Chapter 65
Rivers of lava flowed violently through
shattered cracks across the black volcanic land while ash drifted endlessly beneath the dark crimson sky.
Heat distorted the air itself.
The island was collapsing.
And at the center of that dying world—John stood silently.
Black flames twisted around his body like living creatures.
Not chaotic.
Not uncontrolled.
But something far worse—
stable destruction.
the Commander slowly pushed himself upward from broken volcanic stone.
Parts of his silver armor had melted away completely.
Golden holy energy flickered weakly around his body.
Commander: "…Impossible…"
Smoke rose from shattered holy barriers around him.
Commander: "…Even divine protection is breaking…"
His eyes narrowed.
Commander: "…At this rate… I'll be erased."
Far ahead—
John began walking.
Each step cracked the volcanic ground beneath him.
John: "…What happened?"
BOOOOOOM—
Lava erupted behind him.
John: "…Giving up already?"
A faint smirk formed on his face.
The Commander tightened his jaw.
Commander: "…You think this changes anything?"
John said nothing.
Commander: "…Humanity sinned. I know that."
Black flames slowly gathered around John's sword.
Commander: "…But humanity is already paying for it."
John kept walking.
Commander: "…Kingdoms are falling.
Monsters roam the earth. People die every day just trying to survive."
Silence.
Then—
John: "…And whose fault was that?"
The Commander froze.
John: "…Humans envied the guardian gods."
CRACK.
The volcanic ground split beneath John's feet.
John: "…They betrayed them."
Another step.
John: "…And when the gods fell…"
Black flames suddenly erupted violently
around him.
John: "…They were abandoned."
BOOOOOOOM—
Heat exploded across the battlefield.
The Commander raised both hands instantly.
Golden holy barriers formed in layers.
One.
Two.
Three.
Commander: "…The past can't be changed!"
Black flames crashed forward.
CRAAAAACK.
The first barrier shattered instantly.
John: "…Right."
The second cracked immediately.
John: "…The guardian gods were good too."
BOOOOOM—
The third exploded into fragments of light.
John's eyes darkened slightly.
John: "…So why are they the only ones suffering for humanity's greed?"
The remaining flames struck the Commander and hurled him across the volcanic ground.
He crashed through black stone before stopping near flowing lava.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Commander: "…Then what about the innocent people alive now?!"
John slowly lowered his burning sword.
John: "…And there were innocent gods too."
Silence
Then—
the ground beneath the Commander moved.
Commander: "…What—?"
Burning roots erupted from the earth.
They wrapped instantly around his legs.
Commander: "…Tch!"
Golden light exploded from his hands.
SLASH—
The roots shattered.
But ash in the air began to rise.
Black sand, molten fragments, volcanic dust—
all gathering together.
Higher.
Larger.
Until a colossal ash-and-magma creature towered above the battlefield.
Commander: "…Earth manipulation…"
The creature swung its arm down.
BOOOOOOOM—
The Commander barely escaped as the ground exploded.
Lava shot into the sky.
The island trembled.
Above—
the sky twisted violently.
John raised one hand.
The creature lunged again.
Golden symbols formed beneath the Commander's feet.
Commander: "…DIVINE—"
Black flames erupted instantly.
BOOOOOM—
His spell was swallowed.
He raised another barrier.
CRACK.
Destroyed.
Another.
CRACK.
Destroyed again.
John walked forward calmly.
As if none of it mattered.
His sword dragged across volcanic stone.
SCREEEEECH—
Molten sparks followed behind him.
Commander: "…Stop this…
His voice trembled slightly.
Commander: "…If this continues… humanity will disappear…"
John stopped.
Slowly turned.
John: "…Why should I care?"
BOOOOOOOM—
More burning roots erupted everywhere.
The Commander leapt backward.
A molten hand grabbed his ankle mid-air.
Commander: "…WHAT—?!"
Another hand rose.
Then another.
And another.
Golden light exploded repeatedly as he
destroyed them—
but more kept forming.
Again.
And again.
His movements slowed.
Breathing grew heavier.
Then—
the Commander slowly raised one trembling hand toward the sky.
Golden light gathered.
The volcanic wind stopped.
Everything grew silent for a fraction of a second.
Ancient holy symbols spread across his arm.
Blood dripped from his lips.
Commander: "…Holy Counter."
The sky split open.
A massive golden formation appeared overhead.
And from its center—
a colossal holy sword began descending.
But this time—
it was different.
Heavier.
Denser.
Alive.
The pressure alone cracked the ground.
The Commander's skin began aging slightly.
Fine lines formed near his eyes.
His breathing grew tighter.
But he didn't stop.
Commander: "…Holy Counter is a forbidden divine technique."
His voice lowered.
Commander: "…It converts my lifespan into judgment."
The holy sword descended further.
A pause.
Commander: "…I lose years of my life."
The sword pressed deeper into reality itself.
The island trembled violently.
Commander: "…But if that's the price…"
Golden light burst brighter.
Commander: "…Then I'll pay it."
John finally stopped moving.
For the first time—
he looked directly at the descending weapon.
The Commander raised his arm.
Commander: "…Even now… someone has to protect humanity."
BOOOOOOOM—
The holy sword fully manifested.
But—
John vanished.
Commander: "…What—"
BOOOOOOOM—
Black flames erupted beneath him.
His concentration broke for a fraction of a second.
The holy sword flickered.
Commander: "…NO—!"
John appeared directly in front of him.
Too fast.
No hesitation.
John grabbed his face.
SLAM—
The Commander was smashed into the volcanic ground.
Black flames exploded outward.
The island shook violently.
John leaned down.
John: "…You should've used that earlier."
The Commander's breathing trembled.
Above them—
the massive holy sword began collapsing.
Cracks spread through it.
Its light destabilizing.
Commander: "…I… haven't finished yet…"
John's eyes narrowed slightly.
John: "…You already did."
The pressure around them collapsed inward.
And the descending holy sword—
began to break apart in the sky.
...CHAPTER 65ENDS...