T7RFHE 22💸

Chapter 22

Rumbleee—

The sky, clear just moments ago, began gathering black clouds, thundering ominously.

So it’s happening.

Jang Su-nam knew this phenomenon well.

“Crow… Hunterrrr!!”

This was none other than a Hidden Piece event.
Just like when he had saved Aria during the tutorial.

With the appearance of the Seed of the Evil God, this entire zone had transformed into a stage for extraordinary events.

So this is a branch point.

Events that drastically alter the future of the world. Su-nam called them “branch points.”

I can’t afford any mistakes.

On the Sky Road where hunters had fled, the mutated Fi Gwang-seok, now a five-meter-tall aberration, charged forward with increasing speed.

Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!

The ground shook under his immense weight as he leapt high into the air.

“Diiiie!!”

His massive fist, like a warhammer, came crashing down.

“Mini Tide.”

But just before impact, a portal opened beneath Su-nam’s feet, teleporting him behind the beast.

Crash!!!

A deafening roar and shockwave tore through the surroundings.

Savage power…

That single blow looked strong enough to pulverize asphalt. The Sky Road, reinforced as an indestructible object, remained intact—but his base camp would not survive. Su-nam quickly withdrew to a safe distance.

…I can’t use Jelly.

Hunters watching from nearby rooftops had their eyes on him. Revealing Mini Tide’s portal ability wasn’t an issue—plenty of others possessed similar skills. But Jelly’s powers? Those had to remain hidden. In a future filled with terrifying foes, every concealed trump card counted.

“CROW…!!”

Rumbleee—!!

As the mutated Gwang-seok turned, thunder cracked, casting him in backlit silhouette. His heart, glowing crimson, stood out more vividly than ever.

The Evil God’s Seeds, huh…

The heart pulsed in the shape of a jagged red cog. There was no mistaking it.

They said… those who consume the Seeds become mediums.

That was what the Dual Soul had once told him. Anyone who ingested the Evil God’s Seeds would act as a conduit for its power.

Which meant—whether by choice or coercion—Fi Gwang-seok had consumed a Seed after disappearing.

“CROW… KILL!!”

The beast thundered forward, fists swinging wildly. His state suggested he was incapable of thought beyond rage. He wasn’t even attempting to use any of his skills.

Boom!!

But in exchange for his mind, his raw physical strength had skyrocketed. Even clad in Goblin Warchief’s armor, Su-nam knew that one punch would erase him without a trace.

Whoosh! Hooosh!

Each swing of Gwang-seok’s arms generated gales that forced Su-nam backward.

And then—

What?

The monster grabbed one of his oak barrels and hurled it toward the base camp.

Thunder King’s Swordsmanship—Third Form!

Su-nam unleashed the strongest swordplay his body could currently withstand.

Boom!!

The barrel exploded mid-air, splintering into countless shards that rained toward Gwang-seok like a shotgun blast.

Shkk! Shkkk!

For an ordinary man, it would have been fatal. But against the beast’s colossal frame and grotesque muscle armor, it barely scratched him.

Ha… at this rate, it’ll take forever to bring him down.

Su-nam smirked bitterly. With his current equipment and skills, victory was impossible. He’d have had better luck facing ten elite goblins at once.

The proof came moments later.

Crkk.

The shards embedded in Gwang-seok’s flesh were forced out by new cells regenerating beneath.

The aberration’s regenerative power was monstrous.

Fine. Let’s test how much damage I can actually inflict.

The creature’s movements were simple enough. Getting in close and cutting him was possible—as long as Su-nam dodged every blow.

“Groooaaar!!”

The beast flailed his arms. Su-nam slipped just under the swing, carving a deep gash into its side.

Slaaash!

A blow that would have crippled most beings. But—

This thing breaks the balance of the entire zone.

Gwang-seok ignored the wound, continuing his rampage as the injury sealed shut in real-time.

Should I retreat?

In a movie, the protagonist would’ve triumphed alone in spectacular fashion. Reality was crueler. Even with his seven lifetimes of advantage, this was still beyond him.

If it were my Master… what would he do?

Su-nam wasn’t a genius. He knew true prodigies—like the young master who had once taught him Thunder King’s Art. A man who had glimpsed power from a skill and created a technique rivaling it.

Su-nam respected very few people in his endless lives. That Master was one of them.

Of course, in this timeline, the Master was just another hunter, yet to complete his art.

Even so… if it were him, he’d have smiled and solved this with ease.

That’s what true genius was.

“Stop skittering like a rat… CROW!!”

The beast swung a massive leg. Su-nam barely vaulted over it.

I miss you, Master.

But he couldn’t afford deep ties again. In every past life, anyone close to him—especially his Master—met death.

Not this time. He would not let the Master die for his sake again.

And then, an idea struck him.

Wait… I still have Summon Phantasm.

Dodging another barrage, Su-nam’s eyes gleamed. This was a chance only this life afforded.

I can summon even the dead.

In his last lifetime, he had obtained that skill only after parting ways with his Master. Which was why he had never considered this before.

But in this life… I can meet him again!

Boom!

Gwang-seok feinted, then swung unexpectedly. His attacks were becoming more complex—his mind was returning. If left unchecked, he might even regain the use of skills.

Su-nam parried narrowly, slicing a shallow line across the monster’s arm. Blood spilled—only to stop instantly as the wound closed.

“Sorry, Gwang-seok. I don’t have time to play with you anymore. I’ve found a reason to seek out my Master.”

He didn’t know where the Master was. Their meetings had always been by chance. But someday, he would find him. He needed strong, trustworthy allies to face the Evil God’s Seeds.

If it were my Master… how would he kill this thing?

Su-nam imagined it: the young Master running up the beast’s massive arm, vaulting onto its shoulder, then planting a crushing kick to its face.

Su-nam copied the motion.

Thud!!

But Gwang-seok simply tried to swat him like a fly. Su-nam leapt again—only to see another vision.

The phantom Master plunged a thunderous strike straight into the monster’s exposed heart.

And for a fleeting moment, Su-nam saw it work.

『This is how you do it, my dear disciple.』

The smiling image of his Master flashed before his eyes. An illusion. A memory.

Yet Su-nam knew instinctively—this was the answer.

Thank you… Master.

He landed, power crackling around him.

Thunder King’s Swordsmanship—Fourth Form.

This was a step beyond his body’s limits. Overdrive.
A suicidal gamble. A one-strike kill, at the cost of his own life.

But—

[<Reproduction of Past Glory> has reached 5,000 uses.]
[Hidden option unlocked in <The Returner’s Diary> (SSS).]
[One-time ability <Prime> is activated.]
[Warning: Using <Prime> drastically increases chance of death.]

So the Diary had a hidden option like this?!

Lightning surged down his blade.

Bzzzzzzttt!!!

The sword burned red-hot, electricity charring his right arm.

Ghh…!!

Agonizing pain seared through him—his flesh couldn’t withstand such power.

But with this strength…!

He roared, driving all of it into a single thrust.

“Hyaaaahhh!!”

The air shattered as his sword pierced straight toward Gwang-seok’s glowing heart.

CRRACKK!! BZZZZT!!

The blade shattered the Seed lodged in its heart and drove straight through.

“Groooohhh?!!”

Electricity burst through the monster’s body, frying flesh from within. The stench of burning meat filled the air—human, and something else.

But at the same time, Su-nam’s body faltered. His heart ceased, his body moments from collapse.

“……”

Both fighters froze. Hunters on the rooftops held their breath.

Who had won?

And then—

[<Poles Apart>’s Fortune has activated.]

Ba-thump! Ba-thump!!

Su-nam’s heart roared back to life.

Thud.

And Fi Gwang-seok toppled sideways, crashing to the ground.

The last man standing—was Jang Su-nam.

“““Uwoooooohhh!!!”””

Cheers erupted. The clouds parted, a shaft of light piercing through to spotlight Su-nam as though the heavens themselves acknowledged his victory.

“Su-nam!”

The quick-witted Mini Tide reappeared, bringing Aria and the guild back.

“Bring healing potions!”

Aria rushed to his side, worry etched on her face. Domael sprinted for supplies.

…I won.

Su-nam chuckled faintly, glancing at his ruined right arm. Useless. His muscles shredded, his flesh blackened from lightning burns. Beneath his clothes, his whole body was likely marked by burns.

Never thought <Poles Apart>’s effect would trigger at the brink of death.

The injuries were severe, but nothing recovery potions couldn’t eventually heal.

This was the first battle against the Evil God’s Seeds.

And Su-nam had won.