The Essence around Leo’s body died down, and even his blades returned to their normal length. He stepped onto the narrow path leading toward the island, weaving his way through the massacred bodies and pools of blood Nyx left in her wake. The poor tiny sea creatures didn’t stand a chance against her fire and shadows. Even with water supporting them from both sides, they still got swept by the feline’s fury.

  So much for staying close to each other, he grumbled internally, kicking a piece of a sea ghoul back into the waters.

  He could have joined her, but why bother? There was no sense in wasting his strength when Nyx had everything under control. Besides, he could always jump in if she needed him. Which he doubted would happen unless the godling attacked her head-on.

  But it won’t, Leo mused in his mind, his senses working overtime to detect anything suspicious. This is probably just a way to test us… or slow us down. Not that it’s working.

  He snorted as he spotted Nyx cut through over a dozen ghouls with a single swipe of her tail. Even if she had already shown her affinities and some of the potential of her body, it was nothing in the long run. To her, they were like mice to a cat—something to toy with, not a real threat.

  And then there was Leo. He didn’t want to sound arrogant, but even with Ruination limited to a few uses, he was still a powerhouse. Spectral Fury alone made him a nightmare for anyone of a similar rank. Not to mention his affinities, Death Touch, and other skills.

  Yeah, they ain’t learning shit here. At best, this is just a distraction to throw us off or make us careless. He scoffed. But it won’t work.

  To back up his confidence, Leo unleashed a series of Hunter’s Pulses, forcing the skill to function like a sonar. As expected, it revealed nothing but more creatures lurking in the waters, keeping a safe distance while observing.

  A good lot it would do for them.

  At this point, Nyx already reached the end of the rocky path and waited there with ghoul corpses strewn around her. The few remaining creatures retreated before bolting back right into the sea. The flames on the feline’s paws flickered out at that, and she instantly dug into the nearest body.

  Glutton, he called out when he reached her position.

  Nyx paused before she could take another bite and narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Jealous?’ she challenged. ‘There is more than enough for you too. Go on and dig in. They are surprisingly tasty.’

  Leo at her and then at a random bloody corpse of the sickly green ghoul. He grimaced. I think I’m gonna have to pass again. Seafood isn’t really my thing. Nor really any raw meat.

  Nyx snorted. ‘Says the man who has eaten about a dozen of hearts. How is this any different?’

  Well, for one, Eternal Hearts could give me attributes and the System recognized them as legit food. He shot the corpses another look. These though? I see no benefit from eating them. Unless you count potential sickness as a perk.

  The feline huffed and took another large bite, splattering her teeth with dark blood. ‘You complain too much. Food is food.’

  Leo opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself. This conversation was going nowhere.

  “Whatever,” he muttered instead. “Hurry up, and let’s get going. We didn’t come here to eat.”

  That got the feline to move. In less than a minute, the corpse she had been feasting on disappeared entirely. She licked her snout clean before motioning for him to take the lead.

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  ‘After you.’

  Leo didn’t dignify her with a response and simply headed deeper into the volcanic island. Similar to the second layer of the Void Rift, this place was brimming with lava rivers and pits of molten rock. They stayed clear of those and made their way to the spire that somehow grew taller the closer they got to it.

  Slowly, the fields of liquid fire gave way to a barren plain filled with tall, jagged rocks jutting out of the ground. It resembled a stone forest, though much smaller and eerily barren. But that was no surprise—not with the spire looming at the far end of the plain.

  Looks like the prey came to us again, Nyx, Leo pointed out when he spotted a figure standing next to a massive throne made out of glinting obsidian. Though, on second thought, ‘prey’ might not be the right word to call the person in front of them.

  It was a behemoth of a man, one almost as tall as Leo but with muscles that made even his Akirian body pale in comparison. His skin was pale, ashen almost, and covered in dark veins that coursed with glowing greenish ichor.

  Yet, the man’s most striking feature was the massive eye dominating the left side of his face. For now, it remained shut, sealed by gnarled scar tissue. On the other hand, the other eye seemed tiny in comparison, though it still glinted with silent anger as it glared in Leo’s direction.

  ‘Recognize him?’ Nyx asked as they continued onward.

  No, he replied, scanning the dark ornate armor adorned with unknown symbols that the man wore. I have no idea who he is… My knowledge of myths is limited to Greek and Japanese ones—and even then, it’s spotty at best.

  ‘Well then… at least he doesn’t look like someone who could keep up with our speed.’

  Yeah… I’m not gonna make any assumptions until I see what he can do for myself. For all we know, this might not be the godling we are searching for.

  Nyx shot him a doubtful glance. ‘I can feel the power rolling off him from here. If this isn’t our target, then…’

  I know… Focus up, and be careful.

  Their link went silent as they stopped a good tennis field away from the presumed godling. The man took it as a sign and stepped away from his throne.

  “Guests from afar!” He shouted, his voice booming like the thunder crashing above. “I trust you enjoyed my little welcoming. Nothing personal—just a little… test.”

  Leo and Nyx stayed silent, Naz’Tor’s words echoing in their heads. This godling was different from Ddraig, and they could both feel it. The malicious smirk on the man’s face also didn’t help.

  “Not in a talking mood? Of course not... A beast and a human in a monster’s skin.” He chuckled. “How ironic, but not unexpected. You humans are always so good at surviving, shedding what weighs you down. It’s an endless cycle with you…”

  When silence once more met his words, the man shook his head in mock disappointment. “Still nothing? Very well. I have tolerated your presence in my realm for too long anyway. Death awaits you, and I, Balor, will deliver you to the eternal abyss.”

  Balor… The name rang a bell in Leo’s mind, but didn’t do much else. He probably read about it somewhere in passing. It doesn’t matter anyway.

  He smiled and extended his blades. “Come then.”

  Balor’s grin widened. “He speaks! Wonderful.” He extended his hand forward, and in a flash of black fire, a double-edged glaive materialized in his grasp. “I shall give you a taste of eternal ruin.”

  The godling swung the glaive in an arc, and its obsidian blade ignited, glowing cracks of molten fire spreading over its surface. He swung again, and this time, a compressed wave of red energy surged out, cleaving through everything in its way.

  Leo and Nyx dodged to the side, letting the projectile sail past.

  “Oh, how long has it been since I felt this power…” Balor said, his eyes on the weapon in his hands. “Another feast awaits us, but first…” His gaze went to Nyx. “The beast needs some entertainment when we take care of its owner.”

  At once, Balor twirled the glaive and drove its blade down into the earth. The ground shook in answer, breaking off chunks of rocks. Lava also erupted near the godling, combining with the stone and melting it. Lightning from above joined in on the fun and struck the forming creation, adding its own power into the mix.

  Leo considered attacking and stopping the process, but going by the godling’s eyes on him, he wouldn’t succeed. At least not without abandoning his own safety.

  “This should do,” Balor finally said once the shifting rocks and lava settled. A massive stone bull emerged from the chaos, its body steaming and sparking with lightning. Two molten eyes locked onto Nyx, glaring at her.

  “Now, let us begin.”

  With another swing of his glaive, the storm above answered Balor’s call and descended upon the island, or rather toward Leo. At the same time, the steaming bull rushed at Nyx.

  Yes. Let’s.

  Power exploded out of his body, activating every enhancing skill. In another burst of Essence, he vanished from his spot, escaping the incoming bolt of lightning.

  Leo appeared right in front of Balor, his twin blades crashing against the godling’s glaive.

  Boom.

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