Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Next, It’s Your Turn
"The Death Knell Striker can't be relied on."
Ugo glanced at the Death Knell Striker, which had taken down a high-grade stone golem and an elite Twin-Blade Spider, but was heavily injured itself and unable to assist him further.
"I have to rely on myself!"
The insect swarm reformed into Ugo's humanoid shape, his expression grim.
He really didn't want to use his last resort, which would significantly shorten his lifespan.
But the situation left him no choice.
If he didn't kill Sunan now, he would die here.
With a sound like tearing cloth, Ugo's skin suddenly split open, countless gray-white flesh bursting out, swelling into a hideous giant insect.
The giant insect bore a resemblance to the Deathbell Beetle but was larger and more grotesque.
Sunan couldn't help but grimace.
He had no objection to bloodline fusion, but he detested transforming into something neither human nor ghost.
Ugo's human form was already ugly, but this new form was downright repulsive.
"My mental power is about half left."
Sunan's eyes flickered as he recalled the Magic Rune Core.
Seeing the metal spikes suddenly vanish, Ugo was first stunned, then overjoyed.
Indeed, such a powerful ability must consume a lot of mental power!
Sunan's action clearly indicated he had exhausted his mental power and could no longer use the metal storm.
"Hahaha, now it's my turn!"
The giant insect let out a sharp, grating laugh, wings buzzing as it shot towards Sunan like a cannonball.
Sunan smirked, wanting to preserve some mental power just in case.
Judging by the situation, Ugo likely hadn't divided his forces to attack Matu and Osen.
Considering the recent suspicious behavior of the Red Widow and Black Duke, it was likely they had reached some agreement, possibly to join forces against Lake U City.
But since the Red Widow and Black Duke hadn't shown up, who knows what they were planning. Playing it safe, Sunan decided to conserve some strength.
Besides, he had other means to deal with Ugo.
With a thought, countless tiny gray mists appeared in the void, quickly forming into giant gray claw phantoms that tore through the air with a piercing whistle, slamming down on Ugo!
Ugo's form flickered as he tried to dodge, but the gray claw phantoms pursued relentlessly, striking him.
Sizzling!
Four gray claw phantoms passed through Ugo's body, emitting a sound like acid on flesh, making Ugo scream in agony.
Twilight-grade magical items!
Ugo looked in horror at Sunan's left hand.
He had clearly seen four rings on Sunan's hand flash with magical light, indicating magical items.
In other words, those four gray claw phantoms were the effects of those four magical rings!
Sunan had four identical twilight-grade offensive magical items!
Plus the defensive ones, just how many twilight-grade magical items did he possess?
Had he raided a formal wizard's legacy?
But that couldn't be. Formal wizards hadn't appeared for many years, and even if there was a legacy, twilight-grade magical items couldn't have been preserved in perfect condition for thousands of years!
Ugo's mind was a chaotic mess.
But the worst was yet to come.
Sunan waved his hand, and the four rings on his left hand vanished, replaced by four identical rings that lit up with magical light.
Whoosh!
Four identical gray claw phantoms appeared out of nowhere.
Seeing this, Ugo felt a chill run through him, as if plunged into an icy abyss.
The previous attack had already left him severely injured. Another would leave him dead or gravely wounded.
The real problem was not knowing how many more twilight-grade magical items Sunan had.
If there was another round, he'd be finished!
"Run!"
The searing pain from the gray claw phantoms made Ugo scream, his mind filled with thoughts of escape.
Not even caring about his prized Death Knell Striker, he fled at full speed.
The terrifying depth of Sunan's power had utterly shattered his will to fight.
"Trying to run?"
Sunan sneered, a high-grade runestone in his palm flaring with bright light, transforming into a gust of wind that enveloped him, propelling him forward at a speed ten times greater than Ugo's.
Hearing the gust behind him, Ugo glanced back, terrified.
He released a sonic wave behind him to hinder Sunan, but Sunan barreled through it, unaffected, and tossed a high-grade runestone.
"What is this now?"
Ugo, already traumatized by Sunan's endless tricks, feared this was another powerful item.
His fears were confirmed.
In mid-air, the runestone transformed into a massive bolt of lightning, striking Ugo from the sky to the ground.
Sunan's assault continued, hurling three more runestones, each transforming into a thunderous bolt.
The deafening thunder echoed far within the cavern.
Ugo's location was shrouded in thick smoke.
Hovering above, Sunan waved his hand, summoning a gust to disperse the smoke, revealing a large crater.
The crater was charred, the sand scorched into quartz-like crystals, faint white smoke rising visibly.
Ugo lay at the crater's center, reverted to his original human form, but charred black, with scarcely an undamaged patch of skin.
Sunan descended slowly, shrugging at Ugo's pitiful state.
"I intended to leave you a whole corpse for the Death Knell Striker, but since you tried to escape, this is how it ends."
Ugo glared at Sunan with wide eyes, filled with resentment, fear, and despair, his mouth emitting a strange rasp, as if trying to speak.
He was unwilling.
He had wanted to live longer, to become a formal wizard.
Had he known Sunan's power ran so deep, he wouldn't have coveted the divine remains, but fled as far as possible!
But it was too late for regrets.
Sunan shook his head, saying nothing more, flicking a finger to send a bolt of lightning through Ugo's forehead, ending his life.
Confirming Ugo's death, Sunan collected the four depleted Calamity Rings, replacing them with new ones.
Since returning to the underground, he had created numerous Calamity and Extreme Protection Rings, over forty in total, to ensure he could overwhelm opponents with ample equipment in battle.
The strategy proved effective.
Ugo's final trump card was useless against the sheer number of Calamity Rings.
Moreover, the Calamity Rings were reusable, unlike single-use high-grade runestones.
Using the rings more in battle saved many high-grade runestones.
Though Sunan now had lucrative mine profits, he still economized, as many future expenses loomed.
Coming back to his senses, Sunan approached Ugo, taking his spatial ring and several alchemical-grade magical items before returning to the original battlefield.
With Ugo's demise, the swarm fell into chaos, the insects no longer fixated on attacking Lake U City, but scattering in all directions.
The Death Knell Striker seemed to regain its will, attempting to break free and escape.
Having finally found an ancient bloodline beast, Sunan wouldn't let the Death Knell Striker escape, joining the encirclement without hesitation.
With Sunan's intervention, the Death Knell Striker soon fell into a disadvantage.
This ancient bloodline insect was as intelligent as a human; seeing itself outmatched, it lay flat, adopting a submissive pose.
"Quite clever."
With a few Weaken Rays, the Death Knell Striker grew listless, escorted back to Lake U City by two elite stone golems.
Sunan soon returned to the opposite shore.
The island's insects had mostly fled, the golem army clearing the remnants.
On the city wall, Karolaina watched expectantly. Seeing Sunan return, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Though she couldn't see what happened across the lake, the noise indicated a fierce battle.
Despite her confidence in the Master's strength, she couldn't help but worry.
Lake U City's safety rested entirely on Sunan.
If Sunan fell, the hundred manticore warriors and slave cannon fodder couldn't survive the perilous underground.
Not to mention, Matu and Osen wouldn't spare a vulnerable Lake U City.
"Master!"
Karolaina opened the city gate, approaching but stopping in surprise at the sight of the Death Knell Striker.
What was this?
A Deathbell Beetle?
But it was far too large!
"Master, what is this?" Karolaina couldn't help but ask curiously.
"An ancient bloodline insect beast."
Sunan casually recounted Ugo's story.
Hearing that a wizard was behind Kasham, Karolaina was stunned.
She never imagined the insect disaster that had plagued Lake U City, Matu, and Osen for years was orchestrated by a wizard.
Looking at the Master, Karolaina couldn't help but marvel.
Wizards truly were fearsome beings!
Each one could cause such upheaval.
"But Master, what was the wizard's purpose in controlling the insect disaster?" Karolaina asked, puzzled.
From today's events, it was clear Kasham had the power to defeat the three city-states and control the region. Why hadn't they acted, instead sending swarms periodically to attack?
"Who knows." Sunan shrugged.
But he had a theory.
Ugo likely needed to collect souls or flesh for some purpose, using the city-states as renewable resource points, harvesting periodically.
As for what purpose, they'd find out after taking Kasham.
Sunan had checked Ugo's ring; besides some gold and gems, it contained worthless items.
He suspected Ugo stored valuable items in Kasham, possibly having a laboratory there.
"Keep an eye on Matu and Osen, report any movement immediately."
Seeing the battlefield clear of insects, Sunan recalled the golems and headed for Kasham.
No time to waste; he needed to seize Kasham and claim Ugo's legacy.
Once that was done, he could deal with Matu and Osen.
"Yes, Master."
Karolaina bowed slightly, watching Sunan's silhouette disappear into the darkness, then slowly straightened, surveying her surroundings.
Initially, she hadn't connected anything to Matu and Osen.
But learning of Kasham's controller, today's events made it clear Matu and Osen likely collaborated with Kasham.
Knowing the Red Widow and Black Duke, they were probably hiding, observing the battle.
If Lake U City and Kasham exhausted each other, or one side triumphed but was severely weakened, they'd surely swoop in to reap the benefits.
Unfortunately, they underestimated the Master's power.
Kasham's attack hadn't even phased him, and the wizard behind it had died at his hands.
With the insect threat removed, Kasham would soon fall to Lake U City.
Once free, the Master wouldn't allow Matu and Osen to grow unchecked.
"Next, it's your turn."
Karolaina glanced towards Matu and Osen, a gleam flashing in her eyes.
The same thought crossed the Red Widow and Black Duke's minds.
Seeing Ugo fall and the swarm scatter, their hearts sank.
"Useless! Absolutely useless!"
"He boasted about defeating Sunan, yet fell so easily!"
The Black Duke gnashed his teeth in anger.
He had considered the possibility of Ugo's defeat but hadn't expected it to be so swift, without causing Lake U City significant losses.
It was obvious who Lake U City, having retained most of its power, would target next!
The Red Widow's expression was equally grave, her usual frivolity and abandon gone.
Lake U City, or rather, the power Sunan displayed, far exceeded their expectations.
Kasham and Ugo's defeat wasn't undeserved.
But it didn't lessen her disdain and frustration with Ugo.
If he had at least inflicted more losses on Lake U City before dying, she'd have room to maneuver.
Now, she had no confidence in resisting Lake U City.
Once Sunan was free, it would be the end for Matu and Osen.
What to do?
The Red Widow glanced at the still-fuming Black Duke beside her, a strange glint flashing in her scarlet eyes.
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