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Riven nodded and thanked the Ten Thousand Poison Master for his great advice despite his massive grumpiness and then decided to finally take care of the problem in front of him.
He took a step forward and blurred across the ground, closing the distance in an instant as the remaining Poisonous Spectral Beasts hissed angrily and shook the earth under their restless movements.
Only for Riven’s blade to descend like a guillotine, his poisonous fog spreading everywhere and turning into swords of curses, shadows, and poison that cut through the air with sharp precision.
The combination between this powerful new mix of assassination blade and poison together with his Spell, Abyssal Guillotine Garden, unleashed complete and utter devastation around his surroundings.
The remaining Spectral Poison Beasts that had been annoying everyone were instantly wiped out by the power of Riven’s new Poison Form, their forms breaking apart under the sudden assault and leaving those fighting to protect him utterly speechless as they stared at the sudden clear space.
Riven sighed in relief that it was finally done once he finished them all, the tension in his shoulders easing a little after the constant pressure of dealing with the threats.
However, his eyes darted sharply toward their disappearing bodies, realizing these specters just vanished into thin air once they died, with no trace left behind to mark where they had stood.
He found that rather amusing and bizarre at the same time, wondering if they were even alive to begin with or if they had only ever been some kind of temporary manifestation tied to his own cultivation.
In response, the Heavenly King decided to explain to him further what these strange creatures that emerged from his heart truly were. "They are what some would call Heart Demons but of the Poison you accumulate. Third Stage allowed your cultivation of poison to reach a new height, finally purifying the dark things within you and leaving behind the most beneficial effects instead," the Ten Thousand Poison Master said. "I’m quite proud of it. You’re... as annoying as it is to admit, quite talented. Maybe you could inherit more faster, depends how quickly you develop... Hmm..."
It seemed he was slowly changing his view on Riven, but then he shrugged. "For now, get used to your new power. Later, we’ll begin refining more poisons!"
"No slacking around for too long! An arduous and hard-working soul never lazes around. You will get all the time to rest once you die anyway," the Ten Thousand Poison Master roared, his voice carrying across the clearing with the kind of force that made a few of the nearby undead shift uneasily, even though nobody else could see him aside from Riven.
"I’d prefer to rest while being alive so I can enjoy what resting is," sighed Riven. "But thank you for your consideration, Great Elder," he added, trying to keep his tone polite even as he felt the weight of that stare pressing down on him like an hydraulic press.
"Hmph," the Ten Thousand Poison Master nodded once, then vanished without another word, the space where he had stood emptying in an instant.
Riven finally sighed in relief once he was gone. It had been a little overwhelming to have that gaze fixed on him the whole time, meticulously analyzing every single thing about him, from the way he stood to the residual energy still clinging to his hands. "He’s gone..." he muttered under his breath, rolling his shoulders to loosen them. "Alright..." He gathered back with everyone, looking over the group that had fought alongside him. "Thank you for helping, everyone. I am honestly impressed. Ragnar! It seems you’ve made new friends?"
"The Madness of our Undead companions hasn’t faded, but they seem to be more capable of communication with us now," said Ragnar, gesturing toward the cluster of skeletal and spectral figures that stood a short distance away. "We’ve managed to ally them with us under specific conditions and spirit contracts. They’ll hold the line when we need them, as long as we keep our end of the bargains."
"That’s wonderful, you’re growing a lot. Perhaps it’s about time I summon more High Giants..." Riven said, already turning the idea over in his mind. Then he looked at the rest of the group and walked toward the Kobold King and his army of around fifty Kobolds and Ignias. Their scales still carried faint marks from the battle, yet they held formation without complaint, they were surprisingly disciplined when Ignias was around. "Well done. You’re as strong as your ancestor, the previous King."
"I greet the Great Divine Lord," the Kobold King said, kneeling along with his Kobolds. The others followed suit, bending their heads and knees. "We swore to protect this place once Queen Ignias explained to us what was happening. Thank you for blessing us with such a divine land to grow and prosper. Our people will never forget your kindness."
"Hahah, you’re much more talkative and reasonable, indeed!" Riven laughed, stepping closer and patting the Kobold King’s large, broad shoulders with genuine approval.
"Regardless, thank you for your help." He walked toward the last group, the Mutants, they were a little weird and freaky, but they seemed to know their manners, bowing before him. "And you lot. I didn’t expect you to appear and help, your... uh, familiars? Vehicles? Are very useful and powerful."
He stopped a short distance from the nearest tank and waited for someone to answer.
"It is... an honor... great divine lord..." the one standing above the Mad Locomotive spoke, he resembled a giant, humanoid cockroach with a small mechanical arm, his long antennae twitching as he spoke. "We came as soon as we knew... you were being threatened." The antennae kept moving while he spoke and only slowed once the sentence finished.
Riven nodded. "I know it must’ve taken courage to step out of the darkness where you live, thank you."
He looked at everyone and nodded, feeling like he had to reward them somehow.
And that gratitude was enough.
FLAAASH!
The skies shone brightly, suddenly raining down bright divine light on everyone.
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