Epic of Caterpillar
chapter-49

I sent my wives several meters away with my threads, preparing myself to intercept the Lich on its full force.

"This better works…"

My split minds were already doing their best, and at my command they had started creating a small Mana Zone over my head, in three seconds it was already done.

"I have both Soul Pact and Death Pact, alongside Soul Manipulation and Penetration. The only thing I need is something to hold all these spells together… Soul Combination!"

I casted the first four spells inside my tiny Mana Zone, and they showed as little lumps of a pale-yellow light, rotating around themselves like stars.

The second after, I casted [Soul Combination], which showed as a bigger lump of light, catching the other four and tightly holding them together.

In these four seconds, as the Lich approached me, I sensed how his Soul Core started to shatter even more, already loosing big lumps, showing off a powerful soul.

"I also need Anti-Magic to hold off the spell that he's using to detonate the Soul Core!"

I casted my [Anti-Magic Seal] and it showed as a big transparent lump of light, which I grabbed on one of my hands.

"Main Mind!"

"Y-Yeah!"

Flash!

When the Lich finally reached me with its full power, a blinding yellow light illuminated the whole night.

As if time stopped, I felt myself immersed on a sea of light, there, I saw the Lich skeleton body slowly disintegrating, and its soul core was on a terrible state, barely holding off.

I sensed a feeling of sadness and grievance, as if the feelings of the Lich infected my own soul.

"I'm sorry, Zehe…"

"I'm so sorry for hurting your family… I didn't want to…"

"Zehe…"

I noticed as the Lich consciousness started to slowly fade into nothingness.

However, I used all my might to yell with my own soul!

"Hey!"

"…"

"Don't die on me!"

"…"

"Don't ignore me, you pile of bones!"

"Ah! You… Let me die… I deserve this…"

"Perhaps you do, you bastard, you tried to kill my wives! I would had already eaten you if it wasn't for Zehe!"

"Ze…he?"

"Yes! Zehe! She is waiting for you!"

"Zehe… I can't look at her eyes anymore"

"You can! And you will!"

"Its too late… Let me die…"

"I won't!"

"W-Why are you so resilient over it…"

"Because I love Zehe! I want her to be happy! She won't be the same after seeing her beloved father killing himself in front of her!"

"B-Beloved… Father?"

"Yes! You are Zehe's beloved father! You are her father figure! The one who made her the way she is! Zehe is… An excellent person… She is mature and very intelligent… But also has a soft and cute side…"

"Hahaha… That is how little Zehe is… My child… Zehe…"

"That's right!"

"But how can I go back to her…? I have already detonated my soul… There is nothing you can do…"

"I can do something! But I need your help"

"My help?"

"Do you accept becoming my servant?"

"Eh? What is this all of the sudden? How can this matter at all?"

"If you accept, there will be a way! But you must accept! Hurry, we are running out of time!"

"I… If what you're saying is really true… I accept!"

"Now! I need to overwrite your last servant contract! This is where this spell I made come into place! You will feel an incredible pain inside your soul! Are you ready?"

"I… I am!!!"

FLUOSH!

I quickly inserted the big lump containing the five skills combined together into the Lich expanding soul.

The Lich soul started to convulse as it tried to adapt to the skills power.

"Uuuggh! Uuaaagh!"

"Hold into it for a bit longer! Don't you dare lost consciousness!"

"I…! Understand! Uuuooohhh!"

FLUOSH!

The Licht soul finally started to slowly assimilate my five skills, and the tiny lump of light became part of his yellow soul, stabilizing it.

The soul quickly stopped expanding but still didn't went back to the Soul Core.

"Now! Anti-Magic Seal!"

I threw the Anti-Magic Seal skill over the Soul Core, and an almost transparent paper made with energy appeared out of thin air, covering the spherical Soul Core, forcing its soul to go back on place.

"Ugh! I am… Recovering?"

"It's done! Phew…"

Ding!

[Impure Lich: Herbell Skardec has become your minion]

Ding!

[You obtained a new title:] [Soul Manipulator]

As the bright yellow light surrounding us slowly faded, I noticed that the Lich entire body was nowhere to be seen. It seems that his original body was disintegrated by his soul radiation, only leaving his Soul Core.

The Soul Core was still able to talk through the user soul, and could also float. But he lost most of his power and stats. What mattered is that he was still alive.

After seeing such spectacle, my wives quickly flew back to me.

"Mastaaa! I thought you were going to die! Gueeeeehh!"

"Master! Don't do that ever again! Ooh!"

"Big sis! Big sis! Bueehh!"

"H-Honey! I was so worried…"

I was greeted by my wives crying like little babies, as they all hugged me, I felt their warm tears flowing through, specially Nesiphae tears, which were massive, soaking my entire head.

"I am fine, I told you to not worry… And your Teacher… Although he lost his body, his Soul Core and his soul are fine. Here"

I opened my hand and let the big red colored Soul Core float.

Zehe was surprised and saddened over her Teacher state, but couldn't resist to hug this crystal ball.

"Z-Zehe… I'm sorry… I couldn't do nothing to stop myself… But even with that in mind… My actions are unforgivable…"

"Teaaacher!! Buaaaaaahhh!"

"Z-Zehe?!"

"Teacher I missed you so much! Please never go away from me! Buaaaahhh!"

"Zehe… But I…"

"It doesn't matter! Honey already fixed you, right? You just weren't being yourself… But now you are free! You can be yourself! And be with me, and my family!"

"Zehe…"

The Lich Soul Core rotated around and saw my wife's warm smiles, he couldn't believe how easy everything he did was forgiven.

However, I still gave him a sharp glance.

"You better behave yourself around Zehe, I hope that your relationship is only just father and daughter, and nothing else!"

The Lich Soul Core started to tremble after feeling my deadly aura.

"Y-Yeah… Don't worry, Kireina…"

Zehe looked at me while pouting.

"Honey! You're scaring my father!"

"Aaahahaha! S-Sorry! I was just teasing him… Welcome to the family, Herbell!"

"Herbell… Right, my name is Herbell… Those undead always called me Lich… I had already forgotten my name, even though it's on my own status"

Suddenly, I felt a menacing deadly gaze in my back!

"Ugh! Right! There are still 3 skellies left!"

My wives quickly noticed this and also became aware of their presence.

The three bastards behind all of this finally showed their faces.

The undead King commanding them, clapped his hands, which barely had any rotten flesh left.

Clap clap

"What a beautiful sight, Lich. You have finally reunited with your beloved daughter"

The Archer at the King back moved to his left side.

"Hmm, and you will be able to reunite once again in the afterlife"

The Loyal Knight at the King right side looked at Herbell's Soul Core with incredible hatred.

"Lich… You have betrayed my King… and our Master… You don't even deserve a quick death, but a horrible one! A death full of suffering! I will slay your daughter! I will take apart each of her limbs! You traitor!"

Herbell's Soul Core floated ahead of Zehe, trying to protect her.

"I won't let you! I have already made my decision! I will protect Zehe and her family!"

While looking at his pathetic state, the undead started to laugh.

"Bwahahaha! And how do you plan to do that? You are just a floating Soul Core!"

"You should know your place, Lich"

"Arrogant bastard! I shall slay everything you love as the punishment over your sins!"

Herbell Soul Core moved around, its soul essence quickly became red-colored, showing his hatred.

"You are the bastards here! Specially you, my King! Forcing me to kill my own daughter! King or not, your Kingdom has already fallen! You are nothing but a rotting corpse, you don't even remain your memories!"

The King looked at Herbell Soul Core with indifference.

"Whatever the weak say, it does not matter… Brace yourselves my knights!"

"Yes, my King!"

"Raaah! I can't wait to smash this Lich to pieces!"

The King raised its demon sword at me.

"Demon, we have come to slay you, in the name of our benevolent Master, surrender now and we will grant your servants a quick death"

Using the opportunity that their pointless dialogues granted, I used my Illusion Magic to cover on my Cursed Claws, as I quickly summoned more than 30.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

I didn't even hear what the King said, as I summoned more than 30 Cursed Claws that rained over the undead.

"Eh?!"

"My King! Watch out!"

"How?! I couldn't detect them in time?!"

The Cursed Claws flew at an extreme speed, the King and his loyal knight couldn't react in time, as the Claws detonated around them.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even the Archer who presumed to have a very high Speed Stat was surprised and barely dodged the detonations, however, for the other two, it didn't go as easy.

The King and the Loyal Knight lacked any protection spells, resulting on them taking heavy damage.

The King lost his left arm and was barely hanging his sword with his right arm, his horse also died on the sudden explosions.

The loyal knight lost a big chunk of his back but was still standing with his King.

"My King, are you alright?"

"Yes! This demon is too shred! We must fight back! I will support you two with my magic! Now go!"

"Yes!"

"Alright!"

The undead Archer and Knight jumped towards us, raising their weapons.

I swiftly appraised the two.

[NAME: LATIO NANATINO

[CLASS: HIGH WIND HUNTER

[RACE: LOWER UNDEAD (HALF ELF)

[LEVEL 141/999 EXP 056703/141000 STATUS: UNDEAD (GOOD)

[ITEM BOX 000/100

[HP: 382/382 MP: 345/345 STAMINA: 180/180

[STRENGTH: 297 (+120)

[DEFENCE: 138 (+50)

[MAGIC: 256 (+100)

[RESISTANCE: 194 (+50)

[SPEED: 387 (+80)

[CHARISMA: 100

[LUCK: -10

[EQUIPMENT]

[Dryad Wood Full Bowman Set]

[Wind Magic Bow: Mercedes]

[Shadow Awakening Ring: Pazuzu]

[SKILLS]

[Mixed Bloodline] [Sewing Skill (Inborn)] [Gift of Training]

[Basic Bow Techniques: 5] [Basic Wind Magic: 10] [Quick Feet]

[Wind Step] [High Wind Bow Arts: 10] [Masterful Wind Bow Affinity]

[Undead Curse] [Soul Curse] [Cursed Arrow Arts: 5]

[NAME: HALBERT REPENT

[CLASS: HEAVY ARMORED TITAN

[RACE: LOWER UNDEAD (HUMAN)

[LEVEL 162/999 EXP 153990/162000 STATUS: UNDEAD (GOOD)

[ITEM BOX 000/100

[HP: 423/682 MP: 194/194 STAMINA: 250/250

[STRENGTH: 517 (+200)

[DEFENCE: 456 (+150)

[MAGIC: 194 (+80)

[RESISTANCE: 252 (+100)

[SPEED: 112 (+40)

[CHARISMA: 30

[LUCK: -15

[EQUIPMENT]

[Dark Wyvern Scale Full Armor Set]

[Dark Wyvern Scale Demonic Axe: Vulcan]

[Shadow Awakening Ring: Abaddon]

[SKILLS]

[Commoner Bloodline] [Cooking Skill (Inborn)] [Gift of Training]

[Overpowering Willpower] [Basic Axe Technique: 10] [Pain Tolerance]

[Heart of Iron] [Walking Fortress] [Masterful Axe Techniques: 5]

[Undead Curse] [Soul Curse] [Demonic Axe Technique: 5]

[Forbidden Dark Arts: 5] [Forbidden Dark Arts Affinity]

"T-These guys are as insane as Herbell!"

Although Herbell wanted to join on the fight, he had lost most of his power and skills, so I forcefully saved him inside my Item Box against his own will.

My Wives took defensive positions and I activated my Solidified Anti-Magic Shields, protecting us from the incoming attack. Meanwhile, I commanded my Split Minds to keep producing more Cursed Claws under the Illusion Magic to stock up on them.

BOOOOM!!!

The Undead Knight was the first to unleash his attack, throwing a powerful flaming thrust towards my Anti-Magic Shield. The strength of the attack was so potent that it made an incredible shockwave around us and instantly shattered the shield, sending all of us flying through the sky.

"Uugh! Such Power! But! Cursed Claws!"

Suddenly, more than 20 Cursed Claws surrounded the Undead Knight, distracting him while detonating. Although they tried to get closer to him, he easily wiped them out with a slash from his powerful axe.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"What? He just slashed 20 Cursed Claws in one hit?!"

"Hmmph! Mere flies!"

Suddenly, Brontes and Nesiphae came rushing towards the Knight and attacked him in combination.

"Don't worry Master!"

"We will crush him for you, big sister!"

"Alright!"

The Undead Knight was extremely strong and even his Strength stat far surpassed Nesiphae, however, his speed was lacking. Nesiphae and Brontes used their better speed stat alongside body enhancement buffs to barely put a fight with him, working as one.

While I flew with Rimuru and Zehe around, I noticed that the Archer was nowhere to be seen, and that the King was chanting a powerful spell, surrounding himself with countless magic circles.

"What is this bastard brewing? And where is the Archer?! Ah!"

Suddenly, a green colored figure appeared above us, surrounding it were countless sharp arrows made of pure wind, ready to shoot at us.

"Die, demon"

Zehe and Rimuru noticed this ahead of time, and alerted me.

"Honey! Watch out!"

"Guuu! Mastaa! Multi-Elemental Shield!"

Rimuru quick thinking saved me once again, casting a powerful multi-elemental shield that saved us from the powerful wind arrow rain. However, after 5 seconds, the shield already started to crack.

As I looked over, the Undead Archer looked at us with a creepy smile.

"Not bad… How about this? Activate Skill: Wind Nova Blast!"

FLUOSH!

Suddenly, the wind arrows surrounding the Undead Archer came together into a powerful arrow, which he infused more MP, making it bigger.

"Here you go! I hope you can eat this much! Hahaha!"

FLASH!

The powerful density of the wind arrow created shockwaves all around the sky.

"S-Shit! Anti-Magic Shield! Cursed Claws!"

I activated countless mini Anti Magic Shields alongside big Cursed Claws, creating a powerful barrier.

Rimuru and Zehe also helped, casting their own magic shields.

In mere seconds, we created a long group of Shields and Cursed Claws made into a big row.

BOOOM!

The powerful wind arrow came across every shield and Cursed Claw easily, however, the combination of shields was able to slow down the shot enough for us to have a small glimpse of time to retreat.

BAAAM!

The massive wind arrow finally hit the ground, creating a devastating tornado that destroyed the forest surrounding it. Countless trees and big chunks of ground started to fly on the sky, slowly dropping on the ground when the tornado finally dissipated.

Without giving us any time to breath, the Undead Archer appeared above us once again, shooting a big number of Wind Arrows.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

I decided to cast my [Fairy Vampire Empress 8 Demonic Wings] on Rimuru and Zehe as we tried to evade most hits.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

The small Wind Arrows didn't do as much damage, but are too many and too fast, stockpiling damage with ease.

While trying to catch on the Undead Archer, the bastard swiftly flew around the sky with an incredible speed, laughing at us while shooting arrows.

After seeing Rimuru and Zehe on a poor state, I decided to cast my [Spiritual Blood Magic Shield] on each of them, while I activated my [Crimson Demon Armor].

I told them to assist me from far away while I tried to catch on the bastard.

I kept infusing my Cursed Claws with MP, making them go faster, and using their Illusion effect, some were able to slip through the Archer reflexes and detonated on his back.

"Uuagh! Eh?! Again, with these invisible Claws!"

They might be incredibly overpowered but their movements were quite clumsy and lacked essential vision and shield skills, it seems that the Lich was way more experienced than them in combat.

I suddenly made 20 more of my Cursed Claws that were waiting around the sky, confusing the archer about our whereabouts.

I infused my armor with Illusion Magic and [Mimicry], easily camouflaging me on the deep dark of the night.

As the archer was confused over the explosions, he tried to fly away only to catch on more, he tried his best on creating a shield made of Wind, but it could only take on two hits.

"Ggrr! Just moments ago, I was enjoying myself! W-Where did they go?! Aah!"

I noticed that the archer stopped for a second, and using my Mystic Eyes, I paralyzed him for that split second just in time for me to give him a kick through his back, followed by a punch on his neck.

CLASH! BAAM!

"Uuagh!"

Some time ago, I obtained a skill named [Flaming Demon Empress Earth Shattering Combat Style] through fusion. Just after obtaining this skill, countless information about a powerful combat style crossed through my mind, instantly mastering this power.

Using this skill, I was able to easily connect different types of physical attacks without the need of using skills and wasting MP or giving me Mental Fatigue.

As the Wind Archer fell down in pain, Rimuru and Zehe started showering him in different magic projectiles, the bastard was barely able to dodge all of them with his cheat Speed.

"Tsk! Die Already! Advanced Wind Arrow Technique: Wind God Judgement!"

FLUOSH!

Suddenly, a powerful storm appeared out of thin air over the Archer, and countless green colored tornados flew through the sky, coming for me and my wives.

I used my threads to pull Rimuru and Zehe over my side, as I hold them tightly with my arms, we flew across the sky evading the powerful green tornados.

"Hahaha! Yes! That look really fit you a lot! Run! Advanced Fusion Skill: Cursed Wind Arrow Rain!"

FLUOSH!

After the Undead Archer chant, a powerful black colored wind storm appeared in front of him, creating incredibly dense air currents, the storm quickly showered our path with sharp wind arrows.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

While evading the attacks from both sides, I stealthy kept making more Cursed Claws covered in Illusion Magic and made them slowly approached the Archer from bellow and above.

However, out of nowhere, a powerful flow around the entire space surrounding us started to change.

FLUOSH!

"Uugh! What now?!"

I glanced at my back and discovered the Undead King who finally finished to chant his Gravity Magic.

This Gravity Magic reversed the law of Gravity on this small space, making us extremely heavy, falling to the ground.

The Undead Archer was not affected by this magic, which made me wonder what are the basics of such spell.

"Bwahahaha! Down you go! Advanced Fusion Skill: Cursed Wind Nova Blast!"

At the Archer command, all the arrows around the sky started to gather in one place, growing bigger and stronger into a unified and massive arrow made of a black wind.

Flash!

The powerful Black Wind Arrow wasn't affected by the gravity change, as it flew down below towards us at an incredible speed.

Seeing such powerful magic, I was sure that if this directly hit us, we would instantly become meat paste!

I tried to counter the Massive Wind Arrow with my Gate of Bjarmia.

"Gate of Bjarmia: Pandora's Box!"

Fluosh!

Suddenly, hundreds of black colored weapon shaped magic projectiles started to rain under the Black Wind Arrow, slowly diminishing its power.

"Shit! More! Rimuru! Zehe!"

"Guuuuu! Multi-Elemental Rainbow Armory!"

"Shadow Meteor Shower!"

Joining my Gate of Bjarmia skill came rainbow-colored magic projectiles alongside powerful shadow meteors.

Booom! Booom! Boom!

Thanks to our combination, the big Black Wind Arrow slowly dissipated before it could hit the ground.

Thump!

However, due to the gravity change, we fell down to the ground instead.

I glanced over the Archer as he looked at us with scorn.

"Tch! How could you dispel my powerful magic?! Well, just di-"

Suddenly, two Cursed Claws grabbed the Archer from his legs!

"Huh? W-What?! Where did these came from?"

I noticed as he tried to desperately take off the Cursed Claws.

"Deactivate Skill: Cursed Claws!"

Flash!

The Cursed Claws grabbing the Undead Archer glowed on a bright purple as they detonated in front of him.

BOOOM!

"Uaaggh!"

The double detonation blew the archer lower body bellow his hips, showing his rotten insides as he fell down below.

Thump!

"Uggh! Impossible!"

On the ground, I commanded more Cursed Claws to follow the Archer, as he slowly crawled through the ground.

Seeing his impending doom, the Archer looked over his King.

"K-King! Help me!"

The Undead King, who was on a very far distance, looked at him with indifference.

"Use your Shadow Awakening Ring, or die. Those are your options, Archer"

"Ghh! B-But Shadow Awakening will consume my soul! It would be the same as dying!"

The Loyal Knight who was fighting Nesiphae and Brontes looked over the Archer with hate.

"Give your life for your King! Ooorraaah!"

The Undead Knight raised his flaming axe towards Brontes, but thankfully, Nesiphae intercepted him on time with her own flaming axe.

CLASH!

"Not bad, Lamia!"

Suddenly, Brontes came from the back of the Knight, jumping over it with her powerful thunder infused club.

CLASH!

Brontes powerful attack blew the Knight several meters away, and due to the Knight poor speed, she was able to obtain a better momentum, making use of these openings after strong attacks.

"Hmmph! You're not half bad, Cyclops! Advanced Dark Arts: Dark Demon Speed Enhancement!"

A powerful dark aura covered the Knight body as his Speed stat suddenly increased through the roof!

"Big sister Nesiphae, he's fast now!"

"Be cautious, Brontes!"

"Hmm!"

On the other side of the battlefield, I slowly stood up with Rimuru and Zehe, and using my threads to support my body, I ran towards the Archer, commanding my Cursed Claws to quickly cut the indecisive undead hands!

My Cursed Claws quickly ovbeyed my commands.

"I have to… Uughh… Aaah! I wi-"

SLASH!

Suddenly, a sudden pain came across the Undead Archer bones, as he saw his two hands being completely severed by a grotesque claw.

"Aaah! N-No! W-Wait! Give that back! Wind Arrow! Huh? W-Why I can't use Magic? My MP?!"

Unlike the Lich, this Archer had only around 300 MP, and didn't shared it with any ally. The idiot wasted his most primary resource easily spamming devastating area-of-effect magic without care.

This showed his lack of actual battle experience, I presumed that when he was alive, he barely fought in a life and death battle, and always had a clear advantage over his opponents, making him grown overconfident and lazy.

While watching the bastard in desperation, I smiled and commanded my Cursed Claws to bring his half body to me.

Two Cursed Claws grabbed the Undead Archer dying body and swiftly flew towards me in a split second.

The Undead Archer looked at my face with horror.

"My King! My Knight! Why are you not helping me?! Help! Why?!"

It seems that the undead lack any type of companionship, as they already saw him as dead weight and even were happy over his dead giving them some time.

I noticed that the King and the Knight are weirder than the Archer, as the Archer clearly still has feelings and feels fear, however, the King seems to lack self-awareness of what's going on, it would be better if he killed the Archer so I don't eat him and absorb his strength.

Undead are very weird, they seem to be enslaved by their commands but sometimes look tired, as if even doing this that would benefit them was pointless.

Without wanting to waste any more time, I expanded my hand and used [Bloody Lotus Dissolving Juices] to quickly dissolve and digest the Undead Archer while it was still alive, not caring about his screams.

I was surprised that the Undead did nothing about this, as if trying to help me get stronger without any reason.

"What's going on the head of these guys?"

I easily absorbed the entire Undead Archer in 20 seconds, this also included his delicious Soul Core.

I commanded another Cursed Claw to grab the other pieces of the Undead and saved them on my Item Box, while doing this, I healed Zehe and Rimuru and stealthily spread more of my Illusion Cursed Claws around.

[You Gained 115736 EXP] [The Rest of your Party Gained 57868 EXP]

[You Gained Two Levels!] [LEVEL 6/70 EXP 37290/60000]

[The Rest of your Party Gained Some Levels]

[You Learned the Following Skills]

[Sewing Skill] [Gift of Training]

[Basic Bow Techniques: 5]

[Basic Wind Magic: 10] [Quick Feet]

[Wind Step] [High Wind Bow Arts: 10]

[Masterful Wind Bow Affinity]

[Cursed Arrow Arts: 5]

Thankfully, Nesiphae and Brontes were hanging just fine, distracting the Undead Knight and the King, who was chanting another dangerous spell.

"I won't let you! Zehe, Rimuru, lets go after the King! Nesiphae and Zehe can handle the Knight!"

"Alright, guuu!"

"Yes!"

The Undead King looked at us with indifference.

"Everything went wrong. Our plan and the commands of my Master. Yet, I still feel nothing. Even at my impending doom, I feel nothing. When did I become like this? Or was I always like this?"

The King raised his demon sword at us, without changing his stoic expression.

"Come, demon!"

.

.

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