Manu Leviathan/Story

## Ultimatum

*Master "Arthur" is indeed the most promising candidate to become a grandmaster! If he can really join our force and become a grandmaster, then the value he will generate is absolutely immeasurable. Exactly because of that, I must control this man and not let anyone else use him!*

Manu gives Arthur an ultimatum. Accept Manu's Soul Shackles and gain access to many things (perhaps including the Illusory Magic Shield) or do not accept and not gain access to many things.

Chen Rui had already made a major decision. He walked to Manu and reached for the light ball but then paused.

At that moment, Manu saw Chen Rui's eyes glowing as he suddenly asked, "When will the artifact arrive? I want an exact answer!"

Manu's narrowed eyes lit up, and he gave an answer confidently, "Within ten days."

"Okay!" Chen Rui's eyes suddenly became fanatical and a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. His paused movement accelerated rapidly. Without hesitation, he grasped the light ball, and the light ball was quickly absorbed into his body.

However, Manu couldn't have imagined what the real reason was for Chen Rui's sudden pause and surprise.

When Chen Rui was about to touch the light ball, the system's notification suddenly appeared in his mind, "Found an unknown spiritual link. Annotation: Level 1; can be cancelled; can be disconnect. Accept or reject?"

*This means that the "shared strength" function that Manu used to persuade me might be unfortunate.*

*Demon Overlord's strength! Even if it's only a small part of it, it's quite amazing for a Great Demon King. Since someone gives me such a huge supplement, why should I refuse it?*

*I was already prepared for sacrifice, but I didn't expect that surprise. Super System, I love you so much!*At that moment, Chen Rui and Manu both smiled in a mischievous manner, "Master is really courageous! Now, you're officially one of us." Chen Rui's performance made Manu feel completely relieved as [Soul Shackles] was one of Demon Realm's most powerful mind controlling skills. It engraved deep into the body and mind, so the master could torture or kill the shackled person across the space from anywhere.

What's more, the master accepted it voluntarily, so at least for quite some time, he didn't have to worry about the possibility of betrayal.

The moment when the strength of the Soul Channel entered his body, Chen Rui felt that there was a lot of extra power in his body. His stamina, spirit and other stats had increased.

"Master should feel the benefits of [Soul Channel] now." Manu said with a smile, "My strength is at Demon Overlord. Master has gained one thousandth of my strength. What you feel now should only be a small amount. If you can meditate and digest the power, you can at least reach Great Demon King."

*It turned out to be only one thousandth. Such a stingy guy!* Although Chen Rui murmured in his heart, he also understood that if the strength was too strong, he might explode. This state was most suitable for his level, which can make the strength of Megrez state more powerful.

"That's right. Master is indeed a master." Manu nodded, "Since master has accepted the [Soul Channel], then you're one of us. I'll take you to a good place that only we can go. Whether it is mechanics or beautiful women, all your wishes and needs could be fulfilled there."

## Demon Shield

"I want to remind you that even if you have the strongest Nightmare Eye and you're the eldest son of the previous king, you're only at the peak of Demon Emperor now! The Demon Realm advocates strength. So, I, Manu Leviathan, am the current master of the Envy Royal Family!" Manu's voice was cold, and it even contained killing intentions, which was completely different from his image as an old fox who usually laughed and smiled. However, foxes were still carnivorous animals. Besides, the foxes in the Demon Realm were cruel and sly. They liked to chew on their prey until no bones were left.

"What if your father left it for you?" Manu sneered, "Are you recognized by the Magic Shield? Your sister is the one that is recognized by the Magic Shield! Don't think that I don't know what you did to Delia! Now that she's missing, it also means that the recognized candidate by the artifact is missing. This alone is enough for me to sanction you!"

Since Delia was reluctant to mention about Broc, he didn't ask much. Now, he knew that Broc and Delia's father turned out to be the previous king of Leviathan and that Manu was the current master.

After getting permission to enter, Chen Rui walked into the hall and met two people. Besides Manu, the other was Chen Rui's "old acquaintance" – Broc Leviathan, the head of the three generals of the Dark Shadow Empire.

"Master, you're here." Manu smiled, "I'll introduce you. This is my... nephew, named Broc, the head of the three generals of the Dark Shadow Empire. Broc, this is the trio-specialized master and also the magic circle genius that shocked the Demon Realm, Master Arthur."

"I don't know why, but master gives me a familiar feeling. Have we met before?"

*Not only have we met, but we've also "contacted" intimately. The pockmarks on your face were given by me.*

"I've heard those words a lot. It was the same when I met the third general, Kafu. General Broc, did you bring the artifact I want?"

Manu orders Broc to hand over the Demon Shield. Since Manu is magnitudes stronger, Broc has no choice but to give in.

*A wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him. Since I'm not as strong now, I can only surrender. When my strength finally surpasses Manu in the future...*

He took out a round shield from his back and handed it to Chen Rui. Chen Rui looked joyful and took it.

But it was not the complete artifact. Chen knew the Illusive Shield was with Delia, but Chen pretends to look dissatisfied, "Sir Manu, I voluntarily accepted the [Soul Shackles] to study the artifact. Now that the artifact is incomplete, doesn't it violate your promise?"

"Don't be angry, master." Manu laughed, "Regardless, the Demon Shield is one of the seven artifacts. Besides, the seven artifacts consist more than just the Illusive Demon Shield. There are another six pieces. In the future, as long as our plan can succeed, it's not a problem to give all seven artifacts to you for research."

*Seven artifacts? So ambitious!* Chen Rui pondered for a while and said, "Then... When will Sir Azgalor be back? I hope you can help me borrow the God-Eating Mask from him for research."

"Azgalor has an important task outside. He certainly won't return in the near future."

Manu didn't know that the God-Eating Mask was in Chen Rui's hands at all. Chen Rui's words were just to find out Azgalor's whereabouts.

### Blood River

Chen Rui's eyes fell on Broc's long sword on his waist, and he suddenly looked like he couldn't take his gaze away, "General, your sword seems strange. Can you let me take a look?"

"Blood River." Chen then uses Analytic Eyes on it to discover its properties. Then, he showed a pity look, "It's a good sword, but unfortunately, it won't last for any longer."

Chen Rui was the mechanic master that shocked the Demon Realm and he had just revealed his secret technique in "appraisal", thus Broc obviously couldn't ignore that remark. Now that Broc heard that it had a danger of scrapping, he didn't dare to be rude.

Broc asks if it can be fixed. Chen pretended to be contemplative, "There is a way, but there is no absolute certainty. If it succeeds, the properties of this sword may be further improved. As long as you trust me, I can give it a try as a reward for taking your Demon Shield to research."

Broc was thinking that since he couldn't take the Demon Shield back for the time being, if "Blood River" could be repaired, it could barely offset some losses. He nodded immediately, "I believe in master. Please take care of this sword."

Chen then takes them to his lab and then 'fixes' the sword.

### 'Fixing' the sword

On the surface, Chen improves the stats of the sword and adds a 'Bloodthirst' skill that temporarily increases attack but decreases defense.

Broc was overjoyed. He took over the sword and saw that the blood flow above seemed to be more active. He was very familiar with the sword. After waving it a few times, he surely felt that the attack speed had increased. Then, he tried the [Bloodthirst] skill, and he couldn't stop complimenting. If he had some killing intentions against Master "Arthur" initially, it had become appreciation now. *No wonder he is treated with courtesy by Manu. He is indeed a genius – if I have the opportunity to overthrow Manu in the future, I must try to recruit this talent for myself.*

Chen Rui accepted the gratitude and praise from Broc. The highest level of scamming someone was that after hurting him, he would still thank you and count your money for you.

*Originally, this poor sword is nothing more than a "minor injury" that can heal itself. However, now, it has become a truly irreparable serious injury. As for the improvement of attributes... has he not heard of the final flash before dying?*

## How Manu knew

"It's useless, master. I've heard everything when I was lurking aside just now." Manu said. "Sabrina and Izola are dead and the Mystic Valley is destroyed. Even if the army of the Dark Shadow Empire doesn't come to eliminate, the Crystal Valley has already been severely damaged. If I didn't detect the capital's movements with Famore's identity and rushed back in time to wake Jacob up, coupled with Azgalor's coincidence return, your plan would have succeeded."

"I have to admit that you're truly a genius no matter in terms of talent, capabilities or intelligence! Even Demon Overlords like us have been tricked by your scheme." Manu complimented and his tone suddenly changed, "However, you forgot one thing, that was you've accepted my Soul Shackles in order to gain my trust. The injuries you just suffered had a little reaction in the [Soul Channel]. With the shackles, even if you want to self-destruct, you can't do it."

"If I came out earlier, I'm afraid this noblewoman wouldn't appear." Manu smiled slyly. "Ms. Christina, your beauty and temperament fascinated me deeply. I wonder if I can have the honor to marry you? I'm the master of the Leviathan Royal Family, so it's not humiliating for you too."

Manu knew that Christina was likely heir to the Shadow Empire throne.

Christina rejects Manu.

Manu then uses Soul Shackles to control Chen.

## Fight

"Azgalor's attack is part of his mutated talent, but it is not an elemental force. Your Element Weakening talent is useless."

Actually, Manu didn't mention that Azgalor's fist was also blended with the devouring talent of the Beelzebub Royal Family. It could continuously absorb the enemy's strength from the attack. At once, Christina was suppressed to a disadvantage.

As soon as Manu laughed, he felt a strange power coming from "Arthur". A strange galaxy appeared around Arthur, and it actually weakened his territory's power.

Manu was taken aback. That kind of Demon Emperor-level "pseudo-territory" was supposed to be ineffective in a real territory logically. Unexpectedly, something so unconventional actually happened.

More surprising things had yet to happen. He saw "Arthur" screamed and his body made a continuous exploding sound and the bounding thread was actually broken one by one.

Breaking away like that was equivalent to detonating himself and the price was huge. Chen Rui's body strength was all flowing in the opposite direction. His muscles started erupting as they couldn't handle the pressure. At that instant, he was covered with blood.

Due to [Soul Channel], Manu also felt a pain in his body. He moved his mind and countless threads went toward Chen Rui again, then he heard Chen Rui shouted, "Azgalor! God-Eating Mask!"

Azgalor's blood-red whirlwind stopped suddenly. Surely, he saw a mask added on Chen Rui's face. His body suddenly scattered into countless flies, dodging the thread.

Azgalor's eyes were brightened. The exclusive skill of God-Eating Mask – Demonic Flies Transformation!

### Destroy Heart

In Manu's horrified eyes, the man whose "Death Will" was prohibited by the [Soul Shackles], was covered in a red flame. The light of the flame was as hot as one's life.

Afterward, his blade-like hand pierced into his heart ruthlessly. The force was so strong that his fingers were inserted straight into his chest. Blood only started spurting out after a while.

Although his face had been severely distorted by pain, his eyes were still fearless. Although his voice was trembling, Manu was the one that actually feared.

"Don't do stupid things!" Manu was cold sweating while covering his chest.

Christina was shocked and blurted out, "No!"

"Go!" Chen Rui yelled fiercely as his remaining strength exploded. His fingers deep inside his heart exerted force violently. A blood flower immediately bursted out. It was gorgeous yet burning hot.

The blood-stained hand slowly pulled out, then his entire body fell to the ground as if he was drained completely.

Manu cried while covering his painful chest. His face was pale, and his territory's power was suddenly weakened by half.

While he was covering his painful heart, he suddenly felt that the connection of Soul Shackles was terminated. That strange recoil made him even more hurtful. This was the aftermath of Soul Channel being forcibly removed.

Manu's distorted face was full of horror. He never thought that someone could directly cut off [Soul Shackles]. *No wonder this man accepted the shackles so frankly previously. It turns out that he has such an incredible means!*

*Given that ability, why did he make such a crazy move... of crushing his heart?*

### Christina

However, Christina didn't run away. Instead, she looked quietly at Chen Rui who had fallen to the ground. She was looking at the blood that was expanding quickly on the floor and the anxious eyes that signaled her to run away.

Unconsciously, her veil was already wet.

She closed her eyes slowly. The scene at the Silent Night Wetland seemed to have appeared again in her mind. *This stupid man, even with his last [Teleportation] to survive, he insisted to take Broc with him just to keep me safe.*

"Both of you worked together to kill that woman!" Manu endured the pain and yelled. "Then, find a way to save that maniac!"

Azgalor responded quickly. *That's right. There are too many secrets on this maniac including the God-Eating Mask that just disappeared. He can't die!*

Azgalor flashed and appeared again next to Christina. His violent force containing red electric spark surged out again. That blow was already all of his strength.

Jacob was also anxious to interrogate the whereabouts of Fountain of Resurrection and the ancient runes. Therefore, he couldn't bother about his dragon's arrogance. He leapt and attacked from the sky.

Christina's eyes opened slowly. With Azgalor's and Jacob's speed, they should've hit her countless times. However, it was only when she opened her eyes "slowly" that they came to her side respectively. That was a mysterious law.

## Death

Manu could only be described with anger and despair at the moment. After fleeing with the secret technique, he soon received the news that his elites were wiped out. At the same time, Blood Vine City was controlled. His initial clever trap was almost uprooted.

What was even more troublesome was that his "body" was always filled with a strange power after escaping from the Crystal Valley. It inflicted excruciating pain on him. Although he seemed to be alive and looked much younger, the price of maintaining this state was at the cost of a huge amount of vitality and magic power. If this continued, not only would his power decline rapidly, he couldn't even survive.

"Sir Manu."

It was Broc who spoke. He took out a small jar, "This is the violet smoke liquid that is extracted today. However, there are several materials that are getting harder to find."

"No matter how hard it is, you must obtain it!" Manu snorted and took the small jar. He pulled the stopper and drank it. This violet smoke liquid was extracted from various rare plants such as violet smoke flower using secret recipes. Since Manu drank it, the strange power in his body had been greatly suppressed.

Broc noticed that Manu's hands were shaking. The cold light in his eyes was fleeting, "Sir, the Bloody Vine City has been completely exposed, and Crystal Valley has also been destroyed. What should we do next?"

Manu closed his eyes and felt the comfort of the pain being soothed by the violet smoke liquid. He took a deep breath, "The change in Crystal Valley has caused us heavy losses this time. The Dark Shadow Empire will definitely suppress and hunt our forces throughout the country now. It's better for you to go back to the border fortress and act in a low-key manner temporarily. Don't attract the capital's attention."

"Got it." Broc asked tentatively, "About His Royal Highness,[*Citation needed*] do you want..."

"No need. I will contact myself." Manu frowned. "You better pay more attention to the whereabouts of Azgalor and Jacob. Contact them as soon as possible."

Broc nodded. He suddenly showed a strange grin, "Sir, is there any other instructions?"

This grin tightened the sensitive Manu's heart. Manu narrowed his eyes and made a pondering look. He was actually circulating his power secretly, and suddenly his face changed greatly.

"Don't be surprised, Sir Manu. You have been trying to hide your injury, but how can you hide it from me? As you know, I am the first general of the Dark Shadow Empire. You did not suffer "magic damage" but the strongest Nirvana power instead." Broc was still grinning "Violet smoke flower can't actually suppress the Nirvana power. It will only condense it before violently bursting. The suppression you felt previously is just a hallucination produced by other drugs. However, it is really not easy to trick you to take the violet smoke liquid. It turns out that the previous costs are worth it. Now that you have drank it for seven days, it is time for me to harvest..."

An intense rage surged in Manu's heart. He thought that his cleverness was above others. He was cautious in every aspect, but he actually fell in Broc's hands. *If it wasn't the territory power of the terrifying woman. If it wasn't the maniac...*

It was a pity that there were not so many "ifs" in reality regardless of who you were.

At this moment, the Nirvana power which had been suppressed in Manu's "body" began to spread frantically; his original power had completely scattered. As Manu desperately condensed his power, he felt a sense of danger. Although his consciousness already had the idea of dodging, his body couldn't make the corresponding movements. He only felt a pain on his chest, then he was penetrated by the long sword, "Blood River".

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 271 (Steambun)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 276 (Steambun)
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chapter 295 (Steambun)
4. ↑ Who could this be? Raizen?
5. ↑ Chapter 385 (Steambun)