When the Red Wolf clamorously howled in pain from the Energy Explosions that soon followed after that stab to his side frame, the other two Rank 3 Transcendents fighting almost evenly against Nysia and Yuko were startled.
They're startled because in their mind, even if we're extraordinary for the standard of Rank 2 Transcendents, there's no way for us to critically injure them.
But that howl. It's like the howl of someone on the verge of death.
Nonetheless, the Wolf still lived through it. That's just how high the life force of a Rank 3 Transcendent.
Despite suffering internal injuries, he managed to get away from me and even delivered a counterattack.
Since I promised Irja not to be injured this time, as soon as I pulled out the sword from the Red Wolf's body, I went back to conceal myself inside a Void Dimension and reappeared behind Irja.
Hugging her from behind and sneaking in a kiss on her cheeks to settle her worry, the girl found that lacking as she turned her head, asking for another one on her lips.
"You even have the gall to flirt right in front of me!"
The Wolf who had just caught his breath roared again upon seeing us kissing in front of him.
The wound on his pride brought by our flirting was probably even more painful than the stab he received.
In any case, that's not my fault anymore. I ended up being too fond of Irja's acts these past few minutes after all.
Besides, I wouldn't just flirt whenever, I was sure that he wouldn't be able to deliver another attack when he was still trying to stop the bleeding at his side.
His right hind leg was now limping. If not for knowing that he's actually a red-skinned humanoid, I would've considered keeping him as a pet.
Breaking his mind through the use of Energy was possible.
Well, anything is possible when one is using Energy.
As a former Divine Stage, I already experienced that point where even a drop of my Energy could create a miracle on a Mortal World.
And that's our goal this time.
"Shut up, will you?!" Breaking away from our kiss, Irja grumpily shouted at the Red Wolf.
Her four Lesser Spirits were still doing their job, keeping him in that space. And with the lack of Energy to replenish his, the Red Wolf Transcendent was already in his last leg.
After Irja's shout, she once again focused on her opponent.
To finalize his defeat, I also moved once again after renewing the buffs of both Nysia and Yuko.
Since the two knew our plan, Nysia and Yuko were making sure that the other Rank 3 Transcendents wouldn't be able to come to his rescue.
Even if these three were from different worlds, they're on the same side in this conflict.
Furthermore, it would be harder for us to fight three Rank 3 Transcendents that were cooperating with each other than fighting them solo. It would be nigh impossible for us if that happened.
The purpose for bringing them here was to minimize the damage on those two countries and so that they wouldn't be able to give a command to their subordinates that would soon become Fuel for the Earthlings.
With the Red Wolf's focus entirely divided from Irja and her four Lesser Elemental's attacks, it's hard for him to detect me whenever I would enter a Void Dimension.
And when I would appear, the Willful Sword would accurately stab itself inside his body.
As more time passed, his blood began staining the area of the ocean below him.
He tried summoning his red wolves again but before they could do something to disrupt the four Lesser Elementals, Lith, Kael, Lan and Delios were resummoned by me to keep them busy.
In the end, when we're about to deliver the final blow to him, the Rank 3 Transcendent flopped down like a tamed dog and lowered its head before saying between his grunts of pain.
"I… I surrender. Don't kill me. I'll tell you everything I know."
Throwing away his pride as a Rank 3 Transcendent, the transformed Red Wolf gradually reverted back to his original form.
Because of his wounds, his red-skinned took on a darker hue of red from the holes where his blood was currently leaking out.
Well, as a Rank 3 Transcendent, blood loss was something that wouldn't become a cause of death. Even if he spilt a sea of blood as long as he still had energy in his body, it would continue to produce more for him, to keep him alive.
Upon hearing those words of surrender, Irja continued maintaining the cage but she looked at me and waited for my decision.
I returned her gaze and nodded. "I'll restrict him using the Chains. Continue that for a while and react when something happens."
"Another coward! Why don't you burn your life force and fight to the death?! A dog will always be a dog. Ptsui!"
Upon noticing the red-skinned Transcendent kneeling in front of me, the Wind Elemental spat and cursed while also giving him advice.
However, all of those fell on deaf ears.
The Rank 3 Transcendent continued lowering his head waiting for me to make my move.
"Good choice. But that is if you're sincere. Have you seen those old guys outside the Earth? I bet you didn't. Otherwise, you wouldn't be smug and confident upon arriving here." I talked to him using a telepathic message.
And as if confirming my words, he suddenly looked up, confused. A few seconds later, he lowered his head again.
"There's a stronger group than us, if they're the ones who welcomed you, I bet you will not even get the chance to do this. However, before I accept your surrender, I need you to swear something for me."
After saying that, I produced the Chains and made it rattle in my hands.
Naturally, this guy knew what he signed up for so after a few seconds of deliberation, his weak voice answered me. "W-what is it?"
"It's simple. I will let the World's Will to allow you to convert your Source Energy to this world. What do you think, a generous offer, right?"
"Huh?! My Pathway will--"
"I know what will happen to your Pathway. You'll go back to being a Mortal. But hey, having reached Rank 3 Transcendent and assimilating a Level 3 Energy of a Natural World like this… Don't you think you're getting a jackpot here? Being an experienced Veteran, you'll end up completing your Mortal Pathway in less time than before. Give or take 20 years, you'll go back to being a Rank 3 Transcendent."
His Pathway isn't from a Psyche-type World. If he converts his Source Energy to the Earth Energy, his Pathway will reset back to zero.
Nonetheless, he won't need to do another Transcendent Trial. After completing a brand new pathway, he will become a full-fledged Transcendent again.
"But--!"
"No buts! I'm not giving you terms of surrender, I'm telling you what your fate will be if you want to live. If you wanted to die then… it's easy."
I pulled the Chains at both ends, resulting in a loud clanging sound.
Following that, the red-skinned Transcendent gulped down again, he had two paths in front of him, losing his strength or dying instantly.
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