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Translator: penny
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: Abyss of the Deep Valley, Erebos 237 - Abyss of the Deep Valley, Erebos #7
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A colossal stature stretching high into the sky, with white wings attached to its back.
It looked just like the angels people often called the messengers of the gods.
An angel. But its skin was completely peeled away, exposing horrific, bulging muscles.
Its face was something else—lobster-like jaws splitting sideways, revealing sharp double-rowed teeth inside. It was downright blasphemous.
"Sis, ever seen anything like that?"
"Nope. Size is about titan-level, but the vibe's different."
Antiope and Hippolyte didn't seem to know what it was either.
Something in the form of an angel.
Or perhaps an angel of destruction clutching a massive stone lantern.
Its bulk was apartment-building huge, radiating sheer intimidation.
"Fuck."
Was it because this was the biggest bastard I'd ever faced? Staring it down, my mind couldn't even picture taking it down.
Whoosh, fwoosh—
Then flames ignited from the long lantern-like things gripped in both its hands.
My nape prickled with a massive warning signal, forcing a desperate shout from me.
"Fuck, it's a fucking huge one coming!"
Look.
In that instant, words I could understand burst from its mouth. Its size made the voice boom through the pitch-black darkness like thunder.
The radiance at the end of the valley—
Fwaaaah—
The stone lantern spewing light exploded, flames shooting out in all directions.
The heat brushing past me nearly made me scream, but surprisingly, the fire wasn't hot at all. No sensation whatsoever.
What the hell was that?
Checking around just in case, lights began flicking on—pop, pop—in this abyss world that had been shrouded in total darkness moments ago.
What emerged were massive statues encircling us.
Statues the size of the monster in front of me stood grandly around us like a stadium.
The giant monster in the center spread its wings wide, then slammed its stone staff deep into the ground with a boom.
I am the Undying One, King of Ulgart. Ruler of illusions. Creator of ragged beasts, and Third Legion Commander. You challengers, show respect before the great blasphemer—!
It spread both palms, one hand on its belly, the other lazily by its forehead in some pose.
A demon with angel wings mimicking a Buddha-like gesture—impossible to pin down its true nature.
But hearing it ramble on about itself, it didn't seem all that impressive. Empty types always love packaging themselves up.
That fucker, just like me.
"Ulgart...?"
Then Elfride, standing behind me, muttered as if she knew something.
"You're one of Ulgart's giants?"
Even in this alien, barbaric world, someone recognizes my name. Who might you be?
Reacting to Elfride's quiet voice, the whatever of Ulgart dropped to one knee and thrust its face toward us.
Ssshh.
Its grotesque face was so terrifying I nearly swung my club at the bus-sized head.
The blasphemer asks. Who are you, little one?
"I am Elfride of Alfheim."
Elfride of Alfheim. Remnant of the already-burned twilight. You've kindly answered this blasphemer's question, so I shall return the kindness. You, I shall eat last.
"What?"
I have been bound to this hateful darkness for ages. Thus, I am famished. I must devour you all, stockpile strength, and escape this space.
It spoke of eating people without a shred of guilt.
Like casually suggesting a meal to an old friend, almost making me reply sure.
Rise back to that world, usher in the age of giants. You shall be the foundation—grieve not. I shall judge your taste properly.
Swoosh—
Raising its head high again, it spoke as if granting mercy. Of course, we weren't foolish enough to be grateful.
Antiope aimed her short spear and spoke.
"Hah, so you're some fallen giant from outer lands? The age of giants ended half a century ago even on this Gaia continent, dumbass!"
Strange wench, you shall be first. You look delicious. Sturdy energy too.
Swoosh—
Then a massive palm reached for Antiope. No speed to it at all—pure leisure.
Like picking up fries from a desk. Utterly natural.
Whoooosh—
But its size made it imposing as hell. Palm like a giant bus—felt like a meteor crashing down.
Still, Antiope wasn't one to get caught flat-footed.
She swiftly severed the rope linking her waist to us, then leaped toward the palm, landing on its wrist.
Fsssh—
From there, unimaginable speed carried her up the wrist, elbow, shoulder, to the nape of its neck.
A strong warrior. But do you think that tiny toothpick can pierce this blasphemer's hide?
"Fallen titan hunting? I graduated from that ages ago!"
Zzzap—
Lightning sparked from Antiope's hand as she plunged her short spear into the giant's nape.
Krrrack—!
Intense current burst from the spear, sparks flying everywhere.
Grr, that hurts. Indeed, a healthy wench. Fine nourishment.
Seemed like a solid hit, but its bulk shrugged it off. It merely winced, then swung its palm to grab her.
Reminded me of Dad dismantling a wasp nest, shrugging off the stings. Goosebumps crawled up my back.
A giant unmoved by ultimate techniques.
Must've been how the wasps felt that day.
Overwhelming pressure from the massive body.
Helplessness from attacks that didn't land.
But Antiope dodged its grasp with acrobatics, stabbing its neck, shoulder, forehead—upper body all over.
A bit annoying. Gravity reversal—
Whoooosh.
That very moment.
With a clap of its palms came a bizarre incantation, and the area shook violently.
My body floated up—whoosh—feet leaving the ground. Elfride and Hippolyte too, legs kicking in midair.
Hippolyte said.
"This is high-tier magic. A magic-using giant? If the fight drags, who knows what'll happen. Antiope! Quit playing and take it down quick—!"
Swooo—
Hippolyte's sword shimmered with golden mist, rippling. Then—slash, slash—she cleaved the air twice.
Screeeeech—!
A razor-sharp sword wind in an X trajectory shot out, slamming into the giant's broad chest.
Slash—
A splendid gash etched dead center. Thanks to it, our floating bodies landed safely.
Blood sprayed wildly—it howled in a language beyond words.
Uwaaaaaah—!!
Anyone could see the attack landed.
Hippolyte's strikes working meant we could win. Gave me a morale boost.
A warrior wielding aura! Damn—! Mental collapse—!
Srrk, srrk—
The giant cried out strangely, palms dancing in intricate motions.
Like a ninja forming seals or a monk preaching—eerie, mind-boggling.
Its gaping maw spat incomprehensible word strings nonstop. Like broken radios blaring, voice fracturing.
What the hell?
No clue what was coming—tensing up—
"Ugh, uwaaaak—!"
Antiope, relentlessly stabbing shoulder and nape, slipped like her feet gave out, rolling on the ground.
"Get—out of my head—!"
She clutched her ears, cradling her head, rolling—out of her mind.
Not just her—Elfride and Hippolyte knelt, gasping ragged breaths.
Then text floated before my eyes.
『Grace of Chaos's Blessing』 cancels the negative status 『Blasphemy's Curse』.
The giant's chant and gestures were casting a wide-area curse. With the status lifted, my mind cleared a bit.
In my sharpened vision, the giant continued its bizarre incantation, hands forming seals.
Let it keep chanting, and the party's mental state might plummet beyond recovery.
Party hunt.
In team games, core basics: mental care for members.
Knowing that well, I cut my waist rope and charged.
Lucky break: eyes closed in focus on the chant, it didn't notice.
Clinging to its ankle, I climbed the pillar-thick leg, thigh, belly, shoulder, nape.
Riding a dude's body.
Fuck, even I thought it was gross—mood soured hard.
"F-Fuck off and die, you bastard!"
I unleashed fury at the giant that defiled my soul's purity with my club. Target: massive Adam's apple on its throat.
Universal weak spot across eras. Hit an unaware one, even this behemoth takes massive damage.
Dad winced when wasps stung his throat too.
I'm a wasp now.
Hyaaaaah—!
Like a seasoned cleanup hitter, arm and body spun, smashing the protruding Adam's apple.
Crack—!!
Superhuman strength shattered its neck with a sound—my footing shook wildly.
Gack, cough, heuk—
"Urk—."
I plummeted unprepared.
But Hippolyte below caught me in her arms—no shattered pelvis for me.
"Attacks the mind too, huh. Saved my ass. Good call bringing you, Samaritan—!"
Damn, fuck, bastard, my neck, hff, hff, targeting my neck. Why didn't my mental destruction spell work?
The giant clutched its nape, hacking up massive blood. Vital hit landed solid.
Of course it did. Even a finger snap to the Adam's apple packs a punch.
How dare you—
But those bloodshot giant eyes glaring solely at me? Risky.
Boss raid terms: aggro pulled to me.
Now I see. You there, black hair. You're the tastiest here. Absorb that Hell mana around you, and I'll regain my power.
Fwoooosh—
Its massive palm smashed down from above.
Fly-swatting speed—no leisure like with Antiope.
Meteor-palm impact—I realized it was dead set on capturing me.
"F-Fuck—!"
Too big to dodge in time.
Hippolyte beside me got it too—jammed her sword into the ground, arms thrust sky-high.
Instinct told me her play. I ditched my club, raised both hands high.
Kwaaak—!
The palm struck— we should've been squashed flat, but barely held it up.
"Grraaah—!"
Teeth felt like shattering. Legs quaking, guts screaming. Nose drip? Nosebleed, not sweat.
When'd I last lift something this heavy?
No idea.
Atlas holding up the sky—must feel like this. Slack off, knees buckle, pancaked.
Hippolyte same.
Her armor rattled screams, forehead streaming cold sweat. Better than my nosebleed, though.
"Ugh, Elf!! Chant ready yet!!"
Her shout—I sensed Elfride murmuring behind.
Elfride: best elementalist I know. So good, conjures fireballs without verbal chants.
If she's doing a long chant? One possibility.
"Primal flame—."
Fwoosh—
Tiny spark bloomed.
Barely turning head and eyes: fist-sized fireball slowly drifting toward the giant.
Seeing it, giant burst laughing.
A flame smaller than my nail? Think that'll banish this blasphemer, Elf?
"Nothing I can't burn. I already torched my own god."
Wha—what—!? Grr, uwaa, uwaaak—!!
All engulfed in flames of calamity.