Chapter 385

If it weren't for the authority of Chris's Throne holding on, they wouldn't have been able to move at all.

[Is this all you've got? Try to struggle a little more.]

Sherad let out a dark laugh.

'I have to break free from this restraint, somehow!'

It was the moment the two of them grit their teeth.

[You've held on for a long time. Well done.]

Chris stepped forward.

[Leave the rest to me.]

[Huhu. I'm looking forward to this. Christian, I wonder what kind of pleasure you will give me....]

[Me? I'm just going to beat you to a pulp.]

Chris sneered and drew a single sword.

It was Andrill.

[A club is the answer for a madman.]

Having finally reached 9-Star, he could now use Andrill's various authorities.

Among them, the one Chris was about to use now was 'Amplification'.

It was an authority that could manifest a power proportional to the amount of energy poured into it.

'It's the perfect authority for this situation.'

He focused the energy contained in the lake's water directly into Andrill.

Of course, even with the Vampiric Ring and the authority of the Throne, he could not draw an infinite amount of energy.

The more energy he absorbed, the more of a burden it placed on his core.

However, Chris minimized such a backlash by assimilating the external energy with himself through his innate sensitivity, and soon, a tearing shriek echoed from Andrill.

Goooooooo.

The lake shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

Flash!!

Andrill's energy exploded, and Sherad's Advent of Creation crumbled to pieces.

[Keuk!!]

Freed from their restraints, Evan and Ranya did not miss the opportunity and launched a fierce assault.

[You filthy pervert!]

[Give me your neck, you perverted bastard!]

Whether it was the aftermath of his Advent of Creation being broken, Sherad could not properly respond to their attacks and showed signs of being flustered.

Chris joined in the attack as well.

Along with Ranya's magic and Evan's sword, the Demonic Radiance, which had been transformed into an ultimate skill, flashed.

All of them were attacks that surpassed the limits of their respective levels.

As time passed, Sherad's damage accumulated.

However.

[Kekek! This is so much fun!! As expected, the only one who can make me tremble is you, Christian.]

Fwoooooosh!!!

The evil energy spread around him.

He had once again unfolded his Advent of Creation, the 'Hell of the Eaten'.

However, the situation was different from before.

He focused all his power solely on Chris.

[Christian!!]

[Stop it, you pervert!!!]

Evan and Ranya did their best to save Christian, but it was useless.

He was engulfed in the black evil energy and completely isolated from the outside.

[Ah, what are you going to do now? You won't be able to use the same trick as before.]

As he said, it was impossible to use Andrill again.

Sherad licked his lips as if in anticipation.

[Please don't crumble so easily. So I can enjoy this ecstasy to the fullest.]

Paaat!

The Hell of the Eaten approached Chris.

The Throne stood proudly in its way, but the difference in their absolute levels was too great.

No matter how sublime the authority of the Throne was, if it were to clash head-on like this, it was bound to be pushed back.

Of course, Chris was not just standing by helplessly.

Chwarararak.

Swords of light floated up.

There were more than 10 of them.

The Celestial Radiance Swords.

Each one was a sword that embodied the entire world of the Celestial Radiance.

[Die.]

Fwooooooosh!

The swords of light flew.

Sherad defended, but they broke through in an instant and mercilessly slashed him.

[!!]

Blood spurted, and not only that, the power of light purified Sherad's evil soul.

But Chris's expression was not good.

'It's not working.'

As expected, a mad laugh echoed.

[Ah, good. More. It's not enough.]

Far from being damaged, Sherad laughed with a face full of pleasure.

It seemed he could have blocked the attack just now, but had deliberately allowed it.

'It's still too much for me to handle an apostle-class with my current power.'

Chris thought with a heavy gaze.

He had grown explosively, but the enemy was too strong.

Just then, an unexpected voice was heard.

[I... will help... you.]

[!!]

Chris flinched.

It was Mefina, the 7th-circle demon!

She had not appeared for a long time, but now she had.

[You know... that this is not the time... to be stubborn, don't you? Are you... just going to stand by and watch... the world turn... into hell?]

Chris remained silent.

She was right.

If he could not stop Sherad here, the gate would open. A living hell would unfold.

This was not a situation where he could refuse her power simply because he disliked demons.

[Let me ask you one thing first. Mefina, why are you trying to make a contract with me? No, what is your ultimate goal?]

He had vaguely sensed that Mefina was different from an ordinary demon.

[…I do not wish for ruin.]

[Why not?]

[I already have everything, so why should I have to start all over again?]

Chris noticed several important pieces of information contained in those words.

First, that Mefina had been a demon of a very high rank before her fall.

'Probably the 3rd circle. A high-ranking one at that.'

Second, the true intention of the demons.

A clue as to why the demons wished for ruin was mixed in Mefina's words just now.

As if she, too, had realized her slip, Mefina spoke in a troubled voice.

[…I have said… too much. I will face… the backlash of causality. In any case… if you wish to avoid ruin… join hands with me.]

Chris answered.

[I refuse.]

[…You bastard! Are you being stubborn again for no reason?]

[No, that's not the reason.]

Chris shook his head.

[You are weak. You are not qualified to assist me.]

[!!!]

An absurd story.

But he was serious.

'This isn't the end.'

Of course, if he joined hands with Mefina, he would be able to overcome the current crisis.

But what about the other enemies of the Mystic Demonic House?

The apostle-class was one thing, but what about the Head and Vice-Head, who were called Grand Apostles?

For reference, the Head of the Mystic Demonic House held the position of Pope, and the Vice-Head, the position of High Priest, and they were at the levels of high 9-Star and mid 9-Star, respectively.

And what about the Magus Chancellor and the Demon Emperor of the Center?

The Celestial Realm and Gehenna?

'There is no way I can stand against them by accepting Mefina's power.'

On the contrary, it was highly likely that it would only limit his potential for growth.

Above all.

[I can win against a guy like that on my own.]

That's right.

He had anticipated that an apostle-class being might intervene in this matter.

The reason he had still stepped forward was that he had a way.

Fwoooosh!

An intense energy surged into the Throne.

[Hmm? What kind of trick are you trying to pull? Go on and try your best. I'm not satisfied yet.]

A dark smile formed on Sherad's face.

But that smile soon vanished.

He had sensed that something was amiss.

The form of the Throne began to change.

It was not simply seated in its lofty position; it was as if something colossal were rising from the Throne, casting a shadow.

Advent of Creation.

The Reigning Throne.

If the original Throne had maximized its dominion, the Reigning Throne was an authority that could actually cause a direct phenomenon in reality based on that dominion.

'It's still an authority that's too much for my level.'

He was still an advancing 9-Star, so his vessel was insufficient, and he had to directly twist causality.

'Still, I can do it. I just have to use the energy of the Glass Lake.'

Fwoooosh!

He absorbed the energy of the Glass Lake through the Vampiric Ring to supplement his insufficient energy.

At the same time, he manifested the causality manipulation he had learned through the former Demon King of Silver Snow.

It felt as if not only his core but also his very soul would collapse from the forced manifestation of the authority, but he endured it.

Rumble.

A colossal shadow was cast over Sherad.

Sherad, whose composure from before was long gone, unfolded his own Advent of Creation with all his might.

But it was useless.

Crack, crackle.

The shadow of the Reigning Throne crushed Sherad, and like a giant trampling a trifle, Sherad's Advent of Creation began to crumble to pieces.

[!!!]

Sherad drew up his power with all his might, his face pale.

A fight between 9-Stars was a contest of causality.

Sherad's causality manipulation confronted the Reigning Throne.

Surprisingly, the result was Chris's superiority.

[Keuk!]

Sherad vomited a mouthful of blood.

It was an unbelievable event.

To think he had been pushed back in a contest of causality manipulation when he had reached the end of the low 9-Star?

It meant that Chris's authority was superior, transcending levels.

[This is the end.]

Chris declared coldly.

[Die.]

The shadow of the Reigning Throne crushed Sherad.

Blood flowed from Sherad's entire body.

[Keo, heook....]

Sherad's soul was being crushed to pieces.

At this rate, he would not be able to avoid annihilation.

But then, something completely unexpected happened.

The pressure that had been crushing Sherad's soul vanished as if it had been washed away.

And then.

[Keuk!]

Christian vomited a mouthful of black blood.

He knelt, his body trembling.

The forced use of power had finally caused a disaster.

[Ha... ha. This is a shame. I was thrilled.]

Sherad brushed back his blood-soaked hair.

[It seems you can't even lift a finger anymore.]

Sherad licked his lips as if in regret, looking at the completely helpless Chris.

[You are my muse. I don't want to kill you like this, but I have no other choice. How tragic.]

Sherad trudged towards Chris.

But Chris, as if completely drained of strength, could not offer any resistance and only sent a fierce glare.

[Get lost.]

[Huhu. Don't be so sad. You will now become one with me.]

He placed a chilling hand on Chris's neck.

He was about to use his unique authority, Gluttony, which absorbed the power of his opponent.

[Originally, I was supposed to offer you as a sacrifice to open the gate... but I just can't resist. And as it happens, other substitute sacrifices have appeared.]

Sherad glanced over at Evan and Ranya.

The two of them also possessed souls loftier than any mortal, so they would be sufficient as sacrifices.

[Ah, to think this moment has come. Do you know my feelings for you? It was a feeling of wanting to enjoy a feast, yet wanting to postpone it forever.]

Sherad's eyes were colored with a fanatical ecstasy.

[You will live and breathe within me for all eternity.]

Swaaaaaa.

The authority of Gluttony was manifested.

At this rate, Chris would have everything absorbed by Sherad and meet his death.

But Chris showed an incomprehensible reaction.

He suddenly smiled.

A smile that did not fit the situation.

[You fell for it.]

[...What?]

[Evan, Ranya!]

Crash!!

The energy that had been blocking the outside and the surroundings shattered to pieces, and Evan and Ranya appeared and attacked.

[Ha, you insects.]

Sherad raised his hand with a displeased face.

With Chris incapacitated, there was no possibility of Evan and Ranya defeating Sherad.

[I'll enjoy you two separately, so wait your turn.]

Perhaps out of annoyance at having his feast interrupted, Sherad drew up his power more strongly than usual.

However.

Thud.

Sherad's movements stopped.

As if something had forcibly bound him.

When he turned his gaze, Christian was raising the corners of his mouth.

Christian had pulled a trick!

The appearance of not being able to lift a finger from before was gone.

[...You?]

[Of course, it was a trick. For someone who thinks of me in such a disgusting way, you know nothing about me.]

Yes, it was true that he had overexerted himself, but pretending to be completely drained of strength had all been an act.

[This is the end.]

Chris stretched his hand towards Sherad.

Neither demonic energy nor mana, but the pure power of his soul flickered and headed for Sherad.

[D-don't tell me, that's?!]

Sherad's pupils trembled.

An uncharacteristic look of panic.

[Yes, that's right.]

Chris gave a dark smile.

[It's your authority of Gluttony.]