< Chapter 120: The Fluttering of a Butterfly (2) >
The Wrath of Nature.
A unique skill of the ‘Distorted Balance’, which manifests natural disasters.
The earth shakes and splits,
Trees grow,
The wind strikes like blades,
The sky roars like an enraged Zeus.
Since it uses the magical power of the space, rather than that of the caster, there is virtually no penalty.
The only downside is that it’s a skill with a set range; once the range is set, it can’t be changed afterward.
Well, it’s hard to even call this a downside.
Because it’s range-specific, it has the advantage of being able to annihilate everything within that range.
―Is this also an effect of the relic?
Maiden chuckled.
“Yes, it is an effect of the relic.”
―Really ridiculous.
Disasters are clashing against each other.
The landscape unfolded was absurd, as the force of nature collided with the disaster known as the Gate.
Just the sight of countless monsters pouring out one after another, as Gates opened around the magic circle, was breathtaking.
Seeing those monsters instantly turn into minced meat was even more shocking.
Even I, who anticipated this, am surprised.
“Really, this is an incomprehensible relic.”
Rumble!
The wrath of the earth was ruthless.
The wrath of the wind was sharp.
The wrath of the sky was fierce.
Just thinking about this relic falling into enemy hands sends shivers down my spine.
The cooldown is a bit long at one week, but who cares? I can use it without any penalties once a week.
―How long does it last?
“Five minutes.”
―Huh.
Maiden let out a hollow laugh as if there was nothing more to say.
“How are the other areas?”
This magic circle doesn’t gather all the gates, but rather, it increases the frequency of their appearance.
―The frequency of gate appearances has been halved. Thanks to that, there’s almost no damage.
“That’s a relief.”
It’s a huge relief.
Zing!
As soon as the relief settled, intense sparks erupted around the ‘Distorted Balance.’
[Error!]
“Ah, hot.”
The one-minute limit has passed.
I had anticipated this, so I immediately put the bracelet back into the forge.
The Wrath of Nature is still in effect.
―By the way, kiddo. What will you do after it ends? Won’t it revert back to how it was before?
“No. Once the magic circle’s operation stops, the frequency of gate appearances will drastically decrease.”
According to the Princess’s Introduction to Gate Theory, this is certain.
―Why?
“This magic circle. It not only pulls the gates but also forces the yet-to-open gates to open prematurely.”
―Ah, so the total number of gates decreases?
“Yes. Of course, it will gradually recover, but we should be able to hold out for at least 20 minutes.”
Looking at those monsters being torn apart like that makes me miss my status window. How much would my level have risen if all that were converted into experience points?
―Kiddo. Didn’t you gain a level from all that?
Maiden apparently had the same thought.
“No, I didn’t level up at all.”
I answered without much thought.
―Ah, so you’re such a high level that even that didn’t make you level up?
“…”
Is that how it’s interpreted?
―Anyway, that was a good show.
“Oh? Then, will you pay the admission fee?”
―Sure, can I pay you with a knuckle sandwich?
“…”
I quietly averted my gaze. My eyes then caught sight of the monsters being torn apart by the typhoon.
“Woah…”
The corpses of the monsters are too grotesque.
Organs are scattering in the wind, bodies are being crushed by the earth, and flesh is melting due to the high temperature.
Ugh, I can’t look anymore.
“If only the main gate attack team could wrap things up, that would be all I could ask for.”
―That would be great, indeed.
Three minutes later.
The effect of the magic circle started to fade gradually.
The frequency of gate appearances started to decrease.
“How are the other areas?”
―No problem. Just like you said, it feels like the total number of gates has decreased.
The Wrath of Nature also began to slowly subside.
And after all five minutes had passed…
“It’s over.”
As the Wrath of Nature lost its effect, the flow of the gates also began to stop.
“Then I’ll go down to deal with the remaining monsters.”
―Alright. Make sure to wear your mask and fold your wings. There are still about 100 monsters left, so don’t let your guard down.
“Sure.”
She sure worries a lot.
I dove into the midst of the monsters and simultaneously transformed ‘Cheonbyeon’ into a dagger.
Whoosh!
I thrust the dagger into the forehead of the bewildered monster.
A low, rumbling sound echoed—Krrrrr!
As if in delight at my unexpected offering, the monster crumpled to the ground.
Nearby monsters also charged at me, as if they wanted to receive my gifts as well.
Whooom!
This time, I decided to throw a large halberd.
Swoooosh!
Two bodies became rags as they flew into the sky. Truly, the overpowering might of ‘Cheonbyeon’.
I didn’t stop moving.
I slashed with a longsword, shot with a bow, and burned with magic.
Rumble… Boom!
For those attacking from a distance, I used the Angelic trait ‘Thunder Bolt’ to strike them with lightning.
… This is much easier than I thought.
They are roughly C-rank to D-rank monsters, and although I’m also C-rank, I have all sorts of overpowered traits, including ‘Cheonbyeon’. They stand no chance against me.
“Phew.”
I got a little excited and whistled. With a little room to breathe, my mind started to wander.
Come to think of it, I had acquired some new traits. Angelic and Elven traits. I wonder what I’ve gained.
First, I began to recall the Angelic trait that I acquired from the Archangel’s Cross. I started to check my traits, pulling up the race traits stored in my mind.
“Huh.”
Was it because I let my thoughts wander during the battle?
I couldn’t perfectly block an arrow that came flying from far away.
“Damn…”
I got a scrape on my forearm. It’s a shallow wound, but a hit is a hit.
…I’ll think about it after the battle is over.
Just as I thought that and wiped the scrape on my forearm,
Whoosh!
A burst of white light emitted.
“?”
The light started from my hand and warmly wrapped around the wound. In the blink of an eye, the wound was completely healed.
“…Divine power?”
The only power that heals wounds among the Angelic traits must be divine power.
…Unbelievable.
I was stunned for a moment. I didn’t expect to acquire divine power here. Divine power is one of the top traits among Angelic traits. The ways to use it are endless…
…No.
I’ll think later. Now is the time to focus on the battle.
I concentrated on knocking down the monsters.
Slash, slash again.
The 80 or so remaining monsters quickly decreased in number as time passed.
Now, only 16 remained.
“Phew…”
It’s definitely tough.
Is it because I’m fighting nearly 80 monsters by myself? My stamina feels a bit low, and I’m down to only 30-40% of my magical power remaining.
…Did I move too recklessly while experimenting with ‘Cheonbyeon’?
Well, whatever, there’s not much left now.
I changed ‘Cheonbyeon’ into a form combining a whip and a saber, a chain saber.
Whoosh!
Despite it being a strange weapon that I was using for the first time, I could handle it as naturally as my own limbs.
The chain saber coiled like a snake and precisely cut down four monsters.
“Not bad, huh?”
It’s perfect for this kind of mid-range combat. As soon as I retrieved the chain saber, I swung it again.
Whoosh!
With a satisfying sound, the enemies’ heads flew into the sky.
Now, only 7 monsters were left. The monsters started to stagger backwards as if they had lost all will to fight.
“Ah-ah.”
Where do you think you’re going? I instantly transformed ‘Cheonbyeon’ into a bow.
Using the ‘Wind’s Arrow,’ I condensed the surrounding air into the form of an arrow. I released the bowstring.
Thwack!
As soon as I released the bowstring, a monster’s head burst like a balloon.
“Whistle.”
I repeated this action precisely 7 times.
Thud-
The last one fell. It was the sound that signaled the end of the battle.
“Phew…”
I caught my breath. Performing a series of acrobatic moves made it really exhausting.
“Maiden, this side is clear.”
I reported the situation on the field through the walkie-talkie.
―Alright. Good work.
The sound of typing from beyond the walkie-talkie rang loudly. She must be busy. Well, it’s the busiest time.
“Then just pray or something.”
And then, I had nothing more to do.
―Yes, You should really pray now.
I’ve done everything I can. There are no ancient relics left, and a significant amount of my physical and magical energy has been consumed.
All that remains now is to wait, praying for the safe return of the main gate assault team.
“Then I’ll take off the camera. You probably won’t be paying attention to this side anyway.”
This thing doesn’t ventilate well; it’s so hot.
―Alright. Keep the walkie-talkie on, just in case.
“Understood.”
I took off the vest that had the action camera attached. The wind feels refreshing.
“Ah, right.”
I had something to tell Maiden, but I forgot.
“Maiden?”
I spoke into the walkie-talkie.
Silence.
“Maiden?”
Again.
Still silence.
“Is it broken?”
I tapped the walkie-talkie a couple of times, for no reason. Of course, that wouldn’t solve anything; it’s not an old electronic device.
“What’s going on?”
But upon thinking about it, the walkie-talkie shouldn’t break in such a short period of time.
Maybe she’s just too busy to respond right now?
I was contemplating this when—
Rumble!
The ground trembled.
A familiar sensation.
The precursor to the gate opening, which I’ve experienced plenty of times today. But this vibration was incomparably intense.
I knew what it was.
“A large one…”
It’s a massive rift that spews out large monsters.
As expected, the rift began to widen, making a noise like shattering glass as space itself tore open.
Its speed is unbelievably fast.
At this rate, the gate will be complete within 10 seconds.
“Damn it!”
I quickly gripped ‘Cheonbyeon’ and tried to raise my magical power.
But my magic wouldn’t respond as I wanted. Neither my inner strength nor my magic worked.
It felt as if there was something wrong with the magical power that was being emitted.
At the same time, the sky began to darken, slowly filling with black as if someone had poured a bucket of black paint on a grey canvas.
I know what this phenomenon is.
“…Black Out?”
It’s the upgraded version of Gray Out.
The effect is a magical power freeze.
It’s no wonder the walkie-talkie isn’t working. Even if it’s a special walkie-talkie customized to withstand a Gray Out, it’s meaningless when magic is frozen.
“Why now of all times?”
Blackout shouldn’t appear at this time. It’s a concept that should come much later. Why now?
I don’t know.
Cling, clang!
Even as I was organizing these thoughts, the rift was opening at a rapid pace.
“What should I do?”
There’s no way I can stop a gate that big on my own.
Should I run away then? That’s one option.
No, it looks like the only option.
Facing that thing would be pure arrogance and suicide.
“I’ll run.”
The moment I made up my mind, I stomped on the ground and started running.
I thought about using Heavenly Wings to fly away, but there’s no guarantee that the monster emerging from that gate won’t be a flying type. Running is faster in terms of speed anyway.
Ching, ching.
The intervals between the cracking sounds from the rift are becoming shorter. The gate could open at any moment now.
Gritting my teeth, I increased my speed.
“!”
At that moment, chills ran down my spine. A feeling of unease surged, and my ‘Sense of Malice’ screamed.
An intense desire to kill that I’ve never felt before was directed at me.
I’m going to die. I know it.
The traits of various races that have seeped into my body are telling me. I can’t beat this being.
Resisting would be pointless.
My breath quickened, and my pupils shook.
―Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
I heard laughter. It sounded like a beast’s roar or perhaps triumphant laughter. My body froze instantly.
―Damn you, Metatron! How dare you seal me?
It was a language I had never heard before, but I understood it.
…Did he just say Metatron sealed him?
My pupils shook violently.
Could it be…?
Slowly, I turned my head.
―I don’t sense any of those filthy angelic bastards.
I saw wings. Black wings. The moment I confirmed the sight, my heart sank.
―I don’t feel my spear…
On its head were two protruding horns, red eyes in a dark face, and pitch-black armor.
―Well, that’s fine. I can look for the spear slowly.
One of the Archdemons.
Lucifer.
―Oh.
The man laughed.
―Good timing, I was missing some blood.
Looking straight into my eyes,
He revealed his sharp teeth and grinned devilishly.
< Chapter 120: The Fluttering of a Butterfly (2) > End
