A razor-thin line of what could only be described as bone spewed out from the egregiously long tumor-like flesh that grew out of Edward’s corpse. This horrible abomination that had once been Edward had tried to piece through Rothell’s head.
Fully attentive to the battle, Rothell twisted his head, causing the projectile that it threw out to miss. Unfortunately, it had sped past him, piercing one of the other survivors through his head. It was one of the students who been stun-locked ever since he saw Edward’s grotesque transformation.
It was an instantaneous death.
The 33 runes everywhere mimicked such a change, causing one of them that represented that student to become bloody. Not only that, the atmosphere in this place had turned just a tad bit darker. Edward seemed to have gained some kind of power, causing its strength to increase.
“Monster! Run!”
It was a common consensus. The captives all saw what had just happened. Such a gruesome sight spoke volumes of what would happen if they remained here. It was every man for himself at this point.
Except for one person, Lilia. She didn’t run off with the rest of them.
“Annoying.”
Instead of prioritizing her safety, Lilia came up to join the battle. She was neither terrified nor was she oppressed by this sudden change, she was instead, completely and utterly annoyed.
Leaning down, she grabbed whatever piece of rock she could grab and threw it at Edward at full force.
Edward’s body pulled back, jumping into the air and latching on the ceiling. His six limbs pierced the broken ceiling and hung from it. The once-human mouth had widened in such a way that was large enough to swallow someone whole.
“Mages, barrier! Now!” Rothell’s orders were enacted immediately.
The 5 handlers from the back didn’t hesitate at all. A golden pristine barrier formed directly on top of them. This barrier was the accumulative effort of five different people. The strength and quality were leagues above what Rothell was able to do by himself.
A single man can only do so much alone.
At this point, except for the handlers and Lilia, everyone had already run off. There wasn’t anyone else who could affect the situation. Or at least that was what everyone had thought at the time.
“What an insidious color…” Gregor slowly reached out to hold this bloody rune. As his hand got closer, the bloody rune began to emit an eerie glow. Out of nowhere, it began to emit a foul stench that was reminiscent of sun-dried blood.
Sammuel initially didn’t want to do anything yet and wanted to observe how the situation would unfold. But inaction was worse. He had to try. He followed Gregor’s lead and decided to test what this ominous bloody rune was for.
Unlike those below, Gregor and Sammuel still had their mana restricted. They were unable to exert more power than what a normal person could use. Still, that didn’t mean that there wasn’t anything they could do.
The other normal runes began to slowly shift forward over to the bloody rune.
“That can’t be good.”
Both of them immediately acted and tried to pry away this bloody rune from reaching the others. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as that. Their pure physical body was unable to affect any of the runes. For now, they were simply stuck, unable to do a single thing.
Back at the battle, tensions were already sky-high. Edward spewed out an acidic green fluid. When it touched the barrier that had been cast, it created a sizzling sound as it continually wore out its defenses.
Although it was holding out for the time being, it was evident that wouldn’t be the case for long.
“The barrier won’t hold out for long. We’ll focus on a more direct approach. Martine, on me.” Rothel accurately assessed the situation. “We need to end this as soon as possible.”
Martine quickly glanced over to those involved. “Where’s Lady Valerie?”
“Not here.”
“Damn it. But… it’s not entirely horrible. The guardian should be the only threat here.”
Lilia came forward and inserted herself in the situation. “Looks like you’re in a bind.”
“I was wondering when you would’ve stepped up. Care to join in this subjugation?” Rothell etched out a small smile.
“As if I even had a choice. Let’s get this over with.”
“The Elevnia Kingdom greatly appreciates your contribution.”
“Oh, shut it. You fuckers knew what you were doing. Now go straight to the point. How do we kill this monstrosity?”
“What else is there? Strike it until it’s dead.” Rothell led the charge. He ordered his men to dispel the barrier. Everyone immediately distanced themselves from the battle. The main three people who would battle against Edward’s reanimated corpse were them.
Edward took this opportunity to unlatch himself from the ceiling. Compared to his lethal acidic vomit, it wasn’t fast enough to deal any realistic damage. Physical combat would be its greatest strength.
Out of the three, the first person who decided to try was Lilia. She went out of her own way and used her own physical body to go against Edward. It was a straightforward fist reinforced with mana. It was so basic that it wasn’t even a skill.
A brutal fist rushed through the air, finding its mark on Edward’s face. The sheer power behind her attack sent Edward flying backward. She narrowed her eyes as she couldn’t believe how slow this monster was.
Edward crashed through to one of the other saferooms. People had somewhat expected the saferoom to break apart but it had remained just as steady as before. Even those inside were relieved that they weren’t collateral damage.
“I thought that a Great Being would be able to react to that at the very least.” Before Edward could rise back up, she felt a stinging sensation on her fist.
[Status: Severe Acidic Burns | Lose Combat Power: -50/s | Lilia: 10,784]
[Status: Severe Acidic Burns | Lose Combat Power: -50/s | Lilia: 10,734]
[Status: Severe Acidic Burns | Lose Combat Power: -50/s | Lilia: 10,684]
Lilia tried to limit the spread of this affliction using her mana. “Stings.”
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
Fortunately, it was easily treated. Her natural constitution and capabilities were no joke. She was genuinely a terrifying foe to face.
“So, that’s how this is going to go. How annoying.” Lilia recovered from that simple status infliction. She gazed at the other two. “What? Am I going to have to do everything for you?”
“Not quite. Martine, let’s follow up.”
Martine nodded.
Edward had recovered at this point, roaring out as green acidic fluid spewed out from its mouth. The area before him began to corrode into a slimy surface. It then twisted its obscenely long neck and gazed upon the people in the saferoom. Its mouth opened up into a large slit, enough to swallow a human whole.
Edward turned all its attention on the prey before him. He smashed his head across the safe room barrier. A settling thud came from its action. The students who had not yet turned into mist stayed within the safe room terrified. Even as an illusion, it was as if they still held human emotions.
Martine’s eyes widened in fear. “We can’t let it eat them! Go!”
Edward’s mouth opened even wider as it vomited even more green acidic fluid. The safe room that had not shown any signs of tearing away immediately started wilting away. The once vibrant screen of mana began to dim ever so slowly.
Seeing its actions reflect a devastating impact, his head pulled back, as far as it could and slammed towards the safe room barrier. The mana that had been used to supply it was unable to do so anymore as it became motes of blue light. Edward now had access to the safe room.
The vicious expression that showed itself toward those inside was akin to a nightmare that no one should ever witness.
It unceremoniously consumed the three people contained within. And just like that, three more normal runes became bloody runes. Sammuel noticed the pulling force from these four bloody runes became even stronger than before
The most evident change, however, was one that no one wanted to be real. A red hue began to emit from Edward’s body. It was as if he had consumed the essence of those he killed. What a monster.
[Gain Combat Power: +3,000 | Edward: 11,634]
Oh, how nice would’ve it been if had only been that. Edward’s presence physically shifted into an even more gruesome entity. Multiple eyes opened from his neck, pulsing and convulsing in different rhythms.
[Status: ??? | Lose Combat Power: - 400 | Lilia: 10,284]
[Status: ??? | Lose Combat Power: - 400 | Martine: 9,599]
[Status: ??? | Lose Combat Power: - 400 | Rothell: ???]
An overwhelming aura of power sprouted from within its very being. It began to laugh in its own gruesome way. All around him became a domain of acid and decay, the very floor they were standing on began to sizzle and decompose to dust.
[Status: Acidic Environment | Lose Combat Power: -10/s | Lilia: 10,274]
[Status: Acidic Environment | Gain Combat Power: +400 | Martine: 9,999]
[Status: Acidic Environment | Lose Combat Power: -0.1/s | Rothell: ???]
[Status: Acidic Environment | Gain Combat Power: +500 | Edward: 12,134]
The battle had just become harder than it should’ve been.
Sammuel wondered why Martine got stronger instead of weakening. He quickly came to a realization.
[Status: Student Mark Of The Great Philosopher (4/5) | Martine: 9,999]
This was it. This was the status that gave Martine the capability to gain power from this.
The environment, the world, the enemy's condition, and your condition. Everything affects Combat Power. This is how everything operates. But this place, whatever this is, is giving us the opportunity to fight back against the horrors it presents us. Just where the hell are we?
Rothell came forward and faced Edward in physical combat. With his transformed arm, the acidic fluid that came from Edward’s body didn’t affect him at all. Though, that didn’t mean he was completely safe. Although his arm wasn’t affected, the rest of his body was.
Edward’s limbs took every opportunity they had to pierce through Rothell’s chest cavity. They were sharp and coated with its signature acidic fluid. Martine blocked all the attacks that aimed at Rothell’s weak points.
“What I lack is what I have to gain.” A soft whisper, a simple prayer came out of Lilia’s soul. For the first time, she gave off the feeling of being a priest. She might’ve lost a bit of strength due to the environment but it wasn’t enough to fatally wound her.
[Blessing of Poverty | Gain Combat Power: +100 | Lilia: 9,874]
This was the first time that Sammuel saw another person willingly activate a Blessing of their own volition. Back then, Alyur, the Great Dragon of Moonlight forcefully enhanced the beasts while the Great Devil of Domination did the same.
Lilia was actively using her own connection to the Great Being she serves.
“What’s that going to do…?” Sammuel couldn’t help but be confused. And at that point, Sammuel realized just how much he was lacking. It seemed so insignificant but the effect it gave off was absurd.
Lilia’s body didn’t give off any unique aura other than the Blessing. She had been standing back this entire time due to how difficult it was to attack Edward without inflicting harm on herself. She rushed up to Edward with her bare fists.
She reached her hand out as something materialized before her outstretched hands.
[Blessing of Poverty | Lose Combat Power: -1,000 | Lilia: 8,874]
[Equipped: Weapon Of Poverty | Gain Combat Power: +2,000 | Lilia: 10,874]
[Status: Acidic Environment | Lose Combat Power: 0/s | Lilia: 10,874]
Lilia received a weapon from nothing. She didn’t manifest her own weapon using mana like [Mana Tool] that Sammuel had once used. It came to her using the use of her Blessing. At this moment, Sammuel understood just why Blessings were so powerful. It wasn’t because of the raw strength that they gained from activating it but from the unique effects it gave.
Her weapon was a simple mace. Though what made it stand out from other weapons was the mark on her weapon. It was the symbol of a droplet of water with smoke coming out of it. This weapon was equivalent to giving herself acidic immunity while she used it.
If a skill was used properly then it could completely turn the tides of a battle. And that was exactly what happened. The standstill between them shattered when Lilia slammed her mace down on Edward’s neck. It was much sturdier than before.
“If one’s not enough, have another!”
Lilia now took the brunt of Edward’s attacks. She was being slowly focused by the monster. Although Lilia was much weaker than Rothell, she was immune to acid, which gave her more room to dodge or defend against his attacks.
With Martine being freed from the duty of protecting Rothell’s weak points, He could finally shift his attention to offense. His blade constantly found its mark as he sliced away parts of Edward’s body. Slowly but surely, they were making their way to victory.
Edward’s mangled body exuded an even greater energy. It seemed to have decided to use everything at its disposal to kill the intruders. It was greatly weakened but at the very least it could use one last attack.
[Mangled-
Out of nowhere, Rothell used his transformed demonic arm to pierce through Edward’s chest, ripping out its still-beating heart. A heart that resembled nothing like a human’s continued pouring blood from its arteries.
Crushing this heart, Edward seemed to have felt immense pain as it screeched in an unholy cacophony. Rothell took a step back as he took in deep breaths. The acidic environment that Edward had created was no longer there. It had been a battle of endurance but one they had won.
[Condition Failed: Edward Wrester’s Reanimated Corpse kills the invaders]
Upon seeing the condition, Sammuel breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was a shame to not gain 100 Ego Slots, this was an outcome that he was satisfied with. But then begs the situation.
How could I have done anything? I’ve been stuck here unable to influence the situation.
The answer to this question was something Sammuel did not understand the consequences of.
“At least it’s over now…”
“Over? Sammuel… the runes are still bloody!” The sheer terror in Gregor’s voice was unsettling.
“What?” Sammuel had been far too focused on the battle that he ignored the bloody runes within the safe room.
[Condition: Shatter the Runic Seals (0/33) before they become Abberant Runes (4/33) | Reward: First Kill Upgrade]
[Condition: Let all Runic Seals become Abberant Runes (4/33) | Reward: Passive Ego Healing Upgrade]
[Condition: Complete the Trial of Trauma | Reward: Ego Delegation Upgrade]
[Condition: Fail the Trial of Trauma | Reward: Ego Fusion Upgrade]
“This. Why am I back?”
“How did I get here? I was already so far away!”
“Impossible, I already escaped!”
A sudden flurry of complaints sounded as everyone who had run away previously was now teleported back to the middle of the room. A completely unsettling situation.
This was not within anyone’s expectations. Even Rothell and Martine showed complete and utter confusion.
“We already killed the guardian, didn’t we?! Why are we still here?! We should’ve already been sent back to our original bodies!” Martine shouted while directing all his questions towards Rothell. Unfortunately, Rothell was unable to answer him as he was just as confused.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Edward’s corpse began to turn into a mist. Just like the rest of the illusions.
The entire room slowly morphed from a destroyed classroom into blood and flesh. The stools where students previously sat became blood sacs with yellow liquid. The board that the teachers once used became living eyes that peered through the everyone still alive. The walls all formed the lining of flesh.
“... The Supreme Being of Flesh.” A terrified Valerie muttered.