Chapter 484: Challenging A God In Its Territory
The Titan’s body loomed above the golden throne and the surroundings, nothing proving worthy to stand higher.
Blazing more intensely than the core of a star, MSAP-8 radiated a presence worthy of a master in the depths of its own ecosystem, possessing power that to mortals would seem like that of a god.
Perhaps out of consideration for the Lords, or simply because it found the form most adequate, the Titan bore a humanoid appearance with three sets of wings emerging from its back.
Stretching for kilometers, the Iskra seemed like an immovable mountain, which towered over its adversaries.
A raw pulse of sheer power resonated, and the head of the Almighty shifted ever so slightly to stare downward.
Taking its time to observe the Lords one by one, it finally came to a complete stop, staring right at Ember.
"You have dared venture into my territory."
A presence like a voice rippled through space, powerful enough to shudder planets. Yet no words were spoken. The Titan bypassed sound entirely, connecting directly to the cultivators’ consciousness and imprinting its message upon their minds.
"You provoked my rule by manifesting your authority over mine."
MSAP-8 had become well aware of the Lords’ existence when they had resorted to using Authority Manifestation in its territory.
"You defied my rightful command over my subjects and tore one from my grasp."
The Almighty paused deliberately. The palpable silence settled, causing the tension to rise, reaching boiling levels.
"And now you have risen to challenge me..."
In that moment, Michael’s quest, the reason he had come here to slay the Titan and obtain the means to cure his father, received an update.
[Quest: Curing a Paragon’s Father Updated!]
[Difficulty: Impossible → I SEE YOU]
"Very well then." The golden throne shook under the Titan.
MSAP-8 stood.
Its stature surged, doubling in height, a tidal wave of force spilling outward.
"I shall start with the betrayer." The Iskra Titan declared, its gaze shifting from Ember to Michael. "And the one who led it astray."
[Difficulty: I SEE YOU → I’M COMING FOR YOU]
The Lords didn’t linger.
Francesca was the first to act. Conjuring her beautiful bow, she pulled the string backward with full force.
Blinding projectiles materialized, growing rapidly in size before she let go.
Moving faster than a comet, the arrow flew, carrying enough momentum to pass through mountains.
The Titan remained undeterred.
It raised one limb and caught it in a fluid motion.
Crumbling under the weight of its immense grip, the arrow broke into shimmering particles.
Next, the Almighty took a step forward.
And vanished.
"Light speed!" Michael roared, his shout piercing the distance and reaching the dazed Lords.
Instinctively, they all dashed, breaking their circle formation by spreading outward in every direction.
BOOM!
Not a heartbeat later, the Titan’s leg stomped right where the Lords had stood.
A fraction of hesitation would have been enough to spell their doom right out of the gate.
"Impressive... but lacking."
Now separated, the Titan gazed at Michael and struck.
The blow moved too fast for Michael to activate Lightning Surge or Riftstep and get out of the way.
His hands moved on their own accord, tilting Devil in his sword form sideways.
When the strike collided, Michael was swept off his feet. Even with Devil and Angel focused on defense, they barely managed to save his life.
Skidding across the golden floor, he eventually came to a stop.
Blood oozed from his mouth, several ribs shattered, piercing his lungs.
For a moment, his vision blurred, the world spinning around him.
Then the corners of his mouth curled upwards into a menacing smile.
"Thank you so much!" He laughed out loud, the trickling vitality making his voice rougher. "A push toward madness was all I needed!"
[God of War activated!]
The full extent of the Supreme technique, fueled by Michael’s madness generated from his wounds, surged upward, matching even the Almighty in height.
Not the watered-down version, but the full might of the war deity. The hundred limbs readied themselves, eyes fixed on the Titan, moving in accord with Michael’s will.
Albeit still far from being perfect, he was able to properly utilize the full magnitude of their lethality.
"KILL!" Obeying his command, the limbs lashed out, all heading toward the Titan with staggering speed.
Simultaneously, the Lords had already flanked MSAP-8. Wasting no time, they unleashed everything they had.
Nicole let loose her two stars. "Authority Manifestation, Crimson Phoenix."
Persephone summoned her scythe. "Authority Manifestation, Definite Subjugation."
Francesca fired with her bow. "Authority Manifestation, Golden Order."
Noctis’ expression grew stern. "Authority Manifestation, White Heaven."
Gloria, Solomon, and Emanuel activated their Authority Manifestation as well.
Just recently ascended to Supreme Lords, Eliza and Elina hadn’t yet managed to grasp the concept, not surprisingly, given that the technique was supposed to be usable only from the next realm and beyond.
Regardless, they didn’t stand idle, moving as one, their attacks carried energy amplified by their ascension.
Perhaps the bravest one of all was Ember. She alone charged with no regard for her safety, knowing that as long as Michael stood, she would live too.
Soaring upward, she began to scale the monstrous Titan, her paws and maw tearing everything in sight, delivering maximum devastation.
Surrounded by manifested authorities from all sides and facing a war deity of similar stature, the Almighty stared at the champions antagonizing it.
And erupted into laughter.
"Is that the extent of your abilities?" The Titan’s voice echoed in the Lords’ minds, sounding uncaring about the pressure it was met with. "I am the God of this world! Did you really think you stood a chance with such measly attacks?"
Overwhelming the authorities, MSAP-8 brushed off the attacks and struck forward, fracturing the God of War with a single blow.
Michael did not register pain, yet he felt his spiritual reserves dropping at an alarming rate as the war deity began to repair itself.
The Lords weren’t merely challenging an alien with a single realm above their own, but two entire realms beyond! Even with every preparation, triumph would not come easily.
"Everything ends here." The Almighty proclaimed, about to crush Michael beneath its foot.
"In order for my father to be cured... you have to die." Michael stared at the incoming strike, one that would have ended even Nicole.
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave resonated as the collision occurred.
"...?"
Yet, to the Titan’s puzzlement, it didn’t feel human flesh beneath its limb, but... resistance, that halted it in place.
"So no matter the cost, I will use everything and more... to kill you where you stand." Michael’s bottomless eyes gleamed darker than the abyss itself, his bloodlust palpable.
[Transformation Initiated: Demonic Form]
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