Chapter 72 - A fight far above my level

Adam blinked, and in that instant, his entire reality shifted. It was as if no time had passed between standing in that otherworldly mental plane alongside the Overmind and suddenly being thrust back into his physical body. He felt no particular transition—no pull, no sensation of movement, no disorientation. Just a simple, jarring shift from one existence to the other.

The first thing he did was examine himself, slowly, Adam raised his hands, flexing his fingers. They were larger now, the tips sharper, and his entire body had an unfamiliar weight. His skin was no longer the human tone he remembered; instead, it had become a dark purple, its texture resembling a hardened carapace. He ran his hands over his arms and chest, feeling the firm, almost armor-like quality of his new form. It was resilient yet strangely flexible, allowing full movement without resistance.

His breath caught as a sensation in his back drew his attention. Turning his head slightly, Adam noticed four elongated appendages sprouting from his spine. They were spider-like, sleek, and disturbingly sharp, each moving with precision and responsiveness that felt entirely natural, as if they'd always been part of him. Testing them, he willed the limbs to move, and they obeyed, slicing through the air with a faint whisper.

He was taller now, leaner but with defined musculature that he could feel even through the strange shell of his new body. His hair, unexpectedly, was longer than before, brushing against his shoulders. Curious, Adam touched his face and froze, his fingers traced over his cheeks, finding the insectoid mandibles still protruding from either side of his jaw, though they now coexisted with a set of lips that had returned to their rightful place. The combination was unsettling, but he pushed aside the discomfort, there was too much to process.

Dark energy pulsed faintly around him, dancing along his form in graceful waves. It wasn't chaotic or violent but rather seemed to envelop him like a shadowy aura, emanating from within. He expected to feel stronger, faster—anything—but to his surprise, there was no notable change. No heightened senses, no rush of power. He felt... the same. His abilities hadn't been bolstered like before when buffs gave him an intoxicating sense of freedom, this transformation, for all its monstrous alterations, left his internal perception untouched.

As Adam stood there, unmoving, taking in every detail of his changed form, a sudden system message flashed before his eyes:

[The otherworldly entity "The_Hunger" has temporarily enabled the function 'Help(?)'. This function will assist the user while active.]

[The user's heightened perception has detected the skill [Max Surveillance Eye Lv9] being utilized by another user remotely.]

[Do you wish to perform the recommended actions to disable the enemy's skill?] [Y/N]

Adam blinked at the notifications, his mind racing. Help? What was that supposed to mean? The system had always been an impartial, cold entity that provided information rather than active aid. For a moment, he felt paralyzed, his gaze locked on the messages, then, realization struck. If the patron, “The_Hunger”, had activated some sort of assistance feature within the system, it was likely a means to familiarize Adam with his new form and capabilities. A trial run, perhaps.

Without hesitation, Adam selected the [Y] option, his finger brushing against the ethereal interface. The moment he confirmed, the world around him seemed to shift subtly, as if gears had clicked into place.

A deafening, guttural scream tore through the air. Adam turned, his senses hyper-aware, and saw the massive form of the Demon-type, letting out a howl so powerful it fractured the ground beneath its feet. Cracks spiderwebbed outward, the earth groaning under the sheer force of the sound wave. Rocks exploded into dust, and a shockwave rippled through the air, carrying with it a terrifying pressure.

[Skill: Soul-Shattering Wail Lv10] [A ghostly roar that pierces through dimensions, shattering the souls of all living beings within its range. Those who hear it experience unbearable pain, madness, and spiritual fractures that weaken their connection to life. Weak survivors are left with permanent scars on their souls, reducing their ability to wield spiritual energy.]

Adam stood unmoving as the sound reached him, waiting for the inevitable sensation of pain or disorientation. Instead, it washed over him like a passing breeze, harmless and distant. He frowned, recalling vividly the last time he had encountered this creature's attack. Back then, the blast had nearly incapacitated him and his entire team during their first scenario. Now, it was as though the attack held no power at all.

He glanced around, his sharp, altered eyes quickly finding Abbess Xinhui in the distance. The vampire woman appeared unaffected, standing calmly amidst the devastation. Her expression was unreadable, but Adam guessed it was her undead nature that rendered her immune to such effects.

However, another notification popped up in Adam’s field of vision, its content immediately drawing his attention.

[Notice: The enemy skill [Max Surveillance Eye Lv9] has been neutralized. The target user has received the corresponding damage.]

“What?”

Adam muttered aloud, startled. He hadn't expected immediate results, let alone such a decisive outcome. The system had apparently acted on his behalf, taking down the opposing skill with surgical precision. He clenched his fists, the sharpness of his nails digging into his palms—not out of pain, but from the sudden rush of realization. He froze for a moment, his eyes locked onto the red warning message that appeared before him.

[Danger!]

His mind raced. The realization that Lord Varek might have suffered damage from the earlier notification left a trail of uncertainty in its wake, but there was no time to dwell on it. The flickering red screen disappeared as quickly as it had come, and his gaze instinctively snapped upward.

From the distance, Abbess had launched herself toward him with terrifying speed. At first glance, it seemed like she had crossed the battlefield in an instant. But to Adam, everything felt as if it had slowed to a crawl. The system’s message clarified what was happening.

[Appropriate sensory response activated automatically. Please maintain focus.]

"Is this... the Help function again?"

Adam murmured to himself, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over him. His mind was sharp, his body steady, and his vision hyper-focused on every twitch of the woman's movements. He understood now—this wasn’t just an enhancement of his abilities; it was guidance from the system itself.

As Abbess’s form neared, her pale, skeletal figure became sharper in detail. Her undead nature granted her a grotesque elegance—her elongated limbs moved unnaturally fast, the blue flames in her hollow eyes flaring with each motion. Her tattered ceremonial robes fluttered as she swung one of her massive, clawed hands toward Adam, aiming directly for his chest.

The boy stepped forward… To an observer, the motion might have seemed ordinary, but to him, it was deliberate, calculated. The world remained in this slowed state, allowing him to process and react with precision. His hardened, carapace-like skin felt unyielding as he raised his arm to block the attack. Abbess’s claw struck, a sharp clash of force against his transformed body, and sparks of cursed energy scattered into the air.

He didn’t hesitate. Using the momentum, he countered with a swipe of one of his arachnid appendages, aiming to cut her flank. Abbess ducked, pivoting impossibly fast to avoid the strike, her talons slashing upward toward his face. Adam leaned back, the claws narrowly missing his insectoid mandibles. He could feel the wind of her strike brushing past him, sharp and cold like a blade.

Each exchange was relentless. Abbess's strikes were feral yet calculated, her strength clashing against Adam's newfound resilience. Every movement was accompanied by the faint hum of cursed energy clashing with dark ki. Despite the frenzy, their movements were impossibly precise, and not a single blow landed completely.

“You shouldn’t even be standing! Your pathetic body should have shattered by now! Why do you persist?!”

Abbess hissed, her voice distorted and filled with venom, but Adam didn’t reply. His focus was unbroken, his mind processing every detail of her movements. With each strike she delivered, he countered—his sharp appendages slicing through the air like blades, meeting her claws mid-swing. The woman’s frustration grew with every failed attempt to overpower him.

Their duel continued at a breakneck pace, so fast that the energy radiating from their strikes sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked and crumbled. Dust and debris hung in the air, caught in the turbulent energy of their combat.

From the corner of his vision, Adam noticed faint glimmers of light beginning to materialize around Abbess. He recognized them immediately—the glowing, ethereal scythes of his summoned undead, the ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’. The golden-armored undead moved with blinding speed, his four cursed scythes positioned strategically around the Don. Each one shimmered with dark energy, cutting through the dust-filled air as they closed in.

Abbess’s expression twisted into panic as she realized too late the danger she was in. With a desperate roar, she summoned a burst of her own cursed ki, creating a defensive barrier around herself. The scythes struck simultaneously, their cursed energy colliding with her defenses in a cascade of blinding sparks and thunderous explosions. The air seemed to tear apart from the sheer force of the clash.

The relentless assault from the Cursed Emperor left Abbess vulnerable. Her barrier held for only a fraction of a second before cracking under the pressure. Her focus was entirely on defending against the scythes, and she failed to notice Adam moving in.

Seizing the opportunity, the boy lunged forward. With a powerful twist of his body, he delivered a brutal horizontal kick to Abbess’s midsection. The force of the impact reverberated through the air like a cannon blast. The woman’s body folded from the blow, and she was sent hurtling through the air, crashing into the remnants of a crumbling stone wall with a deafening crash.

Dust and debris exploded outward from the point of impact, obscuring her figure for a moment. Adam straightened, his arachnid appendages flexing as if instinctively preparing for another attack, his glowing crimson eyes surveyed the battlefield with unshaken determination.

Now he understood.

“She’s kind of right, individually, we’re evenly matched in power. But with my summons, the balance shifts. It’s not just me anymore.”

Adam muttered to himself, his gaze drifting back to the broken wall where Abbess lay, her form slowly becoming visible again as the dust settled. Her frustration, her desperation—it all made sense now. She was losing, not because of her lack of skill or power, but because the boy had the advantage of numbers… It wasn’t just a fight anymore; it was almost a guaranteed victory.

Adam stood amidst the chaotic battlefield, his breaths steady but his mind racing with a torrent of thoughts. He needed to assess his next move, his crimson eyes, glowing faintly with the power of his ‘Cursed Eyes’, narrowed as he contemplated his options. What should he do next?

The possibilities ran through his mind, yet he refrained from settling on one. Instead, he decided to try something unconventional. His gaze hardened with determination, and he spoke aloud, his voice resonating with clarity.

“What’s the best plan of action for this fight?”

To his surprise, the system reacted instantly. A translucent screen materialized in front of him, the characters on it glowing faintly in the dim battlefield.

[Would you like to enable automatic skill activation?] [Y/N]

Adam's brow furrowed as he read the message. The idea was both intriguing and unsettling. Could the system truly operate autonomously, choosing skills on his behalf based on the combat situation? The implications were profound, suggesting a level of complexity in the system he hadn't fully grasped. He mulled it over briefly, feeling both curiosity and a gnawing uncertainty about surrendering control in such a way.

“No.”

He muttered decisively, selecting the [N] option. He wasn’t ready to give up control, not to the parasite and certainly not to the system. However, the interaction spurred an idea. Adam leaned into the unknown and decided to test another question. This time, he needed something more tangible.

“Is there a way for me to receive information about the skills I have and can use?”

He asked, his voice steady, but his heart pounding faintly in anticipation. Another system window emerged, its words sharp and clear:

[Would you like to download all available information on the user’s state?] [Y/N]

Adam stared at the screen, his mind churning with possibilities. The wording was ambiguous. Download? Did that mean the knowledge would somehow transfer directly into his mind? It was unclear, but he had no time to debate semantics. He weighed the risk and decided to proceed, selecting the [Y] option.

The next message sent a chill down his spine.

[Warning: The volume and level of information are excessive. The user may experience mental damage during the process.]

His fingers instinctively clenched into fists, a brief flicker of doubt crossing his face. Before he could fully process the warning, another message appeared.

[Notice: Skill [Mental Resistance Lv8] has nullified the damage.]

Relief washed over him momentarily, but then it began.

A wave of indescribable sensation surged through Adam. His vision blurred for a fraction of a second before snapping back into focus, sharper than ever. The feeling was alien—like a storm of data, raw and unfiltered, cascading into his mind. It reminded him faintly of the time he had been overwhelmed by the Demon-Type’s attack in the first scenario, but this was different.

Instead of incapacitating him, the influx of information felt purposeful, like pieces of a puzzle assembling themselves in real-time. He felt as though countless fragments of knowledge, techniques, and even faint echoes of experiences were being woven seamlessly into his consciousness.

Adam’s eyes widened as he stood rooted to the spot. It was as if he had always known this information, yet only now was he recalling it. Every skill, every technique, every strategy—it all felt deeply familiar. His lips parted slightly as a wave of wonder and joy spread across his features.

“So this… this is what it feels like.”

He murmured, his voice barely audible, tinged with awe. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Adam allowed himself a small, genuine smile. The sheer volume of information was astounding, yet his mind processed it with ease, thanks to the system’s safeguards. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the moment. He felt like he had unlocked a door to infinite potential.

“This was the truth all along.”

He thought, his expression hardening with determination as clarity washed over him. He clenched his fists, now fully aware of the arsenal at his disposal.

"I was right. Information and knowledge truly are power."

When he opened his eyes again, they gleamed with renewed focus. The sensation of mastery, of understanding, coursed through him. It wasn’t just about the power to fight; it was the realization that his greatest weapon had always been his mind, now armed with an unfathomable reservoir of skills and knowledge.

Adam’s body trembled as the overwhelming process concluded. His breathing was heavy, but his mind raced with clarity and excitement. He glanced down at his hands and his fingers elongated, each stretching unnaturally into razor-sharp claws, their dark sheen glinting ominously in the dim light. A flicker of awe crossed his face as the claws retracted, his fingers regaining their normal human form. He flexed them, marveling at the seamless transition. It felt natural now, as though his body had always been capable of such a transformation.

Turning his attention to his back, Adam felt the appendages there stir. With a deliberate effort, he commanded them to move. The spider-like limbs extended, their intricate joints and sinews pulsing with a lifelike energy. They twitched and shifted, sharp points glimmering menacingly. Adam’s lips curved into a grin of pure exhilaration.

“So this is what this body is capable of.”

He murmured, his voice low, reverent. His mind brimmed with knowledge—knowledge that felt innate, as if it had always been part of him. Each skill, each transformation, and each capability now came with a vivid understanding of its purpose and potential. This was no longer experimentation… He knew.

“Alright!”

Adam shouted, the word bursting from his lips with unrestrained confidence. His gaze snapped to where Abbess continued her relentless duel with the ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’. Without hesitation, he charged toward them, his movements fluid, precise, as though his body and mind were finally in perfect harmony.

Before reaching his adversary, Adam glanced at the spectral mannequin—the Ethernomicon—that floated idly nearby. With a sharp mental command, he directed it into action. The spectral being jolted upright as if electrified, its faceless form almost vibrating with excitement for the first orders of its master.

The Ethernomicon raised its translucent arms, the air around it shifting dramatically. Swirling winds began to gather, but this was no ordinary breeze. The vortex pulsed with an eerie, unnatural energy, the kind that seemed to drain the warmth from the room. Adam’s sharp eyes noticed the subtle pull from the corpses scattered across the battlefield—monks, mutated monstrosities, and others alike. The winds carried the essence of their deaths, funneling it into a concentrated storm of malevolent force. The mannequin emitted a chilling shriek, a distorted sound that echoed with dark glee.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

[Skill: Soul Weave Sphere Lv10] [The Ancient Ethernomicon exerts control over the souls of living and recently deceased beings, extracting them from their bodies from a distance. The extracted souls coalesce into a glowing sphere on one of its hands, which it can expand or condense as a reservoir of power. The process leaves victims in a vegetative state unless the souls are returned.]

Adam’s lips curled into a smirk.

"Good."

Finally reaching the chaotic battle, Adam wasted no time. He transformed his arm, the entire limb twisting and hardening into a lethal blade. With a swift, decisive motion, he thrust toward Abbess, aiming directly at her shoulder. She reacted just in time, twisting her body to avoid a fatal blow. The blade still grazed her, slicing through her outer garment and leaving a shallow gash.

Her evasion left her exposed to the Cursed Emperor. The undead warrior seized the opportunity, its golden scythes slicing through the air in a blinding arc. Four brutal strikes connected with Abbess, each leaving deep gashes across her torso. Black blood oozed from the wounds, its sickly color staining her already battered form. She screamed—a guttural cry of pain and frustration—her voice echoing through the desolate space.

Adam stepped back, watching the scene unfold with an analytical eye. He noted the black blood and the absence of any regeneration. His mind pieced it together. [True Anti-Healing], he thought, satisfaction flickering across his face.

Abbess staggered, retreating a few paces as her chest heaved. Her face twisted in rage and disbelief.

“No… no! This can’t be happening!”

She screamed, her voice raw with desperation while her arms shot into the air, her head tilting back as she cried out.

“Lord Varek! Aid me! Once more, I beg of you! Deliver me from this madness!”

Her voice carried a pleading tone, almost prayer-like, as though her very survival hinged on divine intervention… But nothing happened. No surge of energy, no divine response. Only silence.

A chilling wind swept through the battlefield, and a massive, spectral claw materialized from the Demon-Type’s form. It tore through the air with devastating force, obliterating the ground where the Don stood. She barely managed to shield herself, but the impact sent her flying, her body crashing into a pile of rubble. Dust and debris settled slowly around her crumpled form.

Groaning, Abbess pushed herself upright, her movements sluggish. Her body trembled as she brushed off the debris, her face a mask of disbelief and fury.

“No! This isn’t right! Why isn’t Lord Varek responding? Why… why now?”

She spat, her voice cracking and her hands clenched into fists as her gaze darted wildly, searching for answers that wouldn’t come. Adam observed her, his expression impassive, yet his mind buzzed with clarity. His cold, calculating gaze lingered on Abbess as she kept her head bowed, screaming in frustration and anguish. He did not move, did not flinch, as though he were waiting for something. His stillness was unnerving, his unrelenting presence suffocating.

The moment Abbess raised her head, she froze in shock. Adam stood mere paces from her, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. How had he reached her without her noticing? Why hadn’t he struck her down? These thoughts raced through her mind as she took in his stance—calm, composed, and, most insultingly, unthreatened. He wasn’t attacking her; he was observing her, dissecting her movements with his sharp, analytical stare.

Her heart pounded furiously, anger and humiliation surging through her veins. She clenched her fists tightly, the dark Ki surrounding her hands intensifying into pulsating black flames.

“You dare mock me?!”

She spat, her voice trembling with rage. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her arms thrust out like spears, their corrupted energy crackling violently in the air as she aimed to impale the boy before her.

But before her attack could land, a sudden, searing pain erupted in her chest. It was unlike anything she had ever felt—raw, piercing, and paralyzing. Her breath caught in her throat as her body jolted backward involuntarily, as if struck by an invisible force. She staggered, clutching at her chest with wide eyes, her knees buckling under her weight. It felt as though her heart had been pierced, though her skin showed no visible wound.

“What… what is this?!”

She gasped, her voice laced with panic. Her gaze darted to Adam, but he remained unmoved, his eyes locked onto her with an unreadable expression.

A chilling, high-pitched laugh echoed through the battlefield, drawing Abbess’s attention to the floating form of the Ethernomicon beside the boy. The spectral mannequin’s twisted grin stretched unnaturally wide as it lifted one of its slender hands from the swirling orb of energy it held. Something writhed between its elongated fingers—a faint, ethereal shape, like a spectral insect, squirming in a futile attempt to escape.

[Skill: Let’s make a death wish Lv10] [A soul-destroying skill of absolute lethality. The Ancient Ethernomicon sacrifices one soul stored within its ectoplasmic sphere, channeling the released energy to annihilate a single chosen target. This attack bypasses all defenses, obliterating the victim’s body and soul. Weak victims of this skill would trigger the effect [Instant Kill].]

Abbess’s breath hitched as she saw the Ethernomicon crush the spectral form in its grip, causing it to vanish into thin air. The moment it disappeared, another sharp, agonizing stab tore through her chest. She screamed, stumbling backward as her hand clawed desperately at her chest.

“What… what are you doing to me?!”

She demanded between ragged breaths, her voice filled with a mix of terror and fury.

Adam finally spoke, his tone cold and detached.

“You feel it, don’t you? The weight of everything you’ve stolen, everything you’ve consumed. It’s being ripped away from you, piece by piece.”

The Ethernomicon let out another gleeful laugh, plunging its hand back into the orb and retrieving another writhing fragment. This one flailed more violently than the last, its form flickering as though alive. With a casual flick of its wrist, the entity crushed it as well, and once again, Abbess convulsed, another invisible blow striking her heart.

She cried out, collapsing to one knee as black blood dripped from her lips.

“Stop! Stop it!”

She howled, her voice breaking. The pain was unbearable, and the helplessness even more so. Her dark Ki sputtered around her body, struggling to maintain its form as her strength waned.

Adam let out a slow, measured breath, his gaze fixed on Abbess as she writhed in pain before him. Despite her state, her defiance remained palpable, her dark Ki still flickering weakly around her. He crossed his arms, his expression devoid of satisfaction.

“This battle gives me no joy, I can feel your power—it’s immense. I won’t deny it. Even now, I can recall the skill and precision of your attacks earlier. I know what you’re capable of. But…”

Adam admitted, his voice calm yet firm. He then paused, letting his words sink in.

“You’re up against four entities. Each one matches your level of strength, and they’re working together. This isn’t a battle you can win. It’s an impossible scenario.”

Abbess glared at him, her teeth clenched, her breathing heavy. Adam’s tone softened, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“You need to realize this. There’s no shame in recognizing an unwinnable fight. Please, cooperate with me. I promise not to kill you. That isn’t my intention. But with your allies gone and only this chance left for me…”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“I insist that you tell me everything you know about Lord Varek—about how you’re able to use all these powers.”

For a moment, the tension hung thick in the air. Abbess’s lips twisted into a snarl, and she began to hurl insults and venomous words at Adam, her voice dripping with rage and bitterness.

“You think I’ll bow to you? To a wretched child playing with forces beyond his comprehension?!”

Adam sighed, his expression hardening. He didn’t respond, allowing her tirade to echo in the barren surroundings. Abbess’s shouting only stopped when the Ethernomicon once again reached into its swirling orb and pulled forth another writhing, spectral fragment. It crushed the soul with the same nonchalant cruelty as before, and the woman screamed in agony, collapsing further onto the ground. Her body convulsed, and she clawed at the dirt as another invisible strike pierced her chest.

Adam knelt slightly, bringing himself closer to her eye level.

“Stop this senseless struggle. Just cooperate. You know this is your best option.”

Abbess’s labored breaths filled the silence. After a long pause, she nodded weakly.

“Fine, I’ll… talk.”

She spat, her voice hoarse. Adam studied her carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Good. Then tell me—what is Lord Varek’s true objective? How does he command power like yours?”

Abbess’s responses came slowly, her words scattered and evasive.

“Lord Varek… He’s more powerful than you can imagine. His strength… it’s not something a mere boy like you could understand.”

Her tone carried a hint of mockery, but her words remained vague, offering nothing of true value. As she spoke, a storm of thoughts brewed in her mind. Beneath her outward compliance, Abbess was weaving together the intricate threads of a spell. It was a powerful incantation, one that would allow her to merge with the surrounding environment and vanish completely from their grasp. She needed time—just enough to complete the ritual. So she stalled, speaking in circles, repeating redundant phrases, and avoiding any concrete answers.

Adam’s expression darkened slightly, sensing something but choosing not to act yet. He kept his gaze locked on her, watching for the slightest change in her demeanor.

Abbess felt the spell reaching its final stages, her anticipation building. Just a few more moments, and she would be free. As the incantation neared completion, she braced herself to unleash it, her lips parting to utter the final word of power.

But before she could, glowing crimson chains erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around her prone body. The chains burned with an ethereal light, their energy pulsating like a heartbeat. Abbess’s eyes widened in horror as she felt the spell unraveling, the magic dissolving into nothingness. She struggled against the restraints, but they vanished as quickly as they appeared, leaving her powerless and defeated.

“No… No!”

She screamed, her voice trembling with disbelief. Her plan had failed.

Behind Adam, a towering figure emerged—the golden-armored undead with two grotesque heads. One of the heads turned its glowing red eyes toward Abbess, its gaze cold and unrelenting. Adam glanced back at the creature briefly before addressing her.

“It’s useless. That’s the ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’, its passive ability allows the right head to see a few seconds into the immediate future. We knew exactly what you were planning.”

Abbess’s body sagged in despair, her energy nearly spent. She stared at Adam with a mix of hatred and resignation. The boy sighed deeply again, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“You won’t tell me anything, will you? No matter what we do…”

He straightened, his expression hardening once more.

“That leaves us with only one option… We’ll start by putting you unconscious.”

He stepped forward, his voice carrying an air of finality, his movements were swift and decisive, his body a blur as he surged forward. His hand gripped Abbess’s arm with an iron-like strength, the weight of his determination evident in his actions. She barely had a moment to register what was happening before Adam hurled her with terrifying force toward the center of the devastated battlefield. The shattered ground radiated outward from the epicenter, and the open sky above framed her arc as she sailed through the air.

Before her body could meet the ground, the ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’ intercepted her. The undead's golden armor gleamed in the faint light, its presence both majestic and ominous. Four massive scythes it wielded radiated a sinister, pulsating energy. The edges of the weapons shimmered with an eerie, cutting aura as the entity held its position with deliberate menace.

Abbess let out a furious scream, her voice laced with defiance.

"Even without my skills, I can still defend myself!"

She spat, her eyes blazing with resolve. But her declaration was cut short as a searing pain tore through her chest. The Ethernomicon, distant but unrelenting, struck her again with another precise, spectral assault aimed directly at her heart. Her scream faltered, morphing into a cry of agony as her body convulsed under the invisible weight of the attack.

The golden-armored undead seized the opportunity. Without hesitation, it swung its four scythes in a coordinated arc, unleashing a spiraling torrent of cursed energy. The force erupted from the scythes in a devastating whirlwind, creating a miniature tornado of slicing, malevolent power. The cursed cyclone engulfed Abbess entirely, lifting her helplessly into the air. Her body twisted and flailed against the onslaught as fresh wounds opened across her skin, blood trailing like crimson ribbons in the chaos.

Abbess’s voice pierced the air, a scream of pure anguish. Her strength was fading fast; her once-formidable energy reserves were nearly depleted. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her body trembling under the relentless assault. The rising whirlwind carried her higher and higher until she was a mere silhouette against the open sky, her agony palpable even from the ground.

Then, a massive shadow fell over her. The hulking form of the Demon-type ghost loomed above, its size dwarfing everything else on the battlefield. Its monstrous figure exuded an overwhelming malevolence, and its enormous clawed hand was raised high, poised to deliver the final blow. The demon-like entity had leaped into the air with an unnatural grace, matching Abbess’s suspended altitude.

The open hand descended with crushing force, like the weight of a collapsing mountain. The impact was devastating. Abbess’s body was driven downward with unimaginable power, her trajectory akin to a missile. She hurtled toward the ground, her speed increasing with every passing second. The sheer velocity and force of the strike caused a thunderous shockwave upon impact.

The earth beneath her shattered, giving way to a massive crater that radiated outward like a scar on the battlefield. A towering plume of dust and debris erupted, obscuring the scene in a thick, choking cloud. The sound of the collision echoed like a deafening roar, silencing all else in its wake.

As the dust began to settle, the Don lay crumpled at the center of the crater. Her body was battered, her robes torn and soaked with blood. She released one final, pitiful moan before her eyes rolled back, the whites stark against her dirtied face. Her body was still, utterly lifeless in appearance save for the faint rise and fall of her chest, signaling that she was unconscious rather than dead.

The battlefield was eerily silent in the aftermath, the air heavy with tension and the lingering echoes of violence. The boy exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he took a step closer to the edge of the crater, his voice breaking the oppressive quiet.

Adam descended the slope into the crater with deliberate, measured steps, his movements slow but purposeful. Behind him, his minions followed silently, their presence a haunting reminder of his dominance. The Cursed Emperor, trailed him, its remaining eye sockets glowing faintly red, while the floating Ethernomicon hovered ominously nearby. The air was thick with a palpable sense of finality, and Adam's eyes were fixed on the crumpled form of Abbess at the center of the impact zone.

The ground crunched beneath his boots as he approached her unmoving body. She lay on her back, her once-pristine attire now torn and bloodied. Her face, pale and streaked with grime, was twisted in a grimace of pain, and her breathing was shallow, barely perceptible. Adam stopped a few feet away and stared down at her, the cold calculation in his eyes betraying no sympathy.

He crouched, extending a hand to grasp her by the front of her clothing. With a firm yank, he lifted her limp body off the ground, holding her up effortlessly despite her weight. Her head lolled to the side, her eyes fluttering open weakly. For a moment, their gazes met, and Adam’s voice broke the oppressive silence.

“This is the only way, but... it seems like the best option after all.”

He muttered, his tone devoid of malice but tinged with resignation. His grip tightened as he held her closer, his eyes narrowing.

“I’ll absorb the Jiangshi heart you carry. I know I can do it, and if I pass a controlled parasitic infection onto you, it might replace your lost organ. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll recover eventually.”

Without further hesitation, Adam’s arms began to shift grotesquely. Black tendrils emerged from his flesh, writhing and twisting unnaturally as they extended toward Abbess. The scene that unfolded was too horrific to be described in detail—a grotesque mockery of surgery that defied natural comprehension. The tendrils worked methodically, performing an operation that no human hands could accomplish, leaving behind an air of unholy efficiency.

When it was over, Adam lowered Abbess gently to the ground. Her body, though still battered, was now eerily still, as if her internal turmoil had ceased. In Adam’s hand, he held a small, black, pulsating heart—the cursed Jiangshi organ.

[ Jiang Shi 4th Tier: Yong Xian Sovereign’s Heart - Rank A+ ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠A grotesque artifact resembling a human heart, but twisted by the dark energies of the Yong Xian Sovereign. It is jet-black, pulsating faintly as though still alive, its surface etched with crimson veins that shimmer ominously under the light. The heart serves as a powerful conduit of necrotic energy, granting those who wield or consume it the ability to command undead with unrivaled authority. Its energies enhance the user’s vitality and imbue them with traits of a high-tier vampire Jiang Shi, including unparalleled resilience and an unnatural, predatory strength.⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠Hint: You can consume this treasure with a 100% success rate.⌡ ⌠Warning: The essence of the heart seeks to dominate the user’s mind, urging them toward destruction and consumption of blood.⌡ ⌠Notice: The treasure 'Overmind's Parasite - Rank A+' will merge with the 'Jiang Shi 4th Tier: Yong Xian Sovereign’s Heart - Rank A+' and will appease the side effects.⌡ ⌠Warning: Consumption of 'Jiang Shi 4th Tier: Yong Xian Sovereign’s Heart - Rank A+' will consume a huge amount of Cursed Energy.⌡

He stared at it momentarily before continuing, speaking as much to himself as to the unconscious woman.

“I know it’s a certainty for me. A one hundred percent probability...”

His expression darkened, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

“But... there’s always the risk of ‘Luck’s Last Laugh’ activating. I can’t ignore that.”

He turned his head slightly and addressed the golden-armored skeleton.

“Prepare yourself.”

He commanded. The skeleton responded instantly, the right eye of its second head igniting with a fiery red glow. Adam observed it for a moment, then gave a curt nod.

“Perfect.”

The absorption process began immediately, the tentacles on his arms began to insert themselves in the black heart, a surge of energy flowing into him as the cursed item was consumed.

A system notification flashed before his eyes, confirming his fears.

[Title ‘Luck’s Last Laugh’ activated.] [Hehe]

Adam sighed heavily, the weight of the situation bearing down on him.

“At least it’s not unexpected, I knew this would happen.”

He murmured, recalling the future vision he had shared earlier, but it wasn’t a problem, 30% of success rate meant nothing when he had the certainty that he would succeed.

As the absorption concluded, Adam staggered slightly, feeling the immense drain it had caused. He glanced at his surroundings, realizing with dread that his buffs were beginning to dissipate. System windows appeared one after another, each one confirming the loss of another of the 1001 curses that had sustained him.

“Damn it! It’s happening too fast... I’m not in a safe place for this.”

Adam muttered under his breath, his mind racing. The effects were immediate and devastating. The giant Demon-type ghost began to dissolve into the air, its massive form evaporating like smoke. The Ethernomicon crumbled piece by piece, its sinister aura fading until only a floating skull remained. The golden-armored skeleton shrank as parts of its massive form fell away, disintegrating into a viscous black liquid that seeped into the ground. Before long, it was reduced to a simple humanoid skeleton clad in normal golden armor.

Adam attempted to move, but his legs betrayed him. He stumbled, his body growing weaker with every passing second.

⌠Warning: The user's energy, vitality, and affinity have drastically decreased. The user assimilation process has been successfully completed, but the merging process between 'Overmind's Parasite - Rank A+' and 'Jiang Shi 4th Tier: Yong Xian Sovereign’s Heart - Rank A+' has been interrupted.⌡

“No, not now!”

He growled, gritting his teeth as he tried to force himself forward. But his energy was depleted, his body unable to respond to his will. He collapsed, his arms barely catching him before he fell face-first into the dirt.

The world around him grew dim. Shapes blurred, and shadows began to envelop his vision. His mind screamed for solutions, but none presented themselves. Just as his body gave out entirely, and he prepared for the inevitable impact of the ground against his face, something caught him. He felt an unseen force holding him upright.

His vision, though darkened, caught the faintest outline of a silhouette standing over him. The voice that followed was low, calm, and edged with a strange mix of amusement and curiosity.

“You actually managed to survive, huh? Well, you didn’t exactly make it out on your own, but... let’s say I’ll give you extra points for the effort.”

Adam’s consciousness slipped further into the void as the words echoed in his mind.