64 Groan...

Ozul had seen enough of the Monster to grow stronger! The more he waited, the worst his headache would get.

Since this was the case, he would have to take the initiative. Instead of blindly rushing in, he swept his eyes in the surroundings only to see the mayhem created during the commotion.

Most of the people were dead, while the others were struggling. All because of this 'Anomaly' in front of him.

All the while, Ozul did not even give it a passing thought that this destruction may be due to the life-like black symbols on his leg.

Even if he knew this, he wouldn't care. What matters the most to him is himself, not the lives of those filthy 'creatures'.

Then Ozul's sight landed on the two Rank-8 existences, both showing contrasting expressions.

He hated both of them, one because he sold his limbs away. The other, because he was harming him even at this moment.

Ozul had noticed the smug smile on that guy's face. He still did not know why he was creating such a monstrosity, but it did not matter to him since he only cared about his leg.

The Monster had a power level around a Rank-10 Mage, and it was still increasing!

But he did not think about who would win or who would lose in this situation. He wanted his leg back, and that was final!

Taking this moment as an opportunity, Ozul rushed towards the 8 meters tall monstrosity.

When everything was still and silent except for the Monster, the running figure of Ozul was quickly noticed by everyone who was still alive.

Everyone was confused as to why that guy would run towards the Monster instead of running away from it.

Has he gone insane due to all the pressure because of the battles and this Monster's power?

Raven and Blaze both wanted to stop him, but they could not even stand up straight. The most Raven could do was stretch out her hand, which Ozul wholly ignored.

This was not the time to explain why he was rushing in or why he should not stay behind.

Unfortunately, since everyone else had noticed, Leader Podas had also seen him. His amused smile quickly turned into a frown.

'Hmph! Does he think he can even get close to...'- Podas did not want to believe that a kid who did not even exude a hint of Mana could get even near the Rank-10 and still growing existence in front of him.

Even a Fighter had Mana because he strengthened his whole body with it, but this kid clearly did not!

However, Podas put those thoughts to a stop as he remembered that he was the same kid who was fighting against his subordinate.

Moreover, where even Rank-7 individuals were having a hard time breathing, this kid still had the strength to run towards the Monster!

It could only mean that this kid was somehow hiding his strength!

'What is he going to do?!..'- Podas put these thoughts in the back of his mind as this was not the time to contemplate but take action.

He couldn't be careless now that his plan was close to fruition. Podas noticed that Edwin had no intention to take action now that he had seen the Monster's strength.

So, he could make a move without any interruption. He had to stop Ozul himself since his subordinates were in no condition even to walk much less stop him.

He flew straight towards Ozul, nearing the Monster. He did not understand what the kid intended to achieve, but he would not let some kid ruin his plans.

Ozul only noticed Podas rushing towards him when a black ball made up of corrosive gas attacked him.

It delighted Ozul, not because he was attacked. But because he now knew that his enemy was a Darkness Element Mage!

His eyes narrowed in disdain as the corrosive smoke, which was about to hit him, just fell onto the ground.

*Ssssssss...*

When the Spell collided with the ground, it even started dissolving the soil! It demonstrated the power behind a Rank-8 Mage's just casual Spell!

Podas was confused as to why his Spell just stopped working in midway?! That didn't make any sense at all!

It felt like his Spell did not even want to collide with the kid!

'What did this kid do!?...'- Podas could not help but form a sprout of wariness in his heart.

But then he saw... He saw when Ozul turned his head a little to look up in his direction. The cold eyes looked straight into him, peering through all his secrets. Podas felt naked under the gaze of those two vacant stone-like eyes.

Podas's body did not seem to listen to him when the chilling eyes looked at him. He felt the looming catastrophe above his head.

He was just a kid; how could he give him such a feeling of helplessness!?! Podas could not help but curse as he bit his lips so that the pain may break him out of the stupor.

The lingering taste of iron on his tongue because of the blood helped him regain control over his body. He noticed how his back was drenched in a cold sweat.

Even fighting Duke Edwin, a Rank-8 Mage, did not make him feel this vulnerable.

However, he knew that this was not the time to be afraid. Just a little longer, and he would have the strength to crush every mortal beneath his feet.

But for that to happen, he needed to give the Monster some more time.

Just as he was again about to attack Ozul, he saw that the kid had utterly ignored him after giving him the eye. He was back to running toward the Monster!

Podas' eyes twitched in anger as he yelled and started chasing behind Ozul.

"Ahh!! Kid come back here!"-

Despite his cries and yelling, Ozul did not bother to turn around and confront Podas. He could feel that even with all his efforts, Podas could not close in the distance between them.

Ozul was running with all his strength, and before long, he was only about 20 meters away from the Monster. However, just at this moment, the 'Anomaly' also noticed that someone was nearing him.

The Monster gave out a loud cry and hit Ozul with his giant hand!

Ozul could not dodge the sudden attack from the Monster at such proximity. The force behind the punch was also not something to underestimate because Ozul was flung tens of meters back!

He did not know what his insides were made up of, but they still hurt like hell. It felt like he was crushed under a giant mountain.

When he fell on the ground, A small groan escaped from his mouth for the first time even in his life!

The burns from the Rank-7 Mage's Spell, the head-splitting pain, the earlier outburst of energy from the 'Anomaly', and now this punch—injuries were piling on Ozul's body.

All of this had not made Ozul bleed to death only because he never had any in the first place.

Even Ozul's near-perfect control over his facial expressions, he could not stop the groan from escaping his mouth.

Even Podas was shocked by this outcome. First of all, when the Monster had eaten the leg whole, he had only thought that it could be some instinct to devour energy.

But now the Beast had even attacked Ozul. It meant that the Monster had the ability to think! And podas knew that this was not supposed to happen.

The ritual clearly stated that it would not have any capacity to think. It will just be an empty vassal to store the energy temporarily.

Fortunately, he held the rune to command the Monster to be absorbed by him. Otherwise, it would be a worrying matter that it could think independently.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Ozul arched his back to ease the pain before standing up again.

He glared towards the Monster who had eaten not only his leg but also hit him. Ozul felt his headache increase when he could not even think of a plan.

The Monster's strength kept increasing while he had not been able to think of a single way to get his leg back!

He looked around, but all he could see was utter destruction that occurred just with a Mana wave! There was nothing that he found useful.

For the first time, Ozul felt at a loss.

'Is there nothing I can do?....'

But no matter how much he thought, all the plans felt meaningless in front of the power of this Monster.

He hardened his gaze as he deeply exhaled to put away all these useless thoughts. This way of thinking would not get him anywhere!

Ozul may not be some protagonist of a story, but he had to give it all this time. For no one else, but himself.