Chapter 20: ILLUSIONIST
The chamber trembled as Yomi’s feet met the cold, damp ground, his breath steady, yet his heart pulsing with the rhythm of battle. The immense leviathan, a manifestation of aquatic fury, loomed over the battlefield, its glowing golden eyes narrowing in predatory anticipation. Yomi could feel the compelling energy crawling under his skin, the remnants of Raiven’s desperate command compelling him to attack recklessly.
But then, his Ki surged—a resolute force that repelled the invasive presence. Yomi’s body straightened as the system’s detached voice echoed in his mind.
"[Host is not bound by the slave contract.]"
The words were delivered with mechanical detachment, but they carried profound weight. The system continued:
"[Host is advised to remove the slave collar to minimize energy wastage.]"
Yomi smirked grimly, his sharp canines glinting under the chamber’s dim light. ’I was going to do that anyway, you meddlesome thing.’
Reaching up, he gripped the metallic collar encircling his neck, his fingers curling tightly around it. A surge of his Ki coursed through his hands, and with a guttural roar, Yomi tore the artifact apart as if it were made of paper. Sparks of energy crackled violently, dissipating into the air.
The shattered remains of the collar clattered to the stone floor, sending shockwaves through the room—not just physically, but mentally. Raiven and Lirien stared, mouths agape.
"No being in Nythraxis..." Lirien whispered, her voice trembling. "Not even dragons... can defy an enslavement artifact."