Chapter 277: Star, the Revival Plan (2)

[You are currently in the ‘Incomplete Exuviation’ state!]

[Complete your .]

[Achieve .]

[Regain your Divine Class.]

……

[The Scenario Quest (Complete Exuviation) is ongoing!]

[Complete Exuviation]

· Type: Scenario.

· Description: You are close to completing your , which would allow you to surpass your limits as a demigod and become a Celestial.

Divinity, Faith, ... You have fulfilled all the requirements. However, you still have one flaw: You already had a Divine Name in the past but lost it when you plummeted. Restore your Divine Name to complete your and regain your Divine Class, which in turn will lift all your restrictions and let you spread your new wings of freedom.

· Requirements: —

· Time limit: —

· Objectives:

1. Recover the letters for ■■■ ■■.

2. Complete your .

3. Restore your Divine Class.

Chang-Sun had [Space Severance] used on him eleven times so he could accept every single invitation from the Celestials. In doing so, he didn’t just complete [Dragon Breath] but even drastically increased his Class. Right now, he was on the verge of becoming a Celestial.

■■■ ■■. Although it was censored, it was obvious that it was referring to ‘Divine Twilight.’ For such a long time, Chang-Sun had been waiting for the day to regain this name.

Something else in the scenario quest description caught his attention. If all the restrictions on Chang-Sun would be lifted, that meant he would be released from the Divine Steel shackles, which had been suffocatingly tying his soul down! He couldn’t help feeling surprised because he hadn’t heard anything from Thanatos, but he was certain.

‘... It’s the King of the Underworld’s gift,’?

Badump!

Badump!

Maybe it was because he regained a part of his Divine Class or ran into an enemy. Although Chang-Sun wasn’t sure what the exact reason was, his [Ferocious Heart] was racing.

Badump…!

* * *

‘Kiddo?’

Nain’s eyes widened.

The voice that he heard some time ago seemed to echo in his ears for some reason.

“You look like Kali, but your personality is nothing like her. You’re like her back when she was still a child.”

The only person who had ever called Nain kiddo was ‘Divine Twilight.’ He said that Nain resembled Kali during her younger days. His remark didn’t really mean anything, though, and Nain never ran into him again afterward. However, he left such a strong impression on Nain that the latter could still clearly remember it.

Now, however, Nain heard the name only ‘Divine Twilight’ had ever called him from the man standing in front of him.

“You’re…!” Nain muttered in surprise.

“I’ll tell you the details later. Find cover for now.” Chang-Sun smiled coldly as he looked at the Maniac Demon, who was glaring at him from a distance.

Chang-Sun’s smile bared his fangs, resembling the ‘Divine Twilight’ that Nain had met before.

[The ‘Changgwi Cave’ has been opened!]

A horrible space-distorting sound resounded from above Chang-Sun.

Craaacck―!

Cracks spread in the sky, exuding gray energy.

Kieeehhhh!

An awful ghost wail ominously echoed.

Remaining vigilant against Chang-Sun, who suddenly stood in his way, the Maniac Demon instinctively raised his head. Flames had still been circling around the Fire Demon and the Sword Demon had been watching his comrades fight with his arms crossed when they, too, turned their heads to look at the cracks in the sky. The White Tiger Clan’s Ghost Soldiers, Kali’s priests, and everyone else stopped fighting and looked toward it as well.

Something inauspicious was coming down!

Soon, the ghost wails and gray energy blended with each other and transformed into pale Changgwis, who landed on the ground.

Click, click.

The Changgwis appeared as they put on their masks, causing a storm that swept over the ground and contained the fire that engulfed the Parasitic Tree!

“Jin,” Chang-Sun called out.

「As you command.」 Jin Prezia drew up his mana, realizing what Chang-Sun wanted.

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has activated the Skill ‘Snowstorm’!]

Woosh, woosh, woosh…!

The Frost Undead’s cold energy mixed with a gale, instantly covering the entire base of Kali’s priests. The immensely powerful gale and frost pouring down from the sky immediately extinguished the raging flames.

“Th-the fire has been extinguished!”

“How in the world…?”

“W-we’re saved!”

Trees were most vulnerable to fire, which meant the Gray Elves were helpless against the flames that the Fire Demon created. That was also why what Jin did surprised them.

“Oh, my…!” Nain was especially shocked.

The Gray Elves lost most of their powers when Kali died, leaving them defenseless against the Fire Demon’s flames. Moreover, Jin showed such a high level of power that Nain wasn’t sure if he could defeat him even if he regained all his power.

However, that also made Nain feel more sure about his conjecture. The word ‘kiddo’ and Chang-Sun’s censored Divine Name were enough for him to know who the man really was!

‘My goddess…!’?

Nain thought.

Kali’s last words to the Branches were to trust ‘Divine Twilight’ and wait for his return. Proving Kali right, he actually showed up.

“Take them out,” Chang-Sun commanded, and the Undead Army immediately pulled out their weapons. The ghost wails grew louder.

“Stop them!” the Fire Demon yelled, realizing things were progressing the White Tiger Clan members had originally planned.

Trying to revive the fire somehow, the Fire Demon drew up his mana. However, the ice storm kept putting it all out, making him realize that he could not take it lightly. Finally realizing the magnitude of the problem, the Ghost Soldiers threw themselves at the Changgwis flying down from the sky and clashed with them in the air.

Clang, clang, clang!

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Woosh, woosh, woosh―!

[The Changgwi Cave and the Hohwan Mama are colliding!]

The ghost energy of Chang-Sun’s Changgwis and the Ghost Soldiers fought tirelessly to emerge superior to the other.

“I’m not sure who you are exactly.” The Maniac Demon stretched.

Crack, crack.

Whenever the Maniac Demon’s joints cracked, the blood-red light his eyes emitted became brighter. Madness also filled his eyes, showing that he was ready to rip Chang-Sun to shreds. The collision earlier made him realize that Chang-Sun was a force to be reckoned with, so he decided to take this battle seriously.

“You do know that the price for stopping our parade is death, don’t you?” the Maniac Demon asked, warning him that he would not be given a swift death.

However, Chang-Sun just chuckled. “You’re scared.”

“… What?”

“Only a terrified pup would bark to hide their fear.”

“You son of a bitch!” The Maniac Demon’s expression crumpled up. Although he sought refuge in the White Tiger Clan Council of Elders to avoid the Council’s pursuit, he was proud of his title. He would never let this kind of humiliation slide.

Paah―!

Filled with the desire to shred Chang-Sun to death, the Maniac Demon charged at Chang-Sun.

“Die—!”

However, before the Maniac Demon could even finish speaking, a lightning bolt blasted his head off.

Slash!

Splash―!

The Maniac Demon still looked angry, not knowing how he died. The inertia brought his headless corpse forward a little more before rolling on the ground.

Ooong, ooooong!

The [Yuchang Sword] in Chang-Sun’s right hand shook as if it was asking him if this was it. It seemed that the sword’s sacred light, which had merged with Chang-Sun’s , was looking for its next target.

“Maniac Demon!” the Fire Demon screamed, belatedly realizing his comrade had been killed while he was trying to ignite a fire again.

Witnessing what just happened, the Fire Demon decided that it was better to focus his fire on one spot to create a bigger explosion instead of spreading it to burn up the Parasitic Tree.

Wooosh!

The Fire Demon used the Skill [Firestorm], causing his flame to circle around him and create a vortex. He believed it would be enough to block the attack that killed the Maniac Demon—

Rumble―!

However, in the same way that the Maniac Demon didn’t get to finish speaking, the Fire Demon’s train of thought was interrupted when [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth], the demonic energy of which was infused with Chang-Sun’s [Black Mountain King’s Claw], cut through [Firestorm] and the Fire Demon’s waist.

Slash!

Boom, boom, boom―!

Falling unconscious, the Fire Demon lost control of his fire and was engulfed in his own [Firestorm]. Having lost its centrifugal force, the flames scattered all over the place, reducing the nearby area to ruins.

Paah―!

The Sword Demon, who only stood by and watched his two comrades get killed, flew at Chang-Sun. He was smiling so widely that he seemed to be having fun right now.

* * *

“Who is Lee Chang-Sun?”

Hearing the news about Chang-Sun doing a fine job in Europe, the Sword Demon could not help but wonder how skilled Chang-Sun really was, so he asked Jaegal Hyeon-Ryong about it. However, Hyeon-Ryong just threw the question back at him.

The Hyeon-Ryong that the Sword Demon knew was sharp and always emotionless. Nevertheless, he beamed while answering the question about Chang-Sun. He looked as if he was happily standing in front of a row of tasty snacks and pondering which one he should eat first.

Hyeon-Ryong clearly found something good about Chang-Sun, and that was enough to make the Sword Demon’s cold heart flutter.

Badump!

“Come to think of it, you’re looking for someone who will lead you to a new path, aren’t you?”

Hyeon-Ryong quietly chuckled when he saw the Sword Demon’s rosy cheeks. He was the only one who knew the Sword Demon’s issue in the Council of Elders.

Although the public called the Sword Demon, Maniac Demon, and Fire Demon the Three Demon Heads, the Sword Demon actually never considered the other two demonic beings as his real comrades. They only hung around him and showed off using his name as they pleased.

The Sword Demon had never been interested in worldly affairs in the first place. There was only one thing that he wanted―swordcraft.

During his childhood, the Sword Demon would hold a wooden sword with only one desire in mind—wield a proper metal sword and go through actual combat. That was why he was thrilled when Dungeons and Gates opened up. He thought that the time to demonstrate everything he learned so far finally came.

However, his happiness only lasted several years. He faded away for a very simple reason: the animalistic monsters weren’t enough to satisfy his desire. Since he wished to reach a higher level in swordcraft, simple and mindless hunting didn’t help him much.

That was why the Sword Demon decided to target his fellow Players instead. Players gained new abilities through the System and their Guardians’ blessings, so the Sword Demon thought that fighting them would make him feel more thrilled and ultimately give him something more supreme. The Celestials had something that mortals couldn’t easily get, so the Players who learned from them were bound to have something like that as well.

In the end, he committed murder, which was taboo in the sect he used to be in, and became a hunted criminal. Getting rid of every nuisance in his way turned him into one of the Nine Evils, the most notorious demonic beings.

However, the Sword Demon remained unimpressed by the turn of events. Remorse? He had no such thing. He exterminated his previous sect and killed many of the Council’s bounty hunters. However, none of them inspired him into upgrading his swordcraft. They only bored him.

Fortunately, the Sword Demon met Munseong, who was filled with greed and ambition. Munseong was also an exceptional swordsman, so the Sword Demon thought that it would be great to work with him. Hence, he took Munseong’s offer and joined the White Tiger Clan’s Council of Elders.

However, Munseong no longer inspired the Sword Demon now. The Sword Demon could have a constructive discussion about swordcraft with him back when the latter was young, but he was now bewitched by some sort of weird power and lost his honor as a swordsman.

That was when the Sword Demon heard about Chang-Sun, the new recruit who was making remarkable accomplishments and quickly earning his spot in the White Tiger Clan. What caught the Sword Demon’s attention, however, was his martial arts skills, specifically his exceptional swordsmanship.

Chang-Sun was the epitome of combat, so the Sword Demon asked Hyeon-Ryong about him out of curiosity. Unexpectedly, he heard a very positive assessment about Chang-Sun.

“Well, that child might be able to help you in some way. Even I think he’s very handy with his swords.”

Badump!

Hyeon-Ryong’s remark made the Sword Demon’s heart pound.

“It isn’t just with swords. Spears, axes, whips, fists… I’m really not sure if there’s any weapon out there that he doesn’t know how to use.”

Badump, badump!

“But let me warn you. Meeting him to find what you’re looking for in him without first devising a good plan could break you.”

Badump, badump, badump!

Hyeon-Ryong told the Sword Demon to be careful, which was what the Sword Demon always wanted to hear! Hyeon-Ryong was the only one in the Council of Elders whom the Sword Demon acknowledged for his skills. That man recognizing Chang-Sun’s talents meant that Chang-Sun was as strong as him, not just an ordinary rookie.

That was why the Sword Demon did not head to ‘Doomsday City.’ Thinking he would finally get to meet Chang-Sun, he decided to join Director Gwon Hyo-Hae’s operation instead. In the end, he finally got what he wanted.

‘... It’s said that many ascetics gather up in the?sacred mountain Himavat, so I thought Kali’s priests would have something special.’

However, it turned out that there was nothing much to them.

‘I hope you can satisfy me!’

Clang!

The Sword Demon fiercely swung his sword toward Chang-Sun’s nape, but his attack was blocked, and his sword was deflected away.

‘That was a great first exchange!’

The Sword Demon’s smile gradually deepened.

Swoosh, woosh, swoosh―!

He quickly swung his sword in an arc multiple times.

Clang, clang, clang!

In a flash, the Sword Demon and Chang-Sun traded dozens of blows.

‘Yes! It’s him!’

The Sword Demon beamed now, baring his fangs.

The numbing feeling in his palms, his menacing eyes… Chang-Sun was certainly cut from the same cloth as the Sword Demon.

Paaaah―!

At that moment, about thirty swordfighters among the Ghost Soldiers approached them.

The Sword Demon Platoon was made up of the Sword Demon’s subordinates, whom he personally trained. The attack formations that he used with his subordinates were very effective in launching a destructive attack like a pack of rampaging beasts.

The Sword Demon wasn’t ashamed to fight together with his platoon. In fact, he found it only natural. The Sword Demon Platoon was practically his other self, so if Chang-Sun was more skilled than him, then it was only proper that he fought alongside his other self. He wanted to see Chang-Sun’s skills. To achieve that desire, he had to drive Chang-Sun to his limits first.

Seemingly figuring out the Sword Demon’s plan, Chang-Sun tightened the grips on his swords.

Claaang!

With the echo of a metallic sound, the Sword Demon was pushed a couple of steps back. Chang-Sun had stuck the [Yuchang Sword] to the ground and sheathed [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] back.

Click!

At the same time, Chang-Sun turned his leather belt in the opposite direction and moved [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] to his left. The moment Chang-Sun grabbed its handle and slightly leaned forward, his lightning energy created a circle around him.

Paaah…!

Pzzz, pzzz!

The Lightning sparks flying up from the circle changed from purple to black. With Atra Fulmen activated, Chang-Sun’s gray hair fluttered hard.

[The sixth chapter of ‘Prelati’s Spellbook’ has been opened.]

[Fulgurator has been activated!]

Chang-Sun tried to master the Secret Darkness Techniques by going through [Space Severance] eleven times. As a result, he made quite satisfying progress, even completely learning Fulgurator. That also meant that he was close to fully understanding the last chapter of [Prelati’s Spellbook].

[A ‘Dragon Breath’ has been fired!]

Claaang!

Using battojutsu, Chang-Sun drew a diagonal line with [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth], which was imbued with a high concentration of Atra Fulmen energy, and unleashed a perfected [Dragon Breath]—the Dragons’ trademark.

Rumble―!

Boom! Boom, boom!

Woosh, woosh, woosh…!

The Sword Demon and his platoon soldiers completely evaporated, leaving not even a trace. Despite the Sword Demon’s big talk about wanting to witness Chang-Sun’s sword skills to the fullest, his death was quite futile.

Lightning sparks flew everywhere as big and small [Fiery Lightning Bolts] struck the ground, wiping out the remaining Ghost Soldiers.

“They’re…”

“All dead…”

Nain and the other Gray Elves were extremely shocked. Chang-Sun singlehandedly killed their enemies, who were strong enough to put them in danger and stop them from fighting back. Moreover, those weren’t even the only aftereffects of the [Dragon Breath].

“…Huh?”

“Hmm? W-wait, is that…?”

Among the several [Fiery Lightning bolts] was an unusually big one. It didn’t disappear upon impact either. Rather, it traveled across the ground and charged forward. Unfortunately, the Parasitic Tree, the Gray Elves’ temporary Divine Tree, was in its way.

Like a sharp razer cutting through paper, the Atra Fulmen bolt cut the tree in half to get past it.

Slash!

Boom―!

Rumble…!

“…”

“…”

“…”

The Parasitic Tree collapsed, rendering Nain and the other Gray Elves speechless. Their mouths opened and closed like goldfish.

Chang-Sun’s forehead got slightly sweaty.