Queen of Collapse
Abraham spoke with a hint of bewilderment.
"…Collapse attribute?"
Collapse attribute. Spirits existed in every element that made up the world, so there was nothing strange about a spirit with an unusual attribute. In the distant past, there had even been spirits of destruction.
That said, the fact that a collapse spirit was a type unknown to academia beyond its name left Abraham puzzled. There was simply no information on what kind of spirit it might be.
But at least one thing was certain. The evil spirit who had named herself Astaroth possessed a power true to her name—one that might be capable of crumbling everything.
'Not a chaos attribute spirit, then.'
So why had Seong Hyun-jin himself, along with those around him, mistaken his spirit for one of chaos?
"She deceived her contractor."
Abraham realized why Seong Hyun-jin had believed his spirit was of the chaos attribute. For some reason, Astaroth hadn't properly revealed her identity to him. By tricking her master, she had used her pitch-black power and the collapse attribute's ability to nullify spirit energy, mimicking the effects of chaos.
Astaroth corrected him.
"Watch your words. I didn't deceive him—I just couldn't tell him."
She turned to Seong Hyun-jin, who had followed behind her.
"As I said earlier, I'm firmly on my master's side. Why would I trick him?"
"Then will you tell your master that you're an evil spirit?"
Astaroth's brow furrowed slightly at Abraham's sharp retort. She tilted her head back and glared fiercely at him.
"…You're awfully bold with your choice of words."
She raised her hand, palm up.
"Don't you know that only shortens your lifespan?"
Her posture screamed attack, prompting Abraham to prepare a counter. This time, he conjured a sword. Earth spirit power surged, infusing his blade.
"Gram"
A spirit swordsmanship of such overwhelming power it beggared belief for a scholar unfurled from his hand. A massive sword form imbued with the earth's might materialized.
'A scholar, my ass…?'
It was swordplay potent enough to astonish even Elena, the swordswoman. Abraham swung the enormous blade effortlessly, as if it weighed nothing.
Yet Astaroth showed no tension, her expression unchanging as she grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Come to think of it, there's no reason I can't tell him now."
She snapped her fingers lightly. Pitch-black energy began to rise around her, coalescing at her gesture.
"No need to hide from my master anymore."
She extended her hand toward Abraham's incoming sword.
"Collapse"
What happened next defied common sense.
Crack—
The instant the pitch-black energy touched Abraham's sword, the massive blade form crumbled to dust. No shockwave, no environmental impact—just pure disintegration upon contact with Astaroth's power.
True to her self-proclaimed title as Queen of Collapse, her ability had utterly dismantled the spirit power Abraham wielded.
"……!"
"What…?"
Abraham, Elena, and Serena all stared in shock. They'd seen spirit powers clash and cancel physically, but never one erase another's very existence.
Reading their stunned faces, Astaroth smirked.
Abraham's brow furrowed as he nocked an arrow once more.
"Think you can block everything?"
[Aegis System, Annihilation Mode Activated]
Abraham's bow and the Aegis System's annihilation magic activated simultaneously.
"Stella Striker"
"Earth Thrust"
Dodging one and blocking the other would be challenge enough. Seong Hyun-jin himself hadn't been able to handle that arrow properly, which was why Astaroth had intervened—fearing its power was no surprise.
"……!"
To Serena, blocking it head-on seemed impossible.
But Astaroth's expression didn't flicker. She simply gestured lightly from her spot.
And again.
Crack—!
"!"
"It scattered again…?"
Just like before, Abraham's spells vanished in an instant. Serena and Elena stared in confusion at Astaroth and the spirit power still lingering in her grasp.
'What the hell did she do?'
They wondered what trick she'd pulled, but it wasn't some special technique. This bizarre phenomenon stemmed directly from the source of Astaroth's power.
The collapse attribute. A power that crumbled and disintegrated, true to its name. Nothing could withstand it—not unless it matched her power in nature and scale.
The issue was, as Astaroth herself claimed, she reigned as queen among these rare spirits.
Classify this evil spirit by normal spirit rankings…
"With such meager power…."
Her strength rivaled that of a divine spirit.
"Did you threaten my master?"
Wise Star Abraham Nobwells
Astaroth, having nullified every attack from one pillar of the Palstar Heroes, called to Seong Hyun-jin.
"Come, master."
Seong Hyun-jin's shoulders rose slowly in response. Like when wielding Karin's swordsmanship, he sheathed his blade.
"Now it's time to cut down the enemy together."
Whoosh!
Pitch-black energy surged fiercely around Seong Hyun-jin's sheathed sword.
"Soul Slash"
In an instant, Seong Hyun-jin drew and slashed downward. From his unconscious hand erupted the first form of the Soul Severing Sword, Hakodate Karin's most basic technique, with ferocious momentum.
No matter that it was the Sword Star's art, merely its foundational strike—imbued with collapse power, its might transcended imagination.
Craaaack!!
It effortlessly shattered Abraham's earthen barrier for a split-second defense, slicing into his arm.
"Guh…!!"
His entire forearm didn't sever in one stroke—a catastrophe averted as the blade glanced slightly off-target.
Still, the wound was deep, blood streaming from Abraham's arm.
"…It missed?"
Astaroth tilted her head curiously at the sight. She turned to Seong Hyun-jin.
"It shouldn't have…."
Gazing at him puzzled, realization dawned, widening her eyes.
"…Master."
Her lips curled in a sinister grin. Staring straight into Seong Hyun-jin's unfocused eyes, her voice brimmed with delight at this wondrous discovery.
"Are you… conscious right now?"
No response from Seong Hyun-jin.
But Astaroth knew. Though she'd seized control of his body, his consciousness hadn't fully slumber.
She'd subtly commanded him to answer her question, yet he'd stayed silent.
Proof his mind endured.
"…You're really awake?"
Amazed yet deeply intrigued, Astaroth's cheeks flushed faintly. How did he keep surpassing her expectations?
She let out a pleased laugh.
"Ahaha, as expected, you're worthy to be my contractor."
Choosing him that day had been the right call. Her eyes gleamed with fascination as she watched him.
Serena, witnessing this, felt an involuntary surge of jealousy.
Astaroth whispered softly.
"But master, sleep a little longer for now."
She spun around, facing Abraham, whose right arm hung useless.
"I'll deal with the threat first, then wake you."
She planned to toy with Abraham and finish him cleanly. He'd landed no hits since her arrival, and now he was injured—what more could he do?
Grinning at the fun ahead, Astaroth summoned her collapse power.
"Those research subjects looked pretty precious."
"…!"
"Wouldn't it be hilarious if they just vanished?"
She reached first for Abraham's most treasured creations—the subjects of his research to revive his daughter.
Abraham's face twisted in rage, a roar erupting.
"Stop that now—!!"
"Try stopping me, if you can."
The moment Astaroth mocked his fury—
Grab!
A rough hand clamped her wrist.
"!"
Startled, Astaroth withdrew her power. Glancing back, she confirmed who held her.
"……Master?"
"…No need."
Focus returned to Seong Hyun-jin's eyes. With a glare of clear anger, he yanked Astaroth's wrist, spinning her around behind him.
"How did you…."
"I only wanted to borrow your spirit power. I never asked you to fight in my place."
He pulled Astaroth behind him. Dazed, she yielded to his grip and retreated as he stepped forward.
"Spirits should lend their power to their contractor—that's enough."
Seong Hyun-jin ran a hand through his hair. His sharp gaze alternated between Abraham and Astaroth as he gripped his sword.
"This is my fight."