CHAPTER 495: THE FINAL BATTLE (5)

“……!”

Jang Dal’s face turned pale.

Understanding the implications of being able to transcend the boundaries despite being part of the system.

This system was a weapon bestowed by the gods.

An absolute authority that only those who have ascended to the level of a deity and chosen as ‘administrators’ could use and control.

And that administrator was Jang Dal.

However, Seol-Hwi had gained the qualifications of a second administrator and even surpassed that.

Thus, he reached a perfect state of control, existing within the system yet able to see beyond it.

“This can’t be! There must be an error in the system!”

Jang Dal gathered his qi again, as if rejecting the reality before his eyes.

As before, the two qi’s mixed, creating a new dimensional flow around him. The qi’s of nothingness and existence surged in perfect harmony.

“Tsk tsk.”

Even in the face of ultimate chaos, Seol-Hwi remained unmoved.

He knew now that no chaotic energy could harm him.

“DIEEEEE!”

As the destructive power of chaotic qi erupted, Seol-Hwi lightly waved his hand again.

Boom!

A faint beam of light flashed, twisting the space.

Before Jang Dal’s power could even be properly unleashed, all the qi vanished without a trace.

His attack was utterly powerless in front of Seol-Hwi.

“How can this be…….”

Despair flashed across Jang Dal’s face from what he witnessed. He seemed shocked to see the power he had generated disappear in an instant.

“The power within the system acts as authority. But ultimately, it’s just a part of the system. Then…….”

“…….”

“Your abilities can no longer affect me. I am already beyond that.”

Jang Dal couldn’t accept reality. He stood there blankly.

It was only natural to be confused in such an unprecedented situation.

Looking back at his growth process, it was even more so.

Even though he feared the power of Righteous and Demonic Arts, and expected it might reach the realm of gods, he never imagined it would stand above him in this way. 𝙧ÂŊo͍ΒÊṢ

“Ah…”

He wanted to deny it, but the reality was clear.

Even his all-out attack just now didn’t touch a hair on Seol-Hwi.

It was simply an existence on a different level, like facing the mission that granted him power.

“Wait a moment.”

As Seol-Hwi showed some movement, he quickly waved his hand and said.

“Spare… spare me.”

“…?”

“Haven’t you achieved everything now? You, who have reached the realm of gods… is there really a need to kill me?”

Seol-Hwi observed the man closely. Was it because of the rise in status?

He didn’t feel any particular emotion despite Jang Dal’s suddenly changed attitude.

He was just curious about the sudden change in demeanor.

“After becoming a Demon God, I was bored.”

Jang Dal’s hollow voice echoed around.

“I could only look down on the world, unable to do anything. Even the emotions I had learned gradually dried up.”

Though unasked, Jang Dal continued to share his story.

“Then I met someone called Siming Star. When I told him about my situation, he gave me the power called the system. That’s all. The reason I’ve lived this way.”

It was a fresh confession.

The empty life after becoming a Demon God, and the meeting with the mission. The process of inheriting abilities from him.

Seol-Hwi spoke coldly.

“The system was a game with countless players, and those living within it were ruthlessly trampled and killed. How can you expect to live?”

“I didn’t create the Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation just to cause people pain.”

Jang Dal’s voice was firm.

“I offered as many opportunities as deaths. I provided infinite lives based on ability, and fortuitous encounters depending on choices.”

Seol-Hwi knew his words weren’t mere excuses.

Originally, he should have died at Goo Jong-myung’s hands. But thanks to the system, he gained new opportunities and lived many lives.

“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that you caused innocent people suffering for your amusement.”

“I admit that.”

Jang Dal nodded.

“But you, of all people, should understand. What it’s like to lose the value of life.”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t seek immortality to reach this point. I just… simply enjoyed growing stronger. Then I became a Demon God, and lost all joy.”

Practicing martial arts and growing stronger. That was his only pleasure.

But upon reaching the Demon God’s level, he could no longer grow stronger.

“Why does that matter so much?”

“Just as romance is your value, that was everything to me. If that value disappears… in a meaningless, unchanging eternity, what will you live for?”

“……”

Seol-Hwi couldn’t answer. It wasn’t that he had nothing to say, but Jang Dal’s words were so unexpected.

His question felt like looking into Seol-Hwi’s own future.

Romance.

Fighting and defeating seemingly impossible foes, and setting the world right.

Reviving unjust deaths and ending the suffering of players.

That was his value now.

‘But what after that?’

What happens to life after everything is over.

Will he just become a god, observing the world, and naturally fade away?

Or will he live for eons, go mad, or reach enlightenment again and abandon even his own self?

Jang Dal was different. He found a new goal. The game of the system.

He delved deeper and deeper in pursuit of enjoyment, eventually creating even a being like Earth Demon.

‘Fearing death is ultimately…’

Jang Dal was a demigod.

For one who has reached the level of a god, the remaining emotions were almost learned.

So there was no reason to fear death.

His obsession with life was for one reason only, enjoyment.

The fear of losing the joy of controlling the world dominated him.

‘Someday, I too…’

He might walk the path Jang Dal had taken.

In infinite time without enemies or goals, he might become engrossed in something.

Even if it’s something other than the system.

“In that case…”

After a long silence, Seol-Hwi spoke.

“Were you afraid of Earth Demon because your life was threatened?”

“I was never afraid.”

Here, Jang Dal’s answer was firm.

“If he uses all his power, he does reach my level, but that doesn’t mean he can kill me.”

“Then why were you so wary of him?”

“You must have seen it, but the Earth Demon possesses a sense of self. Having a self and gaining divine power means he has the potential to become a god. Of course, the odds are extremely slim…”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“The possibility itself was the issue for me.”

“But even if he becomes a god, can’t you just eliminate him with your own hands?”

At those words, Jang Dal hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“Yes, but there’s another problem. If the Earth Demon ascends to a Demon God through cultivation, the system might mistakenly grant it administrator privileges. Just like you.”

“…!”

Seol-Hwi finally realized the true reason Jang Dal was so wary of the Earth Demon.

That must be why he set up all sorts of barriers to prevent it from leaving the cult.

‘Even so, creating the Earth Demon means… how strong was his desire for excitement?’

Seol-Hwi thought that Jang Dal, despite knowing the risk of the Earth Demon becoming a god, might have wanted to witness such a spectacle.

Ironically, the system was designed to only exert power within the cult.

Creating the AI as well.

All were devices for his enjoyment.

‘Can I truly claim to walk a different path than Jang Dal?’

His story showed Seol-Hwi an uncomfortable future.

In a monotonous life without change, romance only holds meaning when challenging the impossible.

In such a life where there’s no need or reason to become stronger…

Can one find new value like romance?

“Can you transfer the system administrator privileges?”

“Why do you suddenly ask that…?”

“Is it impossible?”

“Oh, no! It’s possible, but… I’m curious about the reason…”

In response, Seol-Hwi answered calmly.

“To justify keeping you alive, it’s best to remove the system quickly.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Why? Are you still attached to it?”

“No, no way!”

Jang Dal hesitated and shook his head.

In the face of overwhelming power, his resistance was meaningless.

He soon began to chant something, and light gathered above Seol-Hwi’s head.

[Jang Dal is transferring the administrator's authority to Seol-Hwi.]

[Seol-Hwi meets all the conditions to be an administrator.]

[Congratulations! Seol-Hwi has become the system's administrator.]

Information flooded into Seol-Hwi’s mind like a torrent.

[All powers of the system are granted.]

[All functions and abilities of the system are infused into the administrator.]

“Now, will you let me go?”

Jang Dal asked cautiously. Seol-Hwi blinked momentarily and looked at Jang Dal.

“Of course. But first, let me ask you one question.”

“What is it…”

“What are your plans for the future?”

“……”

Jang Dal couldn’t readily answer. Then Seol-Hwi spoke.

“Having lost your joy, you’ll now lead another dull life, won’t you?”

“Probably…”

“And then you’ll try to obtain another system from someone like Siming Star. And in doing so, more innocent people will be sacrificed.”

Jang Dal’s face gradually turned red.

He had a feeling that Seol-Hwi wouldn’t let him live.

“You’re the same! The romance you pursued so much, you won’t find it anywhere now!”

“You’re right. So, I’m going to look for another path. To avoid becoming like you.”

“You, you… bastard—”

Jang Dal’s furious shout was futile. In the blink of an eye, Seol-Hwi appeared before him and placed a hand on his head.

“I can no longer tolerate your vile hobbies. This is truly the end.”

“Aaaaah!”

The space distorted as Jang Dal’s body began to twist.

His flesh tore and reconnected repeatedly until he finally vanished into thin air.

It was the first demonstration of the absolute power of the Divine Demon Arts.

“Whew…”

As Seol-Hwi exhaled deeply, the system responded.

[Awaiting command.]

[All administrator capabilities are accessible.]

Seol-Hwi’s eyes sparkled.

At that moment, the system reacted as if it sensed something.

[What is your desire?]

“Is Qingcheng Sect’s elder Cheong Heo still alive?”

The response was immediate.

[He is alive. However, he is expected to perish within 128 seconds.]

At those words, Seol-Hwi recalled the deeds Jang Dal had done.

Scenes where he created identical figures with the system, turning the world into chaos.

Seol-Hwi’s heart raced.

“Immediately eliminate all system-generated figures… except for Earth Demon.”

[Elimination complete.]

The system responded with incredible speed and accuracy.

Seol-Hwi asked again.

“How much longer can elder Cheong Heo live?”

[He will meet his end within 90 seconds.]

‘Why has it decreased so much?’

It was disconcerting information.

Presumably, the master was in the midst of fighting the figures Jang Dal created.

With their elimination, he thought elder Cheong Heo would not lose more innate qi and could live a little longer…

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‘Let’s hurry.’

Seeing the decreasing time, Seol-Hwi’s mind turned anxious.

The teacher who taught him how to live a life worthy of a human being.

He felt he needed to seek help once more from the person he served as a teacher for the longest time.

Because he is the only one who can give me the answer now.

“Take me there.”

[Understood.]

Seol-Hwi, having finished a long battle, takes his first step back to Central Plains.

That place was none other than Qingcheng Sect, where his teacher would be.