My Alter Ego's Path to Greatness

Chapter 67: Chapter 325: Title Match (2)



</p><p>KABOOM—!</p><p>Frustrating.</p><p>That was Mok Ingwang, the original Mad Demon's, honest assessment of his opponent. He had fought many strong opponents and faced countless crises, but this was a first.</p><p>'What is this guy?'</p><p>Judging by his physique alone, he could tell his opponent's external martial arts prowess was extraordinary. Those incredibly developed muscles weren't something achievable through normal training. And it wasn't just mindless bulk. The overwhelming physique possessed matching destructive power and speed, along with sharp eyesight, incredible toughness, and battle instincts to back it all up.</p><p>'And above all…'</p><p>He couldn't mistake it.</p><p>The madness seething within his opponent. It was an inhuman level of madness, something he couldn't even fathom.</p><p>'I can't believe what I'm seeing. Is he even human?'</p><p>It felt like fighting a monster in human form. So, he had chosen a strategy of feinting strength and speed to exploit his opponent's instincts, and it seemed to be working at first…</p><p>KABOOM—!</p><p>…but the aura claws he unleashed from a blind spot were blocked by his opponent's hand. It wasn't unusual, so Mok Ingwang immediately launched a follow-up attack—</p><p>Crack!</p><p>—which was also blocked.</p><p>"Kahahaha!"</p><p>And another attack—</p><p>Screech!</p><p>—was intercepted before it could fully connect, repeatedly being neutralized.</p><p>It was a completely different reaction from the beginning of the fight. And it meant…</p><p>'…He's adapting?'</p><p>The monster he was fighting was learning, in real time, using him as a training dummy. While he had managed to inflict some wounds, they weren't significant. They healed quickly. Aura-infused wounds, capable of destroying anything they touched, healing so easily… Even for a Peak Master, such regeneration was unheard of. It usually required a long period of recuperation.</p><p>"Grrr! Have you mastered some legendary immortality technique? What kind of body is that?!"</p><p>"Haha! You're not bad! It's rare to find someone who can keep up. Show me more, more!"</p><p>"You madman!"</p><p>But his opponent was so unusual that he couldn't find an effective counter. An insurmountable opponent for him, still at the peak of the Transcendent Realm. While his unique constitution and martial arts synergy allowed him to punch above his weight, there was a clear difference between reaching the wall and breaking through it.</p><p>"Come on, come on! Don't tell me you're already tired? Come at me again, buddy!"</p><p>Mok Ingwang frowned at the taunting words. He finally realized.</p><p>'He was this strong?'</p><p>The reason this fight was dragging on was because his opponent wanted it to. He was furious, but he couldn't afford to be distracted.</p><p>'Dangerous.'</p><p>He was reaching his limit. The madness that had always empowered him was now gnawing at his mind, pounding against his Baihui acupoint, a side effect of pushing it too far. The double-edged sword, the source of his power and his innate curse, was now threatening to consume him.</p><p>'I have to decide.'</p><p>He had two choices: admit defeat, withdraw his power, and calm his mind; or unleash everything he had, regardless of the consequences.</p><p>'…Is there even a choice?'</p><p>As always, his decision was already made. A savage grin spread across his face.</p><p>'I might not be as mad as you, but—'</p><p>—he channeled the Mad Conquest Technique, a secret technique he had mastered since childhood, further amplifying his power, ignoring the madness corrupting his mind as it was unleashed. He couldn't afford to worry about the future when his present was in danger.</p><p>Crack—</p><p>His blood flow accelerated, his muscles bulging. His senses sharpened, and his mind focused on a single objective: to defeat his opponent by any means necessary. Battle strategies formed in his mind, as if he was under the influence of a drug.</p><p>While the amount of madness within his opponent was unfathomable, he had the Mad Conquest Technique, which allowed him to control his own madness more effectively. He had already pierced his opponent's defenses and drawn blood. He still had a chance.</p><p>"Let's see who the true Mad Demon is!"</p><p>"Hoo? Suddenly so eager… Hmm?"</p><p>His fading rationality gave way to instinct as he charged towards his surprised opponent. His body enveloped in a bizarre, flickering crimson aura.</p><p>Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan.</p><p>In a hidden building within the back alleys…</p><p>…a group conversed in hushed tones, a high-level Qi technique concealing their conversation.</p><p>"Mad Demon?"</p><p>"As planned, he's headed towards the grotesque's location. They should have met by now."</p><p>They were discussing the one who had left the city, chasing the imposter who had stolen his title. They had been sent here for this very reason.</p><p>"Who do you think will win?"</p><p>"Judging by the data, the grotesque."</p><p>"I don't know. Mad Demon isn't one to accept defeat easily. If he disregards his own safety…"</p><p>"Indeed, that's his style. He doesn't think about the consequences."</p><p>They quickly cleaned up the area, exchanging opinions. While the outcome was uncertain, they all agreed on one thing:</p><p>"But the survivor won't be in good shape."</p><p>Neither of them would be able to interfere with their plans for a while.</p><p>"Mission accomplished, then."</p><p>"Regardless of the outcome, our task is complete. The rest is up to those above us."</p><p>Having instigated a fight between two potential obstacles, they could proceed with their plans more easily.</p><p>"Move to the next location."</p><p>The matter was out of their hands now. There was no need to dwell on it.</p><p>"…Dengfeng County."</p><p>The building that had housed the information brokers was now empty, cleared of everything, including its original occupants.</p><p>Harley, exchanging blows with the original Mad Demon, couldn't help but express his admiration.</p><p>"This is quite impressive!"</p><p>Despite not being a Peak Master, his opponent's combat power was considerable. Even considering the Murim's specialization in one-on-one combat, he was definitely stronger than most Transcendents from other dimensions.</p><p>'A martial art that utilizes refined madness? Interesting.'</p><p>The versatility of martial arts contributed greatly to his opponent's strength, perfectly compensating for the relatively limited variety of mysteries in this Qi-based world.</p><p>'This could be useful.'</p><p>Harley's response was simple: to adapt and learn by observing and experiencing his opponent's attacks. He also had access to the common skill 「Mimicry」.</p><p>'And I have 「Tyrant of Madness」, specialized in manipulating madness.'</p><p>An ability evolved from the fusion of three madness-related skills, 「Frenzied Beast」, 「Mad Dragon's Heart」, and 「Madness Control」, after absorbing the White Giant's core. A power akin to an authority, controlling and dominating madness. The immense madness within him began to flow along specific pathways.</p><p>But…</p><p>'…That looks dangerous.'</p><p>Harley frowned, observing his opponent, who was providing him with a one-on-one lesson.</p><p>"Graaaah—!"</p><p>His opponent, eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth, charged at him. He seemed to have lost control, his internal energy leaking out uncontrollably, a backlash from pushing past his limits. He would self-destruct if left unchecked.</p><p>'I still have much to learn.'</p><p>And that wasn't what Harley wanted. The technique he was currently learning was unconventional and high-level, requiring more time to master.</p><p>'I was planning to make him my first subordinate in Ganghwange.'</p><p>He had to calm him down first, but…</p><p>"Hey, buddy? Calm down, let's talk…"</p><p>"Graaaah!"</p><p>…Mok Ingwang wasn't listening. He was solely focused on attacking, even drawing upon his innate Prenatal Qi, his life force, to supplement his waning power.</p><p>'I'll have to clean up a corpse if I leave him like this.'</p><p>He had to suppress his madness before subduing him. Even if he restrained him, the uncontrolled madness would consume his Prenatal Qi.</p><p>'This is my first time doing this to someone else.'</p><p>But he couldn't hesitate. He would accept the consequences if he failed. Of course, he wouldn't be the one to bear the penalty.</p><p>"Haa…"</p><p>He sighed softly—</p><p>Push—!</p><p>Screech—! Clank—!</p><p>—and a loud, metallic clang echoed as hot steam erupted from his body. His right eye, glowing red, turned into a vertical slit, like a reptile's, and his left eye, green, sharpened, sparkling like a gem.</p><p>And then—</p><p>KABOOM—!</p><p>Another earth-shattering collision, but the result was different this time.</p><p>"Haha! Let's drain some of that energy, shall we?"</p><p>"Gah!"</p><p>"Bear with me, buddy. Think of it as anesthesia before surgery."</p><p>A powerful punch, aimed at Mok Ingwang's stomach after 「Gem Eye: Coercion」 activated at the crucial moment. He had only hesitated for an instant, but it was more than enough for Harley, who had already analyzed his opponent.</p><p>"Grrr!"</p><p>"Oh! Still not enough?"</p><p>A single punch wasn't enough to calm him, especially with the madness consuming him. And Harley had held back, not wanting to pulverize his internal organs.</p><p>Grab!</p><p>Harley grabbed his opponent's head with one hand and flexed the other, observing him intently. Mok Ingwang, seemingly recovered from the shock, struggled to move. But Harley's overwhelming strength suppressed his resistance.</p><p>'I don't know how effective 「Tyrant of Madness」 will be, but…'</p><p>…it was better than doing nothing. It might be a bit rough, but his opponent would understand.</p><p>"This might sting a little~?"</p><p>Probably.</p><p>BAM!</p><p>"······!"</p><p>And so…</p><p>…a powerful tyrant from another world arrived with his army to quell a rebellion. Unleashing overwhelming violence to suppress the resistance.</p><p>There were many admirable sayings in the world.</p><p>Never give up until you succeed. What a wonderful motto. A short phrase, but it embodied tireless effort, unwavering perseverance, and burning passion.</p><p>'And there's another one.'</p><p>Who said it?</p><p>A mad dog needs a good beating.</p><p>Whack— Thud—</p><p>Harley pondered the saying as he diligently put it into practice.</p><p>And the result…</p><p>Thump—</p><p>"…Gah… Y… You madman… Cough!"</p><p>…proved that nothing was impossible.</p><p>The current Mad Demon nodded slowly, looking down at the former Mad Demon with satisfaction.</p><p></p>


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