1.
The Yellow Dragon’s second skill.
<Golden Battlefield (EX)>
Designates a space with a maximum diameter of 1km as a <Battlefield>. <Yellow Dragon>’s rank increases based on the number of <allies> within the battlefield.
On the day that skill was unlocked, Nahan thought honestly to himself:
— Not impressed.
The Yellow Dragon’s rank increases in proportion to the number of <Allies> in the designated space.
Nahan wasn’t even sure what qualified as an ally, and even if there were allies present on the battlefield and the rank increased, Yellow Dragon had already reached EX-rank—so he wasn’t convinced it mattered.
And more than anything:
* However, enemies on the battlefield also receive three or more beneficial effects.
While <Yellow Dragon> was the only one strengthened on this side, the enemies would all receive buffs.
— Won’t be using this.
Maybe if two armies were clashing and the commanders were deciding the battle one-on-one, then it might be worth something. Nahan had clicked his tongue in disappointment and set it aside.
But now—
<Golden Battlefield (EX)>, activated under the guise of one of Ian Red’s divine authorities, was starting to reveal its true power.
【<Calamity of December (SSS+)> recognizes you as <Destruction That Covers the Sun (???)>.】
【Number of allies on the battlefield: 115.】
【<Nahan (EX)>’s rank has increased.】
Nahan began to unleash his strength.
He was momentarily confused as to why the thousand incarnations were being counted as allies—but, in hindsight, it made perfect sense.
The real Nahan.
And the roles he played—Black Wolf, Yellow Dragon, Ian Red, even the previous 1st Elder.
Just as lies left undiscovered are treated as truth, all of Nahan’s roles were now being accepted as truths of <this world>.
Thus, the Eclipse’s Sun, regarded the fake 1st Elder played by Nahan as the real one—effectively recognizing the person behind the role, <Nahan>, as an ally.
【Rank elevated to <Nahan (EX+)>】.
The effect of Golden Battlefield had reached its maximum.
Fwaaaah!
Radiant golden light exploded outward from Nahan, rapidly and expansively unfurling the battlefield.
Every area the light touched was no longer the realm of reality, but a mental world constructed by Nahan.
A space where all, save Nahan, Asha, and the Calamity of December, were denied entry and existence.
At the same time, as the thousandfold Cheonmyeong realized Nahan was a variable and scrambled to understand the situation—
【Three beneficial effects granted to Calamity of December – <Cheonmyeong (SSS+)>】
【Chosen effects:】
【<Rank Increase>, <Agility>, <Health>.】
【Critical Success!】
【<Cheonmyeong (SSS+)> rank elevated to <Cheonmyeong (EX-)>!】
He realized he had broken through his limits.
‘What… did I just do?’
Was he sent not to assist the Hero, but rather as a spy to support him?
The incomprehensible situation left Cheonmyeong confused—but the time he had left to maintain his incarnations was only about three minutes at most.
— If the Saint is unreachable, then kill the Hero instead.
Recalling the order of his master, he cast aside all hesitation and gave the command to his incarnations.
‘Kill the Hero.’
He only referred to them as incarnations for convenience—in truth, each body was both real and original, all equally Cheonmyeong.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The incarnations exchanged glances—and moved as one, charging at Asha.
One hundred and fifteen EX- rank monsters moving like a single entity.
Boom!
Crash!
Bang!
Despite moving differently, they appeared as a unified pack of beasts, their synchronized aggression evoking the overwhelming rhythm and intensity of a festival war-drum performance.
Asha understood in that moment.
‘I’m going to die.’
Just like the monsters and demons who had died without resistance before her.
Her time had finally come—and she would die without being able to put up proper resistance.
‘No matter how great a warrior may be—how could one person stand alone against a natural disaster?’
Her battle focus faded. Strength drained from her gripped hands.
‘…But still.’
Even if the disaster was now at her doorstep, with no retreat and no escape—
‘Priest, I will protect you. No matter what it takes, I will protect you.’
Crunch!
For reasons unknown, the mental world had once again been deployed.
Asha quickly closed her eyes and focused on the presence of the <Hero> layered upon her.
A voice responded immediately upon being summoned.
【How much are you willing to pay?】
In a voice that sounded indifferent—as if everything had been given up or perhaps fully understood—Asha hugged Ian Red tightly and answered.
‘All lives condensed into a single moment.’
To Asha’s reply, the <Hero>…
The <Hero> asked.
【Why do you limit it to a single moment?】
To this, Asha responded,
‘Because, at least for that single moment in time… at least for the final instant of life—’
—Looking into the Priest’s eyes,
—I want to be happy.
【……】
Boom!
Crack!
Bang!
As murderous intent drew near, when the <Heroes> were just about to collect her lifespan against their will—
‘…I think it went like this.’
Nahan murmured something and reached out his hand toward the charging incarnations.
‘Veil.’
A technique that emits Aura toward a chosen target, crushing them with sheer pressure.
Originally, lacking both <Aura> and the <knowledge> or <experience> to wield it, he could only use the technique by burning his own life force.
But now that he possessed everything—
‘Max out the Aura output, exclude Asha from the targets, and dye the Aura red the same way Ruby uses it…’
Without the help of the system, Nahan could now naturally manifest <Domination> the way people in this world do.
And now, enhanced further by <Golden Battlefield>, his every action was overlaid with divine golden brilliance as if touched by a god’s revelation.
【<Domination (EX+)> has been activated.】
Rrrrmmmmmble…!!
The red Aura, wrapped in golden light, made Ian Red appear like a messenger of the gods.
Boom!
Crack!
Crackkk!
The incarnations of Cheonmyeong who failed to reach him smashed into the ground, instinctively burying their heads. Their bodies trembled for a long while before disappearing entirely.
【The performance troupe has been forcibly dismissed.】
Instinct.
Like shadows that hide for fear of disappearing in light, Cheonmyeong shrank back without realizing it.
No matter how powerful a human may be, they still shrink before the vastness of the cosmos.
Existences whose very presence is akin to violence—impossible to gauge their end.
“…Except for that one…”
The First Elder—the Calamity of Destruction—aside from that one, Cheonmyeong had never encountered anything like this.
The confusion was brief.
“Hold on.”
“Ah… y-yes.”
Nahan gently let go of Asha and strode toward Cheonmyeong, whispering.
“The Goddess said to tell you—so long as the Hero and the Saint are untouched, there will be no need for further intervention.”
“…!!”
Only then did Cheonmyeong understand.
Why this man had suddenly appeared.
Why he was using power on this level.
‘Of course… it’s because he’s connected to a transcendent being—just like that one.’
But even the realization didn’t last long.
‘…How am I supposed to escape and report this to him?’
Judging by the oppressive pressure alone, the man before him had no intention of letting him go.
Even if he were torn apart and scattered to the winds, the sheer pressure made it feel reasonable.
—What do you seek strength for?
—Because I can.
—…A truly arrogant answer.
The conversation he once had with the Eastern Emperor flashed back like regret, circling in his mind.
【<Shadow Bloom> has been activated.】
Suddenly, petals bloomed from Cheonmyeong’s own shadow, wrapped around him, and vanished into the ground.
Only after blinking did he realize.
“Sh*t—what the hell, what kind of fucking—!!”
“…”
That the Calamity of the Blooming Blood and the Calamity of Whispering Nightmares had risked their lives to save him—
Cheonmyeong, trembling, gently soothed the two who were shaking even harder, and spoke with a trembling hand.
“…We’re going back.”
“…What?”
Finally snapping out of her daze, the Calamity of the Blooming Blood grabbed Cheonmyeong’s hand and pulled him to his feet.
“Even if we die…!! Even if we die, we can’t afford to fail the mission!!”
Just as she said, in Cheonmyeong’s eyes—and in the eyes of the Calamity of Whispering Nightmares as well—
There was a fear far greater than death: the fear of failing their cause.
“That’s exactly why we’re going back.”
If they continued to stay without retreating, and allowed that man to keep interfering—
“That would be the moment we truly fail our cause.”
Whether the First Elder himself would step forward to erase that man personally, or whether they would need to massively revise the plan and regroup—
“For now, we fall back.”
Cheonmyeong’s solemn tone.
“Hah… Fine, old man.”
“……”
In the end, the remaining two Calamities glanced toward where Ian Red and Asha stood—
And chose to flee.
It was nothing short of a complete and overwhelming victory.
‘Sure, we didn’t throw fists or clash blades—but those three are still useful for later.’
Uprooting the Eclipse was something Nahan had decided to postpone until after the battle between <Black Wolf> and <Light>, and just before Asha would dethrone the Empress.
So, next—
【Bad Ending 8 – <The Hero’s Death> has been prevented!】
【Reward granted!】
Along with the reward for clearing a Bad Ending—
“Are you alright, Hero?”
“…Priest…”
Another reward: Asha’s trust.
…Rustle.
With slow, weary movements, Asha rose to her feet and trudged over to face Nahan.
“…? Hero?”
“…”
In Asha’s sky-blue eyes, Nahan was reflected.
She knew that staring silently was impolite—but she couldn’t help it.
Even when he kept his distance.
Even when he pushed her away out of fear of losing her.
Even in the times when he treated her harshly—
No matter what, after resolving the situation, he always returned to hold her hand.
That’s why—
The reason she couldn’t help but fall in love with him—
Was because he was the one who made her that way.
“Take responsibility.”
A smile bloomed on her face—a smile like the blue sky, brightening the expression that had been dry and guarded for half a lifetime.
“…Huh?”
“Take responsibility—and take me with you.”
“…Sorry, what?”
It happened beneath a certain golden sky.
