Chapter 338
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: Tenebris Awakens
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T-Tenebris...?
As soon as the seal was broken and he emerged, Baalwho had been waitingimmediately went on guard.
Ho, you're a Lord-level Transcendent.
Tenebris's eyes curved like a crescent moon, brimming with curiosity.
He must be wondering why a Demon Realm lord was parasitizing a human body.
H-Hey! You said you'd break the seal. You didn't say you'd shove that thing into your body!
Baal protested with a frantic expression.
He must really fear Tenebris.
It wasn't hard to read his intentions.
Jeong Hoon let out a sigh before replying.
I need this guy right now.
Need him? Why?
He can shield me from the Transcendents' eyes.
Shield you?
Yeah.
With Tenebris inside him, there was no need to watch his step anymore.
Ho... That's a good move. If Escannon can't pinpoint your location, he won't act rashly.
Well, unless he flies into a rage and tears everything apart.
That's possible, but I'll give you high marks for the fact that he's not watching you right now.
Jeong Hoon nodded.
So welcome Tenebris. And contrary to what you said, this guy claims he wasn't trying to wipe you all out.
What the...?
Tenebris cut Baal off.
It's true. I don't know what you think you know, but all I remember is getting backstabbed and sealed.
You expect me to believe that?
Believe it or not, up to you. ...But why are you talking down to me?
Are you telling me to believe you?
Tsk. Your face.
Tenebris glared murderously, and Baal responded with an innocent smile as he bowed his head.
Like this?
Hmm, that dumb look doesn't sit well with me, but it's much better than before.
Hahaha.
Keep smiling like that from now on.
I'll keep it in mind.
What a spineless bootlicker.
Jeong Hoon watched pitifully before turning away.
Alright, let's go claim the reward for averting the second annihilation.
He had only come here to free Tenebris.
He still hadn't received the reward for stopping the second annihilation.
The temple's center.
A staircase led underground.
He had passed it while freeing Tenebris, but he couldn't put off the reward.
As Jeong Hoon descended, a goddess statue stood tall there as well.
Same as before.
A rainbow-colored question mark blinked above the statue's head, just like the others.
Secret Quest: Gamble
-Restriction: One who averted the second annihilation
-Reward: ???
-Description: The one who averted the second annihilation is granted a choice. Claim the reward here to obtain 'All Stats Massively Increased.' However, choosing to hold will forfeit this reward, adding it to the reward after averting the third annihilation.
This was different.
Jeong Hoon stroked his chin, deep in thought.
All Stats Massively Increased.
He didn't know the exact boost, but in his current situation, extra stats would make him even stronger.
But I can't ignore the combined reward.
A massive reward would come after averting the third annihilation too. Adding this insane 'All Stats Massively Increased' to it?
He'd get something far greater.
Better to hold off.
Agreed.
Tenebris advised holding.
Baal, now his lackey, groveled in agreement.
Tenebris, just so you know, that guy's the one who betrayed his own lord.
Jeong Hoon pointed at Baal.
Baal paled and waved his hands frantically.
I-Its a misunderstanding!
Ho, so you're saying it'd be no surprise if this one stabbed me in the back too?
Jeong Hoon grinned and nodded.
You bastard... Is this how you repay my past favors?!
Shh, quiet.
Yes.
At Tenebris's word, he turned meek in an instant.
Wow... No pride at all?
To think something like that ruled.
Mukho and Anima criticized Baal, but Jeong Hoon quite liked it.
He had betrayed Escannon and sided with Jeong Hoon.
After investing a ton of time and effort.
It had helped Jeong Hoon greatly, but demons could turncoat anytime.
He needed someone to keep him in check.
Not that he fully trusted Tenebris, of course.
I'll hold.
The reward is held.
It will be combined with existing rewards upon averting the third annihilation.
The goddess statue vanished with those words.
That settled the second annihilation for good.
What the hell... Why can't I read him anymore!
Escannon slammed his fist down.
The same phenomenon had occurred when the human revisited the temple.
Just like when he casually stole Escannon's domain.
Had a Named intervened again?
The problem was the human had vanished completely afterward.
No matter how he manipulated it, the mirror couldn't locate him.
Hey! What the hell is that guy!?
Then, a furious voice rang in Escannon's ear.
Who told you to act on your own?
Hah, unbelievable. To think Espada got taken down so easily.
Ruler of the 12 Demon Realms.
Espada.
One of Abaddon's favored subordinates.
For him to be helplessly defeated by a mere human.
When he stole Escannon's domain, a Named must have intervened.
He thought Espada could easily take the human's life.
But the result was the complete opposite.
The human had crushed Espada effortlessly.
Tch, so did that satisfy your curiosity?
...You sure you're okay?
What do you mean? You don't seriously think I'll lose to some human punk, do you?
Escannon scoffed.
He had watched everything too.
The human wielded forbidden mortal power, surebut only up to a point.
No matter how strong, capable of crushing a lord, he was just a sniveling child before a Heaven-tier like him.
The issue was the Named protecting him.
Unable to read him meant the Named was shielding his eyes.
Hah, you're on edge, huh?
Abaddon sneered at Escannon's tense face.
If the Named weren't protecting him, I'd crush him easily.
Escannon's fist clenched again.
...
Abaddon fell silent.
Why had the Named so blatantly shielded him right before clashing with Escannon?
Was he planning to strip Escannon of his seat and hand it to the human?
What? You think I'll get booted too?
Escannon smirked.
Why not? Why else would the Named shield him?
......
Anyway, pity. I didn't want you out of the picture.
I'm not going anywhere.
Heh, turns out humans love insurance. Ways to prepare for risks, they say.
...Spit it out.
Get ready. If you don't want to get crushed without a fight.
At Abaddon's warning, Escannon quietly closed his eyes.
He hated to admit it, but everything was true.
With a Named shielding him, variables were inevitable.
Better to prepare.
Dungeons imposing penalties despite averted annihilations popped up everywhere.
But unlike before, Jeong Hoon wasn't obsessed with hunting monsters.
With Suction Great Law needed to grind even a little EXP and stats, he sat cross-legged, eyes closed, wasting time idly.
Tenebris's power.
Jeong Hoon named it Creation Ki.
Not just some unknown force for regressionhe intended to use it properly.
Creation Ki held creative power.
The power only Named could wield.
Power to create something from nothing.
It wasn't as overwhelming as theirs.
He'd lost most of it after defeat to their five-way assault, leaving it feeble.
Can't touch nature.
A Named could, but his was far short.
Still, everything else was plenty satisfying.
Strong enough to reverse time.
This power could match Escannon.
And this too.
Jeong Hoon opened his skill tree.
That's a lot.
Tenebris remarked briefly in admiration.
Of course he'd acquired them relentlessly.
Jeong Hoon selected the recently acquired Asura.
True Asura
-Type: Passive
-Level: 1
-Grade: Ultimate
-Upon takingdealing certain damage, 'True Asura' mode activates. (180s)
-Stage 1: Asura
-Stage 2: Frenzy
-Stage 3: Blood Dance
-Stage 4: Annihilation
Ultimate-grade True Asura.
Four stages total; he'd never reached stage 4.
Fuse them.
Recreate the skill using Tenebris's power.
Possible since it was his skill.
True Asura
-Type: Passive
-Level: 1
-Grade: Ultimate
-'True Asura' mode activates. (300s)
-Extreme Annihilation
Asura, Frenzy, Blood Dance, and Annihilation vanished, replaced by Extreme Annihilation.
- The True Path of the Asura
- Phantom Arms expand to 10, attack speed doubled.
- Death attribute auto-applied to Phantom Arms' weapons.
-Each hit on enemy boosts attack power and crit damage. Forces Bleed effect; 3 extra strikes occur.
Beyond fusing 1-4 stages, it was upgraded.
Jackpot. Now I can activate Asura anytime.
Activation time jumped from 180s to 300s too.
Then other skills.
Jeong Hoon revised all his acquired skills.
Eased harsh triggers, consolidated weak options, overall upgrades.
When done, he opened his eyes.
Master, that's insane.
Mukho finally spoke.
Hm? What?
How can you sit still with eyes closed for two whole days?
Two days already?
The clock confirmed it.
Revising so many skills one by one had eaten time.
No time to waste. Let's move.
The third annihilation loomed soon.
He had to hurry.
Huh? Where to?
Earth Korea.
Jeong Hoon headed to Earth Korea.
An NPC guarded the entrance.
What brings you here?
NPCs fully stripped of personality, toys for Transcendents.
Time to fix them first.
Hey. Why bother restoring those?
Tenebris noticed and scowled.
Jeong Hoon shot back, as if it were obvious.
Why not? Want me to advertise I got this power?
Then why come here?
Something to check.
Jeong Hoon passed them and ascended to the 7th floor, where the management team worked.