The Madman's Grip (1)
pWhoosh—
/p
pBefore I knew it, I had arrived at Won Rip's castle with the madman.
/p
p‘…How utterly pointless.’
/p
pIf Song Jin were here, the madman could simply swing his hand and pulverize the entire castle.
/p
p[Is that fellow inside?]
/p
p“Yes, he is.”
/p
p[Good. A massive soul is buried beneath the fortress. Your words are not empty.]
/p
pThe madman muttered, stuffed his fingers in his mouth, and gnawed on them furiously while rummaging through his loot.
/p
pAnd then.
/p
pFlash!
/p
pThe madman pulled something from his loot.
/p
pIt was a small stone doll—almost like a stone statue of a small hall.
/p
pWhen the madman hurled the statue toward the black castle…
/p
pUwoooong!
/p
pThe stone grew larger and larger.
/p
pSwelling until it reached the size of a mountain, the colossal stone dropped onto the tiny black fortress.
/p
pCrack—! The earth itself seemed to scream.
/p
pThe black castle’s defensive barrier activated, yet it shattered instantly. The stone continued its descent and began crushing the fortress.
/p
pKu-gugugug!
/p
pThe uppermost part of the castle tore away from the stone’s underside.
/p
pAnd then blood clouds erupted from within, blocking the attack.
/p
p[Senior! I don’t know who you are, but how could you bully a junior like me during such a fortunate time?!]
/p
pThe madman’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
/p
p[Don’t worry. In my world, I will accept you and rebirth you as a magnificent new being. You will become an excellent work of art.]
/p
pAt those words, Won Rip cried out in terror.
/p
p[This madman! This lunatic…!]
/p
p[I am not a lunatic. I am an artist. She told me so. I am an artist.]
/p
pThe madman gnawed his fingers while his eyes sparkled.
/p
pWon Rip realized the man was no longer capable of understanding and desperately summoned blood clouds to shield his statue.
/p
pAnd then.
/p
pHmm?
/p
pKu-gugugugug!
/p
pA crimson light beam streaked toward us from afar.
/p
pIt looked like a divine being riding a river of heavenly light.
/p
pIt was Seo Hyoel, the Sea Dragon King.
/p
p“Madman, in such a fortunate time, why are you harassing a young junior?”
/p
pWhoosh!
/p
pSeo Hyoel transformed into human form before us and smiled kindly, lifting one hand.
/p
pUwoooong!
/p
pBlue light swirled around his palm as the madman’s statue slowly rose into the air.
/p
pAnd Won Rip sighed in relief from below.
/p
p“Madman, if something displeases you, please refrain in such a fortunate time…”
/p
pThe madman ignored the words and glared at me with glittering eyes.
/p
p[That worm will be turned into snake soup. You handle his grudge against her in the meantime.]
/p
p“…Yes, thank you.”
/p
pSeo Hyoel’s gaze turned to me.
/p
p“Oh, you’ve learned an unusual technique. Solving matters through dialogue rather than battle…”
/p
pThe madman pulled a box the size of his body from his bosom and flung the lid open.
/p
p[Shut your mouth, you blue worm! Today I will soak you in snake elixir and drink it with her!] /p
/p
p“No…”
/p
pSeo Hyoel flinched.
/p
pFrom the box, something erupted.
/p
pAfter thanking the madman, I dove straight downward.
/p
pKwoong!
/p
p‘He came back the moment I finished him last time…’
/p
pA strange feeling.
/p
pI entered the black castle.
/p
pThere stood his familiar face.
/p
pWon Rip.
/p
p[Who are you? A friend of the madman…? Then I could…]
/p
p“Hmph…”
/p
pI scanned the interior.
/p
pThe blood stench was still thick.
/p
pKu-gugugug!
/p
pAbove, massive shockwaves erupted as Heavenly Persons clashed.
/p
p“Actually, you are not my enemy.”
/p
p[What…?]
/p
pStrictly speaking, he had not yet committed the massacre.
/p
pTherefore he was not my enemy.
/p
pBut…
/p
pI scanned the surroundings and glared at Won Rip.
/p
pBlood-scented winds blew from every corner.
/p
pAnd below the black castle, countless souls howled.
/p
pThe accumulated strength he had hoarded for centuries.
/p
pConsidering everything…
/p
p“But… even if you are not my enemy, you seem destined to die.”
/p
p[What…?]
/p
pI drew my colorless glass sword.
/p
pDie.
/p
pCrack!
/p
pBefore he could react, I charged.
/p
p[Kuaak!]
/p
pIt was merely a body slam, yet it punched a hole straight through his abdomen.
/p
p[This… this guy…!]
/p
pWon Rip summoned his Dharma treasures and began pulling out more.
/p
pAnd I swung my invisible sword.
/p
pPuok!
/p
pI ignored all Dharma treasures and defensive arts.
/p
pThe invisible sword simply cleaved his body.
/p
p“Eh…?”
/p
pHe stared at me in utter confusion.
/p
pBut I offered no explanation.
/p
pAnd swung dozens of slashes.
/p
pCrack—!
/p
pHis entire body tore apart and turned to blood mist.
/p
pDie.
/p
pPuok-wa-gwak!
/p
pBeing eaten by the fox had once lodged deep inside me.
/p
pIn that past life I had raged and rampaged.
/p
pBut toward Won Rip who killed her, my emotion was pure venom—far more concentrated and sticky than mere rage.
/p
pBecause of its density, it did not erupt in excitement like before.
/p
pI swung the invisible sword, piercing his defenses without pause.
/p
pCrack!
/p
pI bypassed all physical defenses and severed only the vital points.
/p
p[Impossible! Who are you?!]
/p
pWon Rip panicked and pressed harder.
/p
pBut I calmly evaded his arts.
/p
pThe range of acceleration had changed.
/p
pPats-chuk!
/p
pAfter dodging his techniques, I closed in and struck.
/p
pThe invisible sword bypassed useless parts and cleanly severed only the forbidden pill.
/p
p[…!]
/p
pHe shuddered.
/p
pUwoong!
/p
pWhen he summoned his blood cloud, it flowed in and began absorbing his body.
/p
pAnd the severed pill began regenerating.
/p
pOne.
/p
p“Keep regenerating.”
/p
pCrack—!
/p
pOnce it regenerated, I struck again.
/p
p“I will cut it as many times as needed.”
/p
pCrack—!
/p
p“You won’t even have time to collect the blood spirits scattered near the Dabcheon Desert.”
/p
pAt my words, he flinched and glared.
/p
p[You… why do you know about my blood spirits?]
/p
p“I know nothing.”
/p
pI answered simply and charged again.
/p
p[That worm… fine, I’ll treat you as a Nascent Soul cultivator and respond accordingly…!]
/p
pUwoong!
/p
pHe summoned his Dharma treasures and guardian kings.
/p
pInstantly the odds turned 4 to 1.
/p
pBut…
/p
p‘Why…?’
/p
pWhy was I not feeling any burden?
/p
pIt was not a power or cultivation difference.
/p
pThe enemy’s intent felt even more vivid.
/p
pEven if space was overwritten by my consciousness, the same applied.
/p
pHis intentions were crystal clear inside.
/p
pBoong—
/p
pBung—
/p
pBung—
/p
pBung—!
/p
pThe blood cloud guardian king swung its axe at me.
/p
pHeaven, earth, four directions.
/p
pSix slashes rained down.
/p
pBut I let the flow take me for a moment, then charged straight at a single point.
/p
pPaaang!
/p
pWith the invisible sword embedded in my body, I shattered the weakest slash and pierced through.
/p
pThe soul spider king lunged at me.
/p
pIt swept its tail-like appendage across me.
/p
pOne hit would have torn me apart.
/p
pBut…
/p
p‘I don’t think it’ll hit.’
/p
pI evaded its attack and dodged the others.
/p
pThen.
/p
pBoong!
/p
pI fired my invisible sword at Won Rip from afar.
/p
pHe panicked and dodged.
/p
pCrack—!
/p
pThe sword changed trajectory again and pierced his body.
/p
p[…!]
/p
pHe screamed silently and poured his life force into the severed pill to regenerate.
/p
p[I see. You attack by adjusting the rank. Not just severing what you want, but changing the height of the rank itself…
/p
pThere is no more vicious attack possible for Nascent Soul cultivators than that.]
/p
pWon Rip spat.
/p
pBut I said nothing and silently dodged his guardians.
/p
pTruly, before the massacre and blood spirit collection, the madman was weak.
/p
pComparing him to the version two hundred years later made me feel guilty.
/p
pI felt his full power blocking me, yet that was all.
/p
pBoong—
/p
pBoong—!
/p
pHe sent a subtle technique.
/p
pIt was not Wansuigungmurok, yet it was hard to sense.
/p
pBut with the bizarre sensation from reaching the Daecheon Scripture, I severed it and closed in.
/p
pAnd Won Rip trembled.
/p
p[You… right now, do you not know anything about ranks? Was it not deliberate cutting, but instinctive?]
/p
pHe shook violently.
/p
p[Who the hell are you?! Get lost!]
/p
pKwaang—
/p
pKwaang—
/p
pKwaang—!
/p
pI closed in one step at a time.
/p
pEven by pure cultivation I was still inferior.
/p
pBut the true power of the invisible sword from the Daecheon Scripture shattered his techniques too easily.
/p
pPenetrate the hard parts, cut only the weak vital ones.
/p
pDefense was useless.
/p
pBlocking was useless.
/p
pBoong!
/p
pKwakang!
/p
pMy invisible sword severed his forbidden pill again.
/p
p[You…! If you cannot sense the rank, you cannot be a Nascent Soul cultivator! What is this rank-jumping ability?!]
/p
p“One question.”
/p
pI stepped in front of him.
/p
p“Is life a blessing or a curse?”
/p
p[What…?]
/p
pHe asked, confused.
/p
pSrrrrr—
/p
pI pointed the invisible sword at him.
/p
p“While fighting you, I am gradually catching on. You have been attacking only the forbidden pill, but if I focus the sensation…”
/p
pI could pierce all physical defenses and sever the most vital part—the soul.
/p
p“No matter how much you regenerate, I can kill you.”
/p
p[…!]
/p
pCompared to Won Rip two hundred years later or after the massacre, he was far too weak.
/p
pEven if the black castle granted power equivalent to the initial stage of Nascent Soul, it only amplified techniques.
/p
p‘It does not create Nascent Soul.’
/p
pThe gap between him possessing Nascent Soul and now was enormous.
/p
pOf course, he had originally been a Nascent Soul cultivator.
/p
pHe gnashed his teeth at my focus.
/p
p[You raised the rank to the limit. Haha, I could even sever a soul.]
/p
p“Answer my question first.”
/p
pI stared at him expressionlessly.
/p
p“Is life a blessing or a curse?”
/p
p[…Of course you ask that?]
/p
pHe chuckled.
/p
p[Of course! How great it is to obtain this flesh and breathe in this world! Life is a blessing, and death is the curse given to humans!] /p
/p
p“…I see.”
/p
pI had wanted to ask the same of the Won Rip from my past life, but rage had blinded me.
/p
p[Why ask that? Are you thinking backwards?] /p
/p
p“…I once did.”
/p
p[What?]
/p
pHe looked at me like a lunatic.
/p
pBut I smiled.
/p
p“But now I know for certain. Neither.”
/p
p[…?]
/p
pWon Rip looked confused.
/p
p“Life and death are not criteria for blessing or curse. And today, seeing you, I am certain. You do not seem to be living a blessed life.”
/p
p[…What nonsense are you spouting?] /p
/p
p“Nonsense?”
/p
pI chuckled.
/p
p“Even if I keep talking nonsense, is it not your true wish to live a little longer?”
/p
p[…]
/p
pThe face behind the mask twisted like a demon.
/p
p“Then fare thee well. I do not wish to see you again.”
/p
p[Wait! Listen! Calm down. First, explain why you are killing me. A stranger killing me without reason is hard to understand…]
/p
p“Understand…”
/p
pI pointed to the pungent blood scent wafting from every corner of the black castle.
/p
p“You killed them hoping for their understanding? If you thought you could trample others mercilessly, you should have known you would become the same.”
/p
p[Wait! We are not connected, right?]
/p
p“They were not connected to you either.”
/p
p[N-no! Ah! No! Save me! I don’t want to die! Please! Don’t you know how precious it is to stay alive?! Please don’t kill me!] /p
/p
p“Did someone who knew that steal another’s life?”
/p
pI struck with the invisible sword.
/p
p[No! No! Nooo!] /p
/p
pShuk!
/p
pMy invisible sword pierced through his head and shattered his soul.
/p
pWithout recovering even his blood spirits, he died.
/p
pPsss…
/p
pWhen Won Rip died, the black mask that had hidden his face crumbled.
/p
pWon Rip’s face was empty.
/p
pHe had proudly claimed a life of blessing.
/p
pYet the monster who devoured people, fused flesh, and lost even his own face—how could he have known love?
/p
pTo someone who lived a heartless life, what was life that he sought it so desperately?
/p
p‘I have no desire to know.’
/p
pI cut his soul and exited the black castle.
/p
pOutside, the madman and Seo Hyoel stood with the ghosts of his past life surrounding and surrounding him.
/p
p“Madman, please calm yourself and listen.”
/p
p[Shut up, you snake-like bastard. Do not block me.]
/p
p“Noble one…”
/p
pSeo Hyoel’s gaze suddenly turned to me.
/p
pI met his eyes and smiled faintly, lifting Won Rip’s soul.
/p
p“…”
/p
pShaaaa—
/p
pSuddenly it was cold.
/p
pSeo Hyoel kept his gentle smile, but a cold that felt like being thrown naked into the deep sea engulfed me.
/p
p‘How is it, Seo Hyoel?’
/p
pHis expression never changed.
/p
pBut I read his intent and soul.
/p
pI felt more pleasure than ever.
/p
pThe madman, having read every flicker of Seo Hyoel’s intent, began to laugh madly.
/p
p[Haha, hahahaha! Uahaha! This guy must have annoyed you, right? That’s it, you snake bastard. What new scheme are you concocting?]
/p
pSeo Hyoel watched me silently a moment, then spoke to the madman.
/p
p“It is nothing. There is a promising junior among mortals, so I am satisfied as a senior in the cultivation world beyond the clan.”
/p
p“…?”
/p
pI read his intent and sensed he was calmly organizing his thoughts.
/p
p‘Why?’
/p
pWon Rip had not been important.
/p
pJust then.
/p
pFlash!
/p
pSeo Hyoel appeared before me in an instant.
/p
p‘He jumped space just now…!’
/p
pIt was not speed.
/p
pIt was the opening of instant space.
/p
pSeo Hyoel smiled softly.
/p
p“Won Rip was a late-stage successor of the Sea Dragon Clan I once trained. But his insidious nature could not be erased, and he committed numerous massacres. You really taught him properly.”
/p
p“…”
/p
pWhat was the purpose of this?
/p
pSeo Hyoel smiled.
/p
p“This king must depart. The madman seems interested in you—be careful. The madman transforms those he is interested in into living puppets in his world…”
/p
pSeo Hyoel patted my shoulder and rose into the sky.
/p
/p
pWith blue light, he flew toward Deungsunhyang.
/p
pThe other Heavenly Persons who had surrounded the madman turned toward Deungsunhyang.
/p
pThey had been summoned before, but this time no one restrained him.
/p
p[Haha, this fortress is…]
/p
pThe madman descended after they left.
/p
p[A type of immortal treasure. It contains the power of fate. Let me see…]
/p
pHe tore at the black castle and suddenly collapsed one section.
/p
p[Found it. Is this the source of fate’s power?] /p
/p
pI glanced at where he had collapsed.
/p
pA shining stone rested inside.
/p
pWhen the madman observed it curiously,
/p
pI decided to leave.
/p
p‘Seo Hyoel is not to my liking, but he is correct.’
/p
pThe madman was truly insane.
/p
pStaying beside him would mean dissection or becoming a puppet.
/p
pI held my breath and left his side, flying toward the distant Dabcheon Desert on the invisible sword.
/p
pThus, on the very first day of my regression…
/p
pI eliminated Won Rip, the root of the Dabcheon Desert massacre, and escaped the madman.
/p
pI believed all problems of this life were resolved.
/p
p[Where do you think you are going?] /p
/p
pShiver!
/p
pWhoooing!
/p
pA crooked puppet with wings like a wasp’s hovered beside me.
/p
pThe same madman’s voice emerged from it.
/p
p[I forgot to mention. After hearing your story, I consulted her and reached an agreement. I will help your revenge and accept you into our world.] /p
/p
pWhoooing!
/p
p[Do not worry. I will evolve you into a superior being. First, stay still for a moment.] /p
/p
p‘Insane!’
/p
pI immediately drew a saw from my hand and dodged the puppet’s swing.
/p
p[Hmm? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge?] /p
/p
pFrom the puppet, the madman’s voice emerged.
/p
p[Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? Why dodge? To evolve you into a superior being? You worm, you worm, you worm, you worm…] /p
/p
pUwoooong!
/p
pThe puppet’s eyes began to glow red.
/p
pAnd.
/p
p[If you refuse, I have no choice. I will forcibly take you and evolve you.] /p
/p
pKu-gugugug!
/p
pA Nascent Soul initial stage aura emanated from the puppet.
/p
pBut that was not the problem.
/p
pFar away, the horizon I had fled.
/p
pFrom there, several more puppets with the same or stronger auras began chasing me.
/p
p‘If caught, I will be remade into a puppet!’
/p
pI felt goosebumps cover my body and ran madly through the Dabcheon Desert to escape the madman’s grasp.