章節 1833: Authority
Though his reserves might not compare to the average High Ranker, Vahn's experiences with the Law of Identity had demonstrated just how much he was holding himself back. If he truly let himself go, there was literally 'nothing' that could defend against him, as, even if they were at the absolute pinnacle of the Record, they wouldn't even be able to sense his energy in its purest form.
The only downside to using Source Energy was that it couldn't persist in a stable state after leaving his body. It was constantly trying to transition into other forms of energy, primarily shaped through his intent. This made it remarkably difficult to use against any opponent he wasn't in direct contact with, but, so long as he focused his mind and properly communicated his intent, there was nothing his Source Energy couldn't do.
With this belief guiding his actions, Vahn willed the Source Energy from his body to convert into the purest form of Divine Energy he could manage. This caused his Baangs to gradually resemble small suns, but, rather than radiate heat, they inspired fear and awe in everyone that witnessed them. Not even the two High Rankers who had appeared were spared from this, their awe-inspiringly beautiful countenances marred in expressions of shock and horror as they beheld the thousands of Baangs that had formed into existence.
Smiling up at the duo, Vahn took the initiative to say, "I understand that it is human nature to covet things like beauty and wealth. Prosperity breeds excess, and, in the end, invites us to view even the most heinous of acts as normal. I generally turn a blind eye to things like animal domestication for the sake of consumption. The acts your family has taken against the Zygaena, however, are far too egregious for me to overlook. I will leave you with a light punishment this time around. When this is over, I expect you to inform your Godmother that her sins will no longer go unpunished."
Though they showed a substantial amount of confusion in response to his earlier words, the duo was able to recover from their stupor the moment they heard his words regarding their Godmother. Looks of conviction immediately replaced the fear and trepidation previously visible in their gazes as the stronger of the two shouted, "Who are you to pass judgment on the Yeon Family!? You will pay dearly for this transgression...!"
Before her words had even finished, dozens of Baangs formed from scarlet flames had formed in the air behind the woman. At the same time, though it was only visible to Vahn himself, a pair of slit-like eyes appeared above her as the silhouette of the Three-Legged Golden Crow manifested. This caused a subtle aura of Divinity to spread through the area, but, when it came into contact with his own, the eyes widened as the ghostly silhouette visibly shuddered.
While making a mental note to inquire about this strange phenomenon from the Law of Identity, a confident smile spread across Vahn's face as he made no attempt to defend himself from the pillars of flame tearing through the void. He had bathed in some of the most powerful flames in the Order of Creation, and, though he didn't exactly have immunity against them, his comprehension of the Laws of Nirvana, Fire, and Yang exceeded even the Phoenix and Three-Legged Golden Crow that had blessed the Yeon Family.
With his arms spread slightly, almost as if he was enjoying a gentle breeze, Vahn allowed the fire-infused Shinsu to continually wash over him until the attack had ceased. To the horror of the duo, the only indicator he had suffered even a marginal amount of damage was the fact that parts of his clothes had become singed. Unfortunately for two beauties, his resplendent golden scales and the pale-golden hair flowing from his head were completely unaffected by the destructive flames.
Seeing her most powerful attack do more damage to her own kin than the target, the stronger of the two High Rankers noticeably paled as she pulled out a vermillion Needle and said, "I'll be the Fisherman. You throw the spear..."
Without attempting to argue, the weaker of the duo took to the sky like a rocket as her counterpart charged towards Vahn with horrifying momentum. Before her attack landed, however, a fiery crown appeared over his head as he ignored the Needle aiming towards his heart. As a result, the Needle impacted his left pectoral muscle with tremendous force, but, thanks to his momentary immunity, it didn't even generate a shockwave as he directed his attention towards the sky and muttered, "Allow me to show you what real flames are like..."
Though she had been stunned by the fact her Needle had barely even pierced the fabric of Vahn's tunic, that didn't mean the female High Ranker was incapable of responding to sudden changes in the flow of battle. Her reaction towards Vahn's words was to attempt a second stab, this one aiming for his eye as she manifested her Pocket and shouted, "He is aiming for you! Dodge...!"
Despite knowing he was immune to damage, Vahn couldn't help but flinch as the Needle impacted his eye. At the same time, however, the resplendent golden Baangs in the surroundings became an even richer crimson than the flames produced by the Yeon Family. Immediately thereafter, Laev-tan emerged from his body, surprising the High Ranker enough to send her escaping backward as each of the Baangs emanated black light from their centers.
Taking advantage of the momentary breathing room, Vahn pointed Laev-tan towards the sky, and, though it was a little pretentious of him to make such a claim, he maintained a calm and confident expression on his face as he declared, "Ignite the Heavens. Fire God's Ascent...!"
Though the incantation served no actual purpose, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that words, when spoken with intent, held considerable power. So long as he believed they made his flames stronger, his comprehension of the Laws would bend reality to his will. This was the truest expression of the Law of Authority, and, unless someone with an even stronger will intervened, there was no way for them to override the reality that had manifested through his intent.
Demonstrating the true horror of the Law of Authority when applied to other Laws, the fiery Baangs formed by Vahn spiraled towards a singular point before converging into the figure of a mountain-sized dragon with three pairs of wings. Its entire body was wreathed in flames, and, though she had taken preemptive measures to dodge, the High Ranker above suddenly felt as if she was moving in slow motion as the massive maw of the dragon inevitably closed around her body.
Despite being just as surprised as everyone else, Vahn managed to appear completely calm on the surface. He hadn't expected the 'Fire God' arbitrarily referenced in his incantation to resemble the literal manifestation of the Law of Fire, a Dragon God known as Vulcanus. Fortunately, as he never intended to actually kill the woman attempting to flee, Vulcanus promptly transformed into a cage of flames, momentarily sealing her within.
Shifting his attention towards the visage of the Three-Legged Golden Crow hovering above the stronger of the two High Rankers, an amused smile spread across Vahn's face when he noticed it immediately recoil. It was a creature that was intrinsically related to the Law of Fire, so, while it had never seen Vulcanus with its own eyes, there was a potent spiritual suppression just from witnessing the latter's form. As a result, it soon disappeared from above the woman's head, effectively running away for fear of being subsumed by a far more powerful flame.
Feeling her power suddenly decrease, the heiress of the Yeon Family paled even more as the flames around her body transitioned from a violent crimson to a relatively gentle gold. Her only remaining blessing was the one provided by the Phoenix, but, compared to the one she had received from the Three-Legged Golden Crow, it was almost negligible. Her disposition and mentality didn't allow her to be a proper bearer of Phoenix Flames, and, if not for Hana's desire to protect her family, most of the members would be unable to house the pure and gentle flames.
Not understanding what had happened, the woman clutched at her chest as she exclaimed, "Just who are you!? Why are you doing this to us!? What did we ever do to you!?"
With his expression turning somewhat solemn, Vahn plainly remarked, "This is how your kind always reacts when a situation like this occurs. You rarely even bat an eye when you suppress others, but, the moment the shoe is on the other foot, you act as if some great injustice has been inflicted upon you. Consider this your punishment for the many lives you have adversely affected over the last 925 years. When next we meet, I hope you will have become a better person. If not, expect no clemency from me..."
Taking advantage of the woman's unstable mental state, Vahn used Reverse Flow Control to lock her in place as a link of Enkidu extended from his palm. Then, once it had completely coiled around her body, sealing her power, he manipulated the chain in a perfect arc before slamming her into the ground with enough force to send a visible ripple through the terrain. Immediately after this rather peculiar phenomenon, the area affected by the ripple collapsed to form a crater that was more than 700m in diameter as the woman bound by the chain immediately lost consciousness.
Seeing the woman's sorry state, Vahn couldn't help but exhale a sigh as he returned Laev-tan to his body and allowed Enkidu to dissipate. He had never been particularly fond of harming women, so it was a little disheartening to have to raise his hand against so many beauties. Unfortunately, women were sometimes capable of even greater wickedness than men, so, while he couldn't help but feel a little guilty, he wasn't going to apologize. Instead, he shifted his attention toward one of the many Lighthouses and Observers monitoring the battle, his voice solemn as he stated, "The era where the sins of the Ten Great Family go unpunished is over. This is my warning to those who have deviated from the path of righteousness...repent or prepare to pay your dues..."
Though he probably could have come up with something more meaningful to say, Vahn had no real desire to posture. The only thing that really mattered was that his message was conveyed through the Tower. So long as he was able to make a positive impression on the hearts and minds of those who desired vengeance against the Ten Great Families, he would have achieved his objective. His power would increase in proportion to the amount of belief that was placed in him, and, though there was no way they could compare to someone like Ureko, quantity could eclipse quality when very large numbers were involved.
With his objectives complete, Vahn allowed his vessel to simply fade out of existence, removing all the hidden imprints that had been placed onto him during the battle. He could have removed each of them relatively easily, but, at least for the time being, he wanted to keep his enemies guessing at his capabilities. It would be very difficult for him to defeat a genuine powerhouse, and, if not for his affinity for Fire, the two High Rankers belonging to the Yeon Family could have given him quite a bit of trouble.
Fortunately, at least from the perspective of others, his theatrics gave off the impression of an all-powerful god. After all, he hadn't even tried to evade any of his enemy's attacks from start to finish, and, though they weren't the most powerful, the fact he had defeated two High Rankers stirred the hearts of many. As a result, Vahn's reserves began to increase with each passing day, his growth directly proportional to the amount of hatred and resentment people held towards the Ten Great Families...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "It wasn't a suggestion. It was a decree."','Mastery over the Laws transcends everything else...','Will of the Emperor is OP...')
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章節 1834: Impunity
Three weeks after his confrontation with the Yeon Family on the 21st Floor, Vahn found himself seated atop the palm of a giant statue resembling a hand. Below him, dominating this region of the 28th Floor, countless tents could be seen forming a rather expansive community of Regulars.
For one reason or another, various Regulars had come to reside in the area surrounding the giant statue that was known as the Hand of Arlen. The 'eyes' of the Jahad Empire didn't extend here so it had become a gathering place for criminals and those who wished to escape the pursuit of the Ten Great Families. These were people who had effectively lost the will to climb the Tower, but, fearing persecution within the Middle Tower, they continued to persevere in an environment filled with sex, drugs, and other criminal affairs.
Seeing tens of thousands of Regulars lazily meandering around in hooded cloaks, Vahn couldn't help but release a sigh. He always felt an emotion similar to depression whenever he saw a large group of people who had simply 'given up' on pursuing their dreams. Though this didn't apply to everyone below, the fact they had chosen to reside in such a place all but guaranteed that even the most determined among them would slowly be broken down by the negative energies emitted by the rest of the community.
Unlike his previous Tests, which had required him to save various different peoples, the Guardian Test of the 28th Floor required that Vahn 'cleanse the lands surrounding the Hand of Arlen'. In the pursuit of this objective, he had removed the countless traps and security golems infesting the area, but, even after sweeping through the region numerous times, the Guardian of the Floor insisted his task had not been completed.
To remove any doubt, Vahn had the Law of Identity transform into the monstrous serpent, and, as he had suspected, its true aim was to have him purge the 'slums' that dominated the region around the Hand of Arlen. As for the reason, it was because the Guardian of the Floor had been particularly fond of the woman named Arlen, Baam's mother. It disdained the fact that one of the few remnants of her existence had become a stomping grounds for various criminal organizations, so, without the means to remove the 'cancer' itself, it desired that he act on its behalf.
Though he could empathize with the Guardian's 'plight', Vahn had absolutely no desire to slaughter a bunch of Regulars just because they were considered an eyesore to someone else. As a result, he was currently thinking of methods to either convince or force the Regulars below to abandon their homes. The problem with these options was that the people below didn't really have a place to go, so, if he forced them to flee the City of Tents, their lives and his reputation would both be ruined...
Exhaling a tired sigh, Vahn lay back against the cold stone comprising the statue of Arlen's hand as he dismissed the thought of having Fenrir and the rest scare them away. Though she likely wouldn't even hesitate, he wasn't going to drag her reputation through the mud just to protect his own. She didn't deserve to be seen as a monster while he was touted as a righteous yet ruthless god, so, after a moment of consideration, he ultimately decided to simply ignore this particular Guardian's Test.
Immediately after this thought crossed his mind, Vahn teleported to the interior of one of the many massive skyscrapers that dominated the otherwise desolate 28th Floor. Jahad's forces had brought ruin to the region long ago, so, unless you wandered thousands of kilometers from the location of the Inner Tower, it was impossible to find even a hint of greenery. This was yet another reason to disdain the self-proclaimed 'King' of the Tower, a title that never really makes sense considering his forces were known as the 'Jahad Empire'. Even his primary abode was known as the 'Imperial Palace of Jahad', indicating it was the property of an Emperor rather than a King...
Deciding there was no merit in thinking about the peculiarities of Jahad and his Empire, Vahn shook his head clear of idle thoughts as he made his way towards the Administration Office that managed the Test of the 28th Floor. There, hundreds of other Regulars had formed orderly queues in order to register their respective teams for the Test. They were all eager to either participate in or witness the Workshop Battle, so, with the event less than a month away, everyone was doing their best to reach the 30th Floor.
After waiting for his own turn to come, Vahn found himself standing in front of an expressionless man with dark red hair and a tiny black horn protruding from his right temple. This reminded him of Endorsi, and, as a result, an amused smile spread across his face as he considered how much his young protege must be 'suffering'.
Not expecting his 'client' to suddenly smile, the red-haired Regular's expression somehow became even more deadpan as he asked, "Where is your team? Everyone who wishes to participate in the Test must register. Come back once you have gathered the rest of your group."
Noticing the tell-tale glimmer of 'envy' and 'resentment' contained within the Regular's eyes, Vahn's own radiated a subtle golden glow as he said, "I will be taking the Test alone. Now, do your job and allow me to register."
Though he wanted to give Vahn some 'friendly advice', the man working the counter found himself at a loss for words as an intense shudder ran through his body. He suddenly felt as though he was a tiny animal trapped before an apex predator, a monstrosity that could decide his life and death on a whim...
---
With so many teams participating in the Test of the 28th Floor, it took an additional five days before Vahn was given the opportunity to participate in his own. Unfortunately for his opponents, the only objectives were to either defeat the enemy team or press a small buzzer located in the opponent's base. As a result, it only took 39.04 seconds to complete the test, courtesy of Latias discovering the enemy team's buzzer and pressing it before they could even begin working on a plan of action.
While his enemies were understandably dissatisfied with how quickly things had ended, demanding a chance to 'prove' themselves, Vahn ultimately refused the Test Administrator's suggestion to have them fight it out. He had no interest in bullying the weak, and, unless he agreed to take a secondary Test, there was nothing the Administrator could do to revoke his qualifications. As a result, he soon found himself on the 29th Floor, a region that starkly contrasted the desolation found on the 28th.
Though there was a bunker-like building located close by, Vahn could sense that his surroundings were dominated by plant life. There were lush green forests that seemed to spread out toward the horizon, and, though there were various unique forms of Shinheuh residing within, a very peaceful and serene atmosphere permeated everything in his perception.
Seemingly confused by the fact he was alone, the Ranker that had been sent to explain the rules of the 29th Floor didn't immediately speak out. This gave Vahn ample opportunity to learn everything he needed to know about the man, a relaxed smile spreading across his face as he politely cupped his hands and said, "Though fleeting our meeting, a friend found within foreign lands is an occasion worthy of celebration."
Recognizing the somewhat familiar phrase, the Ranker, adorned with two katanas and dressed in a beige kimono, returned a smile as he emulated Vahn's gesture and mused, "There are more paths in life than grains of sand amidst the black shore. Beneath the gaze of the mighty serpent, who can be strangers?"
Chuckling in response to the man's words, Vahn took the initiative to explain, "I have encountered a number of people from your homeland during my ascent. Were they to know of your existence, I'm certain they would be greatly motivated."
Understanding the meaning contained within Vahn's words, the Ranker couldn't help but sigh as he shook his head and answered, "I fear the opposite. While I was ultimately able to become a Ranker without abandoning my sword, my station gives me nothing to boast about. Even after a thousand years, I have yet to claim even a single victory against the masters of the Arie Family..."
Though he wanted to commend the man for persisting for more than a thousand years, Vahn knew it wasn't what he wanted to hear. Instead, he offered a curt nod before saying, "Try as we might, it is impossible to know for certain what tomorrow brings. Though day must yield for the night, it is only from the darkness that a new dawn might come."
Nodding his head in approval, a smile spread across the Ranker's face as he said, "Well said, young Regular. With that mentality, it is only a matter of time before you reach the top of the Tower. Now, without further ado, allow me to introduce myself and explain the rules of the 29th Floor. My name is Tokisue, Test Administrator assigned to Area 93. That bunker over there will serve as your primary residence for the duration of your stay on the 29th Floor. As for the Test, there are two methods to pass to the next Floor. The first involves locating four enemy bunkers and stealing the central power core hidden within. The second option will pit you against an enemy team in an event known as the 'Battle of Cannons'. Though this is by far the faster of the two options, it is also significantly more dangerous since both teams are provided with mounted Shinsu Cannons, each capable of severely injuring or even killing the average Regular."
Returning a smile of his own, Vahn followed up Tokisue's explanation by asking, "What happens to the teams who lose their power cores? Will they be disqualified?"
Since Vahn was 'alone', Tokisue wasn't surprised by the fact that he wanted to avoid engaging in a battle that heavily favored teams. He was clearly very powerful, but, unless he could blitz the enemy before they could react, it would be very difficult for him to secure victory in a battle that required him to charge into enemy lines while simultaneously protecting an objective.
With an 'understanding' look in his eyes, Tokisue went on to explain, "The only penalty for having your core stolen is that you will be without power until you manage to steal another. You can also wait until the beginning of the month to receive a new power core, but, unless you have the power to protect your base, there is no merit in trying to pass via the gradual accumulation of cores."
Though he was intending to establish contact with the Guardian immediately following Tokisue's departure, Vahn was pleased to know that the enemy teams wouldn't be eliminated if he stole their cores. It would take too much time to find four teams that 'deserved' to be eliminated, so, now that he knew there were no substantial penalties for the opposing party, he could easily send out Latias and Latios to collect cores. He could also go 'hunting' with Fenrir, something they hadn't done in far too long. Either way, his passage to the 30th Floor was all but secured, so, after listening to the rest of Tokisue's explanation, he ventured into his private bunker to inspect the interior before pulling out his Pocket and establishing contact with the Floor Guardian...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn ain't a patsy...!','I half-expected them to begin speaking in haikus...','The victims of Latias are forever increasing xD...')
(A/N: The chapter I posted previously was for yesterday's block. This is the first of the chapters that are meant to be on the new schedule. Since I got an early start, there will be three more before the daily reset tomorrow.)
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