Chapter 554: Chapter 554

Whoosh!

Black smoke tried to envelop Su-hyeuns figure. However, he surrounded his body with the clouds to block the smoke, fired his spear forward, and charged straight ahead.

Slice!

The spear missed s.h.i.+vas body by just a hairs breadth.

Not a hint of a smile could be seen on s.h.i.+vas face. He was currently fighting with the gravest expression he had ever made in his life.

Looks like youre indeed scared, s.h.i.+va.

Well, that power of yours is a bit too dangerous even for me.

The power s.h.i.+va was talking about, of course, was the Soul of the Dead.

This ability was powerful enough even to kill Vishnu. No matter how strong s.h.i.+va was, things would get very dicey for him if his soul was directly interfered with.

Waft, ooze

The demonic energy wafting around Su-hyeun took on a visible shape and began moving. It instantly swallowed up the surroundings to create a pitch-black s.p.a.ce.

[The Dark World Thousand Hands]

The Dark World was known as Thomass skill, but it was originally copied from Osiris. Su-hyeun had absorbed that Predators power, so it became pretty simple enough for him to use this skill after a few practice runs.

Thousands of hands shot out from the pitch-black darkness to restrain s.h.i.+va.

But then

How laughable.

Riiiip!

All thousand hands were ripped apart, and the Dark World Su-hyeun had created disappeared instantly.

It was because of the power of Destruction spreading all around with s.h.i.+va in the center. While taking on the Demonic Aura Su-hyeun was generating, s.h.i.+va grinned in enjoyment.

This power called Demonic Aura is just a poor imitation of the power of Destruction. Theres no way an imitation can win against the real deal.

It doesnt matter.

The Dark World was gone, but Su-hyeun wasnt perturbed at all.

It did its job of diverting your attention for a bit.

Grab!

Giii-iiiing

A large, heavy hand landed on s.h.i.+vas shoulder. Almost simultaneously, six spheres rose around s.h.i.+va and began tying him up.

The hand belonged to Gluttony, while the spheres were Prince Nezhas Yogoe Capturing Rope.

Something like this!

I told you, didnt I?

Stab!

The spear left Su-hyeuns grip and stabbed straight into s.h.i.+vas abdomen.

I only need a little bit of diversion.

Keuph!

Shu-wuwuwu

The power of Destruction permeating the spear flowed into s.h.i.+vas body.

The pain he felt was truly horrifying. Not even once did s.h.i.+va think that someone else besides him and Vishnu would get to wield the power of Destruction.

Not only that, but when Destruction directly entered ones soul, the target would feel a truly unimaginable pain.

What a stunning talent you have!

Bzzzz

Before Gungnir could return, s.h.i.+va quickly grabbed it. He had already witnessed Su-hyeun using and calling this spear back plenty of times, including during the battle against Vishnu.

To disarm Su-hyeun, s.h.i.+va injected as much power of Destruction into Gungnir as he could afford through his hand. The spear shaft turned black in no time and began getting erased.

Pow, bang!

s.h.i.+va blew away the head of Gluttony that previously held his shoulder. He then beheaded Prince Nezha wielding Yogoe Slaying Sword behind him next.

He didnt even bother to look back. Only their presence was enough for him to figure out who they were. Not only that, but s.h.i.+va would be the only creature strong enough to blow away the heads of Su-hyeuns summons with a flick of his hands.

However, you also wont last long at this rate.

After dealing with the summons, s.h.i.+va wobbled for only a brief moment before regaining his balance; then, he quickly took a look at Su-hyeuns current state.

Su-hyeuns hand that absorbed the power of Destruction was visibly trembling right now. On top of this, Su-hyeun was also maintaining the Soul of the Dead.

The authority to interfere with all the souls within the s.p.a.ce he perceived now belonged to him but at the price of his soul being eaten away.

It doesnt matter. Su-hyeun pulled out the sword he got back from the Bull Demon King now that Gungnir was gone. Ill finish this soon, anyway.

His body might be tired, but the fire burning in his eyes was more alive than ever.

For some reason, Su-hyeun began recalling his last battle against Fafnir as Kim Sung-in.

His opponent had now changed from Fafnir to s.h.i.+va, but that was about the only thing that had changed. If he lost this battle, his fate would be the same as back then.

And it was not feasible to bet again on a variable like Samsara Heavenly Ways of Reincarnation.

The power of the Six Paths already used up once could not be used again. Also, maintaining the Soul of the Dead required a ma.s.sive price: his soul.

Sliiice!

Su-hyeuns blade sliced past s.h.i.+vas head.

A sword also materialized within s.h.i.+vas hand. Two blades collided, causing the two similar types of powers to clash.

Kiiii-iiing

Two powers of Destruction slammed into each other.

The aura of extinction and another one similar to it roused up simultaneously. Su-hyeuns power had the Demonic Aura mixed in, but s.h.i.+va devoured it all.

How reckless of you. The corners of s.h.i.+vas lips curled up for the first time during this battle. This kind of a direct confrontation suits me more. Without your spear, you no longer pose a threat to me.

Sure, that might be true.

Grab

Huh! s.h.i.+vas eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. It was all thanks to Su-hyeuns sudden and unexpected move.

He had grabbed his opponents sword. He used his bare hand to grab s.h.i.+vas sword permeating with the power of Destruction.

Unfortunately, you never learn, do you?

You Again?!

I already did it once, so why wouldnt I do it again?

[Predation is activating.]

[Destruction is being absorbed.]

Su-hyeuns hand began swallowing up the power of Destruction oozing out of s.h.i.+vas sword.

In turn, Su-hyeuns comparably weaker power began pus.h.i.+ng back against s.h.i.+vas. Almost simultaneously, s.h.i.+vas lips that were curling up only a second ago froze stiff in their place.

YouAre you trying to kill both of us?!

Two exact powers collided, causing the ripples from the aftermaths to grow larger and larger in diameter. It no longer looked like Su-hyeun was being pushed back one-sidedly but two powers boasting similar levels evenly pus.h.i.+ng back against each other.

Not really. I wont die.

Maybe not right now, but you will definitely die later. Not only that but in this s.p.a.ce!

You dont have to say it. I already know.

To burn away s.h.i.+vas soul, Su-hyeun had to maintain the Soul of the Dead.

As a consequence, Su-hyeuns soul was also dissipating right now.

s.h.i.+va clenched his teeth at how driven Su-hyeun was. He then said, The power of Destruction will continue to eat away at you, including your soul. You cant revert it anymore. How many more years do you think you can live on like this? A thousand? A hundred years, maybe? No, it could be right this minute, too.

A hundred years sounds good to me.

Su-hyeun never expected anything more than that, to begin with.

Unlike you lot that can live on for eternity, that span of time is just about right for a human being. Someone once told me that.

Giii-iiiing

The two powers of Destruction clas.h.i.+ng violently began to shave away and erase the lower halves of both Su-hyeun and s.h.i.+va.

You fight a battle while putting your own life on the line, or so Ive been told.

Believing that you wouldnt get killed during a battle to kill your opponent would be egotistical and careless. Sun Wukong taught Su-hyeun that important truth.

Sun Wukong possessed the G.o.dhood of Immortality, but even during the battle against Vishnu, he didnt care whether he would lose his life or not.

It was the same for Su-hyeun, too.

Trying to preserve his life while fighting s.h.i.+va was indeed being lackadaisical. One should be prepared to throw their life away if it meant they could secure that sure chance of victory against an enemy of a similar level.

Su-hyeun was maintaining the Soul of the Dead even now. Still stuck within this s.p.a.ce, s.h.i.+va chuckled hollowly while swallowing up the power of Destruction controlled by Su-hyeun, You ruthless b.a.s.t.a.r.d

Thanks for the compliment.

Very well. Have a nice life, then!

The power of Destruction enveloped the figures of both s.h.i.+va and Su-hyeun.

Shu-rururu

Who knows how many years? No, no one even knows if you can survive this moment!

Go-ooooooh

The two powers of Destruction collided. Then, a ma.s.sive explosion went off right at that moment.

FWHOOOSH!

A ma.s.sive hole gouged out from the moons center swallowed up both Su-hyeun and s.h.i.+va.

* * *

Dungeons vanished.

Time ticked by quickly. Various projects to rebuild and recover from the damage incurred by the sudden appearance of dungeons and monsters all over the world continued to chug ahead without a rest.

Several months had gone past by now.

However, Su-hyeun hadnt come back yet.

Its already been four months, hasnt it?

Seasons had cycled around to greet a new spring.

Lee Ju-ho looked up at the moon floating over the sky as the night deepened. Sun Wukong was sitting inside Lee Ju-hos office, munching on some snacks.

The Bull Demon King and Lang Mei had settled down somewhere by now. The Roc Demon King was still living with humans in the same rural village, leaving Sun Wukong with no place to go. So, he decided to stay with Lee Ju-ho and wait for Su-hyeuns return.

Oh, hey, this is pretty good.

Tap, tap

Sun Wukong emptied the last crumbs from the crisps package in his mouth and then licked his oily fingers clean.

When the Yogoe showed up unannounced on Lee Ju-hos doorstep while saying, Ill be in your care! the latter ended up getting incredibly fl.u.s.tered, but he had gotten more or less used to this sight by now.

Whenever Lee Ju-ho stared at the moon, he couldnt help but think, Is he really dead?

There hadnt been any news for a long while.

The only person to return to Earth after the battle of the moon ended was Sun Wukong. He then explained to Lee Ju-ho just what kind of battle it was.

Su-hyeun vanished with s.h.i.+va. As its aftermath, a gigantic crater could be seen on the moon even with naked eyes.

Nope, hes still alive, Sun Wukongs thoughts were different from his, however. The system is still functioning, you know. So, hes not dead.

Huh?

Lee Ju-ho couldnt understand what Sun Wukong was saying here. Unlike the Yogoe, Lee Ju-ho still had no idea that Su-hyeun was responsible for repairing the system, making him the master in the process.

However, Sun Wukong didnt bother to explain it in detail. He lightly jumped up from the chair instead.

The system was still functioning. That alone was the definitive proof of Su-hyeun still being alive.

When you come home, Im gonna!

***

Later that day, Sun Wukong rode on his cloud to fly up to the moon.

He arrived at the exact spot where Su-hyeun had vanished. He had no doubt that Su-hyeun was still alive, but he hadnt come back yet for some reason.

Hmm

Even though he came, Sun Wukong didnt know what he should even do here.

There wasnt any detectable presence here nor any noises to listen to. Also, the moons surface was a barren wasteland with no buildings or forests, so Sun Wukong didnt even have to search around meticulously.

Sun Wukong circled the area while riding on the cloud, but he couldnt see Su-hyeun anywhere, somewhat unsurprisingly.

Hes still not here, I guess?

Sun Wukong came here every day, but the results remained the same, including this time.

He scratched his head, thinking that it was another bust. Waves of disappointment and irritation rushed over all at once.

Eh, dang it, Sun Wukong kicked a small rock rolling around on the ground for no reason. He then loudly yelled out, Heeey, little bro! Are you still alive somewhere?

Yes, I am!

Huh?

He shouted without expecting anything in return, yet he still got a response in the end. It came from the location he was surveying earlier while riding on the cloud.

Puff

The ground there suddenly caved in deeper. Sun Wukongs wide-open eyes began shaking considerably, his crimson irises taking in the sight of a hand emerging from the lunar dirt.

Grab

Someone was pulling himself out of the ground.

Dirt caked his hair, and gray ash completely covered him from top to bottom, making him unrecognizable.

Even so

Im still alive, Third Brother.

It was obvious who he was without even asking for identification.

Sun Wukong wasnt suddenly overcome with a great wave of relief or happiness. He already knew that Su-hyeun was alive, to begin with. Plus, four months for him wasnt that long to wait for someone.

Still, he completely forgot about his plan of smacking Su-hyeun in the head. Instead of a violent welcoming party, he grinned like usual, Why are you coming out of there?

Not sure myself. Why was I even buried down here?

Su-hyeun didnt sound concerned at all. As for his expression, he seemed to be feeling incredibly refreshed, much more so than Sun Wukong had ever seen.

You worked hard, kid.

Really? Is that all? I thought I was going to die, you know.

Didnt I tell you? Youre supposed to risk your life when fighting someone. Besides, you survived in the end, right?

Well, true.

Su-hyeun lay down sprawled on the ground.

He didnt know how much time had pa.s.sed by or what had happened to everyone else, but for the time being, he wanted to enjoy this refres.h.i.+ng feeling fullythe kind of feeling one would get after realizing that an intense battle had finally ended.

Third Brother.

Yeah?

Su-hyeun smiled brightly, Lets go home.

It really was over.