Chapter 422: Star, the Parallel Universe (7)

Chapter 422: Star, the Parallel Universe (7)

All the shadow fragments were absorbed into Chang-Suns shadow.

[You have absorbed Teispes, the personality of the old Celestial Wandering Shadow!]

[You have absorbed Xeres, the personality of the old Celestial Wandering Shadow!]

The more Chang-Sun absorbed the shadows, the deeper his understanding of Xerxes grew, allowing him to quickly locate Xerxes vulnerabilities.

Paah!

Rumble!

Clang, clang, clang!

Xerxes movements progressively resembled Chang-Suns more over time.

Hes learning from me, Chang-Sun realized.

The shadow that made up Xerxes belonged to Divine Twilight before he had gone through the Divine Trial. In other words, Xerxes skills could not be compared to Chang-Sun in the present as he had improved himself a lot. However, Xerxes quickly bridged the gap in skill between him and Chang-Sun in about two hours.

[The old Celestial Wandering Shadow has activated the Authority Shadow Extortion!]

[You have lost part of your shadow.]

[Your dominance over your shadow is weakening little by little.]

[The old Celestial Wandering Shadow is quickly reading your Data from your shadow.]

If you can do it...

[Your shadow has been tightly entangled with the shadow of the old Celestial Wandering Shadow.]

[The old Celestial Wandering Shadow is bewildered!]

...then I can do it too, of course. Chang-Sun grinned.

[The two shadows are mixing together, making it hard to distinguish one from another.]

Bardiya, Chang-Sun said.

Badump!

His heart pounded intensely, and the shadow around his feet lengthened, reaching Baek Gyeo-Ul.

So this is why you called me.

At the same time, the voice of Bardiya the Usurper echoed in Chang-Suns head. Bardiya had once been one of Xerxes personalities, but he had flowed into Gyeo-Ul at his birth. Gyeo-Uls [Shadow Armor] was made from Chang-Suns shadow, so he could summon Bardiya as he liked.

Bring it, Chang-Sun instructed.

Among Xerxes numerous personalities, Bardiya was the one who had attempted to be the main personality the most, and he had nearly succeeded several times. If not for Chang-Sun, Bardiya would have been the main personality long ago. As if he wanted to have his payback, Bardiya coldly smiled and quickly moved.

Ha, I dont like you but okay. Ill show you why Im called the Usurper.

[Bardiya, the personality of the old Celestial Wandering Shadow, has activated the Authority Shadow Extortion!]

[Identical Authorities have been activated, starting a shadow battle!]

Chang-Suns and Xerxes shadows mixed chaotically, making it impossible to distinguish them from each other. It was like a tug of war as Chang-Sun and Xerxes continued to gain and lose control of the battle over and over.

Chang-Sun knew that Xerxes would become the real self and he would become the false one if he lost this tug of war. That meant Xerxes would have all of Chang-Suns Faith and Divine Ranks, and Chang-Sun would become Xerxes shadow instead. A Celestial who lived on after losing their body was normally called a False Celestial.

I cant let that happen, Chang-Sun thought.

Of course, he had no intention of going down easily; he continued to absorb Xerxes personalities even at that moment.

Clang, clang, clang!

Chang-Sun marched forward. The more he attacked, the more menacingly skilled Xerxes became with the spear, but Chang-Sun paid that no heed, as he just had to deliver strong attacks to corner Xerxes

Tap!

and eventually put his back against a wall. When he felt that wall behind his back, Xerxes tried to move away, but Chang-Sun cornered him even more fiercely, not giving Xerxes the slightest opportunity to gain some distance. After parrying Xerxes shadow replica of the [Twilight Spear] using the real spear, Chang-Sun quickly thrust it into Xerxes chest.

Its because of me. Because of me

After that day, Xerxes had been unable to go outside, and had cooped himself deep in Croms [Dream Realm]. The guilt, sadness, and regret had made his curse, which he had suppressed with great difficulty, run wild again.

Ah, for crying out loud! You fucker, youve started up your moping all over again!?! Arrrghhhh! I thought I had finally turned you back into a decent being!

Crom pulled out her hair. The psychological therapy that had been progressing by letting Xerxes meet the Heavenly Dragon Emperor suddenly became meaningless. Seeing Xerxes mumbling as he hugged his knees close to his chest nearly drove Crom mad with frustration.

Because of me...

It isnt because of you.

If it hadnt been for me

Your son would be more depressed if he found out you were doing this.

If she hadnt met me

Urrrggggh! You wuss!

Crom cursed despite the fact that she was not usually prone to anger, but Xerxes endless spiral of depression stumped her, practically driving her insane. If Crom were to leave Xerxes be, ending his Overflood would become impossible, as all the other suppressed personalities would continue rampaging.

Phew. Yeah, what can I do? Ill just have to think of you as my karma. Urgh, what a headache.

Crom had taken Xerxes into her arms and returned to her [Dream Realm], massaging her aching temple. Her lair was where her magic was always active, so perhaps she would somehow be able to subdue Xerxes Overflood.

It hasnt been long since we met, but I still had fun. Ill come back after he calms down a little.

After bidding the Heavenly Dragon Emperor farewell, Crom had gone dormant again.

Whoosh.

When Xerxes memory footage finished playing, Chang-Sun returned to reality.

[You have successfully gained dominance.]

[Congratulations! You have won the shadow battle!]

[You have successfully subjugated the old Celestial Wandering Shadow and absorbed him into your shadow!]

[The old Celestial Wandering Shadow has become your subordinate.]

[The Divinity of your Subordinate Wandering Shadow has been restored using the Data stored in his shadow!]

[The Myths of your Subordinate Wandering Shadow have been restored!]

[The Divine Ranks of your Subordinate Wandering Shadow have been restored!]

[The Divine Essence of your Subordinate Wandering Shadow has been restored!]

A stream of congratulatory messages popped up before Chang-Sun, but they did not catch his attention. When he looked down, Chang-Sun saw Xerxes sitting there, hugging his knees and burying his face between them,

That bastard is doing it again, Crom grumbled.

I want to pretend I dont know him at times like this, Kali remarked.

He looks exactly like Twilight, so he looks like a bigger wuss when he acts like that, Crom added.

You can say that again, Kali said with a nod.

Crom and Kali heaved a sigh and shook their heads, as they were all too used to it. There was no way to soothe Xerxes when he was down in the dumps like that. Except for one

Smack!

Chang-Sun quietly approached Xerxes and smacked him in the back of the head.

Nice hit, Crom exclaimed, feeling refreshed.

Grabbing the back of his head, Xerxes screamed, Arrrgh! What What are you doing, Twilight?! It hurts! Youre so mean!

Xerxes looked up at Chang-Sun with teary eyes. Chang-Sun genuinely did not want to see Xerxes acting pathetic while looking like Chang-Sun himself, so he smacked Xerxess forehead again in annoyance.

Smaaaaack!

Arrrgghhh!