Chapter 130: Causality and Prophecy
The Frost Hammer was a temporary weapon crafted by Mia using magical energy. In terms of pure hardness and durability, it couldn’t compare to those intricately forged Viking swords, but it possessed special properties of its own.
The demon worshiper’s magic barrier had already failed. He had merely been using magical accessories to cast defensive spells. Wade had learned about the nature of such trinkets from Old York – they were only good for emergencies and couldn’t be used continuously.
From the start of the battle, that fellow had been trying to create distance, which clearly showed his lack of skill in close combat. Against such an opponent, the best strategy was to strike while the iron was hot.
Wade gave him no chance to retreat, raising the hammer to smash down on his body. When the ice hammer struck that ball-like form, there was no sound of hard impact. Instead, it felt like hitting a leather ball, with rebounding force transmitting through Wade’s palm.
Had this been an ordinary iron hammer, it likely would have sent that “fat ball” flying like a struck ball. That pus-covered body possessed incredible elasticity that could mitigate blunt force trauma. Even sharp blades would find it difficult to pierce that thick hide.
But what Wade wielded was an ice hammer. The moment it struck, Mia – hiding within Wade’s ribcage – released her magic power.
Sssstttt-
Sharp ice spikes sprouted from the point of impact. Under the combined effects of combat technique and frost magic, the spikes pierced through the rough black hide and penetrated the demon worshiper’s body. Inside where no one could see, those ice spikes spread like growing vines before suddenly expanding!
An intricate ice flower bloomed within that fat ball’s body. Pierced through like a sieve, wheezing sounds escaped through the numerous holes. The inflated ball collapsed inward, that greasy face drying up as if drained of moisture.
Wade gave him no chance to move or speak. Pulling back forcefully, he broke the connection between hammer and ice flower before smashing down again on that bloated face. The face caved inward, teeth and ice fragments scattering together.
Demonic abilities came in countless strange varieties. Against an enemy of unknown capabilities, Wade would never allow breathing room. His hammer blows fell like a storm – each strike birthing another ice blossom.
The shadow demons nearby frantically lunged at him, but he ignored them completely. Even when they clamped onto his leg bones and arm bones, he simply spun while swinging his hammer, carrying the pests along. When cracks appeared in his bones from their grip, he actively dislocated his own joints.
Like a hermit crab shedding its shell, he abandoned his joints. A kick sent his right calf – along with the shadow demons biting it – flying toward the golem. Without hesitation, he let the construct crush both his limb and the demons together. As his right leg shattered, ice formed at his joints – Mia’s frost magic providing makeshift ice legs for support.
If she could craft those tiny skeleton soldiers with such precision, reconstructing a larger leg bone was child’s play. But Wade sensed Mia’s emotions becoming unstable. Those insects had wounded him, just like that day in the reservoir when they encountered the Flame Imp. She was showing signs of losing control.
Now Wade finally understood – Spirits of Valor were undead like him. Beyond using magic to control ice, Mia could burn her own soul like Wade to unleash greater power. Her magic erupted, the frost on snowy ground freezing the demonic insects lunging at Wade into ice blocks.
They were frozen but not dead, still squirming within the ice. Cracks appeared on the surface – this ice couldn’t contain them for long. But it bought Wade precious time.
He continued hammering the demon worshiper until that fat ball was reduced to dough-like paste before finally stopping. The blob had become black slurry, but Wade wasn’t done. He summoned fire next.
Starfire drew flames kindled by the demi-humans on the snowy slope, sending them to engulf the meat paste until nothing but charred remains were left. All this happened within mere seconds. Even the dragonkin and catfolk on the slope felt chills witnessing the skeleton’s brutal methods.
Jessia thought to herself – truly a lich’s skeleton, ruthlessly cruel indeed. Igna felt this was exactly how Spirits of Valor should deal with demon worshippers – decisively, without mercy.
“Admit defeat, Oleg. Meeting the great lich Anselmo Greywu was just your bad luck,” Jessia murmured, eyeing the meat paste with lingering fear. She imagined her fate wouldn’t have been much better had she not yielded earlier.
As the paste burned, the shadow demons stopped attacking, diving into shadows instead. Those breaking free from the ice also scattered without further hostility. Wade noticed a shadowy mass escaping from the burning remains into darkness. He tried smashing it with his hammer, but the shadow couldn’t be touched – like a true shadow without substance.
A shadow demon emerged to meet this shadow. “Anselmo Greywu! You’ll regret obstructing Lord Gimnori’s prophecy!” The curse came in the demons’ characteristic shrieking tones. Despite being reduced to that state, the demon worshiper still lived.
Wade raised his hammer again, taking aim as if to throw. But before he could launch it, the insect vanished into darkness. Jessia finally felt relief as her danger premonition faded – the insects seemed to have truly left the mountain.
Still cautious, she turned to the dragonkin. “My lord, have the shadow demons really fled?” The dragonkin nodded. “That worshiper’s physical form was destroyed. Had he not fled, true death would have found him here.”
Jessia exhaled, patting her chest. “I heard him call your name. You know him?” the dragonkin asked. “That was Oleg,” Jessia replied. “I only learned today he was connected to demons.”
“Tell me everything about him,” the dragonkin commanded. Jessia nodded, briefly recounting what she knew. After listening, the dragonkin turned toward the skeleton stowing its ice hammer and the massive golem.
“This indeed aligns with Gimnori’s prophecy.” “My lord, what is Gimnori’s prophecy?” “What you witnessed today is Gimnori’s prophecy. That ancient demon can foresee unborn causality and twist fate to his advantage through prophecy. His followers commit acts that defy common understanding – not all are massacres like today. Sometimes they rescue people, distribute food, even capture criminals.”
“But why would they do such things?” “Sometimes trivial acts influence distant futures. Like scattering apple seeds in barren desert – meaningless until rains come days later. Decades after, when desert becomes oasis, you reap apple orchards.” Jessia half-understood, more concerned about future attacks. “Will Oleg come after us again?”
“From what I know, unlikely. Gimnori’s followers don’t repeat actions – it disrupts future outcomes.” “So we’re safe?” “For now. But stay vigilant. Gather everything portable – we can’t remain in this cave.” “Yes, my lord.” Jessia glanced at the massive golem before organizing catfolk and ratfolk to evacuate the mountain.