episode_0108

“Then please follow me.”

I moved my steps following the origin.

As I walked through the forest of Ore Guk, which resembled a celestial realm where immortals often live, a huge village-like place that could definitely be called a city appeared before my eyes. And there, many people who looked like the origin guiding us were seen.

Are all those people the origin?

‘The level of each person is considerable.’

Much stronger than most elite knights or martial artists.

Of course, they wouldn’t be a match for me, but among the origins wearing armor, some are skilled enough to make Baekryeon and Seollin nervous.

What’s strange is that even the origins who are not wearing armor, that is, the origins who appear to be ordinary citizens, are quite skilled.

“By the way, can you tell me why the king wants to see me?”

“I don’t know either. The king just said he wanted to see the one who killed the demon.”

“Demon…”

If it’s demon, are you referring to the Heavenly Demon?

Frankly, should I be relieved that I’m not being summoned to be beaten up for leaving Gyoma Wang, the brother of a god, half-dead…?

‘Makina said there are only 3 beings predicted to be on par with me. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is one of them.’

It’s hard to imagine what would happen if we fought directly, but at least I wouldn’t be unilaterally pushed back.

“It’s quite a lively place.”

“Right. Where is this place anyway? I’ve never heard of a place like this in Yeom Guk.”

“Well, that’s right. I don’t know the details either, but… it is said that we were moved through the gaps in space using Mihu Wang’s sorcery…”

Wow…

To move such a vast place… just how much of a monster are you?

Anyway, we crossed the city to the very center of the city.

We stopped in front of a steep stone mountain that towered high.

…To be honest, I don’t know if I should call that a stone mountain, or just say that a huge stone pillar was impaled there.

“The king resides on the top floor of this place.”

“…He’s staying in a high place.”

“Only you are allowed an audience with the king. The rest of your party will go somewhere else with me.”

At the origin’s words, Baekryeon and Seollin’s expressions turned quite sour.

It seems they are a little uneasy about being separated from me in an unfamiliar place.

Especially since this place is…

The territory of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the brother of Bokhae Daesung who attacked us before.

“I, is that so?”

“Hmm…”

“It’s okay. I’ll be back soon. Nothing will happen. Baekho, please take care of these two.”

“Of course. I will definitely protect these children.”

Of course, Baekho’s condition is still not fully recovered.

However, as a result of being directly cared for by Seollin and Lucy, she has recovered to the point where she can at least protect herself.

If it’s her, she can at least protect the two of them here.

“The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is at the top?”

“That’s right. Then, inside…”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go up right away.”

Leaving the origin who was trying to guide me to the entrance of the stone mountain behind, I looked at the stone mountain.

Looking at it up close, the stone mountain is quite high. I have no intention of leisurely climbing from the inside, so I’m heading straight to the top floor.

[Manifesting 【Empty Realm】.]

I lightly jumped up, created stairs in the air, and leaped greatly.

“…You’re really amazing. Then, there is someone I would like to guide you to.”

“Someone to guide me to, what do you mean…”

“I’m sure that person will be happy to see you.”

“?”

The origin said, looking at Seollin.

Of course, Seollin tilted her head, not understanding the words.

* * *

I made stairs in the air and lightly jumped up.

With a thud! I leaped and arrived at the top floor with a few more leaps.

In the meantime, nothing blocked me, and there was no army waiting for me on the top floor.

“A trap… it doesn’t seem like it.”

The very top floor of the stone mountain was wider than I thought.

And on the very top floor, I could see something like a house made of carved stone.

Anyone would think I should go there…

Should I go for now?

I carefully walked towards the stone house, or cave-like place. And when I peeked inside, there was a man sitting there.

Spiky black hair. A man with a handsome face that showed wildness.

The man, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, opened his eyes slightly as if he had sensed my presence.

Golden eyes with blazing red flames.

I knew right away who he was.

“Are you the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?”

“That’s right.”

『The Great Sage Equal to Heaven』 Son Wukong

Level: Cannot be observed Health: Cannot be observed

Strength: Cannot be observed Magic Power: Cannot be observed

Agility: Cannot be observed

Magic Power: Cannot be observed

Skill: Cannot be observed

Durability: Cannot be observed

Well… as expected, it cannot be observed.

Gyoma Wang was also in an unobservable state until he revealed his original form, the Dragon King’s form.

If the Great Sage Equal to Heaven is the same, he will be in an unobservable state until he reveals his original form.

But what is the original form of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven…?

“You said you wanted to see me.”

“Yes. I wanted to see with my own eyes the hero who succeeded in defeating the fragments of the demon entrenched in Cheonsan. That’s why I called you. Also… I heard a lot of stories from my brother, Gyo Cheon.”

“…”

As expected, Gyoma Wang, he told you about me. Well, knowing his personality, there’s no way he wouldn’t have.

“…Indeed, the goddess made a rather interesting choice. To let a being from another world reside…”

“!”

My identity has been identified?!

Is it because of those eyes?!

As I took a step back in surprise and became wary, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven quietly said in a posture that hadn’t changed at all since I first saw him.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing anything to you. Just… that’s right. Rather, you could say that I’m also looking forward to you.”

“?”

At the same time, he stood up from his seat.

Yes, just standing up, I felt something overwhelming from him that was hard to explain.

“There is something I want to convey to you.”

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven snapped his fingers.

With just that, the scenery that was like the inside of a cave instantly changed and turned into a vast plain.

“!”

“It’s meaningless to convey this in words. Only when you experience and realize it yourself… Therefore, I will have a sparring match with you.”

“A sparring match out of the blue, what’s that…”

Do I really have to fight?

As I frowned, he slowly loosened his body.

“Don’t worry. I will not use the 72 arts that I can use. Of course, I will not use the Ruyi Jingu Bang or the dragon robe. I will not use the martial arts I have built up either. I will not use the Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze either. I will not use anything other than what I need to tell you.”

Wow, what confidence.

At the same time, an intense fighting spirit that stimulated my body.

With a strong fighting spirit that would never allow me to refuse the fight, I unknowingly drew my sword.

“…Yes, that’s enough. I hope you can gain something through this fight.”

As if he wouldn’t use any martial arts, he didn’t take any stance.

In that state, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven put strength in his legs and kicked the ground.

I confirmed all of this omen with my eyes.

Nevertheless, I missed the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s movement.

“!”

Swoosh! Pow!!!

A kick that was swung.

I lost consciousness for a moment due to the kick that hit my head with perfect precision.

“Cough!…”

This is no joke!

This attack power!!… Even without using weapons, his body itself is a deadly weapon!…

【Intuition】+【Counterattack】

There’s only one thing I can do. I’ll parry it.

“Good eyes.”

I glare and follow every single movement of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. And at that moment, the figure of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven disappeared once again.

‘It’s not like high-speed movement! I don’t hear the sound of air exploding!’

Then is it invisibility? No, even the presence has completely disappeared, not just invisibility.

At that moment, I feel a tingling sensation and turn my head quickly.

“You’re already following. You can be made faster than I thought.”

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s fist is extended.

I somehow twisted my body to avoid the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s fist.

Using the recoil caused by twisting my body, I swung my sword in reverse.

And at the same time, for a very brief moment, I could see it.

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s figure blurring and moving at high speed.

“Haa… haa… a moment of acceleration?… No. It’s not a simple acceleration.”

“Yes, this is not a simple acceleration. Acceleration is just a phenomenon that occurs as a result. If you just think of it as acceleration, you can never reach this.”

“Kuh!…”

Clang!!

Pow! Whack! Crack!

I swing my sword with imbued vigor.

But my sword didn’t reach. On the other hand, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s attacks hit me again and again.

‘Why, why can’t I reach?’

[Master!!…]

“Damn it! It’s in equilibrium with me? It’s not in equilibrium, it’s completely overwhelming me!”

[I, I’m sorry! I didn’t know the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s power would be this strong!… It’s stronger than the power of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven that remains in my memory!]

Is that power the result of not using sorcery, martial arts, or weapons?

The difference between him and Gyoma Wang is too great!…

Whack!!

“Kuh!…”

Dangerous.

My health is being depleted for the first time in a long time. This person is really attacking with all his might without holding back!….

“Damn it!…”

It’s not just simple acceleration.

Acceleration is just an additional phenomenon. It’s not the essence.

An unbelievable speed as if it exists on a different timeline….

“…Different timeline?…”

“…”

【Sword King’s Pinnacle】is the remaining 3 types of 【Sword King’s Secret Arts】.

It is the act of simultaneously striking the 3 types of techniques: Earth Cleaving, Sea Cleaving, and Mountain Cleaving. But as long as there is only one body, simultaneous is impossible.

Unless I can use clone magic…

“…Could it be that what I need to realize is…”

If you understand the principle and essence, that’s enough.

Now that I’ve seen that realm enough… all that’s left is…

[Acquired skill 【Clear Mind】.]

[Acquired skill 【Incomplete Time Domain】.]

Everything slows down.

As a result, everything has become close to stopping. The only ones who can maintain a normal speed in this space are me, and…

“Yes. This is the realm you must reach. Time Domain.”

It was only the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

“…Are you stopping time?”

“No, everything about us has reached a higher dimension. Of course, beings in the lower dimension cannot recognize or interfere with this world. Of course… we can’t interfere either.”

So that’s why he suddenly appeared in front of me and attacked.

It would have been nice if I could move and attack at the same time… but wait…

“Why are you telling me something like this?”

“It’s a simple principle.”

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s movements gradually slowed down.

Is he trying to escape this time domain?

“I’m not the only one who has expectations for you.”