Dancing on the golden ashes

Not only was the power of the lotus crushing me, but even breathing felt impossible under its immense weight.

It was a power unlike anything I had ever witnessed before.

The massive Golden Lotus of pure energy loomed closer with each passing moment, its brilliance blinding and suffocating. The sheer force it radiated threatened to obliterate everything in its path.

If it hit me, I would most likely suffer devastating injuries.

But that didn't mean I was weaker than him. My attacks could rival his lotus—easily.

The problem was the cost. To counter this, I'd have to expend an enormous amount of soul power, leaving myself vulnerable and too weak to continue fighting.

What do I do...

Time was ticking, the lotus descending rapidly, and my mind raced at unimaginable speed. I had to find a solution—something, anything—that would allow me to escape this overwhelming situation unscathed.

Think, Gaon. Think.

There was only one way for me to escape this situation, and that was to counterattack.

Space Shatter was out of the question—my system skills were locked, likely suppressed by the immense power of the Golden Lotus.

That left me with only one option: my soul power.

The crushing weight of the lotus pressed down harder with every passing second, its golden brilliance filling the air with an overwhelming sense of finality. My breathing grew shallow, my movements restricted, but I clenched my fists, determination surging through me.

All that training we did in the Immortal's World... It's time to prove it wasn't in vain.

This was the moment to unleash everything I had learned, every ounce of soul power I'd cultivated. Failure wasn't an option.

"Fourth Step: Infinity!" I shouted, pouring every ounce of my energy into my voice.

Golden flames ignited at the tips of my fingers, flickering with raw, unrestrained power. The fire seemed alive, swirling and twisting as if responding to my will. It danced from all directions, converging in front of my palms, forming a concentrated mass of blazing energy.

This wasn't a refined technique—it was something I was creating on the fly, an adaptation to rival the overwhelming power of the Golden Lotus.

Sweat dripped down my brow as I poured everything into it, focusing every ounce of my soul power. My body trembled under the strain, but I couldn't afford to falter.

The flames coalesced, twisting into a serpentine form, its golden body shimmering as if it were a living entity.

In the next instant, the fiery serpent burst forth from my palms, cutting through the air with incredible speed. It danced in the sky, its movements graceful yet deadly, before surging straight toward the lotus with unstoppable force.

KABOOM!

The two powers collided in a catastrophic explosion, golden flames and radiant energy clashing with a ferocity that seemed to tear the sky apart.

The brilliance of their impact consumed everything, a blinding light that forced the onlookers to shield their eyes. Shockwaves rippled outward, shaking the battlefield and sending debris flying in all directions.

My pillar of fire roared as it clashed against the giant golden lotus, the sheer force of the collision holding the lotus at bay. The power of the system met the raw might of soul energy, their violent struggle creating a storm of energy that threatened to obliterate everything around us.

Through the chaos, I caught a glimpse of Park Seo-Jin's face. His jaw hung open in disbelief, his confident demeanor shattered. He had clearly never expected someone—anyone—to rival his ultimate attack.

His precious golden lotus trembled, its once-dominant glow flickering like a dying ember. The balance of power had shifted.

The explosion unleashed an unstoppable wave of wind, ripping through the city like a tempest. The sheer force of the blast sent debris flying in all directions, its destructive power unmatched.

Roofs were torn from their structures, windows shattered into countless fragments, and entire walls crumbled under the relentless pressure. Those with greater power desperately tried to shield the city with their barriers, their glowing shields flickering against the storm.

But it was all in vain.

Half of the city lay in ruins, its proud structures reduced to rubble. The streets that once bustled with life were now littered with the remnants of what had been, and this devastation was only the beginning.

The clash of power raged on, promising even greater destruction to come.

I was sent flying, just like the kings, as the explosion's force proved too overwhelming for anyone to withstand. The wind battered me relentlessly, but I fought against it, pushing forward with sheer willpower.

Through the chaos, I spotted the woman with white hair—Han Ji-Yeon—crumpled in the rubble after being slammed into a house. Her body bore signs of injury, her once-pristine appearance marred by blood and dirt. She was weakened, but not enough for my Soul Reaver to claim her soul.

I surged toward her, determination burning in my veins, but before I could reach the wreckage, a wave of powerful corrosive energy washed over me.

A pink mist engulfed my body, its acrid bite eating away at my skin, the pain searing through me like fire. It was almost unbearable, and for a fleeting moment, I felt the urge to scream.

But who am I?

I'm Lee Gaon.

I clenched my teeth, suppressing the agony as I pressed forward. Nothing will stop me from reaching my goal.

Through the haze of pain, I saw her standing amidst the rubble, her body bloody but her smile unwavering. She looked directly at me, her pink aura flaring as I approached. I could feel her power surging, growing stronger with every step I took.

Let's see whose resolve breaks first.

"Think you've won?" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

My body blurred as I surged forward at extreme speed, closing the gap between us in an instant.

Before she could even react, massive illusory teeth materialized above me, shimmering with deadly intent. With a devastating snap, the jaws descended, consuming her entirely in one overwhelming bite.

The pink mist around me dissipated as her aura vanished, and an immense rush of soul power flooded into my body. The sensation was intoxicating, electrifying every nerve as her essence was drawn into me.

I felt the faint resistance of her soul, but it was weak—fragile compared to the power I wielded. Despite her formidable skills, her soul was no match for mine. She was doomed from the start, especially since her fire abilities were useless against me.

I took a satisfying bite of her soul, the energy coursing through me, amplifying my strength.

She screamed in agony, clutching her head as the soul attack ravaged her from within.

"Delicious," I sneered, savoring the rush of power coursing through me. "Now give me all of it!"

As I consumed more of her soul, fragments of her memories began flooding my mind. Images of this kingdom, its structure, and its people flashed before me like an unbidden slideshow.

And then I saw it—a glimpse of Jeong Suhan.

He wasn't here. He had left this kingdom, much like I had left mine. His destination? The far north, where rumors spoke of another kingdom rising. He'd gone there to train, likely seeking greater power.

A sharp grin crossed my face.

Good. After this, I'll chase him down.

I could already picture it—his defeat, his fall, his soul joining the collection of those who had dared to stand in my way. Just like Kim Ha-Joon.

"Please... just kill me already..." she whimpered, her voice weak and trembling. She collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming down her face as she began to cry uncontrollably.

For a fleeting moment, a part of me felt a pang of pity. I knew she and the others were only defending their kingdom, their people. They weren't villains in their own eyes—just warriors fighting for what they believed in. Experience more tales on empire

But I also knew it wasn't that simple.

Their motives weren't entirely pure. They desired power.

Given the chance, one of them would undoubtedly try to eliminate me in secret, seeking to climb closer to the title of Emperor.

I hardened my resolve, suppressing any lingering sympathy. This was survival.

I was already preparing to harvest her soul when the man with the pink hair appeared out of nowhere. I felt my clones being destroyed in the explosion earlier, and now he stood before her, his arm shielding her protectively.

"Take me and leave her be," he said firmly, his resolve burning in his eyes.

There was something between them—an unspoken connection. Lovers, perhaps. The woman clung to him from behind, her trembling arms wrapping around him as if surrendering herself to his defense.

"How heroic..." I said coldly, my voice dripping with disdain.

For some reason, the sight of couples made my blood boil ever since my rebirth. How dare they have such a beautiful relationship while I was forced to endure solitude? I knew this feeling wasn't entirely my own. The system's influence gnawed at me, first with pride, and now jealousy.

"Let me show you why I stand above you all," I said, my hand extending toward Han Ji-Yeon.

She gasped, her slightly calmed eyes filling with terror once more. Before either of them could react, her lifeless body slumped against Kim Joon-Ho's back.

"Her soul is mine..." I smiled brightly, my gaze locking onto his.

Realization dawned on his face, and his hand reached out to me in desperation, but it was already too late.

Right before his eyes, I swallowed her soul completely. The power coursed through me, intoxicating and overwhelming, as his anguished wail pierced the air.

"Join her," I whispered, my scythe gleaming in the dim light.

With a single swift motion, his head rolled to the ground, and another soul was ripped from its vessel. It didn't resist as I consumed it, the energy filling me with an unrelenting surge of power.

Three of the five kings were now dead.

Everything had happened so quickly, the other two kings hadn't even moved to stop me.