A Few Moments Ago.
As Aengus observed the battle unfolding, he frowned, realizing that the greater demons were interfering far earlier than anticipated.
“It’s time…”
“Body Duplication!”
In an instant, Aengus split into two.
“Manas, calculate the distance and aim for Drath Strings on the larger targets,” he commanded.
“Calculating…
Calculation complete, Master. I can take control of your doppelganger to execute the strikes, if you prefer,” Manas suggested.
“Do it,” Aengus agreed, knowing it would be difficult to precisely target multiple enemies with just his own mind. But Manas was different—precise and calculating as an intelligent being.
“Great!” Manas’ cheerful voice echoed as she temporarily took over the doppelganger, and Aengus’s duplicate’s eyes shifted from black to a glowing blue.
“Wait! Don’t kill them completely—we need them for our Legion!” the real Aengus reminded.
The doppelganger smiled playfully, nodding. “Yes, Master. I know.” She seemed to relish the chance to stretch her muscles in the borrowed body.
“”Spectral Death Strings!””
Both Aengus and his doppelganger (Manas) activated the ability simultaneously, releasing invisible threads from their fingertips, delicate and deadly like spider webs.
With a swift wave of their hands, the Death Strings shot toward the enemy Nagas, all of whom were Greater Demon rank.
One of the strings even reached Sienna, saving her from certain doom.
Sienna glanced instinctively toward her new lord and gave him a grateful nod, understanding it was his doing.
In an instant, more than 15 Greater Demons were incapacitated, bound by the spectral strings but not entirely slain.
Aengus took note of the cost—each use of the ability drained 5,000 Nether energy. Without hesitation, he converted a portion of his remaining Mana into Nether energy. One more use of the ability, and victory would be his.
The enemy ranks were thrown into chaos, fear spreading like wildfire at the sight of their fallen comrades.
“Commander! Commander! Call the Naga King! That man is dangerous—we need his majesty’s help, or we’ll all be dead!” Naga soldiers shouted in terror.
The commander furrowed his brows. “Silence! His majesty will be here any moment. That man will be dealt with swiftly. Do not panic. Understood?”
But before they could respond, a towering figure loomed behind the commander—the Naga King himself had arrived. The soldiers immediately bowed in respect.
“Commander Zula, what happened here? Why wasn’t I informed sooner?” the King demanded sternly, his imposing presence dwarfing even the commander.
The Naga King towered at nearly 40 meters tall, with seven heads crowned by a gleaming, jeweled crown atop his largest head. His scales were a deep blue, streaked with red, and contrasted against the black of his formidable body.
“Your Majesty, a half-breed royal has declared war on us! Please, kill him immediately!” the commander bowed low, his snake-like head trembling with urgency.
“Hmph! Who dares to challenge me?” the Naga King scoffed, his many eyes scanning the battlefield. He soon spotted Aengus’s two forms, their synchronized gestures performing something beyond belief.
“Your Majesty, help!” came the panicked cries of his soldiers, as another ten Greater Demons fell, one by one, incapacitated by the unseen strings.
The Naga King’s expression darkened, fury surging through him. His many heads twisted in rage.
“Audacious! How dare he challenge me!” he roared. “Die!”
With a bellow of rage, the Naga King unleashed a dense cloud of poisonous miasma from his body, gliding with terrifying speed toward Aengus. Along the way, he crushed and slew any wolves that dared block his path, their bodies collapsing as he advanced.
However, his massacre of the wolves was futile. Aengus could revive them with some efforts later on.
Aengus sensed the Naga King’s presence and quickly activated Appraisal to see its information to coounter them.
[ Appraisal ]
[ Name: Nagashar Drazzorth (Bestowed by Ancient Red Serpent)
[ Age: 199 years ]
[ Blessing: Blessing Of Ancient Red Serpent ]
[ Abilities:
– [ Venomous Domain ]
– [ Serpent Crown of Illusion ]
– [ Poisonous Miasma Control ]
– [ Petrifying Gaze ]
– [Body Duplication ]
– [ Naganian Transformation ]
“….”
Aengus stared at the approaching Naga King, momentarily speechless as he took in the information and power of the creature.
“Manas, are you sure you calculated the odds correctly?” Aengus asked, raising an eyebrow in concern.
Manas, standing opposite him, grinned confidently. “Yes, Master. Don’t worry. I’ll be joining you as well. I can disperse his illusions, and you can use your darkness abilities to resist his Petrifying Gaze.” Manas flashed a bright smile, seemingly unfazed by the towering threat.
With a shrug, Aengus shifted his focus back to the battlefield, fully aware that the coming clash would be one of the toughest he’d ever faced.
The Naga King, with his seven heads and a body the size of a small mountain, suddenly leapt into the air, unleashing his Venomous Domain. Instantly, a 500-meter radius was consumed by a hellish atmosphere, toxic fumes choking the life from the very air.
“Doombringer Fortification!”
“Darkness Haki!”
“Armored Black Scales!”
Aengus and Manas activated their defensive and boost abilities, trying to hold off the overwhelming force of the venomous domain. Even with these layers of protection, Aengus felt a tingling sensation crawl across his skin. Glancing at his hand, he noticed faint blue smudges appearing—poison, though barely visible.
Thanks to his Pain Resistance, Aengus felt little discomfort, but the creeping poison was undeniable. He clenched his fist, feeling the raw power of his 2,400 stat points coursing through his body.
As the Naga King’s massive form came crashing down from above, Aengus and Manas moved with enhanced agility, swiftly dodging to either side.
The Naga King, now enraged, roared, “Who are you? Why are you attacking our peaceful tribe?!”
Aengus met the creature’s furious gaze with a laugh. “Conquer, of course. Surrender and serve me, and you’ll be spared,” Aengus said, his voice domineering and merciful.
“Hahaha… Puny half-breed, you really think with your meager power you can defeat me? I’ll kill you first, then crush those ants!” the Naga King sneered, his seven heads twisting with malice.
Aengus, standing fearlessly with his arms crossed, smirked. “As you wish. You won’t get a second chance.”
While the exchange continued, Manas quickly took the opportunity and launched a black fireball at the Naga King.
Sensing the incoming threat, the Naga King turned with a menacing grin. “You’re too young to try that trick on me, insolent one!”
With a terrifying hiss, he opened all seven of his mouths, gathering a massive amount of miasma into a single concentrated point. In an instant, he unleashed the deadly cloud, targeting both the fireball and Manas with devastating force.
