Chapter 335

Words : 2789 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Chapter 335 The pseudo-god,one of the artificial transcendence projects that Succession was pushing, required two major conditions to succeed: a vast synesthetic mindscape with immense knowledge rivaling that of Perfect Ones and a powerful vessel with the strength to support it. To fulfill those conditions, Casper repeatedly inherited knowledge and refined his synesthetic mindscape in a cyclic process while simultaneously enhancing Eun-Ha’s body and power by feeding her specially crafted armaments. Time passed, and the fruits of their efforts had just begun showing. But then an unforeseen incident occurred. Boom! A prodigy named Lee Se-Hoon—someone Casper had never even heard of—appeared out of nowhere, attracting Eun-Ha’s attention. She became engrossed in the equipment he crafted, to the point where she ignored Casper and his crafts. What was even worse was that Eun-Ha’s synesthetic mindscape was showing a drastic change after consuming Se-Hoon’s equipment. And that was a critical blow to their plans. Bang! Eun-Ha’s emotions and synesthetic mindscape, which had been tightly suppressed by feeding her armaments specially designed not to interfere with the pseudo-god’s control, started breaking free. In turn, that unleashed an uncontrollable surge of rebellion within her. As a result, despite being absorbed into the pseudo-god, Eun-Ha’s subconscious resisted and caused disruptions. Then, on top of that chaos, Casper made another critical mistake. Bang! Bang! Bang! He thoughtlessly absorbed Se-Hoon into himself, a being that even the Destroyer of Fragmentation—a transcendent formed by consuming hundreds of thousands of souls—had avoided devouring out of inexplicable unease. In other words, Casper swallowed the strongest poison. “Stop...!” Pow! Casper’s left arm, now controlled by Se-Hoon, relentlessly pummeled him. Slash! It severed his painstakingly regenerated right arm and repeatedly mercilessly assaulted his head and torso. To onlookers, it looked like Casper had lost it, self-harming and screaming to himself, but the truth was far from it. Crack! Se-Hoon’s presence completely dominated the left arm, turning it pitch black. Black roots sprouted from within, creeping toward Casper’s torso. Noticing them, Casper fought desperately to contain them, resisting with all his might. In particular, he focused on protecting pseudo-god’s core at his solar plexus, where Eun-Ha resided. And that was why Se-Hoon aimed his attacks at other parts of the body to break through Casper’s defense. Yet even then, Casper found himself barely able to prevent the spread of the corruption. What the hell is happening...? Even his resistance was faltering with each blow, much less his progress on regaining control of his left arm. Everything was absurd. The pseudo-god he had painstakingly created after years of preparation was being controlled like a puppet by a first-year student? Casper couldn’t believe what was happening. Is this even possible? He, who had accumulated immense knowledge and synesthetic mindscapes by transferring through countless bodies over decades, couldn’t handle a mere first-year student? It simply defied all logic. Even as the situation unfolded before his very eyes, Casper still struggled to comprehend the source of Se-Hoon’s power. This is no longer a matter of talent. There could only be two explanations for the current situation. Either Se-Hoon had mastered an extraordinary technique far beyond conventional understanding... “What are you thinking so hard about?” ...or his synesthetic mindscape had already stepped into the realm of transcendence. Squelch! Black roots erupted from Casper’s solar plexus as Se-Hoon’s left arm pierced through. “Damn it...!” A fatal strike had occurred in the brief moment Casper’s focus wavered. Accepting he could no longer suppress Se-Hoon’s encroachment, Casper acted quickly. “Heaven Eye! Shoot at my position now!” He called out to Heaven Eye, who had been observing the battle from a distance. “This bastard is trying to save Ryu Eun-Ha! If you attack me—” Boom! Before Casper could finish his sentence, black arrows pierced his corrupted torso. Then, hundreds of arrows followed suit, raining down indiscriminately. “Argh...!” Heaven Eye unleashed a deadly wave of arrows, even using his Cursed Eyes to their max, as though it didn’t matter if all three of them died. And upon realizing that the arrows even targeted the solar plexus, where Eun-Ha’s core was, Se-Hoon quickly swung the left arm to defend. Thanks to that, Casper once again began regaining control. This is tougher than I expected... Se-Hoon was focused on maintaining control of pseudo-god while simultaneously protecting Eun-Ha and his own body from Heaven Eye’s attack. He was managing for now, but Heaven Eye and Casper’s coordinated assault was pushing him to his limit. The only remaining option is... Considering his next move, Se-Hoon’s mind was racing when he suddenly felt a powerful pulse from the solar plexus. The will emanating from within left him wide-eyed, before a faint smile followed. So that’s how it is. If the hero sought to return to the battlefield, then their blacksmith’s role was to give them full support. Discarding any hesitation, Se-Hoon focused his energy through the left arm and fingertips and activated Soul Honing. “Hmph...!” He drove his left hand into the red gem within the solar plexus with all his strength. *** [Unique Skill ‘Soul Furnace’ has been acquired.] Ever since the day Eun-Ha accidentally swallowed a small piece of metal while playing with her peers at Eden, her life had been turned upside down. That one tiny shard had awakened a power within her that even she didn’t know existed. “Here. Drink this.” Bubble, bubble- The dining hall she ate at every day was replaced by a laboratory, her meals now molten metal boiling like lava. Instead of her peers, researchers and glass walls now surrounded her. Yet, even though her unique skill enabled her to consume such inedible substances, it wasn’t like it had also changed her mindset overnight. Unfortunately, they didn’t allow her any time to adjust. “What? You don’t think you can do it? That’s fine. But remember, if you don’t cooperate with us, Eden will lose its funding and shut down within a month.” “It might not matter to you, but what about your peers? Do you think anyone else in this world would take failures like them?" The survival of thousands at Eden hinged on her compliance. Had it been an impossible task, she could have ignored it. However, because the task was achievable despite being challenging, she couldn't abandon the responsibility. Thus, from that day on, ordinary food was no longer an option. All she consumed were unknown weapons and ores, undergoing rigorous training to control her power. “Your strength will one day become a disaster if left unchecked. So suppress your emotions.” “Forget everything else. Focus on control and restraint.” Each time she consumed a weapon, she severed another emotion. She repressed countless thoughts that surfaced in her mind, pushing them deep into her subconscious. Like that, her emotions and thoughts dulled. Eventually, her expressions, too, became completely lifeless. But by the time she noticed what she had become, she was already incapable of feeling sorrow. Crunch- Day after day, she continued to consume weapons, sever her emotions, and repress thoughts. The only human desire left within her was the craving to consume various armaments. Yet soon, even that began feeling like mere routine. With no more color in her world, only one question lingered in her mind: What am I? What kind of existence was the person once called “Ryu Eun-Ha?” Though memories of childhood surfaced easily, the emotions and thoughts tied to them were incomprehensible. It was too late. There was no way to uncover the answers, nor any reason to seek them. Life was completely monotonous—until one moment. “Lee Se-Hoon.” Her own voice echoed in her ears. “Will you sell this scabbard to me?” Her expressionless face saying those words felt unfamiliar, as though it belonged to someone else. But she remembered the context well: the day a first-year student topped the Department of Blacksmithing’s entrance exam. It should have been a seemingly unremarkable event—yet the same student she met that day was different. Lee Se-Hoon... She pictured a young man with black hair and an ever-present look of discontent. At first, she simply thought of him as a promising student worthy of investment. But as time passed, her perspective began to change. She regretted not being able to consume the weapon he displayed at the entrance ceremony. She felt a pang of frustration when she had to fill her stomach with mere mold fragments during a forging session. When she purchased the Radiant Long Sword at the auction, a sense of pride she hadn’t expected surged within her. And when she headed to Mount Silver Moon on a mission with promised compensation, she felt a slight twinge of excitement. What is this? Memories of the past kept surfacing, yet something felt off. Why could she see her own face in her memories? And why was she now experiencing emotions she hadn't felt at the time? Perplexed by the subtle discrepancies, she cross-examined the scenery within her memories and eventually identified the cause. These aren't my memories. The perspective belonged to someone watching her—Se-Hoon’s memories were unfolding in her mind. What on earth was happening? Where was she now? The questions crowded her thoughts, but she had no time to ponder as Se-Hoon’s memories continued to flow. “It was really delicious.” The realization that Se-Hoon understood the “taste” of equipment just as she did made her heart swell with emotion. For the first time in a long while, her expression softened. And not just in that moment. Every time she encountered Se-Hoon, glimpses of various emotions appeared within her. Through him, she gradually began understanding what kind of person “Ryu Eun-Ha” truly was. Whenever she received a new weapon from him, her eyes sparkled with anticipation. When consuming a delicious weapon, her lips curled into a slight smile. And when parting ways, she looked forward to the weapons he would forge next. She even experienced frustration and self-directed anger when she failed to protect him. And at times, she stubbornly tried to bind him to her. Is this... really me? A person driven by greed, emotions, and cravings—that was the “Ryu Eun-Ha” Se-Hoon had seen—the self she hadn’t known. Compared to the cold and calculating version of herself that she knew, his portrayal seemed somewhat unimpressive. Yet, she didn’t entirely dislike it. Watching herself evolve within Se-Hoon’s memories brought an unexpected sense of joy. I want to know more. She wanted to know who she truly was, what Se-Hoon felt, and how to comprehend those emotions with her own thoughts and feelings. Her heart thudded in her chest as suppressed emotions and thoughts buried deep within her subconscious began surging up and erupting uncontrollably. She knew such changes pulled her away from becoming a Perfect One, but none of that mattered anymore. Just a little more... She resolved to stand as “Ryu Eun-Ha” once again, with her own will and desires. And at that moment, a figure appeared before her. Standing in the deepest recesses of her soul, as if he belonged there, Se-Hoon met her gaze. “Are you ready?” “Of course.” The answer was obvious, even without thought. What kind of expression was she wearing as she responded? It had been so long since she consciously felt her emotions that she wasn’t entirely sure. But it didn’t bother her much. “I’ll trust you,” she said, reassured by Se-Hoon’s radiant smile. Soul Honing: Demonic Blood Art Reaching out, Se-Hoon’s left hand touched her solar plexus. Then, a crimson energy seeped into her, forming a ring around her heart. An item that was not hers, yet resonated with her perfectly—a sensation unfamiliar but one she could immediately understand. Soul Weapon: Primordial Ring It was a weapon that only she could wield in the world. As the power of the Soul Furnace rampaged, it allowed her to reign in her blazing energy. [The fourth furnace ‘Crimson Will’ has been activated.] For the first time in a long while, Ryu Eun-Ha opened her eyes. *** Boom! “Ugh...!” Flung from the pseudo-god, Se-Hoon quickly regained his footing and tried to assess the situation. Casper’s left arm, once pitch black, had returned to a vibrant crimson, and his damaged body had essentially completely regenerated in the blink of an eye. “It worked.... It actually worked! Hahaha! ” Having reclaimed control of the pseudo-god, Casper laughed hysterically as he restored his body. Meanwhile, high above, Heaven Eye’s Cursed Eyes expanded endlessly across the sky. They’re done testing the waters, huh? It seemed the earlier humiliation of being toyed with by Se-Hoon had struck a nerve, with Heaven Eye now seemingly wanting to annihilate him outright. “Heh... What are you thinking so hard about?” “...” “I want to end this here right now and declare my victory... but you should already have an escape plan ready, don’t you?” Even an S-rank hero wouldn’t be able to survive such a predicament. Yet, when looking at the monster before him, Casper couldn’t shake the feeling that escape was still within his grasp. Still, Casper began drawing out the full power of the pseudo-god, though he didn’t expect much. “Even so, I won’t just let you walk away. Struggle all you like, as that’s all you can really do right now.” A radiant crimson light surged from the pseudo-god’s core, its energy flooding the colossal body. It soared to overwhelming levels—the domain that could rival Perfect Ones. However, Se-Hoon calmly watched the scene unfold, simply muttering, “There’s one more thing that I could do right now.” “What?” Casper’s eyes narrowed. Was he waiting for support from the Perfect Ones? It wasn’t impossible, but the timing didn’t seem likely, as they had remained passive until now and wouldn't interfere so conveniently. Then what is it...? Casper recalled Se-Hoon’s last strike—the blow aimed at the solar plexus. At first, he thought it was an attempt to extract Eun-Ha by force. But upon reflection, that didn’t make sense. If Se-Hoon had failed when he held the advantage, why would it succeed now? If so... then there could only be one reason: Se-Hoon had done it to deliver something to Eun-Ha. THUMP! The crimson gem at the pseudo-god’s core trembled violently. The energy surged even further, reaching uncontrollable levels that overwhelmed the unstable pseudo-god. “Ugh!” A powerful will erupted from within, shaking Casper to his core. Right now, the knowledge and synesthetic mindscape accumulated over decades by him were being utterly dwarfed by the overwhelming emotions and willpower emanating from Eun-Ha. “Wait—!” BOOOM! Half of the pseudo-god vanished without a trace. Then, in the now-empty space above, Eun-Ha reappeared, her body adorned with glowing crimson marks. The chaotic energy that had once rampaged within her was now perfectly controlled, flowing seamlessly through her mana circuits. It worked! Se-Hoon exhaled in relief, knowing his weapon had been delivered successfully. But as he stood there, countless shadows spread across the ground. Heavenly Phantom Barrage The sky was blotted out by a deluge of black arrows, all imbued with the destructive power of the Cursed Eyes. Simultaneously, Casper’s red-tinged tentacles glowed ominously, ready to obliterate everything in their path. They pulsed with a menacing glow, surrounding the remaining fragments of Casper's pseudo-god. “You... filthy bastards...!” Having lost everything, Casper hesitated no longer. He was determined to burn his remaining life force to launch a final, devastating attack. These bastards, even at the end...! Frustrated, Se-Hoon’s expression twisted as he assessed the situation. It was already too late to confront the attack head-on. Gritting his teeth, Se-Hoon prepared to take minor injuries and escape beyond the boundary with Eun-Ha. He dashed toward her decisively, but— “It’s fine.” Watching his movement, Eun-Ha calmly declared, “This much is nothing.” Above, the sky darkened as countless arrows descended, while below, crimson lights exploded with violent energy. However, before either could reach Se-Hoon, Eun-Ha brought her fists together in front of her chest with all her might. Meteorite Impact A brilliant inferno erupted from her, consuming everything. The arrows that had blotted out the sky, the crimson light that aimed to obliterate the ground—both were incinerated without a trace. And while just that spectacle alone was extraordinary, what left Se-Hoon utterly stunned was the aftermath. “I’m... fine?” Neither he, the surrounding ground, nor anything else in the vicinity had been harmed. Eun-Ha’s overwhelming force, which had previously razed everything indiscriminately, had just swept through with pinpoint precision, sparing all but her enemies. It left Se-Hoon in disbelief, his face blank with shock. “Not bad, right?” Meanwhile, Eun-Ha was smirking confidently, shrugging her shoulders as though it had been a trivial feat.

Chapter 335

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