Chapter 673
Today, I will surely slay the god!
Faced with the dark spear that tore through space and pierced right in front of him, Cohen did not dodge or evade.
With his right fist clenched tightly, the fist, flowing with the light of a giant dragon's phantom, carried a terrifying force that was stacked up, and he slammed it forward without any fancy moves.
He was going to confront this divine strike head-on with absolute power!
Where the fist struck, the dark golden light collided instantly with that point of ultimate darkness.
There was no earth-shattering roar, only a muffled boom that suddenly exploded.
The dark spear, imbued with the dark divine power of Erebus and capable of easily injuring or even instantly killing an ordinary peak legendary figure, exploded with a deafening roar.
Countless fragments of darkness scattered in all directions, and after detaching from the core, they quickly dissolved into the surging golden force field around Cohen and the aftershocks of the triple domain.
However, Cohen's physical confrontation with the spear came at a price.
Cohen's right fist, along with his entire right arm, peeled away like fragile porcelain the moment the spear shattered.
Numerous tiny cracks appeared on the skin, muscles, and even bones.
At the same time, countless dark divine powers began to surge out from these cracks, and his entire right arm instantly turned charred black, looking horribly disfigured, as if it would completely shatter at any moment.
But soon, the ancient runes belonging to the "Goliath" that were moving around on Cohen's body suddenly burst out with a brighter and hotter light.
Each node of the rune began to surge forth with streams of restorative energy brimming with primal vitality.
With a hissing sound, the invading dark divine power was forcibly dispelled by this tyrannical restorative force.
Beneath the charred skin, even stronger muscle fibers are growing at a visible rate.
The cracks in the bones healed in the golden light, and in just two or three breaths, the arm that looked almost ruined was restored to its original state under the illumination of the dark golden runes.
Even the sheen on the skin's surface seemed more solid and understated than before.
Cohen shook his fully recovered right arm, raised his dark golden eyes, and locked onto Erebus's figure deep in the dark realm, through the dissipating aftershocks of the dark divine power and the flying dust.
Erebus's pupils contracted sharply after witnessing Cohen's right arm rapidly heal in the dark gold rune light.
Domain Technique: Dark Spear.
Even though he was limited by the magical vessel of his "past self" and could not be infused with true divine power, that strike contained his profound understanding of the rules of the origin of darkness and was a manifestation of divine will.
Its power is enough to easily annihilate the domains and bodies of most legendary powerhouses, conceptually "blackening" their existence and confining them to eternal silence.
Logically speaking, even those top legends who have touched the threshold of sainthood would at least suffer serious injuries or even damage to their very essence under such a blow.
But this Cohen in front of me... only suffered an injury to one arm, and in just a few breaths, he completely recovered thanks to that strange runic power.
The nonchalant air of a god looking down on mortals that Erebus had seen had completely vanished. A god is a god, even if he has been reincarnated as a mortal and lost all his divinity and power!
"That's more interesting, Shadow... As expected of you!"
A deep, hoarse voice came from the depths of darkness, its tone unreadable, yet it seemed to lower the surrounding temperature by several degrees.
Before he could finish speaking, the all-consuming pure darkness behind Erebus, like a living tide, suddenly converged on him.
It was no longer a matter of territorial expansion and suppression, but rather a highly condensed, viscous darkness that quickly enveloped his entire body, covering his pale skin and flowing across his skin.
In an instant, a full suit of armor with smooth, grotesque lines, as if forged from the deepest night, covered every inch of Erebus's "past self" skin.
Sharp, dark spikes extended from the joints of the armor, and the elbows and knees were heavily protected. The helmet covered his entire head, leaving only a narrow slit burning with cold purple flames.
The black dragon bone staff in his hand was also enveloped by the flowing darkness, transforming into a dark greatsword shrouded in an ominous aura.
He transformed from a legendary mage exuding an aura of gloom into a fully armed dark knight.
Erebus finally abandoned his divine "reserve" and decided to crush the annoying insect in front of him using the melee combat style that this "past incarnation" was best at.
The next breath, the God of Darkness had already torn through the less than 100-meter distance between the two like a ghost, appearing in front of Cohen.
At the same time, wielding the dark greatsword, he brought it down on Cohen's head:
"Shadow, do you still think you're the high and mighty god you once were?"
I'll tell you today: mortals are, after all, just mortals!
Faced with this close-quarters attack that had suddenly escalated in momentum, speed, and power, Cohen's eyes burned with fighting spirit. Instead of dodging or evading, he took a step forward:
"Eternal Night, today, I will slay the god!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the dark golden "Goliath" runes on his body shone brightly, but this time, it wasn't just the increase in his basic attributes that changed.
call!
Golden-red flames erupted from every pore of Cohen's body, yet were strangely confined to a small area on his skin, burning fiercely!
Strengthening runes only adds fuel to the fire!
The flames not only brought terrifying high temperatures and burning properties, but also injected an explosive driving force into every muscle contraction and every burst of power.
At the same time, in addition to the bulging feeling brought by the "Goliath Giant" shape, the muscle lines of his whole body present a smooth and explosive coordination.
The power is growing, but this growing power seems to have acquired its own "spirit," operating smoothly and without any hindrance.
Strengthen the runes "Power" and "Agility"!
Strength and agility, two attributes that are sometimes difficult to achieve simultaneously, have reached a perfect balance and complement each other at this moment.
His fists were clenched, and a layer of crystal-clear energy, yet exuding an astonishing sharpness and solidity, covered the surface of his hands—the enhanced rune "Pearl Gauntlets"!
This gauntlet is not just a simple defense; it can transmit the terrifying power from Cohen's fist in the most concentrated and sharpest way, making it indestructible.
Finally, just as Erebus's dark greatsword was about to strike his head, Cohen moved.
His movements—movement, dodge, block, counterattack—were all incredibly simple, yet precise, fluid, and efficient to the point of being terrifying. There wasn't a single wasted ounce of power, not a trace of haste or strain. It was as if every part of his body was following some kind of optimal combat rhythm.
Enhance the rune "Blade Waltz"!
clang--!!!
The fist, burning with golden-red flames and covered with a pearly luster, collided fiercely with the all-consuming dark greatsword.
The golden-red flames clashed violently with the pure dark energy, unleashing a blinding surge of energy that once again carved deep trenches into the ground around the two.
One punch, one sword.
Cohen did not retreat an inch. The cracked black rock beneath his feet was deeply sunken, but his figure was as steady as a mountain!
Erebus's eyes, hidden beneath his dark helmet, flashed sharply once more.
Immediately afterwards, the two figures transformed into two blurry balls of light and shadow, colliding, intersecting, separating, and colliding again in the shattered other-dimensional battlefield!
Erebus's attack was a combination of pure dark corruption and absolute power.
Each swing of the dark greatsword carries a black sword light with annihilation properties, sometimes wide and powerful, sometimes cunning and unpredictable, aiming straight for vital points.
The dark armor he wore not only provided amazing defense, but it also seemed to be alive, sometimes extending dark tentacles to entwine him, and sometimes bursting out with dark spikes to attack.
His combat experience stems from countless battles against gods and the accumulation of ancient times; every attack targets weaknesses, and every defense is perfectly timed.
Cohen, on the other hand, is like a sophisticated war machine that blends violence and skill to the extreme.
"Goliath" provides overwhelming basic strength; "Adding Fuel to the Fire" adds explosive fire damage and thrust to every attack; "Strength" and "Agility" ensure he can perfectly control this raging power, making all sorts of unconventional rapid changes of direction and attacks from bizarre angles; "Pearl Gauntlets" gives every attack the potential to be a critical hit; and "Blade Waltz" grants him superb combat rhythm and anticipation, allowing him to dodge or avoid fatal attacks at the last second with minimal cost, and launch a swift counterattack in an instant.
Boom boom boom boom—!!!
The sounds of dense, rain-like impacts and energy explosions resounded throughout the entire alternate dimension.
Golden-red flames and pure darkness exploded continuously, turning this desolate battlefield into a scene of utter devastation.
The two fought from the ground into the air, from between the rock pillars to the floating giant rock, tearing everything in their path to shreds by the violent aftershocks of their power.
have equal shares!
Yes, at least for now, Cohen, this "mortal" who has not yet ascended to godhood, has no divine status, no divinity, and no divine power, actually fought to a draw in close combat with Erebus, the "past incarnation" who carries the dark divine will and has an understanding of the essence of divinity!
……
The Prime Plane, above the Florence Plains.
The light screen, maintained by the power of Ares, the god of war, reflected the scene of the other-dimensional battlefield, clearly transmitting every detail of the fierce battle between Cohen and Erebus to every deity and the powerful mortals below.
A deathly silence, almost stagnant, permeated the air among the gods.
All the gods, whether they had previously been curious, scrutinizing, wary, or, like Erebus, hostile towards Cohen, were now filled with the same emotion—disbelief.
Even though Erebus is currently limited by his "past self" and can only unleash the power level of the peak of the legendary rank.
Even if he cannot unleash a true torrent of divine power.
However, his soul is the soul of a true god who wields the power of darkness!
His understanding of the rules of darkness has long since penetrated to its essence; his combat awareness, experience, and skills are the crystallization of countless years and the trials of divine battles.
Simply put, the one fighting Cohen at this moment is a being with the realm, consciousness, and understanding of rules of a "god," but who is temporarily confined to the "legendary" container.
Such an existence would be overwhelmingly superior to any legend; it represents a difference in dimensionality.
But this Cohen Corleone...
What gives him the right?
Could it be based on those three realms, which, while exquisite, are not beyond the realm of legend?
Based solely on his combat experience and memories as the God of Shadow in his previous life?
The gods could not understand it.
Yes, in his previous life he was the God of Shadows, an existence on the same level as Erebus.
But a "past life" is still a past life!
In this life, although his soul is special, it is indeed a mortal soul. He has not fused with a divine spark, ignited a divine fire, condensed even a trace of divinity, and has no divine power to wield. What he uses is purely mortal magic and physical strength!
A mortal, with mortal strength and mortal fighting style, actually confronted a dark god whose power level was suppressed head-on, and did not lose ground?
This has completely overturned their understanding of the insurmountable gap between "gods" and "mortals".
Even though they had seen countless brilliant mortals and the feats of slaying gods with mortal bodies throughout their long divine lives, those feats were often achieved through special circumstances, powerful artifacts, clever tactics, or when the gods themselves were in an extremely weak state.
Like this, a mortal, in a head-on clash of pure strength and skill, fought to a draw with a fully-fledged god...
Incredible.
Absurd beyond belief.
Even the gods who knew about Cohen's "past life" found it all too outrageous.
Could memories and experiences from a past life allow a mortal to reach such a high level of understanding of the rules?
Could his combat skills be refined enough to compensate for the fundamental difference?
The silence of the gods high in the heavens speaks volumes about the shock they have experienced, more so than any exclamation or discussion.
Ares Beacon, the god of war and battle, stared intently at every subtle movement and burst of power from Cohen on the light screen, as if he had seen through the mystery within.
After a brief silence, Ares slowly spoke:
“Interesting. His Majesty Corleone has much more to him than he appears.”
His thick fingers pointed at the figure of Cohen in the light screen, especially at the strange runic light flowing around Cohen's body:
“Look at those runes. The ones he used at the beginning were probably for comprehensively improving basic attributes.”
But this is just the appetizer; watch out for his attacks.
Every punch, every kick, was beyond what a legendary-level character should possess in terms of power and speed.
Look here, and here too—”
The image on the light screen seemed to be magnified in detail according to his thoughts, clearly showing the moment when Cohen punched the Erebus Dark Armor and the golden and red flames exploded.
"His attacks carried a kind of... superimposed 'momentum'. The damage from the first punch seemed to lay the foundation for the second and third punches, making the subsequent blows heavier and harder to withstand."
The Dark Guy's armor showed a noticeable slowdown in the recovery speed of its Dark properties when it was subjected to continuous attacks.
Moreover, at certain crucial moments, he can suddenly amplify the destructive power of a single attack to a whole new level, like an uncontrolled critical strike.
This is a direct manifestation of the "Adding Fuel to the Fire" rune (attacks deal increasing damage and additional fire bursts) and the "Jeweled Gauntlets" rune (attacks deal armor penetration and critical strike chance) that Cohen used in actual combat.
This can be said to be the first time since Cohen came into this world that he has used all the core enhancement runes he has mastered at the same time without reservation, in order to fight against a god whose power has been suppressed in the most peak mortal form.
Facing Erebus, he dared not be the slightest bit overconfident, and used every bit of his strength to the fullest extent.
Immediately afterwards, another voice rang out, carrying the rumbling quality of flowing magma, and even the fire elemental and magma god, Fjorn Blaze, showed great interest:
"Interesting. I've seen guys who rely on runes in combat before."
Those ancient runes imprinted from elemental tides or worldstones can indeed bring all sorts of strange and wonderful blessings to the user.
But someone like him…” Fjørn paused, seemingly searching for the right words, “plays with these runes so smoothly, so deeply, and with such an absurdly cumulative effect.”
In all my years, I've hardly ever seen many.
These runes on him didn't seem like external blessings; rather, they seemed like part of his fighting instincts.
More importantly, the nature of the power of these runes feels very special.
It doesn't seem like ordinary elemental resonance or rule simulation, it's more like...
“It’s more like it’s directly driving something more fundamental and primal,” a gentle, calm voice interjected.
The god of books and knowledge, Ion Wisdom, who is always shrouded in soft white light and the phantom of floating scrolls, shared his opinion.
He paused for a moment, then uttered four words in a clear and certain tone:
"Creation Runes".
These four words, like four giant stones thrown into a calm lake, stirred up silent yet violent ripples among the gods.
Creation runes.
High in the sky, the beams of light and figures representing different pantheons and authorities almost simultaneously showed extremely subtle fluctuations.
The will of the gods is communicating rapidly and silently.
If Cohen was indeed using runes related to "creation"... then many things seem to have another possible explanation.
In the midst of this turbulent silence, another voice, aged and gentle, with the rhythmic quality unique to Elvish, slowly rang out.
It is the wisdom, history, and knowledge of the ancient sages, Elon Wise, a deity of the elven realm.
He spoke with the unhurried grace of a scholar immersed in a long history, reminding us:
"If I remember correctly, this God of Shadows did not reside permanently in the divine kingdom after ascending to the throne."
On the contrary, He has an extraordinary passion for exploring the boundaries of the multiverse and pursuing the secrets buried in the turbulent currents of spacetime.
There are even rumors that... he once tamed a rare spacetime dragon during an adventure in the endless void, making it his mount and companion.
Elon Wise did not continue speaking, but every deity present understood the unspoken meaning in his words.
An ancient deity who is passionate about exploring ancient secrets in the dangerous, endless void, and may even be associated with legendary creatures like the Time-Space Dragon.
Discovering, mastering, and even modifying certain "creation runes" that may be related to the origin of the world by chance... this doesn't seem entirely impossible.
The power Cohen was displaying at this moment, and his completely unconventional use of runes, seemed to find a reasonable explanation under this clue.
……
However, no matter how shocked, speculative, and secretive the gods outside were, the life-and-death struggle within the interdimensional battlefield did not stop in the slightest.
Instead, after a brief separation, they entered a more intense and dangerous phase.
Another all-out, no-nonsense, head-on clash.
Burning with golden-red flames, it clashed once again with the giant sword that devoured all light.
This time, the explosion was more violent than any before.
A terrifying energy storm spread wildly in a ring from the point of impact between the two, crushing all the protruding rocks and floating debris within hundreds of meters into dust.
The solid barriers of the extradimensional space trembled violently, and even tiny spatial cracks appeared at the edges. Although they were quickly repaired by the divine power of Ares, the god of war, it was enough to prove how terrifying this collision was.
Amidst the blinding light and turbulent energy splattering around them, the two figures were suddenly sent flying backward in opposite directions.
Cohen's feet plowed two deep furrows, dozens of meters long, into the broken black rock, sending up clouds of gravel and dust high behind him.
The golden-red flames burning on the body surface suddenly dimmed, then stubbornly rose again, though the color seemed less solid and brilliant than before.
The pearly luster covering the fist had also dimmed considerably, and even a few fine cracks had appeared.
He stopped, his chest rising and falling slightly, his breathing noticeably more rapid than before.
However, his eyes were not unfocused at all; on the contrary, they were like a sharp blade that had been polished, appearing even brighter and sharper against his slightly tired face.
The flames of war burning there did not diminish; on the contrary, they intensified due to the strength of the enemy.
On the other side, Erebus's body, shrouded in hideous dark armor, also slid backward dozens of meters, leaving two shocking charred marks on the ground.
His dark armor bore several fist-shaped dents with tiny, burning gold-red flames at the edges of the edges on the chest, shoulder armor, and other areas where he had directly clashed with Cohen's fist.
His right hand, gripping the dark greatsword, tightened its grip, his anger rising.
The two faced each other from a distance, separated by the lingering smoke and dust and the still-present aftershocks of energy.
Erebus, the ancient god of darkness, was experiencing a long-forgotten emotion—fear and rage, along with a lingering, unacknowledged unease.
Every second of the battle intensified this feeling in him.
He harnessed his past self with divine will and gathered power with a profound understanding of the origin of darkness; every strike should carry the crushing force of the rules.
But the reality was that Cohen, this utterly mortal being, with his flickering, eerie runes and his three interwoven legendary domains, managed to withstand the attack and even... launch a counterattack.
What bothered and unsettled Erebus even more was Cohen's unpredictable attack rhythm.
One moment, his dark greatsword seemed to be able to block the opponent's punches, but the next moment, the power contained in the fist and the attached golden-red flames would suddenly surge without warning.
Its speed defied logic, and its destructive power increased dramatically, nearly tearing his dark armor apart several times.
This unpredictable and fluctuating burst of power even overwhelmed Erebus's seasoned battle instincts. (End of Chapter)