Chapter 54

It couldn't have been possible without that.

"Maxim the Fugitive. You will die here."

It was then.

The bastard pulled something out from his coat.

Something golden, shaped like a cup.

He placed its opening on the floor.

Drip, drip, drip, drip!

A stream of water flowed out, soaking the floor.

The stream of water flowing on the floor eventually blocked the entrance.

Yet, it continued to flow incessantly.

Maxim was shocked when he realized the true nature of the water flowing from the golden cup.

"The Holy Grail...?"

...The Holy Grail?

That it could generate such a large amount of holy water!

What is the Holy Grail?

It is a chalice imbued with the holy power of the deity worshipped by the church.

Truly a divine relic.

Naturally, only the Pope can touch the Holy Grail.

Moreover, Maxim knew of no Holy Grail that could generate holy water infinitely.

The holy water that flowed out began to enclose the area like a barrier.

Splash, splash, splash, splash!

Not content with that, the bastard poured holy water over his own head.

There are no other madmen like him.

Maxim had never seen anyone use holy water in such a way.

Even the highest-ranking Holy Knights of the church wouldn't use holy water like that.

Then the madman smiled.

"Come now, will you try to run away like a worm again?"

Seeing the bastard's smile, Maxim couldn't help but be flustered.

...What is this guy really doing?

Trash belongs in the trash can.

【Lv. 10.5】

Not 10, but 10.5.

This is Maxim's level.

If he had transcended normally, his level would have been marked with a ‘★’. However, since Maxim's method of leveling up was not normal, the marking is different.

'Demon worshipper.'

The strong stench of evil emanating from the bastard.

He must have obtained a Demon Heart through demon worship and become stronger.

In this world, there is not just one form of 'evil'.

Demons, devils, death gods, the abyss... Each exists with different roles and domains.

Among them, demons are beings that give out a few quests related to 'evil deeds'.

It's no wonder Priest Andrew was shocked and asked if he was truly a hero.

'I can't win with normal methods.'

The difference in levels, the difference in stats.

But I don't care.

All I need to do is seal the power of the Demon Heart with holy water.

With no escape route left, a life-or-death battle begins here.

"Pathetic. No matter how much you struggle, the difference in levels cannot be bridged."

However, Maxim also had a reason not to run.

Even if he couldn't use the Demon Heart's magic, his opponent's level was only 6.

He could deal with Maxim for a short while with a few tricks, but the result wouldn't change.

Maxim got into position.

I also got into position.

Two supreme iron swords.

The strongest swords that allow you to see the 'Ultimate' by increasing your sword proficiency!

《Your sword proficiency is adjusted to 7Lv.》

《Your sword proficiency is adjusted to 8Lv.》

《Your sword proficiency is adjusted to 10Lv due to the 'Ultimate' effect.》

When these two swords increased their proficiency level by 4, reaching 10.

《Reenact Wilhelm the Knight King's sword technique, 'Heaven and Earth Splitting' with the 'Heaven' part.》

I could reenact Wilhelm's sword technique.

With Randolph's body, possessing Wilhelm's memories.

But it's fine. I obtained the Knight King's memories and experiences through the star.

"Hmm...?!"

Instantly, Maxim was shocked.

The atmosphere changed.

His domain was being dominated.

The sword approaching slowly, for some reason, seemed impossible to block.

Swish!

From top to bottom.

An ordinary swing of the sword.

Clang!

He blocks it with his dagger.

But he can't block the sword coming from the side.

Instinctively, he twists his body and takes a step back.

Another step back.

It's strange. Even though he can block it, he feels like he can't.

'The momentum...!'

It's because the opponent's momentum has changed.

Because he was overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum.

A seasoned swordsman.

A swordsman who has lived his entire life with a sword in hand.

But isn't the opponent a player?

'How can a player have such a seasoned swordsman's momentum...!'

Squeak!

His back burns.

The path blocked by holy water.

The aura of holy water stands like a wall, blocking Maxim's escape route.

He needs to suppress it, but he can't.

Instead, he feels suppressed.

Maxim bit his lip.

'Don't be afraid. After all, he's only level 6.'

Right. There was no need to be afraid from the beginning.

There was no need to be overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum.

If he gets scared by a mere level 6, he's not Maxim.

He gripped his dagger properly.

He separates the swords.

The iron swords flying slowly, clearly visible.

There's no way he can't block them, but he can't.

If he blocks one, the other disappears from his mind.

Blind spot?

'This isn't a sword strike aiming for a blind spot.'

Occasionally, there are sword techniques that aim for blind spots.

But the opponent is coming in openly.

Even with dual swords, it feels heavy like he's holding a greatsword in both hands.

He's hiding one sword with his momentum.

'What kind of sword technique is this?'

A sword technique he has never seen or experienced.

But it doesn't make sense.

How can a level 4 be reversed?

No matter how skilled a sword technique is, if the stats are low, it's useless. Overwhelming with speed and power is enough.

"Is this all you've got?"

He said.

Disappointed.

"Is this the level at which you talk about salvation?"

...Damn it.

Maxim regretted it.

He should have run away long ago.

He regrets it, but it's too late.

The bastard's eyes.

Just meeting those deep, abyss-like eyes made his mind go blank.

"Is this all you've got."

Clang!

Maxim threw his dagger.

He needs to run away.

The sword exchange lasted only 10 rounds, but perhaps more, it doesn't matter.

Now he knows.

The difference in skill.

The fact that he can't win.

The truth that level isn't everything!

Squeak!

"Ah!"

But he can't get past it.

The wall of holy water.

His whole body feels like it's burning, but now it's a dead end.

Maxim turned his body.

'Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!!'

He wants to live.

He wants to live.

He wants to live desperately.

The madman drenched in holy water.

He's not a successor.

Maxim was ignorant of his true martial prowess, but now he understands.

A man who single-handedly conquered everything.

Called a 'War God',

Even the rulers of the abyss would tremble at his name,

The nemesis of all demons.

...Knight King Wilhelm.

The rumors about him, not a single exaggeration.

The fact that his skills as a player haven't rusted, everyone was wrong.

The person in front of him is Knight King Wilhelm himself, now he understands.

He deeply regretted it, but it was too late.

"Is this the level at which you were called a hero?"

"Phantom, save... me..."

Swish!

That was Maxim's last curse.

*

It was disappointing.

Truly.

To think that the 8 Heroes, those who were on par with me, were at this level.

A guy with no honor or skill, just greedy.

'High level, but poor skills.'

The moment Maxim and I crossed swords, I immediately knew.

'He must have only fought weaker opponents.'

Weak opponents. Those who can be beaten without any fighting skills.

He fought and won against such people.

On the contrary, when he thought he couldn't win, he ran away without looking back.

So, he's only high in level, but lacks substance. Even with high stats, he doesn't know how to use them properly.

Normally, reaching level 10 by fighting weaker enemies would be impossible.

'Demon worshipper. He leveled up through demon quests.'

Hudson was better.

At least he didn't resort to demons in the worst situations.

Additionally, I gained a piece of knowledge.

'Gamers can't become demon worshippers, but players can... '

Demon worshippers.

They are traitors who betrayed the goddess.

They were determined to hinder the goddess and sink the continent into the abyss.

Therefore, in the game, there were quests to hunt down such demon worshippers.

However, you couldn't become a demon worshipper if you played the game normally.

But now, as a player, even that is possible.

'Those I thought were named NPCs turned out to be people, and those I thought were people turned out to be demon worshippers.'

Becoming a demon worshipper means abandoning humanity.

The power they give is not free.

'Were the ones hindering me demon worshippers?'

There were guys who persistently hindered my play.

At the time, I couldn't understand it.

Why would game NPCs betray me so much?

Betrayal upon betrayal, it was a daily occurrence.

Looking back, it was natural for demon worshippers to hinder me, who was called a knight of the goddess.

Swoosh!

I split Maxim's stomach.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The black heart still beating.

I poured holy water over it.

-Screech!

With a scream, the heart shrank and revealed its true form.

It was a small demon.

But it struggled in the holy water and soon turned to stone, dying.

《Achievement 'Demon Hunter' unlocked.》

《Player 'Maxim' has been killed.》

《'Fragment of the Broken Golden Rule (72h)' has been looted.》

After killing Maxim, I looted the fragment of the Broken Golden Rule he possessed.

But this was just the beginning.

《The 'Curse of Coordinates' engraved on 'Maxim's' heart is eliminated.》

The reason I poured holy water to kill the demon.

Because when Maxim dies, his coordinates are automatically transmitted.

But the curse was washed away by the holy water.

It stopped immediately, so the coordinates were not transmitted.

A smile involuntarily escaped.

'Maxim was cursed to transmit his coordinates upon death. Probably to one of the 8 Heroes.'

The only ones who could have cursed Maxim with the 'Curse of Coordinates' are the 8 Heroes.

One of them must have placed this curse to immediately rush to the scene when Maxim dies.

'Maxim was a bait.'

Was this also to target me?

Thinking I would target the weakest Maxim first?

What's certain is that someone gave Maxim the 'Demon Heart' to make him one of the '8 Heroes'.

A meticulous person who even placed a curse inside the Demon Heart.

The curse was eliminated by the holy water.

'Interesting.'

They seem to be not as stupid as I thought.

Whoever it is, the situation is getting interesting.

What's certain is that I won't show mercy anymore.

They are not NPCs, and this is not a game.

The fact that Maxim is dead will soon be known.

It can be confirmed in the Hall of Fame or the Golden Rule Shop.

Then, the only thing I need to do remains the same.

'Become overwhelmingly strong.'

Strong enough that they can't even think of pulling such tricks.

And then, crush them overwhelmingly.

It was then.

<You have successfully dominated the dead 'Maxim' with the 'King of the Dead' skill.>

<'Maxim' is a 'Raid Boss (10Lv)' dead.>

<'Maxim' has been dominated, permanently increasing your agility by 1.>

The 'King of the Dead' skill activated, and the domination of Maxim began.