Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Spectral Death Strings
Aengus slowly dismounted from the three-headed Hydra, his every movement exuding a quiet, lethal grace. He walked to the frontline of his legion, where his subordinates stood ready, their eyes fixed on the enemy forces ahead. His expression remained calm, unreadable, betraying no hint of emotion as he surveyed the battlefield.
"Master, I have successfully combined Spectral Spider Web, Soul Drain, and Deathly Grasp to create a new technique: Spectral Death Strings ability. It's highly effective against large numbers of targets, but the energy consumption is a little high," Manas, his ever-present guide and strategist, spoke within his mind.
Aengus processed the information, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So, you couldn't synthesize it with Gluttony of Darkness?" he asked, his thoughts calculated and measured.
"Apologies, Master, but you currently lack the sufficient energy required for that synthesis," Manas responded with a hint of regret.
"Hmm... How much mana does it require?" Aengus inquired, his tone curious yet composed.
"Approximately 50,000 mana," Manas informed him.
"Why is the energy requirement so high?" Aengus asked, his gaze still fixed on the enemy forces, though his mind was deeply engaged in the analysis.
"Master, it's because the abilities you are attempting to combine are of royal bloodline origin. Such abilities inherently require a significant amount of energy to integrate with lower-level bloodline skills," Manas explained, its tone matter-of-fact.
"I see," Aengus acknowledged, his understanding deepening as he considered his options. "Then tell me, what are the chances of winning this fight?"
Manas took a fraction of a second, calculating the odds with precision before replying, "95.78%, Master."
Aengus nodded slightly, the odds more than satisfactory. He exuded an air of quiet confidence as he prepared to unleash his full might against the Naganian forces.
Aengus gave the command telepathically to his legion, and within moments, his forces surged forward with terrifying speed and precision.
"Awoooo!" The Hellfire wolves howled, their cries echoing across the battlefield.
"Neigh! Neigh!" Undead horses reared, their hollow eyes glowing with a malevolent light as they charged ahead, skeletal warriors mounted on their backs. The spectral spiders scuttled forward with lightning speed, their movements fluid and deadly.
Meanwhile, the Soulreaver Tigers, their black figures nearly invisible in the darkness, leaped forward like bolts of shadowy lightning, closing in on the enemy ranks.
Butler Yu, along with fifteen other greater demons, moved in unison with the rest, their powerful auras radiating a chilling presence as they advanced on Aengus's orders.
Sienna glanced at her father, who had somehow recovered and now joined the fray at her side. Without hesitation, she leaped into action, to impress her new lord with actions.
"Sienna," her father called out as they charged forward, his voice filled with concern, "your brother might be among the tribal forces. They must have already coerced him into joining them. I'm going to find and save him. Please, take care of yourself while I'm away."
Sienna looked at him, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Father. That cold-faced demon didn't send us here to die needlessly, right?"
Her father chuckled softly, his gaze filled with paternal affection before he transformed into his true Naga form, his body elongating and scales shimmering as he prepared to carry out his mission.
"Take care, Father!" Sienna called after him, her voice a mix of determination and worry.
With a steely resolve, Sienna transformed into her Medusa form, her stunning serpentine body gleaming with energy. Her eyes flashed dangerously as she unleashed her Petrifying Gaze on an enemy from the Naga tribe. She felt no remorse for betraying her own kind; the years of extortion and suffering they had inflicted on her family had fueled a deep-seated hatred within her.
In truth, she was enjoying the chance for revenge a little.
A wicked grin spread across her Snake face as she turned several of her former kin into stone statues, their expressions frozen in terror.
"Sienna! You treacherous bitch! How dare you harm your own kin? Have you really sided with an outsider?"
A voice, dripping with venom, cut through the chaos. Another Medusa from the Naga tribe slithered toward Sienna, her aura crackling with sinister intent.
Sienna sneered in response, her gaze cold and unyielding. "So what if I have? I'd rather be a whore for an outsider than continue to serve under a tyrant like you."
"Y-You... Traitor! I'll kill you!" the other Medusa hissed, her fury palpable.
Without another word, the two Medusas lunged at each other, their bodies coiling and twisting as they fought to crush one another. Their petrifying gazes were useless against each other, as both were immune to the very curse they wielded.
But Sienna had the upper hand. She was stronger now, having undergone a physical upgrade after synthesizing with the Hellfire Wolves. She had personally requested Aengus not to disfigure her Medusa form through the mutation caused by the synthesis, and he had obliged, thanks to Manas's assistance.
Now, with her enhanced strength and the new ability to harness Hellfire, Sienna's power was on a whole new level. Her scales gleamed with a fiery intensity, and the heat radiating from her body made the air around her shimmer.
As they struggled, Sienna let out a wicked laugh. "You have no idea what you're up against. I've become more than just a Medusa now"
"Huh? What do mean by that?" The other Medusa felt a bad premonition as she began feel hot all around her body.
Without a word Sienna unleashed a burst of Hellfire, flames erupting from her body and engulfing her opponent.
"Argh! Hellfire? But how is that possible?"
The other Medusa screamed in agony, her flesh searing under the intense heat. Sienna tightened her grip, her strength bolstered by the flames, and began to crush her enemy with relentless force.
The battle was over quickly. The other Medusa's body went limp, her once proud form now a smoldering, charred husk. Sienna released her lifeless foe, letting the body fall to the ground with a dull thud.
She looked down at her fallen kin with cold satisfaction. "This is what happens when you underestimate me. You should have known it bitch."
With a flick of her tail, Sienna turned away from the corpse, only to be confronted by a towering demon—a Naga far more powerful than she had anticipated. "Uh, what bad luck!," she muttered under her breath.
The Naga loomed over her, releasing a breath of poisonous miasma, intent on corroding her to death.
"Die, you traitorous whore! How dare you kill my partner! You're dead," the Naga bellowed, his voice dripping with menace.
Sienna's heart plummeted as she braced herself against his overwhelming strength, pouring every ounce of power she had into her defense.
But in the next moment, she witnessed a chilling sight—the Naga's body convulsed, then crumpled to the ground with an ear-piercing shriek. The horrifying scene sent a shiver down her spine.