Yu IlHan first decided to analyze the composition of Raphael's body. In the process of accepting Uriel into Dragon's Nest, he did get to know a lot of information about the extent of God's powers as well as that of the Four Great Archangels, but in the end, Uriel had become a dragon midway. The records he acquired from her weren't complete.
"However, Raphael had died as an archangel. My dad completely threw away his position in the Four Great Archangels, and Michael surpassed that and became a transcender, so the only remaining member of the Four Great Archangels is Raphael."
"Though, he's the worst in terms of performance."
Added Liera. Yu IlHan picked up his tools with a bitter smile.
"Well then, let's start the analysis."
His wings, skin, brain, flesh, muscle, bones – he dismantled everything perfectly and delicately extracted the shoulder blades. In a scene where other people would mistakenly assume to be a murder investigation, Yu IlHan eventually came to a conclusion.
"This guy's a miss too."
"A miss?"
"He has almost no power as one of the Four Great Archangels. Compared to the Uriel from before she became a dragon, he's almost weaker by two entire classes."
"Isn't it because he died?"
"No."
Yu IlHan remembered that Raphael's specialty lay in healing. He had a tremendous self-regenerative powers, but his power to heal others had also reached the extreme as well. And at the moment where he healed Michael, he definitely did possess a tremendous amount of power. But....
"He was so easily killed by me."
"Isn't it just because you're absurdly strong, IlHan?"
"Considering how the Four Great Angels stole power from God. They should practically be leaps and bounds stronger than the Battalion Commanders of other factions."
However, Raphael's death was in vain, much more so than that of any other Battalion Commander. That was because he was insta-killed by Yu IlHan's Transcendent Trajectory.
Not only that, he didn't die alone, but was killed together with the 1st Battalion Commander Keshein of the Destruction Demon Army. Even the buy one get one free packages of cookies at the store wouldn't have such a vain ending.
"Raphael's power were transferred to Michael before he was killed by me. I'm sure of it. There are traces here."
"Is that why Michael could become a transcender easily?"
"It would have been impossible if he didn't have the qualities at all, but, mmm...."
Yu IlHan pondered for a moment. Too many things appeared on his head.
"I made a countermeasure for Michael and whoever that was backing him, but I guess I've got another weapon now."
"... You thought of something with just that?"
"Didn't you say Raphael gave Michael his power as one of the Four Great Archangels, darling? Do you mean that you can do something with this empty shell?"
"No, Helièna. I did say the power of the Four Great Archangels was transferred from Raphael's possession to Michael's, but never did I say that Raphael willingly gave it to him."
"Huh? Mm...mm!"
Helièna soon realized what he meant.
"Michael stole it!?"
"Well, it's not surprising for you girls to not know since you weren't there. But before Raphael charged towards me, there was a brief moment where Michael was healed by Raphael. And Immediately after that, Raphael charged at me, and Michael pretended to hold him back."
"Pretended to hold him back? What do you mean...."
"He only called him back with words. If he really wanted to hold him back, then he would have beaten him up then and there."
They became speechless. That was actually true!
"I didn't think much about it since I don't have a lot of interest in Raphael, but Raphael made an expression as though he wasn't supposed to die in a place like this. It wasn't that he was overconfident in himself, but a natural kind of confidence. But? He instantly died with one Transcendent Trajectory. Why? Because he had lost his healing powers by then. I can even remember his last words. [Aah, how can-] (T/N: Chapter 296 for those who are interested). [How can this be, to think I'll be betrayed. I shouldn't have trusted that damned bastard!] or so it could have been."
Raphael should have had complete faith in Michael, but Michael splendidly betrayed him and even stole his power. He had already realized something the moment Yu IlHan awakened as a transcender and was preparing something! And he stole Raphael's power for that reason!
"Wait, darling. I get that it's very likely for that to be the case."
Helièna still had some questions remaining.
"But that doesn't change the fact that this is an empty shell. Just what are you going to do with it?"
"The important part is the origin of the body, I guess you don't know yet. What is more important about an artifact than its functionality is 'its history'."
"Sorry, darling. I'm a complete idiot in that field."
"Good, then I shall put it in words that even elementary schoolers can understand."
Yu IlHan picked up one of Raphael's resentful eyeballs and made a refreshing smile.
"What could have this guy thought the moment he died realizing that everything he had was stolen?"
"He harboured deep resentment."
"Not that one."
"I want to kill everything."
"Similar, but not that one either."
That was way too simplified! After Liera's parade of wrong answers, the one that gave the correct answer was Helièna.
"I want to take revenge in the exact same way."
A smirk appeared on Yu IlHan's lips after hearing her answer. That was the most Destruction Demon Army-like answer, and at the same time, the most human of answers.
"That's it. Do you now get what I'm trying to make?"
"Yes, I understand. So that will become the greatest weapon."
"Dammit, you won't normally think of such a creepy thought."
"When you are almost dead and dying, you can naturally think of such creepy thoughts."
Yu IlHan separated the unnecessary parts and the less sturdy parts from Raphael's body and melted them down. This process allowed the flames to be more synchronized with the materials and raise the league of the completed product.
"Well then. We have the fire and the materials, so I guess I should begin."
"Where's the anvil, and the hammer?"
"I don't need such things anymore."
Yu IlHan chuckled and activated the Creation skill.
[Activating Creation. Achieving what you aim for, in this place.]
Creation embodied both life and non-organic materials, and since he was not the inferior self of before, he didn't have to try and infuse a soul every time he created something.
However, it wasn't like there wasn't a being that was suited to this weapon.
Raphael? Well, of course, since it was his powers that were stolen, he would have the most resentment towards Michael, but the most enraged was someone else regarding this incident. The most upright, angelic, beautiful, yet tragic person to Yu IlHan's knowledge.
Yu IlHan took a deep breath... and carefully, very carefully called 'her' name.
"Spiera, are you awake?"
"...IlHan, what did you just say?"
"Darling?"
Having heard his voice, Liera's and Helièna's eyes both widened. They still wondered if things could get any more surprising than this, but this really took the cake.
"What do you mean Spiera, IlHan, don't tell me you…?"
"Yeah."
After Yu IlHan fought and killed Spiera, Yu IlHan had never voiced the words 'Spiera' even once. That was because he knew that he had to kill her, but he still felt unpleasant for having killed her himself. Every time he thought of her, he even felt that he was facing the inhumane, cold and utterly merciless side of himself.
The others also didn't voice her name out in consideration for him. That was why it was hard to believe his words right now.
"You possess Spiera's thought-soul?"
"I got over half of your soul, Helièna. You don't suppose that I couldn't take Spiera's, did you?"
"I thought you didn't take it."
"What are you saying."
It seemed like the others still didn't know what kind of powers Yu IlHan possessed as a deathgod. Yu IlHan chuckled and corrected their misconception.
"All actions that end a life have an inerasable responsibility behind it. For others, it may be a debt to their heart, or sin, but for me, the responsibility for killing, after a certain point... were souls."
"IlHan, those words...."
Liera's eyes trembled. Yu IlHan made a merciful smile and finished his words.
"It's impossible to not take them. They are all here with me. They are all together with me."
"Darling...."
The two higher existences became speechless. And as if having waited for that moment, a streak of a clear voice entered Yu IlHan's ears.
[I am awake, Yu IlHan. After I was taken with you, I did not close my eyes even once, and have not covered my ears even for one instant.]
Her voice could be heard by Liera and Helièna as well. The two became quiet as they remembered Spiera's final moments. Only Yu IlHan replied to her.
"You have not called out to me even once, have you?"
[I tried to leave Heaven with you, and tried to teach you the spear. The former, you have rejected, and the latter you have achieved an even higher realm than me, so I no longer had any matter to tie myself to you with. Moreover... I did not wish to give more burden to you who already bears such a huge cross on your shoulders.]
"You are really, such a kind person."
[Call me foolish instead.]
The two exchanged conversation as though they had never battled to the death in the first place. Perhaps others may view them as weird, but that was the relationship the two had. This did not change even after she had died.
[But you called out to me first. You must have really met with yourself. Escaping the you that treated everything you did as wrong in fear of the contemptuous gazes of others, and now you truly reflect on all of your actions, admit the right and wrong of all of them, and accept them while proceeding forward.]
"You are completely right. ... Honestly, I think I did plenty to wrong you. I apologize."
[Same goes for me. I always enforced my views on you and did not listen to yours. I apologize.]
To think Spiera, whom he considered to have possibly broken but never to bend, would speak such a thing. No, well, perhaps she had broken? Yu IlHan made an awkward smile and continued.
"Not everything is revealed yet. Perhaps calling you out like this may put you through more suffering. However, I wanted you to confirm with your own eyes. I wanted to pay you back for teaching me the spear even if it was like this."
[Now you became able to not only reflect back on yourself. However, as a side effect, you started cherishing all of your acquaintances too much. Be careful. Women may misunderstand and fall deeply in love with you all by themselves.]
That hit a sore spot. Looking at the world with his newly founded eyes, his love and appreciation towards all of them overflowed and couldn't do anything about it. That was also the reason he called Spiera back to them.
[However, in my position, that does not sound unpleasant either. Did you just mention that it may put me through more suffering? That is not the case. I am thankful and grateful because I finally have a path to vent my emotions in. So Yu IlHan, please ask me. Please ask me the one thing you wish to ask.]
Yu IlHan gladly complied. He was happy that Spiera understood him, that he could communicate with her again and let himself reveal a great big smile, but uttered a question that was in complete contrast to his expression.
"Spiera, what do you want to do with Michael and the one called God that played around with the lives and wills of countless beings since the beginning of history?"
The reply was even crueler.
[I wish to rip them apart to death and then some more.]
"Then may I decide on your 'temporary' residence?"
[I would like to request that instead.]
"Good, I heard your request."
Yu IlHan raised one hand with a smile. In his hand was a spear of pure white that was the result of Creation. Strangely, it was completely identical in shape to the spear that Spiera had used in her long life.
"If I wish for it, I can make their start, but I still cannot comprehend the essence of souls properly. Though, I have vaguely grasped on how to treat them. The point is that they are extremely rare and complicated compared to other materials, but they are, in the end, a 'being'! In other words, materials!"
[I really wish to slap myself for thinking that you have become slightly better. You are now just accepting everything as is into your arms and going forward recklessly!]
"That's exactly it! I sometimes do nice things, but I'm fundamentally a bad guy!"
[You became more evil!]
Spiera couldn't enter the spear right away. Although it was somewhat sorry to say this after he had seduced her into doing this, but the current Spiera's thought-soul was too weak. As such, Yu IlHan prepared a special enhancement process for her. It was none other than a super-luxurious buffet composed of specially selected thought-souls!
"Spiera, it's meal time!"
[Somehow, your way of saying it irritates me to no end....]
Even while regretting the moment where she had exchanged a kind conversation with him, Spiera faced the thought-souls that he had prepared for her.
What kind of karma had he piled up until now? There were an innumerable number of pitiful thought-souls, and there were still a lot even after he had hand-picked them.
[Painful....]
[Kill... me....]
[I do not want to think any more....]
Facing thought-souls that spoke eternally-traumatic lines for every line they spoke, Spiera fell into a truly tragic feeling. However, Yu IlHan's will was firm, and since she had decided to grab his hand again, she couldn't escape reality at this point.
[Tch, I guess I can't help it....]
Spiera resolved herself. Then she opened her mouth.
[I shall bear all of your resentment and karma. Now leave everything to me.]
[Khaaaaaaaaaak!]
Spiera's thought-soul hunting started. Like how Yu IlHan said he was able to treat souls now, he could directly feed her thought-souls that were even stronger than her when she was alive without much difficulty.
This was the biggest difference between the past Yu IlHan and the current him. How much suffering did Orochi go through in order to face thought-souls stronger than him? But Spiera became much stronger with no effort whatsoever....
[Is this the path of an Asura? Yes, going against God will require me to become the devil himself. Fufu, so I fell to such a point.]
"Hey, your words are hurting me."
Spiera may have a strong sense of justice, but to Yu IlHan, treating thought-souls as food and ingredients wasn't even considered 'evil'. Even though they said they understood each other, there was still the width of the Rubicon river between the two.
"Ooh, I can feel Spiera's thought-soul becoming stronger."
"Hey, wouldn't anyone become the strongest if they get killed by darling and come back after eating all the thought-souls?"
"It's near impossible to completely take in a dead soul. You and Spiera belong to the relatively whole faction. And as for Orochi and Mystic, they could be considered to have been completely reborn."
"I'm scared now...."
Spiera regained her former might by preying on the thought-souls recklessly, surpassed it, and eventually acquired a power that rivaled the 7th class in league. However, that was not the end. The special buffet course that Yu IlHan had prepared still had one remaining.
[...Raphael.]
[This cannot happen.]
Raphael's thought-soul that he had imprisoned so that he could never again see the light of day ever since he took it, also awoke deep within Yu IlHan's consciousness.
If Yu IlHan interrogated Raphael's thought-soul in the past, he would have realized that his powers were stolen much earlier, but in the first place, he never treated Raphael as someone worthy to be his enemy, so he didn't even see the need to interrogate him.
"Raphael, thank me for putting you on the show twice even though you are a side character."
[I, I am not thankful! I am not thankful at all! You, dared! You actually dared to!]
[Fuu... Raphael, I shall take your last bit of emotions with me as well. Pour it out with no regrets. I am currently in need of your disgusting and sticky emotions.]
"I think she really became evil."
Yu IlHan tilted his head and utilized his power. Raphael, who struggled to escape from Spiera, could not resist Yu IlHan's dominating power and was restrained without being able to do anything. He could only shout while cursing his own vulnerable state.
[Dammit! I only believed in the lord and followed him! Why do I have to meet such a tragic end! I am one of the Four Great Archangels! One of the four brightest ever since God, and still should be! Why has Lord Michael betrayed me? Why did Gabriel not mention anything to me? Why is Uriel in love with Gabriel!]
Hmm, it seems like Uriel received the affection of both Michael and Raphael. Though, the person in question loved Gabriel... Even the Four Great Archangels that lived countless years have a morning drama-like relationship. Yu IlHan acquired a new realization.
[Thank you for the meal.]
[KHAAAAAAAAAAAAK!]
Spiera ignored Raphael's words and ate him whole. At that moment, a strong shockwave was emitted from within Yu IlHan. Spiera had succeeded in absorbing everything of Raphael and growing.
[It feels more stifling the more my power grows...]
"Don't worry. I am still in possession of your body. Once everything is over, I'll return it back to you."
[You are being unpleasant when you act overly kind. Just be the trash that you always are.]
"So that is why I never saw Spiera's body when you disposed of the other angels' bodies."
Liera would have persuaded Yu IlHan to give her Spiera's body if he was going to use it somewhere, but it seemed that Yu IlHan had just left it alone.
She just thought that he didn't want to be related to Spiera in any way anymore, but Yu IlHan also seemed to be agonizing over it. Liera smiled, and Spiera entered the pure white spear even while feeling somewhat unpleasant.
Once all materials were in place, Yu IlHan activated Creation once again. A delightful message appeared on his eyes.
[Blade of the Avenger was completed.]
He saw the name of the artifact, and put it inside him. Since he had made it perfectly, he would be able to call it out in the form of flames whenever he wanted.
"Spiera, adjust to your condition in there for a while."
[Understood, I shall wait for the necessary moment. Please call me then, Yu IlHan.]
"Huh."
Looking at him, Helièna tilted her head and asked.
"Don't you have to check the artifact rank or the details of it?"
"I made it the way I want, so why should I look at something that I already know about? It possesses the functions that I need so what good is the rank?" 1
"Oh my...."
That was a cool line he always wanted to say! Helièna's heart skipped a beat due to the sudden intensity of the line, while Yu IlHan proceeded to the next job without hesitation. Since he had limitless amounts of all types of materials, he could make limitless things.
He had to take a look at the equipment that the others would use, and had to make a one-time artifact that would protect them in case of emergencies, and had to make specialized artifacts that contained Yu IlHan's Declaration power just in case something outside of his expectations arose, and....
Hearing Yu IlHan's perfect plan without any gaps at all, Liera asked him in a defeated voice.
"IlHan, is there any method to win against you?"
"Nope. Now, I will probably win against anyone and everyone."
"Wao!"
Yu IlHan firmly replied to Liera and activated the Creation skill once again. He put a flame in midair as in resolve to erase all the materials that he had gathered until now.
Just like that, a year passed.
Author's notes
Huh, that's strange, why is it so long now... (eyes shaking)
Translator's notes
Yeah… this chapter is suddenly 50% longer than usual…
DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!! Spiera is still here!
And also, uh, 10 chapters left of the main story.
1. T/N: I bet author actually just didn't want to make up new stuff all over again.
Yu IlHan used up all of the materials in his possession. When he finally came around to thinking about it himself, he realised it was a miraculous achievement. He was aware that his power rose exponentially within his domain, ever since he was acknowledged as the new God by the recorded gods, but just as Na YuNa beauty had, it seems like Yu IlHan's ability as a blacksmith also matured.
"I'm finished! How much sand has fallen from the top half?"
Judging that he could provide arms to not only the core members but the secondary army and even the civilians and possibly still have some left over to weaponise the entire planet at this point, he swiped all the artifacts into his inventory and raised his head after a long time while stretching his neck, and asked.
The one he could see was not Liera or Helièna but Erta.
"Around one tenth."
"A tenth already!? And oh, it's Erta."
"You didn't even know that I was here, did you?"
"Well, I was grabbing onto my Creation skill all this time. Though, it's only level 5 right now."
"You used the skill for 1 year straight and it's only at level 5!?"
"It's already been a year!?"
The two exchanged shocked looks. Though, Yu IlHan regained his calm soon while Erta still had an expression of flabbergasted-ness even after a period of time had passed.
"Just how can you not notice the flow of time? Didn't you get hungry? Didn't you want to go to the bathroom? How are you still so handsome even after not washing up for an entire year?"
"It's been quite awhile since I surpassed normal human metabolism."
Answered Yu IlHan as he thought. 1 year equaled one tenth. That meant that there was still about 9 years to go. Although he did think it will be quite a long period of time, to think it was that long… Yu IlHan was emotional at his own growth.
"Oh, if anyone feels bored then send them out for a little bit. I can just warp them to another world and call them back later."
"It's a tremendous privilege to own a decade that others do not know about. I will ask the others, but there should be no one that wishes to leave."
Well, Yu IlHan also didn't feel that 10 years was long when he was first left out on Earth. Perhaps the others felt similar to him. Yu IlHan shrugged his shoulders and changed topic.
"Any progress on your magic?"
"No!"
Erta suddenly shouted. Her voice was filled with frustration.
"Kang MiRae, that woman, is a genius! She achieved a realm I couldn't even when I trained for thousands of years, in a mere two or three decades! How can it be so unfair! I couldn't even understand half of what she said!"
"Don't get mad at me. It's scaring me."
It seems like her frustration piled up when she came to Yu IlHan to vent it but saw that he was doing his work without even glancing at her. Yu IlHan thought that he stepped on a landmine and patted her on the back to console her.
"You can do it. Although, the position of a recorded god shouldn't be possible because Miss MiRae is there."
"You aren't helping at all!"
Erta shouted while pouting, but it seems like the patting did work. Yu IlHan thought that she was such a simple woman, but didn't voice that out audibly.
"It's good that you're here now. I was just about to start researching into Archlegnae."
"Didn't you say you just finished working? Sheesh, your ability to look for work is really top-notch."
Laughing, Yu IlHan took out several bodies of Archlegna. Although he couldn't acquire many records from the bodies of Legnae during the period where he was very much inferior to the himself of now, it was currently a different story.
He was going to discover every single bit of information on how these Legnae golems were made, as well as what this so-called God did in order to imitate the Creator, and nullify all of his efforts.
"Well then, from now on, this guy must be...."
However, when he was about to start analyzing by putting his hand on the Archlegna, he intuitively realized one thing.
"These things, they are recorded on something else other than the Akashic Record."
Akashic Record is the record of everything at the same time being the multiverse itself. Yu IlHan did not know what form it possessed, but did not think that mattered. The multiverse existed as Yu IlHan was aware of, and what meaning he gave to it was up to him.
However, it seemed like there was one being that didn't think so.
"So that's it, God considered the Akashic Record as a hindrance."
"What does that mean, IlHan?"
"It's quite clear if you think about it. I should have started from questioning the reason that prompted him to reject mana."
There are two changes that inevitably arrive in a world after the Great Cataclysm. One is mana and the other one is the Akashic Record.
Wherever mana exists, the Akashic Record did as well and wherever the Akashic Record existed, mana could also be found. So, rejecting mana meant the denial of the Akashic Record, and to escape mana, one would need to escape the reach of the Akashic Record.
"Yu IlHan, I just had a lecture on incomprehensible magic until now. Are you going to lecture me about incomprehensible Akashic Record too? I will assault you if you do. If you wish to renew your family register, then let's see you continue!"
"I'm both happy and sad that you became aggressive while I didn't know about anything...."
Yu IlHan explained it in simple terms in order to maintain his fidelity.
"Middle school uniforms differ by schools, right?"
"Right."
"The school uniform that the Akashic Record has decided on is mana. There are no other middle schools nearby. Well, then. What do you needs to be done in order to wear another uniform?"
"Make a new middle school."
"That's what God was trying to do. He was trying to make a new form of universal recording other than the Akashic Record."
"...."
Erta became speechless. She eventually asked him in a careful voice.
"Is that possible?"
"Look at the corpse of this Archlegna. Did these guys manage to completely and perfectly reject mana?"
"They did not."
"Correct. So he failed."
It wasn't the case that it failed completely. Legnae did have high resistance to mana after all.
However, that was it. God tried to make a new record storage, but that storage ended up being incorporated into the Akashic Record. A lamentable matter.
"Moreover, the way he tried to make that new storage is...Oh, my."
Yu IlHan realized one thing when he continued analyzing the Archlegna and groaned. One puzzle piece entered its correct position as well.
He finally understood the reason why he could hear their voices at that time; why they referred to Yu IlHan as the liberator; as well as why they gave so many blessings to Yu IlHan and the others around him!
"Recorded gods... that's it."
"Why do they come out here as well? Didn't you liberate them all?"
"I did, I did liberate them with the help from Miss MiRae. So...."
Yu IlHan claimed while seriously nodding his head.
"I now reclaim the title of the foreshadow master. I am the one who creates and destroys foreshadows!"
Erta licked her lips and was about to viciously assault Yu IlHan.
"Yu IlHan, why don't we discuss the name of our future child right now...."
"Uh, I meant! Uh, I erased it already!"
Yu IlHan hurriedly pushed Erta's face away and shouted. It was even scarier since she looked absolutely serious.
"The storage that God was trying to make! I erased it already!"
"With the Galactic Trajectory that Kang MiRae first used?"
"And with the Final Buster that I poured into all of them! I didn't know that it would actually finish it off...."
"Wait, so you're saying."
Erta had finally understood the situation and shouted in shock.
"So the God of Heaven created a replacement Akashic Record by imprisoning the 'recorded gods'!?"
"The term 'recorded gods' isn't correct in the first place. They are ones who have transcended the limits and surpassed records. So this God tried to make a completely new system(record) that is outside the influence of the Akashic Record by gathering the ones that surpassed it...."
"I still don't get it, but that means...."
How horrifying, cruel, insolent and shocking of an action. Erta felt as she was hit on the head by a hammer.
"All this time, a length of time where all of our ages added up together won't possibly match, they were...."
"You said how the Legnae talked about they were 'loading' records, right? That means that God tried to win against mana by records that have transcended the realm of mana and are unrecordable. With that as the engine, and the fuel sourced from completely crumpled and deformed souls."
"My word...."
The recorded gods resisted but were captured by God in the end. They were imprisoned in a world that couldn't be found, and became a portion of the new storage as God had intended.
However, God's misconception started there. Just transcending the records didn't mean a complete separation from the Akashic Record!
In fact, they blessed the ones that came close to their own realm in their own fields through the Akashic Record, and the ones that grew splendidly with their blessings would become enemies of God. Of course, God would have gritted his teeth and cursed at the recorded gods, and may have wished to beat them up to death, but couldn't do so easily since they were integral to achieving his goal.
In the end, he could only proceed as planned. Some time passed and Yu IlHan appeared, and God, who thought that he grew up way too fast, created Legnae and Archlegnae with the help from the incomplete storage, and started cleaning the other worlds along with Satan.
However, the record storage that God made somehow ended up being connected to Dareu through a gate thanks to Kang MiRae's miracle, Galactic Trajectory.
At that point in time, Yu IlHan didn't have the slightest clue about this new record storage, but he coincidentally found it, and cleanly destroyed it with his Final Buster!
Now, God couldn't even make Legnae even if he wished to. Even if he wanted to make a new record storage, there was neither a world to hide it in, nor a target to capture and imprison. The only thing he could do was to appear in front of Yu IlHan and be completely screwed before dying a pitiful death.
Such a tearful story. Perhaps a person who, saw that the failure rate for an item repair was 1%, and so clicked 'repair all' for his thousands of items, and found out that he failed the repair for all of them, might feel like this!
"I now understand why you call yourself as the foreshadow master. So you erased the greatest weapon of the final boss when you only got to know a tiny bit of his might!?"
"That's exactly it. He's completely doomed now. Completely doomed...."
Yu IlHan's voice sounded distant for some reason. Erta didn't know how to reply and became silent.
My word, the final objective of the final boss was destroyed before the last battle! At this point, anyone would sympathize even though he wasn't someone worthy of any sympathy. He just had to have been on Yu IlHan's wrong side!
Yu IlHan thought about what he had to do, but eventually loosened his shoulders and spoke.
"...I think I can just put away the barrier now."
"Ah, you're making an expression that you are annoyed of everything!"
"Can we just jump straight to the epilogue now?"
"Please restrain yourself"
Yu IlHan waved his hand to lump all the bodies of Archlegnae into one. They became a lump of white. It looked like metal, at the same time, wood, mud, clouds, or even just sweets.
"This is the only one."
"How is it the only one?"
"Unrecorded, unrecordable matter. The record storage was destroyed and the Akashic Record does not accept it, so this lump of... things is a contradiction in and of itself."
"I now get what you're trying to do."
Erta made a smirk and asked.
"That's a very good material, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I was just looking for the materials for the 'cannonball'... I don't think I'll find anything better than this."
"Cannonball... Aah, of course."
Erta chuckled.
"You possessed a very splendid 'cannon', didn't you?"
"Well, then. Let's finish off my work then."
Yu IlHan activated the Creation skill. After knowing that there 'was' an independent record storage from the Akashic Record, his comprehension on Creation increased, and so was able to process the lump although the material wasn't properly recorded.
Of course, he couldn't add or take away anything from it, but forming a shape from it was enough. The cannon possessed everything else, after all.
"Good."
Yu IlHan stored away the only cannonball in the world and exited the workshop with Erta. At that time, Michael Smithson, who was running in the corridor, immediately ran to him and grabbed him.
"Mister Uniqqqqqqqqqqqqque!"
"I hate that name so call me Yu IlHan. What is it?"
"Carina! C, Carina is about to give birth!"
"...Wao."
The moment he heard that one line, he felt as if all the time he spent until now was meaningless. No matter how long the barrier was, someone even made a baby! But Michael Smithson didn't just come here to boast it in front of him.
"I was looking for you! Could you become the godfather of the child?"
"Me!?"
Michael Smithson nodded his head with a serious face.
"If the master of the world, you, become the godfather of my child, then there would not be a better thing."
"...."
Thinking about it, his encounter with Michael Smithson was the funniest and the most mysterious. How could they have known that it would come to this?
Michael Smithson was a man who could commit any selfish actions for the profit of the group be was in. Perhaps he was similar to Yu IlHan in that regard. Their clash was inevitable, and Yu IlHan thought that he would kill Michael Smithson if he did something that annoyed him, while Michael Smithson also resolved to kill Yu IlHan if they ever met again.
However, the situation didn't come to that. Yu IlHan became rapidly stronger and found leisure, and asked Michael Smithson for cooperation in protecting Earth rather than fighting him.
Meanwhile, Michael Smithson succeeded in widening his perimeter and found something that he started to protect by himself, his clan members and other precious people. He fell in love with another clan master, and accordingly suppressed his hostility to his enemies.
After that, a long time passed before the two entered a relationship of a leader and a member of the higher existence faction known as Dragon's Nest. Although they couldn't be considered close friends, they were in a position where they could understand each other to a large extent and cheer for the other.
Perhaps he might be able to have such a relationship with other people as well – thought Yu IlHan before shaking his head. Regretting the past only gave him sighs. If he acquired something, then he could only step forward once more using that as the basis.
Yu IlHan asked carefully.
"...I wasn't baptized you know?"
"It's fine. You are the God of this world."
"Okay then. I'll do this godfather thing."
Michael Smithson smiled brightly at Yu IlHan's smile. A healthy voice of a child could be heard from one corner of the Flying fortress. Possessing brilliant golden hair and emerald-colored eyes, a healthy... dragon was born.
"Just what is going on here!"
Michael complained to Yu IlHan while looking at the loveliest princess... well, dragon rather, in his beautiful wife's arms. Yu IlHan asked him some questions.
"Mr. Smithson, what is your current race?"
"True dragon...."
"And Mrs. Smithson?"
"True dragon...."
"And then your daughter will definitely be?"
"A dragon...?"
There were no problems at all. They accepted it all naturally! Only the princess in Carina Malatesta, no, Carina Smithson's arms had a bright smile.
"Kyaha!"
"She probably understands what we're talking about right now. You need to be careful with her education."
A child that understood speech immediately after birth! Considering how her foundation was extremely high since she was born as the daughter of two true dragons, her growth wouldn't be ordinary either. Carina Smithson thought that she chose a good godfather and asked him.
"Godfather, please take care of this child. You will accept her into Dragon's Nest, right?"
"Of course, as long as she fulfills the qualifications. So? What's her name?"
"Yuni Smithson."
"...And if it was a boy?"
"Nick Smithson." 1
Yu IlHan became speechless. Yuni, in her mother's arms, probably did not know how her name came about nor would she want to… probably.
Please let her grow up without knowing the origins of her name – Yu IlHan prayed to the non-existent gods while patting her forehead. The child smiled even brighter.
"But she's really pretty~. She must take after her mother."
"That's true. Hahaha, she looks completely like her mother."
Since it was the birth of new life, almost everyone other than Yu IlHan were already gathered at that place. Na YuNa, who still didn't like Michael Smithson that much, indirectly dealt damage while stroking Yuni, but Michael had become really toned down after he became a father and just laughed about it.
He completely changed as a person!
"IlHan."
Looking at Yuni struggling in Carina Smithson's arms, Liera's eyes glistened.
"Let us make a baby too!"
"I wondered why you weren't saying that earlier. No."
"Why! I want to have a baby! I want to have a babyyyyyy."
"Not yet."
Liera clung to Yu IlHan, but he firmly refused. And the reason went like this.
"I hate it because it feels like the epilogue is coming soon."
"...."
She wanted to retort, but couldn't find a way to do so and became silent. Yu IlHan tapped her shoulders and received Yuni from Carina Smithson. Since he became her godfather, he had to at least do his job properly.
[Yuni, you shall become beautiful and happy. You shall become someone who can share joy and bear the burdens of sadness with others. You shall have a warm heart as strong as your sturdy claws, and as much emotions as your clever smarts. You shall become one that's loved and one that shall love.]
Yu IlHan's Declaration became a heartfelt wish that enveloped Yuni. It was a wish that would grant upon her a bright potential, though not absolute.
"Wow, look at all that mana. Amazing...."
"Beautiful. Only he can wield mana so beautifully like that, can't he...."
Would Yuni know how much of a blessing Yu IlHan's Declaration was? Yu IlHan grabbed Yuni's finger before giving her back to her parents.
"Congratulations. I was so absorbed in work that I didn't even know you two got married."
"We will do the marriage ceremony later. So that is... after everything is over, once Earth is back in orbit, with both of our parents. Please visit us at that time with everyone."
"I pray for their survival."
Yu IlHan smiled, saying that he really wished it was so.
It would be a lie if he said that the figure of his father didn't flash past his head. No matter how strong he became, it would all be meaningless if Gabriel had met with grave misfortune.
'...He should be fine.'
He convinced himself that his father was alright. Nothing would change just by worrying. As he always did, he only had to do what he could do right now.
"Then the Smithson pair should busy themselves with raising their child...."
"And we create our own child, ouch!"
"And we shall train."
Smacking Liera's head, Yu IlHan retorted in a serious tone. It became like this after he realized that there was 9 years left after making artifacts for an entire year! Liera asked with a crying face.
"When are we filming the epilogue, hey?"
"I will blow the whistle when it comes down to it."
"That's a very suspicious foreshadow! Are you going to question the origins of my birth at this point!?"2
Time flowed very quickly after that. While Yu IlHan was absorbed in training along with the other main battle members, while the other, more ordinary people actually lived a very joyful life, much more so than he had thought possible.
There was no threat from monsters, and they were living in a world where civilization and nature were mixed into one, so in fact, it could be said that they were living their most peaceful life since before the Great Cataclysm.
Of course, regardless of what they were up to, Yu IlHan did his own thing like a loner. Although he took the first step as the Creator, he still had long ways to go. And he until reached the end of that path, his steps would not halt.
***
Originally, Yu IlHan was very skilled in not noticing the flow of time, but since there was someone who showed clear changes among the ones he was constantly in close proximity with, he couldn't stay unaware of it now.
"Godfather!"
A pretty little girl with brilliant golden hair tied into a ponytail shouted while the end of her hair fanned out like a sunflower, as she zoomed past him in the training zone within the Flying fortress. Yu IlHan waved his hand with a bitter smile.
"So it's you, Yuni."
"Yay! I can go in, right?"
Yu IlHan's goddaughter Yuni grew rapidly as expected of the daughter of two true dragons. Since there were masters of all fields around her, she had plenty of opportunities to learn techniques, and she, like a dragon, had very-difficult-to-satisfy thirst for knowledge, and tried to learn as many things as possible in a short amount of time.
This was top-tier talent in Yu IlHan's view! Dragons are really the best!
"Godfather, please spar with me!"
"Again?"
And the one that Yuni admired the most, like all other dragons and dragonkin on Earth, was Yu IlHan, the manager of Earth. Well, his strength was the highest too anyway.
From the first instance that she was able to hold a weapon in her two hands, she has picked up the spear like it was the most natural thing to do, and now that she possessed an outer appearance of a fifteen-year-old girl, she had developed a pretty high level of technique.
"I think I might be able to grow if I go against you just once more. Please? Pleaaaaase?"
"...Okay, come then."
"Yess! Iyaaaaaaaaah! Ergh!"
Of course, she didn't even last 3 seconds against Yu IlHan. Yu IlHan was a man who was merciless to anyone regardless of ages or genders, after all. The reason she could even last 3 seconds in the first place was because he went easy on her! Yuni, collapsed on the floor like a dead frog, grumbled while rubbing her nose that became red.
"Dammit, I thought I would be able to last longer since I got to the 4th class now!"
"Huh?"
Wait, she is actually 4th class already! Yu IlHan asked her in shock.
"Yuni, how old are you again?"
"Hm? It will be my ninth birthday the day after tomorrow!"
That means that the barrier will disappear soon! Yu IlHan was shocked, and he despaired.
"I still haven't mastered Transcendent Trajectory yet!"
"What level is it?"
"99...."
"Wao!"
Thinking that he should punish Na YuNa for spreading unpleasant habits around, Yu IlHan retrieved the spear that was floating in the air.
When he looked at the sky, the projection of the Hourglass of Eternity indeed revealed to him that there wasn't much time left.
"It looks like I'll be busy for a moment."
"Is it a fight?"
"Unfortunately, there's no place for you in it, Yuni."
"I want to help you though."
"Let's think about it again after you become a higher existence."
The world would be a beautiful place if everyone was like her – sighing, Yu IlHan patted Yuni's head. Yuni shriveled saying it was ticklish and made an innocent laugh.
"Good, then shall I go out. We need to be back safely for your birthday party Yuni."
"That's such a cool line!"
"Of course, I had that line at the ready ever since you were born."
Yu IlHan replied in cool words and exited the training zone while retrieving his spear.
As though having read his mind, his companions were already waiting.
"It will be soon, IlHan. There isn't even one hour left."
"Darling, will it really be over in 3 hours?"
"It might take a little longer than that. If there's no hidden last boss, then 5 minutes, if there is, then 20 minutes, and if there's another one after that one is defeated then one hour, and an extra 30 minutes for each one that appears after that."
"...."
His trump cards were uncountable! Yu IlHan left them speechless and exited the Flying fortress.
Perhaps everyone knew, but the non-battle members had already gone down to Earth and the others were already on the aerial city.
[I greet the Lord.]
Uriel, with four pairs of dragon wings, greeted him. She was the only 8th class other than Mystic, and had the most amount of mana among his subordinates. She was one of the two 'people' that were most motivated for the matter that was about to come.
"I know, I know. You want to go save dad, right?"
[Th, that is true, but not only that, that uh... Ga, Gabriel is.]
"It's the same for me so it's fine. You settle things with mom on your end. What's important is the mindset to clear up the important things."
Sometimes, people make the impossible possible. Though, what laid in front of Yu IlHan were all possible things!
Yu IlHan consoled Uriel who still had a worried expression in worry of Gabriel.
"Don't worry so much. Everything will go as I planned it out."
[The Lord's amazing point is that you can make me accept with your speech alone but... understood. I believe in the Lord. Let's go save Gabriel. Let's go stop God. Let's bring an end to our bad karma with the Destruction Demon Army. Let's interrogate Satan on what he is doing. ...Let's bring peace back.]
Uriel raised her head after saying that. Behind her were all the official members of Dragon's Nest lined up. They were already armed with the gear that Yu IlHan had handed out, and were ready to fight against any and all enemies.
"Everyone should know this already, but."
Spoke Yu IlHan in a voice that was neither loud nor small. At this point, he could make his voice be heard by everyone without having to use the Declaration skill.
"There's not much of the enemy forces left. While they were foolishly whittling away at each other, we created Earth, and they widened the gap all by themselves when they would have lost even if they came at me head on. So, our victory is pretty much set in stone."
"Wao!"
"I will take care of the leaders, so I will ask you to take care of the remaining ones. Honestly, if you get so much as a scratch on your skin while fighting with the equipment I gave you, you probably don't have the qualifications to be a higher existence. I will immediately strip your qualifications if that happens."
"How can he make others so unmotivated."
Disregarding what everyone was saying, Yu IlHan finished his speech off quickly.
"We will invade the enemy main world immediately. As soon as the barrier is dispelled... Oh, and before that, someone send Yuni back to Earth."
"Ah, Yuni, this girl, how dare you sneakily come here!"
"Me, Me too! I want to fight! Godfatherrrrrrrrrr!"
After Yuni was chased to the ground by the others, Yu IlHan really confirmed that everyone here were members meant for, and ready for battle before speaking once again.
"If you're ready, then I shall immediately warp after the barrier dispels."
"Wait, darling."
Asked Helièna."
"I get that we're invading enemy main worlds... but which one are we going to first?"
"Of course, we need to rob the emptiest house first."
Yu IlHan winked and spoke to her.
"The Netherworld."
Translator: Chamber
Proofreader: Koukouseidesu
1. Yuni+Nick = Yunick = "Unique". Remember how Michael Smithson calls him "Mister Unique"?
2. T/N: I don't know but apparently a reference to the Boogiepop series according to comments on Munpia.
The barrier shattered. The aerial city that contained the Flying fortress and the Guardian fortress instantly floated up toward Earth's atmosphere,. The people who remained on Earth watched as the city levitated further and further away from them and finally realized that time had started flowing again. Below that, Yuni was jumping around.
"I'm going to marry godfather when I grow up! So you have to stay safe! You can't get your face injured!"
"Stop dreaming, kid!"
Liera, who punished anyone and everyone who aimed for Yu IlHan, firmly rejected that. Yu IlHan activated the Warp skill while wondering what she was doing to a little kid and why she took her seriously in the first place.
[Come back after eliminating all who aim to inflict harm upon Earth, o, ruler.]
The one that was born of chaos, became a guardian, and eventually was reborn in to Earth itself spoke in a grave voice. Yu IlHan nodded his head with a laugh.
"Don't worry about anything, just leave it to me."
He had long since mastered the Dimensional Ruler skill. Since all the worlds he had to protect became one, the barrier that he cast over Earth also became incredibly sturdy. That was also the reason he could prevent the original population of Earth from returning for a few hours.
"I'm going to end everything before that. It's not like Earth is 100% complete either."
"It still isn't!?"
Shouted Erta in shock. Yu IlHan tapped on the ground he was on and nodded his head.
"Didn't I say so? This city must be fused back into Earth before the end of everything."
"Oh yeah, speaking of this city, just what is this city? I can feel that it's supposed to be a part of Earth."
"You can consider it a part of Earth but at the same time, a small, independent world. It's simply a matter of perspective."
No one understood his words, but they could understand that Yu IlHan was about to use that concept to do something interesting. However, the Warp skill activated before they could ask him more about it.
Yu IlHan had mastered the Warp skill as well, so the others were all moved to the Netherworld before they could even feel anything weird. They were all taken by the surrounding scenery, so they couldn't even ask the details of the aerial city.
"It's the Netherworld!"
"It is indeed!"
"It's the first time that I've ever come here."
An endlessly dark, and ominous world. It was the world that Satan came after he fell from Heaven, and the world that contained his foundation.
"This world... does not have Satan right now?"
Yu IlHan nodded his head without hesitation when Kim YeSeul asked.
"The battlefield should be somewhere else. Satan apparently teamed up with God so he's probably going there right now."
"That world is...."
"Unknown as of yet. However, it's not something absurd like an unrecorded world or something. The God of Heaven isn't capable to that extent. So, I'm planning to find more information about it here."
"Lord, if possible, Gabriel must be saved as soon as...."
Uriel was looking left and right for Gabriel with a nervous expression plastered onto her beautiful face. He wondered how she lasted all these ten years. Yu IlHan nodded his head with a bitter smile.
"At my level, I can do a lot of things even while I'm talking. I'm scrolling through the records of this world as fast as possible right now, so don't worry about it too much. Dad should be safe, and we will be able to find him. Though, you won't be able to get him for yourself."
Regardless of Uriel's dejection, Yu IlHan continued searching through the Netherworld. As expected of the main world of the Army of Brilliant Light, the Netherworld was extremely vast and had a frightening density of mana, but what was weird was that there was not a single fallen angel in this world.
"How can it be so clean?"
"The most important world for the Army of Brilliant Light is the Netherworld. Even though Satan may have left, how could they have left it completely empty? Was Satan such an idiot?"
"Well, I don't think so."
Since he discovered the connection between the recorded gods and the Archlegnae, the possibility that Satan was a schemer beyond Yu IlHan's expectations became nonexistent, Yu IlHan still didn't think that a leader in charge of a faction, and the one that first found a way out of God's reign, was such an ignorant man.
"If this was an important place, they should be guarding it. But they aren't. That means that this place is not that important."
"It's not so simple... how can a main world not be important?"
Yu IlHan answered.
"It can be that there's no longer any meaning to the main world anymore."
"No... meaning to the main world...?"
They just talked about how the main world was the most important for a faction, but he just straight up denied it! And he was a leader of a faction too!
Yu IlHan shrugged his shoulders and explained for those who didn't get it.
"He teamed up with God, didn't he? God said he'll make the world anew, so wouldn't he erase the Netherworld as well?"
"But once that happens, Satan's power would be...."
"He won't be able to perfectly erase the main world unless he does something about the leader, so to be exact, God will erase the Netherworld under agreement from Satan. You can say that he will be making himself weaker."
"Then does that mean that Satan really believes in God and has taken a place next to him once again...?"
Wasn't that the most foolish thing to do! However, Yu IlHan shook his head and did not give them the answer they wanted.
"It's not like there's absolutely no guard after all. Moreover, this one's even aware of me."
"Where?"
"In the center of the world. I'm going to go there now."
When Yu IlHan's mind drifted there, the aerial city received his intentions and immediately started moving. Thanks to the Warp skill, the members in it couldn't even feel the slightest turbulence despite moving absurdly fast. They were only exclaiming while looking at the changing surroundings.
"Aah, I can feel it now. That's an amazing aura."
"I would have been scared if it was the past me...."
Muttered Erta. That meant in reverse that she wasn't afraid of it at all right now. Really, the number of the days she spent with Yu IlHan could be clearly seen here.
After a blink of an eye more, the aerial city arrived at the destination. There was a truly huge palace, and there was another one that was sitting alone on top of the rounded roof.
[You came here earlier than I expected.]
The one there was a woman who had an impressive head of black, long hair. Wearing a black silk dress that did not seem suited for battle, and even black silk gloves, she was a lady that exuded a deep aura of luxury. However, the eight wings sharply protruding behind her back made them rethink about the true extent of her power.
"Lazière. So you were a woman."
Said Yu IlHan. The others all flinched for a moment after finding out that the woman in front of them was the 1st Wing of Brilliant Light, but the person in question actually just nodded her head nonchalantly.
[That is so. I am the 1st Wing of Brilliant Light, Lazière. And you must be Yu IlHan, the Lord of Dragon's Nest.]
"I am he."
Lazière glanced at Yu IlHan very carefully as though she was afraid that she might seem rude. Even while knowing that they were enemies, she was very polite.
[I have heard that you were someone who became strong rapidly, but I never imagined that you became even stronger since then. I cannot fathom the depth of your power even with my powers as an 8th class being... My Lord may be a good opponent for you.]
From what Yu IlHan had seen until now, Yu IlHan was sure that Satan wouldn't be his match unless he somehow became at least five times as strong since they last met, but it would be embarrassing if he said it and it turned out to be wrong, so didn't say it out loud.
Instead, he asked her.
"I have something i would like to ask."
[As long as it's within my knowledge.]
"Is Satan really my enemy?"
The world stopped.
Or at least it felt so. Everyone was looking at Yu IlHan in shock.
"What do you mean!? You were preparing to kill him up until moments ago while steeping in rage!"
"You nailed a straw doll to the wall three times before you slept while shouting Satan's name!"
"You resolved that you will break him if you couldn't have him~!"
"You looked so expectant and excited while saying you were going to rob an empty house!"
"Please put away all those false information and BL delusions."
Yu IlHan just nonchalantly corrected the mistakes. His gazed was fixed on Lazière, but he found it cute that she was making an absurd expression. He urged her to answer.
"And so? How is it?"
[Do you think that way because Lord Satan has protected you until you became a transcender? Unfortunately, Satan is your enemy. Perhaps not if you were not a transcender, but you are already complete. Bakers may wait for the bread to be baked, but....]
"Yes, yes. You mean to say that there are none that will watch the completed bread in satisfaction. I know, I heard that before."
[Did you accept it now?]
Yu IlHan shrugged his shoulders and replied.
"In some way."
[Then that is fine.]
Lazière slowly stood up.
[I am aware that I am not a match for you. However, I shall block you until the moment my life disappears. At that point, Lord Satan will return and take your life himself.]
"No, I'm not going to fight you."
[...What?]
"Heh."
Yu IlHan extended his hand and let out a short shout. With just that, Lazière was bound to the spot.
He had subdued an 8th class Battalion Commander that received the largest share of support from the world after Satan, within the domain of the Army of Brilliant Light!
[H, how can this be. Even though you are a leader of a faction, even though you may be a transcender, you shouldn't be able to so easily....]
"When I lacked power, killing all my enemies was the best way. That's because I felt like my insides were burning every time main characters in novels were humiliated because they let an enemy live. I could never understand why they would leave a potential problem be. In fact, there were some novels where I just straight up liked the antagonist better."
"Isn't that because you're a villain too, IlHan?"
"Shut up. Anyway, that's why I maintained my philosophy of killing enemies as soon as I see them before I decide to think about anything past that. But living like that... mm, had some annoying bits to it as well."
He killed anyone that he found difficult to distinguish between enemy and ally, killed the ones that were enemies, but could potentially have been future allies, and even erased numerous future possibilities in fear of potentially pessimistic future possibilities.
[That's natural. You have chosen the correct choice in order to survive. I will not resent you even if you kill me right now. Enemies should be treated like that after all.]
"Of course, there are many kills that I do not regret at all. Sons of bitches, bitches that I wanted to kill, bitches that I had to kill, bitches that must be killed and so on.... But it's not like all my victims were like that. There are too many that I killed because I was afraid of the consequences. So."
[So?]
Yu IlHan said to her with a refreshing smile.
"If I could erase all negative future possibilities, perhaps such an unpleasant act of monotonous killing might not be necessary anymore."
[...Are you saying, that, you will, not kill me?]
Lazière asked back in shock. Surprisingly, Yu IlHan nodded his head.
"Yup. Especially in your case, you need to die after stalling for time even though you don't specifically hate me. I really hate killing harmless ones like you. Especially because I feel like I'm being toyed with by the scenario."
[If you let me go, you will definitely regret....]
"I won't. Didn't I just say so? I'm going to erase all negative future possibilities."
Yu IlHan took out a small cube from his bosom. Lazière titled her head while looking at that.
[What is that item?]
Yu IlHan replied.
"This is called the Trap of Restoration."
Lazière did not have the slightest bit of power to impede Yu IlHan's advance. He threw the so called 'Trap of Restoration', and it settled down in the center of the palace before encroaching onto the far borders of the world. Lazière shouted as if to deny its power even after having estimated its might.
[That's useless! Whatever you do, as long as Lord Satan exists, you cannot do anything to the Netherworld!]
"So you want me to kill Satan. Because he's my enemy, and I cannot solve this matter without killing him.
Lazière denied that while biting her lips.
[I am his follower. I do not doubt his certain victory.]
"You have made a few mistakes just now. And these two mistakes all stemmed from one misconception – your misjudgement of me."
Yu IlHan snorted at Lazière.
"Who are you to estimate my power? Who are you to know what I am thinking? Who are you to force me to select a single choice? I'm going to do everything my way. I have destroyed all foreshadows, so the only thing waiting for me is the oh-so-generic happy ending."
[I... cannot understand you at all.]
"You don't have to; I didn't expect you to anyway. We all know that both of us are wearing masks, what is there to talk about?"
Yu IlHan turned around. Lazière still couldn't move an inch. She looked quite funny, but Yu IlHan really didn't do anything to her anymore.
"Let's go. Our business here is over."
"Didn't you say you were going to rob an empty house?"
"I just did, didn't I?"
The only thing Yu IlHan did, though, was to restrain Lazière and throw a Trap of Restoration, and that was all to expect from robbing an empty house? – Just as Liera was about to ask , she changed her expression after feeling the ripple of change in the Netherworld.
"My."
Helièna exclaimed. She asked Yu IlHan while feeling the warmth that spread out from the center of the Netherworld.
"So this isn't just any Trap of Restoration, is it?"
"It's a special edition. Main world version. I focused its function on restoring and engulfing, seducing and imprisoning, to resist and rule over all there is in this world."
He wouldn't acquire the Netherworld just by scattering one seed. But then, what changed? – Helièna watched the world while thinking, and realized that the Trap of Restoration didn't just stop at taking over the Netherworld.
"It's connecting to other places...."
"I have connected all places to here. I do not need to make any more Traps of Restoration."
"All places...."
Yes. The Traps of Restoration had the property to bloat up in size gradually, and eventually transfer itself to other dimensions. It didn't just stop at erasing the effects of the Traps of Destruction, but would proliferate at a frightening speed as if trying to conquer all worlds.
"To all lower worlds as well? So... even the worlds where the people of Earth live in?"
"Whether there are people of Earth there or not, whether the world has undergone the Great Cataclysm or not, whether it's a higher or a lower world, any and every existing world will be affected."
A shivering sensation ran down Helièna's back after she instinctively realized what that meant. Although she claimed to be a woman who understood Yu IlHan's true value as soon as she met him, she realized that even that it was just her unsubstantiated arrogance.
"So darling's objective in making the Traps of Restoration laid 'somewhere else' in the first place...?"
Yu IlHan did not bother answering the question and activated the Warp skill. Liera asked.
"Is it Elo Katra now, IlHan?"
"No, it's Heaven."
"But according to the order, it should be Elo Katra next...."
"What are you saying? Didn't I just say so right now, Liera?"
Stroking Liera's hair softly, Yu IlHan spoke.
"Whether it's a lower world or a higher world, all existing worlds will be affected by the Traps of Restoration."
"That's why Elo Katra should... huh?"
"So our next destination."
Yu IlHan activated the Warp skill with a smile.
"Is Heaven. Everything will come to a close there."
***
The poison that invaded Michael's body was extremely vicious, to the point that he found it painful every time he breathed in or out. However, Michael was a proper transcender and the one that would become the Sole God. There was no way he would be defeated by a mere poison from insignificant Battalion Commanders.
[Who is next. Who shall compete against my light next?]
The only surviving Battalion Commanders after a harsh and drawn out battle were the 4th Battalion Commander Telzaider and the 8th Battalion Commander Zenusva. It would be ideal if they attacked together, but for some reason, Zenusva retreated and Telzaider stepped up first.
[Please show me, Michael. The power of a transcender, show it to me!]
[Both of you come at me, it's annoying. I will take care of you two together.]
[If I did that and you somehow got injured and become weaker, then that would be no fun. We have waited for this moment; how can we deprive ourselves of the joy?]
[What...?]
Michael gritted his teeth. How can they say such things in front of sure death?
[You look down on me... too much...!]
The brilliance around Michael became thicker. When even his figure couldn't be made out, hundreds of strands of light pierced the space where Telzaider was.
[No, your light should be faster than that. I have bet my entire life all for this moment, Michael!]
[How dare you say that, you are a mere idiot that only knows how to destroy the things in front of youuuuuuuuu!]
The light pulsated violently, almost as if it were enraged. However, Telzaider dodged them all with unbelievable speed and even found the timing to attack Michael with his magic power.
Michael clenched his teeth after realizing that he had become slower due to the poison. He couldn't even kill a lowly Battalion Commander below level 600!
[Michael, you are preserving your energy.]
Telzaider's voice became louder.
[Are you saving your power in order to fight the Lord? Is that why you cannot kill me?]
[Shut up. I have no need to use my full power against the likes of you!]
Taking out a God-ranked artifact, Michael's two eyes glowed with a vibrant light as he swung it. Telzaider didn't manage to avoid it in time and allowed a hit to land. A fountain of blood sprayed into the air before forming a magic formation that tried to bind Michael.
[A curse again? Away with it. I have seen enough of your petty tricks already!]
[If you are so strong, if you are a transcender, why do you still need to preserve your power?]
Telzaider taunted Michael with a mocking smile. Michael was triggered by the provocation as he was already very enraged after two rounds of this and raised the output of his light.
[I said shut up...!]
[What are you so afraid of? You have already called yourself as the Sole God with your mouth, but your actions are like a rat in front of a ....]
Telzaider's words could not continue. The light that Michael released had covered the entire world and erased him without a trace of his existence.
Michael felt the poison acting up a little more as he spent some of his energy, but he eased himself by spitting out some of the poison. The energy that he stole from Raphael in the past was assisting in his recovery. Looking at the few angels that still survived, he ordered.
[It's over. Let's go kill Greed.]
[It is not over.]
[....]
Michael stiffly raised his head when he heard a voice even though he did not doubt that he annihilated his enemies. The firebird Zenusva was still there.
[I have not died yet, Michael. Does your power amount to only so much? The other transcenders will mock you if they find out. Are you really the same Michael that overwhelmed Satan head on? Are you sure Satan didn't exaggerate your abilities?]
[You... really make me enraged.]
Perhaps if rage had a corporeal form, it would be the current Michael. He held a spear of light in his hand while glaring at Zenusva. Zenusva mockingly laughed as it saw that.
[I am flame. The light you have acquired is, in the end, a part of flame.]
[I have already heard that once before!]
He felt as if Yu IlHan's face was overlapping Zenusva's. Michael threw his spear in rage, but Zenusva didn't look that much injured even while receiving that head on with its body.
[I will not die as long as a single speck of my fire remains. Even the Lord will not be able to kill me, much less you, Michael. Just send out another Archangel instead. Ah, were they all dead? Yes, everything is impossible for you, isn't it.]
Among the angels, the 7th class Archangels had all passed on during the battle with the other Battalion Commanders since he couldn't protect them in time. Zenusva was just mocking him in various ways with that one sentence.
[Impossible?]
However, ironically, that instead made the enraged Michael calmer.
[Light cannot erase fire? Light is merely a part of fire? Yes, there was definitely someone who said that other than you. And he was strong enough to back up his arrogant words. However....]
Although it surprised himself as well, Michael decided to admit to Telzaider's words as well.
Yes, Michael was a transcender. A whole being created from light itself! There was no need to save his power in preparation for Greed. He was acting cautious because he still hadn't fully escaped his past self.
[You are not Yu IlHan. Your fire is neither solitary, nor perfect.]
[I am the essence of fire made of the purest flames...!]
[However, I am different.]
Michael interfered Zenusva and uttered.
[I need not look back. I need not prepare. I am absolute and I am solitary. Vapor? Poison? Flames? I do not care. I did not see the present as I was bound by my past, but now I have realized thanks to you. I have realized thanks to the imperfect you.]
Michael's brilliance became thicker. No, it was at the point that it couldn't be defined as 'existing' any more. It was unknown if the bright light stemmed from Michael or if Michael originated from the Light.
[I am whole.]
Declared Michael.
[Nothing is impossible for me. Even if there is anything currently impossible for me, I shall, with my power, make it possible.]
[Nonsense, this is, no way... no, don't tell me it's actually....]
Zenusva took steps back while uttering words that flagged defeat or death. But somehow, he could not move. It was as if he was bound by Michael's brilliance.
[Power is subdued by an even stronger power. Light is erased under stronger light. Your flames are weak, so weak that it cannot dent my light. Aah, yes.]
Light once again enveloped the world. It was a qualitatively different light than before.
[I. Am. Light.]
[How, I am also....]
Feeling its body melt down in the blindingly evil yet pure light, Zenusva despaired. At its last moment, it could see that Michael went beyond just becoming one with light, and manipulating all light at will. Zenusva's eyes twisted after looking at that.
[I, also had the qualifications... why couldn't I become one!]
With final words filled with despair, Zenusva cleanly vaporized. Since the ability was so strong, the other angels with Michael also melted into nothingness, but Michael didn't care about such trivial matters right now.
[You have awakened yourself. All light shall obey you. You are the god of light, and now possess a record that has surpassed the Akashic Record.]
[God.]
Michael was drunk on power. He had finally reached the realm he dearly wished for.
[I am the one and only, and whole. I am God.]
Since he became whole, he no longer needed anything else. Aah, finally, he could slightly understand why Yu IlHan was so strong.
[Get out here, Greed. I have come as you wished.]
Shouted Michael in confidence. Who would be able to win against Michael now that he was light itself? Now he didn't even fear Yu IlHan! Nor Greed! Nor Satan! Even if the God of Heaven came back! The winner of Harmageddon shall be him!
At that exact moment, in a corner of this world, that was chaos; that was Elo Katra.
A voice replied to him
[Yes.]
The owner of the voice, Greed, replied.
[I have been waiting for you.]
Michael proceeded onward. Advancing through the world filled to the brim with curses and poison, he erased everything that ticked him off with his searing light. There was not a strand of light that originated from Elo Katra, but that did not matter. Michael was light itself, and he could generate light by absorbing magic power.
Putting mass into light, adjusting its speed, and even increasing their destructive power by focusing it at a point was all possible for him. Just why was he focusing on other magic or martial-arts related research until now? He could have just focused on one thing!
[Greed.]
[Come.]
[Greed!]
[You are almost here.]
[GREEEEEEEEEEED!]
The moment after Michael shouted while releasing light, the curtain in front of him was lifted and a giant castle appeared. It was the first time Michael had seen such a strange thing.
[I have always longed for you. I was waiting for you to be complete all this time.]
[Foolish. You're a mere greedy beast and you're even arrogant. I can see where this is going.]
[You can? Ahahahahahahahah!]
The world shook. It was probably the influence of Greed's ruling power within his domain. Michael finally realized that this was the main world of the enemy, and he was going against the leader of this world by himself.
However, he did not retreat. He would kill Greed and subordinate Elo Katra into Heaven. Heaven will become his, and he shall put an end to Yu IlHan's rampage and take Satan's life with his very own hands. He would not let any other faction do as they wished.
Heaven needed to be the one and only faction. Since he was the sole God, all beings had to follow him. He had to stand at the very peak of existence.
[Show yourself, Greed.]
[Come in yourself. Why? Are you scared?]
[Scared?]
Michael laughed.
[Is that the trait of you Destruction Demon Army? Taunting others shamelessly? It seems like only your tongue has gotten training, insolent beast. Fear is something that the weak feel when going against the strong. Your actions of running away the moment you came to Heaven, even when you had come to Heaven as if you would swallow the entirety of Heaven itself, that was the action of a coward that is scared.]
[Then enter.]
The castle opened. An abyss. Even a 7th class being will be deflected without being able to do anything here due to the pure density of mana. However, Michael received it head on with his prideful countenance, and melted it away with his light.
[I shall face you head on.]
[You do not need to. You can call me a robber.]
Michael's light melted the very darkness of the world. He burned every curse and poison, purified them, and made them his. And in the next moment.
[I shall take away everything from you forcefully.]
Michael charged at the speed of light. The darkness that seem to devour him whole all disintegrated the moment it came into close proximity with him, all spatial distortion within the castle melted down.
Eventually, Michael met Greed face to face. A hideous monster whose entire body was bound to the wall. A lump of greed with unknown origin, a fusion of nearly every species.
He subconsciously became enraged. He didn't like the fact that he had to use his power against this vile thing.
[It has been a long while since you tried to bite at Heaven. Time has passed and you have turned even more hideous.]
[Ah, you mean that time... it was such a pity. If the other factions didn't help out Heaven at that time, I would have regained everything without a hitch.]
Michael's eyebrows twitched.
Yes. Heaven didn't block the Destruction Demon Army with their own power. The Garden of Sunset and the Army of Brilliant Light helped them. To be exact, they had helped out all on their own accord.
Leaving aside Satan since he originated from Heaven, he didn't know why the Garden of Sunset helped them out at that time. However, now he knew. The leader of the Garden of Sunset was Gabriel. Without even knowing that, he was played the fool until now...
[*Crunch*.]
Michael channeled his rage for Gabriel into hostility for the enemy in front of him. Gabriel could be taken care of later. Right now, he had to kill this freak of nature.
[Fight me, Greed. It's time to deliver divine punishment unto you.]
[Why don't you... just try it!]
Along with Greed's shout came tens of strands of metal chains from the castle ceiling. It was unknown what it was made of, but the blood that had turned black, and the blackish-purple poison made Michael feel unpleasant.
He immediately released light in order to block it, but leaders' attacks weren't ordinary. It didn't disappear so easily. Greed mocked at Michael after looking at that.
[Your light only amounted to so much? Didn't you shout about how you were the 'one and only' or something?]
[GREEEEEEEEEED!]
The light Michael emitted became stronger. High-energy light spread around to the surroundings and blocked the metallic chains that came from the ceiling, the floor and the windows.
[Child's play... kugh!?]
Along with the sounds of chains, Greed threw out his left hand! It wasn't just the physical force that was overwhelming. The suction force within it was devouring all mana around it.
The light that Michael released was no exception. The ability to devour energy just by moving! This is what made Greed the leader of the Destruction Demon Army!
[But....]
Michael punched out a fist enveloped in light. His fist was like a toothpick compared to Greed's, but it actually managed to absorb energy from it and push it back instead!
[You aren't the only one that can steal, you foolish beast!]
The reason the Four Great Archangels (plus Satan) could push God out was not because of Satan's defection, not because of Gabriel, not because of Raphael's healing, and not because of Uriel's restriction power.
It was the power of stealing that Michael had been born with, like the prophecies of Gabriel; one that he refrained from using because it did not suit his position, but was stronger than any other.
[I know... I know very well!]
[Then you should know that your specialty is useless against me!]
[Not at all! I! Shall! Devour! Everything! Both the alive and the dead, and even the records of this world!]
Fist clashed with fist as the duo exchanged countless blows. It was also a competition of power as well. The metallic chains that sprouted from various parts of the castle continually aimed for Michael, and he erased them without difficulty with his five pairs of wings.
[Your power is weak, Michael! You became weaker! Did that power work against Yu IlHan!]
[Weak? Me? How dare you say that when you can barely match me after devouring everything with that insatiable greed of yours!]
Michael snorted, but couldn't help but be shocked internally. How did this guy know that his power was weakened?
'When we chased out God, I lost a portion of my power in compensation for the treachery. Though, I could finally recover thanks to acquiring God's power... but yes, my ability has definitely weakened.'
Even with the power of stealing, it was impossible to completely steal God's power. However, the fragments of God's power he acquired in exchange was stronger so he wasn't aware of that until now. Since God's power was what triggered him to be able to become a transcender, he didn't worry that much.
[However this is more than enough to face the likes of you!]
[I shall, devour everything of yours!]
The castle exploded. Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, and tens of millions of chains assaulted Michael. The ancient metal that composed the castle crumbled and morphed into countless spears that attacked Michael, and even the wall that bound Greed until now had collapsed and he had become free.
The gigantic freak big enough to fill the entire world, assaulted Michael from the top.
[Since it is the Harmageddon, I do not need to hold myself back anymore!]
[Insolent beast!]
Less than a heartbeat later, light was released and covered the expansive region. A brilliance that made Greed unable to open his eyes properly! Metallic chains melted, the spears melted, and all the fragmented remains of the castle melted down.
Thanks to the strong shockwave from the two's magic power, the surrounding environment was utterly devastated. Every time parts of Elo Katra lost its shape, a part of Greed's gigantic body melted down as well, but there was seemingly no end to his gargantuan body.
The two did not even look directly at each other, they only clashed with their full power in order to take the other's life.
[You and I are similar, no?]
Greed suddenly said. Michael snorted and denied that.
[Comparing a firefly to the sun?]
[You have mentioned a good analogy. Yes, our current relationship is truly like that of the sun and a firefly. The firefly emits light with its rear thinking that it's the very brightest, but how ephemeral is the light? The tiny bit of light that can be devoured by the sun only lasts for a few days, the life of that tiny insect cannot even handle its emission of light and is fated to die.]
[Thanks for the explanation, firefly.]
Michael abruptly widened his eyes.
The past him may have shrunk back in the face of strong magic power. However, not now.
The main world of the enemy? How was that important? He was here, and he was shining brightly. Where Michael was, was his own domain. Light existed everywhere, and light was his to command, all creation was his!
[I shall have you know, that I am that sun!]
Michael became light. He who had surpassed records used all of his magic power and was transforming it into light!
The speed at which Greed's body melted down became faster. Despite that, Greed could not hide his joy. Since Michael was rejecting his original power for the sake of pursuing stronger light, Greed's own power of devouring was successfully pushing his power back even further.
And when that power reached the peak...!
[Melt into nothingness, Greed! Foolish firefly!]
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!]
When Greed shouted that, the light that filled the entire world instantly disappeared. Michael panicked and tried to release light once again, but he found it to be impossible.
No, it was possible to release light, but it was disappearing the moment that it was emitted, almost as though he was being sucked into a black hole.
[You have committed a grave mistake. You should not have desired what you could not acquire. You should have focused on what you already own.]
[What...?]
It took another moment for him to realize his light had been devoured.
Devoured? His light? By Greed? This was so confusing for him that he couldn't even speak properly. How was that possible? How?
At that time, he recognized the existence of another man who remained within the original confines of the castle even after Greed's body melted away.
Possessing Michael's own light around him, but still vehemently trying to devour everything that Michael possessed.
[...Father.]
Muttered Michael in disbelief.
Greed, that is, the former God of Heaven, opened his mouth in an evil fashion and replied.
[Yes, my son. It is me.]
When was it that they realized God's change in attitude? God, who was supposed to look after and take care of all worlds, was aiming for something beyond that. When was it that they realized it? The only concrete fact was that Gabriel was the first to talk about it.
[This won't do.]
[Did you see something again?]
Michael, who didn't like Gabriel's foreknowledge so much, but still believed it with certainty, creased his brows and asked him. The 'five', that were known as the strongest Archangels who got along with each other, all returned from their duties and had met up in a moment of impossible coincidence.
Of course, Gabriel probably gathered them here precisely because they were all off duty.
Gabriel saw that everyone had gathered and glanced at one man.
[...Luciel, please.]
[I am Lucifer. Do not address me with the name that God gave me.]
[Yes, you are right. Lucifer. Please.]
[...Fuu, you annoy me.]
At their level and league, they could reason freely without being interfered by God, but if they were somehow heard by God, and God misunderstood them, that would be bad. However, what allowed them to do here was Luciel, or rather, Lucifer.
He was the most exceptional of the five, had the least reliance on God, and even twisted God's power with his own ability. It was natural for him to create a gap in time that was outside God's knowledge.
[It's fine now. Speak of whatever you have in mind.]
[Fuu... I did not want to doubt him, but I'm sure now. I could see it.]
[Mr. fortune-teller, please get back on track.]
Uriel, who didn't even have the slightest intention to hide the fact that she liked Gabriel, poked his cheek and urged him on. Michael and Raphael felt awkward while looking at that, Gabriel, who had the power to see the future, but had zero wits and delicacy, continued on with a serious voice.
[God is looking at somewhere else.]
[I am staring at your cheeks right now. They look really ripe for a beating.]
[He is looking for something that does not exist. He wishes to become the Creator.]
Michael widened his eyes and retorted.
[He is already the Creator.]
[No.]
[That isn't true.]
Lucifer and Gabriel denied that simultaneously.
[The things he creates are twisted. They cannot become whole, and are close to destruction upon birth.]
[Everything has an end, but he makes things without looking at their end so they can only be twisted. He cannot become the Creator.]
[You guys, are you denying God!]
[In fact, I wish I could. However, the problem is that he IS God and is an extremely strong being.]
Gabriel's voice deepened even further.
[At this rate, everything will be over. It won't be long before then, and it will happen for sure. All worlds will come to an end.]
[Exactly why?]
[Because he is trying to destroy every existence and to fill it anew.]
[....]
Michael became speechless. He wanted to deny Gabriel's words, but he couldn't do it so easily since he heard something similar during his conversations with God.
He groaned while palming his forehead. Gabriel spoke once again as he saw that Michael was hesitating.
[He needs to be killed.]
[How, how would we dare kill the Lord? Our Father!]
[Lucifer, can we do it?]
[We won't know until we try.]
Replied Lucifer nonchalantly and flapped the five pairs of wings behind his back. While he was pondering, the wings flickered between black and white. He was already capable of easily escaping God's domain of influence.
He stayed like that for an unknown amount of time, before a small smile hung on his lips.
[But that sounds very interesting. Let's do it. No, I'm going to do it. Even if any you disagree, I'm going to do it.]
[I wish it could be fun for us as well....]
[Gabriel, I will help you. As I always have. Everyone else will too, right?]
[E, even Uriel... then I guess I can't help it.]
Gabriel succeeded in persuading Lucifer, and Uriel, who was going to follow Gabriel in anything he did, persuaded the others, so Raphael, who was weak to her smile, ended up nodding. Their gazes now headed to Michael.
[Michael, please help. This would be impossible without your help.]
[You guys, really... We'll really...?]
[Michael.]
Gabriel looked at him head on and asked. The eyes that saw through into the impurity of Michael's heart. Michael hated those eyes.
[Do you still think that he is in the right?]
[I... no.]
Michael bit his lips.
He did not think that. In fact, he thought that something was wrong all this time. Alarm bells had been going off in his head all this while.
That the God he was looking up to shouldn't be like this, that the one who had to stand whole, could not show such a side.
[But... please let me watch for a little more.]
[Do as you wish. Nothing will change though. Gabriel, then let's go back now. I'm already thinking of what I need to prepare for that.]
[Do not get found out because you act cocky, Lucifer.]
[When I get found out, it will be my time to 'go against Heaven'.]
Laughed Lucifer as he dispelled his magic. The four angels headed to their positions with a sigh, but only Michael remained in place and pondered over it.
'Does... Does God really have the qualifications to be the creator?'
Michael observed God's state after that. He watched as God dispatched angels to look over lower worlds, widen Heaven's domain by going to worlds that were ready to leap into the higher realm, and as he managed the worlds.
And one day.
[...It is unsatisfactory.]
[Father, what is it?]
[Mana is too irregular. The Akashic Record doesn't have a standard, and life always carries a threat with it.]
[Isn't that the result of you loving the world?]
[Yes, indeed, it was.]
God nodded his head before clicking his tongue.
[It seems there is a need to set it right.]
[...I follow your orders.]
[Michael, my adorable son. Go back for now. I shall call you to my side the day I need you.]
It was that moment that Michael decided to go against Heaven.
He immediately looked for Lucifer and Gabriel. Lucifer laughed his heart out, while Gabriel met him with a dejected smile.
[The core members are you and me.]
Uttered Lucifer in arrogance.
[I'm going to make God unable to control us. His restriction is not perfect, and is also merely a portion of the Akashic Record. Once you know that, escaping him is almost as easy as pie.]
[After that?]
[Only then can we stand in the ring. Even after all that, the cold hard truth is that he is still tremendously powerful... so, as the strongest among us, I shall defend against him.]
Lucifer's fingers that pointed at himself until now, now pointed to Michael.
[Meanwhile, the source of God's power, his league, and his records have to be stolen. By you.]
[...I cannot manage such a thing.]
[You just need to share it with all of us. Dividing it by five should be possible.]
Michael urged him on while clenching his teeth.
[Then, next...?]
[We need to kill him.]
Spoke Gabriel.
[This will not be over unless we kill him. Unless he dies, the world will encounter the same fate once again. So, we need to put an end to all of this.]
His voice entered Michael's ears like thunder.
[Kill God, and we shall manage all the worlds ourselves.]
[We, manage, all, worlds... right, properly.]
That was the moment a burning passion and a dirty desire blossomed in Michael's heart. Lucifer realized that and laughed.
[Ooh, Michael. I quite like the expression that you're making.]
[Shut up, Lucifer... I only came to a realization. That the God I was looking up to did not exist in the first place; and that I need to attain what I wish for by myself.]
[Good, splendid attitude. I always liked that part about you.]
Like, what meaning did that have? Michael wanted to ask Lucifer about it, but there was no time for that right now.
[...Let us go, everyone. To kill God.]
Gabriel stood at the front. The Great prophet and the sacrifice; the man at the center of all of them despite the fact that he could not top anyone in terms of physical might. The man who made even the arrogant Lucifer listen to him.
However, Michael did not hesitate in being swept by the flow even while clenching his teeth. Since he realized that he had to make what he wanted with his own hands, he was only going to carry it out now.
***
The plan succeeded only halfway. Lucifer successfully pulled the group out of God's domain of influence, and Michael also successfully expropriated God's power and shared it between the five of them. However, they had failed in slaying God.
God escaped in a pitiful state, while Lucifer headed somewhere else while laughing. Michael, the one who possessed the most of God's power among the five, referred the 'four' remaining as the Four Great Archangels and became the de-facto leader.
Michael made it look like only Lucifer had gone against God, and hid as much of God's disappearance as possible. And the four all started acting like they still believed in God.
That was the end of the era where Heaven's Army was the only higher existence organization.
Having changed his name to Satan, Lucifer eventually became a higher existence on his own and created the Army of Brilliant Light, while the Destruction Demon Army, a group of monsters that only aimed for total and utter destruction, formed not long after, and the ever-mysterious Garden of Sunset formed silently.
Everything fell into chaos, and Michael lamented. Then, he started dreaming of becoming the sole God. Wishing that he will become God and will set everything straight, he proceeded forward.
Like that, with countless years having gone past, he became similar to God. To be exact, the power he absorbed from God had changed him from the inside.
He managed the worlds, widened Heaven's domain, slew all kinds of different beings, calling them heretics, picked new angels, and pulled out the roots of all that threatened Heaven.
He met with Yu IlHan, and was even humiliated by him, but in the end, he still became God. Now, this was the time he was waiting for, so all he had to do now was to eradicate all heresy and create his ideal world.
He thought that he would be able to do that.
[But how...?]
Michael asked the one in front of him – Greed, at the same time as being God.
[How can you be here! How can you be here right now!]
[Did you not notice? I was using the power I have stolen from you.]
[Stolen from me? Just what....]
Michael naturally realized midway.
Yes. Michael had never met a being that used the same power as him before meeting Greed. He realized that his power wasn't the only one capable of depriving others' with the rise of Greed, but that wasn't actually the case.
Powers were unique.
However, in 'compensation' for acquiring God's power, his own power split and flowed into God.
[That is the restriction I have cast when I received you as my subordinates. Lucifer also struggled to escape that, but failed. Michael, my son. Were you aware of that?]
[I... was not.]
[Yes, you were ignorant.. and still are.]
God made a merciful smile.
However, the magic power that pressured Michael from all sides was not merciful at all.
He spoke firmly. As if scolding his son that has made a mistake.
[So you need to be punished.]