Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Creation (1)
“The religious order’s sacred relic that Riferoze went to find—that is the Blade of Creation. It’s a sacred relic of the religious order said to have existed since the beginning of time.”
In the era when continents were born into the world and mana, aura, and divine power were all mixed together.
Just as mana naturally settled in the atmosphere according to the laws of nature, evil also naturally appeared.
“This is the content of the first chapter of the scriptures.”
The evil energy appeared in the world in the form of labyrinths.
The labyrinths soon gave birth to monsters, and ancient humanity built forces to fight against these monsters.
“They accumulated military strength and created techniques to fight monsters. Even so, humanity was always in danger.”
The Pope continued his explanation while looking at Erik with composure.
“They knew that monsters were born in labyrinths and spread throughout the world, but no one could enter the labyrinths.”
Far from getting to the root of the problem, they couldn’t even approach its source.
“Eventually, monsters were on the verge of taking over the continent. The land where humanity could stand became even narrower.”
Then.
Gods descended into the world.
“The gods of the three religions used sacred relics to open doors leading to the labyrinths.”
Among them, the sword used by the god Astia was precisely Creation.
Literally, the Blade of Creation performed miracles that twisted space and reversed the order of the world.
“In ancient times, there was no concept of nations. However, the gods’ miracles provided the framework for nations.”
People flocked to the labyrinth entrances that the gods had opened.
The evil labyrinths also gave sweet rewards, and humanity grew their military strength through the labyrinths.
“What was created by the gathering of these strong individuals is precisely the nations of today.”
When the Pope’s explanation reached that point, Erik nodded repeatedly in admiration.
‘A sword that opened labyrinth entrances and a skill called Creation.’
It was truly a satisfying story.
“Riferoze… I’m worried that she might be suffering needlessly.”
However, one problem remained.
The reason the Pope recounted the lengthy history of ancient humanity was precisely because of the word ‘Creation.’
The religious order’s sacred relic [Blade of Creation] that the Pope thought had disappeared was in Erik’s hands.
In fact, Riferoze had left for a different reason.
‘Should I confess this now?’
Though his master had firmly concealed its presence with a sealing ritual, someday the sacred relic’s power would break through the sealing ritual and leak out.
Erik looked at the Pope.
He weighed whether there would be consequences for honesty.
“A sacred relic, though the father’s child is more precious than the belongings the father left behind…”
The Pope, in the form of an old man, was crying.
Looking at his face filled with sorrow, it seemed like something that should never be spoken of.
No, if he spoke of it…
‘I’ll die if I’m found out.’
Such grief and longing.
If it were revealed that this was actually theft and deception…
He would face the Pope’s wrath.
“What happens when the Pope gets angry?”
Erik recalled a question and answer he had with his master long ago.
“Hmm… There’s a big hole at the southern tip of the continent, and it’s a hole that was created when the Pope, angry because of me, burned down an entire demon realm.”
He heard that Riferoze had been standing at the center of that hole at the time.
She was an incredibly strong person.
That’s why she survived, but.
‘I’m still lacking.’
Erik might really die.
‘I absolutely must hide it.’
Erik bit his lower lip with a tense expression.
“You’re also worried about your master.”
At that sight, the Pope spoke with a benevolent face.
The Pope, who had grown two heads taller, placed his hand on Erik’s shoulder and quietly recited a prayer.
“Since the Father is with her, there shall be no threats on Riferoze’s path.”
How could he reveal the truth to someone like that?
‘I’ll just have to keep it hidden.’
It couldn’t be helped.
If he found his master later, then that would be a different matter, but…
Listening to the continuous stream of prayers, it was premature for now.
As Erik finished his thoughts.
“—Therefore, since the Father’s blessing has come. Riferoze Astia shall also continue a peaceful life as a child of the Father.”
Just then, the Pope’s prayer also came to an end.
“You’re still young, and I was inconsiderate. Don’t worry about Riferoze.”
“Thank you.”
Erik bowed his head.
The Pope removed his hand that had been placed on Erik’s head.
When he waved his hand, the air cracked open with a crack.
“I should be going now.”
The Pope, who had become small like a child, left his final words as he entered the brilliant golden divine power.
“Creation is not a word that refers only to sacred relics. Long ago, the power that God directly wielded was also called by that name. I believe. Surely, someday, someone who inherits that power will appear.”
***
In the chapel where the Pope had departed, Erik stared into space.
The profession-exclusive shop window filled his vision.
[Star Summoning: 100,000,000 Gold]
[Wings of Radiance: 555,555,555 Gold]
[Creation: 250,000,000 Gold]
Erik listed the three skills he coveted among them.
There was a basis for his choices.
‘Meteor used by Paladins.’
The name [Star Summoning] brought to mind the meteor that only the highest-level mages were said to use.
It was likely some kind of area-of-effect skill.
Next was.
‘This is obviously a skill for character appearance.’
[Wings of Radiance] had a name that brought to mind spectacular effects.
A Paladin spreading wings of divine power?
‘I can’t resist…’
Ahem.
He was momentarily tempted, but.
‘It’s right to buy Creation first.’
Erik remembered his priorities.
In a situation where only skill names were listed without any explanation, what to choose was already decided.
‘I should buy something whose effects I roughly know.’
Wasn’t [Creation] the name of the technique that gods used to open labyrinths?
Buying other skills here would be something only an idiot would do.
And Erik was not an idiot.
“After hearing His Holiness the Pope’s explanation, the Creation skill looks good.”
Erik, having chosen his skill, spoke in the empty chapel.
“Huh?”
Ruelle, who had been approaching with an alluring figure, swaying her waist gracefully, was startled.
Her long golden hair swayed.
She had clearly used [Individuality] to conceal her presence to the fullest, but…
“Erik, how?”
Erik turned his gaze toward Ruelle’s voice.
Long chairs were visible on the left and right sides of the chapel platform, and Ruelle was standing in the center of them.
The large Erik strode through the path between the chairs.
He approached Ruelle like that.
He said.
“The perfume scent is strong.”
At Erik’s words, Ruelle’s shoulders twitched.
“Ha! So that’s why you gave me perfume as a gift!”
A few days ago, Erik had given her a gift.
Suddenly, perfume?
That’s what she had thought, but it seemed there was a reason for it.
‘Despite that orc-like build, his cunning is incredible.’
Erik had cleverness similar to Fenril’s, unlike his ogre-like build.
Look how he immediately prepared a countermeasure since he couldn’t detect her presence.
As Ruelle was clicking her tongue, Erik spoke.
“Seeing as you came right after His Holiness the Pope left, do you have something you want to say?”
“Yes, Erik! That skill thing aside…”
Only then did Ruelle remember the main point.
After trailing off briefly.
“What are you going to do about that sword?”
She asked in a resolute tone.
That sword would refer to the religious order’s sacred relic that Riferoze had stolen.
Erik coughed and turned his head.
“Ahem, hmm. A disciple should use his master’s gift.”
“Can you handle it?”
“I plan to earn a lot of money until I can handle it.”
“…Well, it’s not like you’ll die if you’re caught. His Holiness the Pope is famous for being merciful.”
Having finished speaking, Ruelle walked trot-trot toward the passage connected to the orphanage.
‘I’ve only caused unnecessary worry.’
Erik usually doesn’t keep secrets from Ruelle. This was especially true for things related to his master.
At the moment Erik was looking at Ruelle’s retreating figure while feeling secretly sorry.
“Erik.”
Ruelle stopped abruptly and turned her head.
The two people’s eyes met.
“But, if you fall out of His Holiness the Pope’s favor, you’ll live as a janitor in the demon realm until you die.”
After spitting out those eerie words, Ruelle passed through the passage and disappeared from sight.
‘A janitor of the demon realm?’
A demon realm is a hole from which monsters burst out until the labyrinth disappears.
Being told to clean this place means having to work until the labyrinth disappears.
In that case…
‘Just killing would be more merciful.’
The remaining Erik clenched his fist firmly.
‘I will absolutely become stronger.’
The fact that Ruelle showed such an attitude meant her concern was that deep.
The Great Cataclysm Patch.
The increase in the number of Possessors.
There were already more than enough reasons to become stronger.
Adding one more reason to that was no problem at all.
[660,300,050]
Erik confirmed the remaining balance that appeared in his status window.
The 300 million he received from the Emperor, plus an additional 500 million, and he had resold the system shop items that Erica had returned.
It cost 150 million to buy the sacred relic, so…
‘Still, money is overflowing.’
It was different from the past when he struggled to earn money.
The amount of money he earned had changed dimensions.
Erik unhesitatingly placed his hand on the purchase button for the [Creation] skill.
Right after that.
Whooooooo!
Mighty divine power descended upon Erik’s massive body.
Brilliant divine light swirled around him like a whirlwind.
Its power was tremendous.
‘I sealed the space in advance by surrounding it with divine power, but…’
Crack, crack!
The space began to break along with the divine power.
‘What is this…’
A golden whirlwind arose within the narrow chapel.
It raged like a genuine storm.
Crash, boom!
The divine power was rough.
Only after completely destroying the chapel’s chairs, platform, and candlesticks hanging on the walls did it settle into Erik’s body.
[Possessed Skill: Creation]
One emblem was engraved in Erik’s empty skill slot.
And.
“E, Erik?”
Ruelle, looking at the destroyed church, was visible.
Looking at the sweat beads on her forehead, it seemed she had headed toward the orphanage but rushed back after hearing the loud noise.
“Wh, what on earth is this…”
Ruelle looked bewildered at the completely destroyed church, and Erik said to her.
“Priest Ruelle, would you like to see a skill demonstration?”
Moonlight descended through the blown-out church roof.
Beneath it, Erik was smiling brightly while emitting brilliant golden light amidst the ruins.
At this, Ruelle grabbed the back of her neck.
“Eeeeek!!! You crazy!”
***
At Ruelle’s scream, some limping man came to the church.
Looking at the church that had turned half into ruins and the orphanage standing firmly beside it, the limping man tilted his head.
“This crazy! Erik!! Ahem, hmm. There’s no free meal service today.”
Ruelle, who had been furious, lowered her voice while looking at the man standing at the church entrance.
It was a calm tone as if she had never been angry.
“Th, that is…”
The man with one face covered in scars flinched and looked at Erik.
‘The boss is here but the church is destroyed?’
Janson had received instructions not to approach the church until there were strange phenomena.
The church collapsing was definitely a strange phenomenon.
But why is the boss here?
“Phew.”
Erik sighed and spoke.
“Janson, surround yourself with aura.”
“Yes, Boss.”
It doesn’t seem like something to get in trouble for.
Janson was relieved at the familiar command.
“…Erik?”
Ruelle was bewildered.
The beggar who had appeared about a week ago knew Erik?
It was definitely a beggar who had appeared after Erik entered the labyrinth.
She had vivid memories of personally taking care of his meals and keeping him company…
“He’s someone I asked to… hmm. A mercenary-like guy I asked to guard the church while I was away.”
Ruelle, who had been angry about the destroyed chapel, cooled her head at the unexpected situation.
The scene she was witnessing was like that.
“Th, that’s the aura barrier (氣膜) that only Sword Masters do, isn’t it?”
Some beggar-looking limping man swung a crude iron sword, and a blue dome appeared over the church?
It was a technique famous as a Sword Master’s aura barrier (氣膜).
“He’s my subordinate.”
“Like that gangster Du-sik?”
“…Hmm, yes. Similar.”
Ruelle was a little surprised but soon regained her composure.
It was Erik who, at the mere age of ten, bought church and orphanage property in District 3 and urged her to move.
‘I should consider it a similar act.’
Ruelle thought, Erik being Erik.
She compromised like this.
Even the god Astia gave a revelation to just accept it.
What could she do?
“Boss, I can hold for an hour.”
Kuuuung.
The aura barrier had perfectly covered the church grounds.
Erik placed his hand on his waist.
There was no scabbard and no sword.
Diiiing!
A blade forged from divine power bloomed from his fingertips.
‘If I take out the sacred relic, it’ll cause a commotion.’
Using the [Creation] skill with the [Blade of Creation] would have to be postponed for a while, but…
He couldn’t resist the skill right now.
‘A skill obtained after a full 15 years.’
It was the price of living miserably with a rag-like status window.
Before casting the skill, Erik whispered in Ruelle’s ear.
“The skill name is Creation.”
Then he aimed his sword toward the church ruins.
Ruelle momentarily flinched and tried to stop him, but seeing the energy around the sword, she held back.
Erik took a stance holding a sword made of divine power.
The sense of weight was extraordinary.
‘It’s sublime divine power.’
The swirling energy was like that.
It was mighty and powerful.
It even gave off a feeling of greatness.
As if.
‘It feels similar to when I received a revelation.’
It felt like the real power of a god.
‘Astia religious order’s heavy swordsmanship.’
Janson also detected the power emanating from Erik.
Erik had monstrous sword skills. Such Erik was emanating a mysterious energy he had never felt before.
As a Sword Master, he was interested.
‘Is this the boss’s unique technique?’
Did he create a sword technique at the mere age of fifteen?
Various complex thoughts burrowed into Janson’s head.
Up to aiming the sword diagonally and bending his left leg to maintain balance was the common stance of heavy swordsmanship, but something was subtly different.
It felt similar to the skill motions of Possessors.
‘There’s no way the boss is a Possessor…’
That power was divine.
A sublime power that Possessors could never approach.
As Janson was observing Erik.
Swoosh!
The tip of Erik’s sword slowly moved.
The blade that rose high in the sky struck down diagonally.
Zzzzzzzzing!!!
A roar that definitely couldn’t be made with a sword was heard.
It was definitely a strange sound, but it brought a sense of stability.
However, the result was fear-inducing.
“Wh, what is this—!”
Sword Master Janson was shocked.
Erik was a Paladin who used swords.
In other words, despite the difference between aura and divine power, he was ultimately a swordsman who handled swordsmanship.
That premise was broken today.
‘Is that really swordsmanship? No, before that, is that power a human can produce?’
Janson’s mouth gaped wide.
Erik’s sword literally split space.
[Creation (開闢)]
Following the sword’s trajectory, the air distorted and emitted golden divine power.
The debris of the collapsed church was sucked into it.
“Erik, ri, right now…”
Following the sword mark drawn in the air, a statue of the Astia religious order was sucked in.
“N, no! That’s our church’s symbol!”
Ruelle’s eyes widened.
To this, Erik smiled willingly.
“Creation is ultimately the power to dominate space.”
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