The Bearer (5)

One time, Kang Shin-hyuk had talked to Tsukuyo about Jormungand’s home. Even Tsukuyo, who knew the secrets of the Hero Universe and Jormungand deeply, was skeptical about the possibility of visiting it. It was because Gaia hid the world – the sub-world composed of Chiral. Gaia had put Chiral into Janus and Loki, so it was natural that the world was thoroughly controlled by no one other than Gaia herself.

“Monsters!”

“Gather together!”

The moment they fell into that world, countless attacks flew in like the monsters had been waiting in advance. However, Mirang’s thick tail wrapped around the party to form a protective barrier.

-Bang!

Shortly after, they fell with a heavy sound, and Gaia joined the monsters, unable to escape the chain. Even though each of them had the status of a transcendent, the world made of mirrors embraced their energy.

“Chiral…”

“This is what Anvil made.”

“Hahahaha… It’s really nonsense.”

Even the transcendental beings there became dizzy by the calm and gloomy magic of that world. In Gaia’s sub-world, they had to use their power to block Gaia’s light, but in this one, the mental exhaustion that invaded them despite their vigilance was serious. However, Milia and Kwati, who weren’t VIP members, seemed to be more comfortable. At that moment, Kang Shin-hyuk realized something. But before he could shout, Gaia cut off his threads.

[Anvil, I can’t go over it anymore! I considered you my only friend and companion!]

“Ha, friend and companion? As you did whatever you wanted…”

Horus stuck to Mirang as she revealed herself, reflecting through the countless mirrors around her.

“If you claim to be the administrator of all worlds, you shouldn’t do anything more, Gaia. I’ve no choice but to hold you accountable.”

[No one can hold me accountable. Could a child hold his mother responsible?]

“Who’s the mother, you dystopian bitch?”

Gaia was trying to maintain her noble attitude, but Janus was quick to respond.

[Janus, how long will you keep up that foolish struggle?]

“Hey, it’s too egotistical.”

A world covered in Chiral. Perhaps the start was the big mirror created by Anvil. But just as [Lullaby] had the ability to divide and amplify constantly, that mirror was also constantly expanding and covering one world. The only difference was that [Lullaby] absorbed and calmed all energy, and Chiral accepted all that was born outside of it and produced a monster in response. It was a really clever device, a perfect mirror that balanced everything. It birthed stronger monsters in some worlds while it prevented the disappearance of humanity in another. It granted rule and law to monsters and prevented humanity’s self-destruction. In fact, it could be said to be far from Anvil’s original intention to punish the foolish humanity.

“Good job, Gaia. Then, let’s run wild.”

It was Loki who received the most power in that environment. He transformed into a giant several meters tall as the magi of the world flowed to him.

[Ha, I feel good. How much are you going to go berserk in the main camp?]

“Fuck, Loki. Are you really going to kill me?”

On the contrary, Janus wasn’t in good shape since falling into this world. The magi were having a negative effect on Janus that the fragments of the dragon heart couldn’t keep fully at bay.

[I like the balance now, Janus… Even if I don’t kill you, I think beating you a little will work. Or perhaps breaking that sword?]

“Loki, you’d dare say you’ll destroy the weapon Anvil made for me…?”

[Oh, you’re really angry. After all, you look best when you’re angry.]

“…”

Kang Shin-hyuk felt choked by the swelling of magic and energy around him. Even now, monsters were constantly being created as Gaia created light in the air.

[Be prepared; it’ll hurt a little.]

“Ugh, on the same side, but the light is reluctant.”

“To fight with monsters… I feel dirty, but as a member of the Hero Universe, I have to bear it. You guys have to wake up.”

Cycatus melted into the darkness, and Ascaldin joined the monsters with the greatsword he purchased from Kang Shin-hyuk.

“Okay, let’s try it.”

When Shu snorted and stretched out her arms, the thousands of monsters were erased in no time. It seemed she had become stronger.

“Yes, this would be perfect as a warm-up exercise.”

“It seems like my name has become too light. Just because they’re VIPs, I hope they don’t think they’re on the same level.”

[I’m ready too. Fortunately, I think I can defeat those monsters.]

“A battle with Anvil…?”

Not only Tsukuyo, but Kwati and Milia were burning with fire to fight beside Kang Shin-hyuk. His trait, which naturally recognized them as allies, entwined over them to strengthen their abilities and their armaments to a level close to evolution.”

“What is this? Isn’t this level of difference comparable to becoming a transcendent?”

Miyang laughed while holding a flower-stalked bow, fluttering onto Kang Shin-hyuk’s head. Mirang and Horus also held armaments made by Kang Shin-hyuk, so it was like their power had almost been doubled.

[Okay, let’s start.]

“You’d try to suppress us with just this number? You won’t even be able to touch Anvil.”

However, Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t hold a weapon. He just stretched out his spiritual power to sense the world. Gods, humans, transcendentals, monsters. With everyone coming together and becoming a mess, Chiral reacted to all of them and created a giant mirror. Did Gaia not know that? Yes, it seems like she didn’t. It would be like that, as Gaia controlled Chiral but wasn’t its owner.

[As I said before, I’ve no intention of killing Anvil. But even if the others die, it won’t be a big problem.]

“Psycho.”

If she seemed to be the master of this world, it was only because she tricked them into injecting Chiral fragments into Janus and Loki, indirectly controlling Jormungand through them.

“Let’s see if Gaia has a spine!”

“Stop Cycatus, Tsukuyo!”

“Are you going to get me to do that much? Hwaho, I’ll leave it to you.”

[Are you telling me to be a VIP member?!]

However, Kang Shin-hyuk had realized it after entering that world. Even though it was in his past life, and it was made with resentment and despair, Chiral was an object that recognized him as its parent.

‘Then, even if I don’t know about the monsters, it is birthing. It would be possible to control the release of pure magic.’

Kang Shin-hyuk took out a piece of metal from his inventory and lifted it. It was [Abyssus] and [Excalibur – Despair] that had been melted together to form the sword [Dispalor]. The detailed abilities of Despair and Abyssus had been unknown to the end, but he knew quite a bit of Dispalor.

[Dispalor]

[SSS]

[Special Abilities: Dream, Dark Stain, Demon]

*Dream: Brings everyone in contact with the sword into a dream that cannot be escaped. The more you fall into the dream, the more reality rots.

*Dark Stain: Turns everything dark. Grants the user the ability to use the power of darkness freely and become stronger than anyone in the dark but will completely stain the user with darkness if not used carefully.

*Demon: It fosters evil in the heart. It greatly weakens all perceived enemies and makes them mentally vulnerable. It eats when the mind is completely broken.

Dispalor had been strongly influenced by Chiral. Abyssus had evolved because of it, and Despair was created by Oh Joo-young after he went over to Jormungand. Since the two had been combined, it’s compatibility with Chiral was outstanding. It was an energy he alone couldn’t bear, but now the world was full of energy that supported it. He didn’t know why he had come here in this way, but it was still a great opportunity. He tried to connect with Chiral, and immediately, the mirror world reacted violently towards the dark metal in his hand.

[…Anvil?!]

“Anvil’s doing something; protect him!”

“Block him… Kahak!”

[Ha!]

Cycatus, who rose from the shadow of Kang Shin-hyuk, was captured and burned. Although it was Kwati, who had just joined the Hero Universe relatively recently, who attacked him, she was the best in dealing with fire. Her flame, which had grown so much even after joining, had the power to scatter the shadowy Cycatus.

“Attack Anvil!”

Of course, if that could kill him, he wouldn’t have become a VIP member. As Cycatus retreated to a nearby shadow, Loki, now a giant, trampled on Janus and Ascaldin, who ran towards Mirang with a spear in hand, turned his head. And Gaia, more than anyone else…

[Anvil… Trying to make something up at this point is really like you.]

She laughed in a way that didn’t suit the situation at all.

[But no. I won’t allow it.]

She launched a spear of light that had the power to split the world in half.

“Huh?!”

Cycatus was the first to respond. Cycatus tried in vain to escape as Kwati clenched her jaw and created a barrier of flames. However, the spear broke through it before it was completed and hit the metal that Kang Shin-hyuk was holding. It was like it had been magnetically attracted to the metal. Even Gaia, who shot it, was suspicious of her own eyes. Of course, she thought it would be blocked by other VIP members on the way.

[Water Fox, what are you doing?!]

“I was blocking a monster!”

Milia replied with tears in her eyes at Kwati, but Kang Shin-hyuk had no care for the two, given the current situation.

“Anvil, are you okay?”

“I’m okay, Miyang.”

Kang Shin-hyuk’s eyes shone brightly.

“Because it is as intended.”

The power of light condensed on the metal that was going berserk with the power of darkness, melting as a result.

Now was the time to start forging.