Chapter 134

(1)

1.

Swamp Ruler.

Noah was caught completely off guard by the appearance of the lord who crawled out of the Abyssal Rift.

‘Wait, why is he here?!’

This monster comes in during the later parts of the original story, right?

Sure, I had somewhat suspected it since I’d seen the Swamp Minions, but I never thought I’d face him so suddenly.

Just then, a sudden voice rang out.

“Yeah, if it’s outside, it’s worth a shot.”

An uncouth barbarian, grinning while clutching an axe.

It was Ulan.

The moment Noah heard that voice, he understood how things had turned.

‘Ulan, it’s you again?!’

I don’t know what happened in the Abyss, but it looked like Ulan was the reason the Swamp Ruler popped out.

The clearly blood-red eyes scanning the surroundings were a dead giveaway fixed on Ulan. Meanwhile, Ulan calmly prepared for battle.

“Ian, I’ll leave Laurea to you.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Ian replied with a solemn expression, as if recalling the missed chance to capture Laurea earlier. Ulan then made his way toward Noah.

“I need that spell you cast earlier.”

“Huh? The spell…?”

“This is what I mean.”

Ulan pointed at the talisman stuck to the axe.

It looked like he was talking about a spell that converts the weapon’s properties. On the other hand, Noah scratched his cheek awkwardly while examining the axe.

“Uh, that’s still valid, you know?”

“What?”

“It was a spell learned specifically for facing the Swamp Ruler. It lasts for at least half a day.”

In other words, there was no need to recast the spell.

Ulan frowned.

‘Then what was that before?’

When attacking the Swamp Ruler in the Abyss, he distinctly felt the axe getting repelled.

Just as those perplexing thoughts bubbled up…

“…!?”

“Everyone, scatter!”

Delia shouted urgently.

Simultaneously, the vanished barrier was gone. The group instinctively dispersed. Following that, torrents burst forth from the swamp where the barrier had been.

Kwaaaang!

With that signal, the attack commenced.

Ulan shook off his thoughts and immediately charged at the Swamp Ruler, while Ian carried the entrusted Laurea away from the battlefield.

Meanwhile, at that moment…

Noah stared at the Swamp Ruler. He started to recall bits and pieces from the original story.

‘The Swamp Ruler is the swamp itself.’

Thus, to uncover the location of the Abyssal Lord’s weakness, I’d have to obliterate the entire swamp.

‘In the original, they mainly used area-of-effect magic to wipe out the swamp region.’

The key here was to gauge the source’s location before it could regenerate.

‘However…’

Three major issues arose during this process.

One was that his sources were split into three, and second, each source moved independently and fluidly.

‘The third is that all sources need to be destroyed simultaneously to completely eliminate the Swamp Ruler.’

A tricky strategy, much like dealing with the Frost Dragon.

Yet, more problems persisted.

The essential personnel for taking on the Swamp Ruler were lacking.

‘Delia, Laurea, Fertisha.’

Only these three could make facing the Swamp Ruler easier, but only Delia and Laurea were present here.

Furthermore, Laurea was exhausted.

Meanwhile, Noah didn’t mind.

‘Still, it’s worth fighting.’

Because there were two variables present here that didn’t exist in the original.

Himself and Ulan.

If used wisely, they might take down the Swamp Ruler just as they did the Frost Dragon earlier.

After finishing his thoughts, Noah shouted towards Delia.

“Delia! Launch a big one!”

“What? But if I do that…”

“It doesn’t matter now, just do it quickly!”

With Ulan and Laurea out here, it no longer mattered what happened to the magic circle.

Delia promptly nodded.

“Got it. Then everyone, watch out.”

Taking a deep breath, Delia gathered all her magic power. She soon implemented a spell capable of easily obliterating a swamp.

Suuuuu!

Above the dark sky, stars twinkled.

Then, at a terrifying speed, the clouds burst as magic started descending toward the ground.

A sixth-tier Stellar Magic and tactical spell.

『Meteor Strike』

A spell with enough power to wipe out an entire village engulfed the Swamp Ruler. Noah clenched his fist at the sight.

‘Alright! Next, I need to…’

Just mark down the source’s location vaguely for memory.

The next step would be to coordinate with the heroes and simultaneously obliterate all sources.

That was how Noah planned it.

But his judgment went astray.

It wasn’t just the judgment that went awry.

Kakakakak! Kuuuuung!

The meteor plunging straight down suddenly veered off-course, missing the Swamp Ruler. Both Noah and Delia widened their eyes in shock.

“…Huh?”

“The magic, it bounced?!”

Just like Delia said, the meteor did not strike the Swamp Ruler; instead, it ricocheted and landed nearby.

It was an entirely unexpected scenario.

Noah’s face was puzzled.

‘Th-That can’t be right…!’

The Swamp Ruler is supposed to have immunity against physical weapon attacks while taking double damage from magic, divine power, and spirit arts.

That was clearly stated in the original storyline.

But instead of taking double damage from magic, it deflected a sixth-tier Stellar Magic attack?!

‘Then it’s completely invulnerable!?’

Immune to weaponry made of minerals and magic doesn’t work? How am I supposed to deal with that??

A situation entirely different from the original.

Noah’s eyes trembled in agitation.

On the other hand, Ulan was different.

With a focused gaze, he observed the Swamp Ruler. Meanwhile, he recalled the words Noah had said earlier.

“Uh, that’s still valid, you know?”

The spell that converts the attributes of the weapon.

Noah mentioned it lasted for more than half a day. However, in the Abyss, Ulan’s axe had been forcefully repelled earlier.

‘Additionally, even Delia’s magic got deflected.’

This was something that had never happened in his previous life.

Remembering that the Swamp Ruler had no immunity against magic and divine powers. A frown formed on his face as more questions arose.

Wuung!

The axe in his right hand trembled slightly.

A mild shiver. The moment he felt it, Ulan recalled when he swung the axe in the Abyss.

‘Wait, there was definitely…’

A similar shaking back then.

Granted, it was stronger in the Abyss.

While he originally thought that the vibrations were caused due to the axe being shoved away, how could there be vibrations if he hadn’t even swung it yet?

There could be only one reason.

‘Resonance phenomenon.’

The phenomenon where weapons react and tremble towards each other.

Two main causes trigger this phenomenon.

One is when the Master intentionally induces a resonance phenomenon by infusing spirits into the weapons, much like when Count Deorg provoked Ulan in the past.

In which case, all weapons within the vicinity would experience the trembling effect.

‘And the other is…’

When paired magical weapons meet their respective counterparts. Having reached this point, Ulan did not hesitate and slammed down to the ground.

Paf!

Expanding his Master’s Domain widely.

In an instant, he closed in the thirty-nine steps of distance.

The closer he got to the Swamp Ruler, the more the axe trembled. With that, Ulan’s conviction grew stronger.

【You pathetic worm!】

【Did you come here to die!?】

Sensing Ulan’s approach, the Swamp Ruler targeted him with attacks from all directions. Though there was no escape route, he didn’t mind.

After all, he didn’t have any intention of retreating.

“U-Ulan!”

“It’s dangerous!”

Both Ivella and Noah shouted urgently as they spotted him late. But Ulan was far faster, already moving close to the creature.

Thanks to using the Transcendent Domain.

Then came the relentless assault.

Huwoong! Chkchkchk!

But the axe couldn’t tear into the creature’s body. Just before connecting with the swamp, the axe was pushed sideways due to a powerful recoil.

Just like the meteor that Delia had dropped earlier.

Furthermore, the resonance phenomenon intensified. Even though times were tough, Ulan couldn’t help but smile.

‘Found you!’

With a self-satisfied grin.

Ulan immediately stretched out his left arm.

His hand pushed through the squishy mud. Before long, he grabbed onto something solid.

A strange power radiated from the object.

Grabbing it without hesitation, Ulan pulled back, covered in mud, and zipped away from the creature.

“Ulan!”

“Are you okay? Not hurt?”

Delia and Ivella rushed in with concern.

Ulan nodded.

“Nothing’s particularly damaged.”

“B-but your hands keep trembling!”

Ivella looked worriedly.

Just as she mentioned, both of Ulan’s arms were shaking incessantly. Ulan shook his head and attempted to speak again.

“I’m fine.”

After responding affirmatively.

Ulan looked at what he held in his left hand.

“This is what I’ve been hoping for.”

In his grip was a gleaming white axe.

The pair known as the Axe of Devouring, ‘Gula’ that Ulan currently held in his right hand, was said to belong to the Demon-Slaying Axe, ‘Ose.’

‘According to the records…’

Unlike Gula, who devours magic, Ose, made from Magic Stone, has properties of cutting or deflecting magic.

And one more thing.

Given their opposite powers, Ose and Gula possess a powerful ability to repel one another, just like magnets of the same pole repelling each other.

‘So, that’s why the earlier attack bounced off.’

The feeling of confusion faded away.

Ulan had a relieved expression. Except, one problem remained. The powerful repulsion caused both of his arms to continue shaking.

But there was no need for concern.

‘This much…’

Ulan’s eyes sparkled with determination.

Soon after, muscle veins bulged on his arms. Before long, the tremors subsided, and eventually, all vibrations came to a halt.

He had suppressed it with sheer force.

‘Now it feels much better.’

The twin axes gripped in both hands.

There was an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

Just as he smiled with satisfaction, a ferocious roar echoed from the front.

【Hand it over immediately, worm!】

【That’s a treasure dedicated to me by Rakus.】

【It’s not a possession you are allowed to have!】

The ringing voice filled the venue.

Ulan had been puzzled as to why the Swamp Ruler had kept Ose on him, but upon hearing, it seemed he carried it intentionally.

‘But…’

There was one unresolved question.

When he defeated the Swamp Ruler in his previous life, Ose was never found.

What could the reason be?

Ulan frowned.

But he didn’t have time to dwell on this mystery as the Swamp Ruler, furious from losing Ose, began unleashing a frenzied assault.

Bang! Kwaaaang! Kakakakak!

In an instant, the battlefield was devastated.

Ulan deflected the creature’s attacks while directing his voice towards the silver-haired girl in the back.

“Delia.”

“Huh?”

“Use the same magic as earlier on it.”

“What? But…”

“It’s fine. This time it’ll work.”

Ulan declared matter-of-factly.

Then, locking eyes with her, his serious gaze glimmered. Soon, Delia too nodded in agreement.

“Okay. I’ll trust Ulan.”

Besides, they still had some high-grade Magic Stones remaining.

Which meant there was no concern of running dry on magic power.

Therefore, Delia quickly began to chant the spell she had cast earlier. The spell was inscribed in the air with rapid speed. Then, suddenly.

Kakakakak!

The Swamp Ruler abruptly shifted its attack trajectory.

Right toward Delia.

The reason it had blatantly targeted her, whom it previously ignored, was simple. It perceived Delia’s magic as a threat.

But in that moment.

Bang! Pffooooong!

The Swamp Ruler’s fierce attack erupted in the air.

Thanks to Ulan, who had stood in front of Delia.

【You damn worm!】

【I won’t let you interfere till the end―!】

The creature’s crimson eyes twisted in rage.

Yet, it was too late for it to vent its anger.

Gleaming light sparkled in the pitch-black sky.

A star made of magical power descended once more toward the Swamp Ruler.

【───!】

The crashing star was infused with violent energy.

Upon noticing, the Swamp Ruler hurriedly attempted to pull back its body.

However, it couldn’t move.

Feeling something was off, the Swamp Ruler glanced around and soon realized the blue glowing talisman was blocking its escape.

“In a raid, holding is a basic necessity, you know.”

The girl, holding the talisman, flashed a charming smile.

Feeling a sense of humiliation, the Swamp Ruler roared once more.

【Y-you worms!】

And at that moment.

Delia’s meteor struck its target.

This time, it didn’t miss.

Kwaaaang!

The earth trembled loudly.

The swamp that colored Zone 3 surged and evaporated massively.

With the ground unveiled.

Three sources were revealed.

‘As expected, they’re all scattered.’

The distance between each source was over three hundred steps at the very least. Even using a domain spell wouldn’t suffice to destroy them simultaneously.

Ulan frowned.

‘Handling it alone is going to be tough.’

He definitely needed help from his colleagues.

Just like in his past life.

Just as Ulan’s eyes gleamed with determination, a frantic voice echoed sharply.

“Ulan! It’s trying to escape!”

It was Noah’s shout.

Just as she said, the Swamp Ruler regained form and moved in a particular direction.

Clearly, it realized things were getting unfavorable after losing Ose.

‘I can’t let it get away.’

It was certainly the perfect moment to end it; he couldn’t just let it slip. Ulan immediately closed the gap and approached it to prevent its escape.

But exiting wasn’t even necessary.

Creep! Crack!

Just before the Swamp Ruler reached the Abyssal Rift, the rift suddenly closed by itself.

【W-What the―!】

The creature’s blood-red eyes flared in panic.

And at that moment.

A White Wolf with fluffy fur appeared near the magic circle maintaining the Abyssal Rift.

Woogle! Crunch!

It was diligently munching on something in its massive maw. Inside its mouth was a sparkling stone.

A high-grade Magic Stone.

The moment Ulan and his group noticed this, they understood why the Abyssal Rift had closed.

It was because it had devoured the power source supplying magic to the magic circle.

Meanwhile, as the Swamp Ruler noticed the wolf staring at it, it grinned widely, flashing a clear smirk.

【Rudrik’s hunting dog!】

The moment they faced each other.

The Swamp Ruler was furious.

The swamp transformed into a massive wave and surged with the intent to swallow the White Wolf whole.

But it was futile.

Pfooooooong!

Once again, the colossal body took to the skies.

Simultaneously, reflected in the Swamp Ruler’s blood-red eyes was that resolute man who had persistently tormented it.

It was Ulan.

“So, we meet again.”

The Axe of Devouring, Gula.

The Demon-Slaying Axe, Ose.

Finally having found the twin axes harmonized, Ulan briskly strode forward.

“I couldn’t finish you off last time…”

But this time, the scenario was different.

Now he had Noah’s spell on his side.

With the added talisman on Ose, Ulan could finally go toe-to-toe with it.

“This time, I’ll make sure to finish you off.”

Towards the reviving swamp, the furious axes were released like an avalanche.

Chapter 32. No Need for Proof