Part 2, Episode 164.
abyss.
Beings created in the aftermath of the war that broke out when the gods invaded Abtartel.
However, to humans today, it is known as the root of all evil that has existed since the beginning of time, which the gods sealed away when it attempted to engulf the world.
Even then, only a small number of people knew about it.
… … In the early days, you see.
It became quite well-known after the Abyss appeared a few times following the World Quest.
The one who devours the existence of the forgotten tomb.
And the Legion Commander of Destruction who appeared from the Labyrinth of Forbiddenness, and even the mighty beings of the Abyss who revealed their presence through the Eye of the Abyss that appeared at that time.
The successive appearances of abysses were deeply imprinted in the minds of the users.
That is understandable, considering that the things called the Abyss produced legendary content every time they appeared.
And it was the same this time as well.
The first continental quest in game history.
Because what adorned it was also the abyss.
“…….”
But that is all.
Users did not have a very strong sense of fear regarding the abyss.
And rightly so, considering that the abysses encountered so far were all strong and terrifying, yet in the end, weren’t they all defeated?
It just feels like a big event.
No, actually, putting all that aside, the biggest reason was that I had never met them in person.
Whether it was the Commanders of the Abyss or the strong, the truth is, I had never actually seen anyone with my own eyes except for a select few Rankers.
At least the One Who Devours Beings I met during the Forgotten Grave left a big impact, but…
Because the weight of being a forgotten king was so great, it is undeniable that his reputation has somewhat declined by now.
Crackle-
But now.
“……oh my god.”
“crazy…….”
At this moment, the users couldn’t help but feel it acutely.
Why the abyss was called the root of all evil, and why even the gods, despite being so wary of it, could not exterminate it.
Kugugugu-
“……You mean that’s a monster?”
“What kind of nonsense is this…….”
“Uh, that… isn’t the realm of living things.”
Too massive to be called a living creature.
I feel overwhelmed by the sense of awe, as if I were looking at a towering mountain peak.
However, to call that nature would be a stretch, given the ominous aura emanating from its horrific appearance and the massive eyes filling the sky.
Kiiieeeeeeee!!!!
A spine-chilling noise, ringing as if to tear eardrums, exerted an overwhelmingly strong presence.
[The eye that swallowed the sky has descended.]
[You have encountered the former mighty of the Abyss, ‘Rag Behemoth’.]
[The Continent Quest ‘Prelude to the Great Cataclysm’ begins.]
[If you fail to stop Lag Behemoth, significant changes may occur in Elanis.]
Gulp.
There was no one here who could not guess what the big ‘change’ going to happen in Elanis mentioned in the message would be.
destruction.
That word was vividly imprinted in my mind.
That overwhelming presence was vividly conveyed beyond the scene, even beyond the screen.
– OMG, isn’t this screwed?
Wow, look at the size.
Wow, is it true that the chat room froze the moment that appeared?
How on earth wouldn’t that freeze you, you bastard? The aura is insane. It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen someone overwhelm you just by their entrance.
Seriously, even just watching it on video, I feel like the atmosphere has changed. I’m just speechless. If I had seen it in person, I think I would have just peed my pants.
Judging by the users’ expressions, they’re definitely on the verge of wetting their pants.
Look at the stiff faces of these alien races.
Is this that cosmic horror thing?
I thought it was over when the Annihilation buff appeared, but this is Xqkf… … .
Isn’t a forced descent just Eva?
The chat window, which was in a festive mood just moments ago due to the exploits of Myeolsal and Kaiser, is now seething for a different reason.
That’s no joke.
At that, Dohyeon also let out a hollow laugh.
It certainly had a more overwhelming presence than any abyss I had encountered so far.
The giant eye that swallowed the sky even before its descent was literally just an eye.
The body of the one who descended… was so vast that it seemed as if the entire sky were his body.
If it weren’t for the silhouettes swaying horribly in all directions like parasitic octopus tentacles, would it not have been this unpleasant?
Crunch.
“So, you finally descended…”
“The eye that swallowed the sky……!”
Astra and Alterion gritting their teeth.
And various alien races terrified, and even elves displaying heightened emotions.
Did he feel everyone’s gaze?
Swoosh-
The guy’s eyes moved for the first time.
The eyes, which had been rolling left and right at strange angles, settled in one spot.
Toward Bataan rising into the sky.
“Hey, look over there.”
“What? What are you trying to do?”
“Uh oh?”
Naturally, the users’ eyes also turned toward him.
And they saw.
The moment Bataan, which had been continuously rising as if ascending to the heavens, burrowed into the black silhouettes undulating like octopus tentacles.
Pow!
The sight of being absorbed by that terrible being while a deep red light was emitted.
[The leader of the hostile forces, ‘Batan’, has been absorbed by ‘Rag Behemoth’.]
[When Lag Behemoth is defeated, ‘Batan’ dies.]
Along with the message that came to mind, a low sound of laughter was heard.
[Kuh… … Kuhuhuhu… … .]
Batan, he has become one with Lag Behemoth.
The opportunity to become a strong man of his own body and the abyss.
Giving up all of that.
Nevertheless, he let out a laugh that was beyond despicable, as if he were extremely pleased.
[You have good expressions. Go ahead, look up to me like that.]
A body? It’s not necessary.
I had become nothing but the heart of Rag Behemoth, a helpless existence, but now none of that mattered.
If I’m going to die anyway.
[Kuh… … Yes. It is those eyes. Fill them all up. The moment of the apocalypse.]
It would have been a hundred times better to become the heart of the disaster and witness Elanis’s destruction.
There was deep conviction in Batan’s voice as he shouted.
“ah…….”
A deep sigh could be felt in the users’ voices.
Even a rat facing a predator would fight to the death when cornered, but…
That was when the predator was about the size of a cat.
Would a mouse standing before a lion or a tiger dare to even think of rebelling?
Moreover, that is… … something distant beyond a beast.
It was just like the feeling of a rat witnessing a mythical monster right before its eyes.
Swoosh. Sigh-
Cannot resist.
Just as there is nothing humans can do in the face of natural disasters.
All I could do was just accept it.
[Ah… … How long it has taken. Finally, the moment of my long-cherished wish is realized… … .]
“What has this bastard been saying since earlier?”
[… … ?]
But that was the moment.
A woman’s voice from somewhere interrupted the conversation.
It was a beautiful female voice that naturally captivated the listener’s ears, but with an unbalanced way of speaking that felt somewhat like a thug.
I wanted to shift my gaze to that sense of disparity, but I couldn’t.
Batan has already been absorbed by Behemoth.
Since it had no control over its body, it merely shared the vision that Behemoth saw.
What insolent bastard dares…
However, Batan soon realized.
Who the voice belongs to.
However, in a way somewhat different from the direction he wanted.
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak!!!
Kiiieeeeee!!!
Suddenly, a sound like something being ground to shreds in a blender was heard, followed by the agonizing scream of Behemoth.
What on earth is this… …?
I didn’t feel direct pain, but I did.
The extent of the pain Behemoth is feeling.
It was an incredibly powerful strike—no, a barrage of attacks—for something unbelievably powerful for a mere user.
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak!
And that too, a chaotic barrage continuing in real-time.
I couldn’t see who did it, but I knew.
It’s the Empress!
“Come to think of it, the Empress’s debuff wore off too!”
“Waaah!!”
Because the users’ enthusiastic cheers were revealing the owner of the voice.
And, that wasn’t the end.
Swish-! Bang!
A sword strike flying from somewhere sliced through a part of the body as it passed.
Something flew in simultaneously and exploded, sending a huge shockwave.
Perhaps because it happened so often, this time it was visible.
Magic sword… …?
Five magic swords, flying through the air as if possessing their own will, were ravaging the body of the Behemoth that filled the sky.
At that moment, my vision was turned upside down again.
[‘Eradicate Heresy – Judgment of Fanaticism’ is activated.]
Swish-!
The figure of a huge black man swung a great sword toward the sky.
At the same time, it was visible beyond the inverted field of vision.
Player ‘Ast’ activates the Legendary Skill, ‘Blessing of the God of Destruction’.
[Unleashes a powerful ‘Strike of Destruction’ every 5 hits for 90 seconds, with damage proportional to weapon attack power.]
[The first attack after skill activation applies ‘Destructive Strike’.]
[Activating Transcendence Unique Ability ‘Limit Release’.]
[Remove the limit to temporarily use the weapon upgrade effect to the extreme.]
[+20 ‘Brilliant Giant’s Mace’ is completed.]
[Use destroys weapon and disables ability for 50 minutes.]
Dangerous at first glance…
A hulking man holding a massive iron mace that seemed to hold the universe within it.
The cooldown is finally over. Going for the big one.
I, I have to avoid that.
I could tell instinctively.
No matter how ridiculously tough Behemoth’s body is, it was forcibly summoned and is in a somewhat weakened state.
If you get hit by something like that, you won’t be safe.
Kiiiee!!
Did Lag Behemoth’s instinct feel the same way?
Behemoth, nothing more than a shell with no intelligence left but only instinct, flashed its eyes for the first time and launched an attack.
Nothing grandiose, just the act of slamming down legs extended like octopus tentacles.
However, that simple act alone was about to unfold a scene bordering on disaster.
It’s practically a meteor.
Because the shower of feet of immense size from the sky alone could generate tremendous power.
At this rate, the mace will self-destruct before it can even be swung.
One, that moment.
[‘Alterion Elandriel’ casts the area-of-effect spell ‘Vine of the Divine Tree’.]
[Due to the Archmage trait, casting speed is greatly reduced, while range and power are greatly increased.]
Just like Jack and the Beanstalk comes to mind.
A tree that grew at an unbelievable speed wrapped around Ast and blocked his feet.
To be precise, it only stopped it for a very brief moment, but that was enough.
It was more than enough time for Ast to swing his mace.
However, something was strange.
‘I’m not… alone?’
It wasn’t just a huge man who was in a stance to swing a weapon.
Next to him, a man was walking slowly, holding a white sword.
It was a face that Batan also recognized well.
[… … Kaiser!!]
Kaiser was taking a stance as if he had been prepared from the very beginning.
Smirk.
The moment a message emerged as the energy of Mount Tai settled within him as he smiled.
As if by prior agreement, Ast and Dohyeon swung their weapons at the same time.
A beam of light flashed as it dispelled the black darkness like the Big Bang, and soon something exploded and the sound ceased.
In a silent world.
—-!!!
A massive shockwave spread endlessly, engulfing everything.
Beyond the ground, even to the sky.
