Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Light erupted from Ataraxia.
Shirone couldn’t control the output. As the distance increased, the light spread, filling the Great Battlefield with brilliance.
Baalv flailed his dozens of limbs as he crawled on the ground, but he was soon swept away by the light and vanished.
Objects in the path of the light were swept aside. It was as if even space itself was being pushed away.
Whoooooosh!
At the edge of the battlefield, the Great Battlefield’s massive do barrier exploded, and two beams of light of unimaginable size split the sky.
"Huff... Huff..."
Shirone knelt, gasping for breath. Seeing the scene before him, his legs gave out.
Half of the Great Battlefield had been blown away. Even he couldn’t believe the result of his own actions.
What had Ikael been thinking when she engraved this into his mind?
The only thing left in Shirone’s vision was Kariel.
Behind her, the sky was visible, and the ground was carved into a massive Y-shape.
Above Kariel’s head, a halo spun at an incredible speed.
Life... Extraction Progress... 99... Percent.
Shirone hurriedly looked back.
Amy was desperately trying to tear off the panel stuck to her forehead. But no matter how hard she scratched, even drawing blood, it showed no signs of coming off.
Just as despair was about to consu her, a voice rang out.
Transmission canceled. Life... Extraction... Stopped.
The panel embedded in Amy’s forehead slid out and disintegrated into particles smaller than dust.
Shirone let out a sigh of relief and turned to Kariel.
The archangel’s face was twisted in fury. Though there was a ti lag in the announcent, it was clear she had regained her strength the mont Ataraxia activated.
For Kariel, it had been an unavoidable choice.
Even if she had continued the Life Extraction, the result would have been the sa. The amplification power of Ataraxia was beyond anything that could be blocked while her spirit was consud by the Life Extraction.
Kariel spread her massive golden wings and soared into the air.
Kariel: "Do you understand now, foolish human? This is the Life Extraction. Even I, an archangel, must abandon everything and focus entirely to create life!"
Kariel looked down at the devastated Great Battlefield.
This was just a spell cast by a re brat. And yet, it had this much destructive power.
Why should such power be given to humans?
Humans couldn’t control themselves. Even the most virtuous would succumb to the temptation of power.
That boy would try to beco a king. He would rule the world with the power of an angel and indulge in all kinds of pleasures.
’That might not be so bad.’
Maybe it would be better to send him back as he is.
Then the final war wouldn’t be necessary, and the human world would self-destruct.
But that wasn’t possible. Ikael couldn’t possibly be unaware of what she was thinking.
So why? Had she truly gone mad?
How could she, in her right mind, think of passing an angel’s judicial power to a human?
’Does she believe in him that much? That boy?’
What had Ikael seen in that human?
Of course, she acknowledged his talent. No one without talent could wield an angel’s judicial power.
But that alone wasn’t enough. There was clearly sothing she didn’t know.
If so, she had to capture him now. If she let him go, a powerful weapon that could threaten heaven would fall into human hands.
Kariel: "Don’t beg for rcy anymore."
Kariel declared war, but Shirone and his group had no ti to listen, busy figuring out how to escape.
Arin brought Canis, and Amy protected Peope.
Tess ran to get Rian, but Ymir was still guarding him.
They couldn’t rest forever. Shirone was preparing sothing, so they had to buy ti with Canis.
At that mont, Peope looked outside and shouted.
Peope: "Th-that!"
Rian turned around and saw Ymir, the King of Giants, charging toward them with eyes burning in rage. It was clear he was targeting Shirone, who had humiliated him.
Dragging his broken body, Rian tackled Ymir with all his might, causing the giant to stagger to the side. Rian rolled on the ground, grabbed his greatsword, and blocked the path to Shirone.
’What’s going on? Why?’
He had thrown himself into the fight without hesitation, but he hadn’t expected Ymir to be pushed back. It felt like Ymir’s strength had weakened compared to before.
Ymir brushed off his knees and stood up.
Ymir: "This is the third ti now. But this won’t be as fun as before."
Rian: "I am Shirone’s sword. You won’t get past until I’m dead."
Thanks to Arin’s telepathy, they could now understand each other. But Ymir only frowned in disappointnt.
Ymir: "You’re wrong. Strength doesn’t exist to protect sothing. The essence of power is destruction. If you can’t understand that, you’ll never stop ."
Ymir moved like the wind. His raw strength had diminished, but his agility seed to have increased.
A barrage of blows rained down on Rian’s body. Rian, already broken beyond repair, couldn’t even counterattack.
But he was satisfied. As long as he was alive, Ymir wouldn’t be able to reach Shirone.
’Hold on. Just a little longer, and I can die in peace.’
Ymir’s eyes began to glow red. No matter how much he pounded Rian, the boy wouldn’t fall. Even after destroying everything in sight, Rian stood as if there was still sothing left.
Tess: "Rian! Rian! Stop it, you idiot!"
Tess shouted, her face drenched in tears.
Tess: "Please, stop hitting him! He’s going to die!"
Ymir’s attacks didn’t stop. This wasn’t the usual frenzy of battle—it was sothing far more insane.
The clash of life against life resonated through their very skin.
This was fun. This human was truly entertaining.
Ymir: "Magnificent! Destroying you is my purpose!"
Rian’s body made a tearing sound as it shook.
Tess closed her eyes. But she could still see it. She could feel Rian dying through all her senses.
She scread at Kariel through her tears.
Tess: "Fine! I’ll give birth! I’ll give birth to as many Nephilim as you want, so please, stop!"
Kariel remained unmoved.
Kariel: "Giving birth to Nephilim is expected. And Ymir isn’t under my control."
Life Extraction Progress: 96%.
Ymir stopped his attacks and caught his breath. This was shocking. What was this human made of?
He was dead. No, he should be dead.
There was no sign of life in the way he stood, unable to even raise his guard.
Yet, he still held his greatsword.
How? Ymir had crushed all the muscles in Rian’s right arm. It was impossible to hold iron with just the strength of ligants.
*’No, he’s just a corpse. He’s frozen in place
Ymir, who had been indifferently staring at Tess’s murderous gaze, turned his attention to Rian, who was kneeling on the ground.
Rian’s face, tilted upward toward the ceiling, no longer looked like that of a living person.
His right hand was nothing but bone, yet he still gripped his greatsword.
This was the terrifying power of the Divine Transcendence, where the mind and body had beco one.
Ymir spoke, his voice calm but mocking.
Ymir: "One win, one draw, one loss. Shall we call it a tie for today?"
Rian remained silent, his body trembling but unyielding.
Ymir chuckled darkly.
Ymir: "Heh, you’re so weak. If you were fighting my true self, not even your bones would remain."
Ymir picked up his severed right arm. He shoved it into Rian’s mouth, and it dissolved into a black liquid, flowing down his throat.
Ymir: "Take him. And cherish him. If he survives, he might just save humanity. If that happens, it’ll make for an interesting war."
As Ymir tossed Rian, who slid across the ground, Tess hurriedly caught him.
Tears welled up in her eyes when she saw his arm, now reduced to bone, but she knew they had to get ho to treat him.
A drone flew over and attached a gauntlet to Tess’s arm.
She glared at Ymir one last ti before turning and running toward Arin.
Ymir, whose legs were beginning to lt, smiled warmly.
He hoped Rian would survive. Humanity needed to grow stronger. Strong enough to resurrect the King of Giants.
It was his destiny to destroy the stronger humans.
Ymir thought to himself:
Ymir: ’The day will co when we fight again. Until then, I’ll just sleep.’
Ymir dissolved into a black liquid. There was no longer any "part" of him left in heaven. He would sleep eternally in the ice that never lted, waiting for the final war that would one day co.
Arin’s voice echoed in Shirone’s mind.
Arin: "Shirone, I’m ready!"
Shirone wanted to escape imdiately, but the ta Gate would only activate for 30 seconds. Timing their escape would determine life or death.
Shirone knew it was impossible for everyone to escape while Kariel was in perfect condition.
The only way was for at least one person to stay behind and buy ti for the others to flee.
Shirone replied firmly.
Shirone: "Arin. Open the ta Gate now. And get out of here no matter what."
Arin protested, her voice trembling.
Arin: "What about you?"
Shirone: "I’ll hold off Kariel. If I can delay her for even a second, that’ll be enough for you to escape."
Arin: "But Shirone! None of us can do sothing like that...!"
Shirone: "Please. Make sure Amy gets ho safely."
He was asking her to keep it a secret. If Amy found out Shirone was staying behind, she would never leave.
Arin couldn’t refuse Shirone’s request. Soone had to survive, even if it ant soone else had to sacrifice themselves.
Just like Canis, just like Rian, Shirone had made his choice to save those he cared about.
Arin finally relented, her voice heavy with emotion.
Arin: "Alright, Shirone. Give the signal when you’re ready."
Shirone prepared himself ntally.
What would happen to him? His friends wouldn’t co back to heaven to save soone whose fate was unknown.
If he died imdiately, it would be fine. But if Kariel captured him, he might be subjected to all kinds of experints.
He was scared.
He would be left alone after everyone else had gone.
Shirone thought to himself, regret filling his heart.
Shirone: ’I’m sorry, Principal. You were right.’
A bitter smile ford on Shirone’s lips. But soon, his gaze turned sharp as he glared at Kariel.
He had to charge. It took one second to open the ta Gate and enter. All he needed was to distract Kariel for that one second.
By now, Arin must have explained the plan to the others. They would never dream that he was staying behind.
Shirone took a deep breath.
It was ti to say goodbye.
Shirone shouted in his mind.
Shirone: "Arin! Now!"
As Arin opened the ta Gate, Shirone charged at Kariel.
Amy turned around in shock.
Amy: ’Why? Shirone?’
This wasn’t the plan they had discussed. They had agreed to throw themselves in simultaneously and leave the outco to fate, hadn’t they?
Seeing Arin’s sad expression, Amy instantly understood what was happening. Tears stread down her face as she reached out.
Amy: "No! Shiro...!"
Arin grabbed Amy by the waist and jumped into the ta Gate’s portal. Tess, holding Canis and Rian, also leaped into the portal, closing her eyes tightly.
Tess thought to herself, her heart heavy.
Tess: ’Shirone, please... let us see you again.’
Shirone tilted his head back, catching his tears in his eyes. His expression was a mix of joy and sorrow.
It was a relief that Kariel wasn’t paying attention to his friends. Perhaps she had been targeting him from the beginning. If so, it was better this way.
If it ant saving his friends, he was willing to be captured.
Peope’s voice suddenly echoed in Shirone’s mind.
Peope: "Don’t do it, Shirone."
A sudden telepathic ssage made him turn his head. Peope was flying beside him, smiling.
Shirone replied, confused.
Shirone: "Peope, why are you still here?"
Peope’s thoughts quickly infiltrated his mind.
Peope: "Humans are such strange creatures. You choose your own lives. And for that, you’re even willing to accept death."
Shirone: "What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Shirone felt uneasy. Sothing was happening that he didn’t understand.
It was entirely possible. Maybe the reason Arin had agreed to the plan was...
Shirone thought to himself, panic rising.
Shirone: ’No, that can’t be. It shouldn’t be.’
This little fairy had helped them. Even if she was left alone in heaven, the reason he didn’t feel like he had fallen into despair was because Peope would still be by his side.
Peope continued, her voice soft but resolute.
Peope: "Annihilation is a scary thing. But watching you, I thought to myself. Humans who can give up their lives for the ones they love. I find that truly admirable."
Shirone: "Peope, no."
Peope: "Go back to your friends. And..."
Tears welled up in Peope’s eyes.
Peope: "I love you, Shirone."
Peope cut off the telepathic link and rushed at Kariel.
Shirone stared blankly as she flew away. A mont later, his legs stopped moving against his will, and his body turned toward the ta Gate.
Shirone: "Ugh! Hic!"
Shirone ran toward the ta Gate. Tears blurred his vision, and he couldn’t see anything.
The world seed to blur, as if subrged in water. In the face of this miraculous opportunity, he felt utterly weak.
He could go back. Return to his original world and reunite with everyone.
Shirone thought to himself, his heart aching.
Shirone: ’Mom, Dad, I’m coming ho. I’ll definitely co back...’
Shirone stopped in his tracks. Conflicting emotions battled within him, but the thought that surfaced in his mind was a promise he had made with Peope.
Shirone: "If I get captured, will you co save ? I an... if we’re friends."
Peope: "Of course."
Shirone: "Of course... Peope."
Shirone clenched his fists, choking back tears. Then, with the last of his ntal strength, he activated teleportation.
Her words of love echoed in his mind like an auditory hallucination.
To a one-year-old fairy, love was such a vast concept. Not the love between a man and a woman, nor the love between friends or parents, but a unique kind of love.
Peope was a fairy with a pure and clear soul.
Leaving such a friend behind and returning ho was a pain harder to bear than death.
Shirone scread in his mind.
Shirone: ’Peope! Please! Please wait!’
Peope, facing death, was terrified. Was this annihilation? Everything was frightening and unfamiliar.
With each passing mont, an unknown world unfolded, and her emotions swung between extres.
Had she made the right choice? Were the words she had said to Arin truly sincere?
Peope thought to herself, her voice trembling.
Peope: "I’m Peope. If soone has to stay, let everyone else leave. I’ll hold off Kariel."
Arin: "But... what about you?"
Peope: "I can’t leave heaven anyway. Besides, this is sothing I, as a fairy of the spiral, must do."
Peope forced a smile.
Peope: ’It’s okay. I’m the Spiral Fairy. No matter how much I’m shaken, I’ll keep moving forward.’
She would never see Igrin again, who had finally acknowledged her worth, but she was satisfied to have realized it at the end of her life.
The Art of Tales wasn’t what was great. What was truly great was the human willingness to sacrifice themselves for it.
It was a relief that Shirone would live.
Kariel sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
Kariel: "You’re a cheeky little fairy."
Kariel snorted and reached out his hand. With his power, he could annihilate a fairy in an instant.
Peope, sensing death, pouted her lips. She finally burst into tears.
But she didn’t back down. She stretched out both hands and poured all her strength into a spiral attack.
Shirone scread, his voice desperate.
Shirone: "Peope! Stop!"
At the unexpected sound of Shirone’s voice, Peope turned around. In that mont, Kariel brushed past her. The angel’s slender hand reached for Shirone’s neck.
Kariel thought to himself, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Kariel: ’I won’t miss. You’re mine!’
He would study him. No matter how cruel the thods, he would dissect the chanism of Ataraxia and make it his own.
Kaaang!
At that mont, a purple greatsword lodged itself between Kariel’s fingers. A black-haired man had appeared in front of Shirone.
It was Ashur, the Triangular Mara under Ikael.
Kariel growled, his voice filled with rage.
Kariel: "Ashur... Are you going to stand in my way too?"
Ashur replied calmly, his voice steady.
Ashur: "A ssage from Lady Ikael."
Anger flashed in Kariel’s eyes.
How dare a re Triangular Mara deliver a ssage to him? Did they still think Ikael ruled heaven?
Of course, there was a ti when he had respected Ikael. But she had committed an unforgivable act.
Kariel sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Kariel: "A disgrace to heaven dares to send a ssage?"
Ashur shot back, his tone sharp.
Ashur: "Choose your words carefully."
Kariel: "It’s not wrong. A noble angel who rose to the rank of Archangel, sowing the seed of a re human..."
Ashur interrupted, his voice rising in anger.
Ashur: "Ka-ri-el!"
Ashur’s eyes widened like a demon’s.
Ashur: "I said it was a ssage from Lady Ikael."
Kariel fell silent. It was Ikael’s ssage.
Ashur: "If you harm this boy, she will never regard you with goodwill again."
Kariel’s nose twitched. He couldn’t understand her psychology at all.
Ikael had beco ugly. She had fallen.
But he had still thought of her as Ikael. It was his last regret for the angel he had once admired.
And now, she had stabbed him in the back.
Why would an angel who had risen to the rank of Archangel go to such lengths for a re human?
Kariel had no choice but to maintain his pride through silence. Ashur then turned to Shirone and said, his voice firm.
Ashur: "Go. Peope will be safe. I swear on Lady Ikael’s na."
Shirone, who had exhausted all his ntal energy through teleportation, couldn’t move. But as Ashur’s words reached him, a faint smile appeared.
He could trust Ikael. She was the one who had given him everything.
Peope called out, her voice filled with love and determination.
Peope: "Goodbye, Shirone."
Peope, activating her spiral power, sent Shirone flying into the ta Gate. And those were the last words Shirone heard in heaven.
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