Chapter 283. Yacha (夜叉) (3)

The dark energy smoldering from within enveloped Jinhyuk completely. Simultaneously, the purple mists, a result of the Immaemangryang, started getting sucked into his right fist. A weaker power always being absorbed by a stronger one.

“Ho?”

Yacha sensed the magical power, and a sigh laced with interest and anticipation slipped out.

“Is he skilled enough to manifest a ‘Form’ so unbelievable?”

“Are you suggesting he was even holding back his powers during the fight at Cheonma Jeon?”

Dokgoryong and Chae Hong-ah’s voices trembled with incredulity. Which was hardly surprising. A martial art ‘Form’ embodies the essence that penetrates to the core of the technique—it’s a special move that can only be used by those who have completely mastered the martial art. And now, someone is utilizing the “Form” of the Heukcheon Mahwang Gong with such refinement?

‘He’s not just a brute force user?’

Dokgoryong’s gaze turned icy cold. If this small tyrant was present…

‘…maybe as troubling as Yacha, or more so as of now.’

They must be killed.

Such was the immense pressure felt by Dokgoryong and Chae Hong-ah.

However, the lowest-ranking goblins, whose peripheral nerves had been eroded away by the effects of ‘Immaemangryang,’ failed to sense the ominous energy.

“Kill him! Kill! Kill!”

“Giggle!”

“Acting tough for a human…”

The lowest-ranking goblins charged in unison.

In that instant.

“Heukcheon Mahwang Gong. First Form.”

From head to shoulders to the tips of his fingers.

‘Heukryunamchaekwon (Black Crusher Fist).’

The condensed magical power exploded in an instant.

Kwakwakwakwakwa!

A black whirlwind swept through the throng of goblins.

“Kekeke!”

“Aaack!”

Shredded fragments scattered in all directions.

The lowest-ranking goblins died instantly just being caught in the whirlwind, while even the middle-ranking ones suffered severe injuries. The power of that single punch was unbelievable.

Only the upper-ranking goblins barely managed to withstand the Crusher Fist, mostly due to their naturally high physical and magical resistances.

“Grrr…”

“Strong human. Die together.”

The giant goblins, with blue skin and white eyes gleaming, drew their weapons.

Three each faced Dokgoryong and Chae Hong-ah, and ten marched towards Jinhyuk.

[The blue goblin activates ‘Song of Chaos Flask’!]

Vvvvvvmm!

A hazy gas spewed from the flask he held, filling the air with ephemeral blades.

Pikes, swords, even maces, rings, and surprisingly, harpoons and nets materialized.

The variety and number were of a different caliber entirely.

Yacha watched Jinhyuk with evident interest, as if to ask, ‘How will you handle this?’

Jinhyuk responded to that silent question with a smirk.

I’ll show you.

In the face of these steps…

‘Numbers are meaningless.’

Kwoong!

The black energy that had spouted gathered again.

With each step he took, a dense dark aroma rose from the ground.

“Grr!”

“Kill… it!”

Boooom!

Vvvvmm!

The weapons formed from gas rained down together, like a meteor shower assaulting Jinhyuk.

Front, back, left, right—they completely barraged him. There was nowhere to hide.

At that moment.

First Step.

A slight breeze stirred.

Heat emanated along the ground’s surface, and the steaming darkness engulfed the first row of incoming weapons, which began to burn.

Fsssht!

The blue edges turned black and disintegrated.

Then, with the Second Step.

Whoosh!

The breeze became a scorching wind.

A stifling sensation lasted only for a moment before a dreadful pain shot up to the brain.

“Aaaargh!”

“My body. My body is burning!”

“Hot…”

The goblins nearby thrashed in agony.

Jinhyuk stepped forward again.

The Third Step signified the final move.

The wind halted, and soon after the sound itself vanished.

Every aspect fell into a deep silence, like the calm before the storm.

An energy compressed to its limit.

A dark, cold magic.

It drilled down into the earth.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

This was different from before.

Previously, he’d directed his fist at a single point.

This time, the ground itself turned into a stage to realize the Third Step along with him.

‘For my master…’

The true meaning behind the Three Steps.

The final step he had yet to master.

‘I shall reach it.’

This is…

The end of the Three-Step Divine Fist.

Kwakwakwakwakwa!

A massive dark flame surged from the ground.

***

Screech!

The earth and stones were scorched.

The columns that flanked either side barely maintained their shape.

Naturally, the goblins near the center of explosion vanished without a trace, unable to even leave bones behind.

And there, in the midst of it all, stood only Jinhyuk.

Magnificently violent.

It was the very symbol of the power possessed by the Heukcheon Mahwang Gong.

“Hee… Hahaha! Indeed, how entertaining. This is your power, isn’t it? Delightfully terrifying.”

Yacha’s hair stood on end, a grin twitching uncontrollably as he struggled to contain his excitement.

‘The goblins are in a different league when it comes to defense.’

Even though the attack had swept away the upper-ranking goblins, Yacha was unscathed apart from a slight singeing.

“So, stop grinning like a child and come on in.”

Jinhyuk beckoned Yacha with a flick of his finger.

“Kahaha! Of course, I was hoping for this!”

[Yacha activates his unique ability ‘Kwairaknanshin (Monstrous Strength)!’]

Kwairaknanshin. Literally, the ability encompasses weird and eerie strength. This power manifests in various ways, depending on who possesses it.

In Yacha’s case…

He turns into a monster specialized in close combat.

[Strength, vitality, physical defense, and magical defense each increase by 30%!]

[Fear resistance rises by 100%!]

A red status window appeared before Jinhyuk’s eyes as a formidable energy spewed from Yacha’s body. From above to below…

Kwaaang!

Yacha’s initial attack signaled the start of the battle.

“…!”

Heavy.

Jinhyuk’s feet burrowed into the ground, even with the Heukcheon Mahwang Gong manifested to the 4th rank, it was difficult to withstand Yacha’s assault bolstered by Kwairaknanshin. And moreover…

A giant blue hand approached from behind Yacha.

The first blow was from Yacha himself, and the second was administered by Kwairaknanshin.

This was Kwairaknanshin’s first characteristic, ‘Irrefutable Response’. The debilitating impact that obliterates the memory of the initial strike was the very essence of tyranny.

Kwaaang!

The enormous palm compressed the ground.

Kukukukukuku!

The earth screamed under the pressure, not able to bear it, as blue flames ravaged the area even deeper.

Thus…

A crater reminiscent of a meteorite impact formed.

“Hm. This is all well and good, but the problem is it’s too powerful… Tsk. Did he die with just one blow this time?”

Yacha approached the crater. However…

When he lifted his palm, the anticipated crushed corpse was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment.

Thump!

“What?”

A dull impact resonated in Yacha’s back.

Kwakwakwakwak!

Yacha rolled on the ground awkwardly from the unexpected strike.

“How in the world…?”

Confusion contorted Yacha’s face as he sprung up. He’d been watching intently, never losing sight, yet somehow Jinhyuk had vanished.

Black smoke arose from Jinhyuk’s legs.

“I’ll concede on strength.”

But…

“Speed is where I reign.”

“Speed? You’re superior? After living for so long, I still hear new things. I’ll rip that head off right now!”

Yacha, irate, swung his arm, which had just missed where Jinhyuk’s head was. The massive blue hand swept through the area, but again, Jinhyuk had already vanished like smoke.

Tch.

A sound skimmed the ground, and Jinhyuk moved right in front of Yacha.

Close enough to feel each other’s breaths.

Yes.

This was a taunt.

At this range, try and hit me.

Dropping shadow gave way to a series of rapid strikes at point-blank.

Bang! Bang!

Pop!

Yacha’s body wobbled from side to side.

“This, bastard… Ack! If only I had recovered my strength fully… Arrgh!”

Yacha had been confined for many years, and his current condition was far from normal. All he had consumed for countless years was dewdrops at dawn.

Of course, in a fight for one’s life, such explanations serve as nothing more than excuses.

“Just one time… If I can grab you just once!”

“You won’t catch me.”

“Waaaah!”

Yacha summoned Kwairaknanshin’s arm again.

The huge blue arm, with fingers spread, advanced toward him. Jinhyuk crouched slightly.

At the precise moment of the closing fingers…now!

Escaping between the fingers, he sprinted up the arm.

Tap, tap, tap!

Using the momentum of the sprint, he struck directly at Yacha’s face.

[The 3rd Form of Heukcheon Mahwang Gong, ‘Blood-Penetrating Force,’ is activated!]

A force that tears apart the insides rather than the surface.

Tookwang!

Yacha’s head tilted backward.

The bead of blood that trickled from his mouth was dreadfully crimson.

However, even with perfect timing…

…all that was managed was a single drop of blood.

“As much as I dislike the term ‘blockhead,’ there seems to be no other word that comes to mind.”

Frankly, he had expected it to work, but it failed to inflict significant damage.

It’s no wonder Yacha was known as one of the mightiest monsters in the middle floors. Even when lacking energy, he wasn’t at a disadvantage.

“You…!”

A short sound escaped Yacha’s lips as his pupils twisted in fury.

“It’s time to put an end to this hit-and-run.”

[Kwairaknanshin’s second ability awakens!]

***

If the first ability is tailored for one-on-one combat, the second is optimized for battle against multiple adversaries.

Characters symbolizing fire (火) emerged on all six arms.

Whoosh!

Blue flames enveloped the limbs.

Then, as the characters for wind (風) appeared, a gentle breeze brushed through Jinhyuk’s hair.

Though the size had diminished, the speed had increased by at least two levels, enough to catch up to Jinhyuk.

“Let’s start over.”

Yacha vanished.

To the side… no, behind.

Whoosh!

Sharp claws grazed his cheek.

Jinhyuk’s body rotated counter-clockwise, using the momentum.

Aiming for the jaw.

Shush!

This time, Yacha lightly evaded the counter, brushing away the following kick with the back of his hand.

But Yacha too faced swings and misses.

A fight where double-digit strikes were exchanged in a single breath, with no effective hits.

‘Their speeds are… nearly equal.’

Jinhyuk quickly created some distance.

“It’s no use running away. I can catch up anytime now.”

Yacha teased.

Indeed, he had gotten faster.

‘If I delay, I’ll be at a disadvantage in terms of stamina endurance. The units of magical power we each have are on different scales.’

So then…

Jinhyuk bit his molars as if determined.

He had wanted to wait until he completed his training with his master before fusing but given the situation, there was no choice.

With so much at stake, he couldn’t afford to be concerned about the strain on his body.

Vvvvvvmm!

A massive library appeared behind Jinhyuk.

‘Tombgrave’s Right Arm’

‘Black Demon Emperor’s Step’

‘Heukcheon Mahwang Gong’

‘Domain of Wind’

Four books tipped over from the multi-purpose storehouse where the abilities were kept, in order to create a new skill that transcended ‘Quickness.’

“I’ll fuse the skills.”