Chapter 45: Nirvana

45 Chapter 45: Nirvana

As Raven strained his senses, the slithering noise grew louder and more pronounced, encircling him like a predator preparing to strike.

A shiver ran down his spine monetarily, but he refused to succumb to fear as if he was prey to some unknown existence. He knew he had to face whatever awaited him. Even if others had failed to return alive. The stakes were too high for him to falter.

In a fluid motion, Raven drew his sword, its blade emanating a faint ethereal luminescence. Firmly gripping the hilt, he assumed a defensive stance, poised to face the unseen enemy.

Elia, too, readied herself for combat, but like Raven, she struggled to sense any tangible presence. In fact, she found herself at even more disadvantage due to her less acute senses when compared to Raven.

With each passing moment, the invisible presence drew closer, its sinister aura sending chills. The temperature plummeted unexpectedly.

Strangely enough, the once lush grass surrounding them transformed from vibrant green to inky black. Even the leaves of nearby trees underwent a dramatic change, casting an eerie ambiance over what was once a picturesque garden.

Abruptly, the ground beneath Raven's feet trembled, and a surge of energy crackled in the air. In a blinding flash, the colossal form of a gigantic serpent materialized before him, its translucent body quivering with malicious intent. Towering above him, the creature fixed its slitted eyes upon its intended prey.

With a resounding hiss, the snake lunged forward, venomous fangs aimed for Raven's head.

Reacting with lightning speed, Raven sidestepped the attack, narrowly evading the lethal strike. The clash of steel against scales reverberated throughout the chamber as Raven swung his sword with precision, aiming at the creature's ethereal form. However, with each blow, his weapon passed through the snake as if it were a mere illusion. nove/lB/1n

Even the power of his Nameless Sword proved inadequate in killing the Giant Snake, let alone make contact with it. Something was amiss with this formidable creature.

It manifested only briefly before launching an attack, disappearing once more. Physical assaults proved futile against it.

Even though the Snake was visible for only a brief moment, Raven managed to catch glimpses of its form.

For a fleeting moment, Raven's eyes gleamed with insight. A status screen materialized before him, revealing vital information about the Snake:

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Snake of Nirvana

Level: 60

Description: The Snake of Nirvana, often referred to as the pet of the Goddess of Nature. It is renowned as the most venomous creature in existence. A single bite from this serpent can slay even gods, nullifying any defenses or healing capabilities.

Due to its eternal entrapment, its strength has significantly diminished.

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"Level 60?" Raven felt a headache mounting.

Even after defeating the Nightmare Beast, he had only managed to ascend to Level 45. A gap of fifteen levels was substantial. The Snake surpassed him in strength, possessing superior defense and speed. Moreover, a single bite from the serpent could prove fatal to anyone.

Finally, he understood why no one had returned alive from this encounter.

Realizing the futility of physical attacks, Raven tapped into his innate mana, summoning a torrent of energy that enveloped him in a pulsating aura.

The air crackled with raw power as he harnessed his Bloodline Abilities, determined to find a way to overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenge before him.

Drawing upon his vast reserves of mana, Raven unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, each meticulously calculated and aimed at the Snake of Nirvana.

The battle wreaked havoc on the surrounding grass, reducing it to ruin and debris. Yet, Raven discerned an unsettling pattern— destroying nature seemed to fuel the Snake's anger and in turn increase its strength.

Bolts of lightning surged forth from Raven's fingertips, colliding with the ethereal form of the serpent, filling the chamber with a brilliant illumination. Waves of scorching fire erupted from the ground, searing the serpent's translucent scales.

The Snake of Nirvana was not so easily defeated. It slithered and dodged, its movements swift and agile. Raven's attacks grazed its body but failed to deliver a decisive blow. The serpent retaliated with its venomous fangs, striking with lightning speed whenever an opportunity presented itself.

Each encounter with the snake brought Raven closer to the edge of defeat. He felt the venomous breath of the serpent on his skin, its sinister presence weighing heavily upon him. His strength waned, and fatigue crept into his limbs, threatening to overcome him.

There were moments when the Snake's fangs came perilously close, mere centimeters away from Raven's flesh.

Elia, witnessing the intensity of the battle, fought alongside Raven with unwavering determination.

She conjured protective barriers and unleashed her own abilities, bolstering Raven in their struggle. Yet, even their combined efforts appeared inadequate against the relentless assault of the Snake of Nirvana.

As the battle raged on, Raven's mind raced, seeking a strategy that could tip the scales in his favor. He knew he could not rely solely on brute force or magic alone.

The disparity in levels was too vast for such approaches. He had to uncover the creature's weakness, the chink in its seemingly impenetrable armor.

With an upsurge of unwavering resolve, Raven fixated his gaze upon the serpent's eyes, the sole visible part of its form unshielded by resilient scales.

He detected a subtle shift in the creature's gaze—a fleeting hesitation before each strike. It was a small but crucial opening, holding the potential for victory.

Seizing the opportunity, Raven summoned every ounce of his remaining strength. Agilely evading the snake's lethal fangs, he hurled himself at its head with reckless abandon.

Executing a swift and precise movement, he drove his sword into the creature's eye, piercing through its ethereal form.

A deafening roar reverberated through the chamber as the Snake of Nirvana writhed in anguish. Its form flickered and wavered, the agony and damage inflicted upon it exacting their toll.

Raven capitalized on his advantage, unrelentingly assaulting the serpent's vulnerable spot with unyielding force.

As the sword made tangible contact with the snake's blood, it thrummed with heightened activity. Amongst the seven symbols adorning the blade, the second symbol flickered to life.