The World Teeters on the Brink
The sound of a chop sounded like a bell tolling in my ears.
After the split from the Blood Death Sect’s branch, I walked forward through ankle-deep water that had locked the path into a slippery mire.
“… .
With every step the feeling that something was wrong grew heavier in my chest.
At first I told myself I was imagining it.
But the farther I walked, the doubt hardened into certainty.
Only moments ago I had stepped forward as if I were burying myself alive in the earth itself.
Now the ground felt like it was pushing me outward, as if trying to drag me into the world again.
-Rustle.
A foreign sensation brushed against my chest.
I reached in and pulled it free.
The ledgers from the Blood Death Sect that So Yeomgyo had given me.
No seals, no bindings.
They were rolled into a tight scroll.
I narrowed my eyes and peered through them, trying to read the characters.
The script was dense, almost illegible, every line crammed so tightly it hurt to look at.
“Is the sect leader really willing to hand over un-sealed ledgers to some random man…?”
I shook my head and tucked the scrolls back into my chest.
Something slid between the pages.
“…?”
I bent and picked it up.
It was a cheap trinket made of gold and red threads woven with copper.
The kind of gaudy ornament you could buy for a child and it would still look tacky.
“This is…”
It was exactly the one the Blood Death Sect leader had bought in the marketplace before the Dark Qi Tournament.
She had haggled for a long time over the price, then picked it anyway, grinning like a child when she finally bought it.
I remembered the way her eyes had sparkled.
“No way…”
I unrolled the scroll.
On the paper her neat handwriting was written with such care that the lines were so packed together you couldn’t find any empty space.
And every line wasn’t a ledger.
It was something else entirely.
The Art of Making Stir-fried Noodles.
-Um, beer.
Well, let me explain slowly. In making noodles, the most important thing is the texture of the dough, right? You probably haven’t cooked much before, but don’t worry. I’ll teach you from the beginning. So, then…
How to Make Spicy Eggplant.
How to Make Won-ton Skin.
How to Make Soft-Boiled Eggs Quickly.
…
…
…
What could I possibly say about that?
I had nothing to say.
At the very end she left one last sentence.
You’ll live.
-Kwoong!
A thunderous boom shook the ground.
-Kururung…!
-Kukung…! Bang! Bang!
Far away, the shockwaves that shook heaven and earth rolled into the cave like thunder.
Shock after shock crashed one after another, as if the world itself was ending.
[Host?]
Mumyeong spoke.
“…”
I slammed my foot down.
Every thought froze.
There was only one thing I had to do.
My body vanished.
My shadow vanished.
Only after they disappeared did the water droplets that had been resting on the spot where my feet had been fall, and a faint thread of lightning faded where they had been.
-Chejeong!
With a roar I had never heard before, a torrent of water exploded outward.
I poured every ounce of strength into it.
I ran at full power.
-Pababarbat!
When I rounded the bend I saw a vast square flooded with purple light.
“!”
The battle had already reached its climax and was beginning to slacken.
Despite the square being paved with rock hundreds of times stronger than iron, it had become a mess from the two men’s collision.
In the very center of the purple square stood two figures.
One was the giant I assumed was Ilmanhyeolje, the Ten Thousand Blood Emperor.
One sword was buried in the ground, the other raised high, pointed straight at me.
Oh.
Ilmanhyeolje noticed me and smiled in delight.
Finally! You’ve come, Bi-ryu!!! The villain who insulted me, Ak Ryu-yeop, is finally—!
His voice was too distant to make out.
Below him, right under the blade, was her.
So Yeomgyo.
Her clothes were torn and soaked in blood, her face gaunt and empty.
Oh. Charging straight in like this? A single fighter?
Ilmanhyeolje chuckled coldly.
A foolish, pitiful mortal! Even if you’re a mere fighter without a treasure, the leader of the Blood Death Sect would be at least alert and fighting with everything she has. But against someone like you—!
I’ll accept your challenge! I won’t hold back, you little ant! Laugh at me all you want!
So Yeomgyo had always worn a fierce expression.
Her magnificent uniform was ripped.
Her left arm was broken.
On her wrist the cheap bracelet she had bought in the market was crushed, the blood smeared on it still fresh.
Her thigh was slashed open.
From her abdomen blood flowed without stopping.
“…”
I thought our eyes met.
In her dying gaze I saw a single tear form—
“Uaaaaaaa!!!!”
-Pajik!
I became the very Thunder God and charged.
Behind me, red and black energy spiraled like a storm.
From every pore on my body black thunder poured out like rain.
I unleashed every stage of the Sura Great Annihilation Dharma, the ultimate final battle art.
I exploded even the hidden strength in my veins.
Ilmanhyeolje’s eyes widened.
Wait. That black thunder— is this definitely the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Guardian—?!
Every blood vessel in my body burst open.
I no longer had any tomorrow to worry about.
I no longer had any future to promise myself.
I would not let even a single moment of tomorrow pass me by, only staring straight ahead…!
[In the jianghu, when chaos reigns, heroes are born—!!]
This was the final chapter!
The true meaning of a secret technique!
This was my ultimate final battle art!
[Liu!!!]
With black thunder and the shadow of the Blood Death Sect leader, Ilmanhyeolje and I collided like two storms colliding.
-Kwaaang!
I closed the distance to So Yeomgyo and crossed fists with Ilmanhyeolje at full power.
-Bwoong!
His stomach crumpled from the force.
-Kwak! Kwakwang! Kwakwang! Bang!
Seven punches rained down with blood flying, smashing his nose and abdomen.
I seized the hand Ilmanhyeolje had stretched toward So Yeomgyo’s chest.
Hmph, you think you can grab my hand…
His face lost all its arrogance.
What strength—!
At the same time I drove my elbow into the back of his shoulder holding the sword.
I struck with the other sword.
-Chejeong!
Under the massive impact the sword flew off.
The long blade sliced through the air and shot upward.
Ilmanhyeolje’s eyes filled with shock.
You let me drop my sword?
I locked my hands together and shoved with all my strength, driving Ilmanhyeolje away from So Yeomgyo.
How dare you—!
Ilmanhyeolje roared in rage.
Oh, I’ll show you! You ignorant little ant who doesn’t even know what kind of trash you are!
-Kikikikiki!
-Pajik! Pajijik!
Purple spiritual energy and black lightning exploded wildly from the two men facing each other.
This feeling… I know this feeling!
Ilmanhyeolje’s voice overlapped with Ak Ryu-yeop’s in my ears.
Who are you?! Who are you inside you?!
[Memories… the forgotten memories!]
Mumyeong’s voice trembled from the depths of my soul.
[Ilmanhyeolje is also one of the products of the White Lotus Demon Sect! His contact has become the catalyst that awakens my forgotten memories!]
“Kwaaaaa!!”
Blood reversed in my mouth.
Every blood vessel in my body ruptured.
-Juruk.
Black blood dripped from my lips.
My black uniform fluttered wildly.
-Ji… jik… jik.
Both feet retreated inch by inch under Ilmanhyeolje’s overwhelming force.
Cr… crckck!!
Ilmanhyeolje smiled with crossed hands.
-Peok! Pok!
Veins burst in both my eyes.
“Eek!!”
A pained groan escaped my throat.
-Peokgeok!
The shoes on my feet, which couldn’t withstand the pressure, exploded.
With red bloodstains, my bare flesh peeled off and left two lines of blood on the ground.
-Pek! Peoreok!
My muscles tore apart under the strain.
-Waduk! Udok!
My bones twisted and cracked.
-Tteok! Waddok!
My entire body began to deform.
Blood started flowing freely.
Mumyeong shouted.
[No! We’re losing! Host!!]
And behind me So Yeomgyo was leaning against the wall, dying.
“!”
I bit my bloody teeth.
-Kiiing!
Red light blazed even brighter in my eyes.
I lifted my head.
Black thunder erupted from my body.
-Pajik! Pajijik!
-Cheok!
I stepped forward with my blood-soaked bare foot.
I moved farther from So Yeomgyo.
One more step.
Using my trembling hand, I grabbed Ilmanhyeolje’s wrist and shoved.
One step.
Just one more step.
Just one more…!
I put all my strength into my shaking arm.
“Aak! Aaaak! Aak!!”
I gritted my teeth.
Every vein in my eyes burst.
Ilmanhyeolje’s feet began to retreat little by little.
Ilmanhyeolje muttered.
Thi-this kid…
His voice was filled with shock.
In our time when madness was called madness, there was no one even close to this insane brat…
Suddenly he noticed two new lines of footprints right in front of him.
What? Could it be…?
They were the two lines of footprints left by the man I had thought was a mere fighter as I was pushed back.
Ilmanhyeolje’s purple eyes shook.
… Even the Guardian has no room for defeat against me.
His purple eyes shook violently with inferiority.
It was no longer the arrogant, storm-like aura of the Guardian Ilmanhyeolje, but for this moment closer to the self of Ak Ryu-yeop, one of the Three Evil Young Masters.
Ilmanhyeolje murmured with Ak Ryu-yeop’s eyes.
I swore I would give you the humiliation I felt.
The momentary anxiety made my hands and feet tremble.
I swore!!!
And Mumyeong caught it.
[Host, now!!]
“!!”
The Sura Great Annihilation Dharma stage— Liu,
The Blood Sect’s Hyeol-yeong-mu-hwan-sin-sul,
I unleashed the red light like a raging fire and shoved both of Ilmanhyeolje’s hands away.
Oh no!
I embraced Ilmanhyeolje and charged at full speed.
-Jjeong! Jjjeong, Jjjeong!
I tore through the qi wall.
Behind me was the wall.
Not an ordinary wall—a cave with steel hundreds of times stronger than iron.
Ilmanhyeolje shouted.
Insane! What the hell are you—?!
No evasive techniques.
Both bodies slammed together with full weight.
The Hyeol-yeong-mu-hwan-sin-sul at the peak of its power, carrying the acceleration of the strongest straight-line strike in the jianghu, slammed us into the cave wall.
-Kwaaang!!
Our organs rattled.
“Kuek!”
<-!!!>
From both our mouths intestines and blood flew out.
Swallowing the disgusting blood that rose into my throat, I shouted.
[Mumyeong! Crush all your remaining energy!]
[…! Understood!! The remaining energy is only one and a half tiers! The power consumption for Liu’s state is extreme, so be careful!!]
-Kkuduk! Kkuddeuk!
Lower body muscles contracted violently.
The Hyeol-yeong-mu-hwan-sin-sul accelerated even further.
I lifted the struggling Ilmanhyeolje entirely and scraped along the cave wall as I slid down it.
“Kwaaaa!”
Under my palm Ilmanhyeolje’s flesh was crushed to pulp.
I hung on with all my strength.
The wall collapsed.
Billowing dust flew everywhere.
Shards of rock fell.
-Kwang!
I shattered the protruding rock pillar.
-Kwang!
I smashed the second pillar.
-Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
The third, fourth, fifth!
Thi-this bitch—!
Ilmanhyeolje’s palm spread toward the sky.
-Uung!!
One of the two swords that had been thrown flew back, wrapped in purple energy.
It trembled, then rose into the air.
It shot straight at me.
Mumyeong screamed.
[Host! The sword!]
-Whirick!
In a flash the sword flew and landed in Ilmanhyeolje’s hand.
-Bamchok!
The long blade I had extended pierced my abdomen.
“Kwaaaak!”
My desperate scream echoed.
I retreated.
With black thunder and blood spurting, Ilmanhyeolje shouted.
Step back, you bastard— kuek!
-Kwaang!
I grabbed the long blade and kicked Ilmanhyeolje’s face with my foot, smashing him into the wall.
My abdomen was pierced only by a thin layer of hard muscle.
I stared at him while holding the blade.
My eyes bloodshot.
“Uaaaak!!”
I ran toward Ilmanhyeolje while the blade pierced through his abdomen.
Ilmanhyeolje was startled to the core.
Wha-!
I slammed my fist into his face with the black thunder wrapping my knuckles.
His face was crushed.
I kicked his face.
I pulled out the blade and threw it, then pushed off the ground and rushed forward like a mad dog.
Mumyeong shouted.
[You can’t give him distance! The moment you give him distance he dies in a flash! The remaining energy is almost gone!]
I desperately clung to him.
Damn it, distance—!
Ilmanhyeolje tried to pull me off, I tried to cling tighter.
Don’t mess with me!
He gestured.
The sword that had been thrown came flying back.
The moment I caught the blade he slashed at my shoulder with his own sword.
It cut deep enough to show the bone.
Because of the Chiljong-heukjusa-gap I barely blocked it.
-Chejeong!
The huge rebound force sent me flying with sparks flying.
My body trying to fly back—
-KwaJik.
I bit down on his shoulder with my teeth and held on.
His handle struck my eyelid.
“Aak!”
I twisted and flew back.
Bone cracked.
I grabbed his hair and yanked, slamming his face with my elbow.
I raised my knee to his chin.
I, I—!
Ilmanhyeolje staggered.
His eyes couldn’t accept the current reality.
… Fighting on equal terms with such trash…?
-Kkdeuk.
Ilmanhyeolje gritted his teeth.
The game is over! I’ll end it with the ultimate final battle art— Thousand Hands Guanyin!
Ilmanhyeolje spread both hands wide.
Mumyeong shouted.
[Twin swords! He’s trying to use full power!]
-Pabat!
The remaining sword following his hand flew wrapped in purple energy.
You thought you could just let it be!
His main technique was twin swords.
His body technique was slightly inferior to mine.
I smashed his knee resisting with body technique with my elbow wrapped in black thunder.
Kwaaak!
Ilmanhyeolje finally let out a truly painful scream.
-Bwoong!
I caught his flying long blade.
Ilmanhyeolje shouted desperately.
My sword!
I lifted the sword and screamed until my throat tore.
“Mumyeong! Please!”
[No way.]
-Kiiing!
Red light exploded in both my eyes under the power of the Heavenly Demon Jade.
I gritted my teeth and shouted.
“Nam-sang and Sam-mae-ji-mak!”
-Bloodline Experience Sync
-Body Extraction System Complete
-Cheonma Dae-seogo Current Martial Arts Execution
A black flame-like thunder exploded in my head.
I felt as if my head was being blown apart.
A gloomy voice like thunder rang in my mind like the final bowstring.
-According to Cheonma Dae-seogo
Current copied martial arts simultaneous release!
The Blood Sect’s Hyeol-yeong-mu-hwan-sin-sul, the Kongtong Sect’s Hwan-yeong-dae-sin-bo, the Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Spinning Dagger, the Moyong Family’s Ssangryong-seonpung-geom, the Blood Death Sect’s Hyeol-ma-sa-ryun-sae-geom, the Shaolin Sect’s Jin-cheon-sam-ma-kwon, the One Reed Crossing Three Section Staff, the Eight Directions Wind Striking Staff Method— all the offensive rising martial arts I had ever learned fused together and poured like a storm toward Ilmanhyeolje.
Damn it.
Ilmanhyeolje’s eyes widened.
Even if I find the counter—! With dozens of martial arts mixed together—!
-Kwado do do!
Dozens of different cuts poured out.
Kwaaaaa!!!
Ilmanhyeolje’s protective qi shattered.
It tore apart.
Dusty smoke billowed.
Underneath, almost all his flesh was gone, barely covered by his pale arm bones.
-Chiik…
-Kkuduk-kkuduk…
With hazy smoke Ilmanhyeolje’s body was slowly, slowly recovering, countless pieces of flesh reknitting and healing.
Underneath, a pulsing gem the size of a heart appeared.
Mumyeong shouted.
[Host, the gem!]
“I know!”
I had never expected this to be the end anyway.
There was one last move left.
The ultimate move I had learned in this Dark Qi Tournament.
I pulled back Ilmanhyeolje’s long blade.
[End-of-South Sect final battle art!]
-Kukugugu!!
A silver light gathered around my body.
With the power to split anything in an instant, it gathered.
I gritted my teeth.
“This is the end!”
I swung the sword toward Ilmanhyeolje in front of me with my last strength and shouted the true word.
[Nine Palace Slash of the Demon—!]
-… Kiiing.
Red light faded from both my eyes.
“A.”
A terrifyingly empty sensation ran through my entire body.
-Pajik.
All black thunder on my body vanished.
-Cheok.
With my battered body the giant long blade in my hands fell to the ground.
What all of this meant was one thing.
I lifted my head.
“The energy—”
-Bamchok
With purple light, Ilmanhyeolje, who had only bones left, raised his head.
-Kwa kwa kwa
Ilmanhyeolje rushed toward me at lightning speed.
-Peok
My full-power kick from the Blood Death Sect Guardian struck my unprotected abdomen.