Chapter 360: You’re All Dead (2)
Chapter 360: You’re All Dead (2)
Patrick knew.
‘This is my last chance.’
No matter how much he tried to turn this into a dogfight, it was ultimately nothing more than a mouse trying to counterattack a cat that was merely toying with it.
He might be able to land a painful bite, but he couldn't kill the cat.
If he truly wanted to win this fight, he had to enrage the Heavenly Demon and create a fatal opening in the aftermath.
To create that opening, he had even used his Ultimate Secret Art as a feint.
And now.
For the first time since this duel began, Patrick had finally created a moment of advantage against the Heavenly Demon.
Having forced the Heavenly Demon to exhaust two of his Intent techniques to counter Radiant Dragon’s Reign, Patrick had now seized the blind spot from below.
Even if it meant exhausting every last drop of his strength, he had to settle the score here.
“Let’s end this.”
Patrick pushed his four Dantians to their absolute limit, pouring every ounce of divine power remaining in his body into his sword. Then, he began to unleash the technique of a lifetime.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Five-Ring Style.
“Execute.”
In the next instant, Patrick’s body transformed into a single streak of light.
First Form.
Flash Dragon Strike.
Boom!
Patrick’s Flash Dragon Strike surged upward, striking the Heavenly Demon from below.
The Heavenly Demon blocked the attack with both hands, but a thought crossed his mind.
‘This is not good. This flow is not good.’
This wasn't a single strike.
It was merely the first stone placed on the board.
The goal was to hammer in the ensuing attacks one by one, eventually forcing him into a checkmate.
Therefore, he shouldn't just take the hits; he had to dodge or break the sequence.
The problem, however, was that the situation wasn't as easy as it sounded.
Before the Heavenly Demon could even organize his thoughts…
“Here comes the second one.”
Patrick’s next attack followed immediately.
Second Form.
Great Dragon Cross Sword.
As Patrick swung his blade twice, a massive cruciform slash—one that looked capable of rending the sky into four pieces—flew toward the Heavenly Demon, whose footing was already unstable.
There was no room to dodge, and no leeway to deflect it.
In the end, he had no choice but to meet force with force.
Realizing the situation, the Heavenly Demon responded instantly.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Heavenly Demon’s Reign.
Rumble!
With a heavy roar like a collapsing mountain, the massive cross-shaped slash was crushed as if stepped on by a giant. However…
“Ugh…”
The Heavenly Demon felt a sharp sting in his ankle.
The result of meeting Patrick’s full-powered strike with brute force from a disadvantaged position was that his ankle had been strained.
And then came the third attack.
Third Form.
Nine Dragons Under Heaven.
Nine ferocious dragons lunged forward, seeking to tear the Heavenly Demon apart.
‘Is he unleashing a full-scale Intent technique?’
Faced with a momentum that could not be taken lightly, the Heavenly Demon surged his energy. In an instant, an aura reminiscent of a Buddha’s halo erupted from behind him.
A violet radiance momentarily filled the space. And then…
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Ten Thousand Demons Look Up: I Alone Am Honored.
It was a terrifying pressure.
This technique, which revealed the true essence of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, crushed everything in existence other than the Heavenly Demon himself.
It was a skill that felt more like an Authority than a martial arts technique. However…
Grit.
Patrick did not yield.
Amidst the crushing weight that felt like a mountain pressing down and a pressure so intense he couldn't breathe, he did what he had to do.
“Haaah!”
K-Boom!
The moment the nine dragons collided with the Demon God…
A terrifying explosion occurred, and cracks began to form in the surrounding space.
“How can this be? The Heavenly Demon Palace is…?”
“This is impossible.”
The elders of the Demonic Cult were aghast.
They knew.
The space they were currently standing in was a divine realm created by the Heavenly Demon’s own divine power.
In other words, as long as the god remained intact, not a single scratch should appear in this space.
Yet now, the walls of the Heavenly Demon Palace were cracking, and the ceiling was beginning to collapse.
This meant the Heavenly Demon no longer had the mental leeway to maintain the palace. It meant his opponent was that much of a formidable foe.
“Heavenly Demoooon!”
Having clashed with the Heavenly Demon while maintaining Nine Dragons Under Heaven, Patrick pushed forward with all his might.
Slash, slash, slash!
Unable to withstand Patrick’s relentless push, the Heavenly Demon was being driven backward.
Judging by the single trail of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, this wasn't an act. He had suffered internal injuries and was unable to properly draw out his strength.
‘This is the first and last chance.’
Patrick continued to drive the Heavenly Demon toward the wall.
Crash!
The thick wall shattered as Patrick and the Heavenly Demon were flung out of the Heavenly Demon Palace. And then…
Fourth Form.
Radiant Dragon’s Reign.
The Ultimate Secret Art was unleashed immediately.
It was the second time he had used this certain-kill technique today alone.
‘He’s unleashing it here?’
The Heavenly Demon was surprised.
He had expected that Patrick might unleash his Ultimate Secret Art twice in one day.
After all, Patrick was the kind of man who would do exactly that for the sake of victory, regardless of whether his meridians twisted or his Dantian shattered.
But the problem was that this wasn't the final finishing move; it was still a stepping stone in the middle of the sequence.
Why? How?
Questions followed questions, but before he knew it, Patrick—clad in the dragon of light—was falling vertically toward the Heavenly Demon. And then…
Fifth Form.
Apex: Rampaging Dragon Torrent.
A final, lethal strike executed once more while in the state of Radiant Dragon’s Reign.
The power was undoubtedly immense, but it was a move that defied the natural order of martial arts.
“Guh…”
Patrick forcibly swallowed the blood rising up his throat.
It felt as if his meridians were snapping strand by strand.
His Dantian was cracking, unable to withstand the reckless manipulation of Ki.
But because of that.
“Tch…”
For the first time, a sound of genuine fluster escaped the Heavenly Demon’s lips.
And Patrick roared.
“Just die already!”
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
A torrent created by hundreds of dragons of light swallowed the Heavenly Demon whole.
*
“Block them! Do not be pushed back!”
“Hold your ground! This is the turning point of the battle!”
Outside the Heavenly Demon Palace.
There, the elite forces mobilized by Patrick were blocking the Gate and fighting desperately.
The Paladins maintained the Sacred Field even as cold sweat poured down their faces.
The mages also squeezed out magic even after their mana was depleted, and the knights and Orc warriors standing at the front held their positions through literal blood and death.
“Your Majesty, we are out of arrows.”
“We’re heading to the front as well!”
“Yes, Sire!”
Kilios, the King of the Elves, personally grabbed a spear and ran toward the front lines where the Orc warriors were struggling.
And it was then that they saw it.
“Uh… over there?”
“O-Ohhh…”
Rumble!
What they saw was the sight of the massive Heavenly Demon Palace, which had stood tall in the distance, collapsing.
What did that mean? Could it be…?
“Did he do it?”
“No way…”
It was then.
The demons and demonic beasts they had been fighting began to be forcibly summoned back to hell one by one.
“W-We won!”
“Whoooo!”
“It’s a victory!”
The Allied Forces of various nations shouted for victory until their throats were raw.
In the midst of an unprecedented crisis, they couldn't help but be excited by the great achievement of saving the world.
Each of them began to run toward the collapsed Heavenly Demon Palace.
To praise the great hero who had saved the world. However…
“…?!”
“What is that…?”
What they saw as they ran was a scene completely different from what they had imagined.
“Schneider!”
Professor Dustin Late shouted at the top of his lungs.
What he saw was Patrick, collapsed and unable to move, and the Heavenly Demon standing arrogantly over him.
The moment he confirmed that the outcome of the battle was clearly decided, he grit his teeth and dashed forward.
“Are you the Outer God?!”
A powerful Aura Blade was formed on the sword he thrust forward.
Simultaneously, several 7-Star knights of similar caliber dashed forward. However…
“Begone.”
The Heavenly Demon waved his hand as if shooing away a bothersome insect. With just that…
Bang!
A massive palm force that spread out in a fan shape blew them all away.
“Gah…”
“Aaaagh!”
A single move.
The single move unleashed by the Heavenly Demon caused those who were about to charge next to freeze in their tracks.
“The Indomitable Knight and the Sword Queen at the same time…”
“Is he… a monster?”
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze swept over the wavering crowd.
Do you dare to face me?
Those who met that gaze, which carried such a meaning, unconsciously lowered their heads.
Even with the enemy right before their eyes, they didn't dare to face him.
“Hmph.”
The Heavenly Demon looked away as if he had lost interest in those who were cowed by fear.
Instead, he turned toward Patrick, who lay collapsed at his feet.
“You were magnificent, Radiant Dragon Hero.”
“……”
“A depth of martial studies worthy of being called a Grandmaster, a combat sense tempered by rich practical experience. And the strength of the man you are yourself.”
“……”
“I offer my praise to all of it.”
The Heavenly Demon was satisfied.
Patrick’s final attack.
It had made the Heavenly Demon realize the threat of death for the first time.
An Intent technique that surpassed limits, unleashed after steadily cornering him with a series of linked forms.
In that moment, the Heavenly Demon couldn't think of any martial art to block Patrick’s attack. So…
“It’s embarrassing. I feel as though I won by cheating.”
The Heavenly Demon had used divine power.
Of course, since he had ascended to a Divine Rank, divine power was something that moved even when he just breathed.
However, it was the first time he had used a technique that relied so completely on divine power as he had just now.
To block Patrick’s attack, he had released a massive amount of divine power to endure the technique, and even then, he had sustained significant injuries.
“I admit it. As a martial artist, it is my defeat.”
At the Heavenly Demon’s words, Patrick twitched, trying to get up. He wanted to say something to wipe that smug look off the guy’s face…
‘Ah… it’s not working.’
It was impossible.
He didn't have the strength left to even wiggle a finger.
This sensation, which felt strangely familiar…
‘Ah, it’s similar to back then.’
It had been like this at Phoenix Slope in his previous life as well.
The sensation of the moment when he had poured out everything and was facing death was exactly like this.
His body would not follow his will.
This feeling of the spark of life slowly fading away was the same as back then.
To Patrick, who was realizing his death, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
“I will keep my promise. I shall withdraw from this world.”
Then get the hell out.
To Patrick, who wanted to say those words, the Heavenly Demon continued.
“And you shall come with me.”
“Ugh… ugh…”
He wanted to snap back and tell him not to talk nonsense, but he could barely even lift his head.
To such a Patrick, the Heavenly Demon said, “The loser must follow the rights of the winner. Give up and join me as my familiar.”
“…Dammit.”
Is there no other way? Well, I did what I could…
Strength drained completely from Patrick’s body.
He still had so much left to do, yet to end up like this.
‘Still, it’s a relief. I achieved my minimum goal.’
If the Heavenly Demon withdrew, the crisis of this world was over.
In other words, he had protected everything he wanted to protect.
His father and mother.
His beloved wives.
His friends.
His subordinates.
And everyone else… all the people who were precious to him, perhaps more than he deserved, would live on in peace tomorrow.
‘Then that’s enough.’
Even if I’m not among them, it’s fine.
As long as my precious ones can live through tomorrow, that was enough.
I did a pretty good job for someone like me.
So…
‘Everyone, please don’t be too sad.’
Because that is what I wish for…
“Now, come with me.”
The Heavenly Demon slowly reached out his hand toward Patrick. Patrick resigned himself and closed his eyes.
Just as everything was about to be settled…
“Yaaaaah!”
With a rough shout, someone launched a fierce strike toward the Heavenly Demon.
The attack cutting through the wind was quite sharp. However…
Clang!
The Heavenly Demon glanced at the attack and flicked it away with a finger, using a finger-flicking technique. Then…
“Who are you?”
The Heavenly Demon was curious.
He wondered who this person was, the only one among the humans whose feet were frozen in fear, who dared to charge at him.
And the man said to the Heavenly Demon, “Matthew Ryan.”
He glanced at Patrick, who was collapsed behind him, then gripped his sword tightly and spoke.
“I’m this guy’s friend.”