Chapter 288
Chapter 288
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 288
Chapter Title: ACT. 58 Regressor (4)
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[Activating ‘Army of Darkness’.]
Soldiers rose from the darkness and immediately charged the vengeful spirits.
The wraiths, who likely felt no fear of death, paid no mind to the swords cutting them down and reached for the soldiers.
Mere contact with the spirits was enough to drain one’s life force.
In other words, it was an absurd battle where defeat was certain the moment you allowed them to get close.
However, the dark soldiers were also devoid of any fear of death.
*Swish!*
They possessed no life force to be stolen.
Thus, no matter how many spirits clung to them, they suffered no damage.
The spirits’ only formula for victory was useless, rendering the Rashōmon they had painstakingly opened meaningless.
*Creeak!*
[He is not one you are permitted to touch.]
*Swish!*
The wraiths that had caught on and tried to approach me were dealt with by Alpha, and any that tried to slip through his blind spots were flawlessly marked by Zeta.
No death could lay its hands on me.
The tide of vengeful spirits, which had been surging like a wave, had now dwindled to a noticeable degree.
In fact, they even began to cautiously eye a retreat.
[You hasten your demise.]
Ibaraki-dōji’s voice was quite hoarse.
There was no way using such a power came without a significant cost.
His own life force was rapidly diminishing just to maintain the Rashōmon.
[No matter what you do, you cannot escape death.]
*Creeak…*
The gate, which had been open just enough for one person to squeeze through, now widened further.
With it, a massive eye flashed from within.
[Once opened, the Rashōmon will not close until it has claimed its target. If you resist, the gatekeeper of the underworld will personally emerge to drag you away. Accept your death, human!]
A colossal arm violently burst through the gate.
Soon, another arm followed, and then a body far larger than the gate itself squeezed out, making one wonder how it was even possible.
A chill ran down my spine at the sight, as if death itself had taken form.
[We shall handle this blasphemous being.]
“Can you do it?”
[I am the shield that protects the Lord, and the sword that strikes down the Lord’s enemies. In that role, possibility does not exist. There is only accomplishment.]
Immediately after Alpha’s eyes glinted, he and Zeta launched an attack against the gatekeeper of the underworld.
Shattering Moon. And Minor Darkness.
Adeptly using the powers I had taught them, they each took on one of the gatekeeper's arms, firmly sealing it off so it couldn't do anything to me.
As a strange sense of pride washed over me at the sight, a system message I had never seen before appeared.
[‘Alpha's’ loyalty has increased by one level.]
[A bonus effect is added to the unique skill, ‘Shattering Moon’.]
[Shattering Moon - Barrage]
Fires a continuous barrage of sword energy that has drawn the power of annihilation to its absolute limit.
Mana consumption increases by 20% with each consecutive use.
‘The performance of a unique skill can increase?’
The Army of Darkness was so structurally complex that there was much about it I still didn't know.
Even so, I had judged it to be the best and made it my top priority to acquire.
This ability had far greater potential than I had predicted.
‘A nice gift.’
I smirked slightly and moved toward the gatekeeper of the underworld.
Normally, killing the caster would be the correct move.
But the Rashōmon wasn't the type of skill that would be instantly canceled if the caster died.
If it was a hurdle I had to overcome anyway…
‘Then I’ll overcome it.’
[Shattering Moon]
A sword strike clad in black flames struck the gatekeeper head-on.
With both its hands tied up by Alpha and Zeta, it had no way to deal with my attack. It was only natural.
The gatekeeper’s gaze turned to me.
To think it seemed completely unharmed despite a direct hit.
It was just a gatekeeper, not the king of the underworld.
*Crack!*
A part of the gate shattered.
From within the forcibly expanded space, another of the gatekeeper’s arms emerged.
[The Gatekeeper of the Underworld can grow arms at will! You have to push it back before it grows more!]
Is that so.
I steadied my breath and immediately tested my newly acquired power.
*CRASH!*
The hand that had just emerged from the gate interposed itself, as if to protect the head, and collided with my sword strike.
As the two forces clashed in a stalemate, a second sword strike followed.
The newly emerged hand, along with the gatekeeper’s entire body, was gradually pushed back beyond the gate of the underworld.
‘The mana consumption is quite severe.’
It said mana consumption would increase by 20% with each consecutive use, and I could feel it significantly after just two shots.
It was similar to the feeling of drinking from a water bottle after intense exercise, only to realize the large amount of water had dwindled in an instant.
‘Still, one more.’
*CRAAASH!*
With the addition of a third sword strike, the gatekeeper’s guard was finally broken.
I didn't miss the opening, quickly closing the distance to deliver the final blow.
*CRACK!*
Its skull-like face split in two, and its entire body was finally forced back through the gate.
The gatekeeper’s arms flailed about, trying to grab me, but Ibaraki-dōji’s power must have been at its limit, as the gate began to close, preventing them from reaching me.
“...Phew.”
Army of Darkness and a three-shot Shattering Moon Barrage.
I had already consumed a considerable amount of mana before the fight with Shuten-dōji had even begun.
Still, I was glad it ended here.
It would have been much tougher if Ibaraki-dōji had recovered his arm.
[Even if I have yet to regain my original power, how can a mere human possess strength greater than my own?]
“I’ve already defeated plenty of enemies on your level. And many more who were far stronger.”
Even setting aside such experiences, my stats and abilities were already on par with, or even surpassed, a quasi-disaster level being.
It meant my raw specs were simply superior to Ibaraki-dōji’s.
[To not even know the meaning of defeating the gatekeeper of the underworld… Hehehe. I look forward to when you die.]
Ibaraki-dōji, gaunt from expending so much life force, laughed hollowly.
This must have been his last resort, and having it blocked by me, he had likely given up.
[If that fool Shuten-dōji had just drawn their attention a little longer, I could have regained my full power. Was it because I seemed like the easier target? Is that why all the humans flocked to me?]
“Don’t play dumb. Because of your barrier, we can’t kill Shuten-dōji until you’re defeated. That’s why we came for you first.”
[…What?]
Ibaraki-dōji looked dumbfounded.
…What’s this?
Why is the one who cast the barrier reacting like that?
[Heh, hehehe. So that’s what it was. That Shuten-dōji. That was his real objective. Cunning and brilliant. To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies, is that it?]
Ibaraki-dōji suddenly burst into a fit of mad laughter.
It sounded like a jeer directed at me.
[Your defeat is already sealed. I have lost here, but we will be victorious. Fall into despair, you humans.]
*CRASH!*
The firmly shut gate of the underworld suddenly flew wide open.
Then, before anyone could react, vengeful spirits poured out, seized Ibaraki-dōji, and began dragging him away.
[Wh-what is this? Why are you dragging me!? Let go! Let go of me! The one you should be taking is not me, but that human…!]
Before Ibaraki-dōji could finish his sentence, a giant hand emerged from within, clamped over his mouth, and pulled him inside.
*THUD!*
The gate of the underworld closed.
Once the gate itself vanished as if nothing had happened, only an old wooden box, its purpose lost, lay tumbling on the ground.
Hoisted by his own petard.
Once opened, the gate of the underworld wouldn't close until it had claimed something.
When it realized it couldn't take me, it took the relatively easier target, Ibaraki-dōji.
“His last words are bothering me…”
To deceive the enemy, first deceive your allies.
In other words, until just a moment ago, Ibaraki-dōji himself hadn't known what Shuten-dōji’s true objective was.
On top of that, he seemed unaware of the barrier he was supposed to have cast.
‘I should hurry back.’
With Ibaraki-dōji dead, his subordinates, including the Four Heavenly Kings and the other oni, would have their powers weakened. It wouldn’t be long before the Yamato Guild claimed victory.
There was nothing more for me to do here.
***
“They’re strong.”
At Kaede’s words, Kibou wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around.
The players who had suddenly appeared and helped them defend the Osaka residential area had been a great help.
Japan’s stronger players were relatively concentrated in Tokyo, which had left this area’s defenses lacking. But thanks to their timely assistance, the defensive battle had continued without any significant casualties.
“Most of all, it’s such a relief that someone with healing powers came.”
No matter how outstanding the offense, if the defense is poor, you’ll concede points.
But with a strong defense, you at least won't concede.
Hwang Yu-jin was performing the latter role perfectly.
Even if someone was injured, she healed them quickly, so there were no civilian casualties, and the players’ combat strength didn't diminish.
On top of that, the anti-oni strategies she had accumulated through her long regression experience played a huge part.
Oni hate roasted beans.
It wasn't just a legend; it was actually effective.
The moment they touched the roasted beans, they were greatly weakened, making them much easier to deal with.
‘If things continue like this, maybe…’
Hope gleamed in Kibou’s eyes.
The wall of a disaster he had never been able to overcome.
The disaster itself was one thing, but the sheer number of casualties had always made it difficult to surpass. The thought that he could finally overcome this event made his fists clench.
[Hmm. You’re holding on quite well, are you?]
Perhaps that was why.
As if to remind them of reality, the disaster, the source of all their troubles, revealed itself.
“Shuten-dōji…!”
[Oh my. You know who I am right away?]
“…I know how to deal with you now. I won’t fall for the same tricks as last time.”
[So the rumors of a regressor were true, it seems. Hehehe.]
Shuten-dōji covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled.
“That’s the disaster?”
“Isn’t that just a little girl?”
The people began to murmur.
It was the same thought Kibou had when he first faced Shuten-dōji, but now he knew better.
That appearance was meant to make them let their guard down.
“Ugh!”
“Min-ah!? What’s wrong!”
“Her… her mana is so wicked and vast. Using Detection made me nauseous all of a sudden…”
“…Well, she’s definitely not an easy opponent, that’s for sure.”
Cha Eun-ha and Jo Min-woo stood in front of Jo Min-ah protectively.
Han Hyeok-jun and Jeong Ha-yeon, who had sensed the danger early on, were already prepared for battle.
‘Seimei must be using all his power to maintain the barrier, keeping the yokai from flooding into the residential area.’
Looked at another way, it meant that even with all his effort, this many were still getting through.
He didn't even want to think about what would have happened if Seimei wasn't here.
“Why are you moving so soon? You should still need more time to regain your power!”
[They’re working hard to draw attention over there, so I can’t afford to waste time here either.]
Shuten-dōji smiled faintly and snapped her fingers.
The procession of oni following her suddenly grew enormous.
An organism’s size is a parameter directly proportional to its combat power.
What were once mere mobs became formidable opponents when their size doubled or tripled.
Shuten-dōji possessed the power to make that happen.
The ability to control size.
The oni affected by her power were now effectively one or two ranks higher.
Jo Min-ah cried out in shock.
“No way…! It’s not just their size that’s gotten bigger! The amount of mana they have is clearly different from before!”
[Of course. The ‘size’ I can control doesn’t just mean their physical form.]
“You mean you adjusted the size of their stats too!?”
Pleased with their reaction, Shuten-dōji’s eyes narrowed into a smile.
[Now, go, my children. My legions of spirits and monsters. Engrave upon this land who its true master is.]