The Return of the Talented Monopolist is Special

The memories of his past life were vivid.

The creature was a lion spirit that could transform into animals like a seal or a penguin.

At first, it used its cute appearance to lower the participants’ guard, then, once they got close, it would launch surprise attacks.

The red blood scattered behind was probably due to this seal-shaped spirit attacking the children.

This spirit would assess an opponent’s abilities, and if it deemed them worthy, it would decide whether to allow them to pass.

Normally, the spirit would only allow those who showed sharp observation skills, like noticing the spirit’s true identity, or those who demonstrated a combat level on par with the spirit’s strength.

Eldora probably noticed the spirit’s true nature and passed by without issue, but the Ince brothers or Rauler may have fought it.

Yujin also realized that, in his previous life, he had reached his limit at this point.

However, this time, Yujin wasn’t going to let the lion spirit off so easily.

‘I need to step on this bastard properly.’

At this very moment, all of it was being watched through the crystal ball by Jade and all of the Pencel’s vassals.

Knowing this, Yujin was determined to leave a lasting impression.

Also…

‘I hate to admit it, but I have trauma related to this creature. And today is the day I’ll heal that trauma.’

The seal smiled, as if understanding Yujin’s reaction.

“Haha, I get it. I understand your suspicion. Honestly, my job isn’t easy either…”

“Reveal your true identity, stop playing around.”

“My true identity?”

The seal tilted its head as it looked at Yujin, who glared at it with disdain.

“What’s your form this time? A bloodthirsty demon? Or a devil with horns? Or what else?”

“Haha…”

The seal’s smiling face vanished, replaced by an eerie expression.

With a whoosh, the creature completely changed.

It wrapped itself in a cloak of black and wielded a long trident, transforming into a giant, fearsome spirit.

“Heh heh… So you’ve heard something. To think you know my true identity.”

Its voice cracked unnervingly.

“I know it well. Very well.”

It was far too large and terrifying in appearance to be standing in front of a 12-year-old child.

In his previous life, despite being injured, Yujin fought with everything he had.

But with no aura or weapon, how could he possibly contend with this spirit?

The hallucinations and scars from that time still made him shudder in horror.

“I see resentment in your eyes. When did you see me like this?”

“Resentment?”

Yujin gathered white aura in both his hands.

“That’s right, resentment. I wanted to defeat you.”

And then, he charged at the spirit.

Though his speed in the water might be a little slower,

“…!”

Yujin’s speed was far faster than that of the other children.

The spirit quickly thrust its trident forward, aiming for Yujin’s solar plexus.

Yujin twisted his body to avoid the spear, then swung his aura-sharpened hand toward the trident’s shaft.

Yujin had no weapon.

So, his goal was to cut the spirit’s trident and make it just as weaponless.

But it didn’t go as planned.

Crack!

The shaft of the trident only had a slight scratch; it didn’t get cut.

If they were on solid ground instead of in the water, the situation might have been different. But of course, that was a meaningless assumption.

“Huff!”

Yujin, having somehow closed the distance, reached out to grab the spirit by the collar.

One.

“You’re pretty fast.”

The spirit grinned, and in an instant, it moved behind Yujin, swinging its trident.

Yujin took a blow to his side, but quickly spun around and swung his clenched fist.

The spirit quickly retreated.

“That was slow.”

Yujin frowned.

When he thought back to his previous life, the speed of the spirit hadn’t been this fast.

But now, it felt far stronger than before.

‘So that was true.’

The statements about the spirits in the Trial of the Lion varied. Some children said the spirits were only at the level of rank 1, while others claimed they were close to rank 3.

Yujin suspected that the combat strength of the lion spirits might change depending on the opponent, suggesting a tailored challenge.

Was it a message to surpass oneself?

Seeing Yujin’s grim expression, the spirit laughed.

“Haha, so what’s the reason?”

“Stop talking nonsense and fight.”

Yujin didn’t respond and charged at the spirit again.

Swish! Swoosh! Swoosh!

White aura cut through the water, as Yujin tried to strangle the spirit.

The spirit tilted its head and easily dodged, moving gracefully.

“I’ll ask again, why? Why are you not just showing hostility, but such intense killing intent filled with resentment?”

“I just don’t like you.”

“What have I done? We’re meeting for the first time today, aren’t we?”

The truth was, Yujin had failed the Trial of the Lion in his previous life because of a spirit that looked like this one. The fear and injuries he suffered from that experience had haunted him for years.

There was no need to say any of this to the spirit.

But…

“Ugh…”

Yujin felt his breath growing shallow.

So far, he had been easily avoiding the traps he had already identified, but now, the situation was different. This was an unexpected turn.

Of course, Yujin had one plan in mind.

“Something’s strange. Why aren’t you using your full strength? Yet you’re breathing heavily?”

“Huh, you talk a lot.”

The spirit narrowed its eyes and stared at Yujin.

Despite the fact that the spirit had the upper hand in the fight, Yujin strangely felt as though he was pushing it into a corner, as though the spirit was unknowingly tightening a noose around itself.

What was Yujin up to?

Vroom!

Yujin gathered more aura, enhancing his strength and speed by wrapping it around his arms and legs.

However, there was one thing to be careful of.

‘The direction toward the ice cave, deeper inside…’

He needed to press on harder.

Zing!

This time, Yujin’s aura took the shape of a small dagger.

Forming a weapon out of aura was a technique typically reserved for those at rank 3 or higher.

“Oho…?”

While the spirit was surprised,

Pssh!

Yujin suddenly exploded the aura around his legs.

The aura-formed dagger shot toward the spirit’s chest.

The spirit hurriedly pulled back, but it couldn’t avoid the attack completely.

Fsss!

Black smoke billowed from the deep gash in its chest, spreading through the water. It was a fatal wound.

“…!”

The spirit noticeably slowed down.

Yujin had created an opportunity by suddenly unleashing unexpected strength.

If it weren’t for the extreme training with the Golden Sword, Gunggui, and Tugui, such a moment would never have come.

Yujin took a deep breath and calmed his breathing.

The spirit, watching him, nodded as if acknowledging his effort.

“Hmm, good. Not bad. With this, you’re qualified for the Trial of the Lion. You may pass through to the Ice Cave.”

“Hah, pass through?” Yujin smirked.

“Yes. Since you passed, you can…”

“Who are you to evaluate me and decide my path? Who gave you the right? I told you from the beginning.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said, ‘I want to defeat you.’”

Yujin tightened his grip on the dagger, his posture more aggressive than before.

“My judgment of you is something only I can make.”

Hearing that, the spirit burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

“Hehehe… Looks like I now have a reason to fight.”

Whoosh!

“The last time I had to reveal ‘this power’ in the Trial of the Lion was after Jade became the head of the family. You’re the first to do so since then.”

Bam!

The spirit swung its trident hard, pushing Yujin back, and it began to change form once more.

But something felt off.

The shape the spirit was transforming into was strangely familiar.

No, it wasn’t just familiar.

The form it took…

“Face yourself.”

It was Yujin’s own form.

And more specifically, it had become the version of himself that he despised the most from his memories.

A slouched face.

Drooping shoulders.

A look devoid of confidence.

Eyes full of resentment toward others.

This was the version of himself he had loathed when he wandered through life, cursing the world before joining the Sun God Church.

“You… damn…”

Seeing this, the overwhelming depression and helplessness from his childhood enveloped Yujin’s body.

It wasn’t just Yujin’s own emotions rising up.

Whoosh!

A black, thread-like energy shot out from the spirit’s finger and pierced Yujin’s head. It was a curse spell.

It seemed to be amplifying the emotions Yujin was feeling, intensifying them to an extreme degree.

This was completely unexpected.

The spirit did nothing but look at Yujin with that sad, helpless expression, mimicking his voice as if it were truly him.

“Why are you alive?”

“Shut up…”

“Don’t you feel guilty to your mother?”

“Shut up…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to die? Isn’t that the best way for everyone?”

Yujin felt his breath catch in his throat.

It was already hard enough to hold his breath underwater, but now his strength was rapidly draining away.

The aura he had been spinning with such intensity a moment ago was fading away quickly.

But that wasn’t all.

As Yujin struggled to calm the turmoil in his mind, his head began to fill with disturbing, loud voices.

“He’ll never be a knight with that pathetic appearance…”

“His mother is an 8th-rank knight, and her son is just an idiot.”

“If it were me, I’d kill myself.”

It was an auditory hallucination.

Simply put, the spirit was attacking Yujin’s mind.

Having been born without aura, strength, or status, Yujin had spent his childhood suffering under the disdain of others. The mockery and derision from people had always been a deep wound.

Yujin shook his head violently, trying to shake off the voices.

Thud!

Thud-!

To make matters worse, something grabbed Yujin’s ankles.

Startled, Yujin looked down.

The spirit, now resembling Yujin, had multiplied into five or six figures and was clinging to both of Yujin’s ankles.

It was an illusion.

His breath was choking.

His body felt as cold as ice.

His head was filled with hallucinations and the voices continued to torment him.

This was the worst situation.

Yujin suddenly found himself doubting without even realizing it.

“Can I really do this?”

The overwhelming sense of helplessness brought on by the curse made these doubts arise unconsciously.

Perhaps… just perhaps, he might die here.

Yujin had forgotten that he was much stronger now than he was in his past life.

He had thought he was well-prepared for the Trial of the Lion, but he hadn’t predicted that the spirit’s power would vary depending on the opponent.

“Ah…”

The focus in his eyes slowly began to fade.

***

At the same time.

On the round table, in the center, there was a crystal ball showing the children taking the Trial of the Lion.

Jade, Sirius, and Clark were watching the crystal ball intently.

“Just now, the Lion Spirit clearly told him to pass, so why…”

Clark tilted his head, and Sirius’ lips curled up into a smile.

“Brashness. Some people are like that. Overconfident, and they end up fighting the spirit to the very end.”

He turned his head to Jade.

“Not everyone can be like my father. Well, his pupils are already dull. I’ll send a rescue team.”

However, Jade shook his head.

“No.”

“…What?”

Sirius and Clark exchanged confused glances.

Given Yujin’s condition, the outcome seemed clear.

Only Jade’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Let’s observe a little longer.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the crystal ball flashed.

***

Yujin was definitely stronger than in his previous life, and he had a plan.

But the trauma attack using the curse was an unforeseen variable.

His heart slowed, and he was stepping closer to the brink of death.

‘I can’t fail the trial so easily. Somehow… wait a second.’

As he was pushed to the verge of death, a memory suddenly resurfaced in Yujin’s mind. It was the time when, as a child, an assassin had attempted to kill him.

At that time, a ‘violet energy’ had erupted from his heart, saving him.

‘Then, what if I draw out that energy and use it now?’

Yujin focused on the slowing beat of his heart. He began to sense a subtle change.

However, strangely enough, it wasn’t his heart…

Memories he had never experienced or seen before flashed through his mind.

It seemed to be the memories of the Mad God, Mephisto.

A faint shadow was speaking to Mephisto in his memory.

“Mephisto, no matter how difficult or painful the situation, if you clear your heart, you can overcome any hardship.”

“Are you referring to the ‘Mirror-like Clarity’ you mentioned back then?”

“Yes, remember it well.”

Mirror-like clarity and still water—Myeonggyeongjisu (Clear mirror, still water).

‘What if I can manifest this clarity of mind as aura…!’

Yujin initially intended to use chaos, but unexpectedly found a clue in this scene.

He spread the small amount of aura he had left throughout his lower abdomen, covering his entire body.

He imagined his mind and body, which had been tainted by the curse, being washed clean.

And then—

Zzing…!

The aura, which seemed to have been malfunctioning because of the curse, suddenly reacted strongly.

As if it couldn’t allow its master to die like this, the aura began to move once again.

But this time, it felt different.

The rapidly rising temperature, the surge of power within his body, and the refreshing sensation as if his body had been washed clean from the curse—everything felt invigorating.

Whoooosh!

The aura, now fully revived, began to push away the darkness from his mind.

The return of the all-consuming power was extraordinary.