Chapter 115
Chapter 115: Storm's Eve (4)
There were numerous Demon Realms across the continent. Among them, there were places collectively known as the Three Great Demon Realms.
The Tomb of the Conqueror.
A Demon Realm with the continent's highest danger rating. It was where the Adventurers' Guild headquarters was located, with the Adventurer King himself taking on the duty of guarding the Demon Realm. One could say its danger level alone was the worst imaginable.
The Paradise of the Undead.
A Demon Realm located in the mountain range beyond the Northern Archduke, in the empire's north. The land of the undead, the ones who do not die. They always hated the living, yet yearned for them.
Before the empire's unification, it had always been the source of the Northern Archduke's desolation. And finally.
The Reverse Side of the Labyrinth.
A Demon Realm situated in the disputed territory. This land had a Labyrinth entrance and ceaselessly poured out Monster Waves. Its danger level was lower than the other three Great Demon Realms, but there were several peculiarities.
One: A Demon Realm without an abyss.
All Demon Realms possessed an abyss. A deep and dark tunnel connected to the Labyrinth—that was the abyss. However, the "Reverse Side of the Labyrinth" was different. In place of an abyss, it had a Labyrinth entrance. This land poured out monsters all day long, except for the first day of the week when the Labyrinth opened.
Two: The Demon Realm where the deepest darkness resides.
Like the moonlight handled by the Imperial Family. The darkness of this land functioned as an absolute law.
Unless one was a Black Mage, one could not venture toward the core of the Demon Realm. Only darkness could remain there.
Thud!
Holy power descended upon that thick darkness. It was light, hope, and will.
"You can absolutely never return alive."
It was also the wrath of God. That voice carried a weight befitting the invocation of a god, yet.
'This is the core of the Demon Realm.'
The current Erik was an insufficient being to assume the role of a true god. He had established Divine Power, but the Demon Realm's thick darkness rushed to cover the golden radiance in an instant.
"Let light dwell."
But that was all. Erik's Divine Power, filling instantaneously, overwhelmingly exceeded the speed of the darkness's erosion.
Diiiing!
Divine power accumulated in layers. It was overwhelming. That light made the sun rise within the Demon Realm. Brilliant golden radiance illuminated the darkness. And thus, darkness's true face was revealed.
Kwuung!
A gigantic Paladin advanced, trampling upon that ugly darkness. Contained in his footsteps was fury.
"I despise the empire."
"I will erase Saint Erik."
The demon facing him also wore an expression full of anger.
Screeeek!
Erik pointed his sword at the gigantic demon. He asked.
"What are you?"
Erik's eyes scrutinized everything about the demon.
[■■■■ / Lv.01]
[Class: Black Mage]
The name was erased. Moreover, the level was 1. Yet such a being formed six lines.
'Sacrificed 100,000 at level 1?'
And even achieved Possessor descent.
'If a Black Mage class acted like a local Black Mage, the level should have risen.'
In other words, the descent body before his eyes could not wield Black Magic Power in the local manner. Yet the class was [Black Mage]. And despite that, it had achieved descent while possessing 6 lines. It was nonsensical. For a Possessor, [Level] was absolute.
'There's no answer.'
Screeeek!
Erik lowered his sword. There was no need to wait for an answer. Merely, an unusual being that needed to be erased had appeared. Just as he was about to swing his sword with that thought.
Hundred Demons' Night Parade Kitsune and Tanuki, Supernatural Beasts Ten Thousand Yokai have come to this world.
A bizarre voice rang out. Goblins, long serpents, spiders, and all manner of yokai. They were entangled together, forming a gigantic collective body. From the mouths of all these things, words spilled forth that sounded bizarre, and they were terrible sounds that any human would detest. It was not a descended human. It was merely a monster.
"Doing things this way too."
The monster moved its body. The yokai that formed its body undulated, and between them, red hair was revealed. It was Erica, halfway stained black.
"Hostage tactics."
Erik immediately swung his sword. There was not a moment's hesitation. That movement was incredibly quiet, and his expression was infinitely sunken.
However, the power it created. Was like a typhoon arriving after the quiet of the calm before the storm.
Kwarrung!
Heaven and earth trembled. A body composed of ten thousand yokai. Was split in half following the sword's movement, and a distinct golden sword mark was engraved upon the Demon Realm's thick darkness.
***
'Erik, you've grown stronger.'
Ruelle watched Erik from within the darkness. Though she had no insight into martial arts, she possessed the eyes to recognize his Divine Power. That brilliant Divine Power. It was clearer and more robust than ever before. And the will contained within it was also intense.
'You were enraged.'
She had discerned Erik's heart. And she understood it.
'So am I.'
Erica, once a woman who followed Erik. It was somewhat disconcerting. But that was all.
'Erica…….'
She was a person who had visited the church every week. From the shabby church in District 4. To the ordinary church in District 3. And now to the grand and magnificent church.
'You spent every moment in the empire with me.'
Such Erica had been captured by a gigantic monster. And Erik, together with her who had become a hostage, had severed that monster. The monster's body shattered under tremendous force, and the red hair among it was rendered unrecognizable.
'You are so sorrowful.'
Ruelle shared in Erik's suffering. And she shared his grief. This too was her unique characteristic, and an emotion only she could share.
Tears flowed down her cheeks. Erik, who wore an expression of utter indifference on the surface, harbored immense sorrow in his heart.
'Just like back then.'
It seemed the heart of a child wandering the disputed territory in his younger days had been this sorrowful.
"Ruelle, what should we do?"
The Black Mages held the villagers hostage. And in the midst of it, Erik was troubled.
"If we let those things go, the hostages will live, but the Black Mages who return alive will kill more people."
"Erik, you don't need to save everyone."
Ruelle embraced him. And she supported his decision. And she shared his sorrow with him. Because of such a difficult time, they were able to live so brightly now.
'It's the same even now.'
She wiped away her tears. Then she approached the beam of light that bloomed in the darkness.
'This too will end, and happy days will come again.'
There, she saw Erik drenched in sorrow.
Kwarrung!
His actions were quiet. However, the power he unleashed was very strong.
Pud dud duk! Pud duk!
From the sky, pieces of the monster rained down. They drenched the Demon Realm's darkness. It seemed overwhelming at first. But the enemy was nearly infinite.
Kkeeyeaeaeaek!
A terrible screech came from the deepest part of the Demon Realm. This was a procession of monsters. The monsters filled the descent body's shattered remains. Between the yokai, Labyrinth monsters took their place.
Ueueeoeoeoe!
Giants from the Labyrinth's upper floors surrounded Erik. Following the fully recovered descent body, even the upper-floor monsters rushed at Erik. Yet Erik remained silent. He continuously swung his sword.
'Aah.'
Ruelle's heart ached watching this. The monsters died faster than they arrived. Yet Erik was also taking damage. He repeated being cut, torn, bitten, and regenerating.
'Still, the number of monsters is decreasing.'
By pushing himself this way repeatedly, a brief opening was created. Then Erik suddenly planted the Sword of Creation into the ground. And he chanted a reverent prayer.
"Let supreme holiness descend and protect this land, that no demon may ever violate it."
Saaaaaaa!
A massive golden pillar rose up surrounding Erik. It was holiness itself. What was contained within was intense anger.
Kkeeyeaeaeaek!!!
The Labyrinth monsters could not breach that place. However, it was only a few seconds. The Demon Realm's darkness consumed the holiness, and the monsters burned their own bodies as they defiled the light.
'Erik…….'
Ruelle bit her lip. Blood flowed.
'……That kind of power.'
The holiness crumbled. However, its purpose was achieved.
Kwarrung!!!
A golden bolt of lightning descended into the darkness. And between the lightning, a absurdly gigantic sword was revealed. It was like the heavens. No, it was heaven itself.
'Judgment.'
The hammer of divine retribution descended by god.
Huung!
The gigantic Divine Power sword descended into the darkness.
Czzzzzzeng!
The darkness shattered under that force. The world became bright.
'That is…… who?'
That light guided the path she had to take. An unidentifiable black shadow was visible, and it moved toward the opposite side from Erik. Opposite to Erik meant where Ruelle stood.
'Perhaps that is my role.'
Ruelle thought thus and glanced away. Countless monsters swarmed around Erik. Gigantic giants of overwhelming size. As if it were a final assault, they appeared desperate.
'A situation where I cannot give a signal.'
Ruelle blocked the shadow's path. Since it couldn't see her, the shadow charged straight at her.
Hwaareuruk!
As if she had been waiting for this moment, fierce flames erupted from her body. This was holiness, a power that followed nature. Ruelle, who had been secretly hiding, revealed herself to the world wrapped in fierce holiness. And in her hand was a single long spear.
Puuk!
The shadow was pierced by that spear, hidden in the Demon Realm's darkness.
***
Jang Du-sik was urgent. While Erik entered the depths of the Demon Realm, countless monsters rushed in as if trying to block his retreat. On top of that, bizarre-shaped yokai also charged forward.
"You guys!!! Move faster!"
Jang Du-sik was urgent. However, the situation was not improving but rather deteriorating.
"Those flowing on the river……."
The wave of monsters that had been pouring toward the empire began to flow backward immediately after Erik entered the Demon Realm. As a result, the group left behind and the Imperial Army had to face them.
"Janson, their target is your brother."
"Brother Du-sik, who doesn't know that……."
There was no way not to know. As if waiting for this moment, monsters flowing upstream against the river. Their numbers were endless.
A quantity that would require the entire Imperial Capital Guard to hold back was being held by just the Labyrinth Army 1st Battalion and a few of Erik's companions.
Huung!
"Shit! Get out of the way!"
Still, they fought back. Under Jang Du-sik's rough club strikes, orcs of 5-meter size burst in groups of ten.
Paeuong!
A concentration of powerful magical power. It mixed with holiness and exploded. The lingering holiness burned even the scattering orc flesh.
"Damn!!!"
Before the dead monster's remains could completely burn, another monster filled the gap.
"Brother Du-sik, please calm down."
"Calm? Calm down? You damn lackey, can't you see the current situation?"
The Imperial Army had already suffered over 30 casualties. Moreover, Battalion Commander Iris had cast 8th Circle Hellfire several times.
Hwaarerureuk!
The surroundings were already a sea of fire. Yet the monsters did not stop.
"We can't let those things reach older brother!!!"
"Older brother, look. We're being strengthened."
Saaaaaaa!
Golden pillars rose above Jang Du-sik and Janson. This was the strengthening effect of the [Judgment] skill.
"Brother Du-sik, look. The strengthening effect is much stronger than before, isn't it?"
"You damn fool, you've already used this ten times, which means brother has consumed 600 million."
"……What do you."
"Brother’s money is not infinite!"
Jang Du-sik's scalp wrinkled severely. It wasn't wrong. If the money ran out, Erik would certainly be in danger. However, Janson thought differently.
‘Brother must have several tens of billions.'
Actually, Janson had faith that there was no problem with Erik.
'Boss's salvation.'
He is a god. For the world's master, there is naturally no difficulty.
'The priestess is also fine.'
The [Designated Protection] skill given to Ruelle was also being maintained solidly.
Moreover, this time Ruelle had not been moving about, so nothing had broken or anything. Such things were Janson's reasoning.
'Right now, brother Du-sik is in a state where nothing makes sense.'
With Jang Du-sik swinging his club madly, no words would reach him. Moreover.
"Damn, really endless."
Janson was in a similarly difficult state. Would the boss's money really run out like this? There was faith, but that didn't mean there was no worry. The number of monsters was one thing, but their quality was on a different dimension.
"Du-sik, back!!!"
Then Kang Pung-ho, who had been holding her breath, quickly shouted. She was hiding within the [Blade Barrier] skill Janson had set up. At her cry, Jang Du-sik hurriedly retreated backward.
"What the!, what is it now?"
"Those, they're self-destructing!"
Labyrinth Floor 31 monsters. Creatures tens of times larger and more vicious than in the game, they appeared in far too great numbers. Moreover, this place was a Demon Realm. So the monsters displayed the same specifications as the Labyrinth.
Kwaang!!!
A round flesh-form monster exploded where Jang Du-sik had been standing. Janson glanced back. In the center of the Imperial Army's formation, Battalion Commander Iris was visible casting magic.
"Commander Iris, if that group gets close, it'll be more troublesome."
"Understood."
Beside her, Park Chang-ho was offering various advice. Iris adjusted the position of her magic circle according to Park Chang-ho's advice.
'The Possessors are finding their roles.'
The eyes of Janson and Iris, watching this, met. Blood flowed steadily from between her helmet. It was due to excessive magical power consumption beyond limits.
"No regrets."
To Janson's gaze, Iris said thus and prepared 8th Circle Hellfire once more.
'What remarkable faith.'
Only a few hours since the battle began. Yet over dozens had already fallen. And still, they fought on without a single complaint.
"Let's not fall behind the Imperial Army."
Janson said thus and drew his sword, and Jang Du-sik adjusted his grip on his club as light burst from his tattoo. It was then.
"Knights of the Round Table, charge!!"
"Father will protect us."
A massive shout came from beyond the monsters. The sound came from both left and right. In the right sky, a gigantic cross rose up.
Aaaa!
Familiar hymn melodies rang out. And finally.
“Assemble here!!!”
A white-haired woman's shout that shook the entire world.
"Phew."
The moment Jang Du-sik heard that voice, he put down his club. Janson stared at him blankly.
"Did, didn't Riferoze tell us to assemble?"
"Hey, Janson. Brother said that while we wait for suster Rife to arrive, it's best to just chill and rest."
A posture change accomplished in an instant left both Janson and the Imperial Army bewildered. Were the surroundings not still full of monsters? Just as they thought this,
Baang!!
With a thunderous sound, a path appeared before their eyes. What had been a monster-filled mountain landscape was suddenly split open. With just one sword strike, a clear path was created between the Religious Order and Jang Du-sik's group, and white hair flowed abundantly along that path.
"You, sister."
She had a severely distorted expression.
"I wasn't slacking off!! I was just catching my breath for a moment."
"Jang Du-sik, this one has something to ask of you."
Jang Du-sik flinched at his head as he tried to make an excuse, but instead of flicking him on the forehead, Riferoze pointed at someone.
A man approached in front of Jang Du-sik. That man's movements were strange.
'A guy with serpent eyes wearing a mask.'
Brother had said that anyone who hid their face was a pervert.
"Hey, don't come any closer."
Jang Du-sik pointed his club at him. At that, the vertically slit serpent eyes became perfectly round.
"Wow, shit. Acting skills are crazy."
He approached Jang Du-sik without hesitation. And then he asked.
"You're Park Ji-hun, right?"
"I'm Jang Du-sik though?"
Jang Du-sik blinked at the question.