Chapter 471: The Great War (3)

“We will join you,” the old god declared, gripping his staff as he flew to Karyl’s side.

Following him, two other gods descended and positioned themselves nearby.

“You’re late,” Karyl remarked curtly, not sparing them a glance. His focus remained fixed on Yula, the looming threat before him.

“Bless him,” the elder instructed one of the four remaining gods.

The chosen god nodded, beginning to chant a strange incantation. It wasn’t in runes, nor in any human tongue. The melodic cadence of the chant echoed through the surrounding area, and as it concluded, a pale pink aura surrounded Karyl, dissipating into his body like scattered petals.

“You had this up your sleeve the entire time, and you’re only using it now?” Karyl grumbled, though he felt the effects immediately—his energy was being restored, his mind cleared, and a sense of invigoration spread through his body.

“If it were that simple, we would have,” the elder replied. “A god’s power isn’t the same as magic. Nor is it similar to the blessings given by priests. Those are merely extensions of divine will, used for rudimentary effects like healing. But true blessings from a god transcend such simple applications.”

Karyl wiped the blood and grime from his battered face and nodded. “So the restoration is just a side effect. My advanced healing capabilities made it seem more potent.”

“Exactly. But even that advantage is now spent. Don’t expect such blessings to work again to the same extent.”

“Once is all I need,” Karyl said, gripping his sword tightly as his gaze remained locked on Yula. “I’ve never once considered the possibility of losing.”

“So... you’re really going to betray me and take his side.” Yula’s voice dripped with venom as her eyes narrowed at the gods beside Karyl. “How dare you...”

“Betrayal? Hardly,” the old god replied evenly. “Gods who preside over different dimensions aren’t bound by alliances. Each governs their own world.”

“These are empty words from creatures who just bound themselves in a soul contract for survival. And you call yourselves gods?” Yula spat.

The old god merely shrugged at her derision. “Now, let’s end this,” he said, as if the outcome was already decided.

Clang—!!!

Yula unsheathed the crimson blade attached to her divine armor. With her sword drawn, the atmosphere grew heavy, a foreboding aura emanating from the blade’s edge.

***

“How much longer are we supposed to stand here and watch?”

Having dismounted from Toska’s head and returned to the rear lines, Miliana vented her frustration aloud.

“I understand your desire to fight, but this battle is beyond us. That is the realm of gods. You are strong, but entering that fray would see you dead before you even draw your sword.”

“So what? Are we just going to shove all the responsibility onto him again?” Miliana clenched her fists, biting her lip in frustration. “I swore I wouldn’t be a burden anymore...”

Time and again, Karyl had borne the brunt of their battles. Now, in the final confrontation for humanity’s future, standing idly by felt intolerable to her.

“What’s the point of this power I’ve honed? Am I nothing more than a bystander?”

“There is a way you could help him.”

Toska’s words, cautious and measured, broke through her indignation.

“...What did you say?”

“Earlier, I said that you could become even stronger.”

“Are you saying you can help me stand against the gods?”

“The cost will be your life. But at least you’ll be able to step into their realm.”

Miliana’s eyes burned with determination as she asked, “What do I need to do?”

“There’s a condition.”

“A condition?” Miliana cocked her head.

“Karyl left a message for you.

Summon all Ten Godslayers to this battle immediately

.” Toska’s voice resonated deeply. “He’s not trying to bear this struggle alone. He trusts you all more than anyone. You are the ultimate blade he has prepared for the end.”

Toska gazed toward Pharel, as if preparing for the conclusion.

“What lies ahead belongs to the living.”

***

“End it? Who says so?” Yula’s voice was sharp, her rage boiling over. “Do you even understand what

the end

means for beings born of the Rift? We’re in

my

world, so

I

will decide how this all ends.”

Karyl offered a wry smile as he replied, “You remind me of that cocky little girl.”

“...Who? Viola?”

“Yes, her. A headstrong brat who didn’t know fear. Though... she’s changed quite a bit now.”

Karyl fixed his eyes on Yula, his voice calm yet piercing. “Yula, you’re no god of war.”

Her face stiffened at the words.

“Isn’t it strange? For a deity to wield a sword? In fact, it’s ironic that every god here wields some kind of weapon, much like humans.”

Karyl gave a smirk as he continued, “But out of everyone, you seem the least natural with a sword. I understand your unease—you were terrified the other gods might abandon you.”

Yula’s cold expression turned into a disdainful sneer. “You’re right. I’m no god of war. So what? Unlike some others, death doesn’t scare me to the point of groveling to humans.”

“I like that about you.” Karyl nodded as though in agreement. “That means I can kill you without holding back.”

“HHRAAAAAH...!!!” Yula’s war cry erupted like thunder. Her crimson sword ignited with flames, and the radiant wings on her back cast sharp beams of light that rained down with lethal precision.

“Yula wields the power of light, but light always hides darkness,” the old god remarked knowingly. “Beware, that’s her true trick. She strikes from the shadows concealed by her brilliance.”

“You’ve fought her before?” Karyl inquired.

“Of course. Long ago, we clashed for the Divine Throne. Every one of us here are merely challengers defeated by the Lord,” the elder admitted grimly. Though he seemed assailed by regret, he promptly steadied himself, gripping his staff and chanting.

“Not so fast!” Yula snarled, unleashing her beams of light at him.

Karyl reacted instantly, swinging his sword to intercept the rays. A deafening clang rang out as he deflected them, and a numbing jolt shot through his arm, rattling him to the core.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Zzzzt...!!

Yula’s energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around Karyl like unrelenting chains. But his restraint gave the remaining three gods the freedom to act.

Whoosh!

The old god’s staff unleashed a chaotic torrent of fire, lightning, ice, and razor-sharp winds, all converging violently on Yula. The raw elemental power was overwhelming, channeling nearly every force of nature, save for the Two Powers.

“Hmm... that old man is using elemental magic,” murmured Allen Javius as he observed the spectacle. “He’s avoiding the void elements, perhaps because Yula herself wields them? Interesting...”

“Yula!” Another god surged forward, slamming his gauntlets together with a thunderous clap.

BOOM!

A surge of brilliant light flared as his gauntlets darkened, turning as black as obsidian. The air around him vibrated with raw energy.

Bzzt! Ka-BOOM!!

He leapt toward Yula, aiming to land a devastating blow. Black shards scattered like broken glass, disintegrating into smoke that rushed forth to engulf her.

Spang! Crack!

The Second God used the man’s assault as a diversion and lashed her whip, which coiled like a serpent around Yula’s legs.

“It’s pointless,” Yula sneered as she calmly slashed at the whip constricting her legs.

“...?!”

However, instead of slicing cleanly, the whip stretched like rubber, winding upward to entangle her arms.

“You seem to have forgotten what kind of god I am, Yula.”

“...”

With a triumphant smile, the Second God yanked the whip taut. Where it touched Yula’s armor, white smoke hissed, and the metal began to corrode, bubbling as if melting away.

“Everyone knows your dirty little secret. You flattered the Lord with that silver tongue of yours to ascend the Divine Throne, but you’re no true god of combat.”

BOOOOM!

Yula exerted her power, and the whip heated up, glowing red-hot before melting off her.

[Karyl, did you see that?] Allen Javius’s voice echoed in Karyl’s mind. [They each possess unique abilities, which means they are bound by certain restrictions. These so-called rules are nothing more than safeguards to eliminate any threat to themselves.]

Allen’s words carried certainty, even as the chaotic battle unfolded.

[This confirms that our plan is solid.]

The two had been plotting their next move throughout every second of the fierce skirmish.

Godslaying.

The battle for humanity’s future allowed no moment of carelessness. While their current fight was critical, true victory would only be achieved later on.

“Huah...!” The man wearing gauntlets punched again.

“Hah...!” The woman lashed her whip.

Although the other gods were currently on his side, Karyl knew they were ultimately enemies he couldn’t trust. In the end, he would have to eliminate them too.

And until that moment came, he needed to lay the perfect traps.

[They are mighty, but they’ve built walls to prevent their domains from overlapping. This means they have inherent weaknesses, inherent compatibilities. But you, Karyl... what are you?]

Karyl wasn’t bound to any domain, nor was he shackled by one element. His neutrality wasn’t just about magic or swordsmanship—it was his very essence.

In his previous life, Karyl had walked the path of the blade, earning the title of Sword Saint despite possessing no magical talent. His mastery of the sword was unparalleled, yet even that had proven insufficient.

This time, he had sought more. By absorbing Riseria’s heart, he had acquired mana and reconstructed his path as a Sword Master.

Clang—!!

Karyl’s blade pierced through the opening created by the three gods, colliding with Yula’s crimson sword.

“I admit, I was surprised to see you using a sword,” Karyl remarked.

“Of course. Isn’t the sword what you’re best at? The path you’ve dedicated your life to? I’ll take pleasure in tearing it apart with my own blade,” Yula sneered.

“Hmph.”

Karyl suddenly released the hilt of his sword, surging into Yula’s personal space in an instant.

“...?!”

He firmly grabbed her shoulder, and light radiated from his palm.

Wuuuung...!!

“Who said the sword was my only weapon?”

Yula’s earlier mockery wasn’t entirely unfounded. Despite his immense mana, Karyl had spent his life channeling magic solely through his blade. Even Allen, knowing about Karyl’s previous life, had first taught him to channel magic into his sword.

But magic that merely sharpened his blade wasn’t enough. To become a true Great Sorcerer, one had to create a new system of magic, transcending mere technique.

That was the domain of the 9th Class.

By acquiring the Platinum Dragon’s heart, Karyl had stepped into that domain. The ultimate spellcraft of the Platinum Dragon, a dragon that had sought to ascend to godhood, was engraved into Karyl’s meridians.

“Co-Could it be...?!” Yula’s voice faltered, her composure shaken as she sensed the overwhelming magic emanating from Karyl.

Creation Magic

In that moment, a radiant pulse burst from Karyl’s palm, piercing through Yula’s shoulder.