After Ten Millennia in Hell

When Kim Si-Hun heard a low-pitched voice inside his mind, he realized instinctively that it was the Martial God Tian Taihuang's soul speaking to him.

'I want power!' Si-Hun replied in his mind.

There was no reason to hesitate. There was no time to think. Si-Hun decided to accept the Martial God's strength, even if it could kill him.

Riiing.

[- Accepting the power of Martial God Tian Taihuang.

- Because your body is not ready to be a vessel, you may only accept a portion of the power.]

He heard the chime of a bell, and a blue message window appeared in front of him.

However, before he even had a chance to check its contents, an enormous amount of power rose from within him. The power stormed inside him so violently that he thought he was about to explode.

"Kurgh!" Si-Hun moaned in pain.

Nevertheless, he bit his lips and endured it. This was an opportunity that he had waited for so desperately. He couldn’t let it go up in flames just because he couldn’t endure this level of pain.

Tear! Pop!

His veins burst, dying his body red. Si-Hun felt like he couldn't even think because he was in so much pain.

'I have to endure it.'

Si-Hun glared at Kim Yeong-Hun.

The countless times he'd been ridiculed and humiliated because of Yeong-Hun flashed through his mind. Compared to the despair he had felt back then, the physical pain he felt now was nothing.

[- You have learned the superior version of the martial art Sleeping Dragon Sword Technique.

- You have learned the martial arts: Cloud Dragon Sword Technique and Cloud Dragon Steps.

- You have obtained a clue for Metamorphosis.]

Knowledge of martial arts flowed into Si-Hun's brain, and he naturally understood how to control the Martial God's overwhelming power.

Si-Hun quelled the power storming within him and pointed his sword at Yeong-Hun.

"Kim Yeong-Huuuuuun!!" Si-Hun shouted angrily.

He leaped toward Yeong-Hun by using the Cloud Dragon Steps while grasping a hold on his overflowing power.

"Wh-What the hell?!" Yeong-Hun uttered in surprise.

He was shocked to see someone who was about to die run toward him while leaking such violent energy.

Yeong-Hun raised his sword and tried to block Si-Hun's attack.

Slash!

"Argh!!"

Si-Hun's sword, which was wrapped in a cloud of whitish smoke, slithered down Yeong-Hun’s sword as if it were a snake and slashed his chest. The attack split Yeong-Hun's Unique-grade armor, and dark red blood leaked out from his chest. He became dizzy from the pain that he felt because of the chest wound.

"Y-You son of a bitch!!!" Yeong-Hun yelled.

He swung his sword wildly at Si-Hun in anger.

Despite his wild swings, Yeong-Hun had a high level and high-grade equipment, so his slashes were by no means something to take lightly.

Clang!

"Kurgh."

Si-Hun, who had blocked Yeong-Hun's attack, was pushed back.

Even after accepting the power of the Martial God, it was hard for Si-Hun to turn the situation around since there was still a thirty-level difference between him and Yeong-Hun.

'But...'

Si-Hun's eyes shone.

Yeong-Hun was far stronger and faster than him, but he had something that Yeong-Hun didn't—martial arts. Martial art techniques had been created through the experiences of countless warriors who had studied the most ideal way to use a weapon.

'Cloud Dragon Sword Technique, Third Movement, Cloud Dragon’s Dance.'

Si-Hun used the Martial God Tian Taihuang's martial arts.

White-gray clouds filled their surroundings and engulfed Yeong-Hun. A sword flew out from the clouds and barraged Yeong-Hun with attacks.

"Why... Why am I being pushed back by a Level 20 player?!" Yeong-Hun shouted angrily.

He was having a hard time accepting the situation. Something that wasn't possible was happening right before him now. Yet, he didn't have the experience or techniques to overcome the situation. After all, he was only stronger than Si-Hun because of his high level and good equipment effects.

"Aaarrrggghhh!!"

Yeong-Hun felt humiliated that he was being overpowered by a player only in his Third Awakening. Additionally, Yeong-Hun felt anxious because of how much Si-Hun’s seemingly incessant sword slashes pressured him. These feelings of his had reached their limit.

He recklessly attacked Si-Hun as if he were trying to take Si-Hun down with him. Nevertheless, there was no way those kinds of attacks would work on Si-Hun, someone who had learned the Martial God’s martial arts.

"Haap!"

Si-Hun, who saw a chance, swung his sword powerfully toward Yeong-Hun’s neck.

'I won!' Si-Hun thought excitedly with bright eyes.

However, the moment he was about to cut Yeong-Hun’s neck, someone appeared in front of him and blocked the attack. It was the man who had been standing silently next to Yeong-Hun as if he were a stone statue.

Slam!

"Cough!"

Si-Hun, who had barely managed to block the man's double-headed axe, was sent flying backward. The shock from the impact spread from his sword to the rest of his body, and dark blood spurted out of Si-Hun's mouth.

"Haa, haa! What the hell took you so damn long?!" Yeong-Hun yelled at the man, forgetting that he had ordered the man not to interfere.

It would be totally normal for the man to be frustrated in such a situation, yet he just bowed expressionlessly.

"I apologize, Vice Guildmaster," the man said.

"C-Cut off his limbs and then bring him to me!" Yeong-Hun shouted.

"Yes, sir," the man replied and nodded without any hesitation.

The man's name was Cheon Myeong-Ho. He was one of the Mir Guild's top players and Yeong-Hun's personal bodyguard. He was as large in stature as Kang Tae-Soo and wielded a double-headed axe that matched his size.

Myeong-Ho then turned to Si-Hun and warned, "If you follow us without resistance, I’ll let you off with just cutting off one arm."

"B-Bull… shit!" Si-Hun spat.

Even with blood coming out of his mouth, Si-Hun stayed standing by using his sword as support. However, he could feel it. He might have had a chance against Yeong-Hun, but he wouldn't be able to win against that statue-like man.

[- You have suffered internal injuries from the enormous impact.

- Your internal injuries will aggravate if you do not immediately circulate your Qi.]

As if confirming his thoughts, system windows with ‘Warning’ written on them popped up.

Frustrated, Si-Hun dropped to the ground on one knee.

‘I failed to overcome it.’

The wall that existed between him and Yeong-Hun was so massive that he had no way of overcoming it.

"Accept it," Myeong-Ho said as he slowly walked toward Si-Hun. "You'll never be able to surpass the vice guildmaster."

The words that came out of Myeong-Ho's mouth pierced Si-Hun's heart. Myeong-Ho wasn't wrong. It didn't matter what Si-Hun did or how much he struggled; he couldn't catch up to Yeong-Hun. Right from the start, the gap between them had been too wide to surpass due to their extremely different starting points.

"Damn it..."

Tears flowed down Si-Hun's cheeks.

The face of his mother, whom Kim Jae-Hyun had abandoned, came to his mind.

"I'm sorry for giving birth to you."

He remembered what his mother had said to him in tears when Jae-Hyun abandoned them. There were no phrases more hurtful than that.

Yet, even until now, he couldn't deny her words. He couldn't find a reason to do so. His life had been a succession of pain, and he had never felt happy even once.

"I'm sorry... everyone," Si-Hun said.

He was trembling as he turned his head toward Tae-Soo, Han Seol-Ah, and Choi Eun-Bi. It hadn't been long since he first met them, but they were the first comrades he ever had. He felt regretful that he couldn't protect them and that they had been put in danger because of him.

"Accept it. The only right that the weak have is to suffer," Myeong-Ho stated while raising his axe.

Si-Hun turned his head to Myeong-Ho, who was slowly approaching him. Myeong-Ho swung his axe down, aiming for Si-Hun’s legs.

"Kuh!" Si-Hun uttered and closed his eyes tightly.

His mind was dominated by the fear that he would soon lose his legs.

Clang!!

"Kurgh!"

"..."

There was the distinct sound of metal colliding, followed by a groan from Myeong-Ho's mouth.

Si-Hun slowly opened his eyes and saw the back of a familiar young man in front of him.

"Wow. Nice words, man," Oh Kang-Woo commented.

After easily blocking Myeong-Ho's attack, Kang-Woo nodded with a smile as if savoring what Myeong-Ho had just said.

"Kang-Woo...?" Si-Hun asked while looking confusedly at Kang-Woo, who had suddenly appeared.

Kang-Woo turned his head around to Si-Hun and calmly said, "I'll explain later. Get some rest, Si-Hun. Seol-Ah, come here and heal him."

"Ah... Okay!" Seol-Ah replied.

She nodded in agreement, but she was both confused and happy that she could see Kang-Woo again after so long.

"Are you from the Hwarang Corps?" Myeong-Ho questioned, glaring at Kang-Woo warily.

He knew the government was investigating which guild was involved with the Demon Cult. Seeing how Kang-Woo had appeared as if he had been waiting for them, there was a high likelihood that he was a government agent.

"Do you seriously think I’d be alone if I was with the Hwarang Corps?" Kang-Woo responded.

"Then..."

"We’re not close enough for you to keep asking me annoying questions, man. Hurry up and raise your weapon."

Myeong-Ho picked up his axe with a stiff expression.

Nevertheless, Kang-Woo was right. They were not in a kind of relationship where they could fully disclose their identities to one another, so talking was pointless.

"Then I'll make you talk by force," Myeong-Ho declared.

"Hahaha. Good. Nice attitude."

Kang-Woo smiled and waved his hand at Myeong-Ho, beckoning him over.

"Bring it," Kang-Woo said.

Myeong-Ho frowned upon seeing Kang-Woo's arrogant attitude. He clenched his axe tight, and blue mana stormed around his axe.

Unlike Myeong-Ho, who was prepared to fight with a determined attitude, Kang-Woo had his arms crossed and was waiting for Myeong-Ho to attack.

'Arrogant bastard,' Myeong-Ho thought.

He seemed upset by Kang-Woo's lack of preparation.

'You were lucky to block my attack earlier.'

Myeong-Ho was sure that his next attack would be different.

He grabbed the blue-mana-covered axe tightly and dashed toward Kang-Woo. Then he swung the axe at Kang-Woo's neck. However, Kang-Woo leisurely extended his hand toward the axe.

'Crazy son of a bitch!' Myeong-Ho thought.

Kang-Woo was trying to use his hand to block an axe that could cut even a giant shield in half. There was a limit to how crazy someone could be.

Nevertheless, Myeong-Ho continued swinging his axe, intending to cut Kang-Woo in half.

Tap.

"What?!" Myeong-Ho uttered.

Kang-Woo had easily caught the axe that Myeong-Ho had swung using all of his might.

Then Kang-Woo asked, "What was it that you said earlier? Oh, yeah."

Crack. He crushed the axe he'd caught in his hand.

Kang-Woo continued with a deep smile, "You said the only right that the weak have is to suffer, right?"

He licked his lips while nodding and saying, "I think so as well."

The axe's blade, which looked like it had been crushed by a hydraulic press, fell to the ground.