Chapter 158: Envy Once More
"Raaaa!"
"Haaa!"
The sounds of groans and yells echoed in the city of Kutha as Zenkichi and the group worked their way straight towards the center of the plaza.
Taking care of the undead and skeletons weren't a problem, it was their vast number of undead pouring in from every direction began to feel overwhelming, but Zenkichi pressed on, plowing through them with renewed vigor.
His punch had not only shattered the massive structure but also cleared a swath of enemies in its wake, making a temporary path for the group to push forward.
"Everyone. Keep your ears guarded." Zenkichi warned them as he let out a deep breath, feeling his mind being clouded by dark thoughts.
Clenching his claws and gritting his teeth, he threw his head back and let out a beastly roar.
"Haaaaaa!"
[Warrior's War Cry Activated — 100% increased of physical and mental strength]
As Zenkichi's primal roar echoed through the fog-filled air, the dark energy swirling around him intensified. His Warrior's War Cry reverberated across the battlefield, his muscles bulged, and the already impressive claws on his hands gleamed with a dangerous edge.
'We're close! If I wasn't worried about exhausting all of my energies before confronting Envy, I would've just used either of my Demonic Power or Divinity. Or better yet, I would've used Devour to consume these guys.' Zenkichi's thoughts raced as he sliced through the undead.
But he controlled himself. Both his Demonic Power and Divinity was saved for Envy. Moreover, he knew that Envy knew about his Gluttony Authority, and she's quite intelligent considering that she overthrew Ereshkigal within like a few days or so since she appeared in this world.
'I'm sure she might've left some nasty surprise in one of these undead when I Devour them,' Zenkichi's mind raced as he slashed through another wave of undead, his claws cutting through them like butter.
His frustration simmered beneath the surface as he used Covetous Grasp to bring several crumbling structures around them towards him, their massive forms hurtling through the hordes of undead like battering rams. The stone and debris smashed through the skeletal and undead army, creating a path, but the enemies kept coming like a flowing river.
Just then, several gigantic bird-like cages shot up from the ground, shimmering with an eerie golden glow as they encased the approaching undead. The skeletal warriors clattered against the bars, their attempts to break free futile as the cages tightened around them, crushing their bodies with a sickening crunch.
Ereshkigal let out a breath, then glanced at Zenkichi with concern and intrigue. Pursing her lips, she couldn't help but question the source of his newfound power. "That authority... it's not just similar to Greed, it is Greed. What are you, really, Zenkichi?"
Zenkichi, still grinning from the rush of his attack, glanced back at her. "Guess I'll explain later when we're not knee-deep in skeletons."
Gudako, not missing a beat, shouted out, "Zenkichi! Don't overuse that power. I don't know much about it, but if it came from those Ancient Monsters like Wrath then I can already guess the consequences."
Zenkichi grunted, "Don't worry about me. I have it handled."
"Zenkichi—"
"We're wasting time." Zenkichi cut her off, without any hesitation, he scooped Gudako into a princess carry that made her let out a yelp. "Ereshkigal, can you keep up?"
"Hmph! Who do you think you're talking to? Being so close to my domain, I'm returning to my peak," Ereshkigal snapped, a confident smirk spreading across her face as golden energy surged around her.
Her spear glowed with renewed vigor, and she flicked it toward the oncoming undead horde. "Don't slow me down."
"Good," Zenkichi muttered, glancing forward. "Let's wrap this up fast."
Mash, still standing guard with her shield raised, glanced over her shoulder at the others. "Senpai, Zenkichi, Ereshkigal—I'll protect the rear. But be careful!"
Brunhilde held the daggers in between her fingers before firing them
Zenkichi smirked, tightening his hold on Gudako, careful not to pierce her with his claws. "Yeah, let's go!"
It took them approximately 10 minutes to reach the plaza.
"So what do we do now?" Gudako asked as Zenkichi put her down, his monster transformation becoming undone. "Do we just guard you as you create some sort of magical circle or—?"
"Hang on to each other," Ereshkigal said firmly as she twirled her twisted spear in the air, the movement leaving golden arcs of light in its wake. The ground beneath them began to tremble, responding to her command.
The earth beneath their feet split apart with a deafening rumble, jagged cracks forming beneath their feet as the plaza shifted and twisted. From the depths of the ground, a massive chasm opened, glowing with an eerie golden light that pulsed with the rhythm of the underworld's dark energy.
Caught off guard, Zenkichi and the others plummeted into the glowing chasm, their surroundings swallowed by the thick, pulsating golden light.
The sensation of free-fall was disorienting as the darkness of the underworld rushed up to meet them.
"Master, everyone! Hold on!" Mash shouted, as they fell, she brought her shield beneath—just in time to project a protective barrier around them, slowing their descent before they crashed into the ground
The air around them grew thick and heavy, the oppressive weight of countless souls pressing in as they fell deeper into the heart of the underworld before inevitably crashing into the ground.
"Everyone okay?" Zenkichi asked, completely unharmed, as he stood up from the crater and offered a hand to Brunhilde.
"Ugh...Yeah, we're okay! I think...." Gudako responded as Mash helped her to her feet.
Zenkichi nodded at her before turning towards Ereshkigal, who was patting down her dress. "You could've given us a head's up, y'know."
Ereshkigal laughed guiltily as she scratched her cheek. "My bad. W-Well, I believed in your capabilities to handle falling into the Underworld."
"Yeah, well, a little warning would've been nice." Gudako huffed, brushing some dirt off her uniform as she shot a mock glare at Ereshkigal. "I expected a little bit of extravagance, maybe a set of stairs, but not falling into hell."
"Underworld." Brunhilde remarked, a look of amusement in her eyes.
"Tomato, tomato."
"Where are we going to find Envy?" Mash asked.
Zenkichi smiled and ruffled her hair, "We don't have to find her..."
There was a sudden harsh breeze that swept through the underground, carrying with it an oppressive weight that made the hairs on the back of everyone's neck stand up.
The eerie golden glow of the chasm dimmed, casting long shadows that danced ominously along the cracked walls. The shadows gave off an eerie purplish hue, twisting unnaturally along the ground as if they had a life of their own.
The temperature plummeted, and the oppressive weight of malice filled the air, making it hard to breathe.
Zenkichi's smile faded as he glanced around. "She's already found us."
As the purplish shadows grew darker, they seemed to converge at a single point. From within, a figure slowly materialized—Envy, her silhouette outlined by the swirling darkness. Her piercing purple eyes glowed faintly, filled with an unhinged madness that sent chills down everyone's spine.
A soft, echoing laugh escaped her lips as her long, silver hair flowed around her like a cloak, her pointy elf hair twitching hypnotically. "Ah...it's so good to see you both again," she said, her voice honeyed with sinister intent. "And you brought guests, how delightful. Well, they can be the side dishes."
"She's beautiful..." Mash muttered in shock as she stepped forward and took up a defensive stance.
"So that's Envy?" Gudako mumbled with narrowed eyes. "....Why does she look familiar?"
Brunhilde noticed Envy's ears and brought out Járngreipr, the daggers by her hips floated around her. "An Álfar? Well, this is going to be troublesome. Zenkichi, why didn't you tell me we were dealing with an Álfar?"
"A what?" Zenkichi raised an eyebrow and brought out Gae Bolg.
"Álfar, or Elf in modern terms."
He shrugged and said, "I didn't think I had to. She isn't like most elves that use bows and arrows, and wielding nature magic or something. She uses some dark magic alongside with her Authority of Envy plus some of Ereshkigal's."
Envy tilted her head, her piercing gaze sweeping over Gudako, Mash, and Brunhilde. Her smile widened, and her eerie, glowing purple eyes sparkled with twisted delight. "Ah, aren't they adorable? Although they aren't as beautiful as I am, their respective beauties...haa..."
Her entire expression quickly turned hostile, dark-purple shadowy marks appeared on her face.
"It's just so envious....!"
The entire Underworld trembled.
The ground beneath Zenkichi and the others trembled violently as Envy's envious rage manifested, her entire form radiating with dark, sinister energy. The shadowy marks on her face seemed to writhe and pulse, growing darker and more pronounced as the Underworld itself responded to her fury.
"It's just so envious!" Envy screeched, her voice distorting as her power surged. "All of your beauty, your strength, your freedom!! It's just not fair!"
The ground cracked, and from the abyss, countless figures began to emerge—spectral apparitions, undead, and magical beasts; malformed and twisted by Envy's Authority.
Their glowing golden eyes gleamed as they laid their eyes upon Zenkichi and the others.
"....I don't think she was this unhinged," Ereshkigal said as she prepared herself.
Zenkichi sighed and cracked his neck, twisting the blood-red spear as the first wave of grotesque figures approached. "Here we go..."
"Everyone, stay sharp!"
...
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