Episode 978 The Gate of Death (2)
Is this what it feels like to stand before a wild beast as a mouse?
My breathing becomes rapid.
Jose froze at a presence far more chilling than the pale old man who had committed cannibalism. Cold sweat poured down, almost blinding his vision.Today, he felt a series of terrible senses of crisis unlike anything he had ever experienced in his life.
Whoosh.
Darkness encroached upon the world.
Gluttony’s disguise trapped Jose, the Pale Old Man, and Balion.It was like a starless night sky, yet strangely, the objects inside, including them, were clearly visible.
An anomalous space that cannot be interpreted by magic.
[Kaaaaaaaak!]
[Kaaah!]
The sweepers, the cleaners inside the stomach, appeared letting out screams. Jose groaned and recoiled at their massive numbers, which resembled an army.
The pale old man rolled his eyes around and grinned.
“Are you a transcendent being, or Lee Hyung-jong?”
Valion showed ecstasy like a scholar with a very, very rare research subject right in front of him.A sharp smile spread across his lips.
“Transcendental Experiment Subject No. 1, that is your designation.”
Balion instantly shifted his center of gravity to the balls of his feet and pressed down on the surface of the stomach. He was not a mere fragment made of Gluttony’s cerebellum, but the main body itself.
The new model has disappeared.
An old man with wide eyes soared into the air and calculated magic, and unique magic of the air and earth elements swept through and crushed the surroundings.
Kwag
Countless fragments of hard rock raged in with a massive storm, forming a zone of attack and defense that blocked all directions.The surrounding sweepers, ground to pieces as flesh flew, screamed and retreated abruptly.
As the storm’s range expanded, the massive rock flew far and traced an orbit.
“Hmph…?!”
Taaaaaaang!
A rock carried by the gale shattered the hastily constructed sacred curtain and bounced away. Jose let out a deep, choked breath and was thrown among the sweepers.
───! ─! ────! ──! ───!
In the meantime, loud explosions, bursts, shattering sounds, and cutting sounds mingled chaotically in the darkness, and cold blood poured down from the sky like a shower.
The pale old man’s eye sockets opened wide.
“Ugh, cough.”
Gluttony’s claws, extending long from Valion’s forearms, and their red biological blades pierced both of the old man’s cheeks.Valion, covered in blood, narrowed his eyes as he observed the old man.
“Indeed, it cannot compare to a true transcendent being. Is it literally a transcendent doll… To think such a convenient test subject existed.”
Valion, who had lived for over 300 years, looked for an opportunity to save the body tissues of the Transcendent, but it was no easy task.
Due to the Ark’s mysterious global surveillance network established after Valion’s betrayal, they were unable to operate openly, and since more than half of the Transcendents had formed their own factions, they could not establish a one-on-one confrontation.The risk was too great, as the Ark would intervene if they could not kill a Transcendent in an instant.
In fact, about 90 years ago, he was defeated by the first adventurer, the current leader of the Ark… Lugard, and was fatally wounded, pushed to the brink of death. Afterwards, he reduced his scope of activity while rebuilding the collapsed Gluttony. After all,Lugard would not let Valion escape a second time. Therefore, obtaining the body of a Transcendent was virtually impossible.
But in the midst of the continent’s chaos, the corpse of a Transcendent being is wandering around without any strength or even a force that acts as a thorn in their side?
This is truly a windfall.I can’t help but laugh.
If we subdue the Transcendental Doll and bring it back before the Ark moves, everything will go according to plan. It appears there are more than a few of these, so depending on the situation on the continent, we might be able to rescue more.
“profit……!”
Just as the old man was about to struggle, a red sword energy severed his magic circuit. The spinal cord at the back of his neck was cleanly severed, and the neural command system went black.A rough hand shot up from below and grabbed the old man’s face.
Kuuuuuuuung!
Gluttony’s stomach vibrated.
The pale old man, who had lost consciousness after being impaled on the floor, rolled his eyes.
“Even though it is a branch of the undead, it reacts like a living creature. Is it the power of the ancient king? It is worth studying in many ways.”
The Transcendental Doll will eventually be used without reservation for the ‘fetus’ of the new humanity. The glory of the corpse. Gluttony was able to reap a great profit thanks to them running wild.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you like something that much.
The second fang—Kir-e Molten Illions, Glytni’s second-in-command, smiled elegantly while slightly covering the corner of his mouth.
A new recipient of Gluttony’s stomach transplant followed behind her. Although he could use Gluttony’s abilities, his intelligence was considerably lacking, so he was not the fifth fang. One could call him adisposable tool. SinceGluttony’s organs regenerate from the corpses they keep the moment they disappear, Gluttony’s power was never lost even when used in this way.
“Although there is only one for now, having obtained the body of a transcendent being that you desired, the creation of our new humanity will surely progress more rapidly. Congratulations, Valion.”“…….”
Balian touched the corners of his mouth, trying hard to wipe away the lingering smile.
“That may be true, but it is ultimately merely a secondary factor. Since we haven’t obtained Verden’s biological tissue yet, it is too early to rejoice.”
Verden, a new type of human capable of arbitrarily escaping Gluttony’s camouflage space.
We must secure Verden’s blood or flesh at all costs. Organs would be even better. Genes that transcend the limitations of ancient humanity will lead the fetus to a great evolution.
If Verden had not existed in this world from the beginning, he would have just proceeded… but now that he had encountered Verden, Valion had to choose this path.
There is no compromise in the transcendent’s ideals.
Verden has ceased operations since the previous events, but he will likely reappear soon. If the ancient king returns as rumored and a massive war begins, an opportunity will arise.
Kirue leaned her gaze.
“Anyway, what are you going to do about that person?”“Gasp, gasp, gasp……!”
Jose tenaciously held on, squeezing out every last bit of divine power while being bitten all over his body by the Sweepers. As the gazes of the two humans—no, the two monsters—turned in the same direction, the Sweepers immediately retreated.
Balion approached and looked down at the battered Jose.He displayed insight.
“You use a strange power that is similar to magic, yet fundamentally different.”“Do not ask.”
Jose caught his breath and continued speaking.
“I have nothing to say to someone like you.”
I recognized it at first sight.
The cruelty flickering in the eyes of the stranger who overwhelmed the old man… the ruthlessness that tramples without mercy upon the dignity of a sentient being, and the boundless madness as vivid as those red irises.He is undoubtedly a villain no less evil than the pale old man, if not more so.
Jose had no head to bow to such a being.As a believer.If he had no choice but to die, Jose was determined to die alone and protect Haenel, Renard, and Faye, whom he had hidden in the bushes, so that they would not be discovered.
Although there was fear in Jose’s eyes, there was absolutely no submission. It was an extraordinary will, unbefitting of someone deprived of the power of life and death.
The podium is quite good.
Balion scoffed and intended to kill Jose with a single blow, but… although he had intended to do so, he changed his mind after once again sensing the unknown energy emanating from Jose.
“It is insignificant and weak, yet it is a power that is neither prayer nor magic. Then is it a form of divine power? It seems far removed from the light of the Ruas Theocracy.”
Is it ancient lineage, exceptional talent, or originating from the outside? What is the source, and how can it be utilized?
As a researcher, I am curious.
In a situation like this, the more unknown material there is, the better. It doesn’t take long to thoroughly dissect a human being.
It would be better to secure them alive rather than dead.
Srrrr.
Balion withdrew Gluttony’s claws.
“Kir, remove Gluttony’s disguise and take care of the humans in the bushes. I’m taking this guy with Transcendental Experiment Subject 1.”“I will do so.”“……!”
Jose immediately reached out his hand upon realizing that the presence of Haenel and his group had been discovered.
“No—”
Crack.
Jose collapsed after losing consciousness from a strong blow to the neck. Balion, having lifted the back collars of both Jose and the pale old man, bared his fangs.
With this, one step closer to the creation of a new humanity.
* * *
To think Junia would meet Jose. And in the Ternetia Federation, no less.
I never imagined that Jose would have descended from the Blue Mountains. Was it his faith that was the trigger? If so, it would take a considerable amount of time to find him.
Whoooosh. Whoooosh.
Verden was lost in thought as he continued to fine-tune the intercontinental spatial teleportation circle. As the magic circle formula neared completion, the space’s distinctive purple light began to seep out strongly from the gaps forming the circle.
It is difficult to determine Jose’s position with my current capabilities.
It hasn’t been long since I acquired the power of the gods.
When you reach the threshold of becoming a god, you can use divine power to manifest your unique abilities. As you grow into a god, you can hear the prayers of believers, sense their presence, and bestow powers.
Now, Verden, who wields power, cannot even arbitrarily hear the prayers of believers. To sense the presence of believers, the growth of religion is inevitable.In other words, Verden must cultivate his divinity by accepting the faith of all.
It is not easy.
The establishment of a heretical religion on a continent where world religions blatantly reign… Furthermore, Verden is also the lost god of demons.We must absolutely not trigger a Second Great Crusade in the presence of the former king.
Let’s leave faith to the natural flow.
Forced belief is meaningless.Everything is as usual.Verden’s principles of action do not change just because he has become a god.
“Spatial coordinates adjusted. I will now activate the intercontinental travel magic circle.”“Already?!”“Magic circles are my specialty.”
[His Majesty Verden’s magic circle is the best in the world.]
Verden, carrying Alpha on his shoulders, led the flow of space from the center of the facility.
The purple light flickered increasingly brightly.
I haven’t met Isabella yet, and I haven’t even properly shown my face in Eon, but I can’t afford to be complacent.
“I will go and check on the Kingdom of Estiria. As soon as the communication system is restored, I will move on a large scale, so please wait so I can leave at any moment.”“Understood! I’ll get ready and wait!”“Unia.”
Verden asserted.
“As soon as the reorganization of the region is complete, I will go to the Kingdom of Ronia myself. So do not worry.”
Is it because it is an overwhelmingly powerful being?Or is it because the speaker is Verden?
Junia couldn’t help but believe him.
Paaaaat!
A new intercontinental spatial teleportation circle, one of the few in the magical world, was activated, and Verden and Alpha were transported to Roafra, a dark district located in the Eastern Continent.
It was just as Yunia was lost in the lingering impression, gazing at the scene to the very end.
“……?!”
My neck suddenly burned.What is this?It felt as if the magic circle of great power etched into my skin had heated up intensely. However, what I felt with my fingertips was nothing but warm body heat.
Junia tilted her head in confusion, but thought nothing of it and focused on the work she had to do while waiting for Verden to return.
The wizards of Eon gathered.
“Deliver this to the Ownerless Lands, the Alliance of Transcendents, Gargant, and the rest of the entire Central Continent.”
Yunia declared.
“I heard you’re back.”“Yes, Lady Yunia!”
* * *
Unlike the war against the undead raging in parts of the central continent, the central part of the eastern continent, where the Republic of Beldirn, the Principality of Liviant, the Kingdom of Estiria, and the City Alliance of Kylians were located, was relatively very quiet.
It was obvious that an ominous situation had broken out in the southern part of the Eastern Continent, but… since it was so far from the Kingdom of Ronia, there was no way to know the situation without communication devices.
However, the situation on the continent was not favorable enough to blindly dispatch personnel.
Ultimately, didn’t teleportation become impossible unless it was a spatial teleportation tunnel constructed as a facility? Instead of dispatching investigation teams, neighboring countries attempted to prepare for all contingencies by reinforcing border security. After all, justlike on the central continent, no one knew when or where a large-scale undead might appear.
It was one of those days.
“……flying boat?”
A seaplane was spotted approaching from the border at the southernmost tip of the Kingdom of Estiria. Its hull was quite damaged, as if it had been involved in a fierce battle.
“That’s the flag of the Kingdom of Ronia, right?”“It looks like it…… huh?”
Then, after staggering a few times, it failed to cross the border and tilted heavily.
“It, it’s falling!”“Prepare for the impact!”
The soldiers who followed the commander’s orders hid behind the castle wall.
Boom, thump thump thump thump───Boom!
A medium-sized seaplane scraped the ground as it crashed head-on into a large mountain. The impact was so strong that the earth shook. Only afterthe vibrations subsided did the soldiers and the commander peek their heads out from behind the fortress wall.
Smoke was slowly rising from the horribly wrecked seaplane, which was practically stuck halfway up the mountain. No movement was visible above the seaplane.
The soldier asked cautiously.
“…Shouldn’t you go and check it out?”“Don’t you know that getting involved in things like that is a surefire way to get killed? Who knows what you’ll find.”
The commander was a person who prioritized his own life over achieving merit.
Report first.
* * *
Upon receiving reports from the southern border, Kalia boarded an airship and set out to investigate herself. By her side were Aldevan, the twelfth Aspect of Eon, the Guardian Elf Karans, and the Spirit Blue.Of course, Kalia’s direct knight order, the Knights of Baekgyeol, were also with them.
It was a lavish selection for an investigation team.
After crossing the southern border wall, they moved to the crashed airship in whatever way was most comfortable for them, such as mounting horses, performing
“It seems like it is an airship from the Kingdom of Ronia…….”
Kallia and her party pushed aside a damaged and unrecognizable part of the national flag and went up onto the crushed deck with its interior exposed.
Karans frowned.Aldevan observed the hull with interest.
Sparkle!
With the flickering blue beside her, Kalia knelt on one knee and ran her hand over the hull. Her gaze swept over the ship, which could not even be recycled.
“What on earth is happening in the South?”
The hull is stained with blood in many places, both inside and out.
However, there was no body.
The power source, entangled with what appeared to be human flesh, glowed only faintly as if it had nearly exhausted its power.
* * *
Where should I go to grasp the situation in the Kingdom of Estiria at once?Naturally, it is the capital. After all,the place where the King resides is the most important location in the kingdom. Levana and Ferne must surely be staying there, gathering information as well.
[going straight.]
Whoooo
As soon as he was transported to Roafra, Verden came out and flew at full speed, eventually arriving in Letia, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Estiria.Without passing through the castle gates, he headed to the royal castle of Esnoren, where Silis Riven di Estiria, who had outwardly and confidently seized the throne since the World Conference, was located.
And an unexpected reunion took place.
“What are they doing over there?”“Oh, it’s Verden and Alpha!”
[hi.]
Ignacia, seated on the throne of Estiria, waved her hands vigorously.Alpha waved her arms back.
Verden asked again.
“What are you doing?”
In someone else’s territory.
