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nI see. This is your world! Interesting!

nThe King’s voice became even more excited. Their swords clashed. Jaehwan felt strange as he moved his sword. He had never felt this way. As their swords clashed, thousands of words were exchanged.

nYou do not give up on your hatred even after you realize the truth and emptiness of life!

nThe King was astonished.

nI have seen beings that destroyed worlds for over millions of years. All of them climbed this tree with their questions.

nKing Catastrophe spoke while deflecting stabs.

nWhat question do you seek to be answered with such a world on your back?

nJaehwan did not answer. But the King seemed to understand.

nI see. The world itself is your question.

nTheir swords clashed again.

nA world that has fallen!

nThe stab had reached its maximum power.

nArrogant world! A mere human questioning the worth of the ? You ask through your words that if the is worthy enough to exist?

nJaehwan swallowed his breath and spoke.

n“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

nWhat?

nJaehwan did not answer. Instead, he thrust his sword.

nThe world screamed. His Strong Stab was unleashed.

nThe light that penetrated the world stormed the area. The place that stormed left the Master’s body. Only the flesh remained with the bones while the left arm and right leg were missing.

nI see… so it wasn’t a question. You are not climbing the Tree to question.

nThe King was enraged.

nYou are an insolent fool!

nPowerful Dead Man energy quickly regenerated the Master’s body. The arm and leg regenerated and all the wounds on the body had healed. Yet the King was shocked. Jaehwan had disappeared from his sight. The King then felt the pain of something being cut from the back.

nWhat…?

nStrong Stab was made to fight against an army. It wasn’t a good skill to use to attack an individual. Jaehwan had not intended to kill him with Strong Stab. It was just a decoy to buy time.

n‘This being cannot be killed. Even when I’m using a stronger skill than Strong Stab.’

nThe only thing that would be destroyed would be the Master’s spirit. The King was using his spirit as a conduit to appear in this world. Its material body was not here, so it was impossible to kill. The only way to fight it was to cut the link between the King and the Master.

nJaehwan had done it on Beastlain back in the tower. He was sure that he could do it again. As the King focused on defending against the Strong Stab, Jaehwan concentrated his entire focus on Suspicion. He was then able to see a faint line coming out from the body.

nHow did you use this skill…!

nFor the first time, the King was shocked.

n…Interesting. Skill of Rupture!

nThe power of the King was being lifted and the Master’s damaged spirit was coming back. The King glared at Jaehwan and spoke.

nYou who live the fall. I will wait for you at the entrance of the . Please, do not disappoint me then.

nAnd he was gone. Master fell down on the ground like a rag doll and Jaehwan sighed.

n‘It’s finished.’

nHe wasn’t sure if he could succeed. The King was a powerful enemy. He might have lost if he tried to fight it outright.

n‘I should get stronger.’

nHis stab wasn’t enough anymore. He needed new skills to climb up to the . Jaehwan then turned to Chunghuh.

n“Old man.”

nChunghuh had fainted. Euren and all the others also had fallen unconscious. It was then that he heard a whisper.

nYou… come over here.

nJaehwan gripped his sword tightly again.

n“Still here?’

nI’m not the King.

nIt was coming from the Master. There was a faint spirit power within that was holding on. Jaehwan realized who it was immediately.

n“Master?”

nI was in the state of Dead Man, but I was watching you. Having the courage to fight the King… I thank you.

nThe whisper barely continued.

nI do not have much time. Let me ask you a favor. If Chunghuh or Euren, any of them are near…

n“Both are here.”

nBring them over…

n“They both are knocked out.”

nMaster moaned.

n…Please come closer.

nJaehwan walked up to him and the Master used his remaining strength to grab Jaehwan’s wrist. Jaehwan frowned.

n“What is this?”

n…Maybe Gorgon needs to change… please take it.

nJaehwan felt powerful energy flowing into him. It was the Master’s spirit. But it wasn’t just a normal spirit. As the power was absorbed, a drawing of a black serpent appeared on Jaehwan’s left arm.

nYou have a familiar energy… that brings back old memories…

nMaster seemed to have felt something from Jaehwan and smiled with satisfaction.

nPlease, do not lose your humanity.

nAnd then he was gone. The drawing squirmed as if it were alive. That was when he heard Chunghuh from the back.

n“…What on earth.”

nHe was looking at Jaehwan’s arm with a dumbfounded look. Euren, the commander, and all the others were waking up. The Black Serpent let out a faint silvery glow.

n“Is that…?”

nJaehwan could not understand what was going on. Euren and other officers approached Jaehwan and began to kneel. One, two, three people increased into tens and thirty… even the other officers who arrived at the scene late, saw the drawing on Jaehwan’s arm and quickly kneeled.

nAll of Gorgon was now kneeling in front of Jaehwan.

nThen the man at the front, Euren spoke.

n“Euren Chiver, at the Gorgon’s new Master’s service.”

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