—

The Quicksand Binding posed an issue for the party, but Kieran had Alice assist with changing the environment to their advantage.

A sweltering Firestorm Burst bombarded the floor, battling against Dusvim's conjured quicksand pit.

"Tch," Dusvim clicked his tongue with a darkened expression. "That small bit of flame, and you think you'll overpower me? Not a chance in hell!"

Dusvim raised his hand and clenched his fist. A powerful emission of sand broke through the thin, smooth outer layer before taking on the form of a serpent's head as Dusvim made a strange hand seal.

"Sand Fall: Serpent's Maw!"

This was an attack that no one wanted to defend against, but it fell upon Bastion's shoulder as he arrived before Alice with a stoic expression.

"Guardian's Bulwark!"

Bastion's skill manifested immediately, acting as the first line of defense against Dusvim's attack. However, Bastion was appalled by how quickly his Combination Skill was destroyed.

'Oh fuck,' Bastion screamed out in his mind.

Although he felt the threat of peril in this situation, Bastion activated another skill while grabbing Alice and jumping to the side.

"Boundless Aegis!"

BOOM!

The Boundless Aegis only lasted for one second before shattering completely. Fortunately, that one second sufficed. It granted enough time to evade the aftermath of Dusvim's attack.

The sand couldn't settle before Kieran suddenly appeared while cutting the remnants in half. "What's the matter? Don't tell with age your eyes have deteriorated. What are you aiming at?"

Whoosh! Boom!

Kieran suddenly took a false step where his body jerked backward but spun simultaneously. A rapid Accel Shift took Dusvim by surprise when Kieran's body seemingly vanished for an instant.

'What tricks is this damned youth playing? You think you can fool my eyes?!'

Dusvim's attention suddenly shifted to his right side as he unhesitatingly slashed his sword.

Crrrr!

The piercing noise returned as Kieran's fast-moving body was halted by a decisive blow. "Not bad at all. You're not as slow as I presumed."

"Now look who talks too much," Dusvim scoffed.

At the same time, he whipped his leg toward Kieran's head. With the power Dusvim instilled in this attack, he clearly wanted to take Kieran's head off.

However...

Kieran revealed a gruesome grin while his body's crimson aura bolstered abruptly.

'With my new passive, it should be possible. Whatever the repercussions may be, I'll accept them.'

"Abhorrent Paroxysm!"

Bang!

As if the floodgates on Kieran's power had been unlocked, an exuberant sensation spilled off Kieran's body in droves.

〈System: You have entered ?Frenzy?!〉

〈Battle Alert: Your Strength has increased by 100%!〉

〈Battle Alert: Your Attack and Movement Speed have increased by 150%!〉

〈Battle Alert: Your Defense has fallen to 0.〉

Bang!

Kieran extended his hand and caught Dusvim's kick with little difficulty. As quickly as a slight pain appeared in his palm, it was dulled by his passive.

"Now, Ezra," Kieran said.

Ezra's womanly figure sprung from behind Kieran as he held Dusvim's leg, removing his ability to avoid the incoming attack. Ezra jumped with her Flowing Sword Steps activated and spun through the air.

Although the gusts produced by this action were sharp, Kieran didn't avert his gaze. On the contrary, Kieran spared Dusvim a fierce glare whilst tightening his grasp.

Dusvim's eyes widened when he felt a strong force pull him. Before he knew it, his entire body was airborne!

Boom!

Kieran slammed Dusvim's body to the ground while Ezra launched an empowered Sword Wheel that ripped Dusvim's clothes to shred. However, aside from this, Ezra didn't achieve as much damage as she hoped.

"He's so sturdy!" Ezra exclaimed with a deepening frown. Her Sword Wheel revealed a torso unbecoming of an old man. One would expect such dense muscles from a young man!

"He's an Epic NPC. Killing him in one hit is impossible. But, you all will fill in my gaps!"

While the aura of Sanguine Slashes blazed around his blade, Kieran slashed Crimson Ashrune relentlessly. His blade movements achieved such a high speed that its left afterimages, which only dissipated after a few seconds.

Currently, Kieran's speed rivaled a normal Advanced Being. But, it was unfortunate this was just a temporary strength—a fabled one minute of glory.

"Argghhhh!" Dusvim bellowed. The jewel-embedded turban flashed with an ominous light, making Kieran's instincts flare. This sensation was further cemented by a notification that appeared in Kieran's eyes.

〈Battle Alert: ?Retaliatory Sense? has sensed an imminent threat!〉

'Imminent threat?'

"Retreat," Kieran ordered.

If the system revealed that Dusvim was an imminent threat despite his current condition, it could only mean Dusvim hadn't revealed all of his cards just yet.

A desert squall swirled around Dusvim's body as he levitated to his feet. The squall soon adopted the shape of a colossal sand serpent that coiled around Dusvim's levitating body.

"Mana Manifestation: Ancient Sand Jeweled Serpent!"

Mana, at its core, was a remarkable yet simplistic type of energy.

But, that was only true because it existed in a myriad of different forms. The Mana Kieran and the others had interacted with thus far was known as fundamental Mana. It was Mana's purest form in terms of energy and versatility.

Beyond fundamental Mana was Elemental Mana.

In exchange for losing its versatility, Elemental Mana excelled in one particular feature. For example, Fire Mana could inflict potent burns and power things that required extreme heat.

Generally, Forgers sought this Mana, which is why most Forgers possessed a basic affinity for Fire Mana.

But, aside from the types of Mana, there were also varying forms of Mana Application. Dusvim's current actions touched upon the second stage—Manifestation.

All Mana came from a source; this was an irrefutable fact.

Although countless unique sources existed, there was a hierarchy and disparity in those sources. But, manifesting one's power was impossible without first identifying one's source.

In some cases, this was extremely easy. But in others, it could be the most challenging endeavor. The requirements weren't set in stone and varied from person to person.

"So this is why he's considered an Epic NPC. He has comprehended his Manifestation," Kieran muttered with a grim expression.

Because Dusvim had yet to reach Lv.50, Kieran thought his abilities would be limited to basic applications, but he was sorely mistaken.

The chasm between a Rare and Epic NPC was so vast the system required a justifiable reason to award this ranking to any individual under Lv.50.

A Manifestation undoubtedly fitted the bill.

"Am I hallucinating right now, or does it feel like that Mana is alive?" Bastion muttered dubiously. The serpent's eyes contained intelligence, and Bastion could feel that at first blush.

"No, you aren't. Although it isn't alive in the way you believe, it's safe to view it that way. I believe it's no different than a summoned creature," Kieran replied.

"When I said I would make you despair, I meant it. I studiously devoted myself to understanding my abilities until I chanced upon a source from which I could draw inspiration. Now, you will bear the consequences of enraging me—"

"Bite, Rasaha!"

Kieran looked up and noticed the sand instantly formed the image of a serpent's open maw that leaked venomous sand!

Szzt!

The sand sizzled as Kieran evaded the attack with constant movement. The others were forced to do the same as Dusvim cackled hysterically.historical

"Dance, you little vermin. Scurry before your impending doom! No matter when you go, you will fall before the might of Rasaha!"

"Constrict, Rasaha!" Dusvim boomed.

The floor turned into many slithering snakes that trapped everyone in place. The restriction was like a fortified version of Dusvim's earlier Quicksand Binding. The team's immobility allowed the earlier attack to catch up.

"Agch!" Bastion screamed in pain as the venomous sand burned a hole through armor.

Ezra and the others clenched their jaws as awful sizzling noises came from their armors.

Sera and Camila barely managed to replenish everyone's rapidly declining health, but that only served to prolong their suffering.

"No!" Kieran growled while glaring daggers at Dusvim.

Kieran now understood the roots of Dusvim's malevolent actions. It all stemmed from him understanding a source that morphed his reasoning!

Kieran's fury swelled to new heights due to the team's suffering.

Did Kieran feel at fault? Not quite.

This situation was inevitable because Dusvim's behavior was vile in nature regardless of Kieran's prior actions.

Dusvim's sinister cackles resounded throughout the sand cave while relishing in the despair before him. "Do you like how it feels? Everyone dear to you will fall because of your foolish actions. You will understand my pain!"

As Dusvim spewed his vindictive heart, Kieran gnashed his teeth while glancing at a skill in his skill window that seemed to tempt him.

Eventually, Kieran felt like he was under some spell.

An ominous voice spoke to him. "Accept the power. Without it, you are no True Berserker. Without this power, you can't change a thing. Let the vengeance, bloodthirsty desires, and cruelty of a True Berserker thrive! Awaken the brutality!"

Slowly, a guttural growl sounded from behind the party as they noticed that Kieran's aura had plunged into a chaotic state.

"Accept the temptations of the Maddened. Accept the True Berserker's true nature. It is potent enough to solve all issues. Mighty enough to crush all dissent. Brutal enough to eradicate all oppression..."

"Who.. are you?!" Kieran growled while clutching his head.

"Me? I am you," the devilishly tempting voice responded.

"No, you are not," Kieran snarled.

"Oh, but I am. You have accepted me, so we are now one. Do you understand? Without me, you are incomplete, so you can't deny my existence! Ahahahahaha!"

Kieran's mind grew hazy amidst the evil cackling.

A few seconds later, Kieran groggily swayed back and forth as the crimson gas seeping from his body blackened until it resembled aged blood that carried the scent of death.

〈System: ?Vengeful Soul? has found a compatible ?Source?!〉

〈System: Identified Source: ????? → ?Seed of Vengeance?!〉

〈System: ?Trait? and ?Source? Assimilation have begun.〉

When this message appeared, it was like something shattered in Kieran's mind, leading to his next action.

"Deranged... Spirit."

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

An incomparably barbarous fury far surpassing when he fought against Rautori leaked from Kieran's body.