The Last Leg [1]

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘦.

The scorching heat transformed the viscous slime into glistening crystals. Azrael waits in anticipation; he watched as the abomination fragmented into countless pieces. Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of threads burst forth from the shattered remnants of the slime, engulfing the surroundings in a chaotic web of threads.

Except this one particular black thread that hovered in the center of the web. One by one, the chaotic web began to gently orbit around the black thread. The threads that strayed too close got sucked in, disappearing into the opaque thread. Soon all of the colorful threads got sucked in. Leaving only the black thread floating in the air.

As Azrael extended his hand, the ethereal thread delicately melded with his outstretched palm, intertwining seamlessly. Azrael looked at the skill as he muttered, "An ultimate?"

Cosmic Glutton

Rank: S

Level: 1 (0%)

Description: Grants its wielder the ability to consume and assimilate vast amounts of cosmic energy and all kinds of matter. When invoking Cosmic Glutton, the user becomes a living vortex, capable of drawing in and absorbing all things; whether it is celestial energy or matter. If you grow strong enough, you will be able to eat stars, nebulae, and even entire galaxies. As you consume these immense cosmic entities, your power grows exponentially, fueling your abilities and enhancing your physical and metaphysical attributes.

"There is no way that slime had this ability. It would have already devoured this planet by now. It must have had an inferior version. The other skills must have boosted it to insane proportions." Azrael surmised.

But this made Azrael frown even more. "Are you going to stop hiding? Or are you going to continue being a supernatural stalker?" Hidden behind a tree, what looks to be a middle-aged man revealed himself. As he begins to walk out a pale white horse with horns in the shape of a crown followed.

Azrael narrowed his eyes, "How much of this was manipulated?"

Rolling his eyes the looked at the shards of the corrupted slime, "You could have waited those six months."

"Then the zeppelin would crash into the trail, right?"

Wiping his small smile off his face, the man turned serious. "Perhaps, but it is just as likely that nothing would have happened."

"Right…"

"Since all great partnerships build a foundation of trust, I will throw you an olive branch. It was your mother."

A sudden wave of relief washed over Azrael, dissolving the tension that had burdened his shoulders. "Just what makes this planet so special?"

The man shrugged his shoulders, "Not even I know. But orders are always absolute." Saying in a matter-of-fact tone.

"What now?" Azrael inquired.

Walking towards his horse, the man turned his head, "Nothing you weren't already planning to do. I do recommend you be careful around the harvestmen. More specifically the princess."

"Can I know why?"

Mounting his horse with ease, he gazed directly into Azrael's eyes and declared, "No." In a sudden blaze of light, both the man and his loyal steed vanished without a trace.

Ragnar looked towards Azrael almost in a panic. "How do you know him?"

Yet Azrael asked back, "And how do you know him?"

Ragnar parted his lips, but hesitated, ultimately shaking his head in resignation before striding purposefully toward Sam. Paying no heed to his snide companion, Azrael tried to test his new power. Grabbing a mana crystal from his storage ring that he procured from the storage rooms in the cave he began to absorb it.

As Azrael clasped the mana crystal in his hand, a surge of raw energy coursed through his veins. The crystal, pulsating with vibrant hues, responded to his touch, resonating with his gluttonous ability. With focused intent, he opened himself up to its power, allowing the crystal's essence to merge with his own.

A dazzling display of light and magic enveloped Azrael, casting an ethereal glow around him. The energy from the crystal flowed into his being, harmonizing with his own mana reserves. The burnt grass surrounding him began to come alive, as wisps of mystical energy danced and swirled around him, forming intricate patterns in the air.

As the absorption continued, Azrael could sense a profound transformation taking place within him. His connection to the elements deepened and it seemed his mana reserves started to skyrocket. With the absorbed mana coursing through his veins, Azrael knew that his spells became more potent, and his control over the elements more refined.

As the absorption process reached its peak, Azrael's body radiated with an otherworldly aura, crackling with magical energy. Finally, the crystal shattered like glass. It completely lost its luster and is now nothing more than stone.

The feeling was euphoric, the power that was obtained was tantalizing. If everyone could absorb mana crystals like this the planets resources would have died out. Only the purest crystals can be absorbed. Otherwise, you would run the risk of mana poisoning.

"Status." Azrael thought.

Name: Azrael Silven

Level: 20

Ultimate(s): Grim Harvest (S+), Eternal Monarch (S-), Cosmic Gluttony (S)

Skills: Dash (F), Geomancy, Pyromancy, Hydromancy, Aeromancy, Power strike (E-), Minor Regeneration (E), Telekinesis (E)…

Looking at his lists of skills, they seem pretty expansive. Most were useless, some were only situational. He would sacrifice them when he got the chance. For now, they needed to get back to Yahvet and collect their reward.

The journey back was arduous, even though all wounds were healed they were all exhausted. Upon reaching the outskirts of Yahvet, they were greeted by familiar sights and sounds that signified their return to civilization. Colorful pavement, houses that sway in the wind, and in the distance a lake that carved through the land. Moving towards the pyramid-shaped castle they bypassed the guards and went inside.

Last time, Azrael never really took in the interior of the castle. As Azrael, Sam, and Ragnar stepped foot inside the castle, Azrael's senses absorbed the breathtaking scenery. The floor, hardened and glistening like a translucent jelly, created an otherworldly effect as it flawlessly reflected the ambient light, giving the illusion of walking on a surface of liquid crystal. They walked past the couch that Dederin slept on when they first visited.

As they ventured deeper into the castle, their eyes were drawn to a magnificent chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Its countless crystals sparkled and refracted light, casting a dazzling array of colors throughout the room. The chandelier seemed to possess a life of its own, as if it were a gateway to a realm where dreams and fantasies intertwined.

The room itself exuded an aura of elegance and grace. Intricately designed tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of heroic deeds and mythical creatures. The air was filled with a delicate fragrance, a mixture of scented candles and fresh flowers carefully arranged in ornate vases.