บท 494: Chapter 494
-The battle is continuing into the night…
-It seems like Seong Jihan is gaining the upper hand, but then it looks even again…
-But he was initially being overpowered, so maybe he has a chance to win?
The clash between Seong Jihan and Dongbang Sak had now continued into the night.
When Seong Jihan's face had been shattered not long after the fight began, many expected the battle to end quickly.
However, Seong Jihan persevered, sometimes even overwhelming Dongbang Sak, continuing the fight.
To a casual observer, it might seem like Seong Jihan had a slight upper hand.
-But the darkness on his face is spreading too much…
-Right, it's now creeping over to his right side…
-Every time that old man ambushes him, the darkness spreads further… Can he still hold on?
The void had spread more extensively across his face.
His shattered left face was now completely engulfed in void.
It was even invading the right side of his face and extending below his neck.
Now, the stat Blue was barely sufficient to keep it in check.
'He's truly a monster.'
Seong Jihan thought again what he had already thought dozens or even hundreds of times while fighting Dongbang Sak.
Thanks to Dongbang Sak raising the distortion of his Martial Soul, Seong Jihan had now grown stronger,
But this only highlighted the more pronounced gap in their martial skills.
No matter how much the Taiji Sword was enhanced, it couldn't sever through.
The Taiji Sword had certainly grown stronger.
Dongbang Sak's sword of light had been shattered multiple times.
His clothes and beard often vanished at the sword's edge.
But…
-It was a decent attack.
The wounds inflicted were just superficial.
The broken sword of light would reappear.
And the blue-white sword that emerged whenever Dongbang Sak gained insight strongly pressured Seong Jihan.
'…It's not easy. There's no clear answer.'
When under the focused onslaught of the Wandering Martial God at Tuseong, it was only due to his lack of power.
Despite having similar strengths now, he thought he could win if he had the power,
But Dongbang Sak was different.
Even if he grew stronger here, could he possibly defeat him?
'Dongbang Sak is the embodiment of a true Martial God.'
The more they fought, the less he felt he could win.
After gaining confidence through the development of his Martial Soul, Seong Jihan was certain.
In terms of combat, he couldn't win against Dongbang Sak.
'Then, I need to make him use the Taiji Sword…'
Despite breaking his sword of light, he still wouldn't draw it.
While Seong Jihan pondered how to make him draw the sword,
Hiss…
The form of a snake emerged once again from Dongbang Sak's head.
[Dongbang Sak. What are you doing? Why are you being pushed back compared to before?]
"…I apologize. His power keeps growing, so it's not easy to suppress him."
[Even so, you should win effortlessly. Is he not already submerged in the void?]
Appearing again, the words spoken were instructions that ultimately held no substance.
Dongbang Sak must find it rather absurd listening to that.
As Seong Jihan momentarily observed their conversation,
"I will try harder. However, it is difficult to match his Taiji Sword with my current weapon… May I use the Taiji Sword?"
Dongbang Sak asked carefully if he could use the Taiji Sword.
'Oh.'
Was this how it ultimately plays out?
Seong Jihan momentarily anticipated upon hearing this.
[The Taiji Sword…]
After pondering momentarily, the snake responded.
[No. Do not draw that sword. He seems close to being consumed by the void, so wait for that moment.]
"…Understood."
The order was given not to draw the Taiji Sword.
'It seemed he had no intention of drawing the Taiji Sword because that snake prevented him.'
But why not allow him to draw it?
Was there something limiting him?
'Now that I think about it, Dongbang Sak seems to have noticed that my power is growing…'
Seong Jihan glanced at the BattleTube's playtime.
[12:33]
After fighting Dongbang Sak and growing stronger for more than half a day,
It was understandable that someone as perceptive as Dongbang Sak would notice.
Despite noticing, he continued fighting the same way, not mentioning it.
This was akin to intentionally ignoring Seong Jihan's growing strength.
'What is his aim here…?'
Could he be going easy on him?
But if that were the case…
Flash…!
[Martial Soul's distortion increases by 4.]
[Martial Soul and Blue form a strong connection.]
The blue-white sword that emerged from his light sword was exceedingly sharp.
If he let his guard down even a little, it wouldn't just be his face but his entire body that could be shattered.
Seong Jihan infused Blue into his Taiji Sword to block the attack.
Though the assault was fended off,
Hiss…
The void engulfing his face grew denser.
Seeing this, Dongbang Sak stroked his beard.
"The void completely engulfs your face. That handsome face of yours is now submerged in darkness."
"Yet you continue with those attacks."
"Without the permission to use the Taiji Sword, the only method to defeat your growing strength is this."
The look in Dongbang Sak's eyes deepened.
"If you do not handle it properly, I'll keep using it."
Try to block it once completely.
So he could use the Taiji Sword.
Dongbang Sak's words implied that to Seong Jihan.
'For now, I can't manifest Blue in both my face and sword at the same time…'
The outpouring void from his face was too strong, making it burdensome just to block it.
Through the system's message, he barely managed to block Dongbang Sak's attacks.
Each time, the void on his face rapidly encroached his body.
Even the stat Eternity decreased each time, now reduced to a single digit.
But,
'…If Martial Soul and Blue connect a few more times, it might be possible.'
Seong Jihan instinctively knew.
If Dongbang Sak continued this act,
Martial Soul and Blue might merge.
Then,
Both his face and sword,
Could utilize Blue.
Nonetheless, the issue was…
'…It's becoming difficult to endure.'
The flood of void was becoming unbearable.
Even if he tried to block with Blue, it had reached its limit.
'If that's the case, there's only one option left.'
While contemplating his last resort, Seong Jihan continued his fight.
Flash…!
[Martial Soul's distortion increases by 5.]
[Martial Soul and Blue form a strong connection.]
With the message, another blue-white sword came flying.
By shifting Blue to his sword, he somehow blocked the attack.
Swoosh…
However, as the void now overflowed from his face, it completely obscured his right eye.
'Damn, it's spreading faster than I anticipated…!'
Seeing the void erupt, Seong Jihan gritted his teeth.
Swoosh…
The purplish mist started to engulf his entire body rapidly.
* * *
-Oh… what's happening…
-Is it… over?
-Seong Jihan's entire body is covered…
The intense battle between Seong Jihan and Dongbang Sak reached an undesirable outcome for humanity.
Seong Jihan, completely swallowed by the void, appeared to be on the brink of death to any observer.
The battle was already decided.
-He even defeated the Blue Administrator…
-Damn it, he has already subdued two Administrators.
-The Red Administrator was not in perfect condition and the Blue Administrator is only temporary…
-At this point, he could replace his master as the Martial God.
-What are you saying, he should be the Permanent Administrator with such monstrous feats.
-They should seriously promote him as a Permanent Administrator.
Meanwhile, spectators from other planets, third parties in this matter, began unsubscribing from Seong Jihan's channel and discussing the notion of promoting Dongbang Sak as the Permanent Administrator.
On the other hand,
Dongbang Sak, with a somber gaze, looked at Seong Jihan submerged in the void.
"The void has completely overflowed… Now, it will end even if left alone."
He had held out long, yet he ultimately couldn't overcome the void.
Even after becoming the Blue Administrator, he fell without fully mastering his powers.
'…Even he couldn't make it.'
While Dongbang Sak lowered his sword and stroked his beard in silence,
[Dongbang Sak. What are you doing? Don't be complacent, finish him immediately!]
Seeing Dongbang Sak's leisure, the Martial God appeared once again, issuing a warning.
"…Understood, my master."
As Dongbang Sak responded and raised his sword again,
Zieeeng…!
A purple portal opened beside Seong Jihan covered in void.
"U-Uncle…!"
Yoon Seah emerged from it.
-Wait… Why is Yoon Seah suddenly there?
-Isn't it dangerous there?;
-Seriously…
-If she stays, both will die…
Amidst the confusion stemming from Yoon Seah's sudden appearance,
"Give… give me all the void! I'll take it all…!"
She, with tears welling up, tried to embrace Seong Jihan's body.
But.
Boom!
A giant starfish appeared between her and Seong Jihan, blocking her.
[Though you have accepted the candidate position, you can't handle such an amount now. A void of that magnitude requires inheriting the cap. You must retreat…]
"Shut up! I took the candidate position to absorb this void!"
[Can't you see with your own eyes… The void is too vast to handle.]
"…Step aside. Messenger."
[I am not under your command. You cannot order me.]
As Yoon Seah tried to hold onto Seong Jihan and as the Messenger blocked her,
The Martial God's eyes flashed.
[Dongbang Sak, she might become a variable. Kill her along with Seong Jihan.]
"…Understood."
Flash…!
Though Dongbang Sak seemed reluctant, he raised his sword.
Zieeng…
The starfish immediately created a void-infused barrier and spoke.
[As you can see, it's not possible now. We must escape!]
"I'm not leaving… I'll absorb all of the void…!"
[Ha, you'll be the worst superior at this rate. Really.]
While the Messenger sighed at the stubborn Yoon Seah,
"…Haa. You, for now, go."
"No, I won't go!.. Huh?"
Yoon Seah reflexively started to refuse, before her tear-filled eyes widened in shock.
That voice…
It's Uncle?
[No way… You've survived that state?]
Hearing that voice, the Messenger, also shocked, turned around.
And there…
"Yes, I survived."
Was Seong Jihan, levitating calmly in the air.
"U-U-Uncle, your face is… just like when you're at home…"
"Yeah. Sigh… I told you not to accept the proposal no matter what."
Seeing him fully recovered sighing at his niece who didn't listen,
"But…! How could I stand by while you were being consumed by the void…!"
Yoon Seah responded with frustration.
"Messenger, did you bring Yoon Seah here?"
[Yes, it was a condition of her accepting the candidate position. She wished to come here.]
"…Take her back home."
"Uncle, even if I don't absorb the void…"
"Am I not alright now?"
"…Yes."
Seeing Seong Jihan perfectly fine, Yoon Seah, teary-eyed, sighed.
She must have been terribly concerned.
'…I'll find a way to rescind that contract later.'
For now, dealing with Dongbang Sak was paramount.
Thinking so, Seong Jihan gestured to her to leave quickly.
"It's dangerous here. Go home."
[Alright, let's obey the Administrator and return home!]
"U-Uncle…! Wait…!"
Whoosh!
As soon as Seong Jihan spoke, the Messenger took Yoon Seah and returned through the portal.
As the unexpected guest returned to her original place,
Dongbang Sak, who had observed this with astonished eyes, finally spoke.
"Astonishing. How did you survive in that state?"
"Well."
Seong Jihan smiled at the question but didn't reply directly,
Although he didn't speak, the reason soon became evident.
Flash…!
A golden wheel appeared behind him.
"The Golden Wheel…"
Wide-eyed with disbelief, Dongbang Sak stared at it.
As it slowly turned once,
The wheel turned to dust and vanished.
[Golden Wheel…!]
Witnessing this, the Martial God's rage flared.
[Ashoka. Even in death, you seek to hinder me again…!]
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