Chapter 158

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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“It was close to being a big deal.”

Zora exclaims in shock with an expression that’s not quite a gasp.

After letting go of her shoulder, I shift my gaze.

In the place we were just standing, something massive has burst through the doors.

If our reaction had been even slightly slower, it would’ve been game over.

When it first shot out right before our eyes, there wasn’t any time to figure out what it was.

It was only this enormous object filling our vision—nothing more.

Before I could even process it, my body instinctively grabbed Zora and pulled us away from the spot, which seemed like the best option at the moment.

Even now, despite putting some distance between us and it, when I look at it, I still can’t believe what it is.

“It’s a hand. A hand.”

Only after Zora mentions it does it become clear.

A pitch-black, dead giant hand.

I belatedly notice that the thumb and pinky are missing.

There are no nails, and the fingertips are mashed up, but it definitely looks like a hand.

The hand writhes around near the entrance, flailing about as if searching for something.

Its sheer size means that even slight movements scrape the ground, kicking up accumulated sand and dust.

And for a long while, it continues flailing as if rummaging around for something….

“Is it stuck or unable to come out?”

The door itself was massive, but this hand and arm are thick enough to fill half of it, easily hinting at the monstrous size of its owner that can’t simply emerge.

However, due to something strange about this space… if it could somehow compress its size, it might slip out without much trouble.

“Are you just going to keep watching?”

“Or what?”

Zora’s question leaves me without a clear alternative for now.

If it keeps acting like this, eventually, a decision will have to be made.

But not yet.

Rushing in blindly would be unwise regardless.

So I stay calm, observe carefully, and brainstorm possible options.

If the situation called for quick judgment and action, I’d leap in without hesitation.

But now… well, who knows?

Just in case, I ask Zora.

“Is this the normal color of a giant’s skin?”

“Like I’d know?”

“The structure of the hand seems off.”

Far from healthy, it’s practically…

“If it’s an old corpse, it could look like this. And didn’t you say it wasn’t dead but sealed earlier? The answer’s already here, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah.”

It’s not hard to deduce.

“Do you know how to kill something that doesn’t die?”

“Purification?”

“According to Irene’s Order, they use divine power to counter half-undead creatures, right? But outside their influence, there are various methods… This probably won’t work against true undead like that thing.”

“So there’s another way to deal with them?”

“In myths, defeating undying or indestructible beings requires an appropriate response. However, these responses vary widely across different myths.”

In that sense…

“Want me to give you an example from the Demon Realm?”

“…”

“Boring reactions aren’t fun.”

While grumbling, Zora continues her story.

Meanwhile, all of us remain vigilant of the giant hand flailing around.

“Generally speaking, separating the physical body from the soul works.”

“Body and soul?”

“Just like how humans die if either the heart or brain is missing, this method targets that.”

The problem is…

To do this, one must understand the existence of the soul, grasp its nature, and possess a definitive skill or technique to affect it—whether by extracting or manipulating it.

“This sounds complicated, but assuming it’s possible, is that really the end?”

“…”

“Souls have an instinctive tendency to return to their bodies. Thus, trapping the soul so it can’t do that is crucial.”

And this trapping method has evolved into a variety of highly advanced techniques and methodologies.

“Some secret art practitioners seal souls into stone, then shatter it and scatter the pieces far and wide.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“That’s why it’s called a secret art! It had its challenges; initially, when they trapped the soul and shattered the stone, the soul would fully return to the body, causing problems… But eventually, they established the technique by starting with plants and animals.”

“…”

“Why do you think I’m bringing up this specific secret art?”

“You’re suggesting the giant might be a soulless corpse?”

“Not a corpse. It hasn’t died.”

“…”

But even if it hasn’t died, due to lack of maintenance, the body decaying, rotting, and disfiguring is somewhat expected.

Being undying doesn’t mean it’s always perfect or immune to decline and degeneration.

There might be such beings, but…

“When the mind dies, only primal instincts remain.”

These instincts are deeply ingrained primeval ones.

They alone drive the empty shell of the body forward.

It could be hunger, sleepiness, sexual desire, or maybe destructive impulses or reactions to stimuli.

“And in such a state, wouldn’t it seem very manageable to those with intentions?”

“…”

“Just saying.”

She shakes her head after reading my expression.

Her silver-white hair adorned with a dark blue butterfly hairpin flutters faintly.

“This thing isn’t alive nor dead. Even your mysterious abilities might struggle to ‘kill’ it.”

At least this ruin has stood for millennia.

If the unidentified giant has remained in this state for that long, it implies strength beyond measure.

“Without knowing the proper way to handle it, pushing it back might be all we can do.”

“…”

We’re hardly in a position to worry about sparing lives or feeling guilty about killing.

“Rather, it’s fortunate.”

“Is it?”

He knew this conclusion and mentioned it at the end.

“Treat it like how you mercilessly slice through demons. Any other way could lead to accidents.”

“I’m not noble enough to care about others.”

Do you really see me as someone burdened by handling this thing?

…What exactly do you think of me?

“Will you come along?”

“Nope. Let me check first.”

“If that’s fine with you. I may live eternally, but having my body shattered or broken would be inconvenient.”

Ah, one more piece of advice:

“That thing’s very existence might be divine.”

“Divine?”

“Isn’t it, in some sense, a god? Or just a giant? Maybe from the Colossus Clan?”

“…”

I don’t know.

Without confronting it, is there even a way to find out?

But one thing is certain: future predictions barely work.

Even simple predictions are restricted and minimal.

As if the world refuses to allow such things easily.

This means I’ll likely have to self-reference for observation.

But this is problematic—it risks repeating Grandeous’ mistakes.

So unless it’s extremely urgent…

“I’m going.”

“Sure. Don’t die recklessly. It’d be lonely to leave alone.”

Not exactly a compliment.

Walking would take a while, but with a little effort, it’ll be quick.

My mobility transcends human limits, even without mana.

It’s not just riding the wind or flowing with natural currents; rather, I pull the currents toward me.

Thus, the wind becomes not just a path but a propelling force.

When my body harmonized with nature—not perfectly, but partially integrated—this became possible.

The secret behind moving faster than Zora, who slashes through the sky with her Divine Dragon Sword, lies here.

With that, upon swiftly reaching the giant’s hand, it reacts immediately.

Swinging down like swatting a trivial fly, its momentum resembles a boulder launched from a siege weapon aimed directly at me.

And narrowly escaping through the gaps between the giant fingers, I climb along the wrist and arm into the entrance, where darkness eagerly greets me.

That place feels boundless and vast, like an endless abyss with no discernible end.

But suddenly, the giant hand and arm that filled half the entrance are abruptly retracted inward.

Almost instantly, it begins bearing down on me.

The sight is akin to the sky or ceiling collapsing and cascading down.

====

“Huh, so it was just walking in?”

What is this? Wasn’t he supposed to fight the giant’s hand or something?

Zora momentarily blinks her pale red eyes in mild surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

“Bold or foolish?”

Walking in to face the full giant head-on? What if there’s more than one? Does he even know the dangers inside?

“Guess he knows what he’s doing.”

====

Reliance on sight has its limits.

Using other senses to perceive danger and react poses another challenge.

Ultimately, one must train senses beyond the five to progress further.

And without proper methods and sufficient practice, this remains an unfair talent granted only to those naturally gifted with awareness and aptitude.

And when this talent evolves into an ability:

You hear questions like,

Do you have eyes on the back of your head?

Instinctively recognizing impending danger, I propel myself vertically upward.

Effectively stepping on air.

But given the thin atmospheric layer and a body attuned to nature, limited movement should be feasible.

Harnessing mana to create barriers in the air to step on or cling to is less efficient compared to this.

Extensive effort has gone into mastering body movements and transitions.

Even Aiseus emphasized that most of the 500 motions in the Divine Dragon Sword technique focus on body control.

Motions and steps matter more than wielding the sword.

The essence lies there.

I realized this while learning Grandeous’ sword style.

The tedious repetition of basic motions ultimately revolves around movement.

Stillness is death; motion signifies life.

All skills we learn, master, and apply essentially embody this principle—a testament and assertion of life.

BOOM!

The impact sound resonates as if walls are being shattered.

Yet the walls and pillars withstand it effortlessly.

…Of course.

Just as humans can’t easily destroy buildings with bare hands, giants apparently can’t either.

After dodging a few times and finally landing on the ground, I face the incoming hand head-on.

First…

I summon a sword cloaked in darkness and swing it.

But sensing ominous vibes mid-swing, I widen the cloak of darkness like a tent roof to deflect the blow.

THUD!

…I barely grazed it.

A direct hit would’ve shattered my body.

‘This is…’

If it were mere physical force, I could’ve deflected it, as proven countless times against colossal beasts.

But this giant, swinging limbs instinctively without reason, carries not just overwhelming physical force but also an indescribable menace.

-It lacks mana, just like you.

From the shadows, the Golden Girl (the Demon King) casually remarks.

‘Huh?’

No time to respond.

Another massive arm swings down, splitting the air and space itself as I narrowly evade.

Like a moth avoiding a slap, I’m caught in the aftermath and tossed into the air.

-Don’t bother trying to reverse the opponent’s mana or twist their center of gravity. You might’ve managed if you were on Grandeous’ level, but you’re not that refined yet, right?

As my body flies uncontrollably, hearing such comments irritates me, but amidst this harsh experience of dodging relentless attacks, retaliation isn’t easy.

“Hah!”

So all I can manage is a sigh?

Now accustomed to the dark, I react more skillfully than before.

With accumulated experience, my prediction range expands, making it easier to counter repetitive, straightforward attacks without needing foresight.

In short, I’m adapting to evasive maneuvers.

Time for a decisive strike to incapacitate the opponent.

But…

‘What am I supposed to do?’

I usually redirect the opponent’s force to counterattack.

What if that’s impossible against this opponent?

Not to mention the monumental physical and ability gap?

So…

Am I just supposed to run and avoid fighting?

-Didn’t giants and colossi used to be enemies of the gods?

Your powers stem from the grace and blessings of gods, formed within their world.

-But they don’t.

These beings are worlds unto themselves.

Some fully understand this nobility while others act childishly without realizing it.

“…”

Hardly anything makes sense amidst this chaos.

How can a giant move so swiftly? Wild beasts don’t exhibit such explosive agility consistently over long periods. That’s terrifying.

‘Thinking about it…’

Why fight an unbeatable entity? What’s my purpose here?

“!!”

Hardly dodging, I redirect the momentum of my swinging sword, shifting my weight and following its trajectory.

Retrieving the sword mid-air, I pivot in the void, forming a wind path to reverse direction.

I land on the high ceiling.

Simultaneously embedding a black-clad sword into the ceiling, I realize…

Tsk!

Even a giant’s strike couldn’t dent it, indicating regular force wouldn’t suffice to embed the sword, let alone pierce the wall. At best, it’s superficial attachment.

Normally, gravity should pull me down, but I’ve temporarily suppressed forces acting on me to maintain this position. Otherwise, hanging upside-down from the ceiling would be absurd.

“So, at my current level, I can’t leverage this creature’s power? Even if I could, separate from that, its lack of mana makes redirection impossible.”

If I had mana, I could combine it to counterattack, but lacking it means I’m purely overpowered.

…Besides, the fundamental physical condition disparity is ridiculous anyway.

-True. To reverse the force, a minimal threshold is required, which is beyond your current capability.

“…Will I ever reach that level?”

-When you can create your own world akin to this being.

“…”

-Understanding this message is key.

Though inherently noble, the giant remains oblivious.

The Demon King chuckles mockingly.

Regardless.

As my eyes adapt to the dark, I start outlining the giant’s silhouette and form.

It’s indeed a giant.

Skinny and frail-looking, as if it might collapse at any moment.

Considering how it aggressively threatened me moments ago, this must be some calamitous entity.

And yet, it doesn’t die?

…This isn’t just about size, is it?

“Huh?”

The giant stumbles, suddenly crouching lower with its lower body.

‘Could it…’

No way.

When it kicks off with its foot, the massive frame launches toward me like a catapulted projectile.

‘What the…’

Unbelievable.

Though I propelled myself upward, the giant collides with the ceiling. But just as quickly, using its upper body to push off, it accurately hurls itself directly at me again.

‘…Mindless, huh?’

Too calculated and intelligent for something mindless, though.

Realizing simple evasion won’t work, I attempt to teleport using shadows, but…

“?!’

It doesn’t activate.

Instantly understanding why, without anyone explaining.

‘World?’

This place where the giant exists.

And everything within its field of vision.

All of it constitutes the giant’s own world.

Meaning, this isn’t my domain.

From start to finish, it’s entirely the giant’s territory.

…And this thing.

Simply existing and breathing grants it such capabilities.

‘What kind of…’

No, this fits.

So, gods declared it an archenemy because…

Who calls someone incapable of fighting back an “archenemy”?

‘This is just…’