Chapter 582
Yeah, Just One Like Me. (2)
Kwaaaaang!
Jerome crashed into the fortress, slamming into the ground.
Everything in the path of the black beam was obliterated. Soldiers caught in its trajectory exploded on the spot, their bodies bursting apart.
Gartros, his flickering form shimmering, let out a chuckle.
“Khhuhu... It feels as if I’ve become a god. I should have realized this power much sooner...”
Because of Ghislain’s actions, the Salvation Church had been pushed into a crisis. They were forced to open the rift ahead of schedule and incite uprisings across various nations.
The entire continent had become their enemy. Even so, they had believed in their victory. After all, they possessed more superhumans than any kingdom.
But after suffering defeat in the Ritania Kingdom, Gartros realized his arrogance.
Superhumans capable of overwhelming multiple priests at once had appeared. And their numbers within the allied forces were only increasing.
As the situation grew more dire, Gartros pondered.
— How can we fight against such powerful warriors?
Unknowingly, he had been forced into the role of a challenger.
The Ritania Civil War had been his wake-up call.
No matter how strong he was, dealing with absolute powerhouses like the Guardian of the World Tree or the Saint of Battle was nearly impossible. If just those two appeared, defeat was inevitable.
The same went for the other priests. Even Gillian, known as the White Lion, couldn’t win in a one-on-one fight.
It was then that Helgenik’s actions inspired him.
— That level of power must have come from using all of the orbs.
The Atrodean Army had been closely monitoring the allied forces. According to their information, the strongest warriors of the coalition had gathered to take down a single man Helgenik.
But using the orbs in such a way inevitably led to death. That was the problem Gartros had been grappling with.
And then, he came up with an alternative.
— What if I could use that power safely from an external source?
Only two orbs remained. He couldn't afford to use them.
So, whenever he had spare time, he began experimenting extracting small portions of energy from the priests bit by bit.
Instead of absorbing energy all at once, he devised a method to create an energy-saturated space, which he could then tap into from the outside.
The results were astonishing. He could wield power beyond that of a superhuman, and there was no risk involved. Since he was drawing in energy from his surroundings and immediately expending it, he didn’t need to worry about overloading himself.
All he needed was the skill and mental fortitude to handle such vast amounts of energy.
— This is it! With this power, I can face even stronger superhumans!
The energy, when gathered as one, granted unimaginable power. Compared to when it was spread across individual priests, its strength was incomparable.
Of course, there was a penalty. In order to create that space, the priests had to expend their own energy.
But Gartros didn’t care. If the situation called for this power, then the priests wouldn’t be of much use anyway.
A single overwhelming force.
That was all he needed.
— The god has once again shown us the way.
Gartros was a genius who had led the Salvation Church back to its prime. It was his achievement to interpret the church’s scriptures and restore its lost power.
Because of that, Gartros had been able to develop a new method.
And he was the only one capable of wielding this power. No one else could control this energy as well as he could.
Gartros swept his gaze over the fortress and grinned.
“Khh… To think I’d have to use this power before even facing the Ritania army…”
He could have taken the fortress without resorting to this power. But leaving Jerome unchecked would only drag things out.
The Atrodean army was in a disadvantageous position. If they delayed, the chances of being surrounded would increase.
Jerome was also an exceptionally powerful transcendent. To subdue him quickly, Gartros had no choice but to use this power.
“Killing the most troublesome one alone is already a gain… This, too, must be the will of the god…”
Goooooo…
Black energy began to gather around him once more. The dark aura that had spread like mist now surged toward him.
Seeing this, the allied soldiers completely lost their will to fight.
“I-It’s over… We’re already in hell…”
“The goddess must have abandoned us…”
“This is a nightmare. It has to be a nightmare…”
Even Jerome, whom they had relied on, had been struck down in an instant.
The only thing the soldiers could do was drop their weapons and tremble in terror.
Gartros was very pleased with the sight.
He smiled and spoke.
“Die as you witness the power of the great god.”
Fwaaat!
Once again, a black beam shot out. This destructive power would tear through the fortress and annihilate the soldiers in an instant.
But this time, something different happened.
Fwaaaak!
A golden barrier unfurled in the beam’s path.
Kagagagagak!
The black beam scraped violently against the barrier. Yet, not a single soldier perished.
It was a shield infused with an enormous amount of mana.
Gartros’s massive head tilted slightly to the side.
“That one is still…”
Fwaaak!
From within the fortress, a golden streak shot into the dark sky.
The man radiating light from his entire body was Jerome. Blood trickled from his lips, and his robe was torn in several places, but his eyes burned with unwavering determination.
“It’s not over yet.”
Jerome stretched both hands to his sides, unleashing his mana.
Zing ! Zing ! Zing ! Zing !
Brilliantly glowing magic circles began to form in midair.
There were twenty of them.
Each one was imbued with immense mana, moving as if alive, resonating with one another.
The mana surging from the magic circles caused the surrounding air to tremble, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Rumble!
A bolt of golden lightning shot forth from the magic circles.
Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!
The massive lightning bolts, unleashed from the twenty magic circles, pierced through the dark energy.
Ssssshhhhh!
With each strike, the dark energy burned as if evaporating evidence that it was gradually being extinguished.
Gartros twisted his face in fury and roared.
"You dare?!"
A storm of dark energy erupted around him, swirling violently. Like a tidal wave, it surged toward Jerome, trying to engulf him.
Jerome extended both hands forward, conjuring a golden barrier.
BOOOOM!
Golden light and dark energy collided, unleashing a thunderous explosion. The ground quaked, and the sky split apart.
Grit.
Jerome clenched his teeth.
'I have to keep erasing it and reducing its power.'
That energy couldn’t be absorbed properly he had already realized that during his battle with Helgenik.
Even if he could absorb it, its sheer volume made it nearly impossible to control. And his opponent wouldn’t just stand by and watch. He had no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Zing !
A golden magic circle was etched into Jerome’s eyes, radiating light.
This was different from when he fought Helgenik. Back then, he had paced himself, distributing his mana for a prolonged battle.
But now, that wasn’t an option. If he wanted to protect the fortress, he had to be prepared to die.
Thankfully, thanks to his allied mages, the suppression of his mana was barely noticeable. He had to end this before they exhausted themselves.
'As fast as possible!'
BOOOM!
At last, for the first time, he began to unleash all of his mana at once.
Blinding beams of light erupted from both of Jerome’s hands. The light wriggled as if alive, surging toward the blackened Gartros.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Gartros was nothing more than a form made of energy. Even when struck, his true body remained unscathed.
Yet, with each blast, his energy was diminished. The surrounding darkness rushed to fill the gaps, but the black mist's reach was slowly shrinking.
Gartros let out a twisted grin. His energy had been considerably depleted, but far more of it remained.
"Do you really think you can withstand this transcendent power?!"
Gartros' massive body emanated black energy from all over. Soon, the two forces collided midair.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaaang!
Hundreds of golden lightning streaks and black flashes painted the sky, clashing violently. Each time the two auras collided, the shockwaves caused Jerome’s body to tremble.
By now, neither enemy nor ally could take their eyes off the battle between the two.
Everyone was utterly mesmerized. This was a battle akin to a clash between gods.
Unlike other superhumans, only Jerome, a great mage who had reached the 8th Circle, could engage in such a fight.
However, Jerome’s condition was far from good.
“Khugh….”
Blood trickled down from his tightly clenched lips.
Gartros was wielding the power of six priests at once. Though four of them were still alive, they had exhausted nearly all their energy before retreating.
Their skills may have been lacking, but their raw power was at the level of true superhumans. There was no way such energy could be taken lightly.
On top of that, Gartros himself who was stronger than any of them was adding his own might into the mix.
No matter how powerful Jerome was, it was impossible to withstand that overwhelming force indefinitely.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
Each time he blocked an attack, his body was pushed back. Anyone watching could tell that he was in a precarious state.
At this rate, victory was impossible. If he kept fighting like this, he would eventually die.
‘Even so, I have to do it!’
If he backed down, all those people inside the fortress would perish.
In the end, Jerome decided to push himself further. He didn’t want to die, but there was no other choice.
There was one method he could attempt something he could only try while he still had enough mana.
Drrrrrrr…
Jerome began to concentrate all of his unleashed mana into a single point. Seeing this, Gartros realized his opponent was up to something.
Massive tendrils of black energy erupted from Gartros’ body, surging outward in an attempt to ensnare Jerome from all sides.
At that moment, golden feather-like shapes scattered from Jerome’s body. He soared swiftly into the air, evading the tendrils with precision.
Even as he dodged, he did not stop gathering mana.
‘Please… just a little more…’
His mana was nearly fully condensed. The spell formula, which he had been continuously constructing in his mind, was complete.
Now, all that remained was to activate it.
But for a brief moment, Jerome hesitated.
‘If I use this… I’ll die…’
A subconscious fear began to creep in, slowly taking hold of his mind.
This spell was forbidden magic. Even he had never actually cast it before.
His master had taught him the spell’s formula but had given him a stern warning.
— “It’s a secret technique of our tower… but never use it until you reach the 9th Circle. Even then, you’ll have to stake your life on it.”
— “What happens if I use it before that?”
— “You’ll die, obviously.”
— “What if I have no choice but to use it in a truly desperate situation?”
— “Then you’ll die… along with your opponent.”
This magic was created with a specific purpose to counter a particular individual.
That was why Jerome’s master had spoken about it so casually, assuming there would never be a reason to use it.
Given Jerome’s skills, he could always escape even if he encountered someone stronger.
— You hate pain and dying, don’t you? As long as you run away when you meet a strong opponent, you’ll be fine.
— Well, yeah. I’m never going to use it. Hahaha.
Jerome had thought the same. If he used it at a low level, he would die for sure who in their right mind would take that risk?
But now, he had no other choice.
If he ran away… all those people…
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
Jerome was relentlessly pushed back by Gartros’ attacks. As he glanced behind him, he saw countless frightened faces staring at him. The weight of their expectations was crushing.
His heart wavered.
Maybe… we should all just run…
Even if he could escape, could the others really get away from that monster?
That devastating power could wipe out the fortress’s forces in an instant.
Right now, Gartros was even stronger than the rampaging Helgenik. Even if Ghislain and Julien were here, they wouldn’t stand a chance. He was nearly at the level of a transcendent being.
I have to survive. That way, I can join forces with others to take this monster down…
The Ritania army had many outstanding superhumans. If he worked with them, they could surely find a way.
Yes, that was the right choice. The most logical and efficient course of action.
But the thought only made his heart waver even more.
I should retreat… But if I just hold out a little longer…
If he stopped fighting now, Gartros’ attacks would turn toward the fortress. Even if he tried his best to protect it, there would be countless casualties.
There was no way Gartros would let the Allied Forces escape so easily. Now that he had unleashed this power, he would want to reduce their strength as much as possible.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
Each time Jerome blocked an attack, his body was flung high into the air. Even defending and dodging were becoming too much to handle.
What should I do…?
If he used any more mana, he wouldn’t even be able to resort to his last option. Then, he would have no choice but to flee alone.
He had to make a decision now.
Jerome looked at Gartros with exhausted eyes. That massive, surging energy still seemed boundless.
‘He’s unbelievably strong.’
How many more sacrifices would be needed to take down that monster?
If they lost this fortress and the Atrodean army expanded its reach elsewhere, how many more lives would be lost?
Jerome suddenly recalled something Alfoi had once said.
Every time they worked in the mobile workshop, Alfoi would nonchalantly say:
— Magic isn’t just about circles. It’s about real combat. You? You’re expendable. We got by just fine without you.
The memory brought a faint smirk to Jerome’s lips.
Yeah, I’m just one person.
If that monster was eliminated, the allied forces' victory in the war would be all but assured.
If that monster was gone, escaping would be much easier for everyone else.
No, with this forbidden magic, he could wipe out the entire Atrodean army and end the war once and for all.
Jerome clenched his teeth, steeling his resolve.
If I alone must be sacrificed… I can end this war and save countless lives!
Goooooooh……
Jerome spread his arms wide and raised them high. At that moment, an enormous magic circle began to form in the sky.
And it wasn’t just one.
Dozens, hundreds of circles appeared simultaneously, connecting as though they were part of a grand design.
An overwhelming torrent of mana rained down upon Gartros.
“Kugh… What is this…?”
Gartros raised his head in stunned disbelief. For something to exert this level of intangible pressure, even against someone with his transcendent power…!
Fwaaaaaah……
The magic circles all radiated a dazzling light, forming an immense shape. It resembled a vast celestial map, containing the very laws of the universe.
Intricate and mysterious symbols interwove, creating an indescribable beauty.
Awe filled the eyes of all who beheld it foe and ally alike.
They instinctively understood that something momentous, something unprecedented, was unfolding before them.
Even the opposing mages ceased their magical duels, transfixed by the spectacle above.
Gooooooooooh……
At last, the magic formation was complete. At that instant, an explosion of brilliant light burst forth from its core.
“Graaahhhhhh!”
Gartros writhed in agony as black energy surged violently around him. The light inflicted no harm upon the surroundings, yet it rapidly drained his power.
But that wasn’t the end.
Kwaaaaaaaaah!
Suddenly, the magic formation split apart, revealing a vision of the cosmos in the empty air.
Countless stars, galaxies, and nebulae came into view a breathtaking spectacle beyond imagination.
It was as if the boundaries between reality and illusion had shattered.
The scene before them defied human comprehension, an absolute marvel that transcended all reason.
The mysteries of the universe seemed to have condensed into this singular moment, shaking the very souls of those who bore witness.
It wasn’t mere astonishment, it was a revelation that redefined their very existence.
Jerome slowly opened his mouth, blood spilling ceaselessly from his lips.
“Judgment of Radiance.”
At last, the incantation was complete.
And in that grand, celestial expanse—
Gugugugugugugu!
A colossal golden meteor began its descent.