Episode 120

Everything was a radiant world.

To the people of the current world, it was a paradise, truly called heaven.

Until beings from outer space invaded.

“It’s already a story that lasted more than 1,000 years.”

Now, it was a world with more people who did not know.

She created the White Divine Temple, the goddess of beginning and blessing. Initially, it was a temple meant to repel beings from outer space, intended to save those in paradise.

She gathered the beings and divinities of planets invaded by extraterrestrial entities.

She did not dream of revenge.

Their power was too dangerous, so even risking her life did not guarantee a high probability of success. And she was concerned for those she led.

The goddess of beginning and blessing simply wanted to resist.

One by one, beings gathered. Over ten divinities came to reside, and the small temple soon began to grow in size.

It was the beginning of the White Divine Temple.

“It’s all meaningless.”

She looked around.

There were beings around her, some in support and others in opposition.

“What are you doing?”

“Fighting against extraterrestrial beings is pointless. Their power will eventually surpass ours.”

“Isn’t that why the White Divine Temple was created?”

The god of struggle laughed ferociously.

“Are you saying you’ll cooperate with the extraterrestrial beings, like a defeated dog tucking its tail? They are never satisfied. Even if you form an alliance now, they’ll eventually devour you too.”

“It’s okay. There’s a way.”

The goddess of beginning and blessing said so. The god of struggle raised an eyebrow, as if he disliked her noble attitude.

“Survival by sacrificing your followers and ours as a delay.”

He smirked in a mocking manner.

“We have endured all humiliation and disgrace until our power finally surges. And we have judged this place to be suitable.”

Earth was a very special planet with a large population. Despite having no special abilities, its inhabitants managed to create a population of billions.

The god of struggle remembered the first time he fell to this world.

A brilliantly radiant planet, filled with countless magical energies.

And he decided to grow stronger here before having the final battle.

Perhaps he was tired. He had embraced struggle as his divinity but had to run.

“Well, it’s all pointless talk. You’ve already decided to betray us, and we have judged that we must kill you.”

At the god of struggle’s words, the god of the sky raised his hand. The sky flashed, and countless dark clouds gathered.

“We will kill you.”

In an instant, the sky flickered.

Thousands of lightning bolts struck down.

Firstly, I considered the current situation on the battlefield.

Asymmetric forces clashed with each other. Even our transcendent beings were in a favorable situation.

The most dangerous thing for us?

The fact that I might die meant that if someone intervened, our side’s transcendent beings could be in danger.

‘Or if the forces for humanity of the White Divine Temple were to lose.’

I didn’t want to think about it, but if the Emperor intervened and the White Divine Temple lost, this advantageous situation we created would be a meaningless effort.

Even though it’s advantageous, considering the hidden moves of the transcendent beings, it cannot lead to a short-term battle.

The most realistic plan would be:

‘If someone intervenes.’

If there’s an existence that can buy time for a moment against the Vicious Abomination and maliciousness.

Then, the people on the surface will die.

“I have to do it.”

I thought about extracting Seo Ga-yeon, but relying on her power was still premature. Below, there were countless magic soldiers. Considering the proper intervention of the Nazi Empire, she had to be there.

Hong Yu-hwa and Sung Han-byul cannot be extracted either. They had to protect Seo Ga-yeon.

I donned the Mask of Illusion.

I armed myself with everything I could.

Yet, the unease lingered.

“O light, extinguish these wicked beings!”

“O god of struggle and sky! Please grant us strength!”

The city was already half in ruins. Yet, the determination in the people’s eyes was unwavering, likely because they knew the White Divine Temple stood behind them.

I leaped powerfully toward the Mine that seemed the strongest in this vicinity.

-Haha! A maggot finding its own grave!

Drawing Black Heaven was unnecessary. I simply enveloped my fist with the Energy of Defying Heaven.

Black Shadow.

The Energy of Defying Heaven cloaked my hand. I flicked it lightly, as if to scatter it.

Crash!

The Mine brought his hand to his solar plexus, but I broke through his armor made of magic.

Thud.

A soft sound. However, the Energy of Defying Heaven, channeled through Black Shadow, wreaked havoc inside.

-Cough. Such, such impossible power…

I vanquished the Mine.

Recovery.

And the Seal of Absorption.

I harnessed two types of power. The Energy of Defying Heaven was replenished, and the Seal of Absorption siphoned the corrupt power.

[Your Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven has increased by 1.]

My head throbbed.

“…This is tough.”

Killing the Mine and directly filtering its power was challenging. The increase in the Conceptual Stat was noteworthy, but the process was inefficient.

“Th-thank you. Thanks to you, we can wrap this up quickly and assist others.”

“A, are you the Masked Man? The one who wielded the golden flame in Korea?”

“…”

This reception was somewhat unwelcome.

[Your Special Stat Faith has increased by 1.]

…Yet, it might be somewhat gratifying.

I leaped powerfully once more, landing on the rooftop of a building. I neutralized dangerous Mines in the vicinity, reclaimed their power, and lingered there for a while.

The Sword Demon’s instinct informed me that I was within the ‘range’ of some entity.

Ding.

A translucent blue window materialized on my retina.

Main Quest Chapter 7: The Death of a Transcendent

The opponent has prepared this plan more meticulously than you thought.

A space isolated from the outside. The betrayal of the gods residing in the White Divine Temple. Your efforts have tilted the battle in our favor, but it’s still too early to be at ease.

A dagger capable of inflicting great harm on the transcendent is hidden.

You must choose between the death of the transcendent and your survival.

◈Reward: ???

I watched the alleyway, 50 meters away. A man wearing a coat and a fedora was staggering towards me.

“This is troublesome.”

The man was laughing. I know this man. As of now, a person I could not beat even if I were to come back to life.

“I didn’t want to run into you.”

“……”

Slowly.

A dark energy rose like a mirage. My senses wildly signaled an alarm, telling me to run away right now. That, maybe, if I abandoned everyone, I might be able to live.

“Right? Who would have a tool that can summon a transcendent at any time? Surely, you are a being loved by the transcendent.”

The man’s eyes were flashing as he spoke.

A suffocating murderous intent pierces my body. His eyes are filled with envy, jealousy, and greed.

“I investigated you. You’ve led a truly interesting life.”

“……”

“Before enrolling in school, there was no information on you, but after that, you were unstoppable. As if with a body like a normal person, you trained and now, in the second semester, you’ve reached the end of the middle ranks. A story quite like a novel. And all the women around you. Your life must have been really fun.”

Each word dripped with stickiness.

Words filled with jealousy and envy, eyes flashing with envy.

“You must have lived without lacking anything. You’re probably some family’s secret weapon, or perhaps someone’s legacy. Anyway, what I want to say is.”

The man’s murderous intent grew thicker.

“Knowing you’re loved by the transcendent, I’m so jealous I could go mad. That’s why I didn’t want to meet you.”

Because I’d want to kill you, he added.

“Knowing it would make the transcendent my enemy, I wanted to kill you. No, that’s not quite enough. It seems you’re aware of my ability. Yes, that’s better. From now on, I’ll be leeching off you. After I kill you.”

Parasite, Kalia.

The sword in his hand vibrated. Deep purple energy started to coil around the sword he’s holding.

He compressed the sword energy to the extreme, shaping it into threads.

With that, he refined the sword.

Then, it changed, as if taking the shape of a star.

The light of destruction, Sword Aura (劍罡).

It unfolded in the hand of the Mine.

“Now, then…”

The Mine stopped walking. He was watching what was behind me.

“You’re always like that. Lacking in your own abilities, you drag down others to take their place. That in itself isn’t bad. It’s part of the struggle, after all.”

Click-clack.

A knight riding a white horse, as if from another era, declared.

Behind him, there were dozens of knights. Their emblems were each different, but all of them bore divinity.

“However, harming your opponent and selling your soul is repulsive. The act of killing others, stealing from others, coveting what belongs to others despite your own lack of ability, is evidence that you cannot be forgiven.”

The knight said quietly.

“You lot?”

The Mine laughed as if amused.

“Ridiculous. Just a single high rank and ten middle ranks. And the lower ranks dare to challenge me? Even with the difference between divinity and magic, you dare?”

The Mine, Kalia, looked at me with a giggle.

“Well, fine. It’ll just take a bit longer. After I take all your heads, helping Lord Vicious will be no problem.”

Kalia spoke leisurely, quietly murmuring.

“Poor believers. And you. I’ll teach you today what the difference of a single rank means.”