Chapter 385

If it weren’t for the power of the throne that Chris was barely holding onto, he wouldn’t have been able to move an inch.

[Is that all you’ve got? Struggle a little more.]

Sherard grinned darkly.

‘I have to break free from these bindings, no matter what!’

Both of them clenched their teeth at that moment.

[You’ve lasted long. Well done.]

Chris stepped forward.

[Now, leave this to me.]

[Heh. I’m looking forward to it. Christian, what kind of pleasure will you give me…?]

[Me? I’m just going to beat you senseless.]

Chris snorted and drew a sword.

It was Andril.

[A club is the answer for a madman like you.]

Having finally reached the 9th rank, Chris could now wield several of Andril’s powers.

The one he was about to use now was ‘Amplification.’

It was a power that allowed him to channel energy into the sword and manifest strength proportional to the energy infused.

‘Perfect for this situation.’

He focused the energy from the lake’s water directly into Andril.

Of course, even with the Vampire Ring and the throne’s power, he couldn’t draw infinite energy.

The more energy absorbed, the greater the strain on his core.

But Chris minimized the backlash by harmonizing the external energy with his innate sensitivity.

Then, a piercing, tearing roar echoed from Andril.

The lake trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Flash!!

Andril’s energy exploded violently, shattering Sherard’s ‘Genesis Descent.’

[Ugh!!]

Evan and Lanya, freed from their restraints, seized the opportunity to launch a fierce counterattack.

[You filthy pervert!]

[Show me your neck, you sick bastard!]

Perhaps due to the aftershock of the shattered Genesis Descent, Sherard couldn’t properly respond to their assault and looked defeated.

Chris joined the assault.

Lanya’s magic, Evan’s sword, and Mahwi’s ultimate skill flashed in unison.

Each attack surpassed the limits of their realms.

As time passed, Sherard’s damage accumulated.

But—

[Heh heh! How delightful! Christian, you’re the only one who can excite me like this.]

A blazing burst!

The instruments spread out around him.

Sherard unleashed ‘Hell of Mockery’ again, his Genesis Descent.

But this time, it was different.

All his power was focused solely on Chris.

[Christian!!]

[Stop, you pervert!!!]

Evan and Lanya gave their all to protect Christian, but it was useless.

Chris was completely cut off from the outside world, engulfed in the black instruments.

[Ah, what will you do now? You can’t pull the same trick twice.]

As expected, using Andril again was impossible.

Sherard licked his lips with anticipation.

[Don’t break down so easily. Let me enjoy this ecstasy to the fullest.]

A blazing hell approached Chris.

The throne stood proudly in defense, but the gap in absolute power was too great.

No matter how exalted the throne’s power, it couldn’t withstand a direct clash like this.

Of course, Chris wasn’t defenseless.

Clatter.

More than ten swords of light appeared.

Star Radiance Swords.

Each one embodied an entire world of starlight.

[Die.]

Blazing!

The swords flew.

Sherard defended but was quickly overwhelmed, then ruthlessly slashed by the swords.

[!!]

Blood splattered, and the light purified Sherard’s wicked soul.

But Chris’s expression was grim.

‘It’s not working.’

As expected, a wild laugh echoed.

[Ah, good. Even more. Not enough yet.]

Sherard smiled with pleasure, unfazed by the attack.

It seemed he had allowed it intentionally.

‘It’s still too soon for me to face an Apostle-level opponent with my current strength.’

Chris thought heavily.

Though he had grown explosively, the enemy was too strong.

Then, an unexpected voice spoke.

[I… will help… you.]

[!!]

Chris flinched.

It was Mephina, the demon of the Seventh Realm!

She hadn’t appeared for a long time but showed up now.

[You know… it’s no time to be stubborn anymore… Will you just watch the world… turn into hell?]

Chris remained silent.

She was right.

If they couldn’t stop Sherard here, the gates would open, and hell would unfold.

This wasn’t a time to refuse power just because it came from a demon.

[Let me ask you first. Mephina, why do you want to make a contract with me? What is your ultimate goal?]

Chris had a vague sense that Mephina was different from ordinary demons.

[…I do not wish for destruction.]

[Why not?]

[I already have everything. Why should I start over?]

Chris caught several important clues in her words.

First, Mephina had been a very high-ranking demon before her fall.

‘Probably from the Third Realm, and among the upper echelons.’

Second, the demons’ true intentions.

Her words hinted at why demons desired destruction.

Mephina seemed to realize she’d said too much and spoke in a troubled voice.

[…I spoke too freely… I’ll suffer the backlash of causality… Anyway, if you want to avoid destruction, join me.]

Chris answered.

[I refuse.]

[…You! Still stubborn for no reason?]

[No, it’s not that.]

Chris shook his head.

[You’re weak. You don’t deserve to assist me.]

[!!!]

It was an absurd statement.

But he meant it sincerely.

‘This isn’t the end.’

Of course, if he allied with Mephina, he could get through this crisis.

But what about the other enemies of the Mystic Maga?

Even if he could handle Apostle-level foes, what about the Grand Apostle—the head of the family—and the sub-heads?

For reference, the family head of Mystic Maga is the Pope, and the sub-head is the High Priest, both at the upper 9th rank.

And what about the central Mage Chancellor and the Demon King?

The Celestial Realm and Gehenna?

‘Accepting Mephina’s power won’t let me stand against them.’

It would likely only limit his potential for growth.

Above all—

[I can beat someone like him.]

Yes.

He had anticipated Apostle-level involvement in this matter.

Still, he stepped forward because he had a plan.

Blazing!

A surge of intense energy poured into the throne.

[Hmm? What kind of trick are you trying now? Go ahead and try your best. I’m not satisfied yet.]

A deep smile spread across Sherard’s face.

But soon, that smile vanished.

He sensed something was wrong.

The throne’s form began to change.

It wasn’t just sitting proudly anymore; it was as if something enormous was rising from it, casting a shadow.

Genesis Descent.

The Throne of Dominion.

If the original throne maximized control, the Throne of Dominion was a power that used that control to directly manifest phenomena in reality.

‘It’s still beyond my level.’

His vessel was insufficient even at the 9th rank, and he had to directly twist causality.

‘But I can do it. I just need to use the energy of the Glass Lake.’

Blazing!

Through the Vampire Ring, he absorbed the energy of the Glass Lake to replenish his lacking power.

At the same time, he activated the causality manipulation he had learned from the former Silver Snow Demon King.

The strain was immense; his core and spirit felt like they might collapse, but he endured.

Rumble.

A massive shadow loomed over Sherard.

The confident Sherard from before was gone as he unleashed his Genesis Descent with all his might.

But it was useless.

Crack.

The shadow of the Throne of Dominion crushed Sherard, and like a giant stomping a bug, Sherard’s Genesis Descent began to shatter.

[!!!]

Sherard’s face turned pale as he pushed his power to the limit.

The battle between 9th ranks was a contest of causality.

Sherard’s causality manipulation clashed with the Throne of Dominion.

Amazingly, Chris had the upper hand.

[Guhk!]

Sherard spat blood violently.

It was unbelievable.

He had reached the peak of the lower 9th rank, yet he was losing in causality manipulation?

That meant Chris’s power had surpassed the realm and gained superiority.

[It’s over.]

Chris declared coldly.

[Die.]

The shadow of the Throne of Dominion crushed Sherard.

Blood poured from Sherard’s entire body.

[Guh, guuuhk…]

Sherard’s soul was being crushed to pieces.

At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to avoid annihilation.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The pressure crushing Sherard’s soul vanished as if washed away.

Then—

[Guhk!]

Christian vomited blood.

His trembling body sank to his knees.

The reckless use of power had finally backfired.

[Ha… ha. That was close. That was chilling.]

Sherard brushed back his blood-soaked hair.

[Looks like you can’t even move a finger anymore.]

Seeing Chris completely powerless, Sherard licked his lips with regretful delight.

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

Sherard strode toward Chris.

But Chris was utterly drained, unable to resist, only sending a fierce glare.

[Get lost.]

[Heh heh. Don’t be so disappointed. Soon, you and I will become one.]

Sherard placed a chilling hand on Chris’s neck.

He was about to use his unique power, Gluttony—the ability to absorb an opponent’s strength.

[Originally, I was going to offer you as the sacrifice to open the door… but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Luckily, I’ve found other substitutes.]

Sherard glanced briefly at Evan and Lanya.

Both of them possessed souls loftier than any mortal’s, making them more than worthy as offerings.

[Ah, to think this moment would come. Do you even know how I feel about you? I’ve wanted to savor this feast, yet also delay it forever.]

Sherard’s eyes gleamed with a fanatical ecstasy.

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

Whoosh—

The power of gluttony surged forth.

At this rate, Chris would be completely absorbed by Sherard and meet his end.

But then, Chris did something inexplicable.

He suddenly smiled.

A smile that didn’t fit the situation.

[Gotcha.]

[…What?]

[Evan, Lanya!]

Crash!!

The barrier sealing off the area shattered, and Evan and Lanya appeared, launching their attack.

[Ugh, pests.]

Sherard scowled, raising his hand in irritation.

With Chris incapacitated, Evan and Lanya stood no chance against Sherard.

[You’ll get your own little show later, so just wait quietly.]

Perhaps annoyed at the interruption, Sherard drew on his power more fiercely than usual.

Then—

Clunk.

Sherard’s movements froze.

As if something had forcibly bound him.

Turning his gaze, he saw Chris lifting the corner of his mouth in a smirk.

Chris had pulled a trick!

Gone was the image of someone who couldn’t even move a finger earlier.

[…You?]

[Of course I tricked you. You think I’m so disgusting, yet you know nothing about me.]

Yes, it was reckless, but the act of feigning complete weakness had all been a performance.

[This is the end.]

Chris stretched out his hand toward Sherard.

Not magic, not mana—pure soul energy rippled and surged toward Sherard.

[No, no way—that can’t be?!]

Sherard’s pupils trembled.

For once, he looked genuinely unsettled.

[Yes, that’s right.]

Chris smiled darkly.

[It’s your own power of gluttony.]