A cold chill swept over the entire village, sending shivers down everyone’s spines.
Whether it was due to the cold, fear, or both, nobody could tell.
A dark-clothed figure hurtled toward them at an incredible speed. The black dot grew larger and larger, gradually revealing what seemed to be a demon. Catnys, turning slightly, noticed the masked figure and smiled faintly. She had doubted he would come, but indeed, he was there in the end.
Radakel, noticing Catnys’s smile, narrowed his golden eyes. He quickly surmised that the newcomer was aligned with Catnys and seemed to be a demon as well.
‘So he’s the other powerful presence I sensed…’ Radakel thought.
However, he felt confused. He had not expected such a strong presence in the village apart from Catnys. Feeling a sudden sense of danger, Radakel immediately canceled his hundred lances of light, and the sky returned to its normal blue. Catnys finally sighed in relief, lowering her arms.
Ignoring Catnys, Radakel stretched out his hand toward the disguised Nathan. “It’s good that you came on your own. I will now crush—BUUAARRRGH!!!”
Before Radakel could finish his sentence, the black dot vanished and reappeared right in front of him. Nathan’s punch was so powerful that it contorted Radakel’s face, sending his blurred figure shooting hundreds of meters away, crashing through several trees in his wake.
“L–Lord Radakel?!!” Cecilia was beyond shocked, like everyone else.
What had they just witnessed?
The weaker Heroes immediately stepped back in fear, while even the stronger ones like Jason froze on the spot. They had never felt such immense strength before.
Nathan’s figure glowed with an icy blue hue, his cold breath escaping the mask and freezing the air itself.
BADOOOM!
A pillar of light shot out as Radakel reappeared above the ground. His face was contorted with utter shock and anger, blood dripping profusely from his mouth. Nathan’s fist imprint was still visible, a bright red mark on his cheek.
“W..who blearghh! are you?!” Radakel demanded, spitting blood.
Nathan didn’t answer. He launched himself forward, leaving a trail of ice in his wake. He didn’t have time for words; he needed to kill Radakel quickly.
He moved so fast that no one could see him clearly—only a blur of motion and the biting chill of his icy trail. Sensing danger again, Radakel raised his hand.
“Hundreds Barriers of the Light Gods!”
Hundreds of golden barriers materialized in front of him, painting the air gold once more. Nathan’s eyes remained cold and unyielding as he continued his charge without slowing down.
He stretched out his hand again. “God-Rank Ice Magic.”
Bones in his right arm cracked, but he bit his tongue, refusing to let out any sound of pain. His body wasn’t suited to handle such immense strength, let alone using God-Rank Magic. Despite this, he persisted. Although the God-Rank magic he wielded was weaker than that of true gods, it was still incredibly powerful—capable of challenging even a weakened God of Light.
“!” Radakel’s entire body shivered upon hearing the words ‘God-Rank Magic.’
All those observing the fight below felt something they had never experienced before: primal fear, as if they were witnessing an event beyond their comprehension. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, and their faces contorted in terror. The very environment reacted to the impending use of God-Rank Magic.
“L…Lady Catnys?!” one of the demons shouted in fear.
“Don’t worry! He’s with us! Quickly, go back to the safe house with the others!” Catnys ordered. “Jagon, take everyone there!”
Jagon, quickly understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded. “Everyone, follow me!”
He led the group toward the house where all their families were gathered.
It was all part of Nathan’s carefully crafted plan to assemble everyone in one place while he and Catnys held off their enemies.
Catnys, however, hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.
Nathan had arrived late, and just as she began to lose hope, he appeared with astonishing strength, launching a fierce attack on Radakel. His power was beyond belief, more than enough to hold their foes at bay.
Every enemy’s attention was now fixed on Nathan and Catnys, allowing their comrades to gather at the designated spot. This was crucial, as Nathan planned to use his teleportation artifact.
Catnys glanced down at her hand.
In her palm lay a small stone artifact, an incredibly rare and ancient relic, rumored to be crafted by the gods themselves. Nathan had entrusted her with it so they could escape the village together. She couldn’t help but wonder where he had acquired such a powerful artifact.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
Unlike the others, Catnys kept her eyes on Nathan.
Nathan, his gaze locked on Radakel, clenched his fist and completed his God-Rank Magic. A spear began to take shape, forged from pure, white ice. It was thick, sharp, and inscribed with divine runes, a testament to its divine origin.
As the spear fully formed, Radakel felt a chill run down his spine. The weapon was three meters long and radiated an aura of death itself.
There was no time for Radakel to invoke a God of Light.
Desperate, he drew upon all the immense mana he had conserved for a confrontation with the Demon King’s Archdemons, the Black Knights. This mana was meant for a battle against foes who rivaled the Divine Knights, but now he faced an opponent who was undoubtedly a Black Knight sent by the Demon King himself.
Radakel gnashed his teeth.
Had he been deceived and outmaneuvered by the Demon King or one of his generals once again? Did they anticipate his move and send one of their strongest warriors against him?
With a thunderous roar, golden light erupted towards the sky, and a colossal wave of mana burst forth from Radakel’s body.
He concentrated all his mana to create an ultimate spell of light, one that could only be used once.
“God-Rank Magic! Holy Barrier of the Gods of Light!!!”
Nathan’s eyes fluttered, heavy with exhaustion, threatening to close at any moment. Determined, he gritted his teeth and flicked his wrist.
“Spear of the Frozen Death.”
BADOOOOOM!
The spear launched from Nathan’s hand with incredible speed, freezing everything in its path. Even those standing below felt parts of their bodies turn icy from the sheer power of the spear.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
CREAK!!
As the spear collided with Radakel’s barrier, a massive shockwave rippled through the village, devastating roofs and trees alike. For a moment, it seemed like a stalemate, and Radakel appeared to gain the upper hand. His body, better suited for God-Rank Magic, stood strong.
Radakel’s eyes widened with realization, his lips curling into a sinister smirk. He could turn this to his advantage and perhaps even kill the Archdemon!
On the other hand, Nathan was utterly spent.
Khione had warned him that in his current weakened state, he could only manage one use of God-Rank Magic. He had already expended it against the God of Light. Yet, he had pushed himself to use it once more against Radakel.
Now, he faced defeat. And possibly death.
His outstretched arm trembled and weakened, his eyes slowly closing as the God-Rank Magic spear began to crack, on the verge of collapsing.
“You are not worthy to be my son, Nathan. Your mother failed to raise you to even reach the heights of my heels.”
His father’s voice echoed in his mind.
“I… am sorry, Nate… but between us… it can’t happen. It’s over…”
These were the words of the only person he had ever loved and trusted after his mother’s death. That separation, four years ago, had been the final blow, darkening his heart further.
In the midst of this darkness and his obsession with seeking absolute love from others, a lone figure emerged in his mind.
Not Amelia, not his stepsisters, not Courtney, nor even Aisha, surprisingly.
But Khione.
The first time Nathan saw Khione, it felt like looking into a mirror of his past self. She wasn’t just a random choice; his desire for her was pure and profound. He longed to witness her transformation, to see her reveal more of herself in his presence.
If he died now, wouldn’t she die too?
Memories of their parting filled his mind—her beautiful face, her voice, the way she looked at him. She hadn’t uttered any farewell words; knowing her, none were needed. But through the Forbidden Seal, their emotions were interconnected, and he could sense her silent plea for him to be careful. It was unusual for her, someone who always prioritized her own survival, to show such concern.
Could it be true that she felt genuine worry and care for him, even if just a little?
The thought brought him immense happiness. Khione, who knew everything about him and accepted all his flaws and virtues, had shown some semblance of care. This moment reminded him of the emotions he once felt for his childhood love, Phoebe.
With renewed determination, Nathan bit his lip hard and opened his eyes, now clear and focused. His thoughts synchronized with Khione’s, and his ice magic strengthened as a result.
“HAARGHHH!!!” With a powerful shout, unlike any he had ever uttered, Nathan swung his hand once more.
CREAK!
Another cracking sound echoed, this time from Radakel’s holy barrier.
“W..WHAT?!!” Radakel was in utter disbelief witnessing the sudden change.
Nathan’s lips twisted into a mad smirk as he saw the barrier weaken.
BOOOOOOOM!
“BUAAARGHHH!!”
The spear shattered Radakel’s God-Rank Barrier and struck him in the stomach, piercing through and carrying his body miles away, devastating the forest in its wake.