Chapter 409

“Your goal?”

“Nothing special. A cliché, really… the destruction of the world.”

The Archmage Prime grinned.

“Unlike the Celestial Realm, Gehenna, or the Demon King, I desire a perfect annihilation.”

“What kind of madness is that?”

“Ah, I mean a complete destruction where there is no next world to follow.”

The Demon King, the Celestial Realm, and Gehenna sought the world’s end not because they truly wished for destruction, but to ascend to the new world that would arise after the apocalypse.

“Why such a wish?”

“No particular reason. I just… think it would be fun.”

“!!”

The Archmage Prime smiled faintly.

It was an innocent smile—yet all the more chilling for that innocence.

With a snap of his fingers, Chris’s vision shifted.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Chris and the Archmage Prime were high above the earth, looking down from a dizzying height.

“Look down there. See how many humans writhe like insects. Imagine all those people screaming as they perish. Doesn’t the thought send a thrill down your spine?”

“……”

“That’s not all. Look at the arrogant fools of the Celestial Realm and Gehenna.”

Snap. Another finger snap, and the scenes of Gehenna and the Celestial Realm appeared.

“Watching them shriek pitifully as they vanish—how joyous that would be. Ah, just imagining it sends shivers down my spine.”

“…You’re insane.”

The Archmage Prime chuckled softly.

“I’ve been mad from the start. Do you know why I tried to conquer the Mage Empire during the Dark Demon King’s reign? The fools praised me as great, but all I wanted was to stain the Mage Empire with my own blood.”

“……”

“The Demon King sensed my dark intentions and made me his slave. He never imagined that would be his undoing. It worked out well for me, though. Thanks to that, true destruction could finally come.”

Chris frowned.

“How do you plan to pull off something like that?”

“Heh heh, it’s possible. Look at the Pillar of the Zodiac.”

Though the Demon King had been destroyed, the violet pillar still stood, radiating an ominous glow.

“The true owner of that pillar isn’t the Demon King—it’s me. The Demon King never even realized his power had been stolen.”

The Archmage Prime raised his hand.

Around him swirled the fragmented spiritual and physical remnants of the Demon King, which Chris had tried to completely erase earlier, but some residue remained.

“That’s no coincidence.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been near the Demon King for centuries, arranging for myself to become the sacrifice upon his death.”

Chris had tried to obliterate the Demon King’s soul and body, but the Archmage Prime had set a trap beforehand.

“However, I had no way to kill the Demon King myself, so I just watched. It was fortunate you took care of him instead. You did exactly as I hoped.”

So this was the Archmage Prime’s scheme, the very thing he wanted from Chris.

“…Do you think I’ll just stand by and watch your plan unfold?”

Chris raised his hand.

“Die.”

Flash.

Light and darkness collided.

The Archmage Prime raised his hand to block Chris’s attack, but it was useless.

Chris’s power had long since surpassed the Archmage Prime’s.

In an instant, the Archmage Prime suffered a mortal wound.

Just like the Demon King’s end, the world began to erase the Archmage Prime’s existence, and his body and soul crumbled to dust.

But Chris frowned.

‘Not completely destroyed?’

It was the same as with the Demon King.

“You don’t mean…”

“Heh heh, yes. I’ve already offered my own soul as a sacrifice. Between the Demon King and my soul, that violet pillar will go berserk and consume this world.”

The Archmage Prime burst into maniacal laughter.

“It’s a shame I won’t get to witness the destruction firsthand, but it doesn’t matter. Ahahaha! Struggle all you want in the coming apocalypse, great king of humans.”

The souls of the Demon King and the Archmage Prime were drawn into the violet pillar.

At that moment, something terrible happened.

Rumble!

The violet pillar’s reach expanded dramatically.

From their vantage point high above the continent, it was unmistakable.

The pillar, once confined to the Zodiac, now spread across the entire Central Dominion, then the Mage Empire, and finally the entire continent—including the Golden Cross, Karn Empire, and the Holy Empire.

It happened in an instant.

‘That violet pillar is trying to sacrifice the souls of every human on the continent to destroy this world.’

Chris’s face went pale.

The nature of the pillar had changed.

The Demon King had tried to use the pillar to strengthen himself with sacrifices, but the Archmage Prime had turned it into a force of pure destruction.

Sacrificing the souls of all humans on the continent would bring about perfect annihilation.

‘I have to stop this!!’

But it was too late.

This violet pillar was the result of the Archmage Prime’s centuries-long scheme.

Even Chris couldn’t stop it in such a short time.

Gooooooosh!

The world flickered with an eerie violet light.

Every soul on earth screamed in despair.

The Celestial Realm and Gehenna were no different.

The boundaries between the three realms collapsed, and the great stars and archdemons desperately unleashed their powers—but it was useless.

True destruction was about to arrive.

Suddenly, time around Chris froze.

At the same time, a voice echoed.

[Chris… great king of humans, I will grant you a chance.]

It was the voice of the Second Realm’s Great One he had heard before.

[I will let you open a new world.]

[…Open a new world?]

“Yes. No matter how powerful that destructive force is, if we of the Second Realm pool all our power, we cannot stop you from creating a new world. You shall be its master.”

The Archmage Prime’s wish for perfect destruction was about to be undone.

But that wasn’t the important part.

[If you open a new world, what happens to the remaining humans?]

[Only you may enter the new world. All other ordinary humans will be erased.]

[!!]

Chris gritted his teeth.

[It can’t be helped. This world is destined to perish in the cycle of creation and destruction. The timing is just accelerated.]

[…]

[If you hesitate because of the deaths of those close to you, I will allow them to join you in the new world. You and they will become the rulers of that new world. You can enjoy the wealth and glory you desire there.]

It was a devil’s temptation.

No, there was no other choice.

But why?

Chris couldn’t nod.

[Why? Didn’t you say those close to me could come with me?]

Yes, there was no reason to hesitate.

Sacrificing others?

Since when did Chris care about anyone else? He was thoroughly selfish.

Besides, their deaths were no fault of his. He had no reason to feel guilty.

And yet.

[…I refuse.]

[…What?]

[I said I refuse, you useless fools.]

[!!]

[I am their king. I won’t let them die.]

Chris gave a bitter laugh, unable to understand his own choice.

Since when did he care about others?

He knew it was foolish, uncharacteristic, but he couldn’t run away now.

[…I just don’t like the idea of running away.]

Chris forced out that excuse.

There was only one way.

[I will offer my soul as a sacrifice to stop that destruction.]

[!!]

[My soul should be enough payment.]

He was no ordinary Great One.

He was the great king of humans.

His soul was worth more than all other humans combined.

[…Are you serious? You really intend to make that choice?]

[…I know I’m a fool. Don’t ask more.]

Chris chuckled.

Why should he have to make such a sacrifice?

No matter how he thought about it, it was a foolish choice.

But he had decided.

[Hurry! There’s no time.]

[…I honor your sacrifice. You truly are a great king.]

Nonsense. It was no comfort at all.

Chris closed his eyes.

He felt the power of the Second Realm’s Great One envelop his soul.

Flash!!!

A brilliant light burst forth from his soul.

It was a radiance that could illuminate the entire world.

The violet pillar, touched by his light, weakened and began to fade.

Those who had been sacrificed to the violet pillar looked up at the sky, crying out.

“W-we’re alive?!”

“That light! It’s thanks to Mahwi!!!”

The souls trapped in the violet pillar realized Chris had sacrificed his own soul to save them.

“Long live Mahwi!!!”

“Our king!!!”

Chris smirked.

‘Enough. I just want one last drink.’

Now that he truly faced death, he felt regret.

Why had he done this?

‘Ah, I’ll never enjoy wealth and glory. Never even had a proper drink. What a shame.’

But it was too late.

Soon, all the violet pillars vanished, and all humanity was saved.

It was time to face death.

Chris’s consciousness sank into deep darkness.

Just as he was about to be erased forever, an unexpected event occurred.

“Stop! I will offer my soul in place of Chris’s!!!”

It was Evan’s voice.

Idrinne and Lanya stepped forward as well.

“Stand aside. The one who will sacrifice themselves instead of Chris is his closest friend—me.”

“…I don’t want to die in his place, but as a genius mage, I can’t let Chris hog all the glory. I will offer my soul too.”

And they were not alone.

“You ungrateful wretch! How dare you decide to die without even asking your grandfather’s permission? Take my soul instead of my grandson’s!”

“I feel the same. Yes, dying is terrifying…! I hate the thought of dying without ever having loved…!! I offer my soul as well!!”

The Nordic king and Eunseol’s demon lord appeared.

But that wasn’t all.

“Brother, my soul too…!!”

“You scoundrel!! Always acting like you’re the smartest…!!”

“Chris, big brother!!”

“Your Highness, I’m here too!!!”

Everyone who had received Chris’s help pledged their souls.

And it wasn’t just them.

“Heaven, have mercy on our king…!!”

“Please…!!”

The souls of all the humans who had just been present were trapped within the violet pillar. Everyone knew of the sacrifice Chris had made.

The entire human world knelt as one, begging for Chris’s revival.