Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 264
>Chapter Title: Adventure 33-(Special) ‘That Time Back Then’
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You are in a special situation.
Drawn by the eerie power of Mia, a woman of the Spirit Eye Tribe, you have been captured in her painting.
However, all of this was something you intended.
This place is the distant past, before the mysterious Bubble Wasteland Spirit had even revealed itself. You met the past Mia here, and before coming, you learned that she would soon witness the Wasteland Spirit.
Here, you must search for the whereabouts of the Wasteland Spirit.
Objective: Search for the Wasteland Spirit.
Warning: This adventure is extremely dangerous.
Warning: This adventure's situation changes moment by moment.
Remaining time: 「Unknown」
The word "spar" was nowhere to be found in this adventure. Moreover, Hye-myeong's name was not mentioned either.
In other words, the spar with Hye-myeong was completely unnecessary for progressing this adventure.
Swoosh…
However, Kang Seol still stood before Hye-myeong.
To him, this might have been even more important than the adventure itself.
Compared to the Hye-myeong of this time, how far had he come?
He knew the difference between the Hye-myeong on the verge of ascension and his current level was like heaven and earth, but still, Hye-myeong was Hye-myeong.
‘I have to confirm it.’
Perhaps sensing Kang Seol's resolve, Hye-myeong gave a slight smile.
"You'll work up a sweat. Mia, want to stay farther back?"
"Farther than here?"
"Yeah, quite a bit farther."
"…Okay. Then… can I draw?"
"Hmm…"
"Yeah? I'm gonna draw!"
"…Fine."
"Hee hee…"
The usual Hye-myeong disliked Mia capturing moments in her drawings. He knew how dangerous the power she possessed was.
However, his worries were not unfounded at least.
Because Kang Seol's group had come searching precisely by targeting a moment he had reluctantly preserved in a drawing at Mia's request.
"I've known since we met."
"Known what?"
"That you're hiding your power."
"……"
"Haha! Not denying it. You really are unusual. Guess I'll have to revisit the Relic Society. I thought they were just antique collectors until now, but there's people like you too?"
"Do I have to explain everything before we can start?"
"Ah! Right. Mia, give the signal."
"Okay… then…"
Hooo…
This was not the sound of swallowing breath.
It was the movement of the aura Hye-myeong had been emitting returning to his body.
"Hiss-!"
A signal exhaled with all his might from his small frame.
And in response to that signal, Hye-myeong's assault began.
"Lightly at first…"
Whoosh-!
[Hye-myeong uses Affliction Barrier.]
[Residual images are left behind with each ability use, and the residuals follow the user's movements. Residuals possess 10% of the user's maximum attack power.]
Swoooosh…
For a moment, it seemed as if Hye-myeong had split into several people—an illusion.
[Hye-myeong uses Samadhi.]
[When immersed in Samadhi, qi energy flows out.]
[The qi energy inflicts fixed damage.]
Whoooong…
Golden light radiated from Hye-myeong's eyes.
"Haat-!"
Whirl-!
The staff thrust toward Kang Seol's chest.
Zzzt…
Clang!
"Oh! It turned into a sword!"
Bitan had already transformed into a sword and repelled the staff.
Whirl…
Kang Seol also donned the Night Crow.
In an instant, Kang Seol's aura swelled enormously.
"…That's going too far with the jokes."
"Don't exaggerate."
"No, really."
Clang-!
Clang…
As the staff was blocked, Hye-myeong stamped the ground with it and then leaped into a side kick riding its momentum.
Paak-!
Kang Seol, proficient in martial arts, blocked it without using his sword.
"Not bad!"
Hye-myeong's movements changed.
[Hye-myeong uses Combo: Bell Strike.]
[If the opponent blocks the attack, they fall into the Stun status ailment.]
Hye-myeong was quite confident in this chain attack. The flowing qi energy was perfect for deceiving the eye, and if the opponent tried to block it, they would suffer even greater misfortune.
But.
Booooom…
"Dodged it?"
To Kang Seol with Foresight Eye, eye tricks were mostly nullified.
Paaaak…
"Krgh…"
Kang Seol kicked the staff away, sending it flying far.
Whoosh… whoosh…
"Hye-myeong! You okay?"
"Mia, haha… step back a bit more."
"Hye-myeong?"
"Now."
[Hye-myeong uses苦集滅道 (Suffering, Accumulation, Cessation, Path).]
[A portion of damage received over a set time is stored. If the stored damage does not accumulate equivalent damage on the opponent, it dissipates. If damage is inflicted, the opponent receives 50% of the accumulated damage.]
Kiiing-!
Hye-myeong's staff emitted a strange sound.
"You can't block this one, right?"
"……"
[Hye-myeong uses Ultimate: 108 Afflictions.]
[108 Dharma wheels can be unleashed. This is a single flow, and upon unleashing all 108 Dharma wheels, a temporary Prajna state is achieved.]
The ultimate Hye-myeong had obtained first.
A technique created even before acquiring the Golden Statue.
‘Annoying technique…’
Once started, it was hard to interrupt the flow.
Even if interrupted, it could be used continuously during its duration, with no risk.
‘Using it with Affliction Barrier—just like how I used to?’
The flow of abilities Hye-myeong had just unleashed was exactly the pattern Kang Seol had favored before. Facing it directly felt oppressively tight.
‘Still… I'll take it.’
Kang Seol already had a powerful chain from Night Sea to Shadow Sal, connecting darkness.
That would surely dismantle Hye-myeong's ultimate with ease.
However, Kang Seol had just erased that option from his mind.
To know all of Hye-myeong's techniques.
To pit his achievements against his own power now.
"Might get a bit rough—block it well on your own! Hahaha!"
Whirrrl…
Hwaaaaang-!
Like a sparkler, light burst from both ends of Hye-myeong's staff and spun.
Whirrrrl!
Paaaang-!
Paaaaang-!
With every movement of Hye-myeong, Dharma wheels poured out like a flood.
Clang!
Claaaang!
Kang Seol struck away Hye-myeong's wheels while staying mindful of his residuals.
Soon, golden wheels poured from Hye-myeong's residuals as well.
‘…This is what's annoying.’
Hye-myeong pressed Kang Seol relentlessly, giving no room to breathe.
Inevitably, Kang Seol drew up his power greatly.
Hwaaaaang-!
[Moonlight Ascension Stage 3: Full Moon entered.]
Clang clang!
Claaang!
Kang Seol received the power without deflecting it.
Asura precisely indicated the positions of the threatening wheels surrounding him from all directions.
Clang clang clang!
Clang!
Like oil splattering on a hot plate, Hye-myeong's attacks flashed ceaselessly. Even as he unleashed his ultimate, he marveled at Kang Seol's movements.
"Hahaha! Impressive! What the…."
And then, his 108 strikes ended.
In that instant, golden light exploded from Hye-myeong's body like an eruption. His hair fluttered wildly.
The true power of Hye-myeong's chain lay right here.
[Hye-myeong reaches Prajna state.]
[All stats increase by 50%, and domain is strengthened. Probability of Enlightenment and Flashes greatly increases.]
"Haaaaaat!"
Clang clang clang clang clang!
The staff danced madly.
As if possessed by fanaticism under the moonlight, Hye-myeong's training robes fluttered wildly.
In response, Kang Seol could no longer afford leisure.
[Moonlight Ascension Stage 4: Blue Moon entered.]
[All stats rise an additional 20%, and elemental damage to opponent increases by 30%.]
Whoooosh-!
With blackish-bluish aura, Kang Seol's sword cleaved the night air.
Clang clang clang!
Clang clang!
Kagang!
Kaaang!
Like bullets ricocheting, Hye-myeong and Kang Seol exchanged blows at tremendous speed.
"St-stop…"
Mia unwittingly murmured this.
The commotion had grown so large that Chiwu and Seolhong were now nearby as well.
"What… what are you doing…."
"This is…"
Kagagang!
Kagagagagang!
For a moment, with every flash of light, it felt as if parts of the world were being erased. It was astonishingly light-footed and madly exhilarating movement.
"Woo… uhahahahaha!"
Hye-myeong grinned broadly and unleashed fiercer attacks.
At that moment, his motion grew slightly larger.
Seizing the gap, Kang Seol's fist flew toward his ribs.
[Enlightenment! Hye-myeong's realm rises.]
Whoom!
Kang Seol's fist failed to exploit the opening.
‘Damn, Prajna!’
[Flash! Next movement is strengthened.]
Whoooong-!
Hye-myeong's palm glowed golden. It soon approached Kang Seol like the Buddha's hand.
Pzzt zzzt!
Kang Seol swung a fist infused with blue aura and black waves to shake off the palm.
And soon, the two collided.
Pzzt…
Kwaaaaaaaaang-!
"Keheok…."
"Puaaaak!"
With tremendous explosion, both tumbled backward rolling.
The spar ended, leaving large, ugly scars on the plateau.
"Ar-are you insane!?"
"Crazy!"
Mia ran to Hye-myeong, Chiwu and Seolhong to Kang Seol.
Whoosh-!
But it seemed there was no need to worry. Both rose as if unharmed.
"Haa… haa… hiyaaa… no, ha…."
Hye-myeong kept letting out incredulous chuckles.
"Huu… huu…"
Kang Seol had anticipated his reaction.
During Hye-myeong's growth so far, he had never met a proper equal.
Sure, there were tough opponents, but he had never fought so intensely with them, and moreover, Hye-myeong's monstrous growth speed allowed him to leave such foes at his feet in no time.
"You… what the hell are you?"
Kang Seol must have been starkly different from anyone Hye-myeong had faced.
Though unable to use his full power, the synergy with Karuna alone produced such might, so Hye-myeong must have been greatly shocked.
"You're hiding even more, aren't you? Hu… feels like puking… ugh… l-let's fight again next time."
Hye-myeong clamped his mouth and ran off a bit farther.
Thus, the spar with Hye-myeong ended.
* * *
"Did I win?"
"I didn't puke."
"Must've eaten something bad? No wonder my stomach…"
"If you'd eaten your rotten corn porridge, your robes would've been covered in puke mid-fight."
"…That's true. I admit it."
- lololol first to puke loses.
- Back in my day, first nosebleed lost.
- Masters' fights are decided by who pukes first.
- Don't wanna be a master anymore…
- It's fine. You can't become one scratching your belly in your room anyway.
- Phew! Good thing!
Hye-myeong returned after a bout of vomiting, his face pale as if his soul had fled.
"Huh… damn… does this even make sense?"
Chiwu mocked him.
"Hye-myeong, so you lost?"
"…I didn't lose?"
"Mm mm… sure, could be."
Chiwu had a talent for needling others.
"So, did you win?"
"Me?"
Chiwu glanced at Kang Seol.
"I possess infinite potential."
"What're you talking about?"
"I haven't fought Kang Seol yet."
"Fight him now."
"No! Beating Kang Seol now wouldn't satisfy me. He's tired right now. Can't fight under such cowardly conditions. Seolhong, you think so too, right?"
"…Yeah."
Seolhong was still on Chiwu's side.
For the first time in a long while, Kang Seol felt refreshed.
The presence of the Ten Absolutes in his heart had grown ever larger, peaking when he met Finn Modria's doll.
Only after sacrificing an arm and burning Toki's soul could he defeat it.
‘…I'm on the right path.’
Of course, if he had fought Hye-myeong after gaining immense enlightenment from the Golden Statue, victory would have been hard, but that point was far along Kang Seol's own growth curve, so by then he would have grown accordingly.
He was doing well.
He wasn't wrong.
This encounter with past Hye-myeong was a huge help at the moment he needed such conviction.
Perhaps even more significant than the Wasteland Spirit.
"Kang Seol."
Hye-myeong called him.
"Yeah."
"During the spar, I felt something…"
Hye-myeong tilted his head and said,
"What's inside you?"
"…Inside me?"
"Yeah, something black and heavy… anyway, something stifling filling you up."
"Ah."
Emptiness.
It must be the emptiness.
Even so, for it to be felt, Hye-myeong's power was unfathomable.
"Is it okay to just leave it like that?"
"…What?"
Thump…
Thump…
Kang Seol looked down at his chest.
"It's… pulsating, right?"
Thump…
Thump…
Zzzt zzzt…
"Urk…"
Soon, with a tearing ringing in his ears, someone's voice stirred his mind.
- …Open the door, Kang Seol.
Thump…
Thump…