Chapter 48: V3C16 – The Cursed One

The demon nation and [Holy Kingdom] face each other geographically. The humans on the left and demons on the right, in the center north from that, are where the [Curses] pop out from.

Anyways, [Heaven's Song] gave the humans a boost, and that short opening was what the heroes needed. Rino, after searching around,

"Look over there in the center."

She pointed to the faucet which the [Curses] poured from, a single pillar of tears instead of haphazard cracks. It rained black endlessly, but traced back to the source...is a clump of evil, the presumed [Cursed One]. How would they get there, through the blood and war? To get to a line difficult for even the enhanced Aki to break through? 

"Thouria, has your mana replenished enough? Do you think we can jump straight there? If we can, we might be able to stop this. Think of this as redemption for last time."

"Haha...well, why do you think I packed and drank so many extra mana potions for? A [Teleportation] spell is viable now."

Surveying the noisy plains, [Curse] [Cores] dribbled down covered in human blood on this holy front.

"Everyone! Huddle up!"

We prepare for the [Great Sage]'s spell. We'll leave this field, but don't worry okay? It'll all end soon. The heroes, Ai, and Rinku scrunch together under a created formation by Thouria. Only they are going to the [Cursed One]'s dwelling, Thouria would be out low on mana and sickly. Gauss refused since he can't 'abandon' his men...anyways, after informing the still audibly online Aki about the plan, 

[Teleportation]

We flashed to the stage of the dense forest of destruction.

---

Aki POV:

That spell of Ai's was really great, why couldn't you give me something like that Destruction God?...That means Ai already knows the basics of mana huh...well I guess staying ignorant forever around those guys is impossible. Anyways, they're heading to the [Cursed One] that Rino said is all the way over there at the source of the infinite [Curse] well. It seems her mana detection is sharper than the [Focals] here, Yoru did say his detecting mechanisms weren't used to atmospheric mana bombardment, nor the level denseness of [Curses] here...

"Is that so...well we need to put an end to this soon huh."

The call cuts off. I guess I have to break through this sea of [Curses] and meet up with them to participate in the final fight, what an impossible task you've imposed on me! Maybe I could get Konno to transport me, though I can't seem to find her...time is of the essence.

Well, I might be able to do it, after all, my [Mana Drain] has picked up multiple times my previous pool. Now then, let's prepare for a reckless rush, shall we? This is how it is. The demons will be fine in my capable general's hands in my absence. My body creaks as I run mana through the familiar formations. It's a wonder that it still operates even through long hours of intense combat. A rush...haha...

I just thought of another plan...! I unmanifest my [Realizers] for this moment to focus on my body. Now, how will I get there despite a rock-solid defense? Well, I'll just ignore all the monsters in my way! After activating my overused [Hexad Barriers] I reach a more fitting height, though I can't go any higher than this certain altitude. Although Sino has run dry, I'll still 'fly' with my own power. I haven't done this before, but it should theoretically work with my mana and control now...is what I think. I leap forward without adventurous confidence and...

[Gravity Magic]

Begin to fall sideways, or fly horizontally. My speed instantly starts to increase and I feel the air clashing against my tattered clothes. I have small scratches accumulated from [Curse] cuts but their hot pain cools in the face of my absurd travel method. The dark scenery begins to blur before my eyes. Now, I might be accelerating this way, but I'm also under the effect of natural non-mana imposed gravity downwards. Downwards is, [Curses] galore...how do I offset this? I've never done this before but I'm picking up speed fast...take this! From the soles of my feet, I blast a shot of air and hasten upwards. Remember the sensation of Sino's magic...

"I-It's working!"

The blast of wind keeps me afloat as I fall forward. This is like a soaring bird with a weight pulling down on it, but it can occasionally negate the weight. What a horrible example, anyways, after a bit, I'm going a little over 80m/s like a bullet train. My body would be a smear of blood or a jumble of organs had I not used mana to hold myself together...

Now, I'm approaching the destination. Next to the spatial distortion, looking above the rest on a small platform of black material. Similar to a [Curse] body, is a single humanoid figure coming into view. 

"The [Cursed One]..."

If we kill that guy, the invasion will stop. [Second Contact] won't come to pass and [Orvinus] won't end up like that. I did have that agreement with Eurevos didn't I? I wonder what that guy's doing...

Anyways, how should I slow down? I've stopped accelerating but my velocity is still bone-shattering...uh oh. But, I planned for this! Just reverse the direction of gravitational acceleration! This is hard on my mana...my speed begins to slow down, like the last few moments of an air-thrown ball before halting at its peak. At this rate, a safe landing is possible...I must focus on the target. If an avian [Curse] gets in the way, just push wind attribute mana from one side and go towards the other. It's like a game. Soon, I land clumsily with some extra forward motion onto the platform. Luckily, I rolled to disperse the force. 

"Hm? Oh, hey Aki!"

It seems that they're already here. My entrance slightly surprised them, but they turned back to the single enemy in their front soon after. The [Cursed One], it looks over at the ten people barging into its territory. Wow, he's pretty handsome...it pisses me off. His body has tints of purple and black while being covered in a bulging coat of anguish. A bizarre look...and those eyes...

After registering our presences and our raring killing intention, he speaks in an uncomfortably inhuman manner,

"You cannot stop destruction. It flows undisturbed by the drive of us. Your resolve is but a spark compared to the flame."

What are you talking about! Let's just get this guy over with, the goal is in our hands!

"You shouldn't have come here, you have no chance. Taking on the enemies out there is an easier role I'd say."

His words are somehow prickling. Bloodshot eyes and an eerie smile are plastered menacingly in front of us. The [Cursed One] is a leader of [Curses] that appears during the end of a world...are they all this creepy? He's supposedly a lot stronger than the typical [Curse]...and my mana eyes confirm his will and capacity far far exceeds the norm. It also seems he has a base level of intelligence, not that it matters. I'll make the first move, in fact, I'd be honored to,

[Fire-Lightning Form Realizer: Dark Flaming Thunder Vortex]
[Fire-Lightning Form Realizer: Dark Flaming Thunder Vortex]

Hit him with pure power my double slashing [Realizers]! His smile widens and his arms bulge out, creating ridiculously beefy ones more reminiscent of the [Curses] I was used to. He holds them out in front and my mana attack is intercepted. My dark lightning and flame trickle lightly through but are pushed back...leaving a gaping wound. My mind wandered to the thought, 'not that big of a deal,' until his wound began regaining shape. This is, regeneration? It's almost instantaneous too! The wound now was nowhere to be seen anymore...

"Futile."

Then, from his back, extends disgustingly gruesome vines that wiggled as if they each had a will of their own. They burst at breakneck speeds towards us...

[Movement Barrier]

Thanks, Hayase-san! They momentarily stop their pursuit and,

[Light Slash]
[Heavy Blow]
[Fire Spear]
[Wind Blade]

The heroes shoot out some spells, ripping the odd immobile appendages apart.

"Tch."

I go in for another attack to the main body,

[Darkness Form Realizer: Dark Vortex]

...darkness swirls in one hand, I thrust at the [Cursed One]. He tries to block with those arms again, but it's useless! I use [Gravity Magic] to force them apart leaving a wide-open torso. Then, my aimed point lasers to his heart and somehow...misses!?

"A HA HA."

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He laughs weirdly, but it's definitely in a mocking tone! His body immediately and brokenly stretched out of my sword range, this flexibility is like trying to cut diffusing gas. But, I'm still in range!

"Ha!"

With a sideways move, I put strength behind a splitting motion. It was tough, but his body turned into two halves, or at least it should've. Even after being finely sliced, he regenerated!

"You cannot win, you cannot win. You have not enough~ aha."

"Y-You!"

I jump back and unmanifest one [Realizer], raising my hand to the air in an epic fashion.

[Awaken my power]
[The time to vanquish evil has come]

[Neutralizer: Handgun]

*bang bang bang*

I hammered him with three energy shots, only to be instantly disappointed by his regeneration. Those burns were severe too, this is too difficult, isn't it!? Yoru, you said we could beat this guy...I don't know about it now! Suddenly, a strength fills me up. It's similar but a bit different than that time Ai sang through the call.

[Increase Strength]
[Increase Speed]

Hayase-san's support huh? I'm grateful! Ryosuke rushes in after my turn, closing the distance and then slashing brutally straight on. The [Holy Sword] and that enhanced strength, is truly troublesome for any opponent. Wait, if his blessing works then does...

[Soul Breaking Phantasm]

Guess it doesn't work..the [Cursed One] is connected to the [Curse] collective will/mind after all. I guess this isn't his true form by that and I don't know it all huh. Anyways, Ryosuke witnesses the same regeneration I did after releasing a burning strike and is pushed back despairingly with a side slam.

"Ryo!"

Haha, he has girls to pick him back up how nice~ I'm in the middle of battle, let's save that for later...

[Ice Spear]

Saegusa-san attempts to pierce in with beams of ice. Expecting it, the [Cursed One] guards defensively. But,

"!?"

She used wind magic to curve their trajectory to its legs (from the start, like a curveball)! They perforate perfectly and bring the [Cursed One] to his knees. That mana manipulation skill is impressive, and it's not a spell. Projectile magic from a spell or magic formation just becomes nature's mana in a form when released, making it hard to manipulate. Adding an additional mana attribute from your own will takes control. Anyways,

"Gahh!"

He gave out a familiar screech, though no blood spills out from his inhuman body. He sucks it up and quickly uses his arms to pull out the icicles. The left holes close up in seconds, I'm in awe.

Tatsumi and Rinku jumped in while he was distracted. Enhanced by [Physical Enhancement] and [Mana Armor], the two bashes the [Cursed One]'s sides. Cracking sounds are made, and his face distorts. Well, breaking joints can't stop that, it'll regenerate soon anyway...that monster. With clear irritation and a grunt, he pushes outwards and jabs the two in the stomach. They both fly with extraordinary speed and land ungracefully on the hard floor. Coughing out deep red blood respectively, I begin to think, 'This is going nowhere...'

[Void Point]

Ai brings out her confidence and comes in, using her ability to erase all obstacles. She makes her way and strides her spear straight to the [Cursed One]'s head. She might actually...!

"Puny!"

His lower half unrealistically rotates and his leg extends. Ai's hip is smashed thoroughly and she's blasted in the intended direction.

"Nakano-san!"

"Ai!"

Hayase-san quickly runs over to heal her wounds. I deathly stare at the [Cursed One] with an incomprehensible expression. Turning quickly to look at the surroundings, I see...

"Guys, the [Curses] have climbed up here!"

"Wha!?"

This platform is likely a natural height of [Orvinus], I guess the reason it wasn't torn down was because of the [Cursed One]'s whims. It's now being climbed by the abhorrent beings to finish us. All kinds of [Curses] with varying strengths, trampling our hopes...are on standby to pounce our weak backs.

"Will we be able to fend off two fronts..."

Using [Neutralizer], I shoot down as many vital points from a distance as I can. I can't keep track anymore in this fight...

"This is getting out of hand..."

[Water Blade]
[Multiple Slash]

Swirling water slits cover the platform's edge and many [Curses] are cut cleanly. I can tell,

"Thanks, Ayame!"

How reliable. Anyways, facing back to the [Cursed One], I prepare my nerves. To defeat him, I need more power. I shift to [Neutralizer: Sniper] mode, my mana eyes will cover my insufficiencies in accuracy. Aiming through the clear scope,

*clink*

The trigger is pressed and a warping light shot travels in between his eyes. Regenerate that you monster!

But he did. He regenerated it back like it was nothing. Are you kidding? His head was where the [Core] was, but he reacted and moved it to a different spot in milliseconds! This is going to be a long battle...

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