Lord of Annihilation

Diving into his mindspace with his consciousness, Lucius inspected his newly mutated soul.

At the center of his mindspace stood a vague, humanoid figure. The features of the figure weren't clearly visible and its face was enshrouded behind blurry lines. Only the shape and outline of the body could be seen due to the intersecting lines of crimson red and transparent white.

Black clouds lined with threads of red and white surrounded this vague figure and filled the entirety of his mindspace. Unlike previously when the figure and the clouds were flowing like water, they currently had a solid presence.

The new stream of energy felt as fluid as silk, while being as solid as iron.

Inspecting this change, Lucius was astonished.

'Stage 1 Peak Level! I have reached Solid Phase!' he exclaimed.

Thanks to the tremendous amounts of energy poured into his soul during his ascension, Lucius' soul had not only mutated but unexpectedly had also advanced by a small level.

'This is great. Now that I have better strength certain plans can be brought forward.'

'Now then... what exactly is my soul?' he wondered.

Nearing the vague silhouette with his consciousness, Lucius slowly reached into his soul and tried to connect with his soul.

Back when he was unconscious, Lucius had involuntarily connected with his soul for a short moment. It was then that he had learned the name of his soul.

[Annihilator]

A simple name meaning a simple thing. Searching through the memories of his previous life, he tried to remember if he had read any records of this particular soul.

'Hmm... [Arbitrator],.... [Adjucator].... I don't remember any soul type recorded as [Annihilator].' Lucius found it very odd.

The records that he had read belonged to the person, who was considered to be number one in matters regarding the souls. In other words, Ka'lor'ah.

Lucius once again searched through his memories carefully but still ended up with no particular information.

'Nevermind. Let's see what abilities I received.' not wanting to waste his time, Lucius decided to check his new abilities.

Every soul granted its owner a set of special abilities. These abilities belong to a wide variety and are mostly dependent on the group of 'Rules', to which the soul might belong.

With the awakening of one's soul, they might receive greater strength, newer knowledge, the ability to cast magic, maybe increased learning speed and others of such variety. The possibilities were endless as the number of soul types was simply too great.

Of course, one can more or less guess the type of abilities one might get by identifying the group of 'Rules' to which their soul might belong.

For example, Lucius' [Killer] and Alex's [Ruler of Flames] belonged to the 'Rule of Destruction' and 'Rule of Chaos'. Therefore, one can roughly infer that their abilities were violent in nature and were suitable for direct combat. Frontline damage dealers in other words.

After connecting with his soul, Lucius solely started to understand the nature of his soul and it's abilities.

'My abilities are... [Annihilation Intent], [Flaw Detection] and.... [Annihilation Energy]? What's that?'

Reading the names of the first two abilities, Lucius more or less understood the purpose of those skills. They were practical and were suited for direct combat.

--

[Annihilation Intent]- It was the improved version of [Killing Intent]. When released it directly affects the soul of the other party, eroding it with the passage of time. Other effects such as Fear and Paralysis are also inflicted, depending upon the difference in their soul cultivations.

Higher the soul cultivation, the greater the effects.

--

[Flaw Detection]- An ability that allowed the wielder to detect the flaws on all objects. Allows the wielder to look past the surface and gaze at the true nature of an object.

Effects improve upon higher soul cultivation.

--

'Shame. [Killer Vision] was better.' he clicked his tongue. Although [Killer Vision] did not grant him the ability to view flaws, it allowed him to set marks and track his targets.

Being able to view flaws seemed a bit redundant to Lucius, considering the amount of combat experience he has. Still, there was no point in complaining about his new ability. He had to test its effects in the field to understand its uses. After all, being able to make the best use of what one has is the mark of a true powerhouse.

However, what stumped Lucius was the last ability.

[Annihilation Energy]

That's it.

There were no explanations. No descriptions. Nothing.

Just two words.

Feeling a bit annoyed, he thought to himself.

'Looks like I have to figure this out myself.'

With the evolution of his soul, Lucius had to walk a new path. One which he was not familiar with. While others might be excited at the possibility of a newer path especially one which might be stronger than his previous soul type, Lucius was quite straightforward.

'What a bother.'

It was simply too bothersome.

After his rebirth, Lucius desperately lacked two things. One was strength and the other was time.

While strength was something he could find replacements for. Time, on the other hand, was something which could not be replaced. Gaining a new soul type, especially one that might have no precedence, meant that Lucius had to waste a lot of his time figuring out the right path and correct advancement conditions.

More than that, his understanding of the 'Rules' must also undergo a change to better suit his new path.

In other words, he would have to waste a lot of his time experimenting.

'No point in worrying too much.' instead of letting it bother him, Lucius decided to push it to the back of his head for now.

After all, he wasn't in a rush to advance in his cultivation nor was he in the position to do so.

'Time to head back.' seeing that his soul had successfully mutated and had also evolved to boot. Lucius decided to leave his mindspace.

----------------------

Focus returned to his eyes as his consciousness returned to the surface. He blinked his eyes twice and stared at the floating dark-gold crystal in front of him.

"Are you okay?" a voice filled with complex emotions was heard from the crystal.

Hearing her question, Lucius nodded his head. He then asked.

"My soul has undergone an evolution. Do you know of a soul type called the [Annihilator]?"

"...[Annihilator]? Never heard of it." Ka'lor'ah thought for a few seconds before replying.

'As expected.' Lucius sighed and stood up.

Just as he was in the process of getting up, a white, slender palm headed towards his face in order to smack him. Reacting instinctively, Lucius caught the wrist and look towards its owner.

"What are you doing?" he asked in a cold voice.

"Let me go!" Reyna screamed with a face filled with anger. She tried to use her other hand to claw out of Lucius' grip but was unsuccessful.

Tightening his hold over her slender, dainty wrist. Lucius asked once again.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" his tone lowered by a few degrees.

"What am '𝘐' doing?" her voice was suppressed like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

In the next moment, it erupted.

"What are 'YOU' doing!!" she thundered.

"WHY? Why do you repeatedly hurt us?! Are we not your friends?!" her face was livid.

"Do you even know how seriously injured Alex is currently?! His entire chest was caved in!! Look! Look at Olivia, right there?!" She used her other hand to point towards Olivia.

Olivia continued to cough out mouthfuls of blood. Her entire face was pallid and her forehead winced in pain. She was trying to remain conscious, but the pain from Lucius' last attack had injured her internal organs. Due to that last attack, Olivia's soul power was also running low.

While she wanted to stop Reyna from speaking, she, unfortunately, did not have the strength to move her body.

Ka'lor'ah on the other hand did not want to intervene. She stood quietly by the side, absorbed into her own thoughts.

Reyna's entire body shook as she continued with her outburst.

"Even that previous time with Alex. Why would you attack and injure him?! All he wanted was to apologize to you! Why don't you get it?"

Her feet stomped angrily into the ground and her soul power started to overflow due to her agitation.

"Why would you attack your friends? What is wrong with you?!"

"Tell us, so we can help you! Tell me!" her large chest heaved up and down as she rapidly panted. Reyna had gone all out and poured her grievances on Lucius.

She did not want power, wealth, authority, or strength. All she ever wanted was a group of closely knit friends, who could rely on each other. Friends that would unhesitantly help the other no matter the situation. This was her greatest wish and dream.

Lucius, Olivia, Alex, and herself were precisely this group.

Just as Reyna was about to continue with her outburst, a cold voice interrupted her. Reyna's body immediately stiffened when she heard that voice.

"Friends? You actually thought you and the others were my friends?"

Lucius sneered before saying.

"Foolish"