3.

    Boom—!

    Baaang——!

    Kraaaash——!

    A series of deafening explosions echoed across the battlefield.

    The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, thick and choking. Through the black haze emerged figures, battered and bloodied.

    It was Hindel, along with Plang, Adeline, and Lyiaden.

    Their bodies were riddled with wounds, bloodstains covering them from head to toe.

    The smell of charred explosions and the heavy, metallic scent of blood clung to them like an invisible weight.

    It was nearly impossible to find an unmarred spot on their bodies.

    Despite their ragged appearances, the fierce determination in their eyes burned undiminished.

    In stark contrast, the being observing them through the veil of smoke looked utterly baffled.

    Step. Step. Step. Step.

    Even amidst the chaotic cacophony of crumbling ground, shockwaves, and explosions—sounds so chaotic they drowned out voices nearby—the creature’s footsteps echoed loud and clear.

    And then it spoke.

    “I cannot comprehend this.”

    Its face twisted in a frown, as if genuinely unable to understand.

    The hero’s party tirelessly sought out Helena, as they always did.

    If they intended to kill her, that would make sense.

    But that wasn’t their goal.

    They merely wanted to speak with her.

    They had been doing this for some time now, much to the creature''s growing bewilderment.

    And this time, they’d even brought a human who had piqued their master’s interest.

    It was incomprehensible.

    And so, it asked:

    “Why do you seek my master?”

    Hindel stepped forward and answered firmly.

    “To convince her.”

    “...Convince her of what?”

    “With such transcendental power, people are bound to be consumed by fear. The unknown breeds terror. But if she steps forward and acts, people might draw closer to her instead of fearing her.”

    “...”

    Displeasure.

    To disturb their master’s solitude over something so trivial?@@@@

    It was pathetic.

    The sheer audacity of it grated on the creature.

    The act of seeking their master, who had chosen to renounce the world and live in seclusion...

    The unyielding determination in their eyes, burning with resolve...

    It all made the creature want to shred them into a thousand, no, a million pieces.

    They were still weak heroes. It could annihilate them easily.

    But its master had forbidden such action.

    Helena’s command lingered.

    And then there was the clock.

    Tick, tick.

    The hands of the clock above its head had floated there since the beginning.

    As long as it remained, the creature could not act rashly.

    This was likely a spell that would trigger after a set amount of time. Or perhaps it was a complex mechanism that activated based on certain actions.

    And as the minutes ticked by, the creature could feel it—the mounting threat closing in on it.

    Tick, tick.

    The hands of the clock moved steadily, heralding the passage of time.

    Soon, the looming danger would crash down like a furious tidal wave.

    Even for the creature, it would be formidable.

    But that didn’t mean the hero’s party wasn’t vulnerable.

    Even if it were gravely injured, wiping out the heroes would be as easy as flipping its hand.

    The creature would have acted sooner if not for the accursed clock.

    Had the human been here with the heroes, they might have been a genuine threat.

    But fortunately, its master had taken the human away.

    “It’s almost time.”

    The party, having endured to this point, was now at their limit.

    The creature had tolerated their meddling because of the clock, but it was growing tiresome.

    With their ragged breathing and trembling limbs, it was clear they were on the verge of collapse.

    But would it have the time to confirm this?

    Seong, his expression calm and composed, surveyed the battlefield.

    His commanding gaze made Noctrynnium flinch as it looked up at him.

    That unwavering presence seemed to declare: I will not give you an opening.

    Prepare yourself.

    Noctrynnium clung to its belief that Helena couldn’t have been defeated.

    Still, if Seong had escaped or delayed her somehow, he would have expended considerable power to do so.

    Seong’s sharp gaze swept across the battlefield.

    “What a mess.”

    Hindel and his party had clearly fought fiercely against Noctrynnium.

    But judging by Noctrynnium’s unharmed state, the battle had been one-sided.

    The glimmers of hope on the faces of Hindel and his companions suggested Seong’s dramatic arrival had turned the tide.

    Although his sudden transfer here had initially caught him off guard, he welcomed it.

    It allowed him to test his new skill.

    “Now?”

    “...?!”

    Tick—.

    Dooooong—!

    Dooooong——!

    Dooooong———!

    As Seong’s words trailed off, the ticking of a clock gave way to the resonant chime of a massive bell.

    A colossal bell appeared above Noctrynnium’s head, its toll reverberating across the battlefield.

    The sound was grand, deep, and awe-inspiring. Yet, for some reason, it felt ominous, even sinister.

    The tolling bell enveloped Noctrynnium, the sound coiling around it with intent.

    The chimes transformed, taking on ghastly forms like spectral wraiths.

    What had once been solemn chimes now became shrill cries.

    Screeeeeech—!

    Kyaaaaaah—!

    Gyaaaaaahhh———!

    The cacophony, like the screams of tortured souls, assaulted Noctrynnium.

    “Guh—!”

    Ssssiiiick—!

    Blood spewed from Noctrynnium’s mouth.

    Tears of blood streamed from its eyes, its ears and nose gushing crimson.

    Every orifice became a fountain of blood, the sheer intensity turning it into a mist-like spray.

    The screams tore through Noctrynnium’s insides, ravaging its organs. Not a single part of it remained unscathed.

    Wiping its blood-soaked face with a trembling hand, Noctrynnium’s dilated pupils betrayed its shock.

    The sheer power on display was beyond comprehension.

    Even among Helena’s disciples and subordinates, it had never imagined encountering such overwhelming strength.

    A new transcendent force had emerged, one that filled it with terror.

    Its eyes darted to Seong as fear gripped its body, causing it to tremble violently.

    As the dread consumed it, Noctrynnium tried to compose itself.

    It began channeling its energy to recover.

    But Seong’s eyes flashed coldly.

    “Recover?”

    Noctrynnium’s attempt to heal itself betrayed its expectations.

    SPLAAAAASH——!

    Blood erupted from its body once more.

    “K-Kuhhh!”

    Already on the verge of collapse from the massive damage it had sustained, Noctrynnium’s recovery turned against it.

    How is this possible?

    Noctrynnium couldn’t comprehend the phenomenon.

    But one thing was clear—Seong was a terrifyingly powerful existence.

    “Hmm, maybe I went too far?”

    Though Seong had used the skill to test its effects, the outcome felt excessive.

    Still, it was the past, disconnected from the ripple effects of causality.

    With that reassurance, Seong drew his sword.

    What he intended to test now was something else entirely—the new Almighty-grade skill he had received.

    A skill so potent its name was almost embarrassing to say aloud.

    Helena’s Super Strong Swordsmanship.

    As Seong activated the skill, the light in the world vanished.