Episode 549
The Power of the Outsider
Zeke knew only that the power was somehow linked to the God of Chaos, but its true nature remained a mystery even to him.
Watching the priest wield the power of the outsider with ease, Zeke couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be a deeper connection between him and the God of Chaos.
“This one’s too dangerous to leave unchecked. He must be eliminated here.”
As Zeke’s eyes glinted with determination, his teeth clenched, a transformation began in Asmodi, who had embraced the outsider’s power.
A guttural scream tore from Asmodi’s throat, and sharp teeth began to sprout from the bone armor encasing his body.
Thick, viscous fluid oozed as tentacles emerged from his back, writhing like serpents.
Asmodi, now fully transformed into an outsider, no longer exuded any aura of combat.
Instead, his body had grown larger, and the grotesque bone armor seemed to have fused with his very being.
A low growl emanated from the distorted faces protruding from the bone armor, their teeth bared in a savage roar.
With a bone spear raised high, Asmodi unleashed a wave of the outsider’s power, sending ripples through the air.
The ground shook with a massive tremor, as if the very space around them was quaking.
Sharp bone blades jutted from the tentacles on Asmodi’s back, and he glared at Zeke, shouting defiantly.
“For the glory of my lord, I offer this victory!”
The tentacles coiled around his bone spear, lifting it into the air.
The outsider’s power concentrated in the spear, sending shockwaves in all directions.
A soul-wrenching scream escaped from Asmodi, his essence laid bare to Zeke, who realized that Asmodi was pushing beyond his limits, consumed by the outsider’s power.
Facing the oncoming storm of energy, Zeke raised his sword.
A brilliant light emanated from Ascalon, Zeke’s weapon, as the power of purification and holy energy combined, casting a golden aura and beams of light in every direction.
The energy focused into Ascalon, imbuing it with a primordial force so potent that no deceit or dark magic could approach it.
Yet, Asmodi, fully engulfed by the outsider’s power, was lost in a frenzy of distorted loyalty, feeling no fear.
With a monstrous cry, he spun the airborne bone spear.
The spear, imbued with the outsider’s ominous power, hurtled toward Zeke with a soul-shaking wail.
Zeke, holding Ascalon aloft, assumed the stance of the Dragon Slayer.
The bone spear, charged with malevolent energy, flew at him with lethal intent.
Zeke swung his sword to meet the spear.
Dragon Slayer Secret Technique
Light Annihilation
Forbidden Thunder
The bone spear and Zeke’s sword clashed in mid-air.
The sinister power of the outsider within the spear collided with Zeke’s energy.
The clash of these two immense forces sent shockwaves throughout the labyrinth, shaking it to its core.
Simultaneously, the power of Forbidden Thunder, unleashed by Zeke, began to penetrate and neutralize Asmodi’s strength.
The golden light of Forbidden Thunder slowly ate away at the power within the spear, scattering radiant fragments in all directions.
Though the spear struggled to push forward, it was ultimately consumed by the encroaching power of Forbidden Thunder.
The thunderous force drove deeper into the spear’s core.
Cracks began to form in Asmodi’s bone spear and armor, enhanced by the outsider’s power.
Seeing this, Zeke, still holding Ascalon, drew his other sword, Laevatein.
He infused Laevatein with all his might.
Zeke’s mastery of his transcendent power had reached the level of his mentor, Nigel.
As the radiant power continued to erode Asmodi, Zeke focused his energy into Laevatein and prepared to strike.
With deliberate precision, he swung his sword.
Transcendent Technique
Double Spell
Will of Shattering
The strike, imbued with the Will of Shattering, flew toward Asmodi, who was trapped by Forbidden Thunder.
The transcendent strike hit Asmodi squarely, unable to move under the thunder’s grip.
The Will of Shattering pierced through the waves of energy, slicing through Asmodi’s form.
A scream of agony erupted from Asmodi as the formless power of the transcendent technique shook every particle of his being.
The bone armor shattered into dust under the force of Zeke’s attack.
Asmodi coughed up blue blood, unable to withstand the assault, and plummeted to the ground.
The storm of energy dissipated, filling the space with a radiant glow.
Asmodi’s second battalion, witnessing his fall, retreated, unable to advance through the lingering waves of energy.
Zeke descended, looking down at the fallen Asmodi.
Without his bone armor, Asmodi lay battered and broken.
He trembled, trying desperately to rise, but was unable to move.
Behind him, the priest stood silently, watching.
Asmodi turned, reaching out to the priest with a trembling hand.
“My lord…”
The priest remained unmoved as Asmodi’s body began to disintegrate.
Even in his final moments, Asmodi’s voice was filled with blind, fanatical loyalty.
“For the glory of my lord…”
His words were cut short as he dissolved into dust.
To the very end, Asmodi’s unwavering devotion to his arrogant savior led only to his annihilation.
As Asmodi vanished, the second battalion also began to fade, leaving only bone helmets behind.
Zeke looked at the old bone helmet left where Asmodi had fallen, pondering how he had appeared here.
“Was he resurrected using the karma data left in the helmet?”
Everything leaves behind karma data.
Zeke recalled how, through the games of the constellations, long-lost heroes and the relics of their civilizations had been summoned.
“If that too was created through the power of the arrogant savior…”
If he could obtain that power, it might be possible to recreate beings from the past using their data.
As Zeke gathered his thoughts, he turned his gaze to the priest.
He stepped forward, sword at the ready.
“Finally, I can face you.”
Nothing stood between him and the priest now.
The priest remained silent, unmoving.
Zeke approached cautiously, not letting his guard down.
Then, in a sudden burst, Zeke lunged at the priest.
His sword strike grazed the priest’s head.
The priest’s form wavered, vanishing like a mirage, nullifying Zeke’s attack.
Reappearing behind him, the priest spoke.
“Zeke Draker, you cannot kill me with this.”
Zeke tightened his grip on his sword, adjusting his stance, and summoned the elemental sword.
A powerful gravitational force pressed down on the priest.
Even a formidable being would be crushed under such intense gravity.
Yet, the priest stood calmly, snapping his fingers.
The power of the arrogant savior emanated from the priest, and blue orbs floated around him.
The orbs shimmered, neutralizing the gravitational field Zeke had created.
“The power of the arrogant savior, is it?”
Unlike ordinary powers, the arrogant savior’s abilities seemed to have a wide range.
Determined to defeat the priest, Zeke resolved to use all his strength.
He summoned the four great spirits.
The spirits of fire, wind, earth, and water surrounded the priest.
At Zeke’s command, a storm of elemental fury descended upon the priest from all sides.
Despite the concentrated assault from the four great spirits, the priest remained composed within the chaos.
With a snap of his fingers, the priest conjured something astonishing.
A chorus of whispers filled the air as dark spirits, resembling the four elemental spirits, materialized around him. Each bore the attributes of fire, wind, earth, and water, yet they were as black as night.
The priest, having summoned these corrupted spirits, commanded them to clash with the high-level spirits Zeke had called forth.
A thunderous roar erupted as the spirits unleashed their power, sweeping through the space like a tempest.
The dark spirits, though their elemental essence was faint, displayed a formidable strength in their attacks. Realizing the futility of the battle, Zeke dismissed his spirits back to their realm.
The priest, standing calmly, addressed Zeke with a smirk. “Didn’t I tell you? This won’t be enough to kill me.”
Without a word, Zeke drew Caladbolg from the shadows, aiming it at the priest. The sword pulsed with the energy of his soul.
The ground trembled as Zeke’s soul blade, capable of cutting through the very essence of existence, filled the space with his will. The shadowy sword in his hand and the blade within his heart became one.
In that moment, Zeke swung his sword at the priest standing before him.
A silent slash cut through the unseen dimensions, and Zeke felt the priest’s essence being severed.
Yet, as he withdrew his soul blade, Zeke was met with an astonishing sight.
The priest’s body, like mist, disintegrated only to reform back to its original state.
‘How is this possible?’ Zeke wondered, bewildered. He had cut through the essence, seemingly erasing the priest’s existence, yet the priest had reconstituted himself as if nothing had happened.
The priest, observing Zeke’s confusion, spoke. “A blade that cuts beyond the astral sword, into the very essence. Zeke Draker, your power far exceeds my expectations.”
Zeke furrowed his brow, realizing even his soul blade was nullified by the priest’s power. ‘Is this the extent of the arrogant savior’s power?’
The priest approached Zeke, arms open. “You seem confused. Just as I was surprised by your strength, you are surprised by mine.”
He continued, “Zeke Draker, I must admit I underestimated you. You are indeed one of the key players on the final stage.”
Zeke, staring at the priest, demanded, “What is this ‘final stage’ you speak of? And who are you, really?”
Instead of answering, the priest slowly removed his hood, revealing his face.
Zeke’s breath caught in his throat. “Rubern?”
The priest had Rubern’s distinctive white hair and skin, with eyes as red as a demon’s.
Priest Harvey West looked at Zeke and said, “Surprised, Zeke Draker?”
Zeke had never imagined that the priest of the abyss could be of Rubern’s lineage. ‘Why would Rubern be the priest of the abyss?’
Seeing Zeke’s bewildered expression, the priest shook his head. “I am not of Rubern’s lineage.”
He met Zeke’s gaze and declared, “I am Draker, the progenitor of your lineage.”