Chapter 336: Liberation (1)

Chapter 336: Liberation (1)

"Betrayed... you're saying I betrayed you?"

Nietzsche muttered incredulously.

The two of them had bad blood with Jinhyuk—a past riddled with conflict.

They were never supposed to be on the same side.

That's why...

For Nietzsche, the current situation was nothing short of bewildering.

"Sorry. I had to side with the stronger one to survive. The person I counted on was him."

"Don't be too disappointed. We've always moved according to mutual interests from the beginning."

Melena, who had been with Jinhyuk for a long time, and Tristan, who had joined later, shrugged as if it was a matter of course.

Not just because of the Soul-binding Brand.

When it came to turf wars, they knew all too well which side had the advantage.

Whether it's the leader of the Mains.

Or the noble Purebloods, the Jin-tribe.

It didn't matter.

The outcome of who would survive in the end had already been determined.

"You dare... you insignificant beings struck me from behind? It seems you've forgotten just how fearsome I can be. I could make both of you rot away while still alive."

"Hmm. It's a bit funny hearing that from someone who was about to tuck their tail and run, don't you think?"

This time, Jinhyuk interjected against Nietzsche's feeble threat.

"You...!"

"Ah, ah. Don't get angry. It's unbecoming, and your blood pressure will just go up. Even if you're going to die, you might as well die by my sword. You wouldn't want the leader of the Mains to die from hypertension, would you?"

With a sly smile, Jinhyuk shrugged his shoulders.

At that, Nietzsche's face contorted even more fiercely.

"How dare you! You think you can defeat me?"

"Yeah. I think so. Besides, I was planning to show you what it means to attack an old man."

Nietzsche's mana was nearly exhausted from maintaining Blackness.

Even with his abilities sealed by Nihilism, it was a fight worth taking on.

But there was just one thing.

Before meeting the condition for duplication, there was one hurdle to overcome.

'I need to deal with the Devil King attached to that guy...'

Devil King of the 7th rank in Hell, Hesmodium.

One of the ten Devil Kings currently supporting Nietzsche.

If he continues to support Nietzsche till the end, things could get complicated.

So, Jinhyuk spurred on the provocation.

"I was curious how you can be so confident, having formed a contract with the most mediocre and pathetic of Devil Kings. I remember hearing about Hesmodium - isn't he the last of the ten Devil Kings? No, I think there was a rumor that he'd been demoted from being so useless..."

At that very moment.

[The deity of Hell is greatly enraged!]

[The special ability 'Partial Incarnation' is activated!]

Kukukuku!

"Keuk... Kraaaa! Aaaaaah!"

Nietzsche's eyes rolled back, showing the whites.

Foam formed at the mouth, and his skin showed violently twitching veins.

Shaking like a leaf, Nietzsche was no longer himself.

A Devil King's soul had entered his body.

It wasn't a full manifestation, but more like possession through a medium.

After a long scream filled with agony, it abruptly stopped, as if it were a lie.

"Keuk... It's always uncomfortable inside a human shell."

Hesmodium inspected his hands and feet with lifeless eyes, but only for a brief moment.

"You have caused discomfort to me, so you'll not die easy."

Drops of red liquid fell from his elongated fingernails.

It goes without saying, even in his best condition, he couldn't beat this monster.

Of course.

That was already taken into account.

"Beriel. I know you're watching. How about showing up?"

Quietly, Jinhyuk opened his mouth.

Then...

[Hmm. Yeah, I'm watching. It's quite interesting. I was just grabbing some wine from my private vault for a moment.]

As if on cue, a response came.

This guy always had the luxury of time.

Here he was, staking his remaining life on a gamble.

Kukukuku!

Jinhyuk stared at Hesmodium, who was emanating a terrifying, ignorant magical aura.

[If it continues like this, you'll die.]

"Yes, that's what it seems."

Even if Nietzsche was using his body, the opponent was a Devil King.

If his abilities remained sealed, a mere gesture would be enough to kill instantly.

"So, shouldn't I have a strong supporter on my side as well?"

Jinhyuk glanced at the void.

[Ho. You think I should help? Why should I do that?]

Why indeed.

That's because...

"If you're stronger than Hesmodium, there's no reason to avoid this fight. Oh, of course, if you're ranked lower than him... then I might not fight."

[So you're saying if I don't help, it means I'm a coward who can't even look at that idiot Devil King in the eye? That I'm the ultimate weakling and coward in Hell?]

Hmm...

That wasn't exactly what was said, but the intention seemed to be clear.

"I was just thinking today, while fighting that guy, how great being a Dark Apostle is. Even choosing another job for my third class advancement wouldn't be too bad."

[Me, a Dark... Apostle? Is that true?]

"Yes. It's not like I haven't thought about it."

[Really? Would you swear on that?]

"Don't you trust me?"

[One must be trustworthy to be trusted! How many times have you only pretended so far?]

"This time, I'll put up collateral. What do you think about that guy over there?"

Jinhyuk's fingers pointed towards Chun Yuseong.

[His swordsmanship is decent. There's skill in his hands. In many ways, he seems to fit in with us.]

Beriel nodded, seeming to quite like Chun Yuseong.

Good.

He had taken the bait.

"Right. As you can see, he's got potential. Naturally, if he changes to the Dark Apostle as his class, he could become quite remarkable, right? And if I go as well, it would be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it?"

Jinhyuk won Beriel's favor based on offering Chun Yuseong.

[That is true, but...]

"Uh oh? Here comes that guy. Quick, there's no time! If I die, apostles or whatever will be meaningless."

Jinhyuk urgently pointed at Hesmodium.

He seemed ready to pounce at any moment, with only seconds at best before he would attack.

Eventually.

[Damn it. Alright. I'll help for now. But don't you later forget that promise.]

Beriel stepped forward.

At that moment.

A chilling cold.

A frosty coldness arose.

Snap!

With a sparkling crack, a silver-haired man appeared, tearing through space.

Kwaaaang!

The blood-red fingernails were blocked in mid-air.

Rather, Hesmodium, who had launched the attack, couldn't handle the shock and stumbled backward.

"Ber...iel?"

Hesmodium's pupils shook violently.

It wasn't just a partial manifestation through possession.

It was a direct descent of the original body.

A top-level deity among Devil Kings had moved in person.

"I've just offered three of my castles and a hundred thousand acres of forest in my territory as a sacrifice."

A choice was forced.

He had already invested too much to back out now...

"This human is my apostle. So, step back."

Either fight until one side perishes.

Or just tuck that tail away.

***

"Damn it all."

Hyacinth bit his fangs until they nearly broke.

He had thought that Nietzsche and the Mains would serve their roles well.

"Those idiots aren't helping at all."

Especially with the sudden arrival of North European deities and even a Devil King joining the fray, the tide of battle had turned completely.

But the biggest problem was...

The foe before him was proving to be far more troublesome than expected.

Pupupupupung!

Peeooong!

Storms brewed by lightning strikes raged on, but Ellis didn't even bat an eye as she closed the distance.

Surely, she was far from her peak performance.

Yet, why does she feel even more oppressive than before?

[Hyacinth activates 'Infinity Lightning'!]

Blue lightning cloaked his spear.

Almost invisible in its speed, the thrusts were released explosively.

Paang!

The spearhead vanished with a sonic boom.

But then.

Kakakakang!

With lightning speed, Ellis drew her rapier from her waist and deflected the spear's trajectory.

The misfired spear stuck harmlessly into the ground.

Hyacinth's eyebrows twisted in frustration.

"Since when did you learn to wield a rapier?"

"Recently."

"Recently? Don't tell me... from that human?"

"......"

Ellis neither confirmed nor denied.

"Really? I didn't believe it, but it was true."

The noble and prideful head of Ataraxia was learning something from a mere human.

It was a tale too hard to believe if told by others.

Because it meant changing her steadfast belief of never using a weapon.

"What on earth... what is he to you? It's not just about the rapier. You should know, right? Even someone like you can't guarantee your life if you fight the beings from the 50th floor?"

That's why.

He couldn't help but ask.

What sort of existence Kang Jinhyuk was to Ellis.

And whether he was worth her devotion to such a degree.

Ellis's red lips slowly parted.

"He gave me another chance to live."

A precious person who brought her new hope, when she, having given up everything, was merely awaiting death.

Someone who ended her long nightmare and gave her a reason to live anew.

"No matter what comes from the 50th floor, it doesn't matter."

Even if she dies... it's okay.

Even if she becomes a puff of ash and disappears, it's fine.

As long as she can be with him until the last moment...

That's enough.

'Ataraxian-style'.

Her rapier drew seven circles.

The drawn circles slowly carved out and began to turn into intricate patterns.

"A red... rose?"

Hyacinth blankly watched the rose taking shape.

One by one.

Roses blooming in the air created a breathtaking scene.

['Blood Rose' is activated!]

This was Ellis's first unique style (式), borne of her own creation.

A new wave representing Ataraxia.

"Did you really think you could face me with something hastily put together?"

Hyacinth retorted, swinging his spear.

The spear left afterimages and split into dozens of pieces.

No matter how unusual it appeared, every style (式) required ample experience and time to support it.

It wasn't something that could be completed overnight!

Sword and spear.

The two styles (式) hurled forward.

And when the two clashed...

Pakagak!

The tip of Hyacinth's spear fragmented and began to disintegrate.

"Ahh..."

His short sigh was laden with futility and despair.

The realm of overwhelming talent, not requiring effort or experience.

The strongest head of all households who had crushed all other heads.

Jin-tribe. Ellis von Ataraxia.

He'd forgotten over time.

Just how monstrous she was.