V6: Chapter 174 Attacked By Snakes

Several purple dots of dark matter slowly formed in the air beside the two items Avrin’s attempting to fuse. Understanding the fact that this was his first time creating such an object, he knows he is unable to construct it without flaw, but nevertheless, he would ensure its quality to a decent degree. That being said, he must stay on guard, because he’s aware how shrewd the Artificer Consortium was. Staring at the deities surrounding him idly standing guard as they awaited the arch’s command, he could not help but think…

‘The body is controlled by the head of course…’

Avrin possessed no method nor experience in this, thus he improvised his process using the knowledge he accumulated over his time. Of course, doing so was a risky gamble but it would avoid further unwanted trouble.

“-I doubt they will know.-” Avrin thought as he gave a careful glance around, shifting his attention to the deities guarding several sides of the chamber.

From there, he gripped both the dark core in his right hand and the radiant lucent crystal in his left as he focused his Divine Sense on the radiant crystal. The crystal’s interior’s filled with rich liquid mana, meaning the crystal itself was more or less a several centimeters thick but very durable crystal shell container.

Avrin looked at the dark core within his hand and slowly focused his control over the core, and then carefully condense the core just a bit more, and moments after, the core itself began to shake and tremble slowly shrinking its size. After a certain amount of time, Avrin stopped condensing the core when it reached a suitable size knowing that the core would shatter if he continued shrinking it. He then used his Divine Sense on both objects before Divine Stepping the dark core into the radiant lucent crystal, but not before placing several control particles around the dark core.

The moment the dark core entered the radiant lucent crystal, the control particles acted. They used dark matter from the dark core to form lines of dark matter connecting to the lucent crystal’s inner shell. Because it was within liquid mana, several strange crystals began to form on these lines resembling stalactites in a cave.

“Hmmm?” The Arch Thero’lizer focused even more attention towards Avrin. While focusing intensely on the radiant crystal in Avrin’s hand the Arch Thero’lizer noticed a very odd and mysterious change.

The other Deities also watched with curious eyes wondering what had just happened. They could see that a purple-black core had formed within the lucent crystal.

“What is he doing…?” Elorin mumbled to himself.

Avrin, of course, didn't lose focus, as he engulfed the lucent crystal in nebula mist and began to form a protective layer of dark matter around it to act as both shielding and a disguise. Soon, the dark matter took the form of a hand that seemed to hold the lucent crystal; which itself was covered in a coating of dark matter bestowing a glowing effect to the black coating.

Avrin then moved the crystal towards the shaft’s top end and soon vein-like lines of dark matter formed from the staff head linking to the bottom of the crystal on the top end, and dragged it down and setting it in the shaft’s top.

“-…Disappointing, I could’ve done so much better if I had more time to study the process. Well, regardless it should qualify as a deity level item, though barely at least in their eyes… hopefully, one of enigmatic value since they've seen a radiant lucent crystal was involved in the method.-”

Avrin gripped the staff before standing up and looking at it with a tinge of regret and disappointment, and then turned to look at the Arch Thero’lizer before throwing the staff towards the individual. The Arch Thero’lizer raised their left hand and caught it, and then inspected it for several moments.

“Let's see...” Raising their right hand at the staff, their index finger moved swiftly forming runic formations of different colors and shapes. Some seemed almost solid, the runes began to glow then they all emitted a crimson color, as the Arch Thero’lizer raised the staff Avrin made and willed mana into it, Avrin’s heart clenched as he honestly wasn't sure if this would work. If it didn't, then he would simply massacre them. It wasn't as if he was afraid since he could just go to the Spectral domain until the danger’s settled. He was simply taking advantage of the situation in the form of profits, as he was truly unafraid of fighting them all because once he took Astaroth out they would all die unless they flee.

The staff’s head formed from the lucent crystal and dark core within began to glow. It began to shift into several shades before static began to form around it, and finally emitting a pulse of light as the runes the Arch Thero’lizer had formed suddenly clumped together and emitted an outward pulse that ripped it apart and reformed into many dozens of purple glowing weapons formed from mana.

“Oh?...Incredible...” One of the Deities spoke with amazement while the other Deities were fascinated with their leader’s skills. Although they do not know much about the Arch Thero’lizer, they can detect what their spell was and its base strength, and could see it was empowered somewhat.

“He actually managed to construct an spell-empowering weapon so quickly?” Elorin was clenching his fists in irritation wielding no positive thoughts towards Avrin from this. The Arch Thero’lizer looked at the protective spell formed from weapons and spoke. “Using your staff, my spell is at least 10% more powerful, but the most interesting thing is that the magic weapons made from my spell are all purple when they should be white...” Arch Thero’lizer reached out and grabbed one of the blades, bringing it over and examining it carefully.

Avrin kept himself calm, though he wanted to laugh inwardly “-10%. I’m positive I could have managed 25 or even 30% if I had time to study the method...-” Avrin didn't speak any of his thoughts at all as it would be best to wait and see what would happen.

The Arch Thero’lizer held the sword's hilt tightly before walking over to a nearby pillar and pressing the tip of the sword against it. It was then the Deities witnessed something incredible.

The pillar was actually being decayed as if it was being eaten away, as a strange dark energy was seeping from the sword's tip against the pillar and causing this effect. “This...should not be possible?...” The Arch Thero’lizer was stunned and even managed to speak out their mind.

The other Deities were even less calm. “10% empowerment means it can be a low tier Deity weapon, but to have it imbued with decaying properties…? How odd!” One of them spoke out while observing.

The Arch Thero’lizer didn't stop there, dispersing the spell and then reform it into another set of runic drawings within the air before using the staff to empower it.

“10% again…” They spoke out before glancing at it. This spell was a glowing sphere that had several layers of the same spell emitting the same sort of glow and color as the previous one, the Arch Thero’lizer was careful not to do anything hasty with this magic as it was quite dangerous so they had decreased its strength drastically.

“Elorin...” the Arch Thero’lizer glanced to Elorin who looked back before nodding, understanding the Arch Thero’lizer’s intentions. Elorin then started his own incantation before the entire chamber shook. From this, Avrin remained alert, though the moment Elorin finished his spell the runes smashed into the ground before an almost obsidian colored, softly glowing large wall of earth and rock raised up separating half the room.

Despite scaling his strength down, he was a High Deity after all, his strength was still quite something. The Arch Thero’lizer willed the spell they had formed to smash towards the wall. Judging from their own knowledge and experience, they knew what their leader was after.

The air trembled as the sphere shot through it and collided with Elorin’s wall, sparks of purple electricity danced around it as it cracked slightly but soon afterward the wall seemed to decay slightly as if it was melted away by a powerful acid.

“Next.” The Arch Thero’lizer spoke. Avrin waited without speaking knowing tests were being made. “-Well my imperfect make-shift method puts my plans at stake. It would be hard to swindle these people, what a shame.-” he felt a little bitter but did not interfere.

Time passed on and to Avrin’s surprise a full hour of simple magic testing continued. Avrin learned a lot watching their spells at work, which was why he didn't mind the wait. One of the more interesting things he learned was that this entire chamber was strange. Whenever a spell would damage the interior, be it walls, floors, etc., the damage would simply repair itself almost as if it were alive. Another thing Avrin learned was in regards to magic, by using his Divine Sense to study these spells he could gain a bit more understanding about how mana was drawn in and used which would help create weapons that empowered it.

“Interesting…very interesting…” the Arch Thero’lizer spoke before glancing at the weapon again and then towards Avrin with an odd expression, although her expression still hidden behind her faceplate.

“I take it that you're satisfied with the weapon?” Avrin looked at the Arch Thero’lizer as he spoke.

“The weapon itself is nothing special as it barely qualifies to be a Deity level weapon, but the most fascinating part is the fact that it empowers offensive and defensive spells with a decaying effect. The additional effect isn't very strong but it is at least present. Tell me, how exactly did you manage this? In fact, how did you manage to create the weapon as well as the effect in such little time? I'm quite curious of your magic, as I thought I’d seen it all but it seems there is much more to you than meets the eye, and my superiors would be quite interested in your method.”

Avrin leaked out a soft laugh. Elorin hearing this was shocked, and spoke out.

“You think this is a funny matter?...You should feel honored!”

Avrin stopped laughing and glanced at Elorin.  

“Honored? Why should I feel honored from something this menial? I am aware that universe is impressively large and there are four more alongside it. If you want me to feel honored, your leader must be a Primordial entity or above to even make me give you a hint of respect, hahaha.”

Avrin provoked Elorin a little, as find this matter funny, because deep inside he knew 110% that they would be more fascinated with how he made the weapon rather than the weapon itself.

“I don't find this matter funny at all, but I can say that this method has potential after being worked upon, why don't you share it so its value can truly shine after peak refinement?” The Arch Thero’lizer replied to Avrin.

“I won't waste time, so I’ll tell you. This method of mine can only be done by me because it is an Enigma ability I have. Even if I wanted to share it, there is no way it can be done. Regardless of this, the weapon itself is still of a Deity level and I believe it is much more than enough to cover what has happened, correct?” Avrin responded.

The Arch Thero’lizer remained quiet for a moment but did not answer Avrin’s last sentence. “Oh you don't need to worry about that, we have ways to extract Enigma abilities for use. I will tell you that many powerful spells were previously only useable by Enigma ability users but after extraction, they are now learnable by all who are seen worthy by the possessors of these extracted spells.”

Avrin’s eyes narrowed as he replied again. “This ability of mine is not for anyone but me. As I was saying, we are even, correct?” He suddenly felt conflict may be right around the corner, and if this was the case he would need to act carefully.

“Do not be so hasty. You will be rewarded properly for such a wonderful method, we would even allow you to join and receive the protection of our alliance, wouldn't you like to join the Artificer Consortium and practice your ability?”

Avrin responded again. “The ability…is not…for anyone…but me…” his words carried a heavy tone as if to warn them that he’s truly unwilling to share his power. Hearing Avrin’s tone and seeing his stance, the Arch Thero’lizer gave a soft sigh. “Indeed this is a shame, the weapon makes up for what has happened here but to us it is worthless...”

Throwing the staff aside clattering on the ground, the Arch Thero’lizer extended their hand to which a circular rune formed in front with several smaller runes orbiting around.

“Confinement!” The moment the Arch Thero’lizer spoke out this word the entire chamber shook, a massive white rune formed on the ground and emitted a powerful mana surge that seemed almost like static electricity.

Avrin felt that this was a dangerous thing to be within but as he tried to Divine Step away, he felt his Divine Sense’s range is reduced to at most 10-15 meters away after use.

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“You greedy snakes…do you think I will just lie still and do nothing?”

Understanding they needed him alive, Avrin remembered the scene where Larissa and Amias were held captive by Seleria’s gods for extraction. He refuses to let that happen to him and was irritated just by knowing the Arch Thero’lizer wants to perform something similar on him.

“It’s not your choice. Offending the Artificer Consortium is a grave crime. Do you think I would let some nameless Deity go off after attacking us? I would be the focus of blame for doing so, because reputation is a very important ally to keep. Your fate was sealed the moment you entered this chamber…” The Arch Thero’lizer seemed quite confident in their words.

Avrin instantly felt a heavy force pressing him down to the ground similar to a form of gravity vortex. Feeling this however, he only chuckled silently.

“Astaroth…” The God Essence weapon formed in his hands before emitting a bone-chilling murderous aura. Seeing the weapon appearing in his hands, The Arch Thero’lizer and the other Deities felt a dangerous shiver running down their spines, as they felt no energy from the odd weapon although they can tell it was very very dangerous from its aura alone.

“Do not let him attack!” The Arch Thero’lizer called out, as all the Deities suddenly raised their hands casting the same runic formation seen on the Arch Thero’lizer’s hand, empowering the Arch Thero’lizer’s formation to further immobilize Avrin into absolute submission.

As Avrin’s feet crushed through the ground from the increased gravity, he was a little amazed from their spell, as the power of the force used on him was at least 80% as strong as his full power Phantom Pulse. He focused his Divine Sense around himself almost like a coating before he willed his Phantom Pulse to fight against the gravity snare.

Avrin could not move much or Divine Step away but now that the majority of the gravity was diverted away, he is now free to do so. He gave a crazed glance at the Arch Thero’lizer before swinging Astaroth vertically down, the weapon screeched as it fired a Stygian Slash skidding across the runic formation on the ground, effortlessly destroying it while the splitting the air and slightly fracturing space in its path. Left speechless from the Stygian Slash, Arch Thero’lizer didn't dare take such a strange ominous attack head on, as the moment the formation was destroyed and the Arch Thero’lizer distracted by Avrin’s Stygian Slash, Avrin was free to Divine Step away upon this chance. He first appeared beside a New Deity with his eyes affixed to them with malicious intent. The Deity looked at him with surprise and anxiety.

“You damned-..!” While the Deity spoke and was already preparing to cast a spell, Avrin plowed his right fist into their abdomen causing a small sonic boom to echo out as the Deity spat out a mouthful of blood before losing consciousness.

Avrin would show no mercy to those after his life. He tried to be reasonable, but they actually intended to trap him one way or another.

“You wish to take my ability?...I’ll be taking your life instead!” He spoke before nebula mist surged from his body and engulfed the helpless unconscious Deity, converting him into a dark core with ease. Of course, Avrin spared the staff they had and picked it up and used his Divine Sense to store it in his dark space.

He looked at the other Deities, proven to be faster than he predicted for mages as the moment he stored the staff away, a barrage of blue fireballs shot towards him from his left by another New Deity. Avrin raised his free hand at the blue fiery spheres and formed a Stygian Bacillus to absorb the spell before shrinking down into a newly formed dark core. Every spell they used against him couldn't be wasted as he wants to profit as much as he could from this conflict. He then turned his head right to another Deity who had formed a lance made from frost and lightning, the lance emitting a frost like coating around itself while electricity danced along its surface.

“HOW DARE YOU!!” That Deity roared out with distinct rage in response of Avrin ‘killing’ his comrade. He moved both his hands to the side and the lance turned to Avrin so its tip was aimed at him, and then began to rotate almost like a levitating airborne drill.

While this occurred, Elorin who seemed inactive at first glance was stealthily preparing a spell of his own. He never took liking to Avrin especially after he tried to kill him and take his staff. The spell Elorin formed was a powerful mana bolt, charging up and stockpiling its power.

“Pointless...” Avrin responded before he slashed Astaroth again firing another Stygian Slash, this time directed at Elorin. He then dashed towards the Deity still charging the frost and lightning lance and then…

“Die!!” The Deity roared out before the lance fired off like a shooting star.

Avrin was very careful, the mana within these spells was still enough to injure him, though that being said it was ironically enough to assist him. He engulfed his right hand with nebula mist so that it was coated with specific quantity so that his hand seemed as if it were a mass of mist, and used his perception and agility to quickly reach out and grab the lance shaft as it shot towards him. He was dragged back several meters before he managed to immobilize the lance in his hand after killing its propelling force, and without wasting time converted it to a dark core which he instantly stored in his dark space.

“Good…so much charity!” Avrin then Divine Stepped to that Deity. Stunned from witnessing Avrin’s skill to teleport, he was just about to swing his staff towards Avrin after he used his mana to empower his own mana barrier, but Avrin wasn't going to stop.

He turned Astaroth around so it was facing upward and then jumped up past the Deity while swinging Astaroth up, stabbing upward through the man by his stomach, and then raised Astaroth in the air like a flagpole, only the ‘flag’ was a man instead of waving cloth above Avrin. He was like a lamb to be slaughtered, as the barrier broke, too powerless to defy Astaroth’s might.

The Deity, of course, still retains his life as he clenched onto the scythe’s blade while blood seeped from his wound and his mouth roaring in pain he tried to pull himself out. Avrin did not remain still as he used Astaroth to channel nebula mist through the deity who was now screaming in agony as he was painfully condensed and converted into a dark core.

Avrin then turned around before narrowing his eyes carefully. He saw the Arch Thero’lizer with the other remaining Deities by their side. They did not act to save their comrade and carefully examined Avrin.

“You're definitely powerful…or should I say that weapon is powerful…? You possess quite a few surprises...” The Arch Thero’lizer held their hands behind their back while speaking carefully to Avrin.

“There isn't much I could do, especially when cornered by snakes…Although killing every one of you is of no problem, the issue, I would like to think, is how long I need to wait for it all to blow over.” Avrin seemed quite confident in his ability he looked at the Deities who all seemed to be on edge when facing him.

“It seems I underestimated you, but you are indeed correct. That being said you are now free to go...” the Arch Thero’lizer spoke in a courteous manner, Avrin was a little surprised by these words, even the Deities beside the Arch Thero’lizer were dumbfounded. “F…free to go?...he killed three of our New Deities!!” Elorin responded, unsure what his leader was planning.

“If I say he is free to leave, then he is free to leave…” was the reply the Arch Thero’lizer gave Elorin. Avrin exited his battle stance and leaned up to straighten his back.

“Just like that huh?” He glanced at them all.

“It was my fault to have provoked you, an outsider with no history with the Artificer Consortium, and forced you to act in self defense. We won't provoke you further, which is why you are free to leave.” the Arch Thero’lizer responded again, which was so sudden and unexpected that Avrin wants to scratch his head.

Did this individual think it was so simple? That their attempt of imprisonment or murder of him won’t be without consequence? Without a price?

“Of Course, I’ll leave…I understand you have quite the powerful support behind you……but there is just one problem...” Avrin willed Astaroth back into him while his eyes affixed at the remaining Deities.

“Friend, we were of course in the wrong and understand your views…though do not push....” In truth the Arch Thero’lizer is now 70-80% certain that Avrin belonged to an alliance and kept it secret. After all no one with such power and strength would not be part of an alliance. The Artificer Consortium had suffered a blow to their image that would most likely reach the other Deities’ ears within the area, this hypothesis proven fact since the Arch Thero’lizer already detected several Deities watching from afar through their scouting spells.

“Hand over all the Radiant crystals you have...” Avrin spoke showing not even a speck of courtesy, as he now plans to rob them simple as that. The deities and the Arch Thero’lizer paused, processing Avrin’s words to the last letter for what seemed like forever, but in reality, only less than a few seconds…

“You…do you think you can rob us so easily?” The Arch Thero’lizer finally spoke out to Avrin in a threatening tone. Although they were an Elder Deity, the power Avrin displayed surpassed their expectations. Should they resume their conflict, the battle would be intense with no clear winner especially because they were in their home ground. They have no desire to turn their base into a battlefield as the unwanted collateral damage to their base will set them back.

“Of Course I do! And I can if I want! How stupid are you lot? Don’t think I was unaware of your plot to take me captive. If there’s one thing I learned about Deities in this universe, it is that they are all very greedy and cruel by nature, and you all proved no different as well so I’ve decided to give you all a taste of the same greed. The Radiant crystals or your lives, and if you think I can't take you on just because you're greater than a High Deity…then you are very…very mistaken…I will even turn this entire country upside down if I must to end your lives…So the question is, what is your choice?”

“Such a violent...” Unsure of what to do, the Arch Thero’lizer finds himself forced in another unfavorable position. To them Avrin was a unknown nameless Deity, and because of that, no one would be able to track him easy without very high-level individuals stepping in. But if the Artificer Consortium was known as the other party in a source of conflict, they would also receive blame and suffer damage to their image.

“-I can't lose any more Deities...the syndicate would use this as a chance to expel us from the region. If this bastard really wants to bite off more than he can chew, then so be it. For now, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and let one of my seniors deal with him.-”

The Arch Thero’lizer reached out with their hand as a small box of white light formed in the shape of a miniature chest. The lid then opened up to reveal several radiant crystals identical to the one Avrin had used. The Arch Thero’lizer wanted to retaliate against Avirn for such humiliation, but there were many other issues to consider, as Avrin seemed quite crazy especially with such a powerful weapon and strange magic-absorbing abilities in his possession.

Avrin’s Divine Sense engulfed the radiant crystals before Divine Stepping them into his dark space, teleporting the goods into his storage out of caution.

“It doesn't matter which alliance you are from, you will be hunted down like an animal…” The Arch Thero’lizer spoke with a threatening tone.

Avrin however glanced at them all and scoffed silently. “You’re welcome to try…” with that said he Divine Stepped away, though he wasn't happy about the situation. Avrin had put himself in a risky position and had even robbed a branch belonging to high organization of Deities. Because of this, Avrin plans to acquire powerful backing of his own if he wishes to protect The Shaded Moon from trouble. And the only way Avrin can achieve that is to join an alliance in this world.