Chapter 148. The Celestial Trap

The Ghost Slayer Division was the Eight Dragons Association’s direct combat unit. It was the most powerful force, composed of elite members from various guilds within the association.

More than half of its members were from the Heavenly Dragon Guild, which Gao Lin led.

The captain of the first unit of the Ghost Slayers, Wang Xunchun, was a renowned S-rank Hunter from the same guild. He prided himself on being Gao Lin's most loyal right-hand man. Upon receiving Gao Lin's signal, Wang Xunchun led his division to the designated location.

Leaving the other units strategically positioned for emergencies, Wang Xunchun charged ahead with only his first unit. What he found when he arrived stopped him in his tracks.

"Master!"

Gao Lin was a complete wreck. The man they’d always worshipped like a god was kneeling in front of a chopstick-looking man.

"Stop!"

"Attack him!"

Without hesitation, every single one of them rushed at Kim Do-Joon. They unsheathed their weapons, activating their most powerful skills.

This should be enough...! Even someone as powerful as Kim Do-Joon would be forced to back down under such a barrage!

Thunk!

However, Kim Do-Joon ignored it all and plunged his spear down.

Babababam—!

The ground trembled, and a cloud of dust exploded into the air as the attacks from Wang Xunchun and his men hit their mark.

"Master!"

Wang Xunchun hesitated for only a moment, before diving into the dust. He grabbed the limp Gao Lin and dashed out of the chaos. As the dust settled, Wang Xunchun was met with another shock—Kim Do-Joon stood there completely unscathed.

However, he had no time to process it. Wang Xunchun quickly checked on Gao Lin’s condition, fear gripping him as he examined his leader.

It was too late. Even with his S-rank reflexes, he hadn’t been faster than Kim Do-Joon’s spear. Gao Lin already had a gaping hole in his chest, right where his heart should have been.

"Healers! Where are the Healers?!" Wang Xunchun cried out.

"We’ll take him to the emergency unit immediately!"

The emergency team was stationed a little further away. Wang Xunchun entrusted Gao Lin’s body to one of his subordinates.

However, as he handed over his leader to the subordinate, his face was clouded with despair.

Master...

The subordinate was equally stricken.

This wound is beyond healing...

Losing an arm wasn’t a problem. The same went for the cuts and burns all over his body. However, the final blow had pierced and charred Gao Lin’s heart.

"Please... take good care of him,” Wang Xunchun said.

"Y-yes, sir!"

His subordinate poured potions over Gao Lin as he rushed toward the emergency unit. Wang Xunchun clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles bled.

"

Aaargh!

"

Wang Xunchun’s eyes burned red with fury. Grinding his teeth, he glared at Kim Do-Joon.

"How dare you harm our leader! I won’t let you live!”

"...What’s he talking about?” Kim Do-Joon asked.

When one of the Ghost Slayer members translated for him, Kim Do-Joon scoffed.

"Gao Lin attacked first. He was also responsible for all the chaos in the dungeon.”

"Shut up!" Wang Xunchun’s expression twisted in rage. "Not only did you harm him, you’re also trying to frame him?! You expect me to believe the mess you caused among yourselves was his fault?!”

"Gao Lin controlled us," said Daniel, stepping forward. "He made us attack our own allies. We all experienced it firsthand."

Wang Xunchun fell silent, his lips pressed together tightly. He scrutinized Daniel’s sincere expression, then glanced at Kim Do-Joon, Tyler, and the other raid members.

"So... all of you are in on this together, huh?"

"Wha—"

"I’ve served our leader longer than anyone. And I’ve never heard of him having a skill like that. Don’t try to deceive me with half-baked lies!"

He opened his palm, where a small red glow flickered before shooting up high into the sky. In the next moment, all of the Ghost Slayer members' eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

"Activate the Celestial Trap!"

Whoosh!

The Ghost Slayers moved to their positions, surging with energy as they prepared to strike. Screeches echoed from the forest as birds took flight, and a strange, heavy atmosphere settled over the entire area.

"The Celestial Trap!" one of the raid members exclaimed.

"What is that?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

"It’s the Eight Dragons Association’s famous siege net, originally designed to capture high-ranking renegade Hunters..."

The truth was a bit more complicated than that. Back then, the Celestial Trap was used to defeat S-rank dungeon bosses—catastrophic as natural disasters—with the help of weaker Hunters. However, as Hunters became significantly more powerful over time, it evolved into what Daniel had just described.

“If this really is the Celestial Trap...” Daniel's voice trembled, “then the entire area around us would be completely surrounded already!”

Even though they could only see the first unit of the Ghost Slayer Division, there were likely more troops stationed beyond the mountain to the left, and along the river to the right. The whole region was united under a single purpose: to kill them.

Daniel trembled, and Kim Do-Joon’s expression grew serious. While he didn’t know the specifics of the Celestial Trap used by the Eight Dragons Association, he could sense something deeper and even more unsettling going on.

The chaotic energy around them had started to move with a single intent. It felt as if they were trapped inside a giant beast’s belly, suffocating under its weight.

“I can’t believe such crap is called Celestial Trap... if the leaders were here, they’d be rolling in their grave.”

Suddenly, a voice pierced the tense silence. it belonged to an elderly man, whose calm yet piercing words landed like heavy stones in the tranquil air.

***

“Master!”

“What in the world happened here!”

The members of the Ghost Slayer Division arrived at the emergency camp, carrying Gao Lin. As the emergency team gathered around, the soldiers hurriedly explained what had happened.

“How could such scum do this!”

“They dared to harm the leader?!”

Their reactions mirrored Wang Xunchun’s.

“Can he be healed...?” the Ghost Slayer member asked hesitantly.

The emergency team remained silent, saying nothing. It was clear to all of them that Gao Lin was dead.

“Master...”

“

Khh...

!”

The camp was overwhelmed with sorrow. Suddenly, Gao Lin’s fingers twitched. And though no one noticed, his lips moved ever so slightly, forming the faintest whisper.

[Beastification]

Slowly, dark shadows began to swirl around him, starting from his twitching fingers and spreading.

***

"

Aaargh!

"

"

Keugh!

"

Another squad fell before the sword of Jecheon Seong, the elderly warrior. The Ghost Slayer Division had not lasted even a heartbeat against him.

Daniel’s raid party, led by Jecheon Seong, was steadily advancing toward the dungeon exit. Countless Ghost Slayer soldiers tried to block their path, but none could slow Jecheon Seong, let alone stop him.

How pathetic.

Jecheon Seong had fought in the Martial Alliance’s great gathering meant to broker a ceasefire between the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Sect. He had attended that meeting hoping to prevent his brother’s name, Jecheon Kang, from being remembered as a demon in history.

Back then, the Celestial Trap deployed by the Murim Alliance had been an entirely different beast. The best warriors and most powerful combat units from the alliance were present, combined with the brilliant tactics of the Jeagal Clan’s experts in formations and defense. Even the Heavenly Demon of the time had found it difficult to break through.

But now, they’re just throwing bodies at us.

The difference in skill between these warriors and those from the martial world was too great. They had almost no understanding of formation tactics.

Jecheon Seong could sense a faint effort to control the flow of mana within the formation, but the execution was sloppy and lacking.

Swoosh!

"

Argh!

"

Another squad crumbled before his blade.

“How tough...!”

Wang Xunchun, who had been hanging back to control the Celestial Trap, finally realized the bitter truth. The trap that had claimed the lives of so many high-ranking Hunters and guilds was utterly useless against this one old man.

Gritting his teeth, Wang Xunchun fled, his feet trembling as he ran. He headed back toward the emergency camp where he had sent Gao Lin earlier. However, the moment he arrived, he froze in place.

“What the hell...?”

Why is it so quiet here? Where is everyone?

The camp should have been bustling with people, desperately trying to revive Gao Lin, but instead, it was eerily silent. Then, he heard a voice.

“Is it you? Wang Xunchun...?”

“L-Leader?” Wang Xunchun asked.

Wang Xunchun looked up and saw a figure standing before him. It was Gao Lin. The man who had been nothing more than a corpse was now standing tall on his own two feet. Overjoyed, Wang Xunchun rushed forward and knelt before him.

“You’re alive! Thank the heavens!”

“...How is it going there?” Gao Lin’s voice was cold, almost mechanical.

“Well, you see...” Wang Xunchun quickly explained the situation.

He told Gao Lin that after seeing his dead body, he had activated the Celestial Trap in blind rage, only for it to be completely undone by a single old man.

"Leader... What happened to you? Those bastards are accusing you of attacking other Hunters," Wang Xunchun said, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.

“Oh is that what they said?” Gao Lin asked.

"But I know it's a blatant lie! Why would you do such a thing?! It makes no sense!"

Wang Xunchun’s voice grew louder and more desperate, as he lowered his head even more to display unwavering loyalty. But then, something wet dripped onto his face.

Water?

It felt strange—somewhat thick and almost sticky. Confused, Wang Xunchun looked up, and what he saw made him freeze.

A sickening crunch filled the air as Gao Lin’s arm transformed. It grotesquely morphed into the gaping maw of a massive shadowy beast, aimed directly at Wang Xunchun.

“L-Leader...”

Snap. Crunch.

That was the last sound Wang Xunchun ever heard. One of the Eight Dragons Association’s top S-rank Hunters was erased from existence, swallowed whole by the monstrosity before him.

***

[You have consumed excellent prey.] [Your skill proficiency has increased drastically.] [Your skill level has increased.]

[Beastification Level 10]

“

Heh

...

Hehehe

... I'll kill them all! That wretched fool... and that old man too!” Gao Lin’s voice twisted into a maniacal laugh.

The only signs of recent life in the now desolate camp were the steaming cups of coffee, still warm. Gao Lin stood there alone, laughing hysterically, fully insane.

And then, a voice spoke.

[So, this is your first time.]

“What the... who said that?” Gao Lin’s laughter stopped abruptly, his eyes darting around in confusion.

[I’ve planted many seeds, but you're the only one who has truly bloomed.]

“Who the hell are you?! Show yourself!” Gao Lin snarled, but there was no response.

Instead, a deep, suffocating darkness enveloped his mind. It felt like he was being dragged down into a bottomless abyss. His awareness plummeted, yet he remained standing, still and upright.

For a moment, his head hung low and his eyes closed. Then, slowly, they opened once more.

"A peculiar one, indeed," Gao Lin muttered, stretching his shoulders.

After going through Gao Lin’s body, the entity could learn much about this strange new world. There were a lot of experiences and knowledge, yet one thing above all else caught his attention.

"Why is someone using my shadow?" the entity muttered.

He recalled the sharp, cutting thorn that had severed the shadow he had gifted to Gao Lin. Even with all his vast knowledge of the universe, this perplexed him. The shadows he had scattered across this world were mere deteriorated copies, weaker versions of his original power. Gao Lin’s shadow had been no exception.

However, if Gao Lin’s memories were accurate, the shadow wielded by that strange man wasn’t a mere copy, but the original.

His brows furrowed in thought, but the answer eluded him. He couldn’t even consult with the other monarchs. After a moment, he shrugged off the mystery.

"This Earth... what an amusing little planet," he said with a smirk, his mind moving to other matters. "But this place stinks, so I gotta get out of here."

With that, he turned and walked straight toward the dungeon exit.

***

The moment Wang Xunchun was killed, the Celestial Trap collapsed completely. Jecheon Seong’s leadership had allowed them to return to Earth without a single casualty.

However, celebrating their survival was not the first thing on their minds. Instead, their immediate priority was to inform the world of the atrocities committed by the Eight Dragons Association and Gao Lin. They wasted no time in lodging a formal protest with the Chinese government.

The very next day, China responded with an official statement:

There is no verified evidence of the incident involving Daniel Grimes’ third temporary raid team.

Nevertheless, we will conduct an investigation.

However, if no evidence is found to support these claims, the members of the third raid team will be held responsible for the disappearance of the Eight Dragons Association leader and the deaths of numerous Ghost Slayer Division members.

After hearing the response, Daniel handed the message to Kim Do-Joon, who stood up from his seat. He glanced out the window and let out a dry chuckle.

The police and other Hunters from the Eight Dragons Association had surrounded the hotel, waiting like vultures.