Lantern (2)
A short time ago.
A power that exterminates all evil is felt!
The Papal Court was thrown into chaos, and Pope Karsel, the 11th pontiff, couldn't believe it.
"A power that can exterminate all evil? What in the world..."
The Ares Church and the Calamity Church had clashed for ages. The Ares Church's goal could be said to be driving all evil from this world.
And then came this holy proclamation: a power that exterminates all evil.
A few days later, the Papal Court heard that the demon Gremory had been sealed away.
At that moment, the clever Nel subtly spread a rumor that the power exterminating all evil had originated from Hyun-soo's fingertips.
"Master Craftsman Hyun restored Babylon."
"What!?"
Babylon. A sword commissioned to a blacksmith by a god who bestowed a tiny amount of divine ore to slay evil.
Unfortunately, the blacksmith's skill had been lacking, and the Exterminate Evil power fell short of expectations. Moreover, it had been thrown into hellfire and completely melted.
"How much critical damage does the Exterminate Evil power inflict on evil?"
"Eighty percent, Your Holiness."
"Huuuuh!"
Pope Karsel drew in a sharp, involuntary breath.
How could a single sword slice 80% off HP regardless of the type of evil?
Of course, it might have been possible thanks to the foundation of Babylon itself, but it was still unbelievable.
"...We must get closer to him."
From the start, Hyun-soo was someone who had received the Saint's Favor and walked the path of a sage king.
Those who walked the path of a sage king naturally formed friendly ties with the Ares Church.
Yet Karsel felt they needed to draw even closer.
"Can't we claim Babylon for ourselves?"
If the Ares Church possessed Babylon, they could turn the tide against the church that had only been pushed back.
"...It is said that Babylon has already left the Master Craftsman's hands and passed to another."
It was as expected.
"Aria."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Karsel believed.
"Someday, a second Babylon will appear in this world."
"...!?"
Saintess Aria wondered if it was even possible, then nodded firmly.
It was possible. After all, the Master Craftsman had turned something "paltry" into something "extraordinary" through mere restoration.
"We must claim the second Babylon. We have to get close to him, no matter what it takes!"
Aria had once visited for a housewarming to build goodwill.
"No interest in another housewarming?"
"..."
Saintess Aria recalled Karsel's expression back then: "Eh, going that far?"
His face now was utterly different.
"...Unbelievable."
Of course, she felt the same.
"That our Ares Church must strive to befriend someone."
It hit her anew. The immense power of the one who could craft artifacts no one else could touch.
Karsel realized how absurd it was to suggest another housewarming.
"...Is there no way? A way to draw closer to the Master Craftsman."
The Pope of the Ares Church wielded power rivaling an empire's emperor.
Even so, there were rules against arbitrary intervention in kingdom wars.
"Even the Pope seeking a way to befriend someone..."
No clear method came to mind.
The Ares Church strove to maintain a clean image. They couldn't send bribes disguised as gifts or move troops recklessly.
At that moment.
Screeeee—
A falcon descended at high speed.
The Pope's eyes widened at the sight.
"Th-this is our chance..."
[...The enemies are presumed to wield demonic energy. Thus, we request to borrow the holy relic, the Four Signs Sword.]
[We will not forget this favor.]
The letter's contents stated that Saintess Aria's aid was needed.
Could Saintess Aria move at just anyone's call?
No.
Even if they desperately wanted friendship, could they send her without cause?
No.
But this letter provided the perfect justification.
The justification lay in humans harboring demonic energy. The good had a duty to exterminate evil.
Moreover, the creator who had sold the Four Signs Sword here was Hyun-soo.
"Saintess Aria, take the holy relic Four Signs Sword and join the Master Craftsman immediately. Don't forget—this is our golden opportunity!!"
"..."
Aria was flustered. The Pope was pushing her out, veins bulging in his eyes.
As she moved to grab the Four Signs Sword, Pope Karsel added,
"You must—must—relay those words!"
"...Understood."
And so, Saintess Aria headed to where Hyun-soo was.
The Four Signs Sword, gripped after so long, emanated a warm energy.
Strong holy power flows.
Four Signs Sword, saintly energy, Saintess Aria's buffs.
Through them, an indescribable, colossal holy power boiled within his body.
The humans transformed into full demons had indeed grown stronger.
But that was all the better.
"Since they've demonized, the damage they take has increased by over 100%, and their defense against evil has plummeted dramatically."
Yes, the crisis had become an opportunity.
Plus, Aria was the finest healer.
With her solidly backing him,
"Am I crazy enough to punch through the ramparts alone?"
As he stared at the enemies, Aria spoke with a somewhat embarrassed look.
"Hyun-soo-nim."
"Yes."
"The Pope asked me to relay a message."
The Pope?
The Pope was different from Aria. He led the entire Ares Church—an emperor of doctrine. His influence might even surpass Parion Empire's Emperor Volond.
"'I seek no repayment for a favor to a friend'...that's what he said."
Hyun-soo's face lit with surprise.
When he first met the Pope, he'd thought,
"What kind of life does someone that lofty lead?"
It felt like gazing at a corporate chairman or top political figure.
But not anymore.
The Pope was reaching out first, desiring friendship.
And that wasn't the only new sentiment.
"How many can I cut down?"
He was curious.
Just as others now treated him differently, how many could he fell?
He was certain.
"I am strong now."
No doubt.
Though Aria's arrival had flustered him briefly, she was just one person.
"Kill him!"
The ramparts swarmed with demonized knights and soldiers.
Before the first knight reached Hyun-soo,
The Four Signs Sword unleashed its power.
Paaaaang—!
Holy Light
Deals 640% damage to evil or undead and extends 15m in radius.
A massive wave of light swept through a 15m radius.
At Hyun-soo's level, 640% damage defied common sense.
Those engulfed turned to skeletons and collapsed.
They should have turned to ash and vanished, but they didn't. The fallen numbered 400 in an instant.
As the flustered foes charged again,
"Tiger Aura."
Kroooaaarrrgh—!
A tiger's roar weakening the enemies echoed omnidirectionally.
Hyun-soo dashed straight ahead, aiming for the command post.
Enemies all around weakened drastically from the Tiger Aura.
Shk—
One swing purified a soldier.
That speed was incomparable to wielding the Twin Dragon Swords.
The Twin Dragon Swords had the advantage of faster swings than typical greatswords, but they couldn't match a longsword.
Hyun-soo with the Four Signs Sword, swung twice for every one swing of the Twin Dragon Swords.
And against evil, its damage rivaled the Twin Dragon Swords now.
Pugagagak, shkaak, kwajik, kwaaaang—!
He slashed madly, his coat flapping wildly.
As hundreds lunged at once, psychokinesis flared.
He lifted them high into the sky.
"Wh-what?"
"P-psychokinesis?"
They plummeted from 20m up.
"Kahaaaak!"
Kwaaaaaang—!
Twenty demonized knights blocked Hyun-soo's straight path. Level 480s.
But level 480 knights were inferior to a level 400 legend.
"Ghost Step."
Puwook—!
Kwajak, kwak, kwakwak, ujjik, peok, kkwaak kwaaak—
Twenty knights purified in one second by his 32 movements.
"Block himmm!"
As Sun cried out desperately, layered enemies blocked Hyun-soo nearing the command post.
Pu, pupupupupu—
He blocked and deflected dozens of arrows, even taking some with his body.
As he gritted his teeth, Aria's healing flowed in.
Power surged into his legs against the ground.
Srriiing—
Quick swap from Four Signs Sword to Twin Dragon Swords.
"Pull."
Jjaaaaaak—
Pulling in 400 demonized soldiers and knights blocking the way.
"One Stroke, Two Cuts."
Seogeoooook—
400 cleaved in one breath. White light poured through the gaps, purifying them.
"Regroup!"
At the castle gate.
Battle-hardened enemies now piled layer upon layer solely against Hyun-soo.
Yet Hyun-soo didn't stop, charging on.
All his senses dulled except for battle.
One alert reached his immersed mind.
Entering No-Self State.
"Th-that madman...!"
"He thinks he can break through this many!?"
But in extreme immersion, Hyun-soo felt no fear.
He believed in his own strength now, and possessed it.
As he charged, his necklace glowed.
"Fenrir."
"...!?"
"...!?"
"...!?"
"Charge."
A colossal shadow loomed in the sky.
Kuooooong—
The king of all wolves descended ferociously.
An 11m-tall ash-gray wolf charged past Hyun-soo, declaring none could block his path.
Kukukukukukukwang—!
Trampling with its massive body, 2,000 blocking soldiers were purified wholesale.
From the fallen soldiers' mouths leaked intermittent "Uh... uhhh..." cries.
Realizing the crisis, Commander Sun rallied knights to block once more.
"Just that spot left."
Ignoring the screams, Hyun-soo's Twin Dragon Swords boiled as he charged.
The aura from the blades rivaled the Sword King's.
"Sword Frenzy."
Dozens of blades shot from the sword, mercilessly shredding Sun and the knights.
Pukukukukukukwang—!
Sun felt the absurd damage pouring in.
His pure power?
No. Additional power atop his base because they had become evil.
Even so, he wasn't a fool—he understood.
Even based on holy power, without personal strength, it would be worthless.
"Kahaaak!"
"Urk...!"
Sun looked around.
Knights who had guarded Enya Kingdom through long history.
Those who believed themselves stronger after demonization.
132 of the weaker ones among them fell purified.
Sun, on his knees, saw it too.
He was passing them by.
Like that, Enya's tens of thousands of soldiers, thousands of knights, stalwart Commander Sun.
They couldn't close their mouths as Hyun-soo passed.
They recalled just yesterday.
Trusting their hundreds of thousands and Blood King Brad's power, they had mocked him as weak, cowardly, mere lord.
Now they implanted a new conviction, overturning that thought.
He was an existence they could never mock.
Released from No-Self State.
Hwaaaaaak—
His sealed hearing returned.
Even while running, Hyun-soo had wondered.
"How strong am I now?"
"Ughhh..."
"Monster..."
Turning back, Hyun-soo beheld the path he'd carved.
His heart pounded.
He'd been certain, but seeing the result firsthand was even more astonishing.
Plus, the unfamiliar No-Self State alert yielded this.
Immersed in No-Self State for 11 minutes 31 seconds.
The alert tallied results, revealing how many he'd purified in those 11 minutes.
Total: 3,701 purified.