Chapter 151: Conviction of the Ugly King

This is the Space of Suffering.

Inside the memories of Abellar Pavlenko.

The encroaching Abyssal Depths rush in along with the darkness.

It was a sight that had become quite familiar by now.

A war where the Abyssal Depths and humans collided.

A scene where bright Auras and pitch-black darkness clashed.

Of course, the one overwhelming the other was the darkness.

“Aaaagh!”

The darkness swallows the light.

The Abyssal Depths pull the humans in, and the knights covered by it are tainted by the Abyssal Depths in an instant.

“Groaaan…”

The death throes turned into blackened cries, their bodies twisted, and with their eye sockets turning completely black, the direction they advanced was reversed.

“Ha-Halian! Get a grip! It’s me!”

The knight’s sword, which had been aimed at the darkness, now pointed at his comrades and friends.

The knights who were not yet tainted by the Abyssal Depths vomited out screams like shouts several times, but eventually cut down those blackened, twisting things.

With eyes bloodshot and blood dripping from bitten lips, they were cutting down with their own hands the comrades and friends they had fought side by side with until just a moment ago.

“Uaaaaagh! You bastards aren’t even worth chewing up!”

The feast of Auras swung in a fit of rage did not last long.

Intensified emotions were merely delectable prey for the Abyssal Depths.

The moment the Abyssal Depths touched the gap created that way, they too became part of the Abyssal Depths.

The darkness—the Abyssal Depths—was expanding its territory in that manner.

Of course, there was also light that stood against it.

[Skill – ‘Summon Death God’ is active.]

[All skills are sealed.]

It was a very powerful light.

A light of hope that burned away the darkness.

“Flare.”

Kwaaaang—!

A pillar of fire soars.

Beams of frost carve deep wounds into the encroaching darkness, and fierce explosions occur in succession, creating gaps in the gloom.

Those gaps were quickly refilled by the following Abyssal Depths, but this was hope.

“The Master Magician is with us!”

“Block the Strange Entities! Never retreat!”

It was a hope that cleared away the darkness of the heart.

***

To the beings that were originally living creatures but had now become part of the Abyssal Depths, energy like the Magic Power they had in life still remained.

In fact, it became even stronger after being tainted by the Abyssal Depths.

The Death God reaps those things and delivers them to Hio.

“King-king.”

At Hio’s call, the Death God behind his back swings its scythe again.

A massive amount of energy gets caught at its tip.

That soon turned into Magic Power and poured into Hio, and even though he was creating magic without rest, the Magic Power overflowed, even creating a faint haze around his body.

Your casting speed has increased tremendously.

The voice of Furnel echoed low in the mind of Hio, who was busy creating magic.

It’s only possible because Magic Power is being supplied continuously without any adjustment, but it’s a marvelous speed.

As he said, Hio’s magic had developed exponentially compared to before entering the Space of Suffering.

What Magician in the world would have poured out magic for hours without rest?

The 4th Circle and 5th Circle magic, performed in a state of trance, reached a certain realm beyond simple proficiency or mastery.

You’ve long since surpassed the level of an ordinary Magician… but I don’t know what to call this.

5th Circle magic involved handling at least a hundred Circle Inscriptions.

A single work of art completed by distributing Magic Power without even a single error to draw out the exact strength and blending them all together.

Hio was churning them out by the second.

A monster is being created.

5th Circle magic, which could overturn the tide of a battlefield, was being poured out continuously.

For hours on end.

I wonder if there will be side effects…

Magic Power is infinite.

If desired, physical strength is also infinite.

The top-tier skill, Summon Death God, was a power with a massive penalty such that all other skills were sealed.

It was a fraudulent power that allowed one to gain infinite energy the more enemies there were.

However, that was only an external factor.

No matter how much infinite power one gains, the human mind that uses it is not infinite.

Strong knights who have trained for decades and Magicians who have studied for decades all have limits to their mental strength.

Yet, look at Hio Pavlenko.

‘Isn’t he firing infinite magic to match the infinite Magic Power?’

As if his own mental strength were also infinite.

Clearly, that shouldn’t be the case.

Come to think of it, that Hidden Trait is strange too.

Patience is difficult to increase.

He had tried almost all common methods, but even when working on Patience with determination, the efficiency was abysmal.

‘Yet, isn’t there a case where such Patience rises by hundreds in an instant?’

Looking back, those moments had something in common.

It was so when the people of Delphyr Village died, and it was so when his first teacher, Berga Pavlenko, died.

It was so when Theodore, the knight of the Imperial Princess, was butchered while facing an army alone, and it was so when he had to break the mission of the knight who had protected the Dragon for a thousand years.

Patience, which only rises by about 1 to 2 even after enduring terrible pain for hours, rises by hundreds in such situations.

So, Furnel hesitated for a moment before asking.

‘Are you… truly alright?’

Hio had never once significantly shown his emotions.

He had only checked it through the Patience stat, and had always just moved on calmly, never shedding tears or venting his resentment.

Even in front of Berga’s grave, which he visited after a long time, and even when he had to kill the Dragon.

In front of the gruesome corpses of the Imperial Academy students, and even in front of the death of the villain whom the whole world pointed fingers at.

‘Hadn’t he always endured and endured?’

To what extent has that worn-down mind reached now?

A trait that only makes one stronger if they endure.

Just for whom, and for what, was this trait intended?

Whether the mind that endured like that was truly… alright.

He asked that, but.

There was no answer.

It was because Hio was in a state of trance.

As if pouring out magic was the only thing he had to do, he just fired magic like a madman toward the Abyssal Depths.

Thus, even this war moves toward victory.

In the process, countless people died and many were tainted by the Abyssal Depths, but eventually, they moved toward victory.

This is the Space of Suffering.

Inside the memories of a certain Master Magician who has already passed away.

So the people here are all beings from the past and are not currently alive.

“W-we won…!”

“The darkness… the Strange Entities are retreating!”

“Waaaaaaa!”

Nevertheless, a faint smile spreads across Hio’s lips.

“W-we did it!”

“We’ve blocked them again!”

The Abyssal Depths retreated again after several hours of battle.

Even though he hadn’t annihilated all of the Abyssal Depths as before, they retreated on their own.

Seeing that, the knights and soldiers hugged each other and rejoiced.

At the sight of them, Hio also smiled and rejoiced with them.

The darkness retreats, and the blue sky decorates the space again.

“You have worked hard, Lord Pavlenko.”

Although it was a momentary victory, a victory was still a victory.

King Leorant also approached Hio’s side with a faint smile.

A single defeat would lead straight to ruin, but it was true that they were happy nonetheless.

“This victory is also largely due to your contribution.”

He was laughing and praising Hio.

However, the smile had already disappeared from Hio’s face.

[You have overcome the ordeal.]

[You have successfully conquered the Space of Suffering.]

It wasn’t because the message appeared.

It wasn’t even because he ultimately couldn’t find out what kind of end the Ugly King met.

Rather, it was the opposite reason.

“Lord Pavlenko. I apologize for my unreasonable request the other day. I’m sorry, as you must not have been at peace. That’s all an Ugly King can do…”

It was because he began to see what kind of end this Ugly King met.

It was because the darkness was rushing in again.

Behind the Ugly King who was speaking, above the rejoicing knights and soldiers, and perhaps even behind Hio’s own back.

The Abyssal Depths were approaching.

The Abyssal Depths had not retreated.

They had waited.

To strike from all sides rather than the front.

What was flying over from far away, flapping its wings, was definitely a Dragon.

Seven Dragons tainted by the Abyssal Depths.

With them in the lead, what was swarming from all directions was definitely the energy of the Abyssal Depths.

A massive lump of the Abyssal Depths itself.

To make matters worse, a thick shadow began to cast directly above, in the sky.

It was a giant eye.

The eye of the Watcher that he had seen once before.

A bizarre and giant pupil existing in the Abyssal Depths.

“W-what is that…!”

Only then did King Leorant, the rejoicing knights, and everyone who survived on the battlefield look up at the sky.

[Ordeal – ‘Conviction of the Ugly King’ is ending.]

[The Space of Suffering is collapsing.]

The world is submerged in darkness.

The ordeal of Suffering had ended.

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience : 811 / 1000)]

***

The Space of Infinity.

Literally a place where monsters pour out infinitely.

Therefore, everywhere except for the places where the knights and Possessors were holding out was covered with pitch-black Abyss Monsters.

Would it feel like this to fight a whole kingdom alone?

The number of enemies was that large and difficult to handle.

“You persistent bastards!”

Moreover, how tenacious were they?

It was absurd how they rushed in, throwing their whole bodies as if they were noble knights.

Naturally, the situation was close to the worst.

Countless enemies.

A battle with no known end.

While their bodies, minds, and Magic Power were being depleted in that way.

Kugugu-gung—

The left Gate shakes.

The Gate, which had stood firm even while they were fighting like crazy, shakes violently.

Accordingly, the Space of Infinity also vibrated along with it.

“That is…!”

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned there.

The giant black Gate was shaking and shaking until it finally broke down.

The Space of Suffering was collapsing.

That meant only one thing.

“One Space of Suffering has ended!”

It meant that one of the two spaces had been successfully conquered.

And wasn’t the left Space of Suffering the place where the Guardian Knight, Hio Pavlenko, had entered?

“Get a grip! We still don’t know how things will turn out!”

However, they couldn’t just be rejoicing.

The right Space of Suffering still remained.

Soon, a high-level force called the current Emperor’s Guardian Knight would join.

Although it would give them some breathing room, he alone would not be able to overturn the current battle situation at once.

They must never let their guard down.

Kugugung—

But when one being, floating clearly in the place where the Space of Suffering had completely collapsed, caught their eye, even the knight who was shouting for focus eventually had his gaze stolen.

“…”

“…”

Darkness settling deeper amidst the scattered debris of the Gate.

Even though it was the Abyss space, the vision became one step darker.

The collapsed Gate.

In its place, at some point, glowing red eyes were seen.

A giant Death God visible faintly.

The form of death.

And.

Kwaaaang—!

Seven pillars of fire soaring simultaneously.

Even before those ended, ten more pillars of fire soared again.

Kwaaaang—!

Explosions occurred everywhere, the ground shook, and blue beams were fired.

“What on earth…?”

It was something that happened almost simultaneously with the collapse of the Space of Suffering.

It was natural that the Abyss Monsters that had been packed in all directions were scattered, torn, and killed.

Kwaang!

Kwaaaang—!

The giant and blurry Death God swings its flashing scythe.

It’s impossible to know what kind of effect that has, but what’s certain is that it’s not an ordinary being.

A massive presence presented by the non-human Death God.

Every time the Death God swung its scythe, a massive flow of Magic Power swirled.

And the one who governed that massive flow was only one human.

There was no way Vitalianus didn’t know that.

“You’ve returned, Magician.”

So, he lifts his sword with a faint smile.

His voice, filled with power, rings loudly, covering the Infinity Floor.

This was a shout announcing hope.

The beginning of the counterattack that they had endured for.

“The great Guardian Knight, Hio Pavlenko, has returned!”

The knights who couldn’t even fight properly and had only been holding out to save Magic Power.

Because they didn’t know when it would end, anxiety must have been sprouting in everyone’s hearts.

“Everyone! Advance!”

But with the appearance of just one person, the entire strategy was changed.

“No need to hold out! Pour out all the power you have!”

“Waaaaaa!”

The knights, who had only been pushed back endlessly, poured out all the power they had saved until the end at once.

Kwaaaang—!

It was thanks to the pillars of fire and strong explosions without any precursors occurring without rest.

It was because they knew that the ground breaking, bone spears being fired, and even the giant earthworm scattering lava were all powers created by one person.

“March! March! The Guardian Knight has returned!”

“The Magician is with us!”

Kwaaaang—!

At least dozens of Abyss Monsters are swept away in a single explosion.

Monsters of the mid-stages.

Each one was stronger than the undead on the last Conquest Floor, but they were useless against the pillars of fire soaring all at once and within the wide explosions that had no precursors.

Abyss Monsters being swept away by the hundreds as several spells were fired every few seconds.

“Sweep them all away!”

It went without saying that the morale of the knights soared.

Room began to appear in the space that had been pushed back and narrowed endlessly.

Not to mention, even better news arrived.

“The right… the right Gate!”

The Space of Suffering that Antipus had entered.

That Gate also began to shake violently and break down.

“Waaaaaa!”

Hope grows in size in an instant.

“Kill them all! You persistent bastards!”

“You cursed trash!”

Their physical strength and Magic Power were clearly not much left, but the rapidly rising hope miraculously instills new strength again.

It made their bodies move and gave them the strength to sweep away the enemies.

The vast Space of Infinity.

It didn’t take as much time as expected to sweep away the Abyss Monsters that had filled that place.

It was possible because the powerful magic dropping every second continued infinitely.

“Antipus!”

Because the number of monsters decreased and many empty spaces were created, the figure of Antipus, who had just appeared from the Space of Suffering, was also revealed immediately.

A rather difficult sight, with his whole body soaked in sweat while kneeling on one knee.

Most of the Possessors would have been surprised to see him, who seemed like he would have nothing to fear, looking so worn out, but there was no fool who showed it outwardly.

“It’s ending! There’s not much left! Everyone, take heart!”

Both Spaces of Suffering have been cleared.

That alone meant that no more monsters would appear in the Space of Infinity.

Now, if they just killed all the remaining Abyss Monsters, the short but infinitely long conquest of the 53rd floor would end in success.

Kwaaaang—!

And even at this moment, Hio’s magic was exploding everywhere.

Kwaang—!

The end is in sight.

The monsters appearing in the Space of Infinity are no longer infinite.

Kwaaaang—!

‘But isn’t the power of Hio Pavlenko truly infinite?’

How could the power of a single individual slaughter thousands and tens of thousands of monsters?

“The great Guardian Knight is with us!”

“Waaaaaaa! Sweep them all away!”

“For the glory of Verdan!”

The Space of Infinity is no longer infinite.

The Magician who slaughters thousands and tens of thousands alone, and the joining of Antipus, who is called the strongest among the Possessors.

Therefore, a mere ten minutes or so was enough to clean up the remaining Abyss Monsters.

“…It’s over…”

“Is it… is it really over?”

“We won! You disgusting monsters! You’re finally all dead!”

Not to mention the Possessors.

It was a battle that was that difficult.

Even the knights flopped down on the floor.

Their mental and physical fatigue was no joke.

“I’ve heard that even Lord Vitalianus acknowledges the Guardian Knight’s martial prowess, but…”

“This is truly beyond imagination.”

Admiration heard in low voices, and knights shouting Hio’s name openly, cheering and chanting it.

“Good work, Magician.”

Even Vitalianus pats Hio’s shoulder with a smile of joy.

“…”

But Hio neither smiles nor rejoices.

From his appearance until now, he has been staring at one place with a consistent expression.

“Why are you like that?”

At that, Vitalianus also turns his gaze to where Hio is looking.

Then, an Abyss Monster that he didn’t know had been there can be seen.

“Ah, one Abyss Monster remained.”

An Abyss Monster he hadn’t even cared about because it was so pathetic.

Whether it appeared at the last minute or had been there all along and just luckily remained until the end.

He didn’t know for sure, but its appearance was similar to other Abyss Monsters that had appeared on the Infinity Floor.

It looked like a horse and a twisted monster had been merged.

Its whole body was stained pitch black, and something like a black flag was stuck in its back.

There was also a difference.

“Tsk, it must have been so weak that it wasn’t even caught by my senses.”

The fact that its size was so small it was unsightly.

And a crown he was wearing on his head.

The fact that something looking similar to a crown was placed on top of that twisted head.

“You must be tired, so stay still. Since it’s the last one, I’ll finish it personally.”

A twisted appearance stained entirely in black.

A weakling in which no particular energy could be felt, unlike other monsters.

‘Why did such a monster, which was unsightly and even had a clumsy twisted form, remain until the end?’

“…No.”

Why did the other monsters throw themselves like crazy, leaving only such an ugly one behind?

As if they wanted to protect it.

“I have to go.”

So, bypassing Vitalianus who was about to step forward, Hio takes a step ahead.

Because that unsightly appearance was very familiar, he grips his staff tightly and moves his steps slowly.

5th Circle magic, Wind Blade, which was completed immediately after the Magic Power fluctuated and moved.

Invisible blades float in the air and move along with Hio.

Kraaaa!

The ugly monster rushes forward with a vigorous scream.

The flag that was stuck in his back and protruded long flutters, and the crown on his head shakes.

A flag that no one recognizes anymore.

A crown that has no meaning.

A scream that somehow sounded like a sob.

“Leorant, the last king of Basterion.”

Hio moves his steps toward the rushing monster.

“The Ugly King who was not afraid of ugliness.”

The end was, well, obvious.

The wind blade passed through the neck of such a small monster far too easily.

“The knees that knelt unsightly, the tears that flowed endlessly.”

A neck that falls in an instant.

A head that tumbles and rolls several times.

[You have successfully conquered the Abyss.]

A futile ending that perfectly resembled its appearance.

The Ugly King’s wish ultimately did not come true.

But.

“I will never forget.”

The knees that knelt servilely.

The head that bowed without hesitation.

The tears that fell pathetically.

Because only one thing was felt from all of those.

“The noble conviction of the world’s ugliest king.”

It was a firm conviction that he would save them no matter what.

A noble heart that would rather remain the ugliest king than let his loved ones die.

At least that conviction had reached Hio across a thousand years.

“Since I will carry it on.”

Standing there, he looks down quietly at the rolling head.

A pathetic head that tumbles endlessly, flying away before losing strength and being stuck in the ground.

“You can let it go now.”

Even though it had tumbled so unsightly.

[-The 53rd floor sinks into the even deeper Abyssal Depths.]

[The floor is collapsing.]

The crown worn on its head never fell off until the end.

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience : 946 / 1000)]