Chapter 100
Ten days had passed since planning a new goal.
To realize his planned objective, Seong-jun Lee had been consistently hunting in gates and leveling up.
He would go hunting early in the morning and return home before dinner with his family.
Living a peaceful life within a stable routine, he was steadily but surely progressing towards his goal.
While it could be said he was spending quite a satisfactory time, it wasn't entirely peaceful.
This was because Rajaka, called the king of werewolves among the monsters residing in North Korea, had begun moving southward.
From the perspective of humanity, who had periodically suffered invasions of their lands by monsters not only during the Great Cataclysm but also afterwards, it was impossible not to feel anxious.
Naturally, not only internet articles but also media outlets constantly mentioned stories related to Rajaka.
Articles poured out about the past actions of monster kings and the damages they had caused.
People naturally became aware of Rajaka's threat, and there were widespread requests for the government to form a subjugation team to eliminate Rajaka.
As this was becoming the biggest topic in South Korea, even Seong-jun Lee, who had been busy hunting in gates, couldn't avoid encountering these articles.
If it had been an ordinary topic, he would have listened with one ear and let it pass lightly.
But Rajaka's southward movement could pose a threat to Seoul, the space where he lived with his family.
He had no intention of leaving alone an element of anxiety that could potentially cause unnecessary noise.
While seriously contemplating Rajaka's subjugation, a request came from Jo Kang-hyun.
The subjugation of the werewolf pack including Rajaka.
Along with saying they would pay as much compensation as desired, they made an earnest request.
He had been thinking about subjugating Rajaka anyway, and now they were saying they would even pay compensation.
As there was no reason to refuse, he immediately accepted the proposal after receiving the contact.
Of course, it wasn't a problem to be taken lightly.
If he had thought it was an easy task, he wouldn't have even considered it in the first place.
He would have directly handled it right away.
'...I mustn't act rashly.'
Having accessed information about Rajaka through the articles flooding the public, he had to act somewhat cautiously.
'A raid gate... a named monster that came out of a blue-grade one at that.'
In terms of difficulty, it could be said to be the same as the previous treasure gate, but Rajaka was a named monster with its own name.
'There's a high probability it has some unique ability like Eliolus.'
Moreover, Rajaka had been constantly waging wars with other kings.
It would have grown even stronger by acquiring considerable experience and knowledge.
In fact, experts who had been researching monsters also said that Rajaka's danger level should be considered SS-rank yellow rather than S-rank blue, evaluating it as a monster that even SSS-rank hunters would find challenging.
It was a monster that absolutely couldn't be taken lightly.
Of course, there was a valid reason for accepting the subjugation proposal despite knowing Rajaka's danger.
'...There are 20 days left until the government-formed subjugation team is deployed.'
It could be said to be a time when even world-class strongmen like rankers, not to mention the members of the Guardians who only numbered nine, would find it somewhat difficult to achieve notable results.
However, with the blatant favoritism of the association, along with utilizing his own abilities and privileges, it was enough time to achieve significant results.
Ding-!
[The skills Star's Favor, Earth's Blessing, Wind's Protection, Strength Enhancement, Stamina Enhancement, and Agility Enhancement are used on user 'Seong-jun Lee' and the designated 'Summon, Metamorphose'.]
[Due to the effect of the active skill, Amplification, the effects of enhancement skills increase by 50% each.]
[The status of Strength, Agility, and Stamina increases significantly.]
Whenever Seong-jun Lee and Hyuk Cheon-man, shaped by Metamorphose, enveloped in golden energy and various buffs, annihilated ogres, experience gain messages poured in without pause.
Ding-!
[You have eliminated a group of B+ grade monsters, Dark Frost Ogres.]
[Experience points increase!]
[Due to the effect of the title 'Sole Eater', the experience gained increases by 50 percent.]
[Congratulations! As you have met the required experience, your level has risen to 105.]
Perhaps due to investing all time in hunting except for the minimum required for meals and sleep, the effect was clear.
In just fifteen days, his level had risen from 98 to 105.
[Status]
Name: Seong-jun Lee
Job: Spirit Sorcerer
Title: Sole Eater
Level: 105
Strength: 39 (+32), Agility: 38 (+33), Stamina: 39 (+32)
Blood Energy: 49 (+34)
Bonus Points: 7
Seong-jun Lee, who had brought up a green hologram in front of his eyes, had a satisfied smile on his face.
'Excellent.'
He had accumulated as many as 7 bonus points.
Of course, if gaining 7 bonus points was all there was to it, he wouldn't have smiled like this.
'Now... the effect of the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique is showing.'
The Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique, which had reached the 7-star realm, had an efficiency that had increased exponentially compared to before.
In fact, the Blood Energy stat had originally increased by only 1 point per month, or 30 days.
However, now, not even a month after reaching 7 stars, it was showing an increase of 3 points.
While it was already a considerable increase rate, the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique, accumulating like compound interest, was absorbing internal energy as quickly as its realm had risen.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that wings had been added to his already rapid growth rate.
Of course, what was important now wasn't the story of future growth rates.
'Looking at just the present, I can't say I have that much internal energy.'
It was a quite uncomfortable situation where he couldn't properly utilize the martial arts he possessed.
There hadn't been any dangerous battles so far, so it hadn't been a problem, but in this battle with Rajaka, who knows what variables might occur.
'...I need to thoroughly prepare while compensating for the lack of Blood Energy.'
Seong-jun Lee, his eyes gleaming, invested all 7 of his bonus points into Blood Energy.
Ding-!
[As you have used 7 bonus points, your 'Blood Energy' status increases by (+7).]
Through the system's help, his Blood Energy status reached 90.
From 80 to 90, it was an increase of more than 10% in the amount of Blood Energy, but it was still far from enough to properly utilize the martial arts he possessed.
However, there was no need to be disappointed.
'With this much internal energy... I should be able to break through the Heavenly Pivot Point.'
It meant he could extend the flow of energy to the cerebrum.
This meant that he could achieve the Great Heavenly Cycle, which could be called the dream of martial artists, and open the Upper Dantian.
Naturally, it wasn't as easy as he thought.
'...The amount of internal energy is somewhat lacking.'
As he had achieved considerable growth recently, there wasn't much to be desired in terms of the physical body, called 'body'.
However, the amount of internal energy, called 'heart', was about 20% lacking compared to when he had opened the Upper Dantian in the past, in the Thousand Continent.
As preparations weren't properly in place, it could be said that the difficulty had increased exponentially.
However, there was no need to think about failure just because of this.
No, if he had thought about failure in the first place, he wouldn't have even attempted it.
This was because he, Seong-jun Lee, possessed the experience and memories accumulated as the greatest Blood Demon and Demon God who had dominated the Thousand Continent.
'A slight lack of internal energy isn't much of a problem.'
After finishing his mental calculations, Seong-jun Lee asked Hyuk Cheon-man, shaped by Metamorphose, to guard him, then took a seated position and leaned against a nearby tree.
Immediately afterwards, he used the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique to concentrate the Blood Energy flowing through his blood vessels into his heart.
Feeling the Blood Energy quickly concentrating in his heart, Seong-jun Lee inwardly steeled his resolve.
'Definitely... there must not be even a single mistake.'
To reach the Upper Dantian, also known as the cerebrum, one must pass through the Heavenly Pivot Point.
Therefore, he had to open the Heavenly Pivot Point located at the nape of his neck.
It was something that would directly affect the Upper Dantian, the cerebrum.
As a momentary mistake could lead to becoming disabled or facing a terrible death, he had to be extremely careful.
Seong-jun Lee, having composed himself, began to recite the mantra of the Blood Shadow Asura Divine Technique with his mouth and mind.
'All things are made of blood, so the principles of the microcosm and macrocosm are no different. Those who wield the power of blood shall not walk within limits...'
The Blood Energy concentrated in his heart instantly flows through the blood vessels, quickly shooting towards the nape of his neck.
The Blood Energy seemed to be rushing unhindered, but soon it collides with a wall.
Bang-!
A dizzying sensation struck his mind, but Seong-jun Lee's expression remained completely calm.
He had started this knowing it wouldn't be easy from the beginning.
Of course, he hadn't anticipated everything.
The wall he had somewhat rashly encountered was more solid than he had thought.
However, it was ultimately a wall he had broken before.
There was no reason to feel fear or impossibility.
Seong-jun Lee recalls past events from his memories.
From the day he first fell into the Thousand Continent, to the moment he entered the Blood Sect, and the experiences he accumulated as he rose to the position of Blood Demon, these memories quickly flash through his mind.
It was a desperate and terrible struggle, to an extent that the word 'harsh' was insufficient to describe it.
As he reminisced about that hellish life, Seong-jun Lee's thoughts pause at one point.
The 7-star realm, just like now.
The image of the Blood Demon, Seong-jun Lee, making constant efforts to penetrate the Upper Dantian.
As a being reigning at the pinnacle of the Blood Sect, he had a nature that could be called arrogant.
Looking back now, it was a laughable sight, like that of a puppy.
However, now he needed the help of those experiences and memories from that time.
From the method of taking the first breath to the way of operating Blood Energy, and the form of collision.
He imprints everything, not missing even what could be considered trivial details, into every single cell.
"Hoo..."
Feeling a sense of unity with the past, Seong-jun Lee slowly inhales.
-There is no wall I cannot break.
The words uttered by his past arrogant self tickled his ears.
With a smirk, strong arrogance filled Seong-jun Lee's eyes.
Bang!
With a loud collision sound, a small crack appears in the solid wall.
Although he hadn't completely broken it, there was no need to panic.
In the past, he had been in a state of thorough preparation.
There was no way he could break through the wall in a somewhat lacking state like now.
This much help in reviving the sensation from that time was enough.
'...From now on, it's my part.'
Seong-jun Lee, with his eyes closed, recalls the experiences and memories he had accumulated as a Demon God.
The overwhelming experiences sharpen his existing senses even further, allowing him to feel things he hadn't felt before.
But he mustn't be satisfied with just this much.
'Still... not enough.'
A little more pointed.
Even sharper.
Finally, it was the moment when his senses transcended the current limits and perceived a new world.
Boom-!
With a loud noise, the solid wall crumbles.
At the same time, as the blocked Heavenly Pivot Point opens, Seong-jun Lee's consciousness world greatly expands.