Chapter 155

‘She’s finally starting to get serious…’

Among the enemies Taewoon had faced before, Kalliedu had shown the most inhuman power, but the current Kaira possessed a majesty that would make Kalliedu seem like a mere lamp before the sun.

A Level 7-rank foe—and one whose true extent was unknown.

Now, simply facing her power head-on made him feel a heat so intense it felt as if his skin were scorching, and the density of her overwhelming Magical Power was so great that he didn’t even dare imagine trying to match it.

“It is about time… we brought this to a conclusion.”

As Kaira raised the sword in her hand toward the sky, spheres of light containing immense heat began to fall one after another, targeting Taewoon and his party, who were scattered across the area.

Cherish and Dominico each drew upon their power to counter them, but the spheres of light swallowed their attacks with ease. A scene resembling the end of the world began to unfold before the eyes of Taewoon’s party.

‘Simply clashing head-on won’t work! I have to accurately grasp the flow of power!’

Taewoon released crimson mist in all directions and activated Thousand-League Perception with maximum concentration, carefully reading the flow of Magical Power contained within the spheres of light.

The power granted by his second Apostle Transformation expanded Taewoon’s vision, allowing him to perceive the surrounding forces more precisely than ever before. Finally capturing the necessary sensation, Taewoon swung his spear in a circle, creating a massive torrent of Magical Power.

‘I can’t deflect them all… but a portion of them!’

The torrent Taewoon created repeatedly collided with the blazing spheres of light, and the densely packed Magical Power began to scatter in all directions, embroidering the sky in chaos.

“Now!”

At Taewoon’s shout, Dominico and Cherish, who had gathered behind him, focused their strength to block as many of the exploding spheres as possible. Seoyoon also sliced through one sphere, once again seeking a gap to create a breakthrough.

In Yerin’s case, she blocked the attacks with the help of the remaining Creatures, but as a result, most of the liquid spider’s body evaporated, leaving it incapacitated.

A single attack. Yet, Taewoon’s party had to exert all their strength just to withstand it.

To make matters worse, Kaira had not been idling in the meantime.

“It seems this will not drag on for very long. Now, shall we see if you can block this as well?”

As Kaira dropped the sword she held to the ground, a circular Bounded Field expanded, enveloping Taewoon’s party, and the interior was soon covered in fierce flames.

‘I’ve never tried it before… but if it’s now, it’s possible!’

Just as the party was becoming distressed, the crimson mist Taewoon had released pierced through the rising flames and began to envelop everyone.

Immediately after, having escaped the sphere of fire, Taewoon’s party breathed heavily, each trying to regulate their respiration.

Glancing up at the sky, he saw Seoyoon, who had successfully broken through the previous spheres of light, clashing with Kaira while emitting an even more powerful Magical Power.

Using the ability of her Trait, she was continuously amplifying her own strength as the battle progressed.

“…This is no time to be picky. We have to bring out every means we have.”

Cherish created a strand of rose vines from her palm, wrapping it around her arm to begin absorbing blood, while Dominico proceeded to perform a ritual to summon an ancient Spirit of his clan.

They had realized firsthand that it was impossible to even slow down a full-strength Kaira with ordinary power.

“I’ll support you!”

Yerin, who summoned a divine moon using the power of Bahagandira, began injecting the moon’s power into Gemini. At that moment, Seoyoon was struck directly by thunder falling from the sky and crashed into the ground with a pained expression.

The next clash would likely be the decisive move, utilizing all the strength of Taewoon’s party.

Accordingly, Taewoon gathered as much Magical Power as possible, preparing a sharp strike that combined the power of the Apostle Transformation and the Soul Chasing Path Destruction.

‘A mediocre attack won’t be enough!’

Taewoon had quite a few means of attack, but he didn’t feel optimistic that any of them would work on Kaira as they were.

If so, he needed to showcase a strike that had evolved by one stage, just as he had twisted the formula of the Soul Chasing Path Destruction through an unexpected path earlier.

To find the answer, Taewoon’s mind began to frantically pull out memories from the past, repeating calculations and inferences.

‘Yes, if it’s this…’

Having finally found the answer, Taewoon took his stance and synchronized his breathing with his comrades. Soon, Kaira, wielding her spear once more, began to strike the ground with deep-blue lightning.

“I’ll open a path, so aim for one exact point!”

Cherish, who was the first to bloom a single flower amidst the blood-stained rose vines, tore off its petals and scattered them into the air.

The magenta Magical Power, manifesting in the form of giant petals, deflected the lightning from its surface to create a path for the party, and several petals reached Kaira, beginning to disrupt her Magical Power.

“Ho, I thought you were insignificant, but you are quite capable.”

“…O Spirit, please defeat the enemy before me with your mighty fangs and claws.”

Simultaneously, the ancient Spirit summoned by Dominico revealed its dazzling majesty and howled toward Kaira, and the resulting wave of Magical Power began to press down on her violently.

“…How foolish. Have you still not realized that this level of power is insufficient?”

Summoning a giant shield to deflect the bombardment fired by Gemini, Kaira focused her strength and began to shatter the restraints and oppression.

However, Seoyoon, who had regained her stance, had already reached her. Seoyoon’s sword sliced Kaira’s shield in half, pinning her feet to the spot.

“…I won’t let you go.”

“Then, by all means, try.”

Seoyoon’s sword, which began to glow more vividly, clashed with Kaira’s spear several times, and deep-blue lightning struck between the two of them repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Taewoon, with his right foot firmly planted on the ground, tracked the movements of the two with his eyes and focused Magical Power throughout his body, preparing a sharp strike.

【Condition Fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: Soul Chasing Path Destruction (Soul Chasing Path Destruction)】

‘Gather all the exploded Latent Power into one strike… and fire it!’

A single spear shot from the ground toward the sky, like a meteor moving in reverse.

Sensing the ominous power contained within it, Kaira immediately raised her hand to bring out a new weapon, but Seoyoon’s sword changed its form into a giant axe and slammed down on Kaira’s spear.

And through the gap created by that, Taewoon’s thrown spear pierced through perfectly.

‘…Did it succeed?’

No matter how high a being they were, this was a strike from which they could not escape without taking damage.

Confirming the hit, Taewoon focused his five senses to observe Kaira’s movements, but he didn’t feel her Aura diminish significantly.

Finally revealed, Kaira was staring at the droplets of her own blood flowing violently, her abdomen pierced by Taewoon’s Barata.

However, there was no great pain in her expression; the spear that penetrated her abdomen was simply burning continuously, breaking down its own form.

‘Damn it!’

Taewoon hurriedly retrieved the spear, but surprisingly, it was impossible to re-summon it immediately as usual.

The flame Magical Power Kaira possessed was momentarily surpassing the restoration power of the Artifact created by the power of the Theater.

“Whew… let us bring this to an end.”

Kaira’s reaction was far from violent; it was infinitely dry.

She looked as if she were slightly exhausted or bored, and on the other hand, as if she no longer felt any interest or curiosity toward Taewoon’s party.

She was no longer looking at Taewoon’s party. Her gaze was merely pointed toward the location of the Seed that was stirring deep within the lake region.

‘In the end… our current strength isn’t enough.’

But Taewoon’s party had bought enough time.

The situation inside the Cave might not be smooth, but if they were given just a little more time, they could surely prevent the Bloom of the Seed.

“Only two of us will remain here. You three, provide support to the other party and the soldiers under Padrik.”

“…That is unnecessary consideration. I can still fight.”

“No, it would be best to listen to him now. There is nothing more Miss Cherish or I can do by staying here.”

As Dominico spoke while shaking his head, Cherish also sighed and left the area, and Yerin followed them with a nod.

All that remained were Seoyoon, who looked in much better condition than when the fight had first started, and Taewoon, who was catching his breath after dispelling the second Apostle Transformation.

‘Fortunately, she seems fine now… but she must have a limit too.’

He could tell that the limit was not far off just by looking at Seoyoon’s eyes.

But it was okay.

As long as even one of the Theater’s viewers survived, they could reach the ending, and if they could stall for a little more time here, making that a reality was not impossible.

‘…It’s a strange feeling.’

Since clearing the Heavenly Secret Manual Theater, Taewoon had rarely felt a lack of power, but the opponent before him was clearly a being that the current Taewoon could not overcome with his existing strength.

Yet, despite that, he felt no sense of despair or helplessness.

Rather, Taewoon felt a sensation as if something were stirring from within him during this fight.

‘It feels like… I can almost grasp something.’

At first, he thought he had mistaken it for the wave of power from the Seed, but by now, he could clearly distinguish the difference.

No, perhaps, as Kaira had said, Taewoon himself was being stimulated and influenced by the power of the Seed that had begun to bloom.

‘If I use the third Apostle Transformation now…’

He felt as if he might glimpse a new realm he had never reached before.

Even if his body were to break again afterward, as long as he could achieve his goal, it would be Taewoon’s victory.

Soon, as if possessed, Taewoon placed his hand on the Wax Mask and began to crave the power beyond the passage once more.