novelraw Chapter 312: Episode 312
Chapter 312: Episode 312
[High-ranking Angel Claire has returned to the Celestial Realm.]
Pope Luminus had borrowed Behel’s authority to reopen a gate to the Celestial Realm. Although the angel—a creation of Behel—had returned, her departure confirmed that the dimension was still distorted.
[Pope Luminus has died.]
Soon after, the Demon Sword Ashlanche cut down the ruler of the Holy Kingdom. With this, the only being protecting Ain Kart had been dealt with. Everything was proceeding smoothly. Sitting in the basement, Duke Nikunbel stood up as he looked at the four dungeons displayed on the screen.
—"Pathetic. I gave him the goal of continental conquest to sow chaos, but is this his limit?"
"Still, stirring up the nations in the West to that extent is a remarkable achievement. He drew out the Holy Kingdom as expected, so all that’s left is Archbishop Messiah."
—"Since it now belongs within a dungeon, there’s no chance of it receiving dimensional interference on its own. To finish the plan definitively, there must be no setbacks. Quickly clean up the situation, Nikunbel."
"I’ve already sent someone to the capital, Ashlan. As long as they are silenced in time, there’s no way Taehyun will notice. Now, let’s begin the final event."
From the beginning, the NPC Player had been summoned to use the continent’s chaos to ultimately draw out the Holy Kingdom and the Church of Abundance. Even though he had obtained a portion of the dimension’s authority, the remaining incumbent gods were obstacles that had to be eliminated at all costs.
"The seed thrown to Taehyun has properly grown into a World Tree, so the God of Nature, Ameria, should also be easily eliminated."
It was a stage prepared for over twenty years solely for this plan. The reason he intentionally used the game system to foster the growth of Attackers and Dungeon Masters, the reason he specifically chose three designated players to make them strong, and the reason he summoned modern people from another dimension while setting nearly impossible goals... It was all because he was a Dimension Manager who could not directly interfere with the continent. Now, if he could just eliminate those remaining on the continent and in the Celestial Realm, he would be reborn as the perfect Dimension Manager without any issues.
Duke Nikunbel sent separate messages to the four individuals, then dropped to his knees before the Source of Darkness.
"The plan you have long desired is finally nearing its end. I will continue to serve you with utmost loyalty."
—"Has it been twenty years? It wasn’t that long. You’ve worked hard all this time. Duke Nikunbel, once I completely obtain this dimension, I will be reborn as a Dimension God. When that time comes, I will seat you in the position of a demigod."
"It is an honor."
It was something he had resolved to do from the moment the Demonic King’s soul was sealed. As the four dungeons slowly began to move, the decisive battle on the Astral Continent was finally entering its final Chapter.
---
[The capital Ashlan is beginning to be dungeonized.]
[The dungeon’s Crystal Sphere is swallowing Ashlan.]
The dungeon’s Crystal Sphere, held by a member of the Tarantula faction, was installed inside the royal presence chamber. The city that had stood in the West for decades was instantly dyed with mana and began to undergo a transformation.
[The effect of the Control Stele is activated.]
[Synchronization Rate: 100%]
[The affiliation of the target, Frost Queen Yuslan, has been changed to Balak.]
’So that’s the stele used to seal the Frost Queen Yuslan in the past. Seeing that it has a control effect rather than just a simple seal, the ancient continentals must have made a foolish choice as well.’
Yuslan had been sealed somewhere in the North. If the Control Stele’s effect had activated right before she was sealed, a part of the continent would have already been destroyed by someone’s hands. Since she was merely sealed, it meant that after the Control Stele failed, they must have succeeded in sealing her through another method. Sitting on the throne, Leon van Noah thought of Balak’s Main Forces and harbored deep doubts.
"Just what method did he use to raise the ranks of his dungeon soldiers in such a short time? I clearly remember that during the succession ceremony, only the dungeon’s grade was high."
"Hehe. I told you. Taehyun is an absolute monster. You failed in the end, and you lost to him. How can you be so in denial?"
"You think I’ve failed? I’m not finished yet. If the one who summoned me is Duke Nikunbel, he won’t be able to just ignore my proposal."
"So all you can manage is opening a Demon World gate? Wow, how amazing. Sure, I’ll give you a little praise. Le. On. Van. No. Ah."
Mihye, bound in shackles, mocked him. Certainly, as she said, his plan to turn the continent into a battlefield had met this outcome because of Balak. Since he was ultimately trying to open a Demon World gate through Mana Drain, the loser was probably himself. However, Leon van Noah hadn’t completely given up.
[Balak soldiers have entered the dungeon Dispel.]
Even now, Balak’s Main Forces had entered the dungeonized capital, but the casting of Mana Drain was already finished. Leon van Noah thrust a blade against Mihye’s neck.
"Repilder. Stop the enemy."
"You capture a Dungeon Master and work me to the bone right to the end. It’s so cheap and dirty. I’m going, I’m going."
It was the Sword Saint Repilder, who showed a strange obsession with the continent. The moment Mihye was annihilated, he would have no choice but to return to his original dimension. As a mercenary, he had no proper alternatives. Repilder grumbled as he left the final room. Meanwhile, Dien, having finished the Mana Drain, was trembling as she brought over the crystal stone filled with mana.
"W-What do you plan to do with this?"
"Have the Crystal Core of Dispel absorb it. You’re not going to say you can’t do it now, are you?"
The tyrant’s eyes dyed red. It was a mind control that, while perhaps ineffective against SS-rank mercenaries, would unconditionally ensnare other Main Forces. It was obvious what would happen the moment she refused the order. Dien glanced at her shackled master before beginning to transfer the mana from the crystal stone into the Crystal Sphere.
[Crystal Core of Dispel]
[Rank: C]
[Level: 1]
[Mana: 1,843,352/350]
[Upgrade Level: Stage 1]
In an instant, the mana value exceeded its limit. The amount of mana required to open a Demon World gate was roughly around two million. Checking the slightly lacking mana value, Leon van Noah looked at the Dungeon Masters slumped on the floor. They were all wearing shackles, but the mana they originally possessed remained unchanged.
"Dien. This time, activate your Special Ability."
"B-But there are no more targets to extract mana from... Don’t tell me?!"
"Yes. This time, the targets are the faction members. I’ll specially spare your master, so you just need to drain the other Dungeon Masters. You can do that, right?"
The faction members slumped on the floor turned pale with shock. Dien’s Special Ability had the effect of extracting mana along with life force, ultimately leading the target to death.
"S-Spare me! I don’t want to die. You promised you’d let us live!"
"Aaaah! Please, just spare my life. I did everything you told me to. I’m begging you!"
"You son of a bitch! I’ll kill you. I swear I’ll kill you. Aaaaargh!"
Terror and fear flooded the inside of the final room. Some struggled desperately to survive, but Leon van Noah’s mind did not change.
"Ignore them and cast it immediately. Or do you want your master to die?"
"I-I’ll do it. I’ll do it, so please, just spare Hyeongseok!"
"Then activate it quickly!"
As the tyrant’s order fell, a spirit orb formed on the ceiling. That was the Absorption Orb, which only corrupted Spirit Masters of Mana could summon.
[S-rank Hero Guardian Spirit Master of Mana Dien’s Special Ability ’Absorption Orb’ has been activated.]
[Simultaneously absorbs the Life Force and Mana of surrounding targets.]
[Upon releasing the Absorption Orb, the gathered mana will be transferred to a desired target.]
[Absorption Orb Usage Limit: 1/1]
Soon, the absorption began. The Tarantula faction members suffered intense agony as they watched their life force and mana being sucked away. The faction member who had been showing hostility just moments ago was now foaming at the mouth and rolling on the floor, meaning the effect was activating properly. Leon van Noah looked up at the Absorption Orb, which was slowly turning red, with satisfaction. Just then, Mihye, who had been beside him, disappeared.
[The Dungeon Master of Balak has used Forced Location Change.]
[Mihye’s location is forcibly changed to the fourteenth room.]
It was Taehyun’s movement item. Leon van Noah belatedly grabbed Seong-hoon, who had become the master of Dispel, by the collar and demanded.
"What is this? How did Taehyun use Forced Location Change? He doesn’t even have vision here, so how the hell did he use it?!"
"Heheheh. You retard. If you’re that curious, why don’t you check inside my head?"
Suddenly, his eyes were drawn to a telepathic message floating in the air.
—Seong-hoon: You stupid bastard. All messages regarding the dungeon are meant to appear only to me, the master. No matter how much you stare at the screen, you can’t see the final room merged with the Master Room. Messages have already popped up several times, but I deleted them all before you could even see them.
Currently, Dispel was a dungeon created by swallowing the entire capital of Ashlan. In particular, with the dungeon’s Crystal Sphere installed inside the royal presence chamber, the Royal Castle itself had suddenly turned into the inside of a dungeon. And with the Dungeon Master shackled, a proper Master Room hadn’t even been established.
[S-rank Familiar Summon Eye of Assimilation has appeared.]
Soon, the summon that had been clinging to the pillar revealed itself.
"Ooo!"
"It was using stealth?!"
No matter how much the summon was assimilated, it couldn’t have clung to the pillar without using stealth. In other words, this meant that the Eye of Assimilation had been inside the presence chamber from the very beginning.
"Heheheh. So even a guy called a tyrant can make a face like that. It’s a masterpiece. A masterpiece. I think this is the most enjoyable moment I’ve had in my life as a Dungeon Master."
"You son of a bitch!"
His bloodshot eyes turned toward Seong-hoon. For the first time, Leon van Noah lost control of his reason and swung his sword. At that moment, his right arm holding the sword flew off.
[SS-rank Guardian God of Balak Grai has cast Dimension Rend.]
[Severs the right arm of the designated target.]
A fountain of blood erupted from the severed stump. Belatedly overwhelmed by the pain, Leon van Noah gritted his teeth and glared at the entrance.
"Why are you throwing a fit and taking it out on an innocent faction member? I planted that familiar summon there myself."
"Ugh. How on earth... I even personally confirmed that you two made contact within the Golpein Territory. It was a fact that definitely didn’t pop up in the telepathic messages!"
"Ah, it’s natural that Repilder didn’t know. The Eye of Assimilation burrowed into his robe in an invisible state from the start. It’s obvious it wouldn’t be revealed unless he used Evil Eye. Anyway, seeing as you stayed quiet even knowing I made contact with Repilder, you must have intended to take Mihye to the Demon World too, huh?"
It was a question that hit the nail exactly on the head. Pale from the massive blood loss, Leon van Noah shook his head.
"I-It can’t end like this. Do you know how hard it was to get this chance? I finally experienced the dimensional travel I’ve always wished for. It can’t end like this!"
"You asked me a question before. What the modern world I lived in was like. But honestly, I don’t know either. Most of my memories have been erased, you see. However, I’m pretty sure it was a more peaceful and happier place than the modern world you lived in. How’s that? Does that answer your question?"
"Aaaaargh. Dien. What are you doing? Hurry up and put the mana into the Crystal Sphere. If you don’t want to die, open the Demon World gate!"
"So even a tyrant struggles when his time to die approaches. Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to die anyway. Repilder."
The Sword Saint revealed himself from among Balak’s Main Forces. Having been constantly taking orders from Leon van Noah because of his Dungeon Master, his anger was deeper than anyone else’s. Repilder curled the corners of his mouth up as far as they would go and bound his movements first.
[SS-rank Mercenary Sword Saint Repilder’s Special Ability ’Evil Eye’ has been activated.]
[Leon van Noah is put into an incapacitated state.]
[Evil Eye Usage Limit: 3/3]
Soon, the tyrant froze in place.
"You had a lot of fun working me like a dog all this time. Must have been a blast, huh?"
"G-Guhhh."
"You’re going to die slowly, feeling every bit of the pain. Yeah. That’s right. You messed with the Sword Saint, so you have to pay at least this much."
Slowly, the longsword dug into his heart. Very slowly, pushing the hilt bit by bit, he controlled it so that Leon van Noah could feel the exact sensation of the blade’s tip digging in as much as possible. And the moment the blade pierced his heart, Leon van Noah sensed his death.
"The day will come when all the people call your name. Leon."
"Brother Leon. You’ll go to the garden with me again today, won’t you?"
"Leon. You’re so scrawny, can you even use your strength properly?"
Suddenly, the memories of Leon van Noah flashed through his mind. Leon van Noah—no, Jeong Dong-min—belatedly remembered the Synchronization Rate and ended up letting out a hollow chuckle.
"D-Damn... the Syn... chronization Rate!!"
His body hit the floor with a thud. Just like that, Dong-min, who had become the continent’s first NPC Player, met his death at the hands of the Sword Saint.