Chapter 308
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 308
Chapter Title: Escannon of the Apocalypse
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Escannon of the Apocalypse.
A Heavenly Rank Transcendent.
One of the twenty-four Heavenly Ones who serve the five Named beings called gods.
A being who can reside in the divine realm alongside the Named, most of whom spend their time in their own personal spaces.
He simultaneously rules over five demon realms, and the 96th Demon Realm governed by Baal was one of those under Escannon's control.
I can see why Baal tried so hard to hide it.
The Designer was none other than his own lord, after all.
Who would dare expose their lord's information?
Moreover, if Escannon learned of this, his wrath would pour down upon Baal.
On the flip side, it could mean that a fully awakened Seven Deadly Sins is still preferable.
Jeong Hoon had collected a total of three Sin Boxes so far.
Still less than half the required number.
He needed four more to fully restore them.
Baal had already handed over one Sin Box once before.
If it had been just one question, he probably would have given up the box.
Even using the box, it would only be the fourth one collected.
But with two questions, the story changed.
If he picked questions Baal couldn't answer, he'd have to forfeit two boxes.
He anticipated that I'd complete the episode and go after Escannon, so he revealed it.
That way, Baal only had to give up one box.
So, how would he react to the next question?
You're taking your time, so I guess it's a tougher question than I thought.
As Jeong Hoon fell silent in thought, Baal couldn't contain his curiosity and spoke up.
This guy's got a short temper, doesn't he? The right to ask questions is mine. You just sit there quietly.
Understood.
Information on the Designer.
What else was important after that?
It was this game itself.
New World.
A way to end the materialized New World.
If I asked that, he'd hand over the box without a second thought.
So, what question would yield the biggest gain?
That dilemma kept him from asking easily.
Master, I have a good idea.
At that moment, Anima, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
A good idea?
Yes. Ask about the episodes.
Episodes.
The dimension where Master is has episodes, but ours didnt. We could only watch as it perished.
That was right.
Episodes existed on Earth.
And theyre not exclusive to Earth.
Sol, the great mage who had given Jeong Hoon 36.8 of ultimate energy.
Unlike Mukho and Anima, Sol knew about the Designer.
He had hoped Jeong Hoon would break through to the ultimate path and oppose the Designer.
Impossible with just breaking through to the ultimate path, though.
Jeong Hoon had pierced the ultimate path and reached the ultimate realm.
Yet even clashing with full power, he had no confidence in defeating Baal.
The gap between lords and demon kings was like heaven and earth.
How could I face a Heavenly One who toys with such lords?
Sol believed the episodes had been 100 completed.
But he ended up playing into the Designer's hands, reduced to a device for the users afterward.
If Jeong Hoon reached him in his current state, defeat at 100 was inevitable.
In the worst case, he'd end up like Sola mere device.
After much deliberation, Jeong Hoon spoke.
Whats the reason episodes exist?
The existence or non-existence of episodes.
Through that, he'd glean more info on the Designer.
Hmm.
Baal rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
He spun his mind rapidly to grasp the intent behind the question.
Episodes.
One of the devices directly created by his lord.
Asking thatdoes it mean he plans to complete the episodes at 100 and meet the lord?
Baal dredged up a very old memory.
Slowly pulling it forth.
To give false hope to humans.
As always, when using the game device to destroy dimensions.
His lord mentioned false hope and added a new device: the episodes.
He began tempting them that filling episodes to 100 would end the game.
Yet filling them was an arduous task for humans.
Still, some occasionally reached 100.
Of course, at 100, they were forcibly sent before the lord.
A kind of qualification test.
Qualification test.
To qualify as a device for the game afterward.
To use as a device.
A device?
Yes. Even at 100 episodes, the game doesnt end. Its just proving your qualification to the lord.
So, the claim that you can end the game is a lie.
Something like that. I dont know beyond that.
Meaning theres more than one Designer.
.
Baals shoulders twitched.
Had asking about episodes been a ploy to infer even that?
This is worse than I thought.
Jeong Hoon gave a bitter smile and turned away.
Baal panicked at the sight.
No more questions?
Why? Want me to ask more? Then how do I end this game?
.
As Baal was struck dumb, Jeong Hoon chuckled.
Anyway, keep your promise. No interfering no matter what I do in the demon realm. If you pull any tricks, Ill count it as breaking the clause. Got it?
If there was even a hint of interference, he'd trigger the penalty immediately.
The bet was over, but with Jeong Hoon in the demon realm, the clauses still held.
Wait!
Baal hurriedly grabbed Jeong Hoon.
What now?
One more bet.
A bet? Planning more sabotage this time?
Do you think youll roam the demon realm unscathed?
What do you mean?
Jeong Hoon frowned.
I rule this demon realm, but it originally belongs to my lord. You know what that means, right?
Oh, you mean Escannon might intervene?
Exactly.
Hmm, but your info said Escannon almost never interferes in the demon realms.
Almost isnt 100, is it?
Ah, so during the bet, youll cover Escannons eyes?
Correct.
What nonsense.
If Escannon were intervening, he would have already.
Would the one commanding five lords miss a humans struggle?
He was watching.
To see if Jeong Hoon could be used as a device.
Still, no reason to refuse the bet here.
What kind of bet?
Hidden in this demon realm are five special items.
Five?
Yes. Find them all within the time limit, and you win. Exceed it, and I win.
Hmm, and if I find them?
Ill give you one of my Sin Boxes. And info on the dark energy in your body.
A generous offer.
Hes really giving it away freely.
Mukho agreed.
Why go that far?
A sudden doubt arose.
Why such obsession with him?
Ive lost so much, I need to make you mine somehow.
Hah, dont wanna answer? Fine.
So, you accept the bet?
Yes. But I keep the items I find. No complaints?
Of course.
A new bet was struck.
Finishing with Baal, Jeong Hoon exited through the entrance.
Outside, his mother and the others waited.
Son! Are you okay?! Did that red-eyed thing touch you?
His mother inspected his body the moment he returned.
Naturally, Jeong Hoon was unharmed.
Yes, Mom. Im fine. But.
But?
Anxiety flickered across her face.
Had something happened?
Catching on, Jeong Hoon quickly added,
I just went straight to him, finished my business, and came back.
You went to that red-eyed thing?
Yes.
Jeong Hoon briefly explained what happened inside.
Everyone listening was stunned.
Wow So he broke his promise of no interference and tried to force you down?
Yeah.
Crazy bastard.
Ha-jin couldnt hold back a curse.
Right? Total psycho, isnt he?
Deok-gu was outraged too.
Not content with trying to suppress him, but with lame excuses?
Its done. I got what I deserved from him.
Hed obtained crucial info.
The Designer isnt just one.
If only one question, Escannon wouldve been the target.
But the second revealed how hard ending the game truly was.
Killing Escannon alone wont cut it.
There are multiple Designers.
Through episodes so far, hed sensed same roots but different branches.
Earth started with a VR game via capsules.
Other dimensions hed visited had no capsules.
Thus, their Designer differed from Earths.
Episodes, added directly by Escannon, varied by dimension.
Master, can you do it?
Mukho asked gravely.
I have to.
The secret of regressions power remained unsolved.
Did Escannon add it when implementing episodes?
Details unknown.
Master, wouldnt it have been better to mention regression too?
No, thats not it.
Mentioning regression was like announcing he was a regressor to Baal.
Hed uncover it himself by reaching 99 and averting doom.
Um Jeong Hoon, what if they sabotage us when we enter?
Yeon Sun-woo asked cautiously.
Itll be fine. Weve already killed the demon king and many demons. The damage is huge, and if they interfere again, we penalty-smash them.
If you say so.
Yes. Look at this.
Jeong Hoon pulled out a scanned map of the demon realm.
A scanned map of the demon realm.
Yes. And my target is right here.
He pointed to a castle in the east.
Originally the demon kings residence, now empty after annihilation by Jeong Hoon.
Hmm, whats there?
No idea.
No idea?
Yes.
Five special items.
Unknown what they were.
Zero info on the demon realm.
So, hed have to scout personally.
Start with the bosss lair.
Escannon held the realm, but barely intervenedBaal was effectively the head.
Under him, demon kings ruled territories.
Baals castle last.
The eastern castle Jeong Hoon headed to was Demon King Bakaluss domain.
The one who tried self-destruct with Deaths Repose.
Human!
Guarding demons spotted him and aimed weapons.
Their eyes filled with fear and wariness.
The demon king and elite demons annihilated.
On a mission to suppress one humanyet wiped out.
Theyd doubted their ears.
Now the human appeared.
Impossible not to be on guard.
Ta-at!
In that instant, one human leaped, landing before the demons in a flash.
Wh-what!
Speed beyond reaction.
Demons couldnt resist properly before perishing.
Jeong Hoon had swung his spear, severing their necks.
Ill handle the small fry, so rest up.
Clearing obstacles, he cast Spirit Absorption Art and addressed the group behind.
Youve gotten stronger.
Hyungs level is 795 now, of course.
That absorption skill is insane.
Spirit Absorption Art from the Mantra Statue.
Thanks to that absurd skill, Jeong Hoons visits sparked explosive growth.
Alright, lets go.
Finishing absorption, Jeong Hoon headed into Bakaluss castle.