Mutagen

Day 237 - 12:28 PM - Secret Realm, Mount Madia-as, Panay Mountain Range, Province of Aklan

Black flames began to rage around Mark as he stared at the enemy in the sky.

Currently, the scene in the sky was extremely chaotic.

The visibility was very low. There was smoke everywhere, not to mention the heat causing the view to be blurred and hazy.

Even with the low visibility, it was not hard to see the situation above from below. It was the complete opposite from above, however. The smoke and flames prevented anyone from above from easily seeing anything below.

In the sky, the furious [Encantado] was looking for Mark. However, he could not focus on searching for Mark. Anything that saw him, after all, attacked him. The magical races saw him as an enemy, while the [Infected] saw him as potential prey.

This situation, however, caused more deaths among both forces. There was no way these magical races or [Infected] would be able to take down this enraged [Encantado].

In any case, the attacks that the [Encantado] were receiving were more than enough to hinder him from finding his opponent.

There was no need to mention that even Mei and Silim started firing their own attacks at the enemy.

Everything happened as Mark watched, surrounded by flames, regenerating his wounds.

Mark conjured his flames. The black flames that he got after he and Ignis formed a contract. Ignis initially had normal-looking flames it could conjure. But when the contract between the [Cursed Sword] and Mark formed, Ignis grew into a [Demon Sword]. Mark and Ignis then shared the ability to conjure flames due to the contract.

But different compared to ordinary contracts, not only did Ignis evolve to become a stronger magical weapon, but the normal-looking flames became black in color.

Even to Ignis, who had knowledge about similar contracts after being a member of [Auraboros], this situation was something unprecedented. Normally, even if the contractor and the magical weapon shared the weapon's ability, it would remain the same.

Mark continued to conjure the flames. It began to spread, turning the flames of the burning forest black.

What was different from his contract with Ignis? Because there was a unique circumstance that only Mark had.

Mark held [Miasma] in his body, something that not just anyone would be able to. Since [Formless Demons], also born from [Miasma], had extremely destructive urges, they could not form contracts with magical weapons either.

Thus, Mark was likely the first person, wielding [Miasma], that was able to have a contract with a magical weapon.

However...

What was the main property of [Miasma]? What was its greatest and strongest effect on things?

[Miasma's] strongest aspect was [Corrosion]. It was a form of corroded magical energy born by a congregation of strong negative energies and sentiments.

Everything that [Miasma] touches would become corroded, especially living beings and any form of magical energy.

Magical energy becoming corroded would turn it into [Miasma], which would become a part of the original cause of the corrosion. It was how [Miasma] would absorb other magical energy and grow stronger.

And Mark, having [Miasma] in his body, caused the mutation of the other magical abilities he acquired. The flames he got from Ignis turned black due to this. It was also the [Miasma] and Mark's pure demon blood that caused Ignis to evolve.

It was not only the flames. Mark's lightning turned black because of his [Miasma]. Not to mention that although not that noticeable, Mark's [Empath] abilities also got affected by the [Miasma], boosting the effects to some extent when he was channeling negative emotions to his targets. Unfortunately, since his [Empath] abilities could not be seen in any form, The change went unnoticed.

And it was not only the color of the flames and lightning changed because of the [Miasma].

These black-colored abilities that Mark had inherited some properties that [Miasma].

For the first time, Mark put the ability of his flames, the [Miasmic Flames], into use.

Corrode, convert, and absorb. Mark's [Miasmic Flames] corroded the flames in the surroundings, converting it all into black flames and absorbing the flames into his own.

As one would know, a person's magical energy was not infinite. Depending on the usage, it would run out sooner or later.

But with Mark turning the non-magical flames into his own magical one, he barely used his magical energy but gained more power at his arsenal.

Mark closed his eyes and took a deep breath. An area of flames a few dozens of meters around him had already turned into his own power. Unfortunately, turning these flames into his own and freely manipulating the flames were two different things.

In fact, both Mark's [Miasmic Flames] and [Miasmic Lightning] could not be manipulated freely. Since he got these abilities, he never actually showed that he could directly control them, making them like telekinetic energy balls in anime, flying everywhere the user willed.

Mark only used these abilities by either discharging them from his body or shooting them in a straight line.

It was the same now.

After all... Acquiring elemental magic never always meant full control over it, especially since it could not be something that one was born with.

Even if Mark converted the flames around him into his own, although he could make it disappear, he could not freely manipulate it on its own.

Yes, only on its own.

At last, Mark's body healed fully. He also reached the limit of the farthest distance he could convert the flames.

It was time to attack.

The [Psycrystal] glowed, and Mark called out the [Wind Manipulation Crystal].

Strong winds began surging, the black flames swayed violently.

The fluctuation of energy from the [Wind Manipulation Crystal] alerted the [Encantado] of Mark's position. The smoke was blown away, showing Mark standing with his sinister black armor and a marble-like crystal circling around his right wrist.

Seeing Mark, the [Encantado] caused a surge of energy around him, throwing everyone attacking him away by force before charging at Mark like a maniac.

However, it was too late.

WHOOOSH!

A vortex of black flames shot from below, forming a thin fire tornado and blocking the [Encantado's] path towards Mark. The [Encantado] arrogantly brushed the fire tornado, slashing it off using his crystal spear. But then...

"AGH!!!!"

The [Encantado] froze on his spot with a painful yell. Bits and pieces of the flames that he tried to brush off touched his supposedly undamageable skin. The small black flames latched onto his skin, causing him extreme pain.

As one would immediately do, the [Encantado] tried to put off the black flames on his body, which he managed to do. Nonetheless, patches of his skin were already burnt in the extremely short time that the black flames touched his skin.

This situation alarmed the [Encantado] greatly.

The [Encantado] could brush off Silim's strongest attack without defending. Yet, a small bit of black flame caused him so much pain and burnt his skin.

And to the [Encantado's] horror...

One, two, three... Numerous vortices formed in the lake of black flames.

The [Encantado] looked at Mark, who also stared back with a smile.

Mark opened his wings and prepared a weapon for him to use. This time, as Ignis was not present, he brought out his first pair of whip-blades, the [Slicer] and the [Divider].

BOOM!

A shockwave swayed the black flames as Mark kicked the ground and took flight.

The scene in front of him immediately gave the [Encantado] a grave chill in his spine.

It was not only Mark that took flight. At the same time, the vortices of black flames shot towards the sky.

Mark slashed forward with both blades as he arrived in front of the [Encantado]. Both suddenly burst into black flames, causing the [Encantado] to dodge rather than receive the attack.

However, both blades extended forward to the [Encantado's] shock. At the last moment, he avoided the blades with an awkward maneuver.

But then, the vortices of black flames arrived.

Numerous thin fire tornados soared to the sky, trying to hit the [Encantado] one after another. The [Encantado], who was looking arrogant before, was now extremely afraid as he frantically avoided all the incoming fire tornados attacking him.

Not to mention that Mark was also attacking the [Encantado] with his whip-blades clad in [Miasmic Flames].

The battle between Mark and the [Encantado] had come into a drastic turnaround.

Before, it was Mark who was on the defensive, avoiding every attack of the [Encantado] with his crystal spear.

Now, it was Mark who was on the offensive, and the [Encantado] could not even have the slightest time to counterattack.

"GAH!"

Of course, no matter how strong a person was, it was rather hard to avoid a formless attack. The fire did not have a concrete form or shape. Without anything putting it into place, it would either scatter or vanish. Worse, an item or even could even cause it to forcefully spread.

Several fire tornados surged towards the [Encantado] at the same time. The [Encantado] evaded the attacks and managed to go unscathed, making the rest of the spiraling flames pass around him.

But then, Mark waved his hand, commanding the [Wind Manipulation Crystal] flying around his wrist to do something.

The spiraling fire tornados suddenly spun the opposite way. It caused the black flames following the previous direction of the wind to face resistance and scatter.

All of a sudden, the [Encantado]'s eyes widened in shock as he found himself in the middle of black flames scattered everywhere he turned his eyes onto.

No matter how fast the [Encantado] could fly, there was no escaping this attack unless he had some space bending abilities... which unfortunately he did not.

"GAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

A blanket of [Miasmic Flames] covered the [Encantado], causing him to make a spine-chilling scream as almost his whole body burned horribly.

CRACKLE!

But, of course, despite the pain the black flames caused the [Encantado], it was not enough to defeat him...

That was why...

With several loud crackling sounds, streaks of black lightning bolts shot from Mark's swords.

"GAAAAHHH!!!"

The wails of the [Encantado] intensified as he was hit numb by the [Miasmic Lightning] Mark released.

Mark did not expect this kind of reaction from the [Encantado]. He used these attacks on other enemies before, but he never saw them wail in pain like they were being crushed to pieces.

But then, it dawned on Mark.

[Miasma] corrodes magical energy. This property of [Miasma] was channeled unto his flames and lightning, although not as potent as the origin.

As a spirit-like being, the [Encantado's] body was made of magical energy. For every attack that Mark made and hit, the [Encantado's] body, and worse, existence, were being chipped off painfully.

The rage that the [Encantado] had started dissipating as he finally realized the danger.

Flee. That was the only thing the [Encantado] had in mind due to his current predicament.

BOOM!

A shockwave of magical energy exploded around the [Encantado], forcing the flames, lightning, and Mark away.

Here, the [Encantado's] body was now seen, riddled with burns, severe enough to be deadly to humans. His handsome face was also destroyed, but he could not care anymore. His life was now in jeopardy.

The [Encantado] turned around without looking at Mark. Gritting his teeth to endure the pain, he tried to fly away.

Mark knew what the [Encantado] had in mind as he could sense his fear after he experienced Mark's unique abilities.

There was no way that Mark would let this guy flee.

SWOOSH!

Turning into a surge of black mist, Mark overtook the [Encantado] and intercepted his path with slashes from both his whip-blades.

Mark's sudden appearance in front of him took the [Encantado] by surprise. Even so, he tried to defend, moving his crystal spear to block the two whip-blades.

The [Encantado] did not realize. Another crystal already appeared, floating around Mark's right wrist.

BANG!

A burst of light exploded from the crystal, immediately blinding the [Encantado] since he was facing Mark.

The next thing that the [Encantado] felt was the unbelievable pain in his waist. He could not feel his lower body anymore.

After receiving Mark's attack, the [Encantado] began to fall. The temporary blindness faded. The [Encantado] saw his lower body falling separately from him.

Slowly, his eyes began to blur.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

He realized what was happening and began to laugh hysterically.

The [Encantado] could not believe it. He was dying. After thousands of years living in the secular [Spirit Dimension], he was finally dying.

"You won! HAHAHAHAHA!" The [Encantado] yelled maniacally. "But don't think I will go down and just accept my fate!"

At those words, Mark began to shiver. A huge amount of magical energy was gathering at a rapid rate. At the center of it was the dying [Encantado].

"Well, sh*t..."

Mark cursed, immediately leaving the location and rushing towards the frontlines of the battle.

The moment Mark arrived...

"EVERYONE! GET DOWN!"

Mark roared as he waved his hand, releasing a huge amount of [Miasma] from his body and creating a wall in front of everyone.

BOOOM!!!

All of a sudden, everything was enveloped in a surge of blinding light as the whole mountain shook from a gigantic explosion.