Chapter 98: The Grand Finale #3

Chapter 98: The Grand Finale #3

The power of El, the goddess of death, unfolds on this land, using me as its vessel.

I felt the power of life and death flowing through my breath. A sense of omnipotence, as if I could do anything.

But my heartbeat was calm, and my mind was clear.

Carmilla had also used the “Form of the Grim Reaper,” but compared to my current power, it was merely a crude imitation.

‘So this is what it feels like.’

It was on a different level than the ‘skills’ activated by a simple mouse click in a game.

Beyond just stat increases and the addition of powerful traits, my entire perspective on the world had changed.

The lives of all things, dwindling with every moment like sand in an hourglass. I could see all their predetermined fates.

This Hall of the Sun, the shining sun, even Michael, would all return to nothing someday.

The only being exempt from that law was me, Estel, the reaper of lives.

“It seems you’ve regained your strength.”

Michael spoke. Michael maintained his distance, not daring to approach me rashly.

That’s right.

If Michael were to make a mistake and approach me now, even he wouldn’t be able to save his life.

“Instant Death.” The reaper’s power ignores all defenses and resistances.

However, to cast “Instant Death,” I must directly touch the target with my hand, and although it’s not activated instantly, it would be a tremendous threat to Michael.

“How amusing. Even in that state, you lost to me. Don’t you remember?”

“I do.”

I readily admitted it. Michael and the Hero’s Party had achieved victory against the Lich who had cast “Form of the Grim Reaper.”

Afterward, Michael was hailed as a ‘Hero,’ and the Lich was slaughtered hundreds of times, losing all its power.

That was my situation when I first fell into this world.

Level 1, a complete failure who couldn’t even handle a single deer, dying repeatedly. I was the epitome of a weakling.

“Form of the Grim Reaper” is powerful, but it is by no means invincible.

However, there is something Michael has overlooked.

‘That strategy was taught to you by me, Michael. You’re mistaken.’

The strategy of greatly weakening the Lich with the Sun Knight’s ultimate technique, “Declaration of Light.”

Michael, without a shred of doubt, put that strategy into practice once more.

“May the light of the sun shine upon all the lands.”

The summer sun, piercing my skin like needles, illuminated the hall.

Under the domain of “Declaration of Light,” I cannot fully exert my power.

The ability reduction at this time is a staggering 75% of my original strength.

Furthermore, the power of “Instant Death” also disappears. It’s the most potent counter that defeated the Lich.

“Michael, you are still strong.”

I was not flustered.

Although it’s an effective strategy, it’s a strategy I devised. Naturally, the means to counter it have long been prepared.

“And you haven’t improved.”

I snapped my fingers. The small bird tattoo, etched onto me long ago by my friend, the Orc shaman, began to glow.

The small bird flew freely through the hall, piercing the sunlight. Both I and Michael stared blankly at the bird’s flapping wings for a moment.

The light disappears. The power of magic nullification that negates all magic.

The light gap created by the anti-magic tattoo doesn’t last long. However, though it’s only for a brief moment, this momentary gap will decide the outcome.

“No matter how many times you’ve defeated me, that’s just a result of the past.”

I seized the fleeting opportunity and unleashed the power of “Form of the Grim Reaper.”

My darkness filled the void left by the sunlight.

Hiss-

The pillars of the Hall of the Sun, the walls and floor, everything that had shone brilliantly, was consumed by darkness.

This place is now the domain of me, the Lich, where no god can interfere.

“⋯!”

Michael’s eyes widened. He seemed to sense that the situation was not unfolding according to his intentions.

It’s a good expression. He’s still handsome even when flustered.

It might be a rare sight that Michael’s fans would want to capture at least once.

“Useless actions…”

The darkness crawled towards Michael’s legs. Michael quickly jumped back to evade it.

Darkness was everywhere.

Michael swung his sword as if to blow away the swirling sword aura.

Of course, it’s futile. There’s a saying about cutting water with a sword, but now it’s cutting darkness with a sword.

The darkness took the shape of scratches along Michael’s sword, then quickly crept back up.

“Stop with the trivial tricks. No matter how many times you repeat this clown show, you won’t be able to inflict a single wound on me.”

“You’re right.”

I calmly watched Michael.

Michael is now practically in my grasp. I’ve swallowed him whole.

I could change the darkness into a sword and stab him, or change it into black flames and burn him, but as Michael said, it wouldn’t inflict significant damage.

Michael’s body, which is like the physical form of a god descended to this land, would resist all those attacks.

Therefore, I didn’t put on a meaningless show from the start.

I only use attacks that are effective. Michael might not know it, but those attacks are still ongoing at this very moment.

“Gasp…”

Suddenly, Michael staggered. Michael barely managed to support his about-to-buckle knees and swayed in place.

“It seems to be taking effect.”

It would be too unimaginative to assume that darkness can only attack with a tangible form.

A large question mark seemed to appear in Michael’s eyes.

“You must have thought you were perfect, Michael? But you’re not. There’s something you lack. What is it?”

“……”

“You are also just human. You can’t live without breathing, can you? What if the air you breathe contains substances that destroy you?”

Michael seemed to realize it then, and held his breath, “Hoo.”

But it’s futile. Of course, Michael’s lung capacity is far superior to that of an ordinary person, but he can’t hold his breath forever in this darkness.

And besides, he’s already inhaled plenty. It’s like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

“Now you realize it. Yes, it’s poison. Extreme poison is spreading through your body right now.”

I continued speaking leisurely, like a teacher explaining to a child, without any haste.

“You are perfect in every way, but your poison resistance is only at the level of an ordinary adventurer. That’s only natural. After all, you always had Eden, the best healer, in your party. You had Akasha, who was knowledgeable about all poisons. And you had Anna, who could instantly teleport you to town if needed.”

Michael was always accompanied by dedicated companions who complemented his shortcomings.

But now, there is no one by his side. Only empty darkness.

This is Michael’s own doing. Michael moved forward, discarding his companions who had become ‘useless’ without hesitation.

If even one of the three party members were here now, they would have found a way to counteract my poison attack.

“I designed it that way. I didn’t calculate that you would be a one-man army. Your ability to be a hero was always based on the assumption that your companions were by your side. But now, they’re gone. Unfortunately.”

“Don’t make me laugh…”

Michael’s eyes glinted like a wounded beast.

His forehead was damp with sweat, and his hair stuck to it.

He must be enduring immense agony throughout his body. So much so that an ordinary person would scream and faint.

His mental fortitude to endure such pain was indeed worthy of being called a hero. He’s not an ordinary person.

Whoosh-

Michael swung his sword again. The sword aura, cutting through the darkness, raged wildly.

However, that sword aura flew far away from me. I didn’t even need to dodge.

Even if I just stood here, Michael wouldn’t be able to touch a single strand of my hair.

“Do I look like a mirage? Does my voice sound unnaturally drawn out?”

“Form of the Grim Reaper” can replicate all tools that reap life.

A neurotoxin that thoroughly distorts the senses is one of them.

The match was decided at this point.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

Michael gasped for breath. His vision was blurry, and his sense of smell and taste must also be impaired.

“I pondered what the most fitting end for you would be.”

I opened my storage ring and took out the last weapon stored within.

The decisive blow to end Michael’s life.

There were various options, but I was convinced this was the most fitting conclusion.

“Do you see it? …You probably can’t. Your vision is blurry, so you might not be able to tell. Yes, this is…”

Three corpses.

With an ominous aura, life returned to the corpses.

With the permission of the goddess of death, these corpses were granted the right to move once more, albeit temporarily.

“They are your companions. The ones who made you a hero.”

Eden, Akasha, and Anna.

These individuals, like Michael, had been reborn as the great heroes of “Nine Stars” under my guidance.

The three heroes, who had departed for the world of the dead earlier, had now come to greet their lone friend.

“⋯Tsk.”

The color drained from Michael’s lips. His shoulders trembled.

Michael gripped his sword tightly, as if it were his only lifeline, and aimed it at his former companions.

“Don’t come any closer, get lost!”

His swordsmanship, once flawless, was long gone.

Michael was wildly swinging his sword like a terrified child.

Kuhak-

Michael coughed and spat blood. The scattered red droplets splattered onto the faces of his revived companions.

“……”

Eden stared at Michael expressionlessly.

Akasha crossed her arms and shook her head as if she couldn’t bear to watch.

“Michael, it’s all over now.”

Anna said to Michael with a sad expression.

“Let’s go. Together.”