Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 180: Star, Laevateinn (5)

[The Authority ‘Kalokagathia’ is becoming ineffective for an unknown reason!]

‘My soul died several times?’ Sinmara’s remark momentarily bewildered Chang-Sun.

He could usually let the babbling of any boss monsters in Dungeons slide, but it was difficult to do so this time. Using her three heads, Sinmara could take a look at three types of destinies: The left head could see one’s past, the middle head their present, and the right head their future. Since Sinmara saw Chang-Sun for the first time with her left head, she likely had seen Chang-Sun’s past—the past of his soul, to be exact.

Sinmara wouldn’t lie. She was likely very proud of herself since she was Surtr’s wife, making her the queen of <Muspelheim>, and their plane’s best warrior. Lying would cost her her pride, so Chang-Sun couldn’t help but assume Sinmara’s remark was true…

‘Did she see my previous—no, my life before my previous life?’

Any mortal with a soul went through samsara[1]. By constantly going through the cycle of life and death, one slowly accumulated karma. At some point, some would break away from that cycle, gaining immortality or divinity fragments. That process was called <Exuviation.>

Hence, Chang-Sun wondered if Sinmara had seen his life before his previous life, which he didn’t know about. Since he was a mortal, he couldn’t help but think that he could have been born as a different being other than ‘Lee Chang-Sun’ before.

‘No, it’s different.’ Chang-Sun shook his head, instinctively feeling that it wasn’t the case.

Rather than having a specific reason, it was just based on his gut feeling, which did play a major role in him becoming the ‘Divine Twilight.’ Chang-Sun was starting to feel that what Sinmara had seen wasn’t his life before his previous life. rather, it was his current one, where he had given up on becoming the ‘Divine Twilight’—no, to be precise, it was something greater than that.

‘What is it, really?’ Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes.

Although he wanted to prod further, he held himself back because doing so could risk Sinmara reading his present and future as well. If she did, he would fail the test. Hence, he decided to just inquire about it later if he were to ever decide to ask more questions. Fortunately, he had hidden in the Jigwi’s Retribution Fire, keeping him completely out of Sinmara’s sight.

[The Skill ‘Windstalking Tiger’ has been activated, manifesting the Skill ‘Concealment’!]

Chang-Sun used the Concealment Skill after spreading the Retribution Fire throughout the stronghold, preventing Sinmara from detecting him further. As a result, Sinmara quickly took a look around her surroundings, which was when Grizman stepped in, just as he and Chang-Sun had planned before they reached this stronghold.

“Who are you searching for? I’m right here! I’ll finally pay back all the humiliation you’ve given me!” Grizman Adelie powerfully stomped on the ground.

Thud!

[The Celestial ‘First Samaritan Mage’ has activated the Skill ‘Magic Domain’!]

[The Summon ‘Sodom[2] Monster’ has appeared!]

[The Summon ‘Gomora[3] Evil Spirit’ has appeared!]

His black demonic energy spread across the ground in every direction as the ground quaked due to the two huge magic circles created in the air. Shortly after, colossal summons showed up.

The enormous summons were six-meter-tall Specters, wearing ragged clothes that had holes for their eyes, noses, and mouths. What seemed to be their arms were holding Death Scythes, which were taller than themselves, and plaintive ghastly wails echoed from what seemed to be their eyes.

Ooo―! Ooooo―! Ooooo―!

『The old demon king, Simon Magus.』

『You once tried to do good for humans, but you are now only becoming more and more corrupt.』

『I have read all your destinies, so you no longer have the right to go through the trial of this stronghold.』

“Shut up! Why do you get to decide that!” Grizman lightly waved his hand, turning the demonic energy in the air into a raging storm and striking Sinmara with it.

Thump, thump, thump.

Whenever the gigantic Sinmara took a step backward, the stronghold shook hard. At the same time, the two Specters quickly flew toward Sinmara’s left and right faces and swung their Death Scythes at them.

Sinmara not only had three faces but also three brains, allowing her to make rational and exceptional judgments during combat. That was why Grizman tried to weaken her as soon as their battle started. More importantly, he had to cut her right face to prevent her from reading Chang-Sun’s future destiny. Although Grizman and Chang-Sun would still have a chance if Sinmara read Chang-Sun’s present, they couldn’t let her discover their plan.

『You are doing...』

『Something truly useless.』

『Your loss is already destined.』

Beyond being the saintess who could see people’s destinies, she was the best warrior of <Muspelheim>. Seemingly trying to show them the reason behind that, she quickly drew the crossed two swords on her back.

[The thirty-sixth trial has begun!]

[The trial’s difficulty level and the thirty-sixth gatekeeper’s strength have been significantly adjusted according to the Party members’ strength.]

[Cut off all three heads faces of the gatekeeper.]

Clang!

Fiercely deflecting the Specters’ Death Scythes…

[The thirty-sixth gatekeeper is charging!]

… Sinmara made a dash for the two Specters, who had noticeably lost their balance. As she quickly darted forward, she repeatedly slit the two Specters’ waists, releasing <Muspelheim> fire, which was known to be as hot as hellfire.

“No, you won’t!” Grizman pulled his hand back, causing his demonic energy to strike forth like a lightning bolt and narrowly deflect Sinmara’s last two attacks. The two Specters swung their Death Scythes once again when she momentarily laid herself open to attack.

Rumble, rumble, rumble―!

Woosh, woosh, woosh!

The battle between the two Specters and Sinmara was leading to a world-shaking and tide-changing result: the ground was being turned upside down, and multiple pillars of fire rose, tearing the sky apart and causing a burning smell to permeate the air. Black ashes scattered in the air as well, making it impossible to see the stronghold’s interior clearly. The stronghold itself shook fiercely, seemingly about to crumble down any second.

Grizman exchanged dozens of attacks with Sinmara, which was only possible because he knew her habits during battles better than anyone. However, Sinmara was also aware of Grizman’s habits in combat and had seen his three destinies. Hence, he was at a disadvantage in many ways. However, there was one big difference from their previous fights: Chang-Sun was here.

Woosh, woosh, woosh…!

[The Effect ‘Single Eon Fire’ is changing!]

The Retribution Fire, which had been circling around inside the stronghold, suddenly soared ten meters into the air behind Sinmara.

『What.』

『Are you.』

『Trying to do?』

Surprised by the huge fire’s sudden appearance, Sinmara tried to turn around, but Grizman used that opportunity to intensify his attacks, giving her no room to check it out. Her right face was distorted at a bizarre angle, so she could see what was behind her a little bit, but she couldn’t see Chang-Sun himself.

『Wait?』

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ smiles slyly as he watches his disciple fight.]

The Retribution Fire, which had risen up like a tsunami, poured down on Sinmara and took a new form as it circled around her like a giant whirlpool.

『Huh…!』

Sinmara’s right face groaned upon witnessing an unexpected development: the Retribution Fire had taken the form of a colossal monster bird, which had spread its wings. The fire soon spread throughout the entire stronghold, and something slowly walked out from the curtain of fire.

Like an actor coming out from behind the curtains of a stage, giant hands ripped the flames open, and a pair of legs stomped their way forward. Soon enough, an entire being had stepped out of the flames, the identity of which surprised both Sinmara and Grizman, who were focused on the battle.

“I wasn’t sure before, but you have really become a Giant!” Grizman gaped.

A Fire Giant far bigger than Sinmara had come out from the curtain of fire. Unlike the other giants with physical bodies, however, this one was completely made up of blazing navy-blue fire.

The Fire Giant resembled the primordial form of <Muspelheim> Giants, but it had a very distinct characteristic. From what Sinmara knew, some of their kind had scarlet or white fire, but none of them had this color—no, none of the Giants could have ignited a fire that was mixed with <Darkness>!

『Inferno Sites… You have become a Giant using flames lit with the power of <Nihil>? ‘He’ will never allow it, so how…!』

『That’s impossible. This is absurd.』

『Yet it is right before my eyes.』

[<Molting> twice has successfully upgraded the Effect ‘Single Eon Fire’ to the Effect ‘Double Retribution Fire’!]

[The Title ‘Jigwi Demon Incarnation’ has been upgraded to the Title ‘Jigwi Giant Incarnation’!]

[Your fire has become stronger.]

[The fire attribute of your mana has been enhanced.]

[The darkness attribute of your mana has been enhanced.]

…

[You can now transform into a Giant!]

[Achievement unlocked!]

“New Giant Who Holds the Navy-Blue Fire.”

Effect: All stat points +20. Giant Descent.

Chang-Sun got many rewards, from acquiring the Retribution Fire, gaining the power of a Gian,t and learning a lot from the thirty battles he fought against the Giants, but the Effect 'Giant Descent' was the best out of them all! Just as Sinmara had groaned about, Chang-Sun could use <Darkness>, which he had only ever utilized to light up the Inferno Sites, to turn into a Giant.

The Retribution Fire Giant that appeared just now was Chang-Sun, but it was also his avatar. By drawing out his avatar, he became capable of doing many things that he had never thought he would be able to.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ watches you with sparkling eyes, saying that your Giant form is excellent and very cool!]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ dumbfoundedly chuckles, saying that you have done something truly outrageous, but he cannot take his eyes off the descendant of his fellow Giants!]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ just grins, tightly shutting his mouth!]

…

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ watches the revival of the old Giants with interest!]

…

[The Celestial ‘Taurus’ storms out, saying that this is ridiculous!]

…

[The Society <Horoscope> pays attention to the appearance of the new Giant.]

[The Society <Purple Star Astrology> discusses the current incident.]

…

[Many deities quickly update their information about you.]

[A few stars seriously consider recruiting you.]

…

[The <Management Bureau> is in a state of emergency and is becoming busy.]

…

~

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ bursts into laughter when he saw what his disciple did.]

~

Mephistopheles was very happy because although the only thing he had shown Chang-Sun was how destructive <Darkness> was, Chang-Sun had done something truly absurd with his very short lesson. Since Chang-Sun was heading to Surtr’s grave, Mephistopheles planned to decide the difficulty level of his lessons depending on how well Chang-Sun utilized <Darkness>, but it seemed he didn’t need to worry about it at all.

~

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ decides to make his next lesson more advanced and grants you a new blessing!]

[You have partially detected <Nihil>.]

[You can now partially learn <Nihil>.]

…

[Your <Darkness> has significantly been reinforced!]

[Your ‘Ferocious Heart’ is beating harder, amplifying the damage of the Effect ‘Double Retribution Fire’!]

The gift that Mephistopheles had given to Chang-Sun might not mean much from Mephistopheles’ perspective, but it was huge for Chang-Sun. With his fire now even stronger than before, the navy-blue Fire Giant vigorously struck Sinmara with his hand.

Woosh, woosh, woosh!

From the navy-blue Giant’s fingertips, the Retribution Fire spiraled and transformed into a greatsword.; The sword was made using Spiral Aura, which Chang-Sun had learned how to use in the ‘Rhaegaren’. Since the Aura sword was formed around the [Yuchang Sword], it also held divine energy.

Boom!

Rumble―!

Sinmara twisted to dodge Chang-Sun’s attack, causing his Retribution Fire to hit the ground and spread throughout the stronghold instead. The shockwaves it created destroyed the rest of the sparring area.

『Great…』

『Power…!』

『Focus! He is striking again!』

Wobbling hard, Sinmara ended up taking a couple of steps backward. After realizing the Giant was about to strike again, she tried to straighten her posture, but Grizman moved first.

“I can’t believe you laid yourself open to attack this easily! The <Muspelheim> queen must have been very shocked!”

Realizing Sinmara made a mistake, she tried to turn in the opposite direction, but Grizman’s two Specters were faster. They swung their scythes, creating an x shape, and cut off Sinmara’s left face.

Slash―!

『Arrgghhh!』

The remaining two heads writhed and tried to scream in pain, but the only one that managed to do so was the middle head. After all, the navy-blue Giant had already cut off her right face with his greatsword before she knew it.

Splash!

Sinmara’s head powerlessly dropped to the ground, and her blood splattered in the air like a fountain.

[The thirty-sixth gatekeeper has lost two of her three heads!]

1. Samsara is a Pali/Sanskrit word that means world, but it’s usually refered to the cycle of death and rebirth ☜

2. One of two biblical cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. ☜

3. One of the two biblical cities mentioned above. ☜