Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 272
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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Ziiing...
A beam of light filled the illegible runes.
- I haven't gotten my hands on a legal tool yet, but that guy's head will do just fine.
[Obsidian Origin Force activates.]
Whirrr-!
In an instant, an energy flowing from Jamad's hand enveloped Karuna's body.
[Origin Force: Uses Shadow Play.]
[Shadow Play's target and caster have all stats increased by 20%.]
[The target of Shadow Play shares senses with the caster.]
[Insufficient information known about Shadow Play.]
"What the...?"
- Alright, let's give it a test run.
Pop-!
Pop-!
Kwaaaang-!
Karuna and Jamad split off in both directions, lunging at Gersundae. He struck the spot where they had stood, a beat too late.
'What in the world...'
Strangely, Karuna's senses seeped into Kang Seol. Jamad's in the form of a night raven made sense, but he could even feel Karuna's energy from afar.
'The Immortal you mentioned—it's from an ancient scripture I found on that guy's bookshelf.'
'...What?'
'Call it theft. It's a power even I'm trying for the first time. Why? Squeamish about a little stealing?'
Kwaaaang-!
A night raven smashed into his temple.
Kang Seol snorted.
'No, feels right at home.'
Jamad laughed.
"That's convenient."
Kwaaaang-!
Kwaaaang-!
"I'll kill you... I'll kill youuu!"
Despite its grandiose name of Thousand-Armed Guanyin, Gersundae fought like a beast wrapped in tough hide.
Had it abandoned reason for raw physical prowess?
Kaaang-!
Paaak!
Whether that judgment was right or wrong remained unclear.
In truth, Jamad and Karuna's attacks weren't landing properly. No—Jamad's in night raven form were somewhat effective, but Karuna's kept bouncing off repeatedly.
'Not easy to pierce...'
Papap-!
Sharing senses allowed for better coordination. One created an opening, the other drove the attack home.
Kwachik...
Whoooong...
"Urk..."
Even so, it was no easy fight.
'Hey, Kang Seol.'
'...What?'
'I'm handing control over to you now.'
'What? Why?'
Jamad had been at the forefront against Gersundae all this time, yet now, at the height of tension, he was yielding control?
'Because I have to.'
'What...'
When Jamad had returned and taken night raven form, he had said:
- Assimilate, Kang Seol. Understanding comes first.
Kang Seol had brushed it off amid the urgency back then, but there was something more important than assimilation.
'Understanding?'
He had assumed it meant grasping the new sorcery, but apparently not.
Jamad suddenly transferred control of the night raven to Kang Seol.
'I'll support you. Go wild.'
'Suddenly what—huh?'
As control of the body returned, a massive power surged through him.
'This is...'
'Yeah, you feel it too.'
Time seemed to slow for Kang Seol.
Chijik...
His eyes met Karuna's through their shared senses.
Pajijijik!
A sensation like lightning striking the field.
A bizarre power that made every hair stand on end.
'Yes... this is...'
Whoooong...
Even as he ducked Gersundae's hand, he felt everything about Karuna.
The air currents from his movements, the flex of his muscles, the direction of his dark waves, and even his next target in his gaze.
He felt it all.
In that moment.
[The time of No-Self arrives.]
[Probability of brief enlightenment greatly increases for a short time.]
In this situation where he could feel even a single drop of sweat.
It was still not enough.
His thirst remained unquenched.
This wasn't mere desperation to find an opening or movement.
It was the arduous path to something greater, something better.
Senses awakened, entering a state of enlightenment.
And all these senses liberated once more as they connected with Karuna's gaze.
Chijijijijik-!
[Foresight Eye resonates.]
[Enlightenment! Awakening new ability.]
[Night Raven: Awakens Migratory Bird.]
In that instant, Kang Seol's body and mind flew somewhere.
[Night Raven: Uses Migratory Bird.]
[Releases Night Raven form with 'Myriad Forms Jamad.']
['Myriad Forms Jamad' enters standby.]
[Takes Night Raven form with 'Moonlight Knight Karuna.']
[Night Raven: Migratory Bird can be used up to 5 times maximum.]
[Night Raven: All stats increase by 10% each use of Migratory Bird.]
Without any preparatory motion or discord, Kang Seol fused seamlessly with Karuna.
Kkaduduk!
Karuna's energy shifted abruptly.
【Huh? Why am I...】
Perhaps linked to Kang Seol, Lament had swapped places and merged with Karuna's sword.
The surging energy loaded into Lament.
Kwajijik!
Kang Seol swung Lament, severing Gersundae's hand.
The breakthrough began.
Kwajik!
Kwaaaak!
Whoosh-!
Hands flew in from all directions. At this rate, the attack flow would break.
Once more, lightning struck from Foresight Eye.
Pajijik-!
[Night Raven: Uses Migratory Bird.]
[Releases Night Raven form with 'Moonlight Knight Karuna.']
['Moonlight Knight Karuna' enters standby.]
[Takes Night Raven form with 'Myriad Forms Jamad.']
The perspective flipped instantly.
No—since senses were shared, it was merely a choice.
【Aaah! Again!】
Lament screamed, now coated over the armor.
Kwak-!
Kwajijik!
Kang Seol smashed the opening Gersundae left by targeting Karuna.
His movements were far lighter than before, his fists carrying greater power.
"Kraaaah!"
Now sensing the crisis, Gersundae screamed.
Its sturdy body crumbled like sand before Kang Seol.
Whoosh-!
This time, hands lunged targeting Jamad.
Pajik-!
[Night Raven: Uses Migratory Bird.]
As Karuna's energy surged again, Gersundae's movements predictably shifted toward him. It had sensed something off in the repeated pattern.
But Kang Seol had merely varied it.
[Night Raven: Uses Migratory Bird.]
Once more, Jamad charged through the sloppy gap.
【Uweeeek! Dizzy!】
Lament complained of vertigo from the frequent shifts.
Gersundae's chest was right in front of him.
But hands still blocked the way.
Whoooong...
Gersundae's hand pressed in.
Gersundae hadn't noticed.
Having perceived Karuna and Jamad as two separate entities, it failed to grasp the flow their movements created.
Sreung-!
Gersundae's hand sliced by Karuna's sword.
Shared senses meant organic movement on par with a single being.
"Th...!"
Gersundae desperately summoned another hand.
But that action was already too late.
Jamad's hand swelled massively.
[Switching to Prophet Stance.]
[All attacks ignite with infernal flames.]
[Explosion occurs at impact point.]
[Lightning spreads at impact point.]
[Aftershock generates at impact point.]
[Persistent: Igniting flames apply.]
[Persistent: Burning warmth applies.]
[Persistent: Tingling shocks apply.]
Eudeududuk-!
His enormous hand hurtled toward Gersundae's chest.
[Night Raven: Uses Iron Fist Rule.]
[Shadow Hand Persistent: Affected by igniting flames.]
[Shadow Hand Persistent: Affected by burning warmth.]
[Shadow Hand Persistent: Affected by tingling shocks.]
Kwaaaaaaaaaaang!
A massive hole tore through Gersundae's chest, cracks spiderwebbing across its body.
Jeojeojeok-!
"Uh... uhhh..."
Gersundae couldn't continue.
Jamad met its eyes and bid farewell.
- Welcome to the unknown, ghost.
"Uh... uhh..."
Jamad returned from the void.
And soon, Gersundae began to crumble.
[Gersundae defeated.]
[Achieved special feat 'Bang-Zzak-Hwik.']
[Acquired special title 'The One Who Severed the Right Arm.']
[Mid-journey settlement of the Great March occurs.]
[Acquired Evil Spirit's Relic.]
……
* * *
"Huff... huff... Let's go together, Hye-myeong!"
"Can't be late! I'm going ahead, Choo! Take care of Mia!"
"Damn it, got it!"
The golden statue, which had been chattering noisily, had gone quiet some time ago. That only heightened Hye-myeong's anxiety.
'Kang Seol... please be safe!'
He prayed fervently his wish would reach.
Thanks to the precious time Kang Seol had bought him, Hye-myeong finally reached the Wasteland Bell.
This droplet, shining dazzlingly at a glance, emanated energy utterly opposed to malice. No—to all evil.
And what Hye-myeong gained wasn't just that.
Whoooong...
Now, Hye-myeong's body was wreathed in flames like a bonfire. The only difference was their brilliant golden hue.
The moment he touched the Wasteland Bell, he had awakened.
The power hidden in the golden statue.
Watara's true power.
And surely, with this power...
'I can face the pursuer. I can save Kang Seol!'
It would be ideal to fight the pursuer alongside Kang Seol, but honestly, he didn't dare hope for that much.
'Just stay alive, somehow, Kang Seol.'
He wanted to repay the grace and miracle somehow.
Emotional turmoil usually distanced one from enlightenment, but now was different.
The storm of desperation and earnestness drew forth power from another dimension entirely.
Whoooosh...
Pajijik...
With every step he dashed, thunderous booms echoed like lightning strikes.
That was how he nearly reached the spot where he had parted from Kang Seol so briefly ago.
'There... just beyond that door!'
Kwaaaang-!
Hye-myeong kicked the door flying.
He had no reservations left.
He wanted to ring the Wasteland Bell right now.
It was a shame, but if ringing it kept Kang Seol alive, he'd ring the damn thing endlessly.
"Kang Seol! Where are you!"
Battle aftershocks had turned the terrain into a mess.
The path was so wrecked it barely remembered its original shape—evidence of their desperate fight.
"My god... no!"
He sensed the lingering power of the pursuer.
And some other unknown force.
Had it been torn apart by this power?
"Kang Seol! Answer me! Where?!"
Pop-!
Paaat-!
Debris floated with Watara's power.
Hye-myeong leaped across it like flight.
"...Hye-myeong."
From the endless darkness, Kang Seol's voice echoed.
In that moment, Hye-myeong felt his heart drop to his gut.
"I found the Wasteland Bell. The bastard is..."
Hye-myeong strained to pierce the darkness beyond.
"Where..."
He said it, but he already knew the answer.
His eyes held the massive floating corpse in the dark space.
Kang Seol, sitting on a floating chunk of debris, half-turned his head toward Hye-myeong.
"It's... over now."
Gersundae's mangled, shattered corpse floated hollowly in the void.