Chapter 174 : Chapter 174
Chapter 174 : Test of the Sky
A colossal wriggling of Demonic energy that even Yuliana had never dared to see before.
Gazing at the abyss that was too vast and endless, Yuliana felt instinctive fear.
It was at a level that she dared not even compare to when Yuliana herself achieved level 5 Bulletin Board authority.
‘This is…… impossible.’
Yuliana's skin, which had been maintaining a considerable distance just in case, screamed at the pressure of the pouring Demonic energy.
Even though she was receiving only a tiny fraction of the Demonic energy's aftermath, Yuliana had to activate all sorts of item effects.
That's how huge, and also evil, the power emitted by the waves of Demonic energy was.
Could a weak existence like a human endure inside such a storm of Demonic energy?
‘If swept by that kind of power, it's meaningless no matter how excellent the resistance to Demonic energy is.’
What Yuliana felt was despair.
Despair too great and deep.
Too naturally, Vell Blackwood would not be able to endure.
No, inside such irrationality, anyone would be bound to do so.
Even if a monster like Cain came to this spot, it would be the same, Yuliana dared to think so.
‘I have to stop him even now.’
But how?
Jumping into that was akin to a suicide act, no matter if it was Yuliana.
What great cause or meaning would there be in committing meaningless suicide?
Therefore, Yuliana could only watch the spectacle occurring in that place.
‘If Vell Blackwood survives inside that storm of Demonic energy…… what happens?’
She didn't even think in the first place that Vell Blackwood would overcome that Demonic energy.
The problem is, the case where he survives even after harboring that Demonic energy.
‘If that actually happens…… something terrible that can't be compared to just dying will happen.’
Vell Blackwood, the man who drove even the Supreme King who unified the Eastern Union.
If such a figure becomes a Demonic person harboring that level of Demonic energy, what will happen indeed?
She doesn't know for sure, but there was a high possibility that a powerful Demonic person unprecedented until now would be born.
Perhaps a Demonic person who might put an end to the war between Bellerophon and the Hall of Subjugation in a negative sense.
‘……I was complacent.’
Only then did Yuliana blame her own complacency.
She thought she could resolve it herself even if Vell Blackwood couldn't handle the power of the fragment.
But seeing a storm of Demonic energy of this scale right in front of her, Yuliana realized her thought was complete arrogance.
Now, all Yuliana could do was just pray that Vell Blackwood would overcome the Demonic energy as he was confident about.
Although it was funny even to think so herself, that was the only hope left for Yuliana.
‘Please…….’
Yuliana's roughly trembling eyes looked at Vell Blackwood beyond the storm.
Putting in her earnest wish.
***
Kugugugugu──!!!
As soon as I absorbed the Ascension Stone Fragment, Demonic energy arose with the momentum to dye the entire world in darkness and spread across my vision.
The only thing visible was darkness.
And what created this darkness must be the massive amount of Demonic energy originating from the Ascension Stone Fragment.
‘Certainly, it is different from before.’
There have been many times when a storm of Demonic energy arose while absorbing Ascension Stone Fragments until now, but the storm occurring in front of my eyes right now was at a level I dared not even compare to before.
No, it was questionable whether I could even dare call this a storm.
Perhaps I should use expressions like spatial domination or spatial transformation.
‘It's coming.’
I can feel it.
The Demonic that dominated the area revealed a vicious aura as if it would swallow me right now.
No matter how strong a player, they wouldn't be able to withstand the Corrosion of Demonic of that scale.
It was that powerful, and also thick.
‘I should think the limit to maintaining reason without becoming a Demonic person is roughly up to level 5 authority.’
Previously, I saw quite a few players active on the Verification Board, which was the level 5 Bulletin Board authority.
Although the storm of Demonic energy when obtaining level 5 authority was powerful, it means it was at a level that those reaching level 8 like Yuliana could endure.
However, now it is different.
Even if it was a level 8 player like Yuliana, they would not dare withstand the Corrosion of Demonic like this.
That's how thick the wriggling of Demonic occurring right in front of my eyes was.
To the extent that I felt like I had one foot in a demon's mental world.
Sss……!
Demonic energy surrounds me as if aiming for prey.
“What are you looking at?”
What can mere things like you do by staring?
Tzzt, Tzztzzt!
Along with that, the white light of fierce sparks occurring spread intensely around.
[The authority of the Postponer of Ruin rejects the interference of Demonic.]
[The authority of the Postponer of Ruin blocks all types of mental interference.]
The power of the Postponer of Ruin, exerted intensely enough to remind me of when dealing with the Supreme King, confronted the raging Corrosion of Demonic.
Even the massive Demonic that even a level 8 player couldn't endure dares not reach me.
Because that was the task and responsibility the Postponer of Ruin shouldered.
[Absorbing ‘Ascension Stone Fragment’.]
[The Great Heaven bestows a test upon you.]
The test of the Great Heaven, which had been blocked by the power of the Postponer of Ruin until now, was given for some reason.
Rather than the power of the Postponer of Ruin being pushed back, it seems the power of the Postponer of Ruin didn't try to block this test itself in the first place.
Why.
I could soon know the answer to that.
[ The last test of the Great Heaven begins.]
As the test began in earnest, a door emitting white light appeared before my eyes soon after.
[Make a choice.]
It was a short message, but I could know what I had to choose without much difficulty.
Open the door, or not open it.
The choice I have to make probably refers to exactly that.
It didn't seem like this choice would decide anything right away.
The test is just a test.
Then what is it that this test is trying to tell me?
‘Shall I watch for now.’
Watching meant doing nothing, and naturally, that also meant a certain choice.
[Choice completed.]
[You did not open the door.]
As I completed the choice, the surrounding scenery began to change soon after.
The revealed scenery was the scenery of the Imperial Capital.
And I also stood in the middle of the Imperial Capital with the same appearance as now.
What is the reason for showing me such scenery?
I could soon know the reason for that.
The scenery of the Imperial Capital changes rapidly.
In an instant, seasons change, and the shapes of magnificent buildings change.
Some things collapsed amidst the weathering of time, and some things were newly created.
The appearance of people on the streets also changed.
Children grew, and old people died.
Amidst the changing things, I also changed and aged together.
Like that, I was crumbling within the passage of time.
Remaining lonely in this world, I just died like that.
Only when the moment came for the once-mighty player's body to meet complete death did I obtain rest.
[You have seen the price of choice.]
Scenery as if having dreamed a long dream passed, and soon after, a familiar message appeared before my eyes.
[Will you choose again?]
Only then could I know what this test was trying to show me.
Perhaps that is a certain future that I, who ended up not opening the door, will face.
A life of dying lonely without being able to return to my hometown, without obtaining anything.
‘Funny.’
Even if I cannot return to the original world, there is no law that says I must die bitterly alone.
Nevertheless, the Ascension Stone Fragment was showing the end I would face if I didn't open the door as if it were something like that.
Just what is that intention?
I became curious.
Fortunately, it seemed I had the right to make a choice again.
To be precise, I could see another future I would experience by making a choice.
There was no need to hesitate.
[Choice completed.]
[You opened the door.]
In the opportunity for choice obtained again, this time I opened the door.
What was revealed beyond the door was the scenery of Earth I knew well.
The vast blue sky and the appearance of white clouds flowing peacefully there.
Below my feet, green fields stretch endlessly, and waves of grass blades swaying in the wind are visible.
Mountains seen in the distance soar magnificently as if piercing the sky, and mist wrapping around the mountainsides creates a mysterious atmosphere.
Turning my head to the side, a sparkling lake is visible, and ripples reflecting the sunlight shone like diamonds.
After the incredibly beautiful natural scenery passed, what appeared next was my appearance standing in the middle of a city.
I returned to Earth.
In the form of Vell Blackwood.
On Earth, possessing Vell Blackwood's body and power, I displayed the player's abilities unreservedly and grasped both wealth and power in an instant.
Not just me, but all players who returned after opening the door were enjoying the same things.
To ordinary people, players were existences possessing truly god-like abilities and authority, and people kept players at a distance, fearing or praising them.
Nothing could oppose players.
Soon, we reigned on Earth holding everything in our hands.
As if that were the due reward given to the one who opened the door.
[The test has been completed.]
Finally, all tests ended, and the darkness that had settled thickly scattered slowly.
Strictly speaking, this test wasn't even a test.
That's why the power of the Postponer of Ruin probably didn't bother to block it.
‘It wants me to open the door.’
The scenery of opening the door shown by the Ascension Stone Fragment and the scenery of not doing so were surprisingly contrasting.
If a player opens the door, they can return to the hometown they dreamed of and even enjoy their current power, but if they don't return, they only die lonely alone in a distant otherworld.
The Ascension Stone Fragment was speaking as if I could choose between them.
While shoving the future it had decided in the first place, I decided to face it.
‘The intention is so explicit that I wonder if it's rather a trap.’
For now, I think I know the Ascension Stone Fragment's intention, but the problem is I can't judge whether this is a trap or not.
‘Just what is it…….’
While I was lost in this and that thought, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You have finished the test of the Great Heaven.]
[The Great Heaven expresses deep anticipation for the choice you will make.]
.
.
.
[Bulletin Board Level increases.]
[Lv.5 → Lv.6]
[Current Bulletin Board Level is ‘Lv.6’.]
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[Accessible Bulletin Board List]
[Anonymous Bulletin Board] [Lv.1]
[Auction House] [Lv.2]
[Guild Bulletin Board] [Lv.3]
[Tips and Know-how] [Lv.4]
[Verification Board] [Lv.5]
[Notices] [Lv.6]
────────────
Seeing the name of the newly added Bulletin Board, I couldn't help but stop for a moment.
Because the Bulletin Board that appeared this time had a completely different color from the Bulletin Boards until now.
[Notices]
The moment a Bulletin Board that shouldn't exist was revealed before my eyes, the mind of the Postponer of Ruin, which hadn't lost its serenity, began to reveal agitation.