Chapter 169: Kael'thas's Defense
However, Kael'thas was not significantly affected. His figure seemed to grow even more massive, the dark energy becoming denser, and the red light flashing in his eyes growing more dangerous.
"Again?" Kael'thas sneered. "Your power is simply not enough."
Just then, the trait system within Riku's body issued an urgent warning:
[Warning: Kael'thas's dark energy is accelerating its suppression; it cannot be defeated through conventional combat methods.] [Suggestion: Initiate Ultimate Plunder.]
Riku's heart jolted, realizing this was their only chance. He gritted his teeth, deciding to take the most dangerous approach.
"Plunder—Dark Domain Mastery!" Riku shouted in a low voice. The energy within him operated frantically. Lightning and dark power intertwined all over his body in an instant, and the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction emitted a blinding light, forming an invisible energy vortex.
A trace of astonishment flashed through Kael'thas's eyes. He noticed the mutation in Riku's aura, but it was too late.
"I will completely plunder all of your dark power!" Riku erupted with his entire body's energy. The impact of the lightning and dark power formed an unstoppable energy storm, charging straight at Kael'thas.
Kael'thas's body trembled violently under the impact of that energy. The Dark Domain was torn apart, and energy surged frantically. Riku's plunder system rapidly absorbed Kael'thas's dark power. Kael'thas's black sword began to flicker, appearing somewhat unstable.
"You... impossible!" Kael'thas roared. The dark energy grew even more violent, yet it was powerless to resist Riku's plundering power.
Ultimately, Kael'thas's Dark Domain began to collapse. His body gradually disappeared into the vortex of dark energy, finally being completely devoured by Riku.
Panting, Riku retracted the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction. His gaze swept the surroundings. He felt an intense exhaustion, yet his heart was filled with satisfaction.
"Finally... it's completely over," Riku said in a low voice.
However, he knew that although they had won this battle, the shadow of the Dark Continent still existed, and the road ahead remained full of challenges.
"Let's go." Riku smiled faintly, turned, and left, ready to lead his partners to meet even greater challenges.
Carrying his nearly depleted stamina, Riku walked out of that gradually collapsing space. The heart of the Dark Continent had been completely destroyed, but he knew that a more profound impact hid behind this victory.
"Gon-kun, Killua, Biscuit, is everyone alright?" Riku looked back. His voice was somewhat low, yet full of determination.
"We're fine, Riku. How are you?" Gon-kun stepped forward, concern in his eyes, though his expression remained resolute.
"I'm alright, just... very tired." Riku smiled slightly. Though exhaustion lingered in his eyes, he was still full of strength. "But we made it out. The rule of the Dark Continent has ended, Kael'thas's dark power has been plundered, and the pulse of the entire continent has stopped with it."
"But this doesn't mean everything is over." Killua's voice suddenly broke this brief tranquility, his gaze like lightning. "Riku, did you feel that energy fluctuation? Even though Kael'thas is dead, the core energy of the Dark Continent hasn't completely disappeared."
Riku's heart sank slightly. He sensed that although Kael'thas's death caused the Dark Continent to lose most of its controlling power, the darkness deep within was still operating quietly, as if an unknown force was growing restless.
"You're right." Riku furrowed his brows tightly. "These dark energies haven't completely vanished; rather, they seem to be suppressed somewhere deep down, waiting to erupt anew."
"Have we failed?" Biscuit's voice was calm, yet filled with doubt. "Didn't we just destroy Kael'thas and his Dark Domain?"
"It's not a failure, just a temporary peace." Riku's gaze was profound. "The true core of the Dark Continent wasn't Kael'thas. He was merely the surface of this continent. The true dark power originates from much deeper, perhaps much older."
"Gon-kun, Killua, Biscuit, is everyone ready?" Riku suddenly turned around, looking at his partners behind him. "We must enter the deepest part of the Dark Continent, find that source, and completely eliminate it. Otherwise, this continent will never be able to escape the curse of darkness."
"We are ready!" Gon-kun answered without hesitation, a firm light shining in his eyes. "Since we have come this far, we must completely end all of this!"
"It is time, Riku." Killua clenched his fists, lightning flickering within him. "No matter what kind of dark power it is, we can handle it."
Biscuit nodded. "We will face it together and break the dark shackles of this continent."
"Good!" Riku looked forward resolutely. "Let us step into that unknown abyss together and end this endless darkness."
As his words fell, Riku led his partners toward the deepest part of the Dark Continent. The surrounding dark aura seemed to grow even denser, and a suppressive, heavy atmosphere filled the air. Every step felt like stepping into an endless abyss.
Suddenly, Riku stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on an ancient ruin ahead. That ruin was surrounded by dark power, exuding a strong aura, as if it were some sort of forbidden ground.
"We're here," Riku said in a low voice, a trace of vigilance flashing through his eyes. "This is the source of the darkness, the true core of the Dark Continent."
The gates of the ruin slowly opened, and a powerful dark force rushed out at them, as if trying to swallow them whole.
"Prepare to meet the ultimate challenge!" A hint of determination flashed in Riku's eyes. "This battle is destined to not be easy."
The moment they stepped into the ruins, the dark power began to fluctuate violently. The space ahead distorted, as if some massive existence was awakening.
"Who dares intrude upon my territory?" A low voice echoed from the depths of the darkness, carrying an indescribable oppressive might.
"We are here!" Riku responded loudly, his eyes full of battle intent. "You have no way out!"
Right at this moment, the power deep within the darkness rioted, and a terrifying figure slowly emerged. The powerful aura instantly swept across the entire space. It was a figure completely enveloped in dark energy, exuding a suffocating presence.
"Careful!" Biscuit warned in a low voice. She felt the formidable strength of that dark power, which almost threatened to crush their spirits.
"Is this the true ruler of the Dark Continent?" Killua clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with battle intent. "I've finally waited for this moment."
"You foolish creatures, actually daring to intrude into my domain." The black shadow's voice was full of apathy and threat. "Your existence is destined to be erased."
As his voice rang out, the dark power grew increasingly frantic. Cracks began to appear in the surrounding space, and black tentacles reached out from the fissures, carrying a destructive aura as they lunged toward Riku and the others.
"Gon-kun, Killua, Biscuit, coordinate with me!" At Riku's command, the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction flashed with dazzling light, instantly swinging toward the dark tentacles, slashing with the power of thunder.
"Lightning Blade!" Killua was the first to launch an attack. Lightning burst forth, instantly piercing through the dark tentacles.
Biscuit also quickly released a powerful Nen force, knocking back the dark tentacles and protecting Riku and Gon-kun.
But that dark existence seemed largely unaffected. The black energy converged once more, and a powerful aura swept over them like a storm.
"This battle has only just begun." Riku gripped his sword hilt tightly, his gaze as hard as steel. "Your darkness will ultimately be dispelled by the light!"
The figure deep within the darkness gradually revealed itself, slowly transitioning from a mass of nothingness into a tangible existence. It was a massive figure draped in a black cloak, its aura so powerful it could almost distort the air. Dark energy surged and flowed around him, and the surrounding space began to experience violent fluctuations, as if the lifeblood of the entire continent were controlled by this power.
"I've finally waited for you." The dark existence's low voice resounded throughout the entire ruin, as if coming from deep underground. Every word carried a suffocating threat. "Your arrival is destined to be nothing but seeking your own doom."
A trace of vigilance flashed in Riku's eyes, and the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in his hand once again ignited with dazzling lightning. He didn't speak, directly commanding Gon-kun, Killua, and Biscuit to prepare. Sensing the intensity of this threat, Riku knew this battle would be far more difficult than they had imagined.
"I have no time to play games with you." The black shadow sneered. With a violent wave of his hands, the surrounding darkness instantly grew heavier, and space seemed to be dragged into a bottomless abyss. Riku only felt the oppressive feeling of the entire space suddenly become much heavier.
With the release of the dark power, a giant black vortex appeared behind the black shadow, like the entrance to an endless abyss, frantically devouring the surrounding energy. And right in the center of this vortex, the black shadow's figure gradually became even more massive, as if transforming into the incarnation of darkness.
"Who exactly are you?" Riku asked without showing weakness, his gaze as sharp as a sword, carrying an unyielding momentum.
"I am the Dark Region Emperor, Arashi Seno." That dark existence smiled contemptuously, a profound black light flashing in his eyes. "Did you think you could defeat me? This Dark Continent was created by me, and it belongs to my domain. Any creature that dares to intrude will ultimately be devoured by me."
"Arashi Seno?" Riku frowned slightly. He had never heard this name before, but he knew the enemy before him was absolutely extraordinary. "The Dark Continent you speak of, could it be..."
"That's right," Arashi Seno's eyes were filled with endless darkness. "The Dark Continent is not a simple physical world; it is composed of countless dark fragments, and every fragment originates from my endless power. And everything you see is nothing but the surface of the darkness."
"Fragments of darkness?" Riku's heart stirred, quickly associating this with his battle against Kael'thas. "Are you saying that the existence of the entire Dark Continent is controlled by you?"
"Exactly." Arashi Seno's voice carried confidence and ruthlessness. "I hold the destiny of this continent in my hands. Every inch of darkness is a miracle crafted by me. From the very beginning, you were destined to be unable to escape."
"You are wrong." Riku's voice was as cold as iron. "No matter how you weave the darkness, I will tear it apart."
Before his voice faded, Riku's Thunder God's Sword of Sanction was already raised. The power of thunder erupted once again, transforming into a bolt of lightning that charged straight toward Arashi Seno's body.
"Foolish." Arashi Seno smiled contemptuously. With a single wave of his hand forward, he instantly dissolved Riku's attack using dark power. The lightning was swallowed by the black vortex and turned into nothingness.
"This is what you call power?" Riku sneered. "Then let me see who exactly is the true powerhouse."
At the same time, Killua, Biscuit, and Gon-kun did not show weakness either. The three of them unleashed their respective powerful attacks.
"Thunder God's Wrath!" Killua's hands transformed into blades of lightning, quickly rushing toward Arashi Seno, slashing down with astonishing thunderous power.
"Super Energy Wave!" Biscuit's eyes flashed with intense energy fluctuations. Her Nen gathered into a sharp energy wave, lunging at Arashi Seno's flank.
"Gon-kun!" Riku shouted. "Cover me!"
A trace of determination flashed in Gon-kun's eyes. He instantly mobilized his Nen, and the powerful light energy converged into a massive shockwave, instantly pressing toward Arashi Seno.
Arashi Seno sneered. Waving his hands again, a dark whirlwind swept up. The powerful dark energy instantly completely dissolved the attacks of Killua, Biscuit, and Gon-kun.
"Your attacks are not even worth mentioning." Arashi Seno said indifferently. Reaching out his hands, an even more powerful dark energy began to accumulate within him. The temperature in the air plummeted, and the surrounding space became extremely oppressive.
"This is the true power of darkness." He muttered in a low voice, instantly erupting with an incredibly powerful dark energy, pressing straight toward Riku and the other three.
"Everyone, watch out!" Riku swung his sword violently, quickly activating "Thunder God: Ultimate Sanction".
A giant bolt of lightning violently shot out, colliding with that dark energy. An earth-shattering roar erupted, the air instantly vibrated outward, and the surrounding space seemed to be smashed to pieces by the impact of this energy.
Riku's body was knocked flying, tumbling wretchedly to the ground. Killua, Gon-kun, and Biscuit were also affected, almost all of them knocked back by that dark energy.
"If this continues, we simply won't be able to defeat him." Panting, Killua looked at that increasingly powerful dark force, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes. "He's too strong. We simply can't stand against him."
"That's right," Biscuit also looked pale. "Even for Riku, it seems difficult to break through his dark defense."
"We cannot give up!" Enduring the churning pain within his body, Riku gritted his teeth. A flame of absolute unyieldingness flashed in his eyes. "If we fail, this world will forever fall into darkness."
However, just as Riku prepared to launch another attack, the trait system suddenly issued an emergency warning:
[Warning: The target, Dark Region Emperor Arashi Seno, possesses abnormally powerful control and defense; he cannot be defeated through conventional combat. Suggest initiating the plunder system to acquire the target's trait abilities.]
Riku's heart jolted, a trace of decisiveness flashing in his eyes. He quickly began to activate the plunder system.
"Plunder—Dark Domain Mastery! Activate with full force!" Riku ordered in a low voice. All energy and trait abilities instantly concentrated within his body, and the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction emitted a suffocating light.
He knew that in this battle, only by relying on the ability to plunder the Dark Domain could they truly tear apart the shackles of this darkness.
Riku felt the surging energy within his body. With the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction in hand, a firm light flashed in his eyes. The power of darkness was rapidly approaching, and he did not choose to retreat; he only chose to meet the attack. He knew clearly that the enemy before him—Dark Region Emperor Arashi Seno—was no longer an ordinary enemy. If they could not resolve him quickly, the dark power of the entire Dark Continent would rise again, potentially even triggering a more terrifying disaster.
"Plunder—Dark Domain Mastery!" Riku ordered in a low voice, his voice full of resolution.
As the command was given, the trait system within Riku's body immediately began to operate. With every passing second, the powerful strength of Dark Region Emperor Arashi Seno rapidly attracted Riku's plunder system, as if entering an endless vortex. And at this moment, Arashi Seno had already sensed some sort of change. He turned his head, a bizarre smile flashing in his eyes.
"You want to plunder my Dark Domain?" Arashi Seno sneered. "Foolish child, do you think you can challenge the darkness I control?"
Before his voice faded, Arashi Seno's dark energy swept out like a violent storm. Dense black fog instantly spread to the surroundings, forming a powerful energy barrier. Space began to twist, and Riku could only feel as if he were bound within this Dark Domain, making any exertion of strength incredibly difficult.
"This is the true power of the Dark Domain." Arashi Seno's voice was full of confidence, seemingly disregarding Riku completely. "You simply cannot escape my control."
Riku felt this dark power tightly besieging him, rendering him almost unable to move. But just at this moment, the plunder system within his body sent another urgent prompt.
[Hint: The target, Dark Region Emperor Arashi Seno's Dark Domain Mastery ability has been identified. Suggest immediate plunder.]
Riku took a deep breath, quickly making a decision. He abruptly gripped the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction tightly, and the power of thunder throughout his body began to converge. His entire body seemed to be enveloped by lightning, emitting dazzling light.
"You want to resist?" Arashi Seno's eyes were full of mockery. "You are nothing but my pawn!"
However, Riku did not retreat. He knew deeply that the enemy before him was too powerful. If they did not quickly acquire his Dark Domain ability, they simply could not win.
"Plunder—Dark Domain Mastery!" Riku growled low again. The trait system within his body fully opened, all energy concentrating within him.
At this moment, lightning and darkness intertwined, and the space around Riku became extremely unstable. The dark energy seemed to sense Riku's intent and began to resist frantically. The black vortex churned endlessly, as if wanting to swallow everything.
However, Riku's determination was firmer than ever. With astonishing speed, he unleashed "Thunder God: Ultimate Sanction." A beam of lightning energy blasted out, pointing straight at Arashi Seno's Dark Domain.
"Break!" Riku shouted in a low voice. The collision of the thunderous power and the dark energy triggered a violent explosion. Space ruptured in an instant, and lightning and dark energy intertwined in the air, whipping up a terrifying energy fluctuation.
"Damn it!" Arashi Seno's expression instantly became ferocious. His Dark Domain began to fluctuate violently, seemingly resisting Riku's attack with all its might.
However, Riku did not give him any chance to catch his breath at this moment. The power of the plunder system grew stronger and stronger, rapidly eroding Arashi Seno's Dark Domain.
"I will end all of this!" Riku finally erupted with all his energy. The power of thunder throughout his body reached its absolute peak at this moment. The lightning of the Thunder God's Sword of Sanction began to spread to Riku's entire body, and the surrounding dark space began to gradually dissipate under the illumination of the thunder.
Finally, with an earth-shattering roar, Riku's lightning and the dark energy completely intertwined. The powerful energy surged like a tidal wave, ultimately tearing apart Arashi Seno's Dark Domain in one fell swoop.
"This is... the true end of the darkness!" A light of determination flashed in Riku's eyes. His heart beat violently, feeling that the trait system within his body had completed its final plunder.
As a powerful force surged into his body, Riku's vision suddenly blurred for a moment, and immediately following, he rapidly gained control over an extremely powerful Dark Domain ability. At this time, Arashi Seno's body began to vibrate violently. The power of the Dark Domain seemed to be constrained by an invisible force, and he could no longer maintain his original formidable strength.
"You..." Arashi Seno's eyes widened, full of shock and anger. "Impossible... how could you steal my power!"
Riku slowly walked toward him, his eyes as cold as ice. "Because I have already acquired mastery over your Dark Domain. All the dark power has become a part of me."
"You... you can't possibly..." Arashi Seno's tone began to grow hurried. "You are merely a human! How can you control this power!"
"You have already lost." Riku did not waver, his voice carrying ruthless resolution. "Darkness is no longer your master."
Riku reached out his hand, slightly opening his palm. The power of the Dark Domain swirled in his hand like a black planet. Arashi Seno's body had already begun to tremble involuntarily, seemingly feeling the backlash of this dark power.
"You can't possibly..." Arashi Seno hissed in a low voice. The light in his eyes began to gradually dim, and his body began to lose control.
"You are no longer the master of darkness." As Riku's voice fell, he grabbed violently. Arashi Seno's body was suddenly swallowed by the dark energy, completely disappearing into the air.
Everything returned to peace.
Riku lowered his head, taking a deep breath, feeling the power within his body gradually stabilize. He had completely absorbed the mastery of the Dark Domain. Although this power was strong, it also made him feel an unprecedented heaviness.
"Gon-kun, Killua, Biscuit, is everyone alright?" Riku turned around, looking at his partners behind him, his eyes full of concern.
"We're fine, Riku." Gon-kun smiled and stepped forward, his eyes full of excitement and pride. "You did it!"
Killua also nodded. "This battle is finally over. Riku, you're truly amazing."
Biscuit smiled indifferently. "Just as I said, Riku will never let us down."
Riku felt his partners' care and smiled faintly. "It was everyone's support that allowed me to succeed."
However, he still felt uneasy in his heart, because he knew that even though Arashi Seno and the power of the Dark Domain had been completely shattered, an even greater threat still lay hidden in the unknown depths.