Chapter 265: The Coup (3)


    Suddenly, nasty sorcerous energy erupted from the icy ground, shattering it and floating up.


    -Dammit. What annoying energies.


    The duo could feel Belphegor and Leviathans presence in the sorcerous energy because the pieces of emotions mixed within made it easy.


    Were in the right ce, Gi-Gyu announced. The hell king clones and the truth was undoubtedly just beneath them.


    Gi-Gyu expanded his senses, sweeping the presidential pce like a tsunami swept a boat.


    ...


    Tao Chen and his 1,000 yers were already inside the presidential pce. Gi-Gyu sensed hundreds of different energies crashing into each other and explosions urring everywhere.


    Sparks, embers, and ice shards seemed omnipresent inside.


    The two sides were equally matched. Tao Chens army was strong, but so were their enemies. Tao Chens side could have won quickly if not for the many seatholders on the other side.


    Gi-Gyu wondered, <em>Can they really do this?</em>


    Tao Chen had taken the main entrance with his elites and created diversions on the others. He was the strongest yer in his yer group, but he had failed to defeat even Botis in the past. He had many yers with him now, but still


    Bodhidharma asked knowingly, Are you worried about them?


    Gi-Gyu smiled, inferring the monks real question.


    Could you do it? Gi-Gyu asked.


    Bodhidharma nodded. The smile on the monks face revealed how he truly felt. I will destroy the smaller fish in your ce, so you go ahead and take down our main enemy.


    Gi-Gyu could tell that Bodhidharma wanted to help. The monk knew what Gi-Gyu needed and was only happy with the mission Gi-Gyu had given him.


    The truth was that Bodhidharma wouldnt be much help to Gi-Gyu at the moment.


    <em>He may be Bodhidharma, but </em>


    The monk was nothing more than a Kronos fragment. He was strong in the past; now, he was just a newbie yer. If it werent for the skills and magic he had umted in his past life and his physical forms strength, Gi-Gyu wouldnt have even brought him.


    Wait. Gi-Gyu walked up to the monk and ced his hand on Bodhidharmas shoulder. The invisible thread-like link between them became thicker and more lucid.


    <em>Twitch.</em>


    Something crawled on this connection to move toward Bodhidharma.


    Bodhidharma looked shocked. Soon, he smiled as if he felt much morefortable and replied, Thank you.


    Gi-Gyu replied with a small smile and jumped into the crevice that the sorcerous energy eruption had created. Watching Gi-Gyu disappear quickly, the monk clenched and unclenched his fists.


    Gi-Gyu had just given him arge amount of magic, enough to fill the monks body. Moreover, the two distinct energies didnt sh; instead, they swirled inside him in perfect harmony.


    Bodhidharma closed his eyes as his power created a small storm around him. It grew until it was as strong as a hurricane. Soon, it calmed down.


    The monk had wielded strength much bigger than this in the past, so he could use Gi-Gyu energy with no problem.


    I feel so much better now, Bodhidharma looked at the ice wall, which had remained intact. He swung his hands to form the round pattern of a Taegeuk. His magic-filled Taegeuk hit the wall but didnt create a loud explosion. Still, it was good enough to create a small opening for the monk to enter.


    Good, Bodhidharma spoke in satisfaction. His uracy and control in creating this perfect circle were impressive.


    Just like that, Gi-Gyu and the monk went their separate ways.


    ***


    After Gi-Gyu had jumped down, he expanded his senses again to study his surroundings.


    -What a beast.


    Lou''s whisper rang in Gi-Gyus head.


    You mean me? asked Gi-Gyu apathetically. He had already found the correct path and his enemies'' strengths.


    -Dont be ridiculous.


    Gi-Gyu grinned, aware Lou hadnt called him a beast.


    -I cant believe a simple magic injection changed him this much.


    Lou was talking about Bodhidharma. Before Gi-Gyu had left him, he gave the monk some of his energy. It was arge amount, but that alone couldn''t have done much. After all, magic without skills was like a gun without bullets.


    Hes a legend for a reason, Gi-Gyu replied. The word legend described Bodhidharma perfectly.


    -So, a past version of your father is a legend. And your birth father is also a legend. Ha! You must be very proud of your family.


    Lou sounded sarcastic, but he wasnt being spiteful.


    But shouldnt you be more careful?


    -About what?


    Your personality, Gi-Gyu said to him as he began walking.


    It had been a long time since the duost chatted like this. After absorbing Leviathan and Belphegor, Lou needed time to recover and train himself to be stronger. On top of this, absorbing the hell kings had brought about unexpected changes in Lou.


    -Its all right. Time will fix it.


    Lous personality had turned a little less serious. This was because he had absorbed incredibly biased emotions.


    ording to Lous data, Lou hadnt absorbed all the hell kings for more than one reason. It wasnt just because they had surrendered to him but also because the hell kings powerful emotions could make Lou lose himself.


    <em>Lou was afraid his true personality would disappear. </em>


    Emotions could affect ones personality greatly. The hell kings had immense power and distorted emotions.


    Jealousy, anger, arrogance, and lustThese crude emotions were the sources of the hell kings true powers. Lou couldnt pick and choose what he absorbed from a being; he had to ept their power and emotions.


    Just be careful, Gi-Gyu warned. He didn''t want Lou to destroy himself for power. Lou needed to be just as cautious as the time he ruled hell.


    -Shut up.


    Gi-Gyu smiled at Lous answer, but this smile didntst long. He had been sprinting for a while now, but he still hadnt met a single enemy.


    Wait. Gi-Gyu paused and scattered his energy around to study his surroundings.


    Just as he had expected, his enemies were well prepared. Gi-Gyu had felt numerous presences the moment he entered this ce, but none of them were moving. It was as if they were waiting for him.


    It was an obvious trap, but he needed to keep going.


    I have no other choice.


    Hermes covered Gi-Gyus feet and gleamed as Gi-Gyu ordered, "Super Rush.


    It was time to move faster.


    ***


    Tao Chen! Sun Won screamed and rushed forward. He swung his left hand to intercept the ming sword aiming for Tao Chen, which then burned his left hand.


    Ugh, Sun Won groaned.


    Are you okay?! Tao Chen asked. He didnt stop moving the Green Dragon Crescent de while ncing at Sun Won in worry.


    Thankfully, a support yer waiting nearby quickly came to help.


    Recover! Sun Wons left hand returned to normal when the support yer used his skill.


    Haa Haa Sun Won panted but didnt stop to rest. He wasnt alone. One thousand yers worked together to create a path through the enemies surrounding them.


    Tao Chen bit his lower lip, realizing the enemies were stronger than he had thought. The information his spies had delivered and his arrogance had resulted in this.


    Hahahaha! These stupid humans are so persistent! yelled a creature shooting fire at Tao Chen. You better be grateful that you get to die at my hands! I am Aamon, the me Marquis!


    The demons roar made many yers turn pale. There were many high-rankers among the 1,000 yers, and most were very well-informed. Therefore, Aamon was not an unfamiliar name.


    <em>Dammit. Why did it have to be Aamon?! </em>Tao Chen couldnt believe it. Aamon held the seventh Seat of Power, higher than Botis. The yers who knew much about demon history were well acquainted with the story of the me Marquis.


    <em>Aamon has even fought Baal, the first Seat of Power and someone close to bing a hell king. Aamon is a crazy fighter.</em>


    It was no wonder the yers feared the enemy. Moreover, Aamon wasnt here alone. It was apanied by various seat holders, numerous low to mid-level demons, and countless yers drunk on the First Potion.


    Ackkk! Tao Chens yers screamed.


    Protect the injured! Tao Chen ordered. This was no time to worry. As the head of the group, he needed to lead.


    Thankfully, Tao Chens allies didnt shirk in fear despite their enemies'' strength. They fought calmly, and he knew that was only possible because of Gi-Gyu and Bodhidharma.


    We have sparred with beasts stronger than these demons! Tao Chens eyes burned as he screamed at Aamon. His yers formed a protective wall around him as he gathered energy in the Green Dragon Crescent de for his next attack.


    How dare they?! Do they think they canpare to the masters we have been training with?! Tao Chens roar was punishing, somehow silencing the demons. No one knew why, but the demons had stopped yelling, so only Tao Chens voice rang in the air.


    Ah! eximed some of his yers, encouraged by his vigor.


    Soon, all the yers roared, No, they are not!


    Tao Chen ordered, Then do not fear them any longer!


    He swung the Green Dragon Crescent de.


    <em>Creak.</em>


    A strange sound filled the space, but nothing happened.


    Hahahaha! I was impressed by your bravery, which is the only reason I listened. But your arrogance is unfounded! This is a joke! Hahaha Aamon''sughs fizzled out when he looked down.


    ...? Confusion filled Aamons face.


    <em>Fwoosh!</em>


    To Aamons shock, its left ankle was gone, and its leg was bleeding like a fountain. It was about to fall but managed to regain its stance.


    Tao Chens eyes no longer burned with turbulent emotions. Calmness appeared in them as he gazed at Aamon.


    <em>Pssshhhh!</em>


    Another grotesque sound was heard.


    Kwarrrrh!


    Kreeeek!


    The demons screamed in pain as their bodies split into two.


    [You have demonstrated will beyond your limit to use a skill beyond your limit.]


    [You have obtained a new skill: Space sh.]


    Tao Chen heard several system announcements in his head. He was listening to them when suddenly, his eyes wavered.


    [You have found a clue about how to rise above your limit.]


    [You have gotten one step closer to bing a ruler.]


    [Former Ruler (1/3)]


    [You will reach a higher status after meeting all the conditions.]


    <em>A ruler?!</em>


    Tao Chen!


    Tao Chen, who was gaping in awe, opened his eyes when he heard a sudden yell. He was in the middle of a battle, but the system announcement was shocking enough to make him lose focus.


    <em>A ruler</em>


    Sadly, he didn''t have the time to think further about this news.


    Im going to kill you! Ill kill you! Aamons original form was descending right before Tao Chens eyes. Aamons yer body swelled up as it shed its mortal shell.


    Then, the real demon appeared in the presidential pce.


    Tao Chen had gotten stronger just now, but he still wasnt sure he could defeat Aamon.


    This is no time for despair.


    Tao Chen refused to surrender. He grasped his Green Dragon Crescent de tighter.


    Aamons energy was enough to make Tao Chen take a step back. The seventh Seat of Power, who had once fought Baal, was undoubtedly a powerful enemy.


    Tao Chen sprinted forward as he screamed, For the people! For the country!


    Aamons giant fist was burning with a humongous me and heading toward Tao Chen. The heat and the incredible magic overwhelmed Tao Chen.


    Just then


    <em>Boom!</em>


    A loud st forced both Aamon and Tao Chen to stop. Between the Green Dragon Crescent de and Aamons burning fist, a figure had appeared.


    Im sorry Imte. Im here to help.


    Monk!


    Bodhidharma stood between them with a smiling face.