Ashur vs. Ymir
Ashur still blocked the path. Though he wanted to follow Rian to the Great World War, stopping Ymir was the immediate priority.
Using his Signal ability, Transmission, he could send a signal to his destination and move instantly, but the Great World War was impossible to reach this way.
The area was saturated with electromagnetic waves, making running faster than waiting for a signal to transmit.
This was also why he had sent Rian ahead.
"Step aside, Ymir. I won't tolerate any more recklessness."
Ymir stroked his chin and said, "Seeing you abandon even the pretty angel, something important must've happened. Why don't you let me in on it?"
"It's none of your concern."
"Somehow, it sounds like it is."
Ashur didn't deny it.
Ymir, the King of Giants, sought battle. Stripped of his physical form solely because of his strength, he yearned for a fierce fight where he could win using his true power.
On the other hand, Ikael was determined to prevent war.
If Ikael desired it, Ashur would follow.
As long as he stood in the way, nothing would happen in Heaven. Therefore, Ymir had no reason to be concerned.
Ashur aimed Shockwave at Ymir's solar plexus.
"By the order of the Archangel Ikael, I strip you of all your rights."
"Heh, since when did a lowly angel have such authority?"
Ashur charged like a whirlwind.
Ymir crossed his arms, but they split open, blood spraying. The electromagnetic vibrations burned his bones.
Ashur glared at Ymir with a look of disdain.
"How dare a mere giant insult the Archangel? You're nothing but flesh. Don't defile a noble spirit with your filthy tongue."
"A mere giant?"
Ymir's eyebrow twitched.
"I am Ymir."
Feeling the killing intent, Ashur created distance. But Ymir closed the 10-meter gap in a single leap.
Ymir's powerful straight punch pierced Ashur's abdomen.
"Guh!"
Shock filled Ashur's eyes.
His form, frozen in time, blurred as the 180 glass panels containing his signals flickered and vanished.
Ymir turned back with an annoyed expression.
Ashur, having completed the transfer to a new space, stood tall, Shockwave hanging loosely in his hand.
"Heh, aren't you overdoing it? I heard the restraints on your power are severe."
"You're in no position to pity me. You should worry about your own flesh."
"Is that so?"
"Frozen Hell."
The space around Ashur and Ymir was surrounded by glass panels.
Approximately 2,400 panels flickered, collecting signals of heat and cold. Fire and ice alternated every ten centimeters, creating a dizzying spectacle.
What would happen if all the signals were transmitted? Would the space burn or freeze?
"You brought this upon yourself. Don't blame me."
"I blame no one. I'm the strongest."
Ymir bared his teeth and charged like a beast. Ashur met him with cold eyes, swinging Shockwave.
As the transmission completed, a storm of heat and cold raged simultaneously.
Rian's Resolve
"Tess! Wait a little longer! I'm almost there!"
Rian no longer conserved his breath. After running for 10 minutes since parting with Ashur, he finally reached the bridge leading to the Great World War.
The bridge was one kilometer long and sixty meters wide. With no guardrails, it wanted to float in the sky. A strong wind blew, making his stomach churn.
At the end of the bridge stood a dome-shaped structure—the Great World War, where his friends were held.
Seeing the building was a good sign. It meant Canis had disabled the Mech system.
"What, you're still here?"
Turning around, Rian saw Canis approaching.
"How did you get here so fast?"
"I used a portal. By the way, what's with your face? Looks like you got beat up."
Rian touched his face. He hadn't noticed the swelling from rolling on the ground without feeling the pain. He glanced apologetically at the drone.
'You must've been worried, Tess.'
Canis noticed it too. Without an explanation, he knew it was Tess's.
Even in a situation where she was being taken by an angel, sending out the drone was impressive.
"What's the situation inside? You checked, right?"
"Yeah. It seems okay for now. But…"
Suddenly, the drone's condition became erratic. It flailed around before dropping as if its power had been cut.
Rian hurriedly caught it and examined it.
The power lamp was off. Since it was a device connected to brainwaves, it was proof that something had happened to Tess.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"I don't know! There's no time!"
Rian leapt forward. While a Dark Port could take him there in one go, the bridge floating in the sky was entirely within the realm of light.
Canis, grabbing Rian, cast aside his pride and activated a photonization spell.
A flash of light carrying the two raced across the bridge.
"You wicked brat!" Amy shouted, glaring at Kariel. Tess and Arin's faces were also twisted in anger.
As information seeped into the panels implanted in their heads, their minds grew dizzy, as if they had drunk heavily.
Kariel said indifferently, "Don't worry. Your hormones are being adjusted to a state suitable for the Elixir of Life." He turned his gaze to the screen after casually observing the women's condition. "Nothing changes for now. It'll be different after the Elixir of Life is complete. But does it even matter? Every living being must go through this at least once."
Amy snapped, "Shut up! Who are you to decide that! Do you think we'll just go along with what you want? I'd rather bite my tongue and die than suffer through this!"
Kariel frowned as if he had seen something disgusting. "I can't understand you. You're not being punished. You've been chosen for the noble task of bearing Nephilim. Few women have refused the Elixir of Life so far. Don't you want eternal life?"
Amy shot back, "I don't want eternal life! Even if I die tomorrow, I'll die doing what I want!"
Kariel replied coldly, "You're impossible to reason with. Regardless, nothing will change. Once all the information in the panels is transmitted, there's no turning back."
A woman's voice echoed from the ceiling: "Elixir of Life progress: 20%." It seemed to announce the progress every 10%. To those being experimented on, the emotionless voice felt even more chilling.
Amy struggled to free herself from the handcuffs. If she could just free her hands, she planned to grab the panel implanted in her forehead and rip it out. Even if it meant losing her life, she would live on her own terms.
Rian shouted, "Tess! Amy! Arin!"
The door to the Grand World Hall burst open. Rian and Canis rushed in as if racing each other.
Tess, who had been watching them cross the bridge, shouted, "Rian! Over here! Hurry and get us out of these!"
Rian stopped mid-step, startled. He was overwhelmed by the unimaginable scale of the Grand World Hall. It wasn't just the size—the equipment and machinery were also unfamiliar. On one side, a planet was rotating, while on the opposite tower, various lights flashed dazzlingly.
Rian muttered, "Damn it! What is this place?"
Kariel flew up to a height where he could see all the humans at once. "Did you follow the women here? This must be another example of ignorant human struggle."
Rian raised his sword, on high alert. "Are you the one behind this? Don't think this will end peacefully after what you've done to my friends."
Despite his strong words, his actions were cautious. Having witnessed the power of the fallen angel Icarus, Rian could guess the might of an archangel.
As Rian slowly closed the distance, looking for an opening to attack, Tess shouted in frustration, "You blockhead! Save the fighting for later and get us out of here first!"
Rian retorted, "Damn it! I want to, but…!" He wanted to rush over immediately. But turning his attention elsewhere while an archangel stood guard would be suicidal.
Arin calmly explained, "Canis, the Elixir of Life has already started. We need to remove the panels on our foreheads. If we don't, we'll all end up bearing Nephilim."
Before Canis could respond, Rian's eyes widened, and he shouted, "What? You should've told me that first!"
Tess snapped, "That's what I've been saying, you idiot! If you don't want to see me go crazy, hurry up and get these cuffs off!"
Rian replied, "Got it! Just wait a second!"
Despite everything, Rian and Tess were similar in temperament. Unlike a mage who would assess the situation until there was a chance of success, Rian immediately ran to remove the panels.
At that moment, a shockwave erupted in front of him. Rian staggered back, feeling a sharp pain, and looked up. Kariel, floating in the air, was extending his hand with a displeased expression.
Rian thought to himself, 'What's this? It's not that strong.' Though it was surprising to see a shockwave erupt in empty space, its destructive power was less than expected.
Rian, who had been intimidated by the title of archangel, felt a new surge of hope and gripped his great sword tightly.
Canis observed quietly, "The archangel's power is weaker than expected. This might be our chance."
Rian muttered, "It's probably because of the Elixir of Life. Creating humans isn't easy, after all."
Canis nodded. "That must be it. But it's unexpected, isn't it? Does he really plan to continue like this even with us here?"
Kariel sneered, "How dare you interfere with an archangel's mission. You humans, who can't even live a hundred years, are so arrogant."
Canis secretly sent Harvest into the shadows. The plan was to stall, ambush Kariel, and rescue the women in the meantime.
Amy spoke up, having caught on to Canis's plan to stall. "An angel's mission. What do you plan to do with the Nephilim? Unlockers are common in our world."
Kariel replied, "Heaven is using Nephilim to attack the human world. There are too many Unlockers in our world, so they're trying to balance the scales."
Amy asked, "Conquest? Are you planning a war?"
Kariel answered, "Yes. Nephilim aren't divine messengers. They're spies sent to occupied territories."
Kariel didn't deny it. The thoughts of insignificant humans were beneath his notice. "I should thank you. Thanks to you, the final war can begin."
The gazes of Amy and the others turned to Kariel. The term "final war" was unsettling, but they couldn't understand what he meant by being able to wage it now.
Amy asked, "Final war?"
Kariel explained, "Exactly. The human world will soon perish. Until now, a detestable maze has been preventing the end, but thanks to you, the prelude to war has begun."
Canis was baffled. "The woman Shirone had been searching for was preventing the end?"
Then he remembered Arcane's reaction. If humanity's extinction was at stake, it made sense that his master had erased his memories.
Amy pressed, "But why are you thanking us? What did we do?"
Kariel replied, "The woman known as the Maze has been blocking the passage between Heaven and the human world. But the Meta-Gate you brought has opened a new path. Soon, Heaven's army will mercilessly burn humanity."
Everyone's hearts sank. If Kariel's words were true, they had done something irreversible. Humanity's extinction had been brought closer because of them.
Kariel pointed to a mechanical device and shouted, "Behold! The Meta-Gate brought by Icarus! Once the Elixir of Life is complete, I'll analyze its coordinates. The moment a new portal opens, your world will be destroyed!"
The gazes of Amy and the others turned simultaneously. The Grand World Hall fell silent. No one spoke.
When the expected reaction didn't come, Kariel slowly turned his head, puzzled. Then he made the same expression.
A fairy holding the Meta-Gate was staring at them, mouth agape.
Kariel opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again. Why was a fairy here? It defied the laws, and even if it didn't, there was no causality to explain the situation.
The silence grew awkward, so Peope spoke first. "Ah, hello."
Kariel tilted his head. "Who are you?"
Peope replied, "I'm Peope."
Kariel was taken aback. But showing emotion was beneath him, so he suppressed his feelings. "I see, Peope. Why are you here?"
Peope answered, "Ah, I'm here to find the Meta-Gate."
Kariel sighed, "I see. Then why… sigh, why would someone like you come looking for it?"
Peope said, "Because war must be avoided."
At that moment, Kariel's patience snapped. With the sole thought of obliterating the nuisance before him, he reached out his hand. "Die."
Canis shouted, "Harvest! Now!"
Harvest burst out from the shadows of the Grand World Hall. As it swung its blade-like shadow, Kariel flew up to the ceiling.
Seizing the opportunity, Canis rushed to the women and shouted, "Rian! Protect Peope! Don't let her be taken!"
Rian immediately changed direction and ran toward Peope. "Peope! Over here!"
Peope, startled by the sudden battle, flew over at Rian's call.
Kariel, evading Harvest's pursuit, aimed for Peope. But Rian intercepted him with his sword, forcing Kariel to change direction and fly back to the ceiling.
Rian, relieved, turned to Peope. "Whew, are you okay?"
Peope exclaimed, "I don't know! I thought I was going to die! Take this!"
Peope's face was as pale as soup. She had just provoked an archangel. Even now, she couldn't believe how she had managed to do it.
Rian took the Meta-Gate. Even someone as stoic as him couldn't help but feel moved. If he activated the Meta-Gate now, he could at least return home. Of course, he had no intention of doing so, but the thought of how much the situation had improved gave him courage.
Rian said, "Thank you, Peope."
Peope retorted, "Don't get the wrong idea! I didn't do this to help you…!" She stopped herself. The situation was too obvious, and she couldn't think of anything to hide her true feelings.