The Hero Returns

* * *

Wiggle, wiggle...

The crimson current wrapped around Su-hyeun's body and gradually got absorbed into him.

At first, he got flustered and even felt some repulsion, but that state didn't last for long.

Su-hyeun confirmed that this crimson energy current wasn't trying to harm him. Even the system said so, and the sense of fullness welling up from deep inside his body gave him the confidence to believe it as well.

"It said, I'm now acquiring it, didn't it?"

The system would never lie. This fact was something Su-hyeun had continuously confirmed starting from his past life to this one.

And the message from the system said that he didn't "acquire" it, but he was now acquiring it. The difference there was subtle; it meant that he hadn't yet acquired this ability, whatever it was.

Fwhoooosh—!

When his sense of repulsion was gone, the crimson energy current seeped into him at an even faster rate. His heart was pounding heavily, and it felt like his blood flow was going backward. Even then, he didn't reject it.

Su-hyeun had definitely witnessed something quite similar to this. "Fafnir also did something similar with the heart of that black dragon, didn't he?"

Bradley, the original name of Fafnir, was an emperor who ruled over the world. To satisfy his desire for absolute dominion, he craved even greater power. In the end, he sacrificed countless knights to lure a dragon from another dimension. He then dug out that black dragon's heart to bathe himself in the draconic blood.

What was happening right now seemed to be the same process as that one. However, Su-hyeun had nothing to be afraid of if he wanted even greater power himself.

Shu-wuwuwu—

The crimson energy current clearly visible to him gradually grew thinner. Since the current circling him had vanished, it could only mean that most of the energy had been absorbed into his body now.

Sure enough...

[You have acquired Dragon Blood.]

[All stats have risen by two points.]

[Magical Energy has risen by two points.]

[You have acquired Demonic Aura.]

[Your Demonic Aura has risen by 50 points.]

Those messages sure perked him up.

While basking in the sense of fullness within his body, Su-hyeun spent some time familiarizing himself with his new power level by doing things like clenching and unfurling his fists.

His body, which previously felt heavy like a lump of lead, was now as light as a single feather. As a matter of fact, he even felt refreshed, as if he had shed a thick layer of extra skin.

"Demonic Aura, hmm?"

Besides the upgrades to his regular stats, he also acquired something new.

Since its name ended with "aura," it seemed to be some type of special energy, just like Death Aura or even prana.

This must have been the weird and disparate energy emitted by Fafnir that Su-hyeun had sensed.

[Name: Kim Su-hyeun]

[Magic Count: 119(+5)]

[Magic Level: 11]

[Strength: 109(+5)]

[Agility: 108(+5)]

[Stamina: 107(+5)]

[Reflex: 107(+5)]

[Death Aura: 107(+5)]

[Demonic Aura: 55(+5)]

....

[Fatigue: 0]

[God Titles: Hero, Combat]

[Titles: Hero, Taoist God]

A new stat boasting a starting value of 55 had been generated.

Compared to all the other stats, this one's numerical value was nothing to write home about. Also, compared to the Pacific Ocean-like depths and scale of his magical energy reserve or even Death Aura, this new energy reserve was like a tiny stream in a small valley.

It didn't seem that useful just yet. However, this stat should also experience a rapid improvement as he climbed the Tower even further.

"Right, the real issue isn't this one."

First, the "Dragon Blood" and, then, "Predation"—these two new "skills" he had acquired were far more important to him.

[Dragon Blood]

* It is the blood of a dragon that has devoured countless monsters. Many types of blood have been mixed in it, refining it and strengthening it even further.

* All Stats +2 points

* Magical Energy +2 points

* Possible to acquire Demonic Aura

* Grants the skill, "Predation"

* All physical, magical damage halved

[Predation]

* It is the ability to devour the powers and souls of the victims you've killed. It cannot be used if the Predation target is of a higher status than you when still alive. Proficiency determines the power you will potentially absorb.

* Proficiency: 0.00%

After confirming the effects of the latter skill, Su-hyeun ended up chuckling hollowly for a little while. He wouldn't have been this surprised by some regular abilities. Despite being surprised, it also helped him to understand something else.

"This Predation skill, it's way too OP."

Fafnir became strong really quickly after his regression, so quickly that it even seemed unnatural, too.

Sure, Su-hyeun also had gotten strong incredibly quickly. Still, even by his own admission, his case was a special one. Not only was the system there to help him out, but he was also fortunate enough to experience several fortuitous encounters.

What about Fafnir, then?

As far as Su-hyeun knew, the system did not exist for the Predators. The only way for them to get stronger was to destroy many worlds and absorb the energy of the dying worlds.

However, relying only on something like that would not make you strong as rapidly as Fafnir's case. However, with this Predation skill, it made a lot more sense.

"Unlike Gluttony that simply devours the physical body, absorbing the entirety of a being must be far more efficient."

Fafnir was far stronger than even Su-hyeun had imagined—so strong, in fact, it would have been impossible for him to win without summoning the Path to Hell.

Squeeze—

But from this moment on...

"This is my power now."

Su-hyeun clenched his fist tightly, then raised his head up. Only then did he notice the wrecked state of the Moon.

It seemed that from here on out, Earth would be deprived of the sight of the beautiful full Moon.

"Mm..." In an instant, he started feeling a bit embarrassed about all of his previous grim determination. "What should I do about this now?"

Su-hyeun mulled over his options for a moment, but nothing immediately came to his mind. While roughly scratching his head full of complicatedly tangled thoughts, he groaned at length.

He then shifted his attention over to Miru, who was totally innocent in this case, "It can't be helped, right? Don't you agree?"

Grrr—?

Miru tilted its head this way and that in evident confusion.

Su-hyeun shrugged his shoulders and then looked up, "What a view that is, don't you think?"

There it was, the beautiful blue planet in the distance.

He was not conscious of it while trudging around on that planet's surface, but now that he got to see it like this, he couldn't help but realize how beautiful the world he called his home was.

Su-hyeun began walking forward again, and just like that—

Whoosh—

His figure vanished from the spot.

* * *

Spiiiin—

Pow, bang, popopopow—

Ruyi Jingu Bang, extended to dozens of meters in length, spun around powerfully to pummel the bodies of several Predators. Their bones were crushed, while some heads were even sent flying.

Sun Wukong lightly stepped on his polearm, then jumped up high, "Strike down—!"

Squeeze—

The moment he clenched his fist...

"Thunderbolt!"

Ka-ruuumble—!

Lightning viciously exploded within the clouds gathering from all directions, charring the figures of the Predators jet-black.

Pah-sususu...

Land—

Sun Wukong landed back on a version of Ruyi Jingu Bang belonging to one of his clones. He staggered a little just then, his breathing heavy and shallow.

Fuu-aaaaah...

There literally was no end in sight.

He always believed that he would be perfectly fine even after fighting for three days and nights straight, but that was only when the situation was at a manageable level. To kill a Predator, which couldn't be killed with weak attacks, to begin with, even Sun Wukong had to exert himself greatly.

It was already almost one full day since the battle began. His stamina was gradually getting depleted now.

"The golden fillet...Should I, like, one more time...?" A thought popped up in Sun Wukong's mind, but he quickly shook his head, recalling Master Subhuti's warning. "Dang it. I should've held myself back then."

"And that's the meaning of restraint, Wukong."

Just as Sun Wukong muttered to himself with a teary face, he heard the Bull Demon King's voice.

He spun his head, and with a face full of dissatisfaction, which also included a deep pout, he slung his Ruyi Jingu Bang over his shoulder, "That's why I asked you to help me out earlier, Big Brother."

"It's only been a day."

"Aaargh, but this is getting really tough, you know?" Sun Wukong replied in an unconcerned voice, but he knew that the situation was definitely concerning.

Even though Sun Wukong went on a rampage just now to clear out a group of Predators, new ones had shown up to fill up the vacant space.

And this endless scene of Predators that kept reappearing no matter how many Sun Wukong had killed even made him feel that this fight was getting boring and just a bit beyond his capabilities.

"I mean, really, would you look at these things? They keep crawling out, even though that's not even a freaking anthill!"

"I'm also busy."

"All you're doing is making sure no one escapes outside, so what could you possibly be so busy for?!"

"Even if a single one escapes from here, countless humans will die."

"Shouldn't one be responsible for protecting their own neck?"

"Our little brother will be sad."

The Bull Demon King's reply rendered Sun Wukong speechless for a moment there.

A short while later, Sun Wukong said, "Urgh, give me a break," roughly scratching his head in irritation.

He couldn't think of something to say.

"This kid, it's been a day already, but he still hasn't come back yet."

The Bull Demon King laid out a stage so that Su-hyeun could fight against Fafnir. Sun Wukong believed that Su-hyeun would return unscathed, so he also willingly chose to act as a pawn, maybe a knight piece, on this stage.

However, a problem had reared up, and that was with Su-hyeun still not returning yet. Since Fafnir hadn't shown up too, it didn't look like Su-hyeun lost either, at the very least.

So, it had to be one of the two possibilities: either they were still fighting up there, or both of them had perished.

If it was the former, that was a relief, but it was another story if it was the latter.

"Dang it," Sun Wukong grumbled, "When we're done here, I'm gonna smack him real good in the head. What kind of slave labor is this, anyway?"

"If you can help it, please be gentle when you do."

Whoosh—

Sun Wukong quickly turned his head. When he did...

"Ahh?! What the heck?!"

He got shocked out of his boots at a certain face that appeared right next to him and jumped up in a hurry.

Su-hyeun stood next to him.

"What's this? When did you arrive?"

"Just now, actually."

"Eh? Just now?"

"Yes."

"Dude, you should've made a sound or something. I thought I'd die of a heart attack!" Sun Wukong patted his still-pounding chest.

Despite all of his grumblings, he was inwardly relieved.

Su-hyeun chuckled at Sun Wukong's response. The latter might be complaining, but his third brother was one of the easiest people to read in the world as far as he was concerned.

It was as if Sun Wukong's inner thoughts were written in large letters on his face; his personality was completely the opposite of the unfathomable Bull Demon King, after all.

"Looks like he was worried about me a lot," Su-hyeun realized.

A layer of sweat covered Sun Wukong's forehead. A Yogoe who fought against Erlang Shen for three days straight without getting tired was looking rather exhausted right now. That alone was enough for Su-hyeun to figure out how long he had been away.

"Thank you for all your hard work, Third Brother."

Ku-rururu—!

When Su-hyeun raised his hand, thick storm clouds immediately formed in the sky. "You can take a break now."

Rumble, ka-boom—!

Kkyaaah—!

Along with the continuous thunderclaps, the screeching of dragons could also be heard reverberating up there.

Sun Wukong looked up at the storm clouds and saw dozens of Thunder Dragons writhing and emerging from them.

[Rain of Thunder Dragons]

The moment he discovered them up there...!

FLASH—!

The whole world became filled with a light for a brief moment.

Kwa-zzziiiiik, rumble—!

Kkyaaaaaah—!

Arcs of lightning viciously whipped around while the dragons were howling loudly. Sun Wukong had to turn his head away and close his eyes at this blindingly brilliant light.

A short while later, after the light died down...

"Huh?"

The Predators crossing over through the doorway connected to the Dark Realm had been vaporized without a trace.

Sun Wukong made a dumbfounded face for a bit and then looked over to Su-hyeun. He had witnessed the skill called the Thunder Dragon before, but never in a million years did he think it would be this powerful.

He asked, "Are you sure you just finished a bitter battle?"

"I did blackout after the end of the battle, though. I got a good rest, thanks to that."

"Even so, aren't you, you know, too energetic?"

"I'm your little brother, so this much is obvious," Su-hyeun replied playfully, and Sun Wukong could only shift his gaze away while rubbing his chin.

The unleashed Thunder Dragons took care of a wave of Predators. However, the doorway connected to the Dark World still remained wide open.

"How are we going to close that thing?"

"No need to close it, actually."

"Eh?" Sun Wukong made a confused face at that unexpected reply.

Su-hyeun quickly explained himself, "We'll just hop over to that side."

Sun Wukong became utterly dazed at that.

But then...

Smirk—

An expression reflecting Sun Wukong's excitement appeared on his face next, "You know, that sounds like it'll be a ton of fun."