SWNOVELXO Chapter 582
Chapter 582: Well, it’s just me. (2)
Kwaaaang!
Jerome fell into the fortress, crashing onto the ground.
Wherever the black ray swept, destruction followed. Soldiers caught in its path exploded into nothingness.
Gathros, a wavering figure, let out a laugh.
“Khuhuhuh… It’s like I’ve become a god. I should have realized this power long ago…”
Thanks to Ghislaine’s efforts, the Salvation Society faced a crisis. They had to open the rift and instigate rebellion in various countries faster than planned.
The entire continent became their enemy. Yet, he was confident in victory. They possessed more superhumans than any kingdom.
However, after losing to the Ruthania Kingdom, Gathros realized it was all an illusion.
Superhumans overwhelming multiple priests appeared. And those superhumans were gradually increasing on the side of the Allied Forces.
In this increasingly disadvantageous situation, Gathros pondered.
— How can I fight against such powerful foes?
Before he knew it, he found himself in the position of challenger.
He clearly learned from the last Ruthania Civil War.
No matter how strong he became, taking on absolute powers like the Guardian of the World Tree or the Warrior Saint was not easy. Even the appearance of just one could ensure his defeat.
Other priests were no exception. Even Gillian, known as the White Lion, couldn’t win in one-on-one combat.
In the midst of this, Helgenik’s attempted act inspired him with new ideas.
— Surely, it was possible to unleash such power using all the gems.
The Army of Atrode was continuously observing the movements of the Allied Forces. They said the strongest individuals from the Allied Forces had combined their strength to capture a single Helgenik.
However, using the gems that way would eventually lead to death. While contemplating that aspect, Gathros ultimately came up with another plan.
— What if I could safely harness that power from the outside…?
Only two gems remained. He couldn’t use their power.
So, he began experimenting, gradually extracting energy from the priests whenever he had the chance.
The method he attempted was not to absorb energy all at once but to create a space filled with energy and utilize it from the outside.
The power was astounding. He could exert forces surpassing superhumans without any risk involved. He could immediately consume energy needed for attacks by absorbing from the surroundings.
All he needed was the skill and mental fortitude to handle large amounts of energy.
— This is it! With this, I can face even stronger superhumans!
The energy, unified into one, brought tremendous strength. It was incomparably powerful compared to when it was divided among individual priests.
Of course, it came with penalties. Creating that space required the priests to expend their energy.
But Gathros didn’t care. After all, when the moment to harness this power came, the priests wouldn’t be much help anyway.
A single overwhelming force that eclipsed everything.
That was all he needed.
— The divine has shown me the way once again.
Gathros was a genius who led the Salvation Society back to nobility. His interpretation of the church’s scriptures and the resurrection of that power were also his achievements.
Because he was that kind of person, Gathros was able to devise a new method.
And he was the only one capable of wielding this power. Others couldn’t handle this energy as well as Gathros could.
Gathros laughed as he surveyed the fortress.
“Khuhuh… I get to use this power before even meeting the Ruthania Army…”
He could have seized the fortress without needing to use this power. But if he left Jerome unchecked, it would take that much longer.
The Army of Atrode was in a disadvantaged position now. Prolonging the battle increased the likelihood of being besieged.
Jerome was also an incredibly strong superhuman. To quickly subdue him, he had no choice but to use this power.
“Even just killing the most troublesome one would be beneficial… It must also be the will of the divine…”
Goooow…
Around his figure, black energy began to coalesce again. The black energy that had spread like fog around quickly gathered.
Seeing that, the soldiers of the Allied Forces lost their will to fight.
“It… it’s over… We’re already in hell…”
“The goddess has surely abandoned us…”
“This is a nightmare. It has to be a nightmare…”
Even the trusted Jerome was taken down in an instant.
All the soldiers could do was drop their weapons and tremble in fear.
Gathros found their appearance quite pleasing.
With a grin, he said, “Die witnessing the power of the Great God.”
Paaaat!
The black ray shot out once more. This destructive power would shatter the fortress and kill the soldiers in an instant.
But a different situation unfolded from the previous moment.
Paaaak!
A golden curtain unfurled in the path of the black ray.
Kagaga-gak!
The black ray roughly swept through the curtain. Not a single soldier was killed.
It was an astounding defensive barrier infused with tremendous magical power.
The massive head of Gathros moved slightly to the side.
“That bastard is still…?”
Piak!
From inside the fortress, a golden beam shot into the dark sky.
The man, shining with light from head to toe, was Jerome. Blood flowed from his mouth and his robe was torn in several places, but his gaze burned brightly.
“It’s not over yet.”
Jerome extended his arms to the sides, unleashing his magical energy.
Ziiiiing—! Ziiiiing—! Ziiiiing—! Ziiiiing—!
Brilliant magic circles began materializing in the air.
There were twenty in total.
Each one was a powerful magic circle radiating potent magical energy, moving as if alive and beginning to resonate with one another.
The magical energy emanating from the circles vibrated the surrounding air, and the ripple spread far and wide.
Kuuururung!
Soon a golden lightning bolt erupted from the magic circles.
Peraak! Peraak! Peraak!
The massive bolts of lightning that surged forth from the twenty magic circles pierced through the black energy.
Chiiiiiik!
With each strike, the black energy seemed to evaporate. It signified the slow destruction of that energy.
Gathros contorted his face in anger and shouted, “How dare you!”
The black energy around him swirled like a storm, trying to engulf Jerome in waves of darkness.
Jerome thrust both hands forward, creating a golden barrier.
Kwaaaang!
The clash between the black energy and gold unleashed a thunderous roar. The ground shook and the sky split apart.
Crack!
Jerome gritted his teeth.
‘I need to somehow reduce the energy while annihilating it.’
He couldn’t absorb that energy properly; he had felt it when he fought Helgenik.
Even if he could absorb it, the amount of energy was overwhelming, making it hard to handle. The opponent wouldn’t just stand there watching, and he had to fight with all his might.
Ziiiiing—!
A golden magic circle was engraved in Jerome’s eyes, radiating light.
It was different from when he fought Helgenik. Back then, he had distributed his mana with long-term combat in mind.
But now, he couldn’t afford to do that. To defend the fortress, he had to be prepared to die.
Fortunately, he still felt little pressure from the collective mana thanks to the allied mages. He needed to settle this before they got exhausted.
‘As fast as possible!’
Kwaaaang!
Finally, he began to unleash all of his magic power simultaneously.
Brilliant rays poured forth from Jerome’s hands. The light wriggled as if alive, heading towards the black Gathros.
Paang! Paang! Paang!
Gathros was merely a form made of energy. Even if attacked, his true form wouldn’t take any damage.
With each hole that formed, energy diminished. The surrounding energy quickly filled the void. The range of the black fog began to shrink gradually.
Gathros twisted his smile. Although a decent amount of energy had vanished, several times more still remained.
“Do you really think you can withstand this transcendental power?”
From the massive body of Gathros, black energy surged. Soon, the energies of the two collided mid-air.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaaang!
Hundreds of golden lightning bolts and black flashes painted the sky as they attacked each other. With each clash of energy, Jerome’s body jolted.
Now, both allies and enemies watched the battle between the two.
Everyone was entranced. This was truly a battle akin to gods.
Unlike other superhumans, only Jerome, a great mage who had reached the 8th circle, could engage in such combat.
However, Jerome was not in a good state.
“Kruuk…”
Blood began to flow steadily from his tightly closed mouth.
Gathros was wielding the energies of six priests. Four of the priests hadn’t died but had expended nearly all their energy and withdrew.
While they lacked skill, their power was genuinely at the superhuman level. That energy was not trivial.
Moreover, the strongest Gathros’s true form was also contributing energy.
No matter how strong Jerome was, continually withstanding that colossal unified energy was difficult.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
With every defense, Jerome’s body was pushed back. It was clear to anyone that he was in a precarious position.
He couldn’t win like this. Continuing to fight would inevitably lead to death.
‘But I have to!’
If he withdrew, many people in the fortress would die.
Ultimately, Jerome decided to push himself a little further. He didn’t want to die, but he felt he had no other choice.
There was a method that could only be attempted when sufficient mana was available.
Dududududud…
Jerome began to concentrate all of his released magical power into one point. Gathros sensed that his opponent was planning something.
Massive tentacles made of black energy shot out from his body, trying to ensnare Jerome from all sides.
At that moment, gold-feathered forms scattered from Jerome’s body. He quickly soared into the air, evading the tentacles.
Yet, he did not stop gathering magic power.
‘Please… just a little bit more…’
His mana was almost fully gathered. The spell he had constantly devised in his mind was now complete.
Now he just needed to trigger it. Yet Jerome hesitated for a moment.
‘If I use it… I’ll die…’
The fear that had unconsciously taken root began to creep up and consume his mind.
This magic was forbidden. He had never actually used it before.
His master had warned him while teaching him the spell.
— It’s the vision of our Mage Tower, but… do not use it until you reach the 9th circle. Even if you become a 9th circle mage, you must gamble your life to use it.
— What happens if I use it before?
— You’d probably die?
— What if it’s really dangerous and I have to use it?
— Then you’d die along with your opponent.
This magic was designed to confront a specific someone, with a clear objective in mind.
Thus, Jerome’s master likely thought he would never need to use it.
With his skills, he could surely escape even if he encountered someone stronger.
— After all, you really hate getting hurt or dying, right? If you meet a strong opponent, just make sure to escape.
— Well, yeah. I’d never use it. Hahaha.
Jerome had thought the same. It was clear that using it at a low realm would guarantee death, who would even try?
However, that was no longer feasible.
If he ran away… the many people would…
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
Jerome looked back, getting pushed back by Gathros’s attacks.
Everyone was staring at him with fearful expressions. The expectation directed at him felt unbearably heavy.
Jerome’s mind wavered again.
‘Maybe… I could just have everyone escape together…’
If it were just him, could everyone else really escape from that monster?
With such destructive power, it could annihilate the fortress’s troops in an instant.
Right now, Gathros was stronger than a rampaging Helgenik. Even with Ghislaine and Yulien, they couldn’t win. It could be said he was nearly at the level of a transcendental being.
‘I need to survive. Only then can I join forces with others to deal with that monster…’
The Ruthania Army had many exceptional superhumans. If they worked together, they would surely find a way.
Yes, that is what’s right. That’s the most rational and efficient approach.
Once he reached that conclusion, his heart began to shake even more.
‘I have to avoid it… For now, I need to hold on as best as I can…’
Even if he paused just for a moment, Gathros’s attacks would head straight for the fortress. Even if Jerome tried to protect as much as he could, there would be numerous casualties.
Gathros wouldn’t allow the Allied Forces to escape easily. With that power utilized, he’d want to diminish their strength as much as possible.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
With every clash of Gathros’s attacks, Jerome’s body was repeatedly pushed back into the sky. It was now even too burdensome to block or evade.
‘What should I do…?’
If he continued to use his magical power, he’d have no final moves left. Then the only option left would be to run away alone.
So a decision had to be made.
Jerome looked at Gathros with exhausted eyes. The still undulating massive energy was presenting endless strength.
‘Truly strong.’
How many sacrifices would be required to catch that monster? If this fortress were lost and the Army of Atrode expanded elsewhere, how many more would die?
Suddenly, Jerome recalled something Alfoy had said.
Every time they worked in the Mobile Workshop, Alfoy frequently remarked like this.
— Magic isn’t just about circles; it’s about real battle. You could be gone, and it wouldn’t matter. You’d still live just fine without you.
As those words flashed in his mind, Jerome couldn’t help but smile.
‘Yeah, it’s just me.’
If he could eliminate that monster, victory for the Allied Forces in the war would be virtually assured.
Just removing that creature would make it easier for others to escape.
No, with this forbidden magic, he could sweep away the entire Army of Atrode and end the war.
Jerome clenched his teeth, steeling his resolve.
‘If I sacrifice just myself… I can end the war and save many people!’
Goooow…
Jerome gathered his determination and raised both hands high. At that moment, massive magic circles began to form in the high sky.
There wasn’t just one. Dozens, hundreds began to appear simultaneously, as if interconnected.
A vast amount of magical power poured out towards Gathros.
“Kruuk… What is this…?”
Gathros looked up in shock. For someone with transcendental power to feel intangible pressure!
Paaaaaaa…
The magic circles simultaneously radiated light, beginning to draw a colossal figure. It resembled a grand celestial map containing the very principles of the universe.
Intricate and mystical patterns intertwined, creating an indescribable beauty.
Those witnessing this scene were filled with awe. Allies and enemies alike.
They instinctively felt that something grand and unprecedented was unfolding.
Even the mages from both sides paused their magical duels and gazed skyward in astonishment.
Goooow…
Soon, the magic circles were complete. Simultaneously, a blinding light exploded from their center.
“Kraaaak!”
Gathros began to writhe in agony, the black energy swirling violently around him. That light swiftly siphoned away his energy without causing any damage to the surroundings.
But that wasn’t the end.
Kwaaaaaaa!
Suddenly, the magic circles split apart, revealing a cosmic panorama in the air.
Countless stars, galaxies, and nebulae appeared. An unimaginable spectacle unfolded before them.
It felt as though the boundary between reality and fantasy had crumbled, presenting an awe-inspiring wonder that surpassed human comprehension.
The mysteries of the universe seemed to condense into this scene, enough to shake the very souls of those who beheld it.
It was more than mere astonishment; it was a transcendent experience that redefined one’s very existence.
Jerome slowly opened his mouth, blood continually gushing from it.
“Judgment of Radiance.”
At last, the spell was complete.
Simultaneously, from that magnificent cosmic space.
Kugugugugugugugu!
A colossal meteor composed of golden light began to fall.