Chapter 394

'Gilgamesh really meant it when he said he would reveal Tuseong's secret. I've obtained useful information.'

The Relic of the Constellations.

The fact that it could amplify the Martial God's power was something even Seong Jihan hadn't anticipated.

Moreover, it contained records of humanity's entrance into BattleNet and its subsequent downfall.

'…I recall the numerous times I perished in the embrace of the Taiji's Sword.'

Various images surfaced simultaneously.

The fragments of Seong Jihan mixed within the Abyss Owner, shredded by the Taiji Sword.

And the Golden Wheel, the third disciple possessing the ability to rewind time…

'By sealing the power within the Relic of the Constellations and rewinding time upon humanity's collapse… If such a process is repeated hundreds, thousands of times, the number of relics in Tuseong's sky will multiply.'

While Seong Jihan couldn't fully understand the Martial God's method, he deduced a rough outline of the process.

As Seong Jihan pondered deeply without responding,

[Of course, it's difficult to trust me fully when I propose cooperation.]

Gilgamesh, assuming Seong Jihan was rejecting him, spoke up again.

"That's certainly true."

[However, our conflict is trivial. The power of the Martial God, our mutual enemy, has become too overwhelming for one individual. Indeed. To build trust, I shall reveal the location where the World Tree is sealed.]

Making a significant concession, Gilgamesh offered first.

[It is near your country's current location.]

But Seong Jihan couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.

"I already know that place."

[…Is that so? Hmm. The energy of life was acquired from there… Could it be that you were able to complete the Domination Code from there?]

Upon Seong Jihan's revelation, Gilgamesh discovered why the Domination Code was completed during the racial evolution.

[Then… I shall teach you the term to dominate the World Tree within the seal.]

Swoosh. Swoosh.

The chains binding Seong Jihan's arm quivered.

Before his eyes, letters emerged.

The letters, similar to those forming the Domination Code, read:

[It's time to sever the serpent's neck.]

[Write this on the World Tree, and the seal will be easily broken.]

"The serpent…."

[That would be the Martial God.]

Swish…

Gilgamesh's chains gradually unraveled, and his voice grew faint.

[Though the legends say the serpent took the elixir of immortality, the truth is reversed. I received immortality from the serpent…]

"…"

[Break the seal of the World Tree and gain strength there. Then, we shall discuss cooperation.]

The chains of Gilgamesh vanished after delivering the message.

'Isn't this just his covert desire to break the World Tree's seal?'

Though he claimed it was for the sake of cooperation and offered information first, Seong Jihan suspected Gilgamesh's true intention was to break the World Tree's seal.

Despite his suspicions, Seong Jihan committed the seal-breaking phrase to memory.

And then,

"…Is it… over?"

As the chains, which had been created through the sacrifice of five individuals, disappeared, the Chinese players stared blankly at Seong Jihan.

=Ah, what just happened?

=That magic circle earlier, was it the Tower of Babel… Wasn't that Gilgamesh's artifact?

=I'm concerned that there are still factions supporting him, but who knew there would be five among the Chinese national players…

=For something summoned with such effort, it dissipated surprisingly quickly.

=Rather than binding Seong Jihan, it seemed like they were having a conversation.

=Yes, though we couldn't hear, their lips were moving…

Commentators questioned the second match's unusual sequence.

-Why aren't they attacking? Seong Jihan was captured before.

-His arm was merely bound, and he seemed to chat comfortably, lol.

-Even if they attacked, they wouldn't even scratch him, lol.

-True, damage would need to register first.

-What were they talking about?

-I wish Seong Jihan was live-streaming; broadcast doesn't give a clue.

-Gilgamesh is dumber than proks lol.

Viewers, who noticed the movements of Seong Jihan's lips, were curious about their conversation.

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan watched as the Tower of Babel and the magic circle faded.

"Thank you for waiting."

He turned to the remaining Chinese players.

"Shall we wrap up Match 2?"

Whoosh…

As a dark sword formed in Seong Jihan's hand,

"Not harmed by the chains…?"

"S-stop him…!"

The Chinese players tried to react, but…

Whish!

The sword slashed across them first.

Thud. Thud…

The Chinese players' bodies split in half and fell simultaneously.

And then,

Thunk! Thunk!

The towering trees in the Great Forest began to collapse each in turn.

[Match 2 ends.]

Immediately, the game-ending message appeared.

* * *

After the second match,

=Match 2 concludes!

=No Chinese player could withstand even one strike from Seong Jihan…

=While initially restrained by chains, the result was as expected!

=With Korea winning both matches 1 and 2, they have a favorable position!

The commentators spoke confidently about the victory.

-Wow… one strike!

-He couldn't finish in one minute, but without the chains, it could have been under 30 seconds.

-Did the Chinese players give up too soon?

-No, they tried to resist but couldn't.

-Seong Jihan's involvement in national matches is like a cheat code, lol.

Viewers, commentators, and even the Chinese players on the national team knew the game was one-sided.

'This should do it.'

Seong Jihan decided to end his involvement in the national matches.

With victories in the first and second matches, it was now up to the Korean national team to handle the rest.

And,

'I need to investigate the World Tree's seal soon.'

Having conquered the Heaven's Chaotic Flow and learned the words of domination for the World Tree, the preparations were complete.

'I should quickly delve back into exploring the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.'

"Uncle, are you leaving?"

"Yes. You can win one of the remaining three games, right?"

"Of course!"

"Good."

Seong Jihan reached out to the confident Yoon Seah.

Whoosh…

The void's power, the Blessing of Undead, which had turned her undead, was reclaimed by Seong Jihan.

"You can manage without this, right?"

"N-naturally. We'll win one game… right?"

Looking slightly less confident, Yoon Seah was reassured when Yoon Sejin patted her shoulders from behind.

"Seah, stay confident. We've beaten them before. We can definitely win."

"Right! Uncle, don't worry. We'll finish this."

"Alright. I trust you."

Waving his hand, Seong Jihan approached Coach Noh Youngjun to bid farewell.

"Coach, I'll be leaving now."

"Ah, Jihan. Would it be possible for you to stay…?"

"No, Coach. I feel uncomfortable intervening beyond this point."

"Yes, yes, it's enough that you helped us win two matches against China…"

As much as Coach Noh wanted Seong Jihan to stay for the final match, he accepted he couldn't force him.

'Can't compel him if he doesn't want to stay…'

Coach Noh had to accept Seong Jihan's decision.

"Then."

Swoosh!

After Seong Jihan left the BattleNet center, Coach Noh looked around at his team with a look of resolve.

"…Indeed, we've depended on Jihan too much. Let's win the next match on our own."

"Yes, Coach!"

"China still thinks Jihan is here. Let's finish this in the third match."

"Yes, sir!"

Despite resolving to give their all in the third match,

=China banned Seong Jihan this time. However, Yoon Seah is still here. Will we see a repeat of the first match?

=Oh… but Yoon Seah isn't in undead form this time!

=What does this mean…?

=It seems Seong Jihan is absent again!

With Yoon Seah's undead form gone, it became obvious Seong Jihan had left.

"No Seong Jihan…?"

"This is our chance!"

"We can turn the game around now…"

The Chinese team, suddenly show renewed vigor after Seong Jihan's departure,

The match atmosphere shifted abruptly in favor of China.

As the fierce competition continued from the third match, it was only in the fifth match that Korea barely seized another victory, making the final score 3-2.

=It was challenging despite leading comfortably after the first two matches, but at last, Korea has secured the top spot in the regional league and advances to the Champions League!

While Korea was barely securing the top spot in their group,

'Time to delve in.'

Seong Jihan had arrived at the ocean floor, preparing to enter the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.

* * *

Whoosh…

As Seong Jihan stepped into the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams., he felt the world turn upside down.

And as soon as the world completely flipped,

'Hmm… Is this the Heaven's Chaotic Flow?'

The acupoint-sealing technique that Dongbang Sak once used to confine space.

Heaven's Chaotic Flow was activated automatically.

'So, that's why he told me to master it.'

Although the pressure from the Heaven's Chaotic Flow was stronger compared to when he used it on himself, Seong Jihan easily nullified it using Martial Soul.

And then,

Whizz!

A sword, flying towards Seong Jihan from above, halted right in front of his eyes.

'If I hadn't nullified the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, this sword would've pierced me.'

The sword hovered briefly before him before flying back up.

'Hmm.'

Seong Jihan surveyed his surroundings.

The landscape, unlike the lush green forest with the flowing river last time, was now cracked, dried, and barren wasteland.

'There are ten swords hovering in the sky…'

The presence wielded by those swords was strong, but nothing Seong Jihan couldn't easily handle with his current power.

'Still, let's avoid confrontation and look around first.'

Carefully advancing while observing his surroundings, Seong Jihan walked for about ten minutes.

Soon, his eyes caught sight of a massive tree.

'Judging by the energy it exudes, it seems to be a World Tree… There's no guardian this time.'

The immense life force emanating from the giant tree was akin to the previous World Tree.

However, this time there was a difference.

'This World Tree is entirely red.'

From roots to trunk, branches to leaves, this World Tree was engulfed in an ominous crimson hue.

'The color suggests the presence of the Red's power?'

As Seong Jihan approached the red World Tree to examine it more closely,

Rumble.

Roots emerged from the ground and formed letters in the air by breaking and rearranging themselves.

[Do you wish to break the seal?]

Swoosh!

A large wooden plank emerged from the ground as the floating letters transformed.

[Please input the seal-breaking term here.]

So, this is to make use of what Gilgamesh taught right away?

If I break the seal now, I am basically playing into his hands.

"I'll use it later."

Seong Jihan replied, intending to explore this world first.

[Understood.]

The root-written letters acknowledged his response.

'The red World Tree… it doesn't seem hostile towards me.'

Seong Jihan found it curious, approaching the World Tree.

Up close, the tree's size was more imposing.

Big enough to accommodate hundreds of people.

'Time to inspect more closely…'

Just as Seong Jihan was about to reach out to the red World Tree,

[Warning. Warning. A Watcher is approaching.]

A red alert message appeared before his eyes.

Rumble!

A hole opened in the trunk, and a red arrow appeared in the air pointing towards it.

[Entering here is recommended.]

'…Why so helpful? Or is it a trap?'

After a brief hesitation,

'Maybe it's better to be inside to absorb this.'

Deciding to counter any potential trap by consuming the World Tree himself, Seong Jihan entered the trunk.

Contrary to his expectations, the inside was a comforting chamber.

Though standing vertically inside the tree trunk, it felt as soft as lying on a bed.

Soon after,

Step. Step.

Footsteps approached the red World Tree.

"There was definitely an intruder…"

A somber voice came from beyond the trunk.

To Seong Jihan, the voice was familiar.

[Would you like to observe the Watcher?]

Like a status screen message, letters floated mid-air.

When Seong Jihan nodded,

Tap. Tap.

Holes appeared in the trunk, revealing the outside.

The revealed watcher was,

'Knew it… it was him.'

Dongbang Sak, with a haggard face.