Chapter 95
The battle dragged on in disarray.
After about an hour, guards arrived in droves. They were overwhelmed by the unity of the Resurrection Sect members and the unusual power of a few sect members.
Soon after, they found themselves crawling on the ground, looking just like the citizens.
“Please… spare me…”
“It hurts… it hurts!”
The surviving citizens attempted to flee through the streets to escape Kern or hid deeper into the alleys to evade the merciless hands.
“No, Ronnie! Please! Zeal!”
“Sister!!”
As such, there was hardly any sight of large-scale battles or massacres. By now, what was happening resembled more a game of hide-and-seek or tag – small-scale massacres and skirmishes breaking out everywhere.
Of course, whether it was hide-and-seek or tag, the Resurrection Sect members mostly came out on top.
“Damn it… this never ends!!”
Pwaa-bang! I annihilated the nearby Resurrection Sect members with a magical blade, creating a hive-like mess around me. Out of sheer frustration, I screamed.
“…”
“…”
All around me, countless Resurrection Sect members were raising their hands in submission.
Beyond the fallen sect members, more were taking their places, filling the gaps as if they were restocking a convenience store.
At the nauseating sight, I once again swore under my breath.
“Huh… wheeze… damn it… really…”
As I wandered the battlefield, slaying Resurrection Sect members, I soon found myself surrounded by them in the back alley where the shanty town once stood.
Of course, this situation wasn’t by my design. They had cleverly pursued me, and before I knew it, I was led into this alley, trapped from both sides.
“Just one at a time! One at a time…”
I was gasping for air.
Sweat was pouring down my face, trailing off my chin, and my breathing was so rapid that my vision blurred.
My body was covered in large and small wounds. My clothes were soaked with sweat and blood, making me feel quite uncomfortable.
Among these injuries, my left shoulder was particularly severe, with the wound so deep that bone was exposed. Thus, the only weapon I could wield was my right-hand Vestark.
My ether reserves had been depleted long ago, and I could barely lift my left arm. It was practically non-functional unless I used it for Seven Sword Pierce.
‘Damn… this is my limit.’
The current situation was tough enough as it was.
But what made it even more difficult was the fact that there seemed to be no end in sight. That sense of endlessness was gradually fuelling my despair.
I must have killed more than a hundred, but there were still so many left.
‘The aggro I pulled was good…’
Could it be because I went around using flashy area-of-effect skills for mass killings? All the nearby Resurrection Sect members had stopped slaughtering civilians and were now swarming towards me. I had been identified as their top target.
Stopping the massacre on that part was good.
But now I was in a position where I had to endure all the previously scattered members of the sect, leading to an unprecedentedly rapid drain on my stamina.
“…”
Is this where it ends? I tried to mutter that thought but quickly repressed it.
You don’t put up flags of death like that unnecessarily. I decided to say something more positive.
“If I survive this fight, I’ll propose to Seseona.”
It ended up being a death flag either way.
My joke seemed to entertain the Resurrection Sect members, who gave me a passionate reaction.
“…”
Tuh-dud-dud-dud! All at once, the Resurrection Sect members surrounding me on all sides rushed forward.
I checked my physical condition, assessed their levels, and nodded.
‘This is the end.’
Judging objectively, I won’t survive this wave and will die.
I glanced downward and focused my mind, projecting my status window into the air.
[Name: Park Jeong-yong]
[Nickname: The 163317413th official hero. Guardian of the Demon King’s Egg. One bound to immortality.]
[Level: 175]
At the very least, one thing has been made clear from this challenge.
‘Resurrection Sect members are golden goblins.’
They’re dropping experience points far exceeding their specs.
There’s no way I could have leveled up nearly twenty times if I hadn’t managed to hold out for just one hour.
‘They must hate the Resurrection Sect pretty badly, huh?’
It feels like the experience points were intentionally piled up. I chuckled, imagining the face of the person responsible looking uncomfortable.
‘While I can resist… I should resist.’
I have no intention of dying nicely for the ones who have killed me 34 times.
I immediately raised the Vestark and swung it down with all my strength.
“Mine Field!”
Ku-ku-ku-kung. A vibration shaking the ground spread all around. Though it wasn’t as impressive as when I was full of magical power, it was still sufficient to buy me a little time.
I took advantage of the disruption in their scrum and immediately started casting a skill.
‘Fluidity.’
Pshtt! As my vision wavered, I thrust my sword and watched as the Vestark smoothly pierced through the gut of a Resurrection Sect member.
There’s no time to rest. I immediately used a stealth skill to hide among their numbers, hacking and slashing wildly, mercilessly cutting down members of the sect.
“Shadow Chains!”
I spotted an opening and immediately used the skill.
Tchlllrrk! A black chain shot out with surprising speed and completely immobilized one of the sect members.
“…”
Every time the opponent struggled, I could faintly feel strength returning to my body, but it was insufficient.
Kwang! Ki-ing! I blocked the counterattacks from all sides, but the damage I took was far greater than what I could dish out.
“…”
“…”
At first, this tactic of mine was quite effective, but by now, after massacring a few of them, the sect members quickly adapted their countermeasures.
“…”
The Resurrection Sect members spread out, forming defensive lines to prevent my infiltration. I gritted my teeth and tried to break away from their ranks.
Then, with a heavy sound, a sharp pain shot through my spine.
“Ugh…!”
Twisting my waist and swinging my sword, I managed to cut down a sect member. With a tangible, satisfying sensation, a Resurrection Sect member’s head rolled towards me.
The body, headless, remained standing, motionless with a sword still lodged in my back.
Seeing that sight made me even more curious about their true nature.
‘What exactly… what principle is this? How can they do this?’
It’s not about learning from my movements. My custom assassination techniques, perfected under the margrave at Halenburg, incorporate extreme tactics that are almost impossible to evade once known.
Yet, these sect members adapted gradually to my tactics as if they were a single organism.
As though like ants or bees, it was a sight that was almost sinister.
‘The secret of their unity must be uncovered!’
Was I lost in thought for too long? Did the pain distract me?
I noticed the massive surge of killing intent behind me far too late.
“Grrr…”
With my remaining arm, I forcefully twisted my body and swung my sword.
Ka-aang! A long metallic sound resounded. My arm twisted under the immense force, more than my body could bear.
Now completely unprotected, my opponent didn’t miss the opportunity and plunged a sword deep into my body.
“Kuh…!”
For a moment, time seemed to pause, then flowed again. I swallowed, feeling the horrific sensation of something foreign tearing through my chest.
As I noticed the red greatsword piercing my chest, I somehow managed to lift my head, locking eyes with its wielder. I let out a dazed, hollow laugh.
“Hah… this, this is real…”
There stood a figure, someone whose identity I could never have imagined.
A hint of joy appeared in my gaze at the sight of her face.
Could it be? I was more baffled than angry to see her here of all places.
“I’m sure I told you: I will definitely avenge him.”
Her voice, colored with deep resentment, stood out.
Her burning red eyes filled with hate, her purple skin, and the battered white armor barely covering her curvaceous figure.
“… Long time no see, Sister.”
When was it? In an unnamed burning town, we captured and then released a superior demon known as Phloxius.
Her name was—what was it, Prelleure? Framodel? Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
Forgetting even her name, I had completely forgotten about this extra who appeared in such an unexpected manner.
Isn’t life cruel enough already? Dammit. A mix of pain and resignation formed a bitter smile on my face.
“Did you join the Resurrection Sect by chance? Are the working conditions good? Does it come with four insurances even for demons?”
“…”
“Come on, answer me, Sister. It’s been a long time since we last met…”
“It’s been only a week since you killed Lord.”
Seriously? I closed my mouth at the upper demoness’s words.
Ah, that’s right. By normal human standards… it’s been about a week.
I muttered in a daze.
“Wow. That’s true. I guess I really missed you. I thought it had been a month or two.”
“Apparently, even death is not punishment enough for the likes of you.”
As I mocked her, Sister’s glare shifted from hatred to disdain.
A human showing such equanimity in the face of death was incomprehensible, like looking at a monstrous aberration.
‘Doing so well that I’ve caught such looks even from demons?’
I seem to have reached the end.
Soon, seemingly oblivious to my behavior, she muttered to herself.
“…Still, all I have to do is fulfill my duty.”
Duty. What was her duty supposed to be right now?
I was momentarily surprised and widened my eyes before realizing what it was.
“Ugh…!”
Grrrrd! The greatsword pierced through me and cut horizontally, effortlessly breaking my ribs before finally exiting my body.
My vision dimmed, and I watched my organs, tossed around like toys.
The darkness closed in fast.
*
[The return loop has been forcibly reset by the immortal Demon Lord Rustica Asmodeus.]
[The return loop anchor point has been updated.]
[Date – Continental Year 1108, January 13, 2:44 AM]
[Location – Markeiteuriseu. The upper region of the Promised Plains, the Western Gate of the small city of Kern]
In a daze, I looked down at the menu in front of me as Lucy slowly parted her lips from mine.
Or maybe it’s just me, but Lucy’s pale face seemed to have reddened a bit.
A brief moment of silence passed, a surprisingly heavy silence.
“…”
“…”
Hey, you just kissed me out of the blue! At least say something. Explain why you did it.
What do we do with this awkward atmosphere?
‘The kiss was probably because of the reset of the return loop anchor point…’
I have a rough understanding of the reason. There seems to be an annoying condition attached to the anchor point reset.
But why all this silent contemplation? It’s not like her.
As I wondered, Lucy looked up at me with a sigh as if the ground beneath her would collapse.
“Well, I didn’t expect to be this full from the first sip, but it seems it has come to this.”
“…What?”
I looked at her in confusion, and Lucy nodded as if my expression made everything clear.
Mixed on her face was a look of regret and frustration.
“Huh… Hero, don’t question what I’m about to say. Just listen…”
The moment Lucy began to speak, a black aura evaporated cleanly from her body. Her transformed appearance reverted instantly to her original form.
At the same time, with a loud thud that sounded quite painful, Lucy’s figure collapsed helplessly to the ground.
“Kyaow!”
A shrill scream echoed in the room.
I didn’t even have time to catch her. Normally, I would have reacted instantly, but I was a bit stunned by her unusual behavior.
“Hey, are you okay?”
As I worriedly asked and approached her, Lucy sprang up with an “I’m fine” gesture.
While rubbing her swollen forehead that had turned bright red, she said to me,
“Hey! Look, that’s not important. Hero! Whatever plan you’re concocting, change it!”
“…Change the plan? Why? I haven’t even tried it yet…”
“You’ve already died once! It’s a failure, you idiot!”
While Lucy’s demeanor seemed desperate to mask her embarrassment, the words that came out of her mouth were enough to make me cry blood.
For a moment, my mind went blank.
