Clayman's screech of agony echoed across the battlefield. His once pristine white robes were torn and bloodied as he crumpled beneath Rimuru's relentless assault. Each blow carried the weight of Rimuru's fury, and Clayman's desperate attempts to retaliate were futile.
The so-called 'Marionette Master' was reduced to nothing more than a pathetic puppet, completely outclassed.
"You thought you could control everyone, Clayman," Rimuru said coldly, his eyes glowing with anger. "But in the end, you're just a weakling who hides behind others' strength.'
Clayman's twisted smile faltered as he glanced desperately toward Milim, expecting her to intervene. For so long, she had been his puppet, bound to his will. But now, she stood still, arms crossed, her eyes distant as if her mind was elsewhere.
'Milim! Help me! Finish them, or you know what will happen to him!" Clayman screamed.
But Milim didn't move. Instead, her expression softened, her fiery eyes dulling as she focused on something only she could sense. Her lips barely moved as she whispered a name.
*...Zephyron.'
Clayman, enraged and frantic, tried to lunge forward but was instantly knocked back by Rimuru's next strike, sending him crashing into the ground. His metallic arm. summoned in desperation to defend him, crumbled under the sheer force
of the attack.
At that moment, dark smoke began to rise from the shattered pieces of the metallic hand, and the skies above the battlefield darkened
The Demon Lords watching from afar-Guy, Leon, Ramiris, and the others-sensed a shift in the atmosphere. A heavy, oppressive energy descended upon the battlefield, freezing everything in its wake.
"What's this...?" Guy muttered, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the power of Darkness itself manifesting. The presence was the fourth or fifth strongest in the area, but for some reason, it also felt holy.
The ground beneath Clayman trembled as a vast shadow fell over him. From the midst of his broken metallic army, a figure began to emerge-his presence a black void against the pale moonlight. Darkness coiled around him like living tendrils, swallowing the light, making the air heavy with dread.
Clayman, still staggering, looked up. in horror as he realized who the figure was. But he couldn't control him. The darkness swallowed Clayman whole. His eyes widened in disbelief.
'No... this can't be...!" Clayman screamed.
Rimuru stepped back, watching carefully as the figure fully emerged. The darkness parted just enough to reveal metallic wings coated in black mana, their edges glinting like. blades.
A blood-curdling scream tore from clayman's throat, sending chills down the spines of almost everyone present. The other Demon Lords gasped as they realized what they were seeing.
"There's an elemental inside this puppet! I want it! I want it!" Ramiris's eyes gleamed like stars, her small form trembling with excitement.
Guy's expression shifted to one of interest. "That power... it's not just any elemental. A Greater Elemental of Darkness but Its power is far beyond the normal Greater Elementals and might even rival an Elemental Lord," Guy said with a grin.
As Zephyron descended, the ground around him darkened further, as if the shadows themselves were bowing to his will. He looked down at everyone, ignoring Clayman's whimpering form, treating the fallen creature as beneath his notice.
Nova's voice echoed inside Zephyron's mind.
[Nova: Unique skill Manipulator has been analyzed 100%.]
[Unique skill Regressor has been analyzed 99%.]
[Nova. Attempting to acquire the unique skill Manipulator...]
[Failure.. failure... Success.]
[Unique skill Manipulator acquired.]
[Nova:Attempting to acquire the unique skill Regressor...]
[Failure...Failure... Failure...]
[Notice: Combining knowledge of unique skill Regressor (99%) with unlimited Infinite Prison (45%).]
[Success.]
[Unique skill Chrono Shatter acquired.]
[Unique skill Manipulator is being merged with information from unique skill Scientist.]
[Initiating evolution to Hero.]
Zephyron's metallic hand clenched, his eyes gleaming with power. The surrounding darkness was slowly overshadowed by a divine light, confusing everyone present.
As the light faded, Milim's eyes widened. The figure before her wasn't the Zephyron she had once known. He looked different, but she recognized who he truly was.
Not only Milim, but Guy and Ramiris also wore expressions of surprise. The person standing before them looked exactly like him.
Guy and Ramiris suddenly feel nostalgia.
"He truly returned " guy said with a rare emotion in his eyes.
"Long time no see, Knucklehead!"
Zephyron said, his voice familiar. Milim couldn't hold herself back any longer. She leapt forward, throwing herself into Zephyron's arms.
************
Author's Note:
Read the next chapter where the true start of the novel begins! The next volume will kick off this fanfiction in earnest and you will not get this type of clip hangers and confusing story. I hope you'll stick with me as we embark on Zephyron's journey, which is more complicated than you think.