Reaching the deepest part of the treasury, they found a massive door.
Achilles drew a key from his chest, unlocking it to reveal another massive door, for which he produced another key.
Then another door lay beyond.
This continued, seven doors in all, representing the seven tenets of the Paladin: Honesty, Bravery, Compassion, Justice, Sacrifice, Piety, and Benevolence.
Beyond the seventh door lay a constricted space.
Within this space stood a display case, showcasing a ring.
The ring resembled a wedding band, adorned with a pure white flower.
Legend held it was the betrothal ring exchanged between the first Pope, White Emperor, and his wife.
After the White Emperor's death, this wedding band became the key to the Atura Treasury.
The Atura Treasury, the world's largest, was officially received by the Church after the death of Broken King.
Furthermore, the first Pope renamed the treasury after his wife.
The wedding band was the key to its unlocking.
As for its contents, none knew, for besides the first Pope, the White Emperor, no one had ever opened it.
Because the White Emperor had himself interred there; it was his mausoleum.
Entering it was considered an act of sacrilege, thus successive Popes had never entered the treasury and remained ignorant of its contents.
Achilles took the wedding band in his hand, then turned and left without looking back.
However, this treasury wasn't located in the capital, or even within the Yaren Empire.
It lay further north, beyond the endless wasteland, atop the sacred Mount Snow; legend placed the treasury there.
Achilles emerged from the treasury, only to be confronted by a sky full of Vampires!
Yes, a sky full!
Countless pairs of black wings blotted out the sun!
Blood-red moonlight bathed the land; those crimson eyes blended seamlessly with the Blood Moon!
The hundred thousand souls he'd escorted were utterly annihilated.
But misfortune compounded; the Frost King's undead legions followed close behind!
Styx was amongst them, and upon seeing the situation, he descended in his true form!
Riding a black dragon, he surveyed the scene from above; countless undead formed a vast encircling army.
Undead, wraiths, and Vampires—three cataclysmic-level monsters converged, awaiting Achilles.
From the sky, a colossal black dragon descended.
An elderly man with dark, tanned skin and a black robe sneered down at him. "Boy, didn't expect us to arrive so soon, did you?"
Achilles looked at Styx. "Indeed, I didn't expect it. In such a short time, how did you circumvent the Divine Barrier?"
A cruel smile split Styx's lips. "No choice. My uncle has many… acquaintances, some rather… extraordinary individuals among them."
"Alice… Huh?"
Styx looked up, noticing Alice standing to one side like a guardian deity, protecting a white-haired man.
The white-haired man possessed sharp fangs, blood-red eyes, and pale skin.
Who was this?
His aura was in no way inferior to Alice, the True Ancestor.
Hmm…
Why did everything feel so… strange?
What was with this fog-like atmosphere?
Styx glanced around. He saw the Frost King wave to the True Ancestor. "I was wondering how to breach the defenses, but it seems that's been settled. 008, you never cease to amaze."
008 descended from the sky, a vast horde of Vampires following in his wake.
"Because the people in this world are too weak."
Huh?
Styx blinked. "Alice, what's going on?"
"Who is this man?"
The blonde Vampire, Alice, smiled. "Allow me to introduce you. This is a True Ancestor Vampire from another world."
"He's not a product of alchemy; he's a genuine Vampire, the most outstanding and perfect Vampire, the final form of Eternal Blood in alchemy."
"I'm currently in his service."
Another world?
Meaning these individuals hailed from another dimension?
And they knew each other?
This…
Styx felt a sense of foreboding. These two groups were clearly aligned.
If they turned on him…
Danger. Immense danger!
However, for now, everyone's attention remained focused on Achilles; a small mercy.
Arthur, wielding the Holy Sword, appeared before Achilles. "You're the supposed whatchamacallit? Seems rather underwhelming."
Achilles whistled; a white winged steed materialized beside him.
Trying to escape?
Arthur took a single step forward!
Achilles' attention fixated on his sword.
From his hand, a golden light flared; instantly, a uniquely shaped, winged-dagger appeared in his palm.
The legendary Achilles' dagger!
Golden light pulsed on his hand, glory energy coalescing on the dagger. Just as he prepared to strike, the Frost King acted!
"Freeze."
Crack!
Achilles' hand was instantly encased in ice; his entire arm and half his body became rigid!
Arthur charged with the Holy Sword. "I hear this is your weapon. Wonder if you've ever been cut by your own blade?"
Ha.
Achilles scoffed at Arthur's attack.
He displayed no magical fluctuations, just a simple swing.
The Holy Sword was only Holy because it was Achilles' weapon. That's what made it Holy.
Against this simple strike…
Crack!
With a sharp resounding crack, the golden light shielding Achilles exploded!
This also triggered the explosion of the true amulet hidden deep within his armor!
How was this possible?
Such a simple strike?
Slash! Slash!!
Arthur's single blow cleaved Achilles' body, along with the ancient armor, in two!
"This…?"
Styx's eyes nearly popped out of his head. What in the world…?
Not just him, even the True Ancestor and the Frost King were stunned!
Was this a cheat code?
A normal attack cleaving through someone with magical protection?
Arthur smirked, his right wrist twisting as he delivered a horizontal slash, severing Achilles into four pieces. "A riddle. How do you evenly divide a corpse among three companions with a single blow?"
"The answer, of course, is to kill the one who posed the question with that single blow!"
Um…
A chillingly cold laugh.
Arthur plunged the Holy Sword into the ground. "So, who's next on the chopping block?"
Upon hearing this, the Frost King and the True Ancestor's gazes simultaneously fell upon Styx's back.
Styx suddenly shuddered.
Danger!
"Wait… wait a moment, I have something to say!"
Styx spoke, then abruptly swallowed his words.
What was that…?
At that instant, a blinding light erupted from behind the group!
Instinctively, they turned. The light emanated from Achilles' corpse!
His shattered body inexplicably reassembled, large patches of skin sloughing off to reveal snow-white flesh marked with golden veins.
Achilles hovered, his left eye glowing gold, his face erupting in a cascade of skin.
He tore the skin from his face, ripping off the skin from his back as well!
At that moment, a pristine white wing unfurled from his back!
"Unbelievable. Someone actually managed to breach the Divine Barrier."
Achilles cracked his neck, glory energy radiating from his body!
The others were confused, but Styx understood!
"Glory… not from the tenets! Glory energy?!"
"You're a Heaven creature?!"
"No, impossible. I've known you since you were a child; you're clearly human!"
Observing Styx's expression, Achilles offered a terrifying smile.
"Ah, I am human, that's correct."
"But do you remember your experiments, uncle? Those… recombinations? I remember them vividly."
"I stitched my body together with the remains of a ruined Heaven creature!"
"They claim I killed a Heaven creature, but in reality, I merely encountered a winged Angel on horseback."
"He died before me, recognizing me as a Paladin, sensing the courageous glory within me."
"He begged for my help, and I took his blade."
"My oath was broken twenty years ago. The glory energy surging within me originates from that Angel's heart!"
"I've always believed in the triumph of justice, because the losing side is always the villain."
One side of Achilles' face began to distort; half his body underwent a visible transformation!
This abrupt stitching, this pieced-together flesh… no mistake, this was Styx's creation: a necromantic being!
Hatred!
No one understood the essence of hatred better than Styx. This was a superior necromantic creation.
He combined the best features and superior organs and limbs of various creatures to create a necromantic being that synthesized the strengths of many!
Years ago, he'd achieved astounding success in this research.
But until now, he had never created a legendary-level Hatred.
The main reason was a lack of suitable materials.
Aside from his black dragon, Styx possessed no higher-level life materials.
Initially, Styx chose his nephew.
His nephew possessed exceptional magical and combat talent. His incredible potential gave Styx hope for his next legendary creation!
If he were nurtured from childhood to legendary status and used as the base body for Hatred, that would establish a legendary foundation!
Unfortunately, it didn't work out. His nephew, outwardly simple and honest, had an inner depth similar to his older brother!
Initially, Achilles discovered Styx's experiments, but instead of shouting or being shocked, he displayed a keen interest.
After some probing, Styx discovered his nephew genuinely enjoyed his experiments.
It didn't seem feigned.
Styx gradually lowered his guard, occasionally explaining his research and knowledge, even teaching him necromantic magic.
Then, the boy turned around and deceived Styx.
Years later, Styx, evading imperial pursuit, fled to the Western Continent, starting anew and establishing the Dark Council.
He gathered numerous necromancers and forbidden scholars, restarting the Hatred project.
After his departure, Styx's research area became desolate and abandoned.
Achilles joined the Church, going from initially agreeing to the oath to becoming a Paladin in less than two years.
Afterward, he remained quiet for a long time, until his power suddenly surged.
That same year, he gained the Church's favor, requesting to uphold more oaths.
Initially, the Church worried he'd break them, so they increased his tenets to fourteen.
After a period of observation, Achilles flawlessly upheld them.
Following this, the Church gradually added more tenets, until… over two hundred…
Achilles became a legendary Paladin!
He conquered dragons in the Eastern Mountains, slew giants on the Sacred Mount Snow, and destroyed the extremist cannibal organization, the Carnivorous Garden.
His status, reputation, and fame skyrocketed from that point on!
He became the youngest recognized legend, receiving the Pope's approval and being named the next Pope.
Even the Church's two ancient artifacts—the Heaven's Guardian (amulet) and United Heart (armor)—were bestowed upon him!
Everyone saw only the glory, unaware that this so-called glory and honor were all lies.
He was an oath-breaker; his vows had long been shattered!
Only in his second year as a Paladin did he first see a Heaven creature descend from the heavens!
She rode a magnificent winged steed, golden blood raining down from the sky!
In her life-threatening situation, she sensed the surging glory energy within Achilles, descending before him as an Angel and begging for his help!
But as Achilles stated, his response to that Heaven creature was a lethal blow!
Regardless of what the Heaven creature was, he had undeniably killed a sentient being, leaving an indelible impression.
And it spawned an idea.
If another Heaven creature found him, it would surely be to kill him!
Therefore, after Zero brought him to Earth, his first reaction upon seeing the Angel was to kill!
Just as he had killed that Heaven creature and dismembered its body!
After his uncle's departure, the Church destroyed all the experimental equipment.
But the Church didn't know that another laboratory existed beneath the surface.
Achilles never reported this laboratory to the Church.
In that laboratory, he combined the fragmented body of the Angel with his own, creating an imperfect first version of his body.
Only after gradually replacing all of his body parts with those of the Angel did he reach legendary status!
But such a thing could never see the light of day, so Achilles needed an excuse.
And the Church tenets provided the perfect explanation!
Unquestionable; no one could possibly control that many tenets!
All humans, even the most righteous, have a dark side!
A perfect being is a myth!
Good and evil are always intertwined. If perfect good existed, it would immediately become perfect evil!
At least, Achilles maintained his facade for over twenty years, without revealing any flaws.
But in private, everyone who saw his true face is dead.
Otherwise, the rumors of Achilles' hidden dagger wouldn't exist.
That was real.
One day, a child discovered his secret, questioning him about why he hadn't helped his grandmother.
Thus, the child and his grandmother were sent to meet God.
Perhaps the real Achilles was truly dark, disturbed, but he had a clear understanding of himself.
He knew what kind of person he was.
He also knew what he wanted.
Power, wealth, fame, strength—he craved it all!
"If it weren't for you… soon, I would have become the next Pope, wielding greater power than the Emperor, executing the second step of my grand plan."
"Now, it's all gone. All the suffering I endured for so many years, all my careful plans, ruined by you!"
Achilles' two halves were visibly different; one side of his face was feminine, the other, his former appearance!
His roar became shrill, like a banshee's wail!
The Empire was gone, the Church destroyed; his efforts had been in vain!
Now, he could only retreat and try again, using the wedding band to open the treasury!
At least, he could get money; anything was better than this pointless endeavor!
But these individuals, these strangers… they were utterly unreasonable!
One seemed to stop time; the other ignored all defenses!
These two were like the rules themselves!
"Is there a Phase 2?"
Arthur picked up the Holy Sword. "Come, come. I haven't even warmed up yet."
Seeing Arthur's sharp expression, Achilles sneered.
Since it was already broken, why bother pretending?
With a flick of his wrist, the Holy Sword in Arthur's hand flew into Achilles' grasp!
"Sanctuary!"
He plunged the sword into the ground; a platinum key hovered before him!
Golden light instantly enveloped the surroundings; Achilles' figure began to fade!
Seeing this, the Frost King swung his arm, unleashing absolute freezing.
But strangely, this time his power had no effect on Achilles!
"Something's wrong, Arthur, retreat!"
Arthur snatched a throwing knife, slashing across Achilles' body.
Achilles' body severed, then re-formed!
But it wasn't a simple re-formation; it was more like striking a waterfall.
Or perhaps he'd only cut an illusion?
"As I suspected."
Achilles raised the Holy Sword and struck at Arthur!
Slash! Slash!
Blood sprayed; Arthur's body was cleaved in two!
Seeing this, the Frost King was about to unleash his freeze, but 008 acted first!
His chest pulsed with crimson light; Arthur's body was drawn out into threads, disintegrating and being pulled away!
008 expertly manipulated the Philosopher's Stone, gathering the matter and reconstructing Arthur's body.
Arthur blinked. "Amazing… what was that? Can we do it again?"
The True Ancestor remained silent. "Shouldn't you be more concerned about this?"
The Frost King stated, "I don't know what he just used, but he's no longer before us. In fact, he might not be in the same spatial plane."
"Like Dreamland?"
"Different."
"He can strike us across dimensions, but we can't reach him."
Achilles flicked his wrist, a single wing beating. This wasn't the effect of an ancient artifact, nor magic.
He'd scavenged it from the Heaven creature's corpse!
A key, called Sanctuary!
Undeniably, a Heaven artifact!
Its effect allowed Achilles' body to enter a separate space called Sanctuary.
Within this space, he could attack outwards, but those outside couldn't strike him!
Those outside only saw a projection.
It was proven; as long as his body wasn't in the same space as these individuals, their rule-based abilities were ineffective!
"Seems things are getting simpler."
After testing his attack, Achilles drew his dagger, connecting its hilt to the Holy Sword's.
Crack!
The great sword and dagger fused, forming a unique double-headed blade!
Achilles held the sword in both hands, not raising it as before, but holding it horizontally at his side, like a katana.
Simultaneously, golden light began gathering on the blade and his arm!
"Not good!"
Old Styx was the first to react, pulling on the reins of his black dragon and soaring into the sky!
He was gathering power for a Holy Slash; Achilles was serious!
This strike, unleashed, would defeat not only legends but even Ancient Gods!
The Frost King and the others sensed the danger; this terrifying glory energy wasn't 4th Step!
It was 5th Step!
"Scatter!"
The Frost King used his freezing time to escape first. The True Ancestor leaped, carrying a horde of Vampires into the sky!
Even with the Blood Moon active, a 5th Step attack could obliterate him completely!
"I truly can't catch a break with Angels."
The True Ancestor gritted his teeth. On Earth, the ten-thousand-winged Angel had broken through to 5th Step and instantly killed him upon confrontation!
Now, in another world, another Angel!
Arthur raised his hands. "Hey, hey, are you guys seriously leaving me behind? I'm clearly the most fragile!"
Again!
At that moment, a dark figure suddenly appeared before Arthur!
Seeing who it was, Arthur was startled. "Boss?!"
009 smirked. "What a coincidence, Arthur. There's something I wanted to try."
009 lifted Arthur. "Want to kill that guy? Good."
"Um… temporarily, yes."
"But Boss, why are you holding me?"
"Simple. Your Absolute Severance, my Absolute Hit; I carry you, and we become a supercharged Black Arrow!"
Arthur suddenly realized. "Wait, Boss, you're immortal, but I'm not!"
"And he's not in this space; you can't reach him!"
009, already carrying him, took a step forward. "Don't forget your ability is Absolute Severance; it cuts through space itself!"
Right!
Hearing this, Arthur slashed through the space before them; a pitch-black rift opened, and 009 carried him through it in a flash!
...
On the other side, the Sanctuary space suddenly fractured!
Achilles, gathering his power, was startled. Arthur and 009 burst from the rift!
How was this possible?
They'd torn through space, even bypassing Sanctuary?
"Witness our fiery combo, kid! This is Absolute Hit!"
009 roared, carrying Arthur and charging towards Achilles' back!
Achilles slashed; a massive golden sword-beam erupted from Sanctuary, engulfing half the sky, piercing the outer world and leveling half the city in an instant!
BOOM!!
But within Sanctuary, Achilles' head was cleaved by Arthur's blow!
Achilles' body fell from the Sanctuary sky; 009 and Arthur landed on a floating stone platform.
"Looks like my theory holds true. As long as you cut through space, my Absolute Hit will find the fastest path to cross dimensions!"
"This way, I can get back to Earth!"
"I'm afraid not."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Lord Aurora sent me here; I have an unfinished mission."
Huh?
009 blinked. "Lord's mission? What mission? I didn't know about this."
As they spoke, Achilles suddenly lunged!
His head reattached, he wielded his sword, unleashing a fully charged Holy Slash aimed directly at 009's head!
BOOM!!
Glory energy exploded; Achilles was blown away by the force!
However, 009 remained unscathed.
He scratched his back, suddenly feeling a chill.
Looking closer, Achilles had completely sliced through his clothes.
This time, Achilles was stunned. He'd clearly struck…
But why was the white-haired man unharmed?
009 turned to Achilles. "This guy is tough to kill. By the way, was he trying to ambush me just now?"
Ambush 009?
What kind of joke was that?
He probably didn't know why 009 was even here!
If the people from that world could kill 009, they wouldn't have abandoned him here!
Achilles was truly unlucky; he'd encountered people with absolute abilities!
Absolute Freeze, Absolute Piercing, Absolute Severance, Absolute Hit, Absolute Indestructibility.
Five absolute abilities combined; he was utterly outmatched!
Achilles' worldview had been shattered multiple times.
First, the Frost King's time stop left him dumbfounded. Then Arthur, ignoring defenses, cleaved through his armor to reveal his true form.
Now Arthur, with 009's Absolute Hit, had transcended space to strike him!
If this world had a protagonist, Achilles was more like the final antagonist.
But the antagonists from the other world were far more suitable for the role!
...
"The investigative mission progressed smoothly."
"Outer layer assessment: 4th Step. Inner layer assessment: 5th Step."
On the continent, Mei, after observing known human powerhouses and factions, roughly identified four peak powerhouses.
Frankly, they were weak.
Their individual strength was at the 4th Step level, but their physical bodies and defenses were rather disappointing.
Even the most prominent among them, Achilles, only reached 4th Step in physicality and 5th Step in attack power.
This glass-cannon-type powerhouse seemed to be the norm in this world.
Absolute attributes would be a devastating, dimensionality-reducing attack against them.
Yet, Mei observed that this world did possess genuine 5th Step lifeforms.
For instance, the gods spoken of by the natives; those deities possessed complete 5th Step capabilities in both physicality and other attributes.
Calling them gods is a slight exaggeration, only relative to ordinary people.
For ordinary people, a 5th Step being is practically a god.
Those referred to as legendary powerhouses, numbering four, were based in the four cardinal directions of the continent.
Of these, the northern legend, Achilles, is considered the strongest.
And Styx… frankly, he might be the weakest of the legendary figures.
Barely reaching 4th Step attack power, 3rd Step physicality—rather unremarkable.
But his black dragon was interesting; a standard 4th Step lifeform, though considerably weaker than Ye Long.
Therefore, Mei dismissed these four.
Mei compiled a list, noting all lifeforms posing a potential threat.
First were their so-called native gods: Dogma, the God of Wisdom; Nara, the God of Death; and Cito, the God of Nature.
Along with Bael, the Demon King.
Many foreign tribes worshipped demons, claiming Bael's supremacy and regularly offering sacrifices.
This requires further investigation to determine the Demon King's power level.
Next was the ocean.
Mei dispatched Vespa to the ocean, stirring up several things.
First to emerge was a giant octopus, a prehistoric behemoth.
Local fishermen called it Lager, meaning sea monster or sea demon.
Mei observed its power; likely a high-ranking 4th Step?
Vespa had already swallowed it; the octopus struggled for a long time but couldn't escape.
A point for Vespa; that giant octopus seemed like decent material.
The situation on land and sea is thus far similar. Next is their so-called Heaven.
Oddly, Mei found no overlapping spatial dimensions on this planet.
"Perhaps it's outside the planet?"
As long as Heaven wasn't overlapping with this world, it wouldn't impede Mei's consumption of this world.
However, Heaven should be noted. If it truly resided on another planet, a Heaven energy lifeform capable of traversing interstellar distances would undoubtedly be at the 5th Step level.
However, based on this world's understanding of Heaven creatures, they rarely appear.
Therefore, excluding Heaven, this world's state is similar to Earth.
Power is concentrated in the hands of a few; most lifeforms are ordinary.
This is a favorable situation. By employing a decapitation strategy, eliminating those prominent figures, the world would pose little resistance.
Next, deploy combat personnel.
"Angel, your chance for revenge."
...
Within the Sanctuary, Achilles lacked the will to fight; this was all cheating; how could he possibly win?
Best to run.
Achilles' mind racing, broke through the Sanctuary and dashed out!
His speed was impressive, but before he could get far, the space in front of him twisted!
Then, a figure materialized out of thin air!
The figure kicked, striking Achilles directly!
Boom!
A deafening sound erupted. Achilles, overwhelmed by the force, was sent crashing to the ground!
Thump!
Achilles landed amidst the city ruins; the night sky illuminated, vast wings blotting out the heavens!
The divine light and dazzling flames shone like a second sun!
"There's still…"
Achilles shielded his eyes; through the gaps in his fingers, he saw the being in the sky.
It was… a Heaven creature?
"A Ten thousand-Winged Angel?"
Why did it look so familiar?
Wait, could it be…?
Achilles remembered something, but the celestial being appeared before him in an instant, its foot crushing his chest!
Boom!
An immense force bore down, the earth cracking instantly; fissures spread for over ten miles!
"I remember your face. You're the one who cut me, human?"
Achilles didn't understand the Angel's words, but he sensed her intent to kill.
Achilles gritted his teeth; the Holy Sword in his hand blazed with light!
Before he could attack, a colossal wing cleaved down, severing his arm!
Slash! Slash!
"Ugh…"
Achilles' face contorted, turning from red to black, flecked with golden veins as blood spurted from the wound.
Angel Moon lifted his head. "If it weren't for Zero's absolute fear, I could've tossed you half a century away."
"Such a weakling, with wings and all."
One of Achilles' eyes was black, the other gold. His golden pupil flared, unleashing a surge of energy from his body.
Boom!
The glory energy explosion struck; the Angel, with a slight flutter of her wings, evaded by several dozen meters.
Achilles, meanwhile, struggled to his feet, his severed arm seemingly reattached by some form of necromancy.
However, a clear fracture remained where it had been severed.
"Haah… Cough… Cough… Spit!"
Achilles spat blood, his body growing unsteady.
After a moment of wavering, he raised his left hand, the Holy Sword held high, his right arm hanging limply.
"Come… Holy Slash!"
Glory power surged onto the sword's blade, transforming into a colossal golden beam that slashed towards the Angel!
Facing the slow attack, the Angel's form flickered in the air, instantly closing the distance!
Simultaneously, a hand pierced his chest!
Slash! Slash!
The sound of tearing flesh echoed. Before the golden beam struck, Achilles felt a chilling cold in his chest.
He looked down to see a hand piercing his chest.
His heart was being pulled from his body!
Thump! Thump!
His heart, removed from his chest, still beat vibrantly!
It was a golden heart, but the blood spurting from it was a dark, bloody red.
The Holy Sword slipped from Achilles' grasp. He clutched his chest; the golden light vanished from his body!
"Heart… I… com…"
Thud.
Achilles died before he could finish his sentence, falling lifelessly to the ground.
Blood gushed from his chest; blood flowed from all his orifices!
The Angel's flesh grafted onto his body began to rot and decay.
But the heart… continued to beat.
"Is that it? He's dead?"
Looking at the lifeless Achilles, the Angel seemed unimpressed.
She'd only used less than thirty percent of her power, and Achilles couldn't withstand it. This revenge was far more anticlimactic than anticipated.
More frustrating was that the majority of Achilles' strength came from his heart.
Once the Angel removed it, his power plummeted to a 2nd Step level.
"Without that heart, you're nothing. Is this the peak of a different world's strong?"
"Still, the power within this heart is interesting."
The Angel touched her chest, then tore it open!
She had no heart; her body was a molten biological construct. She integrated the heart into her biological furnace.
Flesh wrapped around the heart; blood intermingled, drawing golden energy from within!
The Angel's pupils suddenly turned gold!
Glory energy erupted from her. She picked up the Holy Sword, attempting to replicate Achilles' energy manipulation, channeling it into the blade!
At that moment, the Holy Sword flared with intense glory energy!
"What was that technique called again?"
"Zero said something like…"
"Holy Slash?"
Boom!
The Angel swung, a colossal golden beam cleaving a distant mountain peak in two!
"It's a pity; this heart's original owner must have been a true 5th Step."
The Angel possessed this energy, called glory, and found it easy to absorb; her entire being rejoiced in its acquisition!
This power seemed tailor-made for her.
Holy and powerful.
At that moment, the Angel noticed something in the distance.
A wave of evil energy was spreading.
...
In the sky, the Vampire and the Frost King were jointly attacking Styx!
The True Ancestor, using the Philosopher's Stone, had ascended to 4th Step, a formidable combination with the Frost King!
Their combined 4th Step attack rendered Styx utterly defenseless!
The True Ancestor alone, manipulating blood, could toy with him effortlessly.
"You… you otherworldly trash…"
Splash!
Styx's blood was drained, leaving only a desiccated corpse!
The True Ancestor seized the corpse. "I think Lord Aurora will need this material, so I'll take the body."
The Frost King seemed to understand; the True Ancestor was planning to claim credit.
Such cunning.
"Then I'll take that dragon."
The Frost King looked at the black dragon and smirked, pressing its head to the ground, unleashing his frost power!
The frost power surged into the dragon's body!
The dragon roared; its dull brown eyes transformed into a watery blue, frost veins appearing on its scales!
The dragon, converted into a Frost King familiar, silently bowed its head.
The Frost King stood atop the dragon; with a powerful flap of its wings, it soared into the sky!
This mount was far superior to a mere warhorse!
Having slain two otherworldly legendary figures, the next task was, naturally, the division of spoils.
Like bandits, they gathered their plunder!
The True Ancestor took Styx's corpse; the Frost King took Styx's dragon and the ancient artifact.
At this moment, Mei issued an order.
The order was simple: the Frost King was to return to the northern wasteland and investigate the 'God' beneath the wasteland.
The God of Death, Fire Eater Nara.
The Frost King accepted the order, riding the frost dragon, leading the White Walker army back to the endless wasteland.
After presenting Styx's corpse to Mei, the True Ancestor received no further instructions.
Looking at his hundreds of thousands of Vampire legions, the True Ancestor decided that if Lord Aurora didn't assign him a task, he would simply declare himself king, seizing all the cities of the former Yaren Empire.
Then he would expand, turning everyone into a Vampire, and unify the other world!
As for The Clown's side, upon learning of Mei's orders, 009 immediately abandoned his return plans.
"Lord Aurora gave you orders, but not me; there's a deeper meaning. This is a hint."
Huh?
Hearing 009, Arthur was confused.
If you weren't given a task, isn't that just that?
"I believe Lord Aurora understands my intentions; she supports my industrial revolution in this other world, which is why she gave no orders."
"She's letting me act according to my own ideas, without restriction. More instructions might be counterproductive."
"I understand everything now. It all stems from my heartfelt desire for Lord Auers. No need to question it; it must be so."
Hmm…
What was that saying?
A dream is the furthest distance between understanding and feeling?
"However, I lack an interpreter."
...
Outside the capital.
Three figures stared at the capital before them, their expressions complex.
Upon arriving, they'd witnessed a massive sword beam slicing through the city, consuming half of it.
Now, half the capital was reduced to rubble; not a single soul was in sight.
What had happened here?
"And where's that white-haired one?"
One of them asked. 009 and Arthur suddenly appeared before them.
"Come."
009 approached the woman. "It's over. Could you please act as my interpreter?"
Jena looked troubled. "I'm afraid… I can't."
"Such a shame."
009 squeezed her neck. "Then it's not a request. Follow me, or die. Choose."
"What are you doing?!"
The lute-carrying man drew his sword, pressing it against 009's neck. "I told you he wasn't a good person."
009 sneered. "Tell him he still has time to run."
009's grip was powerful; Jena struggled in vain.
Seeing Jena's breathing grow shallow, the Paladin behind her couldn't stand it!
He drew his sword and struck at 009's head without hesitation!
Clang!
The sword struck 009's head, meeting metal; the blade bounced harmlessly off!
"What?!"
The others stared, eyes wide.
009 shook his head. "I clearly gave them time to escape, but they didn't appreciate it."
"Arthur, commence."
Arthur, licking his dagger, approached from behind. "My dagger's coated in potent poison."
Poison? And you're licking it?
It proved that Arthur was merely imitating a famous scene.
Arthur twirled his throwing dagger, launching it at the lute-carrying man!
"Get out of the way!"
The Paladin lunged forward, intercepting the dagger with his sword!
Clang!
A sharp clang echoed; the sword shattered, the dagger continuing its trajectory, severing the Paladin's arm!
Splash! Splash!
Blood sprayed; the Paladin's sword arm was cleanly severed!
"What!"
The Clown, as if performing a juggling act, spun the dagger in his hand. "Oh?"
"Not dead? Then the next one will take your head~"