Chapter 362

Ｒｅａｄ​ ｏｎ Ｋａｔ​ＲｅａｄｉｎｇＣａｆ​ｅ

There’s no need to panic.

I tasted frustration at the unexpected attack, but that was only at first.

To think there would be a human implanted with Medusa’s eyes. 

Are they insane? Even from a demonic beast’s perspective, it was a pretty crazy act. How do they know how Medusa’s curse would work? 

And what about the body’s rejection? Considering everything, it’s not something a sane person would do. Especially if it’s a human.

However, Surtr quickly regained his composure. The fact that the human harbored Medusa’s curse was certainly surprising, but it’s still just a part of the curse. There’s no way they can wield Medusa’s original curse just by having a part of her body transplanted. 

Above all, Karma is human. A human trying to use a demonic beast’s power. How can they withstand the side effects? That confident appearance is just a bluff. Even maintaining the curse for a short time will lead to self-destruction due to mental corruption.

‘…That’s what you’re thinking, right?’

Karma, who accurately deduced Surtr’s judgment, smiled with his eyes.

It’s not wrong. From the moment Karma opened his eyes, he had been constantly feeling the encroaching curse. The reason why monsters have an absolute advantage over humans. 

Mental corruption. A high-ranking Supernatural would not be affected by mere mental corruption of monsters, but if they had a demonic beast’s body part transplanted, the story is quite different. Medusa’s malice steadily gnawed at Karma.

‘It’s definitely not a power to use often.’

It’s powerful, but it also corrodes the user.

There were two cases when he used Medusa’s eyes.

First, when he needed to end the fight quickly.

Second, when the opponent was stronger than him.

Both were so rare that they were almost nonexistent.

Karma himself could defeat most enemies in an instant with his own power, and it’s hard to find an enemy stronger than Karma. That’s why Karma hardly ever uses Medusa’s curse in battle. 

The only exception was when he fought Astaroth during the Family subjugation. That was practically the only case where he used Medusa’s eyes in actual combat.

Obstructing the sight and inflicting curses.

As effective as it was, the side effects were clear.

Karma was already frowning at the throbbing headache.

Mental corruption. And it’s mental corruption from a demonic beast.

Since the contamination originates from the transplanted body, even a mental barrier can’t completely block it.

‘…In short, high risk, high return. Either I kill the opponent first, or I die first.’

Because the risk is high, Karma doesn’t easily open his eyes. Using it from the start means that he can’t handle it with his pure strength. To defeat such a strong opponent within a time limit. Karma didn’t like such gambles.

‘But isn’t there something you’ve forgotten?’

The inorganic topaz eyes shine eerily.

The split pupils, like those of a snake, looked beyond Surtr.

Neither the time limit nor Medusa’s mental corruption needs to be worried about now.

Opening the closed eyes was more of a trick to keep Surtr’s consciousness focused here.

‘Your opponent isn’t just me, you know?’

You seem to have forgotten for a moment, but it wasn’t me who dealt you a fatal blow.

I was just acting to keep your attention on me.

Now, Azazel.

That thing from earlier. Please launch it again. I’ll dodge it well this time so I don’t get caught up in it!

Karma’s lips were stained with a triumphant smile. Even he thought it was the best improvisation. Apparently, that attack that pierced Surtr took time to prepare. If Surtr were to prepare some kind of countermeasure while Azazel was preparing the next attack, it would become difficult, so Karma himself would keep the attention. 

Medusa’s eyes wouldn’t be easy to ignore. Even Surtr would be distracted by this for a while. If Azazel launched the finishing blow in that gap, everything would be resolved.

‘It’s dangerous if I maintain it for too long…but in other words, I just shouldn’t maintain it for too long, right? The best cost-effectiveness!’

Using the minimum amount of power to achieve the optimal result.

Even after Surtr’s subjugation, a long-term battle awaited.

Conserving strength as much as possible is not an option, but a necessity.

He didn’t want to waste power like during the Great Catastrophe and collapse.

‘Alright, Azazel. Are you ready yet? I’m ready to escape.’

The moment the light is fired, it’s an emergency escape.

I’ll show you exactly why I’m called the Storm.

He looked in the direction of Azazel with a triumphant expression.

It was from then on that the emotion of bewilderment arose in his topaz-like eyes.

‘…Hey, Azazel? It doesn’t look like you’re ready at all? Didn’t I buy you quite a bit of time?’

That’s strange? I thought a pillar of light would be flying by now.

What is it? Why aren’t there any signs of it?

Azazel? Hey, Azazel?

[Too strong words seem weak…yes, there’s a point. A weak dog barks more fiercely. I’ve learned something good.]

“Ha…hahaha…”

[Then let me put it simply again.]

“…”

[I’ll kill you.]

Karma smiled again.

But the meaning in that smile was the exact opposite of before.

Haha.

I’m screwed.

◈

[I didn’t expect him to withstand it. It’s a relief that the slit eyed guy is there.]

Michael’s voice was tinged with lamentation. It was an attack launched to kill. To think he would withstand it even after being hit by that. Michael keenly felt his own weakening. If he were alive, he could have ended it with one blow. Not just once, but the fire giant was still alive even after attacking twice.

Of course, it was a power that even a Captain-level like Azazel had to endure self-destruction to unleash.

The pillar of light wasn’t weak, but Surtr was amazing for enduring it.

He understood that in his head, but he couldn’t help but feel bitter.

[Even if it didn’t kill him, it must have been a fatal blow. I can leave the rest to him.]

He’s not as good as Michael, but he’s a rare powerhouse. One of the pinnacles of the modern era. He should be able to handle a heavily injured demonic beast on his own. However, if there’s anything to worry about….

[That girl…]

The girl held in Karma’s arms continued to catch his eye. There was a considerable distance, but there was no difficulty in distinguishing her features. It was a familiar face. So familiar that he initially denied it, thinking he had seen it wrong. There’s no way. There’s no way she would be here.

[It must be someone who looks alike.]

The girl who dedicated the blessings of the four seasons to humanity and disappeared.

Her sacrifice laid the foundation for the counterattack, and thanks to her blessings, humanity was able to continue fighting and survive.

The blessed saintess, Lucille.

One of Michael’s former comrades.

[But, why?]

It’s not just her appearance that’s similar.

An intuition he couldn’t understand echoed.

“I don’t know what it is, but save the contemplation for later.”

Azazel spat out as if chewing. Each syllable was overly emphasized. She couldn’t help it. She was forcibly enduring a body that felt like it would burst at any moment. 

She compressed the light and stored it inside her body. She was storing power, imitating the Supernatural ability of the 7th Division Captain, Kaen.

“How much more…do I have to gather? You don’t want to see me explode like a balloon, do you…?”

[Not enough yet. Compress a little more light.]

“So how much exactly?!”

[Enough to recreate a fragment of my prime.]

If she had her way, she would have dealt with the demonic beasts in front of her first.

The fire giant and another demonic beast.

If left unchecked, they might cause some trouble.

But Michael didn’t have much time or leeway. He was already dead and only summoned by Azazel’s Supernatural ability. He was just a guest staying for a short time and leaving. 

There was a limit to the total amount of power he could use. The more he consumed, the less time he could stay in the mortal realm, and if he used too much light, it could disrupt Michael’s plan.

So there’s no choice.

He left Surtr to Karma.

If he consumes any more light, he might fail.

[Didn’t you agree too? It was your chosen method. Endure with perseverance and determination.]

“Ghhh…”

I didn’t know it would be this hard!

She wanted to say that, but she didn’t even have the time.

Azazel bit her lip and let out a groan.

It was annoying, but as Michael said, it was true.

She was the one who listened to his proposal and agreed.

There’s no point in complaining about it being difficult now.

“…Are you sure this will solve it?”

[At least it will put out the immediate fire.]

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

She gripped the divine sword with her small hands.

Azazel placed the flat of the sword against her forehead.

Light is fire, explosion, and life.

An indescribable amount of light gathered in her small body.

Drip. Her lips became sticky. Thick blood stained the corners of her mouth.

“Hoo…”

Her breath was hot.

Burning hot.

Maybe she was really burning.

Azazel closed her eyes and focused all her consciousness inward. The source of the light was Michael’s soul. She contemplated that soul to interpret the essence of his Supernatural ability. 

The better she understood Michael, the more skillfully she could wield his power. She wouldn’t normally do this because if she immersed herself too much, she could be possessed by the spirit, but it was an unavoidable gamble now.

Memories flowed in.

Fragmentary and broken memories.

The trajectory of the man named Michael, and his life.

The traces of his life that he left behind and erased.

…A boy like the night sky. She could see his back.

…A girl with red eyes. Two personalities.

…And, a beautiful girl. A pitiful smile.

Azazel saw it. Because she saw it, she could understand. If she understood, she could empathize more.

Light gathered. At this moment, she forgot everything. She forgot ‘herself’ and focused solely on one purpose.

[…Good. This should be enough.]

“I’ve been waiting, for those words.”

She raised the divine sword high.

Her wrist trembled, but not to an unbearable extent.

Azazel slowly opened her closed eyelids.

She couldn’t see.

Neither the pupils, nor the irises, nor even the whites of her eyes.

Everything was dyed gold and shining brightly.

“Oh, gloriously shining one.”

Her lips opened. It was hard to breathe because of the bloody foam.

Azazel frowned and spat out the blood that had gathered in her mouth.

“With great authority, you illuminate the darkness, who would dare to doubt?”

The concentrated light could end the fire giant just by firing it. No, it would blow away not only Surtr but also Ereshkigal along with the city. Leaving nothing behind.

“Everyone says in awe.”

However, Azazel did not do that.

The direction the sword was pointing was not the ground but the sky.

The light that poured out became a pillar.

Azazel became a pillar supporting the sky.

“Who is like God?”

Incantation · Domain Declaration.

The place where the light touches will soon be.

All will be his domain.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Today’s author’s note is

I don’t want to say anything because everyone hates me.

I’m going…

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Oi!!! That’s not how it works?! Come back!!