Episode 619
“Shadow Hunters, huh.”
Zeke gazed at the transformed wraith soldiers, now known as Shadow Hunters. The name seemed fitting, reminiscent of his past as a hitman.
Just then, the dark knights summoned more dark soldiers, who charged towards Zeke’s position.
Screeeeech!
The wraith soldiers, summoned from a vanished world by twisted causality, let out eerie cries as they rushed forward. Zeke watched them and issued a command to the Shadow Hunters.
“Hunters, release the souls of those noble warriors.”
Shhhk!
At Zeke’s command, the Shadow Hunters drew daggers in both hands and charged at the wraith soldiers. Their movements were uncannily similar to Zeke’s own during his hitman days, moving with precision and stealth.
The hunters lowered their stances, approaching the wraith soldiers swiftly and silently. As they moved, they began to blend into the surrounding shadows.
The wraith soldiers, tracking the hunters’ movements, halted in confusion as their targets vanished. In that moment of hesitation, the shadows beneath the wraith soldiers flickered like dark stains.
Whoosh!
The hunters emerged from the shadows, catching the wraith soldiers off guard. Though the wraiths tried to react, the hunters had already secured advantageous positions.
In an instant, two or three hunters surrounded each wraith soldier, striking from above, below, and the sides with their daggers.
Slash!
The wraith soldiers were swiftly dismantled, their bodies shattered into pieces. The hunters then melted back into the shadows, moving on to their next targets.
The remains of the wraith soldiers were absorbed into the shadowy mire Zeke had spread, replenishing his forces. Zeke converted the vengeful spirits among them into new Shadow Hunters.
As the wraith soldiers advanced, Zeke’s army only grew stronger. Realizing this, the dark knights ceased their summoning.
Rumble!
The dark knights, who had been summoning soldiers from the rear, now drew their swords from the ground and stood up. A sinister aura emanated from their helmets, exuding a pressure far greater than that of the wraith soldiers.
The Shadow Hunters, having nearly dealt with the wraiths, closed in on the dark knights. But the knights were the first to strike, raising their swords and charging forward.
Boom!
As the dark knights swung their swords, a dark energy surged forth. The Shadow Hunters attempted to advance against this dark aura, but their forms wavered and scattered, retreating back into the shadows.
Witnessing the Shadow Hunters disperse with a single strike, Zeke realized the dark knights’ power rivaled that of high-ranking demons.
“These must have been renowned knights in their respective eras.”
Zeke aimed to save the souls of the dark knights, just as he had with the wraith soldiers.
Vroom!
The holy sword Ascalon vibrated with power. Zeke amplified his aura using Hercules’ technique, unleashing a powerful wave.
Rumble!
A potent aura radiated from Zeke, just as the dark knights charged, their swords imbued with dark energy.
Boom!
The dark energy surged towards Zeke, who raised Ascalon and charged forward, employing dragon-slaying techniques.
Screeeech!
The amplified wave from Zeke’s attack disrupted the dark energy, causing the knights’ eyes to flash red within their helmets. A dark tempest erupted from their swords.
Rumble!
The ground shook as the dark tempest raged, splitting the earth and sending black lightning crashing down from the sky.
Boom!
The black lightning struck all around, as if heralding the end of the world.
At that moment, a chilling voice echoed in Zeke’s mind.
“Come. Come to me.”
Nabu, standing behind, heard the ominous voice calling the dark knights and shouted to Zeke.
“Zeke! The power of the Demon King from the temple is growing stronger!”
The weakening of the temple’s protective seal was evident. Hercules, standing guard at the temple’s entrance, sensed the change and readied his bow.
Boom!
The dark knights, who had summoned the tempest, began advancing towards Zeke, resembling harbingers of doom.
Zeke infused the wave of his amplified aura with the power of the holy spirit, sending it forth.
Vroom!
A radiant halo spread out, resisting the dark forces, but it wasn’t enough to fully counter the fierce tempest.
“Black tempests and lightning… It’s hard to fight with my vision obscured.”
Though he could reveal his divine power, the presence of Baron lurking nearby and the unknown within the temple made it unwise to act rashly.
Then, suddenly—
Whoosh!
A rain of massive arrows descended from the sky.
Boom!
Hercules had unleashed a volley of orichalcum arrows, piercing through the dark tempest and striking the dark knights.
Crack!
The physical force of the orichalcum arrows broke through the knights’ aura, dealing significant damage.
Zeke glanced back to see Nabu and Nigel safely within a protective barrier, while Hercules continued his assault on the dark knights.
A smile crept onto Zeke’s face.
“Seems like they’ve decided to back me up.”
With newfound confidence, Zeke steadied his breath and raised Ascalon once more.
Crackle!
A bolt of light imbued with the holy spirit shot skyward. Simultaneously, a golden aura of purification flowed from Zeke, quelling the dark tempest.
Zeke focused his power into his sword, sending a bolt of light high into the sky.
Crackle!
Dozens of lightning bolts filled the sky, consuming the dark tempest and lightning.
At the same time, another volley of orichalcum arrows rained down.
Boom!
The arrows, now enveloped in Zeke’s light, struck the dark knights from above.
Zap!
Though the knights tried to fend off the arrows with their swords, the radiant energy seeped into their bodies.
Crackle!
The purifying light engulfed the dark knights, slowing their movements and causing them to creak. Zeke charged forward.
He extended his hand, using amplified power to resonate with the orichalcum arrows embedded in the ground.
Vroom!
One arrow began to vibrate with amplified energy, soon joined by others, resonating with Zeke’s wave.
Screeeech!
The orichalcum arrows, scattered across the battlefield, resonated as if alive, amplifying and releasing Zeke’s wave.
Caught in the center of this wave, the dark knights’ movements grew stiffer. Their dark aura dissipated, and cracks appeared in their armor and swords.
Crack!
Seeing his attack affect the dark knights, Zeke intensified the wave.
Screeeech!
The orichalcum arrows vibrated more fiercely, further cracking the knights’ armor.
Soon, something began to ooze from the fractured armor.
Ssssh!
A sticky, dark substance writhed and seeped from the cracks, affected by the amplified wave, twisting in apparent agony.
This substance was the source of the malevolent energy binding the knights’ souls.
Zeke reached out towards the dark substance emerging from the knights’ armor.
Fwoosh!
He unleashed the power of flame and amplification, sending an unquenchable firestorm toward the dark knights.
The flames, conjured by his powers, wrapped around the dark knights, consuming the dark matter that animated them.
A shrill, inhuman scream echoed as the dark matter writhed like a living creature, desperately trying to escape the fiery onslaught.
Just then, a massive white flame erupted along the path the dark knights were attempting to flee.
Whoosh!
Hercules unleashed a torrent of white fire, merging with the power of flame to engulf the dark knights completely.
Caught in the trap of the waves, the dark matter controlling the knights faltered under the dual assault of flames from both sides.
As Zeke assessed the situation, he extended his shadow to absorb the burning dark knights.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion reverberated from behind the temple, and the protective barrier surrounding it began to dissipate.
Zeke narrowed his eyes, focusing on the temple.
“Baron.”
It was clear now—Baron had used the dark knights as bait, seeking an opportunity to infiltrate the temple.
Hercules’ eyes flared red once more as he ceased his fiery assault and prepared to charge toward the source of the explosion.
But then, black vines erupted from the ground.
Rustle!
Hundreds of black tendrils shot up, ensnaring Hercules and immobilizing him in place.
Caught off guard, Hercules found himself unable to move, held fast by the relentless vines.
The tendrils also reached for Nabu and Nigel, attempting to ensnare them.
“Haaah!”
Quick on his feet, Nigel swiftly swung his sword, slicing through the vines.
Yet, as soon as they were cut, more vines sprouted, closing in on them again.
This time, Nabu opened his book and shouted at the encroaching vines.
“Let a rain of fire descend from the heavens and obliterate the thorns that block our path!”
As he spoke, a fiery rain poured down from the sky.
Boom!
The vines, engulfed in flames, seemed to suffer under the fiery assault, but they quickly regenerated, filling the gaps left by their charred brethren.
Moreover, the vines had already wrapped around the temple, making entry seem impossible.
Zeke’s situation was no less dire.
The sudden emergence of the vines had uprooted the orichalcum arrows embedded in the ground, weakening the amplification of his waves.
As the waves diminished, the dark knights, who had been on the verge of collapse, began to recover.
With their eyes glowing red once more, the dark knights raised their swords and advanced toward Zeke, embodying the very essence of an immortal legion.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Zeke steadied his breath as he watched the dark knights approach.
“Now that Baron’s movements are clear, it’s time to act.”
Calmly, Zeke closed his eyes and began to unleash the divine power he had been suppressing.
The aura of a celestial being surged from his body.
Rumble!
Having absorbed the soul of an arrogant savior, Zeke had grown into a celestial force strong enough to rival a demon lord.
In this isolated, unique space, free from the constraints of the physical world, his power knew no bounds.
The ground trembled as Zeke revealed his true strength.
Yet, the dark knights charged at him, their swords raised, exuding dark energy.
Zeke opened his eyes, revealing not his usual gaze but the “Demon Lord’s Eye,” glowing with the hue of purgatory.
He looked down at the dark knights and spoke.
“Kneel.”
Thud!
At his command, the dark knights simultaneously fell to their knees.