Chapter 266: The King of Madness (5)

The very bottom of the Auterica dimension.

A dimensional garbage dump where the dregs of a world accumulate.

The Abyss.

It was a place that didn't allow any living beings, nor anything with form or individuality.

A true chaos, where time and space, as well as abstract concepts and phenomena, were intermingled and flowed.

But every rule has its exceptions.

Even in such a terrifying space, there was a being that stubbornly retained its existence and presence.

Wriggle—

Something sunk and buried deep within the abyss writhed nervously.

Even while half-assimilated into the environment, its undiminished presence twisted the flow around it, causing the entire space to violently shake.

However, that level of disturbance was commonplace in the Abyss, and it couldn't affect the outside world.

As it always had been.

The being's writhing slowly subsided.

While it reacted instinctively to the unfavorable outcome, it had existed for too long to be swayed by a single event.

Kurur—

Having completely stopped moving, it sank back into silence.

Although its carefully planned scheme had failed, and it had suffered significant erosion due to its impulsive intervention, it wasn't the end.

Failure was commonplace for him.

With plenty of time left, opportunities would surely continue to come. His task was to seize those opportunities when they arrived.

And so, it silently waited.

For the day that would soon come.

The crimson vortex that had enveloped the northwest of Tarak City gradually dissipated.

To be precise, the flow of madness spreading throughout the world remained the same, but its intensity and density decreased, its concentration dropping to the point where it was almost invisible, as it usually was.

'Even if it takes a little longer to complete the madness, this is safer.'

Otherwise, the monsters mesmerized by the flow would wreak havoc on the continent again.

Even now, the situation wasn't ideal.

The time it took from the Revolutionary's awakening attempt to his defeat was only about ten minutes.

He had resolved the situation quickly, so most monsters would have returned to their original places, but many might still be moving due to inertia or have disrupted their habitats.

And the damage would likely fall upon the nearby inhabitants.

'…Still, it's fortunate that it ended this way.'

Considering the recent border control levels, it was manageable before things got worse.

He could safely say he had done his best.

"Ugh— Ow, my insides are all messed up. My body aches too!"

Finally, the storm around them completely disappeared, leaving an eerie silence.

Harly, having returned to his original size, leaned against the giant's disintegrating corpse, stretching his body as if relieving the strain from the sudden influx of power. His eyes were fixed on the system window that appeared before him.

"The entity has met the conditions and will grow. Acquiring the special skill, "Seed of Madness.""

What he had seized was recognized by the system and became a skill.

However, since it was still an incomplete core, it didn't have any particularly special abilities, let alone the level of an Immortal King.

It could mostly draw upon the world's madness at will and serve as a massive energy source.

'No, that's already amazing. And Harly's own level seems to have increased significantly.'

The "Ultimate Evolved Lifeform" was still growing and evolving its body to fully contain that level.

He would have to try it later, but the maximum size during transformation would likely be much larger than before.

And hadn't they directly experienced how much stronger Harly could become with abundant energy?

It was practically like he'd gained a massive energy tank.

Also, the skill might evolve once the seed fully sprouts.

'More importantly… As expected, the so-called power he mentioned isn't there.'

That was a little disappointing.

He thought he might get clues about the uncanny senses of Diana and the Revolutionary.

'I can't seize it this way? I guess it was a power related to the imprisoned god. It's a shame, but… since the Revolutionary is dead, there's no need to worry about it anymore.'

He recalled the god's intervention that Hans had experienced when fighting the Revolutionary at the Abyss's border, and shook his head slightly.

Naturally, releasing the god imprisoned in the Abyss wouldn't be easy.

But having completely ruined that long-planned operation, he probably won't encounter that god again while he's in this world.

"Saint! Are you alright?"

"Ah, I'm fine. All thanks to the Saint's support."

"Long time no see, Harly. I was too busy to greet you earlier. You were at the forefront of the battle. Are you alright?"

"Uhahahaha! Ah, this body is always in top condition! I didn't expect to meet such a guy after coming to meet some friends! Kahahaha!"

As they enjoyed the aftermath of the successful completion of the event, those who sensed the situation's end began to gather.

"Hmm~ You told me to stay back with the children. You enjoyed yourself, High Lord?"

"Hmm, everyone seems safe."

"They are High Bloods after all? Those who showed signs were completely healed after a few beatings. Uhuhu."

So that's why a few looked haggard.

But the lack of casualties was good news.

After all… The difficulties in dealing with the giant were due to its overwhelming size, durability, and regeneration, not because five transcendent-level strong fighters—including the three avatars, the Priestess, and Briki—found it challenging.

They had maintained the upper hand throughout the battle.

Dudududu—

Dagadak dagadak

And those who gathered weren't only the hero party and the High Blood vampires they fought alongside.

From behind them, in the direction of Thalia, numerous people on horseback and in carriages approached in a line.

Heinrich glanced that way, widened his eyes slightly, and stroked his chin.

'Master-level knights and an elite knight order… Sent by the Tulke royal family? And that's… Donovan Cardinal of the Picaol Great Temple? He came in person, bringing Paladins and Archbishops?'

They were reinforcements who had rushed to the scene after hearing about the incident.

The kingdom's elite forces, the owners of this land, as well as the strong from the Picaol Great Temple, which governed the western part of the Ion Continent.

Even Cardinal Donovan, whom he had met during the Holy Sword test, was a high-ranking official of the Great Temple.

He heard he was a Paladin, but he didn't expect him to appear here in person.

'Indeed, they would have been a great help if they had come earlier.'

Of course, it was too late now that the situation was over, but he had promptly sent his avatars, so their dispatch wasn't late.

The battle ended faster than expected thanks to Harly's final performance.

'Still, they'll be helpful now.'

And it was the perfect timing.

Kurururung— Kukung—!

This wasn't over yet.

Heeheeheehing—

Phrurung— Phwik!

"Whoa! Whoa! What is it, suddenly!"

"What? Over there!"

"This, could it be…!"

Those who were approaching to greet them grabbed their reins tensely.

Horses panicked and ran amok, and people tried to calm them down.

Everyone's gaze turned to the source of the sudden abnormality.

Kugugung— Zzzzt—!

There was no need to look for the source.

The sound of space tearing apart and the visual effect made it impossible to ignore.

A short distance from where the giant had fallen.

The space in the air was cracked like broken glass.

Dark clouds gathered instantly and covered the sky.

Then, along with a deafening roar, black lightning struck.

A chilling wind enveloped the area, and frost fell, out of season.

"Dismount! Form ranks!"

"Holy Knights forward!"

"Oh Lord! Grant your grace upon your children…"

The nearby troops immediately prepared for battle, raising their spirits.

The reaction was the same for those who had finished fighting the giant.

At the center of the sudden anomaly.

The space was cracked in all directions, like broken glass.

Pazzik— Pachwang—!

As it shattered spectacularly.

Dark magic filled the air.

And from within, he revealed himself.

[Kukukuk, long time no see. Knight of Light, Heinrich Saint Landgard.]

The absolute evil, incomparably greater than the fallen giant, the true mastermind who sought to destroy this world.

The continent's terror, humanity's despair, the incarnation of death that crawled out of the abyss.

"…Immortal King, Hannibal Strauss…!"

The Immortal King had descended upon this place.

With countless undead behind him, exuding a sinister aura.

The founder and leader of the Reverse Heaven's Covenant, the Revolutionary.

He was the mastermind who hid in Auterica's darkness, manipulating the world, a heretic who dreamed of reviving the evil god imprisoned in the abyss, and a gigantic giant who displayed tremendous might against numerous strong individuals.

Except for Hans, the Immortal King who was merely an antagonist, he was the true final boss of this world…

'It's good if things go smoothly.'

The end that awaited such a being was almost ridiculously anticlimactic.

The giant, who had seemed ominous, as if he would do something at the last moment.

But before he could do anything, Harly crushed his skull.

He was stripped of the Seed of Madness and pathetically exited the stage.

And that was it.

Even from the perspective of someone continuously crafting the scenario, his careless ending was frustrating.

If you lay a plot line, you have to resolve it. If you show something meaningful, you need to show a corresponding result.

It was a serious lack of professionalism.

'These days, the masterminds lack grit.'

Of course, that was a joke.

But despite his anticlimactic end, he was a very attractive character.

He was the host of madness, the decisive factor that brought chaos to this world, a monster who faced and stood against numerous transcendent-level strong individuals, including the heroes.

Naturally, it would be a shame to end him so vaguely.

So he prepared.

[Ah— Indeed, quite impressive. This is a gift prepared with great care.]

The final show that would perfectly craft the pitiful giant's role.

"As expected, it was your doing, Immortal King!"

[I have to return what I received. It's a shame. I thought I could wipe out a country with it.]

The giant's role was a secret weapon sent by the Immortal King.

A mid-boss.

[Hero, Knight of Light. I still haven't forgotten. In the south, the moment you plunged that cursed holy sword into my heart.]

"So you're going to say it's revenge?"

[Khukhukh— Of course not. I'm just delighted. That my opponent can make me so happy.]

And from this encounter, the scenario continues.

[You know, hero? It's almost a year since that day.]

"…What are you trying to say?"

[Ah— Nothing much. Just…]

The beginning of the final act of "Home Theater: Demon Lord and Hero."

[I'm just getting a little bored waiting.]

To make the story richer.