Ch. 561: Chapter 561-570
Chapter 561 Live A Great Life, And Die A Great Death [Part 3]
"The greatest blessing in this world is to live a great life, and die a great death."
These were the words that Drystan once told the Giant Termite when they were adventuring together in the world of Elysium.
"Not many people are able to do that," Drystan said with a smile. "Most people live mediocre lives, and die mediocre deaths. I pray that I will be able to do something significant in this world, so when I die, there will be people who will remember me."
"I am not a Human, but I will never forget about you, Drystan."
"And I will always remember you. Are you sure you don't want me to give you a name? Termite isn't really a name, you know? It's just what we call your kind."
"Just call me Termite. I don't need a name. I just need a purpose to continue living this life."
"Don't worry, Termite. One day, you will find what you are looking for. When that happens, make sure to hold on to it with everything you have."
—-------
One of the Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants screeched as the Giant Termite's burning mandibles bit its neck.
The other Deimos-Ranked Ants weren't being idle, and also bit their enemy with great ferocity.
One of them bit the Giant Termite's burning body, while the other bit one of its legs, trying to pull it off completely.
The Giant Termite felt great pain, but it used this pain to fuel the flames that burned fiercely on its body.
'This is the same thing that happened to my comrade back then,' the Giant Termite thought.
Back then, the one, and only Deimos-Ranked Soldier Termite was ganged up on by three Deimos-Ranked Fire Ants, tearing him apart.
'It will not be so easy this time!' The Giant Termite's flames burned brighter than ever before, shooting blazing flames inside the mouths of the two Adamantium Ants that were biting its body.
Their exterior might be hard and resistant to physical and magical attacks, but the insides of their body was a different thing.
The Ant biting the Giant Termite's body immediately let go as the flames dealt serious damage inside its mouth.
Magma-like blood flowed from the bite marks that it had left on the Giant Termite's body.
The other Adamantine Ant, didn't immediately let go of the Giant Termite's leg, and pulled as hard as it could.
A few seconds later, one of the Giant Termite's blazing legs was torn off from its body, making magma-like blood spew from the severed part.
The Ant that the Giant Termite was biting on used all of its strength, and used its head to smash the Ant Termite's underside, making the termite lose its hold on its body.
The next thing that the Ant did was to summon Adamantium Spikes from its body, piercing the Giant Termite's chest, making it scream in pain.
The two other Ants did the same, and gouged the Giant Termite's body, with the Adamantium Spikes that they could use as freely as spears.
They had received significant damage, and suffered internal injuries due to the Giant Termite's flames, so they no longer wanted to bite its body, which made them feel a world of pain.
"""Skeleton Make Bazooka!"""
Three Giant Skeleton Cannonballs descended upon the Adamantine Ants' faces, which made them all screeched in anger.
The Skeleton Cannonballs' damage wasn't what made the Ants stagger and screech in anger.
It was the Abyss Touch that was imbued in Lux's attacks that directly damaged their soul, which made them pull back the spikes that had embedded themselves in the Giant Termite's body.
The Giant Termite, who had just been freed, immediately summoned walls of flames to separate itself from his attackers. It had been enduring all this time, despite the serious injuries it received from fighting three Deimos-Ranked Monsters.
Lux knew that the Giant Termite couldn't fall at this point in time because if it did, no one would be able to fight the three Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants. They were already at their limit, and were trying desperately to protect everyone.
Losing the strongest fighter on their side would definitely make them fail their mission, so the Half-Elf prioritized saving the Giant Termite, despite the hardships he was facing at the moment.
Since they couldn't see the people inside the blizzard, the other lower-ranked Ants started to shoot Iron Bullets and Steel Bullets inside the Blizzard. They really couldn't see anything, so they decided to just shoot randomly out of frustration.
Eiko, Asmodeus, and their clones, had erected Bone Walls to protect everyone from the bombardment. They kept on creating more, but they couldn't protect everyone.
Several of the Iron and Steel Bullets managed to hit people, and the wooden wagons, causing casualties and serious injuries to others.
—---------------
< Remaining Number of Residents of Abingdon Town: 2,198 >
—---------------
Lux's frown deepened as the notification sounded inside his head. If the number of residents fell below 1,000, they would immediately fail their mission.
They already had suffered many casualties already, and he knew that the number would only increase the longer the battles went on.
Fortunately, although the Viscous Carabus Ground Beetle's health was halfway gone, it's movements had become incredibly sluggish due to the damage it soul had received from the power of the Abyss.
This was why Abyssal Creatures were very hard to deal with because they didn't need to kill anyone or anything in order to incapacitate them. All they needed to do was damage their target's soul until they no longer had the ability to move their body.
In short, most of the Abyssal Creature's opponents entered a comatose state due to the Soul Damage they received.
The Vicious Carabus Ground Beetle was suffering the same Fate and, right now, it was nearly at its limit.
Even so, Lux didn't want to take any chances, so he and his clones continued to attack the Field Boss Monster until it completely stopped moving.
After making sure that the enemy was no longer a threat to him, and his allies, the Half-Elf didn't bat an eye to leave it behind and attack the Ants, who were mercilessly killing the residents of the town that he wanted to save.
Chapter 562 Terror Of The Plains [Part 1]
"Everyone, rally to me!" Pietro shouted within the blizzard.
Right now, the Town's Guards, and Lux's allies were trying to protect everyone. However, since the monsters were randomly firing a barrage of attacks at the blizzard, it was very hard for them to protect everyone.
Because of this, Pietro decided to gather everyone into one spot, so that the defenders could effectively protect them. They had already suffered several losses and the cries of pain, sadness, and anger within the blizzard made his heart ache.
The remaining residents were now less than two thousand people, and more died with every passing minute.
All the residents gathered together after hearing their Mayor's shout. Families huddled with each other, while others prayed to the Gods to save them from the Monsters that were out to kill them all.
When all the remaining residents had merged together in one place, Asmodeus, Eiko, and their clones synchronized their Skeleton Make Skill to create a Skeleton Dome to protect the people from further harm.
For a brief moment, the people sighed in relief after they were enclosed by the protective dome made of bones. However, this relief disappeared when loud cracking sounds were heard as the Ants' Iron and Steel Bullets collided with their shelter.
The Mosquitoes also shot Wind Blades into the Blizzard, hitting the Skeleton Dome relentlessly. Little by little, parts of the dome shattered. But, these places were immediately repaired as Asmodeus, and Eiko, continued to channel their mana to the skeletal structure that was keeping everyone safe.
Outside the raging blizzard, Lux and his clones unleashed countless spinning blades that shredded everything they came in contact with.
His Skeleton Gang Bangers, and Rock Golems were dealing with the remaining Giant Ground Beetles, while his Skeleton Arcane Hunters and Skeleton Mages were helping their Master attack the Tetramorium Ants
Just as everyone was being pushed to their limits, all of them heard a loud buzzing sound coming from the South.
"You have got to be kidding me…," Lux almost cursed out loud after seeing the new threat that was approaching them from behind.
Hundreds of monsters that Lux was all too familiar with were approaching them at a rapid pace.
They were none other than Red-Eyed Terror Mantises, which was one of the low-ranked Alpha Bosses of the Figaro Garden of Leaf Village.
Standing out among them were dozens of Golden-Eyed Crimson Mantises that had given Lux a scare of his life back then.
But, these monsters were nothing compared to the lone, seven-meter tall, Red Mantis that reminded the Half-Elf of how the Red-Eyed Terror Mantis and the Golden-Eyed Crimson Mantis looked when they activated their Berserk Ability.
Lux immediately summoned his Soul Book to identify the new arrivals, and this time, he didn't hold back and cursed out loud.
"F*ck!" The Half-Elf knew then and there that their chances of clearing their mission was now next to impossible.
Just dealing with the current monsters around them already made things extremely difficult for them. Now that a new threat had arrived, he was very tempted to raise his middle finger to the world.
—--------
< Crimson Berserker Mantis >
– Terror of the Plains
– Deimos-Ranked World Boss Monster
– Berserked Hunter
Health: 43,200,000 / 43,200,000
Mana: 1,200,000 / 1,200,000
Strength: 5,000
Intelligence: 2,000
Vitality: 4,000
Agility: 4,000
Dexterity: 4,000
Active Skills: Crimson Slash, Berserker Barrage, Hunter's Mark, Cross Slash, Sky Dive, Fury Cutter, Burst Speed.
Passive Skills: Blood Rage, Blood Lust, Blood Thirst
Special Ability: Berserker Fervor
—------------
< Berserker Fervor >
– This monster is always in Berserk Mode, giving it a permanent 300% increased Attack Damage.
– Any Mantises that were being led by this monster will also gain a 300% increased Attack Bonus.
– This monster is immune to any status debuffs.
—------------
A World Boss Monster was on a different level compared to an Alpha and a Field Boss Monster.
These Monsters' strength was at the peak of their respective Rankings, and it would take at least several Low-Rankers to defeat a Deimos-Ranked World Boss.
Lux had the impression that the Ant Queen of the Tetramorium Ants, as well as the Queen of the Red Giant Hornets might be World Bosses as well. But, these monsters weren't really proficient in fighting.
Their main purpose was to give birth to workers and soldiers, whose role was to provide her with food and protect her from harm.
Although they were hard to kill, their fighting power wasn't that great. They couldn't be compared to the Crimson Berserker Mantis, who was an Apex Predator in the insect world.
With an ear-piercing screech, the Crimson Mantis announced its presence, making all the Monsters shift their attention to it.
Just as Lux was thinking about what to do next, something unexpected happened. The Mosquito Swarm and the Red Giant Hornets immediately retreated.
The Ants, on the other hand, didn't back away and shifted their attention to the approaching Mantises and unleashed a barrage of Iron and Steel Bullets in their direction.
The three Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants also stopped attacking the seriously injured Giant Termite, whose flames had grown significantly smaller and weaker after fighting against three Deimos-Ranked opponents at the same time.
Two of the Giant Termite's six legs, and its wings had been torn off from its body. Puddles of magma-like blood pooled under its body. Despite how seriously injured it was, its will to fight didn't decrease, in fact it burned even brighter.
However, its opponents' attention had turned elsewhere, allowing it to catch its breath.
Although the Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants managed to give the Giant Termite serious injuries, they weren't unscathed and their bodies were filled with burn marks, despite how hard, and strong their defenses were.
Two of the Adamantium Ants even had black blood flowing out of their body from the bite marks of the Giant Termite, who fought them tooth and nail, despite being outnumbered.
Although the Mosquito Swarm and the Red Giant Hornets had left, and the Ants seemed to be keen on fighting the Mantises, something was telling Lux that they weren't out of danger.
In fact, his gut instincts were telling him that they were in more danger compared to what they faced earlier.
Just as the Half-Elf was thinking of ordering Asmodeus to tell the Mayor, Pietro, that they should use this opportunity to escape, the Crimson Berserker Mantis uttered another screech and slashed its razor sharp claws in front of it, creating a Crimson Wind Blade that annihilated anything it hit.
The Adamantium Ants immediately attacked it with Steel Bullets, but the Giant Crimson Mantis easily avoided it due to its high agility and dexterity.
Its movement was so fast that it managed to close the gap between it, and the three Deimos-Ranked Ants within seconds, catching the three by surprise.
The Crimson Mantis flew past them before soaring towards the sky, flying towards the Red Giant Hornets who had decided to escape from the battlefield.
Suddenly, one of the Adamantium Ants, who were five-meters-tall, collapsed on the ground.
Two of its Adamantium-Coated legs were cut off from its body, spraying black blood in the surroundings.
Lux couldn't believe what he saw because even his full powered strike wouldn't be able to accomplish such a thing.
While the Half-Elf was still trying to understand what just happened, the Crimson Berserker Mantis had already caught up with the Red Giant Hornets and started to cut them all in half.
In just a span of a minute, all of the Red Giant Wasps were dead, including the people that they had carried away to bring back to their nest.
After dealing with the Hornets, the Giant Crimson Mantis made a U-Turn before unleashing dozens of Crimson Blades, which annihilated the Giant Ground Beetles, Skeleton Gang Bangers, as well as the Rock Golems that had been fighting against each other since the battle started.
While this was happening, the Red-Eyed Terror Mantises, and the Golden-Eyed Crimson Mantises, engaged the Mosquito swarm and started a one-sided massacre.
They were led by three Savage Hunter Mantises, which were Rank 5 Field Boss Monsters.
Since the Crimson Berserk Mantis' could bestow its Special Ability, Berserker Fervor, to its allies, all the Mantises' attack power was boosted by 300%. This allowed them to slice through the mosquito swarm like a hot knife cutting through butter, decimating them without mercy.
It was at that moment when Lux realized why his Sixth Sense was screaming for him to escape from the place as far as he could.
Clearly, the Mantises had no intention of letting anyone leave the battlefield. They were Apex Predators who killed for the sake of killing.
As long as they decided to attack, they would not stop until their targets were sliced in half by their razor sharp claws, which were now stained by the blood of the insects that they had killed.
Chapter 563 Terror Of The Plains [Part 2]
Lux had fought many battles.
Perhaps, two of the scariest encounters he had was the battle against the Abyssal Monster which had attacked White Bridge City in the Kingdom of Gweliven, as well as the Indus Death Worm that he had met in Keoza's Dungeon.
Both times, he felt as if he had no chance of winning against them, and his only option was to escape as fast as he could.
Although the Elemental Tempest that was guarding the Forest of Beginnings was many times stronger than the Crimson Berserk Mantis that had just exterminated all the Red Giant Hornets in the surroundings, Lux didn't feel as if the Elemental Monster planned to kill him.
However, this time, it was different. He knew, with every fiber of his being that the Giant Mantis had no intention of letting anyone leave the battlefield alive.
Perhaps, the Ants knew this as well. So, instead of running away, they held their ground and simply took the initiative to attack the World Boss, whose deadly claws were capable of cutting the hard Adamantium Exoskeleton of the Deimos-Ranked Ants.
"Sh*t...," Lux muttered as a grim expression appeared on his face.
Suddenly, an idea appeared inside his head so he immediately acted on it, not caring if it would succeed or not.
The Half-Elf flew towards the Deimos-Ranked Ants who had taken defensive stances beside their brethren who had lost two of its legs.
"Let's have a ceasefire for now!" Lux shouted as soon as he neared the Ants.
He then pointed at the Giant Crimson Mantis that was looking down at them with disdain from the sky, and made a proposal to the Ants.
"Let's all work together to fight that thing," Lux stated. "If you don't kill it now, there's a chance that it will attack your colony later, and kill your Queen!"
Lux knew that the Ants were loyal to their Queen, and would fight to defend her at all cost.
When he was still in Leaf Village, he accidentally came across Ants who were pacifists in nature. Because of that, he was able to visit their Ant Nest and interact with them on a regular basis.
Although the Tetramorium Ants was a very aggressive species, he hoped that he could find a middle ground, so that all of them could work together.
Unfortunately, for the Ants, the only one they trusted was their own kind. They understood what the Half-Elf was trying to say, but for them, they would never work together with other species to fight their battles for them.
One of the Adamantium-Ranked Ants didn't hesitate and fired an Adamantium Bullet in Lux's direction, forcing the Half-Elf to evade and fly away.
It was then when the telepathic voice of the Giant Termite reached his ears.
"It's no use talking to these Ants," the Giant Termite said. "What you should do is evacuate this place as fast as you can. I know that you have the ability to do that. The residents of Abingdon Town can no longer be saved. I'm afraid that this is where they will all die."
The Giant Termite then painstakingly tried to prop itself up from the ground as it rekindled the flames that had almost disappeared from its body.
After losing two of its legs, and suffering many serious injuries, it could no longer move from its location. However, it could still unleash its powerful spells, which it hoped would be strong enough to burn the Giant Crimson Mantis' body.
The Giant Crimson Mantis then descended from the sky and flew straight towards the Giant Termite, whose flames covered its entire body.
Knowing that the World Boss planned to get rid of it first, the Giant Termite faced his enemy fearlessly, as it gathered all of its magical energy, preparing to unleash all of its attack spells at the same time.
Immediately, several layers of Fire Wall appeared in front of the Giant Termite, and a giant magic circle appeared in the sky above its head.
"Fire Storm!"
Fireballs rained from the sky, making the temperature in the surroundings rise dramatically. However, the Crimson Berserk Mantis easily avoided these fireballs, as it made its way towards the Giant Termite, who was surrounded by blazing flames.
A few seconds later, the Giant Termite spewed flames from its mouth, passing through the Fire Walls it created.
Lux gasped in surprise because he knew that the Giant Termite had used its skill, Flamethrower. However, the thing that surprised Lux was when the Fire Breath hit the Walls of Fire in front of it.
The flames that the Giant Termite unleashed expanded, doubling its size. But, it didn't end there. The Flamethrower continued to become bigger, and stronger, until it finally hit the Giant Mantis' body, making it screech in pain.
The Giant Crimson Mantis didn't see the attack right away until it was too late because its surroundings were covered in flames.
Truth be told, the Fire Storm, and the Firewall were simply a smokescreen to create a trap that would allow the Giant Termite to hit the World Boss with its strongest attack in its arsenal.
This was the Giant Termite's Trump Card that it had developed over the years, harnessing the power of flames in its surroundings to fuel its attacks, increasing their attack power exponentially.
Even the Deimos-Ranked World Boss wasn't able to shrug off the blazing flames that hit its body dead center.
As if seeing the perfect opportunity to take revenge for their fallen comrades, all of the Deimos-Ranked Ants unleashed a Spiked Adamantium Bullet the size of a wrecking ball.
These deadly giant cannonballs, which were out for blood, flew straight and true at the screeching Giant Crimson Mantis.
Their attacks connected which sent the World Boss skidding hundreds of meters across the ground while its body was still covered in flames.
Just as the Ants were about to fire another round of Steel Bullets at the Giant Mantis, the latter did something unexpected, which made Lux cry out in shock.
In a matter of seconds, the Giant Crimson Mantis disappeared from where it was before reappearing a hundred meters away from the Giant Termite, whose body had already returned to normal.
It had used everything in that last attack, and was already a spent candle. Because of this, its movement, and reaction abilities had almost slowed down to a complete halt, making it unable to defend itself.
Time seemed to slow down as Lux used his Skeleton Make Skill to create a giant spear in an attempt to save the Giant Termite from the screeching Giant Mantis, whose razor sharp claws had turned a deadly crimson hue.
The Giant Mantis had used its skill, Burst Speed, giving it a momentarily boost in speed, propelling it to travel short distances almost instantly for a short period of time.
It was also why fighting against the Giant Mantis was very dangerous because it could appear in its opponent's blindspot at any given time.
Just as Lux was about to throw his Giant Skeletal Spear, the Crimson Berserker Mantis had once again disappeared from its spot, and reappeared a few meters away from the Giant Termite.
With one quick slash of its claws, the Giant Termite's body was cleanly cut in half, giving it no time to scream in pain.
After delivering the attack, the Giant Mantis once again flew into the sky, as if waiting for its Speed Burst ability's cooldown to end.
The upper, and lower part of the Giant Termite's body crashed on the ground, spilling molten blood that melted the ground under it.
Surprisingly, the Giant Termite was not instantly killed by that attack, but the light in its eyes was slowly fading away.
The Giant Mantis no longer paid the dying Giant Termite any attention as it shifted its gaze to the three Adamantium Ants, whom it considered the three creatures that could still threaten it on the battlefield.
"Noooooooo!" Lux shouted as he dispersed the giant skeleton spear that he was about to throw at the Giant Mantis.
Without even looking at the World Boss, the Half-Elf immediately flew towards the direction of the dying creature, who was at death's door.
He knew this was a futile effort on his part because no matter what he did, the Giant Termite's death was assured.
However, for some reason, something compelled him to go to the creature, who had come to lend its hand to them, even though it had already said that it was not going to help.
It was as if someone had pushed him in the back, giving him a strong urge to talk to the Giant Termite one last time before it drew its last breath, and join his one and only friend, Drystan, in the afterlife.
Chapter 564 You Can Be A Hero Too [Part 1]
The Giant Termite lay on the ground, its massive body slowly convulsing in its final moments. Its eyes flickered, struggling to stay open, as it gazed up at the sky.
It knew its time had come, and it accepted its fate with stoic resignation.
"So, this is where it ends…," the Giant Termite faintly muttered, feeling its life force trickling down like the sand in an hourglass.
Its blazing eyes slowly lost their glow, and its body stopped convulsing. As its eyes slowly closed, a tear fell from them, evaporating even before it could hit the ground.
In its final moments, it found itself in a place he was all too familiar with.
A volcano could be seen spewing lava high up in the air in the distance, and the lands around him were covered in a red tint.
"I'm back," the Giant Termite said as it looked around. "This must be the afterlife…"
Suddenly, a playful voice that he hadn't heard for several months reached his ears.
"Thank you for doing your best, old friend."
The Giant Termite turned around and saw the person that had saved him in the past and given him a new purpose for living.
"Drystan." The Giant Termite looked at his friend fondly. "Have you come to pick me up?"
The former Mayor of Abingdon Town didn't reply right away. Instead, he walked to his friend and hugged the Giant Termite's head, and patted it as if it was the head of a small child.
The Giant Termite didn't resist and even enjoyed the familiar skinship that he shared with the Human, whom he had spent several decades with.
"There's something I'd like you to see, my friend," Drystan said as he backed away. "After that, you will need to make an important decision."
Before the Giant Termite could even process what his friend was talking about, the scenery around them changed, showing a giant planet in the sky.
The Giant Termite gazed at it, similar to how someone from space would gaze at the Earth, admiring the beautiful blue planet.
Unfortunately, the Planet the Giant Termite saw wasn't beautiful.
From its perspective, it looked like a rotting melon which was too gruesome to look at.
"... This is?" the Giant Termite asked as it shifted its attention to its friend, who had his arms crossed over his chest.
"It's a dying world," Drystan replied. "A world that is about to meet its end in a few years."
"Is this the world we were living in?"
"No. It's a different world. It's the world the Foreigners came from."
The Giant Termite nodded its head in understanding. It was all too familiar with the term Foreigners because he had seen thousands of them in the past.
In fact, when he saw Lux, he knew that the Half-Elf was a Foreigner because their kind emitted a certain presence that was very different from the residents of Elysium.
"The name of that world is Solais," Drystan stated. "Its demise is inevitable unless a miracle happens."
"Why are you telling me this?" The Giant Termite inquired. "You know I couldn't care less about these things."
Drystan smiled and nodded his head. He knew that the Giant Termite wasn't a creature who cared about anyone except him, which made him feel both happy and sad at the same time.
If not for his request, the Giant Termite wouldn't have even bothered to protect the residents of Abingdon Town, who had decided to evacuate the Shaufell Plains in order to have a chance of survival.
"Look closer, my friend," Drystan said as he pointed at the Planet of Solais in the sky. "Do you see something else?"
The Giant Termite squinted its eyes as it tried to look farther in order to see what Drystan was talking about.
Its vision then zoomed in toward the planet, which was normally impossible, and saw several men, women, and creatures in various areas of the world, entering a meditative state and channeling their consciousness to wrap the world of Solais in a protective layer.
Outside these protective layers, a black blight, which had already spread across the entire planet, was being kept at bay.
The black blight was pulsing like a living creature, which the Giant Termite found repulsive. However, it didn't end there.
The Giant Termite's vision once again zoomed in, and this time, its vision passed through the exterior of the planet, seeing another world inside the planet it had seen earlier.
The planet was very beautiful, and it made the Giant Termite feel a strong connection to it. Although Drystan didn't tell it anything, the Giant Termite was sure that he was looking at his own world, where it had been born.
However, it noticed something that made it gasp in shock.
In the western region of the Planet, a small patch of black blight could be seen. It was the same black blight that it had seen in Solais, making the world look like a rotting melon from the outside.
"The name of our world is Elysium," Drystan said after seeing the surprised expression on his friend's face. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that our world and the world of Solais are joined at the hips.
"Right now, our world is slowing down the death of Solais, but in return, the corruption of the Abyss has also taken root within it. If left unchecked, it will suffer the same fate as the dying world.
"Although it may not happen tomorrow, or not even a year from now, somewhere along the line, our world will suffer the same fate as Solais."
As Drystan explained these things, the Giant Termite saw several people, as well as creatures, who were doing the exact same thing as what the people of Solais were doing.
They were coating the world of Elysium in a protective barrier, keeping the blight from spreading further.
The surprising thing was that, aside from the living creatures on the planet of Elysium, he saw several Spirits of the Dead doing the same thing, which made it come to a realization.
"Drystan, are you perhaps…" The Giant Termite looked at his friend, who looked back at him with a smile.
"It is as you thought," Drystan replied. "I am one of the many that are protecting our world even in Death."
Chapter 565 You Can Be A Hero Too [Part 2]
"It is as you thought. I am one of the many that are protecting our world even in Death."
The Giant Termite didn't really understand how someone who had already died was still able to support their world even from the afterlife. However, it thought that since its friend was special, Drystan was able to do even the impossible things.
Still, it didn't understand why his friend would go that far.
"... But why? Why must you go this far for this world?" the Giant Termite asked. "Is it because you are a Hero?"
Drystan chuckled after hearing the Giant Termite's words.
"A Hero?" Drystan smirked. "You really think that I was a Hero?"
The Giant Termite nodded its head. It had always believed that his friend was the best human in existence. Even now, he still thought that way.
"In the past, you told me that Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary," the Giant Termite stated. "A Hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. I can see that what you are doing is something bigger and grander. Are you perhaps here to tell me to accompany you and also contribute to saving Elysium?"
The Giant Termite didn't really care about the world, but since his one and only friend was doing it, he intended to lend him a hand.
"You know, ever since we met, you've always listened to what I say," Drystan said with a sad expression on his face. "After losing your colony, you have also lost your purpose in life. I know that you agreed to become my Beast Companion and followed me on my adventures because you are searching for something that would give your life a purpose.
"You needed a reason to continue living, and frankly, I found you very pitiful. A puppet whose strings had been cut, unable to do anything, but wait for itself to rot away and disappear from the face of the world."
For some reason, the Giant Termite felt incredibly hurt and angry at its friends' words. It wanted to retort to Drystan that he was wrong and that it wasn't a puppet. However, he couldn't think of a good comeback for what his friend had said to him.
Because of this, it grew very frustrated, which made it do something it had never done before.
The Giant Termite screeched at his one-and-only friend, which it would have never done normally. It felt furious having been called pitiful by the one and only person it had truly cared about ever since its colony's demise.
"Hahaha. Now, this expression of yours is way better than what you always have," Drystan said as he tried to pat his friend's head, but the Giant Termite swatted his friend's hand away in anger because it still felt frustrated and, in a way, betrayed by his words.
"I only tried to help save the people of Abingdon Town because of you!" the Giant Termite screeched. "I only did it because of you!"
Drystan stopped laughing and looked at his friend with a solemn expression on his face.
"I know," Drystan replied. "And what you did meant the world to me."
The Giant Termite's one and only friend,l deeply bowed his head as a way of thanking the Nameless Vagabond for honoring their friendship till the very end.
Seeing Drystan bow his head, the Giant Termite's anger decreased significantly. He knew how proud Drystan was and knew that the man would never bow his head so easily.
"I've tried many times to give you a name, but you refused me each and every time," Drystan said as he raised his head. "You said it was because you wanted to keep the memory of your colony alive because you are its last remaining member. But now that you have died, this responsibility is also over, right?"
The Giant Termite reluctantly nodded its head because there was no refuting his friend's words.
"It's just frustrating that even in the end, I failed to become a Hero just like you," the Giant Termite gave a long and sad sigh. "I wanted to become just like you, Drystan. Someone that people honored and remembered even after you died.
"Unlike you, I won't be remembered by anyone. I hadn't done anything significant in my life, nor had I left a mark on the world. Not only did I fail to become a Hero, but I also failed to live a great life, and die a great death."
Drystan looked at his friend long and hard before the corner of his lips rose by a slight margin.
"What if I told you that you can still do that," Drystan replied. "What if I tell you that you can leave your mark on the world and make your name resound far and wide, allowing everyone to know your name."
The Giant Termite looked at his friend incredulously. He didn't want to look down on his friend, but even Drystan failed to make his name known far and wide.
The only place that honored his friend was none other than Abingdon Town, which was now on the verge of being wiped out by the Giant Mantis that had killed it.
"Your gaze hurts a bit, you know?" Drystan chuckled as he looked at his friend who was looking at him with a pitiful gaze. "When did you gain the guts to look at me pitifully? You never did that in the past."
"What? You are the one who started it!" The Giant Termite used one of its feet to slightly push his friend backward, making the latter laugh out loud.
It was at that moment when the Giant Termite heard words inside his head. They were very faint and incoherent that he couldn't understand them completely.
It was similar to one of the shamans that they had met in the past that would chant several things while standing in front of a bonfire, calling upon the spirits of the world.
The broken words it was hearing were like buzzing in its ears, but for some reason, it could tell that someone was calling out to him.
"Termite, listen well," Drystan said as the world around them faded, returning to the Shaufell Plains where the battle for survival was being waged.
The Giant Termite looked at the red-headed teenager, whose hand was touching its head.
Behind the Half-Elf, Drystan stood with his arms crossed over his chest, and a bright smile on his face.
"Heroes have many things to protect. That's why we can't lose." Drystan said. "And, my friend, I know that you are someone who doesn't want to lose."
The Giant Termite looked at his friend and then at the Half-Elf, who was saying something to him.
It was at that moment when it realized that the broken and intangible words that it was hearing in its head earlier was coming from the Half-Elf, who was releasing a certain kind of power that was preventing its body, and soul, from dying completely.
"Now, you have an important choice to make, My Friend," Drystan said. "Do you want to come with me or stay and leave your mark in the world, so everyone will know that even a Nameless Termite who lost its entire colony... can be a Hero, too."
Chapter 566 Rebirth Of The Future From The Ashes Of The Past [Part 1]
After slicing the Giant Termite's body in half, the Crimson Berserker Mantis shifted its attention to the three Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants, who were the next biggest threats on the battlefield
It was confident that no one on the battlefield could fight it. However, since it didn't want to take any chances, it planned to eliminate those that had the potential to deal damage to it before cleaning up the Humans, who would serve as food for its subordinates.
Naturally, the three Deimos-Ranked Ants, including the one that had lost its legs, all screeched defiantly at the approaching Giant Mantis and unleashed a barrage of Spiked-Adamantium Bullets, forcing the World Boss to take evasive action.
After half a minute of evading the three Ants' continuous attack, the Giant Crimson Mantis decided to use ranged attacks in order to weaken and disorient its opponents as a way to close the gap and deliver a lethal blow to one of them.
The Giant Crimson Mantis didn't have to worry about its targets, because one of the Deimos-Ranked Ants was already crippled and unable to move.
It then unleashed dozens of Crimson Slashes toward the immobile ant, forcing its companions to summon Earth Walls in order to block its attacks.
Unfortunately, this strategy backfired on the Ants because it made it easier for the Crimson Giant Mantis to close the gap between them since the Earth Walls blocked the Ants' sight, preventing them from seeing their enemy.
When they finally realized their mistake, it was already too late because the Giant Crimson Mantis was only a hundred meters away from them.
With one mighty cleave of its razor-sharp claws, the Giant Mantis slashed the Earth Wall in half and used its Burst Speed to instantly reappear beside the fallen Deimos-Ranked Ant.
Before its comrades could even come to its rescue, the Giant Mantis had already used its skill, Berserker Barrage, leaving deep gashes in the Adamantium Ant's body, and cutting off its remaining legs, rendering it completely immobile.
This all happened in the span of only a few seconds, giving the Adamantium Ant no opportunity to scream in pain.
A second later, the Giant Mantis flew upwards. Its Crimson Body reflected the light of the sun, temporarily blinding the two Ants that had moved to protect their comrade from the Giant Mantis' killing blow.
Seeing that its strategy worked, the sly World Boss used its skill, Sky Dive, to descend towards its target. It also used Speed Burst, which exponentially increased its speed, to deliver the coup de grace.
When the two Deimos-Ranked Ants regained their vision, the first thing they saw was the head of their comrade rolling on the ground in front of them.
As if guided by their natural instincts, the two Ants immediately unleashed Adamantium Spikes that sprouted from their bodies, preventing the Giant Crimson Mantis from following up with another sneak attack.
The Giant Mantis knew that the two remaining Ants would keep the needle-like protrusions on their bodies in order to deter it from attacking them at close range.
Because of this, it decided to shift its attention to the Lower-Ranked Ants and started a one-sided slaughter. This act enraged the two Deimos-Ranked Ants, forcing them to charge at the hateful Giant Crimson Mantis, whose tactics took advantage of the Ants' strong bond with the members of their colony.
The battling Insects' screeching and hissing spread throughout the battlefield as the Mantises fought against everyone in sight.
Asmodeus, who was tasked to protect everyone, glanced at his Master, who was currently standing in front of the Giant Termite who was on the brink of death.
'Master, it's no use,' Asmodeus said to Lux via telepathy. 'Even if you revive the Giant Termite, it is impossible for it to win against the Crimson Berserker Mantis. I hate to say this, but we have no choice but to take our people and leave while we still can!'
Lux, whose hands were pressed over the Giant Termite's head, was doing his best to preserve the body of the Giant Termite, as well as its soul.
Just like Asmodeus, he understood that even if he were to make the Giant Termite a member of his Covenant or Animated Undead Legion, the result would still be the same.
The Giant Mantis would slaughter them all without mercy.
'Take Master Randolph, Grandma Annie, Laura, Livia, Gerhart, and Cethus away from here!' Lux ordered. 'I have my ways to escape, so take them first!'
Since his Master had already given a direct order, Asmodeus no longer hesitated and summoned his Skeleton Warriors to grab the Dwarves.
"Gerhart, Cethus, come!" Asmodeus shouted, making the green-haired Half-Elf and the Dragon Born to look in the Archlich's direction.
Perhaps, the two understood that the battle was already lost, so they flew toward Asmodeus without asking any questions.
When everyone had gathered, the Archlich used its skill, Skeleton Make, and created a Giant Cannon.
A moment later, his two clones pressed their hands together and enveloped the Dwarves, the green-haired Half-Elf, as well as the Dragon Born in a Skeleton Cannonball, which was then loaded into the Giant Cannon.
A resounding explosion reverberated across the plains as Lux's companions were blown to safety.
Before the red-headed teenager could heave a sigh of relief, he felt something light land on top of his head, which made him smile bitterly.
"Pa!" Eiko angrily jumped up and down her Papa's head because the latter had decided to let her escape, while he remained on the battlefield.
Since the Baby Slime had the ability to instantly teleport herself to Lux's and Iris' locations, wherever they may be, she returned to her Papa's side in order to fight with him until the end.
'Master, our people have been safely evacuated,' Asmodeus said as he and Lux's other Named Creatures guarded the residents of Abingdon Town.
Pietro, who had witnessed what Lux had done, didn't say anything and simply prepared himself for the worst-case scenario. He understood that their chances of survival were slim, so he didn't look down on the Half-Elf for prioritizing the safety of his own people over theirs.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling cry reached everyone's ears as one of the Adamantium Ants' chest was pierced by the Crimson Berserker Mantis' deadly claws.
Everyone who saw this wasn't able to stop themselves from gasping in shock because they understood that when the last Adamantium Ant fell, it would be their turn to die.
While all of this was happening, Lux had fallen into some kind of a trance while he was channeling his Necromantic Energy into the Giant Termite, whose eyes had already dimmed completely.
When he regained his senses, he found himself in the middle of a colony war between the Fire Ants and the Blazed Coned Termites.
Everything around him burned in blazing flames, which made him wonder if he had unknowingly died and had gone straight to hell.
While he was still attempting to understand what was happening around him, he saw an old man casually walking in his direction despite the fact that the Fire Ants and the Blaze Coned Termites were fighting beside him.
"What you are looking at right now, is the memory of my friend," the old man said with a solemn expression on his face. "A past that has haunted it every single day of its life."
Lux stared at the old man until the latter stopped two meters away from him, giving the unfamiliar yet familiar person a critical gaze.
"Sir Drystan?" Lux inquired.
The old man smiled and gave the Half-Elf a brief nod of acknowledgment.
Although Lux hadn't met the old man before, he had a feeling that the one standing in front of him right now was the Giant Termite's one and only friend, whom it cherished very much until the bitter end.
Chapter 567 Rebirth Of The Future From The Ashes Of The Past [Part 2]
"This is one of the Giant Termite's memories?" Lux inquired.
"Yes," Drystan replied. "This is the battle where it lost not only its entire colony but also its purpose for living."
After giving his reply, Drystan made a gesture for the Half-Elf to continue watching the battle.
As a Necromancer, Lux could tell that the one he was talking to wasn't an illusion made by his imagination, but the soul of the Dead, who still had lingering attachments to the world and was unable to move on.
Because of this, he decided to watch the battle that was happening in front of him to understand what the Former Mayor of Abingdon Town wanted to tell him.
The battle lasted for a little more than an hour.
Lux was surprised when he saw the appearance of the Argonaut-Ranked Anteater, who had eaten the Termite Queen right in front of the last Soldier Termite of their colony.
For some reason, the Half-Elf could feel the Soldier Termite's raw emotions of fear, anger, despair, and helplessness, and it resonated with Lux's own experiences in both of his lifetimes.
When the Argonaut-Ranked Anteater left, the Half-Elf looked at the lone Soldier Termite whose entire body shivered amidst the countless dead ants and termites around it.
"My friend always said that I was the one who saved him," Drystan said. "But, truth be told, he was the one who saved me. When I first met him, I had already lost many important things in my life, so I was looking for a place to die.
"However, when I met him on that fateful day, I found someone who was suffering just like me and thought that, perhaps, helping him would make me feel better. Perhaps, helping him would allow me to move on from my own heartache.
"In short, I befriended him for my own self-satisfaction, and you know what? His entire world revolved around me. He made me his reason for living."
Drystan smiled bitterly as he looked at the lone-figure that was shivering in the distance.
"In his eyes, I am a Hero," Drystan said softly. "But, in my eyes, he is the real Hero, and I want the world to know that. Half-Elf, I know what you are capable of doing, and I know what you're planning to do. However, I will not allow you to use my friend as your pawn for your own selfish reasons.
"The one who gets to decide what he wants will be him, and no one else. Even as a Spirit, I will fight you if you revive him as your minion against his will."
Drystan's eyes glowed green as he looked at the Half-Elf with a steady gaze. Clearly, he meant what he said, and Lux could tell how serious the former Mayor of Abingdon Town was.
"Go," Drystand stated. "Ask him what he wants to do, and if he agrees, I will bestow upon him and you my blessing."
Before Lux could even give a reply, the old man disappeared, leaving him and the shivering Soldier Termite alone.
Lux took a deep breath before walking in the direction of the Soldier Termite, who seemed to have lost its will to live.
Right now, he understood that the Giant Termite was watching its life flash before its eyes as its life force slowly faded away.
The Half-Elf knew that the Giant Termite had less than ten minutes to live, and in that span of time, he must find a way to convince it to continue living.
"Hello, Mr. Termite," Lux greeted as he stood beside the Soldier Termite who was looking in the direction where the Argonaut-Ranked Anteater had gone. "Can we perhaps have a prope–"
Before Lux could even finish his words, the Soldier Termite cut him off without even looking in his direction.
"One reason," the Soldier Termite replied. "Give me one reason why I should help you."
Lux knew that this was his one and only chance to convince the Soldier Termite to continue its desire to leave, so he didn't answer right away.
He thought of many things to say.
Words of flattery.
Words filled with promise.
Words that might make the Soldier Termite empathize with him and help him in his plight.
But after going through these half-baked words, these silly excuses, and these words meant to trick and give false hope to someone, the Half-Elf realized that he couldn't use any of these words.
These weren't the words that the Soldier Termite needed.
He had a feeling that whatever he said right now, the Soldier Termite would reject it.
Lux could feel that the Soldier Termite no longer had any attachments in the world, and he could tell that it wasn't in the mood to accept any promises from him either.
As the precious minutes ticked by, the Soldier Termite's life also trickled away, but it didn't say anything and simply waited for Lux to give it an answer.
Drystan had already confessed everything to the Giant Termite, including the reason why he decided to help it in the past.
Because of this, the Giant Termite felt betrayed because everything it had believed for the past fifty years of life was simply a lie.
Truth be told, it wished that Drystan had kept this information to himself until the end.
It wished that it hadn't been told the truth.
It was willing to believe its friend until the end, but this same friend made it feel that everything it had done for the past fifty years of its life was all a lie.
If it had only known it back then, it might have chosen to fight Monsters that were many times stronger than it, so that it could join its comrades in the afterlife.
When the Giant Termite only had four minutes left to live, the Half-Elf finally opened his mouth to speak.
"A little more than seventeen years ago, I was chosen by the God of Gamblers to save a dying world from destruction," Lux said as he looked in the distance. "He gave me an opportunity to live a life according to my wishes. From the color of my hair to a race of my choosing, that God allowed me to have the perfect life and appearance that I wanted to have."
Lux reminisced about the time he had met the God of Gamblers, Macuilxochitl, who was currently in a state of hibernation according to the God of Games, Eriol.
"Back then, I thought that all I needed to do was follow the path that was given to me, and I would be able to live the picture-perfect life that I've always dreamed of," Lux stated. "Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan. The perfect life I had envisioned for myself slipped from my fingers, and yet, I will never trade my current life for the perfect life that I had desperately wished for in the past."
The Soldier Termite didn't understand what Lux was telling him because the concepts of Gods and Reincarnation were beyond its understanding. However, for some reason, it could feel that the Half-Elf wasn't lying to him, so it continued to listen.
"I might still be young, but I finally understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life," Lux said softly. "Even if we try our best, life will find ways to f*ck us up and screw us a hundred times over.
"Sir Termite, I tried to think of ways to win you over so that you can help me overcome this hurdle that I am facing right now, but I can't think of anything that will move your heart. So, tell me, is there something that you want to do? Do you have any wish that you want to be fulfilled?
"I won't say things like I will fulfill or grant them for you. All I can say is that if it is within my abilities, I will do it."
The Half-Elf looked at the Soldier Termite and saw several light particles being released from its body. He could tell that it only had less than two minutes to live, and once its entire body became transparent, it would finally disappear from the world without a trace.
"Tell me, what is a Hero?" the Soldier Termite asked. Earlier, it didn't pay any attention to Lux. But this time, it turned its head to the side to look at the Half-Elf, who was standing beside it.
Lux pondered for a few seconds before giving his answer.
"A Hero is…"
Chapter 568 I Am Here [Part 1]
A resounding screech spread in the surroundings as the Crimson Berserker Mantis raised its head to announce its victory against the last Adamantium Ant, who now lay headless under its feet.
Around it lie countless lower-ranked Ants, with their bodies sliced apart and piled up into a small hill. Although they had no chance of winning against the Giant Crimson Mantis, they still did their best to protect their last remaining champion in order to keep it from dying under its claws.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, their efforts were futile under the World Boss' domineering might.
The Ant Survivors that now only numbered a few hundred unleashed a barrage of Iron and Steel Bullets at the World Boss, but the latter simply used its claws to block these attacks, making them bounce off its body.
Suddenly, dark clouds covered the sky, and thunder roared in the heavens.
Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the darkness that had suddenly covered the land without any warning.
It was then that the World Boss saw it.
In the distance, a giant fireball burned brightly like a miniature sun.
In front of it was a red-headed teenager with his two hands pressed over it.
At first, the Crimson Berserker Mantis planned to ignore this phenomenon and continue getting rid of the remaining Ants, but something moved in the corner of its eyesight.
One of the dead Adamantium Ants suddenly rose into the air and flew towards the Giant Fireball as if it was being sucked into it.
Soon, the second Adamantium Ant followed suit and flew in the direction where the Giant Fireball was.
As if waiting for that cue, the dead Lower-Ranked Ants, Giant Ground Beetles, Red-Giant Hornets, Countless Mosquitoes, as well as a few Mantises that had died in the battle, all rose into the air and were sucked up by the small, miniature sun, whose brightness was growing more intense with each passing second.
The Giant Crimson Mantis emitted an ear-piercing shriek before opening its wings to fly towards the Giant Fireball with the intention to cut it, as well as the Half-Elf, who seemed to be responsible for its formation.
Using its Speed Burst, the Giant Mantis crossed the distance in a matter of seconds and slashed at the Half-Elf's back without any mercy.
However, before its attack could even land, its body momentarily froze, stopping in mid-air.
A moment later, it turned its head to look at the Jade Golem, whose golden gauntlets shone brilliantly in the darkness.
With an irritated screech, the Giant Mantis flew toward Orion with its claws poised to strike.
A sneer appeared on the Jade Golem's face as he faced the Deimos-Ranked World Boss who was out to kill it.
In a split second, the razor-sharp claws, and the golden gauntlets collided, creating a powerful shockwave that sent the Jade Golem, and even the Giant Crimson Mantis, flying backward.
Pietro's eyes widened after seeing this scene because he never expected Lux's summoned creature to be able to take a blow from the World Boss, who had easily eliminated the Deimos-Ranked Monsters that ganged up on it earlier.
As if it was hit by a racing truck, the Giant Mantis rolled and squirmed on the ground as its body convulsed from pain.
Orion, on the other hand, slowly propped itself up from the ground and took a fighting stance.
One of the Beast Cores in its golden gauntlets shattered because its effect had been used.
The skill that Orion had used against the Giant Crimson Mantis, was the skill, Counter, which reflected any Physical Attack back to their owner, and multiplied it by 200%
Orion's and Pazuzu's roles were to be the Tanks of Lux's Army and because of this, there was a high chance that both of them would be the first casualties in any battle that the Half-Elf was going to fight.
Knowing this, Lux gave both of them Pseudo-Legendary Items, which he had gotten from the Gnome, Great General Sherlock, when he conquered the Gate of Conquest.
Orion's golden gauntlets allowed him to equip Beast Cores in it and use their abilities until the Beast Core lost its effect.
The Giant Crimson Mantis didn't hold back in its attack against the Jade Golem, so it suffered from the backlash of having its own attack reflected back at it, making it feel a world of pain.
Just as the World Boss barely regained a bit of its composure, it heard the sound of a bell, which came from the Giant Fireball in the distance.
As a Creature that had achieved its Rank, its Bestial Instinct was very high. Because of this, it understood that whatever that Giant Fireball was, it was slowly becoming more powerful and would soon be a threat to its existence.
It was then that the Giant Mantis did something unexpected.
It flapped its wings strongly, creating a dust cloud in its surroundings, blocking it from view.
Asmodeus, who saw this was immediately alarmed because the skill, Deus [EX], required the caster to see its target before the skill would work.
"No good!" Asmodeus shouted. "Ishtar, Lazarus, Zagan, block that Monster now!"
The three Named Creatures of Lux's army immediately made their move, but the Crimson Berserker Mantis was simply too fast for them.
Using the dust cloud as a smoke screen, it flew towards the burning fireball in the distance like a railgun.
It knew that if it waited any longer, the thing that the Half-Elf was doing would surely threaten its existence.
Although Lux could sense the approaching danger from behind, he didn't have the leeway to pay any attention to it and focused on channeling his mana into the Giant FIreball in front of him.
"Screeeeeeeee!" The Crimson Berserker Mantis screeched as it used its skill, Cross Slash, to hack the Half-Elf into pieces.
Just as the deadly crimson claws were about to land on the Half-Elf's back, two clawed hands caught the razor-sharp blades mid-air, stopping them in place.
Before the Crimson Berserker Mantis could even process what happened, a burning fist slammed into its chest, sending it skidding hundreds of meters away from the red-headed teenager, who had collapsed on the ground, panting for breath.
He had used all of his Mana and drained his physical, emotional, and spiritual strength in order to give birth to a miracle that would turn the tide of battle in their favor.
The sound of a tolling bell came to a complete stop, and the Half-Elf opened his lips to make a declaration.
"Let it be known that on this day, you will no longer be a Nameless Termite," Lux said as he looked up at the over two-meter tall figure that stood in front of him. "On this day, see with your own eyes, hear with your own ears, and feel with your own skin, everything this world has to offer."
Lux was fighting to keep his eyes open, as exhaustion sapped away his remaining strength.
However, although he was dead tired, and on the brink of losing his consciousness, he still opened his lips to declare to everyone that they were now safe. Even though they were facing a Monster that could wipe them all from the face of the Shaufell Plains, the Half-Elf no longer knew fear.
Why?
Because he was here.
A Termite who aspired to become a Hero, despite not knowing what a Hero really was.
"Rest. I will handle it from here," the figure in front of Lux said. "But, before you sleep, give me a name."
An exhausted chuckle escaped Lux's lips as he listened to the Creature's domineering words. However, he didn't feel bad and instead said the words that the newest member of his Covenant was waiting to hear.
Since his new ally wanted a Heroic name, the Half-Elf would give him a Heroic Name!
"Use that monster's face to wipe the floor," Lux ordered as his eyes slowly closed. "Go get him...
"ALL-MITE!"
Chapter 569 I Am Here [Part 2]
When the Crimson Berserker Mantis kicked up a dust cloud that blocked everyone's sight, Asmodeus realized that it was about to target his Master.
He immediately ordered his fastest comrades to rescue their Lord, but the World Boss was too quick for them.
At that time, Asmodeus thought it was all over.
As one of Lux's Named Creatures, he knew that if Lux died, he would cease to exist. He wasn't afraid of death, but he was saddened because it meant that his adventures with his new Master would come to an end.
It was at that moment when he heard a shrill cry coming from the location of his Master. A few seconds later, the body of the Crimson Berserker Mantis broke through the dust cloud and crashed on the ground hundreds of meters away from him and the residents of Abingdon Town.
For a brief moment, everyone on the battlefield stopped whatever they were doing and disbelievingly looked at the Giant Crimson Mantis, whose pained shrieks reverberated in the surroundings.
Suddenly, all of them heard a deep, and confident voice, coming from the dust cloud that was slowly dispersing.
"Everyone, it is fine now."
A two-meter tall creature, which looked almost exactly like Spiderm*n's nemesis, Ven*m, appeared in front of everyone the moment the dust cloud faded away. Its entire body was as black as the night, and its appearance was enough to give people nightmares.
It had a permanent devilish grin plastered on its face, and its golden eyes, which were similar to Lux's Undead Creatures, burned brightly as it gazed at the residents of Abingdon Town, ignoring the writhing World Boss in the distance.
Another unique feature of this creature was the two Antennae protruding from the top of its head, forming a V.
Its buffed-up body looked similar to a pro wrestler. Also, instead of having two arms, it had four, making it look incredibly strong and menacing.
(E/N: Mach*mp for you P*kemon fans)
Slowly, but surely, the demi-creature raised one of its hands towards the people of Abingdon Town and gave them a thumbs up.
Its mere presence exuded confidence that made everyone feel as if they no longer had anything to fear.
Why?
Because HE was here.
"... ALL-MITE," Asmodeus muttered as he stared at his new comrade whom his Master had poured his entirety into creating.
Using all of his Mana, and all the dead creatures on the battlefield, including the dead Deimos-Ranked Adamantium Ants, Lux took a gamble in order to turn the tide of battle in their favor.
Fortunately, his gamble paid off, giving birth to a Hero, whose name would resound far and wide in the worlds of Solais and Elysium in the not-so-distant future.
Yes.
His name was ALL-MITE!
—---------
< ALL-MITE >
"I Am Here!"
– Strongest Member of the Covenant
– From Zero to Hero
– Rating: SSR+
Strength: 5,072
Intelligence: 2,072
Vitality: 3,072
Agility: 3,072
Dexterity: 3,072
Active Skills: Smash [EX], Heaven's Smash [EX], Sky-High Smash [EX], Blaze Tempest Smash [EX], United Nation Smash [EX], Hero's Smash [EX], God's Strength [EX]
Passive Skills: Above Ten Thousand, Adamantium Body, Hero's Presence.
Unique Ability: Max Ultra [EX]
—------------
< Above Ten Thousand >
– This Creature is immune to all Stat-Lowering Abilities.
– This Creature's stats will always be ten thousand higher than Lux Von Kaizer's.
– This Creature is immune to Charm, Petrification, Paralysis, and Poison.
—------------
< Adamantium Body >
– This Creature's Body is as hard as Adamantium.
—------------
< Hero's Presence >
– All Fear-Inducing Effects are nullified
– The Morale of all allies will be boosted by 500%
—------------
< Max Ultra [EX] >
– Increase all stats by 500% for thirty minutes.
– When the effect of Max Ultra [EX] ends, this skill will undergo a month-long cooldown period.
------------
The Strongest Member of Lux's Necromancer Covenant, stood tall and proud, rekindling the hope that had almost disappeared due to despair.
Suddenly, a powerful shockwave erupted from the location of the Crimson Berserker Mantis. Its Crimson body became a shade redder, making it look more intimidating.
Although it was always in a Berserked State, it still had the power to activate its Berserk Ability, increasing its strength exponentially. However, the Giant Mantis rarely used this ability because it would lose all sense and reason and attack friend and foe alike.
But, it no longer cared about anything else aside from killing everyone in sight.
"I'll handle him," ALL-MITE said as he started to walk towards the Crimson Berserker Mantis whose blood-shot eyes locked on his body. "You guys, handle the rest."
pαпdα-ňᴏνê|·сóМ The newest member of Lux's Necromancer Covenant clenched its clawed fists, setting them ablaze with flames that were strong enough to melt steel and concrete.
ALL-MITE walked fearlessly toward his opponent with the intention of fighting with everything he had.
This was the first battle that he would fight since he was reborn, and he wanted to know just how powerful he had become.
Right now, his strength was that of a D-Ranker, while his opponent's strength was a World Boss at the peak of the Deimos-Rank.
Simply put, the Crimson Berserker Mantis was still stronger than ALL-MITE, but it didn't matter.
ALL-MITE still had several Trump Cards he could use, enough to allow him to fight the World Boss in front of him and give it a devastating blow.
For nearly half a minute, the Crimson Berserker Mantis and ALL-MITE stared at each other unflinchingly.
While this was happening, everyone was watching with bated breath because they knew that the outcome of this battle would decide their fate.
Then, as if they had made an unwritten agreement with each other, both fighters took a step forward and disappeared from where they stood.
Powerful shockwaves erupted in the surroundings as the two collided at speeds that could barely be seen by the naked eye.
Powerful gusts of winds were formed with each clash, almost blowing away the Humans who had now grouped together.
Asmodeus and his clones constructed a Skeleton Dome, which they had used earlier to protect the residents from the winds that threatened to give them serious injuries.
When the residents were safely protected by the Skeleton Dome, Lux's Named Creatures watched the battle with critical gazes.
They knew that they couldn't help ALL-MITE because if they did, they would only get in his way. Although it was frustrating, they understood that the best thing they could do was simply watch from the side and wait for the outcome of the battle.
Chapter 570 Max Ultra!
Diablo, Lux's First Born, watched the battle with a calm expression on his face.
All he wanted in life was to protect his Master, Lux, from harm and ensure that the latter would be able to do anything he wanted.
However, as he followed the red-headed teenager on his journey, the Death Knight understood that his current strength was not enough to protect Lux completely.
His ability to excel on large-scale battlefields was not due to his own strength, but because of the armor he was wearing. Diablo didn't mind this at first, but after the battle in the Gate of Conquest, as well as their current situation, he understood that what he could offer was no longer enough.
He was not the only one who felt this way.
Ishtar, Pazuzu, and Orion felt the same way he did.
They were Lux's first protectors, and they were very happy to serve and protect their Master, who was too kind for a Necromancer.
As more allies joined their Ranks, they felt as if their roles were being overshadowed by their peers. Of course, they didn't find anything wrong with this. In fact, they even welcomed it because the stronger their comrades were, the safer their Master would be.
But, that didn't mean that they were satisfied with their current level of strength.
It was at this moment that something took root inside their hearts. A determination to make themselves stronger.
A determination to go above and beyond their abilities to ensure that Lux would be able to continue his mission to save a dying world from destruction.
'Oh, this is interesting,' Asmodeus thought as he gave his comrades side-long glances. 'I guess I should hasten my experiments as well.'
Although he didn't look like it, the Archlich was in fact a very competitive person. Just like his comrades, he had always sought to gain more power. Because of this, he wanted to get as many ingredients as possible to create an Undead Legion that would strike fear into those who were foolish enough to get in his Master's way.
Currently, Asmodeus only had Morpheus and Ithaqua serving under him because he was lacking the materials he needed to create stronger Undead Monsters that would make up his own Undead Army.
'It's a shame that all the dead insects have been swallowed up by ALL-MITE.' Asmodeus sighed internally. 'But, that's fine.'
The Archlich then gave an order to Morpheus as well as his Undead Minions to attack the Mantises that were still alive. Of course, he knew that this was not enough, so he asked Zagan and Revon to help his Skeleton Army kill as many Mantises as they could.
Although the battle between the Crimson Berserker Mantis and ALL-MITE was still ongoing, Asmodeus was certain that their new comrade would emerge victorious over the World Boss.
The Archlich planned to store the dead Insects in his storage rings before the Mantises decided to retreat from the battlefield.
'I just hope that he doesn't damage the Monster's body too much,' Asmodeus thought as he gazed at the battle that was taking place in the distance. 'I'm sure Master would prefer its corpse as intact as possible.'
While the Archlich was busy giving out orders to his subordinates, the battle between the two strongest monsters on the battlefield became more violent and intense by the minute.
"Smash [EX]!" ALL-MITE shouted, smashing his fist against the side of the Giant Mantis' head, making it skid a few meters on the ground.
After regaining its balance, the Crimson Berserker Mantis created two Giant Crimson Wind Blades at nearly point-blank range to prevent its opponent from dodging.
The well-timed attack forced ALL-MITE to take on a defensive stance using its arms to protect its body from one of the Giant Mantis's strongest attacks.
The moment the Crimson Blades collided with his body, the force behind it pushed him hundreds of meters backward, with his feet skidding on the ground in an attempt to resist the attack.
Unfortunately for him, the Crimson Berserker Mantis had no intention of letting him recover and immediately sprang into action to deliver a lethal blow to ALL-MITE, who was still trying to mitigate the attack that was making his Adamantium Body emit sparks.
Seeing that his opponent had finally decided to deal him the killing blow, ALL-MITE no longer hesitated and unleashed his Trump Cards as well.
"God's Strength [EX]!" ALL-MITE said through gritted teeth before forcefully shattering the two crimson blades in front of him with his four arms.
God's Strength [EX] was a skill that increased his physical attacks by 500% for one minute. Among Lux's subordinates, only he and Revon had this skill, allowing them to deal great damage to their foes for a short period of time.
However, ALL-MITE was different. Aside from God's Strength [EX], it still had its Unique Ability that would boost not only his Physical Attack, but all of his Stats by 500%.
pαпdα Йᴏνê|,сòМ The flames on his clenched fists blazed brighter than ever before as ALL-MITE prepared to meet his opponent's strongest move, with his own strongest move!
"Max Ultra [EX]!"
ALL-MITE shouted and a surge of power spread inside his body, boosting his stats exponentially.
God's Strength [EX] might only last for a minute, but now that all of his stats have increased by 500%, the Physical Attack ALL-MITE currently possessed was enough to match his opponent's current strength.
"Hero's Smash!" ALL-MITE roared as his burning fist connected with the Crimson Berserker Mantis' Deadly Claws.
Sparks scattered throughout their surroundings as a powerful shockwave destroyed the ground under their feet, creating a crater that was hundreds of meters wide.
ALL-MITE stomped on the ground with his right foot and momentarily raised the two razor-sharp claws of the Giant Mantis, giving him three arms to deliver the blows that he had been holding back.
"ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!"
"ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!"
"ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!"
Unleashing devastating blows one after the other, the Crimson Berserker Mantis found itself unable to muster a counterattack.
Because of this, it decided to retreat, but before it could do so, two strong clawed hands grabbed the Giant Mantis' razor-sharp claws in a vice-grip, preventing it from going away.
"MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA!"
"MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA!"
"MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA!"
Just like it did earlier, ALL-MITE once again unleashed a barrage of attacks that made the Crimson Berserker Mantis puke blood.
With one final blow, ALL-MITE gathered all of his strength as the effect of God's Strength [EX], neared its end.
"United Nation Smash [EX]!"
ALL-MITE smashed his fist on the Crimson Berserker's Mantis chest, which was imbued with his full power, delivering the killing blow to his opponent.
A moment later, a shower of blood erupted behind the Giant Mantis' body, alongside a fiery blaze that rose up to the heavens, dispersing the dark clouds that had covered the sky.
The sunlight brightened the Shaufell Plains once again, chasing away the darkness that had wrapped itself in the people's hearts.
ALL-MITE's strongest attack created a bloody hole in the Giant Mantis' chest, destroying its heart completely.
The Crimson Berserker Mantis was still able to utter a dying screech before its Giant Body collapsed to the ground, leaving only the victor standing on the battlefield.
Asmodeus took this opportunity to disperse the Skeleton Dome that protected the residents from the powerful gusts of wind earlier, allowing them to see the outcome of the battle.
ALL-MITE looked at the Giant Mantis beside him and narrowed his eyes.
After making sure that his opponent was truly dead, the Unsung Hero that protected Abingdon Town for many years raised his right fist high up in the air, signaling that the battle was over.
Cheers resounded in the surroundings as the residents of Abingdon Town cried, laughed, shouted, and hugged each other because they were finally saved.
Pietro, the Mayor of Abingdon Town, covered his face with his right hand and wept.
He had already lost hope and had readied himself for not only his, but the entire town's eventual demise, but after seeing the victorious pose of the Hero in front of him, he understood that he and his people would be able to leave the Shaufell Plains.
The children of Abingdon Town looked at the scary four-armed creature in the distance. However, if one were to look closely, none of them showed any fearful expressions on their faces.
In fact, the way they looked at ALL-MITE was similar to looking at an idol.
Years later, stories of a Four-Armed Monster named All-Mite would spread across the entirety of the Wanid Kingdom.
Bards would pick up his Heroic Tale, and spread it in the surrounding kingdoms and empires, further solidifying his legend.
Because of this, everyone from all over the Arondight Territories understood that no matter what status they had in life, and no matter who it was, whether they were a Noble, a Commoner, a Spirit, or a Monster...
All of them could be a Hero as well.