The energy that Galifa released was horrific.

A vortex of energy was launched toward Karen. Seol noticed peoples faces cursing Galifa in the vortex.

Hmph!

Karen must have felt the disturbing energy as well, as she quickly tried to dodge it.

However

Fwoooooosh!

The vortex landed directly on her armor, twisting it.

Argh

Haha its pointless! The dead cannot avoid this energy of hatred.

Galifa, as expected from a necromancer, knew exactly how to fight a corpse.

Crumble

Karens armor was fine, but her skin started to crumble.

What do you think youre doing?!

Flaaare!

[Karens Pride activates.]

[For a short while, Karen ignores most damage.]

A portion of Karens body lit up to burn the negative energy. However, the vortex continued to stick to her.

Now, in a few moments, your body will be in pieces! Kuahaha Its going to be a pain, but Ill make sure to properly put your body back together with these old hands.

After saying that, Galifa looked at Seol.

Now, let us finish this! said Galifa.

Is it not over already?

It would take quite a while if she resists the corruption. Furthermore, if the hatred disappears, she will be able to run wild again. Well, the corruption should still continue regardless since she was already hit by the hatred.

...I understand.

Seol gave Karuna a glance.

With determined eyes, Karuna charged at Karen.

Gloooow

And Karuna swung Breath at Karen.

Seol believed that Karen had finally been cut down.

Clang!

But she was tenacious.

She resisted the corruption and held onto her decaying body.

As always, you arent answering me.

...Karen.

"Oh, my brother, who has failed to keep his promise, you have abandoned the Empire.

Karen, Ill explain everything. The Emperor is dead, and the Montra Empire has already long fallen. Were in a new world.

Fall? Montra? No, theres no way that could be true.

Wake up! Our time is already over! Were already dead.

Haha yes, I died. But the Empire is still alive. I-Its still here

Seol felt a chill.

Despite the blazing inferno that surrounded him, for some reason, he felt a chill.

No, it isnt a chill.

Its something ominous.

Typically, Seol trusted his instincts.

And in that moment, Karens face formed an expression. She was smiling.

She had returned to herself when she was alive.

The way she spoke, her habits, her memories, everything including her power.

The Empire still lives on inside me. I am still a knight of Montra.

Seol quickly started to shout.

Karuna! Dodg

What th

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Riiiiiiing

Seols ears were ringing after that massive explosion.

Seol realized that things had gone awry, and Galifa noticed it as well.

Oh my god How could this be my spells

[Karen used Final Comeback.]

[All status effects and damage received so far are delayed to later.]

[The delayed damage and status effects will have double the duration, intensity, and damage when Final Comeback expires.]

[The main contents of The Scorched One have changed.]

[The Scorched One has changed to Ember.]

Galifa started talking gibberish, as if he couldnt understand the current situation.

The hatred... disappeared? How? How could this happen?!

Karuna turned black from the explosion, but he was still safe.

The explosion was simply a shockwave that occurred due to Karen recovering her powers, so it was not that destructive.

Regardless, as Karen wouldnt decay from Galifas spell anymore, Seol and Galifas plans of buying time until she died went up in smoke.

Now, the predator and the prey have changed roles.

Awoooooo!

[Wolfs Warning activates.]

[The wearer is currently in a dangerous situation.]

As Karen recovered her strength, the Wolfs Warning Seol received from Kibo activated.

Seol didnt even need to think twice about this. He was clearly in a very, very dangerous situation.

[Adventure 10-1. Ember

Karen, an ancient knight.

The honorable Red Lotus Knight stands before you, completely scorched down to her bones. Yet she still seeks an answer.

Archbishop Galifa has landed a critical blow on her whos in a weakened, undead state, and has sped up her decay. Despite believing that you would be unable to defeat her earlier, you have gained an unexpected chance.

However, even with less than half her full strength, she was able to repel the powers of corruption and has delayed her death.

Now, the situation is much simpler than before.

Survive until she is dead or die.

Objective: Survive for 5 minutes.

Remaining Time [04:37]]

This is dangerous!

As she was no longer a mindless undead, Karen was an exceptionally difficult opponent to face.

Seol wasnt sure what the majority of her skills did, and he also didnt know how powerful they were.

There was only one thing that he was certain about.

I have to survive until the remaining time runs out!

He had to do anything to survive the next four minutes.

Galifa, despite being shocked, seemed to have come up with a way to overcome the situation. He immediately spoke to Seol.

Then the only option is this. Kindrick, I still have one last trick up my sleeve.

What is it?

...This.

Crumple

Galifa scrunched up at a quick pace. He looked much older than before, like he had aged.

Like an old man moments before death, Galifa huffed for air and spoke.

Everyone will die.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

[Galifa used Unique Skill: Corpse Night.]

[Galifas lifespan is reduced.]

[All corpses within a certain radius will arise.]

[The corpses will fight for Galifa.]

[The corpses will explode when they come into contact with a lifeform.]

[The corpses will explode when they are struck.]

Snap Crack

The corpses started to stand up at Galifas gesture, as if the melody had changed. The corpses, which had died from Galifa or were burned by Karen, slowly raised their heads and looked toward Karen.

Guaaaaah

Uarghhhh

As the dozens of walking bombs stood up, Galifa laughed triumphantly. And then he made a statement.

All of you, die.

The corpses charged at his command. They charged at the burning Karen, but they also charged to Seol as well.

Seol shouted at Galifa, not sounding too surprised by it.

Archbishop! What are you doing?

Galifa didnt give Seols bold attitude a second thought and simply revealed his true intentions.

Hahaha Did you think I wouldnt know? How would a stupid envoy who doesnt even know church law survive in a terrible place like The Church of Eternal Life? You shouldve said something realistic Your use ends here. She is mine!

The majority of the risen corpses headed to Karen, while only a few were sent to Seol. It was because Galifa knew that those corpses would be enough to take care of a stupid summoner who was away from his summon.

How unfortunate, Galifa. I thought wed be able to work together for longer.

Dont make me laugh! Now, become one with my corpses!

If you want it that badly, sure. But unfortunately for you, the one thats going to become a corpse isnt me

During their conversation, the corpses had nearly approached Seol.

Seol then ducked.

Its you, said Seol, finishing his line.

Hmph! You talk way too much!

Glow

Fwirl!

Galifa expected Seol to explode with his corpses. That was how confident he was in his abilities.

But as black light radiated from Seols hands, the lifeless body at the vanguard suddenly grew taller.

Guaaah

A huge hand was gripping the corpses head. The corpse only appeared to be taller because the hand was carrying its head.

Jamad, I leave it to you.

So it wont pop to a shadow like me as long as I dont grip it too hard. Got it.

[Jamad used Rock Armor.]

[Mountain Fists Bonus Effect activates.]

[Snowman also receives Rock Armors effects.]

Y-You had another summon? You had another monster that strong? O-Oh no Come back! Protect me!

Guaaaaah

The corpses furthest back among the corpses sent to Karen started to return to Galifa.

But it was too late. There was already too much distance built within them.

Jamad and Seol ferociously charged at Galifa.

Flash!

Jamad lifted a corpse.

Fwooosh!

And threw it somewhere.

Baaaaang!

[The corpse explodes.]

[Everything within the explosion radius will corrode.]

In the end, Seols decision to hide Jamad was the right decision.

Galifa, who rashly attacked Seol too soon, didnt know what to do.

N-No. Dont come any closer!

As Jamad sprinted toward him while throwing corpses to the other side, Galifa tripped over himself trying to retreat in fear.

Seol let out a sigh after he escaped from the range of the corpses.

Your use ends here, Galifa, said Seol.

No, stop! Dont do it!

Jamad.

Jamad, before Galifa knew it, had arrived in front of him and was slowly approaching him.

Have a good night, geezer.

Noooooooo!

CRUSH!

[You have defeated Archbishop Galifa.]

[You have earned the achievement A Friend of a Friend.]

[You have earned the title Conman.]

[You have received additional rewards.]

Seol saw a bunch of messages come up, but they werent what was important right now.

As soon as Seol killed Galifa, he turned around to look at Karen.

[All of the corpses will explode due to the caster dying.]

[Everything within the explosion radius will corrode.]

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Great Forest shook once more at the continuous explosions. Luckily, as Karuna was not targeted by the corpses, he was able to watch the explosions from a distance.

Theyre immensely powerful.

Unique skills like the one that Galifa had were all incredibly powerful. The problem was that it required just as much in cost to cast them.

Seol confirmed Karens status as he recalled Galifas wickedness. He was hoping that Galifas horrific powers would at least weaken her a little bit.

Flare

...No way.

Karen was completely fine.

Even if she used Final Comeback, he didnt expect her to withstand all of this.

And then Seol thought about one of the messages he saw a while ago.

[All status effects and damage received so far are delayed to later.]

If its all status effects Dont tell me, does the undead penalty disappear too?

The undead penalty reduced a corpses power by half. And in that moment, Karen had removed even that.

And this also made one thing true.

This cant be cleared.

Seol used his wits to successfully destroy the campsite and injure Karen, but everything after that was unclear to him.

Would he be able to hold back Karen when she was at full strength for the entirety of the remaining time?

Seol came to the conclusion that it was impossible.

But then Karuna started to talk to Karen. Seol believed that escaping now in a situation where everything was turning for the worse was the best option, but a completely unexpected situation arose.

Karen, I tried to keep the promise.

Dont lie to me! How dare you say that when you threw away Montra

No, its the truth. I was heading to the capital that day.

You traitor!

Claaaaang!

[Karen used Red Lotus Slash.]

Karen ignited her half-sword in flames. Karuna also used the power of the moonlight to not lose to her.

[Karuna used Full Moon Slash.]

Claaaaaaash!

Karuna was obviously the one who was pushed back by their clash.

But then, something strange happened.

Thud!

Krgh

Karuna was repelled by Karen, yes, but he wasnt injured to the point that he couldnt recover from it. It was definitely strange.

Seol, seeing that, surmised something.

Karen is hesitating?

Karuna should have been pushed back much, much further based on the difference between their stats and skills. Karen could kill Karuna whenever she wanted to with just a swing of her sword.

But she wasnt doing it.

Her objective isnt to kill us!

That was the conclusion that Seol arrived at.

Youre weak, Karuna. Youve become so weak. Has the world you chose by giving up the Empire made you this weak?

Urgh I didnt abandon the Empire.

Stop it! Stop it! How dare you lie until the end! You Youre

Fwooosh!

As the two were having their conversation, Jamad aimed for the opening and attacked Karen.

But that was a meaningless swing.

Karen spun and kicked Jamad away at a speed Seol couldnt keep up with.

Fwoooosh!

Thud

Krgh What is that strength

Jamad was blown away by Karens kick.

Even though Jamad was double her size, Karen was strong enough to send him flying.

But still, as expected, Jamad didnt die. Seol then nodded his head.

It was clear that Karen planned on letting Seols party live.

Why are you butting in? What is Karuna to you?

Kuahaha Stop hounding that lump of steel Or why dont you fight me too, you monster?

A monster? Me?

And now, her delayed death had finally arrived.

[The effects of Karens Final Comeback have expired.]

[All of the delayed damage and status effects return in double.]

Crumble

Karens pupils faded away once again.

And then, her skin started to shrivel.