Episode 216
“This will surely be the most beautiful and captivating sight anyone in this world has ever seen. But it’s too precious to kill right now.”
Sherard’s voice rose with excitement.
“I’ll wait until the very last moment, then savor a thrilling feast. Not a single drop of blood, a single inch of skin, or a single scream will be wasted as I slowly lead you to death. It will be the ultimate banquet.”
Madness shimmered wildly in his blood-red eyes.
Even Marquis Langham flinched at the grotesque sight.
Then, Sherard suddenly turned to Langham with a chilling tone.
“Besides Christian, there’s another target here to satisfy my… desires.”
“…What?”
“My father.”
Sherard stretched his lips into a long, sinister grin.
“I’ve wanted to kill him for a while now.”
“!!”
“Honestly, he’s not attractive at all. Ugly, pathetic, and full of inferiority complex. I prefer those with inner strength.”
“…You.”
Sherard mockingly flicked his fingers.
“But still, I wanted to stomp that ugly face once. Not my type, but I’ll kill him anyway. Conveniently, those annoying pests trailing him are gone.”
“You bastard.”
The atmosphere around Marquis Langham grew cold and heavy.
After being mocked by both Christian and Sherard, his anger was about to explode.
Meanwhile, Christian stepped back between them, speechless and bewildered.
‘What is that madman Sherard doing, suddenly showing up like this?’
Though confused, Christian recalled that Sherard had often acted erratically in his past life.
He could have killed the hero’s party anytime but always spared them, even offering unexpected help like now.
‘What should I do?’
Christian hesitated.
Leaving Langham to Sherard was off the table for now—not just because of their past enmity.
‘Sherard’s power alone isn’t enough to stop Langham. He’s strong, sure…’
Sherard now radiated a deep demonic aura, as if he’d made a pact with a demon.
Judging by the energy, he was a seasoned 7-star level—possibly even upper 7-star.
In terms of raw power, he could match Langham.
But Langham’s strength wasn’t just a simple upper 7-star.
Through horrific dark arts, he had enhanced himself to wield power comparable to an 8-star.
‘Sherard’s a madman who gets excited by strong opponents and rushes in without thinking, but this might be too much.’
They needed to restrain Langham more effectively.
‘There’s only one way now. While Sherard keeps Langham occupied, I’ll seize the opening and use Andril’s power.’
Christian narrowed his eyes and looked at Sherard.
Of course, teaming up with him was unthinkable.
The screams of those Sherard had killed in Christian’s past life still echoed vividly in his mind.
Especially the last moments of the “Dark Gossip”—etched deeply in his memory.
But what Christian planned now wasn’t mere cooperation.
‘I’ll fight Langham and stab Sherard in the back at the same time.’
He had a solid plan.
One that would deal a fatal blow not only to Langham but also to Sherard.
Hiding his true intentions, Christian spoke.
“I’ll fight alongside you.”
Sherard’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Heh heh, not bad. You’re the most fascinating person I’ve ever met. Joining forces with you might be an entertaining diversion.”
“Cut the disgusting talk. But there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“You follow my orders completely.”
Sherard’s expression twisted oddly.
“Orders?”
“Yes.”
Christian sent his plan through message magic.
Since Christian encrypted it himself, there was no risk Langham would intercept the details.
Sherard frowned after hearing the plan.
“You really think that’s possible? Even you can’t…”
“It is.”
Christian’s voice was firm.
Sherard chuckled.
“Impressive. Truly captivating. Fine, I’ll follow your lead. But don’t betray me mid-fight.”
Sherard wasn’t exactly trusting Christian either, so he asked.
“You’re a madman, but you’re cautious. Worrying for no reason. If you fall, so do I.”
Christian gave a vague reply.
With their agreement settled, Sherard stepped forward to face Langham.
Christian stood behind, holding Andril.
“I don’t know what tricks you’re planning, but it won’t work.”
Langham scowled and summoned his power.
“Two insignificant bugs teaming up won’t change anything.”
Suddenly, the bright sky darkened as shadows descended.
The surroundings were swallowed by thick darkness.
[A chilling scream echoed.]
A shadow began to take shape.
A towering giant-like figure, emitting eerie music.
A Shadow Demon.
A 7-star level summoned shadow spirit infused with demonic energy.
‘A dark spirit that can wield demonic power, albeit limited.’
The eerie music from the spirit sent shivers down Christian’s spine.
Then, a crimson aura blossomed as Sherard pushed the instrument aside.
He was gathering his own power.
“Hmph, I don’t usually enjoy killing spirits—they lack the thrill.”
Sherard’s lips curled into a sharp smile.
“But the screams they make when they vanish are quite worth hearing. Make sure to scream prettily.”
With a flash, a blade of blood shot toward the spirit.
The battle had begun in earnest.
‘Both are formidable.’
Christian’s gaze darkened.
Langham freely commanded 7-star dark spirits to press Sherard.
The problem was the spirits’ power far exceeded typical 7-star levels.
Thanks to dark arts enhancing the summoning.
But Sherard wasn’t weak either.
Despite the onslaught, he struck back with precise counterattacks that chilled Langham’s heart.
His countless battles had made him a skilled fighter.
‘I need to find an opening.’
Just then, Langham reached out.
Annoyed by Sherard’s unexpected resistance, he scowled.
“You struggle well, but this ends now.”
A low hum filled the air.
The summoned dark spirits dissolved into thick black mist.
A swirling, ominous fog of spirit essence formed around Sherard.
‘Spirit Transmutation!’
Transforming living dark spirits into pure darkness, then converting part of their essence into energy.
The power was immense.
‘And he’s transmuting the essence of a top-tier spirit? How is that possible with just 7-star?’
Usually, only low or mid-tier spirits’ essences could be transmuted.
But Langham’s dark arts had pushed the limits.
No matter how strong Sherard was, he couldn’t survive such a horrific attack unscathed.
Sherard glanced at Christian.
“Alright, you said you’d do your part. Show me what you’ve got.”
Unexpected words.
Normally, Sherard would have dodged before Langham’s attack could surround him.
But he remained trapped, powerless—because of Christian’s earlier request.
Sherard licked his lips.
“I’m curious how captivating that will be.”
Langham frowned, sensing a trap.
But he shook his head.
This transmutation was powered by countless sacrifices.
No cheap trick could stop it.
“This is the end.”
The darkness rippled violently.
The top-tier spirit’s essence began converting into massive energy.
Then—
Step.
Christian stepped forward.
Into the swirling darkness.
‘Is he trying to commit suicide?’
Langham raised an eyebrow.
Christian seemed to be attempting some trick, but the impending energy explosion was unstoppable.
‘No need to worry.’
Langham focused his power to complete the transmutation.
His “Order of Chaos” ability, gained upon reaching 7-star, acted on the spirit’s essence.
Chaos began erasing part of the spirit’s essence, converting it into energy.
[Screams of agony filled the air.]
The highest spirit shrieked as part of its essence was obliterated, and the area filled with intense energy.
Destruction was imminent.
Then, Christian did something incomprehensible.
He smiled slyly.
“Bingo.”
He thrust Andril straight into the dark mist.
Suddenly, the impossible happened.
The spirit transmutation abruptly stopped.
‘What?’
Langham tried to raise his power again, applying chaos to the spirit’s essence.
But still, nothing moved.
It was as if some immense force was completely blocking his spatial distortion.
“Impossible… Why?”
The Marquis Langham looked at the iron sword Chris was holding, disbelief written all over his face.
He recognized the sword too.
“The sword bestowed by His Majesty the Demon King? But it’s just an ordinary iron blade with no special power, isn’t it?”
Even now, there was no trace of any energy emanating from it.
Normally, a demonic sword would radiate some kind of sinister aura or ghostly energy when its power was activated.
“Ah, but this one isn’t like those low-grade demonic swords at all,” Chris said, his face pale as he spoke.
What was happening now was the manifestation of one of Andril’s abilities—‘Perfection.’
Andril was a supremely perfect, transcendent demonic sword.
It possessed an inherent drive toward absolute ‘perfection,’ and its nobility would not tolerate any imperfection nearby.
Therefore, if its opponent harbored any flawed attributes, Andril would forcibly shatter those imperfections.
“Like chaotic monsters that defy the laws of nature, or bodies altered by dark magic,” Chris thought.
Countless targets could fall prey to Perfection, but its most devastating effect was against this very kind of enemy.
“It’s a power that’s practically the nemesis of a 7th-rank spatial distortion.”
A 7th-rank spatial distortion defies the laws of reality, twisting a ‘perfect’ world into an ‘imperfect’ one.
So Andril’s Perfection could sever even a 7th-rank distortion.
“The problem is, there are limits.”
Chris’s face grew even paler as he considered the drawbacks.
First, the backlash was enormous.
After all, Andril’s power could only be wielded by a 9th-rank Overlord class who had reached a transcendent state.
“That’s manageable, though. I can endure the backlash somehow. The bigger problem is something else.”
The second problem: the power was insufficient.
Andril’s seal hadn’t been fully broken.
Only a fraction of its power had been temporarily released after feeding on the constellation last time.
With such a weak manifestation, it was impossible to completely sever the opponent’s spatial distortion.
“Moreover, once I use it, I won’t be able to activate it again for a long time. I only get one shot.”
Perhaps sensing this, Marquis Langham sneered coldly.
“I don’t know what power that sword just used, but it’s useless. Just die already.”
Fwoooosh!!
Darkness began to ripple again.
The spatial distortion, which had momentarily stopped, was activating once more.
But Chris’s reaction was baffling.
He smiled even more deeply, his face growing paler.
“Normally, it would be impossible. But not for me.”
“…What?”
“If there’s even the slightest opening to strike, there’s nothing I can’t break.”
“!!”