Chapter 567
Kukukukuku!
Once, she was the greatest True Ancestor who struck fear into the entire Tower of Trials.
There was no one who didn’t know the name Alice von Ataraxia.
Uriel’s expression twisted into one of disbelief.
“You not only… recovered your mana, but you’ve reached your peak again.”
What in the world had she done to make that possible?
Questions piled on top of questions, but it was all meaningless now.
The reality was that Alice had fully returned.
And from this point forward, they would have to risk their lives to stop that monster.
[[Alice activates Unique Ability: Blood Lord!]]
A wave of mana on a completely different scale than before exploded outward.
As the blood droplets gathered into one place, the sky of the Demon Realm turned crimson.
“Get back!”
The demons’ faces went pale.
The attack was so overwhelming that they couldn’t even think of trying to block it.
But the storm of Alice’s blood was faster than their retreat.
Kwakwaakwaakwaak!
A tidal wave of fresh blood swept through the very heart of Diablo and Uriel’s formations.
“Gyaaaah!”
“Aaaargh!”
Severed limbs flew in all directions.
“Kyahhh!”
“Grooargh!”
Even the Hell Wolves and other large-class beasts could not escape a miserable end.
The higher species at least kept their lives, but Alice’s follow-up spear strike left them in an even more wretched state.
Pupupuk!
Puhhhk!
In less than a minute, thousands were rendered combat incapable.
“Son… of a…”
Uriel emerged from behind his tattered shield.
He had barely endured.
Though with his ribs and left arm shattered, it was questionable if surviving was worth celebrating.
“I’ve heard the stories, but to think it was to this extent…”
Even Azazel had lost his trademark smirk.
The relaxed face now held a mix of shock and fear.
That was how overwhelming Alice’s presence was.
The thought of actually beating her in a fight was laughable.
Meanwhile—
Even Alice, who leisurely twirled her fingers, wasn’t entirely pleased with the situation.
‘Tch… So this isn’t enough to take down a winged angel and a high-ranking demon.’
Thanks to Jinhyuk’s help, she had been able to perfectly recreate her peak condition.
But it was still only temporary.
[System Time Remaining in ‘Optimal’ State]
[0H : 12M : 33S]
The highest sun would soon set.
“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
Berial noticed her condition.
“Yeah. Best to finish this quickly. We need to take down not just those two, but that Diablo too, right?”
“It’s a full-scale battle, so it’s not like Azazel came alone. Honestly, it’s strange that battle maniac hasn’t shown himself yet.”
His uncharacteristic absence was unsettling.
Berial couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.
“Don’t worry about that part. If we keep pounding them, he’ll come out eventually. No way he’ll hide while all his underlings get chopped to pieces.”
Alice drew a dazzling rapier.
The blade, wreathed in crimson aura, let out a strange resonance.
Tap!
Her body vanished in that instant.
Through teleportation, she closed the distance in an instant, aiming for Azazel’s heart.
“You’re one of Diablo’s bloodline, aren’t you?”
“…!?”
Azazel barely reacted, swinging his sword.
Blades clashed and deflected each other’s trajectory.
That should have been the end of it…
Kagagagak… puuk!
“Guhh?”
Alice’s rapier curved like a snake and pierced straight through Azazel’s heart.
The blade wasn’t made of steel—it was like liquid.
“W-wait—”
Azazel tried to pull himself free, but the blood droplets on the blade detonated first.
Puhhhhk!
Azazel’s body exploded on the spot.
“Dieeee!”
Vwoooong!
Uriel swung his mace down, divine power surging through it.
While Azazel was being taken out, he intended to crush Alice.
But another force intervened to stop him.
[[Berial activates Black Spear Kishan – ‘Black Star of Despair’!]]
A massive black star intercepted Uriel’s Holy Strike.
Kuwaaaang!
The collision of two opposing powers.
The shockwave ripped the air apart, dozens of concentric rings radiating out.
“Berial… As if turning traitor wasn’t enough, you defy Eden’s will to the end!”
“Sorry, but I’m a runaway brat. I’ve got no loyalty to Eden. And while my house is burning down, you think I’d just watch?”
Angel and fallen angel growled at each other.
“Hooh. For a horned Demon King, you’re impressive. This is the kind of partner worthy of fighting alongside me.”
“You too are worthy of standing with me.”
Kukukukuku!
Two forces condensed rapidly.
Alice and Berial—two absolute beings—began gathering their power.
—
“You okay?”
Chun Yoosung’s voice carried concern as he glanced at Jinhyuk’s expression.
“Never thought I’d see the day when my dear Yoosung asked if I’m okay. I guess living long enough has its perks.”
“You just look like you’re about to die. It’d be a waste if you break before I smash you myself.”
He should’ve just kept his mouth shut.
As always, he ruined the moment.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry about it. I can handle it.”
Throb!
In truth, his body wasn’t in good shape.
The backlash from overusing [System Manipulation] was far greater than expected.
‘Well, I did more than just heal Alice—I partially returned her to her prime.’
At least there was a time limit. Without it, the rebound might have torn his body apart.
He resolved to use [System Manipulation] more cautiously next time.
Pushing too far could surpass his limits.
“Jinhyuk… please, let me help you a bit.”
Teresa placed her hand on his back.
Vwoooong!
A warm energy seeped into his body.
It was [Blessing of the Stars], a healing skill.
He appreciated the thought, but this alone wouldn’t be enough—
The moment he thought that—
[Your body is rapidly recovering.]
[The purest divine power has settled within you.]
Golden system windows flashed in quick succession.
“This feels… different? The quality of the divine power is completely different.”
Jinhyuk looked at her in surprise.
“Yes. That’s because… I made a disciple contract with Lord Gabriel.”
Gabriel?
That would explain a significant stat boost.
But even that shouldn’t be this much—
Then Teresa added—
“He made me his First Disciple. That power should make the divine energy much stronger.”
First Disciple.
The foremost among an entire faction’s apostles—essentially Eden’s most favored holy knight.
The benefits were on another level entirely.
Now everything made sense.
“Ah, but I can’t grant this power too often. It’d be a problem if I overused it.”
“I understand. This much is more than enough.”
“Hmmph…”
Andrea puffed her cheeks as she watched the two chatting.
Her nine fox tails stood stiff, clearly displeased.
“I-I have something that could help too! Jinhyuk, here, take this!”
Andrea handed him fox orbs filled with gathered spirits.
The small, fox-shaped orbs slipped into his mouth one by one.
[Your body recovers slightly.]
[The yin energy of magic seeps into you.]
[Be warned: falling under the fox’s enchantment could cost you your soul.]
It felt different from divine power.
It did help restore mana, but it also made Andrea look strangely prettier.
Shaking his head quickly, Jinhyuk focused on recovering.
With Alice sent as solid backup, Uriel would be tied up.
No more worrying about the rear.
“We’re almost there.”
Kronos pointed ahead.
Above the clouds—
The summit of Olympus was in sight.
The vibrant power of the gods shimmered above it.
Jinhyuk could feel Zeus’s mana from afar.
Pachichik!
Astrape, fully unleashed, filled the sky.
The final battle was about to begin.
—
In the end…
All plans had failed.
Now, there was no point in scheming.
What remained was a pure clash of strength.
“Better this way. Fighting dirty never suited me anyway.”
Hades scattered black mist.
“You’re right. Watching these upstarts run wild was getting on my nerves.”
Dionysus raised his wine cup.
Both gods were among the highest-ranked divinities, rarely challenged.
They could erase a hero with a wave of their hand.
“It’s time to show them how terrifying gods can be. And conveniently, the only one who can hold off the Titans is here too.”
Hermes glanced toward the massive man by the bonfire.
“Hff… hff…”
Hercules panted heavily.
He had barely escaped after defeating Thor and the other gods, but the cost was steep.
A massive wound exposed his ribs—poisoned, his one weakness.
Pachichik…!
On top of that, Thor’s Mjolnir had struck him squarely, leaving severe damage.
Blue sparks still crackled from the wound.
But—
Even in this state, Hercules was still Hercules.
A demigod capable of driving back the Titans.
“From here, we’ll judge the insects that dare reach for the heavens. Move to your positions.”
Zeus rose from his seat.
“Understood.”
“So be it.”
“Any who lose will be banished from Olympus forever.”
The gods moved to the positions where they could fight most effectively.
At that moment—
[A large group has entered Olympus – ‘Sanctuary of the Gods’.]
Jinhyuk and the others stepped into the ruins.
* * *
Vwoooong!
With a flash of light, the scenery changed completely.
Countless statues and columns filled a magnificent space.
This was the innermost sanctum of Olympus—
The ruin known as the [Sanctuary of the Gods].
“Cough! Cough!”
“The air… it’s heavy.”
Andrea and Teresa frowned as soon as they entered.
Even standing still, they could feel the crushing weight pressing on their bodies.
“…The density of mana is different.”
Chun Yoosung extended his hand, sensing the mana in the air.
At that moment—
“That’s exactly what it means.”
A strange voice echoed ahead.
Sssmmer.
Ominous black smoke began to creep in.
A damp, eerie sensation crawled up their legs.
…Slowly.
The smoke rose higher.
There was no need to guess the owner of the voice.
Zeus’s brother, ruler of the underworld—Hades.
Beside him stood Hermes, the messenger god, holding an ancient-looking scroll.
The seal’s pattern was familiar.
That was…
Jinhyuk instinctively summoned a dagger—
And hurled it with all his might.