The place where it all started—the throne room where once the Absolute Being resided.
The memories that live vividly in his mind reminded Jin-Woo of those days when Ashborn used to serve as a Ruler until some traitors decided to show their true colors.
The Absolute Being suddenly froze up after being brought back to the place where he once belonged.
However, the throne was currently occupied by someone who didn't deserve that seat.
In the hand of the ruler rested a huge cup, devoid of any life or substance.
"I know you will come." The feathered being began, "I knew we would fail."
The tone suggested resignation and slight weariness; however, seeing that vulnerable side didn't entice any of the two to just lunge at the enemy and slaughter him once and for all.
"So is this it?" Haru casually muttered as he crossed his arms and looked at the ruler, "You have nowhere to go and even if you reverse the time, you know we will defeat you."
Jin-Woo could feel that Haru was barely stopping himself from lunging at the being who had once caused him and Jinah great pain.
"You are wrong about something, though. I am not going to reverse the time since all the energy from Cup of Reincarnation was used to resurrect this puppet."
The Ruler stated as it jumped from the throne and slowly approached the duo, "The war between Sovereigns and Rulers has long ended, and you, Anomaly, are the reason why none of the sides won."
Haru gave a short nod, "Thank you for the compliment."
The Shadow Monarch noticed that the Supreme One wasn't moving anymore, however, the entity was emanating quite a profound energy.
"Why did you bring him back to life when you look defeated already?" Jin-Woo asked, his eyes radiating annoyance.
This war has dragged on for too long. The Monarchs were already dealt with, twice by now, and the Rulers never showed any animosity against him since the beginning.
If only these few haven't betrayed….
"It's for revenge…" The Ruler muttered, "Revenge for tainting our honor and making us, the greatest creation of the Almighty One, live under constant fear." The Ruler spat, his voice laced with agitation.
"If only the Anomaly hadn't appeared we would have never betrayed our kin and would have supported the Monarch of Shadows until the end. However, his unexpected appearance ruined everything."
Haru chuckled, "I like that…the constant fear part."
The Ruler gritted his teeth as he lunged toward Haru, intending to pierce the life out of the being.
However, before the spear of the Ruler could have reached Haru, the Infinity user extended his hand and pressed his fingers against the Ruler's face,
"You pigeons don't learn," The pace with which the Ruler attacked, the winged being was thrown back ten times faster than that, with just a gentle push from Haru.
**CRASH**
The throne got damaged as the Ruler crashed against it and barely caught the figure of the Anomaly moving toward him
"You!" The Ruler swung his spear, aiming to inflict any kind of wound—however,
"What's this weapon you are so fond of?" Haru grabbed the spearhead, and with a slam of his wrist, broke the spear from the middle.
A loud hiss resonated as the light died from the weapon, under the widened eyes of the Ruler.
"You broke the Halo Spear!" The Ruler roared, leaping towards Haru with his claw extended.
Haru simply held the Ruler by his wrist before,
**THWAP**
A loud slap that made the ground rumble, echoed throughout the throne room
Even Jin-Woo winced hearing that slap that broke the helmet of the Ruler, exposing his glowing white face.
"Y-*THWACK*"
Another word, and another slap. This time, it is stronger and sharper.
The helmet of the Ruler was destroyed, revealing his broken jaw and bleeding mouth.
"Why-*THWACK*" This time, it was the back of the back that balanced the damage, by breaking the helmet and cracking the jaw.
After that, whenever the Ruler tried to speak or liberate himself, Haru slapped with enough force to break something.
**THWACK** **THWACK** **THWACK**
At some point, the Ruler was no longer speaking, yet Haru continued to slap him regardless.
The divine blood of the heaven resident tainted the ground as it was pushed to the verge of fainting. And because of what? A few slaps.
"Haru," Jin-Woo voiced, as he summoned Beru beside him, "Anymore, and even Beru won't be able to heal that thing."
Haru's eyes were cold and emotionless as he stared at the half-dead being. His anger has yet to be subdued, but as his Sunbae mentioned, they needed him alive for the moment.
*Dhak*
Releasing the Ruler, he allowed the Ant king to heal the being.
[For harming the one who dared going against my liege, I, thank you.]
Beru gave a short bow, before heading toward the Ruler.
Haru wryly smiled, as he asked his senior, "...he really is dramatic, no?"
"He got addicted to the dramas and literature of this world." Jin-Woo heaved a weary sigh.
Not so long after, Beru was done healing the Ruler, and a slight tap on his cheek was enough to jolt the winged one out of his slumber.
"Huh!" He recoiled seeing the massive head of the ant in front of him.
Jin-Woo recalled Beru before asking, "Now, without wasting any time, tell us; why did you bring this being back from the dead?"
The Ruler coughed, looking extremely weak despite the healing, as he stated, "To provoke…"
Haru frowned, "Provoke who? All the Monarchs are dead."
The Ruler chuckled, which was a surprise considering how he was crying a few minutes ago.
Once the laughter subdued, he asked, "Do you really think the Monarchs and Rulers are the beginning and the end? Are there no beings out there who are capable of shaking the foundation of this world? The ones who are the equals of the Almighty One?"
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes, "The Outer Gods."
The Ruler nodded, "Indeed. Even if you kill me and destroy the Absolute One, it won't matter. The Outer Gods are already being provoked and they must be finding a way to attack this dear plant of you two."
Haru pinched the bridge of his nose, "Are you dumb or lost some brain cells while hanging around those Monarchs?"
The Rulers frowned as he and Jin-Woo heard Haru adding, "The passage of dimension is so narrow that like hell any of those Outer Gods could come here."
The Ruler scoffed, "But do you not think that they can send their soldiers, and fragments to take over this mouth-watering planet?"
None spoke this time. Haru had no answer to that, and Jin-Woo was aware that, like Fragment of Brilliant Light, the Outer Gods could also send their apostles to take over.
The Ruler grinned, "I might die today, but don't let your guard down yet….they are coming…thousands upon thousands…and they won't stop until they destroy everything you two hold dear."
******
A/N:- This was part one of the final chapter.