Chapter 236 – Growth

No human was allowed to or could proffer a shell to a physical being.

But…

‘

I can do this.’?

Gi-Gyu felt sure of it.

Considering the power that Asmodeus’s Ego held and the two women’s states, this could work. These two women should accept Asmodeus’s energy without any resistance.

Gi-Gyu had the special ability to inject this power into them. He could affix their shells to their new physical forms and revive them.

On top of this…

‘

They will be even stronger than before.’?

Yes, he could do this. The metal chains had taught him many things. Despite their brief contact, the chains had injected him with a lot of information as if they had been waiting for him.

Power and information. They helped Gi-Gyu realize his true potential.

Psshhh.

Asmodeus’s Ego in his hand turned into dust. However, the dust remained suspended in space instead of scattering away. As he unhurriedly moved his hand, the dust followed it like he was a maestro.

This process tore and ripped the energy in this space. Yet, the Ego particle calmly obeyed Gi-Gyu and moved to envelop the two women.

[Manipulating this power is forbidden.]

How was it that he could hear the system announcement even here? Ignoring it, Gi-Gyu continued with his task.

[Manipulating this power is forbidden.]

[Manipulating this power is forbidden.]

[Manipulating this power is...]

The same system announcement rang in his head over and over again. Despite Gaia’s numerous warnings, Gi-Gyu didn’t stop. After all, he could only save them by manipulating this power.

‘

Just this once.’

He knew he didn’t have permission to use this power. But he hoped that he would be allowed to use it nonetheless. Gi-Gyu hoped that his determination would reach Gaia.

And perhaps it worked because the system stopped warning him.

Psshhh.

The two corpses slowly began absorbing Asmodeus’s Ego, which had turned into dust.

The power Gaia had warned him not to use.

The power that could achieve the impossible: Proffer shells to physical bodies.

The power that no human was allowed to use.

It was…

[You have awakened a new qualification.]

[You may use God’s power temporarily.]

The dead God’s power.

Gi-Gyu’s new power came from that being.

***

“Haa…” White smoke appeared as Gi-Gyu exhaled. What he was doing required such focus that it felt like his hair would go white. The information from the metal chains let him use God’s power, but he was a novice at using this power. The information he was given was just enough to save the two women.

Did the metal chain have a consciousness of its own? Or was there a different arrangement within the seal?

Gi-Gyu now felt relaxed enough to wonder about these things. After all, he had completed his task.

“...”

In front of him were Yoo-Bin and El; they were much more stable than before. They were still inside his illusion, a place where he was still connected to them via their sync.

“I have done all that I could now,” Gi-Gyu spoke under his breath. He had already used every power that came with the Ego Master title and the metal chain’s information, so there was nothing more he could do.

Now…

“It’s up to you guys.”

El and Yoo-Bin had to do the rest of the work. Their physiques and shells were affixed and stabilized. Also, their shells were much stronger than before, as a hell king’s power was used to recreate them.

Gi-Gyu looked at the two women. The success of this process now depended entirely on them, but he wasn’t worried. He had no doubts about their survival.

Besides, no matter what, nothing could happen to them at this point. It was all thanks to the power Gi-Gyu had used to restore them.

Of the numerous Godly powers, he had used…

‘

Order.’?

It was the exact opposite of Chaos. He had injected this power into their shells; it would restore balance and create order within the shells. But he couldn't get involved until the rest of the process was complete. And that part of the process for them to finish.

Since his part was over, he had to leave this space. The longer these women’s minds were trapped here, the more they would affect each other.

“Cancel…” Gi-Gyu said with an exhausted sigh. This would also break his sync with them, but it would be a clean break. It would be just enough to expel them from this space.

And…

Plop.

Gi-Gyu collapsed. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Lou and Soo-Jung standing over him.

“Good job.”

“You did well.”

Gi-Gyu replied with dry lips, “Please watch over them.”

With this, he became silent.

Lou chuckled and asked, “Did he just fall asleep?”

“Well, are you surprised?” Soo-Jung smiled as well. She added, “He did it, so it’s no wonder he’s tired. Let’s just do what he asked.”

Soo-Jung revealed a mysterious smile as she watched Gi-Gyu.

“Hmph.” Lou seemed displeased, but he couldn’t hide his obvious relief.

A comfortable silence fell. Due to the revival process, El and Yoo-Bin were wiggling.

Baal asked Soo-Jung in his baritone voice, “Shouldn’t we tell him now?”

Soo-Jung nodded.

***

As warmth engulfed her body, Yoo-Bin opened her eyes.

‘

Where am I?’?

Her voice refused to work. She could think but couldn’t speak or move her body. It was as if her body had disappeared. An overwhelming fear gripped her. She trembled as the memories of what had happened resurfaced. The last thing she remembered was getting kidnapped by someone. What happened afterward also gradually emerged in her head.

‘

Ahh…’?

If she could speak, she would have cried. She remembered her body being stolen by Asmodeus. She didn’t feel guilty about killing the laboratory researchers responsible for Asmodeus’ descent.

But…

‘

Grandma…’

Her own hands had fatally injured Lim Hye-Sook. And this wasn't the end of it. As she remembered more of what had happened, she also recalled how it felt.

What did being exiled from your own body even feel like? She was currently feeling many emotions, with anger being just one of them.

‘

Ahh…’?

With each new memory, she felt like crying more. In a piece of memory, she had briefly regained consciousness and had tried to warn Gi-Gyu.

But he had ignored her warning, and…

‘

Oppa.’

He tried to save her. The warmth around her was slowly increasing. The memories that followed afterward were…

Yoo-Bin remembered sobbing and trembling like a baby.

‘

Oppa, from now on, I will work toward becoming someone who can help you.’?

She remembered making this promise. And just like that, she grew stronger.

Gi-Gyu had risked his life to save her. So, he was like a knight in shining armor to her. She knew El had stolen her body, but she didn’t mind it. After all, she had personally allowed El to enter her body.

‘

El.’?

The emotions buried deep inside slowly awakened, and…

The young woman closed her eyes. She could feel an abundance of power.

***

‘

Master?’?

What was this energy she felt inside her? It was so familiar yet so strange.

Unlike Yoo-Bin, El remembered everything, including her corruption.

‘

...’?

She also felt a smorgasbord of emotions, but she controlled them and her trembling much quicker than Yoo-Bin.

‘

Master.’?

Her master had given her another chance. Unlike Yoo-Bin, who was human and therefore weak, El remembered everything and understood what was happening.

Her shell was currently stabilizing, but what it held inside was different.

The remnants of her corrupt self and whatever of Life was left were being burnt.

And…

‘

...’?

Her Master. She wasn’t referring to Gi-Gyu.

El stopped her thoughts, believing that this was her chance. Thankfully, she hadn’t sinned yet. She hadn’t yet harmed anyone in Gi-Gyu’s name. Her desires had only harmed her by corrupting her.

It still wasn’t too late now. Thanks to this chance her master gave her, El could return everything to normal. She was confident she could do this.

‘

...’

She felt like her body was moving. When she looked inside her shell, she came across a new thing.

Vicious yet familiar sorcerous energy.

El knew this originally belonged to Asmodeus. It might have been able to make her stronger since she was a fallen angel now, but…

‘

I’m throwing it away.’?

It was given to her by her master, but she was going to give it up.

No, actually, she would use it to become more powerful. She could use the power of her old master to assimilate this sorcerous energy into Life. Her current condition allowed her to do this.

‘

I can do it! I can be even more helpful to my Master!’

El was determined to make things right and become stronger. This change would make everything possible.

She closed her eyes. It might take a long time, but she planned on atoning for all of her mistakes, however long it might take.

***

It felt like he had a dream. It was a terrible nightmare, but he couldn’t remember it.

“Ugh…” Gi-Gyu woke up with a moan. He couldn’t open his eyes, and his body refused to obey him.

“You have pushed yourself too far, Master. You used a forbidden power, and for that, you will have to stay like this for a while.” The voice sounded a little angry, but there was no mistaking the warmth in it.

“...” Gi-Gyu, his eyes still closed, smiled.

‘

El.’?

He could feel her standing next to him. Gi-Gyu was desperate to open his eyes to see her, but he couldn’t. He tried to move his energy but failed.

“Please rest, Master. I will stay by your side until you get better,” El promised.

Gi-Gyu smiled brightly again. It sounded like she had recovered completely.

And…

“Thank you, Oppa.” Another voice thanked him. “Thanks to you, I will get to live as myself again.” Yoo-Bin’s voice was filled with genuine gratitude.

Thankfully, it appeared that both El and Yoo-Bin had returned successfully. Before he had heard their voices, he was worried a little bit. But now that they seemed okay, all of his worries disappeared.

Lou muttered, “Stop smiling, you idiot.”

“Guess you think you’re great, huh?” Soo-Jung teased him.

Gi-Gyu couldn’t move his body or open his eyes, but he still smiled.

“Look at him smiling. Ugh.” Lou’s voice sounded as annoying as before, but Gi-Gyu couldn’t stop smiling.

“My pupil, recover as quickly as possible. You’ll be fine in a day or two if you stay in bed like that. I’m sure your loyal women will be by your side, so have fun.”

Creak.

He heard the door open.

Before leaving, Soo-Jung added, “After you get better, you’re going to be very busy.”