RKP 551-560
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551 [What…?]
"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Or is the offer too sudden for you to comprehend?"
[...]
"Peace treaties come with corresponding prices. That's why we're offering to hand over one of our Grand Dukes."
A brief moment of silence filled the air.
Immediately, Odin's lips curled upward.
['Ra' has apparently returned as the master of the 10th Celestial Realm.]
As if urging him to say more, Tae-hyun tilted his head.
[In the 9th Celestial Realm, the Dragon race led by Hazar has started fighting, and in the 8th Celestial Realm, the Beast race led by Orgal has begun their battle.]
"You're quick to grasp the situation."
He hadn't given them any time to respond.
Odin let out a strange laugh.
Click.
With a snap of his fingers, the space rippled, and a hologram appeared.
Under the blue sky, a familiar face could be seen.
A Dragon Elder with seven scales was being torn apart by a Demonic Dragon, and Hazar was surrounded by a multitude of Demonic Dragons.
[There may be a slight time difference, but this is what's happening right now.]
Click.
Snapping his fingers once more, a new hologram appeared next to the first.
A beast engulfed in radiance.
The Mythical Beast species of the 8th Celestial Realm was tearing the Beast race to shreds.
Even though the highest-ranking species were clinging on to control the massive Mythical Beast...
'Is there a difference in strength?'
They certainly lived up to their reputation as the evolved version of the Beast race.
And among them...
"......"
Orgal, surrounded by numerous Mythical Beasts and missing two arms, was visible.
[Kim Tae-hyun. Or rather, the new Lower Realm King~.]
Odin's voice was laced with mockery.
[Haven't you underestimated the masters of the Celestial Realms too much?]
"......"
The more Tae-hyun remained silent, the wider Odin's smile grew.
Immediately, his tone changed.
[You stupid fool.]
A new Upper Realm King had been born.
The proud masters of the Celestial Realms would never easily accept that, so they must have engaged in battle.
[So, there will be no small loss of power.]
Odin paused briefly, then let out a bitter laugh.
[Now is the perfect opportunity to win the Race Wars. Isn't that what you thought?]
Click.
Snapping his fingers again, a third hologram appeared.
A clearer video than ever before showed the situation in the 7th Celestial Realm.
Igmun, Typhon, Jormungandr.
The three Grand Dukes who had entered a truce were looking up at the sky.
Tae-hyun and Odin's figures were floating in the vast blue sky.
[How is it~? The invasions of the 9th and 8th Celestial Realms are nothing short of failures in the current situation. And our match will have a decisive impact on the 7th Celestial Realm as well.]
But.
[Judging by the current situation, it doesn't seem like your skills are enough to subjugate the gods~. Were you mistaken?]
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap, clap. Clap, clap, clap.
Odin clapped his hands.
Each time, the runes on his ring collided, creating a grating metallic sound.
[Lower Realm King. Congratulations on the failure of the Race Wars. Trying to conquer the Celestial Realms by dispersing your forces. You were too greedy. It's the result of overestimating your own abilities.]
Clap.
Odin's clapping stopped.
[You said you would capture a god?]
Wrong.
[You're the one who's going to be captured, Kim Tae-hyun.]
Hwaaa.
The three holograms disappeared, and unfamiliar weapons were summoned all around the Personal Space.
[God's weapons. Containing power that even the former Upper and Lower Realm Kings found troublesome.]
Chains. Swords. Spears. Bows. Shields. Pendants. Staffs.
In addition to these, weapons of unfamiliar shapes were emitting an unclear radiance.
One could instinctively tell that it would be best not to touch them.
'Indeed.'
It would be difficult to capture him while controlling my power.
Tae-hyun acknowledged his opponent's power.
[It seems like I've given you more than enough of an answer to my proposal~?]
"Yeah. More than enough. But."
[Hmm?]
"You talk too much."
[You're just as verbose as I am.]
Immediately, divine power surrounded them as if to encircle them.
At the same time as enveloping himself in Predation's power, the bombardment began.
These were just weapons that had been imitated with runes.
But the layers of Predation's jaws were shaking with each collision.
A new energy, neither mana, nor divine power, nor divine-demonic power.
'This is the weapon used by a monotheistic god.'
It was an external force that Tae-hyun was encountering for the first time.
'If a replica is this strong...'
Crack.
A widespread maw rose from beneath his feet, and Odin created distance between them.
Crack!!
The maw swallowed Tae-hyun and the replicas in one fell swoop.
[A proposal like that. It must not have been important from the start~.]
"If you can't have it, you just forcefully take it."
He hadn't put much meaning into the proposal in the first place.
Like with Jormungandr, he thought that even if they accepted, some kind of mental modification would be necessary.
[The analysis of the space is complete.]
Clap.
As Odin clasped his hands, the domain began to collapse.
He was analyzing the Personal Space and repainting it as his own territory.
The process was so clean and fast.
"Wow~ you're really something, aren't you?"
A hollow laugh escaped as the completely deciphered space was revealed.
At least ten layers of multi-dimensional space had been broken with a single hand clap.
[You lack proficiency. You need to learn more about manipulating space from the succubus.]
Odin, recognizing that the power to manipulate space was derived from Rosaria, criticized him harshly.
[Didn't she tell you? That drawing others into your Personal Space is a double-edged sword.]
"She told me."
The desert revealed as the Personal Space was deciphered.
Tae-hyun answered as he looked around the mental world he was visiting for the first time in a while.
Odin's divine power was embedded everywhere in the mental world.
The encroachment had begun.
"You might want to stop that."
[Are you afraid?]
"What... maybe...?"
[Don't pretend to be tough. The encroachment of the mental world is a fatal blow even to the masters of the Celestial Realms.]
"I'm serious this time. If you mess with this place, I can't protect you."
Odin burst out laughing at Tae-hyun's words.
[Protect me? Who's protecting who? You don't actually think that kind of threat will work.]
Coldness settled in Odin's voice as he thought that Tae-hyun was looking down on him.
"Yeah. That's how everyone reacts."
Before they get their asses kicked.
Tae-hyun, muttering to himself, sat down in the desert.
[......?]
"Do whatever you want."
Ufufufu.
Odin's thin laughter spread throughout the area.
[You're giving up faster than I expected~?]
"There are some things you have to experience to know."
[Didn't I tell you not to pretend to be tough?]
Hwaaaaaak.
Dozens of divine powers were additionally embedded everywhere.
He was proceeding with the spatial encroachment faster than anyone who had ever visited this place.
Crack.
A crack formed in the red sky.
Crack, crack.
The sand-covered ground split open.
[Are you afraid?]
"I'm afraid."
[You've become a good boy.]
"Because a bad adult is coming."
[What a ridiculous joke.]
"I'll tell you one thing. There's another guy who claims to be the master of this place."
[It seems like you still have enough energy to spout nonsense...]
Odin didn't finish his sentence.
Because he could feel something foreign in the center of the space he was quickly seizing.
[Hmm...?]
"You're finally starting to notice."
Tae-hyun sighed and pointed behind Odin.
There, a Doppelganger with a distorted expression was standing.
When?
There hadn't even been a chance to say such words.
Thwack.
The Doppelganger's hand pierced Odin's chest.
[Trash.]
As if ink was spreading across blank paper.
Crack. Crack.
Predation's maw spread out from the pierced chest.
Without even being able to do anything. Odin's body was stained black.
[Die.]
Crack.
"Oops. What should I do."
Watching Odin's body being devoured.
Tae-hyun just laughed.
Crack. Crack.
Chomp, chomp, chomp.
While the maw-shaped Predation was busily gnawing away.
Hwaaaak.
Radiance flashed not far away.
The radiance spat out Odin.
'Oho.'
Tae-hyun watched the scene with admiration.
[Haa... Hhaak...]
Odin gasped for breath.
His eyes, drenched in sweat, were shaking.
The attack from just now.
He had almost died without being able to do anything.
If it had been another master of the Celestial Realms instead of himself, they would have certainly been annihilated without fail.
[Wh... what...]
Odin glared at the existence that had taken his life.
The Doppelganger also frowned as if surprised.
[I... completely swallowed him.]
"He's the master of the 7th Celestial Realm. Said to be the best magician in the Upper Realms."
His authority is Runes.
He's versatile enough to imitate the weapons of a god.
Tae-hyun snitched on Odin's information.
The Doppelganger glared at him as if displeased, but only for a moment.
[A god... I knew I sensed an unpleasant power...]
Odin waved his hand, and space began to split.
He was trying to move to his own Personal Space.
[Where do you think you're going?]
Click.
As the Doppelganger snapped his fingers, the splitting space disappeared as if it had never existed.
[......!!]
[There is no next time for uninvited guests.]
I'll watch your last struggle.
The Doppelganger said arrogantly.
Odin didn't get angry.
His hand moved quickly, and a gate twice as large as before was formed.
Tae-hyun leisurely watched the scene.
In the blink of an eye, Demonic Dragons and Valkyries of the 9th Celestial Realm were summoned.
This, too, would be an imitation, but it felt like the existence of the real thing.
'He's really a talented guy.'
If you could have such a guy as your subordinate, it wouldn't be a waste to give up Igmun's head.
What happened next was something that Tae-hyun hadn't anticipated.
A Divine Tree sprouted from behind Odin.
Like the Elven, Odin's divine power, synchronized with the Divine Tree, increased rapidly.
The magic of the Upper Realm King was being realized, pressing down on the master of the domain.
The Demonic Dragons opened their mouths to fire their breaths, and the Valkyries held holy spears in their hands.
The branches of the Divine Tree were interwoven, forming a massive spear.
[Divine spear Gungnir~.]
The moment Odin, full of confidence, took a javelin throwing stance.
Click.
The Doppelganger snapped his fingers.
Craaaaaaaaaack.
The Divine Tree split apart.
A maw appeared through the gap.
[Ah...?]
Odin let out a despairing moan.
[There's nothing this body can't eat.]
Craaaaaaaaaack.
The entire domain and space.
Was devoured whole.
Overwhelming Predation.
He watched the gluttonous meal.
Even after a long time had passed, Odin was unable to resurrect.
This time, he had truly been devoured.
[What the hell are you doing?]
Only then did the Doppelganger ask in an unpleasant tone.
Tae-hyun shrugged his shoulders and excused himself.
"I was planning to resolve it in the Personal Space."
[Don't think you can get away with that.]
Anger was laced in his voice.
Because Odin's encroachment was larger than he had expected.
If he had been late to act, the mental world could have collapsed.
It was also unpleasant for the Doppelganger, who shared a body with Tae-hyun, that Tae-hyun hadn't been stopping Odin.
"It's a gift."
[Is this bastard...?]
Enticing a Celestial Realm master and calling it a gift.
"I thought you might be lonely. I stopped by to see your face for the first time in a while."
His audacity was increasing more and more.
Of course, he wouldn't believe those words as they were.
[Don't say unnecessary things. Time is money. Isn't that your motto?]
Tell me what you need.
Seeing that he had deliberately dragged him into this mess and that he had that annoying look on his face, he was certain that he had a request.
"Judging by the fact that you can't read my thoughts, I must have gotten stronger? I used to mindlessly use Predation first."
[If you try to play with words one more time...]
Crack.
A maw appeared beneath Tae-hyun's feet.
Swish.
He used the Eye of the Moon to move his body to a spot one meter away.
'This is enough for greetings.'
Tae-hyun raised both hands, indicating that he had no intention of fighting.
He was just planning to open a gate to the next Celestial Realm.
"But I need Odin. Help me out, Bro Dople."
He requested help from the bottom of his heart.
552 [If you don't want to?]
"Dople hyung. Why is the world like this?"
[He awakened his power... What happened to his head?]
The doppelganger frowned as if annoyed.
He didn't like Taehyun acting friendly.
"Why are you being so cold? After all we've been through."
[Don't be arrogant. You haven't reached that level yet.]
Taehyun's body was nothing more than prey.
He warned that he would devour him if he became weak after fighting the Heavenly Realm masters.
"A bit of tension is good as a mindset for a race war. But to fight the Heavenly Realm masters, shouldn't there be a plausible stage first? The power gap between the Upper and Lower Realms hasn't been completely closed yet."
Invading the Upper Realm is like sticking your head into the enemy's mouth.
Each Heavenly Realm is filled with multiple Absolutes.
Unless we clearly grasp the coordinates to the next Heavenly Realm, a battle cannot be established.
That's why I'm asking.
"Odin. Give it back."
The doppelganger in the mental world is not just strong in power.
An omnipotent god.
In other words, it also means that he can use the power of 'mind control,' which is close to 'creation.'
At least as far as this place is concerned.
'He is superior to me.'
I bowed politely.
"Please."
I asked politely.
[…….]
An silence unsuitable for the mental world flowed.
Tsk tsk tsk.
How did a guy who is all talk become the Lower Realm King?
The doppelganger clicked his tongue and waved his hand.
Crack.
Odin, stained with magic power, was spat out from the mouth of predation.
[Heok... Hua... What... what is this... .]
Odin looked at his hand with an unbelievable expression.
His body was annihilated by the previous strike.
At the moment of the annihilation of his existence, he used his power.
There would be permanent shock, but it was his own countermeasure to escape.
It was successful.
He was about to pierce Kim Taehyun with Longinus.
But.
Why am I back here?
[I reconstructed this foolish guy's body.]
"Then as expected..."
[It means I can manipulate him as you please.]
[What...!!]
Odin was flustered.
Hehe.
Taehyun's lips curved up.
Because he saw a new possibility that he had not yet reached.
"That skill. Can you teach me?"
It seems useful to know.
I was thinking about bowing politely again.
[It's impossible for you.]
Predation is the source of the Lower Realm King's power.
Just as Odin imitates various powers with runes, countless experiences and understanding are needed to use this level of skill.
Except for 'Mind Control,' 'Personal Space,' and 'The Deceiver,' Taehyun didn't have many powers to subdue the Heavenly Realm masters.
In other words, he can't use it at his current level.
"Too bad."
[If you're done, take that trash and get out of here.]
Unlike the fierce momentum, the doppelganger disappeared readily.
[You... on God's body... .]
He is called the best juggler in the Upper Realm.
There is no way he wouldn't have noticed the 'change' that happened to himself.
Taehyun approached the confused Odin.
"Good boy, Odin."
He held out his palm.
"Hand?"
Slap.
The smooth hand of the Heavenly Realm master was raised reflexively.
Apart from the intense shaking of his blue eyes.
"Good boy. Our Odin."
Taehyun stroked the pet's head.
Absolute Vidar's gaze turned to the ground.
The ground was deeply hollowed out by the aftermath of the battle.
In that place, the three Archdukes were giggling among themselves.
A being from the Lower Realm showing such composure in the Upper Realm.
Even in an unprecedented situation, Vidar's blue eyes were calm.
Showing that he, who is no different from Odin's clone, is shaken?
That's exactly what the Archdukes, who are sitting comfortably, want.
[Lord Vidar. The preparations are complete.]
Absolute Hord.
The man, who wouldn't be strange to be his adjutant, said that it was okay to resume the attack at any time.
He was also unhappy with the Archdukes laughing and talking.
Vampire Lord Igmun.
Sea Serpent King Jormungandr.
Giant King Typhon.
I want to force them to kneel down right away.
I want to break their arrogant pride.
I want to hang them so that all the Celestials of the 7th Heavenly Realm can see.
Especially Vampire Lord Igmun.
'That guy must be captured and made an example of.'
It seemed that such thoughts were conveyed without saying a word.
[That wish will come true.]
[I'm sorry.]
For an Absolute to have his emotions read so easily.
Hord bowed his head in shame.
Vidar's gaze turned to the sky again.
Hologram created using Odin's power and floated up.
He paid attention to the screen that was transmitting the image of Kim Taehyun and Odin.
It is impossible to know who dragged the other into their Personal Space first.
Odin is called the best magician in the Upper Realm, but I heard that the Succubus Queen of the Lower Realm also has a knack for Personal Space.
Seeing the Lower Realm King facing Odin alone.
'Should I consider him confident in the battle in the mental world?'
Against the master of the 7th Heavenly Realm who copied hundreds of Divine Artifacts?
[Arrogant.]
Vidar uttered the emotions he had been holding back.
The moment Odin comes out of Personal Space will be an opportunity.
The moment he finds complete movement.
He will share his power with the Absolutes here and subdue the Archdukes with full force.
It won't take long for the brief peace to be broken.
At that time, there was a commotion from everywhere.
Vidar's gaze turned to the hologram.
Click.
Odin's finger was moving.
The movement, which could not be confirmed unless one concentrated.
Wiggle.
It has now become a clear movement that can confirm the movement of one arm.
The Valkyries burst into shouts.
The Absolutes cheered.
[The Lower Realm King has been defeated.]
Hord said with a satisfied smile.
Whether it's Personal Space or mental world.
Defeat there affects even the main body.
Light gathered in Odin's hand to form a spear.
Even if the Holy Spear in a defenseless state has a strong body, it cannot withstand it.
Odin will subdue the Lower Realm King and he will subdue the Archdukes.
The end of the race war will begin here in the 7th Heavenly Realm.
Before he knew it, the shouts became hostility and headed towards the three Archdukes who were being relaxed.
[Surely Kim Taehyun didn't lose?]
Igmun frowned at the shouts cursing his name.
[Hehehe. Don't doubt your own brother.]
Typhon deflected the hostility just by shaking his massive body.
[My thoughts are the same. I don't think the Lower Realm King, our contractor, will lose... .]
Jormungandr tilted his head at the unexpected situation.
[Look over there. Only Odin's body is moving. Something is definitely wrong.]
[Hmm... certainly... .]
The fact that the body is moving means that the mind is returning quickly.
Unlike Odin, who was showing clear movements, Taehyun was still not moving at all.
[Damn it. Dammit, Kim Taehyun.]
Igmun spat out profanity and took a battle stance.
There are three Archdukes who have crossed the wall.
The number of Absolutes who have gathered in a short time is not small, but if they do their best, they will be able to inflict devastating damage.
Before Odin joins, he will exhaust as much power as possible and draw them into a 3-on-1 battle.
Afterwards, he will aim to capture Odin again with the Archdukes who enter again.
For now, this method seemed to have the highest probability.
[It's strange. 'That guy' should be in Kim Taehyun's mental world.]
Jormungandr tilted his head.
Doppelganger.
A being who could face all of the Archdukes even at the moment when he had not fully awakened the Lower Realm King's power.
The power of the Lower Realm King itself.
His power is beyond imagination.
He did not have the possibility that Taehyun would be defeated, so the current situation was unexpected.
[Didn't I tell you? Odin is troublesome even among the Heavenly Realm masters.]
Igmun, who had killed more Valkyries and Absolutes than anyone else among the Archdukes, was certain.
[Hmm... if you say so much... .]
Jormungandr summoned the Sea of Demons again.
The power imbued in the Sea of Demons dramatically increased the stats of the three Archdukes.
[Before the battle begins. I will summon the second realm.]
A technique obtained by fusing with Osiris.
He said that he would use 'Heaven'.
[That's reassuring.]
Tsssz. Tsssz.
Blood-colored magic power soared around Igmun.
The powers of 'Absorption', 'Regeneration', and 'Rage' were mixed to enhance his existence.
The blood sword he was holding vibrated.
The goal is to reduce as many numbers as possible with the first attack.
[Typhon. You help too.]
Now is the right time when the enemies are not actively moving.
He urged the still peaceful Giant King.
[Vampire. Trust your brother.]
Regardless of the hostility pressing his massive body.
Typhon said calmly.
[You fool. Face reality.]
The guys who invaded the 9th or 8th Heavenly Realm can receive support from Elven from time to time.
This is because Elven infuses magic power using the divine tree of the Lower Realm and the 10th Heavenly Realm.
But they are isolated if Kim Taehyun fails.
Even if Elven opens the gate late, the Absolutes will not leave them alone.
Perhaps, if the support of the Archdukes is unfortunately cut off, or if support from other Heavenly Realms comes.
The Archdukes will be hunted after the tedious war of attrition is over.
At least, they have to buy time for the Archdukes waiting for a signal in the 10th Heavenly Realm to come over.
Typhon looked at Igmun and Jormungandr with expressionless red eyes.
[You guys. Don't make a fuss. Trust your brother.]
[Giant King. I know your heart for Kim Taehyun, but don't you know what those guys' cheers mean?]
Jormungandr soothed Typhon.
[Has your brother ever disappointed us? He is a being who now reigns as the king of the Lower Realm. Don't doubt him.]
Typhon flaunted his firm belief.
[You... you blockhead!!]
Igmun, who could no longer stand it, opened the Blood Field.
He was thinking of starting a battle even alone.
Just then, Odin in the hologram showed complete movement.
Holy Spear Longinus.
The spear of light was aiming at Taehyun.
The Celestials also opened their divine power and entered the suppression of the Blood Field and the Sea of Demons.
They are trying to launch a general offensive on the orders of Absolute Vidar.
Krr.
Heaven was created in the sky.
The hologram was distorted and countless blood swords revealed their shape.
Tsssz. Tsssz.
Each blood sword was imbued with the power of rampage.
It is the moment when the Absolutes are trying to respond.
Suddenly.
The Celestials began to stir.
Igmun's red eyes, which control the blood sword, narrowed.
[What... .]
Jormungandr's odd eyes, which control the sky, were bent.
[Kekeke... what is this situation... .]
Igmun and Jormungandr showed their respective reactions.
Inside the hologram.
Quack.
Odin, who regained ownership of his body, stabbed the spear of light into the ground.
Thud.
He slipped and knelt on both knees.
The Heavenly Realm master's face was full of misery.
Slide.
Taehyun, who belatedly opened his eyes, was raising the corners of his lips.
Hahahaha.
Typhon laughed heartily and got up.
Taehyun has subdued Odin, so all that remains is for the Archdukes to subdue the Absolutes.
[Kim Taehyun, you crazy bastard. You make me tremble.]
The blood sword fell.
[I didn't doubt it at all, just like the Giant King. You lack faith, Igmun.]
Heaven and Sea of Demons swirled.
And.
[Rosalia~!!]
The giant rampaged.
Episode 553
The 7th Celestial Realm.
In a place more difficult to access than any other Celestial Realm, two Archdukes stepped further in.
It was Gilfer and Rosaria.
Elven had deployed them additionally because there was no contact from Taehyun.
[They seem to have been quite reckless.]
She said, gazing at the ground that had been arbitrarily carved away.
The Archdukes who had left as advance parties left a palpable presence of their magic everywhere.
It meant they had been indiscriminately unleashing their authorities.
And.
The battle seemed to be still ongoing.
A collision of enormous magical and divine power was detected.
Bang!!
As if thunder had struck nearby.
Trickle.
Igmun's body slid forward towards Gilfer.
[A miserable sight.]
Gilfer said with gloomy eyes.
[Was there ever one who came out unscathed after being defeated by a Contractor?]
Rosaria looked down with derision.
[Damn you… coming… so late….]
Thud.
The master of lightning plummeted from the sky.
[Demon King, Succubus Queen.]
[…Thor?]
Gilfer raised his thorns.
Crack crack crack.
The venomous thorns scraped against his armor as the battle resumed.
[The God of Thunder, they say. A well-balanced Absolute Being.]
Rosaria exclaimed, watching Thor fight against the two Archdukes.
Sometimes, such beings were born.
Irregulars who wouldn't be out of place becoming Archdukes or Celestial Realm rulers.
But the timing was bad.
It might be manageable against one Archduke.
Thwack.
Igmun's blood sword pierced Thor's shoulder.
Thwack.
Gilfer's thorns pierced his armor.
Thor wildly swung Mjolnir, scattering lightning.
A blood field spread, and purgatory descended.
Just for a moment, they leisurely observed the battle.
[I must go help another idiot.]
Rosaria, releasing her tentacles, moved swiftly.
With Odin absent.
It didn't take long for the five Archdukes to seize control of the 7th Celestial Realm.
[Contractor, are you alright?]
Elven asked, having succeeded in connecting the 7th and 10th Celestial Realms using the two Divine Trees.
[You've seized control of the 7th Celestial Realm's Divine Tree. Judging by how long it took, capturing it wasn't easy, was it?]
"Ah… that Odin fellow did something strange to the Divine Tree."
[The connection between the 9th and 8th Celestial Realms is severed. I'm infusing them with magic, but I can't confirm their survival.]
"Yeah. Seems that way."
He recalled the appearances of Hazard and Orgal that Odin had shown during the battle.
Elven, born in the Lower Realm, and Odin, born in the Upper Realm, had different understandings of coordinates.
If they had captured him in a normal state, it wouldn't have been impossible to transfer all of Odin's knowledge to Elven.
But the Odin that Taehyun controlled was broken.
The Doppelganger's devouring process caused significant disruption, and Taehyun's training involved personally caressing his body as a result.
Currently, he possessed only half the power of a Celestial Realm ruler and was undergoing additional training due to occasional resistance.
If only they had captured him in perfect condition, they could have glimpsed the situation in other Celestial Realms as before.
The incompetent fool.
'That's what happens when you resist unnecessarily.'
Whack.
Without realizing it, he struck the back of Odin's head, who was beside him.
Even a light swing was as powerful as Orgal.
[Ugh….]
Odin touched his head with a humiliated expression.
[Don't… hit… me….]
His nonchalant response was infuriating.
Whack.
He struck him again.
[Kugh….]
The Celestial Realm ruler shed tears of blood and bit his lip.
How would he react here?
Depending on that, he knew that personality training would begin in his personal space.
[You too… have quite the psychopathic tendencies.]
"Can't say the same for you."
Taehyun and Elven exchanged glances, chuckling.
"There's no news from the Celestial Realm rulers either. There's bound to be damage."
The Archdukes had invaded with all their forces.
'It would be troublesome if they couldn't buy us time.'
In situations like this, assuming the worst made it easier to formulate strategies.
Assuming Hazard and Orgal had been annihilated.
'There are seven Archdukes left, then.'
There were also seven remaining Celestial Realm rulers.
And Taehyun would face Asmodeus, who had become the Upper Realm King, so their forces weren't significantly behind yet.
'No, is it ten on our side?'
Taehyun glanced at Odin, who was trying to break free from his restraints.
The more broken he became, the less usable he would be, but for now, even this guy's skills were useful enough.
They lost two Archdukes and gained two Celestial Realm rulers.
'Not bad.'
[I will personally ascend and open the gate to the 6th Celestial Realm.]
Unlike the 9th and 8th Celestial Realms, the 6th could only be accessed through the 7th.
There were several other connected Celestial Realms as well.
[We must hurry. Since they were so reckless, the 6th Celestial Realm will be heavily prepared.]
"So we need to divert their attention with a suitable target."
[Have you decided on an Archduke?]
Information on the 6th Celestial Realm was also scarce, so the opponent was still vacant.
That meant the risk would be doubled.
"I have the right candidate."
Taehyun uttered the name of the Archduke he had decided on.
Gulp. Gulp.
Igmun completely absorbed Thor's divine power.
The Absolute Being, who was covered in lightning and stuck to them more persistently than anyone else, had died in the form of a mummy.
On the other side, Jormungandr and Gilfer were preying on the Absolute Beings Vidar and Hoder.
"Wow~ Our Igmun. Your skin has gotten even better since the Species War started? Are you a war-type?"
Bullshit.
Thinking that, the Vampire Lord opened his mouth.
[You always have an agenda when you approach me like that. Spit it out.]
"Such a delicate guy pretending to be a tough man. Actually, you're right. I want our Igmun to take charge of the 6th Celestial Realm."
[Hmph. So you want me to be bait.]
"Scared?"
[Cut the pointless provocation. I've been played by your tongue enough.]
"Don't say that. You know how much I care about you."
This bastard to the end.
Igmun suppressed his rising anger.
It was clear that he wouldn't fare well if he attacked Taehyun as he was now.
The fact that Odin, who was following behind, was shedding tears of blood was proof of that.
'If that guy is determined, there's no justification to refuse. If I can't avoid it… I'll squeeze as much out of him as I can.'
Igmun thought, tearing off Thor's head.
Crumble.
The Absolute Being's body, which was full of the potential of a Celestial Realm ruler, turned to dust and scattered.
[I was going to take charge of a Celestial Realm anyway.]
He just didn't like being treated like a disposable pawn.
[Provide proper support and preparation.]
Igmun commanded as if to assert his pride.
"You're so cool, as always. I've prepared something that'll pique your interest."
Taehyun took out a meticulously crafted stone from his pocket.
Igmun's crimson eyes widened.
[That is….]
"That's right, it's a rune."
It was just a stone, but.
He sensed a divine power that was incomparable to what even the Absolute Beings wielded.
"It's no ordinary rune. It contains about half of Odin's power."
[What…!!]
"Good reaction."
Taehyun briefly explained to the surprised Igmun.
The Doppelganger's power to devour Odin and enforce commands in the Mental World had been created, but it was only a fraction of his full power.
That was because Odin possessed more complex powers than he had anticipated.
After entering and exiting the Mental World several times, he was able to understand the reason.
The Absolute Being Vidar.
He had taken most of Odin's power.
He found Vidar and the Absolute Beings who were hiding using the Divine Tree.
He left the treatment of most of the Absolute Beings to Igmun, and brought Vidar before Odin and directly took his power.
Odin was forced to recover all of his authority, and Taehyun split the recovered power in half.
He knew that fully restoring it would only make it more difficult to control.
Anyway.
"This is the result."
He handed over the rune containing half of a Celestial Realm ruler's divine power.
His widening crimson eyes began to tremble, and when that trembling subsided, greed filled them.
[You're giving this to me….]
"Well, you're heading to a death trap. I figured it should be this good of a gift."
[…….]
Igmun fell silent.
The silence didn't last long.
[If I absorb this….]
"You'll be able to face the 6th Celestial Realm ruler alone. Well, how well you absorb it depends on your abilities."
[Don't get cocky. Have you forgotten who the original master of the authority is?]
Igmun retorted, accepting the rune from Taehyun.
He was going to take it anyway.
He smiled, seeing his intention to maintain his pride to the end.
"That confidence isn't bad. How long do you think it will take?"
[Normally, even thousands of years wouldn't be enough… but if the Fairy King helps, a month should be enough.]
A month.
"That's a bit long."
[It can't be helped. If I try to absorb it hastily, I won't even properly take 10% of it.]
That wasn't a welcome statement either.
"Igmun. Get Rosaria's help."
[…….]
"Her personal space can control the flow of time."
[You're uttering such words knowing my relationship with that bitch?]
Igmun growled.
"I'd like to lend you my personal space, but Odin messed it up, so I need to recover. If you want, should I ask 'him' in the Mental World?"
[…Are you crazy?]
Igmun briefly flared with murderous intent at the mention of sending him to the Doppelganger.
"This is troublesome~."
Taehyun imitated Odin's tone.
"Our proud Vampire Lord refuses even when we offer a table set to elevate him. Hmm… would it be better to ask Gilfer? Our Demon King wouldn't refuse Rosaria's request for help… and he has the authority of 'Evolution'… it might be more efficient than 'Absorption'…."
Igmun's face twisted at the audibly muttered words.
The potential of the 'Evolution' authority was not insignificant.
Gilfer wouldn't refuse Taehyun's request.
'If he takes this power too… the gap between him and me will widen even further.'
Because he had taken the rank of Archduke with his own power, Igmun felt a strange sense of competition with Gilfer, who had similarly risen from Greater Demon to Archduke.
"Decide here and now. Whether you'll take the power with the help of Rosaria and Elven, or hand over the role to Gilfer neatly."
[…….]
"Ah~ I want to help our Vampire Lord grow as much as he struggles… but you keep refusing even when I spoon-feed you, what a pity…."
This bastard.
He swallowed the curses that rose as he watched Taehyun rant on his own.
[…I will.]
"…Huh?"
[I… will go.]
"I don't quite understand what you're saying… Did my head go numb from fighting too much?"
[I will!! Take this power!! With the help of the Fairy King and the Succubus Queen!! That's what I mean!!]
Igmun shouted.
His voice was so loud that the entire area vibrated.
"No need to drag it out."
Snap.
As if snapping his fingers, the branches of the 7th Celestial Realm's Divine Tree extended and touched Igmun.
Whoosh.
Resonating with the rune he was holding, a vast divine power settled.
[Ugh….]
The source of Igmun's power was magic.
Like Orgal, Typhon, and Gilfer, he had focused on enhancing his power by prioritizing the Archduke's other authorities over divine power.
It wasn't that he couldn't use divine magic, but his proficiency was different from that of Lucifer, Jormungandr, Rosaria, and Elven.
That's why he groaned at the sudden surge of divine power.
"Now you need to start handling proper divine magic."
[Haa….]
Igmun's crimson eyes trembled, and his consciousness faded.
The divine power residing in the Divine Tree and the rune was resonating.
Shortly after.
Elven, who had crossed over to the 7th Celestial Realm, alternately looked at Taehyun and Igmun.
[It's like leaving a fish to a cat. Rosaria will be very pleased.]
Sss.
A gate opened beside Taehyun, and Rosaria appeared.
[Hehe. I've heard the general situation.]
How fast.
"Please. Don't torment him too much."
[Ahahaha. I also know how to separate public and private matters.]
Looking at the unconscious Igmun.
Rosaria licked her lips.
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"……."
Taehyun hesitated, unsure of what to say.
[It's been a while since I've invited a vampire to my castle.]
Ahahahaha.
Drip. Drip.
Purple tentacles wrapped around Igmun.
[Ugh…]
Igmun, already unconscious, groaned instinctively.
"Um… you know, don't handle him too roughly. He has to go to the 6th Realm as soon as the job's done."
[Ohoho. Whose orders are you following?]
Rozaria chuckled and dragged Igmun into her space.
[The contractor is so naive.]
"Did I… make a mistake?"
[Could you have done anything else? We can only hope Igmun's wildness is more untamed than we think.]
"……."
Taehyun briefly imagined Igmun, his wildness subdued by the benevolent Rozaria's tentacles.
How terrible.
Ah… Igmun.
It took the vampire lord exactly a week to fully absorb the divine power.
A week.
A long time, perhaps, or a short one.
During that time, Taehyun trained Odin, summoned the Grand Dukes' forces, and completely seized control of the 7th Realm.
He also traveled between the 10th Realm and the Lower Realm, helping Elven infuse magic into the 9th and 8th Realms.
With the assistance of Taehyun and Ra, who could synchronize with the Divine Beasts, Elven was able to unleash enormous amounts of magic without being overwhelmed.
There was still no way to ascertain the fate of Hazard and Orgal, but if they were alive, this alone would be a great help.
And so, preparations for Igmun and the vampire clan to depart for the 6th Realm were complete.
The vampire lord, emerging from his personal space, emanated a presence stronger than ever before.
'He's more than twice as strong as before.'
The divine power subtly mixed with his magic indicated that he had also gained considerable insight into the control of divine and demonic power.
One thing had changed, though.
[Igmun, do not forget my teachings.]
[…Understood.]
His attitude towards Rozaria was different from before.
He was speaking casually, but was it just an illusion that it felt like honorifics?
[Hoohoohoo. If you return alive, let us have a deep conversation.]
[…….]
Igmun, who usually cursed at everything, shuddered and avoided Rozaria's eyes.
Typhon, seeing this, screamed.
[…That bastard… what happened with Rozaria there!!]
[You stupid bastard… shut your mouth.]
Tsuzzzzz.
Crimson magic erupted from Igmun's body.
He was about to crush Typhon completely.
[The filthy vampire… dared to covet my woman.]
Kwazzzik.
The two magical forces collided, creating cracks in space.
No one stopped them.
Igmun's magic was not inferior to the iridescent magic emanating from Typhon's body.
The assembled Grand Dukes exclaimed in admiration, and the vampire clan tasted the sweet exaltation of their lord's growth.
It was when the cracks in space deepened.
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down, both of you."
Taehyun unleashed his aura.
Taehyun's authority had already reached the realm of 'Fear,' like Hazard.
The Grand Dukes, who had been unleashing murderous magic, flinched and lowered their auras.
Grand Dukes and the rulers of the realms.
Even if they were the champions of their respective layers, an unbridgeable gap already existed between them and Taehyun.
[Ahaha. Truly, my king.]
Rozaria gave him a benevolent look.
[Eek… brother, that's cheating!!]
Typhon glared, as if feeling wronged.
[Hmph.]
Igmun gathered his magic and glared at Typhon and Taehyun.
"Time is passing. Let's start quickly."
Taehyun swept his gaze over the crowd and synchronized with the Divine Beast of the 7th Realm.
'Ra,' synchronized with the Divine Beast of the 10th Realm, and 'Elven,' synchronized with the Divine Beast of the Lower Realm, were waiting.
[This situation is much better than with Hazard and Orgal.]
Elven said.
The more authority they had over the Divine Beasts of the Upper Realms, the more reliable support they could provide.
[Even so, victory cannot be guaranteed. The 6th Realm is a kaleidoscope that even the gods have not fully grasped.]
Ra warned, saying it was too early to be optimistic.
"Neither of you is wrong. But if I've set up this stage, you have to do it yourselves."
The Divine Beasts of the three realms intertwined, and a gate to the 6th Realm opened.
It was more stable and larger than the ones opened before.
All that was left was to pass through the gate.
Suddenly, Igmun entered the interior of the Divine Beast.
The vampire lord's red eyes scanned the Fairy King and the Sun God, stopping at Taehyun.
[Kim Taehyun. It's my turn after you.]
"Huh?"
[I'm saying that I will be the next Lower Realm King.]
"Ah."
It was an ambition that sounded like a declaration of war.
"How scary. Do you think you can do it?"
[Only I can take your head.]
It seemed like he would be dealt with by Rozaria.
He didn't want to provoke the Grand Duke's pride before the expedition by saying such things.
"I'll be waiting."
If he was still alive after the race war, he would give him a chance to challenge for the throne of the Lower Realm.
He showed generosity to the Grand Duke.
[You smug bastard.]
With a sneer, Igmun exited the Divine Beast.
Starting with him, the top-tier species and hundreds of thousands of powerful beings crossed the gate.
The Divine Beast of the 10th Realm, controlled by Ra, emitted divine power; the Divine Beast of the Lower Realm, controlled by Elven, emitted magic; and the Divine Beast of the 7th Realm, controlled by Taehyun, emitted divine and demonic power.
They provided support until the very end so that they could survive on the battlefield.
[To think the vampire lord would grow enough to invade the 6th Realm. The growth rate of the Lower Realm is terrifying.]
[Contractor. Suddenly pushing Igmun like that. Have you developed some affection for him?]
Because he had not stopped pouring in divine and demonic power until the gate was completely closed, beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
Ra and Elven knew that their contractor was more sentimental than he outwardly expressed.
Therefore, they thought that Igmun would overcome the trials of the 6th Realm and return even stronger, and that trust had been built despite the rough treatment.
"Hoo."
Taehyun exhaled after pouring in the last bit of his divine and demonic power.
He looked at the Sun God and the Fairy King, who were shining their blue and red eyes.
He felt a strange sense of…
"No, I didn't."
[Hmm?]
[……?]
"Affectionate feelings, my ass. That ungrateful vampire who doesn't know the meaning of gratitude. I just sent him as bait. He'll only realize how grateful he should be to the contractor when he's about to die."
[…….]
[…….]
"I figured I had to put in this much effort if that weakling was going to do his job as bait properly."
Taehyun wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.
"Let's rest for a bit and prepare the gate to the 5th Realm. We're quite behind schedule."
To the Lower Realm King's command, spoken with a cheerful expression.
[…Understood.]
[…Okay.]
The Sun God and the Fairy King awkwardly replied.
The Upper Realms were made in a more complicated way than the Lower Realms.
Those with strong curiosity, like 'Ra' or 'Odin,' had tried to understand the principles behind it several times, but it was not easy.
The limit was only to find out the coordinates and characteristics of the corresponding realm through the connection points connected to the Divine Beasts.
They were disappointed that they could no longer find out anything else.
However.
In the current race war, the respective coordinates they had discovered had become weapons to lead the race war to victory.
That was the first variable that the rulers of the 5th Realm had not noticed.
The 5th Realm.
Unlike the other realms, it was jointly ruled by four equal gods.
Brahma was the one who outwardly maintained the position of ruler, and Vishnu, Shiva, and Kali were also called joint rulers and existed there.
The former 1st Realm ruler, the fallen angel Lucifer.
The 7th Realm ruler, the sage Odin.
The 10th Realm ruler, the sun god Ra.
Including the three rulers who were living eventful lives, those who knew the situation of the 5th Realm would often mention these rulers of the 5th Realm when they recalled the meaning of the words 'to exist'.
Even if millions of dimensions in the Intermediary Realm were combined, they would not be able to match the power of a single realm.
A giant universe.
The size of the 5th Realm was not lacking, but the realm's capacity was full just by the existence of the four joint rulers.
Existences blessed by the only god in a different sense from the 1st Realm.
The four gods with transcendent power devised a plan and turned their eyes to the 4th Realm.
They created another god there and expanded the territory of the 5th Realm.
A long time ago, Vishnu was devoured by the Lower Realm King, and although the capacity of the universe was emptied, the 5th Realm was still desolate.
Now.
In the middle of the vast desert stretching out under the blue sky.
A huge table was laid out.
Two beings sat around it.
[The 6th Realm has been breached.]
[The new Lower Realm King is coming. He'll be here soon.]
The ones who said this were Kali and Shiva, the joint rulers of the 5th Realm.
Suddenly, space split apart.
A giant mouth appeared from there.
[Guests are coming. We need to prepare to welcome them.]
The radiance flowing down from space flowed onto the table and formed a featureless human figure.
It was the body that Brahma, the ruler of the 5th Realm, had recently constructed.
[It seems 'Ra' has betrayed us.]
Brahma, who was sitting in the middle of the table rather than on a chair, said with a yawn.
The other joint rulers, Shiva and Kali, chuckled.
[Following the fallen angel, now the sun god.]
[According to observations, it seems the 7th Realm has been taken over as well.]
[Even our young sage of the Upper Realms? So that's why they were able to invade the 6th Realm.]
They were all taking on human forms to prevent unnecessary loss of power.
The space fluctuated even though they were just sitting together without any hostility or murderous intent.
[Management has been poor lately.]
When Brahma raised a finger, the flow around the desert changed as if gravity was working.
The countless universes and planets belonging to the 5th Realm were compressed to strengthen the power of the area.
[Ra. What's he so dissatisfied with?]
[Thanks to him, we have such an interesting situation, don't we?]
Shiva was nonchalant about Brahma's contemptuous attitude.
Observing the other realms was a troublesome task for them.
But recently, a new Upper Realm King was born.
From that day on, they had turned all their authority to 'observation'.
Therefore, unlike usual, they were roughly grasping what was happening in the 6th to 10th Realms.
This was possible due to the characteristic of the 5th Realm, which had three rulers, and it was a secret game that they only knew about, which other realms did not.
[The speed at which they're breaking through is unusual. Since the 6th Realm has been breached, we have to assume that Odin is also cooperating.]
Kali said decisively.
The invasion of the 6th Realm required either the knowledge of the 7th Realm's Divine Beast or Odin's knowledge.
[This Lower Realm King is also not in his right mind.]
[If you say that, neither was the previous Lower Realm King normal. He ate one of our brothers, after all.]
[…….]
[…….]
Silence fell at Brahma's words.
A shameful past came to mind, but it was only for a moment.
[The speed is unusual.]
[It seems the new Lower Realm King has no intention of prolonging the race war.]
[Ra must have told him about the 'incident' in the Upper Realms.]
[If he was chosen as the ruler of a minor realm, he should have quietly counted his blessings.]
A cowardly traitor.
A mutant of the Upper Realms.
Trash who disgraces the rulers of the realms.
Shiva and Kali mixed in vulgar language to demean the sun god.
[Don't ignore him. Even so, he has experience contacting both the previous Upper Realm King and the Lower Realm King.]
Brahma recalled the conversations between the Upper Realm King and Ra, and the Lower Realm King and Ra, which he had observed long ago.
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10th Heavenly Realm.
The edge of the Upper Realm, which is the most closely connected to the Lower Realm in terms of dimensional structure.
However, its master, 'Ra,' is not weak.
In terms of pure force, he is at least on par with the new master of the 9th Heavenly Realm, 'Ragna,' or the master of the 8th Heavenly Realm, 'Behemoth.'
When he reveals his true abilities, he is expected to possess potential comparable to the master of the 5th Heavenly Realm.
An unnecessarily humble fellow.
There are many gods in the Upper Realm who claim to be the sun, but they all know that Ra is the strongest among them.
What's interesting is that someone of his caliber is more interested in research than in tyranny.
A Heavenly Realm master, not an ordinary celestial or an absolute being, is interested in research!
Outwardly, they ridiculed Ra's maniacal tendencies.
Inwardly, they admitted to envying the sun god.
They have lived for countless years and are omnipotent gods who will live forever.
For them, concentrating on something and spending time on it is an almost impossible act.
At best, they acted as gods in the Interdimensional Realm, which they descended to using dimensional rifts, but even that quickly became boring due to the difference in the flow of time.
Could it be because of the power of 'Annihilation,' which erases the opponent's existence and cannot be filled?
'Ra' was different.
Despite being born with a status equal to theirs, he was engrossed in something new.
His eccentric personality reached its peak when he handed over the position of Heavenly Realm master to his children, Osiris and Obelisk.
He even lost his prized Eye of the Sun and had been in hiding until recently.
[Being worthy of special treatment just for awakening envy in a god. Wasn't that how the conversation ended?]
Kali reacted indifferently to Brahma's words.
[Brahma, brother of the gods. I wonder if it's just my imagination that I sometimes think you're old-fashioned.]
[What can you do? Brahma is the one who recognizes Ra's potential more than any of us.]
Shiva agreed with Kali's words.
[I know my brothers' thoughts well. However, this racial war is taking a completely different turn from before. Shouldn't our response be different as well?]
Brahma steered the conversation back on track.
It hadn't been long since they observed the birth of a new Lower Realm King, and now the 5th Heavenly Realm was being targeted.
Even with 'Ra,' whom Brahma acknowledged, helping, it was too much.
The conclusion was one.
The guides are not just 'Lucifer' and 'Ra.'
The sage of the Upper Realm.
Odin was also in league with the Lower Realm King.
[It's surprising that the master of the 7th Heavenly Realm has submitted.]
Brahma asked himself, as if it were an unresolved question.
A fallen angel, a sun god, a sage.
They are all beings who are not inferior to themselves.
Why are they cooperating with a Lower Realm King?
The question touched on such fundamental issues, but Shiva and Kali seemed to have different thoughts.
[I agree. That guy has so many troublesome tricks that capturing him alive was impossible, wasn't it?]
Odin, who is eccentric in a different way from Ra.
The masters of the 5th Heavenly Realm had conspired several times to assassinate him.
Yet the current Lower Realm King has accomplished what they failed to do?
[Lucifer and Ra. They must have come up with something. They probably know the tendencies of the Heavenly Realm masters.]
Kali couldn't hide her displeasure.
The thought that a mere Lower Realm King had accomplished what the three of them couldn't, even when they combined their strength, made her feel resentful.
[What about the 6th Heavenly Realm? It doesn't seem to be completely breached yet.]
[It seems they sent one Archduke as bait.]
[Hah... just one Archduke? A discarded pawn?]
[Who knows? This Lower Realm King is unpredictable. Maybe he sent him with sufficient preparation.]
[No, according to what I've gathered, the Lower Realm King doesn't get along well with some of the Archdukes.]
[Does that mean...]
[It could be a discarded pawn.]
[Whoever he is, he must be living a miserable life.]
[I think he would rather be annihilated.]
The three Heavenly Realm masters scoffed at the nameless Archduke.
Being breached means that the access rights to the Divine Tree are changed.
The most recent observation.
There was an alien energy called mana in the 10th and 7th Heavenly Realms.
In other words, it can be interpreted as meaning that they are targeting this 5th Heavenly Realm without properly finishing the 9th, 8th, and 6th Heavenly Realms.
[What, so it's true that they threw the Archduke as bait. And not just one, but three of them. Whoever came up with that is a fascinating trick.]
[If they sent just one Archduke to the 6th Heavenly Realm, there's a high possibility that they've already identified the coordinates of this place.]
[Is the Lower Realm King bringing all the other Archdukes?]
[A total war. Interesting.]
[This Lower Realm King is ruthless. I heard that the guys in the Lower Realm have some kind of strong bond.]
[Shiva. That's a misconception. We're not the only ones allowed to be arrogant.]
Kali agreed as Brahma chuckled and advised.
Remembering the battle a while ago.
[Leaving aside the previous generation, isn't Asmodeus too much?]
Kali spat out obscenities.
The new Upper Realm King.
Asmodeus fought against the three masters without giving an inch.
Overwhelming strength that didn't fall short of the name of Upper Realm King.
If it had gone on until the end, one of them would no longer exist here.
[There's nothing to worry about. We just need to stop their advance here.]
To go beyond the 5th Heavenly Realm, they must pass through this place unconditionally.
Even Odin, who knows the coordinates of all the Heavenly Realms, is no exception, and above all, the 4th and 5th Heavenly Realms are connected.
The 2nd and 3rd Heavenly Realms also have a similar structure, so they are playing the role of gatekeepers.
At that moment.
The gazes of the three masters turned to the sky.
[They're here.]
At the same time as Brahma's words, a spatial rift was detected.
The one who emerged was an angel with gray wings.
[Greetings, you losers.]
The fallen, former master of the 1st Heavenly Realm.
It was Lucifer.
[Lucifer. A guy who has even lost his name is speaking carelessly.]
[His radiance seems to have become even denser.]
Kali and Shiva recognized Lucifer's changed power.
[Hey, have you completely regained your power from before?]
Brahma asked, scanning the radiance enveloping the gray mana.
[Of course not. If this body had regained its power, you guys would no longer exist.]
The gatekeepers of the 5th Heavenly Realm.
The three Heavenly Realm masters burst out laughing at Lucifer's arrogance.
[You didn't come all the way here just to make us laugh, did you?]
[Don't tell me someone of your caliber is being used as bait? Or did you volunteer?]
Lucifer didn't bother to deny the two masters' questions.
[Bait. That's not a bad method either.]
[Ha. That Lower Realm King. I don't know if he's crazy or has great ambitions. I'm so confused now.]
Using not only an Archduke but even a former Heavenly Realm master as bait.
And just throwing one fallen angel into the 5th Heavenly Realm, which they govern?
Whatever picture he's drawing, he's definitely not normal.
[I thought you would be saved until the moment you reached the 1st Heavenly Realm. But that doesn't change the outcome.]
The divine power that Brahma unleashed suppressed Lucifer's radiance.
Shiva's divine power spread throughout the Heavenly Realm, and Kali's divine power surrounded the Divine Tree with a barrier.
The way to the 4th Heavenly Realm is to open a dimensional gate through the Divine Tree.
I can say with certainty.
[Someone like you now can't create that kind of gap.]
[Fool. To be bait, you should have at least brought an army.]
[The archangel of the 1st Heavenly Realm is still caught up in the past. He has become vulgar after becoming a demon.]
1 vs. 3.
Lucifer readily admitted his disadvantage.
[I never thought the day would come when I would be ridiculed by you guys. Well, that's not wrong either.]
It seems that the Archdukes and their armies are volunteering as bait to quickly end the racial war.
Also, the one he originally wanted to face was the master of the 1st Heavenly Realm.
[If you guys were in the 2nd Heavenly Realm, this body wouldn't have needed to step forward now.]
You guys are mediocre as ever.
Lucifer strengthened his gray mana as he rebuked them.
[Oh.]
Brahma's clear eyes narrowed.
Mana and radiance.
Divine mana created by mixing the two powers.
From it, he faintly felt the aura of a monotheistic god.
A presence strong enough to be a Heavenly Realm master.
[Trash. If you understand, call up the forces of the 4th Heavenly Realm. I want to play the role of bait properly, if possible.]
[You're still arrogant. Michael would be disappointed if he saw you.]
[I agree. You've recovered quite a bit, but still...]
Shiva stopped talking.
Because a new flow was being observed around Lucifer.
[Didn't I tell you that you guys are just a passing process? This body is just the vanguard.]
Kwajaaaa.
Kwajaaa.
Two spaces flickered next to Lucifer.
The flickering spaces soon became two gates.
[Long time no see, elders of the 5th Heavenly Realm.]
The sun god, wrapped in divine mana, appeared.
[I agree. Judging by the looks of it, you're really not fully prepared~.]
The master of the 7th Heavenly Realm, wrapped in divine mana, appeared.
Ra and Odin.
They stood next to Lucifer and controlled the constricting divine power.
[Ha.]
[You traitorous bastards.]
[It's absurd.]
Lucifer burst into laughter at the reaction of the Heavenly Realm masters.
[I agree. I never thought the racial war would become a battle between Heavenly Realm masters.]
[…I don't like dealing with these guys.]
Ra quietly shook his head.
He is a guide.
He just wants to touch the Divine Tree from behind.
He didn't like the situation where Taehyun and Elven pushed him to step forward.
[Sun God~ Please refrain from such rude words. 'Master' values the worth of labor above all else~.]
[…That's terrible.]
[…I agree.]
During the week that Igmun stayed in personal space.
Odin also became a completely new being through Taehyun's training.
A slave who is forced to be blindly loyal to Kim Taehyun, for Kim Taehyun.
The result was the hybrid in front of him.
The lack of power was filled by learning divine mana.
[Honestly, I'm starting to fear the end of the racial war.]
Ra said, recalling Taehyun and Elven, whom he had recently watched by his side.
[What nonsense are you talking about? The racial war is just the beginning.]
The next battlefield is where they should be.
Lucifer raised his voice.
He knows that the former Lower Realm King deliberately did not win the racial war.
Now his goal is not simply to regain the position of master of the 1st Heavenly Realm.
It is to bring down Michael, bring down Asmodeus, the Upper Realm King, and advance with Taehyun to the 'outside' of the Three Thousand Worlds.
That was why he did not refuse to play the role of bait this time.
[They are truly cruel. Why did the former entrust such power to someone like Kim Taehyun?]
[Whatever, the priority is to clean these guys up.]
[The masters of the 5th Heavenly Realm are not easy to deal with~.]
Lucifer drew the newly forged 'Arrogance.'
Ra flashed the newly formed 'Eye of the Sun.'
Odin reloaded an arrow into the Gungnir, which was made of divine mana.
[Three Heavenly Realm masters who have lost their pride. The Heavenly Realm has gone too far.]
[Even the fact that we are being treated as equals is humiliating.]
[…….]
Brahma noticed something strange, but.
[You are not allowed to think.]
Lucifer's arrogance split the space.
Hwaaa.
The sun soared.
Swaaaak.
The arrow of divine mana was fired.
The six Heavenly Realm masters clashed.
Episode 556
7th Heaven. In front of the Divine Tree.
[It's proceeding as planned.]
Controlling the six gates, Elven took a deep breath.
[Don't overexert yourself. I'll handle the magic injection, so rest for a moment...]
[No, we each have our assigned roles. Maintaining your power up to the 1st Heaven is also my responsibility.]
[......]
Rosaria nodded quietly at Elven's firm tone.
Behind her, the rest of the group watched the battle waged by the Celestial Lord.
Lucifer, Ra, and Odin, who had formed a contract with Taehyun.
The six gates were merely visualized communication channels through their azure eyes.
Even so.
The surging space and fissures that occurred each time divine artifacts clashed stimulated a suppressed belligerence.
'I want to test myself.'
Not against incomplete beings like Osiris or Obelisk, but against the complete Celestial Lord to confirm the extent of his own completed power.
Such thoughts were running through his head when:
"An opening has appeared."
Taehyun, who had been watching the battle with his constantly enhanced azure and crimson eyes, spoke.
Elven nodded.
An opening was the minimum condition to access the Divine Tree's dominion in the 5th Heaven.
They had confirmed that the clash of the six Celestial Lords had created this opportunity.
Growl.
The Divine Tree of the 7th Heaven growled softly.
This was due to its connection with the Divine Trees in the Lower World and the 10th Heaven.
[I will now prepare a gate leading to the 4th Heaven. It won't take long, so prepare yourselves.]
[Understood.]
[Finally, it's our turn.]
Those heading to the 4th Heaven were the giants led by Typhon and the succubi remaining in the Lower World.
To support the smaller number of giants, the succubi, who were not a single, strong force, were added to the group.
[I wanted to be with my brother until the end.]
The Giant King expressed his regret.
"Sorry about that."
Taehyun offered a perfunctory apology.
He knew that the one Typhon wanted to be with was not him but Rosaria.
The Celestials inhabiting the 4th Heaven were the 'Astikas' and 'Nastikas'.
Creations made when there were four Celestial Lords in the 5th Heaven.
According to the combined information from Ra and Odin, they were not numerous but each possessed independent powers.
"Typhon, if you are surrounded by Absolutes..."
Just as Taehyun was about to mention the potential variables in the 4th Heaven.
Clasp.
Typhon embraced Rosaria tightly.
[If I return... I will confess to you.]
[Oh my.]
Gilfer sighed.
[Hehehe. What an idiot.]
Jörmungandr clicked his tongue.
[That moron...]
Elven, who was preparing the gate, cursed.
'No... If Rosaria attacks him now...'
[You are the only one for me.]
Veins bulged in the Giant King's arms as he embraced Rosaria.
Unusually sharp tentacles were raised around them.
Even before Taehyun could use his Presence.
Stab.
The mana-imbued tentacles pierced Typhon's strong body.
[Father...]
Erebus, who had been watching from nearby, sighed.
Stab stab stab stab.
Dozens of tentacles were repeatedly stabbing into him.
Despite this, Typhon did not release his embrace of Rosaria.
'He finally... did it...'
Taehyun began to gather mana to remove the merciless tentacles.
But.
[Oooooh...]
Contrary to expectations, Typhon let out a moan.
[Oh ho...]
Foolish XXXX.
Damn Giant King.
Fucking Typhon.
Elven's lips curved upwards despite his curses.
He realized that Rosaria was injecting mana into Typhon.
[My mana will prevent most mental domination, but don't show such a foolish appearance in front of the enemy.]
The tentacles stroked the Giant King's head.
The tentacles caressed Typhon's body.
The Archdukes, belatedly realizing the situation, were flustered.
Taehyun wore a blank expression at the unexpected encouragement.
'Could it be that Typhon's sincerity reached her...!!'
[Hoooh, hoooh, hoooh.]
Elven let out a strange laugh.
[An unexpected spectacle. It seems we should excuse ourselves for a moment.]
The Divine Tree's branches enveloped the two Archdukes.
A massive barrier, impenetrable even to the Archdukes' eyes, was erected.
Even so.
[Hahahahaha.]
The Giant King's laughter, echoing through the 7th Heaven, could not be hidden.
[Is it just me, or is this demon feeling confused?]
[My mood isn't much different, Demon King. No need to think too much about it.]
[We should get as far away from here as possible. Listening to the Giant King's laughter makes my head spin.]
[Hehehe. Agreed.]
With those words, Gilfer and Jörmungandr disappeared in an instant.
"......"
[......]
Taehyun, wearing a blank expression, headed towards Erebus, who also wore a blank expression.
He, too, had become an existence not lacking in being an Archduke.
[Brother...]
"You don't have to say anything."
Taehyun shook his head and scanned the lined-up giants and succubi.
"There's a lot I want to say... but I don't want to. Let's talk about the strategy."
[...Understood.]
Erebus directly led Taehyun, explaining the characteristics and strategies of the highest-ranking giants and succubi.
'Strengthening and mind control, huh? Not bad.'
The strength of a species is generally demonstrated through the strength of its ruler, the Archduke.
Among the species ruled by Archdukes, the succubi were rarely considered weak.
This contrasted with the high status of Lilith, the first Archduchess of the succubi, and the fact that the Incubus Archduke Igmun had built a vast force.
The weakest among the Archdukes.
An incompetent ruler who had grown with the help of the former Lower World King.
That was the reputation of Rosaria that had spread throughout the Lower World.
And now.
Taehyun admired the heights reached by the succubi who, alongside the giants, were stationed in the 7th Heaven.
'Has the seed blossomed?'
A smile naturally appeared on his face.
The army of tens of thousands.
The succubi, all female, were laughing and organizing themselves into formation.
The sight of over a thousand of the highest-ranking subordinates lined up before them, awaiting orders, seemed comparable to the power of any Archduke he had seen so far.
Rosaria had endured the humiliation of being called the weakest Archduchess while steadily producing the highest-ranking species, and this was the result of regaining her immense power after the seal on her memories was broken.
Taehyun, more than anyone, knew of her hard work, making it a new and poignant experience.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
The sound of tentacles striking down beyond the barrier could be heard.
The blessed Typhon's cries followed.
[Kyaruru. Queen, you're so ~.]
[Kyarurururu.]
[Silence everyone!!]
[Anyone who speaks from now on will be severely punished, regardless of species!!]
[Get your spirits up!!]
The voices of the highest-ranking giants and succubi echoed through the heavens.
It wasn't the usual beating but encouraging caresses.
It wasn't long before Typhon, drenched in sweat, and Rosaria, who looked the same as before, appeared.
[Contractor, what is that expression on your face?]
"Uh-huh... just... I thought it was over faster than I expected."
[You're thinking strange things. I merely injected a significant amount of my mana into him. The abilities of most Absolutes won't be able to disturb Typhon's mind.]
Only a Celestial Lord would be able to launch a meaningful attack, she declared.
[Hiss... hiss... haha...]
The Giant King writhed as Rosaria spoke with such conviction.
[Rosaria... you've finally acknowledged me...]
As Typhon couldn't control his emotions, a massive amount of mana poured out from his huge body.
[You idiot. Calm your mana; you're hindering the opening of the gate.]
[Hahaha. Fairy King, you who live and will live alone forever, what do you know? I even feel sorry for your words and actions.]
[Huh...?]
Elven was speechless at Typhon's pitying look.
He realized that his words no longer reached him.
[Hmm... Fairy King, please calm down.]
Erebus, who had been watching, coughed and mediated.
[Yes. It would be better for the species if you quickly deal with that idiot and become the Giant King.]
Elven spoke in a kinder tone than he had with Typhon.
Erebus was the second-in-command of the giants and was practically leading the species.
He possessed the qualities of a leader that Typhon lacked, and he maintained a smooth relationship with Elven, discussing important matters.
While Typhon was lost in his own world, writhing, and Elven was discussing the dangers beyond the gate with Erebus.
Rosaria was giving a pep talk to the succubi she had raised.
[I'm sorry I can't be with you.]
She was speaking to the ten succubi who had achieved remarkable growth, even among the highest-ranking subordinates.
Ten succubi comparable to herself, once called the weakest Archduchess.
[With you all,]
I will entrust in you to lead the battle in my stead, she encouraged them.
[The alliance with the giants was first proposed by me. They're not bad people. They are weaker to high-level mind control compared to their strong bodies, so please help them with all your heart.]
[Understood.]
[We receive the Queen's orders.]
[Do not worry.]
Soon after the brief reunion.
[Everyone, prepare.]
Elven said with a serious face.
On the hologram showing the battle in the 5th Heaven, a heavily wounded Brahma could be seen cursing.
Lucifer and Ra had joined forces to create a variation during their one-on-one battle.
Odin was also seriously injured as a result, but no one was paying attention.
Elven resonated the three Divine Trees, creating a massive gate in the sky.
This was her way of devising a plan to teleport a large number of people at once.
[You don't need to go through the gate. Just don't resist my mana.]
As she said, the gate expanded by Elven's power covered the entire sky above the 7th Heaven.
Flash.
A colorless radiance intertwined with mana became immense divine power.
[Transfer.]
The moment Elven uttered a single word, Typhon and the tens of thousands of giants and succubi disappeared all at once.
That was all.
[Hoo... I can't keep doing this for long.]
Elven said, wiping away sweat.
It wasn't easy to do alone the work that Taehyun, Ra, and Odin had shared.
On the other hand, she was pleased with how she was becoming more accustomed to the divine power.
Taehyun turned his gaze to the battle in the 5th Heaven, which the gate was showing.
Two of the holograms were shaking violently.
This meant that Odin's injuries were not light.
"Any news from the ones who went to the other Heavens?"
[Unfortunately, direct connection is impossible.]
"I see."
[Contractor, focus on the Upper World King.]
Rosaria chimed in.
"I know."
Taehyun didn't deny it.
Lucifer, Ra, Odin.
If Taehyun had been among them, the battle in the 5th Heaven would have taken some time, but it would have eventually resulted in victory.
The same was true for the other Heavens.
Despite all this effort, it was all because of time.
'Asmodeus is adapting to the power of the Upper World King even at this moment.'
According to Ra, a guy who had completely taken over the Upper World King's arrangements would not be inferior to the previous Upper World King.
In that case, Taehyun, who had not yet reached the level of the previous Lower World King, would have no chance of winning.
"What about the next gate?"
[A gate to the other Heavens doesn't just open with a snap of the fingers. Wait until Typhon touches the Divine Tree...]
Suddenly.
Elven stopped speaking and flinched.
"What is it?"
[...The gate's coordinates have been identified.]
That's good.
Jörmungandr and Gilfer, who had returned unnoticed, said at the same time.
[No, the coordinates are strange.]
"......?"
[These coordinates... should be the 2nd Heaven, not the 3rd...]
Taehyun, Elven, and Rosaria exchanged glances.
"That means..."
[Yes.]
[It's a trap.]
The 2nd Heaven Lord Zeus and the 3rd Heaven Lord Demigod had joined hands.
Elven said with a hardened face.
Episode 557
It's possible to move directly to the 2nd Realm without going through the 3rd Realm.
Depending on how you hear it, it's an attractive offer.
Taehyun's ultimate destination is Asmodeus, the Upper Realm King in the 1st Realm.
The sooner he encounters him, the higher Taehyun's chances of winning become.
A brief silence fell.
Gilfer was the first to speak.
[No need to hesitate. They're just opponents we have to deal with anyway. If they're conveniently gathered in one place, it saves us the trouble of seeking them out.]
As expected of the strongest Demon King of all time, she spoke calmly.
[Kekeke. That's not wrong, Demon King. But you seem to underestimate the relationship between the 2nd and 3rd Realms.]
[......]
[Didn't Raga say it? The relationship between the 2nd and 3rd Realms is similar to that of the 4th and 5th Realms. No, their relationship is closer to kinship, so it would have been easier for them to join hands.]
The point is simple.
[It's a clear trap. Perhaps they've prepared so thoroughly that even the Archduke's forces, as originally planned… might not be able to handle it. No, that's what we should expect.]
Originally, Gilfer was supposed to ascend to the 3rd Realm, Jormungandr to the 2nd Realm, Rosaria to the 1st Realm, and Taehyun was supposed to follow.
This was because Jormungandr, with the domains of the Demon Sea and the Sky, was considered more suitable to face Zeus.
It was a pre-agreed arrangement, but Gilfer didn't seem to like the idea of being evaluated as inferior.
The corners of her mouth twisted upwards.
[So. Are you suggesting we wait with our tails between our legs? This one is confident, though.]
[Tsk, tsk. Don't look at me with such a pathetic gaze. It's not that I lack confidence, but that we need to be prepared for sacrifices from the start of the battle. Don't let your competitiveness blind you to the intention.]
The Demon King's crimson eyes and the Demon Sea King's heterochromatic eyes met with a chilling gaze.
If left unchecked, they were about to start fighting each other before even entering the Celestial Realm.
"Jormungandr is making sense for once. But Gilfer isn't wrong either."
[......]
[…Kim Taehyun. Siding with the Demon King here….]
"We have no choice. We have to go, whether it's a trap or not. But if they've set a trap, as you said, it's highly possible that even two Archdukes might not be enough."
Therefore.
"Elven."
Taehyun looked at the Fairy King, who had been listening silently.
She nodded.
[I, the Queen of Fairies, will also participate.]
[......]
[……?]
Gilfer and Jormungandr were silent.
She had to remain here until the end to send them to the next Celestial Realm and continue to support the other Archdukes as soon as the coordinates of the Celestial Realm were determined.
[Hmph~ Aren't there divine beasts in the 3rd and 2nd Realms as well?]
While Gilfer and Jormungandr were drawing attention, she declared that she would steal the divine beast.
It's reckless.
And that's why even more so.
[…Three Archdukes.]
[Kekeke. How much more will you amuse this one?]
Both Archdukes were satisfied.
Elven nodded.
[It has been decided then. From now, one day later. I will open the gate to the 2nd Realm.]
Gilfer's demon race and Jormungandr's sea stream race gathered in the 7th Realm.
But they weren't the only ones preparing.
[To break through to the 1st Realm right away. You are truly reckless.]
Rosaria approached Taehyun, who was meditating.
The results of the battles in the 9th, 8th, 6th, 5th, and 4th Realms are still unknown.
Even the Vision Gate of the 5th Realm, where the situation could at least be monitored through the three Realm Lords, was no longer functioning.
To enter the enemy's jaws in such uncertainty.
If the plan goes even slightly wrong, the plan to enter the 1st Realm in perfect condition will also be ruined.
Rosaria is mentioning that risk.
"When have we ever not been reckless? Don't worry. I'll conserve my strength as much as possible until I reach the 1st Realm."
Taehyun raised the Dragonslayer Sword hanging from his waist.
The sword itself had the powers of the Archdukes engraved upon it.
Simply letting out magical or divine power would be enough to slice through most Absolutes.
[Yes. Don't worry unnecessarily and focus on the battle with the Upper Realm King. He is not an easy opponent.]
There's a high chance that even the current Taehyun won't be able to handle him.
She deliberately didn't say such things.
"What about the others?"
[They've all gathered.]
Taehyun rose.
"Let's move before Elven starts grumbling."
When Taehyun and Rosaria arrived at the divine beast.
The remaining forces of the Lower Realm were all lined up.
Having already subjugated all the surviving Celestial Race in the 7th Realm, they were diligently pouring divine power to maintain the Demon Sea where the Sea Stream Race would reside.
[I was just about to call you.]
Elven's complexion, after resting, had returned.
She shared the information she had gathered over the day.
[We are moving to the 2nd Realm, not the 3rd Realm. When we arrive there, the connection to the divine beast will be severed.]
On the other hand, the enemies will be connected to the divine beast of the 2nd Realm.
[The priority is for me to seize the authority of the divine beast as quickly as possible.]
And thus, to safely send Taehyun and Rosaria to the 1st Realm.
Until then, Gilfer and Jormungandr would have to draw the attention of the Absolutes and the Realm Lords.
"Don't worry. It's okay to use power once or twice. If necessary, we'll draw their attention from here."
[Alright. I'll try to hurry as much as possible as well.]
Using the method of teleporting the Giant Race and the Incubus Race.
Once again, Elven created a gate in the blue sky.
The divine power drawn from the divine beast was converted into enormous magical power.
The power of great magic imbued all the demons.
[Teleportation.]
Radiance.
Colorless divine demonic power erased the beings of the Lower Realm.
Olympus.
Lightning struck with every gesture of Zeus, the ruler of the 2nd Realm.
Gilfer strengthened her thorns to deflect them.
The deflected lightning became countless strikes that rained down on the area.
Belatedly, the Greater Demons used the thorns as lightning rods to minimize the damage, and aerial combat began.
Demigods.
Demi-human beings born from the games of the Absolutes of the 2nd Realm in the Middle Realm.
Having driven out the Celestial Race originally located in the 3rd Realm and become the new rulers, they tore apart the demon race in the sky.
Those newly risen to the ranks of Greater Demons and the Absolutes were intermingled.
Gilfer, deploying Purgatory and wielding poisonous thorns, stood against Zeus.
On the ground, a tidal wave raged.
Poseidon.
The disaster caused by the Absolute of the 2nd Realm mixed with Jormungandr's Demon Sea.
The partially summoned domain of the Sky pressed down on Hades' forces.
Within the domain of the Demon Sea, Rosaria unleashed 66 tentacles.
Dividing and dividing again, 666 tentacles tore apart six Absolutes.
Taehyun scattered his aura beside her.
'The Lower Realm is overwhelmingly superior in numbers.'
Although they were conserving their strength, Taehyun and Rosaria had also joined the battle.
Nevertheless, the fierce close combat was due to the divine beast visible throughout the vast 2nd Realm.
Because of the 'divine power' that was endlessly supplied from there, and the 'artifacts' used by the Celestial Race.
Taehyun saw an Absolute in golden armor far away.
With bulky muscles, he held a huge hammer in one hand and a huge shield in the other.
The movements, though awkward to call combat techniques.
Nevertheless.
The bodies of the Greater Demons and the highest-ranking Sea Stream Race were torn like paper by the hammer he wielded.
'That guy is Hephaestus.'
He recalled Tolkin, who was left in the Middle Realm.
The appearance was no different from what he had heard from the Dwarf Brothers.
"I'll be back for a moment."
[Um…? Contractor, where are you….]
Taehyun's figure, using stealth, reached the 'God of the Forge' in an instant.
When Hephaestus' armor radiated light, Taehyun's stealth was dispelled.
He casually swung his sword.
The golden radiance slowed the speed of the Dragonslayer Sword as if it were a barrier.
In the meantime, the blacksmith clumsily created distance.
'Can he use powers with his equipment?'
He had more than twenty ornaments dangling from his body alone.
'This might be a bit troublesome.'
[You are the new Lower Realm King!!]
Just as Taehyun had, Hephaestus recognized his identity at once.
"God of the Forge. I've heard a lot about you from my friend."
Pazzzit. Pazzzit.
He channeled lightning into the Dragonslayer Sword.
Chi-iiiik.
He channeled poison into the Dragonslayer Sword.
[Oho.]
The blacksmith's blue eyes narrowed.
He realized that the Dragonslayer Sword was no ordinary artifact.
"Let's see whose work is superior."
There was no need to use the Eye of the Moon.
He stamped his foot.
Du-du-du-du.
The shaking ground disrupted the enemy's center of gravity.
He dove into his arms and slashed at his armor.
Chi-iik.
Poison flowed.
Pazzuzu.
Lightning penetrated.
Hwa-reuk.
The rising flames blocked the blacksmith's retreat.
And.
Seogeok.
The Dragonslayer Sword beheaded Hephaestus.
"……."
Taehyun stared at the Dragonslayer Sword and Hephaestus, who had created distance with a bewildered expression.
That was strange.
He had clearly beheaded him.
Blood spurted from the severed gap.
The scattered blood was still soaking the area.
But now he was stroking his neck, which was attached as if nothing had happened.
Taehyun's gaze turned to the blacksmith's armor and pendant.
'Could it be that the other guys are wielding such artifacts too?'
No, that couldn't be.
The Absolutes of the 2nd and 3rd Realms are all wielding extraordinary artifacts, but many have already been eliminated.
For example, the current situation must only apply to that clumsy god.
'This, Tolkin's absence is keenly felt.'
He recalled the Meister he had left in the Middle Realm.
If he missed another opportunity, it would become impossible to cut him with the artifact made by Tolkin.
[Wh- wh- what… what is that black….]
Hephaestus stammered and swung his hammer.
It was more of a threatening gesture than an attack.
Kwarung.
Taehyun deflected the falling lightning by swinging the Dragonslayer Sword.
Over there, Gilfer, wearing the power of Beelzebub, was struggling to block Zeus.
Not only her, but Jormungandr was also unable to easily seize the domains of Poseidon and Hades.
Cheol-sseok. Cheol-sseok. Cheol-sseok.
Among those enduring Rosaria's tentacles in the distance, there was an Absolute who stood out.
The named Absolute of the 3rd Realm.
The Demigod, Hercules.
Kwang. Kwang. Kwang. Kwang.
Using the club he was holding, he was the only one among the Absolutes who was knocking away the tentacles and bursting into laughter.
[I can't believe you're a lowly Incubus!!]
Rosaria laughed at the provocation of the beast-like Absolute.
[Not bad for a mongrel.]
The number of tentacles doubled, and the body of one Absolute was pierced.
Jjeo-jeok!!
Hercules' club crushed five tentacles.
In an instant, Rosaria's face seemed to contort.
It was a matter of pride.
If she used her full power, no, if she used even 20% of her power, she could easily deal with that guy.
But if she used her strength here, she didn't know what kind of risk it would return as later.
'I have to ascend to the 1st Realm in perfect condition with the Contractor.'
That thought was written all over her face.
Taehyun shook his head slightly.
The divine beast's reinforcement was having a bigger impact than he thought.
'To suppress the named Absolutes, I have to use power.'
Fortunately, she was holding back fifteen Absolutes, including Hercules, just by unleashing the tentacles.
He didn't know how long this stalemate would last.
'Hurry, Elven.'
Hephaestus staggered back at the aura emanating from the Dragonslayer Sword.
[Eucha-cha-cha-cha…. Wh-what are you, really, your movements, my Father's lightning clouds, the same level…?]
He ignored him and narrowed the distance with the guy who had moved far away.
Several Demigods blocked his path, but their bodies collapsed as soon as he swung the Dragonslayer Sword.
Paz-jeuk.
He lightly scattered lightning.
Pazzzuzuzuzu.
Hephaestus' hammer absorbed the lightning.
'If it's difficult to suppress him without using power.'
He plunged the Dragonslayer Sword into the ground.
Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeok.
Cracks appeared in Olympus, the land called the land of the gods.
The Celestial Race and demons in the area lost their balance and sprawled.
'It's enough to weaken them.'
Hwa-reureureureu.
Flames soared from the cracked ground.
Five. Ten. Twenty. Hundred.
Hundreds of Absolutes focused on Taehyun.
'I'll definitely draw your attention.'
As if answering his will.
Bu-reureureu.
The Dragonslayer Sword's trembling intensified.
558
The giants felt the massive vibrations.
While the enemies were distracted, Rozaria ripped apart two Demigod Absolutes.
He encountered Taehyun, who was wielding the Dragonslaying Sword, the source of the tremors.
'Conserve your strength, Contractor.'
Even if one or two of the Dukes died here.
'Your strength preservation is the most important thing.'
That seemed to be what it meant.
Taehyun shook his head.
The Dragonslaying Sword had already become a divine artifact in its own right.
The current spectacle was a technique that applied the magic and elemental powers imbued in the sword.
It was called the Anti-Celestial General-Purpose Killing Technique.
It was a technique that Typhon was likely using in the Fourth Celestial Realm.
Magic and stamina consumption approached zero.
The panicked Celestials used divine power to resist, and lava, not missing the opportunity, surged in like a tsunami and devoured them.
There was virtually no damage to the Absolute class, but many Celestials in the Third Celestial Realm were annihilated.
Hephaestus stammered as he identified the source of the technique.
[This, the Giant King's power, isn't it, is it possible to, use things like this?]
Unlike his stammering habit, his face was not flustered.
He seemed to think it would be good to heat the anvil, and if the sword was forged into an anvil, it could be used as a tool.
The blacksmith muttered to himself, observing the elemental properties changing.
And suddenly.
Thump.
He struck the ground with his hammer.
Crack.
A small crack formed.
Crack, crack, crack.
Radiance soared from the cracks that spread like a spiderweb.
The disaster that Taehyun had caused was sucked into it.
[That sword, the more I see it, the more interested I am. Give it to, the god.]
The blacksmith stared at the Dragonslaying Sword with greed-filled eyes.
He seemed to have discerned that the Dukes' powers were imbued in the sword itself.
'….'
Sigh.
A sigh escaped.
It seemed difficult to subdue the stammering Absolute by only using the powers imbued in the Dragonslaying Sword.
At this point, one might doubt Tolkien's claim that he was superior to Hephaestus, but.
Remembering the dwarf who would be suffering in the Middle Realm, he steeled himself.
'Tolkien. Build the tower straight.'
Hoping that the dwarf would appreciate his efforts.
Taehyun raised the Dragonslaying Sword again.
"Blacksmith. Have you ever had your divine power stolen?"
Towards Hephaestus, who was tilting his head.
He aimed the Dragonslaying Sword, which began to be clad in crimson magic.
The war situation was neither good nor bad, a tight stalemate.
The Celestials fighting the Demon and Sea Serpent races were all displaying more strength than expected.
Like the monsters of the Lower Realm being supported by Elven.
The extent was getting worse over time.
He glanced at the Divine Tree, which could be clearly seen even from a distance.
Even though less than 10 minutes had passed since arriving in the Second Celestial Realm, a significant number of monsters had been annihilated.
The longer it was delayed, the more disadvantageous it would be for the Lower Realm.
'Hurry, Elven.'
It was still within the plan.
As soon as the battle began, Elven used stealth to leave the battlefield.
The promised time to seize control of the Divine Tree was 15 minutes.
It was not yet the promised time, but.
'The Divine Tree's presence is unusual.'
Taehyun frowned as he looked at the large Divine Tree scattering noble divine power.
Its presence was 'several times' greater than the Divine Trees in the Tenth and Seventh Celestial Realms.
'Did they resonate… no, combine the Divine Trees of the Second and Third Celestial Realms…?'
Since they had lived with the Divine Tree for a long time, it was not unreasonable for them to make the impossible possible.
Of course, if that was the case, Elven's burden would increase exponentially.
They would not have left such a Divine Tree unattended.
'I have to draw their attention.'
To make it easier for Elven to approach the Divine Tree.
To draw out all the traps that the Celestials had prepared.
So definitively that Hephaestus's grappling could not stop it.
Rather than Rozaria using her power.
'It's better if I use it myself.'
Taehyun plunged the Dragonslaying Sword, which he had been swinging meaninglessly, into the ground.
Several Absolutes were torn around him.
The small fries who had stuck to him while Hephaestus was defending.
"I admit it, Blacksmith. I'm going to get scolded by Rozaria thanks to you."
[Um, have you, given up?]
Hephaestus mumbled.
"Honestly, I don't know what principle your artifact works on."
[Hoo-ha, ha, you're saying, the obvious, in a non-obvious way….]
"But. We also have a face to maintain."
[……?]
"Just by you being alive, the Dwarf and Dragon races are being insulted."
[The Dwarf, of the Lower Realm, I understand, but why the Dragon race?]
Taehyun pointed to the Dragonslaying Sword with a chin.
"The leader of the Dragon race was sacrificed to make this sword. Bordeaux of the Blue Clan. He was a guy who would do anything for his race."
[…….]
So what.
Whether it was made of dragon scales, bones, or had eyeballs embedded in it.
What did it have to do with him.
That was the expression he seemed to be making.
"Whether you intended it or not. You have insulted them, Hephaestus."
Facing the puzzled blacksmith's face.
Hwaaa.
Taehyun released 10% of his divine power.
[Oh, you, also use divine power?]
Along with the blacksmith's mumbling, he seemed to hear Rozaria shouting.
Without answering, he grasped the Dragonslaying Sword.
Sssssss.
The Dragonslaying Sword, which had accepted the divine power, concealed its master's presence.
[Oh.]
Hephaestus calmly surrounded himself with radiance without panicking.
He was a blacksmith.
He was not suited for combat.
Nevertheless, his martial power in the Second Celestial Realm was among the top ten.
All of that was a reputation created by the masterpieces he wore and held.
Hephaestus without artifacts was nothing to see except for his strength, but the current him.
[Uhoo, hoo, even Father, can't do anything.]
The radiance of his armor and hammer deepened.
He expressed his intention to take whatever attack the Lower Realm King launched with his body and inflict a fatal blow.
At that time.
"Good posture."
[……!!]
Taehyun appeared from behind Hephaestus.
Drip.
A tentacle emitting purple radiance wrapped around the armor.
[Huh?]
Hephaestus was in the midst of considering how to respond to the unexpected attack.
Thwack.
Divine Magic.
A foreign energy pierced through the armor.
Radiance dyed with crimson was stuck in the form of a sword.
There was no impact.
Only.
Tsssz.
Divine power was leaking out through the sword.
The more he moved, the faster he tried to escape, the faster the draining speed became.
[This, with, something like, this….]
Hephaestus grabbed the Blood Sword.
Chiik.
His other masterpiece.
The gauntlet that could even hold back Zeus's lightning for a moment was rapidly melting.
[Uh, uh…]
"That's a bad choice."
Thwack.
A purple thorn emerged from his chest.
The blacksmith who wore the strongest armor was unfamiliar with pain.
Aaaagh.
Hephaestus screamed without realizing it.
Crack.
The Spear of Longinus.
The artifact used by the guys in the Seventh Celestial Realm pierced his thigh.
Uwaaagh!!
Kaack.
A sword made of gray radiance pierced his shoulder.
Uuhheee!!
One by one. One by one.
Each time an artifact was embedded in Hephaestus's body, the scream grew louder.
Before he knew it, the surrounding Absolutes and Celestials were watching Taehyun and Hephaestus.
"Louder!!"
Thwack.
Aaaagh!!
"Scream more!!"
Crack.
Uwaagh!!
More. More. More. More.
The blacksmith's body accepted countless artifacts as if he had become a hedgehog.
[Father… help me… it hurts….]
His voice was so pathetic.
His attitude was so servile.
Those who watched the sobbing Hephaestus frowned.
One of the Absolutes that the Second Celestial Realm had cherished was breaking everyone's morale.
[Stupid fool!!]
Zeus, who could not tolerate the current situation, tried to throw lightning.
Thwack.
The Demon King's thorn pierced Zeus's right arm.
[Are you looking away with the true Devil in front of you?]
Chiik.
Poison penetrated, and the radiance was dyed black.
The Thunder God's burly arm was gradually shrinking.
It was regressed using the power of evolution.
That was only the beginning.
Hwaaa.
The Purgatory she summoned began to devour the thunderclouds.
[Puhuhuhu.]
Jormungandr also did not miss the opportunity and expanded 'Heaven.'
The presence of the monsters and Dukes greatly increased.
Aaaagh. Aaaagh.
Even then, Hephaestus's screams continued, and many who tried to help were stopped or paid the price with their lives.
"A little more!! Scream properly!!"
It was when Taehyun began to embed the tentacles.
Kiiii-.
The divine power emitted from the Second Celestial Realm's Divine Tree intensified.
Radiance.
The Divine Tree's radiance descended upon the area that Heaven and Purgatory had seized.
The two Dukes' territories resisted for a moment.
Cries erupted from everywhere.
The monsters' bodies that touched the radiance disappeared without a trace.
'So this was it.'
The hidden trap.
Compressing the Divine Tree's divine power to decompose anything other than those who wield divine power.
Even Elven.
If he had touched the Divine Tree in its current state, it would have caused a reversal.
It was around this time that changes began to occur in Hephaestus's body.
Tudook. Tududook.
The artifacts that had been stacked up were ejected.
'Perfectly regenerating and growing the Celestials who grew up under the influence of the Divine Tree.'
A fun trap, he said.
Taehyun praised the trump card that the enemies had hidden.
Gilfer and Jormungandr could be seen being torn apart by the suddenly strengthened enemy's offensive.
The current radiance seemed to have brought at least two Absolutes close to the Celestial Realm's ruler level.
[Contractor!!]
At the same time as Rozaria's shout, a ferocious hammer aimed for his head.
Thwack.
Taehyun caught the blacksmith's attack.
"Heavy."
[Uh, why….]
He was clearly completely healed.
He had received the power of the Divine Tree and had become twice as strong as before.
He did not understand why his attack was being blocked.
"Ask this guy."
Thwack!!!
Taehyun embedded the Dragonslaying Sword in the blacksmith's skull.
And.
He opened 10% of his demonic power.
Crack.
The sleeping jaws revealed themselves.
"It's a special meal."
Eat it, Devour.
He had promised Tolkien someday.
That he would rescue the fellow dwarves who had been dragged to the Upper Realm.
To Hephaestus, the Absolute called the best blacksmith of the Upper Realm, who treated them as mere tools, no, anvils.
He would prove to him that the dwarves' skills were not inferior.
[May the Meister's tools be with the brother.]
He didn't need such blessings.
The small dwarf had said that while handing over the modified Dragonslaying Sword.
Originally, he had planned to modify it one more time before starting the tribal war.
Although it had been improved with Hazard's bones, the fatigue accumulating in the sword as Taehyun grew was not easily recovered.
And now.
He had become the King of the Lower Realm and fully contained the even greater power in the Dragonslaying Sword.
Devour.
The ferocious jaws were summoned through the Dragonslaying Sword.
The reason he had deliberately used his power through the sword was not only to save power.
Tolkien's masterpiece, the Dragonslaying Sword.
He was keeping his promise to the guy that he would somehow take care of Hephaestus with this guy.
'It's my stubbornness.'
Quaddduk!!!
[A, a, a… Father…!!!]
Hephaestus screamed, but it did not last long.
The jaws swallowed him whole, artifact and all.
Shudder.
The Dragonslaying Sword trembled.
Devour was the power to take all the risks and benefits of the being it swallowed.
The presence of Hephaestus, strengthened by the Divine Tree, and the artifacts he was wearing was by no means light.
The power he had taken with Devour a moment ago could be described as Devour (Gluttony) in another sense.
"Once you start, you have to see it through to the end, Tolkien."
He did not withdraw the vibrating Dragonslaying Sword.
Whether it was digested and became stronger, or it was not digested and broke as it was.
If it went well, it was thanks to his skill in handling the sword, and if it went wrong, it was Tolkien's fault for making the sword poorly.
He finished his own rationalization.
Brrr. Brrr.
It was when the Dragonslaying Sword, which had understood its master's intentions, was shaking violently and concentrating on digestion.
[…Lower Realm King!!!]
A loud voice was heard from the void.
And.
Thump.
The second prey in silver armor appeared.
559
What caught Taehyun's eye wasn't the Absolute.
It was a mount led by something shaped like a horse.
'The 2nd Heaven. There are more amazing things than I thought.'
Since Hephaestus probably made all of this.
It was safe to say that the civilization development of the 2nd Heaven was over.
Light Horse (光馬).
He defined the mount in front of him that way.
He turned his gaze to the Absolute in silver armor who belatedly climbed onto the Light Horse.
[I am Ares. Hephaestus. To obliterate my incompetent brother…. I have no face to see Father. I must capture even you.]
As if the armor and the horse were a matching set, the color of the radiance was also silver.
With piercing blue eyes revealed between the helmet, Ares oppressed Taehyun.
"……."
Unlike what he said about revenge.
Ares was smiling.
On Earth, and in the Lower World.
He had seen enough of these types of guys to be sick of them.
"An excellent brother with an incompetent brother… You're the one who needs more personality education, right?"
Clang!!
Ares blocked the swung Dragon Slayer Sword with a radiant shield.
[This is also a gift from my brother. Now it's a relic that has become a memento.]
Whooong… Crack!!
Ares swung the silver radiant shield and knocked away the Dragon Slayer Sword.
A light exchange of blows continued.
The shield blocked attacks that aimed for openings, and the armor blocked fatal wounds.
His combat skills were not comparable to Hephaestus's.
Skilled swordsmanship and shield usage.
Even the madness befitting the title of God of War.
He might not have reached the level of a ruler of Heaven, but he was definitely one of the top ten Absolutes in the 2nd Heaven.
'Should I eat him one more time?'
There was still 10% of divine power and magic power left that he had already unlocked once.
Shudder. Burr.
Taehyun looked down at the Dragon Slayer Sword, which was trembling.
It said it hadn't finished digesting.
It was saying that eating him would be too much.
The sword, which had entered the realm of Divine Artifacts, conveyed its will.
'This guy… he's really into it.'
He was ignoring the sword's trembling and still considering using Devour again when.
'……!!'
He instinctively twisted his body.
Whirr.
Scorching radiance brushed past him.
[What are you doing.]
A man wearing red radiant armor appeared.
Absolute Apollo.
The man called the Sun God in the 2nd Heaven headed towards Ares.
[He's my prey.]
The God of War openly frowned and revealed his hostility.
[Ares. He's not someone you can handle alone.]
[I won't say it twice. Don't interfere, Apollo.]
[Don't be prideful. Father's anger is great.]
[Hmph. You can't even handle one Duke. This one is even the King of the Lower World, right?]
He was saying that the prey he was holding was much more valuable.
[Isn't that right?]
Ares smirked and asked Taehyun as if seeking his agreement.
Silver hair hanging down behind the silver helmet.
Golden hair hanging down behind the red helmet.
The swords, shields, and bows they were holding were all called Divine Artifacts.
It wasn't difficult to guess who made them.
'That poor guy.'
He felt sympathy for Hephaestus, who had a limp and an unfortunate appearance, and had become prey for the Dragon Slayer Sword.
No.
Taehyun, who had been quietly scanning the two Absolutes, shook his head.
The arrogance that rises inadvertently from possessing strong power is bound to return as poison.
'Get a hold of yourself, Kim Taehyun.'
Now is the middle of a race war.
"Still, the King of the Lower World is a bigger catch than the Demon King or the Sea Demon King."
The ruler of the 2nd Heaven, Zeus, was facing Gilfer.
Poseidon and Hades, who had grown to the level of Heaven's rulers due to the influence of the Divine Tree, were facing Jormungandr.
The ruler of the 3rd Heaven was nowhere to be seen for some reason.
'There's a high probability that he's controlling the Divine Tree.'
The Elven had not yet taken control of the Divine Tree.
He needed to attract more attention.
"Don't be ashamed to gang up on me."
He simply provoked them.
[Look at this. Isn't he an interesting guy?!!]
Ares burst into mad laughter.
[You're long-tongued, King of the Lower World.]
Just as Apollo was about to draw his bowstring.
[Stop.]
Ares's sword was aimed at Apollo's neck.
[Until the end….]
[I won't say it twice. Get lost, you.]
He would cut him down if he didn't back down.
There was a strong will in his blue eyes.
Grinding.
Apollo gnashed his teeth and stepped back.
[I'll watch for now. But, don't think that your battle is entirely personal.]
He said that and created a transparent barrier around them.
On the surface, it was to prevent him from interfering with the battle, but in reality, it was to prevent the King of the Lower World from escaping.
Ares stood in front of Taehyun as if satisfied.
[This body is the god who presides over war. You can be proud to be fighting something like an army.]
"You're being buffed by the Divine Tree. Isn't it ridiculous to say that so confidently?"
Ares's face contorted at the mockery.
[You don't have to worry about that. The Divine Tree's role ended a moment ago.]
[Ares!!]
Apollo belatedly shouted at the sight of him carelessly leaking classified information, but it was already water under the bridge.
He was born a great existence and lived a life of success without much difficulty.
To put it badly, he was arrogant.
To put it differently.
'He's pure to the point of being foolish.'
Taehyun smiled gleefully.
Without even knowing it was a sneer.
Ares burst into laughter, thinking that he had acknowledged him, and they smiled at each other.
[You… fool….]
Apollo trembled and raised his bow.
Red radiance flickered on the barrier.
'That guy is the Sun God of the 2nd Heaven.'
He was lower-ranked compared to 'Ra', who had regained his two eyes, but the equipment he had made up for his lack of existence.
What was certain was that he was higher than Osiris or Obelisk.
"Ares. You said it was a one-on-one? That guy looks like he's going to shoot an arrow if he's at a disadvantage."
[…….]
Ares stared at Apollo silently.
There was murderous intent in his blue eyes.
[King of the Lower World!! Shut that wicked mouth!! We are at war. Don't be swayed, God of War!!]
"That guy. It looks like he thinks of you as lower than him? I told you to just gang up on me from the start, didn't I?"
[…….]
[You!!]
The moment Apollo, who shouted, was about to shoot a red radiant arrow.
Whooong.
Ares swung his sword in the air.
Even though he belatedly twisted his body.
Slice.
Blood splattered.
Silver radiance brushed past the red armor.
[How far are you going to make a fool of me. Apollo, you son of a bitch. Didn't I tell you not to interfere.]
[Ares…. You crazy bastard….]
Kih kih kih.
Ares laughed lowly and swung his sword again.
Apollo fired an arrow and offset the mass of sword energy.
[Your manners are terrible for an older brother.]
He would cut off his head if he interfered again.
The moment Ares was about to make a threat.
Swish swish swish.
An eerie divine power swirled throughout the area.
Thwack.
A blue sword blade protruded from Apollo's abdomen.
[……!!]
[Cough….]
Gush.
Apollo vomited blood and twisted his head.
There was Taehyun holding the Dragon Slayer Sword.
'It can't compare to Hephaestus's armor.'
He twisted the direction of the Dragon Slayer Sword.
Crack.
An unfamiliar groan leaked from Apollo's mouth.
The moment he was about to ignite his divine power belatedly.
The divine power released from the Dragon Slayer Sword wrapped around Apollo's body.
Chiii.
The sun, which had not yet been able to burn, quickly went out.
"Moon's Eye. A power I got from some idiot in the 10th Heaven."
He whispered in the ear of the Sun God, who was unable to exert his power.
"To call yourself a Sun God."
Crack.
He twisted the sword in the opposite direction.
Kahaack.
Apollo breathed roughly.
"Don't you think it's lukewarm?"
Burrrrr.
The Dragon Slayer Sword trembled violently at the divine power being sucked in.
At that time.
Swish swish swish.
[That's enough.]
The God of War, who had moved quickly, held out his sword.
[Hey, it's difficult to deal with two of the god's brothers. I have my pride too?]
He would cut off his head if he did anything foolish.
He babbled about the authority of the God of War he possessed.
The corners of Taehyun's lips went up.
"Do you think war is a joke?"
[Of course. War is the best game a god can play.]
Arrogance.
A right that only the strong can have, and a mindset that must be guarded against.
The Absolutes of the other Heavens would not be any different either.
Territorial War.
The reason why the rulers of the Lower World, who possessed great power, were defeated by himself, who was nothing more than a fledgling.
Race War.
The reason why the rulers of the Upper World, who possessed complete power, would be defeated by the Lower World, where the difference in power was clear.
[Not fun.]
Ares drew his sword.
A flawless strike.
His head was cut off.
The decapitated head fell.
Roll.
It rolled on the floor.
[Look!! The God of War has beheaded the King of the Lower World!!]
Ares shouted, holding up the head he had cut off.
The eyes of all the Absolutes and Dukes of the 2nd and 3rd Heavens were on him.
The sense of elation that he had become the main player in the war.
The rising excitement made him giddy.
[Everyone surrender!! Otherwise, you'll end up like this guy!!]
Hahahahaha.
The bodies of the demons froze at the mad laughter.
The faces of the Celestials showed disbelief.
The Absolutes belatedly shouted.
[You war-crazed bastard!!! Are you crazy!!!]
Artemis.
The Goddess of the Hunt shouted.
[Aack…!! Ares… What on earth…!!]
Aphrodite.
The Goddess of Beauty, who had been watching from afar in the rear, screamed.
[Ah… Brother… Why….]
Hermes.
The young Absolute who was twisting the neck of the Great Demon could not hide his embarrassment.
[……?]
Ares's laughter stopped.
Something was wrong.
This wasn't the reaction he had expected.
You fool!!
Even Zeus, who was pushing Gilfer, shouted that way.
[Look properly!!]
Someone shouted.
At what?
The ones shouting were not only his brothers from the 2nd Heaven.
The demigods from the 3rd Heaven, the bastards born from the gods of Olympus, couldn't hide their shock.
[…Lord Ares!!]
[Your hand…!!]
[It's an illusion!!]
…Illusion?
He had never been caught in an illusion in the War of Immeasurable Life, so what nonsense….
Ares belatedly looked at the head he had cut off.
And.
[What…!!]
He dropped his head without even realizing it.
The head that should have been the King of the Lower World.
[Ah, Apollo…?]
Roll.
The Sun God's head rolled on the floor.
[What is this….]
This is the real illusion.
This very moment is the illusion.
When?
When did he get caught in the illusion?
"From the beginning."
[……!!]
Whooong!!
The silver sword cut through the air.
[…You!! Reveal yourself…!!]
Whooong. Whooong. Whoooong.
The fact that he was caught in an illusion lowered the God of War's self-esteem to the bottom.
Haa… Haa….
Ares put away the sword he had been swinging randomly.
He took a breath and looked around.
Since when?
The barrier that Apollo had created had been released a long time ago.
Before he knew it, the surroundings had become quiet.
The moment Ares belatedly tried to look back at the body that should have been Apollo.
Hwaaaack.
He felt an eerie radiance from behind.
So it was there.
The authority of severance.
One of the authorities he possessed, the authority to tear apart space….
Thwack.
[Ugh….]
Just like Apollo.
A familiar sword pierced through his neck and protruded out.
[Cough….]
No sound came out.
Dragon Slayer Sword.
The sword forged from the bones of a lowly demon was sucking in his divine power.
Pazzzzz.
Chiii.
Tsuzzzz.
Lightning and poison flowed.
His divine body was being paralyzed.
He couldn't move.
"You're too slow to notice."
The King of the Lower World whispered.
Why.
"You. The things you do are just like Igmun, aren't they?"
What?
If it was Igmun, it was the Vampire Lo….
His thoughts couldn't continue.
"Eat this guy too."
Crack.
Through his throat.
Crimson magic power flowed.
Devour.
The power of the King of the Lower World, who had devoured Hephaestus.
[N… No… Way….]
"Way."
Crack.
God of War.
The Absolute, who was also called the God of War, met a futile death.
560
Crunch.
I devoured the idiot who was called a god of war in the Second Heaven.
Crunch, crunch.
I devoured the brat who was called the sun god in the Second Heaven.
The power of mind control using the red eyes embedded in the sword.
It wouldn't work on anyone who wasn't as foolish as Ares.
'Ah, am I being rude to Igmun by saying that?'
I thought of the archduke who volunteered as bait for me.
That guy Igmun.
I wonder if he's safe.
I forcibly pushed away the thought.
Vrrrrr. Vrrr.
The Dragonslayer Sword trembled violently.
Hephaestus, Ares, Apollo.
It wasn't Taehyun who devoured the three absolutes, but the Dragonslayer Sword.
It needed time to digest the enormous presence.
It warned me not to devour any more using itself as a medium, that it would be impossible for a while.
"Tolkien would be happy if he knew."
I credited the current achievement to the dwarf brothers in Middle-earth.
Vrrrrrrrr!!
The Dragonslayer Sword shook violently, as if saying what nonsense was I spouting.
"Don't worry. I think I've succeeded in attracting attention."
Putting away the Dragonslayer Sword, I looked around the battlefield.
The atmosphere had changed with the disappearance of the named absolutes who symbolized the Second Heaven.
Before the shock could subside.
Thud-.
Thud-.
The area shook.
At the end of that wave was the Divine Tree.
The Divine Tree that had been supplying infinite divine power to the absolutes of the Second and Third Heavens until just a moment ago.
Whooooosh.
It began to spew out colorless magic.
Elven had succeeded in seizing ownership of the Divine Tree.
[...Tae...hyun... Now...!!]
The tired voice of the Fairy King echoed in my head.
At the same time.
Whoooooosh.
A small gate opened in the sky of the Heaven.
Bang!!
Far away, Rosaria exploded with magic.
She had unleashed some of the power she had been saving.
While the absolutes were being pushed back, she approached me.
The King of the Lower World and the Succubus Queen.
While the absolutes didn't dare approach the divine and demonic power unleashed by the two beings.
[Contractor.]
"Yeah. It's a gate to the First Heaven."
[Are you ready?]
"I've warmed up enough."
Zeus. Poseidon. Hades.
Besides, the named absolutes of Olympus and the nameless demigods of the Third Heaven.
I looked at Gilfer and Jormungandr, who were struggling in a difficult battle far away.
If it was Elven who had stolen the Divine Tree, he would be able to change the war situation somehow.
Believing that.
"Let's go."
Taehyun crossed the gate without any regrets.
Rosaria followed him.
One second.
Or 0.1 seconds.
Time had passed that felt like no difference.
[Could it be.]
So quickly.
[To think you would reach this far.]
There was a radiance brighter than anything else before my eyes.
The Archangel of Judgement.
The arrangement of the Upper World King Baal.
The administrator of the key.
The current owner of the First Heaven.
An absolute being called by various names.
Michael.
"Long time no see."
The corners of Taehyun's lips lifted.
Nothing existed around me except Michael.
The same was true for Rosaria.
'Did I enter a personal space?'
It happened without warning, but it was reasonable to think so.
"This is unexpected."
[What is?]
"I thought you were going to surround me."
The radiance flickered.
He was laughing.
[Didn't I tell you? That I would help you win the Race Wars.]
I thought I had given him enough trust.
He added those words.
I was well aware that he was referring to the countdown engraved on the status window and the fact that he had delayed the Race Wars as much as possible.
I was so friendly.
[Why can't you believe me?]
He asked an obvious question.
His appearance was so brazen.
"You sneaky bastard."
[......]
Whether it was acting or genuine.
I kindly continued the explanation for the silent opponent.
I raised one finger.
"First. You didn't keep your promise to stop the Race Wars until I returned."
[The will of the Heavenly Owners was strong. It was best to delay the time as much as possible.]
I dismissed it as an obvious excuse and raised the next finger.
"Second. The Upper World King's agent guaranteed the victory of the Race Wars to the guy who would become the Lower World King. Don't you think it's a contradiction?"
[Are you talking about hiding the identity of the agent? I thought it didn't matter since you didn't accept the offer either.]
I shook my head at the excuses that came out smoothly.
"You're more insidious than Lucifer. I'd rather trust Jormungandr's tongue."
[That's too harsh. Aren't you intoxicated with the power of the awakened Lower World King?]
"Don't lay the groundwork."
[......?]
"Isn't Asmodeus the same, not having fully adapted to the power of the Upper World King?"
[......]
Unlike the silence.
The facial features became clearer and clearer, and a strange smile hovered on his lips.
"Michael. There's no point in hiding it now."
Asmodeus, the Upper World King who had not yet fully awakened his power.
"Were you planning to covet that guy's existence?"
I threw the bait.
Michael said nothing.
A radiance brighter than any other Heavenly Owner.
Only the gently swaying divine power seemed to represent his emotions.
I did not take my eyes off the 'enemy' who was deep in thought.
I was not foolish enough to be careless in a personal space, in front of an 'unknown enemy'.
Also.
'It's not certain whether the guess is accurate.'
It was still just a hypothesis that Michael was aiming for the power of the Upper World King.
'Well, either way, it doesn't matter.'
I had reached the First Heaven, which could be said to be the final stage of the Race Wars, and my determination to subdue the Upper World King was also firm.
If I were to prepare for any aftereffects, Michael and Asmodeus.
'It would be cleaner to take care of them all.'
Red eyes and blue eyes.
Two eyes moved busily, analyzing the space.
The sight of rows of pure white castles was overwhelming, and the complete opposite of the desolate world of the Doppelgangers.
'If it wasn't for Rosaria. I really would have thought this was the First Heaven.'
She now possessed a higher level of mental domination resistance than Taehyun.
In other words, just by being together, she had created a hole in Michael's plan.
[Hmm... So, the fact that I couldn't bring the Succubus Queen created a variable.]
He readily admitted his mistake.
"Is that a question? I didn't know you were such a questioning person."
[I've heard a lot about how skilled you are at mockery.]
Taehyun shrugged.
[This place is a personal space created arbitrarily to have a private conversation. The moment you leave, you can fully reach the First Heaven.]
"Bingo."
So.
Therefore.
[What changes? Are you going to force your way out if I don't allow it?]
Depending on the caster, there were unique rules for escaping from a personal space.
Most of them involved finding and eroding the center, while Rosaria's involved destroying all the multiple personal spaces and invading the mental world, and the Doppelgangers' involved directly killing the owner of the domain.
'A way to break through.'
Taehyun met Michael's blue eyes.
His eyes, having reached the level of the Lower World King, were special.
His red eyes could cast illusions on the Heavenly Owners, and his blue eyes could see through the authority of the Heavenly Owners.
'It's solid.'
I expected it, but it was implemented at a higher level than I anticipated.
Even another Heavenly Owner, such as Lana Odin at her best, would not be able to easily break through.
'I'm worried about Rosaria.'
If she had fully reached the First Heaven, the other absolutes would not have remained still.
[If you're worried about the Succubus Queen, you can put that aside. The other brothers haven't noticed your visit yet.]
"You want me to believe what the enemy says? Are you crazy?"
[You're free to believe it or not.]
"......"
What were the odds that what he was saying now was a lie?
More than 90%.
In the first place, believing Michael's words was never even a premise.
'I thought we would be fighting from the start. I didn't expect him to try to strangle me like this.'
It was not good to bring out Devouring.
In a situation where I could not receive support from the Divine Tree, if I recklessly consumed power, I did not know what kind of risk it would return as later.
As much as I had reached this place at the cost of sacrifice, I had no intention of wasting it.
'I'll put aside my worries about Rosaria.'
I made that choice not because of Michael's words, but because of my belief in her.
"What is your purpose in keeping me here?"
[I'll say it again. I wanted to have a comfortable conversation with you. Even a Heavenly Owner cannot be completely free.]
"...Conversation."
Those words did not fit the current situation where the Race Wars were in full swing.
[There's no reason why not. By the way, I've been watching your life here.]
"......"
[Not only Earth in Middle-earth, but also the territory wars in the Lower World. Even the bizarre behavior you showed in other Heavens.]
I had been watching everything using the Divine Tree.
He emphasized.
"Wow... I didn't know you had a voyeuristic taste. The others would be quite shocked if they knew."
[Even after coming this far, that tongue of yours doesn't stop. If there's anything the other Heavenly Owners overlooked, it's your 'mouth'.]
A mouth.
I retorted, telling him not to insult my beautiful body with such a vulgar word.
Michael ignored me and continued.
[Devouring. The power of the previous Lower World King is certainly great, but your greatest weapon is your three-inch tongue.]
No, is this guy?
I couldn't help but laugh at Michael's attitude, who only said what he wanted to say.
It seemed like he had been waiting for the current situation on purpose.
There was not even a hint of hesitation in the words he poured out.
[Archdukes, absolutes, and owners. If they hadn't been manipulated by the tongue hidden in your mouth, they wouldn't have come to this point. In that sense, you have two great weapons.]
The Devouring mouth and the three-inch tongue's mouth.
Michael did not hide his laughter.
To think I would come all the way to the First Heaven and have a mouth fight with an archangel.
Listening to him quietly made me feel dizzy.
"An angel shouldn't say such harsh words. More than that, there's something I'm curious about."
[It's enjoyable to deal with you. Feel free to say anything.]
"I'm trying to end the Race Wars, you see. So, should I defeat Asmodeus, the current Upper World King, or should I defeat you, Mr. Michael, who wants to become the Upper World King?"
The swaying of the radiance intensified.
The laughter that came back grew deeper.
"Lies don't work."
[Your tongue doesn't falter with your playful words, and your confident eyes already know the answer. Could it be that you were able to show such an attitude in such a short time because you met the previous Lower World King?]
Accurate.
Therefore, I did not deny or affirm.
[Where should I start? You seem to know about the truth of the only god... What about the fact that kings like the Upper World King and the Lower World King didn't originally exist?]
"I'm not someone with such poor information."
[That's a valid statement. Then the things I can tell you are also limited. If one of the Upper World King and the Lower World King disappears, the Race Wars will end. It's a simple principle.]
The previous Upper World King had designed it that way.
The previous Lower World King had agreed to it.
Michael readily told me.
[In addition, Asmodeus and Kim Taehyun. You two don't measure up to the previous kings.]
"So there's a level above that."
They were the guys who had ruled for far longer than Asmodeus or Taehyun.
They were the guys who had cut down a half-baked only god and left to become constellations.
It was nothing strange to say.
[Now, let the god ask. Asmodeus won't willingly offer his neck.]
The longer the time dragged on, the more unfavorable the fight became for the Lower World.
[How does the Lower World King, who can't even break through a mere personal space, plan to win the Race Wars? Surely you don't believe that you can solve it with the two mouths you possess this time either, do you?]
'He's coming on strong.'
He was subtly mocking me, but what he was saying was not wrong.
Unlike the completed me, Asmodeus was getting stronger as time went on.
I could not guarantee the victory of the archdukes who had volunteered as stepping stones.
If I could not get out of here.
The Lower World.
Middle-earth.
"It would be over."
It would meet a boring end.
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