Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Tower of the Gods (9)
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The Abyss continued to expand.
It bordered countless worlds and possessed traits connecting it to myriad species.
And so, across eons untold.
There existed twelve races that had reigned supreme in the Abyss unchangingly.
They were called the Twelve Races.
Not even demons dared to establish a Creation Abyss there.
One misstep could escalate into a war they couldn't handle.
The Twelve Races each boasted distinct racial traits, overwhelming might, and unfathomable potential for growth.
The races themselves were simply powerful.
Their average prowess surpassed that of even high-rank demons.
And the Race Lords who ruled each race were so terrifying that the word came naturally.
They were known as monsters rivaling the Great Nine Lords.
But.
'They violated the Inviolable Treaty.'
Long ago, the Great Racial War erupted.
It was a massive conflict entangling all Twelve Races, including the Abyss demons.
Their war annihilated worlds that hadn't even participated.
Countless races and worlds vanished, and it's said the number of demons in the Abyss halved.
That wasn't all.
World glitches occurred endlessly, and during that Great War alone, three Great Rifts happened.
Yet the war didn't end.
Finally, in dire straits, the Twelve Race Lords and Great Lords gathered to sign a 'Peace Treaty.'
That was the Inviolable Treaty.
Its terms were simple.
(1) Demons and the Twelve Races do not invade each other's worlds.
(2) Demons do not directly interfere in any worlds.
(3) Demons do not spawn 'Creation Abysses' in the Twelve Races' worlds without permission.
(4) Periodically hold 'Racial Wars' where new worlds' races and all races compete.
(5) New worlds (hereinafter New Worlds) not participating in the Racial War are off-limits to all Twelve Races.
(6) Demons of Demon King rank or higher do not create Creation Abysses in New Worlds.
(7) All priority rights, including New World interests, are decided by ranking in the Racial War.
...
Rather than war, let's hold competitions.
Everything would be decided by the 'Racial War.'
It even provided minimal safeguards for new worlds emerging in the Abyss to survive.
But now, the Dusk Race had violated rule 5.
The Twelve Races weren't supposed to enter Earth yet.
About three months remained until the first Racial War.
Until then, Earth and humanity had to adapt to the Abyss.
It was a sort of 'adaptation period,' a tutorial before the Racial War began.
After all, frail humans couldn't withstand an invasion by such overwhelmingly powerful races.
Strictly speaking, the dragonkin Ataraxia was also violating the treaty, but...
'The Dusk Race, of all things.'
Honestly, it was shocking.
He'd already made contact with two of the Twelve Races.
And the 'Dusk Race' was the hardest to approach.
They dwelt in perpetual gloom, beings who were darkness incarnate.
People also called the Dusk Race 'Duskbloods.'
It captured the awe they inspired.
Their abilities resembled yokai from folktales.
'When the Dusk Race appears, the duskblood descends. They approach like phantoms, swelling their presence in an instant. By the time you notice, you're already swallowed by the dark.'
Be careful.
Never let the Dusk Race get close!
That was humanity's conclusion.
The other Twelve Races were similar, but humans instinctively feared darkness most.
"Unbelievable. Even those arrogant dragonkin are interested in this tower? You too, Ataraxia?"
"Absurd. How are these bottom-crawling Dusk brats climbing the tower?"
The Dusk Race and Ataraxia sneered at each other.
It was only natural.
The Twelve Races all had bad blood between them.
Especially the dragonkin, who despised the Dusk Race.
They claimed the Dusk Race's magic wasn't true magic.
'They can't perceive me.'
None of the Dusk Race noticed Park Chan-woo.
The abnormal status 'Non-Existence' was active.
They thought Ataraxia was climbing the tower alone.
But why had he suddenly encountered another race?
It was then.
"Unite with filthy dragons?"
"I'd rather burn them all myself than team up with those vermin."
Both the Dusk Race and Ataraxia rebelled vehemently.
The phrase 'unite your strength' had struck a nerve.
Soon, from afar.
Hwaaaaaah!
A massive shadow-like entity emitting a chilling cry revealed itself.
But the illusions that appeared weren't just one.
'Illusion Legion.'
The illusions took forms of every shape and race imaginable.
Their numbers were legion-worthy.
Without uniting, it would be tough.
"Filthy dragon, I'll deal with you first."
But cooperation was out of the question.
Soon, four Dusk Race members surrounded Ataraxia.
Suuuuu.
Darkness flowed from their feet, instantly claiming the surrounding area.
At the same time.
Kuooooong!
The four Dusk Race members rapidly swelled in size.
They soon loomed over Ataraxia like giants.
Ataraxia frowned at them.
'Bad matchup.'
Dusk Race and dragonkin had poor compatibility.
Especially for Ataraxia, who wielded the power of 'Despair'—facing the Dusk Race was extremely awkward.
Darkness and despair were too similar in nature.
Meaning her Dragon Words of Despair wouldn't work.
She had to fight with plain magic, bereft of Dragon Word power.
'Idiots. They can't even perceive Lord Sepiro.'
Still, it was amusing.
Even in the same space, they only saw her; those stupid bugs couldn't sense Lord Sepiro at all.
Probably due to his Absolute Magic.
He only revealed his presence when he wished, otherwise observing silently.
It meant it wasn't worth showing himself.
Proof that even Lord Sepiro deemed the Dusk Race insignificant.
Thus.
'I can't make Lord Sepiro intervene.'
This was Ataraxia's problem.
Fight four Dusk Race members without transforming or using Despair Dragon Words!
Perhaps a trial from the great one for her.
The silver lining: all the Dusk Race that appeared were young ones.
Rookies who hadn't long been adults, unable to properly wield Dusk Race power.
...What to do.
'It wounds my pride, but no choice.'
Ataraxia clicked her tongue softly.
Then rapidly inscribed magical formulas in the air.
A dragonkin drawing formulas herself—nothing more humiliating.
But she had no choice.
"Die!"
"Filthy dragon!"
Kuwoong!
A Dusk Race member stomped Ataraxia with immense weight.
Thick darkness surged; no escape visible.
But.
"Threads of Light?"
"Despair's Ataraxia using high light magic?!"
Light beams pierced the darkness, shooting everywhere.
The threads soon bound the Dusk member's foot, toppling it.
Kwaaaaaang!
The massive body hit the ground with a boom.
But no major damage.
Just bought a little time.
In that interval, Ataraxia's hands moved invisibly fast.
Soon, enormous magical formulas filled the air.
'Casting 13th circle or higher without Dragon Words!'
Even Park Chan-woo watching was impressed.
Dragonkin could freely handle up to 12th circle magic.
But 13th and above required Dragon Words; without, they had to inscribe or draw formulas manually.
Yet drawing formulas was deeply shameful for dragonkin.
Why bother when Dragon Words sufficed?
But Ataraxia now overcame that shame to cast ultra-high magic.
Then.
Drop.
Ataraxia's movements stopped.
"...Paranormal."
Ziiiiing!
A massive pyramid materialized before Ataraxia.
At its center was an 'eye,' soon unleashing red beams like laser rays.
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
All struck by the red beams evaporated.
The illusion legion, the ground itself.
Literally 'vaporized.'
Overwhelming magic.
But.
"You underestimate us too much!"
"Filthy dragon!"
The Dusk Race swiftly shrank their sizes.
Then merged into a vast curtain of darkness.
Kuooooooong!
Like spear piercing all versus shield blocking all.
Ataraxia poured out her remaining mana.
Chronos spoke from Park Chan-woo's shadow.
Against the Dusk Race, Ataraxia had consumed much mana.
Tower climbing was now impossible.
But Park Chan-woo shook his head.
Truth be told, their fight wasn't what mattered to him now.
'...I think I know why Lil left the Tower of the Gods.'
This wasn't a tower for elegant god-like beings.
Rather, a cursed tower brimming with maledictions.
Remnants of perished worlds.
The spirit stones, the ancient illusions crafting 'stigmata' of gods who once ruled doomed worlds—all fit the pattern.
'Elysion.'
Park Chan-woo cast the spirit magic Elysion, creating a star.
A star of light formed in his palm.
'I can hear it.'
The tower's pulsation.
More precisely, the Illusion Guardian's voice.
Those were projections of destroyed worlds.
Their screams, curses trapped within the illusions.
The legion before them were existences from fallen worlds.
'Graktus. That's your name.'
Park Chan-woo slowly opened his mouth.
He now clearly understood Elysion's proper use and why he had to climb here.
"Pierce the Illusion Guardian Graktus, Heavenly Punishment."
⟨ Heavenly Punishment ⟩
He intoned the Illusion Guardian's name.
Elysion's star revealed it, those curse-tainted souls.
Thus, he unleashed magic targeting only Graktus.
In that instant.
Kroaaaaang!
The star morphed into a ferocious beast, hurtling toward the Illusion Guardian.