Part 2, Episode 159.
Batan could not understand the situation that had just unfolded.
What is this… …?
Why can’t I see the bottom?
It isn’t just visible; it looks infinitely close, as if viewed through a microscope.
Could a small bug crawling on the ground really look this big?
I was momentarily stunned by a sight I had never seen before in my life.
‘… crashed into the ground? Me?’
Batan, realizing the situation soon, sprang to his feet.
Looking ahead with a fiercely distorted face, I saw Dohyeon casually nodding his chin.
When our eyes meet, he smirks and sneering.
“Wow, I filmed this by capturing every single second, but it’s tougher than I thought? Did it deploy a shield in the meantime?”
[… … .]
It was true.
Because as soon as a heavy shock was felt on the crown of my head, I hurriedly deployed my shield.
Even so, the top of my head is tingling to the point where my head feels like it’s shaking.
If the shield hadn’t been deployed, it’s possible that significant damage might have been inflicted.
At the very least, there was a high probability of being afflicted with the ‘Faint’ status effect.
It doesn’t look like they used a particularly strong technique, yet it has this much power?
Is the information wrong?
I was absolutely certain it fell far short of the current level… Did those vermin-like bastards even relay the wrong information after being of no help at all?
No, that wasn’t the problem right now. There was something more important.
The sickle that cuts the source was blocked.
That’s ridiculous.
Not even avoiding it, but blocking it?
How on earth can one block a sickle that severs the very source?
This was something even the great hero Lucia could not do.
Even though I let my guard down and took a hit, that is all. There is no way that guy is stronger than her.
underneath,
How on earth… … .
“You look like you’re asking, ‘How did you block that?’”
[… … !]
“Anyway, these bastards always think their ultimate move is some invincible, unblockable technique. If that were the case, you would have been the boss here; do you think you’d be resorting to sneaky surprise attacks?”
[… … That was just now a scythe that severs the source. Even that woman, Lucia, tried to dodge it by any means necessary when it was swung. It means it is a technique where the concept of defense does not exist.]
It was certainly not just Bataan’s opinion.
In fact, the expressions on the faces of Ast, the Berserker, and the users who witnessed this scene firsthand were beyond bewildered—they were practically half-dazed.
The believers and the berserkers are also offering prayers, calling him the great Kashin.
In Ast’s case, the difference was that he had a face with a speech bubble above his head saying, “Wait, how did he block that?”
Dohyeon, who had been looking back and forth between them and Batan, spat out a remark.
But you blocked it, right?
I was furious at the sight of him smirking, but I couldn’t say a word in response.
Because it is true that it was blocked.
How credible would it be to explain to someone who has already blocked it that this is an undefendable technique?
It was just Batan who felt wronged.
Although he spoke lightly as if it were no big deal, Dohyeon was actually surprised deep down.
[This technique cannot be parried.]
[Recognizes the existence of a person with whom you have a bad relationship.]
[The intruders and Kaiser have a bitter feud.]
[When the conditions are met, the ‘Field of Ill-fated Relationships’ unfolds.]
[The Book of Defiance is reading the narratives intertwined with the caster and the target to search for the appropriate power.]
[The Bond of Rebellion is activated.]
[By strongly resisting fate, you are granted the power to defy one of the destinies that could result in death at the hands of an opponent.]
[Casting ‘Genryou Biho’.]
[Forms a barrier to protect the soul, the source of life, protecting it from external shocks twice.]
[‘Wonryeongbiho’ defended against the ‘Sickle that Severs the Source’.]
It actually works.
Signature trait, Book of Defiance.
Batan, the mastermind behind the continental quest, was the very embodiment of an unparalleled nemesis to Dohyeon, who was in a position where he had to stop him and was proceeding with quests related to Lucia.
As a result, it gave me the ability to counter him brilliantly.
Even so, to block it so effortlessly.
Once a bad relationship is formed, there is no scam quite like it.
If the Book of Defiance had been activated on Asion, whom I fought earlier, it wouldn’t have been that difficult.
They might have easily suppressed it.
The difference between having this ability and not having it was even greater than Dohyeon had imagined.
However, the Book of Defiance was not a panacea.
Number 2. No, since I blocked it this time, once.
Once we block it one more time, there will be no way to block it afterwards.
Just like its name, “Scythe that Severs the Source,” that is a technique that is impossible to defend against.
Because it was a technique that couldn’t even be parried.
“I was wondering why that Sword Saint got defeated… … Well, if you land a surprise hit with such a ridiculously overpowered skill, there’s no way to escape.”
Rather, it was simply amazing that they managed to take one arm even in the midst of that.
[How on earth… … .]
Was it quite a shock?
Dohyeon stretched his body sharply as he watched the guy remain speechless for a while. It appeared that even he couldn’t use that technique indefinitely.
There would be a cooldown period of some time, so I just needed to finish it within that.
If it were before, I would have felt like I was being chased, but…
Not now.
Because I gained so much from the battle with my past self.
[Performing Yeokcheongi, the first move, Si.]
Dohyeon grinned and strode toward the guy.
Thump.
The energy of Mount Tai is transmitted from the feet touching the ground.
Watching Dohyeon approach heavily and relentlessly, Batan involuntarily flinched and stepped back.
Thump. Thump.
One step, and two steps.
As the guy approached, Bataan repeated the cycle of moving further away several times.
chin.
-… … Lord Batan?
-Our leader… … .
Batan turned his head as something touched and blocked his back.
Then, the second-in-command and his subordinates are seen staring with wide, startled eyes.
Before we knew it, we had been pushed back tens of meters from the center.
Just because that guy is approaching.
‘… … Me. You got scared for no reason? Just because of one insignificant apostle?’
Crunch.
Bataan scowled intensely at the fact that he had backed away like a dog encountering a tiger, even though he hadn’t been pushed back in a fight.
My pride was deeply hurt. On top of that, I couldn’t understand it.
Why on earth?
It is true that I was trying to create distance after he blocked the sickle that cut the root.
Since it was the only close-range attack and a near-ultimate move, the standard practice for me, as a mage, was to keep my distance unless it worked.
However, that did not justify such an embarrassing display.
The reason he retreated without even being able to launch a single proper attack.
There was only one reason.
‘… … That guy. Did he harbor that aura from the very beginning?’
momentum.
His instincts, accumulated over the years of his life, felt a sense of revulsion at the inexplicable aura emanating from the guy.
Alien yet ferocious… … .
An alien energy that makes one doubt if it is truly the kind a human can possess.
And yet, this strangely familiar feeling is like… … .
‘… … King of Power?’
King of Fists, Dran Gradit.
The strongest human he has ever met, and the only human who has made him feel powerless.
A man who instilled despair through sheer physical power alone, regardless of human compatibility.
He is a person whom they are wary of, to the extent that they invaded Elanis in the past and launched an attack while he was away.
“That makes no sense. Why does that guy remind me of that man!”
I tried to deny it, but because I feared him more than anyone, I could be certain.
That I can feel his energy from him.
The memory ingrained in his instincts drove him to the edge of a cliff.
But that was only for a moment.
‘… … No, it’s different. It’s similar, but different.’
As I struggled to calm my racing heart, it came into view.
It is clearly a similar energy, but compared to that man, it is an infinitely small energy.
He was like a young butterfly that had just bloomed.
However, conversely, that means it possesses such energy merely through potential.
That is why it was extremely dangerous.
‘… … So you mean potential greater than the King of Power?’
Batan’s gaze lowered.
There was no longer any fear or hesitation in the cold, downcast eyes.
I can only feel a certain determination.
That guy is dangerous. I have to kill him now before he fully awakens.
Moreover, the situation is not good.
Swish- Thud!
Bang!
“Ugh, move aside. No, never mind. I think it’s best to just tie you up. I don’t know where that bastard learned this or what, but seeing him block that bullshit skill, I’m sure he’ll handle it on his own.”
I believed from the beginning that my God would accomplish it.
“What are you talking about? I saw you stomping your feet in panic.”
“……If there are no witnesses, it’s a perfect crime…….”
“Hey, you punk. I saw you trying to turn that greatsword towards me. I’m going to tell Kaiser everything, okay?”
“……Tsk.”
Ast and the Berserker were bickering while holding back the Empress, one of the greatest forces, and
Grrrr-
*Cough*!
“Kill him!!!”
Push forward!!
“Wooooo!!!”
The apostles turned into slaves and the beasts of the abyss.
Besides that, his subordinates are falling, overwhelmed by a massive army of over ten thousand.
If you cannot break through him, you will lose.
Now is not the time to be picky about pride or anything else.
Batan stopped abruptly and spoke in a cold voice.
[… … Release it.]
“-If that is the case… … Surely not. It cannot be. You know that if we unleash it, everyone here will die. Even Lord Batan will not be safe from its influence… … .”
[Shut up and liberate me!]
-… … .
As Batan suddenly shouted, the hesitating second-in-command squeezed his eyes shut.
…Understood. Please stay safe.
Then, she abruptly unbuttons her top.
As she was already half-naked, her white skin was clearly revealed.
Covering only what needed to be covered, leaving the rest exposed. However, at this moment, no one harbored any strange thoughts while looking at her.
Even Dohyeon, whom I saw right in front of my eyes.
[The second-in-command of the hostile forces, ‘???’, activates ‘Night of Madness’ by sacrificing his own life.]
[Emits a wide-ranging smoke wave that engulfs all targets in the area, turning exposed targets into a ‘Frenzy’ state.]
[A target that enters a frenzied state loses its reason and destroys everything around it.]
[Smoke does not distinguish between friend and foe and is not classified as a status effect.]
[The frenzy can never be stopped until the core hidden inside her is destroyed.]
[Get out of the battlefield within 10 seconds.]
Because a shocking message was coming to mind that wouldn’t even register such things.
The message came to the attention of all users here, and
“crazy!”
“W-what’s up all of a sudden?”
“Frenzy? The range covers the entire map?”
“No, if something like that explodes here…….”
It’s a total disaster.
Immediately afterwards, profanities erupted from shocked users.
Just when it seemed like we were getting close to victory, we suddenly found ourselves on the verge of death, so it was impossible not to swear.
The same was true for Ast.
“Damn it! Isn’t this going too far?”
“……Oh God, look upon us.”
“Your god is watching from over there, so why are you praying here? Argh! That bitch Kuku is still attacking even in the midst of this.”
He struggled to block the Empress’s attack with his mace, then sweated profusely and vented his frustration.
[Kuh-huh… Hahaha! It is the end of everything. The Dark Elves, the Elves. You and your comrades, too. It will all end with you killing each other.]
“Hah, is self-destruction all you can do? You put on such a show, and now you’re just going to self-destruct because your special move got blocked.”
Dohyeon frowned and let out a sigh as if dumbfounded.
Was that sight unpleasant?
Batan, who had abruptly stopped laughing, said with a smirk.
[Tease me to your heart’s content. A sure victory is more important to me than a mere pride. You will ultimately be defeated. And thus, our aspirations will finally be fulfilled… … .]
“……It’s on the left.”
[… … What?]
Batan paused at Dohyeon’s incomprehensible words that suddenly interrupted him in this situation.
Regardless, Dohyeon simply repeated the same words.
“I said the left side. 3cm above the heart, diagonally to the side.”
[What on earth have you been talking about since earlier… … .]
“i get it.”
[… … !?]
At the firm baritone voice, Batan raised his eyes and hurriedly looked around.
It was because the voice did not come from Dohyeon.
Further back than that.
At the low voice that pierced through the countless crowds and pierced his ears vividly, Batan felt an instinctive chill and reached out his hand, but it was already too late.
Phew!
[… … ?]
Batan raised his head at a chilling sound before he could reach her as she cast the Night of Madness.
Then it appeared.
-ah……?
[… … Agerina?]
A sword flying from somewhere was piercing her heart from her back.
Red blood splattered and stained his face.
[what…….]
I couldn’t hear the sound of flying.
No, I didn’t even sense a presence.
It’s just as if the sword itself teleported…
-Batan… … Sir… … .
With eyes wide as if in disbelief, she slowly reached out her trembling hand, then collapsed forward.
[The Eye of Truth is active.]
[I destroyed the core of the heart.]
[The Guardian dies permanently.]
[Eliminated the hostile faction’s second-in-command, ‘???’.]
As I stared blankly down at her as she collapsed in vain, I heard Dohyeon’s voice filled with admiration.
“Wow, I did tell you, but to pull that off in one shot from that distance.”
[You bastard… … I’ll kill you.]
“Look at that look. He must have been a subordinate you cherished? Is it because he’s a Guardian?”
It was just as Batan was about to stride closer, as if he had no intention of exchanging words.
Whoosh— Scrape!
The sword that had pierced the second-in-command vanished without a trace, then flew in silently and swung itself, aiming at Bataan.
Kaang!
[what……!]
“I have an ability I want to test out, so I wanted to fight alone if possible… but it seems that guy arrived sooner than I expected.”
[That guy? What on earth…
As he frowned after belatedly deploying a shield to block it, Dohyeon grinned and replied.
“Destruction. I ran into that guy on the way here, you know.”
[… … Annihilation?]
The answer came from somewhere other than Dohyeon.
Unlike just moments ago when it was heard from far behind Dohyeon, it was coming from right behind Bataan.
Clatter-
The noise of several swords at the waist clashing against each other, followed by a cold, monotone voice.
“I guess so. It looks like I arrived at the right time.”
Master of the Execution Guild and the undisputed strongest player in the current God of Savior.
Annihilation, it was the moment he appeared.
