Lord of Annihilation

Upon devouring the dozens of Lava Veins Rodents killed by the Forgotten Warriors, Lucius stood up.

His broken body looked much better, as the majority of the wounds had closed up. His oversized arms were repaired with streaks of red lines running across the silver fur. 

Observing his body, Lucius noticed that his skin tone was starting to become increasingly darker, going from the dull stone-grey into charcoal black.

Confirming the extent of his healing, Lucius then ordered the Forgotten Warriors, through their link.

"Stop now. Wait for me."

He then turned towards Ka'lor'ah, only to see the other party slightly shiver. Uncaring to her thoughts, he plainly stated.

"We can begin."

Upon saying so, Lucius jumped into the opening, entering the labyrinth.

The hunt for a Stage 5 being had begun.

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Watching Lucius enter the labyrinth, Ka'lor'ah did not immediately follow. 

'Dangerous,' recalling the look in his eyes, Ka'lor'ah thought to herself. 'Lucius is currently very dangerous.' 

Although he hadn't lost his mind to his primal instincts, her own senses desperately warned her.

If she neared him, she would unquestionably die.

'Should I enter or should I not enter?' Ka'lor'ah hesitated.

'Lucius is not in the best state of mind right now. If I don't follow him and remain here, would he blame me?'

Ka'lor'ah did not know. 

While Lucius would understand the rationality of her choice, a rift would undoubtedly form between them. If both parties were unable to trust each other during their worst, it would hinder their future plans and progress.

'That incident with Alex has already formed a crack in our relationship. If I don't follow now, this crack would only grow larger. All my attempts at reconciliation until now would be for naught.'

She analyzed the pros and cons of her actions. Seconds continued to tick by, as the pressure upon Ka'lor'ah increasingly grew larger.

Every second that she hesitated here, would lead to doubt forming within Lucius' heart. While he might now show it outright, he will nonetheless remember it within his heart.

'Ah, fu*k it! I'll just follow him. Push comes to shove, I'll just die. The success of our plans is far greater than my life.' Saying so Ka'lor'ah flew into the entrance, chasing behind Lucius.

In this matter, Ka'lor'ah and Lucius were the same. In face of the greater interest, they would not hesitate to risk their lives.

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Within the labyrinth.

Dark shadows flitted across the dark, stone-covered corridors. The corridors were 2m in width and 2.5m in height, being very narrow and congested. 

A 30cm long, device that looked like a torch occupied the walls of the corridor. However, these torches seemed to have run out of fuel/ damaged, for the corridors remained pitch-black.

Long metallic conduits were fitted to the roof of the corridors, whose surfaces were covered with strange carving and letters. Devices that looked similar to flow regulators were placed at regular intervals, ensuring that the metal conduits worked optimally.

"GWARHHH!" "EEERRRRKKK!!"

Inhuman shrieks that were sharp and piercing echoed between the stone walls, followed by the sounds of metallic weapons being drawn. 

Ting! Shinng!

Sparks abruptly lit up the dark corridors at irregular intervals, as shadowy dark warriors with cold blue eyes, met the claws of a single bat-like creature.

This bat-like creature was 1.4m in length, with yellow-colored eyes and a pair of bony, dark wings. Its body was thin and hideous, yet radiated with a Mid-Level Stage 2 aura.

The group of Forgotten Warriors had already gone a few hundred meters into this maze-like underground structure. While waiting for their master to rush over, they met with a surprise attack from the Bladed Bat.

The Bladed Bat was a seldom seen, yet powerful Grade 4 Stage 2 beast. It wasn't a natural born species but was an artificially created one, trademarked to the [Evil] Faction.

Bladed Bats served at perfect sentries, being loyal and untiring. They were the preferred choice of cannon fodder for defending dungeons amongst the denizens of the [Evil] Faction. 

While the eighteen Forgotten Warriors had no trouble fighting a small group of Lava Vein Rats, they found it hard to resist a single Bladed Bat.

Ting! Shring! Crack!

Sounds of metal hitting metal continued to resound, as the Forgotten Warriors mindlessly charged towards the Bladed Wings. Under Lucius' personal guidance their combat ability had already grown by a significant margin. 

While they were very skilled individually, this skill did not translate into group battles. Lucius, who has never fought alongside a group, naturally possessed no formations or arrangements to maximize their strengths.

This flaw was currently being completely exploited to the fullest, by the intelligent Bladed Bat. It specifically targeted the gaps between their offense, creating opportunities to attack the physically weaker members.

Less than a minute into battle and the first causality had occurred. Caught between two friendly weapons and the sharp wing of the Bladed Bat, the assassin Forgotten died under a single strike

At the end of the day, their strengths were only at Mid-Level Stage 1. To be able to resist an entire minute while facing an opponent, an entire realm higher than them was a testament to their fearsome skill.

The first causality occurring, soon followed. The Forgotten Warriors, were being pushed back unable to meet the ferocious charge of their opponents.

Just as the Bladed Bat was feeling smug upon killing a total of five Forgotten Warriors, its instincts suddenly tingled, warning it of danger.

Surprised, just as the Bladed Bat was about to make sense of the situation, a loud bang was heard…followed by a boom.

BANG! BOOM!

A fist covered with silver fur landed on the center of its back, crushing its spine. Unable to react to the surprise attack in time, the Bladed Bat was flung outwards, smashed against the sidewall of the corridor.

Two unfortunate Forgotten were crushed alongside its body, returning back to the Void to revive.

"EEEERKKHH??" a confused scream leaked from within the Bladed Bat's throat. Using its soul power it tried to make sense of the sneak attacker's whereabouts.

Alas, it was too late.

Pushing forth within his legs, Lucius instantly closed in the remaining gap between them. Drawing his hands back, he infused a generous amount of soul power into his fists and punched out towards its head.

SPALT!

And just like that, the head of the Bladed Bat was crushed. Blood and brain matter splattered onto Lucius' hands, and its body lifelessly slid down to the ground.

In less than three seconds, Lucius had killed a Mid-Level Stage 2 Wild Beast.

Lifting his hands, Lucius brought it next to his mouth. A long, blood-red tongue extended from within his mouth and licked the dripping blood and brain matter from his hands.

His colored eyes lit up, as Lucius felt minute changed happen within the depths of his body. Feeling impatient, he dived towards the dead remains of the Bladed Bat and started to [Devour].

Within seconds, the entire body was consumed, bone and all, turning into a stream of pure void energy. Its soul was also absorbed by his body, turning into a stream of soul energy which was then absorbed into his mindspace, increasing the total count of his soul power.

That being said, the quantity of Lucius' soul power has increased by an unfathomable amount, dozens of times greater than his previous life's quantity. (during Stage 1)

If not for the cheat existence, namely the Void Eater's body, Lucius would have without doubt exploded into a spectacular mass of blood and gore.

Done with the Bladed Bat, Lucius stood up once again and looked into the pitch-black corridor. His previously darkened vision had suddenly improved, with him being able to make out vague details.

'The unique ability of the Bladed Bat [Dark Vision] has been absorbed by me. Hmm…I need to eat more of those creatures to improve this ability.' Lucius thought to himself.

[Dark Vision] in its complete state, would allow the user to see as clear as day, in a completely natural dark environment, natural being the key-word here. 

Turning to face the kneeling warriors, Lucius instructed again.

"Seek everything that lives within these tunnels. Kill what can be killed…the others leave them to me." His voice sounded unpleasant and hoarse.

The warriors nodded and rushed forward once more. Their master's wishes were their absolute commands.

Raising his head, Lucius sniffed at the air. He was using his [Scent Detection] ability to track the stronger of the life forces inside the labyrinth.

What lay at the end of this labyrinth was a Higher Stage life form. To face it and have at least a semblance of chance at winning, Lucius needed to become as strong as he could.

'I can feel it… five other life forms within the proximity. This scent…Bladed Wings again.' A horrifying smile formed on his face, as Lucius rushed forward once more.

Inside an unknown, underground labyrinth hidden beneath the Crescent Lake on the distant planet of Pectron… a terrifying monster was being nurtured.

A Void Eater, that was like none other in history.