Chapter 951
Episode 234: To Hell (11)
In front of Zito’s lair.
After dealing with the demon gods sealed within Vaskala, Jin had not opened his eyes even once, continuing his meditation without pause.
Inside, a war was raging—a battle to master Solderet, the sword forged to slay his own god.
Why had Temar devised the Solar Slash specifically to cut down Solderet?
And knowing that the sword could indeed cut him, why had Solderet allowed Temar to exist?
Jin didn’t dwell on these questions. There must have been reasons, but none of that helped him in his current fight against Zito.
“The feeling of cutting Solderet… it still doesn’t come naturally.”
Imagining it was easy enough.
Jin knew Solderet’s voice, appearance, and the spiritual energy he wielded better than anyone.
So he could imagine slicing through Solderet countless times.
But to ‘manifest’ that Solderet in the inner world and face him as if real—that was a challenge even the Insight of Creation struggled with.
He had managed a few rough manifestations, and kept unleashing the Solar Slash on them.
“Still, I’m getting closer, bit by bit.”
The first manifestation was untouchable; the second, he grazed him.
The third, he sliced Solderet clean in two—but the god simply dispersed like smoke, unharmed.
Yet Jin felt no discouragement.
Perfectly manifesting Solderet was impossible, and even a crude manifestation couldn’t be cut down in a single day.
Still, the meditation was meaningful—it was the only way to awaken the sensation of executing the Solar Slash.
“If only I could meet Solderet in person, I’d grasp the Solar Slash’s secret in an instant. But since that’s impossible, this is the best I can do.”
Jin silently cut through the manifested Solderet again and again.
With each strike, he felt more keenly just how immense a god Solderet truly was. If there were any swordsmen capable of wounding the real Solderet, Jin was certain they could easily cut down Zito.
“Hoo…”
As soon as the promised day passed, Jin opened his eyes.
His entire body was soaked in sweat, but his mind was clear and refreshed—even though he hadn’t even grazed the manifested Solderet’s collar.
[…Has your meditation ended?]
Visaro looked back at Jin. He had finished sealing the dimensional gate about an hour ago and had been waiting.
“Yes, Visaro. You stayed.”
[I haven’t yet thanked you for freeing me.]
Visaro scanned the area around Jin. Golden orbs floated nearby, shimmering faintly.
“No need to thank me. It was just a necessary step to reach Zito.”
[While you meditated, countless demons consumed by Zito’s madness passed through here.]
“Really? I was so focused I didn’t notice.”
[They seemed to have nothing left but murderous intent, killing and devouring each other. But when they came within a certain distance of you, they quieted as if pilgrims beginning a sacred journey, then left the area. Once beyond your influence, they resumed their frenzied fighting.]
“A strange phenomenon. I’ve encountered many demons consumed by madness on the way here, but none behaved like that around me.”
[I once held divine status, though I’ve lost much power. So I could faintly sense that you were battling some great being within your meditation. The demons passing nearby must have revered that presence.]
“Is that so?”
[You know Zito’s mental domination is absolute. Even witches can’t fully break free—only temporarily ease it. Yet just passing near you changed the demons’ behavior. That’s because the great being you faced inside is connected to the Sun God.]
“The Sun God?”
[An absolute being. Few demons remember when he existed, but his imprint remains in all their hearts. So no matter how mad they are, encountering a direct trace of the Sun God turns them docile.]
Jin looked at the golden orbs floating around him.
‘So this is the manifestation of the Sun God’s will, as Ayula said.’
The orbs had formed without Jin’s intent and were slowly fading.
[Can you tell me who you fought?]
“Solderet.”
[Solderet… I think I remember. He’s probably… the shadow born from the primordial death.]
Jin’s eyes widened.
“Primordial death? You mean the death of the Sun God?”
[Yes. As far as I know, he was the first immortal to appear after the Sun God died. No wonder the mad demons near you briefly regained sanity. If the real Solderet had been there instead of your meditation, those demons would have been freed from madness instantly. Perhaps even Zito beyond this gate.]
Visaro regarded the real Solderet as a being far greater than Zito.
“I wish you could tell me everything you know about Solderet.”
[Unfortunately, that’s all I know. It’s a miracle I remember even this much after countless cycles of forgetting and sealing.]
“I have a mage among my comrades who can restore memories. With her help, could you assist me?”
Visaro nodded.
[Of course… It wasn’t only the demons driven mad by Zito who were affected by you. I, too, felt calm while you meditated. I’m curious why the dead Sun God still exerts influence in this way.]
“Just passing through and meeting a noble soul, huh?”
[That’s what my dead friends and I should say. So… are you ready to confront Zito?]
“That was the plan, but my comrades haven’t arrived yet.”
Even if Murakan and Veil were late, Valeria would never break her promise.
Still, Jin wasn’t too worried. Though Murakan had some minor side effects, now that he’d regained his martial prowess, he wasn’t in any ‘inescapable danger.’
Besides, the most dangerous being in the demon realm was beyond the gate before Jin’s eyes.
‘It’s likely Valeria got tangled up with Keliak while searching for Visep…’
If Valeria was late, that was the only explanation.
‘Valeria wouldn’t make a wrong call. Maybe I should stick around and help resolve that first.’
The problem was, there was no way to find Valeria immediately.
In Hell, wavelength-tracking communication devices didn’t work, and Jin couldn’t fly to search quickly like Murakan.
Though he could scan the vast area with the Insight of Creation, they might still miss each other.
“I’ll wait a little longer.”
[Yes. No matter how strong you are, facing Zito alone in Hell is madness. Unless you’re Solderet or a witch, no immortal would willingly fight Zito in his domain. Every immortal is strongest in their own territory.]
-[That’s right, Jin. I may have downplayed him, but that was when I fought him in my own realm with my true power. If Zito regains all his strength and invades the surface, you and your comrades won’t be able to handle him.]
Tess had said something similar in the past, noting that Zito’s ‘fundamental rank’ wasn’t much different from his own.
“Visaro, who do you think would win?”
[…Honestly? Or do you want a slightly dishonest answer?]
“I can guess.”
[But you transcend fate. You’re even chosen by Solderet. My judgment means nothing. No one can know the outcome until they fight.]
“I might continue meditating while waiting for my comrades.”
Visaro had no chance to reply.
Suddenly, two massive arms burst from the dimensional gate, striking Visaro and Jin.
Crack! Visaro was crushed into pieces, while Jin sliced the arm that tried to grab him.
It was Zito’s arm.
[Hahaha!]
From inside the gate came a vulgar, terrifying voice. The severed arm turned to demonic energy and was absorbed by two new arms emerging.
The two arms inside widened the narrow gap of the gate. In an instant, the gate tore completely, and the scenery shifted.
This was the space known as ‘Zito’s lair.’ Countless poles rose from the darkness, each hung with all manner of life and souls like tattered rags.
[Ah! You can’t keep me waiting forever, Jin Runkandel. Do you know how much effort I put into toying with you? Huh?]
Boom! Boom…
From the darkness came the sound of Zito’s footsteps. The two massive arms that had opened the gate dispersed into demonic energy and gathered back to him.
[You were looking forward to this, weren’t you? A date with me. Heh… After all those trials, you finally bore the fruit called Creation, my beloved toy. From today on, we’ll live happily here…!]
Jin stared silently at Zito.
Ten pairs of wings, spikes covering his body, and two spiked axes. His form was smaller than before, but the aura he radiated was far more dangerous and sharp.
“A god sure has no patience.”
[I prefer the title Demon King over god. Demon Kings don’t need patience, right? Heh, I originally planned to devour your friends too, but Keliak messed things up a bit…]
Jin didn’t ask if I knew anything about Murakan and his group. Even when he heard they were hurt, he didn’t show any concern for them.
Instead, he simply leveled his sword and said,
“Come on, Jito. I’ll cut you down.”