Poudel City was in utter chaos, the streets were ravaged and the buildings were damaged.In the Eastern sector of the city, the Proto-Demons had already set up somesort of a camp. They quickly built mediaeval structures made of bones and strangely-colored wood, which made the whole thing look unnatural with all the modern buildings around it.“This is unacceptable. Did you forget what we came here for?”A Proto-Demon with light red skin, long black hair, and a pair of coal-like eyes, was facing one of his kin, specifically the spear-wielding one who had briefly faced Madam Jevani.“We do not have the forces to launch a full-on invasion. We’ll be massacred in a week! Why did you kill the humans?!” Lashed out General Gajin Cordis. In response, his particularly indifferent kin, which didn’t belong to the same tribe as him, sneered and shrugged,“We are the superior race. Before there’s any talk to be had, we need to establish our dominance and show that we can crush them at any time.”A
“The survivors in the Northern, Central, and Southern sectors have been secured and brought to the safe zone. However, we were unable to enter the Eastern Sector without encountering enemy forces.” A solemn middle-aged Special Agent, with a body riddled with scars, reported to the higher-ups sitting around a large table. However, the man was neither fearful nor too respectful to his superior. The only exception was the Minister of External Affairs, who had volunteered to join them and was the person in charge of most of the Special Agents. “The whereabouts of Madam Jevani, subsequent to her battle, remain unknown. In addition, the invaders have caught around 50 hostages, all of which are imprisoned within web-like cages.” “So we’ve reached a stalemate.” Michael Lopmore, looking more annoyed than before, shook his head and leaned back on the chair. “We cannot suffer to let them in our city any longer. We have to act decisively and swiftly.” Declared Bhak Djinn, whose hands were clas
Jennifer Savbra and Sulong Braveheart were taken to the already crowded meeting room, in which the higher-ups were awaiting for the reports.The first person to react was Kleya, the Nightmare Witch. Upon seeing the brown-haired and relatively petite Commander, she frowned.“Jennifer?”Likewise, Jenny’s body stiffened as she instinctively performed a military salute. Silya was kind enough to give her an abridged briefing, but it was still daunting to come face to face with Kleya.“...”With a blank face and clenched fists, Jennifer walked towards her direct superior. She wasn’t feeling guilty about her actions, after all, she had left her capable confidant in charge of the outpost. Moreover, it was the Witch Queen herself who had hinted about Zeke’s identity, so it was to be expected for her to go and seek him out.Still, Kleya seemed to be oblivious about the relationship between Zeke Orland and Jennifer, and from the look on her face, she wasn’t that pleased to see the Commander appe
“I am what you call a System Holder. Either I help you or I die.”In a situation like this, lying would have severe consequences for him, therefore, Zeke opted for speaking the truth. Of course, he only revealed the tiniest bit of it, but from the surprised look on the General’s face, it was apparent that he knew about the Systems.However, unlike the exaggerated and fearful reactions of humans, the Proto-Demon was merely surprised. He didn’t look threatened or become hostile.‘I also can’t directly oppose General Zhang and the rest due to the oath.’ Thought Zeke to himself as a sigh escaped his lips.“So it wasn’t out of compassion or kindness.” Commented Gajin Cordis, a soft smile forming on his demonic face.“As a civilian living in the Nezulian Republic, I want to defend my homeland. However, I wouldn’t surrender myself to the enemy forces out of ‘compassion’ and ‘kindness’. That’s plain stupid and outright suicidal.”“...”Gajin’s pupils dilated in a strange way as his stare inte
“Stop!”Gajin, who was struggling against Michael Lopmore, shouted and twisted his body to the side, firing multiple flaming arrows toward Bragdt’s direction.Alas, their potency was too weak as they were hastily fired, so Bragdt was easily able to deflect them with a swift sweep of his long spear.Essyna, who had been severely weakened from Kleya’s magic, knelt on the ground and gasped for breath, her body trembling ever-so-slightly.Like a hideous monstrosity, Bragdt’s mouth opened wide until it covered the entirety of his ugly face. His intention was clear as he crept closer to Essyna, seemingly about to devour her.Zeke leaned forward and activated ‘Champion of Speed Mode’ while using ‘Self-Injection’ to boost his stats. Like a literal bolt of lightning, he shot at Bragdt while unleashing multiple deafening thunderbolts.Fortunately, his interception did work on Bragdt and forced him to side-step and thrust his spear.As the spear was inches away from his torso, Zeke’s body let ou
Michael Lopmore’s ability allowed him to control the speed of his movement. However, very much like Julia, he had trained his body beyond the limits, thus rendering him akin to a moving tank.Even though he had fought Gajin and clashed with Jennifer, it didn’t look like he was going all-out. He was capable of much more.When his rapid body appeared next to the fallen general, he felt a chill run down his spines. A creepy aura of death and decay descended upon him as Zeke swung down the long scythe.He raised his arm to block the strike, but, much to his surprise, the scythe ripped through his skin and caused a nasty wound.Zeke, who had used ‘The Reaper’, slashed with the Scythe three times, successfully wounding the Hero. However, he felt a powerful blast that flung him in the air.Tiny buzzing projectiles made of Jennifer’s ability latched onto Michael’s body and exploded, making him stagger to the side and groan.Three humanoid Proto-Demons, wielding longswords, charged toward Gaji
“...”Kleya’s calm expression changed slowly but surely as Zeke’s Aether was replenished and his wounds started healing.A crimson fire enveloped his charred left arm, burning resplendently. Six blinding orbs of white light were floating behind him, forming a circle, and lastly, there was a creepy and ghastly silhouette that hovered right above him, threads linked to its bony fingers as it controlled Zeke.The surge of power was unlike Zeke had ever experienced. He felt rejuvenated as all the stats and skills of Sulong and Velvet were temporarily transferred to him.“I will not let you kill any more of them. It is not up to you to decide who lives and who dies.”Right after saying that, Zeke’s body literally vanished only to instantly appear in front of the Nightmare Witch.The ominous darkness burst from her hand, but it was too late as Zeke used his flaming left fist to punch her.Much to everyone’s surprise, the 6-Star Witch was sent flying like a cannonball. Not only that, but a b
Zeke was breathing rapidly while pressing his hand against his chest. He was on the brink of falling unconscious, however, he still kept pouring out voltage while glaring at the Nightmare Witch.She was also weakened, but not entirely incapacitated. Her pale face and the beads of sweat trickling down her forehead notwithstanding, she stood straight and silently looked at the seemingly defeated youth.“Your Excellency, I think this is enough. We should tend to the wounded.”General Zhang and Minister Bhak order the Special Agents to help those affected by the Death Door. As for the Proto-Demons, most of them fell unconscious and only 5, including Essyna, were able to resist the Death Door’s soul-rending aura of decay.Instead of attacking the youth, who clearly wasn’t going to give up even while in such a condition, Kleya walked to the Witches and took out an elixir from thin air.She knelt on the ground and, one by one, she poured a few drops into their mouths. The effect was immedia
“I and Hephradet personally studied it, but found nothing. Here you go.”Kleya handed back the strange item back to Zeke.“There’s no Aether or any other foreign energy inside. We couldn’t determine its purpose.”“I see. Thank you anyway.”“Don’t worry about it. You should rest more or else I’ll never hear the end of it from Jenny.”Zeke wryly smiled and nodded. His mother kept nagging him day and night, telling him to rest and not continuously wander around the castle checking on everyone and making sure there were no issues.His body was already healthy and he felt no odd disturbances or unexpected awakenings. Everything is as normal as it could be.Just as Kleya left the room, Jennifer came in. Behind her was a red-faced Celestia, which made Zeke frown.“Mom?”Surprisingly, Jennifer grabbed his ear and pulled him to the couch.“Did I not tell you to overdo it?”“W-what? I haven’t done anything!”“That’s not what she told me!”Celestia stood a distance away, her head lowered in emba
“It’s still too early to assess everything, but… over 80% of the entire planet’s population died.” Kleya, whose eyes were a bit red and her face was filled with fatigue, sat across Zeke and Celestia. “And Her Majesty?” When she heard his question, Kleya lowered her head and held herself back from crying. “We… we think she died fighting the System. It’s no longer possible to return to the Unending Star, so we decided to acknowledge that Her Majesty was amongst those who had fallen there.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. She… she died protecting what she believed in. Us. Not just the Witch Association but all of the Aether Planet.” Zeke sighed, feeling sorry when he saw Kleya like that. The Witch Queen was the pillar of the Witch Association, their respected leader. It was especially so for Kleya and the other 6-star Witches, excluding Jennifer. “A-anyway, the situation at the capital of the Nezulian Republic remains the same. We’re still looking for a way to cancel that Frost Spell cast
“Huff… huff…” With a hand pressed against his hurting chest, Zeke dragged his tired feet toward the fallen copy. The copy’s head turned to look at him, its eyeballs, which looked as if they were to pop-out, were letting out the familiar yet incredibly dim crimson light. “We had completed our objective. There was nothing left for Us to do.” “That didn’t give you the right to wipe entire civilizations.” “You… wouldn’t understand, Zeke Orland.” Unlike earlier, the System spoke through the copy’s mouth. Its charred and cut lips moved in an unnatural way, but the voice was identical to Zeke’s. “We had succeeded. We had saved the world. Then, We understood that our creation, our existence was only for that purpose. That We were a tool destined to cease existing.” “...” “We could not tolerate that.” “So you manifested a will of your own?” In response to that, a self-deprecating laugh came from the copy. “After choosing our first User, we saw how the Races we were supposed to prote
While the Phoenix battled the System in the Cursed Plains of the Unending Star, Zeke’s fight against his copy continued.Things took a turn for the worst when the Crown was crushed and the System’s powers dramatically increased. Nevertheless, Zeke didn’t lose yet. His body was flung and then crashed into the ground, blood gushing out from his shoulder and back.Even then, he slowly stood up and grinned toward the System.“Still fighting the good fight.”The previously calm ‘copy’, or at least the System’s disembodied voice, grew agitated as Zeke refused to remain on the ground.“My will is not so easily broken.”[Voltage King]Zeke’s eyes shone with an azure light as his voltage grew silent and became white.[Divine Champion][Divine Sreyzhanian Arts]Just as he charged at the System again, its body suddenly turned stiff as if being immobilized by something.The item handed by Kayro Ol Zerg flashed from Zeke’s pocket.[Fist of Fury]Zeke’s fists, glowing orange and wrapped in condens
“What’s wrong? I thought you were invincible in your domain.”Zeke’s taunt had no effect, at least not at first. The System stood straight and looked down on its wounded body.“You know nothing of Us.”The copy raised its hand, and very soon, something familiar appeared.It was a tangible object of an odd-shape, but Zeke knew what it was. The Crown.“You will know what it is to be helpless and defeated, 5th user.”“You’re still talking?”Zeke let out a smile and charged forth, his fists wrapped by thick voltage.The System crushed the crown as the red voltage manifested and exploded in an uncontrollable manner.…“Is it done?”Julia Lopmore furrowed her brows as she looked at the enemy, whose body was crushed, burned, and almost unrecognisable. It wasn’t a body anymore, but a mass of flesh and poison.The silence lasted for a very short time as the Crown also appeared in reality.“Stop it!” Shouted Frederic as took out a blue bead, one with the same size and shape that Nicneven had pr
Xiao, with his spear in hand, actually deflected the Divine Thunder before safely landing on the ground.Several people appeared close to the Witch Queen. As she swept her eyes across the six people that unexpectedly showed up here.“Your Majesty, we’re here to lend a hand.” Frederic Whitefort smirked and looked at her as he muttered those words. He had brought along Azmer, Xiao, Celestia, Ava, and Julia Lopmore.“You… how ar-”“We can save that talk for later, eh?”Frederic motioned toward Zeke, who was standing there and staring back at them with a hollow expression.“As I’m the weakest of the bunch, I’ll just stay behind and offer assistance… as well as try to heal Her Majesty.”The Vagabond knelt next to Nicnteven and extended his hand towards her. He let out a warm and serene white light, which made her feel rejuvenated. It was Holy Magic, something which she didn’t know he could use.“Wouldn’t Zeke die if we tried to kill the System?” Asked Julia while furrowing her brows.“Not
Right after the destruction of the Heart of the Dead Ends, Zeke stood there, seemingly in a daze.The Witch Queen stared at him intensely, and when his eyes glowed with a crimson light, she immediately attacked.Jonathan roared and rushed as well, a creeping Darkness exploding from his hands.Nicneven struck out from afar, unleashing a blazing wave of flames, fused with a spinning thick beam of Ice-aspected energy.The Paths of Extinction System, which had taken control of Zeke’s body, retaliated with full-force as well.Dozens of thunderbolts erupted from Zeke’s raised hand, blasting Jonathan back and clashing with the Queen’s magic.“The Seat of Magic.” Muttered a voice that didn’t resemble Zeke albeit speaking from his mouth.It was emotionless and cold, one which no living being would be able to imitate.[Voltage Zap]Using such an elementary skill, the System shot innumerable bolts that arched in the air and concentrated on Nicneven.She jumped out of the way and performed a stra
“I know this is a lot to take in, Zeke Orland. But, I want you to trust me. Know that I have your best interest in heart and I wouldn’t have come unless necessary. I could’ve let you venture alone and complete your objective, after which you’ll be killed by your own System.”Zeke pointed his open hand toward the incoming shades.[Voltage King]A barrage of lightning bolts was unleashed, piercing through the shades and extinguishing them. They vaporised in an instant, leaving only a bit of red fog.The Dead Ends and the Paths of Extinction System, they both had that unique and ominous crimson light. However, Zeke thought it was just a coincidence.Now that the truth was revealed to him, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that his System was dangerous or a threat as he had already suspected as much after learning about Edward Heart.Nevertheless, the fact that it was a tool from the very beginning did make him feel weak and clueless.An eerie silence flowed between Ze
Thanks to the thunderstorm Zeke had previously summoned, the three of them managed to reach and enter the Black Spike. Strangely enough, the entrance of the spire was fully-opened as if beckoning them inside. “This looks man-made.” “Because it is.” Answered Nicneven as she held the black katana with one hand and controlled five differently-colored elemental orb with the other. The interior of the black spike was empty but particularly eerie. Everything was black and except a spiralling staircase that led to the top, there was nothing else, not even the crimson fog. “Who made it?” “...” “Why do you refuse to tell me anything, Your Majesty? What is the Dead Ends? Who created it?” “You do not need to concern yourself with that. Just destroy the Hearts and everything will end.” Her immediate dismissal did irritate him, but he didn’t press her for answers he knew she wouldn’t give. “This is the final stretch. Jonathan, take the vanguard.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jonathan pushed bac