Bab 377: Chapter 377
One week later.
As Seong Jihan continued playing regular games in the state influenced by Heaven's Chaotic Flow, he thought,
'Now, it should be fine to kill.'
Fundamental Divine Arts,
Triad of Martial Mastery:
Mount Tai Suppression
Swoosh!
He swung his sword downward, cleaving his opponent vertically in two.
The powerful blade aura didn't just slash the opposing player but also tore through the space above where he stood.
"Gah…"
[The final opponent is dead.]
[The game is ending.]
[Your level has increased by 1.]
[Having reached level 450, you are now eligible to participate in the Star League promotion match.]
A notification of reaching level 450 appeared along with the message that he could now participate in the Star League promotion match.
'To think I'd get to the promotion match in September.'
Heaven's Chaotic Flow, imposed by Dongbang Sak to restrain him.
Seong Jihan hadn't yet gained enough insight to undo it with Martial Soul alone, but he had been able to use it effectively for leveling up.
'But the opponents in the Star League will be stronger, so it will be difficult to use Heaven's Chaotic Flow as I have been.'
Although he had won first place in every regular game over the past week, there were many close calls where he could have died.
If that was the case even against Grand Master League opponents,
It would be tough to bind all his abilities like this in higher leagues.
While Seong Jihan was contemplating about the Star League,
-Look! That definitely seems like the Martial God's sword. The power wavelength and attack range are identical!
-Identical? I have videos of the Martial God and that's nonsense. How could you even compare low-tier race sword skills with those of the Martial God? You've been making no sense for days now.
-What? I have a video too. Want to bet?
-Sure. Post your video first. I'll be the judge.
-No, you post yours first. You started this argument. -_-
In the extraterrestrial chat window, an intense argument was ongoing.
Ever since Seong Jihan had mentioned the Martial God a week ago, the chat had been a constant forum of debate over whether his martial arts belonged to the Martial God.
'They're at it again.'
Seong Jihan thought to just ignore it and move on.
However,
-Check out this video via the link. Look at that. It's exactly like the Martial God. He's way stronger.
-That's a different technique. Post one using the same martial arts.
-If you know the Martial God's martial arts, shouldn't you be able to perform this too, right?
'A different technique?'
Seong Jihan followed the BattleTube link posted in the chat.
There,
In the newly surfaced video, the Martial God with his face obscured by darkness, extended his hand toward the earth.
Rumble…
Suddenly, the ground split apart, and lava began to erupt from the crevices.
The Martial God's technique transformed the world into a sea of fire in an instant.
Seong Jihan's eyes sparkled with intrigue.
'This is new to me.'
In his past life, from the Martial God, he had learned the Nameless Divine Art.
It consisted of the basic Triad of Martial Mastery and three advanced techniques: Divine Thunder Decree, Dark Shadow Technique, and Annihilation God's Secret.
None of these, however, had effects like the one he just witnessed.
'Well, the Nameless Divine Art probably didn't encompass all of the Martial God's techniques.'
From the discussions in the chat, it seemed the Martial God had been hunting Constellations for a long time.
Besides Triad of Martial Mastery and Annihilation God's Secret, he must have used other martial arts.
Seong Jihan keenly watched the Martial God utilizing his martial arts.
'Hmm… Even with Martial Soul, I can't replicate it just from watching the video.'
He had thought it might be possible to mimic the Martial God's techniques with Martial Soul.
But it seemed unless seen in person, it wasn't possible.
'This extraterrestrial, a real Martial God enthusiast, huh.'
Inside the BattleTube link he followed,
Not only the earth-shattering Martial God, but countless recordings of his martial arts execution were documented.
After ending the broadcast, Seong Jihan earnestly explored that channel's videos.
'Truly powerful.'
Bang! Bang!
Most videos featured the Martial God, and with just a movement of his hand, the world would burst apart.
While it wasn't incomprehensible like Dongbang Sak's Taiji Swordsmanship,
It seemed like the Martial God's sheer power output was on another dimension, simply overwhelming his opponents.
Seeing a planet split by Mount Tai Suppression made Seong Jihan unknowingly click his tongue.
"Ha."
As much as he grew, would he ever stand a chance in battle against him?
A bit dismayed after viewing the Martial God's collection by his enthusiastic follower, Seong Jihan widened his eyes at the next video.
'Huh? This is…'
This time, it appeared to be the Martial God fighting a constellation wielder who used clones, resembling a monkey.
After several clashes, realizing it stood no chance against the Martial God, the monkey Constellation declared,
[Martial God… I retreat this time, but I will surely seek revenge next time!]
It split its body into tens of thousands of clones, attempting to flee from him.
But.
[…]
Ssshhh…
As the Martial God moved his hand, darkness bloomed, creating a massive whirlwind.
And As the whirlwind stirred,
[Oh no…!]
The numerous clones were sucked in and annihilated instantly within it.
The giant whirlwind of darkness, this was a technique well-known to Seong Jihan.
"Dark Soul Vortex …"
One of the techniques from Dark Shadow Technique that Seong Jihan frequently used, Dark Soul Vortex, albeit the Martial God's version was on a much larger scale, the essence was the same.
'But wasn't Dark Shadow Technique obtained after subduing the Shadow Queen?'
He had acquired Divine Thunder Decree after subduing the Thunder God and Dark Shadow Technique after defeating the Shadow Queen.
Seong Jihan had always believed these two techniques originated from those victories.
Yet here was the Martial God using Dark Soul Vortex, a technique supposedly gained from the Shadow Queen, who was currently intact and wielding her own sword.
"Queen, were there others among the Shadow Elfs who were subdued by the Martial God?"
[Not that I am aware of.]
"How then is the Martial God using this power…?"
[Are you referring to that swirling vortex? Well, it must have been obtained by conquering some entity of darkness. Such kinds of techniques are quite commonly used.]
While Seong Jihan was viewing the video alongside the Shadow Queen, who nonchalantly responded,
'No. It's definitely Dark Soul Vortex.'
Convinced by his possession of Martial Soul, Seong Jihan was sure it was the same technique.
That the Martial God used a martial art originally thought to be earned from a future conquest was perplexing…
'…Something doesn't add up.'
Rewatching the Martial God using Dark Soul Vortex several times,
Seong Jihan couldn't help but think of the Abyss's owner—himself fragmented into pieces, raggedly stitched into the fabric of Taiji's lost soul.
Numerous versions of Seong Jihan had all been shredded by Dongbang Sak's Taiji Swordsmanship.
But originally, why were there so many Seong Jihans, and why had they all died like that?
'…I need to subdue the owner of the Abyss for answers.'
Seong Jihan recalled the owner of the Abyss during the human extinction scenario—a formidable adversary even in a stationary state.
Moreover, disturbing him wrongly could summon the Taiji that could obliterate humanity.
Even though Seong Jihan had grown significantly since then and could utilize the Star Buff,
He was hesitant to confront such a foe without certainty of victory.
'Then I need to practice the Taiji Swordsmanship, but with no training room, that's impossible right now.'
The Taiji Swordsmanship, an incomplete skill handed down through the Abyss's owner,
Perfecting it seemed essential for conquering the owner of the Abyss.
For that, the shattered Void Training Room needed to be repaired first.
'Or I could try to resolve the Heaven's Chaotic Flow myself, and enter the second stage of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation to practice there…'
Still elusive and complex, the flow of Heaven's Chaotic Flow is such that reaching level 500 might happen quicker than deciphering and undoing it on his own.
'Regardless, I need to ascend to the Star League first.'
From the Grand Master League to the Star League.
Seong Jihan waited for the day of the promotion match in September.
* * *
At the end of September.
A small party was being held at the Sword Palace's Daegi guild office.
The guild master, Lee Hayeon, had called only key personnel to celebrate.
The occasion was to salute the two players, Yoon Sejin and Yoon Seah, who were participating in September's Master League promotion match.
Bang!
"Congratulations to both of you! Finally, after the boss, we have Master League players!"
As fireworks burst, Lee Hayeon smiled broadly.
Yoon Sejin scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"We've only just made it to the promotion match, not yet promoted… But thanks for the congratulations."
"Hey, if we're going, it's a promotion!"
The title of humanity's first Master Leaguer had already been taken by Seong Jihan.
But since then, no newcomers had followed suit for a while.
However, as September arrived and past Diamond League players finished leveling up,
One by one, more players were ready to undertake Master League promotion matches.
"In the US, player Oliver is also joining the promotion match this time."
"Player Barren seems to be able next month…"
"Seah, you've really grown fast. How have you reached the Master League already?"
"Hehe. Late Bloomer is getting really good. Just like its name."
Late Bloomer referred to an extraordinary ability that helped China's Jin Yushua start late but climb to the world's second ranking.
Yoon Seah had this, and with her mother, Seong Jiah, as a constellation,
She was showing a brilliant progression this year, aside from Seong Jihan.
"Jihan, what's above the Grand Master?"
"The Star League. I'm moving up this time."
"Ah, so you're going up this time… Wait, this time?"
Meanwhile, as Sophia was chatting alongside Seong Jihan,
She blinked in surprise at his words.
"Wait… you haven't been in the Grand Master rank for long, have you?"
"I accelerated the leveling with an ability seal."
"Whoa… Uncle, you're also going for a promotion? Did you reach level 450?"
"Not exactly. I wasn't supposed to say anything! Today wasn't supposed to be about me."
"We'll get a table ready for you right away!"
It turned out not to be a party occasion for those climbing to the Master League.
While the guild's officials were taken aback and hurriedly rearranging the seating to feature Seong Jihan,
"No, that's fine. Save the party… yes, for when I become a constellation."
"A Constellation?"
"Yes."
"With your pace, uncle, becoming a Constellation seems imminent…"
"We should still prepare a spot now!"
"Ay, really, let it be."
With a bit of back-and-forth over the party seating, the matter was eventually settled.
Then,
Seong Jihan caught up with others on recent happenings.
"Anything new lately?"
"The guild is still sailing smoothly. Your authority is so solid now that no one dares trouble us."
"Since humanity evolved, human players have been trending upwards in BattleNet, creating an exceptionally positive atmosphere. Everyone wishes it would always continue this way."
Post-evolution, humanity on BattleNet had immensely improved, especially since Diamond Leaguers were now frequently matching with extraterrestrial races,
Winning at a significantly higher rate, adding competitive strength was one reason for the increased number of players moving up to Master League this month.
But,
"Well, the personal downside… it's still about those with physical transformations. While I'm lucky with just pointed ears, those with fangs have had their lives inconveniently altered."
"With the increased support from Constellations, we're advised to beware some odd ones."
"Guess they've decided that low-tier races are worthy of patronage."
"Yes. But there are demands from Constellations as cruel as human sacrifices, so the alliance is officially investigating."
Human sacrifices.
'Considering what extraterrestrials do on BattleTube, it's sufficiently plausible.'
Thinking of the BattleTube, popular for broadcasts of alien torture and dissections, Seong Jihan frowned.
Increased support from Constellations was good, but this was a downside.
And Yoon Seah, overhearing Lim Gayeong's conversation, chimed in on the topic.
"Ah, come to think of it, I heard something about a constellation too. The Half-Elf community said a specific constellation is extensively supportive."
"Half-Elf community? What's that?"
"A community formed by people with ears like mine."
Why choose such a name? It sounded like a minor version of elves.
Seong Jihan thought this as he asked Yoon Seah,
"So, what's the name of that specific Constellation?"
"'Owner of Tuseong'."
"Owner of Tuseong…?"
That would mean the Wandering Martial God?
'He's acting publicly like this?'
When Sung Jihan's eyes were filled with doubt.
[He claims to be the 'Owner of Tuseong'? Must be out of his mind.]
He received a message.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone