Chapter 343: Leaving The Temple, Shock's Last Moments
[Task 13: Defeat Father Hugo in the Orphanage - Completed]
[Gained two rewards: Priest's Cross (???) and Moonscorch Cure (Use to completely heal moonscorch).]
He used the [Moonscorch Cure] on Sora, and stored the [Priest's Cross] in his system inventory since he couldn't see the description.
[Experience: 1,545,000/10,000,000] (level 115)
He had gained 50,000,000 experience from this, and thankfully enough this time there wasn't any curse to block him.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
[Your level has increased to level 116, granting you five skill points and a boost in stats.]
[Your level has increased to level 117, granting you five skill points and a boost in stats.]
.
[Your level has increased to level 119, granting you five skill points and a boost in stats.]
[Experience: 5,545,000/14,000,000] (level 119)
It seems that from 10,000,000 experience and moving, it now added 1,000,000 experience every level.
"Fine by me," he mumbled.
The air around the ruined temple hung thick with smoke and debris, the aftermath of Stark's brutal clash with Father Hugo still fresh.
Sora and Lilith remained unconscious, held securely in the four additional arms of his [Asura's Arms] skill, which granted him the strength to carry them both with ease.
Thankfully enough, by an absolute miracle, Hugo actually didn't deactivate the [Domes] that he had placed around them, essentially saving them.
He murmured a tired acknowledgment as he studied his stats and newly earned skill points.
He could still feel the pulse of energy from [Heaven's Spear] in the air, and he knew that everyone in Termina, humans and monsters alike, would have noticed its power.
The angelic figure summoned by the skill remained hovering in the sky, watching over him with an otherworldly gaze.
[I see many participants and elite monster, master].
[Should I shoot them?]
"No, just come back," Stark shook his head, he needed to keep the angel with him.
Now that everyone witnessed the power of his [Heaven's Spear], no chance in hell they would try anything.
But of course, the fact he created such a massive explosion meant that many monsters, and even participants, would come to check what the hell all of this was about.
Ahead, his map revealed that the museum lay only a short distance from the temple ruins.
Stark opened up his map, noticing that the museum was actually not far from the destroyed temple.
If he met a second commander, it woud be incredibly difficult, so all he could do was hope.
[Asura's] four additional arms allowed him to use his normal ones freely while steal making sure Lilith and Sora were safe.
Maybe he could fight like this, actually, who knows.
But...
"I'm so tired..." he mumbled, his eyes on the verge of closing, his body swaying as he carried on toward the museum.
Avoiding both that [Aura Supression] shockwave, then the massive [Dark Heaven's Spear] (Hugo's Variant) was still exhausting, even though he had [Dodge Control].
He carried on though, knowing that dropping here was guaranteed death.
Actually, he finally decided to summon his [Ultimate Clone] by merging all of those he had since the cooldown of the skill was reset.
Ding!
[Ultimate Clone summoned!]
[Took... you.. long... enough...]
"Yeah, sorry."
He couldn't have used it before, and when he was in constant battle it was difficult sine the clone could die in one strike.
Well, except if he transfered some of his HP to it, but he was already pretty much on the verge of death himself, so it was stupid.
[Its... fine...]
Finally, they reached the museum.
Stark could tell it had once been a grand place, but now it bore the scars of the battles that had ravaged Termina.
Columns lay crumbled, the remnants of shattered display cases littering the floor.
The silence felt almost unsettling after the chaos.
But then, he saw it.
An open doorway bathed in a gentle glow.
Stark's heart skipped. He stepped forward, relief flooding him as the notification appeared:
[Safe zone discovered!]
Sighing, he guided Lilith and Sora over to a small bed.
When looking at them from this position, they were pretty damn cute.
But Stark didn't think of that.
He was too focused on what's next, and so as he sat on his chair, he placed his chin on his hands and began thinking, a spinning vortex of aura appearing in his eyes as he was deep in thought.
"Kill..." he whispered.
[Participants Alive:] Sora, Clever, Lilith, Shock, CEO, Artist, Follower, Stark
[Enemies Alive:] Tormented One, Heartless One, Eternal Regret, The Moon Apostle, The Mayor
...
Meanwhile, outside the temple ruins, another figure lingered, his eyes wide as he took in the scorched earth and wreckage.
"Wow…" Shock muttered, inching closer to the smoking battlefield.
The sight of the massive crater and the faint traces of the [Heaven's Spear] blast made his breath catch. "So, this is what Chosen's power looks like…"
Seeing the extent of the devastation left him feeling unsettled.
As he observed, a creeping sensation of being watched tingled at the back of his neck.
He froze, his gaze darting around.
From behind a half-destroyed column, a figure stepped out, his presence dark and chilling.
Shock stiffened as the tall, looming figure of Follower came into view.
Follower's expression was blank, his movements slow, almost measured, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"The maniac..." Shock mumbled, a forced grin creeping onto his face.
Follower tilted his head slightly, studying Shock with an unblinking intensity.
He looked unfazed by the destruction around them, as if it were simply another day.
The corner of Follower's mouth twitched slightly as he let out his aura, "Why are you here?"
"I mean, I was curious." Shock's grin faltered as he took a step back, his instinct for survival kicking in. "You know, just checking things out."
"Curiosity," Follower murmured, his eyes narrowing as he took a step forward. "Such a dangerous thing."
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted.
Follower's presence became suffocating, his gaze sharpening with a bloodthirsty glint.
Shock felt a cold sweat break out as he realized the danger he was in.
There was no amusement in Follower's expression now—only raw, lethal intent.
Shock scrambled back, his hands already reaching for his weapon.
But Follower was faster.
With a burst of speed, Follower closed the distance between them.
Shock barely had time to raise his guard before Follower's hand slammed into his chest, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Shock coughed, the wind knocked out of him. "H-Hey, hold on! We don't have to do this!"
But Follower's response was only a cold stare as he approached.
His movements were calm, precise, as though he'd already decided how this encounter would end.
He lifted his arm, energy crackling around his fingers.
[Godless Demon perk activated.]
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU-"
Before Shock could finish, Follower lunged, his fist slamming into Shock's gut with brutal force.
Shock doubled over, gasping, his knees hitting the ground as pain tore through him.
Desperation clawed at him. He raised his hand, trying to summon a skill, but Follower was relentless.
"Please… don't…" Shock's voice wavered, his body shaking from the sheer force of Follower's attacks.
His plea was cut short as Follower grabbed him by the throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
Follower's eyes were unreadable, cold and merciless.
He didn't react to Shock's pleading expression, nor did he flinch at the panic in Shock's eyes.
With a sudden twist, Follower tightened his grip, and Shock's cries grew weaker.
DEMON DEVOURING!
He yet again used up his most powerful perk, a dark aura emerging from his body and gripping onto Shock's, devouring him completely.
"N-No…" Shock's voice was a whisper now, his strength fading as his vision began to blur. "Please…"
But his plea fell on deaf ears.
BOOM!
-999,999!
Instant death.
Follower watched, unblinking, as Shock's body went limp.
Then, with a final, swift movement, he released his hold, letting Shock's lifeless body slump to the ground.
Ding!
The notification rang out, cold and final:
[Participant "Shock" has been killed by "Follower."]
Seven remained.
Follower knelt beside Shock's body, his hand brushing over the item Shock had carried—the [Skill Canceller].
A smile played at the corners of his lips as he held the device, feeling the power it held.
Ding!
[You have stolen "Skill Canceller"!]
The implications of his new prize sank in.
With the ability to cancel one skill, Follower knew he now had a weapon powerful enough to take down even Chosen's [Heaven's Spear].
And also...
There was one last thing...
[Prove your devotion.]
[Kill 5 participants.]
[5/5]
Ding!
[You truly are a follower of the Godless Demon.]
[You have received a new perk: "Godless Demon Transformation" (Immortal)]
[Ultimate Task: Kill Chosen.]
[0/1]
"Yes... Master..." Follower grinned.
He had been following Stark's aura since he used it to fight Hugo, but it seemed the explosion let out so much energy he yet again lost trace of Chosen.
"I'll get you... Chosen One..."
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