The shadows had surrounded Kandiyaru, but their numbers couldn't overcome his quality. Kandiyaru's power level existed on an entirely different plane. He had become a quasi-higher-dimensional entity, and if Shikama Doji had granted him more power, he might have transformed into a superior geographical-dimensional being—an existence beyond the physical world.
Creatures like Beru and Igris, who were on the front lines, though possessing immense strength, found every attack they launched at Kandiyaru reflected back at them. By distorting the cause-and-effect relationship of attacks, he had become nearly invulnerable. Only a power superior to his higher-dimensional could harm him—his defense was absolute.
JinWoo frowned but didn't order a retreat.
He was certain Kandiyaru's power wasn't infinite. His abilities had limits; he couldn't deflect attacks indefinitely.
"I'll hold him off. Please retreat!"
JinWoo shouted, glancing at Cha Hae-In, Choi Jong-In, and the others. This battle had surpassed the level of S-rank hunters. In this war, they were no different from ordinary people—a single strike from Kandiyaru was enough to annihilate them. JinWoo couldn't fight him while also protecting them.
Cha Hae-In frowned at his words but obeyed. This battle was beyond their capabilities. She didn't want to burden JinWoo further. The gate was still stable, and they began to retreat.
"Please win… and come back alive."
Cha Hae-In looked at JinWoo with a flushed face, as if her courage had overcome her embarrassment. After saying those words, she quickly followed the others in retreat.
"Don't worry, I'll win."
JinWoo responded with a faint smile. It was unclear whether Cha Hae-In had heard him or not.
If not for the System Master's gift, JinWoo was sure he would have been defeated within minutes. The gift was truly useful, but what JinWoo couldn't understand was Shikama Doji's true objective.
"Who is that being?"
Though it was clear the System Master bore no ill will toward him—even if he did, JinWoo knew resistance would be impossible. Based on his recent experiences, he was certain this godlike entity was beyond his comprehension.
Like comparing an ant to a human? No, perhaps even beyond that…
The disparity was likely far deeper. JinWoo hated this feeling of powerlessness. His life was being controlled by a higher being, reduced to a mere pawn in his games.
Do humans have free will?
Is their fate determined by such entities? If everything is under their control, then what's the point of living? JinWoo's thoughts lasted only a few seconds. He tightened his grip on his dagger and charged at Kandiyaru at supersonic speed.
Again and again, JinWoo and his shadows assaulted Kandiyaru. The space-time around the black hole had nearly collapsed. The black hole itself was fading, but Kandiyaru's mana continued to seep into reality. Even dimensional barriers began to warp.
In a fragile world like *Solo Leveling*, the existence of high-mana entities was like a black hole—devouring and destroying everything. In these dimensions, the emergence of a Monarch-level being was nothing short of an apocalyptic disaster.
JinWoo's entire body was drenched in his own blood.
Most of the shadows had been annihilated, but despite his battered and exhausted body, he relentlessly attacked Kandiyaru. Then, something strange happened—the suppressed Divine Blood within him stirred upon contact with Kandiyaru's Aldrich-like aura, as if it had come alive, eager to consume him.
The weaker JinWoo grew, the more the Divine Blood took control. Mid-battle, a sudden drowsiness overwhelmed him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he couldn't resist. His eyes closed
Kandiyaru, in his frenzied state, drove a fist into JinWoo's chest!
JinWoo was sent flying backward under the shocked gazes of his shadows. The impact left a deep crater in his chest, shattering most of his ribs. But that wasn't the end…
Strange Tentacles burst from his wounds!
His body regenerated at an unbelievable rate, but now half of it had transformed into Aldrich-like Tentacles. Countless eyes sprouted across his skin. It was as though the Divine Blood had triggered an incomplete mutation.
JinWoo's eyes opened—but they were no longer human.
Yellow, serpentine irises, crimson pupils, and bulging veins around his eyes… His gaze was filled with madness and animalistic instinct. It seemed the Divine Blood had seized control of his body.
JinWoo stood up.
Three pairs of white wings sprouted from his back—each adorned with a massive glowing eye. Now, he resembled an Aldrich entity more than anything else.
Kandiyaru, sensing a kindred presence, roared and charged at JinWoo. The shadows—especially Beru and Igris—stared at their master in shock. But before they could react, the corrupt Aldrich mana flowed into them, driving them mad as well.
It was a festival of insanity.
The transformed JinWoo appeared before Kandiyaru at untraceable speed and struck. His tendrils lashed out like deadly blades. This was a contest—a race to see who would devour the other first!
Meanwhile, JinWoo, who had fallen into slumber,
was witnessing Shikama Doji's memories through the Divine Blood.
The creation of order from chaos,
Breathing life into a dead planet,
Transforming a burning hell into a thriving paradise…