#354
Not my sister.
The moment I uttered the skill name.
The skill name became a command, binding the world.
Woo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!
Through the cracked sky, the universe that was eating away at the space along with my visualization answers me.
Starlight sparkles as galaxies and nebulas ripple.
The Earth, floating above, rotates and adds its starlight.
Slowly but surely.
The Netherworld sky, manifested by Diego Morales, is gradually being consumed by the universe I created.
The river of the Netherworld, filled with water and spirits, is also slowly transforming into the cosmos.
In an instant, the surrounding scenery shifts from the Netherworld to the universe.
“······!”
At that moment, as Diego’s eyes trembled at the sight.
Flash!
Amidst the universe, which had already eaten away half of the area, stars, galaxies, and nebulas shining obeyed my command.
With a flash, waves of sparkling starlight surged from the dark blue sea of stars, blocking the race tornado and the spirit’s whirlwind.
[Don’t underestimate our partner’s belief!]
Just then, the Black Prince shouted an embarrassing line with excitement.
Kwah-kwah-kwah-kwang!
The gray whirlwind and the sparkling waves of starlight collided, creating an explosion that tore through space with a dazzling flash.
Between the rising mushroom cloud and the magical shockwaves, the dark blue universe rapidly filled the torn space.
I could tell without even looking, thanks to my expanded perception and senses.
This clash was my victory.
Diego Morales surrendered space to me in defeat.
As evidence, the Netherworld he created had retreated further back.
[Partner, this time it’s a baptism of stars.]
The Black Prince whispered in my mind.
I have to shout the skill name again.
My forehead creased, but I had no choice if I wanted to seize the clear advantage.
This battle also served as practice for the upcoming final match against Messiah.
To face Messiah in the final round, I planned to visualize and gather all the heroines to empower them with the baptism of stars.
I wasn’t sure if that would negate Messiah’s abilities, but differently from the original story, Yuji still hadn’t awakened his visualization.
No teeth, no problem; I had to resolve things with the cards I currently held.
So, right now, I had no choice but to shout the skill name.
I have no choice but to shout the skill name.
I had seen firsthand the power boost when I shouted the skill name earlier.
“Blessing of the Stars!”
As I yelled the skill name, the starlight of the universe that took over more than half of the space responded to my command.
Whoooosh.
The constellations etched in the sky rotated as the universe obeyed my command.
Zap zap zap zap zap!
Colored starlight sparkled as bright columns of light poured down upon my allies, Seira, Beatrice, and Aris, like a baptism.
“Whoa! It’s… it’s surging with power!”
Seira, who received the blessing first, let out an inappropriate squeal.
What is up with her all of a sudden?
Flash.
White magical energy ignited from her body.
Seira’s height and bust expanded rapidly, transforming her from a youthful girl into a mature beauty.
Returning completely to her prime state, Seira placed her hand on her ample chest.
Her eyes sparkled alluringly.
“Hehe. The thrill of returning to my prime is always exhilarating. Little one.”
As Seira opened her parasol, an overwhelming presence emanated from her.
White Empress.
The top-tier EX-rank hero who had once held the top position in Five Crowns has descended here.
“Whoa!”
Next was Aris.
Her face turned beet red.
Zap zap zap zap!
Silver sparks surrounded Aris’ body.
Aris crossed her arms over her full chest, muttering in a heated voice.
“T-this is what the President mentioned! Ah! The power of Mr. Kim Deok-Sung has entered my body!”
Aris trembled.
Lightning began to surge from the blade of the Japanese-style spear she held in her hand.
Her silver hair floated in the air.
With her face still flushed red, Aris gazed forward.
Silver lightning wrapped around her entire body.
“Woohoo… Mr. Kim Deok-Sung… If we progress this quickly, I won’t know where to hide from embarrassment! Your heated power is mercilessly stirring my body! Ah!”
Evangeline’s voice almost echoed in unison.
A lewd moan slipped from her lips.
Pink magical energy wrapped around Evangeline.
Her body trembled.
What kind of progress are they talking about?
This is absurd.
“Ugh! What is this power?! The forbidden strength sealed deep within the body of the Scarlet Saint is awakening! Ugh! It’s going wild!”
Finally, Beatrice struck a pose, covering her eyes with her blindfold, embracing her inner chuuni.
Golden magical waves erupted from her body.
[Saionji and Evangelin have been enhanced to a near EX-rank level, while Trixie Smith is at an S-rank level.]
The Black Prince whispered to me in my mind.
Increasing the heroines’ abilities one step further.
That was the true power of the Blessing of the Stars.
At this level, I might stand a chance against the Messiah.
Thinking that, I picked up Durandal.
It was time to finally put an end to this damn fight.
It was a disaster.
*
“Damn it······.”
Four overwhelming heroines radiating immense magical power entered Diego Morales’ line of sight.
He bit his lip.
I will definitely win.
He had been so confident.
Determined to control the ultimate power through lost technology and the might of artifacts to dominate the world, his belief was unwavering against any challenger.
He never doubted it.
But what was reality?
The space he had summoned from the afterlife was being devoured in real time by the universe that Kim Deok-Sung had created.
Kim Deok-Sung.
The mindset of a newly awakened EX-rank rookie was overpowering his belief, which had endured for over half a century, as he found himself up against a mere high school student with aspirations.
“······.”
Diego Morales grasped the death side.
Whooooooo!
The spirits slumbering beneath the river of the afterlife surged upwards toward the sky.
Cold sweat dripped down Diego Morales’ forehead.
The skill called Starlight Baptism had reverted Seira, who was only a half-baked EX-rank, to her prime, and the power of those rookie cadets, who had merely been below S-rank, had been boosted to EX-rank levels.
At this point, even Kim Deok-Sung was not an opponent; he couldn’t handle the strengthened power of the heroines either.
His strongest skill, Resurrection of the Death God.
If he used the skill that allows him to inhabit all collected spirits to attain true death god power, he might temporarily level the playing field, but it would be pointless.
Most importantly, Resurrection of the Death God was a last resort that couldn’t be used carelessly due to its penalties.
He couldn’t use it here.
So he needed support.
“Dokta Shinahel! Undertaker! You damned fools! What the hell are you doing? Respond to my call immediately according to our alliance oath! I need your help!”
Diego Morales pulled out a communicator and shouted.
The original plan was scrapped.
If Undertaker alone came to join, there was no guarantee of winning in this situation.
Dokta Shinahel and Undertaker.
Only the two ultra-powerful beings, who ranked high among EX-ranks, could provide a chance of victory.
At that moment, as Diego shouted,
Swoosh.
As if waiting, a man in a beaked mask and a black coat appeared silently behind him.
“You were looking for me.”
It was Dokta Shinahel.
A smile hung on his lips beneath the beaked mask.
“Why are you coming now? Did you forget our alliance oath? Where is Undertaker?”
Diego Morales was annoyed by Dokta Shinahel’s words.
He wanted support from two people.
The plan shifted dynamically based on the current situation.
Moreover, according to the alliance oath between the League and the Cult, they were obliged to faithfully carry out their support missions.
But why was he alone?
A question mark appeared in Diego Morales’ mind just then.
“Oh, you’re curious why I came alone.”
Dokta Shinahel smiled at Diego’s words.
He stepped closer and whispered to Diego.
“That’s because······.”
Just as Diego leaned in to listen.
Just when Diego was paying attention to Dokta Shinahel’s words…
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the staff-like weapon of Dokta Shinahel, the Caduceus, charged with explosive mana, shattered Diego’s magical barrier and pierced right through his chest.
“Cough, cough…”
Blood spilled from Diego Morales’s mouth.
He wasn’t a fool.
So he didn’t trust the League completely.
However, in this operation, they both had enough value for each other to trust one another.
Moreover, he had shown no intent to kill until getting close, leading Diego to assume he was an ally.
So Dokta Shinahel stabbing him in the back at this moment was beyond his expectation.
Gush, gush.
A fountain of blood erupted from Diego Morales’s chest.
Dokta Shinahel grinned.
The highly toxic substance embedded in his staff was injected straight into Diego Morales’s body.
The vigor rapidly drained from Diego’s skin and eyes due to the poison.
“Why…?”
Dokta Shinahel chuckled behind his bird-like mask.
He whispered into the dying Diego’s ear.
“Master has determined that your value has run out. Oh, and…”
Whoosh!
The blood-stained winged staff tore into Diego’s chest.
“…Did you not think to go easy on the $20 chicken nuggets you stuffed your face with, you little thief?”
“!!”
Diego’s eyes trembled at Dokta Shinahel’s words.
The moment he tried to say something with his lips…
“So, please die well. Your pitiful life will be used as the cornerstone of the New World by Master, so take pride in that.”
Dokta Shinahel chuckled as he pulled out his staff.
Whoosh.
Black blood, contaminated with poison, sprayed onto the floor from the hole in Diego’s chest.
Splurt splurt splurt!
Diego Morales died in vain, and the mental images he had conjured vanished in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, Kim Deok-Sung’s universe laid over the disappearing scenery of the afterlife.
But Dokta Shinahel’s gaze remained unwavering.
At that moment.
“…Dokta! I found you…”
From far away in space, ivory starlight descended.
Splurt splurt splurt!
A dangerous EX-rank villain forcibly entered the mental images, revealing the stunning girl in a gothic lolita dress, Wilhelmina Heisenberg, with striking ivory hair.
“You… killed…”
Wilhelmina shouted angrily as she surged onto the battlefield.
“Wilhelmina!”
Suddenly, someone from behind hugged her with full-bodied warmth.
The white-haired beauty who had returned to her prime.
It was Yoshizaki Seira.
Just as she was about to say something with a smile while holding Wilhelmina tight…
“…I’m not Seira-chan, you know…”
Wilhelmina, nestled in her embrace, spoke with a dissatisfied tone.
That’s right.
Wilhelmina was older than Yoshizaki Seira.
