Sammuel’s previously overwhelmingly oppressive aura seemed to have simmered down. Such a change gave the naga a bit more assurance. The naga seemed to have gained a bit more confidence in being able to end this in her victory.
Sammuel’s odd movements made the naga slightly wary yet she didn't falter. She arched the string on her bow as an even more powerful mana arrow manifested itself. Sammuel didn’t act complacent at all, taking this attack very seriously.
As the naga let go of the arrow, Sammuel twisted his body, causing there to be a razor-sharp line that cut through his chest. Seeing her arrow strike Sammuel’s body, leaving a trail of blood behind, she began to act more aggressively. She continued shooting off countless arrows, essentially raining them down on Sammuel.
He moved through the gaps between the arrows, escaping such terrifying attacks narrowly. Pushing himself, he managed to get halfway through the distance. The naga felt threatened and similarly slithered away into a better vantage point.
Taking her spot on top of a tower, Sammuel was now being eyed down. It seemed one-sided but Sammuel had a few tricks up his sleeve. As many [Ego] he had gotten, he had also similarly stolen a number of [Skills].
[Item Reinforcement]
[Homing Strike]
Taking a small piece of debris on the side, Sammuel infused mana into it using [Item Reinforcement] and threw it as hard as he could toward the naga. With [Homing Strike] Sammuel guided his attack, aiming for the naga’s eyes.
She acted appropriately, taking out a small dagger on her waist and deflected it away. He wouldn’t be able to attack her with such weak attacks.
Sammuel showed a smile as he took out another piece of rock on the floor. The naga didn’t just wait for Sammuel to attack back once again, once again throwing out numerous mana arrows, Sammuel’s surroundings turned extremely bumpy. There were holes everywhere, making it difficult for Sammuel to move forward.
[Liquid Mist]
[Homing Strike]
The naga saw another piece of rock. She scoffed at this futile attempt and blocked it once again with her dagger. This time, as the piece of rock broke apart, it suddenly unleashed a poison mist that started ruining her senses.
It wasn’t lethal at all due to her strength but it was more than enough to blind her for the time being. This mist was Sammuel’s condensed poison from the numerous [Ego] he had. Combining numerous weak poisons and fusing them all in order to create a very potent poison.
She tried to remedy such an infliction using her hands yet it wouldn’t go away in such a short amount of time. Sammuel looked towards the naga and jumped up toward her. He was going to take this short time frame to end her life.
It was then that Sammuel’s vision narrowed.
[Mana Sense | Gain Combat Power: +56.37 | Naga: 1763.43]
Even without being able to see Sammuel, the naga still aimed her bow toward him. Sammuel was currently in mid-air, there was no foothold for the current him. She tauted her bow and manifested an even greater mana arrow than before.
If the ones she threw from before were enough to pierce through common metal, then this was enough to bulldoze through an entire building. Even as her eyes were completely closed, she raged on.
“Annoying.”
With such a powerful attack with no other way to defend himself, Sammuel wasn’t as afraid as the naga had thought. He watched on as the great mana arrow was unleashed towards his heart.
The naga firmly believed that she had taken her rightful victory. Yet, Sammuel wasn’t one to so easily lose.
[Flowing Swordsmanship: First Form]
He had already activated this technique well before the fight began, all he needed to do now was apply it. As the great mana arrow’s trajectory was aiming towards his heart, Sammuel merely reached his sword, Fevervent Fang, out, facing it head-on.
As the tip of his blade met the tip of the arrow, Sammuel twisted his body, using the momentum from the arrow’s path to redirect the arrow. It was as if he caught the arrow and brought it right back to the sender.
Twisting his hand, the arrow’s force seemed to be greater than what Sammuel could handle but reality spoke otherwise. This attack that was supposed to kill Sammuel was now heading right back to the naga.
She was terrified.
“What the-” Her words were quickly silenced as her attack struck her own heart. Even during her death, she didn’t understand how her most powerful attack was just brought back towards her. This was unbelievable.
[Earned 29.33% | Star Quality EXP: 126.06/100%]
[Gained Ego: Naga | …]
[Learned Mana Sense]
[Leveled Up | Permanently Gain Combat Power: +4.7 | Sammuel: 202.53 (50/50)]
Sammuel landed safely on his feet. He had managed to overcome such a terrifying enemy.
[Status: Blessing Exhaustion | Lose Combat Power: -160.34 | Sammuel: 42.19]
[Status: Mana Exhaustion | Lose Combat Power: -38.52 | Sammuel: 3.67]
His last technique of redirecting such a powerful attack actually took out a gigantic amount of power from Sammuel. It required him to use a majority of his power to do so, fortunately, he had succeeded. It was a battle where Sammuel danced on the precipice of death.
It might be dubious if he could land a fatal strike on such a powerful opponent but they might be susceptible to their own attack. He just needed to set the stage so that the naga would play directly into his hands.
“It was a hard-fought fight but in the end, I won. And my reward…”
[Assimilation Requirements:
Breakthrough Condition: See the world | Reward: Reach Star Quality 3
Evolution Condition: Reach 50% Card Drop Rate | Reward: Bronze to Silver and Level Reset]
“I still haven’t gotten it yet.” Sammuel shook his head. This was slightly troublesome but not entirely so. After all, he currently had a 45% Card Drop Rate after killing so many strong opponents. He just ignored these [Condition Clears] since it wasn’t going to massively impact him in any meaningful way.
[Condition: Defeat 100 opponents with a Combat Power of 1000 or higher (67/100) | Reward: Increased Card Drop Rate]
Sammuel had already finished getting his [Ego: Base] to the max level, all he needed to do now was defeat more enemies. As the Monster Faction started bringing out most of their forces, Sammuel could see in the far distance, an enemy that made him shiver.
It was a creature completely made out of roots and fauna. Flowering bloomed from within its body as pollen started to flow through the air. Humans that have ingested the pollen slowly had their faces turn swollen and their necks inflamed, slowly suffocating them to death.
Sammuel looked at it with a fearful gaze.
[Species: Ent
Card Quality: Silver
Star Quality: 3 | 56/200 | 58.23/100%
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Affinity Level: 12.53%
Combat Power: 4,835]
An overwhelming enemy, to the likes that Sammuel wouldn’t be able to fight against with his current state. Just as large as the bridge between the Mortal Stage and the Awakened Stage is, the gap was even greater between the Awakened Stage and the Revelation Stage.
Seeing such a terrible foe, Sammuel had decided to try something out.
Thinking about it, I regain all physical and mental fatigue after I use another [Ego]. Wouldn't I eventually be unkillable?
[Switch Ego: Naga]
[Greater Blessing of Moonlight | Gain Combat Power: +520 | Sammuel: 2,283.43]
[Blessing of Domination | Gain Combat Power: +330 | Sammuel: 2,583.43]
[Equipped: Fevervent Fang | Gain Combat Power: +20 | Sammuel: 2,603.43|
[Flowing Swordsmanship: First Form | Gain Combat Power: +295.33 | Sammuel: 2898.76]
[Art of Killing | Gain Combat Power: +843.35 | Sammuel: 3,742.11]
Sammuel used everything that could power himself up finally achieving the final absurd Combat Power of 3,742.11. Looking at the ent traversing the streets of Aganth uncontested, Sammuel couldn’t help but look at another being coming up to challenge it.
[Species: Human
Card Quality: Silver
Star Quality: 3 | 68/200 | 12.77/100%
Affinity Level: 15.53%
Combat Power: 1,329]
Despite being overwhelmingly lower in Combat Power, Sammuel saw one of the head soldiers take out his personal weapon, a scimitar. He gripped tightly to it and grinned. Power surged within himself, it was completely overwhelming to the point that even Sammuel was affected. In a world where [Skills] reigned supreme, a strong body alone wasn't enough to dictate the battle.
[Berserk Wrath | Gain Combat Power: +2843 | Human: 4,172]
One singular skill was all he needed to reach such a terrifying state. Sammuel finally saw just how terrifying the humans of this world truly were. He already understood that despite [Skills] ruled the battlefield but for the disparity for this large, it was incomprehensible.
One skill was fine and all but the head soldier continued even more. He used countless other skills to the point that he had become a literal walking, breathing monster. He had finished his empowerment with a Combat Power of 5,626.
The ent similarly tried to power up yet…
[Nature’s Delight | Gain Combat Power: +384 | Ent: 5,219]
It was disgustingly low. The amount of power he managed to gain was far less than what the head soldier could create. At higher levels, despite having a disparity of roughly 400 Combat Power, it was still an even fight. The head soldier struggled to keep his senses and throat pure but he still persevered.
The ent continued fighting as a segment of its body was hacked away with each slice. Desperately defending against such brutal attacks, the ent released even more pollen to completely consume its opponent’s body.
In the very end, it was nearly a draw. All of a sudden, the head soldier took out a pill and suddenly gained a burst of vitality. He mustered up all his strength and slashed the ent into bits, finally achieving victory.
Watching everything unfold, he grew to understand something more about this world. Not everything was what it seemed. And in a fight, anything goes. The head soldier taking out a pill to heal himself was the sole defining factor that led to his victory.
Sammuel turned his gaze toward the other beings in the Monster Faction. They still kept coming, wreaking havoc as they wished. With both Revelation Stage powerhouses from both sides out of the fight, it was now on the shoulders of those in the Awakened Stage to continue the battle.
Rushing deeper into the city of Aganth, Sammuel calculated the current state of affairs. The north side of Aganth was where the battlefield was situated in, where the monsters that Alyur sent would come to try and weaken the human forces. The Monster Faction targeted every single other side of Aganth, primarily taking over the south side of Aganth as their current base of operations. Sammuel was heading deeper to the south side of Aganth.
This inevitably forced the human forces to come and settle down on the north side of Aganth, except for those in the Neutral Faction. As it turned out, they had completely secluded themselves within the east side of the city. They have made their stance clear that they wished to not be involved in the battle.
The Monster Faction was satisfied with this answer as it meant one less enemy to worry about. As for the other human forces, they weren’t all too bothered because as terrifying as the situation seemed, the Monster Faction wasn’t as great of a threat. Compared to Alyur sending in hordes of monsters, the forces that the Monster Faction could send out were weren’t even worth considering.
What truly mattered were the 12 leaders of the Monster Faction, this was the one problem that Weston faced. Fighting against these 12 would result in his victory but they also knew this. They could just actively give up one of their people so that the other eleven could lay waste to the city.
The Merchant Faction wasn’t entirely interested in the current state of affairs. As far as they were concerned, the Monster Faction was after the Hatchling. The sooner they find it, the sooner Alyur could forcefully take it away and leave them. On the other hand, it was similarly fine that they fought on, they had already secured their assets way ahead of time.
Those in the Vis Empire and the Salvo Empire were the ones who were actively hunting down the Monster Faction. While Weston was holding the front lines, those powerhouses from the two Empires continued on to slay whatever monster came to show their faces. Frankly, those in the Salvo Empire were more savage, even more bloodthirsty than those in the Vis Empire.
Sammuel went on alone for as long as his opponent wasn’t in the Revelation Stage, he should be completely fine. The battle still continued on. Blood was still being spilled yet the bloodshed wasn’t slowing down any time soon. During this turbulent time, Sammuel exponentially grew as his reservoir of [Ego] and [Skills] grew with each kill.
Slashing down on an unsuspecting monster, Sammuel slayed it. He kept on going, gaining EXP for each one he killed. It had come to the point where it had felt natural. Shaking his head, he focused on the reason why he did this.
No matter how difficult it will be, I can’t let the first people who’ve helped me suffer like this.
~~~
At the very edge of a mountain range, Sadin had a vicious expression on his face. He had just slayed an annoying giant ogre blocking his path. His body had been stained red with the blood of his foe and looked on at the city in the distance.
“Sadin, there was no reason for you to push your body like this. It wouldn’t have had mattered whether you arrived later on or now.” A spirit sighed beside Sadin’s ear. It had materialized itself as a small entity, resembling a small human. She wore leaves as her clothing yet the light green wings on her back seemed to have sprouted through her clothes.
Sadin shook his head. “The sooner I finish, the better. That’s Aganth, isn’t it?”
“Yep, yep.” A peppy voice responded in kind. Her voice was energetic to the point that it gave others the impression of her having a child-like wonder.
“There’s a Great Dragon looking above it. Deal with it.”
The small entity pouted. “I’m not a slave, I’m your contractor. Learn the difference.”
“Fine.” Sadin gave in. “We’ll have it your way next time. I’ll do it after I kill the Hatchling.” Walking forward, his eyes were a little sunken and his body strained. Even so, he still pushed on, he had used a troublesome method to travel a week faster.
She seemed extremely ecstatic. “I’ve been waiting for a grand enough offering! Make it big and extravagant!” She took a step forward, immediately disappearing among the wind. The Sylph, the Great Spirit of Wind should be able to do this much at the very least.
“If only I could learn [Teleport], it would've saved me so much time.” Sadin’s body once again turned into wind, rushing through the air as if he was gliding through it. Even against Weston’s barrier, Sadin could easily enter through it.
Alyur was faced with Sylph. Both had taken their original forms, a sign of respect from one Great Being to another. Sensing Sadin’s intent, Alyur was vehemently against Sadin’s entry.
"A Great Spirit... don't meddle in this one." Alyur warned her yet could not threaten her. There was no point in agitating another foe when the Dragon Clan already had so many enemies from so many sides.
"You know how it is." Sylph replied before causing a tornado to manifest itself before Alyur. Alyur's vision and senses were greatly suppressed. Upon realizing that this tornado didn't do any damage to her at all, she immediately understood the true intent behind it. Within this short amount of time, Sadin took this opportunity to stealthily enter Aganth.
Alyur dispearsed the winds cloaking Sadin and acted upon it immediately. She immediately tried to kill Sadin yet it was unfortunate.
[Annihilation Nova]
[Celeberatory Tempest]
A concentrated form of power manifested itself before Alyur, causing her surroundings to begin shattering apart. It had already formed with enough power that could wipe away Sadin multiple times over but she wasn't using such a powerful attack against a mortal. This was to break through to anything that Sylph could manifest.
The ground tore apart as an invisible wind slashed down from above. It created a small barrier that took in the majority of Aganth's attack. Sylph wouldn't be able to hold on any longer as Sadin's current state couldn't supply her with enough power to do so. Yet this was enough. Sadin managed to sneak through Alyur's eyes.
Sylph began to disappear. The cost was so grand that she materialized. It wasn't too troublesome as all Sadin needed to do was wait for Sylph to gather enough power to regain most of it back.
And just like that Sadin had entered Aganth. The barrier erected around Aganth was unable to stop him at all. This should not have happened normally but that only applied to normal beings. Sadin was beyond the realm of normalcy. This barrier could stop living beings from entering or leaving but... it couldn't stop the natural elements. With the power of a Great Spirit, Sadin turned his body into an elemental anomaly, becoming wind itself as he entered Aganth.
As soon as he entered, he reformed his body. It took a large amount of mana to do so but it wasn't something that could stop his rampage. The thick stench of blood filled his nostrils. The bloody city didn’t even make him enjoy the atmosphere. His mind was filled with thoughts of regaining his pride. He noticed a small creature by the side.
It was completely weak with an abysmal Combat Power of 643. Yet something sparked Sadin’s rage.
[Blessing of Domination | …]
This fucking bastard. I can't kill you right now but that doesn't mean I can't kill your subordinates!
Sadin only saw red. If he couldn’t lash out at the Devil race then at the very least he could kill his subordinates. His eyes turned a murderous red and raised his hand, the very earth from below suddenly sprouted up to the very skies, changing the terrain of Aganth.
“I’ll kill everything that’ll stand in my way.” Sadin turned his gaze towards the southern side of Aganth, where the 12 leaders of the Monster Faction resided. After experiencing the power of a Great Devil, he was very familiar with its scent. He merely sought after where this scent was the strongest. This either meant that it had the conglomeration of the most enemies or had the strongest foe.
“Starting with you…”