Woosh- Bang bang!
Above the rough, rugged roots that soared violently, a harsh steel surface enveloped them.
From the earth to the sky.
Enormous roots stretched even to the distorted reverse infinity.
The tip of the roots was too far to easily sketch even with psychic perception, yet it clearly connected to our destination.
[So, what did you prepare?]
‘…I’ll show you now.’
I slowly exhaled, releasing all the energy I had kept contained.
Gathering the scattered energy that burst forth, I funneled it into the Great Sword hanging at my waist.
The energy gathered to its limit twisted the grip of the sword.
It squashed the sharp blade and warped the once-straight sword body.
With that ruined Great Sword that became useless, I infused it with a powerful will.
So that no one else could draw it.
If I can’t come to get it, only those I permit can draw it.
That person who draws it.
I want them to feel my emotions right now.
[What? This is what you prepared? Why are you copying me?]
‘…I’m not copying you, you know? Besides, the sword of Cartia didn’t even take shape like this.’
[That’s true. But, hmm… if you inject a bit more power than now, the sword might disappear and change into my Frey!]
‘Really?!’
Bang bang bang-
“…Ah.”
I injected even more energy after hearing Cartia’s words, but rather than turning into Frey, it just became junk.
“Noah…?”
“What are you doing? Are you nervous?”
“Ah, no… it’s not that…”
[Wow, you really did it.]
“Ugh…”
Imagining some very, very nasty words while Cartia snickered beside the junk Great Sword, I summoned Frey.
It was a bit, very slightly different from the picture I imagined. No, actually… it was a lot different, but anyway, I still succeeded!
Feeling a small sense of satisfaction, I moved forward.
Thud- Thanks to the rough surface that caressed the soles of my shoes, I climbed the steep roots easily.
One step, two steps.
Rubia and Ser also stood behind me, slowly making their way up.
“Before we officially depart, I’ll check again.”
“Ah…”
Charlotte, who had pushed past Jur and the escort soldiers, waved her hand to me, albeit a little. I focused on Ser’s words.
“In theory, the time until the ten-thousand-fold magic circle closes is about 18 minutes. We need to find the way to the end of the world within 12 minutes.”
Crack crack- As the rift to the spirit realm opened, three high-ranking spirits appeared.
“I’ll find the path. Protecting me is Rubia. Noah will guard the ground we stand on. Whether Brunhilde will directly attack or if her summoned familiars will attack is uncertain. So, Noah, keep in mind all the scenarios you explained to us.”
I recalled every attack and pattern of the familiars Brunhilde commanded stored in my memory.
“Just hold for 5 minutes. Then, I’ll somehow open the path.”
Nodding, I turned my body to face outward.
“…I’ll go ahead.”
I unleashed Frey.
I tightened my previously released breath.
I concentrated the energy that flowed freely into my legs.
Towards the end of the world.
Sketching the end of the path.
“Don’t fall and come slowly.”
With all my might, I dashed forward.
Whoosh- My body responded to my will and shot forward at great speed. Rubia and Ser, looking surprised, became far away. The clearly drawn scenery blurred in an instant. The steel beneath my feet buckled and exploded. A terrifying, fierce wall of wind ripped apart. The sound that burst forth stimulated my eardrums.
Thus, in just 5 seconds.
[I’m slightly slower than you.]
In just 5 seconds, I arrived right in front of the reverse infinity.
It would take about 20 seconds for Rubia and Ser to arrive.
“Huff, huff- Ugh, what’s that supposed to mean?”
The magical energy emanating from the slightly open rift sent jolts through my entire body. The following scent of blood made my nose sting.
[Given the speed of opening, there’s about 1 minute left until it’s completely open.]
I steadied my breath and recalled Brunhilde’s movements. I envisioned the various types and patterns of the familiars, their weaknesses. I thought of the order they needed to be killed in.
And then, a fresh breeze blew in.
“I’ll get ready right away.”
Ser and Rubia, riding the wind of the spirits, landed softly on the roots.
“Noah, if it seems impossible, you can give up and go down, don’t push yourself too hard.”
Rubia, hastily fixing her messy hair, said with a worried expression.
“That’s right. If I think it’s not possible, I’ll also give up and run away. Laila may have more freedom, but it’s unavoidable. It’s better to protect at least one than to stubbornly risk everyone’s lives. Choosing the lesser evil over the worst one. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
I replied, but I had no intention of giving up.
No, I didn’t have the confidence to fail from the start.
Blocking is obvious.
And pulling Brunhilde, who’s floating in the air, down to the ground as soon as possible.
That is my plan.
[In the past, I would have called this an arrogant and crazy plan, but now… you’ve got the skill and qualifications for it.]
‘…What’s with the sudden agreement?’
[I know your abilities better than anyone in this world.]
Hehe– Cartia’s laughter echoed in my head.
Creek creek creak—
An eerie sound that made my skin crawl echoed through the sky.
Forward.
5 seconds.
Normally, Brunhilde should have been waiting in the catacombs, but this time is different.
4 seconds.
I can’t predict how the wide-area attack will change as soon as we enter the raid.
I can’t predict what kinds of familiars she will summon.
3 seconds.
Whether she will directly attack or collapse the roots we’re standing on to pull us down.
I can’t know any of that.
2 seconds.
That’s why it’s impossible to think of every possible scenario and prepare for it.
2 seconds.
So.
1 second.
I crush everything, head-on.
Crack!
Everything sketched in my perception was covered in darkness.
Tap tap-
An incongruous, elegant high-heeled shoe sound echoed.
I tightened my previously relaxed breath. I sharpened the energy that flowed out freely. The lengthened Frey aligned horizontally with the sky.
I lifted my slightly extended foot.
Thud-! I stomped heavily.
The force that started from my foot surged up my waist and spread to my shoulders. The bursting Blood Aura amplified my power. The feathers swirling in the air came to a halt. The flow of coldness that had been dominating the surrounding magical energy gathered into Frey.
In the stretched time due to accelerated cognition emerged was:
My figure, as if I were one with Frey.
Crack crack crack—!
The movement of Frey was seized by space.
The world denied the strike that would shatter concepts and cut through the foundations.
The will encompassing that suppressed my body.
My body felt heavy.
My lungs felt like they were going to burst.
My muscles and bones twisted.
Yet.
Frey was.
My body was.
The intense yearning stronger than anything else was.
Swung.
―――!
A massive sword mark carved across the sky. The energy bursting forth formed a gigantic wave.
In the twisting wave, the ferocious Blood Aura became teeth biting into the world. The scattered magical feathers surged upward towards the heavens. The chilling magical energy froze everything.
“Haah… Hah, phew, huff- huh…”
Time that had been elongated returned.
The distorted world was restored.
The wave of energy dispersed.
From behind, the overwhelming power of the spirits enveloped the reverse infinity. Beyond warmth, divine power heated us.
Steadying my creaking body, I braced for Brunhilde’s attack.
Finally.
Brunhilde revealed herself.
The one in my memory.
With wings made of membranes and a massive spear in hand.
Not the Phase 1 Brunhilde clad in heavy armor.
But the one with gigantic wings of pitch-black flame.
With a halberd and short spear in both hands.
Not in heavy armor, but in armor made of demonic bones.
Exhibiting the ram’s horns sprouting from her temples.
The Brunhilde who, despite taking my blow, was unscathed.
The Phase 3 Brunhilde.
She looked at me.
“Noah!”
Noticing something strange, Ser shouted, sending the high-ranking spirit towards me.
Following Ser’s cry, all of Rubia’s divine energy concentrated on me.
A gigantic bow shot from the ground, and Delia, arriving with a thunderous attack, stood before me.
Alex and Hermila, who had climbed the roots, charged toward Brunhilde.
As Brunhilde, watching all of this calmly, spread her giant wings.
She clasped her hands together.
A guaranteed instant death machine activated at the end of Phase 3.
No!
No!
No!
No!
“Rubia!!”
I desperately threw my body toward Rubia, hoping my intentions would reach her.
I dashed past Rubia, with an expression of surprise, and Ser, whose face was distorted. I hurled Delia, who was unleashing electric attacks, behind me. I broke the roots that Alex and Hermila were riding to drop them off.
I charged forward to Brunhilde.
I have to block it.
No matter what, I must block it.
If I don’t, everyone here will die.
But how?
How do I block it?
An instant death machine that inevitably activates in the game.
An instant death machine that can’t be stopped.
What on earth can I use to block it—?
At that moment.
“The adversary. Do you still see us as mere inhabitants of a created world?”
Brunhilde’s voice resonated.
“If you do, just die here.”
Her face twisted.
