“Damn… damn it!” Yeon-woo swore as he lay down in mid-air. The Monkey King’s exuviae had driven Yeon-woo to his limits with their battles. Yeon-woo learned what true fatigue felt like for the first time after acquiring the characteristics of a Giant Demonic Divine Draconic body. He hadn’t even experienced this when he fought the Crawling Chaos.

The reality of wielding Illusory Change freely was not as simple as Yeon-woo had initially imagined. Designating an illusory domain within the physical world through his Consciousness and transforming the nature of that space into something completely different was not an easy feat and required a huge use of mental energy. Furthermore, the greater the physical range or power of his Illusory Change, the more magic energy he had to use.

As a result, Yeon-woo kept reaching a state of exhaustion after just reaching the third Extreme, and when he reached the fourth Extreme, he was already at the point of losing his mind. Yeon-woo could only marvel at the Monkey King’s exuviae, who reached the fifth Extreme with only a slight hint of tiredness on his face.

Fortunately, after so many battles, Yeon-woo acquired some level of proficiency in the Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder.

[‘Meteor Sword Art’ skill proficiency has risen dramatically and reached its maximum.]

[New skills are being sought in consideration of your stats.]

[You have gained a new realization related to the skill. Opening higher skills.]

[The skill ‘Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder’ is being opened.]

[Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder]

[Number: ??? (Calculating)]

[Proficiency: 5.2%]

[Description: A skill that has been reinterpreted and raised to a higher level by combining Meteor Sword Art with a new Heavenly Bracket. If the player achieves transcendence, the level of this skill will be comparable to those of the gods.

Based on its usage, the skill may take on various interpretations and applications. Its explosive power and potential are great, as shown by its subjugation of many gods and demons.

In addition, it is possible to strengthen the power output through Illusory Change a total of eight times. Since the skill is not well known, there is little available information on the other characteristics of the skill at present. More data will be collected after further use.]

[*First Extreme

Once one has mastered the Eight Trigrams, the First Extreme power, ‘Heaven Thunder,’ increases the player’s overall strength. The range of power and its effects vary according to the user’s mind and magic power.]

[*Second Extreme

Once one has mastered the Eight Trigrams, the Second Extreme power, ‘Swamp Thunder,’ increases…]

…

** This is a legendary skill. No other skill like this exists in the Tower, and it will be bound to its owner. It cannot be transferred or traded between players.

**This is still an incomplete skill. It may be upgraded to a power or divine authority. Complete the skill to make a superior skill of your own.]

The system opened a new window with a message indicating that Meteor Sword Art had evolved by at least one stage, and its name had changed to “Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder”. However, there was hardly any further information, likely because Yeon-woo had transformed an original, existing skill and confused the Tower’s system.

However, Yeon-woo was pleased because he felt that he had advanced once again. After obtaining the revelations, he had gained the Giant Demonic Divine Dragon body and succeeded in defeating his most difficult opponent to date, the Crawling Chaos. Yeon-woo had been concerned about reaching a plateau, but he was happy to find out that there was another foothold for him to rise higher.

‘I need to rest for a bit.’ The Monkey King’s exuviae had also advised him to take a moment to rest. Yeon-woo closed his eyes, and since he was still inside the Illusory World formed through his Consciousness, he felt his mental strength recovering at a faster rate than usual. However, as he was resting… Thud!

Something heavy landed next to him. Yeon-woo opened his eyes to see a huge red pupil staring back at him.

「You sure look tired.」

“Summer Queen.” The Summer Queen was looking at him in her human form.

「Hmm. I’m already a being without a physical body or a soul. I feel that it’s ridiculous for you to call me by that name.」 The Summer Queen snorted lightly as she lay on the ground with a yawn. She looked like she was trying to nap and didn’t care about Yeon-woo’s presence.

Yeon-woo was surprised and at a loss for words. When she was still alive, the Summer Queen had ruled over everyone tyrannically and viciously, not afraid to bare her teeth. Because of this, many people in the Tower had lived in perpetual fear of her, which allowed her to rule the Tower for hundreds of years.

However, she completely changed once she gave up her position. Her arrogance was still there, but she seemed to have lost interest in everything. She grew so indifferent that she didn’t show concern for any of the things she had achieved during her lifetime. However, this apathetic Summer Queen supposedly assisted the Monkey King’s exuviae polish and perfect the Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder. It was hard for Yeon-woo to believe.

“Hey. I have a question for you.”

「Why would I answer you?」

“You don’t have to. But, if you don’t…” Zap! Yeon-woo gently raised his hands. Sword Thunder lightly hovered above his hand. “I won’t know where this thing will fly off to.”

「I don’t recall Heaven Wing being as rude as you are. How can twins be so different? Don’t you guys share the same genes?」 The Summer Queen looked at Yeon-woo as though he were a bizarre creature.

“That’s right. That guy has my personality. You didn’t know?”

「Don’t joke around. You’re much worse than he ever was. If you guys grew up in different environments, then I’d understand, but…since mental development for humans usually happens within the first twenty years of their lives, you should have similar temperaments. Hmm. I don’t understand. Since you were both able to rise within the Tower quickly, it’s not like you two don’t share the same characteristics...」

“How did you come to that conclusion? What are you basing this on?”

「Because I also have a twin.」

“What?” Yeon-woo had never even considered the possibility. The Summer Queen had a twin? Did that mean that the dragon race wasn’t extinct? If there were another dragon, why had it not appeared yet?

However, the Summer Queen seemed reluctant to answer his question and looked at Yeon-woo with only one eye open, as she rested her head on the ground. 「Didn’t you say you wanted to ask me something? Hurry up, then. I’m getting sleepy.」

“The Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder. Why did you help the Monkey King’s exuviae make it?” The Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder was not simply a power boost for Sword Thunder using Illusory Change. It dismantled and recombined numerous concepts and magic theory that rolled like elaborate gears to open up a completely new area of science.

There were many aspects of the skill that Yeon-woo could not even fathom. If he tried to compose a martial art similar to that of the Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder, he would need a huge amount of time. This meant that the Summer Queen had shared a considerable amount of her knowledge and effort.

「You disturbed my sleep to ask me that? Such an impudent person. If I were still alive, I would have had you hanged for such a stupid question.」 The Summer Queen replied, finally closing her eye. 「The reason hasn’t changed. I want to see Allforone, who took away my people and family, flattened in your palm as soon as possible. I also want you to find Heaven Wing’s soul and bring him back. Those are my only reasons.」

“Haven’t you already made peace with Jeong-woo? I recall that he already forgave you.”

「Yes, but apart from that, I want a resolution for all my past sins. To do that, I need you since I’m not in any state to do things myself.」

Yeon-woo once believed that the Summer Queen had gone through some emotional changes after meeting Jeong-woo’s spirit, but now, he suspected that there was another reason. ‘Actually…is she in love with Jeong-woo?’ Yeonwoo couldn’t help smirking. His brother’s relationships with women were very complicated, and he thought he ought to give Jeong-woo a smack on the head if they met again.

「I observed your development and thought that a helping hand would be appropriate. But remember…」 When the Summer Queen opened her eyes again, her eyes seemed to be filled with anger. 「A dragon never forgets a grudge. If I ever have the chance to take your head, I won’t hesitate at all.」

A smile spread across Yeon-woo’s lips. ‘Right. That’s the Summer Queen I know.’ Things finally seemed normal with an aggressive and lofty Summer Queen instead of an indifferent, apathetic one. Without that personality, she wouldn’t really be the Summer Queen. A corner of Yeon-woo’s lips twisted up. “If you can do it, try it. Any time.”

「Hmph. Cheeky bastard.」 The Summer Queen closed her eyes and turned her head away as if she decided there was no point in speaking further.

***

Not long afterward, after he’d recovered, Yeon-woo prepared to head back into the abyss.

『Remember: if it’s too tough in there, don’t overdo it. Come out. Keep your Consciousness up all the time, as well.』 The Monkey King’s exuviae nagged Yeon-woo like a worried mother.

Yeon-woo was speechless.

『Why are you looking at me like that?』 The Monkey King’s exuviae frowned as he realized that Yeon-woo was staring at him silently.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

『What?』

Yeon-woo pointed to his eyes. They were bruised, as if an overeager child had pummeled his face. The Monkey King’s exuviae laughed lightly before saying, 『A man shouldn’t behave like that. If you trained well, then you shouldn’t nurse any hard feelings.』

Yeon-woo almost let go of some choice words that had risen to the tip of his tongue. ‘You dragged me around and trained me without my consent!’

『Also, did you ever consider how great of an honor it was to train with a great being like me? You should be proud. Yes, very proud.』

If he had to listen to the Monkey King’s exuviae any longer, Yeon-woo felt that he’d explode from frustration, so he gave out a long sigh and prepared to descend into the abyss.

The Monkey King’s exuviae followed along for a bit but soon stopped. If he went any further, he would be pulled in by the abyss’ gravitational pull, and his existence would be consumed. 『Kid…stay safe.』 The Monkey King’s exuviae did not take his concerned eyes off Yeon-woo until Yeon-woo had disappeared into the abyss.

***

As soon as Yeon-woo entered the abyss, all his senses were disturbed. He felt imminent danger as he started to lose consciousness. However, once the Casts of the Black King on his neck, arm, and leg started vibrating, he slowly opened his eyes and spread his Consciousness out.

Yeon-woo had no way to confirm if his Consciousness was operating properly in this disorienting environment, but assuming that it was, Yeon-woo went ahead and applied the principles of Eight Extremes of Sword Thunder to create a holy territory with Illusory Change.

Crack. Then, he felt the world around him being torn apart. Whoosh! Creak. Ki! Ki! Ki! He heard strange sounds coming from all around him as if something were crying out in surprise. Yeon-woo had created his Illusory World. Since he could see in this world, Yeon-woo opened his Draconic Divine Eyes. As soon as he did, he saw…

‘What…what is this?’ He saw a strange world where countless round particles roamed around in a chaotic yet constant flow. Like the darkness in the depths of an ocean or the Black King’s darkness, dark matter flowed without any rhyme or reason. Something moving along one of these chaotic currents made a bizarre sound that was so weak that Yeon-woo initially thought it was coming from a particle. However, it had a familiar aura.

‘A soul?’ It should have been too small to be a soul, yet it was definitely a soul. ‘A newly conceived…a primitive life form that has not yet entered the reincarnation system. A living soul.’

They were completely different from the souls that Yeon-woo held in his Soul Collection. The souls in his possession could only make noises to show their grudges, but these living souls circled around Yeon-woo with childlike curiosity. ‘Like fireflies or fairies?’ These were his first thoughts.

The living souls touched Yeon-woo’s mouth lightly, laughing and whispering to each other. It seemed that they thought that Yeon-woo could neither see nor recognize their presence. As a joke, Yeon-woo tapped one of the living souls with his index finger.

Ahh! The living souls were startled and fled in all directions, surprised that he could see them. Yeon-woo looked at them scurry off, then looked away with a smirk on his face. He peered into an area within the deepest recesses of the abyss—the place that his vibrating Casts were leading him to. There was something there.

It was possibly the location of the Black King’s body. He needed to go there.

Bam! Spreading his Sky Wings wide and using all his energy, Yeon-woo started swimming towards the depths of the abyss.