Episode 369
A low hum resonated as a brilliant light burst forth from the spear embedded in Nightgon’s body. But in an instant, Nightgon vanished like smoke.
“What the…?”
Soul Binding Magic was supposed to capture the very essence of a soul. No enemy had ever escaped its chains—until now. Yet, as if mocking Zeke’s confidence, Nightgon reappeared at the altar.
Nightgon drew a scythe and began chanting, a crimson portal forming before him.
“He’s trying to escape!”
Zeke slammed his holy weapon down where Nightgon stood.
Boom!
A hammer of light crashed down, but once again, Nightgon dissipated into smoke, reappearing elsewhere. Zeke steadied his breath, glaring at Nightgon, who held the scythe.
“Escaping Soul Binding… there’s something more to him.”
When the rolling sphere split, Zeke thought it was an illusion. But when it exploded, he realized it was all real. Nightgon, empowered by the Endless Seeker, was using some strange technique.
“Arataso, do you know anything?”
Arataso hesitated before speaking. “Little is known about the Endless Seeker’s powers. Their followers are odd, so I kept my distance.”
Then, as if recalling something, Arataso added, “Come to think of it… the Seeker’s followers never hesitated to pay any price for what they desired.”
“A price?”
“Yes, in the demon realm, human souls are like currency. They don’t hesitate to pay with them for what they want.”
Zeke’s mind raced. “Could it be…?”
Arataso was taken aback by Zeke’s reaction. “Did you figure something out?”
Zeke gripped his sword, eyes fixed on Nightgon, and charged again, unleashing a barrage of light. Nightgon’s body was engulfed in light, disappearing and reappearing elsewhere.
Zeke’s keen eyes caught the moment Nightgon reappeared. “He’s not disappearing. He’s… splitting.”
The original body vanished, but a perfect replica was created instantly. Zeke realized the Endless Seeker’s power.
“His ability is multiplication through division.”
Understanding Nightgon’s power, Zeke charged again, chains wrapping around Nightgon’s body. He thrust his spear into Nightgon, this time channeling a different force.
A deep hum resonated as Zeke infused Nightgon with the will of destruction. Nightgon, for the first time, showed signs of panic.
“Threat detected. Eliminate target.”
Nightgon’s eyes flashed, and a dark aura erupted from him. Another arm sprouted, wielding a second scythe at Zeke. Just like with Viper, the scythe exuded a strange energy.
In an instant, Zeke vanished without a trace, using the power of the spirit sheath.
The scythe sliced through where Zeke had been, leaving a long mark. Nightgon turned, searching for Zeke, but found no trace.
“Initiating target search.”
While Nightgon scanned the area, Zeke observed from within the dimensional boundary. He approached the rift Nightgon had created. Remarkably, the rift was visible even from the boundary.
“I was right.”
Arataso, curious, asked Zeke, “What were you right about? Is it related to the Endless Seeker’s power?”
Zeke nodded. “Yes, their power is division and multiplication. If I’m right, the Endless Seeker can divide and multiply anything.”
Arataso was stunned. “Divide and multiply anything?”
“Yes, you mentioned they easily traded souls. Those souls were likely multiplied through division.”
Arataso seemed to grasp something. “Now that you mention it, someone who dealt with them said the souls felt strange.”
“They treat souls as currency, so as long as the numbers match, they consider the price paid.”
Zeke pointed to the rift created by Viper’s scythe. “This rift wasn’t made by the Endless Seeker’s power. It’s likely borrowed from another constellation at a cost.”
Arataso examined the rift’s energy. “You’re right. It’s different. I sense the energy of ‘Unfillable Chasm.’”
“Their abilities are twofold: regeneration through division and borrowed powers at a false cost.”
Zeke felt his time in the dimensional rift was running out. He steadied his breath and spoke to Arataso.
“Arataso, I need your help.”
“Hmm, where did he go?”
Viper, perched on a long scythe, floated in the air, searching for the vanished Zeke. The abyssal mages quickly located Zeke and informed Viper. Intrigued by Zeke’s approach to Nightgon, Viper decided to watch.
The mages, too, could only observe the duel between Zeke and Nightgon in silence. Viper was certain Zeke hadn’t fled.
“He wouldn’t just leave.”
Then, suddenly—
Boom!
Arataso, in a half-human, half-demon form, burst from the dimensional rift, wielding a green spear. Viper, lounging lazily, was startled.
“Who is that? Isn’t that sly Arataso?”
Being a fellow high-ranking demon, Viper recognized Arataso immediately. Summoned by Zeke, Arataso planted his spear into the ground.
A deep hum resonated as a green barrier formed, far stronger than Zeke’s previous barrier. Nightgon, caught in Arataso’s barrier, struggled to escape.
At that moment, Zeke appeared behind Nightgon, raising a hammer. Since the battle with the Emperor, his giant-slaying technique had evolved into a demon-slaying one, dealing direct damage to demon souls.
Zeke swung the hammer with the force of a gravitational field.
Boom!
Nightgon’s body shattered, parts scattering everywhere. As Nightgon’s body began to dissolve into black smoke, Zeke cast a wide-area curse reflection, preventing Nightgon from reforming.
Zeke searched through the scattered parts, finding Nightgon’s head and the hand holding the scythe. He split Nightgon’s mask, revealing a natural bloodstone, and quickly extracted it.
With that, Nightgon ceased to function. Zeke then picked up Nightgon’s scythe.
“What immense dark energy. Just holding it makes me dizzy.”
Like the relics of the Blood and Madness Knights, Nightgon’s artifact contained the power of a fallen constellation. Zeke tossed the scythe into the shadows, absorbing it.
[Absorbing the relic imbued with the power of the Endless Seeker.]
[Health, mental strength, and mana are restored.]
[Acquired skill ‘Clone (Grade A)’ derived from the Endless Seeker’s power.]
[Skill ‘Curse Reflection (Grade A)’ evolves into ‘Curse Reversal (Grade S)’.]
[Skill ‘Demon Slaying Technique (Grade S)’ proficiency increases.]
Absorbing the scythe granted Zeke a new skill, ‘Clone,’ and enhanced his other skills.
“The Endless Seeker’s power is curse-based. Curse skills are hard to master, so this is fortunate. It’ll help against sorcery.”
As Zeke defeated Nightgon, the gate hovering above the altar began to close. With Nightgon gone, the gate sustained by his power was shutting.
“With the gate gone, no more monsters will emerge.”
Though there were still many monsters, reinforcements would soon arrive to help hold the line. Zeke prepared to summon the Tyrant to disrupt the monsters from the rear.
But then, Arataso shouted a warning.
“Damn, Viper’s coming!”
Right after Arataso’s warning, applause and laughter echoed from above.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A burst of laughter echoed through the air as Viper descended gracefully, riding his scythe. He glanced at Zeke with a mischievous grin.
“Surprised, aren’t you? Who would’ve thought you’d handle that puppet so well!”
Viper waved at Arataso, who was busy maintaining a barrier. “Oh, Arataso, you sly fox! I wondered where you’d gone after leaving the castle empty. Who knew you’d end up as a pet to these filthy humans? It suits you, though. If I become his master, you’ll be the pet of my pet! How does that sound?”
Zeke watched Viper move effortlessly within Arataso’s barrier, sensing the formidable power of a high-ranking demon. Arataso shook his head in disdain.
[I’d rather choose oblivion than serve a mad demon like you.]
Viper burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as if it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. Suddenly, he stopped, straightened up, and fixed his gaze on Zeke.
“Hmm, I can sense a dragon’s aura from you. You must be connected to the dragon maintaining the shield on the castle wall.”
With that, Viper shot into the air, swinging his scythe towards the wall. A massive shadow of the scythe formed in the sky and crashed into Hades’ shield.
CRACK!
The impact created a fracture in the shield, and the beasts in the air seized the opportunity, diving towards the crack.
BOOM!
The beasts began to self-destruct, causing more fractures in the shield. Zeke observed the scene, realizing Viper’s power was far greater than anticipated.
‘We need more time for reinforcements to arrive.’
Viper descended towards Zeke, a playful smile on his face. “Isn’t this getting more exciting?”
Zeke drew Bahamut and aimed it at Viper. “No time to waste. Come at me.”
Viper laughed heartily, clutching his sides. “Humans are so amusing! Watching a little bug like you squirm is hilarious!”
With a snap of his fingers, something emerged from the forest. It was a grotesque creature, a patchwork of monster and mage bodies. The mage’s head, attached to the monster’s body, wept tears of blood while chanting spells.
The abominations let out a chilling scream and charged at Zeke. He brandished his hammer, unleashing a radiant energy.
CRACKLE!
The hammer crackled with intense light as Zeke leaped into the air, swinging it down on the creature.
CRASH!
The creature’s body shattered, scattering in all directions. Zeke continued to swing his hammer relentlessly, reducing the abominations to pulp.
Viper, perched on his scythe in mid-air, watched with keen interest. “This is truly entertaining!”
As Viper was engrossed in the battle, something appeared behind him without a sound. It was Zeke, wielding Bahamut.
Viper flinched, attempting to dodge, but Zeke’s strike was swifter.
SLASH!
Bahamut descended like a bolt of lightning, aimed directly at Viper.