Chapter 79
The blood energy coiled around both arms began to rotate, leaving red afterimages.
After condensing it into a small, solid sphere, he lightly extended his arm. However, the weight of the sphere floating in the air was not light at all.
This was natural.
The density of the sphere now formed included all the inner power from the middle and lower dantians remaining in his body.
It meant he had created a single sphere with what could be called his current maximum power.
Kuwoong-!
Finally, centered on the red sphere that began rotating as it rose into the sky, the red energy - the blood energy - that had filled the area began to be sucked in. Not just Seong-jun Lee's Blood Sky Lotus Mist Strong Bow, but also the ones created by the doppelgangers were naturally swept up.
After all, there was a reason the Blood Sky Lotus Mist Strong Bow was classified as the first form of the Myriad Blood Demon Sea.
'The Blood Sky Lotus Mist Strong Bow is like a foundation to draw out the power of techniques that can be unleashed through the Myriad Blood Demon Sea.'
It could be called a kind of preparatory move.
It was only natural that the blood energy spread around would be absorbed into the red sphere Seong-jun Lee had created.
"...?!"
Feeling an instinctive threat from the red sphere's energy swelling uncontrollably in an instant, the doppelgangers frantically rolled their eyes, trying to find a way to break it.
But it was all futile struggling.
What the doppelgangers had copied was only 'Seong-jun Lee' as he was when they first encountered him.
'They don't know about who I am now.'
In fact, as confirmed through battle, the doppelgangers were completely unable to respond to changed attack methods and martial arts performed in new ways.
In other words, the martial art he was about to unleash was a power that mere doppelgangers could not withstand.
"Let's end this now."
By now, Seong-jun Lee looked satisfied at the vast sphere that had absorbed all the blood energy in the area, and slowly closed his outstretched palm.
Kuguung-!
With a roar that shook the earth's axis, the red sphere covering the sky fluctuated greatly, emitting an alluring red light.
The energy that spread in an instant dyed the world redder than the sunset sky.
The destructive power of the Blood Demon and Asura, which could be called the foundation of the red light, weighed down on the world.
Kung-!
It cannot be escaped.
It cannot be refused.
All that can be done is to bow one's head and worship.
Kwagwang-!
The pillars that had stood tall around the temple, boasting their majesty, lost their original form and collapsed.
No, the pillars were just the beginning.
Kugugugung-!
Before this overwhelming power, the ground of the entire area, including the temple, sank down entirely.
There was only one being with its head raised - Seong-jun Lee alone.
At the center of the red world where everything was breaking and collapsing, Seong-jun Lee, with an indifferent expression, moved his lips.
"Myriad Blood Demon Sea, Second Form, Manifestation of Asura."
The overwhelming power of Asura manifested on earth shattered the world.
* * *
At the center of the massive crater, the only thing that could be considered a living being was Seong-jun Lee alone.
To be very precise, nothing remained except Seong-jun Lee.
Not only the massive temple that had originally stood there, but even the doppelgangers had vanished without leaving a trace.
It meant he had achieved victory.
However, he couldn't just revel in joy.
'...I'm a bit dizzy.'
Having used an excessive amount of blood to recover his inner power, his vision was spinning and his body was growing cold.
Seong-jun Lee hurriedly shook his head to gather his wits.
"Huu..."
Finally, as he slowly took a deep breath to recover his inner power and stabilize his body even a little:
A cheerful sound rang in his ears.
Ding-!
[You have defeated the S+ rank boss monster, Doppelganger Horde.]
[Analyzing contribution for reward distribution.]
[User 'Seong-jun Lee' has obtained 100% contribution.]
[The reward grade has been increased due to meeting special conditions!]
[This is the first solo conquest in the 'Earth' dimension. The reward grade has been increased by one additional level due to meeting special conditions!]
[The reward grade obtainable from the conquered Treasure Gate has been exceeded!]
[Part of the reward will be converted to experience points and awarded.]
[Experience points are rising steeply!]
[Congratulations! Your level has risen to 90 as you've met the required experience points.]
[You have conquered a Treasure Gate alone.]
[You have acquired the title: Sole Devourer.]
A smile curved Seong-jun Lee's lips as he checked the green hologram windows that kept appearing without pause.
'...Better than expected.'
The rewards given were excellent, worthy of the name Treasure Gate.
'To think I'd reach level 90 in one go...'
After the 3rd job advancement, from level 80 onwards, the amount of experience needed had increased significantly again, so originally it took an enormous amount of time and effort to raise even one level.
Even among SSS-rank hunters, those called rankers needed at least two months.
Even for Seong-jun Lee with his unprecedented growth rate, it was an achievement that required considerable effort and time.
'Good.'
While it could be called a truly satisfactory growth, the level up was only part of the reward.
[Title: Sole Devourer]
All stats (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Blood Energy) increase by +10.
When hunting monsters alone, experience gained increases by 50%.
With all stats increasing by 10, it had double the ability of the lower-grade Survivor title he had been using.
In terms of level ups, it was equivalent to an increase of 20 levels, meaning his already outstanding physical abilities had grown even further.
'At this rate...'
He should be able to perform the highest-ranked technique among the ultimate moves of the Diamond Steel Outer Energy Technique.
While this could be called a truly satisfactory result, the effect of the Sole Devourer title wasn't limited to stat increases.
'50% increase in experience.'
Though there was a condition of hunting monsters alone, it was practically no restriction for Seong-jun Lee, who had been hunting alone from the start.
It was like giving wings to Seong-jun Lee, who was already showing unprecedented growth speed.
Naturally, a smile curved Seong-jun Lee's lips.
'Excellent.'
The level up and the newly acquired Sole Devourer title could be considered quite a harvest, but there was a real reward given from the Treasure Gate.
Ding-!
[User 'Seong-jun Lee' is awarded the highest reward of an S-rank Treasure Gate!]
[You have acquired the SSS-grade skill, Metamorphose.]
He had heard stories of people obtaining skills as rewards from Treasure Gates.
But he had never heard of anyone getting an SSS-grade skill.
Seong-jun Lee calmed his pounding heart and checked the information on Metamorphose.
SSS-grade, Metamorphose (Lv1)
You can materialize and summon individuals existing in user 'Seong-jun Lee's' memories.
The summon's abilities are 30% of the user's.
Currently, a maximum of 1 entity can be summoned.
This is a growth-type skill that levels up according to proficiency.
A bright smile bloomed on Seong-jun Lee's face as he checked the green hologram window.
'SSS-grade!'
The ability to handle a summon with 30% of his abilities - it was undoubtedly the best skill he had obtained through the system so far.
But the most satisfying point was that the abilities of Metamorphose weren't limited to what was immediately visible.
'A growth-type skill...'
25 years ago, when this information was first revealed to the public through Liu Hoyen, then an SS-rank hunter from China, it was newsworthy enough to be headlined by globally renowned media outlets, as it overturned existing common knowledge about skills.
It was information that anyone who had done even a little research on hunter-related knowledge would inevitably know.
'A skill that levels up according to proficiency, as stated in the system window.'
Of course, it wouldn't have become such a big topic just for leveling up.
'When leveling up, the skill's effects or abilities increase dramatically.'
In fact, Liu Hoyen, whose growth had stopped, managed to reach SSS-rank hunter in just 3 years after obtaining a growth-type skill.
'The truly amazing thing is that growth didn't stop there.'
Liu Hoyen, who continued on a path of ceaseless growth, is now established as a world-class ranker and one of China's representative hunters.
The Metamorphose skill he just obtained also held that much potential for growth.
It was an excellent skill worthy of its SSS-grade.
'Especially for me, it's an even more valuable skill.'
As a Blood Demon and Demon God, he had met and competed with countless martial artists.
It meant countless individuals existed in his memories.
In other words, Seong-jun Lee could handle Metamorphose with maximum efficiency.
'For now, there are limitations due to the ability restrictions, but...'
If he continued to grow rapidly at this rate, it would naturally be resolved before long.
'The caliber of the reward is certainly different.'
The gains from the Treasure Gate were truly satisfying - in fact, each reward obtained was excellent beyond words.
Thump! Thump!
His heart tried to beat wildly with surging elation, but Seong-jun Lee shook his head.
'It's not all over yet.'
Ding-!
[Reward settlement is complete.]
[An exit to the 'Earth' dimension is being generated.]
Seeing the red rift appear before his eyes, Seong-jun Lee fell into contemplation.
'I can't just leave like this.'
Of course, there wouldn't be much of a problem if he left as usual.
However, that method would cause various disturbances in achieving what could be called his current goal.
'The path I must walk is the Imperial Way, the path of a ruler.'
It meant he needed to establish an authority and majesty so unapproachable that even the foolish and arrogant would recognize it.
To do that, he needed to build honor to the name Seong-jun Lee.
In other words, he needed to embody overwhelming dignity.
Tuk. Tuk.
After lightly adjusting his clothes, Seong-jun Lee shifted his gaze to face the red rift in front of him.
'It's been a while.'
Perhaps because he had occasionally done this for smooth governance when he ruled over the Thousand Continents in the past?
Though it felt somewhat awkward, the dignity flowing from him was flawless.
'Well then... shall we begin?'
With his eyes hardened coldly, Seong-jun Lee took a step forward.
Teobeok.
At last, as his leisurely extended footstep crossed the red rift:
For a moment, he felt as if his vision was distorting, and then the scenery before his eyes changed.