Chapter 132

Chapter 132
## Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Tyrant of the Battlefield

《The Grand Journey of Randolph!》

《The chronicle ‘Randolph’s Account of Cleansing the Tainted City’ has been officially designated.》

《You may access this narrative by expending starlight.》

“······.”

The record manifested simultaneously in front of the gathered deities of the Baekseongjeon.

A few of the higher beings shuddered at the mere sight of Randolph’s name.

The formal ‘council’ had not even reached a final conclusion yet.

None of them had anticipated that he would advance to the subsequent primary mission with such velocity.

Naturally, even during this pause, ‘countless chronicles’ were being assigned to the various deities.

However, the gaze of every single entity remained fixed exclusively on ‘Randolph’s account.’

“Well now. Is this ‘name’ truly the author that has caused such a stir among you?”

At that moment, 27 newly arrived constellations appeared.

They emerged into the void, carving brilliant trails of astral energy that were markedly different from the previous observers.

“It is clear that with your meager tactics, you cannot withstand the ‘consumption’ demanded by that author. Yet, you find yourselves unable to look away. Such is the fate of us ‘hollow and forgotten remnants.’”

The figure standing at the center of this new group spoke.

This being, radiating the most intense starlight, gestured with both hands.

“To ascend as a primary constellation and reclaim our lost prestige is our eternal ambition. It is time for you to discard your outdated methods.”

“······ More arrogant fools have arrived.”

The constellation representing the most luminous hero shook its head in disapproval.

The previous group of 17 had boasted similarly before their starlight was completely drained.

Their strategy had been to spread their influence thin and collect returns with interest, but Randolph had dictated the rhythm of the game, causing them to hemorrhage their light.

This occasion would likely follow the same pattern.

Overconfidence was a dangerous thing.

These new stars had not yet faced the reality of Randolph’s influence.

‘This isn’t the moment to fret over their ignorance.’

There was a far more urgent matter to address.

If the gathering of constellations concluded under these terms, it would merge with Main Quest 8 and trigger a catastrophe that could not be undone.

‘In fact, this primary mission might be impossible to clear.’

The constellation of the most luminous hero harbored doubts that Randolph could finish this particular story.

The reason was simple: it had witnessed a different path.

Another narrative was currently unfolding within the scorched city.

The chronicle of the transcendent being, Isabella.

Tyrant of the Battlefield

The first time I opened my eyes within the walls of Paysalmer.

I was a captive.

Nothing more than a pathetic deserter who had abandoned the expeditionary ranks.

However, a question had always lingered in my mind.

Did that mean this vessel, the true essence of Randolph, was originally just a common foot soldier in that army?

The identity of ‘Randolph’ I had adopted was, in the end, merely a chosen alias.

Yet, even after scrutinizing my status interface, no ‘true name’ ever surfaced.

‘Usually, when one inhabits a character, a distinct birth name exists.’

But for Randolph, there was nothing.

The second I claimed the name Randolph, it solidified as my actual identity.

‘··· It all started right here, in Paysalmer.’

From that point, I began my ‘struggle for life’ at level 1, bound by iron shackles.

I bested the Hydragon, captured the attention of the Serpent Princess Isabella, and successfully tricked her by donning the mantle of the ‘Star Awakener.’

Isabella’s deepest yearning was to flee from the clutches of the Desert Queen.

She sought to uncover her own ‘roots.’

Our goals aligned perfectly, providing us the opportunity to break away from the desert city as allies.

‘But the circumstances have shifted since those days.’

Now, I possessed enough power that flight was no longer a necessity.

The most treacherous city, the most brutal starting point.

Even if the physical prowess of the tainted tribesmen had reached terrifying heights.

‘It remains, fundamentally, a zone for beginners.’

Despite everything, it was a starting area.

Furthermore, with the Desert Queen no longer present, there was no power capable of obstructing my progress.

Main Quest 8, ‘Purify the Polluted City,’ was a mission defined by velocity.

Success was determined by the ability to pinpoint and eradicate the sources of corruption with maximum efficiency.

To put it simply, it was a ‘speed run.’

And I knew the primary rule of such a challenge.

‘A direct assault.’

It meant trampling straight through the heart of Paysalmer.

To achieve this, the powers of ‘The One Who Blooms Darkness’ were the ultimate tool.

“Manifest, caw.”

《Initiating ‘Darkness (2Lv).’》

《’Darkness’ expands within a 500m perimeter.》

In a heartbeat, the shadows surged.

The ‘darkness’ emanating from beneath my feet devoured the 500m area in the blink of an eye.

And upon the chests of every tribesman caught within that territory, the ‘Eyes of the Horrid Omen’ were branded.

“Wh-what is happening?!”

“Aaaah!”

The living barbarians turned their blades upon their comrades, hacking and skewering one another, transforming the shadowed earth into a slaughterhouse within seconds.

The One Who Blooms Darkness is a harbinger of pandemonium.

But this was merely the opening act.

‘Just as the skills of the Corpse Crow reached transcendence, the power of The One Who Blooms Darkness also evolves.’

Even after ascending to the rank of King of Corpse Crows, the progression of the tier continued.

While I had reached the state of ‘Horrid Omen’ and seen the apex of the Corpse Crow’s path, the potential for The One Who Blooms Darkness was still climbing.

‘A level 2 ability already covers this much ground.’

By the time it reaches level 10, it might blanket an entire metropolis in shadow.

Or perhaps it will undergo a complete transcendental metamorphosis.

Darkness Transformation and Darkness.

These were the twin signature abilities of ‘The One Who Blooms Darkness.’

They functioned in tandem with the trait ‘Eyes of the Horrid Omen (10Lv).’

“My limbs are moving against my will!”

“Noooo!”

The air was thick with the shrieks of the dying.

In the midst of the carnage, I took a moment to re-evaluate my repertoire.

【Darkness Transformation (2Lv)】

* Dissolve into shadow itself to nullify attacks for a duration of 30 seconds.
* While active, take 1,000% increased damage from light-based or sanctified strikes.
* As the level increases, the duration extends and the vulnerability to light/holy damage is mitigated.
* Requires a charged darkness meter to activate.

【Darkness (2Lv)】

* Summon ‘darkness’ across a vast area.
* Those entering the ‘darkness’ find shadow blooming within their souls, falling into a state of total madness.
* The user is perpetually considered to be in a ‘darkness’ state.
* Synergizes with ‘Eyes of the Horrid Omen (10Lv).’
* Higher levels increase the radius and the severity of the mental collapse. It also speeds up the darkness charge.

【Eyes of the Horrid Omen (10Lv) ★★★★】

* The divine right seized by Baal after consuming the visage of the Horrid Omen.
* Imprints the ‘Eyes of the Omen’ onto all targets within the shadowed domain.
* When the omen awakens, the user gains absolute dominion over all marked subjects.
* Power scales with the intensity of ‘darkness.’
* If the ‘darkness’ is insufficient, the omen remains dormant.

These descriptions were a masterpiece; I never tired of reviewing them.

I committed every detail to memory, engraving the mechanics into my mind.

If the King of Corpse Crows treated remains as a medium for martial art, then The One Who Blooms Darkness was a sovereign who ruled a territory and dictated the actions of everyone inside it.

It wasn’t just versatile—it was broken. Even at level 2, the results were staggering.

Had it not temporarily paralyzed even the formidable White King?

Advancing the level of darkness would likely unlock even greater feats.

‘Unless someone can pick me off from extreme range, I am virtually untouchable.’

If I had to fight a version of myself, it would be a nightmare.

An opponent would need to snipe from beyond 500 meters, but most light and holy practitioners focused on support and buffs rather than long-distance precision.

Any other form of attack could be phased through with Darkness Transformation or simply parried.

An archer might try to use blessed arrows for elemental advantage, but the power of a shot naturally dissipates over long distances.

Ultimately, to end my life, a killing blow would have to be delivered from within the ‘darkness’ zone.

‘By the time they even begin to formulate a strategy, they will have already stepped into my shadow.’

The weaknesses are evident.

But those weaknesses are irrelevant if I never allow the enemy the luxury of time to exploit them.

A thin smile touched my lips.

I kept walking forward.

Deeper into the epicenter of the desert city, Paysalmer.

《A ‘Pollution Source’ has been destroyed!》

《Remaining ‘Pollution Sources’: Seven.》

《Unrivaled! The cries of the corrupted tribesmen echo without end.》

《You have earned the title ‘Tyrant of the Battlefield’!》

《The level of the ‘Darkness’ skill has ascended.》

Roar!

The barbarian, bloated into a grotesque shape, collapsed.

It was finished by the very warriors who had once followed its lead.

Simultaneously, the darkness skill reached level 3, stretching the boundaries of my domain even further.

‘The condition of these corrupted beings is strange.’

I had cleared three sources of the plague so far.

Every single one exhibited not just a fractured mind, but a warped physical form.

Even to my experienced eyes, their state was unnatural.

‘They have mutated entirely. They aren’t human anymore; they are a different species.’

Furthermore, the level of deformity ramped up with every source I extinguished.

The first was merely swollen, but the third one······.

‘The Demon Blood Clan······.’

It was a monster wearing a human mask, its flesh splitting apart to reveal wings.

It bore a striking resemblance to the form of Paysalmer’s Desert Queen—the creature I had slain within the Abyssal Labyrinth.

But I had definitely finished her off.

She shouldn’t be capable of returning to life.

Then again, I had returned from the dead myself, so I couldn’t be entirely certain.

Was it possible that destroying all the pollution sources would trigger the resurrection of the Desert Queen?

‘The corruption poisons the entire foundation of the city.’

As the sources multiply, the whole urban area is compromised.

This was a phenomenon that began after the continent of Pangeniar rose into the clouds, turning cities into blighted husks that served as fuel until they crumbled.

It looked like a simple contagion at a glance, but the real threat was the aftermath.

Once a city becomes a tomb.

‘History indicates that pollution sources are catalysts for the emergence of new life forms.’

This is why the world refers to this rot as the ‘Sky Plague.’

It is an evolutionary process designed for a land floating in the heavens.

But why would it manifest in the shape of the Demon Blood Clan?

And where had Isabella gone?

If she were still within these walls, locating her should not be a difficult task.

“Manifest, darkness, caw.”

No being alive could purge these sources of rot faster than I could.