His journey after abandoning the World
“…That’s right,” I acknowledged with a vacant smile, much like in the past.
For a while after, the four of them engaged in thoroughly trivial conversation. None of it was beneficial. Most of it devolved into petty grievances and tales of failure.
And then, he quietly drew his last breath. The man who shook the world, destroyed it, and reigned as a god, passed away peacefully surrounded by his three friends.
After that, the world, for the time being, regained a semblance of calm.
The rule of Israilia had ended. Many wounds remained, and these wounds divided the world into numerous countries, and discrimination between races ran rampant. Nevertheless, humanity somehow began to move forward. For several hundred years, until the appearance of labyrinths began, the world was a “relatively” utopian state.
It was around this time that the original temple was established, consolidating the legacies left behind by Israilia, such as the Sun God and spirits. On the other hand, the negative legacies he left were systematically dealt with by those who operated in the shadows, behind the scenes of the world.
In the end, Zain cooperated with Kuraran and Greyre.
Carrying the memory of their final reunion and a moment of camaraderie in his heart.
***
Outer Perimeter of Plaudia
“What in the world…?”
Knight Commander Victor was stunned by the battlefield’s sudden transformation. It happened amidst the fierce battle against the attacking silver dragons and swarms of monsters. Although Victor and his forces managed to prevent a breakthrough with the help of Krawlan the Creator and his True People, the battlefield remained perilous, on the verge of collapse at any moment.
Was a significant retreat of the front lines unavoidable?
Just as he thought that, the silver dragons suddenly stopped.
“What is this…?”
Even the True People warriors looked perplexed. No one could comprehend the unfolding events. As if to compound the confusion, further changes continued.
“The dragons…!”
“The angels too…!”
The silver dragons, which had been rampaging as the vanguard of the Evil God, and the golden angels, who had been supporting Victor’s forces as emissaries of the Sun God. These two entities, which had half-dominated the battlefield, suddenly took flight simultaneously towards Babel. They had been locked in mortal combat moments before, intent on annihilating each other, yet they flew away together without any sign of conflict, as if in friendly procession, heading towards Babel in the center of Plaudia.
While everyone was bewildered, unable to grasp the shift in events, one individual wore an intensely grim expression.
“Lord Kuraran?”
“Master.”
Kuraran, who had maintained a cheerful demeanor even in the face of dire threats, wore a look of profound severity. He gazed at Babel, where the angels and dragons were heading, as if sensing something horrifying.
“Most likely…”
While gently stroking the heads of the True People children who hesitantly approached him, Kuraran’s gaze remained fixed, and he stated with conviction,
“Something undesirable has returned.”
With that, Kuraran turned his gaze back to Victor. Victor, recognizing the urgency far more swiftly than any words could convey, was struck by the unusually sharp glint in Kuraran’s eyes.
“Sir Victor! I have received orders from Hero Diz to abandon the Plaudia defense line and flee to Uuga in the event of any unforeseen circumstances! My children will lead the way!! Evacuate!!”
“To Uuga!? But… no.”
Victor hesitated for a moment at his words. The battlefield had halted. The most significant threat, the silver dragons, had vanished. However, the monsters still remained. Nevertheless, the defense line was already at its breaking point. Even with the extraordinary skills of the True People warriors, there were limits. Victor paused for several seconds, unable to issue the next order.
“Victor!!”
However, Ikaza’s lightning struck, tearing through his hesitation. Ikaza unleashed a torrent of lightning that incinerated the halted monsters, roaring at Victor with force.
“Evacuate!! We’ll take care of most of the monsters!!”
“Thank you…!”
Victor expressed his gratitude for the reliable presence of Ikaza and the other elite adventurers surrounding her. He then turned to his waiting subordinates.
“Everyone, commence evacuation to Uuga! Collect any residents left behind! Do not leave a single person behind!!!”
The moment the order was given, the warriors moved as one. To prevent chaos and accidents, they began their orderly evacuation to Uuga, prioritizing the injured.
“The happiness of all is the King’s wish! Therefore, survive with all your might!!! Save as many as possible! Only then will we conquer this hardship!!”
Victor’s voice boomed, reaching all his subordinates as they ran.
“Everyone, survive!!”
The soldiers responded to Victor’s encouragement and dashed off. The True People followed closely, protecting the injured soldiers. A few remaining True People gathered around Kuraran.
“Master…”
“My children. Help the soldiers. To the best of your ability, ensure no one dies.”
Kuraran, who was supporting Ikaza’s rear guard with the True People, did not avert his gaze from Babel, where the silver dragons and angels were heading. He whispered in a voice like a prayer.
“Zero, my children, please be safe. And if it is at all possible…”
Then, Kuraran walked alone towards Plaudia. He muttered softly, not directed at anyone in particular.
“I hope you can overcome the sins of us foolish mortals.”
***
The Deepest Layer of Ark Israilia
“Spiritification through severance… only you would be able to reach that point with such a technique.”
Israilia calmly analyzed the black slash that shattered the barrier he had created. His form had changed further.
“And then?”
He slowly shifted his gaze to the front.
“Guh…”
Zain, scorched by lightning in various places, was on his knees. His fearsome slashes, though avoiding fatal damage, had inflicted cumulative injuries. Yet, they were merely slashes. The damage continued to mount.
This was a familiar sight to Israilia. In his etched memories, Zain had challenged him countless times, only to suffer abject defeat. Moreover, he was now aged and weakened compared to his former self. It was only natural that this would happen.
“Still, with just that sword, what do you intend to do?”
“You possess an unnatural strength, as always. It leaves your escorts no standing.”
“Whose words are those?”
“A thousand years ago. Israilia.”
A thousand years. It seemed a millennium had passed. He wasn’t surprised by that. When he imprinted himself into the waste disposal hole, he had estimated the time of his manifestation. What was astonishing was Zain’s tenacity, still attempting to obstruct him after a thousand years, even in his diminished state.
“Just in case, I’ll ask. What do you intend to do? Now?”
“Nothing changes.”
He was asked the same question as a thousand years ago. So Israilia gave the same answer.
“I will start over. I will resume what you interrupted.”
Exactly the same words as a thousand years ago. But upon hearing them, Zain’s face contorted deeply.
“I will restore the Ark to its intended state.”
The Ark had suffered many failures in its completion and transfer. This was due to interference from the world. As a result, many functions that should have been completed were impaired. The new humans dwelling within were also haphazardly implemented individuals in their pre-unified state, far from the ideals of the True Human Plan. The environment was unstable and lacked consistency. It had too many flaws.
Therefore, he would start over. Restore it to its normal state.
“By reducing the Ark itself to rubble and annihilating all the humans dwelling within?”
“It is a necessary measure. We must not leave any noise. Isn’t that obvious?”
Despite this, no one understood. His companions at the research institute all showed reluctance to carry out this purification. Discussions were held repeatedly, ultimately leading to a rupture. And even now, his former comrades did not seem to comprehend his intentions. Zain sighed, his voice incredibly heavy.
“…It truly shows how much you’ve mellowed, old man.”
“Ah, so I have grown old. It was fortunate that I split and preserved my soul.”
As a human, the decay of the mind due to aging and illness was unavoidable. It seemed his plan to etch his soul into a god in anticipation of this had paid off. On the other hand, those who opposed him had not taken such precautions. Israilia pressed his blade against Zain, who appeared weak and withered like a dried-up tree.
“You’re too old to defeat me,” the voice taunted.
“That’s true… but,” Zain retorted.
Zain, his body trembling, slowly pushed himself to his feet. The light in his eyes was filled with the same strong will that had defined him in his youth when he stood in opposition.
“Something has changed between us since we last met.”
“Your wrinkle count, perhaps?”
“That’s part of it… but yes.”
He offered a faint smile, then suddenly leaped sideways.
“The strength of my comrades has changed.”
“Deploying the Path.”
From behind him, accompanied by the fierce whirring of a Magic Machine, a boy stood ready. Though he carried fragments of the magical workshop Israelia himself had created, he exuded an aura entirely different from it.
“Divine Piercer!”
It shot forward, shattering the barrier Israelia had conjured and piercing his hand.
***
The Creator, the God, the father who forged this Ark.
Ul struggled to grasp how to act in the presence of such a being. He wasn’t indecisive. He didn’t doubt Greyre’s words, even now, but this was the God of Creation. He needed to determine the correct course of action—was it to attack, or something else? But—
“Restore the Ark to its proper state.”
“By turning everything to ashes?”
—it became clear from their exchange that there was no time for hesitation or deliberation. The God who created the Ark was, without question, an enemy to this entire World.
“Zero! Create a Barrier, quickly! Protect these two!”
“Don’t order me around!”
Despite his anger, Zero immediately deployed True Persons around Ul, establishing a Barrier. The vibrantly blue Barrier continued to shield Ul from the rain of lightning, a barrage of Final-level magic, but—
“Ugh…!”
Seeing the Barrier instantly consumed by the lightning, it was clear it wouldn’t last long. Ul promptly instructed Noah and deployed the Path on the spot. Though he had pushed himself relentlessly through battles with Gods, there was no time to hold back.
“I’ll cover the rear. At least try to land a hit.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Beside him, Yuri readied her sword. Ul took a single, deep breath. In that time, the Path rapidly constructed itself. He channeled the enhancements from the spinning Magic Machine into his body and, without hesitation, charged directly into the storm of lightning before him.
Outside the Barrier, it was a maelstrom. The raging lightning seared his body as it grazed him, but Ul pressed on, thrusting his Spear forward.
“Divine Piercer!”
—Hardest…!?
It wasn’t pure hardness, nor like anything he had faced from Demon Kings, divine swords, or Heroes. He felt no resistance, yet moving even an inch forward felt agonizingly heavy. It was an utterly bizarre sensation—but—
“I’m used to it now!!!”
Unknown sensations, bizarre obstacles. He had experienced enough of them to sicken him today alone. Adding one or two more now wouldn’t faze him or make him retreat.
He took another step forward, his bones creaking, but pushing the tip of his Spear further. With a sound like an explosion, an invisible barrier protecting the God shattered, and his Spear pierced through.
“…Did it connect?”
The Spear had pierced Israelia’s hand, but that was it.
“…!!”
His hand was heavier and harder than the previous barrier. Even with all his strength, it wouldn’t budge. Ul recalled his confrontation with Wrath in the Black Flame Desert. Even moving with his entire being, he hadn’t advanced an inch. It felt like trying to push a colossal mountain with his bare hands, perhaps multiplied by several times the weight.
In a way, it was a familiar sensation. Ul understood he was facing an overwhelming superior being, where brute force was the only relevant factor.
“—No way, Shiro?”
But, fortunately, or perhaps anticlimactically, the God stopped his attack and did not retaliate immediately.
“And Noah. True Humans… Did Kuraran complete them?”
His gaze shifted to the Path Ul had used and the True Persons who had supported him.
“Final.”
Yuri seized the opening and unleashed a slash. Severing the hand that held Ul’s Spear, she freed him. The palm that restrained his Spear’s tip dissipated into mist the moment it detached from his arm, reforming at the end of Israelia’s severed limb.
“Sword skills equal to or greater than Zain’s, natural True Humans… but.”
Israelia’s gaze moved from Yuri, who had sliced his arm, to Ul, never once looking away from the latter. He tilted his head, genuinely perplexed.
“Why are all of you lending power to the ‘Old Humanity’?”
Ul understood that “Old Humanity” referred to him. There was no trace of contempt or disgust; only pure curiosity, and this reaction stressed that he was not even considered a minor threat.
“…What is this guy?”
“He’s apparently the God of Creation.”
“How rude.”
Beside Ul, Yuri directed a look of utter bewilderment at Israelia. Without even acknowledging Yuri’s gaze, he seemed to ponder something, then nodded.
“Well… it’s fine. I don’t care.”
With that, he regenerated his severed arm and raised his palm.
“Art: Flame!”
In the next instant, a “Sun” appeared in the space.
“Huh!?”
Flames, equal to or exceeding those Diz had wielded when wielding the Sun God’s power, instantly filled the space. There was no charge-up, no preamble. It was as natural as breathing, unleashing enough power to obliterate the surrounding area.
Zero and the others moved, as did Sua, protected by Gronzon, but no one could match its speed. Before anyone could counter, the created Sun wavered and descended. Light filled the space, overwhelming their vision.
“Fall back behind me!”
Sua stepped forward. The power of the Spirits gathered around her, forming a Barrier to protect everyone present. Though not possessing Heaven Prayer, Sua, deeply connected to the Spirits, manipulated their blessings freely—but—
“Four Sources— Even the Spirits—”
The moment Israelia raised his hand, Sua’s power fractured.
“…!?”
“They are my creations. Guardians of the Seven Heavens.”
*Crack!* Sua’s Barrier shattered effortlessly. There was no time to comprehend that Sua’s blessings had been stolen. Gronzon caught the falling Sua, and Ul and Yuri advanced in their place.
“Ashen Flame Chaos!!!”
“Final!”
The Sun was torn asunder. Ashen flames shattered, and Yuri ripped them apart. They had held on—or so they thought, but the “shape” of the flames changed.
“What the…!?”
“I thought a part of the Sun God was missing.”
The flames contorted like a Slime Demon, maintaining their intensity as they reshaped into a palm. Whether it was the power of a Heavenly Sage or a reproduction of it, there was no time to judge. Ul immediately unleashed his power.
“Sway!!!”
“You’re not just stealing from the Moon, but part of the Sun as well, thief.”
Heat and pressure. Ul plunged his Spear into the ground to brace against the impact, but a grating sound echoed from the top of his skull to his toes. Amidst the violent impact and roar, it was strange that the Creator’s voice was so clear, but to distract himself, Ul spoke.
“You can’t reclaim the Moon or the Sun. Did you mix in some impurities? Acting on your own.”
“Was that yours…! Then put a proper name on it…!!”
“I have.”
Ul’s eyes widened as the voice suddenly came from behind him. Yuri immediately swung her sword, but before it could reach the God, her own body was engulfed in flames and blocked.
“Gah!?”
“The Ark is my World.”
A god’s arm reached for his heart. Unable to move, with the palm of fire raining down from the sky, Ul had no time to dodge—
“—What?”
As if the Sun suddenly dimmed, the God’s radiant arm was swallowed and devoured by absolute darkness.
“Is this yours?”
Even Israelia, it seemed, was taken by surprise. His eyes snapped open for a moment, then he turned his gaze upward to the source of the dark power and murmured.
“Then, may I have it?”
“…What?”
The Queen of Twilight looked down upon the God of Creation.
