Chapter 166 - Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth (2)

Chun Sungjae always had a good eye when it came to monsters. Of course, he didn’t possess the bestial instincts of his sister. However, he could feel his opponent’s magical energy through his skin.

Although he was young, he could develop his perception since he was quick on the uptake. It also helped that he had been the disciple of the Gemini temple, the temple of magicians.

This power allowed him to identify the ranks of monsters through his skin. Sungjae knew his abilities, so he could instantly calculate the capabilities of his enemies.

That was why when this enemy appeared in front of him, Chun Sungjae instinctively felt it. The air was so oppressive that he couldn’t even move his eyes, and the energy sent a chill running up his spine!

He was sure of it. ‘We are going to die.’

Chun Sungjae’s face turned pale as he looked in the direction where his father had been sent flying.

“Dad!”

Hugo crashed through the wall and fell.

Chun Sungjae’s voice shook, but Hugo seemed to still be in one piece. His voice rang. “That bastard of a monster...”

“Dad! Are you ok?”

Hugo stood up as he spat out the blood in his mouth. There was a reason he could kill the monsters with his fists despite being a long-range damage dealer.

He had been worked over again and again by Lee Gun; due to that, he had developed strength and durability. Moreover, he hadn’t learned all that under Lee Gun with half measures. Knocking him out would take more than this. However...

‘I’m sure of it.’

Hugo had been sent flying by a woman.

‘She is a general-rank.’

The “General Rank” was a title that humanity had come up with.

Hugo was sure of it. ‘She feels similar to the one who declared war against humanity.’ He meant the helmeted man that Lee Gun had turned into a hunk of meat.

This woman looked like a black fairy. She looked human, but she was clearly a monster.

‘At the very least, she is a black zone rank!’

This was also why he found this odd. Why would someone of that caliber be in the middle of Seoul?

‘There is no way the observatory failed to sense a monster of that rank invading this place.’

On top of this, Hugo was worried about Lee Gun’s future, which he had seen a while ago.

Oblivious to this, the woman furrowed her brows in contempt.

[I knew something odd was happening to Monarch-nim’s precious tower. You guys are the culprits!]

No, it wasn’t his doing. Hugo felt aggrieved.

The woman violently unsheathed her sword. She acted as if these two had caused a significant loss.

[How dare you use Monarch-nim’s power to summon soldiers?]

Someone else did that! “Why did Gun have to...” The appearance of a general-rank was unexpected even for Hugo. He suddenly stood up.

However, the woman nonchalantly wagged her finger.

[O’ great god of silence!]

Black winds surged up from the ground as they swept through the tower. The wind headed toward Chun Sungjae, and his skill activated. It was the Family Shield skill that he had activated earlier.

[For the next minute, an auto-summon will be executed when danger is detected.]

Along with the voice, Hugo was summoned in front of Chun Sungjae.

Surprised, Chun Sungjae quickly tapped his father’s back. It was a teleport.

Hugo instantly disappeared. In his place, Chun Sungjae was hit by the wind and sent flying.

“Sungjae!”

Hugo appeared ten meters away.

Having received the attack, Chun Sungjae gritted his teeth and glared at the woman.

The woman looked amused.

[You are still alive after being hit by Monarch-nim’s power.]

Chun Sungjae stared daggers at the woman. The only reason he was alive was his uncle’s armor.

[“Don’t Go Around Getting Hit” has absorbed the attack. (Up to 80% of the attack)]

The woman finally figured out what had happened. She looked at Chun Sungjae’s clothes.

[You’re an annoying brat. Let’s see how long you last.]

She approached Chun Sungjae.

Unable to stand by in front of this scene, Hugo used his ability.

[Blood Red Cremation]

Scorching hot flames appeared and surrounded him. Then, flame tattoos appeared on his face.

Blood Red Cremation was a skill that lasted until either his opponent was dead or he was. It was a skill that enhanced his abilities by using all his power. This meant that he was willing to die.

Chun Sungjae’s face fell. It was to be expected.

He had realized the differences between the fighting abilities of his father and the woman. Of course, his father was powerful and not an easy foe. However, his father would lose at least a body part in a fight with that woman. She was a terrible opponent for him. Moreover, right now, his father was incapable of using long-range attacks.

‘Retreating from here will be the best.’

Chun Sungjae intended to teleport away with his father. His uncle had told him to reach the tenth floor, but it wasn’t as if there was a time limit. Lee Gun had also told him he could come back next time if he was truly in danger.

The young man was about to set the coordinate, but...

[Do you think I’ll let you intruders leave ?]

When the woman rushed Sungjae, the “Family Shield” summoned Hugo in front of him.

The woman clicked her tongue. She was about to use her power when an unfamiliar voice rang out.

[You’re dumb. How dare you use Monarch-nim’s power against Saint-ranks?]

“!”

As he heard the unfamiliar man’s voice, Chun Sungjae’s vision turned white.

“Kuh-huhk!”

“Sungjae!”

Chun Sungjae almost fell unconscious. He had no idea what had happened. The only sure thing was that someone had grabbed his head and slammed it against the floor. As proof, a hot liquid ran down his head.

Roughly grabbing Chun Sungjae’s head, this unknown being sighed as if he found the woman pathetic.

[You’re unable to use it well. Do not take the liberty of their power.]

[!]

[You’re a disgrace to the thirteen Knights.]

This newcomer wore black armor. He was quite large, so he resembled the Taurus Saint.

Chun Sungjae furrowed his brows.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

‘Another general rank...’

He was sure of it. This man’s energy felt similar to that of the helmeted man. However, that wasn’t the chilling part.

‘The teleport...!!’

The movement magic didn’t work. Sungjae tried to use it again to be sure. However, moving out of the tower had become impossible for him.

He was wondering what was going on when the black-armored man laughed.

[Two precious disciples over S-rank! Do you think I’ll let you guys get away from here?]

It was this bastard’s doing! Chun Sungjae immediately used his skill even as his head was held.

[Kneel to Uncle or Else (S)]

Green flames surged out of him.

Seeing the flames, the black-armored man flinched in surprise. He quickly tried to let go of Chun Sungjae’s head.

Hwah-roo-roohk!!

The Serpent Bearer’s power was infused in the conflagration, and it melted the fingers of the armored man.

It caused the woman to react in surprise.

[Magical energy of a Zodiac...]

The armored man looked amused.

[It’s an incredible power. Which Zodiac do you serve?]

As soon as he was let go, Chun Sungjae rolled away. Then, he shouted as if he were rapping, “Uncle is best! Uncle is the best! Uncle is the best in the world! Best! Best! Best! Best! Best! Best! Best! Best! Best!”

The rap was done in a rapid-fire, and Super Regeneration healed his head injury.

This sight surprised the armored man.

[Regeneration? It really is the best. It’s considered the most precious of abilities.]

Which Zodiac was this?

[Are you under the Aquarius? Well, the twelve of them are formidable.]

The woman shouted when she saw the ecstatic smile on the man’s lips.

[You! What do you plan on doing?]

[Why are you so surprised? I’ll rip out his heart and eat it.]

During this period, Hugo had been blocking the woman. When the armored-man approached Chun Sungjae, Hugo desperately shouted, “Sungjae! What are you doing? Hurry up and summon me!”

There was a reason for his desperation.

[The duration of the Royal Family Shield is coming to an end.]

[After 30 seconds, the skill will be lifted. The shield summon will be completely lifted.]

Despite this, Chun Sungjae was showing no signs of using the skill again. Since the skill had a duration time, Hugo had been able to kill the monsters without being interrupted. At this rate, however, he would be sent out of the tower. Moreover, the teleport spell wasn’t working right now. If he left, it was game over.

“Sungjae!! What are you doing? Hurry up and summon me!!”

Chun Sungjae shouted as he prepared a different skill, “I don’t want to! I used it earlier because I knew you wouldn’t die!”

“!”

Chun Sungjae could quickly calculate the difference between his and his foes’ abilities. He knew his father was skilled and much stronger than the monsters that he had faced. This was the case for all the monsters until now.

However, things were different now.

‘He’ll be killed.’

These two monsters were true monsters. It might have been ok if there were one, but two had shown up. His father would die; that was inevitable. So how could Sungjae use that skill?

At that moment...

[The duration of the Royal Family Shield has come to an end.]

[The summon is released.]

“Sungjae!”

“I’m sorry, Dad! I’m sorry for always causing you so much trouble!”

“Sung—”

Hugo disappeared as he screamed.

At the same time, the black-armored man laughed as he stood in front of Chun Sungjae.

[You have guts. You are brave for a mere S-rank brat.]

Chun Sungjae laughed as if he wanted the man to fuck off. “I’m the son of the Archer Saint. I don’t like saying this on purpose, but he’s very strong. He looks very impressive when he shoots his bow.”

[!]

“However, there is someone muuuuuuuuuuuuuuch stronger and cooler than my father. He is my uncle. You’re a mere monster. Do not look down on the disciple of the Serpent Bearer.”

The armored man snorted.

[Serpent Bearer? Never heard of it.]

The man then threw a punch. However, Sungjae smirked as if he was done with his preparation.

[Demigod state]

A fierce green light exploded forth. Then, a snake-shaped figure came out of the light. That wasn’t all.

[The [Idol Worship] special attribute has been activated.]

[The [Genius] special attribute has been activated.]

[The [Persistent Obsession] special attribute has been activated.]

[“Don’t Go Around Getting Hit“ armor skill has been activated.]

[“I’ll kill you if you mess with my disciple” skill has been activated.]

* * *

The door opened.

Lee Gun flinched when he entered the room. After crossing the door, he had immediately felt a familiar sensation.

‘I’m sure of it. This is...’

It was when he had fallen into the trap; it was the smell of death that he had felt at that time. There was more to it.

‘It feels similar to the one inside Yooha’s arms.’

A noisy being resided within Yooha’s arms, and it might have some connection to this place.

Lee Gun suddenly furrowed his brows.

[Warning! The monarch’s power is weakening the power of the Zodiac.]

[Warning! The energy is way too powerful and dark.]

[It can swallow the star of darkness.]

Something resembling a black fog lay within the room. It shot toward Lee Gun like a tentacle. As soon as it discovered him, it tried to kill him by piercing his body.

However, Lee Gun wasn’t one to take things lying down.

[Zodiac Descent]

Kwahng!!!

When he released 100% of his power, his ring shot off his finger.

Green and black lights surged toward the sky.

Koo-goo-goohng!

The black fog tentacle instantly disappeared within the raging light. The being inside the light looked at Lee Gun with great interest. It spoke in a satisfied manner.

[Welcome!]

The voice contained killing intent.

[I never thought I would get to see you for myself, Thirteenth Zodiac.]

The skull, who had followed Lee Gun, reacted in fright.

[Z-Zodiac? W-What are you saying? This person isn’t a monarch...]

[He is a scammer of a Zodiac.]

The skull screamed.

[He is a Zodiac!!! I gave my item to a mere Zodiac...!]

Kwah-jeek!

Lee Gun grinned as he crushed the skull with his foot. “I’ll take good care of your item.”

The skull screamed.

Lee Gun approached the monarch. However, his brows knitted themselves as he walked closer to the being. He had no choice.

‘This smell....’

Could it be?

When he checked his surroundings, Lee Gun became sure of it. This monarch was the main culprit behind the appearance of the monsters in this region.

‘That thing is letting out the energy.’

He had to kill it. It was the reason the monsters were gathering near this region.

‘I came here to investigate, and I found something good.’

When Lee Gun approached it...

Boom!

The ground shook.

[Warning! The space-time monarch is trying to get rid of you.]

As soon as the voice spoke, changes occurred in space-time.

Lee Gun appeared in a space that wasn’t the tower. It was as if he was in outer space.

[You‘re the only god who can either destroy or save the world. Abandon the humans.]

“!”

[Come and become a monarch.]

A powerful energy swirled around him.

Lee Gun just snorted. “Is that all you have to say, you worm-food?”

As soon as he spoke, the power of the Serpent Bearer exploded.