ALL NOVEL Chapter 108
“I can’t you just stop shouting that damn technique name? If you’re going to shout, at least come up with a decent name!”
“Why the hell do I have to listen to you when I want to name my technique? And what’s wrong with it? It’s actually pretty cool!”
“If you think that name is cool, you’ve seriously lost it. No, seriously. You’ve lost it. You must have gone crazy when you got your head smashed by Behemoth. That’s when you definitely lost it.”
“Luna, that’s wrong. Ronan has been the same since he was ten. So he’s not crazy. He’s just consistent. And Ronan, I think that consistency of yours is really cool.”
“What the hell are you saying, you idiot?”
“You’re the idiot, Ronan. You used that technique again.”
“If I hadn’t, you all would be dead.”
“You would have been the first to die. I told you not to rush ahead like a mad dog. And even so! Damn it. Didn’t I, Arisa, Paulo, and Kaloso tell you, you fucking idiot, not to use it?”
“Are you saying I can’t move and just run your mouth? Why are you nagging so much? And today, I only bent my pinky. I just released the first Blood Path.”
“And now you’re lying on the ground because of the backlash. Is that something to brag about? Ugh, I think I need to chop off this damn idiot’s finger today. Paulo, lend me your sword. No, that one’s too long; just pass me the one stuck in your thigh.”
“That’ll hurt if I pull it out.”
“I’ll help stop the bleeding.”
“Just because you stop the bleeding doesn’t mean the pain disappears. And aren’t you focused on healing Ronan right now, Luna? At least wait until you’re done healing him before you pull it out.”
“Pull it out now before I have to cut the whole leg off. And when Ronan’s healed, I need to nap! I’ve already pushed myself for three days straight, and there’s nothing left to give! In fact, if it weren’t for this bastard Ronan, I’d be in much better shape. So pull it out now!”
“Um, sorry, but I can’t do that. I’ve adjusted the muscles to this position. If I pull it out now, I definitely won’t be able to walk properly.”
“Damn it, you idiot. You’re just going to spend the whole day like that?”
“I’ll drink a lot later and pull it out then. That way… it won’t hurt.”
“Is this guy crazy? Then get over there next to Arisa. I’ll heal you later. Anyway, Ronan, you absolutely must not, under any circumstances, use that again. It’s the first time, it’s the second time, and it’s a mess. You’re definitely, definitely going to unlock that fifth and final Blood Path. I know you’ll do it.”
“You’ve already unlocked it once. So now you have less than ten years left on your expiration date.”
“…That’s why I’m telling you. Don’t use it. That damn name you said. That technique! If you use that fifth release or whatever again… you’re a dead man walking, I swear.”
“If that Demon King shows up in front of us again like last time, I’ll use it without hesitation. Because only then… we, no, you guys can escape.”
“…You bastard! Just, just! When a person talks, at least pretend to listen! Don’t use it. Don’t even think about it. How many times do I have to shout… for you to listen to me?”
“Huh? Hey, are you crying?”
“Why would I cry, you stupid bastard? Shut up before I tear your mouth apart!”
“I won’t listen even if our mother tells me to. So don’t try to make me understand, just accept it. This bastard is just this way.”
“You don’t have a mother!”
“Fucking bitch?”
“Ha… Fine. Since you have no intention of listening even after I say it a million times, let’s change the name at least.”
“Are you suggesting a name?”
“No. It’s not a suggestion; it’s a notice. You shout a name every time you use it, so from now on, you’ll shout the name I give you. Got it?”
“Why should I?”
“Otherwise, I won’t heal you, no matter what happens to your body.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Purgatory.”
“…What’s that? It’s neither hell nor prison.”
“Just shut up and… Purgatory. I’ll explain the meaning and reasons later, when it’s important, before a big battle.”
“Hmm… Purgatory, huh? Hmm… that’s alright?”
I never heard the reason.
I died before I could listen.
I didn’t even bother looking up the meaning.
As Luna said, as the wind blew.
For later, for the far future, waiting for her to tell me the meaning and reason behind it. For the fun of it.
Purgatory.
The principle is simple. The fingers of my left hand. I cram mana, innate energy, unprocessed potions, and potions’ blood into the Blood Path there.
And whenever needed, I pull it out and use it. Simple as that.
Of course, it’s only simple in principle.
Opening the first door results in lifelong side effects that are horrific, and just maintaining it is a nightmare.
When I eat, when I use the bathroom, when I fight, when I breathe, when I sleep, even in that one second of the day, I have to keep my mind focused and make sure my finger’s Blood Path doesn’t slip out.
At the same time, I have to keep cramming in more.
Until it won’t go in anymore.
Why do I go through such a troublesome task? My companions often asked. They called me an idiot and mocked me, saying I was a delusional teenager.
But when I managed to open all five doors and bought time from the Demon King, everyone thanked me. And they all said never to use it again no matter what.
Of course, I didn’t listen to them.
Whenever I needed to, I used it without hesitation.
But that doesn’t mean I always opened all five doors.
At most four.
The fifth door, the last door, I promised myself to only open when I faced the Demon King.
So every time I opened the door of Purgatory, I, we.
All survived. We killed enemies, reclaimed positions, saved people, killed Legion Commanders.
We severed the Demon King’s body. We extracted his blood.
We proved he wasn’t immortal.
And, we survived.
Yeah.
The moment I opened the door of Purgatory. At least as long as that flow is maintained, I will most definitely not die.
Unless it’s the Demon King, I will definitely win.
Even now, it’s the same.
“…Hmm?”
Samaela’s eyes narrowed.
Before her stood a small girl.
Compared to the Eight-Headed Serpent, even for herself, this girl had at least two heads smaller.
Eliaernes Eustetia. She bent her finger. Suddenly, out of nowhere, she bent her finger.
And, in sync with that, cherry blossom-colored mana flared up. And something… changed?
Nothing immediately noticeable.
The amount of mana. Her ragged body. Remained the same.
Only her gaze changed. Bloodshot and sharp. A bit more… with a bestial and ferocious feeling.
But that doesn’t mean she lost her intellect. The cherry blossom eyes seemed clearer than ever.
And, quietly rising smoke from her body.
What’s that? Smoke coming off her body?
Samaela didn’t fully understand Eliaernes’ change. But she didn’t care much.
Samaela was an 8th Circle Mage. A grand mage with perfect eight circles, as well as a Dark Mage.
She was not lacking in physical techniques either. Mana was overflowing. The Eight-Headed Serpent. Her own Manifestation continued to show overwhelming presence.
Therefore, she ignored the unknown unease.
“Why aren’t you running after I’ve given you time to escape?”
“I have no reason to go.”
As she observed the still-jabbing Eliaernes, Samaela took a step forward.
“You think just because you’re Eustetia, the Nameless Captain is going to help you here?”
That’s when Eliaernes’ expression faltered.
“Nameless… Who’s that?”
Samaela was a little perplexed too.
“…The Nameless Captain.”
“Oh, so that person’s name is Muyeong?”
“Alias.”
“Oh… Definitely sounds cooler than ‘Captain.’”
Like sipping coffee and chatting on a terrace, Eliaernes nodded leisurely.
That look annoyed Samaela.
Is she crazy? Is she insane acting like that?
Is she trying to buy time?
If so, it’s a pretty smart judgment to say.
If Muyeong comes, for Samaela, it would be right to flee immediately.
She couldn’t defeat that crazy woman.
The elemental affinity was simply unfavorable.
Thus, she had to quickly escape through the ‘back door’, grab Stella, and flee.
But.
Muyeong cannot come here.
At least not for the next thirty minutes.
That’s when the ritual will end.
Eliaernes will die.
“…Muyeong is not coming here.”
“How long?”
“I can’t say, but… is there really a need to know? No matter how long it is, your death is imminent.”
“Oh, right. No need to find out then.”
Kyaak—Eliaernes laughed.
“Once you die, the Labyrinth will disappear anyway.”
At that moment, Samaela reached out her hand.
The Eight-Headed Serpent roared. Eight heads. A roar bursting from eight mouths shook the ground. Then, different poisons shot out from those mouths.
Mountain Poison. Destruction Poison. Blood King Poison. Leaf Spiral Poison.
Demonic Poison. Annihilation Poison. Confusing Sound. Eight Immortal Poison.
The blood spilled on the ground turned into countless spears shooting towards the ceiling. The poisonous clouds surrounding Samaela emitted corrosive gases, and eight tails whipped.
Stella could no longer scream.
She dies because of me. Eliaernes. The friend who came to save her. The friend who promised to believe in her. That’s why Stella felt a grip on her neck.
In the center of it all stood Eliaernes.
She blinked, checking her condition.
‘This much… is barely 30%. Not even 20%.’
And then she stretched her thin, white leg and took a step.
Then exhaling, she said.
“Still enough to kill this damn bastard.”
Samaela couldn’t comprehend those words.
She didn’t even understand why she heard that sound. Before she could understand it.
Crack—
She slammed against the wall.
“Is that spot comfortable? Lying down there twice.”
Again, she slammed into the same spot.