Chapter 121: Half (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: Half (3)
“…An Outer God in the Ashtalon Kingdom?”
“Yes. And it’s not just the Ashtalon Kingdom. They say Outer Gods have appeared in Laxas and Calliban as well.”
Alon frowned.
“…Multiple Outer Gods appeared all at once?”
“Yes.”
“…And these are fully manifested Outer Gods, not in human form?”
“That’s what the reports say.”
‘That shouldn’t be possible.’
Something was wrong.
In the world of Psychedelia, he had never seen multiple Outer Gods descend simultaneously.
Of course, just because he hadn’t experienced it didn’t mean such an occurrence was impossible, but this phenomenon was undeniably strange.
The ‘Descent of an Outer God’ occurs through a living being of this world, including humans.
Until an Outer God is perfectly manifested, it must abide by the limitations of the physical body it has descended into.
Yet, for so many Outer Gods to appear at once…
There were only two possibilities.
Either a vast number of Outer Gods had been hiding all this time and finally revealed themselves.
Or else—
‘…Artificial Outer Gods.’
Like the ones he had seen in the Holy Kingdom—artificial entities that had never appeared in the original Psychedelia.
Alon was weighing these two possibilities when additional information from Evan tipped the scales.
“…You’re saying all the Outer Gods that appeared mentioned the name of Duke Comallon of the Ashtalon Kingdom?”
“Yes. They all reportedly show a fanatical devotion to him, calling Duke Comallon the ‘Seeker.’”
At that moment, Alon was certain.
They weren’t the Outer Gods he knew; they were Artificial Outer Gods.
Duke Comallon had created these Artificial Outer Gods.
Furthermore, he was likely the one responsible for creating the Abyss Bodies as well.
“…We’re leaving immediately.”
“To the Ashtalon Kingdom…?”
“Yes.”
“Ugh, I heard it’s incredibly dangerous there right now—you’re really going?”
“I am.”
“I’ll get ready then.”
Watching Evan grumble while immediately rushing off to prepare, Alon fell into thought.
‘I never heard the name Duke Comallon in Psychedelia.’
But that didn't matter now.
The important fact was that Duke Comallon was the mastermind behind the Abyss Bodies—a truth never revealed in the original game.
And that he might be the Outer God known as ‘The Forgotten One,’ who had been living in the shadows, hiding his true identity until now.
“Sigh.”
Alon let out a long breath and stood up.
There was no time to waste.
“Everything is ready, Marquis.”
“Let’s move.”
They immediately began their journey toward the Ashtalon Kingdom.
* * *
Over the next five days, Alon gathered three more pieces of information.
First, the Outer Gods had suddenly erupted from all directions, and Duke Comallon had slaughtered most of the nobles present at the ball.
Second, it wasn't just the nobles at the ball; he had also massacred the commoners, soldiers, and even the knights within his own territory.
Third, Duke Comallon was destroying every neighboring territory he could reach, with four already having been completely decimated.
A question formed in Alon’s mind.
‘…Why did he slaughter the neighboring territories?’
The act of slaughter itself wasn't surprising.
By nature, the moment an Outer God descends into a living body, it perceives humanity as the enemy.
However, for Outer Gods, massacres were usually a secondary byproduct of achieving their goals. Mass slaughter itself was rarely the primary objective.
Even now, it was the same.
At a glance, the actions of Duke Comallon—who was presumed to be an Outer God—didn't seem much different from their usual behavior.
But the reason he felt doubtful was the nature of Duke Comallon’s massacre itself.
“…Hmm.”
Alon looked down at the map.
On the map of Ashtalon that Evan had procured, he could see the four territories Duke Comallon had passed through.
“Evan.”
“Yes.”
“You said the territories that were slaughtered didn't particularly have any issues with Duke Comallon?”
“Yes. In fact, they were said to be on good terms. Apparently, Duke Comallon didn't have a problematic personality in social circles to begin with.”
“Hmm…”
The four territories Duke Comallon attacked looked close on the map, but they were clearly separated.
In other words, he hadn't just wiped them out because they were on his way to somewhere else; his primary goal from the start had been to destroy those specific lands.
That was the mystery.
Outer Gods viewed humanity as the enemy, but they didn't typically move with the sole purpose of human genocide.
That was a secondary issue; they always had a more fundamental goal.
Yet, Duke Comallon was tearing through neighboring territories as if the total annihilation of the human race was his only objective.
Furthermore.
“…There’s significant damage outside of Ashtalon as well?”
“Yes. Ashtalon is the worst, but in other countries, a territory or two has been wiped out like it was nothing.”
The Artificial Outer Gods he had presumably created also seemed to have no clear purpose other than killing humans.
“Hooo.”
Alon looked down at the map again with a strange expression.
He briefly searched his past memories but soon shook his head.
‘…Duke Comallon never appeared in the game.’
What did appear were the Abyss Bodies he created.
Even then, there were no details, so players had criticized it as a plot point suddenly shoved in just to balance the levels.
There was no lore beyond that.
“…We should be crossing the border into the Ashtalon Kingdom soon.”
“Is that so?”
“If the reports are accurate, Duke Comallon’s next destination should be the Lumiere territory. Are we going there?”
“We’ll have to.”
“But, Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“Is it really okay to just charge in like this? I know you’re going to stop Duke Comallon, but we haven't even gauged the enemy’s strength yet.”
…Well, you did the same thing last time, Evan added under his breath.
Alon thought quietly.
As Evan said, unlike before when he could rely on game knowledge to understand his enemies, Duke Comallon was an unknown foe he knew nothing about.
However, Alon soon nodded.
“It’s fine to go.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I’ve already finished all the preparations. Besides, I have my own way of gauging their strength.”
Alon toyed with the ‘Necklace of the Eye Eater’ around his neck, recalling another hidden setting of this artifact.
“…Well, alright then.”
Evan nodded as if accepting it, and Alon looked up at the sky.
Contrary to the grim rumors reaching his ears, the sky was perfectly clear.
As if the events unfolding on this earth were of no consequence at all…
* * *
Exactly a day and a half later.
Alon arrived at Lumilla, the territory ruled by Count Lumiere.
“■■■■■■■■■■■■—!!!!”
“Crazy…”
Along with Evan’s low curse, they saw an Outer God—no, an Artificial Outer God—perched atop the territory’s walls, letting out a grotesque shriek as it tore the place apart.
It was an Artificial Outer God in the shape of a spider, its massive body a tangled mess of hundreds of giant arms.
Looking down, he saw the territory engulfed in flames.
And from within that thick inferno came the sound of countless screams.
That wasn't all.
From the mouth of the spider-like Outer God, the corpses of those who had been human moments ago were falling, while below, numerous soldiers and knights were engaged in a desperate struggle.
The scene of the life-and-death battle filled Alon’s vision.
Even as they were crushed by the massive arms, the knights fought desperately to sever them.
They gave up their bodies to the grotesquely protruding limbs, losing their lives.
Among the knights dying to open a path for their comrades, one finally reached the Outer God.
Crunch!
He hacked at the monster’s leg.
■■■■■■■■—!
Soon.
The monster’s leg, spewing red blood in every direction as it shrieked, fell with a heavy thud, crushing several houses.
Joy began to swell in the knight’s eyes.
However.
“!”
That joy quickly began to turn into despair.
From the massive leg the knight had severed, hands were suddenly sprouting.
A hand grew.
From that hand, another hand.
And another.
And another.
And another.
And another—countless hands grew like…
Like living muscle regenerating.
Thus, the Outer God regenerated its leg.
The attack that more than fifteen knights had sacrificed their bodies and lives to achieve was rendered utterly futile in an instant.
The surviving soldiers stared blankly at the Outer God.
The Outer God’s gaze looked down at the knight.
“Ugh—Aaaaaagh!”
The knight, now consumed by terror, let out a scream.
Watching the spider-like Artificial Outer God twist its massive mouth into a grin as if enjoying the scream, Alon naturally began to form a seal.
‘…It’s an insult to the name Outer God—even an Artificial one.’
To Alon, Outer Gods were ‘enemies,’ but they clearly belonged to the category of ‘Gods.’
Whether they were manifested or not, it was the same.
But the thing before his eyes now was unworthy of even being called an Artificial Outer God.
It was nothing more than a hideous monster merely imitating divinity.
“Phew.”
Calming his mind, Alon extended his arm.
Actually, magic wasn't the best choice right now.
It would be great to take it down in one shot, but with that level of regeneration, he wouldn't be able to finish it at once unless he used the ‘Necklace of the Eye Eater’ to find its weakness first.
Still, he didn't want to just stand by and watch this cruel massacre.
Just as Alon, having formulated a plan amidst the dozens of thoughts swirling in his head, was about to chant a Phrase—
“Mentor!”
“?”
At the sound of that incredibly familiar voice, he reflexively turned his head.
“…Seolrang?”
“Wow! It really is Mentor!”
Seolrang was there.
Looking absolutely thrilled to see Alon, she wagged her tail and rushed straight toward him.
“Mentor! Why are you here?”
A bright smile filled her face.
And at that moment.
Creak!
Alon realized.
Behind Seolrang, the monster that had been lifting its leg to crush the knight just moments ago was now staring this way with its massive eyes.
He had a fleeting thought that Seolrang’s greeting might have been a bit too loud.
“■■……?”
The Outer God turned its massive body, letting out an incomprehensible, grotesque sound.
However.
“Mentor! Why are you here? Oh, Evan’s here too!”
Even though the Outer God was slowly approaching from behind the wall, Seolrang didn't seem to care at all, her tail wagging as she looked only at Alon.
“I’m curious too, but I think we should take care of that thing before we talk.”
“Huh? That?”
Only then did Seolrang turn her gaze.
There, she saw the monster that had been destroying the territory now turning toward them in response to her voice.
“Hmm—it’s ugly.”
Soon, looking at the monster with an expression of clear distaste, Seolrang spoke.
“Mentor, can you wait just a second? You look uncomfortable, so I’ll go take care of that and come back.”
Leaving those words behind, she began to walk forward.
“Wait—Seolrang.”
Alon tried to stop her.
Of course, he knew well how strong she was.
But no matter what, the opponent was an Outer God.
Even if it was artificially created and significantly weaker than a true Outer God, it was undoubtedly a being clad in divinity.
However, Seolrang, already three steps ahead of Alon, had her gaze fixed on the Outer God.
Golden lightning began to erupt from her entire body.
Crackle!
The golden current spread in all directions, devouring the darkness.
Craters formed in the ground, and Seolrang’s waist-length hair momentarily stood up in sharp points in sync with the golden lightning.
And then.
“Swaying Spear—”
A small whisper, which even Alon couldn't quite catch, escaped Seolrang’s lips.
Zip!
In an instant, Seolrang vanished from before Alon and Evan’s eyes.
Before Alon could even wonder where she had moved.
They saw it.
—Thunder Kick.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
The impossibly massive body of the Artificial Outer God that had been destroying the territory…
Was launched helplessly into the air.
Simultaneously.
A brilliant bolt of lightning erupted from beneath that massive frame.
The moment the eyes of the knights and soldiers, who had been in despair just moments ago, reached that brilliant lightning.
KRA-KOOM!
“■■■■■■■■■■■■—!!!!”
“…….”
As the brilliant lightning pierced through the Outer God’s torso and soared into the night sky…
Everyone stood there, mouths agape.
Alon and Evan were no exception.
Eventually.
“…Is that even possible?”
Evan asked, looking utterly dazed.
“…….”
Instead of answering.
Alon just…
Stared blankly at Seolrang, who was high in the sky, waving both hands vigorously toward him.
‘…Why is she so strong?’
Countless question marks floated above Alon’s head.