Chapter 270

Chapter 270

After parting with Seol, Chi Woo, Seol Hong, Mi Ah, and Hye Myeong followed the path guided by the Golden Divine Statue.

“This way!”

Chi Woo took the lead, acting as their guide.

Contrary to their expectations, the path ahead was winding and became increasingly complicated the further they went.

However, there were also signs they wouldn’t have noticed before if they hadn’t awakened to Watala’s lessons.

Hye Myeong bit his lips.

The further they walked, the more he broke out in cold sweat.

He was worried about Seol, whom they had left behind.

- Keep going, Hye Myeong.

- ...What about you?

- I’m staying here.

- Why?

- Because I’ve already acquired it.

Seol’s words were like a mystery.

‘Kang Seol...’

Hye Myeong’s steps felt heavy.

As if he were bound by chains, his ideals unwilling to align with his actions.

“...Hye Myeong?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if this is right,” responded Hye Myeong, a somber tone in his voice.

“......”

“Was it really the right decision to leave Kang Seol behind? I feel like we pushed him to sacrifice himself.”

Running ahead of Hye Myeong, Seol Hong replied.

“He is much stronger than you think.”

“...What?”

“If he can’t do it... then no one here can.”

* * *

Seol heard Karuna’s voice from the Shadow Space.

- As lively as ever, Jamad.

- Yeah, I’ve rested for so long that I feel like bursting with energy now.

Seol then quickly read through Jamad’s information that had changed.

‘...Is he really the same troll?’

Normally, when summons improve in rank, only a few important things would change rather than a variety of aspects—for example, acquiring a Primal Power or gaining the ability to choose how to advance your swordsmanship.

However, Jamad's changes upon improving to Immortal rank were on an entirely different level compared to the transformations he had undergone before.

‘Is this... also because of the Void?’

If Seol had the luxury of time, he would have examined every single change Jamad had undergone in detail.

However, the opponent in front of him wasn’t kind enough to allow him that opportunity.

He was Shade, one of Hwagmu’s three ghost generals.

- I don’t think a long conversation is necessary.

Fwoooooosh...

Shade began emanating even more malevolent energy from his body.

Crackle, crackle...

[Shade used Exceptional Skill: Ten Thousand Hands.]

[Creation: Cursed Hands’ cooldown is ignored, regenerating infinitely. However, each time it regenerates, its mana cost increases by 20%.]

“How cramped.”

BOOOOOOOOM!

The hallway exploded, creating an area as open and large as the previous trial.

‘...It’s better for him the more room he has.’

Since Shade had the ability to change his size freely, he now had the option to grow much larger than he currently was.

While Shade had the option of taking advantage of the large space, Seol had nothing to take advantage of.

No matter how big Jamad was, there was no way he could grow larger than Shade.

Fwoosh...

Fwoosh... Fwoosh...

Shade conjured countless floating hands in the air.

Jamad laughed in response.

- You’ve prepared a pretty nice meal, Seol.

Jamad then continued, talking to Seol in his head.

‘Assimilate, Seol. The most important thing right now is for you to understand me.’

‘Assimilate?’

‘Yeah. And if he’s weak, you won’t have to do anything. Hand over control of your body to me while you grow accustomed to my energy.’

Seol didn’t necessarily see a reason to deny Jamad’s request.

‘Sure.’

Fsssss...

Night Crow’s energy grew stronger.

[You are successfully maintaining the Night Crow form with an Immortal-rank summon.]

[Exceptional Skill: Night Crow’s proficiency greatly increases.]

Seol stared down Shade.

[[Shade]

Rank: Immortal

Estimated Level: 45~50

Hwagmu, the Evil Dragon, commanded three loyal Ghost Generals who obeyed his every command.

Their names alone were enough to spread terror across an entire era. However, after Hwagmu's defeat at the hands of Hong Cheon, the Ghost Generals and the Ghost Army were disbanded.

Phantom, one of the Ghost Generals, was sealed by Hong Cheon, while Shade and Spectre faded into obscurity.

It was as if they had been forgotten by time...

Well, until you met him here.

Basic Skills: [Passive: Painless], [Passive: Ruler's Authority], [Passive: Domineering Mind], [Ghost Pressure 3], [Command: Press 4], [Command: Whiz 3], [Command: Clap 3], [Command: Slam], [Command: Pile Up 5], [Command: Pinky Promise 1], [Command: Lace Fingers 2]

Unique Skills: [Exceptional Skill: Ten Thousand Hands], [Exceptional Skill: Limited Oxymoron], [Exceptional Skill: Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara]]

Shade and Phantom had similar levels.

However, according to Seol’s assessment, Shade was much stronger than Phantom.

‘Not to mention the fact he’s at full strength... this won’t be easy.’

Gloooow...

Shade quickly scattered a strange energy from his body.

It was as if he was channeling the galaxy into the night sky, causing a shimmering light to expand in the black space.

- It must be your domain.

“Since you know what it is, you must also realize it’s too late for you, right?”

- Hmph...

Fsssss...

Domain was primarily used by swordsmen and warriors, but Shade had adapted it into his own technique and reformed it in a distinctly unique way.

Lift... lift...

“There you are!”

[Shade used Command: Lace Fingers.]

[Cursed Hands lace their fingers to combine damage.]

[Shade used Command: Slam.]

[Cursed Hand strikes the designated target.]

Slaaaaam!

Fwip!

Slaaam!

Fwoosh!

Though Shade managed to attack Seol each time he sensed him, it felt as if none of his attacks were properly landing.

“So it wasn’t just to obscure vision,” Shade murmured.

Wildfire’s smokes not only obscured vision, but also greatly increased dodge rate once it expanded.

For Seol, who had numerous effects that boosted his dodge rate, it served as an excellent shield.

“Sure, but... What if I do this?”

Shade waved his hands.

Fwooosh...

[Shade used Command: Pile Up.]

[Cursed Hands pile up, crushing the target.]

Slaaaam!

Slaaaam!

This time, Shade opted to limit the places Seol could go instead.

Slaam!

Slam!

However, he suddenly stopped still.

Crackle, crackle!

Lightning Strike fell directly above Seol.

BOOOOOOOOM...

The Cursed Hands around Seol were all scorched black before turning to ash.

Jamad laughed while standing on the Lightning Seal, a clear taunt toward Shade.

“It’s pointless to taunt me. Your defeat is already decided.”

- ...How so?

“Because your attacks will never reach me.”

- Hmm...

As Jamad gave Shade a curious look, Seol asked him a question.

‘Jamad, do you have a way to win?’

‘Somewhat. I’m just debating the method to close the distance with him.’

‘Close the distance?’

‘Yeah. As long as I can do that, I can damage him.’

‘Then what about this...?’

Seol explained his plans to Jamad, who replied with a satisfied grin.

- Ah... that sounds like it could work. Let’s go with that.

Seeing Jamad’s relaxed demeanor, Shade began to feel a bit irritated.

“I’m beginning to get annoyed.”

[Shade used Command: Whiz.]

[Throw a projectile that deals damage proportional to Cursed Hand’s damage. Additional effects are applied upon a successful hit.]

Whiz!

Woosh!

Wooooosh!

With countless pieces of rubble scattered around, Shade adjusted his strategy based on the mana he could sense and hurled the debris at Seol.

Booom!

Boooooom!

Booom!

While these attacks were easy to dodge, unlike his hands, they seemed to never end.

Crack...

Not to mention the additional debris that was also created from the attacks. In truth, this attack was impossible to dodge.

Crackle...

Jamad allowed a few of the smaller debris to hit him.

“...Caught you.”

- What?

[Shade used Command: Pinky Promise.]

[A target hit even once by Cursed Hand is restrained for a short while.]

[You are afflicted with Abnormal Status: Restrained.]

[Confession activates.]

[All Abnormal Statuses are lifted from you.]

[Abnormal Status: Restrained, the most recently applied Abnormal Status, is transferred to Shade.]

“...What?”

Fwoosh!

While Jamad tried to use that opening to run away, another piece of debris had already hit him within that moment.

[Shade used Command: Pinky Promise.]

[A target hit even once by Cursed Hand is restrained for a short while.]

[You are afflicted with Abnormal Status: Restrained.]

However, Confession didn’t activate this time.

‘Getting restrained even once means death.’

Seol clicked his tongue at the ridiculous attack pattern, but he was still confident.

It seemed like Jamad still had many more cards to play.

Fwoosh...

A large boulder hurtled toward Seol.

Clatter, clatter...

But then, Jamad’s third skull appeared.

Clap!

Jamad clapped.

[Summon Phantom Beast: Shadow Wolf activates.]

[Passive: Sudden Appearance activates.]

[Koko, the Happy, affects Jamad’s skill.]

- Come out, wolf.

Crackle, crackle...

Chomp!

A black entity tore through Seol’s shadows to swallow the skull with the mountain pattern.