章 114: 110th Adversary: The World Eater
The time limit Miko had given himself came to an end. In other words, a week had past. Miko returned to the Flameheart Clan after spending the entire week in the Primus Dominion relearning Vita. He was standing in front of Joesph and Luka. Just to state, his siblings were behind him. They bugged him saying that they wanted to see his growth.
"One week has passed. Did you learn how to absorb your enemy's attacks?"
"Who knows? I never tried to once during the week."
Joesph's eyes widened.
"Don't tell me you gave up without trying?"
"Of course not. I simply thought that it wasn't as important as what I was doing."
"Which is?"
"Reconnecting with my path."
Luka and the twins seemed puzzled. Joesph spoke after a pause.
"….Either way, I'm going to test and see if you can do it. Is that alright?"
"You're free to do as you want."
"Then…"
Joesph created a fireball in his palm. That wasn't it though. Electricity could be seen dancing around the fireball.
"This is a combination of the attack Luka absorbed and the attack you failed to absorb times two. If you're able to successfully absorb this, then I'll teach you the next technique I promised you."
"Go ahead."
Miko started grinning. Joesph nodded seeing his confidence. He didn't hesitate any longer and threw the attack at Miko. The electric fireball doubled in size the moment it left Joesph's hand. It continued to grow until it was the size of a truck.
"...."
Miko silently placed his hands in his pocket. He showed no signs of trying to stop the attack. This caught everyone's eyes.
(Most beginners use their hands to help them absorb an attack, yet he placed both hands in his pocket. Did he perhaps figured out how to absorb without his hands?)
Joesph thought.
The fireball quickly reached Miko and was only a few seconds away from hitting him. Even so Miko remained calm. Soon after he activated his Vita.
And that's when it happened.
"Roar!"
A hellish roar came from Miko's body. His Vita formed into a fanged mouth. It instantly swallowed the truck-sized fireball.
"Wha?!"
Naturally, this shocked everyone. What shocked them even more was that Miko's presence had an explosive growth which was proof he had successfully absorbed the attack and added its energy to his own strength.
"….Is it even possible to do that?"
Luka asked, Joesph didn't respond. He only looked at Miko with wide eyes. Ishma shook in her sword form on Miko's waist. Miko could tell that she was thrilled by Joesph's reaction.
"Miko, activate your Vita at full capacity."
Joesph suddenly said.
"Alright."
*Bam!*
Miko did as he said and released his Vita the best he could. That's when the others saw it. A semi-transparent image appeared behind him. This was an image of a blood stained warrior with a thousand hands holding a thousand bloody weapons, with a ferocious expression on his three faces. It was the same image that appeared when he was first relearning Vita by entering a trance state.
"Impossible….How do you already have a Battle Avatar?"
Joesph shook his head.
"No, it's incomplete. It's only at the stage where it's being projecting. Yet…"
He stared at the ferocious warrior with wonder.
"Progenitor, could you explain what's going on? What's behind Miko and how did he absorb your attack like that?"
Luka asked.
"What Miko did was the right way to absorb an attack…Kinda."
He looked at Luka.
"You see, once you've mastered it you can absorbed energy without even moving. You only need to control your Vita to do it."
(However, the way he did it was unique. Augustus also had an unique way to absorb foreign energy. All attacks that hit him would just disappear into ripples like a rock falling into a bucket of water. But Miko's way was far more aggressive and forceful.)
He looked at Miko again.
"As for the image behind him, I believe it's a Battle Avatar that's almost complete."
"A Battle Avatar?"
"It's something like a warrior that manifests from your soul. It's sole purpose is to aid you in battle. Everyone's Avatar is different because it shows the hidden warrior dwelling in very soul or in simpler terms, it's like a representation of your heart and soul as a warrior."
"….I think I understand."
Luka looked at the image behind Miko and gulped.
"That's quite the warrior dwelling inside him…."
"I agree."
Joesph approached Miko.
"Miko, who thought you to project an avatar?"
"You mean this thing? It just kinda happened."
"Kinda happened?"
"Yeah. I was looking deep into myself to reaffirm who I am and what I think it means to be a warrior and it popped up in my head. The next thing I knew, it appeared behind me."
"You…"
Joesph was speechless. What Miko had done so effortlessly was something that could take many decades to achieve.
(This boy…He really knows himself inside out. That's the only explanation. Many can't see themselves for who they truly are and accept it, which is why they fail to create an Avatar, yet Miko could. This means that he fully accepts himself, his flaws and all.)
He nodded.
"Well, I guess I have nothing else to teach you."
He pointed at Miko's Avatar.
"That was the next technique I wanted to show you. But since you've discovered it on your own then it's not necessary."
Joesph started walking away.
"Hey, Wait! How do I fight with this thing?!"
Miko shouted.
"Figure it out yourself. I'm sure you can do it."
"What? Some teacher are you!"
Joesph only laughed and didn't respond as he walked away pulling Luka along.
After walking for a while, the smile dropped from his face.
"What's wrong?"
Luka asked.
"It's Miko's Avatar."
"It's fearsome, right?"
Joesph nodded.
"He didn't complete it, yet it has such monstrous bloodlust."
"It does? I didn't feel it, although I admit that it scares me a bit."
"It's not odd that you didn't feel it. It's because my Vita is on the level of a god's why I could sense it."
He became silent.
(Augustus' Avatar had an incredible presence too, but not like that. His avatar made you feel the urge to submit to him and accept him as your king and god, but Miko's….All I sensed was unavoidable doom and destruction.)
"I was wrong. He's nothing like my master."
Joesph muttered.
"What was that?"
Luka asked. Joesph looked at her and smile.
"Nothing."
He placed his hand on her head and messed with her hair a bit.
"You really need to step up your game, Luka. Or you won't be able to walk beside Miko."
"Don't worry. No matter how far ahead he gets I'll be sure to catch him up and he run past him."
"That's my girl. I'm sure you can do it."
Joesph laughed, and then thought.
(I acknowledge my mistake, Miko. I can't turn you into a second Augustus, but I'm sure I can help you become the best you possible. After all, you're someone I recognize as my master's equal.)
He smirked.
"But to ensure that you stay you, I'll have to visit that traitorous snake hiding inside you."
The Night Continent. On this continent exists an area known as the Devil's Ruins. This place was once a powerful country ruled by an almighty demon during the war for supremacy. It was however destroyed at the hands of an army of undead creatures under the command of a powerful necromancer. It's said that necromancer cursed the land after destroying the country, so another country couldn't raise in its place. All who tried settling there died horrible deaths. Because of this, many feared this place and only the brave hearted would dare to come here.
At least that was supposed to be the case.
"Whew~! So this is the Devil's Ruins? It's my first time here."
An old man dressed in a white tuxedo and carrying a cane appeared at the ruins. This was the man who called himself Ringo who was a part of the mysterious New Era.
"According to Noah, this is where he should be staying, but I'm beginning to doubt that. I mean, what would someone get from living here?"
"Silence. That's what."
Ringo heard a voice. He looked up at a broken down castle. The Night sky was overcast so he didn't immediately see them, but as if to aid him the clouds moved out of the way and allowed the moonlight to shine down on who it was.
The one he saw was a tall, dark-skinned man with burning crimson hair blowing in the wind. He was topless which meant his muscular upper body was open for all to see. He had several tribal tattoos over his chests and arms, golden armlets around his biceps. He wore a pair of baggy red pants and boots.
"So you were here, Kylian? Now that's surprising."
Ringo greeted the man like he was an old friend.
"What do you want, Ringo? I'm on vacation."
Kylian's voice felt like it could shake the very heavens.
"Yeah, I know that. There's something I wanted to inform you about."
"Speak."
"We've decided to flip the world on its head and force the Higher Beings to undo the proxy system. Which means that we'll soon start targeting every Divine Proxy that's not on our side and destroy everything they've created."
"In other words, I get to go as wild as I want?"
"Pretty much."
"Hahahaha!"
Kylian started laughing.
"Idiot, I was planning on doing that regardlessly of your decision."
"I know, but I need an excuse to go out."
Ringo laughed. Kylian jumped down from the castle ruins and landed in front of Ringo.
"So you used me to go on a stroll? You have some balls."
"Actually there's something else I wanted to tell you. Nero has a grandson by the name of Miko, I want you to spare him if you ever run into him."
"Miko? I'm more interested in Nero himself, rather than some brat I haven't even heard about."
"You say that now, but I know you. Once he starts making a name for himself you'll go after him."
"He's Nero's grandkid right? I would be stupid to go after him and offend the Dragna clan."
Ringo smiled.
"Who are you kidding? You're a battle junkie. It doesn't matter who they are or who's behind them, once you want to fight someone you'll even take on the world to do it."
Kylian laughed.
"You know me well."
"I mean it, Kylian. Miko's off limits."
"Yeah, Yeah. You have my word."
Kylian started cracking his fingers.
"All this talk about going wild and fights is putting me on edge. I want to destroy something."
"What about the silence you came here for?"
"I got bored of it after a day. To be honest, I came here to check out the rumors surrounding this place."
"And? What did you find out?"
"Apparently there was a horde of wraiths from all who died here over the years underground. It looks like they're under a spell that forces them to attack all who come here to add to their numbers."
"Let me guess. They attacked you and you destroyed them because it was disappointing? I've experienced something similar recently so I can relate."
Ringo said while nodding.
"Well, I knew you wouldn't stay still for long, so I have a job for you."
"Hold it."
Kylian lifted his hand to stop Ringo from talking.
"I'm still on vacation. So I'm not doing any New Era related work."
"Then how are you going to deal with that urge to fight?"
"You're here aren't you?"
Kylian grinned.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. You know the rules, no in-fighting."
"This isn't in-fighting. It's a spar."
"Well, I have no interest in sparring at the moment. Besides, I'm your leader. I can order you to come off vacation and return to work."
"Our division doesn't have any rules other than we must protect New Era and destroy all who threatens it. So we don't have to obey any of the leaders, even our own."
Kylian replied. Ringo nodded.
"It really is hard to order around fellow players…Then again, from the outside perspective we're last bosses. That includes everyone else in our division."
He smiled.
"Then how about you do it as a favor to me personally? Besides, it's something that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Aren't you suppose to enjoy yourself when on vacation?"
"….I'm listening."
"You see, I was asked to investigate a dungeon from the Primordial Era a little while ago. On my way back to HQ, I stumbled across an interesting group on an island off the Gold Continent. It was a group of researchers who were secretly trying to create a new race that possessed the traits of the four races. Doesn't that sound familiar?"
"It sounds like Noah's kids."
Ringo nodded.
"I found it amusing that someone else was trying to achieve what we did, and I thought that it would be fun to watch how they'll fail…Here's the thing…They didn't."
Ringo started laughing nervously.
"How much of this new race are there?"
"Around 3x the amount of Noah's kids."
"You fucked up, you know that right?"
He nodded.
"If the other division leaders finds out, I'm sure I'll be stripped of my freedom for a while once again. So I need you to destroy the island and everything on it for me."
Ringo took out a can drink out of his pocket.
"Here. I'll even give you this if you get thirsty."
"Do I look like a kid to you?"
Despite saying that, Kylian still took the drink.
"It sounds fun, but one question."
He played with the drink in his hand and stared at Ringo with his red draconic eyes.
"What level of difficulty would you give this mission?"
"Do you mean for a normal person or for you?"
"Any one will do."
"Well, considering their numbers and the chance that there's powerful people backing the project…I'll say it's on the level that could easily kill a Divine Proxy. So it should make you work up a sweat."
"Oh?"
Kylian started grinning.
"Just tell me the coordinates and I'll do it."
Off the coast of the Gold Continent, there lays an island which not many knew about. Even if they knew about it, they wouldn't really care for it because there were countless like it. On this island, there was a research facility that covered majority of the land. This facility was filled with huge troll-like creatures. The smallest one stood at 7ft, even so it's muscles were as big as an adult male's head.
"I still can't believe it. We actually succeeded in creating an entirely new race."
Said of the researchers heading the place. The researchers were from the four main races and came in all shapes and sizes.
"Human, God, Demon, Beast….We've finally created the perfect beings that possess all of these qualities."
"If we sell them as soldiers to various powerhouses around the world, we'll be rich."
"It would be great if global powers starts fighting over who can buy our products."
All the researchers started laughing.
"This is all thanks to you, Lord Jayden."
One of the researchers thanked a man who was watching the new race the researchers created with a smug expression. He was a slim built man dressed in black and gold robes, with gold hair and eyes.
"Ah, it was nothing. I was simply moved by your passion to create something the world has never seen before."
He said with a smiling face.
"More importantly, can we discuss my cut from the sales of these things again?"
"Of course-"
*BEEP!* *BEEP!* *BEEP!* *BEEP!*
Deafening beeps resounded across the island.
"What's wrong?"
Jayden asked.
"Our security systems picked up an intruder."
The researchers brought out a monitor and it showed a map of the island and surrounding area.
"What the….Our sensors are being destroyed one after the other!"
"They're being destroyed by the dozens. The intruder is clearly announcing his arrival!"
"What an arrogant person!"
Jayden walked up to monitor and spoke.
"Show a live feed. I want to see who it is."
"Yes!"
The image changed to a live stream of the ocean surrounding the island. They saw a blur before the feed was cut off.
"They destroyed our cameras but we're able to bring up an image now."
"Do it."
The researchers brought up an image of the intruder and was immediately shocked.
"Is that…?"
"No way…."
"Why is he here?"
Jayden was the only one who didn't react with shock or fear.
"Do you recognize him?"
"Of course!"
The researchers all looked at Jayden with fear in their eyes.
"It's the World Eater, Kylian!"
"He's the world's strongest dragon proxy!"
"World's strongest?"
Jayden seemed a bit interested. He smiled.
"Then, he's the perfect person to test the new race on."
"No, we can't!"
"We have no chance against that monster!"
"He's an abomination of the highest level!"
"Shut up, and send out your toys. It's obvious he's here to destroy us. So we must greet him properly."
Meanwhile, Kylian was crossing the ocean with a speed that surpassed the fastest speedboat. He wasn't swimming, he was running on the water surface causing storm like waves in his wake.
"Oh, there it is."
He grinned as he had the island insight.
"Hm?"
He saw a huge shadow approaching him in the water.
*Bam!*
A large orcish monster with shark gills and fins emerged from the water and blocked his path.
"Hahaha!"
Kylian merely laughed and continued charging forward. The monster roared and swung its hand which was three times Kylian.
*Bam!*
The hand didn't even get the chance to touch him. He accelerated and rammed in the monster's stomach. Kylian burst through its back without decreasing his pace in the least. The monster cried in agony and fell into the water. It sunk to the bottom.
"Looks like I'll really get to have some fun after all."
He stared at the shores and saw an army of ugly creatures of all sizes, lined off to face him.
"Let's kick the party off with a bang!"
He accelerated even more. He instantly reached the shore and then came to a complete stop.
*BOOM!*
A explosive shockwave hit his surroundings and blow everything away. All of the beings within 100 meters off him were obliterated from these shockwaves while everyone else was blown away. Not even sand remained, it was all blown away.
"Now then, I ran all the way from the Night Continent."
He started cracking his neck with a beastly grin on his face.
"You guys better entertain me. Otherwise, I'm sinking this stupid island."
"Such arrogant words."
Kylian heard a voice. He turned his head and saw Jayden.
"I heard you're some big shot, but looks like you have a huge ego as well."
Jayden spoke with a smirk.
"Oh, a Divine Beast huh? And it looks like you're a hydra too. Are you the boss of this place?"
"I guess you can say that. After all, I had to kill all the researchers since they wanted destroy all data and escape. It seems they were afraid you would use the data to track them down. I couldn't allow that, so I killed and ate them."
"I see. Then they were overreacting. I don't hunt down the weak nor do I have interest in this project."
Kylian looked around at the beasts that survived.
"These things are far too inferior to be compared to Noah's children. First of all, I can tell that they're nothing but disposable soldiers. Noah's children, the Children of Genesis is a true race that looks no different from the other four races. They're a complete race. These things are mere monsters."
Kylian shook his head.
"Monsters are too good of a term. They're just shit."
"You've got a sharp tongue even though you don't look the type."
Jayden pointed at him.
"Let me show you the true power of the very things you mocked! Attack!"
At his commanded, thousands of the beings rushed at Kylian from all direction.
"True power?"
Kylian smiled. He slowly moved in a circle while swinging his arm. He stopped after making a full circle.
*BOOM!*
Every monster rushing towards Kylian was hit with a godly force. Their bodies crumbled and transform into heaps of flesh and bones.
"?!"
Jayden's eyes peeled open and his jaws dropped.. He instantly remembered what the researchers said before he killed them.
"Don't try to fight him, Lord Jayden! You don't know because you've just evolved and gained your human form, but the World Eater is an abomination! He's a monster through and through! He alone has the strength to battle a world power!"
"...."
Jayden watched as Kylian walked past the heaps of flesh and bones that was scattered across the island with a crazy grin on his face.
"I have no interest in their true power. I'm more interested in you, Mr. Divine Beast."
With every step Kylian took, the faster Jayden could feel his heart beating.
"A Divine Beast is a Beast/Monster who through luck, training, battles, and other factors broke through the limits of their mortal bodies to reach the realm of godhood. Once they've reached godhood, they evolve and obtain a human form."
Kylian pointed at Jayden.
"As a Divine Beast your power rivals a Divine Proxy, right? Which means you're as strong as a Higher Being."
Jayden saw a savage light shining in Kylian's eyes.
"Then why would I care about those shits, when you're here? After all, I'm a Divine Proxy and you're a Divine Beast. Isn't it common sense for us to see which one of us is superior?"
Every word Kylian spoke made Jayden's body tremble.
(This feeling…..This is the feeling I used to get as a kid whenever I met a Divine Beast….Are you telling me that a Divine Beast like myself is a mere child in front of him?!)
The longer he looked at Kylian the more of a monster he seemed. It was like he was looking at a beast that could crush the world with its fangs. A terrible monster that could rip open hell and devour its inhabitants.
"Screw that!"
Jayden's body stopped trembling.
"I'm not afraid of you!"
His body grew larger and his skin became scaly and his heads multiplied.
"I am a Divine Beast! Not a child!"
He rushed towards Kylian like an arrow seeking the blood of its target.
"That's how it should be!"
Kylian stood his ground and waited for his opponent. Jayden threw a punch with all of his strength. Kylian smiled and threw a punch as well.
*BAM!*
Their punches clashed. Shockwaves spread across the island flattening all the buildings and blowing everything away. Just an exchange turned the island into a flat wasteland.
"Grr!"
Jayden glared at Kylian while their fists clashed.
"Not a bad punch."
Kylian seemed completely relaxed.
"You!"
Jayden swung his leg and hit Kylian across the face and propelled him back. Jayden chased after him and released his claws.
*BAM!*
He swung his claws. He slammed Kylian's body so hard into the ground that cracks appeared over the island.
"I'm not done yet!"
His multiple heads started gathering magic in their mouths.
"Die, monster!"
Multiple blasts of magic were fired from his mouth and hit a defenseless Kylian.
*BAM!*
A massive explosion spread across the island and caused massive waves to form in the ocean and hurricane-like winds to spread out.
"Hah~! Hah~! Hah~!"
Jayden floated in the air with the aid of his wings, while breathing heavily. Below him, the island was completely scorched and was covered in smoke. It looked like it was hit by a volcanic eruption.
"Ha..Haha…Hahaha!"
Jayden started laughing.
"Hahahahaha! Take that! That's what you get for underestimating a Divine Beast, You monster!"
"I don't underestimate my opponents."
"?!"
The smoke cleared and Kylian was standing on the scorched island.
"In fact, I tend to overestimate my opponents. This causes me to be disappointed on a regular basis."
He sighed.
"Just like now."
Jayden blinked and Kylian was no longer there. Instead he felt a pain through his back and chest. He looked down and saw a hand coming through his chest holding something. It was his beating heart. He then heard Kylian's voice behind him.
"I guess it's my fault to expect anything from a baby Divine Beast that just evolved."
Jayden continued to stare at his beating heart inside Kylian's hands. He didn't know why, but the sight of his own heart mesmerized him. He couldn't look away from it. He even thought that it was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
"It's kind of sad too. You might've had potential….It's too bad."
Kylian's voice sound strangely soothing as Jayden watched his heartbeat get weaker and weaker.
(I see…)
His thoughts ran through his head as his body became colder.
(This is what true strength looks like.)
His heart finally stopped beating and his vision darken.
(It seems so lonely….)
Like this Jayden died and his body became limped on Kylian's arm.
"..."
Kylian returned to the earth and rested Jayden's body on the ground. He took out a communicator and dialed a number.
"Yo, Ringo. Yeah it's done….No, I won without even needing to take my dragon form or use my proxy powers. I won with physical strength alone...I don't want to be called a beast by a man who gathers beasts like myself…..Yeah, the research was completely erased along with those things….No, my vacation isn't over yet. I'll return once it is."
He hung up and looked at Jayden's body. He silently stretched his hand out. A mouth appeared in his palm. This mouth had fangs and a long black tongue.
*Munch! Munch! Munch!*
Sounds that could make your skin crawl resounded as the mouth devoured Jayden's corpse.
"Burp!"
After burping, the mouth disappeared.
"Man, I'm bored again. What should I do now?"
He said to himself.
"Wait, didn't Ringo mention something about a kid?....Miko was it? I wonder if I should pay him a visit?"
(Kylian.)
At that moment, Kylian heard a voice in his head.
"What is it, Azi Dahaka?"
Azi Dahaka also known as Zahhak. He is an evil figure in Persian mythology. In Zoroastrianism, he is considered the son of Angra Mainyu, the foe of Ahura Mazda. He is described as a monstrous dragon with three mouths, six eyes, and three heads, cunning, strong, and demonic.
"About that Miko kid, there's an order that was issued out by the council to have all proxies try to bring about his destruction. Of course, I don't intend to follow the orders of others, so I didn't tell you about it."
"So he's being hunted by the entire world, huh?"
Kylian smiled.
"Then I'll hold off on my visit. If he's able to gain the fear of the Summit of the Gods, then I'm sure he's someone with great potential. It would be a shame to destroy that potential. Besides, if he's able to grow from being hunted by everyone then he'll become quite the opponent."
Kylian looked towards the Silver Continent.
"I'm looking forward towards your future."
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