Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Hell's Collapse
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Due to the onset of Hell's collapse, we all turned our steps toward the cathedral.
[Cracks are beginning to form in Hell due to 'Beelzebub's rampage.]
It seemed like the ace up his sleeve to keep us pinned down in Hell.
The reason was obvious.
If we returned to Heaven, the angels who received word of Raphael's liberation would surely launch a counterattack on Hell.
Even though we knew everything, we couldn't head for the gate.
In the cracked space, one wrong step could send you anywhere, so we couldn't move recklessly.
Moving now would play right into Beelzebub's hands.
It was better to wait inside the cathedral instead.
"......Head for the gate."
I issued the command to my summons. Of course, that excluded Gawain and Park Gyuhwan—the undead soldiers only.
The view from the cathedral entrance was incredible.
Space had shattered like puzzle pieces scattered everywhere. What was right in front looked distant, and what was far away appeared right before us.
My soldiers began wandering, searching for the path to the gate.
It would take time, but they would find it.
I was certain.
I'd been through this before.
While we waited, Michael and Raphael started purging the evil energy within the 'Burning Cathedral.'
"Kim Cheonjae, the shattered space will return to normal over time."
I knew that already.
I just didn't know how long it would take. Beelzebub's rampage was what happened upon main event failure—I'd heard about it online.
Stories of the world shattering, trapping players in the cathedral, leaving them unable to do anything.
"Yeah? How long until it does?"
"That depends on how much power he used, so I can't say for sure."
"Estimated time?"
"Fastest is one hour, latest two. Anything longer would strain even him."
"Two hours......"
The angels flew about swiftly, erasing traces of demons from the God-Demon War.
Wall carvings worshiping demons, black demon bloodstains from fierce battles, shattered angel armor.
Even the Baphomet symbol on the cathedral floor—one detail I hadn't known about.
"......"
It was called a cathedral, but it had essentially become a demon lair. Without the barrier Raphael created before his sealing, demons would have already taken over.
Rumble!
The ground shook once more.
I turned toward the source of the roar. One of the shattered space fragments illuminated the area near the World Tree.
It had fallen not far away, but the path looked treacherous. The fragment ahead showed a cliff.
I descended the stairs to gaze at the fragment displaying the fallen World Tree.
Beelzebub was inside it.
As if trying to block the gate, he began chanting spells in front of it.
"......Heh."
I extended my hand toward the fragment.
The distance was far, but it was close enough.
Close enough for what?
[You cast 'Corpse Explosion.']
[Corpse Explosion activated on 36 Hellhounds, 15 Gargoyles, and 50 Imps.]
[Due to the large number of corpses, the explosion will be extremely powerful. Please evacuate the surrounding area.]
['5 seconds' countdown begins.]
Numbers appeared over the pile of corpses the Korean players had faced earlier.
The countdown started at 5 and ticked down one by one.
Beelzebub, oblivious to the Corpse Explosion skill, kept staring at the gate.
Boom!
The corpses detonated.
The blast was even more powerful than when we faced Mammon. And this time, there wasn't even a golem to cushion the shock. It hit him dead-on.
I swallowed hard.
That had to have done solid damage—but how much?
I waited quietly for the dust to settle, eyes fixed on his health bar above his head.
"......Huh?"
There was no change in Beelzebub's health bar visible through the space fragment.
But judging by his face, rage was boiling over. Anyone could see he was furious—his features were twisted in anger.
"RAAAAAAGH!"
His scream pierced through the space fragment. It was a piercingly high-pitched wail that felt like it would shred my eardrums. I clamped my hands over my ears and flattened myself to the floor. If he realized it was me, Beelzebub wouldn't let it slide.
He glanced around, but he hadn't noticed my presence.
I quietly shifted position to a spot outside the fragment's view.
'Heh......'
To deal zero damage with Corpse Explosion—one of the top-tier skills—no less using over a hundred demons.
He wasn't just strong; he was on another level.
In a completely different league from the other archdemons. I'd thought he was at least somewhat manageable, but now I saw that even if all players ganged up, we couldn't win.
'Without angelic power, as expected......'
I lit a cigarette in a blind spot, watching his movements.
Beelzebub gave up chanting at the gate and moved elsewhere.
A few steps to the side, and he vanished from the fragment's view.
His strength was now firmly etched in my mind.
'......'
Even how to beat him.
* * * * *
As time passed, the shattered space fragments began returning to their places.
Michael and Raphael led the angel legions out to scout the surroundings.
Once a path formed, everyone inside the cathedral emerged and resumed marching toward the gate.
"Let's move out."
At Michael’s low voice, everyone began to step forward.
An ominous aura lingered nearby—clearly the residue Beelzebub had left behind. I wiped the nape of my armor.
I'd been so tense that sweat had soaked through.
Yoo Sora pressed close to my side and asked,
"Cheonjae-ssi."
"Yeah?"
"Are we heading to Heaven now?"
"Yep. Entering that gate auto-ends this round."
"Ah.... So no second phase?"
"Right. It forces us straight to Round 10."
The other players who'd overheard us smiled with relief. It seemed Yoo Sora had asked on purpose.
To ease everyone else's anxiety.
Knowing that, I raised my voice even louder in response—so the Vietnamese and Chinese players could hear too.
Even if there were only two Chinese players left......
Wang Tianma and the druid player trailed at the end of the line, looking ragged.
They'd wanted that spot from the start, probably to keep their distance from us.
I walked slowly, counting heads.
Around fifty to sixty people.
"......Michael!"
At my shout, the angels halted. Michael sensed something and soared high.
"Got it!"
He slowly turned his head from left to right, scanning. Spotting something distant, he unleashed his aura as a battle signal.
"Beelzebub is coming."
Beelzebub? Attacking us now, in this situation? Even without players, we had two archangels.
"Everyone, hurry to the gate!"
At Raphael's raised voice, the angels moved quickly. The players followed, glancing nervously.
I kept watch in the direction Michael was staring.
Michael took the front, Raphael the rear.
Fortunately, Beelzebub didn't find us before we reached the gate. Or rather, he failed to pursue.
He'd tried to follow, but the still-unstable space fragments had diverted him elsewhere.
Michael arrived at the gate first and began sending angels to Heaven in order.
[Entry through the 'Gate' is permitted for all players who participated in this round.]
The gate pulsed, swallowing angels one by one. Warm light flowed from within.
Players lined up, awaiting their turn after the angels.
Gulp.
I swallowed, eyeing the direction Beelzebub approached. His aura grew clearer as he drew nearer.
Michael felt the crisis too and urged the angels to hurry.
"Michael, between you and Beelzebub, who's stronger?"
"What answer do you want?"
"I'd prefer you."
"......Sorry, but it's the opposite. He was Hell's strongest until Lucifer appears."
I knew, but I hadn't expected such firm confirmation.
'Still, they can put up a fight.'
I crossed my arms, staring at the gate. Angel entry was slower than expected—not a single player had gone in yet.
[Player entry permitted in 5 minutes.]
Five minutes.
It felt both short and endlessly long. Without Beelzebub, I wouldn't even be thinking this.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps echoed from afar—so faint a normal person couldn't hear.
I infused my scythe with aura and waited for him. Looked like we'd have to throw down before entering the gate.
'With two archangels, we'll manage somehow.'
The shadow approaching slowly came into view. A long horn protruding from the forehead confirmed it was Beelzebub.
Why hide his true form in the shadow? Maybe because of my Corpse Explosion earlier?
Whatever the reason, he wasn't showing his real body.
Michael and I advanced to secure the predicted arrival point ahead of the battlefield.
No choice.
We had to buy time for the gate, even briefly.
"Jeongwoo, take everyone and go first. I'll stick with Michael."
Jeongwoo wiped his nose bridge.
"You're staying with just Michael?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't that too dangerous? Once we're gone, we can't help no matter what."
"It's fine. Don't worry—head in, and I'll follow."
"......Kim Cheonjae."
"Yeah?"
Ma Jeongwoo drew a deep breath from his chest and placed a hand on my nape.
"Don't die."
"Like I would? Wait for me in Heaven—no worries."
I overreacted, and Ma Jeongwoo grinned. We gripped each other's hands in a firm shake.
No more words needed.
A man proves it with actions, not talk.
[The Archdemon 'Beelzebub of Gluttony' has found Kim Cheonjae’s group.]
Beelzebub emerged from the shadow at the gate.
Even facing us all, a smile never left his lips.
"Kim Cheonjae, I've got good news for you."
The sudden conversation flowed naturally, as if we'd known each other forever.
Good news?
I'd thought he came to kill me, but this was unexpected.
"......Good news?"
"Yes. Do you know where that Lucifer you hate is right now?"
"Lucifer? Where?"
Beelzebub's finger pointed toward Satan's throne.
"He's about to break free from his seal. Our world is coming."
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