Chapter 332: Heavenly Demon (3) |
Roselia Temple, the holy land at the center of Auterica.
“Holy power.”
Saint Heinrich, strolling through a garden filled with exotic flowers and herbs, closed his eyes.
He had come out for a walk to clear his head, but he had encountered an even more troublesome problem, his thoughts now a chaotic mess.
‘It’s definitely the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society’s holy power.’
Even he, an expert in this field, couldn’t deny it.
But that holy power wasn’t from Ganghwange.
It was an external energy source…
‘…And the Heavenly Demon is using it.’
It was a genuine miracle, manifested by the Heavenly Demon himself, just like a cleric channeling their deity’s power.
It meant there was a connection between the Master and the Heavenly Demon, something beyond his expectations.
‘Holy power from another dimension is… a foreign substance in this world. That’s why Hugo had to accept significant energy loss when using it indirectly.’
Heinrich looked down at his hands.
A platinum-colored light, like a heat haze, flickered and shimmered around them, a testament to his power.
There were countless gods in countless dimensions, each with their own unique characteristics.
And the holy power they bestowed upon their followers also reflected their nature.
‘In that sense, Auterica’s Main God is… a benevolent deity.’
Of course, its benevolence wasn't based on human concepts like compassion or mercy.
If he had to describe it from a human perspective…
…it was like a craftsman meticulously crafting a masterpiece, carefully storing it away, occasionally dusting it off and admiring it.
Conversely, a being who enjoyed destroying its own creations, who built towers just to watch them crumble, would be considered a malevolent deity.
‘Well, I’m just a human. I can’t possibly comprehend the will of a god.’
Even he, a Saint, couldn’t claim to understand the divine.
Such arrogance would be… blasphemous.
“I can’t just ignore this now that his presence has been confirmed.”
He had been planning to intervene from the beginning, but this incident had solidified his resolve.
He wanted to go to Ganghwange himself and join the fight against the Heavenly Demon.
Of course, he couldn’t leave Auterica and Earth unattended.
“Saint-nim, do you have a moment?”
A small figure approached him, her voice soft.
It was Isea, the Archmage from Earth, his companion and fellow member of the hero party.
“Ah, Isea-nim. Of course. I was just enjoying a leisurely stroll.”
“Ahem, thank you. I… have a favor to ask. I apologize for the inconvenience…”
She hesitated for a moment, then handed him a thick envelope.
It wasn’t a love letter, of course.
“Ah, you’ve made up your mind.”
“…Yes, it’s a good opportunity. I’ve decided to accept their offer. I’m a bit embarrassed to ask this of you, Saint-nim, but…”
It was a letter to her family on Earth.
She was asking him to deliver it.
She felt awkward asking such a personal favor from a high-ranking figure like the Saint, but he had offered, as a gesture of goodwill, to strengthen their relationship.
“Don’t worry. I’ll deliver it discreetly. I’m quite familiar with Earth’s environment now.”
“Huu, thank you. I’m glad I can finally send them a message. They must be worried.”
Her family must be frantic, their teenage daughter having been transported to another world without any contact for almost a year.
She couldn’t return to Earth yet, so this was the next best thing. It would ease their worries, even if only slightly.
And it wasn't just a letter. It was a magic tool containing a video message, easily verifiable.
Heinrich stored the envelope in his subspace and, after a brief conversation, turned and headed back to his office.
He couldn't afford to be idle. The final assault on the Northern Mountains was imminent.
Of course, if a truly urgent matter arose, he would drop everything else…
‘It’s fine for now. I just have to take things one step at a time. I’ll gather more information about Ganghwange and then…’
…But his footsteps faltered as he saw something in the distance.
The lingering scars of a recent battle, a stark reminder of their fight against the otherworldly invader.
‘I don’t know what you’re planning, spreading your influence across dimensions…’
Heinrich closed his eyes, clasping his hands together, and offered a silent prayer for the victims of that day.
A brilliant, platinum-colored light emanated from him, spreading outwards.
‘I’ll crush your plans. Every single one of them.’
He would use everything at his disposal.
And that included Earth.
‘I should contact Pantheon. They can’t all be under Heaven’s Turn Society’s control. And then…’
The plan to expose Heaven’s Turn Society and turn them into a global enemy was progressing smoothly.
____________________
Thump—
A heavy footstep, shaking the ground, its oppressive aura pressing down on everything within its range.
A single step, a declaration of dominance.
“Ugh! It’s so heavy…!”
“Retreat! Don’t get caught in the blast!”
Rumble!
Those fighting nearby instinctively retreated, the accumulated damage from the previous battles causing several buildings to collapse.
The oppressive aura, a silent command demanding submission, was more than enough to remind his opponents of the vast difference in their levels…
“Khaha! That tickles!”
…But it had little effect on its intended target.
He was a monster, capable of tearing through any physical or magical restraint with his sheer physical strength.
A savage beast, fueled by madness, charged towards the demon hovering in the sky, its feet planted firmly on the earth.
Kaboom—!
Another massive explosion erupted in the sky, the resulting shockwave rippling outwards, shaking the earth and sending debris flying.
“…They’re quite noisy.”
And below,
Mok In-gwang, the former Mad Demon, clicked his tongue and muttered softly, watching the battle unfold in the sky.
‘I knew he was strong, but…’
He hadn't expected him to actually challenge the Heavenly Demon, let alone fight him head-on.
He had been reckless, seeking out such a powerful opponent…
‘Well, that’s how I’ve always lived.’
He shook his head, a wry smile on his face.
But the results weren’t bad.
Thanks to that reckless decision, he had finally found a way to control the madness that had plagued him his entire life, completing his Mad Control Heart Technique.
…Though he had lost his title in the process.
He suppressed the unpleasant memory and forced himself to focus on the positive aspects, then turned his gaze towards the battlefield below.
A chaotic melee, separate from the battle in the sky, where humans were fighting each other.
“Hmph, I think it’s time for me to join the fun.”
His blood began to boil as he watched the carnage, the screams and the blood.
The madness that had been controlling his thoughts had subsided significantly thanks to Harley’s… treatment… but his nature, honed through years of fighting and survival, wouldn’t change so easily.
‘I’m not thrilled about helping the righteous factions…’
But he hated the Demonic Cult even more, so his reluctance wasn't that strong.
And his new… boss… seemed to favor the righteous side for some reason.
“So, it’s the Demonic Cult. The situation has completely deteriorated.”
The righteous warriors were being pushed back, unable to utilize their full power.
If this continued, they would all be massacred.
‘Well, they would be, if it wasn’t for me.’
A savage grin spread across Mok In-gwang’s face.
He wasn't a transcendent being like the Heavenly Demon, but he was still one of the strongest Master Realm experts.
His intervention would definitely change the tide of the battle.
‘Now then… Hmm?’
As he was feeling a surge of excitement, his gaze, which had been casually observing the battle in the sky, suddenly stopped.
“Wait, what’s that?”
And then, as if doused with cold water, his mind went blank.
He couldn’t even speak, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
“…That bastard?”
Harley, who had been fighting instinctively, relying on his brute strength and speed, was now using more refined and sophisticated techniques.
And they looked… strangely familiar.
…They were clearly based on his own unique martial art, the Mad Control Heart Technique.
‘So that’s why he kept asking for spars!’
He had suspected Harley was just using it as an excuse to beat him up and vent his frustration…
…but it had all been a ploy to steal his techniques.
“How… How much are you planning to steal?!”
Mok In-gwang roared, his voice filled with rage and indignation.
Not only had he lost his title, but now his martial arts as well!
____________________
‘My ears are itching.’
Harley’s mind briefly registered the sensation, then quickly dismissed it.
He couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Swish—!
He instinctively ducked, and a black blade of Ki whizzed past his head, tearing through the air.
Even he, who usually tanked most attacks with his durable body, couldn’t ignore an attack of that level.
“You’re quite nimble, barbarian.”
“Haha! This is fun! Try harder, old man!”
He instinctively taunted his opponent, but the situation wasn’t in his favor.
The Heavenly Demon, having unleashed his hidden holy power, was far more powerful than before.
It wasn’t just a simple power-up, it was as if he had ascended to a higher level.
His speed, power, and overall combat prowess had increased dramatically, and Harley couldn't help but take more damage.
“…It’s healing? This is ridiculous. What kind of body do you have?”
He would have been in serious trouble if he hadn't acquired some resistance to holy power after devouring the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society’s wing in Auterica.
The Heavenly Demon’s Ki strikes, imbued with holy power, were incredibly potent, bypassing his resistance and tearing into his flesh.
Crackle—
Harley flexed his arm, the almost severed limb dangling precariously, checking the damage.
His other wounds were in a similar state.
He couldn’t hide his abilities any longer.
The tattoos on his body glowed, and refined energy surged through his veins, activating his dormant powers.
Including his physical transformation, which he had been trying to avoid.
“I knew it. You’re not human.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded slowly, as if he had expected this, watching as Harley’s hands and forearms were covered in dark red scales.
His reaction was surprisingly calm, almost… anticlimactic.
‘He knew.’
Harley had been wondering about it.
The Mad Control Heart Technique, which utilized madness directly, was strangely compatible with him.
It was a perfect fit for his 「Ultimate Evolved Lifeform」, a body that defied the limitations of ordinary humans.
It was strange that such a technique already existed in this world.
And as he quickly mastered the technique, he realized something.
‘This martial art…’
…wasn’t designed for humans.
It was created for monsters… or rather, non-human beings.
Like…
…demons, for example.
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