Chapter 804

Chapter 804: The Last Day (1)
[Omen of Corruption] – a skill of the rank 1 monster, Cryptid. When affected by this skill, one of your essences becomes sealed and permanently impossible to erase. This means that no matter how much you pay at the church, you’ll never be able to erase that essence.

In other words, once an essence is corrupted, you’re forced to treat it as a graduation essence……

‘Please, don’t let it be Storm Gush.’

Although I hoped it wouldn’t affect the only essence I have that I’m planning to erase anyway, I can’t really feel at ease even if it doesn’t. Occasionally, [Omen of Corruption] produces a peculiar effect.

‘The chance is about 10%……’

When hit by this skill, there’s a 10% chance that the affected essence’s abilities will randomly change.

It could be the stats. It could be the passive skill. It could be the active skill.

Any one of these three could be affected, and there’s even a possibility of an upgrade. Ah, of course, that doesn’t give me any comfort. After all, it wouldn’t be good for me if my rank 5 skill [Giantization] upgraded to the rank 3 skill [Titanization]. In that case, I’d have to abandon all of my equipment. Since [Titanization] is incompatible with ‘Union’—.

Huuuuung-!

Just as my thoughts reached that point, a dark crimson light began emanating from my body. This was the effect that occurs when the corruption begins. Sadly, there was no way to prevent it, and all I could do was pray.

‘Please, please, please……’

Before long, one of the many threads connected to me changed color, as if dyed by the light flowing from my body. From red to black. I quickly checked the end of that thread.

“Ah……”

Fortunately, it wasn’t ‘Storm Gush.’ Also, it wasn’t the jumbled-up monster that presumably contained [Giantization].

[The essence of Bayon is Corrupted. The corrupted essence will become unusable for 180 days and cannot be erased.]

The Bayon essence isn’t too bad. [Transcendence] is a graduation skill I planned to keep and mechanically speaking, even if it’s sealed right now, it won’t be a major penalty in combat. The problem is……

“This is seriously messed up.”

When the thread, now fully dyed black, reached ‘Bayon,’ the Bayon began to let out a terrible scream.

[…KAAAAAAAAAGH—!!]

A horrifying scream that sounded as if something was twisting its innards. There’s only one case where such an effect occurs.

[The Abyss calls to you. The essence of Bayon becomes more deeply corrupted.]

The 10% chance triggered.

***

[The effect of the passive skill Transcendence has been permanently altered. Transcendence no longer enhances the performance of all passive skills.]

[The effect of the active skill Transcendence has been permanently altered. From now on, when Transcendence is used……]

***

I hit the 10% chance. But damn it, I can’t tell what exactly changed.

Stats, passive, active.

No, maybe it wasn’t just one thing that changed, but two or three. That’s the kind of skill [Omen of Corruption] is. You can never predict what will change or how. I’ve tried using it to further strengthen end-game characters, but I soon gave up on that method pretty quickly due to the massive risks and countless variables.

Anyway.

Is this really what I should be thinking about right now? I’ll figure out how [Transcendence] changed later……

“Yandel……!”

Coming back to my senses, I raise my shield to block an incoming attack.

[Defense successful. Wall of Aegis absorbed all damage.]

I briefly forgot, having been in a trance-like state, but my current condition is far from ideal.

[You have been Poisoned (Highest).]

My body was so saturated with poison that the smell my own organs rotting was rising up through my nose.

[Sven Parav has cast Prayer of Protection. 30% of the damage taken by the target of the Prayer is converted into Divine Power……]

[……]

Despite the real-time healing and the various buffs being applied to me.

[Sniktura has cast Deadly Poison.]

[Your health is below 20%. The poisoning effect is increased by 8x.]

I couldn’t stop my body from heading towards death.

But……

[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia is casting Concentrated Fire.]

Time is steadily passing.

‘But how many minutes has it been……?’

Well, I don’t really know. It seems like it’s definitely been over 10 minutes since Erwen started casting [Concentrated Fire]……

“Mr. Yandel……!”

At that moment, Raven’s voice rang out from behind.

“I understand what you’re trying to do! But isn’t this enough already? Everyone’s at their limit!”

Honestly, I felt the same way. I understand what she’s saying but……

“…Not yet.”

It absolutely can’t be yet. If this one attack goes wrong, then there will be no turning back.

Yeah, that’s why……

“What? No, we’re really going to die at this rate! Not just us but—.”

“I’m fine.”

I can endure.

***

How much time had passed since Raven’s ‘that’s enough!’ call? I’m not quite sure, but the situation remained unchanged from before.

Boooom-!

I was still taking hits and rapidly heading towards death

[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia is casting Concentrated Fire.]

Erwen remained in her ‘Concentration’ state. If anything was different from before, it would be this.

“B-Bjorn……! That’s enough already!”

Not just Raven, but other members started echoing the ‘that’s enough’ call. Even Erwen was among them.

“M-Mister! Isn’t this enough?”

Was my condition really that bad? To be honest, I didn’t feel much pain anymore. Well, my body does feel a bit heavy though.

“Damn it… If you want to punish me later, then go ahead! I can’t just stand back and watch anymore!”

“Uooooooh! Same here!”

For some reason, the vanguards I had placed in the rear joined the front line against my orders. Ah, of course they couldn’t hold out long.

[Ainar Fenelin has cast Curl Up.]

[Meland Kaislan has cast Iron Will……]

They lasted about 2 minutes? Of course, I’m not trying to downplay their contribution by saying they weren’t of much help.

“Behel—laaaaaaaa!!!”

Seeing Ainar rise while clutching a twisted arm and Kaislan lying unconscious, I finally made my decision.

‘Okay, this is it.’

I can’t hold out any longer. No, to be precise, it’s not that I can’t hold out, but if I did, it wouldn’t be strange if someone died. As soon as I made that decision, I voiced the words I had been holding back.

“Erwen, fire.”

Perhaps because it was the call she’d been desperately waiting for?

She gave no verbal response.

Erwen immediately ended her ‘concentration’ state and released the bowstring.

“……”

I don’t know how long she’d been charging the shot, but the effect when the arrow was fired wasn’t flashy. Well, perhaps flashy isn’t quite the right word? After all, nothing could be seen anyway. Except for the flash of light filling the entire space.

——— ——— ——— ——— —!!!

A strike that didn’t even produce the sound of tearing through the air. But from the recoil felt through the air on my skin, I could somewhat tell how immense the power contained within that strike was.

[You are taking damage from an ally you are Bound to. The light of Trust protects you from the damage.]

If it weren’t for the effect of No. 12 Trust, my body with barely any HP left probably wouldn’t have survived. A chill ran down my spine without me realizing it.

But……

Whoooooong-!!

No matter how impressive that strike was, now wasn’t the time to admire it. Only one thing mattered right now.

Whether that arrow carried enough damage to take down the Sniktura in one shot.

The result would soon be known.

——— ——— ——— ——— ———!!

The ringing in my ears, which had been giving me a severe headache, gradually subsided and my vision recovered, allowing me to make out the surroundings.

Zzzzt, zzzzzzt-!

Sparking machines.

Shwaaaaa-!

Heat rising in the form of steam. And visible through it……

Boom-!

The ‘Sniktura’ laid collapsed on the ground with a massive hole in its throat.

“……”

After processing all this visual information, I had a thought. No, more precisely, I recalled a recent conversation.

[Bill Ironred.]

[If I remember correctly, I believe he changed his name once.]

[It was definitely a very common name.]

Ah, bad premonitions never miss their mark.

‘Could it really be Hans……’

It seemed likely. Instead of the Sniktura’s body, with a massive hole pierced through it, disintegrating into particles of light……

“Shit.”

Seeing it’s tail twitch like this, I could tell.

[Sniktura’s health is below 10%. Final Radiance has been activated.]

The gamble had failed.

***

[Final Radiance], Sniktura’s second passive skill following [All-Poison Body]. This skill automatically activates when health falls below 10%, and its effect is quite simple.

[All of Sniktura’s Stats are temporarily doubled.]

[Sniktura temporarily gains immunity to all status effects.]

[Sniktura temporarily gains immunity to all damage……]

It becomes absurdly strong. Ah, although there are a few handicaps.

[Sniktura’s movement is temporarily restricted]

For one minute after the skill activates, it can’t do anything at all. Well, compared to those insane bonuses, one might question whether this could even be called a handicap. The other handicap is somewhat better.

[Sniktura’s health will rapidly decreases while Final Radiance is active.]

In this state, its HP will steadily drain even if left alone. Therefore, we don’t need to worry about how to damage something that’s immune to damage. It’ll die if we just leave it alone.

Moreover, [Final Radiance] can’t be deactivated by Sniktura until the battle ends.

Simply put, this fight only ends when either it or all of us are dead……

‘It takes five minutes to drain 10%, right?’

Five minutes. Depending on the circumstances, it can feel like a long time or a short time. However, I made a judgment based on my experience that was deeply buried in my memories. If it was still in a skill-sealed state then it wouldn’t matter. But with infinite MP……

‘One minute.’

One minute was all it would take. For the Sniktura to tear us all apart.

Thump-!

No matter how I try to look at the positive side, I can only envision a hopeless future. Therefore, only one option remained.

Bang, Bang-!

Turning my back to the Sniktura, I sprinted toward the sealed door and pounded my fist against it.

“A-Arta……! Isn’t this enough now! Hurry up and open the door!”

[“……”]

“If we die, you know that bastard will eventually recover, right!”

[“……”]

“Arta! Arta!”

No answer came despite my desperate calls.

I knew the speakers were broken from turning the lab into this state, but could it be that Arta can’t even see in here now?

Damn it.

“M-Mister?”

“What are you doing, Yandel?”

“It can’t even move, we need to finish it off quickly……”

My comrades, unable to comprehend my actions, spoke to me, but their words didn’t register in my mind. For the first time in a long while, I felt despair. Even though I was someone who always tried to maintain my composure and never let go of the possibility of survival in any situation. But this time, I couldn’t help it.

“It’s over.”

“Huh…?”

“I’m sorry, everyone. My poor judgment has gotten you all killed.”

“Wait, what are you talking about……?”

“Soon that bastard will start moving again, and when it does, we’re done for. I’m truly sorry.”

Perhaps they sensed from my expression that this wasn’t a joke. The look in my comrades’ eyes gradually changed as they watched me.

“If anyone has something they want to say, say it now. Soon, there won’t be time for that.”

Though I said these words to my comrades, these words were also meant for myself. Throughout this long journey, I’ve witnessed countless deaths. People become surprisingly strong in their final moments, but at the same time, they also weak. The shell they’ve carefully maintained peels away, revealing the true feelings they’ve kept hidden deep inside.

Just like me, at this very moment.

Although Amelia isn’t here……

“Erwen, Missha. Listen carefully.”

Even if I’m going to die, I have to say this.

“The truth is, I—.”

Just as I was about to continue speaking.

“St-Stars…!”

“…Huh?”

“Agent of the Stars!”

From somewhere, a divine light suddenly burst forth.

Shwaaaaaaaa-!

A silvery radiance that was so warm, yet so inherently majestic, it was enough to make one freeze with their mouth agape in awe.”

[Sven Parav has cast the rank 0 divine spell Agent of the Stars.]

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[The activation condition has been met. The Goddess of the Stars, Reatlass, descends upon the mortal world using Sven Parav as her vessel.]