episode_0187

Episode 187 ■■(2)

Swish-!

I cut them down, excluding unnecessary emotions as much as possible.

Swish-!

Even if they are acquainted with me, even if they are innocent lives, I kill them without hesitation.

Swish-!

That was the only salvation I could give them right now, who had become puppets of Black.

“Don’t hesitate! They are no longer your friends, your family! They are just puppets to be moved by the enemy’s hands!”

I force that on everyone, not just myself. My allies, hearing my cry, bit their lips and cut down the puppets moving on Black’s command.

No matter how determined you are, your feelings are different when you face it directly.

Then, a huge cry was heard from the west. It was a beastman, a creature of Red. They charged straight towards us.

The red energy flowing through the bodies of those beastmen. It’s Red’s divine power. Dyed with their god’s divine power, they were completely consumed by their wild instincts and only craved slaughter.

“Elena! Stop those beastman bastards!”

“Yes!”

As soon as I gave the order, Elena rushed out. Among our allies, she was the only strong one capable of fighting the beastmen.

Clang!

Soon, Elena and the beastmen collided. Hagdas and Lydan blocked her way. The two strongest who represented the beastmen.

A 1-on-2 situation. Knowing that, Elena summoned someone to help her. The eternal friend of the elves, a spirit. And not just any spirit, but a spirit king. The pinnacle of spirits.

Kwakwakwak!

The Wind Spirit King releases his energy. A huge wind blade is fired at the two, and a typhoon sweeps away the surrounding beastmen.

However, unlike the latter who died, the former only stepped back slightly. The two chieftains were strong enough to rival Elena.

Expected result. I murmured softly to provide assistance.

“I swear. To protect you from the evils of the world.”

My soul reacts each time I utter a word. My heart pounds. My blood runs hot. Amidst the pain that tears through my entire body, I continued with the next sentence.

“I will sacrifice my body to protect you.”

At that moment, the ring’s voice echoed in my head.

[You have recited the Oath of Protection.]

[Activating ‘Sanctuary: Barrier of Protection’.]

Energy spreads out from me. It extended all the way to Elena far away. She glanced at me, the source of the energy that surrounded her, and focused on the battle.

Seeing that the power was properly applied, I felt relieved and swung my sword. Likewise, the allies who were being empowered exclaimed one by one.

“This is….”

“What is this….”

Even if their flesh is torn, even if their bones are broken, they heal and recover in an instant. No matter how much they fight, their mind and body do not tire.

Super-speed regeneration and awakening effect. That is the power of this ability. As long as I don’t stop using it, unless they die instantly, it would last forever.

Our allies became even more motivated. The breakthrough speed becomes even faster. We are gradually narrowing the distance with Black.

[The ‘?$&#%! God’ expresses doubt.]

[The ‘?$&#%! God’ is embarrassed.]

[The ‘?$&#%! God’ sends a message.]

[How are you still ali….]

“Shut up.”

Crack!

I dismissed the messages that kept popping up. Annoying me when I’m busy.

It’s just a brief past relationship anyway. I don’t need to worry about it. I ignored the additional messages and moved forward.

“Cough, Saint… I guess this is the end for me…”

“I’m, sorry…”

As the battle continued, our allies fell. In each case, vital spots such as the heart or brain were gone.

Not only was there a difference in numbers, but Black’s puppets were using their powers from when they were alive. It was a structure that could only be pushed back as time went on.

Even so, I, no, we didn’t give up. I prayed for the souls of the dead and burned their souls and bodies with holy fire. I couldn’t let them become puppets.

“It’s a meaningless resistance.”

At that time, Black’s words echoed across the battlefield. Immediately after, a black sphere of light descended from the sky. The allies who touched that power collapsed, rotted away, and disappeared without a trace.

Death. Black’s authority, which embodies it, manifested all kinds of death in the world.

“Get out of the way!”

I pushed the allies away and recited the oath.

“I swear on my sword, I will not let go of my sword until the day I punish evil on this land.”

[Using ‘Sword of Oath’.]

[With your current level, it is impossible to embody the oath.]

[Consuming all of the ring’s power.]

[Sacrificing half of your dantian.]

[Offering a part of your soul as a sacrifice.]

The ring’s power weakens. The dantian is cut off. My whole body is engulfed in burning pain.

[Conditions have been met.]

But as a result of sacrificing that. I was able to summon the sword.

The Sword of Oath appeared above the sphere. A sword as huge as Black’s. I gripped Karsa tightly and swung it down.

Kaga Gaga gak!

The sword eats away at death. It devoured Black’s power as if it would completely eliminate the evil in front of it.

Clang!

A roar erupts. It completely divided death.

Black’s energy returned to nothingness. And the black sword, still manifested in the world, crushed the enemy and opened a new path. A path that leads directly to Black.

“Attack!”

I shouted to my allies.

“Waaaaaaa!!!”

“For Justia!!”

They charged towards the remaining enemies. I also stood at the center and cut down the enemies.

As time passed, I was able to face Black.

“It’s a useless act, Saint.”

An unfamiliar tone flowed from her mouth. I swung the Sword of Oath that was covered on Karsa.

“Don’t speak with Estella’s mouth.”

Black lightly avoided my attack and tilted her head. She seemed unable to understand.

“Saints and Saintesses ultimately exist for the sake of God. Shouldn’t it be an honor to be used for us?”

“Shut up!”

Words and actions. Everything that is conveyed through Estella is disgusting. To the point where I want to tear her apart and kill her right away.

However, this attack also failed to inflict any damage on her.

“I can’t understand it at all. Why do you keep attacking knowing it won’t work? Are your eyes just for decoration?”

I know. Now that Estella, who is considered the best vessel, is in Black’s hands, I can’t beat her.

“Besides, your level is also weak compared to your skills. Don’t you know that you can’t win no matter how many times you challenge?”

I also know that.

My level is still at the highest Expert level. In order to fight God, in order to fight Black who is close to perfection, you must be a Master. That’s the minimum requirement.

So, the reality is that I can’t kill him no matter how many times I die and come back to life.

But.

“You never know. Whether it will work or not.”

“I must have overestimated you. I should stop this useless conversation.”

Black waved her hand. Through Estella, his unique power is manifested in the world.

I gathered energy in both eyes.

[Using Authority: Foresight(未來視).]

Dozens, hundreds, thousands of paths unfold before my eyes. My brain trembles with information exceeding the allowed amount. Blood gushes out of every hole.

I endured and persevered through the pain. Immediately after, Black’s power covered me. At that moment, I jumped up and cast magic.

[Fusing 「Domain Declaration」, 「Time Regression」, and 「Foresight」.]

[Activating Future Regression.]

The power of the Hero’s Authority and two unique magic spells mixed together. That extremely inefficient power was used for the first time in this world.

“What…!”

Estella’s expression, who was possessed by Black, contorted at the sight of me appearing right in front of her without any prior sign.

Looking at Estella’s face, I felt deep sadness and took out the aura of God-slaying. Without a moment’s hesitation, I slashed her neck.

Swish-!

Estella’s head, neatly cut and rolling on the ground. Her mouth slowly opens.

“If you think I’ll die just because of this, you’re wrong….”

“Yeah, you won’t die. But what I cut wasn’t just that.”

What I cut was the connection between Estella and Black. I cut off what was binding him to this world.

“That can be reconnected. And… the vessel is still intact!”

Estella’s headless body moves. Her body and Black were still connected.

But I scoffed at Black’s actions.

“You idiot. You wouldn’t know. Why I cut off Estella’s head.”

Cutting off the connection. That means that Estella is no longer affected by Black’s power, and being beheaded means complete death for a human.

In other words, it means that Saintess Estella is dead. And there was a safety device in case the Saintess, Estella, did not meet a normal death.

Paaaaat!

The moment death was confirmed, Estella’s body glowed. Divine power different from Black’s, who had occupied her, flowed out.

Yellow. The God of Contracts and Order. It was his. Soon after, Yellow, who had not shown himself until now, appeared on the battlefield.

“Yellow! Where have you been hiding!”

Black shouted at Yellow’s appearance. But Yellow ignored him and headed towards Estella’s head rolling on the ground. He sighed deeply and said.

“Poor Estella. In the end, you died as White said…”

“Answer me, Yellow!”

At the continued shout, Yellow glared at Black.

“Well, I was stopping the outer god you released. But Black, how come you haven’t changed even after all this time?”

“It’s not up to you, who imprisoned me, to say that! I wasted over thousands of years because of you!”

Black shouted in anger.

“More than that, it’s too late now, Yellow. The Saintess is in my hands, and without White and Green, I won’t be defeated like before! You alone, who only increase your power with contracts, can’t stop me!”

“That’s right. I can’t do it like last time. Especially against you who has obtained a vessel. But you know what?”

At that moment, Yellow’s hand shone and divine power flowed out.

“The reason I appeared at this timing is not because of you. It’s because the contract conditions have been met.”

“Contract?”

“Yeah, contract. I made a contract with White a long time ago. About Estella. And this is that contract.”

Immediately after, Yellow declared calmly.

“I, Yellow, the God of Contracts and Order and the creator god of this world, command.”

Yellow’s divinity digs into the ground. The continent, the planet, reacts to Yellow’s power.

“According to the contract, I will turn back the time of the world. Back to when everything was fine.”

Time reversal on a planetary scale. That is the ability granted to Yellow, the creator god. And this phenomenon is called [Regression].

The world shines. The world engulfed in divine power began to have its time reversed according to the creator god’s command.

That was the moment.

“Do you think I’ll let that happen!”

Black, who was still able to exert his power, intervened. Black light penetrated between the yellow light and intertwined with each other.

“Sorry, but you can’t stop this. It’s a contract and order that I established at the beginning. Even if the outer god that you released, whose divinity is mixed with White’s, comes, it’s impossible.”

“But you can give influence!”

Black’s energy becomes even more intense. What was contained in it was oblivion. The death of memory.

“Hmm, the resistance is considerable.”

Yellow muttered and looked at me.

“The rest is up to you, Saint. I’m already struggling just to turn back time. It’s even harder because Black is interfering. Even if you don’t remember, if it’s you with your skills, you’ll manage somehow, right?”

I know. The act of turning back time is not something that can be done easily. I nodded and replied to Yellow.

“That’s enough.”

“That’s our Saint. Then… please take care of Estella.”

Yellow handed over Estella’s head and disappeared. I stared silently at the head I received.

At that time, Estella’s mouth opened. Thanks to Yellow’s divine power.

“Saint, Nim…? Why, are you crying…?”

She moved to wipe away the tears flowing from my eyes. But she couldn’t because she only had her head. Estella realized that and asked.

“Am I, dead…?”

“…Yes.”

And I killed her. I cut off her head. I couldn’t even protect the other kids, and I killed the main character with my own hands….

As if feeling the emotions that appeared in my eyes, Estella comforted me and said.

“I’m, I’m okay, hehe….”

Tears well up. I held Estella’s head in my arms and whispered.

“Estella. You said it, didn’t you. That you’d grant my wish.”

“Did I say that…?”

“I’ll use that wish now.”

“I, there’s nothing I can do for you….”

“It’s okay.”

Because it’s not difficult.

I put a piece of my soul in it and kissed her forehead.

“Estella. Never give up. No matter what you do, no matter how many times you try, I’ll go save you.”

A smile bloomed on Estella’s face.

“Yes… my one and only Saint…”

“Yeah….”

My one and only Saintess.

That’s how Estella’s head turned to ashes and disappeared. And the regression began.

I glared at Black in the storm of time and said.

“Then, see you again. You bastard.”

The moment all preparations are complete, the moment I find a way to save everyone.

“That will be your end.”

Immediately after, consciousness was cut off.

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.

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[……]

[………]

[…………]

[Observing changes in the timeline]

[Confirming the regression phenomenon]

[Time is 3 days ago, 4 PM. Reconstructing the physical state]

[Starting ──’s …th regression]