Memorize Chapter 260

My words must have struck a nerve, as Marvolo’s face briefly stiffened. But the moment passed quickly. His eyes curved into crescents, his lips stretched into a wide grin, and a deep smile settled on his face.

“Heh heh. Half a god, you say. True, I should be angry… but oddly, I’m not.”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Hoho. I’ll admit there’s some truth to it. But more than that…”

Marvolo didn’t stay idle. He rose slowly from his chair, wagging his index finger. As if on cue, the players behind him, their gray eyes glinting, began creeping forward. Still smiling, he raised a hand.

“It’s because I feel we’re cut from the same cloth.”

Snap!

He snapped his fingers with the ease of someone on a casual outing. Instantly, the players’ bodies glowed faintly silver before the light faded. Analyzing with my Third Eye, I saw their physical stats had surged—a buff from the great mage.

“Now, let the underlings play among themselves. Isn’t it only proper for leaders to face those of equal standing?”

“Another life philosophy? Still, I don’t think your pawns stand a chance against my comrades.”

“Call it the pride of a great mage, not a philosophy. And don’t underestimate them. Rather than flashy, multi-layered spells, a clean, singular strike is often best.”

I glanced at Go Yeon-Joo. She nodded silently, signaling me to leave it to her. Though the others seemed uneasy, trusting her felt like the right call.

No, in a way, keeping Marvolo occupied in a one-on-one duel might be more advantageous than a group battle. Because…

“You’re wondering why I’m not using mind manipulation,” He said, reading my expression.

“Go ahead and try. I’ll cut it down or kill you first.”

“Hoho, such confidence. I love it. Keep that attitude—it’ll make breaking you later all the more satisfying.”

“A perverted old man, huh? Act like your age.”

Despite my taunts, his expression didn’t waver. If anything, he seemed to revel in it, humming with delight.

“Giggle. Respect my tastes. At my age, mundane things don’t thrill anymore… Once you get a taste, you won’t escape the catharsis.”

'I know. I felt something similar when I raped Lilith.'

The memory of Lilith—an archdemon on par with angels—crying and begging for her life, naked, flashed through my mind. Chuckling, I drew the Nil Sword. Marvolo eyed it with curiosity.

“…”

This was, in a sense, the Nil Sword’s debut. Unlike the Sun-Moon Divine Sword, which would’ve made a chilling sound when drawn, this blade was silent, its handle floating as if weightless.

The blade was invisible. Even with my Third Eye active, I couldn’t see it. Yet, thanks to its bound effect, I could sense its form clearly. Gripping the handle tightly, I aimed it straight at the mage.

Marvolo, though unable to see it, sensed its menacing aura, his eyes glinting with intrigue.

“Oh? An invisible sword. You keep surprising me. Alright, you lot, go ahead. You’re failures, so it’s fine if you die—just leave bodies behind. Don’t lose too badly. Hoho.”

“Here it comes! Everyone, get ready! Su-Hyeon, don’t worry about us—stay safe!” Go Yeon-Joo’s worried voice rang out.

At Marvolo’s gesture, the players began advancing. Accepting her words, I focused entirely on him. Even with ancient buffs, Go Yeon-Joo could handle them.

“While our subordinates fight, should the leaders just stand around? Shall we begin?”

“…”

“Look at those eyes—like you’ll devour me! Hoho.”

A magic stat of 100 was not to be taken lightly. This mage was a battle-hardened veteran, every gesture dangerous. I wasn’t thinking of defeat, but neither was he, so complacency was out of the question, even if my class had an edge against mages.

'Let’s save Hwajung for later. This could be a long fight, and using it early might drain my stamina. Better to create a solid opportunity with my base skills and use it to finish him.'

I wasn’t banking on luck. Not only was this opponent too formidable, but this was his home ground. The first clash would likely be a probing exchange, so I needed to gain an early advantage and force him to reveal his hand.

“Hm. Hiding strange powers, cutting magic, wielding an invisible sword. And that armor—seems to have some magic resistance. I can break through the resistance, but that sword’s a bit risky…” Marvolo muttered, stroking his chin as if calculating, a trait common among mages and alchemists.

Then, with an intrigued expression, he spoke.

“What’s this? How am I supposed to fight? Heh heh… Hm?”

“Petals imbued with frost become shattered lightning in the dawn storm.”

Kim Han-Byeol’s chanting reached my ears, signaling her intent to strike first. Marvolo’s face lit up with amusement, his gaze snapping toward her.

“Spread!”

As her sharp voice rang out and a surge of mana washed over, I lunged forward.

That’s when it happened.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Whoosh! Boom!

As expected, he was prepared. Sensing my charge, Marvolo thrust out a hand. Invisible ropes wrapped around me, and a massive blue beam shot straight at me.

'I won’t dodge.'

I decided to meet it head-on. His magic stat of 100 made the beam’s aura terrifying, but I steadied myself. Raising the Nil Sword vertically, I stabbed directly into the beam’s center.

Boom!

The moment the sword met the beam, it split apart like a miracle of Moses. The resistance was fierce, but less taxing than expected. Marvolo, stunned that his magic was so easily cleaved, exclaimed with near-ecstatic awe.

“Oh!”

I ignored the binding spell. The Glory of Sun at my waist flared hot, and the Glory of Heaven emitted a blue barrier, absorbing the ropes. Marvolo clapped, laughing uproariously.

“This is fun! Too fun! Shall we test this next?”

“Worry about yourself first.”

The relentless beam ended. Cutting through it, I closed the distance to Marvolo, now within arm’s reach. Calculating the range for a sword strike, I swung—only for his body to turn translucent and step back.

Simultaneously, I felt immense pressure from both sides. I could endure it and force my way through, but there was a better option. I used Spatial Displacement.

Boom! Fizzle…

'Gravity magic?'

A massive shockwave erupted where I’d stood, the space twisting as if compressed. My afterimage fluttered like a flag before dissolving into the air.

“What, did that get you… Hm?”

Marvolo tilted his head, then spun around. I was already behind him, ready to strike.

For a split second, our eyes met. He didn’t look panicked—perhaps he’d anticipated I’d break through. His body was already translucent. Hoping he’d grow overconfident, I swung the Nil Sword down, aiming to cleave his head.

But, as expected, luck didn’t favor me. He shifted swiftly, forcing me to adjust my trajectory mid-swing. And then…

Whoosh! Slash!

“Tch.”

The Nil Sword grazed Marvolo’s left shoulder, severing his gaunt arm, which fell to the ground with a thud.

Thud, thud.

I prepared to press the attack, but Marvolo, likely using teleportation, swiftly widened the distance between us.

“Pity. Could’ve ended it. You didn’t live this long for nothing, it seems.”

“…Hoho. Unbelievable.”

Marvolo’s expression was a sight. For the first time since our fight began, he wore a look of disbelief, his face slightly contorted.

But he quickly regained composure. Glancing at his severed shoulder and the arm rolling on the ground, he raised his remaining hand as if to clap—though, with only one arm, no sound came. Just a futile swipe through the air.

“Hoho, truly impressive.”

“…Hmph.”

“I let my guard down. A mistake. Even now, I can’t believe it. Physical attacks shouldn’t work here. And my arm isn’t regenerating. What in the world is going on?”

“Pfft. Guys like you always say that.”

“Hm?”

When I spoke, breaking my silence during the fight, Marvolo’s face lit up, as if he’d been waiting for it. His translucent body slowly regained its color. The magic he’d used likely shifted his form to another dimension, nullifying physical attacks—a nasty trick for melee fighters.

Of course, such evasion magic was useless against me. One of the Nil Sword’s traits allowed it to strike across all dimensions. Combined with my Swordmaster’s authority to cut anything in existence, it created a perfect synergy, resulting in a clean “arm severed” outcome. God or demon, to me, Marvolo was just another human mage.

Twirling the Nil Sword, I taunted him with a mocking tone.

“‘Underestimated, mistaken, careless.’ That’s what the weak always say. This is a life-or-death fight, not a game. Why keep setting yourself up for losses?”

“Kuk kuk. Amusing guy. You’re right—every word hits home. If you were Lloyd, we might’ve been good friends. Such a pity.”

“I’ll pass.”

“Hoho, playing hard to get. Fine, shall I get serious, as you wish?”

Boom! Boom!

His attitude irked me, so I fired off a few light sword waves as a warning. Startled mid-sentence, Marvolo frantically dispelled them with his remaining hand. His usual gentle demeanor twisted as he shouted.

“Damn it, let me talk, you impatient bastard! What’s the rush, attacking nonstop like that?!”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Despite all my provocations, he’d laughed them off, but attacking during his speech set him off. Truly a lunatic, as his alignment suggested.

“I-I just fired a couple of sword waves…”

Scratching my head, I readjusted my stance. I’d achieved my goal. Had I cleaved his head as planned, the fight might’ve ended. Though I felt a twinge of regret, I refocused. Taking his arm in the probing phase was no small gain.

“Hoo, sorry. I misspoke,” Marvolo said, taking a few deep breaths. Raising his lone arm, he opened his palm, and a radiant light, like a blazing sun, erupted from it. He handled it delicately, as if playing a piano, caressing it gently.

The light stretched into a long rod, forming a staff-like shape. Though dimmer than before, it still glowed vibrantly.

“It’s been a while since I brought this out. Allow me to introduce my lifelong partner.”

“Oh, looks expensive.”

“What? All you say about Ordo is ‘expensive’? Hahaha! Other mages would faint hearing that!”

“Don’t get cocky over one weapon.”

Marvolo laughed hysterically, wiping his eyes before speaking.

“Heh, don’t worry. I have no intention of ending this here. As you wish, I’ll go all out.”

Raising Ordo high, he began chanting for the first time since we faced off.

“───. ───. ───.”

Rumble, rumble.

His chant, too powerful for his S-Zero-ranked Chantless Casting, caused the scenic greenery to vanish. The pleasant landscape reverted to the city’s original state, and the entire area began to tremble.

“I never thought I’d use this against one person… But I’ll admit, I feel I might lose without it.”

Boom! Boom!

“Your magic resistance is extraordinary—a great mage’s compliment, so take pride. But since you wanted this, don’t call it unfair.”

“Unfair.”

“…Damn you.”

Marvolo’s body slowly rose into the air. The light from Ordo engulfed everything, so vast it blotted out the sky.

'Shadow Bullet to leap, then Spatial Displacement.'

Fearing the magic’s full activation, I prepared to launch into the air. But—

Hum! Hum! Hum!

Countless pale-green magic circles sprang from the ground, erecting barriers. Not just defensive spells—curses and debuffs surged, blocking my path to Marvolo. I swung the Nil Sword, dismantling them, but couldn’t achieve my initial goal. Then—

Wooong…

A resonant mana surge echoed. Looking around, I saw countless magic circles on the city’s floor, glowing in vibrant hues.

Stab! Crash!

Thrusting the Nil Sword into the mana flow creeping along the ground, I shattered fragments with a loud crash. But the circles were too many—dozens, perhaps hundreds—eliciting involuntary awe.

“How’s that?”

“?”

“This is my unique ability: the Magia’s essence, wielded through Ordo of Order.”

“Hm.”

His voice came from above. Glancing up, I saw the metaphysical symbols on his exposed skin glowing brightly.

With his usual relaxed smile, he continued slowly.

“You’d better brace yourself.”