858

 [Chapter 214]

[Battlefield of Myths]

Before the regression, Armageddon Subjugation Battle.

All players mobilized for the subjugation battle were S-rank, and their number was about 60.

The Twelve Seats who participated in the subjugation battle at that time were exactly 7: <Abyss >, <Thunder God>, <Divine Spear>, <One-Man Fortress>, <Wind Mage>, <Silent >, and <Time Witch>.

In addition, On Tae-yang and his party members also participated in the subjugation battle.

"Kkulkkul, yes, that's it! The more you join forces, the more I will become the fear of this world!"

Armageddon demonstrated power completely different from other Mines.

Even with all the players joining forces, they struggled to counter the army Armageddon controlled with necromancy.

Gift <Brave >

At that time, there was only one player who could respond to Armageddon's magic.

<Braver > On Tae-yang.

And his party members.

They, who had become known as the undisputed strongest party after defeating Magoo, blocked Armageddon's magic.

Furthermore, On Tae-yang using his gift shared his party members' gifts and broke through all of his magic.

"Things won't go your way anymore. I won't let that happen."

"Hahaha! How strange. I see, though temporary, people's support has converged on you! Though you haven't manifested myth, you're showing power comparable to myth!"

"I don't understand what you're saying, just die quietly."

"The effort of watching you with interest wasn't in vain. Your myth has ripened deliciously, so I greatly covet your body."

Splitting Armageddon's darkness.

On Tae-yang infiltrated his world.

The Nation-Saving Sword in his hand was emitting light illuminating the darkness.

He imbued mana into the sword.

Nation-Saving Sword

He activates the magic of the sword made based on the Seven Star Sword.

A power that acts as a natural enemy to Mines.

The sword scatters into particles of light.

Countless starlight illuminating the darkness rose in his world.

That starlight pours onto Armageddon, finally bringing him death.

No, it wasn't over yet.

"Tough bastard."

On Tae-yang returned the starlight to a sword and approached Armageddon who still hadn't fallen.

There was still one left.

So he wanted to end it directly with his own hands for the final attack.

On Tae-yang thrust his sword at the old man staggering unable to properly maintain his body.

"─You've fallen for it."

"...!!"

That was his downfall.

Armageddon split his mouth.

He who was stabbed in the chest was chuckling looking at On Tae-yang.

"I've been waiting only for this moment. The moment when I can obtain a body better for accepting myth than my current body."

"Wh-What is this!? Why won't the sword come out...cough...!!"

"I'll take that body well."

What's happening in his myth.

People outside couldn't see what was happening in the darkness.

Even if On Tae-yang belatedly tried to request help from his party members, it was useless.

Because tentacles that sprouted from Armageddon's body grabbed his body and gagged his mouth.

"Urgh...!!"

"Drawing you into my myth was to weaken your gift. The Nation-Saving Sword too won't be able to exert its full power here! You played into my hands without knowing that."

"...!!"

"I've observed your gift, but it seems to have immunity to mental attacks. So it took quite some time to prepare."

Armageddon chuckled.

He reached out his hand to On Tae-yang.

The old man's hand slowly stroked On Tae-yang from top to bottom.

A touch as if handling a work of art.

On Tae-yang seemed to get goosebumps.

At that moment, a huge aura rose.

Myth Manifestation

Eternal Immortality

"In my world, your existence cannot surpass me. In other words... in this world, I can handle your soul without any interference."

Armageddon placed his hand on On Tae-yang's head.

On Tae-yang tried to turn his head.

Instinct was warning him to quickly avoid the old man's touch.

But tentacles held his head preventing him from turning.

"Now, let's switch bodies."

Magic handling souls that only Armageddon could do.

The souls of two beings switch.

On Tae-yang's gift resists.

Armageddon's myth suppresses his gift.

"Yes, this is it."

Eventually, Armageddon was able to take over On Tae-yang's body.

On Tae-yang's gift even accepted him as its master.

"Wh-Why is my body there..."

Meanwhile, On Tae-yang's soul flowed into Armageddon.

On Tae-yang who entered the old man's body was greatly flustered.

Armageddon, no, he who had now become On Tae-yang chuckled.

"Now I should reclaim the myth of eternal immortality too. If I kill you, I'll not only gain a new myth, but also be able to regain eternal immortality. It was originally my myth after all."

"G-Guys, hel...urgh..."

"Kid, let's recognize reality. Are you requesting help with that body?"

The darkness disappears.

Immediately, <Double Penetration> Bong Gu-rae sniped Armageddon.

Armageddon, no, On Tae-yang was attacked by party members he was trying to ask for help.

Armageddon chuckled and let mana flow into the sword in his hand.

"You've grown well all this time."

Nation-Saving Sword

The sword blade emits light.

The sword scattering into particles of light annihilated Armageddon's body, On Tae-yang's soul.

☆

Two weeks declared by Armageddon passed, and the day of the final battle approached.

"Ah... Today's that day."

"TV!! Quickly turn on the TV!"

"I already turned it on so hurry and come!!"

"Crimson God please, I beg you..."

The day before the final battle.

People under movement restrictions spent what could be their last night.

No one could sleep comfortably.

Those who spent the night almost with their eyes open immediately turned on the TV as soon as morning broke.

This morning, the same screen was showing on any TV channel.

""""..."

Top floor observatory of N Seoul Tower.

Many people had come up to the observatory not yet open to the general public.

Also, several helicopters were gliding in the air above the observatory.

They were people trying to capture the upcoming battle with the Fairy's permission.

[Hello, citizens. We will be broadcasting this battle...]

Shortly after, another screen appeared below.

It was a news desk.

Commentators recruited from each broadcasting station discussed the battle that would happen soon.

[...so Zenith Clan isn't participating in this battle?]

[Yes, unfortunately that's right. The damage they suffered from Armageddon last time was so great, they're currently not in a situation to move large-scale forces. Fortunately, <Camellia Sword> acting as Zenith Clan Lord and 2 of the Five Swords announced they would participate individually.]

[That's unfortunate. Then can we know which clans are participating in this Armageddon subjugation battle?]

[According to the Mana Management Organization's meeting contents, the clans participating in the Armageddon subjugation battle are Pandora, Silla, Myeongwang, and Tempest. You can think of it as a total of 4 clans and skilled S-rank players being deployed.]

[Let's say that's the case for Zenith Clan... Then why aren't the remaining S-rank clans participating?]

[Regulus, Blaze, Samra, and Donghae are said to be participating in other operations. It's not just Armageddon we have to defeat, right?]

Regardless of age or gender.

All citizens were watching the broadcast that would determine the nation's fate as soon as they opened their eyes in the morning.

They tried to understand the situation listening to the commentators' explanations.

[The Mana Management Organization predicts that along with Armageddon's appearance, there will also be terror by Lilith and Mammon. That's why other clans are on standby.]

[Hmm... Still, I think it would have been better if all players fought Armageddon.]

[Think about the battle location. Too many forces would rather be restricted in movement. It's not simply good to have more numbers.]

[I see. Well, it would be difficult to fight if movement lines get tangled when many people fight one person.]

[That's right. So Regulus and Blaze Clan will face Mammon, and the other two clans will face Lilith. I heard they tried to match the number of clans and players going up on that stage to 60 people.]

[It's about quality over quantity, but are there any famous people among the players deployed in each operation?]

[The people deployed in all operations are owners of aliases we've probably heard at least once. If I were to mention a few of them...]

[What about the Twelve Seats?]

[...<Holy Mother> and <Yama > will be deployed to Mammon, <Earth Dragon> and <Great Tree> are scheduled to be deployed to subjugate Lilith. And ah...]

[What viewers are curious about now is probably Armageddon...]

[Hey, stop interrupting.]

People had been suppressing their anxiety for two weeks.

So stress had inevitably built up a lot.

Even people conducting the broadcast got irritated in the middle.

People watching the broadcast also had to swallow their anger, beating their chests with frustration.

[The Twelve Seats to be deployed in Armageddon's subjugation are <Thunder God>, <Shadow King>, <Navy Wind>, <Wind Mage>, <Silent >, <Time Witch>, and lastly <Crimson Lotus Sword>.]

[7 people are participating. Then I guess we can have some expectations with this.]

[Well, seeing how he defeated <Sword Empress>-nim and <First Sword>, Armageddon is quite formid...]

"Augh, I'm so frustrated! Mom! Quickly change the channel! Let's watch another broadcast! I could do better hosting than him! Just listening to that guy makes me feel so frustrated I could die!"

"You're right, it seems better to watch another channel's broadcast."

What people wanted in this situation wasn't pessimistic defeatism.

What they wanted was just optimism that everything would be alright.

Whether that had realism or not.

They didn't need reasons.

At this moment, even if it was wrong, they just wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.

They just wanted to believe what they wanted to believe.

It was then.

[Ah! The players are coming up now! Look over there!]

""""...!!""""

People who were about to change the channel paused at that moment.

They opened their eyes wide and stared intently at the screen.

Players who got off the elevator were walking out.

People who brought their faces close to the screen tried to identify them one by one.

"What? Why isn't Pandora Clan here?"

The elevator operated twice in total.

40 players got off.

Among them, the players people were waiting for most weren't visible.

[Why can't we see Pandora Clan? They've arrived, right?]

The commentator who had been saying only pessimistic things represented their feelings just this once.

It was then.

[Ah! Uh uh uh...!!]

At the same time the players appeared, a fierce wind blew on the observatory.

The screen changed.

""""..."

Edge of the observatory.

In the line facing the players, space suddenly split open.

An old man leaning on a staff appeared from inside.

[It's Armageddon! Armageddon has just revealed himself now!!!]

The commentator shouted at the top of his lungs.

People looked at Armageddon almost in a daze.

Even they watching through monitors could feel the old man was no ordinary being.

Moreover, even the players on screen momentarily faltered at Armageddon's appearance.

[Oh my, did I come too early? <Crimson Lotus Sword>, that kid isn't visible here.]

Without needing the helicopter to approach, Armageddon made everyone hear by imbuing mana in his voice.

An extremely irritating laugh.

Just with that alone, people couldn't help but feel tense.

""""..."

When is Noh Eun-ha coming?

Why can't we see Pandora Clan?

People couldn't take their eyes off the screen, forgetting even to breathe.

At that moment, the elevator moved.

Some people could discover the elevator at the edge of the screen was moving.

[Hooh...]

By then, Armageddon's laughing voice didn't even enter people's ears.

The screen moved quickly.

Behind where the players were.

The elevator comes into full view.

The numbers indicating floors change, and eventually the numbers stop.

Clunk

The elevator doors open and.

Players wearing reddish-brown cloaks and blue uniforms appear.

One by one, they pass by the screen with solemn faces.

And the screen followed the player walking in the lead as if leading them.

[One minute late, kid.]

[It's good I can live one more minute. Be grateful.]

[Your confidence pierces the sky.]

The symbol replacing living legends.

Pandora Clan Lord.

<Crimson Lotus Sword> Noh Eun-ha.

At his confident words, Armageddon clicked his tongue.