Chapter 168: Shaking the Power of Darkness
"Your power cannot shake my darkness at all!" Zardal laughed maniacally, his giant hammer swinging down again, as if to crush all living things.
Just then, the trait system within Riku's body issued an urgent warning:
[Warning: Dark Lord Zardal's power is increasing drastically; it cannot be counterbalanced through conventional combat methods.] [Suggestion: Initiate global plunder, absorb Zardal's power~]
Riku was jolted, realizing this was his last chance. He instantly activated the "Infinite Plunder" system, concentrating his full strength to devour Zardal's dark energy.
"Plunder! Absorb his dark power with full force!" Riku roared in a low voice. Energy erupted from his body like a tsunami. Lightning and dark energy intertwined within him, forming a terrifying energy storm.
Zardal's face became increasingly ferocious. Sensing Riku's energy devouring, he roared in anger: "You dare to fight me for the power of darkness? Then let me show you true darkness!"
He violently swung his giant hammer down, and the surrounding dark aura surged rapidly, almost swallowing the entire space. Riku's body felt immense pressure, but he didn't shrink back, continuing to absorb Zardal's dark energy through the plunder system.
[Plunder Successful: Dark Lord - Ultimate Oppression] [Trait Activated: Dark Domain Mastery]
Riku felt the dark energy within him become stronger than ever before. A new power condensed within the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction—"Dark Sanction."
"Darkness and light intertwining, this is the true ultimate power!" Riku let out a low roar, swinging his sword to meet Zardal's offensive.
The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction and the Dark Domain clashed fiercely in the air. Space vibrated, and the entire battlefield was nearly torn apart.
"Give it to me—Destroy!" Zardal roared, the giant hammer smashing toward Riku with a world-destroying aura.
However, Riku's sword aura was incomparably sharp. Lightning and darkness intertwined, transforming into a massive brilliance that slashed at Zardal.
"Thunder God: Dark Final Chapter!" Riku slashed down with his sword. The sword light flashed brilliantly, lightning and dark power fusing into an unstoppable torrent, striking straight at Zardal's heart.
Zardal looked at the sword light before him in terror, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes. The giant hammer's offensive was crushed in a single blow.
With the sound of a violent explosion, Zardal's body was completely pierced through. The dark aura dissipated in an instant, and his massive body crashed to the ground.
Riku took a deep breath, slowly retracting the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction. The dark energy within him gradually calmed down, but he knew this battle was far from over.
"The Dark Lord has fallen, but the ultimate test of the Dark Continent has only just begun." Riku's gaze was resolute as he looked toward the gradually cracking space in the distance.
With Zardal's fall, the powerful aura of the Dark Lord dissipated instantly, but Riku knew deeply that this battle was far from over. The core power of the Dark Continent had not completely disappeared. On the contrary, with Zardal's death, the energy fluctuations across the entire continent became even more violent, as if triggering some long-buried mechanism.
Space vibrated, cracks expanded further, the boundary between darkness and light began to blur, and the surrounding environment became unbearably distorted. Riku frowned tightly, sensing an unprecedented pressure, as if the entire world were closing in on them.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, we must leave here as soon as possible!" Riku said in a deep voice, feeling the increasingly strong dark energy rapidly converging. "This space is already unstable. If we stay any longer, we might be swallowed!"
"No, Riku!" Gon growled low, clenching his fists. "We must find a way to completely resolve the Dark Continent!"
"Yes, if we don't completely eradicate the root of darkness, this continent will never be able to recover," Biscuit analyzed calmly.
However, before the words could fade, a black vortex suddenly formed before their eyes. From deep within the vortex came a low voice, seemingly from an endless abyss.
"Do you think you can end all this? It has only just begun." A cold voice rang out, carrying endless oppressive feeling.
With the sound of the voice, the vortex gradually expanded. Suddenly, a figure surged out—a massive black giant, exuding a suffocating dark aura. His eyes flashed with blood-red light, a gaze as sharp as a knife, seemingly able to pierce through everything.
"You dare to challenge the ruler of the Dark Continent?" The black giant's low voice shook the entire space.
"This is the true ruler of the Dark Continent—the Abyssal Djinn, Terk," Killua's voice carried a hint of surprise. "I've heard of this existence before. He is the originator of the Dark Continent, controlling all dark power."
Riku felt that oppressive feeling, his heartbeat accelerating, the energy fluctuations within his body intense.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, prepare for battle! This battle determines whether we can truly end the disaster of the Dark Continent!" Riku said resolutely.
"Right! We won't retreat!" A resolute light ignited in Gon's eyes.
"Let's go together!" Killua clenched his fists, lightning beginning to gather rapidly within him.
Biscuit took a deep breath, a trace of calmness flashing in her eyes. "Cooperate and defeat him!"
As they prepared, Riku knew deeply that this battle was unlike any previous enemy. Terk, the true ruler of the Dark Continent, controlling the power of the abyss, the source of countless dark energies—facing such an enemy, they had to go all out.
"You ridiculous creatures, dare to challenge me?" Terk let out a furious roar. His giant palm, carrying world-destroying power, pressed down toward Riku's group.
The air was instantly filled with an indescribable dark aura, and even the surrounding space was subjected to intense oppression. Riku felt a massive force hit him in the face, instantly plunging him into a great predicament.
"We can't block it! We must break his defense!" Riku growled low.
"I'll draw his attention!" Killua activated rapidly, his figure shuttling like lightning, instantly appearing on Terk's flank. Lightning erupted as he swung a lightning hand-knife toward Terk.
However, Terk's giant palm swung down without hesitation. Killua's lightning attack merely grazed his armor, completely ineffective. Terk sneered, violently swinging his giant palm. The lightning was instantly distorted, and Killua's figure was knocked flying by the massive impact, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Gon, Killua!" Riku exclaimed, a trace of anxiety flashing in his eyes. But he knew he had to stay calm at this moment and not let Terk's attack distract them.
Biscuit rushed forward quickly. The space beneath her feet suddenly cracked open, and a black Nen dragon lunged fiercely at Terk, attempting to pin him down.
Terk sneered. Before the dragon could even approach, he slapped it apart. Then, he swung his giant palm, suppressing Biscuit's attack to the ground. The powerful energy impact caused Biscuit to spit blood.
Riku roared in anger, "All of you, stand up! This battle must end today!"
Riku knew that only by plundering Terk's dark power did they have a sliver of hope for survival.
[Plunder System Activated: Global Dark Energy Absorption]
Riku activated "Global Plunder." Locking his gaze onto the energy within Terk's body, he deeply attracted the surrounding dark power, attempting to weaken Terk's power by devouring it.
Feeling the dark power within him being siphoned away in reverse, Terk roared in anger, "You dare to plunder my power?!"
Massive dark energy instantly converged into a giant vortex, pressing toward Riku. His body was almost swallowed, but just at this moment, the trait system within Riku's body issued a warning:
[Warning: Terk's Dark Domain is too strong; it cannot be plundered through conventional means]
Riku instantly realized that Terk's power had already exceeded the range he could control.
"We must find Terk's weakness!" Riku said through gritted teeth. "Everyone, prepare to launch the ultimate strike!"
Riku felt the surrounding dark energy grow denser; Terk's Dark Domain was almost about to swallow the entire space. Every second of delay could mean they would forever be trapped in this endless darkness.
"We can't delay any longer, we must break his Dark Domain!" Riku stared at the powerful dark giant before him, his mind quickly thinking of a countermeasure. A calm light flashed in his eyes; the energy within his body was rapidly mobilized, and the trait system was operating frantically.
"Everyone, concentrate your attacks! We can't be distracted anymore!" Riku shouted loudly, his voice echoing all around.
Gon, Killua, and Biscuit immediately responded. The three quickly reorganized their formation, preparing to go all out. Riku took a deep breath, the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in his hand radiating light. The surging dark energy within him fused with the power of lightning, forming a massive energy vortex.
[Trait Activated: Thunder God - Shadow Destruction]
"Ultimate strike, Thunder God: Dark Destruction!" Riku roared loudly, swinging his sword forward. Lightning and dark energy converged into an incandescent white light pillar, striking straight at Terk's dark core.
At the same time, Killua's lightning had also accumulated to its limit within his body, releasing a strike of Thunder God's Wrath. Electric light flew everywhere, lightning shuttling like a dragon toward Terk's flank.
Biscuit utilized her Nen and reflection attacks, unleashing her entire body's energy to create a massive energy wave, forcing Terk's Dark Domain to retreat a step.
"Gon!" Riku looked at Gon, his gaze firm.
"I understand!" Gon responded, immediately launching his strongest attack. Relying on his powerful Nen, he fired a "Super Snipe: Arrow of Light" that almost reached his limit.
The arrow of light pierced the air, carrying endless light, accurately aiming at Terk's chest—precisely that most vulnerable spot.
A trace of fury flashed in Terk's eyes. His massive body twisted violently, swinging his giant hammer, attempting to stop this combined attack.
However, the power of the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction had transformed into lightning that tore through everything. The Arrow of Light pierced his chest like the judgment of a god. And Killua's lightning and Biscuit's energy wave followed closely behind. The intense impact caused Terk's Dark Domain to fluctuate violently, as if the entire space were torn apart.
"You bunch of...!" Terk roared, but before his words could finish, the fierce energy impact had already pushed him into the abyss. Lightning, light, and shadow energy intertwined into an irresistible energy storm, completely swallowing Terk's massive body.
Explosion sounds rang out loudly. The energy fluctuations blew the surrounding space to pieces. The massive black figure began to collapse, and the dark aura within its body, like an overwhelmed torrent, gradually dissipated.
"We succeeded!" Gon shouted loudly, his fists clenched tightly.
However, Riku didn't relax; instead, he frowned. He knew that although they had temporarily achieved victory in this battle, the true crisis of the Dark Continent had still not been completely resolved.
"We must leave this place as soon as possible." Riku stared at the gradually collapsing space. A strong premonition told him that the core of the abyss still harbored some unpredictable threat.
But just at this moment, space suddenly vibrated violently. Dark energy even more powerful than before surged from Terk's remains, forming a massive black vortex that rapidly expanded.
"He's not dead yet!" Biscuit shouted loudly, her eyes full of shock.
"This energy... isn't right!" Riku tightly gripped the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction, his eyes becoming incredibly vigilant.
"It seems we underestimated the depth of the Dark Continent." Killua said in a low voice. "Terk was only a part of the Dark Continent. The true threat might not have appeared yet."
Suddenly, from the center of that black vortex, a familiar figure gradually emerged. It was a massive figure wrapped entirely in black armor, wielding a giant black greatsword, a figure that blotted out the sky and sun.
"Impossible..." Riku's pupils shrank, muttering in a low voice. "He... is..."
[Hint: New plunder target locked]
"I am the supreme existence of the Dark Continent—the Dark Region Emperor, Kael'thas!" The figure's voice resounded through the clouds, shaking the minds of Riku and the others into chaos. "Your victory is merely the beginning of the darkness. The true darkness has only just begun!"
The figure of Dark Region Emperor Kael'thas exuded a terrifying dark aura. The entire space was oppressed to the point of near collapse. Riku realized that the enemy before him far exceeded Terk. It was not just an overwhelming advantage in power, but the controller of the abyssal darkness.
"If you truly thought you could change the destiny of the Dark Continent, then come at me!" A cold smile flashed in Kael'thas's eyes. As he swung the black sword in his hand, space severely twisted, and black lightning and darkness surged, sweeping toward them.
Riku took a deep breath, tightly gripping the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction. The trait system on his body operated rapidly once again, all power swiftly converging into his body. The brilliance of the Thunder God and dark power intertwined once more, preparing to meet this unknown ultimate duel.
"This time, we cannot shrink back!" A firm light flashed in Riku's eyes, leading his companions to meet the dark abyss.
Kael'thas's figure gradually emerged from the dark vortex. The giant black sword exuded a heavy dark aura, like a Grim Reaper's blade suspended above everyone's heads. His indifferent gaze looked at Riku's group, carrying a touch of contempt and disdain in his eyes.
"Your struggles are destined to be futile." Kael'thas's voice seemed to come from the abyss, carrying endless oppressive might. "The rule of the Dark Continent can no longer be shaken. No matter how you resist, you will ultimately be swallowed."
"You're wrong!" Riku growled low, the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in hand, lightning shooting out. A firm flame burned in his eyes. "This continent shouldn't be swallowed by darkness. We will definitely shatter your conspiracy!"
Kael'thas smiled faintly. Swinging his black sword, he instantly cut the surrounding space into pieces. Black energy rushed toward Riku's group like a tidal wave, carrying world-destroying power.
"Careful!" Riku shouted loudly. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction within his body had already been charged to the limit, emitting dazzling lightning brilliance. He then swung his sword to meet Kael'thas's attack.
"Thunder God's Sanction!" A sword light tore through the air, electric light flashing, crashing heavily onto Kael'thas's black sword, letting out a deafening explosion sound.
However, Kael'thas was completely unmoved. His body remained standing tall. The black sword flashed with a bizarre light, easily dissolving the attack of Thunder God's Sanction. That overwhelming power made Riku's heart sink.
"You are nothing but ants." Kael'thas's voice rang out again. His black sword pointed at Riku like a Grim Reaper's scythe. "In this battle, there won't be a second chance."
With Kael'thas's words, the surrounding dark power grew denser, and the spatial distortion became more violent. Riku and the others felt as if they were almost completely surrounded.
"Gon, Killua, Biscuit, watch out, maintain coordination!" Riku growled low, quickly adjusting his tactics. "We must break Kael'thas's defense as soon as possible, otherwise we won't be able to get away!"
"Understood!" Gon nodded, his eyes full of determination. "Let's give it our all together!"
Killua's eyes were bright. The lightning power within his body was already poised to strike. "I'll draw his attention to create an opportunity for Riku!"
Biscuit also took a deep breath, clenching her fists. Nen began to operate at top speed within her body. "Ready, support at any time!"
"Begin!" Riku gave the order, and the battle instantly reached a white-hot stage.
Killua charged at Kael'thas like lightning, quickly activating "Thunder God's Wrath." That bolt of lightning slashed at Kael'thas's chest at almost maximum speed.
A trace of contempt flashed in Kael'thas's eyes. With a gentle wave of his black sword, he instantly dissolved the lightning. The reaction speed of his body far exceeded Killua's imagination.
"Too slow." Kael'thas's voice carried disdain. "You cannot possibly resist the devouring of darkness."
However, Killua's attack was only a cover. Following Kael'thas's reaction, Riku quickly activated the "Spatial Distortion" skill, instantly appearing on Kael'thas's flank. The Thunder God's Sword of Sanction, carrying monstrous lightning, slashed at Kael'thas's right shoulder.
"Thunder God: Sanction! Dark Destruction!" Riku roared. The lightning pierced the void, the blade flashing, slashing precisely at Kael'thas.
Kael'thas sneered, violently swinging his black sword. A black Nen fluctuation instantly formed, meeting Riku's Thunder God's Sword of Sanction. When the two collided, strong energy fluctuations erupted immediately. Space shook violently, and shattered energy scattered like stars.
Riku's heart chilled, feeling the power of Kael'thas's dark power. This strike did not hit Kael'thas's vitals; instead, it was easily dissolved by him.
"You're not fast enough." Kael'thas said indifferently, the black sword swinging again, this time carrying even more terrifying energy fluctuations, almost making the air stagnate.
"Gon! Killua! Biscuit!" Riku shouted loudly, quickly adjusting tactics and sending the signal for full team collaboration.
Killua quickly flew up, beginning to channel lightning, using electric currents to continuously flash around Kael'thas, attempting to disrupt his attack rhythm.
Biscuit, regardless of everything, sent out a strong counterattack Nen wave, colliding directly with Kael'thas's dark energy. This caused a powerful vibration, temporarily shaking Kael'thas's defense.