Chapter 233
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 233
“I’ll go observe the battle for a moment, Girena. Call me when it’s over.”
Shaaa—.
With those parting words, Gilean vanished into the black mist.
As Gilean disappeared, Girena bared his sharp teeth and growled.
“Hmph. It seems he’s left your fate in my hands. You’d better give it your all from the start, human.”
His voice was a low snarl, and his gaze was that of a predator, fixed on us with brilliant yellow eyes. Just meeting that ghastly stare made my entire body feel like it was freezing over.
It wasn't just his gaze that was intimidating. My body trembled, alarms blaring in my head as his overwhelming demonic energy and bloodlust washed over me. Every instinct I had was screaming that this man was dangerous.
‘So this is a Werewolf.’
An ancient species, said to be the pinnacle of all beastkin.
Kiriel spoke, her voice trembling. “Y-You… you think you’ll get away with this? My sister and the spirit knights will be here soon!”
Kiriel mustered her courage to threaten him, but it was never going to work.
I replied, my tone somewhat cynical, “You’ll probably have to make a contract with the Spirit King before Ariel ever makes it here.”
If what Gilean said was true, the city center was already a battlefield. Ariel, who was likely buried under the city's mounting crises, couldn't possibly come to our aid. In fact, I doubted if she was even safe. The other four Venerables were targeting the city, after all.
In the end, this wasn't a situation where I could expect help. I had to handle this with my own strength.
I let out a deep sigh. “Everyone, stay back. Run the moment you see an opening.”
With Gilean gone, if I could just hold off the beastkin Venerable, I might be able to buy enough time for the four of them to escape. If they could just reach the floating ship, they might make it out of this mess safely…
But.
Shing—.
It seemed none of them had any intention of running.
As Freya drew her sword, Beatrice pulled her magic staff from her Subspace Pouch. Even Kiriel and Elena began to manifest their spiritual and divine powers, bracing for combat.
I looked at the four of them, their faces set with resolve, and shouted irritably, “Do you have any idea what’s happening? You’ll be no help here! Just get the hell out!”
I tried to sound harsh to force them away, but they didn't even pretend to listen.
Beatrice said calmly, “I have a rough understanding of the situation. The Twelve Venerables who once shook the continent have reawakened, and for some reason, they are targeting you, Roen. This flood and the Union’s invasion are all part of their plan.”
Freya added, “But this is not your fault. There’s no need to feel guilty, and you don’t have to bear this burden alone.”
“Y-Yeah! That’s right! We’re going to help!”
Finally, Elena added her piece. “And who knows? As of today, they might just become the Eleven Venerables.”
“…”
Twitch—.
“How dare you!”
Enraged by Elena’s provocation, Girena swung his fist.
Boom—!
With a sound like the air itself exploding, a shockwave of force shot toward us. The powerful strike shattered the earthen wall I had reflexively raised and tore through Elena’s divine barrier in quick succession.
CRASH—!
Finally, it slammed into the Aegis Shield I had cast. Only then was its power exhausted, and the force dissipated.
I swallowed hard, watching him from behind the shield.
‘To have this much power from just a casual swing…’
If I took a direct hit by mistake, I’d likely be pulverized.
Girena growled, his slit eyes gleaming in the darkness. “If you wish to die, I will grant your wish. Don’t even dream of leaving this place alive.”
Gwoooo—.
Along with the warning, a terrifying pressure emanated from his body.
“Kuh.”
Not just me, but the others gritted their teeth, feeling crushed by his overwhelming presence.
I bit my lip and stared at Girena.
‘To fight a Venerable, the power of darkness from Roen’s bloodline is essential. But…’
I glanced back at the four behind me. It was difficult to undergo my demonic transformation here and now. For the moment, I would just have to do what I could.
I took a step forward and forced my voice to sound composed. “Wait just a moment. For someone of your stature—a Venerable—you’re quite impatient.”
Then, I opened my Subspace Pouch and withdrew an artifact I had carefully stored away.
Clank—.
The artifact, which looked like a massive steel suitcase, was a suit of magic armor—the culmination of a long period of refinement. I could confidently say it was the strongest magic armor in existence, a masterpiece combining modern magic engineering with a sage’s knowledge.
When I stood on the steel case and inserted the Azoth Sword like a key…
Whirrr—.
The case disassembled, shifting into the shape of armor and attaching itself to my body as if it were alive. Once the armor was equipped, I clenched and unclenched my fist, testing its mobility.
Girena looked at me and scoffed. “You think putting on that hunk of scrap metal will change anything? Bring out your real power. Before I kill you.”
“Well, I’ll think about it.”
Now encased in the armor, I looked at Girena through the helmet’s eye slits. Only after donning the suit, which stood three meters tall, was my eye level similar to Girena’s. Now that we were eye-to-eye, the intimidation felt less crushing, and the armor provided a sense of security.
Furthermore, thanks to the magic barriers engraved on the suit, his terrifying fighting spirit felt dampened.
‘This might make things a little more manageable.’
Just as the thought crossed my mind—
“Fine, then.”
Whoosh—.
His form vanished from my sight instantly.
And then.
CRASH—!
“…!”
A massive impact slammed into the back of my head.
Crunch—.
As the helmet caved in slightly, I heard Girena’s voice right behind me.
“I’ll crush you in an instant.”
‘This armor is loaded with every resistance magic imaginable, and yet he did that so easily…!’
I staggered for a moment from the shock, but I quickly regained my balance and prepared to fight back.
‘Full power from the start.’
I manipulated my mana, setting every core embedded in the armor to maximum output.
Vvvvmmm—.
The mana cores spun rapidly, flooding the suit with energy as a mana gauge filled up before my eyes. The Haste and durability enchantments activated, drastically increasing my agility and defense.
At the same time, I activated the effect of the Cognitive Acceleration Stone pendant around my neck.
Thump—.
The world slowed down to the beat of my heart. My vision shifted to black and white, and Girena’s movements, which I had missed just a second ago, came into view—albeit faintly.
Whoosh—.
His sharp claws reached for the center of my breastplate, targeting the main mana core. He must have instinctively sensed the flow of mana and aimed for the armor's most critical point.
I anticipated the move and reached out, catching his hand.
Grip—.
‘Enchantment!’
I activated the Enchantment Magic Circle engraved on the gauntlet, attempting to alter his body’s cells, but…
“Kuh.”
Sensing the danger, he quickly yanked his hand back and retreated a significant distance.
Fwoosh—.
Having created space, he bared his teeth and snarled at me. “You bastard, what kind of ability was that?!”
Girena had instinctively sensed the danger of the enchantment magic and the effect of the Cognitive Acceleration Stone.
‘As expected of one of the Twelve Venerables. His animal instincts are razor-sharp.’
Instead of answering, I pressed the attack.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
I aimed my hand at him and fired the mana cannon built into the wrist of the gauntlet.
Flash—!
With a powerful recoil, a bolt of lightning erupted from the cannon.
Crackle—!
“Keuk.”
The high-tier electric magic hit him directly. While his body was momentarily stiffened by the powerful shock, I didn't miss the fleeting opportunity. I kicked off the ground and rushed forward.
BOOM—!
I moved with a speed that defied the armor’s massive bulk and weight. I charged him immediately, engaging in close-quarters combat.
‘No matter how strong he is, he’s still made of flesh and blood.’
He wouldn't be able to easily overcome a suit of magic armor made of reinforced alloys and a mass of mana.
Bam—! Pow—!
My fists clashed with Girena’s in mid-air. This was where the martial arts I had learned at my family estate during summer break truly shone. Moreover, my gauntlets were engraved with an Enchantment Magic Circle linked to the Azoth Sword; if I could land even one solid hit, I could directly alter his physiology.
“Kuh.”
Perhaps sensing the threat, Girena was too busy dodging to properly block or deflect my strikes.
Zip—.
Of course, he occasionally counterattacked with phenomenal reaction speed and combat prowess, but…
BOOM—!
Each time he tried, Beatrice, Kiriel, and Elena provided cover fire from behind me. With his openings constantly thwarted by their spells, Girena exploded in rage.
“You annoying pests!”
The formation was set: I held the front in the magic armor, while the others maintained a relentless barrage from the rear.
KABOOM—!
Beatrice’s destructive magic, Kiriel’s spirit arts, Elena’s divine light, and Freya’s sword aura rained down on him without pause. He couldn't afford to trade blows with me carelessly; if he allowed an attack to land, the gauntlet’s enchantment magic would deal a fatal wound.
And with the power of the Cognitive Acceleration Stone, I wasn't letting him land a single hit. Even for one of the Twelve Venerables, he couldn't withstand such a one-sided assault forever.
‘I’ll keep pushing like this!’
This was my chance. I had to completely suppress him before he revealed his true form.
But then, as I continued my overwhelming assault—
“How dare you!”
The enraged creature’s eyes widened as he let out a deafening roar.
ROAR—!
A powerful shockwave accompanied the howl, shaking the very earth.
“Keuk.”
“Kyaa!”
Being the closest, I was blown back by the shockwave, and the other four were momentarily pushed back, their assault halted. Girena took that opening to roar at the sky.
Awoooo—!
With a chilling howl that echoed through the forest, an immense amount of mana erupted from him. It shot upward as if to pierce the heavens, clearing the black clouds to fully reveal the moon.
Shaaa—.
Soon, blue moonlight poured down upon Girena’s body. As he absorbed the lunar power, his body began to transform.
Riiip—.
His muscles swelled, and a silver mane grew long enough to cover his entire frame. His snout elongated, and soon, he had transformed into the perfect form of a wolf.
Grrrr—.
A silver mane that shone elegantly under the moonlight, and amber eyes that glowed brilliantly in the darkness. Massive paws that looked capable of crushing anything, and sharp teeth that seemed ready to swallow the moon itself. The form was both elegant and more terrifying than anything I had ever seen.
“…”
The five of us held our breath, gazing at the descendant of Fenrir, the God-Slaying Wolf.
His amber eyes glowing, he spoke to us.
[It’s over now.]
Flash—.
In an instant, with a flash of light, the helmet of my armor was gone.
Clang—.
A moment later, the helmet rolled across the ground with a dull thud.
‘…Shit.’
Even with the Cognitive Acceleration Stone active, I couldn't follow his movements.
Next, he swung his claws.
Slice—.
The steel armor I wore was shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground.
“…”
Before that overwhelming display of power, none of us could move. Moreover, tonight was a full moon—the time when Girena could exert his greatest strength in his true form.
Step—.
Having seized the advantage in a heartbeat, Girena closed the distance and looked down at me with his amber eyes.
[Did you truly think you could defeat me?]
I gritted my teeth, looking up at the great wolf standing majestically before me.
‘So this is… one of the Twelve Venerables.’
The villains who stood at the pinnacle of the world of Myrillin.
I had used everything: the Azoth Sword’s enchantment, the magic armor, and the power of the Cognitive Acceleration Stone. On top of that, four of the greatest talents of the human world had joined the fray. I had mobilized every ability at my disposal, but all it had done was provoke him. Nothing worked.
With our current power, we could not defeat him now that he was serious.
If there was any chance at all, it was to remove Derod’s ring and accept the power of darkness.
“…”
My hand trembling, I reached for the ring on my left hand, then hesitated. I wondered if this was truly the only way to survive.
Just then, Girena, seeing my hesitation, spoke.
[Hmph. Are you hesitating because you’re in front of these girls? You half-demon.]