Chapter 336
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 336
Chapter Title: The Ruler of the 12th Demon Realm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is driving me insane.
Espada let out an irritated sigh as he guarded the empty space.
He wasnt pleased about having to intervene in a dimension overseen by lesser beings, but what grated on him even more was the fact that he, the ruler of the 12th Demon Realm, had to personally come here just to deal with a single human.
A lowly dimension he never would have set foot in without his lords orders.
And soon enough, the human entered.
Is that the one I have to deal with?
He could turn a mere human like that into dust in one second.
Espada reached out to choke the life from the human, then abruptly froze.
What is that?
The humans level exceeded 4,000.
Espada let out a hollow laugh at the absurd figure.
Now I see why my lord sent me.
To think such an off-the-charts existence had appeared in a lowly dimension.
Hed planned to handle it quickly and leave, but this wouldnt be an easy fight.
Cold sweat beaded on Espadas forehead.
Flash!
In that instant, the human vanished.
Espadas eyes widened.
Slash.
At the same time, a chilling sound rang out, followed by searing pain in his right shoulder.
Espadas gaze shifted to his right shoulder.
His arm had been severed, blood streaming down.
Urk!
Espada groaned and hurriedly unleashed his ability.
Grave of Swords.
Countless swords poured from the ceiling to the ground.
The swords vibrated in unison, shaking the air and sending out waves.
His severed arm regenerated in an instant, and the air turned into blades that surged toward the human.
Crunch.
But the blades couldnt harm the human.
A barrier of holy power and the thick, ultimate aura emanating from his body.
What the hell is his mana reading?
A human wielding aura that dense in color.
Espada bit his lip, his face twisting.
To be impressed by a mere humans mana.
It wounded his pride deeply.
Why so surprised?
The human smirked, as if reading Espadas thoughts from his expression.
I acknowledge you.
Hm?
Yes. Youre no ordinary foe. Youre on a whole different level from the mortals Ive faced so far.
The higher the rank in the Demon Realms, the lower the number they rule.
The human before him wasnt some denizen of a lowly dimension assigned to the 90s.
He was a lord who ruled a Demon Realm.
No, a transcendent on par withor perhaps surpassingthem.
Though wrapped in a mortal shell, so maybe not quite a full transcendent.
Espada quickly regained his composure.
Hoh, quicker on the uptake than I expected?
The human let out a short sound of admiration.
Watching him fueled Espadas rage to the boiling point, but he kept it from showing.
Losing his cool here would cloud his judgment and leave him at the humans mercy.
Lets go all out.
Espada glared at the human and gestured from above downward.
Swords embedded in the ground floated up lightly.
The swords began spinning like dancers.
The domain of the Grave of Swords, deployed as blades rained down.
From the moment one entered this domain, victory was impossible for the foe.
No matter how they struggled, escape was out of the question.
Break.
First, Break deployed, and the spinning swords locked onto the human before firing.
Clang!
The human casually deflected the incoming swords with his own. The collided swords glowed, turned to powder, and scattered around him, enveloping him.
Thats right.
Not mere powdertiny swords.
They embedded in the holy power barrier and shattered effortlessly.
Swords that shatter any ability.
This was Break.
And second.
Charge.
The powdered swords swarmed the human.
Breaks energy fused with Charges, poised to shatter that aura in one go and turn him into a pincushion.
But the swords failed to pierce the ultimate aura and clattered to the ground.
What?!
Espadas eyes bulged.
This was his domain.
Even if the human had surpassed lord-level, resisting unscathed like this was impossible.
Had he been hiding his power?
Now its my turn.
The humans words ended, and his form vanished.
The Black Field activates.
Jeong Hoon started with Black Field, then used every buff at his disposal.
Fighting in the enemys domain without buffs was a massive disadvantage.
So hed go all out.
Stepping with Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon, he closed in instantly. Espada flinched in surprise and swung both arms.
Countless swords shot toward Jeong Hoon, but he swung Titan wide without a care.
The Overlords Descent activates.
At the same time, he unleashed Overlords Descent.
A tremendous energy settled over Jeong Hoons body.
Rumble! Boom!
No matter the Grave of Swords domain, it couldnt withstand Jeong Hoons presence.
Lightning crashed into the grave, shaking the earth.
Damn it!
Espada spat curses as he faced the Overlords power head-on.
No need for Asura after all.
Over level 4,000, was it?
With buffs and Overlords Descent, he was confident he could easily eliminate the lord of the 12th Demon Realm.
Under the Overlord Domain, Espada writhed in crushing agony, his movements sluggish.
Jeong Hoon swung Titan wide.
First Form: Heavenly Demon Sword Style activates.
Heavenly Demon Sword Style.
A razor-sharp sword strike sought to devour Espada.
Espada startled and hastily clasped his hands.
The skill is canceled.
Ah.
Because its his domain?
He could cancel opponent skills too, huh.
But that wouldnt work.
The skill is not canceled.
No mere lord could oppose the Overlord.
Die.
Titan slashed Espadas throat.
Gah!
His throat severed, Espada slumped lifelessly.
A pathetically anticlimactic end for the ruler of the 12th Demon Realm.
I knew thered be a skill gap, but to go down this easily
Baal looked down at Espadas cold corpse and let out a short murmur of admiration.
The Grave of Swords domain.
All who entered were said to be toyed with and meet gruesome ends, without exception.
Even other lords.
Espadas prowess was known to vastly outstrip lesser Demon Realm rulers.
Even Great Demon Baal couldnt guarantee victory against him at full power, yet Espada died without mounting a proper defense.
He might actually be able to take down Escannon.
Escannon, whom hed betrayed but who had once been his lord.
Jeong Hoon just might sever that ones head.
Youre still far off.
Far off?
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon had confirmed it while beheading Espada.
He still lacked the power to face Emperor Heaven-tier foes.
Hed subdued Espada easily, but only with all buffs active.
Without them, it wouldve taken far longer.
At this level against Escannon could he claim victory?
Still, a path remained.
If he could wield Tenebriss powerthe same that casually seized Escannons domainthe outcome would change.
Absorbing Star Great Law activates.
You acquire experience.
All stats increase.
Jeong Hoon raised his experience and stats via Espada.
At the same time, named power accumulated in Tenebriss force.
As expected of a 12th Demon Realm lord. Quite the haul.
Hed slain many transcendents before, but this was the biggest gain yet.
Finishing Absorbing Star Great Law, Jeong Hoon rose.
Time to unseal Tenebris.
Next: visit the temple and head to where Tenebris was sealed.
Jeong Hoon moved to the temple.
But the plan didnt proceed smoothly.
Blocked?
The temple he revisited was mostly sealed off.
Mist shrouded it, blocking entry.
Except for the underground stairs.
Escannons intervention, probably.
Seems like it.
As the temples designer, manipulating it was childs play for him.
What now?
What else?
Force his way through.
In Psyches vision of the future, a goddess statue stood tall in this underground.
Curious if itd be the same, but first priority: find Tenebriss seal.
Jeong Hoon reached toward the mist.
Thud.
But it blocked against a barrier before touching.
Jeong Hoon slowly pressed his hand to the barrier.
Will it work this time too?
Like when he drove Escannon from the dungeon.
No sooner had the thought formed than the power of Tenebris in his dantian stirred.
The writhing energy shot from his chest to his right arm.
Its working?
Regardless of Jeong Hoons will, it flowed to his palm and into the barrier.
Shatter!
The barrier broke as if it were nothing.
Incredible.
Baal muttered gravely, and Jeong Hoon withdrew his hand.
The energy in his right hand raced back to its place.
Lets go.
Jeong Hoon advanced to the massive weathered door hed visited before.
As he pushed to enter, Baal grabbed him.
Wait! What happens when you unseal him?
After repelling Escannon with Tenebriss power, Jeong Hoon had explained his encounter.
And that fully wielding the power required freeing him from the seal.
I dont know.
You dont know?
Baal gave him an incredulous look.
Well find out once I unseal him.
What kind of irresponsible?
Right here.
If anything goes wrong, Ill resent you.
Get real. Betraying and sticking with me was all your choice.
Baals face flushed red at Jeong Hoons retort.
I didnt expect Tenebris to get involved! Dying by that guys hand is the last thing I want!
Baal was gripped by fear that Tenebris might wipe out all transcendents.
No wonder his face darkened when the barrier shattered.
Dont worry. Ill make sure you dont get erased, at least.
Baals eyes sparkled for a moment.
You can do that?
Yeah. You chose me, so I have a duty to protect you.
Hed gained much from Baal.
Plus insane level and stat boosts via the Soul Spirit Orb.
He wouldnt let him fall into danger.
Ill trust you.
Baal nodded and stepped back.
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon pushed the door and reentered the enigmatic space.
Ive been waiting.
Tenebriss voice echoed as if on cue.
Yeah. Ive accumulated as much named power as I could, like you said.
Hoh, that sounds promising. Shall we unseal me right away?
At those words, the energy in Jeong Hoons dantian writhed and began flowing through his body.
What?
Jeong Hoons face showed slight surprise as he traced the energys path.
It coursed through his body toward his head.
Dont be too shocked. This is just the process of the power you took conveying the ritual.
Jeong Hoon furrowed his brow at the words.