CHAPTER 37: | THE AFTERMATH
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Swish! Shook! Splash!
Blood splashed everywhere as Liora's sword carved through their form mercilessly.
One could hear Astria's choked cries as she begged.
But Liora only kicked her stomach, snorting as she gazed at Astria with disdain.
"Blame yourself, for you have failed to educate your children."
Splash!
Liora's blade cut through the last crabman alive.
She swept it forcefully to cleanse it of their blood, then clicked her tongue.
Tch.
"Count your blessings, for Master has taken an interest in you."
Liora's gaze was extremely cold, unlike her normally lively exterior, as she kicked Astria's head, knocking her out cold.
Swish! Swish!
Her sword moved with precision as she cut through their exoskeletons before she pricked their flesh and feasted on them.
While shouting, she gazed at Alister, whose gaze was fixated on Astria with interest.
"Master, stop intently glaring at that insufferable woman and eat!"
Astria's cries ruined my appetite, so I shook my head in response.
Perhaps it was because I'd remembered something unpleasant.
Still, now with this castle as my base, operating on this world would be a possibility, as I could use Astria once I'd tweaked her memories.
Then, I gazed at the holograms before me, as they displayed my glorious victory.
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[You have slain.]
• S: 1 | T: 9 | Level 10 | Apostle of Light Gabriel [6★]
• S: 1 | T: 6 | Level 19 | Abyssal Seraph [5★]
• S: 1 | T: 4 | Level 13 | Zypherwing Warden [4★]
[You have gained.]
[23,500,000 - EXP.]
[You have gained a level.] x47
[You have ascended to the next tier.]
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[You have slain an Overlord.]
[You've obtained.]
• [Overlord Slayer]
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[You have devoured.]
• S: 1 | T: 9 | Level 10 | Apostle of Light Gabriel [5★]
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[Skills Devoured.]
• Celestial Core [Tier 7]
• Divine Gaze [Tier 7]
• Divine Self-Restoration [Tier 8]
• Eyes of Purity [Tier 8]
• Fourfold Wings of Heaven [Tier 8]
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[Grotesque Physique would like to devour these skills.]
• Celestial Core [Tier 7]
• Divine Gaze [Tiero7]
• Divine Self-Restoration [Tier 8]
• Eyes of Purity [Tier 8]
• Fourfold Wings of Heaven [Tier 8]
[Yes] / [No]
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Celestial Core [Passive | ▪︎]
Gabriel's very essence is powered by the Celestial Apex Core, a nexus of pure, concentrated divine energy. This core grants him unparalleled abilities and, if ruptured, detonates in a cataclysmic, purifying supernova.
Divine Gaze [Active | 40 - Mana | ▪︎]
Gabriel fixes his golden eyes on a single target, unleashing a concentrated beam of purifying light. This beam inflicts searing pain and can temporarily disrupt the target's internal mana flow or physical coordination. It's particularly effective against 'abominations' or dark-aligned entities, cleansing and debilitating them.
Divine Self-Restoration [Passive | ▪︎]
Gabriel's divine essence allows for rapid, near-instantaneous regeneration from all but the most catastrophic injuries. Minor wounds close within moments, and even severe damage can be mended swiftly, drawing directly from the energy of his Celestial Core.
Eyes of Purity [Passive | ▪︎]
Gabriel's cross-shaped golden irises allow him to perceive the true nature of beings and energies, seeing through illusions, cloaking abilities, and discerning the precise composition of mana and intent. This grants him unparalleled analytical ability in combat.
Fourfold Wings of Heaven [Passive | ▪︎]
Gabriel inherently possesses four magnificent, feathered wings of brilliant light. These wings grant him absolute mastery of flight, allowing him to maneuver through any medium (air, water, even ethereal spaces) with perfect control, generating powerful gusts of wind or light with each beat. They also enhance his speed and defensive capabilities.
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I focused my gaze on the eye-related skills, a low chuckle escaping my lips.
"It seems that hypocrites have some amazing tricks up his sleeve. But sadly, he's too dumb to properly use them."
Flick!
With a flick of my finger, another set of holograms appeared as I dragged all the compatible skills into the fusion table.
Before clicking 'Yes' without any further ado.
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[Would you fuse these skills?]
• Fourfold Wings of Heaven + Ethereal Glide
• Demon Eye + Eyes of Purity
• Celestial Core + Void-Shifting Nexus
• Corrupting Gaze + Divine Gaze
[Yes] / [No]
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[You have gained.]
• Celestial Void Rings [Ascension I]
• Gaze of the Fallen [Ascension I]
• Seraphic Extensions [Ascension I]
• Vision of the Fallen [Ascension I]
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Celestial Void Rings [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
Alister's very essence is powered by the Celestial Void Rings that orbit his core, a nexus where pure, concentrated divine energy merges with a swirling vortex of refined shadow. These rings grant him enhanced abilities, fueling his exceptional evasion and speed, while amplifying his raw power. If ruptured, they detonate in a volatile, purifying burst of energy that significantly impacts the immediate area with unstable shadow.
Gaze of the Fallen [Active | 80 Mana | Ascension I | ▪︎]
Alister fixes his transformed eyes upon a target, unleashing a pervasive torrent of purifying light intertwined with chaotic energy. The very act of his gaze inflicts searing pain, profoundly disrupting the target's internal mana flow and physical coordination. This debilitating effect is particularly potent against 'abominations' or dark-aligned entities, debilitating and cleansing them with its overwhelming, destructive force.
Seraphic Extensions [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
Alister manifests six magnificent, feathered Seraphic Extensions of brilliant light. These grant him absolute mastery of flight through any medium, generating powerful gusts of wind or light, and enabling rapid, untrackable movements that inherently enhance his speed and defense.
Vision of the Fallen [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
Alister's eyes glow, instilling profound arrogance in himself and paralyzing dread in foes. This Vision of the Fallen perceives the true nature of beings and energies, effortlessly seeing through illusions and discerning mana and intent, granting him unparalleled analytical ability while intimidating lesser creatures.
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Pain struck my form as I felt the evolution of my fused skills coursing through me.
My strength had yet again surged as I was breaking free from the mold that was restricting me.
Blood gushed from my seven orifices as my body expelled impurities in the form of blood.
As the formation of 'Celestial Void Rings' was forming at my heart in real time, it expelled the impurities from my body while enhancing the potency of my mana.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My heart throbbed like a war drum.
The creation of a 'Celestial Void Ring' struck my nerves with pain.
My veins bulged uncontrollably as something elevated my physique into the next realm.
Tsss! Tsss!
Heat escaped from my skin.
I felt it, the increase of my strength had doubled from a mere 'ring' forming at my heart.
"HAHAHAHA!"
My laughter echoed as Liora gazed at me, shock twisting her features, her hands trembling as she pointed.
"How? How could you increase your power in such a short period?"
She was in disbelief as she gazed into the irises of her master.
She could see the subtle shift in them.
As blood poured from her master's eyes, they transformed into something more terrifying.
Then her hands trembled in disbelief as she pointed at the back of her master, wings as brilliant as those of the Seraph appeared on his back.
Liora couldn't believe it.
How?
How could he obtain abilities others could not replicate?
So how?
It was not logically possible.
Even in her past, she didn't even encounter beings as broken as this.
She slumped to the ground, her legs weak, as the gaze of her master locked onto her.
Cough! Cough!
Blood gushed from Liora's mouth as she coughed violently.
She felt with terrifying certainty that her master's gaze alone could kill her
Liora reached out her hand as she muttered lowly, her vision flickering in and out with pain.
"Stop..."
Thud!
Liora lost consciousness.
My gaze, the 'Gaze of the Fallen,' inflicted her injuries.
"Too weak."
Liora was too weak.
Even with her Tier now at Tier 8, she was far too weak to withstand my gaze.
"My child!"
Astria woke up as I gazed at her panicked, confused figure.
She screamed in pain, raw sorrow etched onto her face.
She glared at me with the intent to kill.
Her form vanished from the ground, only to appear inches away from me, her hands now covered with a diamond-like sheen.
Clang!
My hands transformed into a crystalline shade as 'Crystalline Impactor' activated, and with a sweep of my hand, her clawed hand flew.
She crashed into my chest, sobbing uncontrollably as she muttered.
"You liar! Why! Why! Why did you let her kill my everything? Why, you monster!"
Her screams echoed as she smacked her hands against my chest, tears pouring down from her eyes like rivers.
I gazed at her with pity as I raised her chin, meeting her gaze.
All I could see before me was a broken maiden, weeping for her deceased children.
"Cry all you want, for I let your child die before your eyes... Now, be mine and serve me for eternity. I will bring you salvation, for I shall let you kill their lord host. As it was their fault that I've been drawn to your castle."
Astria cried and sobbed, for she knew that all of this happened because of the Seraph.
How could her tiny castle draw a being as powerful as this like this?
It was those seraphim fault, those otherworldly beings that brought ruin to her children.
She rested her head on the monstrosity before her as she sobbed in pain.
She could see it, a draconian-like being with antler-like horns and wings like those of the damned Seraph.
She bit her lips, then muttered, her voice hoarse.
"My lord, please accept this broken woman! No, please let me bear your progeny! Please let me create the ultimate weapon in existence to smite those damned seraphs!"
Her voice was resolute.
A smile formed on my lips as I chuckled at her with interest.
This woman...
...was more than met the eye.
She was more alluring than expected, like those of my wives.
I gazed at her sky-blue eyes, burning with fury, as I licked my lips, then smiled, a smile so twisted that even a devil would cower.
"Yes. Just as I expected, you are the perfect pawn!"