Chapter 75
It was an unbelievable reality, even though he was seeing and experiencing it with his own eyes.
However, there was no need to be scared or feel fear prematurely.
'...The fight isn't over yet.'
Although the defensive ability of the protective barrier Lee Seong-jun was using was surprisingly excellent, it was just a matter of finding a weak point.
If he could target a blind spot that the barrier couldn't protect, he could certainly inflict damage.
'My movements should be one step ahead.'
Having invested most of his bonus points in agility to efficiently handle the unpredictable dual-wielding style, he could confidently say he wouldn't lose in terms of speed.
If he continued the fight calmly, he could surely find a breakthrough.
Of course, it didn't take long for him to realize that his thoughts were nothing but an illusion.
Ding-!
[Using Star's Favor on user 'Lee Seong-jun'.]
[Enhancing strength, agility, stamina for user 'Lee Seong-jun'...]
[Blessing of Earth, Wind's Protection for user 'Lee Seong-jun'...]
[Due to the Amplification effect, the effects of enhancement skills increase by 50% each.]
[Due to the buff skill Earth's Blessing, the durability of the body increases significantly.]
[Agility status increases by 45.]
[Strength and stamina status increase by 37 each.]
It was the moment when the enormous power swirling into Lee Seong-jun's body exploded like an active volcano.
'Excellent.'
He could feel his muscles and bones becoming indescribably hard and tough.
It meant that his current physical body had surpassed its limits.
A curve forms on Lee Seong-jun's lips, truly satisfied with the result.
'At this level...'
If he decisively exploited an opening and settled the match in one breath, he might be able to defeat a strong opponent like Song Seung-jun without even using his inner energy.
Lee Seong-jun, thoroughly enjoying the exhilaration rising throughout his body, steps forward with his eyes shining.
Bang-!
With a fierce step that made the ground bounce, a red line crosses the air and approaches right in front of Song Seung-jun.
Sensing the threat, Song Seung-jun quickly crosses his two swords in an X-shape and surrounds them with an energy membrane, preparing to defend.
However, it was a futile struggle.
From the beginning, the martial art technique Lee Seong-jun was about to unleash wasn't something that could be blocked by a hastily formed defense of crossing two swords.
Lee Seong-jun, with a relaxed smile, pulls back his clenched fists to behind his shoulders, concentrating power.
The power in his body, which had surpassed its limits due to various buff skills, begins to concentrate at one point, his fists.
Finally, feeling that the concentrated power had reached the limit that his current physical body could handle, Lee Seong-jun extends his fists forward without hesitation.
'Vajra Iron External Energy Technique, Ultimate Skill. Golden Dragon Indestructible Breakthrough.'
The killing technique of the Vajra Iron External Energy Technique, which was daringly called the world's greatest in terms of external techniques.
It was the moment when Lee Seong-jun's fist, like a dragon with indestructible power that couldn't be broken by any force, strongly struck Song Seung-jun's swords.
Kwagwang-!
The earth's axis shakes, and a loud explosion rings out.
Naturally, the two swords that directly received the momentum of the indestructible dragon couldn't possibly remain unscathed.
Chang-!
Losing their original form and breaking, they fly into the air.
Simultaneously, blood flows from Song Seung-jun's palms that were holding the swords.
"Keuugh..."
While a pain-filled groan escaped from Song Seung-jun's mouth, Lee Seong-jun's form, which he couldn't even sense, appeared before his eyes and placed his clenched fist against Song Seung-jun's chest, over his heart.
Tuk-.
As no force was applied, there was no felt impact.
But unless one was a fool, they would understand.
'If he had attacked with all his might...'
Dead.
Gulp-!
As he unconsciously swallowed dry saliva due to tension, it was then.
"Do you still think I'm being greedy?"
Along with the chilling voice, the fierce aura flowing from Lee Seong-jun's body envelops Song Seung-jun's entire body.
It was the manifestation of that power, the presence engraved on the soul, of the Blood Demon and Demon God who was called the ruler of the Thousand Continents.
Song Seung-jun's eyes begin to shake violently as he faces this overwhelming, enormous presence that the word 'overwhelming' itself is insufficient to describe.
'Mo-Monster...'
It wasn't just a simple abyss.
This darkness, if it wanted to, could devour everything in the world.
No one could refuse it.
Not even his master, Yoon Min-su, who had shown a sun-like aura.
Naturally, he could now understand how ridiculous his own words from earlier were.
"I-I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn..."
* * *
He was defeated.
There wasn't even any excuse to make.
Clearly, despite giving it his all, he couldn't even graze Lee Seong-jun's clothes.
The fight couldn't have been established from the beginning.
'...It was an overwhelming gap.'
If Lee Seong-jun had approached the fight with a ruthless mindset from the start, he would have met his death without even being able to put up proper resistance.
Song Seung-jun wasn't foolish enough to deny the reality he had just experienced.
"But I think I've clearly learned my place now."
"..."
Lee Seong-jun steps back, removing his fist from the silent Song Seung-jun's chest.
It was a swift movement that Song Seung-jun couldn't even properly sense, just like when he had approached.
'What on earth is this? Can this even be called martial arts...?'
It was literally on a different level from all the martial arts he had seen and experienced so far.
It was swift, destructive, and even felt bizarre at the same time.
He had never seen such martial arts before.
"I'll warn you this once and for the last time, there won't be a second mercy, so don't do anything foolish and quietly go back."
After finishing his words towards Song Seung-jun, who was wearing an expression of incomprehension, Lee Seong-jun quickly distances himself.
"Th-The treasure gate isn't such an easy place!"
Song Seung-jun, shaking his head urgently and gathering his wits, shouts towards Lee Seong-jun's retreating back.
"Numerous traps, monsters with tricky abilities! I can't deny that you're strong, Hunter Lee Seong-jun, but you can't block ten hands with one hand!"
By now, even though Lee Seong-jun's form was at the edge of his vision, Song Seung-jun doesn't give up.
"But if we go together, we can conquer it without any difficulty! I! Cosmos! We will make it happen! Please contact us!"
Despite this last desperate cry, Lee Seong-jun's form didn't stop.
In the end, all that remained in the silent construction site was Song Seung-jun with a dazed expression and the echo of his shout.
* * *
Lee Seong-jun, who had been walking steadily, soon arrived at a park located near his home.
Leaning his body against a bench nearby, Lee Seong-jun recalls the meeting that had just occurred.
'Song Seung-jun.'
To be very honest, it wasn't a particularly pleasant encounter.
However, it wasn't a meaningless battle without any gains.
'Certainly... it's a satisfactory result.'
The abilities of the skills obtained from becoming a Spirit Mage showed effects beyond what he had expected.
Thanks to that, as anticipated, he defeated Song Seung-jun without using any inner energy at all.
At this level, even if the traps in the treasure gate were severe, there wasn't much to worry about.
The defensive power that constantly protected the body and the external energy that continually acted on endurance were sometimes more efficient than inner energy in long and lonely battles.
Of course, he had no intention of showing any carelessness.
'The world I'm facing now is just a tiny part.'
The world is vast, and there are many strong individuals.
Also, there were more foolish and arrogant ones than one might think.
Isn't he already experiencing it?
Despite gaining quite a reputation and receiving a lot of protection, flies like Jo Se-hyeok, Song Seung-jun, and the Returnee Association keep clinging to him.
Even now that the name Lee Seong-jun has established itself and gained power, the threats don't disappear.
The simplest way to eliminate this tiresome and troublesome repetition was clear.
'Acquire overwhelming authority and power, making everyone bow their heads.'
Although everyone might think it's impossible, thinking about it, it wasn't such a difficult task.
He had already done it once when he was the Blood Demon and Demon God.
As he had thought before, the first time is always the hardest.
The second time wouldn't be so difficult.
He just needed to walk the path of an absolute ruler, just as he did in the Thousand Continents.
"And the first step is..."
It will be the reward from this treasure gate.
After organizing his thoughts, Lee Seong-jun started walking home with a smile on his face.
* * *
The next day, near the treasure gate.
Lee Seong-jun, who could be called the hottest topic currently, appeared at the place drawing great attention as it was the first to reveal itself in South Korea.
Click. Click.
Perhaps due to his previous experiences, there wasn't a trace of wavering in Lee Seong-jun's expression despite the incessant flashes pouring from all directions.
Rather, it was the moment he arrived at the entrance of the treasure gate with confident steps, wearing a relaxed smile on his face.
Ko Tae-hyun, with a bright smile on his face, greeted him with a cheerful voice.
"We've been waiting, Hunter Lee Seong-jun."
"It's been a while."
For a brief moment, as they exchanged greetings, a chuckle begins to flow from Ko Tae-hyun's lips as his eyes move busily.
"Hehe... Hunter Lee Seong-jun, you always exceed my expectations."
"Is that so."
"To be honest... when Hunter Lee Seong-jun first said you would conquer the treasure gate alone, I was very surprised."
To be very precise, he couldn't hide his anxiety.
It was inevitable because there were precedents that could be considered examples.
Dozens of S-rank and above hunters, including Daniel Brühl, an SS-rank hunter from Germany, and Blanca Suarez, an S+ rank hunter from Spain, had been greedy and returned as cold corpses.
Because of this, it was difficult to suppress the anxiety rising in one corner of his heart.
No, even until this morning, all kinds of negative thoughts kept popping up in his mind.
But when he actually faced Hunter Lee Seong-jun, that thought completely flipped.
'...Hunter Lee Seong-jun's current strength is on par with mine or even higher.'
Even if they were to face each other head-on, he couldn't guarantee the outcome.
It meant he had enough power to conquer the treasure gate.
'To think you would achieve such growth in just one month...'
Ko Tae-hyun's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed dry saliva.
'You really are an unbelievable monster.'
The anxiety that had been nestled in a corner of his heart disappeared without a trace, and in its place, a strange expectation began to bloom.
'I wonder how much stronger you'll become if you regain all of your original power.'
Originally, returnees had clear limits to their growth.
But for some reason, it felt like such limits didn't exist for Hunter Lee Seong-jun.
'Perhaps... the country of South Korea might be able to be discussed on the world stage once again.'
Just imagining it made his heart swell with excitement.
Naturally, a curve forms on Ko Tae-hyun's lips.
"But now that I see you, this old man seems to have worried unnecessarily."
Instead of answering, Lee Seong-jun showed a confident smile and shifted his gaze to the treasure gate behind Ko Tae-hyun.
"I'm not one to procrastinate, so would it be alright if I entered right away?"
"Yes, of course."
As Ko Tae-hyun steps aside, the entrance to the treasure gate is nakedly revealed.
The red energy flowing from the gate gushes out seductively.
Woowoong-!
The gate, emitting a resonant sound, seemed to be trying to tempt people.
Lee Seong-jun, who had been looking at this sight with a satisfied expression, immediately takes a step towards the interior of the treasure gate.
"Then, I'll see you later."
"I wish you good fortune."
Along with Ko Tae-hyun's send-off, Lee Seong-jun's form in front of him is sucked into the gate interior, completely disappearing from sight.