Chapter 1221 (1/2)

The more than Randidly used Skills that were fueled solely on his own pure Aether, the more he marveled at the difference in fidelity that he felt during the activation of the Skill. Monstrosity’s Appalling Physicality transformed the power in his muscles to a ridiculous degree. It also seemed like his Control that had reached over one thousand became an even more useful tool when his image blended so seamlessly with the energy he utilized to create it.

It was all Randidly could do to resist the urge to give in to the instincts of the Grim Chimera to raise its head and roar.

But despite the intoxicating feeling of power, Randidly’s expression was serious as he followed closely behind Vualla in the charge toward Ileot. Despite the fact that Ileot had needed to cannibalize several of his own Skills in order to salvage Aether, Randidly didn’t dare underestimate this ancient man. Even from the simple act of hovering there in the Great RIft, Ileot’s powerful image corroded the surrounding Nether simply by existing.

The energy that Ileot possessed was diminished, but he was not weak.

Of all his significant advantages, those potent images that Ileot possessed were what made Randidly the most cautious. Even though Ileot had only barely managed to reach an amount of Aether to maintain his body, his terrible image allowed him to utilize scraps of Aether to strike with enough strength to rival Randidly at his best. Randidly frowned toward Vualla’s back as they both shot forward, but ultimately remained silent.

Sometimes, what you need to do is trust. Worrying further has no purpose...

For several seconds, Randidly and Vualla flew rather noiselessly forward through the Great Rift. Ileot simply watched them approach with narrowed eyes. No white flames flickered to life around him. His Aether remained almost inert, swirling calmly in Ileot’s chest in Randidly’s Aether Detection vision.

Randidly’s eyes slid to Vualla’s back and he couldn’t resist allowing a single wish to manifest from his unease. ...be safe. All we need is a path. If you buy me time… I’ll take care of the rest.

Then Vualla surged forward across an invisible line and Ileot finally reacted. His hairless fingers twitched and there was a strange chime that echoed out into the surrounding area. The amount of Aether in his chest immediately diminished. But two glowing white duplicates of Ileot appeared, crackling with lightning as they surged forward toward Vualla.

Suddenly, Vualla’s movements sharpened and Randidly felt the warmth flowing between the two of them become almost scalding. Aether began to rush into Vualla’s body. She took a step and it was such a condensed and efficient use of energy that she surged forward ahead of Randidly to arrive at the left avatar that Ileot had created.

Her body seemed to pause in front of that foe as it cut at her with the heel of its glowing right hand. And then Vualla punched, her body calmly flowing through the well-practiced motions of punching. She stepped forward, her momentum flowed through her hips, and her shoulders slowly rotated as she thrust her fist forward without any aggressive movements. It was a perfectly average punch.

Her fist met the avatar’s karate chop.

Both figures trembled as both of their momentums were abruptly halted, but neither gave up any ground. The attacks were almost completely equal in strength. Vualla twisted and brought her other arm around in a hook that the avatar quickly ducked under. It raised its hands and unleashed a blast of electricity, but Vualla stoically endured the energy discharge without comment. Her azure hair flashed as she pivoted once more and unleashed another average punch at a speed that Randidly couldn’t believe.

That tightly condensed image continued to slowly rise in strength.

However, before Vualla could complete her motion, the other avatar finally arrived and smashed its palm toward Vualla. With an unhurried grace, Vualla raised her arm and knocked away the other avatar’s attack with her non-punching arm. Abandoning her previous punch, her gaze turned to the new foe.

A split second later, while Vualla was still pushing away the palm strike of the right avatar, Randidly arrived with Acri raised. The huge lance began to hum as its three entwined heads that formed the tip of the lance vibrated with increasingly frequency. Vualla’s hand twisted and seized the wrist of the avatar who attacked her.

Molten Fang of the Pariah! Randidly’s eyes burned as Acri’s huge five-meter form began to glow red.

The avatar attempted to pull back, but Vualla’s grip held fast to its arm. Even when white electricity discharged into her hand, Vualla didn’t even blink. Her azure eyes were clear and focused. Randidly’s attack surged forward and the desperate avatar could only use its free arm to try and block the blow.

Congratulations! Your Skill Molten Fang of the Pariah (L) has grown to Level 201!

BOOOOOM!

With Randidly’s Skils empowered by his pure Aether, the shockwave rippled outward through even the substance of the Great Rift. But Randidly felt a bone in his right-hand fracture painfully as his attack as jarred by the guard of the avatar. Even with the extra power that Acri provided, Randidly was on the losing end of the exchange. Seems like I’m still a little bit short, huh…?

Shoving away the avatar that was still off-balance from Randidly’s strike, Vualla twisted back to face its companion, who had conjured two of those same flame beams Randidly had dealt with earlier that stole energy. She easily dodged them and arrived before that avatar to unleash another routine punch.