Chapter 1602 (2/2)

That Nether Gatekeeper wasn’t killed outright, but it was deeply wounded. Into that space stepped the howling Vizzeret Clamman. In his streamlined form, he pounced forward and tore off a leg from one of the other Nether Gatekeepers. Even Randidly couldn’t help but be impressed by the display of physical power.

But the Nether Sphere had seen enough.

A resounding clap spread outward from the top of the Nether Sphere as it shifted and opened. A hunched figure straightened from the shadowy opening, seeming to claw its way up from the depths of hell to stand before them. Even Randidly felt a sudden pressure descending on the surrounding space; this wasn’t just a Nether Gatekeeper, but a true Nether Herald.

Randidly’s hands tingled with anticipation.

The Nether Herald possessed a head of a goat while possessing the body of a humanoid. In its left hand was a two-meter pole that had sharp blades on both ends. In its right hand was a length of chain with a dangling metal hook on the end. Its eyes were wide and blank and as bright as reflective tape. But when Randidly looked at its Nether Core, his gaze was screened by Nether so dense that even he couldn’t rival it.

The chaotic clash between the Nether Gatekeepers and their foes stalled as everyone felt the new equilibrium as the Nether Herald moved forward. It’s enormous eyes slid back and forth.

Randidly’s heart was pounding. This… this is exactly the opposite of the Nether Gatekeepers. This thing… is incredibly ancient. And, if I hadn’t been here, it would have torn my elite squad to shreds, even with Raymund’s help.

One more sin laid at the feet of the Nexus...

Randidly unleashed a wicked smile and stepped forward. The immense Weight of his Nether Core spread out to pressed directly against the Weight of the Nether Herald. And although it was immediately clear that the Nether Herald possessed a superior Nether Core, it’s Weight could only give way before Randidly’s.

The Nether Herald raised its head and howled. Randidly spun Acri expertly in his hands and then lowered into his fighting stance. His three images swirled together for a hug like three distant brothers at a family reunion. Man is Proud, But the Chimera Takes. Yyrwood Flesh of Yggdrasil. Cosmic Necessity.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The ground beneath Randidly cracked as he shot forward. All three of his images sang to life, containing a surplus of both concrete shape and vivid emotions as they activated. His image physicalizations warped his body in a split second. His heart was pounding. His blood was hot and he streaked through the air with a trail of steam in his wake.

The Nether Herald unleashed a suppressing pulse of Nether, but Randidly’s images had been built a spine of Nether; he cut through the suppression without even pausing. Acri blade caught the light as it slid toward its target. The Nether Gatekeeper realized at the last second what was happening and swiped its bladed pole across to deflect the blow.

Claaaaaaanggg!

Both weapons were knocked backward. Randidly was surprised at the Nether Herald’s Strength, but he didn’t dwell on it. That ominous he felt when he gazed at the complex Nether Core and dense aura was the real deal. He planted his foot and pivoted, bringing his leg around at a reverse heel kick toward the Nether Herald’s temple.

The Nether Herald saw it and whipped the hook up to rip through Randidly’s calf, but Randidly folded his leg inward at the last second while letting his body follow through with the motion. The hook passed harmlessly through the air and Randidly continued to spin. When his knee rotated outward past the Nether Herald’s body, his leg flashed outward and he struck the Nether Herald in the chin with his toe.

The Nether Herald stumbled backward but didn’t seem any the worse for wear. Its well developed Nether Core throbbed with rising power. Randidly could bully his way through most of the dense Nether in front of him by relying on his superior Weight, but the Nether Herald’s weapons began to radiate grey light that gave him pause.

Like the bubbles, Randidly thought with a slight tightening of his eyes. If this Nether Herald could wield that same incredible mass… it was time to stop saving his strength.

He planted both his feet and hopped backward. Again, all three images moved within him in concert. And this time they burned with all the pent-up fury that Randidly had experienced over the past several hours. The emotions had risen to such a fever pitch that it was almost painful to host them. There was a strange cognitive blurring to the air as Randidly unleashed his emotional limiters and allowed the energies to run as they may. The saturation in the colors his eyes observed sky-rocketed. Everything was raw and vulnerable and cutting and bloody.

He released a slow breath as the Nether Herald began to spin his chain-hook. Randidly reached forward and channeled all those howling emotions. Or rather, he opened himself and those forces gleefully erupted in the indicated direction. Tide of the Void. Absolute Grasp of Yggdrasil. Pernicious Fang of the Shade.

The Stillborn Phoenix exhaled, breathing those incendiary emotions through the deep roots of Yggdrasil. Guided by those emotions, the roots spiraled together, squeezing themselves until their very substance was compacted and refined, forming a powerful drill that began to rip upward through the ground. And then the Grim Chimera seized those violent roots and added all of its venom and determination.

By the time the ground beneath them cracked audibly, it was too late.

That root drill ripped upward through the ground, piercing through the Nether Sphere and annihilating most of the interior in a blast of powerful images. At the last moment, the Nether Herald sensed the threat and took a half step backward, but the goat man was still smashed and stunned. The root attack flung flecks of gore through the air.

Randidly frowned. Damnit, that wasn’t enough…?

The curving roots ended in a gleaming point that left a deep gash from its hit to its collar bone. But ultimately that would only slow the Nether Herald down for a brief period. Randidly planted his foot and crossed the distance. He placed both hands on the Nether Herald’s shoulder. It twisted its arms to bring its empowered Nether weapons to bear on Randidly’s person, but that second of opening was all Randidly needed.

Revelations of the Atramentous Threshold. Cursed Appetite of the Wraith. The Implacable Price of Exodus.

With eyes gleaming with blue-black revelation energy, Randidly seized a portion of that Nether Herald’s core as food and allowed the Grim Chimera to gleefully devour it. What remained was that blasted with the energy of Exodus, which shattered the weakened Nether Core.

Randidly was trembling as the Nether Herald in front of him collapsed. Despite his success, his mind was slightly woozy. Loosening the emotional limits makes the images more effective… but damn, I feel exhausted even after only using a few Skills…

And he hadn’t even been throwing his Weight behind his images. He had simply allowed it to passively boost his abilities. He still had more practicing to do before he could perfectly utilize his current abilities. But he did stand and savor how far he had come.

One of the foes that had brought the frontline to its knees had been defeated by Randidly in only a few seconds. He wondered how close he was to rivaling Lady Iellaya's power.

Randidly turned to look at the ongoing battle below him and raised an eyebrow. The recruits were still somewhat stunned by his sudden demonstration. “What? You haven’t finished yet? Huh, and here I thought you could keep up.”