Chapter 457: Pure Mana
Deiora, hearing Adam’s words, said, "So the little princess finally awakens."
But Adam ignored him, his attention drawn to the system notifications that had begun to scroll across his vision.
[Skill Harmonization Complete!]
[Soul Resonance: Stabilized]
[Chaos Index: 31% → 0%]
[Harmonization Progress: 78% → 100%]
[All fragmented skills have been successfully integrated. The chaotic elements within your soul have been aligned into a cohesive, balanced system.]
[Bonus: Pure Mana Acquired!]
[The harmonization process has distilled a portion of your chaotic energy into a stable, concentrated form: Pure Mana.]
[Skill Evolution Detected!]
[Due to the successful harmonization of your soul, several skills have evolved into more powerful forms:]
[Shadow Lance (Lv. 8) → Ouroboros Lance (Lv. 1)]
[Effect: Launch a lance of condensed shadow and void energy that pierces through multiple targets. Upon impact, the lance detonates into a storm of seeking shards that hunt additional enemies. Ignores 50% of target’s defenses. Deals heavy dark damage. This skill resonates with the Crown of the Hollow Glutton, allowing it to absorb a portion of the life force of slain enemies.]
[Ouroboros Coils (Lv. 1) → Eternal Coils (Lv. 1)]
[Effect: The user’s serpentine form is unleashed with the full weight of their draconic strength. The coils tighten with each passing second, dealing increasing damage over time. The target’s escape attempts are significantly hindered. Duration: 15 seconds. Can be maintained longer with sustained focus. The skill is particularly effective against targets larger than the user. The coils also drain a small portion of the target’s mana and stamina with each squeeze.]
[Abyssal Impact (Lv.1) → Sovereign Impact (Lv.1)]
[Effect: The user passively absorbs kinetic energy from incoming physical attacks, storing it as a charge within their core. When the charge reaches maximum, the user can release it as a devastating shockwave or enhance their next strike. Charge builds faster against stronger attacks. Maximum charge: 5 stacks. Each stack adds 15% bonus physical damage to the next attack. Stacks decay after 15 seconds of no combat. The user can also release the stored energy as a ranged shockwave.]
[Prismatic Beam (Lv.4) → Eclipse Prismatic Beam (Lv.1)]
[Effect: The user unleashes a concentrated beam of prismatic light infused with void energy. The beam ignores 75% of the target’s magical and physical defenses. On impact, it releases a burst of radiant energy that blinds enemies within a 10-meter radius. Deals heavy light/void damage. Effective against incorporeal and shadow-based entities. Cooldown: 15 seconds.]
[Pressurized Spines (Lv.7) → Eclipse Spines (Lv.1)]
[Effect: The user launches a volley of high-pressure, elemental-aspected spines from their scales. The spines can be infused with fire, ice, lightning, or void energy. Effective in both air and water. The spines pierce deeply and can cause bleeding or elemental damage over time.]
[Draconic Roar (Lv.4) → Progenitor’s Roar (Lv.1)]
[Effect: The user unleashes a concussive wave of sound and sovereign will. Damages, disorients, and can shatter weak magical effects. Amplified by Monarch’s Ascension and Abyssal Majesty. The roar also releases a wave of psychic pressure that stuns enemies in a wide cone.]
[Adamant Soul (Passive) → Progenitor’s Will (Passive)]
[Effect: The user’s mental fortitude is absolute. Immunity to mental attacks, fear, and psychic manipulation is absolute. The user’s presence exerts a subtle pressure on weaker minds, causing hesitation and doubt in enemies.]
Adam’s eyes widened slightly as the cascade of notifications scrolled across his vision.
’Pure Mana... all my skills... evolved... this is... incredible.’
Deiora’s eyes narrowed as Adam stepped forward, his massive arms crossing over his chest. A low, rumbling hum escaped his throat as he studied the horned figure before him.
"What’s this? I don’t sense anything from you." His head tilted, a flicker of genuine curiosity passing through his cold gaze. "Have you abandoned your draconic nature? No... it feels like you’ve discarded it entirely."
Adam did not respond to Deiora’s words. He kept walking, drawing closer to Isolde.
He raised his hand, and Lilith’s battered form lifted from the ground, floating toward him with gentle precision. His telekinesis wrapped around her like a careful embrace, and he drew her close, his arm steadying her as her legs buckled.
Adam’s hand moved to his inventory, and from Avarice’s Maw, he withdrew a small vial filled with Ouroboros blood. He pressed it into Isolde’s trembling hands, his voice quiet, but carrying an edge that made her freeze.
"You’ve fought enough. Rest now."
Isolde nodded once, her fingers closing around the vial.
"...Understood."
Deiora’s face twisted with indignation as Adam’s gaze swept past him without stopping, as if he were nothing more than a piece of scenery. Deiora’s voice boomed across the clearing, thick with fury.
"Are you ignoring me?!"
Adam paused. His steps stilled, his back still turned to the massive demon.
Then, slowly, he turned his head just enough to meet Deiora’s gaze from the corner of his eye.
"Are you ready to die?"
Deiora’s eyes went wide. His mouth opened, a sharp, incredulous sound escaping his throat.
"HUH?!"
In the blink of an eye, Adam’s hand was already closing around Deiora’s skull. Deiora’s eyes widened in shock as Adam’s fingers clamped down with crushing force.
CRACK!
The sound of bone grinding against stone echoed through the clearing as Adam drove Deiora’s head into the earth. The ground cratered beneath the impact, Cracks radiated outward from the point of contact. Dust and debris exploded in all directions.
Adam didn’t stop. His arm flexed, and he hurled Deiora’s massive form across the battlefield like a ragdoll. Deiora’s body tumbled through the air, crashing through a cluster of jagged rocks before skidding to a halt in a heap of rubble and dust.
The demon soldiers stared, their weapons hanging limp in their grips. Celine’s face had gone pale, her severed wrist forgotten for a moment as she watched her commander’s body crumple among the shattered stone.
Adam straightened, flexing his fingers as if shaking off the last traces of exertion. He didn’t look back at the crater where Deiora had landed. His voice carried across the clearing, calm and cold.
"I didn’t hear an answer."