Masquerade (2)
Transcendent Being.
It was a term used to describe those who had surpassed the limits that defined their existence through an endlessly accumulated merit.
Whether it was the ultimate physique crafted through training or the tranquility achieved through mental discipline, or even boundless magical power, it didn’t matter.
What was important was breaking free from the molds and establishing one’s own definition while pioneering a new path.
Thus, the powers they wielded approached divinity, and they could reign as absolute beings over those who had not crossed that threshold.
That is why they were called Transcendent Beings.
They stood at the pinnacle of the world, having proven their qualification to ascend to divinity.
“Kugh! Malfi! Hurry over here···!”
“Hoo, An. Are you still alright?”
“···Not at all, but if I sit down here, I’ll die, so it can’t be helped. I can’t just give up everything like this, can I?”
“That’s a good mindset. You seem to be holding up quite well.”
“Malfi··· An···!”
But, like all things in the world, there was a hierarchy even among those who had reached such great heights.
When conflicting definitions clashed head-on, only the stronger one would survive.
Not all Transcendent Beings were equal just because they had crossed the wall.
“Jose! Are you okay? Can you hold on for about 30 more seconds?”
“···Don’t underestimate me. I can hold on for about a minute.”
“Really? Then let’s go with a minute.”
“Still, I hope we can finish quickly. I can hold on, but it feels like I’m losing a limb each time.”
If you think about it, from the moment they had crossed the threshold of transcendence, it was like standing at the start line of an unlimited race where all restrictions had vanished.
There were already seniors running ahead, competitors geared up through all sorts of makeshift enhancements, and the lavish anti-tank mines they had left behind.
“Hoo.”
Still, An, proud of having made it past the beginning of that race, took a deep breath.
And exhaling slowly, she twisted the direction of the chakra flowing from within her.
‘Now is not the time to worry about the Oracle. For now, minimizing damage and buying time is a priority until Malfi resolves the space block and secures an exit.’
At first, rage surged through her at the fact that the Führer had been taken down, but after a little time, she was able to regain some composure.
After all, vengeance only matters if one is still alive to seek it.
In this infinitely disadvantageous position, it was much more rational to somehow escape and then look for an opportunity rather than cling to a desperate fight.
‘The only fortunate thing is that this is the domain that Malfi has constructed. The escape route is blocked, but the remaining measures are intact, so it won’t easily crumble.’
As the difference in power between the parties was vast, twisting space here and there and activating traps to disrupt the frontal confrontation proved to be of great help.
Another bit of unfortunate good news was that Ken, the ally, was holding back the Executioner, the strongest force on the Buncheon Society’s side.
While he was merely holding back and the situation didn’t look good, still···.
Schwack—!
Kaboom!
Surrounded by flames and struck by a tail that whipped around like a whip, Ken was slammed into the wall, spewing black energy from his entire body.
[Indeed, quite robust. It’s somewhat disappointing, but it’s good enough for a little entertainment.]
“Grrgh!”
Staggering out from the rubble of the collapsed wall, Ken shook his head in various directions.
Power he had never felt before surged from within him, but the demon known as the Executioner still overwhelmed him without a care.
If he hadn’t forced the compatibility rate with the newly infused energy using “before the incident,” he wouldn’t have even lasted this long.
‘If I could fully control this power, it would have been completely different!’
For now, he was holding his ground because his opponent was showing interest in him, but he didn’t expect that would last long.
And when that interest fully waned, that would be the moment when the door to catastrophe would open.
‘Damn it, employer! I don’t know what you’re doing, but please hurry up···!’
Having confirmed the situation between Ken and the Executioner, An refocused her mind.
While it didn’t seem like it would collapse immediately, the urgency was mutual on both sides.
“An! Not yet··· Kugh!”
“Hmm.”
While Malfi was moving space to create a favorable position, and the combatants including Jose were buying time in a situation that seemed impossible, everything was futile against the overwhelming difference in power.
As spoiling helpers stepped forward one by one to help, the crisis was exacerbating, leaving only her ability with a slim chance of breaking through this dire situation.
Whoooooosh—!
The energy that wildly spun inside An resonated with the world.
Chakra intervenes in concepts and phenomena through the inner microcosm.
As her microcosm opened wide, her pure intention began to force around her phenomena.
The chakra that An opened was ‘fate.’
This manifested the unique skill “Probability Manipulation,” allowing her to evade the Oracle’s gaze and also enabling her to surpass the threshold of transcendence.
—Fate Manipulation.
One of the Buncheon Society members, who was extending an irritated attack at the officials of the Burning Flame, furrowed his brows.
“Hmm? What is this···?”
He then slowly glanced down at his hand and began to scan the surroundings again.
He wasn’t the only one exhibiting such behavior.
An attack that should have landed was now evading.
Counterattacks that would have been meaningless suddenly became threatening.
The troublesome changes in the terrain were becoming even more intricate, and the process of getting past those obstructions to approach the enemies became increasingly cumbersome.
“Tsk, it seems it’ll take a little time.”
Leaving the task of dealing with the Burning Flame to the other group members, Nagaraja, who was anxiously watching, worried that the Executioner might kill Ken, also assessed the situation and clicked his tongue.
But that was all.
Soon, he carelessly scratched his ear and turned his gaze back to the Executioner.
It was indeed remarkable that he could influence several powerful beings who had reached the realm of transcendence, but there were limits to what could be accomplished indirectly in such a way.
At best, he was merely being a nuisance like he was now, dragging out time.
“There’s really no need for me to step in.”
If he were to take action, things would wrap up quicker, but he had no intention of doing so.
After all, the outcome was already decided, and this spatial blockade was not something that would easily unravel with just the passage of time.
Rather, he believed that it was better to prepare for unforeseen circumstances like this.
That thought was not entirely wrong.
‘What is this?’
A very special variable that no one could have anticipated became apparent.
‘What the hell is going on? Why is fate running rampant like this···?’
An’s expression, who was operating her chakra to aid her allies against the Buncheon Society and to raise the probability of breaking the blockade, bore a strange look.
An external change started to constantly stimulate her as she searched for ‘possibilities.’
The figures sensed by “Probability Manipulation” were wildly fluctuating, and at the same time, an unknown fate was beckoning and gesturing at her.
What you desire is right here.
Only the problem was that she couldn’t even guess what its identity was···.
However, her dilemma didn’t last long.
‘Whatever this is, it can’t be worse than the current situation.’
Thanks to her ability, she had bought a little time, but that wasn’t a definitive solution.
No matter what happened later, right now, she had to do something to create variables.
Whoooooosh—
Ultimately, she gathered all her remaining strength and unleashed “Fate Manipulation” according to her instincts.
Hoping this unknown variable would be of help to them.
The moment she grabbed the thread of fate that had been knocking from the outside and pulled it inward.
Ka-Boom—!
A dazzling light erupted nearby.
A beautifully shining blade pierced through space and emerged.
“···A sword?”
There was no time to be surprised.
The blade that seemed to twitch for a moment was drawn down, creating a long crack in the air.
And from that gap.
“···Hmm? What’s this? Why has the resistance suddenly weakened? Thanks to that, it’s easier than I thought to break through. Is it somewhat weak against outside intrusions?”
The voice of a strange man echoed.
Clang— clang—!
With the heavy sounds of metal clashing.
‘That is···!’
The eyes of An, who was observing the situation, slowly widened.
The being that had abruptly intruded and split this sealed space.
As he appeared, the brightness around him increased several notches.
It wasn’t just her imagination.
After all, didn’t he have such an obvious halo around him?
Simultaneously, she realized.
There was a variable here that could turn this situation upside down—.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter. Regardless, I’m here now.*”
—No, that a miracle had descended.
Yet one thing she could not expect was···.
“Kahahah! Who bullied our newcomer!”
“Ah··· The air is thick, and I’m dizzy. Maybe I shouldn’t have come? I feel like throwing up, so I should finish this quickly and go back···.”
“Oh, I’ll finally have a feast after a long time.”
The fact that there were quite a few of them.
*
‘Let’s see, the situation is···.’
Heinrich, clad in immaculate white armor, slowly surveyed his surroundings.
Naturally, the battle had already entered a lull.
‘That makes sense.’
It was only natural considering such a flashy entrance.
Moreover, this place was thoroughly sealed off so no one could enter or exit.
Though it had swiftly healed, he had to use the Holy Sword and “Space Slash” to even make it this far.
It was only strange if a group of uniquely dressed individuals didn’t draw attention in such a place.
“···What is this? How did you get in here?”
At that moment, Nagaraja, who had maintained a relaxed demeanor, spoke in a low voice with a hardened expression.
Having already drawn a long spear and assumed combat readiness, there was no trace of his previous laid-back attitude.
His snake-like yellow eyes swiftly scanned the sudden intruders.
“The saint of another world and Phantom, and···.”
The White Knight, with his helmet donned, radiating a halo from his entire being.
Phantom, clad in a tidy black suit and a white masquerade mask.
His gaze passed over the two he was already familiar with and then rested on the other two.
‘It is indeed the saint’s party. But who are those two···?’
A half-naked giant wearing a hideous beast mask and a grotesque figure dressed in puffed clothing, gloves, and a motorcycle helmet, with absolutely no contact with the air.
As a district chief, Heinrich’s information database spun rapidly.
‘That helmet’s features. It matches the description of someone who appeared during the Seoul terror incident and engaged in relief activities but disappeared afterward. The other one is···.’
Although he knew the details of suspicious personnel while preparing the traps, he had no leads.
In truth, they already had a substantial history of activities, but information regarding the Doctor had not been fully conveyed, leading to omissions.
However, before he could fully take in such reactions, the half-naked giant stepped forward, confidently exclaiming.
“Kahaha! If you’re wondering who I am! I am the leader of Masquerade! ‘Lion Mask’!”
“Ah··· Don’t mind me, just call me whatever you like···.”
Following suit was the voice of the helmeted man, sounding utterly lethargic.
Nagaraja’s eyebrows twitched at that utter lack of tension in their introductions.
That meant they were clearly looking down on them, didn’t it?
[Huuu— This is indeed very interesting.]
Just as he was about to comment in response, another voice interjected.
The Executioner, who had quietly watched the situation unfold after easily tossing Ken aside, had already approached him.
[To be honest, I was a bit excited coming here, but this is beyond what I expected. I never thought so many strong ones would show up all at once!]
With a grin revealing rows of teeth, the demon looked at the intruders with an expression as if he had received an unexpected gift.
The heavy presence that emanated from the opponents was enough to make one feel a chilling sensation.
This was not a sensation created by the fusion of multiple auras.
Though perhaps inferior to the Head of the Buncheon Society, they were all supreme beings who had reached a realm that even he could not belittle.
[Heh!]
His body, drenched in the thrill of battle, shook hungrily.
He had no fear of the many strong opponents.
Only an overwhelming excitement for the fight, with blood and flesh splattering was bubbling within him!
[Excellent, very excellent! The struggle where survival is at stake! A life-and-death battle is the greatest value a living being should pursue! I was quite disappointed before, but it seems that coming here was well worth it!]
“Haha! Looks like we’re on the same wavelength! Alright, as a gesture of friendship, let me give you a little gift!”
[Hmm? A gift?]
“Oh, it’s something I really like, you know? The taste is absolutely incredible.”
While the other party was bemused, Harley walked up with a sly smile, getting closer.
At a certain distance.
“Kahahaha! Just don’t leave anything behind and enjoy it!”
Without a moment’s hesitation—.
Kaboom—!
He gifted his opponent a massive punch!
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