The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player Novel - Chapter 288
Chapter 288 – Plunictos
Thud!
Plunictos struck the armrest of his throne with great force.
The face that could once be described as beautiful transformed into something resembling an evil spirit.
“How dare a mere human speak to me in such a manner?!”
Moments ago, Plunictos, who had been sharing Baal’s vision, found himself in a shocking situation.
“Oh, Demon Archduke, look closely. Do you see what happens when someone tries to attack me from behind?”
That human with the scythe had cut Baal’s head clean off.
He didn’t know how the human had discovered his betrayal.
Nor did he know how he figured out that he was sharing his vision through his subordinates.
But that didn’t matter to Plunictos at this moment.
“What matters is that this damned human dares to challenge me.”
Defiant and provocative, he openly killed his subordinate.
It could even be considered a challenge to the gods.
“How dare such an insect?”
Even if the Demon King’s authority had crumbled, this should not have happened.
Of course, Plunictos was not the Demon King.
He was the Demon Archduke, who effectively ruled in place of the Demon King.
Now that the Demon King’s throne was empty, he was practically the Demon King.
Did he not hold a position equal to that of a god in the Demon King’s Castle?
If anyone dared to scorn such a great figure…
“He must be eliminated. His neck must be ripped off, and his soul must be extracted and thrown into the eternal fires of hell, where he will experience endless pain.”
That was certain, Plunictos vowed as he immediately shared his vision with the commander on the battlefield.
It was Agaroth, who held the second rank in the hierarchy.
“Should we call for more reinforcements?”
“No. This should be enough. You did well.”
“What is this guy doing right now?”
As soon as he shared his vision, Plunictos felt confused.
Agaroth was speaking to someone else.
Who else, aside from him, could speak to Agaroth in such a formal manner?
He wondered but had no time to resolve it.
A light flickered, and nearly 2,000 demons disappeared without a trace.
After witnessing that incomprehensible scene, Plunictos was speechless for a moment.
“My… my valuable subordinates!”
Then, he saw the figure of a human chuckling.
It was Black Scythe.
“It seems we now have the right number. How do you feel, Plunictos? With all your valuable troops dead, do you feel a bit panicked?”
That woke Plunictos from his stupor.
Did he kill the 2,000 soldiers that he expected to guard?
The meaning was clear.
A threat.
Black Scythe was threatening at this moment.
“This… this damned human…”
Unable to contain his anger, Plunictos had no choice but to watch.
If he left the Demon King’s Castle, he would lose his power comparable to that of the gods.
Despite being so powerful, he could still be vulnerable to attacks from mortal beings.
“But I can’t stay still. I must kill that guy right now!”
He wanted to use his divine power to send a message to Agaroth immediately, but Black Scythe’s voice was faster.
“Are you frustrated because you can’t do anything? Don’t worry. I’ll come to see you as you wish. So wait patiently in the Demon King’s Castle.”
With that phrase, his field of vision abruptly shifted.
Agaroth’s neck was cut off.
[……]
Plunictos, whose vision was cut off just like Baal’s, seemed a bit disoriented.
The surprise from Black Scythe’s words left him perplexed.
“Is he coming here? And telling me to wait?”
So baffled, he let out a nervous laugh without realizing it.
Would a mere human dare to enter the tiger’s den?
“A human who doesn’t understand his place in the world……”
Plunictos did not really expect Black Scythe to come.
Entering the Demon King’s Castle would be like a poisoned mouse.
No one could leave without his permission.
“He’ll come in on his own, but he won’t leave. Idiot.”
If he really came on his own, there was no other way to describe him other than an idiot.
That’s why Plunictos didn’t believe it.
He simply thought it was bravado.
Until he saw it with his own eyes.
“Have you waited long?”
[……]
Plunictos looked at the small figure that barely reached his knees with a puzzled expression.
“You killed 2,000 demons, which lowered your reputation? Were the guards alert when you entered? Even that dog called Cerberus.”
[…… And then what did you do?]
“What I expected. I killed them all. Aren’t you a self-proclaimed god? Don’t you claim to control the movements of your subordinates in the Demon King’s Castle? It seems that was a lie, wasn’t it? By your expression, it looks like it was.”
[…… No, it’s just a bit confusing. I didn’t expect you to really come.]
Plunictos was so baffled that he barely felt anger.
[Did you hit your head on the way here? Or were you already completely insane? How can you be so carefree in front of a great entity?]
“Even your self-esteem is divine. Aren’t you ashamed to praise yourself like that?”
[You are full of arrogance. And stupidity at the same time. Don’t you remember who I am?]
“How could I forget? You wanted to kill me to use me as material.”
For a moment, Plunictos’ eyebrows twitched.
He had never seen such a shameless human in his life.
[No need to say more. Now, turn to dust.]
Before he finished that sentence, the Demon Archduke took a step forward.
Thud!
If Ryu Min had been distracted, he would have been crushed without mercy, but he easily dodged it.
But that wasn’t the end; the Demon Archduke’s other foot moved.
Whoom!
Plunictos tried to kick him but missed.
[Heh, you dodge attacks skillfully.]
“I’m not patient enough to wait for slow attacks to hit me.”
[You seem too confident after playing with you for a while.]
The Demon Archduke’s eyes glowed a deep red.
At that moment, an intangible force crushed Ryu Min’s body.
[It’s demonic energy based on divine power. It’s different from the ordinary demonic power that angels use.]
“Oh, it really feels different.”
Seemingly not understanding the situation, Ryu Min babbled while Plunictos sighed.
[Hmm, talking and talking, but you don’t have the slightest power. I’m tired of playing with you.]
The giant hand of Plunictos hovered over Ryu Min’s head.
[Stop being a mess.]
Qwaaaaang-!
The sound of the impact echoed through the air like an explosion.
It was easy.
Making an immobilized opponent a mere toy.
It was as simple as hitting a fixed nail with a hammer.
However.
[…!]
The fact that he couldn’t even do that simple task left Plunictos in shock.
“I thought you were something special with all that divine power.”
Plunictos’ palm pressed the ground in frustration.
Ryu Min stood atop that palm, defiant.
[When did you move? Did you use teleportation? No, how did you nullify my divine energy?]
“I just used force. Isn’t it obvious?”
[That’s ridiculous. No one can nullify divine power. Unless they are from the same god.]
“Then, am I a god to you?”
[Nonsense!]
“If you don’t believe me, you can try again.”
Plunictos’ eyes flickered as if he was already considering it.
This time, instead of pressing with his hand, he planned to compress him with his divine energy.
Crunch.
An ethereal force pressed the small human body.
But that was it.
The power that Plunictos boasted so much about was being repelled by Ryu Min’s force.
“What are you doing? Is that all you have?”
[… How? How are you moving?]
“I told you before. I just use force.”
[It makes no sense. No matter how high your stats are, a mere human can’t resist divine power…]
When Ryu Min raised the corner of his lips, Plunictos was puzzled.
[Then are you a God?]
“Are you drunk? What are you talking about?”
[Then, how…?]
“Do you want to know?”
Ryu Min suddenly jumped.
“First, endure my blows. Then, think if I want to tell you or not.”
The extended scythe descended like lightning.
Aiming at the demon’s head.
But the scythe never reached its target, stopped by an ethereal barrier.
With a deafening crash.
Kwaaaaang!
A crack appeared.
Creeeeek!
“The b-barrier fell with a single strike?”
Plunictos, bewildered, jumped up.
It wasn’t the time to be calm.
No matter what, the guy’s attacks were reaching him.
“How can a mere human…?”
Though his pride was hurt, it wasn’t the time to maintain his dignity.
Since a second attack was aiming at the gap in the barrier.
Slash!
[Argh!]
A blow while he was distracted.
A strange sensation of pain accompanied by crimson blood.
The crimson blood was proof that his body was receiving divine power.
“But how…?”
Normally, a human couldn’t cause him even the slightest harm.
But, how could he tear his flesh and make him bleed?
There was only one possibility.
“He must also be using the same power as me.”
It made no sense otherwise.
[I’ll pay you for this!]
“I’m sorry, but no.”
Plunictos pulled a fire whip from the air.
A weapon rarely unsheathed: the Branch of Deterioration.
Fwoosh! Crack! Crack!
Each time the whip struck the ground, it launched flames that melted the flesh.
[Come here, insolent human! This time, I’ll burn you to your soul!]
Plunictos’ thundering roar shook the air.
——————–
“That guy seems nervous.”
Seeing the Demon Archduke brandishing his whip, Ryu Min smiled wryly.
Stepping back, he could clearly observe the situation.
The Demon Archduke was scared.
“If even his barrier, which never broke under any circumstances, crumbled at once, he must be scared.”
Ryu Min didn’t think his attack would succeed either.
No matter how high his stats were, he was still just a human trapped in the system’s restrictions.
Humans couldn’t beat gods.
So he believed.
Until he saw the reward.
<Soul Binding Mission>
Eliminate the 7 Archangels
Current number of Archangels eliminated (7/7)
Success ▶ Progress of Divine Ascension
[You have completed the Soul Binding Mission.]
[As a reward for the Soul Binding Mission, Divine Ascension will take place.]
[Analyzing the user’s soul…]
[Adjusting synchronization…]
[Changing the soul’s property to divine…]
[Progress 5%…]
[Progress 26%…]
[Progress 47%…]
[Progress 68%…]
[Progress 89%…]
[Progress 100%…]
[The transformation of Divine Ascension is complete.]
[Divine power is infused into the user’s soul.]
[From now on, you can stand on equal footing with the Gods.]
[There is a new Soul Binding Mission.]