Chapter 303
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 303
Chapter Title: Tianxia Gate
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Tianxia Gate.
A massive sect whose name meant placing the heavens beneath one's feet.
I was the sect leader of that sect.
What was its exact name again?
I remembered it having an incredibly badass title, but the details escaped me.
All I could recall was that I had led that enormous sect.
And Tianxia Gate was a sect that made monumental contributions to preventing the great destruction.
Yet that sect fell in an instant.
It was because of an absurd dungeon that opened up.
At first, it was just a simple game.
The system opened to all of humanity, and everyone immersed in martial arts migrated into it.
By simply raising the system's numerical values, they could effortlessly surpass walls that would take a lifetime of training to overcome.
Power was like a very sweet fruit.
Those who tasted that sweet fruit became obsessed with boosting their status instead of cultivating.
And Mukho, the sect leader of Tianxia Gate at the time, was no different.
Only after reaching sixty did I touch the edge of the Flower Realm. That alone was an incredible achievement... but status let me surpass that realm.
Mukho sought to make Tianxia Gate even mightier through status.
To that end, he began monopolizing dungeons using the sect's power and pressured others to stay out unless they joined Tianxia Gate.
As time passed, Tianxia Gate grew stronger, while forces that failed to monopolize fell into decline.
Mukho, the master of Tianxia Gate, saw his prestige rise day by day.
No one would dare touch Tianxia Gate now.
That was what he thought.
Until a dungeon of unknown level engulfed Tianxia Gate.
A dungeon of unknown level?
Jeong Hoon, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head.
Mukho nodded.
Yeah. It wasnt just any dungeon. The moment it opened, some bastard came out and slaughtered everyone in Tianxia Gate without mercy.
Hmm...
The foes you faced, Master, were in a whole different league.
At the time, Mukho had practically monopolized dungeons and opportunities.
As a result, he reached the staggering level of 1,500.
With opportunities added, all his stats exceeded 1,200, and he wielded Ultimate-grade items.
Even so, he couldnt stand against that thing.
Lord-grade... or beyond.
Mukho nodded.
Right. Even Baal, who loved gambling, was nothing compared to that guy.
Hmmm.
Jeong Hoon fell deep into thought.
Status, dungeons.
There were many similarities, but differences from Earth existed.
The key one was the presence of episodes.
The dimension Mukho had lived in had no episodes.
In other words, there was no way to end the game.
For some reason, episodes were a new system granted to Earth.
Master, this is just my guess, but... if you meet the Designer in your current state, you wont even be a match.
Probably.
There was no solid info on the Designer, but it couldnt be weaker than the one who toyed with Mukho.
After all, it was the mastermind who designed this game and drove countless dimensions to ruin.
But we cant avoid achieving the episodes either.
......You need to get much stronger than now. To a level incomparable to your past self.
It wont be easy...
It was sincere.
The thing called itself Abaddon.
Abaddon?
It meant destruction, death.
It was a name Jeong Hoon had never heard before.
Ask about it after winning the bet with Baal.
The Designer has the Seven Deadly Lords, right?
Yeah.
Mukho nodded.
Then Anima cried out in objection.
No, I oppose it.
Oppose?
Yeah. So what if we get info on this Abaddon? It changes nothing. Better to complete the Seven Deadly Lords, figure out the Designer, and crush it. Thats way more beneficial.
Anima had lived for many ages as an ancient dragon.
And met death at the hands of a Transcendent, reduced to a mere tool.
A sacred treasure for players to wield, no less.
With memories restored, Anima harbored extreme hatred for Transcendents.
You make it sound easy.
We have to do it anyway. Arent you pissed too? Those fuckers turned me into this.
......
Normally, Mukho would have flared up and agreed with Anima, but he clamped his mouth shut.
Was it because his memories had returned?
Mukho looked at Jeong Hoon with a heavy expression.
Hey, this is awkward as hell. Act like your usual self.
Jeong Hoon chuckled.
Either way, to avert destruction, it was something they had to do.
Worrying and fretting wouldnt change a thing.
Master...
I get the gist of your world now. Definitely better than Earth.
Was it because of their innate nature?
Unlike James Marcus, who grew exponentially through repeated regressions, Mukho and Anima had doubled in strength in just one playthrough.
Mukho at level 1,500.
Anima at 1,750.
Fitting for an ancient dragon, her level was much higher, with mana exceeding 2,000.
In a way, wasnt Mukho the real monster?
He hadnt quite caught up to the dragon Anima, but he was close.
Of course, nowhere near Transcendent level.
Hmmm... I was thrilled approaching level 700, but Ive got a long way to go.
Yeah.
There were Lord-grade, and above them, Heavenly-grade.
No one knew what the Designer was, but at minimum, Heavenly-grade.
To face something like that, he needed to grow incomparably stronger than now.
And my memories still arent fully back.
Mukho added.
Really?
Yeah. The fact that theyre incomplete means there are grades above Ultimate.
A grade above Ultimate.
An unknown realm even Jeong Hoon didnt know.
I agree with Mukho. My memories arent complete either.
Many memories had returned, but they were still fragmented.
To perfectly piece together that puzzle, they needed to ascend beyond Ultimate.
Alright. For now, lets focus on what we can do.
He had swept through the two planned opportunities.
Normally, that would be the end, but Baals intervention added a trip to the Demon Realm.
Jeong Hoon rose from his seat.
Everyone get some good rest?
They had taken a full three-hour break.
Everyone nodded and stood.
Yes.
Perfect.
Jeong Hoon nodded.
Then lets go.
Demon Realm.
A demon sat upon a massive jade throne.
It was the Lord-grade Transcendent, Baal.
Ruler of the Demon Realm.
Overlord of the Demon Realm.
King of the Demon Realm.
All terms for him.
Keheheh.
Baal grinned with evident delight.
Before him, six demon kings bowed their heads in reverence.
The demon kings who ruled the territories of this Demon Realm.
And Baal ruled those demon kings.
To Baal, those Lord-grade Transcendents were mere limbs.
I shall issue a command.
And Baal gave his order.
Speak your will.
Soon, a human will come.
A human to the Demon Realm?
Could it be... that human?
The one youre thinking of. Yes.
There was a very amusing human on Earth.
That human seemed to know everything, continuously uncovering the devices hidden by those above and growing stronger.
He had even crushed a puppet modeled after a near-Lord-grade Transcendent.
Baal had seen many humans, but this one was a first.
But why would a human come to the Demon Realm?
Entering the Demon Realm wasnt easy for humans.
The Demon Realm was an environment unfit for human survival.
Thus, they had to pass tests to adapt, and those tests were hellishly difficult.
I proposed a bet. On whether that human could enter the Demon Realm.
I see...
He knew the Lord favored that human specially, but to wager Demon Realm access?
If the human somehow crosses over, subdue it immediately.
Understood.
No questions asked.
As loyal limbs, they simply carried out the Lords command.
As you know, the human has reached the ultimate realm. One or two of you might not be enough.
But there were six demon kings here.
United, subduing one human would be no issue.
Well subdue it without fail and bring it to the castle.
Good.
Baal wanted to step in himself, but he had promised the human.
Even if it entered the Demon Realm, he wouldnt interfere at all.
However, his limbsthe demon kingsinterfering was fine.
Human, this time Ill make the contract happen.
The human was tempting, but Baal would forcibly halt this runaway bastard and tame him into a loyal dog.
Baals eyes gleamed with greed.
They reached the edge of the new area.
Slash.
Kieeeek!
The Grand Master Orc screamed and went limp.
It couldnt withstand Jeong Hoons spear strike and met its end.
Bang!
Then a gunshot rang out.
His mother had aimed at the head of a Grand Master Orc lunging at Jeong Hoon and pulled the trigger.
Thanks to that, Jeong Hoon calmly thrust his spear and ended the orc.
He then activated Shadow Full Moon to sweep away the rest.
Only after exterminating all the orcs could they stand before the portal to the Demon Realm.
This is it.
The portal to the Demon Realm was on another level from ordinary portals.
A black portal.
Black smoke rose above it, forming demonic shapes.
Bro... you sure about this?
Bong-gu asked with a tense face.
Its fine.
Jeong Hoons reassurance calmed Bong-gu and the others.
Is it really fine...?
Mukho asked cautiously.
Even James Marcuss party hadnt dared attempt entering the Demon Realm.
Fine or not, we have to do it.
Honestly, going alone would be safer.
Jeong Hoon outclassed them all in level, stats, and experience.
But in the long run, strengthening the group was more beneficial than solo play.
We need to prepare for when Im not around.
No one knew the future.
Especially if danger befell his mother in his absence, it would be disastrous.
She needed her own strength.
Thats why they moved together like this.
Alright, lets go in.
Jeong Hoon led the way into the portal.
Cannot enter Demon Realm.
Must complete entry quest to enter.
Start quest?
This was the signal for the test to begin.
Uh... do we just start this?
Ha-jin asked in a trembling voice.
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon nodded.
Starting quest.
Complete all tests successfully.
First test. Acclimate to Demon Realm mana.
In that instant, excruciating pain wracked their bodies.
Grrgh!
Aaagh!
Everyone except Jeong Hoon screamed.
Even Jeong Hoon bit his lip at the agony.
Using Gods Healing.
Jeong Hoon immediately cast Gods Healing on everyone.
It wouldnt ease the pain, but it would prevent their bodies from collapsing under the Demon Realm mana.
J-Just a bit! Hold on a little longer!
Jeong Hoon shouted with all his might.
We have to endure.
They had to endure to cross into the Demon Realm and win the bet with Baal.
For that, this pain was bearable.