Chapter 235: Ashen (3)

The black and white forces intersected.

The force that denied everything and the protective force that affirmed death from an external power began to intersect.

They started to mix into one.

It turned into the color of ash.

It enveloped the whole world.

This was something completely different from all the powers I had seen before.

A ferocity that seemed to destroy everything,

And a benevolence that seemed to embrace everything.

Contradictory and paradoxical forces were held within it.

-How…?

Ardavitri was staring in shock at the ashen force.

I looked at the ashen force with a blank expression.

Before, when I realized that Seo Ga-yeon and my power resonated and manifested together, this was the power that appeared.

It was a power that felt like a natural enemy of the “Mines.”

‘No…’

This wasn’t just a power that’s a natural enemy of the Mines.

It’s something… something derived from a massive source. While dealing with the Absolute Stat of Black, I realized just how absurd this power was.

I looked around.

Everyone was staring blankly at the ashen force, but it was more out of curiosity.

I continued to look at the ashen force with a blank expression.

‘This is not a power we can handle…’

I felt it instinctively.

This was not a power that Seo Ga-yeon or I could control. That ashen force held an incredibly terrifying strength and was extremely difficult to manage.

-What have you done?

Ardavitri spoke to me.

-That power… that power shouldn’t exist. It’s an ashen force capable of bringing down even the gods and leading them to ruin. How… How did you obtain the Absolute Authority that only the Creator is allowed to wield…?

‘Absolute Authority?’

As soon as I heard those words, I began to guess what it might be.

But that wasn’t important right now. What was important was to unleash this power on the Apostle.

I focused.

To command the ashen force.

-I won’t let you!

Ardavitri moved.

“Annoying.”

Seo Ga-yeon spoke coldly, gathering starlight in her hand.

That power was clearly different from what it was three months ago.

A magic circle was drawn.

Following Seo Ga-yeon’s gestures, clusters of stars began to gather.

A cluster of pure white stars.

Seo Ga-yeon wrapped herself in it.

-Kugh…!

She then leapt forward and drove her fist into Ardavitri’s solar plexus.

“Oh…”

I let out a blank murmur of admiration as I witnessed the scene.

It wasn’t as ferocious as mine, as skillful as Heavenly Demon’s, or as elegant and precise as Kim Seo-hyun’s, but it landed very cleanly.

“How was that?”

“…Have you been training in martial arts?”

“Yes. There were many annoying people over the past three months.”

Seo Ga-yeon said with a somewhat chilling smile.

I had many questions, but I held them back for now. There was something more important.

“Here.”

Seo Ga-yeon extended her hand.

I took her hand.

Synchronization.

Seo Ga-yeon synchronized her starlight magic with my Heaven Defying Energy.

As the Heaven Defying Energy and starlight began to harmonize,

The ashen force started to move again.

If I could wield this power, I would gain tremendous combat strength. But I didn’t think this was a power I could control.

‘It’s too dangerous.’

Though it was following our will for now, the force I felt was beyond imagination.

Ardavitri didn’t move without reason.

Wooong─!

The energies resonated.

The starlight magic and Heaven Defying Energy resonated, syncing with each other. The ashen force began to move.

Widely.

I chuckled slightly.

This power was too primal to be called usable. In magical terms, it was like crudely gathering magic and throwing it out.

The ashen force reached Ardavitri.

It swallowed the Apostle.

[Apostle Ardavitri has been slain...!]

[Achievement unlocked...!]

Seeing that message, I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes,

The first thing I did was check my body.

Fortunately, while I had significant injuries, none were life-threatening.

Drinking potions during the battle had made a big difference.

‘We won the fight.’

It was a huge relief. Thankfully, we killed the Apostle.

As I sighed in relief internally, I reflected on the mistakes I made.

…The Apostle was far stronger than I expected.

Too strong. Ardabitri was a lower-ranked Apostle.

Right now, if another Apostle were to appear, I think running away would be the right decision.

Then Seo Ga-yeon arrived.

It seemed like she had torn through space to get here, but if I checked that area, we could probably return.

While we might stand a chance against an Apostle with Seo Ga-yeon, it was probably better not to attempt it unless absolutely necessary.

And we’d need at least transcendents on our side as well.

‘How much time has passed?’

As I was pondering, I sensed a now-familiar presence.

Clunk.

“You’re awake.”

“Yeah.”

The Heavenly Demon entered the room.

I lifted myself up lightly.

Although most of my body was injured, I could still move without much difficulty.

“You must have a tough body. To be able to move right after taking such injuries.”

“Well, yeah. What about the others?”

“Hm, looking for other women while I’m right here?”

The Heavenly Demon spoke with a playful smile.

“They’re all fine. Eternal Heaven, who vanished halfway through the fight with the Apostle, almost suffocated after being buried in the ground by the Apostle’s power, but she’s alive and well.”

“…Ah.”

“You forgot about her. Well, that’s the level of the Eternal Heaven that’s stuck with you.”

“Don’t slander me.”

The Heavenly Demon chuckled at my words.

“The others are either resting or training at the training grounds.”

“Already?”

“The last woman who arrived…”

“Seo Ga-yeon.”

“Right, that’s her name. Anyway, she’s training.”

“Training, huh.”

I recalled the direct punch she landed on Ardavitri.

Seo Ga-yeon’s movements showed traces of immense effort.

‘Her level was at the top rank, after all.’

I remembered when Seo Ga-yeon first appeared.

When she tore through the dimension to arrive, I regained a bit of my strength.

“Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t mentioned this.”

“What?”

“Black Heaven returned. It said it feels uneasy without its master.”

The Heavenly Demon tapped my Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

“It seems the future me liked you more than I expected.”

“Is that so?”

I glanced at the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

It didn’t budge. Not even the sword spirit appeared.

“And that ‘Thousand Sorcerer’ is trying to return to his original time.”

“I could do that for him.”

“You’re a patient right now. Besides… I don’t want to leave it at that. During the fight with the Apostle, I wasn’t much help.”

“That’s not true.”

I thought back to the battle with Ardavitri.

If the Thousand Sorcerer, Kim Seo-hyun, or the Heavenly Demon hadn’t blocked or taken some of the attacks, there would have been many more difficult moments.

“Thank you for saying that.”

The Heavenly Demon smiled faintly.

“Well, I’ll be going now. There’s much to do. I killed off most of the Murim Alliance’s leaders, and the Apostle wiped out the Four Heavens, so I need to send people to take their place…”

“Do you have to? Can’t you just leave it to others?”

“Are you saying you want to spend more time with me?”

What nonsense.

“I wouldn’t refuse, but… I have to prepare my successor and hand over many things. It’s just something I have to do.”

“Step down?”

I looked at The Heavenly Demon.

Her physical age was in her twenties, and her actual age was also in her twenties. She was younger than I was in my previous life.

“Of course. Did you really think you could treat me so roughly and not take responsibility?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just kidding. You’re quite a boring man.”

The Heavenly Demon said that and pointed at her head with her finger.

“From the memories Black Heaven left behind, there are some rather interesting things. And things to enjoy. Above all, that world seems full of Mines. It means I can fight to my heart’s content.”

“…”

“This place is boring. The Murim is stagnant. And all the interesting potentials have already been killed off.”

The Heavenly Demon’s gaze turned toward one side.

She was probably talking about the Divine Maiden.

“So take me with you. I may look like this, but I’m quite skilled with a blade.”

Honestly, it was a good suggestion.

After all, she was a transcendent.

She was also incredibly strong in combat. And she possessed the Heaven Defying Energy, which could easily kill great evils.

“Then we’ll have to negotiate your salary.”

“Sa-salary?”

“Think of it like you coming in as a guest swordsman and getting paid while you wield your sword.”

“Ah, I see. Based on Black Heaven’s memories, I think around 40 million won would be appropriate.”

What kind of memories did Black Heaven leave behind?

I maintained a poker face and smiled kindly.

“Then let’s draft a contract later.”

I said that to The Heavenly Demon.

“So, could you gather everyone for me?”

“Already planning to leave?”

“Yes. There’s no reason to stay here any longer.”

“…Hm, I guess there’s no helping it. I still have a lot to say to my successor, but they’ll figure it out. I’ll go prepare a few things.”

I recalled my past life when I was about to be discharged from the military, and a new recruit arrived the day before. I should have helped him, but I didn’t do anything.

For some reason, that moment came to mind.

With that, the Heavenly Demon disappeared somewhere.

‘Now then.’

It was time to check the rewards for defeating the Apostle.