Subscriber of the Gods Chapter 429 - Sky City

“It’s neck and neck…!”

“No, he’s being pushed back slightly. Duke Strickland is being pushed back.”

This was exactly what Ethan had aimed for.

Using techniques to target Duke Strickland would have been an easier approach.

Yet, Ethan chose a battle of strength precisely because raw power was Duke Strickland’s forte.

He was overwhelming the Duke in his own domain.

‘I thought it would be impossible.’

Ethan was surprised by his own strength.

‘Just how much has the number of believers increased?’

Moonforce’s power had grown beyond even Ethan’s expectations.

The source of Ethan’s power came from Moonforce.

Even when using Counter Radiance’s power, Moonforce’s blessing was bestowed upon Ethan’s body, and as one of his two classes, Moonforce’s Descendant grew, it had a significant impact on Ethan’s physical form.

‘I haven’t received any notifications, but it seems the number of believers has been steadily increasing.’

Occasionally, Moonforce would send praises. This meant that the apostles had been well-chosen.

‘Well, this far exceeds expectations.’

However, Ethan remained cautious. No matter how great and powerful the strength, this body could fall into the worst state at any moment.

‘Strength is meaningless in the face of Extinction. This power could disappear in an instant.’

Therefore, finding a cure for Extinction as soon as possible was crucial.

‘That’s the most important thing.’

Ethan looked at Duke Strickland.

The Duke, who had been boasting about his strength, now looked quite displeased at being overpowered.

His anger seemed to far outweigh his surprise.

Until now, Ethan had mainly used various techniques to quickly boost his power and subdue opponents.

‘It was because of Extinction.’

But now, with Moonforce’s power having grown so immense…

As long as it wasn’t a fight that risked death, Ethan could unleash his power freely.

‘Because I can control it now.’

“Hup.”

Ethan applied even more force.

Mana began to circulate rapidly throughout his body, and on top of that, the power of Counter Radiance intensified.

-Counter Radiance’s proficiency has greatly increased!

-Counter Radiance’s proficiency has reached 100%.

-Counter Radiance has been perfected.

Since learning Counter Radiance from Hang Woo.

Ethan had been consistently using this Counter Radiance. It was a simple yet definitive ability, and its versatility was considerable as it could be combined with any other ability.

-The technique has been perfected.

-Counter Radiance Mastery [MASTER].

“Huh?”

The completion of Counter Radiance.

He hadn’t expected it to be perfected at this timing.

‘Did deliberately leading it to a battle of strength turn out to be the right answer?’

The completion of Counter Radiance meant that all of Ethan’s techniques would advance one step further.

Kwaaaak-!

‘I should thank Duke Strickland.’

Having perfectly mastered the technique and come closer to Hang Woo’s true power, Ethan applied force to his Frost Sword.

Frost Sword could still withstand even more power.

Kwagagak-!

The balance of power began to completely shatter.

“Good heavens…”

Duke Strickland was being overwhelmed in terms of strength. Unlike the Duke, who was gritting his teeth and trying to push back somehow, Ethan still seemed to have plenty in reserve.

“Is Duke Strickland being pushed back in terms of strength…?”

“Didn’t they say Count Ethan Whiskers doesn’t prefer battles of strength in the first place…?”

It was as if he had beaten the Duke in his own domain.

In the end, the Duke took two steps back.

Just two steps.

In contrast, Ethan hadn’t moved from his initial position.

This strength.

That composure.

Duke Strickland felt an indescribable sense of humiliation.

At the same time, he had to acknowledge it.

His perception of his opponent had been clouded by numerous factors surrounding him.

Ethan was not beneath him.

He was on par with him, no, perhaps even above him.

If this had been a fight to the death, he would have already been lying cold on the ground.

That’s how formidable Ethan’s strength and skill were.

“It seems I was the one who wasn’t properly prepared.”

Bung bung bung-

Duke Strickland spun his staff in place. He had to give it his all.

He had always felt the world was small, but it wasn’t the world that was small—it was his own perspective.

The Duke looked at Ethan.

As his eyes opened, his emotions settled, and he regained his composure once more.

“I’ll do this properly, Count Ethan.”

“Come at me.”

Ethan also adjusted his behavior to match the changed Duke.

As Ethan grasped his sword, the Duke immediately took his stance.

Kung-!

Duke Strickland, who had leaped forward by strongly stepping on the ground, tightly gripped the massive staff in his hand.

In that instant, the mana he emitted was directly injected into Golden Experience.

As the mana was injected, a golden light, true to its name, spread intensely around it.

From top to bottom. It was a simple but deadly technique that maximized the Duke’s strength and momentum.

Since using this technique against the Demon King and realizing its weakness, he had improved it, and since then, no one had been able to block it head-on.

“Flare Crash.”

Kwaaaang-!

The intense mana concentrated at the tip of Golden Experience exploded simultaneously as it struck the ground.

It wasn’t just a simple downward strike, but a powerful blow that caused a mana explosion, forcing the opponent to evade.

If one were to try to meet this head-on, their weapon would be completely shattered.

After all, Golden Experience was a weapon well-suited for shattering opponents’ weapons.

However, Ethan showed no intention of dodging at all.

“…!”

Everyone watching knew that this strike was the Duke’s strongest blow.

That’s why they all tensed up seeing Ethan trying to meet it head-on.

In the first clash, Ethan had gained the upper hand, but that was when they were fighting purely with strength.

When technique is added to strength, the situation would surely change.

Kwang-

Upon impact, there was an ear-splitting boom and a gust of wind so strong that one could barely keep their eyes open.

“Ugh!?”

“Damn, my eyes…”

“Insane…”

Some people couldn’t see the moment Ethan’s sword and the Duke’s staff collided due to the powerful gust of wind forcing them to close their eyes.

Therefore, the sight that greeted them when the gust subsided was quite shocking.

“Kuhek…”

The sight of Duke Strickland staggering, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

And in front of him, the figure of Ethan taking a deep breath.

It was the moment when the Duke’s full power crumbled before Ethan’s sword.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Who was Duke Strickland?

What position did he hold in the Demon Empire?

What did it mean to have defeated him?

The Duke looked at his shattered staff.

It was a staff that had been with him for many years.

“You’ve served me well.”

The Duke placed Golden Experience on the ground and nodded to his retainers behind him. The retainers came forward and gathered the fragments of the broken Golden Experience.

The Duke wiped the blood from his mouth and looked at Ethan.

“I’ve lost. It was an excellent move. The Demon God Spear misjudged you. You are already…”

Despite his clear defeat, the Duke’s expression was bright.

During the final collision, the Duke couldn’t help but realize.

Ethan had controlled his strength.

If he had clashed with that full strength, he would have suffered irreversible internal injuries. He might have even died a slow, painful death.

It was a duel he had unilaterally proposed.

It was natural to be upset, and there was no need to show mercy to the opponent.

Yet, he had shown mercy in his actions.

Having confirmed Ethan’s skill, the Duke felt grateful to him and, at the same time, an incomparable sense of relief.

Losing is not a shameful thing.

Ethan had already far surpassed his level.

The number of people in this world who could be compared to him could now be counted on one hand.

As more words were about to leave Duke Yon Strickland’s mouth, Ethan waved his hand.

“No, not yet. I haven’t reached that level yet. Rather, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from you.”

Then he bowed his head deeply.

Seeing this, the Duke slowly smiled.

Despite being the one who received consideration, Ethan was trying to save face for him until the end.

The Duke didn’t care about others’ opinions, but the fact that Ethan, who had just come over from the Holy Empire, had defeated the Duke would cause quite a stir within the Demon Empire.

Therefore, such actions were quite important to eliminate any noise.

“You’re saving face for me, I see.”

The confident demeanor he showed at first and the humble appearance he was showing now were clearly different, yet it didn’t feel forced at all.

“Is there anyone else who would like to duel?”

Ethan looked around.

At first, people were eager to fight Ethan. But now, no one raised their hand. Raising a hand here would be tantamount to doubting Duke Strickland’s skills.

“Well then.”

Ethan nodded to Wigen.

“Let’s go, Sir Wigen.”

Ethan walked proudly through the crowd of people.

Wigen followed behind him. The numerous people who had gathered watched Ethan’s retreating figure.

His first step in the Demon Empire.

It was a perfect success and conclusion.

***

After Ethan left.

Duke Strickland, who had been defeated in the duel, quickly left the scene.

The retainers he had brought with him didn’t say a word. They had seen everything directly, and Duke Strickland had acknowledged everything, so there was no need to stay any longer.

However, the other spectators couldn’t leave.

Duke Strickland had lost.

But how did he lose?

“What on earth happened…?”

“It ended too quickly.”

“Since the Duke acknowledged it, I understand that Count Ethan Whiskers is incredible, but…”

At the moment when Ethan’s sword and the Duke’s staff clashed.

Many people couldn’t properly see the scene due to the gust of wind and shockwave from the collision.

But the heads of the four great noble families saw it clearly.

The moment the sword and staff clashed.

The power Ethan emitted was truly overwhelming.

He completely overpowered the great Duke Yon Strickland in both strength and technique.

Moreover, what was even more surprising was that he intentionally only destroyed Golden Experience while minimizing the force applied to the Duke.

That series of actions was quite impressive.

“Who would have thought someone could control their power like that… against Duke Strickland.”

Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement. The reason they were still at the scene even though the Duke himself had left was that the image wouldn’t leave their minds.

Some of the family heads wore serious expressions.

That aura Ethan was emitting.

It was definitely an aura they had felt somewhere before.

“Ah.”

At that moment, one of the family heads recalled where he had felt that aura.

The absolute ruler of the Demon Empire.

“The Demon Emperor.”

It was definitely a feeling he had experienced from the Demon Emperor.

“Which means…”

The family head’s eyes widened.

“Is Count Ethan Whiskers… on the level of the Three Gods?”

***

“I’m not sure if I’m dreaming right now.”

In response to Wigen’s words, Ethan quietly drew his sword.

“Ah, no. This isn’t a dream. This is reality.”

Ethan then sheathed his sword again.