Chapter 306
Chapter 306
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 306
Chapter Title: Prelude Battle (1)
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In a remote mountain range devoid of any human presence.
Zzzzt—
From its very center, the sound of something tearing echoed through the air.
At the same time, a long rift began to form in the empty space.
Accompanied by continuous noise, it rapidly expanded its domain—.
Bzzt-crack—!
Ending with a harsh bursting sound, it tore open a massive hole.
From that hellish abyss-like gap emerged a pair of hands that gripped both sides of the torn space, slowly prying it wider and expanding it further.
"...Finally."
Once the rift surpassed a certain size, a calm voice drifted from beyond.
A voice that revealed nothing but that it belonged to a man... utterly bizarre, impossible to pin down.
"Took longer than expected."
Soon, the owner of that voice gradually revealed himself from beyond the rift.
A mysterious man who seemed like an ordinary youth or an extraordinary elder.
It was the moment the Reverse Heaven Leader, who had struggled for so long at the bottom of the abyss to reach the surface, finally set foot on earthly ground.
'So this is the Outerica dimension.'
He slowly nodded as he surveyed his surroundings.
A few pieces of prior knowledge flashed through his mind.
The most basic fantasy-type otherworld, with a supernatural system based on mana, the energy useful for manifesting phenomena.
The world's administrator god wasn't just granting holy power but occasionally intervened directly with miracles—an interventionist dimension.
'Laissez-faire types are more convenient... but the hassle here means greater gains.'
Thanks to that, he had already scored one win shortly after arriving.
Though the trading partner was a fallen and sealed god, falling short of expectations, it was still a proper deity of this dimension. It neutralized much of the world's restrictions imposed on the Reverse Heaven Leader.
Without it, he'd probably still be trapped in that abyssal prison.
'Grateful for that much at least. Learned how to operate here efficiently too. Trading with a so-called god irks me, but no need to pick a fight if it's helpful.'
Hadn't he resolved to do anything to achieve his goal?
How many compromises had he made so far? Being picky about methods now would be laughable.
"Now then... Hm..."
Suddenly, as he pondered the next step and took a large stride forward, he staggered badly.
Unconsciously, he grimaced, clutching his head with one hand and squeezing his eyes shut.
Woooong—
-I will become the great...
Wung—
-No matter how many times... I will...
Ziiing—
-Only I shall this world...
Amid the vibrations shaking his head, tinnitus rang in his ears.
Shocks fierce enough to twist his sense of self assaulted his inner being relentlessly, but he simply kept his eyes closed, silently enduring it all by recalling his mission.
How much time passed like that?
After a fierce torrent that threatened to sweep away even his sense of self finally subsided, and the rampage within him gradually calmed, he began to regain stability bit by bit.
"Hoo."
With a short sigh, he removed the hand from his head and grimaced at the cold sweat soaking his palm.
He had anticipated it, but it was a sensation he never grew fond of.
'...How much did I lose this time?'
Composed, he immediately checked his condition.
As his divinity grew, his personality and ego were blurring, but with much left to do, he couldn't collapse yet.
'Still within safe limits. No need to worry. Can fill it up more.'
Gods were such beings by nature; his reactions were par for the course.
Trying to gain full godhood while retaining human cognition was the real greed.
'No issues.'
Having devoted himself solely to that path, he pressed on regardless of others' opinions.
Thus, steeling himself once more—
He halted abruptly as he moved to step forward.
"......"
His gaze shifted to one side.
His sense of time had shattered temporarily, so it wasn't precise, but the lapse wasn't brief.
Still, not even an hour had passed.
'Not prepared in advance, yet reacting this fast?'
A group encircling and approaching him was now detectable.
The hostility radiating from them made it clear this was no coincidence.
Even so, one thing nagged at him.
The auras emanating from them were all...
"...What? Why are you here?"
At that moment.
Before he could resolve his doubts, a familiar presence emerged at the forefront of the group.
[Kekeke, looks like I found you first.]
"...Hahoe Mask. How are you here?"
Hahoe Mask.
The being he had clashed with not long ago, whom he had forced to linger on Earth in preparation for his return.
Unlike before, when it wore an intact mask, now it exposed its menacing skeletal form with only fragments of the broken mask attached—but it was undoubtedly the same.
The Reverse Heaven Leader's expression twisted subtly at this unexpected adversary in an unforeseen place.
[Who knows? Take a guess.]
"...I see. You can cross dimensions too? You've been operating between here and Earth all this time."
[Kuhahat— Is that what you think?]
"Didn't expect anyone else but me capable of it. Quite the surprise. Never saw it coming."
[Oh ho? As arrogant as ever. Good that you're finally realizing how vast the world is. Worth celebrating.]
"So those vermin are the forces you've gathered in this world?"
Even as they traded verbal barbs disguised as conversation, the undead who came with Hans—the Immortal Army's executives—moved with perfect coordination.
Karam, the Death Knight Lord, leading elite Death Knights to form ranks.
Pagos, the Dread Phantom, floating in the air with spectral undead.
Kelipha, the Archlich, constructing a massive magic circle from the rear with high liches.
Abyss Revenants, including Salma, a transcendent awakener convert, and more.
Not to mention Ghoul Lord Fiona, Doom Knight Drekssler, General Spartoi Trev, Death Wizard Malcolm, and others—all radiating ferocious auras.
Dark energy poured from their perfectly arrayed forms, resonating with 'death' to swiftly corrupt and envelop the surrounding space.
[Kuaaaaa—!]
[Kyaaaa—!]
Added to that, Bone Dragon Entrachio and Heratos prowling the skies overhead.
Hastily assembled from the Immortal Army's top elites, their numbers barely reached a few hundred, but bolstered by their achievements and the power of death Hans had bestowed, their presence was not to be underestimated.
'...No wonder I felt déjà vu from the abyss. The power matches exactly what Hahoe Mask used.'
The Reverse Heaven Leader clicked his tongue and furrowed his brow at the energy within their battle intent.
Back then, he had dismissed it as typical worldly refuse.
"Fine, Hahoe Mask. I'm honestly surprised. Didn't expect the one who fled Earth to be hiding here. But showing yourself openly now... means you're confident this time?"
Finishing his mocking words, a heavy aura erupted from him.
Whoooosh—
A presence befitting his infamous reputation.
Just that alone made the encircling executives' links waver, forcing them back a step each.
[Kekeke, getting chatty, eh? You'll find out firsthand.]
Watching calmly, Hans's body too exuded black magic intertwined with abyssal death, encroaching on the space.
It clashed and intertwined with the Reverse Heaven Leader's presence, seeping into the undead executives to awaken and steady their disrupted auras.
'No need to explain synergy between abyssal death and undead. Not sure how useful the support executives will be, but any help is welcome.'
Hans heightened his focus amid rising tension, preparing for battle.
He knew the enemy's abilities well from their prior encounter.
Honestly, one-on-one, he still lacked confidence.
'But this isn't Earth.'
Back then, without Dimensional Barrier Relaxation, the abyss couldn't exert full power. Here, it could.
Plus, that effect benefited not just the Immortal Army's top executives but also the Abyss Revenants made from Earth's awakeners.
Conversely, the Reverse Heaven Leader's holy power couldn't fully manifest in Outerica, another dimension.
On Earth, he could draw it intrinsically, but here, with a main god present, wielding an outer god's power freely was impossible!
'Yes, this place... Outerica is my domain.'
Crack—
A sharp sound rang from his bony fist joints, but it was swiftly buried in the surrounding din like a storm.
'...You think I'll let you take more from my domain?'
Confronting the invader in his territory, azure light blazed from Immortal King Hans's eyes.
Frankly, home-field advantage or not meant nothing now.
He just wanted to crush the enemy with all his might.
'Even if I can't win here, it doesn't matter. Can't let him roam free when who knows what he'll do.'
He suppressed the urge to immediately use "Entity Assembly."
For now, he needed to prepare his connected forces for contingencies.
Hans's goal was to buy time until the other avatars finished their tasks.
'Good thing I stayed vigilant.'
The reason he found the Reverse Heaven Leader first was simple.
This was the northeastern Ion Continent, northern mountains above the Zepia Republic.
Not only the fastest info hub, but a cutting-edge surveillance zone with hundreds on 24/7 watch.
Of course, Banshee Queen Olivia, the Immortal Army's intel chief, had suffered sleepless nights, but as an insomniac undead, no big deal.
"...Fine. Before we begin, I suppose I should clean you up first."
Then, after scanning the surroundings, the Reverse Heaven Leader declared heavily.
Flutter—
Amid fierce wingbeats, brilliant sunset radiance poured from him, blanketing the area.
Even weakened, its output dwarfed Saint Heinrich's mighty holy power.
Holes punched through the death aura filling the space, melting away like ice.
"Saves me cleanup on Earth. Might even be better this way. Come on, resist if you can."
[Kuhahaha! Ah— yes. Let's have some fun!]
And so, in that forsaken mountain wilds untouched by man.
Boom—!
The second clash between the alien angel and the local demon lord began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Briki."
"Ah— Heinz, it's been ages... Ugh?"
Briki's face stiffened rigidly upon hearing the familiar voice, turning casually as usual.
Gulp—
A small swallow followed.
But her hesitation was fleeting.
Quickly regaining composure, she lowered her gaze slyly and spoke again.
"Uh, y-yeah... High Lord, you're here? Looks like you've been traveling far... Must've eaten something good. Your face is practically glowing..."
"Prepare for battle immediately."
With no time for banter, Heinz cut her off firmly and issued the order.
Simultaneously contacting True Blood high combatants via vampire telepathy.
"Yes, High Lord!"
"Ah, and."
Her instinctive, disciplined response was followed by his words.
"This first."
From Heinz 2nd's fingertips rose a ruby-glowing Purified Blood Essence of divine blood.
Gulp—
Another swallow, her eyes locked on the fragrant liquid.