Mutagen

<strong>Day 240 - 10:27 AM - Mount Canlaon, Municipality of Codcod, Province of Negros Occidental</strong>

In the sky, the [Mini Cube] floated up high. On the short platform outside the floating vessel's door, three women could be seen dangerously hunched over at the edge.

They were the sisters, Bella and Donna, together with Spera, who was keeping an eye on the events below.

The [Mini Cube] floated up high. However, they could still feel the pressure coming from the battle below. Spera could handle it, but it was worse for the sisters. It could not be helped. This was the first time that the sisters actually felt the pressure coming from a Godly being, after all.

Even so, Bella and Donna did their best to accomplish the task Mark gave to them. It was to use their [Mutator Abilities] to the gigantic golden crocodile below.

Since it was daytime, it was rather hard to spot the glittering white dust falling from their hands.

As sisters, the [Mutator Abilities] of Bella and Donna were a bit similar. The two could release a glittering powder-like substance from their bodies, especially from their hands. However, the effects of these powders were different.

Bella's ability was to release glittering powder that could cause paralysis. On the other hand, Donna's glittering powder could cause a painful numbing sensation. The powders created by the sisters were good on their own. However, when used together, it could make most enemies pass out.

Their abilities were displayed before in the old village in Mt. Madias when they dealt with their rude group member. Although at that time, it was kind of hard to determine.

It also had some limits. One was the enemy's size. A larger enemy would take longer to succumb to the effects of the power. It was also harder for enemies with strong skin or armor to become afflicted with the powder's effects. However, if the powder was ingested or sprinkled into wounds, it would show its effects faster.

These abilities kept them alive until now. While these powders could not kill directly, it allowed them to kill even the supposedly unkillable foes.

It was why Mark decided to recruit these sisters. Whether it was now or in the future, these glittering powders would be useful. Not to mention that they could produce these powder and store it and would still have effects for a week or so.

Now, the sisters were ordered by Mark to sprinkle these glittering powders on the golden crocodile. It was supposed to be risky since the powder could be blown away by the wind and affect more than what they intended.

And that was where Spera came into play.

If one was to look closely, there were several holes floating a distance above Sinogo. These were small portals that Spera opened, and the sisters were sprinkling the glittering powder through them. This way, only Sinogo would be affected by the powder.

Well, Mark and Chimetrice were also sprinkled with the powder as they fought Sinogo. However, Chimetrice had inherent immunity to poisonous substances. Mark was also barely affected due to the fact that he could control his blood which was supposed to spread the powder onto his whole body. The fact that Mark had [Miasma] in his body also helped negate the effects.

The [Mutator Ability] of the sisters might have been of great help if was used unto the [Infected] army. Unfortunately, their arrival was late. By the time they arrived, Sinogo had already caused that massive explosion which resulted in the two armies mixing into a chaotic battle.

Spera and the sisters did not really need to stay on the platform considering the danger. However, they wanted to watch the fight below. While they could not see everything clearly from their current height, they could at least see Sinogo.

It took a few minutes of amazement as to how Mark and Chimetrice could deal with such a gigantic and powerful foe. And when Sinogo fell to the ground and ended up having difficulty moving, the two sisters rejoiced, knowing that they managed to help.

But then...

"You two, enter quick!"

Spera told the sisters as she pulled the two. They quickly entered the floating vessel while Ilia piloted it away. Spera and Ilia already had a connection with Jaeya and likely received Mark's orders to retreat.

And as they left their initial position, the four women inside the floating vessel could only watch the battle between the army since they were facing the mountain as they retreated.

However...

The late morning sky suddenly darkened, making Spera rush to the door to see what was happening behind.

***

Sinogo was not incapacitated completely. However, he was already struggling to move due to the numbing and paralyzing power that seeped into his wounds.

It was the best opportunity for Mark to finish this fight.

Mark took out the [Butterfly of Knowledge] and the [Crystal Staff]. These two items were his loots during their visit to Mount Madia-as. And this would be the first time Mark would use the book-shaped butterfly, not to mention using the two together.

From the reaction that Magwayen and Silim showed before, using these two items together would surely yield catastrophic effects.

And a catastrophic attack was what was needed in order to kill [Infected] Sinogo, the soulless Deity who usurped a God's power.

Chimetrice already retreated. And although a bit delayed, the two [Diwatas] followed after.

With everything set up, Mark began to invoke his [Magical Energy].

But all of a sudden... Mark felt heavy. It was when he realized that his [Magical Energy] was draining rapidly. This was something Mark did not expect to happen.

And then, Mark's attention was pulled away from the heaviness of his body. He could not help but stare blankly in front of him. Through his eyes, words appeared out of thin air. It was words he was not supposed to understand. Yet, as his eyes passed by each word, its meaning was immediately conveyed into his mind.

Mark was in a deep trance. As if he was hypnotized, he began to read each word aloud.

"A flash of light of a destructive form. The representation of nature's anger."

Clouds began to form in the sky. All witnesses stared, shocked at the spectacle as the clouds swirled with Mark right below its center. The shock caused a few more deaths as the [Infected] could care less about the situation.

<strong>RUMBLE!</strong>

"A phenomenon that all feared... Followed by the echoing thunder at its wake..."

The sounds of thunder echoed from the clouds. Odd enough, not a single flash of lightning could be seen.

And then... the clouds swirled faster. As if it was water in a glass, being stirred by a spoon. The already dark clouds turned darker... and darker... and darker...

It became questionable whether the swirling image in the sky were still clouds. It was too dark and too murky.

<strong>BOOM!</strong>

All of a sudden, the frightening amount of energy exploded into the surroundings. Its pressure was too strong that many magical creatures on the battlefield were incapacitated. Many were in danger of dying due to this sudden unexpected event.

But... to everyone's surprise...

<strong>ROOOOAR!!!</strong>

Sinogo roared as he felt the extreme danger.

All of the [Infected] paused and look back. They all turned and started running towards Sinogo, leaving the surprised magical army.

The reason became clear soon. The [Infected] capable of flight all soared towards Mark. Those that could attack at range tried shooting Mark down. And those that could not fly or attack from afar began building a tower, trying to reach Mark from below.

Unfortunately for the [Infected]...

<strong>CRACKLE!!!</strong>

Mark's body became enveloped by electricity. It crackled as it shut down all the [Flying Infected] and the long-ranged attack that came his way.

Ignoring his surroundings, Mark pointed the [Crystal Staff] to Sinogo as it started glowing... No... It only glowed for a moment before the crystal turned pitch black.

"Now, light in its destructive form. Tainted by the force of corruption. The taint swallowing everything into its form."

The air began to tremble. The wind roared, sounding like the cries of agonized souls.

"Befall upon mine enemy... I call upon thee as I giveth thy name..."

The pressure in the surroundings reached its peak. Even the Chimetrice and the [Diwatas] felt the chills as they retreated further and further.

"[Miasmic Judgement]."

Mark, in a trance, gave the name and called his attack.

<strong>THOOOOM!!!</strong>

Everyone's eyes dilated as a pillar of black-colored lightning, several dozens of meters thick and wide, shot from the dark, swirling clouds unto Sinogo, paralyzed on the ground.

<strong>RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!</strong>

Sinogo's roar of pain and resistance ensued, mixing with the sound of thunder that almost made everyone deaf.

A strike of lightning only lasted an instant. But this pillar of black-colored lightning... It continued to rain down from the sky for more than five seconds.

Destruction ensued, the lands crumbled, and the static in the air made everyone's skin feel numb.

The pillar of lightning exploded here and there, summoning branches that shot everywhere.

Most of those branches hit the [Infected] army, obliterating each and every single one of them who received the black lightning's touch.

<strong>ROOAAARR...</strong>

Slowly, Sinogo's roar decreased. His voice became overwhelmed by the lightning's force until his struggle stopped. The gigantic golden crocodile tried his best to resist. However, the spikes that Mark shot from his [Shadow Pierce] before on Sinogo's head made it easier for the lightning to slowly fry his brain.

<strong>CRACKLE!</strong>

The pillar of lightning ended with a loud crackle and explosion.

At this time, Mark could be seen unsteadily lowering himself as if he was about to fall from mid-flight.

Chimetrice immediately flew towards Mark, grabbing him with his woody left arm.

"Are you alright?"

Chimetrice asked Mark, who was still conscious but clearly weakened.

"I'm okay. Just feeling too tired..."

Mark replied, raising his arms to see the toys in his hands.

"Damn... No wonder those two panicked..."

Mark remembered Magwayen and Silim. He now understood why they were in such a panic when Mark thought of using the two items together.

During the chant, Mark was conscious. However, his body was basically moving and talking on its own. It was as if something powerful took over him. It made him remember the small details he forgot about the story of the butterfly that turned into a book...

Those faith healers who caught the butterfly looked like they were possessed during their healing sessions. They massage their patients with healing oils while uttering unintelligible words that sounded like hymns and prayers.

It might be the same situation this time, causing Mark to enter a trance and temporarily lose control of his body.

Mark turned to the destruction he unintentionally created. The already destroyed area due to Sinogo's previous attack turned into a land filled with rubble, scorched ground, and molten rocks.

The bodies of the [Infected] littered bellow, with each and every one of them dead, with their brains fried by the lightning branches.

Most importantly, Sinogo. The gigantic golden crocodile was now scorched black. He lay there on the ground without moving, looking like a small burnt mountain.

It was clear that the body of the gigantic golden crocodile was now dead.

Mark sighed.

Finally... They could go home and rest.

But then...

"Are you sure that it's over?"

A woman's whisper entered the ears of Mark and Chimetrice from behind them. But before they could turn to see who spoke, a flash of light pulled their attention.

The flash of light was coming from...

Sinogo's dead body.

Mark's eyes dilated. Sinogo's body began to turn to dust. As if a gigantic sandcastle that lost its moisture and was falling apart, Sinogo's body, piece by piece, fell to the ground.

<strong>THOOM!!!</strong>

Everyone froze, and their bodies felt heavy. It was the familiar pressure they felt before.

And there, as the last parts of Sinogo's body fell to the ground and shatter into dust, a gigantic humanoid figure emerged from the ashes.