Chapter 119
Chapter 119
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Floating Island Siege
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BOOOOM!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [......] In the distance, brilliant flames erupted repeatedly, dazzling enough to make one's eyes ache.
The massive explosions didn't just turn the deep blue night into a fleeting crimson day—they even sent faint tremors through the air.
It was a spectacle so captivating that even amid everyone's tense focus on what Almiraz might do next, eyes couldn't help but turn toward it.
Among them, Almiraz, who now held authority over the Floating Island, could roughly sense what was happening in that location—Sector 8. How many were there, and what was going on.
Two overwhelming auras.
Two fairly strong ones.
Two fading ones.
And two unknown ones.
Four grades, in pairs.
The overwhelming auras were undoubtedly Hero Kaiz and the massive stone monster Demon King. The strong ones were likely Kaiz's companions.
One of the fading auras was something Almiraz had personally "sealed," so it knew it well. The other fading one was probably the Demon King that had been subdued by the hero earlier.
Then what were those two unknown auras...?
What the hell were they?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [......] "What the hell? Why'd it stop?"
Strong Sword Il muttered with a face like, what now?
Almiraz fell silent for a moment before reaching a conclusion and murmuring.
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Hero Kaiz... more than expected?] It figured the unknown auras were something Kaiz had prepared.
That hero pretending to be sloppy actually had a ton of cards up his sleeve.
But in the end, he hadn't foreseen this moment—Almiraz's "ritual."
Almiraz concluded the unknown auras were nothing to worry about.
Strong Sword Il, hearing Almiraz's murmur, asked back.
"What? The hero?"
Almiraz ignored him and spoke.
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Proposal rejected, Continental Sword.] Sword Il, puzzled by Almiraz's words at first, realized it meant "come out of the clan" and narrowed his eyes.
"Obviously. My clanmates are family, and the clan's like my home. You think I'd leave that?"
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [I see.] Shing.
Sword Il drew another greatsword from his back and assumed a combat stance, ready to strike at any moment.
But his opponent, pouring out full hostility, didn't even bother with a preparatory motion—like it was saying, do whatever you want.
'No, that motionless stance is basically its combat ready pose.'
That body, clearly not human flesh, could respond to any situation.
The fight would surely be a pain.
'In that case, keep it simple.'
Tricky or not, just crush it with raw power.
'Blast it with every AoE I got... won't give it a chance to do shit.'
The moment Sword Il swung his greatsword for a preemptive strike—
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ding! [The God of Greatswords sends a message.] [Ask about its purpose.] 'Now's not the time.'
But he couldn't ignore his patron god's wish.
'I'll ask once, Baraktu.'
Speaking in his mind so the God of Greatswords could hear, Sword Il took a deep breath.
"Hey. Almiraz."
To the enemy that didn't respond to his call, Sword Il asked without much expectation.
"What's the point of all this bullshit? Ever since you came to this world, you've been slaughtering Outsiders left and right. Is it 'cause you're an Outsider-killer who just wants to wipe us users out... something like that?"
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [No.] Slightly surprised by the immediate reply, Sword Il heard something even more shocking.
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Compared to my ultimate goal, killing users is secondary.] "What?"
This bastard who'd slaughtered countless Outsiders over nearly a decade calls it secondary?
Growling at the shameless rabbit fucker who showed no remorse, Sword Il snarled.
"Then what's your real goal, you piece of shit?"
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [The end of this puppet show.] "......"
Puppet show.
A term only users would understand—and only top-tier ones like Sword Il would fully grasp.
Strong Sword Il said in disbelief.
"...You lunatic. No matter how great you are, how the hell do you plan to end this?"
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [This is the means to that end.] This action.
Where Murderer Baek was skewered, and control of the Floating Island seized.
And now, it was trying to do something more.
To pry more info, Sword Il provoked it.
"From where I'm standing, it just looks like you're killing and destroying whatever you please...?"
But Almiraz showed no irritation—no emotional shift at all.
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [This place. These people. Optimal.] "Talking in riddles? Can you not spout crap only you understand?"
At that moment, Almiraz laughed.
The eerie skull grinning was creepier than expected—goosebumps rose on Sword Il's skin unbidden as it spoke.
⚙ TELEPATHY ⚙ [Reviving the Forgotten God.] ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Yedre ordered you—the Demon King of the First Purgatory, Gorgar—to be taken down?"
"Ordered?"
Kaiz glanced at Gorgar with a half-dismissive smirk, and the red-haired noble beauty glared in fury.
Her eyes blazed with vivid intensity, like flames.
"Don't get cocky, hero of this era. Do you even know who I am to spout such nonsense?"
He knew damn well.
Apocalypse Dragon Prostia.
A being he'd only encountered a handful of times even across countless regressions—an opponent he'd never beaten, one that always forced him back or nearly killed him...
If he monopolized every power and opportunity, he might fight on even terms, but that would reduce the rest of the world outside Kaiz to ashes.
'Never had reason to make an enemy of this dragon to begin with.'
Prostia was unleashing fangs at humanity due to long-sealed rage and manipulation. Ease her grudges a bit, and she'd quietly amuse herself alone—surprisingly harmless.
"Answer me, hero of this era. Or you'll burn first."
Of course, her impatience made easing those grudges a world-saving ordeal.
Fortunately, Prostia's personality was straightforward enough that even Kaiz, who'd only met her a few times, could read her easily.
Hard to resolve all grudges, but petty anger? Simple.
'Stubborn kid.'
That nailed her personality.
Not just Prostia, really.
Dragons—barring a few—hoarded treasures without chasing power, transcended it all, solved nearly everything with strength. No need for scheming.
'Gotta handle with care.'
Childlike mentality didn't mean dumb—just immature, stubborn. Sensitive to traps and malice, surpassing sages in wisdom and knowledge. Childish traits weren't big flaws.
Underestimate or toy with her, and she'd turn enemy instantly.
Dragons needed special handling.
For Prostia, stroking her ego lightly worked wonders. Kaiz continued with provoking questions laced with flattery.
"If not an order, why are you here?"
"You've been talking like you know me. Guess who I am?"
"......"
No answer.
Say "Apocalypse Ancient Dragon," and she might get bored of Gorgar and turn on him instead.
But surprisingly, Prostia glanced at Kaiz like an annoying fly, then glared at Gorgar, eager to stomp it ASAP.
'Is the promise with Yedre that important?'
Truly unfamiliar sight.
That guy Dre—how the hell did he control this being?
A promise? What could entice an ancient dragon like Prostia?
Kaiz pondered before speaking.
"No idea. But I can feel you're an incredibly powerful being."
"Hmph."
Mix in apt praise, and she liked it. Still simple as ever—Kaiz relaxed a bit.
That instant.
Kuwaaak.
The air trembled.
The island-shattering stone fist flew at the two.
A strike from the Demon King, who'd recovered much of its body!
BOOOOM!!
The massive fist collided, shockwave and sonic boom erupting—the aftermath alone shattered ground buildings to dust.
Clouds parted, waves shook the night sky.
⚙ MONSTER GROWL ⚙ [Guooooh...] The mindless Demon King, figuring the arrogant targets were dead, let out a satisfied grunt.
But...
"How dare you."
⚙ MONSTER GROWL ⚙ [Uoh?] BOOOOM!!
By the time Gorgar let out its dumb voice, the Demon King's arm had crumbled once more under blazing flames.
Mari, witnessing the scene, paled.
That woman—no, girl?
Who the hell was this noble figure of indeterminate age, overwhelming the First Purgatory's Demon King so effortlessly?
Mari, who couldn't even dent a body part despite her efforts, was stunned.
'Not just destructive power—defense too...!'
Taking a direct hit from that overwhelming mass, the red mist cloaking the woman remained unshaken.
No—it blazed fiercer, like flames, far stronger than before.
"Even your master dared not ignore me, and the four demonkin atop you can't touch my toe. And you dare harbor defiance? A pathetic imitation of a Titan, an incomplete failure!!"
Her resounding voice echoed as she pointed her index finger at the Demon King.
Gorgar, the massive stone monster Demon King, moved purely on instinct without intellect.
Yet even such a Demon King trembled before that tiny being, instinct screaming to flee.
And amid the standoff between Demon King and ancient dragon, someone flew up from the ground and clung to Kaiz beside Prostia.
"?!"
It was unmistakably Yedre, grimacing at Kaiz's shocked face.
Prostia, turning her head like what now? upon spotting Dre, tilted her head with an "Eh?"
"What are you? Didn't I tell you to watch my power from below? You're not backing out of our promise now, are you?"
"No. Keep doing what you're doing."
"Grr...! Don't talk like you're ordering me!"
"Yes. Sorry."
Yedre waved her off dismissively, utterly unapologetic, and brought his mouth close to Kaiz's ear.
Kaiz instinctively pulled back, and Dre snapped irritably.
"Where do you get off with your dumbass thoughts, fucker? Even dead and revived, I'd never kiss your ass—so stick your ear here."
"......"
Kaiz had questions galore, but judged hearing the situation first was best. He brought his ear to Dre's lips.
Not just grasping the chaos, but Dre's insight was promising too.
Whatever Dre's intent, sending Prostia here had cracked the hopeless deadlock.
Even nerfed, Prostia could handle Gorgar.
In this mess, such a smart call meant good advice might follow—like joining her to drop Gorgar then head to Almiraz...
"You. Go to Almiraz right now."
"......"
What the hell?
Expected some explanation, got a random order instead.
"Why should I?"
"I'm a prophet. Trust me?"
"......"
"Wanna win? Listen."
Kaiz, at a loss for rebuttal, barely managed.
"What about you?"
"Me? Gotta rescue the sleeping princess."
"What?"
"It's a thing. Anyway, that's priority one—so go stall or wrap it up first."
Stall.
Kaiz rarely rattled or showed emotion.
Too many years and trials for that.
But why—
This made old rage surge.
"Stall? You telling me that?"
"Oh ho? Pride wounded...? Block well, and I'll forgive dragging Murderers here or harming my contacts—without a word. Just go."
"......"
Dre grinned at Kaiz's pissed face, enjoying it.
Unfamiliar too.
Kaiz's innate charisma intimidated all, even pre-regression.
Foes respected him—or snarked forcibly if not.
No one ever teased him sincerely like this.
Bottom line: fucking annoying guy.
In other words, motivation beyond duty flared for the first time in ages.
"You'll explain later."
"You did whatever without a peep... Fine, go. I'm off."
"Hey! You bastard! Where you going?! You must witness this body's feats from below..."
Ignoring Prostia's shout, Dre descended to the ground and ran off somewhere.
Kaiz took a deep breath watching him, then flashed beside Mari in an instant.
"Lord Kaiz."
"Call Raeband too. We're heading to Almiraz."
Not clueless where Dre went.
And what he planned was tough even for Kaiz...
'Prophet. He'll handle it.'
Trusting the damn Outsider, Kaiz gazed at the distant blue moon.
Below it, the Outsider Killer.
Whatever its goal, stopping it ended this crisis.
"You bastard!!!"
As Prostia's irritated yell rang out and innocent Gorgar got engulfed in flames, Kaiz took Raeband—who'd just joined—and Mari toward Almiraz.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Arrived.
The place I sprinted to looked like an ordinary house at a glance.
Inside was a typical family home.
The kitchen brimmed with tools ready for moms to cook anytime. The living room felt lived-in, with half-eaten food, tables, sofas.
Two rooms besides living and bathroom.
A large one with a big bed—probably master. And a personal room.
The personal room had unmade blankets, like someone just woke up.
But here existed something overwhelmingly powerful.
The unmade blankets in that personal room.
Creeeak.
Opening the door carefully, rainbow lights stabbed my eyes.
Vwooom.
A girl in near-nude mage/witch garb—indiscernible—hovered, wrapped in intense Prynar, mana, qi, and unknown energies.
Eyes wide, emitting dangerous glows. Mumbling unintelligible words nonstop, adding eeriness.
Childish appearance, but way older than me.
Didn't know exactly, but ancient.
Yeah.
Prynar Academy's headmistress. Principal.
Surrounded by geometric runes, dizzying magic circles and formulas, rainbow lights, she kept murmuring unknown tongues.
Looked straight-up dangerous.
Closed eyes, sensed power flows.
Whoa. No joke.
Nearly half the Floating Island's power concentrated here.
Her mumbling language pulsed with defense and interception effects.
One step forward, and the island's massive energy would torch me.
Even Kaiz or Prostia couldn't smash this defense easily.
Not me though.
I've got Severing Sword.
Slash.
Combined Space Sword and Severing Sword, swung.
Demands way more focus than usual—tough in real fights—but shreds defense rituals like nothing else.
Perfect matchup as always.
Severing Sword counters most powers, so easy wins.
Without it, I'd stomp around or approach desperately, get grilled by defenses, barely escape—or that.
Love you, Severing Sword. Together forever!
Space Sword too!
As expected, Prynar circuits around Principal severed by cutting and spatial rifts—magic circles, patterns, lights melted away.
Gravity pulled the falling Principal; I rushed and caught her.
But the weird chanting continued.
"Tis HJAMT tis HJAMT tis HJAMT..."
Good news: eye glow stopped. Bad: she wasn't conscious.
Floating Island's core.
Not metaphor—literal.
Usually disguised as mana and Prynar; now her true nature clear as day.
Principal probably...
Nah, not important now.
She's forcibly controlled by some power.
Felt massive Prynar erosion; my sensitivity could inject my Prynar to ease it.
Do it now.
Infused my Prynar into her body.
Vwooom.
My infused Prynar mixed with island's command-laden Prynar.
Knew it was commands 'cause voices hit when they touched.
'Surrender authority.'
'Sleep.'
No more forced commands thanks to mine, but needed to reclaim stolen authority.
For that, original owner Principal had to wake—her mind buried deep inside.
Basically deep sleep; Prynar alone tough—probably needed physical shock too...
...Slap her?
Twenty smacks might do it.
But post-wake, would Principal wreck me?
Situation might earn leniency...
Girl looks too young for fists—hesitant.
Other stimuli...?
.....
Tickles.
Tried instantly—tickled her.
No waking signs.
Damn.
Island crumbling real-time meanwhile.
That quest sacrifice talk nagging too.
Think.
What works to wake from sleep...?
Splash face? Dad did that lazy mornings as kid.
...I'd hate it too, like slaps.
Exercise? Intense movement chases sleep unless paralyzed.
But how in this mess?
Moving her body myself has limits; her physique might handle it easy.
Then... hmm...
Then, my eyes caught Principal's smooth, high-exposure shoulder.
Sudden memory: buddy said seeing sexy stuff snaps you awake from drowsiness.
.....
Dumbass.
Anyway, lust—one of three urges like sleep. Might work.
Stimulate Principal's body to arouse, wake subconscious.
...Feels criminal?
Age unknown, but looks too young—repulsive.
Still, this smooth shoulder, clean armpit...
.....
Ah. Hot.
Wait! Great idea!!
Tickle and arouse...!
Lick it!!
Armpit best?
Touch pussy or something, she wakes and kills me.
Anywhere's assault, but explain circumstances—she'll judge by spot, maybe spare.
.....
Fine. Honest: wanna lick bad.
Not pure lust—impulse from clean smoothness. Curiosity. Curiosity.
And it's treatment, right?
Thought = action.
Slap or whatever later—move.
Lifted Principal's left arm.
White-jade clean armpit exposed—even folded.
Slowly extended tongue.
Lick—
"...!"
Principal's body jerked.
Works.
And tasty.
...Little more?
Forgot goal, tongue went wild.