As the mercenaries waited for the next attack, what met their eyes was a grotesque beast that was even larger now that it was S+ ranked. The Virulent Abomination that had become a Plague Bearer appeared with wide green wings outstretched. Poison was constantly falling off its body in blobs of green that smashed into the ground
As soon as the expanded mercenary saw the monstrosity, the large body moved with a speed that it shouldn't have as its sword struck down with a beautiful circular swing. My summon did not evade the incoming sword, its belly rumbling as its mouth unnaturally opened more than a meter wide.
[Poisonous Breath], a skill unique to the Plague Bearer was casted.
The air trembled as this skill made its appearance. Green and murky, with an unbearable stench, the noxious collection of liquid and fumes came out to cover the entirety of the rushing figure.
BOOM!
The large sword of the expanded mercenary smashed into my summon, knocking it down and nearly splitting it in half. But, like a sticky material, its two sides were slowly joining back together as [Saint's Return] was already active and healing its injured body while continuing to provide buffs.
Using [Regal Archer's Eyes], I could see the figure of the woman in the enclosed transparent incarnation move in pain. Her left arm had turned a deadly shade of green as the figure she commanded did the same. She could not completely evade the [Poisonous Breath].
I tried to remain as emotionless as possible, and casted more [Devastation], as well as giving another command to the upgraded and healed summon. Its other newly gained skill, [Defiler] could not be put to full use as there were not many corpses nearby. 2 rank S mercenaries had already met their end from being too close when the [Poisonous Breath] landed, with the rest of them going further in the distance as they tried to jump into the fight with panic
To them, only a single enemy had appeared, and even after taking a strike from the most powerful person there, it just closed itself up like it was nothing.
OOOH!
The Plague Bearer howled as its wings flapped, rushing towards the 8 meter incarnation once more. The roiling snakes of flames and lightning that completely ignored it and smashed into the enemy gave a fantastic picture of this grand battle. The EPIC ranked mercenary wasn't for show, as the incarnation holding a sword she had casted was becoming more and more solid as time passed.
Its blade became faster as it rushed towards the summon. The sight in front of me was hard to describe. The 8 meter tall figure that enveloped the EPIC mercenary was moving as if it was the lightest thing in the world, the long blade in its hands spinning beautifully in the air as the summon continued to evade the strikes. One of them finally connected.
THUCK!
The blade wedged itself deep into the body of the Plague Bearer that was now over 6 meters. It pierced from the front to the back completely, and without reservation, the summon continued forward. Its wings flapped behind it as it ignored all the damage and came close to the belly of the incarnation where the mercenary was hiding in.
Green smoke roiled out as two green bodies unnaturally appeared, flinging themselves towards the figure of the large incarnation as well. These were the two dead rank S mercenaries that fell from [Poisonous Breath]. Their arms flailed as they seemed like the fastest zombies alive, reaching and sticking to the EPIC ranked mercenary's large figure in an instant
This was the second skill that the upgraded summon could now use, [Defiler]. When I first watched this skill in action, too many grand ideas popped up as I saw the summon controlling the bodies of dead beasts and flinging them around like poisonous bombs.
A cruel smile seemed to appear on the Plague Bearer's wretched face as it reached the position it wanted. The 2 dead beings it controlled through the skill began expanding dangerously while stuck to the transparent figure as both them and the body of the Plague Bearer...exploded.
BOOM!
The impact shook the surrounding 15 meters as green muscle, pus, and bones flew out, knocking the large bladed figure backwards as screams rang out.
Chapter 93 - EPIC III
There was a sense of desolation in the air.
The rank S mercenaries were moving around avoiding deadly patches of green that were spread throughout the battlefield. One stayed near a patch of bubbling pus for a few seconds, only to feel his limbs start losing strength as he became poisoned.
"Find the attacker!"
"Reinforce the commander!"
Occasional shouts could be heard as the figures moved around the poisonous battlefield. They had what could be considered great strength, and yet they had to evade the poison this beast released with the best of their abilities just to stay alive. More and more of them fell as they tried to reinforce their Commander that continued to be swamped with constant and deadly attacks.
A rank S seasoned warrior was moving through the snowy field frightfully as he tried to evade the thick lines of flames and lightning that sn.a.k.e.d their way in the surroundings. He could feel desperation as he couldn't shake any of them off, with even the slightest lapse in concentration causing him to be poisoned by the air that was turning a shade of green. His vision began darkening as he moved, and soon slumped down.
The EPIC ranked Commander was staring at the skies as she found her figure thrown back from the explosion. She could feel a searing pain running through her body that continued to be poisoned all this time.
The recent explosion where that horrendous monstrosity as well as the dead it controlled attacked her had sealed the deal. She wanted this pain to stop. Someone of her caliber had never been subjected to this, and she was feeling extreme anger. Who? Just who had the power to hide from her sight and attack her like a coward?
She closed the eyes that were staring through the transparent figure of [Sword Saint's Incarnation], the skill that allowed her to get where she was today. She needed more energy to keep the skill active and bring it to life. The more energy she provided, the more solid the incarnation became.
The pain from the poison was taking a lot of energy from her to keep it at bay, so she was stuck in an impasse.
BOOM!
Her figure landed on the ground as she made up her mind. She didn't want to use it as there was no turning back, but she had no choice. A jewel shining in a menacing red light appeared in her hands. She did not hesitate as she brought it to her mouth, and swallowed right away.
ZING~
An uncomfortable sound spread out through the snowy field as the red light permeated her body, and the larger transparent figure that surrounded her as well. She seemed to be undergoing a transformation as a horn began appearing on her forehead.
Her opponent would not leave her be though. In the middle of this transformation, the hideous looking figure that leaked poisonous pus had reappeared and was already releasing another one of its vile breaths. Rifts continued to open up in the sky as flames and lightning struck down, not giving this powerful figure any respite during her transformation.
ARGH!
The interruption caused the energies to go berserk as the change was only half completed, and the large transparent figure now tinged in red became more visible. The moment the sword in its hands slashed towards the monstrosity vomiting poisonous material, it stopped the belching and dashed towards her body, exploding again in the next moment.
The mercenary was full of wrath as this occurred again and pushed her back, the poison reapplying itself with even more vigor after the second explosion. Her incarnation was getting back up again when she saw the same monstrosity appear… and explode again for the second time.
BOOM!
A third time.
BOOM!
A fourth time.
She was breathing heavily as she felt the incarnation fading away after using up all her mana. Fear of the unknown person that continued to send suicidal attacks with their monstrous beast had etched itself deep inside.
Rough breathing was coming out as she saw the green monstrosity app
ear above her again as good as new.
"Haha, Hahaha, Hahaha!"
She found herself letting out gory laughs as the poison permeated through her at this ridiculous sight. Even swallowing that jewel for its forbidden power did not do a single thing about this attacker that didn't even bother to show himself.
She had many many decisions in her life and never regretted any, but it seemed she stood on the wrong side this time. She wanted to at least see the person capable of taking her down like this. What sort of great person are you? Why do you stand with the Princess of a small kingdom in the north? Her thoughts soon came back to the current situation as she saw the monstrous green beast in the skies.
She was baffled at the ridiculous repetition of explosions that continued to wear down her now 8 meter large body. The incarnation was slowly fading away as the monstrosity continued to explode and reappear in the next instant.
"At least give me the honor of seeing the person who would take my life!"
She found the strength to speak as her body worked to push out the poison and try to maintain the incarnation at the same time. Silence was all she received as she found the same beast appearing from a huge runic circle once again.
"Bah, pathetic! Not even enough balls to show yourself!" The large incarnation used this time to vault the huge sword it was holding into the air where the monstrocity had appeared.
SWISH!
The beast curved the rushing blade without difficulty as it only slashed air, and looked below at the transparent figure, and the mercenary still floating in it. A wicked expression could be seen as its large mouth began transforming.
The EPIC ranked mercenary looked at this and realized her journey would be ending here today. Unexplainable terror rose out as this idea spread throughout her being. Her sight was occupied by the beast's head that had it's jaws opened unnaturally as it belched out poisonous atrocities towards her. A green light covered the eyes of this mercenary. In a moment, this green light turned into darkness.
---
I breathed out in relief as I prevented the crazy power up from continuing in front of me. Did she really think I would give her the time to transform into an even more powerful version of herself before acting?
The dark menacing light she swallowed before her failed transformation began gave out an oppressive feeling, but I stopped whatever its purpose was meant to be. The power it let out was almost twice what I felt from the EPIC ranked mercenary, and it had an evil feeling emanating. This appearance of this red light gave me a certain feeling of apprehension, and made me form some new assumptions that would be deadly if they were true. I had to move faster.
During the many explosions that occured from the Plague Bearer carrying out its killer suicide attacks, the remaining rank S mercenaries had fallen from the constant blasts of poisons and the targeting attacks of [Devastation]
I would be blessed with another set of S rank skills, as well as something even more wondrous from the body of the EPIC mercenary that was bubbling with pus currently. I sent a command and watched as the summoned Plague Bearer absorb the poisonous fumes and liquids around us. I targeted the bodies of dead mercenaries as I started with the most powerful one first.
The body glowed in a purple light when I neared it, a large skill book, an item, and multiple glistening cores appearing in my storage pouch right after. I was surprised as this was the first time that both an item and a skill book had come out from a singular enemy
The item was [Kingslayer- A sword worthy of killing the highest echelons. Has a constantly sharpening blade edge and weighs as much as a feather]. It was a glistening golden sword that was the same size as myself. It was such an exquisite sword that I couldn't help but grab and swing it a few times. I shook myself out of this new feeling as I looked at the skill book next.
[Corrupted Sword Saint's Incarnation- The body and memories of a genius sword saint descend for as long as mana is provided. Requires caster to equip a sword to activate. When active: +300% Physical Damage, +300% Speed, +200% Defense.+Dark Slayer Sword Style.]
...I looked at the numbers shown on the skill description in shock at this new type of skill. It wasn't my usual type of skill that I learned but...I wanted to try it out so damn badly! I couldn't hold my excitement as I watched the particles of the EPIC ranked [Skill Book] fade into my body. Now, what surprises will you bring?
Chapter 94 - Ambition and a Demon King
[Adelaide]
---
I've been feeling a rare semblance of peace these past few days. If I could put it into words, it would go like this.
You had a constantly sharpening blade hanging above your neck, and it could drop down any minute. This blade was so sharp and deadly that it built up a fear of the approaching death and continued to fill you with anxiety and dread. You then spend the next few years just constantly trying to avoid that blade, but it still hangs over you.
Then one day, out of nowhere, you find a person that would lift this blade off your back, and make sure it never approaches you again. The blade hanging and waiting to strike down on me was lifted by Sir Osmont. The stress and anxiety I had been feeling all this time, gone.
Even now, I don't think this esteemed person knows just how much influence he has over me. I couldn't even begin to recount the amazing feats he continued to do. I expected his power to be very high for the unique skill to confirm that he would be the one to prevent the coming calamity, but I didn't know to what extent.
An adventurer taking down a rank A dungeon by himself was rare, but not mind-bending. Doing the same thing for rank S dungeons? That was a whole other level. Putting his battle power aside, something even more magical was his power that allowed him to turn a barren land fertile and cause the almost instantaneous growth and ripening of plants. This was the thing that completely cemented my trust in him and made him all the more special. I was able to put this dukedom's leader completely under my influence with the sudden abundance of foods that 'I' provided.
And now, I was waiting beside the carriage as he went to face a deadly EPIC ranked powerhouse with a smile. "Haaaa". I patiently waited as I held full trust in him, and soon saw a gold light fly in from the distance.
This was one of the secrets I held, the ability to see his light whenever he was near due to my unique skill. He seemed to have an even more amazing skill that allowed him to become completely hidden to anyone near him along with the addition of the purposefully made veiled suit. But my skill always reacted when he was near.
I smiled at his expected successful return and opened the doors to the wide carriage, overlooking the long line of wagons behind us as I gave the signal to prepare to move out. The esteemed sir silently got in the ride, with me going in last and closing the door, multiple barriers encircling the carriage soon after.
He had the same calm face as he reappeared in front of my eyes, with a hint of worry as he seemed to be lost in thought. The significance of the event that just occurred seemed to be minor in his eyes, but it was something tremendous. EPIC ranked powerhouses were a nation's deterrence, and he had just defeated one.
He had successfully taken down those that wished us harm, and the effects would be large. I would be using this event to my advantage and seek an audience with Father as soon as we get back to the kingdom.
He seemed to have made up his mind after a while and spoke,
"You asked me before what I wanted?"
Yes. What exactly did someone like this want? I had an inkling but wanted to hear it from him first. If it was what I had in mind, I would wholly give it to you. He looked at me seriously as the golden light on his body shined even more.
"If I told you that I wanted to take this whole world into the palm of my hands, what would you say?"
I could feel my heartbeat increasing when he said this. It was better than my wildest dreams. I replied as I could feel a smile slowly form on my face.
"For someone with your power, it would only be natural."
Did he finally decide on his ambitions? For him to prevent the coming calamities, he had to lead us through them. My peace-loving father would not be able to do it. My scheming older brother would fail even more.
My unique skill told me this was the person to stick to in order to pass through the coming times. If not just me, but the entire world that attaches itself to him, then naturally the whole continent will find itself with less anxiety just like me. I trusted my skill that much.
My mind had long ago been made up as I rose in the wide carriage... and bowed towards this man once again. The cold voice that I wished had more emotion rang out. My heart was pounding as the words left my mouth.
"I formally greet and show respect to Esteemed Sir. As I have said before, whatever you need, I will provide. For the prosperity of myself and many more that are suffering, I will follow the direction you lead us to."
---
[Somewhere in the frozen lands]
A Demon King was surrounded by scantily clad figures in a compound that seemed recently erected.
Ranked 56, he was Demon King Gremory. Two horns could be seen growing on the sides of his temple, with a face that seems to be a better fit if it were placed on a woman.
He was the holder of the Unique Skill, {Primal Conjurer}, which allowed him to call upon two powerful primal spirits of the same level as himself. His presence alone was the equivalent of three beings of the same rank, and he was terribly powerful.
He was not fond of the cold, and yet he was the one assigned to the weak kingdom in the north. He was currently moving one of the Demon Legions towards this place slowly, as the cold and the mountains surrounding this kingdom were the only thing slowing their destruction.
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