CHAPTER 491: THE FINAL BATTLE (1)

As soon as Earth Demon finished speaking, an intense energy surged behind Seol-Hwi.

At first, it was only a slight vibration, but its intensity skyrocketed in an instant.

“Ugh…”

Seol-Hwi widened his eyes at the sensation of vast internal qi flowing in like a torrent. But it was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Rumble!

Earth Demon’s internal qi increased explosively, transmitting a huge shock to Seol-Hwi’s body.

Bang!Bang!Bang!

It felt as if fireworks were exploding in his head.

Each time a shock burst inside his body, a massive wave of internal qi surged in like an aftershock.

With several explosions, the torrent that rushed in like waves gradually turned into a tidal wave.

And when another massive shock was delivered.

Crash!

The tidal wave transformed into a waterspout, crashing violently inside Seol-Hwi’s body.

‘No, this can’t be.’

Seol-Hwi couldn’t collect his thoughts.

This was on a completely different level than when he had ascended in rank by consuming the ultimate elixir in the past.

Controlling the explosive internal qi was out of the question; even enduring it seemed nearly impossible.

“Aaaaah!”

In the end, Seol-Hwi let out a scream.

As the circulation of qi exceeded its limit, extreme pain surged through his entire body as if his blood vessels were burning.

His appearance was even more miserable.

His skin turned a fiery red, and some flesh began to burst open.

This was a change caused by Earth Demon’s internal qi exceeding what Seol-Hwi’s body could accommodate.

‘Is this the end…?’

Whoosh.

The qi that had been spreading in all directions seemed to calm momentarily, but Seol-Hwi knew.

Like the calm before the storm, the real thing was about to come.

Boom!

As expected. A powerful explosion starting from his dantian spread through all his meridians.

It was a force several times more powerful than any previous explosion.

Seol-Hwi’s entire body was already filled with heat, and his flesh began to melt away.

Even for Seol-Hwi, who had reached a higher state, it was an unbearable amount of internal energy.

‘I need to understand the flow of qi now…….’

Even as his consciousness faded, Seol-Hwi devised a last-ditch method.

It seemed similar to when he had injected elixirs into the system in the past, but the nature was different.

If those were powers embedded in nature, Earth Demon’s was a purer force that transcended nature.

Therefore, harmonizing that power with the orthodox methods was impossible.

No, first, he needed to determine the nature of the energy itself and whether it could be accepted by his body.

Saaa—

The qi receded like an ebbing tide. But this was merely a precursor to a greater force that was about to surge. To Seol-Hwi, who was still holding on, that power was akin to a death sentence. 𝐑ἈɴọᛒƐṨ

‘If harmony is impossible with this qi…… what about balance?’

He already knew that Earth Demon’s power was so transcendent that even the harmony of Taiji was impossible.

Then, if harmony was unattainable, what if he could ride the flow through balance?

This was different from the methods he had used in the past, but precisely because of that, he judged it might be possible.

The ancestors of Mount Hua Sect had sublimated uncontrollable powerful qi’s like Purple Cloud Divine Arts into plum blossoms.

Seol-Hwi also aimed to stabilize the rampant energy within his body by amplifying it into an energy that could be accepted.

Kuwaaang!

At the moment of the final explosion, a dazzling light filled the space around Seol-Hwi.

Simultaneously, everything seemed to slow down as if time had stopped. It was like being on the brink of death.

But that was only for a moment. Everything started moving again, and like life being revived, color returned to Seol-Hwi’s face.

“This is…”

The scene unfolding before Seol-Hwi’s eyes was almost unbelievable. In the dazzling light, he witnessed a beam of light connecting the sky and his own body. At that moment, an indescribable peace settled within him.

“…Am I alive?”

Emerging slowly from the light was none other than Earth Demon.

His appearance, with white hair, was reminiscent of the time when he had exhausted all his strength and awaited death.

“So that’s how it is.”

“Amazing. To even embrace the qi of chaos. What state have you reached now?”

Seol-Hwi could understand Earth Demon’s amazement.

He himself felt that his current state had evolved into a form different from the past Demon God.

“Well… It’s definitely a different realm from Supreme Master, but I’m not exactly sure.”

“Is it something like ascension?”

“It’s similar to that… but also a bit different.”

“Hmm…”

Earth Demon looked at Seol-Hwi with a curious gaze.

For someone who had always wondered what the pinnacle of martial arts in the Central Plains would look like, this brought him ecstatic joy.

“What should I say… Ah.”

Seol-Hwi’s words were cut off. A strange change was occurring in Earth Demon’s body.

His body, beyond oxidizing, was causing even his clothes to scatter like sand.

It was an unreal scene, as if Earth Demon’s very existence was slowly disappearing.

“Make sure you keep that promise.”

“…What?”

“For us to have a drink together.”

Despite Earth Demon’s sly words, Seol-Hwi couldn’t respond.

Before his last words were even finished, half of his face had disappeared.

“…….”

Left alone in the empty space, Seol-Hwi pondered the meaning of Earth Demon’s final words.

“Sure. Let’s have a drink. If I’m granted such an opportunity.”

He took a deep breath and raised his head.

Fate.

Jang Dal intended to use them to impose a greater trial on Seol-Hwi, but it ended up assisting him instead.

Especially since Goo Jong-myung and Earth Demon had shared philosophies while traversing the Central Plains together.

Seol-Hwi was able to persuade them because he understood what they truly desired.

From Jang Dal’s perspective, who viewed people merely as expendables, he could never have anticipated such an outcome.

[You have passed all the gates.]

A message appeared before Seol-Hwi’s eyes.

An information window he was familiar with appeared soon after, but something was different.

[Displaying the ability stats of ???.]

[State]

Player_??? [???]

Health ???

Stamina ???

Internal qi ???

‘What is this?’

A cold blue light flashed as an information window appeared before Seol-Hwi’s eyes. His sharp gaze scanned the screen, but instead of familiar ability stats, it was filled with mysterious question marks.

‘Have I surpassed the limits they set?’

As the thought crossed his mind, another information window appeared.

[The administrator intervenes directly.]

The air swirled like a vortex, and a figure emerged.

It was Jang Dal. A faint smile played on his lips.

“Oh ho.”

In contrast, his voice was mixed with surprise and displeasure.

“Indeed, fitting for one who has risen to the rank of Demon God. To break through all the trials set by the system.”

“Is that why you’re flustered by this?”

When Seol-Hwi asked coldly, Jang Dal grinned.

“Yes. Quite a bit. I can’t help but acknowledge your skills. At this level, I could consider joining forces with you.”

“Joining forces?”

Seol-Hwi’s brow furrowed even more.

“Just listen first and then think about it.”

Jang Dal continued, waving his hand.

“Even if we fight, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s not because you can’t defeat me. It’s due to a more fundamental issue.”

“…?”

“First of all, my life is infinite.”

When he pointed above his head, information appeared in Seol-Hwi’s eyes.

[Lives: ∞]

“You must have seen it in Earth Demon’s abilities. It’s the symbol of infinity. Of course, it’s not true infinity. Even Earth Demon was close to infinity, but ultimately had limits.”

“……”

“In short, even if I die, I come back to life. No matter how many times you kill me, it’s useless.”

Jang Dal paused for a moment to catch his breath before continuing.

“Moreover, I can turn back time. In other words, I can erase the fight with you itself. In conclusion, even if you kill me, nothing changes.”

A sharp light flashed in Seol-Hwi’s eyes. Jang Dal’s words didn’t sound like mere bluffing.

He was a being who controlled the system and displayed god-like abilities within it. If he could change the world at will, immortality would be possible.

“So.”

Seol-Hwi slowly opened his mouth.

“What happens to me if I join hands with you?”

This question came from pure curiosity, not agreement.

Seol-Hwi wanted to understand Jang Dal’s thoughts more deeply.

Jang Dal’s lips curled slightly.

“Everything you can imagine becomes possible. Now, watch.”

At his gesture, walls appeared in the air, starting to form a massive picture.

The scene unfolding before Seol-Hwi’s eyes was like a living world.

“You can create anyone and make any event happen. You could become the leader of the demonic cult, the head of a martial arts alliance, or the master of an ancient school. You could live a peaceful life or become a tyrant.”

He continued his explanation.

“It’s also possible to customize the world. In other words, you can create another world within this world. You can love whoever you want and erase those you dislike from existence. Essentially, you become a being that transcends all things.”

Seol-Hwi already knew this.

It literally allows you to wield the power of a creator.

Moreover, you can even travel through time, something you’ve longed for.

That was a power he had wished for a long time ago.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Seol-hwi nodded silently.

At this, Jang Dal’s expression subtly changed.

The confident smile faltered slightly due to the other’s reaction.

After a silence, Seol-hwi’s voice resonated quietly.

“Then, is there romance in that?”

“What?”

“I asked if there’s romance.”

Jang Dal stared at Seol-Hwi without a word.

His eyes trembled slightly.

As if trying to understand something, he eventually spoke.

“What is that?”

“Oh, it’s curious that a so-called god of the world doesn’t know this.”

Seol-Hwi took a deep breath and continued slowly.

“Humans all wish for things to come easily, but they know it’s impossible. Yet, they still challenge it, knowing this. The goal may sometimes be unrealistic, and sometimes it may cause great harm to themselves. Paradoxically, that’s why it’s a value that’s even more necessary.”

Jang Dal’s eyes widened slightly. Confusion was evident on his face.

Seol-Hwi continued speaking.

“That’s what romance is. It’s what gives life a reason to be lived. Of course, for some, a peaceful world might be everything, but not for me. If the world went the way I wanted, I feel like romance would disappear.”

Jang Dal’s gaze wavered. Questions and bewilderment crossed his face.

After a moment, he tilted his head slightly and spoke slowly.

“So, you’re ultimately rejecting my proposal?”

“That’s not all.”

Seol-Hwi’s eyes flashed. A cold smile formed on his lips.

“I’m going to kill you here.”

Jang Dal’s eyes widened. His expression was a mix of surprise and intrigue.

Seol-Hwi’s final words echoed through the space.

“That’s my romance.”