Ryker’s thoughts moved like the wind. Earth Phoenix could only hang on for another two minutes or so, there was still one other Crimson Lion remaining aside from this Ascension Realm beast, and there was still the variable of the Crimson Supreme to consider.

Of these variables, the Crimson Supreme was the weakest of them. He had been heavily injured and he was running low on Spirit Energy. On top of that, his soul was heavily injured, so his ability to direct and control his Spirit Beasts had likely been greatly limited as well.

However, he was likewise the wildest variable purely due to the fact he was a human.

‘And not just that either, he’s clearly hiding secrets. He’s the first person in this world I’ve seen take out a beast using that method, and he also recognized my family name…

‘I need to end this. Now.’

Despite the Crimson Supreme’s roar, Ryker didn’t stop for even a single moment. The Ascension Realm beast’s True Domain suppressed Phoenix’s Acceleration cast to the point that it almost winked out of existence, but before it could Ryker finally unleashed [Soul Ripple].

For the first time, he revealed the true strength of his soul, communicating with the silver mirror and amplifying it several times over.

The Crimson Supreme’s soul didn’t stand a chance Under normal circumstances, he might have been able to fight back somewhat, but after losing not just one, but two powerful Spirit Beasts back to back, his soul wasn’t in a state to repel Ryker’s influence.

In that instant, any command the Crimson Supreme was about to send to his Ascension Realm beast was cut off and there was a lag in their reaction.

In that time, Phoenix appeared before the final Crimson Lion, triggering Soar and leaping over ten meters into the air.

With a mighty flap of their wings from above, the Crimson Lion was almost crushed under the weight of the wall of wind, but it only became worse as Ryker commanded Phoenix to layer Focused Push on top of that.

BANG!

The barrage of Wind Type Talents was suffocating and the Crimson Lion collapsed beneath the pressure, just as Phoenix descended from the skies above.

A claw ripped through the Crimson Lion’s head as Phoenix’s full weight landed on its skull. Blood and brain matter splattered, the creature’s flaming mane winking out.

Ryker’s mind pulled on Phoenix’s will, making certain that the unruly and immature Spirit Beast didn’t make the situation worse by trying to swallow another Beast Crystal.

ROAR!

Sensing its master’s pain, the Ascension Realm lion was enraged. The Crimson Supreme’s gaze, which had just been blank, sharpened as another wave of backlash from yet another dead beast companion hit him like a falling meteor.

Patience’s father fell to a knee, his eyes and ears leaking with blood.

‘It worked.’

Ryker wasn’t surprised. He had just used [Soul Ripple] to amplify the backlash the Crimson Supreme had just experienced. There was no way for him to commandeer the backlash itself with [Soul Ripple], but he could use it as a wedge and turn his own soul into a bludgeon.

After suffering three backlashes one after another, it was impossible for him to remain unaffected.

‘Approaching a minute left…’ Ryker’s eyes narrowed.

In this time, he double checked Fire Phoenix’s condition and realized the big guy would still need more time than what he had left to free up his Circle Pathways.

Ryker would have to win this with Earth and Wind Phoenix alone, which ruined his chances at using the most powerful tool in his toolbox: Inductive Touch.

His thoughts spun and he made a decision.

Rather than using this buffer of time to close the distance and deal a death blow, he used it instead to swap out his Wind Type Spirit Energy for Fire Type Spirit Energy, flooding his body with Time Type Spirit Energy once more as well.

The slight green aura on his chain was overwhelmed by a blazing red light.

“Let’s go,” Ryker’s voice rumbled as Phoenix growled.

They rushed forward facing off against the lion beast standing protectively over its master. Ryker could feel an extraordinary amount of power lingering within its body, but the Crimson Supreme wasn’t able to direct it, the latter’s mind consumed with pain.

Even so, Ryker didn’t take the creature lightly. Beasts of this level had their own intelligence, it wouldn’t just become a statue. It was standing over the Crimson Supreme precisely because it knew that protecting its master right now was paramount.

BANG!

Ryker’s blue irises blazed and his chain and whip flared.

This was the first time he did something like this, but he had been simulating it again and again with hopes of teaching Phoenix one day.

The scariest part of Phoenix’s Spirit Energy wasn’t the Spirit Energy itself. Although their affinity was extremely high, whether it was Fire, Wind or Earth, they were relatively ordinary in terms of strength.

There were two things that gave them great power, power that distinguished them from other beasts.

The first were their Lineal Talents. And the second…

Was their ability to synergize these elements with one another.

The air was suddenly filled with an array of [Whip] and [Chain Like Needles], filling the underground catacomb with small tendrils of fire.

Earth Reborn took root, synergizing with Ryker’s Spirit Energy under his control and suddenly tripling the size of the flying needles.

Then Wind Phoenix roared.

Standing before the mighty Ascension Realm beast, they flapped their wings hard, Wind Type Spirit Energy flooding the air in an unrefined wave.

The Fire Type Spirit Energy seemed to have had the crudest of oils poured all over it. They expanded wildly, beginning to chain through the air and forming a large net.

The Crimson Supreme’s vision was slowly starting to clear, Ryker had wasted too much time swapping his Spirit Energy. He began to send out commands immediately, trying to stand to his feet so that he could climb onto his beast’s back. He could already tell that this would be his best chance at survival.

But when Ryker chose to pressure his enemy, he didn’t do so by half measures.

The lion beast clawed at the air. Its resistance against Fire Type Spirit Energy was obviously much greater than its dead counterparts. It struck out without fear, using its oppressive Spirit Energy to rip it apart.

At the same time, it whipped out a tail toward its master, grabbing the Crimson Supreme and hauling him onto its back.

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However, in the time it took to do so, Ryker’s next attack was already prepared.

[Chain Like Shield].

Focused Push.

BOOM!

A shield of fire and a wall sphere of wind suddenly fused into one, exploding forth with an extreme amount of strength in an instant.

Ryker pushed off of Phoenix’s back, rushing forward with a burst of speed.

His Time Type Spirit Energy poured into his heart, a wild spike of pain erupting.

The speed of his heartbeat accelerated by more than ten times, his skin reddened and his sclera pulsed with red veins.

He surged into the walls of flames out of the Crimson Supreme’s perception, another burst of wind coming from Phoenix to his back.

His vision went blank, a searing pain surrounding him.

The Crimson Supreme and his beast couldn’t see a single thing. As an Ascension Realm expert, the Crimson Supreme should have been able to sense Ryker’s movement. However, not only was his soul far too injured right now, the volatile Spirit Energy made it nigh impossible to do so.

And Ryker took full advantage.

His figure suddenly flashed through the wall of flames, appearing on the other side and above the lion beast’s head before it could even react.

Whether it was the lion beast or the Crimson Supreme, both of them were fully focused on dealing with the wall of fire. They would have never expected for Ryker to risk burning himself to ash for the chance to counter attack.

In a flash, Ryker had appeared, clawing at the Crimson Supreme’s neck and clamping down hard.

His momentum carried them off the back of the lion beast as Ryker’s chain flashed, wrapping across the Crimson Supreme’s limbs and torso with a flicker of his wrist.

BANG!

The two landed on the ground heavily as Ryker coughed out a mouthful of blood. He dissipated his Time Type Spirit Energy from his heart and immediately focused his attention on the lion beast.

ROAR!

The furious creature snapped its head back toward Ryker, but it seemed to have forgotten that there was still a wall of fire and wind coming right at it.

It was sent tumbling into the distance, but Ryker’s gaze narrowed when he noticed the creature wasn’t even scorched.

An Ascension Realm Spirit Beast was truly on another level entirely. The current 3rd Enlightenment Realm Phoenix wasn’t a match for it, especially when Fire Phoenix had his claws tied due to his own impulsiveness.

Ryker smashed the Crimson Supreme’s head into the ground as the lion beast rushed up from its tumble, ready to charge Ryker.

“I suggest you not move or else I will kill your master.”

Ryker’s cold voice echoed as he stared right into the lion beast’s eyes.

The Crimson Supreme’s consciousness faded in and out. His body was in a sorry state and his soul was in even worse condition. It was hard for him to even open his eyes without the glare of the dim lights giving him a splitting headache.

The lion beast came to a halt, its crimson eyes flashing with uncertainty and other very much human emotions.

Ryker suddenly sensed a soul fluctuation from the Crimson Supreme that caused his expression to change.

He quickly lifted the Crimson Supreme’s head up again, smashing his head down even harder.

The lion beast suddenly changed its target, rushing toward Phoenix like a raging storm.

Phoenix arrogantly raised its head and roared.

“Use Soar!” Ryker roared.

Because Phoenix’s first instinct was to roar arrogantly, by the time they received Ryker’s command and reacted, they were only able to jump two meters into the air.

BANG!

Ryker’s eyes widened and his gaze was suddenly filled with fury.

“You insignificant beast!” Ryker shouted in a rage.

The lion beast tore Phoenix down from the skies with a tackle. It seemed to be a charge type skill, one where the beast began wreathed in flames and tackled an opponent like a stampeding herd.

Phoenix didn’t have the ground to steady themself and was sent flying, their scales cracking in several places as they tumbled to the ground. They tried to orient themselves with their wings, but the appendages simply didn’t have the strength. They ended up rolling onto one of them and injuring themselves further instead of making things better.

Ryker’s eyes were completely bloodshot. Phoenix shouldn’t even have the instinct to fly in the first place, the only reason they did was because he had prematurely unlocked their talents before they were prepared for them. He didn’t expect that it would come back to bite his companion in this way.

The charge of the lion beast didn’t stop. Ryker sent out command after command to try and regain control over the situation, but the gap in strength between the two beasts was too blatantly obvious. For the first time, he had to watch as Phoenix’s body was torn to shreds.

Whimpers began to echo through his soul as the fury continued to bubble up within him. It reminded him that Phoenix was just a child. They were brash and immature, but they had the right to be.

Earth Reborn ran out.

Ryker clamped down on the Crimson Supreme’s throat so hard that if he pushed any harder, he just might snap the man’s neck. He knew that if he really killed this man, it would only feel good for a split moment before all hell broke loose. A beast that had just lost their master would do more than just rampage, and if it was an Ascension Realm expert, the situation would be even worse.

“Tell it to stop, now.” Ryker growled.

The Crimson Supreme might have heard Ryker, or he might not have. Regardless of which was the case, he would never listen regardless.

He was a smart man and had endless battle experience. If Ryker was going to take him as a hostage, why shouldn’t he take Ryker’s Spirit Beast hostage as well?

Ryker felt his control over himself slipping.

Phoenix wasn’t just his partner, he had been his one light of hope. After 18 years of being strapped down to the talent of this broken silver mirror, he had finally been able to cultivate, finally been able to exhibit the talent he had always been promised, all because of that overgrown brute.

Listening to their pleas and being unable to do anything about it filled him with more fury than he knew what to do with.

“AGH!” Ryker smashed the Crimson Supreme’s head down in a whirlwind of fury. Blood sprayed everywhere as the sound of bone cracking resounded.

He stood with a violent step, pulling his chain back and rushing toward the mutated Crimson Lion with a rampaging rage within him.

[Soul Ripple] rippled out in all directions, piercing into the mind of the beast again and again.

There was a reason Ryker had rarely used [Soul Ripple] in the past. He found that the higher his soul fatigue became, the harder it was to control himself. Back when his emotions were suppressed, doing this was especially dangerous because it might trigger an episode at any time.

Now that it felt like a tide of emotion had broken out of him, he couldn’t be bothered to care about this issue any longer, especially not when Phoenix was hanging on by a thread.

His silver mirror danced behind him like a halo and he pulled out his whip once more, brandishing chain and whip in a barrage of assaults.

His body felt like it was ripping itself to shreds. Even though he had only used the sudden boost of pouring Time Type Spirit Energy into his heart for just a short moment, it had been enough to make his throat taste like lead and turned his muscles to mush.

However, he ignored this feeling, pouring it into his heart once again.

His silver mirror reflected the battlefield and projected everything into his mind. His soul strength poured out like a torrent, its own well of stamina deeper than even his Spirit Energy.

He suddenly accelerated beneath the strength of his amplified body. Blood leaked from his lips and his sclera became almost entirely red, in perfect contrast to the black sclera of the beast that had turned its attention to him.

[Chain Like Shield].

[Whip Like Shield].

Ryker activated them both at the same time, his fury billowing into the skies like a hot steam.

Blasts of Fire Type Energy came out from him like the eruption of cascading bombs.

The beast was forced to turn its attention toward him and away from the bloodied Phoenix, taking a single step back and roaring.

It realized by now that its master had been knocked unconscious, but it had more than enough battle experience on its own to manage.

Ryker lashed out in a furious torrent, slashing cuts and scratches all across the lion’s body. However, they could only be considered to be superficial wounds, ones that annoyed the lion beast, but was nowhere near enough to make it mournful or regretful.

It was the constant [Soul Ripple] attacks that left it unable to properly focus and counter attack like it wanted, as though a barrage of insects gnawing at its brain, but it eventually just lashed out, roaring as sending out a ball of fire that looked a lot like an unrefined Molten Fireball.

[Divined Step].

Ryker saw it even before the attack finished and he flashed to the side.

His whip suddenly ripped forward like a flash of lightning. It cracked in the air, sending a vicious sound wave rippling out in all directions…

But then it slipped from Ryker’s hand.

It looked like he had made a grave mistake, one that he wouldn’t be able to make up for in such a life or death battle.

But in that instant, the whip seemed to crack apart, landing in the maw of the opened jaws of the roaring creature.

BOOM!

The self-destruction of the weapon caused the creature to roar out in pain, its mouth becoming nothing more than a bloody concoction of broken flesh and shattered bone.

Ryker used [Chain Like Shield] the instant the whip slipped out, blocking much of the wave of the explosion and not pausing his forward movement at all.

Luckily, the attempt of the beast to bite down had blocked much of the self-destruction for him.

He flashed forward and appeared just five meters from the beast and amidst a cascading rain of volatile Spirit Energy and a rain of flames.

He looked like a furious god of war, his black hair fluttering wildly as his chain flashed out again and again, ruthlessly attacking the wounds of the beast.

The senses of the lion were overwhelmed with pain, its eyes and its jaw were almost entirely ruined by crucified flesh.

It didn’t even realize when the beaten and bloodied Phoenix rose up behind it like a reaper.

Inductive Touch.

Fire Phoenix raised a glistening golden claw, its claws having grown to almost a foot long.

PCHU!

The beast noticed too late, its spine splitting in two as its heart was ruptured in a single strike.

ROAR!

Phoenix vented their fury in a roar that seemed capable of bringing down the ceilings of the catacombs, echoing so far and wide that maybe even the castle above trembled.

Ryker stood, pale faced and huffing out breaths that came out as spurts of blood instead of exhales of air half the time.

He gripped his fists so hard that even more blood pooled in his palms.

Even now, the rage seemed hardly willing to fade from his gaze.