The Return of the Poison Dark Emperor
Dang So-wol had put forward conditions that were far more demanding than expected.
Even so, there was a reason Lee Jin-hyuk accepted them all.
Compared to her potential and ability as a player, these terms were practically nothing.
Besides, given her current situation, asking for this level of insurance was entirely reasonable.
"First. I won't step a single foot inside that vessel until I'm absolutely sure it's safe."
"..."
"And that's regardless of whether I side with Majuron or become your ally, Jin-hyuk."
Of course, refusing to enter the vessel also meant she wouldn't become his companion.
After all, she hadn't spent enough time with Jin-hyuk to build deep affection or trust yet.
Without proper compensation, she wouldn't budge.
"That won't be an issue."
"Can you be sure?"
"I'll prove it to you myself."
Jin-hyuk's eyes gleamed.
Truth-Seeking Eye
Instantly, the inner flow of the vessel laid itself bare before his eyes.
The blood vessels, the pathways of energy, the muscle tissue, and the skeletal structure all came into clear view.
"You see, runes are carved into every single one of these bones."
"...Those eyes. They really are a cheat code."
"Right? I think so too."
For the next several hours, Jin-hyuk walked Dang So-wol through the details, proving the vessel's safety.
Since Jin-hyuk possessed a portion of Chardis's memories and Dang So-wol was highly knowledgeable about vessels, the work progressed at lightning speed.
This is insane... Absolutely insane.
In fact, the more Dang So-wol inspected the vessel, the more certain she became.
If she could only claim this body, she could truly become one of the top players in the Tower.
She could even reach the realm of a High Ranker—a stage all players revered as a dream.
"Alright."
With her doubts cleared, Dang So-wol smiled and extended her hand to Jin-hyuk.
"Let's do this. Partner."
"Sure."
In this way, Jin-hyuk successfully reconnected with another bond from his past life.
Not as Leni, nor as Luneta, but as Dang So-wol.
Knock, knock.
Since her additional conditions were all reasonable, Jin-hyuk accepted every single one.
Utilizing Chardis's memories, he began modifying the vessel alongside Dang So-wol.
Fortunately, they were currently in the Dang Clan's estate.
Not only did they have access to poisons, but all kinds of rare herbs and ingredients needed to construct a body and enhance its functions were readily available.
They could easily fill in whatever the vessel lacked.
Dang So-wol was even applying the scientific and medical knowledge she had accumulated over the years.
Whenever they hit a biological limit, she supplemented the vessel with mechanical parts, giving birth to a body with efficiency incomparable to any ordinary human.
Of course, in terms of raw strength and functionality, it couldn't compare to Jin-hyuk's own body, which had been designed to house the soul of a Constellation.
But still...
He swallowed hard.
At this rate, she'll be at least as strong as Russell.
Even if her raw physical stats fell slightly short of Russell's, Dang So-wol's true specialties lay in curses and magic anyway.
Furthermore, when it came to handling spirits and Wailing Ghosts, her talent was almost on par with Jin-hyuk's in his past life.
Of course, Jin-hyuk's past life had been under such unique circumstances that matching him completely was impossible.
But this is easily the best among the current players in the Tower.
With that thought, Jin-hyuk continued to assist Dang So-wol in modifying and perfecting the vessel.
"Still, I didn't expect you to permanently engrave magic circles onto it."
"Human skin peels and decays too easily. It's much cleaner to carve them directly onto the bones while the body is still dormant."
"But aren't there already runes carved there?"
"They might be powerful, but they're highly inefficient."
Dang So-wol added an explanation.
"You see, Majuron's curses prioritize raw power over efficiency. But for my poison and magic, efficiency is everything."
Even though Jin-hyuk possessed Chardis's memories and had experienced countless things through regression, he couldn't fully comprehend the intricacies of what Dang So-wol was doing.
Even with his intellect, the exact mechanics of her work went over his head.
Well, I'm sure she has her reasons for erasing those painstakingly carved runes.
Mumbling to himself, Jin-hyuk double-checked.
"You said you won't start from level one once you enter this vessel, right?"
"Yes. My stats might fluctuate a bit, but my level and most of my skills will remain intact. Though... as you mentioned, incorporating Chardis's tentacles might cause some mutations."
She grinned.
"Don't worry. Unless someone literally winds back time itself, my level isn't going to drop."
"..."
"Hey guys, are you busy?"
"Unni!"
Dang So-wol quickly grabbed her.
"Thank you. Always."
"Oh, it's nothing..."
Every now and then, Kaelion would bring them meals, fruits, and other snacks.
"Hahahahaha! Aren't your bodies itching for a fight?!"
"I told you to go play with the Shaolin guys over there."
"Those guys are too weak!"
Russell, who had grown bored of sparring bare-handed with the Shaolin monks, would occasionally drop by and disrupt them.
A few more days passed in this manner.
"Now, we just need the final piece."
"The final piece?"
"Yes. But..."
Dang So-wol hesitated for a moment.
"Majuron has that piece."
"So Majuron has it..."
Jin-hyuk nodded.
In any case, Majuron must have almost complete control over the Heavenly Demon Cult by now. Cheon Hyang-un should be there as well.
He rubbed his chin.
"Well, our objective remains the same either way."
"I suppose so."
"Once we get that item, will everything be complete?"
"It might take a little time, but yes, it will be complete."
Dang So-wol gently touched the hand of the dormant vessel.
"I've accounted for every variable."
"Good."
Streeeeetch...
Jin-hyuk stretched his limbs for the first time in a while and stepped outside.
"Now that we're almost done, there's something I wanted to ask you personally."
"Personally?"
"Yeah. About stacking curses. Is it possible to..."
Thud!
Just as Jin-hyuk was about to ask, a maid rushed in from outside, panting heavily.
"M-My lady!"
"What is it?"
"He has arrived!"
Pant... pant...
"The Patriarch has returned!"
Before the players known as the "Four Heavens" emerged in the Tower...
...the title given to the strongest players was "Emperor."
Just as the Leader of the Martial Alliance held the title of Fist Emperor.
People collectively referred to them as the "Five Sacred Heaven Emperors."
One of the only five emperors currently ruling the Murim was the Poison Dark Emperor.
Dang Gun-san.
Even if he was destined to die later while climbing the Tower for unknown reasons, he was not someone to be taken lightly.
He was a monster among monsters who had maintained his position as a High Ranker for decades.
In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that the Sichuan region remained intact despite being surrounded by the Orthodox Martial Alliance, the Heterodox Alliance, and the Demonic Cult solely because of his presence.
"I..."
Inside the Patriarch's Hall of the Dang Clan.
A man sat on a magnificent throne reminiscent of an emperor's, resting his chin on one hand.
Dressed in robes of green, black, and gold—a combination permitted only to the Patriarch of the Dang Clan—
Dang Gun-san smiled.
"...have returned."
"We greet the Patriarch!"
"We greet the Patriarch!"
"We greet the Patriarch!"
The members of the Dang Clan and the elders, notorious for their immense pride, all bowed their heads in unison.
His overwhelming charisma and the aura he exuded were suffocating.
Because his aura was laced with the invisible poison radiating from his body, very few could dare to approach Dang Gun-san of their own free will.
"Congratulations on your return, Patriarch."
"Indeed."
It was his first return in seven years.
Dang Gun-san smiled with satisfaction as he looked around the Patriarch's Hall, which had grown even more lavish during his absence.
"At this rate, I might as well declare myself an emperor of old."
"Hahaha."
"You speak the truth, Patriarch."
No one present thought his words were an exaggeration.
In terms of both power and influence,
he was indeed the emperor of Sichuan.
"I shall begin the report..."
"No. Before that."
Dang Gun-san raised a hand with a smirk.
"It seems we have quite a few unusual guests visiting."
The moment Dang Gun-san snapped his fingers,
"...!"
Oh, no.
Again?
It's been a while since he did this. *Sigh*...
The elders and clan members filling the hall scrambled to exit in an instant.
As they fled, the surrounding air grew noticeably heavy and suffocating.
He had released his invisible poison into the air.
This was a wicked habit of Dang Gun-san's whenever he received guests.
It didn't matter if they were messengers or envoys.
If they lacked the minimum strength required to withstand his poison, they weren't even worthy of laying eyes on him.
It could be seen as the pride of Dang Gun-san, the man who had protected Sichuan from the other factions and the various floors of the Tower.
The problem was that this invisible poison was incredibly potent even by the standards of the Dang Clan, meaning very few could endure it.
Only a few elders with high poison resistance and his direct descendants, who had undergone brutal training, managed to remain.
"Ugh..."
"...*Cough*?!"
To make matters worse, Dang Gun-san's invisible poison was incomparably stronger than before.
"Grrr...!"
The elders trying to hold out found their vision blurring.
Soon, their tongues dried up, and their consciousness began to fade as the blood in their lungs felt like it was freezing over.
Yet, the elders of the Dang Clan were not elders for nothing.
Unlike the others who had collapsed, they managed to endure the poison to some extent.
Watching them struggle with all their might, Dang Gun-san wore a devilish grin.
"To think the ones supposed to lead the past, present, and future of the Dang Clan are struggling against a mere breeze of poison. Tsk tsk."
In truth, his words were highly unfair.
He was ranked 9th.
He was the highest-ranking player currently active in the Murim floor, and one of the top ten strongest beings in the entire Tower.
Even if he was holding back, merely surviving the poison he unleashed was a testament to one's formidable strength.
"Oh?"
Although they were drenched in cold sweat and constantly circulating their mana, there were a few unexpected individuals who stood firm against his invisible poison.
The one standing at the very front, showing the least outward distress, was a young man who looked like the spitting image of his younger self.
It was the Young Master, Dang Jun-seong.
"You have made progress."
"...Thank you."
Perhaps because it was a compliment he hadn't heard in a long time,
a smile played on Dang Jun-seong's lips despite the fact that he looked ready to collapse at any second.
"And you. Are you Dang So-wol?"
"Yes, Patriarch."
"I heard you were with the witches. Hmm... Is that why you possess such peculiar power? Interesting."
Following Dang Jun-seong, Dang So-wol was also withstanding his poison.
Even though she relied on magic circles and skills, and even though blood trickled down her lips from the strain,
she was holding her ground remarkably well.
Looking at the only two who remained standing, Dang Gun-san chuckled.
"Let them in."
With Dang Gun-san's permission granted, the guests waiting outside began to enter one by one.
"...*Gasp*!"
"What in the world is this?!"
"...!"
Most of them collapsed in heaps before even crossing the threshold, overwhelmed by the leaking invisible poison.
"..."
Witnessing this pathetic display, Myeonghyeon, the Fist Emperor leading the Shaolin delegation, frowned.
Only Hyeon-beop, his direct disciple and the one designated as the next abbot, managed to endure it slightly.
"...Amitabha...!"
Perhaps conscious of Dang Jun-seong's gaze on him, he channeled his golden mana and forced himself forward, step by step.
*Thud!*
But even he could only hold out for so long before collapsing to his knees.
"..."
In the end, only Myeonghyeon, the Fist Emperor of Shaolin, was able to look the Dang Patriarch in the eye.
"...Amitabha. You still indulge in such a wicked habit, Patron Dang."
"What is more honest than poison, you bald monk?"
He chuckled.
"It separates the strong from the weak, the predator from the prey, with absolute simplicity."
*Pfft.*
"What, was kneeling once not enough for you?"
"...!"
At the blatant provocation, a thick vein throbbed on Myeonghyeon's temple.
The surrounding elders were also snickering at him.
It was an open insult, a display of sheer contempt.
Though his pride was wounded, there was a more pressing matter to address.
"Patriarch Dang. We must join forces—"
"Oh...?"
"...?"
A gasp of genuine admiration escaped the Dang Patriarch's lips—a sound none of them had ever heard from him before.
Startled by this reaction, Myeonghyeon instinctively turned around.
"...!"
His face instantly paled with shock.
*Step. Step.*
Shrouded in the light of white armor, enveloped in a blazing white flame that looked like a divine blessing—
a man walked forward with absolute confidence, looking like a knight descended from the heavens.
This... this is impossible.
Myeonghyeon's eyes widened in disbelief.
Even I, the Abbot of Shaolin and the Leader of the Martial Alliance, am struggling to withstand this pressure...!
The absolute dominator.
Lee Jin-hyuk had arrived.