Absolute Cheater-Chapter 196 : Gathering keys IV

The black liquid shot forward like a bullet, piercing through the worm's tough hide with ease. The creature shuddered violently as its own lethal poison invaded its system.

It let out one last shriek before collapsing with a heavy THUD, its massive body convulsing before finally going still.

Serena exhaled in disbelief. "You just… poisoned a creature that's immune to poison."

Asher wiped his hands off. "Yep. Three down, one to go."

He turned, walking toward the worm's severed head, ready to claim his trophy.

Serena groaned. "At least let me catch my breath first…"

Asher ignored Serena's complaints as he approached the corpse of the Million Spike Worm. The body was still twitching, releasing faint hisses of toxic steam from the punctured wounds.

With a flick of his wrist, Asher coated his hand in blood energy and reached into the worm's head.

A moment later, he pulled out a black, crystalized core—pulsing with eerie venomous energy.

[You have obtained the Venom Heart Core – Million Spike Worm.]

Serena peered over his shoulder. "Is that the key?"

"One of them," Asher confirmed, inspecting the pulsating core. "The War God's trial needs the heads of four kings. This should count."

Serena crossed her arms. "You could at least pretend this was difficult."

Asher shrugged. "I could. But that'd be lying."

Serena rolled her eyes but let it slide. "Alright, what's next?"

—BOOM!

Before Asher could answer, a distant explosion echoed from the southern horizon.

The sky trembled, and a thick, purple mist began to rise in the distance, swallowing entire trees and hills.

Serena's face paled. "The Purple Mist Lion…"

Asher smirked. "Looks like it already knows we're coming."

Southward – The Domain of the Purple Mist Lion

The land shifted as they traveled south. The rocky wasteland gave way to dense, twisted forests, where thick purple fog slithered between the trees.

The deeper they went, the harder it became to breathe. The air was heavy with a sweet but deadly scent, and even Serena, with her resistance as a healer, felt her limbs turning sluggish.

"Asher… this mist is too thick," she warned.

He glanced at her. "Then stay close."

Serena narrowed her eyes but didn't argue.

With a flick of his finger, Asher manipulated his blood energy, forming a thin red veil around them. The moment the mist touched the crimson barrier, it sizzled and evaporated.

Serena let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks."

Before Asher could reply—a deep growl rumbled from the fog.

The trees trembled.

The mist shifted unnaturally.

And then—glowing purple eyes appeared from the darkness.

The Purple Mist Lion stepped forward, its massive black-furred body lined with violet markings. Its mane was a swirling mass of toxic fog, constantly shifting and curling like living smoke.

Serena stiffened. "It's… beautiful."

Asher cracked his knuckles. "Let's see if it's durable."

The lion roared.

The entire forest exploded into chaos.

Serena barely had time to raise a barrier before the mist surged forward like a living tide, swallowing everything in its path.

Asher grinned. "Come on then, kitty. Let's see who breathes last."

The thick fog churned violently, expanding outward like an unstoppable force. Even with Asher's blood barrier, the sheer density of the poison was overwhelming.

The Purple Mist Lion didn't lunge immediately. Instead, it paced within the mist, its glowing eyes locking onto Asher. This wasn't a mindless beast—it was analyzing its prey.

Serena tightened her grip on her staff. "Asher, be careful! That thing isn't just strong—it's intelligent."

Asher smirked. "That just makes it more fun."

—WHOOSH!

In an instant, the lion disappeared into the fog.

Serena's eyes darted around. "Where did—?!"

—SLASH!

A black claw streaked out from the mist, aiming straight for Asher's throat.

Asher barely tilted his head in time, the razor-sharp claws grazing past his neck. A thin cut appeared, but before the lion could retract its paw—

—CRIMSON CHAINS ERUPTED FROM ASHER'S BLOOD.

They wrapped around the beast's leg, tightening instantly.

"Got you," Asher muttered.

The lion roared furiously, the mist around it intensifying. Its mane burned with venomous energy, and within moments, the toxic mist began corroding the blood chains.

Asher's grin widened. "So your poison eats away at living matter?"

The chains shattered. The lion lunged again, but Asher was already moving.

—BOOM!

With a single explosive step, Asher vanished from sight—reappearing above the lion.

He twisted his body in midair, gathering blood energy into his fist.

"Sanguine Supreme: Blood Ruin Fist."

—CRASH!

His punch connected directly with the lion's skull, sending a shockwave through the air. The sheer force split the ground beneath them, creating a crater.

Serena shielded herself from the debris, gasping. "Did that do it—?!"

—ROAR!

The lion shot out of the dust cloud, barely injured. Its mist flared violently, and its body split into three identical clones, surrounding Asher.

"Illusions?" Asher murmured.

Serena's eyes widened. "No! Those are all real!"

Asher cracked his neck. "Perfect. More to kill."

The three Purple Mist Lions circled Asher, their glowing eyes flickering like dying embers in the dense, toxic fog.

Serena tightened her grip on her staff, her mind racing. "How can there be three?! Is this another ability of the Poison Mist Lion?"

Asher, however, wasn't fazed. Instead, his blood-red aura flared up, casting an eerie glow through the mist.

—WHOOSH!

One of the lions lunged from behind, its fangs bared, dripping with venom.

—CLANG!

A crimson blood blade formed in Asher's hand, intercepting the attack just in time. The impact sent shockwaves through the mist, dispersing a portion of the thick poison cloud.

Serena coughed. "The mist is getting stronger—if we don't end this fast, we'll be suffocated!"

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Asher's gaze flickered toward the two other lions, both preparing to pounce. He smirked. "Let's see if all three of you can handle this—"

—SANGUINE SUPREME: BLOOD FIELD.

The moment he whispered those words, the ground beneath them turned crimson.

The blood Asher had spilled in battle reacted instantly, spreading out in thin, web-like veins that pulsed with life.

The lions hesitated.

Then—

—BOOM!

Blood spikes erupted from the ground beneath one of the lions, impaling it instantly. The beast roared in agony before its body melted into mist.