Stones scattered through the air and trees burned. Remus, with a single large explosion, obliterated the entire front half of the palace and more. Yet, in spite of it all, the [Demonic Tree] stands without so much as a burnt leave or broken branch. Protecting the tree is a massive triple-layered [Mana Wall], and the two standing right behind it with their arms outstretch are the princess of the Beastkin, Aurelia, and her Champion, yours truly, no longer bound to a tree.

Through the semi-transparent wall, the falling rubble, and the clouds of dust, the gray-haired Beastkin with upright ears gazes forward with incredible spite the moment his eyes met with the princess'.

"What did you do to the king that made him so spiteful, Nine?"

"Hijacking the Grand Keeper's summoning took a great deal of resources, one of them being a large amount of mana. The princess was more than ready to die for the summoning back then, but the king decided that he would be the better choice. You've seen how he was, right, all skin and bones? That's the effect of severe mana drain. Still, no one other than those closest to the princess should know about that. I'll bet whoever gave Remus his powers also told him about that to egg him on."

"You know, I think I recall something along lines of that. About a price being paid to summon me here. I never did get my answer from the princess, did I?"

"She panicked quite a bit when you brought that up, so much so that I had to take over. It was a good thing that you're so easy to distract. Still, I see that the Beastkin Keepers are all prone to butting into businesses not of their own, whether it's the predecessor or the successor."

"I for one am quite glad for it."

"Of course you would be. You wouldn't be so much of a pain in my ass otherwise."

"Speaking of pain, I see Remus isn't planning to move just yet."

Even though our conversation, Remus stood there, staring at the massive [Mana Wall] we have erected. Even though a direct hit of that blast of his should be able to destroy it, he seems reluctant to use it. Then again, I suppose he can't even if he wanted to.

From the front gates all the way to the palace, Remus had only used that massive explosion of his twice, that's it. He hadn't used it at all on his way here no matter how many obstacles I throw in his way. From the looks of things, he must have some kind of cooldown, and in that case, considering the ability's power, it must be significantly long. Still, he's a formidable foe even without the use of that explosive power. The fact that he made it here in spite of it all while still keeping more than half of his men is proof of that.

"Looks like I'll have to take him on myself. Support me and prepare to do the 'thing' when I call for it."

"Will do."

Lowering the [Mana Wall], I approach Remus who stands at the forefront, his troops a good distance behind, probably so that they do not get caught up in the blast. It's unfortunate that he's so strong. Otherwise, a well-placed arrow would have easily put him out of my misery.

"Bold of you to approach me on your own, Champion. Not going to use your creatures?"

"Well, the one I had in mind would have a hard time moving among the trees. Would. That is."

I reply to him, knowing that due to the [Corruption], he wouldn't understand me anyways.

Regardless, with the last explosion, the trees around the area had all been blown away by the earlier explosion. Meaning that my previous concerns have easily been taken care of.

"Aras!"

From the sky, the [Celestial Eagle] descends, already summoned in anticipation for this moment. However, it does not goes towards Remus. Instead, it strikes at Remus' troops far behind him, keeping them at bay with [Whirlwind] and picking them off one by one with its deadly [Dive Attack], in which Aras would dive down towards the ground and strike at the target with its sharp talons. In Elysium Online it is a skill with high critical rate.

"Tch! If you think such tricks will slow me down you-"

By the time Remus turns back around from his troops to face me, I am already gone, hence the sudden pause in his speech.

"Impossi-"

"Not so, Lord Remus."

I had moved behind him within a single instant. In essence, I teleported, teleported with the skill: [Assassination].

With a shortsword in hand, I swing down at Remus, who promptly blocks it with his bare fist. However, not only am I a Champion, but I also had [Greater Power Boost] applied before the start of this fight, so of course it wasn't going to end well.

The blade easily penetrated Remus' skin and into his bones. Unfortunately, it went no further, the bones managed to stop it halfway through. Without a doubt, this defensive power is even greater than Cecilia, and she's a max leveled Knight.

Having caught my blade with his flesh, Remus proceeds to counter-attack. With what I know of his strength it's probably not a good idea to let him get a hit in. And so, with [Shadow Step], I make my retreat, pulling a good distance away from Remus. Meanwhile, Remus does not appear to want to chase me.

"You... I heard that you were a Summoner subclassing an Enchanter."

From the way he's talking, it sounds like he's referencing the sub-classing system in Elysium Online. However, I don't think I have ever explained it details of the class system to anyone in this world. I'm sure of it now. Whoever he's getting the power and information from, they're from outside of this world.

"And? Who is to say I can't pick up new tricks?"

I grinned widely, provoking him intentionally.

"Cheeky little-!"

In an instant, he appears right in front of me as if he teleported and swings his bare fist at me. Was there even a skill like this? I don't think so. Not in Elysium Online that is. Whatever it is, it can't be pure speed. If it is, he wouldn't purposely stop before me, would he? As the fist comes flying, I raise my sword and intercept the path with the flat of the blade. An explosion of force erupts as the fist collides with the steel. The sword bents under the force and subsequently, I find myself being flung backwards.

"Fairies!"

Upon being called, one of the fairies fluttering above descends with a new sword in hand, delivering it to me just as Remus approaches once more, this time without teleporting. As expected, as powerful as he is, he still has to abide by the cooldowns. Of course, I know that unlike in the game, they are not absolute, you can absolutely push past the limit given that you are prepared to pay the price for it. I'm sure that once Remus becomes desperate enough, he'll do just that.

This time, he comes at me with a sweeping kick, one aiming right for my head. Instinctively, I bend my back backward, narrowly avoiding the kick. However, though I have avoided the first strike, Remus's alters the course of the same leg mid-kick and raises it up high. Something tells me that if I let that heel drop on me, I'm going to have a bad time. It's an awkward angle, but I'm going to have to do it.

Twisting my body in a way that is nothing short of muscle abuse, I swing my newly acquired sword at Remus' foot. As it draws an upward arc, the blade glows in a brilliant light and upon contact with Remus' foot, it unleashes a powerful shockwave that cuts right through his leg, bone and all. At the same time, while I have unleashed the shockwave from an awkward position and was then knocked to the ground, I was able to curl my body inwards at the last second and have now rolled away from Remus, once more gaining distance.

With this foot cut loose, Remus falls to the ground holding his bloody stump.

"Im-Impossible!"

"That's the second time you've said it. But, like I said, not so, Lord Remus."

I used [Counter Force], hitting him with the force of the punch that bent my steel shortsword. Honestly, I'd be shocked if I ended up not being able to damage him even with that. As for how I am able to use all these skills, the answer lies with the [World Devourer Woods], or more precisely, it's unique ability: [Mutation]. It is the ability to manipulate lifeforms to a certain degree. With it, I've been having the World Devourer alter my mana pathways on the fly, granting me brand new skills to be at my disposal. With this, I figured that I should be more than a match for Remus here.

"Should have come at me with a sword, Remus."

Though I say that, I doubt he'll understand me with the [Corruption] and whatnot.

"If I can only take you out. If I just do that... This world, we'll save it somehow. If I can just get the 'key' I'll be able to see the creator, and then..."

The key? He must mean the Keepers' [contracts], right? With all four, plus the Purifier, one would gain full administration rights. Once you have that, you'll be able to access the 'other side' and see the One Being. In other words, Remus' plans are the same as ours. We want the same thing. But, how do I tell him that? He can't understand me. Is whoever giving him all these powers and information taking advantage of that?

"Aurelius, what are you waiting for? Finish him!"

I hate to admit it, but Nine's judgment is right. I don't have the luxury to try and solve this the peaceful way. I don't know what Remus has up his sleeves. It's best that I finish him off here than try to take my chances. I've already taken too many and no doubt my luck is running low.

I gesture to the fairies, the ones carrying bows and arrows in case I need them. Though I have a sword in hand, I don't want to take unnecessary risks by getting too close to Remus.

Once more, I have the World Devourer use [Mutation] and alter my status and mana pathways, granting myself stats and skills from the Archer class. While rapidly altering my body like this is going to take its toll sooner or later, right now, I'm in a position where I have other things to worry about.

With the arrow nocked, I draw the bow and shoot off a [Penetrating Arrow], planning to end it with a well placed shot right in between Remus' eyes. However, even while clutching his stump of a leg, Remus was able to conjure up a [Mana Wall] strong enough to deflect the [Penetrating Arrow]. While I doubt the [Mana Wall] will be able to absorb the damage of a second shot, there was no need for it to. Remus has bought his time.

As I hurriedly draw a second arrow, Remus' body begins to change. He's becoming larger with fur growing all over his body.

"Aurelius, finish him now!"

"That's the plan!"

I shoot off another arrow, this time, smashing through the [Mana Wall] Remus had conjured. Unfortunately, with a single leap, Remus got out of the projectile's way. Not only has his foot grown back, but what were once heels are now reverse joints on his legs, increasing the power of his leaps and sprints. His body as well, is now large and covered in thick fur. His height is now about twice of mine and his torso is about trice of my own, granting him a massive figure that supports massive arms that can easily wrap around the whole of my body and crush it like a twig. Finally, his head no longer holds its once humanoid features and instead possesses a long snout filled with a set of deadly fangs. If I have to make a direct comparison, I'd say that he looks kind of like a werewolf.

"Behold, this is our ancestral form, the true form, of the Beastkins before we were forced into the lands of Mankind."

"Well, you're a bigger target now, at least."

While I say that, it's not for him to hear. He wouldn't understand me anyways. No, it's for myself. Because I can tell, I can tell with my [Insight]. It's not just his body that had gotten larger; his overall power seems to have increased as well. This fight just got a whole lot nastier.

***

End of Chapter 85