361. Afraid
This will be the last ti we ever et, Salvos. Goodbye. [Forlorn Execution].
Belzus voice echoed all around , and my eyes widened. I rembered this spell his Skill during the fall of Westshield. It was both a curse and an illusion: one which I couldnt avoid and killed my clone as swiftly as it was summoned.
It was like a crimson mist, pouring from in between the Prival Demons insect-like mandibles. I leapt back as the red aura coalesced around . It tried to trap like it had with my clone. Its form changed, taking the shape of a giant suit of armor wielding an axe. I t the glinting gaze of this illusion and grinned.
A ring glinted. One of my two necklaces shone. A flaming armor wisped off as the axe ca swinging down. There was a flash of light a powerful force tried to sweep off my feet as the axe struck the air. A barrier of protection shielded from this attack as I stood my ground.
That was the difference between and my clones. I was covered in powerful artifacts ones that were designed to protect . But even still, this was Belzu. A Prival Demon. My Pendant of Greater Protection flickered, beginning to fail under the weight of this attack.
Salvos!
A voice called out. Belzus bulbous eyes darted to the ground beneath him. His shadow reached out for him, trying to drag him into the earth.
This is
He flew back as Orgaf appeared from between the dark tendrils, swinging for the Prival Demons head.
I will kill you, Demon!
Orgaf stabbed Belzu right in between the eyes. The armored axeman attacking slowly dissipated, and I stumbled forward. I stared up as the Prival Demon recoiled, a dagger plunged into his head. Then his form changed, and he reappeared right behind the Thief of the Golden Scale.
Annoying pest
Belzu pointed at Orgaf, but before any magic could be cast, the Elite [Rogue] beca a shadow once more. I grinned as I leapt into the air.
Thanks, Orgaf!
I created a scythe, swinging for Belzu. But before I could reach him, I heard a shrill screech. My eyes widened as a blur crashed towards . A Wyvern nearly knocked out of the sky.
I teleported back, only for a blast of multi-colored flas to shower around . Willy flew beside , unleashing his magic. I blinked, and he laughed.
Need help?
No way!
I scowled and raised a hand. A flock of [Horned Eagles] swooped down at , only to be incinerated by a cone of white fla. With Willy at my back, we circled around and burned away the encroaching monsters.
Stop stealing my kills!
Even the Wyverns were too scared to draw close. Only the [Vurats] were stupid enough to be burned by my fire. Willy harrumphed.
No you.
This is easy! I can handle this myself!
But not everyone would agree with that sentint. A shout drew my attention. I looked down, seeing a torrent of lightning tear through the dead forest. A [Goliath Oliphant] fell as Edithe drew back, panting. She ford a circle with Daniel and Amanda, surrounded on all sides by the charging monsters.
Salvos!
Edithe called up to . I looked down as the redhead unleashed a blast of ice and fire.
Theres too many of them
We need to pull back! [Crescent Fury]!
Daniel spoke for her as he cut down a [Crypt Lord] and its charging undead. I glanced back up as Wyverns circled the air around . The earth quaked as the looming shadows of Oliphants encroached on our location.
With the Wyverns, the OIiphants, the Mindreapers, and the thousands of other monsters my companions were clearly in trouble. But even if I joined them, I couldnt ensure their safety. I had to help them. I couldnt waste ti on the endless mobs I had to end this now. I narrowed my eyes, turning to Belzu as he floated just above the clouds.
Dont worry, Ill make this quick.
What are you
Edithe started, but I took off into the air, leaving Willy alone. Wyverns and other winged beasts whizzed past . I dodged around them, uncaring of their presence as I pointed at Belzu.
[Invoke Wrath]!
His gaze snapped down at . His eyes were wide and full of rage. He flew my way as I continued weaving through the flocks of flying monsters.
Thats not all
My flaming armor burned brighter and more brilliantly. It grew wilder, then sharper wisping off with the intensity of the sun. My blue scythe began to change color, morphing into a golden hue, then silver, then white.
My flas expanded around , burning away the monster that got close as I activated the Skill. It was a Skill that even my Dad was impressed by. A Grand Skill that needed a month to recharge. One that would last a whole day. My greatest Skill.
[Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion].
The rainbow flas washed away the darkness. Daniel, Edithe, and Amanda looked up in awe as I was wreathed by my Divine Essence. Orgaf appeared from my shadow, cutting down a Wyvern and blinking in shock.
This is
He couldnt keep up with . [Haste] and [Warped Ti] propelled even further as Belzu began to snap back to reality. The Prival Demon looked at , baffled. He tried to fly out of the way, but burning chains wrapped around him, keeping him in place.
My scythe turned into a rainbow-colored kusarigama, brimming with divinity. I tugged him my way and aid for the Prival Demons head. He struggled for a mont, but stopped as I yelled.
I told you I would kill you!
And with a [Radiant Slash], I tore straight through Belzu. He couldnt dodge. I felt my blade sink into his flesh before going through him. He couldnt defend himself. His mandibles opened, but nothing ca out. I killed him in that single swing.
And I always keep my promises.
I bared my teeth as I spun back around. His body slowly dropped out of the sky, lifeless. It was not an illusion. I sensed it fall with [Planar Navigation]. Even a notification popped in my head, confirming the kill
Defeated [Nightterror Mindreaper - Lvl 105]
Less experience is
And I paused.
Wait, what?
Once again, the world seed to shatter. I stared as every single Wyvern flying in the air disappeared. Their figures faded, along with most of the looming Oliphants. A few [Vurats] and other winged monsters filled the air. And on the ground, there were hundreds of undead, a few dozen Drakes, and other monsters.
But the bulk of them were gone. There was no threat of a hundred thousand monsters here. There hadnt even been a single Wyvern.
That was another illusion?
My eyes were wide. Half the monsters that had been hounding Daniel and Amanda vanished. But most of the ones attacking Edithe remained actually real. The red-haired woman cursed as she brought down the last Oliphant present.
I looked around for Belzu, and he was nowhere to be found.
...he fled?
--
The last of the monsters were taken care of easily enough. I scanned the ground, searching the dead monsters. I spotted about a dozen dead [Goliath Oliphants]. Thousands of undead. Hundreds of the other lower-leveled monsters. But no Wyverns, as I suspected.
Edithe wiped at her forehead as she drank from a healing potion. She leveled up twice from bringing down half of the [Goliath Oliphants]. Now she was Level 107. But she didnt celebrate that.
You an to tell you guys were fighting thousands of other monsters that werent even there?
Daniel shifted uncomfortably, looking at his blade. It was bloody, but not as coated as it had been before the illusion fell.
Yeah. I didnt expect the Prival Demon to cast a second illusion over all of us.
Its not your fault. Belzu probably used that evolved Mindreaper to amplify his magic. Im more surprised that he was smart enough to exclude from the spell. He knew Id have seen through it.
The redhead clenched a fist, clearly annoyed. I was annoyed too. I looked up at the moon, then the dead trees and the corpses.
Belzu has gotten stronger since Westshield. His illusions are more powerful than I rembered. Or maybe hes using more of his Skills since he lost the Sword of Alexander. I dont know.
I spoke as I turned back to my companions. They exchanged a glance, and I gritted my teeth.
I even used my Grand Skill. But Belzu just ran. Why would he do that?
Perhaps its because of what he saw.
Orgaf opined, approaching . I cocked my head.
What do you an? What did he see?
This.
He vaguely gestured at . Edithe gave him a weird look, while Daniel just looked confused.
The Prival Demon was afraid of Salvos?
In a sense, yes. But more specifically
The Elite brushed his fingers lightly against the rainbow-colored flas wisping off .
Divine Essence.
There was a gasp. Amanda just stared at , mouth hanging open.
What the fuck? Are you serious?
She was in utter disbelief. But Orgaf just nodded.
I only know of three other Humans no, two other Humans currently alive who have attained a semblance of divinity. Its a power all of us at the high levels seek. Very few of us achieve it. Yet, here you are, Salvos, at Level 130, already capable of drawing out your Divine Essence. It only makes sense that the Prival Demon would flee from you.
Amanda was still reeling from the fact that I had Divine Essence, but Daniel and Edithe seed to accept Orgafs explanation. I, however, didnt.
Then why did Belzu try to lead us away from the very beginning? Why didnt he just attack us right from the start?
I pointed back in the direction where we ca.
Dont forget, he was trying to chase us away from him with his illusions. And he didnt know about my Divine Essence until we started fighting.
Orgaf paused.
That is true.
He rubbed his chin ponderously. I continued, walking forward.
Ill tell you why he ran. He didnt run away because he was scared of my Divine Essence. He ran away because hes losing. He knows hes losing. He cannot afford to take any more losses here.
I gestured at all the dead lying around us. Then at the six of us gathered here.
Weve got him cornered. He has nowhere else to run. He cannot have gotten far. Thats why we shall find him.
I t each of their gazes. At Daniels wide eyes. At Amandas look of befuddlent. At Edithes apprehension. At Orgafs approval. I finished.
And we shall finish this, once and for all.
Belzu glanced back once, sensing the death of his highest-leveled Mindreaper amongst those remaining. It was a sacrifice he hadnt wanted to make, but one that was necessary. He was now back in the Motharis Mountain Range, and he had a do of illusion around his army shielding them as they fled.
He looked back down to see one of his subjects standing beneath him. One of them a Human woman by the na of Alix looked like she wanted to speak. And he was willing to listen. She was the one who had suggested using that multi-layered illusion to escape. Perhaps these Humans would prove useful after all.
Speak, Human.
He descended before her. She shifted back slightly, not eting his gaze.
Lord Belzu, that [Mage] can see through your illusions. We should find a place to hide and lay low until theyre gone.
An annoying Skill, yes. And they will try to hunt us down. But it is all the more reason why we should keep moving.
The Prival Demon replied simply. Alix hesitated, opening her mouth as if to protest. But Belzu spoke over her, shaking his head simply.
I am no fool, Human. However, if we hide, we will only be waiting for our inevitable demise to one of their armies. I will never allowed that. So heed my will and march onward: to the place this all started.
He pointed into the heart of the Motharis Mountain Range.
To the Brilsum Ruins.
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