NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60: He is known
A few minutes prior.
[I have a thing to advise.]
'Hmh? I'm listening just make it quick.' Temrosth was just about to wake himself up from the ice, while he was still in the state and form of soul.
[Then to say the most important... The Host might have come back and got a great amount of Status from the goddess but the Host has very little actual strength.]
'Yeah, I know only my existence evolved, now I'm like a king with no soldiers and army.'
[Yes, a threat that is only a threat until the enemy does not realize the actual weakness.]
'Then what do...'
[The Host could use the World's Voice to make up for it.]
'...?'
[The Chosen of the World Will's Ruler is the most important to the world right after the Ruler, it will help the Host at all costs, the Host just needs to make up something to give it more freedom.]
'Ruler of... Right, Aidana said something about the world helping me...'
[Yes, with the word's help, any chance-based ability and power will be a hundred percent activated.]
'...'
'Wait, you mean...? Gahahah, I like this new version of you!'
[I'm an entirely new system altogether but I appreciate the kind words, on the other hand...]
[Since the Host's parents have already induced the Voice, the Host could easily take over its rule and become its new target without the need to use any luck at all.]
'I... Nothing is free in any world, what's the catch with this one?' And rightfully, after all the things he lived and died through, Temorsth noticed the flaw.
[There is no drawback except for the Host's parents' luck being used up that is.]
'...!' Clear, undoubted hostility was emitted from Temorsth's whole form of soul.
[Oh, it seems I made a mistake.]
'Yes, you have!'
[I sincerely apologize and ask the Host to calm his rage.]
'You...' How did he dare? That was what Temorsth thought.
This system, a simple tool of convenience, he only used such thing because of its existence as a present, but never has he needed it and yet, it dared to dismiss something so important to him?
If it couldn't do what its purpose was, what he used it for... he no longer needed it, but...
[I assumed the parents weren't important to the Host, with this their loss wasn't considered a drawback.]
'On what basis did you make such an assumption!?'
[In the Host's memorize...]
'Don't say anything! I came back because of them yet you... you dare dismiss my actions as nothing!'
[I apologize, my knowledge and interactions are still limited but I surely will adapt, please bear with my mistakes in such early stages.]
'You... Gk... Sigh... you were right, I understand. Yeah...' Temorsth was not such a person who would throw away things because of emotions, feelings, and such things intervening in his thoughts.
'But first, always consider your words, I feel we'll get along but it won't work out like this.'
[Yes, I'll, and I appreciate the Host's care.]
'Yeah, then...'
[Ah, before the Host goes, I have one last thing.]
'Yes?'
[I have corrected all errors my predecessor made, the Host will reacquire all previous quests and rewards that were almost lost before. Since the Host is in a hurry, I have made a separate window for them that the Host can check out when woken up.]
'Oho? You did? I like you more and more, my system I didn't ask before, what's your name?'
[I do not have a distinct name other than Growth Type, does my Host wish to give me one?]
'Me? Should I give you a name...? It does make communication easier...'
'Hmh, you will help me a lot, make me strong and such... Make... Artifex, no a cooler one. Hmh, haha... let's put there an X, Xartifex.'
[...]
'And was it growth type...? Then it's, Crescentia, yes that is it. From here on out, my system, your name is, Crescentia Xartifex!'
[...] Sadly because of being pressed by time and his racing mind, Temrosth had not yet realized how much these simple thoughts would mean later.
[I thank the Host for the... thought-filled name.]
'Was that sarcasm? If you don't like it say it clearly, it's hard to read your even-toned voice.'
[No, I like it very much!]
'Great, and now let's go, Xartifex! Let's kill those fuckers!'
...
*Crack*
Right at that moment, the crack resounded around the world and even the ones here heard it all.
"Uh?" The Elf Elder's vision split diagonally.
"What..." Feeling such strange things and seeing the world slowly slide apart, he wrapped his hands around the two sides of his head in confusion.
"This...?" And while all those who witnessed such a scenery stood in silence with a shaking persona.
"Hmh..." A small yet chilling grine, a smile reflecting the man who was crumbling away.
"Yes, do not fret..." To the call, the Elf's shaking, questioning eyes turned, only to witness the true terror.
The form, the face, realization touched him through his split vision. The now wide grin on the child's face, visible through the raging flames of darkness was more frightening than anything he had seen before.
The elf's eyes no longer searched for an escape, he knew through both body and soul, but even if he didn't, the words of clarification were told.
"You have already... Died!" With Temorsth solemn words, the few still holding parts cracked and crumbled as well.
[The Heart Wood Spear's unique ability has activated and has cast 'Instantaneous Death']
[The Host has vanquished an Immortal King!]
[The Host is only a Mortal... Rewards from the Realm's System are being drawn in according to the "Unique" accomplishment.]
[...]
[Your Status and Fame have risen, more and more people will know of you all around the world.]
{He, who was he? He was the 'Mortal' boy who killed an Immortal King with a simple thought of his!}
"..." Surprise and fear... Questions, and gazes focusing in and out, while The Voice spoke of something that shouldn't happen, everything here told of the truthfulness of such incredulous claims.
"No..." Seeing someone equal in strength crumble away to something that was neither ash nor dust, the Vampire Elder, the man standing beside Iosif took a turn around.
Yes, he made a run for it, an Elder a few thousand years old powerhouse of his race ran from a boy who did not even reach the age of ten.
"Hmph... Good!" And all this was according to Temorsth's estimation, he was already about to lose control from using the Balance Breaker skill of the spear, but he knew, something that you can't explain is destined to scare the living shit out of ya, and it was right on time for him to switch his power back.
The aura around him, the deep dark sea of flames slowly but surely switched its... Color... No, the whole purpose and feel, and everything else changed too.
It was like when two opposing weights hung from a scale and one got more weight, the careful balance of power was thrown off in an instant.
The cold and rigid metal-like sense dissipated and rather now a calming wood-like texture and energy emerged, the flames that emitted coldness now became hot almost fiery, like normal flames yet not one tongue of flame burned its host, Temrosth, who stood still inside its raging form.
The colors of white, gold, silver, and light green danced around him, almost like the powers of life and light bowed down to him.
But contrary to the warm energy around Temrosth, the four who were paying attention to his every move still had chills from that horrific grin. It was a contrast that was truly scary.
"You running is for naught..." As another spear appeared, now in its normal form, Temorsth eyes turned to a crescent shape.
"But please continue, it's more fun this way!" As he fired it off he spoke with an amused tone, watching the spear follow the Elder in a swift motion.
"...!" Hearing such words and sensing the approaching energy the Elder sped up.
'That spear shouldn't catch him... right?' Iosif silently wondered...
The moment the elf turned to nothingness all the old-timers realized the magic of the attack was instantaneous death, with this the old thing running away made a quick assumption.
'If I don't get hit, I will live...! That spear is weak, it's only that of the Ture Immortal Rank, if I run it won't be able to reach me!' And this was right, yes it was or it should have been...
The ancient thing's eyes widened in terror, hastily dodging Temorsth's spirit spear as it hurtled past him.
Dread became etched across his immortal face. 'How...!?'
*Crack*
"...!" The crumbling of his being... Seeing cracks swiftly spread on his arm, a quick thought...
'An absolute hit rule!?' Followed by swift action.
*Slash* Without a second thought the old thing sacrificed his arm to survive.
'That thing... This shouldn't be possible with that thing!' While clutching at his missing limb, he was staring at the floating spear in front.
All of them, all those who listened to the story and even those who witnessed it, all of them were right, this was impossible it was stupid, arrogant, and unfair...
But unfortunately for Temorsth's enemies, this was the truth, his... Temorsth's Existence now was far greater than his spear's.
He no longer needed to abide by the restrictions because now rather than The Heart Wood being its unique existence, it was just an extension of Temorsth's, and Temorsth made use of his almost godly Rank, his spear was now something that couldn't be looked at as just a Ture Immortal 'thing'.
'Ugh... Absolute hit... If that thing attacks again I will die... No, I could use Transcendence but the distance is not enough... I never was good at it but I have to do it... Teleport.... To be forced by a kid... Such disgrace...'
"Hmh, a decisive and quick instinct... You would be troublesome if only you... Wouldn't be so weak!" At the same time as he was commanding the spear in front of the Elder, Temorsth summoned a new one, instantly firing it at the old man's back.
"This arrogant little shit!" Being forced by incoming attacks from both front and back, the elder used the magic he did not wish to.
Teleport, a magic of instant transference, something this Elder was truly ashamed of since it was something he was bad at, to use magic one needs compatibility and with this spell, there was very little for him.
But even as he only traversed a 'short' few kilometers, if it was the original weapon, it would have completely lost the Elder after just this one use.... but this powered version was simply not as easily dealt with.
Even after multiple uses of his magic, the Elder couldn't get far from the chasing spears.
And amidst suffocatingly desperate attempts, as his breath became haggard from the magic and his energy's constant incompatibility overflowing his Energy Veins...
"Are you getting tired?" A calm tone asked... With its source being right behind his back, the old man froze in place.
"...!"
"That's no good... run... run... FASTER!" The low whisper followed by the loud shout shook him up.
"Agh!" Feeling the tip of the spear, a sharp sting drawing closer to his back, in haste the Elder used his magic once again.
"That's the spirit, it's much better!" Following the Elder, Temrosth took a step in the direction he appeared.
"Ahh! No!" And just as the old man appeared so too did Temorsth right in from of him.
"Yes... fear, isn't it so beautiful?" Looking into the shaking crimson eyes, an ecstatic look was shown on Temorsth's face.
"Get away from me!" Following such continuous provocations, the Elder launched his fist at Temorsth.
As his fist was about to hit this arrogant kid's face, finally some power returned to his eyes, satisfaction and anger, he knew the kid could not possibly dodge this and would die here, and he would survive, adrenalin gushing as his instinct screamed.
His fist was right there... It hit Temorsth's face...
The old man was happy and satisfied, he won... Yes, he won... His joy was true but swiftly...
"Hm... That was close... Or was it not?" Temorsth stood still, looking at the cracked and mutilated arm, then took a step to the side showing his completely fine and still arrogant smirking face to the man.
"...!?" Hearing the voice... Perplexness appeared... Which soon became despair from seeing the face of horror again.
"NO, THIS CAN'T...!" Shakingly, the man retracted his arm... Only to see it fall apart, crumbling to nothing.
"NO!" He fell back, stumbling on his own feet.
"Gahaha...Weak thing, you're shaking so much you can't even stand? Stand up and... Run...!"
"No..."
"Hm? Are you not gonna? Or is that you're so weak you truly can't?"
"No... I'm bagging you, spare me! Please..." The man kneeled up and bowed down.
*Sigh* "Disappointment...."
"No... I can't, I can't die here..." The words without any forgiveness made the old man raise his head, hoping to see an escape.
"...!" Behind Temorsth, far-far away, he saw the only man that he thought could help him.
"Iosif, brother, save me! I'm begging y..." As the Elder crawled towards his only possible savior, he arrived right beside Temorsth's feet...
With a simple downward motion, Temorsth's spear priced the old man's throat, separating the head while letting its words drown in the old man's own blood.
"Hmph, there is no use for pleas... There is no escape... You died, that is it, The End!"