Ranker Who Lives Twice

Sky Wings was able to amplify all effects to the maximum. Yeon-woo used everything in his capacity to deflect the black lightning the Death King struck at him. His two wings enclosed around him, creating a large barrier.

However, Yeon-woo's body wasn't able to handle the impact and was shot back. Crash! Cough! He was only able to stop after being implanted on a cave wall that had been far behind him.

'…Is it too much for me to handle?' Yeon-woo gritted his teeth. It had only been a single attack, but his entire body was screaming in pain. It felt like his muscles were destroyed and every single bone had been crushed. His organs were a bleeding mess as well.

['Magic Circuit' has been damaged!]

[The extent of damage is severe. You must act quickly to recover.]

[You cannot create any magic power.]

[You cannot circulate magic power.]

…

"Impressive. So you can at least take a punch, huh? I guess you really weren't just a simple rat."

The Death King had a cold smile on his face as he approached Yeon-woo. Sssss. His shadow moved on the ground like ink and took over Yeon-woo's shadow.

"I don't know why I'm here. There are too many parts still missing. But I have no idea why I'm missing those things or what they were."

Clack! Clack! The Death King's shadow opened widely and revealed its sharp teeth. Like a shark targeting food on the water's surface, the shadow rambled about beneath Yeon-woo's feet. The concept of death was targeting him.

"There's a bunch of concealed stuff as well. It seems like those things over there are a part of me, but… There's no way of knowing. I don't know what I'm supposed to do here. However…" The Death King's eyes flashed in gold. "Since you seem to know something, I can take my time asking you."

The Death King had many powers. Of those, Purgatory Furnace was one Yeon-woo had often used to trap and torture enemies for answers. But the Death King now intended to use it on Yeon-woo…

Yeon-woo felt this situation was absurd. He smiled coldly. "Should I teach you something?"

"What?"

"Sorry, but I don't talk as much as you do."

"…!" Realizing this wasn't the time for him to take his own sweet time, the Death King attempted to make a move, but it was too late.

Booom! The wall next to the Death King exploded and a hot wave whirled around him.

"You dared to attack from behind? You'll regret what you did." Between the falling rocks, the king of gods appeared with a missing arm and dashed towards the Death King.

The Death King's backstabbing must have taken quite a toll because the king of god was gravely injured. Aside from his missing left arm, his entire body was riddled with injuries. The way his face was discolored in black also suggested that the concept of death was eating away at his body. The resolve felt with the heat wave was filled with murderous intent toward the Death King.

Krakrakra! On top of that, behind the king of gods was a bloodied dragon that came speeding for the Death King as well.

"How…!" The Death King was surprised. They had been attacking the Giant Demonic Divine Dragon, and he had succeeded in turning the dragon's rage to the king of gods. When the king of gods had his hands full, the Death King had planted a knife in his side and thought it was over. He was confused as to why they were coming here…

『You're not the only one who can pull tricks.』

The Death King spun toward Yeon-woo, whose voice rang in his ear. There was a very familiar scent coming from Yeon-woo, so the Death King murmured, "Mother…Earth?"

『This scent will make someone seek where it's coming from.』

After defeating Persephone in the past, Yeon-woo had forced open a Channel with Mother Earth to kill her. The title he earned at the time was 'Apostle of Mother Earth.' Of course, the title he gained from that time had disappeared with all his legends, but that didn't mean Yeon-woo had forgotten its traits and how it worked.

'What I learned while reassembling my soul to complete Yin Sword is useful here.' With the experience he had from back then, Yeon-woo set appropriate countermeasures, and the dragon, who only had instinct, came here after sensing it. 'Most of the dragon's Factors are Mother Earth's.'

And the legend of defeating Mother Earth was with the king of gods!

"So you do know about this place…!" The Death King became more assured of his thoughts about Yeon-woo, but he didn't have the mind to focus on him right now.

The king of gods was dashing toward the Death King with killing intent, tearing his shadow with red flames, and the dragon spewed an onslaught of Breaths toward him. The Death King was overwhelmed with trying to protect himself.

Thud, thud, thud! Pow! The many walls of the cave exploded as the Death King, king of gods, and the dragon clashed together.

['Atman System' has successfully been switched to emergency mode, and some magic power has been circulated!]

[Current efficiency rate: 6%]

Yeon-woo was already short on magic power, so he was appalled that this was all he could use. But he didn't waste any time and spread open his palms, slamming the wall next to him. Boom! Points along the ceiling that were barely holding on due to the clash of the divine beings shook. Rocks poured down and separated the space between the other identities and Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo knew this was only a temporary measure, and it would be easily broken through if the divine beings started moving. With his Draconic Eyes still wide open, he punched the location he had just found.

[Your efficiency has suddenly decreased due to the abnormal usage of magic power!]

[Current efficiency rate: 3%]

Baam! Baam!

[The efficiency of your magic power has decreased again!]

[Current efficiency rate: 1%]

Crash! When Yeon-woo punched the wall about three or four times, it exploded, and an empty space behind it was revealed. Whoosh! A red orb piece was floating in that space. It was a Li's Fragment like the ones he had seen while collecting the Soulstones.

Yeon-woo stretched his hand toward it. Hwaaak! The fragment broke, and golden light was absorbed into his hand.

[You have succeeded in retrieving a 'Fragment!']

[A sudden quest (Hidden Fragments) has been created.]

[Sudden Quest / Hidden Fragments]

[Description: You are currently in Li's Tomb. Spread throughout this tomb are fragments that symbolized Li. Li's Fragments contain the Fire of Origin.

The more fragments you obtain, the closer you will be to the Fire of Origin and the owner of this tomb, Li. Now, find all the hidden fragments in this stage and combine them as one.

This is the only method for you, who has lost all his legends, to defeat your other selves. Everything that happens in the process will also be an opportunity for you to reassemble yourself.]

[Time Limit: -]

[Qualifications: Entrant of 'Li's Tomb.' Owner of 'Li's Fragment.']

[Conditions for success: Find Li's Fragments. Currently discovered fragments (1/5)

[Rewards: ???]

However, contrary to Yeon-woo's expectations, the Li's Fragment he retrieved didn't give him any immediate power or anything. It was still too much for him to face other divine beings directly. But deep inside his soul, he could feel something filling up.

Yeon-woo thought he'd be able to use the strength he wanted only after retrieving the remaining fragments. 'This is still good progress. My guess was right.' He racked his brain again.

[The skill 'Time Difference' has been created!]

Time slowed, and Yeon-woo's mind became more vast.

Du du du! The fight between the three divine beings was becoming larger. The heat Yeon-woo could feel through the makeshift wall felt like it could burn his soul.

'The place with the next hidden piece is…!' Yeon-woo chased after the flow of imperfections with his Draconic Eyes and drew a map of the cave's structure in his head.

Yeon-woo had carefully scanned his surroundings while moving with soldier Yeon-woo. With many calculations, he was able to infer the location of a fragment in the complicated maze-like structure of the cave. And the closest one to him was…

'Is this it?' Yeon-woo spread his Sky Wings apart and flew down the right-forked path.

Swish.

* * *

[You have succeeded in retrieving the 'Second Li's Fragment!]

'Now there's only three left. But I was lucky until now. The other guys will have started to catch on.' Yeon-woo didn't think he'd find the remaining three fragments so easily. His other selves might've already found them. 'They're probably not divine beings.'

Yeon-woo did feel this when fighting the Death King, but although these beings had similar faces and temperaments, it wasn't enough to call them "Cha Yeon-woo." It was probably because their memories as a human, which was Yeon-woo's main foundation, were cut off, so these beings considered themselves more like gods. This was why the Death King had been tricked by Yeon-woo.

This was a significant discovery. 'The further I get from my human self, the more I lose my identity as Cha Yeon-woo…' The divine beings had less of Yeon-woo's reason and ability to make judgments. However, the non-divine beings like the Hoarder and Shadow King had Yeon-woo's human identity. They'd have to make sharp decisions to survive in a place filled with divine beings.

'I should ally myself or finish off all the non-divine beings first, right?' If Yeon-woo didn't, there would be no way to take victory amid the threats of the divine beings. Yeon-woo was certain the Hoarder and the Shadow King had come to the same conclusion as him.

'Where's a good place for the non-divine beings to meet secretly away from the eyes of the Death King and the others?' Yeon-woo knew that the place had to be not too large or small and far off from the divine beings. 'And it is a place where the paths of multiple caves cross in case a quick escape is needed.'

Yeon-woo considered the most important factor in deciding where to meet his other selves was whether or not he could secure an escape route. Then, he had another thought. 'At the same time, it needs to be able to stop others from retreating. A common location all of us will think in the middle of this complicated ant nest…!'

Yeon-woo's eyes flashed. 'There.' The place he found the first fragment…was the location where the Death King and the others had clashed. Wouldn't the other non-divine beings easily think of that place as well? He was sure the battle of the three divine beings was either over, or they had moved to another location to find him. He was going to use the fact the beacon didn't shine on its own base. And when he returned…

"…You're finally here."

"What a slow guy. What kind of legend do you have for you to be so late?"

What awaited Yeon-woo was a masked Hoarder and a disdainful Shadow King.

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