Chapter 125
“Huff… huff… damn, this is killing me.”
Catching my breath, I looked around.
The entire area had been completely annihilated, reduced to a massive crater by explosions.
It was the result of unleashing one of the ultimate techniques of the Asura Divine Art—Purgatory.
Staring at the scene, which resembled the aftermath of a dinosaur extinction, I took a brief rest.
Climbing the layers using only the Asura Divine Art was starting to become too much.
I was currently on the fourth layer out of seven.
Up until now, I had followed optimal strategies to reach this point as quickly as possible, but my stamina was running out.
I had intentionally used only the Asura Divine Art to measure the results of my training with Heavenly Demon.
Even taking the shortest route, I was already exhausted at the fourth layer.
Of course, there was a reason for that.
Not only were the endlessly resurrecting souls overwhelming, but the accumulated restrictions of each layer were steadily draining my stamina.
I circulated mana and examined my body.
Right now, I was under four restrictions.
Reduced movement speed, blindness in my left eye, increased mana consumption, and status ailment—poison.
The poison, in particular, was troublesome.
Constant dizziness, nausea, and occasionally my body would lose strength without warning, leaving me open to attacks.
It seemed this was the limit of relying solely on the Asura Divine Art.
I turned my head toward something.
Just a few steps away—
A glowing portal.
The staircase to the next layer.
I walked toward it, but no matter how much I advanced, the portal didn’t get any closer.
This was the fourth layer of Purgatory—
The most difficult layer in terms of player experience.
There were no tricks allowed here.
The only way forward was to fight through the souls head-on.
Even in the game, it required relentless grinding and endurance.
A nightmare—even for veteran players.
“Grrr…”
“Ughhh…”
“Rrrgh!”
The souls that had been destroyed were already regenerating.
I sighed.
“Seriously… can’t you even give me ten minutes?”
Even the Academy gave ten minutes of rest after an hour of class.
But this dungeon ignored even that basic courtesy.
The sight of the countless souls filling my vision was almost infuriating.
My stamina was depleted, my body heavy as lead.
The wounds from earlier still throbbed.
I took a breath—
And released the Demonic Authority I had suppressed beneath the Infernal Flame of the Asura Divine Art.
This dungeon was among the hardest, even in the game.
Insisting on using only one technique in this state was reckless.
As demonic power filled my body—
An overwhelming sense of liberation surged through me.
My depleted stamina recovered.
My wounds healed.
The Authority of Mighty Strength pulsed through my muscles.
It felt like I had been reborn.
The weight crushing my body lessened, and the poison vanished.
Compared to before—
I was on an entirely different level.
I equipped armor and a sword through the 【Dark Relic】 and faced the souls.
They hesitated.
No—
They were afraid.
Their bodies trembled faintly.
I frowned.
They hadn’t even flinched at Infernal Flame.
So why now?
It wasn’t just my increased power.
Even before, the difference in strength was clear.
The only difference now—
Demonic Authority.
I took a step forward.
They stepped back.
I blinked in surprise.
Even in the game, the souls never avoided me.
Then—
I smiled.
If that’s the case, I should’ve used Demonic Authority from the start.
With nothing blocking my path, reaching the staircase was easy.
After walking for some time—
The once-distant portal finally drew near.
Just as my hand touched it—
【You have discovered the staircase to the next layer.】
【Proceed to the next layer?】
【Y / N】
I reached for Y—
Flash.
A blinding white light.
My body was flung far away from the portal.
…What?
I quickly assessed the situation.
Something had emerged from the portal and struck me just before I pressed Y.
Then—
Light erupted from the portal.
And someone stepped out.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I froze.
A serene, almost sacred face.
Massive wings spread behind him.
A glowing ring above his head.
A textbook angel.
Why is that thing here?
He should’ve been guarding the divine altar at the top of the dungeon.
I knew exactly who this was.
The angel guarding the altar required to obtain Solis.
Defeat him, bless the Star of Art—
And craft Solis infused with the power of the sun.
But why was he here?
Before I could think further—
A beam of light shot toward me.
I twisted my head and barely avoided it.
“Attacking without explanation? Aren’t you supposed to be an angel?”
“How dare a demon of hell invade Purgatory and disrupt its order!”
Radiant light spread from his wings.
The moment I felt it—
My Demonic Authority shrank instinctively.
This energy…
It felt like the exact opposite of Demonic Authority.
I had felt something similar before.
Right—
When I obtained The Reader—the Guardian’s power had a similar nature.
But this was purer.
Stronger.
The angel rose into the air.
With each flap of his wings, countless white feathers fell—
Transforming into arrows of light.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I formed a massive shield using the 【Dark Relic】 and blocked them.
“Demon, leave this land at once!”
He charged at me.
A spear of light in his hand.
I drew the Sword Cast Aside in Darkness and clashed with him.
Sword and spear collided repeatedly midair.
Light and darkness exploded, coloring the gray world.
I aimed for an opening.
I had fought this enemy countless times.
I knew his patterns.
To defeat him efficiently—
I had to cut off his wings first.
Crimson flames ignited along my blade.
I swung—
A red slash tore through the air toward him.
“How dare you bring filthy hellfire into a sacred domain!”
With a roar, he unleashed a violent storm.
My attack was swallowed instantly.
“…Not easy.”
As expected of a hidden boss.
He descended toward me—
A beam of light carrying immense force.
That’s dangerous.
A crude spear rose from the ground into my hand.
Power against power.
I swung the Giant’s Spear like a bat.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Blinding light filled my vision.
The spear shattered in my hands.
The Power of Restoration quickly healed my eyes.
When my sight returned—
The angel was on the ground.
“Ghk!”
He glared at me with fury.
This really does feel like I’m invading heaven.
Now’s my chance.
My sword turned crimson.
Demonic Authority—
Levatein.
The flaming blade pierced his wing.
“AAAAARGH!”
A scream tore from him.
I had aimed for the head—
But this was why the wings had to go first.
They were essentially extra limbs.
I drove the blade deeper.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto me.
Then—
Light burst from his body.
A golden trumpet appeared in his hand.
…That?!
I immediately let go of Levatein and tried to strike—
But he raised the trumpet.
BWOOOOOO—
A deafening blast.
A massive wave swallowed me whole.
“Damn it—!”
My insides churned.
My head felt like it would explode.
I couldn’t move.
That damned trumpet—
A powerful area attack.
Damage over time.
Stun.
And temporary ability sealing.
A broken skill.
My black armor melted away.
My Demonic Authority was sealed.
Blood spilled from my mouth.
The Power of Restoration worked—
But slowly.
Even it was being hindered.
The sound finally stopped.
The angel stood before me.
Levatein was still lodged in his wing.
I cursed inwardly.
I knew his patterns.
I hadn’t been careless.
He was just strong.
And the restrictions on me didn’t help.
“Demon. Accept judgment.”
Light gathered in his hand—
Forming a weapon.
A blade of judgment.
The Judgment Sword.
His ultimate weapon.
It descended toward me.
Clang!
The angel’s expression twisted.
“How…?”
In my hand—
A sword engraved with countless magical patterns.
The Reader.
My first final-tier item blocked the attack.
If I couldn’t win with Demonic Authority—
Then I’d fight with my original power.
I activated the Asura Divine Art once more.
“In front of me… using flames?”
The flames on the Judgment Sword began flowing toward The Reader.
The angel’s face filled with shock.
“How are you manipulating the flames of judgment?!”
“They’re pretty similar to Infernal Flame.”
I kicked him back—
And drove The Reader into the ground.