The Fall of Sloth
"The fog's gone."
"Yes, the Dream Slumber domain only activates once."
Gabriel and the Blue Dragon dashed down the fog-cleared corridor.
The deployed domain functioned only once. As a cheat-like ability, it couldn't be unfolded repeatedly.
"Then let's get the Master to a safe spot—"
"Senior, it's dangerous!"
It was the moment the two apostles lifted the sleeping Joo Kanghyeok and Lucifer.
Shiiik—!
A magic bullet flew from somewhere, aimed straight at their Master. Gabriel reacted instantly, deflecting it with the edge of her hand.
With restrictions lifted, it was no challenge.
Kwaaang!
A massive explosion erupted where the bullet struck.
【Tch, I was hoping to take you out in one shot.】
They turned toward the voice. A young boy was strolling down the corridor. The Blue Dragon immediately recognized him.
"It's Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins."
【Yeah, you damn thief.】
Envy glared at the Blue Dragon with murderous intent. The Blue Dragon smiled calmly in response.
"If it was something important, you should've guarded it better. Don't you think?"
Envy's face twisted completely.
【Where's the source of magi energy?】
"You didn't think I'd answer just because you asked, did you?"
【Fine. I'll rip off those limbs first. Then drag you across the floor. That'll teach you some humility. Right?】
A purple aura began to blaze over Envy's body.
Gabriel and the Blue Dragon had their restrictions lifted. The Blue Dragon was even a Myth-rank apostle.
In terms of combat power alone, they might be evenly matched with Envy.
But the situation wasn't bad for Envy.
【But fighting while protecting your sleeping Master? That's gotta be tough. Right?】
Nothing was less efficient than fighting while guarding someone.
Envy created a small orb on his fingertip. It shot out silently, like a bullet.
Shiiik—!
The bullet targeted Mumyeong precisely.
One shot, two shots, three shots.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
The Blue Dragon deflected the bullets with his blue wrist guards.
"……."
As expected, the Blue Dragon couldn't leave Joo Kanghyeok's side.
Envy's smile deepened.
【Kuhahat! Yeah! Try blocking this too!】
This time, it was rapid fire. Bullets poured continuously from his fingertips.
Tudududu—!
"I'll block it."
The Blue Dragon stepped forward, raising both wrist guards. A blue barrier formed around them, halting the bullet barrage.
But the power was no joke.
'A double gate, so Envy's restrictions are partially lifted too.'
The Blue Dragon bit his lip.
It was too risky to leave it all to Gabriel. He couldn't guarantee she could protect both Lucifer and the Master under this firepower.
As if reading his mind, Gabriel placed a hand on the Blue Dragon's shoulder.
"It's fine, blue fishie. Trust me and go beat the crap outta Envy."
"B-blue fishie...? Understood for now."
Gabriel seemed to have a plan.
In that case.
Kwagwagwa—!
The Blue Dragon spread his arms wide. Blue waves rippled outward, briefly neutralizing Envy's bullets.
At the same time, he kicked off the ground and leaped.
【You're insane! Abandoning your Master to charge me?!】
Envy shouted as if he'd been waiting. A swollen orb formed at his fingertip and shot out rapidly.
If the previous were bullets, this was shell-sized.
Kwaaaa—!
The shell sliced through the air, reaching right in front of Gabriel.
Gabriel judged calmly.
'Can't protect both at once.'
The answer was simple.
'Sacrifice one.'
Gabriel hoisted the sleeping Lucifer.
Kwaaaang—!
The magic shell hit Lucifer dead-on, spewing black smoke. The fierce explosion tore the surrounding air.
"……Friend Shield. The ultimate technique of using a comrade as a shield."
Sususu…….
But the attack was definitively blocked.
Lucifer gripped his dedicated weapon. Though asleep, his ultimate skill remained active.
Its durability was truly Myth-rank.
Luckily, Lucifer was tougher than expected.
The Blue Dragon shouted in admiration.
"Such a method... As expected of you, Senior!"
Closing in on Envy in one bound, the Blue Dragon unleashed blue lightning. Kwaang! Envy countered with magic. A violent shockwave exploded from the clash.
【Ha, what the... It changes nothing. You think one of you can take me down?】
"Who knows? We'll see."
They didn't need to win. Holding out until Mumyeong woke was enough.
It was just as the Blue Dragon and Envy were about to clash again.
Tadadada—!
Rough footsteps echoed from outside the corridor. Like someone sprinting barefoot.
Envy frowned, looking ahead.
【What? A human?】
Undeniably human energy. What idiot human had dared enter the Apocalypse Temple without knowing their place?
Envy didn't even bother paying attention.
He deflected the Blue Dragon's downward strike with one hand and thrust his right fist into its abdomen.
Massive magi erupted, turning the 50-meter radius into scorched earth.
If a human clumsily entered this zone, death was the only outcome.
At present, humanity's level topped out at S-rank.
That power couldn't even intervene in this fight. The shockwaves alone from the Blue Dragon and Envy would pulverize a human body.
Yes.
This was a battle beyond Myth-rank.
No room for humans.
Kwaaang—!
Several clashes followed, and the Blue Dragon blocked Envy's punch with both hands.
'Now.'
The instant massive magi blazed over Envy's left fist.
A bare foot entered Envy's vision. The human he'd dismissed as collateral vanished into the fight's aftermath—struck Envy's temple.
【?!】
Kwaaang—!
Tremendous power. Envy flew dozens of meters, crashing. The floor shattered and dust billowed thickly.
Cough.
Envy rose from the ground, vomiting blood. His pupils shook violently.
【Wh-what... A human...?】
A human with bare torso. No special aura, yet overwhelmingly strong. Enough to stagger a Seven Deadly Sins apostle with one blow.
"I owe Mumyeong a debt."
The returner Ho Young joined the fray.
【You... what are you...?】
Cold sweat beaded on Envy's forehead.
Whoever this guy was...
This was dangerous. Very dangerous.
'Show me your power, Mumyeong.'
The Seven Deadly Sins always descended faithfully into worlds with the System.
Though timings varied, they manifested as apostles of apocalypse, seeking to destroy the world.
The Dream Slumber domain.
It was Sloth's boasted ultimate and sure-kill technique.
Some survived by luck, but no human escaped its terror unscathed.
'Inside the domain, I won't lose.'
The minions born in the dream wielded strength impossible in reality. No restrictions here either.
Because it was a dream, after all.
The System even imposed a 30-minute limit on such a cheat power.
Yet.
'It shattered?'
Sloth doubted his eyes.
Kwagwagwa—!
The horde of dolls surrounding Mumyeong and Lucifer shattered simultaneously. Living dolls crumbled into fragments across the floor.
'What trick did he use?'
Mumyeong finally moved. But the question lingered.
Sloth immediately spawned more monsters.
Countless dolls erupted from the ground, clad in enchanted armor infused with excellent magic.
But they couldn't approach Mumyeong.
Kwagwagwa—!
Within a 200-meter radius.
Every doll in Mumyeong's path was mercilessly destroyed. Unbelievable even seeing it.
Not physical force, not magic. What principle was this? It bordered on divine authority.
'I get Pride's panic now...'
Sloth's brow furrowed.
This was the Dream Slumber domain.
Those who entered had to struggle desperately to survive. Fleeing frantically was the only way to luck out.
Yet why.
Why was this human, Mumyeong, advancing like he was hunting monsters?
Golems, corrupted spirits, even armed demons.
Nothing could stop Mumyeong.
"Sloth, stop hiding and come out! You're lurking somewhere in the Dream Slumber domain, right?"
Lucifer shouted, brimming with confidence.
The true body existed within the Dream Slumber domain too. Death here meant death for Sloth as well.
'......I must kill Mumyeong here no matter what.'
Sloth's true body hid underground in the domain.
Impossible to find.
But once the domain vanished, nowhere to hide. Mumyeong would delve deeper into the Apocalypse Temple.
'Stop him now.'
If he couldn't overwhelm in the Dream Slumber domain, no chance in reality.
'......Ranged attacks.'
Mumyeong's attack range: 200-meter radius.
Attacking from beyond that held possibility.
Sloth raised both hands. Robed dolls rose with pillars across the plain.
A sun-like bright orb floated above each doll's head.
Kwaaaa—!
The dolls unleashed massive magic targeting Mumyeong. No dodging, no cover.
A gigantic explosion engulfed the plain, reducing summoned dolls to ash.
However.
The smoke cleared, revealing bare earth where Mumyeong had stood—empty.
【What...?】
Mumyeong had simply evacuated to a sub-space. Using the item Sa Choiheon had given him.
【You even prepared tricks like that?】
It had been a fight Sloth could never win from the start.
"Ha......"
A single sub-space born in the Dream Slumber domain.
Sloth spawned dolls relentlessly, but the sub-space held firm.
Outside the Dream Slumber domain in the sub-space, even Lucifer couldn't be suppressed.
"Now that's what I'm talking about."
Thus, 30 minutes passed.
『You have successfully survived for 30 minutes.』
『The Dream Slumber domain is closing.』
『You have cleared the final trial.』
『Numerous constellations are thrilled by your exploits.』
『Mumyeong's feats are etched into the Akashic Records.』
"……."
Sloth, drenched in sweat, awoke from sleep. He slowly rose from the luxurious chair.
"Hoo......"
He propped his elbows on the desk, running a hand through his hair.
The plan had failed completely.
He should've cornered Mumyeong, gauged his power, and claimed victory in the Dream Slumber domain.
Even where he should've won, he lost.
'Envy... escaped, huh.'
Ambushing the sleeping Mumyeong hadn't worked either. Sloth initiated the Apocalypse Temple; Envy could flee outside easily.
Losing to two apostles at once.
Sloth stared at the cold teacup.
He'd descended early. Confident of success.
Topple Mumyeong, and humanity falls.
But he couldn't beat that one man.
Little learned.
Even if other Seven Deadly Sins appeared, unlikely to fell Mumyeong.
The Seven Deadly Sins' memory repository. Envy's memories were there too.
- Do not summon other Seven Deadly Sins to this world.
The blonde prophet had told the freshly descended Envy that. Envy dismissed it as nonsense.
- Mumyeong might bring true apocalypse to this world.
Sloth vaguely understood.
'Not entirely wrong.'
Sloth let out a hollow laugh.
'The longer time passes, the less we can stop Mumyeong.'
If a Seven Deadly Sin like himself died, the System would grant Mumyeong fitting rewards.
Mumyeong already overwhelmed Seven Deadly Sins.
Such massive rewards to him?
Other Sins would just be sacrifices.
"Envy, delay the Seven Deadly Sins' descent. That's..."
Sloth left his final message. Then realized.
The source of magi.
Most already in Mumyeong's hands. No stopping the summoning now.
"It's already over."
Sloth muttered.
Then.
Kiiik—. Thud!
The closed door burst open violently.
"……."
Sloth gazed at the door with hollow eyes.
Mumyeong in black robes, with three apostles.
Sloth sighed deeply and spoke.
"Mumyeong, I concede defeat."
He leaned back in the chair. No energy for futile resistance. No intent to hide.
Defeat was sealed.
"Death doesn't scare me. Seven Deadly Sins always manifest in worlds where the System arrives. But......"
Sloth toyed with the teacup.
"Apocalypse will come eventually. You and your apostles might survive, but this world will collapse. I'll await your choice then."
Those were Sloth's last words.
Puhwaak—!
Mumyeong's mouth moved, and Sloth died instantly.
『'Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth' has lost their life.』
『The Apocalypse Temple has been fully conquered.』
『This conquest level corresponds to Myth+.』
The rising messages proved it.
"We won."
"Well done, Master."
"Damn, that dying bastard had some style."
Lucifer clicked his tongue and headed to Sloth's desk to check the dropped items.
"Ugh."
Bending over, Lucifer whipped around.
"......Why's my body aching so much? What'd you guys do while I was asleep?"
"Must be aftereffects of restriction release."
"Yeah, my back's killing me too—definitely aftereffects."
Gabriel said it without batting an eye. The Blue Dragon quickly chimed in.
【Master, using Lucifer as a shield is our secret.】
Gabriel's telepathic message reached only Joo Kanghyeok.
Joo Kanghyeok smirked and checked the message before him.
『The System is searching for rewards befitting the conquest level (Myth+).』
Pajik, pajijik—!
Red sparks crackled around the message.
Myth+.
Time for a new grade reward.
『Numerous constellations are awed by your exploits.』
『Constellations from other dimensions are flooding into the present world.』
『Constellation 'Master of the Black Star' cheers your victory.』
『Constellation 'Otherworld Discipline' mocks the Seven Deadly Sins.』
Joo Kanghyeok spun around, heading out of the temple.
"Time to finish conquering the SS-rank gate."
Item checks could wait until conquest's end.
End