Chapter 295: Chapter 293

Itarim were Gods.

They were fickle and destructive beings who could create or destroy a universe at will.

There was not just one, but dozens of them. The one who was single-handedly holding back numerous great outer gods was the Shadow Monarch, Sung Jinwoo. On the other hand, who was the Apostle of Paradise?

He was merely a creation who had briefly seen 'him' from afar in the universe. That's why the Apostle of Paradise never overestimated himself. For a creation to survive, it was essential to know its place. That was the secret to a long life. Therefore, he never dared to entertain the crazy thought of facing the Shadow Monarch. The moment he caught his eye would be the moment he died. In the end, the best he could do was fight the Shadow Monarch's foot soldiers according to his level. But what was this?

[How can 'he' be here...!]

He couldn't believe it even though he saw it. How could the Shadow Monarch's soldier come all the way to this remote planet?! Especially since a high-ranking one like this had arrived on Earth, it meant that the Shadow Monarch himself was also here!

[Th-then the war? What happened to the war?]

Don't tell me they lost? No, that couldn't be! The Itarim were Gods! And there were many of them! For anyone to win in a war against the allied forces of so many great beings was an unimaginable scenario. But...

'Then what is this soldier? How did it cross outer space?!' He didn't know. He really didn't know! Despite trying to deny it, an ominous thought kept creeping in. He wanted to believe it wasn't true, but the evidence was clear before his eyes. The Shadow Monarch's power, deeply embedded in the shadow wyvern, Kaisel. Faced with that terrifying energy, the Apostle of Paradise's mind was thrown into a turmoil of despair and fear. He hadn't even panicked when he found the Shadow Monarch's son in North Korea. He wasn't this flustered even when he learned that his son had inherited a similar power. Because it was just a skill! Although it was outstanding for a human, it was nothing compared to the Shadow Monarch he had personally witnessed and experienced! But... he couldn't help but panic when he saw his son using not only the shadow power, but also other unknown forces. The sight of him using the power of the 'Rulers,' who were on the same side as the Shadow Monarch, was unimaginable. But even then, it wasn't as terrifying as this moment. He thought he could handle it if he somehow gathered all his fragments and recovered his main body's power! But in the midst of this confusion, not knowing how things were going, The Apostle of Paradise's body was already moving on survival instinct alone.

[Mouth of the Void!]

Bang—!

The Apostle of Paradise immediately retreated and tore a dimensional gap in the air. Sung Il-Hwan didn't matter anymore. A mere human... Sung Suho's family didn't matter. If it was true that the Shadow Monarch himself had descended on this land, escaping from here before being discovered was the priority. He had to survive to fight another day!

VOOOOOM—!

The dimension finally split open, and the infinite universe was revealed. The dimensional gap. The Apostle of Paradise threw himself into that vast, emptiness without hesitation. But...

"You think I'll let you escape?!"

Whoosh—!

[...?!]

The Apostle of Paradise's eyes widened. Sung Il-Hwan had also jumped in, chasing right after him.

[You foolish human...!]

The Apostle of Paradise was truly dumbfounded by his reckless behavior. Did that guy really think he was running away out of fear? He definitely didn't know how dangerous it was to cross the dimensional gap. If you lost your way here, you would wander through the universe forever and die. Especially a mere human who didn't even have flowerpots planted here and there like him! But Sung Il-Hwan was focused on only one thing. Hunting.

"I can't let the bastard who targeted my family escape!" Sung Il-Hwan fiercely chased after him, swinging two daggers.

Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash—!

Blue light poured out from the Starpieces embedded throughout his body. That energy dyed the two daggers a bluish color. And the concentrated blue energy mercilessly slashed at the Apostle of Paradise, who had fled into the dimensional gap.

[What the...!] He shuddered. Irrespective of the level of strength, it was because that sight was too familiar.

Two daggers.

Cold eyes that resembled someone.

The magic power exploding and covering his entire body.

All of it resembled 'him' too much.

[How dare you...!] The Apostle of Paradise gritted his teeth. Anger surged as he realized 'he' was instinctively intimidated by a mere human.

[How dare you imitate 'him'!]

Kaboom—!

Divine power exploded from the Apostle of Paradise, engulfing the dimensional gap. And that tremendous energy blocked Sung Il-Hwan's attack. It bound his body from all directions like before.

Flash—!

The Starpieces embedded in Sung Il-Hwan's body cried in unison. His body shuddered as if it was about to be torn apart. His Starpieces were trying to submit to that divine power and become puppets themselves. But Sung Il-Hwan gritted his teeth and suppressed that instinct.

"This much..."

Crack! Crack! Crack—!

The more he endured, the closer his body was to shattering. Cracks spread like spider webs across his skin, and blood gushed out. But Sung Il-Hwan, as if trying to enjoy that pain, forced a smile and twisted his lips upwards.

"This much isn't enough."

And he continued to swing his daggers.

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz—!

The blue trails he unleashed clashed madly with the enemy attacks in the air. The Apostle of Paradise mocked him.

[You fool! This is my domain! Your power can't reach m...!] But,

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz—!

It reached him.

Crack—!

[...!]

Before he could even finish his sentence, his defense shattered. The apostle of Itarim couldn't help but be shocked. His divine power... helplessly shattered by the endless attacks, And Sung Il-Hwan breaking through that power with terrible madness, and charging straight towards him.

[H-how...?!]

"You said I have twenty-three Starpieces embedded in my body?" Sung Il-Hwan grinned, revealing his teeth.

Earlier, he was desperately defending to protect his wife and the children, but originally, a 'Hunter' was not about defense, but offense. One who chased and hunted prey.

"Thank you. I'll put them to good use."

In that sense, Sung Il-Hwan was a true Hunter. And he was even the most experienced Hunter in this world, excluding his son.

Flash—!

[You insolent thing! Know your place!]

The Apostle of Paradise condensed his divine power and blocked his daggers. He glared at him, gritting his teeth.

[Don't be mistaken! Do you think I'm running away because I'm afraid of you?!]

Whoosh—!

Suddenly, a net of divine power, centered on the Apostle of Paradise who blocked the attacks, swallowed Sung Il-Hwan's body. There was no time to dodge. Unlike before, the opponent was right in front of him.

[Blame your foolishness for following me all the way here!]

Since he had already escaped to the dimensional gap, he could relax for a while. Even the Shadow Monarch wouldn't be able to easily find him in this chaotic space. So, as he originally planned, he decided to take over Sung Il-Hwan's body. This was a chance for a reversal.

[...Even the Shadow Monarch wouldn't act rashly if his father was taken hostage!]

Crack! Crack!

"Keuk!"

Sung Il-Hwan's expression distorted as he was enveloped in the Outer God's divine power.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart was pounding madly from the resonance of the Starpieces.

[Submit! Obey and worship! Your body will now be my vessel!] A grotesque smile appeared on the Apostle of Paradise's face as he shouted like a fanatic.

"...This vessel." Sung Il-Hwan's lips twisted upwards. He glared at the Apostle of Paradise's crazed eyes and spoke,

"This vessel already contained the power of a being far greater than you a long time ago."

[What nonsense...]

"I died back then."

Whoosh—

Sung Il-Hwan's eyes were now calm. And so was the energy that was raging within him. But the Apostle of Paradise was too bewildered to notice the change.

Rumble—!

[...R-Ruler?]

The Apostle of Paradise's eyes shook violently. He finally realized it. Sung Il-Hwan wasn't an ordinary human. He wasn't a test subject turned into a High Priest through countless experiments of the Cult. But his vessel... was already completed. From a very long time ago.

Hum—

The Apostle of Paradise could see it. His soul, quietly shining within Sung Il-Hwan's body. And the true size of his soul's vessel, which was hidden by the Starpieces. The Apostle of Paradise's eyes widened in shock.

[N-no way! What did you have inside you...? How can a human...!] Sung Il-Hwan chuckled at those words.

"A human, you say? You know nothing."

"Humans are a race that grows through hardship. And at the pinnacle of that is my son."

Ah, and his grandson, of course. Just as he was about to utter those last words,

Bang—!

[Keuk?!]

The tightly maintained balance of power suddenly wavered. And Sung Il-Hwan's soul, which the Apostle of Paradise was trying to take as his vessel, began to bite back. Like a predator.

'What the?! He's trying to devour me! A human's soul!' It was absurd. But the situation didn't give the Apostle of Paradise time to panic.

Kyaaaaa—!

Just then, a giant loomed over the vast dimensional gap. The shadow wyvern Kaisel appeared, roaring with its black wings spread.

"Father! I've evacuated everyone to safety!" Cha Hae-In shouted from atop Kaisel, reassuring Sung Il-Hwan. And she joined their battle without hesitation.

Skill, 'Sword of Light'

Skill, Storm of White Flames

A giant thunderbolt streaked down in a straight line, following the path of Cha Hae-In's sword.

Flash—!

The blinding light cut through the dimensional gap and split the Apostle of Paradise in half.