Chapter 402
If one were to name the greatest threat to humanity during the war against the Demon Force, the answer would be demonic aura without question.
That ominous presence endlessly flowed out of the Abyss of Demons to pollute the environment, create monsters, and turn humans into demons. Because of those effects, people believed that if Earth were ever destroyed, it would undoubtedly be due to demonic aura. However, the reality was...
“Do you have any idea how many times Earth almost got obliterated in the early days of the war? Ludwig alone nearly did it twenty times.”
Even an A-rank hero could effortlessly destroy an entire city, let alone S-ranks who could reshape the landscape and alter the topography forever. So what level of devastation could a fully ascended being cause?
The answer was obvious: they could wipe out the entire planet.
“The Demon Force fought as if they didn’t care if Earth got a little ruined, but it was a whole different story for us. If we treated the planet like them, ninety percent of humanity would have been wiped out by now.”
Nowadays, most people could wield mana and skills, but back then, only a select few had such abilities. Yet even among those who could back then, only a handful could endure the extreme environmental changes caused by battle.
And that was why the Perfect Ones’ primary concern when they entered combat wasn’t killing the enemy—it was minimizing the collateral damage to the planet.
“But you can only hold back so many times. How can we fight properly if we have to keep restraining ourselves in every battle? The Demon Force isn’t a bunch of idiots; they knew how to exploit that weakness perfectly. So, a more fundamental solution had to be introduced.”
“The planetary control system?”
“Exactly.”
The system harnessed the planet’s power to prevent disasters caused by battle—earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, storms, and more. Terra, the planetary control system, had been created by the Seeker explicitly for that. Thanks to it, among other things, the Earth had survived the devastation of the Perfect Ones’ battles.
“Do you get it now? It was designed so that we could fight freely while keeping you all safe. There was no other—”
“Then what the hell is that?”
Cut off by Se-Hoon’s question, the Seeker turned to gaze at the battlefield unfolding above the Silent Volcano.
Whoosh!
A colossal lava titan, as massive as an entire mountain range, swung its fist. Jason met the attack head-on, driving his own fist into the gap he had seen.
BOOM!
With a deafening explosion, the lava titan’s arm that rivaled the size of an entire mountain was obliterated, leaving its exposed torso vulnerable. Naturally, Jason wasted no time in unleashing a barrage of blows.
Ratatata- BOOM!
The lava titan’s body exploded before it could even put up a proper resistance. However, before anyone could celebrate, the massive fissure from which the titan had emerged began glowing a deep crimson.
Rumble-
The power gathered from across the planet surged into the boiling magma deep within, reshaping it into yet another towering titan that crawled out of the fissure. It was clear by now that the very system meant to protect humanity, Terra, was now aiding the lava titan’s rampage.
Confirming the undeniable betrayal with her own senses, the Seeker hesitated.
“...Uh, well...”
Crack-!
“Agh...! I-I’m... splitting... splitting apart...!”
Strongly clenching the Beads of Omniscience, Se-Hoon peered into the energy converging upon the Silent Volcano.
They were hiding something like this...?
It was something he had never seen before the regression. Se-Hoon clicked his tongue, considering the implications of Terra’s malfunction.
I assume the most immediate concern is the planet’s energy depletion.
The energy flowing into the Silent Volcano seemed infinite at a glance, but it had a definite limit: the planet’s lifespan. If all that power were to be completely drained, the world could face instant annihilation.
The Demon Force wouldn’t have built their strategy around a long-term war when they’re already at a disadvantage. That means their actual target must be... the weaker regions of the planet.
By weakening Terra’s protective functions, they could directly assault the planet itself. And by also forcing the Perfect Ones stationed outside to stay put, it would create leeway for them to exploit.
In other words, they’re holding the planet hostage.... They just keep throwing surprises at me.
Finally grasping the situation, Se-Hoon immediately called upon the others waiting in the rear and explained the circumstances.
“The Demon Force is... making use of planetary energy?”
“When the hell did they create such a monstrous weapon...?”
However, rather than explaining the complexities of Terra, Se-Hoon framed it as a newly developed weapon of the Demon Force.
The raid party accepted it without much doubt. After all, if anyone were to manipulate planetary energy at will, it made the most sense for it to be the work of the enemy.
“We built this system to protect you all, and this is the thanks we—ARGH!”
Silencing the Seeker’s complaints, Se-Hoon continued. “If we leave things as they are, our forces outside will be pinned down and reinforcements from the Demon Force will arrive.”
“Then I guess we need a countermeasure. Do you have a plan?” Kasar, the raid commander, asked.
Se-Hoon nodded. “I’m going to divide the raid party into three groups.”
The main unit who would proceed with the original plan to subjugate the Silent Volcano; a support unit who would reinforce the main unit from the rear; and finally, a special operations unit who would descend underground to neutralize Terra.
“A special ops unit...? That sounds too dangerous. The enemy surely has put up defenses in place.”
If things went wrong, the unit could be wiped out before accomplishing anything.
In contrast to Kasar’s reluctant look, however, Se-Hoon was completely composed. “There’s no need to worry about that.”
“Do you have a foolproof plan?”
“The special ops unit consists of only one person: me.”
Hearing that, Kasar instinctively opened his mouth to protest the ridiculous statement, but then he paused, mulling over it.
“Hmm... Then I guess it’s okay.”
For anyone else, it would be suicide. But Se-Hoon, capable of wielding the powers of the Perfect Ones, had the best chance of escaping any trap unscathed.
“It’s still risky, but... you must have your own reasons for going alone.”
“It’s just a hunch.”
According to Se-Hoon’s memories of the past, the Demon Force had never once stolen and used Terra. If it wasn’t useful, that would be one thing. But considering how effective it was right now, why hadn’t they used it before?
To that question, Se-Hoon could think of only one reason.
They must have suffered some sort of loss when attempting to hijack Terra.
Before the regression, there was no reason to take the risk since they held the advantage. Now, however, they had been pushed to the brink, making them willing to take the risk.
If I were pressed for time, I’d ignore it and push forward. But in this situation... it’s worth investigating.
While eliminating the unexpected variable, he could also secure Terra and uncover how the Demon Force had taken control of it.
With the extra bonuses to the task, Se-Hoon began reordering his priorities. And as he was doing so, he heard his name.
“Lee Se-Hoon.”
There was a serious expression on Eun-Ha’s face.
“Promise me you won’t get hurt. No matter what.”
Not just her, but Luize, Sung-Ha, Amir, Jake, and Aria were all gazing at him with concern. Seeing their genuinely worried expressions, Se-Hoon paused for a moment before flashing a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry. I’m quite accurate in these risk calculations.”
He wasn’t foolish enough to act recklessly when everything was already falling into place. Reassuring his allies of that fact, Se-Hoon divided the raid force and headed to the Six Gate of the Netherworld leading to the volcanic domain.
Then, just before stepping through, he turned to his comrades and grinned.
“Let’s go show them who we are.”
***
BOOM!
The lava titan was once again destroyed by Jason’s strike, but as if nothing had happened, it absorbed the planet’s energy once more and regenerated.
“Persistent, aren’t you?”
At first, Jason’s plan was to just keep killing it until it could no longer regenerate. But as the cycle repeated itself, he began grasping the situation.
I need to target its source of power.
Tracing the flow of energy that kept the lava titan alive, Jason turned his gaze toward the depths of the fissure.
Woong!
Molten magma churned ceaselessly within the rift. Fueled by energy surging from all across the planet, the heat continued to intensify.
Jason stared into the hellscape, his eyes gleaming coldly.
How is that possible...?
He wasn’t sure what lay below, but he was certain of one thing: he could strike down the titan for good if he could reach the source.
The gap leading to it was visible; he could do it now. But Jason didn't throw his punch. Somewhere, deep in his instincts, he knew what would happen if he unleashed his full power into the planet’s depths.
“...”
His expression darkened as the image of a star shattering into pieces flashed through his mind.
Just then, the lava titan surged forward, as if seizing the momentary hesitation.It expanded its entire body, turning into a tidal wave of molten destruction.
Jason clenched his fist, ready to swing again. But at that very moment...
WHOOSH-
A crimson meteor crashed down from the sky.
BOOM!
A massive shockwave erupted, sending waves of lava scattering in all directions. The lava titan was obliterated once again—alas, as if it had never been destroyed, it greedily absorbed the planet’s energy and began regenerating.
Woong!
As the lava titan was reforming, Eun-Ha unleashed her unique skill, Soul Furnace, at full power. Crimson engravings burned across her entire body as Ore Blood surged like a tempest through her veins.
In the core of her Primordial Ring, she forged an Ore Core.
Rumble!
And then, standing across from the lava titan, a colossal crimson titan emerged.
Eun-Ha, now wielding the power of the hero-tier equipment, Lava Flag, had gained control over molten lava herself. She met the lava titan’s hostile glare without flinching.
BOOM!
The two giants clashed above the fissure, grappling in a brutal struggle.
Her battle was one that served another purpose: preventing the planet’s energy from being recklessly consumed.
As the two giants were locked in combat, a dense black mist was surging inward from the outskirts of the Silent Volcano.
Rumble-
The undead legion, which had attacked the Silent Volcano many times before, had gathered as one. Now, shrouded in the darkness of the Netherworld, they advanced.
At their helm, Richard, standing atop Jormungandr’s head, raised his hand and activated his necromancy.
Necromancy: Pillars of the Forsaken
Crack- Crack- Crack!
Black pillars, forged from the Netherworld, crashed down across the Silent Volcano. From each location, thick black mist started spreading in all directions.
The mana of the Netherworld was eroding the planetary energy, severing the power rising from beneath.
The counterattack unfolded seamlessly in tandem, as if it had been planned from the start.
“...”
Observing it all, Jason raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. And at that moment, a massive undead resembling a manta ray descended from the sky, carrying the main assault unit on its back.
“Trailblazer! Please escort us to the central crater!” shouted Aaron, the leader of the main unit.
“Understood.”
On a battlefield where the situation could change at any moment, Jason understood quick action was far more important than hesitation.
Leading the way, Jason sprinted toward the massive central crater of the volcanic zone.
Thud- Thud- Thud- Thud!
The Demon Force played their next card, summoning hundreds of metallic coffins erupted from the ground. As each split open, grotesque demons all wielding a twisted, eerie sword emerged.
The Demon’s Edge Corps—a specialized unit that had undergone a procedure to fuse with the Demon’s Edge, granting them monstrous abilities—opened their eyes and immediately stabbed their bioweapons into the mana-rich ground.
Crunch!
The overflowing mana and demonic aura within the Silent Volcano surged into their bodies at an alarming rate. It made their flesh meld with the bioweapons, unleashing bursts of power in all directions.
Horrified by the sight, the eyes of the main unit all widened.
“They’re all S-rank...?”
“How the hell...?”
Whatever method had been used to create them, it was far from normal. Even if they weren’t truly at S-rank, with hundreds of them present, they were overwhelming regardless.
“Kill them!!”
Drunk on their newfound power, the Demon’s Edge Corps charged forward, unaware that they had already become living time bombs that were fated to die within a day.
But the ones waiting for them were not the main unit—it was Jason’s fists.
BOOM!
With a single punch, nine out of ten charging enemies exploded into a mist of blood and flesh, their shredded remains scattering across the battlefield. They were being slaughtered.
For a unit supposedly crafted to be an elite force, their end was laughably pathetic—
Squirm-!
Before the heroes could even feel relief, the scattered remains absorbed the surrounding mana and began regenerating at an insane speed.
Within moments, the Demon’s Edge Corps stood back up, completely restored, as if they had never been killed.
While the heroes gasped at the unnatural sight, Jason, unfazed, simply just swung his fists again.
BOOM! CRUNCH!
Just like the lava titan, the Demon’s Edge Corps resurrected endlessly, no matter how many times they were killed.
There’s no way their regeneration is this powerful.
Aria narrowed her eyes. Something felt off. Sharpening her senses, she focused, and, after a moment, found the cause.
A living root system was spread beneath the entire battlefield, centered around the crater—their ultimate destination. The corpses of the Demon’s Edge Corps were connected to those roots, which continuously restored their bodies.
So... they’re just extensions of something else?
Was it merely a tactic to delay them then, or was there another purpose? Tracing the root system with her eyes, Aria followed it until she locked eyes with something curled up at the very center of the crater.
Thump-
A massive greatsword lunged at her heart. It was as if the attack had appeared from thin air, slicing through space itself.
Her instincts kicking in, Aria grabbed Glare, her sword,[1] but she wasn’t able to draw it.
BOOM!
A solid fist had slammed into the greatsword before she could. In the world that seemed frozen in time, Jason’s fist had moved languidly, yet precisely, while radiating the power of the Trailblazer.
However, just when his fist was about to connect to the greatsword in that world, something happened.
Whoosh-
The greatsword moved.
BOOOOM!
Time resuming, the enemy was knocked back, tumbling across the battlefield.
Ignoring the heroes staring in shock, Jason glanced at his own fist before turning his gaze toward the figure now rising from the crater.
Squelch-
Tension filled the air. The enemy was no ordinary enemy. Through the settling dust, one of the Ten Evils—Demon’s Edge—stood up.
Jason stared at the being that had blocked his punch.
“How did you do that?”
To that question, however, Demon’s Edge just gave a cold and emotionless, “Foolish question.” It then raised the greatsword, now infused with the molten essence of the planet. “You’re just weak.”
***
Near the Silent Volcano, a vast lake of magma stretched across the land. Once known as the third-largest lake in the world, it had long since lost its former identity. Now, the lava spilling from the volcano had filled its depths.
No living being could possibly survive in such a hellish landscape. Yet, beneath the surface deep underground, there lay a forward base of the Demon Warfront. In it, the technicians of Watchers were working tirelessly.
“Incredible...”
Standing in the command center, Caden clicked his tongue as he observed the battle unfolding above. When he had successfully seized the Seeker’s legacy—Terra—and claimed control over the planet’s power, he had assumed the battle would shift in their favor.
Never had he guessed that they would still be pushed back so severely. If the Demon’s Edge Corps hadn’t been deployed in time, their enemies would have already broken through and reached the central crater.
They must have a way to neutralize the Silent Volcano... but what is it?
In the current situation, there were only two paths to victory. The first one was that the forces they sent outside to keep the Perfect Ones occupied would come back as reinforcements. The second one was that Demon’s Edge could successfully be reborn as a Harbinger of Destruction.
Either way, the key is protecting Terra.
If they were to lose control of Terra, everything would fall apart.
Yet Caden wasn’t particularly worried. According to the Tuner, only a handful of people even knew about Terra’s existence, and even fewer were capable of retrieving it.
Even if someone did know... the only one who could reclaim it would be the Seeker herself.
And even if all those conditions were met, the real problem was finding out the exact location it was hidden in. Terra was hidden between the outer and inner core of the planet—an environment where the immense pressure was enough to crush even the strongest of heroes.
Just diving into those depths was unthinkable, considering even the Perfect Ones could perish instantly unless their abilities were perfectly suited for survival.
There was just no way someone was heading there. Dismissing the thought, Caden began preparing to support Demon’s Edge instead. However, just as he was about to...
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A blaring alarm pierced the control room. Caden’s head snapped toward the alert, and a massive holographic screen flickered to life.
A schematic of the planet’s surface and underground layers appeared. Right in the middle, a red dot was plummeting at terrifying speed, heading straight for the planet’s core.
Caden’s eyes widened in disbelief.
That’s... impossible...
Even though his rational mind denied it, his instincts screamed it was the truth.
“Pull it up on the screen—NOW!”
They might not be able to capture the target clearly, but they had to confirm it.
The security feed flickered, and soon it began displaying a lone figure diving toward the planet’s core without any protective gear whatsoever.
Caden’s breath caught in his throat.
“...You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Se-Hoon was digging straight for Terra.
1. Previously it was Claire, but has been edited to Glare. It was transliterated as 클레어 instead of 글레어 and we thought it was something different. ☜