Zhang Yong stared at the giant Shikoutazer, the Incursio armor gleaming under the sunlight reflected from the surrounding destruction.
Shikoutazer raised its foot and prepared to step on Zhang Yong. At that moment, an ice pillar rose from the ground, piercing the foot and stopping it mid-air.
Just as it did, a beam of black lightning shot toward Zhang Yong, who easily defended against it.
Zhang Yong turned his gaze to the side, where General Budo stood in his final stance to overthrow the empire's threat.
But before Budo could move, Zhang Yong vanished from his spot in the blink of an eye, appearing directly before him. His cold blue eyes stared at the old general without mercy.
"You fought with honor, but it's time for you to depart."
Zhang Yong raised his hand, and dark energy gathered in his palm. The ominous black light devoured the air around it, like a miniature black hole.
Budo did not retreat. His aged eyes shone with a will that had not dimmed despite the years. "I know you are not the villain here... but my loyalty is to the empire."
"From today, you will have a new loyalty," Zhang Yong smiled coldly.
The black energy exploded from his hand, heading toward Budo. The general tried to block it, but the power was overwhelming.
The Adramelech gauntlet crumbled, and the energy pierced his body.
Zhang Yong approached him and absorbed his soul.
[The summoned soul 'Budo' has been successfully absorbed. Number of absorbed souls (13/16)]
A person of Budo's loyalty and strength would be a great help to him.
Zhang Yong turned toward Shikoutazer, where the young Emperor stared at him from inside the cockpit, his eyes blazing with anger and astonishment. "Impossible... how did he become this powerful?!"
At that moment, Arthur retreated, exiting the Imperial Teigu, leaving the Emperor behind. Zhang Yong had completely exceeded his expectations. 'There's no choice but to use that. It's better to prepare Beatrice.'
Zhang Yong stood before the Imperial Teigu, floating in the air until he was above it, and raised his finger toward the sky.
Fire Path – Heavenly Sun Explosion.
A massive fireball gathered above Zhang Yong's finger, swelling rapidly until it became the size of the sun itself. The intense heat melted the surrounding buildings, and the air turned into a blazing furnace.
The young Emperor inside Shikoutazer screamed in terror as the temperature inside the cockpit rose to unbearable levels. "No... this can't be happening!"
But his screams were lost in the thunderous roar of the fireball that Zhang Yong released.
Explosion!
The miniature sun completely devoured Shikoutazer, turning the legendary steel into a sea of molten metal. The young Emperor vaporized in an instant, leaving nothing but a massive crater in the ground where the Imperial Teigu once stood.
[Host has broken through level 72!]
Zhang Yong slowly descended to the ground, the Incursio armor gradually receding. He looked around at the destruction he had wrought. The empire that was once strong had turned to ruins.
At that moment, from a pile of ashes, Arthur emerged with a mocking smile on his face. "Your look seems better now, Zhang Yong."
Nevertheless, Zhang Yong had an expressionless face. He raised his hand and created a sword from his bone in his hand.
Arthur smiled more broadly, placing his hand on his hip and laughing. "How does it feel now, killing all your comrades?"
Zhang Yong waved his sword and scoffed, "I'll kill you after them."
Arthur smiled confidently. "Don't you want to know how I always outmaneuver you at every step? It was because I was receiving help."
Suddenly, behind Arthur, there he was. Out of all the people Zhang Yong expected...
Belial!
"You bastard!" Zhang Yong shouted, veins appearing on his face, signs of anger evident.
"Shouldn't you have expected that? Who would trust a demon? You are far too naive," Belial smiled with indifference.
"We had a contract with a primordial soul, if at—" Zhang Yong suddenly stopped talking, realizing something.
"Exactly. The contract between us was simple. I open your souls for you, and you grant me access to your ability. There was no promise of obedience or trust between us. I simply do what benefits me. The contract between us still stands," Belial smirked maliciously.
Meanwhile, Arthur clapped enthusiastically. "Oh, what a wonderful demon you are. I must thank you for this friend. Thanks to him, my mind control abilities have increased, allowing me to manipulate the minds of all the Night Raid members. All for a simple price."
Zhang Yong gritted his teeth. He had been manipulated by these two from the very beginning. "I will kill you both... and I will tear you limb from limb and scatter you to the four corners of the world!"
Arthur raised his hands high and smiled. "That depends on whether you survive. You're already injured. How long do you think you'll stay alive?"
Nevertheless, he extended his fingers, and five golden cards rose, with images of people inside them. Their power was higher than that purple card from before.
Zhang Yong moved, swinging his sword to kill Arthur quickly, but—
The five golden cards exploded in Arthur's hand, releasing a shockwave of golden energy that pushed Zhang Yong back several meters.
"Surprise!" Arthur laughed as the shadows around him began to take shape. "It's time to duel!"
From each golden card, multiple figures emerged.
The first was a slender, medium-height young woman, dressed in a traditional blue Chinese dress. Her long, smooth, shiny purple hair reached down to her lower back, mostly left flowing, parted from the middle of her forehead, with two bangs framing her face and falling below her shoulders.
"Minerva, at your service, my lord."
The second wore a loose robe, covering only his lower part and fastened only at one shoulder, revealing taut muscles. With a sharp nose bridge, his hair seemed to blaze like tongues of flame as he held a burning bow in his hand.
"As long as I, Abhorne, am present, wherever the enemies are, they will not escape my arrows."
The third was a young man of medium height, slender build, fair skin, and prominent muscles. His face was hidden under a horned helmet. His hair was short, light purple, spiky in style, with a lock falling in the middle of his forehead. His outfit consisted of a tight jacket and short pants with an open-chest design featuring a jewel in the center of his chest.
"Leopole answers the call."
The fourth was a tall man, wearing a long black coat reaching his ankles, with black leather gloves. His messy black hair fell over his glowing yellow eyes. On his back was a massive sword wrapped in black cloth.
"Orphan... present."
As for the fifth and final one, she was a young girl who looked about ten years old, wearing a simple white dress, her long silver hair flowing like a waterfall of light. Her golden eyes shone with a frightening innocence.
"I am Lila... do you want to play together?"
Zhang Yong stood before them, his blue eyes measuring the new opponents. Five against one, but he didn't seem bothered. "Golden cards this time? Your stock has improved, Arthur."
Arthur laughed as he stepped back. "These are not like the weakling you faced before. Each of them is capable of destroying an entire kingdom on their own. Let's see how long you last!"
Minerva moved first, her hand waving in the air as if drawing something invisible. Suddenly, hundreds of water spears appeared from nowhere, hovering around her like a hungry serpent.
The spears shot toward Zhang Yong with lightning speed, each carrying immense piercing power. But Zhang Yong immediately used Defense of Zen.
The water spears were reflected back toward Minerva, who was startled for a moment before gracefully evading them.
"Impressive..." Minerva whispered as she rose into the air. Groundwater began to flow toward her, forming a giant water frame around her. "But let me show you my power."
A massive water wall, tens of meters high, surged toward Zhang Yong, carrying enough destructive force to sweep away an entire city.
Zhang Yong did not move. His blue eyes flickered with a faint purple light.
Fire Path – Heavenly Sun Explosion!
Zhang Yong detonated the fireball toward the wall. The intense heat caused the water to evaporate.
The water wall vaporized in an instant, waves of hot steam filling the air. But before Zhang Yong could capitalize on the situation, he heard the sound of a bowstring being drawn behind him.
Sun Arrow!
A flaming arrow shot from Abhorne, cutting through the steam directly toward Zhang Yong's heart. The heat emanating from it was enough to melt rock.
Defense of Zen!
The golden shield appeared again, but the flaming arrow partially pierced it, pushing Zhang Yong back several steps. He felt the arrow's heat approaching his chest, but he enveloped his hand with Fire Qi and caught it. The force of the launch sent him flying backward.
He pulled his body and threw the arrow away. Then Leopole suddenly appeared before him, his burning fist heading toward his face. "Catch this!"
Thwack!
Leopole's powerful strike hit Zhang Yong's arm, which had blocked the attack at the last moment, but the force sent him crashing into some distant rubble.
Zhang Yong rose quickly, black blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Five enemies at once... this will be fun." He immediately donned the Incursio armor.
Orphan, who had been silent until now, slowly drew the massive sword from his back.
The black cloth covering it tore away, revealing a dark, pitch-black blade that glowed with a sinister light.
Void Slash!
He swung the sword, and a black wave of energy cut through the ground on its way toward Zhang Yong. Everything the wave touched turned to ash instantly.
Zhang Yong used Wind way to evade the black wave, then used the earth fold and appearing directly behind Orphan.
Sealing Path – Ice Seal!
He struck his palm toward Orphan's back, trying to freeze him from within. But the young girl, Lila, suddenly appeared between them.
"Don't touch Orphan!"
She touched Zhang Yong's forehead with her small finger, and suddenly the world around him changed.
He found himself standing in an endless white room. Before him, Lila smiled innocently. "This is my world. Here, I am invincible. You won't even know how you died."
She raised her hand, her fingers forming a fist. "Explode."
Zhang Yong's body exploded from within. But suddenly, the illusion shattered.
Zhang Yong returned to the battlefield, his body intact. Lila seemed confused. "How...?"
Six Desire Mantra – Thought Desire
Zhang Yong whispered, "Your illusions don't affect me."
At that moment, Minerva, Abhorne, Leopole, and Orphan pounced on him together.
Zhang Yong raised his hand, performed a series of rapid hand signs, and unleashed his domain.
Formation Domain – Violent Heavenly Wind Formation.
A vortex of sharp wind blades exploded from around Zhang Yong, forming a tornado that cut everything in its path. The air itself seemed to tear under the force of the rotation, and the ground turned into deep grooves.
Minerva leaped back quickly, but a wind blade pierced her arm, spraying blood into the air.
"This domain...!" she whispered, pressing on her wound, her eyes widening in shock.
Abhorne launched a flaming arrow into the heart of the tornado, but it evaporated before reaching Zhang Yong. "It's impenetrable!" he shouted as he was forced to retreat.
Leopole tried to approach with his burning fist, but the cutting winds forced him to stop, his body scratched with superficial wounds. "Damn, this is stronger than I expected."
Orphan was the only one who did not retreat. His black sword gleamed as he resisted the force of the tornado, his steps heavy but steady.
"Just wind..." he whispered in a hoarse voice, then raised his sword high.
Final Slash!
The black sword erupted with a wave of dark energy, splitting the tornado from its middle like a knife through butter. The powerful collision caused a massive explosion, pushing Zhang Yong back as his violent winds dissipated.
The five gathered again, this time in perfect coordination. Minerva raised her hands, and underground water rose like a giant serpent.
Abhorne drew his bowstring, a pure fire arrow taking shape.
Leopole leaped into the air, his fist burning with blue flame.
Orphan gripped his sword with both hands, dark energy gathering around the blade.
Even little Lila, who now seemed far from innocent, raised her small hand, her golden eyes flickering with strange power.
The combined attack launched like a storm: water, fire, shadows, illusion, and burning punches all heading toward Zhang Yong. At that moment, he felt his blood boil.
But before the strikes reached him, a powerful pink beam exploded from afar, hitting Abhorne's side hard, causing him to lose his balance.
'Mine's attack!' Zhang Yong was surprised internally.
He turned to see her standing on distant rubble, her Teigu Pumpkin in her hand, her face pale but her eyes determined. "I won't let you fight alone!"
"Mine! Get away!" Zhang Yong shouted, but she fired again, trying to distract them.
Leopole veered quickly and headed toward her. "Tch, this annoying brat... let's kill her first!"
"No!"
Zhang Yong used Earth Fold desperately, but Minerva surrounded him with a water wall, while Orphan cut off his path with his sword. "You shall not pass."
If Zhang Yong couldn't see a place clearly, he couldn't teleport there.
He saw Leopole approaching Mine and felt time slow down.
'Death... all I need is to kill them all... no, I will cut him, I must cut them.'
At that moment, something prominent appeared in Zhang Yong's gaze. As the Incursio armor reacted to his will, fracture points began to form a line in his line of sight.
Shadow Arms' Sub-Ability
A probe extended from the Shadow Arms in Zhang Yong's palm and hardened enough. He swung it along the line, cutting through everyone
Heaven-smashing Sword - Cutting off the horizon
He cut through the water wall, broke Orphan's sword, and finally severed Leopole's head.
Leopole's head fell heavily to the ground, his wide eyes still shining with surprise even after death.
His burning body collapsed like a charred log, and the blue flame surrounding his fist gradually dimmed until it turned into black smoke, then a card appeared in its place, its golden color faded to grey.
"Leopole!" Minerva screamed, her voice carrying a strange tone between shock and anger. She hadn't expected him to be defeated so easily.
Zhang Yong leaped, used Earth Fold, lifted Mine onto his shoulder, and used his wings to fly.
"What were you thinking?!" Zhang Yong shouted, his eyes burning with suppressed anger, veins beginning to appear on his face.
His body was bleeding from multiple wounds, and his spiritual energy was beginning to deplete after the continuous use of the powerful domain and King techniques.
Mine, pale from blood loss, gripped her Teigu Pumpkin tightly, her pink eyes staring at the four remaining enemies. "I won't let you face them alone... even if it means my death!"
"Foolish!" Zhang Yong whispered through his teeth, but he had no time to argue.
At the same time, the momentum of the King Stage in his body began to diminish little by little. Zhang Yong had not been lucky and had forced himself to break through quickly
If he had cultivated the Five Elements Technique as his core technique , which was able to give him a strong foundation , he might have been able to withstand the pressure from the breakthrough, but now it was his secondary technique, not his primary one.
While the Cycle Technique allowed him to accelerate the flow of his spiritual energy and give him a boost in his fights,
if he drained his energy with his current injuries, his level would certainly drop since it wasn't stable yet. If that happened, he would lose his advantage against them.
He grabbed her hand that held Pumpkin's trigger and aimed it toward Lila, releasing a powerful pink beam.
The young girl didn't move. Her golden eyes suddenly widened as her small hands rose in a defensive posture.
An illusory barrier exploded before her, absorbing the power of the pink beam before it reached her. But Zhang Yong didn't intend to give her time to rest.
Yin Path – Dark Night Flame.
A skull of pale purple energy erupted from Zhang Yong's back.
"Run!" Minerva screamed, but the warning came too late.
The skull devoured its path toward Lila, who tried in vain to create successive defenses to block it, but they shattered like glass, and darkness enveloped her small body.
She screamed, but the sound choked in her throat as the dark flame consumed her, leaving her body melting like a flower in fire.
"You bastard!" Orphan shook his broken sword, his yellow eyes blazing with madness.
There was no trace left of the calm that had surrounded him. He charged toward Zhang Yong, howling.
Zhang Yong had spent most of what he had on this move. In the end, he had only gotten rid of one individual.
"Zhang Yong..." Mine hesitated, biting her lower lip, feeling his hand trembling around her shoulder. "You're bleeding a lot."
"Don't worry about me!" he shouted, pushing her away using the way of Wind, as Orphan pounced on him with his black sword.
Shing!
Zhang Yong blocked the strike with his sword, but the force pushed him back several steps. The wound on his stomach reopened, and black blood soaked his trousers.
"You won't survive this time," Orphan said coldly, raising his sword for the killing blow.
'No... I can't die. Not now.'
"Goodbye, Zhang Yong!" Arthur smiled with wild, insane glee as he saw Zhang Yong's end approaching.
Orphan's sword descended with force toward Zhang Yong's body. That strike—
Shlang!
Orphan's sword cut across his neck. In an instant, Zhang Yong felt his neck become empty.
'I see... he cut off my head.'
This was an attack he could neither stop nor evade, as his energy was insufficient for him to do anything.
"Zhang Yong!" Mine screamed, but it was useless.
In the end, it was certain. Without his power, he was like a fish on a cutting board.
'I need to survive.'
A core of determination rose within him. He had to preserve it. Even without a life, he needed his heart.
To end this conflict, to achieve his desire to change his destiny, he had to live.
Suddenly, a disk appeared to be spinning in the middle of his soul. A hand, like a clock hand, spun rapidly around three branches on the circular disk: one white and two black
Cycle of Life and Death!
Tick tock.
The disk stopped on the black side, and Zhang Yong's fate was sealed.
Legend says, in the universe of Yggdrasil, there are nine worlds: one for the Gods(Asgard) , one for humans(Midgard) , four for different races, two opposing(Muspelheim and Nifelheim) , and one underworld
While warriors enter the hall of Valhalla and are honored, the accursed fall to the forgotten world of the underworld, Helheim.
A flow of green and red light surrounded the disk, carrying Zhang Yong's soul, memories, and existence across space, moving downward like a candle in the wind.
Now it was time for his appearance in another world: the world of the fallen, Helheim.