Chapter 169: Chapter 168

Rumble!

[Don't be ridiculous! You're just a puppet born from my magic, how dare you defy me!] Javier shouted frantically, conjuring a sandstorm to attack the illusion of Sung Jinwoo.

[You're mine!]

Kwaaaaang! The sandstorm transformed into a giant hand, reaching out to grab him. The gesture looked possessive, as if a cherished doll was being snatched away.

[Just be my puppet obediently!]

But the illusion of Sung Jinwoo smoothly floated into the air, effortlessly evading Javier's grasp. He spoke with a relaxed demeanor.

"Sadly I must decline. Also you won't have time to worry about me from now on."

[What?!]

"My son just started a quest." His gaze shifted to Suho, who was currently checking the quest details, eyes scanning the description.

[Emergency Quest: Prove Your Worth!]

[The illusion of the Shadow Monarch, 'Sung Jinwoo', demands proof of his son's worth.]

[Defeat the demonic spirit's magic caster, 'Javier,' and receive a new Shadow Skill.]

"Accept!" Shouted Suho, eyes flashing intensely.

Then, without hesitation, he charged towards the sandstorm that was closing in from all sides, trying to reach his father.

[Skill: 'Storm Slash' is activated.]

Swish! His twin swords whirled in a dazzling display, tearing through Javier's grasp. At that moment, an amazing sight unfolded. The sand scattered from the explosion began to take the shape of countless skeletons.

"Then, could it be that all the skeletons so far were...?" As if in response to Suho's realization, Sung Jinwoo nodded.

"Yes, that's right. Those skeletons are all illusions created by his magic." It turned out that the monsters that had suddenly appeared in Haeundae were all created by Javier. Then, they all rushed towards Suho at the same time, with a presence so vivid that it was difficult to believe they were not actually real.

[No matter how strong you are, do you think you can win against infinitely generated illusions?!]

Illusions with physical substance and power. It was an incredible ability, befitting a great spellcaster of the demonic spirit tribe. Suho however showed no change in expression as he watched the skeletons charging at him with ferocious momentum.

"Divine Possession."

[The spirit of Pet: Grey strengthens the High Priest's body.] With a divine wind, Suho's hair turned silver and his movements became dramatically faster.

Sung Jinwoo's eyes momentarily lit up at the sight. "Hmm? Could that be...?"

'It was strange. The blessing of the Fang Monarch, whom he had killed himself, resided in his son's body.'

[Skill: 'Grasslands Wind' is activated.]

[Movement speed temporarily increased by 30%.]

[Attack speed temporarily increased by 30%.]

'Ruler's Authority!' As Suho released the swords he held in both hands, they shot forward like beams of light, slashing through the skeletons. Simultaneously, he unleashed a barrage of punches.

Boom! Crack! Crumble! The skeletons were mercilessly destroyed, shattered by the fierce attacks. Dozens, then hundreds of skeletons vanished without a trace in an instant. No matter how numerous they were or how relentlessly they attacked, these skeletons couldn't even buy time against Suho.

"Hmm." Sung Jinwoo, watching the scene, frowned slightly. Observing closely, he sensed not only the energy of the Fang Monarch but also the energy of the Plague Monarch within Suho's body.

'How did my son become the Priest of dead monarchs? This makes me curious about what happened.'

His gaze suddenly turned to Beru who as if it were natural, had been faithfully guarding his side since earlier. The fierce aura emanating from his narrowed eyes would have been a truly terrifying sight if he were his original size, but the current Beru was too small, making him seem only cute. Sung Jinwoo chuckled and reached for his head again.

"Beru, I need to look into your memories for a moment."

[As you wish.] Beru willingly closed his eyes and felt Sung Jinwoo's touch on his head. The process didn't take long.

"...I see." After peeking into Beru's memories, Sung Jinwoo tilted his head with a somewhat displeased expression. Then, he suddenly spread his hands in the air and began manipulating Javier's magic circle.

Flash! Flash! Flash! Following his movements, complex magic circles made of ominous light appeared and began to spin. Along with that, the sandstorm that had been sweeping the area started making strange movements and gradually began to change.

[Wh-what are you doing?!] Javier screamed in panic at the sudden turn of events. His perfectly laid out magic was being effortlessly distorted.

[This can't be possible...!] No matter how hard he tried, once the magic circle left Javier's grasp, it began to warp and distort uncontrollably. Sung Jinwoo offered some words of comfort to Javier.

"Don't worry. I'm not trying to damage your magic. Even though I look like this, I'm just an illusion with barely any magic power." Then...

Rumble!

[No, no...!]

"Rather than destroying it, I'm trying to enhance your magic."

'That doesn't make any sense!' Javier couldn't help but be shocked. How could a mere illusion do such a thing?!

'What kind of monster have I summoned?!' He felt an unknown kind of fear that he had never experienced before.

Whoosh! Indeed, as 'Sung Jinwoo' said, Javier's magic circles were gradually evolving into a perfect form.

[Gasp?!] Javier was greatly bewildered by the sudden feeling of his power being elevated. But regardless of the process, the result was clearly beneficial to him.

[I don't know what your intentions are, but...] Javier readily seized the power that 'he' had offered. Then, looking down at Suho, or rather, all the hunters including him, he revealed his sinister grin without reservation.

[I'll gratefully accept this power!]

Flash!

['Skill: Mirage' has leveled up.]

Rumble!

The sandstorm intensified and the power of the skeletons born from the illusion increased significantly.

"Now then, my son." The illusion of Sung Jinwoo, looking down from above, crossed his arms with a sly smile.

"Now that Dad has set the stage, let's see you unleash all your power. Don't worry, Dad will take care of the rest."

"..." Suho's eyes widened for a moment. And despite being in the middle of a battle, his gaze instinctively moved to find his father.

He realized what those words, 'the rest', implied.

'Itarim. The Apostles of the Itarim!' He had been suppressing his power, knowingly or unknowingly. To not become a burden to his father. To not let his father's enemies know that he was the descendant of the Shadow Monarch. He had been using his most powerful ability, the Shadow Authority, to a minimal extent.

The reason was clear. And it had to be that way.

For his father's sake.

'Because I am my father's only weakness.' But now, his father was...

"Tsk. This kid, he's gotten older and his head has grown bigger." Jinwoo clicked his tongue at him, reprimanding him in a tone that seemed to see through all the worries he had been carrying.

"Seriously, are you so old that you are worrying about your parents?"

"Suho. My son." He was unable to hide the fond and proud smile on his face.

"Worrying is something parents do for their children, It's the older ones who worry about the youngsters." And as that smile deepened Sung Jinwoo's presence grew, as if to engulf the entire area.

"Remember this." He sincerely scolded his son for worrying about him all this time.

"This father of yours has never lived a single moment carelessly. I'm not so weak that someone young like you needs to worry about me"

"..."

"So." His father's voice resonated in a low tone.

"Stop needlessly worrying about your dad." The moment he heard those words...

Suho felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders and at the same time, he realized the true reason his father's illusion had appeared from Javier's magic.

'Javier's skill, Mirage.' A magic that showed the terrifying memories deeply engraved within one's mind. The most frightening aspect of this skill was that it materialized and showed the weakest part of a person, their most anxious and vulnerable memories. And as the current result proved. The trauma-like emotion that had been hidden inside Suho's heart all this time was about his father.

'Because of me, my father...'

'What if my father is held back because of me...'

'If I become a hostage to those guys, it'll be a disaster...'

'I am my father's only weakness...'

All those countless thoughts had manifested into the illusion of his 'father.' But now, he has received the permission to go all out. Suho's eyes changed. The corners of his lips rose in a smile somewhat resembling his father's. And an expression of utter relief appeared on his face. He stopped walking and looked ahead. Then with calm eyes, he spoke.

"Arise"

[...!]

Whoosh! His Shadow Soldiers rose from beneath Suho's feet all at once, their entire bodies rippling with black smoke. They surrounded Suho and exuded a menacing aura in all directions. Among them were Que, Harman, and Kira, who until now had been traveling all over the country hunting villains.

"Harman, create an instance dungeon."

[Yes, Master.]

Flash! As soon as the order was given, Harman spread his arms and cast a spell.

[Instance Dungeon has been created.]

Flash! A transparent barrier expanded in all directions, centered around Harman. The giant sphere pulled the entire sandstorm created by Javier into itself. Everyone, including Javier himself and the hunters had been captured in it.

"Interesting. Using an instance dungeon to trap the enemy." Sung Jinwoo nodded, finally finding something interesting.

[Th-this is... Could this be Kandiaru's...?!] On the other hand, Javier couldn't help but panic, realizing in horror that he was trapped within a magic circle of a far higher level than his own.

'But that is not the biggest problem.' A power similar to the Shadow Monarch's was suddenly emanating from Suho.

[H-how can you... No, wait! Could you be...?!]

"Yes." Suho readily answered the question. As if exhaling a breath he had been holding back for so long.

"I am Sung Suho, the son of the Shadow Monarch."

At that moment.

[Skill: 'Monarch's Domain Lv.1' has been acquired.] Suho's shadow dyed the entire ground black.