Chapter 147:
Dragon Lord.
According to the story of the 16th floor, it seems like it’s a divine entity with the task of protecting this world……
But to be honest, my previous experience of nearly being killed by multiple gods never painted me a positive impression of gods.
On top of that, the fact that not providing proper assistance to the hero with the task of saving the world added onto my negative sentiment towards them.
So I tried my best to avoid their attention on me by not using the exclusive effect of Desire on the holy sword, and did my best to not get involved.
however
「The Dragon Lord is proposing the position of apostle to challenger Han SungYeun.」
「The Dragon Lord is proposing the position of apostle to challenger Han Sung…….」
「The Dragon Lord is proposing the position of apostle to challe…….」
All that effort went to waste.
‘A bothersome entity got involved.’
Really, seeing it bother me without a rest gave me a migraine.
Even offering me the position of apostel…….
And to tell the truth, divine entities are honestly just a collection of problems.
I’ve never had a good experience being involved with divine beings.
I’ve nearly died because of god of proof, and that god of battle came under descent, and the god of death felt ominous for some reason.
They do not affect things positively in my experience.
「The Dragon Lord is questioning why a puny existence is daring to reject the position of apostle.」
And these questions further proved my point that they’ll be very bothersome.
“I have no intention of becoming an apostle.”
At least this god has not harmed me yet, so I did not show hostility towards them.
Since there’s no point in adding an enemy in this situation.
「The Dragon Lord is saying that you’re making a wrong decision.」
Without replying, I sheathed the holy sword.
Perhaps that irked them, since the dragon lord left a message.
「The dragon lord is declaring that you’ll see their greatness and end up becoming their apostle one day.」
It was an absurd statement, but there was no need to pay attention to it.
After all…….
「The god of proof is making fun of the way dragon lord is begging for attention.」
「The god of dark is telling the dragon lord to get lost if you’re rejected.」
「The Dragon Lord is disappearing after telling challenger Han SungYeun to think about it one more time.」
The two gods that were spectating from the sides had chased the dragon lord away.
Standing still for a while, I realized that all the gods have left.
It’s not that the tower gave me a message, but I could instinctively tell that their gazes on me have disappeared.
“…….”
It was something that I could never feel before, but I knew right away why I could now.
‘This must also be a change from divine powers..’
With the rank of divine power going up, the affinity was also set, and many other things have changed.
To the point where I couldn’t tell all the changes myself.
I wasn’t sure, but I believed that my divine powers were able to detect that divine entities were looking towards my way.
I was already surprised enough that the potential of the grim reaper painted my divine powers black, but to think that this would also be possible.
Once again, I was reminded of my growth.
「Administrator ‘Iron-blooded Monarch’ is complimenting the immovable belief of the contractor and feeling relief.」
「Administrator ‘White Crane Sword Saint’ is proud of the contractor’s will.」
「Administrator ‘Hero of a Fallen World’ thinks that your choice is interesting.」
The administrators sent out messages as they must’ve also felt the disappearing presences of divine entities.
However, with no meaningful information, I chose to take my attention off of it.
Instead, I activated Starlight by focusing once again.
The black divine powers surrounded the starlight, and the starlight increased its energy within the shell.
I started to control the starlight like before.
I’ve succeeded once so I didn’t think that I’d need to train more……
But since I’m already here for training, I wanted to attempt to create multiple forms of starlight.
The night had just begun after all.
‘Let’s try this from the beginning.’
From now on, it was time to get more proficient in the technique itself.
»————- ★ ————-«
After seeing the edge of the sun at the mountaintop, I immediately returned back to the camp.
If anyone were to discover my absence from the camp, it would cause a headache.
So when I returned as soon as possible to pretend that I just woke up, it managed to convince everyone.
Because I chose to traverse through the mountains carefully, no one knew that I disappeared.
However, one problem arose.
It was…….
“There must be a high ranking demon training around this area.”
Because the light from starlight was rather strong, there were few witnesses.
They did not see me, so it was misunderstood as an elite demon’s training session……..
If Allen, who stood watch the entire night, continued this misunderstanding, this issue would undoubtedly grow bigger.
“In one of the mountains far away, flashes of light…….”
“You must’ve hallucinated.”
“No, really, something really flas…….”
“hallucination.”
“…….”
I thought that it would be best to have them think that he hallucinated.
And without hesitating, I immediately rejected everything Allen said during breakfast.
And all the other companions didn’t think much of it either.
“I’ve seen articles at the magic tower about how regions near the demonic realm tend to have abnormal occurrences due to the high density of demonic energy. It must be a phenomenon created by demonic energy rather than an elite demon.”
And hearing the magician Zerba’s theory, it actually made sense.
“……And logically, no elite demon would train in places like this. They have a perfectly fine demonic realm to train at.”
And with Daisy’s follow-up point, Allen must’ve also been convinced since he nodded.
“Well, that’s also true …….”
Around the time the day was ending, all companions left the camp.
「Activating the exclusive effect ‘Ecology Adaptation’ of the item ‘Adventurer’s Handmade Gloves(B+).」
Quietly walking through the soils polluted with demonic energy within the demonic realm.
「Your mind will not corrode from demonic energy.」
「+2 stats on mana in environments with high concentration of demonic energy.」
Because this location was polluted, just from being here would’ve drained my mentality…….
But in fact, with the adventurer’s handmade globes equipped, I began to adjust to the environment of the demonic realm.
Of course, the other companions were frowning as if breathing itself was uncomfortable..
‘Well, it’s not like I can take care of their comfort, so it can’t be helped.’
I didn’t bother thinking about helping the ones with concealed hostility towards me.
Their situation was not the most optimal, but at least they were not burdens in battles.
No, rather. They didn’t even get a chance to be a burden.
Since I annihilated every single demon that appeared
「Activating myth <final savior="">.」</final>
And in that process, I tried a few different abilities.
「Activating the effect <salvation>.」</salvation>
「All stats are permanently increased by 0.07.」
「Currently, every stat has been locked due to the penalty of the special trial.」
「Permanent raise of stats can not be applied currently.」
「The stats can be increased normally after the competition of the trial.」
Of the effect range of salvation from the <final savior=""> myth.</final>
「Activating the effect <enlightenment> 」</enlightenment>
「No followers are detected.The divine powers are not enhanced.」
And just who are categorized as the followers in the seeker ability.
From the newly acquired myth, I managed to learn many things.
‘It seems that salvation is activated when rescuing any weaker ones, while enlightenment will not activate unless they don’t serve me.’
Of course this was not all that I learned.
I also learned about the phenomena that occurs when applying divine powers in my eyes.
It was one of the abilities that I tried out in the waiting room that allowed me to see black flow of energy and spots……
Now I realized what this divine power manipulation was allowing me to see.
‘It must be a type of weak spot detector.’
I realized when using this viewing method towards the monsters.
Although I am still unsure if this is creating weak spots or finding them…….
But I could see the weak spots of living beings and non living beings alike.
Although the meaning of the dark flow of energy still evaded me, the black spots were definitely weak spots.
Just stabbing the spots or touching it was enough to destroy it.
Just like this.
「Activating skill ‘Storm Sword’.」
「Wind affinity is imbued on the blade due to the skill ‘Storm Sword (C+)’.」
Fwoosh!
The moment the end of the holy sword met the dark spots on the side of the monster, its ability was activated.
―Kieeeeeeeeck!
The one horned demon dog guarding the black spire screamed with its body fracturing.
Crack!
The body of the demon dog started to break like its life forces were all spent while spilling black blood.
The demon dog attempted to crush me with its monstrous size angrily…….
But with blood flowing out of the fractures that spread to all parts of its body, it soon fell.
Boom!
It seemed to be the strongest monster yet, but it immediately died once attacked with divine powers.
And it’s not that I used a lot of my strength, but only a small amount of divine powers were used to stab the black spot.
But just that simple move was enough to kill the guard dog of the spire where the demon lord resided.
I felt a sense of déjà vu
‘It feels just like when I used the power of death when I was in the state of discipleship.’
I realized that it was really similar to the state of discipleship I was in back at the 15th floor.
Now this was not a power and just manipulation of divine powers unlike back then, where I controlled the mana of nature to manifest the power.
……perhaps it was because the divine powers were affected by the potential of grim reaper?
I wasn’t sure, but I felt as if I was close to an answer.
Habitually shaking the sword to clean it off, I looked towards the companions behind me.
“Now the guard dog of the demon lord’s castle is gone, so we can proceed..”
Despite all this time, the companions still held hostility towards me.
The only difference was that the more power I showed, the more their expressions turned sour.
“…….”
Like now.
All the companions remained silent while looking around nervously.
As if they didn’t expect this to be a reality.
I held back my sneer from their anxiety that they no longer hid…….
And like normal, I pretended to see nothing and sheathed the holy sword to touch the door of the spire.
“Then let’s go in now.”
And
Rumble─!
I pushed the stone door of the spire open.
»————- ★ ————-«
I thought long and hard while proceeding with the 16th floors’ trial.
About the reason of this trials’ completion requirement being ‘making a choice that you will not regret’.
The goal seemed to be to defeat the demon lord, so why was the requirement to make a decision that I will not regret?
And eventually, I managed to learn of the background of the setting.
The inner workings of the 16th floor were rather absurd.
“To think that every single companion of the hero was a traitor.”
I stated coldly while looking at every one of them.
“At the very least, this world lost its opportunity to be saved.”
I already had a hunch back when I detected their hostility through the Tracking Blindfold.
That every companion of the hero were trashy parasites that used the hero as a scapegoat.
However, it was definitely unexpected to have them all point their weapons at me the moment we stepped a foot inside the castle.
‘I thought that they’d attack me when I least expected…….’
They sure were impatient.
I relaxed my body and asked them.
“Since when, and why did you decide to betray the hero?”
I was expecting the betrayal.
But I still couldn’t understand why they would betray the hero when the demon lord had to be defeated to save the world.
The archer Daisy spoke.
“……Do you think we’re doing this because we want to? We had no choice! To save the world, this was our only option!”
She spit out with a wave of emotion.
“Had no choice….….”
How absurd.
I looked towards the companions, no, the now enemies with a questioning look.
But the ones who answered my inquiry were not my enemies.
“How foolish. Nothing will change from asking them, O hero.”
A handsome man with a single black horn and a pale complexion spoke, seated at the throne.
“Since they are fulfilling their ends of the contract with me.”
“Are you the demon lord?”
“That I am. Ah, back when you defeated that elite demon we’ve seen each other.”
“……did you approach them while the hero lost consciousness?”
“I don’t know why you talk as if it’s not about you, but I’ll say that you got that right for now.”
I finally learned every hidden background of the 16th stage.
“……So you made everyone except the hero a traitor.”
It was not surprising.
Power and mana…….
I assumed that he must’ve forcibly made a contract with them with the threat of death.
If not that, there are still countless ways to instigate betrayal.
But, it was a mystery as to why he didn’t kill the unconscious hero.
And the demon lord, seated on the throne answered that question by a whisper.
“Now that’s just my preference.”
“…….”
“You think it’s a lie?”
“No.”
「The skill ‘Fire Dragon’s eyes’ detects that there are no lies in the words of the opponent.」
I could see the truth behind his words by using the lie detecting ability.
However, the Fire Dragon’s Eyes can not detect the hidden truth
I decided after contemplation.
“But that can’t be all.”
They must’ve had another reason for leaving the hero, who could recover their memories, alone.
And since the hero with the holy sword must be a force to be reckoned with, preference alone would not determine whether or not the hero lives.
“……That is not the wrong answer. I definitely have other reasons outside of my preference. Well, to put it simply, this entire situation is the offering for the Demon God.”
The demon lord blabbered on as if in a good mood.
“Just like how you’ve gone through multiple hardships to be acknowledged as a hero, I too am working through penances to be an official apostle.”
He acted as if he had absolute control over this situation.
“And it is my penance to lead you here to kill you.”
As if I was a being that could easily be killed any time.
“Ah, but, it’d be best for you to not resist.”
I did not like that.
“As long as you die, the Demon God will not destroy this world..”
But even after seeing my emotionless expression, the demon lord continued to speak.
“I made a contract with them. That the world will not be destroyed once the hero is dead.”
It was a taunting voice as if to bring out my reactions.
“If the world can be saved by using the savior, then saviors won’t be needed.”
I quietly thought while the demon lord continued to speak.
“I wonder what you’re feeling right now. Are you devastated, wrathful? You should’ve taken care of your companions.”
He was right.
If the hero managed his companions properly, this situation could’ve been avoided.
If the hero did not sacrifice his memories when he fought with that elite demon, and if he didn’t sacrifice the powers that he got from the dragon lord, this joke of a play could’ve ended differently.
But the hero did not.
He truly served the dragon lord as a god and defeated the elite boss by sacrificing everything he had.
If anyone is able to joke about the life of a hero, who lived their entire lives for the sake of someone else, then they should be deemed as an ignorant person.
“…….”
Right things are simply right.
Even if the hero met a foolish ending, what’s important is not the ending but the process.
He made a sincere attempt to save the world, and sacrificed everything to save his companions.
So I had no intention to make light of the hero’s choice.
But
“……Everything you’ve said so far were not to my tastes, but.”
「Administrator ‘Hero of a Fallen World’ is watching over your choice.」
That is not a decision for me.
“I’ll tell you three things that you got wrong..”
I concentrated my will on the divine powers accumulated within my heart.
And by connecting the paths, I led the divine powers towards my hands like manipulating the flow of water.
The divine powers with the affinity of death surrounded my hand, and it let out a blinding light.
Rumble─!
The starlight filled with the power of the dragon resonated to the divine power announcing death and let out a thundering noise.
「Activating skill ‘Starlight’.」
Originally, Starlight could not be controlled, thus it should’ve exploded right on my hand.
“S-Starlight? How can you use the power that can only be used with the holy sword……?”
But it did not.
With training that continued on for days, I managed to create the technique that I wanted.
By condensing the starlight that tried to run amok like a wild horse, its destructibility was increased.
Of course, that process took up a large amount of divine powers to the point where my heart felt like it would explode…….
The orb of divine powers on my hand emitted brighter light as the time went on.
As difficult as it was, it was worth it.
「Activating skill ‘Punishment’.」
「When the skill is activated, +7 on all stats.」
「When the skill is activated, mana will not deplete.」
「You can use the power of dragons and mana is increased by 100%.」
And with the power that bubbled within my body, my mouth curved slightly upward.
The body that felt like wet cotton became lighter, and the mana stats surpassed before the relegation.
Furthermore, no matter how much mana I used, its amount never depleted..
‘Truly, even if it only works against demons and monsters, what a beast of an ability.’
Savoring that enjoyable feeling, I opened my mouth.
With everything prepared, it was time to correct the demon lord.
“First mistake, is that I am not the real hero.”
“……W-what? H-hold up! Wait up, let’s talk about─!”
“Second mistake, is that I’m not the person you call Neal.”
“……Stop right here! If you don’t, you will end up dying! And the world too─!”
“Third mistake, is that I don’t give a damn whether this world gets destroyed or not.”
The starlight orb on my hand started to boil uncontrollably with blinding light.
“And to add…….”
I could no longer tame the starlight that reached its limits.
But there was nothing to worry about.
Since I made sure to collect every soul through Necromancy the entire way here.
If anything went wrong, that would protect me.
“You should’ve killed the hero a long time ago.”
And without holding back, I released the orb filled with white heat.
“In the end, this is the result.”
Keeeeeeen─!
The starlight of divine powers exploded and swept up its surroundings.
[To be continued.]
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