Chapter 261  

Simultaneously, mana began to surge throughout Bernard's entire body. This mana construct formed an even more formidable barrier, gradually morphing into an impregnable fortress that defied all attempts at penetration.

Kaboom-!

Even the full strength unleashed by Eveheim, who had transcended his limits, was effortlessly blocked by Bernard without so much as a tremor. A smile spread across Bernard's lips as he turned his gaze toward his two friends, who had played a part in shaping him into an invincible fortress.

"Why were you so late…? I almost died, you know," Bernard said.

As the green cat landed on his head, Bernard felt its comforting presence. Exhausted, he began to collapse, but Yu-Seong swiftly caught him.

"I had something I needed to take care of. Thank you for holding out," Yu-Seong replied with a smile.

"...That's enough for me to know. Now, I'm going to rest," Bernard said with a smirk.

After ensuring Bernard was in a safe position, Yu-Seong shifted his attention to Eveheim. The sensation of facing Eveheim, who was restrained by the tip of Do-Jin's sword, invigorated Yu-Seong.

"So, we finally meet again, Eveheim."

"...Though this isn't exactly a pleasant encounter."

Eveheim, suppressed by the combined force of the two men who had suddenly appeared before him and realizing his failure to defeat Bernard, let out a hollow laugh. It was a fact he already knew, but now he was truly cornered.

He accepted his defeat and offered his applause. "You truly are amazing. To have pushed me this far.”

"Is that meant to be a compliment? It doesn't quite feel that way," replied Yu-Seong.

"Haha..." Eveheim let out a hollow laugh as his eyes darted around restlessly.

'First, I need to get out of here...and start over again.'?

It would take a very long time, but the only thing waiting for him if he endured the current situation would be death.

'I can't let that happen.'

Indeed, he harbored ambitions that set him apart from the insignificance of others. Falling in a place like this was simply not an option.

As Eveheim lifted his hand with determination shining in his eyes, a magic circle materialized within Do-Jin's line of sight, heading toward Eveheim's outstretched palm. The moment the fiery flames attempted to engulf his hand, Eveheim's transcendence distorted the space around him.

Seizing the opportunity, Eveheim created another magic circle above his palm and smirked, uttering, "Let's meet again next time."

However, as Eveheim infused his mana into the magic circle, an unintentional questioning sound escaped him amidst the serene scenery that surrounded him. "Hmm...?"

It was because the self-destructive magic of London, the ultimate measure that would have plunged the entire city into catastrophe, failed to activate. Bewildered, Eveheim continued pouring mana into the magic circle, unaware that Yu-Seong and Do-Jin were laughing at his futile efforts. Regardless of his attempts, the result remained unchanged.

"How on earth...?" Eveheim, belatedly realizing the situation, asked in a trembling voice.

"You idiot."

"Why do you think we were so late?"

In fact, even without receiving an answer from Do-Jin and Yu-Seong, Eveheim already understood the situation. He muttered, "You dismantled the magic circle… in such a short time?"

It was a grand magic spell that he had spent decades crafting. How could a magic circle, into which he had poured so much effort, blood, and sweat, vanish within such a short period?

"Why are you thinking so hard? You already know the answer, don't you? Setting up the dominoes may be challenging, but..."

Knocking them down was as simple as flicking a finger. True, Eveheim had meticulously prepared for such an eventuality, but Yu-Seong's magical abilities were only slightly inferior to his own. And when Do-Jin's abilities were added to the mix...

"This guy is even better at magic than you, you know?"

It was not without reason that Do-Jin possessed 'Genius' as his Special Skill. His growth during the training sessions had surpassed even Yu-Seong's wildest imagination.

'I thought I had become extremely strong, but...'?

Yu-Seong sensed the potential danger that could arise if they were to engage in a direct confrontation. On the other hand, while Eveheim was undeniably formidable, he struggled to handle Yu-Seong alone.

"It's over, Eveheim," Do-Jin declared coldly, taking deliberate steps forward toward Eveheim.

"This can't... This can't be happening."

With a flustered expression, Eveheim ceased pouring mana into the self-destruct magic circle, realizing the futility of his efforts. He then attempted to open a spatial door behind him, seeking refuge in a place where the two friends couldn't follow.

"Where do you think... Dispel!"

However, Yu-Seong's Spell Cancellation magic unfolded, causing the spatial portal to seal shut on its own.

One of them approached like the grim reaper, ready to take Eveheim’s life, while the other completely blocked his escape route. "It's not a check, it's checkmate, Godfather," Yu-Seong said, suddenly appearing behind Eveheim and pointing his spear.

There was no way to escape, and there was no possibility of winning the fight.

"Haha, hahahaha, hahahahahaha-!" Eveheim, confronted with this harsh reality, burst into insane laughter.

.

"Did the heavens fear that I would ascend to the lofty universe?!"

"What nonsense. Your dream was simply crushed because it was too grandiose for you."

"That can't be!"

In response, Eveheim snorted with laughter, his eyes twitching in agitation.

'He was a madman to begin with, so it's not strange if he's gone completely insane.'?

Although Yu-Seong desired to swiftly defeat Eveheim, he chose to wait for a simple reason—Yu-Seong believed that Do-Jin also held a grudge and wanted to unleash his anger upon Eveheim, just like himself.

"Eveheim."

However, that was merely Yu-Seong's assumption.

"I'm finally killing my sworn enemy," Do-Jin declared with a sly grin.

With those words, it was over. Do-Jin's sword cut into Eveheim's neck. At the same time, Yu-Seong's spear, which had reflexively reacted, unleashed a lightning bolt that pierced through Eveheim's heart.

Immediately, Eveheim's corpse collapsed onto the ground in front of Do-Jin and Yu-Seong, who had withdrawn their weapons simultaneously.

Naturally facing each other, Yu-Seong asked curiously, "Was that all you wanted to say?"

"One never knows what this kind of guy might do if left alive for too long..."

Indeed, it was a choice befitting the protagonist of a cool novel. Yu-Seong was about to applaud in admiration.

"Choi Yu-Seong, Kim Do-Jin!"

With Bernard’s urgent voice, the gaze of the two naturally fell onto the corpse of Eveheim that had collapsed on the ground.

"I may be dying... but I cannot let it end like this," Eveheim said, a smile in his eyes, despite his decapitated body.

Simultaneously, as Yu-Seong and Do-Jin continued their attack, Space Distortion spread, causing Eveheim's corpse to vanish into thin air.

"I dedicate my remaining breath and soul in longing..." Eveheim's voice echoed, even though his physical form was gone.

High above in the sky, Eveheim floated lightly, bleeding, as he retrieved a stone from his chest. Witnessing this, Yu-Seong's eyes widened in shock.

Recognizing the nature of the brilliantly shining mana stone, radiating in seven colors, Yu-Seong shouted, "The Philosopher's Stone!"

Come to think of it, the original novel never stated that there was only one Philosopher's Stone in the world.

'There was another one!'?

Yu-Seong was filled with despair. What kind of disaster had the Philosopher's Stone once brought to Pyongyang?

Since Eveheim was a human and not a demon, Yu-Seong had never thought that Eveheim could survive even after being decapitated. He attempted to rush in, wielding his Wind Thunder Dragon God Art, but the destructive wave of mana emanating from the Philosopher's Stone, which was soaked in Eveheim's blood, instantly repelled Yu-Seong.

The same happened to Do-Jin. The flames emanating from his eyes and the transcendent sword were unable to reach Eveheim, who floated with his body and head separated, as the rampaging mana pushed them back.

Despite the progress Bernard had made in his recovery thanks to the Green Wind Spirit Cat, his efforts were in vain.

Boom-!?

A heavy roar shook the earth and the sky, as a powerful surge of mana pressed down on the shoulders of the three men.

"Argh-!" Yu-Seong groaned as he forced himself to his knees and lifted his gaze to the sky. His expression was one of dismay, rendering him speechless.

"Oh my…"

The sky had turned pitch black. The once-illuminated surroundings were now devoid of any light, enveloping the entire world in darkness.

Of course, Yu-Seong was capable of inducing a similar effect. If he unleashed the lightning bolt to its extreme, the entire sky would be covered in dark clouds. However, the nature of this darkness was different.

'Pure mana.'?

Indeed, the sky was engulfed in an overwhelming expanse of pitch-black mana. Its sheer magnitude was so immense that every corner, visible through Yu-Seong's Eyes of God, appeared devoid of light. At the center, like the eye of a storm shrouded in mana, the body of Eveheim was being drawn into the Philosopher's Stone.

However, that was not the end of it. The bodies of the defeated Hexagram Masters, whom Do-Jin and Yu-Seong had vanquished, were also being pulled toward the Philosopher's Stone. Emitting a seven-colored light, the stone absorbed them, transforming into a deep black hue.

[Since everything I had accumulated has crumbled, if I cannot possess it, I must destroy it.]

[I will seek revenge.] [I will bring ruin to this world-!]

Starting with Eveheim, the voices of the deceased Hexagram Masters reverberated throughout the world like thunder.

"We must put an end to this." Do-Jin stood up and, with those resolute words, leaped into the sky. The immense storm of mana pushed against him, but he exerted all his strength to forge ahead.

Yu-Seong, unwavering in his belief that this catastrophe must not fully unleash upon the world, followed suit. Both he and Do-Jin did not entertain doubts about their ability to draw nearer. They simply pressed forward.

Kwaaah-!?

The tempestuous storm of mana raged, morphing into a blade-like form, threatening to carve through their very beings.

In that critical moment, displaying his superhuman endurance, Bernard rose from his position and leaped into the sky. With both arms extended, he summoned a protective barrier to shield them from the onslaught.

Bang-!

The weakened barrier crumbled with a resounding crash, yet this fleeting opening granted the two men a chance to advance further. However, it was not only them who experienced transformations during this time.

A colossal demon, slowly materializing from the depths of the Philosopher's Stone, commenced its laughter.

[Finally… I am…]

Having devoured the foulest of flesh, Superbia—the Demon King of Pride and the mightiest among all demon kings—sought to descend upon Earth. Yu-Seong, Do-Jin, and Bernard felt the looming peril instinctively.

‘If we don't stop that, it will be the end.’

Superbia, the Demon King of Pride, poised to descend upon this world, would manifest as an entity utterly distinct from the previous Demon Kings. It had assimilated Eveheim, who had achieved transcendence, merging with the Philosopher's Stone. Moreover, it had sacrificed the Hexagram Masters, renowned as the most formidable beings, to augment its power.

'A complete state Demon King... No, even beyond that.'?

The power of distortion wielded by the Demon King of Pride captivated Yu-Seong's gaze, evoking a sense of terror. He understood that their sole chance to vanquish the swiftly materializing demon, which fed on the black mana, might lie in this very moment.

'No, it is definitely now.'

The moment of decision had arrived. Yu-Seong's eyes met Do-Jin's, and they shared a silent conversation. It was time to embark on the final battle.

With unwavering determination, Yu-Seong shouted, "Loki-!"

BOOM-!?

From the ruptured black sky, a bolt of vibrant purple lightning pierced through and struck the earth below. As the smoke and dust cleared, a colossal dragon emerged with its wings unfolding like the petals of a blooming flower. It unleashed a resounding roar that reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundations of the surroundings.

Roarrr-!

The dragon's thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield. Resembling a cataclysm in motion, it unfurled its majestic wings and it took to the sky, positioning itself between Yu-Seong and Do-Jin.

With its mighty jaws wide open, the dragon uttered words that resonated through the air.

-I have, no...!

Summoned under the name Loki, the composite voice echoed through the air, representing the three contracted gods—Loki, a Joke-loving Prankster; Cu Chulainn, the Culann’s Hound; Scathi, the Oldest Hunter. Each god's essence merged together, resonating as a unified entity. High above in the sky, their voices intertwined with determination as they called out to the darkened heavens.

- Ta-da! ‘We’ have appeared!

<Author's Note>

The conclusion of the novel is imminent. I appreciate the readers who have accompanied me on this journey, in spite of my potentially lacking writing skills. I've updated the character profiles of Choi Yu-Seong and Kim Do-Jin, as requested by some in the past. Here they are:

<Choi Yu-Seong’s Profile>

Height: 179cm

Weight: 68kg

Hair color: Brown

Eye color: Brown tinged with black

Favorite colors: Green, brown, blue, and white

Characteristics: His complexion is fair and flawless, radiating a sense of purity. His eyes, though lacking in vibrancy, possess a gentle and endearing quality, resembling those of an adorable puppy. This effect is further enhanced by his slightly droopy eyelids, adding to his overall charm.

<Kim Do-Jin’s Profile>

Height: 183cm

Weight: 73kg

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Deep black

Favorite colors: Red, black, gray, and gold

Characteristics: His gaze exudes a rugged determination, reflecting a hardened spirit. With his slightly weathered, sun-kissed skin, he possesses a wild and untamed appearance, akin to that of a spirited stallion. If one were to liken him to an animal, he would bear a closer resemblance to a wolf rather than a docile pup.