Chapter Sixty-Two: Surrender to Your Enslaved Fate, Insect!

Beneath the massive body of the giant bear, Roald seemed insignificant. The bear's paw crashed down and collided with Frostmourne, yet the expected scene of Roald being easily flung aside did not occur. The bear-shaped phantom shuddered violently in the air, while Frostmourne pierced the great beast's chest, and in the blink of an eye, its essence was devoured completely.

Elsewhere, the phantom dire wolves shrieked and howled in agony. The energy from Frostmourne pulled and twisted their heads and bodies into grotesque shapes, as ethereal blue flames scorched their forms, reducing them swiftly to piles of ash.

Within the spreading blue ice-flames, all noise and screams faded away. Silence reigned in the underground chamber, yet Roald pressed forward, leaning on Frostmourne. The Scourge soldiers naturally parted to let him pass, metal boots crunching the shattered ice with every step—a sound like heavy hands pressing against the heart of the Hand Society.

“Death Coil.”

Roald siphoned the blood from the gambler’s body with Death Coil. No matter how desperately he struggled, it was futile; the blood congealed into a sphere in Roald’s left palm, and the gambler visibly shriveled, his body’s nutrients drained, bones unable to support his frame, collapsing into a heap of black ash.

Roald tossed the blood sphere to a nearby Scourge soldier and continued walking, his pace unhurried, each step exerting immense pressure on the remaining three.

“Beast; Evil!”

Sowanda’s body swelled rapidly as he shouted, transforming into a hulking, bloated form that twisted grotesquely. Bone spurs sprouted across him, two twisted horns protruded from his head, sharp spikes erupted at every joint, and he metamorphosed into a demon twisted by power.

“Drain Soul.”

Flames ignited on Frostmourne. Sowanda’s monstrous form snapped open its eyes, but the blade’s fierce blue rune-fire seared him relentlessly. Roald lifted Frostmourne, and in an impossible motion, Sowanda’s tremendous body was flung before Roald, halting abruptly under the incredulous gaze of Lady Gao and Alexandra.

The blue glow on Frostmourne blazed, slicing open the roaring, blood-red beast and impaling its skull. Sowanda’s soul was instantly absorbed, his flesh shriveling like a crushed can.

“You disappoint me.”

Roald withdrew Frostmourne from Sowanda’s ruined body and strode toward Lady Gao, sword in hand. Truthfully, he found her intriguing, but felt not a shred of pity.

Facing overwhelming power, Lady Gao did not waver. Azure energy flowed over her staff, and she lifted it.

“You have come here today, sir. I hope the Hand Society might negotiate terms.”

Now, she cared not for the dragonbone, or rather, escaping this place was wiser. As long as she lived, there would be chances to return.

Ready for battle, she tensed as she spoke.

“No, madam. You must face your fate.”

Roald raised Frostmourne at Lady Gao, runes filling the sword. It had already devoured three formidable millennial souls today.

“Then let us begin!”

Lady Gao stepped swiftly, unleashing a burst of azure energy, and in an instant, drove the sword-tip of her staff into the gap of Roald’s armor. Azure energy spiraled around the blade, and she hurled two throwing knives at Roald’s eyes.

The knives ricocheted off his helmet, while the staff-sword scraped his armor, emitting a shrill screech. Seeing her sword-tip pierce Roald’s chest with ease, Lady Gao smiled.

Armor -10, Armor -10, Armor -10...

Roald glanced at his still five-digit armor value. Lady Gao’s disbelief grew as he thrust Frostmourne forward.

“Ahhh—!”

A piercing wail shattered the icy mist. Lady Gao’s soul was torn from her body, the runes on Frostmourne flickered, and her corpse decayed instantly.

“You lack the worth to become a banshee.”

Roald raised his gaze, crushing her remaining skull beneath his boot. Four of the Hand Society’s Five Fingers had fallen; only Alexandra survived. The surrounding ninja, strong compared to ordinary people, held no advantage against the immortal Scourge soldiers.

“So... you are the last!”

Roald lifted his sword and aimed at Alexandra. Brilliant rune-light surged on Frostmourne, as countless blue soul-lights gathered along the blade. Something powerful was being drawn, a soul of immense will.

Behind Alexandra, a red figure appeared without hesitation, driving a trident through her chest.

The sudden red apparition seemed devoid of consciousness, corrupted by the demon beast’s pollution, her body began to mutate, becoming a vessel for the demon.

Frostmourne’s runes flickered in Roald’s hand, sensing a mighty soul.

“Elika, why...”

Alexandra turned in agony, unable to believe her eyes.

The Hand Society’s Elika sprouted black, bat-like wings from her back, fully becoming the beast’s vessel.

“Elika?”

Roald looked over curiously, recognizing the name shared with his maid, a Marvel character.

That Elika, too, glanced back in confusion.

“No, you are unworthy of the name Elika.”

Without hesitation, Roald strode toward her, sword raised.

The Hand Society’s Elika, in her abnormal state, twisted her head, terror-stricken by Frostmourne’s glowing runes.

“Who are you? No mortal could wield such a powerful soul weapon. Who are you?”

Her voice quivered, rasping like a file against glass—harsh and grating—the demon’s voice within her body.

“Stop!”

“Stop right now!”

The demon controlled Elika, shouting in panic. As Roald raised his armored hand, she discovered her possessed body was utterly immobilized.

“What’s happening? Who are you?”

The demon kept asking, voice thick with terror and anxiety. Though power surged within, it leaked uncontrollably, all because of the approaching armored figure.

“You will become kindling for the Scourge....”

Roald pressed his gauntleted hand to the demon-possessed Elika’s head, pinning her. Drain Soul shrank her, withering her form.

The beast-demon wailed in agony, twisting its phantom body, but in terror saw the dreadful sword-tip drawing ever closer.

“Your soul-fire shall never extinguish; you will serve the Scourge eternally, forever tormented.”

“From this day forth, your fear will feed the flames, eternally burning. The freedom you crave will never exist; your formidable soul will serve only my will!”

“You shall possess endless life, but nothing beyond pain and existence!”

“You will forever be an enemy of the living, offering loyalty and everything to me!”

“You will bring death and destruction, bereft of mercy or will, forever with no escape!”

“Embrace your endless fate of servitude...”

“Insect!”