Possessing Nothing

Chapter 397: Invasion (11)

TL: Yul, xLordFifth

—

Lee Sungmin assessed his odds. They weren’t zero. Although his chances were low, that didn’t mean he couldn’t win.

However, he couldn’t let himself be overly hopeful. The chances were close to zero, making him desperate. The upside was that he was growing accustomed to fighting Geniella.

Attacks that he couldn’t have attempted before were now possible. Geniella’s instantaneous attacks were nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye, yet his awakened senses forced his body to move.

As magical energy surged violently, the density of the attacks left no gaps. Instead of avoiding, he chose to advance.

If there were no gaps, he decided to overcome the attacks wholly.

Shadowless Steps and the Dark Emperor’s Dark Storm Arts perfectly coalesced. 

The lightning-quick movement technique transcended and reached the state of leaping through space as though he was teleporting. 

‘Chen and Kuhn are dead.’

It was inevitable. They were sent to die. She had never considered the possibility of them winning.

The twins had been her loyal servants for hundreds of years, yet she gave no eulogy.

The spear techniques that rained from above could no longer be called martial arts. The entire space carried Lee Sungmin’s killing intent, trying to rip Geniella to shreds.

Geniella let out a faint laugh. The surging mana from her body converged at a single point.

BOOM!

The collision of attacks shook the lake. Oslo watched the clash between Lee Sungmin and Geniella with a tense expression.

Lee Sungmin was doing well.

He had employed every possible strategy. He had absorbed Aine’s heart and had pushed his body to its utmost potential.

In fact, Lee Sungmin’s forced growth had made this fight with Geniella possible.

Had he not employed such methods, his defeat would have been inevitable.

‘But… it’s not enough.’

Oslo, who was away from the battle, felt it keenly. Unlike Lee Sungmin, who was fighting with all his might, Geniella was still holding back.

He was doing well. Few in this world could engage in such a fight against that monstrous queen on a night of the full moon.

[Enduring isn’t enough.]

Heoju wasn’t just giving advice. His yokai energy was endlessly defending against Geniella’s lethal attacks.

However, it wasn’t just Heoju’s yokai energy. The blessings from Oslo, the fairy queen, continually shielded him against Geniella’s attacks.

[…Is it too early to make a decisive move?]

‘I don’t know.’

The problem was his lack of certainty. He wasn’t sure if even using the 9th Art would be enough to kill Geniella.

He had used that technique twice so far, yet it never completely obliterated an opponent in one go.

Geniella was stronger than the Blood Demon and the Queen of Spirits; he was unsure.

CRASH!

Lee Sungmin’s body was knocked back. He tried to align himself for another attack while rolling on the ground, but at that moment, Geniella’s hand reached for his chest.

The Fairy Queen’s blessing and Geniella’s mana crashed together. The crimson mana dissipated, but Geniella’s next attack followed immediately as if she had anticipated it.

PZZZT!!

The mana tore through his qi barrier. The infiltrating mana crushed Lee Sungmin’s internal organs, and blood gushed from his nose and mouth.

[Endure!]

Heoju shouted. Lee Sungmin grabbed onto his fleeting consciousness.

“AHHHHHHH!”

Lee Sungmin screamed, harnessing his strength. His body, tilting backward as to collapse, stood upright as his strength forced itself into his muscles. 

BOOM!!

Lee Sungmin’s foot struck the ground. The consciousness that was on the verge of breaking drove his body to move. Clenching his teeth, Lee Sungmin forced his fist into motion.

CRACK!

As he swung, his muscles tore, and his bones shattered. Yet, the immense energy he wielded did not disperse, obliterating Geniella’s magic.

“You’re overexerting yourself.”

Geniella sneered. The full moon granted her limitless magical power.

In this battle, Geniella occupied an overwhelmingly dominant position. To her, Lee Sungmin was nothing more than a resilient sandbag that didn’t break easily.

“Is it still not enough for you?”

Do you still think you can beat me? Geniella asked sincerely. 

Odds were…

No, don’t think. Lee Sungmin gasped for breath.

Find a way—a way to win.

His tattered arm regenerated. Lee Sungmin gripped his spear with both hands. 

[Don’t limit yourself to a spear!]

Heoju shouted in his mind.

‘I know.’

Lee Sungmin’s foot struck the ground again.

Shadowless Steps was embedded in his every step, creating pressure.

Crazy Heavenly Demon’s Blood Ring Divine Demon Art flared out, trying to restrain Geniella’s attacks. 

The Fairy Queen’s Blessing resonated around his body entirely, protecting him. 

His energy began to circulate. 

What more are you going to show? Geniella whispered. 

How long are you going to hold back? She asked with a mocking grin.

Geniella already knew of Lee Sungmin’s hidden techniques, but the attack that killed the Blood Demon had yet to be revealed.

“In that case, let me push you harder.”

Her magical power surged. The space around them turned crimson. Unable to only watch any longer, Oslo spread her wings.

Even with minimal combat prowess, she could not just bestow blessings. Light particles sprayed from her fully opened wings.

Oslo’s light resisted the overwhelming grip of Geniella’s power, driving it back. Geniella laughed loudly.

“Even with you joining, it’s useless!”

The magic spread and exploded. The chain of detonations rent the space apart. Oslo’s light, overwhelmed by the crimson magic, vanished. Creating an opening was the best she could do. Another throbbing headache surged.

Lee Sungmin’s eyes saw the flow of magic. Where is the gap? His spear began to move. He couldn’t be confined to only spear techniques.

Lee Sungmin twisted his arm forcibly, altering the form of his spear. He unleashed multiple attacks using the Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, tearing through the mana storm as he ran.

Shadowless Steps…

Second Step: Calamity

Third Step: Brutality

Fourth Step: Insanity

The yokai energy accumulated under his feet and exploded outward. Then, as if time itself stopped, the scattered energy came to a halt.

Lee Sungmin’s foot was in the air. Then, time unfroze. When he stepped forward, the energy rebounded back to his foot. 

Dark Storm Arts x Shadowless Steps, Fourth Step, Second Form: Lightning Gale – Decimation (疾風迅雷 – 滅殺) 

His feet and consciousness flew, and his awareness could not keep up with the speed at which his body moved. 

Or was it the other way around? Lee Sungmin felt his body becoming a streak of lightning.

The second form of the fourth step set the already extreme speed of Dark Storm Arts and Shadowless Steps into an entirely new realm.

“This is something I’ve never…”

Geniella hadn’t even finished her sentence when…

KWAKWAKWAAANNGG!!!!!

Lee Sungmin passed by Geniella in the form of a streak of lightning. Immediately, the tempest of yokai energy engulfing her body turned her into a bloody mist, and her body segments shot into the sky. 

The lightning crackled and changed direction. Magic enshrouded Geniella’s body once again.

KWAAANGG!!!

The impact shattered Geniella’s barrier. ‘Why only now?’ Geniella thought as she was hurled through the air.

‘So, he was pushed to a point where he can’t hide anymore.’

He had probably hoped to finish this battle more decisively, yet that was now impossible.

Lee Sungmin’s soul wavered.

Even just maintaining the speed of Lightning Gale: Decimation meant Lee Sungmin’s body repeatedly tore apart and regenerated. He gripped his spear with trembling hands.

He shattered Geniella’s wide-open eyes with his spear. Her headless body plummeted to the ground.

‘Now…!’

His mind burst bright. A technique unfurled. More efficiently, more completely… There was no time. Geniella’s body was regenerating.

‘I am faster.’

Nine Heavenly Spear Techniques, Ninth Art: Infinity (九天武極槍: 武極)

The light that burst completely banished the darkness. Neither yokai energy nor internal energy erupted anymore. Lee Sungmin looked down with trembling eyes.

He had been faster.

“That’s pretty dangerous.”

Geniella whispered.

The arm that had been thrust upwards fell. The invisible spear dissolved and dissipated.

Lee Sungmin staggered a few steps back, blood spurting from his severed arms. What was happening?

He couldn’t understand the situation. He had accelerated to his maximum speed using Lightning Gale: Decimation. Then, he severed Geniella’s head, disrupting her consciousness. He unleashed Infinity faster than her body could regenerate. His target had been her chest.

But he couldn’t pierce it.

At the moment he thrust Infinity, Geniella’s body disappeared.

He had been too late in adjusting his direction.

Lee Sungmin thought as he spat blood. No, what he hadn’t anticipated was Geniella’s movement. Her body vanished, and…

“You don’t understand?”

Geniella asked with a laugh. She glanced at Lee Sungmin’s regenerating arms.

“I already know your spear is threatening. Did you think I was so arrogant as to not guard against it?”

The Blood Demon’s death was valuable because it showed how threatening Lee Sungmin’s ultimate technique was.

So, she had been cautious. She hadn’t forgotten, even during battle, that such a dangerous technique could target her at any moment.

“It’s nothing special.”

Lee Sungmin clenched his teeth. His body still moved. Using the Infinite earlier hadn’t exhausted him.

It wasn’t over yet. He extended his foot forward. As he tried to step forward…

SSSHHHKKK!!

The blade of magic that soared from the ground sliced into Lee Sungmin’s knee. His body lost balance and collapsed.

“I can do more, but I chose not to.”

Nothing was different from before.

To make Lee Sungmin feel like he had a chance, like he could win, Geniella had pushed herself in the fight against him.

She didn’t dodge when she could, didn’t block when she should. She let it all pile up. She showed her true colors once in the middle to ask if he had despaired.

“How do you feel now?”

Geniella shivered as ecstasy and arousal slithered up her body. Seated on the ground, Lee Sungmin stared blankly up at her.

He understood.

No, he had understood from earlier. From the moment his decisive attack failed to penetrate Geniella.

He had thought, ‘Why?’ but…

In truth, he already knew. At that crucial moment, Geniella’s speed had changed. She dodged Infinity, closed the distance, and sheared off his arms.

“Are you in despair?”

Even Heoju remained silent. There was no knowing how to break through this horrific situation.

The difference in capability was too vast. That was all there was to it.

“It’s pointless to hold back any longer.”

Geniella mumbled as she reached her hand out.

“AAHHH!”

Lee Sungmin screamed and swung his regenerated hand.

“I told you it’s pointless.”

Blood spurted from his wrist. Lee Sungmin staggered backward on his shaking legs. Geniella pursued him.

She gripped his shoulder delicately and yanked it out. There was no hesitation in her hand.

Geniella’s foot pushed against his leg, which folded backward with a crack as though it was meant to be broken. 

As she looked down at his fallen body, Geniella’s lips twitched. Unable to hold back any longer, she smiled brightly.

She had no choice but to laugh. Geniella shuddered with pleasure as she saw the emotions on Lee Sungmin’s face looking up at her.

“Ah… Aaah.”

It was lovely. The terrified face filled with despair of confronting an absolute situation that refused to be overcome no matter the amount of effort, blood, and pain was wasted. 

Geniella bit her lower lip hard. Blood trickled down her chin in droplets.

“Good….”

Geniella let out a whimper and leaned down. Seeing her looming red eyes, Lee Sungmin gasped.

Despite all this, he swung his hand towards Geniella using Blood Ring Divine Demon Art. Both of his hands were effortlessly caught.

Geniella’s eyes and mouth turned into crescent moons at the sight of Lee Sungmin’s newly regenerated arms.

“I told you. I won’t hold back anymore.”

So tell me. Geniella leaned her head closer to Lee Sungmin’s face.

“Am I scary? Do you feel powerless because you can do nothing? What do you think will happen next? What will I do? What kind of pain will I give you? Think about it, one by one by one… Don’t worry. I won’t give you difficult and complex pain. I’ll give you straightforward agony.”

Are you familiar with pain? Geniella sang.

“If you think so, that’s arrogant. People never get used to pain. They just grow more tolerant. Don’t worry. I’ll let you learn step by step.”

Fortunately,

“The night is still long.”

Geniella’s nails dug into Lee Sungmin’s left eye.

—

Hey guys, it’s Yul here. I was deciding on what name to use for the ninth art and decided on Infinity. If you guys have any suggestions, let me know in the discord server (https://discord.gg/ubS3rf4GXw) or friend me (24hearts on discord).