1025 Crisis Part 1 (1/2)

The souls of the two oracles were over a hundred times more dreadful than Saleen had anticipated. Gauf and Gessica both boosted their level forcefully when they were in danger. However, they relied on the equipment left behind by the goddess to do so.

The equipment was a set instead of one single piece. Despite being level 15, the material the equipment was constructed of was far inferior compared to the Lance of Order.

The Lance of Order was crafted from the body of a god and it had a miniaturized kingdom of the gods within. Such kingdoms were capable of housing over a hundred million adherents and enabled procreation as well. As such, the power such items held was massive.

The two crescent-shaped belts that the Goddess of Myers left behind, however, only worked when they were used together. The combination was interrupted by the Dark Sky Devil and the equipment destroyed by Saleen's lightning. Their divine arts only allowed them to leave behind a pair of soul stones. Both Gauf's and Gessica's souls were broken within their respective stones, relying on the bit of power left behind by the goddess to painstakingly repair them to keep their consciousness intact.

Saleen observed the two soul stones and saw some of the inner secrets of the soul.

”Who among both of you intended to entice me to fight that monster?” The souls of the oracles looked similiar. Saleen's Elemental Eye was not yet able to enable him to discern the minute differences within, and was utterly incapable of allowing Saleen to see the true, original forms of their souls. He needed to advance to level ten before he could see what the souls actually looked like.

”Defiler, do you know who we are?” Gauf's voice was heard outside of the stone. Saleen took hold of that stone and laughed.

”I don't care who the hell you are. You want to do me harm, then prepare to pay for it.”

”I'm an oracle of the goddess. You have her powers on your person. Do you know the consequences of killing me?” Gauf's voice did not sound like someone who had just sustained grave injuries.

Saleen did not fear him. The Dark Sky Devil had a strong soul, which posed a threat to him. The oracle, on the other hand, Saleen could simply use something like Soul Impact on him and it would end him. Saleen was the one capable of deciding the oracle's fate. The oracle could call himself a god, and Saleen would not budge at all.

His attitude began to resemble what Jason had asked of him. A mage's path was one of no return. One could only forge forward, leaving no means of retreat.

Saleen was thinking that he could shoot both of them with his family badge, and there was no way he would allow them to revive after that. What was done was done, and there was no room for regret, just like how they enticed him. If Saleen had headed down back then, he would have been killed by the monster. Of course, I could have done something right before I die and that would have turned the tables of the battle. A level nine sorcerer armed with powerful equipment is a force to be reckoned with. In ancient times, Saleen could have been among the ranks of the most elite forces and be off to great battlefields on other planes.

”The consequences of killing you are indeed dire.” Saleen narrowed his eyes. Although Gauf was unable to see his expression, the oracle was able to tell from his voice that he did not mean well.

”I bear the mission of the goddess...”

”I know,” Saleen interrupted Gauf. ”Me too.”

”What!”

”Is that really surprising?”

”Ha, hahahaha! Not in the least, there's someone who tries to pull that every hundred years or so. You're but the latest unlucky a** to be added to the list.” Gauf laughed maniacally. He was able to perceive the oozing animosity emanating from Saleen and did not try to sway the mage in any way.

”Unlucky huh? I thought as much myself. But since you're her oracle, I see no reason to go easy on you.”

Saleen was not at all surprised by Gauf's words; he felt relieved instead. It seemed that he was not the only one chosen on the mainland. There were some who attempted to look for the temple of the Goddess of Myers every few years or so, and there were people who signed a contract with the goddess every century or two.

He was not the only chosen one; he was but one of the unlucky one among countless unlucky ones. How could the Goddess of Myers put all her hope of getting resurrected on one low-level mage indeed. Saleen had finally figured everything out.

Before the goddess perished, she crafted a batch of Ring of Gifts. All who were deemed capable of resurrecting her only gained access to the temple after acquiring the rings. If he had not signed the contract, he would have perhaps died. The matter with the goddess would spread throughout the mainland otherwise.

The oracle, Gauf, knew that it would only take three to five days for his soul to disperse and there was nothing anyone could do to save him. As such, he pulled out all the stops and fought the Dark Sky Devil, and was affected by the powers of the Dark Sky Devil without knowing it. If his body had been intact, he would have been able to cast divine spells to get rid of such awful powers. However, his soul was the only thing left of him. There were countless cracks in his soul, with all of the unseen damage he had sustained during the fight with the Dark Sky Devil emerging.

The difference in power could be huge even at the same level. Saleen was a level nine mage, yet no mage at his level could be Saleen's match, and that was without taking Saleen's special equipment into consideration.

Eye of Lightning and Crystal Finger, as well as Quickcloud, which was twice the speed any mage of the same level could pull, allowed Saleen to be nigh-invincible among his level nine peers.

The only ones capable of fighting Saleen on equal footing were those who were close to advancing to level ten.

Gauf was about to die and, as such, did not bother choosing his words. Saleen let out a cold laugh and took the other soul stone in his hand. ”You too are going to die soon. Say whatever you want to say.”