Relic Combination

The ground ruptured in unnatural, jagged fractures. High above, clouds were shredded to ribbons, while a low mountain in the far distance shattered into airborne dust. The very flow of time and space churned like a broken kaleidoscope, mocking human senses and cognition until it was impossible to trust what one saw, heard, or felt.

The clash between the Demi-God Stanasila Urtega and the Demon Lord Rubias could hardly be called a duel or a battle. It was, in every sense of the word, a cataclysm.

It was a colossal disaster that could not be anticipated, resisted, or countered—a calamity before which mortals could do nothing but pray.

"Good grief..."

"I'm watching it with my own two eyes, yet I still can't believe it."

"To think the collision of merely two beings could unleash destruction on such an apocalyptic scale..."

Having finally been relieved of maintaining the barrier, the Holy Order's forces stood transfixed, staring blankly at a feast of ruin they would likely never witness again. Yet as I watched the unfolding storm, something seemed off. To my eyes, Urtega looked like he was getting pushed back pretty hard. Was I imagining things?

No, getting driven onto the back foot by a Demon King was only natural. Even so, Rubias had crossed over into the Divine Realm and was actively suppressed by the Holy Domain. For Urtega to be on the receiving end of a one-sided beatdown felt completely unnatural.

"...Let me double-check something. That old man is fighting with a full suite of buffs, right?"

"Well, you see..."

At my question, the Pope subtly averted his gaze. My eyes narrowed as a foul premonition crept up my spine. Catching my glare, the old man let out a strained sigh and began to stammer out an excuse.

"We certainly intended to, but Duke Urtega adamantly refused."

"...Did my ears just work properly? You're telling me he's throwing hands with a Demon King right now without a single damn buff?"

Unable to believe my ears, I pressed him again, but the Pope merely offered a somber nod.

"...Fucking lunatic."

I knew the man was terminally addicted to combat, but to let his twisted personal pride dictate a clash that would decide the fate of mankind?

"Ahem! Cough, cough! Er, Lord Aljen. While I understand your frustration, surely such language toward your own father is... inappropriate..."

Stunned by my vulgar outburst, the Pope and the surrounding clergy cleared their throats in unison, averting their eyes or gaping with jaws agape. To their minds, uttering such profanities toward the legendary Urtega was utterly inconceivable. That it came from his own blood son must have shocked them down to their bones.

"Cut the 'Lord' crap and just speak casually," I snapped, taking a heavy swig from my flask before baring my teeth at the distant speck that was Urtega. "And let's be honest, he is a fucking lunatic! What kind of battle junkie refuses external buffs when facing a Demon King? It's not some low-tier demon trash; he's fighting an avatar of the Demon God itself! How strong does he think he is to duel it solo? Christ, if he were standing in front of me right now, filial piety be damned, I'd curse him out to his face..."

"P-Please, cease! Lord Aljen! I understand your point, so please, stop. You're terrifying me!"

The Pope flailed his hands in genuine alarm, looking so thoroughly flustered that my boiling anger subsided by a fraction.

"...Whatever. Cast the buffs on him right now. Scrape together every single enhancement spell you bastards possess."

"Mmh... Very well. However, could we establish that this was entirely done at your insistence, and not the Church's doing? I would rather avoid an earful from the Duke later on."

"...Ha, wow. You really love making me swear, don't you? Listen here, Your Holiness. Is right now really the time to play petty politics? Shouldn't you be worrying about your own neck first? If my old man drops dead out there, every single human gathered here is getting turned into minced meat."

"That is true, of course... Ahem, but one must always maintain an insurance policy, must one not?"

"Dammit all. A religious order rotted through with political maneuvering... Fine. Whatever you say. Tell him I threw a tantrum and held a blade to your throat."

"You have my deepest gratitude. In that case... let us bestow the blessings at once!"

The Pope waved his sleeve. Having hung on our every word, the assembled clergy immediately clasped their hands together and raised their gazes toward the heavens. The Saintess joined them without hesitation.

Without any unified scripture, each priest and paladin voiced their own fervent prayers for the champion's empowerment. Their radiance gathered into intricate sacred geometry before streaking across the horizon straight toward Urtega.

Crack! Ssszzzt!

Recognizing the incoming surge as divine enhancements, Rubias attempted to sever their path, distorting the flow of time and folding space into jagged barriers. Yet the countless radiant braids bypassed every obstacle, piercing through the manipulated laws of physics as though operating on a higher plane of reality, before sinking seamlessly into Urtega's frame.

Even though they looked like glowing projectiles, they weren't physical attacks. Just like in the game, buffs in reality could not be intercepted, evaded, or neutralized. Or perhaps this was the pure authority of the Goddess at work. Either way, witnessing game mechanics translate so literally into reality always left me with a strange sense of cognitive dissonance.

"Huh?"

For a fleeting second, I had the distinct impression that Urtega glanced back in our direction. We were far too distant to make out his features, but it was a genuine shame I couldn't see the sour grimace plastered across his stubborn face.

BOOOM! ROOOOAAAR!

Only then did Urtega truly begin to fight the Demon Lord on equal footing. Naturally, that momentum wouldn't last forever... but it bought us the precious time we needed.

"Good. That buys us some breathing room... Cecilia, let's finish what we started."

"Ah, yes!"

Cecilia hurried over and resumed pouring copious amounts of holy power into the Mana Wave Blockers.

"Muriel, Rebecca, Cacciola. Get ready to throw."

"If physical labor is required, may I also offer my assistance?"

"Hm?"

The one who stepped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forward was a familiar, stiff-faced beauty sporting short blue hair and azure eyes.

"Uh... long time no see. You're Cecilia's bodyguard, the Knight of the Dawn, right? What was your name again..."

"I am Wendy."

"Ah, right. Wendy. Good to see you. I'll gladly take whatever help I can get. Right now, even a cat's paw would be welcome."

"It is an honor to be of service."

Waving off her rigid formality, I handed her one of the Mana Wave Blockers that had reached full divine saturation.

"Am I to hurl this?"

"Yeah. We don't have that many, so about ten each should do it. Ideally, I'd like to plant them in as tight an interval as possible... Considering the Demon King might try to interfere, hurling a massive volley all at once would be ideal, but we're short on muscle."

"Muscle work, is it? Then it seems it is my time to step forward!"

"Who now?"

Another towering figure interjected, his lips peeling back into a ferocious grin. Deep wrinkles and snow-white hair marked him as a man well into his twilight years, yet the slab-like muscles clinging to his frame radiated an undeniable, suffocating pressure.

"You're..."

"Bwahaha! You are the first youngster to speak so casually to my face! Though, considering you spoke to His Holiness the same way, using formal honorifics on me would certainly be strange!"

Bursting into a booming, hearty laugh, the giant hoisted a Mana Wave Blocker into his hand, baring his teeth with wild energy.

"I am Perdio Hadim. An old relic who barely retained his life thanks to your handiwork."

"Aha. So you're Perdio Hadim. Hmm..."

I looked him up and down, giving a slow nod.

"You look far healthier than I expected. The method to lift the curse was pretty barbaric, so I thought you'd be dealing with lingering aftereffects."

"Khahaha! Barbaric doesn't begin to describe it! When I first heard the details, even a seasoned warrior like me broke out in cold sweats! To think the head currently sitting on my neck isn't the one I was born with, but a freshly regenerated replacement! Who in their right mind could believe such madness!"

Watching him tap the side of his skull with a hearty grin coaxed a smirk from my lips.

"Regardless, you have my gratitude! Thanks to you, not only did I survive, but I also avoided a disgraceful demise! To degenerate into a demonic puppet and die in dishonor—what end could possibly be more horrific than that?!"

"Save the thanks. It was just a transaction. More importantly, we need to focus on the Demon King—"

"I also wish to offer my deepest gratitude, Lord Stanashila Aljen."

"Huh?"

I tilted my head as Wendy bent forward in a rigid, ninety-degree bow.

"What are you thanking me for? Did I do something for you?"

Straightening her posture, she met my gaze with an inscrutable expression before speaking in her usual clipped tone.

"Thanks to you, my lord, I was able to reunite with my younger brother. Furthermore, I managed to discover traces of the demon Harkal."

"Harkal?... Ah."

Only then did I recall tossing her that piece of information purely out of passing amusement. My brow furrowed.

"That was just some random intel I threw your way because I was bored. There's no need to thank me."

"Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if that were so, to me, it was salvation itself. Therefore—"

"Agh, do we really have to do this right now? In the middle of an active warzone? If you're that grateful, buy me a meal after we kill the Demon King and make it out alive."

"...Understood. My emotions got the better of me. I apologize for my insolence."

"Good, as long as you get it. Here, take this."

Passing another saturated pillar to Wendy, I turned toward the mound of relics piled up like a small hill and began rummaging through them. Although the vanguard had already claimed whatever combat equipment they could find, an astonishing number of potent and precious artifacts remained untouched.

...Though there was zero thematic cohesion among them. Did these fools even know what these things did before hauling them out here? Looking at the chaotic mess, they clearly grabbed everything not nailed down in their armory... Guess they were truly desperate.

"First, the Enlargement Bomb. It's a consumable, but this isn't the time to be stingy. Hm? Is that the Mirror of Grudge? Oh... with this... Wait, don't tell me these are the Sheath of Time and the Urn of Time? Why the hell are these sitting here? Look at that, even an Explosive Glove?"

"Um, Lord Aljen? What should I do next?"

"Ah, Cecilia. Done charging holy power? Then join ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the clergy and begin casting a large-scale offensive holy spell."

"An offensive holy spell?"

"Yeah. The biggest, nastiest one you've got. How long will it take?"

"If I pour in everything I have... it will take roughly ten minutes."

"Right, then use this. You'll be able to wrap it up in thirty seconds."

"Pardon...?"

She tilted her head in confusion as I pressed a battered vintage pocket watch into her palm.

"Is this a relic as well? What sort of effect does it possess?"

"It's a Casting Accelerator. Does exactly what the name says: drastically cuts down skill cast times. It has a cooldown after a few uses, but right now, even a single activation is a godsend."

"S-Such a relic existed in our vaults?!"

"You're the ones who brought it! You didn't even check the effects of your own loot? Unbelievable..."

"It couldn't be helped! Relics must be tested through trial and error to decipher their properties! They don't come with instruction manuals, so most attempts end in complete failure—!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, so hurry up and go. Ah, once it's ready, don't fire it right away. Call my name first. Got it?"

"Eek...! Stop pushing me!"

Shoving Cecilia toward the Pope, I turned back toward our muscle squad holding the Mana Wave Blockers and gripped the Enlargement Bomb in my hand.

"Listen up. I'm about to temporarily enlarge your bodies. Don't panic, stay composed, and focus entirely on throwing these pillars. Understood?"

"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"

"If you could hit the Demon King directly, that'd be great, but she'll just deflect it. Aim for the outer perimeter of the Holy Domain instead."

"Hold on, give us an explanation—"

Perdio Hadim demanded answers, but time had run out. While we were making preparations, Urtega had begun losing ground in earnest. Even with an ocean of buffs crammed down his throat, soloing a raid boss of a Demon King was simply asking too much of a mortal.

Pshh-peeeew!

I hurled the Enlargement Bomb. With a somewhat comical popping sound, Muriel, Rebecca, Cacciola, Perdio Hadim, and Wendy ballooned in size, their bodies expanding by well over tenfold. Naturally, the Mana Wave Blockers clutched in their hands expanded proportionally.

"Wh-What in the world is—?!"

"Kyaaah?!"

"Oho...?"

"Our bodies...!"

Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shouted toward the thunderous, echoing voices of the startled giants.

"Don't panic! Just throw them calmly! Like I told you, aim for the edge of the Holy Domain! Keep the spacing as even as possible!"

"To demand that out of nowhere...!"

"We have no choice but to comply. I shall take the first throw."

Muriel stepped forward and assumed a javelin stance. In her colossal grip, the Mana Wave Blocker looked like an ancient temple pillar leveled as a terrifying siege weapon.

"Hmph. So be it...!"

The others rapidly fell into formation and, on Muriel's signal, hurled the massive pillars simultaneously. The sight of dozens of gargantuan stone cylinders soaring through the sky at once was nothing short of magnificent.

"...!"

Mid-clash, Rubias's predatory gaze flicked in our direction.

Zzzzt! Craaaash!

She immediately unleashed spatial distortions to intercept the unidentified pillars. However, infused with the Saintess's concentrated holy power and fundamentally crafted to repel demonic energy, the artifacts managed to endure the brunt of her ranged strikes. Naturally, they stood no chance against her direct divine authority, but Urtega wasn't about to stand idly by and let her swat them down.

In the end, out of forty colossal pillars, only eight were destroyed in mid-air. The remaining thirty-two plunged cleanly into the earth along the perimeter of the Holy Domain.

"...Now that's a sight."

Even without a roof or walls, the circle of towering pillars resembled an ancient, sacred temple, drawing an involuntary murmur of admiration from my lips. Even after the enlargement effect wore off on the vanguard, the Mana Wave Blockers remained colossal. Why they didn't shrink back to normal size, I had no clue. That was how it worked in the game as well, and the developers never clarified whether it was an intended mechanic or a bug.

"Lord Aljen! The offensive holy spell is prepared!"

"Is it? Then..."

I activated the Absolute Ring of Taunt, fixing my gaze on her.

"H-Huh?! Whaaat?!"

Standing in the center of an intricate, blinding holy array, Cecilia gasped in horror as her limbs moved entirely against her will.

"What is this?! It's dangerous! Please dodge!"

Her desperate scream echoed across the barren plains, but my focused mind shut out the noise.

KRA-BOOOOOM!

As she swung her arm toward me, the colossal mass of holy energy coalesced into a colossal spear of divine lightning and surged forward. It traveled at a speed invisible to the naked eye, leaving zero room for reaction. But that didn't matter. I had already prepared the countermeasure.

Fwoooosh!

The radiant white bolt, vast enough to swallow the immediate landscape, was vacuumed cleanly into the mouth of the Sheath of Time, vanishing without a trace.

The Sheath of Time was an artifact designed to absorb ambient energy and forge it into a solid blade, scaling in power based on the duration it was allowed to mature. In the game, it had been a budget stopgap weapon players used when broke. In the game's lore, however, it was a remarkable unique-grade relic capable of swallowing any energy without limit and producing a sword of boundless offensive power—provided it aged long enough.

"H-Huh?"

"What just happened...?"

"Where did the holy spell go...?"

Ignoring the bewildered clergy, I activated the Urn of Time.

Szzzt! Crr-crack!

The Urn of Time was, quite literally, a vessel that captured and stored accumulated temporal duration. Upon activation, it could apply all that stored time directly to a designated target. In the game, it was merely a quest-exclusive artifact; why the Church had it locked away in their treasury was a mystery I had no desire to unravel.

Krrr-clack!

With an ear-splitting grinding noise, a gleaming white hilt began to sprout ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from the previously empty mouth of the Sheath of Time.

"Phew... Muriel!"

"Yes, Lord Aljen."

"Draw it!"

"Understood."

Gripping the hilt with both hands, Muriel drew the blade without a moment's hesitation. As the weapon slid free, glowing with the brilliance of a miniature sun, gasps of awe erupted across the ranks.

"Ohhh...!!"

"Such terrifyingly condensed divine power...! I have never seen anything like it!"

"If Lord Urtega wields that blade, a Demon King would be—!"

Listening to their breathless murmurs, I let out a dry scoff. Why the hell would I give this to Urtega? The old bastard was already carrying plenty of god-tier weaponry.

"Muriel. Hold it out toward me."

"Yes."

Donning the Explosive Glove, I stroked the length of the radiant white blade with meticulous care. The Explosive Glove permanently imbued an explosive elemental attribute into anything its wearer touched. In short, it was a portable bomb-crafting kit. While it prevented the wearer from equipping traditional weapons, the glove itself was a monstrous offensive asset with incredible versatility, making it a mandatory pickup for extreme ranged-DPS builds.

Fwooom!

Backing away several paces from the blade, which hummed with unstable energy as if ready to detonate at the slightest touch, I finally hoisted the Mirror of Grudge.

"Muriel! Throw the sword straight into this mirror with everything you've got!"

"Understood."

Without the slightest flicker of doubt, she hurled the glowing weapon. The blade sank cleanly into the reflective surface of the mirror, swallowed by the glass. The function of the legendary-grade Mirror of Grudge was delightfully simple: it converted any absorbed attack into an unavoidable 'Curse' attribute.

It didn't increase the raw damage, but expecting that on top of its primary function would be sheer greed. Because a Curse, much like a divine Buff, was an absolute property that could neither be evaded, intercepted, nor neutralized.

In other words, unless the target possessed an absolute defense relic like my Holy Guardian Fortress, taking the hit was an unavoidable certainty. That very mechanic was why Urtega had fallen so helplessly to the High Demon Cambello's curse in the past. Whenever the community held a poll for the 'Top 10 Most Broken Relics,' the Mirror of Grudge invariably claimed a high spot on the list. It was an exceptionally rare treasure... and how it had ended up gathering dust in the Church's collection was beyond me.

"...Take this, Rubias."

Aiming the mirror toward the Demon Lord, I locked my concentration entirely onto her distant silhouette. In an instant, a jet-black blade burst from the reflective glass at blinding speed. Unlike an ordinary projectile, the weapon twisted through the air with an eerie, serpentine will of its own. Bypassing every spatial fold, barrier, and evasive maneuver Rubias attempted, the cursed blade punched straight through her torso.

The next moment, a cataclysmic detonation erupted in the center of the wasteland, and an orb of blinding, incandescent light expanded across the earth, threatening to swallow the entire world whole.