Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1648 - 569: The Truth of the World (Part 3)

"The golden skill points have once again accumulated to 975 points, nearly reaching a thousand."

"During this period, I should concentrate on rapidly advancing my professions. Should intense battles erupt, the remaining attribute points will prove far more advantageous."

And so.

For several days, Rein dedicated his primary energy to Elf Leatherworking (Transcendent), advancing it to level 8. This yielded an additional 5 attribute points and 5 skill points. However, the Evil Gods remained quiescent.

The adversaries appeared akin to a venomous snake concealed within dense bushes, stealthily biding their time for an opportune moment.

"If this waiting game persists, I won't have an opportunity to significantly bolster my strength before the Fiend Demon breaks free."

"I must devise a strategy," Rein contemplated, his brow furrowed slightly.

He was not without recourse; for instance, employing the Power of Time, a subordinate ability of the Key, to restrict the Fiend Demon would grant him more time to react.

The crux of the matter was that the Power of Time resided far beyond his current capabilities. Even with the Key's backing, its utilization would necessitate the expenditure of life force, in other words, lifespan.

Given the choice, Rein harbored no desire to resort to such a measure.

It could only serve as a contingency, a tactical fallback.

...

That afternoon, Rein arrived at the Floating City, which was currently undergoing restoration, and addressed Haleem:

"Haleem, I intend to publicly and comprehensively promote the significance and combat prowess of the Floating City, particularly its impending restoration... The objective is..."

"Forgive my intrusion, but should an Evil God manifest with a Demigod-level avatar, what measures will be in place on your end..." Haleem inquired, his voice laced with concern after a period of contemplation.

"I have made arrangements; rest assured."

"Very well, then I am in agreement, Lord Steel Throne," Haleem responded with a smile, offering a respectful bow.

A few more days elapsed.

Within a secluded realm, several resonant voices engaged in discourse:

"It is quite unexpected that their restoration progress is so swift. Once the Floating City of the Ancients Goblins is fully reinstated, even if we were to descend with Demigod-level avatars, it would prove futile."

"Even our true forms would not possess absolute certainty."

"Erebus, the previous encounter saw only your clone escape, allowing you to recover most rapidly among us; you should be capable of descending with a Demigod-level avatar by now, correct?"

"Erebus, I believe you would scarcely wish to witness humanity possessing the capability to directly confront us, would you?"

"Hela, I comprehend. We must impede their progress, but... that human, Rein, will undoubtedly prevent me from destroying the Floating City with ease."

"Even my nascent Demigod avatar might find itself outmatched by him."

"Do not worry, Erebus, we shall synchronize our efforts with yours from this end."

"We will simultaneously deploy avatars across various regions. This human Rein, despite possessing Subspace Teleportation, considering the temporal displacement, will require at least several minutes to contend with our Epic Peak avatars."

"Within that timeframe, it should suffice for you to utterly devastate the Floating City and eradicate all those involved in its restoration."

"... Very well! Shall we set the time for three days hence?"

...

Three days later, in the morning.

Rein was situated in the study of the Rose Manor, diligently progressing with Elf Leatherworking (Transcendent) and Witch Pattern Tailor (Transcendent), the two sub-professions most readily advanced. Suddenly, the Communication Mark emblazoned on his chest began flashing incessantly.

"Lord Steel Throne, an Epic Peak avatar of the Evil God Grek has manifested in the County Town of Marn Province. We are incapable of repelling them!"

"Lord Steel Throne, an Epic Peak avatar of the God of Hunting Luen has appeared in Casweis Province. We cannot withstand their onslaught and are commencing a strategic retreat."

"..."

"Hmm? A coordinated descent, seemingly pre-arranged?"

"Regrettably, you neglected certain crucial details."

A smile graced Rein's lips as he activated the Communication Mark belonging to Goddess Matilda...

Mere seconds later, he dematerialized from his current location.

Hovering above a County Town within Marn Province, a colossal Evil God Grek, towering at one hundred meters, was fiercely pursuing Sword Saint Lambert and three Imperial Guardians. One party retreated, while the other gave chase.

Abruptly, Grek's pursuit faltered as he rotated with astonishing speed. His gaze fixed on a silhouette that materialized from the ether not far away in the sky.

The newcomer was none other than Rein.

Upon perceiving Rein, Grek remained silent, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. He rapidly turned, attempting to disengage and flee.

It was evident that his objective was to draw Rein into a pursuit, thereby consuming a significant amount of precious time.

Rein responded with a smile of his own and directed the subordinate Key towards Grek. As a transparent mote of dust detached and vanished, Grek's fleeing form abruptly became immobilized.

What astonished Sword Saint Lambert and the others even further was the sight of Grek's immense physique being propelled backward through the air at great speed.

This extraordinary spectacle left the Imperial Guardians utterly dumbfounded.

"This... This..." Grek struggled, roaring in frustration, but to no avail!

"Screech!"

As Rein's high-frequency bladed chainsaw descended, Grek's entire being froze, his expression a mixture of rage and a tinge of terror!

Merely two seconds elapsed!

A hexagonal Divine Fragment, bearing the roaring visage of Grek, landed in Rein's grasp.

Rein offered a slight nod to Sword Saint Lambert before dematerializing from existence.

"Hiss~ That's overwhelmingly potent!"

"An avatar from the Epic Peak couldn't hold on for even two seconds?"

"Lord Steel Throne Rein's might has ascended to a realm we can scarcely conceive," remarked Sword Saint Lambert, an air of awe in his voice as he shook his head.

Though he was the most familiar with Rein among the trio, reflecting on their past encounters within the Dragon Valley Secret Realm felt like a distant memory by comparison.

Even with his own significant advancements, achieving the esteemed rank of Sword Saint was an immense triumph and a profound honor, yet when juxtaposed with Rein, the disparity was staggering!

...

Rein materialized once more within the confines of Casweis Province.

An old acquaintance, the God of Hunting Luen, was engaged in a fierce confrontation with Reginald and three Imperial Guardians. However, the tide of battle was decidedly one-sided, with Luen relentlessly pursuing the retreating Reginald and his companions.

Upon Rein's sudden appearance, the God of Hunting Luen offered a slight smile of recognition before swiftly disengaging and departing.

"Haha, indeed, the plan was flawless, precisely as experienced before, employing identical methods," Rein declared, raising the subordinate Key of Time once more.

The scene of Grek's downfall was replicated!

"You... You..."

The God of Hunting Luen, hurtling back in utter disbelief, caught sight of Rein's subordinate Key and gasped, "Goddess Matilda's artifact, how did it fall into your possession?"

Rein offered no verbal reply to Luen's incredulous query, choosing instead to act. His high-frequency blade flashed, severing Luen's colossal form from head to tail with a swift, silver incision, freezing the look of astonishment on his face.

Giving a nod to Reginald, Rein promptly vanished from the immediate vicinity, embarking on his journey to the next designated site.

"That is far too formidable!"

"Truly beyond comprehension."

Witnessing Rein's intervention for the very first time as a Full Moon Wizard, the three Imperial Guardians found themselves utterly dumbfounded by the display of power.

Reginald, too, was overcome with a profound sense of emotion.

As Rein proceeded to his subsequent destination, high above the Floating City, a colossal figure, several hundred meters in stature, made its imposing appearance.

....