Lord of Annihilation

Status Screen:

Name: Lucius (Rurian) Surname: None

Age: 20 years  Birthday: Unknown

Race/Species: Void Eater  Grade: Unknown (definitely higher than Grade 5).

Family: Unknown. (Olivia Mayer's Foster Brother)

Soul/Stage: [Annihilator]/Peak-Level Stage 1

Soul Abilities: [Annihilation Intent], [Flaw Detection], [Annihilation Energy] - Attribute Type.

Racial Abilities: [Devour], [Void Hands], [Void Steps], [Void Storage], [State of Devour], [Scent Detection] 

Techniques: [Dance of the Death God- First Movement (Slash)/ Second Movement (Shred)], Unspecified Movement Technique.

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[State of Devour]: Enables the user to enter [Half-Berserk] state, unleashing the true form of the Void Eater. Form will defer depending on the corpses devoured and abilities gained.

In this state, the strength and physique of the user will undergo massive improvements, with all absorbed abilities being displayed to their fullest. 

However, during [State of Devour] the user's consciousness will be polluted by the primal instincts of the Void Eater bloodline, making the user irascible and bloodthirsty.

One's base desires will also be multiplied exponentially ([Annihilator] weakens this effect.)

After deactivation, the user will return to Human State, severely weakened and drained. All racial abilities will be unable for 3 days.

Can be evolved.  (Requirements: Stage 3 corpses)

Activation Period: 3 hours. 

Combat Strength: Pseudo - Stage 3. (can escape from Stage 3 beings)

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Looking at the massive door, insatiable greed and desire were present in Lucius' eyes.

'Such a delicious scent!' drool started to leak from the corner of his mouth.

'Okay, our objective is behind that large door, guarded by that Cerberus. Judging from its aura, that is an adult at Low-Level Stage 3 soul cultivation, however, seeing how it's been locked here for a long time, its effective combat strength will be much lower than that.' 

Ka'lor'ah quickly started to analyze.

'For our plan of action, first, we draw…' just as she was instructing Lucius on their battle plan, the latter had already flown towards the multi-dog-headed beast, utterly disregarding her.

Noticing the approach of a foreign party, the [Cerberus] that had been sleeping for an unknown amount of time, finally stirred awake.

『Whom'st dare disturbs this one's slumber!』

The massive sleeping mountain finally raised its three heads, each 4m in length. Each of the three heads possessed a distinctive pair of eyes, a flat nose, and a terrifyingly large mouth, all of which turned to face the impudent intruder.

『A Mutant Beast—no, what are you?』

The three mouths moved in unison as a fierce growling sound asked in confusion. Never before in its long life had it seen or heard of a creature like Lucius existing.

The Cerberus was a Grade 4 life form, with an average lifespan of 200 years and an intelligent mind.

Born with Stage 1 cultivation, the Cerberus one of the main 'beast' races in the [Evil] faction, oftentimes serving as steeds for Captain or higher-ranking members of the faction.

With incredible natural defense and superior physical strength, they were often used as siege beasts earning the nickname- 'Little Behemoths'

Adult Cerberuses stood at a total height of 50-60m and possessed a cultivation of Low-Level Stage 3. Their bodies were ridiculously tough, with most standard or refined weapons unable to penetrate their hides. 

Facing this 'Little Behemoth', Lucius uncaringly roared.

"Get out of my way, dog!" he swooped in towards it.

『Such audacity!』 the Cerberus thundered, enraged.

Never before in its life, had it faced such an impudent beast. Not to mention, judging from the aura emitted by Lucius, he was the weaker party!

The three dog heads snorted in unison, as the 50m tall beast, abruptly swung its scaled tail. Attached to the end of the tail was a spiked flail formed of the Cerberus's 'tougher than iron' bones.

BANG!

Lucius who had recklessly swooped towards the large beast was instantly hit by its flailed tail. Unable to withstand the force, he crashed into the ground.

『That will teach you respect!』 the beast snorted. Its three heads then turned to look towards the floating crystal in the distance.

『As for you in the back. You will make a fine meal to celebrate the awakening of this one.』

The middle-head of the Cerberus opened its large mouth. The muscles surrounding its cheek sunk inwards as a terrifying force of suction started to pull at Ka'lor'ah.

Swooop!!

The surrounding winds stirred as dust, rocks, and heat started to fly towards the Cerberus' mouth. The natural spiritual energy formed whirlpools of energy, further increasing the power of the Cerberus' suction.

The seemingly boundless underground space which had known peace for hundreds of years shook and quaked under this horrible power!

'This is bad!!' using all her power, Ka'lor'ah tried to fly in the direction of their entry, towards the river of lava on the ceiling of the space.

Using all her strength she managed to overcome the suction force, inching towards the point of retreat.

『Trying to run? How naïve..』 the Cerberus spoke condescendingly.

The two stationary heads suddenly opened their mouths and started to suck the air. The force of suction increased by more than three-fold and the fragile equilibrium was broken.

Unable to hold on, Ka'lor'ah flew towards the Cerberus's massive mouth.

'NO!' Just as the crystal was about to enter its mouth, the body of the Cerberus suddenly froze. The three mouths stopped their suction and Ka'lor'ah managed to get away from the jaws of death.

『HOW DARE YOU?!!』 the mountainous beast, howled with rage and pain. 

The three heads turned to look at the ground beneath. In the spot where the flailed tail of the beast had swatted the audacious intruder, was a crushed pile of flesh, blood, and encroaching darkness.

A good quarter of its tail had disappeared!

"Tough, very tough bones. Very unpleasant to taste." Lucius surrounded by hundreds of pitch-black appendages, shook his head in disappointment!

Shadows darker than black extended all around him, slowly encroaching upon the Cerberus' tail. 

Inch by inch, he was devouring its tail.

『How are you still alive?!』 the beast growled in confusion. 

The attack on Lucius was no ordinary one. While the Cerberus was arrogant in its words, it was by no means careless. In fact, it was the opposite!

After being awakened by Lucius' intrusion, the Cerberus found its current strength to be too weak, due to hunger. Upon seeing Lucius' reckless approach, the large monster grew increasingly wary and had attacked with its full power.

Unfortunately, it had underestimated Lucius' skill and abilities. At the very last moment, Lucius had used [Void Steps] to dodge the attack, then countering with [Devour].

Seeing this uninjured opponent, its eyes suddenly expanded in size as it howled once again.

『It's this shadow!』

Realizing the threat of the encroaching darkness, The Cerberus detonated its soul power, ridding the surrounding area of Lucius' shadow.

The Void underneath Lucius' feet shattered, resulting in Lucius' throwing up a mouthful of foul-looking blood and his ears ringing. The darkness vanished from the Cerberus' tail and [Devour] had halted.

This was the first time that the Void connected to Lucius had been forcibly broken.

Enraged by its opponent's actions, the mammoth-sized beast roared.

『DIE!』Not daring to waste any more time to expose its weakness and give the opponent time to prepare, the Cerberus raised its hind leg and stomped towards Lucius. 

Its speed of approach and area of coverage made it impossible for Lucius to dodge in a short amount of time and with the Void being forcibly broken Lucius' couldn't use [Void Steps] to instantly leave the area of impact.

If he was caught underneath this attack, Lucius would undoubtedly turn into a smashed paste of meat and blood

Seeing this large 'pillar' loom towards him, Lucius did not panic. While [State of Devour] made him irascible and rash, it also increased his instincts to survive.

Biting his tongue to relieve his mind of the dizziness, his mind whirred into action At this moment of approaching death, Lucius appropriately reacted.

Three of his crimson eyes shone with brightness, as the scene before him partially changed.

Replacing the approaching hind leg were masses of red-colored lines, each intersecting and connecting with the others. The ground, the air, the surrounding natural energy were replaced by threads of white and black, allowing Lucius to 'truly' see.

[Flaw Detection] had activated.

Watching the red-colored threads signifying certain death get closer and closer towards his body, Lucius' mind instantly started to calculate escape routes and evasion paths.

Time seemed to have slowed to a snail's pace, as Lucius' body suddenly moved into action. 

Stomping off the ground, Lucius detonated a part of his soul power beneath his wings, instantly gaining acceleration. Instead of dodging to the sides or flying backward, Lucius accelerated towards the incoming attack.

Raising his two hands, Lucius let out a roar and stabbed forth at the intersecting red lines in his vision. 

Ten sharp pitch-black nails stabbed into the steel-like hide of the Cerberus. After the successful intrusion, Lucius started to pour [Annihilation Energy] into it.

『AHHHHH!!!』 a scream hundreds of times louder and more painful than the previous one resounded within the dark space. 

The body of the Cerberus painfully writhed, as its three other limbs softened and collapsed onto the ground. 

The unstoppable stomp of the Cerebrus suddenly lost its strength and shifted to the side by a few degrees. Using this chance, Lucius performed a beautiful maneuver dodging the attack with his wings.

Not stopping his momentum, Lucius continued to fly upwards....

Towards the Cerebrus' head!