-Squeak, squeaaaak!

-Krrrrr!

-Keeeek!

The Death Rats only had 3 seconds left in their lifespan. They still struggled to bite Kang Chul-In. 

“You dare!” Kang Chul-In yelled and released all the mana imbued in his heart. 

Paang!

The mana carrying Overdrive’s properties propelled out in a circular form, knocking back the death rats. 

3 seconds left. 

The death rats flinched. 

2 seconds left. 

They recuperated and pounced back. 

1 second left. 

The death rats flashed their terrifying diamond teeth at Kang Chul-In. 

Finally, 

Thump!

The death rats began to fall one by one. 

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

All 100,000 death rats lost their life force and collapsed onto the ground. 

“Huu.” Kang Chul-In left out a long sigh. 

5 minutes. 

It was a short but hellish time for him. 

Teleporting every 3 seconds strained his body and expended much mana. After doing it 60 times, Kang Chul-In was fatigued to the core. 

In addition, avoiding 100,000 Death Rats during the 3 seconds was no easy feat. He had to deploy not only the second phase of Overdrive, but also the Oraclomind. 

Is it party time now? 

He no longer had to deal with such cumbersome events. All he had to do now was to toy with Aleister. 

“Oi, bones.” Kang Chul-In grinned slyly at his nemesis. 

“Shall we have a long, pleasant talk?” 

“...!” 

“Just the two of us perhaps?” 

“Eeek?!” Aleister could not hide his shock. 

[The Aura of Death has ended.] 

[The Aura of Death is disappearing.] 

[The Death Rats have expended all life force.] 

[The Death Rats are disappearing.] 

Even Aleister’s trump card was useless against Kang Chul-In. 

Look at the latter. 

How healthy was he? 

Although bits of his armor were broken and scratched, and he was bleeding where his skin was exposed, he suffered no major injuries. 

In addition, even the light injuries he had were rapidly healing thanks to the [Full Moon] buff. 

It was indeed a monstrous regeneration speed. 

It was all over. 

All Aleister could do now was to run for his life. 

“I-I have nothing to talk to you about!” Aleister yelled and,

“Stop him!” 

Swung the Jadeite Skull Wand and summoned undead monsters to fend Kang Chul-In off. 

“!كیسونغ”

Next, he summoned a bone wall in front of him for protection. 

“!كیسونغ”

“!كیسونغ”

“!كیسونغ”

“!كیسونغ”

Over five bone walls were constructed in just seconds. 

This indicated that Aleister’s fear of Kang Chul-In had reached a new high. 

I-I have to escape!

It was common sense that he could never match Kang Chul-In, who just survived even the Death Calling. 

-Uuuuhhh... 

-Come with us...

-To the land of the dead...

While Aleister was preparing himself for an escape, the undead monsters swarmed towards Kang Chul-In. 

“Oh-hoh.” 

Kang Chul-In was amused by these undead monsters that were behaving like moths to a flame. 

1200 undead monsters were sufficient to hold Kang Chul-In back.

That was, under normal circumstances. 

Let’s try it. 

Kang Chul-In remembered the Overpower Bracelet on his wrist. 

After today, there would not be any war or battle for some time. 

The item’s cooldown was 240 hours (10 days), but he had time to recharge and also wanted to test its power. 

“First Impact, activate.” The Overpower Bracelet, the first item of the Trinity Impact set, received its user’s command. 

[Overpower activated! (Duration: 1 minute)]

With that, an immense amount of energy exploded out of the bracelet and flowed into Kang Chul-In. 

Ooongg!

The huge amount of energy could even make the great Kang Chul-In ecstatic. 

[Strength increased by 300%!]

[Physical & Magical attack increased by +20%!]

[All stats increased by +10%!] 

It was at that moment. 

[Due to the user’s power surge, a stronger vortex ability is unlocked! (Duration: 1 minute)]

[You’ve unlocked the Mega Vortex!] 

“...!” 

Kang Chul-In was pleasantly surprised. 

He still lacked the mastery in his vortex ability, but the Overpower Bracelet boosted the vortex to its next form. 

Let’s use it!

A whirlwind began to wrap around the Light Sword Mitra. 

Swooshhh!

Swishhhh!

Then, release!

The Mega Vortex, which seemed at least five times more powerful than the normal vortex, was fired at Aleister. 

It was no whirlwind. It was a hurricane. 

The Mega Vortex had a massive diameter of 50m. It swallowed all undead monsters in its path and also swept Aleister away, who was about to use an Absolute Return Scroll. 

Crassshhh!

The Mega Vortex extended its reach to the Omega fortress. 

Crack, crack! 

Crash!

The fortress was beginning to fall apart. 

If Kang Chul-In’s old vortex was comparable to a grenade, the Mega Vortex was comparable to a cannonball. 

“…What’s up with this incredible power?” Kang Chul-In mumbled. 

He was the one who fired the Mega Vortex, but even he himself couldn’t believe his eyes.  

                        ***

Even before Kang Chul-In fired the Mega Vortex, the war was coming to an end. 

No undead monsters remained on the field. 

So what if they were immortal? Their bodies were shattered into pieces. 

“Death awaits those who defy his Majesty!” 

-...!

Lucia swung Aegis, the mighty Shield of God. 

Crash!

With a thundering roar, Stonebridge, the commander-in-chief of Deathwin’s army, fell to the ground. His skeleton body scattered like pieces of popcorn. 

That was the end. 

“Look!” Lucia grabbed Stonebridge’s skeleton head high up in the air and shouted. 

“His Majesty has destroyed the Omega fortress! This is his Majesty’s, and furthermore, our Laputa’s victory!” 

It was a declaration of victory.

The Laputan army had finally conquered the whole of the 18th peak region, after many grueling battles. 

“Waaahhhhhhhh!” 

The Laputan soldiers shouted in delight. 

“We won!” 

“It’s finally over!” 

“Long live his Majesty, Kang Chul-In!” 

“Long live the great Laputa!” 

As much as this was a difficult war, they felt a great sense of accomplishment when they finally emerged as the victors.  

Moreover, Kang Chul-In was known to reward his soldiers generously, including accolades, bonuses, leaves and et cetera. Thus, the Laputan soldiers were looking forward to receiving their reward when they returned back home. 

Also, 

“We… actually managed to conquer this harsh terrain...”

“I can’t even fathom how we did it...” 

“Only us, the soldiers of his Majesty, can achieve such victory!” 

“I’m proud!” 

Gradually, the soldiers were starting to feel proud of fighting for Laputa. They never lost a single battle.

In other words, they were the invincible army. 

Furthermore, being a soldier garnered much respect from the public in Laputa, regardless of his rank. This was especially true for officers, who had high pay and social status. They were hence the number-one husband material in Laputa. 

It was the exact opposite of the situation in Korea, where being a soldier was a laughing matter. 

All the above created an environment in which the Laputan soldiers felt proud of their work and continued to fight hard for Kang Chul-In. 

“Haha!” Lucia was extremely delighted by these soldiers’ comments. 

As Kang Chul-In’s aide, she couldn’t help but feel happy to hear such commendable words from her soldiers. She was the one who educated them after all. 

Suddenly, 

Swirllll!

A huge whirlwind could be seen engulfing the Omega fortress. That was Kang Chul-In’s Mega Vortex, which signaled a victorious conclusion to this war. 

                    ***

After some time, 

“Keuh...” 

Aleister, covered in thick dust, struggled to get himself up.

The Mega Vortex had incredible power, enough to even blow a small fortress away.

If Aleister had failed to dodge that, he would’ve turned into dust. 

“We have a little rat here, don’t we?” Aleister thought he was hearing the voice of a grim reaper. 

“Eek…!” 

“Is this the third time we are facing so close to each other? The first time during the Overlord meeting and second time during the Fox Valley battle, am I right?” 

“...” 

“Well, who cares. This shall be the last time we face each other.” 

Shudder!

Aleister felt a suffocating horror when he heard Kang Chul-In say ‘the last time’. 

God damn it, my Absolute Return Scroll…!

He tried to escape again, but the Absolute Return Scroll had been swept away from his hands by the Mega Vortex. The lich’s thin fingers couldn’t grasp things tightly.

I shouldn’t have dodged it...

Aleister regretted, but it was too late. 

In actual fact, he did not have to dodge the Mega Vortex. 

He only dodged because reforming his body required an extremely long time and tons of dark mana. Even if his body broke into pieces, he could revive sooner or later. 

“Kek-kek… Kekekeke!” Aleister laughed like a mad man.   

“What’s with the laughter?” 

Kang Chul-In asked. 

“You are an idiot, Kang Chul-In!?” 

“An idiot?” Kang Chul-In pointed at himself and asked Aleister. 

“That’s right! You only know half of the story. Keke...” 

“...?” 

“What a foolish idiot… you overlooked one important fact.” Aleister laughed at Kang Chul-In. 

“Huehue… Kang Chul-In… I may be defeated here today, but not next time. You haven’t seen the last of me yet. I swear to get my revenge on you… you shall suffer ten times, no a thousand times more!” 

“Hmm… is that so?” 

“Certainly… hehe... Watch your back Kang Chul-In. When I regain my strength… I will devote my entire life to bringing you down… even if that takes a whole century...” 

“That’s so scary.” Kang Chul-In replied with sarcasm. 

“Go ahead, laugh now. Enjoy your momentary victory. But...” 

“By any chance...” 

“...?” 

“Are you referring to how you won’t die unless your life vessel is destroyed?” 

“Seems like you already know it. Well, it doesn’t matter. You will never find my life vessel anyway. Ok, enough said. Kill me.” Aleister spread his arms wide, asking for Kang Chul-In to slice him into half. 

“We shall meet again, Kang Chul-In. When that day comes, I shall have you do my bidding...”

“According to hearsay, there seems to be a laboratory that studies and synthesizes undead monsters. In the deep sewers of the Deathwin territory.” 

“...!” 

“I believe it’s called the Nekromantik Bay.” Kang Chul-In smirked as he taunted Aleister, who could hardly maintain his composure.  

“Y-You bastard...” 

“A life vessel… what a trustworthy insurance. There seems to be merit in allowing the body and life to be independent of each other.” 

“...”

“But let’s say… if someone managed to steal your life vessel...” 

“...” 

“That would be really unfortunate, don’t you think so?” 

Aleister froze in place, as he considered the possibility of his life vessel being stolen. 

“You must be desperately wishing to use the Absolute Return Scroll to return to the Nekromantik Bay, am I right? To check whether your life vessel is safe and sound.” 

“T-That...” 

“Ah, fret not.” 

“...?”

“I don’t have your life vessel. Not yet, at least.” 

“What? Are you pulling my leg...”

Aleister was about to yell angrily at Kang Chul-In. 

-Keeeekk!

A reptilian cry could be heard from somewhere. 

“Kang Chul-Innnnnn!” Dorian Explorer, who was riding a black wyvern, shouted loudly. 

“Here, take it! As you requested!” 

Swoooop! 

Dorian threw a red marble at Kang Chul-In. It was a similar size to a baseball. 

Chuk!

Kang Chul-In received the red marble without missing.

“Nice catch, Kang Chul-In!” Dorian shouted. 

“Strike.” Kang Chul-In replied with a smile. 

He then turned around and asked Aleister cunningly. 

“What’s this? Perhaps you have a clue?” 

Aleister went pale. 

“Argh!” 

He could only reply to Kang Chul-In with a scream. 

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