Chapter 430 - Mask Off (5)

“Youngest?” Yeon-woo frowned, not understanding the man with the lion’s mane before remembering what the diary said.

The Great Sage is another aspect of the Heavenly Demon, and he’s quite a popular being. Luciel caused trouble in the heavenly world, Allforone in the lower world, but the Great Sage is the only one who has caused a ruckus in both.

I heard he has six sworn brothers who are his seniors, but they don’t get involved in the Tower’s affairs like the Great Sage does, so no one knows anything about them.

When the Great Sage was the Monkey King, stories described how beings traveled from the heavenly world to help him. What if one of the Seven Demon Kings had appeared? The appearance of the man with the lion’s mane called to mind a name.

“Hm? You don’t know me? I suppose we have been living quietly for some time. Hahaha!”

Boom! The man with the lion’s mane thumped his fists together and roared in laughter, making the ground shake. “My name is Hyul.”He curled his lip and growled fiercely.“When I was still alive, I was called the Lion King, and after dealing with the scumbags of Chan Sect and the bastards of Jie Sect, the gods called me the Mountain Moving Sage.”

Yeon-woo stiffened. Waltz and Tom, who had been watching Yeon-woo and the man with the lion’s mane at a safe distance away, were also shocked.

The Devil Army was a clan that served the Heavenly Demon. The trait that the Heavenly Demon gave them already made them hard to deal with. If they also served other Demon Kings, that made them truly formidable competition.

However, the Lion King, who descended into the Head Bishop’s body, didn’t seem to care about the politics of the lower world and asked Yeon-woo, “I’ll ask again. Who are you to have our youngest? Well, looks like it’s only a part of him. But still, I don’t like it.”

He was talking about the exuviae of the Monkey King that Yeon-woo had absorbed at the Five Mountains of Penances. Yeon-woo pondered whether he should explain.

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter.” The Lion King spoke before Yeon-woo could answer and grinned, baring his teeth. “I’m not actually curious about that stuff. I’m just trying to find a good reason for your death. Hahaha!”

Yeon-woo gritted his teeth at the spirit and pressure the Lion King emanated. The wing of fight wouldn’t be enough to deal with someone like him.

[The King of Seven Hells glowers at the Lion King.]

[Nergal bares his teeth.]

[Ksitigarbha smiles ferociously.]

[Osiris is with you.]

[Hel is with you.]

…

[All gods of death support your will.]

[All demons of death prepare to descend.]

“Looks like a lot of fun things are following you. Hehehe. Seems like it was worth it to beg my eldest brother to send me.” The Lion King smiled even more widely as he looked at the gods and demons of death observing them. It seemed like he wanted Yeon-woo to summon them.

The Lion King was famous for being the most violent of the seven brothers, and he was known to enjoy fights. It had been a while since he’d descended into the lower world, and it appeared that he wanted to cause some trouble before returning.

Yeon-woo gritted his teeth and prepared for manifestation. With the holiness of the Throne of Death, he judged he wouldn’t suffer as badly from the penalty as before. The Lion King began running towards Yeon-woo, only to pause.

“Hm? Fuck. All right. OK! I’ll do it, I will! Geez, your nagging!” He grumbled, and glared at Yeon-woo. “You bastard. You got lucky.”

Yeon-woo realized that the Lion King was communicating with someone, and that he was trying to leave with the Head Bishop. ‘I have to stop him!’ Kalatus’ territory on the fiftieth floor might be destroyed.

“Come.”

[You have requested assistance from the gods and demons of death with the authority of the Throne of Death.]

[The King of Seven Hells accepts your summons.]

[Nergal accepts your summons.]

…

[All gods of death have accepted your request.]

[All demons of death have accepted your request.]

[The Throne of Death has temporarily released all holiness.]

Whoosh. Yeon-woo’s holiness wasn’t complete, and so he lacked the level to release all the powers of the Throne of Death. However, he tried to get around this by using another method. He could have the 666 gods and demons who were followers of the Black King share in the manifestation, which meant he could release all of the holiness for a little while.

[A power bound to the Throne of Death, ‘Hell Tribulation’, is being activated.]

Yeon-woo spewed Hell Tribulation through Breath to stop the Lion King.

“Don’t bother me, human.” The Lion King, who was already in a bad mood because of the restraints on his freedom, released his pressure and shouted a spell. “Blow, Palm Leaf!”

The Palm Leaf Fan created a whirling wall of wind in front of the Lion King before Hell Tribulation could reach him. In the meantime, the Lion King clasped his hands together.

Ding! The sound of a large bell rang throughout the stage. The dark sky split, and a column of light descended on the Lion King. The light spread to the Devil Army followers close by and shielded them within a barrier of light.

[The Dragon’s Curse is being released by an unknown external force.]

[Kalatus’ territory ‘Binah’ has been released.]

[Paths to the outside have reconnected.]

[The portals are opening.]

Yeon-woo realized the light coming from the sky was the power of the Seven Demon Kings. Within the stage was the power of the Lion King and outside was the power of the other Demon Kings. Kalatus’ territory couldn’t withstand them and had been crushed. This was clearly what the Head Bishop had been aiming for.

Yeon-woo tried to use Hell Tribulation again to grab him somehow, but the winds of the Palm Leaf Fan blocked him. Now that the situation had changed, Waltz and Tom went into action. They needed to take advantage of the opportunity the Head Bishop had given them to escape.

Yeon-woo blasted Hell Tribulation all around him. He’d never expected to kill all of the Nine Kings who had shown up, anyway. He had believed that they’d find a way to escape or hide during the seventy-two hours, but he’d never expected that they would resort to such desperate measures. ‘Just one more!’

Whoosh! As Hell Tribulation spread throughout his Underworld territory, Shanon and Hanryeong chased after Waltz and Tom. “Catch them with any means necessary!”

「Leave it to me.」

「Yes, sir!」

Shadows followed Waltz and Tom. Dis Pluto changed formation and raised their spears higher than ever. Demon Beauty Castle and the Fantasy Regiment moved as well. Even if the Seven Demon Kings released Kalatus’ territory, it would take some time for it to entirely disappear.

[Percentage of released territory: 16%, 7 %…21%]

While he still had the chance, he had to eliminate as many enemies as he could.

『Oraboni, just focus on catching the Head Bishop!』

At Edora’s Open Speaking, he decided to change his plans. He watched the Lion King disappearing into the light. If he couldn’t destroy them directly, he’d have to use another way. The moment he was waiting for was about to arrive.

[The Stone of Sin (Superbia·Gula) has been completed.]

[Your stats are being calculated to open a new superior skill.]

[The skill ‘Bathory’s Blood and Tears’ has been created.]

[‘Bathory’s Blood and Tears’ is reacting with the Soulstone (Stone of Gula) and has discovered another option.]

[The holiness of the Throne of Death has been applied to add the option.]

…

[New skills are being sought in consideration of your stats.]

[The skill ‘Hades’ Spirit Eating Sword’ has been opened.]

[Hades Spirit Eating Sword]

[Rank: Power]

[Description: A new skill created from ‘Bathory’s Vampiric Sword’ after the application of the Stone of Gula and the holiness of the Throne of Death. Not only does it absorb vitality, but it also squeezes the foundations of the soul and consumes your opponent’s entire existence.]

[*Emblem of Gluttony

If you cause a critical injury to your opponent, an emblem will appear to poison them and cause excess bleeding. Each second of continued Energy Drain will result in additional injuries to your opponent. Their movements will slow significantly, and they will feel pain.]

[*Hades’ Power

The vitality of your opponent will be pulled out by the roots. You may steal some of their stats and skills. The energy taken from their soul will be given to the Underworld territory to increase the power of the curse.]

[**This is a unique skill. No other skill like this exists in the Tower. If it is successfully passed on to another player, it will lose its uniqueness. Instead, additional options will be provided.

**This skill is bound to the Throne of Death. The greater the holiness, the greater the power, and it can be connected to other powers.]

The appearance of the bumps on Yeon-woo’s left hand didn’t seem that much different, but Yeon-woo could feel the change. The sharp teeth within the black bumps were uncontrollable and savage now. The gluttony of the Sin of Stone was using Hades’ Spirit Eating Sword to express its anger.]

Clack, clack. “Devour.” Previously, he had to touch something in order to absorb it, but now he only needed to raise his hand. The vicious teeth revealed themselves, and the deep abyss within began to suck everything in, including the Hell Tribulation and winds of the Palm Leaf Fan.

He was trying to use Hades’ Spirit Eating Sword to take the winds whole—if it was possible, he wanted to steal the Palm Leaf Fan. He definitely wanted a treasure that could block Hell Tribulation. Because of this, a hole was torn in the tornado protecting the Lion King and the Devil Army.

[The hidden true name of ‘Vigrid-???’ Durendal is released.]

[Folklore: Cutting in two with one strike of the sword]

When he slashed Vigrid, the barrier exploded, and Hell Tribulation flooded into the barrier of light like water, sweeping away thirty percent of the Devil Army. The Lion King, who was already halfway through the light, stepped up and repelled Hell Tribulation away with his pressure.

『You took the Palm Leaf Fan? You damned bastard…!』

While the Lion King and gods and demons of death fought closely, most of the Devil Army followers managed to disappear behind the curtain of light. The Lion King stepped when they were all gone. 『When we meet again...』

His face was twisted. He had suffered an immense amount of damage from blocking Hell Tribulation, including the loss of his left arm. 『You’ll die by my hand.』

At those words, the light disappeared with the Lion King and the Devil Army.

[Percentage of released territory: 105%]

[All of Kalatus’ territory has been released.]

After that message, White Dragon, Black Dragon, the Lion Alliance, and all other rankers and players attempted to escape from the hellish stage to spread word that the Heaven Wing had returned, sword sharp with revenge. They ran to let the Tower know that the sword was now pointed at their necks.

* * *

Thud!

Kalatus fell in exhaustion to the ground after losing all his territory.

[You have succeeded in clearing the boss monster, ‘Demonic Dragon of Chaos Kalatus’.]

[You have successfully completed the sudden quest (Kill the Dragon).]

[You have made an achievement that is not easily accomplished. Additional karma will be provided.]

[You have acquired 300,000 karma.]

[You have acquired 500,000 additional karma.]

[You have been rewarded…]

[All trials have been completed.]

[You have set a great record. Will you register your name in the Hall of Fame?]

[You have refused to register your name.]

[Your record has been deeply engraved in the Tower. You can register your name whenever you wish.]

[Would you like to move to the 51st floor?]

Putting the messages and Kalatus’ body, which was already beginning to rot, behind him, Yeon-woo looked at Tom’s decapitated head with dry eyes. Tom’s face was twisted, as though he’d struggled until the end. With this, Waltz was the only one of the Summer Queen’s nine children still alive.

Next to Tom’s head was the man who chased after Tom and killed him with Shanon and Hanryeong’s help. It was a face familiar to Yeon-woo.

He smiled faintly and extended a bloodied hand. “Long time no see, Jeong-woo."

“Leonhardt. You’re the leader of the Fantasy Regiment?”