Chapter 64: Surge in power, the End (1)
"GREY!" Lia’s pupils shrank as a wave of dread washed over her.
"Kekekeke," Zeryth grinned wickedly. "This small fry... did he really think he could match my strength? I thought he’d be difficult to deal with. What a joke!"
At the same time, his frown deepened. "Strange... this human’s blood. It’s not red."
The blood oozing from Grey’s body was purple-black, flecked with dim, glowing specks that shimmered faintly when they splattered on the ground. He honestly doubted whether this guy was human at all.
"N-No..." Lia’s eyes went blank as she stared at Grey’s fallen body. "This... this can’t be real! How can something like this happen?"
"That guy’s dead, human," Zeryth said with a smirk. "I thought he might be someone special—able to sense my true identity. I overestimated him. But he’s just a small fry who knew too much."
However, at the same time, neither Zeryth nor Lia noticed the tidal wave of energy now surging through Grey’s body.
Death Ascension Art – Activated!
Buzz!
An unknown power seeped into Grey’s body. The wound in his stomach slowly closed as black-purple blood surged from his heart.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
His previously still heart began to beat again, growing stronger with each passing second.
.
Crk! Boom!
Nexus energy erupted from his body like a tidal wave, painting the area in a starry-sky-like scene. The ground beneath him cracked and lifted, defying gravity as it floated.
Buzz!
Purple-black veins spread from Grey’s eyes as he shot into the air, suspended mid-flight. His long hair broke free from its ponytail, flaring wildly.
His eyes slowly opened, transformed—pupils pulsing with purple energy, black-hole-like dots at their centers, with veins of violet creeping across his sclera.
He extended his arm and spoke with calm precision: "Zenith Sword Art, Myriad Swords."
Swish! Swish! Swish!
His spatial ring flashed, and swords wreathed in purple fire-like energy shot toward Zeryth at blinding speed.
Zeryth’s eyes widened in alarm. He spun to defend, but the swords were faster than he anticipated.
"Shit!" Zeryth cursed, chanting an Abyssal spell. "Abyssal Wall!"
Swish! Boom! Srrkt!
The flying swords slammed against his barrier, tearing slightly into it before throwing him back.
Grey’s feet touched the ground lightly, and at that moment, a wave of energy burst outward. His body’s energy field expanded, reconstructing itself with greater space. Muscles tightened, nerves strengthened, and bones solidified. Nexus energy bathed his entire body, his psionic pool churned, and his sea of consciousness expanded.
1st Rank, Level 2!
"Grey!" Lia’s voice trembled with disbelief.
Hearing Lia’s call, Grey didn’t reply. His focus was entirely on Zeryth, who now looked at him with a flicker of surprise.
"You... broke through?" Zeryth asked, a trace of doubt in his voice. Then he laughed, cold and scornful. "But do you really think breaking through once is enough to defeat me, you puny low-level brat?"
Swish! Boom!
He shot forward at bottleneck speed, tearing the air around him.
Before he could reach Grey, another wave of energy surged outward.
Another breakthrough!
1st Rank, Level 3!
Grey waved his hand. Nexus energy formed intricate patterns in the air.
Crimson Fang Surge!
Condensed beams of Nexus energy shot straight toward Zeryth.
Boom!
The beams clashed head-on, sending Zeryth flying slightly backward.
"Y-You..." Zeryth’s face twisted in disbelief. "How... how are you suddenly stronger?"
He realized Grey had broken through again, his strength now rivaling a 7th-rank Evolver.
Yet it didn’t stop. Another wave of energy swept from Grey.
1st Rank, Level 4!
Grey waved his hand, and the warehouse crumbled. The ground beneath him cracked and rose, forming sharp jagged structures. Purple flames danced over them and surged toward Zeryth with unstoppable momentum.
"This... this is telekinesis?" Zeryth exclaimed. "Weren’t you an immortal cultivator?"
Judging by Grey’s attacks so far, he had assumed Grey was an immortal cultivator—but now, it was clear he was also utilizing psionic energy.
"Telekinesis..." Lia whispered under her breath. "I knew it..."
Zeryth’s expression grew deadly serious. He could no longer hold back; it was time to play his full hand.
"Abyssal Convergence!" he shouted in Abyssal tongue. Missile-like shots were sucked into a black globe of energy before detonating harmlessly.
"I never said anything about that," Grey said coldly, a small smile forming. "In fact, I’ll just stand here and let someone else do the work. Mimi, you’re up!"
As as soon his words fell, a flash of silver streaked toward Zeryth—and to his shock, it was a small cat.
Before he could react, the cat slapped him across the face with a cheerful smile. "Mimi~"
Buzz! Boom!
The moment her tiny paws landed, the world flashed black and white. Zeryth was hurled skyward as grey energy erupted from Mimi’s hand, air twisting violently around him.
"Huh...?" Zeryth muttered in disbelief, hovering in the air as he stared at the cat.
Even Lia was dumbfounded.
What sort of godly cat is this?
It had just sent a late-stage 1st Ranker flying across the map!
But it wasn’t over. Mimi’s fur crackled with grey energy as it shot upward like a bolt of lightning, the ground beneath it splintering from the sheer force.
"You filthy animal!" Zeryth roared as dense black energy erupted from him. "You deserve to die!"
He charged downward as a sword flashed into his hand, propelling himself with Abyssal energy. Mimi meowed sharply and tried to dodge—but it was too late. The dense black energy from Zeryth’s sword struck it. In an instant, It and the energy vanished, leaving a crater behind.
Zeryth landed gracefully on the ground after dispatching the cat, then glared at Grey. "What... what is that creature? It’s clearly not a mutated beast. It gives off no beastly energy... how can it possibly reach this level of strength?!"
Grey merely smiled. "You can ask it yourself."
The air around him distorted, and the cat dropped to the ground.
"!!!" Zeryth’s expression froze.
It was the same cat he had disintegrated moments ago.
Before he could react further, Mimi charged once more, meowing happily. Waves of sword energy erupted from its body, racing straight toward Zeryth.
"Mimi~!"