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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 192: The Sword of Destruction, Laevateinn (2)
When Odin drew a circle with his hand, our entire group was teleported.
We arrived above the World Tree.
We were all standing in midair.
“Look at the sky.”
Loki pointed upwards.
A blinding white light was radiating from above.
If it were human eyes, you'd go blind the moment you saw it.
But as divine souls, we could manage to see it.
“Kim Jiho. Rather than blocking all of Laevateinn’s territory, can you concentrate your power there?”
Odin pointed.
Above the World Tree, a pure white flame was stationed.
Unlike the other areas, its nearly pure white flames stood out.
Maybe it's the core.
The soul energy it emitted was immense.
“I’ll give it a try.”
The power of Baldr’s light.
At first, I could only emit it aimlessly, but now I could control it to a degree.
I gathered the light into a single point and fired it at the sky.
Crackle. Crack-crack.
“A barrier?”
A white shield resisted my light.
Its form resembled a barrier.
“Concentrate your attacks where the light hits!”
At Odin’s command, Asgard’s elites launched their assault.
Led by Thor’s thunderbolts, a storm of weapons and magic rained down.
Since we were within divine territory, all of their attacks were imbued with soul energy.
Fwoooosh.
Thanks to the concentrated assault from the high gods, Laevateinn’s barrier was quickly broken through.
With the shield gone, the white light was also pushed back by my light.
A good start.
“That broke faster than expected. Let’s move in!”
“Yes. Entering Laevateinn now.”
Everyone soared higher into the sky.
Then we came face to face with the white flames.
“Soul Disassembly.”
I used Soul Disassembly to examine it—its structure was similar to the outer flames.
Just more densely packed with soul energy.
At this level, the high gods’ attacks could clear it.
“Please attack using Soul Energy Emission.”
“Understood.”
Just like with the barrier, the gods of Asgard attacked in unison.
Their coordination was perfect, making it easy to dispel the flames.
Clear one layer, ascend again.
Clear, ascend, again and again...
As we repeated this process, I could feel the soul pressure growing stronger.
“The pressure from the energy is quite intense.”
“We can’t just focus on dispelling the flames—we need to protect the group as well.”
“Use Soul Barrier.”
“Using it on top of a skill increases defense. Please do that.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that... Understood. Valkyries, protect the group.”
“Yes, Allfather.”
The Valkyries raised their shields to defend the team.
Thanks to them, I could focus solely on carving a path with the power of light.
Crackle. Crack-crack.
When we had ascended a fair bit, another wall blocked our path.
A white barrier again stood before us.
“Another barrier.”
“Let’s break through like before.”
The elite warriors of Asgard struck in perfect coordination.
Artemis helped a bit with her bow from the side, but it felt like Asgard’s elites accounted for over 90% of the attack force.
BOOM!
“That was easier than I thought.”
“It’s thanks to Kim Jiho’s light—we’re not feeling any fear from those flames.”
“True, it was terrifying the first time. Thanks, Kim Jiho.”
“Divine Territory—this skill is impressive. Soul Energy Emission and Soul Barrier... I now see how good they are.”
“You saved us. Seriously.”
The gods of Asgard, having easily pierced the barrier, were now showering me with praise.
What’s with them all of a sudden?
[Hah, what a bunch of brown-nosers. Seeing your light power, they probably think they should get on your good side. Well, with Divine Territory and your apostles... wiping out a high god isn’t beyond you.]
True, the Soul Reaper skill makes a huge difference.
Still.
It’s like Odin ordered them to take turns saying nice things to me.
It’s getting a bit cringe.
I accepted their praise casually and ascended even higher.
“Wait, there... I see a glow.”
“Its form... huh, it looks like an angel?”
A winged humanoid figure of light.
A pure white soul form with two wings—indeed, it looked like an angel.
[...Protect us as we fight.]
[...Be our guardian against evil and deceit.]
A reverent voice echoed in our ears.
At the same time, the angels of light began flying toward us.
Their charge was filled with hostility.
“Hm. What are these?”
“Angel-like souls of light protecting Laevateinn... Never heard of them before.”
“Let’s intercept them for now.”
"Kim Jiho. You focus on clearing the path."
"Will do."
While continuing to pierce through the sky with the power of light, I watch the approaching masses of light.
"Begone."
As Thor extends both hands, blue lightning pours down.
The thunderbolts infused with divine energy instantly overwhelm the enemies, scattering them at once.
"Weaklings."
[Oh, O Lord.]
[Imprison the enemies.]
[Leader of the Heavenly Army...]
Even as the enemies vanished, their reverent voices did not cease.
Flash. Flash.
As many as disappeared, new angels of light were created.
[Wandering the world to destroy souls.]
[Drive all evil to hell.]
The angels of light spoke in the same voice.
No matter how many we kill, they’re immediately recreated and charge at us again.
It’s more annoying than expected.
"What the hell are these things? They’re not related to Olympus, are they?"
Loki asked Artemis.
Artemis immediately shook her head.
"I don’t know. Maybe Zeus created them… but these kinds of beings were never part of Olympus."
"A mutation of the Black Thunder? Created while conquering other minor divine realms?"
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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"Maybe. For now, since they keep regenerating, let’s just focus on clearing the way."
"Assist Kim Jiho and focus your power."
Thor kept the angels of light in check while the others continued advancing.
How far had we advanced?
The world, once full of blinding flames, suddenly shifted.
As the world changed, the power of light automatically shut off.
"This place is…"
A space made entirely of pure white light.
Filled with the same angels of light as before.
But these ones were two or three times larger than those we had faced earlier.
Their wings had doubled—now four each—and every one of them wielded a blazing sword of fire.
"These guys…"
"An army of angels wielding flaming swords…?"
Odin and Loki exchange grave looks.
Even I begin to feel an ominous foreboding as I look at the angels.
Don’t tell me this is…
Aaaaahhhh—
A reverent chant echoes like a choir.
Whoosh—
Every angel simultaneously points their flaming sword at us.
[O Great God.]
[In this battlefield, protect us and guard against the wickedness and deceit of demons.]
The angels flew toward us like light.
"These bastards are completely different from before! They're strong. Seriously strong!"
"Intercept them first. We'll figure out what they are after we neutralize them!"
[O Lord, subdue the demons and force them to kneel.]
[Drive the evil gods who seek to devour souls into hell by the power of the Lord.]
Boom! Boom!
"Ugh…"
"They're powerful. Even with the Soul Barrier..."
The Valkyries were pushed back by the angels’ charge.
The Soul Barrier was shattered, and even the Valkyries’ shields began to crack.
"Intercept them!"
Odin rushed forward, wielding his staff and spear.
The gods of Asgard followed closely behind.
[Seize the demon, the great dragon and the ancient serpent.]
[Bind them with chains and cast them into the abyss.]
[So they can no longer seduce the people.]
"Shut up already, you bastards!"
Thor violently swings Mjolnir, destroying the angels of light.
Their defense doesn’t seem too strong, as the high angels fall like leaves before the attacks of Odin and Thor.
As expected of the two champions of Asgard—fearlessly fierce.
Wham. Wham.
With every strike from the two, dozens, even hundreds of angels collapse and vanish.
The massive flaming swords can’t even touch the two gods.
"Their defense is nothing."
"Just watch out for their attacks."
Following the commands of Odin and Thor, Asgard’s elite forces move in perfect unison.
They were slightly pushed back at first, but gradually they manage to turn the tide in their favor.
At least until Artemis made a discovery.
"Ah. Look over there. More angels are flying in. They’re coming from the back too!"
"What? Thor, can you cover the rear?"
"No, I’ll do it! Keep clearing the way!"
Thor tried to obey Odin’s command.
But if he left, our advance would slow down.
SP is running low, but I need to use the power of light again.
"Power of the Sun."
The light that had faded from my body surged out once more.
Just as it's about to spread in all directions, a sudden message appeared before me.
[Sun powers clash. Your authority is weakened.]
[Clashing with the angels, incarnations of light. Your authority is weakened.]
I understand the part about the angels being avatars of light.
But clashing with another sun power?
Hmm.
Is this space made from the power of the Sun?
[Aaaaah.]
[It’s the power of the Sun. Stand back.]
[A demon could never emit such power. Halt your charge.]
[We are the swords that cut down demons.]
[Light is not our domain.]
What’s strange is the reaction of the angels.
As soon as I emit the light, they retreat after charging at me.
Those small angels earlier didn't seem to care and carried out suicide attacks……
They were just chanting some incantation, but now they can speak normally.
"Hmm. They're falling back."
"But they're still surrounding us from a distance and keeping watch."
"Kim Jiho, how long can you maintain that power?"
At Loki’s question, I glance at my status window.
I see my SP draining rapidly in real time.
While using the Power of the Sun, it’s being consumed faster than ever.
Is it because it’s clashing with another power from the Sun God?
At this rate, I won’t be able to buy much time.
"Not much longer. We have to move quickly."
"Right. For now… even though I’m curious about who they are, dealing with Laevateinn comes first."
"We’ve almost reached the core of Laevateinn. Let’s move as fast as we can."
With the power of the Sun God still active, we ran together.
Above us, the group of angels watched from the sky at a distance.
They’d put down their flaming swords and were just flapping their wings, observing us.
As long as the Sun God’s power is active, they seem content to just watch.
It was suspicious, but we didn’t waste the opportunity and pushed forward.
A world made of light.
There’s no clear path, but heading toward the source of the most powerful energy gave the sense that we’re getting close to Laevateinn’s core.
"Loki. Can you contact the other divine realms?"
As the party rushed forward at full speed, Odin asked Loki.
"No, communication doesn’t work here."
"Really? I wanted to confirm something regarding those angels……."
"I’ve tried all sorts of communication, but it’s blocked in this space. Our top priority right now is attacking the core of Laevateinn. That’s it. Kim Jiho’s SP isn’t infinite, so we don’t have much time. Questions can wait."
"Right. It’s not urgent for now……"
Odin nodded at Loki’s words.
Everyone remained silent as we pressed on.
How much time passed like that?
Fwoooosh.
The world shifted once again.
"Looks like we’ve arrived."
"This blinding yellow flame… it looks extremely powerful."
We stood at the boundary of the world of light, gazing beyond it.
A world of blinding yellow hellfire.
At the center of it stood a massive sphere of flame, radiating fire in all directions.
"That orb emitting the flames… it looks just like the sun."
"The energy is intense. I hesitate to step in recklessly……."
"Ah! There’s a sword embedded in that orb."
A giant sword was lodged into the orb.
A sword thrust into the sun.
More than 80% of the blade is embedded, and only the hilt and a bit of the blade were visible.
Just from its appearance, it's clear that it’s massive.
"That’s Laevateinn…?"
"It’s overwhelming power."
We felt energy on a completely different level from everything we’ve faced so far.
Even for us, who easily made it this far, stepping into the world of light here felt impossible.
Even as gods, it felt like we’d be annihilated if we set foot there.
What do we do?
It’s not something we can casually charge into……
"Soul Disassembly."
I tried using Soul Disassembly to see if there’s a weak point.
And then, I felt an overwhelming, suffocating concentration of energy.
Ugh.
How can we get through this?
Still, I carefully observed, hoping to find a weak spot.
As I kept looking, I didn’t find a clear vulnerability, but I did notice a faint movement of light.
A tiny angel, about the size of my fist.
It’s slowly flying toward me, piercing through that intense energy.
What is that…?
[Jiho… run…]
A faint voice reached me.
It sent chills down my spine.
That voice……
“Father?”
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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