Chương 17: The Works of Hercules

[New Quest] The moment the translucent blue panel materialized before Gilgamesh's eyes, the world itself seemed to slow. [The Works of Hercules] Description: Defeat Longinus Regulus Nemea Reward: 150, 000 Gold, 1, 000 EXP, Longinus Regulus Nemea, Gura Gura no Mi For the first time since arriving on the battlefield, Gilgamesh's expression shifted. His crimson eyes widened ever so slightly.

"… That's excessive," he muttered under his breath. A Longinus. Not just any Sacred Gear—but Regulus Nemea itself, one of the Thirteen Longinus. And on top of that— The Gura Gura no Mi. A Devil Fruit infamous even among monsters. The power to fracture the world. This wasn't a reward. This was a declaration. The system wants me to surpass the limits of this world. Gilgamesh exhaled slowly and raised his left hand behind him. Mana surged. The pressure changed. Jeanne and Siegfried felt it instantly.

The magical power radiating from Gilgamesh rose violently—no longer comparable to a Low-Class Devil, nor even a High-Class one. It climbed, compressing the air itself, stabilizing only when it reached the realm of an Ultimate-Class Devil. Jeanne swallowed.

"…That amount of mana… from someone our age…" Siegfried clenched his fists.

"That's impossible…" Gilgamesh's eyes locked onto the Lion King.

"Let's test something." He extended his palm.

"Water Magic: Water Dart." The moisture in the atmosphere condensed violently. In an instant, a gigantic water spear formed—compressed, sharpened, reinforced with magic until it resembled a divine javelin rather than liquid. With a flick of his wrist— It was launched. The Water Dart screamed through the air at absurd speed, shattering the ground beneath it from sheer pressure. Regulus did not dodge. He did not flinch. The projectile collided with the Lion King's chest— And detonated.

A colossal explosion erupted, flooding the battlefield in mist and shockwaves. Trees were flattened. The earth cracked outward like a spiderweb. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. For several seconds— Nothing could be seen. Then the mist dispersed. Regulus stood there. Unscathed. Not even a scratch marked his golden hide. Gilgamesh clicked his tongue softly.

"So it's confirmed… absolute immunity to projectiles," he thought." Even magical constructs count." That meant arrows, spears, beams, bullets—anything that relied on momentum alone would never reach him. Then immobilization is the only option. But even that would be difficult. Regulus was not merely strong. His physical strength rivaled top-tier Devil Kings, and his hide was the legendary Skin of Nemea —a defense that resisted both magic and brute force. The Lion King roared. The sound alone fractured stone.

With terrifying speed, Regulus launched himself forward, forepaws raised, claws aimed straight for Gilgamesh's torso—an attack meant to tear him in half. Gilgamesh's pupils sharpened. [Observation Haki — Active] The future unfolded in fragments. He saw the trajectory. The angle. The exact moment of impact. [Armament Haki — Active] Black sheen coated his arms as spiritual power hardened them beyond steel. Gilgamesh stepped forward. Not back. The collision was deafening.

Regulus' claws crashed into Gilgamesh's reinforced arms— And stopped. At the same time, Gilgamesh's counterstrike slammed into the Lion King's body. Neither defense broke. Neither attack pierced. The impact alone shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Everyone watching stood frozen. A human—clashing head-on with a Longinus. Gilgamesh shifted his stance, twisted his torso, and drove a punch into Regulus' ribs. The Lion King grunted.

His massive body was launched sideways, crashing violently into a cluster of rocks and pulverizing them. Gilgamesh did not wait. He placed both hands on the ground.

"Dark Magic: Shadow Mastery." Darkness erupted outward. The battlefield was swallowed whole. The shadows thickened, becoming tangible, oppressive. From the darkness— Spears. Dozens of black lances erupted from the ground, stabbing toward Regulus from every direction. They struck. And shattered. The Lion King's hide rejected them. But Gilgamesh had anticipated that. As the spears broke, they melted, reforming— Into chains.

Dozens upon dozens of shadowy chains wrapped around Regulus' limbs, torso, and neck, binding him completely. The Lion roared, muscles bulging as he attempted to break free. The chains snapped— Only to reform thicker, stronger. Each attempt only reinforced the binding. Gilgamesh raised his right hand toward the sky. The air trembled. [Longinus: Zenith Tempest — Active] The temperature shifted unnaturally. Clouds formed. Not ordinary clouds—but storm clouds, dense beyond reason. The sky darkened within seconds.

Lightning crackled. Thunder roared. Gilgamesh continued. The clouds spread. Five kilometers. Ten kilometers. The sky itself became a swirling sea of electricity. Understanding dawned in Sebas' eyes.

"Enkidu," he said sharply.

"I know," Enkidu replied. The two moved instantly, combining their power. A barrier formed—vast, layered, divine. A barrier capable of withstanding God-Class force. Gilgamesh inhaled slowly. This needs to end in one strike. A blow powerful enough to incapacitate even a god. Then— A roar echoed. Not from Regulus. From the clouds. The sky split. From within the storm descended a colossal Eastern Dragon, its body composed entirely of living lightning.

Its form twisted and coiled through the clouds, storms spiraling around it. Even Sebas stiffened.

"…That technique…" Gilgamesh spoke softly.

"Kirin." With a single downward motion of his hand— The dragon fell. At a speed beyond reaction. The lightning dragon crashed into Regulus like divine judgment. The impact erased the battlefield. Five kilometers—gone. No dust. No debris. Just annihilation. Jeanne and Siegfried screamed—but were protected by the barrier. Gilgamesh himself was struck by the lightning— And absorbed it. [Lightning Devil Slayer Magic — Active] The lightning fed him. Strengthened him. Empowered him.

As the storm faded, a massive crater remained. At its center— Regulus lay motionless. Electricity crackled across his body. Unconscious. Gilgamesh stared, breathing steadily. Kirin had worked. But it required preparation. Concentration. Time. Against a true God-Class being… it wouldn't be that simple. [Quest Complete] [The Works of Hercules] Reward Acquired. Golden light surged into Gilgamesh's chest. Another Longinus accepted him. Another world-shaking power added to his arsenal. Then— Clap. Clap.

Gilgamesh turned. Two figures stood nearby. A tall, muscular man with black hair and violet eyes. Beside him, a blonde woman with a confident smile and commanding presence. Gilgamesh recognized them instantly.

"…Sairaorg Bael."

"…Kuisha Abaddon." Sairaorg—the strongest youth who proved talent was not everything. Cao Cao—the man who sought human supremacy. Vasco Strada—the human who terrified gods. Three paths. Three ideals. And now— A fourth had stepped onto the stage. The King of Heroes had begun to move.