TWEM Vol. 8 Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – This World Was Easy Mode for Me

I made the first move.

“Limit Break” was still active, but it wouldn’t last much longer.

《As Master predicted, the remaining duration of Limit Break is approximately ten minutes at most.》

Ellis confirmed my estimate.

That meant I had to finish this fight within ten minutes.

Could I pull it off? Honestly… it’d be tough.

That’s how powerful Chronos was.

“Haaah!”

I lunged forward with my fastest step yet and swung my blade.

But Chronos reacted with terrifying speed and blocked my attack with ease.

As if to counter, his blade swept toward my throat. I avoided it by stepping half a pace back, then immediately twisted and brought my sword down in retaliation.

As our swords clashed again and again, Chronos, still wearing that maddeningly calm expression, spoke.

“You cannot win. Do you still resist?”

“I do. Everyone placed their hopes on me—I won’t let that go to waste!”

“Pointless.”

“…What?”

“I said it’s pointless. The very idea of standing against a god is the height of insolence.”

“Coming from the guy who wants to rule the world and stand above the gods? Spare me the lecture.”

“I’m a god. I am allowed to be arrogant.”

“Maybe gods should be a little more humble, huh? Like a bearded old man handing out advice.”

My slash toward Chronos’s abdomen was blocked with ease—but I didn’t miss the slight twitch in his expression.

“…You met that old man?”

“Some time ago. Don’t tell me he’s actually the Supreme God or something?”

Chronos went silent.

“So I’m right, huh? That explains why you never made it to the top.”

“…What did you say?”

“You’re not even in the same league as that old geezer. Arrogant guys like you never make it.”

Truth be told, I didn’t actually know anything about that old man. But I sneered anyway.

Chronos’s face went emotionless.

“Say that again.”

“I said you’re nothing but a bottom-feeder.”

The sword slash came faster than I could follow, and pain lanced through my side.

Thankfully it wasn’t deep—my automatic healing and recovery magic sealed it quickly.

“…So be it. I had hoped to prolong this a bit longer, but it’s over. I’ll butcher those girls in front of your eyes.”

“Oh? What, getting mad ‘cause I told the truth? That’s not very godly. You’re worse than a human—you need to relearn how to act.”

Chronos didn’t reply.

Instead, his attacks became fiercer. And little by little, I found myself unable to keep up.

So much for my plan—getting him angry to open up a weak point. He wasn’t that easy.

Wounds piled up, and healing couldn’t keep up.

This is bad… I’m getting close to my limit.

“Let me show you what it truly means to be a god.”

Chronos took a breath, then raised his sword skyward.

“‘Domain of Time’.”

In an instant, the world felt as though it had been wrapped in something.

It was… similar to the time-slowing magic I used earlier?

But Chronos and I were both moving normally.

That’s when Ellis’s voice rang out.

《Chronos has frozen the time of the entire world.》

…What?

《He has rewritten the world itself into one where he controls time and space.》

Meaning… he could stop my time too?

《Affirmative.》

Too dangerous. He could just toy with me however he wanted.

And I had no countermeasure.

Chronos was smiling.

“The world is now in my hands. I trust you understand what that means?”

 “Yeah. I get it. Whether I like it or not.”

“Now I can freely manipulate time and space—like this.”

The moment he said that, Chronos appeared in front of me.

I slashed reflexively, but he was already gone.

A presence behind me.

I slowly turned—and saw the tip of his blade right in front of my face.

“You understand I could kill you easily right now?”

“…So that’s how it is. You could kill the girls waiting down there too, couldn’t you?”

“Indeed.”

Not happening.

“That is why I shall give you one final offer.”

Chronos slowly reached out his hand.

“Become mine. Serve me—and I’ll give you half the world.”

Oh man. I finally heard that infamous line in real life.

But no thanks.

I haven’t sunk that low.

“Pass. Half the world? I couldn’t care less.”

I swung my sword—but Chronos had already vanished.

I sensed him above and looked up.

There he was, calmly floating and looking down on me.

“Then I’ll take my time killing you.”

A heavy impact slammed into my gut.

I flew backward, crashing hard into a wall.

“—Kgh!”

I forced myself up and unleashed a spell.

“‘Scorching Fireballs’!”

Several ten-meter-wide black fireballs shot toward Chronos.

“Futile. Return, time.”

At his words, my magic vanished instantly.

But that spell was just a feint.

I had already circled behind him and drawn my blade.

“‘Cherry Blossom Flash – Wild Dance’!”

Crimson petals of mana slashed into Chronos’s body—only to be reversed a moment later by the rewinding of time.

“In this world, I am immortal. No attack can defeat me.”

He turned and swung—cutting into my arm before I could dodge.

“—Gh!”

I tried to retreat, but Chronos stayed locked onto me, smiling.

“This is your end.”

“…What are you—ggh!”

Pain exploded in my gut.

Looking down, I saw a blade stabbed clean through me.

A fatal wound.

As the sword pulled free, blood gushed out.

Damn it… this is bad.

As I tried to heal, Chronos swung again.

Blood sprayed—and my right arm, the one holding my sword, was severed.

“—Aaaaagh!?”

The pain was the worst yet.

I couldn’t let it end here.

I wouldn’t lose here—

That’s when Ellis’s voice echoed in my mind.

《Master… Limit Break time has expired.》

“W–Wait… I’m not done… not here…”

An overwhelming wave of exhaustion crashed down on me, and I plummeted toward the ground.

Chronos descended silently.

“Still… not yet…”

Seeing me struggle to stand, Chronos spoke.

“What drives you this far? What compels you to go on?”

“What, you ask? That’s obvious. To protect those I care about—my friends, and the ones I love.”

“How utterly meaningless. You would throw away your life for that?”

“Meaningless…?”

With wounds this severe, my auto-healing couldn’t keep up. I didn’t even have the strength to cast recovery magic.

Through the burning pain, I grabbed my sword with my left hand and used it as support to stand.

Just standing up was all I could manage.

Even so, I glared at Chronos and spoke.

“You wouldn’t get it—because you have no one you care about. The value of sacrificing yourself for someone else… you’ve never known that.”

“I don’t understand?”

“Damn right. Giving up everything to protect the people you love—there’s nothing more noble.”

“You’re insane.”

“Say what you like. But if you can’t understand that… then you’re just that kind of god. Shallow and small.”

“Then die.”

Chronos brought his sword down. I tried to lean back to dodge, but my body wouldn’t move the way I wanted.

I couldn’t avoid it. Blood burst from the wound as I collapsed onto my back.

“You’re still trying to struggle?”

As my consciousness began to fade, I reached toward the cloudy sky with my left hand.

I could see Chronos raise his sword to deliver the final blow.

—Am I really going to fail to protect this world?

—Am I really going to let my friends die?

—Am I going to lose the people I love?

Hell no—!

That moment, my vision was swallowed in light.

And at the same time, I heard that emotionless voice in my head—the voice of the world.

《Haruto Yuuki’s Awakening confirmed. Initiating transformation and integration of Extra Skills, Unique Skills, and standard Skills… complete. Upgrading equipment “Black Blade Benizakura” to match user’s new capabilities… complete. Awakening process complete.》

The next thing I knew, my vision cleared completely.

When I looked down, my right arm had been restored, and all my injuries had vanished.

Magic surged from within me, my entire body brimming with power.

Chronos didn’t react… which meant he probably hadn’t noticed—no, more likely, time itself was frozen.

Looking closer, I saw his sword still inching toward me… slowly.

So time hadn’t stopped entirely, just dramatically slowed.

Inside this slowed world, I opened my status.

.

Name:	Haruto Yuuki
Level:	1000
Age:	17
Race:	High Human
Extra Skill:	Lord of Chaos
Skill:	Language Comprehension
Titles:	Otherworlder Master of the Sword Master of Magic Transcendent EX-Rank Adventurer Demon King Annihilator Strongest in the World Awakened One

.

All the separate Unique and regular skills I’d seen before were now gone.

It was streamlined—simplified.

Let’s check the new skill…

.

<Lord of Chaos>

 The highest-class skill in both magic and martial arts, a fusion of the magic supreme skill “Azathoth, Lord of Chaos” and the martial supreme skill “Martial God.”

Allows free creation of all magic and skills.

Includes support-AI functionality.

Can override all natural laws, including space and time.

Grants immunity to all attacks and renders user unaffected by temporal and spatial constraints.

Magic consumption reduced to 1%.

.

This one skill alone lets me use everything—and even create entirely new spells or skills.

All the absurdly broken powers I’d possessed up until now had come together in this one final, ultimate ability.

I could feel how to use it. As if it were second nature.

That alone was incredibly helpful.

Finally, I examined my evolved weapon.

.

Name:	Divine Black Blade Benizakura
Rarity:	Genesis
Note:	A divine blade that cuts through all things: matter, space, time, and all laws of the universe.

.

Damn. This thing’s totally broken.

It started out as a basic Legendary-grade weapon, just a bit stronger than usual.

Now it had reached the highest rarity possible: Genesis.

It had become something way beyond what I could’ve imagined.

With this—I can defeat Chronos.

I moved.

For the sake of the world.

For the people I love.

I dropped my speed back to normal, then deflected the sword that had nearly reached me.

“…What!?”

Chronos cried out in surprise.

He hadn’t expected me to stop the blow.

I instantly pulled back to regain my stance.

He’s still a god. No matter how powerful I’ve become, this is no time to get cocky.

“When did you… And how did you heal yourself?”

“Same way you were doing it. I just reversed time on my wounds.”

…Not really. But let him think that.

“Ku… kukuku.”

Chronos chuckled.

“I didn’t expect to be surprised so many times today.”

“That so? But are you sure you can still afford to act so smug?”

“Smug? Just because you got a little stronger, do you really think you can defeat me?”

His eyes narrowed—and a crushing wave of bloodlust and pressure washed over me.

But now that I’d awakened…

That kind of thing was no big deal.

 ～

“Of course. I already told you: there’s no way I’m giving up now. And besides, I’ve got someplace to be. I’m starving over here. So let’s settle this, arrogant god.”

As I spoke with blatant disrespect, a surge of tremendous magic erupted from Chronos.

This overwhelming pressure and presence… yeah, that’s definitely what you’d call divine.

Impressed, I watched as Chronos moved.

Until now, I hadn’t been able to follow his movements, but this time, I clearly saw him.

I deflected his strike and stepped into his guard with a swift slash.

Chronos’s left arm went flying through the air.

“Gah! You can really see me!?”

“Obviously!”

I went for a follow-up attack, but Chronos quickly leapt back, causing my blade to miss.

His severed arm regenerated instantly, and he pointed his sword at me.

“‘Chrono Spear’.”

Countless translucent spears appeared—more than I’d ever seen before—encircling me.

Chronos continued:

“Time, be still.”

In that moment, I felt something attempt to wrap around me, then immediately get repelled.

“Perish, within the stillness of time.”

With those words, the countless spears were launched toward me.

That spell he used just now… it must’ve been meant to freeze my time.

But too bad for him.

Now that I’ve awakened, I’m immune to any manipulation of space and time.

I calmly sheathed my blade.

Chronos’s expression tightened with visible panic.

“Why!? Why can you still move when time has been stopped!?”

His voice was clearly shaken.

“Good question. Why do you think?”

“Tch… no matter! There’s no way you can defend against this many spears!”

Chronos laughed triumphantly.

Sure, even with the improved Space Rupture Barrier – Aegis, I wasn’t sure I could stop this many.

But with my awakened power—

I swept my right hand outward.

Instantly, countless barriers appeared around me, each stronger than the improved Aegis.

Chronos’s spears slammed into them for nearly a full minute in a relentless assault.

But my barriers didn’t budge; not a single scratch.

“What!? How can a mere human’s barrier withstand the might of a god!?”

“Simple. My barriers are superior.”

Transcend all laws, including space and time… immune to all attacks.

That’s what the skill said, didn’t it?

In that case, of course they’d hold.

If I were to name them… yeah, this is the true “Divine Shield – Aegis”.

“What’s wrong? Out of tricks already? Then it’s my turn.”

I raised my palm to the sky.

“‘Divine Spear – Gungnir’.”

A single spear materialized above my hand.

“Pierce him.”

As I lowered my hand, the spear shot toward Chronos like a bolt of divine retribution.

“Rewind time!”

Just like he’d done with the fireball earlier, Chronos tried to turn back the spear’s time.

But it didn’t vanish.

The spear roared forward, unwavering, straight at Chronos.

“What!? Why isn’t it disappearing!? This is my divine domain!”

“Doesn’t matter. Even a god’s domain can’t override my awakened skill— ‘Lord of Chaos’.”

“You dare suggest that my divine authority is weaker than a mere skill!?”

“Exactly. Even if you are this world’s god.”

Chronos backed away, firing off a barrage of spells to intercept it.

But every spell that touched the divine spear was erased instantly.

In desperation, Chronos swung his sword, trying to deflect the oncoming weapon.

Spear and sword clashed, unleashing a massive shockwave that tore through the floating castle; leveling everything on the ground.

“GRAAAAHHHH!”

Chronos roared in pain, but managed to deflect the spear just enough.

It grazed his side and exploded far off in the distance.

The wound on his side wasn’t deep, but it wasn’t healing.

Chronos’s voice cracked with panic.

“Why won’t it regenerate!? Why can’t I reverse time!?”

I answered calmly.

“Because my magic resists even space-time interference. The damage itself exists outside your rules.”

“Damn you!”

Chronos charged, sword raised.

Seeing that, I grounded my stance, breathing in deeply.

As he entered striking range—

A flash of divine speed.

A clear clink rang out as Chronos’s arm was severed again.

This time, I had imbued the strike with anti-regeneration magic.

“Guah!?”

As Chronos dropped to one knee, I pointed my blade at him.

“Looks like the tables have turned, huh?”

“Ugh… I won’t fall… not here, not to you! You can’t stop this!”

Magic erupted from Chronos.

A massive magic circle appeared in the sky above.

“‘End of Time’.”

The world itself groaned in agony, as if crying out.

Chronos laughed.

“Hahahaha! Behold! This magic will erase all things in the rift of time and space! My plans may have been slightly derailed, but now I will erase you all, then have my revenge on the gods who sealed me—”

“Hey. That’s your ultimate move?”

“What…?”

“That’s it? You really thought that would take me down?”

“You’re bluffing!”

“Bluffing, huh? Fine then. I’ll cut through everything, you included.”

“Try it if you can!”

I channeled magic into my evolved sword and entered a stance.

With a slow exhale, I closed my eyes, then opened them sharply.

“‘Cherry Blossom Flash – Divine End’.”

The blade flashed; drawn and sheathed in an instant. A crisp click echoed.

Chronos sneered.

“Hah! That was it? Nothing hap—”

“If you think nothing happened, maybe you should take a closer look.”

“What are you talking abou—”

Chronos froze as he looked up at the sky.

The massive magic circle had begun to split apart, unraveling into nothingness.

Even the activated “Domain of Time” had vanished.

“This can’t be… It’s impossible! There’s no way my technique, undone by a mere human! But no, I still have—”

“It’s over.”

“What nonsense! I haven’t lost yet!”

“You haven’t even realized you’ve been cut, have you?”

“What are you—”

His voice stopped.

He’d finally noticed. From shoulder to waist, a deep, clean cut ran through his body.

That I couldn’t bisect him completely was a testament to his divinity.

Still, any wound dealt by my technique; there was no means of healing it.

Chronos plummeted to the ground, yet he still struggled to rise.

I raised my hand toward him.

Chains extended from the void, binding his arms and legs in place.

These weren’t ordinary chains; they bound his very concept, preventing even teleportation.

I landed and looked down at him.

“Any last words?”

“I haven’t lost! I am the one who stands above all gods! I won’t give up! Next time, I’ll—”

Next time? What the hell is he talking about?

As I wondered, Ellis answered me in my mind.

《Chronos seems to believe he can be resurrected.》

Oh? Resurrection is on the table, huh.

But if he’s been cut by me, that shouldn’t be possible, right?

《Affirmative. He does not seem to understand that.》

Well, I guess it’s not something anyone would expect.

I decided to enlighten him.

“Hey, you think you’re coming back, don’t you?”

“What…? Of course I am. I am a god. What else would you expect?”

“That’s why you won’t be coming back. Or rather—I won’t let you.”

“And how do you intend to stop me? You’re just—”

Even after having his magic cut, his wounds refusing to heal, he still doesn’t get it.

Guess I’ll spell it out for him.

“Listen carefully. This blade? It’s a divine katana that severs all things—time, space, even the very laws of the world. And the magic I use, through my skill ‘Lord of Chaos’, transcends all logic and dimension. Do you understand what that means?”

“That’s no longer the power of a man—it’s the power of a god!”

Chronos shouted, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Not planning on becoming one, though. I respect the old man, but that’s a separate matter.”

I continued.

“To transcend logic and time means I can erase your very existence—forever.”

“Wait! Please! I still have things I must do! I—yes, that’s it!”

Like he’d just thought of a brilliant idea, he raised his voice.

“I’ll give you this entire world! That’s a fair deal, right?”

Is this guy an idiot?

What good would it do me to inherit a world after letting him live?

If he ever reached the top of the divine hierarchy, I’d be the first target on his list.

“No thanks.”

“Wait—!”

I poured every last drop of magic into my longtime partner, activating all my skills.

Then, without hesitation, I severed Chronos’s head.

His head fell to the ground.

I wasn’t done.

To make sure not even his remains lingered, I cast a final spell.

“‘Void Gate’.”

A great white gate opened before me, and spectral hands emerged from the void.

Modeled after the “Gehenna Gate”, but this one led to a nowhere-space of my own creation; there was no return from it.

The hands grabbed Chronos’s head and body, pulling them inside.

Once the last fingertip vanished, the gate closed and disappeared.

At last, I looked up at the sky.

The clouds had cleared, revealing a sky dyed in deep shades of crimson.

The battle had felt both eternal and fleeting.

As I took a deep breath, the faces of Finne and the others came to mind.

“…All right. Time to go home. Thanks for everything, partner.”

《At your command, Master.》

With Ellis’s calm voice in my mind, I turned and walked away from the now-ruined floating fortress.

Back on the surface, everyone was waiting.

“Haruto-san!”

Finne was the first to rush into my arms.

She hugged me tightly, and I returned the embrace.

“It’s over, right?”

I nodded.

And for the first time, it truly hit me; I had defeated Chronos. The war was finally over.

“Yeah. It’s finally over. I hope peace can take root now.”

“Yes!”

Tears streaming down her smiling face, Finne shone brighter than anything else in that moment.

And I knew from the bottom of my heart, I was glad I could save this world.