Chapter 438

〈Chapter 438〉 Part 1, Chapter 18, Section 20

The prelude to the Maamryong’s awakening ends with finding the Maamryong hidden by Azidahaka in Phase 1. No matter how much Azidahaka denies it, they are moved when the protagonist’s group uncovers their true self, the spirit known as Maamryong.

“Even if I am some kind of being… you see me as me, don’t you?”

Touched by the large group centered around the protagonist, Azidahaka reveals their true self.

“If I were to become something else… we’re still friends, right?”

Armed like a queen bee and acting all coy, Azidahaka believes the protagonist’s group will accept them as Maamryong and requests to be killed. It’s an emotional story that moves even the most stoic of characters to tears.

“KIAH HAHA! Die, Phoenix!!”

That is not here. All that exists is the hellish sight of countless naked Azidahaka clones burning and dying.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!

TAT thundered and fired a magic bullet. A miniaturized nuclear bomb flew forward and exploded. The Azidahakas tried to hide their lower halves in darkness to evade the explosion, but the flame-imbued nuclear blast swept away and incinerated hundreds of Azidahakas in one go.

[No matter how many times I kill them, they just keep coming…]

“KIAH HAHA!”

I swung my Deokbate at the face of an Azidahaka trying to stab me in the back with its claws. The Azidahaka’s head separated from its neck before it could scream, burning to ashes instantly.

[I wonder if the pain of death feels like an orgasm to them?]

Perhaps they die from shock, but as a spirit, they can endure it. Every sensation the Azidahaka clones feel is converted into pleasure and transferred to Maamryong, though the intensity diminishes significantly.

[Still, since the original work is set five years later, they should be able to hold out a bit longer.]

I hope this Maamryong has a mental fortitude like the one I know. I flapped my wings to intercept the black magic arrows flying towards me.

PABAAK!

The black magic arrows couldn’t pierce through and burned uselessly. None of the attacks from all sides could harm me.

[Your attack isn’t strong enough to break through my defenses. Give it up.]

“You shut up, you trash!”

[It’s getting annoying hearing the same thing over and over. Your repertoire lacks variety.]

I raised my hand to the sky. The two wings on my back fell off, and blue feathers floated like dandelion seeds in all directions.

[Though it’s a copied technique, there’s nothing better for wide-area destruction.]

WHOOSH!

The feathers transformed into giant hawks with wings larger than their bodies. They split into two, then four, then eight, until my surroundings were filled with fiery birds, just as Azidahaka swarmed the spherical world.

[Spread your wings.]

SNAP.

As soon as I flicked my finger, the fiery hawks spread their wings. They needed no direction; their target was clear—Azidahaka. Wherever they flew, Azidahaka awaited.

[If you think you can dodge, try me.]

All obstacles were removed. I decided to use techniques I had refrained from using due to others’ gazes.

[Getting hit won’t just cause pain. Each bird carries the power equivalent to white phosphorus.]

The number of hawks was roughly tens of thousands. Though far fewer than the Azidahakas, it was more than enough to set the confined Black Bible world ablaze.

CRACK.

I clasped my hands together, and the fiery hawks scattered like fireworks. Despite their vast numbers, the Azidahakas barely covered the world—if my skin were black like hair instead of white, the world would’ve been pitch black.

“KIAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

“Ah, haa, haaaaaakkkk!”

Countless Azidahakas burned to death. Modeled after white phosphorus, the blue flames wouldn’t extinguish easily and lingered as embers until everything was consumed. Even if the Azidahaka clones fled into the darkness, stepping out would reignite the flames.

[Burn injuries are irreversible abnormal statuses.]

“AHHHHHH!!!”

An Azidahaka revealed itself in front of me, pulling its own hair in arrogance. I waited to see what nonsense it would spout.

“You really think you’ll kill me?! This isn’t a joke!”

[You lack ability, willpower, and strength. Disqualified.]

“KIAAAAAHHHH!!!”

The first contestant was engulfed in flames and disappeared. Immediately, the second appeared right above me.

“I won’t let you off! I’ll kill you and tear you apart!!”

[A little harsher than the last one, but still not enough. Disqualified.]

I grabbed TAT upside down and swung the gun handle to shatter the Azidahaka’s black greatsword. While it was startled, I swung the Deokbate in the same motion.

POW!

[Next contestant, please.]

The Azidahaka’s waist shattered, and it died. As it dispersed into mist, the third contestant appeared. This time, a group of four came at me from all directions, swords raised.

[Circus act?]

“”””DIEEEEEEEE!!”””

The chorus of Azidahaka roars echoed in four-part harmony. I extended both arms, waiting calmly for their attack.

KAANG, KAANG!

The black blades struck my armor and slid off. The blade targeting the joint of blue flames didn’t even penetrate before melting from the heat.

[No soul detected. Ah, so without Maamryong, you only have the power of a division leader? That makes sense.]

POW! I grabbed the heads of the Azidahakas on either side and slammed them together. Their noses and neck bones snapped simultaneously with a crack.

“T-T-This…”

BANG!

The tip of the Deokbate spewed fire, and a blue laser pierced the forehead of the Azidahaka sneaking up behind me. I threw TAT at the remaining Azidahaka in front.

POW.

Its skull caved in like a gun-shaped dent, and it died. I retrieved TAT and adjusted my mana.

[Let’s move to Phase 2 already. This is getting tedious.]

“G-G-GRAAAAHHHH!!”

The Azidahakas, burning in the embers, stood in place and faced me directly. The ones clinging to the ceiling glared down at me, their faces flushed as if ready to spit venom.

“You! Don’t get cocky! You’ll pay dearly someday!!”

[At least you won’t live long enough to see that day. Let’s do a quick recap.]

I swung the Deokbate downward in a wide arc. A crescent-shaped slash flew out and bisected countless Azidahakas. The ones fleeing beside me were met with TAT’s magical bullets, which set their hair alight with explosions.

[Combat time: 1 hour. Nearly a million Azidahakas killed. In contrast, my damage… none whatsoever. Moreover…]

I lifted the Deokbate. Its form had clearly changed, sharper and more menacingly twisted than before.

[The weapon you brought has reached solid A Rank. Perhaps if I defeat all these clones, it might reach S Rank. Thanks for the experience farming, Azidahaka.]

“What do you take us for!!”

[Spirits, aren’t you? Aren’t you the leader of the Dark Legion?]

“Wordplay!!”

With black swords in both hands, Azidahaka charged at me. Their dual sword skills looked decent, but I spread my arms wide against their high strike.

KAANG-!!

Azidahaka slashed down on my shoulders with their swords. Not a single scratch appeared, and I placed the Deokbate under their jaw.

[Next contestant.]

WHOOSH!

Flames erupted from the end of the Deokbate, incinerating Azidahaka once more. They crumbled to ash and dispersed. Despite destroying an incredible number of Azidahakas over about an hour, they still overflowed.

[It would’ve been great if the core appeared.]

“…What makes you so confident?”

An Azidahaka behind me scratched my back with their nails. Despite breaking their nails in the process, they failed to leave even a mark—it felt less painful than a stray cat’s scratch.

[Each clone alone cannot defeat me.]

“Hmph, this is just buying time…”

[Buying time?]

“Yes! Heheh, you foolish guy. While you’re messing around with me here, you have no idea what’s happening outside! Hahahaha.”

The Azidahakas began laughing uncontrollably.

“There are over 300 dimensional gates opened worldwide! And among those, 50 gates release dragons! Hahaha, do you know the source? Thanks to your subordinates and forces causing chaos, S-Rank dark attribute cores overflowed!”

[That was actually me who caused it.]

“…What?”

The laughter of the Azidahakas froze. For this moment, I transformed briefly into Cheongnyeon’s form.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t consider something like the butterfly effect? The cores that serve as the origin of monsters. And the black scorpion cores spread globally through China’s black market. The more there are, the more monsters increase, right?”

“…What exactly are you saying?”

“You, Hydra, Penril, Karna… Using those cores to summon monsters, I planned to capture the minions and trace back to eliminate the leaders. Ultimately, you were the only leader caught.”

I returned the two weapons to the Magical Gear and clasped my hands together. As I prayed in gratitude, I gathered mana into small spheres in both hands.

“I didn’t expect Saladin of the Round Table to be a monster, but it’s no problem. We’ve grown strong enough to face the entire Round Table anyway, and we’ve formed alliances with some members. Hmm, did you know?”

I enlarged the sphere while spreading my wings. Realizing my power, the Azidahakas launched attacks from all directions, but my folded wings protected me from any damage.

“Gawein, Gale Guest, Divine General, Rusalka, Oracle. All key members are allies of mine. Zero Hero? Kangaroo? Nosferatu? Rex Baroa? Even if all the rest were classified as monsters, it doesn’t matter. Our side’s power surpasses theirs anyway. After all, we have ‘gods’ on our side—three beings with mana reserves greater than mine. Puuuhh.”

The expressions of the Azidahakas stiffened. Despite facing billions of Azidahakas infinitely reproducing through Cube’s power, my mana showed no signs of depletion. They were baffled to learn that there were three entities stronger than me, despite being misled by my experience gap.

“Don’t lie!”

“Why would I lie?”

Of course, they’d lose to me in a direct fight due to their lack of experience, but distorting information is easy when Azidahaka misunderstands. At least I didn’t tell any outright lies.

“I’ve already informed the locations. Within at least 3 hours, no matter how late, all dimensional gates will close, and every monster outside will die. Yes, the one who needs to escape this space isn’t me—it’s you.”

I placed one hand in front of my chest, thumb pointing at myself, and spread my fingers toward Azidahaka.

“In 3 hours, it won’t be 1-on-1 but 1-on-5. What will you do? Do you think you can win against the rest of the spirits excluding Wind Attribute in a 1-on-5 battle? Gaechonkwang is probably eager to rip your head off right now.”

“……Heh heh, heheheh, kiaha-ha-ha-ha!!!”

Finally, they snapped. I flicked my finger, transforming into monster form.

[Are you scared?]

“AHAHA! Yeah, life is lonely anyway! I have no allies! These useless human bastards!”

Azidahaka, bloodshot eyes glaring, raised their hands high to the sky. Sharpening their nails, they grabbed their own neck.

“I don’t care anymore! Whether Lord Seongju comes or not, I’ll destroy everything! Every living thing on Earth, not a single bug will survive—I’ll kill them all!!”

[Seeing you rush forward like this, you’re definitely insane. Well, let me tell you anyway.]

There will always be someone on your side. Just like the protagonist, Yuinah, and countless comrades who reached out to Azidahaka, I extended my hand.

[In this world, you have no allies.]

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

The Azidahakas began merging into a single mass of black mist. I shook my hand and readied my mana.

[Phase 2. …Still, it’s pitiful, so I’ll wait for the fusion.]

Even if they’re villains, attacking during fusion would be too cruel. I eagerly awaited the start of Azidahaka’s Phase 2. Since the Black Bible clones entered Phase 2, the outsiders must be starting their dragon fusions soon too.

[Then how many dragons will merge on my side?]

BAM BAM BAM BAM!!!

Seven massive dimensional gates opened simultaneously in the Black Sanctuary. Seven-headed dragons poked their heads out of each gate.

[…Looks like I got the hardest difficulty.]

KIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Darkness, Illusion. Dragons of all seven attributes emerged and began gathering toward the sole remaining Azidahaka.