Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The battle with Barigos took more than half a year.

***

At first, Choi Yeonseung couldn’t use it often due to its extreme internal energy consumption. He moved around to regain his internal energy most of the time, only ever using concentrated fist energy at the right moments. Nevertheless, it was intimidating enough.

“Human! What is that light?”

Until now, Choi Yeonseung hadn’t been able to break through Barigos’ defense magic. However, this new light ripped his defenses apart like it was a piece of paper.

[The ‘Blood Shield’ magic has been destroyed!]

[The ‘Master’s Protection’ magic has been destroyed!]

[The ‘Advanced Magic Shield’ magic has been...]

[......]

Once used, it broke through the magic layers around Barigos. He couldn’t help but be nervous.

‘Here he comes!’

Barigos raised his axe and accurately aimed at Choi Yeonseung’s trajectory. He didn’t know when to dodge it, but he could hit it when it was close to him.

-Master of Blood! The strength of your power!

Barigos shouted, and the power bestowed upon him by his master, the constellation, dwelled in the axe. In response, Choi Yeonseung imbued his hands with concentrated fist energy.

Burning white concentrated energy!

The air began to rumble as the two huge forces caused their surroundings to vibrate. Soon, a roar broke out.

Choi Yeonseung’s concentrated fist energy struck the blade of Barigos’ axe. The impact nearly caused the axe to pop out, much to Barigos’ surprise. In an instant, Choi Yeonseung dealt a series of hits. He raised his fists, which were filled with concentrated fist energy, and unleashed a barrage of Origin of the Celestial Fist. He lost track of how many times he attacked, but Barigos’ axe blade soon bounced away, creating a gap in Barigos’ defenses.

Choi Yeonseung was supposed to rush in with Origin of the Celestial Step and deliver a critical hit but couldn’t.

‘I’ve consumed too much internal energy!’

[The concentrated fist energy is consuming your internal energy rapidly.]

[Three Flowers Gathering restores your internal energy!]

[Heavenly Martial Physique's internal energy consumption has been reduced.]

Choi Yeonseung used the Origin of the Celestial Step to move backward. As expected, Barigos quickly went on the defensive, creating a magic circle around him to block intruders. Choi Yeonseung would’ve died if he hastily rushed in.

“Human! Try and stop this!”

Barigos charged in with all his might. Choi Yeonseung’s concentrated fist energy seemed to have awakened Barigos’ competitive spirit. The axe burning with magic power hit the ground and unleashed waves of red magic power toward Choi Yeonseung.

Getting hit by that would be fatal for Choi Yeonseung, who had already used up over two-thirds of his internal energy. He could dodge it using Origin of the Celestial Step, which didn’t consume internal energy, but...

Choi Yeonseung chose to use Origin of the Celestial Finger instead, unleashing powerful energy through his fingers. Each internal energy bullet slowed down the waves of magic power for a moment.

-Master of Blood!

Barigos used the power of the constellation again. He didn’t know what Choi Yeonseung was doing, but Barigos could tell that his opponent had overused his strength and was weakening. Choi Yeonseung’s inability to break through Barigos’ defense was painful for him, but it was equally frustrating for Barigos, who still hadn’t won despite already having turned the entire area upside down.

Constellations could watch their household members’ every move. In other words, his master, the ‘Ruler of Blood and Brawls,’ was also watching this boring fight! This situation was bound to cause irritation.

Hence, Barigos seized this opportunity. He started to push with all his might. Barigos’ entire body started to burn. Red magic power burned every time he breathed and exploded every time he took a step. Moreover, he appeared to shrink in size.

Choi Yeonseung was shocked. It wasn’t an illusion. Barigos was actually shrinking.

[The ‘Ruler of Blood and Brawls’ has given you the power to win!]

-Thank you, Master!

Barigos thanked the constellation.

‘Damn!’

Origin of the Celestial Divine Arts meant the universe. It was just a simple name, but Choi Yeonseung now felt destined for it. Internal energy filled his empty dantian like a rising tide. No, this no longer had value. After all, Choi Yeonseung had realized how to expand himself and swallow the world, allowing him to use martial arts even without internal energy.

[You have reached the transcendent-class stage.]

[You have acquired perfect enlightenment on the S-rank skill ‘Concentrated Energy Arts.’]

[You can now freely handle concentrated energy!]

[The S-rank skill ‘Suppress the Strong and Support the Weak’ has been acquired.]

[The S-rank skill ‘Overcome Oneself to Become Strong’ has been acquired.]

[’Resonance From the World’ is becoming stronger and stronger. The world is waiting for your call.]

[The constellations of the Abyss who are watching your battle shows interest in you!]

[The ’Cat of Lava and Magma’ is shaking its paws!]

[The ’Horseman of Plague and Darkness’ promises you a scythe.]

[The ’Red Bull That Tramples on the World’ is exhaling rapidly from its nose.]

[The ’Ruler of Blood and Brawls’ is furious!]

‘They were watching our fight?’

He didn’t expect constellations to be watching their battle. Choi Yeonseung extended his hand forward. The Origin of the Celestial Concentrated Whip tore through the space and pierced Barigos’ shoulder.

“Kuooch... Not yet... Not yet...!”

The Origin of the Celestial Concentrated Whip was similar to a whip, but its destructive power was incomparable to any magic. He sliced down from Barigos’ shoulder joint to his side, causing blood to splatter.

Barigos let out a mournful scream.

Choi Yeonseung didn’t stop. Beasts tended to become more dangerous when wounded. He had to end it here.

Origin of the Celestial Finger! The moment he reached the transcendent-class stage, the Origin of the Celestial Finger’s power was beyond imagination. Every time he flicked his finger, bead-like internal energy flew out. The concentrated energy bullets, or concentrated spheres, pierced through Barigos relentlessly, shattering all of his remaining magic.

Barigos knelt down. “I... accept my defeat, human.”

[You have won the battle against the glorious Barigos, the first household member of the Ruler of Blood and Brawls who has received the Axe of Blood!]

[You have gained strength from the world through ‘Overcome Oneself to Become Strong.’]

Barigos admitted defeat.

“Human, you are worthy of refusing my master’s offer.”

“Thank you, Barigos. Sincerely,” Choi Yeonseung spoke with sincerity. After all, he wouldn’t have reached a new stage if it wasn’t for Barigos.

“Human. I don’t know the identity of the constellation that made a proposal with you, but... there is no need to accept such a proposal.”

“?”

“Become stronger! Enough so that no constellation can look down on you. Carve your name into the Abyss!”

“......”

“Become a constellation, human!”

Barigos’ words made Choi Yeonseung’s heart skip a beat.

Become a constellation? He had never thought about such a concept.

Earth’s hunters dreamed about becoming household members of a constellation, not becoming a constellation themselves. A caterpillar crawling on the ground could think of becoming a butterfly, but it could never dream of becoming an eagle. Nevertheless...

Choi Yeonseung could feel it now. The idea of him becoming a constellation wasn’t necessarily groundless.

‘Me becoming a constellation?’

Just as he did when the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead made a proposal with him a few thousand years ago, Choi Yeonseung answered immediately.

“...Yes. Those words... I’ll accept them.”