Resonance of the Soul Eater

"......?"

Just hit it.

The returner Ho Young said it with unshaken eyes.

Swoosh.

I instinctively pulled the lantern closer to my chest.

This wasn't some household appliance... and besides, modern appliances are delicate these days—they break if you hit them.

"Will hitting it really fix it? It seems like it might just shatter for no reason."

Cheon Iryeong, the hunter crouched beside me, voiced her concerns as well.

From what I'd seen so far, Ho Young was a yaksha with purely destructive power. If he struck the lantern with that fist, wouldn't it shatter into pieces and scatter?

Ho Young shook his head.

"It's not a simple physical strike. It's a resonance of souls. If you're going to do it, leave it to me. I'll wake it up right now."

His voice carried considerable confidence.

At that moment, Sa Choiheon, who had been watching beyond the cave, turned back.

"If it's the lantern, it's safe to entrust it to him. He may look rough, but Ho Young's knowledge spans multiple dimensions."

As Sa Choiheon said this and turned to leave, he added one more thing.

"......And you two—excluding Mumyeong—show a bit more tension. An elder's strength surpasses imagination."

"Fixing the lantern is important, right? Probably."

Cheon Iryeong glanced at me as she spoke.

I nodded.

It was quite important. Whether the skill cooldown reset scrolls get distributed would determine how many times I could use Instant Death.

'Even if I can handle death energy, it's still not enough.'

To face enemies beyond SSS-rank, more reset scrolls were better. Even if it was a ma-in elder.

"So, are we doing it?"

Ho Young asked again.

My deliberation didn't last long.

"Do it."

The souls lingering around were too valuable to waste. If it could enhance performance quickly, then we should.

"Then let's begin."

Ho Young took the lantern from me and raised one hand. As I handed it over, the lantern trembled faintly, but enduring pain for growth was necessary. Of course.

Whoosh— Boom!

Ho Young's raised hand blade fell straight down. A powerful shockwave erupted from the ground.

"......"

The spot where the hand blade struck was deeply cratered. But it didn't touch the lantern. At the moment of impact, the lantern spun and dodged.

As expected of an ego item.

Ho Young said impassively.

"No manners."

Crunch!

Ho Young pinned the lantern with his foot. He bent his knee and raised his hand again.

Clang!

Ho Young's hand blade struck the lantern. A clear striking sound echoed through the cave. The air resonated like an echo.

Soul resonance.

It was a resonance that shook the entire body.

Ho Young didn't stop the strikes.

Clang, clang! He hammered the lantern mercilessly.

"We'll head out as soon as the lantern's repair is done."

Sa Choiheon anxiously gazed into the darkness beyond the cave.

"As I explained before, the elder can paralyze the system. Skills might not work depending on the situation. Giving him time isn't good."

It was information he'd shared before entering the gate.

"But then how do we fight?"

"Fight without skills."

Sa Choiheon answered Cheon Iryeong's question simply.

"That's one reason we entered the gate with a small elite team. Few hunters can wield power without the system's aid."

"Ah, without skills."

Cheon Iryeong seemed to understand.

I had a rough idea too.

The returner Ho Young wielded immense brute strength without the system's help.

Cheon Iryeong freely handled chaotic power. Sa Choiheon was a master of Space Sword.

I could wield the Nameless Sword without skills, so a counter existed.

'The best is to end everything with Instant Death before the system paralyzes.'

If not, I'd have to pull out the prepared contingency.

Clang—!

Another clear strike echoed. Crackle, crackle... The thoroughly beaten lantern stopped vibrating.

Crack, craaack...

The white and silver decorations around the lantern began falling off one by one, and finally, the lantern's form started to change.

A galaxy flowed down the lantern's glass, and soon, a faint starlight enveloped the entire lantern.

A star had been added, like the apostles' dedicated weapons.

What had changed?

The moment I thought that.

Clunk.

The lantern flew into the air. It thrashed its body wildly in midair.

A message appeared before everyone simultaneously.

"Oh, it spoke!"

Cheon Iryeong exclaimed in admiration.

The ego item Soul Eater had finally opened its mouth.

"Success."

Ho Young grinned.

It didn't end there.

Hummm—.

The soul of the top-tier ma-in circling in the air began seeping into the lantern.

Crackle, fizz—.

This time, it wasn't forming a rift.

The newly evolved Soul Eater could now interfere with the system.

At the same time, in another SSS-rank gate.

Lucifer and Isaac were advancing through the straight-line dungeon interior.

"See? Even top-tier demons aren't much. When's a worthy opponent gonna show up?"

Unlike Lucifer's leisurely stride, Isaac kept his tension high.

'The last enemy we took down was a top-tier demon, so who knows what'll come next...'

A straight corridor.

And enemies placed sequentially.

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like the demons were probing Mumyeong's forces.

'Of course, apostles' strength is so unpredictable it's hard to measure... From my position, just watching their exploits is gratitude enough.'

The reincarnator Isaac was drawing deep inspiration from Lucifer.

Superior beings' mana utilization far surpassed human understanding.

Isaac's current realm was 8th circle.

The de facto maximum for humans. 9th circle was semi-divine, 10th was god's domain—off-limits.

Isaac was a true powerhouse who could freely cast various magics without skills. Gazing at Lucifer, he recalled the previous battle.

'Output restricted by limits, but the magic structure itself is profoundly superior knowledge.'

Just assisting in battle beside Lucifer taught him much.

The 9th circle realm he'd never reached in his lifetime.

This life, he might even touch it.

"I'll trust and follow."

"Huh? Whatever. Just don't get in the way."

Step.

Another enemy appeared before Isaac and Lucifer.

"What is it? The magi is insane. Not a demon?"

But the feel was different from before.

"Grooo... Grooo..."

Clearly human in form. But no longer human.

Thick magi flowed down like mist. Red glowing eyes turned this way.

The instant it did.

Boom—!

Over 30 meters closed in an instant. The fellow hunters couldn't even react. Crunch! One hunter's arm was torn off.

"What..."

Red blood splattered onto Lucifer's cheek as he narrowed his brow.

"Gaaah!"

The fellow hunter screamed. Isaac reacted swiftly.

"Jacob!"

With his shout, ice spears pierced the magi-covered human.

Pierce, pierce, pierce!

Even with three spears lodged, the magi human didn't stop. It thrashed more violently. Craaack! As the ice spears fixing it began to shatter.

A intense explosion surged from Lucifer's spear tip. The roar shook the entire dungeon.

The magi-covered human was blasted back, slamming into the dungeon floor. Yet it staggered to its feet after the attack.

"What, it tanked that?"

Lucifer's eyebrow rose.

"Jacob, snap out of it!"

"Urgh..."

Isaac pulled a potion from his inventory and poured it on the wound. Fizz, crackle! Noise surged from the wound—no effect.

"Wh-what? Why isn't the potion...?"

"Everyone, calm down. Forgot? The elder paralyzes the system. Don't worry. My magic will work."

Shaaa—.

Only after Isaac's recovery magic touched did the arm-torn hunter's expression ease.

Isaac sighed in relief and turned to Lucifer.

"......A sinner from the demon realm."

"What's that?"

Sinner.

"Heroes from other dimensions who sinned against the demon world. They've been remade into the elder's toys."

"Hoo."

Lucifer shifted his gaze with interest.

"Finally, a decent opponent."

"W-wait! Hold on!"

Lucifer spread his wings and charged the sinner. Crunch! The black spear pierced the sinner's chest.

"Just inject black mana and... Huh?"

But something was off.

Crackle, fizz!

Noise rippled around, and the dedicated weapon wouldn't obey. Black mana wouldn't gather. The sinner's arm reached for Lucifer.

Leap.

Lucifer reflexively widened the distance.

"Explain, mage."

"Seems the elder's power is infused in the sinner. In this case..."

Isaac explained belatedly.

"Control Cessation. An innate ability to paralyze the system."

"Tch, shoulda said that earlier."

"First time seeing it myself."

Fear gathered in Isaac's eyes.

He recalled it.

A distant dimension, an empire's capital falling. Crumbled buildings and raging flames.

What destroyed the flourishing empire was a single sinner.

The black giant advanced, spewing magi like smoke.

Continent's renowned mages were helpless. Sword masters' blades useless.

No one stopped it, and a continent turned to black land.

'Different type from then... but just as chilling.'

Isaac bit his lip.

Sinners were the demon world's secret weapons. Their appearance meant the ma-in were serious.

Fizz!

Sparks flew from Isaac's fingertips. Blue lightning tore through the air.

The sinner hit by lightning twisted. Movement halted briefly. It worked.

Isaac judged quickly.

"Good, skills still work. But touching that hand seems to temporarily halt the system."

"Tch, annoying."

Lucifer tossed his spear and spread his right hand. A black beam shot toward the sinner.

Boooom—!

No weapon, yet terrifying power.

"Kuh."

But the sinner grotesquely twisted, dodging the beam. It even left an afterimage charging at Lucifer.

Even the level wasn't visible. Isaac swiftly cast a shield on Lucifer. Craaack! The thick shield shattered instantly, but it bought a moment.

Lucifer didn't miss it.

Boom—!

Magic beams from both hands blasted the sinner away. The bounced sinner rolled endlessly across the floor.

"What kind of movement is that?"

Lucifer ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clicked his tongue.

"You apostles need extra caution."

"Me? Unlike humans, I'm not dependent on the system. A few hits won't..."

"Not what I mean."

Isaac shook his head without taking eyes off the fallen sinner.

"You're a summoned being via skills. You'll be heavily affected by Control Cessation. A graze might disable an arm..."

"That's it? For demons, they used their brains for once. Whatever."

Lucifer spread both hands.

"Just finish from range."

Lucifer's eyebrow rose. Isaac's support was timely. Battle sense wasn't bad. Reincarnator, was it? Handled magic better than looks.

Spell deployment and cast speed were decent. He'd thought humans' seven stars nonsense laughable. Isaac was an exception. That Ho Young too. Sa Choiheon was trash, sure.

Not time for idle thoughts.

Lucifer said curtly.

"Augment my firepower with magic."

"Got it. I'll give my all."

Boooom—!

Isaac's blue mana spiraled around the black magic beam. Power and speed surged. Enough to pressure the sinner.

Indeed, the sinner couldn't approach easily.

The problem was the other apostles.

Melee-focused Gabriel had no choice but contact. But on contact, that part lost control.

A groan from Blue Dragon too. Their foe was a ranged-attacking sinner.

Only Myth+ Fierce Flame had the upper hand.

Shared vision with Gabriel, but not Blue Dragon.

Hard to assist each other. Per Sa Choiheon, gates needed simultaneous clears.

Then, master Joo Kanghyeok's voice came.

- Use that.

"Lord Drimuer, as expected, the sinners are holding their own against the apostles."

The long-haired female ma-in bowed her head.

Receiving the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠report, Elder Drimuer stroked his white beard.

"Hmm..."

Elder Drimuer watched all from his study. Seated comfortably, he turned book pages.

A study filled with all kinds of books.

Outside the window, pitch-black cosmic space.

Vast space etched with planets and stars.

A dimensional rift connected to the SSS-rank gate Mumyeong's group assaulted.

Drimuer's hideout existed within.

Drimuer spoke leisurely.

"Superior beings or not, once descended to earth, mere beasts. No match for natural predators."

The sinners Drimuer released into the gate were seeds nurtured meticulously over ages.

Each a hero representing a dimension. True, after long brainwashing and magi infusion, they'd lost past vitality.

But vessels excellent enough against apostles.

Combined with Drimuer's Control Cessation, synergy peaked. Summoned apostles couldn't rebel easily.

"As expected."

But info still lacking. Needed more intel here. Mumyeong's power extent.

Must discern each detail.

Pity no records from Apocalypse Knight. Info gap from escaped chief Ganon regrettable.

"Apologies. Should've watched Ganon properly..."

"No matter. Extract useful info via sinners."

"Can drag battles for quality intel. Maintaining status quo."

Just watch apostle battles.

Especially Mumyeong's.

As Drimuer leisurely turned a page, gate scenes transmitted.

"Hm...?"

Hard-pressed apostle Blue Dragon pulled something out. Not battle-useful.

A camcorder.

For recording. Magic stone embedded, supporting gate comms.

Blue Dragon filmed the sinner instead of fighting.

Gabriel did nothing.

Just retreated, staring intently.

Next instant.

Fwoosh—!

The painstakingly crafted sinners exploded as if on cue. Mumyeong's technique.

"Hah..."

Drimuer groaned displeased.

Even souls didn't return. Absorbed like into a black hole, exiting gate toward Mumyeong.

Thick sinner souls gathered to Mumyeong.

Drimuer's wrinkles deepened. Gripping brow, he asked irritably.

"Remaining sinners?"

"About 10."

Sinners were strategic weapons.

One could destroy a nation. Four exploded simultaneously.

Contemplation.

Send more to dog death?

Or attrition war?

Mumyeong's power—how far?

Drimuer's eyes deepened.

No sinners, gates fall.

Gates led to this dimensional rift.

Drimuer prepared for worst.

Top ma-in dismissed Mumyeong, got crushed. Apocalypse Knight fallen—foolish to underestimate.

If Mumyeong's power real...

Must capture, make his own.

"Deploy all."

Drimuer's lip curled grotesquely.

That moment.

Crack, craaack!

Soul Eater, having absorbed massive souls, began spilling items from the rift.

Unique skill reset scrolls,

Platinum coins,

Apostle enhancement stones—all poured out.

As if it'd held back until now.

"Oh..."

This time, items were duplicating.