In the golden flames, there was a flawless and exquisite face, as if it were a work of art sculpted by the hands of God.
This face was familiar to many in Riverfall City; one could even say it was unmistakably recognizable.
It was none other than Sophia Howard, the daughter of Count Ryanthe!
Gazing at this familiar yet strange face, Luca felt a storm brewing in his heart. No matter how he speculated, he could never have imagined that the legendary Witch of Desire would look exactly like Sophia!
“I will… come back for you…” she raised her head, her eyes filled with a hatred so palpable it seemed almost tangible as the flames consumed her.
In just a moment, Pandora’s figure disintegrated into ashes amidst the flames, leaving only her words echoing in the air.
[Ding! Congratulations, you have completed the special quest “The Ascension Plan of the Witch of Desire”!]
[Reward: Kraken’s Distorted Eye (Transcendent), hidden title – Master of Asceticism, 100,000 prestige…]
[Pandora’s affection for you -1000, current status: Undying Feud!]
…
The game notification appeared just as the duration of Solar Awakening came to an end.
The Solar Divine Spear slowly dissipated, eventually transforming into a golden streak of light that returned to the mark on Luca’s forehead.
Luca frowned, unable to comprehend what was happening. He intended to ask about the Solar Divine Spear.
But before he could speak, the Solar Divine Spear said helplessly, “I have been sealed at the bottom of that Celestial Pool for so long that I am unaware of many things. Ten thousand years have passed, and this world harbors too many secrets; the answers must be sought by you yourself…
“My power is exhausted, and I may fall into a long slumber. From here on…”
His voice was weaker than before, and before he could finish, he vanished, falling into a deep sleep…
Luca sighed.
It seemed that to understand why Pandora resembled Sophia, he would have to conduct his own investigation slowly.
He descended from the sky and bent down to pick up the Desire Black Box that had fallen among the ruins.
It no longer exuded any mysterious aura; it seemed like just an ordinary box.
With Jormungandr unconscious and the Solar Divine Spear in a deep sleep, Luca had no one to ask about it and no idea what this object might be useful for. He could only toss it into his Storage Ring for later examination.
Then, Luca opened his panel to check the rewards he had just received.
[Master of Asceticism: Hidden Title, a special reward granted only to players who overcome temptation. Provides 100% immunity to seduction, manipulation, charm, and other negative states.]
“Master of Asceticism?” Luca’s lips twitched.
This crazy game had everything, didn’t it?
Although the name was a bit quirky, the title’s attributes were quite good, granting immunity to most negative controls, making it a true nemesis of evil classes.
As for Pandora’s affection level, Luca didn’t take it seriously.
What did he need a monster’s affection for? Should he expect them to help him out in critical moments?
If they didn’t stab him in the back at a crucial time, he’d be grateful…
He then glanced at the Transcendent-level item.
[Kraken’s Distorted Eye: Transcendent-level special item. When used, it can cast a distortion ray on targets below Transcendent level, causing objects or living beings to undergo Transcendent distortion. The degree and duration of the distortion depend on the power difference between the two parties. Cooldown time: 24 hours.]
“Effective against creatures below Transcendent level?” Luca’s eyes lit up; this Distorted Eye was a valuable item.
If he encountered a Superclass expert that he couldn’t handle, he could use it to buy himself some time to escape.
Moreover, once his strength was sufficient and he gathered the materials, he could refine it into magic runes.
Overall, this haul was quite impressive.
Not only did he obtain the Solar Divine Spear and the Desire Demon Box, but he also acquired a Transcendent-level item and a hidden title.
His level had also increased to 40.
After calming his emotions, he opened the panel to take a look at his current attributes.
[Name: Luca (Platinum Grade)]
[Level: lv40]
[Talent: The Person Favored (SSS-level)]
[Main Class: Demonic Rune Mage]
[Secondary Professions: Witch Doctor, Dreamweaver]
[Health: 115,000]
[Mana: 253,000]
[Attack: 26,000 – 29,000]
[Attributes: Strength 3735, Spirit 5056, Stamina 3077, Agility 1921]
[Special: Charm 100, Perception 100, Aptitude 150 (Transcendent), Luck 100]
[Titles: Unrivaled in Elegance and Charm, Peerless Appearance, Dangerous Perception, Son of Luck, Master of Asceticism]
[Magic Runes: Solar God Pattern (Divine Grade), Frostborn (Superclass), Heavenly Star Crystal Tree (Superclass), Undead Coffin (Superclass)]
…
The second Soul Forge and the Solar God Pattern significantly enhanced Luca’s attributes.
Now, his health had reached a terrifying 110,000, and his base attack power was rivaling that of high-level professionals.
If other players saw these stats, they would likely mistake him for a BOSS…
Thinking this, a smile involuntarily spread across his face.
“I really won!” On the other side, Orf and the others were in utter shock. Even now, they could hardly believe what had just happened.
It was known that this was a King-level monster, the strongest type among monsters, with only a few existing in the entire Abyssal Demon Realm. And yet, it had been defeated by a mere teenager?!
Such a thing had never happened in the entire history of the Crunt Empire, no… not even in the history of the Eternal Continent!
Once they came to their senses, the crowd erupted into cheers! Two King-level monsters had been slain, meaning Southwind City was saved!
Their homes were saved!
Cheers resounded through the air.
Some rejoiced, some embraced and wept, while others cried tears of joy. After experiencing such a disaster, countless people had lost their homes and loved ones, but in the end, they had achieved victory.
The dark clouds in the sky parted, revealing bright sunshine that bathed the ruins below.
The young man stood tall and proud.
Luna, Fratis, Melissa, and the others watched this scene from a distance, their expressions somewhat dazed.
They knew they would never forget everything that had transpired today…
Just then.
Everyone’s expressions suddenly changed as they looked up at the sky.
“Luca, watch out!” Luna shouted urgently.
At that moment, a blood-red lightning bolt streaked across the sky, diving down toward Luca.
“Hahaha! You lowly commoner, let’s see what tricks you have left!” Finn’s boisterous laughter echoed through the air as he wielded a blood-colored sword, surrounded by swirling blood energy, and swung it directly at Luca’s head.
He had waited a long time for this moment!
“Not much, but it’s enough to deal with you,” Luca replied calmly, unfazed.
Frost began to form at his feet, a chilling aura spreading around him.
A massive shield of ice coalesced into existence.
Finn’s blood-colored sword struck the shield, shattering it into pieces.
Yet Luca emerged unscathed.
“You… how is this possible?!” Finn’s pupils constricted, astonishment flooding his eyes.
He was a genuine Diamond-level powerhouse and possessed the hidden class of Crimson Mage, with a talent level reaching 9.
How could this garbage of a teenager possibly withstand his attack?!
“What’s so impossible about it? Is Diamond-level really that strong?” Luca replied nonchalantly, as the Wind and Thunder Spell Spear materialized in his hand. Silver magic runes spread out, and the previously unremarkable aura suddenly surged, approaching that of a Diamond-level warrior!
He pointed his spear at Finn and chuckled, “Finn, right? Kneel and apologize, then hand over everything valuable you have, and I’ll spare your life.”
He had exhausted all his magic runes during the earlier battle and was contemplating how to replenish them. To his surprise, this fool had delivered himself right to his doorstep; he certainly wouldn’t let such a good opportunity slip away.
“You’re seeking death!” Luca’s disdainful attitude and words rattled Finn. Throughout his life, no one had dared to speak to him like that! His expression twisted with fury as blood energy surged around him, transforming in mid-air into a blood-red scythe, which he swung down at Luca with ferocity.
“You’re too slow!” Without even looking, Luca’s feet shimmered with silver light, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Finn. His spear shot forward like lightning, aimed directly at Finn’s heart, a lethal strike meant to take his life without mercy.
Finn’s hair stood on end; without a moment’s thought, he dodged to the side. But even as the spear missed its target, Luca’s expression remained completely calm.
With a slight twist of his wrist, the spear transformed from a thrust into a sweeping motion, crashing down hard on Finn’s legs.
“Crack!!” The sound of shattering bones echoed sharply, followed by a piercing scream.
Finn cried out in agony as his legs were swept away by Luca’s spear, twisted grotesquely at an unnatural angle before he collapsed to the ground.
This top talent from Dawn City, despite being two whole levels above Luca, had his legs broken in just a few moves.
Bronte and the others, who had rushed over to intervene, gasped in shock.
This guy was an absolute monster!
In all the years they had been in this world, they had never seen such an extraordinary genius!
“Couldn’t you be a little more sensible? Did you have to make me do this myself?” Luca casually took the Storage Ring from Finn’s hand and muttered a complaint.
Without hesitation, he swung his spear mercilessly toward Finn’s head, his intent brutal!
“Stop!” A thunderous roar suddenly erupted, a voice that boomed like a great bell resonating through the sky. The overwhelming pressure of a Superclass peak bore down on Luca, immobilizing him completely!
At the same time, a bolt of blood-red lightning shot directly toward him, aiming to kill!
“How dare you!” Orf and the others felt a chill run down their spines and would not stand by idly.
Massive amounts of magical energy and sword intent surged forth, forming a protective barrier in front of Luca.
The moment they collided, the powerful forces erupted violently.
The shockwave sent both Luca and Finn flying backward.
Once free from that oppressive force, Luca’s gaze turned icy as he looked up at the sky.
There stood a middle-aged man in luxurious noble attire, hovering in mid-air.
His features bore some resemblance to Finn, but his blood-red eyes and the blood energy surrounding him were countless times stronger!
“Duke Lyon? Why is he here too?” Bronte frowned, while the others wore grim expressions.
Dawn City was at least ten thousand kilometers from Southwind City; there was no way this old man had just arrived on a whim.
He had likely been here for some time, hidden in the shadows.
Waiting to reveal himself only now that the battle had concluded.
What a cunning old fox!