Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2283

Each puppet proved to be a formidable adversary.

After several intense clashes, VIA was able to gauge their capabilities; both constructs exhibited a battle power of approximately 1200. Their movements and the distinct light-based energy they wielded caught Emery's attention, prompting VIA to analyze the partial runes and designs etched into their forms. To his surprise, VIA detected unmistakable similarities to the craftsmanship of the high elves.

"High Elves?! Not the Nephilim?!" Emery's mind raced.

The revelation was shocking—while he knew the elves had their own agendas, an outright attack from the high elves seemed implausible. Even more perplexing was the fact that this assault targeted his home in secret.

Before he could fully process this, Emery cast a quick glance at the ongoing battle around the white trees. Though under tremendous pressure, the stone walls were holding firm with Durak and Twik leading the defense on opposite fronts. Durak's roars of command echoed as he rallied the dark-skinned orcs, their weapons clashing with the relentless Abyss creatures. In the center of the defensive formation, Yama stood resolute, his icy spells creating a freezing barrier that served as the final line of defense. The ground beneath him crackled with frost, slowing down any Abyss creature that dared approach.

Meanwhile, Morgana was on the offensive, her blazing wings cutting through the air as she relentlessly attacked the three Cyclops while killing dozens of abyss creatures during the process. Despite the defenders' valiant efforts to hold back the Abyss horde, Emery knew that time was against them.

He needed to deal with the puppets swiftly and turn his attention to the Abyss gate before more creatures poured out, threatening not only the caves but the surface world. There was also the possibility that the real culprits were still lurking in the shadows, orchestrating this chaos.

Having gauged the puppets' strength and limitations, Emery resolved to channel the Khaos energy into his arm and summoned the [Void Blade]. With a single, decisive swing, he aimed to sever one of the puppet's heads. But the construct was faster than he anticipated—it raised its arm just in time, sacrificing the limb to avoid decapitation.

Undeterred, Emery readied himself for a follow-up strike, determined to finish the job. However, before he could act, the second puppet lunged at him, demanding his immediate attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a third cloaked figure rushing in from behind.

"Huh!! Why doesn't your cowardly master join in as well?!"

The battle intensified as Emery found himself outnumbered, facing three high-grade puppets. Each of these constructs possessed the physical strength comparable to a one-cosmos grand magus, and they were capable of launching devastating light energy blasts that forced Emery to constantly stay on the move. VIA, analyzing the situation, revealed a critical piece of information: unless Emery managed to decapitate a puppet or inflict severe damage to the core embedded in its chest, the constructs would continue to regenerate. This revelation only heightened the urgency, as every passing minute made the battle more perilous. The relentless assault of the puppets grew fiercer, their attacks more coordinated, pushing Emery to the brink.

The cave around them began to crumble under the strain, rocks, and debris falling from the ceiling as the sheer force of their clashes tore the environment apart.

Emery also could feel the toll on his body. His [Immortal Gate] Stage 9 was nearing its limit, and he knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. There was only one way to turn the tide of battle in his favor.

With a grim determination, Emery decided to tap into an even deeper well of power. He allowed more of the chaotic energy of Khaos to flow into his body, relinquishing control and letting the primal force within him rise to the surface. [Primal Transformation]

As the transformation took hold, Emery's body began to change. His muscles expanded, and his senses sharpened to an almost unbearable degree. The dark, chaotic energy of Khaos intertwined with the raw power of the Star Devouring beast within him. His aura became overwhelming, a terrifying fusion of man and beast.

"HOWLLL!!!" With the surge of strength and the onset of his beastly transformation, a fierce, uncontrollable fury surged within Emery, urging him to rampage and destroy everything in his path. Yet, over the past year, Emery had grown not only in power but in discipline.

His mastery over light energy and the strengthening of his soul had allowed him to keep a tighter rein on the beast's savage instincts. He was no longer at the mercy of this primal force but instead had learned to wield it with a degree of control that few could manage.

[You have reached 25% integration]

The notification echoed in his mind as the transformation stabilized.

Though his form was now a monstrous blend of man and beast, Emery managed to maintain most of his human features. His face remained recognizable, but his body was covered in dark, dense fur, his muscles bulging with immense power. His hands and feet ended in razor-sharp claws, and his mouth was filled with terrifying fangs, ready to tear through any opponent.

The integration allowed him to balance between the two natures, combining the strategic mind of a human with the raw power of the beast.

The puppets, undeterred by his transformation, launched a coordinated attack. Emery, however, was now more than ready. In a blur of motion, he smashed the first puppet into the ground with such force that it left a crater on the rocky floor. The second puppet managed to land a strike on his back, its light-based attack searing into his fur, but Emery didn't flinch. He let the blow land, his focus entirely on the third puppet.

With a swift, brutal motion, Emery reached out and grabbed the third puppet by the head, his claws sinking into the metal construct. The puppet struggled, its mechanical limbs flailing in a desperate attempt to break free, but Emery's grip was unyielding. He applied pressure, and with a sickening crunch, he crushed its head between his hands, the sound of breaking metal echoing through the cave.

However, just as Emery crushed the third puppet's head, he felt an unsettling surge of energy building within its chest. Realizing the danger, he quickly hurled the puppet's body high into the air, away from the battlefield.

KAABBOOMMM!!!

The puppet exploded mid-air, the blast powerful enough to send shockwaves throughout the cave. The ground trembled violently as chunks of rock began to rain down, threatening to collapse the entire cavern.