Kieeeeng—
The shadow spear collided with the translucent barrier and produced an eerie sound.
The spear's body spun and pierced through the barrier.
Woooooong!
Germain instantly created several more layers of barriers.
Even so, the shadow spear broke through them, and in the gap, the tentacles attached to the wall writhed.
Kududuk!
Blisters formed on the surface of the tentacles, and from within them, bundles of newly divided tentacles burst forth.
Keeeaek!
Tentacles lined with sharp teeth charged toward the black spear that penetrated the barrier.
Kieeeeng—
As the rotating spearhead faithfully bored through the barrier, black blades sprang from the spear shaft above.
Chaaaak—
The elongated black blades sliced through all the charging tentacles.
Tudududuk!
The severed tentacle bundles fell to the floor below.
By now, the spearhead had pierced the barrier and was about to reach the main body.
Kurruruk!
Holes opened across the brain-like main body's surface, and long arms emerged from them.
Kwaduduk!
Arms formed like bundled tentacles shot out and grabbed the spinning black spear.
Kieeeeng!
It was the moment the black spear broke through all the barriers and reached the main body.
Kwaduduk!
Over a dozen arms gripped the floor and walls, propped up the brain, and lifted the body.
At the same time, a part of the brain split open with a crack.
Keeeaeeek!
From the mouth lined with enormous, densely packed teeth, thousands of tentacle bundles erupted and wrapped around the black spear.
The blades still protruded from the spear shaft, but there were too many tentacles to ignore them.
Kigigigik—
As the tentacles coiled around it, the rotating spear finally came to a halt.
By then, the main body had detached the tentacles connected to the wall and raised itself on over a dozen legs.
The spirit bodies that dwelt within the main body began to unfold their thoughts chaotically once more.
—Zeke Draker is dangerous.
—He must be killed here.
—Kill him!
—Kill him!
—Why are you so desperate to kill him?
Suddenly, a thought in an unfamiliar tone surfaced.
The spirit bodies panicked.
—Is our thinking correct?
—No.
—We all know we never thought that.
—How can a different thought intrude?
—It's impossible.
—Do you really think it's impossible?
As the unfamiliar thought intruded again, the spirit bodies paused their thinking for a moment.
Then, they began to rationally deduce the sudden unfamiliar intrusion.
—We thought it impossible, but we can consider possible directions.
—Zeke Draker.
—He has intruded into our deep mental world.
—It could be possible.
—He absorbed one of our clone bodies.
—Even so, intruding into our deep mental world is impossible.
—For an ordinary human, yes.
—But for Zeke Draker, it might be possible.
—Yes. It is possible.
Keeeaeeek—
The main body that held the spear let out a grotesque screech.
The spirit bodies steadied their confused minds and resumed their thoughts.
—The spear must be eliminated.
—He's using it as a medium to intrude on our thoughts.
—That's not it.
—Our thoughts are deviating.
—We must not be confused.
—Our thoughts, sustained for a thousand years, are solid.
—I wonder if they're really that solid; I want to test it.
—We must not fall for his trap.
—Let's suppress and absorb his mind.
—No.
—If we fail, we could be the ones overwhelmed.
—We must capture him while we're in our unique domain.
—So you call this place our unique domain.
—We must block his thoughts.
—Where is Abel Draker?
—His goal is Abel Draker.
—We must protect Abel Draker.
—Stop thinking about Abel Draker.
—He's inducing us to think as he wants.
—If we try to stop thinking about Abel Draker, our thoughts will focus even more on him.
—We can't stop the thoughts.
Germain completely blocked his thoughts.
Zeke's plan to disrupt Germain's thoughts and locate Abel Draker had failed.
Zeke looked at Germain's main body and said,
"If I keep slashing and slashing, eventually both you and that Abel bastard will be cut down together."
Zeke raised Laevatein and charged toward Germain's main body.
As he did, he infused the blade with the power of the full power technique and unleashed a sword strike toward it.
Full Power Technique
Double Spell
Will of Severance (Cut)
The sword strike of the full power technique, infused with the Will of Severance (Cut), flew toward Germain's main body.
In an instant, the main body that held the spear moved to block Zeke's attack with its body.
Pumph! Pumph! Pumph!
Half of the main body struck by Zeke's sword strike was severed and split apart. Keeeaeeek—
The main body screeched in excruciating agony.
It had thrown itself to offset the sword strike, but in doing so, the tentacles that gripped the spear loosened.
Kieeeeng—
The spear began rotating again, burrowed into, and pierced the main body.
Kwakwakwakwa!
The spinning spear embedded deeply into the main body.
Then, blades rose from the shadows that formed the spear and began rotating at high speed.
Kwadududuk—
As the blades spun rapidly inside, the interior shredded and punched holes through it.
Keeeaeeek!
The main body foamed at the mouth and spewed bodily fluids from the wound.
Zeke seized the opportunity and summoned the full power technique once more.
Kugugugu!
A massive aura of the full power technique enveloped Laevatein.
Sensing the ominous energy, the spirit bodies urgently transmitted their will toward Zeke.
—Zeke Draker.
—I want to propose a deal to you.
—Spare us.
—A deal with cursed beings.
—Information about Arthur Draker.
—We know secrets you don't.
—If you just kill us, these secrets will be buried forever.
Suddenly, Germain's spirit bodies offered Arthur Draker's secrets as a bargaining chip.
Zeke took a step forward toward the main body.
—Arthur Draker is already dead.
—He's not.
—Arthur Draker is alive.
—He deceived the entire continent.
The affirmation that Arthur Draker was not dead.
Zeke narrowed his eyes at the words.
'Arthur Draker is alive and not dead.ʼ
Zeke had somewhat suspected as much.
In his previous life, Arthur Draker was said to have died of illness.
Even as the Black Knight, one could die from disease or old age.
But Arthur Draker was a transcendent being with grandmaster-level power or beyond.
Zeke had always found his death from mere illness suspicious, given his overwhelming strength.
Germain's words stirred Zeke's suspicions and piqued his curiosity about what secrets he held.
The spirit bodies read Zeke's reaction and responded immediately.
—If you spare us, we'll not only reveal Arthur Draker's secrets but also cooperate with you fully.
—We'll hand over all the power of the Nostra Family to you, Zeke Draker.
—The influence we've built up in the family is beyond imagination.
—Join hands with us, and you can become a sovereign greater than Arthur Draker.
Zeke opened his mouth as he listened to Germain's transmitted will.
"Do you really want to make a deal with me?"
At his positive response, Germain immediately transmitted his will.
—Yes.
—In truth, our targets for revenge are the cursed bloodline of Thebea.
—We have no grudge against the Drakers.
Zeke replied promptly to Germain's swiftly transmitted will.
"Fine, but if you want to deal with me, there's one more condition."
Zeke pointed his sword and said,
"Hand over Abel Draker. If you do, I'll agree to the deal."
At Zeke's demand to hand over Abel, the tentacles of the main body trembled.
Their will was transmitted to Zeke again.
—That's impossible.
—We already have a deal with Narak.
—The deal must proceed.
—Propose another condition.
—We'll grant any other request.
Zeke smirked as he heard the spirit bodies' will.
"The deal is off, you damned cursed bastards." Woooooong!
The aura of the full power technique surged strongly from his sword once more.
Then, the spirit bodies' will grew chaotic again, and Zeke read it.
—Wait.
—Understood.
—We'll hand over Abel Draker.
—So lower your sword.
At the spirit bodies' desperate response, Zeke said while gripping his sword, "Don't try any tricks. Hand over Abel Draker right now. The deal comes after." Kurruruk!
The main body's tentacles writhed chaotically.
Then, one of the tentacles approached Zeke.
It swelled up and transformed into an organ-like shape that seemed to hold something inside.
Once fully formed, it split open with a crack and revealed Abel slumbering within.
Zeke looked at Abel, connected to the tentacle, and said,
"He's still alive?"
Their will came again, and Zeke focused his consciousness on it.
—Yes.
—We were treating his damaged heart.
—Without us, Abel Draker would already be dead.
The godslayer stone had pierced the dragon heart and inflicted a fatal wound, but they had somehow kept him alive.
Zeke slowly approached Abel inside the organ.
He remained unconscious, eyes closed.
The tip of Laevatein aimed at Abel's heart.
Before thrusting the sword in, Zeke spoke.
"I have one question."
He glared at the main body and said,
"Did you really think I'd fall for something like this?" It was at that moment.
Keeeaeeek!
Abel, who had his eyes closed, transformed into a monstrous aberration and lunged at Zeke.
Zeke unleashed the Chamber of Metal Power toward it.
Kwaduduk!
The powerful gravitational force crushed the fake Abel.
The pressure caused chunks of flesh and fluids to burst outward.
Zeke expanded the gravity field further and pressed down hard on the main body.
The spirit bodies screamed.
Zeke said mockingly as he watched.
"You still had the leisure for such childish pranks." At Zeke's words, the spirit bodies chattered noisily again.
—Abel Draker is still with us.
—If you want a fair deal, disarm yourself, Zeke Draker.
—Then we'll truly hand over Abel Draker this time.
Zeke shook his head at Germain's words. "You idiots don't even know what a deal means." Woooooong!
Zeke raised Laevatein in one hand and Caladbolg in the other and summoned his energy.
The full power technique swirled around Laevatein, while shadow energy rippled in Caladbolg.
"I'll tear you to shreds. Then Abel's remains will come spilling out too."
The spirit bodies transmitted their will chaotically, seemingly panicked by Zeke's ruthless actions, contrary to their expectations.
—We can't handle him.
—He was dangerous from the start.
—We must kill him.
—We have to kill him no matter what.
Kugugugu!
Suddenly, a massive vibration erupted around Zeke's body.
Germain had used his bloodline ability to pressure him.
Zeke raised his sword and summoned the full power technique.
Woooooong!
The final secret art of the full power technique, learned from his master Nigel.
Full Power Technique
Triple Spell
Will of Nullification
Tszzzzz—
As the Will of Nullification unfolded, the bloodline abilities around Zeke vanished as if erased.
Kurruruk—
At the same time, the main body that housed the spirit bodies began to collapse, unable to maintain its form.
—Our body is melting.
—We can't hold the shape.
—At this rate, our spirits will scatter too.
Suddenly, the tentacles dangling from the main body began spewing green mist.
Chiiiiiik—
The area filled with green mist.
Zeke retreated and avoided the green mist.
But upon closer inspection, it wasn't mere mist.
'What kind of particles are these?'
It was tiny particles clustered together that appeared like mist.
Then it happened.
Ziiiiiiing—
A strong wave emanated from Germain's main body, rippled through the green mist, and spread across the entire space.
The moment the wave carrying the green mist swept over Zeke.
As he blinked, everything turned pitch black.
His vision gradually brightened again, and someone walked toward him.
Zeke furrowed his brow at the familiar face.
"Zeke, it's been a while."
The one who appeared was none other than Arthur Draker.