"The Blood Demon's Tomb" was one of the formidable challenges Han Yuseong faced in his previous life.
He had fought head-on against the Blood Demon and had received teachings from him.
Through that, he naturally came to understand the kind of personality the Blood Demon had.
"He had a strong sense of pride and took great confidence in his own skills."
And there was one more thing.
There was an aspect where he was somewhat similar to Han Yuseong.
"He preferred battles that he could enjoy."
He greatly enjoyed fighting.
Just as Han Yuseong relished the tension born from life-or-death battles, the Blood Demon favored battles that he found entertaining.
You could say they were similar, yet different in their own ways.
From there…
"What on earth are you saying? You want me to teach you martial arts?"
"Yes. You don't have to teach me everything—just two techniques. That will be enough."
"The legacy that the Eye of Training mentioned is the martial art I used.
Asking me to teach it… how is that any different from asking me to hand over my entire legacy?"
"If I win, teach me just those two techniques. That's all I ask."
Han Yuseong knew exactly how to provoke the Blood Demon.
He knew just what would push him to get what he wanted.
"If I lose, then kill me. That's fine with me."
"…You want me to kill you?"
The Blood Demon widened his eyes in surprise.
Just moments ago, he had said this:
If you can't defeat me, you'll be driven out of here.
He hadn't intended to kill—more like a show of mercy, perhaps.
But Han Yuseong rejected that mercy.
"Would a battle be fun if life isn't on the line?
A true battle means putting your life at stake.
I'll stake my life on this fight.
And in return for that life,
teach me just those two techniques."
"Ha!"
The Blood Demon burst into laughter.
And moments later, that laughter turned into a roar of manic glee.
"Hahahaha! How audacious! You want me to teach you martial techniques just so we can have a fight we both enjoy? You're insane!"
The Blood Demon's mad laughter echoed throughout the cavern.
Then, just as suddenly, he stopped laughing and fixed his gaze on Han Yuseong.
His eyes, now tinged with clear killing intent, stared directly at him.
"That's exactly why I like you. I like madmen.
Lord of the Eye of Training! Are you watching this? I've got a question for you!"
["Mm! Watching with great interest."]
Words appeared in the air.
The fact that he was watching meant he had also seen the Blood Demon mocking him just moments earlier.
But it seemed he didn't mind in the slightest.
"What do you think of this lunatic's potential?"
"Excellent! I thought it was impossible, but he's someone forged through countless fierce battles. A life-or-death struggle, blood against blood!
And above all, he's absurdly fearless!"
"Hyoom!"
The master of training has a discerning eye.
You could say he has the ability to recognize talent.
Using that eye, he found a good pact-maker like a blood demon, and ultimately succeeded in obtaining a title.
It was this talent that earned him praise.
"Madman trainee, I accept your provocation. I will do as you say — from the moment you cross fists with me, your path to survival will vanish.
Either defeat me or die here. There are only those two options."
"It doesn't matter, since losing isn't even a possibility."
"You're as arrogant as they come."
If he loses to the blood demon, he'll be expelled from the sect.
That was the original condition. But by provoking Han Yuseong, the blood demon, the condition changed.
Now, if he loses, he dies on the spot.
The situation had gotten worse, but Han Yuseong didn't care.
Because he had no intention of losing.
"A being called a Premier is both convenient and inconvenient.
It's easy to implant martial arts into them, yet they cannot realize or awaken it on their own."
The blood demon placed his hand on Han Yuseong's head.
A red aura began to flow from his palm and seeped into Han Yuseong's mind.
"The Bloodstorm Fist Technique — this is the first martial art I personally created."
[The skill's creator is transferring knowledge to you...]
There are many ways to acquire skills.
One of them is through "transference."
Under special conditions, a skill's creator can pass their skill on to someone else — just like what is happening now.
[You have acquired two forms of the skill 'Bloodstorm Fist Technique (S, Lv.1)'.]
[This is a skill that has previously reached its peak state...]
[A portion of the Martial God's potential has awakened.]
Han Yuseong was about to dismiss the messages without thinking.
But then, he stopped when he saw a strange message appear.
[The effect of the War God is activating.]
[The level of the corresponding skill has increased by 5 stages.]
"… Huh?"
Han Yuseong stopped moving when he saw the message.
He couldn't help it.
'What is this supposed to mean?'
It was a message he had never seen before.
A portion of the War God's potential has awakened.
He quickly found out what that meant.
[War God (EX)]
If a skill that has already been awakened is awakened again, its level increases by 5 stages.
This effect may evolve further in the future.
A new effect had been added.
It was something Han Yuseong had never seen in his past life.
And, truthfully, an effect that would normally be unnecessary—after all, how often would someone reawaken a skill they've already awakened?
It was an effect useful only to someone like Han Yuseong, who had returned from the future.
This unique ability holds tremendous potential.
An added note appeared for the War God, now classified as EX rank.
Was this what that "potential" referred to?
What was truly surprising was that even this was just a fragment of that potential—its true depth was still unknown.
Whatever the case—
'It'll help. And I'm going to need it against that tough opponent.'
A Blood Demon isn't the kind of enemy you can take lightly.
Even Han Yuseong, who had grown considerably stronger in his previous life, had struggled against it.
In his current state—still far from his peak—it would be even more difficult.
Even considering the Blood Demon had likely been rebalanced in this life...
That's why the upgraded Bloodstorm Fist Technique would surely come in handy.
[Bloodstorm Fist Technique (S, Lv.6)]
Type: Active A martial art created by a Blood Demon, composed of four forms.
Currently, only two forms can be used due to the technique being incomplete at the time it was awakened.
Effect: Strength +10, Attack Power +20%
Special Trait: The more blood is spilled, the stronger the skill's damage becomes.
* Blood Flash: Strikes the opponent like a flash of light, the fist wrapped in a storm of blood.
* Bloodstorm Chainbreaker: Compresses the bloodstorm and unleashes it upon impact.
The core of the Bloodstorm Fist Technique is the "Bloodstorm" itself.
When the forms are executed, the storm is summoned—and its cutting force is incredible.
Add in the special effect that boosts power the more blood is spilled, and it becomes a fearsome weapon.
"It was a martial art I could only barely use in my past life."
In his previous life, Han Yuseong had awakened countless skills.
Among them, if he had to pick the most useful, it would be the Bloodstorm Fist Technique.
It was also the one that fit him best—almost as if it were made for him.
"Have you unlocked all the knowledge that was passed into your mind?"
"Yes. I've fully awakened it."
"Then, fine. Do you not want your wounds healed?"
"It doesn't matter."
The Blood Demon looked at Han Yuseong with a curious expression.
He was covered in wounds—no doubt injuries he had sustained on the way here.
The demon had considered recommending healing, thinking it better to fight in peak condition, but Han Yuseong had refused.
"Very well. But remember—
I won't be holding back."
The Blood Demon vanished like a fleeting illusion.
Then reappeared a short distance away, hands calmly clasped behind his back.
He gave a slight nod.
"You'd better be ready to die."
In that instant, Han Yuseong felt his breath catch in his throat.
An intangible force filled the entire room.
It clung to his skin—thick, suffocating, and profoundly unsettling.
And he knew exactly what that energy was.
'Killing intent.'
The will to kill the opponent standing before him.
It was a murderous aura that only those who had survived countless life-or-death battles could emit.
The Blood Demon was one of those rare beings—a warrior who could radiate such refined, lethal intent.
[You are facing an opponent you absolutely cannot defeat.]
[Due to the War God's effect, the buff 'Giant Killing' has been activated.]
[All stats +20. Fist damage +30%. Speed +20%.]
The War God's buff acknowledged the threat before him.
A buff of a magnitude he had never seen in this life.
Han Yuseong clenched his fist tightly.
"You're not going to run? In that case..."
The Blood Demon began to walk forward—slowly.
And in that moment, his body seemed to blur, like a ghost slipping through reality.
"Then I'll come to you."
A gust of wind howled through the air.
Along with it came the stench of thick, iron-heavy blood.
Through the suffocating pressure of the killing intent, an unavoidable crimson flash tore through the space.
Shhiing!
Blood Flash.
A fist wreathed in blood-red wind—Bloodstorm—shot forward.
The wind, like flowing blood, howled as it shredded through the air, the fist aiming straight for Han Yuseong's chest.
"It's too late to see and react."
So—
Move by prediction.
KWA-BOOOOM!
"Hyaah!"
Han Yuseong's Blood Flash collided head-on with the Blood Demon's fist.
It was a defense made possible only because he had predicted the Blood Demon would lead with Blood Flash.
Two gales of Bloodstorm clashed violently.
KWAAAAA-CRACK!
A thunderous roar erupted.
It was the sound of two Bloodstorms colliding—raw, violent wind shredding the air.
The Blood Demon narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected Han Yuseong to block the attack.
But there was still a vast difference in mastery.
The Blood Demon's Bloodstorm swallowed Han Yuseong's with ease, tearing through his defenses toward his entire body.
"That should've… torn him apart—"
No.
It hadn't.
Han Yuseong's Bloodstorm had resisted—tenaciously.
It held out long enough, fiercely enough, to buy him the precious seconds he needed.
By the time the Bloodstorm was fully devoured, Han Yuseong was already on the move again.
'To think he can wield it this well, even though he's only just awakened it…'
Han Yuseong stepped into his footwork.
A violent gust surged around him.
The raging wind distorted the Blood Demon's vision as Han Yuseong drew both fists back wide.
Bloodstorm coiled tightly around them.
'Incredibly fast.'
A series of Blood Flashes shot forward in a chain, targeting the Blood Demon.
First the chest. The demon shifted his gaze—then came the neck.
Han Yuseong lowered his stance sharply, then spun, aiming for the ankles next.
When the Blood Demon moved to counterattack, Yuseong slipped back using his footwork, then immediately followed up with a spell.
'He's only going for vital points. Each strike is frighteningly precise.'
Every blow carried clear killing intent.
As bolts of lightning and wind blurred the battlefield, the Blood Demon crushed them from his vision and launched himself forward.
His form blurred—like a phantom rushing in for the kill.
"Hoh! That's a fine bit of footwork you've got!"
"Just lucky, I suppose."
"Luck, is it? You think luck will save you a second time?"
"Well…"
As Han Yuseong retreated with his footwork, the Blood Demon appeared right in front of him.
And in that instant, something caught the Blood Demon's eye.
Han Yuseong's right hand—glowing crimson, wrapped tightly in Bloodstorm.
Han Yuseong slammed his fist into the ground with all his might.
"Guess we'll find out."
KWA-CRAAAAACK!
The ground split apart with a thunderous roar.
The Bloodstorm, compressed and held within his fist, burst free as it struck—
Tearing the earth to pieces and kicking up a massive whirlwind filled with shattered stone and dust.
For a brief moment, the Blood Demon's vision was completely obscured.
'Bloodstorm Chainbreaker! He's already using a newly awakened form like this?!'
Han Yuseong's figure vanished.
Where had he gone? There was no need to search.
KWA-BOOOOM!
Right behind the Blood Demon.
Another Bloodstorm Chainbreaker slammed into his back.
The unleashed Bloodstorm surged violently, howling as it tried to tear the Blood Demon's body apart.
For the first time in a long while, the Blood Demon felt sharp pain—and he grinned.
"You pass."
Blood trickled.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, the Blood Demon stomped the ground.
And Han Yuseong felt it—
The killing intent pressing down on him grew heavier, darker.
'Now it begins.'
Everything up until now… had merely been the prelude.
The Blood Demon assessed Han Yuseong's worth.
Was he someone worth spending real effort on?
Someone who could bring him true enjoyment?
Han Yuseong met those standards.
Shhhhiiing!
As the price for that acknowledgment, the Blood Demon began to reveal his true strength.
The distance between them vanished.
A Blood Flash shot out, aiming directly for Han Yuseong's heart.
He blocked it—but in that instant, the Blood Demon twisted his waist and swept his leg around.
Han Yuseong stepped back to evade the strike.
But then the Blood Demon's left fist came sweeping low, scraping the ground as it lunged forward—
SLAAAAASH!
The Bloodstorm, now like the claws of a beast, raked deep across Han Yuseong's chest.
He gasped and struck back with a Blood Flash of his own, which the Blood Demon met head-on with a counterattack.
"Hahahaha! This is fun! Most satisfying!"
"Huff…!"
The relentless exchange of blows showed no sign of slowing.
The Blood Demon burst into wild laughter as he unleashed a ferocious barrage.
Han Yuseong parried what he could, evaded what he couldn't, and struck back with precise counters.
Seeing this, the Blood Demon's grin only deepened.
'He's responding to my attacks. Tracking them—keeping up with his eyes.'
A natural talent, sharpened by experience.
As someone who had grown through countless battles, the Blood Demon recognized it instantly.
The human before him—Han Yuseong—
Gave off the same scent as himself.
And that made him all the more pleased.
"Can you handle this as well?!"
A surge of crimson aura erupted from the Blood Demon.
Han Yuseong felt the Bloodstorm raging with newfound intensity.
"Here it comes."
He knew exactly what kind of attack was coming.
But he couldn't dodge it.
The attack the Blood Demon was about to unleash—
It was the kind of technique that someone like him, as he was now, could neither block nor counter.
"As I am right now," he thought.
'It's been a while since I've been pushed this far.'
Oddly, Han Yuseong found himself thinking that.
When was the last time he had been driven to the brink like this?
When he defeated Lee Suho? No… back then, he had already gathered enough power to overwhelm that man.
It had been a long time since he'd faced a situation where his life was truly on the line.
Thump. Thump.
He felt his heart pounding—loud, heavy.
Tension wrapped around his entire body like a vice.
For an ordinary person, it would have been paralyzing. Their limbs would have gone stiff from sheer fear.
But not Han Yuseong.
That tension only sharpened his senses—awakened every nerve in his body.
"Now this… is exciting."
A smile naturally formed at the corner of Han Yuseong's lips.
A fight against a true powerhouse.
That razor-thin edge between life and death, where a single mistake could mean the end—
The tension born from that place… he lived for it.
And among all of it, the thing he relished most:
[You have awakened an unyielding will.]
[The Final Flame has ignited. All stats have greatly increased.]
Was the thrill of overcoming such a situation—
And defeating his opponent.
Shhhh—k!
A sharp hiss rang out.
From deep within his heart, a power surged—unlike anything he had felt in either life.
His body, once growing cold, now burned with heat.
His mind snapped into absolute clarity.
Everything before him seemed to slow—
As if someone had grabbed hold of time and twisted it at will.
"I can see it."
Even the Blood Demon's movements—
Were now visible to him.
His fist shot forward.
It may have looked like a single punch, but dozens of strikes were ripping through the air in its wake.
A relentless barrage, launched at impossible speed.
'But they're all feints.'
They were meant to confuse Han Yuseong's vision—
A deception, nothing more.
The real attack wasn't there.
While launching the flurry with his left fist, the Blood Demon was storing power with his right.
Twisting his upper body, he drew back his right hand, gathering mana at his waist.
That mana transformed into Bloodstorm, and then—
Took shape around his fist.
The storm formed the visage of a dragon's head—wild, coiling, and deadly.
'Blood Dragon Devastation.'
The ultimate technique of Bloodstorm Fist.
With the Blood Demon's level of mastery, a direct hit meant instant death.
Should Han Yuseong evade it using Phantom Steps?
No—
Not this time.
He knew it was coming. He could see it clearly.
And more than anything—
He didn't want to dodge.
'What I need to do now is—'
A head-on breakthrough.
Han Yuseong's feet blurred as he unleashed his footwork in a flurry.
Transformed into a raging storm, he hurled himself straight into the whirlwind of punches.
And on his face—was the fierce grin of a beast.
The Blood Demon's eyes widened.
'This brat—has he decided to die?'
But in the next moment, his eyes were filled with shock.
"Wha… what is…!"
Han Yuseong was dodging every strike.
Without slowing down in the slightest, he twisted his body with minimal movement, slipping through the barrage.
The few attacks he couldn't dodge—he countered with Blood Flash, deflecting them with deadly precision.
It was unbelievable. A feat of combat acrobatics that defied reason.
He tore through the "storm"—and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of the Blood Demon.
'His physical abilities… they've changed drastically. How?'
A question suddenly rose in the Blood Demon's mind—
A question he shouldn't have been thinking at that moment.
It was a fleeting doubt, lasting no more than a fraction of a second—
But even that slight hesitation was enough to slow his movement.
No—it didn't matter.
The Blood Dragon Devastation was already complete.
"Die!"
The Blood Demon's right fist was unleashed.
A punch so fast it was nearly imperceptible.
The Bloodstorm, now shaped like a dragon's head, opened its maw—
And its fangs came crashing down toward Han Yuseong.
The fist struck squarely at his heart.
The dragon's jaws closed around his head.
Han Yuseong died instantly.
Ssssshhhhhh—
"An afterimage…!"
That's what it had to be.
Han Yuseong's body faded like mist—like a shadow—
And vanished.
The Blood Demon was shaken as he watched the footwork.
How hard had he pushed Han Yuseong?
There had been several moments where using that movement technique would have been the optimal choice.
And yet—Han Yuseong held back. He endured.
"You're a ruthless one… You saved it—just for this moment."
"Yes."
A voice came from behind the Blood Demon.
It was Han Yuseong—having used Gale Step to circle behind him.
And the moment that voice reached his ears—
CRACK-BOOOOOOM!
"I saved it. For this moment."
The Blood Demon looked down at his own chest.
There, Han Yuseong's fist was embedded—having struck straight through to his heart.
And all across his body—torn to shreds by the unleashed Bloodstorm—he saw the brutal aftermath of that final blow.
Sssmirk—
The Blood Demon smiled.
A satisfied smile,
one that slipped out before he could stop it.