[Verni]
Oblivion Edge, huh? I think that's the name of that haxed sword and it seems he can block my [Scan] ability. I guess he has higher stats than my clones since I can't assess him.
If possible, I'll steal that sword.
I started with nearly a thousand clones, now, we are down to around 400.
Damn, his ability is annoying!
I have no idea how it works. He just aims it a bit towards us and the clones instantly gets taken down after he chants his spell. There are fluctuations in his mana as he casts it but that's the most I can tell. I can't see any flying slash nor any spell shooting out towards my clones.
Right now, he is about to cast another one.
"Final--- Oblivion!" Rexir chants and just like that, around half a hundred gets taken out.
I have to do something. My real body will take some time to arrive. I have to buy those werewolves some time with the clones that I currently have.
I command the clones to get in formation. They aim at Rixer and have them use the skill [Meteor Doom]. Around 50 of the clones shoot out the meteor attack.
Like a barrage of meteors is shot out from the clones going unto his direction.
Rixer raise his blade and chants his skill. He eyes the meteors like it doesn't bother him. "Final Oblivion!"
Rixer simply slices every meteor rock on mid-air, causing them to lose momentum, crumble and fall apart. It ends up raining across the forest and burning a portion of it from the heat of the debris.
"Infitius, is that the best of your ability? The people in Munren may regard you as powerful but come to Helis and you will realize how ordinary you are."
I see that he is trying to taunt me. Regardless, I just want to say something.
"Shut up, in the first place, I didn't care about titles nor do I care about Helis or Munren. I just want to be in peace and perhaps crush people like you on the way. You're quite annoying for using my name."
Rixer grunts haughtily, "you bore me, you have no ambition. Then I see more reasons not to lose especially as a subordinate of the demon lord who has grand plans for this world."
Demon lord, huh? Now that I remember it, there was one demon lord who sealed Sagus. I think his name was Fagrusil. I'm curious if they are related in some way.
"I'm not fond of you people. These kidnappings, cults and these rituals. What are you planning to do?"
Rixer holds his forehead. He then begins laughing as though trying to calm himself down. "Oh right, it's still not too late to talk this out. Perhaps, we can come into a consensus. Well, if you don't mind if we use your name as the Eastern Overlord, we can still continue our business as usual. Perhaps, we can create an alliance between the demons and you."
I scratch my head thinking about. I then say, "it's already too late to talk about anything, because to be honest, I'm not comfortable working with people like yourselves."
Rixer grits his teeth in annoyance. "Silence, it's natural for people who have no ambition to follow those who's ideals are of greatness."
I grin widely at him. This is a grin of victory. "Then we'll see if ambitions will give you an upperhand in battles!"
Despite his haxed Final Oblivion ability, the maximum clones he can cut are around 200. Which means, I'll have to bet all my clones on the line which are around 300.
All of my clones instantly jump at him, he panics as he readies his pose. "Damn it, I got distracted."
Somehow, he managed to do the pose.
"Final---Oblivion."
Around 200 gets taken down in a blink of an eye, however, there are still about a hundred left.
The clones cling on him, which he slashes them quick. Each clone approaches him, he tries his best to cut them down that he don't have the oppurtunity to cast his skill the second time. Right now, around 3 clones are being slashed by him every second. So time is valuable as each clones are being taken out like flies.
While the rest of the clones are distracting him, 5 clones gather close to me. We aim our palm on one spot to gather our power.
Each of us can use 2 skills at once, thus the 5 of us clones will combine around 10 skills at the same time. I'm not sure about its effectiveness, but here we go.
First is a combined earth and fire affinity skill, [Meteor Doom], as the base form of the combined skill. Next is [Energy Surge], a lightning affinity skill to increase the power of the combined skill, then [Phoenix Strike], a wind affinity skill to increase its speed. Then I apply [Freezing Curse], it will cause its targets defense to decrease significantly, as for the rest are enhancement skills.
This is a combined skill which is I call as the [Lethal Rainbow].
Right now, the clones are falling one by one and they will run out a few seconds later. We prepare the skill and aim it upon Rixer. "Lethal Rainbowww!"
The combined skill is shot out shaking the air as it leaves from our area. It whizzes forward in which Rexir notices at some point. However, it's too late since he is still busy with the other clones.
A giant explosion follows that covers most of the sky with smoke.
Regardless, only the five of us are left. If he is still alive, then these clones are done for. Looking below, where Alver is, he has not yet arrived on the village.
That was pretty slow but it's understandable since they are riding the cage like a car downhill on a ragged road.
Though even if he does reach the village, I wonder what these demons are going to do if the village is no longer useful? I think I know one frightening answer, they will get wiped out.
Which is why I have to stop this guy at all cost. I have to defeat him and then put some order into the village.
Regardless, why am I even fighting for these people? I don't know them and here I am risking my life for them.
Well who cares. I'll just look for a way to make them useful to me. Perhaps, I'll recruit them as subordinates?
Right now, the smoke is about to clear up. My eyes widen from surprise. The guy is still alive, though he is panting and when the smoke is gone, there is a hole on his stomach.
Even from that damage that guy is still alive? The demons are quite troublesome.
I notice the hole on his stomach is closing.
[Answer. The demons have superior regeneration abilities. To ensure their death, destroy their hearts.]
Why did you just tell me system?
[Answer. The user didn't ask]
Well, whatever!
I sigh. Right now, Rixer is fully healed. It took some of his stamina however he seems to treat it as if it is nothing. "Not a bad attack, looks like you aren't Infitius for nothing."
I open my [Spatial Bag] and grab the [Valkeryun Blade], I replicated it and gave each to the rest of the clones.
This is it for my clones! I have to get ready. I have to aim for his heart and destroy it.
He flies to me with his sword ready. "To end the five of you, I don't even need to use Final Oblivion."
I coat my Valkeryun blade with cursed flames and use it to block against his sword. However, his sword phased against mine and it cuts my body into two.
I jumped to another clone using [Clone Take Over].
Damn it, I can't stab his heart! His speed is so fast that when we try to lunge our blade, he is already unto us.
I try to sneak and pounce at Rixer for surprise attack. Rixer's forehead is coated with dark mana, he slams it on my forehead, blowing me away.
Ack! That hurts!
I don't know what happened but that headbutt inflicted me some pain. Normally, the clone's body which I am occupying shouldn't experience pain, however, that attack caused some shock on my head.
"It's the first time I see you react to pain."
"What the hell is that attack?"
Rixer cackles proudly, "it's the unique technique of the Valmon Clan which only a handful of us can use. I'm not good enough like the demon lord but this should be enough to startle you." He coats his forehead again with dark mana and when he gets close to me, he headbutts me very hard that it causes me to almost pass out.
The clone gets destroyed. When my consciousness resurfaces I quickly jump to the next.
Even though I jump to another body, the pain fron the previous clone is still lingering.
"What the hell is this technique?"
[Answer. 60th Soul Strike Technique is unique technique from the Valmon clan that directly attacks the essence or the soul of the user. Usual healing methods won't work]
The scary thing about this technique is it bypasses my defense stats. What a worrying technique.
Right now, I feel worried since I haven't encountered an enemy attack like this before.
I let my clones attack for me, they pounce at him but he slashes them down until I'm the only one left. He aims his blade at my face.
Looks like he got me. I clench my fists in annoyance.
I sigh and return my blade back to the [Spatial Bag]. I put my hands up in surrender.
"It's over. Your annoying doubles are already gone."
"Hey demon, I have a proposal. I'll let you use my name and I won't interfere with your demon business."
Rexir snorts as though doubting me. "Stop your nonesense. I know you are trying to buy time. It's already too late for any kinds of discussion."
"Don't be like that. At least you---"
Rexir's blade swiftly cuts through my neck, causing my head to fall of the ground.
"Speak for yourself." Rexir snorts with loathe as he looks down on me while my head rolls to the ground.
I can't believe this bastard didn't let me finish talking.
Now, I'm pissed for real.
***
[William]
This is absurd. The one who calls himself the sixth apostle is demolishing us one by one. He uses a chained mace as a weapon, he swings it at long range, hitting our comrades will turn them into mince meat.
Most of all, that's no ordinary flail mace, he can manipulate its direction and momentum. It's very fast that it's almost impossible to dodge.
The ball is also strengthened by enhancement magic that its weight is more than a hundred tons. It leaves a crater when he lets it dangle on the ground.
The sixth apostle cackles, "I can't believe they didn't even put up a fight."
"Well, it can't be helped. They are just your usual lowlife humans after all."
The sixth apostle readies his chains as he laughs in amusement.
I can't believe things are turning out like this!
There used to be a squad of us, now, there are only two of us left standing. The sixth apostle throws his mace at me one more time.
My eyes widens since I'm the target next.
"Boss William!" My remaining comrade goes in front of me and uses his large shield to block the mace, but his shield gets dent and broken, slamming against his body, crushing his bones. His body pressed against mine and I was sent flying outward.
As I fly away, I can't believe my eyes looking at the system screen. Carl's HP has almost gone down to zero. My party is also decimated. We didn't even put up a fight.
Aren't we destined to do great things in this world? Right Alfred? You said this was a game world where we can do anything we want.
That's right, there might be a redo button once I die. That might be the case. I slam hard on a rock and pass out before I knew it.
[Julius]
A notification appeared on my system screen, checking it, it startled me.
[Carl Marvince the Warrior Summoner has died!]
Carl died, huh? It seems we have a first confirmed death of my classmate. It's a shame since I wanted to end Kami's game without one death of a classmate.
Personally, I don't like Carl and also I can't do anything about it, but as for everyone else, I can't let them die.
Well then, shall I tell the president and her order about this? I can tell the others carelessly without letting them getting suspicious of me. The biggest hurdle is Fenna. Of course, she will ask me how did I know.
I never told anyone about this skill. Because if I do, my classmates will use me as a way to gather information from other classmates. I will just cause unnecessary conflicts.
For now, I'll just grieve silently for his death.
***
[Rendon]
Right now, we are leaving the eastern region of groundwell and are coming close to the central region. Regardless, I can't believe that we left Garfurd alone to die.
"Fenna, no matter how I look at it, I just can't accept it. Something might have happened to Sir Garfurd."
Fenna just looks coldly to the front. "And? You want to turn back? Do you have what it takes to fight the demons? Remember how you fare against one in the west."
I remember it, and its shameful. To him, we look like kids who are just playing around and who he can't take seriously.
Kezia clenches her fists. "Myla too, I don't know what she did that she became too strong."
"Yeah, I will return to her for what she did to me." Nathan says with ire.
After this, I have to go to the north as well and train my body out to the limits. We can't go on like this.
"Anyway-- Fenna, I'm worked out over this because someone is more concerned about Garfurd than I do. I just can't get this feeling off me."
That's right, if Garfurd dies, the president will be the one who will be shocked the most. I won't be able to bear to see her cry again.
"Idiot, do you think I'm that heartless to just leave Sir Garfurd out there? I also care for the President and I don't want her to feel sad."
"What do you mean?"
"We've requested one of the 12 Saint Guardians to deal with the situation."
Saint Guardians? They're the famous and the strongest warriors of the Mezo Theocracy. In terms of ranking they are just below the God Saint, Northern Overlord, Lord Jerome. Most of all, they are quite strong that their strength can rival that of the skilled demons.
They can be sent by a highly ranking or influential official that is close to the church. Usually, they are sent by the church when an anomaly occurs that it cannot be solved by ordinary soldiers. It seems the president has the privilege to request one, as expected of the True Hero.
"Anyway, I heard the Saint Guardians are treated like gods in this world. How did the president convinced them to send one."
"A week ago, we recovered one journal from their lab that exposes the plans of the demons. We turned it in the church. We've confirmed one of the major manufacturing center is in a werewolf village called the Silver Fang village. Worse, it's under 7 demons who might be as powerful as an Overlord. Only a Guardian Saint can deal with them."
She got all of that information and acted this quick? I was always aware of her ability but I didn't expect it to be at this extent. I smile and pat her head.
"Hey Fenna, forgive me for being rough earlier. I was totally wrong. You're actually very reliable."
Fenna deliver a swift uppercut that causes me to collaps on my knees.
She grunts and looks away.
"Damn you, you sociopath loli."
***
[Levia]
I've been following my lord and calling out to his clone but it doesn't respond. "Hey! Where are you going?!"
The clone has been ignoring me. Is it not capable to talk to me? I remember, it only does things depends on the will of the original. It must have been told with a one goal to bring his real body somewhere.
All I can do is follow him.
To my surprise, a chained mace from below the forest encircles around my leg, restraining me. It causes me to stop in mid-air, and I get pulled down. Landing on the ground, I slam on it hard, breaking it and leaving a crater.
A curtain of dust hinders my sense of sight.
These chains are packed with dense spell of enhancement magic infused by dark mana. The chains comes off loose and disappears elsewhere.
Whoever, casted that spell isn't from this realm.
When the dusts are gone, looking in front of me, two robed men in red appear out of nowhere. They snickers as they assess me. "Looks like we have Galkin over here, but a defective one."
"That's true. Galkins are superior to us demons but I won't say the same to the one who stayed too long in Munren."
My eyebrows furrow at them. I can sense something off with these guys especially they are from Helis. "You bastards! Why aren't you affected by the deterioration phenomenon?"
Deterioration phenomenon is when someone from the higher realm gets weaker when that person stays for too long in the lower realm. One can tell that the deterioration phenomenon is occuring is when their mana is being diffused to the environment. But for these guys, their mana are relatively stable.
Someone from the higher realm has higher mana concentration in their body thus it diffuses to the air which has a lower concentration. At some point, one will reach an equilibrium point where the detorioration effects stops, but that means one has became weaker than they used to, well, significantly.
I used to be very strong and I'm not as what I used to before.
However, these bastards aren't affected by the deterioration when they should be if they claim they were here even for only a short period of time.
"Idiot, as if we'll tell you."
"Kekeke, slaying a Galkin will bring me a great satisfaction." Says one demon holding the chained mace.
"Galkin, you will die here, and also we will send your head to that sick Empress for looking down on us demons."
That bastard just mentioned my mother didn't he? I'll fucking destroy him.
[Rector]
I'll deal with the last human adventurer later. For now, I'm going to mess up this Galkin woman. He'll regret crossing paths with us the 6th and 7th apostles.
I'll just ready my weapon, the black star. I can manipulate its weight, speed and direction. Dealing with this defective Galkin will be easy.
The galkin woman's eyes are deep in crimson. She looks mad.
Was she pissed off from what I said from earlier? That's more like it. I'm going to make her even more pissed before I'll kill her. That will be more satisfying. Kekeke!
In a sudden, my head gets twisted to the back by a mysterious force.
Huh?!
Now that my head is facing is behind me, my front is vulnerable. My partner is also the same. We are confused.
This is bad! We have to look to our fronts as quick as we can.
Her hand pierces through our chest and comes out of our backs with our beating hearts under her claws. We barf blood as we groan. Looks like my partner is in the same situation. Her hands have went through our chests.
Damn this Galkin woman! She's looking down on us.
She grunts, "it's true that I may have deteriorated, but I won't be defeated by the likes of you."
Damn her!
We can regenerate and won't die easily as long as our hearts are not crushed. I have to activate the demonic cataclysm before she---
The galkin woman squashes the heart with her claws, causing blood to splatter outward like a popped water balloon.
"Ahh!" As intense pain assaults me, the remaining air escapes my lungs with a heavy groan.
Looks like my partner is also the same. His heart also got squashed. I can't believe this was our end. We couldn't even use our ultimate weapon.
As our final moment, I try to reach out to my comrade.
"Partner..."
[Levia]
Both of their bodies fall lifelessly on the ground.
Foolish demons. Do you really think I will give you the opportunity to draw your blade? Only idiots will do that.
Looking around me, there are also humans around here. I guess they are adventurers and most are dead. There is one survivor and he is just knocked out on the distance.
Well, who cares about them. For now, I inspect the bodies of the demons. Since they weren't affected by the deterioration they must have something. A magical tool or a device perhaps?
One demon under his sleeve has a bracelet with a deep red stone.
"What the hell is this?"
Using my mana to check its magical circuitry, this device seems like it disguises my mana to be that of someone else.
I see.
So they are using this to prevent the deterioration, huh? Natives of the lower realm aren't affected by the deterioration so those from the higher realm use their essence as a disguise to be protected from its effects. The easiest way to get someones essence is through blood.
This stone is most likely crafted from human blood. What a clever way to by pass the negative effects of the deterioration phenomenon.
It makes sense why they are kidnapping a lot of adventurers and humans while also using the werewolves for their deed. Most of the demons are probably hiding since coming out they will have to spend some blood stones. I applaud them for such a good plan.
Regardless, if they have this method, then who knows how many demons are there in this realm which is Munren.
It seems only the demons knows of this method. If others from the high realm knows of this, there will be chaos for the people of this world.
The only thing stopping those from Helis in conquering Munren is the deterioration effects. I can't even grasp what will happen if they get a hold of this information.
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