>VWUUUUSSSHHH<

A surge of pure, unadulterated energy coursed through me.

The room trembled, and the glass separating me and the beast began to vibrate violently.

The power I wielded wasn’t Mana… but a different kind.

It was the same one I had sensed from Kuzon’s Familiar back when we fought. I couldn’t fathom it at the time, but now I understood.

I allowed Strength to grant me reign over the supreme ability that defied everything else. And so, as a bright white light surged from me, I noticed the Nether Beast move.

Its body instantly morphed into an extremely dangerous size.

“GURRRRUUHHUU…”

Now almost twice its initial size, spokes protruded from its body and it seemed to be entering its assault mode.

‘So, you finally see me as a threat now!’ It was too late, though.

With the power of Strength on my side, I could tell the difference between me and the beast.

While this monster would give most of the seasoned Mages I knew a run for their money…

… It was still inferior to me.

“This should be a start. Let’s see what you can do!”

>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

The glass wall separating me from the beast shattered, and the pure darkness it radiated escaped.

>WHOOOSSHH<

I instantly vanished from my position, seeing the entire area get devastated a split second later.

“GURRROOOOAHHHH!!!” The Nether Beast was now out of its cage, roaring like a creature afflicted with insanity.

It had multiple bloodshot eyes on its face, and it’s huge jaws salivated with gooey black drool.

I could sense a huge concentration of malice from it, and everything around the monster began decaying—turning to ash.

“Let’s take this outside!” With a burst of light, I took to the air and flew off.

>BOOOOMMM!!!<

The entire building trembled as the monster chased me with violent fervor.

As I left a trail of blinding light in my wake, it devastated its path with corrosive darkness.

Everything came to ruin as I escaped the beast’s numerous attempts to crush me.

It generated multiple spikes to mutilate my body, sending them charging with blinding speed.

Fortunately, I evaded most and destroyed the rest of them with pure blasts of contradicting energy.

“GRRRRRRRR!!!” This only made the Nether Beast more upset, and it resorted to a more violent approach.

‘We’re almost out of here!’ I navigated my way through the underground structure, paying close attention to the monster chasing me from behind.

Suddenly, a dangerously immense concentration of Nether gathered in its mouth, and it steadied its aim in my direction.

The calcified Nether Blast was going to overwhelm me in my current state, so I had to act quick.

‘Not on my watch!’ As the energy gathered around it’s mouth, I condensed a good amount of energy and aimed it at the Beast’s throat.

>WHOOOOSSHHH!!!<

The bright arrow I launched pierced the monster, sending panging pains coursing through it.

Thanks to this distracting pain, the blast it was preparing was foiled, and the Nether dispersed once more.

“GRAAAAUUUHHHHH!!!” Pained screeches leaked out of its large mouth.

The Nether Beast’s body hissed, and a portion of it got corroded. I watched how its cells died off and crumbled away from the rest.

‘It let go of the affected parts of itself to save the rest of the body. Not bad…’ I kept observing the monster.

It was my first time fighting something like this, so I had to gain enough experience.

‘If the Netherlores got their hands on this, it’s possible that there could be others. I can’t be too careful.’

>WHOOOSSHH!!!<

Enhancing itself with more Nether, the Beast now increased it’s pace and slowly closed the distance between the both of us.

‘Too late!’

>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

Generating a pulse of power, I destroyed the luxurious ceiling of the Netherlore household, flying out in a flash.

Not long after I emerged, the beast appeared as well—donning wings behind it as it looked even more terrifying

Twisted horns protruded from its body and it’s gleamy skin generated more spikes.

Ominous power oozed from its body as we both saw the outside warmth.

‘Interesting….’ I noticed what was happening thanks to my Spellcraft technique.

The Nether Beast was infecting the surrounding Mana with its energy, causing the particles to die out.

‘So that’s how it works…’

It was no wonder that normal Spells couldn’t work on something like this.

‘Nether easily destroys Mana and Miasma. It’s like a virus…’

Using Spellcraft was impossible when facing something like this.

Mana and Miasma were out of the picture.

‘I can’t use normal Spells too… since they operate with either Mana or Miasma.’

The result of using them would ultimately lead to the same thing.

‘It won’t work!’

The most regrettable aspect of facing the Nether Beast was the ineffectiveness of my Original Magic.

I used Mana to conjure my Great Sage’s Memoir.

All the Spells stored within required Mana to function. As such, none of them were going to be effective on this creature.

My only saving grace was the Arcana I currently wielded—Strength

‘I’m learning more and more of its abilities as I use it.’ A smile formed on my face as I observed the Nether Beast.

It was about to make yet another move. But, that wasn’t all.

‘Looks like quite a crowd is forming…’ I looked all over the Netherlore Estate and noticed the many people that were watching me and the Nether Beast.

Some pointed in disbelief, while others had faces indicating fright.

‘This is what I wanted! By bringing this fight to the open, I’ll be exposing the Netherlores for what they’ve been up to…’

The attack on the Helmsworth Estate was something that still remained shrouded in mystery.

Even though the Nether Beast killed a great deal of their forces, the Helmsworths couldn’t do a single thing.

‘This way, they’ll have the proof they need to take down the Netherlore family.’

Once the secrets of their underground facility was exposed, it would be over for them.

I just had to put on a good show with the Nether Beast and wait for the perfect opportunity to finish it off.