The desert battlefield shook under the weight of madness and power. Lee Seong-jun stood suspended in midair, his body surrounded by crimson light. He was preparing to unleash the ultimate strike of the Heaven-Destroying Blood Art (Myulcheonhyeolgong)—a martial legacy of the Blood Sect, feared even by its own disciples. This art carried the sect's cruel will: to crush enemies through absolute destruction, no matter the cost.
As his inner energy surged, the world itself seemed to stain red, his vision drowning in bloodlight. The Heaven-Destroying Blood Strike, the art's deadliest technique, began to gnaw at his mind. His reason trembled as if about to snap, but he did not resist. Instead, he embraced the madness, using it to push beyond his mortal limits.
The Earth Worm sensed danger and roared, its gigantic maw opening wide. The monster lunged from below, aiming to devour him whole. But Seong-jun did not dodge. For this strike, there was no need for avoidance. This battle demanded a head-on collision.
Blood surged violently through his body, as if boiling. At the peak of his power, he clenched his fist, summoning the forbidden culmination of the Blood Sect's might—
"Extermination of Heavenly Blood: Ten Thousand Demon Asura Fist."
Crimson energy wrapped his arm, trailing behind him like the tail of a comet. He descended like a falling star, slamming into the Earth Worm with apocalyptic force.
The desert erupted.
A thunderous explosion shook the world, sand bursting skyward in a violent storm before crashing down like a waterfall. The shockwave hollowed out the battlefield, leaving behind devastation in every direction.
When the chaos settled, Seong-jun knelt with one fist pressed to the ground, blood dripping from his lips. The backlash of using power beyond his achieved realm tore at his body, but he had succeeded.
Through the fading dust, a gaping hole appeared, as if a cave had been carved into the earth itself. This was not a natural landmark but the trace of the Ten Thousand Demon Asura Fist tearing through the Earth Worm's body.
The monster stood frozen, jaws still gaping toward the sky. A moment later, its life faded, and the colossus collapsed. Instant death. Victory had been achieved.
But triumph carried a price. Seong-jun's body burned from within, and his mind was nearly consumed by the creeping madness of the Blood Sect's art. He bit down hard, forcing clarity back into himself. There were no more enemies here. No reason to kill. No reason to hate. By grounding himself in that truth, the madness slowly receded.
At last, he exhaled deeply. And then, the cheerful sound of system chimes filled the air.
You have defeated the C-class boss monster, Earth Worm.
You defeated the boss monster alone.
Additional experience points are awarded.
First clear bonus: Experience doubled.
Frenzy Gate clear bonus: Experience multiplied by five.
Congratulations! You have reached Level 36.
You have obtained the title: Survivor.
His lips curled faintly. The rewards were astonishing. Titles were rare gifts, capable of granting unique advantages and recognition. On top of that, the sheer amount of experience was overwhelming—six levels gained in a single strike. For most hunters at his stage, advancing even once could take ten days of effort. He had done in hours what others could not in weeks.
Yet the system had more to offer.
You resisted mental corruption through sheer willpower.
S-Rank Skill acquired: Unbreakable Will.
What had been merely an act of survival—forcing back the madness of the Heaven-Destroying Blood Art—had awakened a skill of immeasurable value. Seong-jun smiled inwardly at the unexpected harvest, though his body was still screaming in pain. His muscles twisted, his legs barely carried him. For now, rest would have to be his next step.
He walked toward the newly-formed exit of the Frenzy Gate.
Meanwhile, outside the gate, tension lingered. Han Seok-gyu, the one tasked with overseeing returnees, had grown pale. His friend Jo Kang-hyun had left to find a solution, yet no word had come. Guilt weighed heavily on him. He blamed himself for not preventing this disaster and steeled his resolve. If Lee Seong-jun had perished, he would at least recover the body and offer respect to the fallen. His eyes burned with determination, convinced vengeance would one day be necessary.
But then, shouts erupted from the guards.
"The gate is changing!"
"The curtain has lifted!"
A figure stepped through. Seong-jun emerged alive, battered yet unbroken. Shock rippled through everyone present. A hunter who had been active for less than a month had single-handedly killed a C+-rank boss monster.
Kim Dong-jun, the chief of the Returnee Management Headquarters, forced his way forward. His face twisted with disbelief and jealousy. He demanded answers, trying to interrogate Seong-jun like a criminal. But Seong-jun gave him nothing—only a cold, silent gaze. To him, the man was just another obstacle, another petty official blinded by envy.
The higher one climbed, the more such people appeared. And Lee Seong-jun, Demon God reborn, had no reason to lower himself to their level.