Chapter 267 Chapter266-John Takes Action
Within the dazzling fluctuations of magic energy, the Soul-Devouring Serpent Mozambique continuously writhed, the surrounding shroud of black mist gradually dissipating.
The painful roar resonated so profoundly that the entire palace seemed to be on the verge of collapse.
The energy spurred a wild wind that swept across the whole space, stirring up dust and smoke all around.
Gasping for breath, Alcys and Yunis stood aside, their eyes unblinkingly fixed on the central part of the battlefield.
They were uncertain if their full-force strike could vanquish the terrifyingly powerful Soul-Devouring Serpent, yet they knew they had given their all.
After what seemed like an eternity, the magic energy gradually faded.
A tentative calm began to restore the surroundings.
In the middle of the battlefield, the body of the Soul-Devouring Serpent slowly became visible.
The serpent bore no resemblance to its grandiose entry; it was now covered in wounds, with black blood forming small rivers on the ground.
It lay there, sporadically attempting to lift its head but failing despite exerting all its might.
Both the final techniques unleashed by Alcys and Yunis were the most potent they could muster, naturally incomparable to common skills.
Regardless of how formidable the Soul-Devouring Serpent Mozambique's defenses were, it couldn't remain unscathed under their combined assault.
Yet, observing Mozambique's current state, although in dire straits, it was far from being annihilated.
Alcys and Yunis exchanged a glance, both eyes revealing an expression of disbelief.
They had never anticipated that despite giving their all, they still couldn't kill the Soul-Devouring Serpent that emerged from the abyss.
Logically, the best course of action now would be to invite others to lend their support.
However, pride restrained them from voicing this, leaving them with no choice but to muster the last traces of strength within them, preparing for a final showdown.
At this moment, John spoke up.
"Enough, leave the rest to me. Your quest here is done..." he said, his hands behind his back as he slowly walked towards the duo.
He stared expressionlessly at the battered Soul-Devouring Serpent in front of him, his eyes devoid of any unnecessary emotional fluctuation.
Alcys silently retreated to the rear, beginning to quietly nurse his wounds under Hills' healing.
However, the relatively younger Elf Archer Yunis was somewhat reluctant at this moment.
"Captain, we can definitely defeat this damned serpent, give us another chance..." Yunis cried out unwillingly.
John turned his head, his gaze somewhat surprised as he looked at him, "Have you misunderstood something? I will credit you guys with the kill of this monster; I won't steal your achievements."
"I believe I mentioned, I need it alive, I want to obtain something from it..."
Yunis suddenly became flushed, bashfully lowering his head.
Indeed, he had forgotten John's previous instructions.
The first moment he saw John stepping forward, he thought he was coming to deliver the final blow.
John gave a slight smile, not offering further explanations to Yunis.
Instead, he turned his gaze back to the Soul-Devouring Serpent Mozambique, who lay on the ground, silent and gradually regaining its state.
"Say something. I know you can understand what we're saying. A being from the abyss of your caliber surely isn't less intelligent than the Abyssal Malevolence we encountered before, right?"
Mozambique still kept its head firmly pressed against the ground, not lifting it even a bit, with the three vertical pupils on its forehead tightly shut.
John shrugged, speaking nonchalantly, "Actually, even if you don't speak, I know what you intend to do. Although the previous battle did not fully kill you, the revival must have significantly drained your soul... I am offering you a chance to recover. However, if you still can't escape from me once you're healed, you'll have to give me something..."
Finally, the Soul-Devouring Serpent Mozambique opened its eyes, the three vertical pupils flickering with a strange luminescence, staring intently at John.
"Human, what do you seek to obtain from me?"
John wore a faint smile, his voice flat as he spoke, "It's not anything significant. I just want a few liters of your essence blood, that's all…"
Mozambique snorted lightly, roaring in response, "Foolish dreams. Essence blood is our source of life. You expect me to easily hand it over to a despicable human?"
John gazed at it emotionlessly, not a ripple of emotion in his eyes, "You have no room to choose now. Either offer it willingly or I will take it by force…"
"You surely understand deep down that the pain you would endure from having the essence blood forcibly extracted is not something you can withstand in your current state!"
Mozambique fell silent, its three vertical pupils hanging low as if weighing its options internally.
John remained patient, standing quietly at his spot awaiting Mozambique's decision.
After a moment, Mozambique's deep voice resounded again, "I am curious. You are just a human. What do you need our essence blood for?"
John's lips curled into a brilliant smile, speaking softly, "You don't need to concern yourself with that. I have my uses for it. You just need to decide whether or not to agree."
Perhaps having had a moment to recover, Mozambique felt it regained enough strength to fight again.
It suddenly raised its upper body high, opening its massive maw, and looking down upon John.
"Human, you are far too arrogant. Even in my heavily injured state, retaining but a fraction of my power, it is not easy to kill me."
"You mentioned earlier that if I could escape from your clutches, I would be spared. Was that true?"
John lightly raised an eyebrow, answering without hesitation, "Certainly. I absolutely will not break a promise I make."
The Soul-Devouring Serpent Mozambique roared towards the heavens, its voice carrying a hint of manic laughter, "So be it. I am mostly recovered now, young one, prepare to die!"
It suddenly inhaled deeply, and from the surrounding vivid monster corpses, hidden green light points were forcibly drawn out, slowly drifting into its nostrils and mouth.
John silently furrowed his brow, speaking softly, "These were creatures from the abyss, just like you. They are now dead, leaving only these remnants of souls. Do you not even spare them?"
John and his group had previously discerned the true nature of these green points of light — they were the Soul Fragments left by the now lost monsters.
A bloodthirsty undertone laced Mozambique's voice, "They are but dead trash. Making use of them in their final moments is their honor."
John chuckled lightly, his voice tinged with mockery, "It seems you had planned to use them in this manner to restore your damaged soul from the start, hadn't you?"
"Were these monsters originally slain by you? I found it curious earlier on. What kind of being could have caused these creatures to remain physically intact while their souls dissipated?"
"I suppose only a malevolent beast like you, one that specializes in consuming souls, could possess such capabilities, right?"
Mozambique swayed its massive head, its voice becoming increasingly buoyant, "Ignorant human, you're mistaken on this account. Even at my peak, I lacked the ability to extract the souls of these wretches completely."
"They came to this damned palace with the great master. Their utmost purpose was to serve as nourishment for him. I am merely feasting on the leftovers now."
John gave it a nonchalant glance, speaking languidly, "Just as I suspected. This 'great master' you speak of would be the renowned One of the 72 devils of the Abyss, the Soul-Devouring Devil Ghana, wouldn't it?"
Mozambique suddenly fell silent, its trio of vertical pupils fixated on John with a gravitas emanating from its gaze. "You insignificant humans, bursting into this damned palace, was it to target my master that you came?"
John cracked a smile, revealing pristine white teeth, "You can take a guess…"
Mozambique suddenly erupted in anger, its roaring voice causing the entire palace to tremble, "Bastards! You lowly humans! Daring to ambush while my master is in a weakened state! I cannot tolerate such a disgraceful act of profanity against a deity!"
Standing steadfast as a mountain before Mozambique, John's tone remained unfluctuating, "That isn't for you to decide. Even if you wish to stop it, you should consider whether you have the ability to do so."
Suddenly, Mozambique lowered its head, opening its gaping maw wide as it lunged ferociously towards John's head.
As the sharp, terrifying fangs were inches away from reaching John's scalp, the hearts of the others leaped into their throats, for John neither dodged nor evaded, his hands still leisurely held behind his back, as if oblivious to the serpent's impending attack.
Yet, in the next second, everyone stood frozen in place.
As Mozambique's fangs were but a few inches from John's scalp, its massive body abruptly halted in its entirety.
Everyone could witness the grotesque expression on Mozambique's face as it exerted all its strength.
However, no matter how ferociously the serpent strained, it could not reach John's head, as if an invisible energy barrier stood firmly between them, blocking any further advance!
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