Chapter 188 Death's Augury

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Dusvim laughed darkly as he emerged from the wall Kieran’s attack blew him into. “Where did all that rage go? You’re doomed to fail if you don’t have that perverse power.”

“My rage?” Kieran felt entertained by Dusvim’s comment.

Did he genuinely believe all his rage vanished into thin air as if it never once existed? Incorrect. To believe Kieran’s furry merely disappeared was a fallacy.

On the contrary, he found a better place to invest it.

Crimson Ashrune seemed to roar and cry as Kieran held it.

Not only had its size doubled without using Seethe Burst, but the Vampiric Blood Encrustation thickened, and its edge sharpened, producing a sinister yet contained feeling.

“Bastion, control him,” Kieran ordered.

At the same time, part of Crimson Ashrune’s exterior coating liquified. Bloody droplets dripped off the blade and seeped into the ground, painting the beige sand a beautiful ruby color.

“With pleasure! Just know that you are never alone, Aatrox. We’ll help you in any way, shape, or form,” Bastion said. He looked at Kieran with apparent determination.

Despite the Mana Manifestation wrathed around Dusvim’s body, Bastion rushed forward with Guardian’s Embrace activated. His Damage Reduction and Defense bolstered as a profound aura enveloped his body.

Bang!

Bastion rammed into Rahasa’s head but remained stable despite suffering some damage. ‘This little damage is nothing compared to the pain I felt inside Aatrox’s wail. He’s not in this alone, he has people he can rely upon, and I will show him that.’

All of a sudden, Bastion felt a presence near his rear.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Nemean’s shield landed a swift combo, which caused Dusvim’s attention to split between the two. “Where you go, I go, old friend. Now, let’s take this old man down!”

Bastion didn’t answer verbally, but he smirked with a meaningful look inside of his eyes.

A tacit understanding passed between these two as they relived their earlier training. The training increased their synergy and awareness of one another’s unique combat patterns.

Bastion retreated when Nemean advanced and vice versa.

While these two joined forces to handle Dusvim’s Mana Manifestation, several arrows slipped through the openings in their movements and punctured Rasaha.

Although Lux wanted to target Dusvim, it was impossible because half of Rasaha’s body remained coiled around Dusvim.

“I will break through his defenses,” Kieran claimed as he took one step forward. He bent his elbow, but it was like a surge of carnage permeated the room, dousing everything in a fear-inducing presence.

〈System: Your actions have triggered «Manifestation: Macabre Animosity»!〉

Although Kieran was partly unfamiliar with this new ability due to its vague overview, he was familiar with its origins. The ability stemmed from his Vengeful Soul after experiencing a primary Strengthening and Release.

Amidst his pain and suffering, Kieran opened up a new outlet to funnel his emotions and maintain the superiority of a True Berserker.

Bang!

Kieran’s body flashed after Surge Stepping to close the distance in the blink of an eye.

All of a sudden, the crimson energy filling the room converged above Kieran’s palm in the shape of an orb with a hollow, almost white inside. Kieran whispered something incoherent into the orb, prompting its silent pulsation.

Although soundless, the aftermath was not ineffectual. An abnormal pulse spread throughout the room, mainly focusing on Dusvim.

“Agch!” Dusvim clutched his head as tears of blood seeped from his eye sockets. From how reddened his eyes became, Dusvim unmistakably suffered some bizarre damage.

As for what Kieran’s actions were? It was one of his new skills known as Blood Pulse.

Mastery (00.00%)

Description: The True Berserker draws upon their penchant to consume vitality to pull enemies afflicted by «Bleed» to them. The higher the number of «Bleed» stacks inflicted upon the target(s), the stronger the attraction of this skill. The user can implode the «Bleed» stacks at any time to inflict heavy damage. Base Damage is equal to 1,500% of Attack Power and increases by 66% for every 3 Bleed stacks imploded.

Consumption: 5% Health & 100 Mana

Prerequisites: «Blood Mania»

Cooldown: 135 seconds 」

“Implode,” Kieran commanded.

BOOOM!

A horrifying explosion sounded inside the lair as a sinister sensation impacted everyone.

The surge of energy resulting from Kieran’s attack was like the aftermath of an exploding missile considering Kieran maxed out the Bleed stacks on Dusvim before unleashing this skill.

When the blast residue cleared, a stumbling Dusvim remained with pieces of his armor falling off.

“He’s still standing?” Bastion muttered in disbelief. His jaw dropped after looking at the horrid state of Dusvim’s Health bar.

“Noo!” Dusvim snarled.

〈Battle Alert: «Dusvim, the Sand Serpent» has gone Berserk.〉

While Dusvim wasn’t a Boss who would go berserk after reaching a certain health threshold, the Mana he wielded could go haywire if he lost control while a Manifestation was active, which was what occurred now.

Boom!

Numerous sand spears rushed toward everyone, but Kieran slashed his greatsword.

Pssh! Bang!

A Crimson Current collided against Dusvim’s attack, neutralizing it without fail.

“Pitiful,” Kieran remarked.

Shnk!

“Blood Wave!”

Four Blood Waves landed in rapid succession, tossing Dusvim aside like a ragdoll as Kieran calmly approached without any intention of ending this battle quickly.

Dusvim’s armor continued to break as he flailed his sword, attempting to force Kieran’s back.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Kieran effortlessly deflected each attack before lifting his foot.

“Grand Stomp!”

BOOM!

Dusvim’s body was buried inside a gigantic crater as his chest caved in from that impact. Despair filled his eyes as he looked inside Kieran’s cold, rage-filled eyes that radiated ruthlessness.

Dusvim sputtered and coughed up blood as the sand armor covering his body faded.

“Don’t.... Kill me,” Dusvim pleaded.

Despite his hatred toward Kieran, Dusvim didn’t wish to die. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent decades mustering the forces of his Desertborn Brigands.

All Dusvim sought was power and opportunity.

While listening to Dusvim’s pleas for leniency, Kieran lifted his blade as Sanguinem Tempest’s violent augury appeared.

Dusvim’s eyes widened once he felt the threat of death inches away. “Wait! Information! I have information!”

Ding!