While Kereaktu’s appearance closely resembled that of a lich, he was indeed a demon. Not just any demon, but a legion commander chosen under the Arch Demon’s offspring. Naturally, the resilience of his body far surpassed that of mortals.
By mortal standards, he was both a master dark mage and an exceptionally skilled warrior. Sensing the rapid approach of someone, Kereaktu swung his frost blade skyward without even looking.
Boom─!!
He intended to slice the reckless mortal attempting to ambush a demon like him in half with one strike. However, a tremendous shock transmitted through the frost blade demolished the ground beneath his feet instead.
『What…!』
To be overpowered? Kereaktu, seeing his frost blade gradually being pushed back, stomped the ground. The intense cold of the Frost Wasteland that engulfed the entire canyon thickened, reinforcing his physical form. He tried to repel his opponent with the frost blade again.
Yet the overwhelming force pressing down on him was too strong, immobilizing his arm. Momentarily flustered, Kereaktu conjured another frost blade with his other hand and swung it at the ash-colored mortal oppressing him.
『Be gone─!』
In the domain of the Frost Wasteland, even demons became sluggish in their movements. Since Kereaktu wasn’t simply an incarnated consciousness like Augrabes but had partially incarnated his body, there were no limitations on wielding his powers.
The only downside was a reduction in power. However, even with lower strength, it should have been sufficient to bind a mortal—
But once again, Kereaktu was mistaken. The opponent swiftly evaded the frost blade’s trajectory as if unaffected by the Frost Wasteland’s cold.
‘Impossible!’
No, Kereaktu refused to accept it. Despite having no head, Kereaktu roared. The frost covering the canyon cracked and shattered.
Kereaktu dropped the frost blades he held and extended his bony palms toward the ash-colored mortal. Dark magic whirled from his hands, forming a massive icicle.
The colossal spear materialized in midair, akin to a battering ram. Its sheer mass alone would undoubtedly crush a mortal’s body in an instant. Unless, of course, there was another interferer—
“You filthy demon─!”
A shout filled with wrath. Following the yell, a black mace charged forward, exuding a particularly oppressive aura. Kereaktu identified his new assailant immediately.
『So, a pawn of the divine power is here─!』
The enormous icicle, initially aimed at the ash-colored mortal, redirected toward the blond-haired Paladin. As the overwhelming force of the Frost Wasteland bore down on the Paladin, the true primary offensive was revealed.
‘Judgment Strike’
An entity predetermined as a apostle by the supreme divine god launched the ambush with utmost patience. The holy sword, imbued with divine energy potent against all demons, struck Kereaktu’s back.
Slaaash!
The living dark cloak draped over Kereaktu’s back tried to respond to the threat. However, the divine power infused into the holy sword instantly sliced through the cloak and shattered Kereaktu’s spine.
A horrific scream erupted from the demon. The magical power in his voice caused the soldiers of both the regular army and the revolutionary forces to collapse while fleeing from the Frost Legion’s slaves. Even the platinum-haired Paladin seemed momentarily disturbed but soon regained her composure.
『That divine energy…! The bitch of the Pantheon has found a new sword bearer!』
Kereaktu’s torso split from the strike, separating into upper and lower halves. Though equivalent to a fatal wound for a human, Kereaktu’s dark magic grew even more intense.
“You’re still standing?”
『Don’t judge Kereaktu by mortal standards─!』
Crack-crack-crack!
The platinum-haired Paladin broke through the frost with powerful strides but noticed her movements had significantly slowed. Was it due to the cold stiffening her muscles? Or perhaps—
『The domain of the Frost Wasteland freezes even the flow of time itself!』
Enhancing the curse of sluggishness through dark magic to apply it to the entire space—that was Kereaktu’s power. The domain he controlled was an extension of his abilities. Furthermore, every death within the Frost Wasteland fueled its power.
“It’s so cold! I can’t feel my hands or feet…!”
“Eric! What are you… suddenly… Urgh—.”
“Save me─!”
Amidst Kereaktu’s countermeasures against the sudden threat, casualties continued to mount. Every fallen soldier was resurrected as a slave of the Frost Legion. Trapped by their slowed movements, those who couldn’t escape were slain and then reanimated as legion slaves.
They would rise again as the legion’s undead slaves.
『You, dog of the divine! Kereaktu cannot die! As long as the domain of the Frost Wasteland lives─!』
The frost blade Kereaktu had earlier dropped flew up and lunged at the platinum-haired Paladin. As Kereaktu’s frost blade and the divine sword clashed fiercely,
Khan, holding the Giant Slayer, furrowed his brow in recognition as he retraced his memories.
‘Where the hell did this guy leave his head?’
***
Kereaktu, the commander of the Frost Legion and a key figure in the infernal armies, specializes in powers tailored for war.
Particularly within the domain of his powers, his ability to automatically resurrect the dead is a significant drain on a player’s resources in the game.
Moreover, the power of the frost blade he wields with those skeletal hands cannot be underestimated. Besides his immense strength, each strike inflicts a curse of sluggishness. If it weren’t for the dark magic resistance granted by the Abyssal Sigil, dealing with this would be a significant hassle.
Of course, just as Khan knew Kereaktu’s traits well, he also knew Kereaktu’s weaknesses. After all, he had defeated him over a hundred times in the game.
‘But, the weakness isn’t visible right now.’
In the game, Kereaktu’s weakness was his skull. Until it was destroyed, he would endlessly revive and torment the player. However, in this form, he resembles a Dullahan, headless. Does this mean he has no weakness now—
Crunch!
‘No way.’
Khan inwardly dismissed the idea as he smashed a nearby Frost Legion slave with the back of his hand. If it wasn’t the skull, then his weak spot must be somewhere else. And with high probability, it was—
『Return to ashes─!』
At that moment, potent divine power, dense enough to be felt on the skin, spread across the entire canyon. Leo had released the ‘Cry of Radiance’ directed at the Frost Legion slaves charging at him. However, these creatures, resurrected by the demon’s power, did not disintegrate into ashes like typical undead.
Leo, seemingly unfazed by this, continued to wield his Demon Crusher mercilessly, sweeping away the slaves. He showed no pity for these victims of the demon’s power.
“Warrior! I will clear the way!”
With the brutal efficiency befitting a Paladin, Leo called out.
『Do you think it’s possible?』
Kereaktu sneered openly and extended his left hand towards the sky.
Shook.
The canyon’s climate changed instantly. Already cold enough to be mistaken for anything but midsummer, the temperature plummeted further, and a sudden blizzard began to rage.
“The ground…!”
Abruptly, Leo, who had been sweeping away the Frost Legion slaves like autumn leaves, rolled on the ground. The undead took this chance to grab his limbs and strike at him with weapons. Although the weapons couldn’t penetrate his divine power-enhanced plate armor, he was unable to easily shake them off.
He couldn’t even place his hands on the ground due to its unnaturally slippery surface.
“Damn.”
Aries, who had been contending with two frost blades, wasn’t much better off. Though his heightened physical senses kept him from falling, he had to restrict his movements to avoid slipping, resulting in him being struck by the frost blades.
And it wasn’t just that. The absolute cold, powerful enough to immobilize even the robust body of a Paladin, began to invade Aries and Leo’s insides.
『How entertaining to watch you struggle!』
Only Kereaktu and his slaves could move freely in the absolute cold of the Frost Wasteland!
However, that chilling domain…
“You fall because you try to walk the usual way. Don’t just tap the ground with your toes; instead, lay your whole foot flat as you move. Keep your center of gravity slightly forward.”
…had no effect on the barbarian warrior who had survived in an even harsher land, the Hoarfrost Gorge. He seemed more invigorated than ever, like a fish returning to water.
“Once you take a step, don’t forcefully change directions. It will only disrupt your balance further and strain your body.”
『Who in the world are you─!』
Even the demon Kereaktu appeared flustered, a rare sight.
『How can you move so freely in my domain…!』
“What do you mean, you bastard.”
Haven’t you ever seen a native of the Hoarfrost Gorge?
Taking advantage of the slick surface, Khan brushed off the surrounding skeletons and charged forward fiercely.
Crack-crack-crack!
The ground, frozen solid in the canyon, began to split around the barbarian warrior, who had entered the realm of superhumans purely through monstrous strength. Sensing the unusual phenomenon, Kereaktu hastily extended his hand.
“Too late, you bastard.”
As Khan leaped, the ice beneath him shattered.
In the next moment, Khan appeared above the frost blade that had been assaulting Aries, wielding the power of the ‘Heavy Sword’ to smash one blade to pieces. Aries, seizing the moment, unleashed a ‘Judgment Strike,’ sending the remaining frost blade flying.
Leo, demonstrating his talent that had earned him the title of the youngest commander of the Paladins, quickly adapted to the technique Khan had shown and crushed the attacking undead.
『So you’re the gray-skinned mortal! I know who you are! A mortal with a strength reminiscent of the giant’s lineage. Such a being is rare!』
You’re just figuring it out now?
Muttering quietly, enough for only himself to hear, Khan opened a spatial rift. While using his power in front of Aecharis’s subordinates might not be ideal, there was no reason to hold back now that he was discovered.
From the Aecharis’ Pouch, a peculiar-looking sword emerged. The blade was broad and matted like a bastard sword, almost blunt at the edge, raising doubts about whether it could even cut. It had no guard, and sharp spikes protruded around the base of the blade, wrapping around the handle.
‘Much better.’
Khan smiled at the hefty weight of the oddly-shaped sword, which seemed more like an unfinished craft.
『The opportunity to reclaim my master’s power has come to me. You shall be crushed for your foolishness─!』
Utilizing an overwhelming surge of dark magic, so immense it darkened the surroundings, Kereaktu raised a mountain. To be precise, he conjured an ice giant so colossal it could be mistaken for a mountain.