Book 1 Chapter 481
“From the sky now!”
Riel burst through the bushes in a hurry.
Upon seeing Artkhan facing Leo, her expression changed drastically.
“A demon?”
Swish-!
With incredible speed, Riel closed the distance and swung her battle hammer at Artkhan’s head.
Crack-!
With a tremendous sound, the grass and trees around Riel and Artkhan were flattened in opposite directions.
‘Not even budging?’
Despite being hit head-on with an attack of immense power, Artkhan’s expression didn’t change at all.
He hadn’t taken any defensive actions or prepared himself.
Literally, Riel’s attack had no effect.
Artkhan’s gaze turned to Riel.
“It’s rude to interrupt when adults are talking.”
As Artkhan spoke with a gentle smile, Riel felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
Thump-!
As Artkhan grabbed Riel’s hammer, dark red sparks flew.
Sizzle-!
Snap-!
At that moment, Artkhan’s wrist flew off.
Swish-!
Seeing his hand turn to sand and scatter, Artkhan looked at Leo.
“Don’t touch him.”
Leo’s voice was filled with deep killing intent.
“Th-thank you, Master.”
Riel, having distanced herself from Artkhan to a safe range, said with a cold sweat.
“Master…”
Artkhan’s expression became one of interest.
“Hahaha! Hahaha! Indeed. I see! That girl is like those two.”
“Those two?”
At Artkhan’s words, Riel looked puzzled.
“Master, do you know this demon?”
Riel asked in a flustered voice, hearing his seemingly familiar words.
“Heh, we have a rather deep connection. In a sense, perhaps you and I have also formed a connection.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Killing intent flowed from Leo’s body.
Seeing that, Riel unconsciously stepped back.
Watching Leo, Artkhan bowed his head.
“I apologize if I have defiled your ears.”
‘If I provoke him further, it will be truly dangerous.’
Having served as the Necro King’s trusted subordinate for 5,000 years, Artkhan knew Leo too well.
With the greatest threat, the Knight of the Underworld, present, Leo was not the type to rashly pursue past grudges without thinking.
‘If I provoke him further, he will try to kill me by any means necessary.’
The reason Artkhan hadn’t called Leo a surviving hero was to avoid provoking Leo as much as possible.
‘He’s different from when we met in Shan half a year ago.’
Leo was regaining the power of his past life at an incredible speed.
And that speed had been further accelerated by the rewards obtained from conquering the world of Dwenor and the world of Lisinas.
‘He hasn’t reached his peak strength yet… but it’s enough to obliterate me.’
Moreover, he was the Hero of Genesis, Kyle, of all people.
‘Someone who is adept at hunting demons.’
The Great Hero that demons feared the most was none other than Kyle.
5,000 years ago.
Although Artkhan had fought all the Great Heroes, the most terrifying moment for him was the battle with Kyle.
Leo, being an all-class user, could use a variety of skills.
Against other Great Heroes who specialized in only one thing, it might be possible to create an opportunity to escape, but for Leo, it was nearly impossible.
“Then, as I have set the stage, I shall take my leave.”
Artkhan curled the corners of his lips and disappeared into the darkness.
Watching him go, Riel asked.
“Who was he?”
From his appearance, it was clear he was a high-ranking demon.
“The Grand Duke of Dirges.”
“Gasp!”
Clench-
Her grip on her sword tightened.
In his past life, it was Artkhan who turned Bihar into an orphan.
And when Berchemia was a baby, it was also Artkhan who made her an orphan.
High-level necromancers command the dead they have killed.
Later, Artkhan manipulated Bihar by turning Bihar’s companions into undead.
He resurrected Berchemia’s parents, whom she didn't even remember, as undead, tearing Berchemia’s heart apart.
‘I’m sorry for having such a useless master.’
Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Riel.”
“Yes.”
“I want you to defeat him.”
Riel looked bewildered by his sudden words.
However, Leo’s profile, as he glared at the spot where Artkhan had disappeared, looked both angry and sad.
Looking at him, Riel declared resolutely.
“Yes! I will definitely defeat him.”
Leo gave a slight smile at her powerful response.
At that moment.
Goo-!
An unusual aura was felt from the sky.
A dark aura was gathering in one place.
‘Is he planning to unleash a sword strike on the capital?’
Leo lowered his stance.
If an attack of such power were unleashed on the capital, countless people would surely die.
Goo-!
The moment a gray aura formed around Leo’s body.
Flash! Boom!
A pillar of pure white shot down from the sky.
The Knight of the Underworld nervously swung his greatsword, shaking off the pillar of pure white.
Crash!
The dark aura and the pure white pillar mixed and flew towards the capital’s wall, striking it.
Crash!
The capital’s wall was seen crumbling in vain.
“A spirit of light?”
Seeing that, Riel muttered with a bewildered expression.
Leo narrowed his eyes and looked in another direction.
Standing there were seven individuals, led by a man in pure white robes.
Leo muttered as he saw the emblem embroidered on the fluttering robes.
“Justice Guild.”
***
“Ho?”
Tamus let out an exclamation as he looked at those blocking his path.
“There were some useful ones among the heroes of this era.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, are you Senior Knight of the Underworld?”
“Who are you?”
“I am Jerome, the Light Seeker. I lead the Justice Guild, though I am still lacking.”
“Guild. Are you referring to a group of heroes in this era?”
“You know well.”
Jerome smiled gently.
“However, unlike the other seniors who began appearing yesterday, you seem to be in perfect condition?”
Jerome looked at Tamus with a meaningful expression.
“I’ve thought of many things upon seeing the dead heroes suddenly appear as undead.”
“What did you think?”
“The Necro King suddenly obtained immense power. And with that power, he summoned heroes as undead. Perhaps those who lacked the qualities of a hero have corrupted into undead. Also.”
“Also?”
“There will be undead with their minds intact, like you. And they will have betrayed the world.”
Jerome shrugged.
“In fact, aren’t you a coward who has ignored the world’s threats?”
Crash!
A dark aura engulfed Jerome.
However, such a dark aura was blocked by a blue aura.
A knight wielding a bastard sword and shield stood firmly protecting Jerome.
“You’re quite skilled.”
Tamus’s lips twisted.
“Did you say your name was Jerome? Watch your words. I am merely using the Necro King.”
“Using?”
“Yes. He thinks he can control me with his power, but.”
Tamus raised his hand.
Goo-!
A powerful aura of death emanated from his hand.
After a moment.
Roar-!
A roar echoed.
Jerome’s gaze turned outside the city walls.
Countless undead were rising from the ground.
“Necromancy?”
“No, it’s Spirit Arts.”
Tamus said with a laugh.
“These are the powerful warriors who once commanded the continent with me. It is the Necro King’s power that resurrected them, but they still pledge loyalty to me. He cannot exert control over me. Rather, my mind controls his power.”
Clink-
Tamus readjusted his grip on his greatsword.
“Remember this, Jerome. Not everyone who gets their name on the Hero Record is the same kind of hero.”
Tamus’s eyes gleamed from beneath his hood.
“You, who easily attained the position of hero by inheriting the power of previous heroes through the Hero Record, cannot be called true heroes. You are merely mass-produced fakes.”
Tamus sneered.
“Heroes with weak minds, and fake heroes like you may fall as slaves to the Necro King. But I am on a different level.”
“I agree that not everyone named in the Hero Record is the same kind of hero.”
Jerome let out a bitter laugh.
“But the latter part is baseless nonsense. So, what is your goal now that you have been resurrected?”
“First, I will create an army of spirits and defeat Tartarus. Then, after unifying the continent, I will rule this world as an immortal hero. It is the duty of a great hero to guide the insignificant slaves onto the right path. If that happens, it will also prove that the foolish Dragon of Creation who chose the Twilight Knight instead of me was wrong.”
“Hoo, is that why you ignored the world’s crisis? How petty.”
Jerome sneered.
Tamus swung his sword.
Crash!
A massive dark slash flew towards Jerome, as if to bisect him.
Flash! Crash!
Then, a massive pure white barrier absorbed the slash.
It was magic cast by Chain, the vice-guild master of Justice, who had deployed magic beside Jerome.
Tamus’s slash, which had been absorbed by the barrier, was returned.
“Hmph, Seyrun’s magic, Count Shield, is it?”
Seeing the magic, Tamus curled the corners of his lips and extended his sword.
The dark slash was sucked into Tamus’s sword.
Seeing that, Chain narrowed his eyes.
“Master, that sword is…”
“Yes… it’s Nox, the divine sword made by Lord Dwenor.”
Nox.
It was a legendary greatsword made by Dwenor during the Age of Calamity, recalling the beautiful night sky.
“A Hero Weapon?”
Greed gleamed in the eyes of a knight, a hero among the executives of the Justice Guild.
“You will use fakes obtained through the Hero Record, but there are no fakes among my treasures.”
Tamus curled the corners of his lips.
“This sword is a genuine article left by a divine blacksmith.”
“Indeed, as befits someone who built the most powerful empire in the world, you seem to possess countless treasures.”
Jerome stroked his chin.
“It will be rewarding to defeat you.”
“It’s impossible with your strength.”
“This party has defeated even legion commanders in the world of heroes. Do you think it’s possible to defeat us?”
Jerome unleashed his spirit energy.
Countless spirits of light appeared in the air.
Jerome’s expression changed.
“Tamus, traitor to the world, I will expel you in the name of justice as a hero of this era.”
“Leading the world is the role of a true hero. Fake heroes who rose to heroism through the Hero Record are not needed in this world.”
A great aura began to stir from Tamus’s body.
Rumble-!
Nox, emitting pitch-black darkness, reacted.
“Hmm?”
Tamus’s eyes twitched.
Flames-!
At that moment, golden flames ignited.
“Gk?!”
Feeling an immense heat from his hand, Tamus involuntarily let go of Nox.
Whoosh-!
Clink-!
Nox, falling to the ground, was caught by someone’s hand.
At that moment, starlight began to twinkle on the black blade.
Leo, slinging Nox, which had transformed into the appearance of a beautiful night sky, over his shoulder, clicked his tongue.
“The same kind of people are talking nonsense.”
“Leo Flove.”
Jerome narrowed his eyes.
“This stage is still too early for you, isn’t it?”
Despite Jerome’s words, Leo flew up to a similar height.
“Do you not understand what I’m saying?”
Leo ignored Jerome’s words.
Seeing Leo like that, Jerome let out a bitter laugh.
“Your attitude towards a senior is extremely disrespectful.”
“I’ve never had a senior like you.”
Leo replied indifferently and looked at Tamus.
“Are you the Knight of the Underworld?”
“……”
Tamus stared intently at Leo in response to his question.
After a moment, he opened his mouth.
“Those eyes, that tone. Indeed… what he said was true. It’s the same as what I saw in the world of heroes.”
Tamus curled the corners of his lips.
“I wanted to meet you, Hero of Genesis. My name is Tamus.”
Tamus, who had been arrogant until now, bowed politely.
“I am your true successor.”
The people of the Justice Guild widened their eyes at Tamus’s sudden words.
They couldn’t understand what he was saying at all.
Leo, who had picked his ear with his pinky finger, asked.
“What? Can you say that again?”
“I said I am your true successor.”
Leo replied with an expressionless face.
“You lunatic.”