Chapter 136: Unaccounted Variable

’Moronic creatures from the highest order!’ The Overlord thought mockingly.

In its eyes the human cultivators were all the same. The instant its body fell and the spiritual energy residing in it came flooding out, the humans flocked to it like moths, greedily absorbing as much as they could in order to advance their realm.

The very idea to aid the soldiers that were still battling against the remaining aliens didn’t even enter their minds.

Such chances were so rare that they were willing to sacrifice their troops for it.

’Insects.’ The Overlord sneered. ’Cultivate all you want. In the end nothing will change. You will all perish.’

A single glimpse had been enough for the alien to learn the ins and outs of these Lords. Where they thrived, where they struggled. In addition to their state of mind, beliefs, and achievements.

It had read them like an open book. Nothing had escaped its gaze, and now, with such information in hand, it would be a breeze to exterminate them.

Even better, with these Lords stuck here, their cities were left unguarded and would be much easier to conquer. Provided the Overlord didn’t waste time and informed its allies quickly, the human settlements were finished.

’With this the planet is ours…’ Speeding off, the Overlord headed toward its secret escape route.

Of course, while it had won, in reality things should have never progressed up to this point.

Initially, the goal was to stealthily seize control over Triton. With the provisions cut off, the humans on Neptune would be bled dry from their resources until their inevitable demise.

But somehow the wretched humans got a whiff of their plan and prepared accordingly. How their ambush had been discovered is unknown to this day, as every maneuver had been executed masterfully.

Regardless, they had a backup plan ready. The Overlord had been grooming a specific General, slowly bringing it to its own power level.

The alien had yet to reach the true Overlord tier, but its soul attack had proved to be deadly to Grandmasters.

Certain that it was going to be enough, the Overlord ordered its one and only protégé to take control of the moon. The humans often were slow to send their mightiest forces when it counted, after all.

Yet despite the General’s obvious superiority, it failed to bring Triton to its knees. Even more bizarre, for reasons that still eluded the Overlord, its protégé had somehow died in battle!

According to its sources, the humans hadn’t been able to deploy more than a few Grandmasters at that time. Despite its clear advantage, the General had perished unexpectedly.

Not once, but two times in a row, something outside of their understanding had derailed their plans, tilting the side of war in humanity’s favor.

’Meaningless, they are just delaying the undeniable.’

Needless to say, the Overlord despised when its plans were disrupted, but it wouldn’t voice any complaints. After all, there were many Generals that displayed the potential to master the art of soul battle.

The real issue was that it had to defy its superior’s orders. Reveal itself and risk the entire operation.

With its presence known, there was no room for error.

’Everything is perfect. Nothing is left unaccounted for. Victory is certain.’

Reassuring itself, the soul of the Overlord traveled to its destination.

There was nothing to fear. Even in this state, it was just as deadly, if not more so, than before. The only downside to being purely in soul form was that, if engaged in a soul battle, it couldn’t escape until one of them was dead.

But there was no need for concern. Nothing possessed a mightier soul than it.

’…’

Yet something arose in its very core. At first it was faint like a single drop, but slowly a wave of unease washed over it.

’Everything is accounted for… right?’

Making sure things were in order, it went over the plan in its head.

One time, two times, several.

Flawless in theory and execution, the humans will probably never even learn what hit them.

’What is this?’

However, the tension in the Overlord intensified. Its instincts on high alert, something was amiss. Too foreign to understand, too chaotic to predict.

’Paranoia.’ The Overlord told itself before continuing.

In a timely manner it left the battlefield as well as the protective barrier of Celestia behind. The raging blizzard wasn’t able to affect it in the slightest thanks to its non-material form.

Soon the alien reached its destination.

But what greeted it was unexpected.

Corpses of several Elites lay lifelessly on the ground. Even more shocking, the motionless body of a General painted the snow with its blood.

’What the hell?’

Most bewildering of all, the reason for the slaughter was a simple man in the Middle Expert realm. Not a Lord that had managed to predict the Overlord’s plan, but a mere Expert that could be flattened by the alien’s finger if it still had its physical body.

Noticing a gaze settling on him, Michael revealed his eyes that were still burning crimson with the Warlock technique activated.

It had been a real struggle killing the aliens, especially the General. Nevertheless, he had managed.

’Predictable as always…’ He sneered internally. He wasn’t able to perceive the Overlord’s soul itself. But the subtle way the spiritual energy shifted spelled out its overall location.

The Overlord’s soul stirred in confusion. Could it be that the Expert was sensing it?

Nonchalantly Michael rose from his meditating position, taking Devil’s Tongue in his grasp.

The soul weapon had proved to be excellent as back support. All Michael had to do was drive it deep in the ground.

’Why are you acting differently? Did something happen?’ Devil’s Tongue asked, confused by his owner’s actions.

’Sorry, partner. This is a fight I have to face alone.’ Not elaborating further, Michael stored the weapon in his soul.

His gaze lingered on Celestia for a couple of seconds. Memories of the numerous tortured bodies surged in his mind, as did the fact that not even the children were spared.

Then his eyes adjusted to the Overlord’s soul, which was still observing cautiously.

Michael’s lips pursed, his voice was void of any emotion.

“Does your delusion run so deep that you honestly believe you will see the light of another day?”

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