Chapter 138: Slayer Ascends

Evan was facing Leviathan.

The creature had the sharp eyes of a serpent.

It bared its crocodile-like maw, revealing its sheer ferocity.

Its crimson body was coiled around the core of Yggdrasil.

Ssssss!

It seemed to be issuing a threat, marking the core as its own to ensure no one would take it away.

‘Leviathan? Why is that creature here?’

Leviathan was the most malicious among the Snakes of the Four Calamities.

It couldn’t even be compared to the likes of the Hydra, the Basilisk, or Jormungand.

‘To think I’ve already seen three of the Snakes of the Four Calamities in this world…’

Recalling the Snakes of the Four Calamities, Evan searched through his memories of when he had faced Leviathan before.

In the previous world, he had first encountered the beast in some ancient ruins.

It was an ancient shrine located on a remote island in the middle of the ocean.

It was a place he had barely reached after breaking through the demonic forces that had been guarding it with everything they had.

The creature had been sealed within that Boss Room.

‘An island at the End of the World. The literature there recorded it as a monstrosity of calamity.’

A companion in his hunter party who studied archaeology had translated the ruins for him.

Since it was recorded in the Boss Room, the memory remained vivid.

Furthermore, the creature had been the gatekeeper guarding the Fruit of Good and Evil at the very center of the Boss Room.

‘A tree with a concept diametrically opposed to Yggdrasil.’

If Yggdrasil symbolized life, then the Fruit of Good and Evil symbolized chaos and death.

It was easiest to think of it as an inverted version of Yggdrasil.

The Fruit of Good and Evil produced intense Magia and polluted the world.

It provided the Demon Tribe with even greater power, but for all other living beings, it was a lethal poison.

‘From the start, the purpose of Yggdrasil is to maintain the world, while the Fruit of Good and Evil opposite it exists for the purpose of destroying the world.’

As he continued to reminisce, Evan felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘Now that I think about it, the Demon Tribe started becoming more obsessed with the World Tree after I destroyed the Fruit of Good and Evil!’

He recalled the Great War against the Demon Tribe.

They had been fanatically obsessed with Yggdrasil, even if it meant trading their lives for it.

At the time, he had simply thought their goal was to destroy Yggdrasil.

However, looking at it now, he felt like he understood the reason.

‘Looking at Yggdrasil’s current state, it’s no different from the Fruit of Good and Evil!’

To transform Yggdrasil into the Fruit of Good and Evil.

There would be no material better suited for creating such a fruit than the World Tree itself.

‘The Yggdrasil here was also being targeted by something.’

The most representative proof was the fact that the Leviathan standing before him was here.

However, there was one thing Evan couldn’t understand.

‘The one I knew was massive enough to coil around and cover an entire island. And it had seven heads, but this one only has one.’

Its form was significantly different from what he remembered.

It felt weakened compared to back then — or rather, to put it precisely, it felt like a mere hatchling.

Of course, if he were told to face such a monstrous creature at his current level, it would have been nearly impossible.

He would have retreated to plan for the distant future.

‘It still looks like a handful, but…’

For some reason, it felt like he could take this one on.

Furthermore, the creature’s primary stage was the ocean.

On the island at the End of the World, the beast had run rampant on the sea.

But this was land, not the ocean.

This environment was by no means advantageous for the creature.

Through this, Evan could make a few guesses.

‘It was impossible for it. Because the Elves here did the same thing I did to protect Yggdrasil.’

Perhaps due to that influence, the creature’s power was not whole.

However, if he had left it alone like this, it would have grown in size and strength.

Perhaps, just like in the previous world, it could have developed into a massive calamity along with the Fruit of Good and Evil.

“I suppose it’s actually fortunate that I discovered it early.”

Evan put away his metal sword and pulled the Elemental Sword from his inventory.

‘The creature’s primary attributes are the Demonic and Water attributes.’

Recalling the creature’s attributes and weaknesses, he activated the power of the elements.

[Lightning Blade has been activated.]

Zzzzzzt!

Sparks began to fly from the sword, and soon, powerful electricity generated from the blade.

‘Electricity has a natural advantage against the Water attribute.’

Evan immediately channeled his Aura.

A sharp Aura Blade formed over the edge once more.

But Evan didn’t stop there.

[Fighter’s Spirit skill has been activated.]

[Stamina consumption is reduced to 50% for 15 minutes.]

[Strength and Stamina temporarily increase by 50% while Aura is active.]

[Blow skill has been activated.]

[From now on, all strikes will be strengthened in proportion to the number of hits.]

He used his buff skills one after another.

This was a fight he couldn’t win if he dragged it out.

He would have to end it decisively, even if it meant squeezing out every last drop of his strength.

Sssssssss!

As if Leviathan was also preparing to attack, its maw bulged.

‘Is it Poison Breath?’

In the previous world, he had struggled because of the creature’s poison, but this time was different.

Since he had the Detoxification Resistance Skill, he would be able to endure it.

Having stacked all his buffs, Evan slowly approached the creature and used his final trump card.

[Permission to use Mythic Power has been granted.]

[Permission to use Conqueror has been granted.]

[The permitted usage time is (00:02:00).]

The permission to use the Mythic Power, Conqueror, was granted.

The given time of 2 minutes felt a bit tight.

However, he didn’t particularly care.

Ding!

Along with the notification sound in his ear, a Hologram appeared before Evan’s eyes.

[Conqueror Slot]

1. Lee Han Lv. 999
2. (None)
3. (None)
4. ……

Lee Han’s image was inside the system window.

Without hesitation, Evan selected Lee Han.

[You have selected Conqueror Lee Han.]

[The power of Conqueror Lee Han will now be applied.]

A colorless aura began to emanate from Evan’s body.

An unfathomable, distant power dwelled within him.

However, whenever he used this power, an extreme burden was placed on his body.

It felt like trying to fit an entire ocean into a small jar.

Of course, the side effects were less severe than before because his Resonance Rate and level had increased.

Evan, who had been walking toward Leviathan, stopped once he reached a certain distance.

Soon, a strange light flickered in Evan’s eyes.

[Commencing usage of Conqueror Lee Han. (00:01:59)]

As soon as time began to tick, Evan disappeared, leaving only an afterimage behind.

Boom!

Just moving caused powerful shockwaves and massive ripples of energy.

Leviathan rolled its eyes, searching for Evan’s movements.

But by the time it found him, Evan was already right in front of its nose.

Gurgle!

Opening its maw wide, Leviathan fired its Poison Breath.

Kwooooooo!

The breath, flying in a straight line, struck Evan head-on.

[You have been poisoned by Leviathan’s deadly venom.]

[Detoxification Resistance Skill proficiency has increased!]

[Detoxification Resistance Skill level has increased.]

Taking the Poison Breath directly, Evan swung his sword at Leviathan.

Swish—!

Clang!

The moment the sword touched the creature’s scales, a loud metallic sound rang out, and a powerful energy ripple was generated.

He hadn’t quite managed to pierce the scales, but he had pushed them to the point of nearly shattering.

‘To think it could endure that. I suppose this guy really is different.’

The scales were so hard they were no different from a dragon’s.

Leviathan opened its maw wide.

With its venomous fangs bared, it lunged its head forward to bite Evan.

Evan didn’t dodge.

Instead, he used the Leap skill to fly toward the creature’s head.

Just like that, he swung his sword with all his might at the creature’s jaw.

Crrrash!

The sensation was more of a heavy blow than a slash.

It didn’t seem like this sword could pierce the creature’s hard scales.

However, Evan didn’t care and continued to pummel the beast.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Leviathan staggered under the relentless, dizzying assault.

And as the attack progressed, the speed of his sword swings became even more fierce.

The power of the Blow skill was being added to it.

[Number of Attacks x3]

[Number of Attacks x4]

As the marks stacked, his strength and attack speed increased.

After Evan unilaterally overwhelmed it, a message signaling the end finally appeared.

[Number of Attacks x10]

[The final attack will deal 150% additional damage.]

Kwoooom!

As Evan delivered the strengthened blow, a portion of the creature’s scales was completely destroyed.

Although he had dealt a critical wound, the creature was still holding on.

‘One minute remaining for Conqueror.’

Evan did not stop his attacks until the creature was defeated.

Screeeech!

Leviathan roared as it was thrown to the ground.

It writhed like an earthworm, making its final struggle to survive.

Its scales, which Evan had hammered multiple times, couldn’t hold out and were completely shattered.

Blood poured profusely from the areas sliced by the sword.

It was on the verge of death.

‘It can’t use its strength as well as I thought. It can’t even use the techniques it originally possessed. It was just a creature with a tough body.’

It was lucky that he met it before it grew, allowing him to end it easily.

Evan approached to finish the creature off.

He used the newly acquired Ihan’s 4th Form.

When used in the Conqueror state, the length of the Aura Blade became several times longer.

“It was your mistake to encounter me.”

Just as Evan was about to swing his sword.

— Brat. Do not be so happy about killing me.

Leviathan, who had been glaring at Evan with wide eyes, began to speak.

“……You. You can speak?”

Evan couldn’t hide his surprise.

He had dealt with the Snakes of the Four Calamities in the previous world, but they were all ferocious and fought until they died without ever saying a word.

However, this creature now was different from the ones he had seen in the previous world.

It had a look of resentment on its face.

— I am but a fraction. On the day I reclaim my true body, I will kill you first. Just as I killed the original beings of Eden…

Evan chuckled upon hearing those words.

“Go ahead and try. I think I know what your true body is. Did it have seven heads?”

Hearing Evan’s words, Leviathan seemed considerably shaken.

How did such a young human know what its true body looked like?

“By any chance, have you died in another world before?”

Leviathan remained silent.

Then, its eyes became bloodshot and filled with veins.

— Do not be arrogant. I have never died. I will not die until I have killed all humans. On the day my true body is resurrected, your world will end. And all foolish living creatures will vanish as they gaze upon my ascension.

With those final words, Leviathan’s body began to melt away.

[You have defeated Leviathan, one of the Snakes of the Four Calamities.]

[The hidden achievement ‘Slayer of the Four Calamities’ has been synchronized.]

[Achievement rewards have been sent to your inventory.]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

His level jumped by a staggering 30 levels at once.

Furthermore, as the achievements from the previous world were synchronized, items were placed into his inventory as rewards.

Thud—!

Something fell where the creature had disappeared.

It was a fruit that looked like an apple, emitting a black aura.

There were marks of a bite taken out of it.

Evan walked closer and picked it up.

At that moment, a message window appeared before his eyes.

[You have discovered a Hidden Piece: Fragment of the World of Eden.]

‘Wait, this is…’

Evan took the Mirror of Heaven out of his inventory.

Then, he used the power of the Mirror World within the Mirror of Heaven.

[Would you like to reflect the Fragment of the World of Eden in the Mirror of Heaven? (Y/N)]

As expected, it was an item related to the Mirror of Heaven.

When Evan lightly accepted, the fruit began to be sucked into the mirror.

And after a moment, holograms appeared before Evan’s eyes.

[Mirror World]

Damaged Old World (Level 500 or higher. Accessible)

Eden (Level 1,800 or higher)

“Level 1,800 or higher…”

The newly added world of Eden far exceeded any concept of level transcendence.