Lord of Annihilation

Blades of black energy and compressed wind blades formed at the edge of the scythe and headed towards the Forgotten. 

Sensing the danger in this attack, they immediately took a step back and calmly evaded the attack. While they could not die, their bodies could be destroyed and a moment of weakness would appear during its reformation.

With the goal of their opponent unknown, they could not risk having this moment of weakness.

After evading the attack, they simultaneously directed their gaze towards Lucius' location. However, Lucius' figure was nowhere to be seen.

『What?』 『Where did he go?』 『This creature is weird.』 『His attacks are actually so powerful!』 『How did he dodge our attacks?』

Multiple voices filled with confusion and apprehension were heard.

『Stay alert my brothers! This creature is extremely strange.』 the 8ft tall Forgotten wielding the double-handed axe warned his companions.

Unfortunately, his warning came a little late. 

Lucius' body suddenly appeared from within the Void. Tens of tentacles headed towards the body of a short-statured, sword-wielding Forgotten. The tentacles wrapped around the limbs and pulled him towards Lucius.

『Wha-?』 the Forgotten was barely able to react when Lucius caught it by its neck and tore its head apart.

The head and body of the Forgotten separated as the condensed black mist suddenly started to dissipate. The armor turned into a black fog and retreated towards the location of its coffin, slowly starting to reform its body.

『Brother, NO!』 one of the Forgotten let out a mournful cry.

Alas, Lucius had already moved onto his next target. He controlled the scythe to repeatedly execute the First and Second Movement of his scythe technique.

Then as the Forgotten retreated, he used the remainder of his tentacles and restricted their limb, before pulling them towards his body. Separating their head and body, their bodies dissipated and were forced to reform.

With [Flaw Detection] enabled, Lucius was almost guaranteed to not get hit by their attacks. Still, he was sometimes cornered and was faced with attacks that he could not evade. In such moments. Lucius used [Void Steps] to evade or directly tanked the attacks with his body.

In such a manner, the battle continued and the Forgotten continued to fall. Lucius was fighting like a machine, unperturbed and unhurried. Executing each attack at the most opportune time. Along with [Flaw Detection] to guide his attacks, the battle headed in his favor.

However, all of this came at a cost. Lucius was starting to get hungry and his soul power was starting to deplete. While he seemed to hold the advantage, it was only temporary. 

His opponents could revive infinitely whilst Lucius' energy was limited. The moment he slipped up and failed, he would be finished.

Fortunately, such a thing did not happen. With a final use of [Slash], he beheaded the bear-like Forgotten, who was the last one standing. 

Now surrounding Lucius were clouds of black mist, inside which the bodies of the Forgotten were being formed. While their bodies were formless, their wills were very much awake.

『Damned being! Stop using those filthy things and fight us fairly!』

『Let's have a duel. One-on-one. Stop disappearing in the middle of the battle.』

『Such and requisite scythe technique. Let's battle once more!』

『How do you dodge our attacks?』

"Shut up!" Lucius coldly snorted. A wave of soul power burst from within Lucius' body as he activated [Annihilation Intent].

The Forgotten immediately shut up.

Just as Lucius used this moment of respite to quietly gather his strength. One of the Forgotten spoke up. Hearing his voice, he recognized this Forgotten to be a long sword user. Lucius had to use [Void Steps] twice when he faced his attack.

『...that energy. Are you perhaps, the Annihilator?』

『What?!』 『It cant be!』 『Wait a second...look closely.』 『Indeed! It's that familiar energy!』

Hearing that question, Lucius was stunned for a second. He found that he was able to understand the words of these entities.

'I see... He's using the Rules to communicate with me.' with his experience Lucius immediately understood. 

Having been a Stage 7 being in the past, he also understood this method of using the Rules to communicate. 

"Indeed. My soul type is called [Annihilator]. You know about it?" he did not bother hiding this information. It was a handy and much-needed ability at the later stages of one's cultivation.

Judging from the tone of the Forgotten, he seemed to be familiar with the [Annihilator] soul type. Currently, Lucius needed all available information on this soul type, in order to figure out his advancement conditions.

Without completing the advancement conditions, Lucius had no hope to reach Stage 2 and higher.

『As expected!』 『Its only natural that we lost.』 『The Annihilator, I see..!』

『Indeed, young...' human'. I once fought alongside the Annihilator during the war against the Lords.』

"What do you know about it?" Lucius asked. He was inwardly hoping for more information.

『Not much... It's only that I found your soul energy familiar, that I was able to recognize you. Other than seeing the Annihilator from afar, I had no other interaction with him.』 it shook its newly reformed head.

"Oh..." Lucius was instantly disappointed.

The Forgotten immediately felt embarrassed as it asked.

『You seem disappointed. Were you perhaps expecting something?』

"I was hoping for some information on the advancement conditions. Or any general information about the soul." Lucius bitterly said.

『I see. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I do not know of his matter. All I know is that the Annihilator's Energy could destroy everything in the Universe. The Rules and the Lords themselves were no exceptions.』 

Its voice turned serious for a moment as it warned.

『Remember, young child! Never disclose the matter of being the Annihilator to anyone! Especially to those Primordial Races. For the moment, the truth about your nature is known, the Lords will seek to immediately kill you. You must carefully hide this fact until you have enough power to face the Lords. This is my sincere advice. 』 the voice solemnly stated.

Feeling the sincerity behind its words, Lucius remained quiet. He was inwardly pondering on the words of the Forgotten.

'Energy that could destroy anything? Even the Rules and the Lords? Is he talking about the [Annihilation Energy] ability? Is that where the key to my advancement lies?' Lucius' mind quickly analyzed.

'The ability to kill the Lords.....something feels wrong here. My original plan was to indeed go against the Lords, but no-one other than me and Ka'lor'ah knows of this matter. Listening to his warning, he speaks of this matter as if it's only natural..' 

A sharp glint appeared in his eyes as Lucius continued with his thoughts.

'Stage 7 Killer... Annihilator... My rebirth... Is this all connected? Was this all planned? Am I being manipulated?....that damned thing!' rage started to fill Lucius' mind. Immediately, however, the rage cooled and calmness returned.

A hint of madness flashed through his calm eyes as he thought.

'Hehehe... forcing me down a path that I do not want to follow. Do you think it will work a second time?' Lucius shook his head.

'Very well, since I am weak I will continue to remain your pawn for the time being. When the time comes...' he left the second part unsaid.

Raising his head, Lucius finally opened his eyes. He looked straight into the Forgotten ones as he calmly spoke.

"Have you had enough time to recover?" he indifferently spoke. 

By this time, the Forgotten had already reformed almost 70% of their bodies. A few more minutes and they would be ready for combat.

Without giving a chance for them to reply, he continued.

"Well, not that it matters. Anyways, thanks for that information. I shall take good care of your bodies." 

『What?』 『Bodies?』 『What is he talking about?』

Lucius ignored their words and turned to face Ka'lor'ah.

"You may begin now. Let's finish this before they completely reform their bodies." after speaking, Lucius calmly back away.

"Understood." Ka'lor'ah gently said. 

The moment her voice fell, golden radiance burst from within her body. The runes which had previously disappeared atop the coffins had reappeared once more. The golden runes floated at the center of the bodies of the Forgotten. 

『This? What's this?』 『Wait? This power.....』 『Is it....!』

『NOT GOOD! EVERYONE RESIST THAT RUNE'S POWER!』

The panicked voice of the long-sword wielding Forgotten sounded out. Unfortunately, his warning came a bit too late.

"Have you not always wanted...death. Let me grant it to you." Ka'lor'ah calmly said. With a loud shout, she activated her spell.

『Aeternus Requiem!』

BOOM!

With the sound of an explosion, the golden runes floating within the bodies of the Forgotten exploded. It rapidly moved within their bodies and seemingly searched for something. 

A small shard of greyish-white light rested in the depths of their body. Upon its discovery, the golden light immediacy engulfed it and started to assimilate it.

『No! This is not the death we seek!』 『Damned Annihilator! How dare you refine our bodies!』

『I curse you! I curse your every existence!』 『Henious Plot!』 『You hateful creature!』

Cries sounded out from the various Forgotten as the golden light continued to assimilate the greyish-white shard. Seconds passed, as the short got smaller and smaller in size. The cries of the various Forgotten also got quieter and quieter.

A few moments later, silence returned to the mausoleum. The intense golden radiance also disappeared. In the place of the greyish-white shard, was a small golden crystal. It looked similar to Ka'lor'ah Existence Crystal but was brighter and much smaller in size. 

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ka'lor'ah spoke.

"It's done. The connection to your soul has been established and their wills have been wiped out. Currently, they are blank slates."

Indeed, looking into his mindspace, Lucius could see 23 new strings of light connecting to his soul.

The bodies of the Forgotten had been completely formed. They stood straight as they stared towards Lucius with icy-blue eyes. Unlike previously, however, their eyes were currently blank.

With a deep voice, Lucius commanded. 

"Kneel."