Chapter 453. The Second Coming of Gluttony 3

The situation took a sudden turn.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun, who was rampaging as if he owned the world, fell. Vulgar Chast.i.ty was struck down by the lightning bolt, and Unsightly Humility had also stopped his advance and was dazedly looking up at the city wall.

It wasnt just the three Army Commanders. Every parasite ravaging Haramark stopped their attack. Not only that, but they were also slowly backing off.

They were half acting out of instinct, but it was also because the fear was pa.s.sed down from the Nests and the Army Commanders.

It was all because of one man.

He really

He really came back.

Teresa was at a loss for words seeing Seol Jihu standing on the city wall.

She thought it was over. She thought the war that had gone on for more than 20 years would finally end today.

With humanitys defeat.

That was what she thought, but

Uk.

At the end of her despair, the light of hope that seemingly flickered off rekindled again.

It was a brilliant golden light that drove the darkness away.

Keuk heuk

The tears she had been holding in finally began to fall. Her eyes were tightly closed as her lips trembled faintly. It was because all sorts of indescribable emotions that went beyond simply happiness raged inside her.

It wasnt just Teresa.

Hmph.

Phi Soras eyes also welled up with tears.

You should have come earlier.

She sniffled and wiped her tears with her finger.

Huha huhahaha!

Chohong laughed like she lost her mind.

Oppas here.

Eun Yuri closed her eyes with a relieved look.

Representative!

And Marcel Ghionea slammed his fist on the ground and shot up excitedly.

Uwoaaaah!

Hugo, who was sprawled on the ground, picked himself up with a roar.

F-f.u.c.k!

Maria cursed.

Iya Captain Seol!

Hos.h.i.+no Urara also shouted with a broad smile.

Youre back, Captain Seol!

While everyone expressed their happiness in all sorts of ways

.

Seo Yuhui closed her eyes quietly, though her eyes trembled as if she would burst into tears at any moment.

The Seol Jihu Effect was incredible. Just his appearance made humanitys and the Federations morale skyrocket.

On the other hand, the Parasites morale was plummeting all the way down to the deepest depths of the earth.

Koong!

Vulgar Chast.i.ty became speechless, seeing Sung s.h.i.+hyun fall from the city wall to the ground. Unsightly Humility was the same.

What

What the h.e.l.l do we do? was what both the Army Commanders were thinking.

Strictly speaking, only a single person had joined the fray. But it was a different story if that person was Seol Jihu. To the Parasites, the Brightest Star was no different than an all-purpose strategic weapon, one that far surpa.s.sed the Seventh Army Commander.

It was simple, really. The Parasites had devised a sophisticated trap that dragged the Brightest Star into it. Three Army Commanders then took turns wearing him down, yet they still failed to defeat him.

Seol Jihu held on even when Sung s.h.i.+hyun and Twisted Kindness joined the fray, and it wasnt until all six Army Commanders simultaneously attacked that his death was barely finalized.

But now, they werent in the Empires territory and only three Army Commanders were present. To top it off, Seol Jihu was in his peak condition. Furthermore.

Uk!?

Unsightly Humility winced in the middle of his thoughts. It was because he felt a terrifyingly dense mana sweep past his body. Not once, but five or six times.

Just now.

How could he not know what it was? It was the same attack that partially destroyed him and his army before. Unsightly Humility turned around in shock and roused his energy to prepare for a terrifying explosion.

However, in the next moment, Seol Jihu abruptly raised his arm. A dazzling electric discharge erupted from the bottom of Seol Jihus feet and gathered at the tip of his spear.

Pzzt! Golden electricity sparked from the white spear blade pointing toward the sky.

Seol Jihus Unique Spatial Ability Thousand Thunder, h.e.l.l Severing.

Krrr, krrrrr! Thunder rumbled once again.

Just as Unsightly Humility did a double-take

Tzzzzzzzzzt!

Thousands of lightning bolts accompanied by a roaring thunder struck down on the land.

Boom! And following suit was a deafening roar that rippled out in all directions.

Seol Jihus Unique Spatial Ability Supernova Explosion.

Behind Seol Jihu, a sun-like orb rose from the earth. Its surface cracked open, and its condensed energy brimmed over. Golden waves rippled out in all directions.

With two of Seol Jihus strongest abilities being used consecutively, it was a calamity on the level of ma.s.sive natural disasters to the Parasites.

h.e.l.l descended in Paradise. The golden wave spread out at an alarming rate and devoured the groups of parasites that were stunned from the lightning strikes.

The lightning energy not only destroyed the parasites physical bodies but it also ravenously guzzled them down. Rather than losing strength over time, the energy became denser the more it ate, sending out more ripples.

With the chain effect, the screams ringing out from the surroundings stopped before long.

Impossible!

Unsightly Humility, who was holding on with all his might, doubted his eyes at the scene of boundless chaos unfolding in front of him. Seol Jihus energy was getting stronger the more it destroyed its enemies, and meanwhile, it did not harm even a hair on his allies.

Both Sung s.h.i.+hyun and Twisted Kindness were incapable of such a feat. It was proof that Seol Jihu obtained an Authority rivaling G.o.dslaying, and also reached the level of existence needed to use the Authority freely.

All by walking a different path than the Army Commanders.

[Second Army Commander.]

It was then. A familiar voice entered Unsightly Humilitys ears.

This voice.

It was the Third Army Commander, Abhorrent Charitys voice.

He had been watching from afar, hurriedly intervening once the situation turned awry.

[We dont have much time. Listen well. From now on!]

Same time.

Hm

Seol Jihu nodded his head after looking around. This was enough cleanup.

Seol Jihu jumped down from the city wall right away. Sung s.h.i.+hyun was in a complete daze. His brain was ringing just from a single punch. This was the first time he was feeling such dizziness since he became a parasite.

I.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun blinked in a half-awake state.

What am I

When he came to his senses, he realized he was subconsciously circulating his divinity to the point it turned his body hot. His skin was stinging with a scorching pain.

No.

His blurring vision focused.

Theres no way that I

He saw someone jump down from the city wall.

Lost!

Get up.

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns eyes shot open. Veins popped up on the hands that were touching the ground. He clenched his fists, sc.r.a.ping up dirt.

Kuheu!

Sung s.h.i.+hyun picked himself up with a grunt. He was in a sorry state, to say the least. His neck was stretched out, and his scorched skin had cracked up and revealed his red inner skin.

With white smoke rising from the black soot covering his charred wounds, he looked no different than a beggar. Only, his eyes revealed a fearsome glint, peeking out of his lowered head.

Thats more like it.

Seol Jihu grinned with the spear shaft resting on his shoulder. Sung s.h.i.+hyun did not say anything. He creaked his head to the side and then swung his right hand forcefully.

Chwararak! His white longsword, which was buried in the ground, flew into his hand. Sung s.h.i.+hyun then pointed at Seol Jihu and fixed his posture.

Seol Jihu gestured at him with his spear.

Come.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun raised his head. At the same time, he kicked off the ground hard. Rus.h.i.+ng in at breakneck speed, he swung his longsword fiercely.

Are you joking?

Seol Jihu read the movement of the sword perfectly and swung his spear shaft in the same spot.

Clang!

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns body shook strongly. Losing in terms of pure strength, he couldnt help but furrow his brows.

Theres no way

Tong! Sung s.h.i.+hyun moved behind Seol Jihu just as he was about to collapse.

What are you doing?

Their eyes met. It meant Seol Jihu was seeing through his movements perfectly despite his instantaneous speed.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun brandished his sword like a thunderbolt striking from the east and west simultaneously. The problem was that Seol Jihus spear was. .h.i.tting his chin up before his sword could stab his neck.

Puk! With a dull sound, Sung s.h.i.+hyuns jaw tilted back. His arms also tilted up to the sky.

Theres no way!

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns face became dazed as the view of the sky flashed before his eyes.

Keeuuu!

He sc.r.a.ped up his divinity as soon as he landed on the ground. A clear light shot out of his body and undulated like waves. Then, just as an orb gathered at the tip of his sword and bubbled up to explode

Aaaack!

A piercing scream burst out, and a fountain of blood shot out from his shoulder. Sung s.h.i.+hyuns right arm, which held the sword, fell to the ground and flopped around.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun grabbed onto his bleeding right shoulder and fell to his knees. Sensing that the Spear of Puritys Authorities had returned, Seol Jihu had severed Sung s.h.i.+hyuns arm with a Mind Spear.

Dont look at me like I somehow wronged you.

Seol Jihu said with a grin.

You knew how this fight would turn out before it even started.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun couldnt deny this. Detonating an orb of divinity was a new technique he came up with, but he knew things would only be a continuation of what happened on top of the city wall.

Anti-evil energy, G.o.dslaying, Gluttony Seol Jihus mana, which formed perfect harmony with all sorts of evil-destroying energy, would simply devour his attacks.

It wasnt as if he didnt know, but

Sung s.h.i.+hyun clenched his teeth until they were on the brink of breaking. Knowing something and acknowledging something were two completely different things.

Heh

Sung s.h.i.+hyun got up. After staggering left and right a couple of times, he dropped his head.

What?

After a brief moment of silence, a growling voice leaked out of Sung s.h.i.+hyuns mouth.

Just what is it

?

Just whats the reason!?

Did he give up already? Seol Jihus eyes flashed with a glint.

I I was the strongest Earthling!

Sung s.h.i.+hyun huffed.

I was at the center of attention from the start, and I lived up to everyones expectations! Executors! And even Baek Haeju! I surpa.s.sed them all until I could look down on them! There wasnt anyone stronger than me!

Sung s.h.i.+hyun was crying. Strength, agility, manahe was defeated in all aspects. He shed tears as if he couldnt believe this situation and glared at Seol Jihu.

Now I even became a parasite. I fully digested Diligences divinity! Yet, how can you be stronger!?

He threw a tantrum like a child. Seol Jihu spat out a sigh watching this. He then activated his Future-Gauging Nine Eyes.

[Sung s.h.i.+hyuns Status Window]

[1. General Information]

Summoned Date: 2013. 03. 22

Marking Grade: Gold

s.e.x/Age: Male/27

Height/Weight: 178.6cm/72.8kg

Current Condition: Healthy

Cla.s.s: Lv 7. Pinnacle-Rank Mana Swordsman

Nationality: Korea (Area 1)

Affiliation: N/A

Alias: Son of a b.i.t.c.h, Jacka.s.s, Traitor, Defector, s.e.xual Hara.s.ser, Motherf.u.c.ker, d.i.c.k, Loser

[2. Traits]

1. Temperament

Sc.u.mmy (Despicable and contemptible)

Show-off (Likes to put on airs to flaunt himself)

Tenacity (A deeply rooted temper of wanting to endure pain and struggles)

s.e.xoholic (Always concerned with s.e.xual relations.h.i.+p between a man and a woman)

Compet.i.tiveness (Desire and mindset to win)

Cruel (Is lacking or has no humanity)

I Am My Own Lord Throughout Heaven and Earth (Believes that he is not inferior to anyone else in the world)

2. Apt.i.tude

Prodigy (A rare talent that is rarely seen in the world)

Cold-blooded (Tries anything and everything to achieve his goals)

Unrelenting (Confidence that does not bow down to authority and physical strength)

Sixth Sense (The ability to a.n.a.lyze situations by intuition rather than relying on an a.n.a.lysis of the thought)

[3. Physical Level]

Strength: Pinnacle

Endurance: EX

Agility: Pinnacle

Stamina: EX

Mana: Half-G.o.d

Luck: Intermediate (Low)

Remaining Ability Points: 0

[4. Abilities]

1. Authorities (2)

Divinity (Grade Unknown)

Super Regeneration (Special)

2. Innate Abilities (0)

3. Cla.s.s Abilities (8)

Secret Art: Sword Qi Wave (Pinnacle)

One With Nature: One With the Sword (Pinnacle), Flying Sword (Pinnacle), Formless Sword (Pinnacle)

4. Miscellaneous Abilities (1)

Intuition (Special)

[5. Level of Cognition]

Turncoat (Someone who betrayed others loyalty and changed sides) / Despairing / Chaotic (Many things are jumbled up and is impossible to unravel)

Seol Jihu turned off Sung s.h.i.+hyuns status window. He felt there was no point in reading any further.

You know, theres something that a friend of mine said to me.

Seol Jihu began to speak.

That the Army Commanders, who have been bestowed divinity by the Parasite Queen, are monsters that are hard to defeat with a humans strength.

And also, to become a monster just like them in order to defeat them.

He said theres nothing to be afraid of once you meet a condition especially you.

Who!?

Sung s.h.i.+hyun shouted.

Theres a guy.

When Seol Jihu gave a chilling smile, Sung s.h.i.+hyun flinched.

Right, there definitely was a guy like that, a man who was not given the G.o.dslaying Authority, a man who was not chosen to become an Executor, yet managed to kill an Army Commander with nothing but his strength alone.

I didnt really understand him back then. But, after being forced to accept a divinity, I finally understood.

Seol Jihu continued.

Well, I can see where your confidence is coming from. Becoming a parasite improves your physical body and vitality significantly, and other external powers like the Parasite Queens Authorities must have made you feel empowered.

External powers? I fully digested a divinity!

I wonder if thats true.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun frowned at Seol Jihus comment.

It was obvious for the other guys, but in the end you and Twisted Kindness were no different.

Were no different?

Ill give you an example When I rose to Level 9, Gula-nim bestowed the cla.s.s name, Divine Spear, to me.

At that moment, Sung s.h.i.+hyuns brows shook from great shock.

I a.s.sume Level 10 will be Spear G.o.d. What do you think the difference is?

A spear that has the power of a G.o.d, and a G.o.d that has complete authority over something.

The two names were similar but had entirely different meanings.

The point is this. You might be able to control the mana flowing in your circuit without trouble but it doesnt change the fact that you have Diligences divinity, does it?

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns expression stiffened.

I would have acknowledged it if you formed a new divinity that holds your, Sung s.h.i.+hyuns, essence but thats not the case here.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun became speechless. He wanted to refute, but he couldnt find anything to say.

Half-G.o.d is putting it nicely. You obtained divinity by inheriting the qualification that Diligence originally had. Isnt it the case that you yourself havent reached that point yet?

Keuk!

You ceased to be human but havent quite reached the level of G.o.dhood. Rather than a half-G.o.d, its probably more accurate to call you a flood dragon that wasnt able to rise to become a dragon.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun shook at Seol Jihus clarification.

Being so arrogant when all you did was steal someone elses achievement and pretend like it was yours can it get any more shameless than that?

Then what about you!?

Yep, Im the same.

Seol Jihu acknowledged it readily.

Thats why I have nothing to fear from you. Look, youre powerless when the divinity youre so confident about is useless.

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns eyes widened.

In reality, the two of them were exactly alike. Just like how there was a difference between the Divine Spear and Spear G.o.d cla.s.ses, there was a clear difference between someone in the Half-G.o.d rank and someone in the Divine Beginning rank.

Seol Jihu just didnt feel the need to explain it.

So if you understand that, then come, Pinnacle-Rank Mana Swordsman.

When Sung s.h.i.+hyun heard these words, a frightening glint appeared in his eyes.

You!

Not only did Seol Jihu preach arrogantly, but he had also poked Sung s.h.i.+hyuns reverse scale.

You son of a biiiiiitch!

He pulled out his sword from his severed right hand and roared in anger.

Kw.a.n.g!

A terrifying energy sprouted up around him.

A white cl.u.s.ter of light slithered out in multiple directions like snakes and charged toward Seol Jihu. As they gushed out while crossing paths, they dyed the area white.

.

In this blinding light, Seol Jihu felt a strange sensation envelop his body.

He was familiar with it. He had felt it once before, and because he had been yearning for it, it felt all the more familiar.

It slipped out of his hands last time due to the Parasite Queens meddling, so Seol Jihu vowed to grab ahold of it this time.

Activating the Spear of Puritys Authority, Seol Jihu smiled and jumped forward.

!

In the next moment, Sung s.h.i.+hyun dropped his jaw in astonishment. Not only did Seol Jihu purposely enter his range, but he was also making all of his attacks flow by.

No way!

It wouldnt have been so shocking if he was devouring his divinity like before. But now, relying solely on his spear, he was shortening the distance like an immortal who was out for a walk in the clouds. Such an awe-striking display would provoke fear in anyone.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun gripped his sword instinctively. There was no time to worry about the next move. Completely disregarding what would happen to his body, Sung s.h.i.+hyun released more energy in a final stand.

More than a dozen beams of light shot out of his body and bloomed like a lotus. Then, they all struck down at one spot.

However, Seol Jihu fluidly brushed past even this, just like how the sun rises when the moon sets, like how water flows from top to bottomsimply like it was a matter of fact.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun saw all this with a dazed face. The hand that was holding onto the sword trembled. He felt like he was fighting boundlessness itself, and he was showing off his strength in front of a vast, endless sea.

Inside this ultimate boundlessness, Seol Jihu looked free and unperturbed. The possibility that gave birth to this freedom was also boundless. He moved his body and used his skills at will.

The scene of mind, technique, and body acting in such perfect harmony was beautiful enough to earn the admiration of any spectator.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun could not even fathom the depth of this realm.

I I was a legend too!

In his fit of anger, Sung s.h.i.+hyun shouted in jealousy and envy.

Whos the one who saved humanity multiple times from the brink of ruin? Whos the one who forced the Parasite Queen to the Corrupted Throne!? Its me! I made achievements that don't lose out to yours!

Seol Jihu finally broke through the light and stepped in front of Sung s.h.i.+hyun.

Who the h.e.l.l are you anyway!?

Whoos.h.!.+ Sung s.h.i.+hyun swung his sword and cut down.

Im supposed to be the main character!

He did a double-take in the middle of his shouting. Although the sword cut Seol Jihu in half, the feeling in his hand was void.

Ethereal s.h.i.+ft!?

Sung s.h.i.+hyun turned around instantly and flinched. His intuition, which was based on sixth sense, sent powerful warning signals. It was telling him that this wasnt Ethereal s.h.i.+ft.

Just as he turned back forward, Sung s.h.i.+hyun ducked his head low, following his instinct. He felt like a spear was flying toward his head. It wasnt until he looked down that he realized it was Seol Jihus trick.

It was because a second later, Seol Jihu was looking at him after having returned from the Spirit Realm. With his two legs kicking off the ground and his spear pointed at Sung s.h.i.+hyun.

In that instant, Sung s.h.i.+hyun could distinctly feel the boundlessness in front of him compressing down layer by layer and ultimately forming a single point.

Level 9 Divine Spear, Cla.s.s Ability Trinity Harmony.

I cant dodge it. Sung s.h.i.+hyuns sixth sense told him so.

Ah.

His face sunk in despair.

In truth, he already knew. That Seol Jihu would have killed him multiple times already if he wanted to. He knew from the moment Seol Jihu returned.

Sung s.h.i.+hyun just did not want to admit this. Because

[Supernova, a large nova that is millions or even billions of times brighter than an ordinary star.]

[The Brightest Star an infinite star with a growth speed and potential that not even a G.o.d can estimate.]

The moment Seol Jihu, who had been irritated to the extreme, revived

[The most frightening thing about that star is its limitless potential and frightening growth rate.]

[Once it explodes with light, it expands in size while evolving at a terrifying speed.]

[In the time you do a double-take, this star surpa.s.ses everyones expectations and shoots forward. By then, it would be too late to catch up to it.]

[That is the reason I am so fearful and wary of the Brightest Star.]

He would be back stronger than ever before.

So much so that no one could ever irritate him again.

I!

Seeing the spear blade rus.h.i.+ng toward him, Sung s.h.i.+hyuns face contorted.

Im also!

Pk! The golden energy pierced Sung s.h.i.+hyuns stomach and came out the other side.

This wasnt sword qi. It was far too large to be considered sword qi. If he had to describe it, it was more like an essence formed from an infinite number of sword qi condensed together.

Sung s.h.i.+hyuns feet flew off the ground.

Kyak!

Skewered by a giant pillar, he went up into the air, struggling, while vomiting blood.

Seol Jihus arm shook violently. Next, Sung s.h.i.+hyuns body, which was wrapped up in a brilliant golden light, bloated up like a pig.

Level 9 Divine Spear, Secret Art Reinforced Sword Qi Explosion.

BOOM!

Then, his body exploded magnificently.