The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years-Chapter Season 2 616

Translator: Alpha0210

Demigod.

There were many beings in the Three Thousand Worlds that bore the name of a demigod, but this race was among the more peculiar ones.

Though grouped together under the umbrella of a single race, each individual's characteristics were highly unique. Not only their traits and habits but also their weaknesses and abilities varied greatly. It would not be an exaggeration to consider every one of them a mutation.

Just before coming here, Residue had delved deeper into the powers that they possessed. He could use the powers of all the demigods that had ever existed. Functionally, at least.

However, he was far from mastering them completely, and several unresolved issues remained.

Not only did he still lack a proper grasp of the power of space, but among the other powers as well, there were some that suited him and others that did not.

This was what one might call aptitude.

Throughout history, the total number of demigods that had existed was 127. Each of them wielded a different power, meaning that Residue could theoretically use 127 different powers. Barring a few exceptions, these powers could not be ranked in terms of superiority or inferiority based on their inherent qualities alone.

For instance, aside from Ricky, the demigod of the sword, there had been other demigods who wielded weapons as their power. However, only Ricky had honed his power to the extreme, developing it to a level where he could stand against Lord, who possessed the power of space.

…The most important factor was proficiency.

The powers of a demigod belonged to a category of strength that held immense potential even from a cosmic perspective.

And in this, Residue had discovered an interesting fact.

Beings who had mastered at least one power completely.

—The Absolutes.

Were they not quite similar to the Lords?

'One hundred and twenty-seven.'

Residue repeated the number in his mind.

Lukas had never intentionally delved deeply into the power of the demigods.

As he lived his life, he had gained the power of divine magic and wielded several other abilities even in his days as an Absolute, but ultimately, they had only served as nourishment for the study of magicology.

Residue’s path was different.

He wanted to fully understand and make his own all the powers the demigods had possessed.

And the complete understanding Residue spoke of was on an entirely different level than that of the demigods.

If he could elevate his mastery to the level he desired— then Residue would become a Lord with at least 127 powers.

*

[...So are you now a Lord with one hundred and twenty-seven powers?]

"You could see it that way."

As he closed the distance to the tentacle tree, they exchanged a brief conversation. The topic mostly revolved around Residue’s strength and combat capabilities.

Residue knew that the Lightning God was either already eavesdropping on this information he was spewing or would soon find out about it.

So what.

He didn’t particularly care. In fact, he thought this made things fairer. Residue knew everything about the Lightning God, whereas the latter knew nothing about him. The Lightning God might scoff at the idea, but from Residue’s perspective, they were now equals.

Meanwhile, Retip was well aware that there had never been a single Lord in history who possessed 127 powers. Moreover, the opponent in question was someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of the Absolutes. He would not simply be someone who could use 127 powers. He might be something far greater, perhaps the equivalent of 127 Lords combined into one.

However.

[Even so, that’s still far from enough to fight that thing.]

"Kukuk."

Residue let out a sinister chuckle.

"You really are a useful guy."

[What do you mean by that?]

"A Lord like you is rare. Someone who can acknowledge the strength of an existence that is not a Ruler. It means your mind is at least a little flexible."

[…]

"But that alone is not enough. You need experience. And for that, I inevitably need to explain the next step. Retip, what do you think our chances are of winning against that tentacle tree?"

[If I load as much hope into my estimation as possible… maybe about 0.0001 percent.]

That was actually more generous than expected.

It was proof that Retip held him in quite high regard.

"Considering the synergy we can generate, I suppose that sounds about right. Against Destruction, that’s the inevitable result." frёeωebɳovel.com

[So, what will you do? Are you willing to stake your life on that minuscule chance?]

"……."

As the distance to their destination steadily decreased, the tentacles’ attacks grew fiercer. One by one, grotesque manifestations of Destruction, which had been lurking unseen until now, began to reveal themselves. They resembled insects trying to protect their queen, though whether these creatures actually possessed such instincts was unknown.

Residue swung Resod, tearing them apart. Tszzt. In the wake of the sweeping sword wind, pale lightning lingered like shimmering heat waves.

"You don’t need to risk your life. I alone am enough to take the gamble in this fight."

That was something Residue had emphasized from the moment he explained the plan.

[Then let me ask something else. Is your swordsmanship also a power of the demigods? It doesn’t seem like ordinary swordsmanship.]

"You could say that."

[Can’t you give me a definite answer?]

"You’re so picky… Fine. The power I am currently focusing on is connected to your first question."

The first question, about the 127 powers?

[Then it must be the power of a demigod enhanced with lightning.]

"The opposite. Originally, I used lightning as the base and employed the powers of the demigods as supplementary tools, utilizing them as needed in battle. But I’ve decided to stop. It’s become a hassle."

[What do you mean?]

"Thinking while fighting doesn’t suit my nature."

Suddenly, Residue wore a sorrowful expression.

"Do you know, Reti-reti? This body of mine carries several curses. No matter how extraordinary someone may be, if they attempt to possess or get entangled with me, they will end up rolling miserably in the filth. Additionally, I develop an excessive tendency to be overly cautious about everything."

[…….]

"There are a few other curses, but I’ll explain those another time… The point is, deliberate thinking before action doesn’t suit me. So from now on, I’ve decided to act first and think later."

Act first and think later.

This would become Residue’s new guiding principle.

"I will apply lightning to all the abilities of the demigods. Lightning hotter than fire, lightning sharper than the wind, lightning colder than ice… Even the blade I wield will be coated in lightning, and instead of reading the past or future, I will replace it with flashes of inspiration striking like a bolt in my mind. The same goes for space. You saw how my movements left traces of lightning behind, didn’t you?"

[Yes.]

"I can move as fast as lightning. I’m thinking of calling it Flash of Lightning. What do you think?"

[That sounds a bit outdated.]

"That, too, is one of my wretched curses."

[Besides, lightning isn’t actually that fast.]

"That’s a very Absolute-like perspective. I take back what I said about you being open-minded."

[…….]

There was a reason why he hadn’t fought like this until now.

A reason why he hadn’t based his combat style on Thunder and instead insisted on digging into each of the demigods’ abilities individually, using them as battle techniques.

It was all because of the Lightning God.

No matter how much he refined his control over lightning, he wasn’t confident he could ever elevate it to the level of the Thunder that the Lightning God wielded. So, until now, Residue had been running away. He had ignored his true aptitude because he didn’t want to be seen as a mere replica, an inferior copy.

It was a foolish and shameful act.

Tsk.

The moment he closed in on the tree, Residue leaped. His landing spot was the surface of the tentacle tree. Clinging vertically to its exterior, he appeared precarious, but of course, he did not fall. Rising from his position, he began sprinting up the tree’s surface at an incredible speed.

KWAJAJAJAK!

As he ran, he embedded Resod deep into the tree’s body, causing its outer shell to split violently, leaking a pus-like substance. A sound resembling a scream echoed.

[Hmm…]

Retip let out a displeased hum at the unsettling sensation.

Meanwhile, Residue swiftly reached the top of the tree and jumped again. Pazik! His body vanished, leaving only a trail of crackling lightning, reappearing far above in the sky.

Gazing down at the massive tentacle tree in its entirety, Residue spoke.

"Are you ready, ‘Re’?"

Retip mechanically recited his prearranged line.

[…Of course, ‘Re.’]

Hahahaha!

Residue let out a thunderous laugh and gripped Resod with both hands. Tszzt! Lightning began to condense along the blade.

Kururung…

Dark clouds gathered, enveloping Residue. Now, the sound of thunder and lightning echoed from Resod itself. Strands of barely-contained lightning stretched outward like spiderwebs, and the residual energy turned into bolts of lightning that struck all around.

He had expected this level of backlash. That was why he had deliberately stalled until all the humans had fled.

Residue focused the surging lightning power within his entire body into the sword’s edge.

"Thunderous Lightning Strike—!"

Retip was appalled by the naming sense, but in the next moment, he realized that the energy filling his own body was rapidly draining away.

Then, from the tip of Resod, a massive bolt of lightning fell.

KWAANG!

The most powerful strike they could muster at this moment crashed down onto the tentacle tree. A dazzling light, as intense as if the sun itself had fallen, engulfed the surroundings.

Chwak! A massive wound was carved into the tree. The scar resembled a beast opening its maw.

Residue peered inside.

As expected, there was no tree flesh within. The interior was an independent space, a separate dimension in itself.

"Good work, Retip."

Residue casually released Resod into the air, and the blade transformed back into Retip’s form.

"…If I was of any help, then it’s an honor."

Retip, panting heavily, forced a weak smile. Residue met his gaze with a faint smirk and then spoke.

"Black Witch."

As if she had been waiting, Iris appeared.

"…Preparations are complete."

"Good job."

"Hmph. Just remember, my role ends here."

With a cold voice, she waved her hand, and Symetra materialized in midair.

Residue immediately grabbed Symetra by the nape.

"Ugh."

"Of course. See you in a bit."

The wound created by the Thunderous Lightning Strike was already beginning to heal.

Without hesitation, Residue hurled himself into the opening. Iris twisted her hands as if assisting him. Zwaak! Just as the wound was about to close, it was forcibly torn open again.

In that brief moment, Residue plunged his body into the wound, successfully entering the tree’s interior.

…With this, the operation was complete.

"…Be careful."

Only after Residue had vanished did Iris murmur in a low voice.

*

A strange sensation.

The moment he entered the tree, it felt as if his body had been submerged in a gelatinous mass. It was like drifting slowly but steadily through the depths of the ocean.

And then suddenly,

Residue realized he was standing in the middle of a white space.

"Hmm."

At least, that was how it appeared.

He clenched and unclenched his fingers, rotated his neck, and checked his physical condition.

"W-where are we?"

Symetra, who had been dragged along, trembled as he asked.

"I told you, didn’t I? We were going to enter the core of Destruction."

"Are you saying… this is the interior of that great tree?"

"You have a bad habit of asking obvious questions."

With that, Residue casually started walking forward. Symetra scrambled to his feet and hurried after him.

"So this is what you meant by ‘entering’ the interior? I was certain it meant making contact with Destruction’s mind…"

"That was part of the plan as well. Hmm."

Residue scanned his surroundings, but nothing in particular stood out.

Even after blinking several times, the scenery remained unchanged.

"Reject. What do you see?"

"Huh? Uh, I see… you, Residue-nim."

"……."

"B-but aside from that, I see nothing! Just an endless white space!"

As soon as Residue subtly lifted a finger, Symetra hastily added more. Seeing the sheer stupidity radiating from the fool, Residue felt a deep sense of concern well up within him. As a former superior, this was something he couldn’t ignore. Once they got out of here, he would have to thoroughly re-educate Symetra from the ground up.

In any case, it seemed that they were both perceiving the same scenery.

Residue lowered the finger he had raised and resumed walking. After hesitating for a moment, Symetra quickly followed, sticking close behind.

"But… do you really think this method will work?"

"Are you feeling uneasy?"

"Yes. I’ve made contact with Destruction’s mind before. Even though it was when they were still concealing their true nature…"

Just recalling that memory made fear surge up in him again. Symetra took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before continuing.

"…It wasn’t something that could be understood or reasoned with."

"That’s because you’re an idiot."

"……."

"And besides, not all of them are like that. Destruction has individuality."

If that weren’t the case, then beings like Luca or Frey Blake wouldn’t exist.

And those two had been enemies.

Luca had definitely killed Frey. So, from Destruction’s perspective, was Frey the traitor? Did all of Destruction oppose Frey? It wasn’t something that could be viewed in such simple terms. At first glance, Destruction’s traits and behaviors seemed completely incomprehensible but perhaps they weren’t as unfathomable as they appeared.

In any case, Residue had shared a connection with Frey’s mind.

He had glimpsed the memories of a being that was undoubtedly part of Destruction and had understood his thoughts.

Understanding.

If it was possible to understand Destruction, then the strategies to deal with them would become far more diverse than they were now.

Residue lightly grasped the necklace around his neck.

"So that’s why you came here? To resolve things through conversation?"

"It could be a conversation, a negotiation, or even a threat. I won’t know for sure until I meet it."

Symetra remained silent for a moment before asking,

"And what if you fail?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well… shouldn’t we at least prepare for the worst-case scenario?"

"Hmm. There’s nothing to worry about."

Symetra’s face brightened slightly.

"I mean, at worst, we’ll become one with Destruction and lose ourself completely, or we’ll wander this empty space for eternity, or our mind will eventually break down, and we’ll go completely insane, or, well… we’ll just die."

…She really shouldn’t have asked.