Chapter 295

Chapter 295
## Chapter 295

—

Wilhelm vs. Randolph

Eternal Randolph.

A “Mystery” belonging to a classification that defied calculation forcefully seized the physical form of Ant King Pheromone. Manifesting through a simultaneous molting process, he had transformed into a fundamentally different entity.

“···This cannot even be compared to something like the favor of the Black King.”

The “He” who surfaced while shredding the Ant King’s outer layer inspected his own frame and emitted a brief cry of wonder. He had reached a state of completion that rendered any comparison to his former self meaningless. His physique was as exquisite as a meticulously carved monument, featuring a display of midnight-black skin and incredibly dense, focused musculature!

“Pheromone…? Have you returned to life?”

Laktusha’s eyes flickered with uncertainty as he watched him. He had assumed Pheromone had been stripped of his consciousness and devolved after his loss to Eternal Randolph. However, Pheromone simply shook his head.

“Laktusha. This isn’t a resurrection. This is ‘evolution.'”

Furthermore, it was a progression that surpassed the boundaries of his own kind. It was truly beyond any known metric. This Mystery, this “Eternal Randolph,” possessed a sense of perfection that the Mystery of the Black King could not hope to match. Power pulsed through him. In this moment, he felt capable of even besting the Blade Dragon God.

That was not the only thing. The most chilling aspect of this “Mystery” that had reshaped him was—

Consequently, Pheromone declared with total conviction.

“The Black King is no longer a rival for me.”

“······Pheromone. What madness are you whispering? Have you pushed the gifts granted by the Black King from your mind?”

“Gifts? Are you referring to the charity of rounding up vermin and forcing them into a cycle of slaughter?”

Pheromone effortlessly dismissed Laktusha’s argument. It felt more like a burden than a blessing. Moreover, the Black King’s favor functioned as a set of chains. Just as Pheromone, having lost his Mystery in a heartbeat, had seen his intellect vanish and his form regress, the Black King possessed the power to retract the grace he distributed at his whim.

“Laktusha. I shall tear those chains away from you.”

Pheromone extended his hand. Then—

“What······?!”

Laktusha’s eyes began to vibrate with terror. This was because the “Mystery” holding his Hidden Trait—the very favor of the Black King—had been annihilated in a flash.

“A-Ah, no······!”

A scream escaped Laktusha. His shattered Mystery had housed the Hidden Trait “Dexterity.” That trait allowed a person to master anything they studied with ease and speed, elevating the proficiency of every discipline by a single tier. It was the crucial Hidden Trait that had allowed Laktusha to be hailed as a Sword Master. And it had been erased by a mere wave of a hand.

“Shouldn’t you be filled with joy? I have permitted you to reclaim your genuine autonomy.”

However, Pheromone found Laktusha’s distress incomprehensible. He had enabled him to break away perfectly and without error from the Black King’s control. He had achieved a freedom he should have craved, so why was he trembling with fear instead of celebrating?

Eventually, a lethal intent settled in Laktusha’s gaze.

“You bastard, how dare you······!”

Hwa-aaaak!

A radiant Sword-light (Geom-gang) erupted from Laktusha’s Black Heaven Sword. He could no longer tolerate Pheromone’s blasphemy. One who had been touched by the Black King’s grace yet turned against him—such a creature had to be wiped out without hesitation.

Kwach-ing!

Steel met flesh. He had calculated that he would sever the limb easily, but the blade did not bite.

‘Has his level ascended···?’

He realized the truth with a single impact. Ant King Pheromone. It wasn’t just his physical frame and internal energy that had intensified. Even his spiritual realm had climbed. Without even calling upon Sword-light, he had deflected the blow. He understood how to shroud his very body in energy and use it as a weapon. But to think he would seize the Sword-light enveloping the Black Heaven Sword with his naked fingers! Furthermore, he hadn’t merely blocked it; he had clamped down on the edge itself.

“······!”

The weapon was frozen. The physical power of Pheromone, who had gripped the sword, was simply too monolithic.

“Ignorant Laktusha. The strength provided by the Black King is not a legitimate Hidden Trait.”

···He believed he grasped it now. The Hidden Trait Pheromone had now claimed was the authentic authority of a Sovereign. This was a Mystery sitting at the zenith of all things. It was a Hidden Trait that served as a testament to one’s existence, a sign of evolution, and a mark of transcendence. To begin with, what was a “Hidden Trait”?

“A Hidden Trait is the title given to the realm reached by those who have validated themselves.”

To stand at the peak of a species. Thus, only a finalized being could earn a “title” matching that stature. Naturally, to secure such a “title,” one needed agonizing persistence, divine providence, and raw capability. However, the Hidden Traits most beings obtained were unrefined. Only by cultivating a status of a superior grade and perfecting it could one finally manifest a legitimate “Hidden Trait.” For instance, like Eternal Randolph.

And he was certain that “Eternal Randolph” was something that stood far above the norm even among those titles.

“You can never reach the ‘Ultimate’ using the scraps tossed to you by the Black King, Laktusha.”

The Black King’s favor. The Hidden Trait it spawned was a dead end, forever unpolished. It could not progress. It was impossible to transcend one’s status or shatter one’s ceiling. One could grow more powerful, but the path to the “Ultimate” was closed. This was because they were only given power with pre-established boundaries. Therefore—

“You ought to thank me. Because the chance to witness the ‘Ultimate’ has finally appeared. Your Mystery was obliterated, but since you have already experienced its essence once, you will be able to reconstruct it more rapidly.”

“······!”

He claimed that while Dexterity was gone because the Mystery was lost, he could simply earn it again. In fact, if he could reach it through his own resolve, only then would the final peak be visible. Since he had walked the path once, retracing it would be simpler.

“Of course, that assumes there is a next time.”

Kwa-jik!

The Black Heaven Sword snapped in two. And then—

“Keu-heup······!!”

Pheromone’s hand lunged forward, skewering Laktusha’s chest.

Thump! Thump!

A heart, pulsing with life.

Crunch! Crunch!

Pheromone ground and swallowed Laktusha’s stolen heart right then and there.

“Phe··· romone······!”

“Just as I thought, the heart of an Orc is flavorless.”

Tui!

He spat the partially consumed organ onto the dirt.

Teol-sseok!

At that same moment, Laktusha’s body slumped to the ground. Sudden death. With his heart gone, Laktusha ceased to move. Following this, Pheromone shifted his focus and looked toward him. Laktusha’s heart was bland, but Wilhelm’s heart appeared to be a rare delicacy.

‘He is my mark.’

Everyone present was nothing but prey. Rations to restore the vitality of his form, which had just concluded its molting. Since hundreds of thousands were gathered here, once he departed this battlefield, there would be no entity left who could challenge him! Among them, Wilhelm radiated the most enticing aroma. That man was a target. Just like all the others.

Seu-seuk!

Pheromone’s silhouette flickered and vanished. The instant he reappeared in Wilhelm’s personal space, Wilhelm swung his blade.

‘I perceive it.’

He saw it clearly. The trajectory of the sword. Simultaneously, he sensed it. He knew exactly what the blade intended to do. It was a style that redirected the rival’s momentum against them. The energy itself was as slick as oil. If that were the case, what would happen if he turned Wilhelm’s own force back on him? Wilhelm might be skilled at using another’s power, but he likely hadn’t encountered a foe capable of mirroring that technique. Right now, Pheromone felt he was more than capable.

Pheromone altered the nature of his energy. He made it incredibly frictionless and fluid. If they struck one another in this state, the attacks would naturally slide past. A strike that missed was destined to hit something unintended.

Pu-uk!

‘Just as I planned!’

Pheromone’s hand buried itself in Wilhelm’s chest. It happened exactly as he had foreseen. The flaw in this seemingly invincible man!

‘A frantic blow based on missing the target. That is the vulnerability!’

It was a matter of softness. They would drain their endurance while exchanging strikes meant to slide off one another. If the fight turned into a contest of healing factors while trading random hits, Pheromone was certain he wouldn’t lose. Now, the only question was where Wilhelm’s counter would land. It would either fail to connect or hit a non-vital area.

······However.

‘Hmm?’

Pheromone realized a moment too late that his own skull had been launched into the air. What had happened? From the very start, Wilhelm had been targeting his throat. But the blow should have slid away. Just as Pheromone had intended for the heart but hit the lung. Yet this strike had stayed true.

Tuk!
Teol-sseok!

As Pheromone’s torso turned into a cadaver and tumbled to the earth—

“Next.”

Wilhelm declared. At that moment—

[System: Phase 3, ‘Eternal Randolph,’ has been defeated by ‘Wilhelm.’]

The notification confirmed the victory. Phase 3, which had plunged the masses into a state of panic, reached its conclusion. People began to speak, their voices shaking.

“I-Is it finally over?”
“There aren’t more phases, are there?”
“Uuuu!”

Please, let this be the conclusion. Everyone offered their desperate prayers, but—

[System: The Champion, ‘Eternal God Randolph,’ makes his entrance.]
[System: Ascend the Tower.]
[System: Upon arriving at the 30th floor, you may contest the Champion’s Throne.]

The finale of the entire ordeal. The Sovereign who had mastered the Tower of the War God. The actual Randolph, a being of complete perfection, was all that remained.

Wilhelm began his ascent of the Tower.

26th Floor.
The entity that waited there was the “Heavenly Demon.” However, the Heavenly Demon was not a being derived from Randolph. It was a joint creation of the God of Ill-Omen and the God of Ash. A monstrosity designed to stop Wilhelm from climbing any higher, serving as an obstacle to prevent him from reaching the 30th floor.

“Next.”

Even so, Wilhelm pushed past it. He took a severe wound to his left shoulder, but he paid it no mind.

27th Floor.
A brigade of warriors appeared. The Knights of the Round Table, the very men who had once followed Wilhelm.

* Why did you cast us aside?
* Commander······!

They lunged with their blades, their hearts full of bitterness toward Wilhelm. However, it was a fabrication. A hollow deception meant to trigger Wilhelm’s remorse. Wilhelm sliced through them. Blood poured from a gash in his side, but he ignored this as well.

28th Floor.
The Demon King materialized. The rival he had slain, but the one who had ultimately defeated him.

* Now you shall fade from memory. For all time. Clinging to a legacy of failure.

Wilhelm was indifferent. What he sought was far removed from the concepts of prestige or a record of triumphs. It was fine to be erased from history. It was acceptable to vanish. Just one individual. If he could only stand before that wretched God. If he could only win the wager against that being and settle the score. His right ear was shredded, and his whole body was a mess of wounds, but Wilhelm kept climbing the Tower.

29th Floor.
The God of Ill-Omen and the God of Ash manifested once more.

* Why do you refuse to surrender, Caw?
* Even if you reach the top, nothing will be different, Caw?

Nothing would change. It was a valid point. Nevertheless, Wilhelm lifted his sword. Against the Gods themselves. If they stood in his way, he would strike them down even if they were divine.

* You cannot pass, Caw.
* This ground is not for you, Caw.

Shortly after, shadows surged forward. The terrifying Ill-Omen and Karas! They took direct command of the shadows of these two entities. It was a protracted struggle. But when the dust settled, the only one standing was Wilhelm. Though his entire form was broken—

* You cannot prevail even if you arrive in that condition, Caw.
* The moment you fall, you will be erased for eternity, Caw.
* Resplendent child. Why do you incinerate your soul for the sake of another’s challenge, Caw?
* This is not a goal worth the sacrifice of your spirit, Caw.

While blocking his path to the 30th floor, they were simultaneously showing concern for him. Wilhelm’s choices. His struggle was an act of burning away his own soul. If he were to lose, the tiny spark of his spirit that the Goddess had managed to protect would be extinguished, and even if he triumphed, there was no prize for him to claim. Thus, they tried to interfere so he would quit on his own, but—

“···Next.”

Wilhelm did not falter. And then—

[System: ‘Wilhelm’ challenges the Champion, ‘Eternal God Randolph.’]

······30th Floor.

The second he stood before “Randolph” in that chamber—

“Umm.”

Wilhelm’s body wavered. He had an hour remaining at most. The trial was finally approaching its climax, but—

‘I have reached my breaking point.’

His muscles would no longer obey him. In truth, it was a miracle he had made it this far while in such an incomplete state, but Wilhelm felt a sense of regret. If this had been his original body, he wouldn’t have been stopped at this point. However, it was too soon to give up. Until his very last breath left him, he would never stop fighting.

It was in that moment.

[System: ‘Park Hyunmyeong’ offers encouragement to ‘Wilhelm.’]

······That was the moment the wretched God began to cheer for him.