Episode 415
A deafening screech echoed through the sky as the tyrant summoned by Zeke soared above the heart of Salmak’s stronghold.
Simultaneously, Zeke drove Bahamut into the ground, creating a field of golden energy that sent tremors through the earth. The unstable desert terrain amplified the threat, shaking the resolve of Salmak’s assassins with a roar infused with the power of charisma.
As Zeke surveyed the scene, Shadia approached him.
“Master, there’s movement from Salmak’s side. Judging by their attire, they seem to be black mages from the Scorpion Clan.”
“The Scorpion Clan, huh? So they had people stationed here in advance.”
Before arriving, Zeke had already dismantled the main base of the Scorpion Clan in the desert. Although the clan operated in a decentralized manner, making it impossible to eradicate them entirely by destroying the main base, it would certainly disrupt their communication.
Zeke planned to sever the Scorpion Clan’s limbs one by one after toppling their headquarters.
“If they’re gathered here, that’s even better. Those deployed to Salmak are likely high-ranking black mages. Taking them out should deter the Scorpion Clan from acting recklessly.”
The Scorpion Clan had deep ties with Zemens, so it was crucial to nip any threats in the bud.
Just then, massive black scorpions began to emerge from the ground, summoned by the Scorpion Clan’s black mages.
The black scorpions were fearsome creatures, their armor tough and their tails venomous enough to be lethal with a mere scratch. But that was only true for ordinary forces.
Zeke’s allies were no ordinary soldiers; they were Salmak’s assassins and Ishtar’s martial artists.
“Sir Zeke.”
Himmel, the leader of the Raven Squad, approached Zeke.
“Shall we take care of those creatures?”
With Ishtar’s forces eager to engage, there was no reason to refuse.
“Feeling restless, are we? Very well.”
With a grin, Himmel led the Raven Squad in a charge against the black scorpions.
Boom!
The martial artists of Ishtar unleashed their deadly techniques, a power distinct from the aura used by knights. While knights excelled in direct, forceful attacks, Ishtar’s martial artists employed agile, fluid techniques to dismantle their foes.
As they formed a formation to immobilize the scorpions and shattered their tough armor with martial prowess, Salmak’s members watched in awe, witnessing firsthand why Ishtar was one of the three transcendent families.
Once the Raven Squad had dealt with the scorpions, the ground began to tremble, and a colossal monster emerged.
Zeke’s eyes widened in surprise.
“A Wyrm Dragon?”
The Wyrm Dragon, a massive creature that dwelled deep underground, relied on its immense size and potent venom as its primary weapons.
The Wyrm Dragon opened its enormous maw and spewed venom towards Zeke and his allies.
“Richmond!”
At Zeke’s command, Richmond swiftly summoned a wall of bones to shield them.
Sizzle!
The Wyrm Dragon’s acidic venom corroded the bone wall, but as it crumbled, Zeke leaped into the air, sword in hand, and struck at the Wyrm Dragon.
Boom!
The powerful strike hit the Wyrm Dragon, eliciting a pained roar.
At that moment, a third eye appeared on Zeke’s forehead.
“All that is unholy shall obey the king’s command.”
Though called a dragon, the Wyrm Dragon was not a true dragon species. Thus, Zeke used the power of his third eye to seize control of the creature.
The black mages controlling the Wyrm Dragon from afar were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.
“What… what’s happening?”
The Wyrm Dragon abruptly changed direction, moving towards Salmak’s stronghold instead of Zeke’s forces.
The Wyrm Dragon unleashed its venom upon Salmak’s side, causing chaos as some mages and assassins, unable to evade, fell from the walls with screams.
“Ahhh!”
As the Wyrm Dragon scaled the walls, siege weapons rained down upon it.
Thud! Thud!
Spears and arrows embedded themselves into the Wyrm Dragon’s body, momentarily halting its advance. But Zeke commanded it to crash into the walls, and despite the barrage, the Wyrm Dragon obeyed.
Crash!
With a thunderous noise, the Wyrm Dragon’s massive body brought down a section of the wall.
The Wyrm Dragon, riddled with arrows and spears, slumped against the collapsed wall.
Zeke immediately rallied Salmak’s assassins and Ishtar’s martial artists.
“The wall is breached! Move in!”
Leading the charge, Zeke brandished Bahamut and unleashed a radiant aura, sweeping through the broken wall.
The Scorpion Clan’s black mages atop the wall, though startled, attempted to cast spells at Zeke.
But Zeke expanded his mana reversal technique into a wide-area buff.
Buzz—
Within the field of Zeke’s mana reversal, the mages’ faces turned a sickly purple, and they began to bleed from their eyes, noses, and ears.
“Ugh!”
The mages, overwhelmed by the backlash, collapsed, coughing up blood.
The mana reversal technique had proven effective against the Scorpion Clan’s main base, and once again, it demonstrated its formidable power, bringing a satisfied smile to Zeke’s face.
Meanwhile, Salmak’s assassins, witnessing the fall of the Scorpion mages, recoiled in fear.
“Before they get inside, unleash the poison darts!”
As the assassins reached for their blowpipes, Shadia and other assassins appeared behind them.
Slice—
Being from the same Salmak lineage, they knew all the tricks. Shadia dispatched the assassins before they could use their poison darts, slashing throats and striking vital points.
Ishtar’s martial artists also subdued the assassins, showcasing their lethal techniques.
Zeke, observing their prowess, pressed forward with his sword, delving deeper into the stronghold.
From the shadows, black chains shot out towards Zeke.
Clang!
Chains flew from all directions, binding Zeke’s limbs.
Hidden assassins emerged from the darkness, hurling poisoned daggers at the ensnared Zeke.
Whoosh!
But Zeke unleashed a field of wind, sending the daggers back to their throwers.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The assassins, struck by their own weapons, hurriedly reached for antidotes.
In that moment, Zeke manipulated the field of golden energy to seize the chains binding him, swinging them and the attached assassins into the air.
Whoosh!
The assassins, caught in the air, were helpless as Zeke swung them around.
“Ahhh!”
With poison coursing through their veins, the airborne assassins were disoriented.
Once Zeke deemed them sufficiently subdued, he severed the chains and hurled them against the wall.
Crash!
The assassins, limbs twisted, met their end against the wall.
Zeke continued his advance, breaking through doors with his sword.
Inside, dozens of assassins lay in wait, holding their breath.
Swish!
The assassins, swords drawn, charged at Zeke in formation.
Unfazed, Zeke wielded Bahamut and unleashed his full power.
Hum—
With the force of a mighty river, Zeke’s body became an unyielding fortress.
The assassins’ swords, unable to penetrate, bounced off Zeke’s aura.
Before they could recover, Zeke charged forward, sword in hand.
Crash!
Zeke’s strike sent the lead assassin flying, scattering the formation.
“Ugh!”
With a single blow, the formation crumbled.
Zeke’s sword, now enveloped in an aura blade, cut through the assassins like a dragon rampaging through a flock of sheep.
With each swing, several assassins were sent flying.
Soon, the ground was littered with the bodies of fallen assassins.
Zeke shook the blood from his sword and pressed deeper into the stronghold.
The narrow corridors of Salmak’s stronghold made swift movement difficult.
Zeke moved cautiously, scanning the area for any immediate threats. His first priority was to locate the leader of the assassins.
“Once I take him down and clear this place, I need to find the hidden, sealed deity of the land.”
Suddenly, a section of the wall slid open, and a blade lunged toward Zeke’s side.
Clang!
The assassin’s sword failed to penetrate Zeke’s protective aura, bending uselessly instead. Without hesitation, Zeke thrust his own sword into the wall.
Crunch!
His blade pierced through, striking the heart of the hidden assassin.
Thud!
More assassins emerged from the ceiling, floor, and walls, attacking Zeke with relentless ferocity. He fought them off, making his way toward the chamber where the leader awaited.
Boom!
Zeke kicked open the grand doors. Inside, only two incense burners and the leader’s throne remained. He scanned the room, sword at the ready.
“Did he already flee?”
Losing the leader now would complicate matters, and Zeke’s frustration was evident.
Just then, two figures staggered out from behind the throne, their bodies contorted and faces twisted in agony.
“Ugh!”
Foaming at the mouth, they moved in a grotesque manner. Zeke recognized them immediately.
“The leader’s disciples?”
He had learned about them during his investigation. They were the ones taken in after Shadia. But something was terribly wrong.
Growl!
Though human, they emitted sounds more akin to beasts.
“Argh!”
Their bodies convulsed, muscles swelling beyond human limits, transforming them into hulking figures larger than any barbarian.
Their veins bulged, threatening to burst, as they glared at Zeke with eyes full of madness.
Snarl—
The monstrous figures charged at Zeke, no longer human.
Crash!
Zeke dodged their attack, but the spot where he had stood was left in ruins by their razor-sharp claws.
“They’re faster and stronger than barbarians.”
One of them leaped after Zeke, who was now airborne, trying to tear him apart with its claws.
Zeke swung his sword at the transformed creature.
Boom!
The clash of claws and sword echoed like an explosion. Meanwhile, the other creature opened its mouth wide, inhaling deeply before unleashing a deafening roar at Zeke.
Roar!
The sound waves shook the entire space.
Zeke activated his protective aura to block the sonic assault.
Crack!
The walls cracked under the pressure, but Zeke remained unfazed, charging at the creature. He pulled a hammer from his inventory, channeling his energy into it.
Smash!
The creature was struck by the hammer’s radiant force, sent flying into the wall.
Rumble—
The wall crumbled under the impact. Zeke immediately turned to the remaining creature, swinging the hammer with all his might into its side.
Crunch!
Bones shattered as the creature was hurled into another wall.
Thud!
Zeke set the hammer down, eyeing the fallen creatures.
“What are these things?”
He pondered their nature, but before he could reach a conclusion, the creatures began to stir.
Crack—
They were recovering, rising to their feet once more. Zeke picked up his hammer again.
“Why are there so many self-healing enemies these days?”
He recalled the relentless dark knights he had faced before, who also regenerated as they fought. These creatures were no different, baring their fangs at him once more.
Shaking his head, Zeke gripped the hammer tightly, summoning his full power.
Rumble—
With the hammer imbued with the will of destruction, Zeke glared at the approaching creatures.
“Let’s see you regenerate from this!”
He charged, the hammer crashing down with devastating force on the monstrous figures.