329 How to Kill a God

I retreat at the same speed as the approaching black, evading.

Meanwhile, the fragment summons another fragment, repainting the field of black.

My mastery of spatial magic appears to be slightly superior—this brings a brief relief.

If I lose here, the matter is settled.

If I cannot at least hold my ground with spatial magic, I am already defeated.

Recalling my humiliation the moment I was dragged into this field, one understands just how deadly a field truly is.

It functions like a buff to oneself and a debuff to the opponent.

Without means to resist, one is powerless.

Thus, spatial magic is an essential skill for a god.

By D, The Fundamental Course on Gods.

This is the precondition for fighting a superior god.

Only now have we reached the starting line.

One does not possess the right to fight without spatial magic of equal or greater rank.

It was satisfying that I had the advantage—but it was as if that benefit had been nullified by the initial surprise attack's damage.

The initial deployment is delayed due to my late start.

It manages to侵蚀 the black field, but the rate of progress is barely perceptible.

A complete overhaul isn't feasible without preparing for a prolonged conflict.

This situation I'm in right now—extremely dire.

Spatial magic being at an equivalent or higher level is the prerequisite.

It could be fulfilled.

However, due to the initial advantage of surprise, we sustained damage. What should have been lured into my field instead began from the black field.

Black holds superiority.

To defeat the Black, I, of lower standing, must maneuver to advantage within my own field.

Can't do it—this is bad.

“Mmm!?”

Threads stretched between buildings ensnared the black form.

The detached fragment had already been set up as a spider's web.

Of course it is not merely thread.

A thread, combined with spatial magic, physically nearly impossible to sever.

Once caught in this, there is no escape.

It should be, though...

Black casually brushes aside the arm.

Just that single motion, and my pride's thread snapped—vanishing.

Cheater's Barrier!

My thread is made by magic.

The Black Dragon Barrier, which nullifies all magic without question, does not apply here.

I knew it, but you won’t show me a delightful scene of a god unable to move, tangled in thread? I see.

Well, I suppose it would be nice if that were possible—but my true intention is merely to buy time.

In the instant black was distracted by the thread, I closed the gap further.

Time is the immediate priority. I must overwrite black’s field with my own.

Counterattack can wait.

Or rather, it cannot happen.

My hand count is low.

Too weak to claim divinity.

Only three abilities: spatial magic, fragmentation, and cursed eye.

That is all.

My field, built through spatial magic, is my home. I remain within it, launching simultaneous cursed eyes from countless fragments.

This is nearly all I can do.

Only one method of attack exists—acquired in short time, sufficient only to face a true god.

The fragments are currently fully occupied with constructing my home.

I have no capacity to use the cursed eye.

With only one attack type available, if it is countered, my victory is already lost.

Would like to believe such a thing isn’t possible, but the possibility exists.

That’s why, when facing Potimas’s weapon, I’d have preferred not to show it.

Judging by the black’s current state, anti-ocular measures were not in place.

That’s a relief, at least. But they chose to launch a surprise attack, aiming to disrupt my initial positioning.

Yes.

Simple, but extremely effective.

As a result, both my home and the cursed eye are sealed, forcing me into a defensive stance.

Yet, conversely, it means I can still function even when cornered.

Suffered a significant loss of mana from the surprise assault, but managed to recover.

Honestly, I prepared for the worst—possibly instant death. So surviving with this level of damage is fortunate.

The black’s offensive capability is lower than expected.

Approaching like this, no high-damage long-range attacks seem likely.

Given the dragon barrier as well, black appears to be a defensive deity.

Deities are inherently irrational.

They regenerate instantly, even when wounded.

My body, injured by black, has fully recovered.

Physically altering a deity is extremely difficult.

Heart crushed, head severed—recovery occurs immediately.

Of course, severing the head disrupts cognitive function for a brief moment.

But with prior preparation, automatic revival is trivial.

I have prepared accordingly. Deities claiming divinity must have done the same.

There are several methods to defeat such a deity.

Broadly categorized, two primary approaches exist.

Wear them down completely—or shatter their soul.

The standard examples of shattering a soul, as far as I know, are heretical attacks and Abyss Magic.

To casually insert such a method into a battle against a deity—D.

Not even stunned. Not even awed.

What kind of nonsense is that, from him?

And the other approach—beyond my capability.

To casually expect non-deities to wield such a thing—D.

Not even stunned. Not even awed.

What kind of nonsense is that, from him?

Important point. Said twice.

A soul is the core essence of a living being.

Even a god cannot survive if its soul is shattered.

In fact, it is akin to a god's fundamental body.

According to the basic course on gods, the primary method in divine combat is this.

Possess the means to shatter a soul. Possess the means to defend against it.

Search for what works against the opponent. Look for an opening to deliver the blow.

That’s the general idea.

But I can’t do something like that.

I’m practically a god who ascended through shortcuts—no foundation to speak of.

In that case, my remaining option is the other one.

A mere削り.

What are you cutting away?

Energy.

Energy is the divine engine.

If the soul is the heart to the divine, then energy is blood.

Using it, various miracles are being performed.

Regeneration of a body instantly—this energy is used for that.

If the energy is depleted, it naturally becomes impossible.

That is to say, death.

I am specialized in extracting that energy through the use of the cursed eye.

As if pouring poison, slowly and steadily pressuring the opponent.

Just...

There is an issue with this method.

After all, when we speak of gods, we mean those who store vast amounts of energy, don't we?

But we have to exhaust that energy, right?

This will take ages, won’t it?

That’s right.

This method of carving—it takes an immense amount of time.

And the black one possesses a dragon barrier.

It won’t fully prevent the Eye of Corruption, but the carving speed will inevitably slow.

Moreover, I’m currently struggling with the preliminary home construction.

The black one lacks the firepower to defeat me in a single instant.

These are the conclusions that follow.

Extended conflict phase initiated.

Our battle has just begun.