Chapter 307
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 307
Chapter Title: Black Soul
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Black Soul
-Type: Consumable
-Grade: ???
-Source of the Demon.
-Randomly increases stats.
Hmm.
It was an item Jeong Hoon needed.
Weapons were great, but what made those weapons explode with power were levels and stats.
The Black Soul was random, but it could be called an elixir that boosted stats.
How do I use it?
As Jeong Hoon tilted his head, a new message appeared.
Swallow the soul to see the effect.
So thats what it meant.
Jeong Hoon swallowed the orb without a second thought.
Changes happened immediately.
Strength increases by 60.
Agility increases by 56.
Mana increases by 35.
Acquire 1 Dark Energy.
Strength and mana boosts.
But what was Dark Energy?
Jeong Hoon narrowed his eyes at the newly created energy bar.
Its surface was pitch-black, and the inside was empty.
To be precise, there was a tiny amount of black liquid pooled at the bottomthat was the Dark Energy.
Whats Dark Energy?
It was something hed never seen before.
Hmm, doesnt filling this to 100 turn the owner into a demon?
Mukho, who had been watching from the side, muttered.
Demon, huh.
Jeong Hoon chuckled.
It wasnt impossible, but if it became a problem, he just wouldnt fill it to 100.
I cant give up on these massive stat gains just because it feels iffy.
Jeong Hoon swallowed the remaining five souls as well.
From swallowing them, he confirmed each one granted 1 energy.
And the stats went absolutely insane.
Detailed Stats
-Strength: 1,202(120) - 1,322
-Agility: 1,134(113) - 1,247
-Vitality: 1,113(112) - 1,225
-Defense: 1,069(106) - 1,175
-Wisdom: 1,038(103) - 1,141
-Mana: 1,432(143) - 1,575
-Holy Power: 1,251(125) - 1,376
-Mental Strength: 1,011(104) - 1,115
Stats after consuming all Black Souls at level 795.
Everything exceeded 1,000, with mana especially breaking through 1,500 and heading toward 1,600.
In contrast, Dark Energy had only reached 6.
Not bad.
Jeong Hoon checked the results with satisfaction.
Master, what do you plan to ask him?
The Designer.
There was only one piece of information he wanted.
The Designer.
The one he could confront upon completing the episode.
He needed that info to prepare for him.
If he cant give the information, he said hed hand over the box that completes the Seven Deadly Sins.
Whatever answer the guy gave, it was a win for Jeong Hoon.
Now, time to find Baal.
Jeong Hoon scanned the Demon Realm using his scan map.
The massive castle where Baal resided was at the center of the Demon Realm.
And the entrance theyd come through wasnt far from that center.
Meaning a short trip from here would reach Baals castle.
Jeong Hoon stepped into the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon and headed for the castle.
A towering massive castle.
That was Baals residence.
Demons stood guard at the gates, but as Jeong Hoon approached, they parted to the sides on their own.
Go in.
The Lord awaits.
Despite their curt words, they were extremely wary of Jeong Hoon.
And for good reasonmost demons, including the six Demon Kings, had met their end at his hands.
Acting out here would mean instant death, so stepping aside quietly was the smart move.
Open it.
Jeong Hoon nodded toward the closed gates.
The two demons who had moved aside hurriedly opened them.
Creaaak
As the gates opened, a massive aura crashed over Jeong Hoon.
His body twitched under the overwhelming pressure.
But with his level up and explosive stat gains, it was far more bearable than his first encounter with Baal.
Jeong Hoon stepped inside.
The red eyes hed faced until now.
The main body was here.
Master, be careful.
He might try to interfere again.
Mukho and Anima warned him while scanning the surroundings.
But Jeong Hoon thought differently.
Its fine. Ive removed all obstacles, so he wont intervene directly.
Hed schemed to suppress Jeong Hoon using his minions covertly, but that had failed spectacularly, leaving Baal unable to interfere further.
Any more meddling, and hed have no excuses.
As expected, the castle had no obstacles.
The demons had been cleared out in advance, leaving it silent.
He arrived at the topmost floor.
The higher he went, the stronger the aura pressing down on him, and at the summit, it was so intense his whole body felt heavy.
Master, you sure youre okay?
Just the leaking aura was like thiswhat would facing him be like?
I told you, its fine.
Jeong Hoon smiled and pushed open the door in front of him.
Creaaak
The door opened.
A massive demon slowly revealed itself ahead.
A gigantic demon seated on a jade throne.
An aura on a completely different level from any demon hed faced before poured out.
You Baal?
At Jeong Hoons question, the demons closed eyes slowly opened.
The red eyes visible through the slit.
The same eyes stared at Jeong Hoon.
I didnt expect you to breach the Demon Realm this easily.
Baals mood was thoroughly soured.
Yeah. You figured the Demon Kings would drag me here by force, huh.
Jeong Hoon smiled and struck right at the heart.
The Demon Kings said theyd capture you themselves.
Laughter burst out at the absurd excuse.
What a joke. They were already waiting for me to come. Wonder who gave them that info?
Theyre Transcendents like me. Meaning they can watch over humans like you.
Baal came up with a fairly plausible excuse.
Hed probably planned to fall back on this if it failed, but Jeong Hoon wasnt buying it.
Sorry, but that excuse doesnt fly. The Demon Kings already spilled it.
Spilled?
You ordered them to suppress me and drag me here. If thats not interference, what is?
.
Strength entered Baals fist.
Stupid bastards.
Dare to relay my orders straight to a human?
If they were alive, hed rip the mouth off the one who confessed with his own hands.
Anyway, you lost the bet and broke the no-interference clause.
.
So, we need to add a penalty for that, right?
Penalty?
Yeah. The info you were gonna give me. Make it two instead of one.
Baals eyes narrowed.
He didnt even know what info Jeong Hoon wanted, and now he had to give two pieces.
Shouldve just stayed quiet.
Staying quiet wouldve halved it at least.
Fine.
After agonizing, Baal nodded heavily.
He considered stonewalling, but time would only hurt him more.
It was due to the automatic penalty from starting the bet.
That penalty was none other than annihilation.
Thats why Baal had always been careful not to violate clauses in past bets.
This time, his judgment clouded because he desperately wanted Jeong Hoon for himself, but hed never tripped a clause before.
But this was different.
It was exposed that hed violated the clause against the bets subject.
If he didnt accept, Jeong Hoon would trigger the penalty, and Baal would be annihilated.
Not someone I can outlast.
If he refused info, Jeong Hoon would mercilessly activate the penalty.
Here, the right move was to admit defeat and hand over the reward.
Good. Then I wont trigger the penalty.
Thanks.
First question.
First question.
Ask.
Hand over info on the Designer.
Baal squeezed his eyes shut.
It was one of the questions hed expected.
Thats.
If you cant say, youll have to give me the box.
Sin Box.
Baal had already given one to Jeong Hoon.
So hed need to get one from another Demon Realm lord.
Of course, hed prepared one for cases he couldnt answer, but the problem was the second question.
Even if he dodged with the box, another question remained.
Dodging again would require another box.
Sigh, handing over two means hell nearly complete the Seven Deadly Sins.
That would bring wrath down on Baal for supplying so many boxes.
Whatever he chose, he had to prepare for the worst.
Better to give the first piece of info.
The Designers info was to be kept strictly secret, but that human would reach Him soon anyway.
The Designer is one above me.
Above? One step above lord-level?
Yes.
Tell me everything about him in detail.
Got it.
Baal nodded and snapped his fingers.
A message appeared before Jeong Hoon.
It contained info on the Designer.
Escanon of the End
A familiar name.
Escanon.
A heaven-grade Transcendent beyond lord-level.
Right below the five Named ones.
The owner of the Escanon Temple that drove Earth to the brink of destruction.
Also the one who split the Seven Deadly Sins into seven and sealed them.
To think Escanon was the Designer of this game.
This info solid?
Jeong Hoon stared into Baals eyes as he asked.
Yes. If its false, the penalty triggers automatically.
Hmm, okay.
Then we can move to the next question?
Baal tried to rush past the first question.
Funny guy. You thought you could end the first question with that?
Jeong Hoon glared at Baal in disbelief.
What, is there a problem?
You kidding? It doesnt say exactly what Escanon is.
Isnt that enough? You wanted Designer info, and I gave it.
I specifically said detailed info on him. Should I just trigger the penalty?
Jeong Hoon wanted detailed info on him.
Not just the bare outline.
And he was trying to gloss over it like this?
.
Last chance. Tell me everything about him. Or give me the box. Pick one.
Baals expression soured instantly.
Damn.
It was an utterly shitty situation.
Hed focused so much on the Designer part that he glossed over the in detail bit.
If hed caught that, he wouldnt have revealed the identity so hastily.
No choice.
The Designers identity was already exposed.
Refusing to elaborate and handing a box instead would be ridiculous.
Baal squeezed his eyes shut and snapped his fingers.
Multiple messages appeared before Jeong Hoon.
They contained the detailed info on Escanon he wanted.
Nothing else hidden?
Jeong Hoon asked while carefully checking the messages.
Of course I gave you everything I know.
If youre lying, the penalty triggers immediately.
Go ahead. Im clean.
He didnt seem to be lying.
Good. Then lets move straight to the second question.