[Opening the power of the Serpent Lord]
[Warning. It clashes with a power opposite to the Holy God's power]
[Warning. The Holy God's power may be stolen]
Igeon's eyes flashed.
At last, a green light and a black light erupted skyward, enveloping Igeon.
Space-time began to change, but that could be handled by eliminating the enemy before it fully transformed. Thanks to the accumulated throne energy, he could use it one or two more times, so it was no problem.
Thus, he reached out his hand.
"Heaven's Punishment, come."
At that, the Heaven's Punishment which had been standing on the first floor flew over as if it had finally been called.
Boom!
Gripped by its master's hand, the Heaven's Punishment howled fiercely.
The Punishment imbued with the Serpent Lord's power exuded a more ferocious magical aura than ever before.
And as if responding to its master's hatred for the monsters, the Punishment madly craved the monsters' blood.
[Heaven's Punishment says it will do anything for its master]
[Heaven's Punishment says it will annihilate every last one of the ones who made its master bleed tears of blood]
[It says it can offer its whole body for its master]
Likely instinctively realizing the opponent before it was not to be taken lightly, Heaven's Punishment immediately transformed its shape to match the opponent's might.
[Stage 3]
Heaven's Punishment, which could transform through a total of three stages, changed appearance little by little with each stage.
At Stage 1, it was forearm-length, a size that Igeon could carry at his waist. Its shape was cute, similar to a wood-cutting axe. In fact, it was often used in daily life, for cutting trees or slicing monster carcasses.
Then Stage 2 was the evolved form when earnestly hunting monsters. The handle lengthened so that its overall size matched Igeon's height, and the blade, although single-edged, became as ferocious as the sharply curved fang of a predator. Thus, when wielding it in battle, Igeon looked like a grim reaper swinging a scythe.
And usually, it ended at Stage 2. The form of Heaven's Punishment well-known to people worldwide was also usually Stage 2.
But Stage 3. At the ultimate evolved Stage 3, the shape of the blade completely changed. It was a form Igeon used only against Red Zone-class and above. The single-edged axe blade turned into a double-edged blade. Moreover, the size of that axe blade grew much larger than a human torso. On top of that, the blade was edged in all directions, making it akin to a bludgeon with a circular blade shape. It was a form closer to crushing by force rather than slicing. A size that made one wonder how Igeon, without a burly physique, could swing it lightly with one hand.
And after a long while, Heaven's Punishment transformed to Stage 3 emitted a gruesome magical power.
Rumble!
However, the Monarch seemed disgusted by that hostility.
[There is no way to survive here except by becoming the Monarch.]
No sooner had the words ended than monsters burst out from the black fog.
But Igeon swung Heaven's Punishment as if it were nothing.
Squelch!
After dispatching the monsters, Igeon vanished in an instant.
Then Igeon dashed to the center of the room where the Monarch was writhing.
In the center of the room where light was bursting forth, there was no floor. Instead of a floor, a space like an unfathomably deep pit had appeared. Its depth could not be fathomed. But the creature, its black body writhing, was exuding a malevolent aura.
And when Igeon disappeared, the skull was startled out of its wits.
[Old Monarch of Time and Space!]
The Monarch laughed as it looked at Igeon who had appeared above its head.
[The Holy God is an existence that can only be weak against the Monarch. Moreover, do you think a still immature Holy God can survive against the Monarch?]
But Igeon let out a hollow laugh.
"For a corpse, you sure talk trash. Did you enjoy being split by my bombs that much?"
[You bastard!]
No sooner had the words ended than Heaven's Punishment cleaved the Monarch's body.
Perhaps thanks to the bombing with the bomb sent to Yangwei, its movements were sluggish.
And at that moment!
Flash!
A tremendous flash shot up. The light imbued with the Serpent Lord's magical power mercilessly tore the Monarch's body apart.
[Old Monarch of Time and Space!]
The skull screamed, but Igeon, who had jumped into the air, furrowed his brow. It was because of the chunks of flesh scattering beneath his feet.
'So it was a living corpse after all.'
Indeed, the Monarch before his eyes was a carcass close to a corpse.
'No wonder I kept smelling a corpse odor earlier.'
Its size, its power's might. It probably couldn't even exert half of half its normal state. In reality, it was slightly weaker compared to the Monarch's power he felt during their invasion. That must be why he had been able to deflect this creature's attacks relatively easily. Well, still, its experience was high.
[The decaying Monarch of Time and Space's power scatters]
Anyway, it was just when he thought it was over.
[Do you think you can kill the Monarch with mere stuff like this?]
"!"
With laughter, light burst out from the tower.
Flash!
Along with it, an astonishing thing happened.
[Time turns back to the past]
[By the tower's power, the Monarch's body revives]
[The wounded body returns to the past]
"!"
Igeon frowned. It was because it was a familiar power.
'Definitely something experienced when trapped in the trap.'
Reset. Without a doubt, that power was at work.
Back then, he had broken that curse of infinite resets by killing the administrator managing the tower, but now there was no such target.
And that moment was it.
"Kuk!"
As the surrounding view changed, Igeon coughed up blood. A black shadow tentacle had pierced through his back.
[Warning. Direct damage received]
[Stealing the master's power]
[Bodily functions stopping]
Moreover, the spot it had pierced was not good.
'The heart area.'
As Igeon gushed blood, the skull cried out in delight.
[You fraudulent Holy God bastard! No matter what you do, this energy... no, the Monarch of Time and Space will not die! And in the meantime, other generals will come to capture you!]
At those words, Igeon grasped the tentacle that had pierced beside his heart with a "kok" sound and raised the corners of his mouth.
'I more or less get it.'
Could it be that this tower was a tower being used to ensure that this living corpse of a Monarch wouldn't die? If so, the reason the red eyes, having consumed power, entered the tower for recovery was also understandable.
'This tower is probably a tower ruled by a Monarch related to .'
The principle must be to restore the body by reverting its time to the past. And wasn't the he had killed an existence akin to the sage of that Monarch? Sure enough, the Monarch, reeking of corpse stench, laughed.
[It would be good to give up and become my strength.]
However, Igeon gave a derisive snort.
"Let me ask one question."
[What is it?]
"About 20 years ago, I was trapped in this tower. At that time, were you also the owner of this tower?"
At Igeon's murderous gaze, unexpectedly, the Monarch burst out laughing.
[You're asking who imprisoned you.]
"!"
[I'm sorry, but the owner of this tower is not me.]
The Monarch said something unexpected.
[The owner of this tower is . He is the one who made me into this state. And he colluded with the sage to have you stabbed, and made the trap for you.]
"!"
[And killing your family, your precious people, is also connected to that bastard. So if you want to kill someone, you should kill him.]
Igeon's eyes turned grim.
But the Monarch sneered.
[Well, even so, you can't get out of here.]
"!"
[As long as you are in this tower, I revive even if killed. And you too cannot leave alive. Except for the option of becoming my flesh.]
But that's when it happened.
"Oh? You revive even if killed?"
[!]
Igeon raised the corners of his mouth grimly.
"Then, to put it conversely, your bastard's experience points can be eaten infinitely, huh?"
[......!!]
No sooner had the words ended than a green light shot up from Igeon's body.
[Super Regeneration (B) activates]
[From a terrible state, the body has been newly generated]
[Damaged tissues have been newly restored to baseline]
A green light shot up from the heart area, and damaged cells, muscles, and blood vessels rapidly regenerated.
At that terrifying super regeneration speed, even the skull was surprised.
[This power is...!]
It had seen it a bit ago too, but back then, it had vaguely thought it was a power of time regression. But it was different.
'Regeneration...!'
This was a power the unknown civilization did not possess! Since they themselves lacked healing abilities, they relied on for treatment, but there was a fatal flaw.
'Because abilities also return to the past, one can never grow.'
Well, there was as a healing ability, but it took a long time. And it still had the flaw of not being able to revive what was lost.
But that ability was different.
A power that literally creates anything anew! At that light, even great, the skull's nonexistent chest trembled.
'It is a power we must definitely possess! Too precious for a mere Holy God!'
But that thought was only for a moment.
[Keok!]
The skull turned to ash from the energy Igeon was emitting.
At the same time, Igeon brought Heaven's Punishment down upon the Monarch.
Boom!!!
Once more, a light of destruction shot up to the sky.
And a notification arose!
[The Monarch's flesh has been torn to shreds]
[Massive experience points gained]
[Level increased]
Indeed, because it was a living corpse, its strength didn't match the main body. Moreover, it was a body that was only a fraction of the main body, but a Monarch is a Monarch! The experience gained transcended imagination.
And then, the Monarch, whose body recovered due to the reset's influence, clicked its tongue.
[You've seen it, I don't die even if killed. The situation is the worst.]
"The worst? Why?"
[!]
"To put it again, it means I can farm this many experience points infinitely. Isn't that totally awesome?"
At those words, the Monarch, guessing Igeon's purpose, seemed to flinch.
[W-wait. You can't possibly use that regeneration power infinitely either...]
Igeon smiled wickedly.
"Shut up and just be my experience punching bag!"
Once again, a flash burst forth in the demon's tower.
* * *
It was around the same time.
"Keok!"
Cheon Seongjae coughed up blood. And piercing through his heart was none other than a man in black armor.
At the same time, the armored man aimed for Cheon Seongjae's heart.
Squelch!
The black male figure grasped Cheon Seongjae's heart and laughed as if impressed.
[Little brat. Still, I'm surprised. I never imagined a non-sage could use even demi-deification.]
Moreover, even a strange armor skill.
[I acknowledge it. And someone of your caliber will surely satisfy the Monarch greatly.]
Just as the armored man was about to rip out Cheon Seongjae's heart,
Rumble!
The tower shook greatly, and light burst out from the floor.
And at that familiar light, the armored man and the woman were flustered.
[This light is!]
[It's the tower's reset!]
[But this reset can only be used by the administrator of this tower! The Monarch of Time is not here...]
However, they soon realized the identity of this reset.
[Damn. Something's happened to the Monarch underground.]
This tower's reset occurred either when the now-dead manipulated it, or when the Monarch of Time and Space, who was serving as a charging battery for other Monarchs underground, died.
[Surely someone is inflicting damage on the underground Monarch.]
[Who could do such a...!]
[Anyway, quickly to the basement!]
The armored man hastily tossed Cheon Seongjae aside and turned around. But then.
"Where do you think you're going."
"!"
Cheon Seongjae, whose heart had been pierced, rose to his feet. The punctured heart had been restored to its original state.
And at that sight, the armored man realized belatedly.
'Because of the tower's reset...!'
In the end, Cheon Seongjae, resurrected, used his ability again.
[Demi-deification]
[If you touch my sanctuary, you die]
At this, a translucent Igeon appeared before the armored man. And as that Igeon attacked the armored man, the armored man gnashed his teeth.
[This troublesome skill again...!]
But it was fine. Although this armor skill was very troublesome, no matter who created it, Cheon Seongjae himself was not that difficult to kill. His ability was fine, but being young, his experience was lacking, so to speak. He was one who often made mistakes, not yet proficient with the demi-deification skill. Perhaps that's why.
[Good. I'll rip out that heart... kuk!]
The armored man, about to swing his hand, coughed up blood. Cheon Seongjae's attack had grazed his shoulder.
So the armored man was bewildered.
'What's this, it's different from before.'
It was easy before, but now it was different. It even felt like the opponent had become far stronger.
At this, the flustered woman stabbed Cheon Seong-jae in the back. Cheon Seong-jae slumped down once again.
[That should do it. The reset won't happen again anyway. This is the end….]
But.
Flash!
A light shone from the tower.
The two generals were startled by this.
[What! Could it be another reset?!]
[Damn it! Who on earth could push the underground lord this far…!]
[Hurry! To the underground!]
However, their attempt to head underground was brief.
“Where are you going?”
Seeing Cheon Seong-jae resurrected once more, the generals' eyes flashed.
[A bastard who'll die again anyway! Stop interfering….]
But in that moment.
[Keheok!]
This time, the armored man and the woman collapsed simultaneously.
At a speed invisible to the eye this time.
It was clearly Cheon Seong-jae's doing.
A green light had pierced through their bodies.
But that was exactly why the fallen two couldn't help but tremble.
‘He's a completely different person from just before….’
It was an unbelievable situation.
What on earth had happened?
But regardless, Cheon Seong-jae, who had begun to perfectly handle the demigod skill, smiled eerily.
And beside him, even an illusion of Igeon materialized into form.
[Genius Trait (Learning effect +200%) is activating.]
[Persistent Obsession (Tracking specialization, completion increase, skill success rate increase) is activating.]
[Idol Worship Trait (All personal traits are strengthened when with the worshipped target (Igeon)) is activating.]
[Persistent Obsession trait 500% ▲ Idol Worship buff active.]
[Genius Trait (Learning effect increase 500%▲) Idol Worship buff active.]
[Skill proficiency rising to maximum.]
Because of the Genius Trait, he could grow faster than anyone else.
Thus, after just a few experiences, he would quickly transcend an opponent like the one before him.
He would completely master even that sensation.
Thanks to that, the armored man, whose torso had been pierced, gnashed his teeth and got up.
[Since when did this brat… Keheok!]
Finally, the armored man's neck flew off.
At the same time, the light of reset surged from the tower!
The armored man, whose neck had flown off, gnashed his teeth and rose.
‘I survived.’
Whoever it was. Even though I don't know who is cornering the underground lord to the point of causing this many resets, in this situation, it's a stroke of luck!
The resurrected armored man drew his weapon.
[This brat, I won't go easy this time… Keok!]
Again, the armored man's neck flew off.
[Seongdo 1's experience points have greatly increased.]
[A portion of the experience goes to the Saint God.]
[Contribution is accumulated as Divine Throne Energy.]
[The Divine Throne Energy and experience sent to the Saint God did not reset and left Seongdo 1 before the reset.]
[Seongdo 1's experience has been reset.]
[However, the sensation learned through the body does not disappear.]
“Just now, what? Did you call my uncle a no-name Divine Throne?”
At that sight, the woman sat down in confusion, and Cheon Seong-jae, looking infuriated, flashed his eyes.
“This one. He is the master of the great Snake Lord Throne. If you don't know, remember it clearly from this moment on.”
As if it were now his turn, a brutal green light exploded.
(Continued in the next episode.)