Randolph’s innate blessing, Zenjimon or [全事聞: The Sound] is a clairvoyant type magical blessing which allows him to hear all that exists and has existed.
From the echoes of the past to the distant cries of the present, none escapes his ears. For those weak enough he can even hear their very thoughts. An undeniably powerful blessing truly befitting the 2nd strongest on the planet. With this blessing he could hear the internal conflict inside of Zaos mind and soul. A painful anguish full of trauma and hatred.
He watched as Zao leapt at him swinging his Katana [竜舌焼: Scorched Dragon's Tongue] with attacks that were sloppy and slow.
Without much trouble Randolph avoided them, Zao not relenting chased after Randolph even when blood sprayed from the gash in his side.
“Ha, ha, ha!” Zao gasped, he sucked in air like a fish out of water, his face dripping with sweat.
“I’m sorry for ruining the mood…” Randolph said with downcast eyes. With that apology he took a step forward ready to end the battle. However as he did so an undeniable chill ran up his spine.
“!”
Zao had raised his Katana overhead and for the first time in a century a chill ran up Randolph's spine, one which told him his life was in mortal danger. His observation flashed red telling him he needed to move or he’d face a certain death.
This is it! The attack that could have killed Titan! Thought Randolph, a smile creeping across his face. He saw [竜舌焼] come towards him in slow motion. It was as if time had been slowed down multiple times over. The Katana split into multiple blades coming at him from every direction. A full 360 degree attack.
[无声虎口: Silent Tiger Mouth!]
“!”
[无声虎口: Silent Tiger Mouth] Zaos most powerful attack. One which could even slay a God. From every direction and bypassing all immunities and defenses came [竜舌焼]. Its existence was omnipresent, a slash that would always hit its target with no chance of evasion. Once deployed the fight was over. Such an attack was only possible by Zao sacrificing his eyesight, to all those with their five senses there was no hope of survival.
That is if you have only five senses. With his innate blessing Zenjimon [全事聞: The Sound] Randolph had six.
SLASH!
The end of [竜舌焼] missed Randolph's eye by less and an inch, the attack grazed his cheek with a spurt of blood.
“You’re truly spectacular Zao-Huwang!” Randolph laughed nervously. “Any Emperor you served under would be undeniably blessed!” Shifting his feet Randolph stepped forwards and thrust his hand straight into Zaos chest ripping through his Throiac cavity with a pop and tidal wave of blood.
Zao didn’t even have time to register the attack. He could only slump to the floor with a splat his death instant. The hole in his torso was large enough that you see the blood stained tile beneath him.
“...” Randolph stared at Zao in silence, his bottom lip curled and his eyes obscured by shadow. Perhaps it was something he had only imagined, but for a moment he saw Zao smile at his compliment.
“Randolph?” Titan asked, approaching the victor.
“Let’s continue, they’re already done outside. I don't want to make anyone suffer beyond this.” Randolph muttered picking [竜舌焼] up off the floor and handing it to Titan.
Titan took the Katana and inspected it quickly before placing it into his mouth and swallowing it whole. The sword disappearing into his stomach.
Without another word Randolph continued forwards toward the Orochi Emperor's throne room.
Titan watched Randolph's back as he followed him, unsure of what to say.
He was right, I don't understand human emotions like I thought I did, I can’t even think of what to say at a time like this. It’s frustrating not being able to help those you care about… Thought Titan clenching his large blue fist.
They approached the throne room's door, which was made of gold, carved into its surface was the shape of two dragons fighting. Their eyes shined with Jade stones and their scales sprinkled with Diamond shards.
Titan pushed the doors open gently and the throne room's overwhelming smell of Cinnamon assaulted him and Randolph's noses.
Randolph's eyes widened as he saw the beauty of the throne room. Tiles of smooth Obsidian lined the floor, the segments between each tile filled with Gold. The roof which was painted to depict the history of the Orochi Kingdoms founding in painful detail was supported by various pillars of rosewood and Ebony wood which had ancient poems and hymns carved into them.
In the center of the room was a large throne resting upon a platform which was led up to by Lapiz stairs and railing modeled into the shape of golden dragons flying through the air. Their figures decorated with precious gems.
The throne itself was made of Gold and filled with Jade and Diamond. Behind the throne were seven large tablets also made of Gold which had the images of the seven realms of the man carved into them.
“How unpleasant…”
These words came from the man who sat on the throne, the Emperor of the Orochi Kingdom himself, Orochi. He was rather ugly with a baby face covered in deep wrinkles and greasy black hair pulled into a messy bun. His eyes were narrowed and lips curled into a grimace, his nose wrinkled with disgust. He wore nothing but a yellow Qun skirt with no distinct pattern. He kept his foul expression while resting his head on his left hand and staring down at Randolph and Titan from the throne. Laying at his feet was a young Serpent no longer then 3 meters with red and yellow scales.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Emperor Orochi.” Randolph said bowing 30 degrees. Behind him Titan followed suit nodding his head with his hand crossed over his chest.
“Hmph, do you really believe such a shallow bow would please me?” Orochi asked, clicking his tongue.
“I meant no offense in my gesture, I simply assumed that since we are of similar ranking such a bow would be appropriate.” Randolph answered with a smile.
“Is that so? You truly believe yourself the lord of a mere mountain kingdom in the north west to be of the same rank as me? The God of this world? How unpleasant, you only stand here because of a lapse in judgment on my part. I assumed that the wretched fool of a blind man could swing his sword correctly.”
Randolph's eye twitched but he kept silent with a smile.
“Truly disgusting, I demand you kill yourself right here and now before me as an apology for dipleasing me this much.” Orochi finished.
“Oh my, I was hoping things wouldn’t take this kind of turn.” Randolph sighed. “I haven't come to argue or instigate a war. I came to request your assistance with a matter I’m sure would be easy for you to fulfill.”
“A request you say? How comical, the idea of you having the privilege to request anything of me is absurd and worth one thousand deaths. However you’ve humored me enough that I shall do the same to you and hear your request before you’re executed. Go on now and tell me what it is that you came here for. Surely you didn’t come this far just to beg for your life?” Orochi grinned, squinting one eye.
“I’ve come to ask that you allow me access to the two million clay golems below the palace. The ones which guard the first Emperor’s tomb.”
“Heh… hahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Orochi erupted into a fit of laughter, covering his eyes with his hand as he hollered obnoxiously
Titan looked at Randolph who held his hand up to restrain him.
“This is truly hilarious! You have come to demand that I hand over my clay soldiers? Have you lost what little intelligence you had in the first place!? How would you ever even conceive such a ridiculous string of words!? Orochi continued to laugh and the Serpent at his feet shook nervously.
“It was not my intention for it to be a demand but if that’s how you choose to interpret it then yes I demand that you do so.”
“And what do you want these Golems for exactly?”
“To aid in the war for the Spear and Stone.” Randolph answered bluntly.
“Ah yes, the Philosopher's stone and the Spear Of Longinus. The items which grant the wielder a wish, I have no interest in such myths.”
“If you don’t then why would you seize Edoland?”
“For the simple fact that they belong to me, all things on this continent do.”
“I see, what an interesting view.” Randolph sighed.
“If you did get your filthy hands on these two items, tell me, what would you wish for?” Orochi asked with a sneer.
“My wish is simple, to end all the suffering in this universe.”
“I see, an honorable wish indeed. But it’s too plain for my liking. If you said immortality or endless wealth I’d have humored you further but such selfless desires show your nativity. Do you truly believe a world without suffering could exist? Do you think such a world would be worth living in? Most of this world's amusement comes from watching those beneath you suffer for what little they will ever be able to obtain in their short lives.”
“It’s a shame you think that way. Perhaps if you had suffered some you’d too understand the unbearable pain it creates.”
“Me? Suffer? I have already told you who I am. The God of this world! My soul is divine and the blood of royalty flows through my veins! All that exists in this world is my pleasure and displeasure! I shall do as I please for the rest of existence and not a single being will ever stop me!”
“Hmph.” Randolph hummed trying to hold back laughter.
“What are you laughing at? Did I say something to amuse you boy?” Orochi growled, raising a brow.
“My apologies, I just find it funny that the son of a common whore thinks that he can tell me about Royal Blood.”
Orochi leapt from his throne in a blind rage. his mouth agape and ready to rip flesh from bone.
[Smite: Hakai]
"!"
Orochi was thrown backwards by a disk shaped emission which came from Randolph's finger tip. It tore into his stomach with a splash of blood and he slammed into the pillar behind him before bouncing off it to his feet.
Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!
Randolph turned to Titan with a smile and pointed behind him with his thumb. “I’ll meet you in the basement.” He said.
“Of course.” Titan replied, taking his leave from the throne room.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner you ill bred peasant!” Orochi screamed. His voice shook the entire city with a blast of golden yellow aura. Saliva dripped from his mouth as he glared daggers at Randolph.
“What’s wrong, Orochi? I thought you were the God of this world? Where’s your divine power?” Randolph asked with a sneer.
[天神楹: Heavens Divine Pillar!]
In Orochi's hand appeared a large red staff with a spiral pattern. He twirled it through his hands as he ran at Randolph, his murderous intent palpable.
A conjured staff? Randolph thought, taking a defensive stance.
[Expand!]
“!?”
Randolph raised his brow as the staff grew in length shooting towards him at a blinding speed. Ducking down to dodge the attack he rolled to the side and shot out another [Smite: Hakai].
Being a Holy he has a powerful innate blessing but I’m not quite sure what it is. I couldn’t find any records of him in combat so I have to piece it together myself. I’ll have to keep baiting him out until he shows the rest of his cards. Despite this undesirable element it also means he doesn’t have much combat experience fighting somebody on his own level or stronger so I can use that to my advantage. Thought Randolph.
Orochi used his staff like a pole and swung around it to avoid the [Hakai] emission. Randolph kicked off the ground and ran at him with a punch, to which Orochi responded by using [Expand] once again forcing Randolph to duck down.
As Randolph ducked, Orochi threw his knee forwards and Randolph blocked it with his forearms. The blow throwing him to his back some ways away.
Orochi leapt after Randolph and appeared above him using [Expand] to shoot his staff down like a spear.
“!”
Randolph rolled to the side narrowly avoiding the staff which crashed down into the floor penetrating the castle's deepest layers in less than a second.
[Smite: Hakai!]
Randolph fired another series of emissions at Orochi from afar. The emissions flew at Orochi who’s stomach still failed to heal from the first Hakai.
“Damn you!” Orochi grunted narrowly avoiding the emissions by using his staff like a vaulting pole. He came down onto Randolph with a kick which Randolph met with his own leg. The two mens aura clashed with a bang of gold and blue. Their clash sent out ripples of mana which traveled the entire continent with a rumble warning the population of the two gods battling.
The items inside the throne room and the rubble on the palace grounds began to levitate, the ocean tides grew fierce and the storm clouds in the sky gathered together writhing with a passion.
The Serpent cowered in the corner of the throne room hiding under a statue of the first Orochi as its teeth chattered.
“!”
The two men were pushed back by their clash and both skid across the floor.
“Come!” Orochi whistled to the Serpent who swam through the air coming behind him with a snarl and glaring at Randolph.
Randolph's hair had been undone by their clash and it lay loose covering his eyes as he watched both Orochi and the Serpent intensely.
So far all he’s shown the ability to do is [Expand] and [Shrink] that staff. For how quickly he conjured it you’d think it wouldn’t be particularly strong on its own but based on its usage so far I dont think I can destroy it any time soon. I’ll need to keep my eye on it in case it’s a part of some higher class spell.
I also need to make sure that Serpent [Dragon] keeps its distance from me. If it had some kind of Illusion magic it’d be best to remove it from the equation now but I imagine it could break out of any seal I put it into.
If possible I’d like to tame it myself but I don’t think I can fight both it and Orochi at the same time without risking some major consequences.
I need to bait Orochi into showing more of abilities so I can piece together his blessing and form a plan to counter it efficiently. Until then I’ll just have to avoid the Serpent as best I can.
As Randolph contemplated his own plan of attack Orochi did the same from across the throne room. He mulled over his opponents possible abilities and tried to plan accordingly.
Though I don’t know for certain I’ve heard this man's blessing is Clairvoyant so for him to be willing to fight me in close quarters it can only mean he must have either an Energy Manipulation or Elementalist spell meant for combat. There’s still the chance of him using Spatial Manipulation but if that’s the case I imagine he would have kept his distance and tried to trap me inside a [Liminal Realm] with an instant win condition. That is unless he has the condition of [tagging] me first. Then his aggressive disposition would make sense. In that case it’s best for me to keep my distance with [天神楹: Heavens Divine Pillar] so he can’t touch me directly.
If it's an elementalist type then my Serpent should be able to cover for me to a certain point and then I can handle the rest while going for the killing blow.
If it’s Energy Manipulation then it’s going to be a bit more tricky… I’ll just have to keep my distance like I would if it was Spatial Manipulation. However that entire strategy relies on being able to use [Expand] which could backfire as he’d then have the chance to use [天神楹: Heavens Divine Pillar] as a conduit to reach me with Energy Manipulation or even an Electrical Charge with Elemental magic.
Magic what a fickle thinking you are… Orochi Thought scrunching his face.
Both Emperors took a fighting stance. They watched the others every movement waiting for a non-existent opening. The one to win would be the one willing to risk the most.
Orochi made the first move using [Expand] and swinging his staff at Randolph who rolled to the side to avoid being hit. He quickly jumped to his feet and charged at Orochi who [Retracted] his staff and retreated backward to create a better distance between them.
[Expand: Machine Gun!]
Orochi used both [Expand] and [Retract] in a rapid succession, firing the staff at Randolph. Randolph ignored gravity completely thanks to his boots [Angel Wings] and bounced around the room. He climbed up walls and stood on ceilings as he dodged the Staff's rapid fire all the while slowly getting closer and closer to Orochi.
Orochi frowned as he sped up his staff's retraction and expansion, Randolph continued to dodge until he saw an opening and took it. He shot down from the roof like an arrow and slammed his fist into Orochi's Diaphragm with a pop.
“Urk!” Orochi exhaled flying backwards. He flew across the throne room and Randolph chased after him, his fists enhanced fully.
“Damnit!” Orochi coughed, catching himself on one of the room's pillars and landing to his feet. He had the wind quite literally knocked out of him and his stomach bled profusely from where Randolph had hit with [Hakai].
Orochi once again used [Expand: Machine Gun] and Randolph ducked down while running to avoid the attacks.
[Profiting Plagiarist: Polar Opposites]
On the palm of Randolph's right hand appeared a plus sign and on his left a minus sign. He smacked Orochi's staff with his right hand marking it [Positive] and then leapt at Orochi himself with his right hand stretched out.
He tagged my staff! Orochi thought as a bead of sweat dripped down his temple, he swung his staff down and pole vaulted over Randolph who changed his plan last minute and slapped his left hand onto the ground marking it [Negative].
“!”
The Negative sign on the tile glowed purple and so did the Positive sign on Orochi's staff. The two signs were pulled together by an intense sense of gravity and Orochi was brought back down to the ground with a crash. His staff embedded itself into the tile floor over the Negative sign.
Now! Randolph thought lunging at Orochi with his right hand stretched out, the positive sign on his palm reflecting in Orochi's iris.
“Teleport!” Orochi screeched at his Serpent. It flinched at the command snapping its fingers.
“!?”
The Serpent and Randolph switched places, Randolph now fell from the ceiling down to the floor while Orochi destroyed the tile beneath his staff with his fist freeing his weapon.
[Expand: Machine Gun!]
Orochi ripped his staff from the tile and shot it at Randolph as he fell to the floor with a roll.
Randolph's main spell he used in combat was [Profiting Plagairst] a Clairvoyant type spell he’d created which allowed him to use up to three copied spells at a time from his [Archive]. If he wanted to use another copied spell he must wait a full minute without using magic to reset his three choices. A heavy penalty but it only served to increase the copies spells power. The Spell [Opposites Attract] gave Randolph a plus and minus sign on his right and left hand respectively. He could tag anything or anyone other than himself with these signs and depending on the signs they’d been tagged with three things could happen.
A Positive and Negative will attract.
A Negative and Negative will Explode.
A Positive and Positive will Repel.
After a sign is activated or 5 minutes passed the sign will vanish, this is the first spell Randolph chose in his battle against Orochi. He had to choose his copied spells carefully and with the utmost certainty as he would not have the chance to correct any mistake.
“Kill him!” Orochi commanded his serpent who opened fire at Randolph with blue fire from its mouth.
Randolph sped up as he was forced to dodge both the Serpent and Orochi's attacks, clicking his tongue he smacked the pillar next to him with his left hand and then flicked his hips smacking Orochis staff with his left hand as well.
“!?”
Orochi seeing what happened tried to retract his staff sensing the unknown danger but it was too late. Randolph leapt back raising his reinforcement and the two negative signs on the pillar and staff glowed a bright orange.
BOOM!
A hole was blown into the side of the castle destroying nearly a quarter of it. Orochi flew out into the sky outside along with a mass of rubble.
Rain poured down onto the Dragon Gods Palace from the dark gray sky above which swirled with energy. Lighting whipped down to the earth followed by claps of thunder which shook the city of Hebi.
Randolph ran out of the castle with a leap and came at Orochi from above, aiming to stomp down on his chest. Orochi responded by smacking a car-sized piece of rubble next to him at Randolph who in return slapped it with his own right hand.
[Positive!]
A plus sign on Randolph's coat shined blue, repelling the piece of rubble back at Orochi.
“Ack!” Orochi coughed as he was crushed under the weight of the repelled rubble and smashed into the ground.
The palace shook as the earth crumbled under Orochi forming a crater which Randolph reigned blasts of [Hakai] into as he fell from the sky.
The Crater quickly became a ravine stretching far down into the earth's crust where Orochi was continuously pelted with Slices of Hakai.
“That should do it…” Randolph sighed as his feet touched the ground. He could hear Orochi down in the bottom of the ravine wheezing as blood trickled from his mangled body.
SNAP!
The sound of hair being ripped from one's scalp echoed in Randolph's ears making him cringe.
[髪形式: Hair Moulded Clones!]
Erupting from the Ravine were hundreds of Orochi shaped golems. They climbed out of the hole like roaches from a manhole charging at Randolph who snapped his fingers at them.
[Profiting Plagiarist: Lord Of The Flies]
Thirty Thousand Locus shaped Familiars appeared behind Randolph, they gnashed their teeth and swarmed Orochi's golems tearing into them like they had the familiars in Norths Liminal Realm.
The few golems who managed to slip past the Locusts and attack Randolph were swiftly dealt with by having their chests punched through or skulls caved in. Randolph paid little mind to the battle behind him instead focused intently on the ravine where Orochi resided.
His innate blessing “Zenjimon” [全事聞: The Sound] had given him a 6th sense. The ability to hear the souls of all living creatures around him. From the smallest insect to a bird in the sky he heard not only their actions but their age, appearance, aura and if weak enough even their thoughts. These sounds rang through his ears every second of every day without pause.
Randolph stood there staring down into the Ravine filtering through the billions of sounds focusing on solely Orochi who had gone silent deep down in the earth.
Crunch!
The sound of a neck vertebra snapping rang through Randolph's ears making him cringe once more. What followed that horrible sound was the flicker of Orochi's soul for less then a million of a second. In that moment Orochi’s soul was extinguished and then relit, coming back to life even more fierce than before.
Behind Randolph laid the remains of Orochi's Golems. They withered in the pouring rain becoming nothing more than clumps of greasy black hair which sunk into the mud.
[Expand!]
Shooting out of the Ravine was Orochi. He rode his staff to the top of the hole and climbed to the opposite side of the Ravine from Randolph with not a single injury on his body.
“Confused aren’t you? It seems you sensed it. My death and rebirth . As you can see all my injuries are healed and I’m full of energy once again.” Orochi laughed, rubbing his fingers along his stomach where his injury from Hakai had been healed.
A complete heal upon resurrection. Not only that but it exorcized Hakai as well meaning he can slip out of curses and seals placed onto him.. Randolph thought with a frown.
“I’ll give you credit where it's due Randolph. You’re stronger than I’d initially expected but that brute strength won't get you through my immortality. If you surrender yourself to me now I’ll spare you and give you the title of Divine General. Though I can’t say the same for your rancid followers who also assaulted the palace.” Orochi said, spitting into the ravine.
“I wonder…” Randolph muttered.
“Hm?” Orochi hummed with a smile.
“I wonder how many times I’ll need to kill you before you stay dead.” Randolph said with a demeaning expression.
Orochi clenched his teeth audibly and his eyes narrowed at Randolph. “Let’s see if your tongue is still sharp when I rip it from your throat!” He roared, lunging forwards.