NOVGO.NET Book 2 Chapter 650
Book 2 Chapter 650
[Why do you point your sword at me?]
A blunt voice was heard.
Residue looked at the Red Knight. The unclear glow in his eyes was directed this way.
[Yang In-hyun, wielder of the Everlasting Plum Sword. I know you do not agree with His Majesty’s will. But does that alone justify crossing swords with me?]
“That alone is not reason enough.”
Yang In-hyun muttered in a low voice.
Amidst the frenzied gusts of sword wind that drowned out all surrounding sounds, the two men’s conversation clearly reached one another.
“I just wanted, someday, to compare myself against the Four Knights.”
[Foolish.]
The Red Knight spoke again.
[You are still far too inexperienced. Your level is.]
Yang In-hyun did not respond.
Because at this moment, he agreed with the Red Knight’s words.
But that was a matter of the present.
Did the Red Knight know? Each time their blades clashed, Yang In-hyun was growing. He was raising his level at an explosive pace. The raw experience poured into his mind like a torrential downpour, and just interpreting and absorbing even most of it was enough to make his head overheat.
A life-or-death battle against a strong opponent is, for a warrior, an opportunity akin to a divine gift.
‘It’s different from that time.’
Yang In-hyun recalled his past battle with another knight, the Blue Knight. It wasn’t even that long ago.
A tragic past and an indelible humiliation.
He realized the Blue Knight was unfamiliar with swordsmanship when their blades first crossed. Yet, he couldn’t win. He couldn’t even properly counterattack. He was one-sidedly overpowered and had his face shoved into the desert.
Yang In-hyun hadn’t forgotten that defeat and humiliation, but the greatest disgrace of his life was yet to come.
He hadn’t even been able to fight the Half King.
That one hadn’t even considered Yang In-hyun a worthy opponent. It was a humiliation that felt as though his heart had been torn out, but he could somehow accept it.
It is also the right of the strong to decide how to treat the weak.
What truly shocked Yang In-hyun was his own reaction afterward.
-He thought it was a relief.
That the Half King hadn’t even treated this Everlasting Plum Sword as an enemy.
There was a part of him that felt relieved.
Grit.
That was when Yang In-hyun felt the wall. A massive, unfathomably thick wall unlike anything he had ever encountered. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how to break through it. ṚÄＮő𝖇ÊṤ
But paradoxically, perhaps because he had faced such a wall, the wall that was the Four Knights felt thinner by comparison. In battles like this, psychological factors are extremely important.
Kaang!
Once again, their blades clashed.
The Red Knight’s greatest strength in battle was his freedom.
Yang In-hyun knew well that the uniquely shaped sword not only served as a bladed weapon but could also perform ranged attacks sufficiently.
However, due to Yang In-hyun’s relentless pursuit, Michael’s support, and another fight unfolding nearby, the Red Knight couldn’t even bring out half of his true power.
‘-In this decisive battle, I will ultimately be defeated.’
Yang In-hyun admitted that fact without resistance.
But the determination in his eyes had not dimmed at all.
‘…But in the next, or the next, or the next battle, I will definitely.’
He would show victory against the Four Knights.
Of course, that’s only if he could survive this decisive battle-
But there was no need to think that far.
It was not a matter for Yang In-hyun to consider.
***
After hearing all of Residue’s story,
Perus, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth again.
“…There’s one problem.”
“What is it?”
“Even if we gather the power of all the Absolutes in the Top Universe, it’s still uncertain whether we can destroy that sun.”
“You state the obvious. Your power alone isn’t enough. This is when you use a tool.”
“A tool?”
“Pour your power into the colossus outside. The statue may break, but it should produce enough output to destroy the sun.”
“……”
Perus’ mouth dropped open at the idea, something he had never once considered.
“…You’re telling us to destroy this place using the six statues that guard the Top Universe?”
“That’s right.”
“……”
Perus seemed to sink back into thought again.
Looking at him like this, he was truly a man full of unnecessary thoughts.
In short, he was not a good match with Residue.
“Perus.”
“Yes?”
“There’s no time, so if you have something to say, say it quickly. If it’s something that requires thinking, then think while you talk. Does this situation look leisurely enough for you to be turning things over in your head?”
“Mm… yes.”
Perus spoke with an awkward expression.
“If it’s an attack with that level of destructive power, wouldn’t it be better to target the Four Knights instead of destroying the sun? I’m sure it would land a valid hit.”
“If you could land it, then sure. But with such a sluggish attack, you wouldn’t even graze a single hair on their heads.”
“If the two individuals currently fighting the Four Knights could restrict their movement range as much as possible…”
“The success rate might rise by a few percent. But I still reject it. At best, even if you're lucky, you’ll hit just one knight. That one would likely only suffer light injuries, maybe even walk away unscathed.”
“……”
“So that’s what you were trying to suggest? Some worthless idea like that? Unbelievable. I've already considered most of the viable possibilities myself, so just follow my lead. This is the best plan.”
Even with that posture that essentially declared, ‘I am the one who is always right’, Perus found himself nodding.
The aura Residue was exuding right now was the same oppressive authority that Perus had once feared and resisted the most from the Ruler, and yet strangely, it didn’t feel all that unpleasant.
Was it because they stood before a common enemy?
‘No.’
The being before him… was different from the Ruler.
If it had been the Ruler, he would never have let them live after they once bared their fangs at him. He would have literally wiped them out.
…Whether or not something benefited him, that sort of cost-benefit analysis might have been conducted, but even if he had concluded they were useful, he would not have made exceptions in his punishment.
Only now, with his head slightly cooled, could Perus see such a distinction.
Thinking this, Perus gave an order to the Absolutes.
To split into six separate forces and head toward the statues. Thankfully, none objected.
After confirming that all of them had set out toward the statues, Perus turned to Residue and spoke.
“May I ask one more question?”
“You talk so much. What now?”
“What is the meaning of dropping the sun? Are you saying that mourning the dead Ruler will somehow improve the current situation?”
“……”
Residue smiled faintly.
Still, it was more to his liking than the foolish questions he’d been hearing up until now.
And it was also good that he had made the others back off before asking.
"'Shoot toward the sun' is not an operation designed without thought."
“…Huh?”
"It's the operation name. Sometimes there are moments when you must create one."
And now was that moment.
Residue added calmly as he continued.
“This operation has two major meanings. First, your Absolutes working together to destroy the sun. You’ve turned the Top Universe into a paradise, and that sun came to occupy the sky as the most symbolic representation of that paradise. Its very existence is a factor that hinders your development.”
“……”
“To have it destroyed by no one else but your own hands, that action itself holds meaning. It’ll have the added effect of breaking your misguided determination.”
Perus fell into silence, his expression unreadable.
“Of course, that’s not the only reason. For example, with the power I currently possess, I could drop that sun by myself… but then I’d have no strength left for anything else. From this point on, I need to conserve my strength as much as possible.”
Perus didn’t ask why he had to conserve his strength.
“What’s the other meaning?”
“You’ll understand when your arrows bring down the sun. It ties in with your earlier question. If everything goes well, we may be able to render two of the Four Knights incapable of fighting.”
They would never be killed.
This world lacked those with potential. Desperately so.
So Residue, while not having sworn an oath against killing, generally avoided situations where he would have to kill beings other than Destruction. All living beings possessed potential, and Residue couldn’t calculate how their talents might bloom.
In a way, the ordeal of Destruction was equal. Regardless of good or evil, it sought to erase all living beings.
The Four Knights were enemies of Residue, but at the same time, they were also enemies of Destruction. That was why he didn’t want to kill them.
Of course, they weren’t the kind of opponents one could casually speak of killing anyway.
After Perus departed,
Residue, left alone, scanned the battlefield and waited for the right moment.
Zzzeok!
And soon after, cracks appeared in the sky and it began to slowly collapse.
The world wasn’t actually breaking apart. This was simply the process of the protective barrier surrounding the outer perimeter of the fortress city being deactivated.
Because the colossi outside needed to aim at targets inside, the shield had to be dismantled in sequence first.
The once blue and clear sky, the leisurely floating white clouds, all were being dyed black without distinction.
Before long, the once clear sky turned into a pitch-black space with no moon and barely any stars.
What set it apart from the usual sky was the presence of a small but fiercely burning sun.
That alone brightened the pitch-black fortress city, the lake mixed with sea, and the grasslands beyond. Light spread in all directions.
It wasn’t quite enough to call it midday, but it wasn’t a bad sight.
Fwooo─
A cool breeze blew.
Residue received it with his whole body and nodded in satisfaction.
“Much better.”
Boom!
By that point, the colossi had taken position, each gripping their weapons. He could see the groups of six Absolutes pushing their external force to the limit. That force began to concentrate at the tips of the colossi’s weapons.
[…]
Whether the Four Knights had sensed this gathering of power, their assault intensified. They likely hadn’t fully grasped the plan, but they surely understood that something was about to happen.
Yang In-hyun and Kran were continuing their attacks to the best of their ability, but their bodies had long since exceeded their limits. It would be no surprise if they became incapacitated at any moment.
Michael wore an expression that looked like he was on the brink of death. Though he didn’t show it openly, of everyone present, he was suffering the most.
“Don’t die, Michael.”
You still must not die.
Michael possessed the ideal combination of ability and temperament to be used. He was a card that couldn’t be lost here.
Vwooom…
Then, the surface of the water began to ripple.
Residue’s eyes snapped open.
It’s ready!
Crrrk!
The external force concentrated at the weapon tips was powerful enough to distort space. Of course, it was all the external force gathered from the Absolutes in the Top Universe. And the gathered power, to be frank, exceeded Residue’s expectations.
‘Six attacks like that.’
It was enough.
Kaang!
At that moment.
The Blue Knight shattered Kran’s weapon. Following that, chains extended from her and tightly coiled around her opponent’s body.
Kran twisted his body in an attempt to shake them off, but Residue predicted it would be futile. He had once experienced those chains himself, they couldn’t be broken through physical force.
The Blue Knight stabbed Kran’s immobilized body twice, then kicked him away. After that, she looked in Residue’s direction.
Clang!
Blue armor appeared from somewhere and covered her entire body without leaving a single gap. She was preparing to fully unleash her power as one of the Four Knights.
Residue clicked his tongue.
Had he been too optimistic about the situation after all?
Kran hadn’t originally been factored into the plan, and it should have been Residue himself fighting the Blue Knight in that spot.
Still, thanks to borrowing the Demon God’s power, he had lasted longer than expected…
The Blue Knight emitted a thick, murderous intent and charged straight at Residue.
“──.”
The ticking of a clock’s second hand seemed to stretch like rubber. Suddenly, their time extended endlessly.
They had entered the Minimal Time Zone.
Now that it had come to this, Residue had no choice but to enter it as well and confront her directly.
“──.”
[──.]
Within the compressed time, the two exchanged glances.
Residue still couldn’t fully read Pale’s intentions.
Was Lukas any different? Could he have understood the emotions this woman was feeling, or what she was thinking?
‘But there are things one can read.’
The killing intent radiating from the Blue Knight’s eyes stabbed into Residue’s entire body like needles.
Residue spread his arms and smirked. Perhaps taking it as provocation, the Blue Knight kicked off the ground and charged toward him. With every step she took, the streets of Sin City were destroyed beyond recognition.
Blue currents swirled around her blade.
‘She’s planning to kill me in a single strike, isn’t she?’
A chill ran down his spine, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
“Come, Blue Knight.”
Residue fluttered the edge of his robe like a matador and widened the distance. Since he was retreating, Pale’s approach speed was much faster.
But when the gap between them narrowed to about twenty paces, the Blue Knight could no longer get closer to Residue.
[…]
As if displeased with the situation, she seemed to press even more strength into her legs, but the distance would not close.
Residue watched the Blue Knight charging with the intent to tear him apart and wondered.
Why would she fall for such an obvious lure so easily?
Was it because she underestimated him? Or confidence in her own power? Or perhaps the burning hatred had clouded her judgment?
Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.
Residue played tag with the Blue Knight across the vast stage of Sin City. He barely restrained himself from saying something like, “Catch me if you can~” with Lukas’ face. A provocation of that level could cause unexpected variables.
The Blue Knight was unable to catch him. Even though she was going all out. That alone satisfied Residue for now.
From this point on, be it the Ruler or the Four Knights.
If he decided to flee, no one would be able to pursue him.
[Will you continue to run?]
The Blue Knight finally spoke through clenched teeth.
At some point, they had exited the Minimal Time Zone. It wasn’t a state that could be maintained for long.
Residue still kept the twenty-pace distance and smiled faintly.
“Seems the preparations are about done. Then…”
He formed a square with his fingers, framing the Blue Knight within it. As if taking a photo.
“Perfect angle.”
[What is your scheme?]
“You’ve never seen the death of a star, have you?”
KWAANG──!
At that moment, a massive explosion rang out.
The external force condensed at the six statues had finally been fired. Projectiles of different colors soared toward the sun.
“The Heart of the Giant… It burns brighter and more intensely than most stars, but in terms of mass, it’s not that large. It’s a bit lacking to recreate a commonly witnessed cosmic catastrophe.”
[…]
“For the record, when I say ‘cosmic catastrophe’, I don’t mean a ‘catastrophe on the scale of the universe’, but a ‘catastrophe that commonly occurs somewhere in the vast universe.’ …Though I suppose that’s still a mortal’s perspective.”
The Blue Knight seemed unable to grasp Residue’s intent or understand what he was thinking.
“…However, lightning, depending on how you apply it, can create a variety of techniques.”
From Residue’s fingers, a current of lightning extended. It blended seamlessly into the six streams of external force aimed at the sun-
The force pierced the sun.
───!
The sun trembled from the impact. It looked as if it were pulsing. If one remembered what that sun was made of, the moment held deeper meaning.
Immediately after, a radiance bright enough for even the blind to see swept across all of Sin City. The light spread as if it would reach the ends of the world then, as if time had reversed, it was pulled back toward the origin point of the explosion.
“……!”
[……!]
And everyone beneath the sun stopped moving.
Just as calculated, every being except for Residue.
‘This is…’
Pale’s expression hardened.
An overwhelming pressure she had never felt before enveloped her entire body. Even the slightest lapse in focus, and it felt like her body would be torn apart.
“Have you ever seen lightning, Blue Knight?”
[…]
“If not, then I’ll teach you.”
Snap.
Sparks erupted from Residue, and his body began to emit a gradually intensifying pale light.
“I am lightning.”