A sizzling sound emanated from the monster’s nostrils. Then, it opened its large mouth, and blue flames surged out like a flood, sweeping toward the nearly hundred people inside the secret base. Wherever the flames passed, the ground crackled, metal frames melted, and flammable items like wooden chairs and tables burst into flames.Amid screams, nearly a hundred people, including Cannis, were engulfed in flames that burned without needing oxygen. In less than half a minute, they were reduced to ashes.Cannis was dead.Due to the unbearable heat, the secret base began to collapse. The monster quickly turned around and, with a few leaps, ran out and arrived at the tunnel entrance. It stood on the mountainside, quietly overlooking Dolsor below.The scattered big shots, including Richie, Kieron, and Eden, understood one thing after witnessing this scene—the group of people inside the tunnel was already dead. From the moment the monster entered the tunnel until it came out, only a few m
"In my opinion, we should swiftly dispatch strong warriors and initiate evacuations for the residents of Dolsor!"Several elders voiced their opposition, concerned about the situation. But despite the dissent, Brice maintained a calm smile. He had unwavering trust in Adrian.While he had considered the possibility of the wolf monster breaking free from Adrian's control, Adrian was currently in Dolsor. Even if the monster went rogue, Adrian's formidable abilities would surely handle it with ease.Bam!Suddenly, Tommy slammed his hand on the table. "Brice, don't think you can act recklessly just because Adrian supports you!" He glanced around at the gathered elders. "Everyone, given the gravity of the situation, we can’t afford to ignore it. Dolsor, though not vast, has a densely populated area with over three million residents. Any misstep could lead to casualties in the millions!"One elder monitoring a large spherical display then suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
Richie furrowed his brow."What's going on with your people, Richie? We agreed that the tallest building would be demolished for me, but where have they disappeared to?" demanded Mad-Vision in a commanding tone.Despite both being powerful figures, Mad-Vision hailed from Falconia, while Richie was from Novena. The significant difference in their nations' strengths gave Mad-Vision a sense of superiority.Richie was displeased with Mad-Vision's tone but dared not show it. Currently, Novena relied on Falconia's support to challenge Dragoria and stir up trouble there. Without Falconia's backing, Novena would be in serious jeopardy. Given Dragoria's current strength, Novena could be annihilated within a month."I apologize, but we haven't yet determined what's happening. Rest assured, we will honor our agreement," Richie replied, sounding notably submissive."It had better be that way. Otherwise, you'll face the consequences," threatened Mad-Vision.Richie turned away and contacted Me
"How about we get out of the carriage and let these two women drive to distract that monster?" Ronnie suggested.Just as Ronnie finished speaking, Mervin heard a startled cry from behind. Mervin glanced back and spotted a figure engulfed in blue flames closing in rapidly. Upon closer inspection, it was the monster."How is it so fast?" Mervin exclaimed in terror.As a level eight warrior, Mervin's vision, judgment, and reaction speed were far superior. No matter how fast the vehicle was, he could handle it. Yet, the monster outpaced them, moving faster than sound.With a roar and a blast of heat, the monster was suddenly right in front of them.Mervin was taken aback. Before the carriage could stop completely, he kicked open the door and leaped out. Ronnie waited for the carriage to slow before following suit. Once clear, they sprinted toward a nearby rocky hill for cover.The two women left in the carriage were paralyzed with fear. Seeing the monster just a few hundred meters aw
"We’re so close to success! So close to leaving Dragoria and starting a new life in Falconia! How could this happen?!" Mervin cried.Ronnie, however, abruptly stood up and dashed back toward the carriage."It must be controlled by someone from Dragoria! Otherwise, it wouldn't be targeting us so precisely! We need to use those two women as hostages!" Ronnie declared urgently.His words struck Mervin like a lightning bolt, snapping him back to reality. He swiftly got to his feet and sprinted toward the carriage as well.Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite at Black Maple Hotel in Dolsor, Adrian lounged on a recliner on the balcony."They're astute. They've deduced the monster is under control. That means I can't let them live. Although my control over monsters will eventually be exposed, I can't afford it to happen so soon, not until I've stirred enough chaos in Novena," Adrian mused.Knowing the corpse injected with the Zero Toxin was the formidable Emalwolf, Adrian suspected Richie's
Mervin and Ronnie had relaxed and were now sitting on a large rock, observing the monster in the distance. Mervin glanced at Ronnie with admiration."Who would've thought our plan would work? It seems Dragoria is cautious of us after all!" Mervin chuckled."Absolutely! Even though our country isn't as strong as Dragoria, Falconia supports us. That makes Dragoria think twice before acting rashly. And don't forget, the Bruins have thousands of members," Ronnie replied, smiling.Mervin sighed softly. "It's unfortunate about Emawolf. Turning into a monster and falling into Dragoria's hands...""Don't worry. Dragoria can control monsters, but they can't create them like we can with Zero Toxin. Falconia and we hold that power. We can create as many monsters as we need in the future," Ronnie said with a wicked grin.Mervin nodded vigorously. "We must inform Richie about this immediately."Just as Mervin prepared to contact Richie, the monster suddenly moved again as if its controller ha
Soon, the flying swords landed in a nearby clearing, and two squads of heavily armed, armored soldiers disembarked. Despite being seasoned level eight warriors, Ronnie and Mervin had no intention of resisting. The presence of the giant wolf monster kept them in check, instilling fear that any reckless action could provoke it. They submitted quietly as the soldiers handcuffed them and led them away.As the flying swords prepared for takeoff, Mervin and Ronnie watched helplessly as the monster turned and headed back toward Dolsor."Damn it!" They clenched their fists in frustration and despair. They had urgent information to relay to Richie about the controlled monster, but now they were unable to do so.In a small village in Novena, Richie's voice resonated through the shack."Incompetent! Utterly incompetent fools!" Richie slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming, "Why didn't they have more flying swords prepared?!"Beside him, Kieron stood silently, his expression dark an
Despite his anxiety, Eden maintained confidence in their plan. While the monster refrained from causing chaos in Dolsor, it undoubtedly captured Dragoria's attention. He believed Dragoria must be preoccupied with managing the monster and wouldn't be closely monitoring them.Setting aside the scrying orb, Eden gazed out at the landscape. It was a dense jungle adorned with hills, rivers, and occasional bird calls."Huh?" Suddenly, Eden froze, spotting a large animal lying on a distant hilltop. Due to the distance and the thick tree cover, he couldn't discern the creature at first."What is it?" Wynone asked curiously.Eden pointed toward the distance and grabbed the binoculars. Peering through them, he let out a gasp of shock. The enormous creature atop the hill was unmistakably the wolf monster.At that moment, the monster ceased emitting flames. Its black-green fur nearly blended into the trees' branches and leaves, rendering it almost invisible."Isn't that the monster? How did
The Daemon Emperor was startled."What is happening? This power..."Formless energy was surging forward, pressuring his nerves and senses.Below, Andy and the others trembled uncontrollably."Who is it?" Finnian stared into the crimson mist.Even Andy was horrified, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene in disbelief, and asked, "What is this? What exactly is happening?" At this moment, Adrian abruptly opened his eyes.Apparently, the Daemon Emperor had once conspired with Adrian's subordinates to ambush him.However, Adrian had managed to annihilate the traitors and sealed this Daemon Emperor. Now, fate had brought them together again."If I killed you once, I can kill you again." Adrian stood tall, his white robes fluttering in the air.The Daemon Emperor was stunned into silence."This is impossible! You're not that mortal boy!""Is that so? In this life, your end has come, and so has the era of the daemons." Adrian's voice was calm yet resolute. He stretched out his han
Adrian's face hardened at the words. He despised threats above all else. While he understood what the mysterious entity desired, he couldn't yet fully comprehend its implications or find a way to counter it. His only choice was to focus on growing stronger.Within the hot spring, waves of raw, terrifying power surged and crashed violently against Adrian's body.The force, though beneficial, was brutal and overwhelming. Adrian's body struggled to endure, cracking as though it were disintegrating."Arghhh!"A heart-wrenching scream echoed as Adrian's flesh was torn apart and his aura gradually dimmed."Ahhh!"His agonized cries echoed once more. He could no longer withstand the pain.In the distance, a towering figure appeared and sneered. "What's this? Can't take it anymore? Pathetic. Humans are truly the epitome of stupidity."Suddenly, Adrian erupted with an explosive surge of energy, and in that instant, he broke through to the pinnacle of the Void Stage."Hmm? He actually b
At that moment, the crowd was speechless.Adrian had ascended as if it were the easiest thing in the world.Faced with such a sight, no one could say much beyond admiration. Even if the Holy Son claimed Adrian had cheated, many secretly wished they could cheat the same way.Lacking Adrian's means, all they could do was envy him.Finnian chuckled. "Haha! You really caught us all by surprise, kid. Still, I'll count this as you repaying me a favor."For Finnian, the outcome couldn't have been better. With a broad smile, he seemed to have achieved his desired result. Adrian's successful climb was all that mattered to him.Once Adrian had vanished, the focus shifted to the rest of the group and their trials.When Adrian opened his eyes again, his entire body ached, but an oddly comforting sensation flowed through him. Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was now in a pond."Where am I?" he asked.Though uncertain about the place, Adrian knew he had cleared the trial and arriv
The onlookers stared in bewilderment, their faces etched with confusion as they struggled to grasp the unfolding events.Meanwhile, Adrian seethed with barely contained rage. This wasn't his first encounter with such torment. Every few steps he ascended, another trial awaited.To Adrian, the relentless punishments felt suffocating. Yet he pressed on—this was the final stretch of the climb. "Adrian, hang in there!" Andy shouted, urging him to conquer the last step. To Andy, reaching that final step symbolized Adrian's growth. He had witnessed Adrian's remarkable resilience countless times and held unwavering faith in his potential. In Andy's eyes, Adrian was destined for greatness. Adrian's expression turned cold as he locked his gaze on the steps ahead. Determination flickered in his eyes. "If reaching the top guarantees a reward, it doesn't have to be me up there. As long as someone makes it, that's enough." With that, he shifted his focus to the void above and formed
Adrian felt as if every nerve in his body was beyond his control. A deep sense of grievance filled his heart as the divine thunder from the void relentlessly crashed down.Rage surged within him, but under the onslaught of endless forces, he felt weak and constrained.Still, he had no choice but to press forward. He knew victory was within reach if he could endure a little longer—giving up now would mean death.If he fell, the shame and humiliation would crush him.Below, the Holy Son and others waited, eager to see him fail and mock him. This left Adrian no option but to push forward, striving toward the void above and his ultimate goal.The violent forces continued to bombard him from the sky.With every step, the thunder's impact intensified tenfold. His soul, already battered from a fierce battle with a horde of beasts, now felt as though it was dragging his exhausted body forward.Anyone else would likely have succumbed to despair. After all, under such immense pressure, ev
The oppressive forces descending from the void seemed determined to halt Adrian’s ascent up the staircase.Yet he refused to yield. To him, these overwhelming challenges were merely obstacles to conquer.He pressed forward with relentless determination.Thunderbolts continued to rain down, but the ominous red light from before did not return—a relief, as he never wished to endure its crushing weight again.The memory of that light still haunted him, leaving a lingering sense of helplessness. Its suffocating pressure had drained his strength, reducing him to a gasping, powerless state.Despite the toll on his body and mind, Adrian remained singularly focused on reaching the final step. His burning desire for greater power drove him forward, unwavering and resolute.Step by step, he ascended, reaching the 95th step in what felt like an instant.Only five steps remained. His gaze locked onto the summit, and a wild glint lit his eyes. A daring idea sparked within him, consuming his
Adrian pondered his situation, his cold gaze reflecting simmering frustration. Yet deep down, he recognized that whoever had designed the staircase was far from ordinary.Creating such a formidable trial required unimaginable power.Even a pinnacle Void Stage expert—or perhaps someone of the Multiply Stage—might bow in reverence before the ladder's creator."He won't last much longer. The divine lightning in this void is utterly destructive. In moments, he'll be reduced to ashes," sneered the Holy Son, his sharp eyes gleaming with malice.To the Holy Son, Adrian's demise was inevitable. Adrian had dared to offend him, and he was certain such audacity could only lead to death.Adrian caught the Holy Son's words and cast him a frosty glare. His intent to kill was unmistakable, though now wasn't the time.The staircase was no place for personal vendettas—eliminating him here would require careful planning.He also knew the Holy Son carried seals of immense power. A reckless move co
Finnian's sharp gaze reflected a hint of admiration. "Kid, you owe me a big favor this time. You'd better treasure this opportunity."Adrian remained silent, unsure how to respond. His cold eyes revealed no emotion, though he fully grasped the challenges ahead.Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford—he'd come too far to back down now.Suddenly, a streak of red light surged from the void, hurtling toward Adrian with terrifying speed. His eyes widened in shock as the crimson beam struck him, slamming him against the staircase.Caught off guard, Adrian collapsed, sprawled helplessly on the steps.The crowd below watched in astonishment. No one had expected his seemingly indestructible body to be overwhelmed so easily.The Holy Son sneered. "Haha! It seems he's triggered some kind of taboo. Let's see how arrogant he is now!"His voice dripped with schadenfreude, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction as he relished Adrian's struggle.Despite the crushing force, Adrian refused
"What exactly is up there pulling me so strongly?" Adrian's expression hardened as he pondered the mysterious force drawing him upward.A surge of violent energy erupted across the sky, crashing down like a raging storm.Adrian advanced cautiously, each step deliberate and precise.Gone were the reckless strides of before—now he moved with steely determination, fully aware of the lurking dangers.He'd learned that the void's formidable forces seemed to target him directly, compelling him to proceed step by step. Any attempt to bypass its unseen barriers would provoke a devastating strike."Ridiculous," Adrian muttered. "If I've chosen to climb, nothing will stop me."The void's relentless power intensified.Bolts of thunder hammered down mercilessly, battering Adrian's body. Yet fear never crossed his mind.What was there to be afraid of?To him, the divine thunder wasn't an obstacle—it was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A