Part 2, Episode 238.
And that wasn’t just Ast.
Because he wasn’t the only one who received a whisper.
“That little brat, acting like he’s the main character all by himself again, doesn’t he? I don’t know what he’s preparing, but he’s going to need to get his act together.”
[The final liberation of the Empress’s heart is imminent.]
[Unleashing all areas of the heart grants explosive power and temporary authority.]
“Otherwise, I’ll be the one burying you.”
I wonder if they mean they’re going to bury it, or if the spotlight will be stolen.
The Empress, wearing a fierce, beast-like smile that is extremely confusing.
“…Excellent, my disciple. I thought you would cross over someday, but to think you would open the door so quickly.”
It is all thanks to you, Master.
“From now on, I have nothing more to teach you. I cannot give instruction to a swordsman who has just begun to walk the path of mastery… For the remaining two weeks, complete a sword that is entirely your own.”
“……Of course. It needs to be at least that much to be of help to them.”
“Ugh, tsk tsk… What’s so special about that scoundrel? Well, I suppose he’s not completely unbearable, but…”
The Sword Emperor, who is displeased yet inwardly accepting it, and the Sword Saint, who is completely unaware of the Sword Emperor’s inner circumstances, looking at the spot where the whisper came from.
After all, the two of them had also fully finished their preparations.
And that wasn’t just three people.
“A half-baked Heavenly Demon Divine Art… Did you dare to disregard me and think you could get away unscathed, you henchman of the Moon Spirit Clan?”
Cheon Ji-ah, the Heavenly Demon who had reached the pinnacle of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and gained the confidence that he would not be defeated by anyone.
She had suffered a severe blow to her pride.
And that was her biggest driving force.
For her, who inherited the qualities of the Heavenly Demon—who sits idly by while reigning over the world—more deeply than any other user of God of Worlds, this was something she could not tolerate.
Cheon Ji-ah lowered her dark eyes and looked down at the bottom of the distant mountain peak.
“so…….”
If that is your will, I will make it happen.
The true ultimate secret of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
At that very moment, as each person was solidifying their beliefs and positions.
There was someone who was steeling their resolve in a somewhat different direction from them.
Land of giants.
A land granted to only one person out of over a billion players.
… … So, I’m going to take the trials of Jotunheim.
That’s right.
You haven’t forgotten. You have only two chances to take the Trial of Jotunheim. You have already used one. Even so, do you truly intend to take on the challenge?
…I hope you receive recognition from Jotunheim.
“Do not worry. You will help us.”
-Kuh-huh… …Hahaha! Yes, I will pray to Jotunheim for that moment to come.
This was the case with Myeolsal, whose purpose was not to become stronger himself, but to prove himself and awaken the Great King.
And finally, in the land of the beastmen… … .
Charlie, are you really going? To the place where the mighty of the abyss appeared?
Jihada was trying to stop Charlie with a worried look.
That’s true.
But that would be too dangerous… It doesn’t make sense to fight there. One wrong move and we’ll be consumed by the abyss.
“It is also the fastest way to become stronger. When they revealed their true forms beyond the Eye of the Abyss, I didn’t realize it at the time, but a change occurred in my body.”
It was due to Charlie’s traits that emerged as he cleared the Guardian Quest and was reborn as a Knight of Light.
[The trait ‘Light of Dawn’ emits an even brighter light to pursue the abyss.]
[Encountered powerful beings of the abyss.]
[The trait ‘One Who Stands Against the Abyss’ activates. Your stats increase significantly when you stand against the Abyss, and you gain greater power the longer you are exposed to it.]
[You will never yield to the Abyss until all darkness is illuminated by the effect of the trait ‘Lightbringer’.]
New traits that appeared in Charlie along with the Knight of Light.
Although he could not read these directly, Charlie knew instinctively.
As long as I walk the path of dawn, I will never yield to the abyss.
And that was the only way.
I have realized it now. That it is my destiny to confront the filthy abysses. That my Light of Dawn is a swordsmanship born to kill them.
Currently, Charlie’s Sword of Light – Light of Dawn level is 3 stars.
[I did not yield even after encountering a powerful being from the abyss of overwhelming stature.]
[Exhibit a lofty spirit to strengthen the light of dawn.]
[Sword of Light – Light of Dawn achieves 3 stars.]
After achieving 2 stars, the level that hadn’t budged at all rose just by encountering those guys.
And in the land where they appeared, the energy of the abyss still remains.
This is the land where none other than three powerful beings of the abyss were leading a powerful legion and attempting to descend as their true form.
Although complete abyssalization had not yet occurred, cracks appeared sporadically on the floor.
I was able to enter the dregs of the abyss through that crack.
There, Charlie intended to perfectly master the Light of Dawn and be reborn as a true Knight of Light.
Because that would be the only way for my weak self to become a source of strength.
“Jihad, my friend. Do not worry. We have become Guardians in loyalty to our Lord. Even if we were to die, we would be reborn in the Guardian Room.”
That is true, but…
Please keep this a secret from my lord. Consider this my final request.
“Keeeek! I don’t know either. Charlie, figure it out yourself. I won’t be responsible for what the owner says later.”
Thanks.
As Jihad, who had been tearing at his non-existent hair, finally gave up, Charlie replied with a gentle smile.
Jihada, who had been looking at him with a mixture of worry and embarrassment, snapped his head away.
Watching Jihad, Charlie slowly opened his mouth.
Have a safe trip. Unlike me, haven’t you received your lord’s permission?
-… … Did you hear?
Have you forgotten? That this humble sword always guards its master’s side. It wasn’t my intention, but… hmm. That is how it turned out. I understand you.
“… …Tch. What am I supposed to become like this? Don’t worry, I’ll be back. For now, I will return. It’s just that I have to visit Vargan’s lava to manifest the bloodline factor this time.”
-For now… … I guess.
The conversation paused for a moment.
The strange atmosphere lasted only a moment. The heads of the two Guardians turned toward one spot.
“Everything depends on this war! Show the power of the beastmen!”
“Waaahhhh!!”
“May the blessing of Barheim be with you…… Ah.”
“note…….”
The prisoners, who had been offering prayers out of habit, pause and glance at Eliza.
Then Eliza became dejected, as if she had lost her spirits.
-Rikkyuri? Rikkyu.
-Rikkyukkyu!
-Rikkyurikyu!
The Rikkuris looked at Eliza with innocent eyes, like children who knew nothing.
He is puzzled by Eliza, who suddenly looks upset.
Just then, the Water King approached among the Rikkuris.
“O Barheim. Make the choice you desire.”
-Liza… … .
“Varheim, you have already done more for us prisoners over the years than we can ever repay. No matter what choice you make, we will never hold a grudge.”
Therefore, please make the choice your heart truly desires. I will take my leave now due to command… … Masters of the Wild, follow me!
Waaah-!
Eliza gazed up blankly at the retreating figure of the Water King as he left, shouting loudly after relieving her guilt to the very end.
The distance widened rapidly, and before long, it was so far away that it was out of sight with the naked eye, but… … .
It did not leave Eliza’s eyes.
-Rikkyuri!
-Rikkyukkyu-!
Eventually, the Rikkuris also moved away to join, and even until I was left alone.
Eliza stared endlessly at the spot where they had disappeared.
With a pained expression.
He keeps looking back and forth between where Jihad and Charlie are and where his missing friends are.
Eliza, it’s not your fault. Whatever choice you make, we respect it.
-Lizariza… … .
So come here. Let’s be together.
Eliza, hesitating and unable to approach immediately.
Seeing his friend in that state, Jihad slowly approached and wrapped his arms around Eliza.
Then, as always, when he lifted her head, Eliza slumped limply.
Charlie watching the two of them from the side.
-… … .
There was no conversation.
It is simply a matter of composing oneself from one’s own standpoint.
How much time had passed like that?
Just as everyone was quietly looking up at the sky.
——!!
Suddenly, just as the sky seemed to be plunged into darkness, a deafening roar rang out.
An overwhelming energy, too heavy to handle, travels through the air.
Jihad confirmed it and spoke.
You succeeded, Master. Then shall we go too?
-hmm!
Then let’s see each other in two weeks. I believe everyone will do well.
See you next time.
-Liza… … !
As if exchanging a final farewell, they looked at each other one by one, then soon scattered in all directions.
Jihad across the forest, Charlie over the cliff.
Eliza stopped still as she looked at the statue of Barheim, located at the exact opposite end of the road from where Suin and Rikkuri were heading.
It was the first farewell since becoming Dohyeon’s guardian.
* * *
And just before the Guardians scattered.
The edge of the cliff beyond the mountain peak.
“There are no alien races nearby, and no people either… This should be enough.”
Dohyeon nodded with satisfaction after confirming that there was nothing but rugged terrain.
Here, no matter what chaos breaks out, a major disaster like the village being completely devastated is unlikely to occur.
“Okay, shall we go?”
Dohyeon grinned and reached out his hand.
[Uses the second ability of Tears of God.]
[Temporarily does not consume mana. (70-minute cooldown)]
[Uses Darkness Embrace on Thunder Dragon Descent.]
[The Thunder Dragon gains Darkness traits due to the influence of Darkness Wrap.]
[Accessing the Black Dragon’s power through an abnormal route.]
[The effects of the Dark attribute are additionally applied, allowing you to possess the energy of both the Thunder Dragon and the Black Dragon simultaneously.]
—–!
Then, along with countless message windows popping up above my head, a deafening roar that seemed to tear the sky apart echoed.
Crackling- crackling-
His entire body was engulfed in black electricity and radiated a menacing aura, but Dohyeon did not stop.
[Casting the additional ability ‘Thunder Dragon’ granted by Thunder Dragon Descent.]
[The additional granted ability ‘Thunder Dragon’ reacts to abnormal power.]
… …
[Black Dragon’s Wrath has been activated.]
[When casting Thunder Dragon Descent on a target, deals damage equivalent to 777% of the striking Thunder Dragon.]
[The Black Dragon’s unique trait, ‘Alien Mana,’ pierces through all defense systems composed of mana.]
[Darkness ignores some defense.]
[Deeply concentrated mana temporarily paralyzes the target’s mana circuits.]
[It is a power that cannot be handled with the current level.]
[Due to severe side effects, the mana circuit becomes tangled.]
[The Demon King’s mana circuit blocks the fatal side effects.]
… … .
System windows flashing frantically and cluttering the view.
It felt just like a siren sounding an alarm in an emergency.
It was also a rational delusion.
[Warning! You are using the power of a being of overwhelming class without permission.]
[You may be caught by the Black Dragon.]
[Caution! Survival cannot be guaranteed if detected.]
Rumble! Rumble-!!
Because it was actually a power that was secretly borrowing and using from a higher being.
However, far from stopping, Dohyeon actually increased the tempo even more.
[Accessing the Black Dragon’s second ability.]
[Warning! This is a power too heavy to handle.]
[If used by force, the probability of being caught increases exponentially.]
[You are using unauthorized power excessively.]
[Caution!]
He willingly stepped forward to the next stage, which he had been unable to bring himself to use until now.
It was then that the loudly ringing system stopped.
No, to be precise, it didn’t stop.
—–!!
It was simply that Dohyeon could not see because his vision was suddenly plunged into darkness and his eardrums felt muffled.
I felt the presence of something huge.
Nothing but darkness is visible, yet it feels vivid. Something overwhelming is looking down at him.
Whoa-!
At that moment, the darkness lifted and red and yellow light filled the field of vision.
It was an eye.
The ferocious and terrifying eyes characteristic of reptiles.
Two huge eyes were clearly reflecting Dohyeon.
[How interesting. I wondered what arrogant fellow dared to borrow my power… … .]
A deep, resonant voice, conveyed directly as if embedded in the brain, rings in my head.
[I never imagined it would be a human… … .]
It was then that my perspective changed.
As the world, where only the pupils were visible, receded into the distance, the full form of ‘existence’ was finally revealed.
An overwhelming size that makes the scale of the main body almost unimaginable.
Black scales glowing faintly in the darkness and massive wings that make the moniker “Ruler of the Sky” feel real.
Gulp,
Dohyeon swallowed hard, and the corners of his trembling mouth slowly turned up.
“It’s a success for now.”
