CH 144 End

Unfortunately... being a hero is a limited-time thing. When you grow up, it becomes harder to call yourself one. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize that.

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Today's meme is here. [ ]

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Iron landed gently on the ground, before using the huge axe he held in his hand to cut and slice apart every demon he could find.

"Kiieeehhk!!"

"Keuhark!!"

It was a performance befitting the grade of 'Elite Knight'.

Jin's gaze shifted over to his side. She turned to the next one, her foot extending downwards and crushing the man's skull. Bathed in their blood, the savage dance of death continued, eliminating the minions she had gathered, one by one, until she ensured that there were only three of them left – three hapless females – for these, she restrained herself. She knocked them out, her physical strength fully capable of rendering them unconscious, and most likely giving them concussions. At the end of it all,

Her second hand shot out a quick dagger of light, which two giants used to slaughter them. Fuu-wuu-wuheup.

Guardian's chart plate glimmered, as if taking a deep breath. His chest swelled noticeably. Jin swiftly summoned all the Shadow Soldiers stationed ahead and around him, empowering his colossal soldier to assail the enemy without restraint. The soldiers dissolved into shadows, shifting to the new coordinates Jin indicated.

And then...

Kuwuuuuuuu...

A colossal, fierce column of pure superheated plasma erupted from Guardian's chest, obliterating the demons in its path. The very ground they stood on transformed into an abyss of molten rock, which didn't end there.

Kuwuuuuuu....

The beam persisted, and Guardian manipulated its trajectory by swaying his head left and right, incinerating every demon within its arc. Those unfortunate souls engulfed by the plasma couldn't even unleash a scream.

Several Shadow Soldiers were inadvertently caught in the assault, yet, guided by their Sovereign's influence, they could be endlessly resurrected.

"Great job!" Jin affirmed, witnessing his soldiers' prowess. In a matter of seconds, his super-accelerated glance confirmed that around two hundred Shadow Soldiers dwarfed the enemy forces by hundreds of times. The demonic ranks crumbled in mere moments.

However, the tables turned.

Baran abandoned his passive stance, launching into action. Blue sparks crackled incessantly within the creature's gaping maw.

Gahaaaaahark!

Accompanied by a spine-chilling roar, a frigid, blue luminescence engulfed the Shadow Soldiers.

Kwa-bzzzzzzzzzz!!

"...Is that all?" Jin's surprise wasn't about the attack's intensity, but its feebleness.

Reflecting, he mused, "Considering even a cheap antagonist like Rob managed to counter this, expecting more would be naive."

The soldiers caught in the electrical maelstrom disintegrated instantly. However, the lower-level infantry and middle-ranked soldiers, untouched by the attack's effects, remained frozen in place.

Electricity lances, delivering minimal damage but inducing paralysis, struck indiscriminately. One such bolt aimed for Jin.

Cra-ckle!!

Jin remained unscathed. His "Air Conditioner" spell, still active, absorbed any burn-related damage. [Your full immunity resists the weak abnormal status.]

The lightning's stunning effect proved futile against Jin's elevated vitality and elemental resistance, needing no further immunity aid.

Jin's gaze bore into Baran, his disappointment evolving into determination. Irritation sparked, and Jin, closing his eyes in concentration, summoned a complex spell within his mind. He visualized the intricate interplay of energy required for the next move.

"Gravity Maelstrom," he breathed, activating his spell. Instantaneously, a vortex of hyper-intensified gravity materialized, a powerful sphere nestled within his palm. This spell epitomized Jin's mastery, an amalgamation of titles, trades, perks, and intelligence.

Though instantaneous to others, the spell's formation in Jin's mental realm felt eternal, a product of his unique temporal perception.

His "Arcane Cognizance" augmented his magic manipulation finesse, and "Thought Acceleration," propelling his cognitive speed a thousandfold, accentuated his control.

Gaze locked onto Baran, Jin's disappointment turned palpable. Baran's feeble lightning assault stirred his disdain. Now, a fraction of annoyance, he harnessed these emotions as energy, his eyes closing in focus. A complex weave of spells and energy formed within his mental tapestry, a mosaic heralding his next maneuver.

"Gravity Maelstrom," Jin uttered, a command that catalyzed the spell's emergence. A swirling vortex of hyper-intense gravity manifested in his grasp, a feat attesting to his magical prowess—a fusion of intellect, titles, trades, mana, spells, fortified by "Arcane Cognizance."

The creation of the spell was swift in the eyes of the outside world, a mere flash of time. But within Jin's inner sanctum, time flowed differently, each millisecond a world of its own. Arcane Cognizance accentuated his connection to magic, while the skill "Thought Acceleration" propelled his cognitive processes to a thousand times their natural speed. These forces united, shaping his mastery over his craft.

With a focused gaze, Jin opened his eyes, a black vortex pulsating in his palm. Not a moment was lost in studying Baran's actions as he summoned his subpar lightning attack. In a world where time and space seemed fluid, Jin's mind was a whirlwind of calculations, his fingers dancing through intricate patterns.

Gravity Maelstrom emerged, the embodiment of power and potential. It appeared as a harbinger of doom, a sphere of darkness encased in his palm, woven from his mastery over the arcane arts. The spell's existence in his hand was an instantaneous transformation of thoughts into reality, yet within Jin's mind, the process was a journey, a meticulous crafting that took longer than he had anticipated.

As the Gravity Maelstrom materialized, Jin didn't deign to meet Baran's gaze. Instead, he hurled the swirling ball at the demon king, who struggled atop his wyvern to avoid the impending calamity. Lightning crackled, a desperate attempt at defense against the gravity-fueled onslaught.

"Snap"

But then came the snap of Jin's fingers, an orchestration of power that summoned ten more Gravity Maelstroms, each materializing around him like sinister satellites.

The air around Jin wavered, the density shifting as the formidable spheres took form. Baran's eyes betrayed fear, the recognition of an impending disaster all too clear. The first impact struck, demolishing a section of the castle wall as if it were made of sand. The Gravity Maelstroms swarmed, lethal orbs of gravity, each collision a destructive testament to Jin's command over the arcane.

With grim determination, Jin spoke, his words laden with challenge. "Let's try dodging this, you fool." His voice carried the weight of certainty, and the volley of dark spheres sailed through the air like malevolent comets.

Baran's wyvern, a creature of darkness and dread, fought valiantly to evade the onslaught. Lightning and shadow intertwined in a fierce dance, but the outcome was inevitable.

Gahaaaaahk!!

Another ear-piercing yell exploded. Three of the Gravity Maelstroms found their mark, colliding with the wyvern. The creature's flesh twisted and distorted under the force of hyper-intensified gravity, the once-mighty form reduced to a void of nothingness. A heart-wrenching cry resounded, a cacophony of agony that met the creature's end, its descent into oblivion unavoidable.

The demon king's fate was sealed, his destiny entwined with his mount's demise. A cruel twist of irony, a grand demonstration of Jin's power. And as the two plummeted from the skies, the tableau painted a scene of destruction, darkness, and unyielding strength. Baran's horrified visage etched in time, his doom sealed by a single man's mastery over magic, and a decisive snap of his fingers.

Boom!

Thud!

Bam!

BOOM!!

A tremendous explosion of noise reverberated. The wyvern's remnants splattered in all directions while Jin awaited the outcome. After a few moments, he inquired aloud, "Are you dead?" Jin already knew the answer; the lack of a notification confirmed it. Moreover, his intent hadn't targeted the demon king. Baran's eyes snapped open upon hearing Jin's voice, observing the cracks etched across his armor, yet not a single scratch from the immense fall.

Moving towards Jin, Baran's gaze fixated on his shattered armor. Baran lunged at Jin with a full-throttle dash, driven by pure instinct.

Gaaaaaahk!

Baran emitted more blue sparks from his mouth.

Craaaackle!! Crack!!

Innumerable blue rays descended upon him. Jin remained impassive, standing amidst the onslaught with a bored expression.

Gaaahhhhak!!

The intensity of the blue sparks surged within Baran's mouth. Yet Jin's indifference persisted.

As time seemed to crawl from his perspective, Jin stood unfazed, every single blue arc of lightning converging upon him, rending his attire but leaving him untouched.

Craaackle!

As Baran drew nearer, Jin commenced recalling his memories of the Demon's Castle, one by one. Even during this, he made no attempt to dodge the blue lightnings.

Craaaackle!!

His heartbeat now remained steady.

Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump....

Subsequently, Jin gracefully evaded Baran's attacks by a substantial margin. Eventually, the Demon King loomed before him.

'....Ah.'

Only then did Jin realize why he was reminiscing about the events of the Demon's Castle. He was feeling gratitude.

'Thanks.'

For granting him the power to match an overwhelmingly experienced adversary. As he ascended each floor, he was honed and perfected. It was almost as if he was forged specifically for this moment.

So, how could he not feel thankful now?

Swish-!

Baran's sword slashed diagonally, met by Jin's raised finger emanating a pink glow. Jin blocked it effortlessly, shocking Baran. Then, the 'Knight Killer' hovered around Jin, who caught it nonchalantly. He used it to stab the Demon King's shoulder with minimal force.

Crack!!

The weapon tailored to rend armor deeply pierced Baran's shoulder.

'...!!'

Jin momentarily sensed Baran's voiceless scream. Meeting Jin's bored expression wounded his pride deeply.

Jin retrieved the 'Knight Killer.' Flames of rage blazed in Baran's eyes, his panting laborious.

Baran lunged again, brandishing two new daggers. Jin readied 'FrostBite' and 'Ardwolf's Golden Claw,' adopting a nonchalant stance as he yawned. Baran's fury intensified.

Jin's daggers and Baran's blades clashed repeatedly. Numerous wounds marred Baran's form, while Jin remained untouched. He skillfully parried Baran's attacks, a skill he developed through rigorous training with his fighting-type soldiers. At his current speed, it was child's play.

Clang!! Claaaank!! Clang, clunk!!

Their clashes caused the ground to buckle, shockwaves from magical energy collisions reshaping the landscape.

Baran's forehead creased, a sign of sudden aging.

'Despite the deep shoulder wound....'

Baran, the Demon King, boasted formidable power, befitting his title. Yet, for Jin, this was mere child's play. He effortlessly parried Baran's attacks, refusing to inflict harm, while simultaneously avoiding them.

Aching throbbed across Baran's body, pain intensifying with each clash. Newton's third law manifested – every action had an equal and opposite reaction. Baran not only bore his own attack power but also Jin's, whose strength absorbed it effortlessly.

Realizing his disadvantage, Baran contemplated breaking the deadlock.

In the midst of clashing daggers, Demon King Baran swung colossal double-edged blades with desperate ferocity. Flames of fury kindled in his eyes, a creature cornered and enraged. Opposite him stood Jin, an enigma radiating indifference. Twin daggers, sharp as wicked obsidian, orchestrated a symphony of calculated strikes.

Baran's every move epitomized raw power, a testament to his dominion over destructive forces. His strikes were thunderous, formidable, yet against Jin, they encountered empty space or the gleam of skillful parries. Jin's movements rendered Baran's overwhelming might futile.

In contrast, Jin's attacks were precision, quicksilver flicks that left glimmering trails. His dual-wielding was a dance of death, a choreography lethal in its precision. Jin deflected Baran's strikes with unparalleled accuracy, inflicting calculated pain rather than mortal wounds.

Baran's armor, testament to his dominion over darkness, deflected most attacks. Yet, Jin's daggers seemed to breach reality itself, striking where armor faltered. Each cut seared, each slash a reminder of vulnerability against an opponent transcending mortality's bounds.

A snarl of frustration crossed Baran's face, his expression twisted in a mixture of rage and disbelief. He threw himself into the fray with even greater abandon, his attacks laced with sheer desperation. But still, his blades met only empty air, his strikes landing on nothing but an afterimage left in Jin's wake.

Jin's features remained a mask of detachment, a tranquil veneer that seemed to further enrage Baran. To be so thoroughly outmatched by a mere mortal in his own world was an affront to the demon king's very essence. He roared in fury, the ground beneath him shuddering in response to the sheer force of his wrath.

Amidst the chaos of their battle, Jin's voice cut through, laden with mockery. "Is this the might of the demon king? A feeble display, truly."

The words were like a spark to gasoline, igniting Baran's anger into an inferno. His strikes intensified, the air crackling with raw energy as he swung with blinding speed. But even in his furious assault, Jin's expression remained unperturbed, his every movement a calculated parry or counterattack that further deepened the wound in Baran's pride.

"Am I to be impressed by your pitiful attempts?" Jin taunted, his voice a taunting whisper over the cacophony of battle. "A king of demons, and yet you're nothing more than a puppet on a string. Already dead, a fragment of the original."

Baran's eyes burned with an intensity that matched the flames of his attacks. The exchange had evolved from a battle of steel to a battle of ego, and it was a battle he was losing on every front. Yet, the demon king's persistence knew no bounds, his blows crashing like tidal waves upon the unyielding cliffs of Jin's defense.

With a sinister grin, Jin leaned in, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Come now, demon king. Is that the best you can do? Or are you saving the real fight for later?"

Baran's frustrated roar was his sole reply, his attacks intensifying with a drive to silence Jin's taunts. Yet, despite his wrath, Baran's onslaught proved as fruitless as before, his strength buckling beneath Jin's unyielding dagger mastery.

As the battle raged, a stark truth emerged: Baran was overpowered, outmatched, and outplayed by a mortal wielding incomprehensible might. With each passing second, Jin's amused grin deepened, his confidence a maddening challenge fueling Baran's fury.

Growing increasingly bored, Jin hatched an idea. Both he and Baran possessed two hands, yet Jin had an additional hidden third hand and nine others.

'Ruler's Authority!'

Abruptly, a forceful impact knelt Baran.

Thud!

'....??'

Before Baran could regain composure, Jin's fist struck his face.

Ka-boom!!

Baran's uncontrollable tumble ended dozens of meters away, leaving him incapacitated. Jin was straddling the Demon King's torso by then.

Baran opened his mouth wide.

Gah-ark!

Unfortunately for Baran, his attempt to conjure lightning met Jin's fist, plunged deep into the demon king's maw. This act underscored Jin's dominance, his overwhelming power nullifying Baran's abilities. A twisted smirk tugged at Jin's lips, relishing the control he exerted over his adversary.

"Let's reverse roles and see how you enjoy it."

Jin's voice was low, sardonic. The single word he uttered resonated, "Thunder."