Right before the protocols were lifted.South East of the Forgotten Continent, deep under Mt. Empyrean.Mount Empyrean was the second tallest mountain on the continent, surpassed only by the Black Mountain on the North.However, Mount Empyrean was part of a long mountain range that had a frighteningly dangerous environment.At least a fifth of the East-Southern region of the continent was desolate and large uninhabited by sentient beings like humans.The whole region was called the ‘Blasting Wildlands’ and Mount Empyrean was at the deepest parts. It was also rumoured to be the lair of the Black Earth Wyrm, Garag.Five kilometers under Mount Empyrean, there was a highly-advanced facility that was known to none, or at least supposed to be.The facility itself was just a cubic room with illusory screens that displayed real-time events occurring all over the continent.This was the operating room and the home of the System Administrator in charge of the world ‘Astria’.The Administrator w
Time loops were fictional troupes used in movies and stories, but Leiu wasn’t that surprised to see himself stuck in one. He was in another world and after all that happened, it was logical to come up with such a conclusion.The malfunctioning System was still an inexplicable and odd occurrence, suspected to have been caused by Gluttony or the being hidden underneath it, but Leiu had a strong hunch that the time-loop was the doing of Gluttony rather than outside force.As one of the Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony had lived for millions of years and devoured innumerable things. It would make a bit of sense for it to be able to do something such as this, ridiculous as it might sound.Furthermore, Leiu did find it strange that Gluttony easily succumbed during the previous runs. After all, even if it was trapped and weakened, it was still a frighteningly powerful being.Leiu took some time to re-organize thoughts while Vincent was taking the lead and eliminating the handful of black shades t
Fifth Run Leiu felt chills run down his spines as vivid images of his suicide flashed in his mind. He composed himself and took a deep breath as he re-experience, yet again, the same Deja-vu sensation. Even if he had stood a chance against that abomination, he couldn’t bring himself to continue after Fairti’s death. Whether it was Fairti Gicolt, or Seo Ae-Ri, the two were Leiu’s companions and people whom he considered friends. Seo Ae-Ri had started out as an enemy of his, but things had drastically changed. The three had been through so much together; Whether it was their brief sojourn in the Ya’jna Elven Forest, the Harrowing, the Pixie Kingdom, or in this desolate wasteland. Fairti, especially, had accompanied Leiu from the beginning. They had met coincidentally, and their bond deepened and blossomed into a companionship that Leiu treasured more than anything. Leiu had yet to find his sister and strongly suspected she had died. Furthermore, due to his unsocial nature, he neve
Seo Ae-Ri leapt in the air and spun horizontally with the daggers in her hand; Dense fog enveloped her as she became a large tornado that crashed into the ungodly abomination. Unlike her black thunder, the enemy wasn’t able to replicate her fog, which allowed her to launch an onslaught. The Dark Knight, using [Into The Abyss] appeared behind the relatively tiny head of the abomination, piercing it with the greatsword and pulverising it in the process. Gluttony and Fairti were the last to attack as the former’s golden fier and the latter’s sinister and unique flames fused together and transformed into a swirling fiery blast that struck the Void Lord. The abomination was blown in the air before crashing to the ground, more than half of its body and gone. It tried to regenerate but Leiu was already upon it, using [Her Last Vow]. The green mist of harrowing concentrated around Orenmir’s edge before bursting forth into an unstoppable wave of energy that ravaged the ground and enveloped
“Now hold on just a second!”The Minstrel of Ages, granted numerous titles by Gods and Devil, raised his hands in surrender and backed against the wall.“I’m not an enemy! I swear! Don’t attack!”Seeing the cold and murderous intent flashing across the Dark Knight’s eyes, Aerin immediately voiced his surrender. However, that wasn’t enough to remove any and all suspicions, especially with Seo Ae-Ri and Fairti missing.“Your two friends have been kidnapped. It happened just a couple of seconds ago, right before you woke up!”“You could be the perpetrator.” Retorted Leiu as he approached the troubadour with Orenmir raised and ready to strike.“I’m not! Because I’ll be taking you to them. I’m like a guide.”“...”“Really! Can you put your weapon down, at least? I’ve never liked Primordial Darkness.” He paused for a couple of breaths as he comically pondered, “Primordial Light sucks too, come to think of it. Basically, everything is shitty.”With the large and thick greatsword inching clos
Sanford’s face was distorted, barely resembling a human anymore. It was apparent that he had been corrupted by the Void, so much so that his entire body oozed a sinister and chilling aura. It was unlike the cold and comfortable Darkness Leiu has been used to… no, it was on a whole other level.* Even the ungodly abomination he had fought less than a day ago wasn’t like this. Sanford was far too gone, his body and soul twisted and transformed into something hideous and inhumane. He kept cackling like a crazy person, the ominous grimoire in his hands opening on its own and flipping the pages continuously. The chains around Orenmir shot toward the fallen Holy Knight, but they were deflected by the Void. The Dark Knight snorted and kicked the ground, swinging his greatsword and using [Heaven Break]. Unlike the past, where the integrated skill of the enchanted weapon would absorb all nearby energies, [Heaven Break] only made use of the Darkness around Leiu. A mass of raging Darkness
‘If you can survive for a bit more, I think I can get you out of here.’ The translucent body of Tenebris, the First Dark Knight, was in Leiu’s distorted view. Unlike their nocturnal meeting, they were talking in reality, which was probably due to the abundance of Darkness energy in the Blackened Plateau. Upon seeing the pale-faced and bleeding youth give him a deadpan expression that, albeit hard to read, clearly depicted his unwillingness to leave, Tenebris sighed. Tenebris, unseen by the Gods and Light Spirits, walked to the nearby edge of the plateau and focused his gaze. After a couple of breaths, he said, ‘He’s running away after your comrades, yes. He’s also getting stronger because of the Void… probably will get possessed soon.’ Leiu muttered a couple of words under his rugged breath, to which Tenebris first frowned before nodding. ‘I can give you only one chance.’ With stiff and slow movements, Leiu got to his feet. His legs were shaking from pain and his back was hunchi
The hammer, enveloped by crackling and deafening thunder, was unstoppable and like the bellring of Death for Leiu. At the very last second, just before it hit him, he used [False Human]. His body transformed into a sticky black liquid that was impervious to all magical and physical damage. Hercules’ hammer smashed onto the liquid, cracking the ground and shaking the plateau, which was on the verge breaking apart. After a couple of seconds, and a momentary surprise, Hercules lifted his hammer and stared at the liquid. Leiu’s body returned again, just as injured and close to death. “I smell the scent of Aborak. Hah! You’ve really gathered all the malice that exists in this world.” While the Gods and Light Spirits were staring with disgust and contempt at the dying Dark Night, the Light Mother’s frown deepened. “His soul… is different.” She muttered, her lips quivering ever-so-slightly. Noticing her perturbed tone and odd complexion, the closest to her, Valocan, unleashed his Divi