Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1744 Hollow Call

If one were to try and describe the feeling of oneʼs inner organs being pulled out through oneʼs pores, maybe it would feel like this. Every bit and essence of Sylasʼ being was being ripped and torn, divided into little bite-sized pieces as though someone was taking a fork and knife to his life itself.

The pain was excruciating, but oddly enough, it was little more than a faint murmur in the background, something like the probing annoyance of a fly compared to the existential dread that overlaid atop it.

His mind was far more consumed with the finality of it all than it was the pain.

Sylas could feel that that was part of the point. To be so focused on how over it all was instead of trying to find a way out of it all.

Honestly speaking, he was quite lucky. He had never faced off against someone directly that could simply wipe his Will out like this. He had probably met plenty of people, but he had never needed to fight them. And those that he did end up fighting, his Will had always been just evolved enough that he could hold his own.

But this time, he had finally met someone that wasnʼt possible against.

Sylas took a breath, a billowing steam coming out of his mouth. He hadnʼt wanted to go so far being he was already bleeding so much of his Will so quickly. But it seemed that he didnʼt have a choice anymore.

Madness.

Chi.

Branches shattered apart around Sylas, his Glassvolt sparking and ripping strands he hadnʼt even noticed burrowing into his body apart.

”Hm?” The Glutton looked back toward Sylas, tilting his head.

He, of course, knew Madness when he sensed it. It was one of his own Comprehensions as well.

He, of course, recognized Madness when he sensed it. It was one of his own Comprehensions as well.

But Madness shouldnʼt be this powerful... not on an F-tier.

His eyes narrowed.

The Sloth had a similar reaction, his own gaze flickering. In a rare moment, the Sloth actually wore a serious expression.

They both shot toward Sylas at the same time without a word of communication between them. They werenʼt friends in the slightest, but somehow, and for whatever reason, they had come to the same conclusion at the same exact time.

[Time till Level Limit Increase: 00:00:07:11]

Sylas ripped a root out of his chest, coughing out a mouthful of blood. His ribs were exposed to the world, his heart just barely hiding behind them.

He had only fallen to a knee for maybe a few seconds, but his state... he couldnʼt even put it into words.

His mind swayed, the drain on his Will having increased to the point he wasnʼt sure he could hold on for much longer. But at the edges of his mind, he could sense that he was already being cornered.

Time slowed in his mind, but that only increased the strain on his Will further. He had too many abilities that relied on his Will-his Progenitor Flame Ability just being one of them—but not nearly the depth that he needed to sustain them all.

He endeavored to push himself up to his feet, but the action was so slow he knew he wouldnʼt make it before the two were already upon him. Even if they were distracted by one another, whatever clash they had would probably blow him to pieces.

They were too powerful.

Sylas released a shaky breath. Using [Hollow Burst] again would really come in handy right now, but it was on cooldown. Unless he used the Hibernation Halo, there was no using it for the time being. And, for the very same reasons, he couldnʼt afford to do such a thing.

He couldnʼt even use his telekinesis freely around these two, let alone his Rune Mastery.

It felt like every option was a dead end.

The Purvon Clan young master still stood at the window, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. He hadnʼt said a word since he mumbled acknowledgements earlier. However, he was closely observing the Sloth and the Glutton.

He didnʼt know who they were, though he had some guesses.

As for the A-tiers of the Seeing Eye Guild, they couldnʼt possibly know every minor D-tier in their guild. So as far as they were concerned, the Glutton and Sloth were two of their own.

”Do you have more?” The Purvon Clan young master spoke out, seemingly to himself.

His A-tier servant was taken aback once again. He almost sounded... disappointed.

He didnʼt understand. Didnʼt his young master want Sylas to die?

The young clan heirʼs thoughts werenʼt so simple, though. He didnʼt like being led by the nose, so he made a different choice. But if Sylas simply rejected him without a plan and only for the sake of his Pride, the young clan heir would also be disappointed.

He really wanted to see... was his contingency plan better? Or was Sylasʼ?

However, these odds... he really couldnʼt see how Sylas could ever find a way out of them. Even if he did, there were just seven more minutes left until C-tiers started to appear.

He already stood no chance against the E-tiers. And now these D-tiers were treating him like a rag doll. What would happen when C-tiers started pouring out?

”I havenʼt even deigned to tell you my name yet.”

Sylas felt his vision swimming, if blackness could swim in the first place.

He had the perfect plan. He really shouldnʼt have had to be pushed so far. It was really like that damned volcano again. He couldnʼt escape its shadow no matter how far he went.

It nagged at him again and again.

ʼYouʼre not catching up to me today.ʼ

Sylasʼ blood boiled, a crown appearing above his head. But this crown was entirely unlike the others. It radiated the aura of his bloodline, the essence of a Royal Hero Line pouring out into the surroundings.

Chi. Chi. Chi. Chi. Chi.

Sylas roared.

[Hollow Call].