Book 1 Chapter 816
816.
Fwoosh-
Nyx gritted her teeth at the flames that surged from behind.
‘To cross parallel worlds!’
She had never even imagined that such a result would occur.
Moreover, Erebus's power, which had crossed the barrier of the parallel world, now overwhelmingly surpassed Nyx's.
Kugagagagang-!
Suddenly, a pillar of black flame plunged down in front of Nyx.
Nyx narrowed her brow, watching Erebus emerge from the black flames.
“You've come ahead. By the way, what is this? Wearing such a human form?”
At Nyx's words, Erebus spoke indifferently.
“It's the form of the Hero of Beginnings.”
“Have you fallen to the point of imitating human forms now?”
“In any timeline, you are truly consistent.”
A sneer played on Erebus's lips.
“It seems you swallowed me again in that timeline. But… how did you cross over to this world?”
Nyx's eyes narrowed.
Opening a path to a parallel world.
That was her authority.
However, even if she opened the path, crossing over was a different matter.
“I interpreted your power in my own way. And I discovered a new possibility.”
“You, a being who brings destruction, pursued possibilities? That's laughable.”
“Yes. But thanks to that, I surpassed my limits.”
Erebus smiled eerily.
Seeing that smile, Nyx felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
“There is nothing you can do in this era.”
Erebus pointed his sword at Nyx.
“A loser should disappear into the annals of history, like a loser.”
“Who was it just now calling me a loser…?”
Kwaduk-!
“…!”
Nyx's face hardened at the sword that instantly pierced her chest.
“How boring.”
Boredom settled on Erebus's face as he thrust his sword into the empty air.
Erebus's sword tore through space, appearing behind Nyx and stabbing her.
“To not even be able to block such a low-level attack.”
The being before him was a wicked god, once his equal.
Compared to the great heroes who were his arch-rivals, she was too weak.
A being utterly insignificant, except for being born with the immense power of a wicked god.
As Erebus slowly approached Nyx, her face gradually became tinged with fear.
‘I don't want to go back.’
The moment Erebus raised his sword.
Jjeojeojeojeok-
Nyx unleashed a burst of cold air.
By the time Erebus pushed back the cold with his flames, Nyx was nowhere to be found.
“How unsightly.”
Erebus shook his head from side to side.
The place Nyx headed was where the Styx demons, her followers, were located.
“Are you trying to escape from me, even at the cost of sacrificing the Styx?”
It was a futile struggle.
Nyx could not escape from him anyway.
If only she had met her demise with dignity, she would have at least preserved her authority as a wicked god.
Hwaryreuk-
Erebus, vanishing into the black flames, pursued Nyx.
***
The heart of the battlefield.
The Styx army, advancing, was being held back by the knight and mage corps, led by Deviant's heroes.
And the spirits summoned by Risinas were blocking their way.
In the very center of that battlefield, a black-haired girl stood with her sword raised.
“Celia! Don't go too deep!”
Abad urgently shouted from the rear.
Though he said "rear," considering the scale of the battlefield, it was practically the center.
He was simply positioned where enemy attacks relatively couldn't reach him.
Abad, a versatile mage, though not as much as Chelsea, also had a knack for close combat, so he had pushed forward a bit, overextending himself.
And the reason was to maximize the synergy with Celia, his partner.
“Ugh! We need one big hit to maintain this frontline now! I'll try to hold on somehow, so prepare your magic!”
“Ugh!”
Anxiety was etched on Celia's and Abad's faces.
The battle on this battlefield was not a typical fight between soldiers.
Everyone was facing the transcendent monsters of the Styx demons and the ancient humans who followed them.
Even knights and mages, armed with exceptional talent and effort, and possessing experience from various heroic worlds, found this battlefield to be anything but easy.
They cowered at the murderous intent exuded by the enemy, and their fear deepened.
The rear wall had even collapsed a short while ago.
Even though Risinas had summoned spirits, the enemy's strength still surpassed theirs.
Because of this, Celia and Abad were overexerting themselves.
Just then.
“Celia! Abad! Are you alright?!”
An urgent voice calling out to the two of them was heard from the air.
Wheeeeeeeeng! Kugagagagang-!
Something with immense physical power crashed into the midst of the enemies.
Sand and dust scattered.
Soon, Lil, wielding a massive battle hammer, broke through the dust and stood before Celia.
“You're safe! You two worked hard!”
“Lil senior! Behind! Behind you!”
As Celia urgently shouted, Lil swung her battle hammer backward without hesitation.
Kwaduk!
“Ke-ek?!”
The ancient human targeting Lil's back collapsed with their face completely caved in.
“I'll take the front, so Celia and Abad, please prepare an area attack!”
Leaving those words, Lil leaped into the battlefield like a wild beast.
“The more I see Lil senior, the more amazing she is.”
Celia clicked her tongue in amazement.
“Celia, let's get ready.”
“Okay.”
As Abad prepared his magic, Celia also began to manifest an aura of flame.
Fusion of fire and wind.
It was when the two of them were preparing a special attack.
Hwaak-!
Someone appeared in the middle of the battlefield.
For a moment, Celia's eyes met with that being.
Time seemed to stop for an instant due to its overwhelming presence.
And at the same time…
Fwoosh-!
Kugagagagang-!
Black flames engulfed the center of the battlefield.
“Ugh?!”
Celia hastily shielded Abad.
“Celia?!”
Celia, who had barely defended against the black flames with her aura of fire, unconsciously collapsed to the ground.
“Kyle… sir?”
And seeing the one who appeared with the black flames, Celia wore a look of horror.
The battle momentarily reached a lull.
Many standing on the battlefield recognized Kyle's presence and began to murmur.
“The Hero of Beginnings?”
“No way…”
“D-did he appear to save us?”
Until now, the great heroes had miraculously appeared whenever there was a crisis.
The moment they thought such a miracle had happened again.
Celia felt Erebus, in Kyle's form, curl the corner of his lips.
Seeing that, Celia urgently shouted.
“Everyone, get back!”
Kugagagagang-!
Fwoosh-!
Black flames raged, centered around Kyle.
“Did you think these could be your shields? Nyx?”
Erebus scoffed and pursued Nyx, who had hidden herself in the middle of the battlefield.
Just by Erebus pursuing Nyx, those around them had their lives threatened.
Just then.
Abad's eyes widened as if they would tear.
“Celia!”
Celia blocked Abad's path.
With her back to the flames of disaster, Celia looked down at Abad and smiled with difficulty.
“Abad… step back!”
“You have no reason to protect me!”
“No… But… protecting a mage is one of a knight's duties. I'm not doing this specifically to protect you.”
Celia gritted her teeth.
“I'm just doing my duty.”
“No need! I'll protect you…!”
“Abad! Right now, even one person must survive and preserve their strength! On a battlefield like this, you are more important than me…!”
“Shut up!”
Abad yelled at Celia.
“Do you think I would sacrifice someone I love?!”
“What?”
For a moment, Celia's face was dumbfounded.
At that moment.
“Are you two having a romance in the middle of a battlefield? You brats are too bold.”
A somewhat irksome voice was heard.
Along with that.
Haak-!
Someone wrapped a cloak around Celia as if to protect her.
Paang-!
Kugagagagang-!
The black flames gathered into one spot, then surged into the sky and exploded.
Celia looked up at the man who had saved her.
And murmured blankly.
“Kyle… sir?”
As Celia was murmuring blankly.
“Huk?!”
Kyle's hand touched Celia's back.
In immense pain, Celia unconsciously exhaled and clutched Kyle's clothes.
Woong-!
Kyle used healing magic.
He used "Innocent" to dispel the flames of disaster that had scorched Celia's back.
Celia, who had been enduring the pain, biting her lip and holding onto Kyle, gradually relaxed her face.
Once the burn treatment was somewhat complete, Kyle took off his cloak and wrapped it around Celia.
“Wear this.”
As the pain subsided, Celia urgently spoke.
“M-me? It looks like protective gear, what about you, Kyle-nim?”
“I don't need it. Besides, your clothes are all burned up. If I leave you like this, it might be embarrassing.”
Having been told that, Celia stared blankly up at Kyle.
Kyle, stepping back a pace, spoke to Abad.
“Hey, you mage runt.”
“Yes.”
“It's natural to risk your life to protect a woman you like. But there are times when you can't protect her even if you risk your life. Dying together then is what only a fool would do.”
“…”
Abad clenched his fist.
“Survive and grow strong. Vengeance comes after that.”
“…Yes.”
“Well, before that, it would be enough if you became strong enough to protect the woman you like.”
Abad looked at Kyle.
“Isn't this a world where that's possible?”
Kyle, who had said that, smiled.
“I suffered like a dog… but seeing guys like you, I think I did well to save you.”
Abad tightly clenched his fist.
Those words resonated deeply within him.
Celia also clutched Kyle's cloak tightly.
“So you, Kyle-nim… were able to defeat Erebus for Luna-nim.”
“It wasn't just for Luna. Well, in a way, I suppose it was.”
“As expected… the power of love must be great. To be able to exert such effort for a lover…”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
As Kyle made a bewildered expression, Celia said.
“Kyle-nim and Luna-nim were in a relationship, weren't they?”
“No, we weren't?”
“Huh?”
“I don't know who started such a rumor or where, but don't go spreading such words carelessly.”
Leaving those words, Kyle walked towards Erebus.
Watching his retreating back, Celia murmured blankly.
“What's going on? Luna-nim clearly… Kyle-nim.”
“Let's not think too deeply about it. By the way, Celia.”
“Hmm?”
“Forget it.”
“Hmph?”
Celia narrowed her eyes and then smiled faintly.
“Well, I wonder? Should I forget it? The great Abad Rwalin says he likes me, you know?”
“Haa.”
As Abad covered his face and let out a small sigh, Celia giggled.
“It would be cowardly to only confirm your feelings, so if I reveal my own: I don't dislike it either.”
“So, are you two dating then?”
“Kyaaaaaaak?!”
At Lil's voice heard from behind, Celia was startled and screamed.
***
The enemies in the vicinity were completely incinerated by the flames Erebus unleashed.
Everyone looked at Erebus with eyes full of fear.
When no one dared to stand in his way.
Thump- Thump-
Someone blocked Erebus's path.
Erebus's eyes twitched as he saw someone who looked exactly like him.
“You…”
“This feeling is really disgusting.”
Kyle smiled coldly.
“Because the guy I tore to shreds and sealed just a moment ago is boldly walking around right in front of me.”
At those words, Erebus pointed his sword at Kyle.
Kyle also pointed his sword in the exact same stance.
“This time, I will definitively annihilate you, not just seal you.”
“This time, you will fall.”
As the words of the Hero of Beginnings and the Flames of Disaster ended.
Kwoong-!
Sword clashed with sword.