Chapter 460
"Dongbang Sak has always been strong, that much we know,"
Everyone knew the strength of Dongbang Sak, but he wasn't so weak that Seong Jihan couldn't draw out the Taiji Sword from him.
'If I keep mimicking his martial arts using the Martial Soul, Dongbang Sak might just get angry enough to unsheathe the Taiji Sword.'
However, it wasn't like Ashoka wouldn't know this. There had to be a reason behind his words.
"Is there a particular reason you're worrying about him now?"
[Dongbang Sak is an extraordinary being in the realm of martial arts. To control him, the Martial God has been suppressing Dongbang Sak's growth.]
"...That is considering him suppressed?"
[Even with maximum suppression, he is this powerful.]
No wonder the Martial God had been wary of him.
[However, he has appeared as a new variable.]
"You mean the Sun King?"
[Yes. Within countless regressions, the relationship between the Sun King and the Martial God was never revealed. If it weren't for you, it might never have been discovered.]
The infinite regressions of the Martial God seemed to reset from the time humanity entered BattleNet to their fall and extinction.
This period, even considering the Martial God possessing the Dragon Lord's head and the Sun King being his father, was not long enough for these facts to be uncovered.
"The Sun King seemed eager to interact with the Martial God. The symbols on the snake's face, were those restrictions?"
[Likely. The Martial God has been avoiding the Sun King, but now he cannot. With Tuseong's location exposed.]
"So then..."
[He has one option left, to use Dongbang Sak to eliminate the Sun King.]
"So the Martial God is lifting Dongbang Sak's growth limit to ensure the Sun King's defeat?"
[Precisely.]
The emergence of the Sun King as a variable necessitated the removal of Dongbang Sak's limit. Seong Jihan licked his lips in thought.
When the Martial God dragged him to Tuseong, he had no choice but to pull out the Solar Core.
Things have come full circle, coincidentally strengthening Dongbang Sak.
"But how much time does he really have to grow?"
Seong Jihan asked, skeptical.
[His single day is worth a hundred years of a regular warrior.]
"...That's quite an unfair world we live in."
To possess such talent that even such statements aren't an exaggeration.
Still, since it was true, Seong Jihan decided to heed Ashoka's warning.
"Got it. We need to proceed as swiftly as possible."
[Yes, take that into account.]
"Anything else you want to guide me on?"
[You've led things up to this point commendably. You will handle the rest well, without my guidance.]
Was Ashoka implying he should handle things independently now?
'Well, he's already guided me this far.'
Having shattered 40% of the Martial God's power, bestowing the Azure stat and dealing with the troublesome administrator's hand himself,
Expecting any more help would indeed be greedy.
Seong Jihan nodded.
"Alright. I'll take care of the rest. I've owed you a lot."
[You are dependable. Then... I shall rest. Come at your own pace.]
Ssss...
With these words, the golden shimmer began to fade.
Seong Jihan watched it silently.
Rumble...
The ground shook once more, prompting him to turn his gaze back.
'Seems I can't stay here any longer.'
The portal to Earth was now about to close.
It was time to truly leave.
'Still.'
Before moving,
Seong Jihan bowed deeply towards the dissipating light.
"Thank you so much, Ashoka. I am deeply indebted to you."
[To hear you speak so formally now that I'm about to die.]
"Perhaps I should have done this sooner."
[I feel more guilty. I've burdened you with too much.]
"Well... this was my duty anyway."
[Just one last thing before you go.]
Seong Jihan nodded, and the shimmer gleamed one last time.
[Survive until the end. Use the Golden Wheel for your survival. Absolutely.]
"Understood, I certainly will."
[Then go now. There's truly no time left.]
"Alright."
Seong Jihan bowed once more, then turned towards the portal.
Flash!
As he entered, the light flickered and the portal vanished.
[Now. I can finally rest...]
And with the portal's closure,
The golden light slowly faded away.
* * *
The scorched Tuseong.
The Martial God had reverted to his usual form, surveying his star.
'Half of what I painstakingly built through countless regressions is gone.'
When Seong Jihan was brought to Tuseong, he had thought he would soon become a permanent administrator.
How did things end up like this?
'Seong Jihan's defiance was unexpected but manageable.'
Even after using a supernova as a last resort, Seong Jihan was far stronger than anticipated.
Fighting him demanded even the fusion with Tuseong, resulting in a strenuous battle.
However,
'Once I merged with Tuseong, everything seemed to smooth out.'
Despite the administrator's hand rebelling and passing the switch to Seong Jihan,
The foolish man did not press the button.
At that moment, he thought the battle was already won.
'...Ashoka.'
The Martial God's eyes glowed darkly.
Despite receiving him as a subordinate, he always felt uneasy about Ashoka.
Now he recognized it as his crucial error.
In the final moments, he underestimated Ashoka's potential for betrayal.
'In my excitement, I exhausted my strength foolishly, leading to my own destruction.'
Unleashing all his power and getting detonated by Ashoka led to devastating outcomes.
Moreover,
'The entire universe observed my defeat, and the golden tower is shattered. The infinite regressions are now impossible.'
The ability to amass power risk-free through infinite regressions was terminated.
The position of permanent administrator, which seemed within reach, was now far-off.
The Martial God felt a profound sense of emptiness over the changes that occurred within just one day.
'...What should I do next?'
As he contemplated his future course,
Ssss...
Dongbang Sak appeared before him, kneeling.
"Master, I have repelled the Sun King."
[The Sun King...]
The Martial God's eyes flickered upon hearing the name.
That wretched Seong Jihan.
Had he not pulled out the Solar Core, none of this would have happened.
Revealing a hint of killing intent, the Martial God asked Dongbang Sak.
[Was he strong?]
"He was not overly strong. However, the entity I faced did not seem to be his full form."
[Hmm.]
The Martial God nodded in understanding.
The destruction of the Solar Core and the Sun King's arrival had occurred too swiftly. In such a brief time, he couldn't have brought his full power.
Though Dongbang Sak fended him off this time,
'If the Sun King returns with his full power, defeat won't be so easy.'
Were it an ordinary great constellation, the Martial God could join forces with Dongbang Sak to swiftly eliminate him.
But the Sun King was unlike any other.
The Martial God, covered with inscriptions marking him as the 17777th son, could not fight him head-on.
Among Tuseong's warriors, only Dongbang Sak could face the Sun King.
However, one concern remained.
'Should I spare him?'
Dongbang Sak, once Ashoka's comrade, appeared loyal now.
But given any trigger, he might easily turn his blade.
Ashoka's recent betrayal was a significant blow to the Martial God.
Another such betrayal, and recovery might be impossible.
Eliminating such a risky factor now seemed prudent, but...
'The Sun King is the problem.'
The Sun King, having ascertained Tuseong's location thanks to Seong Jihan, was the issue.
Only Dongbang Sak could realistically face him.
Ordering Dongbang Sak's suicide now might result in the Sun King's uncontested takeover later, leading to the loss of his body.
'Though our power difference is substantial, he might not take over that easily.'
The Martial God recalled turning into a serpent head and trying to devour Ashoka.
Despite concentrating all of Tuseong's power,
The markings of the 17777th son still covered their body.
As long as the Sun King's brand remained, lowering his guard was impossible.
'I have no choice.'
The Martial God gazed coldly at Dongbang Sak.
He would wield the sword that is Dongbang Sak until the Sun King is removed.
[The Sun King's main body will come to Tuseong. Eliminate him with all your might.]
"Understood, my master. However,"
As Dongbang Sak respectfully bowed,
He raised his head to make a request.
"At my current strength, challenging the Sun King's main body may prove difficult. May I train further?"
[Train?]
"Yes, specifically, I wish to hone the Taiji Sword."
The Martial God regarded Dongbang Sak with calm eyes.
Even against a fully empowered great constellation like the Sun King,
Dongbang Sak seemed well-equipped to handle it.
However,
"I am confident in defeating him, but I doubt I can overwhelm his main body at present."
[.......]
"If his light touches Tuseong, the results could be catastrophic..."
Though Dongbang Sak could win, it would be perilous,
The Martial God pondered briefly on the potential risks.
'It's better to thoroughly eliminate variables like the Sun King.'
Compared to the unpredictability of Dongbang Sak's potential treason,
The threat of the Sun King, capable of usurping his body, was far greater.
[...I permit it. But train the Taiji Sword outside of Tuseong.]
Given its immense destructive capacity, it posed a threat if honed within Tuseong. Training outside was a safer alternative.
"Yes, understood!"
As Dongbang Sak rejoiced at the Martial God's command,
Ting.
A message appeared before him.
[You have violated punishment directives.]
[Additional penalties apply.]
[Tuseong is sealed for three months, and its members are under probation for a year.]
Despite breaking system rules, the imposed penalties were minor: a three-month seal and a year of probation.
'The seal is beneficial.'
Before the Sun King's main body arrives,
Dongbang Sak must be fully prepared.
However,
[During the seal period, delay the Taiji Sword training.]
"Understood."
During the seal, he had to remain in Tuseong.
The Martial God instructed and thought to himself,
'How many of my disciples remain?'
The five disciples of the Martial God had significantly dwindled after this chaos.
While contemplating,
Driiing...
The list of names under probation revealed not only himself and Dongbang Sak,
But also Gilgamesh and Pythia.
Which meant,
'...Those two are still alive.'
He hadn't expected Pythia to survive, let alone Gilgamesh.
'I was certain she was completely destroyed.'
The Martial God's eyes glinted menacingly.
He still had cards to play on Earth.