Chapter 98-99

Chapter 98-99 – Grand Duke Okullos

‘Rather…’

I started to get a headache . Several situations had twisted together . It seemed like I wouldn’t be able to easily solve this . I glanced towards Okullos and the dukes .

A quandary . The Cruel Commander really made everything become tangled up . The Cruel Commander and his corps who called me ‘Master!’ I somehow gained the qualifications to cut off the Cruel Commander’s head here . I didn’t know why he referred to me as the Emperor . But .

‘Waking up . ’

I caught those words . This guy obviously knew about the Heart of the Hell Monarch . The Heart of the Hell Monarch played an important role in raising my intelligence . Even so, he said that it had yet to fully awaken .

If awakened properly then my problem could be solved . The problem of how to get out of this crisis…

I immediately looked with Mind’s Eye .

Name: Cruel Commander MaxiumOccupationEmperor’s KnightTitle* No Decay (U, Strength +6)

* Steadfast (U, Stamina +6)

* Undead Commander (Ex U, Agility and Intelligence +4)

StatsStrength 85 (+6)Intelligence82 (+4)Agility 81 (+4)Stamina88 (+6)Magic Power 74 Potential: (410+20/410)

Uniqueness: A faithful knight defending the treasure trove for tens of thousands of years .

Skill: Lustrous Golden Sword (Epic), Cruel Leadership (Epic)

[Relative Comparison]

Randalph Brigsiel

Strength 95 Intelligence 77 Agility 90 Stamina 85 Magic 96 Potential (392+51/500)

Cruel Commander Maxium

Strength 91 Intelligence 86 Agility 85 Stamina 94 Magic 74 Potential (410+20/410)

It was considerable . He reached all his potential and even got 430 points . He had as much as 3 titles . And there were two epic grade skills .

‘There is no growth potential so he is in an almost finished form . ’

This was enough for a high class creature . A little stronger than the griffin or Gigantes .

The skeleton soldiers around were also usable . The regular soldiers were intermediate level while the knights reached advanced . Greed emerged .

Nevertheless, it was too early to have Okullos as an enemy . I was wearing a mask but…that wouldn’t be able to fool a grand duke’s keen eyes .

Then Cruel Commander Maxium said to me .

“Your Majesty . The new Maxium will help you by sweeping away the dirty demons and creatures . After a long time, I finally have the privilege of fighting on the battlefield with you . ”

His eyes shone . It was filled with expectations .

But my eyes were still looking at Okullos . He was slowly moving towards me with the dukes .

‘I don’t know what to do . ’

Overall I was weak .

Maxium’s army was decreased . His numbers were similar to the creatures . In qualitative aspects, I was slightly lacking . I had a chance of winning if I faced the grand duke and dukes . But one direct hit might reveal my identity .

However, my concerns were surprisingly useless .

“Randalph Brigsiel . ”

Okullos said to me .

I really couldn’t deceive a grand duke? I was able to outsmart the marquis and earls gathered in front of South Korea’s dungeon . Even Tashmal was unsure but Grand Duke Okullos was certain as soon as he saw me .

To make matters worse .

‘It is bittersweet . ’

I inwardly sighed . It was already exposed . I took off the mask . And I pulled out Wrath .

‘First, reveal my strength . I need to do a lot of damage . ’

Tilt the balance of power fully onto my side . If there was an all-out war with Okullos then the damage would be very serious . So it was best if I took action before Okullos .

I organized my thoughts and opened my mouth .

“Maxium . Follow me . ”

“New Maxium, I will show my constant loyalty to Your Majesty . ”

He knelt down as his body trembled . It was the same for the other skeleton soldiers . Their appearance seemed like they were having an epileptic seizure .

Despite having the chance of freedom, they never seized it .

Loyalty . Despite the fact that my ‘memories were incomplete,’ Maxium didn’t care . First he would deal with this situation before worrying about the awakening . In the future . It would naturally open .

The skeleton soldiers quickly drew back .

“Dark Sword . ”

Buuuuong!

Wrath was surrounded by darkness .

“Paranormal . ”

-One of the five blessings of Paranormal, ‘all stats +2’ for an hour has been applied .

‘Finally!’

It was the first time I received a useful blessing . Did it depend on the chances of victory?

Anyway, it was good news .

The griffin flew in the sky while the spartoi, lich and saber tigers followed closely .

Maxium?

He was standing right next to me .

“Your Majesty . Do you need a mount? I will dedicate myself . ”

“There is no need . ”

I would show my worth with my own two feet . I had no need for a mount .

I quietly watched the front . Okullos and the other demons were advancing .

‘They won’t let me pass . ’

I needed to hit them without fail .

Tsk, things had been so twisted .

I lifted Wrath and said .

“Follow me . Annihilate the enemy . ”

Kung!

A large step forward . All the troops moved forward at the signal .

Twin head ogres . An advanced 4Lv creature that was a variant of the normal ogres . 3 twin head ogres hacked away at the skeletons .

Peng! Pepeng!

Genome Flies…

The advanced 5Lv creatures that could use self-destruct . They were only 1 metre in size but tens of thousands of them self-destructing would cause huge damage .

Creatures that weren’t sold in the Store of All Things . It also didn’t appear at the Demon World Auction . A creature obtained through special events . They were creatures that needed to be disposed of but I had to handle something else first .

Kwaang!

Okullos’ skill ‘Nature’s Punishment’ had emerged from the ground . A huge, green stalk popped out in front of me . Next, the other three dukes hindered my movements .

‘It isn’t easy to face the four of them . ’

In my previous life, I would not have been able to handle a duke properly . But now I was strong . Stronger . I would be able to confront the four of them . This situation was a problem but I should be able to beat at least one opponent .

“This guy! Let’s see you avoid being damaged by this!”

Pasak!

I hurriedly twisted my body to avoid an attack .

Duke Karqui . One of Okullos’ three thugs and a demon famous for his ‘Light Spray . ’ But thanks to Paranormal, my agility had reached 92 . My senses were always active . I moved as I detected the attack .

But my goal wasn’t Karqui .

Okullos . He was the only one I was running towards .

There was persistent interference but I almost reached him . I looked at Okullos and opened Mind’s Eye .

Name: OkullosOccupationDemon Grand Duke (Dungeon Master)Title* One Who Deals With Nature (Epic, Intelligence +4, Magic Power +7)

* Master of the Largest Forest Olmot (Epic, All stats + 3)

StatsStrength73 (+3)Intelligence85 (+7)Agility83 (+3)Stamina 73 (+3)Magic Power87 (+11) Potential: (401+26/500)

Uniqueness: The heartbeat of the forest can be heard . The only demon to deal with nature .

Skill: Nature’s Punishment (Epic), Naturalization (Epic), Pending Question (U)

[Relative Comparison]

Randalph Brigsiel

Strength 97 Intelligence 79 Agility 92 Stamina 87 Magic 98 Potential (392+61/500)

(All stats +2 due to Paranormal)

Okullos

Strength 76 Intelligence 92 Agility 86 Stamina 76 Magic 98 Potential (401+26/500)

He wasn’t a grand duke for nothing . High stats .

The dukes also had stats close to 400 . This was their pure abilities without the help of items like me . If I stayed stagnant then they would have caught up with me in a year or two . This would be tight . I had no intention of going easy on them since they knew my identity . Right now, I was in a position where I was their ‘enemy . ’

Chwahahak!

Nature’s Punishment . I sliced the giant, green stalk . The magic power was similar so the attack worked well . But that also applied to me . There was a need to be as careful as possible . I maintained a distance of 200m from Okullos . It was a distance I could cross in one jump .

It had taken me 40 minutes to reach this location .

At that moment, Okullos’ cool eyes fell on my body .

-Pending Question (U) has been triggered .

It is looking for Randalph Brigsiel’s weakness .

Mind’s Eye (Ex U) has successfully detected it . Defended against 70% .

-Intelligence calibration!

But the opponent’s magic power is too high . Defended against 81% .

Defense against Pending Question (U) has succeeded .

I started frowning . Grand Duke Ariel also had a mental skill . Okullos’ Pending Question seemed to be something similar . The difference was that it was looking for a weak point instead of dominating the opponent .

‘It would have affected me if it wasn’t for Mind’s Eye . ’

I wasn’t sure what my weaknesses were but Pending Question would have found it . Anyway, the presence of Mind’s Eye was quite helpful .

Okullos’ face twitched slightly . A surprised expression .

I leapt forward with Wrath .

Saack!

I cut something . But it wasn’t Okullos . Countless branches had emerged from Okullos’ body . They were blocking Wrath .

Okullos gave a slight smile .

“…Randalph Brigsiel . ”

I pointed Wrath at him .

“You managed to recognize me . ”

“Yes, you are quite interesting . ”

The words reached the Cruel Commander and his army . I just laughed .

“I’m glad that you find me interesting . ”

“Huhu . Interesting, interesting . I have been keeping an eye on you since the beginning . Ever since you challenged us in the Demon World . I think you have grown into a really interesting person . ”

“……”

I was at a loss for words .

Certainly, I had once challenged the grand dukes

Ariel broke me and I was never Upa’s opponent . Pandemonium? He thoroughly enjoyed torturing me . Okullos had looked at me with an unknown expression and cut off my arm . But I didn’t think any of them had remembered me . Ariel and Pandemonium treated me like it was the first time we met . It was natural for Upa not to know me since we never met in the Demon World .

But…

He remembered?

I closed my mouth . I clenched my fists with rage . I never thought anyone would remember me but this guy had just brought up my past .

Mysterious . A really weird feeling that was hard to describe in words . Joy, bliss? There were no such things . I didn’t know how to explain this anger and annoyance .

“Unlucky . ”

That’s right . It was really unlucky . Okullos’ expression subtly changed . But underneath was a mixture of ‘interesting . ’

“I remember the first time you walked into the centre of my forest . ”

Ah…that made sense .

The enormous Olmot Forest . Okullos was the master .

It had taken me 1 year to find and challenge him . Now I would never do that again . That 1 year hadn’t been for nothing . I still had bad luck . I frowned as I recalled that time .

“I found you interesting so I didn’t cut your throat . ”

Then he sent me a chilly gaze . The three dukes were ready to jump at me at any time . Dark Sword was pointed at Okullos so it wasn’t easy for them to recklessly jump in .

“Certainly you seem to have grown…somehow you seem to have some knowledge . I am curious about the secret behind your strength and the high class creatures . ”

Okullos didn’t lose his leisurely air . First, there were three dukes surrounding them . He also had faith in his skills . He had the upper hand in the situation . There was no need for him to be impatient . In addition, he was ‘confident’ that he could catch me at any time .

Okullos turned and looked at Maxium .

“I will punish the undead that attacked the dungeon of my demons . You can leave if the Cruel Commander is left behind . ”

“That isn’t possible . ”

Leaving him behind wasn’t a big thing . But the Cruel Commander knew something about the heart’s awakening . Additionally, I didn’t like leaving any of my property behind .

An opponent acting free and confident towards me was unacceptable . My primary goal was to create tension among the grand dukes and win the throne . I couldn’t show weakness in our first encounter . I lightly chanted .

“Wrath . ”

-High magic power (98) has caused strength, agility and stamina to rise by 9 .

Intelligence has dropped by 20 but your original pure intelligence is more than 76 . Due to the unique characteristics caused by Astral Code, you won’t be taken over by the ‘Wrath’ state .

Strength 106, Agility 101, Stamina 96 . Including the effect from Paranormal, two stats had risen beyond 100 .

Of course, Paranormal’s blessing only had 10 minutes remaining but I didn’t care .

The blood vessels in my body reduced and my heart beat faster . I wasn’t taken over by an abnormal state . However, intelligence was greatly lowered due to the Wrath skill .

‘I can use it in conjunction with Sloth but…’

I recalled the terrible time when I tested both Wrath and Sloth . There was no need to risk attacking my allies . Wrath was enough .

I had my reason but I was still in a state of excitement . I automatically clenched my teeth . My sword trembled . The darkness in the surrounding area increased .

I lifted my gaze and faced Okullos .

Okullos detected danger and his brows furrowed . A number of blue lights immediately emerged from his body . Roots entered the ground and he became a strong tree that wouldn’t move . An instinctive movement . This change wasn’t unusual to me .

Epic grade skill ‘Naturalization . ’ The downside was that Okullos couldn’t move but this skill gave him absolute defense and offense .

Suaack!

Thousands of long grass started sprouting and grabbed hold of me . The grass stretching from the ground meant I had a limited space to move . I couldn’t simply demonstrate strong attacks . But…I clearly saw small gaps where my sword could enter . This was due to agility . Once it went beyond 100, I could see things I normally couldn’t .

I made decisions with cold reason . My eyes didn’t leave Okullos .

‘Okullos . I will make you aware of it . ’

I was still immature when I was running around the Demon World .

I was an ‘enemy’ that could truly threaten him!

Slowly but surely, I started to move through the gaps .

* * *

Cruel Commander Maxium .

He kept on eye on his master while causing devastation on the battlefield . The magic power that could be felt even from a distance was obviously the heart of the Emperor . The reason why it entered the body of a demon didn’t matter . Maxium was excited by the overwhelming appearance of the demon .

Electrifying . The power to beat everything . The sword moved quickly and the afterimage struck countless enemies . He would unleash a stronger power as he fell into a deeper crisis .

“For the Great Emperor!”

Maxium wielded his golden sword . The sword now emitted a brilliant light .

The Great Emperor . His master was struggling alone in enemy territory!

Dalgurak! Dalgurak!

The skeleton soldiers moved . He directed them to certain positions . They cut the necks of the enemies and advanced forward . The limbs were cut off as they moved . Their bodies continued advancing even without arms or legs .

A switch in momentum . The battle became taut .

At the same time, the griffin and other creatures couldn’t be ignored . They weren’t under Maxium’s command so he disliked them . But they were the Emperor’s creatures .

“Huhaha! Look! The demons are being overcome by His Majesty’s overwhelming power!”

Maxium laughed while wielding his sword .

From Maxium’s point of view, the four demons didn’t have a strong partnership . In particular, one person felt completely different from the rest .

But those demons . They weren’t all his opponents . Even if he couldn’t recover all his power, Maxium had no doubts about the Emperor’s victory . It was a breathtaking moment as he felt his master’s power rise by leaps and bounds in front of certain demons . The air started vibrating from an abnormal change .

And the struggle started .

“Great! Your Majesty! Take care!”

Kung! Kung! Kung!

All the skeletons knocked on their shield with their sword . The sound resonated and spread all over the place .

A cheer . Roars . Praying for his victory . He should not be defeated . Winning was the only way to prove himself .

Maxium kept an eye on the Emperor’s fight against the demons .

“Huhaha…!”

He wasn’t amused .

The Emperor was forced to fight in a confined space and were surrounded by demons .

He frowned every time the tree like demon Okullos was cut . He couldn’t feel relieved . The branches cut by Dark Sword couldn’t recover . Thousands of branches had to be sliced by the sword before eventually revealing the underside .

The remaining three dukes…two of them didn’t even enter the fight . They couldn’t find any gaps .

Maxium couldn’t help even if he wanted to . He couldn’t barge into the fight .

He shook his head . The fight was violent and sharp .

His hands unconsciously started trembling but he soothed them .

This was the battlefield given to him . He could stop some worry by taking care of this fight .

Chwahak!

At that moment, the Emperor’s sword fiercely sliced the body of a demon . It wasn’t a fatal blow but it was adequate . His face changed . It wasn’t complete but there was a small smile . His master couldn’t help smiling .

It was then that Maxium realized .

…He would win!

“Our God has returned!”

His heart had already stopped but it was burning hot .

* * *

10 minutes passed . Paranormal’s blessing finished .

At the same time, I succeeded in leaving a long stab in Okullos’ side .

“Next is the neck . ”

Ssik!

I smiled, revealing my teeth .

Okullos had a confused expression .

“You…are you really Randalph Brigsiel?”

“Then who are you looking at?”

“Who, who are you?”

The attitude wasn’t easily recognized .

It was natural . I was completely different compared to the Demon World . Decades had passed for me before I came back in time . He thought I only became moderately stronger but I brutally broke his defenses . He no longer mentioned ‘interesting . ’ All that confidence had disappeared .

“Okullos-nim!”

The dukes approached them . But Okullos stretched out his hand and stopped them .

“I can see with Naturalization . I know the essence of all life . You are not Randalph Brigsiel . ”

“Don’t make me laugh . Aren’t you just trying to escape?”

“I…”

Okullos opened his mouth . He seemed to be suspicious of something but Okullos couldn’t express it . Okullos hesitated for 10 seconds before shaking his head .

“There is not beneficial for both sides to be fighting each other . That skill of yours is gone and I won’t be able to stay in this state much longer . How about we withdraw for now?”

It was accurate . I didn’t know how much longer Wrath would last . Prolonging this fight would do more harm than good .

“What? Haha!”

But I just let out a big laugh .

One of the 4 grand dukes, Okullos had requested a truce .

“You certainly have an abnormal growth . If you are lucky then you might be able to kill me here . But you also can’t avoid death . ”

That was also right . Okullos’ words were likely to be true . I knew that this battlefield was fierce . It wouldn’t be easy to get away from the three dukes when I was in a weakened state .

“Is it really like that?”

But I couldn’t just accept it .

“Do you want to go to the end?”

Okullos asked like I was stupid .

“Give up one arm . Then I will think about it . ”

I suggested .

I couldn’t let go so easily .

And in fact…Okullos was better alive than dead .

If Okullos disappeared then the balance of power would be completely destroyed . The entire situation might get back to the other grand dukes . If Okullos died then the rest of the demons would scale up rapidly . In addition, variables would appear .

If I wanted to get rid of the variables, I would need to get rid of the rest of the demons in Okullos’ faction . Grand Duke Upa was also my enemy right now . It was still too premature .

“One arm…cheaper than I thought . ”

Okullos knew that it would never recover if I cut off his arm with Dark Sword . Even so, he gracefully accepted . Obviously something had happened to make him change his mind .

“Okullos-nim!”

The dukes were filled with resentment . However, Okullos’ expression didn’t change .

“You don’t have to worry . I got my hands on some very large information today . The value of my arm can’t even be compared . ”

At that moment, the dukes became quiet . They only said a few words of complaints .

‘A bluff?’

Okullos was quite unknown . So it wasn’t easy for me to determine what was true or false . Personally, I thought he was just bluffing . There had to be a reason why the dukes were looking like that .

“Cut it . ”

Okullos released Naturalization and held out his right arm . Okullos directly stretched out his arm towards me . It wasn’t easy to remember that he was a grand duke .

I grasped Wrath .

And…

Suuk!

Duk!

The war was over . Okullos and his demons started to back off .

I stepped back after cutting off Okullos’ right arm .

I looked at the situation around me . In less than an hour, the troops had been reduced by more than half . I could tell how long and violently they had been fighting .

“Your Majesty!”

The Cruel Commander Maxium came running over .

I blocked him from kneeling down . I caught Maxium’s shoulder and looked straight into his eyes .

“The way to awaken the heart . What is it?”