Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 267: Depravita vs God (I)

Chapter 267: Depravita vs God (I)

Jormungandr retrieved a small flask from his space ring and downed its contents in a single gulp. A surge of vitality and energy flooded his body almost instantly, rejuvenating him completely and overriding the exhaustion of the past three days. Lightning coursed across his body, and his eyes glowed with devil flames that emerged from his bloodline.

The elixir was a potent Rank 2 Alchemy Potion named Endless Warrior, allowing the small yellow cat to fight at full strength. Though the backlash would leave him unconscious for several days, the risk was worth it since if they lost, there would be no tomorrow for any of them.

Without hesitation, Jormungandr leaped onto Vlad’s back, disappearing as the armor shifted on its own, encasing the cat in a protective cocoon. The armor melded around them, allowing the lightning that emerged from their bodies to make intimate contact.

The reason for this closeness became apparent almost immediately. Jormungandr’s eyes gleamed with power, and the lightning from his Runic Set and energy pool surged into Vlad’s body, blending seamlessly with the red mantle of lightning erupting from Vlad’s Demon Soul, amplified by his Thunder Lord Bloodline.

That wasn’t all. Jormungandr’s Devil Bloodline also burst with power, its flames flowing into the demonic fire that covered Vlad’s bastard sword, sending scorching waves of heat in every direction.

"¡BOOOOMMMM!"

Their fusion resulted in an explosive burst of power, lighting up the area as their energies merged into something far more dangerous and potent.

It was a sight to behold—an awe-inspiring fusion that defied conventional wisdom. Fusing the energy pools of two individuals, especially a Warrior and a Mage, was theoretically impossible due to the clash between Force and Magic.

Yet, for Vlad and Jormungandr, it worked flawlessly. Vlad’s Bloodline and Demon Soul focused on lightning, which synergized perfectly with Jormungandr’s lightning-based abilities and Runic Set. Meanwhile, the Flame of Falsehood from Jormungandr’s Devil Bloodline intertwined seamlessly with Vlad’s Inferno Comet Runic Set.

The secret to this remarkable combination lay in their Depravita heritage. The young man and the small yellow cat shared a racial lineage that allowed them to transcend normal limitations. Their Depravita Sky ability had already begun altering their energy, transforming their Force and Magic into a source of power on an entirely different level.

Vlad had never felt this powerful before. His mantle of red lightning expanded nearly a dozen meters around him while the demonic-devil flames engulfing his massive bastard sword scorched the ground beneath them.

The Depravita of Wrath inhaled deeply, his soul force rising with each breath as he forced himself to control the immense energy swirling within him. It took several long seconds, but eventually, the red lightning settled, tightly encasing his body, while the flames focused around the blade of his sword, crackling with lethal intensity.

With his power stabilized, Vlad refocused his gaze on the massive cathedral before him. His eyes burned with resolve as he dashed forward, his sword cutting through the air in a fiery arc. The gates of the golden cathedral—opulent and seemingly indestructible—were obliterated in a single flaming strike, reduced to smoldering ash.

The interior of the cathedral was a picture of grandeur and extravagance, almost vulgar in its excess. Golden statues, stained glass windows, and intricate carvings adorned the room, each object more brilliant and unnecessary than the last. It was a place built by someone obsessed with appearances, more concerned with opulence than function.

However, Vlad’s attention quickly shifted from the unnecessary adornments to the threat charging toward him.

"Protect Goddess Lucia!"

"Kill the fiend!"

"For our Goddess!"

Several Paladins, their forms glowing with Divine Power, dashed forward with overwhelming killing intent. Each was a powerful Champion, their bodies radiating with divine energy, making them formidable opponents.

Yet, before they could even close the distance, Vlad’s body blurred, vanishing from sight for a split second before reappearing in their midst. The sound of tearing flesh filled the cathedral as his sword cleaved through the air, and in a single, fluid motion, he bisected the Paladins, their bodies splitting in half.

Blood sprayed across the golden floor, yet Vlad didn’t pause. His movements were swift and precise, and his power elevated to a new level with Jormungandr’s full strength at his disposal. His speed, strength, and reflexes had reached overwhelming levels, far beyond what any of his enemies could counter.

Without missing a beat, Vlad continued advancing deeper into the cathedral. His mind focused solely on the battle ahead. He knew what awaited him, and the energy radiating from within only grew more suffocating as he pressed on. Goddess Lucia, the core of the Church of Glory, was inside.

A flash of golden light appeared before Vlad as more Paladins emerged, reinforced by Priests wielding Divine Power. They chanted in unison, their energy gathering as they prepared a combined spell to halt Vlad’s advance.

"Holy Judgment!" they cried as radiant beams of light converged on him, the force behind the attack enough to level entire city blocks. By combining their power, they had launched a High Champion-tier spell.

Vlad’s eyes filled with deadly focus as he raised his sword high, flames and lightning swirling around the blade. He brought it down in a sweeping arc, unleashing a torrent of demon-devil fire and red lightning that collided with the Holy Judgment spell.

"¡BOOOOM!"

The explosion rocked the cathedral as the two energies clashed, sending shockwaves throughout the room. The golden statues lining the walls shattered under the force, and the floor beneath Vlad cracked and splintered. Yet when the smoke cleared, Vlad stood unharmed, his red lightning sparking wildly as the flames still danced around his sword.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" the Paladins and Priests shouted, their eyes wide with disbelief and horror. Their most potent spell—meant to be an unstoppable force of divine retribution—had been utterly overpowered.

Without hesitation, Vlad moved in for the kill. His speed was blinding, and before the Priests could recover, they were cut down in a whirlwind of fiery strikes. The Paladins fought fiercely but did not fare any better, their Divine Power unable to withstand the overwhelming force of Vlad and Jormungandr’s combined might.

With the last of the defenders slain, Vlad stood amidst the carnage, his breathing steady as he glanced at the far end of the cathedral. There, a massive set of doors waited—the final barrier between him and the Goddess.

Vlad’s eyes narrowed as he took a step forward. The time had come.

"Jormungandr, whatever happens, don’t stop flowing energy into my body. No matter what kind of damage I endure."

The small yellow cat’s eyes grew sharp at Vlad’s words, and he nodded. "Let’s end this."

Vlad’s eyes were focused as he kicked the doors, blasting them open and stepping into the sacred hall where Goddess Lucia awaited. The air inside was thick with divine energy, and the atmosphere shifted the moment he entered—an almost suffocating pressure bearing down on him, testing his resolve.

But what truly left him shocked was the sight before him.

A young woman stood at the center of the vast, radiant hall, more beautiful than anything Vlad had ever seen. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like liquid starlight, and her ethereal features were flawless, giving her an otherworldly beauty that seemed to surpass mortal comprehension. She stood in a small pool of crystalline water, her delicate form clad in a flowing white dress, barely covering her porcelain skin.

Surrounding her, like guardian angels, were children—dozens of them—calmly walking in a circle around her, their innocent faces untouched by the horrors of the war raging outside.

For a moment, everything else seemed to vanish. The cathedral’s grandeur, the weight of his mission, and even the battle that awaited him all disappeared. It was as if the world itself ceased to exist, leaving only him and the Goddess.

When her eyes met him, Vlad felt a strange pull, an overwhelming connection that defied logic. She bore an uncanny resemblance to Freya—the same striking features, the same fierce grace. Yet, her divine aura transcended everything, making her appear untouchable—an unattainable ideal.

Then, she spoke. Her voice was soft and melodic, yet it carried the weight of eternity. The sound echoed through the hall, wrapping itself around Vlad like a gentle breeze. "Are you to be my new consort, young man?" she asked, her words smooth and enticing.

The mere sound of her voice made Vlad’s heart race uncontrollably as if his very soul were being drawn to her. His mind wavered, the charm of her presence seeping into his very being. For a brief moment, doubt crept into his thoughts. Could this truly be the enemy he had come to kill?

But then, something inside him snapped.

Vlad’s soul force surged, exploding with power as his Depravita Sky activated, snapping him out of the spell. The illusion of beauty and serenity shattered like glass, and the world around him reasserted itself with cruel clarity.

What he saw next filled his heart with disgust so profound it nearly made him puke.