I felt a bit tense when I saw Xiang Yu standing there. So, I decided to speak up.
“Xiang Yu, I have a proposal for you.”
He didn't respond, only stroking the massive neck muscles of the black horse beside him. I continued speaking.
“I’ll tell you where Yu Ji is, so could you let me pass this trial?”
It's obvious that the wish Xiang Yu wants to make through Nüwa is to find Yu Ji. If I provide information about her, we could surely negotiate a deal with him. It wasn’t supposed to work this way, but thanks to all the info I collected from dying repeatedly, I could tell him exactly what he needed.
"He's gonna be surprised!"
Taking advantage of that distraction, I'd rush past the 98th floor!
But Xiang Yu showed no reaction and continued petting his horse for a while.
“...?”
How could he be so nonchalant? After witnessing his obsession with Yu Ji through multiple lives, I couldn't help but feel puzzled by his reaction. Maybe he was freaking out internally while trying to act cool on the outside.
After a moment, Xiang Yu spoke.
“I know where she is.”
“W-what?”
“She’s at the Primordial Palace, looking just like before.”
“......!!”
I was taken aback and literally dropped my jaw.
“How?!”
What a plot twist! I thought I had laid down my ultimate card against Xiang Yu, but it bounced right back in my face. While I was still reeling, Xiang Yu glanced at me and said.
“Just as Nüwa said. You were going to use that information to get past my trial, and she was right.”
“W-well... then why would I need to take on the trial tower? If Nüwa returned Yu Ji, there wouldn't be a need for any wish through you!”
“Don’t meddle in others' affairs. Now… do you have anything else to say?”
Xiang Yu leisurely patted the horse's mane, this time not even looking my way.
“I’m quite calm for the first time in a while. I’ll listen to your story until this black horse gets bored.”
“......”
What the heck is going on here?
How on earth does Xiang Yu know the information I barely managed to get after dying 27 times? I was so confused that I didn’t notice the Sword Demon stepping forward beside me. He sent me a secret message.
[Baek Woong, let me handle the conversation.]
[Please.]
He was probably smarter than me anyway. After stepping forward, the Sword Demon calmly asked Xiang Yu.
“Was it Nüwa who provided that information?”
“I don’t think it’s worth answering.”
“I can provide information about Liu Bang, not just Yu Ji.”
“Why do you keep trying to negotiate with the trial tower?”
“The trial is merely to satisfy Nüwa’s curiosity, and it wouldn’t make sense for us to risk our lives. Besides, our King’s life is at stake in this trial.”
“If you’re talking about him, are you referring to that guy?”
Xiang Yu's gaze slowly turned to me. I didn’t avoid his stare; I looked him straight in the eye. For some reason, I felt that avoiding his gaze would be a mistake.
And the instant I looked into his eyes, I realized they were not clouded by debauchery or violence as before. Instead, they were cold, as he had described—like a mirror reflecting clarity. It seemed true that he was as composed as he claimed.
After a moment, Xiang Yu said.
“I could care less about the fate of humanity, but I’m not sure if that guy was worthy of carrying such a destiny.”
“Everyone who has seen Baek Woong always says the same. But his potential can't be evaluated so superficially.”
“Well then, let’s see.”
Xiang Yu said something shocking in a cold voice.
“Baek Woong. Guess who’s on the 99th floor. If you get it right, I’ll send you up without a fight.”
“......?!”
I shouted in disbelief.
“Where’d that idea come from? Do you know who’s on the 99th floor, Xiang Yu?!”
“I do. Nüwa told me.”
“No, but why are you even asking this…?”
“The one who possesses the potential to surpass the fate of a clan's king must rely on intuition alone to pierce through a knotted situation that can't be logically understood or overcome by cunning.”
Xiang Yu folded his arms.
“Now, take a guess. You can just throw a dart. If you get it right, I’ll personally acknowledge that you have no right to stand in my way.”
“......”
Who the heck is the trial tower on the 99th floor?
I was shocked by the question. How could I possibly know who it was? Honestly, I expected to find Xiang Yu on the 99th floor, and here I was on the 98th, completely wrong-footed. If the trial tower is on the 99th floor, then it must be one of the most powerful beings in the Celestial Realm.
‘Who the heck could it be…?’
It must be that one, right?
After pondering, I exchanged glances with my fellow companions and bit my lip before I spoke.
“…The trial tower on the 99th floor must be…the four great spirit beast Qilin!”
I had heard that once we reached the 99th floor, a trial overseer prepared by the gods would be waiting, and once I passed that, I’d meet Fuxi and Nüwa on the 100th floor. So logically, the overseer on the 99th floor would undoubtedly be appointed directly by the gods, and if it were a divine being harboring hostility towards me, it could only be the Qilin.
‘Damn it. This is risky, but….’
If Eungui took the Qilin's place, then it wouldn’t make sense for the 99th floor to be Qilin. But if the Qilin seriously wanted me dead, then regardless of Eungui's interference, it might still come after me again, plus Eungui had already predicted that I would die tomorrow and the world would end. Given that situation, Eungui might not even try to protect me.
What bothered me the most was the moment I unexpectedly recalled my memories; that was when I had to make a choice. Looking back on this, I felt a strong suspicion that the trial overseer on the 99th floor was indeed the Qilin.
However, Xiang Yu looked disappointed and said.
“Wrong.”
“......”
“It seems you’re out of words for now.”
Kuuuuh
“Be a man and face me. Then die!”
An overwhelming aura burst forth from Xiang Yu’s entire being.
“......!!”
“......!!”
At that moment, we all felt a wave of terror and took a step back. Even Eungui’s complexion turned slightly pale. It was only natural, as the force erupting from him was something utterly alien.
It felt like not even a martial artist could touch him—no, not even a trial overseer of the Celestial Realm could approach him. It was simply overwhelming ‘power’ itself. I had wielded this power before, but I had scarcely ever fought against it, and I could feel my hands and legs trembling slightly.
‘Oh…no. He’s even stronger than before. Comparing it to that time when the chaos seal was broken after shattering two blood pillars….’
Suddenly, something clicked in my mind, prompting me to ask Xiang Yu.
“Xiang Yu! Could it be that you broke the ancient person’s seal with Nüwa’s powers?”
“You’re so talkative. One more word, and you’re no longer worthy of speaking to me.”
Xiang Yu slowly mounted the black horse. With him on that gigantic black steed, the title of overlord felt almost trivial. Xiang Yu didn’t respond to my words and instead whispered to the black horse.
“Let’s go.”
Whoooosh!!
The moment he spoke, the once docile huge black steed's eyes lit up. And when it took a single step, a sound echoed—bang!
Thud
…Huh?
I realized the guy next to me, Dokgo Seong, had just been killed in one blow. His upper body flew away without a trace, so he was obviously dead. The issue was that he seemed to have been hit by the horse’s leg, and I could barely even process the moment.
Swish
Late to react, I saw the gigantic leg of the black steed smashing down on the ground where Dokgo Seong had been. Judging by the shape of that attack, it was clearly a scar created by Sword Qi. It looked like Dokgo Seong had attempted to counterattack, yet the blow never reached Xiang Yu, who was on the horse.
‘This can’t be….’
I realized that the power of the constellation activated and that Xiang Yu’s attack disregarded time and space, but Dokgo Seong, resisting with the [Small Cycle], had launched a counterattack. So while he might have injured the black horse, Xiang Yu remained unharmed.
On the contrary, it seemed Xiang Yu admired him.
“You’re a superb swordsman. During my lifetime, no one was able to counterattack while I rode Opchuma.”
“…Aaaaaargh!”
Just moments prior, having completed my training in resisting the [Small Cycle], the Sword Saint Kamizumi Nobutsuna roared and charged at Xiang Yu. I too intended to follow suit, but at that moment, the Sword Demon stopped me with an intent and sent me a mental message.
[Baek Woong! Now is not the time! If you charge in, you’ll die with him.]
Piying -
Kamizumi Nobutsuna’s well-placed slash aimed at Xiang Yu’s neck, but Xiang Yu shot him a glance without revealing even a flicker of emotion and simply swung his fist.
And Kamizumi Nobutsuna tossed his sword into the air! Then, he activated his ultimate technique in the Absolute Realm.
Blade-less Technique
He had refined his signature style for hundreds of years after mastering it following the Absolute Realm. From the beginning, he knew his attack wouldn’t succeed, and was prepared to take Xiang Yu’s attack straight on while taking a defensive posture.
Boom
That was the last moment for Kamizumi Nobutsuna. His hands warded off Xiang Yu’s fist, but the rest of his body vanished without a trace.
Thud
Moments later, both of Kamizumi Nobutsuna’s wrists dropped silently to the ground. Xiang Yu closed his eyes momentarily and murmured.
“Good technique. Impressive feat to leave your body intact against my blow.”
Was that a taunt?
…No, it wasn’t. It was just pure admiration from someone who had lived invincibly thus far, purely recognizing the effort to reach that level. Yet that pure admiration only served to deepen the despair of others.
With just two strikes, Xiang Yu had dealt death to two members of the assault squad who had reached the level of trial overseer.
Noticing this, Eungui said.
[Xiang Yu. Why aren’t you killing Baek Woong first?]
“Impatient. I just want to enjoy this battle a little longer since it’s been a while.”
Xiang Yu slowly waved his fingers from atop the horse, provoking Eungui.
“You look like you’d put up a decent fight, so feel free to jump in.”
[Alright.]
Eungui gradually tilted the Red Bow in preparation, his eyes shining.
[How about this. If you take my first strike head-on, I will admit defeat and die on my own. Do you accept?]
Xiang Yu chuckled softly.
“Sounds interesting. You think I wouldn’t know the power of your Red Bow?”
[......]
“I’ve been spying on the Celestial Realm for over a thousand years and have heard many tales of you. I’ve heard of the power of the Red Bow… You must be thinking of shooting the maximum power of your Red Bow with that first arrow to tempt me to make such a challenge.”
Huh?!
I was caught off guard by that statement. Was Xiang Yu a genius who caught on that quickly? As I’d thought, not only is he good at smashing things but he’s also incredibly sharp-witted. Even though Eungui’s true intention was seen through, he maintained a confident demeanor.
[So, are you going to do it or not? You’re the one chatting too much.]
Xiang Yu retorted.
“I will.”
Huh?! You mean you will?!
[Don’t regret it.]
After saying that, Eungui turned toward me momentarily and said.
[Baek Woong. Even if I die, I swear on your name that I will protect Xiang Yu’s well-being for all eternity.]
“......”
I realized accepting Eungui’s request was the right thing to do, and I nodded reluctantly.
“I swear.”
[Then shall we begin? Don’t interfere.]
Creek
Eungui pulled back the bowstring of the Red Bow. I had been unable to adapt to the sudden turn of events and could only watch the confrontation between the two heroes in a daze. And Xiang Yu remained standing still, gazing at Eungui, showing no intention of dodging his incoming arrow.
Thwomp!
In the next second, an arrow infused with 65,536 times the power flew out.
'No matter how powerful Xiang Yu is, he’ll die from that!'
Thinking back to the time I had used the power of the Red Bow to strike [Old Ruler] Relcrovous, that strike had dealt a significant blow. So, logically, this hit could seriously injure the very essence of the [Old Ruler]. Moreover, considering the fact that treasures change their might based on the user's power, what Eungui released now was literally a kill shot for a god!
Boom!
An enormous sound reverberated, and the fabric of dimensions itself seemed to twist. The backlash left me with the feeling that everything around me was dissolving into an endless world of chaos. Eungui’s full-powered shot was distorting the very structure of the trial tower.
‘Uggh…. No way…. Did I not use full power when defeating Lee Rang-jin?!’
Given the power was immensely greater than last time, I had no choice but to be astounded. I couldn’t even see Xiang Yu as everything was being turned upside down. I was desperately trying to maintain my balance using divine techniques within the tumbling dimension, but moments later, Xiang Yu's heavy voice echoed around me.
[Oooooooh!!]
In a split second.
I witnessed Xiang Yu grasp the arrow that was half-embedded in his solar plexus with his bare hand and forcefully hold it in place. No one could completely deflect that attack; it was lodged in him, blood oozing from all over as he was trying to yank it out with all his strength.
“......!!”
What… what the heck is that…
How could he stop an arrow of such might from exploding and overpowering it like that?
That shouldn’t be possible…
Crack!
[Kuaargh!!]
A moment later, the blood vessels in Xiang Yu’s hand bulged as he tore the arrow completely from his solar plexus. Then, a massive explosion erupted, shaking heaven and earth.
Boom!
Kwah!
Truly, it was like turning the world upside down! The surroundings had turned into the pitch-black void of the great universe, and the space for trials vanished entirely.
Whooooooosh
And in the void of the universe, I saw Xiang Yu, drenched in blood as he sat atop the black horse, looking down. Standing a few meters away was Eungui, still dazed, holding the Red Bow.
Swish
Xiang Yu appeared to hold the broken arrow in his palm, showing it to Eungui. Then, in a voice that had changed from a normal tone to godlike, he spoke.
[Blocked.]
[…….]
Eungui stared at the broken arrow with hollow eyes and suddenly muttered in a defeated tone.
[Monster… I’ve lost.]
With that, he took out a single arrow and drove it through his own throat.
Thump!
That was the last moment for the great hero, Eungui. Once he realized Xiang Yu had blocked the full power of the Red Bow head-on, he accepted he could no longer win and chose death instead.
“......”
Though it was a hero’s death, I was engulfed in a feeling of despair.
How could I even consider knocking down Xiang Yu, who didn’t even falter against Eungui’s attack?
“Yellow Dragon Demon God!”
I tried summoning the Yellow Dragon Demon God while desperately convincing Ta Shin-pyeon to take action, but the Sword Demon next to me spoke.
“Baek Woong, we aren’t like Tai Gong-mang. Even using that would be a fool’s errand to beat that monster. I’ll create a gap for you, so retreat to the surface…”
As he said, once I penetrated Xiang Yu like Tai Gong-mang and inserted the Ta Shin-pyeon, could I really destroy the constellation? The odds were stacked against us. After all, even Tai Gong-mang managed to break Xiang Yu’s constellation, but that didn’t mean he weakened and ended up killed.
But I had made up my mind.
“I won’t let that happen. If we die, we'll die together.”
“Fighting like that doesn’t give you the right to rationalize a loss. You have to survive.”
“No. I’m gonna fight till the end.”
I still had one last hope.
“…If Eungui’s prophecy says I’ll die tomorrow, it means I won’t die today, right?”
“......”
“Xiang Yu wouldn’t kill me just to play around. I'd rather see what the prophecy turns into.”
“Baek Woong, that’s…”
Just then, having overheard my conversation with the Sword Demon, Xiang Yu suddenly spoke up.
“How amusing. So you’ve heard that you’ll die tomorrow, Baek Woong?”
“Yes! From the Four Great Spirit Beast Eungui!”
I gritted my teeth and shouted.
“You wouldn’t really plan to let me live until tomorrow just because the Overlord of the West has spoken, would you?”
“Hmm.”
Xiang Yu wore an expression of unexpected surprise.
Since I could no longer see any hope of winning, I resorted to desperate measures.
“Go ahead and kill me now! I want to see whether Eungui’s prophecy or the hand of the Overlord holds more weight!”
“That’s an intriguing idea. I wouldn’t mind breaking Eungui’s prophecy once.”
Xiang Yu slowly approached while still on his horse. A powerful aura radiated, one that felt as if he could effortlessly kill us in one strike.
Wooooosh -
It felt instinctively like he intended to eliminate us in one blow, gathering all his power. I thought in my head.
‘Peerless Technique…’
With it, I could possibly withstand one blow. But whether the Sword Demon could do the same was uncertain. In the next clash, the Sword Demon would likely be obliterated, while I would barely hold on using the Peerless Technique. And then in the second attack, I’d meet my end.
There was no worse feeling than knowing a predetermined defeat was upon me. Yet I held onto the one last thought, and I saw a knowing expression from the Sword Demon as well. I earnestly told him.
“Sword Demon, you must escape. You do not need to perish for nothing.”
“No. I can’t run away when two companions have died here.”
“Sword Demon…!!”
“This will be my last fight… Take good care of Hyea for me.”
Kuwung!
Then, Xiang Yu unleashed his absolute strike. It was a single, lightning-fast blow without the need for the petty skills of manipulating the [Small Cycle]. Just a fast and straightforward strike with the weight of power that was literally like a force capable of moving mountains.
‘There’s no alternative…!!’
Peerless Technique!
Wooooosh!
The Tai Chi rose, and the Wuwei transformation began! Xiang Yu’s power was genuinely overwhelming, but I realized I could withstand that immense force through nonsensical exchange rates. Normally, I wouldn’t have been able to survive using the potential of my Peerless Technique, but for some reason, there felt like an unseen help from the Yellow Dragon Demon God.
Everything played out just as I predicted.
Whoosh
I used the Peerless Technique to block Xiang Yu’s blow, but in that moment, I had to witness the Sword Demon’s body shattered before my eyes.
“Aaaaaaargh!!”
Damn it!!
I screamed, but I couldn’t even muster the courage to counterattack against Xiang Yu. My cold reasoning told me I shouldn’t even think of retaliation; instead, I had to keep blocking with the Peerless Technique to survive. And sure enough, Xiang Yu attacked me once more.
Thwomp!
“You’re quite annoying to kill.”
Boom!!
Xiang Yu’s fist felt as if a whirlwind was erupting from it. The flow of power seemed to tear through dimensions. Once again, his fist shot towards me.
Peerless Technique!
Using the Peerless Technique and Wuwei transformation once more to pacify Xiang Yu’s assault, I felt engulfed by a sense of bleak hopelessness and fatigue. Within moments, endless despair started to envelop me.
The worst scenario I could imagine while using the Peerless Technique was unfolding.
My opponent was casually unleashing lethal blows while I could only endure with each use of the increasingly risky Peerless Technique, unable to even think of a counterattack.
Thwomp!
At the moment where the collision between Tai Chi and Xiang Yu's fist broke free, I felt myself retreating three steps back. I couldn’t withstand the power's rebound. Reality hit me harder as I felt my internal injuries worsen, and my head spun.
‘Ah…. No more….’
Even with the third Peerless Technique, I recognized I was approaching my limits. The sense of powerlessness and despair seeing my companions annihilated severely impacted my heart, which is vital for maintaining the required coherence for my technique. My heart was so completely exhausted that I realized I would die with the next attack.
‘Should I unleash the Four Great Spirit Beasts?’
Among the four spirit beasts, most had been sealed or rendered unusable, but there was one that still remained. If I used that, I might be able to turn the tide.
‘…No.’
But I wouldn’t do that.
Since it had come this far, I would stick to my initial idea till the end. It felt like madness, which made me all the more clear-headed. I realized the grief stemming from the Sword Demon’s death sharpened my focus.
Beholding what I thought was everything I could do, I took one last step, this time not using the Peerless Technique but rather utilizing the Great Liberation Seven Luminaries and casting the dual resonance.
Whoooosh!!
Power clashed against power as I faced Xiang Yu. No matter what, I could not win in strength against him. Even with the dual resonance of the Great Liberation Seven Luminaries, it was futile; against the monster who had blocked the Red Bow head-on, my strength would not suffice. Yet still, I thought I should at least make my final counterattack to relieve my soul.
In that fourth attack, the moment I faced Xiang Yu's fist, I realized.
In that moment of collision, I would die alongside the Seven Luminaries.
‘Alright. Come…Death.’
I still hadn’t given up yet.
Kugugugu
Bam!
The resonance between the dual techniques formed a powerful X that etched across the void, and the sword energy forged from the dual resonance collided directly with Xiang Yu’s strike. He casually pressed forward with his fist, and at that moment, a massive wave of energy and shock waves erupted simultaneously.
Boom!!
“Kuuhhhh!!”
I scream as I felt my insides explode. This isn’t a metaphor; it genuinely felt like my organs were splattering everywhere. The violent surge of energy was so immense that it felt like even the Yellow Dragon Demon God couldn’t endure it, and my armor felt as if it was about to shatter! Watching the armor of the Yellow Dragon Demon God crumple before my very eyes left me feeling distant.
[Damage absorption function deactivated due to overwhelming damage.]
[Current armor destruction rate: 56.52%. Complete restoration impossible.]
[Activating auxiliary power.]
[All auxiliary power exhausted.]
[Update impossible. Commencing indefinite suspended state…].
The relentless chime of the Yellow Dragon Demon God echoed in my mind.
Every voice seemed to declare that this was the end.
Dizzy. I felt like I might die at any moment.
Kugugugu….
However, what was unexpected was that despite Xiang Yu’s strike delivering a heavy blow to me, it momentarily seemed to halt in the air. With astonishment, I noted that his fist had stopped, something that had never happened before.
Swish
“......!!”
There were traces of an X etched onto Xiang Yu’s fist. While it was merely a small cut about the size of a finger, it was an undeniable scar etched into Xiang Yu. As he twitched his brow, I barely managed to stabilize my swaying body.
‘Kuhhh….’
It felt as if the muscles of my lower body were about to tear apart, yet I still held on, refusing to kneel and awkwardly stepped backward.
‘W-wait, I held on.’
After Xiang Yu, who stood there momentarily dazed, let out a chuckle.
“Not bad.”
And once again, Xiang Yu's fist rocketed toward me.
Kugugugu
‘Is this… the end…?’
Staring at that dark fist, I realized that there would no longer be any way left for me, and I had to make peace with my death.
Then, the predictable happened.
Pa-at!
Like the most absurd of tricks, Xiang Yu’s figure in front of me completely vanished, and I found myself moved to an unknown location.
“......”
This was truly a place I had never seen before.
It was a ramshackle wooden house, and it felt almost like it had just the bare essentials. The cool sea breeze swept through the open window, showing the vast ocean outside. As I had just been battling for my life with Xiang Yu moments ago, my current surroundings felt surreal.
However, I snapped back to reality when a figure standing before me began to speak.
“Long time no see.”
He was clad in a martial artist’s training outfit. There was a hint of ennui in his gaze. I looked up at his face, coughing slightly.
“…Cough! Cough! As expected….”
He replied in a nondescript tone.
“Those are injuries that you should have already died from. You’re forcing your body to circulate the damage through techniques, so don’t exert yourself too much.”
As I heard those words, I slowly felt the pain in my body begin to ebb away. After taking a moment to catch my breath, I eventually realized the pain subsided enough for me to engage in conversation.
‘No more fighting for me.’
I gave a bittersweet glance at the blood-soaked Yellow Dragon Demon God before turning my head back to him.
“Just like the prophecy said, here you are standing in front of me.”
“......”
From the very beginning.
The prophecies regarding my death were not just one, but two.
Eungui had added a prophecy of death belatedly, yet before that, the Master Mangnyang had already foretold it to me.
[He will be faced with a choice in the future. In a dual-natured world, he must decide if he will become the ‘Martial’ himself.]
[For now, I will take care of Jin So-cheong. And before you die, you will meet Jin So-cheong again.]
As persistent as he was, even if Xiang Yu were statistically incredible, regardless of breaking the prophecy of the Four Great Spirit Beasts Eungui, it would not matter.
There was one thing that even Xiang Yu couldn’t exceed: the Master Mangnyang.
That was the reason I would gamble everything on my last life.
The person standing before me looked no different from that half a millennium ago. The only difference was that he no longer carried a spear. I called out his name.
“Jin So-cheong.”
This was the moment when the prophecy from the Master Mangnyang of me meeting Jin So-cheong before I died came to fruition.
