RKP 481-490
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481화
Whoosh. Crackle.
Lucifer's body was engulfed in azure flames.
He was trying to extinguish the Dragonslaying Sword embedded in his body.
But unexpectedly,
the Dragonslaying Sword withstood Lucifer's resistance.
Rather, it displayed a bizarre ability to cause backflow, absorbing both divine and demonic power.
It wasn't just a matter of the sword's durability being strong.
Assimilation.
The immense power of the Archdukes was being concentrated through the Dragonslaying Sword.
Only then could he objectively see the situation he was in.
No wonder the Archdukes' power felt different from that in the Personal Space, that artificial dimension.
[You've undone the Lower Realm King's spell.]
The Lower Realm King's arrangement had suppressed the beings of the Lower Realm for ages.
Occasionally, an Archduke would temporarily break free from the spell's power, risking a drastic fall.
But this was the first time all the Archdukes were showing such a thing.
And the medium for it was the sword stuck in his body.
Clench.
Lucifer grasped the Dragonslaying Sword that was rampaging within his body.
As if not allowing anyone who wasn't its master to touch it.
Just holding it caused the resonant power of the Archdukes to surge in.
Weakening using the authority of Enhancement.
Degradation using the authority of Evolution.
Emission using the authority of Absorption.
In addition to these, there was mental weakening, mana drain, and more.
Various authorities revealed themselves, trying to infiltrate in various forms.
Each one was insignificant on its own,
but when they were all concentrated, they were comparable to his own cherished sword, Pride.
[For a mere weapon made by humans to approach a divine weapon.]
A weapon made by humans, refined and completed by dwarves.
He was curious about the future their harmony would bring.
When Lucifer raised the authority of Regeneration, the ominous authorities were suppressed.
The onslaught of the Archdukes, who had been knocked back, continued.
Clang clang clang!
Gilfer's thorns clashed with the Dragonslaying Sword, making a metallic sound.
Orgal's fist, having strengthened his entire body, struck the giant body, exploiting the gap.
Bang!!
Immense Strength.
Orgal wasn't the only one who possessed that power.
Swinging his sword overhead was instinct.
Bang!!!
Typhon's double-edged axe, which had approached unnoticed, struck and sent the Dragonslaying Sword flying.
[How boisterous.]
Bang!!!
He wielded Pride to block Typhon's attack, which was once again aiming for his neck.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Unlike Orgal's bare fists, his arm felt numb every time they clashed.
It was a weapon used by an Archduke.
Typhon's double-edged axe was comparable to the Dragonslaying Sword.
[Finally using his head.]
Rozaria, who had caught the Dragonslaying Sword that had been knocked away by a tentacle, praised Typhon.
[Puhahaha. If only this body was... Keuk!!]
Typhon, who had been elated by her praise, was kicked away by Lucifer.
This time, he was in a defenseless state.
It seemed it would take quite a while for him to return, having been knocked to the edge of Sky Castle.
[What am I supposed to do with this idiot?]
She handed the sword to Taehyun,
clicking her tongue.
"He's consistently good to see, what about it."
Taehyun, who was holding the sword, poured in mana.
Tting.
[The precursor to Skill Evolution(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
The deep azure mana covering the Dragonslaying Sword burned briefly.
The manifested authority rapidly restored the presence of the eight Archdukes.
It was less powerful than when used alone, but this kind of usage was also possible.
Similarly,
[Skill Deep Sea Rampage(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
[Skill Primal Element(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
[Skill Ruler of Desire(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
[Skill Dragon's Wrath(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
[Skill Demon King's Saliva(???) has been activated. Identifying the target.]
He once again strengthened the Archdukes, who had cast aside the Lower Realm King's spell and started using their original powers.
[A truly strange feeling.]
Rozaria, who was watching the battle from the side, said so.
The weakest of the Archdukes.
She was now wielding the authorities of other Archdukes through her contractor, so she had a strange feeling.
The emotion was more than just a new feeling.
"It's too early to be surprised at this level."
Even with so many authorities stacked, Lucifer was calmly parrying the onslaught.
He was an even greater monster than expected.
Taehyun muttered quietly.
[I agree. It seems like the contractor needs to step in soon. They're not used to coordinating with someone. The balance will break soon.]
Taehyun nodded at Elven's words echoing in his head.
Lucifer was currently focused on defense due to the Archdukes' relentless attack,
but the patterns that those who didn't coordinate could show were limited.
The moment those patterns were read, Lucifer's counterattack would begin.
Just like.
'Right now.'
Slash.
One of Orgal's arms, who was attacking Lucifer with Gilfer, was completely severed.
It was a counterattack that occurred in a situation where they thought they were pushing him back,
so Orgal stopped his attack and distanced himself.
'To cut through a strengthened body so easily?'
Not only that.
Orgal's arm, which had been severed and was burning with azure flames, was not regenerating.
Orgal's eyebrows twitched at the unexpected power.
On the other hand, Lucifer's arms and wings, which Orgal had broken and Gilfer had cut, seemed to have been completely regenerated.
[I'm starting to see them. Your full-of-holes bodies. Also.]
The divine power overflowing from Lucifer's body exploded throughout Sky Castle.
Azure flames erupted where the divine power touched.
[The future where I will place you beneath my feet is approaching.]
Lucifer's body soared into the air.
He slashed the air with the gray demonic power residing in Pride.
Following the slashed space, radiance erupted, and azure flames spread.
As that range widened,
Lucifer's presence also began to rise.
With a single strike, he had cut away the Lower Realm King's spell that had been binding his body.
'He's... getting stronger...?'
Taehyun hardened his face and strengthened his skills.
Tting.
[Skill Nightmare King's Eye(???) has been strengthened. Mana consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill Eye of the Absolute(???) has been strengthened. Divine power consumption is accelerated.]
He had lost the Eye of the Sun, and a considerable amount of divine power had been taken away,
but it didn't mean he couldn't use skills that had already been registered.
Crimson eyes and azure eyes.
The two values revealed next to Lucifer were clearly visible in Taehyun's eyes, which shone with heterochromia.
2 million mana and 1.1 million divine power.
Both powers exceeded expectations.
'Is the divine power because he took the Eye of the Sun?'
Taehyun bit his lip, regretting the mistake of helping Lucifer grow.
The eye of Ra, also called the Sun God.
It was a power that had been granted to him only once.
Lucifer was digesting that power and wielding it as if it were his own authority.
Hajard's Breath and Jormungandr's Demonic Sea.
Their special moves, which were constantly being restrained, were being nullified by the azure flames, failing to inflict even a little shock.
'I need to wait a little longer.'
Just as Lucifer had seen through the Archdukes' coordination,
Taehyun also needed to grasp the patterns of his prey.
The bait he had prepared for this moment was the Archdukes.
[Concentrate, Kim Taehyun!!]
Jormungandr, who shouted, strengthened his authority.
The Demonic Sea summoned through the gate flowed into Jormungandr's body.
His heterochromatic eyes, which had instantly reached 900,000 mana, flashed, and the endlessly increasing presence of the Fallen Angel stopped.
It was the price for hindering him.
Tsuzzz.
Tsuzzzz.
The materialized Balmung and Gram tore through Jormungandr's scales.
Kugugugung.
Hajard's presence pressed down on Lucifer and Jormungandr at the same time.
And so,
Kwaaaaaaa.
A huge amount of mana was compressed in her mouth.
Magi symbolizing the Dragon.
She was trying to create a mystic orb with that power.
[It never ends.]
Lucifer looked around and searched for Taehyun.
His face was so grim that he couldn't believe he was the same guy who had thrown the sword a moment ago.
'He's watching.'
He weakened his power in the Personal Space, then
'He was planning to deal with me outside.'
It was an obvious strategy, but a plausible plan.
He had narrowed the power gap to this extent, so it could be considered a success to some extent.
[As long as you're here, these guys don't seem to be giving up.]
In the end, it meant that he had to subjugate Kim Taehyun at all costs.
Hajard's presence and Jormungandr's Demonic Sea.
The two powers aiming for Lucifer collided, destroying the upper part of Sky Castle.
Hajard soared higher and shot a breath, and Lucifer followed behind.
Gilfer stood in front of the Fallen Angel to block him.
[The mobility of winged things is troublesome.]
So,
[You guys are the start.]
Under the red sky,
the battle of the Archdukes continued in the sky above Sky Castle.
The Absolute of the 7th Heaven, Loki.
A member of the 7th Heaven's owner Odin's clan and a renowned mage in the Upper Realm.
He couldn't close his gaping mouth at the battle unfolding before his eyes.
'The Archdukes... were they this strong...?'
The Archdukes who ruled the Lower Realm.
Facing them.
Watching their battles was not the first time for him.
He had fought several racial wars, and Loki still vividly remembered those experiences.
Mana, which was considered an impurity of divine power.
The difference coming from its inferiority could not be ignored.
Not only that.
Unlike the Lower Realm, the Upper Realm was relatively free from the laws of reincarnation.
Their growth would stop and degenerate if they didn't have a divine beast.
But the Celestials of the Upper Realm didn't need to experience the loss of their presence.
The difference that had been created in that way shouldn't be light.
'It's strange.'
He could understand Lucifer, who had been the owner of the 1st Heaven, using this much power.
Even if he was a Fallen One, he was a being who had received the blessing of the One God.
But the other Archdukes were different.
The power they were showing now was.
'At a level that surpasses most Absolutes of the Celestial Realm.'
Those Archdukes were working together to push Lucifer.
Those guys with such strong pride.
At the mere orders of a human?
'Why hasn't there been a report like this until now?'
Fortunately, Loki's divine power and Lucifer's demonic power were mixed together, so the Archdukes didn't recognize them.
The moment Lucifer showed a gap.
Loki was planning to undo the barrier and escape.
At that time.
Hajard's mystic orb and Jormungandr's Demonic Sea collided, shaking the area.
The shockwave was enough to blow away the ceiling of Sky Castle, and even Loki's steadfast barrier was shaken.
Just in time, a woman who looked like a fairy created a rift connected to a divine beast.
She was about to draw up mana, but it was a golden opportunity for Loki to replenish his divine power.
If these damn guys were too busy fighting to notice, he could pass through that rift and safely return to the Upper Realm.
The lives of the other three Absolutes were on his shoulders.
Loki cautiously watched for an opportunity.
And.
'Now. First of all, me...'
It was the moment when Loki partially released the barrier to connect to the divine beast.
A man who hadn't given this side a single glance.
The human who had been watching the battle between the Archdukes and Lucifer turned his head.
His mouth was smiling.
'Was he perhaps waiting?'
Even so, it was already too late.
The spells he used were something that even an Archduke couldn't handle....
It was a blink-of-an-eye movement.
"Hey."
Grab.
[......!!]
Taehyun grabbed Loki's arm as he busily moved his hands to cast a spell.
[What...]
"Do you have a personality problem?"
482
"Do you have a personality problem?"
How can you start a fight and then try to run away?
Startled by the accusing question, Loki quickly regained his composure.
[What nonsense….]
Regaining his senses, Loki tried to shake off Taehyun’s hand.
But.
Grip.
The grip on his arm was unusually strong.
[Let go, let go!!]
Loki's face distorted under the strength that surpassed even an Absolute Being.
He was born into Odin's lineage, a chosen being from birth.
His innate divine power was immense, and he had engaged in elegant battles as a renowned mage in the Celestial Realm.
Having hunted countless celestials and demons, he was not lacking in combat experience.
Living for eons, he had thoroughly trampled the weak and skillfully avoided the strong.
He had never felt lacking in doing so.
Not only was he torn apart by the power hidden by the disgraced former ruler of the Celestial Realm, but now he had to endure insults from a human.
The current situation was not only unfamiliar but also bewildering.
On the other hand, as Loki displayed his clumsy behavior, Taehyun's lips curled upward.
Loki's divine power, as seen by the skill 'Eyes of the Absolute,' was 600,000.
It wasn't a small amount, but it wasn't enough to overwhelm Taehyun.
More than anything.
'His physical strength is pathetic.'
He could immediately tell that Loki was the type like Rozaria, who avoided close combat.
He glanced around.
He could only vaguely sense Loki's spells and Lucifer's magic mixed together.
'The other three are definitely here too.'
If he devoured Loki immediately, he might miss the other three.
Taehyun wanted to claim all three Absolute Beings that Lucifer had captured.
"It seems too much to handle alone. Why don't you bring out the others?"
He would release the barrier protecting the other Absolute Beings and let them struggle.
He provoked him like that.
[You crazy human bastard….]
Not Lucifer, the former ruler of the Celestial Realm, nor the Archdukes who reigned supreme in the Lower Realm, but merely a human who had allied with the Archdukes.
How dare a being with such lowly roots command an Absolute Being of the Upper Realm?
Loki felt a rising sense of nausea and roared.
Still, he was being held by Taehyun.
'This guy hasn't come to his senses yet.'
Smack.
Following Taehyun's hand, Loki's face snapped to the side.
[Huh…?]
Smack. Smack. Smack.
[Ah….]
Only after his head had turned three more times in succession did he realize what had happened to him.
A human at the bottom of the food chain.
Had slapped the cheek of an Absolute Being, a being called a god.
This had never happened in the long history of Asgard, and it was an event that should never happen again.
"Slow on the uptake."
'It would be troublesome if he resisted.'
Taehyun thought, keeping his eyes fixed on Loki.
He had his Eye of the Sun stolen in the personal space.
As a result, his divine power had decreased, while Lucifer had instantly digested it and was using invincible power.
That's why he was planning to replenish his lost divine power by using the Absolute Beings.
'If I could devour just two of them, I think I could manage somehow.'
The problem was Loki's barrier, which even Lucifer couldn't touch.
Unlike the Archdukes he had faced several times, he lacked information about the Absolute Beings of the Upper Realm.
He couldn't be sure what variables might arise if he gave them even a small opening.
"This guy is an individualist."
With the continued insults, Loki's face became so hideous that it couldn't distort any further.
'If only my staff was intact…'
The divine artifact bestowed directly by Odin.
If only that was intact, he would have completed the spell before suffering this humiliation.
But now, looking for the artifact that Lucifer had already destroyed would be a foolish endeavor.
Loki gritted his teeth and revealed his fighting spirit.
He wanted to use magic to grind the guy in front of him to dust, but the situation was not favorable.
Unlike what he called a lowly species.
'This guy is not ordinary.'
He had already confirmed with his own eyes that the guy possessed power equivalent to an Archduke.
Loki glanced sideways.
The three Absolute Beings who had survived in this dangerous zone thanks to his barrier.
They were sending him looks as if urging him to release the barrier quickly.
They meant to deal with Kim Taehyun together.
Loki shook his head.
The opponent was provoking him now.
To get him to release the barrier.
No matter how much he had lost his reason, he wasn't foolish enough to fall for the opponent's obvious trick.
He loaded his fighting spirit with killing intent and unleashed his divine power.
'Look at this?'
The Archdukes of the Lower Realm and the Absolute Beings of the Upper Realm.
All arrogant fellows.
Having been born with great power, he thought they would immediately fall for it if he just scratched their temper a little.
[Don't underestimate the Absolute Being of Asgard, insignificant being.]
Whoosh.
Radiance.
Divine power surged from Loki's body as he regained his senses.
Even if he wasn't in a normal state after being attacked by Lucifer, if he just stood still and took it, it could cause a backlash.
'Lucifer, that bastard. Should have crushed him properly.'
Without caring that he was trying to steal the prey.
Taehyun unleashed his magic to meet him.
Tring.
[Skill True Blood(???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill Energy Drain(???) has been activated.]
Kiiiii-.
Tsuzzz.
The divine power that Loki was emitting flowed straight into the mana stone.
[Absorbed a massive power.]
[Divine power has increased by 1.]
A welcome message popped up as he tasted the divine power of the Absolute Being for the first time in a while.
[……!!]
Loki's face became even more grotesque as Taehyun sucked up all the divine power he unleashed.
Bastard. Don't underestimate me.
The radiance intensified for a moment.
Tring.
[Skill Heart of the Great Demon(???) has been activated.]
[Skill Heart of the Demon Beast(???) has been activated.]
[Skill Ruler of Desire(???) has been activated.]
Kiiii-.
Kaaaa-.
Whoosh.
Along with the three mana stones emitting a thunderous roar, dark blue magic enveloped Loki.
"Barrier. Release it."
[…Get… out… of… here… insignificant… being….]
Loki resisted with difficulty.
'He's got more grit than he looks.'
Taehyun thought that he needed to break him down a little more.
Taehyun unleashed the magic he had been saving with all his might.
Whoosh!!!
'What the hell is he…!!'
Loki's blue eyes shook violently at the magic that overwhelmed his divine power.
[Skill Ruler of Desire(???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill Eyes of the Dream Demon King(???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill Apocalypse(???) has been activated.]
[Skill Ataraxia(???) has been activated.]
[Skill Blessing of the Fairy(???) has been activated.]
[A massive power awakens.]
In the descending darkness, Taehyun's red eyes shone brightly.
This was because a significant amount of stats had been converted into magic due to the Elven power.
The overflowing colorless magic enveloped Loki's entire body.
"Barrier. Release it."
It was a unilateral order.
[Ka… ack….]
Loki groaned at the magic that was messing with his mind.
The faces of the three Absolute Beings watching changed as if they couldn't believe it.
That was because the magic that Taehyun was using was not much different from what Lucifer had been using.
That meant that the moment Loki's barrier was released, they could also suffer a similar fate.
[That… guy…. Can dominate… the mind of… an Absolute Being….]
"I can."
Tring.
[Skill Ataraxia(???) has been enhanced.]
Thud.
Suddenly, Loki's groans stopped.
The face that had been distorted with pain gradually smoothed out.
His mind had been damaged by the massive magic.
The three Absolute Beings, Roan, Heimdall, and Set, couldn't hide their shock.
[……!!]
[Lo, Loki….]
[Crazy….]
It was a fleeting moment.
Taehyun had entered Loki's mental world, defeated him, and returned.
"Good boy, Loki. Release the barrier."
At the gentle command, the Absolute Being, who had been staring blankly into the air, moved his hand.
Sssss.
As the barrier was released and the figures of the three Absolute Beings appeared.
Shwaaa. Shwaaar.
Horrific chains bound them.
The Absolute Beings, bound by the chains of restraint, twisted their bodies.
[Let go!!]
[…You!!]
[Insignificant being… divine punishment will follow!!]
"Don't resist."
Taehyun clicked his tongue, looking weary.
That was because Loki's resistance in the mental world had been quite fierce.
'It's impossible to dominate all three of the remaining guys.'
Taehyun's understanding of divine power was not yet complete.
If he had used devouring from the beginning, there was a high possibility that he would not be able to completely devour the divine power.
Four exhausted Absolute Beings.
'This kind of opportunity is rare.'
The hesitation didn't last long.
"Igmune!!"
He called out to the Vampire Lord, who was struggling to deflect Lucifer's sword strikes.
Igmune's face distorted at Taehyun's attitude of nodding at him.
[You!! Don't call this noble being like that!!]
Igmune's red eyes, which had been shouting, reached the four Absolute Beings.
Loki, who was completely dominated by Taehyun's magic, and the three Absolute Beings who were resisting fiercely.
"Replenish."
[……!!]
That one word was enough to make him understand the situation.
The moment Igmune reached out his hand.
Puck!! Quack!! Kwak!!
Three blood swords pierced the three resisting Absolute Beings.
Kiiii-.
Kiiiing-.
In addition to the chains, crimson magic quickly drew out the divine power of the three Absolute Beings.
Tsuzzz.
Tsuzzzz.
[A quite delicious Absolute Being indeed!!]
Igmune felt the rapidly increasing magic and presence, and strengthened his power.
Following 'Blood Flower,' it was 'Rampage of Blood.'
The existence of the three Absolute Beings was shaken by the massive power.
[Good, good!!]
"Igmune, suck it up moderately!!"
He shouted at the rampaging Igmune and unleashed Rozaria's tentacles.
Pupu pu puk.
It was the moment when the purple tentacles pierced the bodies of the Absolute Beings except for Loki.
Tring.
[Skill Apostle of the Gate(???) is reacting.]
[Skill Eyes of the Absolute(???) is reacting.]
[Divine power is reacting.]
[Magic is reacting.]
[Massive power is mixing.]
Unlike Igmune, who absorbed divine power and converted it into magic.
Taehyun had been using them from the beginning to recover his lost divine power.
Various messages floated up for a moment.
[Skill Absolute Being-Horus(???) has been registered.]
'Bingo.'
A smile naturally spread across his face at the last message that appeared.
Hazad and Gilfer.
The two Archdukes, engulfed in azure flames, fell.
In return, one of Lucifer's arms was taken away forever.
It was not a bad deal.
Lucifer turned his head.
Taehyun and Igmune were absorbing the presence of the Absolute Beings he had captured.
They were the prey he had left to replenish his divine power.
[Tsk….]
If he left it like this, Kim Taehyun and Igmune would devour them all.
If it was them, who wielded the power of absorption, it would not be impossible to convert that power into magic and transfer it to other Archdukes.
He flapped his gray wings.
Bang!!!
He kicked away Orgal, who was charging at him.
Kwaang!!!
He countered Typhon's axe, which was rushing in without knowing his place.
Hwareuk!!!
He imprisoned Jormungandr, who was stubbornly clinging to him using the Sea of Magic, in a barrier of azure flames.
Jureureuk. Jureuk.
Hwareureuk. Hwareuk.
He burned the encroaching tentacles of Rozaria.
He could see Kim Taehyun's face, surprised by his divine might that was defeating the Archdukes with one hand.
Just as he was about to wield arrogance, 30 steps away.
A branch of the sacred tree summoned by Elven bound Lucifer's arm.
Tsuzzz!!
Hwareureuk!!
Lucifer burned away the blood sword that was attacking him with azure flames.
[How about this!!]
It was Igmune, who had increased his magic to 700,000 by absorbing the Absolute Being.
Kagagagak!!
Igmune's rampaging blood sword pushed back Lucifer's arrogance.
Just by briefly crossing swords, nearly 100,000 units of gray magic were consumed.
[That bastard to the end….]
[Kihikihikihik.]
Igmune burst into wild laughter at Lucifer's distorted face.
The rampaging mana stone was jumping around as if it would explode at any moment.
Lucifer.
He had cut down the strongest Archduke.
[This noble being will reach the pinnacle!!]
It was the moment he shouted that.
Lucifer, who had thrown away his sword.
Kwak!!
Gripped Igmune's neck with his one remaining hand.
Tsuzzzzzz!!
1 million units of gray magic wrapped around Lucifer's body.
[Kahahaha…!!]
Igmune resisted, spitting out crimson magic as if in desperation, but that was all it was.
[Someone like you is no match for me, you lowly demon.]
[You… kahahaha…!!]
Igmune gripped Lucifer's hand, which was grabbing his neck, with both hands and released his power.
Regeneration and absorption.
It was the moment when the two powers were about to start a tug-of-war.
Puck!!!
Kwak!!!
Piercing through Igmune's defenseless back.
Finally, a blue artifact pierced even Lucifer's chest.
The Dragonslayer Sword scattered massive energy.
[Cough….]
[Hahak….]
Lucifer and Igmune groaned in pain, as if competing to be the first.
And.
Taehyun, who appeared from behind Igmune.
"Don't touch my contractor."
He said, flashing his red eyes.
Episode 483
The sky fortress had a hole ripped through its roof.
Within it, beings at the pinnacle of their species cried out in moans of agony.
Hazard and Gilfer were among them, having lost their wings and sustained significant injuries.
So were Igmun and Lucifer, their bodies impaled by the Dragonslaying Sword and now experiencing a backlash.
Ding.
[Skill Dragon's Wrath(???) has been activated.]
[Skill Dragon's Wrath(???) has been enhanced.]
Hazard's authority flowed through the Dragonslaying Sword and into the two Archdukes.
[You crazy… bastard….]
Igmun tried to escape the Dragonslaying Sword piercing his body, but Taehyun's intent to devastate his insides was clear.
He screamed, but there was no chance to escape.
He could only curse and swear at his contractor.
Cough. Cough. Cough.
The one called the Lord of Blood vomited blood, unfittingly.
Lucifer wasn't in much better shape.
[To… do… something like this….]
Lucifer spoke with difficulty.
He wanted to curse like Igmun.
But he didn't have the strength to spare for that.
He had come out of his personal space and allowed a backlash twice.
He hadn't been careless.
It was just that Kim Taehyun's timing was too precise.
He's growing at a disturbingly rapid pace.
That was the assessment he had come to after a relentless battle.
Whether it was because of the power of the Underworld King.
Or whether the Underworld King had chosen such a being in the first place, one thing was certain.
'I can no longer guarantee victory.'
It wasn't just the spirit of the Dragon race that flowed through the Dragonslaying Sword.
All sorts of authorities that resonated with it flowed through at the same time in that short period.
Not just once, but twice.
Hazard and Gilfer had only managed to take one arm even after revealing their true power.
Kim Taehyun, without any particular shock, had successfully launched two attacks that could be considered fatal.
Sizzle.
Azure flames erupted from Lucifer's body.
The blessed body of the 1st Heavenly Realm was becoming a blue flame, distorting its shape.
Slither.
The Archangel's body began to slip out of the Dragonslaying Sword that seemed impossible to escape.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Ding.
[Unique Skill Devour(???) has been activated.]
Crack.
Crimson jaws revealed their teeth from beneath Igmun and Lucifer.
[……!!]
Igmun was momentarily startled by the jaws of Devour that had completely surrounded them.
[Cough… Stop…!! You damn… bastard!!]
Igmun coughed up blood and shouted hastily.
This wasn't just a threat.
If it was Kim Taehyun.
This guy who committed vile acts with an innocent face.
He knew that he would use Devour enough, regardless of his own safety.
His thought was correct.
"Don't be scared, Igmun."
A bitter smile appeared on Taehyun's lips.
He said he wasn't enough of a villain to disgrace his contractor.
Igmun wouldn't believe that.
[Bullshit….]
"Devour them."
[……!!]
At Taehyun's command, the gruesome jaws that had sufficiently widened their range tightened around Igmun and Lucifer.
Lucifer seemed quite surprised by Taehyun's attack, which didn't care about Igmun's safety.
[This… madman….]
His escape route was blocked while he hadn't completely escaped from the Dragonslaying Sword.
He knew that he couldn't completely escape from Devour in his current state.
Sizzle.
He maintained his body as a blue flame.
Whoosh.
He resisted the jaws of Devour with gray magic.
Chiiii.
During that brief moment, Lucifer, who had become the azure flame itself, was able to completely pull his body out of the Dragonslaying Sword.
The problem was.
Crunch. Crunch.
The gruesome jaws approached, easily chewing up the gray magic.
Tsszzzzzz.
Igmun belatedly summoned his authority.
Crimson magic formed a second shield behind the gray magic.
To think he was using his authority to survive from his contractor.
[How truly ridiculous!!]
That was when Lucifer shouted that and surrounded himself with a barrier of azure flame.
Crunch!!!
The jaws of Devour swallowed the three barriers whole.
Kim Taehyun, who had let go of the Dragonslaying Sword that he had used as a medium for Devour, distanced himself from the two Archdukes.
Ding.
[Unique Skill Devour(???) has been enhanced.]
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of the jaws devouring their prey rang out throughout the area.
[…….]
[…….]
Orgal and Jormungandr, who had been watching the scene, had hardened expressions.
It was because they thought they could be used by Taehyun in that way as well.
What if they had been in Igmun's place?
Just like Igmun.
There would have been no hesitation in using that power.
[What a crazy contractor.]
[…I agree.]
The two Archdukes, who had once joined hands, were calming their minds in the face of dread.
The jaws of Devour disappeared and the two Archdukes who had been swallowed revealed themselves.
The gray wings that had boasted a great presence had been torn apart and could no longer regenerate, and the one remaining arm also had bite marks all over it.
Igmun's condition was even more serious.
Both arms were gone, and the huge hole that the jaws of Devour had left in his torso was not being filled.
[Ku… ah….]
Tsszzzz… Tsszzzzzz.
Igmun tried to regenerate at super speed by summoning crimson magic.
But with his existence already significantly damaged, there was no sign of easy recovery.
Thud.
Lucifer kicked Igmun like that.
[Haa….]
Lucifer took a deep breath and looked around.
Orgal, who had lost both arms but still possessed a threatening body.
Typhon, who was yelling at the top of his lungs for injuring Rosaria.
Jormungandr, who hadn't yet drawn out the card of Divine Power Outburst.
Elven, who was drawing in the power of the Sacred Beast and condensing a huge amount of magic power.
Rosaria, who was trying to exploit the gap in mental control by linking up with Elven.
Those who had seemed like mere kids until just a moment ago felt a little burdensome now.
[Ha… hahaha….]
Lucifer laughed as he looked at his body that wouldn't regenerate.
Regeneration, the authority he had obtained with the single-minded determination to recover his original power after being disgraced.
That power was now useless.
Kim Taehyun and Igmun had recklessly pushed Hazard and Gilfer because they had forced themselves to eat the Absolutes.
It was the result of Kim Taehyun stirring up the injuries he had sustained in the process.
Lucifer stopped laughing and looked at Kim Taehyun.
To think he had taken this much damage even after taking the Eye of the Sun.
[The other guys in the Heavenly Realm would have a hard time avoiding ridicule if they saw this.]
"Don't worry. You were monstrous enough."
Taehyun answered, ignoring the curses spewing from Igmun's torso that Rosaria's tentacles had dragged over.
It had been a series of crises with a more powerful and difficult authority than any enemy he had ever faced.
If he hadn't used the Absolutes, if he hadn't put the Archdukes forward.
'If I had tried to face him alone.'
"I would have been inevitably defeated."
He didn't deny the fact that Lucifer was 'stronger' than him.
"But now I should start to finish it."
Two figures were visible in Taehyun's eyes.
Lucifer's magic and divine power, which had fallen to 500,000, were clearly visible.
He knew that was the maximum he could use now.
Taehyun's condition, who had been continuing the long battle, was also not good.
He could use magic power infinitely by using the sacred beast that had merged with Elven, and he had absorbed a considerable amount of divine power from the Absolutes.
Bringing in energy was not a problem.
'A rebound is coming soon.'
The risk of abandoning the Underworld King's sorcery and using immense power.
The balance of the battle would be broken the moment Taehyun fell.
[Did you digest the power of the Absolute?]
"I won't be able to do aerial combat with this."
[…….]
He answered Lucifer's question with a riddle.
The four Absolutes that Taehyun and Igmun had absorbed were currently hidden in Rosaria's personal space.
It would be troublesome if Lucifer recovered his power through them.
[You son of a bitch….]
Igmun, who was at his feet, spat out a curse.
"Igmun. You have to earn your keep."
If he had coveted that much of the Absolutes' existence, he wouldn't be disgraced.
Taehyun kindly whispered to him.
The Archdukes other than Hazard, Gilfer, and Igmun surrounded Lucifer.
Lucifer grasped Pride with his one remaining hand.
A huge power was unleashed, but the number didn't change much from 500,000.
"It seems like that's the limit."
The match would be decided the moment he allowed the Dragonslaying Sword one more time.
Taehyun asserted.
[Since when did you become someone who only runs his mouth?]
Crimson eyes and azure eyes.
Lucifer's eyes, having opened two eyes, twisted as he looked at two eyes that contained an existence similar to his own.
[Try to stop the sword of God.]
Whoosh.
From top to bottom.
Lucifer brought Pride down.
Ding.
[Skill Absolute-Horus(???) has been activated.]
[A great power awakens.]
It was instantaneous.
A bluish divine power like moonlight exploded, Pride split the beams of light, and.
Taehyun's Dragonslaying Sword, which had appeared with space teleportation, pierced Lucifer's back.
"You should have saved your last hidden card."
The moment Lucifer's knees buckled.
Kooong!!
The sky fortress completely crashed.
The fallen sky fortress.
Cody Cruz, who had been bounced off by Igmun's attack, mingled with Lucifer's retainers.
It wasn't difficult.
Because the eyes of all kinds of monsters were focused on the fallen sky fortress.
The fall of the sky fortress, which symbolized Lucifer's authority.
Those who were watching that moment weren't just Lucifer's retainers.
Succubus, Giants, Vampires, Demons, Magical Beasts, Sea Serpent, Dragon.
The species commanded by each Archduke's top retainers surrounded the sky fortress from a distance.
Kim Taehyun, the human who had stirred up the Lower Realm.
The moment he defeated the strongest Archduke of the Lower Realm.
He had captured in his eyes the great moment that would complete the last piece of the domain war.
Crunch. Crunch.
The jaws of Devour chewed the Archangel's Holy Name weapon.
Towards Lucifer's neck, who couldn't even use the boasted authority.
"Let's finish this now."
Taehyun swung the broken Dragonslaying Sword.
484
Hoo-oong.
[...]
Taehyun's broken Dragonslaying Sword passed through Lucifer's neck.
If the blade had been of its full length.
Or if he had supplemented the lacking length with mana.
It wouldn't have killed him, but it would have cut off about half of his neck.
It would have inflicted enough shock to tip the balance of the fight.
Lucifer was so battered that he couldn't even properly use his regeneration powers.
[...What are you doing?]
Lucifer quietly murmured.
He was asking why he hadn't finished the attack just now.
"I guess this counts as saving your life once."
Taehyun replied, retracting the broken Dragonslaying Sword.
[...Absurd. Such an action benefits you nothing.]
All the Archdukes had fallen, and the only ones capable of fighting were Taehyun and Lucifer.
Was he being leisurely in such a situation?
Was what he was carrying so light that he could afford to do this?
Lucifer rebuked.
[Or do you think you've persuaded me, Lucifer, with just one withdrawn sword strike?]
Taehyun clicked his tongue at his more excited reaction than expected.
"Look around you."
[What trickery is this?]
Having experienced the backlash of allowing the Dragonslaying Sword to hit him three times.
Lucifer didn't easily turn his gaze.
'My credibility is at rock bottom.'
It was his own karma.
Taehyun muttered to himself and turned his gaze around first.
Around the fallen Sky Castle were demons gathered to watch the final moments of the territory war.
They were keeping a considerable distance, but each of them had a presence of at least a high-ranking species.
It wouldn't be difficult for them to witness the battle from this distance.
"I heard that in the Lower World, the position of an Archduke is that of a ruler."
He spoke out the views he had established after hearing from Rosaria and facing numerous Archdukes.
Not just someone with strong individual power, but a being who dominates a group.
They needed a significant innate existence, but also a demon who had broken through countless walls and entered the realm of transcendence based on that existence.
The position of Archduke was a chosen position that only such beings could reach.
"And you're said to be the strongest among them, right?"
So he didn't want to bring him down in front of so many spectators.
If he lost.
He would taste that sweet fruit alone.
[...Shallow.]
To spout such delusional words so nonchalantly.
Lucifer raised his battered body, which hadn't fully recovered.
All his wings had been torn off, the only remaining arm was not intact, and his two legs were twisted to the point where they could break at any moment.
Nevertheless, his body was still two heads taller than Taehyun, who had used the Great Demon Transformation.
Azure eyes and crimson eyes.
The eyes symbolizing the Celestial Realm and the Lower World shone brightly.
Similarly.
Taehyun's eyes, having opened the 'Eyes of the Dream Demon King' and the 'Eyes of the Absolute', narrowed slightly.
'300,000...'
It was not lacking to call him an Archduke and an Absolute.
He could see that the levels of mana and divine power had weakened to an absurd degree compared to before.
[Yormungandr. There was a time when I thought that guy was the craziest of the Archdukes.]
"I agree."
[I'll have to correct that thought as of today.]
"......?"
[Isn't there someone even worse right in front of me? A mutant.]
"......"
[I am a god who owes no debts. There must be a real reason why you withdrew your sword strike just now. Speak your desire.]
'As expected, he's proud.'
Taehyun was truly pleased with his attitude of wanting to repay the debt to him immediately.
"It's nothing special."
Tting.
[Skill 'Dominator of Desire(???)' has been activated. Targeting the subject.]
Hwaaa.
A deep blue mana swirled around Taehyun and Lucifer.
[...]
He could strongly sense the scent of the ancient Great Demon Gorfer.
And Gilfer, who had become a complete Demon King.
Nevertheless, he didn't resist.
Because he didn't feel any hostility or murderous intent in the mana.
The moment the authority of Desire had sufficiently taken hold, Taehyun opened his mouth.
"The end of this battle. At that time, I will have to take you."
Just as he had done with the other Archdukes.
He proposed the winner-takes-all rule.
[To dare to place a god beneath your feet. Your greed is excessive.]
"It's not a contract of servitude. I'd like you to think of it as an equal partnership for a single goal."
Taehyun said, recalling a memory from a long time ago.
At the word 'partner', Lucifer burst into laughter with his battered body.
Each time, the mana and divine power surrounding his body poured out as if blood was flowing.
[An equal partner. There have only been two guys who have survived after saying such arrogant words.]
The King of the Upper World and the King of the Lower World.
He mentioned the transcendents with whom he had once shared his intentions.
[You don't think you're on the same level as them, do you?]
Beyond the Archduke.
Beyond the Absolute.
'Transcendence,' which was estimated to be at least on par with the owner of the Celestial Realm.
Lucifer mentioned that realm.
"Of course. Not right now."
Mana was at the highest level of an Archduke in the Lower World, and divine power was at the lowest level of an Absolute in the Upper World.
That was Taehyun's current understanding of his objective power.
On the other hand, Lucifer was nothing short of the highest level in both the Archduke and Absolute realms.
If enough time passed.
'Not only will I regain the power of the lost Celestial Realm owner, but I'll also set foot in a realm beyond that.'
That's why he wanted him even more.
If he could keep him by his side, it would be the ultimate stimulus for the current Archdukes.
It would be a good example for the countless Archdukes who would be born in the future to overcome.
It wasn't difficult to see through Taehyun's thoughts.
[You're dreaming of a grand future. But you won't be able to achieve anything if you lose here.]
Things don't always go according to plan.
He told him not to be so sure of victory with him in front of him.
"The answer?"
[I accept. But.]
If you lose, you must destroy your home planet with your own hands.
He demanded that Taehyun destroy humanity with his own hands.
'What a morbid taste.'
Unlike his thoughts, he was already nodding.
Because he wasn't thinking about losing.
Because he was the only one in the Lower World who could defeat Lucifer.
Tting.
[Skill 'Apocalypse(???)' has been activated.]
Hwaaa.
Darkness descended on the area.
With this, the highest class of the highest species.
The guys below that wouldn't be able to see the battle inside.
'Well, the highest species wouldn't even think about interfering in the battle in the first place.'
[A good field.]
Hwaaa.
Lucifer also created a field of azure.
Two layers of fields.
At this level, even the Archdukes wouldn't be able to easily interfere.
A sphere of radiance was created in Lucifer's hand.
The Eye of the Sun.
It was a materialized version of Ra's artifact that he had taken from Taehyun and used.
He even felt the illusion that his eyes were going blind from the radiance and burning divine power.
Arrogance had been shattered by Predation, and he couldn't reliably cut Taehyun with Balmung and Gram.
That's why he had taken out the Eye of the Sun even at the cost of overexerting himself.
Just holding it in his hand seemed to melt away the darkness of 'Apocalypse'.
Taehyun threw the broken Dragonslaying Sword to the side.
'A protracted battle is no longer possible.'
It was also impossible to draw on the powers of the Archdukes through the Dragonslaying Sword.
Tting.
[Unique Skill 'Predation(???)' has been activated. Specifying the form.]
[Unique Skill 'Predation(???)' has been enhanced. Mana consumption is accelerated.]
Jjeo-eo-eo-eok.
Taehyun turned all his mana into Predation.
[Skill 'Energy Drain(???)' has been enhanced.]
[Skill 'True Blood(???)' has been enhanced.]
He made thorough preparations to ensure that Predation would not be released due to a lack of mana in the middle.
And.
Tting.
[Skill 'Absolute-Horus(???)' has been activated. Specifying the form.]
[Skill 'Absolute-Horus(???)' has been enhanced. Divine power consumption is accelerated.]
[Skill proficiency increases.]
Sssss.
Taehyun's body was enveloped in radiance.
Not just simply strengthening his divine power as before, but like Lucifer, he wrapped the power of the moon around his body and emitted the full power of an Absolute.
Crimson mana swirled around eerie divine power, creating harmony.
[I can see it. The realm you will reach.]
Lucifer, holding the Eye of the Sun, quietly walked towards Taehyun.
The jaws of Predation spread out beneath his feet, snarling as if it would tear its prey apart at any moment.
He waited until he was right in front of him.
Even though he was wearing Horus's divine power.
Just facing Lucifer's body, wrapped in azure, made his body feel like it was melting.
The temperature in the area repeatedly soared and froze.
Lucifer, who had finally calmed the backlash, emitted gray mana.
Kwaduk. Kwaduk.
The regeneration of his body was completed.
Kiiing-.
Kiiiing-.
Listening to the sound of the spinning magic stones.
"Bite, Predation."
Taehyun gave his final command.
The only human, aside from Taehyun, to open both crimson and azure eyes.
Cody Cruise widened his two eyes greatly.
It wasn't just him.
Lucifer's five highest-ranking subordinates, who were once Absolutes of the 1st Celestial Realm.
They also opened their azure and crimson eyes to watch the battle taking place inside Apocalypse and Azure.
They had been keeping the forces of the Archdukes who had surrounded the Sky Castle in check.
Immediately after the Sky Castle fell.
They were watching the final battle that their master was waging.
Other species could only watch from afar due to their overwhelming presence, which was too much to call them subordinates.
[I can't believe it.]
[Master... to a mere human...]
[I didn't know the Key of the Lower World King would be such a monster...]
[We must seize the opportunity to deal with him. It's difficult to guarantee victory in the territory war if things continue like this.]
[Master would not want that. We just need to follow his orders.]
Cody Cruise saw absolute faith in them.
Whether it was the owner of the 1st Celestial Realm of the Upper World called Lucifer.
Or the Archduke of the Lower World called Lucifer.
'Their loyalty is genuine.'
Their mindset was no different from when they were Absolutes of the Upper World, or now that they had become the highest species of the Lower World.
[Watch closely, human.]
The Fallen Absolute.
The highest-ranking subordinate, Legiel, said to Cody Cruise.
"......"
[He is the true owner of the Celestial Realm. You must understand the reason as well. Am I mistaken?]
"No, you understand correctly."
[Then that's a relief.]
With those words, Legiel turned his eyes back to the battle.
It was the final stage.
Wearing scorching divine power and eerie divine power.
The ferocious, bared fangs of crimson mana and the flawless gray mana were rapidly being depleted.
Cody Cruise's two eyes shook.
'Lucifer is the strongest.'
He was the strongest not only in the Lower World, but also in the Upper World at one time.
If he regained the power of the Celestial Realm owner, he would undoubtedly become the apex of the Upper-Middle-Lower Worlds.
He thought that humans, belonging to the Middle World, should follow him in order to survive.
He thought that he, as his subordinate, should act as an agent to guarantee the survival of humanity.
But.
'Lucifer is being pushed back.'
And that too, by a human like himself.
His nose, eyes, mouth, and ears.
It was easier to find places that weren't bleeding.
Taehyun, who had become like a demon, was snatching the source of azure in Lucifer's hand.
A gigantic being was falling.
'Did I make the wrong decision?'
No.
He wasn't wrong.
And Lucifer wasn't wrong either.
So.
When he came to his senses, his body was already moving.
He was jumping into the territory of Taehyun and Lucifer.
He could tell that the highest-ranking subordinates, led by Legiel, were taking the same actions as him from behind.
Tearing apart the Apocalypse created by Taehyun with Balmung.
Entering the azure territory created by Lucifer with Gram.
Kiii-iiiii.
Kaaaa-aaaa.
With two wailing swords.
Seogeok.
Kim Taehyun.
He cut down his comrade.
Weak.
A species so weak that it's embarrassing to cross swords with them.
A feeble existence that's hard to believe started from the same root as himself.
This was Cody Cruz's assessment of humans, after much contemplation.
Around that time, news of a rookie from the East reached him.
'He's quite an interesting fellow. Meeting him might change that bored look in your eyes?'
That's what Ricky Hallis had said.
America's proud world number 2 player, and a woman whose magic control even he acknowledged.
He had a brief flicker of interest.
But Shin Korea was an unfamiliar country.
Knowing that he was just a teenager in high school, he withdrew his interest.
Or, he tried to.
Kim Tae-hyun.
He kept hearing that name.
He continued to prove his doubts wrong.
He thought he was just one of the many rookies.
He thought he was just a guy who would briefly make a splash in the world rankings and disappear.
The national-level players of China, who call themselves a great power, the S-rank players of Japan, who claim the tradition of Asia.
The famous national-level players of Europe, including America.
In his eyes, they were just pathetic, struggling to call themselves strong with insignificant power.
Pathetic.
The more Tae-hyun's name was praised, the deeper his distrust of humans grew.
Because the potential of humans was too insignificant for him to be interested in.
So he wandered the Abyss.
The deep layers. The deepest layers beyond that.
He rolled around with the monsters there.
Stabbing and slashing were all they did, but it was a comforting enough task.
At least these beings had the capacity to give him a challenge.
A dangerous zone that no one had ever explored.
His heart throbbed just from the fact that he was mingling with the creatures living there.
Someone might describe it as a hellhole teeming with all sorts of monsters.
But for him, it was another homeland where he could release his pent-up frustration.
How many times had he gone back and forth between Earth and the Abyss?
The evaluation of Kim Tae-hyun had reached its peak.
A genius who might appear once in a century.
Not only a future national-level player.
But someone with the potential to rival Cody Cruz.
And at the ceremony where the SS-rank player license was first issued.
Cody Cruz laid eyes on Kim Tae-hyun for the first time.
His heart throbbed without him realizing it.
If he wanted to, he could wipe out the eight national-level players who were there.
Even if he fought them all, he wouldn't feel this kind of excitement.
The moment he faced Kim Tae-hyun, his deeply sunken heart beat fiercely.
It wasn't a mistake.
The first day they crossed swords.
Cody Cruz realized that Tae-hyun was the same kind of being as him.
A category called human.
A mutant that couldn't be defined as a human species.
He was delighted.
The sense of kinship he never thought he would know until he died.
He never imagined that a player born in a small country in the East would make him feel that way.
He thought that Tae-hyun would be able to understand the fear he had of the beings he met in the deepest layers.
The disrespect he had for the god called Noname.
As it turned out.
Kim Tae-hyun was even more of a character than he thought.
He made contracts with multiple Archdukes and ransacked the Abyss.
He seized control of Noname, which the American Players Association was secretly using.
He finally defeated him and became the world's number one player.
The undisputed strongest player.
He didn't feel resentful.
Thanks to him, he could travel more freely to the deepest layers.
Thanks to him, he could hunt the vermin-like Mind more freely.
Around that time, he realized that the Archduke's magic, which he had been rejecting, was eating away at him.
[A great power comes with a price. Are you trying to deny God while using His power?]
Whether on Earth or in the Abyss.
Whether awake or resting.
The master of the gray magic that had settled in his mind world revealed his ambition.
He had given him the power to soothe his empty heart, so now he commanded him to obey.
He refused.
Even though he knew it was an unwinnable battle.
He resisted.
The master of the gray magic wasn't upset.
He just said that toys that were easily obtained were easily broken.
That he had no intention of easily destroying the body that had been chosen by 'God'.
He spewed incomprehensible words.
[To survive until the end of the race war, you must transcend the species. But I can't just let someone who has rejected God go without taking any action.]
That's when it started.
Cody Cruz's main consciousness was bound to a giant cross in his mind world.
A torment that felt like an eternity began.
His eyeballs were gouged out, his tongue was cut off.
His limbs were cut off, his mind was torn apart, his magic backfired and recovered repeatedly.
He persevered, determined to survive at all costs.
Lucifer came to him and spoke to him.
He wasn't just coming to mock him.
The Domain War and the Race War.
The Upper and Lower Realms.
The Absolute and the Archduke.
The master of the Ten Heavens and the King who could have them at his feet.
It was valuable information with Lucifer's own views added to it.
Earth, called the Middle Realm.
The Abyss, called the Lower Realm.
Noname, called God.
The monster called Archduke.
The Celestial Race called God.
Magic and Divine Power.
It felt like the scattered pieces of the puzzle were coming together.
He agonized.
According to Lucifer, the weak human race would inevitably become prey, whether the Archdukes of the Lower Realm seized power, the Celestial Race of the Upper Realm seized power, or the current state of stalemate was maintained after the Domain War.
They would live a life worse than livestock.
Intoxicated by the empty glory of the civilization they had achieved, they would fail to accept that fact and eventually become extinct and disappear into the annals of history.
In the worst situation, Cody Cruz had to make a decision as a mutant.
If the species was going to disappear anyway, if he couldn't stop the extinction, he would accept the strongest power and create a new humanity.
That's when he made that decision.
Lucifer showed a satisfied reaction for the first time.
[You've become a slightly more useful eye.]
"..."
The day he threw away the pressure of being humanity's strongest shield.
Cody Cruz became able to wield the power of regeneration.
Slash.
Scratch.
Balmung and Gram.
Blood splattered from Tae-hyun's body with every swing of Cody Cruz's sword.
Tae-hyun, who already looked like an ogre from his bloody battle with Lucifer.
Thud. Thud.
His severed arm and head fell to the ground.
Whoosh.
Cody Cruz pushed the power of regeneration to its limit.
If he knew Kim Tae-hyun correctly.
He thought he might be able to regenerate at high speed even in his current state.
The hero of reversals.
He had watched him turn the tables in extreme situations many times.
In the end, even Lucifer, who was called the strongest Archduke, had almost fallen.
He didn't want to leave even a sliver of possibility.
[This is unexpected.]
Lucifer, who had been quietly watching the scene, opened his mouth.
"..."
To think that he couldn't even regenerate, even with his boasting regeneration, because he had exhausted all his magic power.
He once again realized how much of a giant Tae-hyun had become.
"It would be a problem if you lost."
After a moment of thought, he replied.
The red eyes that had cut down his comrade to draw out his power gleamed.
He was so delighted by that sight.
Lucifer chuckled in his tattered body.
[But it's a regrettable choice.]
"......?"
[Kim Tae-hyun has already entered the realm of transcendence, but only within his own domain.]
"What are you saying..."
[Look around. His domain is still intact, isn't it?]
Lucifer said, looking around at the darkness that had fallen over the area.
"......!!"
[Tsk tsk. Do you think the other guys were just watching for no reason?]
Lucifer mentioned his five highest-ranking subordinates, who had not joined the battle unlike Cody Cruz.
"Then..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
Slash.
His arm, which had been overflowing with gray magic, was cut off.
Scratch.
Something slashed past his neck in the blink of an eye.
He felt the warm blood flowing down his neck.
'Why...'
There was no reason for him, who was wielding the power of regeneration, to be bleeding.
What a vivid pain.
Creak.
With that sound, his vision tilted.
Thud.
Roll.
His vision flipped and righted itself repeatedly as his head rolled.
Thud.
Where his head stopped rolling.
Was Tae-hyun, whom he had cut down.
Red eyes and blue eyes.
Pouring out vicious magic power and bleak divine power.
He was looking down at him.
"Cody. This isn't a battle for you to interfere in."
"......"
"We'll hear your explanation for this later."
Squish.
His raised foot trampled on Cody Cruz's head.
His vision went dark.
Lucifer looked at Tae-hyun, who was catching his breath.
Of course, he didn't have any of the wounds that he had sustained from his contractor.
That was because Cody Cruz had fallen into an illusion the moment he entered the Apocalypse.
Whether he had eyes to see through illusions or not.
That was the difference between Cody Cruz and the other top subordinates, who had been Absolutes.
[Well, it wasn't a wasted trip, since it made you use even a little bit of your already lacking mental power.]
Instead of taking the intruder's head, he subdued him by mind-controlling him.
The balance between the two, who had been stalemated in a state that had already reached its limit, had tilted slightly.
[Unexpected. I thought you were going to kill him.]
Lucifer said, looking at his contractor lying on the floor.
"If I kill him. Would you just watch?"
[I'd have to stop you.]
Lucifer's lips curled up at the obvious question.
Huff.
Tae-hyun took a breath and once again assessed each other's strength.
It was impossible to use devouring, let alone the Archdukes' powers.
The field he was currently maintaining would also be released in about two minutes.
'Should I borrow that guy's power?'
He was thinking that when.
[I've lost. It's your victory.]
"......"
Tae-hyun stared at his opponent at the sudden declaration of defeat.
[You seem like you don't believe me. The contract of desire should be valid.]
Whoosh.
The deep blue magic power that he had planted beforehand wrapped around the bodies of the two Archdukes.
[You have a flustered look on your face. I didn't know you could make that face.]
"Honestly. I thought you'd somehow claim a draw."
Lucifer burst out laughing at those words.
[You're not the one to talk, are you? You have someone you haven't revealed your power to. You call him Doppelganger, right? I'm talking about the guy in your mind world.]
"......!!"
[I know that guy's power well enough. It's obvious that I'd lose if I fought you in this state. I'll say it again.]
It's your victory.
Ding.
[The conditions of the contract have been met.]
[The contract is being fulfilled.]
[A great power is being bestowed.]
[Summon skill Lucifer(???) has been registered.]
Tae-hyun clenched his fist without realizing it at the rising message.
'Finally.'
He had finally made contracts with all the Archdukes of the Lower Realm.
[Don't release the domain yet. I have something to tell you.]
"......?"
[No matter how the battle ends. Didn't I say I'd tell you the truth about the Race War?]
Lucifer glanced at the unconscious Cody Cruz and continued.
[The Race War. It's the great unification of species to challenge God.]
'What?'
Tae-hyun was about to ask a question at the first thing he had heard.
Whoosh.
In an instant, radiance arose from where the darkness of the Apocalypse and Cheonghwa, the two domains, were protecting.
The source of the radiance was Cody Cruz, and it was rapidly swallowing the two domains.
[Oh, that was faster than I thought.]
"What are you talking about?"
Lucifer clicked his tongue at the obvious question and distanced himself from his contractor.
[It means that the fragment of God that was sleeping in that guy's body has awakened.]
Episode 486
A Transcendental Presence.
Luminescence emanated from the body of Cody Cruz.
The words Lucifer had spoken moments ago echoed in Taehyun's mind.
'A shard of God?'
He was filled with questions he wanted to ask immediately.
But Lucifer, keeping his distance, was already displaying his fighting spirit.
As if he already recognized his contractor as an enemy.
'What's going on?'
Taehyun struggled to understand the current situation, also distancing himself from Cody Cruz.
Even exhausted, they were still within the field where Apocalypse and Azure Radiance were doubly in effect.
To emit such a presence within that space...
'It's impossible without at least a Grand Duke.'
Cody Cruz had stepped into the realm of a complete Grand Duke.
'No, maybe even beyond that.'
Even as he was thinking this, Cody Cruz's presence seemed to be rapidly increasing.
[Listen carefully, Kim Taehyun. Once the shard of God fully awakens, even these words will not be permitted. The end of the Territory War is not the subjugation of the Grand Dukes, but the hunting of the 'shard of God'.]
"What...?"
Lucifer, having completely recovered his original crimson eyes, looked at Taehyun.
A gaze that seemed to see through everything, like the skill 'Nightmare King's Eye'.
Instinctively, he checked the quest in his status window.
'…'
And he realized that the creature's words were true.
The progress rate of the Territory War, which had skyrocketed after contracting with Lucifer, had stopped at 99%.
Unknowingly, his expression hardened.
'This is a setback.'
He had used most of his magic and divine power, intending to see it through to the end.
His mental strength was also severely depleted, and the 'Apocalypse', which he was barely maintaining, would soon collapse.
Cody Cruz, harboring a shard of God and on the verge of awakening.
'I don't know what kind of attitude he'll show, but...'
Even if Taehyun and Lucifer joined forces, it would be difficult to exert the presence of even a single complete Grand Duke.
Lucifer couldn't be unaware of that fact.
'He's… smiling?'
Calming the divine power maintained by Azure Radiance.
The corners of the fallen angel's lips were upturned as he completely restored his power to magic and began to recover.
[No need to be so surprised. Thanks to your stirring up of the Mental World, it just awakened a little earlier. It was expected. Although the divine power of the fallen 'Heavenly Fortress' is unusable.]
'So, the magic power of 'Heavenly Citadel' is still valid.'
With those words, ashen magic began to surge.
As if he hadn't just fought a bloody battle.
Lucifer's presence began to skyrocket.
'This is insane.'
300,000… 400,000… 500,000…
Taehyun checked the numbers reflected in his crimson and azure eyes.
1,000,000 magic power and 0 divine power.
The battered Lucifer from just moments ago was gone, and in his place stood a fully recovered fallen angel.
[I feel much lighter now.]
Lucifer clenched and unclenched his fully regenerated hand.
And.
Snap.
He flicked his finger at Taehyun.
Whoosh.
The ashen magic that had been infused into his body due to the contract began to wreak havoc.
Ding.
[Skill Super-Fast Regeneration(???) has been registered.]
[Skill Super-Fast Regeneration(???) has been activated.]
[Skill proficiency is insufficient. Incomplete regeneration is occurring.]
The Lucifer's magic that had been hindering regeneration just moments ago was now showing unprecedented regenerative abilities.
He had drawn in the Absolutes, causing them to deplete the creature's magic and divine power.
He had dragged him into the Personal Space, inflicting significant damage.
He had worked with the Grand Dukes to drive him to the brink.
He thought it was a victory achieved through that.
But.
'He was holding back this much power?'
If he had unleashed this power in the final battle.
He would have been the one to admit defeat.
Pulling out the Doppelganger card was no different from admitting defeat.
'A monster. It's fortunate that he's no longer an enemy.'
"You deliberately lost?"
[Don't look at me like that. This power was never meant to be used against you.]
"That's comforting to hear."
He didn't know why, but.
Lucifer seemed more concerned with the Cody Cruz before him than with his match against Taehyun.
'A shard of God, huh…'
Tzzzzzzz.
The demon sword Gram materialized in the fallen angel's hand.
Because Taehyun's Gluttony had devoured Pride, he had taken out a weapon that could be considered a fallback.
Judging from the complete withdrawal of Azure Radiance, it seemed that divine power could not be used to wield such strength.
'He doesn't have the ability to restore divine power too, does he?'
[Keep your wits about you. Although it's just a shard, it's the one who created the Lord of the Celestial Realm. Suppress the backlash and recover your authority.]
He created the Lord of the Celestial Realm.
That statement piqued Taehyun's curiosity, but it seemed he wouldn't have the opportunity to ask.
Because Lucifer's tone as he said that was not light.
He was giving genuine advice.
The creature before him was no longer the Cody Cruz that Taehyun knew.
Their safety could not be guaranteed without going all out.
"How kind."
Taehyun accepted Lucifer's words and took out a potion from his belt and drank it.
Fatigue, magic power, mental strength, backlash suppression, etc.
A blend of the highest-performance potions created by the alchemy's technology.
The agitated internal magic power quickly subsided.
Similarly, the radiance emanating from Cody Cruz's body was rapidly subsiding.
[A cunning fellow. Revealing yourself after observing the opportunity, it's the same as ever.]
Lucifer muttered words that even Taehyun didn't understand.
But Taehyun had already met beings who called themselves gods several times.
'Does "God" refer to Noname…'
Noname had also called himself a remnant or fragment.
'That guy shouldn't have any reason to be hostile to me, right?'
Above all, he hadn't felt any signs related to the shard of God when he stirred up the Mental World.
As if he could see through Taehyun's thoughts, Lucifer burst into laughter.
[You're underestimating that guy.]
The reason he hadn't noticed was because he didn't want to reveal it.
Whatever form the shard Taehyun had encountered before had taken.
It would be best not to expect the same favor from the one who would appear now.
"Try to explain it in a way that's easy to understand."
He was speaking as if the personality of God was not singular.
The constant flow of incomprehensible words made him dizzy.
[Words have power. And now that that fellow has awakened. A new incantation has begun.]
He added that if it weren't for his experience as the Lord of the Celestial Realm, he wouldn't have been aware that Cody Cruz had made contact with God.
Just as very few humans can accept the magic power of a Grand Duke.
The number of people who can accept divine power can be counted on one hand across the entire human race.
[It seems this is all I can tell you right now.]
In the Lower Realm, the incantation of the King of the Lower Realm is applied, and in the Upper Realm, the incantation of the King of the Upper Realm is applied.
And now that the shard of God has awakened.
'A new incantation is being applied to the Lower Realm. Is that what he's saying…'
[Don't worry. It's not like there's no way.]
Why?
He felt like he knew what that method meant.
And his expectations were not wrong.
[Soon, the shard will completely dominate the body.]
At that moment.
[Bring down the God.]
"…Does that sound like you're saying to annihilate the body?"
[You understood correctly. Now that the shard has awakened, complete annihilation is the only way.]
"……."
[Could it be that you're hesitating now? I didn't think you were the type to be swayed by emotion?]
'Emotion, huh…'
He looked at Cody Cruz, who was now exuding a presence that overwhelmed him.
The strongest player in the world, whom he had never had the opportunity to meet in his previous life.
In this regression, he had built memories as a comrade fighting against Grand Dukes and Demon Gods together.
It would be a lie to say that he hadn't grown fond of him.
[Don't disappoint me.]
The only reason he had readily admitted defeat was because he recognized him as an equal.
If he was planning to be a hindrance, he should just go hide in a corner and supply magic power.
'He's seriously planning to kill him.'
He was displaying his fighting spirit towards the guy who had been his contractor until just a moment ago, whom he had painstakingly nurtured.
'I don't know the exact background, but…'
He needed to make a decision quickly.
Feeling that the backlash had subsided by about half, he stood up.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of disrupting this rare joint front."
Ding.
[Skill Apocalypse(???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill Energy Drain(???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill Omen of Evolution(???) has been activated. Target is specified.]
[Skill Contract of Desire(???) has been activated. Target is specified.]
Whoosh. Whoooosh.
The authority of the Demon King.
Deep azure magic power swirled around Taehyun and Lucifer's bodies.
Just as Lucifer had helped him recover his body with ashen magic, Taehyun also used the authority of his contractor to help with the recovery.
[Recovery of presence, huh. It's a useful authority after all.]
Lucifer enjoyed the authority that he had used on him.
"I told you, we're partners."
[Endearing words.]
At that moment.
Ddddddddd.
The enhanced Apocalypse began to tremble.
He knew that the cause was Cody Cruz, whose radiance had completely subsided.
There stood a being whose crimson eyes shone brighter than Taehyun and Lucifer's.
[So, we meet again.]
'That's not Cody's voice.'
A familiar voice he heard in the status window.
"Noname."
Before Taehyun could finish speaking.
Kwajujuju!!!
Lucifer drew his sword with the momentum to tear apart space.
Lucifer's single strike contained considerable power.
Though it couldn't be compared to wielding the Named Armament, Pride.
It was a power that even Taehyun would be reluctant to deflect.
And that sword's aura.
Kwazzz… zzzz….
Cody Cruz nonchalantly caught it with his outstretched hand.
His fingertips were infused with compressed radiance.
[Lucifel. How long are you going to commit sacrilege?]
Crack.
Noname, who had crushed the aura he had caught, opened his mouth quietly.
[Still as arrogant as ever, for just a fragment.]
[And that impudent way of speaking is still the same as ever. You need to learn from Michael.]
[Puhuhuhu. All talk and no action, little shard. You also ----- didn't you ------- to 'that person'.]
[You speak words that are not permitted.]
[…….]
Lucifer frowned at his words, which were filled with noise.
He felt that God's incantation was beginning to be applied in earnest.
[Judging by your condition, it seems you've resolved some of the degradation, but…]
It is still impossible to surpass God.
Noname said definitively.
Lucifer flapped his wings and soared without paying attention.
Tzzzzzzzzz.
Whoosh.
Ashen magic quickly turned into blazing divine power.
He had instantly converted 1,000,000 magic power into 1,000,000 divine power.
It was a feat that even Jormungandr hadn't been able to show.
Kwaaaaaa.
The Azure Radiance that had begun to condense gradually increased in size.
'Is he showing his full power from the beginning?'
It was a technique that he had barely blocked with Gluttony.
Cold sweat ran down Taehyun's back, knowing its power.
Nevertheless.
[Oh. Why is the Eye of Ra here?]
Noname simply smirked as if looking at a child's talent.
Suddenly, his gaze turned to Taehyun.
[Kim Taehyun. You haven't completely absorbed the power of the Divine Beast.]
"……."
[To be swayed by personal feelings and give up that power. It's a regrettable choice.]
"…Shouldn't we focus on solving the situation in front of us first?"
Taehyun sided with Lucifer, who had become his contractor.
Noname smiled at Taehyun's gesture of drawing a line.
[You must be familiar with situations like this? Then.]
Solve it in your own way.
"……?"
[Lucifel. You arrogant one who dared to draw a sword against God.]
Kneel.
With that one word.
Bang!!!
The Grand Duke, said to be the strongest, the fallen angel.
Lucifer's massive body plummeted.
Episode 487
Dragon Speech (龍言).
A power exhibited by those who have reached the pinnacle among the dragon race.
Especially Hazard, the Dragon Lord of the era, who controls the aura of all seven dragon clans.
She could force others to act with just her words, a technique known as 'Absolute Command' among her clan.
Of course, it didn't work on those stronger than her.
It was a meaningless restriction for beings like Hazard and Taehyun, who were among the best in the Lower World.
And now.
As if recreating that.
The Grand Duke, considered the strongest creature in the Lower World.
Lucifer, who had been proven to possess the strongest power among the Grand Dukes, fell at No Name's single word.
'What is this…'
Taehyun struggled to shake off the chilling sensation that wrapped around his body, trying to grasp the situation before him.
Absolute Command is not something that can be used simply by being strong, nor is it a trick that can be easily imitated.
No Name had effortlessly succeeded in using that kind of technique against Lucifer.
The implication was clear.
No Name, who had awakened in the body of Cody Cruise,
'Is stronger than Lucifer.'
Or, can he really be called No Name?
Such a question tangled in his mind.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Lucifer endured the aura that pressed down on his body and stood up.
[An unpleasant experience.]
He had experienced it before through Taehyun and Hazard, but he had never fallen so helplessly.
This was because, unlike when he used 1 million units of mana and 1 million units of divine power,
He only possessed half that amount.
By dismantling the Celestial Citadel, he only possessed 1 million units of power.
[Lucifer. Those impious eyes are still the same.]
[That unpleasant imitation is still the same.]
Lucifer retorted, as if displeased.
[Wasn't it you who made a human with a fragment as a contractor, knowing that? If you hadn't tampered with this body, the power I could use would have been several times greater.]
'……!!'
Taehyun's face hardened without him realizing it at the word "several times."
[Of course. I will covet you.]
I will take the fragmented power.
As Lucifer flicked his hand, ashen mana rose from Cody Cruise's body.
Buzz.
It was an authority like a thousand troops and horses for Cody Cruise, the contractor, but for the current No Name, it was a power like a seal that bound his existence.
[It's a body made with great effort by grinding in an Absolute Being and a Great Demon. I wonder how far you can use that great power?]
[Indeed….]
No Name quickly assessed his own body condition at Lucifer's mockery.
In preparation for a certain situation, he had discovered a human suitable for harboring the fragment.
And so, he planted the fragment and waited for the time, but
Unfortunately, it caught Lucifer's eye, and that power was suppressed before it could even bloom.
[Too bad.]
It wasn't enough that a perfect being threw away the position of Celestial Lord himself.
Beings of the Upper World, who consider the Lower World insignificant, are even aiming their swords at him.
Lucifer growled lowly at the obvious thoughts.
Don't look at me.
[Don't look at me like the other fools in the Upper World.]
Whoosh.
The converted 1 million units of mana soared along with fighting spirit.
Lucifer's red eyes became even more menacing.
[You will taste another demotion here today.]
[I'll shatter you once again here today.]
No Name and Lucifer bared their teeth at each other.
Ding.
[Skill: Heart of the Great Demon (???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill: Heart of the Beast Demon (???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill: True Blood (???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill: Apocalypse (???) has been enhanced.]
All the mana flowing in through the three magic stones was used to enhance 'Apocalypse'.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to maintain skills sufficient to block the battle between No Name and Lucifer unfolding before his eyes.
Taehyun scanned the armor materialized with ashen mana.
It was an item with durability that had repeatedly blocked his ancient martial arts and Dragonslaying Sword.
Even so.
Crack!!
The brilliance wielded by No Name.
Half of the armor was torn off by an attack that was difficult to define.
'Lucifer… is being pushed back.'
There is nothing particularly special about the techniques No Name uses with Cody Cruise's body.
An unpredictable attack starting from brilliance.
That's all it takes to cut through the mana and divine power used by Lucifer and approach him before inflicting direct shock to his body.
From Lucifer's perspective, it seems to be a big shock.
Ding.
[Skill: Eye of the Dream Demon King (???) has been enhanced.]
[Skill: Eye of the Absolute Being (???) has been enhanced.]
Swish.
Swish.
The mana and divine power dwelling in Taehyun's eyes became even darker.
He could see 1 million units of mana and divine power rapidly converting within Lucifer's body.
On the other hand, he couldn't see any numerical values from Cody Cruise.
Brilliance is basically a power made of divine power.
'It's not that he's not using that power.'
Nevertheless, the reason he can't confirm it is.
'The power dwelling within him… has exceeded the level I can measure.'
At least 1 million or more.
That would be the main reason why Lucifer's attacks are not working.
Observation continued.
Lucifer regenerating his battered body and No Name dwelling in Cody Cruise's body and hunting the Fallen Angel.
Taehyun is not intervening because it is not easy to understand the current situation.
Who is the enemy and who is the ally?
Why are they baring their teeth at each other without being able to kill each other?
Come to think of it.
'I haven't heard about Lucifer's ultimate goal.'
Through past memories, I only heard that he is hostile to the Celestial race of the Upper World.
And that he wants to become the winner of the territory war and lead the race war in the current era.
'Is he… trying to kill God?'
The Absolute Beings of the Upper World all call themselves God.
Lucifer was not much different.
But Cody Cruise, whom he is facing now, felt a foreign energy.
If I separate it from the energy, it is an existence I have felt before.
It was similar to what the Upper World King and Lower World King in his memory.
And what the Celestial Lords had revealed.
'No Name….'
Taehyun's head became complicated.
An existence worshiped as God in the United States.
The status window system built by the Lower World King with Meister.
The owner of that voice.
The traces left throughout the Lower World King's arrangements were annoying, but they were focused on helping him.
However, Lucifer, who had partnered with the Lower World King, is denying him.
There are many hypotheses that can be established, but the plausible one is.
'Lucifer clashed with No Name a long time ago, and the being called God has various personalities.'
Even though it is not yet certain, he was convinced.
At that time.
Slash.
For the first time, Lucifer's technique wounded Cody Cruise's body.
It was only a matter of cutting the skin beyond the brilliance that wrapped around his body.
It was the most effective hit among the attacks so far.
'500,000.'
Taehyun confirmed that Lucifer's mana and divine power were divided in half.
'Is it possible to inflict damage by mixing mana and divine power?'
I don't know what the principle is, but
Thwack.
The sword held in Lucifer's hand passed over Cody Cruise's body once again.
This time, the wound did not seem light.
[Hmm.]
No Name looked at his own body, where red blood was flowing.
It was a wound that should have been healed immediately under normal circumstances, but the bleeding does not stop.
It must be because of the power of 'Regeneration', which prevents even Absolute Beings from exerting their regenerative power in the Lower World.
[You had a trick up your sleeve.]
[You still have the strength to wag your tongue.]
[Impious fellow. If you had chosen Michael from the beginning, this would not have happened.]
[Tsk. If things had gone according to plan, dealing with you would have been a piece of cake.]
Lucifer said that, trying to shake off his regret.
If the Celestial Citadel had not collapsed, if his condition had been intact, he would not have needed to convert 1 million units of mana into 500,000 units of mana and 500,000 units of divine power as he does now.
[Arrogance.]
Cody Cruise tore off one of Lucifer's wings.
However, ashen mana quickly regenerated the torn wing.
[Indeed. It's a power gained from one defeat by a being who was more arrogant than anyone else.]
It was a word that was both a compliment and a mockery.
[I need to get the Eye of Ra back.]
No Name, who thought it would be difficult to win in his current state, reached out his hand.
[Did your mind degenerate after being shattered?]
Lucifer cursed and swung his sword.
He is temporarily using Gram and Balmung fused together.
If he doesn't win quickly, he will be pushed back.
Above all, using the power of regeneration was taking more mana than he thought.
If it goes to a war of attrition, the result is obvious.
He had to end the fight quickly by putting maximum power into one attack.
Whoosh.
Azure Flame dwelled in the fused sword.
'It's impossible.'
Meanwhile, Taehyun, who was watching the fight, had no choice but to think so.
A power that mixes and uses divine power and mana.
He defined that power as Divine-Demonic Power.
The number of Divine-Demonic Power that Lucifer is forcibly raising is 600,000.
It's a considerable power, but it was not enough to inflict a fatal wound on No Name.
'If it's him, he should be able to see through it.'
Strangely, he seemed vulnerable both physically and mentally right now.
Is it the aftereffect of the battle?
Or is it.
'Is he being affected by something called Divine Magic?'
While thinking about that, the sword of Azure Flame was swung down through the gap in the brilliance.
And very naturally.
Thwack.
No Name grabbed Lucifer's sword.
[……!!]
[You were impatient.]
Crack. Crack.
For a moment, brilliance gathered in No Name's hand.
Crack!!
A spear of brilliance pierced Lucifer along with the armor.
Rumble!!
Lucifer's body was shattered into pieces along with his wings.
No Name looked at the remains of Lucifer falling before turning his gaze to Taehyun.
And.
[Holy Spear Longinus.]
He murmured softly as if to boast his power.
"……."
[Have you finished sorting out your thoughts? Key chosen by the Lower World King.]
The tone changed subtly.
"You don't seem like the No Name I know."
[Since a huge existence has entered an unfamiliar vessel, there is bound to be a difference.]
"……."
At that time.
[You….]
Lucifer, who had finished regenerating, spat out a curse.
[Haven't you come to your senses yet?]
No Name, who had similarly come down to the ground, asked.
[Don't be arrogant.]
[Don't overdo it. Even considering that this body is not normal, you can't stop it. If you admit your mistakes now, I will stop the divine punishment.]
Puhahaha.
"……."
[…….]
Taehyun and No Name quietly watched the Fallen Angel burst into laughter.
[That's absurd.]
[Too bad.]
It was the moment when the spear of brilliance was unleashed once again.
Clang!!
The blood sword created by Taehyun deflected the spear.
[…….]
[…….]
"He's my contractor."
Don't touch him.
Taehyun said firmly.
[It's a pity that you chose him. He's an arrogant fellow from birth. His arrogance is second to none in the Lower and Upper Worlds.]
No Name traced back Lucifer's origins.
Then, he made a counter proposal.
[How about I defeat him for you and you take that power?]
Episode 488
Existence isn't solely determined at birth.
It's the karma (業) accumulated over a long existence.
Especially in the Lower World, where the law of the jungle prevails rather than a civilized society, karma arises from dominating and subduing others.
Trampling smaller beings and pulling down stronger ones, accumulating karma brings unparalleled growth to a demon's existence in the Lower World.
Therefore, they urge you to seek the existence of a Grand Duke ruling the Lower World.
How much growth did Gilfer achieve by seeking the existence of Belzebub, who was the Demon King, and Mammon, who reached the Demon King status?
What if you were to seek the existence of Lucifer, said to be the strongest of the Grand Dukes, possessing both magic and divine power surpassing even Grand Dukes or Absolutes?
Not only the Lower World, but you would also gain power that would greatly influence the upcoming Race War.
'Intriguing.'
Perhaps you could end the Race War without the help of the Lower World King.
Because as existence increases, power grows exponentially, not arithmetically.
[Kim Tae-hyun. This proposal won't be bad for you either.]
Noname's eyes, turned crimson, curved like a crescent moon.
He knows well what this proposal means to Tae-hyun.
[Don't tell me you think you can truly keep that arrogant fellow under your thumb?]
[Kim Tae-hyun. Don't listen to that nonsense...]
Tae-hyun raised his hand, stopping Lucifer's words.
He clearly expressed his intention to hear more from Noname.
[......]
[Indeed. Unlike the arrogant Upper World, those from the Middle World are quite reasonable.]
Noname's voice softened, seemingly pleased with Tae-hyun's attentiveness.
"Noname. I still don't fully trust you."
So.
"Just the point. Briefly."
He would listen and then judge.
Making it clear that the initiative was his.
[A human negotiating with a god... Yes, you were such a fellow.]
Noname voiced more specific conditions.
The demand was clear.
Just stand by and watch while he subdues Lucifer.
Then everything Lucifer has achieved will become Tae-hyun's.
He said there would be no side effects either, so there was no need to feel burdened.
It's a proposal that will not harm Tae-hyun at all.
Rather, it was so beneficial that it seemed suspicious, but.
'I don't even feel like doubting it.'
He blatantly revealed his desire to have Tae-hyun on his side.
[The answer is simple. Cut down this fellow with that sword.]
He asserted that if he did, he would take care of the rest.
Tae-hyun looked at Lucifer, glaring with fiery crimson eyes, and Noname, smiling at Cody Cruise's face.
Enemy and ally.
Contractor and fragment of God.
In an ever-changing relationship, one must make the optimal choice.
'Noname. This guy is an unpredictable being.'
He's just called a fragment, yet.
Oppressed by the Authority of Rebirth, unable to exert his proper power.
He is unilaterally pushing Lucifer, the strongest force in the Lower World.
He's friendly now, but what if the guy who regained his full power turns his blade against Tae-hyun as well?
'I can't stop him alone.'
In a position where he needs to complete the Territory War and confirm the life or death of the Lower World King before starting the Race War, Noname's existence was highly likely to act as a sudden variable.
Tae-hyun looked at Lucifer, who was exuding fierce murderous intent.
'Tsk tsk. Look at those distrustful eyes.'
The guy is also a variable, but if his existence is maintained, he can be controlled to some extent by claiming the contractor's rights.
A controllable monster and an unpredictable monster.
A choice between the two.
Tae-hyun did not hesitate.
'Was this how it was done?'
Ding.
[The skill Eye of the Dream Demon King(???) is controlled. Magic consumption is accelerated.]
[The skill Eye of the Absolute Being(???) is controlled. Divine power consumption is accelerated.]
The million magic power recovered with Lucifer's help.
It was divided into 500,000 magic power and divine power.
The power defined as Divine Magic was imbued in the Blood Sword.
It was still incomplete, but it was a power with infinite potential to not be dismissed as mere trickery.
He pointed the Blood Sword at Lucifer.
[Kim Tae-hyun... To be played by such a cheap trick...]
"Shut up, Lucifer."
[You...]
The moment Lucifer tried to shout.
Tae-hyun lightly used a skill.
Ding.
[The skill Absolute Being-Horus(???) has been activated.]
[Resonates with the skill Eye of the Absolute Being(???).]
[Additional effect: Teleportation is possible.]
This much is already a known effect.
Tae-hyun raised his divine power even further.
Ding.
[The skill Absolute Being-Horus(???) has been enhanced. Divine power consumption is accelerated.]
[Resonates with the enhanced skill Eye of the Absolute Being(???).]
[The ability of additional effect: Teleportation is enhanced.]
[The location of the target can be moved.]
Ssssss.
Along with the eerie divine power, Tae-hyun's existence faintly scattered.
[Oh. Have you already obtained the power of an Absolute Being?]
Noname, who recognized that the eyes dwelling in Tae-hyun's blue eyes were not ordinary, was slightly impressed.
"Yeah. It was like a spoil of war."
[Hmm, it seems there's no need for me to step in. With that sword, you might be able to inflict a fatal wound on this arrogant fellow.]
[What a cheap trick...!!]
Hwaaaak.
Lucifer's gray magic and blue flames fiercely blazed.
They are maintaining a considerable distance, but this distance does not mean much to them.
Also, as Noname said, the magic and divine power blooming from Tae-hyun's body were not ordinary.
If he were to get hit by that sword in this defenseless state, he would inevitably lose against Noname.
[Do not move.]
Firmly.
Absolute command.
With those words alone, Lucifer's body was deprived of freedom.
[Didn't I tell you, you would be humiliated once again today.]
Noname uttered eerie words without a care.
[Target has been specified.]
[Location has been specified.]
[Movement begins.]
Tae-hyun, checking the rising messages, swung his sword at Lucifer.
At the same time.
Sssss-.
Sssssss-.
Lucifer and Noname's positions were switched.
[......?]
Before Noname could even react.
Divine magic.
The Blood Sword, maintained with nearly 600,000 power, just like Lucifer.
Swish!!
Beheaded Cody Cruise.
Thud.
Cody Cruise's severed head rolled on the floor.
Ding.
[Absorbs the power of a great being.]
[Divinity has increased by 1.]
[Magic has increased by 1.]
The corners of his mouth went up at the rising messages.
'Indeed. This makes a difference.'
[This... You crazy bastard!!]
Unlike his words, Lucifer, who burst into laughter, swung his sword at Noname, who had lost his head.
The Authority of Rebirth is still valid.
Now was the chance, with the guy having lost his neck, which could be said to be the vital point of his body.
Likewise, Tae-hyun was about to carve out Cody Cruise's heart for a sure finish.
Hwaaaak!!!
The Spear of Longinus that Noname was holding.
Luminescence arose from it.
Whack!!
Crack!!
[......!!]
"......!!"
Lucifer and Tae-hyun.
The two Grand Dukes looked at Noname, who caught their swords with his bare hands, as if they couldn't believe it.
'What is this...'
Crack!!!
Crack!!!
The two swords that Noname was holding were completely shattered.
The divine magic of the two Grand Dukes contained in the swords scattered and was absorbed as it was.
Because that power was bigger than expected.
Hwaaaak.
Along with the luminescence, Noname regenerated Cody Cruise's face.
[Shook off the Authority of Rebirth.]
Lucifer, who landed next to him, calmly said.
'That means I'm screwed.'
Noname, who once turned his neck, opened his mouth.
[Kim Tae-hyun. It is true that you are an important piece of the plan, but it doesn't mean there are no alternatives.]
"Don't they usually only give you three chances?"
Noname replaced the answer by pointing the Spear of Longinus.
Lucifer looked at Tae-hyun with pitiful eyes.
[You... Get a grip. He's not the kind of guy to let the same trick work twice.]
"Don't worry. I'm more of a 'strive for it' type than a 'receive it for free' type."
Watching Noname, who was threateningly raising Longinus, Tae-hyun curled up the corners of his mouth.
Unlike the words.
'How do I beat this guy?'
Such thoughts roamed in his head.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Two swords blocked the Spear of Longinus.
Hwareureureuk.
Sssssss.
The blue flames symbolizing the eyes of the sun and the eerie divine power symbolizing the eyes of the moon swirled around Noname.
And.
Hwaaaak.
Emitted one after another, they disappeared without any particular gains.
"Lucifer. Don't you think about reconciling with that guy?"
[Don't talk nonsense!!]
Lucifer snarled and rushed out again.
'Nonsense.'
It was not a small difference to simply dismiss it as such.
I realized it only after crossing swords.
1.2 million.
Noname is using at least that much divine magic.
On the other hand, Tae-hyun and Lucifer are at 600,000 when pushed to the limit.
It is natural not to be able to face 1.2 million with about 600,000 divine magic.
'Can't handle it separately.'
The thought was not long.
He called the Fallen Angel who had bounced out and started regenerating again.
[Are you going to talk nonsense again!!]
"I'll take charge of the magic."
[......]
"You take charge of the divine power."
[What nonsense are you talking about again.]
Instead of answering, Tae-hyun returned all the power he had been using with awkward divine magic to magic.
Thanks to this, the 'Eye of the Absolute' and the skill Horus were released, and crimson magic bloomed.
Canceling the unfamiliar Blood Sword.
He pulled out the Dragonslaying Sword, which he had stored during the battle.
"You'll be in trouble if you look down on the Meister grade weapon."
He aimed the Dragonslaying Sword, which was no longer a weapon, at Lucifer.
Ding.
[The will of 'Great Power' - 'Fallen Angel' reacts.]
Lucifer's gray magic flowed from the Dragonslaying Sword.
[This is...]
Ding.
[Unique skill Devour(???) has been activated.]
Crack.
The jaws of Devour revealed their teeth.
"Spit it out."
Tae-hyun ordered the jaws that had sprung up behind him.
The ferocious jaws wriggled for a moment.
Ptooey.
Lucifer's personal weapon, which had not been completely chewed and swallowed.
The half-broken 'Pride' was spat out.
'A weapon that Devour can't completely chew and swallow.'
It is an existence that I want to explore over time.
'Right now, it's more important to boost immediate power.'
Tae-hyun threw 'Pride', which was not much different from Dragonslaying Sword, at Lucifer.
Hwaaaak!!
Just holding the sword strengthened Lucifer's existence even further.
[Indeed... You're doing cute things.]
"Your words and expressions don't match."
There was no need to prepare separately.
Because they understood what each other wanted just by making eye contact.
Hwareureureuk.
1.1 million.
Lucifer's divinity released with full power and.
Crack.
1.1 million.
The magic of Devour released with full power dominated the area.
[You've become quite familiar with that guy's power.]
Just by looking at it, you can tell how much existence it has eaten.
Even with Devour in front of him, Noname did not hide his pleased reaction.
"Everyone has that reaction at first."
[A human trying to swallow a god. Don't you think it's blasphemous?]
"A god who steals a human's body. Don't you think it's frivolous?"
At Tae-hyun's words, Noname quietly burst into laughter.
"Devour it."
Noname spread his wings of radiance at the jaws revealing their teeth from his feet.
The sky was reached just by waving his wings once.
There.
Hwareureureureuk.
Lucifer, with the giant sun on his back, was aiming Pride.
[Ra. It's a power that the child would be happy about if he saw it.]
[Don't you dare evaluate a remnant.]
From above, the sun made of blue flames fell.
From below, the jaws of Devour soared.
In the gap between the great powers.
Noname recalled the existence that hunted him.
The Upper World King and the Lower World King.489
Clatter.
Whoosh.
The jaws of Gluttony tore into No Name's lower body, while the azure sun incinerated its upper half.
This wasn't just physical annihilation.
Both Lucifer and Taehyun had reached a point where a single attack could wound the other's very existence.
Moreover, they were resonating as contractors, enhancing each other's power.
A million units of demonic energy mixed with a million units of divine power, creating a force beyond a million—a divine-demonic energy.
'Definitely felt the impact.'
The messages indicating the rise in divine and demonic power upon Gluttony's touch on No Name were proof of that.
Flash!
Whoosh.
With the 'Apocalypse' and azure domains解除解, Lucifer landed next to Taehyun.
Subtle radiance and azure light.
Lucifer, suppressing his demonic energy and using only divine power, resembled an angel from mythology.
"Is that your true form?"
The appearance wreathed in the power of the Upper World seemed no less imposing than the lords of the Celestial Realm in his memory.
[Indeed, having a different contractor changes things.]
He had planted his authority by making Cody Cruise, who possessed a fragment of God, his contractor.
While Cody Cruise, relatively the subordinate, gained a massive backing,
For Lucifer, it wasn't a very profitable contract.
Of course.
[If I completely devour that thing, it will be worth all the effort so far.]
'Completely... so it's still alive.'
Taehyun confirmed that his intuition was correct.
[The impact wouldn't have been light. It will take quite a while to gather the remaining essence.]
However, until then, he said it couldn't be detected or attacked.
'Not bad.'
He needed to reorganize his forces as well.
"What about the barrier? At this rate, all those guys will get caught up in it?"
He was referring to the demons still in a tense state.
Whether Lucifer's subordinates or those of other Archdukes,
They were frozen by the aftermath of the battle between No Name and the two Archdukes.
[Do you have time to waste on such things now?]
"They are the Lower World's forces for the upcoming Race Wars."
[Tsk.]
Whether 'that guy' or 'this guy', they were both wasting power on useless things.
Lucifer clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
[If we can't handle it here, it's as good as a failure anyway.]
"You keep saying things I don't understand."
[Don't worry. If 'we' take care of that thing, you'll know even if you don't want to.]
'Hoh.'
Pleased by the emphasis on 'we', Taehyun nodded.
"How much time is left?"
[About ten minutes in your perception. That much, at least.]
Ten minutes was enough time to resolve many things.
"First, recovery."
Taehyun took out potions from his belt and began to empty them one by one.
He had gone all-in for the battle with Lucifer,
And the accumulated fatigue from the continuous battles was not light.
'If Lucifer falls, I'll fall too.'
He probably wouldn't be able to get up for a while, so he needed to maintain the strength of Elven and Rosaria to prevent the Archdukes from thinking reckless thoughts.
Having emptied ten potions in an instant, Taehyun checked the condition of the Archdukes.
Some were not visible, so Elven must have put them in the subspace gate.
'It would be better to recover safely there.'
Just then, Elven's voice echoed in his head.
[Contractor. What is all this about?]
'I made a contract with Lucifer.'
[……!!]
'I'll explain the details later. The Archdukes' recovery is the priority now.'
The battle was not over yet.
He would explain after they reorganized their lines.
[Understood.]
Soon.
The Archdukes' authorities resonated with the Dragonslayer Sword Taehyun was holding.
'Hazard and Gilfer, Igmun, Orgal are severely injured. Typhon, Rosaria, Elven, Jörmungandr are moderately injured.'
He realized anew how fierce the battle with Lucifer had been.
The problem was that the battle in a few minutes would be even more arduous.
'I'm short on mana.'
Whether it was because he had suddenly used too much mana, he was not recovering properly despite drinking potions.
[Don't worry.]
Elven, recognizing the situation, touched Taehyun with her branch.
Ding.
[You have come into contact with a vast amount of mana.]
[A vast amount of mana is imbued.]
The depleted mana rapidly began to fill.
It seemed that he had completely succeeded in connecting with the Divine Tree while Taehyun, Lucifer, and No Name were fighting.
'Enough.'
Confirming the mana that had filled up in an instant, he used a skill.
[Skill Hyper-speed Regeneration(???) has been activated. Specifying the target.]
[Skill Omen of Evolution(???) has been activated. Specifying the target.]
Ash-grey mana and deep azure mana enveloped Taehyun and the Archdukes.
Buzz.
Flash.
The authority symbolizing Lucifer restored the Archdukes' bodies, and the authority symbolizing Gilfer quickly restored their existence.
It was a skill made possible by the mana received through the Divine Tree.
[That… You dare bring down this dragon.]
Starting with Hazard, who was the first to approach,
The Archdukes growled at Lucifer, who had inflicted defeat on them.
[Weren't you the ones who rushed in without knowing your place?]
Lucifer retorted nonchalantly.
It was the moment when Orgal and Igmun, who were quick-tempered, exuded killing intent.
"Don't act like kids. The battle isn't over yet."
[Brother… what is all this about… I believe a explanation is required from the main demon?]
Gilfer, who had rationally accepted his defeat, asked.
[I think this one will have to explain it.]
Rosaria, who had restored many tentacles, intervened.
She was the one who hadn't fallen until the end in the battle with Lucifer.
Therefore, she had also been watching the battle that had continued inside the azure and Apocalypse, and the battle with No Name who had awakened afterward.
Purple mana enveloped the Archdukes except for Taehyun and Lucifer.
Like the skill 'Memorize'.
She conveyed the memories she had witnessed.
[Haa….]
[A fragment of God?]
[Absurd.]
[…….]
That was everyone's reaction.
Unlike Taehyun, they had never come into contact with No Name of the past.
Therefore, they seemed to recognize him as, at best, an absolute being of the Upper World, or a Celestial Realm Lord.
[Hey, shouldn't you handle Upper World matters alone?]
[You fool. Does this look like an Upper World matter to you?]
Orgal's face contorted at Lucifer's taunt.
[The one who lost has a lot to say.]
Igmun slyly mentioned Lucifer's defeat to Taehyun and emphasized their victory.
Lucifer's gaze turned to Taehyun.
[You fought well with these guys. I'm almost ashamed of myself for struggling.]
Taehyun ignored their argument and made eye contact with Elven.
She nodded as if she knew.
[Don't do crazy thing and gathers your power. You 육시랄 things.]
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
The Archdukes were silent for a moment at her words, which were usually hard to hear.
[You rotten thing. You could talk?]
Orgal asked, growling.
[Shut your smelly mouth. You moron.]
[……!!]
It was the moment when Orgal was about to explode with mana at the blatant sarcasm.
Taehyun, unable to watch any longer, intervened.
"Elven... I didn't mean to provoke them...."
Taehyun calmed Elven, who wasn't stopping her mockery of Orgal, and pointed to the red sky.
"A massive existence is forming."
[Wasn't the attack a moment ago successful?]
Taehyun shook his head at Igmun's question.
"The impact wasn't negligible, but he's definitely alive. In the battle that starts now, anyone below the level of Archduke will be of no help. So."
He ordered each of them to withdraw their armies.
"Elven, which direction?"
The one with the best mana detection here was undoubtedly her.
Instead of answering, she looked up at a certain part of the red sky.
[Three minutes, about that much.]
"...We need to hurry."
All the armies that had been advanced to pressure Lucifer were sent back to their respective territories.
The battle from now on was the last and extra part of the territory war.
There was no need to lose power here.
All the Archdukes scattered and prepared in their places.
[Contractor. Finally, the last puzzle of the territory war.]
Rosaria approached and spoke.
"You seemed to know."
Unlike the other Archdukes, she didn't seem to be particularly shaken even after seeing No Name.
"Is this also the will of the Lower World King?"
She answered with a shrug.
The Lower World King's sorcery. The Upper World King's sorcery. God. No Name's sorcery.
He realized anew how much he was being played by the hands of giants.
He would be able to resolve most of the sorcery once the territory war ended.
It wouldn't be too late to know the truth then.
Knowing that consideration.
She gave a benevolent smile.
"Don't overdo it."
[Okay.]
Rosaria returned to Elven's side, which could be said to be her place.
He turned his gaze away as he watched them exchange meaningful glances.
The red sky symbolizing the Lower World.
An unprecedentedly massive existence was gathering there.
No Name, who had lost form due to Taehyun and Lucifer's attack, had finished recovering his strength.
'A fragment, they said…'
He couldn't believe that the power of a mere fragment was shaking all the Archdukes of the Lower World.
What was certain was.
'This situation didn't happen when the Lower World King was conducting the territory war.'
A variable created by a variable.
'How should I use that situation?'
He was thinking that when.
Lucifer's voice resounded loudly.
[It's coming!!]
Taehyun instinctively swung the Dragonslayer Sword.
Clang!!!
His arm was numb.
The Spear of Longinus.
His spine tingled as he identified the weapon he had knocked away.
He knew this was the beginning.
Similar situations were happening everywhere.
Orgal's brown mana, Igmun's blood-red mana, Typhon's five-colored mana, Hazard's black mana, Rosaria's purple mana, Elven's colorless mana, Jörmungandr's blue mana, Gilfer's deep azure mana, Lucifer's ash-grey mana.
The power symbolizing the rulers of the Lower World bloomed everywhere.
A barrage strong enough to shake all that mana was being fired indiscriminately.
'Not yet.'
He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't launch a proper attack until that thing revealed its form.
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
He swung the Dragonslayer Sword and Blood Sword without a break.
The ash-grey mana bloomed and regenerated at the same time as the breakage.
He remembered what Lucifer had said.
'To completely annihilate it, you have to seize the perfect opportunity.'
That thing had already experienced an impact like death once.
'I will definitely devour it.'
[You've made interesting preparations in that short time.]
Everyone's gaze turned to one side at the sudden voice.
Fairy King Elven.
Radiance was raging around her as she released colorless mana.
Buzz.
Cody Cruise appeared in the radiance that resembled a gate.
Holding the Spear of Longinus in one hand, he reached out to Elven.
[Stand back!!]
Rosaria's tentacles exploded and scattered debris just by approaching.
Elven tried to back away in that gap, but.
[Stop.]
[……!!]
Elven's movement stopped at the absolute command that was beyond perception.
And.
Crack.
No Name's hand, lightly extended, grabbed her neck.
[A fairy's body. It seems sufficient to accept incomplete power.]
490
Among the Dukes, only Taehyun, Lucifer, and Jormungandr could handle divine power.
Even though Elven could synchronize with sacred beasts and use her authority to utilize magic in limitless ways,
she didn't have good compatibility with No Name.
A big reason she was helplessly suppressed was that.
[Le...t... go... of... me... trash...]
Word by word.
Elven barely managed to keep her consciousness from fading as she spoke with difficulty.
Kwaaa!!
Enormous magic, enveloping her entire body, flowed out in streams.
Along with Taehyun's growth, she had regained a significant amount of her past power.
Since she was synchronized with a sacred beast, magic like sharp blades tore at No Name's body.
But the radiance only flickered.
It didn't seem to have much impact.
[You all have terrible manners.]
Tsuzzz.
Colorless magic was sucked into the radiance.
It wasn't being 'absorbed' but 'synchronized'.
[This... crazy...]
Along with cursing, Elven tried to blast away the hand gripping her neck.
Hwaaak.
The radiance, having devoured her magic, finally began to seize control of her body.
The Dukes, struggling to shake off the spears of radiance, could be seen gathering.
They were all displaying movements that could be called high-speed, but
'They're slow.'
The Holy Spear Longinus, being materialized in infinite numbers.
Its absurd rate of fire was limiting the Dukes' movements, and the speed at which the radiance was engulfing her body was faster than expected.
Not even Rosaria could display this level of infiltration.
The current Elven was connected to a sacred beast.
If her body was taken over,
it wasn't hard to predict that a major disaster would occur.
The Lower Realm King's sorcery didn't seem to be working properly on the guy in front of her, so
'In this case...'
Just as Elven was about to detonate her own body to stop No Name's purpose,
without a sound,
Swish.
Elven's body teleported.
Instead, Igmun appeared in her place.
[……!!]
[What...]
[…….]
Elven, who had escaped from No Name through an unexpected method.
Igmun, who unexpectedly ended up taking Elven's place in this situation.
No Name, who had ridiculously let go of the prey he had almost caught.
And the other Dukes who were rushing in.
Everyone was unable to adapt to the sudden situation.
The one who shouted was Taehyun, who had created the current situation.
"Igmun!! Endure!!"
That one word to endure immediately made sense of the current situation.
[You crazy bastard!!]
Tsuzzzzzzz.
Kiiiiiiii-.
Igmun used Blood Flower from the start, causing his authority to go berserk.
He knew very well the power of Elven's great magic.
He had seen with his own eyes that it was easily suppressing that power, so he had unleashed his full power from the start.
[Incubus. A guy who rose to Duke despite being born an inferior species of the Lower Realm.]
[Shut up...]
Igmun spat out curses at No Name, who nonchalantly poked at his complex.
It had been a long time since he had been under Lilith's command.
'This guy or that guy.'
He didn't like the attitude of bringing up that past.
[The price for running your mouth in front of the original demon will be heavy.]
Tsuzzzzzzz.
Magic stones rotated furiously, and blood-red magic covered the radiance.
He had surrounded No Name with a miniaturized Blood Field.
Just because it was miniaturized didn't mean its power had decreased.
As if a giant gravitational force was acting, No Name's radiance shook violently.
Poook!!
A carefully crafted Blood Sword was embedded in the center of No Name's chest.
Tsuzzzzzzz!!
The absorbed radiance was rapidly converted into magic.
[……!!]
Equivalent to Lucifer, Kim Taehyun,
no, magic beyond that was flowing in.
[What a delicacy...!!]
Poook!! Kwajik!!
The excited Igmun embedded two more Blood Swords.
Even just a little more.
It was because of the desire to covet this immense power.
[Indeed. Even if you're an inferior species, you're a Duke.]
No Name admired Igmun for daring not to back down against him.
Even Lucifer had been wary of the radiance when crossing swords with him.
Yet this guy wasn't afraid of that power and was even absorbing it?
There was a reason Taehyun had sent this guy instead of Lucifer and Jormungandr, who could handle divine power.
He was eager to praise his aggressiveness.
[However.]
Kwok!!
No Name disregarded Igmun's magic, which was sucking in his essence, and grabbed his neck.
[To call God a delicacy. Repay that blasphemous language with your body.]
[N-No... c-cough...]
Radiance melted into the blood-red magic, which was rampant with immense power.
Just like with Elven,
he was analyzing the magic and starting to infiltrate.
To think he was trying to swallow him so easily when he was giving it his all.
'This... isn't something like authority.'
Igmun belatedly clicked his tongue at the radiance's infiltration power, which surpassed his authority.
Normally, he would have tried to cut off his neck to get his body back.
But Igmun didn't stop using his authority.
Rather, he strengthened it and acted as if he was going to see it through to the end.
[Don't get cocky... I hate to admit it... cough... but the original demon is just bait...]
Since it wasn't the first time he had worked with Taehyun,
Igmun was able to calmly accept the current situation.
That thought wasn't wrong.
Crack.
A swamp-like, dark-red magic was forming beneath his feet.
He smiled as he felt the presence of jaws revealing their teeth within.
Kwaduk!!!
The ferocious jaws tore off No Name's radiance, which had been grabbing his neck.
In that gap, Gilfel approached and snatched Igmun's body, flying up.
[Kuk... That guy is the only one who would use a Duke as bait...]
[...I agree.]
Gilfel affirmed as he looked at the jaws that had completely covered the radiance.
Immense magic was flowing into Taehyun, who had drawn his Dragon Slayer Sword.
'Authority Convergence' and 'Devouring'.
With that power, he suppressed No Name's radiance.
Hwaaaak.
Apocalypse.
Darkness, which could be called Taehyun's territory, descended on the area.
At the same time, the attacks that had been targeting the Dukes stopped like ghosts.
With the situation going according to plan, the Dukes returned to their territory and gathered their magic.
Gilfel also put Igmun down in a suitable location.
[Igmun. You should prepare here.]
With those words, Gilfel soared back into the sky.
Hazard and Lucifer, who had already taken their places, were gathering immense power.
Gilfel released her seven horns and deployed true azure magic.
Starting with her, the magic that the Dukes had been gathering was released one by one.
Evolution. Just entering the territory quickly filled the Dukes' essence.
Reinforcement. They achieved a highly durable body that could withstand any attack.
Regeneration. The strongest power that would not collapse under any shock was imbued.
Ferocity. Their vessel and rank harmonized, and immense power was emitted.
Rampage. They drew out the limit of what they could use, forcibly breaking through the wall.
Igmun, Typhon, Elven, and Rosaria followed behind.
[It's your turn.]
Overflowing with purple magic,
Rosaria waited for the signal from her contractor, who was struggling against the radiance.
[If you just hand over that child Lucifer, it would be simple. You're making a big deal out of this.]
It was as if he was scolding a child.
Taehyun shook his head as he looked at No Name, who was emitting radiance and resisting.
"It's difficult to do that."
Lucifer. Just a moment ago, his partner, who had become his strongest force.
He couldn't disrespect that guy.
So, if he didn't want to turn him into an enemy, he told him to come up with a more plausible reason.
[Lower Realm King. If it weren't for that guy, you wouldn't even be treated like a bug, yet your tongue has become quite long.]
"Lower Realm King. If it weren't for that guy, there would have been no need to mix words with you. More than that, are you really the No Name I know?"
At the blatant question, the radiance wavered.
He was laughing.
[Many beings call themselves gods.]
The god he encountered in America.
The remnants of god he encountered in the sacred beast.
The fragment of god he was encountering right now.
[All of that is god.]
'Pathetic wordplay.'
"It's absurd."
[Tedious. Wasn't this much time stalling enough?]
He was mentioning the Dukes who were pulling up their power to the limit outside, asking if trapping him in the Apocalypse from the start wasn't just a smokescreen.
"Don't bluff. Aren't you the same, stalling for time with an incomplete body?"
[Oh, dear.]
No Name laughed again.
It wasn't wrong.
Cody Cruise's essence had already reached its limit.
The body of a Duke.
The fact that he was trying to covet Elven's body, who had been chosen by the sacred beast, was proof of that.
Hwaaaak!!
Taehyun released the Apocalypse and created distance.
They had bought enough time for each other.
He could strongly feel the essence of the Dukes, who were emitting authority while riding the Dragon Slayer Sword.
Countless messages rang in his ears.
[Hmph...]
No Name glanced at the five Dukes surrounding him.
Lucifer and Jormungandr were guys who could deal shocks by handling divine power.
Hazard, Gilfel, and Orgal were guys who could hold his feet for a while.
That was his evaluation until just now.
[Amazing.]
No Name expressed pure admiration.
In the brief moment that Taehyun had bought,
the Dukes had overlapped each other's authority and crossed the wall.
Temporarily, that power was equivalent to that of a Celestial Realm ruler.
Even so.
[It's not enough.]
No Name said that as he watched Taehyun retreat.
"You'll see when you wait."
Taehyun retreating after releasing the Apocalypse was the signal.
Typhon wielded Gigantes.
The king of the giant race, who had high potential even among the dominant species of the Lower Realm, but whose growth had stopped due to his innate laziness.
No Name had already recovered more than 1 million magic power.
[This much is easy to block...]
Dududuk.
[…….]
No Name was speechless as he looked at the weapon that had pierced through the radiance and lodged in his body.
Elemental magic flowed in, riding Gigantes.
The meaning was clear.
[I see... So, you've crossed the wall too.]
Beings who were made so that they could never combine their power had joined forces against a common enemy.
And so, they had surpassed the given potential.
Even though it was just a fragment,
it was a welcome thing to him, who still had the memories of the 'One God'.
[You still don't understand the situation.]
Jormungandr said that, overflowing with divine power that had surpassed 1 million.
There was even a sense of composure in his voice.
[----- Han ------.]
He frowned at the words that weren't properly uttered.
[Is the sorcery still being applied?]
[You know too much. Unlike that child Lucifer, you seem to know your place.]
Ignoring No Name's ridicule,
[If we were to be defeated by the likes of God's remnants, the Dukes of the Lower Realm would lose face.]
[We wouldn't even dream of winning the race war.]
[This will be suitable as a warm-up.]
[From now on, we'll hunt the fragment of God.]
The attacks of the rampant Dukes began.
Loki couldn't come to his senses.
Following the Fairy King Elven, the Succubus Queen Rosaria.
He was being tossed around in the sub-space gate and personal space by them.
Since Taehyun and Igmun had taken a significant amount of his essence,
he couldn't get any proper strength in his body.
If he was this bad, the condition of the other Absolutes was obvious.
But what was important now wasn't that.
'I have to tell them.'
To his master, that a fragment of the 'One God' had awakened.
He didn't know why a fragment of the One God was here, but he had to inform Odin of this fact to prepare for the coming repercussions.
But even so.
He couldn't escape this jungle-like space.
Just then.
"Was the rest sufficient?"
Along with the gate, a human he didn't want to encounter appeared.
The culprit of all incidents, Kim Taehyun.
No.
There was someone else who appeared.
Vampire Lord Igmun.
Showing off an essence that had become even more enormous in that brief moment.
[The two of them are mine.]
Igmun's red eyes flashed.
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