Chapter 83

The bright flash of light must have been the signal that his consciousness was returning.

“Hah!”

As he shot up with a ragged breath, the first thing he saw was Chang-kyung.

He was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, with both hands outstretched.

Something was wrong.

“Chang-kyung?”

Hyuk-min was now fully upright.

Normally, the person receiving aid could only regain consciousness after the helper removed their hands.

But even though the hands on his back were gone, Chang-kyung’s eyes remained tightly shut, his brow furrowed.

His energy channels were wide open.

His Mana—his Internal Energy—was empty.

A wall of Mana, far stronger than in his past life, was well-formed outside his skin—his external energy.

And finally, though faint, he could feel the Black Blood Demonic Energy of Immortal Demon Art that Chang-kyung had touched.

After checking his physical state, it was clear Chang-kyung had finished giving all the help he could.

That made it even stranger.

He should have opened his eyes long ago.

“Chang-kyung!”

It was at that very moment, as he cried out in anxiety, that Mantae approached, wiping away sweat after finishing the Small Heavenly Circulation for No Death and Hyun-jung.

“Chang-kyung won’t open his eyes.”

Not opening his eyes during a Small Heavenly Circulation?

Mantae’s eyes widened as he moved past Hyuk-min to look at Chang-kyung.

“With the Head Monk in this state… how were you able to regain consciousness?”

Was this the first time such a thing had happened?

Mantae’s expression turned grave, as if he couldn’t comprehend it either.

He stepped closer to Chang-kyung.

“Head Monk, what has happened? I will help you!”

Chang-kyung’s lips—sealed tight beneath his deeply creased brow—parted, and a faint sound escaped.

“LIMITLESS…”

“LIMITLESS?”

Mantae, not knowing what that was, tilted his head.

But one person—and only one—reacted strongly to that word.

Hyuk-min, who possessed the LIMITLESS System and knew just how suspicious it was.

“LIMITLESS!? Wait a moment!”

He leaned in and asked Chang-kyung, just as Mantae had.

“What about LIMITLESS!?”

“LIMITLESS… LIMITLESS…”

When it became clear he couldn’t say anything else, Hyuk-min’s expression darkened.

This was completely unexpected.

To think Chang-kyung’s condition was connected to LIMITLESS.

Of all things, the mention of LIMITLESS—something even Hyuk-min still didn’t fully understand—made his anxiety explode.

“You… Did you do this? What did you do!”

“Monk Mantae.”

No Death and Hyun-jung, who had been receiving Mantae’s aid, looked at Chang-kyung and asked.

“What’s wrong with Monk Chang-kyung?”

Mantae bit his lip, then suddenly grabbed Hyuk-min by the collar.

“What did you do! Speak this instant!”

At Mantae’s sudden move, No Death and Hyun-jung rushed over to stop him.

“Hold on. Goodness, how can a man of your age act like this?”

Mantae was barely pulled away.

His strength was so great that even No Death—whose Stats were high—spoke through a strain.

“What do you mean Hyuk-min did something? It’s obvious he was unconscious, just like the rest of us.”

“He definitely did something. The Head Monk would never end up like this so easily. Tell me what LIMITLESS is, right now!”

“Wait a minute! What kind of state is he in? We need to know what we’re even talking about.”

Mantae glanced at Chang-kyung, bit his lip, and said,

“It’s the stage right before Cultivation Deviation.”

The atmosphere turned icy.

At the words “Cultivation Deviation,” everyone’s expression hardened.

Only Hyun-jung, who didn’t know what it was, nudged No Death.

“What’s Cultivation Deviation?”

“It’s serious. I don’t know the details, but I know it can cripple you… or even kill you.”

“What…? That grandpa monk who beat my uncle in his ‘old man’ mode?”

Mantae’s fists clenched.

“The Head Monk has helped hundreds of people with the Small Heavenly Circulation. And yet he ended up like this while helping you. Do you still have nothing to say!”

Hyuk-min had trained at the Great Buddha Temple in his past life.

There was no way he wouldn’t recognize the signs of someone on the verge of Cultivation Deviation.

He was just desperately denying it—hoping his old memories were wrong.

‘What happened? How did Chang-kyung make contact with LIMITLESS? It’s impossible.’

Knowing how serious it was, he focused only on finding a solution, barely hearing Mantae.

Instead, No Death asked,

“What do we have to do to wake him up? Wouldn’t it work if we just shook him awake?”

“Touching someone undergoing Cultivation Deviation is the same as killing them! Who are you trying to kill!”

“Is there no way? We’ll help.”

“Unless the Head Monk himself tells us the way, there is nothing we can do. We can only pray he wakes up on his own.”

The fury simmering in Mantae’s eyes eased slightly as he looked at Chang-kyung.

Then, more worried than ever, he said,

“One hour. If he doesn’t wake up within that time… he will fall into Cultivation Deviation.”

Realizing how dire it was, everyone glanced back and forth between Chang-kyung and Hyuk-min.

‘Why LIMITLESS all of a sudden?’

As he replayed what had happened in that dark mental world, Hyuk-min couldn’t understand it.

Through the LIMITLESS System, he knew that while Chang-kyung was opening his energy channels for external energy, he had also—somehow—touched the Black Blood Demonic Energy of Immortal Demon Art.

He didn’t know why, but the result had been good.

Not only could he sense the Black Blood Demonic Energy within his once-black mental world, but Chang-kyung had drawn out his potential enough that he could attempt to bind Immortal Demon Art to the LIMITLESS System.

That was all.

There had been no mistakes from Chang-kyung, and no warnings from the LIMITLESS System as it checked his condition.

‘It’s next to impossible, but if there’s even a sliver of a chance, it would have to be then.’

The moment at the end—when Hyuk-min made contact with LIMITLESS to bind Immortal Demon Art.

Chang-kyung had only watched with the eyes of One Who Awakens Potential. He hadn’t made contact, and he shouldn’t have been able to.

In the first place, wasn’t LIMITLESS a System—not a Skill, not Internal Energy, not Mana?

The LIMITLESS System was something others could never detect, to the point that it could even hide from the white System.

It didn’t make sense.

But he had to do something.

Grip.

It was absurd, but at that moment, a ridiculous idea came to him.

A method that was only possible if that near-impossible event was true—and only because Hyuk-min himself was the owner of the LIMITLESS System.

‘Don’t think. Just do it.’

Clenching his fist, Hyuk-min approached Chang-kyung.

Then he shouted, out of nowhere.

“LIMITLESS!”

[Ting.]

[Calling the LIMITLESS System.]

Ignoring the LIMITLESS System floating in the air, he stared only at Chang-kyung.

Seeing Chang-kyung’s unresponsive face—still frowning—he shouted again.

“LIMITLESS!!”

“Stop!” Mantae yelled, unable to stand it any longer.

For someone on the verge of Cultivation Deviation, peace and stability were the only help.

Watching Hyuk-min shout at Chang-kyung was more than Mantae could tolerate.

“LIMITLESS!!”

The third shout.

“I told you to stop!”

Finally losing his patience, Mantae strode forward to drag Hyuk-min away.

It was at that moment.

Twitch.

“….!!”

Only Hyuk-min, close enough to see it, felt the subtle movement.

At the same time, he saw it—a faint, fleeting puff of black smoke dispersing from Chang-kyung’s shoulder.

Without thinking, he placed his hand on Chang-kyung’s shoulder.

Thump!

“You crazy bastard!!!!”

Utterly aghast, Mantae kicked off the ground toward Hyuk-min, his body surging with Internal Energy.

Even as Mantae rushed at him like he meant to kill him, Hyuk-min shouted for the fourth—and final—time.

“Come back!! LIMITLESS!!!”

It happened then.

BOOM! WHOOOOSH—

“Ugh!”

A powerful shockwave erupted around Chang-kyung and Hyuk-min, slamming into the air.

The pressure—like the air had been compressed and released all at once—shook the ground, spiderwebbing fine cracks through the earth beneath their feet.

The blast wave was so violent that everyone except Chang-kyung and Hyuk-min was thrown back in every direction.

“Wha-what!”

Shing!

No Death drew his daggers.

Hyun-jung pulled out a huge gun and took aim.

Grit!

Only Mantae, who managed to hold his ground to the end, stood nearby, grinding his teeth as he stared at Chang-kyung and Hyuk-min.

Whoosh.

The dust had been blown away, leaving the spot unnaturally clean.

All eyes gathered there—

Where Chang-kyung had Hyuk-min by the throat, his eyes wide open.

“You… you… What in the world are you.”

= = =

Park Chung-ho looked bright as he emerged from his conversation with Baeksan.

Before getting into the black sedan he’d arrived in, he crooked a finger at Jang Han-bit and Park Jae-hyun, who were waiting behind him.

“Yes!”

As the car began to move, Jang Han-bit spoke first.

“It seems the meeting went well.”

“Well, so-so?”

“Did that old man from Baeksan agree to it?”

Park Chung-ho snorted and looked out the window.

“He’s a sly old fox. He didn’t even show up.”

“Then…”

“Hwarang Sword, was it? I spoke with that guy. Said he was delegated the guild master’s authority and could handle it.”

“Ah! Hwarang Sword is the vice guild master! I heard he’s the current guild master’s eldest son and is being trained in management.”

“You think I don’t know that? It means that old fox knew I would be coming, not the old man from Haeundae. When you think about it, he has a tendency to subtly look down on me.”

“Ah! Not at all! How could I possibly dare to do such a thing?”

“Hmph, strange.”

Tilting his head, Park Chung-ho tapped Jang Han-bit’s arm.

It was a light tap, but the difference in their Stats was so vast that Jang Han-bit’s body slammed into the window.

As he endured the sharp pain, Park Chung-ho asked,

“How long would it take to get about 1.5 billion?”

“1.5 billion? That much should be quick.”

“In cash.”

At the word “cash,” Jang Han-bit’s confident expression darkened.

“Ca-cash? You want clean, untraceable money, right?”

“Of course. There are some people I need to grease up to catch that guy in China.”

“China… you mean that son of a bitch—I mean, Bang Hyuk-min? Hmph, you’ll probably have to give me about a week…”

“Get it done by tomorrow. I’ll send you some guys if you need them.”

At the mention of sending Haeundae Guild members, Jang Han-bit’s face brightened instantly.

“Oh, well then of course it’s possible. I’ll have 1.5 billion neatly packaged by tomorrow.”

“Oh, and once this is taken care of, liquidate the real estate.”

“Sir…? Why the real estate…”

“I said liquidate it. You can’t move bigger money if you’re holding onto real estate.”

“Then what you said back then…”

A wide smile bloomed on Jang Han-bit’s face.

“Ah! Of course! As you know, I can do anything you command, Guild Master! My loyalty!”

“Loyalty, my ass.”

As their conversation paused, Park Jae-hyun—who’d been quiet—asked,

“Do you know who was sent to capture Bang Hyuk-min?”

“I know him well. Isn’t it Divine Power Unit Deputy Commander Nansan, Wi Gwakdu?”

“He is not an easy man.”

“I still don’t get it. That Divine Power Unit Deputy Commander, Nansan—why is Baeksan trembling over him, going on about full preparations, sending twenty elite members in two teams of ten, and all that? Isn’t he just a soldier?”

“He is a soldier recognized by the nation and the world. He is known to possess outstanding skills. Then is the 1.5 billion for sending the elites? Or is it to have the Divine Power Unit Deputy Commander recalled?”

How would he deal with the famous Nansan—Wi Gwakdu, a soldier to his very core?

That was what Park Jae-hyun was curious about.

Park Chung-ho smirked at his curiosity.

“It’s for sending the elites, of course. It’s better to eliminate people who can’t be controlled. And he’s abroad—how perfect is that?”

“That is a difficult path. It might be a better decision to persuade the Minister of National Defense.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really don’t get it.”

“Sir?”

“You think that old fox Baeksan hasn’t tried? He’s a man who’s always shouting about peace. He’s already tried.”

Gazing out the window, Park Chung-ho shrugged.

“The Minister of National Defense, that Divine Power Unit Deputy Commander guy—they’re both stubborn mules. That old fox Baeksan said it was the first time he’d seen people who couldn’t be bought with money.”

“Is that so.”

“To think there are people who hate money. I swear.”

Then a grin spread across Park Chung-ho’s lips.

“Whatever. It’s all their own fate. Hating money, acting all high and mighty for the sake of the country… and then dying a sudden, violent death.”

Park Chung-ho’s words were laden with meaning.

“That’s all their own fate. It’s actually a relief. I can take this opportunity to bundle up those annoying guys and send them off as a one-plus-one deal.”

At those words, Park Jae-hyun’s eyes widened.

The Minister of National Defense and the Divine Power Unit Deputy Commander were on a completely different level from the people they’d dealt with so far.

It was like pointing a gun at people who were once like the sky—so high they were unimaginable.

But the Park Chung-ho of now, who had all but taken over the Haeundae Guild, was different.

He was in a state where he believed his head was almost touching the sky.

His drive was set on piercing through the heavens.

“You can get 800 million by today, right?”

“Yes, it’s possible if you just send the men.”

“I need to grease all the palms today. Have it ready by this evening.”

“Yes, sir! So when are you planning to go after him?”

“I’m thinking of sending the guys at dawn tomorrow. Ah! Yaksha decided to go too.”

“Yaksha-nim as well?”

Yaksha’s position was to be Park Chung-ho’s arm—protecting only him.

Jang Han-bit’s eyes widened at the news that Yaksha would be leaving Park Chung-ho’s side for the first time.

At that, Park Chung-ho shook his head with an annoyed expression.

“That old fox said he’s anxious. In exchange for us sending Yaksha, they agreed to send Knife Rain.”

“Wow! This is perfect, isn’t it? Yaksha-nim and Baeksan’s shadow, Knife Rain… There’s no way this can fail.”

“Sigh, using a butcher’s knife to catch a chicken. I wonder if it’s right to send so many people to catch one guy. This is why old people are no good. They have so much to protect that they cower and flinch. So boring.”

“Hahaha, that’s right! As expected of the Guild Master! Hahahaha. When you do something, you have to do it right!”

Watching the sycophantic Jang Han-bit and the smiling Park Chung-ho, it almost looked like they’d already killed Bang Hyuk-min and taken the Legendary Title.

But unlike the cheerful pair, Park Jae-hyun—sitting in the passenger seat—wore only a grave expression.

“It’s ambiguous. It has to be certain…”