Under normal circumstances, it'd be impossible for Kieran to match Zirgirak's Phantom attack in intensity. However, he was by no means enduring normal circumstances. He was truly in a Berserker's most powerful state—a state of agonizing pain held together only by boundless tenacity.
Because of this situation, Kieran drew upon the Crimson Juggernaut Mantle's essential strength. While the purplish-black flames continued to slowly corrode it, Kieran fed the Blood Wave ample energy with his icy gaze locked on Zirgirak's Phantom.
"I like that look in your eyes, but it is a look that escapes your weak batch of humans. Our ancient battle was fought, but it was not lost because of your power. Instead, we were restricted. For that, I am here to inform you that those restrictions… we shall abide by no longer!" Zirgirak's Phantom bellowed.
Its surge of anger interacted with the immense orb, causing wild fluctuation that lacerated the space, opening up miniature rifts in Xenith's spatial barrier. This was not an attack an average human could withstand. In fact, not even an Awakened Being could defend against such a monstrosity.
Meanwhile, Kieran slowly shut his eyes and funneled his emotions into the silvery blade in his possession. Almost as if reacting to his desires, the demonic-looking eye on the sword's guard released a deep crimson glow. The Blood Wave surrounding the blade gained a demonic feeling as black lightning sparks snaked around both the weapon and technique.
Once this happened, Kieran's eyes opened with great force as he emitted a bestial roar. He cleaved downward in the next moment, releasing a Blood Wave at least ten times its standard size. It was like the advent of a world cleaving attack!
In response, Zirgirak's Phantom made its move, launching the giant orb of demon fire at Kieran.
Upon contact, there was a silence where even time seemed to stand still. Kieran's and the phantom's crimson eyes met momentarily before a cataclysmic wind forced both sides back. Terrifying ripples accompanied by devastating tempests filled the Chasm of Apogeton, turning it into something Kieran previously believed to be impossible: a more frightening setting!
Kieran understood what was at stake, so he couldn't afford to be lighthanded with his attack. He struggled through the chaotic atmosphere while briefly marveling at the astonishing scene. The Blood Wave and orb of baffling demonic flames were embroiled in a raging battle as if they both possessed sentience of their own.
There were moments when the blood wave would push back the tremendous orb, and there were also times when the sphere would do the same—plunging the attacks into a fierce yet fading deadlock. Neither side seemed the overpower the other.
This standstill lasted for at least 10 seconds before Zirgirak's Phantom grew impatient. An additional cluster of demonic flames that paled in comparison to the previous attack appeared in its palm. Although it seemed insignificant, it carried the same purity and presence.
Naturally, if this managed to connect with the sphere, it would provide the much-needed upper hand.
Kieran realized he couldn't let the phantom succeed upon noticing this action. Therefore, using the blade as a support, he rose to his feet with an unyielding look. He took one decisive step and shot forth like a shell fired from a cannon.
His current Strength, Agility, and Control had already reached unprecedented heights for his current self, allowing him to perform physical feats only attainable in his former life. Unfortunately, he was limited to primitive skills and nothing more significant. Otherwise, this battle wouldn't be as tricky as it has been thus far.
Since Blood Wave was on cooldown, Kieran could only rely on the Crimson Current for crucial support. He intended to interrupt the phantom's attack, but the attack was ripped apart in one second!
'The difficulty of this quest doesn't disappoint in the slightest,' Kieran inwardly noted. It was even more difficult than most of the quests he had completed before. At least he was restricted by a laughable skillset during those quests.
Nevertheless, complaining wasn't Kieran's style. Instead of continuing to voice what was going wrong, he focused on what he must accomplish—he needed to persist for at least 15 more seconds.
While he approached the phantom, it suddenly released the cluster of flames towards the sphere. At this point, both attacks were losing energy. It would only be a few seconds before both attacks died out completely.
After all, that attack was aimed at Agrianos, not Kieran—which was why one of the objectives required Kieran to safeguard Agrianos. It was a mutual relationship where Agrianos first provided protection for Kieran to later repay the gesture.
Kieran's eyes moved at lightspeed, forcing him to abruptly change directions. He jumped explosively, tracing the nearest point of interception. Once he acquired this information, he engaged in a relentless pursuit!
Whoosh! Bang!
At the last second, just before the cluster could escape his reach, Kieran waved the blade in a perfect arc, changing the entire trajectory of the attack. As a result, the attack landed on the chasm wall behind him, generating a massive explosion.
"Such an annoyance. Viler than the most incessant cretins!" the phantom spat venomously. Its eyes filled with utter madness as it sensed the surrounding energy adopt a subtle change. The seal fortification process had entered its final seconds!
"Grah!" The phantom growled in irritation.
It rushed Kieran, unleashing a merciless stream of attacks in which Kieran retaliated with a Crimson Barrage. Though his Health drained like a basin with a hole in it, it wasn't as severe as Kieran expected. Whereas the phantom's initial attacks robbed 10% of his Health, its pure physical attacks only dealt 2% at most now!
What's more, Kieran underestimated having his Vitality increased by 10,000% and one of the effects of the Crimson Juggernaut Mantle. He passively regained 6,000 Health per minute with how high it was currently! Throughout the battle, Kieran had regenerated more than 30% of his Health, but he previously failed to realize that due to the phantom's bizarre attack output.
This realization made Kieran thirst for the hidden class even more. Although it was a class that sacrificed sanity for power, the vitality it offered was absolutely insane!
While clashing against the phantom, Kieran wondered if the Crimson Barrage had an upper limit to the number of strikes it possessed. Although it appeared to stop at six, Kieran didn't know if this was a determined limit or if he needed to explore the depth of the skill, just like with the Blood Wave.
Eventually, he could only test his curiosity.
After the sixth strike, Kieran pushed for the seventh. Once he noticed that it maintained the same momentum, he tried for the eighth, followed by the ninth. However, after attempting to unleash the tenth strike, Kieran staggered and was blown into the wall behind him by a ruthless attack.
Bang!
"Ugh," Kieran groaned.
He felt some type of barrier when trying the tenth strike.
Fortunately, at that moment, a notification appeared before Kieran's iris, followed by a serene atmosphere that felt cordoned off from the rest of the world. All of the nefarious energy was effectively dispelled.
〈System: You're inside a «Fortified Sealed Boundary».〉
〈System: Please repel all foreign beings before the boundary completely solidifies!〉
〈System: The «Fortified Sealed Boundary» solidifies in 30 seconds.〉
〈WARNING: Failure to repel all foreign beings may rapidly destabilize the fortification!〉
'Oh… so the last objective has a damned timer as well,' Kieran thought while laboriously extracting himself from the wall. Zirgirak's Phantom seemed to notice the change as instead of approaching Kieran, it attempted to run away.
"Boy, make sure you drag that accursed thing back here. There are already far too many anomalies that I can't account for. I don't need another on my plate. I would do so myself, but I won't be able to recover before the boundary completes," Agrianos revealed.
The way he viewed Kieran changed immensely, with Agrianos now putting him on the same pedestal as Scar in his mind. Of course, they didn't have the same experiences, so it wasn't quite the same as far as personal experience went. It was more so referring to their evaluation of potential!
"I'm on it!" Kieran exclaimed.
Afterward, Kieran unhesitatingly activated Fury Rush to gain an absurd burst of speed. Although the phantom frantically ran away, using the chasm walls as footholds, Kieran displayed an adroit use of his flexibility and agility to catapult himself off jagged rocks protruding from the wall.
Once his speed reached its peak, Kieran caught up to the phantom with 20 seconds remaining on the timer. Failure was not an option for Kieran, so he resorted to primitive and otherwise overwhelming tactics to beat the phantom back.
When the phantom staggered from his relentless onslaught, Kieran grabbed its ankle and spun until he could no longer control the rotational force. As that happened, Kieran let go.
The phantom's body quickly flew through the air, landing close to the shrinking rift.
"I will not go back! My mission isn't complete! The Lemegeton is not an enemy you wish to ha-!"
Wham!
Before the phantom could finish, Kieran punched the phantom in the face. It flew back, colliding with the now tiny rift. Its body was pulled inside with an inexorable force. It clawed at space but couldn't change its sealed fate!
The phantom soon realized it was in no position to defy this seal. Therefore, it settled for the next best thing. "In the name of Dark One Er'shabal, I hereby curse you to suffer the perpetual onslaught of the Lemegeton!"
〈WARNING: You have received a curse from a surbodinate of the Lemegeton!〉
〈WARNING: Your relationship with the Lemegeton has devolved to Despised.〉
〈WARNING: Zirgirak abhors you. [Any member of its legion will attack if they sense you.]〉
Zwip!
The rift's seal solidified at that moment, and the mantle surrounding Kieran deflated, reverting to the former Ancient Crimson Aegis.
With the pain assaulting Kieran at once, he fell to his knees with a powerless expression. Still, it paled when compared to the excitement felt after completing the quest!
〈System: Congratulations, you have completed the sub-quest «Unforeseen Deviations, Unusual Solutions».〉
