How I Became the Strongest Sovereign

Chapter 66 - Forest King II

"Shackles Release!" I shouted, causing a surge of chaotic mana to engulf the atmosphere. My muscles pulsed and my veins glowed a hue of gold and a mix of red.

I could feel every muscle fibre in my body tighten. My hair slowly changed to a blood colour and an overwhelming strength enveloped my body.

The lightning around my body became concentrated with pure lightning mana, I pulled the vines off of my body and tore Malia free.

I hopped off the branch and landed on the forest floor. I stared at the Forest King in front of me.

A sharp pain on my forehead caused me to close my eyes, 2 horns propped up and the pain subsided. My transformation was finally over.

More vines started to appear out of the ground but I incinerated them using Flame magic.

[S rank - Forest King is intimidated]

"It can't be Luci-"

The human voice in my head was interrupted, as I conjured a 10 foot lightning bolt and threw it with force.

'Indra's Arrow!'

The lightning rod cackled, frying the air; it travelled at a mind splitting speed. I watched as the Forest King fell to its knees.

The lightning rod went straight through, leaving a large hole in its chest; it didn't stop there and continued to move past the trees causing havoc for another couple hundred metres.

[You have massacred Dozens of C rank beasts!]

[You have earned 40,000 EXP]

[Congratulations! You have levelled up!]

[You have received 10 stat points]

[Available Stat points: 30]

[Mana has been restored]

I didn't get a notification for killing the Forest King, instead I ended up killing other beasts behind it; I had to finish this before the forest king healed.

I rested Malia against a tree and held Voadhailis's Claw in my hand. I had to end this. The forest King got up and walked back holding the large hole in its chest, it pointed at me and dozens of beasts started running towards me, mindlessly.

I pointed the blade towards the sky, dark clouds started forming and rain started to fall. Soon thunder and lightning started striking the ground mercilessly and blood splattered everywhere; it looked like Zeus's wrath was being shunned on the Earth.

[You have massacred dozens of C rank beasts!]

I levitated up and swung my blade down, an ear splitting thunderclap shook the forest and millions of volts of electricity struck the Forest King.

[Congratulations! You have created a new skill!]

[What do you want to name it?]

'Zeus's Wrath'.

[You have used 4000 MP]

The other beasts stopped moving. Did something happen? I peered past the dozens of beasts blocking my view with my demon eye; the green body of the Forest King made up of plants was now charred black; it stopped moving and flopped on the ground dead like a shriveled autumn leaf.

[Congratulations! You have killed the S rank beast - Forest king (Clone)]

[You have earned 100,000 EXP]

[Congratulations! You have levelled up!]

[Available stat points: 40]

[MP has been restored]

CLONE?! My eyes widened. What was the meaning of this?! So where was the real one situated? Did it switch consciousness at the last second to its main body?

I dropped to one knee and gritted my teeth. My red hair started to go back to its dark hue and my horns were slowly receding. I was completely fatigued. My MP was back but that didn't mean anything if my body didn't let me use it. Where was help when I needed it?

The beasts roared as they were still under control of the Forest King's main body, hiding somewhere. The ground shook as the army of beasts were running towards me. I cursed my luck. I was going to die again. I really got played, huh?

I didn't even have energy to run, but if I gave up here, they'd kill Malia. I had to fight. Why weren't there any potions to restore energy? Wait, what would happen if I increase my Stamina points? Would I recover energy?

Gritting my teeth I stumbled up with my last ounces of energy, I sliced the ground 5 metres in front of me, a wall of fire appeared separating Malia and I from the beasts running havoc.

That would buy some time.

I opened up the system menu and placed 30 points into stamina and 10 into intelligence.

[Stamina has increased 156 -> 186]

[Intelligence has increased 50 -> 60]

I felt a little energy come back to me, at least enough to run, I picked Malia and started to move but I was stopped by a familiar voice. I sweared internally as I realised whose voice it was.

"I didn't think you were this powerful, Young man."

Another Forest King stood to my right; It had miniaturised from its usual 20 foot size to my height. The voice was definitely a human's, how was this person controlling a S rank beast?

"Who are you?" I asked, keeping on guard, Lightning cackled around me at my question.

"You don't need to know that; Although I'm surprised at how you're half demon."

I listened carefully to the human voice echoing in my head.

"Especially that demonic Aura that you emitted during that transformation, you even intimidated the Forest King. Let me ask you a question, young one."

I nodded.

"Are you a descendant of Lucifer? You're a one eyed demon after all."

I frowned at the question. Lucifer? I had never heard of that name. What did one-eyed demons resemble? I felt a deep unease at the man's question and the memory of receiving the gift from Kayden played through my head like a cassette tape.

"Looking at your reaction, it doesn't seem like you know what I'm talking about. Just a piece of advice though, if you ever visit the demon kingdom, hide that human eye of yours."

A cold shiver ran down my spine at the man's cold voice in my head. It felt like a brain freeze engulfing my skull in ice.

"There! It's there! Hurry!" A stern man's shout travelled throughout the forest along with trampling footsteps. They were humans, it looked to be a party of 6 mages; they were all B and low C rank. Did they come due to the commotion? More importantly, who sent these mages?

I flipped my gaze back to the S rank beast in front of me.

"It was nice meeting you descendant of Lucifer, I shall take my leave now. I really do like you. Let's meet again sometime."

"What's your name? At least tell me that." I pointed Voadhailis's Claw at the beast.

Suddenly, it disappeared out of my line of vision and reappeared in front of me again. It was so fast even I couldn't see what had happened. Was it due to my fatigue? My senses felt sluggish.

My blade was parried and a sharp punch connected with my sternum; my body refused to listen to me and I dropped to the ground in slow motion.

"I'm Astaroth."

The roar of beasts and distant shouts of the party of mages was the last thing I heard before my eyes closed…