Chapter 329
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 329
Chapter Title: The First Annihilation
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When his vision cleared again, a vast universe stretched out before his eyes.
Where is this?
Jeong Hoon looked around.
Then his body was pulled somewhere, and his vision went dark before brightening once more.
This time, it was not the universe but the empty lot in front of the apartment where Jeong Hoon lived.
The apartment was still intact, as he hadnt yet received the penalty.
That was the moment.
Kwaaang!
With a massive roar, the apartment collapsed in on itself, and a huge sandstorm passed right through Jeong Hoon.
.
Jeong Hoon silently watched the scene.
Explosions followed one after another, and meteors rained down from above.
It was a textbook penalty symptom.
Whats the point of showing this to the Master?
Mukho, watching from the side, looked utterly baffled.
Simply put, it means accept the offer. If you dont want to die.
The being persistently courted him.
Abandon humanity and become a Transcendent.
Thats correct.
Clap, clap, clap.
Jeong Hoon turned his head at the sound of applause coming from behind.
There stood Escannon, gazing at Jeong Hoon with a satisfied smile.
Dont you usually ignore what others say?
Heh, of course. Why should I heed the words of a mortal?
The corner of Jeong Hoons mouth twisted upward.
He desperately wanted to snap the beings neck right then, but he still lacked the power.
Master, what if you just become a Transcendent?
Anima, who had been quietly watching, suddenly spoke up.
Jeong Hoons eyebrow twitched at the words.
What nonsense is this?
Anima broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly added more.
W-Well its impossible to face that thing in our current state.
So?
We bide our time for now Become a Transcendent, build our strength, and then crush Escannons neck?
Meaningless.
Jeong Hoons goal wasnt simply to kill Escannon.
It was to perfectly end this damned game and reclaim peace.
Even if he groveled and accepted the offer to save his life, Earth wouldnt regain peace.
The being only wanted to keep him alive because of his potential.
It had no intention of saving the dimension called Earth itself.
Hey. Let me ask one thing.
What is it?
Suppose I accept your offer. Can you stop this destruction?
Its troubling if a god takes interest in mere creations. Theyre different from you. They must follow the natural order.
The expected answer.
Then get lost. Ill never accept your offer.
What a shame. Why are you so eager to die?
Ill come see you soon. Clean your neck and wait.
Heh, very well. Then lets do this.
Escannon snapped his fingers.
Jeong Hoons vision went dark and then bright again, and the image of his mother appeared before him.
Jeong Hoons face hardened.
What the hell are you doing?
Ill spare your family as well. Of course, theyll be placed at the lowest ranks.
.
Ah, its not a bad deal. I plan to place you right under me. So even at the bottom, you should be able to protect them sufficiently.
From Escannons perspective, it was an extraordinary offer.
Promising a lord-level position, no less.
Master.
Jeong Hoon said nothing.
Judging it as hesitation, Siron smiled brightly and added,
Think it over and give me your answer when we meet again. If you wish, I can spare not just your family but a few more.
When his vision cleared again, he was standing on the table at the Union Hall.
But not a single leader who should have been seated was there.
The table and chairs had decayed from the long passage of time.
Only one exit portal remained.
Secret Episode: The Hero Who Became a God Completed.
The episode rank is EX.
The secret episode has been added to your collection.
Synergy with Monster Collection activated.
Synergy Stage 4 applied.
All stats 20, damage 20, all skill damage 20.
Episode completion rate increased by 9.
Done.
Episode completion at 99.
The collection wasnt at 100, but completing the secret episode raised the synergy to Stage 4.
With episode completion at 99, dimensional damage will no longer increase.
He had met the condition Escannon demanded, putting out the immediate fire.
Master, Im sorry.
Jeong Hoon turned to Anima at her apology.
Her face was filled with remorse.
You know its fine.
Thank you.
Lets head back.
Jeong Hoon exited through the portal.
Current dimensional damage: 36.
Earths damage was now at 36.
A full 5 higher than when Jeong Hoon had entered the Union Hall.
They grew stronger before we could The rate of increase is abnormally fast.
He had put out the immediate fire, but that was it.
The situation remained dire.
To halt the steep rise, the abnormal dungeons needed to be closed, but how could Jeong Hoon alone stop them sprouting up worldwide like weeds?
Even if James Marcuss party, which had breached Darvis, stepped up, it wouldnt change much.
Jeong Hoon pulled out the mass-produced smartphone hed bought with points and tried contacting his mother.
Since hed registered it with mana, connecting was easy.
Hoon!
His mothers voice came through the smartphone.
Yes, Mother. Where are you right now?
Oh, were taking a break after clearing a dungeon.
A dungeon?
Yeah. Were gathering Celestial Energy.
Ah, I see.
He had given Yeo Min-ji the source of Celestial Energy supply and the potion bag.
Were all together. Did something happen?
No. I was just curious and called.
Okay. Dont worry too much.
Yes. Take care.
The call ended there.
It seems I should handle the rest alone.
Episode completion at 99.
That meant the first annihilation was imminent.
Los Angeles, USA.
What do we do? We cant close all of these.
At this rate, we can only watch the damage climb.
James Marcuss party, returned to Earth from Darvis.
Their first destination was LA, USA.
They chose it because they had come from LA to Darvis, so their return was also in LA.
Besides, they couldnt move to other regionsnot with 16 abnormal dungeons discovered in LA alone.
Each one boasted a monstrous difficulty that made clearing them unthinkable.
.
James Marcus stared at the portal with a hardened face.
Lv.1,200 Do you wish to enter the Massive Underground Cavern?
Normal abnormal dungeons didnt display levels.
Some were high-level, but mainly because they couldnt read them at their current strength.
But with damage exceeding 30, the renewed dungeons displayed levels no matter how high.
The problem was that every single one was too high-level to even consider clearing.
Level 1,200 Entering without a guide means 100 death.
They had leveled up doing quests in Darvis, but hadnt grown spectacularly.
Theyd managed to close a few below Level 800, but clearing a Level 1,200 dungeon at their current level was a pipe dream.
Annihilation approaches.
At that moment, a message appeared before James Marcus and the others.
Annihilation?
What the hell does it want now?
Everyones faces crumpled upon seeing the message.
They were already unable to close all the abnormal dungeons and had to brace for extra penaltiesnow this added annihilation?
It means its going to completely shatter Earth.
James Marcus muttered in despair.
Will that Easterner step up?
Black Mage Sophia cautiously mentioned the Easterner.
The one who soloed the giant soldier Urs, uploaded footage of defeating the Ultimate Knight.
If that outstanding figure acted, maybe he could stop this annihilation?
He will.
Surely, he would move to halt the annihilation.
Here.
The site where the first annihilation began.
Massive portals generating in every region worldwide.
Passing through this portal would lead to the first annihilationthe unknown force that caused his regression.
It might not just be a regression power.
Back then, the unknown force had taken the form of red mana, embedding deep in his dantian.
It was very similar to mana and operated the same way.
He had collapsed mid-operation since he was on the verge of death, regressing to the past.
And Escannon seemed unaware of that power.
If he knew, he surely would have mentioned it to Jeong Hoon.
But he hadnt breathed a word about it.
That meant the unknown power was likely arranged by someone other than Escannon.
Master, if it looks impossible, you can regress.
Yeah. Come back and find us again.
No, that wouldnt work.
Even if I regress and wipe everything out, the result will be the same.
Even with regression, gaining power to rival Escannon would be impossible.
The being would surely intervene midway.
So instead of regressing, he needed to devise a way to use that arrangement differently.
Bzzz
A call came from his mother just in time.
Jeong Hoon took out his smartphone and answered.
Yes.
Hoon, are you really okay going alone?
He had already informed everyone, including his mother.
Not to panic at the annihilation message, that he would handle it personally.
So focus on gathering Celestial Energy without worry.
Of course.
Alright. If anything happens, you can call here right away, right?
Even after all his feats, she still worried about her son.
Jeong Hoon smiled and said,
Yes. I will.
Okay. I trust you.
The call ended.
Jeong Hoon approached the portal.
First Annihilation: Do you wish to enter Fate?
The first annihilation.
Jeong Hoon accepted entry and stepped inside.
He already knew what lurked within.
Clear it quickly and claim the unknown power.
Long time no see.
But inside the dungeon, it wasnt an apostle-level Transcendent waiting for Jeong Hoon.
Baal.
He was the lord ruling the 96th demon world.
Baal himself.
Hm? Why so surprised?
Baal tilted his head.
Why are you here?
Why? Because my lord ordered me to greet you.
Escannon?
Jeong Hoon frowned.
Didnt he demand an answer?
The one who had repeatedly tempted him to join his ranks.
And now sending Baal?
Could he mean to eliminate Baal and put me in his place?
It made sense that way.
Probably plans to get rid of me.
Baal had the same thought as Jeong Hoon.
Youre not bothered?
Not a trace of displeasure on his face or in his expression.
He seemed to have accepted everything, left only with calm demeanor.
My lords command is absolute. Personal feelings dont fit.
Baals voice was dry as dead wood.
Loyal servant, huh.
Jeong Hoon drew Leviathan and gripped it.
Truth be told, he didnt dislike the guy.
Though from a bet, he had provided major help whenever needed.
But if he interfered with obtaining the unknown power, that changed things.
Heh, how about one last bet before that?
Another bet?
Jeong Hoon laughed in disbelief.
Truly a bet-obsessed madman.
Its an offer you wont refuse.
Well, Ill hear it.