Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2501: The Baphomet

On the towering mountain ridge a thousand miles from Parderaʼs capital city, Emery stood poised, his Twilight Wolf form brimming with power. Opposite him, Livi, now transformed after her ascension, hovered gracefully opposite him, a living embodiment of primal energy and divine elegance.

Liviʼs new form made her look no older than fifteen, younger even than Shinta. Her once modest swiveling horn had grown, curving upward like a crescent moon, nearly touching her forehead. Her dark hair flowed like liquid shadow, flickering with streaks of dark flame, while her glowing crimson eyes held a mischievous intensity. Blackened wings sprouted from her back, and fur, coarse yet radiant, covered her forearms and legs. Razor-sharp claws tipped her fingers, making her look more beast than human.

”Master, catch me if you can!” she teased, her melodic voice echoing through the air like a playful taunt.

Before Emery could respond, Livi melted into the shadows, her presence vanishing entirely. She had always possessed the ability to move within darkness, but her newly elevated realm made her movements nearly undetectable.

Emery extended his senses, and with a gesture, unleashed a formidable wall of Elysian roots. The glowing tendrils erupted from the earth, intertwining into a defensive labyrinth around him. The air buzzed with the raw energy of nature magic as the roots bristled, poised to strike at any intruder.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement appeared within the roots. Livi darted forward, her speed blurring her form. Her claws glinted as they slashed at the roots, tearing through the defenses with a mix of brute force and shadow-infused precision.

Her newfound strength was undeniable. She was a half-step into the Godly Beast realm—a stage beyond even Ancient Desolate Beasts. At this level, most beasts gained the ability to shapeshift, adopting human or other forms. But Livi, a rare divine beast of mutated lineage, had achieved this gift at an earlier stage. Emeryʼs mind flashed back to their first encounter. He had rescued her from captivity, a rare and coveted creature chained and auctioned for 80 million spirit stones in the Golden City. Since then, she had fought alongside him in countless battles, proving her loyalty during the space pirate attack on Earth and many times thereafter.

”Master, Iʼm here!” her voice rang out again, seemingly from every direction.

Emery spun, his claws slicing through the air, but she was faster. A shadow flitted past him, and before he could react, her claws lightly tapped his back.

”Got you!” she declared, landing gracefully. Her grin was triumphant, her youthful exuberance infectious.

The Elysian roots retreated into the earth, and Emery shifted back to his human form. He turned to face her, shaking his head with a rueful smile.

”You win, Livi,” he admitted, his tone laced with amusement.

Livi clapped her clawed hands together in delight. ”Yes! Now you have to keep your promise!”

Her behavior was more playful than ever before, and Emery couldnʼt help but marvel at the transformation. Not just her appearance, but her attitude as well. She seemed younger, more carefree, and utterly unburdened by the weight of her newfound power.

As the mountain winds howled around them, Emeryʼs curiosity deepened. What was her true lineage?

As promised, Emery kept his word and took Livi on a stroll through the bustling shops of Parderaʼs renowned marketplace. The streets filled with countless merchants hawked their wares—ranging from rare elixirs to enchanted weapons.

The marketplace itself was a dazzling sight: floating stalls held aloft by runic formations, displays of weapons sparking with energy, and rare materials radiating an otherworldly glow. Livi had already picked out several new items, including a dark, flowing dress embroidered with protective runes, which accentuated her recently transformed figure. However, she had yet to find the perfect weapon, something that suited her new cosmic realm strength. As they approached the weapons stall, her gaze locked on a massive scythe displayed prominently at the center.

”Master! Look at this!” The weapon was both beautiful and menacing—a dark metallic blade gleamed with crimson accents, runes carved intricately along its edge. The scytheʼs pole was sleek, seemingly forged from black steel, and adorned with fiery inscriptions that pulsated faintly, resonating with her aura. The blade itself was nearly taller than Livi, but she didnʼt seem the least bit deterred by its intimidating size.

”This one!” she declared with a wide grin. ”Master, I want this one!”

Emery took a closer look at the weapon and then turned to the shopkeeper. ”Whatʼs the price?”

The merchant, a grizzled dwarf with a beard that shimmered like molten silver, gave him a toothy grin. ”A fine choice, lad! Middle-grade Tier 7, and a bargain at only 90 million spirit stones!”

Emery blinked, the number sending a jolt through him. 90 million?! He couldnʼt help but remember the hefty 40 million fine heʼd just paid for Liviʼs tribulation incident. Still, the scythe was indeed a rare find, and its price was below market value—likely because scythes were an unconventional choice for most warriors.

”Livi, are you sure about this one?” Emery asked, knowing full well the answer.

”Yes, Master! This is the perfect weapon for me!” she said, practically bouncing with excitement.

He mentally calculated his remaining funds, thankful he had collected substantial loot from his battles in Valhalla and the Valyrian worlds. He sold several unneeded items at nearby stalls to cover the purchase. When the deal was done, Livi beamed, clutching the scythe like a prized possession.

”Thank you, Master! Youʼre the best!” she said, hugging the massive weapon as if it were a treasured toy.

Just as Emery thought his shopping spree had concluded, a familiar voice chimed in from behind. ”Father… what about me?”

Emery turned to see Shinta, his daughter, giving him an innocent but unmistakably expectant smile. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her bright eyes sparkling with anticipation. 𝐫À₦ꝊꞖĘș

Caught off guard, Emery chuckled nervously. ”Ah, of course. Letʼs find something for you too.”

But it didnʼt end there. Ha Ron and Kingrig—both wearing hopeful expressions. They, too, had recently advanced to the Magus realm and seemed eager for their turn.

By the end of the day, Emery was utterly broke. He could only hope that the upcoming Alchemy event would bring him some much-needed gains.