“…Reduced?”
Seol-Hwi tilted his head at this. Just in case, he decided to choose a skill and see it.
*White Light Body Demonic Martial Arts Skill Table* [Supreme Low Temperature Ice]: ABCD (At the same time)
This popped up.
Originally this was supposed to show up, but now it happened a little quicker.
“What even changed… w-wait!”
And then something caught his eye.
Originally this technique could only be used when the blood touched his eye. But that part was not there.
“This…?”
Seol-Hwi brought up another skill chart.
*Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts Skill Table* [Sura Exploding Flame Arts]: → → A or B
“What is this…”
It definitely changed.
The old things, the complex moves which he had to struggle with had disappeared, and it was too easy now. He wondered if this was even real.
“Then what about this?”
Seol-Hwi finally opened the Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, wind.
*Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, Wind Skill Table* [Martial Supreme Peak Wind God]: ↓↘, A.
I knew it!
It was only then that Seol-Hwi realized this weapon had power. It was the greatest weapon, with an amazing skill. This thing would reduce the trigger condition.
What if this happened when he reached Supreme Demon?
With the nature of these special skills, the internal energy consumption would be almost non-existent.
In other words, was it not possible to use a special technique with destructive power continuously?
With this… I can get my revenge!
Seol-Hwi clenched his hand. The best ability which can be used after reaching Supreme Demon—
If he could use them twice at most now, then with this sword he will be able to use them a dozen times.
In addition, was he not in a situation where he learned how to use the flame attribute of the Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts?
If it is like this, I don’t have to fight them… no, I can think of it later.
Seol-Hwi shook his head quickly. He had to think about going at things another way instead of blaming himself.
The First Disciple and his men, when he has a chance, he would take them down in this life.
This life will be where he defeated the First Disciple and his subordinates and where made them pay for the death of his own subordinates.
Even if they did not remember how they died in the past life, it did not matter.
He wanted them to live a life where they would be happy and comfortable.
In order to do that, they cannot be caught by the First Disciple.
This life, I move alone.
The first thing to do would be to subdue the First Disciple and his Supreme Demon warriors.
And secondly, he needs to see with his own eyes whether he can last more than two years. If the future is as the AI said, if dealing with the First Disciple is the end of the crisis, then should he not get a chance to challenge it properly by observing once?
Seol-Hwi was determined and began to run.
The flow of time—
<Moving to Self Story.>
From facing the Earth Demon to moving to Hangzhou with Imugi and Songhwa, things went the same way.
He thought of going straight to Haenam island as he was worried about the past, but then he changed his mind and stuck to it.
He stuck to it with the Double Edged Sword, which could be considered as a divine sword. And this time his goal was not to make his subordinates stronger.
After arriving in Hangzhou, the Jong Family asked for the favor.
At first he was not going to accept the request, but then thought that having a little more money was not wrong and as a result he got 50,000 gold.
“Take it.”
He gave 10,000 to Imugi and Songhwa and another 5 for all of them to use.
“Hehe. You are giving me this much.”
“Captain, this amount is…”
Imugi smiled and Songhwa seemed concerned, while Seol-Hwi was just happy to see it. In the midst of reversing several lies, how much money did these two give him?
It seemed cute to Seol-Hwi.
“Do not feel burdened. What you have done for me until now is…”
“Uh? We did something good?”
“Just saying. So take it.”
Afterwards, he contacted the Lower District Sect and the Sleeping Dragon Forces and approached them.
No different from before, to the point where he memorized the order. In the meantime, Seol-Hwi began to train in places where there were less people.
And to his surprise he managed to reach the Supreme Demon level in a week.
He gained enough experience through combat in the past, and knowing how to control the three levels of the dantian was of huge help.
Moreover, in this life, when he reached Supreme Demon, he witnessed a new change which did not happen before.
<You have learned Ice Field Compression.> <You have learned the Hellish Annihilation Arts.> <You have learned the Great Annihilation and Destroying Arts.>
In the past he had to reach a certain level but now he could learn them almost right away.
<You have learned the Thrift Wind Sword.>
Uh?
This was not expected because he had confirmed that he lost the sword the Earth Demon gave to him.
In a situation where the sword was lost, he still managed to learn the martial arts?
Is this because… I managed to reach the final stage of the martial arts of Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts?
In the past he had never tried to do it.
It was a skill he got at the final stage of the Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, but it was an ability which had to be used only with the sword in hand.
Is that why?
In the past, special skills never appeared at the end.
But seeing this message pop up and floating now in front of him at a time when he did not have the sword, it seemed like he needed ‘that sword.’
The table! I need to check the table!
Seol-Hwi checked the skill table.
It was even more important now with this new sword in his possession.
*White Light Body Demonic Martial Arts Special Skill Table* [Final Stage] [Ice Field Compression]: ↓ ↑ A or B
It has changed!
It was way too simplified.
This ability to exert absolute power into a limited space had transformed into a skill that could be used by just lowering the head and lifting it up.
*Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts Special Skill Table* [Final Stage] [Hellish Annihilation Arts]: ← → ↓ A or B
Next Seol-Hwi looked at Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts. This was the same, it got simplified by so much.
Of course, he would have to wield the new sword to cast this. This time, Seol-Hwi turned his attention to the Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts.
*Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, Fire Skill Table* [Great Annihilation and Destroying Arts]: ↑ ↗ → ↘ ↓ A or B
“Eh…”
He was shocked.
A technique which can be chosen only at death’s door could now be used at any time. He lowered his head a little.
Finally…
To the wind attribute.
*Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, Wind Skill Table* [Thrift Wind Sword]: ↓ ↓ ↓ (ABCD)
And he was filled with joy looking at this.
I can win now!
Even if there are three Supreme Demons, even if there is one a level higher than his own—
This time, the odds were in his favor. If he randomly used this by managing his internal energy, how can he be defeated?
Moreover, unlike the past, the health and internal energy of the wind sword, which became invisible for a moment, does not vanish.
“I will catch them all this time.”
Seol-Hwi made up his mind and tried them all at once.
Each one had the force to make the heavens and earth tremble. The ice, flame, and even the final stages of the martial arts.
The ability of the Double Edged Sword was so great that he wondered, were the skills of the other weapons also this strong?
“Phew.”
When Seol-Hwi finished training like this, the surroundings were in ruins. It was not like he did it too much either. That day, Seol-Hwi returned to his place with a happy heart.
And not long after—
“Captain, news arrived.”
Songhwa delivered news from the sect and Seol-Hwi wrote to the Earth Demon.
Time passed as before. From the delivery of the Earth Demon’s letter to meeting him a few months later.
If you keep the timeline exactly as the past, there should be no sudden changes. If there was anything that has changed, it was the mindset of Seol-Hwi.
In the second meeting with the Earth Demon, he was able to look into the heart of the man a little more.
Again a few months later—
His subordinates came.
“Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. How have you been?”
Even in the first conversation, Yong Jin took the lead.
“Captain?’
When Seol-Hwi did not answer, he asked again and Seol-Hwi said,
“I missed you. Really…”
Even then, he could not keep up.
Although his life was full of death, Seol-Hwi’s heart thumped, looking at his people.
The thought of “thank you for sacrificing yourself.”
The thought of “sorry for not protecting you.”
And the happiness to meet again.
“Really… if you say that, did you think we would forgive you for abandoning us and running off!”
Yong Jin asked back, but the atmosphere flowed oddly because Seol-Hwi did not say anything, and in the meantime.
Songhwa brought Imugi and Seol-Hwi spoke up,
“Unfortunately… we will part again tomorrow.”
“Uh?”
“What?”
The subordinates looked dumbfounded.
Today was the last time they would be able to meet without having to die.
However, without having time to even get together they had to part ways. Even so,Seol-Hwi spoke calmly,
“Choose a new identity and live. Find things you have not been able to do and things you wanted to do. If it is money… it is here.”
Seol-Hwi took the money out of the toolbox.
And 10,000 coins were distributed to everyone except for Imugi and Songhwa.
“What is this supposed to mean?”
“Captain! Please tell me why you are doing this!”
Yorim and Jeok Seong asked right away, but Seol-Hwi smiled bitterly.
“This is my dream. Watching you guys make a living and do what you want to do so… do not lose this.”
With that Seol-Hwi got up.
Actually, he wanted to enjoy this more, but he felt like staying back would make it worse.
Gulp
It felt like he was back into childhood for no reason.
The afternoon sky was clear—
Like when he found out about the Earth Demon’s death.
It was the time when Seol-Hwi, who had left the place where the subordinates gathered, was standing on the corner of the street.
Tak
He felt a presence from behind. Seol-Hwi tried to move but soon stopped because he recognized who could have such light steps.
“Captain!”
“Seo Ryeong.”
Her breathing was rapid like she ran here.
“What is the reason? Or did you mean to break away so suddenly right from the start?”
“…”
Seol-Hwi looked at her as it felt strange.
Every time he looked at her he thought of the eyes which looked into his when she died the last time.
Why?
She does not love him now.
“Captain…?”
Was it because he was staring at her? She blushed very slightly. And Seol-Hwi too realized it.
“Seo Ryeong.”
She did not seem to hate it. Did she see him as a decent person?
“If I am alive after a year…”
Seol-Hwi was still staring at her. He seemed hesitant but wanted to say it. Because the reward for this life was not the strength, but her feelings for him.
So—
“Can I propose to you?”
“…!”
At Seol-Hwi’s words, Seo Ryeong’s eyes went wide.
It was not known if she was surprised because of the words “if I am alive after a year,” or the proposal, but she was clearly shocked.
I was too impatient.
Seeing that he made a mistake, he felt bad. This life was for his subordinates to live a happy one, but this would burden her.
“Ah, sorry. Just pretend that you didn’t hear it.”
And he began to walk away blaming what he did.
“…West lake.”
But—
“West lake is the outer lake, then is north lake, Xili lake, and the south lake. Among them, the outer lake is close to the city and has many things, so couples can visit it.”
“…?”
Seol-Hwi turned to her. What she said meant she would wait.
“Captain.”
Seo Ryeong looked at him.
Not the flustering gaze like before, she looked right into his eyes and smiled slightly.
“Make sure to come back alive.”
“…”
Seol-Hwi could not answer.
He thought he would win, but he could not guarantee it. Because the traps of the system he knew were always aiming for that.
Still, even if he was reckless, he wanted to tell her.
“Sure.”
Because this life will surely make her happy.