Chapter 142 - 139 : One Blow (1/2)

”Stop.”

A deep voice rang in Arthur's ears just before the Golem was going to launch the second phase of its attack. The voice contained a hint of surprise and anger.

As per Arthur's orders, the Golem put its hammer down but it didn't back away or dispel the lightning for it was not ordered to.

With his arms still folded and a cold smirk hanging on his face, Arthur looked up to the World Tree and asked

”Why should I stop?”

”...”

Hearing no reply, Arthur just shrugged his shoulders and ordered the Golem to keep advancing which it did but after only one step, it was once again stopped by the mysterious voice.

”... It is useless to fight. What you are seeking is not here.”

”And who are you to know what I'm seeking? Even a God can't so what makes you so sure about my goal for coming here?”

”.... Nonetheless, battling here and ruining this precious land is not worth it. Turn around and leave.”

”What if I don't leave?”

”Then suffer the consequences of your foolish questions, Arthur.”

Hearing his name, Arthur's eyes narrowed and his look turned serious. Makaze appeared in his hand and black flames burned in its edges.

”So you even know my name?”

A period of silence passed before whoever was talking spoke again. It was either purposely remaining silent or thinking of an answer, maybe it was both?

”Arthur. Appeared on this land precisely 38 months ago. The race is unidentified but one of its properties is stealing the power of whichever target the user enters. These are some of many things I know about you....”

A bit of killing intent was being emitted by Arthur as he heard the voice talk about him in such a calm manner as if it knew everything about him. He didn't burst out in anger and maintained a rather calm attitude despite the cold killing intent aimed at the World Tree.

”.... I do not need to hear it from you to know that you came here seeking to enter me and steal my powers just like you did to the others... It's not going to happen... not now and not a decade or a century later... it's but a waste of time. Turn around and leave.”

The voice was right about a few thing. First, if Arthur possessed a target, if it is alive, he'll gain its stats but the target will still have its stats if he leaves it without killing it. If it's dead, its stats are just transferred to him, so what was said was partially true.

Sure, Arthur wanted to try possessing the World Tree but he was more curious about it as a whole and not just gaining its powers. It would be great if he can increase his stats by possessing it but his main goal was just to inspect it first.

He was not sure if it was the World Tree talking to him but his guts told him it is, and if that's the case, possessing it became an impossible feat unless he kills it and definitely wouldn't do that.

If it dies, the Itas continent perishes with it and Arthur valued Astria no matter what happened to him on it. He considered it as his home and wouldn't purposely destroy one of its continents. For him, Astria was his one and only home, Earth was just a place he lived on in his past life.

”.... I thought you were a World Tree nourishing this continent... not a sentient being.”

”The truth is never so simple.... it's too early for you to know it. Turn around and leave, Arthur.”

”You know.... I hate it when someone tries to boss me around... or when I'm cornered and helpless or when I'm saved by an unknown bastard... or when someone lies to me or hides the truth with some bullshit they think it's righteous. I can only tell you one thing, I'm not leaving until my curiosity is fully satisfied.”

Makaze vibrated in excitement, seemingly impatient to cut some things and stab some hearts. Arthur fed it countless sword until it reached a certain limit, he has to break through for it to start devouring again but its sharpness and power now is unbelievable, it's by far his best weapon.

The four hands that vanished since a while ago, appeared yet again and instantly merged into one big green hand that faced him.

Arthur heard a long sigh followed by the sound of the voice.

”Foolish. That's what higher-beings call you Humans. Although I know your Race is not human. However, your action cannot be more humanly..... fine, if that is your decision then I'll allow you to know a bit of the truth if you can block one my blows.”

”Bring it on then”

With his katana unsheathed, Arthur readied himself for the incoming blow. His stare with fixed on the large green palm that pulsated with a small blue light in its center.

'I'm counting on you, buddy'

While tightly holding Makaze, Arthur activated as many passives as he could with his body as well as turning on his Pain Immunity to not fall unconscious from the continuous painful pressure.

The wind raged as the large palm rushed at Arthur, making the air whistle and creating small wind tornados. It was still far from Arthur yet he could still feel the enormous pressure pressing on him as if he is being crushed by a mountain. The previous force waves were nowhere near this attack's intensity.

”[The Boon]!”

Arthur shouted, making the motionless Golem flash with a yellow light and appear in front of its master. Without wasting any second, the lightning armor, shield, and hammer disappeared and the Death Golem which was made from black boulders transformed into an ominous looking Shield which decreased in size until it fit Arthur.