Ranker’s Palace.
“What? An Interdimensional Defense Battle?! What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Senior, lower your voice. You’ll scare Shijun.”
“Yeah, senior. You’ll also scare Shiyeon.”
“Gangster Uncle, Kyung is scared too.”
“You, you little brats!”
The spacious living room, befitting its name, was lively with the members of Shimdrasil and the children.
But why did it happen?
Those who had questions brimming about the sudden appearance of his son, Shijun,
“Why don’t you all hold the kids? They don’t even come to me, and you’re all blabbering nonsense!”
“Senior… Are you sulking because the kids don’t come to you?”
“Senior, please be mindful of your speech around the kids.”
“Exactly. He acts just how he looks.”
“Aaaargh!!”
Even as Shimun exited the corridor into the living room, not a single person looked his way. Considering that the weakest among them was a Diamond Rank, it was something that should not be taken lightly.
However,
Step.
Shimun, the person in question, seemed unfazed. Pausing before stepping into the living room, “I thought you’d be with them… but I guess not?”
Whoosh!
Activating the Odin’s Eye, he turned to look down the left corridor.
There,
-Why would I stay with those guys?
stood a golden-haired youth, Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, with his arms crossed.
-They’re not acquaintances of mine.
Leaning against the wall, with his semi-transparent form and voice that sounded like an echo, his surroundings rippling like water, perceived through the Odin’s Eye.
“Did you really need to set up a barrier for that?”
Shimun chuckled.
“Maintaining even this clone, you must be quite drained.”
-Odin, you know, with that weird bastard’s eyes, this isn’t even a clone. It’s embarrassing to call it one.
“Well, true…”
Shimun tilted his head, acknowledging Sun Wukong’s grumbling.
Indeed, the image reflected in the Odin’s Eye was almost an illusion; in other words, it wasn’t a physical form at all.
Just a presence for conversation, really.
Then,
-……
Silently for a moment, Sun Wukong gazed at the bustling living room.
-… Thank you.
He suddenly expressed his gratitude.
Before Shimun could respond,
-If it weren’t for you, hyungnim would have remained a permanently annihilated celestial.
The abrupt acknowledgment left Shimun momentarily speechless. Sun Wukong continued to speak.
-The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors… No, now it’s the Five Emperors, those filthy usurpers.
Already aware of the situation between Shennong, the Flame Constellation Constellation, and Gongsun Xuanyuan the Emperor, Shimun didn’t feel the need to respond further.
Perhaps Sun Wukong wasn’t seeking a reply anyway.
-It’s quite strange, really.
Sun Wukong stared at the bustling living room with somewhat dazed eyes.
-You’re neither demons nor angels, not even demigods…
As if reminiscing, a trace of nostalgia appeared in his eyes.
-The days of the Seven Great Constellations…
He trailed off without completing his sentence. For a while, he stood silently, watching the living room.
With innocent eyes, the child surveyed the company hesitantly.
“Hehe!”
Shijun smiled brightly.
-Well, no wonder hyungnim is so cheerful.
Sun Wukong chuckled, shaking his head.
Even though his words were aimless, Shimun could sense the depth within them.
“… Are you alright?”
He asked cautiously. Had Sun Wukong already shaken off his thoughts?
-What’s there not to be alright about? Even in that form, hyungnim is reborn intact!
Sun Wukong immediately returned to his usual playful demeanor.
In response, “Right… In that form, what’s wrong with that?”
Shimun, initially nodding, then narrowed his eyes slightly. The reason for Shimun’s reaction was something even the oblivious Sun Wukong could guess.
-Kuhaha! No harm intended. You know what hyungnim really looks like, don’t you?
He burst into a hearty laugh.
“Ah, right.”
Shimun smiled as well. The colossal statue resembling Mount Tai he had seen from the Speech Hell was still vivid in his mind.
Removing himself from the wall, Sun Wukong clasped his hands behind his head.
-Also, with this, the Demon Realm won’t fall entirely into the hands of those treacherous bastards.
“The Demon Realm?”
Though Shimun tilted his head in confusion, he left it at that.
-Yeah. As you know, though I’m originally a yokai, I’m officially a part of the Celestial Realm.
Sun Wukong answered but refrained from elaborating further. That made Shimun think, ‘Is he trying to avoid unnecessary trouble by not explaining?’
Realizing that Sun Wukong was being considerate to avoid causing annoyance, “Well, I had an inkling. Given that even Shakyamuni takes a personal interest in you.”
Shimun accepted Sun Wukong’s discretion. Perhaps Sun Wukong appreciated Shimun’s understanding.
-Yeah, yeah, he gave me plenty of personal attention. Just like swatting a mosquito.
Sun Wukong smirked.
Then,
-Anyhow, the most urgent matter is resolved. I need to find a few other guys now.
As he began to walk away, “If you need help, let me know. As long as the reward is right, I’ll help.”
Shimun threw in a playful remark.
-Rewards, my foot! I spent everything on this affair, and now I’m broke.
“What, you spent so much already? Are you really a Constellation?”
-Look at this kid’s mouth!
Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow, similarly filled with mischief.
-Anyway, thanks for this. I’ll never forget it.
“Don’t just say it; show some sincerity and come back with a gift.”
Shimun waved his hand as if shooing him off. But Sun Wukong knew well enough that Shimun meant for him to come visit Shijun occasionally.
-Regardless of race, you’re a good guy, Kim Shimun.
Approaching Shimun,
-Well, this won’t be of much help right now…
He handed something over.
-I think it’ll be more useful for you to hold onto it, especially with hyungnim here.
He glanced at Shijun. Shimun tried to check what he had received, but apparently, it wasn’t an ordinary item.
Wooong.
The white light rapidly absorbed into Shimun’s hand.
『You have obtained the “Dimensional God’s Qualification.”』
A message flashed before Shimun’s eyes.
Then,
『This qualification pertains to the dimensional Yokai Realm.』
『Not pertaining to this dimension.』
『Not a Constellation.』
『Not a yokai.』
『The “Dimensional God’s Qualification” is deactivated.』
A series of messages appeared.
All indicating negative conditions.
As if proving this,
Sleek.
The qualification of the Dimensional God began to fade, to the point that Shimun could hardly feel its presence.
Then,
『A bound entity satisfying the qualification exists.』
『The “Dimensional God’s Qualification” is automatically transferred to the bound entity “Kim Shijun.”』
The faint presence completely vanished from Shimun.
But being a bound entity, “Hmm?”
Shijun, nestled in Yujeong’s arms, suddenly looked up, and an indescribable symbol momentarily flashed on his forehead.
However, none of the group seemed to have noticed.
“Shijun, what’s wrong?”
“Do you want some candy too, Shijun? Uncle will give you one.”
The group continued their usual interactions.
Seeing this, Sun Wukong chuckled quietly.
-Just as expected…
Without responding to Shimun’s question,
“Hey, what was that…”
Ignoring Shimun’s query,
-All right, Kim Shimun. See you later.
Sun Wukong vanished.
As soon as Sun Wukong disappeared,
Sleek.
The rippling space reverted to its original state.
Thus,
“Oh? Hyung!”
“Orabeoni, you’re here?”
“Hey, why are you so late! Come over here and explain what’s going on!”
The group turned their attention to Shimun as they sensed his presence. Glancing at the direction where Sun Wukong had disappeared,
“What’s there to explain? I just got caught up in a few things…”
Wearing his usual smile, Shimun stepped into the living room. Consequently, neither Shimun nor the group could see.
The strange glimmer in Shijun’s eyes as he stared at where Sun Wukong had vanished.
‘…….’
Shijun watched that spot for a while.
*
『Participants will be selected based on the winning nations of the last Continental Representative Battle.』
『Selected participants will be temporarily unable to access the Arena from 00:00 GMT until the selection process is complete.』
『Selection criteria include participants who were chosen from each continent in the last Continental Representative Battle…』
A series of messages streamed across the Arena’s notification.
As a sharp-looking middle-aged man read through it, “What did you just say?”
Zhang Liqiu, the Guild Master of Continental, furrowed his brows, “Repeat that.”
He looked at the decadent beauty perched on the edge of his desk. From her hair to her eyes and the tight, oriental-style dress emphasizing her curves, everything about her was black except for her skin.
Unlike her usual demeanor, “Well…”
she hesitated, her red lips parting slightly. Her allure would make most men swallow hard.
However, Zhang Liqiu glared at her with murderous intent.
Hesitating for a while, she bit her lip firmly, “We can’t help with this Interdimensional Defense Battle…”
she finally uttered with difficulty.
Before she even finished speaking,
Swish!
A sharp sound cut through the air, followed by,
Boom!
a deafening explosion that matched the piercing noise.
Her hair, as dark as ebony, dripped. Despite a red line marring her white cheek, and being in a situation where a scream would be justified, “…”
she simply lowered her gaze, clamping her lips shut tightly. Perhaps her silence displeased him.
Snap!
Zhang Liqiu grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
“Open that proud mouth of yours again, why don’t you?”
The intensity of his stare could cause an ordinary person to suffer a heart attack.
In reality, the killing intent imbued by the Ranker-level player had enough potency to kill someone.
Sizzle!
However, “The support for this Interdimensional Defense Battle is not possible.”
Dephina quietly continued her statement.
“Dephina! You dare…!”
Wooong.
Aura surged in Zhang Liqiu’s grip as he clutched her chin tighter.
“I’m sorry.”, Dephina spoke curtly.
Her brief apology caused Zhang Liqiu’s violent urges to pause.
“I promised to help and now I can’t. I’m deeply regretful…”
It wasn’t just her words that made him stop.
“The 1st Dragon Lord suddenly issued a summon… I have no choice.”
Dephina, one of the highest-ranking dragonic species in the Galaxy Arena, on the cusp of becoming an Ancient Dragon both in power and authority, was sincerely apologizing.
She was highly esteemed due to her exceptional abilities and trust from multiple Dragon Lords.
“I’m truly sorry.”
Her heartfelt apology was clear. Knowing her background and her lofty pride well, “Tsk, useless.”
Zhang Liqiu clicked his tongue and roughly let go of her chin. Even as a dragon, defina was pushed back weakly. Her genuine attitude seemed to confirm her words.
“What’s the reason?”
Zhang Liqiu asked in a low voice.
After a moment of contemplation, Dephina set her condition first, “Keep this a secret from the Constellation Realm.”
Seeing Zhang Liqiu nodded dryly.
“There’s an issue with the Second Dragon Lord.”, she quickly replied.
“The Second Dragon Lord? You mean that Great Matriarch?”
“Yes. Lady Echidna, the mother of the current Dragon Lords and the matriarch of our dragonkin.”
“What kind of problem could someone of her stature possibly have?”
“Well…”
Dephina furrowed her brows slightly.
The reason was simple.
“Honestly, I don’t know the details either.”
She was practically the second in command of the dragonkin. Nobody had invaded. The fact that someone like her faced an issue was itself an ironic situation.
But one thing was certain.
“Having the 1st Dragon Lord issue a summons personally means it’s definitely not a trivial matter.”
The 1st Dragon Lord Cruach.
A problem significant enough to warrant a summons from the pinnacle of the dragonkin. Zhang Liqiu understood this well.
“Do what you must.”
He didn’t press further. Perhaps she felt somewhat relieved.
“Don’t take it too harshly.”
Dephina returned to her usual seductive smile.
“You do hold Asia’s selection rights, but didn’t we already discuss this with Derick last time?”
Referring to Derick, who had visited after the Continental Representative Battle, “This time, the Celestial Realm is also grinding their teeth, so even without us, things should proceed smoothly.”
She gently touched Zhang Liqiu’s shoulder.
Matching her words,
Wooong.
The space not far away shimmered.
“Just as I thought. You can’t be a gentleman?”
Seeing this, defina chuckled,
Click.
“Well then, Zhang Liqiu. Good luck.”
She disappeared into the shadows.
“Guild Master, the connection with Eight Immortals… huh?”
A man dressed in traditional martial arts attire emerged from the shimmering space. He tilted his head at the unusual atmosphere, “The connection with Eight Immortals is established and complete.”
He reported formally and characteristically.
“… Well done.”
Nodding, Zhang Liqiu turned his gaze towards the door.
“Uncle.”
“Did you call for me? No. Did you summon me!”
Zhang Wanchi, the vice-guildmaster of Continental, burst into the room expectantly.
“Contact the American Dream. Inform them that we are ready.”
“Understood.”
“And without the dragons this time, we’ll need more suitable members to accompany us.”
“Of course! I’ll prepare without any issues.”
Bowing, Zhang Wanchi exited the room. Watching his uncle’s departing figure for a moment, Zhang Liqiu then turned to the martial arts-clad man.
“We should be able to use mythical artifacts, right?”
“Of course. As long as the price is paid, they can be rented without issue.”
The man in traditional attire answered confidently.
“Your suitability candidates are valuable assets to our Continental.”
“Yes.”
“The incident with Cheol Chunryu should not happen again.”
“I understand. I will be careful.”
Receiving the affirmation, Zhang Liqiu turned his gaze toward the open window. The city’s nightscape was visible below.
Yet, why did it feel this way?
‘Kim Shimun, you are undoubtedly strong…’
His gaze wasn’t focused on the glittering city lights.
‘But even you can’t hold back ten with one hand.’
It seemed as though he was looking somewhere far beyond.
Then,
『It is now 00:00 GMT based on the US standard.』
『Interdimensional Defense Battle No. 274 of Earth has begun.』
The Interdimensional Defense Battle had commenced.