The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

After parting with Seol, Chi Woo, Seol Hong, Mi Ah, and Hye Myeong followed the path guided by the Golden Divine Statue.

This way!

Chi Woo took the lead, acting as their guide.

Contrary to their expectations, the path ahead was winding and became increasingly complicated the further they went.

However, there were also signs they wouldnt have noticed before if they hadnt awakened to Watalas lessons.

Hye Myeong bit his lips.

The further they walked, the more he broke out in cold sweat.

He was worried about Seol, whom they had left behind.

- Keep going, Hye Myeong.

- ...What about you?

- Im staying here.

- Why?

- Because Ive already acquired it.

Seols words were like a mystery.

Kang Seol...

Hye Myeongs steps felt heavy.

As if he were bound by chains, his ideals unwilling to align with his actions.

...Hye Myeong?

Whats wrong?

I dont know if this is right, responded Hye Myeong, a somber tone in his voice.

......

Was it really the right decision to leave Kang Seol behind? I feel like we pushed him to sacrifice himself.

Running ahead of Hye Myeong, Seol Hong replied.

He is much stronger than you think.

...What?

If he cant do it... then no one here can.

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

Seol heard Karunas voice from the Shadow Space.

- As lively as ever, Jamad.

- Yeah, Ive rested for so long that I feel like bursting with energy now.

Seol then quickly read through Jamads information that had changed.

...Is he really the same troll?

Normally, when summons improve in rank, only a few important things would change rather than a variety of aspectsfor example, acquiring a Primal Power or gaining the ability to choose how to advance your swordsmanship.

However, Jamad's changes upon improving to Immortal rank were on an entirely different level compared to the transformations he had undergone before.

Is this also because of the Void?

If Seol had the luxury of time, he would have examined every single change Jamad had undergone in detail.

However, the opponent in front of him wasnt kind enough to allow him that opportunity.

He was Shade, one of Hwagmus three ghost generals.

- I dont think a long conversation is necessary.

Fwoooooosh

Shade began emanating even more malevolent energy from his body.

Crackle, crackle

[Shade used Exceptional Skill: Ten Thousand Hands.]

[Creation: Cursed Hands cooldown is ignored, regenerating infinitely. However, each time it regenerates, its mana cost increases by 20%.]

How cramped.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The hallway exploded, creating an area as open and large as the previous trial.

...Its better for him the more room he has.

Since Shade had the ability to change his size freely, he now had the option to grow much larger than he currently was.

While Shade had the option of taking advantage of the large space, Seol had nothing to take advantage of.

No matter how big Jamad was, there was no way he could grow larger than Shade.

Fwoosh

Fwoosh Fwoosh

Shade conjured countless floating hands in the air.

Jamad laughed in response.

- Youve prepared a pretty nice meal, Seol.

Jamad then continued, talking to Seol in his head.

Assimilate, Seol. The most important thing right now is for you to understand me.

Assimilate?

Yeah. And if hes weak, you wont have to do anything. Hand over control of your body to me while you grow accustomed to my energy.

Seol didnt necessarily see a reason to deny Jamads request.

Sure.

Fsssss

Night Crows energy grew stronger.

[You are successfully maintaining the Night Crow form with an Immortal-rank summon.]

[Exceptional Skill: Night Crows proficiency greatly increases.]

Seol stared down Shade.

[[Shade]

Rank: Immortal

Estimated Level: 45~50

Hwagmu, the Evil Dragon, commanded three loyal Ghost Generals who obeyed his every command.

Their names alone were enough to spread terror across an entire era. However, after Hwagmu's defeat at the hands of Hong Cheon, the Ghost Generals and the Ghost Army were disbanded.

Phantom, one of the Ghost Generals, was sealed by Hong Cheon, while Shade and Spectre faded into obscurity.

It was as if they had been forgotten by time

Well, until you met him here.

Basic Skills: [Passive: Painless], [Passive: Ruler's Authority], [Passive: Domineering Mind], [Ghost Pressure 3], [Command: Press 4], [Command: Whiz 3], [Command: Clap 3], [Command: Slam], [Command: Pile Up 5], [Command: Pinky Promise 1], [Command: Lace Fingers 2]

Unique Skills: [Exceptional Skill: Ten Thousand Hands], [Exceptional Skill: Limited Oxymoron], [Exceptional Skill: Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara]]

Shade and Phantom had similar levels.

However, according to Seols assessment, Shade was much stronger than Phantom.

Not to mention the fact hes at full strength this wont be easy.

Gloooow

Shade quickly scattered a strange energy from his body.

It was as if he was channeling the galaxy into the night sky, causing a shimmering light to expand in the black space.

- It must be your domain.

Since you know what it is, you must also realize its too late for you, right?

- Hmph

Fsssss

Domain was primarily used by swordsmen and warriors, but Shade had adapted it into his own technique and reformed it in a distinctly unique way.

Lift lift

The floating rubble began to move as if they had a will of their own.

Its his specialty.

Seol wasnt sure whether to describe it as telekinesis or spatial control, but he knew for certain that Shade was using those powers to attack him.

Considering he could also enter a mental form, Shade was incredibly difficult to confront.

Just like now.

This is why I said that I had a bad matchup versus him.

Until now, Seol has always defeated his opponents fairly. He met strength with strength and speed with speed, ensuring he faced his adversaries with the weapons he had the advantage in.

However, Shade was an anomaly, making a straightforward face-off difficult.

Unless I was Hye Myeong after he awakened to Watalas powers No, even Hye Myeong had to use the Luminous Bell.

It was difficult to foresee Shade losing in an ordinary battle of strength.

Welcome to my unknown, mocked Shade, flashing his teeth.

Jamad then asked Seol a question.

Do you know anything about him?

I know physical attacks arent that effective.

He looks a bit too tough for someone like that.

Youre right, he is.

So, in short hes a cheap little bastard.

Seol was inwardly worried about Jamad.

Jamad, hes

Just watch, Seol.

Smirk

Jamad smiled.

Watch how much Ive changed.

Clap!

As Jamad clapped his hands, two of Jamads skulls floated into the air.

[You use multiple Primal Powers.]

[You are using more than 2 Primal Powers.]

[The efficiency of the Primal Powers you are using is decreased by 10%.]

The floating skulls were likely connected to the linked skulls on Jamads arms that Seol had seen earlier.

Crackle, crackle

On their foreheads were the same patterns that were imprinted into Seols Bones of Origin.

- Ill give you a little taste first, ghost.

I doubt even your full power will be enough.

- I wouldnt be so sure about that.

The skull opened its mouth and spoke.

[Become a sea of fire]

[You have applied Sulfur Primal Power.]

[You used Primal Power: Wildfire.]

[Wildfire will continue to expand as long as you support it with Sulfur Primal Power.]

[The caster is immune to Wildfires damage.]

[Wildfire creates immense amounts of heat and smoke.]

[Opponents within range of the heat have a high chance of being afflicted with Abnormal Status: Burned. Burned deals 1% of the enemys current health every second, and lasts for 3 seconds.]

[There is a chance for Abnormal Status: Burned to change into Abnormal Status: Scorched after its duration ends. Scorched deals 1% of the enemys current health as damage per second and lasts for 5 seconds.]

[Additional effects are applied based on the size of Wildfire.]

It was a rather unique skill.

It also seemed effective to use when facing many opponents or a large opponent.

Hmph That wont matter as long as it doesnt reach me.

- Are you sure youll be able to avoid it, though?

Clatter, clatter

The second skull.

[Be purified by lightning.]

[You have applied Lightning Primal Power.]

[You used Primal Power: Lightning Strike.]

[Lightning will continue to strike the battlefield as long as you support it with Lightning Primal Power.]

[The caster is immune to Lightning Strikes damage.]

[Lightning will strike where the Lightning Seal is placed. Lightning Seals will regularly appear on the ground where enemies are located.]

[There is a slight delay before the Lightning Seal activates.]

Lightning will continue to strike the battlefield?

As Seol did not know how much damage it dealt, he worried if it could pose a threat to Shade.

In the end, they would have to fight for Seol to know.

And now, their fight was about to begin.

[Shade used Command: Slam.]

[Cursed Hand strikes the designated target.]

Bam

A hand, curled up into a fist, quickly flew toward Seol.

Rumble, rumble

Then, more fists began flying at Seol.

In the Night Crow form, Seol was buried by their relentless assault.

...Where did he go? asked Shade, tilting his head in confusion.

In an instant, Night Crows energy was dispersed like a haze. Shade also recognized that Seol and Jamad were not individuals who would die in one hit like that.

[You used Nightmare.]

[The damage you took recently is transferred to your creation.]

Crumble

Crows scattered around.

That was close, said Seol.

- Its fine since you dodged it. We are one body, after all. I expected you to do at least this much.

......

Seol talked to himself like someone with a split personality.

...My creations came back.

Crows continued to multiply around Seol as they surrounded him.

Fwooooosh!

The hands that struck where Seol was were all turned to ash by Wildfire.

- Still, weve managed to reduce their numbers.

Fssss

Night Crow then disappeared into the smoke caused by Wildfire.

How one-dimensional, mocked Shade.

- You can rest well knowing that a multi-dimensional attack is waiting for you, ghost.

Shade swiftly scanned the smoke with his senses, then zeroed in on the foolish shaman who thought he could hide within it.

There you are!

[Shade used Command: Lace Fingers.]

[Cursed Hands lace their fingers to combine damage.]

[Shade used Command: Slam.]

[Cursed Hand strikes the designated target.]

Slaaaaam!

Fwip!

Slaaam!

Fwoosh!

Though Shade managed to attack Seol each time he sensed him, it felt as if none of his attacks were properly landing.

So it wasnt just to obscure vision, Shade murmured.

Wildfires smokes not only obscured vision, but also greatly increased dodge rate once it expanded.

For Seol, who had numerous effects that boosted his dodge rate, it served as an excellent shield.

Sure, but What if I do this?

Shade waved his hands.

Fwooosh

[Shade used Command: Pile Up.]

[Cursed Hands pile up, crushing the target.]

Slaaaam!

Slaaaam!

This time, Shade opted to limit the places Seol could go instead.

Slaam!

Slam!

However, he suddenly stopped still.

Crackle, crackle!

Lightning Strike fell directly above Seol.

BOOOOOOOOM

The Cursed Hands around Seol were all scorched black before turning to ash.

Jamad laughed while standing on the Lightning Seal, a clear taunt toward Shade.

Its pointless to taunt me. Your defeat is already decided.

- How so?

Because your attacks will never reach me.

- Hmm

As Jamad gave Shade a curious look, Seol asked him a question.

Jamad, do you have a way to win?

Somewhat. Im just debating the method to close the distance with him.

Close the distance?

Yeah. As long as I can do that, I can damage him.

Then what about this?

Seol explained his plans to Jamad, who replied with a satisfied grin.

- Ah that sounds like it could work. Lets go with that.

Seeing Jamads relaxed demeanor, Shade began to feel a bit irritated.

Im beginning to get annoyed.

[Shade used Command: Whiz.]

[Throw a projectile that deals damage proportional to Cursed Hands damage. Additional effects are applied upon a successful hit.]

Whiz!

Woosh!

Wooooosh!

With countless pieces of rubble scattered around, Shade adjusted his strategy based on the mana he could sense and hurled the debris at Seol.

Booom!

Boooooom!

Booom!

While these attacks were easy to dodge, unlike his hands, they seemed to never end.

Crack

Not to mention the additional debris that was also created from the attacks. In truth, this attack was impossible to dodge.

Crackle

Jamad allowed a few of the smaller debris to hit him.

...Caught you.

- What?

[Shade used Command: Pinky Promise.]

[A target hit even once by Cursed Hand is restrained for a short while.]

[You are afflicted with Abnormal Status: Restrained.]

[Confession activates.]

[All Abnormal Statuses are lifted from you.]

[Abnormal Status: Restrained, the most recently applied Abnormal Status, is transferred to Shade.]

...What?

Fwoosh!

While Jamad tried to use that opening to run away, another piece of debris had already hit him within that moment.

[Shade used Command: Pinky Promise.]

[A target hit even once by Cursed Hand is restrained for a short while.]

[You are afflicted with Abnormal Status: Restrained.]

However, Confession didnt activate this time.

Getting restrained even once means death.

Seol clicked his tongue at the ridiculous attack pattern, but he was still confident.

It seemed like Jamad still had many more cards to play.

Fwoosh

A large boulder hurtled toward Seol.

Clatter, clatter

But then, Jamads third skull appeared.

Clap!

Jamad clapped.

[Summon Phantom Beast: Shadow Wolf activates.]

[Passive: Sudden Appearance activates.]

[Koko, the Happy, affects Jamads skill.]

- Come out, wolf.

Crackle, crackle

Chomp!

A black entity tore through Seols shadows to swallow the skull with the mountain pattern.