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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 250: That Day
[How dare you...]
Verkes' figure blurred and vanished from sight.
It's a phenomenon I know.
The memory of chasing after his retreating back as he repeatedly disappeared and reappeared, detonating spatial explosions, is still vivid.
The disadvantage of Reverse Circle spells is their sole focus on destructive power.
In the past, I couldn't properly keep up with his speed, but now it's different.
As Verkes, having vanished, reappeared before Kazen, tearing through space and reaching out with a black hand, I instantly cut between them and grabbed him straight by the face.
Chwaak—!
Verkes, slipping away as if sliding, leaped high into the sky and spewed out demonic energy that covered the entire area.
[My kin!]
Along with the echoing voice, countless demonic beasts began to surge in, endlessly covering the entire Land of Death.
"You've prepared quite a lot."
[Human.]
"But you still haven't improved. Is running away all you can do?"
Wheeeing—!
Mana of the Yin dimension.
8th Circle, Supreme Transmutation Spell.
Overlapping Explosion.
Detonating spatial explosions in the space covering all sides of the area where Verkes lingered.
Predicting the movements of the vanishing Verkes, I once again fully opened the circles in my heart.
Wheeeing—!
Mana of the Yin dimension.
8th Circle, Supreme Transmutation Spell.
Delayed Spatial Explosion.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwang—!
Explosions blooming continuously with split-second intervals.
Delayed explosions detonating preemptively along the path Verkes took as he vanished using Blink.
Peoeoeoeong—!
Through the violently distorted space, Verkes could be seen finally getting hit directly by a spatial explosion and falling.
"Get a grip, Clan Head!"
"Clan Head!"
Only then did I turn my head towards the voices I heard.
In the middle of where the Elders and subordinates were gathered.
I slowly approached Kazen, who was releasing the Mana of the Yin dimension as if about to self-destruct.
'Damn it.'
Leaving myself defenseless, I grabbed his shoulder as he trembled madly, emitting the Mana of the Yin dimension.
My hand was instantly torn apart, blood bursting out, but I held on until his trembling stopped.
It was then that Kazen's black eyes, which had been staring into the void, turned towards me again.
I stared intently back.
Just like the Clan Head who had silently watched over me until my madness subsided.
I looked back at the Clan Head.
'You endured well, Clan Head.'
As soon as the Clan Head's trembling stopped.
As if it had been waiting, an intense storm of demonic energy erupted from behind.
Verkes.
Before I knew it, he was looking down at me again from high in the sky.
Towards him, who stared at me with his whole body covered in wounds, I cast Spatial Explosion once more.
Peoeoeoeong—!
This time, he didn't dodge.
An intense explosion of demonic energy erupted, offsetting the Mana of the Yin dimension.
[It will be different from last time. This is actually for the better. You were an unexpected variable, but nothing will change.]
Verkes extended both hands towards me.
[Human. After annihilating you...]
A massive storm of demonic energy raged forth.
[I will complete the Advent.]
I silently looked at Kazen.
The blackness in his eyes was fading, the whites slowly becoming visible.
His lips moved slightly.
Although he was looking at me with a blank face, as if he would collapse at the slightest touch, I could make out the word he uttered.
Paaaaaaang—!
It was then that the storm of demonic energy, covering the entire sky, erupted.
Wheeeing—!
The circles in my heart spun as if burning.
The moment the mana of the Yin dimension surged in like a flood tide, completely filling the eight circles and rotating them in reverse, I raised my right hand.
Mana of the Yin dimension.
8th Circle, Supreme Transmutation Spell.
Ultimate Essence, Dark Star.
Darkness covering the entire Land of Death.
From the distant sky far above it, an intense darkness that completely blocked all sight in the area began to slowly descend.
As Verkes, his expression completely changed, let out an indescribably bizarre shriek, all the demonic beasts attacking humanity simultaneously leaped towards the sky.
The entire storm of demonic energy condensed by Verkes surged upwards.
[Impossible!]
At that moment.
Rotating all my circles in the forward direction, I quietly chanted the incantation.
This is what I prepared from the beginning.
Counter Hand.
7th Circle Ultimate Essence.
Volcanic.
A single streak of light shot up from the tip of my index finger.
[...?!]
The moment the single streak of light rapidly pierced the descending Dark Star.
Darkness and light, the antagonistic energies, collided, and with a brief flicker, a shockwave that erased everything swept the area.
The demonic beasts that soared, covering the sky.
And Verkes.
It didn't even take an instant for everything to be annihilated.
[TL/N: Bro just casually dropped a nuke.]
＊ ＊ ＊
Pelleer opened his closed eyes.
Feeling a terrible pain blooming in his heart, Pelleer realized he was still alive.
The first thing that entered his vision was the back of Ruin, throwing himself towards the Dimension Gap.
"Crazy Mage Commander..."
Instead of a voice, blood spurted out first.
Forcibly suppressing the pain blooming in his heart once again, Pelleer looked around.
The realm he perceived had already far transcended the level of ordinary beings.
A level even his companions from the expedition team who had reached the realm of transcendence couldn't fathom.
Pelleer's sunken pupils began to stare intently at the corpse of the Demon King, whose head and heart were blasted open.
Paat—
Space tore open in an instant.
[Hoh.]
The space that formed the scenery was cut away as if slicing drawing paper with a knife.
What was revealed through the gap was, surprisingly, the exact same scenery as moments before.
If there was just one difference.
It was that the head of the corpse, whose heart was blasted open, was still attached.
[So there was one more useful human.]
“……”
The demon staring at Pelleer with an amused face was undoubtedly.
The Demon King, Verkes.
[He was an amusing toy.]
He threw something held in his hand this way.
Picking up the necklace of a companion rolling at his feet, Pelleer's pupils sank.
[Do not be afraid, human. I shall give you the chance to annihilate me.]
In that split second, Pelleer had already completed all rational calculations.
It's impossible.
The other Divine Clan Heads are already dead.
Although Verkes had his heart blasted open and black blood was pouring profusely from his entire body.
Pelleer alone cannot possibly inflict a blow sufficient to cause his death.
[Have you no confidence? As you can see, I have no more demonic energy.]
Pelleer quietly lowered his head.
His lower body was spattered with so much blood it was difficult to move.
The pain in his heart surging relentlessly.
At best, casting a few 6th Circle Fire-type spells would likely be his limit.
Suddenly, the Demon King, Verkes, who had been staring intently at Pelleer, let out a self-mocking laugh.
[It seems you lack confidence. Fine. That choice might be acceptable too. Meeting annihilation together isn't so bad.]
It's a lie.
Pelleer knew Verkes' words held no sincerity.
It was true that Verkes had suffered damage that seemed impossible to recover from, but he would not be annihilated.
Because for demons, the limits of lifespan far surpassed those of humans.
As time passed, Pelleer would inevitably be the first to die.
After an immensely long time, Verkes would regain his strength.
Pelleer had to think of something.
Because he was the only human left in the expedition team.
[What are you thinking so hard about, human.]
"Demon King."
One step.
Another step.
With his two legs that barely felt any sensation, Pelleer began to walk arduously towards Verkes.
[Hoh. It seems you've made your decision.]
Wheeeing—!
Pelleer rotated all the circles in his heart.
A wringing pain pierced through his entire body. Even if all his mana circles were completely destroyed, Pelleer had to choose this now.
The one option with the highest possibility.
"Keuk, Demon King."
Pelleer reached the space right before Verkes.
Verkes' body was slowly wavering like smoke.
Towards Verkes, who looked down with an interested face as if telling him to hurry up and attack, Pelleer raised both hands and spoke.
"I wish to make a contract with you."
[...What?]
A voice momentarily flowed out, sounding utterly absurd.
In that split second, Pelleer glanced towards the Dimensional Gap.
Verkes could not notice the mental incantation, which had no mana fluctuations.
Unique Mindscape, Ultimate Essence.
Chain of Bondage.
The moment the formless chain extending from Pelleer's pupils vanished beyond the Dimensional Chasm.
Once again, Verkes asked.
[What did you say?]
"Demon King, I said I wish to make a contract with you."
[…….]
"I already know that you will not be annihilated."
[Even after seeing me in this state?]
"That's right."
Verkes looked at Pelleer with an interested face for a moment.
"Eventually, you will regain your strength and invade humanity again."
[…….]
"However, even if you recover your original power, there's no guarantee you won't be stopped by humanity again. Just like this time."
[Continue.]
"I will help you. While you sufficiently recover your strength, I will weaken humanity's power. I can suppress the variables you worry about."
[...What an audacious thought.]
"I am sincere. That is why I proposed the contract. If we make a contract, you can monitor me, can you not?"
It was then that Verkes burst into mad laughter, as if he couldn't stand it anymore.
From within Verkes' form, which was gradually fading like mist, a voice flowed out.
[Truly an amusing human.]
“……”
[Is your will to live strong? Or perhaps.]
Verkes stared intently at Pelleer and raised the corners of his mouth.
[Are you aiming for something?]
Pelleer lowered his gaze.
Pelleer's brow furrowed as he clenched his teeth.
Even at this very moment, the Chain of Bondage that had passed through the Dimensional Gap continued to extend outwards.
It must find Ruin.
Only if the Chain of Bondage reaches Ruin can Verkes be stopped.
[Either way, it doesn't matter, I suppose.]
Verkes, slowly rising into the air, looked at Pelleer.
[Human trapped by your own cleverness. You only know half the meaning of a contract.]
Verkes, having permeated into the distinct mist, looked down at Pelleer as if giving a divine edict.
[Prepare for the Advent.]
Intense demonic energy extended majestically from within the mist.
Facing the precursor of the contract descending towards him, Pelleer let out a faint smile.
Because he knew that just moments ago, the Chain of Bondage had reached Ruin.
Ruin...
'He will definitely return.'
Even if tens, no, hundreds of years pass.
The Chain of Bondage will certainly return Ruin to this place.
And, he will surely stop him.
Because the moment Ruin returns, the Chain of Bondage will be completed.
All the mindscape he possessed would be transferred to Ruin.
And he, Pelleer, would take on all the mind demons that Ruin possessed.
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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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