Transcendent.
A title given to those who transcended their limits through accumulated karma. Whether it was through physical training, mental discipline, limitless magic, or ultimate skills, what mattered was breaking through the mold, escaping existing limitations, establishing their own principles, and forging a new path. Therefore, their power was closer to divine authority, allowing them to reign supreme over those who hadn't crossed that threshold.
Thus, they were Transcendents. Those standing at the apex of the world, qualified to ascend to godhood.
"Malpi! Quickly, we need…!"
"Ann, are you alright?"
"…Not at all, but if I collapse here, I'll die, so I have no choice. I can't give up now."
"Good attitude. You seem fine."
"Malpi… Ann…!"
But as with everything in the world,
Even among those who reached such a state, there was a hierarchy. Just as the stronger side survived when conflicting principles clashed head-on, not all Transcendents were equal, even if they had all broken through the wall.
"Jose! Are you okay? Can you hold on for another 30 seconds?"
"…Don't underestimate me. I can last for another minute."
"Really? Then one minute."
"But please finish it quickly. I can hold on, but I think I'll lose a limb or two."
Breaking through the wall of Transcendence was like stepping onto the starting line of an unlimited race, free from all restrictions. There were those already running ahead, competitors heavily armed through various modifications, and landmines laid by others.
"Phew."
Ann, who considered herself past the initial stage of the race, took a deep breath. And slowly exhaling, she twisted the flow of chakra within her.
'Now's not the time to worry about the Oracle. Minimizing damage and buying time is the priority. Until Malpi resolves the spatial lock and secures an escape route.'
She had been furious at the President's demise, but she had calmed down somewhat. Revenge was for the living. It was more rational to escape and wait for an opportunity than to fight to the death in this unfavorable situation.
'Fortunately, this is Malpi's domain. The escape route is blocked, but other measures are still in place, so it won't collapse easily.'
Since the power difference was vast, distorting space and activating traps to prevent a direct confrontation was a great help. And another stroke of luck was that Ken, their helper, was holding back the Executioner, Cheonbuhoe's strongest fighter. It didn't look good, but…
Slash!
Boom!
Ken, hit by the flaming, whip-like tail, crashed into the wall behind him, scattering black energy.
[You're quite sturdy. This should be enough to entertain me, even if it's a bit disappointing.]
"Ugh!"
Ken stumbled out from the rubble, shaking his head. An unfamiliar power surged within him, but the demon called the Executioner was still overwhelming him. He wouldn't have lasted this long if he hadn't forcibly increased his synchronization rate with the newly infused energy using 「Thought Transference」.
'If only I could fully control this power!'
He was barely holding on because the Executioner was interested in him, but it wouldn't last. The moment his interest waned would be the beginning of the end.
'Damn employer! I don't know what you're doing, but please hurry…!'
Ann, checking the situation between Ken and the Executioner, focused again. It didn't seem like they would collapse immediately, but both sides were pressed for time.
"Ann! Not yet… Ugh!"
"Hmm."
Malpi manipulated the space, creating advantageous positions, and the combatants, including Jose, bought time, but it was a losing battle against the overwhelming power difference. As the executives who stepped forward to help fell one by one, her ability was the only hope left to overcome this worsening crisis.
Hum!
The energy swirling within Ann resonated with the world. Chakra, manipulating concepts and phenomena through the inner microcosm. Her microcosm opened wide, her will imposing itself on the surrounding phenomena. The chakra Ann unleashed was 'fate'. Combined with her unique skill, 「Probability Manipulation」, it manifested the power that allowed her to avoid the Oracle's gaze and break through the wall of Transcendence.
—Fate Manipulation.
One of the Cheonbuhoe members, annoyed by the Burning Torch executives' persistence, frowned.
"Hmm? This is…"
He looked down at his hand and then scanned his surroundings. He wasn't the only one reacting this way. Attacks that should have landed missed. Meaningless counterattacks suddenly became threatening. The already troublesome terrain changes became even more difficult to navigate, and reaching their opponents through the obstacles became more cumbersome.
"Tsk, this will take some time."
Nagaraja, who had left the task of dealing with Burning Torch to the others and had been anxiously watching the fight between Ken and the Executioner, clicked his tongue, grasping the situation. But that was all. He casually cleaned his ear and turned his attention back to the Executioner. It was impressive that she could affect multiple Transcendents, but there were limits to what she could do indirectly. At most, it was just a nuisance, buying time.
"There's no need for me to intervene."
It would end faster if he stepped in, but he had no intention of doing so. The outcome was already decided, and the spatial lock wouldn't be lifted anytime soon. It was better to be prepared for any contingency.
He wasn't wrong.
'What's this?'
If it weren't for a very special, unforeseen variable.
'What is this? What is causing fate to fluctuate so wildly…?'
A strange expression appeared on Ann's face as she manipulated her chakra, helping the executives resisting Cheonbuhoe and increasing the probability of lifting the spatial lock. A change originating from outside constantly stimulated her, searching for 'possibilities'. The values detected by 「Probability Manipulation」 fluctuated wildly, and an unknown fate beckoned her. Telling her that what she sought was right here. The problem was that she had no idea what it was…
But her contemplation didn't last long.
'Whatever it is, it can't be worse than this.'
Her ability had bought them some time, but it wasn't a permanent solution. She had to do something, create a variable, no matter the consequences.
Hum
She gathered her remaining strength and unleashed 'Fate Manipulation', following her instincts. Praying that this unknown variable would be in their favor. And the moment she grasped a thread of fate knocking from outside and pulled it in,
Flash!
Accompanied by a blinding flash of light nearby,
A beautifully shining blade pierced through space.
"…A sword?"
There was no time to react. The blade, flickering momentarily, slashed downwards, creating a long rift in space. And from within that gap,
"…Hmm? What? The resistance suddenly weakened? I broke through more easily than expected. Is it weak against outside intrusions?"
An unfamiliar man's voice echoed.
Clang! Clang!
Accompanied by the heavy sound of metal clashing,
'That's…!'
Ann's eyes widened as she watched. A being suddenly appeared, cutting through the sealed space. The surroundings brightened several levels with his arrival. It wasn't just her imagination. He was radiating light! She realized,
That a variable capable of turning the situation around had—
"Well, it doesn't matter. I'm in anyway."
—no, a miracle had arrived.
But there was one thing she didn't anticipate…
"Kuahaha! Who's been bullying our newbie?!"
"Ugh… the air is stuffy, I'm dizzy. Should I have come? I feel like I'm going to puke, so I'll finish this quickly and go back…"
"Hoho, I'm going to have a feast."
…That there were several of them.
'Let's see, the situation is…'
Heinrich, clad in pure white armor, slowly looked around. The fight had already reached a lull.
'That's to be expected.'
It was only natural, considering his grand entrance. This was a sealed area, impenetrable. He had to use his holy sword and 「Spatial Slash」 to get in. It was only natural that a group suddenly barging in would draw attention.
"…How did you get in?"
Just then, Nagaraja, who had been relaxed, spoke in a low voice, his expression hardened. He held a long spear, ready for battle, his previous relaxed demeanor gone. His yellow, snake-like eyes scanned the newcomers.
"The Saint from another world, Phantom, and…"
A knight in white armor, radiating light. Phantom, in a neat black suit and a white mask. His gaze, having recognized the two, moved to the other two.
'So the Saint was with them. But those two are…'
A giant, half-naked and wearing a grotesque beast mask, and a grotesque figure in baggy clothes, gloves, and a motorcycle helmet, completely covered. His mental database, filled with information as a branch manager, whirred.
'That helmet… the same one as the guy who appeared during the Seoul terrorist attack, provided relief efforts, and disappeared. The other one is…'
He had memorized the details of suspicious individuals while preparing the trap, but he couldn't place him. He had been active before, but the information was missing because Dr.'s memories weren't completely transferred. The half-naked giant stepped forward, seemingly interpreting his reaction as confusion, and declared proudly.
"Kuahahaha! If you're asking who I am! I am a member of Masquerade! Lion Mask!"
"Uh… well… call me whatever you want…"
The listless voice of the helmeted man followed. Nagaraja's eyebrows twitched at their nonchalant introductions, devoid of tension. Weren't they looking down on him?
[Hmm— This is… quite interesting.]
Just as he was about to retort, a voice cut in. The demon, the Executioner, who had been silently observing the situation after sending Ken flying, approached.
[I had some expectations coming here, but… this is more than I anticipated. To think so many of you would come at once.]
The demon, his lips curled into a grin, revealing his sharp teeth, looked at the intruders as if he had received an unexpected gift. A heavy presence emanated from them, making his body tingle. It wasn't a combined aura, but the presence of multiple powerful individuals, each one a force to be reckoned with, even for him.
[Pffft!]
His battle-hardened body twitched. He didn't fear them. He was filled with anticipation for a bloody battle!
[Good, very good! A struggle for survival! A life-or-death battle is the greatest pursuit for a living being! I was a bit disappointed, but it seems it was worth coming here!]
"Haha! You and I are on the same wavelength! As a token of our newfound friendship, let me give you a gift!"
[Hmm? A gift?]
"Yes, something I really like. It tastes amazing."
Harley grinned at his puzzled opponent and strode forward. When they were close enough,
"Kuahahaha! Make sure you catch it!"
He didn't hesitate—
Boom!
"It's for our newbie!"
And gave his opponent a big, preemptive gift.