Possessing Nothing

Episode 394: Invasion (8)

TL: Yul, xLordFifth

PR: Gort

*****

When engaging in a chaotic battle against numerous enemies, a skill that confuses their senses would have an impact. However, against such a powerful individual, the illusions of the Violet World lost significance.

Especially if the opponent is an immortal like Geniella. This was already evident during the fight against the Blood Demon.

No matter how much he tried to obscure the enemy's senses and attack from beyond their perception, an opponent with strength equal to or greater than Lee Sungmin's was capable of responding to such attacks that pierced through their blind spots.

Even if she failed to deflect the attacks, Geniella, who was immortal, would instantly recover any damage inflicted by the attack.

Hence, he abandoned the illusion. Lee Sungmin adjusted the formations of the Violet World faster than Geniella could shatter it.

At this moment, Lee Sungmin was no longer a dull-witted individual with inferior talent as he once was.

Even though his talent could not compare to that of Yang Il-Chun or Wijihoyeon, his current genius was enough to be called a 'prodigy' in any world.

The mist that obstructed vision disappeared, and all the numbed senses returned. Yet, the Violet World remained intact.

This was no longer a martial art that could be called the original Violet World.

Geniella gauged the yokai energy filling the space.

The illusionary fog vanished, and all the blocked senses returned. Yet, the yokai energy filling the space was still intact.

On the contrary, abandoning the illusion filled the space with an aura bubbling with violence.

"Ahahaha!!"

Geniella giggled. She still felt neither threat nor tension.

Lee Sungmin pressed his temples to ease the throbbing headache. His overworked brain cells continued to regenerate.

The shimmering fairy light continually enveloped his body. Oslo's blessing prevented fatigue from accumulating and protected Lee Sungmin from lethal attacks.

[Ugh…]

Rubia, nestled in his body, let out a frightened sound. She wished to flee as well.

On this battlefield, in this fight, Rubia's power was insignificant and offered no help. However, she did not flee. There were still things she could do just by being present.

[You… have really grown a lot.]

Heoju sighed in admiration at Lee Sungmin's accomplishment.

*Crackle…*

The energy swirled around Lee Sungmin. There was no need to brandish his spear.

The space of the illusory realm was under Lee Sungmin's control. All the energy within this place was his hands and feet; they became his spears.

Lee Sungmin's consciousness expanded.

The energy whirling around him condensed. Dozens of intangible spears imbued with the essence of the Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques materialized.

"AAAHHH!"

Lee Sungmin shouted as he leapt forward. His steps transcended physical form, becoming intangible.

Shadowless Steps, Second Step: Calamity – Thunderclap (二步劫煞 霹靂)

Shadowless Steps, Third Step: Brutality – Destroying Heaven (三步必殺 天轟)

Shadowless Steps, Fourth Step: Insanity – White Lightning (四步狂瀾 白雷)

The successive steps that rang out in the air created a storm of yokai energy.

Seeing Lee Sungmin rush at her, Geniella charged forward as if she was expecting it. Red energy surged in both her hands.

The spears surrounding them unleashed the same technique.

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, First Art – Soul Predation: Thunderbolt (追魂一殺: 雷電)

PAAAZZZZZT!

Instantly, the dozens of intangible spears became lightning, unleashing crackling sounds around the two.

Exhaling in excitement, Geniella swung her hands wide.

BOOOOM!

Geniella's claws ripped through dozens of lightning bolts in one blow. The scattered yokai energy reformed into spears.

From dozens to hundreds, then to thousands of spears.

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, Second Art – Lightning Chase: Annihilation (分雷追殺: 雷殲)

There was no escape. In the midst of Annihilation, Geniella's magic swelled greatly.

VRRRRRRR!!

The space vibrated as if about to burst. The high-density mana swelled, engulfing all attacks and nullifying them.

Lee Sungmin thrust his spear, held with both hands, toward the advancing wall of mana. Could he penetrate it? He didn't entertain such doubts. He simply had to pierce through, no matter what.

KWAAAAAAAA!!!

The spear tip collided with the wall of mana. Beyond it, Geniella was laughing maniacally. Her laughter was deafening.

[MAKE HER SHUT UP!]

Heoju bellowed.

More power was infused into Lee Sungmin. Heoju spared no effort, pouring all his energy into Lee Sungmin.

In the past, Lee Sungmin might not have been able to withstand Heoju's power, but not now. Their wills were aligned. Just as Lee Sungmin wanted to kill Geniella, so did Heoju.

Crack.

A small gap appeared in the wall of mana.

Now.

Lee Sungmin gritted his teeth. A crack formed in the overworked spear. It didn't matter if the spear couldn't hold up. He poured all his strength into it, forcing the spear through the wall of mana.

Demonic Emperor's Dark Storm Arts: Genesis (開闢)

BOOOM!!!

The light exploded within the barrier, swallowing Geniella's body. The barrier, unable to withstand the shock, shattered into pieces.

Lee Sungmin didn't stop; he charged ahead. Dozens of intangible spears moved according to his will.

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, 4th Art – Nine Dragons Execution: Agony (九龍殺生: 劫雷)

The dozens of spears became hundreds of dragons.

Amidst the chaotic, writhing dragon forms, Geniella rose. Her body, which had disintegrated without a trace, regenerated once again.

She couldn't possibly be immortal. Lee Sungmin kept moving tirelessly. As long as Geniella wasn't a perfectly ascended being, there had to be a limit to her regeneration. It was merely her overwhelming mana endlessly reconstructing her body. Hence, he would keep pushing until she could no longer regenerate.

The fastest of the Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques–

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, 5th Art – Fate Severing: Thunder Flash (絶命閃: 雷光)

PFFFT!!!

Blood spurted from Geniella's mouth. Her body, pierced by dozens of spears, staggered and was pushed back. Despite this, Geniella's lips curled into a smile. She kept laughing as her body crumbled into a pool of crimson and transformed into a massive wave.

KWAAAAAA!!!

Lee Sungmin didn't retreat in the face of the surging mana.

A strike that could pierce through heaven.

The formation of the seventh art of the Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques emerged in Lee Sungmin's mind.

Strip away the unnecessary, the useless.

The internal energy and the yokai energy necessary to unleash the greatest power of this strike were overflowing.

Stronger.

The yokai energy encapsulating the space whirled.

Dozens of intangible spears merged into one.

This strike had to be impossible to evade. If blocked, it had to pierce through the barrier as well.

Lee Sungmin raised the spear held in both hands above his head. The gigantic intangible spear merged with the spear held by Lee Sungmin.

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, 7th Art – Bane of Heaven: Piercing Lightning (貫天: 雷擊)

PZZZTTT!!!!

A huge hole appeared in the oncoming wave of magic. The light of Piercing Lightning, which advanced to the end of the wave, transformed.

Demonic Emperor's Dark Storm Arts: Genesis (開闢)

The blinding light decimated all the magic.

Geniella's laughter stopped. It was possible. Lee Sungmin, swallowing his rough breath, leapt forward.

Even if tonight was a full moon night. Even if the opponent was the queen vampire who had lived for hundreds of years. Even if she was the most powerful monster among all beings in this world, and possessed regenerative powers that made her near-immortal under the full moon's magic.

Lee Sungmin's attacks were effective. The terrifying magic wielded by Geniella was repeatedly failing to withstand and was being pierced and extinguished by Lee Sungmin's attacks.

Even though her body kept resurrecting and regenerating from death, Lee Sungmin's repeated attacks continued to kill her.

Therefore, it was possible. He thought this was his limit and that he was cornered.

'I can do it.'

He could bring down Geniella.

He still had an abundance of power to use. At this rate, he felt like he could fight forever.

Thanks to Oslo's blessing, he did not feel fatigued. His headaches had vanished. No matter how much his body was shattered, Lee Sungmin's body was that of a yokai.

Even if not quite like Geniella, he too could continue regenerating. Lee Sungmin ran toward the remnants of the extinguished magic.

If Geniella regenerated, he could kill her body again, as he had done before.

His heart felt lighter. The corners of his lips curled up. His strategy had worked.

Thanks to careful preparation, he was able to confront Geniella more easily than he had anticipated.

[Behind!]

Heoju shouted.

That shout was faster than turning his head. Faster than his senses warning him. His consciousness was cut off for a moment.

Lee Sungmin's body flew through the air like a kite with its string cut. The Light of the Fairy that surrounded his body dimmed.

Thanks to the blessing, it was only this much; if it weren't for the blessing… Blood spluttered up from his throat.

"You laughed, didn't you?"

A whispering voice came from right behind him. Lee Sungmin was startled and turned his body.

Crunch!

The impact struck from behind, bending Lee Sungmin's body like a bow. Blood spurted from his gaping mouth.

As he plummeted downward, Lee Sungmin quickly regained his senses and steadied himself. His field of vision was filled with a vivid red magic.

Within it, he could see Geniella smiling brightly.

"You laughed."

Geniella's fingers twitched.

Crack!

The tip of the magic twisted like a snake, turning into a sharp spike and shooting forward. Lee Sungmin hastily thrust his spear forward.

Crack!

The magic wrapped around the spear collided with Geniella's magic and was extinguished. The magic that continued forward shattered the spearhead made of dragon bone.

"What were you thinking?"

From amidst the shattered fragments of the spear, Geniella reached out her hand.

Behind Lee Sungmin, his yokai energy whirled into a vortex.

Nine Heavenly Spea-

In an instant, Geniella clenched her hand tightly towards the intangible spear that materialized before her.

BANG!!

The spear that was hurled forward exploded without reaching its target.

"I told you, didn't I? I am an exceptional mage. I have already deciphered the nature of this space. Did you really think I would just stand here and take your hits helplessly?"

Geniella's hand drew closer. Her hands grabbed Lee Sungmin's shoulders.

"Tell me. You laughed, didn't you? Why? Because I couldn't avoid or block your attacks? Because I kept resisting but still failed to respond properly and kept dying.? Because my head burst, my body broke, regenerated, and then died again?

So…"

So, so. Huh?

Geniella's face came even closer. Her forehead touched Lee Sungmin's.

Her eyes widened greatly. In her crimson eyes, Lee Sungmin could see his own reflection.

"What were you thinking? Why did you laugh? Why? I know, I know. Even if you don't answer, I understand. Don't lie to me; it's obvious.

But I want to hear it from your lips."

"Ugh…"

Lee Sungmin caught the scent of Geniella's breath. Despite the undertone of blood, her breath was alluring and sweet.

Her hands on his shoulders were gentle. Geniella giggled as she pulled her arms.

Their bodies were now pressed closely. Lee Sungmin tried to shake her off by swinging his spear.

Crack!

Geniella's magic completely shattered Lee Sungmin's spear.

"Are you not going to answer?"

Within the unbroken Violet World, their bodies floated. Geniella extended her tongue languidly.

Her red tongue licked the dried blood on Lee Sungmin's cheek.

"You thought you could win."

Geniella's eyes twinkled. Lee Sungmin's face distorted in their reflection.

"You thought you could do it. You thought you were pushing me to the edge. You thought you could kill me on the night of the full moon. Right? Don't deny it. What's the point of lying now?"

Swish…

Geniella's magic wrapped around Lee Sungmin's body. The Fairy Queen's blessing resisted Geniella's magic, and Lee Sungmin gritted his teeth and strengthened his protective energy.

"Still not going to answer?"

PAAT!

Geniella's magic pierced through both the blessing and his protective aura at the same time.

"Urgh!"

Blood spurted from Lee Sungmin's mouth. The magic that pierced his stomach tore through his intestines.

"You thought you could win, that you could do it, right? It's okay if you don't answer because I already know. You wanted to think that, and I played along. There's no need to be too ashamed. It's natural, isn't it? Anyone would do the same.

Fighting me, pushing me like this… Anyone would think that. Anyone would have hope. Anyone would think they can do it."

I love that so much.

Geniella smiled brightly.

"I enjoy snatching away hope right before it's within reach. Giving it just before it slips through the fingers. Seeing a smile unknowingly formed from confidence twist into despair… Ah… You have such a great expression right now. Maybe I should have held back a bit more? Waited until it was even more perfect… But it can't be helped. It's already too late."

Swoosh.

The magic tendril that had pierced Lee Sungmin's body was withdrawn.

"How is it?"

Gazing down at the pale face of Lee Sungmin,

"Are you in despair?"

Asked the Queen of Monsters with a smile.

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