Transformation or Death

Chapter 172

Holy Power (2)

[0.01] 

The timer started. 

As it was before, the time limit is just 10 seconds. 

“Oh. You’ve successfully controlled all the power of the Big Dipper constellation.”

Paradox admired him. Han Jae-jung was annoyed. 

‘Knowing it and yet making such a fuss.’ 

Han Jae-jung had succeeded in completely controlling the Big Dipper constellation… This was a crazy move that could not be attempted without being certain.

It’s not like Paradox could copy just one or two abilities. Gathering information was probably a very simple task.

 More precisely, he was admiring it while looking forward to its future. He was anticipating the lightning becoming even more powerful and ferocious in the future.

 “Crazy bastard.”

 Watcher muttered this while gripping his axe and moving his legs.@@novelbin@@

 The place where he was standing just moments ago was deeply dug out. Brightness spread. A line that looked like rough ink splattered crossed the empty space.

 Paradox also moved to counter this. However, when he took one step forward, Watcher had already reached his destination.

 Kwaaaang!

 A sound following later, an overwhelming speed. It was so fast that it could be thought to match the speed of lightning.

 Where Watcher arrived was behind the Scorpion. Paradox ignored this and tried to strike his target directly, and he actually succeeded.

 ‘As expected.’

 Paradox did not copy the power of the Big Dipper constellation. 

It had been an appropriate amount of time since Paradox and others had been together. With his actions in the original work as well, Han Jae-jung had observed him for even longer than the actual time spent.

 Thanks to this, Han Jae-jung could roughly understand Paradox’s habits.

 The ‘balance’ he always mentions and maintains as his life’s attitude. This applies to this criterion as well.

 Right now, Paradox is taking on the role of protecting the Scorpion. However, the Scorpion here possesses a power that cannot be compared even if all the starlight of everyone present were gathered.

 Simply in terms of physical ability, it is absolute.

 No matter how much self he has lost, the Scorpion will counterattack to defend when attacked. At the same time, Paradox will also rush to protect the Scorpion. Botis will likely show a similar reaction. R̃𝖆ΝＯʙËŝ

 As a result, the galaxy’s beast and the high-tier villain will attack one thing together.

 Even if a few more are added here, it will be the same. In terms of starlight quantity, adding a few more won’t make much difference.

 Having a villain with the galaxy’s power on the same side, would he copy the Big Dipper’s power here?

 Compared to the Scorpion it might seem insignificant, but the Big Dipper’s power is not ordinary either. Its speed, compared to lightning, could not even be chased by a Lion.

 If copied, one side would become overwhelmingly advantageous. Given Paradox’s personality, he would not break the balance like that. If he were that kind of personality, he would not have obtained such power in the first place.

 ‘I wonder if that guy’s long-range strength isn’t just because of his preference for close combat.’

 Watcher shook his head while thinking about the difference in personality and power. That archery is a skill that has been honed. It might have been influenced by personality, but not as much as his ability.

 ‘It’s good that even with a perfect ability, gaps can emerge depending on the user’s personality.’

 Anyway, every villain has a weakness. Whether it’s a lack of ability or personality, something exists as a weak point.

 In a way, it’s just like humans.

 Just like how Paradox cannot copy the Big Dipper’s power right now.

Like how an Archer cannot utilize his strengths due to his personality.

Like how Jason cannot use his ability for a long time due to a lack of starlight.

 In the end, the Scorpion is also a villain.

 Weaknesses exist.

 Watcher swung his axe towards the Scorpion’s tail joint. Following the trajectory of that strike, white lightning flowed like waves. The surrounding soil repeatedly burned black and then froze.

 Kka-ga-ga-gak!! A horrific sound erupted as the rushing lightning touched the joint. A noise like scratching iron wire on a window pane. The joint area, which was lighter in color than its shell, burned completely black. Immediately after, frost began to rapidly form around the area.

 Cold lightning. A unique power possessed only by the Big Dipper constellation.

 [1.38]

 The time consumed so far is 1 second. I can do this. Han Jae-jung encouraged himself.

 “Oh my.”

Scorpion let out a perplexed voice upon seeing its injury. The previously hazy eyes of the Scorpion were now filled with murderous intent. Its leg lifted. Sharp claws tore into the ground and began changing the body’s direction.

Watcher did not hesitate. Before the Scorpion could turn around, he struck again. Paradox was also overlapping in that path.

Lightning does not merely possess destructive power. A flashing brilliance. This light intensity was enough to obscure a villain’s sturdy eyes.

“Ugh…!”

Paradox’s movement was slightly delayed. However, this did not reach the Scorpion.

It charged forward, ignoring the flash. Koo-gung! The moving sound was heavy. Yet the movement was swift.

He wasn’t expecting to block the Scorpion’s vision with this. The flash was merely secondary. Once again, lightning swept across the Scorpion’s tail joint. Due to turning its body, it struck the opposite side of the same joint area.

Just like before, a thick frost formed in that part.

The Scorpion ignored this as well. Its six legs continuously pushed its body. In an instant, it reached right in front of Watcher.

[2.67]

Its massive jaw opened wide. Watcher quickly pulled his body back. The Scorpion continued advancing without retreating.

But Watcher was faster. The jaw barely grazed his belly as it passed.

In terms of speed, he could claim superiority even against a galactic beast. This was something he had already confirmed through his experience with the Lion. But thinking about it now seemed absurd.

‘Without any special ability, it’s this fast?’

Simply having a lot of starlight allows it to match the Big Dipper’s speed. This was unfair beyond measure. Watcher was shocked.

Tak! Koo-goo-gung! As the jaw closed, a wild wind erupted. The surroundings shook as if something had exploded, and the characteristic dust of the wasteland rose dramatically. All from just the jaw closing.

They say the Scorpion is the physically weakest among the three beasts. While true, this was only a comparison between the three beasts. By absolute standards, the Scorpion was overwhelmingly powerful.

Watcher emerged from the smoke and readied his stance. The Scorpion raised its two pincers and brought them down.

Kwa-ga-ga-gwang! A shock wave like a tsunami rushed forward. It swept away the smoke and created a new storm. Similar to what occurred when Silver Luna had fallen.

Shocked that it could create an impact similar to a single-point fall from high altitude using just two legs, Watcher still charged forward.

He swung his axe to disperse the incoming shock and, just like before, targeted the tail.

With his view obscured by smoke and approaching from a blind spot, the Scorpion could not react in time. It directly allowed the attack.

Kwaaaang!

This time, he directly struck the tail with his axe. The same area as the previous strike. Watcher climbed onto the Scorpion’s back and repeatedly struck downward.

-Kaaaaaak!!!!

The Scorpion screamed an incomprehensible roar and thrashed about. The moment he was on its back, it couldn’t use its pincers or jaw. At best, only its tail. However, its most powerful weapon, the tail, was slightly delayed in movement due to the cold lightning’s frost.

[4.18]

That very brief delay was enough for the Big Dipper constellation to strike the tail with the axe again.

[4.20]

Thus, frost formed on the tail again, movement delayed, and Watcher continued to strike the tail with his axe.

The Scorpion tried to shake off Watcher from its back. With its massive size and incredible speed, the view changed rapidly as it moved. Due to its speed, it was difficult to maintain balance, and the footing was unstable.

Moreover, its back shell had a unique chitin-like feel and was slippery. If one lost concentration even slightly, they would roll directly to the ground.

He probably wouldn’t last long and would fall from here.

‘I know.’

Time was always scarce. Both lifespan and this transformation. Now is no exception.

Time had never been Han Jae-jung’s ally.

Therefore, finding something to do in this brief moment was his specialty.

The Scorpion moved its body ceaselessly.

“You’re doing well!”

Unlike his words, Paradox’s legs moved quickly. He was about to drop from the Scorpion’s body at any moment. What he held in his hand was a butterfly.

‘He copied Joo Ah-yoon’s ability.’

Damn. This is a bit troublesome. Watcher felt distressed.

[5.00]

5 seconds had passed. His legs were still attached to the Scorpion. His arms moved even faster. The axe’s back-and-forth trajectory looked like something tangible, like a cloud. Half of the tail had been cut off.

Paradox threw the butterfly. The moment it touches, all this effort would be in vain. Creating such an opening wasn’t easy.

By not moving, he had been able to take the lead. The Scorpion, unable to perceive its own slower speed, continued to show consecutive openings. However, the moment he falls, the Scorpion would likely move more intelligently.

Even without self-awareness, instinct does not disappear. Being called a beast means its instincts are sharper and stronger. This beast is a natural-born hunter. A genius at chasing, hooking, and catching prey.

The moment even the slightest opening is shown, he would die. The moment he falls, it would surely be impossible to climb back onto its back.

Today, the butterfly’s usually reliable flight looked particularly hateful. Its accuracy was incredibly good. The butterfly’s flight path was perfectly aimed at Watcher.

But the butterfly never reached Watcher.

“Keep going!”

A piece of ice flew and hit the butterfly.

Blue Sirius. She had helped him. Should he consider this as repaying a favor or just another joint attack?

Now wasn’t the time to worry about that. Watcher couldn’t even thank her and continued striking the Scorpion’s tail. Without even catching his breath and moving his arms, he couldn’t afford to create such an opening.

“Hmm, aren’t you going to use the divine power?”

“Why would I when he’s doing well there? I don’t want to get sick!”

Paradox continuously flew the butterfly, and Blue Sirius shot down every single one. Not only that, she also froze the Scorpion’s legs to stop its movement.

Of course, it wasn’t absolute zero, only causing a momentary delay, but this was enough to help.

“…You’re quite experienced.”

“I’ve dealt with so many opponents that I’ve gotten the hang of it now.”

Blue Sirius was an expert at dealing with Cassiopeia’s butterflies.

“Uh… This is troublesome.”

While Blue Sirius blocked Paradox, a strike flew with a bitter smile.

It was Botis. Like Paradox, he was trying to make Watcher fall from the Scorpion’s back.

“No way!”

Flames blocked that strike. Red Vega. She laughed energetically, as if to say leave this to her. She spread a wall of flames she had used when dealing with the Archer. Vast flames defended the strike like a shield army.

“Our junior has good spirit, though.

Botis smiled and swung three long weapons. Several strikes passed through the flames like a gentle breeze.

“Seems like you’re still lacking in technique?”

“Eek!!”

The flames continuously flickered. In that flickering, a tiny gap was created. Instantly filled by another flame. The strike passed through that gap.

Wasn’t this more a miracle than technique? Red Vega was shocked.

“I agree.”

This strike was also blocked by flames. More mysterious than the previous flames. Flames the color of cherry blossoms.

“Still just a child.”

Magenta Helios. Sitting on the shoulder of a flame-made giant over 3m tall, she glared at Botis.

“Doesn’t seem like something a junior should be saying.”

Botis smiled bitterly. The wind from passing flames slightly lifted his robe, revealing his eyes.

Kwajik! Simultaneously with defending the strike, the Scorpion’s tail was broken.

[8.1]

Remaining time is 2 seconds.

The Watcher leaped into the air with a severed tail hanging from his shoulder.

[SET.]

As the voice flowed from the belt, the axe dissolved into starlight and disappeared. All of that starlight gathered on his right leg.

“Where are you standing out more than me!

Before him, the comet of moonlight crossed the world and reached above the Scorpion.

“I was the protagonist of today!”

Silver Luna was sparkling more than anyone else right here. It was the divine starlight. She clenched her fist wrapped in that starlight and struck down towards the Scorpion.

A simple punch. No technique whatsoever. She swung her fist as if giving someone a punishment.

Boom!!!

It was an impact greater than the previous fall. The Scorpion’s body was crushed, and fragments of its shell flew out. The ground beneath was cracked like a broken window.

The range was so wide that even while jumping in the air, she couldn’t fully comprehend it.

“How’s that! Now it’s calming do- Kyaak!”

But she didn’t manage to cut off the Scorpion’s breath. The Scorpion stomped its front leg and bounced its body back. Silver Luna lost her balance and fell.

“Thank you.”

And white lightning began to flash like a spear from the Watcher’s leg.

[Heavenly Falling Bird Leg.]

A beast’s roar that could drop the sky itself. Just like its name, a thunderous roar like a beast’s cry continuously rang from his leg.

In mid-air, he dropped the Scorpion’s tail and extended his right leg long. Then he rotated vertically. From below, it looked like a saw approaching in the air.

Gathering all the centrifugal force and falling impact into his leg, he struck down directly onto the Scorpion’s head that had bounced up.

Kwah-bang!!

A strike created by his leg. His right leg struck the Scorpion’s forehead like an axe. The Scorpion’s shell cracked. A huge gap.

However, its breath wasn’t cut off. The Scorpion was still alive and squirming.

Around the time the Watcher landed on the ground and was breathing heavily, the Scorpion’s tail fell afterwards. The Watcher stretched out his hand. The moment he caught the tail falling mid-descent, he stabbed it into his forehead.

[10.00]

The power of the Big Dipper leaving the Watcher’s body and the life leaving the Scorpion’s body happened simultaneously.

The Watcher turned around and dusted off his hand.

Puh-ang! The Scorpion’s explosion decorated his back.

“Tsk.”

But there was neither a sense of victory nor relief at saving a life in the Watcher. It was just annoyance.

“Not the core?”

“Oh, you knew that indeed.”

When Paradox affirmed, he showed even more displeasure.

The characteristic of the Scorpius constellation is one main body and the remaining 17 offshoots. This main body is called the core.

No matter how many offshoots are caught, it’s useless unless the core is ultimately destroyed. As long as the core is alive, these empty offshoot positions will be filled someday.

As time passes, the Scorpius constellation will continue its activities as if nothing happened, with one core and 17 offshoots.

He thought it was the core because Paradox was carefully guarding it, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“That aside, what a great achievement. The number of stars is definitely twenty, but seeing the power you’ve shown… It’s like you’ve easily surpassed thirty in luminosity….”

Paradox admired it purely again. Those words scratched his nerves again.

“Then I’ll retreat. Let’s wish for victory. Bo?”

“Ah. Do I have to go too?”

“Hm? If you don’t want to leave, that’s fine.”

“Eh, no, I’ll go too.”

Botis went next to Paradox and waved his hand.

“It was fun seeing everyone after a long time. Especially… Our junior.”

His gaze was fixed not on Jason or the Watcher, but on Magenta Helios.

“Let’s see each other again later.”

“Wait a moment! Bo!”

Bushes grew around Botis, and they disappeared like phantoms.

“…Ah, Aaaaaah!!!!”

Silver Luna’s scream decorated the aftermath.

“I losssssst!!!!!”

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