NOVEL NEXT Chapter 424: Finally Out
Yet, the middle-aged man remained indifferent, unmoved by her venomous rage or the monstrous aura she emitted.
Her petrifying curse, previously devastatingly effective against every mortal, had absolutely no effect on this enigmatic newcomer.
His gaze swept coldly across the cavern, landing upon Magi, who had collapsed unnoticed beside a massive stone boulder, hidden from the earlier chaos.
Disregarding the raging demoness completely, the middle-aged man walked calmly and deliberately toward Magi.
Approaching silently, he spoke indifferently, his voice chillingly emotionless yet somehow compelling. "You… What is your name?"
Magi, breathing heavily yet somehow maintaining his calmness, lifted his gaze. He stared directly into the eyes of the indifferent being before him.
In that moment, despite his powerlessness, Magi refused to let fear dominate him any longer. "Magi Alzareth," he replied, controlling his breath.
Though he had regained his composure, an unwillingness to die burned fiercely within him. Revenge still lay unfinished within his heart, a fire that refused to be extinguished.
The mysterious man looked at Magi briefly, a slight spark of interest flickering in his otherwise indifferent eyes. "Why are you so weak? You have such absurd talent rarely found among the human race. Five Elemental affinities and all at Tier 4."
Magi's expression hardened bitterly, self-hatred and frustration boiling internally. His fists clenched tightly, voice strained with restrained anger and despair. "I'm crippled."
Yet the middle-aged man simply stared back emotionlessly, his voice unyielding, condemning, "Merely the excuses of the weak."
Anger flared dangerously within Magi, his expression twisting into frustrated rage. How could this enigmatic figure understand his agony, his desperation to gain strength, the torment of losing everything important due to powerlessness?
Yet Magi held his tongue, knowing words were meaningless now.
After observing Magi silently, the man's indifferent eyes looked at him as he saw a hint of familiar aura on his body. "Looks like you came here due to that Old Daoist, huh. Very well, since he chose you, I will give you my inheritance. If you can grow up in time, then I can leave."
Pausing briefly, his voice lowered to a solemn whisper, filled with gravity. "Listen carefully, the path I walk is the Heretical God Path, a path that opposes the very heavens themselves. It exists outside every known path, unrestrained and utterly ruthless. To cultivate it, you must constantly make sacrifices. Now, whether you become strong or remain weak is entirely dependent upon your resolve."
Without further explanation, the middle-aged man thrust his katana straight through Magi's chest, impaling his heart cleanly.
Magi's eyes widened with shocked agony, mouth opening yet incapable of voicing his torment.
In the next instant, Magi's body fell backward, plunging into a conveniently opening spatial fissure.
Calmly turning back toward the demoness, the middle-aged man coldly commanded, voice devoid of mercy, "Kill yourself. You're not my opponent."
The demoness hissed furiously, having already retreated halfway into the abyssal fissure beneath her. "Hisss…Heretic…you will be hunted relentlessly in higher realms! Don't speak arrogantly before this venerable one!"
The middle-aged man merely raised his katana again, indifferent eyes devoid of concern. "It doesn't matter," he replied coldly. "I will behead anyone standing in my path."
His blade sliced downward with unmatched sharpness and finality, a supreme sword intent instantly cleaving toward the demoness.
***
Orion tumbled violently through chaotic darkness, his senses overwhelmed by the disorienting spatial currents surging around him.
The turbulent energy battered his already weakened body, aggravating his injuries. Yet, despite this torment, Orion refused to succumb, fiercely maintaining his consciousness while trying to dodge the most fierce spatial turbulence.
Suddenly, his surroundings stabilized, the chaos subsiding momentarily as he found himself violently expelled from the fissure.
He crashed harshly onto solid ground, gasping painfully as fresh agony surged through him. With considerable effort, Orion raised his head, eyes swiftly scanning his new surroundings.
He lay upon lush, emerald grass beneath an expansive azure sky, the scent of fresh greenery filling his senses.
Towering trees stretched around him, their vibrant leaves rustling gently in a cool breeze. The peaceful chirping of distant birds filled the air, a stark contrast to the terror-filled cavern he had just escaped.
Relief flooded Orion, mixed with exhaustion and uncertainty.
His heart anxiously thought about his companions. Where had the spatial fissures cast them? Were they safe or lost somewhere beyond his reach?
As Orion tried to calm his racing heart, Asteraxa's voice suddenly resonated clearly in his Sea of Consciousness, soothing and reassuring.
[You don't need to worry about the others. Just now, I felt a force stabilizing the spatial tunnels. It seems the person who attacked earlier made a move specifically to save all of you.]
Hearing her gentle words, Orion exhaled slowly, feeling the tension easing from his strained muscles. Though still battered and exhausted, at least one burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Orion trusted Asteraxa completely, and her confirmation alleviated his deepest fears. If someone capable of unleashing such terrifying power chose to protect them, it was unlikely that any real harm would come to his companions.
"Thank goodness, no wonder I was able to come out alive of that," Orion murmured softly, a faint, weary smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He forced himself to stand, ignoring his bruised and broken body. His vision swayed momentarily, forcing him to steady himself against the sturdy trunk of a towering tree.
The fresh, cool air helped clear his foggy mind, and the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds gradually soothed his battered nerves.
Scanning his surroundings cautiously, Orion observed the lush, verdant forest more closely. The massive trees loomed high above, their dense canopies casting shadows upon the grassy forest floor.
Far away, the cries of unfamiliar beasts echoed faintly, serving as a distant reminder that despite the peaceful facade, he was deep within the Desolate Wilderness.
Powerful mana fluctuations emanated faintly from every direction, hinting at both hidden treasures and lurking dangers.
Orion took out the communication crystal Lucan had given him before he went inside the ruin. Infusing it with his mana, he sent a brief yet clear message: [I'm safe and have come out. Looks like I'm in the Desolate Wilderness. Look for the others first, I should be safe here for now.]
After sending the message, Orion placed the crystal safely back in his inventory. Drawing a deep breath, he slowly activated his Dragon bloodlines, allowing a powerful draconic pressure to radiate outward.
It was not an aggressive display, merely a clear warning to nearby beasts. As his formidable aura spread through the forest, countless weaker creatures hurriedly fled, sensing an apex predator's presence.
Soon, the immediate vicinity fell silent and peaceful, free from any imminent threats.
Sighing softly in relief, Orion limped forward, carefully searching for a concealed spot to properly tend to his wounds.
After several minutes, he located a secluded, moss-covered cave partially hidden behind thick vines. He entered cautiously, ensuring no powerful creatures had claimed this refuge.
He sat down upon the rough ground and slowly began circulating his mana, carefully guiding it through his meridians and healing channels while taking out a few healing elixirs he had taken before coming out.
Soft golden radiance enveloped his injured body, gradually mending broken bones and torn muscles. His breathing calmed down as he steadied his heartbeat, gradually entering a state of meditation.