Shockwaves from the battlefield rippled through the air, distorting the atmosphere.
Rumble
KABOOM
The aftershocks shook not just the surrounding area, but all of Beijing. A fierce battle, a true clash for the fate of the world.
Whoosh
But a figure, stealthily infiltrating a building away from the main battle, remained unfazed by the commotion, focused solely on his task.
'I created a diversion, but this is easier than expected. His stealth skills must have improved.'
The intruder, Hugo, the Supreme Realm martial artist operating under the alias Ha Seung-hoon, paused, sensing the energy within the building. His senses, amplified by his internal energy, were razor sharp.
'…Good. Let's go.'
No unforeseen issues. His meticulous planning had paid off. He resumed his ghost-like advance into the building, using 「Heavenly Body」 to blend with his surroundings. The synergy of 「Nameless Art」, 「Convergence of All Things」, and 「Jack of All Trades」 made him as stealthy as any master thief.
'No new skill was generated for stealth. It seems any new martial arts I learn are absorbed into 「Nameless Art」. I wonder when it will finally get a proper name?'
He was currently using Shadowless Movement, a secret technique of the Shadowless Divine Style, once used by a renowned thief. He had found it in the Demonic Cult's library, and Hubert's 「Analysis」 had rated it A-.
It hadn't been easy to learn, but with his skills and growth bonuses, Hugo had mastered it quickly. Sparring with Demonic Cultists near Beijing had also helped.
'It's not bad. I can use any martial art with maximum efficiency, ignoring its limitations.'
The Shadowless Movement Technique was A-rank, but its corresponding internal energy cultivation method was only C-rank. Normally, switching cultivation methods was difficult, so they had sacrificed its potential to maximize the movement technique's effectiveness. He wouldn't have even considered it without his unique trait.
Thanks to this, Hugo easily bypassed the building's security. This would have been impossible normally, but a major battle was raging outside, diverting the attention of anyone who could detect him. The strongest Demonic Cultist guarding this location was only at the Superlative Realm, the same as him.
And he knew their security arrangements inside and out.
'Here it is.'
He reached an underground chamber. Demonic symbols and incantations painted in blood covered the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere, accentuated by strange ritual tools and flickering candles.
"It's about time. Let's begin."
"Is it time?"
His timing was perfect. Seven Demonic sorcerers were just starting the ritual, the Dragon Children bound and ready to be sacrificed.
"Heaven-Shattering Curse, Eternal Memory, Willing Sacrifice…"
"Heaven and Earth Reversed, Formless Form…"
The sorcerers began chanting. He couldn't wait any longer.
'Swiftly and decisively.'
Hugo, hidden in the shadows, sprang forward, his sword flashing.
"Death…"
Slash
A sorcerer's head flew through the air. It happened too fast for anyone to react. The other sorcerers only reacted after two more heads fell.
"An intruder? How did you get in…!"
"Impossible! This place is protected by a formation even a Transcendent Realm master can't easily breach! You bypassed it silently?!"
"Damn it! What are the guards doing?!"
They raised their ritual tools in panic, not expecting their leader to betray them. They desperately tried to cast their spells, but it was too late.
A Supreme Realm martial artist, appearing suddenly in a confined space, against opponents with no defense prepared except for the ritual. Their efforts were futile. Martial arts reigned supreme for a reason.
"Gahk! You… You'll never leave this place alive…"
Thud
The short battle ended with the last sorcerer collapsing, a sword through his heart, cursing as he died.
"Hah…"
Hugo sheathed his sword, wiping the blood from the blade. The already eerie chamber was now even more gruesome, filled with corpses and blood.
"…Young Master Ha?"
"Your Holiness?"
Two familiar voices broke the silence.
Hugo turned, a smile on his face. He saw them, faces he hadn't seen in a long time. He had been monitoring their safety through Hans, but seeing them in person felt different.
"How did you get here…?"
An unexpected rescue.
Zhuge Huimei, her eyes wide with surprise, was speechless. He smiled confidently.
"Didn't I promise?"
A reassuring smile, out of place in the grim surroundings. As if he existed in a different world.
"That I would save you no matter what."
"…A-Ahaha…"
She laughed weakly, still in shock, assuming it had been an empty promise. He approached her, his expression softening as he saw tears welling up. He released her bonds, then turned to Zhu Gangin.
"It's been a while, Your Highness. I didn't expect to see you again like this."
"…Indeed. I'm in your debt once again. I've never been so happy to see someone. Not even seeing my mother felt like this."
"Oh, well… that's an honor."
He exchanged a few words with them, then released the other Dragon Children. Seven in total. None were seriously ill, thanks to his care, though their inherent frailty remained.
"Thank you, Master. But… has the rescue party arrived? Have the Demonic Cultists been defeated? Is it over?"
One of the Dragon Children, a young man with scholarly features, asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not. I infiltrated while the martial world alliance was engaged with the Demonic Cult's main force."
"Oh, you mean…"
"Yes, there are still many Demonic Cultists outside."
Their hopes were dashed. They had escaped being sacrificed, but their ordeal wasn't over. If the alliance failed, they would be captured again.
Hugo was about to speak when Zhuge Huimei gently took his hand. Her expression had calmed.
"Excuse me for a moment."
She placed his hand on her forehead, muttering a spell. Blood from his hand stained her face, but she ignored it, focused on her task.
"Hmm?"
A refreshing sensation washed over Hugo. He opened his eyes wide.
"…I removed the curse. It must have been from the Demonic sorcerers."
She released his hand, explaining. He had known about the curse, planning to have Hans remove it later.
A dying sorcerer's curse was potent, a word spirit fueled by their life force and resentment. Hugo, not yet at the Transformation Realm, couldn't fully resist it. But she had easily dispelled it.
'I knew she was growing rapidly, but I didn't expect this.'
He knew she had studied theory extensively, but this was beyond expectations. He glanced at Zhu Gangin and the other Dragon Children. They showed no such abilities… Was this a Dragon Child trait, or was she uniquely talented?
'Perhaps both.'
He shook his head, returning to the present. He still had work to do.
As he was about to move, he realized she was still holding his hand.
"Lady Zhuge?"
"Ah."
She seemed lost in thought, startled by his voice. But she didn't let go.
"…"
"…"
A brief silence. Then, she looked up, and—
Crash
Rumble
"…Hurry! Don't let the sacrifices escape!"
"…How dare they trespass! This is…"
Sounds of a large group approaching from outside. The protective formation delayed them, but the guards knew the way. The Demonic Cultists could arrive at any moment.
"B-Blessing! I'll give you a blessing!"
Zhuge Huimei exclaimed, pulling his hand towards her. Before he could react, she kissed the back of his hand.
'A blessing?'
It was over in seconds, but the effect was dramatic.
Flash
"Huh?"
A brilliant light, unlike anything he'd seen in this world, emanated from her, flowing through her lips to his hand.
'…What's this?'
A familiar yet foreign energy. He recognized it.
'Holy power?'
A power not native to this world. The holy power of the Dragon God, Ganghwange's main god, manifesting through her.
'…I see.'
Hugo's expression turned serious. The Dragon Children were variables chosen by the Dragon God to restore this damaged dimension. Special beings chosen by the deity.
'Zhuge Huimei is like an apostle… a shaman.'
She was meant to be a sacrifice, but she had awakened her power and wielded holy power, defying her fate.
'This is unexpected.'
Did the Dragon God anticipate this?
'It doesn't change much. A shaman doesn't restore the Dragon Heart.'
It was impressive, but limited. If it were that easy, Golden Island wouldn't be struggling.
'…Well, it does increase her value as a sacrifice.'
Her enhanced power might allow her to replace the other Dragon Children. But that was all.
Or so he thought.
Whoosh
He was wrong.
"Individual has met the conditions for awakening their potential. Special skill 「Heavenly Body」 has combined with 「Super Regeneration」, 「Superhuman Strength」, and 「Hypersensitivity」 to evolve into 「Divine Body」."
The holy power entered his body, a transformation beyond a simple blessing.
'What's happening?'
He looked at Zhuge Huimei in surprise, but she was frozen, her eyes unfocused, lips still on his hand. He realized the cause.
This wasn't her blessing.
'…The Dragon God.'
A higher being, intervening through her and her holy power.
"Individual has achieved enlightenment. Special Skill 「Nameless Art」 has evolved into 「Heavenly Dragon Divine Art」."
It wasn't just physical. The power surged through him, merging his martial arts knowledge in unimaginable ways. A new understanding of martial arts was imprinted on his mind.
'It's been a while since 「Mind Hub」 and 「Soul Firewall」 have been this overloaded…'
It could have been dangerous, but he was prepared. He calmly observed the changes.
Breakthroughs required several conditions. Mental fortitude – he had that, having achieved Transcendence, and his main body was awakening divinity. A strong body – he had that too, thanks to point enhancements and his new 「Divine Body」, a legendary physique that allowed him to manipulate internal energy. And finally, understanding and enlightenment of martial arts.
He had just achieved that.
Crack Pop
His bones shifted, the transformation of a breakthrough. It was brief, his body already enhanced by points and skills.
He opened his eyes, looking down at himself.
'This is…'
Unprecedented power. Not quite Transcendence, but far beyond the initial Transformation Realm.
'This is ridiculous.'
He glanced at the ceiling, as if making eye contact with someone. It seemed the Dragon God knew this was a winning bet.