The bat-like creature stood once again, this time pointing directly at Asher with an amused smirk. "I'll give you three free strikes," it said mockingly, its voice deep and resonant. "Attack with all your might. After that, it'll be my turn."
Asher's blood boiled as he heard the creature's taunts, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Very well," he replied, his voice steady. Bringing his palms together, he began channeling the full force of his bloodline abilities.
While Asher's primary power was his Sanguine Supreme, he also possessed two lesser abilities: Black Lightning and Necromancy. Though these were weaker compared to his dominant bloodline power, Asher decided to unleash everything he had. If the creature wanted him to strike with his full might, then he wouldn't hold back.
In his hands, three distinct orbs began to form: one of crimson red, pulsating like blood; one of dark grey, swirling with necrotic energy; and one of pitch black, crackling with lightning. The orbs fused together, creating a volatile, oscillating sphere of immense destructive energy.
"Dread Blast," Asher roared as he thrust his palms forward, releasing the attack. The tri-colored beam of destruction surged toward the creature, tearing through the ground as it traveled.
The bat-like creature didn't flinch. With a wave of its hand, dark energy condensed in front of it, forming a barrier shaped like a black diamond. The Dread Blast collided with the shield, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Cracks appeared on the barrier, but it held firm.
The creature lowered its barrier, inspecting the minor cracks. "Hmm," it mused, tilting its head. "Better than it looks... but still weak."
Asher watched, his heart sinking as the attack dissipated, leaving the creature completely unharmed. Damn it, he thought. It didn't even faze him.
"Is that all you've got?" the creature mocked, crossing its arms again. "I expected more from you. Come on, human! You still have two more chances. Don't disappoint me!" It waved its hand dismissively, its taunting laughter echoing through the chamber.
Asher clenched his fists, his anger bubbling to the surface. He needed a new plan. That attack had been his strongest move, and it hadn't even scratched the creature. What now? he thought desperately.
Then it hit him—weakness. Everyone had one, no matter how strong they appeared. Asher's eyes widened slightly as he remembered one of his lesser-used skills: Absolute Appraisal.
This skill was a system cheat, allowing him to uncover every single detail about his target, regardless of rank or power difference. No one could detect when he used it, making it an invaluable tool for situations . Though he primarily used it to appraise items, he had never faced an opponent where it might be necessary—until now.
Taking a deep breath, Asher activated Absolute Appraisal. His vision blurred momentarily as the world around him shifted. The creature's form began to glow faintly, and countless details flooded his mind. Its strengths, its weaknesses, its abilities—all were laid bare before him.
And then he saw it. Everything about him , even his weakness, laid before his eyes.
[ Dark Void Bat King ]
[ Realm : Platinum (Pseudo king) ]
[ Description : a ambitious creature who betrayed his own master for power, he stole his Kingship, though it was stolen not from self enlightenment he only reached a Pseudo King rank.... ]
[ Weakness : The Throne is the only weakness f this creature, the Symbol of Bat Emperor he plundered by Treachery, once destroyed he will be hit hard reducing his power by 50% permanently and by 80% for 30 seconds due to backlash ]
Asher's mind raced as the details unfolded before his eyes. The bat-like creature was no mere opponent—it was the Dark Void Bat King, a being of immense power, on the precipice of true Kingship. But there it was, plain as day: its weakness.
The ornate structure, carved from obsidian and etched with glowing crimson runes, wasn't just a seat—it was a stolen symbol of power, a relic the creature had plundered in an act of betrayal. Destroying it would inflict devastating backlash, cutting its power in half permanently and leaving it vulnerable for a crucial thirty seconds.
Asher's breath quickened, but he forced himself to remain calm. This is my chance, he thought. He couldn't overpower the creature directly, but if he could focus on the throne, the tides would turn.
The creature shifted on its throne, its glowing eyes narrowing. "You've been quiet," it said, its voice laced with amusement. "Have you realized how hopeless this fight is? Or are you planning something clever?"
Asher didn't respond. Instead, he adjusted his stance, gripping his scythe tightly. The creature's taunts were irrelevant now—his target was clear.
"Fine," the Dark Void Bat King continued, rising from the throne with a lazy stretch. "Two more strikes, human. Impress me."
Asher smirked. I only need one.
In a sudden burst of speed, he dashed forward, but not directly at the creature. His movements were calculated, weaving and feinting to mask his true intent. The bat king's crimson eyes tracked him, and its lips curled into a predatory grin.
"Still dancing around, are we?" it sneered. "You'll have to do better than that." The source of this content is Novel~Fire. (n)et
Asher's scythe glowed with a sinister red aura as he poured everything into his next attack. His bloodline abilities surged, blending his Sanguine Supreme with the raw destructive force of his necromancy and black lightning. The air crackled with energy, the chamber trembling under the weight of his power.
With a mighty leap, Asher twisted mid-air, aiming his strike—not at the bat king, but at the throne behind it.
The creature's grin faltered as realization dawned. "What—?!"
Asher's scythe cleaved through the air, its edge blazing with a tri-colored energy. The blade struck the throne with a deafening crack, shattering its surface. A shockwave erupted, sending chunks of obsidian and crimson runes flying in all directions.
The bat king let out an ear-splitting roar, clutching its chest as dark energy erupted from its body. The backlash was immediate and violent. Its once-dominant aura flickered and dimmed, and its towering form seemed to shrink, its movements sluggish and unsteady.
"You—dare—" the creature growled, staggering as the effects of the backlash rippled through it.
Asher landed gracefully, a smirk playing on his lips. "One more strikes left, right?" he said mockingly. "I think I'll make it count."
"Try to blocks it one more time" Asher said as his hands come together once again as he launched another Dread Blast.
Under the weight of the backlash, the Bat King tried to summon his dark energy for a counterattack. However, the feedback from the shattered throne surged through him, causing even more internal damage. He coughed up black blood, his body trembling as his power crumbled.
Just as he tried one final act of defiance, the Dread Blast reached his face. His final, desperate word escaped his lips: "F-fuck..."
The tri-colored ray struck with devastating force, disintegrating his upper body and ending his life.
Asher stood motionless, watching as the creature's remains crumbled into ash. The oppressive aura that had filled the chamber dissipated, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
Catherine landed softly beside him, her golden hair shimmering faintly in the dim light. "How did you know?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "That the throne was his weakness? Even I didn't notice it."
Asher turned to her, his expression calm but weary. "I could sense it," he replied. "The throne was connected to him, almost like an extension of his body. I didn't know for sure it was his weakness, but it felt... significant."
Catherine crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "What if you were wrong?" she asked pointedly.
Asher shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "I didn't know," he admitted. "But he said he'd give me three chances. I wasn't about to waste one."
Catherine sighed, shaking her head with a small smirk. "You're either incredibly lucky or insanely reckless," she muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in her voice.
Asher simply nodded, his gaze returning to the remnants of the shattered throne. "Maybe both," he said quietly.
Suddenly, the space around them began to quake violently. Asher instinctively steadied himself, his eyes darting around to find the source. At the center of the chamber, cracks began to spiderweb across the ground. From the fissure, a faint glow emerged, and a perfectly round orb floated upward.
The orb was the size of a basketball, its surface shimmering with an iridescent light that seemed to pulse rhythmically. Asher stared at it, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "What is that?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with intrigue.
Catherine stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the floating object. "That is the core of this space," she explained. "You can call it the Dungeon Core."
Asher tilted his head slightly. "What's it used for?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the orb.
Catherine crossed her arms and replied, "You can absorb it to advance in rank. It also comes with a small chance—about 10%—to gain a unique skill tied to the dungeon's nature."
Hearing this, Asher nodded thoughtfully. Without hesitation, he stored the Dungeon Core in his spatial ring. "I'll check it later," he said, while inwardly adding. 'I'll use Absolute Appraisal first to make sure it's safe and understand it fully before doing anything.'
Catherine smirked at his cautious approach. "Smart move. Most people would have rushed to absorb it immediately."
Asher gave a faint smile. "Rushing gets you killed. I'd rather take my time and make sure I'm not walking into a trap."