Chapter 144
Chapter 144: Necromancer (4)
When faced with shameless tactics, one must counter with even more vicious methods. That was only natural.
In that sense, Erik deployed an overwhelming force by investing a tremendous amount of capital.
He was furious to that extent.
He had even postponed his original objective for cultivation.
'Still insufficient though.'
Establishing the pure will of God to achieve divinity.
He had roughly grasped the concept, but hadn't completed it.
Yet he couldn't continue training any further.
'No matter what, this isn't right.'
A possessor who knew the hierarchical Lich King well was employing all sorts of tricks.
If Erik caught the Lich King while concealing his [Skills] like this, it would take at least dozens of days.
And the gold spent on recovering divine power would definitely exceed hundreds of billions.
His training with his master had consumed 1 billion gold alone—how much money would he need to waste to deal with that monster alone?
'Burning tens of billions now would be cheaper.'
The sacred relics from Almanism Church were given by the Emperor, so they didn't cost much.
Yet the gold consumed had reached hundreds of millions.
'So the religious leader had a reason for being obsessed with money.'
[Alman's Fortress] was a sacred relic that created an invincible divine fortress, but it consumed 10 million gold per minute.
[Alman's Holy Bell] was a sacred relic that nullified enemy attacks, requiring 1 million gold per use.
[Alman's Sacred Territory Flag] granted divine enhancement blessings in exchange for 1 million gold per minute.
[Alman's Wide-area Sacred Magic Circle] had the power to install offensive sacred magic circles on the ground, demanding tens of millions of gold.
'Still, revealing my identity would be more expensive.'
Erik started a chicken game.
In other words, from now on, he needed to end this battle quickly.
This was no different from God's will to face a cowardly enemy with righteous payment.
Erik lifted [Alman's Punishment Hammer].
'1 million gold per use.'
Kwang!
Erik swung the hammer down.
Then the Lich King's body, far in the distance, staggered.
'The performance is insane.'
It was a power that dealt damage to distant targets, and the attack power amplified proportionally to the divine power infused in the hammer.
'Its health was 1.5 billion?'
Even with such tremendous power, killing the Lich King was an extremely difficult task.
O frozen land, spirits of darkness!
The Lich King summoned undead and poured forth cold, attempting to approach Erik.
'Critical hits are insufficient.'
Something was just missing one final strike.
Thus, Erik checked his status window.
Countless skill listings.
He examined abilities here too, whose identities remained unclear.
[Punishment]
[Sacred Territory Flag]
.
.
.
Just as he had understood the [Creation] skill through Astia Religious Order's doctrine.
Just as he had inferred the [Judgment] skill from the Pope's power.
Erik gauged the performance of skills he didn't know well through Almanism Church's sacred relics.
And so, he purchased one skill.
[You have purchased the 'Punishment' skill using 1 billion gold.]
Whiissh!
[Erik - 4th Tier Divine Power]
[Possessed Skills: Creation, Wings of Radiance, Meteor Shower, Judgment, Punishment(New!)]
[Possessed Trait: Discrimination]
[Possessed Gold: 28,551,108,300]
His assets, which had exceeded 30 billion, were steadily decreasing.
But it was fine.
Wasn't his strength precisely making sure he got his money's worth?
Sssssaaaa!
The moment he acquired the skill, fierce divine power enveloped Erik's body.
That power revealed the new skill's performance.
'Similar ability to the Punishment Hammer.'
It was a power that transmitted the divine power he used to distant locations.
Like implementing the long-range attack that occurred when he obtained 3rd Tier as a [Skill], and maximizing its power.
Skretch!
Erik lifted [Alman's Punishment Hammer].
Simultaneously, he activated the [Punishment] skill.
Erik simply swung the hammer down.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind pressure erupted, and the hammer stopped in mid-air.
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu-gung!
Then the ground trembled.
As if an earthquake had struck, everything around vibrated.
And shortly after.
Kwang!!!
The Lich King's body twisted even more violently.
As if it had taken a direct hit, black liquid sprayed from between its helmet.
'This is bombardment.'
The combination of skill and sacred relic.
Just as [Creation] delivered with the Sword of Creation was powerful, [Punishment] delivered with the Punishment Hammer was equally so.
Erik suddenly recalled Jang Du-sik.
'That guy's club-wielding technique is remarkably excellent.'
Erik intended to swing the hammer like Du-sik wielded his club.
Brainless bombardment causing explosions.
The hierarchical master's fall had begun.
***
Kwang!!!
Kwang!!!
Kwang!!!
Kwang!!!
The Lich King was relentlessly pushed back.
It tried to approach and use its instant death aura, but it could barely stand in place, let alone draw near.
"Wh-what kind of power is this."
Black blood streamed from its entire body.
It meant it was taking massive damage in real-time.
—H-health is!!!
The possessor dwelling within the Lich King noticed it.
Come unto me!!!
The Lich King called forth sacrifices to recover.
However, a golden barrier blocking the sacrifices cut off the Lich King's power.
"How is this possible!"
—What is this!
Both the Lich King's and the possessor's consciousness were simultaneously shocked.
Even with desperate efforts, the sacrifices wouldn't budge.
'The sacrifices in such a state—.'
Moreover, the sacrifices, who should have been terrified, were too busy paying homage to God.
"Holy One!!!"
The sacrifices protected by the barrier.
They all praised the Holy Knight and bowed their heads.
At the end, the Holy Knight wrapped in sacred relics was visible.
"Please save us!!!"
Tens of thousands of people within the barrier.
Among them, refugees from the kingdom poured forth desperate prayers toward Erik, prostrating themselves completely.
It was only natural—salvation was descending upon those destined to die as sacrifices.
"We witnessed a miracle!!!"
The sacred barrier Erik created.
It was truly God's power, so it deserved to be called a miracle.
Of course, the possessors also felt awe toward Erik's power.
Though the direction of their reverence differed slightly, the admiration and respect toward supreme power was the same.
"Th-that's below 10% health!"
"It burned through 1.5 billion?"
It was insane power.
Just swinging a hammer from a distance, and the Lich King, several dozen meters in size, was flattened to the ground.
"Is that a sacred relic-grade equipment……."
In reality it was called a sacred relic, but regardless, there was reason why it was considered graduation gear.
Kwang!!!
A hammer that transmitted shock waves at distant range along with tremors.
O frozen realm!!!
The hierarchical master used all its power, but everything was overwhelmed by the power of the other sacred relics.
"The summoned creatures just… disappear……."
Death Knights and the like dissolved the moment they approached the sacred wall surrounding the Holy Knight.
The divinity was steadily becoming more solid.
Moreover, whenever the Lich King tried to approach even slightly, the sacred magic circle on the ground exploded, emitting divine shock waves.
"Th-but can this even be done?"
"Why?"
At this point, another concern began to arise.
Some possessors who had cooperated with the kingdom thought about where this land was.
'This is Garcian Kingdom, and over there is Almanism Church, abandoned by the kingdom.'
In this world, the existence of nations had clear purposes.
So then.
"The kingdom's guardians might step forward?"
"They won't stop anyway. Look at that vicious face."
The Holy Knight's face, swinging the hammer mindlessly and relentlessly, looked like an atrocious criminal.
"That guardian would probably kill them right away too?"
"Then the royal family would step forward."
"The royal family too……. That's, well."
Suddenly, the thought occurred that this situation had become a national issue.
A fallen kingdom.
Not only the king but even the guardians had fallen to the bottom.
"Even if fallen, their power remains the same, right?"
"Moreover……. That Lich King is technically a Border Marquis."
In other words, the current situation wasn't simply a Holy Knight killing a black mage.
It might appear as an outsider attacking the kingdom's Border Marquis.
"Uh-uh?"
Their concern quickly became reality.
From far away in the direction of the royal palace, a long spear was shot.
The spear, like a flash, was lodged in front of the Lich King.
Kwaaaaaaa!
A fierce wave pushing back the earth erupted, and dust swirled in all directions.
Overlapping with the gray haze created by the Lich King, visibility dropped to nothing.
Harsh cold and the stench of death intertwined.
A sight that made clear this land was [Land of Death].
Whoosh!
From that darkness, a woman wielded a spear shaft.
The dust swirling around dissipated, and the battlefield's center became clear.
Skretch!
A woman with a ponytail rode up, pulling the spear shaft she came with and pointing it at the Holy Knight.
Reddish-brown hair and sharp eyebrows.
A muscular woman standing 2 meters tall.
She spoke.
"I don't know who you are, but I would appreciate it if you stopped oppressing the Garcian Kingdom's nobility any further."
The woman emanated a threatening aura toward the man surrounded by sacred relics.
Ku-woong!
The atmosphere vibrated with power.
Evidence that she had transcended the wall—a distant expert.
Then a response came.
Kwang!!!
It was hammer swinging.
Black blood sprayed from behind the woman.
The Lich King, pressed flat to the ground, was truly on the verge of death.
The woman shouted again.
"Almanism Church, stop right there."
Swish!
At that threatening word, the Holy Knight Erik lifted his head.
Then he started swinging the hammer again.
Kwang!!!
Then an angry shout was heard.
"You bastard!!! How dare you ignore the words of the Royal Guard's Captain!?"
Erik's eyes narrowed.
'The reason the Royal Guard stepped forward was because they appointed the Lich King as Border Marquis.'
The kingdom's corruption was undeniable.
And the woman's existence was dangerous as well.
One of the six loyal guards of Garcian Kingdom's royal family.
'The monsters called the Kingdom's Six Swords have fallen to the bottom—.'
Erik stared at the ponytailed woman's eyes.
Clearly etched six lines.
Those who took on the role of the kingdom's swords had fallen to the depths.
"His Majesty understands Almanism Church's frustration and has decided to show mercy. If you leave after this, we'll make it disappear—."
Erik cut off the woman's words.
"Why would trash playing noble games make me stop?"
And he swung the hammer again.
Erik drove the Lich King to the brink of death.
'Health is below 5%.'
The red smoke surrounding the Lich King soon indicated its health had dropped below 10%, and the color was steadily deepening—meaning the creature's life would end soon.
"You bastard!!!"
Through the roar of [Punishment], the woman's angry shout was heard.
Only then did Erik ask a question.
"Why does a bug that hasn't even fulfilled its duty dare claim to be king and noble?"
To that question, the woman shouted.
"Kings and nobles are those who rule. It's not strange for those who rule like the Empire to take on the role of labyrinth cleaner."
"Is that so?"
Erik turned his gaze away indifferently.
Then he started swinging the hammer again.
The woman threatened but did not attack.
Perhaps there was some reason for it.
'The finishing blow is soon.'
Erik's gaze turned toward the flattened Lich King.
Above its massive body, red haze wavered.
Dark as fresh blood.
"Why do you persist to the very end?"
Finally, the woman pulled out her spear.
Her momentum was fierce.
The feeling was clear—if he swung the hammer again, she would counterattack.
Enduring that threat entirely, Erik lifted the hammer.
And he spoke.
"If I kill the black mage descended as hierarchical master, will you grant me the reward for conquering the layer?"
With these words as the last, Erik swung the hammer down.
***
Kwang!!!
The round table shook violently.
The leader of the Allied Nations, First Seat of the Round Table.
Verdi Reinhardt brushed back her gray hair and muttered.
"What is this disgrace? Are you saying that because I've lost power, you'll act recklessly among yourselves?"
The seasoned leader of the Allied Nations.
A true unified ruler who merged 11 kingdoms into one.
Her wrath was heavy.
Verdi glared at the man sitting to her right.
"Kallian, you acted favorably toward possessors, and now you're casting a dissenting vote? What's this?"
Then Kallian, the leader of the 2nd Kingdom, bowed his head.
"No matter what, the Round Table is meaningful because there are 11 seats, but adding one more seat here doesn't seem appropriate."
The agenda of this Round Table meeting was to create a 12th seat and have a possessor sit as its leader.
"Kallian, what is the national policy of our Allied Nations?"
"Coexistence and cooperation."
The Allied Nations sought change to adapt to the powerful Empire and a world in flux.
Three principles established for this purpose.
First, 11 small to mid-sized kingdoms becoming truly one.
Second, guaranteeing the free activities of Almanism Church.
Third, treating possessors equally as humans and citizens.
"Then why do you block the possessor's voting rights?"
"Your Majesty, please spare the jokes……."
At Kallian's words, Verdi's anger subsided.
She suddenly burst into laughter as if seized by mania.
"Kekeke! I don't think badly of it at all. What's wrong with giving the possessor 12 seats—."
"Your Majesty, I will persuade them properly."
The atmosphere changed abruptly.
Yet as if by agreement, all members of the Round Table burst into laughter.
Watching this, Gilma, the representative of the possessors, frowned.
'Are they mocking me?'
She had made many efforts in a short time to gain the Allied Nations' recognition.
She even unfolded game knowledge and implemented possessor civilizations.
She had built a separate force on top of that.
'Me, receiving treatment as a mere prop and being mocked?'
She was furious.
Thus, after the Round Table was adjourned, she intended to formally protest to the Chief.
It was supposed to be that way……
Kwang!
"Gilma, you crazy bitch? No, are all of you out of your minds?"
The Chief suddenly grabbed Gilma by the collar and expressed his rage.
Then Yoon Hye-ji, standing beside him, was startled and grabbed the Chief's arm.
"Chief —! P-please calm down!!"
The Chief was still furious.
"You insane bastards, what you're trying to do is treason!"
At those words, Gilma shot a fierce glare.
She shook off the Chief's hand and straightened her disheveled suit.
"Chief, you act as the 2nd-in-command of the Allied Nations, yet you call us traitors—I truly don't understand."
The Chief is the first possessor to be a necromancer.
He had lived in this world for decades and even obtained the body of a 2nd Kingdom leader, acting the role.
'This is quite the double standard.'
Gilma found it absurd that such a being called her a traitor.
"Aren't you not only acting as the leader of the 2nd Kingdom but also as influential nobles in various regions? We're told some roles are shared with us now, but."
The Chief, by alternating multiple bodies, had influence across all 11 kingdoms, large and small.
Why would such a person speak of treason?
At Gilma's anger, the Chief sighed.
"Sigh. You truly don't understand this world at all. Follow me."
He led the group deep into the headquarters.
The possessors' residence was an underground bunker.
The Chief led them to the deepest part of it.
"Th-this is!"
In that deep place lay a vast cavity, and within it were countless bodies.
"Anti-government forces, nobles, merchants……. Those are Empire-side personnel!"
These were bodies that could influence continental affairs, not just the Allied Nations.
Pointing to those bodies, the Chief spoke.
"I stopped. No, I had no choice but to stop. You can quit of your own will, so I'm stopping you now."
After that, the Chief brought up the names of Saint Erik and Jang Du-sik.
"Park Ji-hun, don't be reckless about bringing in that Jang Du-sik."
Hadn't his body—Kallian's—just not caught the man's movements?
'Getting entangled with the source of a nation is extremely dangerous.'
It would be far more productive and safe to become obsessed with Park Ji-hun instead.
The Chief brought up something to divert Gilma's attention.
"Saint Erik and Janson's whereabouts became unclear after they stopped by the slums of Peran, and Jang Du-sik led some woman and child toward Astia Religious Order."
"What?"
"Thanks to Erik disappearing, I could eavesdrop on Du-sik's doings in detail."
Gilma's eyes widened.
"He came with a woman and a child?"
"Seemed to be Du-sik's ex-lover and their child from back then."
Gilma bit her lip.
Drip, drip! blood flowed.
"Eh? Sister! I had a similar situation with my former-former boyfriend."
Then Yoon Hye-ji shouted.
From when she dated brother several years older.
"Your brother's ex-girlfriend came with a child and eventually you broke up, right?"
"No, that's not it. Ji-hun-ie wouldn't do that. It's definitely something from his body before possession."
Gilma's brow furrowed.
"So, Chief, Du-sik is currently at Astia Religious Order, right?"