Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

The Great War of Humans and Demons (11)

The initial stage of refining the Iron Jade Stone involved alternating injections of small amounts of positive energy and large amounts of negative energy over a period of 3 days.

Each time a different energy was injected, the color of light emitted by the triple magic formation changed, and the circular ore floating high in the air was visibly reduced of impurities as it was enveloped by high heat, lightning, and black whips.

Isaac and Orcish, who were in charge of injecting negative and positive energy respectively, would recover their spiritual power through meditation or consistently consume intermediate-grade magic stones to restore negative energy when it wasn’t their turn.

“Now! Both of you, inject large amounts of negative and positive energy!”

On the fourth day of refining, at noon.

Overlord Mordu, who was controlling the magic formation, shouted urgently. At his command, pure white and dark red energy streams arose from Isaac and Orcish’s entire bodies, rushing fiercely into the triple magic formation.

Guooooo―

Patsutsutsu!

It seemed as if the space above and below the Iron Jade Stone was divided into pure white and dark red worlds.

The two violently colliding energies growled as they tried to devour each other.

Patsutsutsu!

The streams of negative and positive energy began to rotate very slowly. Like a precise mechanical device cutting a gemstone, the yin and yang energies rotated around the Iron Jade Stone, completing exactly 180 degrees after a day had passed.

The upper part of the workshop, which had been pure white, was now invaded by dark red, while the lower part, which had been dark red, turned pure white.

Overlord Mordu, with a cautious expression, never took his eyes off the magic formation and the ore.

Kugugugugu.

As time passed, on the morning of the 8th day.

The yin and yang energies enveloping the ore had merged into one, showing a bright coral color.

Beads of cold sweat formed on Orcish’s forehead, who had consumed a large amount of energy.

“We need to increase the output of negative energy a bit more!”

“Haap!”

Dark red streams gushed out and mixed in the air.

The Greenkin General Orcish, with rough breathing, looked at Isaac, who was jointly performing the refining work, with frightened eyes.

Even though the Emperor-class monster was exhausted, the expression of the mere 5-star Ethereal showed not even a hint of change.

It was like facing a giant rock that stubbornly held its ground against fierce wind and rain.

‘It seems there’s something to him after all.’

His magical power must be equivalent to or greater than an awakened one a full rank higher than 5-star.

He was certainly not an opponent to be taken lightly. Orcish belatedly understood why this person had agreed to such a dangerous request.

This 5-star Ethereal truly believed he could survive a clash with Emperor-class monsters.

―Mordu, that guy’s skills seem considerable. We might have to use the cards we’ve been saving.

―Stop worrying unnecessarily and focus on the work. Do you think he can withstand two Emperor-class monsters charging at him, no matter what secret techniques he might have?

―I’m saying we should prepare for the worst. I’ll bring out the ‘Black Branch’ I obtained from the last battle, so Chief, don’t hold back and give it your all to subdue him in one go.

―Hmm…! Alright. They say even a tiger gives its all when hunting a rabbit.

While exchanging these chilling mental conversations, Orcish and Mordu maintained perfect poker faces.

The Ethereal, unaware of the danger, still wore a nonchalant expression.

Although he seemed to have no particular thoughts, his magical power and recovery speed were truly terrifying.

Patsutsutsutsu!

The 10th day of refining.

The refinement of the Iron Jade Stone was reaching its final stages.

The faces of Mordu, who had been controlling the spell technique day and night, and Orcish, who had been steadily injecting negative energy, were pale white as if they might cough up blood at any moment.

Even Isaac, whose expression hadn’t changed, now showed clear signs of fatigue.

The triple magic formation was glowing sky blue, with warm yet heavy energy streams roughly enveloping the ore.

Kugugugung!

At that moment, a fine crack appeared on the Iron Jade Stone, which had been smoothed out to over 90% refinement.

Seeing this phenomenon, Overlord Mordu’s eyes widened.

“Oh no. This will fail! The amount of pure magical power that needs to be infused at the final moment is insufficient. We need to increase the output of positive energy even more!”

“Even more? We’ve already exceeded the limit. Any more is impossible.”

Isaac flatly refused.

In reality, he had already performed beyond what was expected of a 5-star Ethereal.

The problem lay in the refining technique received from the master craftsman of the Hwan Kingdom. Either the Iron Jade Stone was more contaminated than the standard, or more energy was needed to remove the impurities.

‘At this rate, not only will the efforts of the past ten days go to waste, but the connection with the unique weapon will also be severed.’

Mordu’s insides were burning black with anxiety.

The Iron Jade Stone was the main ingredient for forging the unique weapon Byeorun Sword, which was said to exist only in legends.

That’s what was written on the blueprint he had miraculously obtained from an ancient ruin in the Western Wasteland.

The creation of the Byeorun Sword was a crucial puzzle piece in achieving his grand dream of conquering the small world. To fail in refining such an Iron Jade Stone… He didn’t even want to imagine such a tragedy.

Mordu, growing impatient, expressed his sincerity.

“Please! If you increase the magical output, I’ll provide an additional 1,000 magic stones!”

If the refinement fails, the material would be damaged and lose its value.

The Iron Jade Stone itself was so rare that finding another one would be like plucking stars from the sky.

From the beginning, he had intended to completely empty out the Ethereal’s magical space. He could verbally promise 1,000 or even 10,000 magic stones.

“1,000 magic stones. That seems like a fair price.”

Isaac, whose thoughts were impossible to read, touched and used a top-grade magic recovery potion he had stacked in his inventory.

This was a potion he had personally made using the spring water of magic obtained from the Abyss of Gyuye. Using just one would fill up half of Isaac’s abundant maximum spiritual power.

Uuuuuung!

The positive energy gushing out from Isaac became a swirling torrent, striking the magic formation.

The desperate expression on Overlord Mordu’s face immediately brightened. He spread both hands to deploy the final refining spell technique.

Urrrrrng―

Puhwaaaaaaa!

The triple magic formation ripened to a deep blue, and water streams shot up like a fountain. The Iron Jade Stone ore, which had been heated by scorching karmic fire and lightning, sank beneath waves resembling a blue ocean.

Chiiiiiii…..

The water streams surged relentlessly, carefully cooling the heat applied to the Iron Jade Stone ore.

“Orcish, we no longer need negative energy.”

Whoosh.

The negative energy roughly removes impurities from the ore, while the positive energy maintains its properties to preserve the mineral’s performance.

The refining technique obtained from the master craftsman of Hwanguk was simple yet highly challenging.

This was due to the absurdly large amount of energy required for the refining process.

Swoosh.

The triple magic circle that had been spewing water streams gradually lost its light. The Iron Jade Stone ore, washed by the azure waves, had now taken the form of a perfect sphere without a single crack.

Overjoyed, Overlord Mordu burst into a greedy laugh.

“Keheheheheh! Success!”

“Huff… Huff… Oh Mordu. Why didn’t you tell me earlier that Iron Jade Stone ore was this difficult to handle? I’ve eaten so many magic stones that my stomach feels like it’s twisting.”

“So, you’re not suggesting we throw away this opportunity, are you?”

“Phuhu. What disappointing words. Of course not. The fact that we’re exhausted means the same for our opponent, doesn’t it?”

Boom.

Ziiing―

Overlord Mordu stomped his foot and raised both hands to the sky. Suddenly, strange ancient characters appeared to be engraved all around, quickly covering the entire workshop.

Swish.

After deploying the barrier, he embraced the refined Iron Jade Stone ore and disappeared into thin air. He had first secured the precious item in his magical space.

“Don’t blame us. It’s your fault for trusting a monster.”

Swoosh― Bang!

As the thick fist struck the air, a heavy shockwave engulfed Isaac.

“Hmm?”

Something felt off. It was like hitting a squishy liquid. The Overlord’s battle-honed senses whispered to him. The opponent was not dead.

Swoosh―

It was a black swamp. The undulating waves of shadows rose up to his ankles.

Crackle.

A forest grew from the sticky swamp. The densely packed black trees were surreally similar to the swamp itself. The water, the trees, everything was immersed in the black night. Everything that met the eye was nothing but shadows.

“Domain! To actually see the Ethereal’s domain in person. But… Unbelievable! Unlike our monsters’ underworld domains, I heard only a handful of beings from the middle realm could handle the Ethereal’s domain… Ah! I see. This is merely a simplified space resembling a domain.”

Roar―

Crunch!

The great warrior of the Greenkin, known as the Overlord, clenched his fist. Even space itself distorted under his ruthless grip. The waves of shadows sucked into his grasp crumbled like rotten fruit.

“Nevertheless, I’ll acknowledge it. You seem to be at the level of a decent awakened one.”

Thud― Thud!

Roaaaar!

The old man in the yellow robe assumed Overlord Mordu’s true form. His enlarged body reached 3 meters in height, and the muscular build packed within his green skin boasted of his status as the conqueror of the wilderness.

Boom!

Next to him stood a Greenkin of smaller stature. It was General Orcish who had transformed into his true form.

“Mordu, let’s not forget why we were defeated.”

“…We abandon the pride of warriors. Cowardly, petty, and desperate. We shall rewrite the history of the Black Hammer. General, bring out the ‘Black Branch’. I too shall wield the ‘Blood Sound’.”

Swoosh―

Boom!

A massive blood-red axe fell and struck the dark swamp. It was as long and heavy as Mordu’s height, beyond the realm of weapons and into that of heavy machinery.

Crackle.

General Orcish also summoned an ominous wooden club from thin air. Except for the handle, the club was enveloped in a decaying purple aura.

From a corner of the swamp, a figure wrapped in a cloak of shadows muttered wearily.

“How absurd. Creatures worse than beasts talking about writing history.”

“Keheheh! Foolish human. It’s not us who came looking for death, but you. Your assets will be used for the revival of our Black Hammer tribe, so consider it an honor and close your eyes!”

Boom―

Whoosh!

The great warrior of the Greenkin leaped up. His axe came down like a disaster.

Swoosh!

The curtain of shadows split wide open. The dark silhouette that had risen from the swamp fell limply.

Thud―

Roar!

A black tiger roaming the high air took Mordu’s back. Its blunt front paw struck his back hard.

Thud!

It was steel. An iron fortress that wouldn’t budge even if pierced by swords and spears.

The Overlord’s back deflected the angry beast’s strike purely with his extremely trained physical abilities.

Roar―

Thud!

The elbow of the living war machine drew a long arc. The beast’s jawbone crumbled, its sharp teeth breaking and scattering.

The eyes of the beast, twisted in pain, flashed a bright red.

Whoosh!

Blue tendrils extending from Isaac transformed into an Ifrit, spewing blue flames.

“Groaaar!”

Thud― Thud―

Crunch!

Beast and giant. Ferocious beast and Greenkin.

Unrelenting blows rained down on the beast’s maw and the Overlord’s chest. Each strike was brutal.

The green fist choked the beast’s neck and struck its jaw. When the distance widened, he swung the blood-red axe.

The ferocious beast was gradually pushed back, overwhelmed by the skilled combat style of the even more savage green giant.

Crackle―

The dark trees that had grown sky-high twisted and fell. Overlord Mordu felt an immense pressure bearing down on him for a moment.

“Huh?!”

As his feet were bound, purple mist burst forth. His back, shoulders, and chest were clawed by the beast’s talons emerging from the purple smoke.

The beast had the advantage in speed, while Mordu held the upper hand in strength and technique.

Thud!

The Ifrit spewing blue flames fell from a crude club strike. The blue bird glided elegantly and flapped its wings again, raising hot flames.

Whoosh!

Thud―!

He swung the club to burst the flames. The ominous club drew erratic trajectories.

Thud! Thud!

General Orcish’s wooden club battered the fire bird. It wasn’t a battle between a warrior and a spirit. It was a one-sided beating, like slaughtering livestock.

Swoosh―

The Ifrit was helplessly subdued and returned to nothingness.

Slash!

Simultaneously, as Overlord Mordu, who had been pinned down by the shadow trees, swung his blood-red great axe as if scattering it, even the black tiger’s fierce beast was split in half and dissipated into smoke.

The Overlord said with a smirk.

“Your tricks have run out. No matter what moves you pull, the result won’t change. So just give up! I’ll send you off with one painless axe strike.”