Chapter 304
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 304
Chapter Title: Demon Realm Trials
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It took twenty minutes for the excruciating pain throughout their bodies to finally subside.
Huff! Huff!
Jang Ha-jin and Han Deok-gu collapsed right there on the spot.
Exhaustion was plain on both their faces.
Jeong Hoon's God's Healing had prevented their bodies from collapsing, but the mental damage was immense.
If God's Healing hadn't repeatedly treated their mental strain as well, they would have lost consciousness long ago.
.
His mother, too, breathed heavily with a face drained of color.
Yeo Sun-woo and Yeo Min-ji were in the same state.
They looked like they could pass out at any moment.
You've all done well. You should be somewhat accustomed to the Demon Realm's mana by now.
Jeong Hoon wasn't in great shape either, but he had the drive to push through.
His resolve to win the bet against that bastard no matter what.
Using 'God's Healing.'
Jeong Hoon poured his holy power generously into healing everyone.
Thanks to God's Healing having reached Celestial grade, they quickly regained their stability.
Ha I really thought I was gonna die.
Han Deok-gu groaned.
We're just getting started, and you're already trying to die on me?
Getting started?
Yeah. You saw the message. This was just the first test.
Ugh I can't do it anymore. I really can't.
Han Deok-gu shook his head, his face ashen.
You wanna stay in a culled state then?
Culled?
You picked up two fortuitous encounters on the way here and got stronger. Who knows if there are more like that in the Demon Realm?
I already feel a lot stronger.
Oh yeah? Think you can make it back on your own then?
Jeong Hoon pointed behind them.
A Grand Master Orc had respawned and was now prowling the forest.
To escape this place, they'd have to wipe out those orcs, but Han Deok-gu still wasn't up to the task.
I-I'm sorry! I'll try to endure the tests!
Good call.
Jeong Hoon checked the message.
The second test will begin in 10 minutes.
7:42
The second test would start in ten minutes.
Two minutes and eighteen seconds had passed, leaving seven minutes and forty-two seconds.
It was a brief rest, just long enough to catch their breath.
Hoon, these tests do you think we can last until the end?
Yeo Min-ji asked cautiously.
No idea. This is my first time with tests like these too.
No idea.
There was no information on them, before or after his regression.
I see.
She didn't press further.
Either way, there was only one choice.
They had to endure and cross into the Demon Realm.
Mom, you okay?
Yeah. This much is fine.
Contrary to her words, his mother's expression wasn't good.
'Must be tough for her.'
Even for Jeong Hoon, who had overcome countless hardships, the pain had been hard to bear.
It would be weird if she endured it like it was nothing.
But they couldn't stop here.
Mom, I'm sorry. Just hang in there a bit longer.
Got it. Don't worry too much.
The ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
The second test. Grow accustomed to the Demon Realm's mana.
Incredibly, the second test was also about acclimating to the Demon Realm's mana.
'Worse than before.'
Denser mana than the first was flooding in.
Was this how they were supposed to get their bodies used to it?
Jeong Hoon used God's Healing again, doing his utmost to keep everyone from breaking.
Just like the first, the pain subsided only after another twenty minutes.
Ugh I can't take this anymore.
Fuck fuck.
Even Jang Ha-jin cursed through his agony.
The third test will begin in 10 minutes.
9:50
The tests weren't over yet.
Just a little longer! We have to get through this to move on!
Jeong Hoon urged them on.
It might feel coercive, but there was no choice.
The tests continued afterward.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
Now he understood why they were notorious for their hellish difficulty.
Then the sixth.
The excruciating pain no longer came.
Instead, they had to deal with the demons guarding the Demon Realm's entrance.
Lv.850 Gatekeeper of the Demon Realm
An 850-level gatekeeper.
Without God's Healing to mend body and mind, it wouldn't have been an easy fight, but it wasn't much for Jeong Hoon now.
Gah!
Jeong Hoon activated Shadow Crescent, severing the gatekeeper's throat in one strike.
The acclimation to the Demon Realm seems complete. Rest up. I'll handle the rest.
Then the seventh.
More gatekeepers kept appearing.
Their levels started creeping up, and soon apostle-level foes were swarming toward the player.
Damn it. Why do I have to block that guy Ack!
Human! Calm down! I don't want to fight Gurk!
Jeong Hoon cut them down mercilessly, one after another.
Only after the fifteenth test did it all finally end.
All tests have concluded.
You have completed the entry quest.
Entry to the Demon Realm is now possible.
It was finally over.
Whoa it's done.
I really thought I was gonna die of fear.
Five rounds of excruciating pain.
From the sixth test on, the pain stopped, but the anxiety of not knowing when it might return had them trembling.
Only now, with the tests over, could they relax.
Are we heading straight into the Demon Realm?
No.
Jeong Hoon shook his head.
Yeo Min-ji, who had asked, looked a bit flustered.
She'd assumed they'd charge right in to settle the bet with Baal.
Baal's waiting in there. Can't just rush in blindly.
He did say he wouldn't interfere.
You can't take his word at face value.
Jeong Hoon grinned.
The bastard wanted a contract with him by any means.
He'd pulled sneaky sabotage before.
Why would this time be different?
'It's his domain. No way he won't sabotage.'
Like deploying his demon king-level transcendent minions.
Or manipulating the Demon Realm to make scouting hard.
The former seemed most likely.
He could claim no direct intervention while slipping away with lame excuses.
Sabotage was 100 guaranteed.
Hmm so what do we do? We're no match for him.
Just locking eyes with those red pupils had frozen them solid.
That alone showed the gap, but facing the real thing up close in the Demon Realm?
The thought alone darkened his vision.
It's fine. We have the bet.
One thing was certain: the bastard wouldn't intervene 'directly.'
So what's the plan?
His mother, who had been listening quietly, asked.
I'll enter the Demon Realm alone for now.
Alone?
Yeah. I'll just scout the entrance and come right back.
They had all completed the entry quest.
They could enter anytime, but no need to rush.
Smarter to gather solid intel first, then go in together.
Hmm you sure you'll be okay?
Worry filled his mother's face.
Don't worry. I'll be back soon.
If it feels dangerous, send the SOS signal. Got it?
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon nodded, signaling his intent to enter.
The portal swallowed him whole.
With Jeong Hoon gone, the rest fell into contemplation.
Ma'am, is it really okay to let Hoon go alone?
Yeo Min-ji asked Lee Na-yeon with a worried face.
Yeah. Watching for now seems right.
Her son's face had been deadly serious.
She knew better than anyone that words wouldn't reach him in that state.
And given his feats so far, she couldn't help but trust him.
That was why she'd stepped back.
Hmm, how about we wait three hours then head in?
Jang Ha-jin suggested.
Three hours?
Yeah. Look at Hoon's skills. Three hours is plenty.
True.
As Lee Na-yeon wavered, Yeo Sun-woo chimed in quickly.
I agree with Ha-jin. Not sure how much help we'd be, but better than standing around.
But opposition arose.
What if we end up getting in Hoon's way?
Han Deok-gu insisted on waiting for Jeong Hoon's return.
What if something happens to Hoon?
Jang Ha-jin furrowed his brow and countered.
Ha-jin, nothing's gonna happen to Hoon.
Still.
So we wait!
Deok-gu, how long are you gonna leech off Hoon feeding you wins?
As Jang Ha-jin faltered, Yeo Min-ji joined in coldly.
I just don't wanna hinder him.
Don't make excuses. You just wanna slack, right?
What? Hey, what do you take me for?
Han Deok-gu scowled.
Enough!
As the mood turned hostile in an instant, Lee Na-yeon quickly intervened.
Yeah. This isn't the time to fight.
With Yeo Sun-woo backing her up, the tension eased.
For now, let's just watch.
And Lee Na-yeon sided with Han Deok-gu.
But!
Everyone started to protest, but she added,
He promised to send an SOS if it's dangerous. Trust Hoon for now.
Understood.
In the end, they decided to wait for Jeong Hoon's return, per Lee Na-yeon and Han Deok-gu.
You have entered the '97th' Demon Realm.
You have entered an area forbidden to humans.
You have achieved an astonishing feat! Gained 200,000 achievement points.
You have achieved an astonishing feat! Gained 1,000,000p.
Just entering the Demon Realm netted 200,000 achievement points and a million points.
Proof of how grueling entry was.
The Demon Realm's mana tried to dominate Jeong Hoon as well.
'The tests were just tests, huh.'
He'd thought the pain had acclimated him, but a heavy pressure still weighed on his body.
Still, it was tolerable enough for everyone to scout.
Jeong Hoon nodded and scanned his surroundings.
Shiiik-
Then, with the sound of slicing wind, Jeong Hoon twisted his body.
Boom!
Something grazed his cheek, slammed into a dead black tree far off, and exploded.
If he hadn't dodged, his head would've been gone.
'Master! Above!'
At Muk-ho's shout, Jeong Hoon looked up.
Six transcendents gazed down at him.
'Can't believe I'm right on the money.'
He chuckled.
All six transcendents were demon king-level.
Baal's six demon kings.
Gathered here from their territories, they meant to crush him by force and drag him to their lord.
'Good thing I came alone.'
If they'd all entered together, no chance of winning.
Unlike Jeong Hoon at the ultimate realm, the others lacked the power to face demon kings.
He'd have to handle them solo anyway, and fighting while minding his mother and the rest would've been tough.
Human, the Sovereign summons you.
Warning. Come quietly.
Jeong Hoon flipped them off at the demon kings' warnings.
Fuck off.
He had no intention of submitting.
He'd crush them and march to Baal to claim the bet's prize.