldn’t violate the restrictions of the Heavenly Demon Medallion Trial.

So, he would make his move at the earliest eleven days later, when the Fourth Week began.

Whoosh—

Upon returning to the Reverse World, he was greeted by an empty clearing with no one in sight.

“Is everyone training?”

Sensing presences from the training rooms connected to the clearing, he headed there.

Crash! Whoosh!

As expected, he could confirm the figures of three people training.

In front of Yu Sehee, who had unfolded the Light of Resurrection, Park Seongcheol and Lycan were fighting with murderous intensity.

Simultaneously, as Lee Hanseong entered the range of the Light of Resurrection, his life began to refill.

His Life Stacks replenished to ten once more.

And as if sensing his presence, Yu Sehee turned her head.

“Huh? Are you already done?”

Yu Sehee greeted him with a puzzled expression upon discovering Lee Hanseong, who had returned during what should have been the ongoing Hundred-Man Slaughter.

“No, it’s not over; we decided to postpone it for a while. There were no challengers among the Mid-Rank Awakeners.”

“Hanseong, you….”

Park Seongcheol paused the fight momentarily and looked at Lee Hanseong.

He seemed quite surprised, having sensed Lee Hanseong’s Grade, which had reached 5-Star.

“I thought you’d gotten stronger after another Historical Alteration, but you’re already 5-Star?”

“Actually, it’s 4-Star. It just feels like it’s risen by one stage thanks to the Folklore Treasure.”

“Folklore Treasure… Then, does that mean our Grades have also risen by one stage?”

“Right. I shared the effect of the Guarantee of the Righteous Will I possess with all of you.”

“I see.”

Park Seongcheol nodded, but his expression wasn’t good.

“Why that look?”

“It’s just… I feel like we’re too lacking to be of help to you now.”

Earlier in the party, there was some balance between the Promising Candidates and Lee Hanseong.

The three Promising Candidates had contracted High-Rank Spirits, which Lee Hanseong lacked.

And Lee Hanseong possessed the Transcendence that could raise their Grades.

But as time passed, the scales that were once balanced were tipping in Lee Hanseong’s favor.

Compared to Lee Hanseong, who shared Folklore that raised Grades and even helped them contract new High-Rank Spirits.

What they could do for Lee Hanseong was minimal.

“Just receiving without giving back doesn’t suit my personality.”

“That’s unnecessary worry. Actually, I came because there’s something I want to ask of you all right now?”

Lee Hanseong revealed to his comrades the warning of Choi Sangguk’s attack that he’d heard from Kim Jinsu.

They put their heads together and discussed countermeasures.

“So, what should we do?”

“A Highest-Rank Awakener should be dealt with by another Highest-Rank Awakener. Since the Association is already chasing Choi Sangguk anyway. How about calling the Association Head?”

At Park Seongcheol’s suggestion, Lee Hanseong shook his head.

“I want to avoid calling Father as much as possible. If Kim Jinsu’s words are false, it could hinder the pursuit of Choi Sangguk.”

“Then, what about calling Yuseong’s father, even if it means owing a debt?”

“He probably already knows the situation here clearly even without us calling. If the real Choi Sangguk appears, he likely won’t just stand by and watch.”

As the master of the Black Market, he would step in on his own without needing a request from their side.

The problem was that Jin Taeseong’s Highest-Rank Spirit was 10-Star, so he couldn’t use it.

If Jin Taeseong and Choi Sangguk faced off one-on-one, Choi Sangguk would likely win.

“…So, if we’re going to owe a debt, I’d rather call Sehee’s mother. Is that okay?”

Thus, he asked them to call Yoo Mirae, the Korea Branch Head of Shining.

“My mother?”

“If possible.”

“…I’ll bring it up.”

Yu Sehee’s expression stiffened slightly, perhaps because her mother was an uncomfortable topic, but she didn’t refuse his request.

Seeing that, he suddenly recalled how she, with her rebellious nature, had shown herself bound by rules at the Training Center.

Perhaps behind that lay her mother’s oppressive upbringing at home.

Noticing Yu Sehee’s uncomfortable reaction, he also entrusted Park Seongcheol with another task.

Park Seongcheol’s complexion had darkened, likely reminded of his own father, who was a Highest-Rank Awakener, so he deliberately gave him something to do.

“Just in case, Seongcheol, it’d be good if you could call James Lee.”

It was about summoning the Korea Branch Head of the Solar Guild.

“Me?”

“He’s very interested in Chungmugong, so offering information about the Polarity Reversal you realized when your Chungmugong reached 9-Star as compensation should be enough to persuade him.”

“Hmm. Got it! Leave it to me.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to both of you.”

Ziiing.

Unfolding a Spatial Connection, he opened a door to the Reverse World toward the Guild House where Jin Yuseong was.

“If you go out, it’ll be the Guild House.”

“Okay. When I come back, can I come to the Guild House again?”

“Please do so.”

The two who went out into reality began to move to summon their respective individuals.

Step step. Trudge trudge.

As if swapping places with those two, Jin Yuseong entered the Reverse World.

“Hey, Hanseong!”

Thanks to contracting Andrei, the 7-Star Giant, Jin Yuseong, who had taken one step closer to contracting Loki, greeted him with a bright smile.

“It’s been ten days since I last saw your face.”

“Well, you know how I’ve been, right?”

“That’s true. So, is there anything else I should know?”

“For now, the Heavenly Palace Tournament preliminaries are proceeding as scheduled. A Void Lord did appear in the first match, but it seems they have no intention of changing the Heavenly Palace Tournament schedule.”

“That makes sense. It’s a tournament with the names of two Apostles on the line.”

Rather, the Heavenly Palace Tournament is essentially the only venue where the two Apostles can meet peacefully.

For the Sun Star King and the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Lord to exchange opinions about the Hollow Specter, the Heavenly Palace Tournament will be forcibly held.

“How are people reacting to the Void Lord?”

“Some believe it, some ignore it, but overall, they seem uneasy.”

On Earth, where contracted Spirits are almost equivalent to social status, fear of monsters that steal Spirits is inevitably immense.

Moreover, with the warning that it doesn’t end at just being stolen but that one could turn into a monster, Awakeners’ hunting activities themselves have shrunk.

“Well, that’ll gradually improve over time.”

“Hmm. I think I’ve said about everything.”

“Yeah, thanks. And one more request.”

“As many as you want.”

Perhaps because he had already received so much, Jin Yuseong nodded readily, and Lee Hanseong made his request.

“Spread some rumors on the Dark Web that Choi Sangguk will come to the Black Market.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s not certain, but since Kim Jinsu said it before dying, it’s on my mind.”

“You’re trying to indirectly move Father.”

“I think he’d know even without us stepping in, but I want to do what I can.”

“If that’s the case, it might be better to do nothing. Father is very suspicious, so if there’s artificial manipulation, it could backfire.”

“If you say so, then let’s do that.”

Regarding Jin Taeseong, his son Jin Yuseong would know better, so he didn’t insist on the original plan.

Instead, he asked about something else.

“But what about the Golden Ring?”

Among the conditions for contracting Loki was non-attachment to treasures. So, there would come a time when he’d have to remove the Golden Ring.

Since he had now contracted Andrei and could replace the gigantification ability, he asked.

He was thinking of asking to use it as a Feat instead during Duren’s Historical Alteration if it wasn’t needed.

“Sorry, I plan to keep using it for now.”

Jin Yuseong shook his head slightly with an apologetic expression.

“No, don’t be sorry. I gave it to you for you to use from the start.”

Flustered at how it seemed like he was trying to take it back, Lee Hanseong waved his hands dismissively.

“It’s good to stack with Andrei’s ability, and also, dreaming of the Apostle from the Parallel World is quite helpful.”

“Ah…!”

At Jin Yuseong’s following words, Lee Hanseong’s eyes widened.

Come to think of it, there was the Apostle’s dream.

During the Hundred-Man Slaughter, he couldn’t sleep and kept fighting, so he hadn’t had the leisure to dream again.

But now, there was time to sleep.

His heart fluttered at the thought of seeing the Sword Demon again.

“You’re going to dream too?”

“Yeah.”

As if sensing his feelings, Jin Yuseong smiled faintly.

“Then I’ll keep watch. Sleep well.”

“No. Lycan is here too. You go do what you need to do. You must be busy preparing for the Heavenly Palace Tournament main tournament.”

“Should I?”

Every time two Promising Candidates were decided daily for the main tournament, Jin Yuseong thoroughly analyzed his opponents.

So that no matter who he faced in the main tournament, he wouldn’t be caught off guard.

The information he gathered would also be shared with Park Seongcheol, so that was important too.

Ziiing.

Using Baek Hyeonwoo as a coordinate, he opened a passage back to the Guild House and sent Jin Yuseong off.

Then, entrusting his protection to Lycan, he leaned against the guy who had returned to his giant wolf form and tried to sleep.

But perhaps because the excitement from the repeated Life-and-Death Duels still lingered, sleep didn’t come easily.

Clatter— Rustle.

Having no choice, he filled his stomach somewhat with the combat rations stored in the Reverse World, and only then, with post-meal drowsiness, could he fall asleep.

Perhaps because it had been a while since his last meal, even though it was combat rations, the taste seemed to explode in his mouth.

Rustle.

With a satisfied smile, Lee Hanseong fell asleep, and Lycan carefully covered his body with his tail so he wouldn’t wake.

For that moment, Lycan’s eyes somehow looked more like a cat’s than a wolf’s.

* * *

Keeeing— Chwaak! Keeeing— Seureuk!

Just like last time, in the whirlpool of stars touching the Void, the Sword Demon was still cutting down the Void God.

“You’ve returned.”

‘Yes.’

“Let’s postpone conversation for later. Watch closely.”

Chwa chwa chwa chwa chwa chwa chwa!

The Sword Demon’s Formless Sword took a form similar to the Infinite Single-Heaven Sword Art and displayed swordsmanship suited to it.

And not just that.

He infused all the Divine Artifacts he had used during the Hundred-Man Slaughter—Retribution Extreme Light Strike, Blinking Jade Throne, Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, etc.—into his sword, sublimating each into distinctive swordsmanship.

Moreover, the subtleties of swordsmanship he had mastered, such as Absolute Sword Art, Flowing Sword Art, and Sword Levitation Technique, were also glimpsed.

‘Ahh…!!’

“I saw how you fought through the spells imbued in your armor. It was endearing to see you trying to emulate me.”

Upon realizing the Sword Demon had been watching his fights, a sense of embarrassment washed over him.

Though he had drawn inspiration from his swordsmanship, what Lee Hanseong had realized likely wasn’t even one percent of his.

“Moreover, weaving that person’s Stigma and demon sword with Primordial Chaos to recreate the wolf guy’s Authority, [Twilight Orb], was truly an excellent idea.”

Along with the embarrassment from the Sword Demon’s praise, he felt a sense of pride.

But the Sword Demon didn’t only praise him.

“Still, that much is insufficient to awaken that person yet. Only after gathering ten thousand swords and even discarding them can one reach Formlessness. You must continue to strive.”

The Sword Demon’s sword changes.

Just like Dice’s Ten Thousand Swords Thunderclap, countless Sword Principles branch out endlessly from the sword’s tip like tree branches.

Whoooosh—

With each Sword Principle he observed, Sword Qi of such a high level flooded in like an epiphany.

How long had he been focused solely on the Sword Demon’s sword like that?

At some point, the boundaries between the Sword Principles blurred, and all distinctions vanished.

Keeeing— Seureuk!

Only then did the form of the Formless Sword he had first seen appear.

What the Sword Demon had shown until now was merely the process to reach the Formless Sword.

Ultimately, what mattered was one thing.

‘Controlling distance.’

Whether it’s fast, medium, slow, or flowing—any Sword Principle ultimately aims to gain superiority in spatial, temporal, or psychological distance.

The instinctive sense engraved unconsciously through repeated Life-and-Death Duels becomes clear within the realm of understanding.

The more he focused on it, the more the sense of distance from the Sword Demon grew distant.

Whoooosh— Pat.

The moment it became completely clear, he awoke from the dream.

[Conditions met. Unique Skill <Perception Domination> blooms.]

Before his eyes, a message announcing the acquisition of a new Skill floated.