Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out? Chapter 2016: A Grudge That Won’t Leave So Easily

Once our arrival at Armageddon’s Divine Realm was complete, my immediate action was to bring her out into the open, no longer concealing the truth from anyone.

As expected, Armageddon let out screams and cries filled with dread. Her fear was particularly palpable towards the heroes who had once fought against her and almost vanquished her, including Aquarina’s parents.

And truthfully, her apprehension was entirely justified.

The instant they laid eyes on her, Shade and Nepheline unleashed their formidable Beast Auras, powerfully merging them with their Spiritual Auras and Divine Sparks. They summoned their Soul Weapons, channeling every single ounce of qi within their beings, poised for immediate combat.

"How can this be...?" Shade inquired, his voice thick with disbelief. "You're still alive?!"

"We obliterated you, you wretched fiend! What business do you have with our daughter-in-law?!" Nepheline bellowed. "Did you fall prey to some sort of brainwashing?"

They stood prepared to launch their attack without delay. My mother-in-law even conjectured that Armageddon had somehow manipulated my mind, a notion that, for reasons unknown, I found oddly amusing.

"No, no! She hasn't brainwashed me! Please, hold on!" I cried out, quickly stepping in front of Armageddon.

My parents stared, their faces a mask of shock and bewilderment, at the colossal ant spirit goddess positioned behind me, their eyes betraying a mix of intrigue and deep-seated wariness.

"Sylphy, what in the world have you done now?" my mother questioned, her brow furrowed. "Who is this entity? And why do they harbor such intense hatred towards her?!"

"Well, uh..." I stammered, unsure how to begin explaining.

"Step aside, Sylphy," Shade commanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"Sylphy, do not interfere! I know you are under some form of control. This creature must have infiltrated this place! It poses a grave danger!" Nepheline urgently warned.

"Allan! Faylen! Prepare yourselves. This is an entity on par with the malevolent gods!" Shade shouted urgently towards my parents.

"What?!"

"Wait, what do you mean?!"

My parents immediately released their Magic Auras and manifested their weapons. With a heavy sigh, I attempted to de-escalate the situation.

"Please, I implore you, just remain calm!"

However, they were not listening. Shade dissolved into shadows and instantly reappeared behind Armageddon, his knife raised, poised to strike.

Or at least, that was the future I foresaw through my Heavenly Eyes’ Future Sight ability.

A mere fraction of a second before his attack could land, I surged forward, intercepting his blow with Sapphire and Scarlet, much to everyone's surprise.

"Sylphy?!"

"I apologize, Father-in-law, but I must ask you to calm yourself. She harbors no ill intentions! She is my ally! My familiar!"

"F-Familiar?!"

"Sylphy, that being is a malevolent god! She attempted to annihilate everyone!" Nepheline exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief.

"And how do you propose we achieve victory if we refuse to forge alliances with the strong?!" I retorted indignantly. "She committed grave transgressions, and she paid the ultimate price with her life. I reformed her using the soul fragments I consumed and transformed her into my familiar. She is now my Divine Spirit Pet, is she not?"

"P-Pet?!" Armageddon hissed, lowering her immense head. "Y-Yes... I... I am..."

"But...!" Shade remained resolute, his expression unyielding.

I had no desire to engage my father-in-law in combat, but as his strike met my defensive weapons, a single, stark realization struck me with immense clarity.

If I were to unleash my full power... I could defeat him.

That profound realization left an indelible mark upon me. My own strength had grown far beyond anything I could have previously imagined.

"Father-in-law... I hold you in high regard as family. Please... let us not resort to this," I stated firmly. "Otherwise, you will compel me to subdue you. And I assure you, the outcome will be far from pleasant."

"W-What are you saying?!" He appeared visibly shaken, his eyes widening in shock. "Sylphy, what nonsensical words are these...?"

"Dad! Mom! Please stop this madness!" Aquarina rushed forward, her intervention swift. She utilized her water magic to push her mother back, then ensnared her father with darkness, slamming him forcefully onto the ground.

"Ugh...!" Shade groaned, but he rapidly regained his footing, dusting himself off. "Aquarina, that action was entirely uncalled for!"

"Do not harm her!" Aquarina snapped back. "And Sylphy, do not harm my father either!"

"I had no genuine intention of doing so," I admitted with a sigh. "I was merely attempting to project an air of intimidation."

"Ugh, it didn't sound like that at all!" she exclaimed, clearly displeased by my statement.

"I am truly sorry..." I offered by way of apology.

"Haaa..." Aquarina exhaled deeply, shaking her head in resignation.

We then approached her parents, and once their tempers had subsided, we proceeded to explain the entirety of the events that had transpired.

"S-So, when that massive explosion occurred during the battle... I genuinely believed we had vanquished her," Shade confessed, his voice tinged with regret.

"Are you implying that she did not perish?!" Nepheline questioned, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"No," Aquarina answered. "Armageddon is an incredibly resilient being. After we all lost consciousness, she intended to finish me off. At that critical moment, I invoked the Goddess Descent ability, inherent to all Saints, and called forth Sylphy’s divine soul."

"T-The Goddess Descent?!" my mother inquired, her voice filled with awe. "So Sylphy truly..."

"Huhu, now this situation is becoming even more captivating!" Master Felicia chuckled, a thoughtful expression on her face as she stroked her chin, observing Armageddon with evident fascination. Throughout the entire confrontation, she had remained remarkably still.

"I wouldn’t say I’m a full-fledged goddess just yet," I confessed with a sigh. "I’ve only managed to acquire some divinity by absorbing the divine soul essence of those we’ve defeated, much like how my special ability allows me to absorb soul essence from monsters to enhance my own power."

"I understand...!" My mother nodded, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "Even so... I am utterly speechless, my dear. You are truly remarkable."

"A-Ah?" I felt a blush creep onto my face. It was quite uncommon for my mother to offer me such sincere praise without also scolding me for my recklessness.

"So, during that incident..." Shade inquired, "Sylphy was the one who finished her off?"

"Yes, that’s right," I confirmed with a nod. "She was already severely weakened, so it wasn’t particularly challenging to defeat her with a single potent strike of my nascent divine power. Afterward, she almost completely dissolved. I absorbed her divine soul, which bolstered my strength, but I also recognized the necessity of guidance to properly develop my burgeoning divinity."

"Hold on, you absorbed her power!" Nepheline gasped. "Has anyone in this world ever managed to slay a god and seize their power before?"

"No..." Shade replied softly. "Sylph might very well be the very first to ever develop such a unique ability."

My mother’s gaze was fixed on me, a look of profound shock widening her eyes.

"What did you mean by needing assistance? Is that the reason you brought her back?" she questioned.

"Armageddon was an entity of immense antiquity. She possessed comprehensive knowledge regarding the development of divinity and the creation of divine cultivation methods," I elaborated. "Therefore, I meticulously separated the soul fragments imbued with her divinity, reintegrated them into her scorched remains that Glutton had preserved, mended her body with restorative magic, and subsequently resurrected her as my own Divine Spirit Familiar. She’s quite formidable now, although still not quite on par with the Elemental Spirit Kings you both have under contract."

"I wouldn’t quite put it that way..." my father interjected thoughtfully. "Having a goddess who is completely and utterly loyal to you surpasses any pact we have with the Spirit Kings. Such unwavering compliance is exceptionally rare from them."

"And this expansive Divine Realm is simply incredible, brimming with divine treasures," my mother added, her voice filled with wonder. "Well... I suppose you have truly managed to tame a goddess now, my dear. However... I still find myself harboring concerns for your well-being. Is this truly a safe arrangement? I... I wish to place more trust in you. I’ve come to realize that my previous distrust was unfounded. I haven’t been the most supportive mother, either. Perhaps I’ve been misjudging you all this time."

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