Chương 719: Owner of Names (2)

Kuung!

I step outside the outskirts of the Underworld and gaze at Mount Sumeru.

The Inner Sea of Mount Sumeru.

There, a battle unfolds between ■■■ and Hyeon Rang.

The fists of the giant god of vapor, the Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang, and ■■■, who has turned into a giant with his body steeped in a sea of starlight, collide against each other.

And as I watch them, I realize something.

'The more Hyeon Rang and ■■ Hyung-nim collide... the more ■■ Hyung-nim's presence fades.'

Each time he collides with the giant of vapor, his body seems to be gradually enveloped in mist, as though being pulled into an illusory dream.

I keep observing him, trying to understand what kind of phenomenon this is.

'I need to capture at least one thing with my eyes. I can't let Hyung-nim's sacrifice be in vain.'

I, though I truly hate it, realize that I must return.

Regressing by my own will is something I detest to the very core.

A single return means a single life...

... is gone just like that.

But...

■■■...

My friend has staked his life on that assumption.

'So... just this once, even if I have to give up one life... I must turn it back!'

Even as my hands tremble, I keep watching the battle between the two.

With my consciousness having reached Araya Consciousness, I perceive Hyeon Rang's authority even more clearly.

And in that moment, I enter a new world.

'Centered around the Naming Supreme Deity...'

Tsuaaaaaa— Like ink spreading, a completely new Mount Sumeru appears.

'That is... the vision of a Supreme Deity...!?'

The entire Mount Sumeru is formed of dense [Names], and those countless [Names] create countless flows.

Those flows gather to form an inverted cone, shaping the boundaries of numerous Heavenly Domains, Inner Sea, and the Outer Sea.

And among them, there is a single point where all those countless flows converge.

I realize that that point is none other than Hyeon Rang.

'The origin of all the names that exist in this world...'

Thump, thump...

More precisely, he serves as the heart that helps the powers known as 'names' to properly circulate in this world.

That is the Naming Supreme Deity.

I immediately realize what this vision I'm witnessing truly is.

'Is this... the vision of those who walk the Immortal Dao of Naming...!?'

Through Araya Consciousness, I have become able to see the vision of even the opponent's Immortal Dao.

'Ah... I see.'

I realize that this is the [Origin Essence].

Origin Essence is not a particular material or object—it is, by itself, a world.

'No... that's not it. It's not just because I reached Araya Consciousness that I can see this vision.'

It is because I am directly witnessing a Supreme Deity fully exercising their power that I can see this vision.

Beings who seize the Origin Essence and become the Origin Essence itself.

Monsters who do not get devoured by the Origin Essence that is also called the Heavenly Dao, but instead devour the Heavenly Dao itself.

'Those who devour an entire Immortal Dao. Those who consume the very law itself—those are the Supreme Deities.'

Watching the battle between the Naming Supreme Deity and ■■■, I begin to understand, at least partially, what the little-known process of advancing to Supreme Deity entails.

'To advance to Supreme Deity, one must at least, during the time of being an Immortal Lord, have faced a Supreme Deity in battle.'

Before one can viscerally experience what kind of being a Supreme Deity is through a fierce battle, the difficulty of advancing to Supreme Deity must be immense.

Kurururung— I watch the Naming Supreme Deity, and I gradually grasp more clearly what a Supreme Deity is, and what a Seat truly means.

The Naming Supreme Deity throws a punch at ■■■.

A simple straight punch, devoid of any enlightenment of martial principles.

Yet with that punch, the [Names] composing ■■■ scatter.

'He is directly striking the law of [Names] that exists in phenomena.'

The [Arms], [Legs], [Torso], [Meridians], [Immortal Body], [Inner World], and all other [Names] that make up ■■■ are struck, and the blows surpassing the physical force of reality break ■■■ apart.

Tracing the origin of that phenomenon, I gradually dig into the secret behind Hyeon Rang's power.

'I see...'

And when I grasp the principle behind Hyeon Rang's power, Hong Fan arrives beside me with the Immortal Treasures.

Strangely, although the [Names] of all phenomena in the universe are clearly visible to me while directly observing the Naming Supreme Deity, for some reason, Hong Fan shows only the character Hong (洪), and nothing more of his [Name] is visible.

It feels as if something has been severed.

'This guy used to be one with the Radiance Mantra... Is it because he's now separated from it?'

Slightly puzzled, I ask,

"What brings you here...?"

"Did Master not come here to analyze Great Master Hyun-seok's battle? As Master's subordinate, how could I not come when my Master has?"

"Is that so...? Thank you. It would be helpful if you assist with the analysis as well."

Whatever the case, Hong Fan's abilities are genuine. If he helps, it will make things considerably easier.

Kuuuuung!

■■■ is struck by Hyeon Rang and sent flying.

And the [Names] that compose him begin to scatter in fragments.

"Can you see it too, Hong Fan? ■■ Hyung-nim is..."

"Yes, I can. It is likely because the Naming Supreme Deity is properly unleashing his power..."

Then, after observing for a while, Hong Fan's eyes gleam as he speaks.

"I understand the principle. I see how the [Power of Names] works."

"That was fast."

With only a brief look, he's figured out the principle behind the Naming Supreme Deity's power.

"Though it is called [Names]... in reality, it is closer to a [Relationship]. Or perhaps the two are not so different after all."

Hong Fan begins explaining the analysis he has made of Hyeon Rang's power.

In the end, the Power of Names wielded by Hyeon Rang functions as follows: Names exist, ultimately, to be called by others.

Therefore, the ability to steal, erase, or rename a [Name] means being able to sever the relationships that existed with oneself.

My comrade was ■■ Hyung-nim of the Oh Clan, Not some unpronounceable entity called ■■■.

Those who lose their [Names] begin to feel all their relationships vanish and break apart, and in the end, they are forgotten by all and cease to exist.

'It is a power specialized in killing Immortal Beasts or Earth Immortals.'

Because they govern the power of life and history, Immortal Beasts and Earth Immortals are even more difficult to kill than Heaven Immortals. But if they are struck by the Naming Supreme Deity's power, they would not be able to resist and would gradually wither away and die.

In a way, it's similar to poison.

'No, more accurately... it's closer to radiation exposure than poisoning.'

Gradually, ■■■ has the [Names] that comprise him erased and turns into a clump of steam.

'He's not disappearing.'

A being who has lost all names and been forgotten by all.

He is becoming a mass of ancient force.

His form grows fainter, and Hyeon Rang no longer uses his authority against him.

At the same time, I feel a strange sense of déjà vu.

'What... is this?'

Everything feels dreamlike.

Everything is oddly unreal, and dizzying.

At that moment, Hyeon Rang meets my eyes.

[Have you been watching?]

"..."

[O Ender. Not long ago, I realized my essence... and felt the duty to awaken your fate...] Those eyes, like the Sun and Moon, look upon me.

The giant god of vapor points at me.

[But as I read the history of the Eastern Twin Sal Tree, I came to understand. You... will no longer lose anything over a simple connection. Though I must give you pain and deprivation to progress your fate... I realized I cannot awaken you through a mere play of fate.]

"... So, what are you going to do?"

[... I, as the Western Zero King, declare... You, O Ender, from this day forth, shall lose everything.]

"... Since you are ■■■'s teacher, I don't want to disregard you... but I'm curious. What exactly can someone like you do to me?"

[I shall not do anything to you. For you have already grown too strong for my hands to reach... However, if it is not 'you' but 'another being,' the story changes...]

"You are saying you will target my comrades?"

[No... They are protected by the Western Heavenly Venerable, so I dare not lay a hand on them either...]

"Then you can't touch anything related to me, so how dare you think you can do anything to me?"

[I will say it again. You cannot be affected. However... things that are not you—I can interfere as much as I please. For instance...] Kugugugugu!

Hyeon Rang raises his hand.

[If I erase the concept of [Names] from all of Mount Sumeru, you will inevitably struggle, poisoned by a fatal toxin, and have no choice but to follow your fate.]

"... Are you declaring that you can erase that concept from all of Mount Sumeru?"

I ask him in disbelief.

"Not even the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity or the Great Mountain Supreme Deity could erase concepts like [Mountain] or [Heavenly Punishment] from this world, yet you claim you can do that now?"

[Of course, had it been the former me, it would have been impossible.]

"You're saying it's possible now because you've awakened your essence?"

[Even with the power of myself having awakened the essence, it remains impossible.] With those words, I notice that the faint vapor spreading across Mount Sumeru is beginning to grow thicker and thicker.

'I see. This power is...'

A familiar Heaven and Earth spiritual energy fills Mount Sumeru.

This Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is...

The Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Head Realm.

[I, Hyeon Rang, in the name of the rightful heir of the Head Realm, declare...] The Origin Essence of life, Omniscience.

From the farthest reaches of Mount Sumeru where the Head Realm lies, an immense light of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy bursts forth and pierces down upon Hyeon Rang.

The sight looks like a pillar of light piercing through the entire expanse of Mount Sumeru.

[In the Three Heavens Great Thousand World, by the authority of the Owner of Names, I reclaim all [Names] of the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World...!] Tsuaaaaaa!

With that one declaration, the vapor erupting around Hyeon Rang grows even denser.

At the same time, I feel an illusion as if my mind has suddenly gone blank.

'■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■?'

Even as I try to think, the very concept of nouns is gone.

No, at this level, it feels as though even the concept of 'letters' themselves has been erased.

[Names] have been defining the contours of the world, and with their disappearance, all boundaries in this world have become meaningless.

That's right.

The boundary between the Inner Sea and Outer Sea of Mount Sumeru blurs, and Mount Sumeru begins to collapse.

'■■■... ■■■■■■!'

I am struck with shock as I realize what the Naming Supreme Deity is aiming for.

In a world where all outlines have vanished, he wants me to recall the figures of my comrades and connections, to remember their forms, and to yearn for their [Names].

But I do not do so.

I simply...

Quietly repentantly enlighten on my own history.

And in a single moment.

Shwikak!

I draw the Impermanence Sword and swing it.

Jjeooeok!

That is all.

At the same moment, a single strand of mist covering Mount Sumeru clears.

[... Impressive. What have you done?] Then, without a word, I raise my sword and strike down toward Mount Sumeru.

Shwukak!

[This is...] Shwukak!

Each time I strike down with my sword, Hyeon Rang's vapor peels away, and the world regains its outlines.

[What is this...? What is happening? How...!? I have taken all the connections that are the source of your strength, the names of the hearts you hold dear, and taken them into my hands to create a world of Grand Mist (鴻濛)!] Words are unnecessary.

I continue to grip my sword, refining my form as I did when I first began learning martial arts.

Shwikak, shwikak, shwikak, shwikak!

Tsuaaaa— At the same time, the mist pouring out from me begins to push back the mist that has veiled Mount Sumeru.

[This...!] Chuhwaak!

[What is this!?] I do not answer.

There is no need to answer.

What is imbued within my sword is...

The thing called failure.

Failure has no name.

Because it cannot be attached to one.

I simply pour all the failures I have experienced into this sword, and speak.

:: I... as the Immortal Beast King, issue a command to all the nameless within the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World...:: Failure has no name.

But even though it has no name, it does not mean it holds no meaning.

For the failure of the present is what becomes the stepping stone to move forward to the next.

Chwaak!

The sword wind of the Impermanence Sword sweeps across the entirety of Mount Sumeru.

A spiraling wind drives away the pale mist.

Names may have vanished across Mount Sumeru.

But that does not mean meaning has vanished with them.

Filling the Heavens Governing View!

:: Decide your own names, solely by the failures you have accumulated yourself.:: Deeeng!

The entirety of Mount Sumeru trembles.

At the same time, a brahma bell seems to ring, and as Mount Sumeru hums, the once-blurred world begins to clarify and regain its outlines.

:: If meaning does not vanish, then neither do relationships. And if relationships do not vanish... then names can still be remembered.:: My eyes meet Hyeon Rang's.

:: You will destroy Mount Sumeru? That is impossible. For I will not allow it.:: [...] He gazes at me in silence before asking a question.

[How strange. Why... why do you not kill me? If you simply surround me with the Immortal Art you just used and strike me down, you could surely kill me...]::... Isn't it obvious? Your battle is not yet over.:: Tukwaaang!

At those words, ■■■'s fist bursts forth from Hyeon Rang's abdomen.

[Hoo...]:: ■■ Hyung-nim... is not dead yet.:: Now his presence has completely vanished, and even I can barely sense him.

But still, he undeniably exists.

And Hyeon Rang, sensing something strange, turns his gaze to me.

[... You... still have not forgotten him? I erased the [Name] and thereby deleted history from within all relationships... He should have died in loneliness, forgotten by all... and yet, you still remember him?]:: Of course.:: It's true, even I still cannot recall the [name] of ■■■.

But I definitely remember.

Even if the existence has been erased, the connection he and I shared remains within me.

From the moment I shattered the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the Colorless Glass Sword with my own hands, to create the Immortal Crown...

... I have 'never' forgotten my connections.

:: You, rightful heir of the Head Realm.:: I step out from the Underworld and walk into the interior of Mount Sumeru.

Then, stepping over the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, I approach the Naming Supreme Deity who is tearing out ■■■'s arm.

[Absurd...] Kwaaaang!

The Naming Supreme Deity strikes me.

As the fist of vapor touches me, I feel the authority of my [Name] gradually flow into him.

But I do not care.

:: Son of the Origin Essence of Life, Omniscience.:: I grab the now fully transparent and almost presence-less existence of ■■ Hyung-nim, and lift him up.

[You, shall remain powerless for a moment!] Jjeooooooong!

The God of Humans strikes me.

However, I do not counterattack and focus solely on lifting ■■■ up.

Though I can't feel his presence, ■■■ soon rises.

Whisper... whisper...

Because his presence has vanished, I can barely hear the words of ■■■.

But I receive his will through Indra's Net and nod.

:: My name... Please do not worry. After all...:: I reveal my true body.

Wearing a white round collar robe, in the form of a faceless mountain spirit with a head of candle flame, I am struck by Hyeon Rang as I completely lift him up.

:: As long as there are those who remember me, I will never forget:: —And where... do such people exist? Once your name is stolen by Master, it's over...!

:: [Once], you say?:: Sabak, sabak— Beside the giant god of vapor and the mountain spirit in a white round collared robe, a giant deer appears.

It is the Gracious Soul Filling the Heavens, completed by devouring my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

Inside Gracious Soul Filling the Heavens, countless memories are overflowing.

Before, upon seeing the form of a [baby], I understood the principle of the Radiance Mantra, and realized that the essence of my regression ability is the creation of parallel dimensions.

In other words, though it may be another timeline, it [remains], rather than vanishing in vain.

Therefore...

Even if my name is taken in this timeline, Even if my relationships are stolen in this timeline, the name of [me of another timeline] still remains!

As if catching on to my words, Hyeon Rang's Sun and Moon eyes gleam.

[I see. Is that how it is? But how foolish. Have you forgotten? That due to you, the Emperors can now interfere in other timelines as well...!] Hyeon Rang strikes me again.

And with that, my name in another timeline is taken once more.

However, I remain composed.

:: Excellent. Then... you just need to repeat that two thousand more times.:: [...] I have reached the ultimate of Martial Arts, attained the realm of the Immortal Beast King, and risen to the pinnacle of Heaven-Earth Great Net Immortal.

Moreover, even the [Wheel] now nearly obeys my will.

It is no longer a situation where I am unacknowledged as before.

'I can feel it. The Wheel...'

That noble Wheel now judges me as having 'nearly reached the standard' and properly lends me its power.

As a result, I am no longer at a level where I could be killed by a few punches from the Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang.

No, I don't even feel a sense of danger, let alone death.

:: If you want to threaten me...:: Kwaang!

Hyeon Rang's fist collides with my forehead.

:: At least bring someone like the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...!:: Kwaaaaaang!

Then, with my headbutt, Glass True Fire explodes Hyeon Rang's hand and flings it away.

[In the name of the Owner of Names, I command...] Woo-wooong!

My [Name] reacts.

[You shall not dare oppose me. You shall step aside for a moment and simply watch as Oh Hyun-seok dies before me!] Jjeooeok!

At the same time, my entire body stiffens.

It is the same phenomenon as when I first received Hyeon Rang's fist.

But it doesn't matter.

Wuduk, wudududuk—:: You're not Hyeon Mu, nor Heavenly Punishment, nor Great Mountain... Showing this much of an opening to someone like you is nothing at all.:: It is certainly a powerful binding technique.

Even I have no confidence in breaking out of it within one second.

Had it been Hyeon Mu, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, or the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, they would have seized this opportunity to tear me into a thousand, ten thousand pieces—but against Hyeon Rang, a second is nothing.

Wiiiiiing!

The [Wheel] begins to turn, breaking the binding.

Immediately after, at the center of the Wheel, a white Three Great Ultimates appears and begins to spin.

The Wheel shines with starlight, releasing limitless and inexhaustible power, and Mount Sumeru begins to shake.

[What is this...?] Witnessing this outrageous power, Hyeon Rang trails off in disbelief.

:: If you had wanted to progress my fate or whatever... you should have at least done it before I became the Immortal Beast King.:: I look at Hyeon Rang and inject power into ■■■.

:: I will not face you.:: Power nearing infinity pours into ■■■, and the one whose existence had nearly vanished begins to revive.

:: Because this is between you and ■■ Hyung-nim, a matter of master and disciple.:: The Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang.

He is not as troublesome an opponent as the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, Nor as sharp an enemy as the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Nor as threatening as the True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu.

He doesn't even reach the level of annoyance of the Radiance Eight Immortals.

He is, quite literally, just an average-level Supreme Deity.

Since he wields the authority of names, getting properly hit by that power can be dangerous, but it's only just that much.

He cannot defeat me in a single blow, nor render me powerless.

:: If ■■ Hyung-nim defeats you... we'll simply take your head. No matter what you want from me... no matter what pain you intend to inflict... it won't go as you wish. Because... my friends, including ■■ Hyung-nim, are far stronger than you what you imagine.:: Kwaaaaang!

Hyeon Rang throws everything he has to push me away from ■■■, whom I'm restoring.

Then, the recovered ■■■ approaches Hyeon Rang.

His presence still remains faint, but it doesn't matter.

His power has already fully returned to its former state.

—Thank you, Seo Eun-hyun.

■■■ calls my name and walks toward Hyeon Rang.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

■■■'s fist strikes Hyeon Rang's face.

[... I see. To defeat you, I must target your connections and your world... but to target those, I must first defeat you, is it. A contradiction, indeed...] Hyeon Rang gathers vapor and places both me and ■■■ in range before extending his fist.

[In that case... I will first make you powerless, and then destroy what you hold dear...] Kugwagwang!

■■■ and I are struck by his fist.

■■■ is sent flying, but each time that happens, I fill him with strength again.

Seeing this, Hyeon Rang's eyes flare as he mutters: [It will not end like this. I have no choice but to go a bit extreme...] He glances toward the lower part of Mount Sumeru and reaches out his hand.

[I, as the rightful heir of the Head Realm, beseech thee. O Heavenly Void Furnace pierced into the Head Realm, release the Eight Immortals and descend into my hands!] Kugugugugu!

At the same time, a chilling presence begins to be felt from far away, and something flies into Hyeon Rang's grasp.

Compared to the size of our revealed true bodies, it is extremely small, but the moment I see it, I can't help but be shocked.

'Ascension Path!?'

Yes.

It is definitely the Ascension Path that was in the Head Realm!

And while I am still flustered, the Ascension Path in Hyeon Rang's hand begins to break apart, its earth and stones falling away.

What is soon revealed is a small brazier with three legs.

Woo-wooong— The moment I see that brazier, a headache strikes me, and a certain memory from the 16th cycle flickers in my mind.

And immediately after, As Hyeon Rang breathes power into the brazier, its size begins to expand endlessly until it becomes as massive as our true bodies.

Kuuuuung!

Soon, Hyeon Rang lifts the brazier.

Kugugugu!

Grasping the massive brazier, Hyeon Rang swings it toward us.

Kwaaaaang!

::...!:: The moment I'm struck by the brazier, I feel a different kind of pain than before.

:: This actually hurts.:: It's not something like a mere Immortal Treasure.

What I feel from it is, quite literally, the power of the absolute!

'A brazier imbued with a portion of the Absolute of Life...!'

Kwaaaaang!

But there's no time to even think. Hyeon Rang swings the brazier again, striking the two of us once more.

The sound echoes across the entirety of Mount Sumeru, and I can't hold back as I cough up a mouthful of Immortal Beast True Blood.

[How is it? Can you still afford to act so relaxed? Face me. If not, you shall be beaten to death by the Heavenly Void Furnace.]:: Indeed, this is a bit dangerous. It's comparable to Hyeon Mu's single strike.:: [Then...]:: And when I fought Hyeon Mu, I took thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of millions of her strikes. Even when my realm was lower than it is now.:: Of course, that was partly because Kim Young-hoon was keeping Hyeon Mu in check so she couldn't fully focus on me...

Still, the fact remains that I endured countless strikes from a Heavenly Venerable back during the Hyeon Mu Battle.

Smirking, I look up at Hyeon Rang.

:: Go ahead and do more. The one fighting you is ■■ Hyung-nim, and the one who will defeat you is also ■■ Hyung-nim... Even without a name, as long as I remember him, he will never lose to you!:: [... In that case, I will make you change your mind.] Kurururung!

Listening to my words, Hyeon Rang is struck once more by ■■■'s fist as he raises the Heavenly Void Furnace.

[In the name of a Supreme Deity, I declare. Let the ownerless Heavenly Domain become charcoal and fuel the furnace.] Kurururung!

The Twin Holding Heavenly Domain beneath our feet seems to ripple, in an instant, it begins to get sucked directly into the Heavenly Void Furnace.

'...!'

This is a bit dangerous.

Hwarurururuk!

In the blink of an eye, the Heavenly Void Furnace devours an entire Heavenly Domain and begins to burn, using it as fuel.

Kwarururur!

The Heavenly Void Furnace, having incinerated an entire Heavenly Domain, begins to burn with black flames.

Kwaaaaang!

Hyeon Rang swings the Heavenly Void Furnace, now spewing black fire, at us.

The massive brazier strikes both me and ■■■.

:: Keheok...!:: Indeed, this strike is enough to put my mind in a daze the moment it hits me.

If I hadn't defended ■■■, he would have likely died in a single blow.

But I grin.

:: That so-called Heavenly Void Furnace... it doesn't seem like you can use it for long.:: [You seem to be misunderstanding. Apologies, but... I can swing it two thousand more times.]:: Before you can swing it two thousand times... I think those enraged enough to kill you will appear...:: At those words, Hyeon Rang looks down toward the lower parts of Mount Sumeru.

[...] From that direction, eight beams of light burst forth, exuding a terrifying killing intent toward us.

'I did wonder why the Radiance Eight Immortals were staying silent while Hyeon Rang committed this madness.'

Judging by what he said while summoning the Heavenly Void Furnace, it seems he had temporarily suppressed the Radiance Eight Immortals using the furnace.

But now that he has brought out the Heavenly Void Furnace, the Radiance Eight Immortals are reappearing.

:: Hyeon Rang!!!:: From the distant Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the emblem of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] is being summoned.

And something about this emblem is different from all the ones before.

Shiver!

'That output... I see. They may be a fake Supreme Deity, but a Supreme Deity is still a Supreme Deity...'

Gradually, the Origin Essence of Light is also becoming capable of drawing power from other timelines, just like the other Supreme Deities.

'It's possible that the other Radiance Immortals, other than Sword Spear, will begin retrieving memories from other timelines as well.'

And unlike the other Supreme Deities, whose borrowed power from other timelines only amplifies strength by tenfold at best, the Radiance Supreme Deity is different.

'Just the sheer magnitude of power they are drawing from other timelines is different... This is becoming a real nuisance.'

In a way, the Radiance Mantra seems to be the most optimal mantra for enhancing the Radiance Supreme Deity's strength.

Kugugugugu!

I smile as I watch the emblem of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] being summoned.

Whether it's fortunate or not, the overwhelming increase in the borrowed power appears to have made it impossible to summon the symbol as quickly as before.

However...

No matter how slow it may be, it won't give Hyeon Rang the time needed to strip away all of my name.

:: Now then, go wild all you want. The time limit is... until the wrath-filled power of the Radiance Eight Immortals comes flying in.:: [How confident you are... Do you truly believe you can endure until then without retaliating at all, just taking hit after hit?]:: It's a bit difficult right now.:: But that doesn't matter.

:: Yeong Seung!!!:: Paaatt!

Yeong Seung appears at my side, looking at me with eyes filled with anticipation.

I hand him the coordinates of the Outer Sea where I encountered the Heavenly Venerable of Time.

Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags.

The release condition for one of the three remaining flags.

'Obtain a clue regarding the coordinates of the Outer Sea where the Heavenly Venerable of Time resides... and deliver them to the subordinates of the Heavenly Venerable of Time.'

In other words, if I just deliver these coordinates to the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords and Yeong Seung...

Cheolkang!

This seal will be released!

Among the seven Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags, only the ones with the conditions 'defeat three Supreme Deities in battle' and 'take the single strike of all the Radiance Eight Immortals in order' now remain.

'As for being struck by the Radiance Eight Immortals... it's not going too well, probably because it's hard to maintain the 'order'."'

The moment five of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags are released— Kurururung!

The power surging within my body expels all the fatal injuries I've just sustained, granting me the strength to endure against Hyeon Rang for even longer.

:: Hit me all you want.:: I look at Hyeon Rang and continue.

:: I will not fight you.:: The moment I act will only be after ■■■ defeats the Naming Supreme Deity, only when the Naming Supreme Deity takes his final breath.

This is between ■■■ and the Naming Supreme Deity—a matter between master and disciple.

[By doing this... do you think you will be able to save Oh Hyun-seok...? His name has already been stolen by my hand. Even if I die, he will also die...! You will never be able to save him in this timeline...]:: That is exactly why I will not fight you.:: [What...?]:: Our lives may continue... but Hyung-nim's life... this is the last of it.:: Of course, if he awakens as a Heavenly King, this life may continue...

But that remains only in the realm of possibility.

It is not a reality of this moment.

Kwaaaaaang!

■■■'s fist strikes Hyeon Rang in the stomach.

Hyeon Rang looks down at him with eyes that suggest he feels no significant impact.

Right now, the gap between ■■■ and Hyeon Rang is as wide as the gap between Hyeon Rang and me.

There's no way he can land a fatal blow.

:: And because this is the end... I will respect Hyung-nim's end.:: [...] At those words, Hyeon Rang silently swings the Heavenly Void Furnace and strikes both me and ■■■ away.

Kwaaaaaang!

Now, no more words are exchanged.

Hyeon Rang swings the Heavenly Void Furnace at me and ■■■, and I block it.

And ■■■, taking advantage of the opportunity, uses the power he received from me and drives his fist into Hyeon Rang's chest.

:: Heavenly Shatter!:: With ■■■'s cry, a fist of light burrows into Hyeon Rang's chest.

Hyeon Rang shows no response.

:: Heavenly Shatter!:::: Heavenly Shatter!:::: Heavenly! Shatter!:: No matter how many times the strike lands, again and again...

Hyeon Rang does not respond.

Though I continue supplying him with power, perhaps the strain of forcing it out is putting a mental strain as Hyung-nim's voice grows quieter and his strength begins to fade.

:: Heavenly Shatter!:: [Heavenly Shatter!] [Heavenly Shatter!]

"Heavenly... Shatter..."

From the will of a True Immortal, to mental speech.

From mental speech, to spoken voice.

Before long, Hyung-nim's mind has weakened to the point he can barely muster the strength of a mortal being.

[... Is this the power of the one you believe in?] Hyeon Rang looks at him with pity.

[How pathetic. He cannot even scratch me. Even if the stolen name does not lead to death... it is clear he will die simply from exhausting all his Qi...]::...:: [So the connection you believe in... only amounts to this level of strength. Even if Enders are said to bring about miracles... if the difference in rank is too big, nothing can occur...] Puk!

"Heavenly... Shatter..."

At last, ■■■'s punch—now reduced to the level of a mere mortal—launches forward.

Kwaaaaang!

Hyeon Rang swings the Heavenly Void Furnace once more, striking me who protects him.

[This is actually better for me. You, fight me to protect your weakened friend. He is now already no different from dead...] Tok— [...? Ah, oh dear...] Soon, Hyeon Rang taps his massive body and clicks his tongue as he sees ■■■ stop moving entirely.

From the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the snake is nearly complete, and the fire blazing from Hyeon Rang's Heavenly Void Furnace reaches its peak...

And ■■■... finally closes his eyes.

[Without being able to accomplish anything... he died.]::...:: [This... is the connection you cherished so dearly...] And then, I thrust my fist lightly into the chest of the [Western Zero King], in the exact same posture ■■■ had used.

[What are you—] Immediately after, the [Western Zero King], Hyeon Rang, staggers in place, unable to hold himself up.

[...!?]:: You said miracles do not occur... You are wrong.:: Woo-wooooong!

I retract my energy and Transform my main body, returning to my human form.

"It has already happened."

It was not just a simple punch.

It was a signal a disciple used to call upon his master.

The [Western Zero King] Hyeon Rang clashes with the personality of the body's original owner, the [Human Hyeon Rang], momentarily causing him to lose control of his body.

As I witness this...

I collect the remains of ■■■, whose name I cannot recall.

■■■'s face is unrecognizable due to his name being stolen...

But truly, truly, he looks at peace.

"I may not know much about the power of my own connection... but the power of 'your' connection... seems to be just that much."

Inside the Hyeon Rang who awakened to the will of the Future King, the personality of the [Human Hyeon Rang]—who accepted ■■■ as a disciple, taught him, interacted with him, and gave him his affection— Awakened at last in the face of ■■■'s relentless call.

"Do you understand? The connections between people... especially the connection between a master and disciple... are not something you can take lightly."

From the moment ■■■ resolved himself, victory was already decided.

Kugugugugu!

A massive pillar of light targets us, and for the first time, Hyeon Rang panics and cries out.

[If, if I move to the next timeline...] I lay down Hyung-nim's body and smile within the pillar of light fired by the Radiance Supreme Deity.

"Are you saying you intend to flee? From the connection of master and disciple? It's useless. Whether it's the next timeline or the next place... no matter where you try to run, you cannot escape. ■■■'s heart has already reached you once."

Hyeon Rang has the ability to steal the opponent's name and make them gradually vanish as if poisoned.

And...

■■■, by conveying meaning into Hyeon Rang's chest, injected into him a poison even more powerful than what Hyeon Rang has spread.

That poison's name is— Not Established By Words Or Speech (不立文字).

As I vanish with ■■■ within the Radiance Supreme Deity's strike, crossing into the next timeline, I steel my resolve.

Life must never be abandoned carelessly...

But now, having inherited the resolve of ■■■— Just this once!

Even if I must die a hundred times over, I will reconnect the connection between master and disciple!