The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 524

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 524
How should one describe the nature of a Mystic Creature?
I pondered this question for a moment, but found myself lacking any definition worthy of the name.
I had always described them as vessels of Deity rather than human.
Baek Manager, however—
‘Just a monster bastard. Massive in size and foul in nature.’
He spoke thus while disposing of a Mystic Creature that had emerged in the Han River.
My Grandmother’s assessment differed little.
‘What foolish Deity would covet a beast’s body? Yet if one so dull and witless truly did covet such a form, there could be no greater tragedy.’
‘A divine body bearing the head of a beast—truly, monster is the perfect word for it.’
Creatures that could scarcely be called Deity.
Abominations and monsters that had made foolish choices.
That was what they saw as Mystic Creatures.
Though, perhaps—
‘It might be somewhat different, no?’
It was unclear to simply judge them thus, for there existed beings born with divine essence from the very beginning.
If divine essence lingered in a human body, one could be born with celestial sight and perceive Deities and spiritual forms.
But when it remains in a beast’s body, it transforms thus. This could be a difference in whether identity develops as one grows.
‘There may be cases where no Deity entered at all.’
Well, to human eyes, they are monsters regardless, are they not?
[KYAAAAAAAA—!]
‘Just look at this one now.’
How could one simply call this a beast? Despite the noble and magnificent Deity dwelling within, it remains ignorant and enslaved to instinct.
Truly, monster is the only fitting word.
Screech.
Moonlight Penetration erupted from the divine blade I wielded. The radiant sword struck true against its scales.
CRASH—!!! The violent sound echoed as—
[KYAAAAAAAA!!!]
The body of the creature called Sea Deity convulsed. ROOOAR!! The deep river surged violently. A column of water shot skyward like rain itself.
Torrential waters cascaded back into the river, and I descended upon them.
“….”
I gathered energy at my feet and controlled it to prevent slipping. This works. I was right to master it.
I examined the blade. Blood stained it, but not much. It had not penetrated deeply.
“Shhh.”
I steadied my breathing. I enveloped my entire body in Moonlight Penetration.
Wol Cheon.
The Moon becomes me.
Tap.
The falling water droplets slowed considerably. I entered a state of absolute focus.
WHIRRRRR—! As the trembling resonance of the blade pierced my ears—
Kwaaaaaa—!!!
I burst through the water current toward the Sea Deity.
Kwang—!!! The sound of the blade striking, not slicing, echoes out.
[Kack—!]
I did not leave the body bending like a bow untouched.
‘Daewol.’
I unleashed the sword technique. Reaching a state of perfect clarity, I wielded the blade like a madman. First form. Second form. Third form.
After thrusting the sword several times, I finally reach it.
Daewol.
Kuaaaaaa—!!!!
Energy erupts as the Sea Deity shrieks. The qi contained in my lower dantian exploded outward wildly.
[Kiaaa!!]
With such a massive body, there are countless places to strike. However, being that enormous, its durability was exceptional. I continue pounding away. I did not care how much my qi depleted.
Its counterattacks are no trivial matter either. It keeps charging relentlessly in an extraordinary manner. Yet it remains unharmed even after taking my blows?
‘It truly is a monster.’
As I grasped this, my gaze grew heavy. Such durability and strength meant—
“How long has it been?”
And how many souls must it have consumed to become this way?
‘It’s all so unreasonable.’
Deities are truly unreasonable beings. While it devoured souls as offerings and grew fat, what were the Heavens doing that they did not reach down and drag these creatures away?
‘Perhaps they do not see it as wrong.’
For it was an act the Deity had to commit to survive.
Would those at such heights not refrain from calling it a mistake?
‘Such absurdity has no equal.’
It is their world unto themselves. I despised it with a revulsion that burned.
Now and in the past alike.
Kyaaa!!
I leaped into the air to evade what the Sea Deity hurled. However, I overdid it slightly. Fighting on water for the first time, I could not control my strength properly.
This excessive reaction—wouldn’t this turn into a disaster?
Just as I thought so, the Sea Deity rushed at me with its maw wide open. How was I to evade this?
When I found myself in slight difficulty—
“What kind of situation is this now?”
With a heavy sound, my ankle is seized. Looking down, it is Paeng Dojin. He had grabbed and pulled me.
Whoosh—!!! Kwack—!! Carried by the wind pressure, I landed on the boat.
“You were having quite the time. If I’d arrived any later, it would have been dire, wouldn’t it?”
“…You’ve finished everything and come out?”
“All finished. Very well, in fact.”
A faint smell of blood emanated from Paeng Dojin’s martial robes. How things ended inside was as transparent as water.
“But what is this situation?”
“It appears it was feeding women to that creature.”
“…Oh…. Really? That thing still exists? I didn’t think creatures like that remained.”
I gaze at it with fascination. The reason for saying “still” was obvious—the history of the Central Plains is filled with accounts of Mystic Creatures.
An enormous spider embedded in a dungeon, for instance.
Or a colossal serpent, or a three-headed hound. That sort of thing.
I’d heard such creatures existed historically. But they said they’re barely seen anymore in this age.
“Impressive. Massive, really. If we tear something like that open, there’d be a Spirit Core inside, wouldn’t there?”
“…Ah. Yes, that would be the case.”
Right. A monster that’s harbored a Deity for so long would surely contain something within.
Is that what they call a Spirit Core? Greed gleams in Paeng Dojin’s eyes. A Martial Artist is a Martial Artist, after all.
“Whoever kills it first gets to keep it?”
“…Do as you wish.”
Spirit Core or not, killing this thing came first for me.
Kuuuuu—!!! Black energy floods through Paeng Dojin’s body. It condenses with tremendous compression force.
Clearly, he hadn’t neglected his training all this time.
“Let’s go.”
Whoosh—! His body shoots forward toward the Sea Deity. It bares its fangs sharply and lunges at Paeng Dojin.
The moment I see it, I swing my blade.
Crack—!!
[Screeeee!]
I strike as a feint. The sword energy bursts forth in a crescent shape, striking the Sea Deity directly. The opening I create flows into Paeng Dojin’s attack.
Kuuuong—!!! A dark saber energy begins pounding the Sea Deity relentlessly.
“Hahahaha—!!!”
Paeng Dojin laughs with delight. He’s clearly mad too. How can he enjoy himself so much clashing with a monster?
Insane. Absolutely insane.
I shake my head and join the fight. Should I even call this a fight? It’s more like a hunt.
No, it’s definitely a hunt.
Hunting a Deity trapped within a beast’s body.
‘This is actually easier.’
This suited me better. What dwells in a beast’s flesh cannot be called a Deity.
Such an existence doesn’t accumulate karma when killed. I’m destroying the flesh, not the soul.
Kwang—!!
Surprisingly, my coordination with Paeng Dojin worked well.
When his attack seemed to falter, I’d intercept. When I created an opening, he’d press the assault.
Wounds multiplied across the Sea Deity’s body.
[Kuuuuu!!!]
It writhes in agony. Is this nearly over? Paeng Dojin’s energy intensifies, and I gather my strength to finish it.
Uuuuong.
The blade sings harshly as I enter the Divine Sword Unity.
My body’s speed remains unchanged, but sound slows. The water spraying everywhere does the same.
I plant my feet in this altered state. Wol-an has found the Sea Deity’s weakness, and I thrust my blade toward it.
The sword wrapped in Gwangwol Seom-gyeong pierced deep into the Sea Deity’s body.
Shuuuuck—!!
[KYAAAAAAAA!!!!]
A scream echoes. If I cleave through like this, it will be over—.
Whoooosh!
“Ugh!?”
My body shook violently. The Sea Deity, impaled on my blade, thrashed about.
Splash!!
“Bangseong-yeon!”
Paeng Dojin shouts. I don’t hear the rest of his voice. The Sea Deity, still skewered on my sword, has plunged into the river waters.
‘Damn it.’
I try to pull the sword free, but it won’t budge. The creature deliberately exerts force to seal my movements.
‘Was this the plan?’
It seems to have turned my own strike against me. In the water, my breathing is cut off.
[You fell for it!]
The Sea Deity’s voice reaches me.
[You arrogant fool. How dare you touch this body to such an extent!]
A voice filled with rage resounds.
[No matter. I shall kill you and covet everything you possess.]
Should I abandon the sword and escape? Fighting underwater is unfavorable. This creature won’t leave the water, and if I let go now, I’ll lose the blade.
‘A complete disaster.’
What do I do? This isn’t a space where Paeng Dojin can intervene. This situation is dangerous.
[Kyarrrr!!]
The creature’s coiled body rotates. It seems intent on pushing me deeper.
‘Rot.’
What can I do about this? As I furrow my brow.
Whoooosh—!! Uuuuung!!
My chest tingles again. The intensity is strangely high. No, it’s not just tingling.
‘It hurts?’
It tightens as if being torn. I clench my teeth. The pain is extraordinary. Can this even be happening? As I panic at this sudden turn of events.
Whoooooosh—!!!!
What was thrashing about gradually reveals its form.
Crackle—!
‘What?’
Flames. Flames ignite from my chest and begin to spread across my entire body. Gwangwol Seom-gyeong? No. This wasn’t the energy of Cheongwol Heart Method. It was similar and intertwined, but fundamentally different in essence.
Spirit energy.
This was closer to spirit energy.
The energy of the soul.
‘Why is this happening?’
It flows outward and becomes flames? An incomprehensible phenomenon.
Moreover.
Whoooosh—!!!
The flames traveled through my hand and transferred to my blade. Then they clung to the Sea Deity.
Blaze—!!!
[Kyaaaaa!?]
I set him ablaze.
[What… What is this!!]
The Sea Deity shrieked even more piercingly than before, consumed by the raging inferno. Panic flooded his voice.
[What are you…! What exactly are you doing! You wretch…!]
How would I know? Even if he asked, there was nothing I could understand.
This phenomenon was happening for the first time. As the flames raged on, the Sea Deity thrashed about desperately.
[Kagh…. Kyaak…! This… This is…! What is… what is this…!]
The creature, engulfed in flames, soon fell silent and ceased moving.
His flesh burned away, leaving not even bone. That massive body.
“….”
How had this come to pass? My bewilderment aside, something remained where the Sea Deity’s body had vanished.
A massive sphere of brilliant azure.
‘That.’
A Spirit Pearl? That thing said to exist within a Mystic Creature’s body?
Curious, I reached out my hand. The moment my fingertips touched the sphere-like object.
Whoooosh!!
“Cough!”
Tremendous energy surged into my lower dantian.
The flames that had been burning flared up even more intensely.
Like the moon rising in the night sky.
Light exploded across the dark river.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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