Someone began to walk out of the rift with heavy steps His armor, resembling pitch-black dragon scales, seemed to absorb all the light in the universe The dark mana rising from his shoulders coiled around him as if it were alive Behind the helmet covering his head, only two glowing purple eyes were visible In those eyes, there was no anger…
No hatred…
Nor any mercy.
There was only absolute supremacy.
The Ancient Dark Monarch…
Oblivor…
The moment he stepped onto the battlefield, the entire universe trembled The four Dark Monarchs waiting behind Xu Liangchen knelt simultaneously without receiving a single order They bowed their heads in deep reverence Their voices echoed as one.
"My Lord…"
Xu Liangchen looked at the kneeling rulers and then slowly bowed his head as well.
"You have finally arrived…"
He raised his eyes.
"…Almighty Dark Ruler."
Oblivor, however, did not utter a single word.
His gaze scanned the battlefield directly To him, no one present mattered Except for one person.
Meanwhile, at another point in the sky, Neroth landed a heavy punch right across Zyphros's face with all his might The impact of the explosion blasted Zyphros miles away.
Neroth did not waste a single moment Disregarding his blood-stained body, he descended to Ömer Jin Hoo's side at a speed exceeding the speed of light
He dropped to one knee.
He bowed his head.
"My King…"
For the first time, there was both reverence and excitement in his voice.
"I believe we are about to face our final trial."
Ömer cast a brief glance at him.
"Together."
This single word was enough for Neroth to stand back up on his feet On another front, Ignarion's massive axe split his opponent right down the middle The Dark Monarch's body tore in two and scattered into the void of space Ignarion took a deep breath.
Then, without saying a word, he approached his king He, too, dropped to one knee.
"My King."
Ömer nodded slightly.
His two most powerful generals were now by his side, taking their positions Everyone knew what the approaching war meant
At the end of this battle, either the universe would live…
Or everything would be plunged into eternal darkness Oblivor finally spoke His voice was neither loud nor low Yet, every word he uttered echoed in every corner of the universe.
"So…"
His purple eyes locked onto Ömer.
"…You are the successor chosen by Aurion."
He paused for a moment.
"…And you managed to escape from the hands of Aetheryon."
These words struck everyone on the battlefield with shock Xu Liangchen's eyes widened The other Dark Monarchs began looking at one another Omer, however, did not change his expression at all
"So…"
He took a deep breath.
"You know him, then."
He raised his dagger.
"In that case, you must also know that your lifespan is drawing to an end."
Silence…
Then, a faint smile appeared on Oblivor's lips.
"I grew curious."
"Tell me…"
"What happened in that dungeon?"
His gaze swept over Ömer's body.
"It seems you have managed to fully awaken the Dark Mana."
He paused.
"But Aurion…"
For the first time, a hint of curiosity could be felt in his voice.
"…Instead of taking over your body, he left all his power to you."
"This is truly interesting."
Hearing these words, the expression on Xu Liangchen's face completely changed.
His pupils dilated The four Dark Monarchs beside him gasped at the same time Vorgath whispered
"Could it be…"
The others continued
"The Ancient Light Monarch…"
"Was it all real?"
Ömer silently looked into Oblivor's eyes.
Then, he pointed his dagger at him.
"I am telling you for the last time."
"Either you abandon your purpose…"
"…Or I will destroy you with my own hands."
His gaze hardened.
"I will protect my family."
"I will protect this universe."
"No matter the cost."
Oblivor said nothing for a few seconds Then, he burst into a deep laughter.
"This is exactly the answer I was waiting for."
"The Ancient Light Monarch, Aurion…"
"…Was truly right to choose you."
Oblivor slowly raised his right hand toward the sky The moment he opened his fingers, two massive rifts formed at different points in space Two terrifying waves of mana surged from within the rifts Subsequently, two silhouettes walked out of the darkness and descended onto the battlefield.
Two more Dark Monarchs…
Now, standing before Ömer Jin Hoo were:
Oblivor…
Xu Liangchen…
And seven Dark Monarchs.
The mana blanketing the battlefield made it difficult to even breathe Ömer gripped his dagger tighter His knuckles turned stark white His instincts were telling him one thing.
This…
Was unlike any enemy he had faced before.
Right at that moment…
A blue, digital screen appeared in front of Xu Liangchen.
WARNING
The Ancient Dark Monarch Oblivor has begun shutting down the system.
All of the Player's power will be absorbed.
System terminating…
The expression on Xu Liangchen's face froze instantly His eyes snapped toward Oblivor with fury He gritted his teeth.
"…You…"
"…You deceived me."
A deadly silence enveloped the battlefield
System integrity critical…
Connection lost…
Survival probability: 0%
Xu Liangchen's breathing grew ragged The system he had believed in for years, the one he had slaughtered millions for Turned out to be nothing but a cage Slowly, he raised his head His gaze locked directly onto Oblivor.
The fury in his voice could no longer be contained.
"You…"
He gritted his teeth.
"You used me…"
Dark mana began to involuntarily overflow from his body.
"YOU PIECE OF TRASH!"
His voice shook the entire void.
"YOU LIED TO ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!"
Oblivor, however, didn't show the slightest reaction Behind his massive black armor, there was only a cold silence Then, his deep, echoing voice resounded.
"You were never my successor."
Xu Liangchen's face froze.
"You were… merely a vessel."
A moment of silence followed Then, Oblivor finished his words.
"When your power matured, I was going to absorb you."
Those words continued to echo in Xu Liangchen's mind The empire he had built for years The wars he had won The countless people he had slaughtered…
All of it…
Was just soil someone else had fertilized.
His fists began to tremble Crimson veins were pulsing across his body.
"…So…"
"…It was all a lie…"
Oblivor spoke without even blinking.
"You have fulfilled your purpose."
The expression on Xu Liangchen's face completely shifted
Anger…
Hatred…
Regret…
All converged into a single point Finally, he began to laugh Low at first Then rising into a mad, hysterical laughter…
"Hahahaha…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The entire universe echoed with his crazed laughter Suddenly, his laughter cut short He bowed his head He spoke softly.
"If that's how it is…"
"…If I am dying…"
Slowly, he raised his head His blood-red eyes stabbed directly into Oblivor.
"…YOU ARE COMING WITH ME!"
Suddenly, he flung both arms wide open
Crimson mana began to erupt from his entire body The sky turned blood-red, as if drenched in gore Even the darkness of space was blanketed by the crimson light
Vorgath's eyes widened.
"No…"
"He can't use that technique!"
For the first time, the other Dark Monarchs recoiled in terror.
"Stop!"
"Xu Liangchen!"
But it was already too late Xu Liangchen closed his eyes He began to gather all of his life force, soul, and mana into a single point.
His heart was tearing apart…
His bones were cracking…
His soul was burning.
But he did not stop.
Finally…
He opened his eyes.
His pupils had turned completely crimson.
Then a roar that shook the entire universe erupted
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The soundwaves surpassed the speed of light, spreading to the far corners of the universe.
And then…
The explosion happened The crimson mana surged in every direction like a boundless ocean Nearby star systems were obliterated within seconds Planets were reduced to atoms While some galaxies vanished entirely, others were hurled out of their orbits due to the resulting gravitational waves The very fabric of the void could not withstand this power Massive rifts tore open across different points in space Millions of dark soldiers were turned to ash in the very first second of the blast Vorgath was thrown back for miles despite trying to shield himself with both arms His black armor shattered Black blood sprayed from his chest The other Monarchs were heavily wounded as well.
Only two figures stood completely unmoved.
Oblivor…
And Ömer Jin Hoo.
Ömer watched the events unfold with a hollow gaze As the wind whipped his cloak, he never took his eyes off Xu Liangchen Minutes later, the crimson smoke slowly began to dissipate The silhouette that emerged…
Was no longer human
His body was covered in black scales.
His muscles had grown to terrifying proportions Spikes rose from his back.
A horrifying hybrid caught between a dragon and a human…
Yet, the most terrifying part was his eyes They were completely crimson His entire body trembled uncontrollably His veins were bursting His flesh was tearing apart.
Xu Liangchen held his head in agony.
"It hurts…"
He dropped to his knees.
"It hurts…"
His voice grew louder.
"IT HURTS!"
Suddenly, looking up at the heavens, he screamed maniacally.
"IT HURTSSSSSS!"
Without a second thought, he channeled all of his remaining life force, soul, and mana into his ancient dagger, Hei Ming The dagger became enveloped in black and crimson lightning Space itself began to warp.
Xu Liangchen looked at Oblivor one last time.
A painful yet resolute smile crossed his face.
"This…"
"…Is my final attack."
In the next instant…
He vanished His speed left even light behind.
Hei Ming lunged forward, aimed straight at Oblivor's chest.
But…
TİNK!
The moment the tip of the dagger touched Oblivor's black armor, it stopped Not a single scratch was made Xu Liangchen's eyes widened in sheer horror.
"Impossible…"
Right at that moment…
A black energy surged from Oblivor's armor.
The energy enveloped Xu Liangchen's entire body.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Xu Liangchen screamed in agony.
His body began to crack The crimson mana was being forcibly drained from his body.
His soul…
His life force…
His ancient power…
All of it was being absorbed by Oblivor.
"No…"
"Stop…"
"Please…"
His screams grew fainter and fainter.
His body turned first into light.
Then into ash.
And finally…
He vanished completely, as if he had never existed at all Oblivor closed his eyes, taking in the ancient energy he had just absorbed.
Then, he slowly looked toward Ömer Jin Hoo.
His deep voice echoed across the entire battlefield
"The time has come…"
His dark aura began to rise once more.
"…Monarch of Light."
At that exact moment, the truth that would change the fate of the war forever was about to be revealed Oblivor stood motionless, dark energies swirling over his black armor, his eyes locked onto only a single person.
Ömer Jin Hoo.
He was looking straight into Oblivor's eyes, showing no signs of fear It was as if no other living being remained in the universe except the two of them Oblivor advanced a few meters with heavy steps. Every step he took vibrated the void itself; the waves of dark mana circulating around were slowing down time itself Then, his deep and resonant voice filled the battlefield.
"The time has come... Monarch of Light."
Following these words, Oblivor slowly raised his right hand The moment he lightly snapped his fingers, the entire universe shook.
SNAP!
Massive rifts began to open right in the middle of space.
One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five...
A total of five massive dimensional rifts...
Dazzling white lights rose from within each rift, but this light did not exude peace; it radiated an indescribable pressure.
Everyone on the battlefield held their breath.
Neroth's eyes widened.
"This energy..."
Ignarion involuntarily gripped his dagger tighter.
"No..."
Clairael's voice trembled.
"Impossible..."
One by one, majestic silhouettes walked out of the rifts.
Golden armor...
Glowing wings...
Weapons woven from pure light...
They were...
The members of the Seven Ancient Light Monarchs However, aside from the two Light Monarchs present on the battlefield, the remaining five rulers stood by Oblivor's side.
This sight froze the expressions on everyone's faces across the battlefield.
Valorian's pupils shrank.
"This... cannot be..."
Antaios stepped back in shock.
"The Light Monarchs... why..."
Neroth gritted his teeth.
"They... betrayed us."
A faint smile formed at the corner of Oblivor's lips.
"As you can see..."
"This war has already been won."
There wasn't the slightest change on Ömer's face He continued to watch them in silence.
Oblivor continued his speech.
"When the Absolute God dies, the balance will disappear as well."
"The strong survive."
"They understood this too."
"I will be the ruler of the new order."
The five Light Monarchs knelt down at the same time.
"My Lord."
As this single word echoed across the battlefield, the morale of the shadow soldiers was practically shattered.
Right at that moment...
Valorian, lying heavily wounded on the ground, began to cough.
"BUAHH!"
Dark red blood erupted from his mouth into the void.
His armor was completely shattered, his body pushed to the brink of death He looked at Ömer with trembling eyes.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
"Everything... is over, I guess..."
Ömer slowly turned his head He looked at him silently Valorian breathed with difficulty.
"For everything you put me through..."
"...thank you, Ömer."
Ömer's brows furrowed slightly.
"Why are you saying these things?"
Valorian closed his eyes He took a deep breath.
Then...
The skin on his face began to dissolve like light The color of his hair changed His facial features began to transform A few seconds later, everyone on the battlefield froze Valorian was no longer Valorian.
The person standing before them...
Was Jung Woo.
The closest friend Ömer had lost years ago, whom he loved like a brother...
Ömer's eyes widened to their limits
The dagger in his hand involuntarily slipped through his fingers and fell into the void.
The metallic sound echoed through the silence
"J... Jung Woo..."
Even the voice coming out of his throat was trembling Jung Woo spoke with a painful yet peaceful smile.
"Do you remember?"
"I never left."
"This body was just a mission given to me."
"Just so I could be by your side..."
Ömer couldn't say a single word.
Childhood memories began to flash before his eyes.
The days they spent together...
The promises they made...
The laughs they shared...
And that painful day in Busan...
All the memories rushed into his mind at once.
In that moment...
Oblivor turned his cold gaze He didn't want to wait anymore His booming voice shook the universe.
"NOW..."
"ATTACK!"
The moment the order was given, the seven Dark Monarchs and the five traitorous Light Monarchs moved simultaneously The mana of the twelve rulers converged into a single point Space itself began to tear apart.
The Shadow Generals dashed forward at the same time.
"MY KING!!"
Neroth.
Ignarion.
Clairael.
Antaios.
And countless shadow soldiers...
None of them intended to leave Ömer alone.
Right then, one of the Dark Monarchs raised a black dagger into the air The black flames swirling around the weapon transformed into a massive dragon within seconds The dragon's eyes burned like hellfire.
"Perish!"
The Black Dragon hurtled toward Ömer at a speed that could tear the universe apart.
But...
Ömer was still looking at Jung Woo.
He didn't even turn around He merely raised his right hand slowly The entire universe shook the moment the massive black dragon collided with his palm An explosion was expected.
However, nothing happened.
The dragon...
Had stopped.
Ömer was holding that terrifying attack with a single hand.
Then...
He slowly closed his fingers.
The dark mana began to compress inside his palm.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
The massive dragon shattered like glass, breaking into millions of black fragments.
Ömer slowly turned his head.
His face had now completely changed Most of his skin had turned pitch black, and a chilling purple aura began to rise from his eyes.
The expression on his face...
Was neither anger...
Nor hatred...
Nor pain...
It was death itself.
Even Oblivor's eyes widened slightly for the first time Ömer took a single step The universe fell silent His lips parted slowly.
And he said only two words.
"You will die."
His voice was neither loud nor harsh...
But these two words pierced the hearts of everyone on the battlefield In the next split second Ömer vanished No one could see his movement In an instant, he appeared right in front of the Dark Monarch.
He swung his fist with all his might.
BOOOOM!!
The moment the punch hit the target, the fabric of space shattered The Dark Monarch's chest completely collapsed Losing control, his body crashed into a massive, distant planet at a momentum that surpassed the speed of light many times over Within seconds, the planet split in two Then, it broke into millions of pieces and ceased to exist.
But the attack wasn't over The mana carried by the punch continued to tear the Monarch's body apart from the inside.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!"
His scream echoed across planets
A few seconds later, his body dissolved completely His existence was erased from the universe Only scattering black particles remained The other Dark Monarchs involuntarily stepped back a few paces.
For the first time, fear was written on their faces For the first time... they were afraid of Ömer Jin Hoo
Oblivor, clenching his fists, stepped forward in anger Dark mana began to envelop the entire universe There was no turning back now The final battle had begun.