Book 1 Chapter 147

147.

Grrr-!

The ground shook.

Grrrrooooar!

At the same time, a lump of corpse burst through the floor, letting out a roar.

"Oh my."

Seeing this, Elena took a handkerchief from her pocket and covered her nose and mouth.

"How vulgar."

At the same time, fragments of light flew towards the lump of corpse.

*Pabababa-!*

Like giant shards of glass, Elena's magic brutally crushed the lump of corpse.

Dark red blood splattered, and flesh from the clump of corpses flew everywhere.

*Flicker-*

Suddenly, a pair of yellow eyes turned towards Elena.

"Hmph."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"It's no use! Such crude attacks!"

*Kekekek-*! Bursting into laughter, Viner unleashed dark magic.

*Crunch-*!

The lump of corpse, the corpse golem summoned by Viner, tore off the flesh attached to its body and threw it at Elena.

Elena dodged the flesh being thrown at incredible speed.

With her flight magic deployed, Elena was flying freely in the air.

'He wouldn't use such a weak attack.'

*Grrrroooo-*

The moment Elena thought this, a black hole opened right behind her.

Along with it, the flesh lump Elena had dodged shot out.

Seeing this, Elena immediately deployed shield magic.

*Splat-*

Seeing the flesh lump sticking to the barrier, Elena scowled.

At the same time, the flesh on the barrier swelled.

*KWAANG-!*

Flesh and bone scattered in all directions.

A mist of dark red blood spread all around.

Elena, revealing her form, chuckled with a "Hmph."

"This… stings a little."

'The attack power has increased to an extent incomparable to just before.'

Elena narrowed her eyes and looked at the black flames surrounding Viner's body.

'Is that the power of a god… the power of Erebus?'

Elena narrowed her eyes and looked around.

From the air, Elena could clearly see the scenery of Varharun.

Elves in the streets screamed as they saw the corpse golem and fled.

The entire city fell into chaos.

But…

'They are disappearing.'

Elena could see the city's residents disappearing like fragments of light.

'Just like Merin a little while ago.'

It was as if the hero's world had been conquered, and the residents of this world were disappearing.

'But they're not disappearing because it's conquered.'

The world is crumbling.

Elena, who had experienced many hero worlds, instinctively knew this.

At that moment, light shot out from the center of the city.

'Signal flare magic? Is it Leo and Lunia?'

Hadin also noticed it.

Viner's monstrous face contorted fiercely as soon as he saw the signal flare.

"Seed, that damn bastard! Why are those damn hero candidates over there!"

At Viner's agitated shout, Elena narrowed her eyes.

'Seed?'

The name of a famous demon.

A sorcerer who had devoured hero candidates countless times.

'Can Leo and Lunia handle him?'

Even as class representatives, they were no match for a demon of this level.

Elena landed beside Hadin.

"Elena."

"Yes."

"I'll handle this place."

At those words, Elena glanced at Hadin and said,

"Will you be alright alone? That demon has become quite strong."

"It's enough. You go and support Lunia and Leo."

"Understood. Then, please."

Elena smiled and turned towards the World Tree.

*KWAANG-!*

A giant lump of flesh blocked Elena's path.

Viner's huge arm stretched out and blocked Elena.

"You damn woman, where do you think you're going?"

Seeing Viner's cold smile, Elena smiled faintly.

"I recommend you move this filthy arm while you still can."

"Ha! Presumptuous woman! You continue to be so arrogant—"

*Flash-! CRUNCH!*

"Cough!"

The fragment of light Elena created embedded itself in Viner's face.

"You seem to be gravely mistaken."

*Thwack! Thwack! CRUNCH-*!

"Kuh?"

"I'm not running away because I'm afraid of you."

The fragments of light Elena created pierced Viner's body mercilessly according to her will.

Seeing Viner looking like he was covered in glass shards, Elena raised her slender arm.

She flicked her delicate fingers.

*WHOOSH-*!

The light fragments shot high into the sky according to Elena's will.

Along with them, Viner, with fragments of light deeply embedded in his body, was also flung into the sky.

"Then I'll leave the rest to you, Hadin."

Elena waved goodbye with a bright smile and headed towards the World Tree.

*Wheeeeeee-*!

At the same time, Viner's heavy body began to fall vertically towards Hadin's head.

Seeing this, Hadin sighed and lowered his sword.

*WHOOSH-*!

A wind of aura swirled around Hadin.

Hadin swung his sword towards Viner, who was approaching his field of vision as he looked up at the sky.

*Flash-*!

With a flash of silver light, a colossal blade of wind split Viner's body in two.

"Kyahahahah!"

Viner's scream of pain.

*KWAANG! KWAANG!*

Viner's body crashed to the ground, flesh scattering in all directions.

Viner's body squirmed and began to regenerate.

"Y-you damn woman, to the very end—!"

*SCRR-!*

Viner, glaring towards where Elena had gone with sharp eyes, suddenly felt his vision flip.

"What?"

"You shouldn't be worried about Elena right now?"

*THUD-*!

Viner's head rolled to the ground.

Looking down at Viner, Hadin said,

"You're my opponent."

"Ha! Presumptuous…! You think you can stop me?"

Seeing Viner flinch, Hadin said calmly,

"It might not be enough, but I hope you'll be satisfied with me."

"Grrr! You damn brats…!"

Viner's face flickered with killing intent.

Viner reached out, lifted his head, and brought it to his neck, saying,

"I'll chew you up alive—"

*THWACK-!*

His vision flipped once again.

By the time Viner realized it, his head had rolled to the ground again.

'When did he cut it?'

Viner's face was filled with shock.

There was no sign of him swinging his sword.

'Did he swing his sword at a speed I couldn't perceive? No! This brat didn't swing his sword!'

Yet, his head had been cut off.

Seeing Viner's shocked expression, Hadin said,

"You never know where the wind will blow from."

Hadin calmly raised his sword.

*THWACK-!*

This time, Viner's arm flew off.

Viner's body regenerated.

*Swoosh! THWACK-!*

His body began to be shredded at an even faster rate.

When his body was half gone, Viner realized.

'Is he controlling this space with aura?'

Viner's face was filled with shock.

As he had predicted, Hadin had complete control over the surrounding wind.

The wind that blew became his sword, slicing Viner.

'What a monstrous bastard…!'

Viner's face turned pale.

Seeing Viner's face, Hadin said expressionlessly,

"Were you planning to fight Elena after being surprised by this much?"

"What?"

"That woman is incomparably stronger than this."

*WHOOSH-*!

Viner's face was severed.

In his diverging vision, he saw Hadin with a cold expression.

"I don't know what you're planning in the Ancestor's world… but it will never go as you wish."

***

Luna's gaze followed the white hair.

It was too fast to follow with her eyes.

The boy's flashing red eyes seemed to paint the air.

'What is this child?'

He was a boy she had met for the first time today.

And not even an elf, his own kind, but a human.

Luna had never met a human like him in her life.

Yet, the boy treated her as if they had known each other for a long time.

Although she wasn't shy, the friendliness she felt from the boy made Luna flustered.

The boy's friendliness. His attitude towards her felt as if he knew her too well.

It was like this even now.

Leo perfectly dodged Luna's magic trajectory and cornered the enemy.

She didn't need to worry about Leo's movements when using magic.

All Luna had to do was comfortably chant.

It was as if they had been working together for a long time.

'It's strange.'

Luna's mana flow became lighter.

She chanted without hesitation.

She could focus everything solely on the incantation.

It was the same for Leo.

Until now, Leo had paid attention to every situation while fighting.

Even with companions, he always prepared for any contingency.

He had never casually relied on their backs.

It wasn't because he didn't trust his companions.

In his past life.

In those fierce and long battles, he had developed a habit of filling in the gaps as his friends left one by one.

But the Leo of today was different.

It was as if a long-empty space had been filled.

Leo entrusted his back to Luna.

Luna's presence, which had steadfastly protected his back for so long, was like giving Leo wings.

Watching this, Lunia felt a shiver run down her spine.

'Their coordination is so good.'

Both of them seemed like companions who had fought together for a long time.

It was as if they shared thoughts, their coordination was so perfect.

*BUAH-!*

Leo, who had cut down the monster in front of him, glanced at Luna.

Luna's eyes met Leo's.

While Leo knew the reason for their good coordination, Luna was flustered by their perfect synergy.

Leo smiled and charged towards the next enemy.

"Kch! Did you get faster?!"

Lunia exclaimed in shock and assisted Leo.

Luna looked at Leo's back and thought,

'Leo Flov, who are you?'

It was as if she had met the other half of her soul.

'Why do you know me so well?'

She recalled the boy who had affirmed her dream.

'Why did I think I had to help this child?'

Questions swirled, but Luna's movements were unhesitating.

At that moment, Folium emitted a soft light.

A gray light, different from before.

A rough but warm light caught Luna's attention.

'I promise.'

Luna, seeing Folium react suddenly, wore a surprised expression.

The moment she saw the light, it felt as if someone's beautiful and clear voice had passed through her mind.

'This meeting will surely save the world.'

"Luna-nim?"

"Hmm?"

"Why… are you crying?"

"What…?"

Luna tilted her head, not understanding why tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Well. Why am I crying?"

Seeing Luna express her doubt as if she didn't know the reason, Lunia looked flustered.

Meanwhile, Leo didn't stop.

He wildly slaughtered the monsters that stood in his way.

'Only low-level monsters are blocking the way, that's strange.'

Leo narrowed his eyes.

Seed, whom he had met earlier, was not a low-level demon.

'If such a demon has been lurking for a long time, there should be more dangerous things around?'

As he thought this, they came to a fork in the road.

"Which way is the audience chamber?"

"Right!"

At Luna's words, Leo charged forward without hesitation.

A moment later, they saw a large door with the World Tree depicted on it.

"Is that it!"

*WHOOSH-*!

Leo's flames blazed even more fiercely.

"Stop."

At that moment, a shadow shot up in front of Leo.

Emerging from the shadow was none other than Seed.

"How dare you lowly beings come to this place…"

*THWACK-!*

Before Seed's enraged roar could finish, his head flew through the air.

Leo, who had severed Seed's head without batting an eye, snorted.

"Why so much talk?"

"Grrr!"

Seed's face, rolling on the ground, was filled with rage.

*THUD-*!

Leo stepped on Seed's head and said,

"That's your true form, isn't it? A bug."

Leo sneered.

*GRROOOO-*!

A powerful dark magic erupted from Seed's head.

*THWACK-!*

Leo kicked Seed's head.

*THWACK-! Roll!*

Seed's head, rolling on the ground, stopped abruptly.

Spider legs sprouted from the severed surface of his head.

Seeing this, Luna scowled.

"Ugh! What's so disgusting?"

"A woman born of vulgar blood speaks too much."

"Just because you acted like a high elf, do you think you're really an elf?"

Leo smiled coldly.

Seeing Leo, Seed crawled towards nearby monsters with his spider legs and dug them in.

*THWACK-!*

As the spider legs dug into the flesh, the monster's body transformed into a human's.

"You will never be able to enter here."

*WHOOSH-*!

Seed's body was engulfed in black flames.

Along with it, his dark magic began to rise endlessly.

*GRROOOOOOO-*!

A summoning circle appeared in the air, and monsters began to pour out.

The terror of a high-level sorcerer was the ability to endlessly summon terrifying monsters.

Seeing this, Luna and Lunia wore tense expressions.

"You really think you can't enter?"

Leo narrowed his eyes at the sight.

"That's strange."

"What's strange?"

"What you're receiving now must be the blessing of Erebus."

Demons who have received power from Erebus experience a rapid increase in their magic.

The very existence of Erebus bestows immense power upon demons.

"Ho? You have good eyes."

Seed curled his lips.

"Then you must also know how much stronger my power has become…"

"For a low-class demon like you, how much effect can a mere blessing have?"

Leo said indifferently.

"What?"

Seed's eyes were filled with rage.

"What I'm curious about is, why isn't Erebus, who has the power to bestow blessings, directly eliminating us?"

Leo curled his lips.

Seeing Leo, Seed's face hardened slightly.

Just as Leo hated Erebus, Erebus must hate Kyle, who made him like this, and the current Leo.

The image of Erebus roaring, split into six pieces and spewing curses, was still vivid in his memory.

He could clearly feel Erebus's presence beyond the door.

Yet, despite Erebus being right in front of him, there was no reaction.

'Even if I have reincarnated… the target of his curse includes Luna.'

And Luna is here.

Yet, there is no reaction.

"What's inside there, is it just a shell?"

At Leo's words, Seed's face hardened considerably.

"Looks like I got it right."

Leo chuckled and unleashed his aura.

"It doesn't matter. Knowing that fact doesn't mean you can cross this door."

Killing intent emanated from Seed's body.

*WHOOSH-*!

Black flames burned fiercely.

"You will die here."

Leo's flames burned even more fiercely.

*WHOOSH-*!

The flames began to burn Leo's body.

The Phoenix's aura, enhanced by the Hero's Breath, increased its power.

Crimson flames.

Although not formally learned, it was Schrödinger's secret flame, which Leo had perfected through self-study.

'Crimson Flame. This isn't enough.'

He unleashed mana into his free hand.

Lunia's eyes widened as she saw Leo's mana.

"Huh?"

Lunia let out a flustered gasp.

Leo's aura was very familiar to Lunia.

It was natural.

Because it was the same Phoenix flame.

'But… was the mana similar too?'

The moment this doubt arose, Lunia's face was filled with shock.

'No! That mana is…!'

Leo's mana was similar to that of the Lundia family.

And the mana formation that was woven with it.

Lunia's hands trembled.

There was only one magic she had shown Leo once.

One of the Lundia family's secret magics.

The magic she had used in the battle against Leo.

'Scorching Heat?'

*WHOOSH-*!

Schrödinger's Crimson Flame and Lundia's Scorching Heat merged.

*WHOOOOOOSH-*!

Wings of flame were created.

Seeing the burning flames like real Phoenix wings, Seed's eyes widened.

"How can a human wield the Phoenix's flame!"

"…Because I'm a contractor of the Phoenix."

Leo, who had imbued his sword with flames, grinned.

"I did some research."

*Flash-*!

The momentarily blazing flames burned away everything before them.

The purifying flames of the Phoenix were an opposing force to monsters.

Caught in that power, Seed's body was brutally burned.

"Kyahahahah!"

With a scream of pain, even the door vanished without a trace.

At that moment, Leo saw the abyssal darkness.

Lunia was overwhelmed by the darkness, but Leo stepped into it without batting an eye.

*Step, step*

The audience chamber was empty.

Amidst this, Leo raised his head.

Leo's grip tightened.

His fated enemy, whom he had finally met after thousands of years.

The calamity of black flames.

'Erebus.'

Killing intent bloomed in Leo's eyes.