Part 2, Episode 171.
[Kuh… … Khahahahaha!!!]
Laughter rings out eerily.
“Ugh…….”
“My ears, my ears feel like they’re going to burst.”
“Ugh.”
It was just a smile, but the users staggered and covered their ears at the overwhelming presence that made it difficult even to stand on two feet.
Hoping this creepy laughter will stop.
[Hahahahaha!!]
However, the laughter gradually grew louder, and at some point, it changed into such a bizarre sound that one could doubt if it was even laughter.
It was only after nearly 10 more seconds had passed that the guy stopped laughing.
With eyes and corners of the mouth twisted grotesquely as if finding something so funny, they turned toward Dohyeon.
[How long has it been since the last declaration of war? I can’t even remember.]
I have lived for a long time.
Having lived for so long that he had forgotten to count the thousands of years that had passed, he suddenly became the oldest living being of the abyss.
Great Immortal Master. Terror of the Abyss.
Everyone feared and avoided him, but ironically, he was also the one who experienced the most deaths.
[It was truly thrilling back then. Every moment was a series of deaths.]
Overcoming death does not mean that the pain disappears.
Rather, in the process of overcoming death, one feels such extreme pain that it would be better to die.
In other words, every moment was painful.
The pain of being bitten by monsters with fangs measuring 60cm in length that chew through steel with ease.
The vivid pain of the whole body melting away from poison. The pain of having one’s organs eaten away.
I have experienced every pain a living being can feel.
One, and among them, the greatest pain is… … .
It was the moment of escaping death.
The burning sensation, like being burned at the stake, felt as cells are reconstituted and resurrected after death.
That was the only thing I absolutely could not bear.
I thought thousands, even tens of thousands of times that I would rather just give up everything and enter eternal rest like everyone else.
However, by now, that pain and emotion have faded.
Because I’ve gotten used to it?
[no.]
I wonder when it started.
When he looked back, there was no longer anyone who could kill him.
Immune cells had developed against most attacks, and his own strength and class had reached a level where it was difficult to find a worthy opponent.
To offer death to such a person?
A remark beyond measure. It was a remark whose memory of when I had even heard it was hazy now, but…
[So, you’re saying you’re going to kill me…]
It was different now.
As he said, there was a possibility that he might kill me someday.
Yeah, someday.
Saa-
His expression, which had been smiling as if pleased or longing, turned cold.
Enough to make your body tremble with chills just from facing it.
[… … Why do you think I would spare you?]
The voice that came out was even more chilling and spine-chilling than that.
“ah…….”
Enough to cause terrified gasps to burst from the users who were watching from a distance for no reason.
However, Dohyeon, who was actually receiving that killing intent, remained composed.
“Kill him then.”
Dohyeon curled up one corner of his mouth with a laugh as if finding it ridiculous and spat it out.
“Since it’s going to be resurrected anyway.”
[… … .]
“First off, I’m one of those apostles you guys talk about. You know, right? Apostles come back to life even after they die.”
“As you said, I’m still weaker than you. But what about next time? And the time after that?”
Is there any point in keep killing?
I’m going to come back stronger and stronger.
Although he didn’t finish his sentence, Dohyeon’s confident face seemed to say just that.
[… … I heard that death is not light even for an Apostle. If you are just trying to put on a brave face… … .]
“What? You know it well? You must have been nervous?”
If this were reality, Dohyeon would have been on the verge of a panic and his brain would have been on fire.
No matter how I thought about it, there was no way to beat that guy.
To put it bluntly, it took ten thousand men to capture even the former Strongest of the Abyss, so how can one person possibly capture the current Strongest of the Abyss alone?
The fact that I am holding out this long is simply because his descent is not complete.
And in other words, this also meant that there was no need to die yet.
“You’re acting like you’re all relaxed, but the truth is, you’re not exactly in a relaxed situation either, are you? You don’t have much time left to stay.”
“But seeing how they are dragging this out, it must mean their current capabilities are limited.”
It was not a simple guess.
[The surroundings have not fully turned into abyss, so the descent of the Immortal Master is in an incomplete state.]
[The time available for your stay is extremely short.]
[The influence of the power of immortality weakens.]
[However, once the Abyss Flower is complete, the Complete Descent will take place.]
[The current Abyss is 30%.]
Because the message window was actually proving it was true.
Above all.
It hasn’t progressed at 30% since I went on the blind date.
In other words, this meant that if damage was sustained while penetrating the power of immortality, the Abyssalization would not proceed.
From the perspective of a guy who can only perform a full descent by filling it to 100% and turning the surrounding area into an abyss, it is a nerve-wracking situation.
“It’s not us who’s in a hurry, it’s you. Isn’t that right?”
That was the reason Dohyeon was holding out so confidently.
Even though Do-hyun doesn’t hesitate to fight even the most reckless-looking battles, that is only when there is a return of that magnitude or when it is a situation where he must do so.
If it were a game I was going to lose no matter what, I would have left, built up my strength, and come back.
“and…….”
Dohyeon smirked and put on a really annoying expression.
“I’m sorry, but actually, you can’t kill me.”
[… … What?]
The immortal master’s expression contorted menacingly at the incomprehensible words.
No, I wonder if it is really okay to describe that as distorted.
Dohyeon paid no attention whatsoever to the chilling aura that seemed to distort the surrounding space.
It was because I didn’t need to care what tricks he pulled.
Ding-
Dohyeon’s role here right now is to stall for time against the guy.
He more than fulfilled the role,
Pow!
Now the time has come.
The time has come for ‘her’, whom I have been waiting for all along, to reveal herself.
[That light is… …?]
A brilliant light brightly colored the sky that had been swallowed by darkness.
Slowly, everyone—users and NPCs alike—raised their heads to watch the beautiful sight of light pushing away the darkness.
“What on earth is that sacred light…?”
Ah, God.
“and…….”
“What is that? It’s so… beautiful.”
A mysterious and beautiful sight that makes one forget the urgent situation and lose one’s wits.
Along with the sensation of the body warming up, silence fell over the air.
As if trying to concentrate to take in even a little more of this scene.
The only one person.
“-Oh! Master! That energy… could it be…?”
-Lizariza!!
No, only a goblin and a spider shouted in voices clearly showing their delight.
As if to live up to those expectations, a voice was heard.
You held out well. I didn’t expect you to do this much… It’s a result beyond my expectations.
A woman’s voice that is not very low, but feels somewhat weighty.
The moment I turned my head toward the source of the voice that carried the warrior’s will, everyone could see.
Where that brilliant light began.
Leave it to me now.
A blonde woman floating in the sky, holding a silver longsword that scatters a bright halo of light.
[Encountered the Great Nymph Hero ‘Lucia Grandel’.]
Great hero.
The strongest Nymph Warlord of all time, Lucia Grandel.
It was the moment she broke free from the seal and revealed herself.
The immortal master let out a hearty chuckle upon seeing her.
[Hehe… Is that so? So the seal was broken when Behemoth died.]
Dohyeon did not answer the words that felt somewhat hollow.
To be precise, there was no time for that.
Pow!!
Lucia Grandel.
Because the light that burst forth as she swung the sword raised high into the sky with all her might was beginning to completely drive away the darkness that had been slowly pushing it back.
[The ‘Sword of Purification’ of the Great Nymph Warlord, ‘Lucia Grandel’ manifests.]
[Purifies all darkness that has encroached upon the surrounding area.]
[The surroundings have not fully turned into abyss, so the descent of the Immortal Master is in an incomplete state.]
[Resistance to the Sword of Purification fails.]
[The energy of the abyss that was engulfing the area is purified in obedience to her will.]
[The abyss is rapidly decreasing.]
[As the surrounding area is purified, the descent of the Immortal Master is forcibly halted, and he returns to his original place.]
The rough ground, which looked like it was covered in pollutants, returns to the ground where the natural, fresh scent of grass could be felt.
The darkness lifted and the blue sky returned, and the dim vision was filled with dazzling sunlight.
It was a truly beautiful sight.
To see the greatness of nature rising as the darkness lifts.
“iced coffee…….”
“Wow… this is insane.”
“oh my god…….”
“That black… could it be that Lucia has appeared?”
“Good heavens, so he wasn’t dead?”
“Ah, Allowin. You were indeed right.”
The users expressed pure admiration for him.
The non-human races, having finally realized her true identity, were offering prayers with faces full of admiration.
And the man at the center of this entire stage.
Thump.
Dohyeon took a step closer to the guy and gave a smirk.
“It’s time to go back. Stop messing up the balance, and come crawling out later. I’ll take you on anytime then.”
[… … Hehehe. Well done. I’ve been hit hard.]
However, the face of the guy who said that did not look very displeased.
The new form of the guy, who had smirked as if finding it amusing, vanished in an instant.
– Master!
-Liza!
-Oh no, my lord!!
The place where such a guy appeared was in front of Dohyeon.
A distance so close that you can feel the breath, beyond mere footsteps.
Although nothing but the guy’s horrific face was in his field of vision, Dohyeon did not avert his eyes and looked straight at him.
As if even that sight was amusing, the Immortal Master let out his characteristic chilling laugh.
[Kaiser… … that man’s vessel. Today is your victory.]
“…….”
[But it is too early to be relieved. With this, the ancient promise has come to an end… … and we will soon see each other again.]
A chilling voice, like gurgling phlegm, repeatedly strikes the eardrums.
However, what was even more awkward than that was his unpleasant smile, as if he were pleased.
[I… look forward to that day. Khuh-huh… Khahahaha!]
The silhouette of the guy saying that gradually faded, and by the time I came to my senses, he was already gone.
At that, Dohyeon clicked his tongue.
Anyway, he was an utterly unpleasant guy right to the very end.
“An ancient promise has been broken… …”
I felt a strange unease at the ominous words, but that was something to think about later.
now…….
[The surprise event is ending.]
[You have perfectly cleared the Continent Quest.]
[Rewards are settled based on contribution.]
[Scoring. Please wait a moment.]
… … .
“Crazy! They said they cleared it!”
“Wow, did we really do it!?”
“Crazy, crazy!”
“Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser!”
“Waaahhhh!!!”
It was time to savor the sweetness of victory.
