Chapter 165: Power

The old man hovered in the air, clutching a red crystal, surrounded by corpses and the stench of blood.

He glanced around, muttering, “Where’s the wizard array core?”

The red crystal was a tool for seizing control of the wizard array, needing the core’s location to work.

After circling the residential area without success, he flew toward the potion garden to investigate.

***

As Terry headed north to the castle, he noticed the flourishing potion materials in the garden.

These thriving plants would soon belong to the Moss family, he thought, focusing on eliminating the boy in the north.

Terry had long been in the liquefied phase, confident in handling a newly advanced gaseous wizard without difficulty.

Approaching the castle, Terry used magic sensing to assess the situation.

Inside, he detected two ordinary people, a man and a woman, posing no threat.

In the basement, a woman with strong magical energy, likely a third-level apprentice, caught his attention.

Terry noted her presence, then focused on the man in the courtyard, matching Helag’s description as a first-level gaseous wizard.

Muttering incantations, Terry summoned a flame shield around himself.

Despite Helag’s lower rank, Terry intended to fight with full force, giving Helag no chance.

Ignoring the hiding Lennon and Mary, Terry entered the courtyard.

Helag, facing the stars, had his back to him.

“You’re here?” Helag said calmly.

Terry was puzzled. “Were you expecting me?”

Helag seemed to know he was coming, waiting there intentionally.

If he knew, why not attempt to escape?

Though Blackrock Valley was sealed, surely he wouldn’t just wait to die.

Terry sneered, “Good you know there’s no escape. Saves me trouble. I’ll make it quick.”

He sensed Helag’s spirit power, confirming his gaseous phase.

Helag turned, calmly facing Terry. “I’ve pondered if absolute power can overcome all. You’re just right for an experiment, not too strong, not too weak.”

“Perfect.”

Terry disliked Helag’s dismissive gaze, feeling underestimated.

“Rage of the Blood Bull.”

Helag applied blood to his palm.

Terry, initially wary, relaxed seeing a mere zero-level spell. “What good is that?”

“Blessing of the Mountain Spirit.”

“Blessing of the Wind Spirit.”

“Absolute Defense.”

Helag cast three spells, his body glowing, a multicolored shield forming around him.

Terry frowned. The buffs seemed unimpressive, but the odd shield felt off, his instincts sensing danger.

“Giant Body.”

Helag’s body expanded, clothes shredding.

Terry was stunned, looking up at the muscular giant, feeling uneasy.

“Dark Armor.”

Helag quickly donned dark armor, covering himself entirely.

He activated the Primordial Thunder God bloodline, electricity crackling over the armor.

Terry instinctively stepped back from the dark, imposing figure.

He hastily formed a fireball, launching it at Helag.

Helag stood firm, the fireball exploding harmlessly against him.

“Fire energy specialization? Unfortunate for you,” Helag remarked.

With high fire resistance, such magic couldn’t harm him in this state.

Watching the dissipating sparks, Helag said, “My turn.”

Muscles tensed, Helag launched himself, electric light trailing.

In an instant, he was before Terry, fist clenched.

A simple punch, but it brought a fierce wind and roar.

Terry’s pupils shrank, unable to react before Helag’s fist struck his flame shield.

The shield cracked like a spiderweb, shattering.

Terry’s body ignited in flames, his innate spell.

Helag’s punch hit Terry’s chest, bending him backward, blood and flesh spewing, internal organs shattered.

Terry flew back.

His flames couldn’t withstand Helag’s power, barely hindering him.

Helag followed, appearing behind Terry, delivering a powerful kick to his tailbone.

A clear crack sounded, Terry flying again, landing at the courtyard’s edge, body twitching.

Helag blinked beside Terry.

Terry, still alive, turned his eyes with difficulty, seeing the armored giant, fear in his gaze.

Too fast.

Terry hadn’t reacted, his spells unused, Helag’s blows leaving him gravely injured.

Lying there, Terry felt no pain, his body numb.

Unbeknownst to him, his body was grotesquely twisted, his waist bent unnaturally.

Helag felt confident as Terry entered the courtyard.

With his speed, Terry, unprepared, couldn’t react.

In peak condition, Helag’s activated bloodline power made him incredibly fast.

The short distance allowed Helag to easily overpower Terry.

Though a liquefied wizard, Terry’s physical resilience was no match for Helag’s overwhelming strength.