Chapter 285
Chapter 285
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 285
Chapter Title: Chaos World
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Once again, that bizarre world unfolded.
Concepts were inverted, and phenomena twisted.
An utterly alien sight.
The world under Seoujin's absolute control was filled with chaos, true to its name.
"Th-this is...?"
Diarok's eyes widened in shock.
As a mage, he understood better than anyone just how contradictory and illogical the 'Chaos World' was.
"Impossible!"
He shouted in a voice full of astonishment.
But his cry reached no one.
The atmosphere, the medium that carried sound, was moving erratically on its own.
Realizing this, Diarok fell into confusion.
How could such a world exist, and what method could possibly create it?
Even amid the oppressive pressure that made breathing difficult, the mage's innate thirst for knowledge burned fiercely.
Judain, on the other hand, showed a different reaction.
He seemed somewhat startled by the 'Chaos World' too.
His eyes widened more than when Seoujin had first appeared and rolled up his sleeves.
Unlike Diarok, though, he focused not on analyzing the phenomenon but on adapting to it.
In this jumbled world where everything was topsy-turvy, he pondered ways to fight and observed his surroundings.
True to his transcendent realm, he began adapting at a rapid pace.
Watching their contrasting reactions, Seoujin narrowed his eyes.
'No need for 'Celestial Wing' after all.'
These two were a step below Baron.
Against opponents like them, he wouldn't even need to use 'Celestial Wing'.
'That one bothers me a bit, though...'
Seoujin glanced at Judain.
He was adapting to the 'Chaos World' at an astonishing speed.
It was still insufficient, but the pace alone surpassed Baron's.
'Definitely not Baron's level.'
Through his 'Divine Dragon Eyes', Judain didn't register as a true threat.
Yet Seoujin's instincts kept signaling danger.
It felt like staring at a razor-sharp sword.
A demonic blade so keen it could slice through everything around it.
'I need to stay cautious.'
If things got dicey, he'd have to use 'Celestial Wing'. With that thought, he took a step forward.
Swish-
Just one step.
No special skills, no manipulation of chaos energy.
Yet Seoujin appeared right in front of Judain.
As if he'd been there from the start.
The 'Chaos World''s warped concepts had 'deleted' the distance between Seoujin and Judain.
Judain's gaze sharpened.
Seoujin didn't hesitate, slashing down with 'Karaniel'.
A silent strike with no warning or sound.
Its speed was like a beam of light—most wouldn't even perceive it.
But...
Clang-!
Incredibly, Judain blocked Seoujin's sword.
No, it wasn't just a block.
His upward parry slid along 'Karaniel''s blade, then whipped toward Seoujin's throat.
A perfect fusion of offense and defense.
Seoujin's face twisted at the unexpected move.
Swoooosh-!
He tilted his head slightly, and Judain's sword grazed past with deadly momentum.
It nicked his earlobe—a stinging pain followed by a bead of blood.
Seoujin didn't falter, thrusting 'Karaniel' at Judain's throat.
Kagagagagang-!
Their swords clashed, erupting in harsh metallic screeches.
"Not bad."
Judain deflected 'Karaniel' with impressive finesse, stepping back as he spoke.
It was an abrupt compliment, but Seoujin couldn't respond.
'He's strong.'
He'd expected it, but Judain was truly powerful.
It went beyond mere realm.
Sword alone.
Judain's swordsmanship possessed an exceedingly high caliber.
'Maybe on par with Ban Slane...'
Lacking sufficient demonic energy to reach higher realms, his sword had already peaked.
'A sword at its limit.'
Seoujin admitted it honestly.
His own sword fell short of Judain's.
He could tell from just a few clashes.
Without the 'Chaos World' and near-infinite chaos energy, his head might have been severed in seconds.
'Tch, another one like this...'
Baron was preferable, in a way.
Of course, that one was strong too.
In a life-or-death duel with Judain, Baron would surely win.
But Seoujin rated Judain higher.
For now, he lagged behind Baron, but given time...
'This guy could reach Sword Sage level at least.'
"Thanks."
Finishing his thoughts, Seoujin sincerely thanked him for the praise.
It was pure respect for one who had mastered the sword's essence.
Enemy or not, such courtesy was warranted.
Of course, his goodwill ended there.
Seoujin raised 'Karaniel' and aimed it.
"I know you're strong. If it were swords alone, I wouldn't stand a chance."
No reply came.
Somehow, the silence felt like agreement.
"Still, you can't beat me."
"...Is that so?"
His expression unchanged, he asked calmly.
"This isn't just a sword duel."
Judain nodded at Seoujin's words.
"I see."
No argument this time either.
Seoujin inwardly clicked his tongue at the sight.
'Taunts won't work.'
Judain's mind was serene tranquility itself.
No matter how many stones thrown, no ripples would form.
'This won't be easy.'
A sigh escaped him.
Maybe he'd been too cocky.
'Would've been much simpler taking them one by one.'
Seoujin glanced at Diarok.
He was still lost in the 'Chaos World', deep in thought.
If that state persisted, great—but unlikely.
Diarok's furrowed brow was gradually smoothing as he analyzed and calculated.
'Five minutes at most?'
Dealing with Judain in that short time was nearly impossible.
Meaning, in five minutes, he'd face both at once.
And he couldn't kill Diarok, so it promised a tough fight.
Of course...
'It'll take some effort, but it's doable.'
Chaos energy surged.
"Luden Gardo."
At Seoujin's call, black armor erupted from the tattoo on his hand, enveloping his body.
That wasn't all.
Whirateon flew in, attaching to his back and transforming into wings.
Excluding 'Celestial Wing', it was the form that had overwhelmed Mardetain and Baron.
'That one's aftermath is too severe.'
Unlike at the Holy Order, no one was here to look after him.
He'd avoid it unless absolutely necessary.
'This should suffice.'
It'd be strenuous, but manageable.
"Is that what you're relying on?"
Judain, who had watched Seoujin's transformation silently, finally spoke.
"'Luden Gardo' and the divine beast... You have reason for confidence."
The cursed magic armor that blocked any attack, and the wind divine beast.
Plus 'Karaniel' and the 'Chaos World'.
Anyone aided by such items and beings would be odd not to trust themselves.
Yet Judain remained utterly composed.
Even watching his enemy grow stronger before his eyes, his face stayed nonchalant.
As if it meant nothing.
"This should be interesting."
With those words, something like an expression appeared on Judain's face for the first time.
Faint, but a smile.
And he wasn't the only one to react.
"Divine beast? 'Luden Gardo'?"
Diarok's voice came from behind.
Curiosity laced with manic obsession.
Sure enough, when Seoujin turned, Diarok stared with gleaming eyes.
He looked ready to rush over, dismantle 'Luden Gardo', and dissect Whirateon on the spot.
'...Is that one really the Apostle?'
Judain seemed more like a traditional knight.
"I must examine them."
Even greed seeped through.
Watching Diarok, Seoujin's image of mages shattered.
'I thought they'd all be like Sword Sage or Barsik.'
Diarok was utterly different.
More mad scientist than mage.
"Haa-"
Seoujin frowned and sighed.
Not because of Diarok's creepy behavior.
"You've snapped out of it."
Much faster than the expected five minutes.
His preparations against Judain had apparently piqued more curiosity than the 'Chaos World'.
"Well, I was prepared for it."
A bit early, but no issue.
He'd planned to face both from the start.
No point regretting now.
Seoujin drew up all his chaos energy and spoke.
"I won't hold back."
* * *
Lupera rose from the darkness.
"...This is problematic."
The Apostle she served, Mardetain, was dead.
That fearsome, mighty being hadn't even put up a proper fight against the hero Seoujin before having his throat slit.
Even in tandem with one of the strongest Apostles, Baron.
It was a shock.
As a Demon King's follower, she'd believed in victory in this Descent War without doubt.
But seeing a celestial Apostle die so easily shook her faith.
'What if we lose again?'
Doubt crept in.
How many Apostles had already fallen?
At this rate, defeat seemed inevitable...
"Urghhh!"
Lost in thought, Lupera suddenly clutched her head and collapsed.
Her brain felt like it was burning whole.
"Aaaah!"
Punishment for doubting the Demon King.
A curse unbreakable even if the Saint returned.
Lupera writhed on the ground like a worm, desperately erasing the doubt from her mind.
Did her efforts work?
The pain gradually faded.
"Haa- Haa-!"
Ragged breaths burst out.
The curse's first taste erased any fear of Seoujin, leaving only terror.
"I-I have to move!"
Enduring the agony, Lupera thought frantically.
A way to escape this damned pain.
She found it, freeing herself from the curse's bonds.
'Save Baron.'
Baron, sliced into hundreds by Seoujin, wasn't dead.
Just buried underground, under eternal watch to prevent revival.
'It's possible.'
She was still Cardinal of Iyer.
Using her position, she could find a way to revive him.
Lupera staggered to her feet.
Toward the Holy Order.