Cronus' system: Against the gods

Chapter 84 Unlock now..godhood Ascension

Lucius held the crystal in his hands, the energy from it causing it to vibrate slightly as he examined it. Truly, this thing's power was just too outrageous. He could sense immense energy from it that could rival or even surpass a demi-god.

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"What if I just eat the crystal right now!" Lucius thought. He was already a demi-god. Eating a crystal at a demi-god class should surely push him to a god rank right?

"Thou art a fool if you think the power of two demi-gods can rival a god!" A cold, hoarse voice spoke from behind him.

That voice! It was the man, his client!.

Lucius turned around to face the man who just as always was still hiding his face behind his hood. For a moment, he felt afraid just by seeing the shadows of the man. Just who was he really?.....well, it doesn't matter

"Here's your crystal!" Lucius said as he stretched it towards the man.

"Good! Good!" The man walked forward slowly, the shadows behind him growing thicker with each step he took. As he got closer to Lucius, he stretched his hand to receive it but surprisingly, Lucius retracted the crystal which mde him confused.

"You forgetting something?" Lucius said as he drew the crystal closer to himself.

" Something?" The man questioned.

"You promised me godhood in exchange for this crystal" Lucius replied, eyeing the man cautiously. Just from the aura this man exuded, he could tell that if he wanted, he could just take the crystal and go away without fulfilling his end of the deal.

"Oh....that!" The man chuckled. With a flick of his wrist, a dark ball of energy materialized in his right palm.

Lucius tightened his grip on the crystal, his eyes narrowing as the dark energy swirled ominously in the man's palm. It pulsed, emitting faint whispers like the murmurs of a thousand restless souls, each one clawing to escape. The room grew colder, shadows lengthening and curling unnaturally around the hooded figure.

The man chuckled softly, the sound like dry leaves scraping across stone. "Thou art bold to demand from me," he said, his tone both amused and condescending. "But boldness... I can respect."

Lucius tensed but kept his expression calm, masking the unease that crept through his veins. "A deal's a deal," he said, his voice steady despite the dark presence before him. "I did my part. Now it's your turn."

Lucius sneered. "No. I'm done taking orders. I've got what I need, your 'request' is unnecessary." He raised his hand, shadows surging around it like a living storm. "In fact, I think you're unnecessary too. Why share the stage when there's only room for one god?"

The man tilted his head slightly, as though amused by Lucius' audacity. "Thou thinkest thy newfound power can match mine?" His voice was calm, detached, almost bored.

Lucius lunged forward without another word, the air around him crackling with dark energy. He summoned jagged spears of shadow and hurled them at the hooded man with all the force he could muster. The spears screamed through the air, their edges gleaming with lethal intent.

The man didn't move. With a flick of his wrist, the shadows surrounding him expanded outward like a tidal wave. The spears disintegrated the moment they touched his barrier, reduced to harmless wisps of vapor.

Lucius gritted his teeth and charged, his godly aura flaring. He swung a blade of frozen darkness, aiming for the man's neck. "Bow to me!" he roared.

The man finally moved. With almost lazy precision, he sidestepped the attack, his cloak billowing as he moved with impossible speed. Before Lucius could recover, the man's hand shot out, gripping Lucius by the throat.

Lucius gasped, struggling against the iron grip that felt like it could crush him with a thought. The shadows around him surged in defiance, but the man's aura swallowed them whole, reducing them to nothingness.

"Pathetic," the man intoned. He lifted Lucius off the ground effortlessly, the godling's feet dangling as he clawed at the man's arm. "Thou art like a child who hath stolen a king's sword, thinking thyself invincible. Thou hast power, yes, but no control. No wisdom. And no chance against me."

With a flick of his wrist, the man hurled Lucius across the chamber. The self-proclaimed god crashed into a pillar, shattering it with the force of his impact. He slumped to the ground, coughing and struggling to rise, his aura flickering erratically.

The man advanced, his steps unhurried but impossibly heavy with authority. "Thou hast forgotten thy place, child. I granted thee godhood. I can strip it away just as easily."

Lucius staggered to his feet, glaring at the man with a mixture of rage and fear. "Fine!" he spat, his voice hoarse. "I'll do it. I'll revive your damned Hydra. But don't think for a second that I've forgotten this."

The man stopped, shadows receding slightly. "Good. Thou art learning," he said, his tone carrying an edge of mockery. He extended the crystal toward Lucius, its ominous red glow reflecting in his eyes. "Take it. Complete thy task."

Lucius hesitated, his pride warring with the cold realization that he couldn't win this battle. He snatched the crystal from the man's hand, his grip trembling with suppressed fury. "This isn't over," he growled.

The man chuckled, the sound sending chills down Lucius' spine. "Oh, I count on it, young god. Thou hast much yet to prove." He stepped back, his form fading into the swirling shadows that surrounded him. "Now, revive the Hydra and fulfill thy purpose. Let us see if thou art truly worthy of the power I have bestowed."

Lucius stood alone, the crystal pulsing in his hand. He stared at it, his jaw clenched tight. Reviving the Hydra would mean giving the man exactly what he wanted, but defiance had already cost him too much. He would play along for now.

"Damn him," Lucius muttered under his breath. His crimson eyes burned as he turned toward the task before him, shadows coiling around him like restless serpents. "Let's see how far you'll let me push this game, old man."