Chapter 42

Chapter 42

After the investigation team left for South Spirit Mountain.

Under Jin Baek’s command, White Cloud Castle was busy preparing the Spell Formation for the Construction Ritual.

White Cloud Castle’s Construction Spell Formation was famous for its excellent effects.

However, because it required so many materials and so much labor, some members of the clan questioned whether such a large-scale undertaking should be done for an outsider.

“Is it truly all right to use the clan’s Construction Spell Formation for an outsider? And with precious Gigantress’s Blood, no less…….”

“The blood is something he is bringing himself, is it not? There is no reason it cannot be done.”

The materials were not a problem.

The Spell Formation would be somewhat consumed in the process, but since Jin Baek had already agreed to grant one request, that was also acceptable.

Moreover, Jin Baek himself was curious.

Just how strong would Isran become after creating a Core?

“In that case…… hypothetically speaking. What happens if those people really bring back ‘Black Jade’?”

“Black Jade, you say?”

The legend of South Spirit Mountain was famous, so it was a natural question.

A Precious Treasure formed when a centipede that failed to ascend died and its resentment seeped deep into it.

Since the investigation team had gone to South Spirit Mountain, it was only natural for curiosity to stir.

“Even if they bring back Black Jade, nothing will change.”

“Pardon?”

“What are you asking? Even if they bring it back, it is not something he can use.”

Black Jade was a Core formed from the condensed resentment of a centipede.

It was indeed precious, but it overflowed with sinister Ghostly Energy, making it unsuitable for an Ordinary Person to absorb.

At most, it was the sort of thing that might be coveted by the Enforcement Division’s Inquisitors or wicked people like Black Mages.

It did not suit Isran, and it would only be poison to them.

“Hmm…… then could they not use an ordinary Core, one that is not steeped in resentment?”

“You fool. Do you think such a thing exists in this world?”

That was called ‘Dragon Jade', and it was treated as a legend among legends, something known to very few people.

That was because the Core of a centipede that had lived for centuries was so Pure that it could scarcely be distinguished from the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth, and the moment it died, it dispersed back into nature.

“Unless it spits it out and gives it willingly, it can never be obtained. But why would a centipede be mad enough to do that? It would be handing over centuries of cultivation all at once.”

“I-Is that so?”

The man who had asked scratched his head awkwardly.

Jin Baek snorted as he thought.

Black Jade was originally the residue left behind after Pure energy had drained away.

If even the residue was at that level, just how extraordinary would Dragon Jade, filled with complete energy, be?

‘It would make things like Black Jade or the Heavenly Thunder Pill seem like nothing.’

Whoever obtained it would surely become a great figure who changed the era.

After thinking that far, he shook his head.

‘Now that I am old, I am indulging in the strangest fantasies.’

There was no time to waste energy on absurd ideas.

He was about to focus once more on constructing the Spell Formation when a Servant rushed toward him in a fluster.

“Head of the House! It is an urgent message from Young Master Jin Sohwi!”

“Later. Can you not see that I am busy right now?”

Jin Baek answered indifferently.

Urgent, indeed.

That brat Sohwi had surely caused some trifling trouble again—

“Lord Isran is said to be in danger!”

“What did you say!!!!!!”

It really was urgent.

***

Beyond the magic I had deflected aside, a Mage was smiling.

The man lowered his Staff and chuckled.

“Should you really kill-steal? I had all but killed it myself.”

“…….”

I did not know who he was, but his outfit, at least, was familiar.

Jakol had been wearing the exact same Priest robes as that.

‘So it really was the Downfall Order.’

There were no others who would do something like this anyway.

Without relaxing my guard, I opened my mouth.

“Was it you? The one who summoned the Great Mountain Centipede?”

“Oh, you know about that? Yes, I have been stuck here for nearly half a year now.”

The summoning of the Great Mountain Centipede was completely random.

It seemed that bastard had camped out here all this time, constantly killing bosses.

It was not particularly impossible.

The Demonic Region, especially Gigantia Nest, was not a place people often visited.

“Then let me ask something. Are you the one who killed Jakol Dman?”

“…….”

“It seems you are. Haha!”

The Mage burst into loud laughter.

He seemed to be in quite a good mood after meeting me.

“I came here under orders to bring back Black Jade, but to think I would encounter the existence of the Great Master! Downfall is watching over me!”

“Tsk…….”

“My name is Admon Colishi. I am a lamb who serves Downfall, and the Mage who will kill you from this moment on!”

This was bad.

Because I had already used my Unique Ability, my body was not in good condition.

I had deactivated it for now, so my condition was not worsening any further, but even if I used it one more time, I was certain I would not last long before collapsing from exhaustion.

‘I should have dealt with the Great Mountain Centipede quickly and run.’

I had not expected him to arrive this soon.

Cold sweat ran down my skin from the sense of crisis.

“I cannot even imagine how sweet the reward will be if I bring back your corpse along with Black Jade! Are you listening, Our Order!”

The bastard took out a crystal ball and began rambling into it.

Was it a report? It seemed he was informing them of my existence.

Normally, I would have had to stop him, but right now, stabilizing my condition even a little was the top priority.

While he was distracted with his report, I opened and drank a Potion.

‘As expected, a Potion alone cannot heal me completely.’

I had not had enough money to buy a Sedative too, so there was nothing I could do about that.

Still, I had improved somewhat, so I thought I would somehow be able to fight.

I glanced back at the Great Mountain Centipede.

‘Hurry up and run, you bastard.’

Fighting with something like that behind me made my liver go cold.

If it lost its mind and attacked me from behind, I would truly be in an impossible situation.

“Haha! Watch closely! I shall prove the worth of Admon Colishi!”

The Mage raised his Staff.

‘There is no choice. I have to create an opening somehow and get out of here.’

Runewords appeared above Admon’s Staff.

I calmly read the revolving letters and predicted the magic he was about to use.

‘Is it 「Black Arrow」?’

As expected, the black energy gathered in his Staff became several arrows and shot out.

It was 2-Star lower-tier attack magic of the Black Magic category.

When I struck it away with Parrying, he immediately chained into his next spell.

“Hahaha! I will end this quickly!”

Magic Power surged violently.

A large bolt of lightning gathered on Admon’s Staff, and lightning began to rage like a storm from every direction.

‘「Lightning Storm」? Is he planning to end this swiftly?’

It seemed he was not the type to toy with his opponent while fighting, unlike Jakol.

Moreover, contrary to his arrogant demeanor, he was not careless either.

Even while casting magic, I could feel his gaze sharply scanning his surroundings.

“Damn it……!”

I threw myself aside to avoid the downpour of magic.

Because he kept using area attacks, Parrying could not exert much power.

First, I had to close the distance—

“Do you think I will let you come closer?”

I struck away the lightning that shot toward me as if he had been waiting for it.

I did use Parrying, but perhaps the timing was off, because I felt the lightning tingling through my hand.

While enduring the pain of being scorched, I made my decision.

‘I will use my Unique Ability.’

This was not a situation I could handle halfheartedly.

The Mage’s build was probably the [Magic Power-Black Mage (Enhancement & Lightning)] build.

It was a mishmash build, but it had many area attacks and could easily create variables, so it was a rather troublesome opponent in a one-on-one fight.

Moreover, judging by the fact that he was using 「Lightning Storm」, his level seemed to be above 4-Star.

That was Intermediate-Tier Magic.

Thump!

The sword and my heart resonated, and Ishara’s realm was overlaid onto me.

‘I do not have much time.’

I had drunk a Potion, but it was not enough to put me in perfect condition.

Since this was the second time after the Great Mountain Centipede, I was certain I would not last long.

KWAGAGAK!

I struck away every spell that was fired in succession.

The light of Mysticism devoured the flashing lightning, and the spells whose trajectories had been broken scattered in every direction.

“Oh……! So that is Parrying! How fascinating that it can strike away every spell! Then how about this!”

Admon scattered glittering powder into the air.

When something that sparkled like shards of glass spread in every direction, he fired lightning toward the empty air.

‘This is……!’

The fired bundle of lightning tore apart and split, beginning to reflect randomly in every direction.

It was a combo that mixed 「Mana Chaff」 with 「Chain Lightning」.

「Mana Chaff」 was enhancement magic that lowered a spell’s attack power slightly in exchange for increasing the number of hits through Random Reflection.

If one mixed it with 「Chain Lightning」, which spread the moment it hit, one could instantly pour out a massive number of attacks.

‘My technique……! No, it is not.’

I had included it in the build, but someone else had discovered it.

It was not my technique, so it felt strange to get angry about it.

KWAGAGAGAGANG!!!

It seemed he had thought I would not be able to break through, but right now, I could see every trajectory of the lightning.

When I struck them all away and broke through head-on, he started in surprise and raised his Staff.

“You bastard……!”

I countered the magic he hastily cast with Parrying.

With the exquisitely cleaving trajectories of my sword, I nullified his magic and slowly began to cut down the range of his movements.

When all his magic was deflected, his face went pale at once.

“Uwaaah!?”

The condensed radiance of Mysticism flashed.

I imbued my sword with 「Counterattack」, whose stacks had all been built up, and thrust toward him with all my strength.

This was a clean hit.

It had to connect—

“Damn it!”

At that instant, he pulled out another Staff from his waist.

It was an ominous-looking object wrapped round and round with black Talismans.

The moment ink-black Phosphorescent Glow flashed from it, the blow I had thrust forward was ‘shattered’ in an instant.

“……!?”

The black Phosphorescent Glow did not stop there and bared its teeth toward me.

I hurriedly twisted my head aside, but I could not avoid being struck in the shoulder.

“Khk!”

With intense pain, I was flung away and rolled across the ground.

Even as I looked at the blood dripping down, I could not hide my confusion.

What…… was that just now?

“Khehe, you bastard. You made me use something I had been saving.”

“…….”

“You look as though you are wondering what this is. This is an item bestowed by the Cult Leader of Our Order, imbued with his own power!”

The bastard spread his arms wide and laughed madly.

“It is called a power that distorts Providence! In this world, there exists a ‘higher’ realm that Skills or swordsmanship can never reach! This is precisely that!”

“So you mean Aura…….”

I wondered what he was going on about.

It seemed that this Cult Leader had imbued that Staff with his own Aura and given it to him.

I did not know whether such a thing was possible…… but Aura was not a power that common sense applied to in the first place.

‘Now I understand how he drove the Great Mountain Centipede into a corner alone.’

Even with the Banner of Enfeeblement, I had thought it strange that a mere 4-Star Mage had managed to hunt the Great Mountain Centipede alone.

It seemed all of it had been possible because he had that Staff imbued with Aura.

“As expected, your skill is extraordinary! But with you as you are now, this should be more than enough to kill you!”

Holding two Staves at once, the bastard began mixing Aura into his magic.

The magic itself was an ordinary 「Black Arrow」.

I threw myself with all my strength to avoid the fired technique, but—

“What……!”

The spell, which should not have had any homing function, bent at a right angle in midair and rushed straight toward me.

KWAGANG!

I was so surprised that I could not even use Parrying.

I hurriedly raised my sword to block it, crashed into a boulder behind me, and vomited blood.

“Keheok……!”

It felt as though my body was breaking apart.

My body screamed as it convulsed in agony, but I had no room to remain still.

A barrage of spells came rushing in one after another.

And, just like before, they were tracking me.

‘Is it Divinity-Type Aura?’

Aura did not end at simple manifestation.

Once the realm of Aura rose, it gained unique characteristics according to its Trait, much like the techniques used by bosses.

Magic Power was unblockable.

Mysticism was inescapable.

Divinity was unavoidable.

Magic Power-Type Aura nullified every defense, while Mysticism made it impossible to escape outside the range where the Aura applied.

And Divinity possessed tracking performance that made it impossible to evade.

Judging from the fact that magic with no homing function was chasing me, that was undoubtedly Divinity-Type Aura.

KAGAGANG! KAGANG! KWAGANG!

Because the trajectories kept bending in every direction, it was difficult to time Parrying.

Even if I deflected them, unless they crashed into the ground or a tree, they bent again and returned.

There was no end to the incoming attacks.

‘Aura should be a technique with heavy consumption……!’

Even though it was a technique learned in the extreme late game, Aura was difficult to use for long periods.

Because its mana consumption was too severe in proportion to its strength, even late-game characters could not operate it easily.

It was clearly not being used with that bastard’s own mana.

I focused on his Staff.

‘The Talismans are burning. Is that the remaining amount?’

That was probably it.

But just how much had been crammed into it? The burning speed was incredibly slow.

So this was the secret weapon for killing the Great Mountain Centipede?

“Haaah……. Haaah…….”

Deep agony and a sense of powerlessness covered my body.

It was a sign that Backlash was about to arrive…… which meant my Unique Ability had ended.

“…….”

What should I do……? What am I supposed to…….

At this rate, I will die.

I have to think of a way. A way to win…….

BANG!

“Khk……!”

I was struck by the fired lightning and slammed into the ground.

The soil mixed with blood clung thickly to me.

My vision shook, and my mind grew distant. My head would not work properly.

“…….”

Think. Come up with a method.

I have experienced pain like this many times before.

What I have to do is not suffer.

It is to find a way out.

Think!

Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink—

“……Damn it.”

There was none.

There was no way.

No matter how much I racked my brain, I could not think of a way to win.

‘If…… I had been just a little stronger.’

If I could have used my Unique Ability just a little longer.

No…… if I had created a Core, completed the swordsmanship I possessed, and advanced to the ‘next’ stage sooner……!

‘Ha… I suppose I have a pathetic side too.’

I laughed hollowly.

I had not thought it would end this emptily.

Looking at the approaching Mage, I lowered my head.

If this continued, I was completely finished—

─Graaaaaaaaah!!!

At that moment, an enormous roar shook the mountain.

The Mage bastard retreated in surprise, and I struggled to turn my head and look behind me.

The Great Mountain Centipede, which had been collapsed on the ground, was lifting its head and thrashing in fury.

─O heavens!!! So it comes to this in the end!! Does my clan end here!!

What? You could talk?

‘I thought you were the type I could not communicate with because all you did was cry out…….’

At the very end, the creature finally spoke, and its grief was enough to make the entire sky tremble.

Its clan had been sacrificed to Admon, and even Gigantress, their Leader, had all been captured and killed.

And after killing me, he would kill the Great Mountain Centipede itself as well.

‘It must have thought of me as its last hope.’

It seemed the creature had expected me to defeat Admon.

Even though it knew that was impossible.

Having failed to ascend, losing its clan before its very eyes, it had placed such futile hope in me.

─Enlil!!! You wretch, you already knew everything!!!

But my eyes widened at the name that came next.

Enlil.

The name of the Possessor who created the Pilgrimage Route.

The Great Mountain Centipede roared as though it knew her.

“W-What is this? Why has that thing suddenly gone mad……?”

The Mage was standing there dumbfounded.

Damn it. I should have launched a surprise attack at a time like this, but my body would not move.

Just as I was somehow trying to move my trembling arms, something wrapped around me and pulled me in.

“Ah……!”

I realized belatedly what it was.

The Great Mountain Centipede had grabbed me with its antennae.

─It is humiliating to dance according to your words……!!

Its rage-filled voice dug into my mind.

─But I will not die to the likes of Downfall’s dregs……!!!

And then, the creature mercilessly bit into my back.

Something pierced through my chest.

At that moment.

A tremendous energy began to pour into my heart.