Chapter 153:
Chapter 153
Fame isn't confined to exploits or positive deeds alone. Just as evil entities like demons exist as patron gods, infamy also translates into fame. Choi Pilyoung's most significant mistake was that the more people read his articles, the more it affected Seo Gangrim, the subject of those articles. In fact, Seo Gangrim's name was becoming even more prominent than Choi Pilyoung's, as people usually prioritize the figure portrayed in the article rather than the journalist.
Choi Pilyoung winced for a moment at Seo Gangrim's words. "Did you think I wrote the article without knowing that? You were too confident; I almost fell for it."
Choi Pilyoung twisted his mouth, mocking Seo Gangrim. "You don't have a patron god! Fame is useless for you!"
It was common knowledge among awakened individuals that those without a patron god were less affected by increased fame. Nevertheless, Seo Gangrim's expression remained unaffected because an alert window was currently in front of him.
[Fame of 'Seo Gangrim' has exceeded the target value!]
['Deification' is in progress!]
Hunters who hadn't received a god were not significantly influenced by increased fame. This was the common understanding among both hunters and the manshins. However, the revelation that fame could affect awakened individuals without a patron god has come to light in recent years.
When a certain threshold of fame has been accumulated, awakened individuals undergo a divine transformation. Usually, it took several years for a hunter to accumulate enough fame. However, the circumstances were different for those who hadn't received a patron god.
[Confirms that the 'Awakened' has no intervening patron god!]
[Fame is not being dispersed!]
While receiving a patron god had numerous benefits, most of the fame gained by the manshin was taken away by his patron god. However, for individuals walking their path without relying on gods, proper honors were bestowed upon them.
Seo Gangrim knew that his fame wasn't being dispersed, and he cleverly turned the dire situations he faced to his advantage. He encouraged Dokgo Jun to write a novel about him and purposely provoked Choi Pilyoung to induce criticism against him.
As a result, the public gave attention to Seo Gangrim as he desired, spreading his name far and wide, even if it was infamy.
[People are talking about you!]
[Countless humans are discussing your cunning, strength, and achievements.]
[The divine title 'Deceitful Victor' is bestowed upon you!]
The content didn't matter. If people were interested in his story, whether driven by malice or goodwill, Seo Gangrim could absorb that attention, nurture it, and turn it into his own sustenance.
Meanwhile, Choi Pilyoung seemed bewildered by Seo Gangrim's attitude.
'Seo Gangrim is undoubtedly an ordinary hunter. Increased fame should be useless to him...'
Choi Pilyoung, as if recalling something, anxiously tightened his grip on the sword. Confusion flickered in his eyes.
'Could it be that he received a patron god during this time?'
Choi Pilyoung seemed to mistake that Seo Gangrim had gained a patron god. If that were true, the current situation would still be unfavorable to Seo Gangrim.
With a sinister grin, Choi Pilyoung stared at Seo Gangrim. 'Yes, he must have received a patron god recently. I'm still in a much more advantageous position!'
-Slash!
Choi Pilyoung's clones simultaneously rushed toward Seo Gangrim. Dozens of swords sliced through the darkness.
Amidst the chaotic onslaught, Choi Pilyoung shouted malevolently.
"No matter how strong you are, you won't be able to defeat these people when you're blind and exhausted…!"
-Zzajjeojung!
Then, an icy chill descended upon the battlefield. Frost flames blossomed from Seo Gangrim's hands, illuminating the darkness faintly. The clones, frozen like ice statues, became visible in the falling snow. The surroundings were now filled with ice.
It looked more akin to a force of nature than just a supernatural ability. In a way, it was expected. The person standing before Choi Pilyoung had stepped beyond the boundaries of human capability.
[Deification is activating!]
[Divine power is infusing into the body!]
Just like gods growing stronger with increased fame, Seo Gangrim was also getting more powerful. He rushed towards Choi Pilyoung in a flash.
Choi Pilyoung desperately raised his sword to block, but he couldn't completely nullify the impact.
-Clang!
Driven back by the force, Choi Pilyoung retreated, but Seo Gangrim's attacks followed immediately. With each clash of their swords, Choi Pilyoung felt as if his vitality was being depleted.
Unknowingly, Seo Gangrim's eyes were flashing with a fierce golden hue, and an intense energy emanated from him. Just as Choi Pilyoung was about to succumb to the overwhelming power, he shouted desperately.
"I-if you kill me, you'll be in trouble too!"
Upon hearing this, Seo Gangrim's sword halted. He looked down at Choi Pilyoung as if urging him to speak.
With a trembling voice, Choi Pilyoung continued, "B-before entering here, I wrote an exposé about you! If I die, you'll be treated as a murderer. But if you let me go, I'll immediately publish a corrected article!"
Choi Pilyoung smiled nervously, "I promise! And I'll never touch you again. Your colleagues too..."
-Swish!
Blood splattered onto the frozen ground. No more words were heard. Only silence and coldness enveloped the tomb.
The moment Choi Pilyoung fell, Seo Gangrim's body swayed, and one of his knees buckled. Blood was flowing from his mouth and nose.
[Confirmed that the subject infused with divine power is human!]
[Excessive divine power imposes a burden on the frail mortal body!]
Seo Gangrim promptly released 'Deification,' but the pain persisted. The agony he felt was like his internal organs were torn apart, and breathing became as difficult as if someone had filled his lungs with mud.
'Indeed, channeling divine power into a human body has its issues.'
Originally, becoming divine was something possible only after death. Divine power was undoubtedly a formidable force, but sustaining it in a living vessel had its limitations.
Even with the rising fame, he couldn't fully absorb the power. If things continued this way, no matter how much his fame increased, he couldn't fully assimilate that power.
He realized that to cope with the increasing fame, he needed to train not only his capacity but also his mortal body and mind. After all, even though the minimum requirement of fame was now filled, and the divinization was in progress, it was merely a baby step.
He gazed down at Choi Pilyoung's lifeless body. The once lively tongue and fingers were now motionless. Choi Pilyoung couldn't tell anyone's story anymore. He would not torment the members of the Flying Tiger Sect like in his previous life anymore.
Seo Gangrim silently gathered what he needed and left.
'Now, there's about two hours left.'
With Choi Pilyoung taken care of, the only thing left was to escape. He had sent the spirits earlier to avoid having them witness the scene of Choi Pilyoung's death. Now, he summoned them.
"Woong?!"
"Kyaah!
The spirits, observing Seo Gangrim's state, panicked. Seo Gangrim also wanted to take a break, but there wasn't much time left.
"Gangrim-ssi? Is it really you, Gangrim?"
As he wearily advanced, leaning on the wall, a voice echoed from the darkness. Hearing that voice, Seo Gangrim abruptly stopped. The voice belonged to Shin Sooah.
Just like the voices from Choi Pilyoung's clones a while ago, the voices came consecutively from a distance.
"Master! I'm glad you're safe."
"We were worried, Hyungnim."
It seemed as if whispers were speaking in the darkness as if they belonged to people who were already dead.
【Did I really die, Seo Gangrim?】
Choi Pilyoung's voice whispered in his ears, and he was giving off a sinister laugh.
【Are those voices real?】
【If those voices are from my clones, you'll die.】
【Is it a fake? Yeah, it seems fake. Why don't you try to kill it?】
It was a voice testing Seo Gangrim. The whispers in his ears were dizzying. Accompanied by the voices, footsteps were rushing towards him.
【If that voice is fake, you're a dead man.】
The voices imitated by Choi Pilyoung and the ones currently speaking were almost identical. However, Seo Gangrim could tell the difference. He couldn't mistake the voice he had longed for so much.
Seo Gangrim walked towards the source of the voice. Suddenly, warm and gentle hands grabbed him.
"Gangrim-ssi, are you okay? Why are you so injured? Can't you see?"
Shin Sooah's voice made him feel relieved like a thorn being pulled out.
"Temporary blindness, it'll be lifted soon."
He had no more hallucinations, and clear-headed sobriety returned to him.
Seo Gangrim spoke to Shin Sooah, "You didn't have to come. Moreover, why are you here when there's not much time left until the reset..."
"We were waiting just for you, Gangrim-ssi. Besides, there's not much time left, and we were worried."
Shin Sooah said so and embraced Seo Gangrim tightly. Not only Jang Taeheon and Yoon Bom but even Seo Gangrim himself was bewildered. He tried to break free, but Shin Sooah didn't let go.
"Shin Sooah-ssi? I'm okay. If you let me down, I can walk with my own feet."
"We don't have time. Considering your condition, running is impossible, and this might be faster. Let's escape right away!"
Due to the effect of deification, his body was a mess, and he couldn't see. Shin Sooah's judgment was correct in this situation. Besides, it seemed like Shin Sooah didn't want to see him in such a state any longer. Eventually, he entrusted his body to Shin Sooah.
"...I leave it to you."
"Alright. Hold on tight. We don't have much time; I'll hurry."
After Shin Sooah embraced Seo Gangrim, she immediately started running towards the exit. Both of her arms were holding him firmly.
***
[30 Minutes Left Until the End of the Demon Realm]
"Everyone out! The Demon Realm is closing soon!"
As the end of the Demon Realm approached, the awakened who remained until the last hurriedly began to exit. Nevertheless, there were still a handful of people left.
As the awakened came out, journalists who had been waiting rushed in.
"What's the situation inside Demon Realm? Are there any survivors?"
"Have you seen Hunter Seo Gangrim inside?"
"We understand that there are still people inside; do you know the situation of Hunter Seo Gangrim?"
Most journalists were curious about Seo Gangrim's situation. He and his colleagues returning had not been confirmed yet. While journalists anxiously waited for Seo Gangrim, the time limit was steadily ticking away.
[Five minutes left until the end of Demon Realm!]
As the closing time approached, everyone seemed to be in confusion. Gradually, the door of the Demon Realm was preparing to close.
Seeing this, the journalists quickly started preparing for a breaking news report.
"Post the article right away. Declare Hunter Seo Gangrim dead."
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