Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2810 - 2811: This Is The Path I Choose

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Frank shared his own life force with Erika. It was his Unique Skill—perhaps the first he ever obtained—and one he had mastered to a terrifying degree.

This power had been granted to him by a Deity from Another World, a Beast God he could visit during his childhood. Through that Divine Protection, he received the [Gift of Life], the ability to donate his own lifeforce to others and heal them.

Of course, it held a hidden effect he had yet to unlock—its reverse.

[Life Drain]

Eventually, he would awaken the power to drain the life of those around him. But to do so, he would need to be truly desperate.

”What the hell are you doing?! Stop them!”

The leader roared in fury as four other Yakuza charged toward us, manifesting powerful Divine Spirit Weapons and Spiritual Armor over their bodies.

No matter how much I analyzed the surroundings, I couldnʼt detect any Great Spirit from the Spirit Plane. Yet traces lingered—someone from that Plane had gifted this man immense power to stir chaos and disrupt the balance of our world.

These Yakuza belonged to weak, fading families, desperate enough to accept any offer of strength. They would do anything to survive.

”How are you not affected?!”

One of them lunged at me, swinging a Spirit Crystal Katana streaked with green, red, and yellow. Flames, wind, and thunder erupted from each poorly executed swing, unleashing a chaotic storm of elemental force.

I stood on my ground, meeting his charge with a calm expression. I pointed my insectoid rapier forward, then swung with all my strength, channeling my Martial Arts and Mana Consciousness into one.

The world around me shifted, black and red merged with purple. A garden of roses bloomed in those hues. Monstrous, demonic trees surged upward, and dark red eyes opened in the void.

”W-What is this?!”

CLAAASH!

”Guaaagh?!”

Unable to comprehend what struck him, he was hurled into a mass of spirit crystals. Roaring, he absorbed the crystals into his armor, transforming into a towering golem-like being.

”DIE!”

He charged again.

This man was born in a Cosmic World, with innate Cosmic Power and a Cosmic Soul, further enhanced by the Spiritual Plane. His level of power was immense—comparable to the giant mole we had fought. Each of these Yakuza stood at that level individually.

However—

”I havenʼt even used my Martial Arts properly.”

I stepped forward, pouring my Intent, Consciousness, and Memories into my blade. I swung upward with all my strength.

”Records of the Man Who Went Against the World.”

”Fourth Form.”

”Hill Climbing!”

The creator of this Martial Art endured endless struggle. Each technique reflects that journey, forming the foundation of the perfect Martial Arts a human can learn.

Hill Climbing was designed by old man Yeon Jin to face opponents stronger than oneself. Martial Arts, at its core, is the creation of the weak—a defiance against overwhelming power.

Like Erika and Matsuo showed, few truly understand proper Martial Arts. This Method is rare.

CRASH!

”Guaahh?!”

I climbed the giantʼs body in a single step, gathering momentum and releasing it through the tip of my blade, piercing his shoulder.

BOOOM!

”Aaaargh!”

Waspʼs description of the technique was simple:

”Hill Climbing is your main movement and attack technique. It helps you kick and climb over your opponentʼs body. Each attack explosively elevates your power in exchange for lifeforce, and it even lets you move through the air briefly.”

Though this body wasnʼt my strongest, it was a hybrid—Darkwood Fae Dhampir and Chaos Spawn. It held more potential than my original form ever did, a solid foundation for a new path of power.

My strength resided in my soul, fueling me with the energy to unleash greater force.

”GAAAAHHH!”

He roared, swinging his katana. I intercepted with my rapier. Cracks in space rippled as our blades collided.

BOOOM!

The explosion sent us flying. I recovered quickly, using Relentless Pursuit combined with Hill Climbing to close the distance.

”Y-YOU!”

He emerged from the crystals, surrounded by spiritual magic circles. Elemental spells of wind, thunder, and fire burst forth.

”W-Who the hell are you?!”

I moved swiftly, dodging every attack with precision. Relentless Pursuit and Hill Climbing guided my steps.

My eyes perceived everything. Connected to a vast web of Mana Threads, I merged the environmentʼs mana with my own Consciousness. I saw it all.

Even with my Cosmic Eyes, I had never seen the little things so clearly.

I no longer relied on raw power. Now, I wielded mastery and precision.

So that one day, I may truly deserve my power—and wield it as a true Martial Artist.

CLAAASH!

”Guaaah?!”

Before he could react, I struck again. A bleeding hole opened in his other shoulder. He groaned, clenching his teeth.

His katana floated midair, splitting into dozens of spirit swords that flew toward me.

”Haaaah!”

I swung my rapier, focusing all my energy into my blade and body.

My Consciousness expanded—then contracted, forming a canopy around me.

”This is...?!”

FLASH!

Something changed within me.

My understanding of power shifted.

”I see...”

I smiled, even as the blades battered me lightly.

”So this is the Third Stage.”

The world changed again.

Red and blue lines of intent manifested. Red for his attacks, blue for mine.

I could see the trajectory of his strikes through the flow of energy. His emotions were clear—he was desperate, panicked.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

I moved like a hummingbird. My wings guided my path.

Graceful. Precise. No wasted motion.

I followed the trajectory shaped by my Intent.

There it was—deep within his heart—the strike that would end this.

”W-What the hell are you?! Why donʼt my attacks connect?! Are you reading my mind?!”

”Something like that.”

I winked, dodging left and kicking his stomach with Relentless Pursuit and Volcanic Rise.

BOOOM!

”Ungh?!”

He flew into the ceiling, then descended in fury. Spirit crystals fused into dozens of blades, rushing toward me.

”TRY TO AVOID THIS!”

”That doesnʼt seem too hard.”

I propelled myself through the air with my wings, following the correct path.

Where red and blue converge, a third—purple.

The purple path combines taking the enemyʼs attack and striking them down.

To win, one must be willing to sacrifice.

I had lived in fear. Desperate. Afraid.

But no longer.

If I keep fearing death, Iʼll never reach the heights others have attained by risking everything.

Those I admire...

Wasp. Medea. Victor Frankenstein. Noah. My father. And even the Sun God—whose power I still envy after stealing his star.

Heʼs relentless, isnʼt he?

”W-Whatʼs happening?! Get away from me!!!”

He screamed, fusing his spiritual energy into his hands and releasing a multicolored beam.

”Spirit Blast!!!”

TRUUUMMM!!!

It seemed inevitable.

But this was my golden opportunity.

The purple path grew brighter.

This was it.

”Records of the Man Who Went Against the World.”

”First Form.”

”Relentless Pursuit.”

”Second Form.”

”Volcanic Rise.”

”Third Form.”

”Rice Harvest.”

”Fourth Form.”

”Hill Climbing.”

A relentless flurry of strikes tore through the Yakuza, covering his body in bleeding wounds.

”A-Ahhh! W-What are you?! A-Aaaagh!”

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