Chapter 958 Planned Ahead In a mesmerizing display of dominance, Kahn had effectively controlled the tide of the battle against Zolvik, all while maintaining an air of detachment. While Zolvik had desperately thrown his most potent attacks, Kahn had repelled them without so much as a flinch, much less an injury. Seated upon his throne, Kahn directed his gaze towards his flustered opponent. With an air of casual curiosity, he questioned Zolvik's remaining arsenal. "Do you have any more tricks?" his voice was composed, betraying none of the intensity that lay beneath. Zolvik, caught between frustration and wariness, sought to understand the enigma before him. "You… Why are you still unscathed? What kind of trick is this?" His demeanor was cautious, as his earlier confidence had crumbled against the reality of Kahn's apparent invulnerability. "Not a trick. It's a Plot Armor." Kahn's response was as nonchalant as ever. Zolvik's confusion only deepened, unable to fathom the significance of this term. "A plot what?!" he demanded, searching for an explanation. "Nothing noteworthy. It's something you have to ignore to enjoy the story." Kahn's response was dry and dismissive. With that cryptic answer, Kahn finally rose from his throne, signaling a shift in the battle's momentum. The undeniable implication was that he had yet to unleash his full strength. "The reason I isolated you here, knowing that you can't kill me even if you became a saint..." Kahn's voice carried a weight of purpose as he began to lay out his intentions. "Information about what?" Zolvik's voice was edged with curiosity, mixed with a hint of apprehension. "The Realm Tears." Kahn's tone turned serious, revealing the gravity of the matter he was addressing. "Tell me where the realm tears in this peninsula is located. And how many are there?" Kahn's words were deliberate, each one carrying the weight of his determination. "And what makes you think I would tell you?" Zolvik's response was defiant, his anger evident in his tone. "I would rather die than tell you anything." "Be careful what you wish for." Kahn's voice took on a grim quality as he started advancing toward the formidable gargoyle saint, his intent clear. BOOM!!! Kahn's assault on Zolvik intensified, his strikes calculated and relentless. With each blow, he channeled his own darkness to counter and overpower Zolvik's abilities. And again, Kahn used the Energy Plunderer skill to absorb Zolvik's attacks completely while turning them into his own strength. The gargoyle assassin found himself unable to evade or retaliate, his strength rapidly draining as Kahn's domination over his darkness took hold. And suddenly... His body stopped moving. "What is this? Why can't I move?" Zolvik's panic was palpable, his body betraying him. "Because after I absorbed and assimilated it within my own body... I commanded the darkness within you to heed my call. I now control your body at my will." Kahn's voice resonated with "Is because I want information." he declared, his eyes locked onto Zolvik's. authority, a chilling revelation. "That is impossible!" Zolvik's disbelief was evident. "It is possible." Kahn's response was unwavering, his hold over Zolvik's darkness unrelenting. "Who are you? This isn't a power that any normal member of the Hero's Party can use." Zolvik's fear and confusion were evident in his words. "Me?… I'm the herald of Darkness itself." Kahn's voice bore an otherworldly resonance, a declaration of his dominion over the very element that Zolvik wielded. In the wake of Kahn's revelation, the control he exerted over Zolvik's darkness intensified, overwhelming the gargoyle assassin's resistance. BOOM!! A massive pillar of darkness rose and black fog spread inside the Dimensional Domain. Kahn's aura erupted, a maelstrom of darkness and power swirling around him. His very form shifted, the familiar water/ice elemental wolfkin fading away to unveil a new incarnation—a darkness elemental fenrirborne. His obsidian body was now adorned with intricate golden tattoos, a manifestation of his newfound dominion over this formidable element. "Now tell me… Where are the realm tears, and which one among them leads to the peninsula created by the God of Darkness." Kahn's voice resonated with an air of authority, his eyes gleaming with the weight of his intent. There was a reason, a grave purpose, why Kahn sought knowledge about the realm tears. ---------------- *FLASHBACK* A day after the Elysium Tribal Tourney ended… "You must go to the Conclave of Heroes no matter what." stated Romulus with a commanding voice. "If you do not do so or miss it for any reason..." spoke the Heavenly King of Fire with a bated breath as he revealed the cause of his warning... "You will die." His proclamation resonated in the tribe council hall, casting a heavy silence over the assembled individuals. "What do you mean by that? Why would I die?" asked Kahn, his features set in his Atreus persona. "Because your Divine Key is not awakened." spoke the Heavenly King of Fire somberly. "And what does that have to do with me dying?" queried Kahn, his confusion evident. Romulus then proceeded to unveil the ancient customs set by the Gods after all heroes were summoned, explaining the significance of the Conclave of Heroes as a mandatory event for all heroes to attend, a condition for their continued existence. He delved further, revealing the crucial role of Limit Break within the God's Altar, which would propel heroes to at least an 8th-stage saint level—a necessary enhancement to stand against the looming threat of the Demon God. "So even if I enter as a member of the Hero's Party… the Divine Essence of the God of Nature would only provide a temporary extension of my lifespan as long as I'm in the God's Domain?" asked Kahn, seeking clarification from his master. "Yes. The Divine Essence will prolong your lifespan and prevent your core from shattering like glass, but it's not a permanent solution. To fully address the issue, you need to enter the peninsula created by the God of Darkness. Only his Divine Essence can perfectly merge with your Divine Key and stop its deterioration entirely." explained Romulus. "Due to your Divine Key not being awakened, you won't be able to access the God's Altar designated for you. However, by spending the required amount of time in the designated peninsula, your Divine Key will no longer pose a threat to you. As for entering your designated God's Altar, that is a challenge we will have to tackle later." revealed the Apostle of Slaughter. Kahn absorbed this information, realizing the gravity of the situation and the necessary steps he had to take to ensure his survival and growth. "Then how can I reach that peninsula? Obviously, I can't enter through the tower designated for the Hero of Darkness since it would attract attention from the empires. Plus, I don't possess any access spells or runes to enter the God's Domain." Kahn expressed his concerns. "There is a solution, but it's quite risky. I recommend you undertake this only after ensuring Maximus' safety during his Limit Break ceremony." Romulus replied, his expression showing a hint of resignation. "And what is this solution?" inquired Kahn with a growing sense of curiosity. "The Realm Tears." Romulus declared, his voice becoming more serious. He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Those are the only means through which you can exploit the gaps in the fabric of space that connect different God's Domains and access other peninsulas created by various Gods and Goddesses. Thus, you must discover the locations of these tears without arousing suspicion, all the while fulfilling your role as a member of the Hero of Nature's party. Your ultimate goal is to penetrate the peninsula crafted by the God of Darkness. There, you will need to absorb enough of his divine essence to halt the degradation of your core, ensuring your survival. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖 Afterward, you must return safely to the Hero's Party, maintaining the fa?ade that you've acted solely in their interests and shared no ulterior motives." Romulus explained. Atreus, his alter ego, reacted with a blend of frustration and skepticism. "This is much more complicated than it sounds. It's akin to invading a foreign country, enjoying a leisurely vacation there, all while deceiving my allies to ensure none suspect my true intentions. In reality, the execution is much more formidable than the concept itself. This is easier said than done." spoke Kahn with an exasperated countenance. "So you're saying that you can't do it? My my… I feel so disappointed as your master." spoke Romulus in a smug tone. "Ugh! Fine! I will find a way once I go through whatever trials they have for us there. I will look for a method to gather information about the Realm Tears." said Kahn and gave a determined look. ---------------- *Present Moment* "So, are you willing to talk or not?" asked Kahn to Zilvok. "Never!" retorted Zolvik. However, a wicked grin appeared on Kahn's face as he placed his palm on Zolvik's head. And then very next moment… his eyes glowed yellow. Kahn had activated… Lucid Reality. 1 HOUR LATER… Atreus returned to the camp made by the Hero's Party… Drip! Maximus, Rolakan, and the rest of the group stared at the head in a mixture of shock and awe. Black liquid dropped on the soiled ground as a round object was noticed by everyone. In Kahn's hands… Was Zivlok's head.