The moment I saw the message, my eyes snapped open on their own. It meant Ko Yeon-ju had found the city.
“Ugh…!”
Just as I reflexively tried to sit up, a sudden, searing pain stabbed through my entire body like a blade. I almost collapsed again without realizing it, but at that moment, two new messages appeared in the air before me.
『User’s health confirmed below 30%. TOPG’s latent ability “Rage” is now activated.』
『User’s stats in Strength, Stamina, Endurance, and Agility have slightly increased.』
By some stroke of luck, the activation of “Rage” returned a bit of strength to my body. Of course, the pain didn’t vanish completely. Still, fueled by that faint surge of vitality, I barely managed to pull myself up.
Did they sense my movement?
Through my slowly clearing vision, I caught both women who had been locked in a standoff simultaneously turning to look at me.
“Hmm?”
“O-oppah?”
Thankfully, Kim Han-byul was still standing. It seemed she hadn’t fully engaged in the fight yet. My head was still spinning and my body weak, but I staggered forward step by step.
As I took each step, the scene around me gradually came into focus. Centered around where the Hell Duke stood, countless figures lay scattered like torn scraps of paper. Most of them were users I recognized.
Gong Chan-ho, sprawled out with a huge hole in his stomach.
My brother, blackened and burned, collapsed.
Han So-young, clutching her abdomen, lying down.
Lee Yoo-jung, sunk into a pool of blood.
Ahn Hyun…
Yeon Hye-rim…
Shin Jae-ryong…
Helena…
One by one, I took in the fallen users scattered across the battlefield.
“…What happened here?”
A quiet voice broke the silence. I turned my gaze to see the Hell Duke, arms crossed and head tilted in curiosity. In his hand, he held the limp hair of Jegal Hae-sol.
“They must have felt pain that burned not only their flesh but their very souls…”
I see. No wonder every breath felt like my lungs were on fire and my mind kept slipping away. They’d burned my soul too.
“For an ordinary human, this would have been a blow that would kill them hundreds, if not thousands, of times over. …And yet, you stood back up?”
The Hell Duke shook his head and let out a heavy sigh.
“Truly, before anything else, I must commend your willpower.”
After a moment, he glanced down at what he held in his right hand, then casually tossed Jegal Hae-sol aside. Shrugging as if it didn’t matter, he said,
“Anyway, don’t worry too much. Out of respect for you, I tried not to kill you if I could help it. …Though I did have some fun with a few decent ones along the way.”
Tried not to kill me if he could help it…
“Well, I appreciate that, at least.”
For the first time since the battle began, I spoke. A sudden lightness washed over me, and I found myself smiling without reason. The Hell Duke narrowed his eyes slightly, watching me.
“O-oppah…”
Kim Han-byul’s worried gaze and tender voice tried to stop me, but I shook my head gently and passed by her. I stopped a short distance away from the Hell Duke.
“…Why didn’t you just lie down?”
Suddenly, I heard the Hell Duke’s voice, tinged with pity.
“Your fighting spirit is admirable… but you know better now, don’t you?”
“…”
“I’ll take your silence as agreement. Your spirit so far has been commendable. But it’s time to let go of this stubbornness.”
“…”
For a moment, I almost nodded. The Hell Duke’s words were undeniably true. Even at full strength earlier, I was defeated in an instant. In my current state, I wouldn’t last a second. It was sheer stubbornness.
But even so, I couldn’t just give up.
I steadied my breathing and reached out my left hand toward the unconscious Gong Chan-ho. Slowly, I channeled magic through my circuits. The Surama Spear lying beside me twitched a couple of times before suddenly pulling free, spinning lightly as it settled into my hand.
“Surama…?”
The Hell Duke muttered in confusion, then clicked his tongue and shook his head. I clenched my teeth, sensing what that meant. Probably that even if I wielded the Surama Spear’s power, I wouldn’t pose much of a threat.
Suddenly, a memory from long ago surfaced—something my brother once told me.
“Su-hyun, no matter how unfavorable the battle, if you never give up, there will come a chance to turn the tide.”
I had said the same to Ahn Hyun before.
In any sport, any fight, there’s a kind of “flow.”
Until now, the flow of this battle had belonged entirely to the Hell Duke. But I could feel that flow beginning to waver, almost slipping away. It was a subtle reversal that had started the moment “Rage” activated.
Of course, with the Hell Duke as my opponent, I still didn’t think I could win.
But maybe… just maybe, I could create an opening for a counterattack.
More than anything, Hwa-jeong had asked me earlier: Do you want to live, or do you want to save others? I chose the path of saving others.
Now, I finally understood the true meaning behind Hwa-jeong’s angry words. She probably had some way to reverse the flow—and then amplify that reversal. But the reason she framed it as a choice was…
There would definitely be a price to forcibly amplifying the flow.
…And that price was very likely my death.
‘I’m going to die here.’
The thought made my body tremble uncontrollably. No matter how hard I tried to calm myself, the shaking wouldn’t stop. Giving up on a hope I’d dreamed of for over ten years, one that was finally within reach, was far harder than I’d imagined.
But it was something I had to do. Hwa-jeong had been waiting for me all along. Now was the time not just for an answer, but for a decision.
I gripped the Sword of Nothingness and the Surama Spear tightly.
Alright…
‘Even if we can’t return together now, that’s fine.’
I gathered every ounce of magic in my body. Staring blankly at the user info window floating in the air, I thought—no, I wished more desperately than ever before.
‘Just this once…’
One time.
‘If I can just seize the flow…!’
With that thought, I poured all the magic and willpower I’d gathered into the Sword of Nothingness and the Surama Spear.
And then, it began.
『The Sword of Nothingness responds to user Kim Su-hyun’s will and is summoned!』
『The symbol of the King of Chaos, the Sword of Annihilation reveals its true form!』
『The Surama Spear recognizes user Kim Su-hyun as its true master!』
『Strength increases by 6 points!』
The Sword of Nothingness and the Surama Spear were the first to respond.
Vrrrrrrrrrr!
Kyaaaaaaaa!
Both unleashed overwhelming magical energy, emitting a wild, resonant roar.
But I knew this alone wouldn’t be nearly enough against the Hell Duke.
Then…
『Using remaining ability point: 1 (Special, Latent). This point is counted as a rank-up point, not a level-up!』
『Congratulations. The second-slot latent ability “Unyielding (Rank: S Zero)” has increased by 1 rank!』
『“Unyielding (Rank: S Zero)” evolves into “Unyielding (Rank: EX)”!』
『This ability can no longer be improved!』
『Health increases to 101 points!』
『Hwa-jeong’s third awakening phase begins!』
The rank-up of “Unyielding” and the health boost to 101 points marked the start of Hwa-jeong’s third awakening.
Still, it wasn’t enough. I was far from wresting the flow from the Hell Duke. That meant I had to draw out everything I could.
『Activating “Dragon Transformation”!』
『Please check user information for detailed abilities.』
I immediately looked back at the air.
Name: Kim Su-hyun (3rd Year)
Class: Swordsmanship Expert (Secret, Sword Specialist, Master)
Nation: Freelance Mercenary (Free)
Clan: Mercenary (Clan Rank: S Zero)
True Name / Nationality: Demon Nature (魔性: a devilish nature that deceives and beguiles) / Sword’s Master / Republic of Korea
Gender: Male (27)
Height / Weight: 181.5 cm / 75.5 kg
Alignment: Moderation / Chaos
[Strength 102 (+8)] [Endurance 94 (+2)] [Agility 98] [Health 101 (+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]
(Remaining ability points: 0)
Currently harboring Hwa-jeong in my heart. (Third awakening in progress.)
No impurities detected in the body. (Magic flow doubled.)
Ancient priestess’s seal engraved on heart. (Magic circuits stabilized and efficiency increased; flow further enhanced.)
Dragon Transformation active. (Physical defense and magic resistance greatly increased; all stats except luck gain additional advantages. Can summon dragon wings and walk on air.)
<Achievements (8)>
<Unique Ability (1/1)>
<Special Ability (1/1)>
The battle was far from over, but now, I had a sliver of hope—a chance to turn the tide.
<Latent Abilities (4/5)>
(Remaining ability points: 0)
<Power: Slash (A swordsmanship expert can cut through anything.)>
<Blessing of the Dragon: Power of Magna Carta, the Dragon of the Apocalypse (2/5)>
I felt something shift within me. The first sensation was a refreshing coolness. My entire body felt clear and invigorated. The pain was gone. The magical energy coursing through my veins surged with unprecedented boldness, and every fiber of my being seemed to awaken, channeling strength into me. It was like a candle flaring up in a final blaze just before it flickers out.
The Hell Duke, clearly displeased, clenched his mouth shut. The calm, composed expression he wore earlier had vanished, replaced by a slightly irritated glare fixed on me.
“Foolish… Are you really trying to deny reality by any means necessary?”
Deny reality, huh.
“So you’re confident, then?”
I shot back immediately.
“Confident?”
The Hell Duke scoffed lightly, laughing dismissively.
“Isn’t that something I should be saying instead?”
At that moment, his eyes, which had traced gentle curves moments before, narrowed sharply.
The Hell Duke spoke in a low voice.
“Do you truly believe you can have confidence with just that much?”
Krrrrrrrrrrr!
Suddenly, his wide-open eyes unleashed a torrent of blazing red light. The flames of hell danced wildly in every direction, flickering mercilessly as if ready to consume everything. This was no longer the playful Hell Duke I had faced before, but the true embodiment of the Hell Duke himself. The overwhelming power radiating from him eclipsed everything I had summoned so far.
— Kim Suhyun.
Then, at last, Hwa-jeong’s voice reached me.
‘Hwa-jeong?’
“Quiet. Remember before? After your second awakening, I said I’d give you a gift.”
‘A gift? A gift…?’
“Yes. This is my gift to you. …Maybe even the last one.”
The moment Hwa-jeong finished speaking,
[Hwa-jeong (Fire Warden) begins sending a certain energy to user Kim Suhyun!]
[Due to interference, the 5th latent ability slot ‘Flame Transformation (炎化)’ has blossomed!]
Two unexpected messages appeared.
“Here we go. Keep your wits about you.”
With those words,
Fwoosh!
A clear, bright flame ignited right before my eyes.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
I almost cried reading your comments yesterday… Honestly, I expected to get slammed for all the recent breaks, but instead, I was touched by your warm concern… ahem. Thank you so much. (__)
Anyway, it feels great to be back on a regular schedule after so long. (The highlights will continue nonstop. You can even consider this entire arc as part of the highlights.)
The “gift” was a foreshadowing I planted back during the festival after the second awakening. Flame Transformation is currently the most powerful latent ability Suhyun possesses. But it comes with a hefty penalty, so it’s not something he can use often. :)
Oh, and the other day I got a sneak peek at Han So-young’s illustration. It’s turning out incredibly beautiful. The illustrator has been working through the night, fully dedicated. I asked them to prioritize quality over speed, even if it takes a bit longer. I think you’ll be really pleased. :D