The players tore apart the immobilized enemies like rabid dogs. They knew that this was the one and only chance they had at winning the war.

‘I should get moving as well,’

Zyrus took out the bloodspine spear and strode towards the scorpion king. The latter's armor was shattered into pieces by Zyrus’s skill. The black sword was also filled with visible cracks after it destroyed the shackles that were trying to bind him.

Both of them needed some time to gather their energy before the final clash. It wasn't just them either as Kyle, Jacob, and the rest were also preparing their final attack.

“Leave this area to me.”

“Roger that,” Shi kun nodded and moved to the side along with Pouka.

Zyrus was sure that he was far ahead of everyone when it came to recovery speed. After seeing the laws of sanctuary with his soul, he had obtained a clue as to how he could integrate the concepts with his mana. If not for his Eye of Annihilation there was no way he could have manifested concepts this easily.

Although the Shackles of Nihility were an inferior version of a domain, this was enough to deal with the current situation.

Zyrus predicted that with enough practice, he’d be able to harness more power with greater efficiency. Shackles of Nihility was a spell that required precision and control above all else.

He didn’t have to erase everything. Heart, Brain, Muscles, tendons… even by erasing the smallest section of the opponent he would be able to win with ease.

It wouldn’t work against ridiculously powerful opponents like Nidraxis, but it was deadly when used against those on the same level as him.

The Scorpion King's eyes met Zyrus's reptilian pupils, and they both realized that now was the time.

Clang

The outcome of the clash between their sword and spear was the same. Both of them stumbled a step back and took on a defensive stance. Unlike before, it was the scorpion king who was anxious about his subordinates.

Half of the terracotta warriors were wiped out against the onslaught of players. It was only a matter of time before the players finished them all.

Thrust

-500

“Haha…You sure you can afford to think about the others?” Zyrus took the window of opportunity when the scorpion king was looking sideways and delivered another blow to the armor.

Clang

The duo exchanged a flurry of blows, and to the scorpion king's dismay, he discovered another big problem.

The irritating sound of scraping metals proved that their weapons were not on the same level. This wouldn't have been a big issue at the start, but things changed in this all-out clash.

Skreech

“Wanna bet who will break first?” Zyrus slashed with fierce momentum as the Scorpion King’s sword was on the verge of breaking.

FLASH

A deadly black aura surged from the scorpion king and enveloped his sword. He bent his knees slightly and held the sword horizontally.

This was the inside sword stance, a prerequisite for many swordsmanship styles.

With one hand against his chest and the other against his heart, he wielded the double-handed sword for the final strike.

It was such a picture-perfect posture that Zyrus couldn’t help but respect his opponent. Thus, he too held his spear in a thrusting stance.

The scorpion king was a worthy opponent, and he would honor his death by killing him with his strongest attack.

[Piercing Shadows]

[Spatial Stab]

Puchuk

-???

-1500

Neither of them was pushed back this time. The sword and the spear reached their target as two red numbers floated against one another.

“Cough…You might’ve had a chance if your weapon was in better condition,” Zyrus spat a mouthful of blood and pulled his spear back.

His armor and scales were effortlessly pierced by the scorpion king's sword. Fortunately for him, his weapon was longer than the enemy’s.

The scorpion king knew that as well. He was more than willing to exchange his life for the final attack.

However, his attack, along with his life, ended the moment Zyrus's spear touched his heart.

The implosion of matter and mana spared nothing.

Exp +100,000

[Level up!]

[+2 Strength]

[+1 Agility]

[+1 Mana]

“ZYRUS!”

“Are you all right?”

His subordinates screamed in worry as they rushed towards his stumbling figure. He had attacked using about 20% of his source of origin, but even then, the power to affect spacetime itself came with a cost.

‘Damn! Everything hurts like hell,’

Zyrus barely held on by leaning on his spear. He had learned a valuable lesson this time. He had thought that just like shackles of Nihility he could use the spatial stab with less energy, but that appeared to be a gross overstatement.

‘I can only use 10% of my source of origin without harming myself.’

It was a conclusion based on the earlier times when he had used the spatial stab. He’d be wrecked from the inside out if he used any more than that.

Only after chugging down a couple of HP and mana potions did Zyrus regain the clarity of mind. Kyle and Shi kun stood by his side to protect him against the remaining terracotta warriors.

In the meantime, Ria and Jacob were dealing with the remaining soldiers with the rest of their troops.

“I'm alright. Treat the others first.”

“Understood.” No one stood on ceremony and went around to help the injured players. Time became exponentially precious where every second could determine life and death.

Zyrus was pleased with the crown holders’ behavior as they knew whom to prioritize. Deaths were inevitable in war. It sounded noble when the leader tried their best to save everyone, but reality was cruel. Resources like Hp potion were limited. A competent leader should know how to use them as per the situation.

‘Now it’s time to look at these,’

There was a flood of messages in front of Zyrus. One of which was especially glaring in his eyes: A dark purple screen adorned with golden borders.

He read the first line on the screen, and it almost made him jump back up.

[You have created a new branch of magic!]

[You have earned the grand achievement: The Architect of Abyss (EX)]

He had found a way to use the power of Origin without being detected by the Eternals.

Just in time a regal voice rang out in the colosseum, marking the end of this event.

[Ding! You have won the war]

[Congratulations! The final event has been completed]

[You have cleared the Pyramid of Tsaatan]

[Additional rewards will be given based on your performance]

“Yeah!”

“Woohoo..”

All of the players cheered with their weapons held high. However, the good news had yet to end.

[You have cleared the event dungeon: Blessing of Cernunnos]

[Additional rewards will be given based on your contribution]

A golden light shone upon the surviving 800 members of Zyrus’s group. A pin-drop silence descended in the area as everyone was busy checking out their rewards.

‘Hmm.. let’s start with the new ones’

Zyrus rubbed his claws in excitement as he clicked on the two additional rewards.

[Congratulations! You are ranked 1st in clearing the Pyramid to Tsaatan]

[You have obtained an extinct species as your subordinates]

[200 specter scorpions pledge their allegiance to you]

[Congratulations! You are ranked 1st in clearing The event dungeon: Blessing of Cernunnos]

[You have obtained the unique item: Ring of command]

[You have acquired the highest blessing in the dungeon! A special reward will be given]

Zyrus looked at the sky above him with pleasant surprise.

“What is that?”

“It’s so beautiful!” Ria and Lauren exclaimed one after another as they craned their head upwards.

Hundreds of black meteors were raining down on the sky filled with white clouds. One by one the light from the meteors shone down on the wrecked colosseum.

BAAAM

An intense tremor spread across the area as the meteors crashed on the ground. The players steadied themselves and looked at the fractured ground in wonder. Two hundred black pillars of light were rising to the sky above, seeming to establish a connection with whatever that lay beyond.

That wasn’t all.

HZZZZZ

A blue portal appeared in front of Zyrus, sucking in the surrounding mana like a whirlpool.

Crackle

A pair of silver hooves came out from the portal, followed by a creature with fur as black as the night sky.

It was a reindeer the likes of which none had ever seen. Its silver antlers shone with a green glow under the portal’s fading light. Even more noteworthy was the red eye patch it was wearing.

When Zyrus looked at its remaining eye, he instinctively realized what the reindeer wanted.

[Franken, the one-eyed reindeer, is willing to become your companion]

[Do you accept?]

[Yes/No]

“I accept,” Zyrus pushed his hand forward out of instinct.

Franken nudged his head against his palm, and he felt a new connection form between them.

“Sup, chief! Ready for a fight?”

“…”

“Ya hear me? Hello?”

Zyrus twitched the corner of his mouth as he looked at his first companion. All of the solemnness vanished into thin air the moment Franken opened his mouth.

“Yes, I hear you loud and clear. A bit too loud to be honest.”

“Great, great. 'Been so long since I talked with someone. What are you by the way?”

“A Sylvarix.”

“Sounds cool. Never heard of ‘em though.”

“A reindeer who talks like a bandit isn’t that famous either,” Zyrus flicked the chattering reindeer’s forehead as he looked around him. Most of the players were looking at the black pillars of light with curiosity. Some, like Lauren, were more interested in the reindeer.

“So cool! Did you tame it?”

“Mind your words young lady! We’re companions, got it?”

“Wow, it talks too! Can you teach Pouka?”

“Humph, that furball is too young to be compared to a being such as I,” Franken spoke with his nose held high.

Zyrus sighed as he looked at the overly energetic duo. Since the scorpions were taking their sweet time to wake up, Zyrus checked out the reward he was most excited about.

[You have created a new branch of magic!]

[You have earned the grand achievement: The Architect of Abyss (EX)]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.