Chapter 470: Annihilation, and the Strange... (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 470: Annihilation, and the Strange... (4)
Whooooooom—!
As if black ink had been dropped into a clear vat of water, the spirit energy pouring from Murakan began to stain the sky.
The transformation was incredibly swift. In an instant, the world plunged into a moonless night, making Murakan’s blinking amber eyes stand out with terrifying clarity.
To those looking up at him from beneath that darkened sky, he looked like a reaper staring down from the heavens.
—Once I give the word to sweep them all away, start using all the lines from number 100 onwards as you see fit.
—The 100s? Those are all about death and destruction.
—Exactly. Use those lines appropriately and, if possible, actually kill them all. Just leave about five insignificant people from each faction alive.
—Hmph. Kid, you seem to be mistaken. I can do that just fine without you telling me to or setting rules. If anything, your lines sound like the kind of garbage used by hacks trying to act tough. Real pros like me deliver threats with a bit more subtlety.
—I know, but I’m telling you this because we need the bluff.
—What? A bluff?
—You’re not quite as strong as you were in your prime yet. Until you recover all your strength, we need to act as imposing as possible. You know your reputation has been skyrocketing since the Black King Corps incident, right?
—Tsk, I don’t like it. Fine, I’ll follow your lead. But seriously, "I am Murakan, the worst nightmare a mortal can experience; you shall become the dead, never to dream again"—how on earth did you come up with such cringe-inducing lines?
—Was that number 107? Why? I thought it was pretty good. Anyway, when you’re killing the enemies, try to use techniques that look as impressive as possible. Prioritize spectacle over efficiency.
—Fine, fine. I get it.
That was the conversation they’d had while drafting the script.
Though he claimed to dislike it, Murakan was actually feeling a secret satisfaction at how much his prestige had grown since the Black King Corps incident.
Of course, compared to the majesty of his prime, his current state was less than a drop in the bucket. But whenever he felt that ignorant humans were treating him like an ordinary dragon—though that rarely happened—he couldn't help but feel a lingering, pathetic frustration.
In other words, the opportunity had come to take that satisfaction to the next level.
[I am Murakan.]
Vortices began to form throughout the pitch-black sky.
Hundreds appeared in a single moment, and from the center of each, a massive, jet-black spike began to emerge. These were the spikes that would slaughter everyone on the ground according to Murakan’s will.
[The worst nightmare a mortal can experience.]
His voice, both majestic and eerie, weighed heavily upon the entire archipelago. It echoed in all directions through the veil of spirit energy, and at that gloomy vibration, the beasts and insects of the island scrambled to hide.
Birds took flight toward the open sea, while land animals and insects burrowed deep into their holes.
Now that he had recovered fifty percent of his power…
It felt as though the movement of every single one of these lesser creatures was being transmitted directly to him.
The sound of a flock of birds folding and unfolding their wings as they took flight; the sensation of lynxes churning the soil with their paws to dig their dens; the scurrying and buzzing of insects retreating deeper into the forest.
Murakan felt it all as he hovered in the sky.
He was savoring it.
A thousand years ago, these were sensations he had often enjoyed in place of music or erotic picture books. It was a feeling he had completely forgotten until he regained half his strength.
And so, he waited quietly for a moment.
He waited for the lesser creatures to have enough time to take cover. He even pinpointed the locations of those who couldn't escape, intending to make sure they didn't die once the massacre began.
Since the movements of the animals were so vivid to him…
There was no way he could miss the terror of the humans laid out right beneath him.
‘To think he can exert such pressure just by releasing his power…! The Imperial dragons weren't afraid for nothing.’
‘I heard his heart was injured, but is this really the strength of someone in that state? Has he fully recovered?’
‘I’m scared, I’m scared! Someone save me!’
The humans of the Imperial Army and the Zipple Clan, and the beastmen of Kinzelo, each had their own thoughts. Their frantic heartbeats and tremors were a pleasant melody to his ears.
‘Yes, this was the feeling. The feeling that I can kill or spare anything according to my will!’
At this thrilling sensation, felt for the first time in a thousand years, his tail went stiff and his chest quivered. He still wouldn't be able to savor this feeling against the absolute strongest in the world, but for now, he was effectively the god of this archipelago.
While all of Jin’s enemies were frozen in extreme tension, unable to even open their mouths…
Only one person, Sandra Zipple, continued to scream at the top of her lungs.
“Midore Elner, you ungrateful son of a bitch! I’m warning you now: don't you dare activate that Tower Master’s staff without my permission. Got it? If you do, I’ll personally slit your throat with a carving knife and put your head on a pike in the middle of Drakka Plaza!”
She seemed completely unconcerned that her arm had been severed and sealed. The stump had recovered somewhat, having been treated with standard healing magic to stop the bleeding, not the Authority of Time.
She wasn't just pouring curses on Midore, either. She turned to Jin and spoke in an infinitely tender voice.
“Our date ran into a bit of trouble because of this bastard who isn't even worth feeding to stray dogs. You’ll be generous enough to understand, won't you? Your heart is as handsome as your face, after all.”
I really shouldn't get involved with this person.
That instinctive alarm was ringing loudly in Jin’s mind. It went beyond a mere chill down his spine; a strange kind of horror, a type he had never experienced before, was making his skin crawl.
“Anyway, where were we?”
“Uh, well… the Demon God Stone.”
“Ah, right. The Demon God Stone. Do you have any idea how much trouble we went through to make that without Kinzelo…?”
“Lady Sandra! No, you crazy woman! That’s enough…!”
Just as Sandra was about to throw another fit at Midore’s desperate shout, Murakan realized that the lesser creatures had all either fled or found safety.
[You shall become the dead, never to dream again.]
Murakan finished the 107th line.
Then, with satisfied eyes, he scanned the ground. He had locked onto the targets where the spikes would fall.
A sharp, black rain began to fall from the vortices of spirit energy. Each vortex incessantly spat out one massive spike, while hundreds of smaller ones formed around it.
From a distance, it looked as if a swarm of locusts had suddenly descended upon the archipelago.
What was even more terrifying was that the spikes were falling in absolute silence. Silence was one of the greatest attributes of the power known as shadow, or spirit energy.
“B-Block it!”
“Damn it, save Lady Sandra!”
“Aaaargh!”
Despite so many spikes pouring down, the only sounds were screams and the crunch of things being destroyed.
Normally, when using magic or techniques of this scale, one would expect a certain amount of friendly fire. However, not a single spike of spirit energy fell where the Runcandel knights were standing.
They fell within a hand’s breadth of them, but never on them. It was as if an umbrella had been placed specifically over the Runcandel camp.
Naturally, the eyes of the Runcandels could only turn toward Jin and Murakan.
Specifically, they were drawn to Jin. In some ways, Jin—who stood there with an indifferent face, watching his enemies be slaughtered—felt even more cold-blooded than Murakan, who was actually raining down the spikes.
To the Runcandels, it felt as if they were catching a glimpse of the hierarchy between the two.
‘The Young Master gives orders like that, and the dragon acts without a hint of displeasure? They say the relationship between a Guardian Dragon and a Contractor usually favors the former, but this is practically a master and servant!’
Beyond merely piercing and penetrating, Murakan’s spikes were literally grinding the enemies away.
If one were to combine all the Guardian Knights and Enforcement Knights under their command, could they ever match Murakan alone?
They were certain they could not.
‘My Guardian Knights can't even compare, and perhaps even the First Brother’s forces…'
…might not be able to handle Murakan.
That thought suddenly occurred to Vigo.
Of course, that was a misconception. Even with Murakan having regained fifty percent of his power, Joshua had the Black Knights, the clan’s best Enforcement Knights, and the largest number of Guardian Knights. If Murakan could handle them all alone, Jin would become the Patriarch tomorrow.
Vigo was simply so intimidated by the overwhelming display of force—the likes of which he hadn't seen in a long time—that it led him to this delusion. And that delusion would become a major rumor circulating through the Garden of Swords once he returned.
Sandra was also being torn to shreds.
“Ugh, ghh… think, cough, about it… marry… me.”
Surprisingly, she continued to fix her gaze on Jin while her body underwent super-regeneration.
“Aaaagh!”
“Gah!”
The elders who rushed to save her let out death cries as they tried to cast shields. They had to save her because of Midore’s orders, but in truth, their strength was insufficient.
Midore knew this as well.
He had only given the order because he didn't know what kind of trouble he’d be in later if he did nothing while a pure-blood Zipple was being torn apart before his eyes.
He also needed to create a pretext. He needed to be able to say that despite so many sacrifices to save Sandra, she ultimately remained in a state where she could not command the operation. Therefore, he had no choice but to take full authority and lead in her stead.
“Seventh Tower Master, this is enough! If you take command now, both the Patriarch and the Elder Council will understand…!”
“We’ll be wiped out at this rate! Lady Sandra’s regeneration isn't infinite! To save the young lady… we must use that method!” one elder shouted, staring at a spike that had just pierced through his shield.
As if he had no choice, Midore bit his lip hard and nodded.
—Seeing as the giant form has vanished, the great mercenary Amela has likely already been defeated by Murakan! Seventh Tower Master, I know you want to avenge the previous Tower Master, but we must retreat for now!
—Seventh Tower Master!
—Please, calm yourself!
That method.
It was the very reason Midore Elner had refused to retreat even after seeing the karma fire that Murakan and Jin had accidentally produced.
“Whew.”
Midore took a slow breath to steady himself. He needed to hide his ragged breathing, a result of the excitement he felt at finally being able to take his revenge.
It was better this way. If Sandra had insisted on retreating, he would have been forced to pull back with his enemy right in front of him.
“I understand,” Midore said, pulling something from his robes.