Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Save Me Through Death (1)>
Only after hearing the name in full did I become certain. The author of the red-covered magic book was the giant standing before my eyes.
―The only ones who may punish me are two: my mother and my brother. Come! Come! Brother!
I felt a subtle emotion.
When one thought about it, Anaye had been my benefactor.
What mattered most to me was a peaceful daily life. A kind of ordinary life I had never once experienced while living in the modern world—I felt it here because of Anaye.
‘A benefactor indeed.’
There was no dizziness, no fear of losing my memories, no nauseating waves tormenting me endlessly. All of it had been thanks to Anaye’s skill.
Naturally, I had been grateful, and I willingly established the Anaye Order as His Apostle.
“This is strange.”
Oddly enough, I did not feel anger. Even after seeing the one who had killed the god I believed in while He was alive, no fury rose within me.
“Grant salvation through death!”
Anash swung his greatsword toward me as I merely looked up at him.
I swung my club toward the blade that cleaved heavily through the air.
―Kwoong.
A massive shockwave pushed us apart, and the force neither of us could fully absorb burst outward into the surroundings.
Anash, large and heavy, stood firm. I, however, was flung far back. Realizing the true meaning of the sentence the Holy Brush had shown me, I steeled my fighting spirit.
“Kh!”
I groaned as I struck the barrier and fell. Both of my arms tingled painfully.
If not for Adaptive Body, my arms would have exploded the moment we collided.
“Student Davide!”
The Vice-Commander grew anxious. This was someone considered the strongest within the Poison Swamp.
In the end, she drew up all the magic power she could muster. She ordered the Imperial Knight Order to destroy the barrier and began preparing her spell.
“Do you understand? Truly, it is a beautiful form worthy of love.”
Anash looked overwhelmed with emotion.
I let out a hollow laugh and adjusted my grip on the club.
According to what I had heard from Winter, giants were a race that generally lived eternal lives without dying, and thus they regarded death itself as salvation.
“You’ve worked hard.”
I was not an emotional man who would be swayed by being called ‘brother.’ Yet, Anash felt strangely familiar to me.
I steadied my momentum and took a combat stance.
“Let us join in.”
Sensing my resolve, Canis also drew up her magic power. A vast surge of magic bloomed in the air.
Feeling it, I glanced back briefly before turning my gaze to Anash again. The giant stood firm, waiting for me.
“I shall kill the one who dared to slay our god.”
I struck my chest twice and pulled out the pouch.
Anash grasped his greatsword with both hands and assumed his stance.
I surged forward powerfully. Lightning coiled around my body as I skimmed low across the ground. Anash drew his massive greatsword straight down vertically.
Kukwoong.
The force contained in the greatsword as it struck the ground was immense, and in an instant, the earth itself overturned.
Using the chunks of earth that had burst upward as footholds, I rushed in, weaving past the debris.
―Indeed. It is a nostalgic power.
I swung my lightning-clad club with all my strength.
Anash extended his left hand, the one not holding the sword.
His fist collided with my club. The steadfast Anash was pushed back two steps.
―One. But it is still far from enough.
I was thrown far away and regained my stance with a breakfall. Blood soaked both my hands, unable to withstand the recoil.
My eyes blazed fiercely. Seeing the bravery with which I charged at someone stronger than myself, and the lightning coiling around me as if to protect my body, Anash smiled.
“You shouldn’t be smiling!”
My own eyes gleamed as I watched him. My breathing grew rough from the competitive spirit swelling throughout my body.
With a sharp snap of my fingers, the Candela I had laid in advance beneath Anash exploded. Around twenty Candelas spewed massive lightning, heating the surroundings intensely.
―Brother. You too are one who has received the power of lightning. But I as well am one who has received the power of lightning. Just as you do not suffer harm from lightning, neither do I.
The heat was enough to melt an ordinary boulder in an instant. It was so intense that even the shattered glass marbles melted away without a trace.
Yet Anash burst through the smoke without a single wound. I had done it just in case, but seeing that it caused no damage left me dumbfounded.
“Winter should have been here.”
I calmed the surging exhilaration within me. This was not merely an enjoyable fight.
In name, it was a place of revenge—and at the same time, a place of salvation. I realized I had to approach it more seriously.
―Boom. Boom, boom.
―Dududududu.
There was nothing more foolish than losing focus in the middle of battle. Yet I could not help but turn my eyes at the continuous thunderous crashes behind me.
Relentless powerful magic was striking the barrier. The massive crystal created by Canis fell from above, and the countless spears of ice formed by the Vice-Commander shot forth without pause.
“What is atonement?”
―It was waiting for you, who would appear in the future.
Turning my head back, I asked Anash. It was to catch my breath.
Anash let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes.
The sins of his past filled his chest. His voice, heavy with guilt, spoke no further than that.
“How long?”
―Approximately 1,200 years.
I clicked my tongue. Anyone would go mad if forced to live for 1,200 years without being able to die. I admired his astonishing mental fortitude.
“I covet what’s on your back.”
―This too was something I inherited. When one who is worthy to inherit it appears, it would be right to pass it down.
I stared at the wheel slowly rotating behind Anash’s back. The very same thing had been on Anaye’s back when I saw Him at the ash tree.
“Can’t you kill yourself?”
―I wish I could, but I cannot. My mother’s last act. I must carry out the final duty left to me along with the undeserved forgiveness she granted.
“To be killed by me?”
―It is the same meaning.
“Then… there’s no other way.”
The lightning I prided myself on was meaningless. Since we wielded the same power, it caused no real damage. Even when I tried to create an opening through sheer heat, his brutish defense endured it.
But I did not stop.
With a growl, I charged. If lightning was useless, then I would simply beat him until he died.
“A desperate struggle… is it.”
The Vice-Commander clenched her teeth.
The fight was brutal. The mere aftershock of the massive greatsword tore at my flesh. I pressured Anash with nimble movements, narrowly avoiding fatal blows.
“You’re slow!”
For some reason, Anash’s reaction speed was incredibly slow. Yet despite that, the way he read and responded to my movements showed ample experience.
Still, he allowed several beast-like irregular attacks through. Slow, but steadily, I accumulated damage.
“What monstrous endurance.”
Even so, the situation was not favorable.
The club in my hand failed to inflict effective damage on Anash.
I swung consecutive blows strong enough to send his heavy body recoiling. Even when he was knocked back, he regained his stance with a breakfall and blocked the follow-up strikes.
“I could puke.”
Even merely blocking, the aftershocks spread and gnawed at my body. Even when my attacks landed successfully, they left no significant wounds on Anash.
And even if a wound did form on that rock-like body, it healed in no time.
―Your skill is lacking. But I can feel your unwavering will.
“Shut up.”
Struck by Anash’s fist and sent flying into the barrier, I forced myself back up.
My body was already drenched in blood.
I spat out the blood filling my mouth. Then I pulled out the blood-stained crystal dagger from my chest and tossed it toward the barrier as if it no longer interested me.
“You said lightning doesn’t work anyway.”
I opened my left palm upward.
A faint light gathered within it, forming the Holy Scripture. For a brief moment, Anash caught the nostalgic scent and flinched.
From the Holy Scripture, I drew out the Lightning Spike of Anaye.
Just from the aftershocks of our clash, my health had been shaved away, and the few punches and kicks I had taken directly had already devastated my stamina.
“At full power.”
I had thought I would never lose to anyone in terms of stamina, but Anash’s attacks were relentless. Because of that, the Lightning Spike grew even clearer.
―Ohhh! Come! O lightning of judgment!
The moment he saw the Lightning Spike, Anash grew wildly excited and charged.
Gritting my teeth, I rushed forward as well.
The current imbued with Divine Power formed a ten-meter blade.
Leaping high, I brought the Lightning Spike down with all my strength.
―Kiiiiing.
Anash, who had been charging at me, dragged his greatsword along the ground before swinging it upward.
A bolt of lightning fell, triggering a violent explosion.
An intense burst of light filled the lake of the Poison Swamp. My companions, who had been tirelessly casting magic and hammering at the barrier with their weapons, squeezed their eyes shut.
“…Huh?”
When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw the lake gouged deeply inward—and Anash embedded within it.
A Water Spear, rotating endlessly, was lodged in his chest.
The Water Spear I had received from Bereninche at the auction house had pierced through Anash’s hardened body and inflicted meaningful damage.
“Well, I’ll be.”
The lake had long since evaporated from the intense heat. Anash rose from his place, scattering the scorching air with a mere sweep of his arm.
There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation.
He was like a fortress wall.
After spinning countless times and finally exhausting its strength, the Water Spear vanished.
Watching Anash stand up unharmed, I let out a baffled sigh of admiration.
“I see. So it’s regeneration.”
I clicked my tongue irritably.
The hole in his chest, blackened and bleeding, was rapidly sealed as the wheel behind him spun ferociously.
It wasn’t that damage didn’t go through—it was that the moment he took damage, he recovered.
The wheel was a kind of recovery item.
“I’ll beat you until your stamina runs dry.”
Steeling my resolve once more, I adjusted my grip on the club.
The compatibility was bad, but I had no intention of stopping.
With a shout bordering on a scream, I rushed forward.
In response, Anash let out a thunderous battle cry.
The shockwaves created by our two weapons devoured each other violently.
The club I had been gripping with clenched teeth was knocked from my hands by the latest clash.
“Ghk!”
At last, my grip gave out under the impact.
Without dwelling on losing the club, I immediately manifested another Water Spear.
The Water Spear, caught in my bloodied hand, greedily devoured the blood and turned crimson.
My gauntleted fist collided with the greatsword Anash brought down.
“Uaaah!”
Though it seemed my fist might be torn apart, it held firm.
At some point, massive crystal branches that had burst out behind me blocked Anash’s greatsword.
―Interference!
Enraged by the third party’s involvement, Anash discarded his greatsword and clenched his fist.
At the same time, I hurled the Water Spear in my left hand with all my strength.
The Water Spear faltered for a brief moment against Anash’s hardened fist, then roared as if in fury and began spinning violently.
Soon, it tore through that solid fist and pierced straight through his arm.
“What—such tenacity!”
Canis, who had provided timely support, stared in shock at Anash’s sheer will.
Anash’s eyes were filled with the will to fight.
But before he could act, yet another Water Spear pierced his chest.
Moments later, massive chunks of ice fell from the sky, clamping onto his limbs.
―…How unsightly.
My blood blocks magic.
The barrier surrounding the lake was also maintained by magic.
The crystal dagger I had thrown away carelessly was drenched in my blood.
Canis had controlled the dagger she created to open a gap in the barrier, and through that gap, the Vice-Commander forcibly tore it wider with her magic.
“Ah… damn, that hurts.”
I shook my body to dispel the numbness.
My entire body tingled.
The desperate struggle ended with the intervention of Canis and the Vice-Commander.
Frozen by the Vice-Commander’s ice magic, Anash forced his body to move.
―Thud.
Though his arms and legs shattered and broke apart, Anash crawled forward regardless.
After roughly wiping the blood from my face, I gestured to Canis.
With a stiff expression, she formed a crystal sword and handed it to me.
“There’s a lot I want to ask.”
I slowly approached Anash, whose limbs had been frozen and broken.
Anash greeted me with a savage smile.
―I have waited for this moment.
“I was lacking. I couldn’t face you entirely on my own.”
―I am only grateful for the consideration.
I raised the crystal sword.
“Any last words?”
―A final testament does not suit one so lacking in virtue. But advice is another matter.
With his entire body crumbled, Anash could no longer move properly.
The wheel that had been spinning fiercely to restore his stamina had also stopped.
―You are loved by the star. The you I met used astrology.
“I’ll gratefully accept the advice.”
After saying that, Anash closed his eyes.
I swung the crystal sword toward Anash’s neck.
―My thanks……
Before he could finish speaking, Anash’s head fell.
Only then did the wheel that would have regenerated his body freeze over and shatter into pieces.
▶[Faith Quest: Legacy]
Anaye wishes for His first child to find His legacy.
1. Circle of Reincarnation: Secured.
2. Sword of the Guarding Obelisk: Not Secured.
3. Eye of the Long Slumber: Not Secured.
4. Carrion’s Zoetrope: Not Secured.
5. Promise of the Great Ash Tree: Secured.
The shattered fragments of the wheel transformed into a cluster of light and were absorbed into my body.
After a long while, a system notification appeared.
I confirmed what had changed.
Circle of Reincarnation. Secured.
I spat out the blood pooled in my mouth.