When Zatiel finally ceased his assault on Johann's head, the ogres had reached him. Instead of retreating, Zatiel stood his ground, raising his hand to face the approaching group.
"Abyssal Blast!" he exclaimed.
A beam of pure abyssal aura erupted, decimating almost half of the ogres due to their proximity. The rest were severely injured. The Abyssal Blast drew energy from his core, allowing Zatiel to use it despite his depleted reserves.
Without giving them a chance to regroup, Zatiel launched into action. His attacks were precise and ruthless, targeting vital areas but not delivering fatal blows. Each strike pulverized organs and bones, causing immense pain but not death.
After ensuring all enemies were incapacitated, he surveyed the area for any additional threats. Finding none, he hurried to the cocoon's location.
Inside the cocoon was Sophia. Though the chains had saved her life, she was severely injured, and the flames had ravaged her robe and bandages, revealing her afflicted body. Her skin was marred by tumors and areas of putrefaction, and her face bore a grotesque, half-pig, half-human appearance.
Zatiel approached her with a gentle touch, his eyes filled with warmth. He administered a healing potion from his spatial sack and sighed.
"You really are foolish," he muttered, recalling the events before the explosion.
As the ball of light hurtled towards him, logic dictated everyone should flee. However, Sophia had instead rushed towards him. Initially, Zatiel planned to share the protective chains between them, prioritizing his safety. But seeing Sophia's determination ignited a fury within him, compelling him to shield her more thoroughly.
He used Aerial Walk to leap into the air and bury himself in the ground, softened by his earlier attack on Alan. Shielding himself with a single chain, he managed partial protection from the flames.
Once the coast was clear, Zatiel emerged to confront the apprentices and ogres.
Now, seeing the potion take effect, he resealed the cocoon and turned his attention to the ogres and the two surviving apprentices. He gathered the incapacitated ogres effortlessly and dealt with Barbara, who was unconscious from his earlier strike.
Approaching Cristian, who seemed to be feigning unconsciousness, Zatiel swiftly disarmed him—literally—by tearing off his remaining arm. He then retrieved a small sphere from Cristian's hand and tossed the screaming man with the others.
"Hmph, did you think such a pathetic trick would work on me?" Zatiel scoffed.
After ensuring Sophia was properly covered, Zatiel began his recovery process. He meditated and consumed the hearts of the dead ogres, replenishing his energy and healing his wounds.
Within an hour, his strength was largely restored. He then moved to the area with the apprentices and ogres, preparing to inscribe runes on the ground using his own blood.
Zatiel didn't rest before activating the secondary array, his body now stronger. The array affected the minds of those inside the runes, driving them to madness and mutual destruction. Upon their deaths, the consciousness of the Abyss arrived to claim their souls.
Manipulating the runes, Zatiel watched as the bodies dissolved into abyssal aura. The two apprentices yielded almost as much aura as all the ogres combined, their human souls more valuable due to their race's dominance in this world.
Once the process was complete, Zatiel approached Sophia, who was slowly regaining consciousness. Seeing Zatiel brought warmth to her heart, but panic set in when she realized her bandages were gone, exposing her mutated body.
"Enough!" Zatiel chided her. "The next step will transform you, but it requires strong willpower."
Sophia, regaining composure, gazed fearfully at the sphere of abyssal aura. Zatiel's explanation that she would become like him replaced her fear with determination.
"Now, let's begin," Zatiel said, positioning her at the center of the runes.
As the abyssal aura entered her, Sophia endured the excruciating pain with unwavering focus. The stronger the individual, the greater the pain and the longer the transformation.
Soon, a yellow liquid began to secrete from her body, signaling the dissolution of her tumors and the healing of her putrefied skin. Despite the intensifying pain, Sophia's will grew stronger, driven by the visible signs of her recovery.
After the transformation, Sophia conjured a mirror of ice to see herself. She had become strikingly beautiful, with delicate features, blue hair, and a voluptuous figure. Overwhelmed with joy and love for Zatiel, she leaped towards him, but he swiftly dodged.
Confused and hurt by his evasion, Sophia questioned her worthiness.
"Your appearance has never been a factor to me, though you are indeed attractive now," Zatiel admitted. His avoidance wasn't due to her looks, but rather because she still had remnants of the foul-smelling liquid on her.
Realizing this, Sophia turned red with embarrassment. She quickly bathed with a conjured ball of water, unbothered by Zatiel's presence. But when she looked for him, he had already walked away.
...
Zatiel approached Alan, who was barely clinging to life. Despite using magical protection, the rank 1 spell had gravely injured him.
"You are not my enemy, but I can not let you live since I am too weak."
Before the young man could say a word, a chain pierced his head, ending his life.
Zatiel couldn't risk Alan leaking any secrets. In a world where countless could extract information from a dead man's soul, discretion was paramount.