[A/N]: I'm back, had a really tough day yesterday not going to lie. Didn't write anything today but thankfully I have a little backlog.

  “Are you sure this will work Jonathan?” Xuanyuan asked, slightly unsure of plan that Jon had proposed. Grendel and Lenatus gathering around Avahni protectively, using their enormous size in order to embrace the Tree Of Mutative Rebirth.

  The Spirit-Abundance Bamboo, Aquatic Ordinance Staghorn, and Carnivorous Water Thorn Lily placing themselves further outwards at different points within the towering tree barrier, awaiting the moment Jon’s plan would begin.

  Jon, alongside Xuanyuan allowed themselves to be enveloped within the self-regenerating spiritual shield effect of the Shade-Seeking Shield Moss. Despite Metzli initially opposing Jon’s plan, the verdant night moss accepted his request to detach herself from Avahni, moving her main body into the shadow of the Wind-Void Sword Scripture.

  Jon receiving a partial effect, one that could be activated so long as Metzli willed her effect into existence.

  He was still under the effects of [Mortality], preventing him from enhancing his strength beyond that of an uninitiated mortal. His resistances had fallen, becoming vulnerabilities, increasing the amount of damage he might receive from afflictions or Spell effects.

  [Mortal]: Reduces all physical enhancements to that of an uninitiated mortal. Transforms all resistances into vulnerabilities. [Mortal] lasts for a duration equal to double the amount of time [Light Bringer] was active.

  Upon the completion of [Light Bringer], reduce the effectiveness of all abilities with the Spell Trait by half.

  Nodding his head, Jon turned his eyes in the direction of the approaching indomitus shastasaurus. He could hear the sounds of claws scrapping against wood and bark, chunks of leaves and root sap clinging Ler Setanta, inflicting him with instances of [Towering Tree Poison] and [Imperial Root Sap].

  [Fragment Of Barrier]

  [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier].

  (Wood, Barrier, Spell, Shield, Buff)

  (Tower)

  Effect (Knight): The [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier] now produces additional tree-shaped barriers for the same mana expenditure. Barriers produced using this Spell will continue to grow further upwards on their own, expanding themselves as time passes.

  Those that attempt to physically breach the [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier] will now be inflicted with instances of [Towering Tree Poison] and [Root Sap Curse].

  [Towering Tree Poison]: Increases physical strength. Inflicts a continuous wood-natured damage over time effect. Wood natured spiritual energy corrodes flesh and muscles, transforming it into a hardened, bark-type substance. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  [Root Sap Curse]: Increases resistances towards poison-related and decay-related damages, afflictions and debuffs. Lowers mana regeneration. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

  Ler Setanta had long since reached the maximum number an individual could possess of [Towering Tree Poison] and [Root Sap Curse]. Wood natured spiritual energy clung to his aegean-scales, transforming it into a strange bark-like substance.

  His wrath was overwhelming, ignoring both pain and thought. Nothing but the concept of ‘hatred’ and ‘rage’ filling his mind, almost bursting at the seems with how much desire flowed out from him.

  “When Ler Setanta breaches the towering tree barrier, Xuanyuan and Annwn Boann will inflict as much damage as the two of them are capable of inflicting before he crashes into Avahni. Since Xuanyuan is protected by Metzli, he will be able to ignore any physical strikes made against up to a maximum threshold.”

  “Grendel and Lenatus will protect Avahni in the meantime. My Hades-Draconian Shadow and Carcosa-Form Horrors will counter the effects of his Ink Shadow Incarnation.”

  “If Itsumade joins him, I’ll switch with Grendel and protect Avahni. Cualli however, will accompany Lenatus and allow herself to latch her thorns onto the slithering-armour hydra. Although not quite as effective as working in tandem with Xochitl and Totlechatl, the ridiculous natural lifeforce that all hydra-species possess should be more than enough for her to feed on.”

  The Carnivorous Water Thorn Lily crawling up the length of the Slithering-Armour Orochi, pressing her blood-sucking thorns underneath the layered-scales of the three-headed hydra. Cualli had not yet activated her effects but readied herself hearing the sounds of the approaching Fragment Of Ichthyosaur.

  Jon glancing in the direction of Rhidian and Ortlinde.

  ‘The two of them know about the plan as well. Thankfully for me, Avahni is still capable of serving as a ‘network’ that all of her summoned companions are capable of communicating through…’

  His hand extending downwards into the pocket woven into his Metal-Threaded Pants. Yumka; Cradle Of Life sat silently within, awaiting the moment that Jon had prepared for it. Minerva-Infiltration Eyes observing the violent shaking of leaves and roots around him, the sounds of ravenous breathing and wrathful roars echoing throughout the Hive-Womb Capital.

  Jon steadied his breath, slowing down his heart rate and allowing his Fragments Of Mind to streamline his thinking process. Emotions, experiences, desires, memories, and information flowing into his Three Seas Of Knowledge, which then further trickled downwards into his stolen imaginary mental constructs.

  Ler Setanta piercing through the final barrier of woven wood, leaves and roots.

  Golden-coloured eyes peering through the crack in his towering tree barrier, snarling as it observed Jon and Avahni within. His form retreating back several metres, before charging through the half-destroyed construct, raining down shards of broken wood all over Xuanyuan and the others.

  The Incarnation Of The Hunt swimming through the air, accompanied by his Ink Shadow Incarnation. Fragment Of Draconian-Shadow and Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa rising in tandem to meet Gae Balor.

  Only for the indomitus shastasaurus to collapse onto the ground, fins and claws transformed into layers of hardened bark-like epidermis. Despite the Incarnated Shadow Hunt being born from an Incarnation Mana Core, there was only so much it could withstand before Setanta himself would be affected.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Despite his flesh and bones being corroded from the inside out, the Fragment Of Ichthyosaur still tried to snap its crocodilian-esque jaws in Jon’s direction.

  Half-digested larvae spilling out from its gaping mouth, alongside the bones of several Knight Ranked armoured-flesh beetles.

  ‘Armoured flesh-beetles?’

  Jon’s eyes widened.

  As the Lord of the Hive-Womb Capital awoke from their ashen-nightmare.

  Break.

  “Itsumade, this might be the craziest thing that I have ever done.”

  “Then don’t do it. The subconsciousness of a Lord, regardless of one that has had their mind and spirit stripped of their concepts, is one that I would not recommend any Knight to traverse, even if they specialize in such abilities.” The Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue responded, wincing in pain as Ortlinde struck one of his more grievous wounds.

  The Father Of Spirits And Souls and the Three Daughters Of Destruction put up a valiant effort. Despite both being in possession of Memento Source Items, their Mortal Ranked abilities were just too lacking in comparison to the mana reserves and ability strength of three Knight-Ranked existences.

  The number of enhancements that Rhidian had given Ortlinde had reached their maximum threshold. Even with Avahni buffing their abilities, the two of them were incapable of pushing beyond the limits of Mortality.

  Thrud and Bryn had died, assisting the two of them.

  Their concepts returning to the Reflection Of Destruction.

  Raflea alleviating some of the debuffs and afflictions that coursed through Itsumade, halting his impending death while regenerating some of his wounds. Although not perhaps as effective at healing as either Maliq or Sariel, Raflea was still one of the greatest Supporters within Springtown.

  Itsumade found her abilities satisfactory, even if her control was relatively unimpressive.

  “The High Priestess Of The Swarm would possess her Fragment Of Mindless-Hunger at this stage. Alongside her Fragment Of Womb-Progeny Creation and Fragment Of Flesh-Cocoon.”

  “Her ability to manipulate flesh might be unparalleled at Lordship. I mean this in a literal sense. Although Anessa Casia is capable of maintaining control over her flesh-constructs, she is able to see through the eyes of thousands of insects all at once.”

  “Your Throne Of Dark-Knowledge might not be enough to withstand the pressure of her Imaginary Hive Of Ravenous Hunger. Insect Mana Core and a Fragment Of Mind at Mortality. Fragment Of Hunger at Knighthood. And then a Fragment Of Swarm at Lordship. Forget the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation.”

  “This is quite literally the most dangerous lifeform within the entirety of the-.”

  “Do you think I’m fucking stupid or something, Itsumade?” Theodore shouted, almost snarling at the blood-night acerodon. The Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue growing silent as he felt Theodore’s anger flow into him from his Fragment Of Bat.

  “You think I don’t know this Itsumade!? You think I somehow failed to comprehend the danger that the Voracious Swarm Mother possesses? Do you think I’m fucking dumb or are you just so thick-headed that you cannot see what it is I am trying to do!?”

  “The System rewards those who push the boundaries of what their Rank and abilities are capable of! Can you not see that in attempting to do this, I am doing more than just trying to kill!? I have a half-dead Lord placed right in front of me, so I know that I have at least one System Acknowledged Feat sitting literally right there!”

  “Why in the world would I not try and make the most of what is right in front of me and claim another one while I am at it!?”

  Theodore glaring at the blood-night acerodon tyrant, face maniacal and Eris-Thieving Grin twisted into something foul and hateful.

  “Lying. Cheating. And deceiving. That is what I do best Itsumade. And if you think that I am incapable of controlling the Voracious Swarm Mother, then what good of a summoned companion are you?”

  The Murder Of Temperance And Humility huffing, before activating more than half-a-dozen abilities in unison. His Throne Of Dark-Knowledge as unmoveable as a mountain, and more illusory than the reflection of the moon. His Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure was capable of erasing memories related to himself in real-time, manifesting in the form of a book which contained all of these ‘erased’ memories.

  [Mine Is The Dark Erasure Of Knowledge].

  [Malignant Knowledge Art; Swallowed Memory Maw].

  [Lost Knowledge Art; Glitched Information Haze].

  [First Lie; Phantom Dream].

  [Fa?ade Of The Truth].

  [Thou Art The Monarch Of Faceless Lies].

  [Smile A Little Smile].

  [Spiritual Fire Art; Nightmare Cinder Curse].

  [Threading Life Art; Puppetry Prana Seal].

  And-.

  [Lacrimosa; Mindless Thread Control].

  Eris-Thieving Grin reaching towards the Voracious Swarm Mother, threading tendrils of lie natured spiritual energy around its Fragment Of Mindless-Hunger. Smile-mutation stealing away the triple-fragment pathway, mimicking the technique that Jon had used against him mere moments ago.

  Faceless-Spirit Of Hermes enveloping his Throne Of Dark-Knowledge as it attempted to connect with the Voracious Swarm Mother through the use of his nightmare-cinder curse.

  [Fa?ade Of The Truth] increasing the effectiveness of all his ‘lies.’

  Allowing Lacrimosa to encroach upon the semi-defenceless mind of the Sixth-Honoured Lord.

  The mind-crushing sound of tens of thousands chittering insects filled his ears, causing handles to unconsciously tremble.

  The putrid-taste of human meat and insect blood could be felt on his tongue, prompting Theodore to gag, unable to stomach the memories of the Voracious-Swarm Mother.

  The vile-scent of shifting flesh and roiling biomass filled his nostrils, threatening to collapse his Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure.

  Blood dripping down from his ears, nostrils and eyes, neurons and blood vessels bursting from the immense influx of information. Knowledge relating to the formation of specific fragment pathways filled his mind. Methods of controlling tens of thousands of insects buried themselves beneath his Throne Of Dark Knowledge.

  Emotions that once existed hundreds of billions of years ago washed over Theodore.

  An unfathomable hunger. And a desire to prove oneself by stepping through the gates of divinity-.

  Knight Title Fragment “Mental Dominus”: Increases effectiveness of all abilities with the Mind Trait.

  Knight Title Fragment “Lordslayer”: Infinitesimally increases all damage inflicted onto Lords.

  Lie Mana Core, Knowledge Mana Core, and Mind Mana Core all expending spiritual energy without concern for how little each had remaining. Fire Mana Core and Life Mana Core swiftly trailing behind them, surging with spiritual energy as Theodore overloaded each of his abilities.

  The human, which had only possessed knowledge about the existence of spiritual energy, concepts and fragments for a little under two years, pushed himself and his mind further and further beyond the limitations set by his effect descriptions.

  Blood streamed down his face as though someone had forgotten to turn off the handle of a tap. Theodore could never have imagined the experiencing the memories and emotions of the Voracious Swarm Mother in such a manner, giving him insight into the rest of the integrated universes.

  ‘The Twelve Grands that exist outside of the System… how could such a thing even be possible?’

  Eris-Thieving Grin expanding and pupils dilating as the final door between truth and enlightenment shattered under this startling realization.

  Knight Title Fragment “Ariya Sanctus”: Increases the likelihood of obtaining enlightenment.

  System Acknowledged Feats

  [2]: Usurped the Fragment Of Mindless-Hunger of a Sixth Honoured Lord as a Third-Veined Knight. Through the combination of a Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure, Fragment Of Devour, Fragment Of Phantasmal Knowledge, Fragment Of Illusion, Fragment Of Aura, Fragment Of Faceless-Lies, Fragment Of Mutation, Fragment Of Ashen-Nightmare, Fragment Of Lifeforce and Memento Source Item, Theodore Jeffry Manson dominated the Voracious-Swarm Mother and gained control over her mind, spirit and flesh.

  This feat has been recorded by the System and grants him a unique reward in lieu of this exceptional achievement.

  Knight Title Fragment “Knight-Lord Transcendence”: Increases the likelihood of obtaining Lord Title Fragments.

  Lord Title Fragment “Conceptual Theft”: Upon a successful theft, grants an infinitesimally minute chance of stealing some form of conceptual knowledge from the target.

  The enormous, ninety-metre-long figure of the Voracious Swarm Mother twitching, as her dozens of compound-eyes flickered open, tilting her head backwards and releasing an outrageously loud screech.

  Theodore tilting his head backwards in perfect unison, chuckling uncontrollably as blood continued to flow down his cheeks. Clothes and cheeks dyed crimson, the Murder Of Temperance And Humility roared, wiping his nose while gnashing his teeth.

  “See Itsumade! What did I fucking say!?”

  “This might be the craziest fucking thing I will ever do in my insignificant fucking life! Hahaha!”

  The sounds of his laughter echoing throughout the Hive-Womb Capital. Reaching Jon, Rhidian, Ortlinde, Xuanyuan and-.

  Green-coloured eyes flickering open, wisps of summon natured spiritual energy flashing behind them.