Chapter 676: Exuviation (1)

Boom! Boom! Rumble! Just when the seventy-seventh floor wildly shook as the confrontation between Allforone and the gods reached a climax… Sss! Anomalies were also occurring in the lower floors, also commonly referred to as the lower world.

“W-What is that?”

“Ah! What’s this!”

“All the shadows are being sucked upwards…!”

For most players who did not dare to climb to the seventy-seventh floor, the Allforone raid was a definite indicator that signaled the ushering of a new era. However, the raid itself did not really affect these players or have much impact on their daily lives.

Everyone knew that the order in the Tower would change drastically whether the Allforone raid ended in success or failure. As a result, many rankers were busy trying to calculate which side to stand in support of to gain the greatest benefits after the conclusion of the raid.

Outside of these rankers, the majority only held the belief that the upper ranks were going to change drastically. After all, to the majority, the seventy-seventh floor was a world and an existence as distant as the heavenly world, so they thought, even if the higher ranks and order changed, those changes would be the only things that would happen in the end.

Many believed nothing much would change in their day-to-day lives because, when Arthia destroyed the existing eight major clans and established a stand-alone system, there were no major changes, only a few minor inconveniences for most players. Moreover, in the world of the Tower, conflict was always ongoing, and there were too many things that each player had to do to pay attention to the things that were impacted and derived from every conflict.

However, it was different now. Everyone from the first floor to the seventy-sixth floor, from players who were concentrating on advancing up the floors, the players who focused on self-discipline and improvement, the believers who were carrying out the orders given by the gods they worshipped, the ambitious players who dreamt of one day establishing their own Arthia… Everyone stopped what they were doing and incredulously looked on at the terrifying scene.

The shadows that had been cast along the grounds they were standing on began to tear away and detach from the players’ bodies. It was a sight that shocked all viewers. Although many experienced, and constantly experienced, their environments change through magic and other sorcery, they had never considered shattering the common sense that one’s shadow always followed its master.

However, at this moment, those shadows were trying to separate from their masters’ bodies, and all at once…!

Additionally, as if the shadows were living creatures, they started to exhibit bizarre appearances, such as actively struggling to keep from tearing away from their master’s body or visibly squirming with pain while clasping their heads with their hands. The shadows, however, could not resist the enormous power that was applied to them. The torn shadows flew through space and flew up into the sky at a fierce speed. No, to be precise, they were being sucked away.

The players’ shadows as well as the shadows of the components that made up each floor’s stage were all mixed and sucked upwards. The shadows of tall cliffs, the shadows cast by giant trees, rocks, grass, insects, and even the shadows of tiny grains of sand all gathered and flew up toward the sky.

One could not help but cry out in astonishment at the surreal phenomenon.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared blankly up at the sky. At some point, they no longer screamed or cried out in fear. Everyone just stared upward with wavering gazes and mouths wide open.

What they were witnessing not only defied common sense. Even the magic users and apostles who studied and tinkered with the laws of the world, the sight was diametrically opposed to their beliefs and experiences of the world. As if a corner of their hearts were being tickled and aggravated, everyone felt a strange feeling arise within them. Then…

Sss! On each floor, the group of shadows had coalesced together to form a sphere in the sky gradually spread out along each floor’s sky. The spreading shadows blocked the light on each floor’s stage. The stages where it was day were dyed in darkness, and the stages where it was night had the moon and stars’ light completely blocked.

The sun and the moon on each floor vanished, little by little, as if they were devoured by an invisible beast until the floors were completely covered in darkness. A total eclipse had taken place.

At that moment, all the players felt a strange emotion spread throughout their chests and down their spines. The sudden chill gave rise to goosebumps. Furthermore, once the players raised their bowed heads, they could not help but silently scream out.

All they could see were stages without a single point of light. The stage engulfed by shadows, no, to be more specific, darkness, stimulated a primal fear that all living things naturally possessed. From the first floor to the seventy-sixth floor, all areas of the lower world were engulfed in darkness.

[The Black King looks down on the stage.]

Above the heads of all the players, a simple yet confusing message appeared.

***

[The scattered spirit and body of abuser ### are being reconstructed!]

When Yeon-woo opened his eyes again…

“You’ve finally come!”

“Hahaha! You’re finally here! You’ve come later than expected, so I was starting to wonder what was going on.”

“Thank goodness you’re here. It’s so chaotic outside right now.”

With a sigh of relief, the master blacksmiths gathered around Yeon-woo. When Yeon-woo’s return was delayed beyond the expected timeframe, the master blacksmiths had felt anxious, but now that Yeon-woo was present, they collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

“Jerk.” Unlike the others, Henova glared disapprovingly at Yeon-woo while shoving a pipe in his mouth.

“I’m sorry.” Yeon-woo bowed his head without making any excuses. Although he had to go through many unexpected things in Kronos’ legends, it was true that he was late. As time was of the essence, if something was not done or someone was not present at their scheduled time, the entire operation could be put in jeopardy.

Fortunately, unlike Yeon-woo, who had become a lamb-herding shepherd of sorts, the master blacksmiths had already finished all their responsibilities.

Powerful artifacts could be detected everywhere. These were new items that would all garner considerable admiration if they were publicly presented to the world. Not only would they be designated as divine artifacts, but the Tower’s systems would likely judge the artifacts as S or EX-rank at the least. However, these artifacts were all just ‘parts’. These artifacts were not what Yeon-woo was looking for.

“More than that…”

“Look up.” As if he knew what Yeon-woo was thinking and trying to say, Henova spoke up monotonously as he tapped his pipe to flush out the used smoking-pipe leaves.

Yeon-woo’s gaze automatically turned upward, and at the place where he looked… Whoosh! The fragments of a broken sword swirled around and created a vortex. Yeon-woo instantly figured out what it was.

[The fragmented legends of Kronos ask you to look after them!]

The fragments were the broken pieces of Vigrid. When the legends of Kronos collapsed, it was clear that Vigrid was also dismantled. However, even though Vigrid was obviously “dead,” it still boasted an immense power.

No, to be more precise, Vigrid exhibited a completely different character than its previous state. Fundamentally, the components that comprised Vigrid were the same. However, unlike Vigrid’s previously exhibited tendency to give off a violent, sharp, and random aura, Vigrid now gave off a refined and majestic feeling, as if it was a large river that flowed proudly and vigorously.

Once Kronos’ legends were re-established and the springs of time and death were all restored, holy power was restored and took its full form.

Yeon-woo naturally stretched out his hand towards that direction. Then, as if following an invisible link, Yeon-woo seemed to respond to the form with divine speech. “Be complete.”

Even after Kronos completed the legend of self-renewal, Vigrid had still not been completely restored because the last piece was missing. The last piece was the conceptual existence of the re-established concept of Kronos, and Yeon-woo tried to define the new conceptual existence by giving it a name using divine speech.

[Meaning has been given.]

[A definition has been defined.]

[The hidden true names of Vigrid are revealed!]

Whoosh! The scattered pieces of Vigrid began to merge quickly. Clink! Clink! The pieces began to find their place without much confusion. However, the order was completely different from before. Moreover, the finished form of Vigrid was also different.

[The true name, ‘Harpe’ has appeared!]

Some forms took on scythe-like forms, like Harpe.

[The true name, ‘Gae Bulg’ has appeared!]

[The true name, ‘Durendal’ has appeared!]

…

The other fragments took on the form of a spear, which represented Gae Bulg, while other fragments took on the form of a longsword, which represented Durendal. Other representative forms also took other shapes, such as those of Excalibur, Caliburn, Balmung, and Mistilteinn. Numerous swords formed and danced around Yeon-woo.

[The legend of Harpe, ‘Perseus’ is looking upon you.]

[The legend of Gae Bulg, ‘Cu Chulainn’ is looking upon you.]

[The legend of Durendal, ‘Roland’ is looking upon you.]

…

[The fragmented legends of Kronos are focusing their attention upon you!]

Each one of the legends was the true name that Vigrid had contained, and they were fragments of the achievements that Kronos had accumulated during his previous life on Earth.

All the legends possessed fully-intact egos. Although they took the shape of a sword, Kronos’ various appearances that he had taken in his previous lives appeared all at once like illusions. They equally looked to their youngest son and the only successor.

Moreover, they spoke out together in a whisper. They urged Yeon-woo to inherit the achievements that they had built up during their lifetimes. They wanted him to act as the true King of Gods, to extend the glory of the King of Gods to every corner of the world.

“Here. Take this.” Henova, who had been watching the situation quietly, approached and offered something to Yeon-woo.

While receiving the Jade-Breaking Drive-Derivative Device, Yeon-woo took out his Darkness Jade and placed it within the Jade-Breaking Drive-Derivative Device. Click. A clear clicking sound rang out as if the two items were originally one.

“Merge.”

Whoosh!

[A combining phenomenon has started!]

[The Darkness Jade radiates divine power and is linking the fragmented legends of Kronos together!]

[Combination begins!]

Countless weaponry forms were once again fragmented and scattered before merging once more around the Darkness Jade. Every movement seemed very natural and free from wasted movement as if the fragments were finding their natural place. Additionally, there were also new items made by the master blacksmiths mixed into the overall final form. The items made by the master blacksmiths took on the role of assisting and guiding each legend, which possessed its own unique independence so that they did not collide with each other and could combine into an organic form.

Soon, the fragmented pieces and parts interlocked and took the shape of a huge sword that covered the holy territory.

[The true name, ‘Scythe,’ has appeared!]

[Vigrid has been newly completed.]

[Your achievements have been strengthened.]

[Your achievements have been strengthened.]

…

[As all achievements merge into one, a giant legend is being constituted.]

[The name of ‘Vigrid’ has been permanently changed to ‘Scythe’.]

[The legend of Scythe, ‘Kronos,’ is looking upon you.]

[‘Kronos’ is longing for you to call upon his name.]

“Come, here.” After Yeon-woo’s divine speech, Scythe turned its handle sideways and quickly flew into Yeon-woo’s hand as if it had been waiting for his command all along. Scythe was far too large for Yeon-woo to use, but it soon reduced to a size that allowed him to comfortably grab it.

Whoosh! The tremendous power that Kronos boasted in his heyday was poured into Yeon-woo’s body. Yeon-woo’s cognitive domain expanded and his worldview was strengthened. Yeon-woo could feel a new vigorous power within himself.

[The spring of time has designated you as its pendulum!]

[The hour hand is turning.]

[The minute hand is turning.]

[The second hand is turning.]

…

[The spring of death is operating to reinforce your divinity!]

[You have fully achieved the title of King of Gods!]

Once the spring of time and the spring of death interlocked and became operational, Kronos was able to fully open his eyes. Flash! Above Yeon-woo’s eyes, a darkness-filled glare formed, marking the completion of the two’s unity.

『Son.』 There was a strong resonance in Kronos’ voice that echoed in Yeon-woo’s head. It was as if hundreds of different selves of Kronos were speaking at the same time.

“Yes.”

『Let’s discuss all the stuff you did inside my legends after things settle down.』 Kronos felt impatient. Beyond the area where they were, Kronos sensed Cha Jeong-woo’s divine power, and Jeong-woo’s forceful attempt to exuviate on the seventy-seventh floor. He was worried about how his son could handle Allforone alone, so he didn’t take the time to enjoy his resurrection.『Let’s save your brother first.』

Without a reply, Yeon-woo swiped with Vigrid, no, now Scythe, and opened the emptiness to connect with the seventy-seventh floor.