Ranker Who Lives Twice

Just then, thwak!

"Ow!" Jeong-woo jumped at the hand that suddenly slapped his back and turned around.

Rhea was glaring at Jeong-woo. "I said to use nice words, didn't I?!"

"Geez, Mom! I was trying to get in the atmosphere…!"

"You're going to keep on talking back?"

Thwak, thwak, thwak!

"Okay, okay! Stop hitting me! Oow!" Jeong-woo displayed a pleading expression, but Rhea's hand showed no sign of stopping. Her divinity was definitely still unstable, so Jeong-woo had no idea where she was getting this strength.

However, there was something that made Jeong-woo even gloomier.

"You're up?"

"H-Hyung?" At that familiar voice, Jeong-woo straightened his back and turned around. Greeting him was a brightly smiling Yeon-woo.

"We still have stuff to talk about, don't we?"

"…Hyung, my vestige body was already beaten up. Can't we call it good with that?"

"No. We can't."

"I mean, that was me too! So we can call it good enough…!"

"No. We can't."

"…" Jeong-woo wondered if Yeon-woo had eaten some firm foods, because he had no idea why Yeon-woo was cutting him off so firmly.

"Anyway, I'll see you after this."With that, Yeon-woo tightly gripped Scythe and dashed for Sage again.

Haaaa! Jeong-woo couldn't do anything but sigh. Yeon-woo was still getting angry over something that had happened years ago, and Jeong-woo didn't understand how Yeon-woo could be so narrow-minded at this age. Yeon-woo had even lived all those lives as the Black King's ego, so it really didn't make sense. Even if Yeon-woo hadn't become magnanimous, Jeong-woo thought that he should have at least become not petty… "…What a bigot."

"I can hear you."

"I meant for you to!" Jeong-woo flinched, but he decided to act brazenly since he was already caught. Whatever he did, he'd be beaten up by Yeon-woo anyway, so it put him at ease to think he had nothing else to lose.

"You want to die?"

"Mom! Hyung is threatening me and asking me if I want to die!" Jeong-woo hid behind Rhea's back.

Rhea's glare turned toward Yeon-woo. "Yeon-woo! I told you! Stop bothering your brother! Did you keep this up even when I was gone?"

"That's…"

"Goodness…! I told you so many times to get along with each other since you only have each other to rely on if your father and I are gone. Gosh! You really don't listen!"

"…"

"When will you boys grow up? You're both over thirty now…!"

"It's because that bastard sold me first."

"You were going to hit me first!"

"Both of you, be quiet!"

"…"

"…"

"Anyway, we'll talk more about this later. Both of you are in big trouble!"

Yeon-woo and Jeong-woo both closed their mouths tightly.

"Who do you take after to fight so much?!"

"H-Huh? Wifey, you're not talking about me right now, are you?"Kronos, who had been watching with amusement at his sons being scolded, jumped into the conversation. Of course, the juvenile husband wasn't able to avoid Rhea's glare either.

"Are you asking because you don't know?"

"…"

"It's because you're always like this that the kids are acting the same way! Anyway, we're going to have a chat after this too."

Kronos groaned after being scolded because of his children, but Rhea didn't even pretend to hear him.

What a mess. Sage exuded letters of disbelief while watching Yeon-woo's family, but he was filled with thoughts about them.

Yeon-woo was the executor, Death King, ego of the Black King, and the master of Night. Jeong-woo was the Opponent, and sun of Day. Then there was Kronos, the former king of gods of Olympus, and one who had been the closest to reaching the emperor-level as a descendant of Pneuma. And finally, there was Rhea, who had also ruled over Olympus and interpreted the powers of Quirinale the best after the ancient gods. Each of them had shaken universes, and they could all be said to represent this modern age.

Sage wanted to have them desperately, but that was why he was also wary of them all being together like this. It was clear things would become difficult. Family… Bloodline…

What are these things for you to create such miracles? Sage didn't understand. His plans had been perfect from the past, present, and future. He created an inescapable trap since he was able to observe and be set apart from the laws of causality. They were his plans to create a safe haven. But why were all his plans crumbling apart…? He couldn't help but be confused.

"If you don't know…"

"The spring of time spins intensely!"

"I'll beat it into you."

Whoosh! Whoosh! Yeon-woo began attacking again.

Rumble, rumble.

"…We'll see about this later."

"Mom. Hyung wants me to follow him out into the back alley later."

"This bastard…?"

"He's even cursing at me."

"Hey!"

"He's even shouting at me!"

Jeong-woo told Rhea everything Yeon-woo was threatening him with, and Yeon-woo became more frustrated. And as Rhea's glare just deepened, Yeon-woo thought talking even more would only increase his losses. He contained his anger and swung Scythe.

Rumble! A more powerful Sword Thunder than just before came striking down. The tide of the battle was also a lot different. Yeon-woo had been fighting off to one side.

Because he was concerned the forces of Day and Night might get swept up, and Rhea and Jeong-woo could get hurt, Yeon-woo had been careful, but he no longer had to worry about what was behind him. Jeong-woo would be there to have his back.

"Sheesh. Always using me like this. He does all the cool stuff himself." Jeong-woo grumbled, but he spread his Sky Wings wide apart. He knew what Yeon-woo wanted even if he didn't say it out loud.

"Sky Wings - Maximum Force"

"Absolute Power Space"

Fwoosh! Jeong-woo's Sky Wings emanated a bright light while the traits of Perfect Adaptability were released. It felt as if all the laws of this world were at the tips of his fingers. He could…feel the darkness.

The power of Quirinale specialized in sensing and controlling space, and when this was combined with Perfect Adaptability, the power had new capabilities. It was domination, and manipulation, to be more precise… Jeong-woo could force his will and manipulate the laws and order that made up space.

Some could think it was no different than what gods and demons could do in their holy territory, but in terms of range and authority, Jeong-woo was beyond stronger. This was because the territories of others were included in the space he could dominate and manipulate.

Rumble! Rrrrrrr! With this, Jeong-woo attempted to dominate and forcefully manipulate the space of darkness. Space trembled, and darkness quaked. The Demonisms all laughed and mocked him.

Keekeekeek.

You're attempting something crazy!

He awakened the divinity of Quirinale and got his powers not too long ago.

But he's trying to attack us?

Wasn't Quirinale logical and reasonable? They were far from foolish actions like this. Hmph!

Things like this were up Pneuma's alley… Did his temperament change since their blood was mixed?

This is fun too.

However, the Demonisms just watched Jeong-woo's actions and showed no sign of interfering, as if telling Jeong-woo to try if he wanted to. Or perhaps they thought this was something Sage could overcome.

"Will you…be alright?" Rhea turned into a concerned mother from the rebuking mother she had just been. She was worried Jeong-woo was overworking himself and that he'd fall in danger like before, especially after using too much holy power.

But Jeong-woo just looked back at Rhea with a relaxed face. "I should ask that. Are you alright, Mom?"

There was an invisible string that connected the two. Since Rhea had used up all her holy power to save him, Jeong-woo connected his soul to hers in order for her soul not to disappear. It was something he did as soon as he woke up.

"Yes. So…"

"Me too. So don't worry." Jeong-woo shook his head and smiled faintly. "If you're still worried, will you teach me?"

"Teach…you?"

"Yes. Please teach me how I can use this better. After all, I was better than Hyung at studying, right?"

Rhea was silent. Of course she knew this was her son being considerate of her. The fact that Jeong-woo was already using the power like this meant he had a deep understanding of Quirinale's power. He didn't have much to learn from Rhea. However, he was still asking her to teach him… It was admirable how he was trying to ease her concerns.

Rhea nodded solemnly. She wouldn't worry about her son any longer. Instead, she decided to teach him that what he knew wasn't everything, especially if Jeong-woo was truly determined to follow in Quirinale's footsteps. As a parent, she wanted to be a good role model and not fall behind in her duties.

"Listen well." Rhea slowly spoke of the wisdom of her ancestors that she had stored, organized, interpreted, and improved.

Jeong-woo's gaze became heavier upon realizing the depths of Quirinale were quite vast. Whoosh! As he did, the light he radiated became brighter.

"The sun of ‘Day (Eros)' illuminates the world!"

"Knowledge of Quirinale has deepened."

"Knowledge of Quirinale has deepened."

…

"You have realized the meaning of Space."

"Your level increases."

"You have built up more accomplishments."

"You have gained additional holiness to completely transcend!"

…

"Your title has changed from Successor of ‘Day (Eros)' to Master of ‘Day (Eros)'!"

Jeong-woo projected his will throughout the darkness to control space and manipulate it as he wished. He spread his left-hand open on the horizon.

"The power of Quirinale activates!"

"You have dominated a designated area."

Something caught in Jeong-woo's fingers.

Clack, clack, clack.

Kiiiiii? Kiek!!! The army of Perished Gods, who had been fighting intensely against Yeon-woo's group, suddenly stiffened.

"What is it?"Agares, realizing something was off, raised his head high to look at Jeong-woo.

Jeong-woo brought his left palm down as if pressing something down.

"‘Pressure' has been applied to your dominated territory!"

Then, the army of Perished Gods began to tremble. It was like they were being pulled down by gravity. Their movements became slow, and their holy power scattered… The army had been caught between Jeong-woo's fingers, and Jeong-woo began to press harder.

"‘Pressure' has been applied to your dominated territory!"

"‘Pressure' has been applied to your dominated territory!"

…

Once, twice, thrice… The longer the power was activated, the greater the pressure on the Perished Gods. Soon, they all stopped moving. It was a similar skill and form to what Jeong-woo had once seen in the Tower.

Dum. Dum. The sound of a bell ringing rang out from somewhere.

"Heavenly Demon Reigning Step"