The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Agony clung to Seol and looked around.

It was because there were figures around it who hadn't been there when it had lost consciousness.

"It can talk! It can really talk!"

The White Whale looked at Agony with an astonished expression, her mouth agape.

"Ah, but that demonic spirit swallowed the Tohyang!"

Only then did Seol check his surroundings.

'The Tohyang disappeared…'

The Tohyang was a precious item in itself. There was a reason a Phantom Beast like the White Whale held it dear.

Such a treasure had been absorbed into Agony's body.

Seol quickly checked Agony's status.

[[Holy+Abomination: Agony]

Quality: Holy+Abomination

Recommended Level: 40-50

Damage: 150-150

Durability: 300/300

Weight: 1.0kg

A miraculous item born from a pearl, an ancient holy relic, has transformed itself to the will of its successor. During the succession process, this peculiar weapon was supported by magic to allow a demonic spirit, a mass of demonic energy, to be implanted, enabling its powers to be effectively utilized without drawbacks.

After growing quite a bit, it had devoured the souls of Phantom and Shade, evil spirits.

Basic Effect: All Stats +40(+8)

Bonus Effect: Tuner (Exceptionality), Diverse (Unique), Blood Connection (Unique). This item is regarded as both an Abomination and a Holy Relic. You may only equip one Holy+Abomination quality item at a time. Durability gradually recovers as long as the demonic spirit remains alive. Haunted - Phantom’s Blades (Unique), Haunted - Shade's Iron Wall (Unique), Tohyang (Unique).]

[[Tohyang (Unique)]

- Significantly mitigates the effects of Demonic Weapons. Basic Effect is increased by 20% of its original value. ]

'So it completely devoured the Tohyang.'

Although the lack of a significant increase in stats was disappointing, he knew how absurd it was to absorb the effects, so he was satisfied overall.

'Well, Agony was also a Demonic Weapon, after all.'

In that sense, it might be similar to Yaksha.

"Since it became like this, cling to me too!"

【Agony doesn't know you! Go away!】

"G… Good spirit…"

【Agony is bad!】

"…"

Saddened by not getting Agony's affection, the White Whale dropped her shoulders.

Spectre smiled and asked Agony, "Hey. demonic spirit, you've come into contact with Yaksha, haven't you?"

【Yaksha? That was Yaksha?】

"Yes. That ghost wearing that mask."

【That's right! I saw it!】

"Recall the moment you clashed with it."

Agony brought its hand close to its mouth, thinking for a moment.

【BOOM!】

"And?"

【Silence…】

"What else…?"

【Agony has just woken up. I don't know the details.】

"But still, explain as much as you can."

【Agony was born on the battlefield. When I opened my eyes, I was back there again.】

Spectre and the slumped White Whale listened carefully to the story. The birth of a demonic spirit was always an intriguing topic.

"How did it feel being there?"

【Ah… I didn't like it! It stank, and it was terrifying.】

"Hahaha… To think a demonic spirit would say that. You're an amusing one, just like your Master, aren't you?"

【It was there.】

"Yaksha…?"

【Yes, Yaksha.】

Spectre's eyes changed.

"That might be Yaksha's essence. Did it take off the mask?"

【No, it didn't.】

Oof…

Smacking her lips in disappointment, Spectre asked again.

"What did you feel from it?"

【Pain!】

"Pain?"

【Yes! Something kept coming out, begging for help.】

Spectre explained to those around her.

"Yaksha is a very old object. It has survived by constantly changing Masters. Could it be that it never truly released the souls of those who once possessed it…?

【And Yaksha too.】

"Huh?"

【Yaksha also asked for help.】

"…"

Seol's expression stiffened as if shocked by those words.

* * *

Paf!

"Haab!"

"Ugh…"

After Agony woke up, everyone began their preparations. The White Whale taught Jamad how to hold on to the barrier, while Chi Woo and Seol Hong had to prove their skills to Spectre.

Jin Ryeo was excluded from the fight with Yaksha. Although her unpredictability was useful, it was decided that she shouldn't be involved in a fight against a Great Ghost.

It had been a few days since they arrived at the Dragon's residence, and their preparations were nearly complete.

Although the Dragon seemed pleased with how noisy his residence had become, he never gave any orders nor offered any assistance.

He acted as if he were watching a fire from across the river, behaving as if it were someone else's problem.

Thanks to this, Seol had some free time.

Since Seol had time, his summon, Karen, naturally had some time too.

Seol had been apart from her for quite a while. His memories of the last time he had seen her were faint.

In fact, she said she finished preparing a long ago.

Even when they traveled back to the past, it wouldn't have been strange if she came out instead of Jamad.

There had been plenty of other opportunities, yet she chose to remain in the Void.

Why was that?

"I'm not sure…"

"What?"

Karen was the first to speak.

"I thought I would figure it out. I thought things would be different when we met again. Hmm…"

"What do you mean?"

"Hmm…"

Karen sat down like an old soldier and said.

"It seems like I've hit a wall."

Karen was talking while imitating the gestures of a middle-aged person. The only impressive middle-aged person Karen knew was Lain, so she was probably mimicking him.

"A wall? Are you perhaps talking about the Wall of Threshold?"

The reason Seol was surprised by Karen's words was that if what she was saying was true, it meant she had already reached the boundary of Immortal-rank. It meant she had become a lot stronger than before.

She was now looking for the stairs to go further beyond.

"Yes. I was stuck in the Void for a while. Although I was growing explosively, at some point, I felt like I was moving sideways, not forward. It seems similar to the wall Lain mentioned…"

"What did Ur say about your current state?"

"He said I'll achieve it if I endure… But I think differently. I feel like I could reach the next stage a bit faster… That's why I came out."

Karen smiled and looked at Seol.

"To meet you."

She thought that merging with Seol might give her a clue about advancing to the next stage.

"So it wasn't."

"Yes, it wasn't. Although my strength increased, it wasn't my power. Once again, I moved sideways. Ah, how troubling~ I don't know…"

Usually, when one encounters a wall, they seek a way to climb up to the next level.

Seol considered a few possibilities before voicing what he thought was the fastest way to reach that stage.

As expected, that was the only way.

"The only choice is to fight a formidable opponent."

"As expected, we think the same. I was waiting for you to say that."

"There's nothing like that in the Void?"

"No. That being called Azran or something caused havoc. Ur seems to be stuck dealing with that. There might be a worthy opponent once things are settled. But… there's none for now."

"Hmm…"

"By the way, Karuna is in a similar situation."

"Karuna is?"

"Yes! Fast, right?"

Perhaps it was a synergistic effect that resulted from bringing the experience gained outside back into the Void.

Upon hearing that Karuna had also stepped into Immortal-rank, a certain thought crossed his mind.

"It would be great if everyone could gather like before."

"It will happen."

"Hmm… That day will soon come, right?"

"Yes, there isn't much left."

"Kyaha! But still, the air outside is nice. It feels good…"

Karen stretched.

Seol looked at Karen.

A Knight at the top of the Immortal rank—Karen.

Besides monster-like beings, it would be difficult to find an opponent that could match her.

"Are you anxious?" Karen asked.

"Anxious?"

"Yes. Anxious that you might lose to Yaksha or however it's called."

"I'm anxious for a slightly more complicated reason."

He was anxious. The opponents Seol needed to face to move forward were all monstrous beings.

'Probably…'

Yaksha was stronger than Karen.

That might be the cause of his anxiety.

"Do you think I'm going to lose?"

"No, that's not it."

Seol nodded.

"We're going to win. Like we always do."

"Kyaha! Yes, we will."

While Seol and Karen were talking, Seol Hong approached them. Seol stood up to greet her.

Swoosh…

"Have you finished training?"

"Yes. It seems that the Shamanic Spell transmission has ended as well."

"Then, it's time to leave…"

They finished everything they had to do in the Celestial World.

Now, it was time to chase Yaksha.

Having fallen behind, the pursuit was probably going to be even fiercer.

* * *

There was a commotion at the Dragon's residence the day they decided to leave.

"Ouch, ouch… Don't pull me like that."

"Spectre! What are you doing to the old one?!"

"Now that I think about it, the old man hasn't done anything!"

The others didn't stop her.

- For real, hahaha.

- Hahaha! Although I was laughing, I didn't want to do anything for you!

- The White Whale did the heavy lifting…

"Hahaha… Don't bully the old man."

"At least give us something!"

"I was planning to do that anyway."

"Huh…?"

The White Whale was startled by the Dragon's words.

"Old one! You shouldn't recklessly interfere with the Human Realm's…"

"It's okay. After all, what I'm going to give isn't anything material."

It was a strange statement. What would he be giving then?

The Dragon eerily opened one eye. "You possess an item stolen from the past."

An item stolen from the past…

'The Luminous Bell!'

The events that involved Hye Myeong and Mi Ah were something no one besides Seol's group knew about. Yet, the Dragon seemed to be aware of them.

The group exchanged glances.

They especially looked at Seol.

After all, the Luminous Bell was in Seol's possession.

Seol took out the Luminous Bell.

He opened his palm where the Luminous Bell rested quietly on top of it.

"I won't hide it."

"Haha… Then, this bell…"

Jingle…

The Luminous Bell moved from Seol's hand to somewhere else.

"This way."

The Luminous Bell moved to Seol Hong's hand.

"Time it well. When the time it's needed comes, it should be in your hand."

"O-old one!"

Rustle…

The group was astonished.

The Dragon's beard and hair suddenly grew. It had grown so much that it looked as if the Dragon had been buried in his own hair.

Now resembling a hairy monster, the Dragon sliced off the messy hair with a swift hand movement.

Though he now looked tidier than before, the Dragon still appeared to have much more hair.

Seol Hong asked the Dragon, "What did you just give him?"

"Haha… The time for a salmon to swim upstream will come."

He answered with a riddle. The Dragon was speaking in cryptic terms.

The Dragon then looked at Jin Ryeo.

"You've been sleeping all day."

"Ah… How did you know?"

- Jin Ryeo, the shameless one!

- At this point, just leave!

"Though you appear to be indifferent, I know you are a courageous one."

"Huh…?"

"There will be a time when you must do something only you can do."

"…"

"Go forth."

The Dragon advised Jin Ryeo as well.

And it was as a riddle again, of course.

A riddle only those who knew the future could solve.

Now, the only thing left was to leave the Celestial World. However, unlike when they arrived, they were now fewer in number.

Seol looked at Hamun, standing beside the White Whale.

Grin…

Hamun smiled.

"We're probably going to see each other again."

"I hope so."

That was the last exchange.

Flutter…

Crack…

As the Dragon waved his hand, Seol's group vanished from the Celestial World.

The White Whale clapped her hands and hoisted Hamun onto her back.

"Well, then, old one… We'll be off as well."

"Go ahead…"

"Stay healthy."

BZZT—!

The White Whale transformed into a massive whale and soared into the sky.

Even they were now gone.

Step…

Step…

As the Dragon was left alone, he heard someone's steps.

"Oof… Oof…"

Someone had reached the summit while breathing heavily.

"So you've come…"

"Yes. Even though I come here often, reaching the summit always leaves me out of breath. And I thought my stamina had improved."

"Haha…"

"But Master… your hair…"

The one who had come to see the Dragon was Shin Yo.

She had narrowly missed crossing paths with Seol and Seol Hong.

"A lot of things happened."

"Master, someone was here, right?"

"Didn't you see Little Kyung?"

"No. This isn't her scent."

"Scent…?"

Shin Yo tilted her head and said.

"There's a scent here."

"What kind of scent…?"

Shin Yo's face softened.

Although she wasn't the type who showed emotions, she had a faint smile on her face.

"A nostalgic scent."

"Haha… Yo-ah…"

"Yes, Master."

"Go back."

"Yes…?"

"I know why you came."

"Master, then why…"

The Dragon said while smiling.

"Yo-ah, you will meet the one you long for again."

Not understanding the Dragon’s words, Shin Yo furrowed her brow when her expression suddenly stiffened.

"Oh my God…"

Shin Yo said in disbelief while staggering.

"They are alive…?"