Sameng Hoon had been preparing for this moment. He knew Jaehwan would not reject the offer.

Jaehwan asked, "…Let me ask you again. What if I reject?"

He still was asking of that. What an amazing [Product].

"Then you will lose your 'present' forever."

It was something that could be interpreted in many ways. Whichever it was, it wasn't good.

"What do you think? I think you have every reason to join us. And even if you go to the , you will not get what you want there. Besides, you do not have proof that you will reach the end."

Jaehwan fell silent. He then asked, "What will become of them?"

"Them?"

Sameng Hoon looked up. The people of were in the direction that Jaehwan was looking toward.

"Are you talking about those corpses?"

Those who died. Losers who adapted to living in this world called . Sameng Hoon looked at the people shouting at Jaehwan even though no sound was coming through, and then spoke.

"They will die. No matter the choice."

"…I see. So they will die."

Jaehwan then glanced at the video of a woman and closed his eyes.

'I'm sorry.'

His swords began to unleash the power and wield the flame of the fall. Sameng Hoon narrowed his eyes.

"…What are you doing?"

Jaehwan declared, "I'm not going back. I'm going UP."

Sameng Hoon couldn't understand.

"…Why? Do you not want to go back to your home? Do you not wish to see your family?"

"…"

"Will you throw your 'present' at a trash can?"

"Trash can.."

Jaehwan smiled. Maybe he was right.

"I was in the trash can already."

"What are you…"

Sameng Hoon also began to wield himself with the blue energy.

Jaehwan wanted to go back. He wanted to see his family. But...

"Past, future, present, it doesn't matter in 'this world'." Jaehwan added, "I might be happy if I return, but then what?"

He swung his sword at Sameng Hoon's right arm. It sparked with blue fire, and Jaehwan took several steps back from the impact. But he did not give up.

"You will come back again and start the d.a.m.n [Cultivation]."

Maybe he could protect it for a while. Maybe the Earth might be saved from [Cultivation] for as long as Jaehwan lives. But that was it. Nothing will change.

Sameng Hoon said, "…You cannot stop [Cultivation]. It is the natural way of the world."

"Yeah, at least in 'this world'."

Jaehwan knew. In this world, [Cultivation] was the law of the world. It wasn't anyone's fault. It wasn't Sirwen who was born to make the world, or Angels or Demons who partic.i.p.ated in [Cultivation]. It was the 'world' that did not specify it as a problem.

"So, I will destroy this world."

"Fool! Everything you love is a part of the world! Will you destroy all that you love? All that you consider valuable?"

"…"

"There is no system! It cannot be destroyed! It is Nature itself!"

Jaehwan did not answer and instead swung his swords. Sameng Hoon then gave up on persuading.

"You will give up."

The video disappeared. His cold voice filled the s.p.a.ce.

"You shall die in your 'present'."

The energy was formed into a Blue Lion again.

'He's connected with his body anyway. If he dies, his spirit will find its way back to his body.'

Sameng Hoon knew Jaehwan had escaped to the Tree of Imagery without finis.h.i.+ng his tutorial, so he was still living. It meant Sameng Hoon could drive him out to the and think about it later.

'His spirit will take some damage, but I have no choice.'

The Blue lion roared and Jaehwan's ear began to bleed, which then turned to silvery powder. He felt pain throughout his whole body.

Jaehwan then saw the lion's fangs drawing closer and closed his eyes.

'I have no choice.'

'N-no! Kid no!'

Chunghuh became pale as he saw Jaehwan putting his hand into his cloth with his eyes closed. What came out was a dark stone, the one called the [Stone of the Forgotten Spirit]. Jaehwan then ate it. The blue fire then overwhelmed Jaehwan and he disappeared into the flame.

'No…'

Chunghuh did guess Jaehwan was up to something.

'So, was that why you didn't consume horns?'

Jaehwan had no other way. There were enemies at bay that were too powerful. And Jaehwan had no time to prepare. There was only one thing he could do: borrow power from stronger being.

However, it was the price that had to be paid that was the problem.

Chunghuh charged at the barrier and began swinging his sword.

"KID! Stop! Listen to me! Please! Stop!!"

The barrier was not even damaged but Chunghuh did not stop. Then, the Commanders came forward.

"Get off, insect."

Commander Serim kicked Chunghuh away, but Chunghuh did not take his eyes off. The Spirit Power was growing into something that was unimaginable.

Serim stopped cackling and Migata frowned. Chundo also asked seriously, "What is that?"

It was Yuha who spoke first.

"Hoon! Open the barrier! We cannot let him continue! He is…!"

But she couldn't continue as the barrier began to crack and-

With an explosion, the s.p.a.ce was destroyed. There was something terrifying inside. Some fainted even by 'sensing' the presence and some peed on themselves out of fear.

Everyone shook. A man walked through the explosion. It looked like Jaehwan, but it was no longer Jaehwan.

It was the one King who was above all in this world.

[Long time no see.]

It was Sole-King Catastrophe.