Chapter 117: Stronger And Stronger

The total victory at Ghost Cry Pass was like a basin of scalding magma poured over the already beleaguered Dragon Sovereign Guild.

The elite thirty-man commando unit led by Garrett had not only failed to assassinate their target but had also suffered heavy casualties, lost their carefully prepared ambush point, and failed to leave even a scratch on the Abyss Squad.

When the news reached headquarters, Damien smashed everything in the room that could be smashed. His furious roar nearly shook the entire building.

Inside the guild, doubt and panic spread like wildfire.

Even the most fanatical members could no longer suppress the unease creeping into their hearts.

The Abyss Squad truly seemed like ghosts.

No matter how carefully they planned, no matter how many people they sent, the result was always the same.

Failure.

Yet the three people who had caused this storm were currently immersed in an almost unnatural tranquility.

Far away in the suburbs of Ashford City, deep beneath the earth, a natural cavern had been transformed into the temporary safe house of the Abyss Squad.

Countless stalactites covered the ceiling, their faint phosphorescence casting a hazy glow across the cavern. The soft light mixed with the flickering flames of a campfire burning on a dry patch of ground, providing a small measure of warmth against the underground chill.

Aiden sat cross-legged beside the fire.

Spread out on a thick animal hide in front of him were dozens of weapons.

Swords, sabers, axes, hammers, daggers, staves...

There was an impressive variety.

Yet every one of them was at least rare quality.

Among them were even three or four epic-quality weapons, their surfaces shimmering with deep purple light.

These were the spoils the Abyss Squad had accumulated while hunting Dragon Sovereign Guild elites and clearing high-difficulty areas.

Most were weapons that had either been replaced by better equipment or simply did not suit their current users.

But now, they had another purpose.

They were food.

Food for the next stage of the Devouring Soul Blade.

Aiden lowered his gaze toward the short blade in his hand.

It had accompanied him since his rebirth, surviving countless battles, killings, and devourings.

Its dark-gold blade remained razor-sharp.

Yet after absorbing so much life force and energy, it seemed to have become even more restrained.

More profound.

And, somehow...

Hungrier.

Aiden could clearly sense the instinctive craving emanating from deep within the weapon.

A craving for purer metals.

Stronger energy.

More extraordinary qualities.

"It is time."

Aiden’s voice was quiet, but anticipation flickered in his eyes.

He reached for a [Steel Longsword] glowing with blue light.

Its attributes were mediocre, only slightly superior to those of an ordinary weapon.

Aiden gently pressed the tip of the Devouring Soul Blade against its edge.

No incantation.

No ritual.

The moment the two weapons touched, the blade trembled.

Hum—

A low, almost pleasant vibration resonated through the cavern.

Then the dark-gold luster coating the Devouring Soul Blade suddenly came alive.

It spread across the Steel Longsword like liquid gold.

The change was immediate.

The supposedly sturdy steel began to soften.

It did not melt and drip like ordinary metal.

Instead, its entire structure dissolved into a stream of pure metallic energy, flowing directly toward the Devouring Soul Blade.

The weapon absorbed it greedily.

Within a few breaths, the intact longsword had completely vanished.

Only a faint wisp of blue smoke remained on the animal hide.

Aiden glanced at the blade.

The dark-gold luster seemed to have deepened by the slightest amount.

His expression remained calm.

He reached for the next weapon.

Then another.

And another.

Sabers.

Axes.

Hammers.

Daggers.

Each rare weapon disappeared into the blade as though being swallowed by an invisible abyss.

With every weapon devoured, the vibration of the Devouring Soul Blade grew stronger.

Its aura also became increasingly fierce and oppressive.

Then, gradually, something else began to appear.

Extremely fine, vein-like patterns emerged across the blade.

They were dark red at first, barely visible beneath the dark-gold surface.

But as the devouring continued, they slowly spread and intertwined.

Like veins carrying molten lava beneath cold metal.

After more than twenty rare weapons had been consumed, the Devouring Soul Blade finally began to undergo a visible transformation.

The blade, originally just over a foot long, slowly extended until it reached roughly a foot and a half.

Its shape became more streamlined, developing a subtle curve.

The compact assassin’s blade was gradually transforming into something closer to a hunting knife or short saber, a form better suited for powerful hacking and slashing attacks.

The dark-gold foundation remained.

But the dark-red patterns had become considerably clearer.

They crawled across the blade like flowing lava, radiating a strange and powerful aura.

Silas and Luna, who had been watching from nearby, stared at the transformation with growing interest.

Silas smacked his lips.

"Good heavens, Sir Aiden. Your blade can eat even more than I can."

Luna’s purple eyes gleamed.

She could sense the changes more clearly than Silas.

The elemental resistance and physical penetration contained within the weapon were rapidly merging and strengthening. Its overall energy level was steadily climbing.

"It... seems to be breathing," she murmured. "And growing."

Aiden nodded slightly.

Then his gaze shifted toward the remaining weapons.

The epic-quality ones.

He reached for the first.

[Kiss of Flame Dagger]

An epic dagger capable of adding fire damage and inflicting a burning effect.

Next came the [Frost War Hammer], whose attacks carried a slowing effect and weak frostbite.

Then the [Thunder Guidance Staff], which enhanced lightning-type spell power and casting speed.

It was useless to Aiden as a weapon.

But the pure lightning elemental energy contained within it was valuable.

Finally, there was the [Armor-Breaking Greatsword].

Its attacks possessed the ability to ignore a portion of an enemy’s physical defense.

Any one of these epic weapons would have been enough to cause a scramble among small and medium-sized guilds if placed on the market.

Here, however, they were merely stepping stones.

Stepping stones for the Devouring Soul Blade to reach a higher level.

Aiden began with the [Kiss of Flame Dagger].

The devouring process was immediately different from before.

It was slower.

And far more violent.

The phantom flames surrounding the dagger collided violently with the dark-red patterns spreading across Aiden’s blade.

Sizzle—

Scorching waves of heat erupted through the cavern.

The two energies fought against each other as though neither was willing to submit.

Nearly a full minute passed before the flames were finally swallowed.

The dagger disappeared completely.

At the same time, the dark-red patterns on the Devouring Soul Blade brightened noticeably.

A faint heat now radiated from them.

Aiden moved on to the [Frost War Hammer].

The clash between ice and fire was even more direct.

White frost rapidly spread across the blade, covering its surface in a thin layer of ice.

But the heat contained within the dark-red patterns quickly erupted.

The frost cracked.

Then shattered.

And finally vanished.

When the devouring ended, something unexpected remained.

A faint ice-blue luster now flowed through the dark-red patterns.

Fire and ice had somehow reached a delicate balance within the weapon.

Next was the [Thunder Guidance Staff].

Compared with the previous two, its devouring process was remarkably smooth.

The pure lightning energy seemed highly compatible with an existing characteristic within the Devouring Soul Blade.

Silver-white sparks immediately began jumping across its surface.

Crackling sounds echoed through the cavern as the staff rapidly dissolved.

Finally, Aiden picked up the [Armor-Breaking Greatsword].

This one was different.

The weapon had been forged from a special material and contained fragments of an "armor-breaking" rule.

The moment the Devouring Soul Blade touched it, Aiden immediately sensed the difference.

The devouring became incredibly slow.

Minute after minute passed.

The blade absorbed the greatsword piece by piece, painstakingly digesting the strange rule fragments embedded within its material.

Then, finally...

The greatsword vanished.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

At the edge of the Devouring Soul Blade, a terrifyingly sharp cold light had appeared.

It was faint.

Almost imperceptible.

Yet simply looking at it gave the impression that it could cut through anything in its path.

And then—

Hum—

A clear, melodious sound erupted from the blade.

It resembled the distant roar of a dragon.

The sound wasn’t loud, but it carried an inexplicable sharpness and majesty that seemed to pierce directly into the soul.

The entire cavern trembled.

Even the phosphorescent stones hanging from the ceiling shook slightly.

The metamorphosis was complete.

The Devouring Soul Blade had transformed.

Its former dark-gold color had deepened into something darker and more luxurious, a shade of dark gilded metal that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.

The dark-red patterns covering its surface no longer looked like mere markings.

They seemed alive.

They slowly flowed across the blade, flickering between different colors.

At one moment, they burned like molten lava.

The next, they glowed with an icy-blue radiance.

Then silver-white lightning danced between them.

Fire.

Ice.

Lightning.

Several different characteristics had been perfectly integrated into the weapon.

Eventually, all of them converged toward the edge.

The blade itself had become thinner.

Sharper.

More refined.

The entire weapon settled at approximately one foot and eight inches in length.

Its elegant curve and smooth lines gave it an almost predatory appearance.

Even the handle had transformed.

Non-slip textures had formed across its surface, while a newly evolved handguard provided a more secure grip.

The weapon rested quietly in Aiden’s hand.

Yet the impression it gave was completely different from before.

It resembled a dormant beast.

Quiet.

Patient.

Waiting.

But once unleashed, it would drink blood...

And devour souls.

Aiden’s mind stirred.

A brand-new attribute panel appeared before his eyes.

[Weapon: Devouring Soul Blade (Growth Type · First Stage Awakening)]

[Quality: Epic] (Growthable)

[Physical Attack Power]: 85–120

[Elemental Attack Power]: 20–40 (Fire/Ice/Lightning, Adaptive)

[Attributes]: Strength +10, Agility +8, Spirit +5

[Effect 1: Greedy Devour]: Can devour and absorb metal, energy weapons, and special materials to repair itself, increase basic attributes, and have a chance to obtain some of their characteristics.

[Effect 2: Predator Mark]: When dealing damage to targets with less than 30% HP, adds an additional "Severe Injury" effect, reducing healing effects by 50%. Has a very low chance of triggering an "Instant Kill" judgment. (Ineffective against players and boss-level creatures.)

[Effect 3: Elemental Harmony]: The blade has integrated multiple elemental characteristics. Attacks can adaptively deal Fire, Ice, or Lightning elemental damage. The element can also be switched manually. Possesses 15% resistance to the corresponding elemental damage.

[Effect 4: Armor Piercing]: Attacks ignore 15% of the target’s physical defense.

[Active Skill: Sky-Splitting Slash]: Condenses blade momentum and consumes a large amount of mana to unleash a crescent-shaped energy blade forward. Deals 150% Physical Attack Power + 50% Adaptive Elemental Attack Power as mixed damage to all enemies in its path. Has a chance to inflict "Tear," causing continuous bleeding. Cooldown: 120 seconds.

[Description: A fierce blade awakened through endless greed and devouring. It has begun to reveal its true sharpness. Its appetite is endless, and its ultimate goal is to devour all worlds and become the one and only.]

Aiden’s eyes lingered on the panel.

Powerful.

The physical attack power alone was astonishing.

85–120.

At the current stage, that already surpassed the damage ceiling of most epic-quality two-handed weapons.

Then there were the elemental attack bonuses, the three-attribute increase, the armor penetration, and Predator Mark.

But the most important addition was undoubtedly [Sky-Splitting Slash].

It finally filled one of Aiden’s biggest weaknesses.

Area-of-effect damage.

With 150% physical attack power combined with 50% adaptive elemental attack power, its explosive potential was terrifying.

Especially when dealing with groups of enemies or dense monster hordes.

Aiden’s lips curled slightly.

"Not bad."

"Good blade!"

Silas couldn’t help but praise it.

Although he didn’t use blades himself, even he could feel the sharp aura radiating from the weapon.

Luna, however, was more interested in another ability.

"Sir Aiden, can it choose which element to use on its own?"

"It can."

Aiden’s thoughts shifted.

The dark-red patterns across the blade suddenly lit up crimson.

In an instant, the weapon seemed to be wrapped in invisible heat.

The surrounding air distorted slightly.

Aiden changed his thoughts.

The crimson faded.

Ice-blue light replaced it.

The temperature around the blade dropped sharply, and tiny ice crystals began forming along its edge.

Then—

Crack!

Silver-white lightning suddenly jumped across the blade.

A faint crackling sound filled the cavern.

"Three elements," Aiden said calmly. "I can switch between them at will."

He flicked his wrist and spun the blade once.

The weapon moved naturally in his hand.

Far smoother than before.

More responsive.

More powerful.

And beneath that newfound strength, Aiden could still sense something else.

Hunger.

A deep, instinctive hunger buried within the blade.

The first stage of its awakening had already brought it to Epic quality.

So what would come next?

Legendary?

Or something even higher?

Aiden’s gaze deepened.

This blade had been born through the absorption of soul essence and had grown through endless devouring.

It was destined to accompany him.

To drink the blood of his enemies.

To consume powerful weapons.

To devour the heavens...

And eventually, perhaps, entire worlds.

Aiden suddenly turned toward a dark passage at the far end of the cavern.

Faint rustling and low hissing sounds emerged from within.

"Perfect."

He rose to his feet and tightened his grip around the Devouring Soul Blade.

"Let’s test the new edge."

According to the intelligence provided earlier by [Phantom Eyes], the passage led to an unrecorded underground nest.

It was occupied by a group of [Petrified Lizards] that had been infected by digitized energy.

And their leader was a mutated [Deep Rock Lurker].

The monsters were around Level 18 to 20.

Their bodies were covered in thick scales, granting them formidable physical defense, while their attacks carried petrification toxins.

They were practically perfect targets for testing the Devouring Soul Blade.

Especially its [Armor Piercing] effect.

And the newly acquired [Sky-Splitting Slash].

"Come on."

Aiden stepped forward.

"Time to stretch our muscles."

The dark-gilded blade reflected the faint phosphorescent light as he walked toward the passage.

The dark-red patterns along its surface pulsed softly.

Like a heartbeat.

Silas immediately shouldered his tower shield and followed with a grin.

"Finally."

Luna tightened her [Stormbringer Cloak].

Elemental energy gathered around the tip of her staff, while anticipation filled her purple eyes.

A new weapon meant new power.

And new power meant the Abyss Squad’s fangs had become even deadlier.

Far away, the Dragon Sovereign Guild was still struggling to recover from the humiliation at Ghost Cry Pass.

They had no idea that while they were drowning in fear and uncertainty...

The Abyss Squad was becoming stronger.

And the nightmare of the Dragon Sovereign Guild had perhaps only just begun.