Chapter 222 A Battle of Two Destroyers

—

Kieran held his hand in line with Zerim’s incoming attack and gathered the required energy to unleash a Blood Pulse.

After gauging Zerim’s attack, Kieran understood what skill would prove effective and ineffective against the strong flame attack.

Blood Pulse, while not lauded for its damage, possessed a convenient ability—the ability to deflect and disorient the intended target.

Granted, the extent of the disorientation varied depending on the target’s mental fortitude.

However, Kieran wasn’t interested in disorienting Zerim. He wanted to disorient the incoming attack. The principles of Blood Pulse extended beyond only affecting humanoid targets.

As a power birthed from a chaotic place, it was an effectual deterrent against ranged attacks.

Woom!

The discolored blood sphere preceding Blood Pulse’s activation released a growing ring that moved toward the incoming Razing Torrent.

As the two attacks clashed, violent Mana fluctuations whipped across the stage, but Kieran and Zerim stood unperturbed, watching as their two attacks canceled each other out.

“Don’t let false hope cloud your mind; this is only the beginning. Our fight will continue and end with my victory. If you continue to hold back, you will only suffer a defeat without understanding how it happened,” Zerim remarked indifferently.

A second later, Zerim exhaled and closed his eyes with an expression of bliss. The air surrounding his body increased in temperature until many heat waves manifested.

The ground beneath Zerim’s feet began turning a different color as if Zerim’s flames were superheating it.

Once this happened, Zerim opened his eyes, which were filled with raging flames.

“Mana Manifestation: Ignis Dragoon,” Zermin spoke.

A draconic figure, seeming to be a cross between a dragon and a mutant creature, appeared behind Zerim with an immense wingspan. After emerging, the Ignis Dragoon let out an ear-piercing shriek.

However, Zerim’s actions didn’t stop there.

“Source Assimilation: Ignis’ Inferno!”

The Ignis Dragoon merged with Zerim’s body and birthed a pair of fiery wings with a reptilian texture. Once the wings appeared, Zerim’s hands and neck experienced a change, gaining scales matching his broadsword.

Kieran’s eyes narrowed after witnessing the change in Zerim. Unlike Dusvim, who merely equipped his Mana Manifestation in the shape of armor and gained increased Defense, Zerim performed a complete Assimilation with the Source his Mana Manifestation was based on.

Achieving this feat required deep knowledge of one’s Source and an innate affinity. Otherwise, the assimilation would result in failure, or it would be incomplete.

Based on Zerim’s current appearance, it was clear his assimilation with his Source reached a high level. While the grading of his Source was unknown, even if it was low, accomplishing this feat at such a young age was a testament to his talent.

...

Above in the stands...

Ezrath revealed an incredibly proud smile as he shot Scar a smug look. “You see that? My grandchild is of a talent unseen within the Ignis Family for many generations.”

Scar frowned after a golden glow erupted from his narrowed eyes. It only took a second, but he received all the needed information. “Your grandchild has purposely delayed his Advancement to comprehend his Source on a deeper level, hasn’t he?”

“Correct. Despite my suggestion, Young Zerim insisted on ignoring his Advancement,” Ezrath nodded.

“In other words, your grandchild seeks a path of extraordinary strength. But doesn’t he know that the more he comprehends his Source, the more difficult his Advancement will become?”

He wasn’t sure of the effects or aftereffects, but Kieran understood something.

As much as he wished to refrain from using this skill, Zerim proved that his claims weren’t baseless. If Kieran didn’t stop withholding at least one skill, he would lose this battle. That’s how powerful Zerim’s current form was.

“Deranged Spirit,” Kieran uttered. His tone resembled a creature crawling from the depths of hell to commit untold atrocities.

〈System: Deranged Spirit has triggered your «Bloodlust».〉

〈System: A preexisting modification to your natural state has been detected.〉

〈System: The preexisting modification is compatible with «Bloodlust». Creating a temporary form...〉

〈System: You have gained the temporary state of «Predatory Bloodlust».〉

Despite the raging exterior, Kieran’s mind was unusually calm after learning to somewhat control the riled emotions that ran rampant during Deranged Spirit’s activation.

「 Deranged Spirit (Lv.2)

Skill Rank: S+ (Incomplete)

Skill Type: Active-Passive/Buff

Mastery (14.00%)

Description: The user stimulates their madness and enters «Bloodlust» by drawing upon the dormant Argexes’ Blood. The deeper the activation of this skill, the more intense the effects become—negative and positive.

*New...«Bloodlust» -During this state’s active period, the user’s Lifesteal increases to 0.5% of the damage inflicted. The damage and effect of all blood skills are increased by 100%. Blood Mania’s maximum Bleed stack increased to 60. All attacks gain 10% Defense Ignore.

Consumption: Sanity (Reduced)

Prerequisites: 100% «Blood Mania» «Tormented Beliefs» Phase III

Duration: 1 – 300 seconds (The aftereffects vary based on the active duration.)

Cooldown: 24 hours

Note: While strengthened, this skill remains incomplete, lacking in its effects. Complete the ability to unleash its true power. 」

〈System: In «Predatory Bloodlust», Defense Ignore increases to 20%.〉

Deranged Spirit’s cooldown didn’t change, but the Lifesteal properties were enhanced, along with Defense Ignore, which many players would kill to obtain.

After going through this change, a pool of viscous blood spread across the arena’s breadth.

“Blood Bind!”

Twelves chain sprang out from the pool of viscous blood and rose to the sky, intending to entrap or at least diminish the descent of Zerim’s Flame Devastation. The chains accomplished their purpose, but they revealed signs of breaking.

Zerim’s attack was estimated to rival an S Rank Skill. Even when strengthened, Blood Bind fell short of an S Rank Skill in terms of effect.

“I have no intentions of losing,” Kieran stated.

A thin blood film encased his palm as Crimson Ashrune levitated above it. Kieran applied the same principle employed to eject Senar from the ring, except this time, its purpose was propulsion.

“Seethe Burst!”

Boom!

The backlash shattered the ground beneath Kieran’s feet as he released an augmented Seethe Burst into the core of Zerim’s Flame Devastation.

Several people in the stands could feel it—the battle between Zerim and Kieran had become a battle of two destroyers.