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Theon’s eyes narrowed at the figure standing on four legs in front of him. Its figure was shrouded behind the thick crimson dust that the strong hot air kicked up.

Suddenly, the golden system panel flashed in front of him, displaying golden floating letters.

Theon’s eyes widened the moment he read through the contents.

[Quest Alert]

[Phase One Initiated]

[Current Region: Crimson Wastes]

[Objective 1: Collect 20 E rank Beast Cores, 10 D rank Beast Cores and 1 C rank Beast Cores]

[Objective II: Find 2 Academy Tokens]

[Time Remaining: 3:00:00]

[Rewards: The gods will be pleased]

[Penalty: Host loses right as the successor of Zeus, Nyx and Hades]

"What the fuck!?" Theon exclaimed with an incredulous expression plastered across his face. "What’s up with this reward. How does it concern me whether the gods are pleased or not—"

His eyes narrowed. "And the penalty is even worse. So basically I get stripped of all my powers— simply because I can’t please the gods?"

[Unlock full potential of the system to receive answers from the Godly System]

Theon stared at the system screens with widened eyes. ’Well, that settles it! I really might have the worst system ever.’

His gaze suddenly sharpened, and flickered towards the figure before him the moment he noticed movement.

The crimson sand that shrouded its figure had subtly reduced allowing him to make out the appearance of the creature.

It resembled a porcupine, but it was at least 10 times bigger than it’s usual size. Two razor sharp fangs stretched out from its mouth menacingly.

Its red eyes glowed brightly as it stared at Theon with a hungry look.

’An E rank beast huh?’ Theon stretched out his hand. His black long katana slowly materialized.

"This shouldn’t take long," He grinned and unsheathed the katana. His eyes glowed brightly, and the next moment he was right beside the porcupine like beast.

[Flash Step]

The beast’s eyes widened. It didn’t even notice when the prey before it had moved.

Before it could react, and send its crimson glowing spikes flying to protect itself, Theon’s blade flashed quickly in a downward swing, completely severing the head and sending but flying.

Fresh blood spewed from the open wound as the body fell lifeless onto the ground with a loud thud.

Theon squatted, then stabbed his hand into the dead body before pulling out its core. "One down— Nineteen more to go!"

Like so, Theon began what could only be a massacre.

He began with the E rank beasts.

Using his essence as a radar, he was easily able to locate the E rank beasts scattered all around the region.

It took only a single slash and the beasts head would be found rolling, before he would move on to his next prey.

Before long, he finished with the E rank beasts and moved on to searching for D rank beasts.

This phase was a little more quicker since he was able to find a nest that was crawling with lizards the size of cars.

They numbered about twelve— if counting their leader as well who was a C rank beast.

It stood at the very back, watching intensely as Theon fought with its comrades.

Theon was on a killing spree. It took more than a slash this time, but that didn’t hinder the fact the he was a killing machine.

His movements seemed like a golden blue as he flashed up and down the terrain, killing most of the D rank lizards before they could react.

Some where able to put up a fight, but Theon would hurriedly find a way to finish them off in the cleanest and fastest way possible before moving on.

In fights such as this, where one was fighting multiple opponents, it was better to keep moving and kill your opponents as quickly as possible before you would end up being overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of your opponents.

ROAR! HISS!

The C rank beast hissed, it’s eyes glowing with unbridled fury as it jumped down from where it stood and landed in front of Theon.

"What’s this?" Theon grinned as he pulled out his katana from the last D rank lizards. "I’m glad you could join the party— too bad you’re joining when all your little friends are already dead."

The lizard hissed once more then, it exploded forward. The ground below it shattered, countless pieces of rocks and dust being sent into the air.

Theon’s eyes widened. The beast was fast. And worst of all—

It didn’t charge in recklessly. Unlike all it’s other D rank comrades that charged at Theon in a straight line.

It shot for Theon but moved in a zigzag pattern.

Theon’s eyes moved, tracking the movement of the C rank Lizard, then with precise timing— he jumped into the air just in time for the beast claw to slash at where he previously stood.

The attack was so strong, he could see the claw marks cutting through the air.

"You may be fast," Theon stared at the lizard below him with a smile. "But I’m faster!"

The moment Theon landed, he activated Flash Step and appeared at the side of the beast, his katana already falling to slash the abdomen of the lizard.

But it was quick. It twisted its body and it’s tail whipped forward with astonishing speed.

Theon’s eyes widened.

He hurriedly placed the katana in the path of the tail, taking on the full force of the tail swing.

The tail slammed into him with immense force, sending him flying through the air. Theon’s arms felt numb as he soar through the air.

He flipped at just the right time, and landed effortlessly but once again, the lizard was already before him, it’s claws out, ready to tear Theon into multiple pieces.

Theon weaved and parried the attacks. Some were still able to strike him, but only subtly— leaving multiple scratches and cuts across his body.

He parried one more, slashed at the arm of the lizard the jumped backwards, creating distance.

HISS! HISSSSSSS!!

The lizard stared at Theon, it’s fury still burning brightly.

Theon could perhaps tell what it was thinking.

’Why does this insect keep surviving its attacks!?’

"Simple answer. I’m not an insect!" Theon breathed out. Countless beads of sweat could be seen outlining his face.

The heat was one thing, but fighting without rest like this, was just another form of exhaustion.

"It’s time we get this over with!" Theon grinned, then his eyes glowed brightly.

His essence erupted from within his body, pouring out and filling the nest of the lizards.

The C rank beast flinched, feeling the raw killing intent and the pressure of the human’s essence being aimed at it.

It looked up, and saw the clouds above it darkening. That wasn’t a normal thing in this region.

CRACKLE!! CRACK!!

Golden lightning arcs encased Theon’s body, but this time it looked more potent.

It stretched out, striking the ground with ferocity and shattering the soil.

"Divine.... Judgement!" Theon whispered, stretching his hand out and pointing at the Lizard.

The moment the words left his mouth, countless arcs of lightning began to form within the clouds.

It crackled and roared.

The beasts eyes widened.

It could immediately sense the danger laying within the lightning that struck within the clouds.

It knew what it had to do.

It had to run.

The fury in its eyes instantly dissipated and it turned tail, but— it was too late.

Before it could move, a huge bolt of thunder rushed forth from within the clouds.

BOOM!!! CRACKLE!!

In less than a second it struck the beast, engulfing it completely.

The ground shattered as if an explosion had occured. Countless debris was sent flying through the air. The attack generated winds, the flung dust into the air as well.

Theon stood calmly, his eyes still glowing, then— he fell to his knees.

His breathing became erratic as he huffed for air.

The dust began to slowly settle, and the result of his attack could finally be seen.

Where the beast stood. It didn’t exist anymore.

What laid there now was a massive crater and I’m the center of the creater, a large glowing blue crystal laid bare. As for the beast’s body—

Well, it was gone as well.

A soft sigh escaped from Theon’s lips.

"And this is why I hate this ability."

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