Episode 1140 Mutual Severance (3)
After executing Reisen, Balok’s second disciple, his [Impeccable Robe] became Cain’s.It was an artifact that inflicted no damage on its owner unless its shield was broken. For Cain, it was as if he had an extra life.
If it had been an arrow fired normally by Luerin, she might have been able to defend against it… but unfortunately, it was a deliberate sniper shot by a Transcendent being intended to kill Unia with certainty.
Death became a dark beam of light, shattered the shield, and pierced the very center of the chest.
Whoosh!
The moment Cain collapsed, it seemed as though time was slowing down for everyone, at least for that moment.
Yunia, who was suddenly pushed, let out a voice.
“uh?”
Osgar shouted.
“Get down on your knees!!!!!!!”
Aldevan grabbed Cain and Junia by the nape of the neck with his golem prosthetic arm and threw himself to the side. Arrows rained down from the gap in the massive door.Although their power was less than the sniper shot that hit Cain, they were threatening to them.
Boom!
Osgar struck the hallway with all his might, leaving a non-lethal spot exposed. The floor rose irregularly, acting as a shield.The Phases took cover at the far left and right ends of the hallway, where they could not be targeted as there was no angle available through the door gaps.
‘8th Commander! Why are you here instead of dealing with the Transcendents!!’
It is only natural to protect the source body of the Four Sects, but we are helpless if the transcendents come anyway. Therefore, if we want to delay the fall, the normal course of action would be to interfere from the outside so that they cannot find the source body.
Not staying cooped up like this!
The commander of the 8th Division made a decision that was incomprehensible both strategically and logically.That prediction was fatal.
Crack!
Osgar urgently asked as he broke the arrow embedded in the golem’s prosthetic arm.
“Look here, Cain is…!”“…Sadly, he is already.”
Aldevan forcibly poured the highly concentrated Lissandro’s Fruit Potion, which each of Eon’s phases possessed, into Cain’s mouth—but only the gaping hole was filled, and his breath did not return.
“Cain? Cain……?”
Junia continued to shake Cain, but there was no answer or even a slight movement. Only Cain’s eyes remained frozen, half-open.
Because the heart had disappeared completely, the bleeding was not severe.A red puddle formed behind Cain’s back.
Instant death.
Unlike ordinary potions, Lissandro’s Fruit causes a unique healing effect without burdening the user, even if their life force has been depleted.
Nevertheless, death cannot be reversed.
It would be the same even if there were a legendary elixir. Ultimately, potions cannot bring the dead back to life. That was the limit of alchemy.
Osgar felt dizzy.His stomach was churning…
“Cain.”
I recall the time I found the twins abandoned on the street. I remember the cries and magical power Yunia unleashed to protect Cain, even though they were newborns.The days when three sages raised the two on the Society’s island flash through my mind.
To those who joined forces to stage a rebellion against the rotten magic world, Junia and Cain were a gift, a disciple, and also a child.
‘Cain.’
Before he knew it, Osgar was shedding tears. Yet, he was not consumed by sorrow. Becausethere was still work left to be done.
“Unia.”“T-Sage. Cain isn’t waking up.”“Unia.”“Cain, while saving me…”“Unia!!!”
I grabbed Yunia’s shoulders tightly, as she could barely breathe.
“I will draw the Commander out by any means necessary, so destroy the Source in the meantime. Aldevan, I entrust Junia to you.”“I will do so without being told.”“Sage… This can’t be. It’s impossible. How could Cain… This makes no sense…”
Because Junia did not know despair, she could not bear such a tragedy.She simply could not open her eyes.
“My younger sibling, in a place like this…….”
Cain’s death in battle was instantaneous, and no one could have predicted it. It was entirely natural. Who could have foreseen the death of a family member?
Osgardo fully understood what it felt like to be unable to believe reality.The more so, the more one must face reality.
“Would it be right to make Cain’s ‘sacrifice’ in vain?”
Osgar said firmly.
Do what only you can do.
Junia held Cain’s hand tightly, which was still warm. She tightened her grip on his fingertips, but there was no reaction. She realized the reality.It felt as if something like a rusty hook was tearing her soul in half.
It was then.
Tshaaaaaaak───!
Commander Luerin of the 8th Division slid through the barrier created by Osgar. At the same time, the bowstring tilted toward the direction where the phases were.
Osgar moved reflexively.
You came out on your own?
If snipers were firing from the gap in the door, the probability of breaking through would not have been even 20% even if Osgar sacrificed his life. The commander gave up such an advantageous position.
It is terribly persistent.
‘no way.’
Only then did Osgar realize what the commander was after.
The gravity-infused staff struck down the arrow.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
Junia was thrown back by a dark explosion. The death of the twins. Due to the mental shock, she could not even perform a fall break with
Now that the commander has come out, there is no need to protect you.
Aldevan unleashed great magical power. Although the level was low, it was the power of His Majesty. And breaking through the hierarchy, he briefly surpassed his limits.
“Run.”“……!”
Aldevan let out a battle cry as he intervened in the battlefield between Osgar and Luerin. Dark magic completely enveloped Luerin’s vision. This wasto buy time for Unia to destroy the source body against a transcendent-level enemy.
‘Cain…….’
Junia looked at Cain for a moment and immediately sprinted toward the massive gate.
* * *
fault.
Luerin stepped back, performing acrobatics.I thought it would end simply.Even though he had reached the limit for a human, he was still reacting to Luerin’s rapid fire, despite being at a level that ultimately fell short of transcendence.
“Why are you targeting Junia?”
Osgar emitted a powerful magical energy. He, too, had activated the great magic he had inherited and was handling the calculation formula for breaking through hierarchy. Thiswas because the limits of the Extreme Point were insufficient to face a transcendent being as an individual.
“What is the reason you prioritize Junia’s death over the source of the Four Gates?”
A voice filled with calm anger.
Osgar paid no heed to the arrows embedded throughout his body or the evil spirit seeping into him. His eyes were fixed solely on Luerin.
[Because it’s more dangerous.]
Luerin placed a new arrow on the bowstring and spoke softly.
[Whatever path. Gets in the way of. destiny.]
and.
[That’s funny.]
Luerin continued speaking self-deprecatingly.
[That hopeful gaze, believing that his life would always be bright, and that there would be no tragedy like those of others.]
“…….”
[Anyway. There is no hope.]
I know that Luerin was the Master’s first senior disciple during her lifetime. I also know what kind of tragedy led to the death of this righteous woman.
If life is such that one cannot see even an inch ahead, how can one conclude that there is no hope?
Osgar’s eyes flashed.
The Four Gates will be destroyed by Junia.
Eon’s third phase, unleashing its maximum power, charged forward along with the twelfth phase. Luerin drew his bowstring three times and drew out his bone dagger.
The center of the corridor leading to the gate collapsed due to the ensuing shockwave.
* * *
I headed forward, feeling the waves of fierce battle coming from behind me.I glared straight ahead without even turning my head.
‘Cain.’
Cain is dead.
Cain is dead, but the Sage of Power and Aldevan are still alive. The work that Junia must do, and has no choice but to do, is predetermined.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
I forcibly broke down the door by crashing into it with my whole body, not just magic. The impact left me with bruises all over my body and a dislocated left shoulder, but… … I finally succeeded in taking in the inverted cone crystal hidden inside.
It was a huge size.
It was larger in scale than anything reported in other sects so far. It seemed like even pouring all my strength into destroying it wouldn’t be enough, but there is no time.
If you don’t hurry, even the sage will die.
“Be one, Biryu.”
The ignition of [Extension of Bahlukhan], which was Reisen’s staff.
Ultima!
Activate [Ultima] received from the sages.
Breakthrough of the hierarchy of magic.Magic
Yunia concentrated magical power exceeding the limits of her realm into herself.The underground of the ancient fortress raged.Even the source body of the Four Sects could not stabilize and was shaken by the torrent of that immense power.
I’m sorry, Cain.
If he cast the spell like this, there was naturally no way Junia would be safe, but he didn’t care. The guilt he felt over Cain, who had died in his place, suppressed his survival instinct.
I’d be happy to die here.
I should have died, not Cain.
“─────────!”
Yunia projected her maximum magic, even forcibly shortening the casting time. Soon, magical power and the radiance of the stars reached the center of the inverted cone crystal.
A flash of light covering everything.
That thing, which even swallowed Unia, caused the underground of the ancient fortress to collapse.
* * *
“……Gasp.”
Cain opened his eyes in a strange, gray space. He took a deep breath.At the same time, he recalled his immediate memory and fumbled in his chest, but there were no noticeable injuries. He had clearly felt the sensation of being pierced by a projectile.
Cain looked around.
Where am I?
Neither Junia, nor the Sage of Power, nor Aldevan were to be seen. There was nothing. Cain found himself cast alone into an unfamiliar gray.
Then someone said.
“There are two options.”“……!”
When Cain turned around, a human figure emitting a gray or bright light was standing there.Judging by the curves of the body, it was undoubtedly a woman.
“Who are you? What do you mean by ‘choices’?”“Complete resurrection in the future and temporary resurrection in the present. Which path will you walk?”
Cain opened his eyes wide. However, his surprise was short-lived, and he understood everything.
He died.But he can come back to life.
The meaning of that choice was conveyed not to the head, but to the heart.
“I will choose the present.”“If even this fleeting flame goes out, only a pile of warm ashes will remain. Won’t you regret it?”“Ever since childhood, Unia was clumsy and prone to falling down.”
Cain was not afraid of death.
“I will raise it up. As always.”“For a noble ‘sacrifice’.”
The woman reached out her hand.
This black sword is finally yours.
The moment he grabbed the sword trapped in the woman’s hand, everything around him shook.
Paaaaat!
A pillar of gray fell. As the light ceased, the figure of Cain beneath it vanished. The sword the woman was holding also disappeared along with him.
The woman left alone in the void—the Apostle of the Morning Star—Eloris smiled gently as she gazed at the gray sky.
I will come to pick you up soon.
* * *
As the Source Body was destroyed, the sky of the Four Gates world began to split open. The underground, which had been swept by several waves of aftershocks, was now enveloped in silence.
Stirring up.
Yunia struggled to push away the ceiling debris pressing down on her back. Having unleashed all her magical power at once beyond her limit, a wave of exhaustion swept over her.
The internal organs were crushed.Several bones were broken.
“Cain…… Sage…….”
Junia, staggering but supporting herself with [Ultima], searched for Cain’s corpse and the others. It was just as she drank a magic potion and, with her eyes half-closed, attempted to cast
Whoosh, crunch!
Luerin pounced and climbed onto Junia’s back.The bowstring tightened its grip on her neck.Had it not been blocked in the middle with a staff, her throat would undoubtedly have been severed.
An impossible confrontation continued.
The explosive force that obliterated the source of the Four Gates had dealt a significant blow to Luerin as well, which is why he is unable to move smoothly as he has not yet recovered.
“Ugh, ugh…!”
Yunia threw herself. The two rolled on the floor. After hitting the ceiling debris several times, Luerin climbed on top of the fallen Yunia.
Bang!
The bone dagger gouged out Junia’s right eyeball and aimed for the space between her eyebrows. Junia discarded her staff and blocked the blow with both hands. Shecaught the blade with her palm and grasped it with her other hand.
Yunia twisted the corners of her mouth while trembling and shedding tears of blood.
“The Four Sects…… are finished……!”
[That kind of thing. Doesn’t matter.]
Yunia opened her remaining eye wide.
Does it hurt?
Luerin raised his arm.
So just die. That’s easier.
Luerin felt extreme disgust and pity for the look in Junia’s eyes, who, just like himself when he was alive, was convinced that if one walked the straight path, a happy ending would eventually come, even if there were adversities.
There is no protagonist in this world.Even if there were, it would not be yourself.
It is far better to simply die without the need to live dwelling on tragedy. It would be the greatest blessing to die before knowing tragedy.When one faces death, one loses free will and no longer needs to think about anything.
Hiss───!
The bone dagger curved from the right side where Yunia had lost her sight. Ignoring Yunia’s resistance, death finally touched her skin.
Crack.
Before that, Luerin’s wrist was severed.
[uh?]
Luerin, realizing the situation a little late, immediately left the spot. Someone in gray stood guard in front of Junia, holding the [Sword of Dawn].
“……Cain?”“Unia.”
Gray Cain said.
Live.
The gray light flickered like a flame on the verge of dying out, and Cain’s form vanished. It felt as if not only Junia but even Luerin was dreaming.However, Luerin’s wrist, severed by the gray blade, did not return.
A heavy earthquake occurred.
Kugugugugugugugugu!
For a moment, I thought it was the aftermath of the disappearance of the source of the Four Gates, but the epicenter was gradually getting closer.
Yunia’s gaze turned downward.
Boom!
Gareth burst through the ground, his body covered in scars. A gauntlet flew in unannounced and struck Luerin’s jaw.
“I found you, you fucking bitch.”
I killed a total of three with brute force: the fake Luerin and two special-class undead. My wounds are quite deep, but that doesn’t matter.
Bang.
He grabbed Luerin’s ankle and threw him.
[… … !]
Luerin, who had been flying to the end of the collapsed corridor, turned around to regain his balance, but another being had already arrived there.
He put forward the bow.
The Sword of the Oath flew in.
Crack!
A strange sound came from the bow shaft, its interior damaged by a direct hit from Osgar’s staff. As the wood split, the shaft snapped with a crack.Luerin, whose leg and one arm had been severed by the Sword of the Oath, rolled on the dirty floor.
[……ah.]
A brutal punch struck the face.
Pow!
Luerin is agile compared to other commanders, but his resistance is not very good.His skull was crushed solid, and his head exploded.
The 8th commander was defeated.
“Phew…….”
Yurion walked down the chaotic hallway. He looked around. Aside from Gareth, there were a total of three life signs.Then he saw Cain’s corpse.
‘this.’
Yurion approached Junia, mourning him in his heart.
“Did you destroy the source?”“……Yes.”“Well done.”“Hey.”
Gareth crushed Luerin’s body two or three times to finish him off, then turned his gaze.
“Where is that guy?”“That guy?”“He was definitely here.”
Gareth looked around and narrowed his eyebrows.
A guy with quite a powerful presence.
The being who summoned the transcendents.
