Realm of Myths and Legends

"With just you and those other children? Kid, your words are too overbearing. It has been ages since I have met with a youth as arrogant as you." Smiling Demon scoffed.

He then continued, "There are those born at the bottom of a well and fail to realize the vastness of the sky. Do not think that defeating Enigma with that magic item at your disposal makes you infallible."

In Smiling Demon's eyes, Izroth was someone who depended solely on the magic item in his possession to overwhelm his opponents with the black lightning it generated.

However, even with the magic item, Smiling Demon did not put Izroth in his sights. After all, he was not the only person in this world to own a high-tier magic item!

Shortly after Izroth's Sword of the Storm pointed to the sky, the once gentle breeze transformed into a mighty gale. Following the emergence of this gale, a countless number of wind blades poured down from above like a vicious torrent.

These wind blades were generated by the weapon skill attached to Izroth's Sword of the Storm, Great Storm. But, the wind blades this time around were a little different from the usual ones that appeared. Hidden within them were faint traces of the extinction lightning.

Izroth carefully controlled the flow of energy when utilizing the Great Storm. After all, if he did not control it, there was a good possibility that the wind element would fuse with the extinction lightning and morph into a great disaster.

While this would result in a terrifying attack, it was virtually impossible for Izroth to properly restrain it with his current level of mana. Attempting to do so would only cripple his mana pool, or even worse, completely destroy it. Once that happened, he would no longer be able to use skills that required mana.

Swoosh! Phhhtk!

Shrieeeeek!

As the wind blades embedded with the strength of Izroth's extinction lightning rained down from the darkened clouds, the group of demonic shadow beasts was immediately thrown into a state of utter chaos.

The moment one of the creatures was struck by the terrifying wind blade, a black bolt of lightning would jump from their body to a nearby demonic shadow beast. This created a massive loop of constant damage that continuously bounced between the creatures.

Even if a demonic shadow beast managed to survive the initial strike and started to regenerate, they would be struck down by a black bolt from an ally.

In less than a single breath, the army of hundreds of demonic shadow beasts had been reduced to a few stray creatures! The few who were able to survive had broken away from the main group and traveled as far away from their closest ally as possible.

Of course, the demonic shadow beasts did not act of their own will, but rather the Great Duke Murmur controlling them instructed the creatures to scatter in every direction.

The effect of Izroth's Great Storm empowered by the extinction lightning continued to rain down destruction upon the battlefield; however, it did not reach Smiling Demon as well as the Great Duke and its ministers, who fell back to a safe distance ahead of time.

'Since I entered combat, there is not much time remaining on my Sky Steps. I have to find a way to bring this battle to the ground, or-'

Just as this thought entered Izroth's mind, a thin silver thread appeared before him. This thread seemed to originate from above, but one could not tell where it originated from with their eyes alone.

The thread contained traces of magic that were familiar to Izroth. He had seen it once before and immediately recognized its owner. Without a doubt, it belonged to Empyrean!

The thread gently brushed against Izroth's shoulder before shifting to his back.

〈System Alert: You have been affected by «Heaven Connecting Tether»!〉

〈System Alert: Your movement speed has increased by 30%.〉

〈System Alert: Your mana regeneration has increased by 100%.〉

〈System Alert: You have gained the temporary passive skill «Tethered».〉

〈System Alert: You have gained the temporary skill «Connecting Jump».〉

Skill Name: Tethered

Skill Level: MAXED

Skill Rank: Unique*

Requirements: Affected by «Heaven Connecting Tether»

Passive: The user can move freely in any direction within 60 meters of the «Heaven Connecting Tether» they are connected to. The user may only be connected to one «Heaven Connecting Tether» at a time.

Skill Name: Connecting Jump

Skill Level: MAXED

Skill Rank: Unique*

Requirements: Affected by «Heaven Connecting Tether»

Active: The user can instantly move to any «Heaven Connecting Tether» within their line of sight. Doing this immediately changes the user's «Heaven Connecting Tether» to the one at their destination. Cannot move to a «Heaven Connecting Tether» that is already in use. The cooldown for this skill increases by 3 seconds with every use and does not reset until this skill is canceled by the original caster [Empyrean].

Cooldown: 3 seconds

Izroth felt his body become lighter as he was affected by the Heaven Connecting Tether.

Due to the Mind Link and Soul Link that existed between Izroth and Empyrean, the two could "sense" one another's troubles. The further they were apart, the weaker this connection would become. However, the opposite was true when they were near each other. Their link became many times stronger. This was even more so when Izroth and Empyrean were in battle.

'Interesting... Does he possess a support-type domain?'

After his last encounter with Empyrean's domain, Izroth figured it was merely an advanced means of transportation that allowed Empyrean or allies to travel quickly from one location to another. But now, Izroth was curious what other powers were hidden away within Empyrean's domain.

So far, Empyrean had only used his domain in a supporting capacity; therefore, Izroth was uncertain whether or not it was capable of dealing direct damage. However, even if it was restricted to a supporting role, it had already demonstrated its usefulness.

'Whatever the case, it is to our advantage. With this, I no longer have to worry about my Sky Steps running out or finding a way to bring the battle to the ground. Still, in the future, I should learn a flight-type skill when I have the time. After all, depending solely on my Sky Steps or Empyrean being present is impracticable.'

All of a sudden, just after Izroth connected with the Heaven Connecting Tether, Murmur's eyes lit up red as its gaze fell upon him. Then, out of nowhere, a loud ringing sound reverberated within Izroth's head. If not for his Heavenly Golden Body, the noise alone would have been enough to paralyze him.

That's when something unexpected occurred. The ringing inside Izroth's head began to fade and quickly morphed into a voice.

(You are a peculiar existence, human. I have taken an interest in you. Therefore, I am willing to give you two choices—serve me or die.) 

The voice that spoke sounded extremely domineering. It was as if they were an existence that was used to reigning above all those around them. However, from the nature of the voice, one was unable to tell whether it belonged to a man or woman.

'This voice... Is it coming from that thing?'

Izroth narrowed his eyes as he lowered his Sword of the Storm and looked over in Murmur's direction.

"Serve you? There is no one below or above the firmament who is worthy of my service. As for the second option, I will have to disappoint you—since I have no intention of dying here today." Izroth proclaimed without hesitation.

(Insolent! It is the highest honor to serve the Lemegeton! But, very well then. But, you should know something, human. That which this lord cannot have must be destroyed!)

The voice cut off as the Great Duke Murmur severed the connection. At the same time, the aura encompassing Smiling Demon underwent a drastic change as his power surged at least twofold!

"Ahahaha! Kid, I do not know what you did to offend the Great Duke, but allow me to thank you by granting you a quick death!" Smiling Demon roared as the dark purple aura around him turned a deep blood red.

Smiling Demon shot forward at terrifying speeds and instantly shrunk the distance between himself and Izroth!

'He's fast.'

Even with his heightened senses, Energy Vision Sense, and Soul Sense, Izroth could barely keep track of Smiling Demon's movements.