Book 1 Chapter 816

816.

Fwooooosh—

Nick gritted his teeth against the flames engulfing him from behind.

'To cross parallel worlds!'

He had never imagined such a result would occur.

Moreover, Erebus's power, having crossed the barrier between parallel worlds, far surpassed Nick's.

CRACKLE—!

In an instant, a pillar of black flame descended before Nick.

Nick narrowed his eyes as he saw Erebus emerge from the black flames.

"You've gotten ahead. By the way, what is this? You're in human form?"

To Nick's words, Erebus replied indifferently.

"It is the form of the hero of the beginning."

"Have you now fallen to the level of imitating human form?"

"In every worldline, you are truly consistent."

A smirk flickered across Erebus's lips.

"It seems you've swallowed me again in that other worldline. But… how did you come to this world?"

Nick's eyes narrowed.

Opening a path to parallel worlds.

That was her divine power.

But even if the path was opened, crossing over was another matter entirely.

"I interpreted your power in my own way. And I discovered a new possibility."

"You, a being who brings ruin, pursued a possibility? That's laughable."

"Yes. But thanks to that, I transcended my limits."

Erebus let out a chilling laugh.

Seeing that laugh, Nick felt goosebumps erupt all over his body.

"There's nothing you can do in this era."

Erebus aimed his sword at Nick.

"A loser should disappear into the annals of history like a loser."

"Who was it that called me a loser just now…"

CRUNCH—!

"…!"

In an instant, the sword piercing through his chest froze Nick's face.

"How pathetic."

Erebus, with his sword plunged into the air, wore a bored expression.

Erebus's sword tore through space and appeared behind Nick, piercing him.

"To not even be able to block such a low-level attack."

The being before him was a demon god who had been his equal.

Compared to the great heroes, his nemesis, he was far too weak.

Aside from being born with the immense power of a demon god, he was an utterly insignificant being.

As Erebus slowly approached Nick, Nick's face gradually filled with terror.

'I don't want to go back.'

The moment Erebus raised his sword.

CRACKLE—

Nick exhaled a chilling cold.

When Erebus pushed back the cold with flames, Nick had already vanished.

"Disgusting."

Erebus shook his head.

Nick had fled to where the Styx, his subordinate demons, were.

"Are you trying to escape me by sacrificing the Styx?"

It was a futile struggle.

Nick could not escape him anyway.

If only he had met his demise with dignity, he could have preserved his authority as a demon god.

FWOOSH—

Erebus, disappearing into the black flames, pursued Nick.

***

In the heart of the battlefield.

The Styx's advancing legion was being met by the knights and mages led by the heroes of Devian.

And the heroic spirits summoned by Lisinas were blocking their path.

In the heart of that battlefield, a girl with black hair held her sword high.

"Celia! You can't go too deep!"

Abad shouted urgently from the rear.

Though called the rear, it was effectively the center of the battlefield given its scale.

It was merely a location relatively safe from the enemy's attacks.

Though not as versatile as Chelsea, Abad, a versatile mage, also had a knack for close combat, so he had pushed forward with some effort.

The reason was to maximize his synergy with Celia, his partner.

"Kugh! To maintain the front line now, we need a big one! I'll hold on somehow, so prepare your magic!"

"Kugh!"

Anxiety was etched on Celia and Abad's faces.

The battle on this battlefield was not a typical soldier-vs-soldier fight.

They were all facing the Styx, demonic monsters of transcendence, and the ancient humans who followed them.

Even knights and mages armed with exceptional talent and effort, and possessing experience from traversing various hero worlds, found it to be no easy battlefield.

They were intimidated by the killing intent emanating from the enemy and a deep sense of fear.

Just a moment ago, the rear walls had even collapsed.

Even with Lisinas summoning heroic spirits, the enemy's forces still held the advantage.

That was why Celia and Abad were pushing themselves.

At that moment.

"Celia! Abad! Are you alright?!"

A frantic voice called out to the two from the sky.

WHOOSH— CRACKLE—!

Something with immense physical force landed in the midst of the enemy.

Sand dust scattered.

Soon, through the dust, Lil, wielding a massive battle hammer, stood before Celia.

"You're alright! You two have worked hard!"

"Lil-senpai! Behind you! Behind you!"

Celia shouted urgently, and Lil swung her battle hammer backward.

CRUNCH!

"Kek?!"

An ancient human, aiming for Lil's back, collapsed with his face caved in.

"I'll take the front, so Celia and Abad, prepare your area-of-effect attacks!"

With those words, Lil charged into the battlefield like a beast.

"Lil-senpai, the more I see her, the more amazing she is."

Celia clicked her tongue.

"Celia, let's prepare."

"Alright."

As Abad prepared his magic, Celia began to generate a fiery aura.

The fusion of fire and wind.

As the two prepared a special attack.

WHOOSH—!

Someone appeared in the heart of the battlefield.

In that moment, Celia's eyes met that presence.

Time seemed to stop for an instant at its overwhelming presence.

And at the same time…

FWOOOOSH—!

CRACKLE—!

Black flames engulfed the center of the battlefield.

"Kugh?!"

Celia hastily shielded Abad.

"Celia?!"

Celia, barely defending against the black flames with her fiery aura, involuntarily collapsed.

"Kyle… sir?"

And seeing the one who appeared with the black flames, Celia's face contorted in shock.

The battle momentarily entered a lull.

Many on the battlefield recognized Kyle's presence and began to murmur.

"The hero of the beginning?"

"No way…"

"Is he… appearing to save us?"

Great heroes had miraculously appeared in times of crisis until now.

As they thought another such miracle had occurred.

Celia felt the Erebus, in Kyle's form, curl his lips.

Seeing that, Celia shouted urgently.

"Everyone, get away!"

CRACKLE—!

FWOOOOSH—!

Black flames swirled around Kyle.

"Did you think these things could be a shield? Nick?"

Erebus sneered and pursued Nick, who had hidden in the center of the battlefield.

The mere act of Erebus pursuing Nick threatened the lives of those around him.

At that moment.

Abad's eyes widened as if they would tear.

"Celia!"

Celia shielded Abad.

With the flames of disaster at her back, Celia looked down at Abad and managed a weak smile.

"Abad… step back!"

"You have no reason to protect me!"

"No… but… protecting a mage is one of a knight's duties. It's not like I'm doing this just to protect you."

Celia gritted her teeth.

"I am simply fulfilling my duty."

"I don't need it! I'll…!"

"Abad! Right now, even one person alive needs to conserve their strength! On a battlefield like this, you are more…!"

"Shut up!"

Abad yelled at Celia.

"Are you going to sacrifice someone I like?!"

"What?"

For an instant, Celia's face was blank.

At that moment.

"Are you guys filming a romance scene on the battlefield? You brats are so full of yourselves."

A voice, somehow annoying, echoed.

And with it.

WHOOSH—!

Someone wrapped Celia in a cloak as if to protect her.

BANG—!

CRACKLE—!

The black flames coalesced into one point and shot up into the sky, exploding.

Celia looked up at the man who had saved her.

And she mumbled blankly.

"Kyle… sir?"

As Celia mumbled blankly.

"Hah?!"

Kyle's hand touched Celia's back.

With immense pain, Celia involuntarily gasped and clutched Kyle's cloak.

WHOOOO—!

Kyle used healing magic.

He burned away the flames of disaster that had scorched Celia's back using Innocence.

Celia, who had been enduring the pain, biting her lips tightly and clinging to Kyle, gradually relaxed.

Once the burn treatment was somewhat complete, Kyle took off his cloak and draped it over Celia.

"Wear this."

As the pain subsided, Celia said urgently.

"M-me? It looks like protective gear, but what about you, Kyle-sir?"

"I don't need it. Your clothes are all burnt anyway. It would be embarrassing to leave you like this."

Saying that, Celia looked up at Kyle blankly.

Kyle took a step back and spoke to Abad.

"Hey, you brat mage."

"Yes."

"It's natural to risk your life to protect the woman you like. But there are times when even risking your life won't save them. Dying with them then is for fools."

"…"

Abad clenched his fists.

"Survive and become strong. Revenge comes after that."

"…Yes."

"Well, you'll be strong enough to protect the woman you like before that happens."

Abad looked at Kyle.

"It's a world where that's possible, isn't it?"

Kyle said that and smiled.

"It was a hell of a struggle… but seeing guys like you makes me feel like it was worth it."

Abad clenched his fists tightly.

His words struck him to the bone.

Celia also clutched Kyle's cloak tightly.

"Kyle-sir could also defeat Erebus for Luna-nim, couldn't he?"

"It wasn't solely for that girl Luna, but… in a way, yes."

"As expected… the power of love must be great. To be able to exert such strength for a lover…"

"What nonsense is this?"

Kyle looked utterly bewildered as Celia said.

"You and Luna-nim were lovers, weren't you?"

"No, we weren't."

"What?"

"I don't know who started such a rumor, but don't go spreading such things carelessly."

With those words, Kyle approached Erebus.

Watching his retreating back, Celia mumbled blankly.

"What's going on? Luna-nim clearly… Kyle-sir…"

"Let's not think too deeply about it. By the way, Celia."

"Yeah?"

"Forget it."

"Hmm?"

Celia narrowed her eyes and smiled.

"Well? Should I forget it? That the great Abad Lewalin likes me?"

"Haa."

Abad covered his face and let out a small sigh, and Celia giggled.

"To confirm your feelings is cowardly, so I'll reveal mine. I don't dislike you either."

"So, are you two dating then?"

"AAAAAAAH?!"

Celia shrieked in horror at Lil's voice from behind.

***

The surrounding enemies were all incinerated by the flames Erebus unleashed.

Everyone looked at Erebus with eyes filled with fear.

When no one dared to block his path.

THUMP- THUMP-

Someone blocked Erebus's path.

Seeing the one who looked exactly like him, Erebus's eyes twitched.

"You… you are…"

"It feels truly disgusting."

Kyle smiled coldly.

"The guy I just tore to shreds and sealed is standing right before my eyes."

At those words, Erebus aimed his sword at Kyle.

Kyle also aimed his sword in the same posture.

"This time, it won't be a seal, but a complete annihilation."

"This time, you will fall."

The moment the words of the hero of the beginning and the flame of disaster ended.

CRASH—!

Sword clashed against sword.