Chapter 135

(2)

2.

While a battle was raging in Zone 3.

There was someone who found the Source of Magic.

A young-faced Mage. The Dean of the Magic Department at Arsen Academy, Diplyn Cernio.

“Hah.”

A sigh slipped through her lips.

The reason was simple.

She had returned to the Source of Magic, a place she thought she’d never visit again for a while.

It had been precisely half a day since she had left the Abyssal Rift and exited Zone 3.

‘I never planned to come back.’

A massive swamp had erupted from the Abyssal Rift.

Not to mention the unknown mud monster.

Zone 3 was full of unsettling feelings. That’s why she originally intended not to come until the Abyssal Rift closed.

But life doesn’t always go as planned.

After taking another deep breath, she recalled why she was here.

‘……Baruch Celestine.’

A senior Mage of the Magic Tower and the aide to Count Dermore, who leads the Empire’s investigation team.

As soon as Baruch realized the Count and the students had gone missing, he requested assistance from the Academy.

The problem was that he had specifically named Diplyn.

And this request for support was tied to official duties involving the Empire and the Magic Tower. This meant it was incredibly difficult to refuse.

‘If I turn him down lightly…’

She’d end up at odds with not only the Empire but also the Magic Tower.

Even for someone like Diplyn, who was a free spirit, that would be a setback.

If she became estranged from the Magic Tower, it wouldn’t be any different than being at odds with the Abyss Worshippers.

After letting out one more sigh.

She lightly slapped her cheeks.

‘No, it should be fine now.’

The fact that the Empire’s investigation team had safely escaped Zone 2 meant that the strange phenomena occurring near the Abyssal Rift had disappeared.

Gathering her thoughts, Diplyn took a deep breath and stepped into Zone 3.

And to sum it up, coming back to the Source of Magic was the best decision she’d made. It allowed her to see such a sight.

‘That is…!’

A monster as massive as a mountain.

It looked like it was a combination of all the mud monsters she last saw before leaving Zone 3.

‘Is it bigger than the dragon from last time?!’

It was an overwhelming size that even made her gasp.

‘Is that also a Minion of the Abyss?’

Suddenly, that question popped into her head.

Just based on its size, she thought it might be the Lord of the Abyss, but that wasn’t the case.

Because there were people fighting against that monster right now.

‘Ulan Bator and Delia Arpen.’

Not to mention Laurea, the next Saintess.

Although they were all formidable figures, they wouldn’t be enough to face the Lord of the Abyss.

On the other hand, the battle before her was quite even. It was hard to predict who would win.

‘Then it must be a Minion of the Abyss.’

Diplyn was convinced.

The Lord of the Abyss could annihilate an entire nation with just its existence—truly a walking disaster.

A few students, including Ulan, wouldn’t stand a chance against it. That’s why Diplyn labeled the enormous monster as a Minion.

‘For now, let’s keep watching.’

Such sights weren’t something you could see every day.

Diplyn sparkled her violet eyes, keeping a distance so she wouldn’t be noticed.

Forgetting her original purpose of finding Count Dermore, the leader of the investigation team.

3.

Ulan, wielding twin axes.

He was literally rampaging like a madman.

As if he were releasing pent-up frustration for not being able to confront the Swamp Ruler in his past life, he diced the creature indiscriminately.

Of course, the Swamp Ruler wasn’t just sitting there idle. It used its massive body to unleash fierce attacks from all sides targeting Ulan.

The problem was that all of them were blocked.

【You, pest-like creature!】

As the situation escalated, the Swamp Ruler couldn’t distribute its attacks anymore. So, it ultimately abandoned targeting the other party members and focused all attacks solely on Ulan.

At last, the battle transformed into a boiling frenzy.

The Swamp Ruler seized the opportunity and pushed Ulan even harder.

During this process, it caught a glimpse of the enchanted mark on Ulan’s back.

【───!】

【That mark!】

【You! You’re a descendant of Rudrik!】

A descendant of Rudrik.

Upon hearing those words, Ulan raised his eyebrows. He’d heard that term once before.

‘For sure…’

Back when he faced the Frost Dragon.

It had referred to itself as a descendant of Rudrik while declaring Ulan needed to be eliminated.

And one more thing.

Both the Frost Dragon and Swamp Ruler had referred to the White Wolf as Rudrik’s hunting dog.

‘What is this Rudrik, anyway?’

Curiosity surged momentarily.

But he quickly shook it off. Right now, the important thing wasn’t solving his curiosity but taking down the creature in front of him.

In contrast to Ulan, the Swamp Ruler seemed to have a rather significant purpose. It suddenly stopped its attacks and let out a furious roar.

【Kazan Rudrik! You damned human!】

【It’s already been a thousand years─.】

【Are you still trying to defy the Abyss?!】

It was spewing out incomprehensible words.

However, the howling didn’t last long.

Ulan seized the opportunity and resumed his attack. After that, a fierce battle ensued between the two.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Noa found a moment to catch his breath.

With Ulan drawing all of the monster’s attention to himself, he wasted no time in summoning all his colleagues.

Information on the Swamp Ruler.

Specifically to share the strategy to take it down.

“……The only way to get rid of it is this.”

After an extensive explanation, the expressions of the group changed subtly.

The first question that arose among them was ‘How do you know that?’

But no one voiced it.

Right now was not the time for questions, but for overcoming this situation.

“So, to summarize the story….”

“You’re saying we need to destroy its three hidden weaknesses at the same time to take down that monster.”

“Yes, exactly.”

Noa nodded.

Furthermore, he conveyed the locations of the sources that had been revealed during previous Meteor Shower strikes, all of which were spaced apart from each other.

“So, unlike last time, Ulan won’t be able to take it down by himself. We’ll need everyone’s help to defeat it.”

Noa’s expression turned serious.

Just as he was about to ask for their assistance, three responses came in ahead of him.

“Of course, we’ll help.”

“I’ll cooperate as well.”

“What do we have to do?”

The answers came without hesitation.

Feeling reassured just from the responses, Noa smiled faintly. Then he moved to share the roles.

“First, the priority is to pinpoint the exact location of the sources, so I’d like to ask Delia to use a large-scale magic of at least rank 6 like last time.”

The aim was to collectively sweep off the swamp that obscured the sources through large-scale strategic magic.

“However, since the swamp is widespread right now, it might be better to use a wider area spell rather than a Meteor Shower.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Delia nodded.

After that, Noa continued with the explanations.

“Once the location of the sources is revealed, it will certainly attempt to regenerate the swamp to hide them. At that time, I will use a spell to slow down its regeneration.”

Noa spoke while spreading out a talisman.

Thus, the roles for the duo were set.

The only ones remaining were Ivella and Ian.

“So, what we need to do is…”

“Take care of one of its sources each.”

Noa replied with a serious expression.

This was something that had been done in the original story with Delia, Laurea, and Fertisha teaming up.

But now, they were short on personnel, and there was a lack of camaraderie to coordinate.

‘So…’

This wouldn’t be a viable method this time.

Hence, he came up with an alternative.

Ulan, Ian, and Ivella would each take out a source. To succeed, they needed to be well-coordinated.

But there was no need to worry.

‘Ulan remembers his past life.’

Coordinating should be entirely possible.

After all, he’d fought alongside other heroes against the Abyss for over ten years, retaining those memories and experiences.

Once all thoughts concluded.

Noa shared the plan concerning the missions assigned to Ivella, Ian, and Ulan.

A while after the explanation ended.

“But about those weaknesses…”

Ivella raised her hand slightly.

She looked uncertain.

“Am I really capable of breaking them? I still can’t even create an aura…”

That didn’t particularly matter.

The weaknesses of the Lord of the Abyss—those sources—could easily be destroyed with just a Mana Sword.

The real concern was whether Ivella had enough physical ability to keep up with the moving sources.

So, while she pondered.

“I’ll help.”

“……!”

“W-Wait, Saintess?!”

A familiar voice unexpectedly cut into the conversation.

It was Laurea.

Ian had a shocked expression at her sudden appearance. Shortly after, Delia tilted her head in confusion.

“But, aren’t you low on Divine Power?”

“No worries. I just replenished it with prayer.”

Laurea replied nonchalantly, with her hands clasped together. As she said, she was fully restored in terms of Divine Power.

Moreover, her complexion had returned to normal.

After finishing her response, Laurea turned back to Ivella and smiled brightly.

“There’s a divine spell among my prayers that can enhance another’s physical body. So don’t worry and just follow Noa’s plan.”

Ivella had also heard about spells that enhance the body. Perhaps that was why her expression brightened a little.

“And I want to get back at that monster for what it did to me, so I’m looking to land a solid hit.”

Laurea gritted her teeth with a frustrated expression.

That was only natural.

After all, she’d been covered in that disgusting mud and brought close to death as she was dragged into the Abyss—all due to the Swamp Ruler.

With Laurea’s addition, the briefing reached its conclusion.

Delia then communicated Noa’s plan to Ulan through magic. In response, he lifted his axes once during the battle.

It was his way of acknowledging.

“Then let’s get this operation started!”

Now that everyone was in agreement, there was no reason to hesitate.

As soon as Noa shouted,

Delia quickly grasped a high-grade Magic Stone in one hand and rapidly began to draw the magic formula. At the same time, Laurea focused on reciting her prayer.

“……May the grace of the Divine Being be upon you.”

The first to complete was Laurea’s prayer.

Just as her prayer concluded, a dazzling pure white light enveloped Ivella’s body.

Paaah!

The heavenly sword received holy blessings, turning into holy armor. All types of blessings Laurea could use bestowed upon Ivella.

A moment later, Ivella said in astonishment.

“Wow, my body feels incredibly light.”

“Well, it’s the blessing of the next Saintess.”

Laurea smiled gently.

Next up was Delia’s turn.

With beads of sweat rolling down her forehead, the magic formula was completed.

“───.”

The moment her little lips began to tremble.

Saaaaa!

The sky became shrouded in starlight. A glimmer of light illuminated all of Zone 3. Following Delia’s gestures, all the starlight poured down to the ground.

It was rank 7 Stellar Magic that only chosen Mages could cast, categorized as strategic magic by various nations.

『Meteor Shower』

The shower of starlight poured down like rain, sweeping across the battlefield with the force to topple the world.

Boom! Crash! Kaboom!

In an instant, it turned the battlefield into ruins.

The Swamp Ruler had nowhere to escape.

And as a result.

The hidden sources revealed themselves.

“Ian! Ivella!”

Seeing this, Noa shouted urgently.

Of course, there was no need for that.

The moment the sources appeared,

Both rushed towards their respective sources without needing a moment’s hesitation.

【───!】

Meanwhile, the Swamp Ruler couldn’t hide its bewilderment. It felt like the humans before its eyes moved as if they knew exactly where its weaknesses lay.

But it couldn’t afford to be surprised for long.

With the locations of the sources revealed, it needed to hurry and regenerate the swamp to conceal them.

So just as it was about to rush to regenerate,

Blue talismans covered the remnants of the swamp.

【─What’s this!】

It was the very talisman that had blocked its escape route earlier.

And this time it looked like it was preventing the swamp from regenerating.

Upon seeing this,

The Swamp Ruler finally understood.

These mortals’ goal wasn’t just to confront it but to eradicate it.

【Don’t joke with me!】

【You damned little bugs dare to!】

There was a feeling of utter disdain.

The Swamp Ruler became furious, realizing that those it thought of as mere bugs were trying to eliminate it.

Simultaneously, the swamp began to shake violently.

It unleashed furious attacks towards Ian and Ivella, who were charging toward its sources.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A ferocious assault came crashing down.

If this had been Ivella at her normal state, she would have been engulfed in one hit, but with Laurea’s blessing, she was able to narrowly dodge it.

Just as the two approached the sources.

Perhaps sensing they could be in danger, the Swamp Ruler summoned the swamp inward toward the center where the sources were.

And in that process.

Ivella found a sliver of an opening.

‘Now!’

An instinct telling her she could land a strike.

Almost immediately after, with her golden Mana Sword, she swung it with all her might.

The strike pierced through the space.

Upon witnessing this scene.

“Divine Being!”

Ian raised all of his Divine Power to its limits as if he had been waiting for this moment.

He took a step forward.

Although it was merely a single step, it was undeniably the Master’s Domain. The iteration of the enemy’s source was precisely within Ian’s domain now.

The only one left was Ulan.

But there was no need to worry here.

The moment the two heroes approached the source, he had already reached the final source.

In the realm of thirty-nine steps.

Moreover, after awakening the Transcendent Domain.

Just before Ivella’s sword pierced the source, Ian and Ulan each swung their weapons.

Thud! Slash! Smash!

The sounds of piercing, cutting, and breaking.

The strikes from the three heroes simultaneously destroyed the enemy’s source. At the same moment, a great wailing resounded from the center of the swamp.

【────!?】

All the sources were split in two.

In that instant, the swamp that had covered Zone 3 began to rapidly transform into ashen remnants.

It was the moment the Lord was meeting its end.

【No! No!】

【This cannot be happening!】

【The destiny bestowed upon me is not yet─.】

Just as it flailed about in a desperate struggle.

The bright red eyes in the center of the swamp trembled as if struck by lightning.

【You! You fool! How dare you─.】

Its reaction resembled that of someone who had seen a ghost.

The wide-open eyes were fixed on the Source of Magic, Zone 4.

As it stared at that place, it gathered all its remaining strength to unleash its fury.

【Ahh, now I understand!】

【You deceived me!】

【Rakusssss──!】

With that last wail, the gleaming red eyes cracked. Soon, the eyes turned to ash and scattered into the air.

The fourth-ranked Lord.

The Swamp Ruler was thus vanquished.

And at that moment.

In the ashen-filled air, only Noa could see a message appear.

【You have achieved a hidden accomplishment.】

【You have achieved a hidden accomplishment.】

Just like the situation when he defeated the Frost Dragon. Thus, he wasn’t surprised this time.

After a brief moment, the achievement reward appeared.

【Achievement】: Conqueror of the Swamp

【Condition】: Defeated the Swamp Ruler ‘Parus’

【Reward】: Elixir of Balance

A universal potion, an Elixir.

Among them, the one called Balance had slightly different effects compared to a regular Elixir.

A regular Elixir doubled a character’s traits or characteristics, but the Elixir of Balance simply enhances all traits slightly.

‘It’s about 20 percent, if I had to say.’

At a glance, you might think of it as a lower-tier version of a regular Elixir, but it could be better in some contexts.

Because the Elixir of Balance has no effect on penalties. In other words, it’s a consumable that is always beneficial to consume.

‘I need to save this.’

While making that decision internally.

A subsequent notification appeared.

【Achievement】: The Hero Facing the Abyss

【Condition】: Defeated an additional Lord of the Abyss while holding the ‘Defier of the Abyss’ achievement

【Reward】: Trial Activation

‘Trial Activation?’

What does that mean?

Noa tilted his head curiously.

Just then, a small map unfolded before his eyes. A map showing locations across the continent centered around Arsen Academy.

Within it, one area shone brighter than the others.

‘That place is…’

In the southern part of the Rubens Empire—a desert.

The very location that once boasted of the glorious capital of a desert kingdom.

As he quietly stared at it, another message appeared.

[Notification]

*The Hero’s Trial will be activated.

*Among characters who are not Hero Candidates, the being with the highest contribution to defeating the Lord of the Abyss will be granted the title of the eighth Hero.

Noa looked around.

Ulan, Ivella, Delia, Ian, Laurea.

All five were Hero Candidates.

The only one who wasn’t a candidate was himself.

‘So that means…’

His blue eyes widened in surprise.

Just as he was making an expression of disbelief.

【Eighth Hero】: Noa Darshen

*Challenge the Hero’s Trial and prove to yourself that you are worthy of being a Hero.

“……!”

The moment he saw the final message.

Noa’s eyes filled with astonishment.

Chapter 32. No need to prove oneself