episode_0061

The sound of battle heard not far from where we are.

Far away, on the mountain fighting the Leviathan, a transcendental battle of various magic and sword strikes is taking place.

Glancing at the scene, I even felt a slight sense of awe.

One being equal to them stands before us.

The Seven Criminals.

I vaguely knew that such individuals existed.

Their names appear even if you just skim the newspaper.

They are criminals who roam the world disturbing peace by performing magic and acts forbidden by the Imperial Family.

They are the seven prisoners who were once captured by the Imperial Family but escaped.

Usually, the one who appeared most often among them was [Godkiller Kaiser].

[Apostate Urie], who is before my eyes, I had never seen in the newspaper even once.

But despite that, one thing is certain.

This person is undoubtedly powerful enough that everyone on the 5th floor combined would barely have a chance of winning.

But the reason we came this far, even in a situation where a clash was certain, is because.

We have to fight. We have to survive.

To return to the Labyrinth City again.

And for that, we made the best choice.

While the explorers and I buy time, a few guides would go separately to deactivate the statue.

Then the knights and the Magic Tower wizards, who were blocking the Leviathan, would hunt the dragon that had returned to normal and come back to hunt the Apostate all together.

This was the plan I proposed.

Of course, it wasn’t approved immediately.

Because of just one reason.

[Can you really buy time against him?]

“Do you not trust me?”

“Of course not. Wouldn’t it be better to exclude the Leviathan and have the guides somehow break through and remove the statue while we face the Apostate?”

It was a rational judgment.

If the Leviathan wasn’t involved, going with that plan would be right.

“What will you do if the Leviathan intervenes? I’m setting up Plan B.”

“That’s the problem.”

“It’s impossible to face both beings simultaneously.”

“But you, a mid-layer explorer, how can you possibly stop that criminal? Of course, calling you mid-layer might be unfair compared to the upper layers.”

The knight doubted me.

It was natural. How could an ordinary mid-layer mage buy time against an enemy even a knight couldn’t guarantee victory against?

Especially when the upper-layer explorers, including the 2nd Attack Squad Leader, had been wiped out.

“…I can do it. If the opponent is that Apostate.”

The knight didn’t believe my words.

But the Head of the Blue Faction sided with me.

“Card Mage. You certainly deactivated the Apostate’s power that was afflicting the 2nd Attack Squad Leader, didn’t you? Are you saying this based on that?”

“That is correct.”

The Head of the Blue Faction examined me closely.

And then, as if having made a decision, he said.

“Go ahead and try. I’ll grant your wish.”

Once the Head of the Blue Faction agreed, the knight had no choice but to agree as well.

“Still, may I confirm just one thing?”

I had to know if the guy was truly a person of the Ariel Cult, despite just being called the Apostate.

I could find the answer by looking at the bodies of the explorers who died in the north.

“Something is strange.”

That’s what Grace said after seeing the bodies of the dead explorers.

Seeing the various wounds, especially the wounds left on Kylak, with whom I was acquainted, I was certain.

Faint divine power.

Traces of something having circulated inside the body.

And corpses that were empty, as if the soul had vanished.

It’s certain.

Apostate Urie, that guy is indeed a priest or cleric of the Ariel Cult.

If so, at least I can counter him.

Like the Saint I met before.

So, with confidence, I sent the knight and the Magic Tower wizards to the Leviathan.

Back to the present.

My status window, my Patron Deity, tells me that my choice was not wrong.

*Ding!!*

[You have encountered Urie the Apostate, one of the Seven Criminals.]

[He will soon find out who you are.]

[If you are victorious, irreversible consequences await you.]

I still don’t understand the thoughts of this Patron Deity guy. But judging by his words and attitude, it seems there’s not no chance of victory.

The guy who previously tore up the status window telling me to run when I first met the Apostle of the Evil God.

“…It doesn’t matter.”

[Good luck.]

As I dismissed the status window floating before my eyes, I saw the Apostate staring intently at me.

He first checked my deck.

And then, lifting his gaze, he checked my body.

His pupils constricted as if startled, and the unpleasant smile that had lingered on his lips vanished.

And that change was witnessed by all the other explorers watching this scene.

It wasn’t just my feeling that hope was blooming among the explorers who saw his expression.

“…We’ll depart.”

With Grace at the center, the guides and some fast explorers broke off to the side and started running.

Seeing this, the Apostate raised his hand as if to do something.

But my expanded senses read what it was.

Even if it’s something I’m seeing for the first time, it’s the ability of the Patron Deity.

The Patron Deity might not know how to reclaim power from the Apostate who betrayed him, but at least he pounds into my mind what that power is.

*Pang!!*

A strong shockwave resonated and spread around.

I saw the guides who had already escaped to a range where his power couldn’t reach.

So, what move will he make now?

Waiting and reacting is only possible when you are more experienced.

We immediately poured out all our strength.

First, a light jab.

I throw one card.

[Strike]

It’s just a trashy attack card, but it activates instantly, making it good for diverting the enemy’s attention.

*Kung!!!*

A powerful shockwave struck the Apostate’s chin, but he acted as if nothing happened.

But it was natural for his gaze to fix on me.

He glared at me, as if annoyed.

Success.

At least, he doesn’t seem to be thinking of chasing the guides right away.

“These damned trash bastards…!!”

He must have been confident.

That he could kill all the explorers here and then kill those who left for the lake as well.

That was his first mistake.

And the most fatal one.

My expanded senses catch the divine power rising from the Apostate’s body.

That divine power instantly spread around and manipulated the bodies of all humans.

“Ugh?!”

All the explorers affected by it grabbed their heads and collapsed.

And the divine power reached me too, but.

『Receiving interference from the Apostate.』

『3 cards of Dizziness are added.』

Just 3 cards of Dizziness being added to my hand.

No damage was dealt to me.

“…What?!”

The Apostate was flustered.

He would have no idea. It doesn’t show on the surface.

However, continuously allowing this is another problem.

Ultimately, the longer the battle goes, the more damage these status ailment cards will inflict on me.

But for now, it’s still my turn.

『Your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

『White Keepsake Box – Preserve 1 card at the end of the turn.』

The card I’ll preserve is [Crush (4)], which I was holding.

Cards except one are returned to the discard pile, and 5 cards are drawn from the top of the deck.

[Exchange (4)] [Darkness (1)] [Level Up (1)] [Mana Overflow (0)] [Transcendence (3)] + [Crush (4)]

The Apostate immediately rushed towards me.

A speed too fast to be seen by the eyes.

However, my expanded senses detected that movement.

I activated one of the few magic circles inscribed on my body.

[Blink]

Simultaneously widening the distance and removing the divine power that was binding the explorers.

Of course, it’s impossible to release everything at once.

First, Erica.

“Die!!!”

Erica approached, spewing fury, and swung her sword.

The Apostate moved divine power to react, but it was deactivated by my interference.

*Cha-at!!!*

Erica’s powerful blow, which seemed to cleave space, struck his body.

A large amount of blood drained from the Apostate’s body.

The Apostate was surprised to see his own blood after a long time, but his divine power immediately healed his body.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop his self-healing.

Because its usage is too simple, it activates before I can deactivate it.

Erica continued her attack.

At the same time, the explorers who were starting to wake up unleashed attacks towards the Apostate.

“This guy…!!”

Then the Apostate pulled out a hidden power.

A white glowing soul popped out and punched Erica in the solar plexus.

That, I couldn’t eliminate with my power.

It wasn’t divine power.

It was the Apostate’s power created by extracting human souls with divine power.

Is that the cause of the emptiness inside the corpses?

“Seems you can’t get rid of this?”

The Apostate finally smiled.

My interference blocking his divine power must have been a burden.

Immediately, I throw one card.

[Mana Overflow (0)] – Energy increases by 3. Receive damage.

*Pa-at!!*

A sudden large wound appeared on my arm.

But thanks to that, my energy increased.

『Energy 8/4』

Immediately, I throw one card.

[Fusion (4)] – Combine the next two spells used.

It’s a heavy 4-cost spell, but its effect is certain.

I immediately throw the two cards I will combine.

[Level Up (1)] – All stats temporarily increase.

[Transcendence (3)] – Entity rank increases until the end of the turn.

I combine two spells that are superior versions of Body Enhancement.

When combining cards with similar effects through Fusion, the effect is maximized.

Immediately, a feeling of omnipotence began to flow through my body.

The world began to appear slow, and mana overflowed within me.

My eyes met the Apostate’s.

For a temporary moment, I exist in the same time as him.

How long this will last, I don’t know.

But at least until the end of this turn, I can do it.

Energy is 0. I can’t use cards.

The magic circles left on my body are only supplementary.

Yet, the reason I can fight is because of.

The other explorers remaining here, and.

The existence of the remaining Power Cards.

『Terrain Manipulation – Consume mana to manipulate terrain.』

I moved the ground to attack him.

Something like this wouldn’t hit him, but it’s enough to interfere.

*Pa-at!!!*

I slightly lifted the ground under his feet, disrupting his balance.

Kylak’s harpoon arrow didn’t miss the chance and flew to pierce his body.

*Jjaeng!*

Although it couldn’t penetrate the divine power wrapped around him.

The continuous barrage of attacks held him back.

As expected of the name Seven Criminals, the attacks of the mid-layer explorers didn’t work at all.

They might be attacks equivalent to mosquitoes buzzing around and biting.

Time is gradually passing.

He knows too.

That time is on our side.

“Tch!!”

As if disappointed, he began to wildly extract white souls from his body.

A massive army appeared. And among them, I saw a familiar face.

Kylak.

Kylak’s soul popped out and rushed towards me.

*Kung!!*

“I blocked it!”

Hans, who had approached me, deflected the soul’s attack.

He too recognized Kylak’s soul.

His rage could be felt through his armor, as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“Using the souls of the dead, I thought that was something Black Mages did.”

“Black Mages only deal with monsters and labyrinths. Healing and manipulating human bodies and souls is the job of the Ariel Cult.”

*Peeoong!!!*

A powerful explosion occurred.

Numerous explorer attacks flying towards the Apostate.

Even if individual attacks don’t deal damage to him.

When they accumulate, they can at least cause a scratch on his face like this.

*Swooosh.*

The Apostate wiped the blood from his face with his thumb, then immediately let out his rage.

“You are the problem!!!”

As if everything would be solved if he just defeated me, the Apostate sent all sorts of spirits flying at me.

But I won’t be easily taken down either.

『Ifrit – Summon a fire spirit.』

The fire spirit that had been warming me inside my robe popped out.

The fire spirit, full of my overflowing mana, grew in size and burned away all the approaching spirits.

It seems more manageable than I thought?

Just as that thought occurred.

Apostate Urie began to move himself.

Since interference with human bodies using divine power didn’t work.

And souls didn’t obey him as he pleased, he decided to step forward himself.

*Kung!!!*

A powerful impact struck Hans’s shield, and the shockwave pushed my body behind him.

“Amazing! You made me move myself!! Agent of the Patron Deity!!”

He knew about me, of course.

And he wielded only pure physical abilities, without using divine power or souls.

He is already strong just by his inherent specs.

Even if all his various abilities were countered by me, the difference in pure specs is hard to overcome.

“I’ll help!!”

Explorers, including Luca, charged simultaneously.

But they were instantly punched and buried in the snow.

Only Erica could contend with him to some extent.

But even she was overwhelmed.

“Get out of the way!!!”

He accurately punched Erica in the face, who was interfering with his encounter with me, and with a powerful gust of wind, Erica was blown far away.

After that, she did not return.

I kept lifting the terrain and throwing fire fists.

Unfortunately, both power cards, as expected of cards obtained from the lower floors, did not deal damage to the Apostate.

The Apostate approached step by step.

He immediately extracted souls and unleashed them upon the archers attacking from a distance.

*Ding!*

『Next Draw in 0』

One minute had passed.

It was a short time, but it felt so long.

Immediately, strength and mana began to drain rapidly from my body.

As soon as the doping wore off, I lost track of his movements.

*Puck!!!*

A powerful fist struck my body, and when I came to my senses, I was already buried in the snow.

“Is he dead?!!”

As if sensing victory, the Apostate extracted souls.

And he began to infuse divine power into them. Then the ordinary souls, one by one, began to exude power comparable to upper-layer explorers.

Perhaps that was his full power.

No wonder he seemed so weak when only using souls.

I deactivated all the divine power.

*Snap-*

All the connected divine power began to be cut off.

Seeing the divine power return to normal, the Apostate’s expression suddenly turned sour, and he began running towards where I was.

“You bastard!!!!”

I immediately drew the next hand.

『Your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

『White Keepsake Box – Preserve 1 card at the end of the turn.』

There was no time to choose which card to preserve, so I quickly dismissed the status window.

The 5 cards drawn.

I will deal with this using these.

[Rain (0)] [Shield (1)] [Strike (1)] [Shield (1)] [Fireball (1)] + [Rain (0)]

I’m screwed.

The hand I drew was the worst.

I immediately tried to activate the magic circles inscribed on my body, but there were no [Blink] left.

My expanded senses read his movements.

His fist was already approaching me.

I lifted the terrain.

*Kwaaaang!!*

The terrain was shattered.

Something like this won’t stop it.

The fist approaching before my eyes.

…Is this the end?

*Boo-woong!!*

The fist swung, and the resulting powerful shockwave blew away all the snow around me.

My body, hit by the shockwave, slumped.

Bones and muscles all over my body were torn and ripped apart.

But that was all.

There was no further damage.

Because his fist stopped right in front of my eyes.

What on earth happened?

I knew the answer immediately.

A chain connected to the Apostate’s body.

“…When on earth was this connected?”

The Apostate immediately stared blankly, confirming the owner of the chain.

At the end of the chain connected behind him, only one human stood.

Hans.

He had both feet planted firmly on the ground, his shield held strong, and was looking at this spot.

“You cannot kill the Mage as long as I am here.”

The Apostate immediately tried to grab the chain, but his hand passed through it.

The power of a card that physical elements cannot interfere with.

Seeing that, the Apostate quickly recalled something.

“What, this card, I’m sure it makes the two connected people unable to exceed a certain distance. Then can’t I just pull you?”

The Apostate began to pull his body towards me with all his might.

But Hans stood stubbornly in one spot, absolutely not moving.

“What did you do? Could it be a card that increases weight? Such a card shouldn’t produce this kind of power?”

Something beyond his common sense.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I can kill you even here.”

The Apostate immediately swung his fist at me, who couldn’t move.

Even if his fist didn’t touch me, the shockwave generated would be enough to kill me.

But it wasn’t just us here.

“…Retrieve.”

Luca held me in one arm and began to widen the distance.

Seeing that, the Apostate extracted souls to attack, but other explorers blocked them.

“These bastards…!!”

Perhaps concluding that targeting me was impossible, the Apostate slowly approached Hans.

The explorers attacked to stop him, but none of their attacks worked.

Finally, the Apostate stood directly in front of Hans.

He immediately swung his fist.

*Kung!!! Puff!!! Kwaang!!!*

Sounds that were unbelievable for the clash of fists and steel armor resonated.

“What, why isn’t this armor breaking? Isn’t it just iron? What other ridiculous card did you get?”

*Snap!!!*

The sound of Hans’s bones breaking was heard.

But.

Falling divine power healed Hans’s body.

The power of the 3 clerics and priests remaining here was all directed towards Hans.

“Just die already!!!”

The Apostate repeatedly punched him wildly, but Hans silently endured it.

Bones breaking, flesh tearing, muscles ripping, audible even from afar.

Even if he was healed, the pain didn’t disappear.

But Hans gritted his teeth and endured.

Other explorers attacked the Apostate to lessen the burden.

“Didn’t I tell you to get lost?!!”

They were all blown away by the Apostate’s fists.

And so 1 minute passed.

Now, only Hans remained in front of the Apostate.

*Puck!!!*

*Puck!!!*

The rate of injury accumulation began to exceed the rate of healing.

The power of the 3 clerics was also running out.

I have to help quickly.

『Your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

『White Keepsake Box – Preserve 1 card at the end of the turn.』

[Pause (1)] [Wind Blade (0)] [Telekinesis (1)] [Electrocution (2)] [Freeze (2)] + [Rain (0)]

[Pause]

It couldn’t even stop the Apostate’s body for 1 second.

[Electrocution]

The Apostate lightly dodged it.

[Telekinesis]

It didn’t move him at all.

Now, for another minute, there’s nothing I can do.

Scraping together the remaining mana, I lift the terrain to interfere with the fatal attacks heading towards Hans.

Archers who ran out of arrows threw rocks.

It was a desperate battle, truly.

Those who faltered here would lose.

*Kwajik!! Pajik!!! Kuhluk!!*

Even if Hans’s stance crumbled, and his body swayed and trembled.

Hans remained in that spot.

Only the Apostate was getting desperate.

“Just a trash mid-layer explorer like you!!!”

But that ordinary mid-layer explorer was holding back the Apostate.

An average person who was just struggling on the 1st~2nd floors a few months ago was holding onto a monster.

1 minute.

2 minutes.

Time flowed by mercilessly.

Hans’s body sank lower and lower.

One of the clerics fainted.

Hans’s injuries increased even further.

Most of the explorers who were helping were beaten so severely they could barely cling to consciousness.

Some of the Yetis who were chasing the guides began to return here.

The explorers who could still move stepped forward to stop them.

Right now, only the severely injured who cannot move are here.

But with just a few people’s help,

Hans was holding onto the Apostate.

If he collapsed.

If he gave up.

Everyone here would lose their lives.

Perhaps seeing that scene.

*Ding!*

[End.]

A miracle happened.

“He, the sky!!!”

An explorer shouted.

The completely dark sky was brightening.

The guides who had left for the lake had finally deactivated the statue.

The polar night receded, and a ray of sunlight began to rise.

Although it was hard to see clearly due to the light blizzard blowing.

A single ray of sunlight pierced through the blizzard.

“Uwaaaaah!!!!”

Hans let out a roar.

The faint sunlight reaching his armor illuminated the surroundings.

Like the dawn breaking in the night.

Hope was rising.