Chapter 33: The Poeting Spell

The other men who had initially accompanied Serafina in the car had arrived some time ago, but they maintained their distance, unable to interfere. Her subordinate, Fred McKale, a tall man dressed in a regular shirt and pants, understood this all too well. Any intervention would only hinder her efforts. Moreover, the overwhelming energy radiating from both combatants served as a stark reminder of his place in this hierarchy. They remained silent witnesses to the ongoing battle before them.

Liam activated his regeneration skill once more, feeling his wounds seal and his body return to its optimal state. The sluggishness that had plagued him moments before evaporated entirely. “Hmm…” he muttered, a sudden idea taking shape in his mind.

Serafina on the other hand, was already advancing toward him, her movements beginning out slowly. Between each stride, she chanted the familiar words: “As fast as a snail, strong as an ant.” Her pace quickened, then became a blur, until she materialized before him once again.

The scythe swept horizontally through the air, both hands gripping its handle as she aimed for his neck. This time, however, Liam was ready. He ducked sideways, evading the deadly arc, and simultaneously drove his fist into her torso. The impact sent her hurtling backward, with her body crashing into a shipping container with tremendous force. The metal crumpled inward, creating a body-shaped crater, as her form carved a perfect impression into its surface.

A smirk crossed Liam’s face. He might not have fully understood her ability, but the counter he’d devised had proven effective. Serafina extracted herself from the mangled container, wiping blood from her nose. Rage burned in her eyes as she stretched, her bones cracking audibly as they realigned. “How did you figure it out?” she demanded, her voice tight with slight frustration.

Liam’s confidence was evident as he replied, “I don’t know what the ability is, but I noticed that just before it takes effect, you say some words. So I subject my body to constant regeneration during that time.”

He paused, letting the implications sink in. “You see, my regenerative abilities aren’t just for wounds…” Indeed, his regeneration skill addressed more than physical injuries, it also countered status effects and similar afflictions. By maintaining constant regeneration, Liam could continuously reset his physical condition to its original, primed state, effectively neutralizing whatever supernatural influence she was attempting to impose.

Serafina’s expression shifted to one of grudging respect. “Crude, yet efficient. I didn’t expect someone to counter Poeting in such a manner…” The Poeting Spell, a technique Serafina had learned from a powerful witch years ago. The spell was deceptively simple: words chanted would mirror their effects upon the target. Of course, one’s magical power determined the extent of the spell’s influence, and it could only affect beings or objects that possessed mana.

“What’s your name?” she asked, her tone suddenly conversational.

“Liam,” he replied simply.

Serafina nodded slowly. “Liam, I will extend this offer only once. Join the Grizzlies, and everything, even Ray’s death, will be swept under the rug.”

Liam’s expression registered some sort of confusion. Wasn’t this woman trying to kill him just moments ago? But for Serafina, the proposal made perfect sense from a faction leader’s perspective. Someone with Liam’s skills wouldn’t merely replace Ray, he would be a superior upgrade in every way.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t,” Liam said, his face resolute.

“So be it,” Serafina replied, her voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried more menace than any shout. Her energy surged simultaneously, but this time it was different.

Perhaps it was his recently enhanced perception stats, or perhaps just his instincts, but warning bells began ringing in Liam’s mind. Her energy transformed, manifesting as a writhing shadow of darkish purple that seemed to possess its own malevolent consciousness. Glowing red eyes pierced through the dark form as it began to take shape behind her. The shadow towered over Serafina, appearing several times larger than her human frame. Gradually, the ethereal mass began its metamorphosis, revealing skeletal components piece by piece.

When the transformation completed, a translucent skeletal entity materialized—a being of bone and malice crowned with a floating golden diadem, floating behind her. The creature’s skeletal hands gripped Serafina’s Little Demon Scythe, while tattered, dark robes flowed around its frame, revealing the bone structure beneath in glimpses.

From his distant vantage point, Serafina’s subordinate shook his head grimly. “This battle is over,” he murmured, recognizing the signs of his leader’s most devastating technique.

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