books44 Chapter 264 Mausoleum
Chapter 264 Mausoleum
Russell's consciousness gradually awoke from the chaos, and a faint buzzing sound came to his ears, as if countless tiny gears were turning in his mind.
He opened his eyes and saw Astran sitting beside him, his silver-gray armor covered with cracks and charred marks, but his eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's.
“You’re finally awake.” Astran’s voice was low and hoarse, tinged with weariness. “We almost lost you.”
Russell tried to move his body and found that although his whole body ached, he wasn't as badly injured as he had imagined. The system's notification sound was still echoing in his mind, and the newly acquired power surged within him, as if it could burst forth at any moment.
"We...won?" Russell's voice was a little hoarse.
Astram nodded, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Thanks to your final blow. That demon... it said some strange things before it died."
Russell's heart skipped a beat: "What did you say?"
“‘The master will find you.’ Astran stared into Russell’s eyes. ‘It’s talking about you, Russell. That demon seems particularly interested in you.’”
Russell remained silent for a moment, the image of the demon's greedy eyes and the words, "You possess the power of an ancient saint," flashing through his mind. He knew that his secret could no longer be hidden.
"Asteran, I..."
The Grey Knight captain raised his hand to interrupt Russell: "Everyone has their secrets, Russell. As long as you fight under the Emperor's banner, I won't interfere. But..." His gaze sharpened, "If one day you betray humanity, I will personally end you."
Russell nodded, a complex emotion welling up inside him. He knew this was the greatest trust Astram could offer.
"What should we do next?" Russell asked, trying to change the subject.
Astram's lips curled into a rare smile: "Continue the investigation. That saint, the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, and the secrets surrounding you... it all points to a larger conspiracy."
"Just the two of us?" Russell asked, somewhat surprised.
Astram stood up, the silver-flame greatsword rekindling its light in his hand: "Aren't the two of us enough?"
Russell looked at the Grey Knights company commander's upright back and suddenly felt a surge of excitement. He gripped the Bloodthirsty entrenching tool tightly, golden psionic energy flowing along its blade.
“Let’s go then.” Russell stood up, feeling the newly acquired power surging within him. “Let’s give the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord a surprise.”
Astran glanced back at him, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Remember, Russell. In this game, we are all pawns. But sometimes, a pawn can change the entire game."
The two emerged from the secret chamber. Outside the shattered church, the first rays of dawn pierced through the dark clouds. Russell took a deep breath, feeling the newly acquired power flowing through his body. He knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, but he was no longer the passive Kashejin warrior.
“Psionic Storm…” Russell murmured, feeling the power of this new ability. He looked towards the distant horizon, where a towering mountain peak was faintly visible.
“There.” Astram followed his gaze. “According to ancient records, the tomb of Saint Sebastian Mor is on that hill.”
Russell nodded, golden psionic energy flashing in his eyes: "Then let's go and see what secrets this saint is hiding."
Their shadows stretched long in the morning light, striding towards an unknown destiny. In this battle against chaos, they were both hunter and prey. But no matter what, they would fight to the very end—for the Emperor, for humanity, and to uncover the truth hidden in the mists of history.
Since Russell awakened his "Divine Body," it seems all his previous upgrade skills have disappeared? In any case, the system hasn't given him any more notifications.
Recently, the system has been frequently prompting him with two things: the newly acquired skill "Psionic Storm" and the basic Transformation Power.
This time, using the Blood Drinker to kill the Tzeentch Demon allowed him to plunder a considerable amount of psionic power, but this psionic power could not be used directly yet; it needed to be refined and fused within his body.
…………
The interior of the tomb was far more vast than it appeared from the outside. A black pyramid stood majestically, like a colossal tower leading to hell. A sarcophagus lay silently atop the tower, exuding an unsettling aura. Low-ranking Tzeentch demons surged in from all directions, their forms contorted, psychic energy flickering around them, emitting piercing shrieks.
Russell and Astran fought side-by-side, climbing the pyramid's steps. Russell wielded his Bloodthirsty entrenching tool, gold and red light intertwining, each strike carrying devastating power. With a casual flick of his left hand, a golden psionic lightning bolt erupted from his palm, instantly piercing an onrushing Tzeentch demon. The demon's body turned to ash under the corrosive golden psionic energy, emitting a mournful howl.
“These demons seem particularly sensitive to your psionic energy,” Astram said calmly as he swung his silver-flame greatsword. His blade sliced through the air, cleaving a demon that was attempting a sneak attack in two.
Russell nodded, a cold glint in his eyes: "Golden psionic energy is incredibly effective against them, but there are just too many of them!"
The demons' onslaught grew increasingly fierce, surging from every corner of the pyramid in an attempt to prevent the two from approaching the sarcophagus. Russell's psionic storm raged around him, golden lightning flashing like a swarm of dancing snakes, crushing the approaching demons one by one. However, the demons seemed endless in number; with each wave repelled, more surged forth from the shadows.
"We must destroy the sarcophagus!" Astram roared, his silver-flame greatsword carving a dazzling trail of light in the darkness. "That's their source!"
Russell did not answer; his gaze was fixed on the stone coffin at the top of the tower. He could sense that the chaotic energy emanating from the coffin was constantly increasing, as if something terrifying was about to awaken.
The two struggled upwards, each step accompanied by fierce combat. Russell's psionic energy surged within him, golden lightning crackling around him as he repelled the onrushing demons. Astram's silver-flame greatsword, on the other hand, stood like an insurmountable barrier, slicing any demons that tried to approach to pieces.
Finally, they reached the top of the pyramid. The sarcophagus was within reach, and the chaotic energy almost materialized, forming a distorted barrier in the air.
"Now!" Astram shouted, and his silver-flame greatsword slashed fiercely at the stone coffin.
Russell didn't hesitate. He concentrated all his psionic power into the Blood Drinker's entrenching tool, its golden light shining like the sun. He swung the entrenching tool fiercely, striking the sarcophagus simultaneously with Astram's greatsword.
The sarcophagus shattered with a piercing sound under the two men's attacks, and chaotic energy surged out like a tide, shrouding the entire pyramid in darkness.