Leveling with the Gods
chapter-445

C445

Shub-Niggurath's eyes saw everything in the Black Woods.

The Rankers, who had finished their rest and began to move, like Lee Rangjin, Michael, Brunhilde, among others. And four people, including YuWon, were setting the place on fire as they passed. Even the trembling goats throughout the woods.

In the midst of all this, under the eyes of Shub-Niggurath within the Black Woods, the figure of a little boy was reflected.

"What a pity."

The little boy laughed at YuWon's feet, as if it were a lot of fun.

First of all, what she wanted was for that boy to move.

"Was it not enough?"

Maybe.

It probably wouldn't have been so difficult for a single one of the four people there to stop that many goats.

It seems that a stronger stimulus is needed to get that boy to move.

"Still, it wasn't an insignificant harvest."

Next, Shub-Niggurath looked at YuWon.

It was when YuWon and her eyes met. At first, it might have been an accident, but there was no way it was an accident twice.

"Are you looking at me?"

Thump, thump, thump.

Shub-Niggurath's tail hit the ground, shaking the woods.

It was as if she was playing something really fun for the first time in a long time. The force of YuWon, who ruthlessly killed the poor goats, and the identity of that little boy. Everything was incredibly interesting.

It was natural.

In the end, all of this would finally be hers.

Thud.

It was then...

Another noise was heard near Shub-Niggurath, which was not the sound of a goat.

"That's right."

Shub-Niggurath's eyes moved.

"I was so preoccupied with something else that I couldn't pay attention to you."

Green hair and black hair. A handsome young man with skin as white as snow that didn't fit in the Black Woods.

He approached Shub-Niggurath.

And then...

"How long do you plan to lie around?"

Clap, clap.

Loosening his hand that had hardened from not using it for a long time, Vishnu looked determinedly.

"Get up. Let's finish this quickly."

In front of Shub-Niggurath in YuWon's eyes. A green-haired man entered YuWon's gaze.

'You've arrived.'

He finally began to move.

The largest being in this world.

'He's fortunate. He left last, but found her first.'

The view of the landscape in front of them was gradually becoming blurry. When Shub-Niggurath stopped looking at YuWon, she also disappeared from YuWon's sight.

Still, he was fortunate.

In that vast woods, he didn't know how he would have found that creature.

"Thank you for paying attention."

"Attention?"

YuWon responded to Hercules' question simply.

"It means I found the way."

"The way?"

"Yes."

Shub-Niggurath's Black Woods were currently expanding, devouring the 65th floor of the world.

It probably would have already devoured half of Valhalla by now. And finding Shub-Niggurath in this vast woods wouldn't be an easy task.

It was thanks to Shub-Niggurath making a move that YuWon was able to find her. With only the Golden Cinder Eyes, he wouldn't have been able to find her in this vast woods. But if they looked from her direction, the story would be different.

"Odin."

"I'm here."

"Please mark the location."

Odin nodded at YuWon's words.

"That's an easy request."

"And Zeus."

"What should I do?"

"Call the clouds. We need to hurry. I'll tell you the direction."

"Until a moment ago, you said it was impossible, right? It seems you've changed your mind."

"It's not a change of mind; it's a change in the situation. Time is precious, so don't talk nonsense and hurry."

"Understood. But don't get too many illusions."

Zeus raised his hand upward. A Lightning Bolt shot up quickly to the clouds in the sky.

Kurung!

A Lightning Bolt struck among the four, and a portion of clouds descended.

Although not as large as Son OhGong's Flying Nimbus, the clouds controlled by Zeus had fairly quick mobility. Moreover, the size of the clouds was large enough for the four of them to travel on.

Before moving, Hercules asked with a serious expression.

"And me? What am I supposed to do?"

"Your role is..."

YuWon pondered for a moment before responding.

"Fight well. And don't die."

"Is that all?"

"Because that's what you do best."

It wasn't an empty statement.

Indeed, in the fight against Shub-Niggurath, Hercules's role was crucial. He was the one who could confront her directly and resist for longer than anyone else.

Furthermore, he now had the power of Lightning Bolt.

Originally, Hercules had more power than YuWon expected.

"Although it would have been great to have Son OhGong..."

A very busy guy. Besides, it would be difficult to rely on someone who didn't even respond to calls.

But with this, the overall picture was taking shape.

The only thing left was one.

"Now, that guy just needs to move."

YuWon and the other three boarded the cloud summoned by Zeus.

Now it was time to head to the final battlefield.

Shub-Niggurath's body fell to one side.

Her immense body was permeated with dark energy. The unquenchable Arcane Power, like an eternal flame, constantly weakened Shub-Niggurath.

Thud.

In the midst of the fallen trees, Vishnu stood up.

Supporting himself with a hanging arm and swaying, Vishnu grabbed his shoulder with one hand.

Crack~

The dislocated shoulder returned to its place. Without changing his expression, Vishnu looked at Shub-Niggurath.

"It seems the world has changed a lot."

Sizzle.

The Arcane Power surrounding Shub-Niggurath gradually extinguished like rain over her. The immense goat that dominated the Black Woods slowly rose, and her jewel-like purple eyes shone.

"Impressive."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Woo~

Green energy burst in Vishnu's hand.

Thus, Arcane Power extended toward Shub-Niggurath.

When that energy reached the leg of the gigantic goat, Crash, Crash.

A huge tree grew on Shub-Niggurath's body, solidifying her body according to Vishnu's will.

But that wasn't all.

Thump.

Vishnu's foot shook the ground. At the same time, the green-leaved trees that sprouted from the ground began to wrap around Shub-Niggurath's body.

An outstretched hand.

Snap.

Vishnu's hand clenched tightly. As if holding a solid rock in the palm of his hand, he exerted great force.

Squeeze, Squeeze.

The powerful force crushed Shub-Niggurath's body. As it absorbed Arcane Power from Vishnu, her strength steadily increased.

However...

Crunch.

The horns worn by the Ruler of the Black Woods were not consumed by the small woods created by Vishnu.

Bang.

The goat's leg struck the compressed trees and jumped outside. Shub-Niggurath shook her head, where six horns rose, and stepped out.

Naturally, the strength contained in Vishnu's hand was released. Arcane Power dissipated, and his face hardened automatically.

And the next moment...

Whoosh.

A gigantic tail flew toward Vishnu.

"Ah..."

Before he could say a word...

Wham.

Vishnu felt like all his bones were breaking. Once again, Vishnu was thrown far away.

Bang...

Thud, Thud, Thud.

The woods toppled, and hundreds of trees collapsed. Shub-Niggurath, freed from Vishnu's ability, advanced toward him.

Thump.

The gigantic goat drew near.

Vishnu, crushed by the trees, raised his head.

Thud, Crack.

With his shining black eyes, Vishnu's broken bones began to mend. Shub-Niggurath gazed at Vishnu in amazement, as if she had found something strange.

"It's a strange feeling. I'm sure he only has one body, but it feels like I'm facing three people."

Before her, Vishnu was undeniably powerful. One of Shub-Niggurath's horns was broken, and her skin was torn in several places.

In the heart of the Black Woods, Vishnu also put up a strong fight against the "Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young."

"One and three... no, three and one. It's hard to understand."

It was truly astonishing.

From one, three were seen, and then those three fused back into one. There were many strange creatures outside the Tower, but there was no one like Vishnu in front of her.

Shub-Niggurath stared at Vishnu for a long time.

"It's a shame, but there's nothing I can do."

The doubt persisted for a long time.

In her heart, she wanted to make Vishnu her own child. However, Vishnu was not an opponent who could be easily persuaded like Asmodeus.

It is said to be a foolish choice to make impulsive decisions due to dissatisfaction and greed.

Furthermore, for her, who had hundreds of goats, giving up one goat was not a difficult choice.

"I'm sorry, but you..."

Shub-Niggurath raised one of her front hooves.

"You're too old to be my child."

As if indicating that it was no longer fun.

Crack!

The goat's front hoof struck Vishnu. Vishnu's fiery eyes widened as if they were about to tear apart from the impact, and the bones that had barely been recovering were broken again with a resounding sound.

But...

"Come closer..."

Despite the impact that seemed like his entire body would turn to dust, Vishnu's gaze showed no signs of giving up.

"Fine... thank you..."

Splash!

With his shattered arm, Vishnu grabbed Shub-Niggurath's front hoof. Shub-Niggurath, who seemed surprised by the last resistance, looked at Vishnu with inquisitive eyes, as if wondering if Vishnu planned to make a final effort.

"One... disappeared..."

At that moment...

Swiish...

Dark energy flowed from Shub-Niggurath's front hoof and then through her body.

"What is this...?"

"It's probably quite painful."

Zaaaaap!

Darkness engulfed Shub-Niggurath's body in the blink of an eye. The corrosive power in the darkness burned through the great goat's dense fur and dissolved her tough skin.

Thud, thud.

One horn broke, and the remaining five horns shattered as they fell to the ground due to the impact. What had once been as resilient as adamantium crumbled into pieces like paper under the force that caused them to fall.

Shub-Niggurath did not scream.

Instead, those on the other side screamed.

Ahhhh!

Ahhhh!

When the Ruler of the Black Woods trembled in pain, the entire Black Woods erupted into wails.

Vishnu, lying on the ground, felt the earth shake and wiped the blood running down his cheek with the palm of his hand.

"It's so noisy that it gives me a headache."

"If you have time to complain, you'd better recover quickly."

Murmuring to himself as if he were talking to someone, Vishnu raised the corner of his mouth and smiled.

"Recovery, huh? If we can't kill him with this, then it really will be the end this time."

"That's right."

As if in agreement, Vishnu relaxed the strength of his body while conversing with Brahma, who resided within him.

"Now, it's just the two of us."

KO-FI