Chapter 413: The Night and the Light (9)

Boom—
The Crown Prince of Roan, Alberu Crossman.

He felt a tremendous tremor.

The earth itself quaked.

The moment he felt that tremor coming from the depths, Alberu understood.

This is…

This power—

Cale Henituse!

It’s that guy’s power.

A faint, mocking smile tugged at Alberu’s lips.

Drip.

At that moment, a thin line of blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.

Rumble—

His hands trembled, but even so, he clenched them tighter.

Clang!

With a sharp motion, he drove his sword into the ground.

And before him—

The small, gray pond shuddered.

He struck the small frozen pond.

Crack, crack—

Thin lines splintered across the surface, widening fast.

Drip.

And more blood flowed from Alberu Crossman’s mouth.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Even so, he didn’t stop.
Because he was the only one who could do this.

* * *

A moment ago—
Before all this—

Splash!

Cale Henituse had plunged into the pond with the Saint.

Alberu knew Cale was going to look for the sacred object.

Glance—

His sharp eyes swept the surroundings.

Boom—!

“Stop the flames!”
“Damn it, these ice blocks—!”
“Ahhh—!”

Everything around him was burning, breaking, and collapsing—
a world filled with screams.

The noise was deafening.

The Wanderers, Cho and Ryeon, had begun tearing through the sacred site once more.
And even so—

“Oh? That place looks important, doesn’t it?”
“Ryeon, let’s destroy that too.”
“Yes. It seems we should start with that one.”

They didn’t miss the Saint and Cale’s movements.
Step by step, they drew closer to the heart of the sacred site—
the Primordial Night

“The sacred object—!”

“Damn it! Only the Saint can enter that pond!”

Moreover, the leaders of the God of Chaos’ cult seemed to be on the verge of chaos and anxiety when Cale entered the lagoon.

Of course, the chaos that enveloped them wasn’t the only thing.

“Now is not the time to worry only about the pond! What about the sacrifices?!”

One of the priests shouted as the sacrifices who were being rescued one by one by being lifted into the air.

Even the vaguest thought of them escaping was enough to give the leaders a headache.
And then the fury broke out.

“Kill them! Kill everyone who ruined our sacred site!”

“God of Chaos—take me as the sacrifice!”

Tens of thousands of believers began to cry — not from fear, but from faith.

Those who came here were quite strong.

Instead of fleeing in this situation, they were all furious.

The long-awaited Night of Pleasure.

The great ritual for the arrival of the God of Chaos ruined by Cale’s group and the Wanderers.

They rushed towards them without fear.

Because they had ruined the precious sacred site.

The sacred site in the shape of a wide basin.

The believers ran towards it.

“It’s chaos.”

Literally, this place was chaos filled with all kinds of people.

And in the midst of all that—

“Ahhh!”
“Ugh!”

The Wanderers struck mercilessly.
No— they didn’t fight the believers.
They simply swept them aside, as if clearing away stones that blocked their path.

Glance—

Alberu looked at his companions.

Vrrrmm—!

Eruhaben.

No one could get near him.

Because of his attribute dust, which he feared the Wanderers would discover, he only used mana to prevent others from approaching.

“!”

Their gazes met in the middle of the battle.

- He’s close.

Eruhaben’s calm voice echoed in Alberu’s mind.

Raon and Choi Han had already rescued most of the sacrifices.
Soon, Eruhaben himself would be free to move.

Everything is going according to plan.

While Cale was stealing the sacred object, the sacrifices were being taken to the edge of the cliff.

After that, Cale’s group would split up and escape in different directions.

Glance—

Lady Rosalyn is also holding up well.

Vrrrmm—

Although she wasn’t as strong as Eruhaben, she was also a great mage.

Though Alberu was an exceptional mage, even he couldn’t keep up with her.

It was only natural that no one could approach her easily.

The Heavenly Demon.

Moreover, the Heavenly Demon was standing next to Rosalyn.

Even without revealing his Unique Power before the Wanderers, his martial strength alone was enough to cut down anyone who rushed at them like moths drawn to a flame.

And among the crowd of believers—

Gashan.

The tiger beastman was already blending into their ranks, watching the flow of battle, waiting for the right moment to move.

Not bad.

Everything was proceeding well.

The situation was under control.

But Alberu knew.

He knew the weakness hidden beneath this fragile order.

…But there’s a limit.

Even though everything was going according to plan—

If something goes wrong, everything will go to hell.

If the Wanderers were to shift their focus from the God of Chaos’ cult to Cale’s group, the situation would immediately collapse.

And if the tens of thousands of believers, driven mad by devotion, were to charge at them without hesitation, the result would be the same.

No matter how powerful Cale’s group was, facing both the Wanderers and an army of fanatics at once would be impossible.

Five hundred.

There were over five hundred sacrifices to protect.

Alberu’s eyes kept moving, scanning the battlefield without pause.

He knew exactly what he had to do.

Eliminate the variables.

He wasn’t the strongest among them—
but he was the only one who could handle the situation and command in Cale’s absence.

Spear, magic, judgment of the situation.

Since he didn’t lack anything, Alberu chose to remain still, hidden among the chaos, quietly observing his surroundings.

Cale…!

That guy needs to get out—fast.

Vrrrmm—

The Sun Sword trembled faintly within its sheath.

As he gripped the hilt of the sword, Alberu looked up at the sky for a moment.

The waning moon.

A moonless night.

And yet—

it wasn’t dark.

The mana gathered by Eruhaben and Rosalyn shone brightly.

Surely, there would also be Raon’s black mana.

Thump. Thump.

But why—

Alberu felt as if the sun was illuminating him, even though he couldn’t see it.

The warmth of the sun enveloping his whole body.

For a while now, this warmth had been surrounding his body.

That warmth made his mind clear.

His breath steady.

His senses sharper than ever.

“—!”

Alberu’s gaze turned toward the pond.

A moment ago—

He felt something terrible enveloping his whole body from that small pond.

Steps. Steps.

Without realizing it, Alberu began to walk — straight toward the center of the sacred site, the Primordial Night.

Toward the pond.

Crunch. Crunch.

The grass-covered battlefield, filled with believers.

Alberu started making his way faster.

Thump. Thump.

His heart was beating faster.

The warmth of the sun was fading.

Perhaps that was why his body suddenly felt heavy, cold.

- Alberu, what’s wrong? What’s happening to you?

He ignored Eruhaben’s confused voice.

No, he didn’t have time to worry about that.

Thump. Thump.

When the warmth disappeared, it was replaced by a chill.

Was it the coldness of night?

No.

This was different.

It was something different from the simple coldness of the night.

And Alberu realized—

he was the only one who could feel it.

Step. Step. Step.

His pace quickened until his strides turned into a run.

Alberu ignored those he bumped into and quickly headed towards the small pond, at the center of the sacred site.

No—

He didn’t know what it was, but every instinct screamed that it couldn’t be good.

Vrrrmm—

Mana surged through him as he cast an acceleration spell.

Thump. Thump.

Then he felt it.

It wasn’t just his heart that was beating.

The sword…!

The Sun Sword pulsed in his grip — each vibration heavy and sharp, echoing like a heartbeat.

As if it were warning him of danger.

“Damn it!”

Maybe it was because he was positioned to the south, at the very edge of the battlefield—
he was too far from the center.

Thud!

Finally, Alberu hit the ground.

A burst of wind flared from his magic, lifting his body.
He launched himself toward the pond.

He knew very well how much attention this action would draw, and that the enemies might notice it.

But Alberu had already decided.

That’s not the problem.

The Sun Sword in his grasp — a sacred object containing the power of the God of the Sun — was trembling, warning him.

And because he was holding it, unlike his companions, Alberu could feel it first.
That dreadful energy spreading from the pond’s depths.

Variable.

Yes, the variables have to be eliminated.

And then—

—!

There was no sound.
Not a single breath.
Everyone stopped moving.
As if the world itself had frozen.
As if they had all agreed to silence at the same time.

Damn it!

The energy that only Alberu had sensed before—
now everyone could feel it.
They couldn’t help but notice.

The pond!

The surface of the pond began to freeze over.
It wasn’t Ryeon’s power.

The small pond was turning gray.

The God of Chaos!

It was the power of chaos.

And the moment the surface of the water froze—
everyone felt it.

“I… am I afraid?”

The Wanderer Cho looked down at his arm.
Goosebumps had risen all over his skin.

Ryeon stared at the pond, her eyes widening.

“…The God of Chaos?”

She was intelligent — sharp enough to understand what that sensation meant.
Shock spread across her face.

Then—

“Ahhh—!”
“Ugh!”
“Ughhh!”

Tens of thousands of believers began to tremble.

A wave of madness swept through them — chaos mixed with death and pleasure, twisting everything alive.

The first sacred object, the one that had contained chaos forty-three times before—
that same object was now unleashing its power beyond the pond itself.

“…What is this…?”

Even the ancient dragon, Eruhaben, froze for a moment, stunned by the energy surging from the pond’s surface.

It was as if he had turned to stone — a frozen prey before an overwhelming predator.
A natural, instinctive reaction to immense power.

Ah!

And he immediately understood.

Cale!

Something has happened to that guy!

Something had happened inside that pond.

The instant he realized it; a voice erupted across the battlefield.

“Hahaha! Finally, the ritual will be carried out!”

The bishop of the God of Chaos shouted, his laughter ringing with hysteria.

“Chaos will soon descend! Do not fear — no one can stop what’s coming!”

A wide, twisted smile stretched across his face as his composure returned.

“Ah…”

At that same moment, Eruhaben let out a long, heavy sigh.

“That guy was also on the Enemy’s team.”

The moment he said it—

Bam!

A sharp sound echoed behind him.
The bishop turned his head.

At that moment, when everyone froze in fear before the chaotic energy radiating from the sacred object—
only one person moved.

Alberu was the only one who was moving, so he was able to reach the lagoon.

“How—!”

The bishop’s eyes widened in shock.
But almost immediately, he regained his composure and began to shout.

“He will be consumed by chaos! Another sacrifice!”

He was certain.
Once the sacred object — the Chaos Sword — was fully awakened, nothing could stop it.

This is a world without gods!

The bishop’s thoughts twisted into joy.

Soon… the only god in this world will be our God of Chaos.

A bright, deranged smile spread across his face.

Even so, the bishop soon shouted in anger.

“But we can’t let a mere sacrifice ruin the great ritual!”

His voice rang out over the battlefield as he ordered the believers and cultists,

“Kill him!”

But neither he nor anyone else could move toward the pond.

The once-clear surface had turned completely gray.

Even frozen, it pulsed with a dreadful energy — an energy that made their minds scream.
They all sensed it instinctively: if they got any closer, they would lose their sanity.

“Attack from a distance!”

That was the only choice they had left.

“Cho. Let’s retreat.”

“What?”

“This isn’t right. This isn’t something we can handle.”

The Wanderer Ryeon could feel it —
a death that went beyond ominous, beyond what her instincts could endure.

If we get more involved here… we’ll die.

That certainty ran through her like a knife.

That pond —
it was truly sinister.
It reminded her of the ancient god she had once seen.

The God of Chaos.

No matter how strong they were, they could never stand against the God of Chaos.

“Let’s run.”

The moment Ryeon reached that conclusion—

Vrrrmm—

“Fire all magic attacks at once!”

Just as countless spells were about to rain down on Alberu—

Bang!

A sharp sound split through the air.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Everyone turned toward the noise.

Alberu.

He had drawn the sword that had been resting quietly in its sheath.

A simple sword—one that emitted no light, no aura.

And with it, he began to strike the frozen surface of the pond.

Bang! Bang!

He didn’t look at his surroundings.
He didn’t need to.

No—he heard it all.
He knew everything that was happening around him.

But he didn’t care.

I’m fine.

The moment his feet touched the frozen surface, a wave of dizziness struck him — as if the world beneath his feet were spinning.

Suddenly, his mind filled with screams.

Cries of agony intertwined with shouts of ecstasy, all blurring together into one maddening chorus.

At the same time, visions flickered before his eyes.

Someone’s death. Someone’s pleasure.

Everything was mixing and seemed to be dragged away by chaos itself.

Bang! Bang!

But the sun sword he was holding kept his mind steady.

And Alberu understood.

Only me.

Among everyone here, only he could withstand this place — only he could approach it while holding the Sun Sword.

And beneath the surface of the pond—

Cale Henituse!

That guy is there.

Something has definitely happened to him.

Alberu remembered what the others had said — how Cale had struggled the last time he faced the God of Chaos’ eyes.

“Damn it!”

Bang!

He struck the frozen surface again.

“Not even a crack.”

Bang! Bang!

But he didn’t stop.

He raised the sword and slammed it down once more.

Bang!

The warmth around his body flickered — faint but growing.

The warmth that had vanished when the pond turned gray was returning, little by little.

Why?

What was happening?

Vrrrmm— Vrrrmm—

Alberu hesitated as the Sun Sword began to tremble violently in his hands.

[The first and greatest sacred object of the God of the Sun’s cult — the Sun Sword — has completed its charge.]

[Do you wish to use it?]

The sword had been absorbing sunlight, gathering it silently — as if preparing for this very moment.

Full charge…?

Alberu finally understood that the charge was complete when the God of the Sun gave him the mission and the power was infused into the sword.

“Of course—”

He lifted the sword.

“I will use it!”

Bang!

The moment the blade struck—

Whoooosh—!

A surge of radiant energy exploded outward.

It wasn’t heat.

It was light.

Crack—

At that moment, a small crack appeared on the surface of the pond.

A light — faint but radiant — pierced through the gray chaos.

Bang!

Bang, bang!

Alberu didn’t stop.

He knew exactly what he had to do.

Again and again, he struck the frozen surface.

Crack, crack—

Unlike before, fine fissures began to spread outward.

Sssss—

From those cracks, gray smoke began to rise, writhing like living shadows.

And with that smoke—

the same horrifying illusions returned.

Death. Pleasure. Madness.

Bang!

But Alberu swung down again.

“Ugh!”

Pain shot through his body, his arms trembling as the divine power within the sword rebelled.

[You do not yet meet the conditions to use the sacred object Sun Sword.]

“Ha!”

Even through the pain, Alberu was astonished.

The God of the Sun entrusted this to me… yet I’m not even qualified to use it?

[An adverse reaction will occur.]

So Alberu understood.

That was why his body ached.

Why his muscles screamed.

Why every breath hurt.

“Damn it!”

Bang!

Even so, Alberu kept striking the surface.

He had no choice.

Blood dripped from his lips; every breath hurt.

But what could he do?

I can handle it. I have to handle it.

So, this is how it felt…

Cale Henituse!

This is how you felt!

“Damn it!”

The backlash hit him, but it wasn’t as painful as he’d expected.

It still hurt — enough to make his body tremble and blood spill from his lips.

Yes, I’m bleeding… this can’t be right!

Bang! Bang!

But it was worth trying.

Even if he didn’t meet the conditions — even if his body screamed in protest—

the God of the Sun, had entrusted him with this role.

Bang!

Alberu struck the frozen surface again and again, like a man possessed.

Crack, crack—

The fractures widened.

And this time, instead of gray smoke, gray water began to seep out from the breaks.

The horrible illusions — filled with heart-rending screams and twisted shouts of pleasure — pressed down on him from all sides.

Even so, Alberu kept striking the surface, clinging to the warmth that wrapped around his body and the light that grew brighter with every blow.

Like a blacksmith hammering iron without rest—

“Ugh… ugh—!”

His breath came in ragged bursts.

Blood ran down his chin.

But he couldn’t stop.

He couldn’t let go of his worry for Cale Henituse, somewhere beneath that frozen surface.

He couldn’t risk ruining everything.

And then—

“Don’t worry about the attacks.”

The pond, shrouded in fear and energy no one dared approach, trembled faintly.

Someone stepped into that dread-filled space and stood beside Alberu.

It was the Heavenly Demon.

Unlike the parts of the pond still frozen, the area where smoke and gray water leaked out was even more terrifying to behold.

Yet the Heavenly Demon—though his hands trembled—remained firm, his body surrounded by a faint, reddish aura as he faced the approaching enemies.

“I am also a god—”

The Heavenly Demon, the God of the Demon Cult.

A god does not bow before another god.

A god does not fear.

And so, the Heavenly Demon decided to protect Alberu.

Vrrrmm—

A barrier of energy formed, wrapping around the edge of the pond where Alberu stood.

The crimson light pulsed faintly, humming with restrained power.

The one who had sent him — Rosalyn — could not approach.

Even so, her hands trembled as she raised her own shield from a distance, reinforcing the protection around Alberu.

Thud!

On the opposite side of the pond, Eruhaben took his place.

The ancient dragon’s usually composed face was taut, trembling more than even the Heavenly Demon’s.

But despite the fear, he acted proud and arrogant.

North and south —

the Heavenly Demon and Eruhaben —

each standing as a wall guarding Alberu.

And amidst the chaos, a frenzied voice screamed:

“That’s it! The power of the God of the Sun! How dare he— the Sun! Kill him!”

“Kill him!”

“Stop him!”

Tens of thousands of believers, priests, warriors, and cult leaders unleashed long-range attacks in unison.

And Alberu’s companions — the Heavenly Demon, Rosalyn, and Eruhaben — moved to stop them.

He could feel everything.

He could hear everything.

That was why he couldn’t stop.

“Damn it!”

Cale Henituse!

Now I understand why you live like this!

This bastard…!

“Cough!”

Blood spilled from his mouth.

His body trembled.

But still, he didn’t stop.

Bang! Bang!

Each strike echoed louder than the last.

Bang! Bang!

The surface began to break apart.

Crack, crack—

And finally—

Bang!

The sword pierced through the frozen layer.

Splash.

The blade touched the gray water beneath — just lightly.

A small hole formed where it struck.

Rumble—

The earth trembled.

This is… Cale Henituse!

Alberu could feel him — deep within that chaos, alive and struggling.

Bang! Bang!

“Damn it—! Get out, fast!”

Bang!

Finally, the sword — blazing with light — pierced through the frozen surface.

A hole the size of the blade opened in the pond.

“Ugh—”

That was Alberu’s limit.

[Remaining power: 10%]

Even though the Sun Sword still held energy, but Alberu’s body did not.

His hands trembled violently; he could barely grip the hilt.

I really… feel like I’m going to faint.

But he refused to.

He couldn’t.

“Ha… haha—”

A broken laugh escaped his lips.

Across from him, a faint smile appeared on the Heavenly Demon’s face.

Alberu heard his voice — calm, certain.

“He’s coming.”

Yes.

He’s coming.

Alberu lowered his head.

He stared into the gray water —

a surface that revealed nothing, yet seemed to contain everything.

And within it—

I see him.

The gray water parted.

And something began to rise.

Alberu didn’t swing the sword again.

Even if all the remaining power was spent, the Sun Sword still shone brightly.

He no longer had the strength to fight,

but at the very least—

he could illuminate the way.

“Haha—”

A faint laugh escaped him — weary, but full of relief.

Then, using the last of his strength, Alberu raised the sword once more.

Crack, crack—

The frozen surface splintered beneath the light.

Boom!

From the depths of the pond, something vast began to emerge.

A massive rock tore through the gray water and rose toward the sky—

a silent monument breaking free from the chaos below.

On the rock, was Cale Henituse.

Alberu and Cale.

Their gazes met.

Cale spoke first, his voice calm — almost indifferent, as always.

“Thanks to you, I survived.”

Alberu could only laugh.

He forgot everything else — the pain, the exhaustion — and the laughter just came out.

“Ha… haha—”

He couldn’t help it.

Both of them were a mess — bloodied, battered, and barely standing.

 -----

P/R Thoughts: 

Through blood and divine backlash, Alberu becomes the sun that shatters chaos itself—pulling Cale back from the depths of darkness.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]