Stalling

The Emanations I have understood until now were realizations of reality turned into true power. An emanation wasn't something unique to me. It was a path to and of divinity like the daos that the cultivators learned.

The reason the two women were able to enter my barrier, was because they had a lingering aura from my understanding of the emanations and thus were recognized as part of the whole, especially since I had partly accepted them as mine and were seen as insignificant enough to be ignored.

Usually, this wouldn't be a problem as those would have my favor and were weak enough to be incapable of causing me any trouble. Honestly, I just hadn't thought about it too deeply and since it depended on being in my favor it just didn't register as a weak point.

There was just a little problem since the array was now powered by my understanding. Those who had greater understanding could fool my perception and inherent rejection of the 7 Emanations I had incorporated. Even though I created an almost everlasting and impenetrable defense with this setup, I also created 7 doors with locks that could be opened by those with greater knowledge of the individual subjects.

Now, these doors had been opened and they walked into my domain. Despite being able to see them with my eyes, I couldn't detect them with my divine senses. I would need to deeply focus before being able to vaguely sense something. It was like they were crocodiles in a swamp, while I tried to search for them from above the water. Technically it was doable and with a lot of guesswork and some provocation by poking at them, but it was too difficult to do, especially if a fight commenced.

There was another way. I could boil my entire domain and forcefully eject or even crush everything inside, but that would mean unbinding it from the array or incorporating it as part of my domain, making it more rigid in the future. Both were futures I would try my best to avoid and from the looks of it, these eight didn't want to make me desperate just yet. Forcefully extracting my domain from the array was just asking for Yggdrasil's forces to arrive and permanently fusing it into my domain would cut off my future potential.

As for what they had to lose, their lives to start, and whatever their agreement with Yggdrasil was. If they weren't concerned about their own lives the organization behind them would be in a disadvantaged position. It was also why they hadn't attacked yet. They knew I could still kill them, so they were stalling for time until their win was assured.

I glanced at the seven Archangels of Sephira. Some of them looked like the typical angel one would imagine, while others looked drastically different. Surprisingly, they looked more like alien constructs than they looked like living beings.

Like Archangel Khamael representing Gevurah, Emanation of Judgement, he looked like a skeleton's upper body dapped in some holy cloth that seemed to fuse with its body. There were no organs or even much flesh in its body. Horns were growing out of the side of its temples looking like wings. The most recognizable thing was the sword it held in its four hands, grasping it as if in prayer. It was clear that the sword was there to dish out the judgment he represented.

It was strange to look at them as I could instantly tell, which Emanation they represented, while my divine senses were completely oblivious to them. After all, their understanding of the Emanations left them invisible to my senses. They also had a binding effect on my domain, slowing my own influence on my domain. Although they couldn't completely stop me from using my powers, they retrained me enough that I couldn't just crush them with my domain like I normally would be able to.

The other figure sitting on his eight-legged steed in the air was no angel, but he certainly was divine. Despite seeing him for the first time, I instantly knew which god stood before me. It was of course the Norse pantheon's chief god. Odin, God of War, Wisdom, Death, Poetry, and Magic, sitting on his steed Sleipnir.

His figure was tall and certainly looked like an old man besides the powerful build he had going for him. He had a flowing beard and only one eye, while the other was covered by a golden eyepatch. He certainly didn't look like the MCU's or GoW's Odin, nonetheless, his identity was clear to me.

It was because of him that I hadn't pulverized these eight. Although their understanding gave them a certain restrictive effect on me, they were still objectively weaker than I was. They had reached level 120, while I was more than ten levels above them. With my gear being superior to theirs, I should have a lot more wiggle room than I actually had.

I suspected that with the addition of Odin, they leveled the absolute power gap. They somehow prevented me from using my greatest strength. It seemed like they had come here prepared with a perfect counter. Given the setup and that I doubted they were easy to convince, they must have known of my domain's gap since the very beginning.

Yggdrasil must have waited until he convinced a complete victory with the highest firepower it could gather. Honestly, it would have been an assured victory if it hadn't taken a full 4 days to attack. Now the future was uncertain and I saw the tree changing its movements slightly from the corner of my eye.

Of course, as long as I didn't know how Odin helped the angels completely counter my domain, I would have a more than unpleasant time dealing with them. "Who would have thought I would be greeted by such a warm welcome." I couldn't help but smile as I spread my arms like I was inviting an old friend.

Beside Odin raising an eyebrow, the others opted to keep a neutral expression, though I could tell that they were unnerved to some degree. They feared me. That was something I could use.

Odin chuckled like he was an amicable friendly old man who was amused by the actions of the youth. "Hohoho." He rubbed his beard as his eye pierced into mine. "Boy, you sure are spirited for someone going to die today." Honestly, to say something like that with such a seemingly genuine appearance and casually at that…

"Youngins sure know how to make enemies nowadays." Odin continued as he glanced around as if to look at the New World. The glint in his eye conveyed more than I needed to know what he was thinking. A New World meant a new playground, but also hope. I knew what he wanted and I couldn't say I wouldn't do the same if I were in his position. Ragnarok was a real thing that would come for his realm and a world unbound by the fate of Yggdrasil had immense value for him.

"Who would have thought that the World Tree would seek us out so readily just to have you killed? It seemed like it was even more terrified of you than any other before you. I should probably commend you, boy." The old man dared to chuckle at my misfortune.

"I would have never guessed that Odin, the Allfather would dance to the tune of Yggdrasil." Although he was never really addressed as a World Enemy, he was still a possible raid boss. From what I had gathered during the years of an NPC, no player had tried to attack him after knowing the consequences. Hidden deep inside a castle with countless powerful guards and gods, the moment you tried anything you would pay the consequences of being hunted down forever until the player had to create a new account.

Regardless, he was a World Enemy, which meant he was unbound by Yggdrasil's influence and was therefore not really on good terms with the tree. "Hohoho. I'm sure you understand what I am here for. Besides getting rid of you would mean getting rid of a future enemy, no matter how insignificant he is at the moment." He laughed heartily. Good thing I wasn't prideful. Seemed like he was trying to rile me up.

Though why would I be a future enemy? Didn't matter. I ignored him and turned to the angels standing in the air beside him. They had already formed a half circle and just watched me menacingly.

My eyes lingered on Archangel Raphael. I wasn't sure if that was truly her realm form, but she looked beautiful. A blonde woman exuding beauty with an armored torso smoothly flowing into a white dress with golden accents. Considering that she represented the Emanation of Beauty, I wasn't sure whether she truly looked like this or it was just the manifestation of what I would consider as beauty reflected in her form.

Regardless of the truth, my eyes continued to move over the other angels. Individually they weren't as strong as Odin, that much I could tell. Without their greatest strength of being a complete group of 10 Archangel, each possessing the full might of a single Emanation, made them tense. However, besides the fear and cautiousness they showed, they had a certain conviction in their stance and aura. Just according to this, I knew I wouldn't be able to convince them to my side.

Perhaps Raphael could be convinced once I pulled her into my bed, but the others certainly wouldn't wait for me to have a round with her… "So, what's the deal with you? Are you really going to kill one of your own?" I asked them and the mood shifted slightly, bringing something to the foreground that had been lingering in the background, in their determination. It fueled their motivation for coming here given how the fury in their aura burst forth.

"You? One of us? Part of our divine empire?" He, Archangel Sandalphon, the Angel of Malkuth, the Emanation of the Kingdom, asked incredulously.

"Your life is unnatural. A soul masquerading as an angel. Your existence is an affront to the natural Order." Archangel Gabriel, the Angel of Yesod, Emanation of Life, continued as he shook his head. His voice rumbled like thunder before fading out like a song.

"Resistance is futile. Just submit, it will be less painful that way." Archangel Michael, the Angel of Hod, Emanation of Submission, intoned. His voice was chilly like the winds of a mountain's peaks, piercing endlessly.

"This will be the end of you. We won't stop until you give up on your existence." Archangel Uriel, the Angel of Netzah, Emanation of Endurance. His voice heavily weighed down on a metaphysical level like an invisible mountain bearing down on me.

"…" The Archangel of Da'at, Emanation of Emptiness, didn't say anything. His head just had a hole in the middle, so there wasn't anything to read off it, but it felt like he wasn't staring at me. He was also the only angel whose name didn't come to me. It seemed like he gave up on everything else to represent his Emanation.

"So beautiful…" Archangel Raphael called out in a daze as she looked at me. Although it sounded less threatening than what the others had said, I knew she wanted to strip me of my beauty.

"We are here to judge you." The last Archangel of this group called out with finality in its tone. Archangel Khamael, the Angel of Gevurah, Emanation of Judgement. "We are here to strip you of your powers for you have dared to encroach on our divine purpose." It called out as it turned its sword upward, holding it in front of its face.

"So, here you are," I called out as I rose to the sky until I was at the same height as them. Except for Raphael and Odin, the others ranged from a few to several dozen meters tall. "From what you have said…" I started and I could see them tensing up. "It seems like you knew something before having come here. Looks like the tree told you a few things about me." My gaze swept across them, despite their alien physiology it made them visibly nervous.

"We know all about your existence," Odin spoke as he continued to stroke his beard. "An existence that isn't going to be tolerated by the Archangels of Sephira, at least not after they found you taking from them." That was valuable information. I hadn't realized that my advancement in each Emanation would rob these angels of their control over it. Given their current perceived strength, it didn't feel like they had lost any level.

They all felt like they firmly stood at level 120. Were they gaining strength through contact with my domain? There were thousands of thoughts and possibilities and I knew it wasn't far off. Somehow, they could access their lost power in my domain.

"It doesn't matter," I responded as I summoned my spear, while my opponents took an aggressive stance. Odin's pretense of a carefree friendly old man was dropped and the war-veteran god came to the forefront. They had finalized their restrictions on my domain. I could feel it lock in place, getting rigid without a sense of budging at my command. Their preparations were complete… and so were mine.

We were done with stalling. It was time to kill them. I cracked my neck as I called out to my women outside of the barrier coming to help. "Don't worry. I will dispose of them."

…

It was like his eyes had been opened. Some would say the sight that the Platinum Dragon Lord, Tsaindorcus Vaision, saw through his armor was enlightening, but he would describe it as gazing into the deep end of an abyss. As a Dragon Lord, he was old by the standards of the average living entity. He had been there before tiered magic existed.

He had seen self-proclaimed gods and greedy kings; heroes and demons appear throughout the years. So, powerful that they could only be felled by their own. Indeed, they had been too powerful for their own good. Each of their appearances would foretell the loss of countless lives or even the extinction of entire species.

They were truly powerful and Tsaindorcus had made it his life goal to protect the world of these creatures called 'Players' and 'NPCs'. As one of the few who would be able to contend against even the strongest of their kind, it was his responsibility to confront them. However, …

What was he supposed to do against those?

The angel Azazel with his back turned toward them, the ones lingering at the forest's edge. Of the eight floating in front of the angel, each of their figures was terrifying, ranging from a few meters to several dozen meters, while each of them exuded a power most terrifying. Some looked like they were part of the undead, but they projected a divine aura that should destroy any other undead. In fact, the Night Lich that had appeared must have been terrified out of his mind as he saw him tremble in the corner of his eyes.

Azazel's wings were spread out like he was guarding them from these entities and he wanted to step forward and give the angel a helping hand, but he knew with just his armor he would just be a hindrance. He guessed even in person he wouldn't be much help. In fact, he knew every single one who arrived here could instinctively tell how superior these beings were. It was like he was but a cub again gazing up to the stars, trying to reach them in vain.

There was a sense of hopelessness and insignificance that he felt when gazing upon something so grand that it was fundamentally and eternally unreachable for him. He was afraid. In all the hundred years living in this world, he had never felt this weak and this sensation only grew as the group in front of him spoke.

Every word they spoke seemed to bend the world around it. Just being casually addressed would see most beings dead. A casual wave of them would turn mincemeat off its target. Even now their mere presence was absolutely terrifying.

There was a sense of imminent death like an hourglass' sand quickly falling to announce his doom. He took a deep breath trying to move his paralyzed mind to move the armor into the air. With great effort, he flew into the sky and created distance from these beings, and with his actions the others that had surrounded this place were shaken out of their stupor as well.

Some started to slowly back away with difficulties, while most continued to stand there without moving a single muscle. When looking closer at the people still standing there it was quickly revealed that they had already died. Tsaindorcus couldn't blame them. The aura that these beings released had affected him deeply as well. Those that were even weaker than he was would only be able to find death.

As he backed away, it got easier to endure. It was when he had created a distance of a few hundred meters that he noticed the two women who had entered the inside area. He hadn't bothered paying attention to them, assuming they would have died like the many national champions who had arrived here, but they were still alive.

No, not just alive. They seemed to be in good health. Their expression didn't speak of great struggle as they endured the aura of these divine beings. They just looked worried and cautious. Then they started to glow and wings sprouted from their backs. Was that the birth of angels? He asked himself just as he noticed more figures rushing toward the angel and these outsiders.

Were they suicidal? They should know that they wouldn't be able to help the angel. He could tell they were powerful individuals just from the way they moved, but even if they were as strong as he was, they would hardly be able to make a difference in the upcoming fight. His claw accidentally cut into the hall's floor as he watched their willingness to jump into the fight.

However, their determination was quickly denied. Just as they reached the area, they were repelled by an invisible force. A demon with black wings in purple armor cried out desperately. "Don't worry. I will dispose of them." The angel's voice called out in a casual but bloodthirsty manner. It was like he was assured of his victory.

Unfortunately, the place started to glow in blinding light, making it impossible for him to see anything. Then he noticed a burning sensation even through the connection of his armor, forcing him to cut off his control over it. The last image he saw was the sphere solidifying before his vision returned to his real body inside the hall of a former guild. He turned toward where the elven kingdom lay.

The wild magic that was inherent to his being cried out. Something was tearing at this primordial power. It was obvious the battle of these entities had commenced and it tore this world apart at a fundamental level.

"It is now or never." He muttered as he rose from his lying position. He hadn't moved for several years since his armor was enough to deal with most threats, but this time it was different. Even at full strength, he wasn't confident of resolving this issue or even coming out alive. However, his world was threatened and he needed to act. Besides, he wasn't the only one who must have felt the cry of wild magic.

If the giant transcendent tree wasn't enough to convince them to act, the cry of magic, their main source of power, should convince the other True Dragon Lords to realize what was at stake. He hadn't seen most of them for centuries, but he was sure that they would all gather now. After all, their alliance still meant something to all of them.

…

For hundreds of years, he had remained hidden, amassing strength that allowed him to grow throughout the years. He had utilized the resources and research of these inferior undeads to grow more powerful. Even though he despised tiered magic, he saw it as a necessary evil to strengthen himself, so in case the filth of the emperor returned, he would be there to snuff out their lives.

So, here he was. He wasn't the coward that he used to be. He was more powerful than he ever was. The Elder Coffin Dragon Lord, Cure Elim Los Malvar, headed to the entrance of the Players' invasion. It was time to reveal himself and kill them before they could start to take root. So, they would know not to sully their world with their existence. The over million zombies that were turned into a massive ball of Undead covered his body, protecting him from any harm that could reach his body.

Even the other Dragon Lords would find it hard to win against him. Perhaps if they decided to gang up on him, but he knew they wouldn't turn against him, especially with the threat arriving at their doorsteps. It was time to show what he had learned and make the Players fear him. He had already sent out his undead minions. The filthy liches, who had fueled his research and knowledge to strengthen him, were already there to investigate the situation.

They told him of the current state and from the looks of it, nothing had happened for the past few days, so he decided to take a look for himself. His strength wouldn't grow for the next few decades anyway, so now was the best opportunity to gauge the Players' invading force. He knew that most Players were more powerful than the average national champion, but there was still a difference between what a peak human could do versus a True Dragon Lord.

Then there was also the angel who must be another Player or NPC. He would see to erase that creature from the face of the planet as well. He didn't believe that the angel was protecting their world one bit. He knew how these Players were. They were vile, filthy, greedy, selfish creatures, who only thought about themselves and didn't care about the rest of the world.

In his mind, the angel was the same as all the others before him and perhaps just a minion of that terrifying tree that loomed over them. He had the suspicion that the angel was just opening the passage to the tree to invade them with their full force. His mind settled slowly as he breached through the far-off side of the clearing. In the distance, he saw a golden divine sphere and could feel the divinity burning the zombies that were covering him.

The night lich was nowhere to be seen and the other undead seemed to have already escaped as well. "Useless." He muttered as he continued to observe the sphere through the eyes of the zombified magical beast's eyes. "This will be difficult." He mused as he asserted the sphere as a protective measure. Perhaps, he would need wild magic to break through it, but he wasn't sure how many Players already arrived.

Their usual group number ranged from just a handful to 8 Players, so if this was their attempt to conquer the world there might be twice or even thrice as many. He feared that there were 30 players or more. With that many Players, even he wasn't sure he would be able to escape it if they decided to surround him. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one, who had arrived at the place, ready to strike at the Players before they could do more harm than they already had.

Even the Dragon Lords that would frown at a preemptive strike weren't dismissive of the danger the players represented as they observed the situation from a certain distance. Cure Elim even saw Tsaindorcus, who had joined the Players a few decades or hundreds of years ago. They could feel it, something big was steering up the Wild Magic that permeated their reality.

Just as a few of his zombies reached the sphere to inspect it, they suddenly collapsed, while Cure Elim felt his connection to them vanishing. "What? What happened?" He asked no one in particular as he was used to being alone and talking to himself.

The birds had long flown and the wildlife ran away, the insects had also done their best to silently scurry away through the mud as quietly as they could. The surface of the world which usually was filled with the sounds of life was dead silent just like the deep underground cave he had housed in for the last hundreds of years.

Perhaps, it was because it was so silent that even he was squirmish about the lack of life around. The only sound that remained was the tone of the zombies rubbing against each other, the splashing of the water, and the rustling of leaves.

The moment something different sounded out, it pierced every other mundane and irrelevant sound, especially since it was someone talking. "Ah, just what I need. Souls." A clear voice rang out throughout the clearing and the forest, attracting the attention of anyone still around.

Then an arm pierced the golden sphere in Cure Elim's direction. It rotated slightly as the open palm clenched into the fist. Millions of souls immediately obeyed the arm's command and visibly flew into the clenching fist. The moment the Undead Dragon Lord realized what was happening more than half were already stolen from him. After he realized the attack, he commanded the Wild Magic to contain the remaining souls, but it didn't listen to his will.

It was like the Wild Magic he cast was overwritten by something more powerful. All his souls were drained away in seconds with him barely able to fight it.

"This can't be!" For hundreds of years, he had holed himself underground only to come out now. This can't be how he died! He could only cry out desperately before his cry turned into a mindless roar as he turned into an unintelligent, mindless zombie.