286.
[You have defeated the ‘Fourth Legion Commander of Destruction’.]
[The Abyss Bloom ceases and the Eyes of the Abyss close as the Legion Commander is defeated.]
[You have successfully dispelled the deep darkness within the Labyrinth of Rejection.]
[You have successfully cleared the labyrinth.]
[The ranking for the labyrinth clear will be determined based on contribution.]
[Measuring.]
As the darkness receded and the messages appeared, the eerie voice faded.
[……Tch. Is it being postponed again…….]
[You have good fortune…… Vessel…….]
[Since…… the owner of the lost swordsmanship…… has been found…… there is gain…….]
The voice, which was gradually fading, eventually scattered without finishing.
Then, the sensation of being constricted all over disappeared.
The gazes that had been watching disappeared.
[The Eyes of the Abyss are closed.]
[The beings of the Abyss return to their abode.]
As if to prove it, the land that had been transformed by the Abyss Bloom returned to its original form, and soon after, a thunderous roar erupted.
“Oh my god……!”
“They did it?”
“This is insane, truly insane!!”
“Uwaaaaaah!!!!”
The guild members had been pushed to their limits.
From those who hugged each other, overcome with emotion, to those who took off their armor and shouted.
Everyone was reveling in the joy of victory.
It wasn’t just the guild members.
“The gods have led us to victory.”
“Ah, great Kashin [a deity in this world’s lore]…….”
“Kamen [likely a title or term of respect].”
“The leader has done it!”
“Uwooooo!”
The Kashin Church, standing firm and paying their respects even as they seemed about to collapse.
And next to them, the Demonic Cultists, praising the Heavenly Demon [a powerful figure in their belief system].
The clash of religions felt strange, but each was enjoying the victory in their own way.
“Haa, it’s finally over.”
“That bastard isn’t going to get up again, is he? I feel uneasy.”
“If you’re going to say something awful, shut up.”
“Definitely…… he was the most tiresome boss we’ve faced in the last year.”
“Hehe, don’t worry, he’s definitely dead.”
Was it only then that they realized it?
The Empress and Astel, along with the others, sighed and leaned their exhausted bodies.
The Sword Saint, with a faint smile, also sheathed his sword.
But there was one person.
‘……I can’t believe it.’
Arthur couldn’t rest easy.
The victory, finally achieved after many twists and turns, was not unwelcome.
The moment he first grasped it, he felt more proud than ever.
The tingling sensation in his chest was definitely elation.
‘Six of the top 10 guilds participated in the labyrinth raid.’
Cheonoecheon, Leonne, Babylon, The King, and both Aegis and the Heavenly Demon Church.
Even if you only count the masters, it wasn’t six, but seven.
Although he was hiding his identity with a mask, the one in charge of ranged support was Harrington, even if you stood on your head to look at it.
‘In this situation, the main players on the stage are Kaiser and his companions…….’
It hurt his pride, but he had to admit it.
The main character of this raid was the Kaiser party.
No, if you had to pick a main character among them, it was undoubtedly Kaiser.
It was because of him that they were able to hold the Legion Commander’s aggro [in-game term for drawing enemy attention], and it was also because of him that they were able to overcome the final phase.
‘To be pushed back by someone who hasn’t even reached max level is truly a ridiculous sight.’
Especially now that the meme ‘Kaiser > Top 10 Guilds’ is spreading.
Isn’t this the equivalent of proving that meme?
Moreover, Damian and Leonne couldn’t even participate, and met their end after losing the war with Kaiser, so there was nothing to say.
‘He’s a dangerous one.’
He’s already like this, and his growth isn’t over.
Once he reaches level 100 and experiences transcendence, how much stronger will he become?
Just imagining it is frightening, and now he even has the powerful force of the Kashin Church.
Although it may not be an officially held force, the world will not see it that way.
‘Many things will change in the future.’
A new wind will blow in the Empire.
And that wind will certainly not be a peaceful one for the top 10 guilds.
Suddenly, Arthur’s gaze turned to Kaiser.
Everyone was exhausted, but he seemed to be in particularly bad shape.
‘If it’s now…….’
He could kill him.
Perhaps he should deal with him now.
That thought crossed his mind, but Arthur chuckled and turned his head.
‘Two years is enough time for things to change.’
There is no eternal throne in the world.
Especially if it’s a game, that’s even more of a reality.
A new powerhouse appears, and the old throne is naturally vacated.
That’s all.
‘……Or is it the opposite?’
It was like the old throne returning and driving out the newly emerged powerhouse who had taken the throne.
Thinking that way, Arthur felt uneasy for no reason, but soon shook his head.
‘Damian, he crossed the line.’
He couldn’t do the same thing himself.
His pride wouldn’t allow it.
‘I look forward to the day we meet again.’
Arthur left the labyrinth leisurely, imagining what he would look like then and what kind of meeting it would be.
“What’s with that bastard? Suddenly striking a pose?”
“I don’t know, just leave him alone.”
“Yeah, the rewards we’re about to get are more important. Who has time to care about that paladin.”
Of course, the others didn’t pay any attention to Arthur.
They were bustling behind Arthur, who left applauding alone.
“Kaiser will be in first place…… shall we compete for the rankings among ourselves?”
“Why, maybe we’re in first place. What if I’m in first place as a twist?”
“……Now that I see it, not only is he slow, but his brain is slow too. He’s all head and no substance.”
“Why does this bitch always give me grief?”
“Ah, so what do you think we’ll rank? Hurry up and bet on something before the measurement is complete.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Astel, being unilaterally dealt with by the Empress and the Heavenly Demon.
Dohyun finally released Cheonbyeon and sighed, seeing the Sword Saint trying to hold back his laughter next to them.
‘It’s really over.’
He realized that the terribly difficult battle was finally over.
It was truly a legendary level of difficulty.
If there hadn’t been the Binding Noose, or if he hadn’t awakened the Third Form at the right time.
Or if the Sword Saint hadn’t arrived at the right moment.
If any of those three things hadn’t happened, it would have been him, not the Legion Commander, who had fallen.
‘They said the Legion Commander lost his reason?’
If so, how strong would the other Legion Commanders be, and what about the powerful beings of the Abyss who reigned above them?
‘The Lunar Society, the Abyss, the gods, and ancient humanity…….’
He still had a long way to go.
Dohyun sighed involuntarily, but soon shook his head.
‘Well, it’ll work out somehow.’
Either way, he had won.
Both in the war with the top 10 guilds and in the Legion Commander raid.
So now, as his companions said, it was right to focus on the rewards he would soon receive.
-Master! I knew you could do it!
-Lizariza!
-To show such amazing swordsmanship…… where is your limit, Master? This humble sword is once again moved by your greatness.
It was when Dohyun smiled, watching the guardians who were always fussing over him as usual.
-Liza!
-Hey, you again……!
When he was stroking Eliza’s cheek with his finger, who had jumped on his shoulder, stepping on Jihad’s head.
A captivating voice was heard.
“I believed in you. My God.”
It was a fanatic.
The voice that seemed to captivate men suited her appearance well, but the solemn tone that didn’t suit her was a strange woman.
When their clear eyes met, she put her hand on her chest and bowed.
‘Ah. Come to think of it, that person was there.’
‘Lizariza.’
It was true that she had helped him, although they hadn’t had a proper conversation due to the continuous hectic battle.
It was true that he had saved his life thanks to them, so Dohyun spoke with sincerity.
“Thank you for your help. And to the Kashin Church…… as well.”
It felt strange to call them the Kashin Church with his own mouth, but when he spat it out, braving the embarrassment, what do you know?
Rather, they seemed at a loss for what to do.
“Ah, such a humble person like me…… please, lower your words, my God.”
“It cannot be. Kashin.”
“Please treat us carelessly.”
“In the face of the great Kashin’s light, we are less than rolling stones.”
“Please lower your words.”
They were so anxious and restless as if they were sorry, and they even started prostrating themselves.
“Ah…….”
“Please forgive us…….”
It was as if they were repenting for committing a sin that should not have been committed.
Even those who go to confession would not reflect to that extent.
‘No, what did I do?’
He couldn’t help but laugh, wondering if someone had collectively gaslighted them, and Jihad’s eyes narrowed.
‘Master, you were a scary person.’
‘It’s not me.’
‘Liza…….’
‘I’m telling you it’s not me?’
‘Hmm! That’s an excellent mindset. Since you deserve praise, I’ll say a word.’
‘……I don’t know anymore.’
It was when he was shaking his head at Charlie’s satisfied words.
Dohyun, who was looking around at the people of the Kashin Church, asked as if something was strange.
“Why isn’t that person coming?”
“That person you speak of…… ah.”
When Dohyun asked, looking at one place, the fanatic exclaimed as if she understood, turning her head in that direction.
There was Harrington, the archer wearing a mask.
“He says he has committed many sins and cannot face you directly yet. He is an excellent believer.”
“……What is this again.”
Are there no normal people in the Kashin Church?
Or do they become strange after joining the Kashin Church?
It’s like the chicken or the egg.
Seeing the leader of a giant force acting like that, philosophical questions naturally arise.
Then, the captivating voice was heard again.
“My God, please lower your words.”
“……I can’t do that since it’s our first time meeting.”
Her face momentarily stiffened, as if she was sorry, but then returned.
It was only for a moment, but Dohyun’s eyes, which were facing her up close, could not be deceived.
Judging from her reaction, it was certain.
‘It seems like she knows me.’
It was clear that she was someone he knew.
But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t grasp it.
‘I knew someone like this?’
If so, he should have exchanged a word or two on the day Demrok’s service ended.
It was also strange that the old man knew, but he didn’t.
If it were the Heavenly Demon, it would have been more likely that she was closer to the old man than himself, and her appearance and fighting style were very different, so he might not have recognized her…….
‘At least until a year before quitting, there’s no one who comes to mind…….’
It was when he was going back in time from the service end date.
“It’s okay, my God. You are my light and guide. I will only follow behind you…….”
-My guide. I will follow behind you.
“Huh?”
Dohyun paused at the voice that suddenly overlapped.
That statement.
It was different from before, but the tone was strangely similar.
“Could it be…….”
There was someone who came to mind.
About two years before Demrok’s service ended.
There was one person who started following him one day.
He didn’t know why, but she called him her guide and revered him like a law, but she suddenly disappeared after following him for about a year.
It seemed like she was still logging in from time to time, but strangely, they stopped running into each other…….
“Are you Daekeom [archaic Korean term for ‘great sword’]?”
A greatsword warrior who was always armed with full plate mail.
The warrior who was called Daekeomi by the Kaiser party.
But that was only to Dohyun and his party.
In Demrok, Daekeomi was called this.
-The Judge.
Demrok’s 6th ranked, The Judge.
It was the first time he saw her bare face.
Oh