Chapter 452

Chapter 452
“What exactly is that thing?”
This inquiry regarding the unfamiliar manifestation.
Such was the singular concept revolving inside the thoughts of the Infinite Archdemon at this moment.
[Kraaaah-!]
“Execute them!”
[You putrid remains! Return to the abyss where you belong!]
[We dedicate this domain to the King of Death!]
A colossal conflict was unfolding across the wide-stretching territory in front of the stronghold he had seized as his headquarters.
Superior fiends capable of destroying whole regions with a single strike fought violently against the restless dead on all sides, constructing a savage theater of war that kept any observer in breathless anxiety.
Yet none of those occurrences registered in the perception of Infinite from his position atop the stone walls.
There was solely a single object drawing his focus.
[Therefore, you are the Infinite Archdemon.]
An entity drifting loftily above the massive legion, gazing down upon the creation.
A figure clad in a grotesque countenance, radiating a subterranean resonance from its entire form—resembling an embodied terror.

Confronting it, Infinite intuitively recognized the truth.
This entity was not a product of this reality.
when Bitan and Destruction fell, I h ions. But to think it was real.’
Granted, he was currently restricted by limitations after rising from the underworld, yet he had formerly been a supreme entity watching the mortal coil from above.
There was no requirement to deeply analyze how disconnected “that” truly was.
A predator generated in an alternate reality, consuming the retribution of mortality and sacred essence without distinction to expand its capability.’
Its manifestation brought back recollections of the Death Archdemon, who was once the highest authority among the prominent fiends of the underworld.
No—it was perhaps more akin to the cosmic trespasser who had executed and overthrown him…
[Kuhuhu, myself?]
In that instant, the physical manifestation of mortality drifting in the firmament replied with a deep resonance.
[This vessel answers to the identity of Hannibal Strauss. Sovereign of all prides, the conclusion of realities—]
An introduction saturated with a strange, deep-seated animosity.
Yet before he could decipher the source of that malice, the subsequent statement demolished any minor speculations.
[—and the termination of your demonic kind.]
…Arrogant piece of filth.
The features of Infinite distorted at the proud proclamation.
He recognized that the adversary was formidable.
Yet he likewise occupied the highest position within the consuming domains.
He was not an individual to submit.
Furthermore, he detested the concept of “death” being brandished against his person.
In bygone eras, perhaps—but currently, he reigned supreme among archdemons.
[Hah, acceptable. We require no further dialogue. I am unaware of how an entity of your nature breached this reality, but this circumstance is highly convenient.]
Infinite spat out the declaration as blood-colored markings carved across his pitch-dark form commenced to illuminate, alongside his burning eyes.
Restraining his capability against such a powerful adversary was an unaffordable luxury.
He was required to utilize his full capacity from the very beginning.

The percussion wave jarred the surrounding space, radiating a violent tempest across the combat zone.
[Oh?]
didn’t stop it.
He had already determined that this physical vessel was merely a remote unit.
Destroying the remote unit alters nothing. To completely eradicate him, I require the primary vessel.”
And precisely as he anticipated—
From the fracture ripped open in the upper firmament by the crimson radiance, an item of massive proportions started to show itself, cutting through the spatial fabric.
A colossal ocular organ piercing through the smoky vapors, staring downward at the soil.
Even from a staggering distance that distorted normal depth perception, innumerable bands filled with minuscule eyes rotated erratically around the main iris.
…As expected, concealing the primary vessel within the fractures of reality. Truly an extraterrestrial nightmare.’
While Hans reflected, a vocalization resembling an unyielding decree resonated across the entire combat zone from the skyward position.
[I am Infinite! Perpetual existence, unaffected by mortality! I shall obliterate you in this spot and demonstrate to the creation that Infinite commands death!]
Subdued by that weight, the lesser combatants lost their footing and collapsed.
Several individuals already diminished by injuries were flattened directly against the terrain.
Yet neither Hans nor Infinite granted them any consideration.
‘Eliminate him, and everything concludes regardless.”
The identical realization flashed through both of their consciousnesses.
With a noiseless concussive force, the spatial gap separating them fractured.
The regenerative capability of the world repaired the damage rapidly, yet the collision of nearly limitless forces had completely overtaxed space itself.
‘A direct confrontation of brute force will not suffice.”
A single engagement rendered it obvious.
The Infinite Archdemon commanded a capability as limitless as his designation implied.
Proceeding in this manner would annihilate the planet prior to dominating him.
I possess faith in my inherent force as well, but that is irrelevant to the current objective.’

Dark sorcery blended with subterranean energy.
It vibrated in harmony with the concentrated mortality saturating not merely the combat zone… but the entire planet, gradually decaying it.
ever felt such a strong response before must have died… Losing under these perfect condit ons is Chinkable.
The energy of mortality blanketed the terrain, providing unceasing vigor to the departed and perpetual cessation to the remaining.
Demolished undead reassembled instantaneously; fallen fiends resurrected, redirecting their weaponry against their former comrades.
Yet these occurrences were simply secondary consequences of the deployment of force.
[You wretched creature! This cannot be…?!]
The mortality of the planet gathered into a solitary location.
The fatal core of mortality, influencing even intangible principles.
Detecting a critical situation in this divine-enigma current bordering on absolute command, the Infinite Archdemon caused his innumerable bands to rotate with greater velocity, his ocular features expanding.
‘He directs the overflowing karmic energy of mortality belonging to this reality.’
Absolute commands swallow lesser forms of leverage.
If—against all likelihood—his manifestation of “death” went beyond the “infinite” of Infinite…
[Preposterous! Inconceivable!]
There was no mathematical probability, yet he refused to jeopardize his position.
He deployed his primary asset prematurely.
[Infinite remains perpetual! Face annihilation under the weight of unceasing chronology and spatial dimension!]
Unfamiliar glyphs populated the massive iris, turning in a spiral pattern.
An unyielding mandate woven into the structural principles of this world, impossible to resist even for the Eternal Archdemon of timeless stagnation—who had surrendered when facing it.
A phenomenon allowing him to endure while alternative archdemons perished at the hands of the abrupt “Apocalypse Angel” that raided the underworld.
A cascade of brilliance descended from the skyward ocular organ directly onto the planar trespasser.
“Hoo, hoo. I have finally arrived.”
Saturated in gore, McCarthy moved forward unsteadily.
His gaze stayed locked upon the decorated monumental doorway located at the center of the stronghold.
“At long last…”

Given the immense numbers on both factions and the fiends favoring aggressive maneuvers over defensive placement, the primary stronghold naturally transformed into a combat sector.
The undead had not initially focused on the mortals within, yet they displayed no clemency toward aggressors.
trating the chaos was easy for McCarthy
yet controlling some undead.
“Though the path grew increasingly challenging toward the interior chamber.”
In the beginning, strips of cloth on his left upper limb and ocular socket sufficed as a casualty camouflage.
Subsequently, engagement became mandatory.
And he comprehended precisely how incredible his acquired capability truly was.
Kwang!
He advanced deliberately through the demolished barrier.
Not only had he forced it apart with an explosion, but restless sentinels accompanied him with deference.
The ultimate destiny of those who formerly prostrated themselves beneath the Grand Archbishop, wallowing in corruption and wickedness.
“…Rapua!”
Stepping completely inside, McCarthy identified his objective adjacent to the window opening and ground his teeth together.
He had been aware of the location via spiritual perception, but confronting his adversary face-to-face triggered an overflowing ferocity.
“Tch, some insignificant insect managed to crawl all the way to this chamber.”
An unfamiliar entity directing the restless dead straight to his position.
However, Rapua cast a careless glance and made a clicking sound with his tongue.
“Defeat warrants termination. Yet brandishing weaponry against me as the hounds of trespassers? Unpardonable.”
Despite the fact that they had formerly operated as his subordinate instruments, his expression remained freezing.
“Insubordination necessitates widespread retribution. When this scenario concludes, a celebration utilizing their kinfolk. Amidst this disorder, apprehend all connected parties for a grand spectacle.”
“…What did you say? They are merely mindless corpses at this stage. Automated vessels lacking personal intent—yet you intend to inflict punishment upon them?”
“Hm? What relevance does that hold?”
McCarthy barked an argument, but Rapua appeared genuinely unaffected.
Then, adjusting the angle of his head—
“Of greater significance, you possess the luxury to fret over alternative individuals at this moment?”
“Kugh!”

He fought to raise himself, controlling only the upper portion of his frame.
Deprived of his left ocular organ and upper limb, he would have been turned to dust like his obliterated companions.
Peculiar power. Your pact’s mark?”
“Grgh…!”
Rapua moved closer, inspecting with curiosity through his rotating, glyph-populated iris.
Strikingly identical to the massive ocular organ in the atmosphere…
“Believed the timing was optimal with Infinite being away. Discovered this scenario without the presence of a fiend…’
Demonic contractor.
Allocated a portion of a fiend’s command structure via an agreement.
Naturally, an individual connected to the absolute peak of this reality—the Infinite Archdemon—was far from ordinary.
Greatly surpassing the recently empowered McCarthy.
His impulsive desire for retaliation had obscured his judgment.
“It appears you harbor a severe grievance.”
An infrequent occurrence in this reality to find someone who does not.
It accompanied the designation: Archdemon contractor.
“Nonetheless, penetrating this far merits acknowledgment. And you seem connected to this widespread disruption.”
The sole of his footwear pressed down upon the head of McCarthy, rotating deliberately as he offered his insults dispassionately.
“However, this narrative concludes at this point. No fiend—regardless of yours—overcomes Infinite. Not even the concepts of mortality or perpetuity derived from legends.”
A tenfold decade.
The duration of the Infinite Archdemon’s supremacy over this planet.
His amassed retribution and dread went beyond standard comprehension.
Overcoming that deficit would not be an uncomplicated endeavor.
“Huhu, solicit clemency at this moment, and I might consider preserving your existence? Following the extraction of your remaining ocular organs and limbs, you shall experience unparalleled opulence…”
“Ptoo! Disappear from my sight, you hairless, altered fraud.”
The sensitive boundary surrendered for the sake of his agreement.

Elevating an upper limb deliberately, a ferocious radiance sparked within his vision.
The limbs first.
nim regret his insolence.
Subsequently…
“Hm?”
“Huh?”
Both individuals let out startled sounds.
“What in the—!”
Anxious, Rapua attempted to summon his capability once more—yet nothing manifested.
His glyph-spinning iris reverted to a standard state; the crushing weight pressing upon McCarthy evaporated.
“H-Hold on! Infinite! This action violates the terms of our agreement!”
This command structure had required “every asset” to be surrendered to Infinite.
It was not supposed to dissipate with such simplicity—particularly after rendering advance payment of competencies and physical conditioning.
Swipe—
For his part, absolute hopelessness.
For the other individual, the highly anticipated occasion.
“I am uncertain regarding the precise occurrence, but…”
“It appears the environmental factors have shifted, correct?”
McCarthy stood up deliberately, his dark left ocular organ reflecting light as he moved forward, contracting his undulating black upper limb.
“Kuh, cease this! I hold the title of Grand Archbishop Rapua—you would dare…!”
Rapua frantically attempted to activate his absolute command—to no avail.
Merely an unimpressive struggle, resembling an ordinary citizen.
“I trust you will endure for a reasonable duration.”
McCarthy closed his hand into a fist.
The extremity granted in exchange for dedicated allegiance for the purpose of retaliation—
“I have no intention of granting you an unburdened expiration.”
“Gahk!”

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Without question an unpredictable capability.”
I took a sip of steaming coffee from my vessel, emitting a soft breath.
corner of my mind, Hans plunged his giant eyeball’s center, decreeing death.
Astonishingly undamaged, regardless of being immobilized within perpetual chronology just moments prior.
“It possesses minimal significance regarding myself, however.”
Merely an operational disruption within one of my numerous concurrent cognitive tracks.
The processing burden on the “Mind Hub” experienced a sharp increase, yet utilizing “Great Mind” along with cognitive proficiencies and the ranking of Hans, the situation remained under control.
‘It still caused a degree of discomfort, so I shall return the gesture appropriately.’
The absolute command of the “devour realms” and the concept of “death” possessed a common attribute:
Intertwined malice, aspirations, and retribution generated from sacrificed mortals.
Particularly destructive to fiends—the actual perpetrators.
His primary asset collapsed; taken by surprise, he sustained a counter-assault…
“Ah, concluded already. Fortunate. Proceeded faster than anticipated.”
The previously majestic ocular organ currently diminished to a pathetic state within the confinement of Hans’s hand.
The trespassing Sovereign of the Dead asserted dominion over the fiend and the entire planet.