Puk! Black Seol Jihu stabbed his fingers into his own eyes.

You know that youre walking on a th.o.r.n.y road.

He then put his hands over his ears, injecting mana into them and destroying his own eardrums.

Why are you trying to cross it in one go? What doesnt work wont work no matter how many times you try it.

He did the same to his nose.

Ah, of course, there are people who can do it.

Meanwhile, he blabbered on as if he was used to this process by now.

While some have trouble just grasping the basics, these people would succeed as naturally as breathing and achieve their own realms. The former would have trouble taking just a single step forward, but the latter would leap through twenty steps during that time. We call these people geniuses.

Black Seol Jihu revealed his teeth in a thick smile.

Theyre the real Irregulars, unlike you who rely on Future Vision and Nine Eyes.

Suddenly recalling Eun Yuri, Seol Jihu clenched his teeth.

Follow me.

Black Seol Jihu turned around. He trudged to the boulder and pushed it.

It was only then that Seol Jihu noticed what state Black Seol Jihu was in. His sight, hearing, and sense of smell were the same as his own before he revived.

Seol Jihu stared at his alternate self fixedly before subconsciously standing up.

Black Seol Jihu rolled the boulder up with one hand, easily pa.s.sing the first slope and going to the second slope.

Drrrrrrk! Soon, the second peak rumbled, and several boulders appeared out of nowhere.

I just dont get it.

Seol Jihus eyes waned.

Black Seol Jihu stopped and raised the boulder into the air with one hand before throwing it like he was playing with a tennis ball.

The house-sized boulder disappeared into the distance, becoming a dot in the blink of an eye.

Then

Whats the reason you keep trying the same thing when you know it doesnt work?

At the same time, as Black Seol Jihu stretched out his hand toward the slope, the boulder that was rolling down at the lead touched his palm.

What happened next was completely bizarre.

As Black Seol Jihu twisted his arm slightly and pulled, the course of the boulder changed. It began to roll down following the direction of his hand, almost as if the two were connected by an invisible string.

It wasnt just the boulder leading the pack that changed course. The other boulders also veered off course following it.

If your destination is far away, you need to think about getting there step by step.

As he said this, Black Seol Jihu dropped his hands like a conductor.

A spin was applied to the rolling boulders. As Black Seol Jihu waved his hands again, the boulders stopped rolling down and rolled back up the slope.

Drrrrrk! It was around this time that new boulders appeared from the crossroads.

By this time, however, the initial set of boulders was spinning around Black Seol Jihu.

Kw.a.n.g, kw.a.n.g! The boulders rolling down from the crossroads were sent flying without getting anywhere close to him.

Seol Jihus Unique Spatial Ability Grand Cosmic s.h.i.+ft.

Seol Jihu couldnt believe what he was seeing.

But that wasnt the end. Black Seol Jihu raised his foot up high.

Not to mention!

Kw.a.n.g! As he slammed his foot down, the entire slope shook. The boulders that were spinning around him and the boulders that were flung back all bounced up.

In that instant, amidst the boulders soaring into the air, a powerful electric discharge sparked up from Black Seol Jihus body.

Seol Jihus Unique Spatial Ability Thousand Thunder.

As a thousand electric currents rose simultaneously, Black Seol Jihus figure contorted like a static signal from a broken TV.

It was neither loud nor clamorous, but Seol Jihu couldnt take his eyes off him.

Because of the lightning energy in his body, he could feel with great clarity how much destructive power was compressed in each of those currents.

By the time the boulders came to a stop in midair, Black Seol Jihu grabbed his spear and aimed it at the sky.

Its not like theres only one way to pa.s.s the trial.

In the next moment, the electric currents that dyed Black Seol Jihu moved like water while giving off powerful sparks.

From his right arm to the spear shaft, spear blade, and then finally the spear tip. Soon, a chillingly sharp orb coalesced at the end of his spear.

Kiiiii! Kiiiaaa!

The spear howled.

A bone-chilling shriek echoed out.

Black Seol Jihus eyes shot open. His arm bent like a fis.h.i.+ng rod and trembled violently. At the same time, the small orb began to emit a faint light.

Seol Jihus Unique Spatial Ability h.e.l.l Severing.

Craaaaack! An ear-splitting explosion rang out, followed by a startling flash of lightning cutting through the air. The terrifying flash covered the huge mountain in an instant, dyeing the entire world in the color of lightning.

Seol Jihu turned away, unable to withstand the act of destruction causing the heaven and earth to rumble.

How much time went by?

Seol Jihu slowly opened his eyes as the tremors and the thundering booms slowly subsided.

He became speechless as soon as he saw the scene unfolded before him.

Never mind the slope, the entire mountain was burnt black. He couldnt see a single boulder in his vicinity.

Only hot dust flew in the wind and brushed past his face.

Not even ash was left behind from the destructive attack.

Black Seol Jihu drew a deep breath and raised his arm.

How can your mind and body last if youre trying to force yourself to do whats impossible?

Koong! Only now did the boulder he initially threw up land safely in his palm.

Black Seol Jihu turned around with the boulder in his hand.

He looked at the dazed Seol Jihu and smirked.

Why are you in such a rush?

When their eyes met, Seol Jihus jaw dropped slowly.

Monster

That was all Seol Jihu could think of after seeing Black Seol Jihus G.o.dly display of skill. He was clearly in a realm that ordinary people couldnt hope to reach in a hundred lifetimes.

Monster?

Black Seol Jihu snickered.

Youre calling me a monster with just this? Thats troubling hehehehe.

He walked toward Seol Jihu with the boulder in hand.

Hey, havent you fought several Army Commanders?

He came to a stop about two meters in front of him.

How can you say that if you have? Or what, you think the Army Commanders are a joke because you got lucky and won a couple of times against them? Youre confident you can win again?

Without Future Vision, without your comrades, without the World Trees blessing, if you fight even one of them in your current state what do you think will happen?

Seol Jihu flinched as Black Seol Jihu laughed. The way blood spilled out from his nostrils, ears, and hollow eyes made him look like a demonic ghost.

Black Seol Jihu cackled for a while before speaking again.

You think youre trying hard, right? Im doing well. This is good enough. Isnt this what youre thinking?

He clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Sure, you can think that. Especially from an ordinary persons standard. But in my eyes, youre not trying hard at all.

Im not trying hard? Just what else could I do here? Seol Jihu stared at Black Seol Jihu at a loss for words.

For me, living was a series of hards.h.i.+ps. Every day was a tribulation.

When I ate, when I walked, when I breathed. Even when I slept, I tied a boulder above my head that could snap off and fall at any moment.

Thats how I climbed up to Level 8, and then my apt.i.tude evolved as well.

Before I noticed, people around me began to call me a monster. Demon of the Battlefield, Spear Demon, you name it.

Black Seol Jihus voice slowly grew colder.

But, friend.

His voice dropped to a whisper.

Those guys are the monsters. The Army Commanders.

The chilly voice continued.

They were powerful monsters from birth, and they were even bestowed divinity to become half-G.o.ds. You get that? Theyre demiG.o.ds.

The Parasite Queen is something entirely different. Shes a full-fledged G.o.d. How can a human defeat a G.o.d? They cant. Ever.

Mortals cannot defeat immortals.

Seol Jihu wanted to refute, but couldnt. He wasnt in any position to. And so, he could only bite his lip in frustration.

Black Seol Jihu stared at him fixedly before speaking with a sigh.

Im not telling you to become a G.o.d.

.

Im telling you to at least become a monster.

.

Theyre demiG.o.ds. A G.o.d. To kill those f.u.c.kers, you need to become a monster. So why are you insisting on staying human? Why are you hastily drawing your own limits No, never mind.

Black Seol Jihu snorted in the middle of his speech.

Whats the point in me telling you? What, you dont want to do it? Fine, then dont.

Maybe once youre crushed by the Parasites and are dying inside a mountain of corpses, youll desperately beg, Gula-nim, please give me another chance to go back to the past

Black Seol Jihu chucked the boulder at Seol Jihu.

*

Reviving at the starting point, Seol Jihu stood still for a long time.

What he just heard lingered in his head.

Humans cannot defeat a G.o.d. So, become a monster.

But can I do it?

Seol Jihus gaze dropped to the ground. Although he was angry, he knew what Black Seol Jihu said was true.

In truth, he had thought once before when he was half-insane, What use is there in pa.s.sing this d.a.m.ned trial? What will it do for me?

But thinking on the contrary, would he be able to fight the Army Commanders if he couldnt even do this? Would he be able to fight the Parasite Queen?

Recalling the Parasite Queens descent at Tigol Fortress, Seol Jihu had no choice but to agree with Black Seol Jihus words.

Black Seol Jihu must have come to his senses too after being beaten through and through.

I

Seol Jihu clenched his fists.

His madness-ridden pupils calmed down slightly.

Next, he shook his head, walked forward, and placed his hand on the boulder.

Youre going to continue?

Black Seol Jihus voice rang out.

He had come down before Seol Jihu noticed after recovering from his self-inflicted injuries.

Youre free to continue, but

He trudged over and raised his hand.

Dont ever whine again. Im not Yuhui or Master Jang. Dont expect me to coddle you or hear you out like today.

With a grin, he raised his index finger and middle finger.

Then, just as he was about to aim at Seol Jihus eyes

?

Black Seol Jihus hand was shaken off.

Seol Jihu had brushed his hand away.

What, youre going to stop limiting your senses?

Seol Jihu didnt reply. He only glared at Black Seol Jihu with a burning gaze.

Black Seol Jihu raised his brows, and then his eyes widened.

Help me only with the sense of smell.

It was because Seol Jihu stabbed his own eyes after asking with a hoa.r.s.e voice.

He even pulled out his b.l.o.o.d.y fingers right away and stabbed his ears.

Oho.

Seol Jihus expression waned as he tried to endure the pain. Blood dripped down from his tightly clenched lower lip.

This b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

The corner of Black Seol Jihus mouth curled up.

*

The trial started again.

Seol Jihu silently climbed the mountain, and Black Seol Jihu silently watched him push the boulder up.

I wonder how long hell last.

Black Seol Jihu exhaled lightly as he watched Seol Jihu being crushed to death by another group of boulders.

Several days had gone by since their last talk, but Seol Jihu was still at a standstill.

Given the little outburst he had, it would have been great if he changed in a positive way or gained enlightenment of some sort.

But being a die-hard realist, Black Seol Jihu knew too well that such a thing was impossible.

Even if a heroine shed tears next to a collapsed hero, the hero would simply be killed rather than suddenly awakening new powers.

Even if he started rampaging in a fit of rage, he would simply become easier prey.

That was the conclusion Black Seol Jihu arrived at after toiling away in Paradise for all those years.

Without any natural-born talent, everyone was the same.

Only when they faced their limits and surpa.s.sed them would they be able to obtain what they desired. But it went without saying that not everyone who faced their limits could surpa.s.s them.

The taller the wall, the fewer the number of people that could climb over it. The rest would give up in despair or become a cripple trying again and again.

The current Seol Jihu was no different than a ticking time bomb.

He had met his limits a long time ago.

He held on by a hairs breadth after coming close to collapsing.

Now, only one of two things could happen: becoming one of the few who would surpa.s.s their limits or becoming a cripple like most people.

Or maybe

Time endlessly pa.s.sed by while Black Seol Jihu watched nervously.

The seasons changed three times.

A cold wind blew.

It was winter. The season that boasted the highest difficulty for training arrived.

Day 1348.

White snow was falling from the sky.

Black Seol Jihu cleanly gave up any lingering hope.

And he concluded.

To lower the difficulty of the second trial to its original level.

It was a mistake on his part to believe that Seol Jihu could do it just because he was himself.

But the Seol Jihu who entered Paradise through the Gold Mark was distinctively different from himself, who entered as a slave.

There was an indescribable fundamental difference that couldnt be made up for no matter how much effort Seol Jihu put in.

Its a shame, but I guess it cant be helped..

Black Seol Jihu organized his thoughts before walking to the starting point and pausing.

Recently, Seol Jihu had been no different than a machine.

He would stab his own eyes and ears the moment he revived and wait for Black Seol Jihu to restrict his sense of smell. He would then push the boulder up the second peak before ultimately being killed in one way or the other.

Black Seol Jihu had seen this series of events well over a thousand times now. There was another reason that Black Seol Jihu paused.

It was because Seol Jihu was crying.

Tears were streaming down from his lifeless eyes.

Judging by his expressionless, fatigued face, it seemed he himself didnt realize it.

This isnt good.

Seol Jihus terrible mental state wasnt a secret, but it seemed he was in a worse state than Black Seol Jihu imagined.

The fact that he didnt even realize that he was crying showed how worn down his emotions and reason were.

Though Black Seol Jihu played a big role in pus.h.i.+ng him this far, he couldnt just stand still and watch him go completely insane.

This was the limit.

Hardening his resolve, Black Seol Jihu hurriedly walked forward.

Just as Seol Jihu was about to stab his ears after stabbing his eyes, Black Seol Jihu quickly s.n.a.t.c.hed his hand out of the air.

You did well. Lets stop here.

.

Limiting your senses, I mean.

Seol Jihu didnt reply. He stayed still for a few seconds before moving his hand again. If Black Seol Jihu wasnt holding onto it tightly, he would have stabbed his ears again.

Seol Jihu clearly had no desire to stop.

Come on, I told you, you can stop.

Black Seol Jihu smacked his lips.

Dont misunderstand. Im not mad at you. Im just saying we should go back and try the trial like it was supposed to be done.

.

You did enough. Give it a try and feel the difference. Youll be surprised.

Given Black Seol Jihus personality, this was as comforting as he could be. If Seol Jihus att.i.tude wasnt up to par, Black Seol Jihu would have hurled all sorts of abusive language at him. However, Seol Jihus recent att.i.tude had no problems.

What could Black Seol Jihu say when Seol Jihu was trying so hard and still failing?

Of course, both sides knew the real meaning behind Black Seol Jihus words Give up.

The sense of smell

At that moment, Seol Jihu spoke stammeringly.

After going up the first peak Ill do it

What? Ah, hey!

As Seol Jihu tried to move his hand again, Black Seol Jihu subconsciously tightened his grip. Seol Jihus strength had increased compared to before.

Listen, youre in a dangerous state right now, you know that?

With Seol Jihu showing no signs of listening, Black Seol Jihu raised his voice.

Youre on the verge of losing all emotions and reason and breaking. Do you think youre going to get the hang of it if you try a little longer?

.

If thats the case, you would have seen results long ago. So I can promise you, that isnt going to happen.

.

So stop being so stubborn and end this. Knowing what doesnt work is good enough. If one method doesnt work, you have to pursue other methods. Clinging onto what doesnt work is stupid.

I know

Seol Jihu murmured softly.

I know, but

After staying silent for a long time, he suddenly asked.

The Army Commanders can you defeat them? In a one-on-one fight

No.

Black Seol Jihu answered though he wasnt sure why Seol Jihu was suddenly asking such a question.

Ive killed Abhorrent Charity, but I didnt do it alone. It would be a different story if they dont release their divinities, but once they do, it becomes difficult even for me.

Right?

Seol Jihu smiled faintly.

It was a self-deprecating smile.

Black Seol Jihu went Ah.

Hey, wait.

While I was climbing the mountain I suddenly had this thought.

Just as Black Seol Jihu was about to say something, Seol Jihus voice became a little bit clearer.

If I cant succeed here the next time I meet the Parasites wouldnt I die without a doubt?

Seol Jihu continued with difficulty.

I won a few times before against the Parasites through luck

.

But for some reason I felt like the Tigol Fortress War would be the last time

Black Seol Jihu closed his mouth.

I felt there wouldnt be another miracle coincidence or stroke of fortune

He was certainly right. Seol Jihus name was carved in the Parasites minds through the last war.

With how high-profile he had become, something like Raging Temperances defection or Twisted Kindness, using only the physical strength to test out his skill wouldnt happen a second time.

On the contrary, they would do whatever was in their means to try to kill him. Perhaps they would release their divinities and charge at him the moment they saw him.

Its hard for you even though youre already that strong

Seol Jihus eyes twitched.

But I couldnt even do this

His lips trembled as well.

When I thought that I just felt so pathetic

Despite trying so hard to hold it back, tears began to stream down his face again. Seol Jihu continued with his voice cracking slightly.

I know its not working but I just cant bring myself to stop!

Black Seol Jihu was unknowingly loosening his grip.

Because he learned why Seol Jihu couldnt give up.

In the end, Seol Jihu twisted his hand out of Black Seol Jihus grasp and stabbed his eardrums.

He then trudged forward while pus.h.i.+ng the boulder up.

Without anyone telling him to do so, he followed his instincts and headed for the peak.

Under the falling snow, climbing the frozen icy path, Seol Jihu fell into thought.

It wasnt that he wasnt tempted by Black Seol Jihus offer.

In fact, he almost nodded his head on the spot.

But the reason he couldnt bring himself to accept the offer

Id rather die than fail to pa.s.s this trial.

was because he couldnt give up on Paradise.

As this was an undeniable truth, he knew he would have to eventually engage in a life-or-death battle with the Parasites.

He would rather die here than suffer all kinds of humiliation then.

Climbing up to the first peak and limiting his sense of smell, Seol Jihu set foot on the second crossroad.

He lost count of how many times he set foot on this mountain path.

Drrrrk! Kw.a.n.g!

A crus.h.i.+ng shock was transmitted to his body through his palms.

His feet stopped.

If once doesn't work, try a hundred times. If a hundred times doesnt work, try a thousand times. If a thousand times doesnt work, try ten-thousand times. He abandoned such ignorant thoughts a long time ago.

He just wanted to know.

Even if what was waiting for him at the end was destruction, he wanted to see just once how far he, Seol Jihu, could go.

And so

Lets go

He put strength into his weakening legs.

Lets go

He concentrated on his senses while bending his one palm with great difficulty.

Soon, boulders should begin to roll down the crossroads.

He fired Mana Spears.

He didnt know how many he destroyed.

He only knew one thing for sure.

Kw.a.n.g! A heavy impact struck his left shoulder.

Heuuuu!

A suppressed groan eked out from the bone-wrenching pain.

Before Seol Jihu could even swallow his breath, another impact struck his right ribs.

Keeeeuu!

He barely swallowed blood that was trying to burst out.

Even as he dropped his head and hunched his shoulders, Seol Jihu did not stop firing the Mana Spears.

Kw.a.n.g!

Heeuuuuu!

Inside the bitter cold accompanying the snowstorm

Kw.a.n.g!

Huaaaaaaa!

He screamed like a beast and fully embraced the boulder that he was pus.h.i.+ng up. It was as if he was saying he would become one with it. That he would protect it without allowing a single scratch.

Kw.a.n.g!

Keeeeuuuu!

I have to endure. Only then will I gain the qualification to take the next step.

Lets go!

Lets go. Lets go. Lets go.

Its fine even if my mind breaks down.

So just one more step.

Its fine even if I open my eyes at the starting point as a cripple.

So lets just climb one more step.

*

Baek Haeju scanned the surroundings after entering the Path of the Soul.

This wasnt her second visit.

Although Seol Jihu didnt know, Baek Haeju had already visited several times.

After the first visit, she spent about ten days on Earth before coming back to Paradise. Words couldnt describe how surprised she was when she found out Seol Jihu still hadnt returned from the Path of the Soul.

Because it meant he had been in there for more than 400 days.

But every time she wanted to meet him, Black Seol Jihu kept her back strongly.

No, go back, he would say. Hes honing himself. If he sees you, hes going to return to his dull state, he would say.

She was chased out every time, being told to stop bothering him and to come back at a later time.

She had no choice but to listen as Black Seol Jihu would subdue her even if she tried to break through forcefully.

And before she noticed, three months had gone by in Paradise.

Im going to see him today no matter what.

Shopping bags full of bento boxes were laden in Baek Haejus hands.

Although there was no need to eat and drink in this s.p.a.ce, one could still taste the food. One of the things Baek Haeju longed for the most when she was taking the trials was food.

When things became so hard that she wanted to give up, she would long for the taste of delicious food or a cold can of c.o.ke.

Hopefully, this will cheer him up a bit

She didnt know how Black Seol Jihu would feel about it, but she figured it was okay since a long time went by.

So as she was looking around with such a thought

?

Baek Haeju saw Black Seol Jihu, standing like a stone statue at the first peak, and tilted her head.

There was no way someone of his caliber didnt notice her presence.

But unlike last time, he wasnt saying anything.

Did something happen?

Feeling that something was off, Baek Haeju turned in the direction that Black Seol Jihu was looking in.

As soon as she laid her eyes on the sloped path beneath the tall mountain, her eyes widened sharply.

The first thing she saw was Seol Jihu climbing up the second peak.

No, it was hard to say he was climbing.

He was barely holding on at the edge of the icy path, protecting the boulder in his embrace desperately.

Boulders that endlessly rolled down from the numerous crossroads were breaking and crus.h.i.+ng his body.

Kw.a.n.g!

Just now, his body strongly shook once again.

That wasnt all. The snowfallen mountain wasnt white, but red.

The first path and the second path were especially crimson.

The boulders that came down from the crossroads were red as well.

This

The entire area reeked of blood.

Having gone through the trials of the Path of the Soul in the past, Baek Haeju instantly realized where the redness came from. That these stains were all from Seol Jihus blood.

It showed how many times he must have died during this time.

Heeeeeeuuu!

Huuaaaaaaa!

For a moment, the sound of the winter wind blowing from the mountain sounded like the howl of a dying beast.

This is insane

Tk. The shopping bags in her hands dropped, and the bento boxes fell out.

This is insane, totally insane!

Muttering shortly, Baek Haeju hurriedly kicked off the ground.

She could tell at a single glance that Seol Jihu was in a dangerous state.

However, she had to stop before she even climbed up the first path.

It was because a spear hurled in frighteningly and struck the ground in front of her.

She didnt need to look to know where it came from.

You!

Baek Haeju raised her brows sharply and shouted.

Youre completely crazy! Are you trying to turn him into a monster!?

Be quiet.

Black Seol Jihu muttered with his gaze fixed on Seol Jihu.

Are you trying to kill him!? At this rate, hes!

When Baek Haeju shouted.

I know, so shut up!

Black Seol Jihu bellowed back.

Baek Haeju frowned. The Black Seol Jihu she had seen until now was always sly and cunning.

But he was different today. As far as she could see, the current Black Seol Jihu was more serious and conflicted than ever before.

Black Seol Jihu also knew.

How long would it be until the ticking time bomb known as Seol Jihu explodes?

How long would he last? Once? Twice? No, perhaps this was the last time.

Though he knew he had to stop him

Please

Black Seol Jihu unknowingly clenched his sweaty hands.

Please!

Seeing Seol Jihu, who was shaking left and right like a reed that was on the verge of breaking, Black Seol Jihu shouted again and again in his heart.

It was then.

Puk!

A heavy impact sounded out.

In that instant, Baek Haeju turned around like a bolt of lightning and clearly saw with her own eyes.

Seol Jihu was collapsing with his eyes half-closed.

Blood was spurting out of his head like a fountain.

His head dropped slowly and his arms wrapped around the boulder became loose until, finally, his knees bent and his body fell backward.

Baek Haejus s.p.a.ced out.

Black Seol Jihu held his breath as well.

The fuse of the ticking bomb had burnt out completely.