Chapter 326

"Longinus is dead… I can hardly believe it. Can you show me their battle?"

"First, explain why you taught Enkidu to Seong Jihan."

Crackle!

From Dongbang sak's sword, both white and black sword energies shone simultaneously.

Even after splitting the Tower of Babel with a single stroke, he appeared unbothered.

Gilgamesh's gaze darkened as he observed.

'As expected of Dongbang sak… Is he the strongest?'

Among the five Martial Gods disciples, Dongbang sak undoubtedly possessed the greatest power.

When Martial God was conducting constellation hunting, other Martial God's disciples were not mentioned much in the universe.

Just one person.

Dongbang sak alone was feared as the Cosmic Devil.

Especially his Taiji Sword, an unbeatable weapon that had never been blocked.

Gilgamesh could counter Dongbang sak's other martial arts, but he had no confidence against the Taiji Sword.

"Understood. I'll explain."

Seeing no need to clash with the strongest disciple over this matter, Gilgamesh willingly cooperated with Dongbang sak.

"I merely sought to awaken the third."

"The third disciple…"

"Yes. Have you ever seen him? Even just once?"

Dongbang sak stroked his beard and pondered momentarily at Gilgamesh's question.

The third disciple.

Though Gilgamesh, the fifth, had spent considerable time in slumber, he occasionally emerged during the martial god's rest periods, unlike the third disciple who had never revealed himself.

"…No."

"Right. The one who never awakens. I had to rouse him."

"Even going as far as to kill Longinus?"

"To be frank, I wanted Longinus to be defeated. However, I never wished for his complete annihilation. In fact, I was certain annihilation would be impossible."

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"Show me the battle footage. Then, you'll understand."

Gilgamesh spoke confidently, and Dongbang sak, after a moment of scrutiny, released his sword, making it vanish into the void.

Instead.

Ziiiiing…

A screen materialized before him, displaying the battle between Seong Jihan and Longinus.

Despite Longinus having used the Divine Spear, his efforts were thwarted by Enkidu

Then, the second time by the BattleNet's intervention.

"In the end, it was just bad luck."

"Without your Enkidu, the final moment wouldn't have occurred in the first place."

"I concede that."

Even as they watched Longinus fade away after his spear was blocked and Seong Jihan employed the Destruction Code, the two observed calmly, despite the demise of their fellow disciple.

Furthermore.

"It's disappointing to see him defeated by someone who isn't even a Constellation. Even for the weakest among the disciples, it's disheartening."

Gilgamesh displayed sarcasm towards the defeated Longinus.

Though his Divine Spear was formidable, Longinus was indeed the least powerful in terms of raw strength among disciples.

Without the allowance to wield the Divine Spear from the Martial God, Longinus always ranked lowest in achievements among disciples.

"You're hardly one to talk, having taught him about Enkidu."

"Hmph. Honestly, I had scant hope. How could a human possibly defeat a Constellation? However, Longinus quickly showed his limits. A shame for the bloodline he inherited."

Then, as the blue flame rose,

"Stop there. This is it."

Gilgamesh pointed towards the flame.

"This is the power of the third disciple."

"That flame?"

"Yes. And this flame, indeed, is the true force that made us immortal."

"Related to immortality…"

Dongbang sak halted the playback to observe the blue flame.

It looked ordinary aside from its color.

"I assumed the immortality and eternal life granted by the Martial God were tied to your power."

"My ability, unfortunately, doesn't fully enact the Martial God's will. The true source of eternal life he promised you originates from this flame."

"Hmm…"

"The moment the blue flame arose from Longinus's body, he should have resurrected, despite being 'annihilated.' But somehow, Seong Jihan managed to… extinguish it."

Gilgamesh's eyes cooled significantly.

Seong Jihan.

From the moment he started reading and writing codes, he was an entity beyond expectations.

'I wonder If Seong Jihan could be connected to the third disciple…'

No matter how much one pondered, he was no ordinary human.

As Gilgamesh contemplated Seong Jihan's identity,

Whisk!

Dongbang sak, having paused the playback, broke the silence.

"So, your intention was to coax Longinus into defeat, draw out the blue flame, and through this, awaken the third disciple?"

"Yes."

"Why go to such lengths to awaken the third?"

"That is…"

Just then,

Rumble!

The land of Tuseong shook violently, an uncommon event for this usually still planet.

Feeling the vibration, Gilgamesh's eyes sparkled.

"He has finally awakened…! Dongbang sak. Let's discuss it on the way. For now, we must meet him!"

"If you act foolishly, I'll cut you down without hesitation."

"Very well. Try me!"

Gilgamesh stepped through the split in the tower, emerging outside.

There, in the distance a blue light soared upwards into the sky.

That place was where the third disciple lay buried.

"Over there!"

Gilgamesh grinned with glee.

Though Seong Jihan's actions were unexpected,

Should the third awaken, things would proceed as originally intended.

With that thought, Gilgamesh soared at full speed, closely observed by Dongbang sak, who swiftly followed.

'You still have quite a bit of power hidden away.'

Upon reaching the erupting light,

The ground pulsated with bursting light.

"Third disciple! Have you awakened?"

Gilgamesh shouted, but the ascending blue light, unable to climb further, plummeted towards the ground.

And then,

Whoosh…

A giant black hand materialized in the void.

[Gilgamesh.]

A chilling voice resounded from within.

[You've caused quite the commotion.]

"Martial God… How…! This violates our agreement!"

Gilgamesh yelled incredulously.

[What you've interfered with precedes our agreement…]

The black hand plummeted towards the earth.

Boom!

The blue light ceased, the cracked ground resealed itself, and the third disciple's resting place reverted to its original state.

"The third takes precedence over our agreement…"

As Gilgamesh watched, disheartened,

Whish…

From the dissolving black hand, the Martial God's voice emerged.

[Seong Jihan… has been marked for management, Dongbang sak.]

"Yes, my Lord."

[When he is released from management, you are to kill Seong Jihan immediately. Unsheath the Taiji Sword and ensure his complete annihilation.]

Just as the Martial God had once instructed Longinus to wield the Divine Spear, He now ordered Dongbang sak to obliterate Seong Jihan with the Taiji Sword.

"I shall obey. But unsheathing the Taiji Sword on Earth might severely distort the planet…"

[It doesn't matter even if half of humanity is erased.]

Dongbang sak said that if he used the Taiji Sword, Earth would warp and the Martial God anticipated that half of humanity would disappear.

At first glance, the discussion seemed fanciful.

'But with him, it's entirely possible.'

Gilgamesh, listening, found nothing unusual about it.

The Taiji Sword was an absolute weapon, far beyond the realm of ordinary understanding.

Whish…

[Remember, you must kill him with the Taiji Sword…]

The Martial God's energy faded after re-sealing the third,

"Understood… Then, when he becomes a Constellation, I will personally intervene."

Dongbang sak bowed in acknowledgment.

* * *

After the battle in the sky concluded,

The Seong family managed to return home only late at night, having settled the turmoil in Gangnam.

"It's fortunate there were no casualties."

"Indeed. When lights and explosions were bursting in the sky, I thought we were doomed."

While Seah turned on the TV,

Currently, the news was broadcasting.

– Wow… Amazing. I'm riding on a sword.

– They said not to record, but… how could I not?

A video of ordinary people flying with Sword king Yoon Sejin's technique was being shown.

"See, I told people not to take photos, and they went ahead and recorded videos."

"Dad… words don't work on these people. But it does look fun. I'd like a ride too!"

"Would you like one now? I can take you out right away."

Yoon Sejin was ready to take Seah out for a ride immediately upon her request.

"No. I'm also exhausted today… I did my share in rescuing people."

"Alright. Just let me know whenever you want a ride."

"Has dad gotten stronger than before?"

Yoon Sejin smiled at that, turning to Seong Jihan.

"Our Constellation has bestowed me with strength."

"Brother-in-law, that's only temporary. It's not effective now, is it?"

"It's not the explosive strength like before. But it seems about 30 percent of the effect still lingers. It's not entirely ineffective."

"Really?"

Seong Jihan's eyes lit up at that.

30 percent.

The duration of this effect was uncertain, but even a day's persistence would be favorable.

'Maybe it's time to prepare more sponsored players.'

Initially, he was reluctant to sponsor players, fearing it would merely occupy Constellation slots.

However, with a remaining 30 percent effect, the situation changed.

Seong Jihan planned to sift through the guild tomorrow, considering prospective sponsorships.

Meanwhile,

On their way home, Seah, who had heard about Seong Jihan's battle, asked,

"Uncle, that Constellation you fought in the sky… Didn't it drop any items?"

She asked Seong Jihan with curiosity.

"Items?"

"Yeah, you defeated a Constellation! You should get some good rewards for that!"

"I did get something."

Swoosh!

Seong Jihan opened his inventory and retrieved the object he had earned.

"…What's this? A stick?"

"It's a spear."

"If it's a spear… Where's the tip?"

The Spear of the Blood Clan, obtained as Longinus's data disappeared, looked merely like a dark wooden spear shaft.

More fitting for a staff than a spear, the Blood Clan's spear seemed somewhat disappointing as a Constellation's gift.

"It looks underwhelming for an item given by a Constellation…"

"No, I think I know its use."

Seong Jihan recalled the Blood Clan inscribing letters on the spear shaft and utilizing it to kill giants impaled on crosses.

'Using the Destruction Code directly is currently quite cumbersome. However, if this could be used as a medium to activate the power of destruction from a distance…'

This would significantly enhance the utility of the Destruction Code.

Seong Jihan smiled.

Longinus was Generous to the end, even in death.

"I'm off to experiment. I'll go first, brother-in-law."

"Okay. Go ahead"

"Ah, uncle. Going to the training room? Take care~"

Yoon Sejin and his daughter bid Seong Jihan farewell as he departed for the void training room.

The newly acquired item.

He must effectively utilize and master its application.

With high expectations, Seong Jihan entered the training room, only to be greeted by,

[I've been waiting for you.]

A figure made of white light, with visible eyes and mouth, greeted him.

[May I interrupt you?]

"…Are you the Arena's Master?"

Seong Jihan initially reacted nonchalantly.

[Yes. Today, I've come here urgently hoping for an important deal.]

"A deal? What kind?"

[I offer to release the Witch of the Void.]

"…What?"

Hearing the proposal, Seong Jihan's expression radically changed.