Mutagen

<strong>Day 240 - 10:45 AM - Mount Canlaon, Municipality of Codcod, Province of Negros Occidental</strong>

Under everyone's watch, Mark completely healed. They were all surprised, and the Godly figures present were no exception. This event was definitely outside the expectations of the three.

"Gege!"

Mei sure was happy to see Mark recover and jumped to embrace him. And seeing their mother, both Abbygale and Miracle also jumped in. Mark's state before was definitely worrying, and they were now relieved.

"If you can do that, you should have done it from the start," Spera snarkily remarked. "Don't make everyone worry."

"So, you're also worried?"

Mark teased.

"Wha- NO!"

Spera immediately denied it, but she was already caught.

"I tried it the moment I crashed, you know that?" Mark explained. "But it did not work properly. It only tried to heal my wounds without realigning my bones. Luckily, the pain made me snap out before anything could heal, or else I might have turned into a bone porcupine that can't move since my bones are all misplaced."

"Ugh..."

Everyone could not help but groan as Mark described what could have happened.

So, that was why Mark downed a [Regeneration Medicine] and let his body heal while manually realigning his bones. It was only when his body was in the right state that he fully healed himself.

What happened might have looked amazing, but it was not an omnipotent ability. In the first place, it was a healing ability that was supposed to be used on Elementals and Spirits, who had bodies made of energy. And not all of them had physical bodies with organs and bones.

"Anyway, you have to give another explanation," Mark said, turning to Magwayen. "But that's for later."

No one understood what Mark was talking about. They could only turn to Magwayen.

"Hah..." Magwayen sighed with a bitter expression. "I don't know what to expect anymore."

Those words definitely meant that there was something else that only Mark and Magwayen knew.

"Then..."

Mark stood up and began to form his blood into an armor covering his whole body. This [Bloodmetal Armor] was not new to everyone since Mark had worn the same armor every time his clothes got tattered. Amazingly, however, the armor complimented the new appearance of Mark's wings.

"You're really going to continue?" Fourth asked. "Some things might have changed on your body, but it will not guarantee you a win against that thing. That's a Middle Deity with the strength of a Lower God. He might not be able to utilize his full power yet, but it is not something that mortals could fight."

"I know," Mark replied. "But escaping is not an option for me."

"Gege." At this time, Mei interjected. "Let me help."

And surprisingly.

"Me too!"

Amihan shouted.

Mei was one thing, but it was rather uncharacteristic for Amihan. After all, this [Sylph] was someone easily scared.

Mark fell silent. He could have declined, but he could tell that they were determined. Furthermore, if he agreed, the others might come too.

But before Mark could decide, Magwayen spoke.

"Let those two come. The others might not be able to help much, but those two might give you a good surprise."

"What are you saying? Are you planning something again?"

Mark frowned. Magwayen was again with her cryptic playful words.

"Are you trying to meddle in the affairs of this world again?"

Nineteenth also spoke, questioning what Magwayen was trying to do.

However, Magwayen ignored the hostile question and only faced Mark.

"Whether I have plans or not, you will have no choice. Sinogo might be the weakest of my husband's three messengers, but he was still gifted with godly speed. You will need someone whose eyes could catch up with that speed."

Mark had no retort to that. Among everyone here, it was Mei who had the fastest eyes.

"Can you follow Sinogo's movements?"

Mark asked Mei.

"Not too clear, but I can at least see his blurred movements. I can probably see more if I do this."

Mei replied, and she underwent her own transformation.

Like Mark, she also shared a Demon's pure blood and had a [Pure Blood Transformation]. This was not the first time she had this transformation, and Mark was not surprised. Everyone else was surprised, though, as it was the first time they saw her transform.

With Mei finishing her transformation, she turned to the battlefield. There, Sinogo and Chimetrice were still exchanging attacks at fast speeds and were at a stalemate.

"I can see it."

Mei said before turning to Mark.

Then, Mark could only agree. Amihan's presence would also help Mei just in case something unexpected happened.

"Alright, you two will come with me," Mark told Mei and Amihan and turned to the others. "Jaeya, call Ilia. Everyone board the [Mini Cube]. Spera, be alert and prepare an escape route. I don't really want to retreat, but just in case."

No one questioned Mark, although they were dismayed by the fact that they could not join the battle due to their weakness. On the other hand, Nineteenth and Fourth were relieved that Mark still prepared an escape route.

"Aephelia, hold this," Mark tossed the artifact, the [Mark of Kings], to Aephelia. "I don't want any distractions."

Magwayen shrugged. For a Goddess to be called a distraction, this was the first. In any case, she could not do anything about it. Her current form in this world was just an avatar that could only move around the artifact.

Mark nodded to Mei, and the two soared to the sky. Amihan waved her hand while sitting on Mei's shoulder. The air resistance vanished, making their flight faster and smoother.

"Take this," Mark handed Mei his current stash of [Empty Mental Crystals]. "There's only fifteen, but don't hesitate to use it."

"Okay."

Mei nodded, not intending to waste any shot from her weapon.

***

Mark flew with Mei and Amihan over the battlefield.

There were more casualties from the magical army than before, although most of the deaths were just collateral damage from the clashes between Sinogo and Chimetrice.

Chimetrice could not care less about the deaths. After all, he had his hands full with just keeping up with Sinogo's speed. Fortunately, the two were tied in strength. Unluckily, however, they were also tied in terms of defense and speed.

That was why while the two fought continuously for more than fifteen minutes, there was still no clear winner.

Worse, Sinogo was getting more and more used to his current body and strength. His movements were getting smoother, while his speed was getting faster.

<strong>BAM!</strong>

Sinogo kicked the ground, causing the ground to collapse, hurling debris at the surrounding magical creatures. More of them died, but the magical army continued fighting. They had no choice. Even if a just a tiny bit, even if they lost their lives, they would continue to fight.

If they lost here, none of them would have a place to return, even if they managed to survive.

Mark nodded to Mei and Amihan, and he separated from the two. He would fight Sinogo head-on with Chimetrice while Mei and Amihan would provide support.

However, Mark's magical energy was running low. The [Miasmic Judgement] he used against Sinogo used up about three-fourths of his magical reserves. He then used more while healing his body.

Then, there was only one way left for Mark to fight Sinogo.

Mark extended his right hand sidewards. The [Psycrystal] on his wrist was stimulated and let out a bright glow. Five crystals were summoned, and each let out a different light from the others.

The [Wind Manipulation Crystal] glowed green. It was the crystal that came from Chimetrice.

The [Stormcaller Crystal] glowed blue. This crystal held the power of the King of Mermaids.

The [Photokinesis Crystal] glowed white. The crystal Mark used the most and the very first [Psychic Crystal] he got after the apocalypse started.

The [Flame Manipulation Crystal] glowed bright red. The crystal that Mark surprisingly obtained from the [Magma Infected]. The very same power and energy that Gar'Vlam held.

And the last one... It was a crystal with a murky brown glow. This crystal came from the Deity level Earth Demon that possessed Pefile's brother. Mark had yet to figure out the use of this crystal, but Mark had no choice. This would be the first time he would use this crystal and the time he would know of its ability.

With the five crystals circling around Mark's wrist, he soared towards Chimetrice and Sinogo.

And the moment that he reached a certain distance...

A figure emerged in front of Mark.

"As expected."

Mark murmured as the [Wind Manipulation Crystal] glowed. He was then flung to the side, and a giant hand passed through his previous position.

<strong>BAM!</strong>

Sinogo landed on the ground with a loud sound and crushing a lot of magical creatures beneath his feet. This guy just went and pulled another swat at Mark without warning.

The hatred and fear that Sinogo felt from Mark could not be disguised at all. He was fighting Chimetrice for more than fifteen minutes already, but the moment he saw Mark, he left his current opponent and proceeded to try to kill the latter.

However...

"Sad to say, but the same sneak attacks only work once!"

Mark yelled as the [Flame Manipulation Crystal] flew in front of his hand and released a bright glow.

<strong>BLOOOOM!!!</strong>

A cloud of flames shot towards Sinogo's back before he could even stabilize his fall. The cloud of flames exploded, blooming like a giant flower.

Many witnesses did not expect much about those flames. Among the magical creatures, many could attack with flames. And those flames did not damage Sinogo at all.

However, to everyone's surprise...

"RAAAAOOO!!!"

Sinogo roared in pain as his back was slightly burnt. Even his hair was hinged but, unfortunately, did not burn completely.

Nonetheless, for the first time since Sinogo regained his body, he received damage.

Unfortunately, the pain was temporary. Sinogo waved his right hand and turned his body, extinguishing the flames instantly. And as if copying Mark, small balls of light appeared in front of Sinogo's palm and shot toward Mark.

Mark immediately shot sidewards, using the [Wind Manipulation Crystal] to aid his flight and speed. Circling and maneuvering across the sky, Mark evaded the beams one by one. However, Sinogo continued to fire the beams of light one after another.

But then...

<strong>THAM!</strong>

Sinogo's body trembled as his right knee bent forward.

Below, Chimetrice appeared, unleashing a punch behind Sinogo's right knee. Sinogo was too focused on Mark that he had already forgotten Chimetrice.

Sinogo could only stop his attack on Mark because he almost fell sidewards. But as if his loss of balance was not enough...

<strong>BOOM!</strong>

A beam of light shot unto his left temple. The unexpected attack not only pushed Sinogo to fall to the ground but it left a deep burn on Sinogo's face.

"RAAAAA!!!"

Sinogo roared as he released several beams towards the direction the attack that hit his temple came from.

There... Mei and Amihan worked together, flying at fast speeds, leaving nothing but blurs.

<strong>BOOM!</strong>

Sinogo's face was smashed to the ground, causing an explosion of dust and stone around him.

Chimetrice left Sinogo's knee and unleased a kick unto the back of the giant's head.

"GGGRAAAAA!!!"

Sinogo did not lay down for long as he raised his head fast enough to throw Chimetrice way up in the sky.

Chimetrice immediately retaliated and flew down to smash Sinogo's head to the ground once more. However...

<strong>BOOM!</strong>

Chimetrice's attack hit the ground as Sinogo vanished quickly and appeared at another location.

"GRRRRRRR!!!"

Sinogo growled, glaring at Mark, Mei, and Chimetrice. All of a sudden, not only did the person he felt afraid of return alive, but another ant appeared. He could feel the throbbing pain in his temple. The attack that hit him sure was not simple, and it came from the new enemy.

However, Sinogo noticed something.

Compared to the first two enemies, he did not feel any fear toward the new enemy.

Sinogo panned his eyes, locking unto Mark once more.

Then...

<strong>BAM!</strong>

Sinogo kicked the ground and vanished. It made Mark brace himself for another attack.

However...

Sinogo appeared in front of Mei, ignoring Mark and Chimetrice, who he was supposed to be focusing on.

This time, they realized. It was not only his body. Sinogo's mind was also rapidly evolving and mutating. He was beginning to learn to trick his enemies, striking the weakest of them when they least expected it.