"Huff, huff...!"
It was twenty minutes earlier.
Gote and Cheon Yuha, swept up in Lee Jaewon's evacuation skill, fell into the city.
"Wh-what just happened?"
"That was definitely Jaewon oppa's skill just now...!"
It was. The skill that had engulfed them moments ago was none other than Lee Jaewon's personal skill, [Rift Escape (SSS)].
A skill that allowed them to move to the nearest sanctuary.
But the place they landed was a bit strange.
"This is Shelter One, right?"
It was. Scattered throughout the city were shelters prepared for disasters. And this place was one of them. Already, tens of thousands of people seemed to have flocked to the shelter.
Well, none of that mattered.
"There's no way Jaewon hyungnim would have evacuated us without any explanation."
He wasn't the type to just send them flying without a word.
In other words.
"There's no mistake. Something must have happened to Jaewon hyungnim!!"
Cheon Yuha's expression grew grave.
'He said he'd found a suspicious person.'
Perhaps, by the time they had arrived there, the situation had already spiraled out of control.
And it was then.
"Huff, huff! Yuha noona!"
A familiar voice called out from afar. It was none other than Han Jimin. Han Jimin seemed to have rushed over to find them in a hurry.
"Thank goodness! Please help! A monster appeared over there! We need someone S-rank or higher!"
"!!"
Startled, Gote was about to hastily follow Han Jimin. But it was right then.
Grip!
"Yuha-yang?"
As if telling him not to go, Cheon Yuha held Gote tight.
And then.
"What are you?"
"Yuha-yang?"
Cheon Yuha glared fiercely at Han Jimin.
"Just what are you, reeking of that kind of smell?"
"Sm-smell? What do you mean?"
Gote tilted his head in confusion, but Yuha's eyes flashed sharply.
"Speak plainly. You. Who did you kill before coming here?"
"......!!!"
Han Jimin's eyebrows twitched momentarily, and Gote looked bewildered. Who did she kill?!
"Y-you mean a person? No, there's no way that child could...!"
But Cheon Yuha was certain. Using the divinity of [Death and Rest (EX)], she could distinguish between survivors and the dead, and, of course, perceive everything related to death.
But Han Jimin approached Yuha, sniffling as if troubled.
"You're so mean. I was just helping move the bodies of people who died because of the monster...!"
But it was precisely at that moment. The instant Han Jimin drew closer, Cheon Yuha's eyes instantly flashed.
And a scythe imbued with the demonic energy of [Death and Rest (EX)] instantly aimed for Han Jimin.
Boom!!!
It took less than a second to activate a weapon and launch an attack. Truly, in the blink of an eye, black demonic energy pierced down towards Han Jimin.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
Gote screamed. It was because the attack was absolutely not something meant to be launched at a person. Of course, Yuha wasn't someone who would attack anyone indiscriminately, but!
"B-but it's still Serpent Bearer's clergy! What if it's a misunderstanding... huh?"
Gote broke out in a cold sweat.
"...What the hell."
His eyes changed, and Gote instantly drew his bow. He had no other choice.
"Heh. Going straight for the neck, are we?"
Cheon Yuha's scythe had pierced Han Jimin's neck. However, only the skin of the neck was torn; the scythe couldn't dig deeper. Moreover, a sinister demonic energy was radiating from the torn wound.
And that was unmistakably the power of a Monarch-class being!
"Seriously, why are the real Serpent Bearer's clergy all like this? Every single one of you has a nose like a damn dog. Whether it's Lee Jaewon or you."
"Damn it! So you were a spy!"
Gote immediately shot an arrow. A fearsome volley of attacks flew out, but as soon as Han Jimin smiled, all the attacks bounced back at Gote.
"Khuck!!" The direction of the target had been changed by the power of [Reflection (SSS)].
And with her identity revealed, Han Jimin seemed extremely annoyed.
'Well, I knew that as the [Death and Rest (EX)] of the [Serpent Bearer (EX)] grows, that thing's power would also get stronger.'
As expected, Cheon Yuha's basic abilities were exceptionally sharp, exceeding her anticipated range.
Meanwhile, at the mention of Lee Jaewon's name, Cheon Yuha and Gote's eyes widened. It was because the moment that bastard's mouth mentioned Lee Jaewon, they realized the entire situation.
'Then hyungnim was done in by that bastard in that building...!'
Perhaps that was why.
"Yuha-yang, I'll hold onto that bastard! You head towards hyungnim!"
They moved hurriedly. But it was then.
"Ugh!" Having managed to get as far away from the shelter as possible, they flinched.
'I can't use demonic energy.'
Surely, through the authority of [Disorder (SSS)], the connection between the sacred gods and the clergy had been thrown into chaos.
Perhaps that was why.
'I can't use skills.'
But they possessed EX-grade sacred items made by Lee Geon.
[Hammer of Earth's Judgement (EX)], [Made from Goat Horns (SSS)]
And every sacred item Lee Geon made was a weapon that inherently contained Lee Geon's demonic energy! Therefore, even if the connection to the sacred gods was severed, they could still engage in combat to some degree. Lee Geon had intentionally designed them to serve as emergency power.
'So somehow, buy some time...!'
But it was right then.
Flash!
Was it summoned by [Disorder (SSS)]? A shining beast appeared in the sky.
"...Th-that's!"
What emerged from between the clouds was a plesiosaur, holding a beam of light in its mouth. At the same time, they were completely frozen stiff by the energy it was about to unleash.
The reason being, the power that bastard was emitting was the power of a [Blue Zone (3)].
'I-it's too strong!' A monster of at least Black Zone caliber! It was too powerful an opponent to fight temporarily in a state where they couldn't even use skills.
Perhaps that was why.
"Yuha-yang, I'll lure that bastard away, so hurry and run!"
"No! We can't run!"
"?!"
They realized. The true target that the [Blue Zone (3)]'s attack was aimed at was not them.
"Damn it, the shelter!"
It was. If they dodged the attack, they themselves could live. But if they dodged, the shelter would be blown away. And the number of people inside the shelter alone was roughly tens of thousands.
So, Gote grit his teeth.
'Could it be that the one who summoned us towards the shelter... is that bastard!'
He might have deliberately called them in for this purpose. Using the power of [Disorder (SSS)], he had confused the evacuation skill and changed their destination.
And it was at that moment.
Boom!!!
The beast fired its beam towards the shelter.
'With the power of the sacred items, we can probably protect the shelter.'
But if they used that to protect the shelter, they themselves would die. Thus, Cheon Yuha clenched her teeth. It was terrifying, but it was alright. Just like her uncle, who smiled even in the face of countless deaths. Cheon Yuha and Gote charged straight for the attack.
* * *
And it was around then.
The expression of Lee Geon, who had been holding back the catastrophes threatening the entire world, stiffened. He had no other choice.
[The life force of loyal servants is disappearing]
[The life force of [Marksmanship (SSS)] has disappeared]
[The life force of [World Protector (SSS)] has disappeared]
A sacred god could feel the life force of all those affiliated with him. And the higher the grade, the more distinctly he could perceive it. That was how Lee Geon realized it. That three people belonging to Serpent Bearer had died.
While it was ambiguous exactly who among those below A-rank had died, requiring a list to confirm, the story was different for those S-rank and above. Just as a bright light's shape is easily recognized while a dim one is hard to identify, the energy of each individual could be distinguished.
And...
'Those three have died.'
He even knew precisely who they were. For a moment, murderous intent flared in Lee Geon's eyes, but it was right then.
Flash!
Something in Lee Geon's possession emitted light. It was a fragment of Yeonwoo's soul that he had extracted from the fish. But that made him even more puzzled.
'Who put this in my clothes?'
However, for now, that wasn't what was important. The moment he felt a strange warmth from that soul fragment, Lee Geon's anger eased. As if it were soothing his sharpened heart.
And it was then.
[[Horned Serpent (EX)] says there is still a chance]
Was it because Lee Geon had racked up experience for [Protection (EX)] by deploying defensive authority and protecting the citizens? And because Lee Geon hadn't yet been consumed by rage to the point that the [Horned Serpent (EX)] would rampage? The [Horned Serpent (EX)] had intervened. Thanks to this, he could think instead of giving in to fury.
'Come back.'
Their souls hadn't vanished yet. And as if responding to Lee Geon's state of mind, the [Horned Serpent (EX)] responded.
[It says certain conditions are needed to bring them back]
But there were those who didn't take kindly to this.
[No! The [Horned Serpent (EX)] is reacting!]
[Damn it, I knew it from the moment he started recklessly raising Life's experience!]
[I don't know what he's trying to do, but stop him for now!]
Perhaps that was why. They amplified the emotions of battle in these humans and attacked Lee Geon.
"Kill Lee Geon."
"Kill Lee Geon."
Just as the citizens and clergy were about to rush at Lee Geon, consumed by rage,
[Kieeeek!]
The Crimson Eye, pinned under its brothers' feet, thrashed violently. And at this very moment, the evolved Crimson Eye used its authority. That was none other than [Fear (SSS)]. Finally, an invisible strike blanketed the city.
Paaang!!
It looked like a wave. The [Fear (SSS)] launched by the Crimson Eye even shattered their will to fight.
"Huff, huff...!!"
The terror-stricken people all collapsed onto the spot. The problem was the catastrophes that controlled them.
Boom!
[......!!]
[......!]
Was it because the Crimson Eye had awakened using the Serpent Bearer's power? The [Fear (SSS)] had even taken effect on its two brothers. Overwhelmed by that pressure, neither [Plague (EX)] nor [Famine (EX)] could move. And was this [Fear (SSS)] not merely the terror exuded by the Crimson Eye, but the instinctual [Fear (SSS)] felt towards the Serpent Bearer? Meeting Lee Geon's eyes, [Plague (EX)] and [Famine (EX)] trembled all over.
And it was that moment.
Had he heard something from the [Reserved Sword of the Apocalyptic Observer]?
"Then die by the power of [Disease (5)]. Damned bastards."
Seeing them, Lee Geon smiled chillingly. Along with his words, the catastrophes screamed.
[Inflicts a fatal malignant tumor on the monster using the 3rd-stage ability of [Disease (5)]]
[Inflicts a fatal wound on the monster using the 3rd-stage ability of [Disease (5)]]
Simultaneously, the catastrophes coughed blood and screamed.
[The experience of [Disease (5)] increases significantly]
[The experience of [Life (4)] increases significantly]
He had felled them using the power of [Disease (5)], not the power of the [Horned Serpent (EX)]. By killing them this way, he could gain experience for [Disease (5)] and simultaneously raise the experience for [Life (4)].
And it was then.
[You sons of bitches!!]
Finally, a catastrophe wailed and collapsed upon the world. Cheers erupted from the people.
"Lee Geon saved humanity!"
"The other clergy held out too!!"
With the catastrophe fallen, the reporters scrambling to deliver the news also became busy. But it was right then.
Kugugung!
With an intense light, a gate opened in the sky, and building debris poured out in heaps from within.
"Aagh! What's that all of a sudden!"
People screamed, fearing they'd be hit by the debris, but fortunately, they were safe due to the defensive authority.
However, they soon screamed.
"Wh-what is that?"
"P-people?"
It was. What appeared before them were none other than corpses. And they soon realized who they were.
"What! It's the Divine Archer clergy!"
"Ch-Cheon Yuha?!"
Everyone was greatly agitated. At the same time, they watched for Lee Geon's reaction. This was because they knew well that one was Lee Geon's relative, and the other two were also under Serpent Bearer's jurisdiction. In the end, even the clamorous reporters fell silent.
But it was then.
"L-Lee Geon-nim?"
Lee Geon approached them. The first he went to was Yuha. Among them, she was the only one whose life had not yet been extinguished. Surely, the characteristic of [World Protector (SSS)], super regeneration, was being exerted very faintly.
"Un-cle..."
They were the ones who had sacrificed themselves to save all the people in the shelter. And Yuha, covered in blood, was on the verge of death, unable to move or speak. Yet, in a situation where her breath could stop at any moment, with a face on the verge of tears, with a face on the verge of tears, she faintly moved her lips, earnestly.
Please save them. Not herself, but please save Gote and Lee Jaewon. Though she knew it was impossible, still, please. So, Lee Geon gently stroked Yuha's head as if to reassure her. Simultaneously, a green regenerative force enveloped Cheon Yuha.
And at that instant. Lee Geon poured all the experience from just killing the catastrophes and all the experience he had accumulated in the divine throne so far into [Life (4)]. Then, light radiated from Lee Geon's body.
[The stage of [Life (4)] has increased]
[[Life (4)] has reached stage 4]
[A new 4th-stage skill of [Life (4)] has been unlocked]
At the same time, Lee Geon looked at Lee Jaewon and Gote, who had become corpses. Even just looking at the situation, he felt he could tell what had happened.
'Both of them did well.'
He stroked their cheeks. And it was then.
Boom!
Lee Geon's eyes flashed. Simultaneously, a golden-green radiance bloomed forth. And that was the new skill generated by Life's 4th stage!
[Return] Finally, that light moved towards Lee Jaewon and Gote. (Continues in the next chapter)