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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 346
[You are entering the Space of Nothingness.]
The Space of Nothingness.
This is where the trial of the Cup of the Void takes place.
And if he passes that trial, he will be acknowledged as its master.
“What’s the trial?”
A space where nothing exists.
It was filled entirely with darkness, without a single ray of light.
Then what kind of trial would take place in a place like this?
“……”
Unlike during the time with the Overlord Titan, there was no one here.
Which meant he couldn’t even receive the trial, even if he wanted to.
“How am I supposed to be acknowledged?”
Jeong-hoon took a step forward.
But the darkness was so overwhelming it felt like he wasn’t moving at all.
“What do you two think?”
Jeong-hoon turned his head and looked at Mukho and Anima.
‘…….’
‘…….’
But no answer came back.
Jeong-hoon furrowed his brow and examined Mukho and Anima more closely.
‘So they’re illusions after all.’
As soon as he realized it, Mukho and Anima turned into mist and were instantly swallowed by the darkness.
Jeong-hoon reached out and touched the cloak of Mukho he was wearing.
As if his connection to Mukho had been cut off, there was no response at all.
Just like during the Overlord’s trial, they were likely in a dream.
‘Then it must mean there is a trial here after all.’
Jeong-hoon slowly closed his eyes.
The Cup of the Void.
The fact that the golden cup had turned clear and transparent must have meant it had become completely empty.
The fact that it had turned black now… could it mean he was standing at the center of the cup?
‘If that’s the case, then I have to fill it with myself.’
The Space of Nothingness.
A place where nothing exists.
He would fill this space, filled only with darkness, with his own existence.
Wooong—
As Jeong-hoon activated his mana and released it throughout his body, the surroundings began to resonate strongly, bringing about an astonishing change.
‘The darkness is entering me?’
Each time his mana pushed the darkness back, the outer darkness was rapidly absorbed into Jeong-hoon.
[You have obtained Dark Energy.]
[You have obtained Dark Energy.]
Dark Energy began to fill him.
He never expected to obtain Dark Energy here.
Jeong-hoon continued releasing his mana without rest.
* * *
At that moment.
The Cup of the Void in Jeong-hoon’s hand began to tremble.
Wooooong—
Tenebris watched the scene with a satisfied smile.
<Oh? He’s already undergoing the trial?>
<What kind of trial do you think it is?>
<I don’t know either. But I’m certain things are moving in the right direction.>
Tenebris looked at the Cup of the Void.
As soon as Jeong-hoon grasped it, the cup turned black.
Now, the color was rapidly fading.
<At this rate, defeating Escanon might not be impossible.>
God.
A being so lofty that one cannot even dare to look up at it.
And yet, a mere human had succeeded in subjugating such an existence.
Even Abaddon, who commanded an Upper Demon Realm.
In contrast, Escanon only governs a Lower Demon Realm, and is considered relatively weaker than Abaddon.
<That won’t be easy.>
<Is it because he doesn’t have a counterattack ability?>
Tenebris nodded.
The reason Jeong-hoon was able to claim victory in that fierce battle was because Abaddon had been careless.
If he had paid attention to Jeong-hoon’s Creation Artifact, he wouldn’t have been defeated so helplessly in a single counter.
At the very least, if he had actively utilized the Cup of the Void, the outcome could have been reversed.
In any case, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that luck played a part in this victory.
<Still, even if there was carelessness, the fact that he secured victory means he had the strength to back it up.>
<……>
Baal narrowed his eyes.
<Oh? Why are you looking at me like that?>
<So, you're saying he can win?>
<I said it won’t be easy. I never said he would lose.>
<I see.>
Baal’s expression relaxed a little.
<Hmph. So if Escanon is eliminated, you plan to take his place?>
<Where is that coming from all of a sudden?>
<Why else would you betray him and side with the human? It’s because you want to climb higher.>
<…I won’t deny that.>
Jeong-hoon was aware of this as well.
<Hmm. Then what about the Divine Relic? That guy’s personality means he won’t just hand it over.>
He would surely try to monopolize the relic to stand against the other nameholders.
<I have no intention of taking his place immediately.>
<Then?>
<I’ll take the seat when everything is over.>
<You’re not just aiming to be content with God, are you?>
Tenebris burst into laughter.
Who would’ve thought he was planning something even bigger than that.
<I don’t wish to reach the heavens that cannot even be dared to look upon.>
Baal spoke with a serious expression.
<Then what is it?>
<I intend to surpass Escanon.>
<So when it’s all over, you’re planning to take a few of the Divine Relics for yourself.>
<Yes. So until then, I have no intention of being greedy.>
<That’s good to hear.>
Wooooong—
At that moment, the Cup of the Void began to vibrate even more violently.
The tremor was strong enough to shake the surroundings, drawing the attention of both Tenebris and Baal to the cup.
<The darkness has completely lifted…>
<Yes. Stage one is complete.>
<Stage one?>
<When Abaddon used that relic, what color was it?>
<Wasn’t it golden?>
<Right. But now, that relic is transparent. It means it must be filled with his own power.>
The trial was only just beginning.
* * *
Jeong-hoon opened his eyes.
The surrounding darkness had completely cleared, and a clear, transparent mirror stretched out beneath him.
‘The energy of darkness has risen to 78%.’
Before gathering energy here, it had been stuck at 31%.
That meant he had filled 47% just in this place alone.
Wooooong—
Then once again, the surroundings began to resonate.
‘Right. It’s not over yet.’
The Cup of the Void had cleared of darkness and was now full of Jeong-hoon’s mana.
But that alone wasn’t enough.
The lack of reaction meant something more had to be added.
In that case, it would be divine power next.
Jeong-hoon withdrew his mana and released divine power.
Wooooong—
At that moment, a radiant light burst forth from the clear mirror beneath him.
‘I’ll add the Creation Artifact to this.’
He followed with the release of his Creation Artifact.
Crash!
Then the radiant floor shattered into countless fragments.
‘Damn it!’
Jeong-hoon’s expression stiffened gravely.
All the energy within his body had begun to forcibly pour out.
The moment he released the Creation Artifact, it was as if a dam had broken—every bit of energy came rushing out uncontrollably.
‘I can’t control it… Ugh!’
To make matters worse, his vision began to blur.
At this rate, he would lose consciousness before long.
Jeong-hoon clung to his fading consciousness and focused on his surroundings.
* * *
A long time passed.
Only after all of his mana, divine power, and Creation Artifact had been drained could Jeong-hoon be released.
‘It really devours everything like a mad beast…’
There were moments he nearly blacked out, but he barely managed to hold on and endure.
‘Good thing there were results. Otherwise, it would’ve been so unfair.’
Jeong-hoon's surroundings were shining in a dazzling array of colors.
It was proof that the Cup of the Void, which had been emptied when Abaddon severed the connection, had now been filled anew.
[You have become the owner of the “Cup of the Void.”]
Success.
With that message, Jeong-hoon closed his eyes.
* * *
Jeong-hoon opened his eyes.
His head was spinning and he felt awful, so he hurried to use Divine Healing.
[Not enough divine power.]
But with his divine power depleted, the healing didn’t activate.
Jeong-hoon quickly pulled out a potion, recovered his divine power, and activated Divine Healing.
<Well done. I didn’t expect you to complete the trial this quickly.>
As Tenebris said, the trial was over.
Jeong-hoon looked at the Cup of the Void held in his right hand.
Once dyed black, it was now glowing with a radiant spectrum of colors.
It had consumed all of his mana, divine power, and Creation Artifact.
“This thing sucked out all of my energy…”
Mana, divine power, Creation Artifact.
All of it had been absorbed by the Cup of the Void.
Mana could be recovered with the title “One Who Has Transcended Humanity.”
Divine power could also be quickly restored with potions.
The problem was the Creation Artifact.
With only traces of it left, how was he supposed to recover it?
<Hmm… So you used up all your Creation Artifact.>
“Is there no way to recover it?”
<Yes. Unfortunately, not at the moment.>
The Creation Artifact was literally a consumable.
Once used, it couldn’t be restored.
Even after modifying skills, altering codes, and battling Abaddon, he still had nearly 90% of it left.
But now he’d used it all just to tame a single Divine Relic…
“This is insane.”
Jeong-hoon scratched his head in frustration and stared at the Cup of the Void in his hand.
===
[Cup of the Void]
– Type: Divine Relic
– Grade: God
– Contains the existence of its wielder.
===
It was far too brief an explanation.
Jeong-hoon tilted his head in confusion, unable to understand for a moment.
“It contains my existence?”
<Simply put, it means the void inside has been filled with you.>
Tenebris answered his question.
“When I cut Abaddon’s body, I didn’t feel anything—so that was why.”
With that additional explanation, Jeong-hoon nodded in understanding.
When he had attacked Abaddon, he hadn’t felt anything in his hands.
He had assumed it was just because that wasn’t Abaddon’s true body, but in truth, it was due to the ability of this Divine Relic.
<Remember I told you before the fight with him? That the Cup of the Void can block the interference of Creation Power.>
“Yeah, you did.”
Abaddon had tried to catch him off guard under the pretense of a deal, intending to strike using Creation Artifact.
But when that interference failed, the plan fell apart, and even the Counterattack Rune had to be sacrificed.
Even now, it felt like such a waste.
Legendary Runes were already rare, and among them, ones like Counterattack with such overpowered abilities were even rarer.
Sacrificing one like that against Abaddon—it was only natural to feel regret.
<It’s because you used the power contained in the Cup of the Void to form a manifestation.>
“Hmm.”
<If you hadn’t used Counterattack to reflect everything, the outcome might’ve been different. He didn’t even use a tenth of this Divine Relic’s true power.>
“I know. That’s why it only activated when he was on the verge of death.”
Even while the Overlord Domain was active, Abaddon still asserted his presence through the Divine Relic.
<Anyway, you’ll be able to make good use of it. Since it absorbed even the Creation Artifact, there might be something new about it now.>
“Are you saying it got an upgrade?”
<That’s highly likely.>
“Oh?”
<Of course, don’t overuse it. The Cup of the Void is consumable as well. Eventually, you’ll need to replenish it with mana, divine power, and Creation Artifact.>
“So basically, only use it when it’s absolutely necessary.”
This Divine Relic had even drained his Creation Artifact, not just mana or divine power.
Once it runs out of energy, it means the Creation Artifact can’t be replenished.
Jeong-hoon smiled faintly and raised the cup.
<Hey, what did you just hear me say!?>
“I heard you clearly. Since it can’t be replenished, I should only use it when it’s needed.”
<Then why are you trying to use it right now if you heard me properly?>
“I want to fully understand how to use it.”
Still, he needed to learn how to use the Cup of the Void properly in preparation for his clash with Escanon.
There was too much risk in entering a battle without a full grasp of its usage, just because he was trying to conserve it.
There’s a reason the saying “Penny wise, pound foolish” exists.
‘Alright then, let’s begin.’
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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