Chapter 451 Lich No More (3)
Chapter 451 Lich No More (3)
Grimm's transformation progressively got more bizarre with every passing moment. Red metallic scales replaced the skin as a thick tail grew out of his back. His face was deformed as well to resemble that of a crocodile.
"Out of all things he could have transformed into..." Lich mumbled.
"His appearance is quite intimidating; I agree with that." Ashton replied, "His appearance aside, it doesn't look like he'll be much trouble to handle."
"The appearance does not do justice to his capabilities." Lich remarked, "A Draconian should not be taken lightly. Not even by you."
Draconian, an ancient species that were thought to be the descendants of the dragons based on their resemblance. Ashton had heard about them before, but only in tales. That said, the one in front of them was essentially a dragon's successor.
It was no surprise Lich was acting cautiously. Any descendant of a dragon was dangerous, especially the one created by the staff.
"Well, there's no point chatting, is it?" Ashton said as he hurled Balmond towards Grimm.
It was best to take someone down while they were in the middle of transformation than let them become their most powerful self. However, Balmond couldn't even graze the Draconian.
The staff of Eden was protecting its holder by casting a barrier to prevent anyone from interrupting the transformation. Ashton and Lich both were powerless and could do nothing but watch.
[So that's why the Precursors didn't kill Lilith before she transformed. Interesting.]
"Now is not the time to admire the staff," Ashton reminded Astaroth, "If you have an idea to interrupt the transformation, bark. Otherwise, shut it."
[You moron, do you think you can do something even the Precursors couldn't?]
"..."
[That's what I thought. Instead of trying to do the impossible, think of ways to end him as soon as the transformation is complete.]
Astaroth's words got Ashton thinking. Since Dragons were immune to poison and fire, using [Heaven's Downfall] or [Scorching Rain] were out of the question. Even if the abilities were practical, both of them were under cooldown.
"Atlas, try to hold him back for as long as you can."
Atlas nodded and stood before his Master and Lich. Then Ashton turned towards Lich for advice. Since Lich knew about the Draconians so well, he should also know about their weaknesses. At least, that's what Ashton was hoping for.
Sadly, his hopes were shattered a moment later when Lich shook his head, "Master had faced a few Draconians in his lifetime, but defeating them was an arduous task. Apart from the Master, no one ever came close to defeating one, not even yours truly."
Lich then proceeded to raise numerous skeletons to overwhelm Grimm when his transformation was complete. Ashton did the same, but he knew it was a meaningless tactic, nothing more.
They stood in silence, waiting for the inevitable. A sudden roar broke the silence. Grimm's transformation was complete, and as such, the staff was of no use to him. The Draconian did not hesitate before discarding the staff and charging straight at the skeletons.
Skeletal soldiers bearing shields immediately jumped ahead to slow the crazed beast. However, they did not last long. Draconian's momentum was a force to reckon with as he pushed through hordes of skeletons like twigs and headed straight towards Ashton.
It was then Ashton got a clear look at his enemy. Brandishing red scales and black engravings all over his body, Grimm stood a few metres away from him. His swollen, pale green eyes were solely focused on Ashton.
An aura of unquenchable bloodlust surrounded the Draconian.
"Why is the fucker so fixated on me?" Ashton raised an eyebrow, "As far as I know, I haven't fucked anyone's wife, have I?"
[Hm, maybe you fucked him instead?]
"What did I tell you about not protecting your feelings on others?"<.com> pan(da-n0vel.c)om
[... fuck you!]
"See, that's what I was trying to say."
Before Astaroth could continue firing his shots, Draconian fired something else. He released his fiery breath, and the skeletons between him and Ashton were turned to ash.
Grimm walked up to Ashton; his face was inches away from the mutant's. None of them backed down from the challenge until...
"Boo!"
Ashton said, and the next moment, Atlas grabbed the Draconian by his tail and flung him across the room. However, wings erupted out of the creature's back as he stabilised himself in mid-air.
Draconian stared at his new target and flew towards Atlas alarmingly fast. However, this time, he was met with Ashton's fist as the latter slammed the former's head on the ground.
At the same time, Lich cast a series of curses on the creature, slowing him down considerably while at the same time reducing his defence stat. Curses were the only way for the Lich to give Ashton a fighting chance.
Without any hesitation, both Atlas and Ashton jumped on the Draconian. Their punches and kicks soon began overwhelming the creature. Draconian was confused, he couldn't see what was going on, let alone fight back.
A giant meatball in front of two lions, that was the state Draconian found himself in. Frustrated by the situation, Draconian flapped his wings in an attempt to knock his assailants back.
However, when he revealed his wings, Ashton and Atlas grabbed them and pulled with all their might. Their intent was clear; they wanted to take away Draconian's manoeuvrability. But the task was challenging.
In hindsight, Ashton had committed a grave mistake. Since both of them were holding onto Draconian's wings, there was no one to stop the creature from using his breath again, which he promptly aimed at Lich.
A massive wave of fire enveloped Lich, who was too occupied with casting curses. In an instant, Lich was turned to ashes, and so were the curses he had used on Draconian.
As soon as he regained his speed and defence, shrugging off his Ashton and Atlas wasn't tricky.
Draconian aimed towards Atlas and blasted him away with another Fiery breath. Ashton realised it and rushed to protect Atlas. However, he was too late. Atlas was gone.
Now the fight was between him and the creature.
But before Ashton could make a move, the Draconian knocked him away with his muscular tail. Blood oozed out of Ashton's mouth as he broke through the doors leading into Anna's recovery area.
Draconian calmly walked out of the room, surprised to find more enemies for fighting. Without waiting for Ashton's instructions, Celeste took Anna and rushed to heal her Master while the rest tried their best to stall for time.
Sadly, none of them lasted against Draconian's breath.
"Fuck!" Celeste cursed as she prepared a final stand against the descendant of dragons.
But something weird happened. Destroyed summons that would have taken hours to regenerate were healed instantly. Not only that, they all had gotten considerably stronger than ever before.
"What is going on-" Celeste wondered but was interrupted.
"Cast a barrier spell around Anna, now." Ashton's voice felt oddly insentient.
Celeste turned to find Ashton floating in the air. But that wasn't all; his face was half rotten, resembling an undead. A hood of darkness surrounded him as he tightly held onto a scythe.
The Reaper had evolved into the Grim Reaper.