Into the Complete Darkness
The moment they entered the black shadow passage, Jin-ho and Seol Hwa-rin felt all light in the world disappear.
This was not simple darkness. It was a space where the very concept of light did not exist. They couldn't even tell if their eyes were open or closed.
"Seol Hwa-rin?"
Jin-ho called out cautiously. He couldn't even sense Seol Hwa-rin's presence, though she had been right beside him.
"I'm... here."
Seol Hwa-rin's voice could be heard, but it was impossible to tell which direction the sound came from.
『Final Trial Beginning』『Dominion of Shadows - The True Purpose of the Infinite Grand Demon God』『Warning: Mental Corruption Risk Extremely High』
Suddenly, a voice echoed from within the darkness. But this time, it wasn't a memory—it was direct conversation.
"Finally... you have come..."
It was a majestic yet sinister voice. Jin-ho and Seol Hwa-rin's blood ran cold.
A massive shadow began to take form in the darkness. But it wasn't a fixed shape—it was a constantly changing shadow.
Sometimes it appeared as a gigantic dragon, sometimes as countless writhing fingers, and sometimes in completely human form.
"Guests who have come after three thousand years. The heir of Blood Heaven and the heir of Ice Soul... both very interesting beings."
The Shadow Demon Lord's voice reverberated from all directions.
"Are you... the Shadow Demon Lord?"
Jin-ho asked with a trembling voice.
"Correct. And I... have been waiting here for three thousand years. For the complete resurrection of the Infinite Grand Demon God."
"The resurrection of the Infinite Grand Demon God?"
Seol Hwa-rin interjected.
"I heard that the Four Great Demon Gods are enemies of each other..."
"Kahahaha! That is merely a surface story."
The Shadow Demon Lord laughed mockingly.
"We pretend to fight each other, but ultimately, we pursue the same goal. Returning to our original complete form."
Illusions began to unfold in the darkness. But unlike the previous memories, this was a current, ongoing plan.
"The Blood Flame Sect, Ice Soul Palace, Thunder Hall, Shadow Society... Do you think these four organizations are competing against each other?"
In the illusion, a secret meeting of the Four Great Sects was visible. The leaders of each sect had gathered to discuss something.
"Everything is merely a performance. The real purpose is to awaken each of the four constitutional heirs to their maximum level."
"Maximum level?"
Jin-ho was horrified.
"Blood Heaven Great Emperor at 50th awakening, Ice Soul Demon Emperor at 40th awakening, Thunder Demon King at 45th awakening, Shadow Demon Lord at 48th awakening. When each reaches their ultimate limit..."
The Shadow Demon Lord's voice became even more sinister.
"Through the Four Elements Unity Technique (四象合一術), we can completely merge into the Infinite Grand Demon God."
"Then... all this time..."
Seol Hwa-rin said in a despairing voice.
"We've been moving according to their plan?"
"Exactly. Every time you awakened, every time you suffered, every time you grew stronger... everything was within our plan."
The illusion became more specific. All the events Jin-ho had experienced so far were replayed.
Blood Flame Sect Demon Sword Unit's Attack: A planned assault to induce Jin-ho's first awakening Yeom-ra's Experiment: Intentional stimulation to accelerate the second awakening Blood Wolf's Pursuit: Pressure to create an opportunity for the third awakening Heaven's Hand Society's Help: Providing appropriate hope to prevent Jin-ho's despair
"Everything... everything was planned."
"Even your coming to this tomb, meeting each other, forming an alliance—all were anticipated scenarios."
Jin-ho fell to his knees. He realized that all his choices, all his efforts had been meaningless.
"Then... do we really have no choice?"
"There is one."
The Shadow Demon Lord gave an unexpected answer.
"But that choice... will be different from what you think."
Suddenly, another voice echoed from within the darkness. It was a warm and familiar voice.
"My descendant... you have finally come this far."
"This voice is..."
Jin-ho was surprised. It was neither the Blood Heaven Great Emperor's voice nor the Shadow Demon Lord's voice.
"I am Kang Cheon-hyeol. The one who left the real secret here 113 years ago."
Kang Cheon-hyeol's soul appeared in a faint form within the darkness.
"The Shadow Demon Lord speaks the truth. The Four Great Sects are moving for one purpose. But..."
Kang Cheon-hyeol looked at Jin-ho.
"There is one thing they don't know. There is an unexpected variable in the complete resurrection of the Infinite Grand Demon God."
"What variable?"
Seol Hwa-rin asked.
"The 'will' of the four constitutional heirs."
Kang Cheon-hyeol explained.
"The Four Elements Unity Technique is not simply combining powers. The four souls must become completely one. But if even one of them strongly resists..."
"What would happen?"
"Instead of the Infinite Grand Demon God... a completely different being could be born."
"What I discovered 113 years ago was exactly that. The true meaning of the Blood Heaven Reverse Sealing Technique (血天逆封術)."
As Kang Cheon-hyeol raised his hand, complex patterns appeared in the darkness.
"The Blood Heaven Reverse Sealing Technique is not simply a skill to seal the Blood Heaven Great Emperor. It is the ultimate sealing technique that reverses the power of the Four Great Demon Gods to permanently block their merger into the Infinite Grand Demon God."
"But the price is..."
Jin-ho realized.
"The caster's life. More precisely, the caster's soul perishes together with the Four Great Demon Gods."
Seol Hwa-rin was shocked.
"Then... is there no way to completely stop it?"
"There is one."
A light of hope flickered in Kang Cheon-hyeol's eyes.
"If all four constitutional heirs refuse final awakening. If each stops awakening at the 45th, 40th, 44th, and 47th stages respectively... the conditions for the Infinite Grand Demon God's resurrection won't be met."
"But is that possible? Awakening happens automatically..."
"It's possible through the power of will. But..."
Kang Cheon-hyeol's expression darkened.
"For that to happen, all four must endure tremendous pain. They would have to live their entire lives in an incomplete state."
"How dare...! How dare you speak such words before me!"
The Shadow Demon Lord raged. The darkness grew thicker and the oppressive feeling intensified.
"Kang Cheon-hyeol! Even after 113 years since your death, you still interfere!"
"My purpose is to give my descendants a choice."
Kang Cheon-hyeol stood firm.
"Not a fate controlled by you, but a fate they choose themselves."
Intense energy clashed between the two beings. Darkness and light competed and swirled against each other.
At that moment, the entire tomb shook violently.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The attack sounds from outside grew fiercer.
"Kahahaha! The time has come!"
The Shadow Demon Lord laughed.
"The Blood Flame Sect Leader has come personally. Now everything will be accelerated."
"The Blood Flame Sect Leader?"
Jin-ho was alarmed.
"The reincarnation of the Blood Heaven Great Emperor's most faithful subordinate. When he destroys this place... the seals will weaken and awakening will accelerate further."
Suddenly, the tomb's ceiling began to crack. Red light seeped in from above.
"My time is running out."
Kang Cheon-hyeol began to slowly fade away.
"Jin-ho, Hwa-rin... remember. The choice is always in your hands. Only you yourselves can break the chains called fate."
"And... don't forget that you are not alone."
Kang Cheon-hyeol left his final words before completely disappearing.
"Noe Jin-un and Eum Mu-geuk... they too are having the same concerns as you. If the four of you are together... even impossible things might become possible."
"Noe Jin-un? Eum Mu-geuk?"
Seol Hwa-rin remembered those names.
"The heirs of Thunder Constitution and Shadow Constitution."
"Correct. Find them. And together... seize true freedom."
With Kang Cheon-hyeol's final words, the black passage began to collapse.
"We need to get out quickly!"
Jin-ho grabbed Seol Hwa-rin's hand.
Breaking through the collapsing passage and returning to the central altar, they found the entire tomb being destroyed.
The ceiling was completely broken through, and the Blood Flame Sect Leader was looking down from above.
"Kahahaha! Finally found you!"
The Blood Flame Sect Leader was a giant man over three meters tall. His entire body was clad in red armor, and his very presence seemed to make the air boil.
"Heir of the Blood Constitution! There is nowhere left to run!"
As the Blood Flame Sect Leader raised his hand, a massive crimson pillar descended from the sky.
"Now... let me trigger your true awakening!"
『Emergency Situation Occurring』『Blood Flame Sect Leader Encountered』『Danger Level: S-Class』『Forced Awakening Induction Attempt Detected』
Blood energy began to boil up from Jin-ho's body on its own. It was a sign of the third awakening.
'No... if I awaken now, Ancestor Kang Cheon-hyeol's words will become meaningless...'
But the Blood Flame Sect Leader's pressure was beyond imagination.
"Seol Hwa-rin! We need to endure together!"
"I know!"
Seol Hwa-rin was also pushed to the crisis of fourth awakening. The temperature around her was dropping rapidly.
Could the two of them prevent forced awakening and escape from the tomb?
And do Noe Jin-un and Eum Mu-geuk, whom Kang Cheon-hyeol mentioned, really exist?
『Blood Heaven Great Emperor Forced Awakening Attempt In Progress』『Resistance Recommended』『Moment of Choice Has Arrived』
Preview: A desperate battle with the Blood Flame Sect Leader! Jin-ho and Seol Hwa-rin's forced awakening crisis! And the appearance of an unexpected savior? The four constitutional heirs finally gather in one place...