Seo-Yun’s words struck like lightning as my thoughts drifted back—back to the mont before I went out to fight the joint 60,000 soldiers. I had considered using my dark talents. And even though I didn’t, I was still pulled into a dark place. One that ended up increasing my corruption level.
What she said about the people around was true... but I refused to believe I’d fall like the rest.
"Ooh... it seems you’ve already been in that situation. That explains why your soul is already tainted," Seo-Yun chuckled, snapping back to reality.
I realized I had been lost in thought. My worries must’ve been written all over my face, which is probably why she made such a bold assumption.
"You see?" Seo-Yun continued. "No one makes it alone. Capturing territories and building forces should be your priority, not improving your strength. This tip is worth a billion bucks, but since you’re the love of my life, I’ll take a hot, steamy night as paynt."
Pa!
I facepald, silently wondering if this girl was always this unserious—or just with .
"I’m serious," she said with a stern tone. "I like you, so why don’t we work together from now on? Together we can defeat every other Gatekeeper, unite the realm, and beco the strongest Gatekeepers in the universe."
Buzz!
Sothing snapped in my head at the last part.
"Beco the strongest Gatekeeper in the universe..." I mumbled, a spark of realization lighting in my eyes.
For a mont, I was almost swayed by her words. But that line made realize... we didn’t have the sa goal.
Seo-Yun was right.
The strongest Gatekeeper did need strength, yes. But more importantly, they needed the strongest army—one capable of uniting the realms and protecting their territory.
But that wasn’t what I was after.
I am a man destined to be God. A being who reigns over both Gatekeepers and mortals alike.
Such a being doesn’t hide behind an army.
He stands alone—and the universe hides behind him.
That is the kind of man I will beco.
"Our paths are different. Our goals don’t align. For that reason... we cannot walk together," I said, unbuckling Rai’ki from my waist.
Finally, I understood what needed to be done.
There was no reason to hesitate anymore.
Sigh...
Seo-Yun let out a heavy sigh and shook her head.
"Fool."
She snapped her fingers—and a rift opened above.
Swoosh!
From it, people began pouring out. They looked human, but each one had animal traits—spotted skin, horns, wings, talons. Each bore sothing unique that set them apart, and they were all clad in black and blue fitted armor, ard with Aether weapons.
"Demi-humans," I muttered, frowning as I watched the streets, rooftops, and even the air fill with them by the thousands.
So ca mounted—wolves, birds, even massive snakes. In monts, the abandoned city was overwheld. Every one of them lowered their heads in respect to their Empress.
A hulking figure stepped forward—half-man, half-bull. He roared, then fell to one knee, lowering his head to Seo-Yun. On his back was a massive war axe, nearly twice my size, its edge gleaming with Aether power.
"Empress! The 30th Battalion answers your call!" he declared loudly, and they all erupted in a thunderous cheer.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
Seo-Yun’s lips curled into a proud smile. Her eyes studied my face, likely hoping to see shock or fear.
But what she saw... was indifference.
"Is this the part where I shiver in fear and beg for my life?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Buzz!
Her eyes widened in surprise, while hundreds of faces twisted in rage beside and above her.
"Is this where I fall to my knees and admit I was wrong, and you were right?" I chuckled, tightening my grip on Rai’ki.
"KILL THAT BLASPHER!" the bull-man roared.
Without warning, he flung his war axe at with full force and leapt after it.
At the sa ti, hundreds of demi-humans charged forward with murderous intent, all wanting to land a hit on the man who dared insult their beloved Empress.
"NO, STOP!" Seo-Yun scread at the top of her voice—but it was too late.
"Fools."
My eyes turned pitch-black, and the cracks spread—fast. From the corners of my eyes, down my neck, then across my face.
"DIE!"
My voice echoed unnaturally—overlapping with a thousand others.
[On Pulse Activated!]
SWOOSH!
A dark shockwave exploded from , rushing toward the army—and even reaching Seo-Yun.
In an instant, the roar of thousands vanished.
Silence.
Bam! Bam!
One after the other, airborne figures dropped like stones.
Bam! Bam!
The ones on the ground collapsed instantly, lifeless.
Hundreds dead in re seconds.
The rest, behind Seo-Yun, stood frozen, faces twisted in fear.
Blegh!
Seo-Yun spat out a mouthful of black blood, collapsing to one knee. She clutched her chest, coughing violently.
The bluish spirits once swirling around her froze—half their bodies now pitch-black, the corruption still spreading.
Ding!
[Corruption: 1.5%]
My throat stung and there was a bitter aftertaste... but that was it.
I didn’t collapse like before.
I felt fine.
Better than fine. The limitations of my body before this corruption—gone.
’This explains why the system considers a demon now,’ I thought with a low chuckle, eyes gleaming with a dangerous red hue.
"You..." Seo-Yun gasped, still clutching her chest.
Her demi-humans rushed to help—but I reached her first.
Swoosh!
In a flash, I appeared before her.
With a casual wave of my hand, I unleashed a black shockwave that blasted the demi-humans away like toys.
Pa!
I grabbed Seo-Yun by the throat, lifting her off the ground with ease.
"I’ll only beco a Dark Keeper... if the abyss can control ," I said, grinning like a madman. "This power—I’ll control it. The sa way I resisted the heavens... I’ll resist the abyss. So don’t worry about ."
"It... It’s not as easy as you make it seem!" Seo-Yun said while putting up a weak resistance against my grip. "When the darkness cos. Nobody can resist it."
I shook my head and the smile on my face faded with a wicked glare.
"I’m not like you and the rest. Don’t impose your poor standards on !" I snapped.
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