Chapter 59: Corrupted Forest 11

Once Kaksan arrived at the entrance of the elven city, chaos erupted with a swiftness that sent shivers down the spines of those who witnessed it.

The guards tasked with protecting the mystical gateway to the elven realm found themselves in the cruel clutches of Kaksan's grotesque tentacles, which lashed out like serpentine whips, leaving the gruesome aftermath of their decapitated heads.

As Kaksan attempted to breach the sanctity of the elven city, a sudden and unexpected spark ignited with a deafening explosion right before his malevolent face.

Half of Kaksan's grotesque visage was brutally blown off, prompting an enraged roar that shook the very foundations of the earth.

Yet, even in the face of such disfigurement, his flesh miraculously began to regenerate at an astonishing pace. Unfazed by the magical barrier erected to thwart his advance, Kaksan displayed a relentless determination, pressing forward with a relentless resolve.

His skin smoldered, and the grotesque sight of exposed flesh protruding from his arms was a testament to the profound agony he endured. However, Kaksan paid no heed to the pain, for a remarkable transformation was underway.

Kaksan's very being seemed to evolve and adapt in response to the challenge before him. His body, once vulnerable, underwent an astonishing metamorphosis, hardening and transforming into an unstoppable force.

The barrier, which had seemed impenetrable just moments before, could no longer withstand the unyielding power of the creature as he effortlessly tore through it.

The beast's monstrous roar spread like wildfire throughout the elven city, sending a wave of terror and alarm through the hearts of its inhabitants.

They were taken aback by the sudden and cataclysmic turn of events, their peaceful existence shattered in an instant. Utterly unprepared for the impending danger, panic took hold of the city's denizens, and their once serene surroundings became a nightmarish scene of chaos and despair.

The very heavens above mirrored the turmoil below, as the skies darkened ominously. Thunderous roars of fury clashed with violent streaks of lightning, creating a symphony of elemental rage that echoed throughout the beleaguered land.

The winds howled with such ferocity that the prospect of a sudden tornado materializing from the tempestuous tempest didn't seem entirely out of the question.

"w-what is that?"

"A monster?"

"Hey hurry up and call the guards"

"Is that the one who made that horrifying roa—"

Kaksan's nightmarish claws descended upon the elf's head like a merciless guillotine.

A piercing, blood-curdling scream erupted from the elves watching.

Kaksan's malevolent grin stretched across his monstrous countenance as he beheld the elven citizens scattering in sheer terror, like startled deer fleeing from a ravenous predator.

His twisted delight knew no bounds as he savored the notion that each and every one of them could potentially serve as a delectable offering to the person he was looking for.

"Captain, why is that thing not coming out?" he stammered, voicing the concerns shared by the others. But their captain remained silent, his senses keenly focused on the mysterious shroud that concealed their enemy.

'What happened?' he thought, puzzled by the sudden absence of the beast's presence after his initial attack.

The eerie quiet was broken by blood-curdling screams from his subordinates as they writhed in excruciating pain. Dark, tendril-like tentacles emerged from behind them, piercing their abdomens and lifting them into the air.

"AGHHH!"

"Ack!"

"HE-LP!!"

The screams pierced the air, and the elf captain's heart raced as he realized that something sinister was unfolding. In a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation, he shouted, "FIRE!"

Explosions erupted as the elven warriors unleashed their magic and aura-infused arrows. However, their efforts were in vain. None of their attacks reached Kaksan, who had used the captured elven warriors as gruesome meat shields to protect himself.

As Kaksan unleashed his dark powers, violent winds erupted, and a thick black miasma spread forth from him, clouding the eyes of the elven warriors. Panic and terror gripped the ranks as they stumbled blindly in the darkness.

Screams echoed through the once serene forest as the black mist, combined with the pitch-black skies, rendered their extraordinary elven eyes completely useless. One by one, the hundred elven voices grew quieter, their fear and despair evident.

Even the captain, Kilian, found himself in a desperate situation. Struggling to summon a gust of wind to clear the mist, he discovered that he couldn't gather or summon any mana. The black miasma conjured by Kaksan seemed to devour not only the light but also the very essence of mana itself.

With each step, a disconcerting "plucking" sound reached Kilian's ears as he walked through the darkness. The intense, metallic scent in the air confirmed his fears; this was not water beneath his feet, but the blood of his comrades.

Kilian, as the captain of the elven guards, had faced many adversaries in the past. However, none had posed a threat of this magnitude. The elves had become complacent over the millennia, relying on the protective barrier provided by the World Tree. Now, they were facing a menace that challenged their very existence.

Kaksan's dark, tendril-like tentacles slithered their way towards Kilian. With shocking speed, they pierced his abdomen, causing the black mist that had enveloped the area to dissipate. Kilian's wide eyes were filled with horror as he witnessed the gruesome fate that had befallen his subordinates. They lay cut and dismantled, the victims of the monstrous beast's unrelenting onslaught.

Amidst the chaos, Kilian's laughter rang out, tinged with the absurdity of their situation. He had chosen to relinquish any hope of survival. Kaksan, using his sinister appendages, pulled Kilian closer to him.

In a desperate move, a sudden green line formed in the air as Kilian swung the sword at his waist. He aimed to cut off Kaksan's forehead, believing he had the upper hand. "Got you, beast! You think I'll give up that easily?" he declared.

But Kilian's triumph was short-lived. Almost instantaneously, Kaksan's head regenerated. His razor-sharp claws snatched Kilian's eyes from their sockets, causing the elven captain to scream in agonizing terror. Then, with a ruthless force, Kaksan hurled Kilian through the air, and the once-honorable captain crashed into a nearby house, his life extinguished in a pitiful and gruesome end.

Kaksan, driven by his intense desire to locate the person he sought, prepared to send out his mana signals once more. However, before he could do so, an infuriating interruption occurred. Thousands of arrows, this time lacking any aura or mana enhancements, soared through the air toward him.

Kaksan, with a dismissive gesture, effortlessly batted aside the attacks. He used his tentacle-like whips to intercept any arrows that appeared remotely threatening. Even if some arrows managed to penetrate his defenses and make contact, they proved utterly futile. Kaksan's skin had recently adapted, growing tougher and more resistant to both physical and magical assaults.

In the distance, the elven army, led by Alma, stood poised with their bows drawn, arrows locked on Kaksan.