Episode 117

A huge cloud of dust had settled. The students around me were looking at me with expressions of shock.

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen such a scene.”

I lifted the corners of my mouth.

Ignoring the squishy feeling at my toes.

I looked ahead.

A blond handsome man was staring intently at me.

Taylor.

He claimed to be Cynthia’s right-hand man. The third strongest male student among the first-year students of Divine Academy.

“Impressive.”

“Really?”

“Cynthia is arbitrary, ignores the people around her, treats them recklessly. She doesn’t listen to others at all, only pushing her own opinions. But.”

Taylor drew his sword. A sharp metallic sound echoed.

“She, at least she is allowed to do so. Her talent is violent enough. Being arbitrary is forgiven, for her.”

“You say that, but your murderous intent is too thick?”

“She is the symbol of Divine Academy. Her defeat is also our defeat.”

Students from Divine Academy began to gather around. Dozens of students flocked to me, holding onto other students.

‘They’re trying to take me down even if they lose in the game.’

Unbelievable.

I extended my hand with a smile. Not Black Heavenly Demon Sword or the Sword of Winter, but a spare sword. It’s unfamiliar. However, if I utilized the talent, Sword Demon (S), I’d get used to it quickly.

‘I can’t use White Rouge or the Guardian’s Armor either.’

Both were too overpowered. I was restricted from bringing many items by the priest before coming here.

Well, that’s to be expected.

This wasn’t a fight to the death against Mines, but a show fight.

‘What should I do?’

Winning wasn’t the problem.

Even while in the early stages of the mid-rank, I easily could match the high-rank.

Strengthening my defense and waiting for the others could be a method, or using explosive strength to take down the elite in a moment could be another.

I chose the latter.

“Just wait a bit! I’ll be right there……!”

Ershil’s voice could be heard from afar.

“It’s okay. I’ll take care of this quickly and then go.”

“What?”

Taylor looked at me with a shocked expression.

“Did you just say you’ll take us down quickly?”

“Your Korean is fluent? Oh, right.”

I relaxed my body.

“I’ll handle everything.”

“Attack!”

At Taylor’s command, dozens of students charged at me. I positioned my sword upright.

The essence of the Sword Demon pierced through all their attacks. Divine Sight revealed all sanctity. My mission was singular: to dodge and dismantle everything.

Whoosh.

I tuned my body, honed by the Black God Martial Arts. Starting from the flow of blood, to strengthening the skeleton, and enlarging the muscles. Black energy erupted, unleashing the Energy of Defying Heaven.

“Die!”

An attack launched by ten people.

Their coordination was impressive.

The Divine Academy primarily taught the application of divine power in group confrontations, rather than individual survival.

Woong!

I channeled the Energy of Defying Heaven into my sword. A corrupt black power formed a pitch-black blade along my sword. A corrupt wave enveloped it.

‘With the intention of spreading it wide.’

Black God Martial Arts.

Black Energy - Chaos Killing Technique.

I held back my power.

After all, this was a mock battle. I dulled the blade’s edge. I dispersed the power broadly, filling the wave.

“Everyone, be careful! Even Cynthia couldn’t block that!”

“I know!”

Whoosh!

A swirling light formed a barrier. Dozens of divinities condensed and merged together.

Craaack!

One strike. A tremendous attack, filled with waves, shattered the divinity wall into pieces.

“Such a monster…”

“What kind of magic is this? Divinity doesn’t work?”

Observing the stunned students, I turned to Taylor.

“What’s the matter? You talk a lot, but are you too scared to come forward?”

“Taylor. I’ll step in.”

“Laun…”

Laun.

A slender figure with an androgynous appearance, resembling a girl. Yet, he was a man.

I was holding the sword when I sneered bitterly. Half of the blade had vanished along with the strike I had just made. If it had been Black Heaven, it would have withstood the blow.

Crack.

A sound akin to something splitting echoed. I looked up at the sky, viewing the scene with Divine Sight.

It was as though a crack had formed in the very sky.

“…”

…Have they already arrived?

The progression was swift. Well, considering those who wished to overturn the Hundred Temple right now include the gods of beginning and fate, I suppose it’s natural.

The gods of beginning and fate.

Gods that brought the fortune of a good start. There’s a saying that the beginning was half the battle. If the gods of beginning and fate were on your side, you’ve already won half the battle.

‘It’s not time to fight.’

I relaxed my grip on the sword and stepped forward.

“Hey. I know you’re all awake.”

“…”

Cynthia didn’t move, feigning death.

“The situation is more serious than you think. The Mines are going to invade.”

“…Even if the Mines invade, we can overcome them. Aren’t you underestimating us too much?”

The tone was proud.

Their confidence stemmed from the presence of a hundred gods. They could afford to be confident, being under the protection of beings comparable to transcendent entities.

However,

Some of them have turned against us.

Going forward, the US will not be able to rely on their own gods and will face decline. A witch hunt, reminiscent of the Middle Ages, will occur in the US, plunging it into chaos.

‘It shouldn’t be like this.’

The US has so much to accomplish moving forward.

I…

Quietly extended my hand forward.

‘Come, Black Heaven.’

Paaat!

Black Heaven emerged from where my belongings were stored. Perhaps because I had sent my Nyeom along, Black Heaven brought all my belongings with it.

Was it my eccentricity? The battle halted, and all eyes turned towards me.

“What are you planning? Using those weapons would clearly be cheating.”

“I told you. The Mines have invaded.”

I said calmly as I picked up Black Heaven.

“Is that true?”

“…Well, there were times like this.”

Ershil stood by my side.

“Can you really see the future?”

She whispered quietly to me. I nodded slightly. Then, Ershil’s smile deepened a bit.

I donned the Guardian’s armor using Nyeom and equipped other armaments, then pointed to the sky.

There was an abnormal sky where cracks were forming.

“The sky… is breaking?”

“…I’ve heard of it. Among the Seven Evils, the one called the Vicious Abomination can interfere with space with ‘strength’ and break the sky…”

The students spoke with stunned expressions.

I felt Cynthia wriggling more intensely beneath my feet.

“Is that believable now?”

“Get off my head. I don’t believe anything unless I see it with my own eyes.”

As I moved away, Cynthia tapped my back and stood up. As if nothing had happened, she looked up at the sky.

“…A place managed by the gods, and mere Mortals.”

The one who had been wriggling at my feet until a moment ago had no style in saying that.

“What will you do?”

“…You seem to find it burdensome to deal with the Mortals too. To ask for my help. But we have no choice. Since we face the enemy called Mortals, we must join forces. But just this once…!”

Cynthia spoke with a grave tone.

I scratched my cheek.

“Sorry, but I’ll act on my own.”

“What… did you say?”

Such foolishness─

Before Cynthia could say more, I turned away.

“Seo Ga-yeon. Hong Yu-hwa.”

I called out to two people. Seo Ga-yeon looked at me with a determined expression. Hong Yu-hwa had a strangely satisfied smile.

“Do you want to come with me?”

“Yes.”

“…I didn’t say where I’m going. The place I’m headed to is the most dangerous.”

“It’s okay. If it’s with Seo-ha, I can go to the end of hell.”

It was a reassuring yet strangely frightening statement.

“I don’t mind either. My rival should be where I am.”

Hong Yu-hwa looked at me with a satisfied smile.

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

“Hoo, this feeling. Not bad.”

“…”

Seo Ga-yeon looked at Hong Yu-hwa with a strange gaze.

“Just take one photo for me.”

“…Photo?”

“Yeah. To hang in my room.”

“…Why a photo of Seo-ha?”

“Well, since he’s my rival. My grandfather said to ensure a fair competition, always keep your rival in sight. So, I’ll hang Seo-ha’s photo on the ceiling and endure hardships with the spirit of tasting bile.”

“You seem to misunderstand the meaning of ‘turning a crisis into an opportunity.’”

Seo Ga-yeon said that and looked at me.

“Then, give me a photo of Seo-ha too.”

“…Okay.”

“Aren’t you calling Sung Han-byul?”

“She’s a senior to us, Yu-hwa.”

“…Aren’t you calling Senior Sung Han-byul?”

“No need.”

Because if it were that person, they would have already moved.

Sung Han-byul has always been like that. Despite having a talent that shortened her lifespan, she always acted for others.

As if the reason for her existence was to save others, she used her talent.

Sung Han-byul,

Therefore, would die.

In all branches, in all routes, it was almost certain that she would die. There was no way to save her.

‘But if it’s reality.’

Maybe it’s possible to save her. I looked at Seo Ga-yeon.

To save Sung Han-byul, Seo Ga-yeon was needed. And Hong Yu-hwa was needed to temporarily steal her talent.

I looked at the sky. The sky, once marked by cracks, now changed like broken glass.

And then.

The sky collapsed.