The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 169: The Three Tests (6)

The scene made Gi-Gyu scream in despair. The swords had impaled her in seven different places, each oozing a horrifying amount of blood.

No! Gi-Gyu screamed again despite knowing that this was just a recreation. This scene, this test, was just a simulation based on Els memories stored inside the Tower.

I cant watch El die again! Gi-Gyu couldnt stand watching Els death again. The last time El had died, he had felt terrible despair. More importantly, he didnt want El to ever feel this kind of pain again.

But

Why wont my body move?! His body refused to obey him. He was floating in the air, and his transparent body could do nothing to change what was unfolding before his eyes. All he could do was stare at El, who was throwing up blood and crying.

Why? Why was this happening? Why did they plunge their swords into El?

I have to move! I must do something! Gi-Gyu screamed desperately.

-W-what the?!

Lou stammered in confusion, but Gi-Gyu ignored him. There was only one thought in his mind and that was to save El.

I dont want El to experience the pain of death again! Gi-Gyu yelled.

Suddenly, everyone in the room gasped. It was because Gi-Gyus body had materialized.

Were carrying out a holy ritual, so who dares to interrupt us?! one of the archangels exclaimed.

Its an enemy! another archangel screamed.

***

Stop it! Gi-Gyu roared. He was no longer transparent and everyone could see and hear him.

Gi-Gyu screamed again, I said stop this!

Gi-Gyu moved like lightning and appeared before El. Hiding her behind him, Gi-Gyu whispered, El

The six other archangels and the countless angels only watched. At first, they tried to stop Gi-Gyu, but

El vomited more blood as she begged the other angels, Please stop.

Turning toward Gi-Gyu, El asked weakly, Who are you?

El Gi-Gyu whispered.

El replied firmly, My name isnt El.

El voiced her thoughts clearly, Right now, it doesnt matter who you are. I dont understand your motive, but it is too late to stop this ritual.

Everyone seemed shocked and wary because of Gi-Gyus abrupt appearance. However, El acted calm as if she had expected this. And before long, she began glowing brightly.

No! I said stop! El! Gi-Gyu screamed, but he couldnt stop her.

Its too late now, a familiar voice whispered. Gi-Gyu realized that it was Raphael whom he had seen earlier. Before he knew it, a pure white sword had aimed at Gi-Gyu's neck.

Raphael explained, The ritual has already begun. She will be sealed away inside the Tower in the form of a sword.

Gi-Gyus eyes became like saucers; without backing down, he screamed, But El is your queen! I dont know what holy goal youre trying to achieve here, but how could you kill your queen like this?!

Emotions ran wild in his mind, making his improved intelligence seem useless. All he could think of was how to save El. It was just a simulated world, but he didnt want to lose her even in a simulation.

El! Stop this! Stop it right now! El!

El must have felt his sincere emotions because she turned to him with a pained look in his eyes. Who are you? Why do you feel so strongly about me?

Im your master! Gi-Gyu screamed.

El and all the other angels became silent. It was as if time suddenly stopped for everyone. Even Gi-Gyu, who was being ruled by his emotions and seemed oblivious of everyone else around him, looked around in confusion. He realized that all the angels, who had their heads bowed previously, were staring at him. Raphael had also lowered his sword. The other archangels took a step back and watched Gi-Gyu with an unreadable expression. An uncountable number of eyes were on him.

What the?! Gi-Gyu was confused. He hadnt expected to receive such a reaction from everyone.

Finally, Gabriel questioned Gi-Gyu, Do you have any idea what you have just claimed?

Gabriels voice carried great respect. Even Raphael seemed confused as he whispered, What are you saying?

Im Els master, Gi-Gyu declared calmly again. Indeed, he was Els master; it wouldnt change regardless of where he was. Simulation, past, futurenone of that mattered. El would always belong to him.

Another silence fell. Looking pale, El looked up at him and whispered, You are

Her head slumped. El seemed contemplative as she continued, This cant be

Murmur.

The other angels began to chat among themselves. The heavy silence was gone, followed by the archangels screaming at Gi-Gyu.

H-how dare you?! Raphael trembled as he screamed. Swinging his sword at Gi-Gyu, Raphael yelled, How dare you impersonate god?! You shall be punished!

***

The moment Gi-Gyu had decided to save El, he knew there would be a battle. And his guess came true. Only one sword attacked him, but seven spectra followed to attack him. Unfortunately, these spectra werent mere illusions but a real aggregate of divine power strong enough to damage him.

Hup! Gi-Gyu roared. He didnt waste any time trying to assess his opponent since he already knew enough about the attacker.

In terms of swordsmanship, he might be even stronger than El, Gi-Gyu thought. Raphael was an archangel infamous for his strength. He had led countless battles against hell into victory and killed numerous demons. Gi-Gyu had no intention of underestimating such a powerful enemy.

A sword made of Death appeared in Gi-Gyus hand.

What?! Raphael screamed in shock. It wasnt because Gi-Gyu blocked his sword easily but because Gi-Gyu appeared to be wielding death.

Thats! another archangel nearby yelled. Thats the power of Death! Dammit! So is he the one who was the ruler of hell?!

They called him the hell ruler, but Gi-Gyu had no time to concentrate on their conversation. He was having a hard enough time blocking Raphaels sword.

Botis skill isnt working here. Gi-Gyu thought in disappointment. Foresight was proving itself useless against Raphael. More specifically, Gi-Gyu could see Raphaels next move, but he couldnt escape it. In fact, Foresight was even giving him wrong information.

-Isnt it obvious?

Slice.

Raphaels sword managed to cut Gi-Gyus clothes. A sweat drop fell from Gi-Gyus forehead as he stepped back. He was grateful that the other archangels or the angels didnt join Raphael in attacking him. He positioned himself lower and tried to find Raphaels weak spot when he heard Lou.

-Botis Foresight is a great skill, but it wont work against higher beings. Think about it. If Foresight worked on everyone, wouldnt Botis have taken me out and become the king of hell?

This made sense. Even though Foresight was an incredible skill, Botis only held a low Seat of Power in hell. This proved that this ability was a very limited one.

Raphael moved even quicker as he screamed, You have committed the sin of impersonating god! And you even interrupted our ritual! Therefore, you must die for it!

Every time Raphael swung his sword, one shiny wing would sprout on his back. Gi-Gyu knew exactly what this was.

Raphaels ultimate skill.

Once all 22 of Raphael's wings had unfolded, he could use the powerful fire. That was something even Lou, in his prime, would struggle against. So if Raphael reached this power level, Gi-Gyu would die.

Dammit! Gi-Gyu swore, aware he needed to finish this battle as quickly as possible. He felt apologetic toward Raphael, but

Hes only data anyway. Gi-Gyu rationalized his decision. He needed to kill Raphael and save El. Unlike Raphael, who was nothing more than data, the real El was inside this simulation El. Gi-Gyu couldnt stand El going through that pain again.

W-what the?! Raphael stammered when he saw the Death sword in Gi-Gyus hand grow bigger. It was twice the size now, and

Raphael screamed, Thats definitely the hell king! To be able to use Death like that!

Another sword made of Death appeared in Gi-Gyus other hand. Gi-Gyu moved both of his hands rapidly as he advanced toward Raphael.

Clank!

Raphaels sword fell helplessly to the ground. At the same time

...! Another silence fell. This time, it was filled with despair and fear. Every eye turned toward Gi-Gyus back.

Flutter.

A set of black wings had sprouted on Gi-Gyus back.

Die. Gi-Gyu swung his two swords.

***

Raphael was now on the defensive because the battle had abruptly taken a turn. Before he could unfold all of his wings, he had no choice but to kneel. Had all the archangels fought Gi-Gyu simultaneously, things might have been different, but they didnt get involved. All they did was watch Raphael and Gi-Gyus battle.

Kill me, Raphael said to Gi-Gyu as he looked up.

But Gi-Gyu didnt attack Raphael further because he couldnt understand the situation. He whispered, Why?

Gi-Gyu had abruptly appeared with a sword, yet only Raphael fought back. The other archangels and countless angels only watched from afar.

El Gi-Gyu turned toward El, who was still alive. Gi-Gyu made his Death swords and the black wings disappear.

Furious, Raphael screamed, What are you doing? Are you playing a trick on me?!

Ignoring Raphael and all the other angels, Gi-Gyu walked away. There was no point in killing them; that wasnt what he wanted.

And I dont want El to die even if this is a simulated world. Gi-Gyu didnt doubt this was something that had happened in Els past.

So

Even if this is not real, I Gi-Gyu thought desperately. He wanted to give Els story a different end this time. Gi-Gyu knelt in front of El so that their eyes could meet. Then, they silently watched each other.

Gi-Gyu had many questions. Why didnt the other angels attack him? What was El trying to achieve by getting stabbed like this?

And who was he really?

But Gi-Gyu didnt ask these questions. All he did was whisper her name.

El. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, El yelled, Youre!

Life flowed through his hand to El, making her gasp. Gi-Gyu wanted to continue pouring his power to heal her, but suddenly his hand fell to the ground.

Stab.

Something had been thrust into his chest, making him vomit blood.