Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 849: Ritual of Immortal Severence

The effectiveness of Ritual Arts was undeniably superior, often yielding results far exceeding those of Runic Arts, primarily due to their reliance on sacrifice. However, this very requirement led to the abandonment of Ritual Arts by many mages, as the sacrifices demanded were exceedingly steep. Some rituals necessitated the forfeiture of vital organs, while others required the lives of millions, a price most practitioners were unwilling to pay!

Millennia ago, a long-lost civilization conceived the [Ritual of Immortal Severence]. Their intention was to wield this ritual as their ultimate weapon against a malevolent deity that held their people in bondage. The ritual's construction was immensely intricate, yet its function was remarkably straightforward: upon activation, it would siphon away ninety percent of the magical power from any being ensnared within its arcane circle!

The power reduction would not affect individuals bearing a special rune. However, achieving this immunity demanded a sacrifice commensurate with the power of the target being trapped. For someone of Jason's caliber, nearly a million lives would have to be extinguished to fuel the ritual. Yet, if executed flawlessly, it offered mortals the possibility of confronting deities! And at this very moment, Jason was the deity slated for demise.

"Don't let up! Keep striking!"

One of the individuals launching attacks at Jason bellowed, urging his companions to maintain their barrage. The wind whipped around them, tugging at the cloak covering the man's face, revealing the visage of a Machina. This was Varon, one of the Machina who had been present in the Hall of Heroes during Jason's trial a month prior. Prior to that trial, Varon had been a voice of moderation among his people, striving to foster trust in the council, believing they would ensure justice for the Machina. However, that trial starkly illuminated his naivety. The council's clear bias towards Jason, coupled with their complete disregard for the lives Jason had taken, resulted in him being awarded a prestigious position within the Domain. This was an insult to every Machina, a bitter pill to swallow knowing the massacre of their people was met with reward instead of retribution. Varon refused to endure such an indignity.

Following the trial, Varon's heart grew dark, and he began to yearn for vengeance against Jason. Yet, Varon understood the insurmountable power disparity between himself and Jason. No single Machina could contend with Jason, and even a unified assault by all their forces would be insufficient against Jason's might. Then, an opportunity presented itself through a mysterious individual who vowed to aid them in their quest for revenge. This man introduced them to the ritual and urged them to employ the sacrifice of millions to bring it to fruition. It was a perilous gamble, with a significant chance of failure, but Varon embraced it, for this was his deepest desire. Varon craved retribution, and the mysterious benefactor had guaranteed it, compelling Varon to stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

"Varon, the ritual is complete! Jason's power has waned!"

Sexes, another Machina who had attended the trial, exclaimed from the side, simultaneously unleashing a potent beam from his raygun towards Jason's position. Varon narrowed his gaze and commanded,

"Maintain the assault! We must breach the shield!"

The Machina persisted in their barrage against Jason, sensing the gradual weakening of the magical shield under their relentless offensive. Within the confines of the shield, Jason frowned in irritation as he examined his system interface, noting the alarming changes.

——

Mana Points: 89,109/8,910,956

——

STATISTICS

Strength: TITAN Rank I [65.1%]

Stamina: TITAN Rank I [68.4%]

Agility: TITAN Rank I [67.1%]

Durability: TITAN Rank I [69.5%]

——

What in the blazes was this? Jason's power had plummeted dramatically, leaving him bewildered as to the cause. The system provided an explanation:

[The user's stats have been temporarily suppressed due to the effects of the [Ritual of Immortal Severance]. Consequently, the user is afflicted with a [Location Lock], preventing egress from this area. To counteract these effects, the user must either destroy the Ritual Element central to this ritual's creation or await the ritual's natural conclusion as its time limit expires.]

A scowl creased Jason's brow as he absorbed the information, and he immediately interrogated the system about the duration of this time limit! The system responded that it had no knowledge of the time limit, explaining that it hinged upon the quantity of souls offered for the ritual. Jason cursed, his gaze snapping upwards towards the attackers who continued their assault. One of Jason's hands remained elevated, bolstering the defensive runes that deflected the barrage, while he extended his senses to gauge the magical essence of the nearest assailant. It wasn't long before Jason discerned that they were all Machina! So, the Machina had arrived seeking retribution? Excellent. Jason had initially intended to spare the remaining Machina, allowing them to focus on propagating their kind, but since the Machina were so eager for oblivion, Jason would graciously oblige their desire!

’Babe, what’s happening? My power level just plummeted.’

Gina's voice resonated through their mental link, and Jason swiftly elucidated the unfolding situation. The Ritual Art had impacted every mage within its confines, drastically reducing Jason, Gina, and all of Jason’s subordinates to a mere ten percent of their usual might! Gina's expression contorted with fury upon hearing this, and her mana flared to life, poised for conflict. Jason rapidly dispatched a directive to his subordinates, instructing them to secure all members of the Fey family! Multiple Legion subordinates materialized from the shadows, seizing everyone except Gina and Jason, and they swiftly attempted to escort them away from the farm. However, a colossal magic circle suddenly illuminated the sky above, and a magical dome violently impacted the ground, sealing off any possibility of escape! The dome pulsed with an intense radiance, signifying the activation of a powerful artifact!

[Crown of the Everlasting Sun]!

Sunlight erupted around the farm, compelling the subordinates who had lurked in the shadows to retreat lest they be expelled from the darkness! This artifact, typically employed by armies on desolate battlefields to enhance troop visibility, was now being wielded by the Machina to counteract Jason's shadow-based abilities. Jason clicked his tongue in vexation and commanded his subordinates to escort the family back to the farm and secure them within the house! The Machina were clearly strategic in their actions, preventing the family's departure! Jason possessed numerous high-level Area of Effect skills that could obliterate everyone in the vicinity, but he refrained from unleashing such destructive power due to the risk of collateral damage to the family! Ensuring the family's safety was paramount, so Jason turned to Azrael, directing him to redirect his protective dome solely around the house.

’Gina and I will manage! Erect your most formidable defensive rune and remain with the others!’

All family members were ushered into the house, and Azrael swiftly deactivated the dome he had been maintaining before taking flight towards the structure! Azrael landed upon the roof, striking his staff upon it to activate a potent high-level defensive rune that enveloped the entire house!