Once Together, forever One.
''Impossible...''
it was the voice of a young lady, she seemed to be talking to herself as she watched the world that she had treasured yet hated so much collapse before her.
''There's no mistake... yatan you crazy ****!! WHAT DID YOU DO !!?''
It was Rebecca, the goddess of light and order.
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''Why...why father...WHYYY''
Baal's screams filled the previously empty space as his demonic energy exploded and was akin to an atomic bomb.
'What the hell?'
Grid who thought he had a chance at fighting Baal now found himself in an even tougher situation.
''You...You're the reason...YOU'RE HIM, THE DAMNED ASCENDER, I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU, DESTROYED YOU!!''
Baal was shouting words that couldn't be understood, be it because of the cracks in his voice or because of the weird words that he used. For the first time, it seemed like Baal's words were sincere, devoid of any trickery or alternative motives.
'This pressure... it's similar to the first time I entered hell as a human... no it's much greater''
The moment grid was about to use his new sword dance, Baal's energy covered the area. the health draining effect caused by the avenger title intensified, it was a sign that the debuffs he should have been suffering from became even harsher.
[Death is coming!]
[Death is coming!]
.
.
.
Every time Baal sent an attack a flashing red notification appeared before his eyes, it was a sign that currently, Baal's status transcended even Grid's status as an absolute.
''How is that crazy b**** doing that? Is it because i am not a true god yet?''
Grid, who noticed that Baal was getting stronger by the second, felt cold sweat covering his body, all thoughts abandoned his mind, right now he had to keep Baal in check as long as possible.
[A myth is the source of miracles, death does not have a direct effect on you]
[You will temporarily lose 10 deity and all resources will be restored]
Nonetheless, it was impossible to do so endlessly, the avenger effect which drained his health did so while considering his max HP and not his current one, as such he could die from its effects.
Baal's demonic energy field started expanding at a fast rate, it was a sign of his power growth but also of the impending disaster that's crawling towards all the corners of the west continent.
Grid's swords which continued to deflect Baal's onslaught slowly weakened as his arms grew numb and his stamina continued to fall relentlessly.
'It ends now...'
He only had 6 deity left, the effect of 'One who became a myth' wouldn't trigger and he would need to log out for 24 hours. However, in the current scenario 72 hours, which would be the time to pass in satisfy once the 24 hours penalty is over in the real world, are a game-changer in the power balance. He knew that it was now or never, he had to pour everything he had, it was reminiscent of his second fight with mir. Grid started by twisting his waist to the extreme to gain momentum and activating ''Storm of the fire god'', although it barely had any effect as Baal shielded himself from the flames by creating a layer of demonic energy around him, the reason he used it was different.
''1,000,000 army... ''
Using shunpo he found a gap in time and rushed towards Baal until he was less than 500m away from him.
''...BREAKTHROUGH!''
A massive sharp storm of sword energy converged towards Baal's neck, sadly, it wasn't enough to decapitate him and only cut through half of it. But grid wasn't disappointed, the main advantage of the skill was the sealing effect and the buff on Grid's next attack.
Grid put his brilliant crescent moon sword back in his inventory as its durability was sharply decreasing due to blocking Baal's attacks, he pulled out a sword that has been hidden from the eyes of the gods for a long time, Hexetia's Short Sword.
'A single strike that deals massive damage, I need that.'
The concept of a single strike was amplified by the power of the strongest sword that exists on pluto right now, a sword of divine origins, a symbol of friendship and respect between a human and a god.
''1,000,000 army massacre sword!''
The swordsmanship of the undefeated king, the most powerful legend who was said to possess the greatest potential out of all human beings. It was flawless swordsmanship that displayed the maximum potential of a single strike, when used in the right combination its might is unmatched.
''AHHHHH''
Baal's neck was torn apart by the aggressive waves of sword energy, however, that is far from enough to kill a being who sits above all demons. Baal's eyes became bloodshot and a book appeared in his hands, it was the book of sloth.
''THE SINFUL'S DEMISE! SLOTH!''
The book of sloth shone brighter than anything in the dark world, a light so bright it would make anything go blind, it was Baal's trump card. Sloth and corruption, the original twin sins, it was true that sloth was destroyed. However, no matter how many times it was destroyed, as long as the book of the original sins could still be used it could be recreated, that is the nature of ''corruption''.
[An unsurmountable curse is invading your soul]
[You feel slothful as your existence slowly withers away]
[The book of the original sins has used its unique authority ''corruption'']
[The curse of sloth has resurfaced and is aimed at you]
[The curse is undeniable]
'WAKE UP!'
Madra's anxious voice resonated in Grid's consciousness, unfortunately, even though he could hear it, he was unable to react in any way.
[The hero king title has detected an anomaly]
[The god of virtue tolerates no sin]
[The heroic and virtuous powers have reacted to fight the sinful nature that has invaded you]
[The hero king title activates!]
[The hero king trials will resume to protect you from the curse by isolating your soul]
'I am sorry Madra...'
'Sigh... you're still alive, you could have said that'
'I am being pulled out, I have betrayed the world's trust...Irene's trust...'
'Why are you acting like you already lost you punk?'
'?'
Grid couldn't understand Madra's optimism, Grid's soul was being pulled out of his body and he couldn't do anything to fight Baal for now, it was one of the worst results.
'You think I would let my disciple down in such a situation?'
'Yes?'
'Let your teacher do the work while you rest, you did a good job.'
'Madra?'
'FINALLY SOME FREEDOM'
[Madra's soul has recovered beyond its prime thanks to your growth and divine power]
[Madra has forcefully assimilated with your body!]
[The stats, level, class, and skills will be adjusted due to Madra's experience and enlightenment]
[The hero king's trials will now resume]
[Good luck]
'WAIT, MADRA!'
However, Grid's voice couldn't reach Madra whose heart was boiling with excitement.
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''Ah... finally some good exercise''
Baal's eyes stared at Grid's body, he had used his ultimate trump card with very limited uses, a trump card prepared for the age of chaos, however, Grid seemed to be completely fine.
''You are not Pagma's successor, who are you?''
Baal's eyes which had regained their usual apathy scanned Grid's body and he swiftly understood what happened, another soul had assimilated with Grid.
''Me? Oh yeah, I guess you weaklings only hear about famous people, how unfortunate.''
''Ho... a sense of humour, huh? let's see for how long that will last''
''HAHAHA , well you seem like a tough nut to crack, it's going to be fun.''
''But you asked who I was right?''
''9th king of Lubana...''
A wide smile covered Grid's face as Madra's sharp eyes met Baal's, an invitation for a challenge while mocking his enemy.
It was the return of the strongest legend, the man who had grown beyond his prime by teaching his disciple, the man who was evaluated by the greatest transcendents, legends, and even by the absolute, as humanity's greatest talent.
''Undefeated king Madra.''