CHAPTER 484: THE END POINT (3)

“Of course.”

“……!”

Jang Dal’s eyes widened at Seol-Hwi’s response.

He thought it wouldn’t be an easy offer to refuse, but he didn’t expect such a quick confirmation.

“Having reached the absolute state of a Demon God, yet living a life hidden behind the administrator’s power out of fear of death. Isn’t everything over once that guy is removed?”

“……That’s true.”

Jang Dal’s expression gradually hardened at those words.

However, contrary to his expression, he wasn’t at all angry at Seol-Hwi’s mockery.

In the end, the one who survives is the strong one in this game.

His mockery was just a mere protest in front of the administrator’s power.

This absolute power could only be truly appreciated by those who had experienced it.

“Should I stand over there?”

When Seol-Hwi pointed to the place he mentioned earlier, Jang Dal nodded.

“Yes. Once you stand there, the system will kindly let you know what to do.”

Seol-Hwi moved.

He walked to the circular patterned area where he initially stood.

‘No matter how great the administrator’s authority is… it ultimately falls within the system’s scope.’

Seol-Hwi was not afraid.

He had experienced the administrator, or the system’s abilities, many times before.

No matter what new abilities might have emerged, it would be difficult to control all of his powers after ascending to a Demon God.

‘Relying on the system means eventually being consumed by it. It has always been like that.’

This was another belief Seol-Hwi held.

The fact that someone who ascended to a Demon God still relied on the system.

No matter what power it was, if one couldn’t surpass it, they remained within it.

As much as that guy didn’t want to lose his power, he ultimately wouldn’t surpass that level.

Tap.

The moment Seol-Hwi arrived at the designated spot, something reacted.

Colors began to seep into the numerous patterns drawn, and light poured towards the engraved designs.

Simultaneously, letters surged into his mind as if they were being generated.

[This is the Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation Editor Center. Welcome, Administrator. How may I assist you?]

▶ My Customization

▷ Expand & Contract Worldview

▷ Third World

▷ Meeting with the Siming Star

▷ Others

Choices appeared before his eyes.

However, he could only choose one option.

Because, unlike Jang Dal, he had lost most of his administrative abilities.

Thus, he selected Others.

▶ .........

▷ .........

▷ Administrator

Only the administrator option was available. When he pressed it again.

▶ Enhance Administrator Abilities.

▷ Adjust Administrator Abilities.

▷ Reject Administrator Abilities.

There was only one option available.

The choice to revoke the administrator’s abilities.

‘Was this all part of Jang Dal’s plan from the start, or was this the extent of my authority?’

He was an administrator in name only. He had no abilities to choose from.

Even the toolbox he had was designed by Jang Dal to be discarded.

Without further hesitation, Seol-Hwi selected the final option.

[Do you wish to reject the administrator abilities?]

Upon agreeing to it, the system reacted immediately.

[You have lost administrator privileges.]

[Extreme Danger! You are not an administrator. You will be subject to 100% system application within this space.]

[All stats are being calculated. Loading.......]

Rumble!

Words engraved in his mind.

Then the ground shook, and the floating rocks began to move.

Thud!Thud!Thud!Thud!

Dozens of rocks merged together, forming massive walls on either side.

A ceiling soared high into the sky, completing the enclosure.

An endless expanse seemed to stretch above.

And thus, a space akin to a tightly sealed training ground, composed of dozens of arenas, was completed.

Jang Dal’s figure was nowhere to be seen, having vanished without a trace, leaving only his voice echoing.

“To step into this hellish pit. Hahaha! I’m quite eager to see what disaster your arrogance will bring.”

Seol-Hwi listened to the warning.

Yet, he showed no change in expression.

“You tried to make me taste despair and helplessness? Now it’s your turn. This place is a specially crafted space to test you.”

Jang Dal, excited, continued speaking.

“I’ve set up six gates. Although unlikely, if you manage to pass through them all, you will meet me.”

Shhhhh—

In a space devoid of sunlight, a bright light illuminated the surroundings as if it were midday.

“Now, go ahead and pass through the first gate.”

What first caught Seol-Hwi’s attention with Jang Dal’s shout was.

Statistics.

[State]

Seol-Hwi [Squad Leader]

Physical Condition Normal

[Value]

Health 118/120

Internal qi 250/250

‘This is…….’

It was a familiar screen.

The statistics he had when he first obtained his fortune.

It represented his abilities.

‘These are the abilities from when I first returned. Come to think of it…….’

As he focused briefly, his sensory perception was very weak.

His keen senses were almost undetectable now.

And his internal qi was scarcely a handful.

This was the work of that guy.

“When the space changed, I quickly customized you. The abilities you see now were assigned to you from the beginning.”

Seol-Hwi just listened quietly.

“From now on, you must use those abilities to overcome the crises that appear before you. I’m personally curious. With just the experience of becoming a Demon, can you break through all these gates? I’ll be watching.” Ṙ𝘢ɴO͍ΒĘs

Boom!

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a door opening came from the other side.

And someone slowly approached.

His senses dulled, it was only after a long while that he could see the figure’s appearance.

“Were you here?”

It was a familiar face.

A tall man with long hair.

And Seol-Hwi couldn’t mistake that uncomfortable tone.

“Kid, are you scared? Can’t even remember the guy you killed?”

The man was Jeok Myung.

As soon as Seol-Hwi saw him, he understood what kind of trick Jang Dal had played.

Resetting all his abilities to the beginning.

And then introducing such enemies.

The six gates probably meant introducing stronger opponents sequentially.

‘Normally, he wouldn’t be a match for me. But right now, in terms of stats…’

[State]

Jeok Myung [Subordinate to the upper organization, a mere captain]

Body normal

[Value]

Health 1,404/1,404

Internal energy 1,560/1,560

Jeok Myung was overwhelmingly stronger than him.

In fact, it was the same back then.

So he avoided fighting him, found a way to get stronger, and then fought.

But now there was no time, and he couldn’t avoid this fight.

“Kid. Don’t be tense. I’m going to smash you today.”

Jeok Myung slowly approached Seol-Hwi, baring his teeth.

He seemed confident in his victory.

Looking at Jeok Myung, Seol-Hwi spoke for the first time.

“Even in death… you still talk a lot.”

“What?”

“Fine. If disappearing again is your wish, I shall personally grant it.”

As Seol-Hwi gestured slowly, Jeok Myung smirked.

“Can’t you see this number?”

Perhaps because he was a character created by Jang Dal now.

This Jeok Myung was different from the past.

He seemed able to see his own stats directly.

“I can see them clearly.”

“Then…”

As he moved his head around, he suddenly stopped.

Holding his breath, he glared intently.

“Die.”

He charged at an incredible speed, attempting a kick.

“Huh?”

But the perfectly executed kick sliced through empty air.

Seol-Hwi had already stepped back.

“Hey, aren’t you curious?”

Seol-Hwi, who evaded so easily, naturally continued speaking.

“Why is there no combat power in the stats?”

“…!”

A movement burrowing into Jeok Myung’s body.

It was several times faster than his own movements.

“Gah!”

Jeok Myung clutched his abdomen with an expression as if his eyes would pop out.

An unbelievable impact had been delivered.

“It’s called One Stone Hard Punch. One of the martial arts of Shaolin.”

One Stone Hard Punch—A martial art known for being able to shatter rocks with just a handful of internal qi.

A practical martial art that gathers and utilizes true qi with simple breathing and cultivation techniques.

‘Ugh.’

As Jeok Myung drooled while clutching his stomach, Seol-Hwi added a word.

“Jeok Myung. No matter what situation I face, you’re no match for me.”

“Y-You…!”

“It’s time for you to go home now.”

Bang!

As Seol-Hwi struck the crown of Jeok Myung’s head, his body shuddered.

And he slowly buried his head in the ground.

That was the end of it.

In one swift move, he severed the thread of life.

Ssssss.

‘Huh? What is this?’

Seol-Hwi’s brow furrowed.

Jeok Myung’s body gradually sank to the ground and vanished from sight as if evaporating.

“Another trick again…”

It was then.

[You have passed the first trial.]

Words appeared before his eyes.

It was proof that he had passed the test.

And then, another ordeal followed.

[The second trial will begin.]

Creeeeak.

A door opened from the other side, and a figure walked towards him.

Once again, it was a familiar face to Seol-Hwi.

If Jeok Myung was between first and second-rate warrior, this was someone beyond perfect first-rate.

It was Shin Bi-rang, whom he had encountered several times in the martial arts test.

----------------------------------------

“What? Is this guy really my opponent…?”

Shin Bi-rang voiced his disappointment blatantly.

The status window he could see seemed to fuel his discontent.

[State]

Shin Bi-rang [Supreme Pavilion, Black Gold Captain]

Body Normal

[Value]

Health 15,000 / 15,000

Internal Qi 12,000 / 12,000

It was understandable.

Based on the numbers alone, Seol-Hwi couldn’t possibly defeat him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Bullshit.”

The guy was so angry he didn’t intend to continue the conversation.

That was actually a relief.

Being able to settle things quickly wasn’t a bad thing.

Clank.

The guy drew the sword from his waist and spoke.

“Stick out your neck. I’ll cut it off in one go.”

Seol-Hwi didn’t find his warning particularly threatening.

In fact, even the information displayed before him didn’t resonate much.

He stood in a completely different position from the past.

‘Now I finally understand. What these numbers truly mean.’

Though his stamina and internal qi were severely lacking, Seol-Hwi knew that wouldn’t lead to defeat in this fight.

At least when facing Shin Bi-rang, he felt it was worth a try.

“Should I give it a shot?”

As Shin Bi-rang, who was keeping a reasonable distance, harbored killing intent, Seol-Hwi instinctively knew.

That an attack was coming.

“Die———!”

Shin Bi-rang’s movements were certainly far superior to the previous adversary.

Not only in footwork but also in the way he wielded his sword.

He assumed Seol-Hwi couldn’t dodge, and to some extent, he was right.

Swoooosh—slash!

Shin Bi-rang cleanly beheaded Seol-Hwi.

That’s how it appeared to his eyes.

However, it was an illusion.

He realized it the moment he felt no sensation in his hands.

“……!”

It was the Heavenly Demon King’s Landing.

As crude as it seemed to be that absolute martial arts, it was true.

Due to Seol-Hwi’s extremely weak internal qi, he could only manifest an illusion for a brief moment.

But it was enough to deceive the overconfident Shin Bi-rang.

“I had something to confirm.”

The severed head disappeared, and Seol-Hwi reappeared before him.

He didn’t flee but approached closely for two reasons.

He judged that if he missed this opportunity, there would be no chance of winning.

And another reason.

“Can I steal his internal qi?”

To steal internal qi using Profound Demon Absorption Arts.