Chapter 272: The Breakthrough (3)


    From the air, Ha Song-Su literally and figuratively looked down on Soo-Jung. His nonchnt stance alone was enough to indicate his level of arrogance.


    Soo-Jung opened her mouth. You got luckyst time.


    Soo-Jung and Ha Song-Su had already battled once before. A fight was better than a conversation for creating acquaintances. By that logic, they could be called acquaintances.


    Ha Song-Su didnt reply, and Soo-Jung became even tenser. Her words fell on deaf ears as he refused to respond and attack her. He kept looking down at her.


    She had a bad feeling about this, and anxiety built up inside her.


    <em>This cant be. </em>She wanted to believe it was impossible.


    Shaking her head, she looked up and ordered, Get down from there.


    Soo-Jung flicked his index like she was turning on a light switch. A ck me, the reason behind her code name, began burning Ha Song-Su.


    Things are different now, Soo-Jung growled. She was saying that to herself and Ha Song-Su.


    Finally, a battle erupted.


    <em>Boom, boom!</em>


    Ha Song-Su, who hadnt moved so far, finally retaliated. A huge amount of energy exploded from his body, and the ck mes died down simultaneously.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    Suddenly, he sprang toward Soo-Jung.


    In a millisecond, he had made his move. Soo-Jung was a little surprised that her ck me dissipated so easily, but she was ready.


    Like all the Eden creatures, she had be stronger since herst battle.


    Forming a shield in one hand, Soo-Jung moved back to avoid being hit.


    <em>Kaboom!</em>


    Ha Song-Su, aiming to ram into her, crashed into the ground instead, sending dirt and stones flying everywhere.


    Ill kill you. Ha Song-Su finally spoke through the dust.


    But Soo-Jung wasnt alone.


    Unnie!


    With Yoo-Bin leading them, the others arrived to help.


    Ha Song-Sus eyes glowed.


    ***


    I apologize for calling you a lowly demon. Bodhidharma thrust his fist toward Paimon, but it never reached the demon. It was a surprise attack, but Paimon seemed to have avoided it with ease.


    Hmm An apathetic look appeared on Paimons face. A tail had blocked thest attack, which belonged to a Leviathan standing behind Paimon.


    Bodhidharma quickly hopped away when he saw Leviathans tailing after him.


    You cant be a lowly demon because youre a renowned demon. Bodhidharma looked around rapidly. Even before he had arrived, he could feel this ce''s evil. But now that he was here, it was even worse.


    This ce was akin to a demonir, housing only powerful beasts. He had called Paimon a lowly demon, but it was clear Paimon wasnt someone to be underestimated.


    <em>Hes powerful. </em>Bodhidharma could feel Paimons vile yet incredible energy.


    Bodhidharma quickly looked back to see the orb around Gi-Gyu thinning. Just a moment ago, he had felt a special connection with Gi-Gyu. Their sync was still disconnected, so Bodhidharma guessed that it was Gi-Gyu borrowing his power, which Gi-Gyu had mentioned before.


    <em>I need to buy him some time, </em>Bodhidharma decided. He trusted Gi-Gyu to ovee this situation, so he just needed to buy him time. If possible, he wanted to destroy this demonir, but Bodhidharma didnt think it would be possible.


    Bodhidharma became quiet, aware that Paimon was on a whole other level than Aamon. The other demons here were also much more powerful than Aamon.


    You must be a remnant of Kronos, huh? Paimon asked.


    ...! For the first time, Bodhidharma showed shock and confusion.


    Paimon seemed to be studying Bodhidharma as he continued, How interesting. You are only a replica created by Gaia, yet you have grown so powerful. You cant be an immortal, so you must be a result of that mans unique power?


    Bodhidharma wished he could shut Paimon up immediately, but two Leviathans were protecting Paimon like faithful dogs.


    Is it possible for a replica to surpass the original? I dont know Gaia gained Gods power, so perhaps she made that possible, Paimon mumbled to himself. Ah Maybe this has already been proven true?


    Paimon continued to mumble, while Bodhidharma concentrated on finding Paimons weakness. Unfortunately, Bodhidharma couldnt find any openings. However, that didnt matter because his job was to stall for time, not kill him.


    Ah! I apologize. I became distracted because youre such an interesting case. Paimons eyes turned serious.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    Bodhidharma quickly dodged; millisecondster, an ice spear struck his original spot.


    Im ready to deal with you now. I always wee unique cases like yours. I cant wait to dissect you after this. Paimons monocle sparkled, his eyes traveling from Bodhidharma to Gi-Gyu behind him.


    <em>Kaboom!</em>


    But Bodhidharma had no time to worry about Paimons thoughts. Several ice spears, cold enough to turn him into a block of ice, were after him. All he could do was concentrate on dodging them.


    Bodhidharma was confident he could fight all magic and energy attacks, but physical attacks like this were harder to avoid. While dodging the ice spears and keeping his eyes on Paimon, Bodhidharma nced at Gi-Gyu.


    <em>Hurry. </em>Bodhidharma urged. Everything depended on Gi-Gyu.


    Bodhidharma wasnt in good condition. He hadnt gotten enough time to recover from his battle against Aamon. He may have been Bodhidharma, but he couldnt use his powers perfectly, and hell, he wasnt even the original Bodhidharma.


    He knew Paimon would defeat him, but this didnt matter. Bodhidharma was ready to die to buy his son as much time as possible.


    ***


    Gi-Gyu hadnt lost consciousness. In fact, he was watching everything. The sorcerous energy orb was thinner than ever, so although his sync to Bodhidharma hadnt returned, he could see and hear everything.


    <em>Kaboom!</em>


    The explosions outside the orb were so loud that it seemed like the world was ending.


    Then again, would the end of the world not have explosions, light beams, icicles, geysers, and firestorms? Because they were out there.


    -Its almost done


    Lou spoke to Gi-Gyu.


    Gi-Gyu was almost done absorbing all the sorcerous energy, which was shocking. The amount once seemed limitless, but it was now all trapped inside Gi-Gyu.


    The problem was that there was no way of knowing when it might explode. His shell was still expanding, but all this sorcerous energy was too much to bear nheless.


    This was why Gi-Gyupressed the energy to pile it up. He was in a precarious situation because his shell could explode anytime.


    Gi-Gyu asked, <em>Are you okay, Lou?</em>


    There was no answer. He wondered if it was because Lou was too focused. Or was it because he had absorbed too much of the hell kings sins?


    The reason really didnt matter because Gi-Gyu himself couldnt concentrate.


    Haaa Gi-Gyu stopped thinking and exhaled. Thick sorcerous energy came out of his mouth like cigarette smoke. This energy joined the orb but was reabsorbed by Gi-Gyu secondster.


    This cycle continued for a while.


    -Get ready


    Gi-Gyu finally heard Lous voice, taking it as a good sign. Things must be finally working out.


    Haaa Another puff of dark energy left Gi-Gyus mouth and joined the orb. He closed his eyes, feeling like he was about to burst. He couldnt use this immense power, which led to his current unstable condition. The sorcerous energy was eroding his body.


    Gi-Gyu suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes slowly turned ck, but he hadnt awakened a new power.


    These physical changes urred because Gi-Gyu couldnt absorb all the sorcerous energy Gi-Gyu. This toxic energy was roaming in and out of his body.


    But this didnt matter.


    [You have leveled up Energy Control.]


    [You have mastered Energy Control.]


    <em>Crack!</em>


    The sound of ss breaking rang in the air. The sorcerous energy orb scattered to form spears in the air and plunged toward the Leviathans.


    Gi-Gyu turned to see Bodhidharma panting.


    Haa Haa Bodhidharma was also looking at Gi-Gyu.


    Gi-Gyu began seeing ck dots, his vision blurring. His vision alone wasnt turning dark because of the sorcerous energy. Everything became dim.


    Ive been waiting for you Bodhidharma said before copsing.


    Gi-Gyu took a moment to look over the monk. Bodhidharma was in horrible condition. He may have been Bodhidharma, but Gi-Gyu knew he couldnt take on multiple hell kings.


    So how did the monk manage tost this long? How did he summon more power than he had?


    Was it really because the monk thought of Gi-Gyu as his son?


    Whatever the reason, it helped Bodhidharmast this long. The monks limbs were frozen and about to shatter. Gi-Gyu turned his head again, seeing the ck spheres floating around Bodhidharma.


    <em>p, p, p.</em>


    Paimon suddenly began pping. You you really did it!


    Paimons voice was filled with ecstasy, and it upset Gi-Gyu.


    I didnt think it was possible! And this quickly too! Paimon yelled. The Kronos remnant is interesting too, but


    His white coat fluttered before it began burning. His upper body was revealed; he was muscr yet strangely thin.


    I dont think Ive met anyone as interesting as you.


    S Gi-Gyus lips cracked from dryness as he muttered, Shut up


    He needed to remain calm. Gi-Gyu knew he couldnt afford to be emotional now. Lou had taken a great risk to absorb this much energy, and he himself wasnt in great shape either. He felt like he was about to burst. His tendons and blood vessels were bulging. The sorcerous energy he had absorbed was coursing through his body, ready to explode.


    Hahahaha! Excellent! I love it! You did it much quicker than I expected and were very sessful! Now, its time! Paimon opened his hand.


    Kwerrrrrk!


    The two Leviathans screamed in pain before they exploded. An ice spear materialized in each of Paimons hands.


    Bloodthirst and interest appeared in Paimons eyes as he announced, Now, I will take the battle data from you.


    Paimon suddenly heard an eerie whisper in his ear. Next, he realized that Gi-Gyu was right in front of his nose.


    Do you really think Gi-Gyu whispered, Youll leave this ce alive?


    Gi-Gyu was holding a sword in his hand. It was a huge sword, even bigger than Gi-Gyu himself, and exuding ck smoke.


    Die. Gi-Gyu swung it.