Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Return
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The world froze still. From Hyeol Jung-hyuk gazing at me with intrigued eyes, to the grass and branches swaying in the wind, and even the chirping of birds—everything halted.
At the same moment, a message appeared before my eyes announcing that I'd cleared the 2nd floor.
The power of the Sun Divine Art grew even mightier. The area it dominated expanded, the flames burned hotter, and the quality of my inner energy rose to another level.
In that frozen moment, I quietly and calmly ceased circulating the technique, reverting my inner energy back to the power of Pride.
The overheated surroundings rapidly cooled, the stasis of the world lifted, and before I knew it, I had returned to the 0th floor.
"Exit."
I'd confirmed what the place was and what rewards it offered. The Ascension Tower was no longer my top priority. This was a tower within my territory—I could enter and leave at will, so there was no rush.
First, handle real-world matters, then head to the Abyss and complete the class quest.
My vision shifted, and suddenly I stood before the tower. North Korean soil, as expected. The others hadn't returned yet.
It made sense. They didn't get second chances like me, nor could they enter and exit freely. They had to grab everything they could in one go.
It would take at least a few weeks, maybe months. The tower seemed to balance time appropriately.
I moved without delay. A vehicle was prepared, as expected. After half a day's drive, I headed to the new home the black market had quickly arranged for me.
Wearing a satisfied smile, I spent the rest of the day leisurely. The next morning, I went straight to the Miracle Guild.
The reason was obvious: the lifespan extension business.
It was a massive undertaking, requiring plenty of preparation and issues to resolve. Above all, with Dangun Ji-hyeok entering the Ascension Tower, we needed to adjust the schedule slightly.
"A month from now would be best, right? Since Ji-hyeok entered the tower."
"Sounds good. No need for big publicity anyway. Only the rich can afford this service."
"If word gets out, some greedy citizens might raise a huge fuss. Can you handle that?"
I chuckled at Ki So-young's words. Why would I handle it? The Miracle and Dangun Guilds would take the heat instead.
Besides, if I were scared of that, I wouldn't have started.
"We're extending lifespans here. We deserve the price. They can scream all they want—they can't stop our business. Worst case, we shut it down and blame them. Those desperate old monsters will handle the rest."
I let out a hollow laugh as I stood.
"Use this on my little sister first. It can maintain her condition even if not extending lifespan."
"Of course. And out of curiosity—Shin Juha, you don't seem interested in lifespan extension at all. Am I wrong?"
I couldn't help but smirk at the question. She was right. I had zero interest.
After all, I was already free from the constraints of lifespan. Halfway to immortality, you could say.
"I'm fine. I've got other means for lifespan."
"Oh! From that hidden stage? Impressive! So there was more to it!"
It was a misunderstanding, but I let it slide. Better that way. I gave her a light nod and left the Miracle Guild.
My business on Earth was done. North Korea issues remained, but with Dangun Ji-hyeok gone and no intent to reveal myself, there was nothing to do but leave it be.
I took a taxi to the Abyss portal and, after just over a month, returned to the Abyss.
Aaaargh!!!
A massive body thrashed in agony, screaming as it collapsed caves and pulverized mountains. The identity of the beautiful red-scaled behemoth was the very hatchling that had come to Earth for the imugi's inner core.
Confirming its severed left side, it writhed in rage and pain.
He was of the great Red Dragon bloodline, grandson to the Dragon Lord himself. A hatchling not even a century old.
Always relying on his grandfather, his draconic identity, and his hatchling status as a shield, he'd acted with impunity—until recently, when disaster struck.
He'd encountered a god and been attacked. By one of the fallen angel race, known as the craziest of the divine seats.
From his perspective, surviving alone was a blessing. But his fiery, hot-blooded nature wouldn't settle for that. Enraged, he went whining to the Lord and elders about his wounds.
The responses were ice-cold, unlike the usual warmth and support. The moment "fallen angel" and "Demon Realm" left his mouth, they turned frigid.
It was the first time. The ones who always encouraged fiery vengeance for Red Dragons now recoiled and scolded him.
It was only natural. The Demon Realm boasted 72 divine seats alone. Though their supreme god—the one called their great king—had vanished one day, their forces remained intact.
They'd merely relinquished their title as one of the strongest divine realms. No mere dragon clan—let alone just Red Dragons—could touch them.
Born with legendary might, dragons were few in number with limited divine seats. United under their primordial Dragon God, they wielded influence, but it paled against the Demon Realm.
Thus, the elder wyrms, wise in judgment, had no choice but to tell this reckless fool to stifle his rage.
Unable to obey, he—no, the Red Dragon Ignium—couldn't leave the insult unpunished. That fallen wretch who dared mock us!
Leaving the council, he flew toward somewhere, enduring pain and suppressing fury. Not a volcanic magma pit of searing heat.
Rather, a verdant realm of lush greenery and pristine nature. Yes, the Green Dragons' territory.
Ignium crossed their airspace, polymorphed before one lair, and landed. Knocking firmly, he entered the opening entrance and reached the heart of the lair, shouting.
His call roused a dragon with long, beautiful green hair lounging on a bed. She opened her eyes and stared.
Then, with a "Pfft!", she pointed at him and burst into laughter.
Still laughing, she reached out and touched his mangled left shoulder. A miracle unfolded.
His arm began regenerating instantly. Dragon physiology meant it would take time, but such immediate effect spoke volumes of this Green Dragon's power.
Parfane's laughter vanished instantly. Of course. She'd heard words that shouldn't come from his mouth.
Stepping back, she asked.
Red Dragons were brutish. Fact. They chased rage and power, stirring endless chaos.
Green Dragons were clever and gentle (for dragons). Thus, she knew the Demon Realm all too well.
Precisely what it entailed. Broadly, the Demon Realm split into the Devil Realm of demons and the Black Demon Realm of demonkin. Rivals who clashed, yet kin evolved from the roots of ma (demon) and ak (evil).
Hence, they called themselves the Demon Realm united. Competing internally, but uniting against external threats.
Home to the 72 Demon Kings and Seven Deadly Sins lords. Some lost or vanished, but...
And right now, the Demon Realm was volatile.
Only a novel suicide method came to mind. But Ignium shook his head firmly.
Seeing her kin consumed by madness and rage, Parfane shook her head. Hopeless. He wouldn't listen.
A god's soul. Its value beyond measure.
Opening his subspace and proudly displaying the yeouiju, his childish antics left Parfane shaking her head.
As expected, she couldn't ignore a fellow hatchling, stepping onto the forbidden path with him.