Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 288. The Call and the Summoning (2)

Although he had agreed to bear all the causality costs for this descent. What impact did the Fragment of Tartaros have?

『My power… it overflows even more than in my previous descents!』

Quetzalcoatl, who had descended onto the altar, uttered a rejoicing exclamation.

In reality.

‘He’s larger than during the Ukraine incident.’

The currently descended Quetzalcoatl was far larger than during his summoning by Death Lord Malik in Ukraine. It wasn’t just his size that had grown.

“Cough, cough!”

“Grrk…!”

The surrounding fallen angels could barely breathe due to Quetzalcoatl’s presence.

Yet.

“Quetzalcoatl?”

『Hmm?』

Shimun, unaffected thanks to the Fragment of Tartaros, said,

“My subordinates are having a hard time.”

He gestured toward the struggling fallen angels.

『Ah, I see, the remnants of the Seven Archdemons are here with you.』

Quetzalcoatl glanced at the fallen angels and laughed softly. But respecting Shimun’s request. The pressure of his presence seemed to lessen.

“Huff, huff!”

“Ahh…!”

Freed from the overwhelming aura, the fallen angels panted heavily, instinctively gathering behind Shimun.

『Ha! To be brought low by my mere presence. Well, they are remnants, after all.』

Quetzalcoatl looked down at them with disdain.

『But… Kim Shimun. What’s with your appearance?』

Seeing Shimun, he tilted his massive head. It was understandable.

『When did you become a fallen angel?』

To anyone, Shimun appeared to be the leader of the fallen angels. However, Quetzalcoatl had a clear transactional relationship with him.

Unlike the Constellations who had significant ties to Shimun, such as the title 『Chosen by the Constellations』.

“Just… a variety of reasons… let’s say, to set up this plan.”

Shimun shrugged and gave a vague answer. Quetzalcoatl stared at him for a moment.

『Hah, no matter what tricks you pull, it’s hardly surprising anymore.』

He smirked broadly.

『For me, it’s enough to enjoy this feast. Well, I must admit, I’m a bit surprised in this regard.』

He then looked down.

Kya-ha-ha!

“Ahh!”

“Hah!”

Despite the Constellation’s descent.

『I was curious about the sacrifice you promised me, but…』

The constant moans of indulgence continued in the Cradle of Indulgence.

『I didn’t expect it to be the Cradle of Indulgence.』

Catching the subtle tone, Shimun replied.

“Why? Are you afraid of the dragonkin’s retaliation?”

Flap.

Shimun flew up beside Quetzalcoatl’s head with a flap of his wings.

『Kwa-ha-ha! Quite a cute provocation.』

Quetzalcoatl burst into loud laughter, looking at the airborne Shimun.

『While I may not be the highest echelon, I am still a Death Constellation.』

His voice carried a hint of amusement. Appropriately so.

『Though the dragonkin may be powerful, do you think Quetzalcoatl would bow to such creatures?』

Quetzalcoatl’s massive eyes were filled with arrogance and scorn. Realizing that these were genuine words, not mere bravado, Shimun replied.

“Then I look forward to seeing how you… devour this place.”

He answered with a smile similar to Quetzalcoatl’s.

『Kwa-ha-ha!』

Laughing again, Quetzalcoatl spread his feathers wide, emitting his unique dark green and gray aura. Just like when Shimun summoned him earlier.

Swoooosh!

The towering column of energy pierced the sky.

『Kim Shimun, you too shall witness the omnipotence of Quetzalcoatl, unlike those mere reptiles.』

Crack!

Breaking the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead.

*

The Cradle of Indulgence. For the first time since its creation.

“Aaahhhh!”

“Screaaam!”

Not moans of pleasure, but screams of terror echoed throughout. It wasn’t unexpected.

Kyaaah!

Shrieeek!

Chiiir!

Skeletons, zombies, and ghostly undead. Exuding dark green and gray auras.

“Kihaha!”

“Living beings! Living beings!”

“Die…”

Like a torrential downpour during the rainy season. They kept pouring in relentlessly.

Of course.

“Where did all these undead come from!”

“Stop them! Raise the alert to the highest level!”

“What about the command center? No directives from above?”

Given that the Cradle of Indulgence was a major facility of the dragonkin. drakan, d’valli, draconian, drake, and more poured in to defend. From the lowest ranks to the highest echelons, hundreds of dragonkin frantically rushed out.

And continuously, more dragonkin streamed in.

“Hurry and join the front lines!”

“Top tiers to the vanguard!”

They were deployed through the transport mirrors located throughout the Cradle of Indulgence, but that was all. From the sky, now gaping wide like the entrance to the underworld,

Kihaha!

Kyaaah!

Countless undead soldiers poured down relentlessly.

Then.

『Intruders! Disrupting peace!』

A somewhat awkward yet thunderous shout echoed through the Cradle of Indulgence in turmoil. The one managing the entrance, the gatekeeper.

A one-eyed giant, cyclops had arrived. Having already entered the Cradle, cyclops’s towering body was akin to a skyscraper.

『Crush the corpses!』

Boom!

As he strode forward, he mercilessly trampled the undead in his path. With cunning precision. Aware of his immense size and destructive power.

Instead of heading to the main battle zones where the dragonkin were fighting fiercely,

『Press forward. You, cover me!』

He moved towards an area already dominated by the undead.

Rumble.

With a colossal fist, he swept away the undead in his path.

“The gatekeeper is here!”

“Hold your positions and provide ranged support for the gatekeeper!”

“Magicians, including Lamia, concentrate your firepower over there!”

With renewed vigor, the dragonkin unleashed a torrent of magic, stabilizing the previously faltering front lines. Meanwhile, another presence, different from Cyclops,

『Foolish creatures! Relying on the help of giants, whom you hired as gatekeepers!』

A distinct and commanding voice rang out. Not as large as Cyclops, but still an imposing figure covered in black scales.

“A dragon! A dragon is here!”

“The dragon lord has arrived!”

The dragon, the pinnacle of dragonkin species, had appeared.

『And you dare call yourselves dragonkin while being pushed back by mere undead!!』

Expressing his fury through his voice. The Black Dragon, one of the dragon’s pride, spread his wings wide.

Hummm.

Performing dragon casting, he generated hundreds of magic circles around him.

『Go! Unless you want Lady Vrtra to reprimand you, fight with your lives on the line!』

Though it was a clear threat to fight for their lives, to the dragonkin who had been pushed back by the undead, it seemed a source of renewed hope.

“Uwooo!”

“Crush the intruders!”

“Send these corpses back to the true underworld!!”

Like soldiers with renewed morale, hundreds and thousands of dragonkin roared as they charged the undead with their Dragon Force.

Roar!

Screech!

The characteristic lack of emotion of the undead. Despite their mechanical and relentless charge.

Crash.

Crunch!

Against Cyclops, the Black Dragon, and the morale-boosted dragonkin army, they were gradually being pushed back.

However.

‘They are strong.’

Even though the Black Dragon was unleashing hundreds of spells through dragon casting, sweeping away the undead.

‘These undead are no ordinary foes.’

The Black Dragon’s furrowed brow did not relax.

Moreover.

This was the first invasion since the creation of the Cradle of Indulgence.

‘Where is Lady Medusa Ravi?’

The administrator of the Cradle of Indulgence and evolved species with a true name, Medusa Ravi, had not shown herself at all.

For now.

‘First, we must repel this onslaught.’

Flap.

He flapped his massive wings and flew to the front lines. Facing not only the ceaseless attacks from the undead. But also the magic launched from the dragonkin behind him.

『Crush everything!』

Crash!

He advanced, enduring even the attacks headed his way, towards the rampaging gatekeeper, cyclops.

『Hey, gatekeeper.』

『What do you want, Black Dragon?』

『You and I are both demigods. These undead are no ordinary ones.』

『I know. I also find it strange.』

Cyclops nodded at the Black Dragon’s words.

Thus.

『We’ve partially turned the tide. I will use a detection spell.』

Activating a detection magic circle.

『Once the frontline stabilizes, let us find the source of these undead together…』

The Black Dragon’s words were cut off abruptly. The reason was simple.

Hisss…

Above the massive forms of Cyclops and the Black Dragon, creatures as large as high-rise buildings.

『I expected a dragon, but a Cyclops too?』

A dark shadow loomed over them.

『What a feast today will be.』

And a chilling voice to match. The Black Dragon’s colossal body froze instantly.

‘This presence…’

A dragon born to feel chilling presences only a few times in its life. Even for a worm-class dragon like him, to feel such an overwhelming presence.

‘A Constellation! It must be a Constellation!’

At least a Constellation, if not higher. Despite this realization. Seeing the enormous serpent adorned with brilliant feathers.

『Ah…』

He could only gape in astonishment. For good reason.

‘That being…’

If his dragon knowledge was correct.

『Que-Quetzalcoatl?!』

It was none other than Quetzalcoatl, one of the more troublesome types among the Death Constellations. Confirming the Black Dragon’s suspicion.

『Oh, indeed a dragon. Quite knowledgeable, aren’t you?』

Quetzalcoatl’s eyes and mouth curled gently as he looked down at the Black Dragon and Cyclops. The Black Dragon cautiously looked up at Quetzalcoatl and asked.

Understandably so.

『Why has the Death Constellation graced this place with your presence?』

The Death Constellations are among the few immune to the pleasures offered by the Cradle of Indulgence. But maybe it was just the Black Dragon’s misconception.

『I heard this place provides such a variety of indulgence… so I decided to visit personally.』

Quetzalcoatl’s smile deepened. Perhaps that’s why?

『I am truly entertained.』

『You should follow the proper procedures.』

Was it because the battle had momentarily subsided?

『Such chaos will do no good, even for you, Quetzalcoatl.』

The Black Dragon made the mistake of letting reason override instinct.

『Are you implying that I, Quetzalcoatl, would suffer harm at the hands of you dragonkin?』

『As you know, this is the domain of Lady Vrtra the 4th Dragon Lord.』

Once ahead of himself, his dragonkin arrogance added fuel.

『She will not tolerate such chaos, nor will she accept the consequences of causality.』

『Ha-ha-ha-ha! This is amusing! Truly amusing!』

Quetzalcoatl burst into loud laughter.

Then.

『So, before your dear Vrtra arrives…』

With a smile more wicked than any before.

『Why not kill every one of you myself?』

He smiled savagely.

『Prepare you-』

『Do. Not. Da-』

Before Cyclops and the Black Dragon could even unleash their powers.

『Die, you wretched insects.』

The god of death’s decree pierced through both enormous beings.

***

Dark green and gray energy leaked from his eyes.

『Kuhuhu!』

An eerie laugh echoed in the air. And it wasn’t just the laughter. Like a predator devouring its prey.

Crunch.

The massive bodies of Cyclops and the Black Dragon, each the size of skyscrapers, dangled lifelessly. Like puppets with their strings cut or slabs of meat hanging in a butcher shop.

Suspended in mid-air without support. The one devouring them in a single gulp.

『Delicious, truly delicious!』

Constellation Quetzalcoatl’s face was filled with excitement as he devoured the enormous beings.

Then.

Crack!

Having swallowed Cyclops and the Black Dragon in an instant,

『From the moment I was summoned here, I knew I would get my fill…』

Flap.

He turned his head at the sound of wings flapping.

『But I didn’t expect to devour even a Cyclops.』

The heightened excitement and satisfaction. The snake-like eyes filled with this emotion focused on the man with black wings. Or rather, approached him. Like a ghost drifting through the air.

Sssss.

In an instant, Quetzalcoatl brought his massive head close to Shimun.

『What do you think, Kim Shimun, of my power?』

Looking down at him with eyes filled with authority beyond arrogance.

“Indeed. It’s impressive.”

Shimun nodded, unable to hide his admiration. It was only natural.

‘Even though it’s a Constellation, I didn’t expect it to kill both Cyclops and the Black Dragon with just a command.’

Cyclops and the Black Dragon. Both were essentially demigods wielding mighty powers. To dispatch such beings with a mere word?

‘As expected, a Constellation is on another level.’

Of course, being a Death Constellation, the command related to death would naturally have a stronger impact. Given that the currently descended Quetzalcoatl wasn’t even in his main form, but an avatar,

It was truly an astounding feat. Quetzalcoatl seemed pleased by Shimun’s reaction.

『Heh, you have a keen eye. No wonder the Divine Kings are interested in you.』

He growled contentedly, like a beast that had just eaten a satisfying meal.

『Well then…』

With a suggestive look, he asked.

『How about forming a bond with me?』

“A bond?”

『Yes, you are someone the Divine Kings are interested in. While I cannot overstep my bounds, we can maintain some level of relationship.』

As if wary of the Divine King-level Constellations. Quetzalcoatl glanced at the sky, tinged with his aura, and continued.

『You also have the Fragment of Tartaros. Even by using only a part of it, I can grant you many things.』

Sss.

『Look.』

His massive gaze turned downward.

There.

“Stay back! Stay…”

“The defense line is collapsing! We need reinforcements… Aagh!”

“The front line is breaking!”

Was it due to the absence of Cyclops and the Black Dragon?

『My minions rip apart the dragonkin even within the domain of a Dragon Lord.』

The dragonkin were once again forced back by Quetzalcoatl’s undead.

『If you join forces with me, you too can control them. All of them will become your army.』

A necromancer’s dream, ready to be handed over to you. Malik and Marlina, siblings of death, would go as far as human sacrifice to obtain such an undead legion.

『What do you say? Kim Shimun, I will value you more highly than any of my past patrons.』

Quetzalcoatl whispered seductively, like a serpent.

“Indeed, it’s a formidable power…”

A temptation so appealing that even someone who isn’t a necromancer might be swayed.

But.

“I’ll decline.”

Shimun slowly but firmly shook his head.

『Why?』

Quetzalcoatl furrowed his brow slightly, questioning. Shimun shook the ‘Fragment of Tartaros’ in his hand.

“No matter how I think about it, I believe having it whole… offers more benefits.”

The Fragment of Tartaros had allowed him to withstand Quetzalcoatl’s death command, which even the demigod-like Cyclops and the Black Dragon couldn’t endure.

Of course, within the attribute of death.

‘There’s no need to waste the Fragment of Tartaros just to gain more power.’

After all.

‘I’m not lacking in offensive power.’

His ‘offensive power’ was already satisfactory due to his myth-class weapons.

Therefore.

‘It’s wiser to keep elements that protect my life rather than seeking stronger attacks.’

It was smarter to have one more element to safeguard his life. Perhaps sensing Shimun’s resolve. Instead of showing displeasure.

『Wa-ha-ha-ha!』

Quetzalcoatl laughed, a different kind of laughter than before.

『Indeed a masterpiece, truly a masterpiece!』

He laughed heartily.

『Your judgment is uncharacteristic of a mortal. It makes me want to take the risk and covet the position behind you.』

With eyes filled with deep desire, he gazed at Shimun. As Shimun was about to respond.

Crack!

A cracking sound reverberated throughout the Cradle of Indulgence.

Then.

Boom!

A resonant hum that seemed to split the air echoed. From the source, a massive dimensional rift.

『How dare… how dare some insane bastard!』

A sharp, almost screaming voice filled with rage rang out.

And then.

『Who dares to wreak this madness in my domain!!』

A familiar figure emerged from the dimensional rift.

‘Vrtra…?’

Shimun’s eyes widened in surprise.