Chapter 351: Don't Do Anything Stupid and Just Go (2)
Chapter 351: Don't Do Anything Stupid and Just Go (2)
Persona’s wings beat powerfully.
Boom!
With a sound like the air itself exploding from that single flap, her massive body accelerated forward.
Demonic beasts and winged devils rose to block her path, but…
“Don’t worry about them! Just go!”
“Yes, Master!”
Following her master’s command, Persona flapped her wings with all her might.
The demons of hell lunged at her, leveling spears and reaching out to tear at her wings, but…
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles
Fourth Form
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance: Modified Form
Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Dragons
Two swords flew from Patrick’s hands and began a lethal dance in the air.
It was the pinnacle of the Polar Flying Swords.
The dazzling web of blades, woven so tightly not a drop of water could pass through, didn't allow a single demon to even get close to Persona.
Thanks to Patrick’s cover fire, which swept away the demons with an overwhelming wide-range assault, Persona was able to reach the Heavenly Demon’s fortress in a single bound. And then…
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
A monstrous Dragon Breath poured out immediately.
Her Breath, imbued with the Authority of a Lord, possessed enough power to turn the Heavenly Demon’s fortress into a handful of ash. However…
“Tsk, I guess it won’t be that easy.”
A black, translucent barrier blocked Persona’s Breath.
That was no ordinary building. It was a type of Divine Artifact created by the Heavenly Demon using his own Authority. In other words, it couldn't be destroyed by simple brute force.
There was only one way.
“We’re breaking in. Get inside.”
“Yes!”
At Patrick’s word, Persona landed on the ground and shifted back into her human form.
The group charged into the Heavenly Demon’s Hall of Subjugated Demons all at once.
Watching the scene from afar, the First Sage shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Double Dragon and his party have entered the Outer God’s fortress! Everyone, hold the line until the matter is settled!”
At those words, the Allied Forces began to squeeze out every last drop of their strength to hold their ground.
As long as they remained within the Sacred Field deployed by the paladins, the enemy’s power would be halved. If they fought a war of attrition using this area as their base, they felt they could somehow endure.
‘We’re leaving it to you now.’
‘Please, Double Dragon.’
*
The moment they stepped inside the Hall of Subjugated Demons.
Patrick and his party realized that the interior was far more vast than it appeared from the outside.
The dome-like interior was significantly larger than its external dimensions suggested.
“Is this some kind of space-expansion magic?”
As Riman spoke with interest, Persona shook her head.
“It’s more like the space itself has been isolated.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It’s not impossible. Not for the person we’re dealing with.”
“Enough with the explanations. Where do we go?”
Persona pointed ahead.
“It seems we can exit this area by going through that door on the opposite side of the entrance.”
“Right. Then let’s move fast—”
“Wait a moment, Double Dragon.”
It happened then.
A group stepped out to block Patrick as he tried to hurry through.
An old man with an eyepatch over one eye, followed by three dark mages.
They were people Patrick recognized.
“You are…?”
“It has been a while. Is this the first time since the Great Forest?”
“Jon… something-tiny?”
“……”
It’s only two syllables; you couldn't remember that? And when you say it like that, it sounds like a slur.
Jonsa remained silent for a moment before speaking calmly.
“I am the sovereign of the dark mages. My disciples call me Jonsa.”
“Tell me your name. Your name. Who told you to be so rude as to only introduce your title?”
At Patrick’s words, the disciples behind Jonsa flared up in anger. However, Jonsa didn't get angry at all. Instead, he wore a distant expression.
“A name… A name… Right. I’ve forgotten it. So much time has passed that I’ve even forgotten my own name.”
“Do you have dementia?”
“Hahaha…”
Jonsa simply laughed hollowly.
Patrick frowned at the sight. He didn't have time to play word games with these guys when every second counted.
“If you’re going to fight, do it quickly.”
Patrick drew the Black and White Twin Dragon Swords. But then…
“I have no intention of fighting.”
“…What?”
Patrick’s brow furrowed at Jonsa’s words. Behind him, Persona glared and shouted.
“Don’t talk nonsense! You treacherous spawn of an Outer God!”
A terrifying energy, as if about to explode, erupted from her body.
How could it not? The murderer of her father and her clan stood right before her eyes.
Persona drew her saber and cried out with a fierce gaze.
“Dialogue is useless. I will avenge my kin!”
But the moment she was about to swing her blade…
“I shall surrender.”
That single sentence from Jonsa made her blade stop.
Patrick narrowed his eyes.
“What kind of trick is this?”
“It is no trick. I am sincere.”
“……”
“I have finally awakened from a long delusion. I shall surrender to you. You may pass to the next floor safely, or if you wish, I shall join your side and fight against the Outer God.”
“……”
This was truly unexpected.
Patrick frowned. A trap? In this situation?
No, it didn't feel like one. But it was also hard to believe him so easily. In that case…
“Tsk, I have no choice.”
Though it was a waste of time and energy, he had to interpret this as necessary.
Patrick looked Jonsa straight in the eye and said, “Tell me the truth. What are you up to?”
The moment he heard those words, Jonsa’s body trembled.
His mouth began to move independently of his will.
“I realized that to the Outer God, we are nothing more than insignificant insects. I saw that there is nothing to be gained by continuing to lick the Outer God’s boots. Therefore, I intend to switch sides.”
“Hmm… In short, you’re betraying him because the benefits aren't good enough?”
“……”
“Tsk, tsk. How can a human be like that?”
At Patrick’s words, Jonsa’s face flushed as he remained silent.
But in a corner of his heart, he realized his hunch had been correct.
‘I was right.’
When he heard Patrick’s command just now, an irresistible force of compulsion had dominated his body. This feeling—this was undoubtedly Divinity.
“You are already a being who has reached the Divine Rank. You are an existence on par with the Outer God.”
“It just turned out that way.”
“Haha. ‘It just turned out that way,’ you say…”
Jonsa was dumbfounded.
Some had endured and waited for ages, long enough to forget their own names, just to grasp that Divinity—and yet they still hadn't attained it.
But this being…
‘No. Jealousy is meaningless.’
What mattered was not others, but what he himself could obtain.
“I beg of you. Take me in. I will surely be of help.”
“I know your kind well. You’re the type to stick to whoever benefits you most. You’re thoroughly calculated.”
“……”
“People like that don't switch sides for no reason. What’s your goal?”
“…Give me your word.”
“On what?”
“That after we help you and you emerge victorious, you will promise me a Divine Rank, even if it is a low-ranking one…”
“Haaaa…”
“I beg of you. If you only make this promise, I will fight on your side with everything I have.”
“Don't you think you’re being pathetic?”
“It does not matter. If I can obtain Divinity, what does a little shame matter now?”
“……”
“I beg of you. It will be beneficial to you… no, to Your Grace as well. Please, accept me as your servant.”
Jonsa now simply prostrated himself and pleaded with Patrick. He was in a state where he no longer cared about his dignity.
‘This is my last hope.’
He had dedicated his entire life… no, more than a lifetime, to the resurrection of the Outer God.
But the Outer God had not acknowledged his merits at all.
At this rate, even if the Outer God ascended to Absolute Divinity, it seemed there was no chance for Jonsa to attain a Divine Rank. If so, choosing the opposite side and taking a gamble was the only solution.
‘He won't be able to refuse. In this moment when victory is desperate, my help must be just as desperate for the Double Dragon…’
Jonsa had calculated everything thoroughly before volunteering to be the gatekeeper of the first floor.
From above Jonsa’s head, Patrick’s voice drifted down.
“This is why I don't like smart guys.”
“Haha… It is merely to survive…”
“They think they can put people in the palm of their hand and manipulate them.”
“…Wait, just now…”
“For your information, that is the fourth thing I hate most in this world.”
“No, wait… First, calm down and—”
“And Divinity isn't some joke you can just hand out! You son of a bitch!”
K-boom!
Patrick’s powerful strike slammed into Jonsa and his disciples.
“Ugh!”
“Aaaargh!”
They were sent flying in all directions by the single blow. Patrick moved to finish them off, but before he could…
Clang!
“Ho, the Primordial Thunderbolt Blade. It’s been a while.”
A swordsman appeared before Patrick and blocked his path.
Although Patrick had blocked the attack with one hand, the momentum of the strike was considerable. His hand was still tingling.
And that wasn't all.
Thump!
With the sound of a powerful stomp, a massive golden fist came flying toward him.
Faced with an attack carrying immense physical strength, Patrick didn't move an inch and responded by swinging his right hand.
“Hmph.”
Boom!
Patrick’s Black Dragon Sword shattered the massive golden fist in a single blow.
Turning his head toward where the fist had come from, he saw a high priest in Shaolin robes staring at him with his fist still extended.
“Hundred-Step Divine Fist… This really brings back memories.”
These were likely those who had challenged the Outer God, failed, and been enslaved as his familiars.
“You said you had no intention of fighting, yet you had everything prepared.”
At Patrick’s words, Jonsa hurriedly shouted.
“I truly have no intention of fighting! If you only change your mind, they too will become your loyal servants and fight the Outer God!”
“Bullshiiiiiit.”
“……”
How can such a person exist?
Jonsa was beside himself with a rage that felt like the veins in his head were about to burst.
“Do you truly… truly not know what is profitable and what is best for victory?”
Patrick smirked at Jonsa’s words.
Then, the smile vanished from his face as he spoke seriously.
“I know. I know well enough.”
“If you know…”
“But you see?”
“……”
“You want me to hold hands with trash like you for the sake of victory? Do you think everyone in the world is like you, seeing only what’s in front of their nose?”
“Grrr…”
Jonsa’s expression contorted.
How could he not know? He had discarded his conscience and his pride. But all of it was to attain Divinity. If he could achieve that, what did pride matter? Why couldn't he throw it away?
But Patrick’s eyes were looking at him as if he were looking at garbage.
Patrick opened his mouth and spoke.
“Not everyone in the world is a piece of trash like you.”
“…Double… Dragon.”
Jonsa ground his teeth.
It was all over now. The Outer God would already know he had betrayed him, and Patrick wouldn't accept him either. For Jonsa personally, this was the worst possible situation.
As everything he had built crumbled, Jonsa looked at Patrick, trembling with despair and rage.
Regardless, Patrick spoke to him.
“Aside from all that, you are the enemy of my disciple’s family and clan. Did you really think I would accept you?”
“Ugh… Because of such a trivial matter…”
“Persona.”
As soon as Patrick’s word fell, a woman descended from the air, swinging her saber downward.
“Haaaaah!”
Boom, boom, boom!
A terrifying strike.
Jonsa hurriedly deployed a shield, but he was sent tumbling backward by the massive impact.
Landing on the ground, Persona spoke.
“Master, please go on ahead.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“You must save your strength, Master. And…”
Thud!
Persona drove her saber into the ground and spoke firmly.
“These ones belong to me.”
“……”
The murderer of her father. The enemy of her clan.
Patrick could feel a grim determination from Persona’s back.
‘With Sona’s current strength, she won't lose even if she’s alone. But as for whether she can win…’
Patrick hesitated. Just then…
“If we’re going by that logic, I cannot step back either.”
Another woman stepped forward, her sword wreathed in flames.
Catherina bin Yuzef.
She took a step forward and looked at Patrick with a pleading expression, seeking his permission.
“My grudge against the dark mages is second to none.”
As she stepped up, Patrick thought for a moment before nodding.
“I’ll leave this place to you.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Grand Duke.”
Hearing the answers of the two heroines, Patrick shouted to the rest of the party.
“Hurry! We’re moving forward!”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
Leaving Persona and Catherina behind, Patrick ran toward the door ahead.
“Wa… Wait, Double Dragon!”
Jonsa tried to grab Patrick, unable to let go of his lingering attachment until the very end, but…
“I am your opponent!”
“Where do you think you’re going?!”
Terrifying flames and saber qi flew out, engulfing Jonsa.
“It’s dangerous!”
“Master… Ugh!”
The disciples hurriedly rushed forward to block the path in front of Jonsa.
Boom!
Thanks to them, Jonsa was safe, but Patrick, whom he had tried to catch, had already left the area.
“A… Aaaaaaaargh!”
Jonsa clutched his head in despair.
It was over. Everything was over.
It was the scream of one swallowed by true despair. After screaming for a long time, Jonsa…
“Heh… Hehehe…”
His shoulders shook as black demonic energy began to leak from his eyes. He looked at Persona and Catherina before him and spoke.
“I cannot perish alone.”
“……”
“……”
A chilling killing intent and a hair-raising presence.
The monster that had operated in the shadows and history of the continent for over a thousand years stood before them at this very moment.
Jonsa spoke, spreading a terrifying aura of slaughter.
“At the very least, I will take you two with me.”
In an instant, a monstrous demonic energy filled the space of the first floor.