287. Despair Part One
I attacked the [Ancient Centinel] from both sides. My one remaining clone unleashed a volley of Refined Blazing Bolts at it from above, while I closed the distance and assailed it from up close. My body shifted as my arms changed one again, becoming scythe-like blades that were sharper than even my claws. [Faux Limb] copied and multiplied these limbs, aiding in slicing open the segnted carapace of the giant monster.
I couldnt just grow a dozen different arms when the Gracious Centinel who I borrowed this shape from only had two arms. But even if [Faux Limbs] were rely duplicates made out of fire, they were still powerful. Just like my clone made from [Salvo of Vanity]. All of my Skills and magicks were boosted by [Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion], and it let bring pain to the [Ancient Centinel].
It reeled back, letting out an ear piercing screech as it was slowly overwheld.
Go back to your stupid castle, you wild monster!
My face morphed into that of my [Demonic Essence] form. A skull-like head of an animal. I bit into its shell, ripping it off and digging deeper into the [Ancient Centinel]s sides. It thrashed in the air before rapidly descending to crush against the earth. anwhile, my clone stayed a decent distance away and kept up its salvo of Refined Blazing Bolts.
I could take the risk to get up close and fight with the [Ancient Centinel]. My clone could not. Not only was she naturally less durable than , she also didnt have the Breastplate of Alexander. Because of that, the [Ancient Centinel]s attacks would directly hurt her, just as it did before.
She was already injured, and if she died, shed explode. A powerful explosion that Id rather save for an opportune attack against the [Ancient Centinel].
My clone angrily shook a fist at , and I scoffed.
Thats your job! Unlike you, I cant blow myself up!
And I wouldnt do that even if I could. I continued to tear away at the [Ancient Centinel] as it called for its allies help. [Older Centinels] and even [Senior Centinels] ca to its side, leaping at to pry off. I incinerated them with a flick of my scythe-like hands.
Stupid. Centinel. Armor!
I swung my arms like a pick, punctuating each word. The shell finally cracked open, and an entire segnt of armor fell off. I flew back, my face returning to normal.
Good, now
I thought of the most powerful fire magic I knew. Anything that would scorch the flesh of the [Ancient Centinel]. A flicker caught my eye, and I glanced up in the direction where the monster haven had escaped. Grinning, my arms shifted, burning away into rainbow-colored flas.
My arms beca little nubs of fire. As they were now, the length of the flas would be the sa length as my normal elbow.
Willy will be so jealous.
I pointed both my now-fiery arms and my [Faux Limbs] at the [Ancient Centinel], unleashing a deluge of vibrant flas. Its flesh was flaked and charred by the fire as it scread in pain. My clone concentrated its attacks on the exposed spot too, and together we pushed the giant monster back.
Co on
I gritted my teeth as I watched more of the [Ancient Centinel] burn, hoping that this would be enough to put the nail in the coffin and finish it off.
Is that really her?
Sal glanced over at the source of the voice. The red-skinned Demon watched the screen with round eyes.
Shes grown so much stronger since Im glad.
He sighed, placing a hand on his chest. With a smile, the Devil leaned over him and cocked a brow.
Shes really great. Isnt she? Look at her, taking on that [Ancient Centinel]. However, I do fear that it may not be enough.
Not enough?
Yeah. Because, while she may be able to stand up to it with her Grand Skill, youre not accounting for one crucial detail.
The red-skinned Demon frowned. He didnt get it. Disappointing, Sal thought. Even if this Archdemon was Salvos brother or whatever, he didnt share many of her traits that made her who she was.
It was probably Regnorexs fault. The Demon King was a dull man. Unlike Sal, who clearly was the one responsible for Salvos amazing upbringing. With a sigh, the Devil gestured at the [Ancient Centinel] on the screen.
It has a Grand Skill too.
It took a mont, and the Archdemons eyes widened in realization.
Oh.
I watched as the [Ancient Centinel] twisted and contorted, its body turning into itself as it was burned away by the combined flas of myself and my clone.
This is getting tiring. Hey, other , can you take over for a bit? I want to take a quick break.
She scowled at , and I rolled my eyes.
It was a joke! A joke
But before I could finish my sentence, the [Ancient Centinel] dug into the earth. I watched as it tried to escape by burrowing away from . It left behind a massive hole. It was nearly the size of the kind of ravine Id find in the central area of the Bloodied Gulf, and I was pretty sure it was digging to escape.
However, [A Hunters Sense] told that it was recuperating for just a brief mont. That it was going to attack . I turned to my clone as I flitted up.
Alright. You stay here and distract it for a bit. Ill fly away and
[Co and See
My clone was about to protest, but a clicking sound echoed from the pit and interrupted . I narrowed my eyes, looking down.
Wait, thats
[The Depths of Our Despair].
Fuck.
And I watched as a red aura erupted from the pit. I flew back along with my clone, staring as the world rumbled. I could feel the shaking even from where I floated above the ground. Then amongst the red aura, erged flickers in reality.
It was like the parts of the world were reduced to mosaics odd, obfuscated patterns that shone with a dull crimson. It assailed the rocks and the dirt, sending debris into the air in all directions. But the debris didnt fall. They floated and morphed and twisted, growing into a blur that I could barely discern.
This is like
I narrowed my eyes. I recognized this effect. And when the [Ancient Centinel] erged from the shadows, I understood what this was.
It had beco a literal husk of its forr self. Its segnted parts were pried open, dismantled into dozens of different floating sections. Each of them were obscured under the sa mosaic-like effect that had overco the floating debris. Its barbed limbs floated in spiraling patterns, circling around the deford shells like rings. Together, these forr parts of the [Ancient Centinel] made up a curtain of colors and blurred lines that protected sothing within.
At the center of this mass was a smaller figure. One that looked nearly anthropomorphic. With arms and legs like a Human or an Elf or a Cyclops. A kind of Sage Centinel.
I narrowed my eyes, clenching a fist.
Did you know about this, Sal?
I called out to the Devil who was most definitely watching this scene.
Sall grinned, pointing at the screen.
Shes talking about !
Then he paused as the red-skinned Archdemon gave him a flat stare.
Oh, and I had absolutely no idea this was going to happen. Honestly, she should really run away.
The [Ancient Centinel] was no longer an [Ancient Centinel]. It had beco sothing else. It had corrupted itself.
It was just like the Cursed Boulder. Its body was a storm of warped shapes. Even [Identification] gave a different result now when I faced it.
[---- Centinel - Lvl. 162]
I stared at this blotched mixture of carapace, teeth, and flesh. A mosaic of red. One that ripped apart the world with its very presence. I turned to my clone.
So, do you have any ideas?
She gesticulated wildly, and I nodded in agreent.
Yep. Yep. I see.
When she was finished, I patted her on the shoulder and smiled.
We should really run for it, shouldnt we?
She hurriedly nodded, and we took off. Once again, I was given chase by the [Ancient Centinel]. Even after I had earned a Grand Skill, it was still stronger than . Although, should it even be considered an [Ancient Centinel] now? Maybe it was more like Corrupted Centinel.
Whatever the case was, I was truly out of cards. All except for one.
Temporary Skills:
[Greater Status Effect Resistance] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)
[Superior Aura of Greater Protection] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)
[Repudiation Repulse] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)
The world collapsed around as I considered my last resort against this traveling calamity, hoping that itd work.
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