THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC185 : Luring the Assassins in
[A/N: You shouldn't try the following with your mother-in-law. Trust me, it won't end well... lol]
A little after 2 PM, Klaus returned to the Ross mansion to pick up his mother-in-law. They only have two days to get things done.
After the awkward encounter with the war goddess, she hadn't come back. However, Klaus had sent her several messages explaining what he was about to do with his mother-in-law so she wouldn't worry.
He assured her that if he needed help, he would signal her to come. She read the messages but didn't reply, which only made Klaus believe he had significantly impacted her, especially after showing off his diamond-sculpted body.
Once he picked up Cynthia Ross, they left and headed to the northern section of the city. It was a three-hour drive, with a few stops along the way to maintain the appearance so that the assassins and spies keeping track of them would know where they were headed.
Cynthia was a natural actress, making their entire scheme appear real and intriguing. Anyone watching wouldn't be able to tell that they were just acting. Klaus, on the other hand, didn't need to act. He was in disguise, and with his bold demeanor, it felt completely natural for them to continue their ruse.
Cynthia came up with most of the plan. Klaus just wanted to kill some Assassins so whatever she asked for, he never objected. As long as the plan gets them the assassin, he wouldn't object to anything.
"Do you think they'll buy it?" she asked. They are currently on their way to a resort where the slaughter will be taking place.
Klaus smirked, confident. "They have to. We're playing our parts perfectly."
As they drove, Klaus couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The thought excited him. He thrived on danger, and with Cynthia by his side, he felt invincible.
"Just remember to stay in character," he reminded her, a playful smile on his lips.
Cynthia nodded. "You don't have to worry, playing a cheating wife with my daughter's boyfriend is perfectly normal," She said with a grin. Klaus just smiled back.
Together, they continued their journey, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. After a while, they arrived at the resort that Cynthia had booked for them. It wasn't big, but it was cute for a couple. She had even reserved the entire place just for the two of them.
The staff had been replaced by a few maids from the Ross Mansion, ensuring their privacy. They settled in, and for a few hours, they stayed indoors, planning their next move. That night, Klaus's senses were on high alert, but luckily, no one came knocking.
The next day started off with a breakfast filled with fresh fruits and pastries. Afterward, they took a light stroll through a lush garden, the sun shining warmly on their faces.
Klaus didn't know why, but he felt a sense of peace, even knowing an assassin might appear at any moment. Cynthia seemed unconcerned as well; they both knew things weren't going to be simple, yet they were just two normal people walking through a garden while they waited for their killers.
Hours passed, and still, no assassin showed up. Then, around 5 PM, Klaus made a suggestion that caused Cynthia to raise an eyebrow before she accepted.
"Mother-in-law, why don't we go for a swim?" Klaus proposed. The plan was to keep up appearances, showing everyone they had no idea they were in danger. A swim seemed like a perfect way to distract from their circumstances.
Cynthia smiled. "That sounds great! Let's do it!" She said excitedly which puzzled Klaus.
They changed into their swimsuits and made their way to the pool. The water was inviting. Klaus dived in first, surfacing with a splash, while Cynthia laughed and followed suit.
As they swam, they chatted and joked, their laughter echoing through the resort. The carefree atmosphere was a welcome distraction from the tension of their reality. Klaus felt lighter in the water, the coolness washing away his worries, if only for a moment.
A while later, still in the pool, Klaus sensed something—or rather, several somethings—approaching. A smirk tugged at his lips. He glanced over at Cynthia, whose swimwear clung to her like a second skin, highlighting her curves in a way that was impossible to ignore.
"They're coming," Klaus said quietly.
"Yeah, I picked them up a while ago, but it seems like they're hesitant to approach. Are we not acting well enough?" she replied.
"I think so. It's like they're trying to figure out if we're just acting or really unaware of their presence," Klaus said, still maintaining a hushed tone.
"I have a plan, but it depends on how restrained you can be, especially with your hands," Cynthia said in a somewhat bashful tone.
"What plan? I'm in if you are," Klaus said, eager to kill some assassins. He wasn't too concerned about the details, as long as it involved taking down the enemy.
"Kiss me," Cynthia suddenly suggested.
"Wait, what?" Klaus nearly broke character with his startled response.
"Two people kissing in a pool doesn't exactly scream 'masterminds setting a trap for assassins.' So, kiss me," Cynthia explained.
"Okay," Klaus replied. "But don't regret this later" Without waiting for a response, he leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss. Cynthia's eyes widened in surprise, but instead of pushing him away, she slowly started to reciprocate.
It wasn't because she wanted to—it was because she had to act, they had to act for the Assassin, or that is what she is telling herself. But it's working. The kiss made the Assassins who were skeptical at first start moving toward them again.
But as their lips moved together, Klaus found himself thinking, 'Isn't this kiss a little too intense?' Cynthia was practically biting his lips, making the kiss far more passionate than he had intended.
His body wanted to react, but Klaus reminded himself this was his mother-in-law, even kissing her was too much. After a few more minutes, Klaus broke the kiss and looked into Cynthia's eyes
"Mother-in-law, we'll continue this later. For now, get ready. I'll make my move first. Just make sure none of them get away."
"How many?" she asked, her voice steady despite the heat of the moment.
"Eighteen. Eight Sages, ten Saints," Klaus muttered. Cynthia nodded, but Klaus could tell her mind was in turmoil. Still, he didn't focus on that. He lowered his head toward her chest, and his eyes flashed red.
He activated the Eye of Malevolence. Instantly, everything within the resort became clear to him—the assassins were approaching, but slowly. It would still be a little while before they entered his killing zone, a 2km radius around him.
"I'm sorry, Mother-in-law," Klaus whispered, feeling a bit guilty for using the situation to his advantage. He had to hide his face from the assassins because he knew they were watching. So the only way was to do that.
"No, it's fine," Cynthia replied, her voice slightly breathless. "We talked about this, so it's nothing. Just make it count."
They had planned for this moment, rehearsed how they would act when the assassins appeared, but plans change and this new plan felt more intense than they'd expected. Both of them could feel it—there was something more building between them, something neither was willing to acknowledge.
The tension between them thickened, not just from the approaching assassins but from the undeniable heat simmering beneath the surface. The plan was simple—act passionately, luring the assassins in by making it seem like they were oblivious to their surroundings.
No one would suspect two people kissing in a pool to be hyper-aware of the danger lurking nearby.
It was a flawless plan. Cynthia, with her affinity for shadows, detected every assassin as they approached, remaining unseen herself. Klaus, with his Eye of Malevolence activated, could watch them without being noticed. Even if they were face-to-face, the assassins wouldn't sense his gaze or realize they were already in his trap.
So, while he continued to "play" with his mother-in-law, Klaus was calculating each movement, timing everything precisely. His senses were heightened, ready for the exact moment when they would all fall into his kill zone.
Suddenly, the last assassin entered the range. That was the trigger. The sky above them darkened ominously, and without warning, a massive bell appeared. High above, a terrifying, all-seeing eye also appeared, its presence overwhelming.
Ding! Suddenly, the bell rang, and the eye snapped open.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC186: One Decisive Strike
Klaus knew he couldn't afford to make a mistake. Assassins are tricky; if you don't kill them with your first strike, the chance of succeeding with the next is slim.
Their escape skills are legendary, and Klaus was well aware of that. He planned to counter those skills with his own, using precision and timing.
The [Bell of Harrows] and [Eye of Despair] were the key to his success. The bell had the power to deal both physical (Sonic) and spiritual damage. Klaus needed that combination, and with the addition of the [Eye of Malevolence], he knew he had a real shot.
"Mother-in-law, I'm making my move. Be ready to step in if things don't go as planned," Klaus muttered under his breath as the bell and eye manifested in the air.
Ding! The bell rang, releasing a shockwave of spiritual energy that rippled through the air, spreading across a 4km radius. Klaus had designed the attack for maximum impact, so he waited for the assassins to close in within 2km of his position.
The moment the sound hit, Klaus sensed them freeze in their tracks. The bell's appearance and the ringing were so sudden that they had no time to react. After all, it was a soul attack—something even skilled assassins couldn't defend against easily.
But as if that wasn't enough, the [Eye of Despair] snapped open, and like a demon awakening, a wave of pure terror surged forth. This terror wasn't just for show—it was a powerful soul attack triggered by the eye's three unique abilities.
The ability, called Soul Gaze, unleashed Klaus's star qi in devastating force. He wasn't holding back. Thirty percent of his star qi fueled the attack, and the results were immediate. The Saint assassins began to lose their senses.
The attack struck deep into their souls, leaving them reeling, disoriented, and wracked with pain. Their eyes glazed over as their spirits faltered. Even the Sages among them were struggling to withstand the onslaught.
But Klaus wasn't done.
A flash of light shot forward. Before any of them could react within that split second, blood started spraying into the air.
The Void Piercing Needle, which Klaus had secretly set up in their room long before they entered the pool, has started its work. Klaus has held it in place all this while they waited for their guest to appear, and now, it's been put to good use.
This arrow wasn't in its ordinary form—it was formed from all 54 Viper Piercing Needles Klaus could control. So it's both thick, heavy, and pointy for what he intended to do.
In the blink of an eye, ten heads exploded. The Void Piercing Arrow moved faster than anyone could track, and with Klaus's [Eye of Malevolence] enhancing his vision, he pinpointed each target with terrifying accuracy.
One man, clutching his chest in shock, snapped his eyes open, sensing the attack too late. He turned to his left, but before he could react, something sharp passed through his forehead, exiting the back of his skull.
Blood and brain tissue splattered as his body collapsed. The needle didn't stop there—it continued its deadly rampage.
In less than two seconds, ten Saints and one Sage lay dead, their bodies crumpling to the ground. The rest weren't far behind.
Another assassin emerged from the shadows, sneaking toward the pool just as the bell rang and the [Eye of Despair] snapped open. He was immediately hit hard, his senses muddled from the soul attack. The pain was unbearable, and before he could regain his focus, the Needle of Death—the Void Piercing Needle—struck, piercing straight through his skull.
On the other side, a woman dressed in black was about to draw her bow when the soul attack hit. She froze, her body tense as she gritted her teeth, trying to endure the torment. From the look on her face, it was safe to say assassins have high pain tolerance.
The soul attack wasn't something anyone could quietly withstand, yet somehow, none of them screamed, not even the Saints. But that was irrelevant to Klaus. He didn't care about their suffering—he only needed to disorient them for five seconds. He was already running out of time, with just two seconds left.
The woman sensed the Void Piercing Needle heading her way and tried to move back, but her body wouldn't respond. Her shadow had been pinned in place before she even had the chance to escape. The Needle pierced her head, killing the third Sage instantly. Only five remained.
The needle continued its deadly path, slipping through a window, then bursting out the other side, spraying blood across the grass. It passed through a lush flower garden, staining the white lilies with blood.
It streaked through the resort, and in the store window, a body collapsed to the floor. Another figure dropped from a window and hit the ground. Just like that, seven out of the eight Sages had died before they could even react.
The last assassin, however, was quicker. Four seconds had passed since the soul attack hit, but he wasn't as affected as the others—likely due to a stronger soul. As the Needle drew closer, he dove into a shadow, attempting to vanish from sight.
But before he could fully escape, the shadow he was trying to emerge from shifted, dragging him back to where he had originally entered. He blinked in confusion, but it was the last blink he would ever make. His head exploded.
Seven seconds—that was how long it took for Klaus to eliminate eighteen assassins. Eight Sages, 10 Saints.
Back in the pool, Klaus stood with his eyes closed, focusing. Beside him, his mother-in-law, Cynthia Ross, stood pale and shaky, holding his hand. She has a unique class called Shadow Dancer, which allows her to control shadows.
However, she's only a peak Sage level. There was only so much she could do. Using her power to lock down a Sage had already taken a toll on her body. But when she went a step further and manipulated the shadows of the last Sage, it drained her entirely—her stamina and spiritual qi were almost gone.
It hadn't been easy. She had to link to all the shadows, locking them out and opening only one. She even reversed the Sage's path, making sure he didn't suspect a thing until he walked right into her trap.
Klaus had told her not to let a single assassin escape, and she had been determined to see it through. In the end, she succeeded, and she had done it well—better than anyone could have expected.
"Mother-in-law, are you okay?" Klaus asked, noticing her face had gone as white as a sheet.
"I'm fine. Just take me back to the room," Cynthia Ross muttered, closing her eyes. She knew the white-haired brat wouldn't try anything inappropriate.
Even if Klaus had other thoughts, he wouldn't act on them—after all, she was his mother-in-law. As for her safety, she knew she was in good hands.
She had kept her shadow sense active the entire time, witnessing how lethal Klaus's attacks were. She expected a few assassins might try to escape, but to her surprise, Klaus was even more terrifying than she had imagined. He had killed them all before they even realized what was happening.
Klaus carried her like a princess back to the room and gently laid her down on the bed, still dressed in her swimwear.
"You're not going to leave me behind, are you?" she asked just as Klaus was about to walk away, reaching out to hold his hand.
"I wouldn't dare," Klaus replied with a small smile, dropping onto the bed beside her. He hadn't planned to stay; now that the action was over, he figured their roleplaying was over. But with Cynthia holding him firmly, he had no choice but to give in.
He closed his eyes, trying to catch some sleep, though his senses remained on high alert. And now, his mother-in-law was cuddled up beside him, making the situation even more awkward.
'Maybe the God of Lust and Womanizing has cursed me,' Klaus thought to himself.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC187: Guilty Mother-In-Law, Shameless Son In Law
Ten hours passed, and no new assassin came to the resort, so Klaus could finally relax. His mother-in-law, Cynthia, had fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion. Klaus stayed awake the whole time, his mind drifting, trying not to focus too much on the tempting body lying next to him.
After those ten hours, Cynthia woke up, looking more recovered. Her face had regained its color. But as soon as she became aware of the position she was in, she quickly moved away, her expression slightly flustered.
"I'm a terrible mother," she muttered, probably thinking back on what had happened between her and Klaus. It had been an intimate moment, much more than it was ever meant to be.
She had been the one to suggest the kiss during the planning phase, but now, remembering how heated things had gotten, guilt washed over her.
"I wouldn't say that," Klaus replied with a smile. "From the way I see it, you played your role quite well. No need to feel guilty, Mother-in-law."
He smiled, unbothered. Yes, he had enjoyed his time with her, and instead of feeling any shame, he looked pleased with himself. Clearly, Klaus wasn't concerned at all.
Cynthia's face flushed deeper as she turned away, her heart racing. The words Klaus said, combined with that smile, made her feel uneasy.
She couldn't understand how he was so calm about it all, especially after what had happened. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself, trying to create some physical and mental distance.
"You shouldn't be so casual about this, Klaus," she whispered, her voice barely holding steady. "I crossed a line. A huge one."
Klaus raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the headboard, completely unfazed. "A line? You think so?" He chuckled softly, shrugging as if her worries were trivial. "Look, no one got hurt, and we're both alive. I'd say it worked out perfectly."
Cynthia bit her lip, still unable to shake the guilt gnawing at her. "Still, I am not happy kissing te boyfriend of my daughters. It's just too not right" She said quietly.
Klaus stretched his arms casually. "No worries Mother-in-Law, it was just a role we both played to get what we wanted, no need to overthink it"
'Ouch' Hearing Klaus's reply, Cynthia felt a sharp pang in her heart. Klaus clearly viewed their kiss as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. But for her, the reality of that moment was much heavier.
She had shared something intimate with him, and the knowledge that he was her daughter's boyfriend made her feel both guilty and heartbroken.
'What am I thinking?' she scolded herself. 'Like he said, it was just a kiss. So why do I feel so sad hearing him?' She snapped herself out of those thoughts, trying to regain her composure.
"Good, then this stays between us," Cynthia said firmly, her voice steadying. "I don't want Anna or Lucy hearing about it." She glanced at Klaus, her expression serious, hoping he understood the weight of what she was asking.
Klaus nodded, his demeanor relaxed. "Of course. This is our secret." He flashed a reassuring smile, but it did little to ease Cynthia's turmoil. She felt a mix of relief and dread, knowing that this moment would linger in her mind long after they left the resort.
"Good, you can leave now. I need to take my bath," Cynthia said, causing Klaus's smile to falter.
"Since we started this, why not end it by sharing a bath?" Klaus teased, already climbing down from the bed.
"Brat! I'll tell your mother," Cynthia shot him an angry look, though a smile tugged at her lips. This boyfriend of her daughter's was more shameless than she had thought.
Klaus laughed, leaving the room and heading to the next one. He knew the maids had already cleaned up the aftermath of the chaos—the dead bodies were gone, and even the broken windows had been fixed. After taking a quick bath, he returned to meet Cynthia again.
She was now fully clothed, looking like the graceful mother-in-law she was meant to be. But deep down, Klaus knew their kiss wouldn't wash away anytime soon.
"So, what's next?" he asked, trying to shift the focus away from their earlier encounter.
"Since this is all the operatives they have in the Eastern Region, it will take time before they send more people to kill me. This means the same for you. They won't be coming after you anytime soon, if you are lucky enough" Cynthia explained.
"Does that mean they only send weaker assassins to targets in the Eastern Region? With the secret you have, they should be sending stronger assassins," Klaus said, puzzled. He couldn't understand why only ten Saints and eight Sages had been sent this time.
He recalled that eight of the assassins he had killed were not even on the Tier 1 assassin list he had copied from the Dark Order safe house in Hiroshi City.
"If what you said is true, then it means the list you have has already lost some assassins," Cynthia said, her brow furrowed in thought. "Eighteen Tier 1-level assassins should have come, but only ten showed up."
"So, the other eight are dead, and I only killed one. I'm sure at least one of them was killed by their own group, which means some targets they were meant to kill managed to survive their assassination attempts by taking out eight more," Klaus concluded, piecing the information together.
"How exactly are the Tier levels structured in the Order?" he asked, curious about the hierarchy of the assassins. He knew Cynthia had the answer so he used the chance to ask.
"From what I know, there are four tier levels," Cynthia began, her voice steady. "This means, that in the Northern Union, there are 100 assassins in total. Tier 1 is made up of Saint-level assassins, and from your list, it's clear there are 20 of them."
Klaus nodded, recalling the list he had found. It made sense now why some of the assassins hadn't seemed as strong as he had expected.
"As for Tier 2, they consist of Sage-level assassins. I know for a fact that Assassin number 89 down to number 50 are in this tier. They completely disregard Saint-level assassins, which shows just how dangerous they are."
"So the higher the number, the weaker they are?" Klaus clarified.
"Exactly," Cynthia confirmed. "Tier 3 assassins are Great Sages, and they're responsible for taking down high-level targets. From number 49 to number 11, it's all Great Sages. I doubt they'll come after us—at least, not yet. But they're definitely a bigger threat."
Klaus listened carefully, his mind processing the hierarchy. He wasn't too worried about the lower tiers, but the idea of encountering a Great Sage was unsettling.
"And then there's the 4th Tier," Cynthia continued. "They're on the same level as the War Goddess, but some are even stronger than her. After the Sovereign stage comes the Transcendent stage, and above that is the Ascension stage. That's the level where the Overlords are."
Klaus swallowed hard. "So, does that mean the Dark Order has assassins at that level?" He needed to know for sure, not wanting to make any reckless moves.
"No," Cynthia said, shaking her head. "As far as I know, their strongest assassins are at the Sovereign level. But their leader might be beyond the Sovereign stage—though definitely below the Ascension stage."
Klaus exhaled in relief. "That's a small comfort," he muttered. He had feared the worst, but knowing the Order's limits gave him some room to breathe. Still, the thought of a Sovereign-level assassin made his blood run cold.
'I need to become stronger. Faster,' Klaus thought to himself, the weight of the situation settling in. He knew the Dark Order wasn't acting on their own—they had been hired. And if powerful people were after him, they wouldn't stop until he was dead.
"Ha, looks like I have a lot of killing to do," Klaus muttered under his breath, a dark edge to his voice.
Cynthia raised an eyebrow at his words. "Klaus," she began cautiously, "don't let this turn into a path you regret."
Klaus flashed her a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Regret? No, Mother-in-law, I'm just getting started."
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC188: I Can Do Both
"Mother-in-law, I'm looking forward to our next picnic. I hope next time it'll be all sunshine, with no distractions," Klaus said, giving Cynthia a playful wink as he dropped her off at the Ross Mansion.
Cynthia Ross blushed slightly, her cheeks warming at his words. This bastard is too shameless, she thought, shaking her head before quickly closing the door to hide her embarrassment. Klaus grinned, watching her reaction, before heading back to his own home.
When he arrived, he was greeted by the sight of his mother chatting with the War Goddess. His smile widened, and he dove into his mother's embrace.
"How was your outing?" she asked, stroking his hair like she always did.
"Better than I expected," Klaus replied with a smirk. Indeed, it had turned out far more interesting than he imagined. The War Goddess, who knew all too well what Klaus had been up to, narrowed her eyes.
She couldn't decide whether to scold him or pry for more details. Either way, she knew Klaus had gotten himself into some mischief.
"Nice to see you had fun. By the way, your sister and some of your friends went on a hunt a day ago," his mother said.
Klaus nodded absentmindedly, already aware of that. Hanna has already messaged him. "I'll rest for a day and get back to training," he said, breaking from his mother's embrace and heading to his room.
Once inside, he tried calling Ohema, but as usual, it didn't go through. She had been unreachable for weeks now. He was worried but continued to wait as she told him before leaving the last time.
"She'll call when she's available, I guess," Klaus muttered to himself before flopping onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling, trying to shake the unease creeping in. A few seconds later, his eyes shifted toward the door as the War Goddess stepped in.
"You, what exactly did you do on that mission?" she said, her tone sharp
Klaus grinned lazily. "You know... had fun, made out with my mother-in-law, killed a bunch of assassins. Oh, did I mention I kissed my mother-in-law?" His grin widened, fully aware of the reaction he was about to provoke.
The War Goddess's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she looked like she was either going to laugh or smack him. "You're impossible, Klaus," she finally muttered, shaking her head.
"How are you, by the way?" Klaus asked with a grin. He knew exactly what she had been going through the last time they crossed paths, but now he wanted more answers.
"I'm not talking to you again," the War Goddess huffed, turning to leave.
"Hey, you're the one who wanted to know what happened, and I already told you. Now it's your turn to spill something," Klaus teased, flashing a wide smile.
"You should hurry back to training. The next trial will be hard, even for you," Miriam said, trying to change the topic. The image of Klaus's diamond boy is still sculpted in her mind. She just couldn't wipe that memory, not that she wanted to.
"I'll manage. Oh, my body's weak right now. Care to give me a shoulder massage?" Klaus shot his shot, his grin never wavering.
"Nope, I'm leaving," Miriam responded, turning away—but not moving an inch.
"You keep saying that, but you're still standing here. Why, Miriam? You wouldn't happen to be harboring some evil thoughts, would you?" Klaus smirked, watching her closely.
Miriam blushed, her cheeks betraying her stoic expression. She didn't move. Instead, she stared at him, silently knowing that Klaus wouldn't stop teasing her or flirting.
Even though she kept telling herself she had no feelings for him—or at least that's what she wanted to believe—Ever since the last time they met, ignoring him had become more difficult. Unwanted feelings were starting to creep in, whether she liked it or not.
She crossed her arms, trying to maintain her cool. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Klaus. You're not that charming," she muttered, though her words lacked conviction.
"Uh-huh," Klaus chuckled. "I think I'm growing on you."
"Stop dreaming," she replied, but her blush deepened.
Klaus let out a soft laugh, enjoying the subtle back-and-forth. "I'm just saying, it's cute how you're sticking around. You know, you can leave anytime you want, yet here you are."
Miriam sighed. She knew it was foolish to entertain him, but something about Klaus made her stay. Despite her denial, her resolve was weakening.
"You're impossible," she said again, shaking her head.
"And yet, here we are," Klaus replied, his eyes twinkling.
Miriam turned slightly, her gaze softening for just a moment before she caught herself. "You should focus on getting stronger, Klaus. Not on me."
"I can do both," he said with a wink.
She narrowed her eyes at him, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're infuriating, you know that?"
Klaus shrugged. "Comes with the territory."
Miriam finally took a step away, but her lingering hesitation spoke volumes. "Train hard. Don't die on me," she said, her voice quieter than before.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Klaus said, his tone softer.
With a final glance, she left, but not without a twinge of emotion she couldn't quite shake. The moment she stepped outside, Klaus's mother met her gaze with a knowing smile.
"He's gotten to you too, huh?" Klaus's mother's smile widened as she eyed the flustered War Goddess.
Instead of running away, Miriam buried her face in Klaus's mother's chest, clearly embarrassed. If anyone had seen the usually cold, ruthless, and bloodthirsty War Goddess like this, they wouldn't have believed their eyes.
"No need to be embarrassed, dear," Klaus's mother said with a chuckle. "That bastard is just too shameless." She sighed, amused. Only she could handle her son's relentless teasing. Even goddesses weren't immune to his charms. It made her wonder what he'd be capable of once he got stronger.
"Come here, let me fix that hair of yours," she added warmly, running her fingers through Miriam's slightly disheveled locks. "If you're going to fall for my son, you should at least do it with beautiful hair."
"Auntie!" Miriam protested, her face burning with embarrassment, but she couldn't break free from the older woman's gentle grip. Klaus's mother led her away, ignoring her attempts to escape.
As she walked, Klaus's mother couldn't help but drop one more tease, her grin playful. "You know, you should probably start calling me 'mother.'"
Miriam's blush deepened as she was being pulled away. Klaus's mom's laughter filled the house knowing no matter what, His no-good son would sink his hooks in her if he hadn't already.
As the saying goes, you learn from your parents. And clearly, Klaus had inherited some of his shamelessness from his mother.
Klaus spent two days relaxing with his mom and Miriam, enjoying a rare break from his usual intense schedule. After the second day, he decided it was time to leave for his own hunt. With a blank access card in his possession, all Forbidden Zones were open to him. No restrictions.
During his time at home, Klaus had researched countless Tier 4 Forbidden Zones, going through hundreds of them to find the perfect one. After much consideration, he picked his target.
He knew that the weakest creatures in a Tier 4 Forbidden Zone were Tier 6 Dark Monsters or Tier 4 Zombie Captains, while the strongest could be as dangerous as a Tier 7 Devil or a Zombie King. With that in mind, he made sure to prepare adequately.
Klaus planned to spend a few weeks in the Zone, sharpening his skills and pushing himself to new limits before returning home. The hunt would be brutal, but it was exactly what he needed to grow stronger.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC189: Demon's Abode Forbidden Zone [Bonus]
The Demon's Abode is one of the most dangerous Tier 4 Forbidden Zones in the Eastern region of the Northern Union. It isn't far from Arcadian City. From Klaus's research, he discovered that only Sages dared enter this place. A Saint would be sending themselves to their death unless they had absolute trust in their abilities and survival instincts.
According to what Klaus had learned, the Demon Abode houses all kinds of terrifying creatures, including a special variant of Zombies known as Darkblood Demon Zombies. These Zombies wield both darkness and blood as their primary elements, relying on these forces to fuel their abilities.
From what he read online, the Darkblood Demon Zombies were far more powerful than the average Zombie. They were faster and had remarkable regeneration abilities. However, they were also hideous.
Unlike the White Zombies, which retained some eerie attraction, these Darkblood Demons were truly grotesque, the way one might imagine a classic Zombie to look.
Klaus also learned that these Zombies didn't just feast on humans. They hunted monsters too, making them much stronger than even the White Zombies or the Voltox Zombies from the Arcadian Mine invasion. This new information made it clear that the Demon's Abode was no place for the faint-hearted.
It would be the perfect challenge. The perfect place for Klaus who is anything but a normal warrior.
His status page looks good but needed to push further if he wants to keep up with the growing threats surrounding him.
Name: Klaus Hanson
Age: 16
Talent: Celestial Elemental Overlord
Class: Weapons Overlord
Bloodline: Dormant
Physique: Nine Reincarnations Divine Body
Realm: Master - Lvl: 4/12
Strength: 1,230 | Agility: 1,270 |Stamina: 1,240 |Defense:1,100 | Intelligence: 1,100| Health: 4200
Star Qi: 143,672,600
Stat Points: 400
[Next Level up: 10,000/31,228,800]
"Looks like I'll be doing more killing this time," Klaus muttered as he stepped down from the military vehicle that had brought him from Arcadian City. Dave Arcadian, feeling both grateful and guilty for nearly losing Klaus during the invasion, had offered the ride as a way of showing his gratitude.
Standing at the edge of the Demon's Abode, Klaus felt a surge of excitement. The air was thick with danger, but instead of fear, it filled him with a sense of thrill.
"This should be fun," he said to himself with a grin, stepping into the zone that looked like a massive reserve. Before the apocalypse, it had been a wildlife sanctuary, but now it was home to mutated monsters and unimaginable dangers.
The land stretched for miles, vast and perilous. As Klaus quietly walked through the dense forest, the wind whispered through the twisted trees, adding to the eerie atmosphere. His Void Piercing Needle hovered above his shoulder, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
His plan for the day was simple—kill whatever crossed his path and clear out a safe space to rest. The next day, the real task would begin. He had stumbled upon some cryptic information online, a strange rumor about the Demon's Abode.
Something about the place made it more dangerous than other Tier 4 Forbidden Zones, and Klaus was determined to uncover the truth.
For now, though, it was all about finding a place where he could always come back to rest. As he ventured deeper into the forest, he sneered, knowing that soon, the hunt would begin.
A while later, Klaus encountered his first target. Without hesitation, he used the Void Piercing Arrow, swiftly taking it down. He continued deeper into the area, moving quickly and efficiently, killing as he went, his eyes scanning for a place he could clear and rest.
Eventually, he came across a small mountain peak with a hidden cave. After scanning the area, he realized there were no monsters nearby, a stroke of luck for them. He quickly set up camp inside the cave, deciding to relax for a few hours before resuming his hunt.
His plan was simple. First, he wanted to train with the Pentaface Bead and master the skills he had unlocked so far. Second, he would train under pressure to strengthen his mind and add more Viper Piercing Needles to the Void Piercing Needle technique.
Third, he needed to work on his swordsmanship. His recent duel with Aoi had made it painfully clear that he was lacking in that area. He wanted to develop his own sword style, something he could truly master.
Fourth, he hoped to create a new technique using the fire element, just like he had with the ice element when he formed the [Nine Stars Ice Lotus Bloom]. The senior had already advised him to try, so he was eager to see if he could come up with something powerful.
But most importantly, he wanted to hunt some devils, hoping to obtain an Ice Elemental Devil core if he was lucky. He couldn't deny the jealousy he felt toward his past self, Fruity. Despite not having affinities for all elements back then, Fruity had managed to awaken three of the seven Forbidden Ice Elements.
Klaus wanted that too. Call it jealousy, but he couldn't help himself. He was eager to awaken something similar, something to rival his past self's power. The thought of it made him both restless and hungry for more.
After resting for a while and eating almost a quarter of the food his mom had lovingly prepared, Klaus gulped down some fruit juice and set out to start leveling up.
Klaus knew he was falling behind, far behind his friends. His sister had already reached Level 6, thanks to the War Goddess giving her higher-tier monster cores.
All his friends were at Level 6 too, and the Mountain Dew Essence had made them even stronger. The gap between them was growing, and Klaus couldn't afford to stay behind, especially with the Next Academy Trial looming.
With 31,228,800 Exp points needed to reach Level 5, he wasted no time. He began his slaughter, starting with the Void Piercing Needle.
=
=
=
Somewhere deep inside the Demon Abode, on a large platform surrounded by seven towering pillars, a creature stood still watching the work going on around it.
It was nearly 3 meters tall, with a twisted mix of human and decaying monster features. Its skin is dark, and a single horn jutted from its forehead. Its dark red eyes glowed faintly. It's muscular and even one of its hands was large enough to rival the size of an adult's thigh.
It watched as offerings were placed beneath each pillar. After a moment, the creature turned and walked toward a massive cave entrance, each step inciting heavy thuds.
"How are the preparations?" A feminine voice, cold and commanding, echoed through the darkness making the ugly creature stop and bow slightly.
"My Princess, the ritual offerings are almost ready. All that remains is to wait for the red moon to rise, and we can begin."
"Good," she replied. "Make sure nothing goes wrong. We've invested much into this ritual, and the Empress is expecting results."
The dark creature bowed once more before leaving. As soon as it was gone, a smirk formed in the shadows.
"Those Voltox fools couldn't complete a single task. This time, out of the 69 Zombie Strongholds, I will prove to everyone that the Darkblood Demon Zombies are worthy of standing by the Queen's side in her conquest."
Her smirk grew wider, her disdain echoing in the empty cave.
=====
Meanwhile, back in the forest where Klaus was farming Exp points and sharpening his mind, thousands of monsters lay dead, each with a single hole through their vitals.
Klaus had recently added 400 points to his Intelligence, making his mental training far more effective. The Void Piercing Needle continuously flashed through the forest, piercing monster after monster with lethal precision.
He had already accumulated over 20 million points, but it wasn't enough. He needed more, so he never stopped killing. Eight hours later, his total reached 30 million points, leaving only a little more before he could finally level up.
Suddenly, a deep, heavy roar tore through the thick forest, followed by the surge of a powerful aura that threatened to crash every soul around. Klaus, unaffected by this aura smiles.
"Finally," he muttered, "a Devil has appeared."
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC190: Red Eye Sabertooth Tiger [Bonus]
Klaus stood motionless, staring in the direction the monster was approaching. From the heavy, thunderous footsteps echoing through the forest, he knew it was something massive. His senses stretched to their limit, yet he couldn't detect the creature.
That sent a chill down his spine. Even though he was covering a 10-kilometer radius, the monster still remained out of reach, but its steps were felt strongly as if it was right beside him. Suddenly, something shifted. A 4-meter-tall creature crossed into his sensing range, and Klaus's eyes widened in shock.
The monster is enormous. It has a muscular build, covered in dark, blood-streak fur. It has red eyes. Elongated, razor-sharp claws and serrated fangs made it the perfect killing machine.
A wild, untamed mane framed its savage face, and a powerful tail, tipped with a sharp, bone-like spike, swayed behind it, promising deadly strikes.
Klaus instinctively took a few steps back but kept his focus sharp, watching the creature's every movement. Its heavy steps left smoldering fire in its wake, the ground singeing beneath its feet.
"Red Eye Sabertooth Tiger," Klaus muttered under his breath, recognizing the Devil monster immediately. A fearsome fire-type beast, known for its brutal attacks with its claws and teeth.
The reason they're dangerous is that after reaching the Terror stage, they begin to evolve. Their first evolution allows them to walk on two legs, making them look like monstrous humans.
But that's not what makes them terrifying. It's their claws. After evolving, their claws become deadly weapons. They move like humans, and they attack like humans—only fiercer, faster, and stronger.
Now, approaching with an intense fire aura, was a Tier 7 Devil Red-Eye Sabertooth Tiger. Klaus knew he had two choices: run or fight. But he also knew this was a rare chance to win himself a Fire-type devil core.
Despite the danger, Klaus's sword appeared in his hand, radiating ice qi. He was about to fight fire with ice.
Klaus's control over ice far surpassed his mastery of fire. In dangerous situations like this, he always relied on ice. Today was no exception. The monster, still kilometers away, was already exuding an aura more terrifying than the Zombie Kings he fought during the Arcadian mine invasion.
In fact, the aura felt eerily similar to that of the Zombie Emperor, the one the War Goddess battled back then. Klaus knew he'd have to up his game for this fight.
"Brat, kill this monster. The reward will be worth it," his senior's voice echoed from his soul sea, making Klaus grin. He knew that obtaining the Fire Devil Core from this Red-Eye Sabertooth Tiger would benefit him immensely.
"I'll do my best," he muttered, just as the monster appeared before him, towering and radiating immense power. Klaus locked eyes with it.
Without a second thought, the monster charged. Klaus dashed forward to meet it head-on. Boom! The two collided, and the force sent Klaus flying backward, slamming into the ground.
Cough! cough!!
"What the hell," he muttered, spitting out two mouthfuls of blood.
"Brat, welcome to your first real fight with a Devil. Try not to die," his senior remarked sarcastically. Klaus pushed himself up, narrowing his gaze. This was it. He had truly stepped into the big leagues now.
The Tiger's claws, dripping with fiery energy, glowed as it leaped into the air, descending on Klaus with terrifying force. Klaus dashed forward, narrowly dodging, and slashed his sword backward in a swift counterattack.
A thin arc of ice, coated with sword qi, shot out and struck the monster's side. But there was no damage. Its fur was like titanium—unyielding and impenetrable.
"No worries," Klaus muttered with a grin. "If one strike doesn't kill, I'll use a hundred."
His sword flashed forward, sending multiple arcs of ice toward the beast. Each one landed, but the result was the same—no damage at all.
The Red-Eye Sabertooth Tiger barely flinched as the ice arcs bounced off its thick fur. It growled, its fiery aura intensifying, and its eyes burned with rage. Klaus could feel the heat in the air as the monster charged again, faster this time, claws outstretched.
The Tiger slashed its fiery claws at Klaus's head, but he ducked just in time and kicked forward, landing a blow on its leg.
"That hurt," Klaus muttered, wincing. But the monster was knocked slightly off balance, giving Klaus an opening to strike.
His sword flashed forward, and a thick arc of ice, coated with sword qi, surged out. It hit the Tiger's chest, pushing the beast back a step.
Klaus didn't let up. He charged again, aiming for the monster's left arm. But before his blade could land, the Tiger erupted in flames, its claws glowing bright red.
Slash!
A powerful strike from the Tiger's claws sent fire claw marks flying toward Klaus. He reacted quickly, stepping lightly on the ground and raising an ice wall for protection.
The fiery attack crashed into the ice, shattering it instantly. Although the ice defense wasn't that great, the attack was very powerful to the extent that it landed and shattered the ice instantly and then headed toward him
"What?" Klaus gasped, eyes wide as the remnants of his defense crumbled. The Tiger's strength was far greater than he anticipated.
Klaus slashed his sword, sending an ice arc to meet the fire arc. The two forces collided and exploded, pushing Klaus back several steps. He wanted to dash forward, but before he could move, the Tiger appeared within striking range.
"This is not good," Klaus muttered, realizing he was trapped. He tried to retreat, but at that moment, the Tiger opened its maw. Like a dragon, it unleashed a torrent of fire, red and scorching, spraying toward him with terrifying speed. The flames moved like bullets, aiming to disintegrate him completely.
Klaus, who lacked strong defensive abilities aside from the bell and the flower, quickly summoned the ice lotus and instantly activated the Absolute Ice Domain.
The moment the domain formed, it freed Klaus from the lock the Tiger had placed him in, giving him just enough time to evade. He rolled across the ground, dodging the deadly flames, and in the same motion, activated the Ice Beam ability of the lotus. A concentrated beam of ice shot from the lotus, striking the monster with precision.
The Tiger roared in pain as the beam hit, pushing it back several meters before it crashed onto the ground.
"My turn," Klaus growled, dashing forward, his sword glowing with ice qi. "I have to kill it without using the Pentaface Bead," he muttered to himself, determined. His sword slashed forward, aiming for the Tiger's heart.
But the Tiger was too fast and too strong. Its fiery claw clashed with Klaus's sword, pushing him back effortlessly. When it came to speed, Klaus couldn't keep up.
Strength? He was outmatched. Even in defense, he was barely holding on. Each strike proved how much weaker he was compared to the monster. One small mistake would cost him his life.
It was overwhelming. Fighting a Tier 7 monster while only at Tier 3 was something almost no one could do—yet here he was, doing it. But for the first time, Klaus truly felt the gap in their power. The Tiger wasn't just strong; it could use abilities like a human, making it far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
Now he understood what the Senior had meant when he warned him. The day he faced a Devil, he would need every skill and technique he could muster. The realization sent a chill down his spine.
"Round two," Klaus muttered under his breath. His golden eyes flashed, shifting to a deep crimson, giving him the appearance of a demon king.
As the red light radiated from his eyes, a wave of crimson energy burst out, causing the Tiger to stagger. It hesitated, and Klaus smirked, seizing the moment. He dashed forward with newfound ferocity.
"Give me your core!" he roared, his sword flashing forward with deadly intent, aimed right at the Tiger's neck.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC191: Beheading A Devil [Bonus]
Klaus unleashed ten percent of his Star Qi, channeling it into a soul attack that struck the monster, making it stagger for a brief moment. Seizing the opening, he dashed forward, his sword aimed directly at the creature's neck. But just before his blade could land, the monster leaped back, narrowly evading the strike.
Klaus smirked. With a swift stomp, he sent shards of ice shooting toward the tiger. They erupted from the ground, striking the beast's chest and pushing it back several meters. This gave Klaus the chance to summon his Lotus flower once again.
"Ice Beam!" A freezing blast shot forward, hitting the tiger square in the chest. Simultaneously, Klaus's eyes flashed, and another soul attack slammed into the tiger, disorienting it once more.
"Moon Slash!" An icy arc cut through the air, coated with sword qi as it slashed across the creature's chest. This time, with the tiger still dazed from the soul attack, its defenses faltered. A deep cut appeared on its chest, making Klaus smile.
The tiger roared in pain, shaking the ground beneath them. Its eyes burned with rage, but the disorientation from Klaus's soul attacks kept it off balance. Klaus didn't let up—this was his chance.
He charged again, his body moving with practiced precision. With each step, the ground beneath his feet froze solid, leaving a trail of ice in his wake. He swung his sword downward, aiming for the tiger's weakened chest. But the tiger, in a last desperate move, rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.
"Damn it" Klaus cursed under his breath but quickly adapted. He slammed his palm into the ground, sending ice spikes shooting up around the tiger, boxing it in. The beast snarled, its movements growing more frantic, but the cold bit into its skin, slowing it down.
"Another," Klaus's eyes flashed again. As before, the tiger faltered, its movements stuttering in the ice trap, giving him the perfect opportunity to strike. With its body momentarily frozen in place, Klaus's follow-up attack landed with a dangerous boom.
The force sent the tiger flying back, crashing into the frozen ground. But instead of feeling victorious, Klaus grew more disturbed. Despite his relentless physical strikes and repeated soul attacks, the tiger still seemed unnervingly strong, refusing to give in.
"How is it still standing?" Klaus muttered, watching as the creature began to recover, its fierce eyes locked onto him. His frustration deepened.
"Does this mean I have to use the Pentaface Bead?" he whispered. The tiger was already charging at him again, claws tearing through the frost-covered ground.
"No," he shook his head, steeling his resolve. "I need this fight to gauge my strength. I haven't reached my limit yet."
His grip tightened on his sword, the cold air biting at his skin. This battle wasn't just about survival—it was about testing himself. Klaus wasn't ready to rely on the bead just yet. He needed to push harder, to break through the barriers he knew still held him back.
Klaus could feel it deep within—he wasn't living up to his full potential. That arrow should never have sent him into a coma. Ever since he woke up, that memory continued to haunt him, gnawing at his pride.
He blamed himself for being weak. He should have been able to defend against that arrow, but instead, he had nearly died. Too weak.
The thought sickened him. He hated it with every fiber of his being. All he wanted now was to become stronger, much stronger. The way forward was clear—he had to break through the chains that were holding him back.
Wasting no time, Klaus dashed forward with renewed focus, his eyes locked on the devil-class tiger. His grip on his swords tightened, and this time, there was no hesitation. He wasn't going to rely on tricks or strategies. He was going to kill the beast with his bare strength.
"Time to break these chains," he muttered under his breath, the ice beneath his feet cracking as he lunged at the tiger, ready to push beyond his limits.
Boom!
Klaus clashed with the tiger, this time holding his ground. He wasn't pushed back, which was a good sign. He dodged a swiping claw and countered with a swift slash, landing a cut on the monster's left arm.
The tiger roared in frustration, but Klaus was already moving. He sidestepped a heavy stomp from the beast, and like a flash of light, his sword cut deep into its left leg.
His eyes flashed again, and the tiger, disoriented, closed its eyes for a brief moment. That was all Klaus needed. He aimed his sword at its chest, targeting a vital spot. Just before the blade could pierce, a sudden, violent burst of energy erupted from the tiger, sending Klaus flying.
He hit the ground hard, but instantly dashed forward again, freezing the earth beneath his feet with every step. His body moved on instinct, and his mind was laser-focused.
Klaus cursed himself for not using his [Absolute Ice Domain] to gain an upper hand. He could have made this fight easier, but he didn't want that. He had relied on those abilities for too long. This time, he needed to see what he could do with just his sword.
Clang!
His blade clashed with the tiger's claw, the sound ringing like metal striking metal. But Klaus didn't back down. He pressed forward, his attacks growing more precise, more dangerous.
Without realizing it, he was adapting to the tiger's speed and movement. His body started to flow with a newfound rhythm, and each strike carried purpose.
Unknowingly, Klaus was creating his own battle style. Every slash, every dodge was becoming part of a new technique, one born out of this fierce struggle. He wasn't just surviving—he was developing.
Klaus's swordsmanship was evolving without him realizing it. It was as if he had entered a new phase of combat, one driven by instinct and reflex, though still lacking the killing force needed to finish off the monster.
"I guess I'll just trade injury for injury and see who gets the last laugh," Klaus smirked, his body bruised and battered from the attacks he had sustained. There were cuts scattered across his skin, but thanks to his superior healing, he was holding on.
He grinned, feeling the tiger's stamina beginning to wane. "It's getting tired. Best time to see if my beheading technique has a future, or if it was just a dumb idea," Klaus muttered, clashing again with the beast.
The tiger had used several of its abilities, but Klaus's relentless close-combat pressure had prevented it from activating any of its more powerful skills. It was good for him—bad for the tiger. With each attack Klaus landed chipped away at its strength, slowly wearing it down.
However, Klaus knew the truth. Without using the Pentaface Bead, dominating a Tier 7 stage creature wasn't going to be easy.
"It's not like before," he admitted to himself. The other tiers had been manageable with his skill set, but this was different. It was a fight of pure endurance now, one that would force him to dig deeper than ever before.
Still, this was exactly what Klaus wanted. He needed to push himself, to see how far he could go without relying on external power, even if it was his power. But so far, the results were disappointing. He was doing badly—too badly.
"Let's end this. I need to reevaluate my strategy," Klaus muttered, realizing that if the fight dragged on for just a few more minutes, he'd lose. The tiger is strong and relentless, and even though it was weakening, so was he.
"Bell of Harrows," he whispered, knowing he had no other choice.
At once, the bell appeared. Inside his soul sea, his Star Qi surged into the first face of the Pentaface Bead.
Ding!
The bell rang, and the tiger froze. It was only for a moment, but Klaus didn't need more than that. His sword, now coated in shimmering sword aura, flashed forward with lethal precision. In the next heartbeat, the tiger's head was severed cleanly from its body. The head flew through the air and landed with a dull thud on the ground.
"Ha," Klaus exhaled, a mix of frustration and relief in his voice. "In the end, I had to use it."
He stared down at the fallen beast, knowing that he was no match for a true devil.
[You have killed a Tier 7 Devil Monster called Red Eye Sabertooth Tiger. You have received 500,000 Exp.]
[You have leveled up. Current Level: Level 5 Master. You have received 400 Stat points.]
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC192: Two Red Sinister Eyes
Klaus's Void Piercing Needle had been on a killing spree ever since the Monster Devil died. As soon as the big one fell, the smaller ones swarmed him.
But with his Spirit Eye still active, he could see exactly where they were. He controlled the needle, sending it out to kill them with precision.
Thanks to his recent level-up, his stamina had been fully restored. Now, he was fighting like a man with nothing to lose, swiftly dispatching the lesser monsters. He moved towards the fallen Devil Tiger and stopped beside its massive corpse.
"So this is what an Elemental Core looks like," Klaus muttered, picking up a red crystal-shaped core radiating intense heat. He studied it for a moment before storing it away in his ring.
"Good job, kid," the senior's voice echoed from his soul sea. "But don't be stupid next time. If you think you can take on a Devil without using your active abilities, you're fooling yourself."
Klaus smiled weakly, knowing the old man was right. If he had used his external abilities like the Ice Lotus Bloom, the Bell of Harrows, the Eye of Despair, or even the Ten Thousand Soul Needles technique, the fight would have ended much sooner.
Instead, he had only relied on his Soul Shock and Ice Beam, which had turned out to be more effective than expected. Even though he hadn't used much star qi, it had been surprisingly powerful.
"Still, I guess it worked out," Klaus muttered, a faint smirk on his lips. "But next time, I'll make sure to use everything I've got."
"Do that," the senior said. Though he was always about the Karma involved in him teaching him some things, he doesn't always care to tell him the important stuff.
Klaus unsheathed his sword from his back, the blade gleaming in the dim light. After quickly storing the monster's body, he dashed forward, his mind sharp with focus. The Tier 7 Devils were too powerful to practice his sword skills on right now, but the Tier 6 Terrors would do just fine.
As he cut through the air with his sword, his mind also kept controlling the Void Piercing Needle, guiding it toward distant targets.
With his brain managing two tasks at once—slashing with his blade and directing the needle—he knew he was training more than just his body. He was honing his mind, sharpening it like a weapon.
The clash of battle shook the forest around him, and the sounds of dying beasts echoed in the air. But Klaus had no intention of stopping anytime soon. If he wanted to farm Elemental Devil Cores and grow stronger, he had to level up as quickly as possible.
He needed to be ready to face multiple Tier 7 Devils at once. Within five hours, Klaus had killed enough monsters to gain 50 percent of the experience points needed for his next level-up. But as the sky darkened, he decided to stop and head back to his resting area.
Stepping into the cave, Klaus sat down in a lotus posture, closing his eyes to replay the battle with the Tier 7 Devil in his mind. He analyzed every move, checking if he could have attacked differently or found a weakness in its defense.
After replaying it over and over again, Klaus came to the same conclusion: the Tiger Devil had outmatched him in speed, strength, and defense. He was at a disadvantage from the start.
"I was really stupid to think I could keep up with that thing without using [Absolute Ice Domain]," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.
With a sigh, he pulled out the Fire Devil Core, its heat warming his hand. "Senior, what do I do now?" Klaus asked, looking for guidance.
The senior's voice came from within his soul sea, sounding gruff but patient. "Brat, one core alone won't make much difference. You've got two choices. First, consume it and hope for a fire-related power-up.
No promise it'll awaken your fire element, though. Or, second, create a technique like you did with the ice element. Consume the core to strengthen it, like how you fed the lightning runes to the Ice Lotus."
Klaus frowned. "But senior, I tried everything. I couldn't make it work," he admitted. He had spent hours trying to create a lotus with the fire element, but nothing had come of it. He had even tried shaping other flowers and animals, but every attempt failed.
"That's because you're not trying hard enough," the senior said bluntly. "You need to focus. Imagine exactly what you want your fire element to be. What does it look like? How does it act? Channel that vision into reality.
I'm sure you'll figure something out."
Klaus exhaled deeply.
"I need to come up with something," Klaus muttered, but deep down, he knew sitting and thinking wouldn't help. Instead, he entered his soul sea and began studying the Pentaface Bead for now.
He had to do something, even if it wasn't what he initially planned. The faces on the bead were bizarre, far more complex than they had first seemed. As his connection to the bead grew stronger, he knew there was more to uncover. Much more.
As Klaus focused on the strange faces, he realized that beneath their emotionless expressions, something was hiding. He could feel it. There was something beneath the surface, something he hadn't understood before. He focused harder, trying to peel back the layers.
The first face, "The Nightmare of Harrow Sounds and Ringing," drew him in the most. There was something sinister beneath that blank expression, something that seemed ready to awaken. Klaus wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he could feel a deep connection to this face.
"Maybe I've been going about this the wrong way," he muttered, settling into a lotus posture.
Tentatively, Klaus sent a strand of his sense into the Face of Harrow. Just as he expected, his mind was pulled into it—sucked into a void. But only for a moment. The instant his mind entered that dark space, two blood-red eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
Klaus felt his entire being freeze. Those eyes, huge and dripping with malice, filled the entire space. His mind went numb, overwhelmed by the sheer terror. In the real world, his body went limp, and he fell backward, unconscious.
It all happened so quickly that Klaus didn't even have time to react. His mind went numb, and before he knew it, he passed out. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in that familiar yet eerie space—the same place he'd been after his death during the Arcadian Mine invasion.
The strange monk was there, just as before. The same violet hair, the same handsome features, and that all-too-familiar expression. He was staring right at Klaus.
"God, I hate myself," the monk muttered, his eyes locked on Klaus with a strange intensity.
Klaus scowled. "Tsk, of all the names in this world, you chose Fruity? What an idiot," he said, glaring at the monk. Despite the calm aura around him, Fruity's gaze was anything but peaceful.
"You're weak," Fruity said flatly, his voice cold.
"And you're annoying. Why am I here?" Klaus shot back.
"You tell me," Fruity replied, his tone laced with mockery. "You were the one who thought it'd be a good idea to stare into the face of an Ancient Nightmare. God, how stupid can you be?"
Klaus clenched his fists. "Hey, shouldn't monks be more polite with their words? You're blaspheming the monk title," he retorted with a smug grin, though deep down, he knew Fruity was right. He had been reckless to send his sense into the bead. And now, he was paying the price for it.
Fruity clicked his tongue, giving Klaus a sideways glance. "Tsk, tell me, do you want some tea?" he asked with an infuriating smirk.
"Not today, bastard," Klaus replied, his irritation growing. He didn't like what his past self was hinting at. He wanted to learn more about his past, but he hadn't even processed the last memory yet. Watching his mother die had affected him more than he cared to admit.
"Tsk, weakling," Fruity said, dismissively waving his hand. "Then go back. Oh, and hey, you don't happen to still be infatuated with dragons, do you?" He smiled, but it wasn't a friendly one.
Klaus's eyes widened in sudden realization, but before he could ask anything, his vision darkened. He woke up back in the cave, his heart pounding.
"Fuck, my head hurts," Klaus groaned, rubbing his temples. Dive deeper into the story on m-vle-mpyr
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC193: Nine-Headed Azure Dragon
"Fuck, that bastard is too hateful," Klaus muttered, rubbing his temple. He knew he'd been stupid this time. Sending his mind into something the senior had described as a Forbidden Relic was just plain reckless.
Still, he had to blame someone. The fact that he had run into the renegade monk again only fueled his frustration. He had learned the Nine Divine Soul Beads Art from that bastard, so if anyone was to blame, it was his past self.
"And how the fuck is he so damn handsome?" Klaus groaned, feeling an irrational pang of envy over Fruity's good looks. It annoyed him more than it should.
He leaned back, not forgetting to take a sip of water before letting his thoughts spiral any further.
"I'll wait until I'm strong enough to enter the bead again," he decided, his jaw tightening with determination. He wasn't about to give up on it, not after coming this far.
Klaus knew there was something more inside that relic—something worth uncovering—and he wasn't going to rest until he found out exactly what it was.
"Dragons," Klaus muttered, recalling what Fruity had said before sending him out of that strange space. For some reason, hearing the word from his past self as the Renegade Monk stirred something deep within him.
He didn't know what it was, but he had a feeling he would find out soon. Klaus sat back in a lotus position and began meditating, clearing his mind while also pondering the strange sensation he'd felt when he heard "Dragon."
Minutes passed, then hours, yet Klaus remained motionless, deep in meditation. He hadn't had much time to meditate these past few weeks, so he took advantage of the quiet. Half a day drifted by, and still, nothing happened.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
"That could work," he muttered. With a flick of his wrist, a fireball appeared in his hand. He closed his eyes again, allowing the fire to rest in his palm. He wasn't manipulating it or doing anything special—it simply sat there, flickering with a calm, infernal glow.
More minutes ticked by. The fire remained still, burning steadily in his hand, as Klaus continued his meditative state. Then, without warning, the flame shook—but almost immediately, it returned to its tranquil state.
Suddenly, Klaus's eyes snapped open, flickering with an infernal hue. It was like those eyes of his were possessed by a fire deity for a moment.
The cave trembled violently and then exploded, sending debris flying from the mountain peak. From his back, a massive ring appeared—elegant yet imposing.
It exuded an aura of chaos. Within this grand ring, three star-shaped orbs that formed into a perfect triangle could be seen. Inside each orb, small golden, red, and white stars glimmered, each about the size of an apple.
The energy swirling around them was dense, capable of shattering mountains. Suddenly, the fire in Klaus's hands shot upward, soaring into the air. He, too, was lifted, still sitting in his lotus posture.
For a while, the flame just continued to flicker, shifting from red to black then dark gold, and then back to red. Klaus sat in the air looking at it with hungry eyes.
Suddenly, the star flickered and shot forward, entering Klaus's forehead in an instant.
The moment it entered his forehead, his eyes rolled back, and he fell into a trance-like state while suspended in mid-air. The massive golden ring behind him moved, hovering flat above his head. From each star, beams shot forth, forming a triangular dome around him.
In an instant, Klaus found himself in his soul sea, but this time, he was far from the doors. He had arrived in a part of the soul sea filled with burning flames. His soul sea consisted of different types of elemental energies and this time, he was submerged in the fire-type space.
"What is happening?" Klaus muttered, his voice uncertain. But before he could get an answer, the sea of flames began to shake violently. He stood there, watching the fiery waves sway and crash against one another.
"What is happening?" he repeated his voice barely a whisper.
Suddenly, from the depths of the sea of flames, a huge egg formed, made from red and black flames. It shot upward, parting the sea just like the Eye of Malevolence did when it was awakening. The egg is massive, its surface adorned with swirling black markings, radiating intense flame energy.
The moment it surfaced, the entire soul sea trembled. Klaus felt his own soul boil with a terrifying, chaotic energy. A while later, the egg shook and then began to crack.
He watched in awe as the egg began to crack. He held his breath, waiting for what was next, his heart pounding. As expected, the crack widened, and before long, the shell fell apart.
Inside the egg was a ball of flame, roughly the size of five basketballs. The flaming orb suddenly vanished, and Klaus quickly sensed its presence shift. His consciousness was yanked from his soul sea, and then he opened his eyes to the outside world. There, floating above him, was the ball of flame, burning brightly in the air.
Suddenly, it began to swirl, growing larger until it inflated to the size of 50 basketballs. Suddenly, with a deafening explosion, it detonated in a blinding flash, sending a shockwave that blew the trees away.
Klaus, safely inside the protective dome created by the ring, remained unharmed. Instead, he watched curiously, waiting to see what would be left after the explosion.
As the smoke cleared, Klaus saw it. Coiling motionless in the air was a dragon, about the size of an adult human. Its body shook, and with a sudden boom, a wave of fire exploded from it, sending Klaus flying backward this time. He landed hard but never took his eyes off the dragon now hovering in the air.
This time, the dragon became enormous—about 20 meters tall—with four clawed limbs, a scaly red and black body, and two imposing horns on its head.
"Is this... a real dragon?" Klaus muttered, his eyes wide as he studied the creature.
"No," the senior's voice echoed in his mind. "This is a fire dragon made from your element. But it's not just any dragon. It's an embryonic elemental spirit."
"Elemental spirit?" Klaus asked, confused.
"Elemental spirits are like you when you enter your soul sea, but they possess a unique nature. They can exist in both the soul sea and the physical realm. It's not a real dragon, but it is a real dragon in a way."
"So, it's like a dragon spirit?" Klaus pressed, still trying to understand.
"Yes," the senior confirmed, making Klaus smile.
Before he could ask another question, the dragon let out a deafening roar. The sheer force of it made Klaus feel like he was about to die.
"This..." the senior's voice echoed in alarm.
"Brat, you're awakening your fire element," the senior said urgently. At that moment, Klaus felt his soul sea shake violently. Then from the back of the dragon, a large crystal, bone-like structure emerged.
It was the size of a person's palm. However, soon, more began to follow. One by one, nine crystal bones appeared on the dragon's back. Then suddenly, the form of the dragon began to change.
Its body stretched, growing larger. Klaus barely had time to register what was happening before he was lifted into the air again and stopped only when he was a few meters from the dragon. Now floating in front of the dragon, the nine-star tattoos on Klaus's back began to glow.
A bone-shattering pain ripped through him as the stars lit up, but Klaus gritted his teeth, enduring it, knowing something powerful was happening.
As the transformation was completed, the dragon's head began to shimmer. Like a mask shifting, its head changes, revealing another dragon's head instead. Then that head also shifted, and another appeared. This happened eight times in total, giving the dragon nine distinct faces.
By the time the last head was revealed, Klaus's mind went numb, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. He was on the brink of passing out. But just before he lost consciousness, he heard the senior's voice whispering inside his mind.
"The Nine-Headed Azure Dragon."
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC194: The Azure Dragon Spirit
"Fuck, my head hurts," Klaus groaned, clutching his temples as he woke up in an unfamiliar part of the forest. His surroundings looked different, but the pain in his head was just too much for him to care about.
He barely cared where he was; his mind felt like it was being torn apart. After a few moments, the pain subsided enough for him to lift his head and take in the environment.
"The Fire Region," Klaus muttered under his breath. He quickly activated the projection on his tracking watch and confirmed his location, indeed, he was now in the Fire region. Inside the Demons Abode Forbidden Zone, there was an area known as the Fire Region.
It was said that when the apocalypse struck, part of the mountain near the reserve had exploded, releasing chaotic lava. That lava spread across the land, and the monsters that survived were altered, gaining fire-type abilities.
The monsters here were dangerous, far beyond what most could handle. Years ago, the military tried to eradicate them with advanced missiles, but it turned into a disaster. When the nuclear weapon detonated, only a small fraction of the monsters died. Worse, the uranium from the missile mutated the survivors, turning them into berserk, uncontrollable creatures.
After that, the government declared the area a no-hunting zone. Ten years ago, a team of 20 people ventured into the Fire Region, but only two came back. They reported seeing just five monsters still alive in the area, which shocked everyone. The military once again sent another force to investigate, and it was confirmed—the five monsters that remained were Devils.
The military attempted to fight them, but the creatures were too powerful. So they didn't do anything reckless. A while later while making plans to handle them, the overlords of Earth told them to leave, and the military complied, sealing off the area from any further exploration. They officially named it the Fire Region and marked it as a no-hunting zone.
"I need to get out of here," Klaus muttered, forcing himself to stand despite the lingering pain.
"What's the rush, brat? Aren't you after a Fire Devil Core? There are five powerful fire-type beasts here, and your Fire Spirit Dragon needs those," The senior's voice suddenly entered his ear.
"The Fire Dragon?" Klaus asked, immediately remembering what led to him going unconscious again. But before he could process it, he felt a burning sensation on his right arm. Looking down, he saw it—a dragon tattoo, glowing with fiery energy.
Klaus grinned and summoned the dragon with a thought. In an instant, a massive 40-meter-long dragon appeared, its body adorned with two giant horns and nine glowing crystals on its back. Its scales were a deep red, darkened with shadows, and its four clawed legs ended in menacing fire-tipped talons. Just the sight of it made Klaus shudder.
"Very powerful," he muttered, watching the dragon glide effortlessly through the air, its presence radiating heat and fire.
"Senior, I heard you say it's the Nine-Headed Azure Dragon. Care to share more?" Klaus asked, curiosity gnawing at him. For a moment, there was silence, making Klaus wonder if he had misheard. He had been half-conscious earlier, after all.
However, it didn't take long for the senior to start speaking again.
"All you need to know is that your Spirit Dragon is anything but normal. You haven't just awakened your fire element—you've awakened nine of them. Yes, those crystals on its back represent the nine awakened fires, but for now, you can only use one fire element because the Spirit Dragon is weak."
Klaus's eyebrows raised. Nine fires? He could barely process what that meant.
"And when I say it's not a normal dragon, I mean it," the voice continued. "The Nine-Headed Azure Dragon is the only dragon of its kind, born since the Primordial era..."
Immediately the senior said that, the heavens rumbled making Klaus smirk. He knew they were itching for an excuse to send down a tribulation. They had tried the same when he formed the Ice Lotus Bloom with the ice.
However, now, they wouldn't be able to do anything, the dragon wasn't just a skill—it's more like the spirit of his fire element. The heavens couldn't unleash a tribulation just yet, so they were trying to intimidate him instead.
"Go on, Senior," Klaus urged, his smirk growing.
"As I said, it's a one-of-a-kind dragon. Those crystals on its back represent the fire elements you've awakened. The first one is called Chaotic Nirvana Flame, and as the name suggests, it's chaotic, unpredictable."
Klaus observes the first Crystal has more glow to it than the other eight. This of course means that only the first Crystal which is the Chaotic Nirvana Flame is active.
"However, the flame is in a weakened state for now. To restore its full power, you'll need to collect many Fire Devil Cores," the senior explained. "And before you ask, the other flames will awaken as your Spirit Dragon grows stronger."
Klaus nodded, absorbing the information. His dragon wasn't just a weapon—it was more like his fire element made real. It's now stronger in this form and can be controlled, something Klaus wants more than anything.
"Senior, can it talk?" Klaus asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Not yet," the senior replied. "It hasn't awakened its dragon soul yet. So for now, it can only send out emotions, which I'm sure, with your Universal Enigma passive skill, you can easily understand. But it's intelligent enough to know when you're in trouble. I mean, it literally carried you here."
Klaus's jaw dropped upon hearing that. He had been far from the Fire Region before passing out, and now he realized it was the dragon that had brought him all this way.
"This is great! I can finally fly on a fire dragon!" Klaus exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the senior warned. "You need to fully awaken the Chaotic Nirvana Flame and unlock the abilities that come with it before you think about joy rides. Even your dragon knows this. Why else do you think it brought you here? It's after those Fire Devil Cores."
Klaus was taken aback again. The dragon had its own desires and its own purpose. And it even sensed this place, exactly how powerful is it. Klaus was both happy and curious.
"So, I have to kill five Tier 7 Devils," Klaus muttered as he stood up. He walked over to the edge of the cliff the dragon had brought him to. He dismissed it with a wave of his hand and then called it back again.
Seeing the activation speed, he was more than pleased with his gains this time. He stared across the scorching forest expanse, spotting the distant home of the Lava Tail Mountain Lion.
Klaus had made sure to research everything about the Forbidden Zone before coming here. He knew all about the five remaining Devils. The five were the last ones standing after killing all the other monsters and feeding on them.
The Lava Tail Mountain Lion, the Fire Horn Leopard, the Berserker Flaming Wolf, the Laser-Eyed Demon Cheetah, and the Black Flame Devil Fox.
Each one is more dangerous than the last. They were the most fearsome creatures a warrior could ever face, and Klaus—who was still four realms below them—was about to challenge them to feed his flame spirit.
He glanced at the dragon. "Do you have any other abilities aside from flying?"
In response, the dragon rose into the air and lashed its tail forward. A powerful fire arc shot out, slashing into the small mountain where Klaus stood. The rock erupted with flames, sending bits of debris flying when the attack landed.
"Hey! Are you stupid? Do you want to kill me?" Klaus yelled, but a wide grin spread across his face. He was impressed.
"This will do," he said with a chuckle. He mentally went over his arsenal: The Void Piercing Needle, his Eyes of Malevolence linked to the second face on the Pentaface Bead, the Eye of Despair, the Bell of Harrows, and of course, his Nine Star Ice Lotus Bloom. That should be enough.
"This time, I'll shock the whole world when I kill all five Devils," Klaus declared confidently. He pulled up a screen on his tracking watch, his smile widening as he tapped on "Accept."
Just like that, Klaus entered the bounty pool created by the Overlords, a challenge left for anyone brave enough to hunt the five Fire Devils. His name was the only one on the list, marking him as the first person in ten years crazy enough to accept the challenge.
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