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Chapter 274

[Nameless Sword]

[Preliminary Selection]

[Halo]

Like an enormous halo expanding in size, a massive circular ring of aura swords scattered outward.

Nyala, caught off guard and unable to react, had his body torn apart — but as before, that creature wasn’t something that would die from just this.

“You’ve become much more agile than before. An attack like that must put a strain on your body. It’s not a technique one can use unless they’re willing to put their life on the line.”

“Why is your tongue so long? Where’s Remiel?”

At my question, his lips curved upward, almost as if sulking.

“Oh dear. Even after reuniting, you care more about Remiel than me?”

Is this guy insane?

Well, I didn’t expect him to answer anyway.

With any need for conversation gone, hesitation became meaningless.

As I surged forward like a flash of light, he finally began to move his body and dodged my attacks.

Guess he’s scared of Thanatos?

“My, my… if I’m not careful, I could get seriously hurt. I merely came here for a wager.”

“A wager, my ass.”

As my attacks became fiercer, he couldn’t take them as casually and quickly opened his mouth.

“Apologies, but I’m not today’s main event.”

At that moment—

Fwoooosh… KABOOM!!!

A massive fiery fist came flying at me as I charged toward Nyala.

Annihilating Flame!

I gave up on defense entirely and chose to dodge, pulling back fast.

The spot I had just been in was utterly erased — space itself incinerated.

A chilling sight.

Then, the surrounding space began to distort, and soon, a colossal giant made entirely of fire took form.

Nyala had already vanished.

–At last, the long wait has borne fruit. Welcome, for this is the final destination of the inferno.

A terrifying voice sent a wave of goosebumps across my entire body.

Just hearing the voice damaged my mind — even if it wasn't an Outer God, creatures like that were always repulsive.

“Annihilating Flame… The Lord of Purgatory’s Fire, Cthugha,”

Diablo murmured the identity of the being.

“That’s him?”

“Be careful. He seems quite dangerous.”

There was something very different about him from Nyala — even the air felt heavier.

“The heat’s insane. Is he just naturally stronger?”

“Not exactly. Whether it’s the Crawling Nightmare or Cthugha, they’re similar in power… but Cthugha can burn himself to draw even greater strength from another dimension.”

“What's the penalty?”

“In return, he takes much more damage when killed compared to Nyala. Judging by how recklessly he’s drawn power here… if we kill him now, there’s a chance we might destroy him permanently.”

So, hit harder and get hit harder.

The question is… can we even do that?

The mere emergence of this creature has torn open a rift between dimensions and this land, one that’s not healing.

The lengths he went to prepare for this insanity… it’s chilling.

“Lord Leon. Do you see that?”

Diablo asked, his eyes glowing with a strange violet hue as he pointed toward the creature’s heart.

“What’s there?”

“Yes. He’s burning himself alive in real time. It seems the power he drew exceeded expectations, and his body is breaking down along with it.”

Oh?

That means—if we stall for time, he’ll self-destruct?

“He’s powerful, no doubt, but… this might be our best shot to deal serious damage.”

No need to even ask how strong he is.

Even with the cultivated strength of a Mind Master and reaching the 7th-circle in magic, the tension of death still gripped my whole body.

–Do you intend to waste time with your pitiful chatter?! Come at me!

He really did seem like a battle-crazed maniac.

“Shut up for a second. We’re trying to strategize here.”

–I acknowledge that!

Is this guy for real?

Well, at least one thing’s clear — this guy isn’t as seasoned as Nyala.

He’s a simple-minded musclehead.

“Hm… he seems to be simpler than expected. In that case, let’s tear him apart. While you find Remiel, I’ll try facing him myself…”

But the moment he did, the flame giant’s massive sword wiped out the area we were standing in — vaporizing it completely.

“What a lunatic…”

–Leon Cascadia. You stay. I’ll acknowledge no one else.

I closed my eyes and then opened them again.

“Can you even beat that thing?”

“With the restrictions on me… I likely can’t.”

“Then let’s do it the other way around. You go find Remiel. I’ll wear him down.”

I pointed the cursed sword at the creature.

“If I stay, you’re okay with him leaving, right?”

–I don’t care!

“But your buddy doesn’t seem okay with that.”

–Still don’t care!

“Great. Love the enthusiasm.”

If Elekstra, my cursed sword , were an ordinary one, it would have melted — no, evaporated — in that insane fire.

But since even Luna acknowledges this sword, it should hold up.

I began to gather my momentum, while Cthugha unleashed a torrent of fire at me, clearly disregarding Diablo entirely.

Damn, this heat is insane.

Wait.

With this much fire… this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

–Come!

Letting out a thunderous roar, the creature swung its massive fire sword down on me.

It was so huge, it felt more like a burning pillar crashing down.

Fsshhhhhh!!!

Even before it could fully emerge from my shadow, Forest Wendigo — a summoned undead — was vaporized.

“Undead’s out.”

With this level of heat, even Grivy wouldn’t be a good choice.

With that thought, I deflected the monster’s attack and began quietly gathering the surrounding heat and flames.

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* * *

A mad monster.

Since the fight with it began, that was the only thought I had.

I’ve never felt such selfish heat before.

A subordinate of an Outer God.

The master of annihilating flames, ruler of purgatory, who stands at the same level as Nyala.

Whatever he is, this one… is terrifyingly strong.

Just his presence made the surrounding air burn, and my skin felt like it was drying out.

The entire area had already melted and dried up, resembling a melted candle.

KWAANG!! BOOM!!

Cthugha charged like a raging bull.

Armed with overwhelming physical strength, the flame sword he wielded even burned away the aura sword on my demon sword.

Only with layered intent could I barely withstand it.

A Sword Master wouldn’t even stand a chance.

"Damn it, I can't hear in one ear."

I didn’t bother hiding my irritation.

He burns away aura swords—and my senses too.

Right now, I’ve lost my sense of smell and hearing in one ear, but if I let my guard down and take a direct hit, there’s no telling what will break next.

A flame that burns anything it touches…

If I weren’t protecting myself with intent-infused aura and an 8th-circle defensive spell through transcendent mastery, I would’ve burned to death already.

This one… must never be let loose upon the world.

I don’t know what Nyala’s like, but this one—just standing in the capital without fighting—could turn it to ashes in a single day.

–Is that all you've got?! Come, ignite me further!!

He charged at me like a massive battle tank, using his enormous frame.

I quickly dodged and created distance.

Head-on combat was a no-go.

Just two exchanges had already cost me two senses—trying to go blow for blow with him would be suicide.

[Long-range suppression recommended. Suggested abilities: Command-based sealing. And the Authority of Thanatos…]

'Librarian.'

[Acknowledged.]

'I know. Shut it.'

I snapped, and then mouthed a word at the oncoming flames rushing toward me.

[Part.]

FWOOOSH!!

A massive amount of mana surged as the flames split, revealing a path.

With fire spread across the entire area making even entry difficult, this was an opportunity I couldn’t afford to miss.

Even after I swept away the flames clinging to his body and created an opening, the monster didn’t retreat—instead, he met the attack head-on.

CHAAANG!!!

The cursed sword Elekstra, infused with intent, screamed like a wailing ghost as it resonated with my aura sword and carved a massive wound into his flesh.

Ordinary aura swords would just burn away—only with intent could I land a hit.

BOOOOM!!!

But the flames I had parted with command magic surged back to their original place, causing a massive explosion that sent my body flying.

Still, as Diablo had said, time was taking its toll on the creature, and the wounds were slowly spreading.

But it still wasn’t enough.

Especially this heat.

Just from landing that one attack, my vision was starting to blur.

[Retreat is advised. Further sensory loss would be critical. Based on analysis of the state of Cthugha, Lord of Annihilation, estimated time until natural dissipation is 15 minutes.]

Five minutes is enough time for anyone to die.

Whether he’ll die first from Thanatos, or I’ll burn to death first…

Of course, I have no intention of dying.

–What, are you cowering like a coward?! Come and face me!!

At Cthugha’s roar, I took a short breath.

Then I spoke.

"Yeah. At this point, even I don't know what might come out."

I thrust the cursed sword Elekstra into the ground.

Then I brought my empty palms together as if clapping.

Even with some force, an invisible resistance pushed back.

"I make a pact."

And then I spoke.

To the will born from primordial flame, I grant a heart.

The flickering blaze is your will.

The searing heat is the beating of your heart.

Like reciting a verse dedicated to someone.

I compressed the superheated energy between my palms and infused it with spirit energy.

If I used Cthugha’s flames as-is, even my spirit mana would burn and vanish—so there was no choice.

During Grivy’s summoning, I twisted the entire surrounding land to summon a warped spirit.

I can’t command true spirits.

Spirit affinity is a matter of talent.

But among spirits, there are some that are unlike true spirits—ones that can be harnessed through other means.

Like now.

Your name is Sur.

Your mark is flame.

Your essence is burning passion.

I gave it a name, an element, and an essence.

What I give you is a drive for growth.

What I take is the heat to burn everything away.

In response to my request, a will stirred.

Something that originally shouldn’t even speak or have form—a twisted spirit form.

It devoured the immense spirit energy and the raging heat gathered around us in an instant, and began to take shape.

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