Chapter 330
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Baal's Wager
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Here.
What Baal pulled out was a black box.
Whats that?
Jeong Hoon tilted his head.
Why was the guy who was supposed to block him so desperate to hand over the item right up to the end?
Defeat me. Then youll find out.
What if I lose?
Ill trigger the penalty on every abnormal dungeon thats spawned right now. All at once.
Penalty activation.
The only ones capable of clearing the current abnormal dungeons were James Marcuss party.
Even they could only handle dungeons below level 1,000.
Anything above that was impossible to conquer.
Triggering the penalties on abnormal dungeons spawned across the entire world in a situation like this?
At least 50.
Even lowballing it, the damage would hit 50.
Once it surpassed that, the pace of destruction would accelerate, leading to irreversible consequences.
Of course, there were no other options.
If they couldnt stop the first apocalypse to begin with, Earth was finished.
I accept.
Good.
Baal grinned and tossed the box aside.
The box rolled across the floor, bumped into the wall, and wedged itself into the corner.
Whats inside that youre treating it so lightly?
Dont worry. Its an item you absolutely need.
Is that so? Then Ill have to take you down somehow.
Jeong Hoon activated every buff skill and item, starting with Black Field.
This put his stats at a slim advantage over Baals.
1st Form: Activating Heavenly Demon Stance.
Jeong Hoon stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon and slashed Leviathan down from above.
Baals arms turned pitch black as he thrust out a fist, batting Leviathan aside.
Baal uses Great Demons Hand.
Great Demons Hand.
A familiar ability.
Back when hed visited the demon realm, one of the demon kings whod been waiting for Jeong Hoon.
It was the same power Balrog had used: Demons Hand.
Using Light Barrier.
Jeong Hoon triggered his Light Barrier, only for a massive hand to seize him.
Crunch.
It squeezed, and cracks spiderwebbed across the Light Barrier.
1st Form: Activating Heavenly Demon Stance.
Jeong Hoon unleashed Heavenly Demon Stance again, swinging his blade in rapid succession.
The fist gripping him tore apart and dissolved into nothing.
Where!
Baal clapped his hands together.
Baal activates Great Demons Hand.
A giant hand reappeared and clamped down on Jeong Hoon.
This time, there were two of them.
Baal activates Ruin Spear.
With Jeong Hoons movements sealed, Baal drew his signature black spear without hesitation.
Lets see you endure this.
Baal hurled the spear with all his strength.
It rapidly expanded in size, sparks erupting all around it.
Baal uses Hells Lightning.
Hes infused the spear with that power.
Jeong Hoon swiftly shifted to Anima form, nocked an arrow on his bowstring, took aim at the incoming spear, and released.
Ultimate Arrow.
The Ultimate Arrow rocketed forth and smashed headlong into the massive Ruin Spear.
BOOM!
A deafening roar like shattering eardrums rang out as lightning crashed down, engulfing Jeong Hoon.
Heavenly Demon Fist Technique, 1st Star.
Jeong Hoon invoked the fist technique, riding its brief invincibility frame to weather the lightning.
He followed up by slashing away the Great Demons Hand, then stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon to close the distance to Baal.
Baal uses Curtain of Darkness.
Lightning continued to rage as thick darkness blanketed the area.
The potent mana that had been compressed exploded outward, doubling the curtains power.
Yet Baal lifted both arms, showing no intent to attack.
Youre definitely the strongest. No human stronger than you could possibly emerge, even in death and rebirth.
What?
Jeong Hoon furrowed his brow.
Baal closed his eyes and replied to the baffling behavior.
Ill confirm just one thing.
What?
You said it before, didnt you? That youd prove the crystal ball wrong.
Crystal ball.
Your fate cannot be changed. Accept the destiny given to you.
The Temple of Fate.
Nothe crystal ball hed obtained from the temple of Psyche, goddess of fate.
That crystal ball had declared in no uncertain terms that Jeong Hoon could not alter his destiny.
Baal had been right there beside him, reading the same inscription.
Whats your point.
Can you prove it? If you can, Ill gladly offer you my neck.
You never planned to stop me at all.
Correct. I attacked you just to raise this curtain.
Casting Ruin Spear and Hells Lightning had let him release a massive surge of dark mana, activating Curtain of Darkness.
This would temporarily blind Escannons eyes and ears.
Even if it only lasted three minutes, that was plenty.
Why go this far?
Answer my question first. Can you prove it?
Yeah. No matter what it takes, Ill bring this game to an end.
Baal slowly nodded at Jeong Hoons resolute expression.
Then strike me down.
Strike you?
Do it, and youll learn everything.
.
Jeong Hoon said nothing and slashed Baals throat with Leviathan.
True to his word, Baal offered no resistance.
His head tumbled free, and his body slumped lifelessly to the floor.
What is this?
Incomprehensible.
Mukho and Anima stared in confusion at Baals willing acceptance of death.
Jeong Hoon was just as bewildered.
The bastard who chased me relentlessly why now, of all times.
What did he mean by learning everything?
Even after cutting Baal down, nothing changed.
Then the black box jammed in the corner began to glow faintly.
No wayis it in there?
Jeong Hoon rushed over to the box.
??? Box
-Contents unknown.
-Connection to Baal severed.
-Can be opened immediately.
The box had been linked to Baal, but Jeong Hoon severing his lifeline broke the connection.
That allowed immediate opening.
As expected.
Baals Curtain of Darkness was still holding.
Raising the curtain meant he had to open it while the enemys eyes were covered.
Jeong Hoon hurriedly pried open the box.
This is?
Inside lay a set of marks.
Ones Jeong Hoon didnt possess.
Mark of the Perfect Rogue
Mark of Perfect Mana
Mark of the Perfect Mage
Mark of the Perfect Gunner
Every mark hed been missing to craft Overlord Titan was there.
Hed planned to farm them through episodes but got sidetracked by the secret episode.
Who wouldve thought hed get them here?
Baal how did he know these were what I needed?
Besides the marks, the box held a single orb.
Soul Spirit Pearl
-An orb slumbering with countless souls.
-Consuming it reveals the memories of those souls.
Soul Spirit Pearl?
Countless soulslikely all the human souls Baal had collected.
Compressing them into a single orb.
What a sick hobby.
Memories of the souls.
So this was what hed meant by learning everything.
Jeong Hoon popped the orb into his mouth and swallowed.
You swallowed it.
Instead of a flood of memories crashing in like waves, Baals apparition materialized before him.
Youwhat the hell are you?
I am Baal, Lord of the Demon Realm.
Thats not what I meant.
Heh, I like that look of surprise on your face.
Why do I see you after eating the Soul Spirit Pearl?
Ah, because its actually an orb containing my soul.
And the other souls?
Theyre in here.
Baal patted his gut and grinned.
So why go this far for me?
Ill show you.
Baal transmitted the memory of a single soul to Jeong Hoon.
A torrent of memories came pouring in.
Jeong Hoon closed his eyes instinctively.
Siegfried
The memory flowing in belonged to Siegfried.
Hed thought Siegfried died losing his bet to Baal, but this memory told a completely different story.
The thing I mentioned before. Still on?
Yeah.
The scene playing out before Jeong Hoons eyes was Siegfried deep in conversation with Baal.
Then invest in it.
Ho, giving up quick?
Cant finish it myself anyway. Pass the torch to the next guy.
Youre trusting me now?
Baal lounged on his throne, smirking as he propped his chin.
Siegfried let out a light sigh and shrugged.
What choice do I have? Only one option.
Human, take a look at this.
What Baal produced was the very Soul Spirit Pearl Jeong Hoon had just swallowed.
It looked a bit weaker, like it wasnt fully complete yet.
What is it?
Gathered human souls. Youll join them in here.
.
Ill pass it to someone worthy.
Fine.
Still in after seeing this?
The bets not over. You know that.
Of course.
A bet?
What bet?
The answer came quickly.
If your lord falls, I win.
Yeah. Take his place, and Ill reincarnate you.
Promise.
Deal. And dont forgeta peaceful world.
At least while youre alive, peace is guaranteed.
Siegfrieds memory ended there.
Other souls memories followed, all concluding on similar notes.
Jeong Hoon opened his eyes.
So? Get the picture?
Baal stood there with arms crossed, awaiting his reaction.
Yeah. I see what youre after.
He was trying to oust Escannon.
That explained the full-throated support via the bet, approaching Ha-jin to pull him out of danger.
Jeong Hoon had pegged him as bet-obsessed, but he had this scheme brewing.
Anyway, Ive bet everything on you.
Youre not actually dead.
Obviously. Think Id let you lop off my head that easily? Just a ploy to fool Escannon.
Pledging loyalty up front all those years while plotting betrayal behind the scenes.
A demon through and through.
Hold on. What if Id lost the bet midway?
Wouldve fed you to the Soul Spirit Pearl upgrade. A soul as fierce as yours makes it way stronger.
Now it made sense why hed been so obsessed with hoarding souls.
But heres the problem. Facing Escannon now? Hundred percent loss.
No need to worry. Ill transfer all the power these souls hold to you.
You will?
Just wait. Gotta stabilize the Soul Spirit Pearl first. It got shaky when you swallowed it.
Got it.
His lips curled into a smile at the prospect of growing even stronger.
But it wouldnt be enough.
To take on Heavenly-tier Escannon, hed need far more power.
Still got a shot.
The unknown power hed encounter soon.
Secure that, and the game could change.
And add Overlord Titan to the mix.
With every mark assembled, Overlord Titan could finally be forged.
Jeong Hoon pulled out all the marks.
Heh, impressive. Didnt expect you to have collected that many perfect marks.
Howd you know which ones I needed?
Im Baal. Takes barely any digging.
Not the most satisfying answer, but hed let it slide for now.
Fine. Hurry up and stabilize it.
On it.
While Baal worked on stabilizing the Soul Spirit Pearl, Jeong Hoon would craft Overlord Titan.