Chapter 137
The corpses of the Skull Angels gathered by the Stage 3 hunting party. Niara Nephensis offered those bodies as sacrifices, then focused her mind and cast the unsealing ability toward me.
[Son. Whether it's a seal or an unsealing, the effect is far greater if the target accepts it without resistance, in a relaxed state. So loosen your body and keep your mind open.]
I already knew that. From the start, when I'd been sealed by over a thousand mages, I'd dropped all my guards and accepted it in a completely defenseless state. Knowing the same principle applied to unsealing, I'd been fully relaxed right from the beginning.
Seeing Sage Lunaris's chat brought back something I'd forgotten. If Earth's dimensional veil tears, or if I encounter an otherworldly being on Earth. The Sage had set it so my seal would release then. And now I remembered she'd mentioned other ways to unseal it too.
"Sage. It's late to ask, but what was that other unsealing method you mentioned before?"
"Even if I go to another world? Then why didn't the seal release? The Ancient Labyrinth is a different world from Earth."
As I chatted with the Jo-ryeokja, Niara—in a way that didn't suit her—puffed out her cheeks and scolded me.
[Son. Try not to talk. If your focus breaks, the unsealing might fail.]
Right. I was in the middle of accepting the unsealing. To minimize failure risk, I shut my mouth again.
Of course, the Jo-ryeokja chats kept going.
As the Jo-ryeokja chats poured in, a sizzling sound suddenly came from my back—like something burning away.
Then, a sensation of power surging through my entire body began to flood in.
One pattern on my back began to slowly fade. After that, as energy overflowed through my body for another 10 minutes or so.
"···It's been a while since I felt this."
[Congratulations, son!]
Finally, the third stage liberation succeeded. Pure threat level S-grade. By Elemen西亚 standards, power rivaling a Demon King, Devil King, Hero, or Sage.
After regaining some power, I immediately thanked Niara Nephensis.
"Thanks, Niara. You've unsealed me twice now."
[Hehe. I'm glad I could help. Mom can do anything for her son. And call me Mom, not Niara?]
It didn't sit right, but as thanks, I decided to humor her once.
After receiving such a favor, the least I could do.
"Alright, good work. Mom."
[Hee hee hee.]
After barely prying off Niara, who hugged me like a baby and stroked my head.
[You're the culprit who suddenly weakened my power.]
From high in the sky, a monster descended, red cape fluttering, revealing itself.
Not a Skull Angel. Full plate armor—a massive knight-type monster in heavy full-body plate.
Nerfed threat level A-grade. Actual threat level SS-grade.
It aimed a huge greatsword embedded with a clock at me precisely, asking in a deep mid-tone voice.
[One with strange power. What is your name?]
"You should give your name before asking others'."
Rude monster. Does it not know its own name? Well, newly born, so no species name yet.
No choice. I'd name it myself···
[I am called Chrono Knight.]
···The armored knight stated its name. Chrono Knight—that seemed to be its species.
Probably named itself right after birth, or it was inscribed in its soul.
'But why does the voice feel familiar? Like I've heard it somewhere···.'
Illusion? Voice familiar, but appearance not at all. Probably similar to someone I knew, causing déjà vu.
[Now reveal your name.]
"Not hard to tell you, but why keep prying for my name?"
[I remember the names of those I kill. It's my creed and courtesy to the opponent.]
"···Hold on, why are you killing me?"
I asked with a baffled expression. Another Skull Angel groupie?
[You are a threat to our world.]
"Me?"
[Yes. I have judged so. Thus, I shall exterminate you here and now.]
Celestial-born trait? Monsters here were arrogant, underestimated foes without gauging levels properly.
Plus, they extremely hated territory invasions.
'SS-grade full of hostility is too much hassle to tame. Even calling Necro, mind control won't work on SS-grade···.'
I cleanly gave up taming it. And preferred not fighting if possible. Better avoid needless battles.
"Chrono. Do we really need to fight? I was planning to leave here anyway."
[Reveal your name.]
"I said I'm leaving? No need to fight then."
[Reveal your name.]
"Stubborn guy. What if I don't? You won't attack?"
[···Reveal your name. If not this time, I'll just eliminate you. Kill you and remember you as nameless.]
No talking sense with this one. High intelligence didn't guarantee communication.
'···Might as well test my power now.'
Situation forced a fight. After brief thought, I sighed and decided.
Actual threat SS-grade, nerfed A-grade. Time to check my current S-grade power's output.