"Orochi, could you migrate to the Eight-tailed dragon spear for the time being."
[I shall.]
Orochi's thought-soul completely moved over to the Eight-tailed dragon spear. Yu IlHan separated the spear from the armor and put it on one side, before summoning the Eternal Flame on his palm.
"We're now going to melt and combine the most expensive materials across the multiverses, you ready?"
Eternal Flame had experienced countless materials, absorbed even more records and evolved past its limit several times under Yu IlHan's guidance. It showed a confident movement, effectively burning away whatever doubts Yu IlHan had left.
"Good...."
Yu IlHan raised his head. In his two eyes were the ginormous bones that seemed like they would fill the entire barrier. As the two had different properties, he wasn't going to try alloying them to make an armor that brought out both of their advantages.
"First will be the inner armor. I'm going to make a thin layer of armor using Kelatuke's bones and the Heart of Fire."
[So this will be the fire.]
"Yes. And the second will be the outer armor. I'm going to melt Chaos Will's gauntlets again and add Echjar's bones and heart to make a sharp and sturdy armor."
[So that will be the dragon portion. Well, master definitely is currently closer to fire than dragons. However, master, did you not say that you will reach the realm of higher existences through dragons? If so, then why did you not make the inner armor dragon-related?]
"Thanks for saying that, but a dragon's power is one that needs to be emitted outwards. Moreover, I cannot abandon either kind of potential when I become a higher existence... and above all, fire and dragon are fundamentally not that different either."
[... I am inexperienced and cannot comprehend anymore, so do as you wish.]
Orochi gave up on understanding Yu IlHan's dialogue. The most destructive and direct power representation was indeed fire... but Orochi could not understand any more than this. Yu IlHan realized that Orochi had given up and spoke with a bitter smile.
"You cannot stay as a thought-soul lower existence forever. To control and operate this armor, you also need some growth."
[That's it!]
At that time, Mystic suddenly shouted.
[I get it now! The league of the Flying fortress was raised, but I stayed the same. That's what's making me so stifled!]
"Then you can grow too, duh."
[How?]
"Well, wouldn't it be fine if you absorb any kind of records you encounter?"
[No, that's not enough. There needs to be a more fundamental solution.]
Mystic raised her voice. Her voice was passionate as if she would dance a samba with the Flying fortress.
[Master needs to grow! Only then could we follow!]
"Don't shift the blame to me."
[But it's the truth! So become a higher existence or whatever it is already!]
"Fine, I get it so be quiet for a moment. I'm doing something important."
Upgrading his gear was a necessity even if it was in regards to becoming a higher existence. Yu IlHan made Mystic quieten down and started melting the Infernal dragon body and Kelatuke's bones. The Infernal dragon body was a material that would be used in both the inner and outer armor, and right now, he had to extract the fire part of it.
Of course, this wasn't so easy. Even Yu IlHan's best flames could not bring out a change in the two metals.
[Is it really possible?]
"It will still be impossible later if it's impossible now. I might as well do it now."
Until now, Yu IlHan had never spent so much time on one item while crafting and smithing, but this time was an exception. Since the materials were too good, he couldn't be half-hearted about it, and he had to transfer all the powers of fire that the Infernal dragon body had into the new armor without allowing a drop in quality.
"Fuu...."
Eternal Flame became stronger and brighter. The flame that once reached the extreme in size now started to get smaller, and it became more and more translucent, before becoming invisible to the naked eye.
[It's a curious fire no matter how many times I see it....]
"Succubus, you're sparring with me. Where do you think you're going!"
[Fu, I only wanted to watch the piece of art... You damned violent ex-angel.]
Yu IlHan could no longer hear the others. He only focused on the flames; the flames and the material that the flames needed to melt – he could not take his eyes off the two.
"Eternal Flame, this is the armor you'll reside in."
Yu IlHan whispered to it. It was a very soft voice.
"So focus, while thinking that you're making your own house."
Eternal Flame burned up as if to reply to him. It flickered its tongue, and burned more while becoming more attached to the material. At that moment, Eternal Flame grew once again and the Heart of Fire that he had already taken out to use later started to resonate with the Eternal Flame!
The moment no one other than Yu IlHan could recognize the Eternal Flame anymore, the Infernal dragon body and Kelatuke's bones finally started melting.
'Good, there's resonance. Let's do the mana crafting here as well.'
Melting wasn't everything. He had to keep the cast of the Infernal dragon body, and had to compress the power that Kelatuke's bones contained and fill the Infernal dragon body with it.
Now that the Heart of Fire had activated, this process was no longer just blacksmithing, and it was mana crafting, and with Eternal Flame, it was simultaneously soul enchant as well. Yu IlHan thought that perhaps creation was like this, before technology developed and it started branching out.
[Fufu. Ex-angel lady, aren't you gonna spar?]
"Shut up for a sec, succubus...."
It was not easy to ignore Yu IlHan that was working so vibrantly and at the same time, nobly. It wasn't just Helièna and Liera either. The others that were sparring, training skills, eating dragon meat, or fighting against monsters, they all stopped what they were doing and gathered around him.
"Amazing."
"It's amazing even though I don't know what's amazing about it!"
An aura of translucent flames was enveloping Yu IlHan and they could not see his figure clearly, but they could see how amazing his work was.
The ginormous bones belonging to Kelatuke decreased in size as time went on, and the sturdy Infernal dragon body glowed brightly and changed state from material to immaterial before being dismantled. Eternal Flame burned with all its power in order to mix the two that were never supposed to be combined.
[My house.]
A bright clear voice of a girl could be heard. Yu IlHan instinctively realized that it was Eternal Flame's will. After repeating several evolutions, she had finally become able to communicate. (T/N: Eternal Flame is 'she' from now)
[I'm going to make the hottest house!]
"Yes, that should do."
Replied Yu IlHan in satisfaction. Eternal Flame realized that her master had understood her words and burned even brighter in joy. Of course, the speed at which Kelatuke's bones melted accelerated accordingly.
The Heart of Fire was also being melted, albeit rather slowly. Every time it melted a little, the entire region of space was bathed in a tinge of red.
Eventually, the terrifying heat had formed a barrier, and no one except the Eternal Flame, and Yu IlHan, who had received the blessing of the goddess of fire, could keep their consciousness within it. Orochi was no exception and had to leave the barrier hurriedly.
[I will leave for a bit. ... Damn, you can't even hear me, can you?]
"Fuu, haah...."
The barrier that formed around the Heart of Fire decreased in size. As the barrier deceased in size, so did Kelatuke's bones. The bones were not being destroyed, but were being compressed while retaining their original properties. It had found a cast that could contain its high league.
Yu IlHan finally picked up his hammer. Then, he put the separated half of Infernal dragon body and Kelatuke's bones into one place before hammering down on them. He imbued all his mana and flames into his strikes to temper those items.
[Can you feel it? Mana crafting and Soul enchant are being mixed with Blacksmithing. Aah, it's a mere piece of armor but it's being treated better than me. I'm so envious. If I could receive darling's sweet hands like that, it would be fine if I melted into a puddle of blood....]
"I said shut up, succubus. You're disturbing me."
Yu IlHan eventually closed his eyes. Eyes being open had nothing to do with the work right now.
He could feel fire; the breathing fire; the will of the Eternal Flame; the space that became one with the fire to burn; the bones that colored and transformed; and the half of Infernal dragon body that sucked every one of them from the center.
[You have discovered a realm of crafting that cannot be defined with technology. The majority of advanced fusion skills, resulted from the fusion of technology, are recorded in the Akashic Record, but the techniques that possess a league that cannot be recorded cannot be given a level, and may just exist by itself.]
[What you have discovered is the realm of Genesis. You have fused the powers of Blacksmthing, Mana crafting, and Soul enchant into one to transform 'The Chaos that cannot be mixed nor separated' into 'Birth'. You have realized the realm of 'Creation.]
[You have earned the title, 'Creator'. All of your creations will be given special and unique options.]
Yu IlHan opened his eyes. Kelatuke's bones had all but disappeared. The figure of the Heart of Fire was nowhere to be seen. The Eternal Flame was still burning on Yu IlHan's palm, but this was not its whole but a mere fragment, and the main body had already moved over to her new house.
A single set of armor floated in front of him. It was an armor that was entirely red in color. It looked very similar to the Infernal dragon body, but was completely different.
It was alive. Yu IlHan could instinctively realize what this realm of 'Creation' he had reached after seeing it.
[I like it very much!]
Shouted Eternal Flame inside the armor with a voice that didn't contained even the slightest bit of negativity. It was very clear, yet passionate – a voice that was close to contradiction. It was very charming.
[I'm going to protect master!]
"Yes, I'll leave it to you."
A tired voice escaped Yu IlHan as he had poured his everything into the creation just now. However, he was very satisfied, his heart felt full. He had the thought that he had finally properly made what he really wanted to.
He now walked a path that no one had tread on.
[Soul of Fire was completed.]
[Soul of Fire.]
[Rank – God]
[Defense – 17,900]
[Durability – indestructible as long as the energy of fire remains]
[User restrictions – Yu IlHan]
[Options –
1. 200% increase in fire attribute resistance and attack power.
2. Imbues the power of fire to all skills and amplifies them by 100%.
3. Raises the league of all fire-related skills.]
[The purest, hottest, and sturdiest flames created by a human that had transcended humanity. A miracle that was given birth after matter, soul, and mana came together with one will.]
He turned his head around after checking the information on the armor, when he saw that the dragon part of the Infernal dragon body had formed a lump. Now, that would form the new outer armor with Echjar's bones, Chaos Will's gauntlet, as well as DRAGON HEART.
In other words, he had only done half of the work. The armor was incomplete.
"To think I'd have to do such a tiring job once again...."
[I'm happy, I'm happy!]
Eternal Flame only rejoiced while controlling the armor to jump around in midair without knowing what was going through his mind.
He could wear that immediately but... Yu IlHan let her be for a while. When he looked at the others, they were looking back at him with absent minded gazes.
"IlHan, you..."
"What is it?"
"Even your hair is red now."
After hearing Liera's words, he immediately stroked his hair to check.
"Whot!?"
It was true After he had received the blessing of the goddess of fire, Yu IlHan's eyes had turned red, and now that he had created the Soul of Fire, even his hair was dyed red now.
"What the hell? When did it grow so long?"
What's more, it even grew down to his waist! Yu IlHan was shocked and immediately tried to cut them, but Na YuNa immediately threw her body and clung to his waist.
"Long hair is cool as well so leave it! Leave iiiiit!"
"But it will be annoying in battle so I'll cut it short... hm?"
The moment he thought that he wanted his hair to be short, the long hair shrunk back down again. Na YuNa's two eyes had question marks in them. Yu IlHan thought.
... Just what the hell am I turning into?
"Mr. IlHan~. Make it longer again! Longer! You were so sexy just now!"
"I don't like being sexy so I'll keep it short."
"Noooo! Idiot! Idiot~!"
Yu IlHan realized that his hair now had the properties of fire. Well, fire was immaterial and could be manipulated to alter its size at will, so it wouldn't be strange even if his hair had such properties. In other words, a part of Yu IlHan's body had transcended the realm of matter.
He had reached the midpoint between lower existences and higher existences. He instinctively realized that.
"Hm, it seems like I can aim for higher existences in this field."
"Congratz on getting many ways to become a higher existence."
"But... hm."
Fire and dragon, rather than pursuing just one of them, it would be better in the long term to fuse the two together to pave his way to the realm of higher existences.
Although he was surprised at the unexpected gain, he quickly reorganized his thoughts in his heads and returned his hair as the same as before. Now, it was the time to make the other armor part – the outer armor – that contained the power of dragons.
"Come here."
[Yes.]
Yu IlHan took off all the clothes he was wearing and put the Soul of Fire on his body. It was custom made for him and had the pure properties of fire so even when he wore it, it gave him a comfortable sensation as if he wasn't wearing anything at all.
"I don't think the outer armor is a problem with this."
[I'm happy!]
Eternal Flame repeated the same words like a child that just started to learn a language. Yu IlHan laughed and lightly tapped on the armor before picking up his hammer again. A flame blossomed on the tip of it very naturally. Yu IlHan and the Eternal Flame has already deeply synchronized, and it was a foolish thing to attempt to differentiate between the two anymore.
"Orochi, it's your turn now."
[I thought I was being melted along with the spear last time....]
"I'm going to melt the spear as well. It's time to throw away the name of Eight-tailed dragon spear."
[...Is that for real?]
"Didn't you see what Eternal Flame was capable of just now? You just need to do that yourself."
[I thought you'd use Echjar.]
"I'm going to switch you with him once I become able to control him at will. You just need to take care of it until then."
Yu IlHan still didn't have the power to manipulate the violent 7th class dragon to his will. Orochi made a bitter laugh when he heard Yu IlHan's honest words.
[Then I can only do my best. Although, I'm fine with that and will not complain.]
"Then should we start?"
[Understood.]
Eight-tailed dragon spear, half of the Infernal dragon body that became an armory to numerous weapons, Chaos Will's gauntlet, Echjar's bones, and his DRAGON HEART as well – treasures that would shock worlds just by themselves gathered in one spot.
"Fuu."
Yu IlHan slowly closed his eyes and simultaneously activated Mana crafting, Soul enchant, and Blacksmithing to enter the realm of creation. Since he had already done it once, he was more proficient with it now.
[Kraaaaaah! You dare to do that to my body, and my heart!]
"You just shut up, Echjar."
Although it was impossible to control him, shutting him up was no problem. Yu IlHan utilized all his powers as a Deathgod to bury Echjar deep inside his consciousness and continued working.
Echjar's ginormous bones glowed in red and started decreasing in size. Orochi's thought-soul left the Eight-tailed dragon spear and moved to the remaining half of Infernal dragon body, while Yu IlHan melted all the other materials with fire while simultaneously activating Dragonic blood.
'I'm going to forge a body that can bring out the power of dragons to the best. It's an easy thing, and it should be one.'
[Master, focus!]
Everything melted down, and Echjar's DRAGON HEART reacted. The mana crafting process commenced successfully.
"Orochi."
[I shall try.]
Yu IlHan raised his hammer before striking down. The outer appearance of the armor appeared for a brief moment before being buried into chaos again. However, Yu IlHan did not get disappointed. This meant that Chaos Will's gauntlet had efficiently been melted in.
"I do not plan to entrap or suppress the power of dragons. Transform and roar as you wish."
[That's what I wished for.]
Orochi and Yu IlHan's senses melted and mixed into one. Although he was one with the Soul of Fire right now, his training in manipulating thought-souls were not for nothing and he could adapt to it without much problems. The soul enchanting process was smooth as well.
"Good... Very good."
There was resonance. The power of dragons that always reacted when Yu IlHan entered the Cradle of Miracles had awakened again from the stimulation of the materials here. A violent wave rippled through Yu IlHan's body. If he couldn't endure even this, he may as well give up the dream of becoming a higher existence.
"Let's start working then!"
He struck down with the hammer. The Eight-tailed dragon spear snapped perfectly, before being melted by translucent flames and being absorbed by the remaining half of Infernal dragon body. Now, it was time to utilize the power of Blacksmithing to cast it into a shape.
[Fuu.... Haaah.]
"Fuu.... Haaah."
Yu IlHan and Orochi's breathing synchronized. The more he hammered on, the louder Echjar's bones screamed in pain before being compressed. The size of DRAGON HEART also decreased in size as time went on and enhanced the materials with its magic power.
With such complex processes happening simultaneously, even Erta and Helièna who were very well versed in magic could only watch the breathtaking scene without being able to comprehend much.
"I'll give up. I can't understand a thing...!"
[Watch even if you cannot comprehend anything, lady. The figure of darling stepping onto a new realm, the records that are not recorded.]
The only non-draconic material here, Chaos Will, was the last one to cry out within it. That had to be used in enhancing the characteristics of dragons, and in unchaining the restrictions in strength. Yu IlHan transformed that power and lead it. He used the mana from DRAGON HEART to form the power into that of a dragon's to make it one with the armor.
[It is starting, master.]
"Yes. ...It's starting."
He struck down with the hammer.
He struck down with the hammer.
He struck down with the hammer.
The DRAGON HEART completely melted down. The momentary surge of horrifying concentration of mana was all focused on Yu IlHan, and he synchronized with that mana using the power of Dragonic blood and poured it into his hammer.
Despite the mana of dragons that rippled so hard enough to put his heart in pain, his movements did not change at all. The armor tried to take form but then dissipated again, tried to agglomerate before dispersing again. Echjar's bones completely enveloped the armor and was melted together with the rest of it.
"I think I saw that before. It looks like ink being diffused in water~."
"Shh."
He struck down with the hammer. Just once, a sonorous sound of hitting metal could be heard. The dispersing energy and mana that seemed like it would fill the entire barrier was instantly compressed and formed itself into an item in the shape of an armor.
An armor that embodied the reddish-black, sturdy scales of a dragon. It was an armor that looked like a sized up version of Infernal dragon body.
"Fuu."
Yu IlHan heaved a short sigh and dropped his hammer. Even though the hammer was made from top-grade materials, it could not endure two consecutive process of creation and ended up as a half molten mess. He was only glad that it held out until the end of the process.
"It's finished."
[It is indeed.]
Green text appeared in his eyes.
[Body of the Human Dragon was complete.]
[Body of the Human Dragon]
[Rank – God]
[Defense – 25,500]
[Durabiltiy – 50,000,000/50,000,000 (regenerates as long there is a single fragment left.)]
[User restrictions – Yu IlHan]
[Options –
1. Amplifies the power of dragons and increases recovery rate by 300%.
2. Raises the league of all skills related to dragons.
3. Freely transforms the figure of the user by consuming mana, and may transcend the realm of matter.
4. Can freely summon all weapons etched onto the records of the user. Half of the defense is added to the weapon's attack power.]
[An armor that allows for the coexistence of one's human and dragon nature, created by a human that had a deep understanding of dragons.]
[I can finally understand what Mystic meant.]
Orochi, trapped in the Body of the Human Dragon, complained.
[I feel very stifled, master. Please do something about it.]
"You're saying the same thing."
[Uhihi! Good for you! You ignored me and now you are in the same situation since you were so arrogant!]
[It frustrates me so much that I'm in the same state as that woman....]
"But it's not over yet."
A dual core only had meaning when they worked together. The Heart of Fire that is controlled by Eternal Flame, and the DRAGON HEART operated by Orochi had to gather around the hardware known as Yu IlHan to be truly considered complete.
"Orochi, you know what to do, right?"
[Ugh, I do.]
When Yu IlHan flicked his finger, the Body of the Human Dragon floating in the air transformed itself into a black fog. Chaos Will's properties had been implemented on a new level after borrowing the powers of dragons!
The fog swirled across the air and enveloped Yu IlHan that was wearing the Soul of Fire. It materialized again and naturally settled on top of the Soul of Fire, when Orochi, Eternal Flame, and Yu IlHan became one.
As if having waited for that moment, a few lines of text quietly appeared on Yu IlHan's eyes.
[The Eternal-ranked artifact, Flamesoul Dragon body, was complete.]
[There are artifacts that are perfect by themselves, but may transcend perfection by merging with other items. 'Soul of Fire' and 'Body of the Human Dragon' belong to such a case. Artifacts that cannot be complete with the two artifacts and the user had formed a perfect harmony to be reborn into an Eternal-ranked artifact.]
[An additional effect is added to the Flamesoul Dragon body.]
[The equipper of the armor become the master of all flames and dragons. It can amplify the power of fire and dragons, bestow power, and may take away the power as well. However, the league of the user is still low and thus, the ability cannot be activated to its full extent.]
"Fuuuuuu."
Yu IlHan, who had gone through a simple awakening process through the imperfect fusion with the artifact, heaved a deep breath. Inside it was all the power of fire and dragons. Some call it 'Breath'.
There was someone who was looking at him with a dumbfounded gaze, and it was none other than Yumir.
"Dad ended up becoming a dragon!?"
"Not yet."
"Then when are you becoming one?"
"I don't know either."
"Anyway, amazing! Dad is amazing!"
Yu IlHan softly embraced Yumir as he rejoiced with glittering eyes, before he shook his hands at the others that had their gazes fixed on him.
"Alright. Show's over. Go do your things now."
"When I look at how you work; I feel so useless."
"If you don't want to die uselessly later then please continue doing those useless things."
There was still a lot of time until the barrier was dispelled. He had the urge to just dive inside the Cradle of Miracles and never come out again, but he couldn't do that since he wasn't the only one that needed it right now.
"There are also other things that I need to do before I leap into the realm of higher existences."
Yu IlHan called out his spear and poised himself. He summoned a reddish-black spear made from the energy of fire and dragons. It was made with the Eight-tailed dragon spear as the base, but was also the strongest and sharpest spear he could remember and make, and as such, was a completely different spear.
"Anyone wants to spar with me?"
"Anyone will get instantly crushed if they fight IlHan right now."
"But I need to train in the Great Cosmos-severing Spear...."
"Hiiiik."
Everyone shrunk back in fear when they heard the words 'Great Cosmos-severing Spear'. Wasn't that the skill that raised his martial might to a whole new level? Only Helièna reacted, but unfortunately, she was a magic combatant and was not proficient in close combat, and therefore, was unsuited to be a sparring partner.
"I can't help it I guess."
Yu IlHan nonchalantly muttered and let go of the spear before taking out the remaining body of Echjar. Although the fundamental parts were all robbed off, the grandeur of the remains was still very great.
He uttered amazing nonsense in front of the remains.
"I can only revive Echjar and fight him."
[You dare when you made me into this!]
"Although the league would be significantly lower, the abilities of the physical body won't be that different so rest assured."
[YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!]
"I'll free you if you win against me. So just listen to me now."
[T, this rude and poor lower existence dared to look down upon this Echjarrrrrrrrrrrr!]
Echjar who was provoked to no end by Yu IlHan let out a roar. Yu IlHan nodded in satisfaction after feeling that.
Now that his equipment was complete, there was no way he could lose against that simpleton Echjar. Moreover, he could also snap his morale by physically winning against him and put him under his rule, so what was two birds with one stone if this wasn't! The reason Orochi had to go inside the Body of the Human Dragon was all to fight Echjar and bring him to his knees!
"Well, then. I'll revive you into a cute lil' thing, so wait a moment."
[C, cute!? L, 'lil'!? YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!]
Yu IlHan picked up some random dragon bones to make a new hammer and approached Echjar's body. The training session that only Yu IlHan took joy in, had begun.
[Graaaaaaaaaaaar!]
An Ice demon roared loudly. When it extended its left arm out, a stream of pure energy that froze everything in its path was exuded.
"Carina!"
"I know!"
Whem Michael Smithson shouted while redirecting the arm with his shield courageously, Carina Malatesta, who aimed for that moment, cast restraint magic to tie the demon down.
"Hhp!"
When the ice demon was firmly held in place, Takagaki Asuha suddenly appeared from behind it and tied its neck with her whip. However, that lacked the destructive ability to finish it off!
"Hhaaaaaaap!"
"Still not enough, kugh!"
"Charge, Michael!"
The battle with the demon only ended after another 30 minutes of cruel battle. If Na YuNa didn't bless them once midway, there would've been another dangerous moment.
"*pant* *pant*... I guess we just barely won that one."
"Michael, good job."
"Carina, you too."
Michael Smithson, who had it the hardest since he was in charge of defense, broke off the ice off his shield and panted heavily. Carina Malatesta wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief. Ignoring their flirting (she got used to it by now) Takagaki Asuha checked her level.
"Although it's definitely insanely hard... I levelled up again. I'm already at level 250!"
"How is it still so hard even though we're levelling up so fast?"
Erta gave a simple and clear explanation as she prepared to summon the next monster.
"Because the levels of the summoned monsters increase as you three increase in level."
"You devil!"
"A devil? That's quite nice to hear after having been called an 'angel' to death!"
Erta's refreshing smile was angelic!
"Perhaps anyone who get involved with mister unique transforms into terrifying beings...."
"I'm afraid we might become like that someday."
Erta snorted after hearing their words.
"You three are still far from catching up to him."
"Well that's of course...."
Michael Smithson subconsciously nodded his head. Where his gaze headed to. A gigantic dragon and a single human were fighting it out.
[I'll kill youuuuuuuuuuu!]
"How do you intend to do that? When will you ever catch me? I think it'll take a shorter amount of time for me to die of old age and be laid in my grave than being caught by something like you!"
[Kraaaaaaah!]
"Roar louder! You can't even scare an earthworm with that!"
[Yu IlHaaaaaaaaaaaan!]
"Your steps are so weak and wobbly that someone might see and think you're an infant! Should I sing a lullaby?"
Watching Yu IlHan as he drove the frightening dragon into a corner even while not forgetting to inflict copious amounts of mental damage, they felt like they were worse than ants. And the one that revived that frightening dragon was Yu IlHan himself!
Carina Malatesta asked with an absurd face.
"How long has it been since Mr. Yu IlHan started fighting that dragon?"
"Let's see. There's around a month until the end of the duration of the barrier, so I guess they've been doing that for an entire year and three months."
"Without sleeping even once?"
"Other than when bathing in the Cradle of Miracles. He indeed never rested nor slept."
Michael Smithson became silent. Right now, Yu IlHan was dashing left and right through the air, clearly still filled with vitality even while swinging his spear. The fear-striking flash that seemed to split the universe itself whenever he swung the spear hitting the dragon made him realize that Yu IlHan was not the slightest bit tired.
"We used the Cradle of Miracles until now too...."
"But resonance is not something that's easy. But that shouldn't be the only thing."
Although Yu IlHan was indeed very exceptional, training for such a long period of time without sleeping wasn't something that could be easily challenged just because one had the capabilities to. It was only possible because of his strong mental fortitude.
Although it was frustrating, Michael Smithson admitted that he was inferior to Yu IlHan for the first time.
"I do not think he's in the right in all things but... There's at least one thing to admire about him."
"You can also become stronger."
"No, Carina. I do not want to be greedy like that any longer. I'm sick and tired of trying to grab everything and failing to do so."
He heaved a short sigh and raised his shield again. The rugged breath had also calmed down.
"I will become a shield that protects you. I won't be greedy for everything, and only polish what I can do to the extreme."
"If that's what you wish... my love."
"Yes, yes. Have a happy love life."
This couple was so flirtatious alright! Whatever they did eventually reached a pink-colored ending!
Takagaki Asuha, who had to watch the two flirting for more than the past year, looked away from them and towards Yu IlHan. He was what drove her forward. He was driving a terrifying dragon that she could never even dream of fighting, to a corner! Even though he denied it, he must be the reincarnation of a god! She was happy just watching like this.
"Looks like you've all recovered."
"Ah, aah."
When she realized, Erta was staring at her lightly.
"If you wish to be of his help, you don't have time to rest so leisurely, no?"
"Of course. I've levelled up just now, so I'm fine physically. Please summon the next monster. ... if possible, above that couple's heads."
"That sounds interesting."
It wasn't just the three clan masters. Yumir, Kang MiRae, Na YuNa, Kim YeSeul, Liera, Helièna, Kang HaJin and even the Dragon's Army were doing what they could within the barrier. The year and a half that lasted for not even an instant – Earth's battle force was being upgraded at lightspeed.
Of course, the one with the most growth was of course Yu IlHan.
[Krhoaaaaaaaaaaah!]
Roared Echjar. His body no longer had a heart, nor any spines or ribs – heck, he was missing flesh and blood as well – but with Yu IlHan's divine-tier Blacksmithing and Mana crafting, he could revive it with the power to overwhelm any 6th class beings.
[You... what is it that you want!]
"You should know already."
However even with the overwhelming strength, Echjar could not win against Yu IlHan. Echjar had the advantage when he was first revived, but as Yu IlHan adapted to the Flamesoul dragon body throughout the fight, the situation was eventually reversed.
[I will never submit to you! It is not my loss even if I lose against you with this inferior body!]
"What are you saying? You lost to me the moment you died. This is only the process of snapping your morale."
[You defeated me with a cowardly method! Had I retained my original power, I would not lose my life to the likes of you!]
Yu IlHan snorted.
"You defeated your enemies with curses, and you call me a coward, eh? You are a wimp unsuited to be a dragon."
[Krhaaaaaaaaaaaaahk!]
"It's not the strongest that wins, it's the victor that is strong. Didn't I say so? I'll free you if you win against me. And you nodded your head at that time. And now that you lose so easily like this, you're coming up with excuses? Were you really born a dragon?"
[T, this coward...!]
Orochi, who had also heard those lines for like the millionth time now, muttered powerlessly.
[You're so evil. I think my morale is going to be snapped before his....]
"I need to trample on him a little more."
Yu IlHan leapt several times in the air as he said that. Wherever he went, his spear drew the air, and the Great Cosmos-severing Spear that followed it once again struck Echjar's injured body.
[Krhaaa, it's painful! It's PAINFUL!]
"You're so pathetic! Why don't you just commit suicide instead? If you have the pride of a dragon, then why don't you just do that!"
[Krhaaaaaaaaaaah!]
Once, he was called the Dragon of Despair, Echjar. He swung his tail to attack Yu IlHan, but as Yu IlHan had recorded all of its movements in the past, it only looked like he was acting cute. In fact, he even traced the movements of the tail and flew towards where the tail would lose its force, and grabbed the tail when it completely lost its power and twisted it apart.
[Kugh, Khaaaaaaaaak!]
At that moment, Echjar cried.
[I... lost.]
He admitted defeat for the first time. After such a long period of battle, his mentality had finally snapped before his body did.
[I will acknowledge you as the master of dragons.]
Unsatisfied with his tone of voice, Yu IlHan twisted a little harder and checked again.
"Say that again."
[Khhhh! I acknowledge you as the ruler of us dragons!]
Yu IlHan let go of the tail and floated upwards. At that moment, new text engraved itself on Yu Ilhan's retina.
[Although not complete, you have received the declaration of defeat from the thought-soul of the strongest dragon in existence, the Dragon of Despair. The records you possess as a dragon become enhanced. The power to rule over dragons activates a little more.]
There was no way the high and mighty 7th class dragon would admit defeat just because Yu IlHan beat him up a little. It was all possible because he had acquired the qualifications as the ruler of dragons by completing his armor.
In any case, Yu IlHan had achieved what he had set out to do. Now, Echjar was his.
"Good, then you're on my side as well from now."
[You finally did it, you malicious master.]
The Rule skill at the level of mastery covered Echjar's entire body. With both his body and mind tattered, Echjar threw away the pride it had piled up over countless years and agreed to become Yu IlHan's subordinate.
"Echjar, let's get along well from now on."
[I acknowledge you as my master... so you must become the strongest.]
['Echjar' has become your subordinate.]
He finally succeeded in all of his objectives that he aimed to fulfill within the barrier. Yu IlHan's lips curved into a smile.
"Good, then let's switch your places now."
[That body of the terrifying dragon is uncomfortable in itself but... I guess I can't help it.]
[Fuu... for me, this is more comfortable.]
There was no need to hesitate anymore. Yu IlHan immediately activated 'Creation' to switch Orochi and Echjar.
Echjar would be able to adapt better to the Body of the Human Dragon that contained his very own essence, and Orochi would also find the simpleton 7th class dragon's body a better fit than a God-ranked artifact.
"Orochi, what should we do? Leave the body as it is?"
[It is insanely uncomfortable. Make it a humanoid form instead, master.]
"Good, leave that to me. I'll compress the power without losing any of it."
Just as Yu IlHan was about to commence his last piece of work in the barrier, Mystic, who stayed obedient until now, raised her voice in complaint.
[Master, me too! I also want a body!]
"You... can just wait a little more."
[You're too much! You idiotic master! I also want a body like Orochi! A cute and little girl!]
[Haha, brat. Go break dance or something with that gigantic body of yours.]
[Orochi you idioooooooooot!]
Mystic's young-sounding voice filled the barrier. Yu IlHan laughed and picked up his hammer.
There was still a month left until the barrier was dispelled, plenty of time to create another masterpiece.
"Everyone stop what you're doing and gather up."
Yu IlHan shouted.
When his voice that carried with it an air of assertiveness filled the barrier, yet in a fashion that was hardly domineering, the ones that were struggling inside the Cradle of Miracles, the Dragon's Army that were having a large scale fight, Yumir who was practicing his skills, Takagaki Asuha who just killed a demon, as well as Liera and Helièna who looked like they had a fight to the death, but were actually sparring, all stopped what they were doing. Yu IlHan explained to them.
"The barrier will disperse shortly. The moment it breaks; the effects of the slowing magic will increase greatly so we need to be prepared for that."
"Ugh, there was that, wasn't there?"
[I wanted to adapt to my body better....]
"I'll tweak it in the future so don't worry about it, Orochi."
[That sounds very unsettling since it's you who's saying it.]
"What was that?"
Yu IlHan cleaned up the various equipment within the barrier and collected the Cradle of Miracles. Although he couldn't reach the realm of higher existences during this time, he had an enormous harvest, so he decided to leave it at that.
Even excluding him and Yumir, a few people, including Liera and Helièna succeeded in resonating with the power of dragons, and the outlook for the rest of them was anything but bleak.
"Ah, the barrier."
"I can feel my body becoming heavier."
"...its breaking."
The moment Erta, who was sensitive to mana, said that, the barrier of time that looked like it would last an eternity shattered in vain. The majority of the people who spent a year and a half within the barrier, felt dizzy after feeling the flow of time that started again.
"My god, it really was less than an instant."
"Uuugh, I feel extremely heavy now."
Although Yu IlHan did warn them beforehand, the slowing magic cast over Earth wasn't something that could be avoided just by being aware of its existence.
The three clan masters could now move normally under the effects of the magic, thanks to their training in the past year and a half but they had to clench their teeth due to the overwhelming pressure. They even had the urge to just let go of everything and go with the flow of magic!
"Our clan will be confused if they see us."
"Just with you three acting at your normal speeds, it would help them recognize the existence of the magic. By then, they would be able to grow as well."
"This is hellish...."
However, they knew that this was what was best for Earth, they could not complain anymore. Yu IlHan handed the three a 'few' weapons and other equipment that he had made in his spare time in the barrier.
"Arm your clan members with these. They're legend-ranked for the most part, but well, they should suffice."
"I'm frightened myself by not flinching despite the appearance of several legend-ranked artifacts.... I'll gladly take the items though."
"Thank you, Lord Susa, I mean, Yu IlHan! I shall loyally serve you in the future as well!"
"Well no, I don't need another loyal servant."
Since he had already told them the code of action, there was no need to hesitate. The clan masters all quickly went to their places.
They had a lot of talent in the very beginning, so they should be able to endure in this insane Earth and in the future as well. That went especially for Carina Malatesta and Michael Smithson who had to protect each other. As for Takagaki Asuha... Yu IlHan didn't want to think about her for the time being.
"Well, then. Should we keep doing what we were doing before?"
[Master, do I really go around like this?]
The one that called out to him was of course, Orochi. Orochi, having been enchanted to the body that was 'slightly' modified from Echjar's remains, could proficiently control the body now, but it seemed like he had become embarrassed after exiting the barrier.
[To think that I have to walk around in this embarrassing form…]
[Embarrassing form?! It transcendentally surpasses your original body of a lower existence!]
Echjar, enchanted in the Body of the Human Dragon, shouted as if to curse Orochi, but Yu IlHan ignored that. Echjar did not know what Orochi meant. What Orochi meant by 'embarrassing' was not referring to the physical body.
"You're embarrassed since you can't control the body properly yet, aren't you?"
[That's it. These muscles, these bones, these flesh – they're all leagues above mine. I can still feel creaks here and there.]
[Fu, at least you know your own place.]
"Shut up, Echjar."
If Yu IlHan could freely use creation and subordinate every single one of them, he wouldn't have fought with Echjar for over a year. Even Orochi, who had hung out with him for years and eaten many, many thought-souls had difficulty controlling that body. How better would any others do?
"Do your best. I believe in you."
[I'm honored.]
[Master is horrible! You're horrible!]
He checked the state of his companions, and then the state of Earth. Of course, not that anything much would have changed since not even an instant had passed.
In fact, as the three clan masters killed the demons that spawned on Earth for quite a while, the density of high-level monsters had decreased as well. Of course, they'll keep appearing in the future, but now that there was a system that sucked the mana out of Earth and sent it to Dareu, there would hopefully be no more cases of a massive monster outbreak.
"Well, then. Let's get to work."
"You damn workaholic~!"
Before the barrier broke, Yu IlHan gave them an occasional break. Thanks to that, everyone was in their normal conditions, so there would be no drawbacks in acting now. Kang MiRae's expression darkened after Yu IlHan declared the resumption of work.
"Then do we need to be apart again?"
"That's what will happen. ... Should we reorganize the teams?"
"No, it's fine."
"MiRae. Youuuu."
Kang MiRae swiftly rejected Yu IlHan's proposal. Since the two had to stay as leaders of the two teams, and therefore, she could not go with him, she would take the opportunity away for others as well! Na YuNa clung to her with narrowed eyes, but her expression was very firm.
"The Flying fortress was enhanced as well, so you also need to train to get adapted to the holy region too, YuNa."
"Such a sneaky excuse! You just made a sneaky excuse just now!"
"His Majesty… I cannot protect His Majesty by his side...."
"Calm down, Paté! The undead are going berserk!"
[Fuu, it's the same teams again...? If it's masters wish, I shall follow. Fuu....]
The reactions from his subordinates weren't that good either. So many people didn't want to be apart from him! Well, it was an emotional thing, but Yu IlHan felt like he was losing his sense of identity and felt awkward. If he called himself a loner now, then he'll get beaten up, probably.
"Dammit, we all became stronger, so can I at least go to IlHan's side?"
"I don't know what will happen, so please."
"What do you mean by 'what will happen'? There are only trash!"
Liera also grumbled. No matter how long she was with him, a lover's heart made her wanted to be by his side at all times.
"Will it really be two months until we meet again? This is not some fairy tale."
"It's better than meeting once a year. Next time, let's take it a little slow."
"Gaaawd, did I quit being an angel to do this?"
"It's because I trust in you the most. I'll switch you out as soon as Orochi gets adapted to his new body."
"...Really?"
"Really, I promise."
"Then okay..... Kiss me here. Quick."
Liera only got off Yu IlHan after getting his confirmation and a kiss. Then she got on the Flying fortress along with the others that all glared at her.
When Mystic left for another world without being able to acquire a body until the end, there were four people on the Guardian fortress – Yu IlHan, Kim YeSeul, Helièna and finally Orochi with Echjar's body. It was a strange composition of members.
"My son's popular alright."
"I don't need it though...."
"Mom's new dream is to make a baseball league with my grandchildren!"
"You mean nightmare."
[Fufu, if you leave it to me, I can do my best.]
"That's reassuring."
Welp, this was bad. He put her mother in his team to restrain Helièna, but somehow, the two were getting along better as time went! Yu IlHan looked at his next hope that was Orochi. Orochi avoided his gaze.
[My new body sure doesn't listen properly to me.]
"You...."
Perhaps he had to call Liera back right now? Yu IlHan seriously pondered, but he still drove the Guardian fortress anyway. His destinations were the other worlds where survivors of the Front Line Alliance may live. Once he gathered them all, it would be the turn for other big clans.
"How many more people would come with us...?"
[Well, I'm curious about how many more moths are there too.]
"Hey, watch your words."
[I only wanted to say that darling is as bright as the sun.]
"Hmph."
'Thanks to you, I could finally meet the one I love.'
Yu IlHan remembered Carina Malatesta's words. He wanted to believe that there were more that thought like her, and had the same intentions and will as her.
There were those that wanted to return, and those that wanted to protect them. If that was the case, shouldn't he at least give them the opportunity? He couldn't let himself play on the palms of others for so long.
"We still have a lot of places to go to, so let us hurry."
"...Yes, we should."
Yu IlHan looked down at the slowly flowing Earth as well as the ones that were moving on top of it, before activating his Warp skill.
At that moment, a new thought twitched in his mind, but he quickly buried it deep inside his head since it was too embarrassing. Only Helièna had sensed a change in his expression and let out an adorable smile.
After that, the group travelled to many other worlds. Worlds where everyone lived peacefully, worlds where everyone fought desperately in their own ways, worlds where the fighting had ended, worlds where they found a way to communicate with the monsters, apocalyptic worlds, dying worlds, dead worlds.
Yu IlHan's Record skill greedily found and sucked new records, and numerous people were saved by Yu IlHan as well. More 'moths' that wished to protect Earth joined, but the ones he encountered the most weren't them.
"Please take us in!"
"We plead you!"
"Oh, Lord God, please be with us!"
They were the ones that were struggling to survive in a world where mankind had lost hope. The moment they found a new hope known as Yu IlHan, they tried not to let him go.
"Ooooooh, Supreme being! We shall follow you!"
"You damned SIMPLETONSSSSSSSSSSSS!"
If it was once or twice, he could cope with it, but when the same thing happened for the seventh time, he ended up exploding.
"How many times do I have to tell you that Earth has it WORSE! Huh? Even if you come to Earth like that, you'll die with the slightest tickle!"
"But we cannot endure in this world with our power any longer! Even if that place is dangerous, it's better than this place where there is no hope!"
"Don't bullshit me. A false hope is much more cruel than despair!"
Even when Yu IlHan over-exaggerated the situation on Earth, the ones that lost their worlds did not back down, and Yu IlHan had no choice but to take them back to Earth.
"God dammit. Why are there so many doomed worlds!"
"Well, that's because there are countless worlds, and the people of Earth were scattered across those countless worlds."
"I feel like I'm collecting dragon balls... ugh."
Amongst the doomed worlds, there were surprisingly worlds where elves took the role of mankind. Majority of elves died to the monsters that became stronger after several Great Cataclysms, and only the extreme minority survived. And somehow – they might have realized that Yu IlHan had the status of an emperor in Dareu – stuck to him and did not get off.
"You will lead us well if it's you that receives the love of countless elves!"
"Damn! You damned things!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Why the hell am I your 'Your Majesty'!"
Like that, Earth was prospering, in a way that Yu IlHan didn't intend for it to. Yu IlHan's sighs increased as the days went by as well.
"How many days was it again until I can use the barrier?"
"Hm, around 5 days?"
"I think there will be at least two more doomed worlds...."
Yu IlHan creased his expression and activated his Warp skill. But when he arrived at the destination, he tilted his head.
"There are no angels in this world either."
"There aren't?"
"Yeah, but the one before didn't have any angels in it, right?"
[There was none before that either, even though it was a world filled with vitality.]
[There was none before that one either. Of course, it was a world that prospered without master needing to do anything, though.]
Yu IlHan absent mindedly thought that some internal conflict was happening within the Heaven's Army.
The War of the Wall of Chaos was not too long ago, but it looked like these higher existences were up to something again. How the hell did they manage to endure until now with the pace at an incident erupts? A curious thing....
"Well, I won't care about it."
[You'll have to face it one day, but for now, do as you wish, darling.]
"Well then. Let us look for people to take back."
[Master....]
Time passed. Yu IlHan and his companions had another ten or so training sessions within the barrier of the Hourglass of Eternity. Despite that, Yu IlHan could not reach the realm of higher existences. He still lacked the decisive element.
Yu IlHan finally reached the conclusion that he had to gather records of more higher existences.
Mystic became serious.
[Is there really a need for master to proactively get involved with them?]
"I wanted to avoid getting involved with them for as long as possible, it would have been the best if I never needed to."
Once Earth became a higher world, the seal on it would be lifted. However, Yu IlHan had the subclass Dimensional Traveler, once he activated his Dimensional ruler skill, he could prevent other higher existences from entering Earth. Yu IlHan was only preparing for cases where the Dimensional ruler skill could not impede the invasion.
And so, he thought that he wouldn't be caught up in the conflict for the foreseeable future....
"But if I want to stop the really scary guys, I think I have to become stronger, much stronger."
[Just how strong are you going to become? You're already comparable to the majority of 7th class beings!]
"It's because that is not enough."
In the end, the Cradle of Miracles only stimulated the energy inside him, and did not allow him to reach greater realms. No, it probably was, but the speed was so slow that it would take him more than just a millennium or two to become a higher existence like that.
"I need more samples."
[So, what are you going to do specifically, darling?]
"I'll participate in whatever the higher existences are doing."
It had been approximately ten months since he did not meet with the angels belonging to the Heaven's Army. Yu IlHan and the others were going around various worlds to gather the people of Earth, and take in the mankind of doomed worlds other than when they were training inside the barrier. From some time ago, neither Yu IlHan's group nor Kang MiRae's could feel the presences of the angels no matter which world they went to, not to mention other higher existences.
However, Helièna suddenly said something completely unexpected.
[That's likely to be darling's fault.]
"My fault? Why?"
[Didn't the information about the main headquarters of the Army of Brilliant Light leak thanks to you? Did you really think that they would stay passive?]
"But the headquarters of the Destruction Demon Army is also known to everyone, isn't it?"
[Of course, all the more reason for a mess. They should be having a blast by now.]
A smile of satisfaction appeared on Helièna's lips. Even while thinking about how Helièna's smile could be so evil, he was afraid of himself that got used to it.
"Then do we need to go to the HQ of the Army of Brilliant Light?"
[That's a no, darling.]
Helièna immediately replied.
[Visiting a world ruled by the leader himself is completely different from visiting a higher world. You can only go after you have, at the very least, become a higher existence. I like destruction and murder, but I would really prefer if darling didn't die. I'll die with you if that happens.]
"...Okay."
Yu IlHan treated the main headquarters of each faction lightly until now, but it looked like there was something that he didn't know about until now. It was alright within the Heaven's Army, though... Hmm?
"...Now that I think about it, I never felt a being that transcended 7th class while I was in Heaven. Is that because I cannot sense God?"
[Well, perhaps God does not exist after all?]
"Helièna, don't speak nonsense. God exists. ...Though, I cannot be sure about whether he really exists in Heaven."
Liera's reply to Helièna felt dejected for some reason. She herself had her suspicions as well. Yu IlHan reached the conclusion that probing any further was not a wise thing to do.
"If the main HQ is no good, we can settle for the branches."
[That's a good idea. Higher existence factions become stronger according to the number and size of the worlds they own. And so, they should be entering a phase where they nibble away at each other's worlds prior to the big war. Meaning, there is likely to be a war of unprecedented and truly epic proportions in the near future.]
Helièna's voice was getting agitated as she replied. Yu IlHan was slightly afraid of her now since she looked like she preferred that outcome above all else, and asked carefully.
"Then wouldn't they weaken each other out if we just wait? They'll quit their focus on Earth too."
[What are you saying, darling? This is all a war for Earth, you know? Their final objective is Earth.]
Yu IlHan was silent for a moment. He felt very perplexed. Until now, the back story about this world was always skipped without much attention, but it seemed like he couldn't just pretend to not know about it anymore.
"Talk about it, Helièna."
In the end, he asked.
"Just what is up with Earth so that makes all those damned bastards aim for it?"
[There was a prophecy.]
"That damned prophecy again."
[So what happened was....]
Just as Helièna was about to speak, she looked around. A month and a half remained until the barrier of the Hourglass of Eternity dispersed for the eleventh time. Everyone else was focused on training or hunting monsters while those that gathered around Yu IlHan were Helièna, Kim YeSeul, Kang MiRae, Na YuNa, and Liera.
[I want to talk with darling alone, so can everyone else leave?]
"What are you going to do? I'm never letting you do anything suspicious."
Liera desperately rejected that, but Yu IlHan shook his hand.
"I'm only going to listen to her story so don't worry."
"That sounds interesting. Is it a story that I can't hear?"
[No, it's meaningless for anyone other than darling to hear it. It's best for only darling, who's the ruler of the Earth, to hear it.]
"Then I guess I can't help it. Girls, let us give them room for now."
Kim YeSeul slowly nodded her head and made the others back off. The girls, lead by Liera, protested a lot, but they couldn't help but back off in front of Kim YeSeul's soft yet subtly menacing hand gestures.
[Then....]
Helièna checked the surroundings two or three times again, and even proceeded to make a simple barrier before finally turning around to Yu IlHan and speaking.
[The prophecy came from the Garden of Sunset. Have you heard the rumor that the leader of the Garden of Sunset possesses prophetic powers, darling?]
"I guess I did."
Yu IlHan nodded after glancing towards Liera who was looking at him beyond the barrier. He had heard from her, during the war for Dareu.
[Yup, his power should be real. It was also him that said that I will eventually stand next to the Fifth God as well....]
Helièna's blushing cheeks and meek demeanor was very adorable. She was embarrassed of her emotions even while saying that.
Just this made her look pure and naïve, but 'pure' and 'naïve' were words that were the polar opposite of Helièna, and Yu IlHan ended up thinking that all girls were horrible liars.
[That's why everyone is wary of the movements of the Garden of Sunset. But from some time onwards, the leader started focusing his attention on Earth, which hadn't even experienced a Great Cataclysm yet.]
"How did you know that?"
[It was me who found that out. The leader of the Garden of Sunset is a man, and I could seduce any kind of man at that time! I also heard about the prophecy of the Fifth God from him then. Oh, I did have to run away right after hearing that.]
"... Sure."
The war for higher worlds happened because of that? Perhaps the reason the Destruction Demon Army, who only wanted destruction, aimed for the Heaven's main headquarters because of that as well.
It made sense. And that made him more frustrated. He finally accepted why he acquired the Record skill.
[Anyway, after I learnt that, I spread the information everywhere. ... Can you ask me why?]
"Why? For the Destruction Demon Army?"
[No, because only when all the factions got caught up with Earth would I have a chance to meet you darling.]
Yu IlHan became silent. Well, indeed. If the matters surrounding Earth didn't become so big, he would have never come into contact with Helièna.
"Huh?"
The moment he realized that, his forehead twitched.
The leader of the Garden of Sunset prophesized about the Fifth God, and Helièna had spread around the information to agitate all of the factions after finding out. Wasn't that too natural?
"Were you...."
[Yes. I was used by the leader of the Garden of Sunset. He used me as compensation for telling me the information that I will eventually come into contact with the Fifth God. Of course, it was much later when I realized that.]
That simultaneously implied one more thing. Rather than just aiming for Earth, the leader of the Garden of Sunset....
"Intended for my growth? Before I was even born?"
[Yeah, that's the conclusion I arrived at. The Garden of Sunset, the leader at least, wanted to make you a God.]
"The reason I could become strong, although it was very annoying, was because I was dropped out on Earth. Then he even foresaw that I will be left alone?"
[Probably? ...Or perhaps, he may have intended for that.]
Yu IlHan was dumbstruck. What was the Heaven's Army and the Garden of Sunset's agenda to interfere with his growth and his life? They just decided to make him a God? And started fighting over Earth all on their own....
It felt very unpleasant. He especially didn't like the word 'prophecy'. That was cheating. He could just say 'I saw this coming' or 'I knew this would happen' no matter what the outcome was!
"But I can't just avoid walking on the path laid out in front of me."
Muttered Yu IlHan while gritting his teeth. Whatever they wished for, Yu IlHan would do his own thing. And if possible, in a way that they didn't expect as well.
[Now, I spoke about almost everything I could, darling. ...What are you going to do?]
"What do you mean what am I going to do, I'll just continue doing what I was about to do."
Yu IlHan's voice that replied to Helièna was freezing cold.
"We're stealing higher worlds."
[That's not what darling originally was going to do though!?]
Shouted Helièna in shock. Yu IlHan ignored her and gathered everyone.
"It's war! We'll be preparing for war now!"
Pancosmic Loner(-さん) was seriously pissed now.
There was a month and a half left until the barrier made by the Hourglass broke. Yu IlHan did everything within his power to prepare for war. With 'Everything in his power' referring to spending all of his piled up materials to create items – from personal equipment to disposable weapons and munitions used in war!
He upgraded all the equipment that his party members had, made backup weapons, and added additional equipment to the already terrifying Flying fortress and the Guardian fortress, long before he had time to check his own skills and stats.
[Yu IlHan(Human?)]
[Main Class – Hell Bringer Lv 299]
[Sub Class – N/A, Dragon Rider, Dimensional Traveler]
[Title – Pancosmic Loner, Untouchable, One hit for me; one hit for you, Creator of Myths, Not two hits, nor three hits but one hit, A thousand in one hit, Dragon slayer, Dragon's ally, The Quickest, Hero of Fire, The Frog that leaped out of the well, Blessing of the god of smithing, blessing of the goddess of fire, Surpasser, Creator]
[Strength – 827 Agility – 766 Health – 635 Magic – 1,238]
[Active skills – Falling Down(Deathgod, Soul enchant, Blaze, Death collector, Transcendent regeneration, Extreme poison resistance, higher curse resistance) Lv43, Mana crafting Lv Max, God Force(Superhuman strength, Critical hit) Lv79, Rule Lv Max, Dragonic blood Lv96, Warp(Leap) Lv58, Dimensional ruler Lv69]
[Passive skills – Dragon-man resonance Lv87, Dismantling Lv Max, Blacksmithing Lv Max, Record(Language) Lv82, Magic engineering Lv Max, Excavation Lv Max, Spear of Untraceable Trajectory(Spear mastery) Lv98, Great Cosmos-severing Spear(Spear Mastery, Physical combat mastery, Blunt weapon mastery, Sword mastery, Whip mastery) Lv86, Absolute accuracy(Throwing, Shooting) Lv Max, Cooking Lv Max, Unshakeable heart Lv Max, Dimensional adaptation Lv59, Fleet command Lv 66]
The first thing his eyes saw was the sub class – at first, Yu IlHan had the sub class 'Angel's Partner', but as the contracts between all his previously partnered angels were cancelled, he lost the qualifications of the sub class. And it took another half a year for the class to completely disappear.
There was a time he thought that he would be able to acquire a new sub class once that one disappeared, but it seemed like not everything went his way. The Akashic Record had kept its silence on that matter.
This wasn't something that happened often, so there was no one that could advise him about in either, and in the end, Yu IlHan could only leave the sub class blank for the time being. This wasn't something that he could solve with his effort. He could only wait for another opportunity to arrive.
"But my skills really grew a lot."
He had used the Hourglass of Eternity ten times before that, so the amount of time he spent inside it would amount to about 15 years. Breaking that up, he spent 30% of his time soaking in the Cradle of Miracles, and trained with the Great Cosmos-severing Spear in the majority of the remainder, so his Great Cosmos-severing Spear had reached level 85 now. The growth of his other skills weren't that far behind either.
It wasn't only that. In the process of awakening his dragon powers, his stats uniformly rose, and the more he got used to manipulating the power of fire, his magic stat increased as well, so now, he would be on par with 6th class beings based on pure stats alone.
Yu IlHan thought that he might not be able to call himself a human anymore after he checked his status. Though, this was nothing new. Even his face that reflected light with the shiny surface of the armor had no traces of his previous self.
At that moment, he became scared.
Is it really me that is in this place? Perhaps it was someone else that is not me? Am I just
dozing off and dreaming inside a classroom in university and nobody has noticed me? Such absurd thoughts rose rapidly and made Yu IlHan's mind messy.
"Liera."
"Yes, IlHan."
His lover that watched over him ever since they first met, replied naturally as if she knew that he would speak to her. Liera's gentle and calm eyes pacified Yu IlHan's raging emotions. He lost his strength in his shoulders and asked in a truly stupid voice.
"...In your eyes, have I changed a lot?"
"Well, it would be a lie if I said that you didn't?"
Liera made a bitter smile. She saw through his intentions when he asked that.
Liera too had several occasions when she was like this. When she realized that she had reached the peak of a world, when she became an angel under the guidance of Heaven, when she fell in love, when she became a high angel, and when she returned to a lower existence and stood by Yu IlHan's side – all of these moments were times when she couldn't believe her own existence and doubted her experiences.
Yu IlHan licked his lips.
"Liera, I...."
"I know what you're worried about. But IlHan, you don't need to worry."
"Why?"
"Changing ... is the biggest proof that you're alive. And in that you will discover, that only you can be you."
Those were words that Liera could say only after observing numerous people during the course of her lifetime and winning against herself to become a higher being. When Yu IlHan became silent, she added with a smile.
"And I loved the you before the change, I still love you after the change, and my feeling will remain the same for the you of the future. Isn't that enough?"
"...No, it is enough."
Yu IlHan thought that it was quite underhanded for her to suddenly speak like that, but it was also the truth as it resonated with the feelings in his heart.
She wasn't blessed by the god of love for nothing. Even while grumbling, he opened his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks, Liera."
"It's me who's thankful. You'd be surprised to know how much appreciation I feel towards you."
They wanted to stay like that for quite a while, but sharp gazes started falling upon them, so they had to separate before long. The barrier would collapse at any second. This was not the time to be flirting.
"Liera-unni, so sneaky. I also want to know what Mr. IlHan was like before~."
"You wouldn't have realized IlHan's true worth."
"I kinda want to kill you now, Liera. Can't you at least take it somewhere else where I'm not there?"
"IlHan hugged me first, how could I refuse?"
"Eek, eeeeeek...!"
Liera teased Na YuNa and the flustered Erta and boasted. There should be a problem with Yu IlHan who found such a side of her lovely as well. He made a small smile and clapped lightly to gather everyone's attention on him.
"We'll depart as soon as the barrier breaks. I've supplied everyone with their personal equipment, so I won't say anything much. ...Our objective is to screw everyone else other than ourselves. We'll grow in the process as well."
"That's one amazing objective...."
[Darling has to become the Fifth God. He has to have at least that amount of daringness. Yup, so cool.]
At that moment, the barrier broke. However, Yu IlHan didn't leave with them right away. The three clan masters he had invited to the barrier before as they could resist the effects of the magic on Earth, also had the abilities to fight against higher existences if they were equipped with Yu IlHan's equipment.
He first decided to ask them of their opinions. And then...
"We'll go with you of course. Thanks for calling us, mister unique."
"I'll follow as well."
"If it is Lord Yu IlHan's wish!"
Although it wasn't like he didn't expect this, quite a lot of the clan masters wished to go with him. They had stepped up even while knowing that their opponents were higher existences, so he couldn't evaluate them as weak. Yu IlHan faced their stiff expressions and nodded his head as he spoke.
"Everyone get on board the Flying fortress. We'll depart immediately."
The next place he went to was none other than Dareu. Mirfa, who had waited for him all this time, met him with a blossoming smile on her face.
"Your Majesty!"
However, Yu IlHan coldly ordered her like a merciless street cleaner putting flower petals into the trash.
"Gather the strongest thousand of the 4th class elves and wolfkin and get them on the Guardian fortress. Mirfa, you come this time. Jirl, Mirey, and Paté will now go to the Guardian fortress and command the elves along with Mirfa. Ericia, you also command the wolfkin in the Guardian fortress."
"...Understood!"
"Yes!"
"Yes, master!"
Perhaps they had anticipated this, but the elves and wolfkin picked the thousand members in the blink of an eye, and lined up in the Guardian fortress with rapid movements. Yu IlHan felt slightly awkward even while supplying them with new equipment. Was it the mastered Rule skill that affected this?
"Then are we going to invade the higher worlds now?"
Liera asked with quite an excited expression. Yu IlHan firmly shook his head.
"We need to get our trump card before that."
[Ah, that.]
Orochi, who had trained for 15 years with his new body and went beyond adaptation to developing his own body, shook his head as he muttered like a human. Only Orochi knew the identity of this 'trump card' here.
At that moment, Yu IlHan spoke with a groan.
"Good, I'm done."
"When!?"
Even though Yu IlHan was staying still? Everyone was shocked, but Yu IlHan made an excuse with an evil smirk.
"Oh, it's a little special of a weapon."
"It would be even worse if he's saying it's a little special! Uu, I'm glad that we're the ones invading...."
[Master, don't break me with it, okay?]
"...Just what the hell do you guys think I am?"
[...Can I choose not to answer?]
With that, all preparations were done. Before Yu IlHan activated Warp with both the Flying fortress and the Guardian fortress, he checked once again with Helièna.
"What was the condition to steal a world again?"
[You need to drive out all other higher existences in that world and erase all of their traces.]
"That's not something anyone could do."
This was about taking over an entire world, so it would be bad if anyone could do it. However, Yu IlHan had the abilities of a Dimensional Traveler, and his abilities were truly suited for taking over worlds.
"The leaders of each faction should possess a similar or even better ability than the one I have. However, there is something that makes the situation more advantageous for me."
"That you're cool?"
"That you're handsome!?"
Yu IlHan was scared of himself for becoming used to such useless flattery, and replied.
"No, it's that I do field work unlike those high and mighty heavy-asses."
He knew exactly where his strengths lay! Of course, this meant that, in other worlds, Yu IlHan was just completely reckless, but he wouldn't care about that for now!
"Let's go. I like fairness, so I want to start from the Garden of Sunset and alternate between each faction."
[Is the reason you're starting with the Garden of Sunset because you don't like them?]
"No, it's because they look like the easiest."
Until now, he hadn't crossed the final line. In fact, he had recovered his relationship with the Heaven's Army to an extent as well.
However, what he was about to do now was strictly attacking first, and with that, he would not be able to avoid conflict and battle with other factions.
Not only that, he had to point his spear at those that didn't have any malicious or hostile intentions towards him, just because they were in the same faction. It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel a sense of dread about that, but....
"If you wish for me to dance on a stage that you guys created."
Yu IlHan activated Warp. The number of higher existences Yu IlHan had experienced until now were literally 'numerous', and creating gates to the higher worlds they once resided in from the records they had, was an easy thing to do.
"I'll gladly take on the role of a villain."
The skill activated.
The figure of the Flying fortress and the Guardian fortress disappeared as if it was never there in the first place.
The higher world, Louisa, was one of the worlds ruled by the Garden of Sunset, and there were over 1,000 5th class higher existences residing on it at any given time. These guys acted so secretively that it was safe to say that no other factious would invade it, but they had to prepare for the what-if scenario.
Of course, if it actually happened, defending themselves successfully was a completely different story.
[I'm done calibrating the mirrors.]
"You need to take out at least half."
[Don't worry about it.]
"Good, fire!"
[Roger that!]
One thousand concealed mirrors spread out from the Flying fortress to cover the skies, before all of them spat out strong rays of energy. Since the Flying fortress had become Eternal-ranked, Thousand Eyes had also rose in league as well; and by now, just that volley of attacks took the lives of hundreds of higher existences residing in that world.
[You have earned experience.]
[You have....]
Yu IlHan saw the pouring text of experience points and nonchalantly raised a hand in the air. The ones waiting in the two fortresses all prepared for battle.
Although they were all merely 4th classes, all of their equipment was at least of the epic rank. Equipment made by the mighty creator Yu IlHan were all treasures that would cause a stir with a single fragment should they appear in any of the other worlds.
"I'm going to back them up so that no one dies."
If he wasn't prepared for that much, he wouldn't have come here.
"From now on, the stage is ours."
It was time to show them how scary a doll on the stage can possibly be.
"Everyone."
His hand lowered. The two fortresses drove forward.
"Charge!"
"Lady Leytnaaaaaaaaaa!"
With Na YuNa's shout, the holy region in the two fortresses expanded and covered the skies. The members inside all received a boost in power, and ambushed the enemies with glistening eyes.
[What, how did they!?]
[...Lower existences?]
Communication was not necessary in war. Yu IlHan controlled the artifacts within the two fortresses along with Mystic to prevent the higher existences from casting magic, and restrained their movements. This was a war to weaken each of the factions, but at the same time, it also served to strengthen his allies. The less he acted, the better.
"We killed one!"
"I'm sorry... but!"
[Kahk!?]
It wasn't that the enemies had lowered their guard. It was because the army under Yu IlHan was too overwhelming. Even though they were higher existences, and the world was their home territory, they were being pushed back in terms of pure militaristic might.
[How...?]
While their allies died in vain, someone questioned.
[Why are you not restrained by the world!]
In a world ruled by the Garden of Sunset, the ones not belonging to their faction should normally be restrained in their abilities. This was even more so for lower existences.
[How did a path open to Louisa!? Did a ruler-class step it up!]
[Our powers are not working. Like this, are we really the ones ruling this world!?]
"You don't expect me to answer, do you?"
However, the problem for them was that all lower existences here was a part of Yu IlHan's fleet, and they shared the effects of the Dimensional Traveler. Just with that, they could completely ignore the penalty the world imposed on them.
[This doesn't even make sense, this is...Kahk!]
This world was vast and the gatekeepers were spread out. However, the two fortresses had the ability to cover such a distance in a blink of an eye.
The two fortresses with battle forces in them appeared and disappeared from various places over the world with Yu IlHan's Warp ability, and by then, the 5th class beings had given up on tracing them.
[We cannot confront them with our power.]
[Reinforcements? When are they coming?]
[But right now, reinforcements are... no.]
[Tch!]
The gatekeeper stopped his sentence midway. Immediately after that, Orochi's claws shot across the air and burst his heart.
[If you're going to talk, do it until the end. There are many annoying guys like master here.]
"I can hear you, Orochi. Move your arse if you have the time to complain.]
[At least you don't deny it. Got it. I'll rampage to my heart's content.]
Orochi gripped and loosened his fist several times as if he felt that practical battle wasn't so bad, and launched himself at an enemy with a faint smile on his face.
Although the league of Orochi's soul was low, now that he was moving under the effects of Na YuNa's blessing, he would be almost impossible to injure if he managed to bring out just 30% of Echjar's bodily ability.
[Reinforcements? They can't come here that early.]
Helièna, who scanned the battlefield while leaning against Yu IlHan, giggled and muttered.
[By now, they should be busy having a battle in another world, right?]
"Hey, you go protect the others too."
[It was you who put me by your side saying the others won't be able to grow properly if I stepped out.]
"I said you don't have to act, and I never asked you to stay by my side."
Yu IlHan coldly replied and shook his hand. A few mirrors shot out according to his gesture, and absorbed the magic that the gatekeepers casted to protect the allies. The enemies abruptly widened their eyes at the sight of that, and ended up losing their lives to the Dragon's army children.
"Hero, we're becoming stronger!"
[Kroaaaaaar! You can become even more stronger!]
Similar to Yumir, the children worshipped power. They were in sync with each other, and had the most achievements in this battlefield. Of course, Yumir, the one leading them, was doing the majority of the work, though.
[W, we need to run.]
[But if we abandon and leave Louisa....]
[Even so, we need to survive to, Kuhak!]
[Critical Hit!]
"I apologize."
"Attack! Now!"
Kim YeSeul's time magic slowed them down, and Erta, Kang MiRae, and Carina Malatesta attacked with magic to kill him. Executing runaways was their job. The distribution of roles within their group was perfect!
[The enemy's boss is in that castle.]
[Castle... Is that really a castle?]
[Answer me. For what are you committing this criminal act! Do you not fear he who is omnipresent!]
[It's not too late! Identify yourselves and submit to the Garden of Sunset!]
At first, they tried to take care of it by themselves, then they realized that that wouldn't do and tried to call for reinforcements, but didn't work and tried to run, and now that even escaping failed, they begged and threatened them with their superiors. Higher existences who lived for thousands of years didn't act that much different from any human.
"That isn't even funny."
When Yu IlHan stretched his fingers out with a giggle. The Thousand Eyes that scattered throughout various places of Louisa were all summoned to one place and formed a gigantic mirror. The survivors realized what he was going to do and were all frozen stiff.
"Do you think there's a human that gave up on life just because they're afraid of someone that they don't even know when it would arrive?"
[Darling, so cool. So selfish and evil!]
Humans always struggle: to survive, to live, and to carry one living. The current Yu IlHan was the result of that. Of course, he did not plan to justify himself as being fair. He did not plan to blame the enemies for being bad.
Only, the victor survives.
[I will!]
"And fire!"
When Yu IlHan muttered playfully like that, the gigantic mirror shot out a super high-density energy beam.
[Kugh!?]
Just from when was it there? There was a huge gate that opened in the middle of the atmosphere in Louisa. Beyond it were the figures of the reinforcements from the Garden of Sunset that came to the rescue, albeit a little late. The energy beam was directed at them without a single inch of deviation!
[How...!]
[Kugh!?]
What was there to hide. Yu IlHan had read the movements of the entrants that entered the world through his power as a Dimensional Traveler, and shot them down the exact moment they entered!
[Critical Hit!]
The reinforcements numbered thousands. This was because they knew how much impact stealing a higher world could have. Of course, there were quite a few 6th class gatekeepers among them as well, but there was no way of knowing how many were stationed here since they all died.
[You have earned experience.]
[You have....]
[The skill, Record, has become level 84.]
Yu IlHan shook his head to erase all of the text that busily appeared on his eyes. Then, he could see the gatekeepers that were despairing.
[How, can this....]
[This is a nightmare... they are deceiving us! Higher existences, it's the Heaven's Army!]
They became powerless in front of the scene where all reinforcements died the moment they arrived. This was a scene that could only be seen in the main headquarters of each faction. It also seemed like it was a little too strong, and even some of his allies were out of it for a moment. Even Helièna had to ask Yu IlHan for confirmation with a dumbfounded face.
[You can't attack like that all the time, right, darling?]
"Of course not. Not to mention the mana in the world, I had to suck up the mana from the dead higher existences to do that."
[Stealing the power of the world and even destroying the members with it. That's the perfect invasion tactic....]
The ones making up the Garden of Sunset had more various records compared to other factions, so it helped out a lot in the growth of his Record skill.
Yu IlHan judged that he had acquired everything he could from this world and shook his hand. The gigantic mirror split into a thousand (and four) mirrors, scattering across the world, and the gatekeepers ended up reacting a little too late because they were focused on that.
"What are you doing? Attack now."
"Y, yes!"
Yu IlHan ordered coldly. His allies came to themselves and attacked. It didn't take that long for the enemies to be wiped out.
[You have killed all the members in a higher world belonging to the Garden of Sunset. The skill, Dimensional ruler, has become level 64. You have acquired the ruling rights to this world.]
[You are lacking several conditions to perfectly rule a world. Only when you fulfill all the criteria can you perfectly acquire the world. Be warned as until then, the world may easily be stolen back.]
Some text that was within Yu IlHan's expectations filled his retina. He read that carefully and nodded. So Dimensional Traveler was one of the keys to becoming a higher existence after all.
Now that he had come this far, there was no more need to hesitate. He would only fulfill the all the remaining conditions.
"Wouldn't reinforcements come again?"
"It doesn't matter if they do. I'll need to clean it up later anyway. Well, then. Everyone get into battle formation. You've all levelled up and don't need any rest, right?"
"Truly a devil."
Going against higher existences was a gamble that required one to put their life on the line. If they failed, they would die, but if they succeed, they would grow for sure.
In truth, all the members making up the fleet had experienced huge level ups thanks to fighting against higher existences so they couldn't retort that much. There were some that didn't get an increase in level, but that meant that that one didn't do much in this battle and could not retort either.
"Then we'll depart right away. Next is the Destruction Demon Army."
[Is it because you still hate me, darling?]
"No, it's because they're the easiest after the Garden of Sunset."
Yu IlHan's attitude was as ever. Helièna ended up bursting out into laughter at his nonchalant attitude. He snorted and activated Warp.
The war had just begun.
The 10th Battalion Commander of the Destruction Demon Army, Ice Giantess Melohinne snorted at the report her subordinate gave her.
[Tebeta was stolen? Tebeta was a world that had never been exposed before, what method could be used for someone to go there? Did some leader act himself? Then our Lord must have acted as well!]
[It is not that.]
The subordinate spoke with a trembling voice.
[Yu IlHan of Earth – He has started to act.]
[...Did he actually become the Fifth or something?]
Melohinne's voice that replied to her subordinate was slightly trembling as well. The birth of the Fifth God. If this was true, even she couldn't take this lightly.
[I do not know about that, but the ones protecting Tebeta were instantly slaughtered and the world was stolen. When the reinforcements arrived, they had already left and they could take it back with ease, but as you felt before, the power of the faction had been consumed!]
[Tch.]
It shouldn't be just her that was shocked as she felt an entire world being ripped away from them. Because of the temporary loss of the powers as a faction as a whole, they were even driven back by the enemies for a short duration. Although the world was regained now, but the stolen powers would not return so soon....
[The ones who can enter unexposed worlds are the leaders of each faction at best! That's the biggest proof that he's become a God! Dammit, I'm embarrassed to think that I tried to bring him to our faction!]
Shouted Melohinne as she raised her head. What she saw was a group of monsters that composed the Destruction Demon Army filling the air and the group of fallen angels that fought against them.
Yes, the Destruction Demon Army was currently at war with the fallen angels in their world. Of course, this world was one they already had information on before. Unless the leader of the Destruction Demon Army stepped up himself, there was no way they could invade worlds where the fallen angels had meticulously hidden themselves in.
[Perhaps our lord may act quicker than we expect to.... Yu IlHan, I will definitely kill you!]
She clicked her tongue and kicked off the ground. At that moment, the magic around her momentarily froze, and threw her into the air. Wherever she went, all the mana in her vicinity was frozen.
[Disgusting crows! I'll color you all in white!]
A giantess's roar made the world cry. The one that responded to her was the Sentry of this world, 7th Wing of Brilliant Light, Felaère.
[Pitiful monster, o, reckless invader. This Felaère will bestow judgement upon you.]
[Hah, just try!]
A giantess and a fallen angel clashed in midair. The fist of the giantess that seemed to freeze the world itself was softly received by three pairs of black wings. Felaère's mana gathered on the tip of the wings, compressed to the limit, and was shot out!
[Petty tricks!]
However, the giantess just received the spear like strike head on and charged onwards. What she prided in the most was her sturdy body! Even if it broke in mid battle, she could regenerate it indefinitely. The strength of the Destruction demon army came from their reckless attitudes and intense life force!
[Try blocking this with those proud crow feathers!]
[As you wish, you damned chunk of i...ce?]
Felaère momentarily stopped just as when he tried to cast a grand magic to counter against Melohinne's attack. The moment he tried to array the magic, the mana that comprised his body had suddenly disappeared and the magic was interrupted.
Of course, Melohinne wasn't so foolish to miss that opportunity. The fist that contained all her frost powers struck out towards Felaère without hesitation, freezing and breaking off half of Felaère's wings just like that!
[Kihi, you might be better off learning magic from scratch!]
[Kuuuuugh, how can this be! How? How did my mana…]
Felaère, who had lost half of his wings due to a critical mistake, stumbled backwards. Of course, Melohinne knew why he was weakened. It just happened to her own side just now!
[Looks like that kid is trying to make all the factions his enemy. Keke, so fun. He's such an interesting guy!]
[Kid... don't tell me it's?]
Felaère finally realized what was up and tried to retreat, but Melohinne didn't let him do so. She would besmirch the name of the Destruction Demon Army if she lost this opportunity to kill a big shot from an enemy faction!
[This war will become so interesting thanks to him! Looks like I'll need to reply in kind!]
[No way, that lower existence really!? No, the fifth faction really appeared...? But the lord has!]
[Don't say stupid things, Felaère! If you don't focus on me in front of you right now, then your neck will snap the next moment!]
Roared Melohinne. Felaère bit his lips and emitted mana again to confront her. However, countless questions were floating inside his head right now.
'Why did the Lord order us to just observe such a violent guy? We need to rip him apart this immediate moment!'
It was about the order from the Supreme being of the faction that applied to all Battalion Commanders in the Army of Brilliant Light.
Well, it was no wonder that he took interest in a new transcender. However, there should be a problem with leaving him alone while he was wrecking havoc on their worlds!
'But the most annoying fact is that....'
Felaère gritted his teeth as he dodged Melohinne's cold fists. That guy, Yu IlHan, just....
[Where the hell is he!]
[He disappeared already!? And he's still a lower existence!?]
[Ee, eeeek. The one who's under the protection of the Heaven's Army dared to do this!]
[My god, this world has become a complete mess!]
The members of all four factions that were fighting finally realized what Yu IlHan was doing after he stole a single higher world from all of them.
He knew very well what the higher existences were up to, and was recklessly using this complex situation to...
[He's lowering the forces of each faction at the same time!? A mere lower existence did! That's no longer in the realm of humansssss!]
In the second world belonging to the Heaven's Army, the group met a strong opponent. Yu IlHan shrugged his shoulders while facing the roaring 7th class Archangel, Lemiel.
"Did anyone make rules that lower existences can't go against higher ones? Give them to me, let's play by the rules then."
[...]
"Usually the one that bring up rules is the bad guy...."
"Well, Yu IlHan's a bad guy, isn't he?"
[You girls!]
Lemiel, who became speechless at Yu IlHan's reply found Liera and Erta whispering to each other and shouted. The sparks around him showed his rage without hiding it.
[Why are you girls standing on that side! How can you, who have worked for the Heaven's Army for countless years, point your weapons at us angels!]
"I also think it's unfortunate. And I would prefer not to do it either."
Replied Liera honestly. However, her following words were very firm.
"But if I want to be by IlHan's side, I knew that I would have to fight the angels someday."
[How!]
"It's natural since Heaven's Army will..."
"Will not allow the existence of the 'Fifth'."
Erta was the one who finished it off. She was same in the regard that she had a bitter smile.
[Fifth? Fifth...?]
Lemiel snorted after hearing those world.
[I know that he is capable. But the Fifth? Did you think that the realm of transcendence is so easy? Okay then. Is that why you girls are sucking up to him because you believe he can become that?]
[From what I see, he's already in reach of it. Lemiel, you're as arrogant as ever.]
[Yes! We do not acknowledge any God other than the sole Lord! That is the path of heresy, and it's a path not allowed to any being!]
Roared Lemiel in rage. The mana that filled this higher world was sucked into him and turned into lighting. That scene was very fear-striking and terrifying.
[Oh my, that looks dangerous. It looks like he'll draw in all the powers of this world. That musclehead.]
Helièna felt that it was her turn and stepped forward but Yu IlHan grabbed her shoulder and made her stop. When she looked back with confused eyes, Yu IlHan spoke with a smile.
"Do you think I came here while not knowing he was here?"
[Darling, did you?]
Noticing what he was thinking, Helièna made a dumbfounded expression. Yu IlHan nodded his head, gesturing that there was no need for her to speak anymore.
"Yes. I'm going to fight against a 7th class archangel."
[Darling....]
No matter how much the Destruction Demon Army loved destruction and suffering, they would not do what Yu IlHan was about to do now, and he, was doing it so nonchalantly. He was going against a 7th class being frontally while being a lower existence!
"I am lacking records of the Heaven's Army. Well, I avoided clashing with them now in consideration of Erta and Liera, so that's no wonder... but I do not want to delay it any longer."
Fight because he needed records? He came here looking for a 7th class being for just that?
Helièna giggled after realizing that Yu IlHan was being honest. She was at her happiest moment right now. The man she grabbed was the best alright!
[Darling... you might be better off joining the Destruction Demon Army too. Fufu, so cool. I'm falling for you all over again.]
"Don't you dare hit on my lover again!"
Liera rampaged around in rage but Helièna only snorted. Yu IlHan stepped forward, while looking back at his companions that were laid back even though he was going to fight against a 7th class being.
But it wasn't him alone that went to fight.
"Mir. I think I'll need your help."
[I was waiting for that, dad!]
[Do you think a human could overstep the realm of supremacy just because he's with a dragon!]
"Well, we'll see about that!"
Yu IlHan replied with a sharp voice, and hopped onto Yumir, who had changed into dragon form. Yumir, sharing consciousness with him, charged forward fearlessly and faced Lemiel that was emitting thunder and lightning from his entire body.
"Fuu...."
[Fuu...."
With the strongest enemy they've faced yet in front of them, the two synced their breaths. This was the moment when the two synchronized the deepest yet. The Soul of Fire that covered Yu IlHan's skin, and the Body of the Human Dragon that covered that – the two that formed Flamesoul Dragon Body breathed with Yu IlHan and raised his league rapidly.
"Well, let's fight."
The dragon of fire that awakened deep within Yu IlHan's body and soul roared against the enemy.
[You...?]
Lemiel's expression changed after he felt a fragment of Yu IlHan's power. The Lemiel that always looked down on him in arrogance had stiffened up thinking 'what if'.
[How can you hide so much power within that body? How can a lower existence...?]
"Well, you can find out from now on."
Yu IlHan smirked and picked up his spear. It was a spear made purely of flames. Seeing the mouth of the dragon at the end, Lemiel widened his eyes. Perhaps, perhaps he has already....
[I cannot accept this!]
"Fight me, Archangel!"
The battle between two monsters commenced.