Chapter 135: Saving Arianna 1: Destroying The Heavens
A few moments earlier…
A young boy with distinct monkey-like features strolled into the bustling city, his golden eyes taking in the vibrant surroundings. His wild, spiked hair swayed lightly in the breeze, and his long tail flicked lazily behind him as he walked through the streets. The citizens of this celestial plane moved around him, unaware of the storm that was about to break.
Jack, the Monkey King, known for his mischievous nature, paused in the middle of the road, tilting his head curiously as he looked around. His lips curled into a small grin. "This is a beautiful plane," he muttered to himself, his sharp eyes scanning the pristine towers and glowing skies that stretched above the city. The divine energy here was palpable, the air humming with power.
"Too bad the boss wants to destroy it."
He scratched his head, his fingers running through his wild hair, as if deep in thought. For a moment, Jack's usual carefree demeanor softened into something almost contemplative. "Destroying it, huh?" he mumbled, his tail swishing behind him as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
He could feel the weight of the task Adams had given him, but that never stopped him from finding amusement in the chaos.
He sighed, rubbing his chin, clearly debating his next move. "Maybe I should just grab some drinks and snacks before getting started. No reason to rush, right?" A sly grin tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes gleamed with mischief. The idea of having a bit of fun before the destruction was too tempting to pass up.
Jack was never one to follow the rules strictly, even when carrying out orders. He knew Adams had sent him here to begin the destruction of the Heavens, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy himself a little. After all, he was the Monkey King—chaos and trickery were part of his nature.
He looked around, his gaze landing on a nearby market stall laden with fresh fruit. His grin widened, and without another thought, he dashed over, nimbly weaving through the crowd. The stall owner barely had time to register what was happening before Jack plucked an apple from the stand and took a big bite, his sharp teeth sinking into the fruit with a satisfying crunch.
"Mmm, not bad," he mused, walking away as if nothing had happened, leaving the confused vendor behind. Jack's steps were light, his posture relaxed as he casually strolled down the street, nibbling on the fruit. His mind, however, was already racing with ideas on how to best create the spectacle Adams had sent him for.
He knew Adams wouldn't send him here without a good reason. There was always a bigger picture, a grand scheme that Adams was playing at, and Jack was eager to see how it would unfold. But until then, he'd enjoy the calm before the storm in his own way.
As he took another bite, his eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and mischief. The destruction was inevitable, but there was no harm in having a bit of fun before turning the plane into dust. After all, that was what he did best.
"Hold on right there, Monkey."
Jack stopped mid-step, his sharp ears twitching at the sudden call. Slowly, he turned his head, a playful smirk already forming on his face as he glanced over his shoulder. Standing a few feet away was a young girl, no older than him by appearance, her eyes burning with determination. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as he fully turned to face her, crossing his arms loosely across his chest.
"What do you want, young lad?" Jack asked with a smirk, his golden eyes gleaming mischievously. His playful tone, however, quickly soured the girl's mood, her brow furrowing slightly at his remark. She crossed her arms in front of her, clearly displeased, her youthful face scrunching in mild frustration.
"We're the same age, you know," she muttered under her breath, but quickly shook her head, refocusing on her real concern. "Never mind that. I just wanted to ask for your help. Seeing as you're from the Demon Race, you must have a way for me to get to the Demon Domain."
Jack's smirk faltered, a brief flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Demon Race?" He muttered to himself, glancing down at his own body as if checking to see if he somehow looked demonic. His tail flicked impatiently behind him as he raised an eyebrow at the girl.
Oblivious to his thoughts, she pressed on, her voice now tinged with desperation. "I want to get there as soon as possible. Please. I can pay you or owe you a favor—whatever it takes. I just need to get to the Demon Domain." Her words spilled out in a rush, her eyes darting around nervously as if expecting someone to jump out from the shadows at any moment.
Jack's smirk returned, though this time it was less amused and more skeptical. "Sorry, miss," he said, scratching his head, his tail swaying lazily behind him. "I think you've got the wrong guy.
I'm not a demon, and even if I was, I'm in the middle of a mission here." He glanced around, taking in the bustling streets, before adding with a grin, "Besides, I've got more important things to do before I proceed with that."
He gave her a small wave as he turned away, ready to continue his leisurely stroll through the celestial city. But before he could take more than a few steps, her voice cut through the noise again—this time sharper, more desperate.
"Please," she pleaded, and Jack could hear the tremble in her voice. He stopped, his tail twitching in mild irritation, but he didn't turn around. "I'm being hunted. There are people out there—dangerous people—who want to kill me. I need asylum, and the Demon Domain is my only chance. I have family there, someone who can protect me."
Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Jack's expression darkened slightly, though he still didn't look back. He sighed quietly, already feeling the weight of responsibility tugging at him. But this was not his problem. Not right now, at least.
He shook his head, deciding it wasn't worth the trouble. But just as he was about to take another step, he felt a small hand clutch the back of his robe, yanking him to an abrupt stop. He glanced over his shoulder, a flash of irritation crossing his face as the girl held onto him with all her strength.
Her wide eyes were filled with panic now, her breath coming in short, anxious bursts as she scanned the streets behind her, clearly expecting her pursuers to appear at any moment. The attention of the passersby shifted toward them, curious murmurs rippling through the crowd as more people took notice.
Jack exhaled heavily, his tail swishing with irritation as he turned around fully, his golden eyes narrowing. "You're really persistent, aren't you?" he muttered, though his voice lacked the usual playful edge. For a brief moment, he met her gaze, seeing the raw fear behind her desperate act.
Jack's eyes narrowed as the group of men approached, their leader stepping forward with an air of arrogance, radiating a powerful aura that made the atmosphere feel thick and heavy. The girl beside Jack shrank back instinctively, her fingers tightening around the hem of his sleeve. Jack, however, was unimpressed, his playful demeanor replaced with visible annoyance.
"Now what?" he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes before slowly turning to face the new arrivals. His tail flicked with impatience, and he let out a low sigh. The leader's voice boomed with authority, his sharp gaze locked onto Jack.
"Give us the girl."
Jack tilted his head slightly, staring at the man for a long moment, unimpressed by the display of power. He simply shook his head, as if the situation was too beneath him to deal with. "Really? You lot again? I was hoping for something more exciting." He started to turn away, fully intending to leave them behind, but paused when he caught the girl's terrified expression.
She was trembling now, her wide eyes pleading silently for help.
Jack let out another sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Hang on tight," he muttered, his voice softer this time, as if accepting the inevitable. "Things are about to get messy."
The girl blinked in confusion, but before she could respond, Jack raised his hand lazily, and in the blink of an eye, a tiny stick shot out of his ear. It rapidly expanded, growing into a large staff that flew into his outstretched hand. His grip on it tightened, and his expression hardened, his playful smirk replaced by something far more serious.
"I would've said, 'If you want the girl, you'll have to get through me,' but…" Jack trailed off, casting a glance at the group of pursuers, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That's not the case here."
Confusion flashed across the faces of the men, their leader stepping forward with a frown, but before he could speak, Jack's eyes flicked upward, his grin widening.
"Deities of the Heavens," Jack began, his voice booming with unexpected authority, "due to the sins committed by your overlords, I hereby sentence the Heavens to Ragnarok, on the decree of the One Above All."
The girl gasped, her grip on Jack tightening as she stared at him in shock. The men froze, their eyes widening as the weight of his words sank in. The once bustling streets fell eerily silent, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.
Without another word, Jack lifted the girl effortlessly into the air, his staff glowing with an otherworldly light as it expanded in his hand. The staff grew larger, longer, radiating a divine power that sent ripples through the atmosphere. He flew upward, his eyes blazing with intensity as the Heavens trembled beneath his feet.
The pursuers, realizing the gravity of the situation, braced themselves, preparing for a fight. Their hands twitched toward their weapons, but the fear in their eyes betrayed their uncertainty. They were no longer concerned with the girl. Now, they feared for their own lives.
But Jack didn't come here to fight.
In the blink of an eye, dozens—no, hundreds—of clones of Jack appeared in the sky, each holding a staff of their own. The air hummed with energy as the clones moved in perfect synchrony, their eyes reflecting the same steely resolve. Together, they raised their staffs, the power coursing through them palpable.
The ground beneath the men shook violently, and the sky darkened as if the very Heavens were reacting to the impending destruction. The men stumbled, their once confident expressions now replaced by sheer terror.
Jack's clones struck down in unison, their staffs crashing into the ground with a thunderous force. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and a massive boom echoed across the Heavens, shaking its very foundations. The once serene landscape cracked and shattered, as if the realm itself was crumbling under the sheer power of the attack.
The men who had come for the girl were left standing in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief as the world around them fell apart. They had expected a fight—but what they faced was annihilation.
Jack, hovering high above, looked down at the chaos below with a faint, satisfied smirk. "Too easy," he muttered to himself, twirling his staff with a casual flick of his wrist. He glanced over at the girl, who was clinging to him, her face pale and eyes wide with shock.
"See? Told you things would get messy," Jack said with a wink, though his playful tone did little to calm her frayed nerves.
Below, the Heavens continued to tremble as cracks spread across the once-perfect landscape, the looming destruction now inevitable.