The air sizzled with the intensity of the flames as Red Mist transformed the landscape into a blazing inferno, her movements swift as she closed in on Paente.
Within the searing conflagration, Paente's anguished screams reverberated, his form writhing in agony amidst the engulfing flames.
As the flames subsided, Paente emerged, his charred figure revealing the extent of his ordeal. Despite his burned flesh, he displayed a remarkable ability to regenerate, the damaged skin sloughing off to reveal unblemished flesh in a matter of moments.
Red Mist regarded him with a raised eyebrow and an expanding smile. "Ah, still clinging to life," she remarked casually. "Your incredible regenerative capacity is reminiscent of someone I once knew—a man who has immortality curse. Perhaps you've heard of him: the Immortal Thyvin."
"I'll tear you limb from limb!" Paente seethed, his fury igniting like a raging inferno.
"Yet you struggle to string together coherent sentences," Red Mist sighed, her disappointment palpable as she waved her hand dismissively.
"I have no desire for conflict, but if you insist on hindering my departure from this country, I'll have no choice but to eliminate you," Red Mist declared, her energy pulsating as her transformation began. Red scales emerged on her skin, her eyes assuming a reptilian aspect, while fiery wings akin to a dragon's sprouted from her back.
Observing from the sidelines, Souta narrowed his eyes, recognizing that Red Mist was escalating the situation. While formidable, she faced a formidable opponent in Paente.
Paente halted, his gaze fixed on Red Mist's metamorphosis, a primal hunger gleaming in his eyes.
"A spirit?! With it, the tree's growth will be accelerated exponentially. Devouring it will allow me to consume the barrier and all within, hastening the world's demise!" he exclaimed, his laughter echoing with madness.
The ground quaked as massive roots erupted, impaling Paente's form. Glowing green veins spread across his body, convulsions wracking his form.
Boom!
A powerful shockwave rippled outward, heralding the emergence of a dark crimson giant flower, surrounded by energy-spewing branches. Souta recognized the danger posed by the energy rays, swiftly evading their lethal trajectories.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Red Mist unleashed a ball of flame, only for it to be effortlessly repelled. Dodging the energy rays, she retaliated with a more potent blast.
Bang!
Yet again, her attack was nullified, the resilience of Paente's defenses proving formidable.
"Tsk, what a lunatic," Red Mist muttered in irritation, vexed by the unexpected confrontation after completing her task. "If I had known some tree enthusiast would show up, I would've departed as soon as my mission was done."
As the flower bloomed, thick smoke billowed from its petals, signaling the culmination of its energy. The space quaked under the immense power emanating from the flower.
Souta sensed a looming danger within the smoke, his instincts on high alert.
"Here it comes..." Red Mist murmured, her expression morphing into one of seriousness.
With a swift motion, a figure emerged from the smoke—a three-meter-tall creature with bark-like skin. A crimson flower adorned its left eye, while its right eye gleamed with emerald brilliance. Leaves adorned various parts of its body.
This was Paente Botani, consumed by madness.
"Spirit!" Paente exclaimed, his gaze filled with avarice and drool staining his lips.
"If you seek my companion, come and claim her," Red Mist challenged, raising her fist in defiance as Paente charged towards her.
Boom!!
Their collision rent the air asunder, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Dozens of ripples spread from the epicenter of their clash as they exchanged powerful blows mid-air.
Observing from the sidelines, Souta refrained from joining the fray immediately, opting to assess the situation before intervening.
As Paente surged with newfound strength, the towering tree dwindled in size, evidently transferring a substantial amount of energy to him. This shift in dynamics could potentially work to Kessa's advantage in her battle against the giant tree.
With time still on their side, there remained a chance for success. Kessa appeared capable of toppling the tree within the allotted timeframe. However, the true obstacle lay in Paente himself.
If Red Mist joined the fray against Paente, it would undoubtedly alleviate the pressure on Souta.
"Alright, let's settle this. This botanical nuisance has gone too far," Souta declared with determination, his grip tightening around his swords as he dashed towards the conflict.
Swoosh!!
Paente halted, his attention diverted as Souta's blade found its mark, piercing his defenses. Reacting swiftly, he swung his arm towards Souta, but the nimble warrior evaded the blow, propelling himself forward with a kick.
"Perish!" Souta's voice rang out as his sword crackled with potent lightning, his energy surging to celestial heights.
Paente extended his hand in a bid to intercept Souta's attack, gritting his teeth as he struggled against the formidable lightning threatening to engulf him.
Souta pressed on with unwavering determination, channeling all his strength into the assault. Yet, to his astonishment, it was he who found himself being pushed back. Paente's defense and regenerative prowess proved formidable, resisting Souta's onslaught with unyielding resilience.
"Hahaha, your demise is inevitable! Embrace oblivion!" Paente cackled maniacally, his confidence unwavering. Suddenly, however, his laughter ceased as he was gripped by an inexplicable pain in his mind.
Argh!!
Paente's anguished cry pierced the air as he clutched his head in agony, overwhelmed by the intense pain assaulting his mind.
"Mister, now!" A voice resounded within Souta's consciousness, jolting him into action. With renewed determination, he infused his attack with even greater force.
"[First Form: Lifeless Tribulation of the Blood Lightning]!"
A torrent of blood-colored lightning surged forth, enveloping Paente's form in its crackling embrace.
Hovering in the air, Red Mist observed the spectacle, pinpointing Paente's location before unleashing her own assault.
"[Holy Flame Strike]!"
A searing beam of holy flame collided with Souta's lightning, converging on Paente's position and triggering a cataclysmic explosion that rocked the very foundation of the battlefield.
Boom!!
The resulting blast reverberated with devastating force, sending shockwaves rippling outward and threatening to engulf everything in its path. Souta and Red Mist were forcibly propelled backward by the sheer intensity of the explosion, their eyes fixed on the billowing smoke as it obscured their view.
As they landed on the ground, their gazes remained trained on the smoke, a sense of foreboding looming over them. Their instincts warned of imminent danger, prompting them to hold their ground rather than pursue Paente further.
Taking a deep breath, Souta reflected on the voice he had heard
—Gilaine's voice. It was a confirmation that her consciousness still lingered, not completely consumed by Paente's influence.
Turning to Red Mist, Souta spoke with resolve, "I know how to end this. Let's eradicate his form precisely three minutes from now."
Red Mist regarded Souta with a sidelong glance, questioning, "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Souta elaborated, "The Hydra will dismantle the tree, and someone from our side will eradicate its roots within the barrier. To ensure success, we must synchronize the destruction of all three components simultaneously, preventing his continual regeneration."
"Hmm... So that's the sole method to vanquish this botanical foe," Red Mist murmured, her gaze fixed on the dissipating smoke.
Boom!!
A shockwave rippled through the air, dispersing the smoke and unveiling Paente's altered form. His appearance had undergone yet another transformation—long white hair cascaded around dark green skin adorned with black tattoos. Possessing three pairs of arms and jet-black eyes, he sported attire reminiscent of verdant foliage.
His aura exuded a newfound tranquility, a stark departure from the tumultuous energies of before.
"It took some time... But now, mastery is mine," Paente muttered, sensing the surging power coursing through his veins. Aware that his potential remained untapped, he resolved to ascend even further, heralding the rise of a new race—the Enders, destined to usher in the world's demise.
"A new race? Your ambitions end here today," Red Mist retorted, her tone resolute.
Paente turned towards Red Mist upon hearing her defiance, his gaze flitting between her and Souta. With a smirk, he declared, "Your fate is sealed. You shall serve as nourishment, aiding in my ascension. Resist if you dare."
Unfazed, Red Mist raised her hand challengingly, beckoning him forth. "Try me."
Meanwhile, Souta tightened his grip on his sword, infusing his being with energy as some of his wounds swiftly healed, leaving only a few remaining.
